Project description:We have previously demonstrated (Calura E et al., 2013) that different epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) histotypes have different, defined characteristics at the microRNA level, which might highlight a different originating tissue for the disease. From these results we have invesigated whole-genome gene expression on a cohort of samples with different FIGO grades, in order to investigate the link between the tumor grade and gene expression.
Project description:Although meningiomas are one of the most frequent primary intracranial tumors, there are only a few studies dealing with gene regulation processes in meningiomas. MiRNAs are key regulators of gene expression and regulation and miRNA profiles offer themselves as biomarkers for cancer development and progression. To investigate the role of miRNAs during meningioma growth and progression, we compared expression of 1205 miRNAs in 55 meningioma samples of different tumor grades and histological subtypes. We were able to classify histological subtypes in WHO grade I meningiomas with up to 97% accuracy (meningothelial versus fibroblastic) and different WHO grades with up to 93% accuracy (WHO I versus WHO III). We found significant downregulation of miRNAs on chromosome 1p36 and within two large miRNA clusters on 14q32 in high grade meningiomas, two regions that are yet associated with meningioma progression. We also identified several miRNAs associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition differentially expressed in meningothelial meningioma compared to fibroblastic meningioma. Combined, our data show that meningiomas of different WHO grades and histological subtypes show a specific miRNA expression profile. Some individual miRNAs can also serve as potential biomarkers for meningioma progression.
Project description:MicroRNA profiling was done using Taqman Low Density Arrays (TLDA) platform consisting of 667 microRNAs covering Sanger miRBase version10 cross 50 samples along with their adjacent normals consisting of different types (ER+ and ER-ve), grades (grade 2 and grade 3) with their different stages (I to III). The above isolated RNA which displayed good RIN value and linearity (R2>0.96), were used for reverse transcription (RT) reactions with the help of TaqMan MicroRNA Reverse Transcription Kit followed by real time PCR Reactions (ABI 7900 HT) as per manufacturer's instructions.A pre -amplification step of cDNA with pre-amp megaplex pool primers was carried out to significantly enhance the ability to detect highly down regulated miRNAs. The TaqMan human microRNA arrays consists of two plates, pool A and pool B. RNU 46 and RNU 48 were used as endogenous controls for data normalization. Another control not related to human was also included as a negative control. Each TaqMan Assay was run in quadruplicate. RNU 46 and RNU 48 expression was consistent in all the samples and displayed good range of CT values (22–24 ) where as in ‘No Template’ Control (NTC) CT value was above 38. The average CT values of total profiled miRNAs in all samples were normalized with RNU 46 & RNU 48 using spotfire (statminer) software and fold changes were represented in terms of 2 - Δ Δ CT (RQ ) and log10RQ. Only valid and significant miRNAs were picked up for further analysis.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of rat EAC - comparison of non-/pre-malignant endometrium with endometrial tumors Endometrial cancer develops from the endometrium of the uterus and is the most common pelvic malignancy diagnosed in women in the western countries. Similar to all cancer diseases, endometrial cancer is a genetic disorder that results from complex patterns of genetic and epigenetic alterations involved in the malignant transformation. The genetic heterogeneity inherent in the human population, differences in the environment and life styles poses enormous difficulties when analyzing the complex patterns of genetic alterations contributing to cancer etiology. Inbred animal models constitute unique experimental genetic tools as the genetic heterogeneity and the influence of environmental factors can be readily reduced. The BDII/Han rat model is unique for spontaneous hormonal carcinogenesis since more than 90% of the female virgins spontaneously develop endometrial cancer during their life span. The possibility to perform global gene expression profiling of tumor cells would likely provide important information of the genes and pathways that are involved in EAC susceptibility and carcinogenesis. Keywords: Endometrial tumors developed in crosses with the BDII inbred rat strain (from backcrosses, NUT, and intercrosses, RUT) and Sprague Dawley curley-3 and Brown Norway
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of rat EAC - comparison of non-/pre-malignant endometrium with endometrial tumors Endometrial cancer develops from the endometrium of the uterus and is the most common pelvic malignancy diagnosed in women in the western countries. Similar to all cancer diseases, endometrial cancer is a genetic disorder that results from complex patterns of genetic and epigenetic alterations involved in the malignant transformation. The genetic heterogeneity inherent in the human population, differences in the environment and life styles poses enormous difficulties when analyzing the complex patterns of genetic alterations contributing to cancer etiology. Inbred animal models constitute unique experimental genetic tools as the genetic heterogeneity and the influence of environmental factors can be readily reduced. The BDII/Han rat model is unique for spontaneous hormonal carcinogenesis since more than 90% of the female virgins spontaneously develop endometrial cancer during their life span. The possibility to perform global gene expression profiling of tumor cells would likely provide important information of the genes and pathways that are involved in EAC susceptibility and carcinogenesis. Keywords: Endometrial tumors developed in crosses with the BDII inbred rat strain (from backcrosses, NUT, and intercrosses, RUT) and Sprague Dawley curley-3 and Brown Norway Common reference design - Universal rat reference (Stratagene) hybridized to all arrays. Biological replicates and technical replicates (3) of each clone printed at random positions on the array.
Project description:A specific form of endometrial cancer (EC) can develop in breast cancer patients previously treated with tamoxifen (ET), an antagonist of estrogen receptor (ER) α that inhibits proliferation of ER positive breast cancer. ET tumors have a different phenotype than endometrial tumors which typically develop de novo without previous exposure to tamoxifen (EN). Here we aimed to identify specific protein markers that could serve as specific molecular targets in either phenotype. A set of total 45 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) endometrial tumor tissue and adjacent myometrial tissue samples were analyzed using LC-MS/MS in SWATH-MS mode. We found that calcyphosin (CAPS) levels were elevated in EN tumors compared to ET tumors. The higher CAPS level in EC tissue invading to myometrium support its relationship to EC aggressiveness. Further, stathmin (STMN1) levels were found significantly elevated in ET vs. EN tumors and significantly associated with patient survival. This finding connects elevated levels of this cell cycle regulating, proliferation-associated protein with tamoxifen exposure. In a summary, using SWATH-MS we show that CAPS and STMN1 should be recognized as clinicopathologically different EC markers of which STMN1 is specifically connected with a previous tamoxifen exposition.
Project description:Pre-receptor regulation of 11-oxyandrogens differs between normal and cancerous endometrium and across endometrial cancer grades and molecular subtypes