VLCAD inhibits the proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular cancer cells through regulating PI3K/AKT axis.

PURPOSE: Very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) is an essential mediator in fatty acid metabolism. The progression of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely associated with the disorder of energy supply. Here, we aimed to investigate the role and underlying molecule mechanism of VLCAD in pathological process of HCC. METHODS: In this study, VLCAD was induced silencing and overexpression using small hairpin RNA (shRNA) and lentiviral-mediated vector in HCC cell lines. The proliferation of HCC cells was determined using CCK-8 assay. Transwell assay and lung metastasis were performed to analysis cell metastasis in vitro and in vivo. ECAR and OCR were used to evaluate the activity of glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. RESULTS: Our data indicated that VLCAD was downregulated in human HCC tissues and cells. VLCAD overexpression strongly suppressed the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells associating with the decrease of ATP accumulation and glycolysis activity. Importantly, the PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 strongly abolished the role of shVLCAD in HCC cells. Our results suggested that VLCAD suppressed the growth and metastasis in HCC cells by inhibiting the activities of glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation metabolism via PI3K/AKT pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Together, present findings not only demonstrated the protective role of and molecular network of VLCAD in HCC cells but also indicated its and potential use as a target in the therapy of HCC.

Study on the Major Genes Related with Fat Deposition in Liver and Abdominal Fat of Different Breeds of Chicken

Fat deposition is higher in fast growing chickens than in slow growing chickens. The liver is the major organ for lipogenesis and fat deposition in chickens, although genetic background, age, and gender also influence fat deposition. In the present study, we aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying fat deposition in liver and abdominal fat. We determined the expression abundances of the key genes regulating fat metabolism in fast-growing (FG) broilers (Cobb) and slow-growing (SG) broilers (HS1) and found that ACC, FAS, PGC-1α, PPARγ, SREBP-1c and PLIN1genes were expressed in the abdominal fat and liver tissues of FG and SG. ANOVA analysis showed that the breed, age, and tissue factors influenced the expressions of ACC, FAS, PGC-1α, PPARγ, SREBP-1c, and PLIN1 genes in the liver and abdominal fat of FG and SG. Also, the expressions of PPARγ and PLIN1 in the liver of SG were higher than that of FG. The results suggest that the differences in adipocyte development and adipose deposition between breeds are due to genetic factors.(AU)

Gefitinib promotes CXCR4-dependent epithelial to mesenchymal transition via TGF-ß1 signaling pathway in lung cancer cells harboring EGFR mutation.

PURPOSE: Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in acquired resistance to gefitinib in lung cancer. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of gefitinib-induced EMT in lung adenocarcinoma cells harboring EGFR mutation. METHODS: CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) expression was determined through qRT-PCR, Western blot and flow cytometry assays in lung cancer cell line (PC9) bearing mutated EGFR. Functional role of CXCR4 was inhibited applying siRNAs as well as the specific antagonist AMD3100. The expression of EMT markers was determined, and the migration of PC9 cells was measured with transwell assay. RESULTS: We found that gefitinib promoted the migratory capacity of PC9 cells in vitro, which correlated with EMT occurrence through upregulation of CXCR4. Blocking CXCR4 significantly suppressed gefitinib-induced enhancement of migration and EMT. Moreover, we determined that the upregulation of CXCR4 by gefitinib was dependent on TGF-ß1/Smad2 signaling activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested a potential mechanism by which gefitinib induced EMT in cells harboring EGFR mutation through a pathway involving TGF-ß1 and CXCR4. Thus, the combination of CXCR4 antagonist and TGFßR inhibitors might provide an alternative strategy to overcome progression of lung cancer after gefitinib treatment.

Expression Pattern of Sulf1 and Sulf2 in Chicken Tissues and Characterization of Their Expression During Different Periods in Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are present on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix in all metazoans. HSPGs interact with growth factors and receptors through heparan sulfate (HS) chains. The sulfation pattern of heparan sulfate chains influences signaling events mediated by heparan sulfate proteoglycans located on the cell surface. SULF1 and SULF2 are two endo-sulfatases that can cleave specific 6-O-sulfate groups within the heparan chains. To determine their possible roles in tissues and satellite cells in vitro, their expression pattern was examined in tissues from 40-day-old chickens and in satellite cells from the breast muscles of 1-week-old and 2-week-old chickens using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry analyses. The SULF1 and SULF2 transcripts were widely distributed in various tissues. Upon increasing culture times in chicken´s primary skeletal muscle satellite cells, SULF1 and SULF2 expression in 1-week-old chickens was significantly higher than in 2-week-old chickens, suggesting that sulfatases play a key role in satellite cell development. Therefore, our findings increase our knowledge of sulfatase expression diversity and provide a solid basis for further research concerning this molecular mechanism.

Expression Pattern of Sulf1 and Sulf2 in Chicken Tissues and Characterization of Their Expression During Different Periods in Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are present on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix in all metazoans. HSPGs interact with growth factors and receptors through heparan sulfate (HS) chains. The sulfation pattern of heparan sulfate chains influences signaling events mediated by heparan sulfate proteoglycans located on the cell surface. SULF1 and SULF2 are two endo-sulfatases that can cleave specific 6-O-sulfate groups within the heparan chains. To determine their possible roles in tissues and satellite cells in vitro, their expression pattern was examined in tissues from 40-day-old chickens and in satellite cells from the breast muscles of 1-week-old and 2-week-old chickens using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry analyses. The SULF1 and SULF2 transcripts were widely distributed in various tissues. Upon increasing culture times in chicken´s primary skeletal muscle satellite cells, SULF1 and SULF2 expression in 1-week-old chickens was significantly higher than in 2-week-old chickens, suggesting that sulfatases play a key role in satellite cell development. Therefore, our findings increase our knowledge of sulfatase expression diversity and provide a solid basis for further research concerning this molecular mechanism.(AU)

Detection of Snps in the Melanocortin 1-Receptor (MC1R) and Its Association with Shank Color Trait in Hs Chicken

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene plays a key role in controlling the deposition of melanin. In mammals, the MC1Rgene is regarded as a major candidate gene in the control of melanin formation. In domestic animals, the MC1R gene mainly controls the expression of coat, skin, and plumage color in mammals and birds. In order to breed chickens with dark-green shank faster, we screened the molecular markers for shank color in a HS chicken population by exploring the relationship between polymorphism of the MC1R gene and three different shank colors (light green, dark green and yellow). Two primer pairs for code region of the MC1R gene were designed in the basic of chicken genomic sequence. DNA sequencing was performed to detect the polymorphisms and PCR was used to amplify DNA fragment. Sequences analysis indicated that 7 SNPs were predominant the three HS chicken populations with different shank color, including g.18,287,945C>T, g.18,288,088T>C, g.18,288,150G>A, g.18,288,303A>G, g.18,288,512G>A, g.18,288,513T>C, and g.18,288,520A>C. Association analysis revealed that the dark-green shank population showed moderate polymorphism, whereas the light-green shank population showed low polymorphism among overall 7 SNPs and that SNP6 (g.18,288,513T>C) may be significantly associated with three different shank colors in HS chickens. The haplotype CTGGACA had the largest haplotype frequencies, accounting for 56.22%, and the haplotype combination H1H1 is mainly distributed in the dark-green shank population, and may be used as molecular maker for marker-assisted selection of shank color in HS chickens.

Detection of Snps in the Melanocortin 1-Receptor (MC1R) and Its Association with Shank Color Trait in Hs Chicken

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene plays a key role in controlling the deposition of melanin. In mammals, the MC1Rgene is regarded as a major candidate gene in the control of melanin formation. In domestic animals, the MC1R gene mainly controls the expression of coat, skin, and plumage color in mammals and birds. In order to breed chickens with dark-green shank faster, we screened the molecular markers for shank color in a HS chicken population by exploring the relationship between polymorphism of the MC1R gene and three different shank colors (light green, dark green and yellow). Two primer pairs for code region of the MC1R gene were designed in the basic of chicken genomic sequence. DNA sequencing was performed to detect the polymorphisms and PCR was used to amplify DNA fragment. Sequences analysis indicated that 7 SNPs were predominant the three HS chicken populations with different shank color, including g.18,287,945C>T, g.18,288,088T>C, g.18,288,150G>A, g.18,288,303A>G, g.18,288,512G>A, g.18,288,513T>C, and g.18,288,520A>C. Association analysis revealed that the dark-green shank population showed moderate polymorphism, whereas the light-green shank population showed low polymorphism among overall 7 SNPs and that SNP6 (g.18,288,513T>C) may be significantly associated with three different shank colors in HS chickens. The haplotype CTGGACA had the largest haplotype frequencies, accounting for 56.22%, and the haplotype combination H1H1 is mainly distributed in the dark-green shank population, and may be used as molecular maker for marker-assisted selection of shank color in HS chickens.(AU)

Molecular authentication of meats from three terrestrial birds based on PCR-RFLP analysis of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene

In this study, a method utilizing PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of a mitochondrial gene was developed for the identification of chicken (Gallus gallus), quail (Coturnix coturnix), and common pigeon (Columba livia) meat. PCR products of ~440 bp were obtained from the 12S rRNA gene of these three birds using a pair of universal primers. The three terrestrial birds can be distinguished using one restriction endonuclease, Alu I, which was selected based on species-specific variations in the mt 12S rRNA gene sequence using 9 newly-obtained and 44 published chicken, quail and pigeon sequences. This method was also successfully used to identify commercial quail and pigeon meat products, which were found to be adulterated with chicken meat. Additionally, our method had relatively high sensitivity for detecting a meat mixture. Ten percent of chicken meat in the mixed quail and pigeon sample was detectable. This assay can be useful for the accurate identification of meats from terrestrial birds, avoiding mislabeling or fraudulent species substitution in meat products.

Molecular authentication of meats from three terrestrial birds based on PCR-RFLP analysis of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene

In this study, a method utilizing PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of a mitochondrial gene was developed for the identification of chicken (Gallus gallus), quail (Coturnix coturnix), and common pigeon (Columba livia) meat. PCR products of ~440 bp were obtained from the 12S rRNA gene of these three birds using a pair of universal primers. The three terrestrial birds can be distinguished using one restriction endonuclease, Alu I, which was selected based on species-specific variations in the mt 12S rRNA gene sequence using 9 newly-obtained and 44 published chicken, quail and pigeon sequences. This method was also successfully used to identify commercial quail and pigeon meat products, which were found to be adulterated with chicken meat. Additionally, our method had relatively high sensitivity for detecting a meat mixture. Ten percent of chicken meat in the mixed quail and pigeon sample was detectable. This assay can be useful for the accurate identification of meats from terrestrial birds, avoiding mislabeling or fraudulent species substitution in meat products.(AU)

Detection of SNPs in the BMP6 Gene and Their Association with Carcass and Bone Traits in Chicken

BMP6, a member of the subfamilies of the morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), plays a crucial role in osteogenic and chondrocyte differentiation in vitro and stimulates chondrogenesis, making chondrocytes differen-tiate on their terminal stage. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between polymorphism of BMP6 gene and slaughter traits in chicken respectively. We screened the exonic and intronic regions of BMP6 gene by DNA pool construction and amplified DNA fragment by PCR, and finally, we got nine SNPs. Association analysis revealed that BMP6 had no significant association among all slaughter traits in Yellow bantam chicken. However, BMP6 had a significant difference with femur weight, tibia weight, femur length (p 0.05), and was extremely significant with tibia length (p 0.01) in Avian chicken. Moreover, femur perimeter also had significant correlation with BMP6 in Avian chicken. These results provide useful information for further investigation on the function of chicken BMP6 gene.

Detection of SNPs in the BMP6 Gene and Their Association with Carcass and Bone Traits in Chicken

BMP6, a member of the subfamilies of the morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), plays a crucial role in osteogenic and chondrocyte differentiation in vitro and stimulates chondrogenesis, making chondrocytes differen-tiate on their terminal stage. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between polymorphism of BMP6 gene and slaughter traits in chicken respectively. We screened the exonic and intronic regions of BMP6 gene by DNA pool construction and amplified DNA fragment by PCR, and finally, we got nine SNPs. Association analysis revealed that BMP6 had no significant association among all slaughter traits in Yellow bantam chicken. However, BMP6 had a significant difference with femur weight, tibia weight, femur length (p 0.05), and was extremely significant with tibia length (p 0.01) in Avian chicken. Moreover, femur perimeter also had significant correlation with BMP6 in Avian chicken. These results provide useful information for further investigation on the function of chicken BMP6 gene.(AU)

Rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharide induces differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocyte-like cells.

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of Rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharide (RGO) on differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into cardiomyocyte-like cells . Rat MSCs were isolated, treated, and grouped as follows: RGO treatment group, 5-azacytidine (5-aza) treatment group, RGO + 5-aza treatment group, and control group. Following a four-week induction period, cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels in MSCs were quantified by chemiluminescence, and the levels of myocardial enzymes creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB) were measured using a dry chemistry analyzer. The cTnI- and connexin 43 (Cx43)-positive MSC population was identified by immunofluorescence, and expression levels of cTnI and Cx43 were analyzed by western blots. Following induction, cTnI, CK, and CK-MB levels were significantly higher in the RGO + 5-aza group as compared with the RGO and 5-aza groups (P < 0.05). In addition, fluorescence intensity of cTnI and Cx43 was higher in the RGO + 5-aza group as compared with the RGO and 5-aza groups. No cTnI- or Cx43-positive cells were detected in the control group. Western blot analysis further confirmed that cTnI and Cx43 were not expressed in the control group, while cTnI and Cx43 was higher in the RGO + 5-aza group than in the RGO and 5-aza groups. These results suggest that MSCs can be induced by RGO to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells in vitro, and that RGO in combination with 5-aza enhance differentiation of MSCs.

Identification and characterization of SREBF2 expression and its association with chicken carcass traits.

The sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 2 gene (SREBF2) plays an important role in regulating lipid homeostasis. To reveal the genetic factors that underlie carcass fat deposition in chickens, we cloned the coding DNA sequence of chicken SREBF2, investigated SREBF2 mRNA expression levels in various tissues, detected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the exon regions of the gene, and conducted association analyses between single markers/haplotypes and carcass traits. The entire 2859-bp cDNA sequence of chicken SREBF2 that encoded 952 amino acids was obtained and characterized. SREBF2 mRNA was highly expressed in the uropygial gland, followed by the liver, breast muscle, and leg muscle. Ten SNPs were detected, and four (g.49363077T>A, g.49357503C>T, g.49355533G>A, and g.49354641G>A) were novel. When analyzing the associations between the single mutations and carcass traits, significant differences were found in three SNPs and g.49357915G>A was highly significantly associated with most carcass traits, except for abdominal fat weight and sebum thickness. In addition, haplotype combinations that were constructed using the SREBF2 SNPs were associated with breast muscle weight. Chickens with the combined genotype H21H21 had the highest live weight, carcass weight, eviscerated weight, and semi-eviscerated weight values. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study conducted on chicken SREBF2 polymorphisms, which are predictive of the genetics that underlie the economic performance of chickens.

Effect of hyperphosphatemia on gene expression of the Na-Pi cotransporter in rats.

We investigated the effect of high phosphorus content on the sodium-phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIa and NaPi-IIl). Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: high-phosphorus group (HP) with fructose diphosphate sodium injection; self-manufactured low-phosphorus diet group (LP); and normal diet group (NP). At the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks, 4 rats from each group were sacrificed for detecting serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone. Semi-quantitative retrovirus-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of NaPi-IIa and NaPi-III mRNA in kidney. At the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks, serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone levels in HP group were significantly higher than those in LP and NP groups (P < 0.05). Serum calcium levels in the 3 groups showed no difference (P > 0.05). Comparing the expression of NaPi-IIa mRNA in HP group with LP and NP groups, NaPi-IIa mRNA expression was significantly reduced in HP group (P < 0.05), while NaPi-IIa mRNA expression in LP group began increasing at the 4th week (P < 0.05). At the 1st, 2nd, and 4th weeks, the expression of NaPi-III mRNA in HP, LP, and NP groups showed no clear differences (P > 0.05), while at the 6th week in HP group, NaPi-III mRNA expression was slightly increased compared to in LP and NP groups (P < 0.05). Hyperphosphatemia significantly affected NaPi-IIa and NaPi-III mRNA expression, and a factor promote an increase in intact parathyroid hormone independently of calcium.

Marker-assisted selection of Fusarium wilt-resistant and gynoecious melon (Cucumis melo L.).

In this study, molecular markers were designed based on the sex determination genes ACS7 (A) and WIP1 (G) and the domain in the Fusarium oxysporum-resistant gene Fom-2 (F) in order to achieve selection of F. oxysporum-resistant gynoecious melon plants. Markers of A and F are cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences that distinguish alleles according to restriction analysis. Twenty F1 and 1863 F2 plants derived from the crosses between the gynoecious line WI998 and the Fusarium wilt-resistant line MR-1 were genotyped based on the markers. The results showed that the polymerase chain reaction and enzyme digestion results could be effectively used to identify plants with the AAggFF genotype in F2 populations. In the F2 population, 35 gynoecious wilt-resistant plants were selected by marker-assisted selection and were confirmed by disease infection assays, demonstrating that these markers can be used in breeding to select F. oxysporum-resistant gynoecious melon plants.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a proliferating cell nuclear antigen gene by chemically induced male sterility in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Although a number of studies have shown that chemical hybridizing agents (CHAs) affect anther growth and regulate cell-cycle progression, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential factor in DNA replication, and in many other processes in eukaryotic cells. In this study, the open reading frame of TaPCNA, the PCNA in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), was cloned by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Sequence analysis revealed that this gene was 792-bp long and encoded a protein with 234 amino acids. Alignment of the TaPCNA-predicted sequence revealed a high degree of identity with PCNAs from other plant species. A subcellular localization assay indicated that TaPCNA was localized in the nucleus. The TaPCNA was cloned into the prokaryotic expression plasmid pET32a, and the recombinant plasmid was transformed into BL21 (DE3). TaPCNA expression was induced by 0.5 mM isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside and verified using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot assays, which indicated that the fusion protein was successfully expressed. The gene involved in the G1-to-S transition, Histone H4, was downregulated by 1376- CIMS, which is a chemically induced male sterility line. However, a semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that TaPCNA expression was upregulated in 1376-CIMS. Our results suggest that CHAs (SQ-1) induce DNA damage in wheat anthers. DNA damage results in either the delay or arrest of cell-cycle progression, which affects anther development. This study will help to elucidate the mechanisms of SQ-1-induced male sterility.

Establishment and characterization of a rat model of hyperphosphatemia.

We established a rat model of hyperphosphatemia and investigated the systemic effects of high phosphorus (P). Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into high (HP), low (LP), and normal (NP) P groups (N = 12 each), which received injections of fructose diphosphate sodium, or were fed self-manufactured low phosphorus or normal diets, respectively. In each group, 4 rats were sacrificed at the first, third, and sixth week to detect the serum (Scr) and urinary creatinine and P, and calcium (Ca) levels. The HP group's serum P and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were significantly higher than those in the other groups at the first, third, and sixth weeks, (P < 0.05); the LP group's serum P was lower than the NP group's at the third week (P < 0.05), while at the sixth week, the serum P and iPTH were lower (P < 0.05). No significant differences were detected for blood Ca+ (P > 0.05). The HP group's Scr increased (P < 0.01), whereas the fractional excretion decreased (P < 0.05) significantly. Thighbone and lumbar spine bone densities differed significantly between groups in the third week (P < 0.05); LP group densities were lower than NP group measures (P < 0.05). Crystallized stones were not observed microscopically following hematoxylin and eosin staining of the kidney. We successfully established a hyperphosphatemia rat model, and high blood P was found to significantly influence renal function and bone density. These results might provide a foundation to study the effects of hyperphosphatemia in rats.

Verification of specific selection SNPs between broiler and layer chicken in Chinese indigenous chicken breeds.

The direction of production for indigenous chicken breeds is currently unknown and this knowledge, combined with the development of chicken genome-wide association studies, led us to investigate differences in specific loci between broiler and layer chicken using bioinformatic methods. In addition, we analyzed the distribution of these seven identified loci in four Chinese indigenous chicken breeds, Caoke chicken, Jiuyuan chicken, Sichuan mountain chicken, and Tibetan chicken, using DNA direct sequencing methods, and analyzed the data using bioinformatic methods. Based on the results, we suggest that Caoke chicken could be developed for meat production, while Jiuyuan chicken could be developed for egg production. As Sichuan mountain chicken and Tibetan chicken exhibited large polymorphisms, these breeds could be improved by changing their living environment.

Expression patterns of melatonin receptors in chicken ovarian follicles affected by monochromatic light.

Artificial illumination is an important exogenous factor in the control of many physiological and behavioral processes as well as an important environmental factor in the management of laying hens. Melatonin receptors are members of the G protein-coupled receptor family. The hormone melatonin is secreted primarily by the pineal gland, with highest levels occurring during the dark period of a circadian cycle. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of monochromatic light on chicken egg reproduction and expression of melatonin receptors in chicken ovarian follicles. A total of 552 19-week-old hens were randomly divided into 4 groups with 138 birds in each group. Each group was randomly divided into 3 replicates with 46 birds in each replicate. Feed and water were provided for ad libitum. Light treatments were: control cool white (400-760 nm), blue (480 nm), green (560 nm), and red (660 nm). The short wavelength (blue light) group produced a greater total number of eggs at 300 days of age than did the long wavelength (red light) group, and the red light group showed higher melatonin receptor type 1A and melatonin receptor type 1C mRNA and protein expression. These results suggest that the wavelength of light is closely related to chicken egg number at 300 days of age; there is no effect of monochromatic light on melatonin receptor type 1B.

Expression and clinical value of the soluble major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A molecule in the serum of patients with renal tumors.

We investigated the expression and clinical value of the soluble major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (sMICA) molecule in the serum of patients with renal tumors. Sixty patients diagnosed with renal tumors were enrolled in the experimental group, whereas 20 healthy volunteers served as the control group. The sMICA levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the results were analyzed in combination with data from pathol-ogy examination. The experimental group had a statistically significant higher sMICA level (P < 0.05) than the control group. The sMICA level was higher in patients with malignant tumors than in those with be-nign tumors. We also observed a positive relationship among different tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) pathological stages with more advanced diseases exhibiting higher sMICA levels. As a tumor-associated antigen, MICA has a close relationship with renal tumorigenesis and immune es-cape. Our results indicated that sMICA levels were related to tumor pathol-ogy, TNM stage, and metastasis. Therefore, sMICA might be a potential marker for tumor characteristics, prognosis, and recurrence prediction.