Su-Ming Hsu

Up-regulated caveolin-1 accentuates the metastasis capability of lung adenocarcinoma by inducing filopodia formation

Caveolin-1, a 21- to 24-kd integral membrane protein, is primarily implicated as a tumor suppressor gene. Transformed cells normally contain reduced or no caveolin-1. Re-expression of caveolin-1 is found in advanced human and mouse prostate adenocarcinomas. To explore its potential role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression of human lung cancers, we used the well-characterized cell line (CL) series of lung adenocarcinoma cells with increasing cellular invasiveness to show that expression of caveolin-1 mRNA and protein was up-regulated with enhanced invasion/metastatic capability of CL cells. Reintroducing the caveolin-1 gene into the less invasive, caveolin-1-negative CL cells enhanced their invasive capability at least by twofold, as revealed by an in vitro chamber invasion assay. Thus, a correlation exists for both constitutive and induced expression of caveolin-1 in CL cells. Immunohistochemical examination of caveolin-1 was performed in 95 specimens obtained retrospectively from patients who had lung adenocarcinoma either with (35 patients) or without (60 patients) ipsilateral hilar/peribronchial tumor-metastasized lymph nodes. Caveolin-1 immunoreactivity was either totally absent or just barely detectable in a few lung adenocarcinoma cells from cases diagnosed as lung adenocarcinoma without regional lymph node metastasis. In contrast, increased caveolin-1 immunoreactivity both in number and intensity was detected in primary lung adenocarcinoma cells as well as in cancer cells that metastasized to regional lymph nodes from the cases diagnosed as advanced lung adenocarcinoma with nodal metastases. Multivariate analysis considering caveolin-1 immunoreactivity in addition to the established prognostic parameters such as pT stage, pN in these patients confirmed that caveolin-1 is an independent functional predictor of poor survival. We further revealed that up-regulated caveolin-1 in CL cells is necessary for mediating filopodia formation, which may enhance the invasive ability of lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Predominant Th2/Tc2 Polarity of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Human Cervical Cancer

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Tc) play a central role in cellular immunity against cancers. The cytotoxic potential of freshly isolated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is usually not expressed. This suggests the possible existence of as yet unspecified and perhaps complex immunosuppressive factors or cytokines that affect the anti-tumor capacity of these TILs in the tumor milieu. In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that TILs derived from human cervical cancer tissue consist mainly of Th2/Tc2 phenotypes. In vitro kinetic assays further revealed that cancer cells could direct the tumor-encountered T cells toward the Th2/Tc2 polarity. Cancer cells promote the production of IL-4 and down-regulate the production of IFN-γ in cancer-encountered T cells. The regulatory effects of cervical cancer cells are mediated mainly by IL-10, and TGF-β plays only a synergistic role. The cancer-derived effects can be reversed by neutralizing anti-IL-10 and anti-TGF-β Abs. IL-10 and TGF-β are present in cancer tissue and weakly expressed in precancerous tissue, but not in normal cervical epithelial cells. Our study strongly suggests important regulatory roles of IL-10 and TGF-β in cancer-mediated immunosuppression.

Treatment outcome and pattern of failure in 77 patients with sinonasal natural killer/T-cell or T-cell lymphoma.

Sinonasal natural killer (NK)/T‐cell or T‐cell lymphoma behaves quite differently from other lymphomas. The objective of this study was to investigate clinical features, treatment outcomes, and failure patterns in patients with this type of sinonasal lymphoma.

Cytochrome P4501A1 polymorphism as a susceptibility factor for breast cancer in postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan

SummaryThe incidence of breast cancer has been greatly increasing in Taiwan over the past two decades. Since cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) is involved in the metabolism of environmental carcinogens or oestrogen, we hypothesized that CYP1A1 genetic polymorphism may be a susceptibility factor for breast cancer. This hypothesis was evaluated in this case control study of 150 breast cancer patients and 150 healthy controls among Chinese women. Two CYP1A1 polymorphisms were studied, one containing a new Msp1 site and the other located in axon 7 and resulting in the replacement of an isoleucine (Ile) residue by a valine (Val). After simultaneously considering the known or significant risk factors for breast cancer, including the age of study participants, positive family history of breast cancer, early menarche (≤ 13 years), nulliparity and late first full-term pregnancy (≥ 30 years), hormone replacement therapy and smoking, the CYP1A1 Msp1 polymorphism was found to be a significant factor in determining the risk of breast cancer. The homozygous variant was the most susceptible genotype with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.98 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–3.99) compared with the non-homozygous variants (the homozygous wild-type and the heterozygous variant). In contrast, the CYP1A1 Ile/Val polymorphism was not significantly associated with breast cancer development (adjusted OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.64–1.78). Interestingly, the Msp1 polymorphism was especially significant in postmenopausal women, but not in premenopausal women. Further stratification analysis in postmenopausal women who were non-smokers and with no history of hormone replacement therapy showed the cancer risk due to the Msp1 variant to be more significant in women with early menarche. We conclude that CYP1A1 polymorphism is a susceptibility factor for breast cancer in postmenopausal Chinese women in Taiwan. Further study with a large sample size should be considered to address issues of interactions between CYP1A1 and other risk factors.

Up-regulation of Inhibitory Natural Killer Receptors CD94/NKG2A with Suppressed Intracellular Perforin Expression of Tumor-Infiltrating CD8+ T Lymphocytes in Human Cervical Carcinoma

Inhibitory signals that govern the cytolytic functions of CD8(+) T lymphocytes have been linked to the expression of natural killer cell receptors (NKRs) on CTLs. There is limited knowledge about the induction of inhibitory NKR (iNKR) expression in vivo. Up-regulation of iNKRs has been linked to the modulation of the virus- and/or tumor-specific immune responses in animal models. In the present study, we directly examined the expression of various NKRs on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) derived from human cervical cancer. We found that in human cervical cancer, the percentage expression of immunoglobulin-like NKR(+)CD8(+) T lymphocytes were similar in gated CD8(+)-autologous TILs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. On the contrary, cervical cancer-infiltrating CD8(+) T lymphocytes expressed up-regulated C-type lectin NKRs CD94/NKG2A compared with either peripheral blood CD8(+) T cells or normal cervix-infiltrating CD8(+) T lymphocytes. Dual NKR coexpression analyses showed that CD94 and NKG2A were mainly expressed on CD56(-)CD161(-)CD8(+) TILs within the cancer milieu. Immunohistochemical study showed that cervical cancer cells expressed abundant interleukin 15 (IL-15) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). In kinetic coculture assay, cervical cancer cells can promote the expression of CD94/NKG2A on CD8(+) T lymphocytes. The cancer-derived effects can be reversed by addition of rIL-15Ralpha/Fc and anti-TGF-beta antibody. Functional analyses illustrated that intracellular perforin expression of CD8(+) T cells was minimal upon up-regulation of CD94/NKG2A. Kinetic cytotoxicity assays showed that up-regulated expressions of CD94/NKG2A restrain CD8(+) T lymphocyte cytotoxicity. Our study strongly indicated that cervical cancer cells could promote the expression of iNKRs via an IL-15- and possibly TGF-beta-mediated mechanism and abrogate the antitumor cytotoxicity of TILs.

Co-Expression of VEGF-C and Its Receptors, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3, in Endothelial Cells of Lymphangioma. Implication in Autocrine or Paracrine Regulation of Lymphangioma

Lymphangioma has long been thought of as congenital malformations resulting from the failure of lymphatic vessels communicating with the venous system in the fetal period. Alternatively, it is proposed to be true neoplasm originated from the transformation of lymphatic endothelia. To extend the molecular basis of the pathogenesis of lymphangioma, we have characterized the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors (VEGFR) in 29 cases of lymphangioma by RNA in situ hybridization. Endothelial cells of lymphangioma co-express transcripts of VEGF-C and its receptors VEGFR-3 (Flt4) and VEGFR-2 (Flk1), which are not detectable in the adjacent connective tissue. In contrast, there is little or no expression of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, and VEGFR-2 mRNA in endothelial cells of hemangiomas, angiosarcomas, or normal lymphatic vessels of the small or large intestines. The results suggest that VEGF-C and its receptors may take active parts in the formation of lymphangioma by autocrine or paracrine regulation.

Hypoxia preconditioning attenuates bladder overdistension‐induced oxidative injury by up‐regulation of Bcl‐2 in the rat

We explored whether hypoxic preconditioning minimizes oxidative injury induced by overdistension/emptying in the rat bladder. For hypoxic preconditioning, female Wistar rats were placed in a hypobaric chamber (380 Torr) 15 h day−1 for 28 days. Overdistension was induced by infusion of two times the threshold volume of saline into the bladder and was maintained for 1 or 2 h, followed by drainage/emptying. During overdistension (ischaemia) and emptying (reperfusion) periods, a bursting increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the bladder was originated from the large numbers of infiltrating leucocytes and scattered resident cells, including urothelial, submucosal, and smooth muscle cells. ROS impaired the voiding function by a reduction of bladder afferent and efferent nerve activity and bethanecol‐ or ATP‐induced detrusor contraction. ROS enhanced pro‐apoptotic mechanisms, including increases in the Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio, CPP32 expression, and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) fragments with subsequent apoptotic cell formation in the insulted bladders. Hypoxia preconditioning up‐regulated Bcl‐2 expression in the bladder and significantly reduced the levels of ROS and apoptosis detected in the overdistension/emptying bladders and preserved partial voiding function. Bcl‐2 up‐regulation by hypoxia preconditioning contributes protection against overdistension/emptying‐induced oxidative stress and injury in the bladder.

Association between N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genetic polymorphism and development of breast cancer in post-menopausal Chinese women in Taiwan, an area of great increase in breast cancer incidence.

The incidence of breast cancer has increased greatly in Taiwan over the past 2 decades. Increased exposure to environmental carcinogens, including aryl aromatic amines, as a result of the economic boom, is suspected to be one factor contributing to this increase. The enzyme N‐acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) determines the rate of metabolism of aryl aromatic amines, and therefore the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Our present case‐control study of 150 breast cancer patients and 150 healthy controls in Taiwan was performed to explore the association between NAT2 genetic polymorphism and individual susceptibility to breast cancer. A structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant information regarding all known or suspected risk factors of breast cancer. The NAT2 genotype was determined using the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) assay in 139 cases and 133 controls, and 28.8% and 21.1%, respectively, were found to have slow acetylator genotypes. Multivariate analysis, simultaneously considering other risk factors, including age at menarche, nulliparity or age at first full‐term pregnancy, body mass index (BMI), hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and smoking status, showed that the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype was associated with an increased risk with borderline significance (Odds Ratio, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.01–3.31). Interestingly, this association was not significant in premenopausal women, but was significant in post‐menopausal women. Further stratification of our study subjects based on different risk factor status showed that the increased risk for an NAT2 slow acetylator was more marked in post‐menopausal women who were not using HRT or who had a lower BMI. Our findings suggest that NAT2 polymorphism is a susceptibility factor for breast cancer in Taiwanese women, and that NAT2‐metabolized carcinogens are probably present in the environment and may be associated with induction of breast cancer. Int. J. Cancer 82:175–179, 1999.

Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 protects mice in sepsis

Objective:To determine the putative role in the modulation of inflammation of a soluble form of Flt-1 (sFlt), a potent vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist, in experimental endotoxemia and sepsis. Design:Randomized prospective experimental study. Setting:University medical laboratory. Subjects:Male C56BL/6 strain mice. Interventions:We investigated the expression patterns and the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor and soluble Flt-1 in experimental endotoxic shock and sepsis. The possible anti-inflammatory mechanism of soluble Flt-1 was also evaluated. Measurements and Main Results:Both vascular endothelial growth factor and sFlt-1 were rapidly released from macrophages activated in vitro by lipopolysaccharide and in the plasma of endotoxemic mice. Administration of vascular endothelial growth factor enhanced proinflammatory cytokine production and mediated a dramatic increase in mortality in endotoxemic mice. Treatment with sFlt-1 attenuated inflammatory responses, inhibited recruitment of inflammatory cells into the peritoneal cavity, and improved survival in a lethal endotoxemia and cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis model, even when administered as late as 24 hrs after the onset of sepsis. Conclusions:These findings support a critical protective role of sFlt-1 in endotoxic shock and sepsis. sFlt-1 may therefore have utility as an adjunctive agent for the treatment of sepsis syndrome.

Determination of Binding Constant of DNA-binding Drug to Target DNA by Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor Technology

The experimental determination of the binding constant of a drug for its target molecule is of considerable importance. It is a basic experimental parameter in a variety of studies, such as the prediction of drug efficiency, or in the pharmacokinetic drug interaction. DNA-binding drugs have been reported to be able to interfere in a sequence dependent manner with biological functions such as topoisomerase activity, restriction of enzyme cleavage of DNA, protein-DNA interactions and the activity of transcription factors, leading to alteration of gene expression. This effect could have important practical application in the experimental therapy of human pathologies, including neoplastic diseases and viral, or microbial infections. The assessment of the biological activity of DNA-binding drugs by polymerase chain reaction, footprinting, gel retardation and in vitro transcription studies was recently reported. However, most of these techniques are steady-state methodologies and therefore are not suitable for an easy determination of the binding activity of DNA-binding drugs to target DNA and the stability of drugs-DNA complexes. Direct real-time observation and measurement of the interaction between DNA-binding drug and target DNA sequence is a subject of interest for drug discovery and development. The recent development of biosensors, based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology, enables monitoring of a variety of biospecific interactions of DNA-binding drugs with target DNA elements in real-time. The present review is designed to indicate the theoretical background of SPR-based biosensor technology as well as to present the great variety of measurements and modes of interaction kinetics that can be performed with these techniques. In addition, some of the most recent studies in determining the binding constant and stoichiometry of DNA-binding drugs to target DNA with SPR technology are reviewed and the available theoretical aspects necessary for the comprehension of the experiments are provided.