Nrf2 expression participates in growth and differentiation of endometrial carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.
The expression level of Nrf2 is increased in series of tumors and it plays a vital role in proliferation of cancer cells. However, little is known about the clinical implications and biological functions of Nrf2 in endometrial carcinoma. The aim of this study is to study whether up-regulation of Nrf2 expression can promote growth of endometrial carcinoma cells. Using immunohistochemistry, Nrf2 protein expression was analyzed in endometrial carcinoma patients. A series of assays was performed to elucidate the role of Nrf2 in growth of endometrial carcinoma. Positive rate of Nrf2 was 64.3 % (45/70) in endometrial carcinoma patients, and it was associated with FIGO stage and histological grade (P < 0.05). In addition, ectopic overexpression of Nrf2 promoted the growth of endometrial carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, Nrf2 protein translocation from cytoplasm to nucleus may influence differentiation of endometrial carcinoma cells. These results suggest that Nrf2 participates in progression of endometrial carcinoma by influencing the growth and differentiation of endometrial carcinoma cells, and it could be used as a novel and potential therapeutic target for endometrial carcinoma.
Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Jinan Military Region, Jinan, 250031, People's Republic of China.
Kainan
K
Li
Chen
C
Zhong
Baocheng
B
Wang
Jun
J
He
Jingwang
J
Bi
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008875:Middle Aged; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000502:physiology*; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D047368:Tumor Burden
D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; C495635:NFE2L2 protein, human