Immunoglobulin kappa and immunoglobulin lambda are required for expression of the anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-xL in human colorectal cancer tissue.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Aberrant expression of immunoglobulin (Ig) by cancer cells has been documented in a number of malignant tumors but its biological significance is unclear. Cancer cells overexpress anti-apoptotic molecules such as Bcl-xL. The present study aimed to examine the role of expression of Ig light-chain Igk and Iglambda in maintaining the high levels of Bcl-xL in colorectal cancer cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Thirty patients with colorectal cancer were recruited to this study. Expression of Igk, Iglambda and Bcl-xL in surgically removed cancer tissue was examined by immunohistochemistry and/or flow cytometry. Using the HT29 cell line as a study platform, RNA interference (RNAi) was employed to knock out the genes of Igk and Iglambda in the cancer cell line; the expression of Bcl-xL in HT29 cells was subsequently analyzed.

RESULTS:

Human colorectal cancer cells, but not normal colorectal tissue, expressed both Igk and Iglambda in the cytoplasm. High levels of Bcl-xL were detected in cancer cells. Using RNAi to knock out the genes of Igk and/or Iglambda, Bcl-xL expression in HT29 cells was significantly suppressed and the cells became apoptotic.

CONCLUSION:

The results suggest that expression of Igk and Iglambda is required to stabilize Bcl-xL expression in cancer cells.

• Authors: Shao-Bo Yang, Xiao Chen, Ben-Yan Wu, Meng-Wei Wang, Chang-Hao Cai, Dan-Bi Cho, Jasmine Chong, Ping Li, Shang-Guo Tang, Ping-Chang Yang
• Journal: Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology (Scand J Gastroenterol) Vol. 44 Issue 12 Pg. 1443-51 ( 2009) ISSN: 1502-7708 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19883274 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• BCL2L1 protein, human
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• IgK
• Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains
• Immunoglobulins
• Immunologic Factors
• bcl-X Protein

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Biomarkers, Tumor (metabolism)
• Blotting, Western
• Colorectal Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains (genetics, metabolism)
• Immunoglobulins (genetics, metabolism)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Immunologic Factors (genetics, metabolism)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Neoplasm Staging
• bcl-X Protein (genetics, metabolism)