Epithelial–mesenchymal transition dysregulation in prostate cancer: Insights from molecular unraveling and epidemiological analyses in Tunisia, North Africa

IF 1 4区生物学 Q4 GENETICS & HEREDITY

Annals of Human Genetics Pub Date : 2024-04-25 DOI:10.1111/ahg.12563

Rahma Said, Javier Hernández-Losa, Rosa Somoza Lopez de Haro, Teresa Moline, Skander Zouari, Ahlem Blel, Soumaya Rammeh, Amine Derouiche, Slah Ouerhani

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

The progression of prostate cancer (PCa) has been linked worldwide, including in African populations, to the dysregulation of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Methods

To clarify the connection among EMT markers, clinicopathological parameters, and epidemiological factors, we analyzed 35 PCa specimens from patients in Tunisia, a country in North Africa, arranged by stages. We also carried out extensive molecular and epidemiological analyses.

Results

Significant dysregulation of EMT genes was found, with an overexpression of ZEB-1, Twist, Snail-1, and Vimentin (p < 0.05) and underexpression of E-cadherin and β-catenin (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between transcription factors and the mesenchymal marker Vimentin (p < 0.001, r = 0.574; p = 0.029, r = 0.411; and p < 0.001; r = 0.506) according to Spearman correlation analyses, whereas negative correlations were found between epithelial markers (E-cadherin, β-catenin) and Vimentin (p < 0.05; r < 0). Higher PSA, Gleason scores, and metastasis were all correlated with the dysregulation of EMT (p < 0.05). Notably, there was a positive correlation between higher consumption of tobacco (≥20 Packets per year) and Vimentin expression (p < 0.001, r = 0.854), suggesting a relationship between smoking and EMT activation in the Tunisian population. Moreover, Twist showed a positive correlation with diabetes (p < 0.001, r = 0.385), whereas no significant correlations were found between EMT markers and comorbidities such as hypertension and coronary insufficiency. These results demonstrate the intricate connection between molecular changes, epidemiological factors, and disease progression, and they emphasize the crucial role that EMT plays in promoting PCa aggressiveness in African populations, particularly in Tunisia.

Conclusion

In summary, understanding these correlations could help develop focused treatment plans and enhance patient outcomes for PCa management in African settings.

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前列腺癌的上皮-间质转化失调：从北非突尼斯的分子解析和流行病学分析中获得的启示。

方法为了明确 EMT 标记、临床病理参数和流行病学因素之间的联系，我们分析了北非国家突尼斯的 35 例 PCa 患者标本，并按阶段进行了排列。结果发现，EMT 基因出现了显著的失调，ZEB-1、Twist、Snail-1 和 Vimentin 表达过高（p < 0.05），而 E-cadherin 和 β-catenin 表达过低（p < 0.05）。根据斯皮尔曼相关性分析，转录因子与间质标志物波形蛋白之间呈正相关（p < 0.001，r = 0.574；p = 0.029，r = 0.411；p < 0.001；r = 0.506），而上皮标志物（E-adherin、β-catenin）与波形蛋白之间呈负相关（p < 0.05；r < 0）。较高的 PSA、Gleason 评分和转移均与 EMT 的失调相关（p < 0.05）。值得注意的是，较高的烟草消费量（≥20 包/年）与 Vimentin 表达呈正相关（p < 0.001，r = 0.854），这表明突尼斯人群中吸烟与 EMT 激活之间存在关系。此外，Twist 与糖尿病呈正相关（p < 0.001，r = 0.385），而 EMT 标记与高血压和冠状动脉功能不全等合并症之间没有发现明显的相关性。这些结果表明，分子变化、流行病学因素和疾病进展之间存在着错综复杂的联系，它们强调了 EMT 在促进非洲（尤其是突尼斯）人群 PCa 侵袭性方面所起的关键作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Annals of Human Genetics 生物-遗传学

CiteScore

4.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Annals of Human Genetics publishes material directly concerned with human genetics or the application of scientific principles and techniques to any aspect of human inheritance. Papers that describe work on other species that may be relevant to human genetics will also be considered. Mathematical models should include examples of application to data where possible. Authors are welcome to submit Supporting Information, such as data sets or additional figures or tables, that will not be published in the print edition of the journal, but which will be viewable via the online edition and stored on the website.