CDX1 and CDX2 are possibly predictive biomarkers in colorectal cancer. We combined digitally-guided (next generation) TMA construction (ngTMA) and the utility of digital image analysis (DIA) to assess accuracy, tumour heterogeneity and the selective impact of different combined intensity-percentage levels on prognosis.CDX1 and CDX2 immunohistochemistry was performed on ngTMAs covering normal ti...

Hypoxia is an important regulator of normal and cancer stem cell (CSC) differentiation. Colorectal CSCs from SW1222, LS180, and CCK81 colorectal cancer-derived cell lines are able to differentiate into complex 3D lumen-containing structures in normoxia, whereas in hypoxia, they form undifferentiated dense colonies that have reduced expression of the enterocyte differentiation marker CDX1, lack ...

The vertebrate Cdx genes (Cdx1, Cdx2 and Cdx4) encode homeodomain transcription factors with well-established roles in anteroposterior patterning. To circumvent the peri-implantation lethality inherent to Cdx2 loss of function, we previously used the Cre-loxP system to ablate Cdx2 at post-implantation stages and confirmed a crucial role for Cdx2 function in events related to axial extension. As...

Background: The Cdx genes are expressed in the colorectal epithelium and are frequently downregulated during tumorigenesis. Overexpression of Cdx genes has been shown previously to result in cellular differentiation. Aim: To study expression of CDX2 in normal and neoplastic human colon using a newly isolated monoclonal antibody. To define expression of CDX1 and CDX2 in an in vitro model system ...

The homeodomain transcription factors Cdx1 and Cdx2 are regulators of intestine-specific gene expression. They also regulate intestinal cell differentiation and proliferation; however, these effects are poorly understood. Previously, we have shown that expression of Cdx1 or Cdx2 in human Colo 205 cells induces a mature colonocyte morphology characterized by the induction of a polarized, columna...

Desmosomes are intracellular junctions that provide strong cell-cell adhesion in epithelia and cardiac muscle. Their disruption causes several human diseases and contributes to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition observed in cancer. Desmocollin 2 (DSC2) is a cadherin superfamily member and a critical component of desmosomes found in intestinal epithelium. However, the mechanism regulating ...

A mature columnar intestinal epithelium develops late in embryogenesis and is maintained throughout the life of the organism. Although the mechanisms driving intestine-specific gene expression have been well studied, those promoting the acquisition of cell-cell junctions, columnar morphogenesis, and polarization have been less studied. The Cdx homeodomain transcription factors (Cdx1 and Cdx2) r...

Mesenchymal chondrosarcomas (MCs) account for 3-10% of primary chondrosarcomas. The cytogenetic literature includes only ten such tumours with karyotypic information and no specific aberrations have been identified. Using a purely molecular genetic approach a HEY1-NCOA2 fusion gene was recently detected in 10 of 15 investigated MCs. The fusion probably arises through intrachromosomal rearrangem...

The apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) is expressed abundantly in the ileum and mediates bile acid absorption across the apical membranes. Caudal-type homeobox proteins CDX1 and CDX2 are transcription factors that regulate genes involved in intestinal epithelial differentiation and proliferation. Aberrant expression of both ASBT and CDXs in Barrett's esophagus (BE) prompted us...

Wnt growth factors control numerous cell fate decisions in development by altering specific gene expression patterns through the activity of heterodimeric transcriptional activators. These consist of beta-catenin and one of the four members of the T-cell factor (TCF) family of DNA-binding proteins. How can the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway control various sets of target genes in distinct cellular se...