Lysyl-tRNA synthetase (KRS) expression in gastric carcinoma and tumor-associated inflammation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Lysyl-tRNA synthetase (KRS) is an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) that is essential for protein synthesis during ligation of specific amino acids to their cognate tRNAs. Aberrant expression of ARSs is associated with various human cancers.

METHODS:

Using immunohistochemical detection, the present study analyzed the clinical relevance of KRS expression in tumor cells and tumor-associated inflammatory cells (TAI) in 457 patients who underwent curative radical surgery and standard adjuvant therapy and who were observed on long-term follow-up.

RESULTS:

High expression of KRS in tumor cells (tumor-KRS(+)) was noted in 43.3 % (198 of 457) of cases. High expression of KRS in tumor-associated inflammatory cells (TAI-KRS(+)) including macrophages/monocytes, CD4-positive T cells, and/or neutrophils was observed in 37.2 % (170 of 457) of cases. Status of KRS in the tumor and TAI revealed an association with the known clinicopathological parameters for prognosis of gastric cancer. Tumor-KRS(+) status correlated to shorter overall survival, especially in stage III to IV cancers (P = 0.003), while TAI-KRS(+) status correlated significantly to longer overall survival in gastric cancer (P = 0.049). Cases with tumor-KRS(+) and TAI-KRS(-) status showed significantly reduced survival rates compared to those of other cases (P = 0.010), and status of tumor-KRS(+) and TAI-KRS(-) was revealed as an independently poor prognostic factor of overall survival (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

KRS-related inflammation can be identified in a subset of gastric cancer. This may be a possible mechanism of immune surveillance against tumor progression. In addition, expression status of KRS in tumor and TAI may be an independent prognostic marker for gastric cancer patients.

• Authors: Baek-Hui Kim, Woon Yong Jung, Hyunjoo Lee, Youngran Kang, You-Jin Jang, Soon Won Hong, Hyeong-Jae Jeong, Sun Och Yoon
• Journal: Annals of surgical oncology (Ann Surg Oncol) Vol. 21 Issue 6 Pg. 2020-7 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 1534-4681 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24558064 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Ki-67 Antigen
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Lysine-tRNA Ligase

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (chemistry)
• Carcinoma (chemistry, pathology, therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Inflammation (pathology)
• Ki-67 Antigen (analysis)
• Lysine-tRNA Ligase (analysis)
• Macrophages (chemistry)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Monocytes (chemistry)
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Neoplasm Staging
• Neutrophils (chemistry)
• Stomach Neoplasms (chemistry, pathology, therapy)
• Survival Rate
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (analysis)