Transforming growth factor-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via the PTEN/PI3K signaling pathway.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial step for the invasive and metastatic properties of malignant tumor cells during tumor progression. Numerous signaling pathways are involved in the process of EMT in cancer, such as the EMT-inducing signal transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and the recently demonstrated PTEN/PI3K signaling pathway. To date, no data have been reported concerning the influence of PTEN/PI3K signaling pathway on EMT in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and how TGF-β1 and PTEN/PI3K act through multiple interconnected signaling pathways to trigger events associated with EMT and tumor progression.

Stathmin is a marker of progression and poor prognosis in esophageal carcinoma.

Stathmin, also called oncoprotein 18, is a founding member of the family of microtubule-destabilizing proteins that play a critical role in the regulation of mitosis. At the same time stathmin has been recognized as one of responsible factors in cancer cells. The aim of this study was to assess stathmin status, its correlations with clinicopathological parameters and its role as a progosnostic marker in EC patients.

Roles of GST-π and polβ genes in chemoresistance of esophageal carcinoma cells.

The main aim of this study was to investigate the roles of GST-π and polβ genes in the chemoresistance of esophageal carcinoma cells. Eukaryotic expression vectors containing each gene were constructed and transfected into EC9706 cells, and the biological effects of the two genes assessed based on a resistance index. We additionally investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti-resistance effects of GST-π and polβ genes using recombinant lentiviruses carrying siRNAs against the two genes.

Influence of human myasthenia gravis thymus on the differentiation of human cord blood stem cells in SCID mice.

The normal thymus contributes to T lymphocytes differentiation and induction of tolerance to self-antigens. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is characterized by abnormal thymic hyperplasia. To assess the potential influence of MG-thymus on the differentiation of T lymphocytes differentiation, we used the MG-thymus transplanted severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice model to evaluate the human cord blood stem cells differentiation.

Relationship between TWIST expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

We have investigated mRNA and protein expression of TWIST, Vimentin and E-cadherin in ESCC (oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma) and explored their relationship with tumour's infiltration and metastasis. RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-PCR) was used to evaluate mRNA expression of TWIST, E-cadherin and Vimentin in 40 cases of ESCC. The protein expression of the genes was examined by immunohistochemical staining in each specimen.

S100A4 mediated cell invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via the regulation of MMP-2 and E-cadherin activity.

It is well documented that S100A4 is upregulated in a large amount of invasive tumors and plays a pivotal role in tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the precise role and mechanism S100A4 exerts in the invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have not been fully elucidated to date. Our data demonstrated that S100A4 was overexpressed in human ESCC tissues, especially in ESCC with poor differentiation, deep invasion and lymph node metastasis.

[Inhibitory effect and molecular mechanism of silencing S100A4 gene on the growth of transplanted tumor of human esophageal carcinoma EC-1 cells in nude mice].

Objective: To study the effect of S100A4siRNA on tumor growth of xenografted human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell line EC1 in nude mice and explore its related molecular mechanism.

Methods: The xenografted tumor model was established in nude mice, and S100A4siRNA chemically synthesized was used to transfect the xenografted nude mice. The tumor growth was observed.

[Expression of S100A4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its relation to tumor invasion and metastasis].

Objective: To study the role of S100A4 in the carcinogenesis, development, invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of S100A4, MMP-2 and E-cadherin proteins in 100 cases of surgically resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma specimens. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of S100A4 mRNA and protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma line EC-1 and TE-1.

[Effect of KISS-1 on invasive potential and proliferation of esophageal squamous carcinoma cell line EC-1].

Objective: To investigate the effect of KISS-1 expression on the potential of invasion and proliferation of esophageal squamous carcinoma cell EC-1.

Methods: Protein and mRNA expressions of KISS-1 were evaluated by Western blot and RT-PCR in four esophageal carcinoma cell lines (EC-1, Eca109, EC9706 and TE-1). Using liposome-mediated transfection, an eukaryotic expression vector (pcDNA3.