SPARC is expressed in human uveal melanoma and its abrogation reduces tumor cell proliferation.
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.
Maloney
Shawn C
SC
The Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada. shawn.maloney@mail.mcgill.ca
Marshall
Jean-Claude
JC
Antecka
Emilia
E
Orellana
Maria Eugenia
ME
Fernandes
Bruno F
BF
Martins
Claudia
C
Castiglione
Enzo
E
DI Cesare
Sebastian
S
Logan
Patrick
P
Burnier
Miguel N
MN
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
D015676:Osteonectin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering