Zhong-Hua Shi1, Chun Zhao, Hong Wu, Wei Wang, Xiao-Mei Liu. 1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. jesse_1982@163.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify prognostic biomarkers indicating malignant transformation of hydatidiform moles (HMs). METHODS: Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-based proteomic approach was used to compare the protein profiles of complete benign moles (3 samples) with those of malignant-transformed moles (3 samples). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry was used to identify differentially expressed proteins. Western blot was used to verify the results of 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and immunohistology was used to explore the function of these proteins in gestational trophoblastic disease. RESULTS: Eighteen proteins, deregulated in the malignant-transformed group compared with the benign group (ratio ≥ 2; P < 0.05), were identified. A bioinformatic analysis indicated that most of these 18 proteins were involved in the processes of cell proliferation and cell survival. Among the 18 proteins, chloride intracellular channel protein 1 (CLIC1) was chosen for further study. Our results showed that the levels of CLIC1 expression in choriocarcinoma tissue were higher than in complete HM tissue (P < 0.01). Chloride intracellular channel protein 1 expression was increased in the tissues of malignant-transformed HMs compared with nontransformed HMs (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that CLIC1 could be a potential new prognostic biomarker for hydatidiform mole that undergoes malignant transformation.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify prognostic biomarkers indicating malignant transformation of hydatidiform moles (HMs). METHODS: Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-based proteomic approach was used to compare the protein profiles of complete benign moles (3 samples) with those of malignant-transformed moles (3 samples). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry was used to identify differentially expressed proteins. Western blot was used to verify the results of 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and immunohistology was used to explore the function of these proteins in gestational trophoblastic disease. RESULTS: Eighteen proteins, deregulated in the malignant-transformed group compared with the benign group (ratio ≥ 2; P < 0.05), were identified. A bioinformatic analysis indicated that most of these 18 proteins were involved in the processes of cell proliferation and cell survival. Among the 18 proteins, chloride intracellular channel protein 1 (CLIC1) was chosen for further study. Our results showed that the levels of CLIC1 expression in choriocarcinoma tissue were higher than in complete HM tissue (P < 0.01). Chloride intracellular channel protein 1 expression was increased in the tissues of malignant-transformed HMs compared with nontransformed HMs (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that CLIC1 could be a potential new prognostic biomarker for hydatidiform mole that undergoes malignant transformation.