Prognostic Significance of EPHB2 Expression in Colorectal Cancer Progression

BACKGROUND: A receptor tyrosine kinase for ephrin ligands, EPHB2, is expressed in normal colorectal tissues and colorectal cancers (CRCs). The aim of this study was to investigate EPHB2 expression over CRC progression and determine its prognostic significance in CRC. METHODS: To measure EPHB2 mRNA and protein expression, real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were performed in 32 fresh-frozen and 567 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded CRC samples, respectively. We further investigated clinicopathological features and overall and recurrence-free survival according to EPHB2 protein expression. RESULTS: The EPHB2 level was upregulated in CRC samples compared to non-cancerous tissue in most samples and showed a strong positive correlation with AXIN2. Notably, CD44 had a positive association with both mRNA and protein levels of EPHB2. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed no difference in EPHB2 expression between adenoma and carcinoma areas. Although EPHB2 expression was slightly lower in invasive fronts compared to surface area (p < .05), there was no difference between superficial and metastatic areas. EPHB2 positivity was associated with lymphatic (p < .001) and venous (p = .001) invasion, TNM stage (p < .001), and microsatellite instability (p = .036). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that CRC patients with EPHB2 positivity showed better clinical outcomes in both overall (p = .049) and recurrence-free survival (p = .015). However, multivariate analysis failed to show that EPHB2 is an independent prognostic marker in CRCs (hazard ratio, 0.692; p = .692). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that EPHB2 is overexpressed in a subset of CRCs and is a significant prognostic marker.

Effect of sihui mixture on the learning and memory ability, mRNA expressions of hippocampal NMDA subunit NR2A and NR2B, and EphB2 receptor in fatigue rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the learning and memory ability, expressions of hippocampal N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) subunit NR2A and NR2B, and EphB2 receptor in fatigue rats, and to observe effects of Sini Powder, Shenghui Decoction, and Sihui Mixture on them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The central nervous system fatigue model was duplicated by paradoxical sleep deprivation for 168 h using multiple platform method. Experimental rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, the Sini Powder group, and the Shenghui Decoction group, ten in each. Corresponding medicines and distilled water were given to them by gastrogavage at 6, 30, 54, 78, 102, 126, and 150 h after sleep deprivation. Changes of the learning and memory ability were observed using Y maze. mRNA expressions of NMDA subunit NR2A and NR2B, and EphB2 receptor in fatigue rats were quantitatively analyzed using Real-time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group, the Y maze correct percentage in the model group obviously decreased (P<0.05), mRNA expressions of NR2B and EphB2 obviously decreased (P<0.901), with no obvious change in NR2A. Compared with the model group, Sihui Mixture could obviously improve Y maze results and mRNA expressions of NR2A and NR2B, and EphB2 (P<0 01). No statistical difference was found between the Sini Powder group and the Shenghui Decoction group. Compared with the Sini Powder group, mRNA expressions of EphB2 obviously increased in the Sihui Mixture group (P<0 01). mRNA expression of NR2A could be more obviously increased in the Shenghui Decoction group than in the model group (P <0 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The central nervous system fatigue could result in decreased Y maze results and gene expressions of hippocampal NR2B and EphB2. Sihui Mixture could improve rats' learning and memory ability, which might be possibly achieved through up-regulating mRNA expressions of hippocampal EphB2 and NR2B.</p>

Current situation of researches on the molecule mechanism of hormone refractory prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

Most cases of prostate cancer become hormone refractory after 12 to 18 months of androgen deprivation therapy. The etiology of the disease is thought to be multifactorial, associated with genetic, dietary, and environmental factors. The article reviews the current situation of researches at home and abroad on the molecule mechanism of hormone refractory. It expounds the influence of the androgen receptor and its genetic mutation, apoptosis and the gene changes of p53, p21, EphB2 on prostate cancer. It is hoped to be of some directive value for the studies of prostate cancer.

Expression Pattern of EphB2 in Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: The EphB2 receptor, a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family, is a target gene of the Wnt signaling pathway and may achieve a tumor suppressor function through regulation of cell growth and migration. Our aim was to determine whether an altered expression of EphB2 might be associated with gastric cancer development and, if so, to determine to which pathologic parameter it is linked. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the construction of the gastric cancer tissue microarray, 83 paraffin-embedded tissues containing gastric cancer areas were cored 3 times and transferred to the recipient master block. The expression patterns of EphB2 were examined on tissue microarray slides by using immunohistochemistry and were compared using pathologic parameters, including histological type, depth of invasion, lymph node metastatsis, and peritoneal dissemination. RESULTS: The EphB2 protein was expressed in the normal gastric mucosal epithelium, especially in the bottom of the mucosa. We found loss of EphB2 expression in 30 (36.1%) of the 83 gastric cancer tissues. Statistically, loss of EphB2 expression was more common in gastric cancer with lymph-node metastasis. There was no significant correlation between EphB2 expression and depth of invasion, histologic type, or peritoneal dissemination. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that loss of EphB2 expression may represent a critical step in gastric carcinogenesis.