cDNA-array profiling of melanomas and paired melanocyte cultures.

Abstract

Three paired (from the same donor) sets of melanoma cells and normal melanocytes, established as early-passage cultures from metastatic lesions and the uninvolved skin of three patients, were comparatively cDNA profiled by macroarrays (approximately 1,200 genes) and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. While 145 gene products were significantly (at least twofold) upregulated or downregulated in at least 1 pair, and 23 were in at least 2 pairs, only 3 (the signal transducer and activator of transcription STAT2, collagen type VI, and CD9) were concordantly modulated (downregulation) in all 3 pairs. Array results were validated by RT-PCR on a small panel of surgically removed nevocellular nevi and metastatic melanoma lesions, and by immunohistochemistry on a large panel of benign and malignant lesions of the nevomelanocytic lineage. The three gene products were downregulated at different stages of melanoma progression. STAT2 was detectable in nevi (5/5) and most primary melanomas (11/12), but was lost in 10/15 metastatic lesions. Collagen type VI was expressed in nevi (5/5) and primary melanomas below a Breslow thickness of 1 mm (3/3), but was lost in 24/24 primary melanomas above this threshold, and in metastatic melanomas (10/10). The tetraspanin CD9 molecule was expressed in 18/18 nevi, but was lost in 20/28 primary melanomas (including thin lesions), and in 24/52 metastatic lesions. These data provide the proof of principle that cDNA profiling of paired melanocyte/melanoma cultures sorts out novel, early signatures of melanocyte transformation that could contribute to the clinical management of patients at high risk of metastatic disease.

• Authors: Carlo Mischiati, Pier Giorgio Natali, Alessia Sereni, Leonardo Sibilio, Ezio Giorda, Sandra Cappellacci, Maria Rita Nicotra, Giustino Mariani, Franco Di Filippo, Caterina Catricalà, Roberto Gambari, Paola Grammatico, Patrizio Giacomini
• Journal: Journal of cellular physiology (J Cell Physiol) Vol. 207 Issue 3 Pg. 697-705 (Jun 2006) ISSN: 0021-9541 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16523488 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD
• CD9 protein, human
• Collagen Type IV
• Membrane Glycoproteins
• RNA, Messenger
• STAT2 Transcription Factor
• STAT2 protein, human
• Tetraspanin 29

Topics

• Antigens, CD (metabolism)
• Cell Lineage
• Cells, Cultured
• Collagen Type IV (metabolism)
• Down-Regulation (genetics)
• Gene Expression Profiling
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Melanocytes (cytology, metabolism)
• Melanoma (genetics, pathology)
• Membrane Glycoproteins (metabolism)
• Neoplasm Staging
• Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
• RNA, Messenger (genetics)
• STAT2 Transcription Factor (metabolism)
• Tetraspanin 29
• Up-Regulation (genetics)