The expression of ccn3(nov) gene in musculoskeletal tumors.
The CCN3(NOV) protein belongs to the CCN [cysteine-rich CYR61, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), nephroblastoma overexpressed gene (Nov)] family of growth regulators, sharing a strikingly conserved multimodular organization but exhibiting distinctive functional features. Although previous studies have revealed an expression of CCN3 protein in several normal tissues, including kidney, nervous system, lung, muscle, and cartilage, less is known about its expression in tumors. In this study, we analyzed the expression of CCN3 in musculoskeletal tumors, using a panel of human cell lines and tissue samples. An association between CCN3 expression and tumor differentiation was observed in rhabdomyosarcoma and cartilage tumors, whereas, in Ewing's sarcoma, the expression of this protein seemed to be associated with a higher risk to develop metastases. CCN3 expression was found in 15 of 45 Ewing's sarcoma tissue samples. In particular, we did not observe any expression of CCN3 in the 15 primary tumors that did not develop metastases. In contrast, 15 of the 30 primary tumors that developed lung and/or bone metachronous metastases showed a high expression of the protein (P < 0.001, Fisher's test). Our studies indicate that CCN3 is generally expressed in the cells of the musculoskeletal system. This protein may play a role both in normal and pathological conditions. However, the regulation of CCN3 expression varies in the different neoplasms and depends on the type of cells. Thus, as reported for other CCN genes, the biological properties and regulation of expression of CCN3 are dependent on the cellular context and the nature of the cells in which it is produced. Further studies will help to clarify the biological role of this protein in musculoskeletal neoplasms.
Manara
Maria Cristina
MC
Laboratorio di Ricerca Oncologica, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy.
Perbal
Bernard
B
Benini
Stefania
S
Strammiello
Rosaria
R
Cerisano
Vanessa
V
Perdichizzi
Stefania
S
Serra
Massimo
M
Astolfi
Annalisa
A
Bertoni
Franco
F
Alami
Jennifer
J
Yeger
Herman
H
Picci
Piero
P
Scotlandi
Katia
K
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D055514:Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000235:genetics*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000235:genetics*; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000235:genetics*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
C526317:CCN2 protein, human; C526319:CCN3 protein, human; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D055514:Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor