Expressions Of Cyr61, CTGF And WISP-3 Are Associated With Clinical Features In Esophageal Cancers

CCN genes are cysteine-rich conserved regulatory protein family with highly sequence homology. They play roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, embryo formation and wound healing, and have been reported to express abnormally in certain tumors. To better know the biological functions of CCN genes in human esophageal cancer (EC), we quantified Cyr61, CTGF and WISP-3 mRNA expression levels in samples from fifty-five primary esophageal cancer in comparison with normal esophageal tissues by real-time PCR assay.We found the down-regulation of CTGF and Cyr61 in 60% and 70% primary esophageal Cancer. In contrast, up-regulation of WISP-3 gene was observed in 50 of 60 (70%) esophageal cancers compared to their normal counterparts. These results were further confirmed by immunohistochemistry staining of paired normal esophageal and esophageal Cancer tissues. Interestingly, statistical analysis showed that the expression of CTGF and Cry61 genes are associated with tumor stage, metastasis, family story and age at diagnose. Also, a significant correlation existed between WISP-3 expression and tumor stage, age at diagnose and family history. Taken together, these results suggested that Cyr61, CTGF and WISP-3 might function independently or synergistically in development and progression of primary esophageal cancer, and these proteins might serve as valuable targets for the rapeutic intervention.