Exosomal Protease Cargo as Prognostic Biomarker in Colorectal Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to develop a model for predicting cancer risk in colorectal polyps' patients (CPPs), as well as to reveal additional prognosis factors for Stage III colorectal cancer based on differences in subpopulations of tetraspanins, tetraspanin-associated and tetraspanin-non-associated proteases in blood plasma exosomes of CPPs and colorectal cancer patients (CRCPs). METHODS: The subpopulations of CD151- and Tspan8-positive exosomes, the subpopulations of metalloproteinase at the surface of СD9-positive exosomes and the level of 20S proteasomes in plasma exosomes in 15 CPPs (tubulovillous adenomas) and 60 CRCPs were evaluated using flow cytometry and Western blotting. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict cancer risk of CPPs. RESULTS: The levels of 20S proteasomes in exosomes, MMP9+, MMP9+/MMP2+/EMMPRIN+ in CD9-positive blood plasma exosomes are associated with the risk of malignant transformation of colorectal tubulovillous adenomas.  In patients with Stage III CRC, the levels of 20S proteasomes (less than 2 units) and MMP9+ subpopulations (more than 61%) in plasma exosomes are unfavorable prognostic factors for overall survival. The levels of 20S proteasomes and ADAM10+/ADAM17- subpopulations in CD9-positive blood plasma exosomes are the most significant values for predicting relapse-free survival. CONCLUSION: Protease cargo in CD9-positive blood plasma exosomes is prognostic biomarker for colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer.

Differential Expression of Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I Along the Colorectal Adenoma: Carcinoma Progression.

Loss in apoptosis competence often results in augmented genomic instability contributing to carcinogenesis. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CcOI) can help assess apoptosis resistance in paraffin-embedded biopsies. In total, 50 colorectal cases including 10 control cases of colectomy for non-neoplastic condition, 15 cases of adenomatous colorectal polyps, and 25 cases of colorectal carcinoma were investigated in this retrospective study for immunohistochemical expression of CcOI. The staining pattern of CcOI was assessed and indices of aberrant expression were calculated as crypt-restricted loss and overall decreased immunostaining (ODI). ODI calculated in the adenocarcinoma tumor tissue was designated as Tr ODI. The crypt-restricted loss and ODI indices of the aberrant CcOI expression are significantly higher in the adenomatous polyps group (2.5% and 47.54%) and in the non-neoplastic mucosa among adenocarcinoma group (2.78% and 49.1%) when they are compared with the control group (0.55% and 7.32%) (P<0.001). A highly significant correlation was noted between Tr ODI and the tumor grade, the nodal status, and the stage among adenocarcinomas. In conclusion, colonic tumors arise in a field of crypts with aberrations in CcOI expression. This aberration is linked to biologically aggressive tumors. CcOI immunostaining may be applied on mucosal samples from patients with colonic adenomatous polyps and patients with previous cancer colon resection to determine individuals who are in need for frequent colonoscopies and/or chemopreventive strategies. Future follow-up studies are warranted to determine the level of expression predictive of recurrence or progression.

[The value of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase expression in the progression of colonic carcinoma]. / Valor de la expresión inmunohistoquímica de alfa-metilacil-CoA racemasa en la progresión del carcinoma de colon.

Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) expression has been demonstrated in several normal tissues and in diverse types of carcinoma. Our aim was to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of AMACR in the sequence-progression of colonic cancer. We studied 237 cases, including samples of normal mucosa of the colon, adenomas with different degrees of dysplasia, colonic carcinomas, lymph nodes and liver metastases of colonic carcinomas. A scale of intensity and percentage of expression was used to analyze the AMACR immunohistochemical profile. The expression was nearly absent in samples of normal mucosa, increased in both adenomas and carcinomas, decreased in lymph node metastases but was significantly increased in liver metastases.

BMI1 and MEL18 Promote Colitis-Associated Cancer in Mice via REG3B and STAT3.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Polycomb group proteins are epigenetic factors that silence gene expression; they are dysregulated in cancer cells and contribute to carcinogenesis by unclear mechanisms. We investigated whether BMI1 proto-oncogene, polycomb ring finger (BMI1), and polycomb group ring finger 2 (PCGF2, also called MEL18) are involved in the initiation and progression of colitis-associated cancer (CAC) in mice. METHODS: We generated mice containing floxed alleles of Bmi1 and/or Mel18 and/or Reg3b using the villin-Cre promoter (called Bmi1ΔIEC, Mel18ΔIEC, DKO, and TKO mice). We also disrupted Bmi1 and/or Mel18 specifically in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) using the villin-CreERT2-inducible promoter. CAC was induced in cre-negative littermate mice (control) and mice with conditional disruption of Bmi1 and/or Mel18 by intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane (AOM) followed by addition of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to drinking water. Colon tissues were collected from mice and analyzed by histology and immunoblots; IECs were isolated and used in cDNA microarray analyses. RESULTS: Following administration of AOM and DSS, DKO mice developed significantly fewer polyps than control, Bmi1ΔIEC, Mel18ΔIEC, Reg3bΔIEC, or TKO mice. Adenomas in the colons of DKO mice were low-grade dysplasias, whereas adenomas in control, Bmi1ΔIEC, Mel18ΔIEC, Reg3bΔIEC, or TKO mice were high-grade dysplasias with aggressive invasion of the muscularis mucosa. Disruption of Bmi1 and Mel18 (DKO mice) during late stages of carcinogenesis significantly reduced the numbers of large adenomas and the load of total adenomas, reduced proliferation, and increased apoptosis in colon tissues. IECs isolated from DKO mice after AOM and DSS administration had increased expression of Reg3b compared with control, Bmi1ΔIEC, or Mel18ΔIEC mice. Expression of REG3B was sufficient to inhibit cytokine-induced activation of STAT3 in IECs. The human REG3ß protein, the functional counterpart of mouse REG3B, inhibited STAT3 activity in human 293T cells, and its expression level in colorectal tumors correlated inversely with pSTAT3 level and survival times of patients. CONCLUSIONS: BMI1 and MEL18 contribute to the development of CAC in mice by promoting proliferation and reducing apoptosis via suppressing expression of Reg3b. REG3B negatively regulates cytokine-induced activation of STAT3 in colon epithelial cells. This pathway might be targeted in patients with colitis to reduce carcinogenesis.

Matrix metalloproteases expression in different histological types of colorectal polyps.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal carcinoma (CC) may begin as benign polyps, which may be classified in different histological types with a different risk to develop cancer. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are able to degrade all components in the extracellular matrix and are important tissue-remodeling enzymes and key elements in tumor invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and clinical relevance of MMPs in different histological types of colorectal polyps. METHODS: The expression levels of MMP-1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 14 were analyzed by real-time PCR, Western-blot and immunohistochemistry in 50 patients with different histological types of colorectal polyps, 28 of which developed CC. RESULTS: The results indicate that hyperplastic polyps had the lowest levels of MMP-1 and MMP-7, tubular polyps showed higher levels of both MMP-7 and MMP-14, and tubulovillous adenoma showed higher levels of MMP-1, MMP-7 and MMP-14. CONCLUSION: MMP expression was decreased in hyperplastic, tubular and tubulovillous adenoma polyps from patients who developed CC. Our findings suggest that MMP expression may be a pathological marker of colorectal polyps and for cancer susceptibility, which may improve strategies for CC prevention based on screening colonoscopy.

Correlation between Faecal Tumour M2 Pyruvate Kinase and Colonoscopy for the Detection of Adenomatous Neoplasia in a Secondary Care Cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colorectal cancer screening programmes that target detection and excision of adenomatous colonic polyps have been shown to reduce colorectal cancer related mortality. Many screening programmes include an initial faecal occult blood test (FOBt) prior to colonoscopy. To refine the selection of patients for colonoscopy other faecal-based diagnostic tools have been proposed, including tumour M2-pyruvate kinase (tM2-PK). To determine whether tM2-PK quantification may have a role in diverse settings we have assessed the assay in a cohort of patients derived from both the England bowel cancer screening programme (BCSP) and symptomatic individuals presenting to secondary care. METHOD: Patients undergoing colonoscopy provided faecal samples prior to bowel preparation. Faecal tM2-PK concentrations were measured by ELISA. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and ROC analyses were calculated. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients returned faecal samples: 50 of these with adenomas and 7 with cancer. Median age was 68. Median faecal tM2-PK concentration was 3.8 U/mL for individuals without neoplastic findings at colonoscopy, 7.7 U/mL in those with adenomas and 24.4 U/mL in subjects with colorectal cancer (both, p=0.01). ROC analysis demonstrated an AUROC of 0.66 (sensitivity 72.4%, specificity 48.7%, positive predictive value 67.7%, negative predictive value 36.7%). Amongst BCSP patients with a prior positive FOBt faecal tM2-PK was more abundant (median 6.4 U/mL, p=0.03) and its diagnostic accuracy was greater (AUROC 0.82). CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that faecal tM2-PK ELISA may have utility as an adjunct to FOBt in a screening context, but do not support its use in symptomatic patients.

[Prevalence of altered mismatch repair protein nuclear expression detected by immunohistochemistry on adenomas with high-grade dysplasia and features associated with this risk in a population-based study]. / Prevalencia de alteración de expresión nuclear de proteínas reparadoras con inmunohistoquímica sobre adenomas con displasia de alto grado y características asociadas a dicho riesgo en un estudio de base poblacional.

INTRODUCTION: Alteration of mismatch repair system protein expression detected by immunohistochemistry (IHQ) in tumoural tissue is a useful technique for Lynch Syndrome (LS) screening. A recent review proposes LS screening through immunohistochemical study not only in all diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) but also in advanced adenomas, especially in young patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of altered IHQ carried out in all adenomas with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) diagnosed in our community in 2011, as well as the variables associated with this alteration. METHODS: We included all the cases of adenomatous polyps with HGD diagnosed in the three public pathology laboratories of Navarre during 2011 and performed a statistical study to assess the association between different patient and lesion characteristics and altered IHQ results. RESULTS: A total of 213 colonic adenomas with HGD were diagnosed, and 26 (12.2%) cases were excluded from the final analysis (2 known LS, 22 without IHQ study and 2 with inconclusive IHQ studies). The final number of adenomas included was 187. Pathologic results were found in 10 cases (5.35%)-6 cases in MLH1 and PMS2, 2 cases in PMS2, 1 case in MSH6 and 1 case in MSH2 and MSH6. The factors showing a statistically significant association with the presence of abnormal proteins were the synchronous presence of CRC, the presence of only one advanced adenoma, proximal location of HGD and age <50 years. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of pathologic nuclear expression found in IHQ is high. Consequently, screening of all diagnosed HGD could be indicated, especially in young patients, with a single AA and proximal HGD.

Upregulation of nemo-like kinase is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer.

AIM: To investigate the expression and oncogenic role of nemo-like kinase (NLK) in colorectal cancer. METHODS: Expression of NLK protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry in tissue specimens from 56 cases of normal colorectal mucosa, 51 cases of colorectal adenoma, and 712 cases of colorectal cancer. In addition, NLK expression was knocked down using a lentivirus carrying NLK small hairpin RNA in colorectal cancer cells. Cell viability methylthiazoletetrazolium assays, colony formation assays, flow cytometry cell cycle assays, Transwell migration assays, and gene expression assays were performed to explore its role on proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Expression of NLK protein progressively increased in tissues from the normal mucosa through adenoma to various stages of colorectal cancer. Overexpression of NLK protein was associated with advanced tumor-lymph node-metastasis stages, poor differentiation, lymph node and distant metastases, and a higher recurrence rate of colorectal cancer (P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses showed that NLK expression was an independent prognostic factor to predict overall survival (hazard ratio 2.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.66-3.98; P < 0.001) and disease-free survival (hazard ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval: 1.40-2.74: P < 0.001) of colorectal cancer patients. Furthermore, knockdown of NLK expression in colorectal cancer cell lines reduced cell viability, colony formation, and migration, and arrested tumor cells at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. At the gene level, knockdown of NLK expression inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in colorectal cancer cells. CONCLUSION: NLK overexpression is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer and knockdown of NLK expression inhibits colorectal cancer progression and metastasis.

Exome Sequencing Reveals Germline SMAD9 Mutation That Reduces Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Expression and Is Associated With Hamartomatous Polyposis and Gastrointestinal Ganglioneuromas.

Hamartomatous polyposis syndromes (HPS) account for a small but appreciable proportion of inherited gastrointestinal cancer predisposition syndromes; patients with HPS have an increased risk for colon and extracolonic malignancies. We present a unique case of familial juvenile polyposis syndrome associated with gastrointestinal ganglioneuromas of unknown etiology. The patient was tested for HPS-associated genes, but no mutation was detected. Exome sequencing identified a germline heterozygous mutation in SMAD9 (SMAD9(V90M)). This mutation was predicted to be an activating mutation. HEK cells transfected to express SMAD9(V90M) had reduced expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog; this reduction was also observed in a polyp from the patient. We have therefore identified a new susceptibility locus for HPS. Patients with hamartomatous polyposis in the colon associated with ganglioneuromatosis should be referred for genetic assessments.

Sphingolipid metabolism in colorectal adenomas varies depending on histological architecture of polyps and grade of nuclear dysplasia.

Incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is growing worldwide. Pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for its onset and progression need further clarification. Colorectal adenomatous polyps are precancerous lesions with malignant potential dependent on histological architecture and grade of nuclear dysplasia. One of the factors conditioning CRC development are abnormalities in sphingolipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of sphingolipids in human colorectal adenomas. The control group (C, n = 12) consisted of patients with no colonic polyps. The examined group consisted of patients with prior diagnosed colonic polyps, qualified to endoscopic polypectomy. This group was further divided due to histological architecture into tubular adenomas group (TA, n = 10), tubulovillous adenomas with low-grade dysplasia (LGD-TVA, n = 10), and tubulovillous adenomas group with high-grade dysplasia (HGD-TVA, n = 11). In tissue samples, sphingolipd metabolite contents were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In cases of polypoid lesions with low malignancy potential (tubular adenomas), concentration of ceramide, which is characterized by proapoptotic and anti-proliferative properties, increases compared with control group (p < 0.05), whereas content of sphingosine-1-phosphate with anti-apoptotic and stimulating cellular proliferation properties is reduced in comparison with control group (p < 0.05). On the contrary, in cases of more advanced form of adenomatous polyps (tubulovillous adenomas with high-grade dysplasia), the ceramide level decreases compared with control group (p < 0.05) while sphingosine-1-phosphate concentration is elevated (p < 0.05). We found that concentrations of pro-apoptotic ceramide are decreased and pro-proliferative S1P levels are increased in polypoid lesions with high malignancy potential, and it was the opposite in those with low malignancy potential.

Aurora kinase A gene copy number is associated with the malignant transformation of colorectal adenomas but not with the serrated neoplasia progression.

A crucial role for Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) gene has been demonstrated in the advanced steps of colorectal tumor progression. Little is known, however, about its role in the early phases of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Moreover, no data are currently available concerning AURKA involvement in the serrated tumorigenesis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to assess gene copy number and protein expression in 40 colorectal adenomas, 20 cancerized adenomas, and 20 serrated polyps. An increased copy number was found either in adenomatous tissue or in early cancer in the vast majority of cancerized adenomas, but only in 5% of adenomas (P < .001). Protein expression strictly paralleled fluorescence in situ hybridization results. No changes in the gene copy number were observed in serrated polyps, regardless of their histotype and the presence of dysplasia, even if high percentages of immunostained cells were detected in all the subgroups. AURKA gene is associated with progressive colorectal adenomas but is uninvolved in the development of nonprogressive adenomas. The diploid status of the gene is maintained along the progression of serrated neoplasia. AURKA protein expression in serrated polyps is uncoupled from gene status and is likely to reflect apoptotic dysregulation.

Relationship of mismatch repair proteins and survivin in colon polyps and carcinomas.

Mismatch repair genes (MMR) play an essential role in DNA repair. MMR mutations predominantly in MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and rarely in PMS1, may cause the production of abnormally short or inactivated proteins. The antiapoptotic protein survivin functions in the inhibition of apoptosis, regulation of cell division and also enhances angiogenesis. Both MMRP and survivin are considered to be powerful prognostic parameters. This study was designed to determine the relationship between MMRP and survivin in colon lesions. The study included 113 cases of colon carcinoma and 51 cases of colon polyps. Survivin expression and MMRP status were assessed by immunohistochemistry. In each section, expression, intensity of immunostaining and percentage of labeled cells were analyzed. In carcinomas, immunoreaction was detected in 100/113 cases for MLH1 (88.5%), 112/113 cases for MSH2 (99.1%), 110/113 cases for MSH6 (97.3%), and 103/113 cases for PMS2 (91.2%). Survivin was shown in 47/113 cases (41.6%). The statistical analysis confirmed a significant correlation between the expression of MMRP and survivin in the assessed parameters. All 51 polyp samples were positive for MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2. Only 8 of those (15.7%) were positive for survivin. Statistically significant differences were observed between the expression of MMRP and survivin. In conclusion, this study revealed that MMRP may suppress the antiapoptotic function of survivin through p53 inactivation of its promoter in grade 1 and grade 2 colon carcinomas.

Improved molecular classification of serrated lesions of the colon by immunohistochemical detection of BRAF V600E.

BRAF V600E mutation in serrated lesions of the colon has been implicated as an important mutation and as a specific marker for the serrated carcinogenic pathway. Recent findings point to microvesicular hyperplastic polyps that have similar histologic and molecular features to sessile serrated adenomas/polyps, as potential colorectal carcinoma precursors. The aim of this study was to evaluate BRAF V600E mutation status by immunohistochemistry in serrated lesions of the colon with regard to histomorphology. We investigated 194 serrated lesions of the colon, comprising 42 sessile serrated adenomas/polyps, 16 traditional serrated adenomas, 136 hyperplastic polyps and 20 tubular/tubulovillous adenomas (conventional adenomas) with the novel BRAF V600E mutation-specific antibody VE1. In addition, BRAF exon 15 and KRAS exon 2 status was investigated by capillary sequencing in selected cases. All sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (42/42, 100%), 15/16 (94%) traditional serrated adenomas and 84/136 (62%) hyperplastic polyps were VE1+. None of the VE1- serrated lesions showed BRAF V600E mutation. Forty out of 42 (95%) sessile serrated adenomas/polyps displayed areas with microvesicular hyperplastic polyp-like features. In microvesicular hyperplastic polyps, VE1 positivity was significantly associated with nuclear atypia (P=0.003); however, nuclear atypia was also present in VE1- cases. Immunostaining with VE1 allows not only the detection of BRAF V600E mutation but also the correlation with histomorphology on a cellular level in serrated lesions. VE1 enables a subclassification of microvesicular hyperplastic polyps according to the mutation status. This improved classification of serrated lesions including immunohistochemical evaluation of BRAF V600E mutation may be the key to identify lesions with higher potential to progression into sessile serrated adenoma/polyp, and further to BRAF V600E-mutated colorectal cancer.

Using gene-environment interaction analyses to clarify the role of well-done meat and heterocyclic amine exposure in the etiology of colorectal polyps.

BACKGROUND: The role of well-done meat intake and meat-derived mutagen heterocyclic amine (HCA) exposure in the risk of colorectal neoplasm has been suggested but not yet established. OBJECTIVE: With the use of gene-environment interaction analyses, we sought to clarify the association of HCA exposure with colorectal polyp risk. DESIGN: In a case-control study including 2057 colorectal polyp patients and 3329 controls, we evaluated 16 functional genetic variants to construct an HCA-metabolizing score. To derive dietary HCA-exposure amount, data were collected regarding dietary intake of meat by cooking method and degree of doneness. RESULTS: A 2-fold elevated risk associated with high red meat intake was found for colorectal polyps or adenomas in subjects with a high HCA-metabolizing risk score, whereas the risk was 1.3- to 1.4-fold among those with a low risk score (P-interaction ≤ 0.05). The interaction was stronger for the risk of advanced or multiple adenomas, in which an OR of 2.8 (95% CI: 1.8, 4.6) was observed for those with both a high HCA-risk score and high red meat intake (P-interaction = 0.01). No statistically significant interaction was found in analyses that used specific HCA exposure derived from dietary data. CONCLUSION: High red meat intake is associated with an elevated risk of colorectal polyps, and this association may be synergistically modified by genetic factors involved in HCA metabolism.

Loss of SIRT1 histone deacetylase expression associates with tumour progression in colorectal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The class III histone deacetylase SIRT1 is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+))-dependent deacetylase, and has been reported to serve diverse roles in various biological processes, such as caloric restriction, apoptosis, neuronal protection, cell growth, differentiation and tumourigenesis. With respect to tumourigenesis, there have been conflicting data supporting whether SIRT1 act as a tumour promoter or as a tumour suppressor. METHODS: SIRT1 protein expression, determined by immunohistochemistry, was investigated in human normal colonic mucosa, adenoma, adenocarcinoma and metastatic tissue samples. RESULTS: All normal colonic mucosa showed SIRT1 expression with no exception, and 42 (80.8%) of 52 adenomatous polyps were positive for SIRT1. However, only 208 (41.9%) of 497 colorectal adenocarcinomas were positive. Moreover, 45 (35.7%) of 126 metastatic tissues were positive. Collectively, the SIRT1 expression was gradually decreased during carcinogenesis and tumour progression. The associations between SIRT1 expression and clinicopathological parameters revealed that loss of SIRT1 expression was associated with proximal tumour location, mucinous histology and defective mismatch repair protein expression. This suggests that loss of SIRT1 expression is associated with the microsatellite instability phenotype of colorectal adenocarcinoma. In survival analyses, the loss of SIRT1 expression was significantly associated with overall survival (p=0.027, log-rank test) in univariable analysis, but multivariable analysis failed to achieve significance. CONCLUSIONS: SIRT1 expression was gradually decreased during the normal-adenoma-adenocarcinoma-metastasis sequence, suggesting a possible role of SIRT1 in tumour suppression in the colorectum, and a probable link to the microsatellite instability pathway.

Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analysis of COX-2 and risk of colorectal adenoma development.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter and untranslated region of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, an inducible enzyme responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins, have been reported to modulate the risk for many human cancers. We performed comprehensive linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype analyses of 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms of the COX-2 gene and examined its susceptibility to adenoma development in 72 African American cases and 142 controls. Results revealed significant variation in LD patterns with consequence for adenoma development. Two distinct haplotype blocks were identified; one block covered the coding regions of exon 1, introns and a section of the 3'-unstranslated region (3'-UTR), whereas the second block resided solely in the 3'-UTR region. A haplotype in block 1 increased the risk of adenoma development by threefold (odds ratio [OR]= 2.9, confidence interval [CI]= 1.8-3.7, P= 0.002). Regression analysis showed, increase in copies of minor alleles of 6,064(T>C) polymorphism associated with increased odds of adenoma development by 80% (OR = 1.80, CI = 1.09-3.21, P= 0.034), 10,848(G>A) by 84% (OR = 1.84, CI = 1.05-3.23, P= 0.034) and 10,935(A>G) by 32% (OR = 1.32, CI = 1.12-3.69, P= 0.036). These results support the hypothesis that COX-2 gene might play a role in the etiology of colon cancer and warrant further investigation in other cancers. Besides, these variations should be taken into account for disease-based association studies in which the COX-2 polymorphism is considered as a candidate gene. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 60-64.

TLR2 controls intestinal carcinogen detoxication by CYP1A1.

Intestinal cytochrome P450 subclass 1A1 (CYP1A1) contributes to a metabolic "shield" protecting the host from ingested carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The expression of CYP1 (including CYP1A2 and CYP1B1) is considered to depend solely on a heterodimeric transcription factor consisting of the arylhydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and the AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT). So far, no interference has been noted between the regulation of CYP1 and the activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), which modulates the inflammatory response to bacterial cell wall components in immune cells and enterocytes. Here we report that intestinal CYP1A1 is silenced in TLR2-deficient mice, even when under exposure to the carcinogenic PAH benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). In contrast, hepatic CYP1A1 was moderately induced in TLR2-deficient mice without restoring their ability to clear BaP from systemic circulation, as present in wild-type animals. After feeding of BaP for 21 days, only TLR2(-/-) mice, but not their wild type littermates developed polyps in the colon. Gene expressions and protein concentrations of AHR and ARNT in the intestine did not differ between the genotypes. In conclusion, the presence of ligands for TLR2 of bacterial origin seems to be crucial for detoxication of luminal carcinogens by CYP1A1 in the intestine. This unprecedented finding indicates a complex interplay between the immune system of the host and intestinal bacteria with detoxication mechanisms. This highlights the relevance of intestinal microbiota when trying to unravel pathways present in mammals and opens new perspectives for research in human health.

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 is involved in multiple steps of colon carcinogenesis.

Accumulating evidence indicates that cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-derived prostaglandin (PG) E(2) is involved in the development of various tumors, including colorectal cancer. However, the precise contribution of microsomal PGE synthase (mPGES)-1, a terminal enzyme that acts downstream of COX-2 in the PGE(2)-biosynthetic pathway, to multiple processes of tumor development is not yet fully understood. Here, we show the pro-tumorigenic role of mPGES-1 in chemical carcinogen-induced colon carcinogenesis and intrasplenic tumor transplantation models. Genetic deletion of mPGES-1 significantly reduced both the total number and size of colorectal polyps at 18 weeks after azoxymethane administration with reduced nuclear translocation of ß-catenin, altered expression profiles of chemokines/cytokines and increased production of antitumorigenic PGs, prostaglandin D(2) and prostacyclin in tumor tissues. At an early stage (6 weeks), mPGES-1 deficiency significantly reduced the number of aberrant crypt foci, while its transgenic overexpression increased the number. Furthermore, the growth of intrasplenically transplanted tumor cells was suppressed in mPGES-1 knockout (KO) mice. Co-culture of tumor cells with bone marrow-derived macrophages (BM-MΦs) isolated from wild-type (WT) mice resulted in the induction of mPGES-1 in BM-MΦs and increased the growth of tumor cells in vitro, whereas mPGES-1-null BM-MΦs failed to facilitate tumor growth. The adoptive transfer of WT BM-MΦs into mPGES-1 KO mice restored the growth of transplanted tumor cells, indicating that mPGES-1 in MΦs is important for the growth of adjacent tumor cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that the inhibition of mPGES-1 is an alternative therapeutic target for colorectal and possibly other cancers.

Genetic deletion of 5-lipoxygenase increases tumor-infiltrating macrophages in Apc(Δ468) mice.

INTRODUCTION: The role of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) in colon cancer is unknown. Tumor-infiltrating macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells have been shown to play important roles in colon tumorigenesis and are dependent on 5-LO for function. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Utilizing the APC(Δ468) polyposis model, we performed 5-LO gene knockouts and evaluated the subsequent changes in macrophage, neutrophil, and mast cell density at the tumor site. The proliferative and degranulation capacities of 5-LO-deficient mast cells were also measured, quantifying thymidine incorporation and ß-hexosaminidase release, respectively. RESULTS: APC(Δ468)/5LO(-/-) mice displayed increased tumor-infiltrating macrophages and decreased neutrophils at the polyp site. In vitro, mast cells deficient for 5-LO proliferated at a diminished rate while mast cell degranulation was unchanged. DISCUSSION: We provide evidence suggesting that 5-LO deficiency has differential effects on the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils in adenomatous polyps, increasing and decreasing infiltration of these cells, respectively. Our observations are consistent with a protective role for tumor-infiltrating macrophages in the initiation of polyp formation. The mechanisms through which 5-LO deficiency negatively affects these cells are under investigation. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that 5-LO plays an important role in tumorigenesis and further indicate that 5-LO-selective inhibitors can be investigated as potential therapeutic agents for colorectal polyposis and cancer.