Region-specific expression of chickenSox2 in the developing gut and lung epithelium: Regulation by epithelial-mesenchymal interactions

Abstract

In situ analysis of the chicken cSox2 gene, a member of the transcription factor family containing an Sry-like high-mobility group (HMG) box, demonstrated localized expression in the embryonic endoderm. Transcripts of cSox2 appeared before commencement of morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation in the rostral gut epithelium from the pharynx to the stomach. The caudal limit of cSox2 expression coincided with that of the region competent for proventricular differentiation and to the rostral limit of the domain of CdxA, a homologue of Drosophila caudal. During morphogenesis, the level of transcripts of cSox2 decreased in epithelia invaginating into surrounding mesenchyme to form glandular or tubular structures, such as the primordia of the thyroid and lung, glandular epithelium of the proventriculus, and secondary bronchus of the lung. Tissue recombination experiments demonstrated that cSox2 expression is regulated by the underlying mesenchyme as well as morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation. The results suggest that cSox2 plays pivotal roles in generating morphologically and physiologically distinct types of epithelial cells in the gut.

Clinicopathological analysis of basal cell carcinoma of the anal region and its distinction from basaloid squamous cell carcinoma

“…The staining was strongest in the basal cell layer and progressively decreased with maturing epithelium. Although SOX2 is not considered to 40 Our findings indicate that unlike its potential role as a cancer stem-like cell/ tumor-initiating cell marker in various cancers such as lung adenocarcinoma, 41 gastric carcinoma, 42 breast carcinoma, 43 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, 44 and metastatic melanomas, 45 it does not appear to mediate regulation of progenitor cells of the folliculo-sebaceous unit or interfollicular epidermis from which basal cell carcinomas originate. 29 The differential expression of SOX2 not only allows for a reliable distinction between basal cell carcinomas and basaloid squamous cell carcinomas but also provides opportunities for selective therapeutic intervention in basaloid squamous cell carcinomas.…”

Inactivation of NKX6.3 in the stomach leads to abnormal expression of CDX2 and SOX2 required for gastric-to-intestinal transdifferentiation

“…[28][29][30][31] It was recently suggested that several differentiation-associated genes such as NKX6.3, SOX2, CDX2, PDX1, and OCT1 have an important role in gastric differentiation and intestinal metaplastic formation. 32 SOX2 contributes to the development of foregut-derived organs, such as the esophagus and stomach, 33,34 and controls the expression of pepsinogen A and Muc5ac. 35,36 The expression of SOX2 is downregulated during the progression from incomplete to complete intestinal metaplasia.…”

Expression of Sox2 in mature and immature teratomas of central nervous system

“…In one study, Sox2 was found to be expressed in early chick endodermal epithelium from pharynx to lung and stomach. 21 Other studies on human specimens showed that Sox2 is expressed in normal stomach epithelium, 22 and in cancers of endodermal origin tissues. 23 However, little is known about the role of Sox2 during endodermal differentiation.…”