Filamin A interacting protein 1-like inhibits WNT signaling and MMP expression to suppress cancer cell invasion and metastasis

Long-chain noncoding RNA LINC01569 upregulates filamin A-interacting protein 1-like to prevent metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer via sponging miR-300

BACKGROUND

Long-chain noncoding RNA (lncRNA), LINC01569, is important for regulating the extracellular matrix, which affects cell migration. However, its involvement in the occurrence and development of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study is aimed to investigate the role of LINC01569 on TNBC.

METHODS

Online database was used for clinical data analysis. Cell viability and migration capability were monitored using cell counting kit-8 and transwell assays, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down were used to confirm the binding capability between noncoding RNAs and filamin A-interacting protein 1-like (FILIP1L). Western blotting was used to determine the protein content.

RESULTS

Compared with normal breast tissue, LINC01569 was significantly reduced in patients with TNBC subtype, and LINC01569 expression gradually decreased with the progression of tumor stage. Patients with TNBC with high lncRNA LINC01569 levels had a better prognosis than did patients with low LINC01569 levels. LINC01569 overexpression inhibited the migration capability, whereas siRNA-mediated LINC01569 downregulation promoted the migration capability in TNBC cells. Using ENCORI and lncRNA SNP online databases, miR-300 was screened as the potential sponge of LINC01569. The binding of LINC01569 to miR-300 was confirmed using the dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. miR-300 was negatively correlated with LINC01569, and miR-300 mimics eliminated the anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects of LINC01569 on TNBC cells. Additionally, FILIP1L was further verified as the downstream target of miR-300. miR-300 mimics blocked LINC01569 upregulation-mediated elevation of FILIP1L. Importantly, the anti-tumor effects mediated by LINC01569 overexpression were abolished by miR-300 mimics and further restored by FILIP1L upregulation.

CONCLUSIONS

LINC01569 was expressed at a low level in TNBC and could sponge miR-300 to promote FILIP1L expression, reducing the proliferation and metastasis capability of TNBC. Thus, LINC01569 might be a useful biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of metastatic TNBC.

CircRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network and gene landscape in calcific aortic valve disease

BACKGROUND

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a common valve disease with an increasing incidence, but no effective drugs as of yet. With the development of sequencing technology, non-coding RNAs have been found to play roles in many diseases as well as CAVD, but no circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction axis has been established. Moreover, valve interstitial cells (VICs) and valvular endothelial cells (VECs) play important roles in CAVD, and CAVD differed between leaflet phenotypes and genders. This work aims to explore the mechanism of circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in CAVD, and perform subgroup analysis on the important characteristics of CAVD, such as key cells, leaflet phenotypes and genders.

RESULTS

We identified 158 differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs), 397 DElncRNAs, 45 DEmiRNAs and 167 DEmRNAs, and constructed a hsa-circ-0073813/hsa-circ-0027587-hsa-miR-525-5p-SPP1/HMOX1/CD28 network in CAVD after qRT-PCR verification. Additionally, 17 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in VICs, 9 DEGs in VECs, 7 DEGs between different leaflet phenotypes and 24 DEGs between different genders were identified. Enrichment analysis suggested the potentially important pathways in inflammation and fibro-calcification during the pathogenesis of CAVD, and immune cell patterns in CAVD suggest that M0 macrophages and memory B cells memory were significantly increased, and many genes in immune cells were also differently expressed.

CONCLUSIONS

The circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction axis constructed in this work and the DEGs identified between different characteristics of CAVD provide a direction for a deeper understanding of CAVD and provide possible diagnostic markers and treatment targets for CAVD in the future.

Effects of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Matrix Metalloproteinases in Terms of Its Anticancer Activity

Epidemiological studies have shown that the consumption of green tea has beneficial effects against cancer. Basic studies have provided evidence that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a major contributor to these effects. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent metalloproteinases with the ability to degrade the extracellular matrix proteins and are involved in various diseases including cancer in which MMPs have a critical role in invasion and metastasis. In this review, we discuss the effects of EGCG on several types of MMPs in the context of its anticancer activity. In the promoter region, MMPs have binding sites for at least one transcription factor of AP-1, Sp1, and NF-κB, and EGCG can downregulate these transcription factors through signaling pathways mediated by reactive oxygen species. EGCG can also decrease nuclear ERK, p38, heat shock protein-27 (Hsp27), and β-catenin levels, leading to suppression of MMPs' expression. Other mechanisms by which EGCG inhibits MMPs include direct binding to MMPs to prevent their activation and downregulation of NF-κB to suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-1β. Findings from studies on EGCG presented here may be useful in the development of more effective anti-MMP agents, which would give beneficial effects on cancer and other diseases.

Smoking-associated Downregulation of FILIP1L Enhances Lung Adenocarcinoma Progression Through Mucin Production, Inflammation, and Fibrosis

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the major subtype in lung cancer, and cigarette smoking is essentially linked to its pathogenesis. We show that downregulation of Filamin A interacting protein 1-like (FILIP1L) is a driver of LUAD progression. Cigarette smoking causes its downregulation by promoter methylation in LUAD. Loss of FILIP1L increases xenograft growth, and, in lung-specific knockout mice, induces lung adenoma formation and mucin secretion. In syngeneic allograft tumors, reduction of FILIP1L and subsequent increase in its binding partner, prefoldin 1 (PFDN1) increases mucin secretion, proliferation, inflammation, and fibrosis. Importantly, from the RNA-sequencing analysis of these tumors, reduction of FILIP1L is associated with upregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which has been implicated in proliferation of cancer cells as well as inflammation and fibrosis within the tumor microenvironment. Overall, these findings suggest that down-regulation of FILIP1L is clinically relevant in LUAD, and warrant further efforts to evaluate pharmacologic regimens that either directly or indirectly restore FILIP1L-mediated gene regulation for the treatment of these neoplasms.

Significance

This study identifies FILIP1L as a tumor suppressor in LUADs and demonstrates that downregulation of FILIP1L is a clinically relevant event in the pathogenesis and clinical course of these neoplasms.

The Role of Biomarkers in the Management of Colorectal Liver Metastases

Simple Summary

Colorectal cancer remains one of the most significant sources of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. The liver is the most common site of metastatic spread. Multiple modalities exist to manage and potentially cure patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. However, reliable biomarkers to assist with clinical decision-making are limited. Recent advances in genomic sequencing technology have greatly expanded our knowledge of colorectal cancer carcinogenesis and significantly reduced the cost and timing of the investigation. In this article, we discuss the current utility of biomarkers in the management of colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Abstract

Surgical management combined with improved systemic therapies have extended 5-year overall survival beyond 50% among patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Furthermore, a multitude of liver-directed therapies has improved local disease control for patients with unresectable CRLM. Unfortunately, a significant portion of patients treated with curative-intent hepatectomy develops disease recurrence. Traditional markers fail to risk-stratify and prognosticate patients with CRLM appropriately. Over the last few decades, advances in molecular sequencing technology have greatly expanded our knowledge of the pathophysiology and tumor microenvironment characteristics of CRLM. These investigations have revealed biomarkers with the potential to better inform management decisions in patients with CRLM. Actionable biomarkers such as RAS and BRAF mutations, microsatellite instability/mismatch repair status, and tumor mutational burden have been incorporated into national and societal guidelines. Other biomarkers, including circulating tumor DNA and radiomic features, are under active investigation to evaluate their clinical utility. Given the plethora of therapeutic modalities and lack of evidence on timing and sequence, reliable biomarkers are needed to assist clinicians with the development of patient-tailored management plans. In this review, we discuss the current evidence regarding biomarkers for patients with CRLM.

Targeting matrix metalloproteinases by E3 ubiquitin ligases as a way to regulate the tumor microenvironment for cancer therapy

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in neoplastic development. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are critically involved in tumorigenesis by modulation of the TME and degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in a large variety of malignancies. Evidence has revealed that dysregulated MMPs can lead to ECM damage, the promotion of cell migration and tumor metastasis. The expression and activities of MMPs can be tightly regulated by TIMPs, multiple signaling pathways and noncoding RNAs. MMPs are also finely controlled by E3 ubiquitin ligases. The current review focuses on the molecular mechanism by which MMPs are governed by E3 ubiquitin ligases in carcinogenesis. Due to the essential role of MMPs in oncogenesis, they have been considered the attractive targets for antitumor treatment. Several strategies that target MMPs have been discovered, including the use of small-molecule inhibitors, peptides, inhibitory antibodies, natural compounds with anti-MMP activity, and RNAi therapeutics. However, these molecules have multiple disadvantages, such as poor solubility, severe side-effects and low oral bioavailability. Therefore, it is necessary to discover the novel inhibitors that suppress MMPs for cancer therapy. Here, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting E3 ubiquitin ligases to inhibit MMPs. We hope this review will stimulate the discovery of novel therapeutics for the MMP-targeted treatment of a variety of human cancers.

Antitumor Activity of Rutaecarpine in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells by Suppression of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

Alkaloids derived from natural products have been traditionally used to treat various diseases, including cancers. Rutaecarpine (1), a β-carboline-type alkaloid obtained from Evodia rutaecarpa, has been previously reported as an anti-inflammatory agent. Nonetheless, its anticancer activity and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be explored. In the procurement of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors from natural alkaloids, 1 was found to exhibit activity against the Wnt/β-catenin-response reporter gene. Since the abnormal activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is highly involved in colon carcinogenesis, the antitumor activity and molecular mechanisms of 1 were investigated in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The antiproliferative activity of 1 was associated with the suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin-mediated signaling pathway and its target gene expression in human CRC cells. 1 also induced G₀/G₁ cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death, and the antimigration and anti-invasion potential of 1 was confirmed through epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarker inhibition by the regulation of Wnt signaling. The antitumor activity of 1 was supported in an Ls174T-implanted xenograft mouse model via Wnt target gene regulation. Overall, these findings suggest that targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by 1 is a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of human CRC harboring β-catenin mutation.

Gypensapogenin I Suppresses Cell Proliferation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Via Triggering the Closure of AKT/GSK3β/β-Catenin and Notch-1 Signaling Pathways

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) tea is a functional food that is commercially available worldwide. Gypensapogenin I (Gyp I), which is a natural damarane-type saponin, was obtained from the hydrolysates of total gypenosides. The present research was performed to investigate the potential antiproliferation effect of Gyp I in MDA-MB-231 cells and the underlying mechanisms. Here, we found that Gyp I attenuated survival, inhibited proliferation, and induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. Target prediction by binding molecule docking and western blot assays confirmed the mechanism by which Gyp I inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells via the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. We also showed that Gyp I exhibited superior in vivo efficacy that was dose dependent. Tumor tissue transcriptome analysis indicated that Gyp I could decrease the expression levels of NOTCH1 and HES1, which was in contrast to the effect on MAML and NUMBL, indicating that our compound hindered the activation of the Notch-1 signaling pathway. In summary, we report for the first time that Gyp I shows excellent anti-breast cancer activity in vivo and in vitro and that its pathway of action is related to the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin and Notch-1 signaling pathways. Therefore, Jiaogulan tea can not only be used as a health food but also possesses the possibility to treat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

A supergene underlies linked variation in color and morphology in a Holarctic songbird

The genetic architecture of a phenotype can have considerable effects on the evolution of a trait or species. Characterizing genetic architecture provides insight into the complexity of a given phenotype and, potentially, the role of the phenotype in evolutionary processes like speciation. We use genome sequences to investigate the genetic basis of phenotypic variation in redpoll finches (Acanthis spp.). We demonstrate that variation in redpoll phenotype is broadly controlled by a ~55-Mb chromosomal inversion. Within this inversion, we find multiple candidate genes related to melanogenesis, carotenoid coloration, and bill shape, suggesting the inversion acts as a supergene controlling multiple linked traits. A latitudinal gradient in ecotype distribution suggests supergene driven variation in color and bill morphology are likely under environmental selection, maintaining supergene haplotypes as a balanced polymorphism. Our results provide a mechanism for the maintenance of ecotype variation in redpolls despite a genome largely homogenized by gene flow.

FILIP1L Loss Is a Driver of Aggressive Mucinous Colorectal Adenocarcinoma and Mediates Cytokinesis Defects through PFDN1

Aneuploid mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma (MAC) is an aggressive subtype of colorectal cancer with poor prognosis. The tumorigenic mechanisms in aneuploid MAC are currently unknown. Here we show that downregulation of Filamin A-interacting protein 1-like (FILIP1L) is a driver of MAC. Loss of FILIP1L increased xenograft growth, and, in colon-specific knockout mice, induced colonic epithelial hyperplasia and mucin secretion. The molecular chaperone prefoldin 1 (PFDN1) was identified as a novel binding partner of FILIP1L at the centrosomes throughout mitosis. FILIP1L was required for proper centrosomal localization of PFDN1 and regulated proteasome-dependent degradation of PFDN1. Importantly, increased PFDN1, caused by downregulation of FILIP1L, drove multinucleation and cytokinesis defects in vitro and in vivo, which were confirmed by time-lapse imaging and 3D cultures of normal epithelial cells. Overall, these findings suggest that downregulation of FILIP1L and subsequent upregulation of PFDN1 is a driver of the unique neoplastic characteristics in aggressive aneuploid MAC. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies FILIP1L as a tumor suppressor in mucinous colon cancer and demonstrates that FILIP1L loss results in aberrant stabilization of a centrosome-associated chaperone protein to drive aneuploidy and disease progression.

Elevated Serum SFRP5 Levels During Preeclampsia and Its Potential Association with Trophoblast Dysfunction via Wnt/β-Catenin Suppression

Preeclampsia (PE) is a life-threatening pregnancy complication associated with diminished trophoblast migration and invasion. Wnt signalling is one of the most important regulators of placentation. Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is an anti-inflammatory adipokine that may inhibit Wnt signalling. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between SFRP5 and PE and its effect on trophoblast function, as well as the underlying signalling pathways. SFRP5 levels in the serum and placental tissues were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry, respectively. To evaluate the effect of SFRP5 on Wnt signalling, the human trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo was treated with recombinant human SFRP5 and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (Dkk-1, canonical Wnt inhibitor) proteins and lithium chloride (LiCl, canonical Wnt agonist). The migration and invasion ability of HTR8/SVneo cells was evaluated using wound-healing and Matrigel Transwell assays. The activities of multiple matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2/9 were detected using gelatin zymography. Expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β) and β-catenin proteins was investigated using western blotting. The serum SFRP5 levels were elevated in patients with PE, but SFRP5 expression was not detected in the placental tissues. Furthermore, SFRP5 inhibited the migration and invasion of HTR8/SVneo cells in vitro, increased GSK3β, and decreased β-catenin expression and MMP-2/9 activity in HTR8/SVneo cells. In conclusion, this study suggests that SFRP5 inhibits trophoblast migration and invasion potentially via the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, which might be involved in the development of PE. However, the primary cause of the increased SFRP5 levels needs to be investigated.

Comprehensive analyses of potential key genes in active tuberculosis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health problem that brings us numerous difficulties. Diverse genetic factors play a significant role in the progress of TB disease. However, still no key genes for TB susceptibility have been reported. This study aimed to identify the key genes of TB through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis.

METHODS

The series microarray datasets from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed. We used the online tool GEO2R to filtrate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TB and health control. Database for annotation can complete gene ontology function analysis as well as Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of DEGs were established by STRING online tool and visualized by Cytoscape software. Molecular Complex Detection can complete the analysis of modules in the PPI networks. Finally, the significant hub genes were confirmed by plug-in Genemania of Cytoscape, and verified by the verification cohort and protein test.

RESULTS

There are a total of 143 genes were confirmed as DEGs, containing 48 up-regulated genes and 50 down-regulated genes. The gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis show that upregulated DEGs were associated with cancer and phylogenetic, whereas downregulated DEGs mainly concentrate on inflammatory immunity. PPI networks show that signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), guanylate binding protein 5 (GBP5), 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1), catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1), and guanylate binding protein 1 (GBP1) were identified as significantly different hub genes.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that these genes, including TAT1, GBP5, OAS1, CTNNB1, GBP1 are a candidate as potential core genes in TB and treatment of TB in the future.

Clinically relevant aberrant Filip1l DNA methylation detected in a murine model of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) are among the most common and highly mutated human malignancies. Understanding the impact of DNA methylation in cSCC may provide avenues for new therapeutic strategies.

METHODS

We used reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing for DNA methylation analysis of murine cSCC. Differential methylation was assessed at the CpG level using limma. Next, we compared with human cSCC Infinium HumanMethylation BeadArray data. Genes were considered to be of major relevance when they featured at least one significantly differentially methylated CpGs (RRBS) / probes (Infinium) with at least a 30% difference between tumour vs. control in both a murine gene and its human orthologue. The human EPIC Infinium data were used to distinguish two cSCC subtypes, stem-cell-like and keratinocyte-like tumours.

FINDINGS

We found increased average methylation in mouse cSCC (by 12.8%, p = 0.0011) as well as in stem-cell like (by 3.1%, p=0.002), but not keratinocyte-like (0.2%, p = 0.98), human cSCC. Comparison of differentially methylated genes revealed striking similarities between human and mouse cSCC. Locus specific methylation changes in mouse cSCC often occurred in regions of potential regulatory function, including enhancers and promoters. A key differentially methylated region was located in a potential enhancer of the tumour suppressor gene Filip1l and its expression was reduced in mouse tumours. Moreover, the FILIP1L locus showed hypermethylation in human cSCC and lower expression in human cSCC cell lines.

INTERPRETATION

Deregulation of DNA methylation is an important feature of murine and human cSCC that likely contributes to silencing of tumour suppressor genes, as shown for Filip1l.

FUNDING

British Skin Foundation, Cancer Research UK.

LUZP1 Controls Cell Division, Migration and Invasion Through Regulation of the Actin Cytoskeleton

LUZP1 is a centrosomal and actin cytoskeleton-localizing protein that regulates both ciliogenesis and actin filament bundling. As the cytoskeleton and cilia are implicated in metastasis and tumor suppression, we examined roles for LUZP1 in the context of cancer. Here we show that LUZP1 exhibits frequent genomic aberrations in cancer, with a predominance of gene deletions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated loss of Luzp1 in mouse fibroblasts promotes cell migration and invasion features, reduces cell viability, and increases cell apoptosis, centriole numbers, and nuclear size while altering the actin cytoskeleton. Loss of Luzp1 also induced changes to ACTR3 (Actin Related Protein 3, also known as ARP3) and phospho-cofilin ratios, suggesting regulatory roles in actin polymerization, beyond its role in filament bundling. Our results point to an unprecedented role for LUZP1 in the regulation of cancer features through the control of actin cytoskeleton.

Exploration of identifying novel serum biomarkers for malignant mesothelioma using iTRAQ combined with 2D-LC-MS/MS

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Its poor prognosis makes early diagnosis extremely important, which would provide an opportunity for early treatment and potentially changing outcomes. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of MM and discover novel noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. Using Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) combined with two-dimensional liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (2D LC-MS/MS), a total of 145 differentially expressed serum proteins were identified between MM patients and healthy controls. The identified proteins were further analyzed by bioinformatics, out of which three candidate biomarkers (Filamin A (FLNA), Fibulin 1 (FBLN1) and Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1)) were validated in large cohorts of patients with asbestos-related diseases including MM patients by ELISA assay. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that serum FLNA, FBLN1 and TSP-1 had high diagnostic values in distinguishing MM patients from healthy controls, individuals with asbestos exposure (AE), and patients with pleural plaques (PP) or asbestosis. Meanwhile, serum FBLN1 and TSP-1 possessed good diagnostic values in distinguishing asbestosis patients from healthy controls and individuals with AE. The combination of FLNA, FBLN1, and TSP-1 proteins had higher sensitivity and specificity in discriminating patients with MM, PP and asbestosis. Our findings indicated that analysis of serum proteome using iTRAQ is a feasible strategy for biomarker discovery, and serum FLNA, FBLN1 and TSP-1 may be promising candidates for diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma and screening of at-risk individuals.

Transcriptome profiling unveils GAP43 regulates ABC transporters and EIF2 signaling in colorectal cancer cells

Background

The growth- and plasticity-associated protein-43 (GAP43) is biasedly expressed in indigestive system and nervous system. Recent study has shown that GAP43 is responsible for the development of neuronal growth and axonal regeneration in normal nervous tissue, while serves as a specific biomarker of relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma. However, its expression pattern and function in digestive system cancer remains to be clarified.

Methods

In this study, we examined the GAP43 status with qRT-PCR and bisulfite genomic sequencing in colorectal cancer (CRC). We investigated the effect of overexpressed GAP43 in CRC cells with RNA-seq. The RNA-seq data was analyzed with DAVID and IPA.

Results

GAP43 was downregulated in CRC compared to the adjacent tissues. DNA methylase inhibitor 5-Aza-CdR treatment could significantly induce GAP43, indicated that the silencing of GAP43 gene in CRC is closely related to DNA methylation. Bisulfite genomic sequencing confirmed the promoter methylation of GAP43 in CRC. To explore the transcriptional alterations by overexpressed GAP43 in CRC, we performed RNA-seq and found that upregulated genes were significantly enriched in the signaling pathways of ABC transporters and ECM-receptor interaction, while downregulated genes were significantly enriched in Ribosome signaling pathway. Further Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) showed that EIF2 signaling pathway was significantly repressed by overexpression of GAP43.

Conclusion

Our findings provide a novel mechanistic insight of GAP43 in CRC. Transcriptome profiling of overexpressed GAP43 in CRC uncovered the functional roles of GAP43 in the development of human CRC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-020-07728-x.

Histone H4R3 symmetric di-methylation by Prmt5 protects against cardiac hypertrophy via regulation of Filip1L/β-catenin

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although histone lysine methylation has been extensively studied for their participation in pathological cardiac hypertrophy, the potential regulatory role of histone arginine methylation remains to be elucidated. The present study focused on H4R3 symmetric di-methylation (H4R3me2s) induced by protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (Prmt5), and explored its epigenetic regulation and underlying mechanisms in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

1. The expressions of Prmt5 and H4R3me2s were suppressed in cardiac hypertrophy models in vivo and in vitro; 2. Prmt5 silencing or its inhibitor EPZ, or knockdown of cooperator of Prmt5 (Copr5) to disrupt H4R3me2s, facilitated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, whereas overexpression of wild type Prmt5 rather than the inactive mutant protected cardiomyocytes against hypertrophy; 3. ChIP-sequence analysis identified Filip1L as a target gene of Prmt5-induced H4R3me2s; 4. Knockdown or inhibition of Prmt5 impaired Filip1L transcription and subsequently prevented β-catenin degradation, thus augmenting cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study reveals that Prmt5-induced H4R3me2s ameliorates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by transcriptional upregulation of Filip1L and subsequent enhancement of β-catenin degradation. Deficiency of Prmt5 and the resulting suppression of H4R3me2s might facilitate the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Prmt5 might serve as a key epigenetic regulator in pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

Identification of key genes associated with progression and prognosis for lung squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is a major subtype of lung cancer with limited therapeutic options and poor clinical prognosis.

Methods

Three datasets (GSE19188, GSE33532 and GSE33479) were obtained from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LUSC and normal tissues were identified by GEO2R, and functional analysis was employed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) online tool. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) and hub genes were identified via the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) and Cytoscape software. Hub genes were further validated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Subsequently, survival analysis was performed using the Kapla-Meier curve and Cox progression analysis. Based on univariate and multivariate Cox progression analysis, a gene signature was established to predict overall survival. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the prognostic value of the model.

Results

A total of 116 up-regulated genes and 84 down-regulated genes were identified. These DEGs were mainly enriched in the two pathways: cell cycle and p53 signaling way. According to the degree of protein nodes in the PPI network, 10 hub genes were identified. The mRNA expression levels of the 10 hub genes in LUSC were also significantly up-regulated in the TCGA database. Furthermore, a novel seven-gene signature (FLRT3, PPP2R2C, MMP3, MMP12, CAPN8, FILIP1 and SPP1) from the DEGs was constructed and acted as a significant and independent prognostic signature for LUSC.

Conclusions

The 10 hub genes might be tightly correlated with LUSC progression. The seven-gene signature might be an independent biomarker with a significant predictive value in LUSC overall survival.

Wnt/β-catenin signalling in ovarian cancer: Insights into its hyperactivation and function in tumorigenesis

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the deadliest female malignancy. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays critical roles in regulating embryonic development and physiological processes. This pathway is tightly regulated to ensure its proper activity. In the absence of Wnt ligands, β-catenin is degraded by a destruction complex. When the pathway is stimulated by a Wnt ligand, β-catenin dissociates from the destruction complex and translocates into the nucleus where it interacts with TCF/LEF transcription factors to regulate target gene expression. Aberrant activation of this pathway, which leads to the hyperactivity of β-catenin, has been reported in ovarian cancer. Specifically, mutations of CTNNB1, AXIN, or APC, have been observed in the endometrioid and mucinous subtypes of EOC. In addition, upregulation of the ligands, abnormal activation of the receptors or intracellular mediators, disruption of the β-catenin destruction complex, inhibition of the association of β-catenin/E-cadherin on the cell membrane, and aberrant promotion of the β-catenin/TCF transcriptional activity, have all been reported in EOC, especially in the high grade serous subtype. Furthermore, several non-coding RNAs have been shown to regulate EOC development, in part, through the modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been reported to promote cancer stem cell self-renewal, metastasis, and chemoresistance in all subtypes of EOC. Emerging evidence also suggests that the pathway induces ovarian tumor angiogenesis and immune evasion. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays critical roles in EOC development and is a strong candidate for the development of targeted therapies.

DNMT1 recruited by EZH2-mediated silencing of miR-484 contributes to the malignancy of cervical cancer cells through MMP14 and HNF1A

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence indicates that dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) contributes to cervical cancer (CC) tumorigenesis and development. Previous work showed that miR-484 which regulated the EMT process was obviously downregulated in CC. However, little is known about the precise mechanism.

RESULTS

We found that the deficiency of EZH2-recruited DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 reduced the CpG methylation of miR-484 promoter and then increased the miR-484 expression. Furthermore, the cell membrane-bound matrix metalloproteinase (MMP14) and the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1A (HNF1A) were found to be downregulated by miR-484. miR-484 repressed the expression of MMP14 and HNF1A inhibiting CC growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Upregulation of MMP14 and HNF1A promotes the CC cell adhesion and EMT, all of which contribute to cell motility and metastasis. Moreover, miR-484 negatively regulates the WNT/MAPK and TNF signaling pathway by downregulating HNF1A and MMP14 respectively. Thus, miR-484, who is downregulated by DNMT1-mediated hypermethylation in its promoter, functions as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting MMP14 and HNF1A expression in CC.

CONCLUSION

Our finding characterizes miR-484 as a key suppressive regulator in CC metastasis and reveals a DNMT1-mediated epigenetic mechanism for miR-484 silencing, expanding our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying CC progression and metastasis.

In-Depth Characterization of Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomic Profiles Revealed Novel Signature Proteins Associated with Liver Metastatic Colorectal Cancers

Liver metastasis is the most common form of metastatic colorectal cancers during the course of the disease. The global change in protein abundance in liver metastatic colorectal cancers and its role in metastasis establishment have not been comprehensively analyzed. In the present study, fresh-frozen tissue samples including normal colon/localized/liver metastatic CRCs from each recruited patient were analyzed by quantitative proteomics using a multiplexed TMT labeling strategy. Around 5000 protein groups were quantified from all samples. The proteomic profile of localized/metastatic CRCs varied greatly from that of normal colon tissues; differential proteins were mainly from extracellular regions and participate in immune activities, which is crucial for the chronic inflammation signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment. Further statistical analysis revealed 47 proteins exhibiting statistical significance between localized and metastatic CRCs, of which FILI1P1 and PLG were identified for the first time in proteomic data, which were highly associated with liver metastasis in CRCs.

Surface-Modified Shortwave-Infrared-Emitting Nanophotonic Reporters for Gene-Therapy Applications

Gene therapy is emerging as the next generation of therapeutic modality with United States Food and Drug Administration approved gene-engineered therapy for cancer and a rare eye-related disorder, but the challenge of real-time monitoring of on-target therapy response remains. In this study, we have designed a theranostic nanoparticle composed of shortwave-infrared-emitting rare-earth-doped nanoparticles (RENPs) capable of delivering genetic cargo and of real-time response monitoring. We showed that the cationic coating of RENPs with branched polyethylenimine (PEI) does not have a significant impact on cellular toxicity, which can be further reduced by selectively modifying the surface characteristics of the PEI coating using counter-ions and expanding their potential applications in photothermal therapy. We showed the tolerability and clearance of a bolus dose of RENPs@PEI in mice up to 7 days after particle injection in addition to the RENPs@PEI ability to distinctively discern lung tumor lesions in a breast cancer mouse model with an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. We also showed the availability of amine functional groups in the collapsed PEI chain conformation on RENPs, which facilitates the loading of genetic cargo that hybridizes with target gene in an in vitro cancer model. The real-time monitoring and delivery of gene therapy at on-target sites will enable the success of an increased number of gene- and cell-therapy products in clinical trials.

Filamin A interacting protein 1-like expression inhibits progression in colorectal cancer

Filamin A interacting protein 1-like (FILIP1L) expression, which is decreased in various cancers, may inhibit carcinogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of FILIP1L on oncogenic behavior and prognosis in colorectal cancer. siRNA-mediated FILIP1L knockdown enhanced tumor cell migration and invasion and inhibited apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in COLO205 cells. pcDNA-myc vector-mediated FILIP1L overexpression suppressed tumor cell migration and invasion and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HCT116 cells. FILIP1L knockdown enhanced angiogenesis by increasing VEGF-A and HIF-1α levels and decreasing angiostatin level. FILIP1L overexpression suppressed angiogenesis by decreasing VEGF-A and -D l level and increasing angiostatin and endostatin levels. Phosphorylated β-catenin levels decreased and phosphorylated Akt and GSK-3β levels increased following FILIP1L knockdown. FILIP1L overexpression had the opposite effects. FILIP1L expression was associated with reductions in tumor size, cell differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, stage, invasion depth and lymph node metastasis, and with longer overall survival. Mean Ki-67 labeling indexes and microvessel density values were lower in FILIP1L-positive tumors than in FILIP1L-negative tumors. These results indicate that FILIP1L suppresses tumor progression by inhibiting cell proliferation and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer.

Reduced expression of FILIP1L, a novel WNT pathway inhibitor, is associated with poor survival, progression and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer

Filamin A interacting protein 1-like (FILIP1L) is an inhibitor of the canonical WNT pathway. WNT/β-catenin signaling and its downstream pathway, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), play a key role in ovarian cancer metastasis and chemoresistance. To study the clinical implications of FILIP1L in regulating the WNT/β-catenin pathway, the expression of FILIP1L, β-catenin, SNAIL and SLUG was analyzed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays of 369 ovarian samples ranging from normal to metastatic. In addition, the results were validated in mouse model and in vitro cell culture. In the present study, we demonstrated that FILIP1L expression was inversely correlated with poor prognosis, stage and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. Notably, low FILIP1L expression was independent negative prognostic factor with respect to overall and disease-free survival. FILIP1L inhibited peritoneal metastases in orthotopic mouse model. FILIP1L knockdown induced chemoresistance in ovarian cancer cells and this phenotype was rescued by simultaneous knockdown of FILIP1L and SLUG, an EMT activator. We also demonstrated that FILIP1L regulates β-catenin degradation. FILIP1L co-localizes with phospho-β-catenin and increases phospho-β-catenin at the centrosomes, destined for proteosomal degradation. Finally, we showed that FILIP1L regulates EMT. Overall, these findings suggest that FILIP1L promotes β-catenin degradation and suppresses EMT, thereby inhibiting metastases and chemoresistance. Our study provides the first clinical relevance of FILIP1L in human cancer, and suggests that FILIP1L may be a novel prognostic marker for chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients. Further, the modulation of FILIP1L expression may have the potential to be a target for cancer therapy.

Optical imaging of ovarian cancer using a matrix metalloproteinase-3-sensitive near-infrared fluorescent probe

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the seventh most common cancer among women worldwide. The 5-year survival rate for women with EOC is only 30%-50%, which is largely due to the typically late diagnosis of this condition. EOC is difficult to detect in its early stage because of its asymptomatic nature. Recently, near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) imaging has been developed as a potential tool for detecting EOC at the molecular level. In this study, a NIRF-sensitive probe was designed to detect matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in ovarian cancer cells. A cyanine fluorochrome was conjugated to the amino terminus of a peptide substrate with enzymatic specificity for MMP-3. To analyze the novel MMP-3 probe, an in vivo EOC model was established by subcutaneously implanting SKOV3 cells, a serous-type EOC cell line, in mice. This novel MMP-3-sensitive probe specifically reacted with only the active MMP-3 enzyme, resulting in a significantly enhanced NIRF emission intensity. Histological analysis demonstrated that MMP-3 expression and activity were enhanced in the stromal cells surrounding the ovarian cancer cells. These studies establish a molecular imaging reporter for diagnosing early-stage EOC. Additional studies are required to confirm the early-stage activity of MMP-3 in EOC and its diagnostic and prognostic significance.

Selenium-enriched polysaccharides from Pyracantha fortuneana (Se-PFPs) inhibit the growth and invasive potential of ovarian cancer cells through inhibiting β-catenin signaling

Polysaccharides from medicinal plants exert antitumor activity in many cancers. Our previous study demonstrated that polysaccharides extracted from the selenium-enriched Pyracantha fortuneana (Se-PFPs) showed antiproliferative effect in breast cancer cell line. This study aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of Se-PFPs in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Se-PFPs could decrease cell viability, induce apoptosis, and inhibit migratory and invasive potentials in HEY and SKOV3 cells. These findings are supported by reduced expression of cyclin D1, Bcl-2 and MMP-9, enhanced cleavage of PARP and caspase-3, elevated activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and EMT (epithelial to mesenchymal transition) inhibition (elevated expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 19, and reduced expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, ZEB1 and ZEB2). Moreover, Se-PFPs inhibited xenografted tumor growth through inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis. More importantly, Se-PFPs significantly reduced cytoplasmic β-catenin particularly nuclear β-catenin expression but increased β-catenin phosphorylation in a GSK-3β-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, β-catenin knockdown exerted similar effects on cell proliferation and invasion as seen in Se-PFPs-treated cells, while β-catenin overexpression neutralized the inhibitory effects of Se-PFPs on cell proliferation and invasion. Take together,Se-PFPs exert antitumor activity through inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT, and inducing cell apoptosis. These effects are achieved by the inhibition of β-catenin signaling. Thus Se-PFPs can be used as potential therapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of ovarian cancer.

Overexpression of ELF3 facilitates cell growth and metastasis through PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathways in non-small cell lung cancer

ELF3 is one of the member of transcription factors from E-twenty-six family, its role varies in different types of cancer. However, the role and specific mechanisms of ELF3 in the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still remains largely unknown. In our study, ELF3 was observed to be upregulated in NSCLC tissues compared to the corresponding normal lung tissue at mRNA and protein levels, and its expression level was correlated with the overall survival of patients with NSCLC. Silencing of the ELF3 gene in NSCLC cells inhibited the proliferation and metastasis significantly in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, overexpression of ELF3 in NSCLC cells promoted cancer growth and metastasis in vitro. Mechanistically, ELF3 activated PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling pathways and its downstream effectors, thus regulating the cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, the promotive effects of ELF3 on cellular proliferation and metastasis could be rescued by Ly294002 (inhibitor of PI3K) and U0126 (inhibitor of MEK1/2). The results show that ELF3 promotes cell growth and metastasis by regulating PI3K/Akt and ERK pathways in NSCLC and that it may be a promising new target for the treatment of NSCLC patients.

Chelerythrine Inhibits Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis in Vitro

Chelerythrine (CHE) is a type of benzophenanthridine alkaloid found in many herbs and is also the main alkaloid constituent of Toddalia asiatica (L.) LAM. It has been proven to have various activities including antitumor, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic effects. We have previously demonstrated that CHE can inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. However, the effect of CHE on the metastasis of HCC and its related molecular mechanisms have yet to be validated. In this study, we investigated the effects of CHE on the migration and invasion of the HCC cell line Hep3B. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), wounding healing, transwell migration and invasion assays and cytoskeleton staining demonstrated that CHE could inhibit the migration and invasion of Hep3B cells in a dose-dependent manner with change of cell structure. RNA interference studies made a knockdown of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 respectively in Hep3B cells. And the results of wounding healing and transwell invasion assay with the treatment of small interfering RNA (siRNA) investigated that MMP-2/9 are positively associated with Hep3B cell metastasis. The results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR showed that CHE suppressed the expression of MMP-2/9 at both mRNA and protein levels. CHE also exhibited an inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation of Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and p38. In summary, on Hep3B cells, CHE could change the cell cytoskeletal structures through reducing the expression of p-FAK and inhibit the metastasis of Hep3B cells by downregulating the expression of MMP-2/9 mainly through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Germline INDELs and CNVs in a cohort of colorectal cancer patients: their characteristics, associations with relapse-free survival time, and potential time-varying effects on the risk of relapse

INDELs and CNVs are structural variations that may play roles in cancer susceptibility and patient outcomes. Our objectives were a) to computationally detect and examine the genome‐wide INDEL/CNV profiles in a cohort of colorectal cancer patients, and b) to examine the associations of frequent INDELs/CNVs with relapse‐free survival time. We also identified unique variants in 13 Familial Colorectal Cancer Type X (FCCX) cases. The study cohort consisted of 495 colorectal cancer patients. QuantiSNP and PennCNV algorithms were utilized to predict the INDELs/CNVs using genome‐wide signal intensity data. Duplex PCR was used to validate predictions for 10 variants. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to test the associations of 106 common variants with relapse‐free survival time. Score test and the multivariable Cox proportional hazards models with time‐varying coefficients were applied to identify the variants with time‐varying effects on the relapse‐free survival time. A total of 3486 distinct INDELs/CNVs were identified in the patient cohort. The majority of these variants were rare (83%) and deletion variants (81%). The results of the computational predictions and duplex PCR results were highly concordant (93–100%). We identified four promising variants significantly associated with relapse‐free survival time (P < 0.05) in the multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models after adjustment for clinical factors. More importantly, two additional variants were identified to have time‐varying effects on the risk of relapse. Finally, 58 rare variants were identified unique to the FCCX cases; none of them were detected in more than one patient. This is one of the first genome‐wide analyses that identified the germline INDEL/CNV profiles in colorectal cancer patients. Our analyses identified novel variants and genes that can biologically affect the risk of relapse in colorectal cancer patients. Additionally, for the first time, we identified germline variants that can potentially be early‐relapse markers in colorectal cancer.

Long-Lasting WNT-TCF Response Blocking and Epigenetic Modifying Activities of Withanolide F in Human Cancer Cells

The WNT-TCF signaling pathway participates in adult tissue homeostasis and repair, and is hyperactive in a number of human diseases including cancers of the colon. Whereas to date there are no antagonists approved for patient use, a potential problem for their sustained use is the blockade of WNT signaling in healthy tissues, thus provoking potentially serious co-lateral damage. Here we have screened a library of plant and microorganism small molecules for novel WNT signaling antagonists and describe withanolide F as a potent WNT-TCF response blocker. This steroidal lactone inhibits TCF-dependent colon cancer xenograft growth and mimics the effects of genetic blockade of TCF and of ivermectin, a previously reported WNT-TCF blocker. However, withanolide F is unique in that it imposes a long-lasting repression of tumor growth, WNT-TCF targets and cancer stem cell clonogenicity after drug treatment. These findings are paralleled by its modulation of chromatin regulators and its alteration of overall H3K4me1 levels. Our results open up the possibility to permanently repress essential signaling responses in cancer cells through limited treatments with small molecules.

Means to the ends: The role of telomeres and telomere processing machinery in metastasis

Despite significant clinical advancements, cancer remains a leading cause of mortality throughout the world due largely to the process of metastasis and the dissemination of cancer cells from their primary tumor of origin to distant secondary sites. The clinical burden imposed by metastasis is further compounded by a paucity of information regarding the factors that mediate metastatic progression. Linear chromosomes are capped by structures known as telomeres, which dictate cellular lifespan in humans by shortening progressively during successive cell divisions. Although telomere shortening occurs in nearly all somatic cells, telomeres may be elongated via two seemingly disjoint pathways: (i) telomerase-mediated extension, and (ii) homologous recombination-based alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Both telomerase and ALT are activated in various human cancers, with more recent evidence implicating both pathways as potential mediators of metastasis. Here we review the known roles of telomere homeostasis in metastasis and posit a mechanism whereby metastatic activity is determined by a dynamic fluctuation between ALT and telomerase, as opposed to the mere activation of a generic telomere elongation program. Additionally, the pleiotropic nature of the telomere processing machinery makes it an attractive therapeutic target for metastasis, and as such, we also explore the therapeutic implications of our proposed mechanism.

scan_tcga tools for integrated epigenomic and transcriptomic analysis of tumor subgroups

Aim: The Cancer Genome Atlas contains multiple levels of genomic data (mutation, gene expression, DNA methylation, copy number variation) for 33 cancer types for almost 11,000 patients. However, a dearth of appropriate software tools makes it difficult for bench scientists to use these data effectively. Materials & methods: Here, we present a suite of flexible, fast and command line-based scripts that will allow retrieval and analysis of DNA methylation (tool: scan_tcga_methylation.awk), mRNA (tool: scan_tcga_mRNA.awk) and miRNA expression (tool: scan_tcga_miRNAs.awk) from cancer genome atlas network level 3 data. Results: We demonstrate the utility of these tools by analyzing DNA methylation and mRNA expression signatures of 60 frequently deregulated cancer genes and also of 30 miRNAs in primary (n = 102) and metastatic melanoma patients (n = 367). Conclusion: Our analysis illustrates the validity of the scan_tcga tools and reveals the epigenomic signatures and importance of identifying smaller patient subgroups with distinct molecular profiles.

Intelectin 1 suppresses tumor progression and is associated with improved survival in gastric cancer

Recent evidence shows the emerging roles of intelectin 1 (ITLN1), a secretory lectin, in human cancers. Our previous studies have implicated the potential roles of ITLN1 in the aggressiveness of gastric cancer. Herein, we investigated the functions, downstream targets, and clinical significance of ITLN1 in the progression of gastric cancer. We demonstrated that ITLN1 increased the levels of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α), resulting in suppression of nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of β-catenin in gastric cancer cells. Mechanistically, ITLN1 attenuated the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B, a transcription factor repressing the HNF4α expression, in gastric cancer cells through inactivating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/Ikappa B kinase signaling. Gain- and loss-of-function studies demonstrated that ITLN1 suppressed the growth, invasion, and metastasis of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, restoration of HNF4α expression prevented the gastric cancer cells from ITLN1-mediated changes in these biological features. In clinical gastric cancer tissues, HNF4α expression was positively correlated with that of ITLN1. Patients with high ITLN1 or HNF4α expression had greater survival probability. Taken together, these data indicate that ITLN1 suppresses the progression of gastric cancer through up-regulation of HNF4α, and is associated with improved survival in patients with gastric cancer.

Diosmetin inhibits the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by downregulating the expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most malignant types of tumor worldwide with a high rate of mortality. Diosmetin (DIOS) exhibits various activities, including anticancer activities. However, the role of DIOS in the metastasis of HCC, and its underlying molecular mechanism, remain to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the antimetastatic effects of DIOS were investigated in SK‑HEP‑1 and MHcc97H HCC cell lines. Cell proliferation, wound healing, motility, invasion and adhesion capacities were examined to evaluate the inhibitory effect of DIOS on the metastasis of HCC cells. Cell viability was detected using an MTT assay in order to verify the inhibitory effect of DIOS on the proliferation of HCC cells. Cell migration was assessed using would healing and motility assays in order to verify the inhibitory effect of DIOS on the migration of HCC cells. Cell invasion and adhesion assays were performed in order to verify the inhibitory effect of DIOS on the invasion and adhesion of HCC cells. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‑2/9, proteins of the mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway (c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase, extracellular signal‑regulated kinase and p38 MAPK) and protein kinase C‑δ were detected in order to verify the potential molecular mechanisms of DIOS in the inhibition of the metastasis of HCC cells. DIOS was observed to inhibit the metastasis of SK‑HEP‑1 and MHcc97H cells by downregulating the expression of MMP‑2/9 via the PKC/MAPK/MMP pathways. DIOS also inhibited the migration and invasion of the HCC cells, and may serve as a potential candidate agent for the prevention of HCC metastasis.

CD151 knockdown inhibits osteosarcoma metastasis through the GSK-3β/β-catenin/MMP9 pathway

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary bone malignancy with a high early metastatic propensity. It is crucial to find specific protein targets to develop therapeutic strategies against this lethal disease. Tetraspanin CD151 is involved in facilitating tumor metastasis. However, the role and molecular mechanism of CD151 in promoting OS metastasis remain enigmatic. In the present study, we used small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit CD151 expression in highly metastatic OS cells and the results demonstrated that CD151 knockdown inhibited their migration, invasion and metastasis. We further investigated the molecular mechanism of CD151 by inhibiting genes known to be involved in metastasis in OS cells and found that CD151 modulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) expression through the glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3β)/β-catenin signaling pathway. We conclude that CD151 knockdown inhibits the expression of MMP9 through the GSK-3β/β‑catenin pathway and also inhibits OS migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo in highly metastatic OS. This suggests that CD151 may be a useful antimetastatic target for OS.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote cell proliferation and invasion of epithelial ovarian cancer

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADSC) is an important component of tumor microenvironment. However, whether ADSCs have a hand in ovarian cancer progression remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of human ADSCs derived from the omentum of normal donors on human epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells in vitro and in vivo. Direct and indirect co-culture models including ADSCs and human EOC cell lines were established and the effects of ADSCs on EOC cell proliferation were evaluated by EdU incorporation and flow cytometry. Transwell migration assays and detection of MMPs were performed to assess the invasion activity of EOC cells in vitro. Mouse models were established by intraperitoneal injection of EOC cells with or without concomitant ADSCs to investigate the role of ADSCs in tumor progression in vivo. We found that ADSCs significantly promoted proliferation and invasion of EOC cells in both direct and indirect co-culture assays. In addition, after co-culture with ADSCs, EOC cells secreted higher levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and inhibition of MMP2 and MMP9 partially relieved the tumor-promoting effects of ADSCs in vitro. In mouse xenograft models, we confirmed that ADSCs promoted EOC growth and metastasis and elevated the expression of MMP2 and MMP9. Our findings indicate that omental ADSCs play a promotive role during ovarian cancer progression.

Sohlh2 inhibits human ovarian cancer cell invasion and metastasis by transcriptional inactivation of MMP9

Identifying key mediators of cancer invasion and metastasis is crucial to the development of new and more effective therapies. We previously identified Sohlh2 as an important inhibitor of ovarian cancer cell proliferation. However, the function of Sohlh2 in cell migration and invasion remains unknown. In this paper, we report a novel Sohlh2 to MMP9 signaling pathway in the invasive ovarian cancer. Using immunohistochemistry staining, we revealed Sohlh2 expression was inversely correlated with the invasive human ovarian cancers. In vitro experiments, forced expression of Sohlh2 led to a significant reduction in cancer cell migration and invasion. Conversely, silencing of Sohlh2 enhanced ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion. Experiments using nude mice demonstrated that the ectopic Sohlh2 expression inhibited the HO8910 cell capability of the metastasis to the lungs and livers. Ectopic overexpression of Sohlh2 in the invasive HO8910 cells reduced the MMP9 expression, whereas Sohlh2 knockdown from the non-invasive, SKOV3 cells increased the MMP9 expression. Promoter activation and binding analyses indicated that Sohlh2 repressed the MMP9 expression by directly acting on the MMP9 gene promoter. Inhibition of MMP9 dramatically blocked the Sohlh2 knockdown-enhanced SKOV3 cell invasion, and ectopic expression of MMP9 compensated for the anti-invasive activity of Sohlh2 in HO8910 cells. Overall, these results demonstrate for the first time that Sohlh2 functions as a tumor metastasis suppressor. Modulation of Sohlh2 expression has the potential to be a target for cancer therapy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer: A systematic review

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The present article summarizes and analyzes the current knowledge about the role of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the systemic invasiveness of pancreatic cancer.

METHOD

An electronic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Web of Science was used to identify relevant original articles and reviews.

RESULTS

The EMT represents a key step during normal embryogenesis. However, increasing evidence reveals its essential role in the local progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Areas of interest are the cross-linking between cells undergoing the EMT and pancreatic cancer stem cells, and the correlation between the EMT and chemoresistance to standard therapies. During carcinogenesis, malignant pancreatic cells at the primary site acquire the ability to undergo the EMT, a transformation associated with increased mobility. The reverse process at secondary sites, the mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET), has devastating consequences, allowing neoplastic epithelial cells to invade surrounding tissues and spread to distant sites. Consequences of the EMT are the loss of E-cadherin expression and the acquisition of mesenchymal markers including fibronectin or vimentin. Detailed knowledge of the molecular processes underlying the EMT has opened possibilities for new therapeutic agents. These include an EMT approach for patients with early cancers, to prevent invasion and dissemination, and anti-MET therapy for patients with established metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The current literature shows a strong correlation between the EMT and the systemic aggressiveness of pancreatic tumors. Individualized therapy, targeting the process of EMT and its cross-linking with cancer stem cells, may increase survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Secernin-1 contributes to colon cancer progression through enhancing matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 exocytosis

Emerging evidence shows that exocytosis plays a key role in tumor development and metastasis. Secernin-1 (SCRN1) is a novel regulator of exocytosis. Our previous work identified SCRN1 as a tumor-associated gene by bioinformatics analysis of transcriptomes. In this study, we demonstrated the aberrant overexpression of SCRN1 at mRNA and protein level in colon cancer. We also revealed that overexpression of SCRN1 was significantly associated with the tumor development and poor prognosis. Experiments in vitro validated that SCRN1 may promote cancer cell proliferation and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP-2/9) proteins to accelerate tumor progression.

Genetic study of intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Rupture of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) causes subarachnoid hemorrhage, leading to immediate death or severe disability. Identification of the genetic factors involved is critical for disease prevention and treatment. We aimed to identify the susceptibility genes for IAs.

METHODS

Exome sequencing was performed in 12 families with histories of multiple cases of IA (number of cases per family ≥3), with a total of 42 cases. Various filtering strategies were used to select the candidate variants. Replicate association studies of several candidate variants were performed in probands of 24 additional IA families and 426 sporadic IA cases. Functional analysis for the mutations was conducted.

RESULTS

After sequencing and filtering, 78 variants were selected for the following reasons: allele frequencies of variants in 42 patients was significantly (P<0.05) larger than expected; variants were completely shared by all patients with IA within ≥1 family; variants predicted damage to the structure or function of the protein by PolyPhen-2 (Polymorphism Phenotyping V2) and SIFT (Sorting Intolerance From Tolerant). We selected 10 variants from 9 genes (GPR63, ADAMST15, MLL2, IL10RA, PAFAH2, THBD, IL11RA, FILIP1L, and ZNF222) to form 78 candidate variants by considering commonness in families, known disease genes, or ontology association with angiogenesis. Replicate association studies revealed that only p.E133Q in ADAMTS15 was aggregated in the familial IA cases (odds ratio, 5.96; 95% confidence interval, 2.40-14.82; P=0.0001; significant after the Bonferroni correction [P=0.05/78=0.0006]). Silencing ADAMTS15 and overexpression of ADAMTS15 p.E133Q accelerated endothelial cell migration, suggesting that ADAMTS15 may have antiangiogenic activity.

CONCLUSIONS

ADAMTS15 is a candidate gene for IAs.

DIXDC1 activates the Wnt signaling pathway and promotes gastric cancer cell invasion and metastasis

DIXDC1 (Dishevelled-Axin domain containing 1) is a DIX (Dishevelled-Axin) domain-possessing protein that promotes colon cancer cell proliferation and increases the invasion and migration ability of non-small-cell lung cancer via the PI3K pathway. As a positive regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, the biological role of DIXDC1 in human gastric cancer and the relationship between DIXDC1 and the Wnt pathway are unclear. In the current study, the upregulation of DIXDC1 was detected in gastric cancer and was associated with advanced TNM stage cancer, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis. We also found that the overexpression of DIXDC1 could promote the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells. The upregulation of MMPs and the downregulation of E-cadherin were found to be involved in the process. DIXDC1 enhanced β-catenin nuclear accumulation, which activated the Wnt pathway. Additionally, the inhibition of β-catenin in DIXDC1-overexpressing cells reversed the metastasis promotion effects of DIXDC1. These results demonstrate that the expression of DIXDC1 is associated with poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients and that DIXDC1 promotes gastric cancer invasion and metastasis through the activation of the Wnt pathway; E-cadherin and MMPs are also involved in this process. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Wnt3a increases the metastatic potential of non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro in part via its upregulation of Notch3

Metastasis is the leading cause of death in lung cancer. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the process of metastasis is crucial for identifying novel anti-metastatic therapies. Studies indicate that the highly conserved developmental pathways, such as the Wnt and Notch signaling pathways, play important roles in the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumorigenesis. However, the roles of both pathways in NSCLC metastasis are unclear. The present study aimed to investigate whether Wnt3a and Notch3, key components of the Wnt and Notch signaling pathways, respectively, regulate the metastatic abilities of NSCLC cells and whether there is some relationship during these regulatory events. Here, we observed that Wnt3a treatment upregulated, not only the protein expression of Notch3, but also the mRNA expression of Notch3 and its downstream genes, HES1 and HEYL. In addition, Wnt3a promoted cell invasion and anchorage-independent growth. Meanwhile, Wnt3a treatment caused epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like morphological changes and F-actin reorganization. The western blotting data showed that Wnt3a treatment decreased the expression of E-cadherin and increased the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin. Compared with Wnt3a treatment, Notch3 shRNA transfection had opposite effects. Furthermore, Notch3 shRNA weakened the effects of Wnt3a treatment on the in vitro cell invasion and EMT. Overall, these observations suggest that Wnt3a and Notch3 may promote the metastasis of NSCLC and Notch3 upregulation is required for the Wnt3a mediated increased metastatic abilities of NSCLC.

The effects of the CCR6/CCL20 biological axis on the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Chemokines and their receptors have recently been shown to play major roles in cancer metastasis. Chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) and its ligand, CCL20, were highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. In our present study, we aimed to clarify whether CCR6/CCL20 was correlated with the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RT-PCR and Western blot results showed that CCR6 was overexpressed in different invasive potential HCC cell lines (p<0.05), while the expression of CCL20 had no obvious difference (p>0.05). CCR6 was suppressed by siRNA in HCCLM6, and then the biological behaviors of HCCLM6 cells were observed. The results showed that the CCR6/CCL20 biological axis increased the capacity of proliferation and adhesion, as well as the chemotactic migration and the level of cytokines related to degraded extracellular matrix. In conclusion, these findings indicate that CCR6 indeed participates in regulating the migration and invasion of HCC, and it might become a prognostic factor of HCC.