PURPOSE: Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a major role in the development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Axin 2 is a key protein of this pathway and is upregulated in CRC. Here, we investigated RNA- and protein expression of axin 2 in CRC tissues at the single cell level. Moreover, the association of axin 2 with prognosis and survival was investigated in a large cohort of CRC patients (n = 280). METHODS: Localization and expression of axin 2 and β-catenin was investigated using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining. The quantitative expression levels of axin 2 were determined using RT-qPCR. The association of axin 2 expression with prognosis and survival of the patients was determined by statistical analysis (logrank test, Kaplan-Meier). RESULTS: Our results confirmed the upregulation of axin 2 in CRC and showed that it is broadly expressed in the cytoplasm of the tumor epithelial cells both, in the tumor center and at the invasion front. Axin 2 was rarely expressed by tumor stromal cells and only weakly by normal colonic epithelial cells. Staining of β-catenin and axin 2 in consecutive CRC tissue sections revealed that nuclear translocation of β-catenin in the tumor front was not associated with changes in the cytoplasmic localization of axin 2. Axin 2 did not show any association with proven prognostic factors or survival of the CRC patients. CONCLUSION: The generally increased expression of axin 2 in all tumor stages as compared to normal tissue suggests an initiating pathogenic function in the development of CRC.
PURPOSE: Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a major role in the development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Axin 2 is a key protein of this pathway and is upregulated in CRC. Here, we investigated RNA- and protein expression of axin 2 in CRC tissues at the single cell level. Moreover, the association of axin 2 with prognosis and survival was investigated in a large cohort of CRC patients (n = 280). METHODS: Localization and expression of axin 2 and β-catenin was investigated using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining. The quantitative expression levels of axin 2 were determined using RT-qPCR. The association of axin 2 expression with prognosis and survival of the patients was determined by statistical analysis (logrank test, Kaplan-Meier). RESULTS: Our results confirmed the upregulation of axin 2 in CRC and showed that it is broadly expressed in the cytoplasm of the tumor epithelial cells both, in the tumor center and at the invasion front. Axin 2 was rarely expressed by tumor stromal cells and only weakly by normal colonic epithelial cells. Staining of β-catenin and axin 2 in consecutive CRC tissue sections revealed that nuclear translocation of β-catenin in the tumor front was not associated with changes in the cytoplasmic localization of axin 2. Axin 2 did not show any association with proven prognostic factors or survival of the CRC patients. CONCLUSION: The generally increased expression of axin 2 in all tumor stages as compared to normal tissue suggests an initiating pathogenic function in the development of CRC.
Authors: Clara Lubeseder-Martellato; Eric Guenzi; Anita Jörg; Kristin Töpolt; Elisabeth Naschberger; Elisabeth Kremmer; Christian Zietz; Erwin Tschachler; Peter Hutzler; Martin Schwemmle; Kathrin Matzen; Thomas Grimm; Barbara Ensoli; Michael Stürzl Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 2002-11 Impact factor: 4.307
Authors: E Guenzi; K Töpolt; E Cornali; C Lubeseder-Martellato; A Jörg; K Matzen; C Zietz; E Kremmer; F Nappi; M Schwemmle; C Hohenadl; G Barillari; E Tschachler; P Monini; B Ensoli; M Stürzl Journal: EMBO J Date: 2001-10-15 Impact factor: 11.598
Authors: S M Powell; N Zilz; Y Beazer-Barclay; T M Bryan; S R Hamilton; S N Thibodeau; B Vogelstein; K W Kinzler Journal: Nature Date: 1992-09-17 Impact factor: 49.962
Authors: Aleksandra Stanczak; Rafal Stec; Lubomir Bodnar; Wojciech Olszewski; Marzena Cichowicz; Wojciech Kozlowski; Cezary Szczylik; Tadeusz Pietrucha; Maciej Wieczorek; Monika Lamparska-Przybysz Journal: Pathol Oncol Res Date: 2011-06-16 Impact factor: 3.201
Authors: Elisabeth Naschberger; Andrea Liebl; Vera S Schellerer; Manuela Schütz; Nathalie Britzen-Laurent; Patrick Kölbel; Ute Schaal; Lisa Haep; Daniela Regensburger; Thomas Wittmann; Ludger Klein-Hitpass; Tilman T Rau; Barbara Dietel; Valérie S Méniel; Alan R Clarke; Susanne Merkel; Roland S Croner; Werner Hohenberger; Michael Stürzl Journal: J Clin Invest Date: 2016-10-10 Impact factor: 14.808