Altered expression of multiple genes involved in retinoic acid biosynthesis in human colorectal cancer.

All-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), the oxidized form of vitamin A (retinol), regulates a wide variety of biological processes, such as cell proliferation and differentiation. Multiple alcohol, retinol and retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (ADHs, RDHs, RALDHs) as well as aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) catalyze atRA production. The reduced atRA biosynthesis has been observed in several human tumors, including colorectal cancer.

Expression of cyclophilin A in gastric adenocarcinoma patients and its inverse association with local relapses and distant metastasis.

The aim of this study was to identify new protein markers of the intestinal and diffuse type gastric adenocarcinoma and to determine their relation to local relapses and distant metastasis. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we searched for proteins that are overexpressed in the intestinal and/or diffuse type gastric adenocarcinoma, as compared to matched normal mucosa samples with further change confirmation by Western blot. Expression of the selected proteins was further assessed by immunohistocemistry in a large panel of gastric adenocarcinoma with various clinicopathological features.

Enteric alpha defensins in norm and pathology.

Microbes living in the mammalian gut exist in constant contact with immunity system that prevents infection and maintains homeostasis. Enteric alpha defensins play an important role in regulation of bacterial colonization of the gut, as well as in activation of pro- and anti-inflammatory responses of the adaptive immune system cells in lamina propria. This review summarizes currently available data on functions of mammalian enteric alpha defensins in the immune defense and changes in their secretion in intestinal inflammatory diseases and cancer.