SFRP Tumour Suppressor Genes Are Potential Plasma-Based Epigenetic Biomarkers for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Dis Markers. 2017:2017:2536187. doi: 10.1155/2017/2536187. Epub 2017 Dec 13.

Abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is associated with asbestos exposure. Asbestos can induce chronic inflammation which in turn can lead to silencing of tumour suppressor genes. Wnt signaling pathway can be affected by chronic inflammation and is aberrantly activated in many cancers including colon and MPM. SFRP genes are antagonists of Wnt pathway, and SFRPs are potential tumour suppressors in colon, gastric, breast, ovarian, and lung cancers and mesothelioma. This study investigated the expression and DNA methylation of SFRP genes in MPM cells lines with and without demethylation treatment. Sixty-six patient FFPE samples were analysed and have showed methylation of SFRP2 (56%) and SFRP5 (70%) in MPM. SFRP2 and SFRP5 tumour-suppressive activity in eleven MPM lines was confirmed, and long-term asbestos exposure led to reduced expression of the SFRP1 and SFRP2 genes in the mesothelium (MeT-5A) via epigenetic alterations. Finally, DNA methylation of SFRPs is detectable in MPM patient plasma samples, with methylated SFRP2 and SFRP5 showing a tendency towards greater abundance in patients. These data suggested that SFRP genes have tumour-suppresive activity in MPM and that methylated DNA from SFRP gene promoters has the potential to serve as a biomarker for MPM patient plasma.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Asbestos / toxicity*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinogens / toxicity*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA Methylation / drug effects
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Eye Proteins / blood
  • Eye Proteins / genetics*
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / blood
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mesothelioma / blood
  • Mesothelioma / genetics*
  • Mesothelioma, Malignant

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carcinogens
  • Eye Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • SERP1 protein, human
  • SFRP2 protein, human
  • SFRP5 protein, human
  • Asbestos