Artikel
Changes in CXCL12/CXCR4-chemokine expression during onset of colorectal malignancies
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Veröffentlicht: | 20. Mai 2011 |
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Gliederung
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Introduction: Chemokines have been proposed to contribute to tumour growth and metastatic spread of several cancer entities. Here, we examined the relative levels of CXCL12/CXCR4 in resection specimens from patients with different malignant and non-malignant colorectal diseases as well as colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).
Materials and methods: CXCL12/CXCR4 mRNA and protein expression profiles were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (Q-RT-PCR), Western blot analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in resection specimens from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC, n=15), colorectal adenoma (CRA, n=15), colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC, n=47) and CRLM (n=16). Corresponding non-affected tissues served as control.
Results: In contrast to UC tissues, CXCL12 showed a distinct down-regulation in CRA, CRC and CRLM specimens, whereas the corresponding receptor CXCR4 demonstrated a significant up-regulation in CRC and CRLM related to corresponding non-affected tissues (p<0.05, respectively).
Conclusion: Our results strongly suggest an association between CXCL12/CXCR4 expression and the induction of CRA, CRC and the development of CRLM. Therefore, CXCR4 may be a potential target for specific therapeutic interventions.