neuropeptide-y and Adenocarcinoma

Resistance to anti-angiogenic therapies targeting vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) stems from VEGF-A independent angiogenesis mediated by other proangiogenic factors. Therefore identifying these factors in colon adenocarcinoma (CA) will reveal new therapeutic targets.. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Y2 receptor (Y2R) expressions in CA were studied by immunohistochemical analysis. Orthotopic HT29 with intact VEGF-A gene and VEGF-A knockdown (by CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique) HT29 colon cancer-bearing mice were treated with specific Y2R antagonists, and the effects on angiogenesis and tumour growth were studied. The direct effect of NPY on angiogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanism was elucidated by the modulation of Y2R receptors expressed on colonic endothelial cells (CEC).. The results demonstrated that NPY and Y2R are overexpressed in human CA, orthotopic HT29, and most interestingly in VEGF-A-depleted orthotopic HT29 tumours. Treatment with Y2R antagonists inhibited angiogenesis and thereby HT29 tumour growth. Blocking /silencing Y2R abrogated NPY-induced angiogenic potential of CEC. Mechanistically, NPY regulated the activation of the ERK/MAPK signalling pathway in CEC.. NPY derived from cancer cells independently regulates angiogenesis in CA by acting through Y2R present on CEC. Targeting NPY/Y2R thus emerges as a novel potential therapeutic strategy in CA.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Colonic Neoplasms; Endothelial Cells; Humans; Mice; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Neuropeptide Y; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

DNA methylation is a well-known epigenetic mechanism involved in epigenetic gene regulation. Several genes were reported hypermethylated in CRC, althought no gene marker was proven to be individually of sufficient sensitivity or specificity in routine clinical practice. Here, we identified novel epigenetic markers and assessed their combined use for diagnostic accuracy.. We used methylation arrays on samples from several effluents to characterize methylation profiles in CRC samples and controls, as established by colonoscopy and pathology findings, and selected two differentially methylated candidate epigenetic genes (NPY, PENK). To this gene panel we added WIF, on the basis of being reported in literature as silenced by promoter hypermethylation in several cancers, including CRC. We measured their methylation degrees by quantitative multiplex-methylation specific PCR (QM-MSP) on 15 paired carcinomas and adjacent non-cancerous colorectal tissues and we subsequently performed a clinical validation on two different series of 266 serums, subdivided in 32 CRC, 26 polyps, 47 other cancers and 161 with normal colonoscopy. We assessed the results by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), using cumulative methylation index (CMI) as variable threshold.. We obtained CRC detection on tissues with both sensitivity and specificity of 100%. On serum CRC samples, we obtained sensitivity/specificity values of, e.g., 87%/80%, 78%/90% and 59%/95%, and negative predictive value/positive predictive value figures of 97%/47%, 95%/61% and 92%/70%. On serum samples from other cancers we obtained sensitivity/specificity of, e.g, 89%/25%, 43%/80% and 28%/91%.. We showed the potential of NPY, PENK, and WIF1 as combined epigenetic markers for CRC diagnosis, both in tissue and serum and tested their use as serum biomarkers in other cancers. We optimized a QM-MSP for simultaneously quantifying their methylation levels. Our assay can be an effective blood test for patients where CRC risk is present but difficult to assess (e.g. mild symptoms with no CRC family history) and who would therefore not necessarily choose to go for further examination. This panel of markers, if validated, can also be a cost effective screening tool for the detection of asymptomatic cancer patients for colonoscopy.

Topics: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers, Tumor; Case-Control Studies; Colorectal Neoplasms; DNA; DNA Methylation; Enkephalins; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Neoplasm Staging; Neuropeptide Y; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Protein Precursors; Repressor Proteins; ROC Curve; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Pro-protein convertase-2 (PC2) and carboxypeptidase-E (CPE) proteins are two major members of the pro-protein convertases that involve in the maturation of protein precursor. By using PC2 activity, immunocytochemistry (ICC) and Western blot method, PC2, CPE and preproNPY protein expression levels were compared among mature retina tissue, RGC-5 cells and its differentiated cells, or brain cortex tissue, NS20Y tumor cells and its differentiated cells, or mature breast tissue, breast tumor cell RM1 and breast adenocarcinoma tissue. The experimental results indicated that the differentiated cells or tissues had higher or highest PC2 activity. In the comparative experiments, more PC2 protein expression in the mature tissues and more CPE and preproNPY protein expression in the tumor cells or tumor tissue were observed, but no expression of preproNPY protein was observed in the mature tissues. Compared with NS20Y or RGC-5 undifferentiated cells, its differentiated cells showed less proPC2, more proCPE and more preproNPY protein expressions. The results demonstrated that the mature tissues showed stronger PC2/CPE-mediated pro-protein processing ability than the tumor cells or tissue. The results also showed that the artificial differentiation of RGC-5 or NS20Y cells was different from maturation of its corresponding normal tissue.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Breast Neoplasms; Carboxypeptidase H; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line, Tumor; Cerebral Cortex; Mice; Neoplasms; Neuropeptide Y; Proprotein Convertase 2; Protein Precursors; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Rats; Retina

Eighty-five to 95% of esophageal cancer patients suffer dysphagia. Yet, few studies have focused on this symptom, and four 'myths' persist: (i) dysphagia cannot be measured; (ii) chemotherapy cannot palliate it; (iii) dysphagia predicts a poor prognosis; (iv) dysphagia is associated with a frustratingly insatiable appetite. Forty-four patients with metastatic esophageal cancer participated in this quality of life/translational component of a previously reported clinical trial. All were monitored for chemotherapy efficacy and toxicity and completed questionnaires on dysphagia and appetite at baseline and every 6 weeks. The appetite hormones, leptin and neuropeptide y, were also assessed. Forty-five per cent of patients could easily swallow solid foods; all others had varying dysphagia, thus enabling exploration of these four 'myths.' First, a single-item visual analog scale (Swallowing Scale), demonstrated excellent agreement with a previously validated questionnaire (81% at baseline), thus reminding us that dysphagia is measurable. Second, chemotherapy was associated with a trend towards improved dysphagia (P = 0.059). Third, dysphagia did not predict tumor response or survival. Fourth, dysphagia was not associated with appetite, leptin or neuropeptide y. This study helps to dispel these four 'myths' and underscores the need for further quality of life research on dysphagia.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Appetite; Cohort Studies; Deglutition Disorders; Esophageal Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Leptin; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropeptide Y; Prognosis; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome

1. Three human adenocarcinoma cell lines, Colony-24 (Col-24), Col-6 and Col-1 have been studied as confluent epithelial layers able to transport ions vectorially in response to basolateral vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and pancreatic polypeptides (PP). 2. Different species PP stimulated responses in Col-24 with Y(4)-like pharmacology. Bovine (b)PP, human (h)PP and porcine (p)PP were equipotent (EC(50) values 3.0--5.0 nM) while rat (r)PP, avian (a)PP and [Leu(31), Pro(34)]PYY (Pro(34)PYY) were significantly less potent. PYY was inactive. The PP pharmacology in Col-1 was comparable with Col-24. However, Col-6 cells were different; pPP had an EC(50) intermediate (22.0 nM) between that of bPP (3.0 nM) and hPP (173.2 nM), with aPP and rPP being at least a further fold less potent. 3. Deamidation of Tyr(36) in bPP (by O-methylation or hydroxylation) or removal of the residue resulted in significant loss of activity in Col-24. 4. GR231118 (1 microM) had no PP-like effects. In Col-24 and Col-1, GR231118 significantly attenuated bPP (30 nM) or hPP (100 nM) responses, but it did not alter bPP responses in Col-6. BIBP3226 and GR231118 both inhibited Y(1)-mediated responses which were only present in Col-6. 5. RT--PCR analysis confirmed the presence of hY(4) receptor mRNA in Col-24 and Col-1 epithelia but a barely visible hY(4) product was observed in Col-6 and we suggest that an atypical Y(4) receptor is expressed in this cell line.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Arginine; Colonic Neoplasms; Humans; Neuropeptide Y; Pancreatic Polypeptide; Peptides, Cyclic; Receptors, Neuropeptide Y; Receptors, Somatostatin; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA; Somatostatin; Structure-Activity Relationship; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Cachexia is rarely observed in patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with combined androgen blockade. Androgens play an important role in the regulation of body mass composition and influence the secretion of leptin, the appetite regulating hormone. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of a combined treatment with nonsteroidal antiandrogen and LH-RH analogue on the hormonal regulation of appetite and changes in body mass in patients with advanced prostate cancer (Whitmore-Jewett stage D1 or D2). Eighteen patients with prostate cancer and 17 healthy subjects matched for age and body mass index were included. In all patients serum concentrations of leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), insulin, testosterone and estradiol were measured before and after four and twelve weeks of androgen blockade. Pretreatment serum leptin levels were similar in patients with prostate cancer and in the controls. In a multiple regression analysis only body mass index and testosterone significantly contributed to the variation of plasma leptin. During the treatment body mass and plasma leptin significantly increased while NPY decreased. The change of plasma NPY was significant only after 4 weeks of therapy. This study shows that the afferent regulation of leptin secretion is unchanged in advanced prostate cancer. Androgen ablation significantly increases body mass and influences secretion of appetite regulating hormones. Testosterone appears to play a significant role in the regulation of leptin secretion.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Androgen Antagonists; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Appetite; Body Constitution; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Estradiol; Flutamide; Goserelin; Humans; Insulin; Leptin; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropeptide Y; Prostatic Neoplasms; Regression Analysis; Testosterone

Anorexia is a debilitating manifestation of many malignancies. The etiology of cancer anorexia is poorly understood, and effective treatment options are limited. To investigate the role of central melanocortin receptor signaling in the pathogenesis of cancer anorexia, we assessed the effects on food intake of the melanocortin receptor antagonist SHU9119 administered into the third cerebral ventricle of Lobund-Wistar rats that were anorexic from prostate cancer. In anorexic tumor-bearing rats, daily treatment with SHU9119 (0.35 nmol, intracerebroventricularly) increased food intake from 71 +/- 3% to 110 +/- 6% of preanorectic baseline and caused significant weight gain (13 +/- 5 vs. 5 +/- 1 g/3 d, SHU9119 vs. baseline in tumor-bearing rats). In control rats pair-fed to the intake of tumor-bearing animals, SHU9119 was ineffective at increasing food intake. The specificity of the SHU9119 feeding response was assessed using two other orexigenic peptides, NPY and the novel hormone ghrelin. Treatment of tumor-bearing rats with intracerebroventricular ghrelin (10 microg) increased food intake, but the effect was blunted relative to that in controls. Intracerebroventricular injections of NPY (1 microg) also failed to reverse anorexia in tumor-bearing rats. Because SHU9119 completely reverses cancer anorexia in this model, whereas ghrelin and NPY do not, increased central nervous system melanocortin signaling is implicated in the pathogenesis of this disorder. This suggests that new targets for the treatment of cancer anorexia may be found in the melanocortin pathways.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Anorexia; Body Weight; Brain; Eating; Ghrelin; Injections, Intraventricular; Male; Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; Neuropeptide Y; Peptide Hormones; Peptides; Prostatic Neoplasms; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Corticotropin; Receptors, Melanocortin; Reference Values; Third Ventricle

Weight loss normally stimulates hunger, through mechanisms that include falls in circulating leptin and insulin, leading to stimulation of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY). Here, we investigated the leptin, insulin and NPY to clarify why hunger is suppressed in mice with severe cachexia due to the MAC16 adenocarcinoma. MAC16-bearing mice progressively lost weight (19% below controls) and fat (- 61%) over 16 days after tumour transplantation, while total food intake fell by 10%. Pair-fed mice showed less wasting, with final weight being 9% and fat mass 25% below controls. Plasma leptin fell by 85% in MAC16 and 51% in pair-fed mice, in proportion to loss of fat. Plasma insulin was also reduced by 49% in MAC16 and 53% in pair-fed groups. Hypothalamic leptin receptor (OB-Rb) mRNA was significantly increased in both MAC16 (+ 223%) and pair-fed (+192%) mice. Hypothalamic NPY mRNA was also significantly raised in MAC16 (+152%) and pair-fed (+ 99%) groups, showing negative correlations with plasma leptin and insulin, and a positive association with OB-Rb mRNA. In MAC16-induced cachexia, leptin production and hypothalamic OB-Rb and NPY expression are regulated appropriately in response to fat depletion. Therefore, suppression of hunger is probably due to tumour products that inhibit NPY transport or release, or that interfere with neuronal targets downstream of NPY.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adipose Tissue; Animals; Blotting, Northern; Cachexia; Carrier Proteins; Eating; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Hunger; Hypothalamus; Insulin; Leptin; Mice; Neoplasm Transplantation; Neuropeptide Y; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Leptin; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Cancer is consistently associated with anorexia. The Lobund-Wistar rat model of prostate cancer exhibits clinical manifestations (including anorexia) that resemble many aspects of the human disease. Cytokines are proposed to be involved in cancer-associated anorexia. Here we investigated mRNA profiles of feeding-modulatory cytokines and neuropeptides in specific brain regions of anorectic Lobund-Wistar rats bearing prostate adenocarcinoma tumor cells. Interleukin (IL)-1beta system components (ligand, signaling receptor, receptor accessory proteins, receptor antagonist), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta1, glycoprotein 130 (IL-6 receptor signal transducer), proopiomelanocortin (POMC, opioid peptide precursor), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNAs were analyzed with sensitive and specific RNase protection assays. The same brain region sample was assayed for all components. The data show that early anorexia in tumor-bearing rats was associated with an upregulation of IL-1beta mRNA in the brain regions examined (cerebellum, cortex, and hypothalamus). IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) mRNA and IL-1 receptor type I mRNA levels were also significantly increased in the cortex and hypothalamus. All other cytokine components, POMC, or NPY mRNA levels were not significantly different between tumor-bearing and pair-fed (control) rats. IL-1beta mRNA and IL-1Ra mRNA were also significantly upregulated in the spleen of tumor-bearing rats. These data suggest that 1) IL-1beta mRNA upregulation in the brain may be relevant to the anorexia exhibited by the tumor-bearing Lobund-Wistar rat and 2) in vivo characterization of cytokine components in discrete brain regions during cancer is necessary to understand underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for cancer-associated neurological manifestations.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Anorexia; Brain; Cytokines; Humans; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; Interleukin-1; Male; Neuropeptide Y; Neuropeptides; Organ Specificity; Pro-Opiomelanocortin; Prostatic Neoplasms; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Interleukin-1; RNA, Messenger; Sialoglycoproteins; Transcription, Genetic; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

The autonomic nervous system plays a significant role in liver physiology and pathology. The aim of the present study was to investigate peptidergic nerve fibres in the liver of patients with malignant gastrointestinal tumors that are not metastasizing in this organ. Using light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry, somatostatin (SOM)-, neuropeptide Y (NPY)-, substance P (SP)- and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibres (NF) were detected in the portal tract and perisinusoidally. Histologically, the liver showed dilated sinusoids, filled with lymphoid cells, and scarcely marked perisinusoidal fibrosis. Neuropeptide-IR NF were found in close contact with hepatic sinusoids. Numerous IR varicosities were detected in the sinusoidal wall. We discuss the origin and role of these NF in the liver. Probable quantitative changes in peptidergic NF ensue the inflammatory reaction in sinusoids in malignant gastrointestinal tumors. This could also reflect the increased exposure of the liver to toxic substances in the portal blood flow.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Liver; Nerve Fibers; Neuropeptide Y; Neuropeptides; Parasympathetic Nervous System; Somatostatin; Substance P; Sympathetic Nervous System

To investigate the plasma NPY concentration in patients with gastric and colorectal carcinomas in relation to tumor progression.. Blood samples were obtained from patients with gastric cancer (n = 18) and colorectal cancer (n = 20). Plasma NPY concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay.. The average plasma NPY level in the 38 patients studied (125.3 +/- 31.5 pg/ml) was significantly(P < 0.001) lower than that in 28 healthy control individuals (145.1 +/- 44.1 pg/ml). Decreased NPY levels were correlated with loss (> 3 kg) of body weight (P < 0.01) and tumor size (> 5 cm) (P < 0.05). The stage of gastric cancer, but not that of colorectal cancer, was negatively correlated with plasma NPY level. Plasma NPY level did not correlate with sex, age, blood pressure, depth of tumor invasion, degree of differentiation, lymph node metastasis, hemoglobin and albumin concentrations.. Plasma NPY level is decreased in patients with gastric and colorectal carcinomas, but it reflects only in part the progression of gastric cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Colonic Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Neuropeptide Y; Radioimmunoassay; Rectal Neoplasms; Stomach Neoplasms

We investigated the effect of neuropeptides, which are vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), substance P, (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), neurokinin A (NKA), somatostatin (SOM), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and leucine-enkephalin (L-ENK), on the invasion of murine Colon 26-L5 adenocarcinoma cells through a reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) using a Transwell cell culture chamber assay. VIP, SP, NPY, and L-ENK reduced invasive potential of tumor cells in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas SOM, CGRP, and NKA had no effect. Especially, VIP showed the most effective in inhibiting tumor invasion, and achieved 50% reduction at 10(-6) M. A similar effect by VIP was also observed in cell migration to fibronectin. VIP had no effect on the growth of tumor cells at the concentrations ranging from 10(-10) to 10(-6) M. The suppressed ability of the tumor cell motility by VIP (10(-6) M) was practically recovered by co-treatment with 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor. These results indicate that VIP, among the neuropeptides used, could inhibit Matrigel invasion of Colon 26-L5 carcinoma cells through partial suppression of their motility, and the reduction was associated with an intracellular cAMP-mediated pathway.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Cell Division; Cell Movement; Colforsin; Collagen; Colonic Neoplasms; Dideoxyadenosine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Combinations; Enkephalins; Laminin; Leucine; Mice; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neurokinin A; Neuropeptide Y; Neuropeptides; Proteoglycans; Somatostatin; Substance P; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

1. Confluent epithelial layers of a human adenocarcinoma cell line called Colony-6 have been shown to respond to nanomolar concentrations of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide YY (PYY), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and somatostatin (Som). 2. The VIP-induced increase in basal short-circuit current (SCC) was attenuated by basolateral application of Som, PYY or NPY, and also by the Y1-receptor agonist [Leu31,Pro34]NPY, as well as pancreatic polypeptide (PP). High concentrations (0.1-3.0 microM) of NPY(2-36) were effective but the C-terminal fragment NPY(13-36) (0.1-1.0 microM) and desamidoNPY (0.6 microM) were not active. A rank order of agonist EC50 values was: PYY > NPY > [Leu31,Pro34]NPY > PP > NPY(2-36) >> NPY (13-36). 3. Receptors for all these peptides were preferentially located within the basolateral domain. Apical addition of PP (1 microM) and Som (100 nM) had no effect upon basal SCC while apical VIP (10 nM) responses were 18%, and apical PYY (100 nM) were 27% the size of respective basolateral controls (100%). 4. Cross-desensitization was observed between [Leu31,Pro34]NPY (1 microM) and both PYY (100 nM) and PP (1 microM) and between PYY and NPY(2-36) (1 microM), but was not significant between PYY (100 nM) and PP (1 microM). We suggest that either these cells express a single new Y-receptor with an unusual phenotype or that two Y-receptor populations exist in Colony-6 cells.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Colon; Colonic Neoplasms; Epithelium; Humans; Neuropeptide Y; Pancreatic Polypeptide; Peptide YY; Peptides; Receptors, Gastrointestinal Hormone; Receptors, Neuropeptide Y; Secretory Rate; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Neuropeptides exert inhibitory effects on pancreatic secretion, but their role in the regulation of growth is unknown. This study was executed to evaluate the effects of PYY and NPY on cell growth and 3H-thymidine incorporation in human (MiaPaCa-2, Capan-2) and hamster (H2T) exocrine pancreatic carcinoma cells in vitro. A significant increase in the number of cells after 96 h of treatment with NPY was observed at 0.01 microM in H2T, 0.1 microM in MiaPCa-2 and at 1 microM in Capan-2 cells. PYY was less potent and did not increase significantly cell growth in MiaPaCa-2, but did at 0.1 microM in Capan-2 and at 1 microM concentration in H2T. Stimulation for 48h with NPY increased 3H-thymidine incorporation significantly at 0.01 microM in all cell lines. With PYY, stimulation of 3H-thymidine incorporation occurred in H2T cells at 0.01 microM. 3H-thymidine incorporation after PYY treatment was significantly increased at 0.1 microM in MiaPaCa-2 and at 1 microM in Capan-2 cells. Receptor studies showed low but definite specific binding of both NPY and PYY in all cell lines. The results suggest that NPY and PYY may have a role in the regulation of growth of exocrine pancreatic carcinoma cells.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Cell Division; DNA Replication; DNA, Neoplasm; Humans; Neuropeptide Y; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Peptide YY; Peptides; Stimulation, Chemical; Tumor Cells, Cultured