Decreased hyaluronidase 1 expression is associated with early disease recurrence in human endometrial cancer

Role of Hyaluronic Acid in Selected Malignant Neoplasms in Women

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a significant glycosaminoglycan component of the extracellular matrix, playing an essential role in cell localization and proliferation. However, high levels of HA may also correlate with multidrug resistance of tumor cells, an increased tendency to metastasize, or cancer progression, and thus represent a very unfavorable prognosis for cancer patients. The purpose of this review article is to summarize the results of studies describing the relationship between HA, the main ligand of the CD44 receptor, or other components of the HA signaling pathway. In addition, we review the course of selected female malignancies, i.e., breast, cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer, with the main focus on the mechanisms oriented to CD44. We also analyze reports on the beneficial use of HA-containing preparations in adjuvant therapy among patients with these types of cancer. Data from the literature suggest that HA and its family members may be critical prognostic biomarkers of selected malignancies among women. Nevertheless, the results of the available studies are inconclusive, and the actual clinical significance of HA expression analysis is still quite enigmatic. In our opinion, the HA-CD44 signaling pathway should be an attractive target for future research related to targeted therapy in gynecological cancers.

Hyaluronic Acid as a Modern Approach in Anticancer Therapy-Review

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear polysaccharide and crucial component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), maintaining tissue hydration and tension. Moreover, HA contributes to embryonic development, healing, inflammation, and cancerogenesis. This review summarizes new research on the metabolism and interactions of HA with its binding proteins, known as hyaladherins (CD44, RHAMM), revealing the molecular basis for its distinct biological function in the development of cancer. The presence of HA on the surface of tumor cells is a sign of an adverse prognosis. The involvement of HA in malignancy has been extensively investigated using cancer-free naked mole rats as a model. The HA metabolic components are examined for their potential impact on promoting or inhibiting tumor formation, proliferation, invasion, and metastatic spread. High molecular weight HA is associated with homeostasis and protective action due to its ability to preserve tissue integrity. In contrast, low molecular weight HA indicates a pathological condition in the tissue and plays a role in pro-oncogenic activity. A systematic approach might uncover processes related to cancer growth, establish novel prognostic indicators, and identify potential targets for treatment action.

Chemical modification of hyaluronic acid improves its supportive action on embryo implantation

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a supplement of the embryo transfer medium that improves embryo implantation. We have suggested that the supportive action of HA can be promoted by introducing additional artificial binding sites on the HA structure. HA was modified at carboxyl sites separately with thiol (SH) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS), as mucoadhesive and amine-reactive groups, respectively. The mouse blastocysts were incubated with HA derivatives for 15 min. The HA coatings maintained their potential for enzymatic degradation and showed no detrimental effect on embryonic viability and developmental potential. After in vivo transfer, a significantly higher implantation rate was attained by HA-NHS treatment (80 %) compared with the HA-SH (53 %) and the commercial transfer medium, EmbryoGlue® (56 %). The HA-NHS was produced by a slight modification on the native structure of HA using a simple, fast, non-expensive and scalable chemistry which all promise applicability of this new HA derivative in assisted reproductive technologies.

Hyaluronan as "Agent Smith" in cancer extracellular matrix pathobiology: Regulatory roles in immune response, cancer progression and targeting

Extracellular matrix (ECM) critically regulates cancer cell behavior by governing cell signaling and properties. Hyaluronan (HA) acts as a structural and functional ECM component that mediates critical properties of cancer cells in a molecular size-dependent manner. HA fragments secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) reveal the correlation of HA to CAF-mediated matrix remodeling, a key step for the initiation of metastasis. The main goal of this article is to highlight the vital functions of HA in cancer cell initiation and progression as well as HA-mediated paracrine interactions among cancer and stromal cells. Furthermore, the HA implication in mediating immune responses to cancer progression is also discussed. Novel data on the role of HA in the formation of pre-metastatic niche may contribute towards the improvement of current theranostic approaches that benefit cancer management.

Hallmarks of glycogene expression and glycosylation pathways in squamous and adenocarcinoma cervical cancer

Background

Dysregulation of glycogene expression in cancer can lead to aberrant glycan expression, which can promote tumorigenesis. Cervical cancer (CC) displays an increased expression of glycogenes involved in sialylation and sialylated glycans. Here, we show a comprehensive analysis of glycogene expression in CC to identify glycogene expression signatures and the possible glycosylation pathways altered.

Methods

First, we performed a microarray expression assay to compare glycogene expression changes between normal and cervical cancer tissues. Second, we used 401 glycogenes to analyze glycogene expression in adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma from RNA-seq data at the cBioPortal for Cancer Genomics.

Results

The analysis of the microarray expression assay indicated that CC displayed an increase in glycogenes related to GPI-anchored biosynthesis and a decrease in genes associated with chondroitin and dermatan sulfate with respect to normal tissue. Also, the glycogene analysis of CC samples by the RNA-seq showed that the glycogenes involved in the chondroitin and dermatan sulfate pathway were downregulated. Interestingly the adenocarcinoma tumors displayed a unique glycogene expression signature compared to squamous cancer that shows heterogeneous glycogene expression divided into six types. Squamous carcinoma type 5 (SCC-5) showed increased expression of genes implicated in keratan and heparan sulfate synthesis, glycosaminoglycan degradation, ganglio, and globo glycosphingolipid synthesis was related to poorly differentiated tumors and poor survival. Squamous carcinoma type 6 (SCC-6) displayed an increased expression of genes involved in chondroitin/dermatan sulfate synthesis and lacto and neolacto glycosphingolipid synthesis and was associated with nonkeratinizing squamous cancer and good survival. In summary, our study showed that CC tumors are not a uniform entity, and their glycome signatures could be related to different clinicopathological characteristics.

Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Nanomicelles Enhance SAHA Efficacy in 3D Endometrial Cancer Models

Simple Summary

One of the major limitations to cancer therapies are the side effects caused by the drug interacting with any tissue in the body. There is often a balance between patient health and effectively treating the disease. To by-pass this balancing act nanoparticles are being used to deliver therapeutics straight to the tumors, acting as “Trojan Horses”. Endometrial cancers are known to have more of the cell surface protein CD44 than healthy tissues. Here, to efficiently target endometrial cancer, hyaluronic acid, which naturally binds to the CD44 protein was attached to the surface of nanoparticles and tested on microtissues or spheroids to better model a tumor and understand drug delivery performance. We show that our hyaluronic acid-nanoparticle formulations improve drug effects and interact with the cancer cells more than without this targeting agent.

Abstract

Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes are upregulated in cancer leading to the development of HDAC inhibiting compounds, several of which are currently in clinical trials. Side effects associated with toxicity and non-specific targeting indicate the need for efficient drug delivery approaches and tumor specific targeting to enhance HDAC efficacy in solid tumor cancers. SAHA encapsulation within F127 micelles functionalized with a surface hyaluronic acid moiety, was developed to target endometrial cancer cells expressing elevated levels of CD44. In vitro viability and morphology analyses was conducted in both 2D and 3D models to assess the translational potential of this approach. Encapsulation enhanced SAHA delivery and activity, demonstrating increased cytotoxic efficacy in 2D and 3D endometrial cancer models. High-content imaging showed improved nanoparticle internalization in 2D and CD44 enhanced penetration in 3D models. In addition, the nano-delivery system enhanced spheroid penetration resulting in cell growth suppression, p21 associated cell cycle arrest, as well as overcoming the formation of an EMT associated phenotype observed in free drug treated type II endometrial cancer cells. This study demonstrates that targeted nanoparticle delivery of SAHA could provide the basis for improving its efficacy in endometrial cancer. Using 3D models for endometrial cancer allows the elucidation of nanoparticle performance and CD44 targeting, likely through penetration and retention within the tumor model.

Key Matrix Remodeling Enzymes: Functions and Targeting in Cancer

Tissue functionality and integrity demand continuous changes in distribution of major components in the extracellular matrices (ECMs) under normal conditions aiming tissue homeostasis. Major matrix degrading proteolytic enzymes are matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), plasminogen activators, atypical proteases such as intracellular cathepsins and glycolytic enzymes including heparanase and hyaluronidases. Matrix proteases evoke epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and regulate ECM turnover under normal procedures as well as cancer cell phenotype, motility, invasion, autophagy, angiogenesis and exosome formation through vital signaling cascades. ECM remodeling is also achieved by glycolytic enzymes that are essential for cancer cell survival, proliferation and tumor progression. In this article, the types of major matrix remodeling enzymes, their effects in cancer initiation, propagation and progression as well as their pharmacological targeting and ongoing clinical trials are presented and critically discussed.

Hyaluronan: Metabolism and Function

As a major polysaccharide component of the extracellular matrix, hyaluronan plays essential roles in the organization of tissue architecture and the regulation of cellular functions, such as cell proliferation and migration, through interactions with cell-surface receptors and binding molecules. Metabolic pathways for biosynthesis and degradation tightly control the turnover rate, concentration, and molecular size of hyaluronan in tissues. Despite the relatively simple chemical composition of this polysaccharide, its wide range of molecular weights mediate diverse functions that depend on molecular size and tissue concentration. Genetic engineering and pharmacological approaches have demonstrated close associations between hyaluronan metabolism and functions in many physiological and pathological events, including morphogenesis, wound healing, and inflammation. Moreover, emerging evidence has suggested that the accumulation of hyaluronan extracellular matrix and fragments due to the altered expression of hyaluronan synthases and hyaluronidases potentiates cancer development and progression by remodeling the tumor microenvironment. In addition to the well-known functions exerted by extracellular hyaluronan, recent metabolomic approaches have also revealed that its synthesis can regulate cellular functions via the reprogramming of cellular metabolism. This review highlights the current advances in knowledge on the biosynthesis and catabolism of hyaluronan and describes the diverse functions associated with hyaluronan metabolism.

Hyaluronan Metabolism is Associated with DNA Repair Genes in Breast and Colorectal Cancer. Screening of Potential Progression Markers Using qPCR

In this work, we compared mRNA levels of Hyaluronan (HA) metabolism members and BRCA genes, known to be involved in the tumoral process, between tumor and non-tumor adjacent tissue and its correlation with previously proposed biomarkers (ER, PR, HER2 and KI67) in order to assess their value as a progression biomarkers. We show alteration in HA metabolism in colorectal but not breast cancer. However, we found a decrease in Hyaluronidase 1 HYAL1 levels in the breast but not colorectal cancer. We also show lower HA levels in tumor compared with normal tissue that could indicate a possible influence of tumor on its surrounding "normal" tissue. In both breast and colorectal cancer, CD44 and BRCA2 showed a strong positive correlation. Besides, our results show first indicators that qPCR of the analyzed genes could be used as an easy and low cost procedure for the evaluation of molecular markers we propose here.

Cellular hyaluronan is associated with a poor prognosis in renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

Hyaluronan, a major glycosaminoglycan of the extracellular matrix, can act as an oncogenic component of the tumor microenvironment in many human malignancies. We characterized the hyaluronan content of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and investigated its correlations with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included data from 316 patients that had undergone surgery for RCC in Kuopio University Hospital in 2000 to 2013. The hyaluronan content of surgical tumor samples were histochemically stained with a biotinylated hyaluronan-specific affinity probe. The amount of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes was evaluated in each tumor. Kaplan-Meier and univariate and multivariate Cox-regression analyses were performed to estimate the impact of hyaluronan content on overall survival, disease-specific survival, and metastasis-free survival.

RESULTS

Detectable cellular hyaluronan was associated with higher tumor grades and the presence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Cellular hyaluronan identified a prognostically unfavourable subgroup among low-grade carcinomas. Multivariate analyses showed that measurable cellular hyaluronan was an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-2.0; P = 0.039), Disease-specific survival (HR 2.07; 95% CI: 1.2-3.3; P = 0.002), and metastasis-free survival (HR 2.45; 95% CI: 1.37-4.4; P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Cellular hyaluronan was significantly associated with unfavourable features and a poor prognosis in RCC. Further studies are needed to investigate the biological mechanism underlying hyaluronan accumulation in RCC.

HYAL1 Is Downregulated in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Inhibits HFL-1 Fibroblast Proliferation When Upregulated

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common interstitial lung disease, arises from transforming growth factor beta 1- (TGFβ1-) induced aberrant fibroproliferation in response to epithelial injury. The TGFβ1-) induced aberrant fibroproliferation in response to epithelial injury. The TGF

Methods

We first performed microarray data mining of previously published gene expression datasets to identify key gene signatures in IPF lung tissues. HYAL1 expression levels in IPF and normal lung tissues were then characterized using immunohistochemistry followed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis on isolated fibroblasts from fresh lung tissues of IPF and healthy donors. A human fetal lung fibroblast HFL-1 cell line, which was used in place of primary lung fibroblasts, was used to assess the proliferative or apoptotic effects associated with lentiviral-induced HYAL1 overexpression using CCK-8 cell proliferation assay and Annexin V-APC staining. The identification of potentially associated molecular pathways was performed using microarray analysis followed by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis.

Results

Lung tissue microarray data mining and immunohistochemistry revealed significantly downregulation of HYAL1 in IPF lung tissue. However, HYAL1 in IPF lung tissue. However, HYAL1 in IPF lung tissue. However, HYAL1 in IPF lung tissue. However, β1-) induced aberrant fibroproliferation in response to epithelial injury. The TGFβ1-) induced aberrant fibroproliferation in response to epithelial injury. The TGF

Conclusions

We showed that HYAL1 overexpression could prevent HFL-1 fibroproliferation. Furthermore, our findings suggest that transcriptional regulators and BMP receptor signaling may be involved in HYAL1 modulation in IPF therapy.HYAL1 in IPF lung tissue. However,

Purification of hyaluronidase as an anticancer agent inhibiting CD44

Hyaluronidase (Hyal) can be employed to accomplish a diversity of complications related to hyaluronic acid (HA). Hyal contains some classes of catalysts that cleave HA. This enzyme is detected in several human tissues as well as in animal venoms, pathogenic organisms and cancers. Destructive cancer cells regularly increase the CD44 receptor existing in a cell membrane. This receptor acts as an exact receptor for HA, and HA is recognized to motivate the migration, spread, attack and metastasis of cancer cells. Nearly all of the methods used to purify Hyal are highly costly and not proper for industrial applications. This survey aims to review different methods of Hyal purification, which acts as an anticancer agent by degrading HA in tissues and thus inhibiting the CD44-HA interaction. Hyal can be successfully employed in the management of cancer, which is associated with HA-CD44. This review has described different methods for Hyal purification to prepare an origin to develop a novel purification technique for this highly appreciated protein. Using multiple columns is not applicable for the purification of Hyal and thus cannot be used at the industrial level. It is better to use affinity chromatography of anti-Hyal for Hyal with one-step purification.

The suppressive role of HYAL1 and HYAL2 in the metastasis of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Hyaluronidases (HAases), enzymes that degrade hyaluronan, have been widely investigated in cancer biology. However, whether HAases serve as tumor promoters or suppressors has been controversial in different cancers, and the exact role of HAases in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been elucidated.

METHODS

The expression levels of HYAL1, HYAL2, and HYAL3 in cancer and corresponding normal tissues from CRC patients were examined via immunohistochemistry. Then the correlation between HAases levels and pathological characteristics of CRC patients was analyzed. To verify the clinical data, HYAL1 and HYAL2 were downregulated or overexpressed in colon cancer cells LOVO and HCT116 to observe their influences on cell invasion and migration. For the mechanism study, we investigated the effects of HYAL1 and HYAL2 on the expression of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs)/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases (TIMPs) and distribution of F-actin.

RESULTS

All the three HAases were abnormally elevated in cancer tissues. Interestingly, HYAL1 and HYAL2, but not HYAL3, were negatively correlated with lymphatic metastasis and TNM stage. When HYAL1 and HYAL2 were knocked down, the invasion and migration abilities of colon cancer cells were accelerated, whereas overexpression of HYAL1 and HYAL2 had the opposite effects. In addition, colon cancer cells with HYAL1 and HYAL2 downregulation showed increased levels of MMP2 and MMP9, decreased levels of TIMP1 and TIMP2, and more intense F-actin stress fibers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that HYAL1 and HYAL2 suppress CRC metastasis through regulating MMPs/TIMPs balance and rearranging F-actin distribution, further inhibiting invasion and migration of cancer cells.

International Society of Gynecological Pathologists (ISGyP) Endometrial Cancer Project: Guidelines From the Special Techniques and Ancillary Studies Group

The aim of this article is to propose guidelines and recommendations in problematic areas in pathologic reporting of endometrial carcinoma (EC) regarding special techniques and ancillary studies. An organizing committee designed a comprehensive survey with different questions related to pathologic features, diagnosis, and prognosis of EC that was sent to all members of the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists. The special techniques/ancillary studies group received 4 different questions to be addressed. Five members of the group reviewed the literature and came up with recommendations and an accompanying text which were discussed and agreed upon by all members of the group. Twelve different recommendations are made. They address the value of immunohistochemistry, ploidy, and molecular analysis for assessing prognosis in EC, the value of steroid hormone receptor analysis to predict response to hormone therapy, and parameters regarding applying immunohistochemistry and molecular tests for assessing mismatch deficiency in EC.

The dual role of the glycosaminoglycan chondroitin-6-sulfate in the development, progression and metastasis of cancer

The remarkable structural heterogeneity of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) generates biological information that can be unique to each of these glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and changes in their composition are translated into alterations in the binding profiles of these molecules. CS/DS can bind to various cytokines and growth factors, cell surface receptors, adhesion molecules, enzymes and fibrillar glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix, thereby influencing both cell behavior and the biomechanical and biochemical properties of the matrix. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge concerning CS/DS metabolism in the human cancer stroma. The remodeling of the GAG profile in the tumor niche is manifested as a substantial increase in the CS content and a gradual decrease in the proportion between DS and CS. Furthermore, the composition of CS and DS is also affected, which results in a substantial increase in the 6‐O‐sulfated and/or unsulfated disaccharide content, which is concomitant with a decrease in the 4‐O‐sulfation level. Here, we discuss the possible impact of alterations in the CS/DS sulfation pattern on the binding capacity and specificity of these GAGs. Moreover, we propose potential consequences of the stromal accumulation of chondroitin‐6‐sulfate for the progression and metastasis of cancer.

The Hyaluronic Acid System is Intact in Menstrual Endometrial Cells in Women With and Without Endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the production and degradation of hyaluronic acid (HA) in menstrual endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) and endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) in women with and without endometriosis. To identify the presence of CD44, the primary receptor of HA, in menstrual EECs and ESCs in women with and without endometriosis.

DESIGN

In vitro study.

SETTING

Academic center.

PATIENT(S)

Deidentified patient samples from women with and without endometriosis.

INTERVENTIONS

EECs and ESCs were isolated from menstrual endometrial biopsies performed on women with (N = 9) and without (N = 11) endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS) isoforms 1, 2, and 3; hyaluronidase (HYAL) isoforms 1 and 2; and standard CD44. Student t test was used to analyze the results.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in messenger RNA (mRNA) or protein expression of HAS2, HAS3, HYAL1, or HYAL2 in EECs or ESCs from women with or without endometriosis. HAS1 mRNA was variably detected, whereas HAS1 protein was similarly expressed in EECs and ESCs from women with and without endometriosis. Standard CD44 was expressed in both cell types, and expression did not differ in cells from women with or without endometriosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The HA system is expressed in eutopic menstrual ESCs and EECs from women with and without endometriosis. There are no differences in expression in HA production or degradation enzymes in EECs or ESCs from women with and without endometriosis. Standard CD44 expression does not differ in eutopic menstrual endometrial cells from women with and without endometriosis.

Antitumor activity of sulfated hyaluronic acid fragments in pre-clinical models of bladder cancer

Tumor cell-derived hyaluronidase HYAL-1 degrades hyaluronic acid (HA) into angiogenic fragments (AGF: 10-12 disaccharides). AGF support tumor growth and progression. Urine and tissue HAase/HYAL-1 levels are sensitive markers for high-grade bladder cancer (BCa) and its metastasis. In preclinical models of BCa, we evaluated whether o-sulfated AGF (sHA-F) inhibits HAase activity and has antitumor activity. At IC₅₀ for HAase activity inhibition (5-20 μg/ml [0.4-1.7 μM]), sHA-F significantly inhibited proliferation, motility and invasion of HYAL-1 expressing BCa cells (253J-Lung, HT1376, UMUC-3), P<0.001. sHA-F did not affect the growth of HYAL-1 non-expressing BCa (5637, RT4, T24, TCCSUP) and normal urothelial (Urotsa, SV-HUC1) cells. sHA-F treatment induced apoptosis by death receptor pathway. sHA-F downregulated transcript and/or protein levels of HA receptors (CD44, RHAMM), p-AKT, β-catenin, pβ-Catenin(S552), Snail and Twist but increased levels of pβ-Catenin(T41/S45), pGSK-3α/β(S21/S9) and E-cadherin. sHA-F also inhibited CD44/Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K) complex formation and PI-3K activity. AGF addition or myristoylated-AKT overexpression attenuated sHA-F effects. Contrarily, HYAL-1 expression sensitized RT4 cells to sHA-F treatment. In the 253J-L and HT1376 xenograft models, sHA-F treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth (P<0.001), plausibly by inhibiting angiogenesis and HA receptor-PI-3K/AKT signaling. This study delineates that sHA-F targets tumor-associated HA-HAase system and could be potentially useful in BCa treatment.

Central Role of CEMIP in Tumorigenesis and Its Potential as Therapeutic Target

CEMIP (KIAA1199) was identified as migratory indicator protein which had been crudely studied in the last decade. Firstly its mutation site was reported to cause hearing loss due to the folding change of protein structure, meanwhile the over-expression of CEMIP referred to dreadful invasion and uncontrolled proliferation of tumor with distant metastasis, dedifferentiation, and limited survival opportunity of patients. Especially, over-expressed CEMIP also protected malignant tumor from strict microenvironment in hypoxia, low glucose and cracked barrier, leading to enhanced adaptability of tumor by stimulating the Wnt, EGFR, FGFR pathway. Here, we intend to elaborate the clinical function and dysregulation of CEMIP under the tumorous circumstance since CEMIP plays an important role in cytokine pathway and its over-expression in tumors provide a novel target for individual therapy. Targeting CEMIP would thereby dysregulate the cytokine pathway which would in turn, decide the growth and death of the vicious tumour cells.

HYAL2 methylation in peripheral blood as a potential marker for the detection of pancreatic cancer: a case control study

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy which is mostly diagnosed in advanced and inoperable stages though surgery remains the only curable therapeutic approach. Early detection markers are urgently needed to improve diagnosis. Altered hyaluronoglucosaminidase 2 gene (HYAL2) DNA methylation in peripheral blood is known to be associated with malignancy at early stage but has not been evaluated in PDAC patients. This study evaluates the association between blood-based HYAL2 methylation and PDAC by a case-control study with 191 controls and 82 PDAC patients. Decreased methylation of all four investigated HYAL2 methylation sites showed highly significant association with PDAC (odds ratio (ORs) per −10% methylation ranging from 2.03 to 12.74, depending on the specific CpG site, p < 0.0001 for all). HYAL2 methylation sites were also distinguishable between stage I&II PDAC (61 subjects) and controls (ORs per-10% methylation from 3.17 - 23.04, p < 0.0001 for all). Thus, HYAL2 methylation level enabled a very good discrimination of PDAC cases from healthy controls (area under curve (AUC) = 0.92, 95% Confidence interval (C.I.): 0.88 - 0.96), and was also powerful for the detection of PDAC at stage I&II (AUC = 0.93, 95% C.I.: 0.89 - 0.98). Moreover, the blood-based HYAL2 methylation pattern was similar among PDAC patients with differential clinical characteristics, and showed no correlation with the overall survival of PDAC patients. Our study reveals a strong association between decreased HYAL2 methylation in peripheral blood and PDAC, and provides a promising blood-based marker for the detection of PDAC.

Phosphatidic acid induces decidualization by stimulating Akt-PP2A binding in human endometrial stromal cells

Decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) is crucial for successful uterine implantation and maintaining pregnancy. We previously reported that phospholipase D1 (PLD1) is required for cAMP-induced decidualization of hESCs. However, the mechanism by which phosphatidic acid (PA), the product of PLD1 action, might regulate decidualization is not known. We confirmed that PA induced decidualization of hESCs by observing morphological changes and measuring increased levels of decidualization markers such as IGFBP1 and prolactin transcripts (P < 0.05). Treatment with PA reduced phosphorylation of Akt and consequently that of FoxO1, which led to the increased IGFBP1 and prolactin mRNA levels (P < 0.05). Conversely, PLD1 knockdown rescued Akt phosphorylation. Binding of PP2A and Akt increased in response to cAMP or PA, suggesting that their binding is directly responsible for the inactivation of Akt during decidualization. Consistent with this observation, treatment with okadaic acid, a PP2A inhibitor, also inhibited cAMP-induced decidualization by blocking Akt dephosphorylation.

Analysis of different components in the peritumoral tissue microenvironment of colorectal cancer: A potential prospect in tumorigenesis

The present study aimed to observe the varying expression of biomarkers in the microenvironment adjacent to colorectal cancer lesions to provide additional insight into the functions of microenvironment components in carcinogenesis and present a novel or improved indicator for early diagnosis of cancer. A total of 144 human samples from three different locations in 48 patients were collected, these locations were 10, 5 and 2 cm from the colorectal cancer lesion, respectively. The biomarkers analyzed included E‑cadherin, cytokeratin 18 (CK18), hyaluronidase‑1 (Hyal‑1), collagen type I (Col‑I), Crumbs3 (CRB3), vimentin, proteinase activated receptor 3 (PAR‑3), α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA), cyclin D1 (CD1) and cluster of differentiation (CD)133. In addition, crypt architecture was observed. Related functional analysis of proteins was performed using hierarchical index cluster analysis. More severe destroyed crypt architecture closer to the cancer lesions was observed compared with the 10 cm sites, with certain crypts degraded entirely. Expression levels of E‑cadherin, CK18, CRB3 and PAR‑3 were lower in 2 cm sites compared with the 10 cm sites (all P<0.001), while the expression levels of the other biomarkers in the 2 cm sites were increased compared with 10 cm sites (all P<0.0001). Notably, the expression of CK18 in 2 cm sites was higher than in the 5 cm site (P<0.0001), which was different from the expression of E‑cadherin, CRB3 and PAR‑3. The expression levels of Hyal‑1 and Col‑I at the 2 cm sites were lower than that of the 5 cm sites (P>0.05 and P=0.0001, respectively), while the expression of vimentin, α‑SMA, CD1 and CD133 were not. Hyal‑1 and Col‑I may be independently important in cancer initiation in the tumor microenvironment. The results of the present study suggest that the biomarkers in the tissue microenvironment are associated with early tumorigenesis and may contribute to the development of carcinomas. These observations may be useful for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer.