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Published on: April 9, 2019
Expression and localization of apolipoprotein M in human colorectal tissues
Guanghua Luo1, Xiaoying Zhang, Qinfeng Mu
1Comprehensive Laboratory, Third Affiliated Hospital, Suzhou University, Changzhou, China.
Background:
It has been well documented that apolipoprotein M (apoM) is principally expressed in the liver and kidney. However we found that there was weak apoM expression in other tissues or organs too, which could not be ignored. In the present study, we therefore examined apoM expression in human colorectal tissues including cancer tissues, cancer adjacent normal tissues, polyp tissues and normal mucosa as well as inflammatory mucosa.
Methods:
Tissue samples were collected from patients who underwent surgical resection or endoscopic examination. ApoM mRNA levels were determined by the real-time RT-PCR and apoM protein mass were examined by the immunohistochemistry.
Results:
ApoM protein can be detected in all colorectal tissues. However, apoM protein mass were significantly lower in the cancer tissues than its matched adjacent normal tissues, polyp tissues, normal mucosa and inflammatory mucosa. In parallel, apoM mRNA levels in the colorectal cancer tissues (0.0536 ± 0.0131) were also significantly lower than those in their adjacent normal tissues (0.1907 ± 0.0563) (P = 0.033). Interestingly, apoM mRNA levels in colorectal cancer tissues were statistic significant higher in the patients with lymph node metastasis than the patients without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.008). Patients under Dukes' C and D stages had much higher apoM mRNA levels than patients under Dukes' A and B stages (P = 0.034).
Conclusion:
It is concluded that apoM could also be expressed in human colorectal tissues besides liver and kidney. ApoM mRNA levels in the colorectal cancer tissues were significantly increased in the patients with lymph node metastasis. Whether increased apoM expression in the patients with lymph node metastasis being related to patients' prognosis and the physiopathological importance of apoM expression in colorectal tissues need further investigation.
Insights
Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is expressed in colorectal tissues, with lower levels in cancer. However, apoM mRNA levels increase with lymph node metastasis and advanced colorectal cancer stages.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is primarily known for expression in the liver and kidney.
- Previous findings suggested potential expression in other tissues, warranting further investigation.
- This study focuses on apoM expression within various human colorectal tissue types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate apolipoprotein M (apoM) expression in human colorectal tissues.
- To compare apoM levels in normal, polyp, and cancerous colorectal tissues.
- To correlate apoM expression with clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer.
Main Methods:
- Human colorectal tissue samples were obtained from patients undergoing resection or endoscopic examination.
- Apolipoprotein M (apoM) mRNA levels were quantified using real-time RT-PCR.
- ApoM protein mass was assessed through immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- ApoM protein was detectable in all examined colorectal tissues.
- Colorectal cancer tissues exhibited significantly lower apoM protein mass compared to adjacent normal tissues, polyps, and normal or inflammatory mucosa.
- ApoM mRNA levels were significantly lower in colorectal cancer tissues than in adjacent normal tissues.
- Elevated apoM mRNA levels in colorectal cancer correlated with lymph node metastasis and advanced Dukes' stages (C and D).
Conclusions:
- Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is expressed in human colorectal tissues, extending beyond the liver and kidney.
- Increased apoM mRNA levels in colorectal cancer are associated with lymph node metastasis.
- Further research is needed to determine the prognostic significance of apoM expression in colorectal cancer and its physiopathological role.
