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Biomedical subjects

In-San Kim

Publications and source records attributed to In-San Kim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

In vivo tumor targeting and radionuclide imaging with self-assembled nanoparticles: mechanisms, key factors, and their implications.

The development of more selective delivery systems for cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy is one of the most important goals of current anticancer research. The purpose of this study is to evaluate various self-assembled nanoparticles as candidates to shuttle radionuclide and/or drugs into tumors and to investigate the mechanisms underlying the tumor targeting with self-assembled nanoparticles. By combining different hydrophobic moieties and hydrophilic polymer backbones, various self-assembled nanoparticles were prepared, and their in vivo distributions in tumor-bearing mice were studied by radionuclide imaging. One type of nanoparticles (fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated glycol chitosan (FGC) nanoparticles) exhibited highly selective tumoral localization. Scintigraphic images obtained 1 day after the intravenous injection of FGC nanoparticles clearly delineated the tumor against adjacent tissues. The mechanisms underlying the tumor targeting with self-assembled nanoparticles were investigated in terms of the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles and tumor microenvironments. FGC nanoparticles were preferentially localized in perivascular regions, implying their extravasation to tumors through the hyperpermeable tumor vasculature. The magnitude and pattern of tumoral distribution of self-assembled nanoparticles were influenced by several key factors--(i) in vivo colloidal stability: nanoparticles should maintain their intact nanostructures in vivo for a long period of time, (ii) particle size, (iii) intracellular uptake of nanoparticle: fast cellular uptake greatly facilitates the tumor targeting, (iv) tumor angiogenesis: pathological angiogenesis permits access of nanoparticles to tumors. We believe that this work can provide insight for the engineering of nanoparticles and be extended to cancer therapy and diagnosis, so as to deliver multiple therapeutic agents and imaging probes at high local concentrations.

Animals↗

Antiangiogenic effect of bile acid acylated heparin derivative.

PURPOSE: Chemically modified heparin-DOCA was prepared and found to have markedly lower anticoagulant activity than heparin. In the present study, we elucidated the antiangiogenic and antitumoral activities of heparin-DOCA derivative. METHODS: To evaluate the antiangiogenic and antitumoral effects of heparin-DOCA, capillary-like tube formation assay, Matrigel plug assay in vivo, western blotting for FGFR phosphorylation, ERK and p38 MAPK activities, tumor growth of SCC in vivo and immunostaining of blood vessels in tumor tissues were performed. RESULTS: Heparin-DOCA inhibited capillary-like tubular structures of endothelial cells and bFGF-induced neovascularizations in Matrigel plug assays. Signaling experiments showed that heparin-DOCA significantly inhibited angiogenesis by suppressing the phosphorylation of FGFR and its downstream signal pathways (ERK and p38 MAPK activities). The antiangiogenic activity of this heparin derivative was found to be closely associated with antitumoral activity in a mouse model. In addition, histological evaluations supported the inhibitory effect of heparin-DOCA on blood vessel formation in tumor tissues. CONCLUSION: Heparin-DOCA derivative exerted a significant antitumoral effect by inhibiting angiogenesis resulting from the disruption of FGF/FGFR and its downstream signal pathways, and could be applied to treat various angiogenic diseases.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

pH- and temperature-sensitive, injectable, biodegradable block copolymer hydrogels as carriers for paclitaxel.

Paclitaxel (PTX) was loaded into synthetic pH/T-sensitive block copolymer (OSM-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-OSM) solution with various concentrations. The phase diagram of PTX-loaded block copolymer solution shifted to lower temperature region compared to net block copolymer because of the salting-out effect of PTX. Release profiles of PTX showed sustained manner regardless of loading amount of PTX. To evaluate anti-tumor effect of PTX-loaded block copolymer, solutions were injected subcutaneously to tumor-bearing mice and TUNEL assay examined. PTX-loaded block copolymer hydrogel for in vivo use showed good anti-tumor effect for 2 weeks and induced strong apoptosis in tumor tissue. Therefore, we conclude OSM-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-OSM block copolymer as an effective injectable carrier of PTX.

Animals↗

Heparin-deoxycholic acid chemical conjugate as an anticancer drug carrier and its antitumor activity.

A chemically modified heparin-DOCA (HD) conjugate was developed as a drug carrier for cancer therapy. HD conjugate was found to have markedly low anticoagulant activity and to form self-assembled nanoparticles in aqueous condition. We observed that HD conjugate prevented squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and human umbilical vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation during BrdU incorporation assays. Here, we prepared doxorubicin-loaded heparin nanoparticles by entrapping doxorubicin into the amphiphilic HD conjugate by physical interaction and characterized the properties of these nanoparticles using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). In this study, doxorubicin-loaded heparin nanoparticles were designed to improve the antitumor effects of nano-sized particles (range of 180 to 210 nm) at high drug-loading efficiencies in the range 64% to 96%. These doxorubicin-loaded heparin nanoparticles displayed sustained drug release patterns. It was confirmed in vivo toxicity studies that HD conjugate did not induce unexpected side effects and that DHN 20 was safer than free DOX. An in vivo study showed that HD conjugate, doxorubicin and DHN 20 (one of doxorubicin-loaded heparin nanoparticles) induced tumor volume reductions of 43%, 56% and 74%, respectively, relative to the saline treated control. These results suggest that the drug-entrapped with heparin nanoparticles might provide a novel therapy for SCC.

Animals↗

Cell-permeable and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles for apoptosis imaging.

Here, we report for the first time cell-permeable and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles consisting of a polymer conjugated to a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence (Cy5.5)-linked effector caspase-specific peptide. The close spatial proximity of the NIR fluorochromes in polymeric nanoparticles results in an autoquenched state, but polymer nanoparticles give rise to strong NIR fluorescence signal under apoptotic cells. Thus, the smart polymeric nanoparticle developed here is an attractive probe for real-time imaging of apoptosis in single cells.

Apoptosis↗

Polymorphisms in TGF-beta1 gene and the risk of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) functions as a suppressor of tumor initiation by inhibiting cellular proliferation or by promoting cellular differentiation or apoptosis in the early phase of cancer development. Variations in the DNA sequence in the TGF-beta1 gene may lead to altered TGF-beta1 production and/or activity, and so this can modulate an individual's susceptibility to lung cancer. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the association of the TGF-beta1 -509C > T and 869T > C (L10P) polymorphisms and their haplotypes with the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. METHODS: The TGF-beta1 genotypes were determined in 432 lung cancer patients and in 432 healthy control subjects who were frequency-matched for age and gender. The TGF-beta1 haplotypes were predicted using a Bayesian algorithm in the Phase program. RESULTS: Individuals with at least one -509T allele were at a significantly decreased risk of adenocarcinoma (AC) and small cell carcinoma (SM), as compared with carriers with the -509CC genotype [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.63; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42-0.96; P = 0.04; and adjusted OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.27-0.76; P = 0.002; respectively]. For the 869T > C polymorphism, the combined TC + CC genotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of SM compared with the TT genotype (adjusted OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.31-0.88; P = 0.01). Consistent with the results of the genotyping analyses, the -509T/869C haplotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of AC and SM as compared with the -509C/869T haplotype (adjusted OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57-0.98; P = 0.04; and adjusted OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.47-0.96; P = 0.02; respectively). CONCLUSION: The TGF-beta1 -509C > T and 869T > C polymorphisms and their haplotypes may contribute to genetic susceptibility to AC and SM of the lung.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Hydrophobically modified glycol chitosan nanoparticles as carriers for paclitaxel.

Self-assembled nanoparticles based on hydrophobically modified glycol chitosan (HGC) were prepared as a carrier for paclitaxel. HGC conjugates were prepared by chemically linking 5beta-cholanic acid to glycol chitosan chains using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide chemistry. In phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; pH 7.4), the synthesized HGC conjugates formed nano-sized particles with a diameter of 200 nm and exhibited high thermodynamic stability as reflected by their low critical aggregation concentration (0.03 mg/ml). Paclitaxel was efficiently loaded into HGC nanoparticles up to 10 wt.% using a dialysis method. The paclitaxel-loaded HGC (PTX-HGC) nanoparticles were 400 nm in diameter and were stable in PBS for 10 days. These PTX-HGC nanoparticles also showed sustained release of the incorporated of paclitaxel (80% of the loaded dose was released in 8 days at 37 degrees C in PBS). Owing to sustained release, the PTX-HGC nanoparticles were less cytotoxic to B16F10 melanoma cells than free paclitaxel formulated in Cremophor EL. Injection of PTX-HGC nanoparticles into the tail vein of tumor-bearing mice prevented increases in tumor volume for 8 days. Finally, PTX was less toxic to the tumor-bearing mice when formulated in HGC nanoparticles than when formulated with Cremophor EL.

Animals↗

Four novel RUNX2 mutations including a splice donor site result in the cleidocranial dysplasia phenotype.

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by haploinsufficiency of the RUNX2 gene. In this study, we analyzed by direct sequencing RUNX2 mutations from eleven CCD patients. Four of seven mutations were novel: two nonsense mutations resulted in a translational stop at codon 50 (Q50X) and 112 (E112X); a missense mutation converted arginine to glycine at codon 131 (R131G); and an exon 1 splice donor site mutation (donor splice site GT/AT, IVS1 + 1G > A) at exon 1-intron junction resulted in the deletion of QA stretch contained in exon 1 of RUNX2. We focused on the functional analysis of the IVS1 + 1G > A mutation. A full-length cDNA of this mutation was cloned (RUNX2Deltae1) and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and HeLa cells. Functional analysis of RUNX2Deltae1 was performed with respect to protein stability, nuclear localization, DNA binding, and transactivation activity of a downstream RUNX2 target gene. Protein stability of RUNX2Deltae1 is similar to wild-type RUNX2 as determined by Western blot analysis. Subcellular localization of RUNX2Deltae1, assessed by in situ immunofluorescent staining, was observed with partial retention in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. This finding is in contrast to RUNX2 wild-type, which is detected exclusively in the nucleus. DNA binding activity was also compromised by the RUNX2Deltae1 in gel shift assay. Finally, RUNX2Deltae1 blocked transactivation of the osteocalcin gene determined by transient transfection assay. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that the CCD phenotype can be caused by a splice site mutation, which results in the deletion of N-terminus amino acids containing the QA stretch in RUNX2 that contains a previously unidentified second nuclear localization signal (NLS). We postulate that the QA sequence unique to RUNX2 contributes to a competent structure of RUNX2 that is required for nuclear localization, DNA binding, and transactivation function.

Adolescent↗

Self-assembled nanoparticles based on glycol chitosan bearing hydrophobic moieties as carriers for doxorubicin: in vivo biodistribution and anti-tumor activity.

Self-assembled nanoparticles, formed by polymeric amphiphiles, have been demonstrated to accumulate in solid tumors by the enhanced permeability and retention effect, following intravenous administration. In this study, hydrophobically modified glycol chitosans capable of forming nano-sized self-aggregates were prepared by chemical conjugation of fluorescein isothiocyanate or doxorubicin to the backbone of glycol chitosan. Biodistribution of self-aggregates (300 nm in diameter) was evaluated using tissues obtained from tumor-bearing mice, to which self-aggregates were systemically administered via the tail vein. Irrespective of the dose, a negligible quantity of self-aggregates was found in heart and lung, whereas a small amount (3.6-3.8% of dose) was detected in liver for 3 days after intravenous injection of self-aggregates. The distributed amount of self-aggregates gradually increased in tumor as blood circulation time increased. The concentration of self-aggregates in blood was as high as 14% of dose at 1 day after intravenous injection and was still higher than 8% even at 3 days. When self-aggregates loaded with doxorubicin were administered into the tumor-bearing mice via the tail vein, they exhibited lower toxicity than but comparable anti-tumor activity to free doxorubicin. These results revealed the promising potential of self-aggregates on the basis of glycol chitosan as a carrier for hydrophobic anti-tumor agents.

Animals↗

The bone-related Zn finger transcription factor Osterix promotes proliferation of mesenchymal cells.

Osterix is a bone-related transcription factor that functions genetically downstream of Runx2, which controls both growth and differentiation in osteoblasts. Here we assessed the biological function of Osterix in mesenchymal cells that are not normally committed to the osteogenic lineage. Stably transfected NIH3T3 fibroblasts that express exogenous Osterix were examined for their ability to convert into osteoblastic cells by analyzing gene expression profiles of bone phenotype related markers, as well as by measuring bone nodule formation and cell proliferation. Forced expression of Osterix stimulates osteopontin gene expression but not the expression or activity of other bone-related markers, including collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, or osteonectin. Moreover, cells stably expressing Osterix do not induce bone nodule formation. Strikingly, both polyclonal and monoclonal cells expressing Osterix exhibit enhanced proliferation. Collectively, these results indicate that Osterix is insufficient to establish osteogenic lineage commitment, perhaps due to the ability of Osterix to promote cell growth. We propose that regulatory pathways operating upstream of or in parallel with Osterix are required for osteogenic conversion of uncommitted mesenchymal cells.

Animals↗

XPC polymorphisms and lung cancer risk.

Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may be associated with differences in the capacity to repair DNA damage and thereby influence an individual's susceptibility to smoking-related cancer. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the potential association of 7 XPC polymorphisms (-449G-->C, -371G-->A, -27G-->C, Val499Arg, PAT-/+, IVS11-5C-->A and Lys939Gln) and their haplotypes with lung cancer risk in a Korean population. XPC genotypes were determined in 432 lung cancer patients and 432 healthy controls frequency-matched for age and sex. XPC haplotypes were predicted using a Bayesian algorithm in the Phase program. The combined -27CG+CC genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk for overall lung cancer compared to the -27GG genotype (adjusted OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.22-3.17, p = 0.005). The other 6 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with overall risk of lung cancer. When lung cancer cases were categorized by tumor histology, the -371AA genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma compared to the combined -371GG and GA genotype (adjusted OR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.09-4.00, p = 0.03). The PAT-/+, IVS11-5C-->A and Lys939Gln polymorphisms were associated with a significantly decreased risk of small cell carcinoma (SM) under a dominant model for the polymorphic allele (adjusted OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.29-0.82, p = 0.006; adjusted OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.36-1.00, p = 0.05; and adjusted OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.35-0.97, p = 0.04, respectively). Consistent with genotyping analyses, haplotype 4 (1112222) containing the PAT+/IVS11-5A/939Gln alleles was associated with a significantly decreased risk of SM (adjusted OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.85, p = 0.007 and Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.049), whereas haplotype 5 (1122111) containing the -27C allele was associated with a significantly increased risk of SM (adjusted OR = 2.88, 95% CI 1.41-5.87, p = 0.004 and Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.028). These results suggest that XPC polymorphisms/haplotypes may contribute to genetic susceptibility for lung cancer.

Aged↗

Regulation of tumor angiogenesis by fastatin, the fourth FAS1 domain of betaig-h3, via alphavbeta3 integrin.

We previously reported that the FAS1 domains of betaig-h3 bear motifs that mediate endothelial cell adhesion and migration via interactions with alphavbeta3 integrin and regulate angiogenesis. In the present study, we show that the fourth FAS1 domain, designated fastatin, inhibits endothelial adhesion and migration, not only to betaig-h3, but also fibronectin and vitronectin, in a RGD-dependent manner. Fastatin and other FAS1 domains suppress endothelial cell tube formation and in vivo neovascularization in a Matrigel plug assay. The antiangiogenic activity of fastatin is associated with antitumor activity in mouse tumor models. Fastatin additionally induces apoptosis in several cells expressing alphavbeta3 integrin, including endothelial cells. Binding of fastatin to alphavbeta3 integrin inhibits phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, Raf, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, Akt, and mammalian target of rapamycin. Fastatin is thus the first endogenous angiogenesis regulator identified that inhibits both endothelial cell migration and growth by binding to alphavbeta3 integrin. Our data suggest that FAS1 domains from all possible forms of the four human FAS1 family proteins are potential endogenous regulators for pathologic angiogenesis. Moreover, FAS1 domains such as fastatin may be developed into drugs for blocking tumor angiogenesis.

Animals↗

The COOH-terminal end of R-Ras alters the motility and morphology of breast epithelial cells through Rho/Rho-kinase.

R-Ras has a high degree of sequence homology with Ras and other members of the Ras subfamily, including Rap, TC21, and M-Ras. Although R-Ras has been suggested to regulate cell adhesion, migration, and invasion, the biological mechanism has not been well assessed. In this report, we show that constitutively active R-Ras (38V) induces a more rounded cell shape and redistribution of focal adhesion, and enhances the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin. Active R-Ras (38V) induces cell adhesion to type I collagen, but inhibits cell motility. In active R-Ras (38V) cells, the activity of RhoA is increased and accompanied with translocation to plasma membrane, but not that of Rac1 or Cdc42. In parallel, dominant-negative RhoA (N19RhoA) and Y27632, a specific inhibitor of Rho-associated kinase, dramatically reverse the rounded cell morphology to a spread cell shape and enhance motility. Furthermore, coincident with the formation of cortical actin filaments in active R-Ras (38V) cells, myosin light chain and Ser-19-phosphorylated myosin light chain mainly accumulate at the peripheral region, which is inhibited by the treatment of Y27632. Using H-Ras/R-Ras and R-Ras/H-Ras hybrid constructs, we show that the COOH-terminal region of R-Ras contains the specific signal for inducing changes in motility and morphology. Our results suggest that R-Ras in breast epithelial cells disrupts cell polarity and motility through the Rho/Rho-associated kinase pathway triggered by a signal from the COOH-terminal end of R-Ras.

Breast↗

Beta ig-h3 mediates osteoblast adhesion and inhibits differentiation.

betaig-h3 is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein induced by TGF-beta, and it has motifs interacting with the alpha3beta1, alphavbeta5, and alphavbeta3 integrins. Our previous study shows the role of betaig-h3 in osteoblast differentiation and its involvement in melorheostosis, a rare bone disease. Here we demonstrate that betaig-h3 expression is down-regulated during the early stage of differentiation of the murine preosteoblastic cell line, KS483. The recombinant betaig-h3 and its FAS1 domain significantly inhibited in vitro osteoblast differentiation as evaluated by matrix mineralization/bone nodule formation. Furthermore, inhibition of expression of osteoblast differentiation marker genes [such as type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin (OC)] was accompanied by suppression of osteoblast-specific transcription factors, Cbfa1/Runx2 and osterix. Flow cytometric analyses, cell adhesion, and inhibition assays disclosed alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 as the principal integrins mediating the adhesion of osteoblastic cells to betaig-h3. The disruption of interactions between betaig-h3 and osteoblasts by a function-blocking antibody specific for alphavbeta3 but not for alphavbeta5 abolished the inhibitory effect of betaig-h3 on osteoblast differentiation. We suggest that these interacting integrins may play an important role in betaig-h3-mediated inhibition of osteoblast differentiation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and risk of primary lung cancer.

Angiogenesis is an essential process in the development, growth, and metastasis of malignant tumors including lung cancer. DNA sequence variations in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene may lead to altered VEGF production and/or activity, thereby causing interindividual differences in the susceptibility to lung cancer via their actions on the pathways of tumor angiogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the potential association between three VEGF polymorphisms (-460T > C, +405C > G, and 936C > T)/haplotypes and the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. VEGF genotypes were determined in 432 lung cancer patients and 432 healthy controls that were frequency matched for age and sex. VEGF haplotypes were predicted using Bayesian algorithm in the phase program. Compared with the combined +405 CC and CG genotype, the +405 GG genotype found associated with a significantly decreased risk of small cell carcinoma [SCC; adjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.36; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.17-0.78]. The 936 CT genotype and the combined 936 CT and TT genotype were also associated with a significantly decreased risk of SCC compared with the 936 CC genotype (adjusted OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.26-0.85 and adjusted OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.80, respectively). Haplotype CGT was associated with a significantly decreased risk of SCC (adjusted OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.18-0.87), whereas haplotype TCC conferred a significantly increased risk of SCC (adjusted OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.14-2.33). None of the VEGF polymorphisms studied significantly influenced the susceptibility to lung cancer except SCC. However, haplotypes TCT and TGT were significantly associated with the risk of overall lung cancer, respectively (adjusted OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.25-0.60 and adjusted OR, 3.94; 95% CI, 2.00-7.76, respectively). These effects of haplotypes TCT and TGT on lung cancer risk were observed in three major histologic types of lung cancer. These results suggest that the VEGF gene may be contribute to an inherited predisposition to lung cancer.

Aged↗

Methyl-CpG binding domain 1 gene polymorphisms and risk of primary lung cancer.

The methyl-CpG binding domain 1 (MBD1) protein plays an important role for transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Polymorphisms and haplotypes of the MBD1 gene may have an influence on MBD1 activity on gene expression profiles, thereby modulating an individual's susceptibility to lung cancer. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the association of MBD1 -634G>A, -501delT (-501 T/T, T/-, -/-), and Pro(401)Ala genotypes and their haplotypes with the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. The MBD1 genotype was determined in 432 lung cancer patients and in 432 healthy control subjects who were frequency matched for age and gender. The -634GG genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of overall lung cancer compared with the -634AA genotype [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 3.10; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.24-7.75; P = 0.016]. When analyses were stratified according to the tumor histology, the -634GG genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of adenocarcinoma compared with the -634AA genotype (adjusted OR, 4.72; 95% CI, 1.61-13.82; P = 0.005). For the MBD1 -501delT and Pro(401)Ala polymorphisms, the -501 T/T genotype was associated with a marginal significantly increased risk of adenocarcinoma compared with the -501(-/-) genotype (adjusted OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.02-4.20; P = 0.045), and the Pro/Pro genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of adenocarcinoma compared with the Ala/Ala genotype (adjusted OR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.21-9.60; P = 0.02). Consistent with the genotyping analyses, the -634G/-501T/(401)Pro haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of overall lung cancer and adenocarcinoma compared with the -634A/-501(-)/(401)Ala haplotype (adjusted OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.08-1.91; P = 0.012 and P(c) = 0.048; adjusted OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.20-2.56; P = 0.004 and P(c) = 0.016, respectively). On a promoter assay, the -634A allele had significantly higher promoter activity compared with the -634G allele in the Chinese hamster ovary cells and A549 cells (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively), but the -501delT polymorphism did not have an effect on the promoter activity. When comparing the promoter activity of the MBD1 haplotypes, the -634A/-501(-) haplotype had a significantly higher promoter activity than the -634G/-501T haplotype (P < 0.001). These results suggest that the MBD1 -634G>A, -501delT, and Pro(401)Ala polymorphisms and their haplotypes contribute to the genetic susceptibility for lung cancer and particularly for adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

-93G-->A polymorphism of hMLH1 and risk of primary lung cancer.

Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may be associated with differences in the repair capacity of DNA damage and may thereby influence an individual's susceptibility to smoking-related cancer. We investigated the association between the -93G-->A polymorphism in the hMLH1 gene and the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. The hMLH1 -93G-->A polymorphism was typed in 372 lung cancer patients and 371 healthy controls that were frequency-matched for age and sex. There was no significant association between the hMLH1 -93G-->A genotype and the risk for adenocarcinoma or small cell carcinoma. However, the AA genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma compared with both the GG genotype (adjusted OR=2.02; 95% CI=1.15-3.55; p=0.014) and the combined GG and GA genotype (adjusted OR=1.83; 95% CI=1.24-2.71; p=0.003). When the subjects were stratified by smoking exposure, the AA genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma in lighter smokers (< or = 39 pack-years; adjusted OR=1.95; 95% CI=1.03-3.66; p=0.039) compared with the combined GG and GA genotype, whereas there was no significant association in heavier smokers (> 39 pack-years; adjusted OR=1.47; 95% CI=0.82-2.61). These results suggest that the hMLH1 -93G-->A polymorphism could be used as a marker of genetic susceptibility to squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

DNMT3B polymorphisms and risk of primary lung cancer.

DNA-methyltransferase-3B (DNMT3B) plays an important role in the generation of aberrant methylation in carcinogenesis. Polymorphisms and haplotypes of the DNMT3B gene may influence DNMT3B activity on DNA methylation, thereby modulating the susceptibility to lung cancer. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the association of the -283T > C (from exon 1A transcription start site) and -579G > T (from exon 1B transcription start site) polymorphisms in DNMT3B promoter, and their haplotypes with the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. The DNMT3B genotype was determined in 432 lung cancer patients and 432 healthy controls that were frequency-matched for age and sex. Individuals with at least one -283T allele were at a significantly decreased risk of adenocarcinoma (AC) and small cell carcinoma (SM) [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.28-0.82, P = 0.007; and adjusted OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.24-0.93, P = 0.03, respectively] compared with those harboring a -283CC genotype. Individuals with at least one -579G allele were also at a significantly decreased risk of AC and SM (adjusted OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.28-0.81, P = 0.006; and adjusted OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.26-0.99, P = 0.048, respectively) compared with those having a -579TT genotype. The -283T allele was linked with the -579G allele, and haplotype -283T/-579G was associated with a significantly decreased risk of AC (adjusted OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.29-0.81, P = 0.006) as compared with haplotype -283C/-579T. In a promoter assay, carriage of the -283T allele showed a significantly lower promoter activity ( approximately 50%) compared with the -283C allele (P < 0.001), but the -579G > T polymorphism did not have an affect on the DNMT3B promoter activity. These results suggest that the DNMT3B -283T > C polymorphism influences DNMT3B expression, thus contributing to the genetic susceptibility to lung cancer.

Aged↗