Up-regulated Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 correlates with poor prognosis and drug resistance by reducing DNA repair in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1) is upregulated in several types of human cancer, and has been implicated in cancer progression. However, its clinical implications in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. AIM: To explore the expression pattern and clinical significance of WISP1 in GC. METHODS: Public data portals, including Oncomine, The Cancer Genome Atlas database, Coexpedia, and Kaplan-Meier plotter, were analyzed for the expression and clinical significance of WISP1 mRNA levels in GC. One hundred and fifty patients who underwent surgery for GC between February 2010 and October 2012 at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University were selected for validation study. WISP1 levels were measured at both the mRNA and protein levels by RT-qPCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). In addition, the in situ expression of WISP1 in the GC tissues was determined by IHC, and the patients were accordingly classified into high- and low-expression groups. The correlation of WISP1 expression status with patient prognosis was then determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. WISP1 was knocked down by RNA interference. The 50% inhibitory concentration of oxaliplatin was detected by CellTiter-Blue assay. RESULTS: WISP1 levels at both the mRNA and protein levels were remarkably upregulated in GC tissues compared to normal tissues. Moreover, IHC revealed that WISP1 expression was associated with T stage and chemotherapy outcome, but not with lymph node metastasis, age, gender, histological grade, or histological type. GC patients with high WISP1 expression showed a poor overall survival. Multivariate survival analysis indicated that WISP1 was an important prognostic factor for GC patients. Mechanistically, knock-down of WISP1 expression enhanced sensitivity to oxaliplatin by reducing DNA repair and enhancing DNA damage. CONCLUSION: Significantly upregulated WISP1 expression is associated with cancer progression, chemotherapy outcome, and prognosis in GC. Mechanistically, knock-down of WISP1 expression enhances oxaliplatin sensitivity by reducing DNA repair and enhancing DNA damage. WISP1 may be a potential therapeutic target for GC treatment or a potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis.