Abstract:Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a rare tumor with a dismal survival rate overall. Hence, there is an urgent need for exploring more specific and sensitive biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of GBC. At first, amplified total RNAs from two paired GBC tumors and adjacent non-tumorous tissues (ANTTs) were subjected to RNA sequencing. 161 genes were identified differentially expressed between tumors and ANTTs. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the up-regulated genes in tumor were primarily associ… Show more
“…In this study, we examined SMOC2 mRNA and protein expression in paired primary HCC tissue samples using real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. SMOC2 was frequently downregulated at both the transcriptional and translational levels in primary HCC, which is consistent with a recent study of gallbladder carcinoma by Gu et al 39 . Immunohistochemical staining confirmed SMOC2 expression was downregulated in most HCC tumor tissues compared with the corresponding non-tumor tissues.…”
Secreted modular calcium binding protein-2 (SMOC2), a recently identified matricellular protein that belongs to the SPARC protein family, has been reported to be downregulated in various cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance and biological function of SMOC2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting analyses revealed that SMOC2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly downregulated in human HCC tissues compared to the matched adjacent normal tissues. Clinicopathological analysis indicated that SMOC2 expression was significantly associated with tumor size, number of tumors, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and distant metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high tumor SMOC2 expression was associated with improved overall survival and disease-free survival in patients with HCC. Functional analyses (cell proliferation and colony formation assays, cell migration and invasion assays, cell cycle and apoptosis assays) demonstrated that stable overexpression of SMOC2 using a lentiviral vector significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion, and induced G0/G1 phase arrest in HCC cells in vitro. In addition, experiments with a mouse model revealed the suppressed effect of SMOC2 on HCC tumorigenicity and metastases in vivo. These results suggest that SMOC2 functions as a tumor suppressor during the development of HCC and may represent an effective prognostic factor and novel therapeutic target for HCC.
“…In this study, we examined SMOC2 mRNA and protein expression in paired primary HCC tissue samples using real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. SMOC2 was frequently downregulated at both the transcriptional and translational levels in primary HCC, which is consistent with a recent study of gallbladder carcinoma by Gu et al 39 . Immunohistochemical staining confirmed SMOC2 expression was downregulated in most HCC tumor tissues compared with the corresponding non-tumor tissues.…”
Secreted modular calcium binding protein-2 (SMOC2), a recently identified matricellular protein that belongs to the SPARC protein family, has been reported to be downregulated in various cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance and biological function of SMOC2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting analyses revealed that SMOC2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly downregulated in human HCC tissues compared to the matched adjacent normal tissues. Clinicopathological analysis indicated that SMOC2 expression was significantly associated with tumor size, number of tumors, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and distant metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high tumor SMOC2 expression was associated with improved overall survival and disease-free survival in patients with HCC. Functional analyses (cell proliferation and colony formation assays, cell migration and invasion assays, cell cycle and apoptosis assays) demonstrated that stable overexpression of SMOC2 using a lentiviral vector significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion, and induced G0/G1 phase arrest in HCC cells in vitro. In addition, experiments with a mouse model revealed the suppressed effect of SMOC2 on HCC tumorigenicity and metastases in vivo. These results suggest that SMOC2 functions as a tumor suppressor during the development of HCC and may represent an effective prognostic factor and novel therapeutic target for HCC.
“…Consistent with the lack of effects of GLP-1R agonism (exendin-4) on GB volume (Figure 1A), levels of Glp1r mRNA transcripts in the mouse GB were just above the limit of detection, at least 50-fold lower than corresponding levels of Glp2r expression (Figure 2B); expression of the proglucagon ( Gcg ) gene was undetectable in GB, ruling out a potential local paracrine effect for GLP-2 (Figure 2B). Importantly, expression of the GLP2R has also been described in an independent transcriptional analysis of RNA isolated from the human GB [19] and in human transcriptome analyses (http://www.proteinatlas.org/search/Glp2r). The relative level of Glp2r expression in GB (Figure 2B) approximated that of Tgr5 , a BA receptor highly expressed in the GB [9] and known to mediate BA stimulation of GB filling.Figure 2A canonical full-length Glp2r transcript is expressed in the murine gallbladder and mediates immediate early gene (IEG) induction.…”
ObjectiveGlucagon-like peptides (GLPs) are secreted from enteroendocrine cells in response to nutrients and bile acids and control metabolism via actions on structurally-related yet distinct G protein coupled receptors. GLP-1 regulates gut motility, appetite, islet function, and glucose homeostasis, whereas GLP-2 enhances intestinal nutrient absorption. GLP-1R agonists are used to treat diabetes and obesity, and a GLP-2R agonist is approved to treat short bowel syndrome. Unexpectedly, reports of gallbladder disease have been associated with the use of both GLP-1R and GLP-2R agonists and after bariatric surgery, although the mechanisms remain unknown.MethodsWe investigated whether GLP-1 or GLP-2 acutely controls gallbladder (GB) volume and whether GLP-2 regulates GB muscle activity in mice. The expression of Tgr5, Glp2r, and Glp1r was assessed in mouse GB, and the effects of GLP-2 on hepatic bile acid (BA) flow, intestinal and liver BA uptake, and GB gene expression were determined. GLP-2 regulation of GB volume was assessed in wildtype, Glp2r−/− and Tgr5−/− mice. The effect of GLP-2 on GB smooth muscle (GBSM) calcium transients was characterized ex vivo.ResultsAcute administration of the GLP-1R agonist exendin-4 lowered glucose but had no effect on GB volume in mice. In contrast, GLP-2 rapidly enhanced GB filling in a dose-dependent manner, actions maintained in the presence of cholecystokinin, and mediated through the canonical GLP-2R. GLP-2 also rapidly induced immediate early gene expression in GB, consistent with detection of the endogenous Glp2r in GB RNA. The ability of GLP-2 to increase GB volume was not abrogated by systemic administration of hexamethonium, propranolol, a vasoactive peptide receptor antagonist or N-Nitroarginine methyl ester, and was maintained in Tgr5−/− mice. In contrast, lithocholic acid, a Tgr5 agonist, increased GB filling in Glp2r−/− but not in Tgr5−/− mice. GLP-2 had no effect on ileal uptake or hepatic clearance of taurocholic acid or on hepatic bile flow, yet reduced the frequency of spontaneous calcium transients in murine GBSM ex vivo, in a tetrodotoxin-sensitive manner.ConclusionsOur data extend endocrine concepts of regulation of GB filling beyond FXR-FGF15/19 and the direct effects of BA via Tgr5, to encompass a novel BA-Tgr5-L cell GLP-2 axis providing nutrient-mediated feedback from BA to terminate meal-related GB contraction. These findings have implications for conditions characterized by elevated circulating levels of GLP-2 such as after bariatric surgery and the development and use of agents that promote Tgr5 activation, L cell secretion, or GLP-2R agonism for the treatment of metabolic disease.
“…Expression of cTnT protein has also been observed in a human tissue sample from a patient with renal cell carcinoma [ 94 ]. Furthermore, a positive correlation between TNNT1 expression and human gallbladder carcinoma tumor progression was recently reported [ 95 ].…”
Section: Troponin Is Aberrantly Expressed In Cancermentioning
Troponin is a heterotrimeric Ca2+-binding protein that has a well-established role in regulating striated muscle contraction. However, mounting evidence points to novel cellular functions of troponin, with profound implications in cancer, cardiomyopathy pathogenesis and skeletal muscle aging. Here, we highlight the non-canonical roles and aberrant expression patterns of troponin beyond the sarcomeric milieu. Utilizing bioinformatics tools and online databases, we also provide pathway, subcellular localization, and protein-protein/DNA interaction analyses that support a role for troponin in multiple subcellular compartments. This emerging knowledge challenges the conventional view of troponin as a sarcomere-specific protein exclusively involved in muscle contraction and may transform the way we think about sarcomeric proteins, particularly in the context of human disease and aging.
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