Construction and validation of a m6A RNA methylation and ferroptosis-related prognostic model for pancreatic cancer by integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Background: Both N6-methyladenosine (m6A) ribonucleic acid (RNA) methylation and ferroptosis regulators are demonstrated to have significant effects on the malignant clinicopathological characteristics of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) patients. However, the currently available clinical indexes are not sufficient to predict precise prognostic outcomes pf PAAD patients accurately. This study aims to examine the clinicopathologic features of m6A RNA methylation and ferroptosis regulators in predicting the outcomes of different types of cancer. Methods: As the foundation for this research, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PAAD tissues and adjacent normal tissues were first identified. Next, dimensional reduction analysis (DCA) based on m6A RNA methylation regulators and ferroptosis regulators were performed and DEGs between good/poor prognosis PAAD patient clusters were identified. DEGs were then screened by Cox analysis, and finally a risk signature was established by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses. The prediction model based on risk score was further evaluated by a validation set from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Results: In total, 4 m6A RNA methylation regulator genes and 29 ferroptosis regulator genes were found to have close causal relationships with the prognosis of PAAD, and a risk score with 3 m6A methylation regulators (i.e., IGF2BP2, IGF2BP3, and METTL16) and 4 ferroptosis regulators (i.e., ENPP2, ATP6V1G2, ITGB4, and PROM2) was constructed and showed to be highly involved in PAAD progression and could serve as effective markers for prognosis with AUC value equaled 0.753 in training set and 0.803 in validation set. Conclusions: The combined prediction model, composed of seven regulators of m6A methylation and ferroptosis, in this study more effectively reflects the progression and prognosis of PAAD than previous single genome or epigenetic analysis. Our study provides a broader perspective for the subsequent establishment of prognostic models and the patients may benefit from more precision management.

The AKR1B1 inhibitor epalrestat suppresses the progression of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. Identifying an effective treatment with fewer side effects is imperative, because all of the current treatments have unique disadvantages. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1) is highly expressed in various cancers and is associated with tumor development, but has not been studied in cervical cancer. In the current study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to establish a stable HeLa cell line with AKR1B1 knockout. In vitro, AKR1B1 knockout inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of HeLa cells, providing evidence that AKR1B1 is an innovative therapeutic target. Notably, the clinically used epalrestat, an inhibitor of aldose reductases, including AKR1B1, had the same effect as AKR1B1 knockout on HeLa cells. This result suggests that epalrestat could be used in the clinical treatment of cervical cancer, a prospect that undoubtedly requires further research. Moreover, aiming to determine the underlying regulatory mechanism of AKR1B1, we screened a series of differentially regulated genes (DEGs) by RNA sequencing and verified selected DEGs by quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of the DEGs revealed a correlation between AKR1B1 and cancer. In summary, epalrestat inhibits the progression of cervical cancer by inhibiting AKR1B1, and thus may be a new drug for the clinical treatment of cervical cancer.

Effects of TACE and preventive antiviral therapy on HBV reactivation and subsequent hepatitis in hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The impact of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and preventive antiviral therapy on the occurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation and subsequent hepatitis remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of TACE and preventive antiviral therapy on the risk of HBV reactivation and subsequent hepatitis. Meanwhile, we explored the role of HBeAg status in HBV reactivation after TACE. METHODS: We performed this meta-analysis with 11 included studies to assess the effect of TACE and preventive antiviral therapy on predicting clinical outcomes in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pooled odds ratios (OR) were calculated using a random or fixed effects model. PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled were searched for the included articles (from 2000 to December 2017). RESULTS: Our results showed that TACE significantly increased the risk of HBV reactivation (OR: 3.70; 95% CI 1.45-9.42; P < 0.01) and subsequent hepatitis (OR: 4.30; 95% CI 2.28-8.13; P < 0.01) in HCC patients. There was no significant difference in HBV reactivation after TACE between HBeAg positive and negative patients (OR: 1.28; 95% CI 0.31-5.34; P = 0.73). Preventive antiviral therapy could statistically reduce the rate of HBV reactivation (OR: 0.08; 95% CI 0.02-0.32; P < 0.01) and hepatitis (OR: 0.22; 95% CI 0.06-0.80; P = 0.02) in those with TACE treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that TACE was associated with a higher possibility of HBV reactivation and subsequent hepatitis. Preventive antiviral therapy is significantly in favor of a protective effect.

High expression of Anxa2 and Stat3 promote progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and predict poor prognosis.

AIM: To elucidate whether the interaction between Anxa2 and Stat3 could promote the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and that high co-expression of Anxa2 and Stat3 could predict poor prognosis in HCC patients. METHODS: We investigated Anxa2 and Stat3 expression using Western blot analysis in 4 HCC and adjacent nontumor tissues and using immunohistochemistry in 100 patients' paraffin sections. Then we assessed the expression of Stat3, Anxa2 and co-expression of Stat3 and Anxa2 with relevant clinical pathological parameters and their prognostic value in HCC patients. The recurrence and overall survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. The prognostic analysis was carried out with univariate and multivariate Cox regressions models. RESULTS: The incidence of high Stat3 expression in HCC tissues (35%) was significantly higher than that in non-HCC tissues (8%) (P < 0.001). The same result was observed in Anxa2 (P < 0.001). Also, the overexpression of Stat3 or Anxa2 showed a significant relationship with the recurrence of the 100 HCC patients (P = 0.012; P = 0.003). Additionally, tumor size >3 cm in diameter, multiple tumor number, and the presence of microvascular tumor thrombus were also significantly associated with recurrence in 100 patients. Then, all enrolled patients were divided into four groups according to IHC score of Stat3 and Anxa2, and the results indicated a significant difference in recurrence time between the subgroups (P < 0.001). What's more, co-highexpression of Stat3 and Anxa2 was related to the presence of microvascular tumor thrombus (P = 0.003) and poor tumor differentiation (P < 0.001), but not relevant with other clinical features (All P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of Stat3, Anxa2, or co-high-expression of the two proteins was associated with HCC recurrence and survival.

Correlation between S100A11 and the TGF-ß1/SMAD4 pathway and its effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1.

S100A11 as a S100 protein family member has been documented to play dual-direction regulation over cancer cell proliferation. We explored the role of S100A11 in the proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1 and the potential mechanisms involving the TGF-ß1/SMAD4/p21 pathway. S100A11 and TGF-ß1 protein expressions in 30 paraffin-embedded specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. S100A11 and TGF-ß1 expression in PANC-1 cell line was suppressed using small interfering RNA (siRNA), respectively. Subsequently, pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry, and S100A11 and TGF-ß1/SMAD4/p21 pathway proteins and genes were detected with Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). S100A11 cytoplasmic/nuclear protein translocation was examined using NE-PER® cytoplasm/nuclear protein extraction in cells interfered with TGF-ß1 siRNA. Our results showed that S100A11 expression was positively correlated with TGF-ß1 expression in pancreatic cancerous tissue. Silencing TGF-ß1 down-regulated intracellular P21WAF1 expression by 90%, blocked S100A11 from cytoplasm entering nucleus, and enhanced cell proliferation. Silencing S100A11 down-regulated intracellular P21 expression and promoted cell apoptosis without significantly changing TGF-ß1 and SMAD4 expression. Our findings revealed that S100A11 and TGF-ß1/SMAD4 signaling pathway were related but mutually independent in regulating PANC-1 cells proliferation and apoptosis. Other independent mechanisms might be involved in S100A11's regulation of pancreatic cell growth. S100A11 could be a potential gene therapy target for pancreatic cancer.

Actin related protein 3 (ARP3) promotes apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in ulcerative colitis.

Apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) promotes the development of ulcerative colitis (UC), a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Efficient clearance of apoptotic cells is essential for tissue homeostasis in metazoans. Actin related protein 3 (ARP3) promotes endothelial dysfunction. The expression and function of ARP3 in UC remains unclear. In this study, the expression of apoptotic markers as p53, Bax, Cleaved-Caspease9 and Cleaved-Caspease3 were proved to be increased in the intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) of UC patients and in a mouse disuccinimidyl suberate(DSS)-induced colitis model; meanwhile, ARP3 expression was elevated. ARP3 expression levels and the severity of symptoms in patients with UC were positively correlated. By knocking down ARP3 in a TNF-α-treated NCM-460 cell colitis model, the apoptotic markers described above were all decreased. In conclusion, our data indicates that ARP3 might promote the apoptosis of IECs in UC, revealing a potential molecular target for treating UC.

ß2-AR regulates the expression of AKR1B1 in human pancreatic cancer cells and promotes their proliferation via the ERK1/2 pathway.

Psychological stress has been recognized as a well-documented risk factor associated with ß2-adrenergic receptor (ß2-AR) in the development of pancreatic cancer. Aldo-keto reductase 1 member B1 (AKR1B1) is a potential interacting partner of ß2-AR, but the effect of their interaction on pancreatic cancer cells is not known at present. We found a positive correlation between AKR1B1 and ß2-AR expression in pancreatic cancer tissue samples, and co-localization of these proteins in the human pancreatic cancer BXPC-3 cell line. Compared to the controls, the CFPAC-1 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells overexpressing ß2-AR and AKR1B1 respectively showed significantly higher proliferation rates, which is attributed to higher proportion of cells in the S phase and decreased percentage of early apoptotic cells. Furthermore, overexpression of ß2-AR led to a significant increase in the expression of AKR1B1 and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK1/2). Overexpression of AKR1B1 significantly decreased ß2-AR levels and increased that of p-ERK1/2. Taken together, ß2-AR directly interacted with and up-regulated AKR1B1 in pancreatic cancer cells, and promoted their proliferation and inhibited apoptosis via the ERK1/2 pathway. Our findings also highlight the ß2-AR-AKR1B1 axis as a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

A Comparison of Traditional and Novel Methods for the Separation of Exosomes from Human Samples.

Exosomes are discrete populations of small (40-200 nm in diameter) membranous vesicles that are released into the extracellular space by most cell types, eventually accumulating in the circulation. As molecular messengers, exosomes exert a broad array of vital physiologic functions by transporting information between different cell types. Because of these functional properties, they may have potential as biomarker sources for prognostic and diagnostic disease. Recent research has found that exosomes have potential to be utilized as drug delivery agents for therapeutic targets. However, basic researches on exosomes and researches on their therapeutic potential both require the existence of effective and rapid methods for their separation from human samples. In the current absence of a standardized method, there are several methods available for the separation of exosomes, but very few studies have previously compared the efficiency and suitability of these different methods. This review summarized and compared the available traditional and novel methods for the extraction of exosomes from human samples and considered their advantages and disadvantages for use in clinical laboratories and point-of-care settings.

Sex comb on midleg like-2 is a novel specific marker for the diagnosis of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Sex comb on midleg like-2 (SCML2) is a polycomb-group protein that encodes transcriptional repressors essential for appropriate development in the fly and in mammals. On the basis of previous findings, the present study aimed to explore the possibility of developing SCML2 into a new diagnostic marker for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). A total of 64 paired GEP-NET tissues and adjacent non-tumorous tissues were obtained from patients who had undergone surgical resection between January 2009 and January 2014, and the expression of SCML2 and two neuroendocrine markers, namely synaptophysin (Syn) and chromogranin A (CgA), in the tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Strong SCML2 staining was observed predominantly in the cell nuclei of GEP-NET tissues, and the overall expression rate and staining intensity of SCML2 were higher than those of Syn or CgA, respectively. Spearman rank correlation analysis demonstrated that SCML2 was not correlated with either Syn or CgA, while the combined detection of SCML2 with Syn or with CgA increased the diagnostic sensitivity to 100%. SCML2 expression in GEP-NETs was associated with several clinicopathological parameters, such as histological type, tumor grade, depth of invasion and clinical stage. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that patients with higher SCML2 expression had lower survival rates than those with lower expression levels, while Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that SCML2 was not an independent prognostic factor for GEP-NET patients. Therefore, SCML2 may have potential as a specific marker for joint use with other markers to improve the diagnostic efficiency of GEP-NETs.

Detection of clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori in clinical specimens by molecular methods: A review.

Various molecular methods have been developed to rapidly detect clarithromycin (CLR) resistance in Helicobacter pylori isolates in clinical specimens. All of these assays for detecting CLR resistance in H. pylori are based on detection of mutations in the 23S rRNA gene. In this article, we summarise current knowledge regarding the detection of H. pylori CLR resistance in clinical specimens by molecular tests. The available data showed that restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), 3'-mismatch PCR, DNA sequencing, the PCR line probe assay (PCR-LiPA) and fluorescence in situ hybridisation assay (FISH) are able to detect CLR-resistant H. pylori in clinical specimens with excellent specificity and sensitivity. However, several factors limit their clinical application, including fastidious, time-consuming preparation and low-throughput as well as carrying a risk of contamination. Furthermore, as an invasive method, FISH is not suitable for children or the elderly. Among the molecular methods, one that is most promising for the future is real-time PCR probe hybridisation technology using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes, which can rapidly detect CLR resistance with high sensitivity and specificity in biopsies and stool specimens, even though mixed infections are present in clinical specimens. Moreover, due to the advantages that this method is simple, rapid and economical, real-time PCR is technically feasible for clinical application in small- and medium-sized hospitals in developing countries. Second, with high sensitivity, specificity and throughput, DNA chips will also be a valuable tool for detecting resistant H. pylori isolates from cultures and clinical specimens.

High expression of peroxiredoxin 4 affects the survival time of colorectal cancer patients, but is not an independent unfavorable prognostic factor.

Peroxiredoxin 4 (Prx4) has a number of important biological functions, such as efficient antioxidant capacity and promotion of cell proliferation and differentiation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and significance of Prx4 in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to detect Prx4 in 8 freshly frozen specimens of CRC and their adjacent normal tissues. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect Prx4 in 59 specimens of CRC and 26 of adjacent normal tissues. The immunohistochemical and qPCR results demonstrated that the expressions of the Prx4 gene and protein were higher in CRC compared to those in the adjacent normal tissues. The expression intensity of the Prx4 protein was correlated with depth of invasion (P=0.001), lymph node metastasis (P=0.006) and Dukes' classification (P=0.004) in CRC. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that high Prx4 expression was correlated with short survival time. However, the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis did not identify Prx4 as an independent prognostic marker for CRC (P>0.05). These results suggested that Prx4 may be associated with carcinogenesis and the development of CRC and it may be a prognostic marker for postoperative CRC patients.

S100 family signaling network and related proteins in pancreatic cancer (Review).

The occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer is a complex process convoluted by multi-pathogenies, multi-stages and multi-factors. S100 proteins are members of the S100 family that regulate multiple cellular pathways related to pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis. S100 proteins have a broad range of intracellular and extracellular functions, including the regulation of protein phosphorylation and enzyme activity, calcium homeostasis and the regulation of cytoskeletal components and transcriptional factors. S100 proteins interact with receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), p53 and p21, which play a role in the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and metastasis, and also interact with cytoskeletal proteins and the plasma membrane in pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis. S100A11 and S100P are significant tumor markers for pancreatic cancer and unfavorable predictors for the prognosis of patients who have undergone surgical resection. Recently, S100A2 has been suggested to be a negative prognostic biomarker in pancreatic cancer, and the expression of S100A6 may be an independent prognostic impact factor. The expression of S100A4 and S100P is associated with drug resistance, differentiation, metastasis and clinical outcome. This review summarizes the role and significance of the S100 family signaling network and related proteins in pancreatic cancer.

Chronic pouchitis is associated with pouch polyp formation in patients with underlying ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Polypoid lesions can develop in ileal pouches. The risk factors associated with the development of pouch polyps have not been studied. AIM: To characterize clinical features, risk factors, and disease course of pouch polyp in a cohort of patients with underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from a subspecialty clinic. METHOD: A total of 1094 patients with restorative proctocolectomy and IPAA for IBD presenting to our Pouchitis Clinic from 2002 to 2010 were included. Demographic, clinical, and endoscopic variables were analyzed. RESULTS: The median durations from UC diagnosis to colectomy and from pouch creation to the last follow-up for the whole cohort were 6 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3-13) and 9years (IQR: 5-14), respectively. A total of 2472 surveillance and/or diagnostic pouchoscopies were performed for the cohort with a median follow-up of 5 (IQR: 2-6) years in the Pouchitis Clinic. The median number of pouchoscopies per patient was 2 (IQR: 1-3). Of the 1094 patients, 96 (8.8%) were found to have pouch polyps. The median size of the polyps was 1.2 (IQR: 1.0-2.0) cm. On histology, 93 patients (96.9%) had inflammatory-type polyps and 3 (3.1%) had polyps with low-grade dysplasia or indefinite for dysplasia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that chronic pouch inflammatory change was a risk factor for the development of pouch polyp with an odds ratio of 2.26 (95% confidence interval: 1.35-3.79; P=0.002). CONCLUSION: The majority of pouch polyps in patients with underlying UC were benign. Patients with concomitant chronic pouch inflammatory changes had an increased risk for developing pouch polyps.

Serum GP73 is complementary to AFP and GGT-II for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Golgi protein 73 (GP73) is a resident Golgi type II transmembrane protein that has been reported to markedly increase in chronic liver disease, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it remains unclear as to whether serum GP73 represents a reliable serum marker for the diagnosis of HCC. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum GP73 in patients with HCC and to determine the diagnostic accuracy of measuring serum GP73 in combination with α-fetoprotein (AFP) and γ-glutamyl transferase isoenzyme II (GGT-II) in HCC. Serum GP73 was detected using a time-resolved fluorescence immunological assay (TRFIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 79 HCC cases, including 16 liver cirrhosis, 30 chronic hepatitis and 28 healthy individuals. The correlation between serum GP73 and tumor size and HCC grading was analyzed and the complementary diagnostic value of serum GP73, AFP and GGT-II was evaluated. TRFIA was established for the detection of serum GP73 and was sensitive and reproducible. The expression levels of serum GP73 were markedly higher in the patients with HCC when compared with those of the individuals with liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis or the healthy individuals. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for HCC with a cut-off value of 78.1 ng/l were 73.4 and 79.0%, respectively. However, no correlation was identified among serum GP73 and tumor size or grading, and no correlations were identified among serum GP73, AFP and GGT-II. The diagnostic sensitivities for HCC, as detected by TRFIA of GP73, AFP and GGT-II, were 73.4, 55.6 and 68.4%, respectively, and the specificities were 80.0, 86.7 and 97.1%, respectively. The combined determination of these markers increased the diagnostic sensitivity to 96.3% for HCC. TRFIA functions as a sensitive and replicable assay for the detection of serum GP73. The levels of serum GP73 were significantly higher in the HCC group when compared with the individuals with benign liver diseases. Serum GP73 may serve as a potential independent diagnostic candidate for HCC and the combined determination of serum GP73, AFP and GGT-II may increase the diagnostic efficiency of HCC.

Combined analysis of serum γ-glutamyl transferase isoenzyme II, α-L-fucosidase and α-fetoprotein detected using a commercial kit in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

γ-glutamyl transferase isoenzyme II (GGT-II) is a sensitive biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, numerous disadvantages of the traditional manual method affected its application. The commercial kit provided a convenient and fast method for the determination of GGT-II levels. The purposes of the present study were to compare the reproducibility and sensitivity between the manual and commercial kit methods and to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency for HCC with the combined analysis of GGT-II, α-L-fucosidase (AFU) and α-fetoprotein (AFP). In patients with various liver diseases (HCC, liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis) and normal subjects, GGT-II was detected by manual and commercial polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The levels of AFU and AFP were assayed by colorimetry and a chemiluminescence immunoassay, respectively. The commercial PAGE had equal diagnostic efficiency with traditional manual PAGE and no significant differences were observed in intra- and average-gel reproducibility and GGT-II sensitivities between the manual and commercial PAGE (P>0.05). The incidence of GGT-II detected by commercial PAGE in HCC patients was 84.1% and <8% in benign liver disease. The levels of AFU and AFP in the benign liver diseases and normal subjects were lower than those in HCC. According to the cut-off value obtained by receiver operating characteristic curves, a total of 56.6 and 59.3% of HCC patients (64 out of 113 and 67 out of 113) had AFU >636.5 µmol/l h and AFP >44.0 µg/l, respectively. There were no significant correlations between GGT-II and AFU or AFP. Combined detection of GGT-II with AFU or AFP increased the diagnostic sensitivity to 92.9 and 93.8%, respectively. These results suggest that commercial PAGE provides a simple and reproducible method for GGT-II detection. Combined determination of GGT-II with AFU or AFP exhibited superior sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of HCC.

The expressions and clinical significances of tissue and serum galectin-3 in pancreatic carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Galectin-3, a member of the beta-galactoside-binding protein family, is involved in many biological processes, including cell proliferation, regulating cell cycle, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, metastasis, etc. The aim of this study is to elucidate the relationship between galectin-3 and clinicopathological variables and to evaluate the clinical significance of serum galectin-3 in the diagnosis of pancreas carcinoma. METHODS: Galectin-3 expression in 78 pairs of pancreatic carcinoma tissues and the adjacent nontumorous tissues was tested by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between galectin-3 expression and clinical variables was analyzed. A sensitive method of time-resolved fluorescence immunological assay (TRFIA) for the detection of galectin-3 was established, and serum galectin-3 in cases with different pancreatic diseases was measured by TRFIA and ELISA. Further we compared the sensitivity and specificity of determining galectin-3, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen199 (CA199) for diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma and assessed the complementary diagnostic value of galectin-3, CEA and CA199 for pancreatic carcinoma. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry showed that galectin-3 expression was significantly higher in the human pancreatic carcinoma tissues than in the adjacent nontumorous tissues. The expression levels were correlated with the differentiation degree with the higher expression in poor differentiation tissues. Serum galectin-3 detected by both TRFIA and ELISA was much higher in patients with pancreatic carcinoma than in other groups. Serum galectin-3 was not correlated with CEA and CA199. Combined determination of these three markers has the complementary diagnostic value for human pancreatic carcinoma and may increase the diagnostic sensitivity to 97.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Galectin-3 is overexpressed in pancreatic carcinoma tissues, and it is correlated with the tumor differentiation. Serum galectin-3 is higher in cases with pancreatic carcinoma than in benign pancreatic diseases and healthy persons. Combined determination of serum galectin-3, CEA and CA199 may improve the diagnostic power for pancreatic carcinoma.

High expression of S100A11 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma is an unfavorable prognostic marker.

S100A11 is a member of S100 protein family, and our previous study showed that S100A11 is one of the up-regulated proteins that have not been reported to be associated with pancreatic carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between S100A11 expression and the clinicopathological variables and clinical outcome in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed for S100A11 in 78 pairs of specimens of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues and adjacent nontumorous tissues. The univariate and multivariate survival analyses were also performed to determine its prognostic significance. S100A11 expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (62/78) was significantly higher than that in the adjacent nontumorous tissues (19/78) (P = 0.000). High expression of S100A11 was associated with the lymph node metastasis and histological differentiation (P = 0.003 and 0.004, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that S100A11 expression was associated with poor prognosis (P = 0.0000). Multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model indicated that age ≥ 65 years, CA19-9 ≥ 1,000 U/ml and positive S100A11 were independent prognostic indicators of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (P = 0.002, 0.004 and 0.001, respectively). These results suggested that S100A11 might be a significant tumor marker for pancreatic adenocarcinoma and an unfavorable predictor for prognosis of patients who have undergone surgical resection.

[Serum and tissue expressions of galectin-3 in hepatocellular carcinoma and the clinical significances].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of Galectin-3 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and the clinical value of serum Galectin-3 in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expression of Galectin-3 in the 46 pairs of HCC tissues and their para cancerous tissues. The relationship between expression levels of Galectin-3 and clinical parameters was analyzed. Serum Galectin-3 in different liver diseases were measured with ELISA. The sensitivity and specificity of galectin-3, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase II (GGT-II) for diagnosis of HCC were compared and the complementary diagnostic values of Galectin-3 and AFP and GGT-II for HCC were studied. RESULTS: (1) The positive rate of Galectin-3 in the tissue of HCC was 78.2%, dramatically higher than that in para cancerous tissues (15.2%) (P is less than 0.01). The expression levels were correlated with differentiation and with the high expression in poor differentiation tissues; (2) Based on ROC curve, the cut-off of serum Galectin-3 for HCC diagnosis was set as 0.62mug/L, the serum galectin-3 positive rate was 64.5% in HCC cases, which was apparently higher than that in liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis and healthy persons (P is less than 0.05); (3) Serum Galectin-3 was not correlated with AFP and GGT-II. Combined determination of the three markers had the complementary diagnostic value for HCC and might increase the diagnostic sensitivity to 94.7%. CONCLUSION: Galectin-3 is overexpressed in HCC tissues and is correlated with the tumor differentiation, suggesting that Galectin-3 may be associated with the carcinogenesis and development of HCC. Serum galectin-3 increases in the HCC cases and combined determination of serum Galectin-3, AFP and GGT-II can increase the diagnostic efficiency for HCC. Galectin-3 could be a novel serum tumor marker for HCC.

[Effects of decreased leptin expression on liver fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of decreased leptin expression on liver fibrosis. METHODS: The small interfering RNA, targeting leptin gene, was designed according to the secondary structure of leptin gene. The recombinant plasmids were encapsulated with lipofectamine and then injected into carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced rat liver fibrosis models. Leptin and I, III collage were detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The mRNA and protein levels of leptin in the fibrotic liver transfected with leptin shRNA were significantly decreased compared with those in controls (P less than 0.01). The depositions of type I and type III collagens were also decreased (P less than 0.01). CONCLUSION: Decreased leptin expression prevents liver fibrosis.

Comparative proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins in human pancreatic cancer tissue.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is difficult because of the latent onset and lack of good biomarkers. This study aimed to look for and identify differentially expressed proteins in tissues of pancreatic cancer and adjacent noncancerous tissues by proteomic approaches so as to provide information about possible pancreatic cancer markers and therapeutic targets. METHODS: Proteins extracted from 3 paired adjacent noncancerous and cancerous pancreatic tissue specimens were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The protein spots exhibiting statistical alternations between the two groups through computerized image analysis were then identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). In addition, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to verify the expression of certain candidate proteins. RESULTS: Twelve proteins were significantly upregulated and 4 were downregulated between cancerous and paired adjacent noncancerous pancreatic tissues. Several proteins (S100A11, Ig gamma-1 chain C region, GSTO1 and peroxiredoxin 4) were found for the first time to be associated with pancreatic cancer. Differential expression of some identified proteins was further confirmed by Western blotting analysis and/or immunohistochemical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Comparative proteomic analysis using 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MS is an effective method for identifying differentially expressed proteins that may be the potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.