Osteopontin Promoter Research Articles

Association between OPN genetic variations and nephrolithiasis risk.

Osteopontin (OPN) has an important role in urolithiasis. However, few studies have explored the association between OPN genetic variants and urolithiasis risk. In the present study, three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs28357094, rs11439060 and rs11730582) located on the promoter of OPN were genotyped in a total of 480 individuals, including 230 nephrolithiasis patients and 250 matched healthy controls, and the associations between these SNPs and nephrolithiasis risk in different genetic models was assessed. No significant differences were identified in the genotype and allele frequencies of OPN rs28357094 or rs11730582 (P=0.805 for rs28357094; P=0.577 for rs11730582, respectively). However, carriers with the OPN rs11439060 insertion (ins) types (ins/deletion and ins/ins) were overrepresented in urolithiasis patients compared with the controls [odds ratio (OR), 1.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08–2.22]. In the stratified analysis, the increased risk was more evident among younger subjects (adjusted OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.01–2.81), females (2.15; 1.14–4.08), overweight subjects (1.80; 1.07–3.05), normotensive subjects (2.48; 1.02–6.00), abnormal blood sugar subjects (1.58; 1.08–2.30), smokers (1.63; 1.02–2.60), and ever-drinkers (1.98; 1.10–3.60).. These findings revealed that the OPN rs11439060 polymorphism may act as genetic biomarker for the detection of high-risk nephrolithiasis patients.

AMPK promotes osteogenesis and inhibits adipogenesis through AMPK-Gfi1-OPN axis

Several metabolic, genetic and oncogenic bone diseases share the common pathological phenotype of defective bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) differentiation. Many reports in bone science in the past several years have suggested that the skeleton also has an endocrine role. The role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as an energy metabolism sensor and how it regulates BMSC differentiation is largely unknown. In the current study, we used AMPK agonists to activate AMPK in MC3T3-E1 cells to investigate the functional roles of AMPK in osteogenesis. However, metformin and AICAR failed to activate AMPK consistently. Therefore, we established MC3T3-E1 and 3T3-L1 cell models of AMPK α subunit overexpression through lentivirus vector, in which AMPK was overactivated. AMPK hyperactivation stimulated MC3T3-E1 cell osteogenesis and inhibited 3T3-L1 cell adipogenesis. Osteopontin (OPN) mediated AMPK regulation of osteogenesis and adipogenesis. Furthermore, we provided evidence that the transcriptional repressor growth factor independence-1 (Gfi1) was downregulated and disassociated from the OPN promoter in response to AMPK activation, resulting in the upregulation of OPN. Overexpression of wild-type and dominant-negative Gfi1 modulated MC3T3-E1 osteogenesis and 3T3-L1 adipogenesis. Further evidence suggested that AMPK enhanced ectopic bone formation of MC3T3-E1 cells through the AMPK-Gfi1-OPN axis. In conclusion, AMPK was sufficient to stimulate osteogenesis of MC3T3-E1 cells and inhibit adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells through the AMPK-Gfi1-OPN axis. These findings helped elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying AMPK regulation of osteogenesis and adipogenesis.

Genetic variations in the osteopontin promoters T-443C and G-156GG increase carotid intima-media thickness.

Carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) is a clear predictor of atherosclerosis. The increase of CIMT is affected by mutations in the osteopontin (OPN) promoters. The purpose of this study was to examine genetic variations in OPN promoters T-443C and G-156GG, identified in Javanese children with ischemic stroke parents, and to investigate their relationship with the increase of CIMT. A case–control analytic study was performed on 20 case and 12 control samples. Case samples were Javanese children aged between 10 to 21 years with ischemic stroke parents. Control samples were children with healthy parents. Mutations of T-443C and G-156GG were determined by employing polymerase chain reaction. Results of sequencing were analyzed using CLC Main Workbench 6.0. CIMT was defined using ultrasound. Genetic variations of T-443C were identified in six samples. Likewise, genetic variations of G-156GG were identified in six samples. Genetic variations in the OPN promoters T-443C and G-156GG were not potential risk factors in an increase of CIMT (P=0.654 and P=0.654). This study proves that genetic variations could be identified at the points of T-443C and G-156GG in children with ischemic stroke parents. Although statistically insignificant, the tendency to increase CIMT occurs in children with genetic variations. Children with ischemic stroke parents have thicker CIMT than children of healthy parents.

Osteopontin plays a key role in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation via EGFR-mediated activation of AP-1 and C/EBPβ pathways

Osteopontin (OPN) is known as an active player in the progression of vascular remodeling diseases, however, the precise role in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is unclear. Thus, this study investigated the role of OPN in VSMC proliferation induced by 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), and identified the intracellular signaling pathways involved in 4-HNE-induced OPN production. In VSMC primary cultured from rat thoracic aorta as well as in VSMC in the media of aorta, HNE enhanced OPN expression in concentration-dependent manners. Both the proliferation of cultured VSMC and PCNA positive cells in aortic tissues were also increased by HNE, which were attenuated in OPN-deficient cells and aortic tissues isolated from OPN-deficient mice, indicating a pivotal role of OPN in HNE-induced VSMC proliferation. In the promoter assay, HNE increased OPN promoter activity, which was attenuated when the regions harboring AP-1 and C/EBPβ binding sites were mutated. The increased bindings of AP-1 and C/EBPβ to the OPN promoter were also demonstrated by ChIP analysis. In addition, the increases in both OPN expression and the activities of AP-1 and C/EBPβ by HNE were attenuated by AG1478, an EGFR antagonist. Based on these results, it was suggested that HNE induced OPN expression in VSMC via signaling pathways involving AP-1 and C/EBPβ, leading to increases in VSMC proliferation and subsequent vascular remodeling.

Association between promoter polymorphisms of OPN gene and cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

BackgroundResults of the association between polymorphisms of osteopontin (OPN) gene promoter region and risk of cancer were inconclusive. The aim of this meta-analysis was to elucidate whether OPN promoter polymorphisms were associated with cancer risk.MethodsElectronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure were systematically searched. Odd ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidential interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of association between OPN promoter polymorphisms and cancer risks.ResultsNine studies were finally included in this meta-analysis. For OPN rs17524488 polymorphism, carriers of GG or -/G genotype were significantly associated with increased cancer risk compared with wild-type -/- carriers, respectively (GG vs -/-: OR =1.40, 95% CI =1.03–1.91, P=0.033; -/G vs -/-: OR =1.22, 95% CI =1.07–1.40, P=0.002). Additionally, G allele was significantly associated with increased cancer risk compared with (-) allele (OR =1.21, 95% CI =1.04–1.40, P=0.016). However, no significant association was observed of OPN rs11730582 polymorphism and cancer risk (CC vs TT: OR =0.98, 95% CI =0.49–1.97, P=0.964; CT vs TT: OR =0.88, 95% CI =0.54–1.43, P=0.610).ConclusionCarriers of GG or -/G genotype of OPN promoter rs17524488 (-156-/G) polymorphism might be associated with increased risk of cancer compared with wild-type -/- carriers, respectively. However, no significant association was observed between OPN promoter rs11730582 (-443C/T) polymorphism and risk of cancer.

Associations between the Genetic Polymorphisms of Osteopontin Promoter and Susceptibility to Cancer in Chinese Population: A Meta-Analysis.

Background and AimSeveral studies have been conducted to examine the associations between osteopontin (OPN) promoter gene SPP1 polymorphisms with human cancers in Chinese population, but the results remain inconsistent. The aim of this meta-analysis is to clarify the associations between SPP1 polymorphisms and cancer susceptibility.MethodsAll eligible case-control studies published up to March 2015 were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library without language restrictions. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using fixed- or random-effect model.ResultsA total of 11 case-control studies were included; of those, there were eleven studies (3130 cases and 3828 controls) for -443T>C polymorphism, ten studies (3019 cases and 3615 controls) for -156G>GG polymorphism, eight studies (2258 cases and 2846 controls) for -66T>G polymorphism. Overall, no evidence indicated that the -443 T>C polymorphism was associated with cancer risk (OR = 0.93, 95%CI 0.62–1.38 for dominant model, OR = 1.06, 95%CI 0.73–1.55 for recessive model, OR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.62–1.26 for CT vs TT model, OR = 1.03, 95%CI 0.61–1.73 for CC vs TT model). While, a significantly increase risk was found for -156 G>GG polymorphism (OR = 1.22, 95%CI 1.10–1.35 for dominant model, OR = 1.25, 95%CI 1.10–1.41 for recessive model, OR = 1.18, 95%CI 1.06–1.32 for GGG vs GG model, OR = 1.35, 95%CI 1.09–1.68 for GGGG vs GG model). For -66T>G polymorphism, we found a decrease risk of cancer (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.71–0.98 for dominant model), but this result changed (OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.77–1.12 for dominant model) when we excluded a study.ConclusionThis meta-analysis suggests that in Chinese population the -156G>GG polymorphism of SPP1 might be a risk factor for human cancers, while -443T>C mutation is not associated with cancer risk. For -66T>G polymorphism, it may be a protective factor for human cancers.

Green tea component epigallocatechin-3-gallate decreases expression of osteopontin via a decrease in mRNA half-life in cell lines of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma

Osteopontin (OPN) mediates metastasis and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), found in green tea, suppresses HCC tumor growth in vitro. We sought to investigate the role of EGCG in modulating OPN in cell lines of metastatic HCC. Experimental HCC cell lines included HepG2 and MHCC-97H HCC cells, which express high levels of OPN, and the Hep3B cells, which express lesser levels of OPN. Cells were treated with EGCG (0.02-20 μg/mL) before measurement of OPN with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Scratch assay measured cell migration. Binding of the OPN promoter to RNA pol II was evaluated by the use of Chromatin-IP assay after EGCG treatment. Transcriptional regulation of OPN was investigated with luciferase reporter plasmids containing various deletion fragments of the human OPN promoter. Measurement of the half-life of OPN mRNA was conducted using actinomycin D. Treatment of MHCC-97H and HepG2 cells with 2 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL EGCG caused a ∼6-fold and ∼90-fold decrease in secreted protein levels of OPN (All P < .001). OPN mRNA was decreased with EGCG concentrations of 0.2-20 μg/ml (All P < .001). The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (ie, MTT) assay revealed that differences in OPN expression were not due to viability of the HCC cell lines. Promoter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed no effect of EGCG on the transcriptional regulation of OPN. Posttranscriptionally, EGCG decreased the half-life of OPN mRNA from 16.8 hours (95% confidence interval 9.0-125.1) to 2.5 hours (95% confidence interval 2.1-3.2) (P < .001). Migration was decreased in EGCG treated cells at 24 hours (8.0 ± 2.4% vs 21.2 ± 10.8%, P < .01) and at 48 hours (13.2 ± 3.6% vs 53.5 ± 19.8%, P < .001). We provide evidence that EGCG decreases OPN mRNA and secreted OPN protein levels by decreasing the half-life of OPN mRNA in MHCC-97H cells. The translatability of EGCG for patients with HCC is promising, because EGCG is an inexpensive, easily accessible chemical with an extensive history of safety.

Association between Osteopontin Promoter Gene Polymorphisms and Haplotypes with Risk of Diabetic Nephropathy.

Background: Osteopontin (OPN) C-443T promoter polymorphism has been shown as a genetic risk factor for diabetic nephropathy (DN) in type 2 diabetic patients (T2D). Methods: In the present study we investigated the association of three functional promoter gene polymorphisms C-443T, delG-156G, and G-66T and their haplotypes with the risk of DN and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) in Asian Indians T2D patients using Real time PCR based Taqman assay. A total of 1165 T2D patients, belonging to two independently ascertained Indian Asian cohorts, were genotyped for three OPN promoter polymorphisms C-443T (rs11730582), delG-156G (rs17524488) and G-66T (rs28357094). Results: -156G allele and GG genotypes (delG-156G) and haplotypes G-C-G and T-C-G (G-66T, C-443T, delG-156G) were associated with decreased risk of DN and higher eGFR. Haplotype G-T-delG and T-T-delG (G-66T, C-443T, delG-156G) were identified as risk haplotypes, as shown by lower eGFR. Conclusion: This is the first study to report an association of OPN promoter gene polymorphisms; G-66T and delG-156G and their haplotypes with DN in T2D. Our results suggest an association between OPN promoter gene polymorphisms and their haplotypes with DN.

Mechanical stretch enhances the expression and activity of osteopontin and MMP-2 via the Akt1/AP-1 pathways in VSMC

Hemodynamic forces causing mechanical stretch (MS) of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play an important role in vascular remodeling, but the underlying mechanism involved is not fully understood. Thus, this study investigated whether osteopontin (OPN) expression in VSMC was induced by MS, and identified the intracellular signaling pathways involved in OPN production. The plasma level of OPN and its expression in aortic tissue were increased in various animal models of hypertension including spontaneous hypertensive rats and hypertensive mice induced by angiotensin II or L-NAME. When aortic VSMC was stimulated with MS, OPN production was increased, which was markedly attenuated in VSMC treated with PI3K/Akt inhibitor as well as in Akt1-depleted cells, but not in Akt2-depleted cells, suggesting a pivotal role of Akt1 isoform in OPN expression in VSMC. In the promoter assay, MS increased OPN promoter activity, which was attenuated when the region harboring AP-1 binding sites was mutated. The MS-enhanced promoter activity and OPN expression were also decreased in cells treated with AP-1 siRNA or inhibitor. Moreover, MS-induced MMP-2 production was attenuated in cells treated with OPN siRNA or anti-OPN antibody as well as in OPN-deficient VSMC cultured from aorta of OPN deficient mice. In in vivo experiments, the expressions of OPN and MMP-2 were increased in the aortic tissues from hypertensive mice, but these increases were markedly attenuated in OPN-deficient mice with hypertension. In conclusion, these results suggested that OPN expression in the hypertensive vasculature was increased via signaling pathways that involve Akt1/AP-1, leading to vascular remodeling by increasing the production of MMP-2.

Evaluation of serum osteopontin level and gene polymorphism as biomarkers: analyses from the Nordic Adjuvant Interferon alpha Melanoma trial.

Malignant melanoma is highly aggressive cancer with poor prognosis and few therapeutic options. Interferon alpha (IFN-α) has been tested as adjuvant immunotherapy in high-risk melanoma patients in a number of studies, but its beneficial role is controversial. Although IFN-α treatment can prolong relapse-free survival, the effect on overall survival is not significant. However, a small subset of patients benefits from the treatment, signifying the need for biomarkers able to identify a responding subgroup. Here we evaluated whether serum osteopontin (OPN) could function as a biomarker identifying patients with poor prognosis that might benefit from IFN-α. The choice of osteopontin was based on the knowledge about the dual role of this protein in cancer and immune response, an apparent association between OPN and IFN signaling and a prognostic value of OPN in multiple other tumor types. Serum samples from 275 high-risk melanoma patients enrolled in the Nordic Adjuvant IFN Melanoma trial were analyzed for circulating OPN concentrations and OPN promoter polymorphisms in position -443. The potential relation between serum OPN levels, the genotypes and survival in non-treated patients and patients receiving adjuvant IFN-α was investigated. Although slightly better survival was observed in the treated patients that had high levels of OPN, the difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, serum OPN (its level or the genotype) cannot distinguish melanoma patients with poor prognosis, or patients that might benefit from adjuvant treatment with IFN-α.

GSK3β Negatively Regulates LPS‐induced Osteopontin Expression via Inhibiting its Transcription

Osteopontin (OPN) is expressed by a variety of immune cells and is critical for both innate and adaptive immune responses. The expression status of OPN might be tightly regulated to maintain immune homeostasis. However, the mechanisms by which OPN is negatively regulated in LPS-stimulated macrophages remain largely unknown. In this study, we showed that glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) inhibitors - SB216763, LiCl and azakenpaullone - enhanced LPS-induced OPN expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages. GSK3β knock-down had the similar effects. Furthermore, we found that GSK3β inhibitors and GSK3β knock-down both increased the activity of OPN promoter in LPS-stimulated macrophages. GSK3β inhibitor-mediated enhancement of LPS-induced OPN promoter activity was abrogated in GSK3β siRNA-treated macrophages. Therefore, we identified GSK3β as a negative regulator of OPN expression and suggest GSK3β as a potential therapeutic target for the intervention of diseases with uncontrolled OPN production.

The potential of the human osteopontin promoter and single-nucleotide polymorphisms for targeted cancer gene therapy.

Regulatory elements of the osteopontin (opn) gene are attractive candidates for expressiontargeted gene therapy because numerous malignant cancers are marked by opn overexpression. The maximum opn promoter ((P)opn)-driven reporter intensity obtained for tested cancer cell lines was as strong (102.69%) as positive-control transfections. At the same time, (P)opn-driven reporter expression was reduced by ~90% in non-cancer cell lineages. Deletion analysis of the -922 bp region opn promoter did not confirm published reports of a repressor area within 922 bases upstream of the transcriptional start site. Further enhancements to targeting and expression were obtained through incorporation of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) into the promoter sequence. It was found that the SNPs -443C, -155GG, -66T led to increased (P)opn-driven transfection in cancer cells (fold increase of 1.23 ~ 3.48), with a concomitant decrease in reporter expression in normal controls (fold change of 0.69). Further investigations to confirm a correlation between endogenous opn mRNA levels and (P)opn-driven reporter expression produced a surprising lack of correlation (R(2)=0.24). However, taking into account opn mRNA splicing variants showed a strong negative correlation between mRNA levels of the variant opn-a and (P) opn-driven transgene activity (R(2)=0.95). These data have implications on how future searches for expression-targeting promoters should be conducted.

ERK1 and ERK2 regulate chondrocyte terminal differentiation during endochondral bone formation.

Chondrocytes in the epiphyseal cartilage undergo terminal differentiation prior to their removal through apoptosis. To examine the role of ERK1 and ERK2 in chondrocyte terminal differentiation, we generated Osterix (Osx)-Cre; ERK1(-/-) ; ERK2(flox/flox) mice (conditional knockout Osx [cKOosx]), in which ERK1 and ERK2 were deleted in hypertrophic chondrocytes. These cKOosx mice were grossly normal in size at birth, but by 3 weeks of age exhibited shorter long bones. Histological analysis in these mice revealed that the zone of hypertrophic chondrocytes in the growth plate was markedly expanded. In situ hybridization and quantitative real-time PCR analyses demonstrated that Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (Mmp13) and Osteopontin expression was significantly decreased, indicating impaired chondrocyte terminal differentiation. Moreover, Egr1 and Egr2, transcription factors whose expression is restricted to the last layers of hypertrophic chondrocytes in wild-type mice, were also strongly downregulated in these cKOosx mice. In transient transfection experiments in the RCS rat chondrosarcoma cell line, the expression of Egr1, Egr2, or a constitutively active mutant of MEK1 increased the activity of an Osteopontin promoter, whereas the MEK1-induced activation of the Osteopontin promoter was inhibited by the coexpression of Nab2, an Egr1 and Egr2 co-repressor. These results suggest that MEK1-ERK signaling activates the Osteopontin promoter in part through Egr1 and Egr2. Finally, our histological analysis of cKOosx mice demonstrated enchondroma-like lesions in the bone marrow that are reminiscent of human metachondromatosis, a skeletal disorder caused by mutations in PTPN11. Our observations suggest that the development of enchondromas in metachondromatosis may be caused by reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK MAPK) signaling.

Thicker Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Children with Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1: A-2138T and A-2464G Mutation.

Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is clearly associated with atherosclerosis. Studies in ischemic stroke patients reveal that there is a significant association between CIMT with monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and osteopontin (OPN) promoter polymorphism. This research aims to explain the effect of MCP-1 and OPN promoter polymorphism toward CIMT changes identified in Javanese Indonesian children. Subjects were 54 children: 27 were from parents with ischemic stroke (cases), and 27 were from healthy parents (controlled). The CIMT was examined by utilizing high resolution B-mode ultrasound. Physical examination and genotyping analysis of MCP-1 promoter were conducted by employing PCR method. Research results indicate that two polymorphisms were obtained, that is, A-2138T and G-2464A, respectively. A-2138T polymorphism was found in 5% of case children and in 14.3% of controlled children. G-2464A polymorphism was found in 5% of case children. CIMT of case children was significantly different from that of controlled children (0.61 ± 0.012 mm versus, 0.52 ± 0.015 mm, P = 0.021). Subjects with MCP-1 promoter polymorphism have 1.471 times higher tendency to have thicker CIMT than subjects with no polymorphism in MCP1 promoter. OPN promoter T-66G was also studied but it did not indicate occurrence of polymorphism in samples.

Hydrogen Peroxide Regulates Osteopontin Expression through Activation of Transcriptional and Translational Pathways

Recent in vivo studies establish that osteopontin (OPN) expression is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-dependent. However, the mechanisms by which H2O2 increases OPN expression remain poorly defined. OPN protein expression increased in an unusual biphasic pattern in response to H2O2. To investigate whether these increases were mediated through transcriptional and/or translational regulation of OPN, smooth muscle cells stimulated with 50 μM H2O2 were used as an in vitro cell system. Early protein increases at 6 h were not preceded by increased mRNA, whereas later increases (18 h) were, suggesting multiple mechanisms of regulation by H2O2. Polyribosomal fractionation assays established that early increases (6 h) in OPN expression were due to increased translation. This increase in translation occurred through phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 at the reactive oxygen species-sensitive Ser-65, which allowed for release and activation of eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4E and subsequent OPN translation. This early increase (6 h) in OPN was blunted in cells expressing a phospho-deficient 4E-BP1 mutant. H2O2 stimulation increased rat OPN promoter activity at 8 and 18 h, and promoter truncation studies established that promoter region -2284 to -795 is crucial for H2O2-dependent OPN transcription. ChIP studies determined that H2O2-dependent transcription is mediated by the reactive oxygen species-sensitive transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1. In conclusion, H2O2 stimulates OPN expression in a unique biphasic pattern, where early increases are translational and late increases are transcriptional.

Mechanism of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-induced Osteopontin and Its Role in Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocytes

Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoprotein, originally characterized in malignant-transformed epithelial cells. OPN is associated with tumor metastasis of several tumors and is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue involving HCC invasion and metastasis. Importantly, OPN is significantly up-regulated in liver injury, inflammation, and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated HCC. However, the underlying mechanisms of OPN activation and its role in HCV-mediated liver disease pathogenesis are not known. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of OPN activation in HCV-infected cells. We demonstrate that HCV-mediated Ca(2+) signaling, elevation of reactive oxygen species, and activation of cellular kinases such as p38 MAPK, JNK, PI3K, and MEK1/2 are involved in OPN activation. Incubation of HCV-infected cells with the inhibitors of AP-1 and Sp1 and site-directed mutagenesis of AP-1- and Sp1-binding sites on the OPN promoter suggest the critical role of AP-1 and Sp1 in OPN promoter activation. In addition, we show the in vivo interactions of AP-1 and Sp1 with the OPN promoter using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. We also show the calpain-mediated processing of precursor OPN (∼75 kDa) into ∼55-, ∼42-, and ∼36-kDa forms of OPN in HCV-infected cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate the critical role of HCV-induced OPN in increased phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β followed by the activation of β-catenin, which can lead to EMT of hepatocytes. Taken together, these studies provide an insight into the mechanisms of OPN activation that is relevant to the metastasis of HCV-associated HCC.

Osteopontin is a prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer.

BackgroundIn a previously published report we characterized the expression of the metastasis-associated proteins S100A4, osteopontin (OPN) and ephrin-A1 in a prospectively collected panel of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors. The aim of the present follow-up study was to investigate the prognostic impact of these potential biomarkers in the same patient cohort. In addition, circulating serum levels of OPN were measured and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the -443 position of the OPN promoter were analyzed.MethodsAssociations between immunohistochemical expression of S100A4, OPN and ephrin-A1 and relapse free and overall survival were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Serum OPN was measured by ELISA, polymorphisms in the -443 position of the tumor OPN promoter were analyzed by PCR, and associations between OPN levels and promoter polymorphisms and clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome were investigated.ResultsHigh expression of OPN in NSCLC tumors was associated with poor patient outcome, and OPN was a strong, independent prognostic factor for both relapse free and overall survival. Serum OPN levels increased according to tumor pT classification and tumor size, and patients with OPN-expressing tumors had higher serum levels than patients with OPN-negative tumors. S100A4 was a negative prognostic factor in several subgroups of adenocarcinoma patients, but not in the overall patient cohort. There was no association between ephrin-A1 expression and patient outcome.ConclusionsOPN is a promising prognostic biomarker in NSCLC, and should be further explored in the selection of patients for adjuvant treatment following surgical resection.

Divergent regulation of theOsteopontinpromoter by the estrogen receptor-related receptors is isoform- and cell context dependent

We sought to determine whether the estrogen receptor-related receptor gamma (mEsrrg) regulated the Osteopontin (Opn) promoter through the same AP1/CAAT box element that we have previously described for mEsrra. In HeLa cells mEsrrg used an additional site present in the 5'UTR, while in ROS17/2.8 cells the AP1/CAAT site was not used, but a completely novel site surrounding the transcription start site was used. We also find that in ROS17/2.8 cells mEsrra repressed, while mEsrrg activated the Opn promoter. None of the sites identified conform to established Esrr response elements (ERREs). Additionally, the two reported mEsrrg protein isoforms showed differences in their activation potential. Mutations in the activation function 2 (AF2) of mEsrra, predicted to abolish activation, surprisingly turned mEsrra into a better activator. In contrast, similar AF2 mutations in Esrrg2 abolished its ability to activate the Opn promoter. Mutation of the DNA binding domain of mEsrra/g2 abolished transcriptional activity in HeLa and ROS17/2.8 cells. Our data indicate, first, that the two Esrr isoforms regulate Opn in a cell context-dependent manner. Second, they suggest that although the DNA binding domains of mEsrra and mEsrrg are 93% identical and required for regulation, the receptors bind to distinct Opn promoter elements, suggesting that the two isoforms may co-regulate Opn, and perhaps other genes, without competing for the same site in the promoter. Finally, the results suggest that each isoform interacts differently with co-activators and co-repressors, as highlighted by the AF2 mutation that turns mEsrra into a better activator but abolishes activity of Esrrg2.

An osteopontin promoter polymorphism is associated with aggressiveness in breast cancer

Metastasis-related genes are deregulated in cancer by aberrant expression or splicing. Here, we analyzed polymorphic sites in the osteopontin promoter as potential contributors to aberrant expression in breast cancers. This study comprised 241 breast cancer specimens, for which DNA from normal surrounding tissue was available for 111, and 65 healthy breast samples. The polymorphic site in position -443 of the promoter was associated with tumor grade. As expected, there was no association between promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and tumor stage or in situ carcinoma versus cancer, as stage and early transformation are determined by the sampling time more than by tumor genetics. In a subset of samples, osteopontin RNA expression levels had previously been obtained. The allelic distribution in positions -443 and -1748 was distinct between high and low expressors, confirming the importance of promoter SNPs. These two sites also form a haplotype. Osteopontin expression has been associated with breast cancer progression, regardless of the histological subtype of the cancer. Remarkably, the polymorphic site at -443, but not -1748 or -1776, showed differences between ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancers and between PR-positive and PR-negative breast cancers, but there was no association with HER2 status. In five cases, the genotype of the tumor was different from the genotype of the host, implying the possibility of somatic mutations in the osteopontin promoter that may affect expression. Our results corroborate that the osteopontin promoter SNPs -443 (rs11730582) and -1748 (rs2728127) are important for gene expression and breast cancer aggressiveness.

Osteopontin Promoter Polymorphisms are Associated With Susceptibility to Gastric Cancer

To evaluate the significance of osteopontin (OPN) genotypes in the susceptibility to gastric cancer. The expression of OPN has been correlated with development, invasiveness, metastasis, and survival of gastric cancer, but the role of polymorphisms in the OPN promoter has not been investigated. We enrolled 146 gastric cancer patients and 128 controls. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the OPN promoter (-66, -156, -443, -616, -1748, and -1776) were analyzed by pyrosequencing and direct sequencing methods. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations between SNPs and development of gastric cancer. SNP -443 C/C and -616 T/T of the OPN promoter were significantly associated with gastric cancer [odds ratio (OR)=2.88; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16-7.12 and OR=1.95; 95% CI, 1.35-2.82, respectively]. Analysis of the combined effect of OPN promoter SNPs revealed that the combination of SNP -443 (T/C or C/C) and SNP -616 (T/T or T/G) had the most significant association with gastric cancer (OR=3.95; 95% CI, 1.58-9.90). Our results suggest that polymorphisms in the OPN promoter are associated with the development of gastric cancer, and the combination of SNP -443 (T/C or C/C) and -616 (T/T or T/G) most significantly increases susceptibility to gastric cancer.