Effects of trichostatin A on FHIT and WWOX genes expression, cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in hepatocellular carcinoma WCH 17 cell line

Previously, we evaluated the effect of trichostatin A (TSA) on the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Fragile histidine triad (FHIT) and WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) are two of the most common down-regulated genes in many cancers located on chromosome 3p14.2 and 16q23.3-24.1 respectively. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of TSA on these genes expression, cell growth, and apoptosis in HCC WCH 17 cell. The cells were seeded and treated with TSA at different times. Then, MTT assay, flow cytometry, and qRT-PCR were achieved to determine viability, apoptosis and gene expression respectively. Cell growth was significantly inhibited, 92 to 36% after 24 h, 86 to 28% after 48 h, and 78 to 24% after 72 h. The results of flow cytometry confirmed that TSA increased apoptosis compared to the control group, the apoptosis percentage increased to 12%, 16%, and 18% in comparison to control groups (2%). Significant up-regulation of the genes was observed in all treated groups. We concluded that re-expression of silenced WWOX and FHIT genes could be achieved by TSA resulting in cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in WCH 17 cell.

Immunohistochemical WWOX expression and association with angiogenesis, p53 expression, cell proliferation and clinicopathological parameters in cervical cancer / Avaliação da expressão do gene WWOX por avaliação imunohistoquímica, sua associação com marcador de angiogênese, expressão do p53, proliferação celular e parâmetros clinicopatológicos no câncer de colo uterino

Abstract Objective The current study evaluated the expression of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), its association with clinicopathological features and with p53, Ki-67 (cell proliferation) and CD31 (angiogenesis) expression in patients with invasive cervical squamous cell carcinoma (ICSCC). To the best of our knowledge, no other study has evaluated this association. Methods Women with IB stage-ICSCC (n = 20) and women with uterine leiomyoma (n = 20) were prospectively evaluated. Patients with ICSCC were submitted to type BC1 radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Patients in the control group underwent vaginal hysterectomy. Tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological evaluation and protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry studies. Results The WWOX expression was significantly lower in the tumor compared with the expression in thebenign cervix (p = 0.019). TheWWOXexpressionwas inversely associated with the CD31 expression in the tumor samples (p = 0.018). There was no association betweentheWWOXexpression with the p53 expression (p = 0.464)or the Ki-67expression (p = 0.360) in the samples of invasive carcinoma of the cervix. There was no association between the WWOX expression and tumor size (p = 0.156), grade of differentiation (p = 0.914), presence of lymphatic vascular invasion (p = 0.155), parametrium involvement (p = 0.421) or pelvic lymph node metastasis (p = 0.310) in ICSCC tissue samples. Conclusion The results suggested that WWOX may be involved in ICSCC carcinogenesis, and this marker was associated with tumor angiogenesis.

Resumo Objetivo O presente estudo avaliou a expressão do WWOX, sua associação com características clinicopatológicas e com a expressão do p53, ki-67 (proliferação celular) e CD31 (angiogênese) em pacientes com carcinoma invasivo de células escamosas do colo uterino, ou simplesmente câncer do colo uterino (CCE). Métodos Foram avaliadas prospectivamente pacientes com CCE no estágio IB (n = 20) e mulheres com mioma uterino, no grupo controle (n = 20). As pacientes com CCE foram submetidas à histerectomia radical e à linfadenectomia pélvica do tipo B-C1. As mulheres no grupo-controle foram submetidas à histerectomia vaginal. As amostras de tecido foramcoradas comhematoxilina e eosina para avaliação histológica e a expressão das proteínas foi detectada por imuno-histoquímico. Resultados A expressão do WWOX foi significativamente menor no tumor quando comparada com sua expressão no colo do útero benigno (p = 0,019). A expressão tumoral de CD31 foi inversamente associada à expressão de WWOX (p = 0,018). Sua expressão não foi associada à expressão tumoral de p53 e Ki-67 em pacientes com CCE (p = 0,464 e p = 0,360, respectivamente). Não houve associação entre a expressão de WWOX e o tamanho do tumor (p = 0,156), grau de diferenciação (p = 0,914), presença de invasão vascular linfática (p = 0,155), comprometimento do paramétrio (p = 0,421) ou metástase dos linfonodos pélvicos (p = 0,310) em pacientes com CCE. Conclusão Os resultados sugeriram que o WWOX pode estar envolvido na carcinogênese do CICECU e esse marcador foi associado à angiogênese tumoral.

RUNX2 and WWOX genes as molecular biomarkers and candidates for targeted therapy in Egyptian patients with primary conventional osteosarcoma

Background: The conventional osteosarcoma (OS) is the commonest primary malignant, bone tumor with complex genomic profiles and poor survival. Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) genes are implicated in normal osteogenesis as well as in the development of primary conventional OS. Methods: We retrospectively assessed protein and RNA expression of the RUNX2 and WWOX genes by quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 80 cases of primary OS and 20 normal control (NC) subjects. Proteins and RNA expression levels of both genes were correlated to clinico-pathological features of the patients, progression free and overall survival (PFS& OS) rates. Results: In OS, RUNX2 protein was detected in 72/80 (90%) cases compared to 4/20 (20%) NC samples (p. < 0.001) and RUNX2-RNA was up regulated (up to 103.2 folds) in 60/80 (75%) (p = 0.01). WWOX protein and RNA (up to 7.2 folds) were detected in all NC samples but in 24/80 (30%) and 20/80 (20%) OS cases; respectively (p. < 0.001 for each). The concordance between the RNA and protein expressions for RUNX2 and WWOX was significantly high (X_trend

Expressions of WWOX and CD133 in colorectal cancer and their clinical significance / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of WWOX and CD133 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and their relationship with the clinicopathologic characteristics of CRC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of WWOX and CD133 proteins were examined by immunohistochemistry in 174 specimens of CRC tissues and 80 normal colorectal mucosa tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positivity rates of WWOX and CD133 proteins were 41.4% and 53.4% in CRC tissues, respectively, significantly different from the rates in normal colorectal mucosa tissues (87.5% and 5.0%, respectively; P<0.05). WWOX and CD133 protein expressions were signi- ficantly correlated with the histological grades of the tumors, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and Duke's stages (P<0.05). Spearman analysis showed a negative relationship between the WWOX expression and CD133 expression (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the overall survival time of CRC patients with a positive expression of WWOX was longer than that of patients with a negative expression of WWOX; the overall survival time of patients with a positive expression of CD133 was shorter than that of the negative patients (P<0.05). COX regression analysis identified positive expressions of WWOX and CD133 protein and Duke's stage as the independent prognostic factors of CRC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Abnormal expressions of WWOX and CD133 might be involved in the initiation, development, invasion, and metastasis of CRC. A combined detection of WWOX and CD133 can help in predicting the progression and prognosis of CRC.</p>

Expression of BRCA1 and WWOX and their clinicopathologic implication in breast carcinomas occurring in young women / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinicopathologic characteristics and biological markers of breast carcinomas in young women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemical SP method was used to study breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA1) and WWOX in breast carcinomas of patient ≤ 35 years of age (107 cases) and ≥ 60 years of age (112 cases). The findings were correlated with clinicopathological features. In addition, PCR amplification and direct sequencing were performed to detect the BRCA1 gene mutation of exons 2 and 20 using fresh frozen tissue samples in other 10 patients who were ≤ 35 years of age.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rate of BRCA1 protein expression was higher in the young age group [65.4% (70/107)] than that of the old age group [35.7% (40/112)]. ER, PR, HER2, and WWOX protein expression and proliferation marker Ki-67 were no statistically different in the two groups (all P > 0.05). BRCA1 expression was significantly correlated with pTNM and axillary lymph node metastasis (both P < 0.05), but not with ER, PR, HER2 and WWOX protein expression (all P > 0.05). Ki-67 and histological grading showed no statistical correlation (P > 0.05). WWOX protein expression showed no correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics (all P > 0.05). Mutation of exons 2 and 20 of the BRCA1 gene was not detected in any of 10 cases studied.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BRCA1 cytoplasmic expression statistically correlates with the development and prognosis of breast cancer of young patients.</p>

Expression of WW domain containing oxidoreductase gene in cholangiocarcinoma and its effect on the biological behavior of cancer cell line RBE / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of anti-oncogene WWOX on cell growth of cholangiocarcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of WWOX protein was detected with immunohistochemical method-SP in 54 patients with cholangiocarcinoma from July 2005 to May 2010 and 12 samples of normal bile duct tissues. The recombinant WWOX eukaryotic expression plasmid was introduced into RBE cells by liposome-mediated transfection and positive cell clones were selected and amplified. The mRNA and protein expressions in RBE cells stably transfected with WWOX were investigated by quantitative RT-PCR and Western Blot before and after transfection. Cell proliferation was tested by MTT, cell apoptosis was assessed by FCM, the alteration of mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm) was detected by JC-1 staining method, cell invasion was determined by Transwell chamber assay. The expression change of bcl-2, bax, FasL, caspase-3 mRNA and protein was detected by quantitative RT-PCR and Western Blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of WWOX protein was significantly lower in cholangiocarcinoma than that in normal bile duct tissues and loss of WWOX protein expression was found in 40.7% of cholangiocarcinoma specimens (P < 0.05). RBE cells with stable transfection of WWOX were established. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that the expression of WWOX mRNA was significantly enhanced and Western Blot demonstrated that WWOX protein expression was markedly increased. MTT showed that WWOX gene transfection significantly decreased the proliferation of RBE cells (P < 0.05). FCM analysis showed that the apoptosis rate after transfection was significantly promoted [(1.1 ± 0.6)% vs. (1.7 ± 0.5)% vs. (35.2 ± 4.4)%, P < 0.01], JC-1 staining method indicated that the experimental group was loss of ΔΨm [(12.6 ± 1.9)% vs. (13.6 ± 1.8)% vs. (48.7 ± 2.9)%, P < 0.01], transwell chamber assay showed that the number of transfected cells that passed the transwell membrane was significantly less than those of control groups (77 ± 6 vs. 72 ± 8 vs. 48 ± 6, P < 0.01). Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression of bcl-2 mRNA and protein was markedly decreased and the expression of bax, caspase-3 were significantly increased. There was no significant change in the expression of FasL.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WWOX exerts its antitumor effect against proliferation through inducing cell apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma.</p>

Reversing effect of exogenous WWOX gene expression on malignant phenotype of primary cultured lung carcinoma cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Whether WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene is a tumor-suppressor is still controversial. Some researchers found that the transcription of the WWOX gene was lacking not only in tumor tissues but also in non-tumorous tissues and sometimes in normal tissues. Hence it is important to explore the role of the expression of the exogenous WWOX gene in the proliferation and apoptosis of primary cultured lung carcinoma cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Lipofection technique was used to determine primary cultured lung carcinoma cells containing the highly expressed exogenous WWOX gene and primary cultured cells with vectors as controls. An animal model of lung cancer was made by subcutaneous implantation of tumor cells into nude mice. RT-PCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and TUNEL were used to detect the transcription, expression of the exogenous gene and the effect of the expression of targeted genes on the proliferation and apoptosis of the primary cultured lung carcinoma cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The growth, clone formation rate (CFR) ((5.33 +/- 1.53)%) of the primary lung cancer cells transfected with the WWOX gene, tumor size and weight were significantly lower than those of the non-transfected lung cancer cells (CFR: (14.33 +/- 1.53)%) and the primary lung cancer cells transfected with blank plasmids (CFR: (11.00 +/- 1.73)%, P < 0.05). The apoptosis level of primary lung cancer cells transfected with the WWOX gene ((40.72 +/- 5.20)%) was significantly higher than that of the non-transfected lung cancer cells ((2.76 +/- 0.02)%) and the primary lung cancer cells transfected with blank plasmids ((2.72 +/- 0.15)%, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of the exogenous WWOX gene can significantly inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells and induce their apoptosis, suggesting that the WWOX gene possesses tumor-suppressing effect.</p>

The relationship between FHIT and WWOX expression and clinicopathological features in hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between FHIT and WWOX expression and clinicopathological features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The expression of FHIT and WWOX were determined by immunohistochemistry in 142 patients with HCC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Absent or reduced FHIT and WWOX expression was observed in 68.3% and 77.5% of HCCs, respectively. The expression of FHIT was significantly correlated with that of WWOX (P < 0.01), and progressive loss of FHIT and WWOX expression were observed as tumor differentiation decreased and tumor grade increased (P < 0.05). Absent/reduced FHIT and WWOX expression was associated with tumor invasion and metastasis (P < 0.05). In addition, the expression of FHIT and WWOX in HCC with recrudesce were lower than that in those without recrudesce (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Absent/reduced FHIT and WWOX expression is associated with poor prognosis.</p>

Effects of WWOX on ovarian cancer cell attachment in vitro / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of WWOX on cell attachment in ovarian cancer, and to explore its mechanisms of action.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Attachment assay was used to assess the adhesion of wwox-transfected PEO1 cells and vector-transfected PEO1 cells that were constructed, as well as PEO1 parent cells. Alpha/beta integrin-mediated cell adhesion assays were designed to identify cells surface integrins in PEO1 clone cells. Integrin function blocking experiments were designed to further determine integrins in PEO1 clone cells according to the integrin that was selected in integrin expression profiling. FACS analysis was used to further detect the level of integrin alpha3 on the cell membrane.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Attachment assay showed that adhesion of WWOX-transfected PEO1 cells to fibronectin was significantly slower than that in vector-transfected controls or PEO1 parent cells, cultured on the pre-coated fibronectin for 2 hours (P<0.01). The level of membranous integrins alpha2 and alpha3 in the WWOX-transfected PEO1 cells was significantly decreased, as compared with that in vector-transfected controls (P<0.05), but there was no association with the level of functioning integrins betal or beta2 in clone cells (P>0.05). The attachment assays were repeated after pre-incubating the cells with integrin alpha2 or alpha3 function-blocking antibodies. These results showed that blocking integrin alpha3 significantly reduced the binding to fibronectin of all the PEO1 clonal lines, as compared with cells pre-incubated with a non-specific IgG antibody (P<0.05). In contrast, preincubation with alpha2 blocking antibody had very little effect on fibronectin binding in these cells (P>0.05). FACS analysis showed that membranous integrin alpha3 expression revealed a marked reduction in WWOX-transfected cells than that in vector-transfected cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WWOX acts as an ovarian tumor suppressor by modulating the interaction between tumor cells and the extracellular matrix, decreasing integrin activity and adhesion of tumor cells to fibronectin. This suggests an important role for loss of WWOX tumor suppressor in promoting attachment and adhesion of ovarian cancer cells on locoregional peritoneum, and further resulting in enhancing locoregional peritoneal tumor spread.</p>

Loss expression of active fragile sites genes associated with the severity of breast epithelial abnormalities / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>WWOX and FHIT are two candidate tumor suppressor genes located in active fragile sites, the damage of which has been associated with the development of breast cancer. The association of the expression of these genes and the development of breast cancer has not been fully explored. We evaluated mRNA and protein expression of WWOX and FHIT in breast tissue with normal histological appearances, atypical ductal hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ, and invasive cancer to see if a progressive decline in expression was present.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to evaluate the specimens for mRNA and protein expression, including 28 specimens with normal tissue, 28 specimens with atypical ductal hyperplasia, 33 specimens with ductal carcinoma in situ, and 51 specimens with invasive ductal carcinoma.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with in situ and invasive cancer specimens, both normal and atypical hyperplasia specimens had greater rates of detectable mRNA (WWOX rate ratio = 2.95, 95% CI 1.24 - 7.08; FHIT rate ratio = 4.58, 95% CI 1.82 - 11.81) and Western blotting detectable protein (WWOX rate ratio = 4.12, 95% CI 1.63 - 10.73; FHIT rate ratio = 3.76, 95% CI 1.44 - 10.06). For both proteins, differences between normal and atypical hyperplasia specimens and between in situ and invasive carcinoma specimens were explainable by chance (P > 0.05 for each analysis). Within each histological category, differences among fractions of specimens showed that FHIT and WWOX mRNA and protein expression were explainable by chance (P > 0.05 for each analysis).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Expression of FHIT and WWOX decreases along with breast tissue progress from a normal histological appearance to atypical ductal hyperplasia, in situ cancer, and the final invasive cancer.</p>