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Published on: January 12, 2020
The Significance of VSIG4 Expression in Ovarian Cancer
Jung Mi Byun1, Dae Hoon Jeong, In Hak Choi
1*Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, †Paik Institute for Clinical Research, ‡Department of Microbiology and Immunology, §Advanced Research Center for Multiple Myeloma, and ∥Department of Pathology, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Objectives:
The protein V-set and Ig domain-containing 4 (VSIG4), a novel B7 family-related macrophage protein with the capacity to inhibit T-cell activation, has a potential role in cancer. Here we suggest its possibility as a therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker of ovarian cancer.
Methods:
Between January 2011 and June 2015, tumor tissues and peripheral blood samples were obtained during surgery from 10 patients with benign ovarian tumors and 22 patients with ovarian cancers. Messenger RNA and protein expression levels of VSIG4 in benign tumor and cancer tissues were examined by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. Soluble VSIG4 concentrations were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation between VSIG4 expression and the prognosis of ovarian cancer was analyzed according to the patients' clinicopathologic characteristics.
Results:
VSIG4 messenger RNA and protein expression levels in ovarian cancer tissues were higher than those in benign ovarian tumors (P = 0.0013 and 0.0001, respectively). Soluble VSIG4 concentrations were increased in patients with ovarian cancer compared with that in patients with benign ovarian tumors (P = 0.0452). Moreover, soluble VSIG4 levels were significantly increased in advanced-stage and recurrent ovarian cancer (P = 0.0244 and 0.0288, respectively). High VSIG4 expression of cancer tissue and low VSIG4 expression of plasma (soluble VSIG4) were associated with a longer disease-free interval (P = 0.0246 and 0.0398, respectively).
Conclusions:
VSIG4 is overexpressed in ovarian cancers compared with that in benign tumors. This finding supports VSIG4 being used as a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Furthermore, soluble VSIG4 levels are associated with the progression and recurrence of ovarian cancer, indicating that soluble VSIG4 may be used as a potential biomarker for predicting tumor prognosis.
Insights
V-set and Ig domain-containing 4 (VSIG4) is overexpressed in ovarian cancer, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target. Soluble VSIG4 levels correlate with disease progression and recurrence, indicating its use as a prognostic biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- V-set and Ig domain-containing 4 (VSIG4) is a novel macrophage protein.
- VSIG4 has demonstrated the capacity to inhibit T-cell activation.
- VSIG4 has a potential role in various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of VSIG4 in ovarian tumors.
- To evaluate VSIG4 as a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
- To assess VSIG4 as a prognostic biomarker in ovarian cancer.
Main Methods:
- Collected tumor and peripheral blood samples from ovarian cancer and benign tumor patients.
- Quantified VSIG4 messenger RNA and protein expression using RT-PCR and Western blot.
- Measured soluble VSIG4 concentrations via ELISA and analyzed correlations with clinicopathologic characteristics.
Main Results:
- VSIG4 mRNA and protein expression were significantly higher in ovarian cancer tissues than in benign tumors.
- Soluble VSIG4 concentrations were elevated in ovarian cancer patients and further increased in advanced-stage and recurrent cases.
- High tissue VSIG4 and low plasma VSIG4 expression correlated with longer disease-free intervals.
Conclusions:
- VSIG4 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer, supporting its role as a therapeutic target.
- Soluble VSIG4 levels are associated with ovarian cancer progression and recurrence.
- Soluble VSIG4 shows potential as a prognostic biomarker for ovarian cancer.
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