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- Chu, Xia, 1981-
(författare)
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Aspects of MEN1 Tumorigenesis in Endocrine Pancreas and Adrenal Glands
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disease, which is described as an association of tumors mainly in endocrine organs, including pancreas and adrenal glands. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are the most common cause of death in MEN1 patients. More than one third of the MEN1 patients also develop enlargement of the adrenals. MEN1 is caused by a germline mutation of MEN1 gene, a tumor suppressor gene that is located on the human chromosome 11. As noticed, the MEN1 related tumors often develop prior to inactivation of both wild type alleles, indicating MEN1 haploinsufficiency. In this thesis, I utilized a conventional Men1 mouse model that has the phenotype mimicking the human MEN 1 traits, in order to investigate MEN1 tumorigenesis in endocrine pancreas and adrenal glands. The microvascular aberrations contributing to development and maintenance of PNETs were characterized. The increased vascular density of PNETs developed in the Men1 mice was paralleled by an early and extensive redistribution of pericytes within endocrine tissue. These morphological alterations were supported by fine-tuned variations in expression of several angiogenic regulators (VEGF, FGF and PDGF) and were further potentiated by hypoxia. Vascular reactivity and blood perfusion of tumor arterioles were significantly altered in response to glucose and L-nitro-arginine methyl ester.Investigation of adrenals from10-month-old Men1 mice showed 681 proteins in mass spectrometry data sets, in which 52 proteins were commonly found in the Men1+/+ and Men1+/- adrenals, and the differential expression between the genotypes reached significant levels. Prdx3, catalyzing the reduction of oxidative stress to cell survival, is one of the overexpressed proteins. Some proteins belonging to the PPARα pathway, e.g. ACLY were also overexpressed. Subsequent microRNA (miRNA) profiling analysis of adrenals from the same age group revealed 31 miRNAs whose expression was significantly altered in comparison between the genotypes. The tumor suppressor miRNAs, miR-486, miR-330 and miR-214, were significantly downregulated in Men1+/- adrenals. The latter, miR-214, is known to inhibit ACLY expression. This finding was in concordance with the proteomic analysis. The oncogene miRNAs, miR-132 and miR-494, were significantly enhanced in the Men1+/- adrenals. Gene ontology analysis demonstrated overrepresentation of the miRNA-targeted genes that are involved in nucleic acid metabolism, vasculature development, angiogenesis, and transcription. Together, these finding after validation in humans may be exploited to improve MEN1 cancer treatment.
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- Cui, Tao, 1982-
(författare)
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Novel Circulating and Tissue Biomarkers for Small Intestine Neuroendocrine Tumors and Lung Carcinoids
- 2013
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Small intestine neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) and lung carcinoids (LCs) are relatively indolent tumors, which originate from neuroendocrine (NE) cells of the diffuse NE system. Metastases can spread before diagnosis. Thus, potential cures become unavailable, which entitles new biomarker development. Indeed, we aimed at developing Ma2 autoantibodies and olfactory receptor 51E1 (OR51E1) as potential novel biomarkers and exploring other candidate protein markers in patients’ serum.First, we established a sensitive, specific and reliable anti-Ma2 indirect ELISA to distinguish SI-NET patients from healthy controls. We detected longer progression-free and recurrence-free survivals in patients expressing low anti-Ma2 titers. Moreover, a high anti-Ma2 titer was more sensitive than chromogranin A for the risk of recurrence after radical operation of SI-NET patients.We then investigated OR51E1 expression in SI-NETs and LCs. OR51E1 mRNA expression, analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR, was high in microdissected SI-NET cells, in LC cell lines and in frozen LC specimens. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed abundant OR51E1 protein expression in SI-NETs. OR51E1 co-expressed with vesicular-monoamine-transporter-1 in the majority of normal and neoplastic enterochromaffin cells.Furthermore, the study on LCs revealed that OR51E1, somatostatin receptor (SSTR) 2, SSTR3, and SSTR5 are expressed in 85%, 71%, 25% and 39% of typical carcinoids (TCs), whereas in 86%, 79%, 43% and 36% of atypical carcinoids (ACs). Based on the proposed IHC scoring system, in the LC cases, where all SSTR subtypes were absent, membrane OR51E1 expression was detected in 10 out of 17 TCs and 1 out of 2 ACs. Moreover, higher OR51E1 scores were detected in 5 out of 6 OctreoScan-negative LC lesions.In addition, the last presented study used a novel suspension bead array, which targeted 124 unique proteins, by using Human Protein Atlas antibodies, to profile biotinylated serum samples from SI-NET patients and healthy controls. We showed 9 proteins, IGFBP2, IGF1, SHKBP1, ETS1, IL1α, STX2, MAML3, EGR3 and XIAP as significant contributors to tumor classification.In conclusion, we proposed Ma2 autoantibodies as a sensitive circulating marker for SI-NET recurrence; OR51E1 as a candidate therapeutic target for SI-NETs; whereas as a novel diagnostic marker for LCs and 9 serum proteins as novel potential SI-NET markers.
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- Cunningham, Janet Lynn, 1974-
(författare)
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Tumour Biological Factors Characterizing Metastasizing Serotonin-producing Ileocaecal Carcinoids
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this study, metastasizing serotonin-producing ileocaecal carcinoid tumours (MSPCs) were examined for biological characteristics that could be used to define clinically relevant subgroups within this patient population. Possible targets for new treatment options were also explored.It was found that MSPCs share several biological characteristics such as expression of serotonin, tachykinins (TKs), chromogranin A, islet autoantigen-2 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). TKs and serotonin were demonstrated in the same endocrine tumours in the gut and lung. IA-2 expression was shown to be up-regulated in MSPCs, possibly in connection with active hormone secretion. CTGF expression was high in tumour areas adjacent to extensive stroma expressing alpha-smooth muscle actin. This indicated myofibroblast differentiation, which may be associated with fibrosis-related complications prevalent in patients with MSPCs. When compared with other endocrine tumours, MSPCs behaved as a relatively homogeneous group, though within the MSPC population several subgroups could be defined. Patients with tumours displaying either a solid growth pattern and/or a Ki67 index ≥1% had a less favourable prognosis than those who did not. Another group of patients, who had increased plasma TK concentrations, were more likely to suffer from severe diarrhea. This information should be considered when discussing clinical treatment and when undertaking tumour biological studies. New treatment possibilities, such as drugs that specifically target TK receptors and antibodies to CTGF, are also discussed.In conclusion, MSPCs comprise a clinically relevant tumour group with similar biological features that are distinct from other endocrine tumours. Subgroups of patients within this patient category can be defined which may be relevant when establishing prognosis and when selecting future treatment modalities.
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