ABSTRACT
SUMMARY: Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive gastrointestinal cancers. Invasion and metastasis are the main causes of poor prognosis of esophageal cancer. SPRY2 has been reported to exert promoting effects in human cancers, which controls signal pathways including PI3K/AKT and MAPKs. However, the expression of SPRY2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the detailed role of SPRY2 in the regulation of cell proliferation, invasion and ERK/AKT signaling pathway in ESCC. It was identified that the expression level of SPRY2 in ESCC was remarkably decreased compared with normal tissues, and it was related to clinicopathologic features and prognosis ESCC patients. The upregulation of SPRY2 expression notably inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of Eca-109 cells. In addition, the activity of ERK /AKT signaling was also suppressed by the SPRY2 upregulation in Eca-109 cells. Our study suggests that overexpression of SPRY2 suppress cancer cell proliferation and invasion of by through suppression of the ERK/AKT signaling pathways in ESCC. Therefore, SPRY2 may be a promising prognostic marker and therapeutic target for ESCC.
El cáncer de esófago es uno de los cánceres gastrointestinales más agresivos. La invasión y la metástasis son las principales causas de mal pronóstico del cáncer de esófago. Se ha informado que SPRY2 ejerce efectos promotores en los cánceres humanos, que controla las vías de señales, incluidas PI3K/AKT y MAPK. Sin embargo, la expresión de SPRY2 en el carcinoma de células escamosas de esófago (ESCC) y su mecanismo subyacente aún no están claros. En el presente estudio, nuestro objetivo fue investigar el papel detallado de SPRY2 en la regulación de la proliferación celular, la invasión y la vía de señalización ERK/AKT en ESCC. Se identificó que el nivel de expresión de SPRY2 en ESCC estaba notablemente disminuido en comparación con los tejidos normales, y estaba relacionado con las características clínico-patológicas y el pronóstico de los pacientes con ESCC. La regulación positiva de la expresión de SPRY2 inhibió notablemente la proliferación, migración e invasión de células Eca-109. Además, la actividad de la señalización de ERK/AKT también fue suprimida por la regulación positiva de SPRY2 en las células Eca-109. Nuestro estudio sugiere que la sobreexpresión de SPRY2 suprime la proliferación y la invasión de células cancerosas mediante la supresión de las vías de señalización ERK/AKT en ESCC. Por lo tanto, SPRY2 puede ser un marcador de pronóstico prometedor y un objetivo terapéutico para la ESCC.
Subject(s)
Humans , Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , Biomarkers, Tumor , Blotting, Western , Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases , Cell Proliferation , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktABSTRACT
SUMMARY: This study is to investigate the effect of survivin down-regulation by Egr1-survivin shRNA combined with radiotherapy on the apoptosis and radiosensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ECA109 and KYSE150 cells. ECA109 and KYSE150 cells were transfected with Egr1-survivin shRNA, and then treated with radiotherapy. After 24 h, the mRNA and protein levels of Egr1-survivin were detected by qPCR and Western-Blot. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Western blot also detected levels of cleavaged Caspase 3 and Caspase 9. YM155 was used as a positive control to inhibit survivin expression. The levels of survivin mRNA and protein in ECA109 and KYSE150 cells treated with Egr1-survivin shRNA combined with radiotherapy were significantly lower than those of the blank control group, the empty vector control group, and, the YM155 + radiotherapy group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, after survivin down-regulation, the ratio of G2 to S phase of ECA109 and KYSE150 cells increased significantly, leading to significant G2 and S phase arrest. Additionally, apoptosis of ECA109 and KYSE150 cells increased significantly (P <0.01). Further, protein levels of cleavaged Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 significantly increased in Egr1-survivin shRNA combined with radiotherapy group. Egr1-survivin shRNA combined with radiotherapy can down-regulate survivin expression, which further increases the apoptosis, and enhances the radiosensitivity of ECA109 and KYSE150 cells.
Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar el efecto de la regulación negativa de survivina por el shRNA de Egr1-survivina combinado con radioterapia sobre la apoptosis y la radiosensibilidad del carcinoma de células escamosas de esófago Células ECA109 y KYSE150. Las células ECA109 y KYSE150 se transfectaron con shRNA de survivina Egr1 y luego se trataron con radioterapia. Después de 24 h, los niveles de ARNm y proteína de Egr1-survivina se detectaron mediante qPCR y Western-Blot. El ciclo celular y la apoptosis se detectaron mediante citometría de flujo. La transferencia Western también detectó niveles de Caspasa 3 y Caspasa 9 escindidas. Se usó YM155 como control positivo para inhibir la expresión de survivina. Los niveles de ARNm y proteína de survivina en células ECA109 y KYSE150 tratadas con shRNA de survivina Egr1 combinado con radioterapia fueron significativamente más bajos que los del grupo control en blanco, el grupo control de vector vacío y el grupo de radioterapia YM155 + (P <0,05). Mientras tanto, después de la regulación negativa de survivina, la proporción entre las fases G2 y S de las células ECA109 y KYSE150 aumentó significativamente, lo que llevó a una detención significativa de las fases G2 y S. Además, la apoptosis de las células ECA109 y KYSE150 aumentó significativamente (P <0,01). Además, los niveles de proteína de Caspasa 3 y Caspasa 9 escindidas aumentaron significativamente en el shRNA de Egr1- survivina combinado con el grupo de radioterapia. El shRNA de survivina de Egr1 combinado con radioterapia puede regular negativamente la expresión de survivina, lo que aumenta aún más la apoptosis y mejora la radiosensibilidad de las células ECA109 y KYSE150.
Subject(s)
Humans , Esophageal Neoplasms/therapy , Survivin , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/therapy , Radiation-Sensitizing Agents , Radiation Tolerance , RNA, Messenger , Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics , Esophageal Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Transfection , Down-Regulation , Blotting, Western , Apoptosis , Combined Modality Therapy , RNA, Small Interfering , Cell Line, Tumor/radiation effects , Early Growth Response Protein 1 , Caspase 3 , Caspase 9 , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Flow Cytometry , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/genetics , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/radiotherapyABSTRACT
INTRODUÇÃO: O carcinoma de células escamosas do esôfago está entre os tipos mais agressivos de câncer e de pior prognóstico. As metaloproteinases de matriz (MMPs), especialmente as MMP-2 e MMP-9, vêm sendo utilizadas para avaliação prognóstica do câncer, associadas a invasão, tamanho e crescimento tumoral. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo visa investigar as expressões imuno-histoquímicas de MMP-2 e MMP-9, avaliando se existe correlação entre sua expressão e o estadiamento tumoral, invasão vascular, invasão local (pT) e diferenciação tumoral no carcinoma de células escamosas de esôfago. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo utilizando 31 blocos de parafina contendo tumores de carcinoma escamoso esofágico, obtidas por esofagectomias realizadas entre 1998 e 2003, no Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria (HUSM). Os cortes histológicos foram submetidos à reação imuno-histoquímica, com sistema de amplificação por polímero não-biotinilado Novolink para detecção de MMP-2 e MMP-9. RESULTADOS: A avaliação da MMP-2 apresentou positividade fraca em apenas cinco casos, não demonstrando correlação com as variáveis estudadas. Também não foram observadas associações significativas entre as variáveis do estudo e o grau de expressão imuno-histoquímica da MMP-9. CONCLUSÃO: A expressão imuno-histoquímica das MMP-2 e MMP-9 não parece ser influenciada pelos parâmetros investigados. Nesse sentido, estudos adicionais são necessários para melhor compreensão de sua associação aos fatores prognósticos do carcinoma de células escamosas de esôfago.
INTRODUCTION: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive malignant neoplasia with poor prognosis. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), mainly 2 and 9, has been used for the prognostic evaluation of cancer in association with tumor invasion, size and tumoral growth analysis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and evaluate if there is an association between their expression and tumor staging, vascular invasion, local invasion (pT) and tumoral differentiation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study using 31 paraffin-embedded specimens of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma obtained by esophagectomies performed at Santa Maria University Hospital, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil between 1998 and 2003. The histological sections were immunohistochemically studied using a non-biotinylated Novolink system for MMP-2 and MMP-9 detection. RESULTS: MMP-2 immunohistochemical expression was detected only in 5 cases and did not demonstrate correlation with the variables analyzed. Furthermore, MMP-9 immunohistochemical expression was not significantly associated with the other variables. CONCLUSION: MMP-2 and MMP-9 immunohistochemical expression does not seem to be influenced by the variables reported in this study. Thus further investigations are required to a better understanding of their association with the prognostic factors of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.