S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A8 Functions as a Tumor-Promoting Factor in Renal Cell Carcinoma via Activating NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), arising from the renal tubular epithelium, is one of the most common types of genitourinary malignancies. Based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE100666), S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) was highly expressed in RCC tissues. S100A8, an inflammatory regulatory factor, has emerged as an important mediator associated with the occurrence and development of cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to identify the key genes and investigate the main signaling pathways in RCC. Human RCC samples and corresponding adjacent normal tissues were collected in our hospital. The expression of S100A8 in human RCC samples was detected using western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis. S100A8 overexpression or knockdown was mediated by using Lipofectamine 3000 in human renal cell carcinoma cell line 786-O and ACHN cells. Basic experiments, including MTT and cell apoptosis assays, were utilized for investigating the function of S100A8 in RCC. Furthermore, the levels of inflammation were also evaluated in 786-O and ACHN cells. RESULTS: In the current study, we found that downregulation of S100A8 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis in 786-O and ACHN RCC cells. Of note, S100A8 silencing downregulated the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, thereby decreasing the levels of TNF-α, cleaved caspase1, and MMP9. By contrast, S100A8 upregulation could increase these expressions. CONCLUSION: Overall, S100A8 knockdown restrained RCC malignant biological properties, which was associated with the deactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. This present study demonstrates new insights that S100A8 may be a potential therapeutic target in RCC.

[Gene polymorphisms of estrogen receptor α correlated with hypospadias in children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of the polymorphisms of the gene of estrogen receptor α 1 (ESR1) with the risk of hypospadias in children of Northeast China. METHODS: This study included 95 hypospadias patients aged 3.2±0.6 years and 105 children aged 3.1±0.7 years as normal controls. Using PCR and gene sequencing, we determined the genotypes of the polymorphisms of ESR1 rs2077647 and rs6932902 in the two groups of subjects. RESULTS: The results of PCR and gene sequencing showed statistically significant differences in the genotype and allele frequency distribution of the polymorphisms rs2077647 (χ2 = 8.552) and rs6932902 (χ2 = 16.251) (P<0.05) in the hypospadias and control groups. The hypospadias patients, in comparison with the normal controls, exhibited a markedly higher frequency of the SNP C allele in rs2077647 (OR = 1.410 ï¼»1.130－1.759ï¼½, P<0.05), but a remarkably lower frequency of the SNP G allele in rs6932902 (OR = 2.263 ï¼»1.503－3.408ï¼½, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The rs2077647 and rs6932902 polymorphisms of the ESR1 gene are associated with the risk of hypospadias, and so is its haplotype in children in Northeast China.