Expression and localization of axin 2 in colorectal carcinoma and its clinical implication

U Schaal, S Grenz, S Merkel, TT Rau… - International journal of …, 2013 - Springer
U Schaal, S Grenz, S Merkel, TT Rau, MV Hadjihannas, E Kremmer, P Chudasama
International journal of colorectal disease, 2013Springer
Purpose Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a major role in the
development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Axin 2 is a key protein of this pathway and is
upregulated in CRC. Here, we investigated RNA-and protein expression of axin 2 in CRC
tissues at the single cell level. Moreover, the association of axin 2 with prognosis and
survival was investigated in a large cohort of CRC patients (n= 280). Methods Localization
and expression of axin 2 and β-catenin was investigated using in situ hybridization and …
Purpose
Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a major role in the development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Axin 2 is a key protein of this pathway and is upregulated in CRC. Here, we investigated RNA- and protein expression of axin 2 in CRC tissues at the single cell level. Moreover, the association of axin 2 with prognosis and survival was investigated in a large cohort of CRC patients (n = 280).
Methods
Localization and expression of axin 2 and β-catenin was investigated using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining. The quantitative expression levels of axin 2 were determined using RT-qPCR. The association of axin 2 expression with prognosis and survival of the patients was determined by statistical analysis (logrank test, Kaplan–Meier).
Results
Our results confirmed the upregulation of axin 2 in CRC and showed that it is broadly expressed in the cytoplasm of the tumor epithelial cells both, in the tumor center and at the invasion front. Axin 2 was rarely expressed by tumor stromal cells and only weakly by normal colonic epithelial cells. Staining of β-catenin and axin 2 in consecutive CRC tissue sections revealed that nuclear translocation of β-catenin in the tumor front was not associated with changes in the cytoplasmic localization of axin 2. Axin 2 did not show any association with proven prognostic factors or survival of the CRC patients.
Conclusion
The generally increased expression of axin 2 in all tumor stages as compared to normal tissue suggests an initiating pathogenic function in the development of CRC.
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