Inflammatory Gene Expression In Colorectal Carcinoma

Objective: Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in our country. The tendency of incidence is increasingly today. Despite its extensive research, the mechanism of development and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma is unclear. NF-κB, as a mediator of inflammation, is involved in tumor development processes.To investigate the expressive patterns of inflammatory factors, and the relationship between them and NF-κB expression during colorectal carcinoma development, the present study detected the expression of several inflammatory markers such as NF-κB, COX-2, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MMP-9, which are related to tumor progression and metastasis. The good of the study is to provide valuable reference for clinical treatment and prognosis.Methods:1 Specimens: 28 cases of colorectal carcinoma specimens and matched normal tissues were collected from patients operated in the Surgery Department of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University during December 2006 to June 2007. All specimens were determined by pathology.2 Western blot analyses: Equal amounts of protein extracts from normal and colorectal carcinoma tissues were separated on 8%SDS-PAGE, and then blotted onto PVDF membrane. The membrane was immunologically stained with specific antibodies. The results were analyzed by digital imaging system.Results:1 Relationship between the expression of NF-κB and I-κBαand tumor progression(1) The level of NF-κB in colorectal carcinoma tissues was higher than that in the normal tissues (P<0.05), and the NF-κB expression in Dukes D was significantly higher than that in Dukes A ( P<0.05 ). These results indicated that the increased NF-κB is positively correlated with the progression of colorectal carcinoma. (2) The level of I-κBαin colorectal carcinoma tissues was lower than that in the normal tissues, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).2 The level of phosphorylated-IKK was increased in colorectal carcinoma tissuesWestern blot analysis showed that the level of p-IKK in colorectal carcinoma tissues was obviously higher than that in the normal tissues, and with the progression of Dukes stage, its level was gradually increased. There was a significant difference (P<0.05).3 The level of COX-2 was increased in colorectal carcinoma tissuesWestern blot analysis showed that the level of COX-2 in colorectal carcinoma tissues was obviously higher than that in the normal tissues, there was a significant difference (P<0.05). However, with the progression of Dukes stage, COX-2 level was not changed (P>0.05).4 The level of metastasis-associated protein ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MMP-9 and SM22αin colorectal carcinoma tissues is different from that in normal tissuesWestern blot analysis showed that the level of ICAM-1 in colorectal carcinoma tissues was obviously higher than that in the normal tissues, and with the progression of Dukes stage, its level was gradually increased. There was a significant difference (P<0.05). However, the level of VCAM-1 expression was high in the normal tissues, and mildly increased in tumors (P>0.05).Western blot analysis showed that the level of MMP-9 in colorectal carcinoma tissues was obviously higher than that in the normal tissues, there was a significant difference (P<0.05). The level of MMP-9 is positively correlated with ICAM-1.In addition, we still found that the level of SM22αin colorectal carcinoma tissues was obviously lower than that in the normal tissues, there was a significant difference (P<0.05). The level of SM22αis negatively correlated with MMP-9.Conclusions:1 The expression level of NF-κB in colorectal carcinoma tissues was obviously higher than that in the normal tissues, and with the progression of Dukes stage, its level was gradually increased.2 The level of I-κBαin colorectal carcinoma tissues was lower than that in the normal tissues, while the level of p-IKK is obviously higher than that in the normal tissues. These indicated that the phosphorylation of IKK and degradation of I-κBαis related with the progression of colorectal carcinoma.3 The expression level of COX-2, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MMP-9 in colorectal carcinoma tissues is higher than that in normal tissues, and is positively corrected with the level of p-IKK. These indicated that the activation of IKK plays a key role in the development of colorectal carcinoma.4 The decreased SM22αmay be a mechanism resulting in tumor progression.