Cited by 100Glioma Diagnosis and TreatmentCancer-related Molecular PathwaysCancer-related molecular mechanisms research

Frequent loss of PDCD4 expression in human glioma: Possible role in the tumorigenesis of glioma

Open access
Gao, Fei, Zhang, Pin, Zhou, Chuixian, Li, Jianfeng, Wang, Qun, Zhu, Faliang, Ma, Chunhong, Sun, Wensheng +1 more·2007·Oncology Reports

Abstract

Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) was recently identified as a novel tumor suppressor gene. The loss of PDCD4 expression was found in several types of human cancer cell lines. To date, however, the status of PDCD4 expression in human glioma tissue is not known. In the present study, the expression of PDCD4 in 30 glioma samples was determined at both mRNA and protein levels by means of RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Herein, we demonstrate, for the first time, that 47% (14/30) of glioma samples lost the expression of PDCD4 mRNA, and 77% (23/30) of glioma samples lacked the PDCD4 protein expression, whereas adjacent normal glial tissues expressed high levels of PDCD4 mRNA and protein. Furthermore, the loss of PDCD4 expression does not significantly correlate with the pathological and clinical features of the glioma. Our new data suggest that the loss of PDCD4 expression is a frequent event in human glioma and may partially contribute to the development of the tumor.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This study reports frequent loss of PDCD4 expression in human glioma at both mRNA and protein levels compared with adjacent normal glial tissue. The authors suggest this loss may contribute to glioma tumorigenesis, though it did not significantly correlate with tumor grade or histological type.

Key findings

  • PDCD4 mRNA was lost in 47% (14/30) of glioma samples, while 12 of the remaining 16 samples showed reduced PDCD4 mRNA compared with three normal adjacent brain tissue controls.
  • PDCD4 protein was absent in 77% (23/30) of gliomas by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry; the other 6 showed weak PDCD4 bands.
  • Adjacent normal glial tissues expressed high levels of PDCD4 mRNA and protein, whereas the glioma cell line U251 lacked PDCD4 expression.
  • Loss of PDCD4 expression showed no significant correlation with sex, age, tumor size, tumor grade, or histological type.

Methods

  • Glioma specimens were obtained from 30 patients aged 40–60 years (mean 50 years) who underwent surgery; three normal glial tissues were acquired from tumor-adjacent tissue, and the U251 glioma cell line was also used.
  • PDCD4 expression was assessed at mRNA level by semiquantitative RT-PCR and at protein level by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.
  • Statistical analysis used the χ² test to examine correlation between PDCD4 protein expression and pathological features, with p<0.05 considered significant.

Limitations

  • The authors state that the precise mechanism by which PDCD4 expression affects glioma tumorigenesis needs further investigation in a large set of patient samples.
  • The authors note that the molecular basis for the PDCD4 expression pattern is unclear.
  • Evident from the text: the study is small (30 glioma samples and only 3 normal glial controls), relies on semiquantitative expression assays, and does not include functional experiments to establish causality.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3892/or.17.1.123

Cites

23 of 23 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 14 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Adjacent normal glial tissues expressed high levels of PDCD4 mRNA and protein.

    “whereas adjacent normal glial tissues expressed high levels of PDCD4 mRNA and protein.”
    • Also stated in: § Lacking or decreased expression of PDCD4 mRNA in gliomas. · plain
      “all of three normal brain tissues adjacent to the tumor lesion expressed a high level of PDCD4 mRNA”
    • Also stated in: § High frequent loss of PDCD4 protein expression in gliomas. · plain
      “normal brain tissues adjacent to tumor, which showed strong PDCD4 expression”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In 30 glioma specimens, 23 (77%) lacked PDCD4 protein expression.

    “77% (23/30) of glioma samples lacked the PDCD4 protein expression”
    • Also stated in: § High frequent loss of PDCD4 protein expression in gliomas. · plain
      “In 30 cases of the gliomas, 23 (77%) exhibited no relevant PDCD4 bands and the other 6 showed weak PDCD4 bands, compared with normal brain tissues adjacent to tumor, which showed strong PDCD4 expression (Fig. 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    There was no significant relationship between loss of PDCD4 expression and tumor grade or histological type.

    “Unexpectedly there was also no significant relationship between loss of PDCD4 expression and tumor grade or histological type (Fig. 4).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Loss of PDCD4 expression does not significantly correlate with the pathological and clinical features of glioma.

    “Furthermore, the loss of PDCD4 expression does not significantly correlate with the pathological and clinical features of the glioma.”
    • Also stated in: § High frequent loss of PDCD4 protein expression in gliomas. · plain
      “The loss of PDCD4 in gliomas had no significant relationships with tumor grade or histological type.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    No PDCD4 expression was observed in the glioma cell line U251.

    “no PDCD4 expression was observed in the glioma cell line (U251)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 13
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Positive PDCD4 staining localized in cytoplasm.

    “In addition, Fig. 3 showed that the positive PDCD4 staining localized in cytoplasm.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    No patient had received adjuvant immunosuppressive treatment including radiotherapy or chemotherapy prior to surgery.

    “No patient had received adjuvant immunosuppressive treatment including radiotherapy or chemotherapy prior to surgery in order to eliminate the variable from affecting gene expression.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Loss of PDCD4 expression is found in primary lung cancer.

    “It is expressed ubiquitously in human normal tissues, whereas loss of its expression is found in several types of human cancer cell lines (13), and in primary lung cancer (14) and in primary pancreatic cancer (15).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The pathological analysis was according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.

    “The pathological analysis was according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    RT-PCR was performed at least twice in independent experiments.

    “The RT-PCR was performed at least twice in independent experiments.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Human beta-actin was amplified as an internal control from parallel samples.

    “Human ß-actin was amplified as an internal control from parallel samples.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    All slides were independently analyzed by two pathologists.

    “All of the slides were independently analyzed by two pathologists.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Loss of PDCD4 expression is found in several types of human cancer cell lines.

    “It is expressed ubiquitously in human normal tissues, whereas loss of its expression is found in several types of human cancer cell lines (13), and in primary lung cancer (14) and in primary pancreatic cancer (15).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Western blotting was performed at least twice in independent experiments.

    “Western blotting was performed at least twice in independent experiments.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Loss of PDCD4 expression is found in primary pancreatic cancer.

    “It is expressed ubiquitously in human normal tissues, whereas loss of its expression is found in several types of human cancer cell lines (13), and in primary lung cancer (14) and in primary pancreatic cancer (15).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Negative controls for the specificity of immunohistochemical reactions were performed by replacing the primary antibody with PBS.

    “Negative controls for the specificity of immunohistochemical reactions were performed by replacing the primary antibody with PBS.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    PDCD4 exerts its antitumor roles via regulating signal transduction pathways.

    “Furthermore, previous studies have shown that PDCD4 exerted its antitumor roles via regulating signal transduction pathways (9,10).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [9]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [10]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Human PDCD4 is highly homologous to mouse PDCD4.

    “Human PDCD4 is first cloned from a human glioma library, which is highly homologous to the mouse PDCD4 (11,12).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [11]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [12]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

13 of 13
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The three normal glial tissues acquired from tumor adjacent tissue are normal and represent normal glial tissue.

    “The three normal glial tissues were all acquired from tumor adjacent tissue.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The 30 glioma samples are representative of human glioma generally.

    “In the present study, the expression of PDCD4 in 30 glioma samples was determined at both mRNA and protein levels by means of RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry.”
2 of 2

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • miR-21 targets several genes such as PDCD4, TIMP3, and RECK, which are key regulators of apoptotic and metastatic pathways.

    “miR-21 targets several genes such as PDCD4, TIMP3, and RECK, which are key regulators of apoptotic and metastatic pathways (17–23).”

    From Potential Therapeutic Effects of Exosomes Packed With a miR-21-Sponge Construct in a Rat Model of Glioblastoma (2019) · cites this paper as [21]

    The Introduction describes PDCD4 as a pre-apoptotic tumor suppressor, and the Discussion suggests that its loss in glioma may act through reduced apoptosis. Neither section identifies miR-21 as targeting PDCD4, and our copy does not address TIMP3 or RECK. The central targeting claim is therefore unsupported by this source. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • miR-21 is overexpressed in almost all cancer types, and its upregulation promotes cell proliferation, invasion, and metastatic behavior.

    “miR-21 is a well-known miRNA, found to be overexpressed in almost all cancer types, where its upregulation promotes cell proliferation, invasion, and metastatic behavior.”

    From Potential Therapeutic Effects of Exosomes Packed With a miR-21-Sponge Construct in a Rat Model of Glioblastoma (2019) · cites this paper as [21]

    The Introduction and Discussion report loss of PDCD4 expression in several cancers and in glioma samples; they do not address miR-21. Searches for miR-21 overexpression and for microRNA-related proliferation, invasion, and metastasis found no supporting passage in our copy. Page numbers were not provided. (LLM, conf=0.77)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Overexpressed miR-21 in cell lines can increase the proliferation rate and malignant behavior of the cells.

    “Our data on the effects of miR-21 enriched exosomes is in agreement with the previous reports demonstrating that overexpressed miR-21 in cell lines can increase the proliferation rate and malignant behavior of the cells (17–23).”

    From Potential Therapeutic Effects of Exosomes Packed With a miR-21-Sponge Construct in a Rat Model of Glioblastoma (2019) · cites this paper as [21]

    The Introduction and Discussion discuss PDCD4 as a tumor suppressor and report its frequent loss of expression in gliomas. A search for miR-21, its overexpression, and effects on cell-line proliferation or malignant behavior found no passage addressing the attributed claim. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

  • Protein-expression groups account for only 29 of 30 gliomas

    Minor

    If 23 of the 30 gliomas had no relevant PDCD4 bands, 7 remained, not 6. The stated groups leave one glioma unaccounted for.

    Reported 6 · recomputed 7

1 of 1

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Authors
Gao, F., Zhang, P., Zhou, C., Li, J., Wang, Q., Zhu, F., Ma, C., Sun, W., & Zhang, L.
Affiliations
  • Shandong University (CN)
  • Institute of Immunology (HR)
  • Shandong Provincial Hospital (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Zhang, Pin
  • Zhang, Lining
Venue
Oncology Reports
Published
2007-01-01
Volume
17
Issue
1
Pages
123-8
ISSN
  • 1021-335X (ISSN-L)
  • 1791-2431
OpenAlex
W2070433128
Cited by
100
References
20
Citations by year
2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 9
FWCI
3.67
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Oncology Reports (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Key Research and Development Program of China (2006CB503803)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Genetics › Glioma Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer-related Molecular Pathways
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research
Keywords
PDCD4, glioma, tumor suppressor, carcinogenesis
MeSH terms
Adult, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic, Glioma, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Middle Aged, RNA, Messenger, Blotting, Western, RNA-Binding Proteins, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins

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