Claudin-2 is a trans-membrane protein—component of tight junctions in epithelial cells. Elevated claudin-2 expression has been reported in colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of claudin-2 in human CRC samples and analyze its association with clinical characteristics and treatment outcome. TMAs of primary tumors from two cohorts of metastatic CRC (mCRC) were used. Claudin-2 IHC staining was evaluated in a semi-quantitative manner in different regions and cell types. Claudin-2 expression was also analyzed by immunofluorescence in primary cultures of human CRC cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Initial analyses identified previously unrecognized expression patterns of claudin-2 in CAFs of human CRC. Claudin-2 expression in CAFs of the invasive margin was associated with shorter progression-free survival. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the survival associations occurred among cases that received 5-FU+oxaliplatin combination treatment, but not in patients receiving 5-FU±irinotecan. The finding was validated by analyses of the independent cohort. In summary, previously unreported stromal expression of claudin-2 in CAFs of human CRC was detected together with significant association between high claudin-2 expression in CAFs and shorter survival in 5-FU+oxaliplatin-treated mCRC patients.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00428-017-2263-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The trend of the modern society is to consume ecologically safe products or products with improved ecological properties. The article reviews some advantages and disadvantages of intensive and organic horticulture systems. It shows feasibility of an integrated system development. The object of the research is Prima apple cultivar, treated with the growth regulators such as foliton, vermicoffe, potassium, melafen and mettalocen. The article describes impact of growth regulators on the fractional composition of pectin substances. It proves that treatment of apple trees with potassium increases the weight fraction of soluble pectin while treatment with melafen and metallocen increases proto pectin content. Taking into account chemistry of pectin substances, fractional composition changes under different factors may be explained with structural changes of homogalaturonan and rhamnogalactoronan -1. The obtained experimental results have led to the conclusion that it is reasonable to use apples from trees that have been treated with melafen and metallocen for dry pectin production while those that have been treated with potassium should be used for pectin extracts. So, the obtained data showed the viability of the studied cultivation schemes in commercial apple orchards for organizing production of pectin and pectin-containing food products with improved ecological properties.

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