ABSTRACT
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to regulate post-transcriptional gene expression. They are involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. The aim of this study was to explore the microRNA-mRNA regulatory network in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) using comprehensive computational approaches. In this study we have selected a total of 11 miRNAs from one previously reported study in ESCC. The mRNA targets of these miRNAs were predicted using various algorithms. The expression profiles of these mRNA targets were identified on DNA microarray experiment dataset across ESCC tissue samples. Based on the miRNA-mRNA regulatory relationships, the network was inferred. A total of 23 miRNA-mRNA regulatory interactions, with 11 miRNAs and 13 mRNA targets, were inferred in ESCC. The miRNA-mRNA regulatory network with increased confidence provides insights into the progression of ESCC and may serve as a biomarker for prognosis or the aggressiveness of ESCC. However, the results should be examined with further experimental validation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Genetics , Case-Control Studies , Esophageal Neoplasms , Genetics , Gene Regulatory Networks , MicroRNAs , Genetics , RNA, Messenger , GeneticsABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the effect of macrophages with different activated phenotypes on tumor growth, lymphangiogenesis and lymp node metastasis in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). Methods: The xenografted models were established via subcutaneous injection of LLC cells and activated macrophages into mice. They were divided into 4 groups: blank control group, classically activated macrophages (caMphi) group, alternatively activated macrophages (aaMphi) group and RAW264. 7 group with 10 mice in each group. The growth of transplanted tumors was examined dynamically and then the mice were sacrificed on d 28. The transplanted tumors were resected and the lymph nodes and distant metastasis were observed by HE staining. The LYVE-1+ lymphatic vessel densities (LVD) were detected by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, other 40 mice were randomly divided into the four groups and the survival rates were recorded. Results: Compared with the blank control group, the aaMphi and RAW264. 7 xenografted tumors grew faster and had more lymph nodes and lung metastasis (P 0.05). Conclusion: aaMphi can promote the growth, lymphangiogenesis, lymph nodes and lung metastasis in transplanted LLC tumors, and reduce the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice. In the tumorigenesis of transplanted LLC tumors, RAW264. 7 cells may toward aaMphi.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The NASG gene has been confirmed as a tumor-suppressor gene candidate related to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by previous studies. We further investigated the expression and the role of NASG in the homogeneous tissue cells by microdissecting the samples of tissue from human NPC, and introduced a new way to study the expression of specific genes in tumor tissue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The RNAlater reagent was used to preserve the samples of tissue from the nasopharynx of NPC patients. The samples were microdissected to harvest the homogeneous tissue cells and then total RNA was isolated from them. The antisense RNA (aRNA) was amplified from the total RNA by "in vitro transcription (IVT)". We investigated NASG expression in the homogeneous tumor cells of NPC (22 samples) and compared it with that in the pure epithelial pillar cells of normal nasopharyngeal (10 samples) by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (sqRT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The high quality total RNA could be harvested from the microdissected homogeneous tissue cells of the nasopharynx, then sufficient aRNA was derived from it. NASG gene expression was identified using aRNA by sqRT-PCR and showed that there was significant difference between the average value of case groups and that of control group (t = -5.275, df = 30, P < 0.001). The NASG gene in the subgroups WHOII tended to express lower levels than those in the subgroup WHOIII although this difference was not statistically significant (t = -1.584, df = 20, P = 0.129 > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Microdissection was an effective method to obtain the homogeneous tissue cells of nasopharyngeal tissue (including the samples of NPC and non-NPC) in our study. Sufficient aRNA from amplifying total RNA could be used in sqRT-PCR to analyse the expression of NASG in the pure tissue cells. NASG should be a tumor-suppression gene candidate regarding to NPC.</p>