High-resolution detection of recurrent aberrations in lung adenocarcinomas by array comparative genomic hybridization and expression analysis of selective genes by quantitative PCR

  • Authors:
    • Hong Zhu
    • Maria Pik Wong
    • Vicky Tin
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 11, 2014     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2014.2384
  • Pages: 2068-2076
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Abstract

Genomic abnormalities are the hallmark of cancers and may harbor potential candidate genes important for cancer development and progression. We performed array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) on 36 cases of primary lung adenocarcinoma (AD) using an array containing 2621 BAC or PAC clones spanning the genome at an average interval of 1 Mb. Array CGH identified the commonest aberrations consisting of DNA gains within 1p, 1q, 5p, 5q, 7p, 7q, 8q, 11q, 12p, 13q, 16p, 17q, 20q, and losses with 6q, 9p, 10q and 18q. High-level copy gains involved mainly 7p21-p15 and 20q13.3. Dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on a selective locus for validation of array CGH results. Genomic aberrations were compared with different clinicopathological features and a trend of higher number of aberrations in tumors with aggressive phenotypes and current tobacco exposure was identified. According to array CGH data, 23 candidate genes were selected for quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. The concordance observed between the genomic and expression changes in most of the genes suggested that they could be candidate cancer-related genes that contributed to the development of lung AD.

Introduction

Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide, according for ∼1.4 million deaths per year (1). Adenocarcinoma (AD) predominates over squamous, large cell or small cell carcinomas as the major tumor type and involves different carcinogenic mechanisms besides tobacco genotoxicity. The identification of multiple genetic abnormalities which drive oncogenic signaling pathways, such as EGFR mutations and ALK fusions, has led to the development of new targeted therapies in a subset of patients (2,3). However, the molecular mechanism in many AD patients still remains to be understood.

Array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) facilitates gene discovery by enabling precise mapping of the clones of interest to specific locations on the human genome map. With increasing density of clone coverage of the genome, it has been shown that small DNA aberrations at sub-megabase levels can be identified (4). Our previous analyses on lung ADs with metaphase CGH have demonstrated several typical genomic aberrations. However, aberrations <10–20 Mb could be difficult to identify and little is known about the candidate tumor genes residing in them.

In the present study, we detected 36 lung AD cases by array CGH to identify genomic imbalances, using an array that consists of BAC or PAC clones covering the whole genome at an average of 1 Mb interval. Then comparison between patient groups was also performed to identify aberrations associated with clinical and tumor characteristics. Furthermore, 23 selected genes according to array data were studied by real-time quantitative PCR (real-time qPCR) to identify the potential candidate genes that could play a critical role in AD progression.

Materials and methods

Study samples

Resection specimens of 36 ADs were recruited for study with written informed consent at the Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong after institutional review board approval. All patients were ethnic Chinese, and none had received any preoperative radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Demographic and clinical data were collected by the designated clinician. Non-smokers (NS) were patients who had smoked <100 cigarettes in the life-time; ex-smokers (EX) were those who had consumed >100 cigarettes but who had stopped smoking for at least one year before recruitment; current smokers (SM) were patients who were still smoking at the time of recruitment; passive smokers (PS) were those regularly exposed to environmental tobacco smoke at home or at work places. Tumor classification and grading were independently performed by 2 qualified pathologists according to the WHO classification of lung tumors (2004). Details of the clinicopathological data of the 36 patients were shown in Table I.

Table I.

Clinicopathological data of 36 primary lung adenocarcinomas.

Table I.

Clinicopathological data of 36 primary lung adenocarcinomas.

No.% of total
Gender
  Female2467
  Male1233
Age (years)
  <5038
  50–591131
  60–691233
  ≥701028
Smoking history
  Non-smoker2261
  Current smoker822
  Ex-smoker26
  Passive smoker411
Differentiation
  Well1850
  Moderate1542
  Poor38
TNM stage
  I2467
  II617
  III514
  IV13

Tumor tissues were snap frozen within 30 min of resection and kept at −70°C until use. Haematoxylin and eosin stained sections were examined histologically prior to DNA and RNA extraction. Areas showing high tumor cell density with preserved morphology, low stromal and inflammatory cell content were dissected for study, and non-neoplastic or necrotic areas were avoided or dissected away to ensure the presence of at least 70% of tumor content. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 15 each of male or female young healthy adults were examined cytogenetically to ensure normal karyotypes, after which DNA was extracted, pooled and used as reference DNA for array CGH. For real-time qPCR, to ensure comparability of results from different test samples, all the cDNA used in the present study were prepared from a fixed amount of starting RNA and reverse-transcribed according to the same protocol after strict quality check to ensure absence of RNA degradation. All aliquots of samples and replicates of each case used in the analysis of every gene were taken from the same sample stock to ensure consistency of quality and amount of material input.

Array CGH and data analysis

The DNA microarray contained 2621 non-overlapping BAC and PAC clones in duplicates that spanned the entire genome at an average density of 1 Mb per clone (Human BAC Arrays; Spectral Genomics, Inc., Houston, TX, USA). Clone information was provided by the chip manufacturer and clone position was mapped according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information MapViewer database, build 37.2. Extracted tumor and reference DNA was treated with RNase A and digested by DpnII (New England Biolabs), followed by purification using high pure PCR product purification kit (Roche). Each of test and reference DNA (0.5 μg) were, respectively, labeled by BioPrime® DNA Labeling kit (Invitrogen), modified to include dATP, dGTP and dTTP (10 nmol each), dCTP (0.3 nmol), Cy5-dCTP or Cy3-dCTP (0.3 nmol) and 1 μl Klenow fragment in a 50 μl reaction volume. Unincorporated nucleotides were removed by MicroSpin G-50 columns (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Inc., Piscataway, NJ, USA). Probe size was optimized to 100–700 bp. Labeled test and sex-matched reference DNA were co-precipitated with human Cot-1 DNA and Salmon Sperm Testis DNA and resuspended in 50 μl of hybridization buffer. For hybridization, the probe mix was first denatured and incubated at 37°C for 60 min to allow pre-annealing of Cot-1 DNA. It was then added to the array under a glass cover-slip and hybridized for 16–18 h at 37°C. Afterwards, the arrays were washed briefly in 2X SSC/0.5% SDS, 50% formamide/2X SSC at 50°C for 20 min, 2X SSC/0.1% NP40 for 20 min and finally 0.2X SSC for 10 min at 50°C. The arrays were then rinsed in water and air dried. For each sample, two separate hybridizations were performed with reversed dye labeling to obtain 2 reciprocal datasets for analysis.

Hybridization signals were scanned with ScanArray 5000 (Packard BioScience) and captured images were analyzed using QuantArray 3.0 software (Packard BioChip Technologies). For each array, the Cy5/Cy3 signal intensity ratios were normalized according to the recommendations of the chip manufacturer. Briefly, the mean ratio and standard deviation (SD) of all target spots were calculated. A normalization constant was then derived from spots within the overall mean ± 1.5 SD range. Readings from duplicate targets were averaged to yield a single intensity ratio. Cy5/Cy3 intensity ratios of <0.85 or >1.15 were considered to show DNA copy number alterations (CNA). These threshold values were similar to those adopted in other array CGH studies of solid tumors using BAC array platforms (5,6). High level CNA were designated for ratios of <0.5 and >1.5. Two repeats of normal vs. normal hybridizations with pooled normal DNA were performed to ensure consistency of criteria. For each target, the final status of DNA gain or loss was assigned only if the reciprocal ratios of the dye-reversal experiments yielded concordant results. Loci showing imbalances in the control experiments or with inconsistent map positions were omitted during data interpretation.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

Dual color FISH analysis was performed on paraffin tumor tissue sections. PAC clone RP5-885L7 (20q13.3, 60.9 Mb), corresponding to loci of DNA gain by array CGH, was used as test probe. The test probes were labeled by nick translation with SpectrumOrange (Vysis, Downers Grove, IL, USA). Procedures of probe labeling and FISH analysis were according to previously published protocols (7).

Real-time qPCR

Twenty-three genes were selected for evaluation in the present study. These genes should be in the aberrant loci by array CGH and involved in biological processes with potential enhancing effects on tumor development and progression, such as cell proliferation, cell cycle control, cell death, cell adhesion and transcriptional regulation. Twenty genes were selected from regions of genomic gain and 3 genes were from frequently deleted regions.

Real-time qPCR analysis was performed using the ABI PRISM 7700 Sequence Detection system (PE Applied Biosystems). Primer and probe sets of the selected genes were commercially obtained (Assay-on demand TaqMan® Gene Expression Assays; Applied Biosystems). Samples were analyzed in duplicate and repeated for verification where appropriate. The comparative Ct method was used for the calculation of relative level of a test gene in a given tumor sample normalized according to β2M as reference for cDNA input. Results were presented as log2-transformed ratios between the tumor and pooled normal lung samples.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 18.0.0 software. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare aberrant loci between tumors of different clinicopathological characteristics. Student’s t-test for independent samples was used for the comparison of mean expression levels between different clinicopathological groups for individual genes. A two-sided P-value of <0.05 was taken as indicating a statistically significant result.

Results

Genomic CNA identified by array CGH

All the 36 ADs analyzed showed genomic imbalances, with a mean of 221.6±168.4 (8.5±6.4%) aberrations per tumor. Overall, DNA gains (mean, 131.6) were more frequent than losses (mean, 90.1). Graphical representation of the alteration frequencies of all loci along each chromosome is presented in Fig. 1.

The distribution of DNA imbalances was non-uniform. Clustering of aberrations was observed, where multiple altered loci were found in contiguous genomic sites or closely within the same cytogenetic band. These clustered alterations were mainly found within 1p, 1q, 5p, 5q, 7p, 7q, 8q, 11q, 12p, 13q, 16p, 17q and 20q for DNA gain and within 6q, 9p, 10q and 18q for DNA loss. Regions containing alterations in 6 or more tumors are listed in Table II. The genomic distances they spanned ranged from 0.3 to 8.4 Mb. The most frequently gained loci were within 5p15.33-p15.31 (44.4%), 20q13.31-20q13.33 (38.9%), 8q24.21-q24.3 (36.1%), 16p13.3-p13.12 (36.1%), followed by 1p36.32, 1q32.1 and 17q25.3 (33.3%). The commonest loci of loss were within 9p23 (36.1%), followed by 6q16.3 (30.6%).

Table II.

Clustered aberrations of DNA gain (upper panel) and loss (lower panel) spanned by multiple clones detected by array CGH in lung adenocarcinomas.

Table II.

Clustered aberrations of DNA gain (upper panel) and loss (lower panel) spanned by multiple clones detected by array CGH in lung adenocarcinomas.

CytobandRegion sizeClone nameChromosome start position (Mb)% Gain (n=36)
1p36.321.4 MbRP1-163G9chr1_3.033.3
RP11-447M5chr1_4.227.8
1p36.23-p36.213.3 MbRP11-476D13chr1_9.222.2
AL031984.13chr1_10.422.2
RP5-888M10chr1_12.416.7
1q21.2-q21.33.3 MbRP4-790G17chr1_147.022.2
RP11-71L20chr1_148.125.0
RP1-148L21chr1_150.322.2
1q25.31.5 MbRP11-63O2chr1_180.722.2
RP11-79I7chr1_182.019.4
1q32.13.9 MbRP11-150L7chr1_197.916.7
RP11-246J15chr1_198.916.7
RP11-335O13chr1_199.825.0
RP11-80N9chr1_201.416.7
RP11-243M13chr1_201.633.3
1q443.4 MbRP1-241M7chr1_240.719.4
RP11-91C5chr1_242.522.2
RP11-656O22chr1_244.122.2
5p15.33-p15.313.4 MbRP11-20B3chr5_3.144.4
RP11-89N22chr5_4.136.1
AC010635.6chr5_6.322.2
5p15.31-p15.25.0 MbRP11-91M12chr5_9.919.4
RP11-145B1chr5_10.325.0
RP11-72C10chr5_10.719.4
RP11-79G1chr5_11.119.4
RP11-81P9chr5_14.719.4
5q31.30.8 MbRP11-79K4chr5_140.325.0
RP11-15J20chr5_140.916.7
RP11-55M16chr5_14119.4
7p21.13.5 MbRP11-89B15chr7_15.425.0
RP11-123E5chr7_17.319.4
RP11-70K3chr7_18.116.7
RP11-384L2chr7_18.719.4
7p15.1-p14.33.5 MbRP11-242I4chr7_30.225.0
AC018648.5chr7_32.622.2
RP11-89N17chr7_33.522.2
7q11.21-q11.222.5 MbRP11-91C6chr7_65.016.7
RP11-89D15chr7_67.425.0
8q24.21-q24.34.2 MbRP11-13A18chr8_141.636.1
RP11-349C2chr8_145.625.0
CTC-261I1chr8_145.733.3
11q13.3-q13.55.0 MbAP001271.4chr11_70.022.2
RP11-168B13chr11_74.822.2
RP11-91P18chr11_74.925.0
11q14.21.2 MbRP11-80F20chr11_86.519.4
RP11-876F8chr11_87.725.0
12p13.33-p13.315.3 MbRP11-598F7chr12_0.019.4
RP11-543P15chr12_3.125.0
RP11-319E16chr12_5.219.4
13q31.1-q31.20.7 MbRP11-753M10chr13_86.419.4
RP11-29P20chr13_87.022.2
13q343.2 MbRP11-474D23chr13_110.822.2
RP11-245B11chr13_113.819.4
16p13.35.9 MbRP11-344L6chr16_0.022.2
CTB-191K2chr16_0.130.6
RP11-334D3chr16_0.936.1
RP11-417B20chr16_1.425.0
RP11-433P17chr16_3.316.7
RP11-89M4chr16_4.516.7
RP11-349I11chr16_5.716.7
16p13.13-16p13.123.4 MbRP11-396B14chr16_11.119.4
RP11-81F1chr16_11.230.6
RP11-165M1chr16_12.319.4
RP11-91M7chr16_14.416.7
17q25.33.1 MbRP11-165J13chr17_74.733.3
RP11-46E14chr17_75.322.2
CTB-50C4chr17_77.816.7
20q13.31-20q13.338.4 MbRP5-885A10chr20_54.022.2
RP4-749H19chr20_54.936.1
RP5-907D15chr20_56.625.0
RP5-1043L13chr20_58.238.9
RP5-1040G13chr20_59.133.3
RP5-1107C24chr20_59.930.6
RP5-1005F21chr20_60.130.6
RP5-885L7chr20_60.925.0
RP4-583P15chr20_61.833.3
AL118506.27chr20_62.025.0
AL137028.9chr20_62.422.2
CytobandRegion sizeClone nameChromosome start position (Mb)% Loss (n=36)

6q16.30.5 MbRP11-90O11chr6_101.930.6
RP11-79O12chr6_102.216.7
9p24.21.6 MbRP11-79M14chr9_2.622.2
RP11-32F11chr9_3.125.0
RP11-31M2chr9_4.116.7
9p24.11.1 MbRP11-79K3chr9_7.316.7
RP11-376O21chr9_8.225.0
9p233.1 MbRP11-91E3chr9_9.630.6
RP11-32D4chr9_11.536.1
RP11-328C23chr9_12.519.4
10q21.14.4 MbRP11-75M12chr10_52.827.8
RP11-79A2chr10_57.125.0
18q22.1-q22.20.3 MbRP11-90A7chr18_64.725.0
RP11-49H23chr18_64.922.2

Another pattern of CNA consisted of focal aberrations spanned by single clones which were found in almost all chromosomes. The most frequently altered loci were DNA gain involving 6p22 at 15.6 Mb (clone RP1-147M19, 30.6%), 7p13 at 47.1 Mb (clone AC073341.10, 27.8%) and 22q12 at 31.5 Mb (clone Z73979.1, 27.8%); and DNA loss involving 1p21 at 103.9 Mb (clone RP11-259N12, 30.6%), 6q12 at 67.1 Mb (clone RP11-80L16, 41.7%), 8q21 at 86.8 Mb (RP11-96G1, 30.6%) and 14q12 at 28.6 Mb (clone RP11-125A5, 38.9%).

High-level copy gains were identified in 16 of the 36 tumors. Nine loci showed recurrent gains involving at least 2 cases. They were focused at 2 regions, comprising 7p21.1-p15.3 (18.1 to 21.2 Mb) spanned by 3 clones (RP11-70K3, RP11-51L23 and CTB-23M10) and 20q13.31-q13.33 (56.6 to 62.4 Mb) spanned by 6 clones (RP5-907D15, RP5-1043L13, RP5-1107C24, RP5-1005F21, RP5-885L7 and RP1-81F12). No locus of high level loss was detected in the tumors studied.

CNA and clinicopathological correlations

Comparison between tumors with different clinicopathological features showed a trend of higher total and mean number of genetic aberrations in tumors showing larger size (≥2 cm), lymph node metastasis, higher pathological stages (stage II or higher), moderate/poor differentiation and previous or current tobacco exposure. The difference, however, was not statistically significant. Tumors of more aggressive phenotypes showed more frequent alterations in 13q for DNA loss, and 1q, 2q, 3q, 5q and 17q for DNA gain. Furthermore, tobacco-exposed patients showed more often loss at 8q21.3, 9p24.1 and gain at 6p22.1, while non-smokers showed more frequent gains at 1q44, 8q13.3, 22q12.3 and Xp22.12 (Table III).

Table III.

Aberrant loci showing significant associations with clinicopathological features.

Table III.

Aberrant loci showing significant associations with clinicopathological features.

PositionCytobandSmoking historya
P-value Differentiationb
P-valueLymph node status
P-valueTumor stage
P-value
NS (n=22) (%)SM+PS+EX (n=14) (%)WD (n=18) (%)MD+PD (n=18) (%)Negative (n=26) (%)Positive (n=10) (%)Stage I (n=24) (%)Stage II, III, IV (n=12) (%)
Loss
  chr8_89.08q21.30 (0.0)5 (35.7)0.005
  chr9_8.29p24.12 (9.1)7 (50.0)0.014
  chr13_82.413q31.10 (0.0)4 (33.3)0.008
Gain
  chr1_169.01q24.30 (0.0)8 (44.4)0.003
  chr1_182.01q25.30 (0.0)7 (38.9)0.008
  chr1_196.11q32.10 (0.0)4 (40.0)0.0040 (0.0)4 (33.3)0.008
  chr1_233.01q431 (4.2)5 (41.7)0.01
  chr1_242.51q448 (36.4)0 (0.0)0.0130 (0.0)8 (44.4)0.003
  chr2_198.72q33.10 (0.0)8 (44.4)0.003
  chr3_128.63q21.30 (0.0)5 (41.7)0.002
  chr5_169.15q35.10 (0.0)4 (33.3)0.008
  chr6_29.86p22.10 (0.0)6 (42.9)0.002
  chr6_170.86q27-qter0 (0.0)7 (38.9)0.008
  chr8_72.38q13.38 (36.4)0 (0.0)0.013
  chr17_5.817p13.20 (0.0)7 (38.9)0.008
  chr17_30.917q120 (0.0)4 (40.0)0.0040 (0.0)4 (33.3)0.008
  chr22_31.522q12.310 (45.5)0 (0.0)0.0031 (5.6)9 (50.0)0.007
  chrX_20.6Xp22.128 (36.4)0 (0.0)0.013

a NS, non-smokers; SM, smokers; PS, passive smokers; EX, ex-smokers.

b WD, well differentiated; MD, moderately differentiated; PD, pooly differentiated. (P≤0.01)

FISH analysis

Dual-color FISH analysis of a selective loci at 20q13.3 which show high-level gain were performed in 5 of 8 amplified cases of paraffin sections. The average ratio of test to reference signal was 2.31, which showed agreement with the results detected by array CGH (Fig. 2).

Real-time qPCR

For the 20 genes located in regions of DNA gain, the tumor to normal expression ratios investigated by real-time qPCR ranged from 0.22 to 4.89. While for the 3 genes located in regions of genomic loss, the tumor to normal expression ratios were −0.23, 1.14 and 2.91, respectively (Table IV). The concordance observed between the genomic and expression changes for most of the genes suggested that they could be candidate oncogenes that contributed to the development of lung AD, while none of the genes showed expression levels that were significantly associated with the cliniopathological parameters.

Table IV.

Candidate gene expression levels by real-time qPCR in 36 cases of lung adenocarcinomas.

Table IV.

Candidate gene expression levels by real-time qPCR in 36 cases of lung adenocarcinomas.

Gene symbolCytobandArray CGHExpression level (log2)Validation (DNA/RNA)
CMM1p36.32Gain0.48Yes
PAX71p36.2Gain3.44Yes
ILF21q21.3Gain3.02Yes
MUC11q22Gain2.20Yes
ELF31q32.1Gain1.96Yes
CHI3L11q32.1Gain2.23Yes
SMYD31q44Gain2.99Yes
TERT5p13.33Gain4.89Yes
PRDM136q16.3Loss1.14No
AGR27p21.1Gain4.34Yes
SBDS7q11.21Gain2.35Yes
RECQL48q24.3Gain3.31Yes
OVC9p24.2Loss2.91No
DKK110q21.1Loss0.23Yes
CCND111q13.3Gain3.02Yes
ETV612p13.33Gain1.39Yes
GAS613q34Gain0.22Yes
AXIN16p13.3Gain1.79Yes
EMP216p13.13Gain3.56Yes
ASPL17q25.3Gain2.02Yes
STK620q13.31Gain2.97Yes
TFAP2C20q13.31Gain1.32Yes
EEF1A220q13.33Gain4.52Yes

Discussion

The present study utilized an array platform that consists of large insert DNA template clones covering the genome at an average resolution of 1 Mb to characterize the profiles of genomic imbalances in primary lung AD. Recurrent aberrations were found clustered in regional distribution spanned by multiple clones, and in focal distribution spanned by single clones. These loci correlated with results of our previous array CGH study performed on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, and corresponded to well-known aberrations of lung cancers defined by other array CGH studies (8,9). The common patterns of genomic changes indicate that lung cancer-related genes are likely to be contained within these hot spots of alterations.

5p15.33 is the most frequently gained locus in the present study. A pooled analysis from East Asia totaling 1164 lung ADs revealed that genetic variation in the CLPTM1LTERT locus of 5p15.33 was directly associated with the risk of lung cancer, most notably AD (10). Other studies also found 5p15.33 locus influence lung cancer risk (11,12). The second frequently gained region involves an 8.4-Mb segment of gain at 20q13.31-q13.33 (56.5 to 62.1 Mb). This region is noteworthy as it is one of the commonest aberrations in lung cancer as well as tumors of the gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer (1315). The FISH analysis on tumor samples confirmed modest DNA gains. The third altered locus of 8q24.21-q24.3 is a known site of DNA gains and amplifications and contains the c-Myc oncogene. Different array CGH studies have found aberrant loci correlating to this region (16,17). The detection of these multiple loci by independent studies suggests the presence of multiple oncogenes at these regions.

Comparison of tumors of different clinicopathological groups was performed to identify genomic markers of potential diagnostic and prognostic importance. All the aberrant loci that showed statistical significance were more common in tumors of more aggressive phenotypes, i.e., poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis and higher disease stage. This observation corroborates the concept that tumor progression is enhanced by genomic instability and accumulation of genetic abnormalities.

Several studies have evaluated DNA alterations in tumors of different tobacco exposure using different approaches. However, the chromosomal regions characterizing tobacco-or non tobacco-induced lung AD remain unclear. By cluster analysis of genomic aberrations in 55 AD detected by a cancer gene-rich array, Shibata et al (18) identified subgroups associated with female non-smokers, male current or previous smokers and a group with mixed gender and tobacco history. Loci of DNA gains on 1p, 4p, 11p, 12q, 16p, 17q, 19q, 20p, 20q and 22q, and losses on 1p, 6q, 10q, 13q, 15q and 18p were associated with non-smokers, while loci of 19q gain and 22q loss were associated with smokers. Our results cannot be directly compared since our array did not specifically span tumor genes. Nevertheless, 22q12.3 (31.5 Mb) which shows DNA gain in 10 of 22 non-smokers compared to 0 of 14 tobacco-exposed tumors (P=0.003) is located close to one of their reported loci (22q12.2 gain) in non-smokers. Analysis of a larger number of tumors and the use of identical, high-resolution array platforms in different populations would be necessary for definitive identification of genomic markers associated with different tobacco exposure and clinicopathological profiles.

It is a common assumption that chromosomal gains and losses have ‘dosage effects’ on the expression of at least some of the genes within these regions, which should be good candidates for involvement in carcinogenesis. The concordance observed between the genomic changes and expression level by real-time qPCR for the most selected genes in the present study suggested that they could be candidate oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes that contributed to the development of lung AD. Some of them had been investigated in clinical or in vitro studies and results supported their putative oncogenic roles. For example, PAX7 gene on 1pter-p33 that encodes a transcription factor was most amplified in lung squamous cell carcinoma (19), and elevated expression of MUC1 on 1q22 contributed to smoking-induced lung cancers that were driven by inflammatory signals of macrophages (20). One of Stat3 downstream gene products, chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1, in region 1q32.1) protein, was found to be a potential biomarker of inflammation-induced lung cancer by a study of lung tumor mouse models (21). TERT was locused on 5p15.33 which was one of the susceptibility loci from a genome-wide association study of lung cancer in never-smoking Asian women (8), and was the highest expressed gene in the present study. Several studies using animal models and human NSCLC tissues have reported that TERT mRNA and protein were overexpressed in lung tumors compared with normal lung tissues (22,23). The 7p genes AGR2 was revealed to be significantly overexpressed in lung AD by comparison with SCCs or normal lung tissue (24). Among the 3 genes located in the loss region, only Dickkopf1 (DKK1, in region 10q21.1) was underexpressed compared to normal lung tissue. DKK1 is the predominant secretory antagonist of the Wnt/β-catenin signal, suggesting that if DKK1 were not precisely regulated, it could result in tumor formation and progression. In fact, several clinical studies demonstrated that DKK1 was downregulated in melanoma and breast cancer (25,26). The observation that CCND1 (in region 11q13.3) was amplified and overexpressed in a fraction of NSCLC when compared with normal lung was strong evidence implicating the inappropriate expression of CCND1 in lung carcinogenesis (27). Amongst genes located in the recurrently gained 20q13.3 region, TFAP2C not only were highly expressed in breast cancer, but also associated with reduced survival (28). And EEF1A2 were amplified or overexpressed in various cancers including NSCLC which highlights its oncogenic potential (29).

None of the genes showed expression levels that were significantly associated with the clinicopathological parameters, indicating that the currently studied genes were not likely candidates that mediated the differences in tumor differentiation and behavior implicated by the array CGH analysis. The possible explanations for failing to demonstrate these relations could be that gene-mining based on the strategy of genomic, expressional and functional correlations was insufficient in the clinical context, reflecting the complexity of genetic and transcriptional interactions in tumor development. Moreover, since lung ADs are known to consist of heterogeneous tumor populations, it might be worthwhile to conduct the investigation in a larger sample of well controlled, homogeneous tumor population when a candidate tumor gene with strong evidence is considered.

In conclusion, we used array CGH to identify loci of frequent DNA aberrations in primary lung AD. Real-time qPCR confirmed cancer-related genes in regions with CNA from array CGH data. The limitations of the present study are the small number of samples and further studies are needed to validate our results. The identified aberrations and candidate genes can be used as starting points for more specific investigations for pathogenesis in primary lung AD, as well as in tumors of different etiological or phenotypic characteristics.

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June-2014
Volume 44 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Zhu H, Wong MP and Tin V: High-resolution detection of recurrent aberrations in lung adenocarcinomas by array comparative genomic hybridization and expression analysis of selective genes by quantitative PCR. Int J Oncol 44: 2068-2076, 2014.
APA
Zhu, H., Wong, M.P., & Tin, V. (2014). High-resolution detection of recurrent aberrations in lung adenocarcinomas by array comparative genomic hybridization and expression analysis of selective genes by quantitative PCR. International Journal of Oncology, 44, 2068-2076. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2014.2384
MLA
Zhu, H., Wong, M. P., Tin, V."High-resolution detection of recurrent aberrations in lung adenocarcinomas by array comparative genomic hybridization and expression analysis of selective genes by quantitative PCR". International Journal of Oncology 44.6 (2014): 2068-2076.
Chicago
Zhu, H., Wong, M. P., Tin, V."High-resolution detection of recurrent aberrations in lung adenocarcinomas by array comparative genomic hybridization and expression analysis of selective genes by quantitative PCR". International Journal of Oncology 44, no. 6 (2014): 2068-2076. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2014.2384