Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
A Three-dimensional Model of Spheroids to Study Colon Cancer Stem Cells
Published on: January 22, 2021
Expression of sFRP-4 and beta-catenin in human colorectal carcinoma
Qian Feng Han1, Wenying Zhao, Jacky Bentel
1Department of Gastroenterological Surgery and Institute of Digestive System Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Abstract:
Alterations to the Wnt signalling pathway occur in the majority of colorectal cancers and result in abnormal accumulation of beta-catenin. The secreted frizzled related proteins (sFRPs) are antagonists that bind Wnt and inhibit signalling along this pathway. We investigated expression of the sFRP family member, sFRP-4, and beta-catenin in 1,044 human colorectal carcinomas using tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry. Both proteins showed markedly increased expression levels in tumors compared to normal mucosa, but no significant associations with pathological features or with patient outcome. sFRP-4 was co-expressed with beta-catenin, p53, and COX-2, while the absence of beta-catenin expression was strongly associated with loss of expression of the MLH1 mismatch repair gene. In contrast to other sFRP family members, sFRP-4 expression appears to be upregulated in colorectal carcinoma.
Insights
Secreted Frizzled-related protein-4 (sFRP-4) and beta-catenin are upregulated in colorectal cancer. sFRP-4 expression correlates with beta-catenin and other markers, but not patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Wnt signaling pathway alterations are common in colorectal cancer, leading to beta-catenin accumulation.
- Secreted Frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs) are antagonists of Wnt signaling.
- Understanding sFRP family member expression in colorectal cancer is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of sFRP-4 and beta-catenin in human colorectal carcinomas.
- To determine associations between sFRP-4, beta-catenin, and clinicopathological features or patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry.
- Analyzed expression of sFRP-4 and beta-catenin in 1,044 human colorectal carcinomas and normal mucosa.
- Correlated protein expression with pathological features and patient outcome data.
Main Results:
- Both sFRP-4 and beta-catenin showed significantly increased expression in tumors compared to normal tissue.
- sFRP-4 was co-expressed with beta-catenin, p53, and COX-2.
- Absence of beta-catenin expression was linked to MLH1 mismatch repair gene loss.
- No significant associations were found between sFRP-4 or beta-catenin expression and pathological features or patient outcome.
Conclusions:
- sFRP-4 expression is upregulated in colorectal carcinoma, unlike other sFRP family members.
- sFRP-4 and beta-catenin upregulation occurs in colorectal cancer, but does not predict patient prognosis.
- Findings suggest a distinct role for sFRP-4 in colorectal carcinogenesis.
