PINCH-2 expression in cancers involving serosal effusions using quantitative PCR

Cytopathology. 2011 Feb;22(1):22-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2303.2010.00757.x.

Abstract

Objective: The PINCH-2 gene was previously shown to be overexpressed in malignant mesothelioma compared with ovarian/peritoneal serous carcinoma in Affymetrix array analysis. The objective of the present study was to validate this finding at the mRNA and protein level.

Methods: Effusions (n = 91; 71 ovarian and 10 breast carcinomas, 10 malignant mesotheliomas) were assayed for PINCH-2 mRNA expression using quantitative PCR. PINCH-2 protein expression was analysed in 37 effusions using flow cytometry.

Results: Quantitative PCR analysis showed significantly higher PINCH-2 mRNA levels in mesotheliomas compared with carcinomas (P = 0.004). Values of <10 copies were found exclusively in carcinoma effusions (25.4% of ovarian and 50% of breast carcinomas). However, PINCH-2 protein expression by flow cytometry did not differ significantly between the three cancer types. No association was observed between PINCH-2 levels and patient survival or expression of previously-studied molecules related to adhesion, metastasis and apoptosis inhibition in ovarian carcinoma.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that PINCH-2 mRNA is overexpressed in malignant mesothelioma compared with carcinomas involving serosal cavities, and that low levels of this gene argue against the diagnosis of mesothelioma. The frequent PINCH-2 protein expression in all three studied cancers suggests a role for this molecule in cancer cell biology in effusions and merits further research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Exudates and Transudates
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mesothelioma / diagnosis
  • Mesothelioma / genetics*
  • Mesothelioma / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / genetics*
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • LIMS2 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger