Elevated expression of KIF18A enhances cell proliferation and predicts poor survival in human clear cell renal carcinoma.

The function of kinesin family member 18A (KIF18A) in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is unclear. The purpose of the current study was to determine the expression and prognostic significance of KIF18A in RCC. Specimens from 273 RCC patients undergoing nephrectomies were studied. Expression of KIF18A mRNA was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or quantitative PCR, and the expression of KIF18A protein was examined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The expression of KIF18A in clear-cell RCC cell lines was decreased using small interfering RNA targeting KIF18A, and increased by transfection with KIF18A cDNA. The proliferative ability of RCC cells in vitro and in vivo was detected by WST-1 assay and an animal xenograft model with BALB/c nude mice, respectively. The association between KIF18A expression and overall survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The results showed that KIF18A expression was significantly increased in RCC tissues compared with normal kidney tissues. The level of KIF18A expression was significantly associated with tumor stage, histological grade, metastasis and tumor size. Moreover, KIF18A increased the proliferation of RCC cells in vitro and in vivo. KIF18A expression was upregulated in RCC and enhanced the proliferation of RCC cells. Therefore, it appears that KIF18A plays a key role in the carcinogenesis and progression of RCC, and is a novel candidate prognostic marker for RCC patients. Furthermore, silencing KIF18A expression may serve as a new therapeutic strategy against RCC.

TPX2 in human clear cell renal carcinoma: Expression, function and prognostic significance.

Targeting protein for Xenopus kinesin-like protein 2 (TPX2) is a microtubule-associated protein. TPX2 is considered to be an important gene in tumorigenesis; however, the particular function of TPX2 in the development of human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is unknown. In the present study, the expression, function and prognostic significance of TPX2 in human RCC was analyzed. A total of 286 tissue samples from patients with RCC who had undergone nephrectomies were utilized. Subsequently, the expression of TPX2 protein was investigated using immunohistochemistry and western blotting, and TPX2 mRNA expression was examined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To establish the effect of TPX2 on the proliferation and invasion of the RCC cells, TPX2 expression was increased by stable transfection with a TPX2 vector and TPX2 expression was decreased using small interfering RNA. Proliferation of the RCC cells was analyzed using a WST-1 assay and an animal xenograft model with BALB/c nude mice, whilst invasion of the RCC cells was examined using a Matrigel-coated invasion chamber. It was demonstrated that TPX2 expression was significantly higher in the RCC tissues compared with normal kidney tissues (P<0.05). Furthermore, TPX2 expression was associated with tumor size, histological grade and tumor stage (P<0.05), and was observed to markedly increase the proliferation and invasion of the RCC cells. It may be concluded that the expression of TPX2 is significantly upregulated in RCC tissue, subsequently increasing the proliferative and invasive ability of RCC cells. Therefore, the protein may serve as a therapeutic target and independent prognostic factor in the treatment of human RCC.

The significance of microRNA-184 on JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in the formation mechanism of glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma is a type of glioma with a relatively higher degree of malignancy that may result in severe intracranial hypertension and focal symptoms. Surgery is the preferred treatment modality. Combination therapy including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy have also been employed. However, due to the invasiveness and pathogenesis of the disease, such treatments do not yield satisfactory outcomes. The aim of the present study was to examine the expression of microRNA (miR)-184 in Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway in the mechanism of glioblastoma formation, thus providing a new basis for the mechanism of glioblastoma induction. The LN18 cell line was employed in the present study. After undergoing thawing, culturing and passaging processes, the cells were divided into the set control group, miR-184 mimic group (transfer miR-184 simulator) and miR-184 group. The expression of miR-184 was detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. An MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation ability of glioma cells, and clone formation ability was also detected. The cell scratch and invasion assays were used to identify the cell invasion ability. Western blotting was performed to detect the expression level of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins. The results showed that compared to the control group, the expression of miR-184 in the miR-184 mimic group increased. Cell proliferation, as well as clone formation and invasion ability were enhanced. The number of cells penetrating septum, as well as the expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins were increased. Differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). By contrast, compared to the control group, the expression of miR-184 in the miR-184 inhibitory group decreased. Cell proliferation, as well as clone formation and invasion ability were reduced. The number of cells penetrating septum, as well as the expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins were reduced. Differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study have shown that miR-184 may be involved in the formation of glioblastoma and influence the expression of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.