However, Kim et al [32] used a different system that utilized an inducible

lentiviral vector expressing shRNA rather than oligonucleotide transfection of siRNA. Taken together our results suggest that in addition to the correlation of UCH-L1 expression with histological type, the functional effects of UCH-L1 on NSCLC cells may also be subtype-dependent. Analysis of UCH-L1 in the large cell carcinoma cell line H1299 presents yet another different role for this protein in NSCLC since UCH-L1 was found to be antiproliferative in this case and the authors concluded that it is expressed as a response to tumour growth [41]. Our cell line studies suggest that UCH-L1 expression may be important Selleck INCB024360 in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. Acalabrutinib in vivo In vivo studies of UCH-L1 expression in the lung have also demonstrated a role for UCH-L1 in lung carcinogenesis in two separate reports.

When BALB/C nude mice were injected with UCH-L1-expressing metastatic melanoma cells, black melanoma colonies were generated in the lungs but when melanoma cells treated with UCH-L1 siRNA were introduced there was a significant decrease in the number of metastatic lung colonies [32]. Additionally, Hussain et al [3] demonstrated the spontaneous development of lung tumours in an UCH-L1-overexpressing transgenic Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II mouse model. To assess the relevance of UCH-L1 in patient samples we looked at whether high or low UCH-L1 expression resulted in any difference in survival status of NSCLC patients. Despite the evidence supporting a role for UCH-L1 in lung carcinogenesis in the cell line study, UCH-L1 status was not significantly associated with patient outcome. This was particularly surprising considering high UCH-L1 expression in NSCLC was previously correlated with an advanced tumour stage. However, Sasaki et al [34] also failed to find a link with survival. Therefore, although cell line models seem to indicate an oncogenic role of UCH-L1 this does not appear

to translate into patient samples. Conclusions In conclusion, this study shows the expression of UCH-L1 in NSCLC is variable and dependent on histological type. In cell line models UCH-L1 appears to have an oncogenic role in NSCLC leading to increased apoptotic resistance in H838 adenocarcinoma cells and a greater capacity for migration in the squamous cell carcinoma cell line (H157). Despite the promising observations in the NSCLC cell lines following UCH-L1 knockdown, translation to the clinical setting did not indicate any correlation with patient survival. Thus caution is required when using UCH-L1 as a prognostic marker in isolation for advanced stage and metastasis in lung carcinoma as other factors may be involved.