BACKGROUND The secreted frizzled related proteins (sFRP) are soluble proteins thought to interfere with the Wnt signaling. Our group previously demonstrated that one of these members, sFRP-1/FrzA, is strongly expressed during early phases of the vascularization process in embryonic vasculature and in the endothelium of arteries and capillaries in adults and modulated vascular cell proliferation...

BACKGROUND DNA methylation of CpG islands within the promoters of specific genes may play roles in tumor initiation and progression. It has been suggested such events may serve as critical check points. METHODS The present study analyzed the methylation status of CpG islands within the promoters of secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) in 87 acute leukemia (AL) patients, 20 normal contro...

The caudomedial margin of the medial pallium, known as the cortical hem, expresses several Wnt genes that have been shown to be crucial for cortical development. We examined the expression of members of the Frizzled (mFz) family of Wnt receptors and the Secreted Frizzled Related Protein (SFRP) family of Wnt inhibitors during telencephalic development. We found that mFz-5 and mFz-8 are specifica...

PURPOSE We hypothesized that combined methylation analysis of Wnt antagonist genes could serve as a panel of biomarkers for diagnosis, staging, and prognosis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Samples (n = 62) of RCC and corresponding normal renal tissue (NRT) were analyzed using methylation-specific PCR for methylation of six Wnt antagonist genes (sFRP-1, sFRP-2, sFRP-4, sFRP...

Follicular development and ovulation are major processes in the reproductive system. Understanding their complexity is important to female fertility treatments and the control of reproductive processes. Wnt signaling pathway components were shown to be involved in reproduction in animal models. The secreted frizzled-related protein-4 (sFRP4), a potential modulator of Wnt4 signaling pathway, was...

In this issue of Clinical Cancer Research , Gumz et al. report on the loss of secreted frizzled-related protein-1 (sFRP-1) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC; ref. 1). sFRP-1 is a member of a family of proteins that bind Wnts and can inhibit Wnt signaling during embryonic development and in the adult homeostasis (2, 3). Inappropriate Wnt signaling is a well-established mechanism of oncogen...

We investigated the expression of the secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) in keratoconus (KC) and control corneas. KC buttons (∼8 mm diameter) (n = 15) and whole control corneas (n = 7) were fixed in 10% formalin or 2% paraformaldehyde and subsequently paraffin embedded and sectioned. Sections for histopathology were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, or Periodic Acid Schiff's reagent. ...

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 ...