Establishment of human colon cancer cell lines from fresh tumors versus xenografts: comparison of success rate and cell line features.

Obtaining representative human colon cancer cell lines from fresh tumors is technically difficult. Using 32 tumor fragments from patients with colon cancer, the present study shows that prior xenograft leads to more efficient cell line establishment compared with direct establishment from fresh tumors (P < 0.05). From 26 tumor specimens, we successfully established 20 tumor xenografts in nude mice (77%); among 19 of these xenografts, 9 (47%) led to cell lines, including four from liver metastases. Only 3 of 31 tumor specimens (9.7%) grew immediately in vitro, and all were derived from primary tumors. To compare major phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of human colon cancer cell lines derived from the same tumor fragment using two protocols, the two pairs of cell lines obtained from 2 of 32 tumor fragments were extensively studied. They displayed similar morphology and were able to form compact spheroids. Chemosensitivity to 5-fluorouracil, CPT11, and L-OHP differed between cell lines obtained from patient tumors and those derived from xenografts. Matched cell lines shared a common core of karyotype alterations and distinctive additional chromosomal aberrations. Expression levels of genes selected for their role in oncogenesis evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR were found to be statistically correlated whatever the in vitro culture model used. In conclusion, xenotransplantation in mice of tumor fragments before establishment of cell lines enables generation of more novel human cancer cell lines for investigation of colon cancer cell biology, opening up the opportunity of reproducing the diversity of this disease.

Changes in the maternal serum concentration of proearly placenta insulin-like growth factor peptides in normal vs abnormal pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate maternal serum pro-early placenta insulin like (proEPIL) levels during normal and pathologic pregnancy by using a newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, based on a monoclonal antibody designated EPIL15 and directed to the pro-EPIL C-chain 98-108 region. STUDY DESIGN: In a group of healthy pregnant women (n = 22), proEPIL peptide serum levels were measured longitudinally throughout gestation (8-12, 20-24, and 30-34 weeks). Serum proEPIL levels were measured in women with preterm labor (n = 24), intrauterine growth restriction (n = 27), and preeclampsia (n = 12). RESULTS: In healthy pregnant women, a significant rise of serum pro-EPIL levels (mean +/- SEM) was observed during the third trimester of gestation (30.97 +/- 2.978 ng/mL; P < .01), with the highest serum levels at 30-34 weeks' gestation (P < .001). Serum proEPIL levels were found elevated in women with intrauterine growth restriction (107.4 +/- 12.99 ng/mL), preeclampsia (104.8 +/- 36.20 ng/mL), or preterm labor (183.8 +/- 36.42 ng/mL) in comparison with levels observed in healthy pregnant women (P < .001). CONCLUSION: These results showed that proEPIL secretion increases in the last trimester during normal pregnancy and is highly secreted in women with pathologic conditions.

Transcriptional expression of genes involved in cell invasion and migration by normal and tumoral trophoblast cells.

Once initiated, invasion of trophoblast cells must be tightly regulated, particularly in early pregnancy. The mechanisms necessary for the invasion and migration of trophoblast cells are thought to be related to those involved in the invasive and metastatic properties of cancer cells. Quantitative PCR was used to measure, in trophoblast cells, the transcriptional expression profiles of four genes, INSL4, BRMS1, KiSS-1 and KiSS-1R, reported to be implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis. Laser capture microdissection and purification of trophoblast cells demonstrate that, as already known for INSL4, BRMS1, KiSS-1 and KiSS-1R are expressed by the trophoblast subset of placental tissues. Expression profiles of these genes studied in early placentas (7-9 weeks, n=55) and term placentas (n=11) showed that expression levels of BRMS1 are higher in term than in early placentas, while expression levels of KiSS-1R are higher in early than in term placentas. Low levels of expression of BRMS1 were observed in normal pregnancies, in molar pregnancies and in choriocarcinoma cell lines BeWo, JAR and JEG3 while, in striking contrast, the expression levels of INSL4, KiSS-1 and Kiss-1R were increased in both early placentas and molar pregnancies and were reduced in choriocarcinoma cells. These transcriptional expression profiles are in favor of a predominant role of INSL4, KiSS-1 and KiSS-1R in the control of the invasive and migratory properties of trophoblast cells.

Global proteomic analysis of microdissected cirrhotic nodules reveals significant biomarkers associated with clonal expansion.

Cirrhosis is a heterogeneous tissue composed of polyclonal regenerative and monoclonal neoplastic, potentially malignant nodules from which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) might develop. The aim of this study was to investigate proteomic profile changes associated with clonal expansion of cirrhotic nodules and malignant transformation of monoclonal nodules. Seventy-one cirrhotic nodules from 10 female patients with six HCC were dissected from liver surgical specimen by laser capture microdissection. Clonal status of each nodule was assessed by the study of X-chromosome inactivation pattern using the human androgen receptor. Protein profiles were determined by surface-enhanced laser desorption ionisation-time-of-flight technology using Q10 arrays (Cyphergen ProteinChip). Molecular weight of differentially expressed protein peaks was assessed. An average of 50 protein peaks was obtained for each nodule's profile. Comparison of protein profiles in polyclonal (n=45) and monoclonal cirrhotic nodules (n=26) identified three differentially expressed protein peaks (10,092, 54,025 and 62,133 Da). All were upregulated in monoclonal nodules. Twelve peaks were differentially expressed between monoclonal nodules and HCC with nine proteins upregulated in cancer samples. This study confirms that proteome analysis can be achieved from a limited number of microdissected cells, and provides further insight into the process of clonal expansion and malignant transformation of cirrhotic nodules.