RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumour, predominantly affecting children and adolescents. Cancer cell line models are required to understand the underlying mechanisms of tumour progression and for preclinical investigations. METHODS: To identify cell lines that are well suited for studies of critical cancer-related phenotypes, such as tumour initiation, growth and metastasis, we have evaluated 22 osteosarcoma cell lines for in vivo tumorigenicity, in vitro colony-forming ability, invasive/migratory potential and proliferation capacity. Importantly, we have also identified mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) gene expression patterns associated with these phenotypes by expression profiling. RESULTS: The cell lines exhibited a wide range of cancer-related phenotypes, from rather indolent to very aggressive. Several mRNAs were differentially expressed in highly aggressive osteosarcoma cell lines compared with non-aggressive cell lines, including RUNX2, several S100 genes, collagen genes and genes encoding proteins involved in growth factor binding, cell adhesion and extracellular matrix remodelling. Most notably, four genes-COL1A2, KYNU, ACTG2 and NPPB-were differentially expressed in high and non-aggressive cell lines for all the cancer-related phenotypes investigated, suggesting that they might have important roles in the process of osteosarcoma tumorigenesis. At the miRNA level, miR-199b-5p and mir-100-3p were downregulated in the highly aggressive cell lines, whereas miR-155-5p, miR-135b-5p and miR-146a-5p were upregulated. miR-135b-5p and miR-146a-5p were further predicted to be linked to the metastatic capacity of the disease. INTERPRETATION: The detailed characterisation of cell line phenotypes will support the selection of models to use for specific preclinical investigations. The differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs identified in this study may represent good candidates for future therapeutic targets. To our knowledge, this is the first time that expression profiles are associated with functional characteristics of osteosarcoma cell lines.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Ósseas/genética , Neoplasias Ósseas/patologia , MicroRNAs/genética , Osteossarcoma/genética , Osteossarcoma/patologia , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Animais , Processos de Crescimento Celular/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Movimento Celular/genética , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos NOD , Camundongos SCID , Invasividade NeoplásicaRESUMO
Gain of chromosome 18q and translocation t(14;18) are] frequently found in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL). Increased BCL2 transcription and BCL2 protein expression have been suggested to be the result of the gain. We utilized FISH, PCR and array CGH to study BCL2 and chromosome 18 copy number changes and rearrangements in 93 cases of B-NHL. BCL2 protein was expressed in >75% of the tumor cells in 92% of the cases by immunohistochemistry. Gain of BCL2 was associated with a 25% increase in BCL2 expression levels (immunoblotting), whereas t(14;18) resulted in a 55% increase in BCL2 levels compared to cases without BCL2 alterations. The tumor cell (spontaneous) apoptotic fractions were similar for the cases with different BCL2 genotypes. However, the normal cell apoptotic fractions were higher for the tumors with t(14;18) compared to the tumors without BCL2 alterations, while the tumors with gain of BCL2 only showed intermediate levels. Low-level gains of parts of chromosome 18 were found in 14 of the 38 B-NHL cases with t(14;18), with a consensus region 18pter-q21.33 that did not include the BCL2 gene. The 11 cases with 18q gain only showed a consensus region encompassing 18q21.2-18q21.32 and 18q21.33, which contain PMAIP1/MALT1 and BCL2, respectively.
