Dataset Information

Granulin-epithelin precursor is an oncofetal protein defining hepatic cancer stem cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Increasing evidence has suggested that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) might originate from a distinct subpopulation called cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are responsible for the limited efficacy of conventional therapies. We have previously demonstrated that granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP), a pluripotent growth factor, is upregulated in HCC but not in the adjacent non-tumor, and that GEP is a potential therapeutic target for HCC. Here, we characterized its expression pattern and stem cell properties in fetal and cancerous livers.

Methods

Protein expression of GEP in fetal and adult livers was examined in human and mouse models by immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry. Liver cancer cell lines, isolated based on their GEP and/or ATP-dependent binding cassette (ABC) drug transporter ABCB5 expression, were evaluated for hepatic CSC properties in terms of colony formation, chemoresistance and tumorigenicity.

Results

We demonstrated that GEP was a hepatic oncofetal protein that expressed in the fetal livers, but not in the normal adult livers. Importantly, GEP+ fetal liver cells co-expressed the embryonic stem (ES) cell-related signaling molecules including ?-catenin, Oct4, Nanog, Sox2 and DLK1, and also hepatic CSC-markers CD133, EpCAM and ABCB5. Phenotypic characterization in HCC clinical specimens and cell lines revealed that GEP+ cancer cells co-expressed these stem cell markers similarly as the GEP+ fetal liver cells. Furthermore, GEP was shown to regulate the expression of ES cell-related signaling molecules ?-catenin, Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2. Isolated GEP(high) cancer cells showed enhanced colony formation ability and chemoresistance when compared with the GEP(low) counterparts. Co-expression of GEP and ABCB5 better defined the CSC populations with enhanced tumorigenic ability in immunocompromised mice.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that GEP is a hepatic oncofetal protein regulating ES cell-related signaling molecules. Co-expression of GEP and ABCB5 further enriches a subpopulation with enhanced CSC properties. The current data provide new insight into the therapeutic strategy.

SUBMITTER: Cheung PF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3241621 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Granulin-epithelin precursor is an oncofetal protein defining hepatic cancer stem cells.

Cheung Phyllis Fung Yi PF Cheng Christine Kei Chin CK Wong Nicholas Chun Lim NC Ho Jenny Chung Yee JC Yip Chi Wai CW Lui Vincent Chi Hang VC Cheung Annie Nga Yin AN Fan Sheung Tat ST Cheung Siu Tim ST

PloS one 20111216 12

<h4>Background and aims</h4>Increasing evidence has suggested that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) might originate from a distinct subpopulation called cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are responsible for the limited efficacy of conventional therapies. We have previously demonstrated that granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP), a pluripotent growth factor, is upregulated in HCC but not in the adjacent non-tumor, and that GEP is a potential therapeutic target for HCC. Here, we characterized its express ...[more]

PMID: 22194816

Similar Datasets

Project description:Granulin epithelin precursor (GEP) is reported to function as a growth factor stimulating proliferation and migration, and conferring chemoresistance in many cancer types. However, the expression and functional roles of GEP in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain elusive. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the clinical significance of GEP in CRC and reveal the molecular mechanism of GEP in CRC initiation and progression.The mRNA expression of GEP in CRC cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR. The GEP protein expression was validated by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray (TMA) including 190 CRC patient samples. The clinicopathological correlation analysis were achieved by GEP expression on TMA. Functional roles of GEP were determined by MTT proliferation, monolayer colony formation, cell invasion and migration and in vivo studies through siRNA/shRNA mediated knockdown assays. The cancer signaling pathway identification was acquired by flow cytometry, western blot and luciferase activity assays.The mRNA expression of GEP in CRC was significantly higher than it in normal colon tissues. GEP protein was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm and most of the CRC cases demonstrated abundant GEP protein compared with non-tumorous tissues. GEP overexpression was associated with non-rectal location, advanced AJCC stage, regional lymph node and distant metastasis. By Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, GEP abundance served as a prognostic marker for worse survival in CRC patients. GEP knockdown exhibited anti-cancer effect such as inhibiting cell proliferation, monolayer colony formation, cell invasion and migration in DLD-1 and HCT 116 cells and decelerating xenograft formation in nude mice. siGEP also induced G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Luciferase activity assays further demonstrated GEP activation was involved in MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.In summary, we compressively delineate the oncogenic role of GEP in colorectal tumorigenesis by activating MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. GEP might serve as a useful prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC.

Project description:OBJECTIVE:To determine 1) whether a protein interaction network exists between granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP), ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP); 2) whether GEP interferes with the interactions between ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 metalloproteinases and COMP substrate, including the cleavage of COMP; 3) whether GEP affects tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-mediated induction of ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 expression and COMP degradation; and 4) whether GEP levels are altered during the progression of arthritis. METHODS:Yeast two-hybrid, in vitro glutathione S-transferase pull-down, and coimmunoprecipitation assays were used to 1) examine the interactions between GEP, ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12, and COMP, and 2) map the binding sites required for the interactions between GEP and ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12. Immunofluorescence cell staining was performed to visualize the subcellular localization of GEP and ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12. An in vitro digestion assay was employed to determine whether GEP inhibits ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12-mediated digestion of COMP. The role of GEP in inhibiting TNFalpha-induced ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 expression and COMP degradation in cartilage explants was also analyzed. RESULTS:GEP bound directly to ADAMTS-7 and ADAMTS-12 in vitro and in chondrocytes, and the 4 C-terminal thrombospondin motifs of ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 and each granulin unit of GEP mediated their interactions. Additionally, GEP colocalized with ADAMTS-7 and ADAMTS-12 on the cell surface of chondrocytes. More importantly, GEP inhibited COMP degradation by ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 in a dose-dependent manner through 1) competitive inhibition through direct protein-protein interactions with ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 and COMP, and 2) inhibition of TNFalpha-induced ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12 expression. Furthermore, GEP levels were significantly elevated in patients with either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION:Our observations demonstrate a novel protein-protein interaction network between GEP, ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12, and COMP. Furthermore, GEP is a novel specific inhibitor of ADAMTS-7/ADAMTS-12-mediated COMP degradation and may play a significant role in preventing the destruction of joint cartilage in arthritis.

Dataset Information

Granulin-epithelin precursor is an oncofetal protein defining hepatic cancer stem cells.

Background and aims

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Granulin-epithelin precursor is an oncofetal protein defining hepatic cancer stem cells.

Similar Datasets

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