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Kos J, Mitrović A, Perišić Nanut M, Pišlar A. Lysosomal peptidases – Intriguing roles in cancer progression and neurodegeneration. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:708-738. [PMID: 35067006 PMCID: PMC8972049 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysosomal peptidases are hydrolytic enzymes capable of digesting waste proteins that are targeted to lysosomes via endocytosis and autophagy. Besides intracellular protein catabolism, they play more specific roles in several other cellular processes and pathologies, either within lysosomes, upon secretion into the cell cytoplasm or extracellular space, or bound to the plasma membrane. In cancer, lysosomal peptidases are generally associated with disease progression, as they participate in crucial processes leading to changes in cell morphology, signaling, migration, and invasion, and finally metastasis. However, they can also enhance the mechanisms resulting in cancer regression, such as apoptosis of tumor cells or antitumor immune responses. Lysosomal peptidases have also been identified as hallmarks of aging and neurodegeneration, playing roles in oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal intercellular communication, dysregulated trafficking, and the deposition of protein aggregates in neuronal cells. Furthermore, deficiencies in lysosomal peptidases may result in other pathological states, such as lysosomal storage disease. The aim of this review was to highlight the role of lysosomal peptidases in particular pathological processes of cancer and neurodegeneration and to address the potential of lysosomal peptidases in diagnosing and treating patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janko Kos
- University of Ljubljana Faculty of Pharmacy Aškerčeva 7 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan Institute Department of Biotechnology Jamova 39 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Ana Mitrović
- Jožef Stefan Institute Department of Biotechnology Jamova 39 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Milica Perišić Nanut
- Jožef Stefan Institute Department of Biotechnology Jamova 39 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Anja Pišlar
- University of Ljubljana Faculty of Pharmacy Aškerčeva 7 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
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Ju PC, Ho YC, Chen PN, Lee HL, Lai SY, Yang SF, Yeh CB. Kaempferol inhibits the cell migration of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by suppressing MMP-9 and Akt signaling. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:1981-1989. [PMID: 34156145 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis is the most prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths and treatment failure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Kaempferol is a natural flavonol belonging to the subgroup of flavonoids and exhibits potent anticancer activities. This study provides molecular evidence on the anti-invasive and anti-migratory effects of kaempferol on human HCC cells. The anti-invasive effect was investigated by applying kaempferol on two human HCC cell lines (Huh-7 and SK-Hep-1). Kaempferol reduced the invasion and migration of Huh-7 and SK-Hep-1 cells by Boyden chamber invasion assay and wound healing assay, respectively. A protease array analysis showed that Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was dramatically downregulated in HCC cells after kaempferol treatment. Gelatin zymography and Western blot assay showed that kaempferol reduced the activities and protein expression of MMP-9, respectively. Kaempferol also sufficiently suppressed the phosphorylation of the Akt expression. Overall, kaempferol inhibited the invasive properties of human HCC cells by targeting MMP-9 and Akt pathways. Hence, kaempferol could be used as an adjuvant therapeutic agent for the treatment of human HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chung Ju
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chuan Ho
- School of Medical Applied Chemistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ni Chen
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Lin Lee
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Yu Lai
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Bin Yeh
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Senjor E, Perišić Nanut M, Breznik B, Mitrović A, Mlakar J, Rotter A, Porčnik A, Lah Turnšek T, Kos J. Cystatin F acts as a mediator of immune suppression in glioblastoma. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2021; 44:1051-1063. [PMID: 34189679 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00618-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Glioblastoma, the most aggressive type of brain cancer, is composed of heterogeneous populations of differentiated cells, cancer stem cells and immune cells. Cystatin F, an endogenous inhibitor of lysosomal cysteine peptidases, regulates the function of cytotoxic immune cells. The aim of this study was to determine which type of cells expresses cystatin F in glioblastoma and to determine the role of cystatin F during disease progression. METHODS RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry were used to determine cystatin F mRNA and protein levels in glioblastoma tissue samples. The internalization of cystatin F was analyzed by Western blotting. Enzyme kinetics, real time invasion and calcein release cytotoxicity assays were used to assess the role of internalized cystatin F. RESULTS We found that cystatin F was not expressed in non-cancer brain tissues, but that its expression increased with glioma progression. In tumor tissues, extensive staining was observed in cancer stem-like cells and microglia/monocytes, which secrete cystatin F into their microenvironment. In trans activity of cystatin F was confirmed using an in vitro glioblastoma cell model. Internalized cystatin F affected cathepsin L activity in glioblastoma cells and decreased their invasiveness. In addition, we found that cystatin F decreased the susceptibility of glioblastoma cells to the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data implicate cystatin F as a mediator of immune suppression in glioblastoma. Increased cystatin F mRNA and protein levels in immune, glioblastoma and glioblastoma stem-like cells or trans internalized cystatin F may have an impact on decreased susceptibility of glioblastoma cells to NK cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Senjor
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Milica Perišić Nanut
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Breznik
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna pot 111, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Mitrović
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jernej Mlakar
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Rotter
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna pot 111, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Porčnik
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Clinical Centre Ljubljana, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tamara Lah Turnšek
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna pot 111, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janko Kos
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. .,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Lin YY, Chen ZW, Lin ZP, Lin LB, Yang XM, Xu LY, Xie Q. Tissue Levels of Stefin A and Stefin B in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2016; 299:428-38. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Yuan Lin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science; Putian University; Putian Fujian China
| | - Zhi-Wei Chen
- Department of Pathology; the Affiliated Hospital of Putian University; Putian Fujian China
| | - Zhi-Ping Lin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science; Putian University; Putian Fujian China
| | - Li-Bin Lin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science; Putian University; Putian Fujian China
| | - Xue-Ming Yang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science; Putian University; Putian Fujian China
| | - Li-Yan Xu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science; Putian University; Putian Fujian China
| | - Qun Xie
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science; Putian University; Putian Fujian China
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Poplineau M, Schnekenburger M, Dufer J, Kosciarz A, Brassart-Pasco S, Antonicelli F, Diederich M, Trussardi-Régnier A. The DNA hypomethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, enhances tumor cell invasion through a transcription-dependent modulation of MMP-1 expression in human fibrosarcoma cells. Mol Carcinog 2015; 54:24-34. [PMID: 24038389 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Revised: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In diseases such as cancer, cells need to degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and therefore require high protease levels. Thus, aberrant tissue degradation is associated to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) overexpression resulting from different mechanisms including epigenetic events. One of the most characterized epigenetic mechanisms is DNA methylation causing changes in chromatin conformation, thereby decreasing the accessibility to the transcriptional machinery and resulting in a robust gene silencing. Modulation of DNA methylation by DNA hypomethylating agents such as 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-azadC) is widely used in epigenetic anticancer treatments. Here, we focus on the effects of this drug on the expression level of MMP-1, -2, and -9 in human HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells. We demonstrate that 5-azadC increases MMP expression at both mRNA and protein levels, and promotes invasion potential of HT1080 cells. Using broad-spectrum and specific MMP inhibitors, we establish that MMP-1, but not MMP-2 and -9, plays a key role in 5-azadC-enhanced cell invasion. We show that 5-azadC induces MMP-1 expression through a transcriptional mechanism without affecting MMP-1 promoter methylation status. Finally, we demonstrate that 5-azadC treatment increases the nuclear levels of Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors, and modulates their recruitment to the MMP-1 promoter, resulting in chromatin remodeling associated to 5-azadC-induced MMP-1 expression. All together, our data indicate that the hypomethylating agent 5-azadC modulates, mainly via Sp1 recruitment, MMP-1 expression resulting in an increased invasive potential of HT1080 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Poplineau
- Unité MEDyC, URCA-CNRS FRE 3481, SFR Cap Santé, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 1 avenue du Maréchal Juin, 51096, Reims, France
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Shi QQ, Xiang JQ, Chen L, Zhan LL, Lv XP. uPA/PAI system, cathepsin B and hepatocellular carcinoma. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2014; 22:3941-3946. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v22.i26.3941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor (uPA/PAI) are a pair of proteolytic enzyme activator/activator inhibitor. Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease. It has been proved that cathepsin B can activate uPA. uPA/PAI and cathepsin B are closely related to the invasion, migration and tumor angiogenesis of malignant neoplasms. The uPA/PAI system and cathepsin B play an important role in the occurrence and development of liver cancer.
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Lempinen M, Lyytinen I, Nordin A, Tervahartiala T, Mäkisalo H, Sorsa T, Isoniemi H. Prognostic value of serum MMP-8, -9 and TIMP-1 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Med 2013; 45:482-7. [PMID: 23962148 DOI: 10.3109/07853890.2013.823779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Prediction of prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of serum MMP-8, -9, -13, and TIMP-1 in patients with HCC. METHODS Pre-treatment serum samples from 134 patients with HCC were retrospectively analyzed. The serum concentration of MMP-8 was analyzed with immunofluorometric assay (IFMA), and those of MMP-9, MMP-13, and TIMP-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Clinical data were retrieved from patient records and survival data obtained from Statistics Finland. RESULTS The overall cumulative disease-specific survival was 69% at 1 year, 50% at 2 years, and 33% at 5 years. Kaplan-Meier overall survival analysis showed that patients with low concentrations of serum MMP-8 or TIMP-1 had a statistically significantly better overall survival than patients with high concentrations of serum MMP-8 or TIMP-1 (P=0.013 and P=0.003). Interestingly, the overall survival in patients with high MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was statistically significantly better than in those patients with low MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio (P=0.004). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that serum MMP-8, TIMP-1, and the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 might be useful adjuncts as predictors of prognosis in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Lempinen
- Clinic of Surgery, Department of Transplantation and Liver Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital , Helsinki Finland
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Baicalein inhibits the invasion and metastatic capabilities of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via down-regulation of the ERK pathway. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72927. [PMID: 24039823 PMCID: PMC3765161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Baicalein, a widely used Chinese herbal medicine, has historically been used in anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer therapies. However, the anti-metastatic effect and molecular mechanism(s) of baicalein on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the anti-metastatic effects of baicalein and related mechanism(s) on HCC. Based on assays utilized in both HCC cell lines and in an animal model, we found that baicalein inhibited tumor cell metastasis in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, after treatment with baicalein for 24 hours, there was a decrease in the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) expression as well as proteinase activity in hepatocellular carcinoma MHCC97H cells. Meanwhile, the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2 were increased in a dose-dependent fashion. Moreover, baicalein treatment dramatically decreased the levels of the phosphorylated forms of MEK1 and ERK1/2. MEK1 overexpression partially blocked the anti-metastatic effects of baicalein. Combined treatment with an ERK inhibitor (U0126) and baicalein resulted in a synergistic reduction in MMP-2, MMP-9 and u-PA expression and an increase in TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression; the invasive capabilities of MHCC97H cells were also inhibited. In conclusion, baicalein inhibits tumor cell invasion and metastasis by reducing cell motility and migration via the suppression of the ERK pathway, suggesting that baicalein is a potential therapeutic agent for HCC.
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Puxbaum V, Nimmerfall E, Bäuerl C, Taub N, Blaas PM, Wieser J, Mikula M, Mikulits W, Ng KM, Yeoh GC, Mach L. M6P/IGF2R modulates the invasiveness of liver cells via its capacity to bind mannose 6-phosphate residues. J Hepatol 2012; 57:337-43. [PMID: 22521359 PMCID: PMC3401376 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2012.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Revised: 03/10/2012] [Accepted: 03/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor (M6P/IGF2R), a multifunctional protein, plays a central role in intracellular targeting of lysosomal enzymes and control of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) bioactivity. Importantly, the gene encoding this receptor is frequently inactivated in a wide range of malignant tumors including hepatocellular carcinomas. Thus, M6P/IGF2R is considered a putative liver tumor suppressor. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of the receptor on the invasive properties of liver cells. METHODS Reconstitution experiments were performed by expression of wild type and mutant M6P/IGF2R in receptor-deficient FRL14 fetal rat liver cells. RNA interference was used to induce M6P/IGF2R downregulation in receptor-positive MIM-1-4 mouse hepatocytes. RESULTS We show that the M6P/IGF2R status exerts a strong impact on the invasiveness of tumorigenic rodent liver cells. M6P/IGF2R-deficient fetal rat liver cells hypersecrete lysosomal cathepsins and penetrate extracellular matrix barriers in a cathepsin-dependent manner. Forced expression of M6P/IGF2R restores intracellular transport of cathepsins to lysosomes and concomitantly reduces the tumorigenicity and invasive potential of these cells. Conversely, M6P/IGF2R knock-down in receptor-positive mouse hepatocytes causes increased cathepsin secretion as well as enhanced cell motility and invasiveness. We also demonstrate that functional M6P-binding sites are important for the anti-invasive properties of M6P/IGF2R, whereas the capacity to bind IGF-II is dispensable for the anti-invasive activity of the receptor in liver cells. CONCLUSIONS M6P/IGF2R restricts liver cell invasion by preventing the pericellular action of M6P-modified proteins.
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Key Words
- bsa, bovine serum albumin
- ecm, extracellular matrix
- fbs, fetal bovine serum
- hcc, hepatocellular carcinoma
- hgf, hepatocyte growth factor
- igf-ii, insulin-like growth factor ii
- m6p, mannose 6-phosphate
- m6p/igf2r, mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor ii receptor
- mpr46, 46-kda mannose 6-phosphate receptor
- rnai, rna interference
- shrna, short hairpin rna
- sirna, short interfering rna
- cathepsin
- hepatocellular carcinoma
- lysosome
- matrix degradation
- cell invasion
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Puxbaum
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Nimmerfall
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Bäuerl
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Taub
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Pia-Maria Blaas
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Wieser
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mario Mikula
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Mikulits
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ken M. Ng
- School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, M310, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - George C.T. Yeoh
- School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, M310, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia,Laboratory for Cancer Medicine, Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, 50 Murray Street, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
| | - Lukas Mach
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria,Corresponding author. Tel.: +43 1 47654 6360, fax: +43 1 47654 6392.
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Giebultowicz J, Polanska-Plachta M, Wroczynski P, Zaborowski P, Polanski JA. How echinoccocosis affects potential cancer markers in plasma: galectin-3, sN-cadherin and sE-cadherin? A preliminary report. Diagn Pathol 2012; 7:17. [PMID: 22340429 PMCID: PMC3355024 DOI: 10.1186/1746-1596-7-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 02/18/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background An increasing number of publications are suggesting that galectin-3 (Gal-3) and soluble cadherin fragments, such as E-cadherin (sE-CAD) and N-cadherin (sN-CAD), may be considered as cancer markers. Despite the promising results of the studies, there are no data concerning their levels in the plasma of echinococcosis patients. In most cases, echinoccocosis affects the liver, and its symptoms and disease course are very similar to those of liver cancer. The aim of the present study was to observe whether echinococcosis affects the concentration of soluble sN-CAD, sE-CAD fragments and Gal-3 in plasma and to determine which of them could be considered reliable liver cancer markers for further research. Methods The concentrations of sN-CAD, sE-CAD and Gal-3 in the EDTA plasma of patients suffering from echinococcosis (N = 20), liver cancers (N = 10) and healthy subjects (N = 20) were measured using the ELISA method. Results The plasma concentration of sE-CAD was lower (p = 0.0381), and that of Gal-3 higher (p = 0.0288), in echinococcosis than in the healthy group. However, only the concentration of sE-CAD differed significantly among the three analysed groups. In echinococcosis there was a correlation between the sE-CAD and CRP levels (rs = 0.79; p = 0.0066) as well as a correlation between the sE-CAD level and the number of leukocytes (rs = 0.65; p = 0.0210) in the blood. Conclusions Echinococcosis affects the concentration of soluble sE-CAD fragments and Gal-3 in plasma. sE-CAD can be considered as a marker for differentiation between liver cancer and echinoccocossis, a parasitic liver disease similar in symptoms. Further study is required to confirm these preliminary results. Virtual Slides The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2115657402650448.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Giebultowicz
- Department of Bioanalysis and Drugs Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Street, Warsaw PL-02097, Poland.
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