Human NUMB6 Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Enhances Breast Cancer Cells Migration and Invasion.

Mammalian NUMB is alternatively spliced generating four isoforms NUMB1-NUMB4 that can function as tumor suppressors. NUMB1-NUMB4 proteins, which normally determine how different cell types develop, are reduced in 21% of primary breast tumors. Our previous work has, however, indicated that two novel NUMB isoforms, NUMB5 and NUMB6 have the pro-oncogenic functions. Herein, we address a novel function of human NUMB isoform 6 (NUMB6) in promoting cancer cell migration and invasion. We found that NUMB6 induced expression of embryonic transcription factor Slug, which in turn actively repressed E-cadherin, prompting cells to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Low-metastatic breast cancer cells DB-7 stably expressing NUMB6, lost their epithelial phenotype, exhibited migratory and pro-invasive behavior, and ultimately elevated expression of mesenchymal markers. Among these markers, increased vimentin, ß-catenin, and fibronectin expression elicited metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) production. Our results revealed that NUMB6-DB-7 cells have significantly increased level of Akt1 and Akt2 phosphorylation. Therefore, antagonizing Akt signaling using a chemical inhibitor LY294002, we found that NUMB6-induced Slug expression was reduced, and ultimately accompanied with decreased cell migration and invasion. In summary, this study identified a novel molecular determinant of breast cancer progression, uncovering a potential oncogenic role for the NUMB6 protein in cancer cell migration and invasion, coupled to the maintenance of mesenchymal-like cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 237-251, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Randomized trial finds that prostate cancer genetic risk score feedback targets prostate-specific antigen screening among at-risk men.

BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening may reduce death due to prostate cancer but leads to the overdiagnosis of many cases of indolent cancer. Targeted use of PSA screening may reduce overdiagnosis. Multimarker genomic testing shows promise for risk assessment and could be used to target PSA screening. METHODS: To test whether counseling based on the family history (FH) and counseling based on a genetic risk score (GRS) plus FH would differentially affect subsequent PSA screening at 3 months (primary outcome), a randomized trial of FH versus GRS plus FH was conducted with 700 whites aged 40 to 49 years without prior PSA screening. Secondary outcomes included anxiety, recall, physician discussion at 3 months, and PSA screening at 3 years. Pictographs versus numeric presentations of genetic risk were also evaluated. RESULTS: At 3 months, no significant differences were observed in the rates of PSA screening between the FH arm (2.1%) and the GRS-FH arm (4.5% with GRS-FH vs. 2.1% with FH: χ2 = 3.13, P = .077); however, PSA screening rates at 3 months significantly increased with given risk in the GRS-FH arm (P = .013). Similar results were observed for discussions with physicians at 3 months and PSA screening at 3 years. Average anxiety levels decreased after the individual cancer risk was provided (P = .0007), with no differences between groups. Visual presentation by pictographs did not significantly alter comprehension or anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: This is likely the first randomized trial of multimarker genomic testing to report genomic targeting of cancer screening. This study found little evidence of concern about excess anxiety or overuse/underuse of PSA screening when multimarker genetic risks were provided to patients. Cancer 2016;122:3564-3575. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

The adhesion molecule PECAM-1 enhances the TGF-ß-mediated inhibition of T cell function.

Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is an immunosuppressive cytokine that inhibits the proinflammatory functions of T cells, and it is a major factor in abrogating T cell activity against tumors. Canonical TGF-ß signaling results in the activation of Smad proteins, which are transcription factors that regulate target gene expression. We found that the cell surface molecule platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) facilitated noncanonical (Smad-independent) TGF-ß signaling in T cells. Subcutaneously injected tumor cells that are dependent on TGF-ß-mediated suppression of immunity for growth grew more slowly in PECAM-1(-/-) mice than in their wild-type counterparts. T cells isolated from PECAM-1(-/-) mice demonstrated relative insensitivity to the TGF-ß-dependent inhibition of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production, granzyme B synthesis, and cellular proliferation. Similarly, human T cells lacking PECAM-1 demonstrated decreased sensitivity to TGF-ß in a manner that was partially restored by reexpression of PECAM-1. Co-incubation of T cells with TGF-ß and a T cell-activating antibody resulted in PECAM-1 phosphorylation on an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) and the recruitment of the inhibitory Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP-2). Such conditions also induced the colocalization of PECAM-1 with the TGF-ß receptor complex as identified by coimmunoprecipitation, confocal microscopy, and proximity ligation assays. These studies indicate a role for PECAM-1 in enhancing the inhibitory functions of TGF-ß in T cells and suggest that therapeutic targeting of the PECAM-1-TGF-ß inhibitory axis represents a means to overcome TGF-ß-dependent immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment.

Restoration of responsiveness of phospholipase Cγ2-deficient platelets by enforced expression of phospholipase Cγ1.

Receptor-mediated platelet activation requires phospholipase C (PLC) activity to elevate intracellular calcium and induce actin cytoskeleton reorganization. PLCs are classified into structurally distinct ß, γ, δ, ε, ζ, and η isoforms. There are two PLCγ isoforms (PLCγ1, PLCγ2), which are critical for activation by tyrosine kinase-dependent receptors. Platelets express both PLCγ1 and PLCγ2. Although PLCγ2 has been shown to play a dominant role in platelet activation, the extent to which PLCγ1 contributes has not been evaluated. To ascertain the relative contributions of PLCγ1 and PLCγ2 to platelet activation, we generated conditionally PLCγ1-deficient, wild-type (WT), PLCγ2-deficient, and PLCγ1/PLCγ2 double-deficient mice and measured the ability of platelets to respond to different agonists. We found that PLCγ2 deficiency abrogated αIIbß3-dependent platelet spreading, GPVI-dependent platelet aggregation, and thrombus formation on collagen-coated surfaces under shear conditions, which is dependent on both GPVI and αIIbß3. Addition of exogenous ADP overcame defective spreading of PLCγ2-deficient platelets on immobilized fibrinogen, suggesting that PLCγ2 is required for granule secretion in response to αIIbß3 ligation. Consistently, αIIbß3-mediated release of granule contents was impaired in the absence of PLCγ2. In contrast, PLCγ1-deficient platelets spread and released granule contents normally on fibrinogen, exhibited normal levels of GPVI-dependent aggregation, and formed thrombi normally on collagen-coated surfaces. Interestingly, enforced expression of PLCγ1 fully restored GPVI-dependent aggregation and αIIbß3-dependent spreading of PLCγ2-deficient platelets. We conclude that platelet activation through GPVI and αIIbß3 utilizes PLCγ2 because PLCγ1 levels are insufficient to support responsiveness, but that PLCγ1 can restore responsiveness if expressed at levels normally achieved by PLCγ2.

Clinical potential role of circulating microRNAs in early diagnosis of colorectal cancer patients.

Current procedures for diagnosis and biomarker examination of colorectal cancer (CRC) are invasive and unpleasant. There is a great need to identify sensitive and specific biomarkers for early diagnosis of CRC. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising molecular markers for CRC prediction. We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to integrate an evaluation index for diagnostic accuracy of circulating miRNAs in diagnosing CRC patients. Furthermore, we conducted an independent validation set of 49 CRC patients and 49 healthy controls. In our meta-analysis, we found that miR-21 yielded a pooled area under ROC curve (AUC) of 0.867 (sensitivity: 76%, specificity: 82%) in discriminating CRC from controls, and miR-92a yielded a summary AUC of 0.803 (sensitivity: 77%, specificity: 68%); miR-21 had a higher diagnostic efficiency than miR-92a. In the further validation, plasma miR-21 levels in CRC patients were significantly higher than levels observed in healthy subjects. A ROC curve analysis showed a consistent result. However, this phenotype was not present in miR-92a. Moreover, the expression trend of miR-21 in plasma samples was in line with that of tissue samples, along with the cellular level. Current evidences suggest that plasma miR-21 could be a reliable and non-invasive biomarker for CRC diagnosis. Studies with larger cohorts that include the diagnostic value of plasma miR-21 for CRC are warranted.

Diagnostic ability of %p2PSA and prostate health index for aggressive prostate cancer: a meta-analysis.

The role of [-2]proPSA (p2PSA) based diagnostic tests for the detection of aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) has not been fully evaluated. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of p2PSA/free PSA (%p2PSA) and prostate health index (Phi) tests for PCa and to evaluate their ability in discriminating between aggressive and non-aggressive PCa. A total of 16 articles were included in this meta-analysis. For the detection of PCa, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.84-0.87), 0.40 (95% CI, 0.39-042) and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.67-0.77) for %p2PSA respectively, and were 0.85 (95% CI, 0.83-0.86), 0.45 (95% CI, 0.44-0.47) and 0.70 (95% CI=0.65-0.74) for Phi, respectively. In addition, the sensitivity for discriminating PCa between higher Gleason score (≥7) and lower Gleason score (<7) was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93-0.98) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87-0.92) for %p2PSA and Phi respectively, and the specificity was low, only 0.09 (95% CI, 0.06-0.12) and 0.17 (95% CI, 0.14-0.19) for %p2PSA and Phi, respectively. Phi and %p2PSA have a high diagnostic accuracy rates and can be used in PCa diagnosis. Phi and %p2PSA may be useful as tumor markers in predicating patients harboring more aggressive disease and guiding biopsy decisions.

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for acute blunt grade 4 renal injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To first describe laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) for patients with acute blunt Grade 4 renal injuries using a retroperitoneal approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three patients (2 males and 1 female) with acute blunt renal trauma underwent retroperitoneal LN successfully. The revised American Association for Surgery of Trauma grading system was used to grade renal injuries. All three patients with Grade 4 renal injuries required blood transfusions preoperatively and angiographic embolization because of hemodynamic instability. Given the severity of the renal injuries, failure of angiographic embolization, and persistent blood loss, surgical intervention was used. We performed retroperitoneal LN using four trocars within 24 hours after trauma for the patients. RESULTS: Pure retroperitoneal LN was successfully performed in all 3 patients without requiring hand-assisted or open surgery. The renal hematoma dimension for the patients was 7.5, 8.4, and 9.2 cm, respectively. Operative time was 80, 110, and 130 minutes, respectively. Estimated blood loss was 100, 140, and 300 mL, respectively. The incision size was 4.2, 4.2, and 4.5 cm, respectively. The average hospital stay was 6 days. Pathology showed renal injuries without incidental renal tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the technical challenges, LN for patients with acute blunt Grade 4 renal injuries using a retroperitoneal approach is safe and feasible in carefully selected patients if conservative measures and angiographic embolization fail. However, it is important to note that one should keep a low threshold for open conversion or the hand-assisted approach whenever necessary.

Pure retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for right renal masses with renal vein and inferior vena cava thrombus.

PURPOSE: To describe our pure retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) with thrombectomy for right renal masses with renal vein (RV) and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five patients with right renal masses with RV and IVC thrombus underwent pure retroperitoneal LRN. Three patients had a history of abdominal surgery. In one patient with a RV thrombus, the RV was ligated and dissected with Hem-o-lok clips; in four patients with IVC thrombus, the IVC was partially occluded with a laparoscopic vascular clamp and incised distal to its junction with the right RV, and the thrombus was delivered intact. The IVC was closed with a running 3-0 polypropylene suture. RESULTS: Pure retroperitoneal LRN with thrombectomy was successfully performed for all the patients without hand-assisted or open conversion. The mean tumor size was 6.2 cm, and mean thrombus length was 2.8 cm; four thrombi extended 0.6-1.0 cm into the IVC, and the mean operative time was 127 minutes with the average estimated blood loss at 148 mL. The mean hospital stay was 5 days. Histology revealed two renal-cell carcinomas, one angiomyolipoma, one renal pelvic transitional-cell carcinoma, and one renal infarction. All the surgical margins were negative. With a mean follow-up of 35 months, metastatic diseases did not develop in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the technical challenges, pure retroperitoneal LRN for right renal masses with a RV and IVC thrombus is safe and feasible in appropriately selected patients using a retroperitoneal approach. In patients with minimal caval involvement, our surgical approach provided an alternative treatment option, especially when the patients had a history of abdominal surgery.

Comparison of ESWL and ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy in management of ureteral stones.

BACKGROUND: There are many options for urologists to treat ureteral stones that range from 8 mm to 15 mm, including ESWL and ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy. While both ESWL and ureteroscopy are effective and minimally invasive procedures, there is still controversy over which one is more suitable for ureteral stones. OBJECTIVE: To perform a retrospective study to compare the efficiency, safety and complications using ESWL vs. ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy in management of ureteral stones. METHODS: Between October 2010 and October 2012, 160 patients who underwent ESWL or ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy at Suzhou municipal hospital for a single radiopaque ureteral stone (the size 8-15 mm) were evaluated. All patients were followed up with ultrasonography for six months. Stone clearance rate, costs and complications were compared. RESULTS: Similarity in stone clearance rate and treatment time between the two procedures; overall procedural time, analgesia requirement and total cost were significantly different. Renal colic and gross hematuria were more frequent with ESWL while voiding symptoms were more frequent with ureteroscopy. Both procedures used for ureteral stones ranging from 8 to 15 mm were safe and minimally invasive. CONCLUSION: ESWL remains first line therapy for proximal ureteral stones while ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy costs more. To determining which one is preferable depends on not only stone characteristics but also patient acceptance and cost-effectiveness ratio.

Pure retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for left renal cell carcinoma with differential extensions of level I renal vein tumor thrombus.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a large clinical series of pure laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) for left renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with differential extensions of level I renal vein (RV) tumor thrombus using a retroperitoneal approach. METHODS: Ten left RCC patients with RV tumor thrombus underwent pure retroperitoneal LRN. Operation procedures were different for patients with varying length of the RV tumor thrombus. Based on our experience, four grades were defined based on the distal limit of the thrombus. Grade 1: tip of the thrombus was located between the renal sinus and the left gonadal vein (or adrenal vein); Grade 2: tip of the thrombus was located between the left gonadal vein and the abdominal aorta; Grade 3: tip of the thrombus was riding on the abdominal aorta; Grade 4: tip of the thrombus was located in the interaortocaval region. According to this classification, grade 1 in 3 patients, grade 2 in 2, grade 3 in 3, and grade 4 in 2. RESULTS: Pure retroperitoneal LRN and thrombectomy were successfully performed for all the patients without requiring open surgery. The mean tumor size for each of the four grades was 5.9, 6.4, 5.8, and 7.6 cm, respectively; the mean thrombus length was 2.1, 3.5, 5.2, and 7.1 cm, respectively; the mean operative time was 85, 103, 137, and 190 minutes, respectively; the average surgical bleeding volume was 67, 110, 143, and 225 mL, respectively. Better procedures are needed to increase the working space for patients with higher grades of thrombus. Surgical margins were negative for all patients. With a mean follow-up of 29 months, two patients developed metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the technical challenges, pure retroperitoneal LRN for left RCC patients with differential extensions of RV tumor thrombus is safe and feasible in selected patients. However, it is important to note that surgery will be more difficult for patients with higher grades of thrombus.

Comparison of aspiration-sclerotherapy versus laparoscopic decortication in management of symptomatic simple renal cysts.

PURPOSE: To perform a retrospective study to compare the efficiency, safety and costs using aspiration-sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol vs. laparoscopic decortications in management of symptomatic simple renal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with simple renal cysts (diamante > 4 cm) were recruited from our hospital between October 2008 and October 2012. A total of 986 patients (Group 1) underwent aspiration-sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol and 208 patients (Group 2) underwent laparoscopic decortication. All patients were followed up with ultrasonography or computerized tomography (CT) for one year. Regression rates, recurrence rates and costs were compared. RESULTS: Similarity in symptoms (back pain, cloudy urine or mass in abdomen), renal cyst size, and cyst distribution, complete regression rate after treatment between the two groups; A higher recurrence rate, but shorter procedure times and lower cost in Group 1 compared to Group 2. The procedures used for both groups were safe and had minimum complications. CONCLUSION: Aspiration-sclerotherapy, as well as laparoscopic decortication are effective and safe therapy for symptomatic simple renal cysts. Aspiration-sclerotherapy is more suitable for medium size of renal cysts, while Laparoscopic decortication is superior to the cysts in large sizes.

A small peptide modeled after the NRAGE repeat domain inhibits XIAP-TAB1-TAK1 signaling for NF-κB activation and apoptosis in P19 cells.

In normal growth and development, apoptosis is necessary to shape the central nervous system and to eliminate excess neurons which are not required for innervation. In some diseases, however, apoptosis can be either overactive as in some neurodegenerative disorders or severely attenuated as in the spread of certain cancers. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) transmit signals for regulating cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Responding to BMP receptors stimulated from BMP ligands, neurotrophin receptor-mediated MAGE homolog (NRAGE) binds and functions with the XIAP-TAK1-TAB1 complex to activate p38(MAPK) and induces apoptosis in cortical neural progenitors. NRAGE contains a unique repeat domain that is only found in human, mouse, and rat homologs that we theorize is pivotal in its BMP MAPK role. Previously, we showed that deletion of the repeat domain inhibits apoptosis, p38(MAPK) phosphorylation, and caspase-3 cleavage in P19 neural progenitor cells. We also showed that the XIAP-TAB1-TAK1 complex is dependent on NRAGE for IKK-α/ß phosphorylation and NF-κB activation. XIAP is a major inhibitor of caspases, the main executioners of apoptosis. Although it has been shown previously that NRAGE binds to the RING domain of XIAP, it has not been determined which NRAGE domain binds to XIAP. Here, we used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to determine that there is a strong likelihood of a direct interaction between NRAGE and XIAP occurring at NRAGE's unique repeat domain which we also attribute to be the domain responsible for downstream signaling of NF-κB and activating IKK subunits. From these results, we designed a small peptide modeled after the NRAGE repeat domain which we have determined inhibits NF-κB activation and apoptosis in P19 cells. These intriguing results illustrate that the paradigm of the NRAGE repeat domain may hold promising therapeutic strategies in developing pharmaceutical solutions for combating harmful diseases involving excessive downstream BMP signaling, including apoptosis.

Two novel human NUMB isoforms provide a potential link between development and cancer.

We previously identified four functionally distinct human NUMB isoforms. Here, we report the identification of two additional isoforms and propose a link between the expression of these isoforms and cancer. These novel isoforms, NUMB5 and NUMB6, lack exon 10 and are expressed in cells known for polarity and migratory behavior, such as human amniotic fluid cells, glioblastoma and metastatic tumor cells. RT-PCR and luciferase assays demonstrate that NUMB5 and NUMB6 are less antagonistic to NOTCH signaling than other NUMB isoforms. Immunocytochemistry analyses show that NUMB5 and NUMB6 interact and complex with CDC42, vimentin and the CDC42 regulator IQGAP1 (IQ (motif) GTPase activating protein 1). Furthermore, the ectopic expression of NUMB5 and NUMB6 induces the formation of lamellipodia (NUMB5) and filopodia (NUMB6) in a CDC42- and RAC1-dependent manner. These results are complemented by in vitro and in vivo studies, demonstrating that NUMB5 and NUMB6 alter the migratory behavior of cells. Together, these novel isoforms may play a role in further understanding the NUMB function in development and cancer.

A role for NRAGE in NF-kappaB activation through the non-canonical BMP pathway.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have linked neurotrophin receptor-interacting MAGE protein to the bone morphogenic protein signaling pathway and its effect on p38 mediated apoptosis of neural progenitor cells via the XIAP-Tak1-Tab1 complex. Its effect on NF-kappaB has yet to be explored. RESULTS: Herein we report that NRAGE, via the same XIAP-Tak1-Tab1 complex, is required for the phosphorylation of IKK -alpha/beta and subsequent transcriptional activation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. Ablation of endogenous NRAGE by siRNA inhibited NF-kappaB pathway activation, while ablation of Tak1 and Tab1 by morpholino inhibited overexpression of NRAGE from activating NF-kappaB. Finally, cytokine profiling of an NRAGE over-expressing stable line revealed the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor. CONCLUSION: Modulation of NRAGE expression revealed novel roles in regulating NF-kappaB activity in the non-canonical bone morphogenic protein signaling pathway. The expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor by bone morphogenic protein -4 reveals novel crosstalk between an immune cytokine and a developmental pathway.

Mapping of NRAGE domains reveals clues to cell viability in BMP signaling.

Bone morphogenetic signaling (BMP) is a key pathway during neurogenesis and depends on many downstream intermediators to carry out its signaling. One such signaling pathway utilizes neurotrophin receptor-interacting MAGE protein (NRAGE), a member of the melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) family, to upregulate p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38(MAPK)) in response to cellular stress and activate caspases which are critical in leading cells to death. NRAGE consists of two conserved MAGE homology domains separated by a unique hexapeptide repeat domain. Although we have previously implicated NRAGE in inducing apoptosis in neural progenitors and P19 cells, a model system for neural progenitors, its domains have yet to be explored in determining which one may be responsible for setting up the signaling for apoptosis. Here, we overexpressed a series of deletion mutations in P19 cells to show that only those with at least half of the repeat domain, activated p38(MAPK) and underwent apoptosis offering intriguing incite into NRAGE's contribution in BMP apoptotic signaling.

NRAGE: a potential rheostat during branching morphogenesis.

Branching morphogenesis is a developmental process characteristic of many organ systems. Specifically, during renal branching morphogenesis, its been postulated that the final number of nephrons formed is one key clinical factor in the development of hypertension in adulthood. As it has been established that BMPs regulate, in part, renal activity of p38 MAP kinase (p38(MAPK)) and it has demonstrated that the cytoplasmic protein Neurotrophin Receptor MAGE homologue (NRAGE) augments p38(MAPK) activation, it was hypothesized that a decrease in the expression of NRAGE during renal branching would result in decreased branching of the UB that correlated with changes in p38(MAPK) activation. To verify this, the expression of NRAGE was reduced in ex vivo kidney explants cultures using antisense morpholino. Morpholino treated ex vivo kidney explants expression were severely stunted in branching, a trait that was rescued with the addition of exogenous GDNF. Renal explants also demonstrated a precipitous drop in p38(MAPK) activation that too was reversed in the presence of recombinant GDNF. RNA profiling of NRAGE diminished ex vivo kidney explants resulted in altered expression of GDNF, Ret, BMP7 and BMPRIb mRNAs. Our results suggested that in early kidney development NRAGE might have multiple roles during renal branching morphogenesis through association with both the BMP and GDNF signaling pathways.

Genetic variants and family history predict prostate cancer similar to prostate-specific antigen.

PURPOSE: Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the best biomarker for predicting prostate cancer, its predictive performance needs to be improved. Results from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial revealed the overall performance measured by the areas under curve of the receiver operating characteristic at 0.68. The goal of the present study is to assess the ability of genetic variants as a PSA-independent method to predict prostate cancer risk. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We systematically evaluated all prostate cancer risk variants that were identified from genome-wide association studies during the past year in a large population-based prostate cancer case-control study population in Sweden, including 2,893 prostate cancer patients and 1,781 men without prostate cancer. RESULTS: Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms were independently associated with prostate cancer risk in this Swedish study population. Using a cutoff of any 11 risk alleles or family history, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting prostate cancer were 0.25 and 0.86, respectively. The overall predictive performance of prostate cancer using genetic variants, family history, and age, measured by areas under curve was 0.65 (95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.66), significantly improved over that of family history and age (0.61%; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.62; P = 2.3 x 10(-10)). CONCLUSION: The predictive performance for prostate cancer using genetic variants and family history is similar to that of PSA. The utility of genetic testing, alone and in combination with PSA levels, should be evaluated in large studies such as the European Randomized Study for Prostate Cancer trial and Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial.

Evidence for two independent prostate cancer risk-associated loci in the HNF1B gene at 17q12.

We carried out a fine-mapping study in the HNF1B gene at 17q12 in two study populations and identified a second locus associated with prostate cancer risk, approximately 26 kb centromeric to the first known locus (rs4430796); these loci are separated by a recombination hot spot. We confirmed the association with a SNP in the second locus (rs11649743) in five additional populations, with P = 1.7 x 10(-9) for an allelic test of the seven studies combined. The association at each SNP remained significant after adjustment for the other SNP.

Association of prostate cancer risk variants with clinicopathologic characteristics of the disease.

PURPOSE: Fifteen independent genetic variants have been implicated in prostate cancer risk by recent genome-wide association studies. However, their association with clinicopathologic features of prostate cancer is uncertain. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We systematically evaluated these 15 variants in 1,563 prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, taking advantage of the uniform tumor stage and grade information available for each of these cases. Associations of these variants with aggressiveness, pathologic Gleason scores, pathologic stage, age at diagnosis, or serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were tested. RESULTS: After adjusting for multiple testing, none of the single nucleotide polymorphisms was individually or cumulatively associated with aggressiveness or individual clinicopathologic variables of prostate cancer such as Gleason scores, pathologic stage, or age at diagnosis of prostate cancer. The reported risk allele (G) for single nucleotide polymorphism rs2735839 in the KLK3 gene at 19q13 was more frequent in less aggressive prostate cancer patients (0.89) than in more aggressive prostate cancer patients (0.86; nominal P = 0.03) or in controls (0.86; nominal P = 0.04). Considering that this allele was also significantly associated with higher serum PSA levels among controls (nominal P = 0.003), the observed trend of higher frequency of this risk allele between less and more aggressive prostate cancer, or between less aggressive and controls may be due to detection bias of PSA screening. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer risk variants recently discovered from genome-wide case-control association studies are not associated with clinicopathologic variables in this population. Case-case studies are urgently needed to discover genetic variants that predict tumor aggressiveness.

The use of Endo-Porter to deliver morpholinos in kidney organ culture.

Cellular interactions in development of the kidney are used as a model of reciprocal inductive events between epithelium and mesenchyme. Time- and labor-intensive methods have been developed to study this phenomenon. For example, in mice, the targeted disruption of genes in vivo has been used to modify the genetic program directing kidney development. However, gene targeting is a resource-intensive approach and alternative strategies for gene and protein modification in the kidney need to be developed. Herein, we have developed an efficient system for the delivery of antisense morpholino to alter normal protein expression. We describe the use of Endo-Porter to effectively deliver morpholinos to all parts and regions of the kidney explant. Also, we definitively show via confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis that the use of Endo-Porter in delivering antisense morpholinos is robust throughout the entire kidney explant, providing efficient suppression of protein expression. This method saves time and cost when compared with targeted disruption and is an improvement upon previous kidney organ culture methods.