Arch Med Sci
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Gap junctions (GJs) represent the best known intercellular communication (IC) system and are membrane-spanning channels that facilitate intercellular communication by allowing small signaling molecules to pass from cell to cell. In this study, we constructed an amino terminus of human Cx43 (Cx43NT-GFP), verified the overexpression of Cx43-NT in HUVEC cells and explored the impact of gap junctions (GJs) on multiple myeloma (MM). ⋯ Our data suggest that GJIC between MM and MSCs is one of the essential factors in tumor cell proliferation and drug sensitivity, and is implicated in MM pathogenesis.
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This study was designed to investigate the potential function of the activating protein 2α (AP-2α) gene in controlling the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer. ⋯ The reintroduction of the AP-2α gene by pcDNA3.1 could inhibit gastric tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, which may be an alternative future therapeutic molecular target for human gastric cancer.
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The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of CNRIP1 promoter methylation on the proliferative, invasive and migration potential of colorectal cancer cells, including its potential use for the early detection and prognostic assessment of colorectal cancer. ⋯ The methylation status at locus 2245 within the CNRIP1 promoter region has potential value for the early detection and prognostic evaluation of colorectal cancers. Demethylation of the CNRIP1 promoter or overexpression of CNRIP1 can reduce the proliferative and migration abilities of colon cancer cells.
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Our aim was to determine the effect of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) -93G>A of the MLH1 gene (rs1800734) and Gly322Asp of the MSH2 gene (rs4987188) on the risk of colon cancer (CC) and identify any relationship with clinical factors. ⋯ The -93G>AMLH1 polymorphism plays an important role in evaluating the risk of sporadic CC. It can also be used as an indicator in some patients with left-sided and recurrent tumors. MSH2 Gly322Asp is a potential marker in patients with risk of recurrence.
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Hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs), such as stem cell factor (SCF), may stimulate proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Stem cell factor is also able to affect the growth of malignant tumors, including esophageal cancer (EC). The prognosis of EC patients' survival is still unfavorable. Thus, novel biomarkers are necessary to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of EC patients. The aim of this study was to determine the serum SCF concentrations in EC patients in relation to its histological types and compare these levels with the classical tumor marker - carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). ⋯ Our findings suggest the potential role of serum SCF in the diagnosis of EC patients, especially in combination with the classical tumor marker. However, due to the non-specific nature of SCF, this issue requires further investigations performed on a larger population of EC patients.