Hypermethylation of gene promoter CpG islands is a frequent mechanism for gene inactivation in a variety of human cancers, including neuroblastoma (NB). We demonstrated recently that treatment with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) significantly inhibited NB growth in vivo. In an effort to identify the genes and biological pathways that are responsible for the impaired NB tumor growth observed after treatment with 5-Aza-dC, we performed genome-wide gene expression analysis of control and treated NBL-W-S NB cells. We found >3-fold changes in expression of 44 genes that play roles in angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell adhesion, transcriptional regulation, and signal transduction. The gene encoding heat shock protein 47 (Hsp47), a collagen-specific molecular chaperon, was up-regulated >80-fold after 5-Aza-dC treatment. Expression studies confirmed that Hsp47 is silenced in a subset of NB cell lines and tumors. We also show that silencing of Hsp47 in NB cells is associated with aberrant methylation of promoter CpG islands and that Hsp47 expression can be restored after treatment with 5-Aza-dC. A strong correlation between Hsp47 and collagen type I and IV expression was seen in NB cells. Interestingly, tumorigenicity was inversely correlated with the level of collagen expression in NB cell lines, and higher levels of collagen were detected in mature NB tumors that are associated with favorable outcome compared with undifferentiated, advanced-stage NBs. Our studies support a role for Hsp47 in the regulation of collagen type I and IV production in NB cells and suggest that the level of collagen expression may influence NB tumor phenotype.

Uterine fibroids are benign monoclonal neoplasms of the myometrium, representing the most common tumors in women worldwide. To date, no long-term or non-invasive treatment option exists for hormone-dependent uterine fibroids due to the limited knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and development of uterine fibroids. This paper comprehensively summarizes the recent research advances on uterine fibroids, focusing on their risk factors, development origin, pathogenetic mechanisms, and treatment options. Additionally, we describe the current treatment interventions for uterine fibroids. Finally, future perspectives on uterine fibroids studies are summarized. Deeper mechanistic insights into tumor etiology and uterine fibroids’ complexity can contribute to the newer targeted therapies.

Biological properties of renal-specific oxidoreductase (RSOR), characteristics of its promoter, and underlying mechanisms regulating its expression in diabetes were analyzed. RSOR expression, normally confined to the renal cortex, was markedly increased and extended into the outer medullary tubules in db͞db mice, a model of type 2 diabetes. Exposure of LLCPK cells to D-glucose resulted in a dose-dependent increase in RSOR expression and its enzymatic activity. The latter was related to one of the glycolytic enzymes, myo-inositol oxygenase. The increase in activity was in proportion to serum glucose concentration. The RSOR expression also increased in cells treated with various organic osmolytes, e.g., sorbitol, myoinositol, and glycerolphosphoryl-choline and H 2O2. Basal promoter activity was confined to ؊1,252 bp upstream of ATG, and it increased with the treatment of high glucose and osmolytes. EMSAs indicated an increased binding activity with osmotic-, carbohydrate-, and oxidant-response elements in cells treated with high glucose and was abolished by competitors. Supershifts, detected by anti-nuclear factor of activated T cells, and carbohydrate-response-element-binding protein established the binding specificity. Nuclear factor of activated T cells tonicityenhancer-binding protein and carbohydrate-response-elementbinding protein had increased nuclear expression in cells treated with high glucose. The activity of osmotic-response element exhibited a unique alternate binding pattern, as yet unreported in osmoregulatory genes. Data indicate that RSOR activity is modulated by diverse mechanisms, and it is endowed with dual properties to channel glucose intermediaries, characteristic of hepatic aldehyde reductases, and to maintain osmoregulation, a function of renal medullary genes, e.g., aldose reductase, in diabetes. diabetic nephropathy ͉ hyperglycemia ͉ osmoregulation D iabetic nephropathy is characterized by hyperplasia͞ hypertrophy of intrinsic renal cells and increased extracellular matrices (1). These changes are related to the increased cellular flux of glucose intermediaries (2), de novo synthesis of intra-and extracellular advanced glycation end products (3, 4), activation of protein kinase C (5, 6), increased expression of transforming growth factor-␤ (7), increased activity of GTP-binding and cell-cycle proteins (6,8), and generation of reactive oxygen species (9, 10), with consequential compromise in renal functions (11,12). Such complex interrelated cellular signaling events, also involving various forms of MAP͞ERK kinases and Smad proteins, have been defined mainly in glomerular cells (13,14); information relevant to the tubulointerstitial cells, although notably affected, is limited (15, 16). Conceivably, cellular changes in the tubulointerstitium parallel those in the glomerulus, with scarring and thickening of the basement membranes, and they correlate relatively better with the derangements in renal functional parameters (17, 18). Thus, much attention is warranted to the understanding of the...

Secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), is a multifunctional matricellular glycoprotein. In vitro, SPARC has antiangiogenic properties, including the ability to inhibit the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells stimulated by bFGF and VEGF. Previously, we demonstrated that platelet-derived SPARC also inhibits angiogenesis and impairs the growth of neuroblastoma tumors in vivo. In the present study, we produced rhSPARC in the transformed human embryonic kidney cell line 293 and show that the recombinant molecule retains its ability to inhibit angiogenesis. Although 293 cell proliferation was not affected by exogenous expression of SPARC in vitro, growth of tumors formed by SPARC-transfected 293 cells was significantly impaired compared to tumors comprised of wild-type cells or 293 cells transfected with a control vector. Consistent with its function as an angiogenesis inhibitor, significantly fewer blood vessels were seen in SPARC-transfected 293 tumors compared to controls, and these tumors contained increased numbers of apoptotic cells. Light microscopy revealed small nests of tumor cells surrounded by abundant stromal tissue in xenografts with SPARC expression, whereas control tumors were comprised largely of neoplastic cells with scant stroma. Mature, covalently cross-linked collagen was detected in SPARC-transfected 293 xenografts but not in control tumors. Our studies suggest that SPARC may regulate tumor growth by inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing tumor cell apoptosis and mediating changes in the deposition and organization of the tumor microenvironment. ' 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Purpose: Epigenetic aberrations have been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of most cancers. To investigate the clinical significance of epigenetic changes in neuroblastoma, we evaluated the relationship between clinicopathologic variables and the pattern of gene methylation in neuroblastoma cell lines and tumors. Experimental Design: Methylation-specific PCR was used to evaluate the gene methylation status of 19 genes in14 neuroblastoma cell lines and 8 genes in 70 primary neuroblastoma tumors. Associations between gene methylation, established prognostic factors, and outcome were evaluated. Log-rank tests were used to identify the number of methylated genes that was most predictive of overall survival. Results: Epigenetic changes were detected in the neuroblastoma cell lines and primary tumors, although the pattern of methylation varied. Eight of the 19 genes analyzed were methylated in >70% of the cell lines. Epigenetic changes of four genes were detected in only small numbers of cell lines. None of the cell lines had methylation of the other seven genes analyzed. In primary neuroblastoma tumors, high-risk disease and poor outcome were associated with methylation of DCR2, CASP8, and HIN-1 individually. Although methylation of the other five individual genes was not predictive of poor outcome, a trend toward decreased survival was seen in patients with a methylation phenotype, defined as z4 methylated genes (P = 0.055). Conclusion: Our study indicates that clinically aggressive neuroblastoma tumors have aberrant methylation of multiple genes and provides a rationale for exploring treatment strategies that include demethylating agents.