Prognostic microRNA expression signature from examination of colorectal primary and metastatic tumors.

While previous studies have described associations between specific microRNAs and colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis, our understanding of microRNA regulation of metastatic spread remains largely unexplored. To identify microRNAs critical for disease progression, we measured microRNA expression in primary CRC tumors and synchronous liver metastases in 19 cases using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) arrays. We identified 16 microRNAs significantly differentially expressed between primary tumors and liver metastases that distinguish primary tumors and liver metastases by hierarchical clustering.

IGF-I attenuates FFA-induced activation of JNK1 phosphorylation and TNFα expression in human subcutaneous preadipocytes.

Objective: Free fatty acids (FFAs) are increased in visceral fat and contribute to insulin resistance through multiple mechanisms, including c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and expression of TNFα. Given that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)-mediated proliferation is impaired in omental compared to subcutaneous (SC) preadipocytes, we investigated IGF-I anti-inflammatory action in preadipocytes from SC and omental adipose tissue.

Design And Methods: Preadipocytes isolated from abdominal SC and omental fat of obese subjects were studied in primary culture.

Expression microarray analysis identifies novel epithelial-derived protein markers in eosinophilic esophagitis.

Gene expression studies in eosinophilic esophagitis support an immune-mediated etiology associated with differential regulation of inflammatory and epithelial-derived genes. We aimed to further characterize epithelial gene expression alterations in eosinophilic esophagitis and to explore the use of immunohistochemistry to identify these alterations. Esophageal biopsies from pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis before and after therapy with topical steroids (N=7) were screened by gene expression microarray and results were validated by RT-PCR.

MicroRNA profiling in mucosal biopsies of eosinophilic esophagitis patients pre and post treatment with steroids and relationship with mRNA targets.

Background: The characterization of miRNAs and their target mRNAs involved in regulation of the immune process is an area of intense research and relatively little is known governing these processes in allergic inflammation. Here we present novel findings defining the miRNA and mRNA transcriptome in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an increasing recognized allergic disorder.

Methods: Esophageal epithelial miRNA and mRNA from five paired biopsies pre- and post-treatment with glucocorticosteroids were profiled using Taqman and Affymetrix arrays.

EGF regulates survivin stability through the Raf-1/ERK pathway in insulin-secreting pancreatic β-cells.

Background: Postnatal expansion of the pancreatic β-cell mass is required to maintain glucose homeostasis immediately after birth. This β-cell expansion is regulated by multiple growth factors, including glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). These mitogens signal through several downstream pathways (AKT, ERK, STAT3, and JNK) to regulate the survival and proliferation of β-cells.

Two novel proteins that are linked to insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) receptors by the Grb10 adapter and modulate IGF-I signaling.

Grb10 is a protein that binds to the intracellular domains of activated tyrosine kinase receptors, including insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and insulin receptors. This occurs through the interaction of two C-terminal Grb10 motifs (BPS and Src homology domains) with receptor phosphotyrosine residues. Published data from transfection/overexpression studies support both positive and negative regulatory effects of Grb10, thus leaving its physiological role unclear.