Original Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2010; 16(37): 4670-4676
Published online Oct 7, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i37.4670
Up-regulation of hnRNP A1, Ezrin, tubulin β-2C and Annexin A1 in sentinel lymph nodes of colorectal cancer
Zhen-Yu He, Hao Wen, Chuan-Bing Shi, Jie Wang
Zhen-Yu He, Hao Wen, Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 121 Jiangjiayuan Road, Nanjing 210011, Jiangsu Province, China
Zhen-Yu He, Jie Wang, First Clinic College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
Chuan-Bing Shi, Department of Pathology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 121 Jiangjiayuan Road, Nanjing 210011, Jiangsu Province, China
Jie Wang, Department of Interventional Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital and First Clinic College of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: Wang J and He ZY designed the research; He ZY, Wen H and Shi CB performed the research and analyzed the data; He ZY wrote the paper.
Supported by The Natural Science Basic Research Project, Education Department of Jiangsu Province, No. 08KJT310005 and the 5th “Six Talent-Person-Peak Program”, Jiangsu Province, China; Superior Item of Nanjing Medical University Science and Technology Progress Fund, No. 07NMUM047
Correspondence to: Jie Wang, PhD, Department of Interventional Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital and First Clinic College of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China. nanjingwangjie2008@163.com
Telephone: +86-25-83718836 Fax: +86-25-58509900
Received: April 20, 2010
Revised: June 15, 2010
Accepted: June 22, 2010
Published online: October 7, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the early metastasis-associated proteins in sentinel lymph node micrometastasis (SLNMM) of colorectal cancer (CRC) through comparative proteome.

METHODS: Hydrophobic protein samples were extracted from individual-matched normal lymph nodes (NLN) and SLNMM of CRC. Differentially expressed protein spots were detected by two-dimensional electrophoresis and image analysis, and subsequently identified by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTS: Forty proteins were differentially expressed in NLN and SLNMM, and 4 metastasis-concerned proteins highly expressed in SLNMM were identified to be hnRNP A1, Ezrin, tubulin β-2C and Annexin A1. Further immunohistochemistry staining of these four proteins showed their clinicopathological characteristics in lymph node metastasis of CRC.

CONCLUSION: Variations of hydrophobic protein expression in NLN and SLNMM of CRC and increased expression of hnRNP A1, Ezrin, tubulin β-2C and Annexin A1 in SLNMM suggest a significantly elevated early CRC metastasis.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer, Micrometastasis, Proteomics, Sentinel lymph node