title: PLZF expression during colorectal cancer development and in normal colorectal mucosa according to body size, as marker of colorectal cancer risk.
abstract: Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF) is a protein involved in various signaling, growth regulatory, and differentiation pathways, including development/function of some T cells. Here, we aimed at the detection of PLZF during colorectal carcinogenesis, using immunofluorescence, and at the evaluation of the colocalization of PLZF with CD2 and CD56 positive cells (T, γ δ , NK, and NKT cells), using confocal-microscopy, along colorectal carcinogenesis, since its earliest stages, that is, dysplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF). Furthermore, we analyzed PLZF in the normal colonic mucosa (NM) according to anthropometric parameters of the subject. NM exhibited strong CD56 fluorescent staining. This infiltration was lost in both ACF and colorectal carcinoma (CRC), while PLZF presence increased from NM to ACF and CRC. Strong association was found between CD56+ colonic mucosa cell infiltration and body mass index. Interestingly, an increased stromal PLZF-reactivity was present in NM of obese subjects. This study shows that overexpression of PLZF and exclusion of NK cells in dysplastic microenvironment are very early events in the stepwise sequence leading to CRC and that lower levels of CD56+ cells in NM, together with increased levels of PLZF+ cells, can be a reflection of colon cancer risk due to obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sena
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magnani
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ponz de Leon
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roncucci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D049628:Body Size; D018801:CD2 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D000075722:Promyelocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger Protein; D011485:Protein Binding; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; D000075722:Promyelocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger Protein; C092037:ZBTB16 protein, human