VEGF165 antisense RNA suppresses oncogenic properties of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Road to the future of systems biotechnology: CRISPR-Cas-mediated metabolic engineering for recombinant protein production

The rising potential for CRISPR-Cas-mediated genome editing has revolutionized our strategies in basic and practical bioengineering research. It provides a predictable and precise method for genome modification in a robust and reproducible fashion. Emergence of systems biotechnology and synthetic biology approaches coupled with CRISPR-Cas technology could change the future of cell factories to possess some new features which have not been found naturally. We have discussed the possibility and versatile potentials of CRISPR-Cas technology for metabolic engineering of a recombinant host for heterologous protein production. We describe the mechanisms involved in this metabolic engineering approach and present the diverse features of its application in biotechnology and protein production.

Vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligonucleotides inhibit leptomeningeal metastasis in vivo

To determine the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein produced in tumor tissues and to evaluate the effect of antisense oligonucleotides directed against VEGF on tumor growth and animal survival in a rabbit model of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were injected with VX2 tumor cells transfected with or without VEGF antisense constructs. The time course of VEGF protein expression in tumor tissues was then examined by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. VEGF concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The efficacy of VEGF antisense therapy was evaluated by calculation of the survival rate and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). Immunohistochemical analysis and immunoblotting showed that VEGF protein expression was significantly decreased in tissues from rabbits given VEGF antisense treatment. Serum and CSF VEGF concentrations were also markedly reduced during the first 15 days after tumor inoculation in antisense-treated animals. VEGF antisense therapy resulted in prolonged animal survival. Furthermore, while some meningeal nodular enhancement was evident in almost all of the VX2-inoculated rabbits, meningeal enhancement and thickening was clearly suppressed after VEGF antisense treatment. These results indicate that VEGF antisense oligonucleotides have a potent anti-tumor activity in a rabbit model of VX2 leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. In addition, DCE-MRI provides highly accurate measurements for the detection of experimentally induced leptomeningeal carcinomatosis and could be used as a suitable method for assessing in vivo tumor growth and angiogenesis.

Activation of growth factor receptors in esophageal cancer--implications for therapy

Esophageal cancer is a highly aggressive disease and is the seventh most common cause of cancer-related death in the western world. Worldwide, it ranks as the sixth most frequent cause of cancer death. Despite advances in surgical techniques and treatment, the prognosis of esophageal cancer remains poor, with very few long-term survivors. The need for novel strategies to detect esophageal cancer earlier and to improve current therapy is urgent. It is well established that growth factors and growth factor receptor-mediated signaling pathways are important components of the transformation process in many forms of cancer, including esophageal cancer. With the recent advances in drug development, there are emerging possibilities to use growth factor signal transduction pathways in targeted therapy. This review provides a summary of the role of growth factors and their receptors in esophageal cancer and discusses their potential roles as biomarkers and as targets in therapy.

Genetic background of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

A nyelőcsőrák a kilencedik leggyakoribb rosszindulatú daganat. Több mint 90%-ban előrehaladott állapotban kerül felismerésre. A sebészi beavatkozás, a kemo-, illetve radioterápia lehetőségei korlátozottak. Napjainkban a génterápia került az érdeklődés előterébe. A szerzők a nyelőcsőlaphámrák genetikai és molekuláris hátterét és a génterápiával elért kezdeti tapasztalatokat tekintik át. Ismertetik a komplementer nukleinsavak (antisense terápia), a génpótlás, a kis interferáló RNS-k alkalmazásának lehetőségeit.

Polo-like kinase and survivin are esophageal tumor-specific promoters

For developing successful cancer gene therapy strategies, tumor-specific gene delivery is essential. In this study, we used esophageal cancer (EC) cells to identify and evaluate esophageal tumor-specific gene promoters. Four genes (polo-like kinase-1/PLK, survivin/BIRC5, karyopherin alpha 2/KPNA2, and pituitary tumor transforming gene protein 1/PTTG1) were identified by a microarray analysis as highly expressed in EC cell lines vs. five normal organ tissues (liver, lung, kidney, brain, and heart). By quantitative RT-PCR, the average mRNA expression levels of these four genes in 20 primary ECs were 2.7-fold (PLK), 6.1-fold (survivin), 2.6-fold (KPNA2), and 2.4-fold (PTTG1) higher than that of each gene in 24 different normal organs. By dual luciferase assay, the promoter activity of PLK and survivin in EC cell lines was 18.9-fold and 28.5-fold higher, respectively, than in normal lung and renal cells. The promoters of PLK and survivin could be useful tools for developing EC-specific gene therapy vectors.

Inhibitory effect of antisense vascular endothelial growth factor RNA on the profile of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line in vitro and in vivo

AIM: To evaluate the effect of antisense vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) RNA (PCMV-FGEV) transfection on the profile of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) SMMC-7721 cells in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS: SMMC-7721 cells were transfected with PCMV-FGEV antisense, PCMV-VEGF sense and empty vector plasmid encapsulated by lipofectamine as antisense group, sense group and control group respectively. The positive cell clones were selected with G418. The stable transfection and expression of VEGF in the cells were determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Cell proliferation was observed by MTT assay. FACS analysis was used to determine the effect of PCMV-FGEV transfection on cell apoptosis. The growth of transfected cells in vivo was also observed in nude mice.

RESULTS: VEGF expression was reduced in SMMC-7721 transfected with PCMV-FGEV, which was confirmed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. No effect of PCMV-FGEV transfection was found on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis of SMMC-7721 in vitro. The growth of cells transfected with PCMV-FGEV was slow in nude mice and accompanied with obvious apoptosis. The latent time of tumors in the antisense group was 25.0 ± 1.8 d, which was longer than that in sense and control groups (F = 19.455, P < 0.01). The average tumor weight in antisense group (0.96 g ± 0.28 g) was the smallest among the three groups (F = 21.501, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The expression of VEGF can be inhibited by antisense PCMV-FGEV. Antisense PCMV-FGEV has no effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 in vitro but can inhibit tumor growth and induce cell apoptosis in vivo.

Delivery of antiangiogenic agents for cancer gene therapy

The understanding that tumor growth and metastasis are angiogenesis dependent processes has led to interest in targeting tumor vasculature in anticancer therapy. Furthermore, recent insights into the molecular interactions that orchestrate physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis have resulted in a variety of antiangiogenic strategies. A gene therapy-mediated approach for the delivery of antiangiogenic agents has several advantages, including the potential for sustained expression. However, the choice of angiogenesis inhibitor, method of gene delivery, and target/site for transgene expression are important variables to be considered when designing this approach. Here we review the major alternatives within each of these categories and provide illustrative examples of their use in preclinical models.

Clinical significance of VEGF-A, -C and -D expression in esophageal malignancies

Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-A, -C and -D are members of the proangiogenic VEGF family of glycoproteins. VEGF-A is known to be the most important angiogenic factor under physiological and pathological conditions, while VEGF-C and VEGF-D are implicated in the development and sprouting of lymphatic vessels, so called lymphangiogenesis. Local tumor progression, lymph node metastases and hematogenous tumor spread are important prognostic factors for esophageal carcinoma (EC), one of the most lethal malignancies throughout the world. We found solid evidence in the literature that VEGF expression contributes to tumor angiogenesis, tumor progression and lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and many authors could show a prognostic value for VEGF-assessment. In adenocarcinoma (AC) of the esophagus angiogenic properties are acquired in early stages, particularly in precancerous lesions like Barrett's dysplasia. However, VEGF expression fails to give prognostic information in AC of the esophagus. VEGF-C and -D were detected in SCC and dysplastic lesions, but not in normal mucosa of the esophagus. VEGF-C expression might be associated with lymphatic tumor invasion, lymph node metastases and advanced disease in esophageal SCC and AC. Therapeutic interference with VEGF signaling may prove to be a promising way of anti-angiogenic co-treatment in esophageal carcinoma. However, concrete clinical data are still pending.

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Vascular endothelial growth factor in esophageal cancer

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in angiogenesis of many solid malignancies. The influence of angiogenesis and VEGF expression on progression and recurrence of esophageal cancer has been investigated over the last years. This article reviews the prognostic significance of VEGF expression, microvessel density (MVD), and lymphangiogenic factors in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), Barrett's dysplasia, and adenocarcinoma (AC) of the esophagus, their predictive value for treatment response to chemo-radiotherapy and new anti-angiogenic treatment strategies.

cDNA cloning and expression of human CD95 ligand and its role in apoptosis of HepG2 cell lines

AIM: To investigate CD95 ligand and its physiological function in liver neoplasms.

METHODS: The levels of soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) were evaluated in a group of patients affected by hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced chronic hepatitis, HBV-positive liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).To further study, we constructed recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 hisB-CD95L, which was then tranfected into human hepatoma cell line HepG2 by lipofection.After stained by annexin V and propidium iodine, HepG2 cells were detected by flow cytometer.

RESULTS: CD95L levels were significantly decreased in patients with HCC when compared to the patients with hepatitis or liver cirrhosis.The correct recombinant pcDNA3.1hisB-CD95L was selected by PCR and restriction endonuclease digestion and confirmed by DNA sequencing respectively.Subsequently a significant proportion of cells became apoptotic, as evidenced by positive annexin staining.

CONCLUSION: CD95-CD95 ligand system can induce apoptosis of hepatoma cells.

Antiangiogenic gene therapy of cancer: recent developments

With the role of angiogenesis in tumor growth and progression firmly established, considerable effort has been directed to antiangiogenic therapy as a new modality to treat human cancers. Antiangiogenic agents have recently received much widespread attention but strategies for their optimal use are still being developed. Gene therapy represents an attractive alternative to recombinant protein administration for several reasons. This review evaluates the potential advantages of gene transfer for antiangiogenic cancer therapy and describes preclinical gene transfer work with endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors demonstrating the feasibility of effectively suppressing and even eradicating tumors in animal models. Additionally, we describe the advantages and disadvantages of currently available gene transfer vectors and update novel developments in this field. In conclusion, gene therapy holds great promise in advancing antiangiogenesis as an effective cancer therapy and will undoubtedly be evaluated in human clinical trials in the near future.

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MAPK signal transduction and apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cells induced by liposomes of survivin antisense oligonucleotide

AIM: To study the relation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction and apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cells HS-746T induced by liposomes of survivin antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN).

METHODS: Survivin ASODN was designed and synthesised to transfect human gastric carcinoma cells HS-746T. The cultured cells were divided into 6 groups: vacuity control group, liposome and sense oligonucleotide (SODN) group, 100, 200 and 400 nmoL/L ASODN group and P38MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor groups. Apoptotic index (AI) and proliferative index (PI) were examined by flow cytometry after transfection 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h. RT-PCR, immunocytochemical stain, Western blot, immuno-precipitation and kinase activity assay were used to detect protein expression and activity of P38MAPK, ERK1/2, survivin and survivin mRNA after transfection.

RESULTS: Expression of ERK1/2 and P38MAPK has not significantly different among vacuity control group, liposomes group and SODN group. The apoptotic cells increased in anisoconcentration survivin ASODN groups and AI was higher than that of other control group. Apoptotic cells decreased in P38MAPK inhibitor group while increased in ERK1/2. The protein and mRNA expression of survivin decreased when transfection concentration was increased. The phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated ERK1/ 2 showed a dose-and time-dependent decrease whereas protein level of p38MAPK remained unchanged, but activity increased.

CONCLUSION: Survivin ASODN can induce apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cells in vitro though MAPK signal transduction including activating apoptosis-related signal P38MAPK and suppressing proliferation-related signal ERK1/2.

Effect of transfected DPC4 gene on angiogenesis of colon carcinoma

AIM: To study the mechanism of transfected DPC4 gene on angiogenesis.

METHODS: SW620 cells were transfected with PcDNA3.1-DPC4 plasmid by using lipofectamine transfecting technique. Expression of Smad4 in DPC₄⁺-SW620 cells was observed by Western blot. The expression of VEGF protein in the cell supernatant was detected by ELISA, and VEGF mRNA by RT-PCR. The model of nude mice inoculated with DPC₄⁺-SW620 cells was established by injecting into flank subcutaneously. The expression of VEGF protein and the microvessel density of tumor tissue in nude mice were detected by immunohistochemical staining (SP method).

RESULTS: DPC₄⁺-SW620 cells expressing Smad4 were harvested; Smad4 protein showed stronger expression in SW620 cells transfected with PcDNA-DPC4 plasmid than that in not-transfected SW620 cells and SW620 cells transfected with blank plasmid, and the positive signal was localized in cytoplasm and nucleus, mainly in cytoplasm; There were lower expression of VEGF protein and mRNA in DPC₄⁺- SW620 cells than that in SW620 cells and PcDNA-SW620 cells (P < 0.05); The model of nude mice inoculated with colon carcinoma cells was established successfully. The tumors of nude mice inoculated with DPC₄⁺-SW620 cells growed more slowly than that inoculated with SW620 cells and PcDNA-SW620 cells. The volume and mass of tumors in nude mice inoculated with DPC₄⁺-SW620 cells were smaller and lighter than those with SW620 cells and PcDNA- SW620 cells (P < 0.05). The expression of VEGF and the microvessel density in DPC₄⁺-SW620 cells were lower than those in SW620 cells and PcDNA-SW620 cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The DPC4 gene can suppress the growth of the tumors in nude mice inoculated with DPC₄⁺-SW620 cells; The inhibitory effect of DPC4 on colon carcinoma may be partly mediated by suppressing angiogenesis of tumor.

Effect of arsenic trioxide on vascularization of tumor

AIM: To explore the effects and mechanisms of anti-vascularization of arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) injection on the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

METHODS: Human umbilical vein cell line ECV304 and the nude mice with the high metastastic human HCC transplanted in situ LCI-D20 were used. The growth of ECV304 was analyzed by MTT assay. The inhibitory effect of As₂O₃ on tumor neo-vascularization was investigated by the method of chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). The changes of VEGF's expression in the transplanted HCC tissue were investigated by using immunohistochemical SP staining.

RESULTS: As₂O₃ could inhibit the growth of ECV304 cell line, and down-regulate VEGF's expression. As₂O₃ could also inhibit the vascularization in the CAM, and electron microscopy showed that As₂O₃ could damage primitive mesenchymal cells and vascular endothelial cells, and inhibite neovascular gemmation. The expression of VEGF was down-regulated in vivo studies.

CONCLUSION: As₂O₃ injection can inhibit the tumor neovascularization by supressing the growth of vascular endothelial cell, down-regulating the expression of VEGF, damaging the primitive mesenchymal cells and inhibiting neovascular fromation.

Feasibility of VEGF ASODN mixed with lipiodol transfecting liver cancer via hepatic artery infusion in rats

AIM: To study the distribution and stability of VEGF ASODN in Walker-256 cells and to explore the distribution of VEGF ASODN in rat's liver, lung and kidney after mixed with lipiodol for hepatic artery infusion.

METHODS: The 5-FITC labeled VEGF ASODN was given into Walker-256 cell culture media. The cellular distribution was observed by fluorescent microscope. Walker-256 carcinosarcoma was transplanted into Wistar rat liver to establish the liver cancer model. 5'-FITC labeled VEGF ASODN mixed with (mixed group, n = 6) or without (TAI group, n = 6) ultra-fluide lipiodol was administrated via hepatic artery. The frozen samples of rats' liver, lung and kidney tissues were collected at 1, 3, and 6d after ASODN administration. The distribution of ASODN was determined under fluorescent microscope.

RESULTS: ASODN could enter the cytoplasm within 2 h and enter the nuclei within 4 h. Accumulation of the ASODN reached the high point in the nuclei at 6h. After that, they began to disappear. No fluorescence could be seen in cells at 48 h. At 1d and 3d, the fluorescence stained stronger in the liver in the mixed group than that in TAI group. More fluorescence could be detected in lung and kidney in TAI group than that in the mixed group. At 6 d, no fluorescence could be detected in TAI group tissues, but a little florescence could be seen in the mixed group tissues. ASODN could be seen in cancer cells and normal hepatic cells.

CONCLUSION: VEGF ASODN can transfect Walker-256 cells. VEGF ASODN stays longer in the liver, is transfected more into hepatic and cancerous cells and distributes less in other tissue when mixed with lipiodol. VEGF ASODN mixed with lipiodol via hepatic artery is an ideal way treating liver carcinoma.

Inhibition of adenovirus-mediated p27kip1 gene on growth of esophageal carcinoma cell strain

AIM: To investigate the inhibition of p27kip1 gene on the growth of esophageal carcinoma cell strain (EC9706).

METHODS: Recombinant adenovirus Ad-p27kip1 was constructed and transfected into esophageal carcinoma cell EC-9706, and its effect on p27kip1 expression, the growth of esophageal carcinoma cell, DNA replication, protein synthesis, cell multiplication and apoptosis were explored by means of cell growth count, ³H-TdR, ³H-Leucine incorporation, flow cytometry, DNA fragment analysis and TUNEL.

RESULTS: Recombinant adenovirus Ad-p27kip1 was successfully constructed with a virus titer of 1.24 × 10¹² pfu/mL. p27kip protein expression increased markedly after EC-9706 transfection, while incorporation quantity of ³H-TdR and ³H-Leucine decreased significantly. The growth of esophageal carcinoma cell was inhibited obviously. Testing of flow cytometry displayed a typical apoptosis peak, and DNA gel electrophoresis showed a typical apoptosis ladder. TUNEL showed the apoptosis rate of Ad-p27kip1 group and control group to be 37.3% and 1.26% (P < 0.001) respectively.

CONCLUSION: Ad-p27kip1 can inhibit the growth and multiplication of esophageal carcinoma cells and induce apoptosis. Therefore, enhanced p27kip1 expression may be a new way to treat esophageal carcinoma.

Separation and identification of differentially expressed nuclear matrix proteins between human esophageal immortalized and carcinomatous cell lines

AIM: To separate and identify differentially expressed nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs) between the immortalized human esophageal epithelial cell line (SHEE) and the malignantly transformed esophageal carcinoma cell line (SHEEC), and to provide new ways for finding specific markers and the pathogenesis of esophageal carcinoma.

METHODS: SHEE and SHEEC cell lines were used to extract NMPs. The quality of NMPs was monitored by Western blot analysis including DNA topoisomerase IIα, proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and histone. NMPs of SHEE and SHEEC were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), silver staining and PDQuest6.2 image analysis software. Three spots in which the differentially expressed NMPs were more obvious, were selected and analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flying mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and database search.

RESULTS: Western blot analysis revealed that DNA topoisomerase IIα and PCNA were detected, and the majority of histones were deleted in NMPs of SHEE and SHEEC. After 2-DE image analysis by PDQuest6.2 software, the 2-DE maps were detected with an average of 106 ± 7.1 spots in SHEE and 132 ± 5.0 spots in SHEEC. Most of them were matched one another (r = 0.72), only 16 protein spots were found differing in intensity. Three NMPs including cytoskeletal tropomyosin, FK506-binding protein 6, similar to retinoblastoma binding protein 8 were preliminarily identified by MALDI- TOF-MS.

CONCLUSION: These differentially expressed NMPs may play an important role during malignant transformation from SHEE to SHEEC. Their separation and identification will contribute to searching for specific markers and probing into the pathogenesis of esophageal carcinoma.

Inhibitory effects of docetaxel on expression of VEGF, bFGF and MMPs of LS174T cell

AIM: To study the effects of non-cytotoxic concentrations of docetaxel on some important angiogenic factors of LS174T Cells.

METHODS: The non-cytotoxic concentration of docetaxel and the activity of gelatinase were determined with MTT and gelatin zymography respectively, the expression of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor), MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) 2 and MMP 9 was investigated with RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS: The maximum non-cytotoxic concentration of docetaxel on LS174T Cells was 1.0 ng/mL. Compared with the solvent control group, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 ng/mL of docetaxel could downregulate the expression of VEGF, bFGF, MMP 2 and MMP 9 and suppress the activity of gelatinase.

CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the non-cytotoxic concentrations of docetaxel have strong antiangiogenic activity on LS174T Cells, which suggests docetaxel may be a promising antiangiogenic agent.

Inhibitory effect of p27kip1 mediated by adenovirus on model of esophageal carcinoma in nude mice

AIM

To investigate the inhibitory effect of p27kip1 mediated by adenovirus vector on esophageal carcinoma in vivo.

METHODS

Eca109 cells were injected into the subcutaneous tissue of nude mice to establish tumors. The transplanted tumors were reproduced among the nude mice contionually after original grafts grew well. The model of esophageal carcinoma in nude mice was established by transplanting the tumor tissue mass into the subcutaneous tissue of nude mice .The successful constructed recombinant adenoviral vector carrying p27kip1 gene and LacZ recombinant adenovirus were directly injected into the esophageal tumors in nude mice respectively. Compared with control group, the growth curves of tumor were drawed and the growth inhibition rates of tumor were calculated.

RESULTS

The growth of tumors in gene therapy group with p27kip1 was obviously suppressed, which had a significant difference compared with control group (P < 0.001). The growth inhibition rate of tumor reached 64.1%.

CONCLUSION

p27kip1 gene therapy mediated by adenovirus vector has significant inhibitory effect on esophageal carcinoma in vivo.

Effect of expression of interferon-g gene in inhibition of growth of colon cancer cell

AIM: To investigate the effect of expression of interferon-γ(IFN-γ) in tumor cell and its inhibitory effect on the growth of tumor cell.

METHODS: pcDNA3-IFN-γ vector containing IFN- γ gene was constructed and transfected into LOVO, SW620, HCT116BG and Hela cell lines by lipofectamine, respectively. The expression of IFN-γ, CEA and HLA-DR in transfected cells were tested. Both the number of apoptosis of and the proportion of cell cycles of tumor cells were measured to investigate the anti-tumor effect of IFN-γ gene therapy.

RESULTS: LOVO and HCT116BG transfected cell lines had high expression of CEA, the average level of CEA was significantly increased from 26.02±6.76 to 38.85±7.07 mg/L (P < 0.05). However, there was no detectable increase in the supernatants of Hela, SW620 cell lines that naturally expressed little of CEA. Flow cytometry analysis showed that HLA-DR expression rate (11.67±7.20) was significantly higher than that prior gene transfection (3.91±3.61) (P < 0.01), and the IFN-γ gene transfer effectively induced the apoptosis of tumor cells, the proportion of DNA synthesis phase was deceased gradually after IFN-γ gene transfer, which indicated that the synthesis of DNA and growth of tumor cells were repressed.

CONCLUSION: IFN-γ gene therapy enhanced the expression of antigens on cell surface and thus induced powerful antitumor immunity. Repressing of synthesis of DNA, inducing the apoptosis of tumor cells and inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells might be anti-tumor mechanisms of IFN-γ.

HLA-DRB1 allele polymorphisms in genetic susceptibility to esophageal carcinoma

AIM: To probe into the genetic susceptibility of HLA-DRB1 alleles to esophageal carcinoma in Han Chinese in Hubei Province.

METHODS: HLA-DRB1 allele polymorphisms were typed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) in 42 unrelated patients with esophageal cancer and 136 unrelated normal control subjects and the associated HLA-DRB1 allele was measured by nucleotide sequence analysis with PCR.SAS software was used in statistics.

RESULTS: Allele frequency (AF) of HLA-DRB1*0901 was significantly higher in esophageal carcinoma patients than that in the normal controls (0.2500 vs 0.1397, P = 0.028, the odds ratio 2.053, etiologic fraction 0.1282). After analyzed the allele nucleotide sequence of HLA-DRB1*0901 which approachs to the corresponded exon 2 sequence of the allele in genebank. There was no association between patients and controls in the rested HLA-DRB1 alleles.

CONCLUSION: HLA-DRB1*0901 allele is more common in the patients with esophageal carcinoma than in the healthy controls, which is positively associated with the patients of Hubei Han Chinese. Individuals carrying HLA-DRB1*0901 may be susceptible to esophageal carcinoma.

Expression of e-cadherin and β-catenin in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: relationships with prognosis

AIM: To elucidate the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin correlating with its clinical outcome in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), by analyzing their interrelationship with clinicopathological variables and their effects on progress and prognosis.

METHODS: Expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was determined by SP immunohistochemical technique in patients with ESCC consecutively, their correlation with clinical characteristics was evaluated and analyzed by multivariate analysis.

RESULTS: The rate of expression of E-cadherin decreased to 66.03% (70/106) in ESCC and the protein level was negative correlated with histologic grade, tumor size, clinical staging, lymph node metastasis and venous invasion. Whereas the expression rate of β-catenin was reduced to 69.8% (74/106) and the level of protein expression correlated only with histologic grade. There obviously existed inverse correlation between level of E-cadherin protein and survival, especially in stage I, IIa, IIb (P = 0.0033), Patients with low-expressing tumors for β-catenin and non-expressing tumors for E-cadherin/β-catenin had lower survival period than those with normal-expressing ones (P = 0.0501 and P = 0.0080, respectively). Patients with diminished expression of E-cadherin as grade II or III had shorter survival period than those with normally expressing and grade I, no significance existed between grade I and grade II or III with respect to different status of E-cadherin expression. Furthermore, Correlation analysis showed level of E-cadherin correlated with that of β-catenin (P = 0.005). Cox proportional hazards model analysis suggested downregulation of E-cadherin was an important factor indicating poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION: As a probable independent prognostic factor, it correlates with overall and disease free survival period, expression of E-cadherin but not β-catenin may predict prognosis in patients with ESCC.

Preoperative TN staging of esophageal cancer: Comparison of miniprobe ultrasonography, spiral CT and MRI

AIM: To evaluate the value of miniprobe sonography (MPS), spiral CT and MR imaging (MRI) in the tumor and regional lymph node staging of esophageal cancer.

METHODS: Eight-six patients (56 men and 30 women; age range of 39-73 years, mean 62 years) with esophageal carcinoma were staged preoperatively with imaging modalities. Of them, 81 (94%) had squamous cell carcinoma, 4 (5%) adenocarcinoma, and 1 (1%) adenoacanthoma. Eleven patients (12%) had malignancy of the upper one third, 41 (48%) of the mid-esophagus and 34 (40%) of the distal one third. Forty-one were examined by spiral CT in whom 13 were co-examined by MPS, and forty-five by MRI in whom 18 were also co-examined by MPS. These imaging results were compared with the findings of the histopathologic examination for resected specimens.

RESULTS: In staging the depth of tumor growth, MPS was significantly more accurate (84%) than spiral CT and MRI (68% and 60%, respectively, P < 0.05). The specificity and sensitivity were 82% and 85% for MPS; 60% and 69% for spiral CT; and 40% and 63% for MRI, respectively. In staging regional lymph nodes, spiral CT was more accurate (78%) than MPS and MRI (71% and 64%, respectively), but the difference was not statistically significant. The specificity and sensitivity were 79% and 77% for spiral CT; 75% and 68% for MPS; and 68% and 62% for MRI, respectively.

CONCLUSION: MPS is superior to spiral CT or MRI for T staging, especially in early esophageal cancer. However, the three modalities have the similar accuracy in N staging. Spiral CT or MRI is helpful for the detection of far-distance metastasis in esophageal cancer.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors KDR and Flt-1 in gastric cancer cells

AIM: The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors KDR and Flt-1 by gastric carcinoma tissues and different gastric carcinoma cell lines was detected to elucidate the molecular mechanism of this growth factor in promoting tumor growth.

METHODS: The expression of VEGF, Flt-1 and KDR was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in gastric cancer cell lines RF-1, RF-48, AGS-1, NCI-N87, NCI-SNU-1, NCI-SNU-5, NCI-SNU-16 and KATO-III. The expression of Flt-1 and KDR in paraffin-embedded specimens of gastric cancer was determined by immunohistochemistry. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to assess the role of VEGF in tumor cell proliferation.

RESULTS: All 8 gastric cancer cell lines analyzed expressed VEGF₁₂₁ and VEGF₁₆₅ and six of them expressed both Flt-1 and KDR, while cell line NCI-SNU-5 expressed Flt-1 only and cell line KATOIII expressed neither Flt-1 nor KDR. The gastric carcinoma tissues expressed Flt-1 and KDR widely, with the positive rate of expression of Flt-1 and KDR being 84.6% and 70% respectively. The exogenous VEGF stimulated the growth of KDR-positive cell lines NCI-N87 and AGS-1 in a dose-dependent manner but exhibited no effect on the growth of KDR-negative cell line NCI-N87.

CONCLUSION: VEGF and its receptors KDR and Flt-1 were expressed widely in gastric carcinoma cells and the VEGF stimulated KDR-positive tumor cell growth directly. These results suggest that VEGF may play a role in promoting tumor growth and metastasis by participating in both paracrine and autocrine pathways.

Identification of differentially expressed proteins between human esophageal immortalized and carcinomatous cell lines by two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF-mass spectrometry

AIM: To identify the differentially expressed proteins between the human immortalized esophageal epithelial cell line (SHEE) and the malignant transformed esophageal carcinoma cell line (SHEEC), and to explore new ways for studying esophageal carcinoma associated genes.

METHODS: SHEE and SHEEC cell lines were used to separate differentially expressed proteins by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The silver-stained 2-D gels was scanned with EDAS290 digital camera system and analyzed with the PDQuest 6.2 Software. Six spots in which the differentially expressed protein was more obvious were selected and analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flying mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).

RESULTS: There were 107±4.58 and 115±9.91 protein spots observed in SHEE and SHEEC respectively, and the majority of these spots between the two cell lines matched each other (r = 0.772), only a few were expressed differentially. After analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS and database search for the six differentially expressed proteins, One new protein as well as other five sequence-known proteins including RNPEP-like protein, human rRNA gene upstream sequence binding transcription factor, uracil DNA glycosylase, Annexin A2 and p300/CBP-associated factor were preliminarily identified.

CONCLUSION: These differentially expressed proteins might play an importance role during malignant transformation of SHEEC from SHEE. The identification of these proteins may serve as a new way for studying esophageal carcinoma associated genes.

Subcellular daunorubicin distribution and its relation to multidrug resistance phenotype in drug-resistant cell line SMMC-7721/R

AIM: To investigate the correlation between subcellular daunorubicin distribution and the multidrug resistance phenotype in drug-resistant cell line SMMC-7721/R.

METHODS: The multidrug resistant cell line SMMC-7721/R, a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, was established. Antisense oligonucleotides (AS-ODN) were used to obtain different multidrug resistance phenotypes by inhibiting the expression of mdr1 gene and/or multidrug resistance-related protein gene (mrp) using Lipofectamine as delivery agent. Expression of mdr1 and mrp genes was evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Intracellular daunorubicin (DNR) concentration was measured by flow cytometry. Subcellular DNR distribution was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Adriamycin (ADM) and DNR sensitivity was examined by MTT method.

RESULTS: Low level expression of mdr1 and mrp mRNAs and no expression of P-Glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-related protein (P₁₉₀) were detected in parental sensitive cells SMMC-7721/S, but over-expression of these two genes was observed in drug-resistant cell SMMC-7721/R. The expression of mdr1 and mrp genes in SMMC-7721/R cells was down-regulated to the level in the SMMC-7721/S cells by AS-ODN. Intracellular DNR concentration in SMMC-7721/S cells was 10 times higher than that in SMMC-7721/R cells. In SMMC7721/S cells intracellular DNR distributed evenly in the nucleus and cytoplasm, while in SMMC-7721/R cells DNR distributed in a punctate pattern in the cytoplasm and was reduced in the nucleus. DNR concentration in SMMC-7721/R cells co-transfected with AS-ODNs targeting to mdr1 and mrp mRNAs recovered to 25 percent of that in SMMC7721/S cells. Intracellular DNR distribution pattern in drug-resistant cells treated by AS-ODN was similar to drug-sensitive cell, and the cells resistance index (RI) to DNR and ADM decreased at most from 88.0 and 116.0 to 4.0 and 2.3, respectively. Co-Transfection of two AS-ODNs showed a stronger synergistic effect than separate transfection.

CONCLUSIONS: P-gp and P₁₉₀ are two members mediating MDR in cell line SMMC7721/R. Intracellular drug concentration increase and subcellular distribution change are two important factors in multidrug resistance (MDR) formation. The second factor, drugs transport by P-gp and P₁₉₀ from cell nucleus to organell in cytoplasm, may play a more important role.