The characterization of an intestine-like genomic signature maintained during Barrett's-associated adenocarcinogenesis reveals an NR5A2-mediated promotion of cancer cell survival

Sci Rep. 2016 Sep 2:6:32638. doi: 10.1038/srep32638.

Abstract

Barrett's oesophagus (BO), an intestinal-type metaplasia (IM), typically arising in conjunction with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, is a prominent risk factor for the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). The molecular similarities between IM and normal intestinal tissues are ill-defined. Consequently, the contribution of intestine-enriched factors expressed within BO to oncogenesis is unclear. Herein, using transcriptomics we define the intestine-enriched genes expressed in meta-profiles of BO and OAC. Interestingly, 77% of the genes differentially expressed in a meta-profile of BO were similarly expressed in intestinal tissues. Furthermore, 85% of this intestine-like signature was maintained upon transition to OAC. Gene networking analysis of transcription factors within this signature revealed a network centred upon NR5A2, GATA6 and FOXA2, whose over-expression was determined in a cohort of BO and OAC patients. Simulated acid reflux was observed to induce the expression of both NR5A2 and GATA6. Using siRNA-mediated silencing and an NR5A2 antagonist we demonstrate that NR5A2-mediated cancer cell survival is facilitated through augmentation of GATA6 and anti-apoptotic factor BCL-XL levels. Abrogation of NR5A2-GATA6 expression in conjunction with BCL-XL co-silencing resulted in synergistically increased sensitivity to chemotherapeutics and photo-dynamic therapeutics. These findings characterize the intestine-like signature associated with IM which may have important consequences to adenocarcinogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Barrett Esophagus / genetics*
  • Barrett Esophagus / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • GATA6 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Gastric Acid / metabolism
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genome, Human*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • bcl-X Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • GATA6 Transcription Factor
  • NR5A2 protein, human
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • bcl-X Protein

Supplementary concepts

  • Adenocarcinoma Of Esophagus