EMT-activating transcription factors in cancer: beyond EMT and tumor invasiveness

Diverse LEF/TCF Expression in Human Colorectal Cancer Correlates with Altered Wnt-Regulated Transcriptome in a Meta-Analysis of Patient Biopsies

Aberrantly activated Wnt signaling causes cellular transformation that can lead to human colorectal cancer. Wnt signaling is mediated by Lymphoid Enhancer Factor/T-Cell Factor (LEF/TCF) DNA-binding factors. Here we investigate whether altered LEF/TCF expression is conserved in human colorectal tumor sample and may potentially be correlated with indicators of cancer progression. We carried out a meta-analysis of carefully selected publicly available gene expression data sets with paired tumor biopsy and adjacent matched normal tissues from colorectal cancer patients. Our meta-analysis confirms that among the four human LEF/TCF genes, LEF1 and TCF7 are preferentially expressed in tumor biopsies, while TCF7L2 and TCF7L1 in normal control tissue. We also confirm positive correlation of LEF1 and TCF7 expression with hallmarks of active Wnt signaling (i.e., AXIN2 and LGR5). We are able to correlate differential LEF/TCF gene expression with distinct transcriptomes associated with cell adhesion, extracellular matrix organization, and Wnt receptor feedback regulation. We demonstrate here in human colorectal tumor sample correlation of altered LEF/TCF gene expression with quantitatively and qualitatively different transcriptomes, suggesting LEF/TCF-specific transcriptional regulation of Wnt target genes relevant for cancer progression and survival. This bioinformatics analysis provides a foundation for future more detailed, functional, and molecular analyses aimed at dissecting such functional differences.

P4HB modulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the β-catenin/Snail pathway influencing chemoresistance in liver cancer cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of prolyl 4-hydroxylase beta polypeptide (P4HB) in the chemoresistance of liver cancer. Drug-resistant liver cancer cell lines, such as HepG2/adriamycin (ADR) cells, were treated and screened using adriamycin. Gene interference was used to silence the expression of P4HB in liver cancer cells. Cell viability, invasiveness and migration were assessed using CCK8, Transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. In addition, changes to key genes and proteins in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and β-catenin/Snail pathway were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. Drug-resistant HepG2/ADR cells were successfully cultivated; the IC₅₀ to ADR for HepG2/ADR and HepG2 cell lines was 4.85 and 0.61 µM, respectively. HepG2/ADR cells exhibited higher invasion and migration abilities compared with HepG2 cells (P<0.05). E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression levels in HepG2/ADR cells were decreased significantly, whereas P4HB, N-cadherin and vimentin mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased compared with HepG2 cells (all P<0.05). Knockdown of P4HB significantly decreased cell viability and the invasion and migration ability of HepG2/ADR cells. In addition, P4HB knockdown enhanced E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression levels, whereas N-cadherin, vimentin, total β-catenin, nuclear β-catenin and Snail mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Overall, the present study demonstrated that EMT and β-catenin/Snail pathway influence P4HB modulation in liver cancer chemoresistance.

The Effects of Interleukin-33 (IL-33) on Osteosarcoma Cell Viability, Apoptosis, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition are Mediated Through the PI3K/AKT Pathway

Background

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary tumor of bone. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that also participates in tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the role of IL-33 in human osteosarcoma cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and the molecular mechanisms involved.

Material/Methods

The normal osteoblast cell line, hFOB 1.19, and the human osteosarcoma cell lines SOSP-9607, SAOS2, MG63, and U2OS were studied. The expression of IL-33 mRNA and protein in human osteosarcoma cell lines were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. The effects of IL-33 on human osteosarcoma cell viability, apoptosis, EMT, and the signaling pathways were studied using the MTT assay, flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot.

Results

IL-33 was upregulated in human osteosarcoma cell lines, including U2OS cells. The use of an IL-33 gene plasmid promoted osteosarcoma cell viability, inhibited cell apoptosis, increased the expression of Bcl-2, and reduced the expression of Bax. IL-33 reduced the level of E-cadherin and increased the levels of N-cadherin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in osteosarcoma cells at the mRNA and protein level. The use of the IL-33 plasmid increased the protein expression levels of p-AKT and the p-AKT/AKT ratio in osteosarcoma cells, and IL-33 siRNA reversed these findings.

Conclusions

IL-33 was highly expressed in human osteosarcoma cells. Down-regulation of IL-33 reduced cell viability and EMT of osteosarcoma cells, and induced cell apoptosis through activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Nucleobindin-2 enhances the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in renal cell carcinoma

Nucleobindin 2 (NUCB-2) is a multifunctional protein that contains several functional domains and is associated with a wide variety of biological processes, such as food intake and energy homeostasis. NUCB-2 has been demonstrated to be associated with worse malignant outcomes and cell migration in breast and prostate cancer. However, to the best of our knowledge, its clinical and biological significance in renal cell carcinoma remains unknown. In the present study, tissue specimens from 68 patients with renal cell carcinoma and 10 normal controls were collected for NUCB-2 mRNA and protein assays. The NUCB-2 level in the patients with renal cell cancer was significantly increased compared with the normal control patients. NUCB-2-knockout in the renal cancer cell line SK-RC-52 inhibited migration and invasion. In addition, the expression levels of molecules associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including E-cadherin, β-catenin, Slug and Twist, were affected by NUCB-2 suppression and the zinc finger E-box binding to homeobox 1 (ZEB1)-dependent pathway. The AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK)/target of rapamycin complex (mTORC) 1 signaling pathway participates in the regulation of NUCB-2-mediated metastasis and EMT. Suppression of NUCB-2 also inhibited tumor nodule formation in a murine renal cell carcinoma tumor model. In summary, NUCB-2 increased migration, invasion and EMT in renal cell carcinoma cells through the AMPK/TORC1/ZEB1 pathway in vitro and in vivo.

Evaluation of the Effect of Foeniculum vulgare on the Expression of E-Cadherin, Dysadherin and Ki-67 in BALB/C Mice with 4T1 Model of Breast Cancer

Introduction: Breast cancer is described as a serious disease and one of the important factors of cancer-related deaths. Considering the drug resistance, special attention has been paid to natural compounds. This study aimed at evaluating the anti-metastatic activity of fennel in a breast cancer mouse model.Methods: A total of 28 adult female BALB/C mice were used in this study. Breast cancer was induced by subcutaneous injection of 4T1 cells in the right lower flank. The mice received fennel extracts daily via intraperitoneal injection for two weeks. Meanwhile, tumor volume was measured every day using calipers. After two weeks, each animal was anesthetized. The expression levels of ki-67 and dysadherin as tumor markers, as well as E-cadherin as a tumor suppressor, were measured in tumor tissue and ovary. Also the expression of her2 was measured in ovary.Results: Tumor size significantly decreased after nine days treatment of the fennel. Fennel treatment caused an increase in the ratio of the expression of E-cadherin to Ki-67 and dysadherin in the tumor tissues. On the other hand, the expression of Ki-67 and HER2 decreased in the ovary.Conclusion: Based on our findings, fennel has anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activities against aggressive cancers.

TEAD2 as a novel prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma

TEA Domain Transcription Factors (TEADs) are important in development and serve essential roles in tumorigenesis; however, the role of TEAD2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been widely examined. The present study was conducted to investigate the expression status of TEAD2 in HCC and to evaluate whether the expression of TEAD2 is associated with the prognosis of patients with HCC. mRNA expression data was retrieved for Hippo pathway genes of 50 normal control and 377 HCC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas data portal. Gene set enrichment, GeneNeighbors, ClassNeighbors and survival analyses were then performed based on the gene expression levels. The mRNA expression of TEAD2 and VGLL4 was significantly higher in HCC compared with the normal control samples, and the mRNA expression of TEAD2 was higher in advanced stages than in early stages. Specifically, survival analysis revealed that higher mRNA expression of TEAD2 was significantly associated with a less favorable overall survival rate (P=0.0067) and there was a trend towards significance between higher mRNA expression of VGLL4 and poor overall survival rate (P=0.051). According to the gene set enrichment analysis, patients with higher mRNA expression of TEAD2 and VGLL4 had strongly enhanced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis, which are associated with tumor progression. In conclusion, increased mRNA expression of TEAD2 is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with HCC. TEAD2 may serve as a prognostic factor for HCC and a novel therapeutic target.

Upregulated NTF4 in colorectal cancer promotes tumor development via regulating autophagy

Autophagy plays a key role in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and reduces the sensitivity of CRC cells to treatment. The present study reported a novel tumor-suppressive role for autophagy, which was demonstrated to be regulated through the novel oncogene neurotrophin-4 (NTF4). NTF4 was significantly overexpressed in tumor tissue compared with non-tumor mucosa, and the upregulation of NTF4 in CRC was associated with poor overall survival and advanced TNM stage. The genetic knockdown of NTF4 using short hairpin RNA in CRC cells prevented epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and activated autophagy; this was regulated through the interaction between autophagy-associated gene 5 (Atg5) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. In addition, the knockdown of NTF4 inhibited cell invasion, migration, proliferation and colony formation, and promoted cell cycle arrest. Treatment of the cells with the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) rescued these functions and promoted cell invasion, migration, proliferation and colony formation. Finally, the knockdown of NTF4 inhibited the growth of subcutaneous xenografts in Balb/c-nu mice. In conclusion, these findings suggested that NTF4 may be a diagnostic marker associated with the overall survival and progression of patients with CRC. NTF4 was found to promote tumorigenesis and CRC development through autophagy regulation.

Phospholipase D as a key modulator of cancer progression

The phospholipase D (PLD) family has a ubiquitous expression in cells. PLD isoforms (PLDs) and their hydrolysate phosphatidic acid (PA) have been demonstrated to engage in multiple stages of cancer progression. Aberrant expression of PLDs, especially PLD1 and PLD2, has been detected in various cancers. Inhibition or elimination of PLDs activity has been shown to reduce tumour growth and metastasis. PLDs and PA also serve as downstream effectors of various cell-surface receptors, to trigger and regulate propagation of intracellular signals in the process of tumourigenesis and metastasis. Here, we discuss recent advances in understanding the functions of PLDs and PA in discrete stages of cancer progression, including cancer cell growth, invasion and migration, and angiogenesis, with special emphasis on the tumour-associated signalling pathways mediated by PLDs and PA and the functional importance of PLDs and PA in cancer therapy.

A Truncated Snail1 Transcription Factor Alters the Expression of Essential EMT Markers and Suppresses Tumor Cell Migration in a Human Lung Cancer Cell Line

BACKGROUND

Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is necessary for metastasis. Zinc- finger domain-containing transcription factors, especially Snail1, bind to E-box motifs and play a crucial role in the induction and regulation of EMT.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized if C-terminal region of Snail1 (CSnail1) may competitively bind to E-box and block cancer metastasis.

METHODS

The CSnail1 gene coding sequence was inserted into the pIRES2-EGFP vector. Following transfection of A549 cells with the designed construct, EMT was induced with TGF-β1 and the expression of essential EMT markers was evaluated by real-time PCR and immunoblotting. We also monitored cell migration.

RESULTS

CSnail1 inhibited TGF-β1-induced N-cadherin and vimentin mRNA expression and increased β-catenin expression in transfected TGF-β1-treated A549 cells. A similar finding was obtained in western blotting. CSnail1 also blocked the migration of transfected cells in the scratch test.

CONCLUSION

Transfection of A549 cells with CSnail1 alters the expression of essential EMT markers and consequently suppresses tumor cell migration. These findings confirm the capability of CSnail1 in EMT blocking and in parallel to current patents could be applied as a novel strategy in the prevention of metastasis.

Knockdown of P3H4 inhibits proliferation and invasion of bladder cancer

The prolyl 3-hydroxylase family member 4 (P3H4) (alias SC65) is implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. However, little is known about the role of P3H4 in tumors. This study aimed to investigate the role of P3H4 in bladder cancer (BC) and the regulatory mechanisms that influence its expression. P3H4 was highly expressed in BC tissues. Knockdown of P3H4 inhibited BC cell proliferation, cell cycle, migration and invasion in vitro, and inhibited BC growth in vivo. We also found that ETV4 bound directly to the promoter region of P3H4 and activated its transcription. Furthermore, overexpression of ETV4 rescued the inhibition of proliferation and invasion induced by PH4 silencing. ETV4 was significantly overexpressed in the BC tissues. In conclusion, P3H4 functioned an oncogene role in BC progression, and ETV4 bound directly to the P3H4 promoter region to regulate its transcription.

Expression and clinical significance of WWOX, Elf5, Snail1 and EMT related factors in epithelial ovarian cancer

Expression and clinical significance of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), Elf5, Snail1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related factors in epithelial ovarian cancer were investigated. Ovarian cancer tissues of 300 epithelial ovarian cancer patients and the adjacent normal tissues were analyzed. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of WWOX, Elf5, Snail1 and EMT marker molecules in the specimens. The relationship between the indicators and clinicopathological parameters, and prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer was analyzed. The relationship between WWOX, Elf5, Snail1 and EMT marker molecules E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin in ovarian cancer tissues was analyzed. The expression levels of WWOX, Elf5, Snail1 and EMT marker molecules in epithelial ovarian cancer tissues were significantly different from those in adjacent normal tissues, and were related to surgical pathological stage, pathological grade and lymph node metastasis. High expressions of WWOX and Elf5 were related to the survival rate of patients. The survival rate of patients with positive expression was significantly higher than that of negative expression. FIGO stage, pathological grade, lymph node metastasis and expression of WWOX and Elf5 were all independent factors affecting postoperative prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. In conclusion, the expression levels of WWOX, Elf5, Snail1 and EMT related factors in epithelial ovarian cancer tissues are consistent and different. The expression levels of WWOX and Elf5 are related to the survival and prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

4-Hydroxy-7-oxo-5-heptenoic acid lactone is a potent inducer of brain cancer cell invasiveness that may contribute to the failure of anti-angiogenic therapies

Previously, we discovered that free radical-induced oxidative fragmentation of the docosahexaenoate ester of 2-lysophosphatidylcholine produces 4-hydroxy-7-oxo-5-heptenoic acid (HOHA) lactone that, in turn, promotes the migration and invasion of endothelial cells. This suggested that HOHA lactone might similarly promote migration and invasion of glioblastoma multiformae (GBM) brain cancer stem cells (CSCs). A bioinformatics analysis of clinical cancer genomic data revealed that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1 and three markers of oxidative stress - superoxide dismutase 2, NADPH oxidase 4, and carbonic anhydrase 9 - are upregulated in human mesenchymal GBM cancer tissue, and that MMP1 is positively correlated to all three of these oxidative stress markers. In addition, elevated levels of MMP1 are indicative of GBM invasion, while low levels of MMP1 indicate survival. We also explored the hypothesis that the transition from the proneural to the more aggressive mesenchymal phenotype, e.g., after treatment with an anti-angiogenic therapy, is promoted by the effects of lipid oxidation products on GBM CSCs. We found that low micromolar concentrations of HOHA lactone increase the cell migration velocity of cultured GBM CSCs, and induce the expression of MMP1 and two protein biomarkers of the proneural to mesenchymal transition (PMT): p65 NF-κβ and vimentin. Exposure of cultured GBM CSCs to HOHA lactone causes an increase in phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and Akt kinases that are dependent on both protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and MMP1 activity. We conclude that HOHA lactone promotes the PMT in GBM through the activation of PAR1 and MMP1. This contributes to a fatal flaw in antiangiogenic, chemo, and radiation therapies: they promote oxidative stress and the generation of HOHA lactone in the tumor that fosters a change from the proliferative proneural to the migratory mesenchymal GBM CSC phenotype that seeds new tumor growth. Inhibition of PAR1 and HOHA lactone are potential new therapeutic targets for impeding GBM tumor recurrence.

Upregulation of Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition Markers and P2X7 Receptors Is Associated to Increased Invasiveness Caused by P2X7 Receptor Stimulation in Human Glioblastoma Stem Cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) stem cells (GSCs), which contribute to GBM unfavorable prognosis, show high expression levels of ATP/P2X7 receptors (P2X7R). Here, we reported that cells exposure to 2’(3’)-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-ATP (BzATP), a P2X7R agonist, up-regulated the expression of markers associated to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process likely contributing to GSC malignancy, and increased GSC migration/invasiveness like the known EMT inducer, Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGFβ1). These effects were coupled to phosphorylation of SMAD2, a downstream effector in the TGFβ pathway, suggesting its involvement in P2X7R-mediated activity in GSCs. All BzATP effects, including a decrease in the caspase 3/7 activity in GSC medium, were mostly counteracted by the P2X7R antagonist A438079. Finally, BzATP increased the subunit expression of two main human P2X7R splice variants, the full-length P2X7A and the truncated P2X7B, lacking the carboxylic tail, which have different functional properties depending on their arrangement. Since up-regulation of A/B subunits might favor their assembly into a heterotrimeric P2X7R with great sensitivity towards agonists and cell energy support, this is in line with increased EMT markers expression, cell migration/invasion and GSC survival observed following P2X7R stimulation. As in GBM microenvironment extracellular ATP levels may activate P2X7R, our data suggest a P2X7R role in GBM recurrence/invasiveness.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in thyroid cancer: a comprehensive review

The Metastatic progression of solid tumors, such as thyroid cancer is a complex process which involves various factors. Current understanding on the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in thyroid carcinomas suggests that EMT is implicated in the progression from follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) to poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). According to the literature, the initiation of the EMT program in thyroid epithelial cells elevates the number of stem cells, which contribute to recurrent and metastatic diseases. The EMT process is orchestrated by a complex network of transcription factors, growth factors, signaling cascades, epigenetic modulations, and the tumor milieu. These factors have been shown to be dysregulated in thyroid carcinomas. Therefore, molecular interferences restoring the expression of tumor suppressors, or thwarting overexpressed oncogenes is a hopeful therapeutic method to improve the treatment of progressive diseases. In this review, we summarize the recent findings on EMT in thyroid cancer focusing on the main role-players and regulators of this process in thyroid tumors.

ZEB1 promotes inflammation and progression towards inflammation-driven carcinoma through repression of the DNA repair glycosylase MPG in epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE

Chronic inflammation is a risk factor in colorectal cancer (CRC) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) released by the inflamed stroma elicit DNA damage in epithelial cells. We sought to identify new drivers of ulcerative colitis (UC) and inflammatory CRC.

DESIGN

The study uses samples from patients with UC, mouse models of colitis and CRC and mice deficient for the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition factor ZEB1 and the DNA repair glycosylase N-methyl-purine glycosylase (MPG). Samples were analysed by immunostaining, qRT-PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, microbiota next-generation sequencing and ROS determination.

RESULTS

ZEB1 was induced in the colonic epithelium of UC and of mouse models of colitis. Compared with wild-type counterparts, Zeb1-deficient mice were partially protected from experimental colitis and, in a model of inflammatory CRC, they developed fewer tumours and exhibited lower levels of DNA damage (8-oxo-dG) and higher expression of MPG. Knockdown of ZEB1 in CRC cells inhibited 8-oxo-dG induction by oxidative stress (H₂O₂) and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)1β). ZEB1 bound directly to the MPG promoter whose expression inhibited. This molecular mechanism was validated at the genetic level and the crossing of Zeb1-deficient and Mpg-deficient mice reverted the reduced inflammation and tumourigenesis in the former. ZEB1 expression in CRC cells induced ROS and IL1β production by macrophages that, in turn, lowered MPG in CRC cells thus amplifying a positive loop between both cells to promote DNA damage and inhibit DNA repair.

CONCLUSIONS

ZEB1 promotes colitis and inflammatory CRC through the inhibition of MPG in epithelial cells, thus offering new therapeutic strategies to modulate inflammation and inflammatory cancer.

Thyroid hormone induces progression and invasiveness of squamous cell carcinomas by promoting a ZEB-1/E-cadherin switch

Epithelial tumor progression often involves epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We report that increased intracellular levels of thyroid hormone (TH) promote the EMT and malignant evolution of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. TH induces the EMT by transcriptionally up-regulating ZEB-1, mesenchymal genes and metalloproteases and suppresses E-cadherin expression. Accordingly, in human SCC, elevated D2 (the T3-producing enzyme) correlates with tumor grade and is associated with an increased risk of postsurgical relapse and shorter disease-free survival. These data provide the first in vivo demonstration that TH and its activating enzyme, D2, play an effective role not only in the EMT but also in the entire neoplastic cascade starting from tumor formation up to metastatic transformation, and supports the concept that TH is an EMT promoter. Our studies indicate that tumor progression relies on precise T3 availability, suggesting that pharmacological inactivation of D2 and TH signaling may suppress the metastatic proclivity of SCC.

The opposite effects of angiotensin 1-9 and angiotensin 3-7 in prostate epithelial cells

There is growing evidence that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components have been involved in the development of various types of cancers, including prostate cancer. This article for the first time reports the impact of Ang1-9 and Ang3-7 on viability and proliferation, migration and invasion of epithelial prostate cells. The results of this study clearly show that Ang1-9 and Ang3-7 exert different/opposite effects on in vitro biological properties of prostate cells. It appears that Ang1-9 has pro-cancer activities via the ability to induce cell divisions, enhance cell motility and stimulate the expression of such genes as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1), vimentin (VIM) and REL proto-oncogene, NF-kB subunit (REL). On the contrary, Ang3-7 did not show any mitogenic activity. Furthermore, this peptide hormone limited the migration of PNT1A cells probably by downregulation of VEGF and VIM expression. Finally, it is worth noting that both angiotensins have the ability to modulate gene expression for angiotensin receptors. Unfortunately, we could not unequivocally identify the type of angiotensin receptor responsible for signal transduction pathway involved in PNT1A cell survival and proliferation. Undoubtedly, further research and testing in this area are necessary.

Hydroxypropyl‑β‑cyclodextrin attenuates the epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition via endoplasmic reticulum stress in MDA‑MB‑231 breast cancer cells

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been reported to serve vital roles in regulating the progress of cancer metastasis. In addition, lipid rafts enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol serve important roles in physiological and biochemical processes as a signaling platform. The present study explored the effects of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), a cholesterol-depleting agent of lipid rafts, on the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in mediating EMT in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. HP-β-CD treatment inhibited TGF-β1-induced EMT, based on increased expression of E-cadherin and decreased expression of vimentin. HP-β-CD reduced the expression of the TGF receptor TβRI and blocked the phosphorylation of Smad2. In addition, HP-β-CD increased the expression of ER stress-related proteins (binding immunoglobulin protein and activating transcription factor 6), but TGF-β1 could reverse these changes. Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate, an inhibitor of ER stress, suppressed these effects of HP-β-CD on EMT and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway inhibition in breast cancer cells. Thus, HP-β-CD can block the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway via diminishing the expression of TβRI which helps to activate ER stress and attenuate EMT in MDA-MB-231 cells, highlighting a potential target of lipid rafts for breast cancer treatment.

E-cadherin-Fc chimera protein matrix enhances cancer stem-like properties and induces mesenchymal features in colon cancer cells

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are a subpopulation of tumor cells with properties of high tumorigenicity and drug resistance, which lead to recurrence and poor prognosis. Although a better understanding of CSC is essential for developing cancer therapies, scarcity of the CSC population has hindered such analyses. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the E-cadherin-Fc chimera protein (E-cad-Fc) enhances cancer stem-like properties because studies show that soluble E-cadherin stimulates human epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) and downstream signaling pathways that are reported to play a crucial role in CSC. For this purpose, we used ornithine decarboxylase (ODC)-degron-transduced (Degron(+)) KM12SM cells as a CSC model that retains relatively low CSC properties. Compared to cultures without E-cad-Fc treatment, we found that E-cad-Fc treatment further suppressed proteasome activity and largely enhanced cancer stem-like properties of ODC-degron-transduced KM12SM cells. These results include increased expression of stem cell markers Lgr5, Bmi-1, SOX9, CD44, and CD44v9, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and enhancement of robust spheroid formation, and chemoresistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin (L-OHP). These effects could be attributed to activation of the EGFR pathway as identified by extensive phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK, PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. In SW480 cells, E-cad-Fc matrix induced some CSC markers such as CD44v9 and ALDH. We also found that E-cad-Fc matrix showed high efficiency of inducing mesenchymal changes in colon cancer cells. Our data suggest that the E-cad-Fc matrix may enhance CSC properties such as enhancement of chemoresistance and sphere formation.

Circ-AKT3 inhibits clear cell renal cell carcinoma metastasis via altering miR-296-3p/E-cadherin signals

BACKGROUND

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a type of circular endogenous RNA produced by special selective splicing and participates in progression of diverse diseases. However, the role of circRNA in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is still rarely reported.

METHODS

We detected lower circ-AKT3 expression in ccRCC using the circular RNA microarray. Then, qPCR array was applied to verify the expression of circ-AKT3 in between 60 ccRCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues, as well as ccRCC cell lines and human normal kidney cell (HK-2). We investigated the function of circ-AKT3 in ccRCC in vitro and in vivo and detected underlying mechanisms by Western blotting, bioinformatic analysis, RNA pull-down assay and luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

Circ-AKT3 was verified significantly downregulated in ccRCC. Knockdown of circ-AKT3 promoted ccRCC migration and invasion, while overexpression of circ-AKT3 suppressed ccRCC metastasis. Further, circ-AKT3/miR-296-3p/E-cadherin axis was shown responsible for circ-AKT3 inhibiting ccRCC metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Circ-AKT3 suppresses ccRCC metastasis by enforcing E-cadherin expression through competitively binding miR-296-3p. Circ-AKT3 may therefore serve as a novel therapeutic to better suppress ccRCC metastasis.

The role of DUBs in the post-translational control of cell migration

Cell migration is a multifactorial/multistep process that requires the concerted action of growth and transcriptional factors, motor proteins, extracellular matrix remodeling and proteases. In this review, we focus on the role of transcription factors modulating Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT-TFs), a fundamental process supporting both physiological and pathological cell migration. These EMT-TFs (Snail1/2, Twist1/2 and Zeb1/2) are labile proteins which should be stabilized to initiate EMT and provide full migratory and invasive properties. We present here a family of enzymes, the deubiquitinases (DUBs) which have a crucial role in counteracting polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of EMT-TFs after their induction by TGFβ, inflammatory cytokines and hypoxia. We also describe the DUBs promoting the stabilization of Smads, TGFβ receptors and other key proteins involved in transduction pathways controlling EMT.

The crucial role of ZEB2: From development to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer complexity

Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) is a DNA-binding transcription factor, which is mainly involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a conserved process during which mature and adherent epithelial-like state is converted into a mobile mesenchymal state. Emerging data indicate that ZEB2 plays a pivotal role in EMT-induced processes such as development, differentiation, and malignant mechanisms, for example, drug resistance, cancer stem cell-like traits, apoptosis, survival, cell cycle arrest, tumor recurrence, and metastasis. In this regard, the understanding of mentioned subjects in the development of normal and cancerous cells could be helpful in cancer complexity of diagnosis and therapy. In this study, we review recent findings about the biological properties of ZEB2 in healthy and cancerous states to find new approaches for cancer treatment.

Long non-coding RNA LINC01225 promotes proliferation, invasion and migration of gastric cancer via Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway

Emerging evidence has classified the aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as a basic signature of various malignancies including gastric cancer (GC). LINC01225 has been shown to act as a hepatocellular carcinoma-related gene, with its expression pattern and biological function not clarified in GC. Here, we verified that LINC01225 was up-regulated in tumour tissues and plasma of GC. Analysis with clinicopathological information suggested that up-regulation of LINC01225 was associated with advanced disease and poorer overall survival. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that plasma LINC01225 had a moderate accuracy for diagnosis of GC. In addition, knockdown of LINC01225 led to retardation of cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and overexpression of LINC01225 showed the opposite effects. Mechanistic investigations showed that LINC01225 silencing inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signalling of GC. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Wnt1 or suppression of GSK-3β abolished the si-LINC01225-mediated suppression against EMT, thereby promoting cell proliferation, invasion and migration of GC. In conclusion, LINC01225 promotes the progression of GC through Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, and it may serve as a potential target or strategy for diagnosis or treatment of GC.

Overexpressed PKMYT1 promotes tumor progression and associates with poor survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide and the 5-year overall survival rate remains poor. Protein kinase, membrane associated tyrosine/threonine (PKMYT1) is overexpressed in several cancers and participate in tumor progression. However, the mechanism of PKMYT1 in ESCC is unclear.

Purpose

The objective of our study was to demonstrate the the expression and role of PKMYT1 in ESCC.

Patients and methods

  We detected the expression of PKMYT1 in ESCC patients and analysed the correlation with overall survival time and disease-free survival time. Then we detected PKMYT1 expression in ESCC cell lines and immortalized human esophageal epithelial cell line. Down-regulated PKMYT1 was carried out in KYSE70 and KYSE450 cells to invetigate the mechanism of PKMYT1 in ESCC cells.

Results

PKMYT1 was up-regulated in tumor tissues and ESCC cell lines, and higher expression of PKMYT1 correlated with poorer overall survival in ESCC patients. Besides, in ESCC cell lines KYSE70 and KYSE450, knocking down PKMYT1 allowed more cells to skip G2/M checkpoint to complete mitosis, which promoted cell apoptosis, inhibited cell proliferation, and prevented the EMT phenotype in vitro. Meantime, we also observed that down-regulated PKMYT1 in ESCC cells suppressed AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. These results demonstrated PKMYT1 may act as an oncogene in ESCC.

Conclusion

PKMYT1 plays an crutial role in ESCC progression, downregulated PKMYT1 might inhibit the development of ESCC by AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, and might be a novel target in the treatment of ESCC.

OSM-induced CD44 contributes to breast cancer metastatic potential through cell detachment but not epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Background

Hormone receptor status in human breast cancer cells is a strong indicator of the aggressiveness of a tumor. Triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) are aggressive, difficult to treat, and contribute to high incidences of metastasis by possessing characteristics such as increased tumor cell migration and a large presence of the transmembrane protein, cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) on the cell membrane. Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) cells are less aggressive and do not migrate until undergoing an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Methods

The relationship between EMT and CD44 during metastatic events is assessed by observing changes in EMT markers, tumor cell detachment, and migration following cytokine treatment on both parental and CD44 knockdown human breast tumor cells.

Results

ER+ T47D and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells treated with OSM demonstrate increased CD44 expression and CD44 cleavage. Conversely, ER- MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells do not show a change in CD44 expression nor undergo EMT in the presence of OSM. In ER+ cells, knockdown expression of CD44 by shRNA did not prevent EMT but did change metastatic processes such as cellular detachment and migration. OSM-induced migration was decreased in both ER+ and ER- cells with shCD44 cells compared to control cells, while the promotion of tumor cell detachment by OSM was decreased in ER+ MCF7-shCD44 cells, as compared to control cells. Interestingly, OSM-induced detachment in ER- MDA-MB-231-shCD44 cells that normally don't detach at significant rates.

Conclusion

OSM promotes both EMT and tumor cell detachment in ER+ breast cancer cells. Yet, CD44 knockdown did not affect OSM-induced EMT in these cells, while independently decreasing OSM-induced cell detachment. These results suggest that regulation of CD44 by OSM is important for at least part of the metastatic cascade in ER+ breast cancer.

Role of AKT and mTOR signaling pathways in the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process in the development of many tissues and organs in multicellular organisms that its important role in the pathogenesis of metastasis and tumor cell migration has been firmly established. Decreased adhesive capacity, cytoskeletal reorganization, and increased mobility are hallmarks of the EMT. Several molecular mechanisms promote EMT, Including regulation of the levels of specific cell-surface proteins, ECM-degrading enzymes, and altering the expression of certain transcription factors and microRNAs. EMT process is modulated through multiple signaling pathways including the AKT/mTOR pathway. AKT is a key component in numerous processes which was recently shown to regulate the EMT through suppression of the expression of E-cadherin via EMT transcription factors. On the other hand, mTOR complexes can also regulate the EMT through the regulation of cell's actin cytoskeleton by altering the PKC phosphorylation state and direct phosphorylation and activation of Akt. Here we review the effect of AKT and mTOR on EMT and consequently metastasis and cell motility.

MiR-3653 inhibits the metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colon cancer by targeting Zeb2

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been widely recognized to play critical roles in the pathogenic processes of colon cancer. However, the expression and functions of miR-3653 in colon cancer remain uncovered. This study revealed for the first time that miR-3653 expression was significantly decreased in colon cancer tissues and cell lines. MiR-3653 overexpression led to decreased migration and invasion of HCT116 cells while miR-3653 knockdown resulted in opposite influence of the metastatic behaviors of HT29 cells. qRT-PCR and western blot demonstrated that miR-3653 suppressed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of colon cancer cells using both gain- and loss- of function assay. Mechanically, miR-3653 was found to interact with the 3'-UTR of Zeb2 through the complementary sequences and inhibited the expression of Zeb2 in colon cancer cells. Rescue experiments demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of miR-3653 overexpression on cell metastasis and EMT was abrogated by forced expression of Zeb2. This study demonstrates that miR-3653 suppresses the metastasis and EMT of colon cells by targeting Zeb2, and serves as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target in colon cancer.

ZEB2 in T-cells and T-ALL

The identification of the rare but recurrent t(2; 14)(q22; q32) translocation involving the ZEB2 locus in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, suggested that ZEB2 is an oncogenic driver of this high-risk subtype of leukemia. ZEB2, a zinc finger E-box homeobox binding transcription factor, is a master regulator of cellular plasticity and its expression is correlated with poor overall survival of cancer patients. Recent loss- and gain-of-function in the mouse revealed important roles of ZEB2 during different stages of hematopoiesis, including the T-cell lineage. Here, we summarize the roles of ZEB2 in T-cells, their development, and malignant transformation to T-ALL.

Regulation of muscle atrophy-related genes by the opposing transcriptional activities of ZEB1/CtBP and FOXO3

Multiple physiopathological and clinical conditions trigger skeletal muscle atrophy through the induction of a group of proteins (atrogenes) that includes components of the ubiquitin–proteasome and autophagy-lysosomal systems. Atrogenes are induced by FOXO transcription factors, but their regulation is still not fully understood. Here, we showed that the transcription factor ZEB1, best known for promoting tumor progression, inhibits muscle atrophy and atrogene expression by antagonizing FOXO3-mediated induction of atrogenes. Compared to wild-type counterparts, hindlimb immobilization in Zeb1-deficient mice resulted in enhanced muscle atrophy and higher expression of a number of atrogenes, including Atrogin-1/Fbxo32, MuRF1/Trim63, Ctsl, 4ebp1, Gabarapl1, Psma1 and Nrf2. Likewise, in the C2C12 myogenic cell model, ZEB1 knockdown augmented both myotube diameter reduction and atrogene upregulation in response to nutrient deprivation. Mechanistically, ZEB1 directly represses in vitro and in vivo Fbxo32 and Trim63 promoter transcription in a stage-dependent manner and in a reverse pattern with MYOD1. ZEB1 bound to the Fbxo32 promoter in undifferentiated myoblasts and atrophic myotubes, but not in non-atrophic myotubes, where it is displaced by MYOD1. ZEB1 repressed both promoters through CtBP-mediated inhibition of FOXO3 transcriptional activity. These results set ZEB1 as a new target in therapeutic approaches to clinical conditions causing muscle mass loss.

Non-coding RNAs in regulating gastric cancer metastasis

Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and mortality remains high, especially in East Asia. At present, the main method to diagnose gastric cancer is pathological biopsy. At the time of diagnosis, most patients have been diagnosed with advanced cancer and metastasis. The treatment of gastric cancer patients is mainly radical surgical resection and chemoradiotherapy, while patients with metastatic tumor have great challenges to radical surgery and are prone to drug resistance. Metastasis is an important factor affecting tumor development. In addition, evidence accumulated in the literature indicates that non-coding RNA plays a key role in tumor metastasis. This article reviews the role of ncRNAs in gastric cancer metastasis and discusses the regulatory mechanism in the development and treatment of gastric cancer.

LncRNA MALAT1, an lncRNA acting via the miR-204/ZEB1 pathway, mediates the EMT induced by organic extract of PM2.5 in lung bronchial epithelial cells

Extensive cohort studies have explored the hazards of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter 2.5 μm or smaller (PM2.5) to human respiratory health; however, the molecular mechanisms for PM2.5 carcinogenesis are poorly understood. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in various pathophysiological processes. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PM2.5 on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lung bronchial epithelial cells and the underlying mechanisms mediated by an lncRNA. Organic extracts of PM2.5 from Shanghai were used to treat human bronchial epithelial cell lines (HBE and BEAS-2B). The PM2.5 organic extracts induced the EMT and cell transformation. High levels of metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), mediated by NF-κB, were involved in the EMT process. For both cell lines, there was a similar response. In addition, MALAT1 interacted with miR-204 and reversed the inhibitory effect of its target gene, ZEB1, thereby contributing to the EMT and malignant transformation. In sum, these findings show that NF-κB transcriptionally regulates MALAT1, which, by binding with miR-204 and releasing ZEB1, promotes the EMT. These results offer an understanding of the regulatory network of the PM2.5-induced EMT that relates to the health risks associated with PM2.5.

Expression and Role of MicroRNAs from the miR-200 Family in the Tumor Formation and Metastatic Propensity of Pancreatic Cancer

MicroRNAs from the miR-200 family are commonly associated with the inhibition of the metastatic potential of cancer cells, following inhibition of ZEB transcription factors expression and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. However, previous studies performed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma revealed a more complex picture challenging this canonical model. To gain better insights into the role of miR-200 family members in this disease, we analyzed the expression of miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-141, miR-429, and miR-205, and ZEB1, ZEB2, and CDH1 in pancreatic tumors and matching normal adjacent parenchyma and patient-derived xenografts. We found that miR-200a, miR-429, and miR-205 are frequently overexpressed in pancreatic tumors, whereas CDH1 is downregulated, and ZEB1 and ZEB2 levels remain unchanged. Furthermore, we measured a positive correlation between miR-200 family members and CDH1 expression, and a negative correlation between ZEB1 and miR-200c, miR-141, and miR-205 expression, respectively. Interestingly, we identified significant changes in expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition regulators and miR-200 members in patient-derived xenografts. Lastly, functional studies revealed that miR-141 and miR-429 inhibit the tumorigenic potential of pancreatic cancer cells. Taken together, this comprehensive analysis strongly suggests that miRNAs from the miR-200 family, and in particular miR-429, may act as a tumor suppressor gene in pancreatic cancer.

Stromal fibroblast-derived MFAP5 promotes the invasion and migration of breast cancer cells via Notch1/slug signaling

BACKGROUND

The tumor microenvironment (TME) regulates tumor progression, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the primary stromal components of the TME, with the potential to drive tumor metastasis via the secretion of paracrine factors, but the specific mechanisms driving this process have not been defined.

METHODS

Proteins secreted from CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were analyzed via proteomic analysis (fold change > 2, p < 0.05) to identify tumor-promoting proteins secreted by CAFs.

RESULTS

Proteomic analysis revealed that microfibrillar-associated protein 5 (MFAP5) is preferentially expressed and secreted by CAFs relative to NFs, which was confirmed by Western blotting and RT-qPCR. Transwell and wound healing assays confirmed that MFAP5 is secreted by CAFs, and drives the invasion and migration of MCF7 breast cancer cells. We further found that in MCF7 cells MFAP5 promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition, activating Notch1 signaling and consequently upregulating NICD1 and slug. When Notch1 was knocked down in MCF7 cells, the ability of MFAP5 to promote invasion and migration decreased.

CONCLUSION

CAFs promote cancer cells invasion and migration via MFAP5 secretion and activation of the Notch1/slug signaling. These data highlight this pathway as a therapeutic target to disrupt tumor progression through the interference of CAF-tumor crosstalk.

Proneural-Mesenchymal Transition: Phenotypic Plasticity to Acquire Multitherapy Resistance in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an extremely aggressive tumor of the central nervous system, with a prognosis of 12–15 months and just 3–5% of survival over 5 years. This is mainly because most patients suffer recurrence after treatment that currently consists in maximal resection followed by radio- and chemotherapy with temozolomide. The recurrent tumor shows a more aggressive behavior due to a phenotypic shift toward the mesenchymal subtype. Proneural-mesenchymal transition (PMT) may represent for GBM the equivalent of epithelial–mesenchymal transition associated with other aggressive cancers. In this review we frame this process in the high degree of phenotypic inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity of GBM, which exists in different subtypes, each one characterized by further phenotypic variability in its stem-cell compartment. Under the selective pressure of different treatment agents PMT is induced. The mechanisms involved, as well as the significance of such event in the acquisition of a multitherapy resistance phenotype, are taken in consideration for future perspectives in new anti-GBM therapeutic options.

Macro Histone Variants: Emerging Rheostats of Gastrointestinal Cancers

Gastrointestinal cancers (GC) are malignancies involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and accessory organs of the digestive system, including the pancreas, liver, and gall bladder. GC is one of the most common cancers and contributes to more cancer-related deaths than cancers of any other system in the human body. Causative factors of GC have been consistently attributed to infections, smoking, an unhealthy diet, obesity, diabetes, and genetic factors. More recently, aberrant epigenetic regulation of gene expression has emerged as a new, fundamental pathway in GC pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the role of the macroH2A histone family in GI cell function and malignant transformation, and highlight how this histone family may open up novel biomarkers for cancer detection, prediction, and response to treatment.

Expression and clinical significance of SNAI1 and ZEB1 genes in acute myeloid leukemia patients

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults, it represents nearly 32% of all new cases of leukemia. This study aimed to evaluate the SNAI1 and ZEB1 genes expression in AML patients and determine their diagnostic and prognostic significance. We determined the expression of SNAI1 and ZEB1 genes and serum E-cadherin levels in early diagnosed patients with AML. Sixty early diagnosed AML patients and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study, SNAI1 and ZEB1 genes expression was determined by Real-time PCR while E-Cadherin serum levels were determined by ELISA. The results of this study demonstrated that, all AML patients positively expressed the SNAI1 gene with fold change 2.6. While, the ZEB1 expression was positive in 56.7% of the patients with fold change 1.8. SNAI1 and ZEB1 genes were highly expressed in M5 subtype (FC = 13.8 and 9.3, respectively). On the other hand, serum E-cadherin concentrations of the AML patients showed decrease when compared with those of the control but the decrease was not reach to the significance level. The findings of this study suggest inclusion of SNAI1 and ZEB1 genes expression in the cluster of potential genetic biomarkers to be studied in AML cases as diagnostic and prognostic markers.

Molecular mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs-mediated cancer metastasis

Cancer metastasis is a multistep process that requires cancer cells to leave the primary site, survive in the blood stream, and finally colonize at a distant organ. It is the major cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. The organ-specific colonization requires close interaction and communication between cancer cells and host organs. Noncoding RNAs represent the majority of the transcriptome, with long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) making up a significant proportion. It has been suggested that lncRNAs play a key role in all stages of tumorigenesis and metastasis. This review will provide an overview of how lncRNAs are involved in cancer cell colonization in specific organ sites and the underlying mechanisms as well as therapeutic strategies.

Increased SPK1 expression promotes cell growth by activating the ERK1/2 signaling in non-small-cell lung cancer

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality in China and the world. Increasing numbers of studies have reported that sphingosine kinase 1 (SPK1) is frequently highly expressed in tumors of various origins, including lung cancer, and its high expression contributes toward tumor progression. However, the clinical significance of SPK1 and its role in the growth and metastasis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. In the present study, we found that SPK1 expression was expressed highly in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of SPK1 suppressed cell growth, proliferation, migration, and invasion and increased apoptosis. Moreover, knocking down SPK1 expression inhibited the growth of tumors in nude mice. Mechanistically, silencing the expression of SPK1 inhibited the expression of p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Moreover, the ERK-specific inhibitor U0126 suppressed the expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lung cancer cells. Together, our findings indicated that SPK1 enhanced tumor growth in lung cancer and induced metastasis by activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, indicating its potential application in NSCLC diagnosis and therapy.

Knockdown of aristaless-like homeobox1 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in melanoma cells

Aristaless-like homeobox1 (ALX1), a member of the ALX family, is capable of mediating survival and development of mesenchyme-derived elements in vertebrates and its mutation will prevent the fusion of frontonasal and maxillary elements. Recently, ALX1 has been reported to be associated with cancer progression. However, the specific roles of ALX1 in melanoma remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern and biological functions of ALX1 in melanoma. We found that ALX1 was highly expressed in melanoma tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of ALX1 suppressed the proliferation and invasion of melanoma cells. Furthermore, we showed that ALX1 knockdown reversed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in melanoma cells, which might be attributed to inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Taken together, this study provided a new insight into the role of ALX1 as a therapeutic target for melanoma treatment.

ZEB1 protects skeletal muscle from damage and is required for its regeneration

The mechanisms linking muscle injury and regeneration are not fully understood. Here we report an unexpected role for ZEB1 regulating inflammatory and repair responses in dystrophic and acutely injured muscles. ZEB1 is upregulated in the undamaged and regenerating myofibers of injured muscles. Compared to wild-type counterparts, Zeb1-deficient injured muscles exhibit enhanced damage that corresponds with a retarded p38-MAPK-dependent transition of their macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Zeb1-deficient injured muscles also display a delayed and poorer regeneration that is accounted by the retarded anti-inflammatory macrophage transition and their intrinsically deficient muscle satellite cells (MuSCs). Macrophages in Zeb1-deficient injured muscles show lower phosphorylation of p38 and its forced activation reverts the enhanced muscle damage and poorer regeneration. MuSCs require ZEB1 to maintain their quiescence, prevent their premature activation following injury, and drive efficient regeneration in dystrophic muscles. These data indicate that ZEB1 protects muscle from damage and is required for its regeneration.

Following muscle damage, an inflammatory response is associated to activation of satellite cells, which drive muscle repair. Here, the authors show that upregulation of Zeb1 in macrophages and muscle fibres regulates inflammation, and also show a role for Zeb1 in maintenance of satellite cell quiescence.

Effect of dihydroartemisinin on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in canine mammary tumour cells

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal properties, generating metastases. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) exhibits potent anti-cancer activities. CMTs is a potential suitable model for studies in human breast cancer research. In the present study, we separated DHA-untreated cells from CMTs cells to be a control group, the rest of the CMTs cells treated by DHA which were composed of three concentrations 5,10 as well as 20 μM. After that we cultivate the cells severally under the condition of 24, 48 and 72 h at 37 °C. CMTs cells were evaluated by Cell viability assay, Wound healing assay, Invasion assay and RT-PCR analysis for the expression of Slug, ZEB1, ZEB2 and Twist. Our results showed that DHA increased the inhibitory rate of CMTs cell and restrain TGF-β1-induced migration and invasion of cells in a time and concentration reliant manner efficaciously. Our result also show DHA inhibits the expression of Slug, ZEB1, ZEB2 and Twist at the mRNA in vitro, the media concentration DHA (10 μM) decreased the expression level of the Slug, ZEB1, ZEB2 mRNA significantly. In conclusion, DHA inhibits canine mammary tumours cells migration and invasiveness by regulating the expression of EMT-related genes.

Expression of zinc finger transcription factors (ZNF143 and ZNF281) in serous borderline ovarian tumors and low-grade ovarian cancers

Low-grade ovarian cancers represent up to 8% of all epithelial ovarian carcinomas (EOCs). Recent studies demonstrated that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial for the progression of EOCs. EMT plays a key role in cancer invasion, metastasis formation and chemotherapy resistance. An array of novel EMT transcription factors from the zinc finger protein family have been described recently, among them zinc finger protein 143 (ZNF143) and zinc finger protein 281 (ZNF281). The study included tissue specimens from 42 patients. Based on histopathological examination of surgical specimens, eight lesions were classified as serous borderline ovarian tumors (sBOTs) and 34 as low-grade EOCs. The proportions of the ovarian tumors that tested positively for ZNF143 and ZNF281 were 90 and 57%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in the expressions of ZNF143 and ZNF281 transcription factors in SBOTs and low-grade EOCs. Considering the expression patterns for ZNF143 and ZNF281 identified in this study, both sBOTs and low-grade EOCs might undergo a dynamic epithelial-mesenchymal interconversion. The lack of statistically significant differences in the expressions of the zinc finger proteins in sBOTs and low-grade serous EOCs might constitute an evidence for common origin of these two tumor types.

Signaling roadmap to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pterygium, TWIST1 centralized

Pterygium as a complex disease shares common features with other malignant cells in its onset recurrence and especially epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transition. Although using different approaches including conjunctival autografts, amniotic membrane, radiotherapy, mitomycin C (MMC) has shown promising insights in the inhibition of pterygium recurrence, it needs to be investigated in more details in molecular pathways to present adjuvant target therapy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the expression of and then illustrate the role of signaling pathways on EMT in pterygium. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, the twist-related protein 1 (TWIST1) expression was compared in primary pterygium and normal conjunctiva. This study assessed the mRNA expression, as well as the association between the clinicopathological indices and the gene expression level. The expression level of TWIST1 was overexpressed in 36% of our cohort ( n = 76). There was a significant positive correlation between recurrence with grade T, grade V and a significant negative correlation with growth activity. Our vast literature review on different signaling pathways in pterygium showed that EMT has centralization role in recurrence of this disease. Our data confirmed that EMT is important in the recurrence of pterygium samples and different signaling pathways end up activating the EMT markers. It is suggested to evaluate the environmental factors and their correlation with molecular markers to select favorable treatment for this kind of diseases.

Inhibition of tumor growth and angiogenesis of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells by ruxolitinib, a selective JAK2 inhibitor

Tamoxifen (TAM) is the most widely used treatment for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients. Unfortunately, the majority of these patients exhibit TAM resistance following treatment. We previously reported that proliferation and migration were greater in TAM-resistant MCF-7 (TAMR-MCF-7) cells than in parental MCF-7 cells. Janus kinases (JAKs) are cytosolic tyrosine kinases that transduce signals from plasma membrane cytokines and growth factor receptors. JAK2 selectively phosphorylates signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3, and the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway is known as a crucial signaling pathway for the regulation of cancer progression and metastasis. In the present study, basal phosphorylation of STAT3 was revealed to be greater in TAMR-MCF-7 cells than in control MCF-7 cells. Ruxolitinib, a potent JAK2 inhibitor, was demonstrated to attenuate STAT3 phosphorylation and the proliferation of TAMR-MCF-7 cells. Ruxolitinib also suppressed the enhanced cell migration of TAMR-MCF-7 cells through the inhibition of epithelial mesenchymal transition. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a representative target gene of the JAK2-STAT3 pathway, functions as a key regulator of invasion and angiogenesis. Ruxolitinib significantly inhibited VEGF mRNA expression and transcriptional activity. The present study also performed a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay to assess tumor growth and angiogenesis in TAMR-MCF-7 cells. Ruxolitinib reduced tumor weight and the number of blood vessels produced by TAMR-MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicated that JAK2 could be a new therapeutic target for TAM-resistant breast cancer.

Roles of MicroRNA-34a in Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Competing Endogenous RNA Sponging and Its Therapeutic Potential

MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a), a tumor suppressor, has been reported to be dysregulated in various human cancers. MiR-34a is involves in certain epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated signal pathways to repress tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and metastasis. Due to the particularity of miR-34 family in tumor-associated EMT, the significance of miR-34a is being increasingly recognized. Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) is a novel concept involving mRNA, circular RNA, pseudogene transcript, and long noncoding RNA regulating each other’s expressions using microRNA response elements to compete for the binding of microRNAs. Studies showed that miR-34a is efficient for cancer therapy. Here, we provide an overview of the function of miR-34a in tumor-associated EMT. ceRNA hypothesis plays an important role in miR-34a regulation in EMT, cancer progression, and metastasis. Its potential roles and challenges as a microRNA therapeutic candidate are discussed. As the negative effect on cancer progression, miR-34a should play crucial roles in clinical diagnosis and cancer therapy.

PRSS3/Mesotrypsin and kallikrein-related peptidase 5 are associated with poor prognosis and contribute to tumor cell invasion and growth in lung adenocarcinoma

Serine proteases have been implicated as key drivers and facilitators of lung cancer malignancy, and while these proteins represent straightforward targets for therapeutic inhibitors, identification of optimal points for intervention has been complicated by the complex networks in which these enzymes function. Here we implicate a signaling pathway consisting of PRSS3/mesotrypsin and kallikrein-related peptidase 5 (KLK5) in lung adenocarcinoma malignancy. We show that elevated PRSS3/mesotrypsin expression is prognostic for poor outcome for patients with lung adenocarcinoma, and that genetic or pharmacologic targeting of PRSS3/mesotrypsin reduces lung adenocarcinoma cell invasiveness and proliferation. We further show that genetic targeting of KLK5, a known target of PRSS3/mesotrypsin, phenocopies the effect of PRSS3/mesotrypsin knockdown, and also that elevated expression of KLK5 is similarly prognostic for outcome in lung adenocarcinoma. Finally, we use transcriptional profiling experiments to show that PRSS3/mesotrypsin and KLK5 control a common malignancy-promoting pathway. These experiments implicate a potential PRSS3/mesotrypsin-KLK5 signaling module in lung adenocarcinoma and reveal the potential therapeutic benefit of selectively targeting these pathways.

CAPS1 promotes colorectal cancer metastasis via Snail mediated epithelial mesenchymal transformation

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common gastrointestinal cancer with high mortality rate mostly due to metastasis. Ca²⁺-dependent activator protein for secretion 1 (CAPS1) was originally identified as a soluble factor that reconstitutes Ca²⁺-dependent secretion. In this study, we discovered a novel role of CAPS1 in CRC metastasis. CAPS1 is frequently up-regulated in CRC tissues. Increased CAPS1 expression is associated with frequent metastasis and poor prognosis of CRC patients. Overexpression of CAPS1 promotes CRC cell migration and invasion in vitro, as well as liver metastasis in vivo, without affecting cell proliferation. CAPS1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including decreased E-cadherin and ZO-1, epithelial marker expression, and increased N-cadherin and Snail, mesenchymal marker expression. Snail knockdown reversed CAPS1-induced EMT, cell migration and invasion. This result indicates that Snail is required for CAPS1-mediated EMT process and metastasis in CRC. Furthermore, CAPS1 can bind with Septin2 and p85 (subunit of PI3K). LY294002 and wortmanin, PI3K/Akt inhibitors, can abolish CAPS1-induced increase of Akt/GSK3β activity, as well as increase of Snail protein level. Taken together, CAPS1 promotes colorectal cancer metastasis through PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Snail signal pathway-mediated EMT process.