Differential expression of mucin 1 and mucin 2 in colorectal cancer

AIM To determine tissue expression(mRNA, protein) of two types of mucins [mucin 1(MUC1) and mucin 2(MUC2)] in patients with colorectal cancer(CRC).METHODS Expression of membrane-bound mucin(MUC1) and secretory mucin(MUC2) in CRC(mRNA, protein) were analyzed in tissue material including fragments of tumorsobtained from CRC patients(n = 34), and fragments of normal colorectal tissue from the same patients(control). The analysis was conducted using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)(transcripts), immunohistochemistry(IHC)(apomucins), and the modern approach for morphometric analysis of IHC reaction(HSV filter software). Results on tissue expression of both mucins(mRNA, protein) were compared to histological alterations in colorectal cancer samples and correlated with selected clinical data in the patients. The statistical analysis was conducted using Statistica PL v. 12.0 software.RESULTS Significantly higher expression of the MUC1 mRNA in the CRC, compared with the control and the borderline correlation of mRNA expression with MUC1 protein levels in colorectal samples was observed. The expression of apomucins concerned cell membranes(MUC1) and cytoplasm(MUC2) and occurred both in control tissues and in most cancerous samples. There were no significant relationships between MUC1(mRNA, protein) and the clinicopathological data of patients. MUC2 protein expression was significantly lower as compared to the control, while MUC2 mRNA expression was comparable in both groups. The MUC1/MUC2 ratio was significantly higher in CRC tissues than in the control. The higher expression of MUC2 was a feature of mucinous CRC subtypes, and characterized higher histological stage of tumors. Negative correlations have been obtained between MUC2 and the Ki-67 antigen, as well as between MUC2 and p53 protein expressions in CRC.CONCLUSION A combination of tissue overexpression of MUC1, reduced MUC2 expression, and high ratio of MUC1/MUC2 is a factor of poor prognosis in CRC patients. MUC2 tissue expression allows to differentiate mucinous and nonmucinous CRC subtypes.

Apolipoprotein E variants correlate with the clinical presentation of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease:A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that apolipoprotein E(APOE)polymorphisms are associated with the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)and the early age of disease onset.However,there are no reports regarding the relationship with clinical characteristics and disease severity.AIM To summarise that APOE polymorphisms are associated with the risk of developing IBD and the early age of disease onset.METHODS In total,406 patients aged 3-18 with IBD(192 had ulcerative colitis and 214 had Crohn’s disease)were genotyped using the TaqMan hydrolysis probe assay.Clinical expression was described at diagnosis and the worst flare by disease activity scales,albumin and C-reactive protein levels,localisation and behaviour(Paris classification).Systemic steroid intake with the total number of courses,immunosuppressive,biological,and surgical treatment with the time and age of the first intervention were determined.The total number of exacerbation-caused hospitalisations,the number of days spent in hospital due to exacerbation,the number of relapses,and severe relapses were also estimated.RESULTS Ulcerative colitis patients with the APOEε4 allele had lower C-reactive protein values at diagnosis(P=0.0435)and the worst flare(P=0.0013)compared to patients with the APOEε2 allele and genotype APOEε3/ε3.Crohn’s disease patients with the APOEε2 allele scored lower on the Pediatric Crohn’s Disease Activity Index at diagnosis(P=0.0204).IBD patients with APOEε2 allele spent fewer days in the hospital due to relapse(P=0.0440).CONCLUSION APOE polymorphisms are associated with the risk of developing IBD and the clinical expression of IBD.However,the clinical relevance of the differences identified is rather modest.