51
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George JT, Jolly MK, Xu S, Somarelli JA, Levine H. Survival Outcomes in Cancer Patients Predicted by a Partial EMT Gene Expression Scoring Metric. Cancer Res 2017; 77:6415-6428. [PMID: 28947416 PMCID: PMC5690883 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-3521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality for many cancer patients and remains a major obstacle for effective treatment. In many tissue types, metastasis is fueled by the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-a dynamic process characterized by phenotypic and morphologic changes concomitant with increased migratory and invasive potential. Recent experimental and theoretical evidence suggests that cells can be stably halted en route to EMT in a hybrid E/M phenotype. Cells in this phenotype tend to move collectively, forming clusters of circulating tumor cells that are key tumor-initiating agents. Here, we developed an inferential model built on the gene expression of multiple cancer subtypes to devise an EMT metric that characterizes the degree to which a given cell line exhibits hybrid E/M features. Our model identified drivers and fine-tuners of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and recapitulated the behavior observed in multiple in vitro experiments across cancer types. We also predicted and experimentally validated the hybrid E/M status of certain cancer cell lines, including DU145 and A549. Finally, we demonstrated the relevance of predicted EMT scores to patient survival and observed that the role of the hybrid E/M phenotype in characterizing tumor aggressiveness is tissue and subtype specific. Our algorithm is a promising tool to quantify the EMT spectrum, to investigate the correlation of EMT score with cancer treatment response and survival, and to provide an important metric for systematic clinical risk stratification and treatment. Cancer Res; 77(22); 6415-28. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason T George
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas
| | - Shengnan Xu
- Duke Cancer Institute & Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jason A Somarelli
- Duke Cancer Institute & Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas.
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas
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52
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Abstract
Background The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) endows epithelial-looking cells with enhanced migratory ability during embryonic development and tissue repair. EMT can also be co-opted by cancer cells to acquire metastatic potential and drug-resistance. Recent research has argued that epithelial (E) cells can undergo either a partial EMT to attain a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotype that typically displays collective migration, or a complete EMT to adopt a mesenchymal (M) phenotype that shows individual migration. The core EMT regulatory network - miR-34/SNAIL/miR-200/ZEB1 - has been identified by various studies, but how this network regulates the transitions among the E, E/M, and M phenotypes remains controversial. Two major mathematical models - ternary chimera switch (TCS) and cascading bistable switches (CBS) - that both focus on the miR-34/SNAIL/miR-200/ZEB1 network, have been proposed to elucidate the EMT dynamics, but a detailed analysis of how well either or both of these two models can capture recent experimental observations about EMT dynamics remains to be done. Results Here, via an integrated experimental and theoretical approach, we first show that both these two models can be used to understand the two-step transition of EMT - E→E/M→M, the different responses of SNAIL and ZEB1 to exogenous TGF-β and the irreversibility of complete EMT. Next, we present new experimental results that tend to discriminate between these two models. We show that ZEB1 is present at intermediate levels in the hybrid E/M H1975 cells, and that in HMLE cells, overexpression of SNAIL is not sufficient to initiate EMT in the absence of ZEB1 and FOXC2. Conclusions These experimental results argue in favor of the TCS model proposing that miR-200/ZEB1 behaves as a three-way decision-making switch enabling transitions among the E, hybrid E/M and M phenotypes.
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53
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Burger GA, Danen EHJ, Beltman JB. Deciphering Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Regulatory Networks in Cancer through Computational Approaches. Front Oncol 2017; 7:162. [PMID: 28824874 PMCID: PMC5540937 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), the process by which epithelial cells can convert into motile mesenchymal cells, plays an important role in development and wound healing but is also involved in cancer progression. It is increasingly recognized that EMT is a dynamic process involving multiple intermediate or “hybrid” phenotypes rather than an “all-or-none” process. However, the role of EMT in various cancer hallmarks, including metastasis, is debated. Given the complexity of EMT regulation, computational modeling has proven to be an invaluable tool for cancer research, i.e., to resolve apparent conflicts in experimental data and to guide experiments by generating testable hypotheses. In this review, we provide an overview of computational modeling efforts that have been applied to regulation of EMT in the context of cancer progression and its associated tumor characteristics. Moreover, we identify possibilities to bridge different modeling approaches and point out outstanding questions in which computational modeling can contribute to advance our understanding of pathological EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard A Burger
- Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Erik H J Danen
- Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Joost B Beltman
- Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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54
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Jolly MK, Ward C, Eapen MS, Myers S, Hallgren O, Levine H, Sohal SS. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a spectrum of states: Role in lung development, homeostasis, and disease. Dev Dyn 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics; Rice University; Houston Texas
| | - Chris Ward
- Institute of Cellular Medicine; Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne United Kingdom
| | - Mathew Suji Eapen
- School of Health Sciences; Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, University of Tasmania; Hobart Tasmania Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Chronic Respiratory Disease; University of Tasmania; Hobart Tasmania Australia
| | - Stephen Myers
- School of Health Sciences; Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, University of Tasmania; Hobart Tasmania Australia
| | - Oskar Hallgren
- Department of Experimental Medical Sciences; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Lund University; Sweden
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics; Rice University; Houston Texas
| | - Sukhwinder Singh Sohal
- School of Health Sciences; Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, University of Tasmania; Hobart Tasmania Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Chronic Respiratory Disease; University of Tasmania; Hobart Tasmania Australia
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55
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Frisch SM, Farris JC, Pifer PM. Roles of Grainyhead-like transcription factors in cancer. Oncogene 2017; 36:6067-6073. [PMID: 28714958 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian homologs of the D. melanogaster Grainyhead gene, Grainyhead-like 1-3 (GRHL1, GRHL2 and GRHL3), are transcription factors implicated in wound healing, tubulogenesis and cancer. Their induced target genes encode diverse epithelial cell adhesion molecules, while mesenchymal genes involved in cell migration and invasion are repressed. Moreover, GRHL2 suppresses the oncogenic epithelial-mesencyhmal transition, thereby acting as a tumor suppressor. Mechanisms, some involving established cancer-related signaling/transcription factor pathways (for example, Wnt, TGF-β, mir200, ZEB1, OVOL2, p63 and p300) and translational implications of the Grainyhead proteins in cancer are discussed in this review article.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Frisch
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - J C Farris
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - P M Pifer
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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56
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Kahlert UD, Joseph JV, Kruyt FAE. EMT- and MET-related processes in nonepithelial tumors: importance for disease progression, prognosis, and therapeutic opportunities. Mol Oncol 2017; 11:860-877. [PMID: 28556516 PMCID: PMC5496495 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-to mesenchymal (EMT) process is increasingly recognized for playing a key role in the progression, dissemination, and therapy resistance of epithelial tumors. Accumulating evidence suggests that EMT inducers also lead to a gain in mesenchymal properties and promote malignancy of nonepithelial tumors. In this review, we present and discuss current findings, illustrating the importance of EMT inducers in tumors originating from nonepithelial/mesenchymal tissues, including brain tumors, hematopoietic malignancies, and sarcomas. Among these tumors, the involvement of mesenchymal transition has been most extensively investigated in glioblastoma, providing proof for cell autonomous and microenvironment-derived stimuli that provoke EMT-like processes that regulate stem cell, invasive, and immunogenic properties as well as therapy resistance. The involvement of prominent EMT transcription factor families, such as TWIST, SNAI, and ZEB, in promoting therapy resistance and tumor aggressiveness has also been reported in lymphomas, leukemias, and sarcomas. A reverse process, resembling mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), seems particularly relevant for sarcomas, where (partial) epithelial differentiation is linked to less aggressive tumors and a better patient prognosis. Overall, a hybrid model in which more stable epithelial and mesenchymal intermediates exist likely extends to the biology of tumors originating from sources other than the epithelium. Deeper investigation and understanding of the EMT/MET machinery in nonepithelial tumors will shed light on the pathogenesis of these tumors, potentially paving the way toward the identification of clinically relevant biomarkers for prognosis and future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulf D Kahlert
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Frank A E Kruyt
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
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57
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Jolly MK, Tripathi SC, Somarelli JA, Hanash SM, Levine H. Epithelial/mesenchymal plasticity: how have quantitative mathematical models helped improve our understanding? Mol Oncol 2017; 11:739-754. [PMID: 28548388 PMCID: PMC5496493 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity, the ability of cells to reversibly alter their phenotypes in response to signals, presents a significant clinical challenge to treating solid tumors. Tumor cells utilize phenotypic plasticity to evade therapies, metastasize, and colonize distant organs. As a result, phenotypic plasticity can accelerate tumor progression. A well‐studied example of phenotypic plasticity is the bidirectional conversions among epithelial, mesenchymal, and hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotype(s). These conversions can alter a repertoire of cellular traits associated with multiple hallmarks of cancer, such as metabolism, immune evasion, invasion, and metastasis. To tackle the complexity and heterogeneity of these transitions, mathematical models have been developed that seek to capture the experimentally verified molecular mechanisms and act as ‘hypothesis‐generating machines’. Here, we discuss how these quantitative mathematical models have helped us explain existing experimental data, guided further experiments, and provided an improved conceptual framework for understanding how multiple intracellular and extracellular signals can drive E/M plasticity at both the single‐cell and population levels. We also discuss the implications of this plasticity in driving multiple aggressive facets of tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Satyendra C Tripathi
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jason A Somarelli
- Department of Medicine, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Samir M Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
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58
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Li J, Lu J, Ye Z, Han X, Zheng X, Hou H, Chen W, Li X, Zhao L. 20(S)-Rg3 blocked epithelial-mesenchymal transition through DNMT3A/miR-145/FSCN1 in ovarian cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:53375-53386. [PMID: 28881818 PMCID: PMC5581117 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the key mechanisms mediating cancer progression. MicroRNAs (miRs) are essential regulators of gene expression by suppressing translation or causing degradation of target mRNA. Growing evidence illustrates the crucial roles of miRs dysregulation in cancer development and progression. Here, we have found for the first time that the ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3, a pharmacologically active component of Panax ginseng, potently increases miR-145 expression by downregulating methyltransferase DNMT3A to attenuate the hypermethylation of the promoter region in the miR-145 precursor gene. Restoration of DNMT3A reverses the inhibitory effect of 20(S)-Rg3 on EMT. FSCN1 is verified as the target of miR-145 to suppress EMT in human ovarian cancer cells. The results from nude mouse xenograft models further demonstrate the suppressive effect of miR-145 on malignant progression of ovarian cancer. Taken together, our results show that 20(S)-Rg3 blocks EMT by targeting DNMT3A/miR-145/FSCN1 pathway in ovarian cancer cells, highlighting the potentiality of 20(S)-Rg3 to be used as a therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiaojiao Lu
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhongxue Ye
- Department of Gynecology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Xi Han
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xia Zheng
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Huilian Hou
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xu Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Le Zhao
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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59
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Jolly MK, Ware KE, Gilja S, Somarelli JA, Levine H. EMT and MET: necessary or permissive for metastasis? Mol Oncol 2017; 11:755-769. [PMID: 28548345 PMCID: PMC5496498 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse mesenchymal‐to‐epithelial transition (MET) have been suggested to play crucial roles in metastatic dissemination of carcinomas. These phenotypic transitions between states are not binary. Instead, carcinoma cells often exhibit a spectrum of epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype(s). While epithelial/mesenchymal plasticity has been observed preclinically and clinically, whether any of these phenotypic transitions are indispensable for metastatic outgrowth remains an unanswered question. Here, we focus on epithelial/mesenchymal plasticity in metastatic dissemination and propose alternative mechanisms for successful dissemination and metastases beyond the traditional EMT/MET view. We highlight multiple hypotheses that can help reconcile conflicting observations, and outline the next set of key questions that can offer valuable insights into mechanisms of metastasis in multiple tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kathryn E Ware
- Duke Cancer Institute & Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shivee Gilja
- Duke Cancer Institute & Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jason A Somarelli
- Duke Cancer Institute & Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
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60
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Jolly MK, Levine H. Computational systems biology of epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal transitions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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61
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Mooney SM, Talebian V, Jolly MK, Jia D, Gromala M, Levine H, McConkey BJ. The GRHL2/ZEB Feedback Loop-A Key Axis in the Regulation of EMT in Breast Cancer. J Cell Biochem 2017; 118:2559-2570. [PMID: 28266048 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
More than 90% of cancer-related deaths are caused by metastasis. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) causes tumor cell dissemination while the reverse process, Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition (MET) allows cancer cells to grow and establish a potentially deadly metastatic lesion. Recent evidence indicates that in addition to E and M, cells can adopt a stable hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal (E/M) state where they can move collectively leading to clusters of Circulating Tumor Cells-the "bad actors" of metastasis. EMT is postulated to occur in all four major histological breast cancer subtypes. Here, we identify a set of genes strongly correlated with CDH1 in 877 cancer cell lines, and differentially expressed genes in cell lines overexpressing ZEB1, SNAIL, and TWIST. GRHL2 and ESRP1 appear in both these sets and also correlate with CDH1 at the protein level in 40 breast cancer specimens. Next, we find that GRHL2 and CD24 expression coincide with an epithelial character in human mammary epithelial cells. Further, we show that high GRHL2 expression is highly correlated with worse relapse-free survival in all four subtypes of breast cancer. Finally, we integrate CD24, GRHL2, and ESRP1 into a mathematical model of EMT regulation to validate the role of these players in EMT. Our data analysis and modeling results highlight the relationships among multiple crucial EMT/MET drivers including ZEB1, GRHL2, CD24, and ESRP1, particularly in basal-like breast cancers, which are most similar to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and are considered the most dangerous subtype. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 2559-2570, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Mooney
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L3G1, ON, Canada
| | - Vida Talebian
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L3G1, ON, Canada
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston 77005, Texas.,Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston 77005, Texas
| | - Dongya Jia
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston 77005, Texas.,Program in Systems/Synthetic/Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston 77005, Texas
| | - Monica Gromala
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L3G1, ON, Canada
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston 77005, Texas.,Program in Systems/Synthetic/Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston 77005, Texas.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston 77005, Texas
| | - Brendan J McConkey
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L3G1, ON, Canada
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62
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Ware KE, Gilja S, Xu S, Shetler S, Jolly MK, Wang X, Bartholf Dewitt S, Hish AJ, Jordan S, Eward W, Levine H, Armstrong AJ, Somarelli JA. Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28448023 DOI: 10.3791/55520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity refers to a phenomenon in which cells transiently gain traits of another lineage. During carcinoma progression, phenotypic plasticity drives invasion, dissemination and metastasis. Indeed, while most of the studies of phenotypic plasticity have been in the context of epithelial-derived carcinomas, it turns out sarcomas, which are mesenchymal in origin, also exhibit phenotypic plasticity, with a subset of sarcomas undergoing a phenomenon that resembles a mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Here, we developed a method comprising the miR-200 family and grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) to mimic this MET-like phenomenon observed in sarcoma patient samples.We sequentially express GRHL2 and the miR-200 family using cell transduction and transfection, respectively, to better understand the molecular underpinnings of these phenotypic transitions in sarcoma cells. Sarcoma cells expressing miR-200s and GRHL2 demonstrated enhanced epithelial characteristics in cell morphology and alteration of epithelial and mesenchymal biomarkers. Future studies using these methods can be used to better understand the phenotypic consequences of MET-like processes on sarcoma cells, such as migration, invasion, metastatic propensity, and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xueyang Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrew J Armstrong
- Solid Tumor Program and the Duke Prostate Center, Duke University Medical Center
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63
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Liverani C, La Manna F, Groenewoud A, Mercatali L, Van Der Pluijm G, Pieri F, Cavaliere D, De Vita A, Spadazzi C, Miserocchi G, Bongiovanni A, Recine F, Riva N, Amadori D, Tasciotti E, Snaar-Jagalska E, Ibrahim T. Innovative approaches to establish and characterize primary cultures: an ex vivo 3D system and the zebrafish model. Biol Open 2017; 6:133-140. [PMID: 27895047 PMCID: PMC5312106 DOI: 10.1242/bio.022483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient-derived specimens are an invaluable resource to investigate tumor biology. However, in vivo studies on primary cultures are often limited by the small amount of material available, while conventional in vitro systems might alter the features and behavior that characterize cancer cells. We present our data obtained on primary dedifferentiated liposarcoma cells cultured in a 3D scaffold-based system and injected into a zebrafish model. Primary cells were characterized in vitro for their morphological features, sensitivity to drugs and biomarker expression, and in vivo for their engraftment and invasiveness abilities. The 3D culture showed a higher enrichment in cancer cells than the standard monolayer culture and a better preservation of liposarcoma-associated markers. We also successfully grafted primary cells into zebrafish, showing their local migratory and invasive abilities. Our work provides proof of concept of the ability of 3D cultures to maintain the original phenotype of ex vivo cells, and highlights the potential of the zebrafish model to provide a versatile in vivo system for studies with limited biological material. Such models could be used in translational research studies for biomolecular analyses, drug screenings and tumor aggressiveness assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Liverani
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy
| | - Federico La Manna
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy.,Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Urology, J-3-100, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden 2333ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Arwin Groenewoud
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden 2333BE, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Mercatali
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy
| | - Gabri Van Der Pluijm
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Urology, J-3-100, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden 2333ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Federica Pieri
- Pathology Unit, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì 47121, Italy
| | - Davide Cavaliere
- Unit of Surgery and Advanced Oncologic Therapies, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì 47121, Italy
| | - Alessandro De Vita
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy
| | - Chiara Spadazzi
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy
| | - Giacomo Miserocchi
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy
| | - Alberto Bongiovanni
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy
| | - Federica Recine
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy
| | - Nada Riva
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy
| | - Dino Amadori
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy
| | - Ennio Tasciotti
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ewa Snaar-Jagalska
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden 2333BE, The Netherlands
| | - Toni Ibrahim
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, via P. Maroncelli 40, Meldola 47014, Italy
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Persistent Morbillivirus Infection Leads to Altered Cortactin Distribution in Histiocytic Sarcoma Cells with Decreased Cellular Migration Capacity. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167517. [PMID: 27911942 PMCID: PMC5135102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Histiocytic sarcomas represent rare but fatal neoplasms in humans. Based on the absence of a commercially available human histiocytic sarcoma cell line the frequently affected dog displays a suitable translational model. Canine distemper virus, closely related to measles virus, is a highly promising candidate for oncolytic virotherapy. Therapeutic failures in patients are mostly associated with tumour invasion and metastasis often induced by misdirected cytoskeletal protein activities. Thus, the impact of persistent canine distemper virus infection on the cytoskeletal protein cortactin, which is frequently overexpressed in human cancers with poor prognosis, was investigated in vitro in a canine histiocytic sarcoma cell line (DH82). Though phagocytic activity, proliferation and apoptotic rate were unaltered, a significantly reduced migration activity compared to controls (6 hours and 1 day after seeding) accompanied by a decreased number of cortactin mRNA transcripts (1 day) was detected. Furthermore, persistently canine distemper virus infected DH82 cells showed a predominant diffuse intracytoplasmic cortactin distribution at 6 hours and 1 day compared to controls with a prominent membranous expression pattern (p ≤ 0.05). Summarized, persistent canine distemper virus infection induces reduced tumour cell migration associated with an altered intracellular cortactin distribution, indicating cytoskeletal changes as one of the major pathways of virus-associated inhibition of tumour spread.
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