Circulating metastasis associated in colon cancer 1 transcripts in gastric cancer patient plasma as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker

METHODS: We provide for the first time a blood-based assay for transcript quantification of the metastasis inducer MACC1 in a prospective study of gastric cancer patient plasma. MACC1 is a strong prognostic biomarker for tumor progression and metastasis in a variety of solid cancers. We conducted a study to define the diagnostic and prognostic power of MACC1 transcripts using 76 plasma samples from gastric cancer patients, either newly diagnosed with gastric cancer, newly diagnosed with metachronous metastasis of gastric cancer, as well as follow-up patients. Findings were controlled by using plasma samples from 54 tumor-free volunteers. Plasma was separated, RNA was isolated, and levels of MACC1 as well as S100A4 transcripts were determined by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: Based on the levels of circulating MACC1 transcripts in plasma we significantly discriminated tumor-free volunteers and gastric cancer patients (P < 0.001). Levels of circulating MACC1 transcripts were increased in gastric cancer patients of each disease stage, compared to tumor-free volunteers: patients with tumors without metastasis (P = 0.005), with synchronous metastasis (P = 0.002), with metachronous metastasis (P = 0.005), and patients during follow-up (P = 0.021). Sensitivity was 0.68 (95%CI: 0.45-0.85) and specificity was 0.89 (95%CI: 0.77-0.95), respectively. Importantly, gastric cancer patients with high circulating MACC1 transcript levels in plasma demonstrated significantly shorter survival when compared with patients demonstrating low MACC1 levels (P = 0.0015). Furthermore, gastric cancer patients with high circulating transcript levels of MACC1 as well as of S100A4 in plasma demonstrated significantly shorter survival when compared with patients demonstrating low levels of both biomarkers or with only one biomarker elevated (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Levels of circulating MACC1 transcripts in plasma of gastric cancer patients are of diagnostic value and are prognostic for patient survival in a prospective study

a retrospective cohort study

Background Metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is directly linked to patient survival. We previously identified the novel gene Metastasis Associated in Colon Cancer 1 (MACC1) in CRC and demonstrated its importance as metastasis inducer and prognostic biomarker. Here, we investigate the geographic expression pattern of MACC1 in colorectal adenocarcinoma and tumor buds in correlation with clinicopathological and molecular features for improvement of survival prognosis. Methods We performed geographic MACC1 expression analysis in tumor center, invasive front and tumor buds on whole tissue sections of 187 well-characterized CRCs by immunohistochemistry. MACC1 expression in each geographic zone was analyzed with Mismatch repair (MMR)-status, BRAF/KRAS- mutations and CpG-island methylation. Results MACC1 was significantly overexpressed in tumor tissue as compared to normal mucosa (p < 0.001). Within colorectal adenocarcinomas, a significant increase of MACC1 from tumor center to front (p = 0.0012) was detected. MACC1 was highly overexpressed in 55% tumor budding cells. Independent of geographic location, MACC1 predicted advanced pT and pN-stages, high grade tumor budding, venous and lymphatic invasion (p < 0.05). High MACC1 expression at the invasive front was decisive for prediction of metastasis (p = 0.0223) and poor survival (p = 0.0217). The geographic pattern of MACC1 did not correlate with MMR-status, BRAF/KRAS- mutations or CpG-island methylation. Conclusion MACC1 is differentially expressed in CRC. At the invasive front, MACC1 expression predicts best aggressive clinicopathological features, tumor budding, metastasis formation and poor survival outcome

High MACC1 expression in combination with mutated KRAS G13 indicates poor survival of colorectal cancer patients

BACKGROUND: The metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) gene has been identified as prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we aimed at the refinement of risk assessment by separate and combined survival analyses of MACC1 expression with any of the markers KRAS mutated in codon 12 (KRAS G12) or codon 13 (KRAS G13), BRAF V600 mutation and MSI status in a retrospective study of 99 CRC patients with tumors UICC staged I, II and III. FINDINGS: We showed that only high MACC1 expression (HR: 6.09, 95% CI: 2.50-14.85, P < 0.001) and KRAS G13 mutation (HR: 5.19, 95% CI: 1.06-25.45, P = 0.042) were independent prognostic markers for shorter metastasis-free survival (MFS). Accordingly, Cox regression analysis revealed that patients with high MACC1 expression and KRAS G13 mutation exhibited the worst prognosis (HR: 14.48, 95% CI: 3.37-62.18, P < 0.001). Patients were classified based on their molecular characteristics into four clusters with significant differences in MFS (P = 0.003) by using the SPSS 2-step cluster function and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. CONCLUSION: According to our results, patients with high MACC1 expression and mutated KRAS G13 exhibited the highest risk for metachronous metastases formation. Moreover, we demonstrated that the “Traditional pathway” with an intermediate risk for metastasis formation can be further subdivided by assessing MACC1 expression into a low and high risk group with regard to MFS prognosis. This is the first report showing that identification of CRC patients at high risk for metastasis is possible by assessing MACC1 expression in combination with KRAS G13 mutation. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-015-0316-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Smart antimicrobial efficacy employing pH-sensitive ZnO-doped diamond-like carbon coatings

One of the main challenges in endoprosthesis surgeries are implant-associated infections and aseptic-loosenings, caused by wear debris. To combat these problems, the requirements to surfaces of endoprostheses are wear-resistance, low cytotoxicity and antimicrobial efficacy. We here present antimicrobial coatings with a smart, adaptive release of metal ions in case of infection, based on ZnO-nanoparticles embedded in diamond-like carbon (DLC). The Zn2+ ion release of these coatings in aqueous environments reacts and adapts smartly on inflammations accompanied by acidosis. Moreover, we show that this increased ion release comes along with an increased toxicity to fibroblastic cells (L929) and bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus, resistant to methicillin and oxacillin. (ATCC 43300, MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 35984, S. epidermidis). Interestingly, the antimicrobial effect and the cytotoxicity of the coatings increase with a reduction of the pH value from 7.4 to 6.4, but not further to pH 5.4

GIPC1 regulates MACC1-driven metastasis

Background: Identification of cancer metastasis-relevant molecular networks is desired to provide the basis for understanding and developing intervention strategies. Here we address the role of GIPC1 in the process of MACC1-driven metastasis. MACC1 is a prognostic indicator for patient metastasis formation and metastasis-free survival. MACC1 controls gene transcription, promotes motility, invasion and proliferation of colon cancer cells in vitro, and causes tumor growth and metastasis in mice. Methods: By using yeast-two-hybrid assay, mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation and peptide array we analyzed GIPC1 protein binding partners, by using the MACC1 gene promoter and chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay we probed for GIPC1 as transcription factor. We employed GIPC1/MACC1-manipulated cell lines for in vitro and in vivo analyses, and we probed the GIPC1/MACC1 impact using human primary colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue. Results: We identified MACC1 and its paralogue SH3BP4 as protein binding partners of the protein GIPC1, and we also demonstrated the binding of GIPC1 as transcription factor to the MACC1 promoter (TSS to -60 bp). GIPC1 knockdown reduced endogenous, but not CMV promoter-driven MACC1 expression, and diminished MACC1-induced cell migration and invasion. GIPC1 suppression reduced tumor growth and metastasis in mice intrasplenically transplanted with MACC1-overexpressing CRC cells. In human primary CRC specimens, GIPC1 correlates with MACC1 expression and is of prognostic value for metastasis formation and metastasis-free survival. Combination of MACC1 and GIPC1 expression improved patient survival prognosis, whereas SH3BP4 expression did not show any prognostic value. Conclusions: We identified an important, dual function of GIPC1 - as protein interaction partner and as transcription factor of MACC1 - for tumor progression and cancer metastasis

Exploring the Ion Channel TRPV2 and Testicular Macrophages in Mouse Testis

The cation channel TRPV2 is known to be expressed by murine macrophages and is crucially involved in their functionality. Macrophages are frequent cells of the mouse testis, an immune-privileged and steroid-producing organ. TRPV2 expression by testicular macrophages and possible changes associated with age or inflammation have not been investigated yet. Therefore, we studied testes of young adult and old wild-type (WT) and AROM(+) mice, i.e., transgenic mice overexpressing aromatase. In these animals, inflammatory changes are described in the testis, involving active macrophages, which increase with age. This is associated with impaired spermatogenesis and therefore AROM(+) mice are a model for male infertility associated with sterile inflammation. In WT animals, testicular TRPV2 expression was mapped to interstitial CD206(+) and peritubular MHC II+ macrophages, with higher levels in CD206(+) cells. Expression levels of TRPV2 and most macrophage markers did not increase significantly in old mice, with the exception of CD206. As the number of TRPV2(+) testicular macrophages was relatively small, their possible involvement in testicular functions and in aging in WT mice remains to be further studied. In AROM(+) testis, TRPV2 was readily detected and levels increased significantly with age, together with macrophage markers and TNF-alpha. TRPV2 co-localized with F4/80 in macrophages and further studies showed that TRPV2 is mainly expressed by unusual CD206(+)MHC II+ macrophages, arising in the testis of these animals. Rescue experiments (aromatase inhibitor treatment and crossing with ER alpha KO mice) restored the testicular phenotype and also abolished the elevated expression of TRPV2, macrophage and inflammation markers. This suggests that TRPV2(+) macrophages of the testis are part of an inflammatory cascade initiated by an altered sex hormone balance in AROM(+) mice. The changes in testis are distinct from the described alterations in other organs of AROM(+), such as prostate and spleen. When we monitored TRPV2 levels in another immune-privileged organ, namely the brain, we found that levels of TRPV2 were not elevated in AROM(+) and remained stable during aging. In the adrenal, which similar to the testis produces steroids, we found slight, albeit not significant increases in TRPV2 in both AROM(+) and WT mice, which were associated with age. Thus, the changes in the testis are specific for this organ

Predicting bee community responses to land-use changes: Effects of geographic and taxonomic biases

Land-use change and intensification threaten bee populations worldwide, imperilling pollination services. Global models are needed to better characterise, project, and mitigate bees' responses to these human impacts. The available data are, however, geographically and taxonomically unrepresentative; most data are from North America and Western Europe, overrepresenting bumblebees and raising concerns that model results may not be generalizable to other regions and taxa. To assess whether the geographic and taxonomic biases of data could undermine effectiveness of models for conservation policy, we have collated from the published literature a global dataset of bee diversity at sites facing land-use change and intensification, and assess whether bee responses to these pressures vary across 11 regions (Western, Northern, Eastern and Southern Europe; North, Central and South America; Australia and New Zealand; South East Asia; Middle and Southern Africa) and between bumblebees and other bees. Our analyses highlight strong regionally-based responses of total abundance, species richness and Simpson's diversity to land use, caused by variation in the sensitivity of species and potentially in the nature of threats. These results suggest that global extrapolation of models based on geographically and taxonomically restricted data may underestimate the true uncertainty, increasing the risk of ecological surprises

Racial differences in systemic sclerosis disease presentation: a European Scleroderma Trials and Research group study

Objectives. Racial factors play a significant role in SSc. We evaluated differences in SSc presentations between white patients (WP), Asian patients (AP) and black patients (BP) and analysed the effects of geographical locations.Methods. SSc characteristics of patients from the EUSTAR cohort were cross-sectionally compared across racial groups using survival and multiple logistic regression analyses.Results. The study included 9162 WP, 341 AP and 181 BP. AP developed the first non-RP feature faster than WP but slower than BP. AP were less frequently anti-centromere (ACA; odds ratio (OR) = 0.4, P &lt; 0.001) and more frequently anti-topoisomerase-I autoantibodies (ATA) positive (OR = 1.2, P = 0.068), while BP were less likely to be ACA and ATA positive than were WP [OR(ACA) = 0.3, P &lt; 0.001; OR(ATA) = 0.5, P = 0.020]. AP had less often (OR = 0.7, P = 0.06) and BP more often (OR = 2.7, P &lt; 0.001) diffuse skin involvement than had WP.AP and BP were more likely to have pulmonary hypertension [OR(AP) = 2.6, P &lt; 0.001; OR(BP) = 2.7, P = 0.03 vs WP] and a reduced forced vital capacity [OR(AP) = 2.5, P &lt; 0.001; OR(BP) = 2.4, P &lt; 0.004] than were WP. AP more often had an impaired diffusing capacity of the lung than had BP and WP [OR(AP vs BP) = 1.9, P = 0.038; OR(AP vs WP) = 2.4, P &lt; 0.001]. After RP onset, AP and BP had a higher hazard to die than had WP [hazard ratio (HR) (AP) = 1.6, P = 0.011; HR(BP) = 2.1, P &lt; 0.001].Conclusion. Compared with WP, and mostly independent of geographical location, AP have a faster and earlier disease onset with high prevalences of ATA, pulmonary hypertension and forced vital capacity impairment and higher mortality. BP had the fastest disease onset, a high prevalence of diffuse skin involvement and nominally the highest mortality