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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors
Published on: May 17, 2013
Microsatellite instability and gene mutations in transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor are absent in small
Mark Kidd1, Geeta Eick, Michael D Shapiro
1Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8062, USA. mkidd01@snet.net
Background:
Microsatellite instability (MSI) with concomitant mutations in the coding region of transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor (TGFbetaRII) results in an aberrant growth-regulatory phenotype in colorectal carcinomas. The authors postulated that a similar mechanism occurred during the malignant evolution of small bowel carcinoid tumors.
Methods:
Mutational analysis of two coding regions in the TGFbetaRII gene associated with MSI and BAT-26 within intron 5 of the mismatch repair gene, hMSH2, was undertaken in small bowel carcinoids (n = 14), lymph node metasasis (n = 1) and liver metastases (n = 5). Quantitative PCR analysis [TAQMAN, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA] was then undertaken to examine gene alterations in mismatch repair genes (hMLH1 and hMSH2) in small bowel carcinoids (n = 7) and matched normal mucosa (n = 5). Staining was then analyzed using quantitative tissue array profiling (AQUA analysis) in a small bowel EC carcinoid tissue microarray (n = 55 tumors) with immunostaining against TGFbetaRII and MSH2.
Results:
Mutational examination of the TFGbetaRII gene and BAT-26 demonstrated that MSI was not present in any carcinoid material. Q RT-PCR analysis demonstrated statistically significant increased message levels of hMSH2 but not hMLH1 in carcinoid tumors. Quantitative analysis of membrane TGFbetaRII immunostaining using AQUA demonstrated that TGFbetaRII expression was down-regulated (P < 0.0002) in thirty-three primary small bowel carcinoids that exhibited lymph node and liver metastases compared to normal mucosa. AQUA analysis of nuclear MSH2 immunostaining demonstrated no differences for MSH2 between normal tissue and carcinoid tumor metastasis. Small bowel carcinoids characterized by variable expression of TGFbetaRII, did not exhibit MSI and had no differences in MSH2 expression.
Conclusions:
The molecular events leading to the formation of carcinoid tumors in the small bowel were different from those resulting in epithelial carcinomas. The usually slow-growing and relatively nonaggressive carcinoid tumors had variable expression of TGFbetaRII but were associated with the retention of mismatch repair protein function and a microsatellite-stable phenotype.
Insights
Small bowel carcinoid tumors do not exhibit microsatellite instability (MSI) or mutations in the TGFbetaRII gene, unlike colorectal carcinomas. These tumors show variable TGFbetaRII expression but retain mismatch repair protein function, indicating different molecular pathways.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Microsatellite instability (MSI) and transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor (TGFbetaRII) mutations are key in colorectal cancer.
- This study investigates if similar mechanisms drive small bowel carcinoid tumor development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the role of MSI and TGFbetaRII gene mutations in small bowel carcinoid tumorigenesis.
- To compare the molecular pathways of small bowel carcinoids with colorectal carcinomas.
Main Methods:
- Mutational analysis of TGFbetaRII and BAT-26 in small bowel carcinoids and metastases.
- Quantitative PCR for mismatch repair genes (hMLH1, hMSH2).
- Immunohistochemical analysis of TGFbetaRII and MSH2 expression using AQUA.
Main Results:
- Small bowel carcinoids did not exhibit MSI or BAT-26 mutations.
- Increased hMSH2 message levels were observed, but not for hMLH1.
- Down-regulation of TGFbetaRII expression was found in metastatic carcinoids.
- MSH2 expression remained unchanged between normal tissue and metastases.
Conclusions:
- Molecular events in small bowel carcinoid formation differ from epithelial carcinomas.
- Carcinoid tumors display variable TGFbetaRII expression and a microsatellite-stable phenotype.
- Mismatch repair protein function is retained in small bowel carcinoids.
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