Expression of intestinal trefoil factor (TFF-3) in hepatocellular carcinoma

FOS-Like Antigen 1 Expression Was Associated With Survival of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Background

Early diagnosis and proper management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) improve patient prognosis. Several studies attempted to discover new genes to understand the pathogenesis and identify the prognostic and predictive factors in HCC patients, to improve patient's overall survival (OS) and maintain their physical and social activity. The transcription factor FOS-like antigen 1 (FOSL1) acts as one of the important prognostic factors in different tumors, and its overexpression correlates with tumors' progression and worse patient survival. However, its expression and molecular mechanisms underlying its dysregulation in human HCC remain poorly understood. Our study was conducted to evaluate the expression of FOSL1 in HCC tissues and its relationship with various clinicopathological parameters besides OS.

Methods

This study is a retrospective cohort study conducted among 113 patients with a proven diagnosis of HCC, who underwent tumor resection and received treatment at South Egypt Cancer Institute. Immunohistochemistry for FOSL1 expression and survival curves were conducted followed by statistical analysis.

Results

HCC occurred at older age group and affected males more than females. There was a statistically significant correlation between combined cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of FOSL1 and worse prognosis in HCC patients. There was a statistically significant correlation of FOSL1 expression with histological grade, lymphovascular embolization, and tumor budding where high expression indicated potential deterioration of HCC patients. There was statistically significant correlation between tumor size, tumor grade and FOSL1 expression with the cumulative OS.

Conclusions

Combined cytoplasmic and nuclear FOSL1 expression has significant prognostic association with HCC and diagnostic importance, as it can identify cirrhosis and premalignant lesions that can progress to HCC. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis found that overexpressed FOSL1 was correlated with poor OS.

Trefoil factor 2 secreted from damaged hepatocytes activates hepatic stellate cells to induce fibrogenesis

Liver fibrosis is a common characteristic of chronic liver diseases. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a key role in fibrogenesis in response to liver injury, yet the mechanism by which damaged hepatocytes modulate the activation of HSCs is poorly understood. Our previous studies have established that liver-specific deletion of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT)leads to hepatocyte necroptosis and spontaneous fibrosis. Here, we report that OGT-deficient hepatocytes secrete trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) that activates HSCs and contributes to the fibrogenic process. The expression and secretion of TFF2 are induced in OGT-deficient hepatocytes but not in WT hepatocytes. TFF2 activates the platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta signaling pathway that promotes the proliferation and migration of primary HSCs. TFF2 protein expression is elevated in mice with carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury. These findings identify TFF2 as a novel factor that mediates intercellular signaling between hepatocytes and HSCs and suggest a role of the hepatic OGT–TFF2 axis in the process of fibrogenesis.

Insulin treatment improves liver histopathology and decreases expression of inflammatory and fibrogenic genes in a hyperglycemic, dyslipidemic hamster model of NAFLD

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are highly prevalent comorbidities in patients with Type 2 diabetes. While many of these patients eventually will need treatment with insulin, little is known about the effects of insulin treatment on histopathological parameters and hepatic gene expression in diabetic patients with co-existing NAFLD and NASH. To investigate this further, we evaluated the effects of insulin treatment in NASH diet-fed hamsters with streptozotocin (STZ) -induced hyperglycemia.

Methods

Forty male Syrian hamsters were randomized into four groups (n = 10/group) receiving either a NASH-inducing (high fat, fructose and cholesterol) or control diet (CTRL) for four weeks, after which they were treated with STZ or sham-injected and from week five treated with either vehicle (CTRL, NASH, NASH-STZ) or human insulin (NASH-STZ-HI) for four weeks by continuous s.c. infusion via osmotic minipumps.

Results

NASH-STZ hamsters displayed pronounced hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and more severe liver pathology compared to both CTRL and NASH groups. Insulin treatment attenuated dyslipidemia in NASH-STZ-HI hamsters and liver pathology was considerably improved compared to the NASH-STZ group, with prevention/reversal of hepatic steatosis, hepatic inflammation and stellate cell activation. In addition, expression of inflammatory and fibrotic genes was decreased compared to the NASH-STZ group.

Conclusions

These results suggest that hyperglycemia is important for development of inflammation and profibrotic processes in the liver, and that insulin administration has beneficial effects on liver pathology and expression of genes related to inflammation and fibrosis in a hyperglycemic, dyslipidemic hamster model of NAFLD.

p53, miR-34a and EMP1-Newly Identified Targets of TFF3 Signaling in Y79 Retinoblastoma Cells

Trefoil factor family peptide 3 (TFF3) is supposed to have tumor suppressive functions in retinoblastoma (RB), but the functional pathway is not completely understood. In the study presented, we investigated the downstream pathway of TFF3 signaling in Y79 RB cells. Results from pG13-luciferase reporter assays and western blot analyses indicate induced p53 activity with an upregulation of miR-34a after TFF3 overexpression. Expression levels of the predicted miR-34a target epithelial membrane protein 1 (EMP1) are reduced after TFF3 overexpression. As revealed by WST-1 assay, BrdU, and DAPI cell counts viability and proliferation of Y79 cells significantly decrease following EMP1 knockdown, while apoptosis levels significantly increase. Opposite effects on Y79 cells’ growth could be shown after EMP1 overexpression. Caspase assays showed that EMP1 induced apoptosis after overexpression is at least partially caspase-3/7 dependent. Colony formation and soft agarose assays, testing for anchorage independent growth, revealed that EMP1 overexpressing Y79 cells have a significantly higher ability to form colonies. In in ovo chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays inoculated EMP1 overexpressing Y79 cells form significantly larger CAM tumors. Moreover, miR-34a overexpression increases sensitivity of Y79 cells towards RB chemotherapeutics, however, without involvement of EMP1. In summary, the TFF3 signaling pathway in Y79 RB cells involves the activation of p53 with downstream induction of miR-34a and subsequent inhibition of EMP1.

The predictive powers of plasma trefoil factor 3 or its related micro RNAs for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Earlier diagnosis is beneficial for the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is the most widely used biomarker for HCC, but its sensitivity and specificity are only 60 and 90%, respectively. Therefore, it is of great clinical significance to identify early prognostic biomarkers for HCC, especially a blood-based biomarker as it offers several advantages over tissue-based biomarkers. Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), a novel secretory protein, was over-expressed in HCC tissues, indicating it might be a blood-based biomarker for HCC. In addition, circulating microRNAs have been investigated as biomarkers for HCC, indicating that miR-7-5p and miR-203a-3p, which are reported or predicted to target TFF3, also hold promise as blood-based biomarkers for HCC.

Methods

We enrolled 43 patients who were firstly diagnosed HCC and matched 47 control subjects without HCC. The levels of TFF3, miR-7-5p and miR-203a-3p were tested in the plasma of HCC patients. Moreover, we assayed the correlation of TFF3 with its related micro RNAs, miR-7-5p and miR-203a-3p, and evaluated their predictive powers for HCC.

Results

Decrease of TFF3 was associated with increase of miR-203a-3p in the plasma of HCC patients and they displayed potent predictive powers for HCC diagnosis. However, there was no significant change of plasma miR-7-5p between HCC and control group.

Conclusion

Decrease of TFF3 correlated with increase of miR-203a-3p in the plasma of HCC patients and they could be additional biomarkers to improve sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of HCC.

TFF3 Contributes to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Cells via the MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway

Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) was found to be overexpressed in many types of tumours. Evidence has shown that TFF3 plays an important role in tumour proliferation, migration and invasion metastasis. However, the impact of TFF3 on patients' clinicopathological characteristics and underlying mechanisms remain unknown in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). In this study, the expression of TFF3 and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transcriptional factor Snail in PTC and para-carcinoma specimens was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot, and the possible associations with lymph node (LN) metastasis and other clinicopathological parameters were analysed. In vitro, the effect of TFF3 on the malignant behaviour of TPC-1 cells was evaluated by cell proliferation assays, cell adhesion assays, colony formation assays, wound-healing assays and transwell chamber invasion assays. EMT markers and regulatory molecules were detected by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis in the TFF3-knockdown groups and shRNA control group. The results showed that TFF3 was upregulated in PTC tissue and was associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.0001), pathological grade (P=0.0002) and Snail expression (P=0.0001). The knockdown of TFF3 markedly inhibited the abilities of TPC-1 cell proliferation, adhesion, colony formation, migration and invasion. Mechanically, the results demonstrated that TFF3 might activate the MAPK/ERK signalling pathways, affect the expression of the transcription factors snail and slug in addition to affecting EMT associated markers E-cadherin and N-cadherin, and accelerate the progression of EMT in TPC-1 cells. These findings indicate that TFF3 might promote the metastatic potential of PTC by promoting the EMT process through cascades of MAPK/ERK pathways.

TFF1 hypermethylation and decreased expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and histologically normal tumor surrounding esophageal cells

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the 10 most incident cancer types in the world, and it is mainly associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption. ESCC mortality rates stand very close to its incidence, which is a direct consequence of a late diagnosis and an inefficient treatment. Although this scenery is quite alarming, the major molecular alterations that drive this carcinogenesis process remain unclear. We have previously shown through the first ESCC methylome analysis that TFF1 promoter is frequently hypermethylated in ESCC. Here, to evaluate TFF1 methylation as a potential biomarker of early ESCC diagnosis, we investigated the status of TFF1 promoter methylation and its expression in ESSC and histologically normal tumor surrounding tissue of ESCC patients in comparison to healthy esophagus of non-cancer individuals.

Results

Analysis of TFF1 promoter methylation, and gene and protein expression in 65 ESCC patients and 88 controls revealed that TFF1 methylation levels were already increased in histologically normal tumor surrounding tissue of ESCC patients when compared to healthy esophagus of non-cancer individuals. This increase in DNA methylation was followed by the reduction of TFF1 mRNA expression. Interestingly, TFF1 expression was capable of distinguishing tumor surrounding normal tissue from normal mucosa of healthy individuals with 92% accuracy. In addition, TFF1 protein was undetectable both in tumor and surrounding mucosa by immunohistochemistry, while submucosa glands of the healthy esophagus showed positive staining. Furthermore, treatment of TE-1 and TE-13 ESCC cell lines with decitabine led to a reduction of promoter methylation and consequent upregulation of TFF1 gene and protein expression. Finally, using TCGA data we showed that TFF1 loss is observed in ESCC, but not in esophageal adenocarcinoma, highlighting the different molecular mechanisms involved in the development of each histological subtype of esophageal cancer.

Conclusions

This study shows that TFF1 expression is silenced in early phases of ESCC development, which seems to be mediated at least in part by promoter hypermethylation, and provides the basis for the use of TFF1 expression as a potential biomarker for early ESCC detection.

Hypomethylation associated enhanced transcription of trefoil factor-3 mediates tamoxifen-stimulated oncogenicity of ER+ endometrial carcinoma cells

Tamoxifen (TAM) is widely used as an adjuvant therapy for women with breast cancer (BC). However, TAM possesses partial oestrogenic activity in the uterus and its use has been associated with an increased incidence of endometrial carcinoma (EC). The molecular mechanism for these observations is not well understood. Herein, we demonstrated that forced expression of Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), in oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) EC cells significantly increased cell cycle progression, cell survival, anchorage-independent growth, invasiveness and tumour growth in xenograft models. Clinically, elevated TFF3 protein expression was observed in EC compared with normal endometrial tissue, and its increased expression in EC was significantly associated with myometrial invasion. TAM exposure increased expression of TFF3 in ER+ EC cells and its elevated expression resulted in increased oncogenicity and invasiveness. TAM-stimulated expression of TFF3 in EC cells was associated with hypomethylation of the TFF3 promoter sequence and c-JUN/SP1-dependent transcriptional activation. In addition, small interfering (si) RNA-mediated depletion or polyclonal antibody inhibition of TFF3 significantly abrogated oncogenicity and invasiveness in EC cells consequent to TAM induction or forced expression of TFF3. Hence, TAM-stimulated upregulation of TFF3 in EC cells was critical in promoting EC progression associated with TAM treatment. Importantly, inhibition of TFF3 function might be an attractive molecular modality to abrogate the stimulatory effects of TAM on endometrial tissue and to limit the progression of EC.

Release of HER2 repression of trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) expression mediates trastuzumab resistance in HER2+/ER+ mammary carcinoma

HER2+/ER+ breast cancer, a subset of the luminal B subtype, makes up approximately 10% of all breast cancers. The bidirectional crosstalk between HER2 and estrogen receptor (ER) in HER2+/ER+ breast cancer contributes to resistance towards both anti-estrogens and HER2-targeted therapies. TFF3 promotes breast cancer progression and has been implicated in anti-estrogen resistance in breast cancer. Herein, we investigated the cross-regulation between HER2 and estrogen-responsive TFF3, and the role of TFF3 in mediating trastuzumab resistance in HER2+/ER+ breast cancer. TFF3 expression was decreased by HER2 activation, and increased by inhibition of HER2 with trastuzumab in HER2+/ER+ breast cancer cells, partially in an ERα-independent manner. In contrast, the forced expression of TFF3 activated the entire HER family of receptor tyrosine kinases (HER1-4). Hence, HER2 negatively regulates its own signalling through the transcriptional repression of TFF3, while trastuzumab inhibition of HER2 results in increased TFF3 expression to compensate for the loss of HER2 signalling. In HER2+/ER+ breast cancer cells with acquired trastuzumab resistance, TFF3 expression was markedly upregulated and associated with a corresponding decrease in HER signalling. siRNA mediated depletion or small molecule inhibition of TFF3 decreased the survival and growth advantage of the trastuzumab resistant cells without re-sensitization to trastuzumab. Furthermore, TFF3 inhibition abrogated the enhanced cancer stem cell-like behaviour in trastuzumab resistant HER2+/ER+ breast cancer cells. Collectively, TFF3 may function as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in trastuzumab resistant HER2+/ER+ breast cancer.

Trefoil factor 3 mediation of oncogenicity and chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma is AKT-BCL-2 dependent

The efficacious treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a challenge, partially being attributed to intrinsic chemoresistance. Previous reports have observed increased TFF3 expression in HCC. Herein, we investigated the functional role of TFF3 in progression of HCC, and in both intrinsic and acquired chemoresistance. TFF3 expression was observed to be upregulated in HCC and associated with poor clinicopathological features and worse patient survival outcome. Functionally, forced expression of TFF3 in HCC cell lines increased cell proliferation, cell survival, anchorage-independent and 3D matrigel growth, cell invasion and migration, and in vivo tumor growth. In contrast, depleted expression of TFF3 decreased the oncogenicity of HCC cells as indicated by the above parameters. Furthermore, forced expression of TFF3 decreased doxorubicin sensitivity of HCC cells, which was attributed to increased doxorubicin efflux and cancer stem cell-like behavior of Hep3B cells. In contrast, depletion of TFF3 increased doxorubicin sensitivity and decreased cancer stem cell-like behavior of Hep3B cells. Correspondingly, TFF3 expression was markedly increased in Hep3B cells with acquired doxorubicin resistance, while the depletion of TFF3 resulted in re-sensitization of the Hep3B cells to doxorubicin. The increased doxorubicin efflux and enhanced cancer stem cell-like behavior of the doxorubicin-resistant Hep3B cells was observed to be dependent on TFF3 expression. In addition, we determined that TFF3-stimulated oncogenicity and chemoresistance in HCC cells was mediated by AKT-dependent expression of BCL-2. Hence, therapeutic inhibition of TFF3 should be considered to hinder HCC progression and overcome intrinsic and acquired chemoresistance in HCC.

Diagnostic value evaluation of trefoil factors family 3 for the early detection of colorectal cancer

AIM

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of trefoil factor family 3 (TFF3) for the early detection of colorectal cancer (CC).

METHODS

Serum TFF3 and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) were detected in 527 individuals, including 115 healthy control (HC), 198 colorectal adenoma (CA), and 214 CC individuals in the training group.

RESULTS

Serum TFF3 showed no significant correlation with age, gender, or tumor location but showed significant correlation with the tumor stage. Serum TFF3 in the CC group was significantly higher than in the HC or CA group. The AUC values of TFF3 for discriminating between HC and CC and between CA and CC were 0.930 (0.903, 0.958) and 0.834 (0.796, 0.873). A multivariate model combining TFF3 and CEA was built. Compared to TFF3 or CEA alone, the multivariate model showed significant improvement (P < 0.001). For discriminating between HC and CC, HC and early stage CC, HC and advanced stage CC, CA and CC, CA and early stage CC, and CA and advanced stage CC in the training group, the sensitivities were 92.99%, 91.46%, 93.18%, 73.83%, 76.83%, and 81.82%, and the specificities were 91.30%, 91.30%, 93.91%, 88.38%, 77.27%, and 88.38%, respectively. After validation, the sensitivities were 89.39%, 85.71%, 90.79%, 72.73%, 71.43%, and 78.95%, and the specificities were 87.85%, 87.85%, 2.52%, 87.85%, 80.77%, and 87.50%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The multivariate diagnostic model that included TFF3 and CEA showed significant improvement over the conventional biomarker CEA and might provide a potential method for the early detection of CC.

Forced Trefoil Factor Family Peptide 3 (TFF3) Expression Reduces Growth, Viability, and Tumorigenicity of Human Retinoblastoma Cell Lines

Trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides have been shown to effect cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of normal cells and various cancer cell lines. In the literature TFF peptides are controversially discussed as tumor suppressors and potential tumor progression factors. In the study presented, we investigated the effect of TFF3 overexpression on growth, viability, migration and tumorigenicity of the human retinoblastoma cell lines Y-79, WERI-Rb1, RBL-13 and RBL-15. As revealed by WST-1 and TUNEL assays as well as DAPI and BrdU cell counts, recombinant human TFF3 significantly lowers retinoblastoma cell viability and increases apoptosis levels. Transient TFF3 overexpression likewise significantly increases RB cell apoptosis. Stable, lentiviral TFF3 overexpression lowers retinoblastoma cell viability, proliferation and growth and significantly increases cell death in retinoblastoma cells. Blockage experiments using a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor and capase-3 immunocytochemistry revealed the involvement of caspases in general and of caspase-3 in particular in TFF3 induced apoptosis in retinoblastoma cell lines. Soft agarose and in ovo chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays revealed that TFF3 overexpression influences anchorage independent growth and significantly decreases the size of tumors forming from retinoblastoma cells. Our study demonstrates that forced TFF3 expression exerts a significant pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and tumor suppressive effect in retinoblastoma cells, setting a starting point for new additive chemotherapeutic approaches in the treatment of retinoblastoma.

Trefoil factor family peptides – friends or foes?

Trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides are a group of molecules bearing a characteristic three-loop trefoil domain. They are mainly secreted in mucous epithelia together with mucins but are also synthesized in the nervous system. For many years, TFF peptides were only known for their wound healing and protective function, e.g. in epithelial protection and restitution. However, experimental evidence has emerged supporting a pivotal role of TFF peptides in oncogenic transformation, tumorigenesis and metastasis. Deregulated expression of TFF peptides at the gene and protein level is obviously implicated in numerous cancers, and opposing functions as oncogenes and tumor suppressors have been described. With regard to the regulation of TFF expression, epigenetic mechanisms as well as the involvement of various miRNAs are new, promising aspects in the field of cancer research. This review will summarize current knowledge about the expression and regulation of TFF peptides and the involvement of TFF peptides in tumor biology and cancerogenesis.

Circulating serum trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) is dramatically increased in chronic kidney disease

Objectives

Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) is a small peptide that plays an important role in mucosal protection, cell proliferation, and cell migration. The aberrant expression of TFF3 is correlated with gastrointestinal inflammation, solid tumors, and other clinical diseases. The objective of this study was to identify the distribution characteristics of serum TFF3 in common clinical diseases.

Materials and Methods

A large prospective randomized study of 1,072 Chinese patients was performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to examine the serum TFF3 concentrations in patients with different diseases. A matched case-control study was conducted on patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1–5. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed using renal tissues to determine the relationship between the severity of CKD and the serum and urine concentrations of TFF3 peptides.

Results

The mean serum concentrations of TFF3 in patients with CKD, metastatic and secondary carcinoma (MC) and acute gastroenteritis (AG) (200.9 ng/ml, 95.7 ng/ml and 71.7 ng/ml, respectively) were significantly higher than those in patients with other common clinical diseases. A positive correlation tendency was observed between the serum TFF3 concentrations and the severity of CKD. The mean serum TFF3 values for CKD stages 1–5 were 23.6 ng/ml, 29.9 ng/ml, 54.9 ng/ml, 85.0 ng/ml and 176.6 ng/ml, respectively. The same trend was observed in the urine TFF3 concentrations and the CKD stages. The creatinine(Cr)-corrected concentrations of TFF3 in urine were 367.1 ng/mg·Cr, 910.6 ng/mg·Cr, 1,149.0 ng/mg·Cr, 1,610.0 ng/mg·Cr and 3,475.0 ng/mg·Cr for CKD stages 1–5, respectively. IHC revealed that TFF3 expression was concentrated in tubular epithelial cells.

Conclusions

The influence of kidney injuries must be fully considered when performing clinical TFF3 research. Further studies on TFF3 in CKD will contribute to our understanding of its pathological roles and mechanisms in other diseases.

Identification of estrogen responsive genes using esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) as a model

Background

Estrogen therapy has positively impact the treatment of several cancers, such as prostate, lung and breast cancers. Moreover, several groups have reported the importance of estrogen induced gene regulation in esophageal cancer (EC). This suggests that there could be a potential for estrogen therapy for EC. The efficient design of estrogen therapies requires as complete as possible list of genes responsive to estrogen. Our study develops a systems biology methodology using esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) as a model to identify estrogen responsive genes. These genes, on the other hand, could be affected by estrogen therapy in ESCC.

Results

Based on different sources of information we identified 418 genes implicated in ESCC. Putative estrogen responsive elements (EREs) mapped to the promoter region of the ESCC genes were used to initially identify candidate estrogen responsive genes. EREs mapped to the promoter sequence of 30.62% (128/418) of ESCC genes of which 43.75% (56/128) are known to be estrogen responsive, while 56.25% (72/128) are new candidate estrogen responsive genes. EREs did not map to 290 ESCC genes. Of these 290 genes, 50.34% (146/290) are known to be estrogen responsive. By analyzing transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) in the promoters of the 202 (56+146) known estrogen responsive ESCC genes under study, we found that their regulatory potential may be characterized by 44 significantly over-represented co-localized TFBSs (cTFBSs). We were able to map these cTFBSs to promoters of 32 of the 72 new candidate estrogen responsive ESCC genes, thereby increasing confidence that these 32 ESCC genes are responsive to estrogen since their promoters contain both: a/mapped EREs, and b/at least four cTFBSs characteristic of ESCC genes that are responsive to estrogen. Recent publications confirm that 47% (15/32) of these 32 predicted genes are indeed responsive to estrogen.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge our study is the first to use a cancer disease model as the framework to identify hormone responsive genes. Although we used ESCC as the disease model and estrogen as the hormone, the methodology can be extended analogously to other diseases as the model and other hormones. We believe that our results provide useful information for those interested in genes responsive to hormones and in the design of hormone-based therapies.

Global gene profiling of spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma in B6C3F1 mice: similarities in the molecular landscape with human liver cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although the risk factors of human HCC are well known, the molecular pathogenesis of this disease is complex, and in general, treatment options remain poor. The use of rodent models to study human cancer has been extensively pursued, both through genetically engineered rodents and rodent models used in carcinogenicity and toxicology studies. In particular, the B6C3F1 mouse used in the National Toxicology Program (NTP) two-year bioassay has been used to evaluate the carcinogenic effects of environmental and occupational chemicals, and other compounds. The high incidence of spontaneous HCC in the B6C3F1 mouse has challenged its use as a model for chemically induced HCC in terms of relevance to the human disease. Using global gene expression profiling, we identify the dysregulation of several mediators similarly altered in human HCC, including re-expression of fetal oncogenes, upregulation of protooncogenes, downregulation of tumor suppressor genes, and abnormal expression of cell cycle mediators, growth factors, apoptosis regulators, and angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling factors. Although major differences in etiology and pathogenesis remain between human and mouse HCC, there are important similarities in global gene expression and molecular pathways dysregulated in mouse and human HCC. These data provide further support for the use of this model in hazard identification of compounds with potential human carcinogenicity risk, and may help in better understanding the mechanisms of tumorigenesis resulting from chemical exposure in the NTP two-year carcinogenicity bioassay.

Trefoil factor: implications for clinical laboratory diagnostics

Trefoil factors (TFF), expressed physiologically in the secretory cells of gastrointestinal mucosa and other mucosal tissues, compose a unique peptide family with important biologic functions. Aberrant expression and/or continued secretion of TFF might exist concurrently with the processes of digestive system inflammation, tumor or other related pathological changes. Previous pathological studies have shown that the abnormal expression of TFF is associated with the prognosis of digestive system diseases. The results obtained from gene expression profiling, tumor secretomics and bioinformatic analysis have positively confirmed that clinical detection of TFF peptides or mRNAs has an excellent diagnostic performance to detect digestive system diseases, especially for the monitoring of recurrence or metastasis of tumors and for the estimation of therapeutic efficacy and prognosis. Therefore, TFF is a potential biomarker for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of digestive system diseases.

[Trefoil factor: from laboratory to clinic]

Trefoil factor (TFF) family is a group of peptides with one or several trefoil factor domains in their structure, which are highly conserved in evolution, and are characterized by heat and enzymatic digestion resistance. The mammalian TFFs have three members (TFF1-3), and the gastrointestinal tract and the airway system are major organs of their expression and secretion. At certain physiological conditions, with a tissue-specific distribution, TFF plays an important role in mucosal protection and wound healing. But in the malignant tissues, TFF is widely expressed, correlated strongly with the genesis, metastasis and invasion of tumor cells. These phenomena indicated that TFF may be a possible common mediator of oncogenic responses to different stimuli. The biological functions of TFF involve complex regulatory processes. Single chain TFF may activate cell membrane receptors and induce specific signaling transduction. On the other hand, TFF can form a complex with other proteins to exert its biological effects. In clinical medicine, TFF is primarily applied as drugs in the mucosal protection, in the prevention and the treatment of mucosal damage-related diseases and as pathological biomarkers of tumors. At present the first hand actions and the molecular mechanisms related to TFFs are still the major challenges in TFF research. Furthermore, the discovery of the naturally occurring complex of TFF and crystallins is highly valuable to the understanding of the biological functions and action mechanisms of TFF.

The angiogenic and prognostic implications of VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2, and MMP-9 for hepatocellular carcinoma with background of hepatitis B virus

The objective of this study was to investigate the expressions of angiogenic factors and elucidate their angiogenic and prognostic roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with background of hepatitis B virus (HBV). We evaluated microvessel density (MVD) of HCC, and investigated immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietins (Ang-1 and Ang-2), and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) in 67 specimens of surgically resected HCC, which were all positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. We investigated the relationship between their expressions and clinicopathological factors or prognosis. The microvessel density (MVD) of tumor tissue and surrounding normal liver tissue was 93.1 +/- 43.8/mm2 and 30.4 +/- 14.8/mm2, respectively. The MVD of well-differentiated HCC was significantly less than that of poorly differentiated HCC. MVD was positively correlated with VEGF and Ang-2 expression (P = 0.0023 and 0.0265, respectively). There was less tumor recurrence in low Ang-2 and low MMP-9 group than high Ang-2 and/or high MMP-9 group (P = 0.002). In Cox regression model, portal vein thrombus and intrahepatic metastasis was the risk factors of tumor recurrence (P = 0.003 and 0.001, respectively). Our study showed that the expression of VEGF and Ang-2 were positively correlated with MVD. Ang-2 expression and/or MMP-9 expression might be a significant predictive factor for recurrence after resection in HCC patients with the background of HBV.

Advances in research of trefoil factor 3

As one of important defensive factors, trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) has considerable relation to the lesion, recovery, proliferation and malignancy of gastrointestinal mucosa. Furthermore, the correlation between TFF3 and tumor, including its pathogenesis, progress and prognosis, has been reported remarkably. However, the binding proteins of TFF3 remains to be confirmed and the research of TFF3 on the mechanism of action and signal transduction pathway is just initial. This article reviewed the progress in TFF3 research.

Are trefoil factors oncogenic?

Trefoil factors (TFFs), in particular TFF1, are classical estrogen-regulated genes and have served as markers of estrogen gene regulation by various environmental estrogens. TFFs are also regulated by several other factors including growth hormone (hGH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and various oncogenic stimuli. TFFs are secreted proteins present in serum and possess the potential to act as growth factors promoting cell survival, anchorage-independent growth and motility. Recent compelling evidence has emerged from experimental and clinical studies to indicate a pivotal role of TFFs in oncogenic transformation, growth and metastatic extension of common human solid tumours. This review will summarize the current evidence for the involvement of TFFs in human cancer.

Correlation analysis of liver tumor-associated genes with liver regeneration

AIM: To study at transcriptional level the similarities and differences of the physiological and biochemical activities between liver tumor (LT) and regenerating liver cells.

METHODS: LT-associated genes and their expression changes in LT were obtained from databases and scientific articles, and their expression profiles in rat liver regeneration (LR) were detected using Rat Genome 230 2.0 array. Subsequently their expression changes in LT and LR were compared and analyzed.

RESULTS: One hundred and twenty one LT-associated genes were found to be LR-associated. Thirty four genes were up-regulated, and 14 genes were down-regulated in both LT and regenerating liver; 20 genes up-regulated in LT were down-regulated in regenerating liver; 21 up-regulated genes and 16 down-regulated genes in LT were up-regulated at some time points and down-regulated at others during LR.

CONCLUSION: Results suggested that apoptosis activity suppressed in LT was still active in regenerating liver, and there are lots of similarities and differences between the LT and regenerating liver at the aspects of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, migration and angiogenesis.

Using LongSAGE to Detect Biomarkers of Cervical Cancer Potentially Amenable to Optical Contrast Agent Labelling

Sixteen longSAGE libraries from four different clinical stages of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia have enabled us to identify novel cell-surface biomarkers indicative of CIN stage. By comparing gene expression profiles of cervical tissue at early and advanced stages of CIN, several genes are identified to be novel genetic markers. We present fifty-six cell-surface gene products differentially expressed during progression of CIN. These cell surface proteins are being examined to establish their capacity for optical contrast agent binding. Contrast agent visualization will allow real-time assessment of the physiological state of the disease process bringing vast benefit to cancer care. The data discussed in this publication have been submitted to NCBIs Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/ ) and are accessible through GEO Series accession number GSE6252.