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Transforming growth factors β and their signaling pathway in renal cell carcinoma and peritumoral space-transcriptome

Dariusz Kajdaniuk1, Dorota Hudy2, Joanna Katarzyna Strzelczyk2

  • 1Department of Pathophysiology, Chair of Pathophysiology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, H. Jordana 19, Zabrze, 41-808, Katowice, Poland. dkajdaniuk@sum.edu.pl.

Clinical & Translational Oncology : Official Publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico
|December 12, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Gene expression in the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)/Smads pathway is altered in kidney cancer. This dysregulation in tumor and microenvironment tissues impacts cancer aggressiveness and spread.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Genetics

Background:

  • The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)/Smads pathway plays a crucial role in cellular processes.
  • Dysregulation of this pathway is implicated in various cancers, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
  • Understanding gene expression patterns in tumor and surrounding tissues is vital for cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the involvement of TGFβ1-3, their receptors (TGFβRI-III), and Smad1-7 proteins in kidney cancer pathogenesis.
  • To analyze the gene expression of the TGFβ/Smads pathway in RCC tissues, tumor microenvironment (TME), and normal kidney (NK) tissue.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular analysis of kidney tissue samples from 20 RCC patients.
  • Quantification of mRNA expression using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Main Results:

  • TGFβ/Smads pathway gene expression is dysregulated in both RCC and TME tissues.
  • TGFβ1 and TGFβ3 showed increased expression in TME compared to NK tissues.
  • Several genes, including TGFβ2, TGFβ3, TGFβRI, TGFβRIII, Smad1, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad6, were underexpressed in RCC compared to TME and NK tissues.

Conclusions:

  • Underexpression of TGFβ signaling genes in RCC may lead to reduced antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects.
  • Overexpression in the TME likely contributes to an immunosuppressive environment and affects non-neoplastic cells.
  • TME characteristics, influenced by TGFβ/Smads pathway genes, may determine tumor aggressiveness and metastatic potential.
Keywords:
Cancer immunologyRenal cell carcinomaSmadTGF betaTransforming growth factor betaTumor microenvironment

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