51
|
Chen Y, Chen X, Ding X, Wang Y. Afatinib, an EGFR inhibitor, decreases EMT and tumorigenesis of Huh‑7 cells by regulating the ERK‑VEGF/MMP9 signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:3317-3325. [PMID: 31432165 PMCID: PMC6755195 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) therapy has been used in the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, tumor recurrence and metastasis are common in patients after TAE, and these processes may be caused by circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) serves important roles in CTCs, and abnormal expression and activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is common in cancer cells. Afatinib is an EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). The present study aimed to investigate the effects of afatinib on EMT and tumorigenesis in HCC cells. Western blot analysis suggested that afatinib was able to effectively suppress overactivation of EGFR. Moreover, the expression levels of EMT- and metastasis-associated genes were found to be modulated by afatinib through EGFR inhibition. In addition, Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell assays suggested that the viability, migration and invasion of HCC cells were inhibited by afatinib through EGFR inhibition. Furthermore, the activity of the ERK signaling pathway and the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) were decreased following treatment with afatinib in vitro. Collectively, the present results suggested that the inhibitory effects of afatinib on EMT and tumorigenesis may be associated with the ERK-VEGF/MMP9 signaling pathway. The present study provides new insights into understanding the mechanism underlying HCC and may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat HCC recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tiantai People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang 317200, P.R. China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tiantai People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang 317200, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojun Ding
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tiantai People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang 317200, P.R. China
| | - Yingwei Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tiantai People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang 317200, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Sun X, Meng L, Qiao W, Yang R, Gao Q, Peng Y, Bian Z. Vascular endothelial growth factor A/Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 axis promotes human dental pulp stem cell migration via the FAK/PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signalling pathways. Int Endod J 2019; 52:1691-1703. [PMID: 31267530 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and the underlying molecular mechanisms on the migration of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). METHODOLOGY The expression of VEGFA in inflammatory pulp tissue and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated dental pulp cells was examined by immunofluorescence staining and qRT-PCR. The migration of hDPSCs was detected using transwell migration and wound healing assays. The activation of FAK, PI3K, Akt and p38 signalling was evaluated by Western blot analysis. Silence RNA (siRNA) technology was utilized to knockdown the expression of VEGFR1 (Flt-1) and VEGFR2 (Flk-1/KDR). PF573228 (inhibitor of FAK), LY294002 (inhibitor of PI3K), SB203580 (inhibitor of p38) and SU5416 (inhibitor of VEGFR2) were employed to investigate the effect of VEGFA on the migratory mechanism of hDPSCs. Data were analysed statistically using the Student's t-test or one-way ANOVA. RESULTS The expression levels of VEGFA in inflammatory pulp tissue in vivo and LPS-stimulated dental pulp cells in vitro were significantly greater than those in the control groups (P < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor A promoted the migration of hDPSCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Several signalling pathways, including FAK, PI3K, Akt and p38, were activated by VEGFA in a dose- and time-dependent manner in hDPSCs. The VEGFA-induced migration of hDPSCs was significantly inhibited with drug inhibitors such as PF573228, LY294002, SB203580 or SU5416 (P < 0.05). These signalling pathways activated by VEGFA stimulation were significantly suppressed by pre-treatment with inhibitor of VEGFR2 (SU5416) or transfection with siRNA of VRGFR2 (P < 0.05) but not VEGFR1 siRNA. CONCLUSIONS Vascular endothelial growth factor A/VEGFR2 axis promoted the migration of hDPSCs via the FAK/PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signalling pathways. These findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism for cell migration of hDPSCs, which may contribute to the remodelling of pulp tissue and dentine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- X Sun
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - L Meng
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - W Qiao
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - R Yang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Q Gao
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Y Peng
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Z Bian
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Kim HS, Won YJ, Shim JH, Kim HJ, Kim BS, Hong HN. Role of EphA2-PI3K signaling in vasculogenic mimicry induced by cancer-associated fibroblasts in gastric cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:3031-3038. [PMID: 31452781 PMCID: PMC6704280 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular receptor A2 (EphA2) signaling serves an important role in the tumor microenvironment, its contribution to vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation in gastric cancer cells remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of EphA2 in VM formation induced by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The conditioned medium of CAFs (CAF-CM) was prepared from 12 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. VM was evaluated by the number of tubules and intersections in gastric cancer cells following CAF-CM treatment. The role of EphA2-phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in VM was investigated using EphA2-targeted small interfering (si)RNAs (siEphA2), EphA2 inhibitors and PI3K-inhibitors. CAF-CM-induced VM formation was significantly associated with high protein expression levels of EphA2. EphA2 inhibitor and siEphA2 manipulation significantly decreased VM formation by CAF-CM. In siEphA2 cells, decreased expression levels of VM-associated proteins were observed. CAF-CM-induced VM formation was blocked by the PI3K-inhibitor. In conclusion, CAFs facilitate VM formation via EphA2-PI3K signaling in gastric cancer cells. Thus, EphA2-PI3K signaling may be required for CAF-promoted VM formation during gastric tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hee Sung Kim
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - You Jin Won
- Department of Anatomy, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hee Shim
- Department of Anatomy, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ji Kim
- Department of Anatomy, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Sik Kim
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Hea Nam Hong
- Department of Anatomy, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Yuan Y, Gong H, Li Y, Zhang H, Li Y, Li W, Wang P, Shi R, Liu H, Chen J. [Effect of Apatinib on Invasion and Migration of Lung Cancer Cells
and Its Mechanism]. ZHONGGUO FEI AI ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF LUNG CANCER 2019; 22:264-270. [PMID: 31109435 PMCID: PMC6533190 DOI: 10.3779/j.issn.1009-3419.2019.05.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
背景与目的 肺癌是世界上对人类健康产生重大危害的癌症之一,近年来靶向治疗的效果日益显著。阿帕替尼(Apatinib, YN968D1)是目前研究较热的多靶点抗肿瘤药物,本研究旨在探讨Apatinib对肺癌细胞生物学特性的影响和其可能的作用机制。 方法 体外培养肺腺癌细胞株H1299与H3255,CCK法、划痕实验及Transwell实验检测Apatinib对H1299与H3255细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭的影响,Western blot检测肿瘤血管生成和侵袭相关蛋白的表达。 结果 Apatinib显著抑制H1299与H3255的增殖、迁移及侵袭能力,并呈浓度依赖性。Western blot显示,随药物浓度增加,VEGF、VEGFR2、N-cadherin、MMP9、MMP2、Vimentin表达下调,E-cadherin表达上调。 结论 Apatinib可抑制肺腺癌细胞H1299、H3255的侵袭迁移能力,其机制可能通过调控上皮-间充质转化及基质金属蛋白酶相关蛋白的表达来实现。
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yin Yuan
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Hao Gong
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Yongwen Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Hongbing Zhang
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Ying Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Weiting Li
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Ruifeng Shi
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Hongyu Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Gao Z, Shi M, Wang Y, Chen J, Ou Y. Apatinib enhanced anti-tumor activity of cisplatin on triple-negative breast cancer through inhibition of VEGFR-2. Pathol Res Pract 2019; 215:152422. [PMID: 31079851 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) was known as a fast-growing and an aggressive tumor. Cisplatin is the effective cytotoxic drug used for the treatment of TNBC. In addition, apatinib, a VEGFR2 inhibitor, exhibits antitumor activity in patients with TNBC. However, the effects of combination of apatinib with cisplatin on TNBC remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of apatinib in combination with cisplatin on MDA-MB-231 cells. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of VEGFR2. In addition, CCK-8, flow cytometric, transwell assays were used to measure the cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion, respectively. Moreover, western blotting was used to detect the expressions of Bax, active caspase 3, p-VEGFR2, p-Akt and p-mTOR. RESULTS VEGFR2 was significantly upreguated in patients with TNBC. In addition, the inhibitory effects of cisplatin on the proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells were enhanced by apatinib. Moreover, apatinib increased cisplatin-induced apoptosis on MDA-MB-231 cells via increasing the level of Bax and active caspase 3 and decreasing the expression of Bcl-2. Importantly, apatinib enhanced anti-tumor effect of cisplatin on MDA-MB-231 cells via inhibiting the levels of p-VEGFR2, p-Akt and p-mTOR. CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that apatinib enhanced the anti-tumor effects of cisplatin on MDA-MB-231 cells via inhibition of VEGFR2. Thus, the combination of apatinib with cisplatin may serve as a potential approach in the treatment of patients with TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyuan Gao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, 233004, PR China.
| | - Mohan Shi
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, 233004, PR China.
| | - Yaping Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, 233004, PR China.
| | - Juan Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, 233004, PR China.
| | - Yimei Ou
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, 233004, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Yang Z, Li JJ, Huang ZS. Progress in basic and clinical research of targeted drugs for primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2019; 27:450-458. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v27.i7.450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies of the digestive system. Traditional treatment is not effective for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Sorafenib is the first molecule-targeted drug for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. The emergence of molecule-targeted drugs provided a new choice for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. In recent years, thanks to the development of immunotherapy, many new molecule-targeted drugs have been found to significantly improve the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, targeted drugs have become a research hotspot. This article reviews the progress in basic and clinical research of molecule-targeted drugs for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Yang
- Graduate School of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jian-Ji Li
- Graduate School of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Zan-Song Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays a fundamental role in tumor growth and progression. It is regulated by several growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor protein family (VEGF) and its receptors, which are probably the most important factors responsible for the development of new vessels. The VEGF family includes several members: VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGF-E, placental growth factor (PlGF), and their receptors VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. Other relevant factors are represented by angiopoietins, thrombospondin-1, and endothelins. However, since the therapeutic benefit associated with VEGF-targeted therapy is really complex, a better understanding of these pathways will lead to future advances in the use of these agents for clinic management of tumors. Here we present a review regarding the role of angiogenic factors in cholangiocarcinoma, which arise from cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells of bile ducts. They are rare and aggressive neoplasms with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options, classified as intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal cholangiocarcinoma based on their anatomical location. Therefore, the identification of specific signaling pathways or new tumor biomarkers is crucial in order to develop more effective anti-angiogenic therapies.
Collapse
|
58
|
Suo L, Chang X, Xu N, Ji H. The Anti-proliferative Activity of GnRH Through Downregulation of the Akt/ERK Pathways in Pancreatic Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:370. [PMID: 31263453 PMCID: PMC6590102 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been demonstrated to exert anti-proliferative functions on various tumor cells in endometrial, ovarian, bladder, or prostate cancer as a part of the autocrine system. In addition, the expression levels of GnRH and its receptor had been identified in breast cancer or non-reproductive cancers, such as glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer. Previous studies have reported abnormal GnRH expression in several malignant tumors, suggesting that GnRH and its receptor might be essential for tumourigenesis. In the present study, we attempted to clarify the mechanisms underlying GnRH function in cell proliferation in pancreatic cancer. Our results indicated that GnRH expression might be essential for the malignancy of pancreatic cancer. We then found that GnRH overexpression can induce cell apoptosis through activating the Bcl-2/Bax pathway and autophagy might be involved in the GnRH-mediated apoptosis in Panc1 cells. Further investigation showed that the inhibition of GnRH may promote tumor invasion and migration through upregulation of MMP2 expression in pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, our results indicated that GnRH can regulate the Akt/ERK1/2 pathways to promote cell proliferation by inhibiting cell apoptosis in Panc1 cells. Therefore, our finding exhibited that the regulation of GnRH expression may be essential for tumourigenesis in pancreatic cancer, and might be a potential target for the treatment of the patients with pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linna Suo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaocen Chang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Na Xu
- Natural Sciences Department, LaGuardia Community College, City University of New York, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Hongmei Ji
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Hongmei Ji
| |
Collapse
|