Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is frequently involved in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis although its contribution to oesophageal adenocarcinoma (AC) and its precursor Barrett's oesophageal epithelium (BE) metaplasia are unclear. METHODS: Expression of TGF-beta signalling components was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blot, and immunohistochemistry in oesophageal endoscopic biopsies and cell lines. Genomic alterations in SMAD4 were characterised by fluorescence in situ hybridisation, methylation specific PCR, and sequencing. Functional integrity of TGF-beta signalling was assessed by characterisation of p21 and proliferation status. Smad4 negative BIC-1 cells were transiently transfected with smad4 and TGF-beta responsiveness evaluated. RESULTS: smad4 mRNA expression was progressively reduced in the metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence (p<0.01). A quarter of AC samples displayed an abnormal Smad4 protein isoform, with no corresponding changes in gene sequence or organisation. Methylation of smad4 has not been described previously but we found promoter methylation in 70% of primary AC samples. In 6/8 oesophageal cell lines, chromosomal rearrangements affected the smad4 locus. Lack of smad4 expression in BIC-1 cells occurred secondary to loss of one copy and extensive deletion of the second allele's promoter region. TGF-beta dependent induction of p21 and downregulation of minichromosome maintenance protein 2 was lost in >80% of BE and AC. TGF-beta failed to inhibit proliferation in 5/8 oesophageal cell lines. In BIC-1, the antiproliferative response was restored following transient transfection of smad4 cDNA. CONCLUSIONS: In BE carcinogenesis, downregulation of Smad4 occurs due to several different mechanisms, including methylation, deletion, and protein modification. Frequent alterations in TGF-beta signalling lead to a functionally significant impairment of TGF-beta mediated growth suppression.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/gut.2005.076430

Type

Journal article

Journal

Gut

Publication Date

06/2006

Volume

55

Pages

764 - 774

Keywords

Adenocarcinoma, Barrett Esophagus, Base Sequence, Cell Proliferation, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic, DNA Methylation, Disease Progression, Esophageal Neoplasms, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Genome, Humans, Molecular Sequence Data, Neoplasm Proteins, Precancerous Conditions, Prospective Studies, RNA, Messenger, RNA, Neoplasm, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Signal Transduction, Smad4 Protein, Transfection, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Tumor Cells, Cultured