Whole genome expression microarray reveals novel roles for Kif4 in monocyte/macrophage cells.

OBJECTIVE: Kinesin superfamily member 4 (Kif4), a conventional kinesin, is a microtubule-dependent molecular motor. The active movement of Kif4 participates in several cellular functions, including DNA repair, mitosis, the transport of macromolecules, survival of neurons and even tumorigenesis and progression. However, the role of Kif4 in monocyte/macrophage cells has not been reported. Our work aimed to increase understanding and further investigations of Kif4 in monocyte/macrophage cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RAW264.7 cells were transfected with Kif4 small interfering RNA (siRNA), and whole genome expression microarray analysis was employed to analyze gene expression after cells treatment with or without Kif4 siRNA. RESULTS: Our data found multiple differentially expressed genes which were enriched in the top 5 biological processes about innate immune response, immune response, response to interferon-beta, immune system process and cellular response to interferon-beta. 23 most significant pathways had been identified and enriched pathways indicated enrichment in peroxisome, lysosome, fatty acid metabolism, cell adhesion molecules and so on. CONCLUSIONS: Our work may help understand the roles of Kif4 in monocyte/macrophage cells and would give useful information on basic research and the function of monocyte/macrophage cells.

Expression of Kif5b protein is significantly associated with the progression, recurrence and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Kinesin family member 5b (Kif5b), a conventional kinesin, mainly participates in lysosome and mitochondria transportation. Some studies have indicated that Kif5b may be associated with the development of a variety of tumors. However, the role Kif5b plays in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has yet to be determined. Our study aimed at investigating the expression level of Kif5b in primary OSCC and discussing its clinical significance in patients' outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We measured Kif5b expression in 82 OSCC tissue samples with immunohistochemistry. The associations between the expression level of Kif5b and clinicopathological characteristics as well as patients' survival were statistically assessed. RESULTS: Kif5b level was significantly associated with tumor size (p=0.034), histological differentiation (p=0.028), disease recurrence (p=0.018), surrounding tissue invasion (p=0.045), recurrence time (p=0.036) and survival status (p=0.030). Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival analyses indicated that high expression of Kif5b was linked to worse overall survival (p=0.0112) and disease-free survival (p=0.0085). The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis further identified the expression status of Kif5b as an independent variable that correlated with patients' survival and recurrence. Furthermore, in 54 early-stage, clinically node negative OSCC patients, Kif5b expression were correlated with histological differentiation (p=0.034), disease recurrence (p=0.038) and surrounding tissue invasion (p=0.029). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression results showed that only Kif5b expression level could influence the probability of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that Kif5b expression is associated with poor clinical outcome in OSCC and even in early-stage, clinically node negative OSCC and may be a potential target for OSCC treatment.