Abstract
Integrin is important for cell growth, invasion and metastasis, which are frequently observed in malignant tumors. The periostin (POSTN) gene encodes the ligand for integrin, one of the key focal adhesion proteins contributing to the formation of a structural link between the extracellular matrix and integrins. High expression levels of the POSTN gene are correlated with numerous human malignancies. We examined POSTN protein in colorectal cancer specimens from 115 patients by strictly following up using immunohistochemistry. Cytoplasm immunohistochemical staining showed POSTN protein expression in colorectal cancers. The positive expression rate of POSTN protein (59.13%, 68/115) in colorectal cancers was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal colon mucosa (0.47%, 11/109). POSTN over-expression in colorectal cancers was positively correlated with tumor size, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, serosal invasion, clinical stage and five-year survival rates. Further analysis showed that patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer and high POSTN expression levels had lower survival rates than those with early stage colorectal cancer and low POSTN expression levels. Overall, our results showed that POSTN played an important role in the progression of colorectal cancers.
Highlights
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, with about 1.2 million new cases and 608,700 deaths every year [1]
POSTN Protein Is Over-Expressed in Colorectal Cancer
Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the POSTN protein had a cytoplasmic expression pattern in colorectal cancer cells (Figure 1)
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, with about 1.2 million new cases and 608,700 deaths every year [1]. To provide better treatment strategies, there is an urgent need to further understand the precise molecular mechanism of CRC and to identify new prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer. POSTN functions as a multidomain adaptor protein that integrates multiple signals such as cell surface receptors, integrins and growth factors [8]. Through these protein-protein interactions, it regulates a variety of physiological processes including cell motility, metastasis, matrix organization, tissue remolding, cell proliferation and survival [9]. These findings suggest that POSTN might be a predictor for poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer
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