KLHL14 and E-Cadherin Nuclear Co-Expression as Predicting Factor of Nonfunctioning PitNET Invasiveness: Preliminary Study.
Jacopo BerardinelliValentina RussoAngelo CancielloOriana Di GiacintoAnnunziata MauroDelia NardinocchiIlaria BoveDomenico SolariMarialaura Del Basso De CaroLuigi Maria CavalloBarbara BarboniPublished in: Journal of clinical medicine (2024)
Background/Objectives. Novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are needed to improve the clinical management of nonfunctioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PitNETs). Here, the expression of two proteins controlling the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-an underlying NF-PitNET pathogenic mechanism-were analyzed as prognostic markers: E-cadherin (E-Cad) and KLHL14. Methods. The immunohistochemistry characterization of KLHL14 and E-Cad subcellular expression in surgical specimens of 12 NF-PitNET patients, with low and high invasiveness grades (respectively, Ki67 + < and ≥3%) was carried out. Results. The analysis of healthy vs. NF-PitNET tissues demonstrated an increased protein expression and nuclear translocation of KLHL14. Moreover, both E-Cad and KLHL14 shifted from a cytoplasmic (C) form in a low invasive NF-PitNET to a nuclear (N) localization in a high invasive NF-PitNET. A significant correlation was found between E-Cad/KLHL14 co-localization in the cytoplasm ( p = 0.01) and nucleus ( p = 0.01) and with NF-PitNET invasiveness grade. Conclusions. Nuclear buildup of both E-Cad and KLHL14 detected in high invasive NF-PitNET patients highlights a novel intracellular mechanism governing the tumor propensity to local invasion (Ki67 + ≥ 3%). The prolonged progression-free survival trend documented in patients with lower KLHL14 expression further supported such a hypothesis even if a larger cohort of NF-PitNET patients have to be analyzed to definitively recognize a key prognostic role for KLHL14.
Keyphrases
- signaling pathway
- lps induced
- epithelial mesenchymal transition
- pi k akt
- nuclear factor
- oxidative stress
- poor prognosis
- coronary artery disease
- end stage renal disease
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- inflammatory response
- chronic kidney disease
- cell proliferation
- gene expression
- peritoneal dialysis
- squamous cell carcinoma
- neoadjuvant chemotherapy