ABSTRACT
Expression of the Wilms' tumor gene W T1 in primary astrocytic tumors was examined using a quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or immunohistochemistry. Real-time RT-PCR showed that W T1 mRNA was expressed at various levels in all of the 25 astrocytic tumors examined. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that W T1 protein was expressed in 5 of 6 low-grade astrocytic tumors (grade I-II) and all of 18 high-grade ones (grade III-IV), and that expression levels of W T1 protein in high-grade tumors were significantly higher than those in low-grade ones. W T1 protein was not detected in the normal glial cells contained in the tumor specimens. Furthermore, treatment with W T1 antisense oligomers specifically inhibited growth of glioblastoma cell lines, U87-MG, A172, and T-98G. These results may indicate that the W T1 gene plays an important role in tumorigenesis of primary astrocytic tumors.
Subject(s)
Astrocytoma/genetics , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , WT1 Proteins/metabolism , Adolescent , Aged , Brain Neoplasms/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Cytoplasm/metabolism , Female , Gene Expression , Genes, Wilms Tumor , Glioblastoma/genetics , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Middle Aged , Neuroglia/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Tumor Cells, CulturedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Wilms' tumor gene WT1 is overexpressed in various kinds of solid cancers. However, it remains unclear whether WT1 is expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of the WT1 gene was examined by real-time RT-PCR in 12 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and by immunohistochemistry in 9 of these 12 and another 29. RESULTS: Real-time RT-PCR showed that the WT1 mRNA was overexpressed in all of the 12 ESCC examined Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the WT1 protein was overexpressed in ESCC cells in 36 (95%) of the 38 examined Furthermore, expression of the WT1 protein was examined in 20 esophageal squamous dysplasia. The WT1 protein was overexpressed in 5 (45%) out of 11 mild dysplasia and in 8 (89%) out of 9 moderate to severe dysplasia. CONCLUSION: These results may indicate an important role of the WT1 gene in the tumorigenesis of ESCC.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism , Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism , Genes, Wilms Tumor/physiology , WT1 Proteins/biosynthesis , Adult , Aged , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Esophagus/pathology , Female , Gene Expression , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Precancerous Conditions/genetics , Precancerous Conditions/metabolism , Precancerous Conditions/pathology , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis , RNA, Messenger/genetics , WT1 Proteins/geneticsABSTRACT
The expression of the Wilms' tumor gene WT1 was examined by immunohistochemistry in 40 cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. WT1 protein was expressed in 30 (75%) of the 40 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, but not in the remaining 10 (25%). In normal pancreatic ductal cells, WT1 protein was undetectable. No correlations between WT1 expression and clinicopathological parameters such as age, sex, T or N stage, tumor location, and tumor differentiation were observed. Treatment with WT1 antisense oligomers significantly inhibited the growth of five human pancreatic cancer cell lines, PSN1, MiaPaCa2, ASPC1, BxPC3, and PCI6, expressing the WT1 gene. These results indicate an important role of the WT1 gene in the tumorigenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma expressing WT1 and provide a rationale for new treatment strategies to treat pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by targeting the WT1 gene and its product.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/genetics , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics , Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics , WT1 Proteins/biosynthesis , Adenocarcinoma/physiopathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/physiopathology , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Middle Aged , Oligonucleotides, Antisense , Pancreatic Neoplasms/physiopathology , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
Expression of the Wilms' tumor gene WT1 was examined in 59 cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma to examine the involvement of WT1 in tumorigenesis. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that WT1 mRNA was expressed in the range from 7.2 x 10(-5) to 4.9 x 10(-1) levels (WT1 expression level in K562 leukemic cells was defined as 1.0) in all (100%) of the 28 cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma examined, and that the WT1 mRNA expression levels were higher in 20 (71%) of the 28 cases compared to those of normal-appearing mucosal tissues examined. Immunohistochemical analysis using an anti-WT1 antibody was performed on 46 cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma (15 of the 28 cases with WT1 mRNA expression and 31 newly collected cases), and the expression of WT1 protein was detected in 41 (89%) of the 46 cases. The direct sequencing analysis of the WT1 genomic DNA showed no mutations in any of the 10 exons of the WT1 gene in any of 5 different colorectal adenocarcinomas. These results may indicate an important role of the wild-type WT1 gene in tumorigenesis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.
Subject(s)
Colonic Neoplasms/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics , Genes, Wilms Tumor , Rectal Neoplasms/genetics , WT1 Proteins/genetics , Adenocarcinoma/genetics , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Base Sequence , Colonic Neoplasms/pathology , DNA Primers , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Rectal Neoplasms/pathology , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
The expression levels of the Wilms' tumor gene WT1 were examined in 56 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). They included 4 cases of floor of mouth, 9 of gingiva, 25 of tongue, 10 of oropharynx, 3 of hypopharynx, and 5 larynx squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). All (100%) of 4 cases of floor of mouth, 5 (56%) of 9 gingiva, 17 (68%) of 25 tongue, 8 (80%) of 10 oropharynx, all (100%) of 3 hypopharynx, and all (100%) of 5 larynx SCC overexpressed the WT1 gene in the range of 3.07 x 10(-4)-8.60 x 10(-1) levels (the WT1 expression level in K562 leukemic cells was defined as 1.0). Thus, 42 (75%) out of 56 cases of HNSCC overexpressed the WT1 gene. The high expression level of the WT1 gene significantly correlated with poor histological tumor differentiation and high tumor stage of HNSCC. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the expression of WT1 protein in 6 cases (one floor of mouth, 2 tongue, 2 oropharynx, and one larynx SCC) with overexpression of the WT1 gene. The direct sequencing analysis of the WT1 genomic DNA showed no mutations in any of 10 exons of the WT1 gene in 5 different HNSCC. These findings suggest an important role of the wild-type WT1 gene in the tumorigenesis of HNSCC.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Head and Neck Neoplasms/genetics , WT1 Proteins/genetics , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Female , Head and Neck Neoplasms/metabolism , Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mutation , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , RNA, Neoplasm/genetics , RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , WT1 Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
The expression levels of the Wilms' tumor gene WT1 were examined in 36 cases of various types of human bone and soft-tissue sarcomas using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). They included 12 malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH), 3 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST), 6 synovial sarcomas (SyS), 4 myxoid liposarcomas (MyLS), one angiosarcoma (AGS), one clear cell sarcoma (CCS), and 9 osteosarcomas (OS). Eleven (92%) of 12 MFH, 2 (67%) of 3 MPNST, all (100%) of 6 SyS, 2 (50%) of 4 MyLS, one AGS, one CCS, and 5 (56%) of 9 OS cases overexpressed WT1 in the range of 1.4 x 10(-3)-3.9 x 10(-1) levels (WT1 expression level in K562 leukemic cells was defined as 1.0). Thus, 28 (78%) out of 36 various types of human bone and soft-tissue sarcomas overexpressed the WT1 gene. Immunohistochemical analysis showed positive staining for WT1 protein in all of 4 cases (one case each of MFH, MyLS, AGS and OS) with WT1 gene overexpression detected by RT-PCR analysis, demonstrating clearly that WT1 was expressed at the protein level in various types of human bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. The direct sequencing analysis of the WT1 genomic DNA showed no mutations in any of 10 exons of the WT1 gene in 8 different sarcoma samples (3 MFH, one SyS, one MyLS, one AGS, and 2 OS). The present study demonstrates that various types of human bone and soft-tissue sarcomas frequently overexpress the wild-type WT1 gene, suggesting an important role of the wild-type WT1 gene in tumorigenesis of various types of human bone and soft-tissue sarcomas.
