title: SPARC is expressed in human uveal melanoma and its abrogation reduces tumor cell proliferation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) has been shown to play an integral role in the progression of numerous malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of SPARC in uveal melanoma (UM).
  
  
  METHODS
  SPARC expression was assessed in UM cell lines using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Small interfering RNA directed against SPARC was used to transfect each of the cell lines, which were subsequently run in proliferation assays. SPARC expression was further investigated in 19 cases of human UM and 11 primary and 8 metastatic tumors from a rabbit xenograft model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cell lines transfected with SPARC siRNA showed a significant decrease in proliferation compared to controls. All cases of human uveal melanoma demonstrated positive staining for SPARC as did all primary and metastatic tumors from the xenograft model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPARC may represent a novel target to inhibit growth of UM.
authors: The Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada. shawn.maloney@mail.mcgill.ca
authors: Shawn C
authors: SC
authors: Maloney
authors: Jean-Claude
authors: JC
authors: Marshall
authors: Emilia
authors: E
authors: Antecka
authors: Maria Eugenia
authors: ME
authors: Orellana
authors: Bruno F
authors: BF
authors: Fernandes
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Martins
authors: Enzo
authors: E
authors: Castiglione
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: DI Cesare
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Logan
authors: Miguel N
authors: MN
authors: Burnier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015676:Osteonectin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015676:Osteonectin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering