Published online Feb 28, 2017. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i8.1434
Peer-review started: September 22, 2016
First decision: October 20, 2016
Revised: November 3, 2016
Accepted: December 8, 2016
Article in press: December 8, 2016
Published online: February 28, 2017
Processing time: 158 Days and 23 Hours
To understand the molecular mechanism of esophageal cancer development and provide molecular markers for screening high-risk populations and early diagnosis.
Two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry were adopted to screen differentially expressed proteins in nine cases of fetal esophageal epithelium, eight cases of esophageal cancer, and eight cases of tumor-adjacent normal esophageal epithelium collected from fetuses of different gestational age, or esophageal cancer patients from a high-risk area of esophageal cancer in China. Immunohistochemistry (avidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase complex method) was used to detect the expression of peroxiredoxin (PRX)6 in 91 cases of esophageal cancer, tumor-adjacent normal esophageal tissue, basal cell hyperplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ, as well as 65 cases of esophageal epithelium from fetuses at a gestational age of 3-9 mo.
After peptide mass fingerprint analysis and search of protein databases, 21 differential proteins were identified; some of which represent a protein isoform. Varying degrees of expression of PRX6 protein, which was localized mainly in the cytoplasm, were detected in adult and fetal normal esophageal tissues, precancerous lesions, and esophageal cancer. With the progression of esophageal lesions, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend (P < 0.05). In fetal epithelium from fetuses at gestational age 3-6 mo, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend with age (P < 0.05). PRX6 protein expression was significantly higher in well-differentiated esophageal cancer tissues than in poorly differentiated esophageal cancer tissues (P < 0.05).
Development and progression of esophageal cancer result from interactions of genetic changes (accumulation or superposition). PRX6 protein is associated with fetal esophageal development and cancer differentiation.
Core tip: This was a retrospective study to identify 21 significantly differentially expressed proteins that may be related to the development and growth of fetal esophageal epithelium or the development and progression of esophageal cancer. Peroxiredoxin (PRX)6 protein was localized mainly in the cytoplasm, and detected in adult and fetal normal esophageal tissues, precancerous lesions, and esophageal cancer. With the progression of esophageal lesions, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend. In epithelium from fetuses at gestational age 3-6 mo, PRX6 expression showed a declining trend with age. PRX6 protein expression was significantly higher in well-differentiated than poorly differentiated esophageal cancer tissues. PRX6 protein is associated with fetal esophageal development and esophageal cancer differentiation.