1
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Tang L, He D, Su B. Nrf2: A critical participant in regulation of apoptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy in gastric cancer. Acta Histochem 2024; 126:152203. [PMID: 39342913 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2024.152203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 09/18/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) is a specific transcription factor that maintains redox homeostasis by regulating the expression of anti-oxidative stress-related genes. Hyperactivation of Nrf2 is involved in tumor progression and is associated with chemoresistance in a large number of solid tumors. Programmatic cell death (PCD), such as apoptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy, plays a crucial role in tumor development and chemotherapy sensitivity. Accumulating evidence suggests that some anti-tumor compounds and genes can induce massive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via inhibiting Nrf2 expression, which exacerbates oxidative stress and promotes Gastric cancer (GC) cell death, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of GC cells to chemotherapy-induced PCD. In this review, we summarize the role of antitumor drugs in interfering in three different types of PCD (apoptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy) in GC cells by modulating Nrf2 expression, as well as the molecular mechanisms through which targeting Nrf2 brings about PCD and chemosensitivity. It is reasonable to believe that Nrf2 serves as a potential therapeutic target, and targeting Nrf2 by drug or gene regulation could provide a new strategy for the treatment of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- LiJie Tang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - DongXiu He
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Bo Su
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
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2
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Farrell R, Pascuzzi N, Chen YL, Kim M, Torres M, Gollahon L, Chen KHE. Prolactin Drives Iron Release from Macrophages and Uptake in Mammary Cancer Cells through CD44. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8941. [PMID: 39201626 PMCID: PMC11354873 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential element for human health. In humans, dysregulated iron homeostasis can result in a variety of disorders and the development of cancers. Enhanced uptake, redistribution, and retention of iron in cancer cells have been suggested as an "iron addiction" pattern in cancer cells. This increased iron in cancer cells positively correlates with rapid tumor growth and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which forms the basis for tumor metastasis. However, the source of iron and the mechanisms cancer cells adopt to actively acquire iron is not well understood. In the present study, we report, for the first time, that the peptide hormone, prolactin, exhibits a novel function in regulating iron distribution, on top of its well-known pro-lactating role. When stimulated by prolactin, breast cancer cells increase CD44, a surface receptor mediating the endocytosis of hyaluronate-bound iron, resulting in the accumulation of iron in cancer cells. In contrast, macrophages, when treated by prolactin, express more ferroportin, the only iron exporter in cells, giving rise to net iron output. Interestingly, when co-culturing macrophages with pre-stained labile iron pools and cancer cells without any iron staining, in an iron free condition, we demonstrate direct iron flow from macrophages to cancer cells. As macrophages are one of the major iron-storage cells and it is known that macrophages infiltrate tumors and facilitate their progression, our work therefore presents a novel regulatory role of prolactin to drive iron flow, which provides new information on fine-tuning immune responses in tumor microenvironment and could potentially benefit the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reagan Farrell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (R.F.); (N.P.); (M.T.); (L.G.)
| | - Nicholas Pascuzzi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (R.F.); (N.P.); (M.T.); (L.G.)
| | - Yi-Ling Chen
- Department of Electronic Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 80778, Taiwan
| | - Mary Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (R.F.); (N.P.); (M.T.); (L.G.)
| | - Miguel Torres
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (R.F.); (N.P.); (M.T.); (L.G.)
| | - Lauren Gollahon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (R.F.); (N.P.); (M.T.); (L.G.)
| | - Kuan-Hui Ethan Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (R.F.); (N.P.); (M.T.); (L.G.)
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3
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He J, Qiu Z, Fan J, Xie X, Sheng Q, Sui X. Drug tolerant persister cell plasticity in cancer: A revolutionary strategy for more effective anticancer therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:209. [PMID: 39138145 PMCID: PMC11322379 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01891-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-genetic mechanisms have recently emerged as important drivers of anticancer drug resistance. Among these, the drug tolerant persister (DTP) cell phenotype is attracting more and more attention and giving a predominant non-genetic role in cancer therapy resistance. The DTP phenotype is characterized by a quiescent or slow-cell-cycle reversible state of the cancer cell subpopulation and inert specialization to stimuli, which tolerates anticancer drug exposure to some extent through the interaction of multiple underlying mechanisms and recovering growth and proliferation after drug withdrawal, ultimately leading to treatment resistance and cancer recurrence. Therefore, targeting DTP cells is anticipated to provide new treatment opportunities for cancer patients, although our current knowledge of these DTP cells in treatment resistance remains limited. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the formation characteristics and underlying drug tolerant mechanisms of DTP cells, investigate the potential drugs for DTP (including preclinical drugs, novel use for old drugs, and natural products) based on different medicine models, and discuss the necessity and feasibility of anti-DTP therapy, related application forms, and future issues that will need to be addressed to advance this emerging field towards clinical applications. Nonetheless, understanding the novel functions of DTP cells may enable us to develop new more effective anticancer therapy and improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun He
- Department of Medical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Zejing Qiu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Jingjing Fan
- Department of Medical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Xiaohong Xie
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Qinsong Sheng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xinbing Sui
- Department of Medical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China.
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China.
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4
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Niebora J, Woźniak S, Domagała D, Data K, Farzaneh M, Zehtabi M, Dari MAG, Pour FK, Bryja A, Kulus M, Mozdziak P, Dzięgiel P, Kempisty B. The role of ncRNAs and exosomes in the development and progression of endometrial cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1418005. [PMID: 39188680 PMCID: PMC11345653 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1418005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecologic cancers. In recent years, research has focused on the genetic characteristics of the tumors to detail their prognosis and tailor therapy. In the case of EC, genetic mutations have been shown to underlie their formation. It is very important to know the mechanisms of EC formation related to mutations induced by estrogen, among other things. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), composed of nucleotide transcripts with very low protein-coding capacity, are proving to be important. Their expression patterns in many malignancies can inhibit tumor formation and progression. They also regulate protein coding at the epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional levels. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), several varieties of which are associated with normal endometrium as well as its tumor, also play a particularly important role in gene expression. MiRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) affect many pathways in EC tissues and play important roles in cancer development, invasion, and metastasis, as well as resistance to anticancer drugs through mechanisms such as suppression of apoptosis and progression of cancer stem cells. It is also worth noting that miRNAs are highly precise, sensitive, and robust, making them potential markers for diagnosing gynecologic cancers and their progression. Unfortunately, as the incidence of EC increases, treatment becomes challenging and is limited to invasive tools. The prospect of using microRNAs as potential candidates for diagnostic and therapeutic use in EC seems promising. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that are released from many types of cells, including cancer cells. They contain proteins, DNA, and various types of RNA, such as miRNAs. The noncoding RNA components of exosomes vary widely, depending on the physiology of the tumor tissue and the cells from which they originate. Exosomes contain both DNA and RNA and have communication functions between cells. Exosomal miRNAs mediate communication between EC cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and play a key role in tumor cell proliferation and tumor microenvironment formation. Oncogenes carried by tumor exosomes induce malignant transformation of target cells. During the synthesis of exosomes, various factors, such as genetic and proteomic data are upregulated. Thus, they are considered an interesting therapeutic target for the diagnosis and prognosis of endometrial cancer by analyzing biomarkers contained in exosomes. Expression of miRNAs, particularly miR-15a-5p, was elevated in exosomes derived from the plasma of EC patients. This may suggest the important utility of this biomarker in the diagnosis of EC. In recent years, researchers have become interested in the topic of prognostic markers for EC, as there are still too few identified markers to support the limited treatment of endometrial cancer. Further research into the effects of ncRNAs and exosomes on EC may allow for cancer treatment breakthroughs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Niebora
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Sławomir Woźniak
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dominika Domagała
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Data
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Maryam Farzaneh
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Zehtabi
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahrokh Abouali Gale Dari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Khojasteh Pour
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Artur Bryja
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kulus
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Paul Mozdziak
- Physiology Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Piotr Dzięgiel
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Kempisty
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
- Physiology Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital and Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
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5
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Aydin H, Ozcelikkale A, Acar A. Exploiting Matrix Stiffness to Overcome Drug Resistance. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:4682-4700. [PMID: 38967485 PMCID: PMC11322920 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Drug resistance is arguably one of the biggest challenges facing cancer research today. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance in tumor progression and metastasis are essential in developing better treatment modalities. Given the matrix stiffness affecting the mechanotransduction capabilities of cancer cells, characterization of the related signal transduction pathways can provide a better understanding for developing novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we aimed to summarize the recent advancements in tumor matrix biology in parallel to therapeutic approaches targeting matrix stiffness and its consequences in cellular processes in tumor progression and metastasis. The cellular processes governed by signal transduction pathways and their aberrant activation may result in activating the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cancer stemness, and autophagy, which can be attributed to drug resistance. Developing therapeutic strategies to target these cellular processes in cancer biology will offer novel therapeutic approaches to tailor better personalized treatment modalities for clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakan
Berk Aydin
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical
University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Altug Ozcelikkale
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Middle East Technical
University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
- Graduate
Program of Biomedical Engineering, Middle
East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Acar
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical
University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
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6
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Zeng J, Yang L, Zeng L, Feng C, Yang Y, Ye Y, Zhang W, He J, Zhang C. Visualizing cancer resistance via nano-quenching and recovery detector of CD44. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:452. [PMID: 39080641 PMCID: PMC11289946 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02732-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance to chemotherapy in cancers remains significant clinical challenges. CD44 modulates cellular adhesion, migration and growth, which plays a pivotal role in driving cancer resistance and even recurrence. Despite ongoing efforts, accurate, safe, and real-time dynamic monitoring techniques for CD44 expression remain inadequate in guiding the management of drug-resistant cancer treatment. In this study, we developed a nano-quenching and recovery detector of CD44 (Cy3-AptCD44@BPNSs) for visualizing cancer drug resistance. The fluorescence recovery of the detector is directly related to the CD44 expression level on cancer cells, which can be used to indicate the degree of drug resistance. It's confirmed that downregulating CD44 expression on cancer cells results in a corresponding decrease in the fluorescence intensity of the detector, which enables precise and dynamic monitoring of CD44. In addition, the Cy3-AptCD44@BPNSs also exhibited specificity in detecting CD44. This visualizing strategy may open up a wide range of possibilities for rapid recognition to cancer drug resistance, which is more efficient and flexible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialin Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Lihua Yang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Lingke Zeng
- Department of Pathology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengyu Feng
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuepeng Yang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingying Ye
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenxin Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jian He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, Guangdong, China.
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7
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Farhangnia P, Ghods R, Falak R, Zarnani AH, Delbandi AA. Identification of placenta-specific protein 1 (PLAC-1) expression on human PC-3 cell line-derived prostate cancer stem cells compared to the tumor parental cells. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:251. [PMID: 38943028 PMCID: PMC11213845 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01121-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Placenta-specific protein 1 (PLAC-1) is a gene primarily expressed in the placenta and the testis. Interestingly, it is also found to be expressed in many solid tumors, and it is involved in malignant cell features. However, no evidence has been reported regarding the relationship between PLAC-1 and cancer stem cells (CSCs). In the current research, we explored the expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) derived from the human PC-3 cell line. The enrichment of PCSCs was achieved using a three-dimensional cell culture technique known as the sphere-formation assay. To confirm the identity of PCSCs, we examined the expression of genes associated with stemness and pluripotency, such as SOX2, OCT4, Nanog, C-Myc, and KLF-4, as well as stem cell differentiation molecules like CD44 and CD133. These evaluations were conducted in both the PCSCs and the original tumor cells (parental cells) using real-time PCR and flow cytometry. Subsequently, we assessed the expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in both enriched cells and parental tumor cells at the gene and protein levels using the same techniques. The tumor cells from the PC-3 cell line formed spheroids with CSC characteristics in a non-adherent medium. The expression of SOX2, OCT4, Nanog, and C-Myc genes (p < 0.01), and the molecules CD44 and CD133 (p < 0.05) were significantly elevated in PCSCs compared to the parental cells. The expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in PCSCs showed a significant increase compared to the parental cells at both gene (p < 0.01) and protein (p < 0.001) levels. In conclusion, it was indicated for the first time that PLAC-1 is up-regulated in PCSCs derived from human PC-3 cell line. This study may propose PLAC-1 as a potential target in targeted therapies, which should be confirmed through further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Ghods
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Falak
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir-Hassan Zarnani
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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8
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Berrino C, Omar A. Unravelling the Mysteries of the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway in Cancer Stem Cells: Activity, Crosstalk and Regulation. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:5397-5419. [PMID: 38920995 PMCID: PMC11202538 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway plays a critical role in normal development and tissue homeostasis, guiding cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Aberrant activation of this pathway, however, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cancers, largely due to its role in regulating cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are a subpopulation of cancer cells with the ability to self-renew, differentiate, and initiate tumour growth, contributing significantly to tumorigenesis, recurrence, and resistance to therapy. This review focuses on the intricate activity of the Shh pathway within the context of CSCs, detailing the molecular mechanisms through which Shh signalling influences CSC properties, including self-renewal, differentiation, and survival. It further explores the regulatory crosstalk between the Shh pathway and other signalling pathways in CSCs, highlighting the complexity of this regulatory network. Here, we delve into the upstream regulators and downstream effectors that modulate Shh pathway activity in CSCs. This review aims to cast a specific focus on the role of the Shh pathway in CSCs, provide a detailed exploration of molecular mechanisms and regulatory crosstalk, and discuss current and developing inhibitors. By summarising key findings and insights gained, we wish to emphasise the importance of further elucidating the interplay between the Shh pathway and CSCs to develop more effective cancer therapies.
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9
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Dehbokri SG, Noorolyai S, Baghbani E, Moghaddamneshat N, Javaheri T, Baradaran B. Effects of CD44 siRNA on inhibition, survival, and apoptosis of breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and 4T1). Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:646. [PMID: 38727931 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09572-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Despite the many advances that have been made in treating patients, many patients are still resistant to treatment. CD44 is one of the surface glycoproteins of BC cells that plays an important role in the proliferation of these cells and inhibition of their apoptosis. Therefore, targeting it can be a treatment way for BC patients. METHODS In this study, the effect of anti-CD44 siRNA on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration rate of MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells was investigated. The techniques used in this study were MTT assay, RT-PCR, and flow cytometry. RESULTS The apoptosis and proliferation rates in CD44 siRNA-treated cells were higher and lower, respectively, compared to untreated cells. Also, cell migration was less in treated cells compared to untreated cells. CD44 siRNA also decreased the expression of CXCR4, c-myc, Vimentin, ROCK, and MMP-9. CONCLUSION Finally, CD44 targeting can be a good treatment option to make BC cells more sensitive to apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saeed Noorolyai
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Daneshghah Ave, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Baghbani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Daneshghah Ave, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nilofar Moghaddamneshat
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Islamic Azad University of Center Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tohid Javaheri
- Young Researchers and Elites Club, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Daneshghah Ave, Tabriz, Iran.
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10
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Saliu TP, Seneviratne NN, Faizan M, Rajagopalan U, Perera DC, Adhikari A, Senathilake KS, Galhena P, Tennekoon KH, Samarakoon SR. In silico identification and in vitro validation of alpha-hederin as a potent inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in breast cancer stem cells. In Silico Pharmacol 2024; 12:31. [PMID: 38617708 PMCID: PMC11014832 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-024-00199-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a vital role in metastasis, recurrence and chemoresistance in breast cancer. β-catenin, which is a frequently over activated protein in CSCs, binds to T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (Tcf/Lef) family transcription factors leading to ectopic expression of Wnt pathway responsive genes necessary for the maintenance and action of CSCs. With the aim of identifying a small molecules that can effectively eliminate CSCs, molecular docking studies were performed against the Tcf/Lef binding hotspot on β-catenin using a library of 100 natural or synthetic small molecules. Small molecule ligands giving docking energy better than - 7 kcal/mol were further investigated by binding interactions analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. These compounds were then investigated in vitro, for cytotoxicity against CSCs isolated from MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast cancer cells. Alpha-hederin (AH) was identified as the only compound in the selected library that has cytotoxicity against breast CSCs. AH was further investigated for it's ability to regulate Wnt pathway target genes (Cyclin D1 and CD44)and the tumor suppressor p53by real-time quantitative PCR. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity properties of the AH was predicted in silico. AH significantly down regulated the transcription of Cyclin D1 and CD44 while up-regulating the transcription of p53. AH was predicted to have acceptable drug likeness. Although AH is currently known to inhibit the growth of various cancer cells in vitro, present study demonstrated for the first time that it is a potent inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and induce apoptosis in breast CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tolulope Peter Saliu
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, 90, CumaratungaMunidasaMawatha, Colombo, 03 Sri Lanka
| | - Nirwani Natasha Seneviratne
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, 90, CumaratungaMunidasaMawatha, Colombo, 03 Sri Lanka
| | - Mishal Faizan
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, 90, CumaratungaMunidasaMawatha, Colombo, 03 Sri Lanka
| | - Umapriyatharshini Rajagopalan
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, 90, CumaratungaMunidasaMawatha, Colombo, 03 Sri Lanka
| | - Damith Chathuranga Perera
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, 90, CumaratungaMunidasaMawatha, Colombo, 03 Sri Lanka
| | - Achyut Adhikari
- Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Kanishka Sithira Senathilake
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, 90, CumaratungaMunidasaMawatha, Colombo, 03 Sri Lanka
| | - Prasanna Galhena
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, 90, CumaratungaMunidasaMawatha, Colombo, 03 Sri Lanka
| | - Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, 90, CumaratungaMunidasaMawatha, Colombo, 03 Sri Lanka
| | - Sameera Ranganath Samarakoon
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, 90, CumaratungaMunidasaMawatha, Colombo, 03 Sri Lanka
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11
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Soundararajan L, Warrier S, Dharmarajan A, Bhaskaran N. Predominant factors influencing reactive oxygen species in cancer stem cells. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:3-21. [PMID: 37997702 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and its related signaling pathways and regulating molecules play a major role in the growth and development of cancer stem cells. The concept of ROS and cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been gaining much attention since the past decade and the evidence show that these CSCs possess robust self-renewal and tumorigenic potential and are resistant to conventional chemo- and radiotherapy and believed to be responsible for tumor progression, metastasis, and recurrence. It seems reasonable to say that cancer can be cured only if the CSCs are eradicated. ROS are Janus-faced molecules that can regulate cellular physiology as well as induce cytotoxicity, depending on the magnitude, duration, and site of generation. Unlike normal cancer cells, CSCs expel ROS efficiently by upregulating ROS scavengers. This unique redox regulation in CSCs protects them from ROS-mediated cell death and nullifies the effect of radiation, leading to chemoresistance and radioresistance. However, how these CSCs control ROS production by scavenging free radicals and how they maintain low levels of ROS is a challenging to understand and these attributes make CSCs as prime therapeutic targets. Here, we summarize the mechanisms of redox regulation in CSCs, with a focus on therapy resistance, its various pathways and microRNAs regulation, and the potential therapeutic implications of manipulating the ROS levels to eradicate CSCs. A better understanding of these molecules, their interactions in the CSCs may help us to adopt proper control and treatment measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loshini Soundararajan
- Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sudha Warrier
- Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells and Cardiovascular Regeneration, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Cuor Stem Cellutions Pvt Ltd., Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nādu, India
| | - Arun Dharmarajan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nādu, India
- Stem Cell and Cancer Biology laboratory, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin Health and Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Natarajan Bhaskaran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nādu, India
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12
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Hwang N, Yoon BK, Chun KH, Kim H, Lee Y, Kim JW, Jeon H, Kim TH, Kim MY, Fang S, Cheong JH, Kim JW. Caveolin-1 mediates the utilization of extracellular proteins for survival in refractory gastric cancer. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:2461-2472. [PMID: 37919422 PMCID: PMC10689497 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01109-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in cancer therapy, the clinical outcome of patients with gastric cancer remains poor, largely due to tumor heterogeneity. Thus, finding a hidden vulnerability of clinically refractory subtypes of gastric cancer is crucial. Here, we report that chemoresistant gastric cancer cells rely heavily on endocytosis, facilitated by caveolin-1, for survival. caveolin-1 was highly upregulated in the most malignant stem-like/EMT/mesenchymal (SEM)-type gastric cancer cells, allowing caveolin-1-mediated endocytosis and utilization of extracellular proteins via lysosomal degradation. Downregulation of caveolin-1 alone was sufficient to induce cell death in SEM-type gastric cancer cells, emphasizing its importance as a survival mechanism. Consistently, chloroquine, a lysosomal inhibitor, successfully blocked caveolin-1-mediated endocytosis, leading to the marked suppression of tumor growth in chemorefractory gastric cancer cells in vitro, including patient-derived organoids, and in vivo. Together, our findings suggest that caveolin-1-mediated endocytosis is a key metabolic pathway for gastric cancer survival and a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahee Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo Kyung Yoon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Hye Chun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonhui Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoseob Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Won Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonuk Jeon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Hyun Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Young Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungsoon Fang
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Ho Cheong
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of R&D, Veraverse Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Woo Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Cirillo N. The Hyaluronan/CD44 Axis: A Double-Edged Sword in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15812. [PMID: 37958796 PMCID: PMC10649834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) receptor CD44 is widely used for identifying cancer stem cells and its activation promotes stemness. Recent evidence shows that overexpression of CD44 is associated with poor prognosis in most human cancers and mediates therapy resistance. For these reasons, in recent years, CD44 has become a treatment target in precision oncology, often via HA-conjugated antineoplastic drugs. Importantly, HA molecules of different sizes have a dual effect and, therefore, may enhance or attenuate the CD44-mediated signaling pathways, as they compete with endogenous HA for binding to the receptors. The magnitude of these effects could be crucial for cancer progression, as well as for driving the inflammatory response in the tumor microenvironment. The increasingly common use of HA-conjugated drugs in oncology, as well as HA-based compounds as adjuvants in cancer treatment, adds further complexity to the understanding of the net effect of hyaluronan-CD44 activation in cancers. In this review, I focus on the significance of CD44 in malignancy and discuss the dichotomous function of the hyaluronan/CD44 axis in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Cirillo
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 720 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
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14
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Bhattacharyya M, Jariyal H, Srivastava A. Hyaluronic acid: More than a carrier, having an overpowering extracellular and intracellular impact on cancer. Carbohydr Polym 2023; 317:121081. [PMID: 37364954 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA), also named hyaluronan, is an omnipresent component of the tissue microenvironment. It is extensively used to formulate targeted drug delivery systems for cancer. Although HA itself has pivotal influences in various cancers, its calibers are somewhat neglected when using it as delivering platform to treat cancer. In the last decade, multiple studies revealed roles of HA in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and dormancy through pathways like mitogen-activated protein kinase-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK), P38, and nuclear factor kappa-light chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB). A more fascinating fact is that the distinct molecular weight (MW) of HA exerts disparate effects on the same type of cancer. Its overwhelming use in cancer therapy and other therapeutic products make collective research on the sundry impact of it on various types of cancer, an essential aspect to be considered in all of these domains. Even the development of new therapies against cancer needed meticulous studies on HA because of its divergence of activity based on MW. This review will provide painstaking insight into the extracellular and intracellular bioactivity of HA, its modified forms, and its MW in cancers, which may improve the management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Medha Bhattacharyya
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Heena Jariyal
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Akshay Srivastava
- Department of Medical Device, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
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15
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Razi S, Haghparast A, Chodari Khameneh S, Ebrahimi Sadrabadi A, Aziziyan F, Bakhtiyari M, Nabi-Afjadi M, Tarhriz V, Jalili A, Zalpoor H. The role of tumor microenvironment on cancer stem cell fate in solid tumors. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:143. [PMID: 37328876 PMCID: PMC10273768 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01129-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last few decades, the role of cancer stem cells in initiating tumors, metastasis, invasion, and resistance to therapies has been recognized as a potential target for tumor therapy. Understanding the mechanisms by which CSCs contribute to cancer progression can help to provide novel therapeutic approaches against solid tumors. In this line, the effects of mechanical forces on CSCs such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cellular plasticity, etc., the metabolism pathways of CSCs, players of the tumor microenvironment, and their influence on the regulating of CSCs can lead to cancer progression. This review focused on some of these mechanisms of CSCs, paving the way for a better understanding of their regulatory mechanisms and developing platforms for targeted therapies. While progress has been made in research, more studies will be required in the future to explore more aspects of how CSCs contribute to cancer progression. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Razi
- Vira Pioneers of Modern Science (VIPOMS), Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Amin Ebrahimi Sadrabadi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACER, Tehran, Iran
- Cytotech and Bioinformatics Research Group, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Aziziyan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Bakhtiyari
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahideh Tarhriz
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 5163639888, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Arsalan Jalili
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACER, Tehran, Iran.
- Parvaz Research Ideas Supporter Institute, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hamidreza Zalpoor
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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16
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Zhou Y, Wang W, Todorov P, Pei C, Isachenko E, Rahimi G, Mallmann P, Nawroth F, Isachenko V. RNA Transcripts in Human Ovarian Cells: Two-Time Cryopreservation Does Not Affect Developmental Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24086880. [PMID: 37108043 PMCID: PMC10139221 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24086880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sometimes, for medical reasons, when a frozen tissue has already thawed, an operation by re-transplantation may be cancelled, and ovarian tissues should be re-frozen for transplantation next time. Research about the repeated cryopreservation of ovarian cells is rarely reported. It has been published that there is no difference in the follicle densities, proportions of proliferation of early preantral follicles, appearance of atretic follicles, or ultrastructural quality of frozen-thawed and re-frozen-rethawed tissue. However, the molecular mechanisms of a repeated cryopreservation effect on the developmental potential of ovarian cells are unknown. The aim of our experiments was to investigate the effect of re-freezing and re-thawing ovarian tissue on gene expression, gene function annotation, and protein-protein interactions. The morphological and biological activity of primordial, primary, and secondary follicles, aimed at using these follicles for the formation of artificial ovaries, was also detected. Second-generation mRNA sequencing technology with a high throughput and accuracy was adopted to determine the different transcriptome profiles in the cells of four groups: one-time cryopreserved (frozen and thawed) cells (Group 1), two-time cryopreserved (re-frozen and re-thawed after first cryopreservation) cells (Group 2), one-time cryopreserved (frozen and thawed) and in vitro cultured cells (Group 3), and two times cryopreserved (re-frozen and re-thawed after first cryopreservation) and in vitro cultured cells (Group 4). Some minor changes in the primordial, primary, and secondary follicles in terms of the morphology and biological activity were detected, and finally, the availability of these follicles for the formation of artificial ovaries was explored. It was established that during cryopreservation, the CEBPB/CYP19A1 pathway may be involved in regulating estrogen activity and CD44 is crucial for the development of ovarian cells. An analysis of gene expression in cryopreserved ovarian cells indicates that two-time (repeated) cryopreservation does not significantly affect the developmental potential of these cells. For medical reasons, when ovarian tissue is thawed but cannot be transplanted, it can be immediately re-frozen again.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Wanxue Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Plamen Todorov
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Cheng Pei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Evgenia Isachenko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Gohar Rahimi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Mallmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Frank Nawroth
- Center for Infertility, Prenatal Medicine, Endocrinology and Osteology, Amedes Medical Center MVZ Hamburg, 20095 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Volodimir Isachenko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, 50931 Cologne, Germany
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17
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Ning S, Zhang T, Lyu M, Lam JWY, Zhu D, Huang Q, Tang BZ. A type I AIE photosensitiser-loaded biomimetic nanosystem allowing precise depletion of cancer stem cells and prevention of cancer recurrence after radiotherapy. Biomaterials 2023; 295:122034. [PMID: 36746049 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Radioresistance of Cancer stem cell (CSC) is an important cause of tumor recurrence after radiotherapy (RT). Herein, we designed a type I aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitiser-loaded biomimetic mesoporous organosilicon nanosystem (PMT) for precise depletion of CSC to prevent tumor recurrence after RT. This PMT system is composed of a type I AIE photosensitiser (TBP-2) loaded mesoporous organosilicon nanoparticles (MON) with an outer platelet membrane. The PMT system is able to specifically target CSC. Intracellular glutathione activity leads to MON degradation and the release of TBP-2. Type I photodynamic therapy is activated by exposure to white light, producing a large amount of hydroxyl radicals to promote CSC death. The results of in vivo experiments demonstrated specific removal of CSC following PMT treatment, with no tumor recurrence observed when combined with RT. However, tumor recurrence was observed in mice that received RT only. The expression of CSC markers was significantly reduced following PMT treatment. We demonstrate the development of a system for the precise removal of CSC with good biosafety and high potential for clinical translation. We believe the PMT nanosystem represents a novel idea in the prevention of tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipeng Ning
- The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China; Department of Breast Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530000, China; Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Tianfu Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction and Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Meng Lyu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery & Department of Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Jacky Wing Yip Lam
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction and Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Daoming Zhu
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
| | - Qinqin Huang
- The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China.
| | - Ben Zhong Tang
- School of Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, China; Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction and Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China.
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18
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Kang KT, Shin MJ, Moon HJ, Choi KU, Suh DS, Kim JH. TRRAP Enhances Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics by Regulating NANOG Protein Stability in Colon Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076260. [PMID: 37047234 PMCID: PMC10094283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
NANOG, a stemness-associated transcription factor, is highly expressed in many cancers and plays a critical role in regulating tumorigenicity. Transformation/transcription domain-associated protein (TRRAP) has been reported to stimulate the tumorigenic potential of cancer cells and induce the gene transcription of NANOG. This study aimed to investigate the role of the TRRAP-NANOG signaling pathway in the tumorigenicity of cancer stem cells. We found that TRRAP overexpression specifically increases NANOG protein stability by interfering with NANOG ubiquitination mediated by FBXW8, an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Mapping of NANOG-binding sites using deletion mutants of TRRAP revealed that a domain of TRRAP (amino acids 1898–2400) is responsible for binding to NANOG and that the overexpression of this TRRAP domain abrogated the FBXW8-mediated ubiquitination of NANOG. TRRAP knockdown decreased the expression of CD44, a cancer stem cell marker, and increased the expression of P53, a tumor suppressor gene, in HCT-15 colon cancer cells. TRRAP depletion attenuated spheroid-forming ability and cisplatin resistance in HCT-15 cells, which could be rescued by NANOG overexpression. Furthermore, TRRAP knockdown significantly reduced tumor growth in a murine xenograft transplantation model, which could be reversed by NANOG overexpression. Together, these results suggest that TRRAP plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the tumorigenic potential of colon cancer cells by modulating NANOG protein stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Taek Kang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Joo Shin
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Ji Moon
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Un Choi
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Soo Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Ho Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
- Convergence Stem Cell Research Center, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-51-510-8073; Fax: +82-51-510-8076
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19
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Jian FX, Bao PX, Li WF, Cui YH, Hong HG. Negative regulation of CD44st by miR-138-5p affects the invasive ability of breast cancer cells and patient prognosis after breast cancer surgery. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:269. [PMID: 36964570 PMCID: PMC10037889 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10738-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate how the negative regulation of CD44st by miR-138-5p affects the invasive ability of breast cancer cell lines and prognosis in postoperative breast cancer patients. METHODS RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, and western blot assays were used to detect the expression of CD44s, CD44v6, and CD44st at both mRNA and protein levels. The expression of miR-138-5p in breast cancer cell lines was also evaluated. The binding ability of miR-138-5p to CD44st was determined via a dual-luciferase assay. The CD44 protein expression in breast cancer tissues was detected using immunohistochemistry. A Transwell assay was used to detect the invasive ability of tumor cells. The correlation between CD44st and miR-138-5p mRNA expression in breast cancer tissues was evaluated using qRT-PCR, and the relationship between clinicopathological features was statistically analyzed. RESULTS CD44s and CD44v6 were highly expressed in MDAMB-231 cell line, while CD44st was highly expressed in MCF-7/Adr and Skbr-3 cells. None of the CD44 isoforms were expressed in MCF-7 cells. The miR-138-5p was highly expressed in MCF-7 cells, but not in MCF-7/Adr, Skbr-3, and MDAMB-231 cells. The dual-luciferase assay suggested that miR-138-5p could bind to wild-type CD44st 3'-UTR, miR-138-5p overexpression significantly inhibited the expression level of CD44 protein in MCF-7/Adr cells, and miR-138-5p + CD44st (3'-UTR)-treated MCF-7/Adr and Skbr-3 cells were significantly less invasive than those in the control group (P < 0.05). RT-PCR results for 80 postoperative breast cancer patients showed that the mRNA expression rate for CD44st was higher in cancer tissues than in paracancerous tissues, and the expression rate of miR-138-5p was higher in paracancerous tissues than in cancerous tissues (P < 0.01). In cancer tissues, CD44st was negatively correlated with miR-138-5p expression, with correlation coefficient r = -0.76 (Pearson's correlation), coefficient of determination R2 = 0.573, F = 106.89, and P < 0.001. The median overall survival value for patients in the low miR-138-5p expression group was 40.39 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 35.59-45.18 months] and 56.30 months (95% CI: 54.38-58.21 months) for patients in the high-expression group, with a log rank (Mantel-Cox) of 13.120, one degree of freedom, and P < 0.001. CONCLUSION In breast cancer cell lines, miR-138-5p negatively regulated expression of CD44st and affected the invasive ability of tumor cells and patient prognosis after breast cancer surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Xin Jian
- Department of Oncology, Gaochun Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Oncology, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, No.41, Hailian East Road, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng Xiao Bao
- Department of Oncology, Gaochun Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Yan Hai Cui
- Department of Oncology, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, No.41, Hailian East Road, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Hang Guan Hong
- Department of Oncology, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, No.41, Hailian East Road, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China.
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Zhao H, Zhang W, Tang X, Galan EA, Zhu Y, Sang G, Khutsishvili D, Zheng H, Ma S. Electrostatic potential difference between tumor and paratumor regulates cancer stem cell behavior and prognose tumor spread. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10399. [PMID: 36925705 PMCID: PMC10013821 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor spread is responsible for most deaths related to cancer. Increasing the accuracy of cancer prognosis is critical to reducing the high mortality rates in cancer patients. Here, we report that the electrostatic potential difference (EPD) between tumor and its paratumor tissue is a prognostic marker for tumor spread. This finding is concluded from the patient-specific EPD values and clinical observation. The electrostatic potential values were measured on tissue cryosections from 51 patients using Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). A total of ~44% (15/34) patients of Vtumor-paratumor > 0 were featured with tumor spread, whereas only ~18% (2/11) patients of Vtumor-paratumor < 0 had tumor spread. Next, we found the increased enrichment of cancer stem cells in paratumors with lower electrostatic potentials using immunofluorescence imaging, which suggested the attribution of tumor spread to the galvanotaxis of cancer stem cells (CSCs) toward lower potential. The findings were finally validated in breast and lung spheroid models composed of differentiated cancer cells and cancer stem cells at the ratio of 1:1 and embedded in Matrigel dopped with negative-, neutral- and positive-charged polymers and CSCs prefer to spread out of spheroids to lower electrostatic potential sites. This work may inspire the development of diagnostic and prognostic strategies targeting at tissue EPDs and CSCs for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Zhao
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS)Tsinghua UniversityShenzhenChina
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI)ShenzhenChina
| | - Weijie Zhang
- Department of OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Xiaowei Tang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS)Tsinghua UniversityShenzhenChina
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI)ShenzhenChina
| | - Edgar A. Galan
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS)Tsinghua UniversityShenzhenChina
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI)ShenzhenChina
| | - Yinheng Zhu
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS)Tsinghua UniversityShenzhenChina
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI)ShenzhenChina
| | - Gan Sang
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS)Tsinghua UniversityShenzhenChina
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI)ShenzhenChina
| | - Davit Khutsishvili
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS)Tsinghua UniversityShenzhenChina
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI)ShenzhenChina
| | - Honghui Zheng
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS)Tsinghua UniversityShenzhenChina
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI)ShenzhenChina
| | - Shaohua Ma
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS)Tsinghua UniversityShenzhenChina
- Tsinghua‐Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI)ShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhenChina
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Thioalbamide inhibits F oF 1-ATPase in breast cancer cells and reduces tumor proliferation and invasiveness in breast cancer in vivo models. Mol Metab 2023; 68:101674. [PMID: 36657563 PMCID: PMC9883262 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Thioalbamide is a ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) belonging to the family of thioamitides, a rare class of microbial specialized metabolites with unusual post-translational modifications and promising biological activities. Recent studies have demonstrated the ability of thioalbamide to exert highly selective cytotoxic effects on tumor cells by affecting their energy metabolism, thus causing abnormal ROS production and triggering apoptosis. This study is aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of thioalbamide in order to identify its exact molecular target. METHODS Wild type MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines as well as cancer cells deprived of mitochondrial DNA (ρ0 cells) were employed in order to assess thioalbamide effects on tumor bioenergetics. In this regard, metabolic profile was evaluated by a Seahorse XFe96 analyzer, and the activity of the enzyme complexes involved in oxidative phosphorylation was quantified by spectrophotometric assays. Thioalbamide effects on tumor invasiveness were assessed by gelatin zymography experiments and invasion assays. In vivo experiments were carried out on breast cancer xenograft and "experimental metastasis" mouse models. RESULTS Experiments carried out on ρ0 breast cancer cells, together with Seahorse analysis and the application of spectrophotometric enzymatic assays, highlighted the ability of thioalbamide to affect the mitochondrial respiration process, and allowed to propose the FoF1-ATPase complex as its main molecular target in breast cancer cells. Additionally, thioalbamide-mediated OXPHOS inhibition was shown, for the first time, to reduce tumor invasiveness by inhibiting metalloproteinase-9 secretion. Furthermore, this study has confirmed the antitumor potential of thioalbamide in two different in vivo models. In particular, experiments on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 xenograft mouse models have confirmed in vivo its high anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity, while experiments on MDA-MB-231 ″experimental metastasis" mouse models have highlighted its ability to inhibit breast cancer cell invasiveness. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results shed more light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the pharmacological potential of thioamidated peptides, thus reducing the gap that separates this rare class of microbial metabolites from clinical studies, which could validate them as effective tools for cancer treatment.
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Abd El-Fattah EE. Tumor lysis syndrome promotes cancer chemoresistance and relapse through AMPK inhibition. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 114:109568. [PMID: 36527883 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a disease caused when cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. There are different therapeutic modalities that control cancer growth, of which surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment approach in which medications are used to inhibit cell proliferation and tumor multiplication, thus avoiding invasion and metastasis and thus eradicate cancer. One of the common complications associated with cancer chemotherapy is rapid lysis of expanding tumor cells, known as tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). TLS is associated with number of metabolic changes such as hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia. Among the consequences of hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia is the inhibition of 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Inhibition of AMPK induced different cancer chemo-resistance mechanisms such as cancer stem cells (CSCs), p-glycoproteins, Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT-4), homeobox protein NANOG, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and immune microenvironment and thus leads to poor response to chemotherapy and even relapses after treatment. Our review aims to uncover new mechanisms underlying the metabolic consequences of tumor lysis on AMPK in tumor microenvironment. In this review, we also investigated the effect of AMPK on different cancer chemo-resistance mechanisms such as cancer stem cells, p-glycoproteins, OCT-4, NANOG, KLF4 and immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eslam E Abd El-Fattah
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt.
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23
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Wang T, Rho O, Eguiarte-Solomon F, DiGiovanni J. Twist1 as a target for prevention of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:62-76. [PMID: 36373194 PMCID: PMC9772054 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) represents an important clinical problem requiring novel approaches for both prevention and treatment. The transcription factor, Twist-related protein 1 (Twist1), has been identified as having a key mechanistic role in the development and progression of cSCC. Studies in relevant mouse models of cSCC have shown that Twist1 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness driving progression and metastasis of cSCC. In addition, further research has shown that Twist1 regulates the balance between keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation and therefore impacts earlier stages of cSCC development. Through use of keratinocyte specific Twist1 knockout models, a role for this gene in keratinocyte stem cell homeostasis has been revealed. As a transcription factor, Twist1 regulates a large number of genes both in a positive, as well as a negative manner across several interdependent pathways. Studies in keratinocyte specific knockout models have shown that Twist1 upregulates the expression of genes involved in proliferation, stemness, and EMT while downregulating the expression of genes associated with differentiation. Furthermore, a number of compounds, including naturally occurring compounds, have been identified that target Twist1 and can block its effects in cancer cells and in keratinocytes in vivo. Collectively, the current understanding of Twist1 function in cSCC development and progression suggests that it represents a potential target for prevention and treatment of cSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingzeng Wang
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, United States
| | - Okkyung Rho
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, United States
| | - Fernando Eguiarte-Solomon
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, United States
| | - John DiGiovanni
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, United States
- Center for Molecular Carcinogenesis and Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, United States
- Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78723, United States
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Tripathi G, Tripathi A, Johnson J, Kashyap MK. Role of RNA Splicing in Regulation of Cancer Stem Cell. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 18:3-6. [PMID: 34875992 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x16666211207103628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Greesham Tripathi
- Amity Stem Cell Institute, Amity Medical School, Amity University Haryana, Panchgaon (Manesar), Haryana 122413, India
| | - Avantika Tripathi
- Amity Stem Cell Institute, Amity Medical School, Amity University Haryana, Panchgaon (Manesar), Haryana 122413, India
| | - Joel Johnson
- Amity Stem Cell Institute, Amity Medical School, Amity University Haryana, Panchgaon (Manesar), Haryana 122413, India
| | - Manoj Kumar Kashyap
- Amity Stem Cell Institute, Amity Medical School, Amity University Haryana, Panchgaon (Manesar), Haryana 122413, India
- Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173229, India
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Swetha KL, Maravajjala KS, Li SD, Singh MS, Roy A. Breaking the niche: multidimensional nanotherapeutics for tumor microenvironment modulation. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2023; 13:105-134. [PMID: 35697894 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-022-01194-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Most of the current antitumor therapeutics were developed targeting the cancer cells only. Unfortunately, in the majority of tumors, this single-dimensional therapy is found to be ineffective. Advanced research has shown that cancer is a multicellular disorder. The tumor microenvironment (TME), which is made by a complex network of the bulk tumor cells and other supporting cells, plays a crucial role in tumor progression. Understanding the importance of the TME in tumor growth, different treatment modalities have been developed targeting these supporting cells. Recent clinical results suggest that simultaneously targeting multiple components of the tumor ecosystem with drug combinations can be highly effective. This type of "multidimensional" therapy has a high potential for cancer treatment. However, tumor-specific delivery of such multi-drug combinations remains a challenge. Nanomedicine could be utilized for the tumor-targeted delivery of such multidimensional therapeutics. In this review, we first give a brief overview of the major components of TME. We then highlight the latest developments in nanoparticle-based combination therapies, where one drug targets cancer cells and other drug targets tumor-supporting components in the TME for a synergistic effect. We include the latest preclinical and clinical studies and discuss innovative nanoparticle-mediated targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Laxmi Swetha
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Vidya Vihar, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Kavya Sree Maravajjala
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Vidya Vihar, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India
| | - Shyh-Dar Li
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, 2405 Westbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Manu Smriti Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Bennett University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201310, India. .,Center of Excellence for Nanosensors and Nanomedicine, Bennett University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201310, India.
| | - Aniruddha Roy
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Vidya Vihar, Pilani, Rajasthan, 333031, India.
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Molecular Biomarkers of Malignant Transformation in Head and Neck Dysplasia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225581. [PMID: 36428690 PMCID: PMC9688631 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and its treatments are associated with substantial morbidity, often resulting in cosmetic deformity and loss of physiologic functions including speech and swallowing. Despite advancements in treatment, 5-year survival rates for mucosal malignancies remain below 70%. Effective prevention of HNSCC demands an understanding of the molecular pathways of carcinogenesis. Specifically, defining features of pre-cancerous dysplastic lesions that indicate a better or worse prognosis is necessary to help identify patients who are likely to develop a carcinoma and allow a more aggressive approach to management. There remains a need for identification of biomarkers that can provide both early prognostic and predictive value in clinical decision-making by serving as both therapeutic targets as well as predictors of therapy response. Here, we comprehensively review the most frequently altered molecular biomarkers of malignant transformation in head and neck dysplasia. These markers are involved in a wide range of cellular processes in head and neck carcinogenesis, including extracellular matrix degradation, cell motility and invasion, cell-cell adhesion, solute transport, immortalization, metabolism, the cell cycle and apoptosis, transcription, and cell signaling.
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Chen W, Wang R, Zhao Y, Li Y, Wang X, Peng W, Bai S, Zheng M, Liu M, Cheng B. CD44v6+ Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Maintain Stemness Properties through Met/cJun/Nanog Signaling. Stem Cells Int 2022; 2022:5853707. [PMID: 36387747 PMCID: PMC9663228 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5853707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are characterized by their self-renewal and differentiation abilities. CD44v6 is a novel CSC marker that can activate various signaling pathways. Here, we hypothesized that the HGF/Met signaling pathway promotes stemness properties in CD44v6+ hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells via overexpression of the transcription factor, cJun, thus representing a valuable target for HCC therapy. Magnetic activated cell sorting was used to separate the CD44v6+ from CD44v6- cells, and Met levels were regulated using lentiviral particles and the selective Met inhibitor, PHA665752. An orthotopic liver xenograft tumor model was used to assess the self-renewal ability of CD44v6+ cells in immunodeficient NOD/SCID mice. Luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were also conducted using cJun-overexpressing 293 T cells to identify the exact binding site of cJun in the Nanog promoter. Our data demonstrate that CD44v6 is an ideal surface marker of liver CSCs. CD44v6+ HCC cells express higher levels of Met and possess self-renewal and tumor growth abilities. Xenograft liver tumors were smaller in nude mice injected with shMet HCC cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of liver tissue specimens revealed that high Met levels in HCC cells were associated with poor patient prognosis. Further, a cJun binding site was identified 1700 bp upstream of the Nanog transcription start site and mutation of the cJun binding site reduced Nanog expression. In conclusion, the HGF/Met signaling pathway is important for maintenance of stemness in CD44v6+ HCC cells by enhancing expression of cJun, which binds 1700 bp upstream of the Nanog transcription start site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China 430030
| | - Ronghua Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China 430030
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA 15213
| | - Yuchong Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China 430030
| | - Yawen Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China 430030
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China 563003
| | - Xiju Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China 430030
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyi Street No. 28, Guiyang, Guizhou, China 550000
| | - Wang Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China 430030
| | - Shuya Bai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China 430030
| | - Mengli Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China 430030
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China 430030
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Taikang Tongji Wuhan Hospital, Wuhan, China 430050
| | - Bin Cheng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China 430030
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Losurdo P, de Manzini N, Palmisano S, Grassi M, Parisi S, Rizzolio F, Tierno D, Biasin A, Grassi C, Truong NH, Grassi G. Potential Application of Small Interfering RNA in Gastro-Intestinal Tumors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1295. [PMID: 36297407 PMCID: PMC9612316 DOI: 10.3390/ph15101295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the progress made in the diagnoses and therapy of gastrointestinal cancers, these diseases are still plagued by a high mortality. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently required. In this regard, small interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA molecules able to specifically target the mRNA of pathological genes, have the potential to be of therapeutic value. To be effective in the human body, siRNAs need to be protected against degradation. Additionally, they need to target the tumor, leaving the normal tissue untouched in an effort to preserve organ function. To accomplish these tasks, siRNAs have been formulated with smart delivery systems such has polymers and lipids. While siRNA protection is not particularly difficult to achieve, their targeting of tumor cells remains problematic. Here, after introducing the general features of gastrointestinal cancers, we describe siRNA characteristics together with representative delivery systems developed for gastrointestinal cancers. Afterward, we present a selection of research papers employing siRNAs against upper- and lower- gastrointestinal cancers. For the liver, we also consider papers using siRNAs to combat liver cirrhosis, a relevant risk factor for liver cancer development. Finally, we present a brief description of clinical trials employing siRNAs for gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Losurdo
- Surgical Clinic Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicolò de Manzini
- Surgical Clinic Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Palmisano
- Surgical Clinic Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Hospital of Cattinara, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mario Grassi
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Salvatore Parisi
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Pordenone, 33081 Aviano, Italy
- Doctoral School in Molecular Biomedicine, University of Trieste, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Pordenone, 33081 Aviano, Italy
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, 30123 Venezia, Italy
| | - Domenico Tierno
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alice Biasin
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, Trieste University, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Grassi
- Degree Course in Medicine, University of Trieste, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nhung Hai Truong
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, VNUHCM—University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, VNUHCM—University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Gabriele Grassi
- Department of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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Haldavnekar R, Venkatakrishnan K, Tan B. Cancer Stem Cell Derived Extracellular Vesicles with Self-Functionalized 3D Nanosensor for Real-Time Cancer Diagnosis: Eliminating the Roadblocks in Liquid Biopsy. ACS NANO 2022; 16:12226-12243. [PMID: 35968931 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c02971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Liquid biopsy for determining the presence of cancer and the underlying tissue of origin is crucial to overcome the limitations of existing tissue biopsy and imaging-based techniques by capturing critical information from the dynamic tumor heterogeneity. A newly emerging liquid biopsy with extracellular vesicles (EVs) is gaining momentum, but its clinical relevance is in question due to the biological and technical challenges posed by existing technologies. The biological barriers of existing technologies include the inability to generate fundamental details of molecular structure, chemical composition as well as functional variations in EVs by gathering simultaneous information on multiple intra-EV molecules, unavailability of holistic qualitative analysis, in addition to the inability to identify tissue of origin. Technological barriers include reliance on EV isolation with a few labeled biomarkers, resulting in the inability to generate comprehensive information on the disease. A more favorable approach would be to generate holistic information on the disease without the use of labels. Such a marker-free diagnosis is impossible with the existing liquid biopsy due to the unavailability clinically validated cancer stem cells (CSC)-specific markers and dependence of existing technologies on EV isolation, undermining the clinical relevance of EV-based liquid biopsy. Here, CSC EVs were employed as an independent liquid biopsy modality. We hypothesize that tracking the signals of CSCs in peripheral blood with CSC EVs will provide a reliable solution for accurate cancer diagnosis, as CSC are the originators of tumor contributing to tumor heterogeneity. We report nanoengineered 3D sensors of extremely small nano-scaled probes self-functionalized for SERS, enabling integrative molecular and functional profiling of otherwise undetectable CSC EVs. A substantially enhanced SERS and ultralow limit of detection (10 EVs per 10 μL) were achieved. This was attributed to the efficient probe-EV interaction due to the 3D networks of nanoprobes, ensuring simultaneous detection of multiple EV signals. We experimentally demonstrate the crucial role of CSC EVs in cancer diagnosis. We then completed a pilot validation of this modality for cancer detection as well as for identification of the tissue of origin. An artificial neural network distinguished cancer from noncancer with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for three hard to detect cancers (breast, lung, and colorectal cancer). Binary classification to distinguish one tissue of origin against all other achieved 100% accuracy, while simultaneous identification of all three tissues of origin with multiclass classification achieved up to 79% accuracy. This noninvasive tool may complement existing cancer diagnostics, treatment monitoring as well as longitudinal disease monitoring by validation with a large cohort of clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupa Haldavnekar
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (I BEST), Partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada
- Ultrashort Laser Nanomanufacturing Research Facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nano-Bio Interface Facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Krishnan Venkatakrishnan
- Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada
- Ultrashort Laser Nanomanufacturing Research Facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nano-Bio Interface Facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Bo Tan
- Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada
- Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada
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Huang W, Wen F, Gu P, Liu J, Xia Y, Li Y, Zhou J, Song S, Ruan S, Gu S, Chen X, Shu P. The inhibitory effect and mechanism of Yi-qi-hua-yu-jie-du decoction on the drug resistance of gastric cancer stem cells based on ABC transporters. Chin Med 2022; 17:93. [PMID: 35941687 PMCID: PMC9361523 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00647-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The drug resistance of tumor stem cells is an obstacle in gastric cancer (GC) treatment and the high expression of ABC transporters is a classic reason for drug resistance. This study aimed to construct a reliable GC drug-resistant stem cell model and explore the inhibitory effect and mechanism of Yi-qi-hua-yu-jie-du medicated serum (YQHY) on the drug resistance of GC stem cells based on ABC transporters. Methods The tumor stemness biomarker CD44 was primary identification from WGCNA. The magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) method was used to separate CD44( +)BGC823/5-Fu (BGC823/5–Fu-CSCs) cells and the stemness characteristics were verified from multiple dimensions. Then, the drug resistance index and expression of ABC transporter genes MDR1 and MRP1 were detected in CD44(−)/CD44(+) cells. The inhibition and apoptosis rates of the cells administrated with YQHY or/and 5-Fu were calculated to confirm that YQHY can suppress the drug resistance of BGC823/5-Fu-CSCs. Afterwards, the effects of YQHY on the expression of MDR1 and MRP1 and the activation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway were observed. Finally, under the administration of IGF-1 (the activator of PI3K/Akt pathway) and Nrf2 siRNA, the mechanism of YQHY on reversing the drug resistance of BGC823/5–Fu-CSCs through inhibiting the expression of MDR1 and MRP1 via PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 was verified. Results CD44 was a reliable GC stemness biomarker and can be applied to construct the drug-resistant GC stem cell model CD44(+)BGC823/5-Fu. The growth rate, cell proliferation index, soft agar colony formation, expression of stemness specific genes and tumorigenesis ability of CD44(+)BGC823/5-Fu cells were significantly higher than those of CD44(−)BGC823/5-Fu cells. BGC823/5–Fu-CSCs exhibited strong drug resistance to 5-Fu and high expression of ABC transporter genes MDR1 and MRP1 compared to CD44(-) cells. YQHY increased the inhibition and apoptosis rates to efficiently inhibit the drug resistance of BGC823/5–Fu-CSCs. Meanwhile, it suppressed the expression of MDR1 and MRP1 and restrained the activation of PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Finally, it was found that IGF-1 partially restored the activation of PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway, alleviated the inhibition of MDR1 and MRP1, blocked the proliferation-inhibitory and apoptosis-promotion effects. YQHY and si-Nrf2 synergistically suppressed the MDR1/MRP1 expression and the drug resistance of BGC823/5–Fu-CSCs. Conclusions CD44 was a reliable GC stemness biomarker, and the high expression of ABC transporter genes MDR1 and MRP1 was an important feature of drug-resistant stem cells. YQHY inhibited the MDR1 and MRP1 expression via PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway, thus reversing the drug resistance of BGC823/5–Fu-CSCs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13020-022-00647-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Huang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.,First College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Fang Wen
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.,First College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Peixing Gu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.,First College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiatong Liu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.,First College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Xia
- Department of Respiratory, Wujin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, China
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.,First College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiayu Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.,First College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Siyuan Song
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.,First College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuai Ruan
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.,First College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Suping Gu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.,First College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoxue Chen
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China.,First College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Shu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210000, Jiangsu, China. .,First College of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
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Liao C, Wang Q, An J, Chen J, Li X, Long Q, Xiao L, Guan X, Liu J. CD44 Glycosylation as a Therapeutic Target in Oncology. Front Oncol 2022; 12:883831. [PMID: 35936713 PMCID: PMC9351704 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.883831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of non-kinase transmembrane glycoprotein CD44 with ligands including hyaluronic acid (HA) is closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. Changes in CD44 glycosylation can regulate its binding to HA, Siglec-15, fibronectin, TM4SF5, PRG4, FGF2, collagen and podoplanin and activate or inhibit c-Src/STAT3/Twist1/Bmi1, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, ERK/NF-κB/NANOG and other signaling pathways, thereby having a profound impact on the tumor microenvironment and tumor cell fate. However, the glycosylation of CD44 is complex and largely unknown, and the current understanding of how CD44 glycosylation affects tumors is limited. These issues must be addressed before targeted CD44 glycosylation can be applied to treat human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Liao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Microbial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, Life Sciences Institute, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jiaxing An
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Xiaolan Li
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Microbial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, Life Sciences Institute, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Qian Long
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Linlin Xiao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- *Correspondence: Linlin Xiao, ; Xiaoyan Guan, ; Jianguo Liu,
| | - Xiaoyan Guan
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- *Correspondence: Linlin Xiao, ; Xiaoyan Guan, ; Jianguo Liu,
| | - Jianguo Liu
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- *Correspondence: Linlin Xiao, ; Xiaoyan Guan, ; Jianguo Liu,
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Linnane E, Haddad S, Melle F, Mei Z, Fairen-Jimenez D. The uptake of metal-organic frameworks: a journey into the cell. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:6065-6086. [PMID: 35770998 PMCID: PMC9289890 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01414a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in drug delivery has advanced rapidly over the past decade, showing huge progress in the development of novel systems. Although a large number of versatile MOFs that can carry and release multiple compounds have been designed and tested, one of the main limitations to their translation to the clinic is the limited biological understanding of their interaction with cells and the way they penetrate them. This is a crucial aspect of drug delivery, as MOFs need to be able not only to enter into cells but also to release their cargo in the correct intracellular location. While small molecules can enter cells by passive diffusion, nanoparticles (NPs) usually require an energy-dependent process known as endocytosis. Importantly, the fate of NPs after being taken up by cells is dependent on the endocytic pathways they enter through. However, no general guidelines for MOF particle internalization have been established due to the inherent complexity of endocytosis as a mechanism, with several factors affecting cellular uptake, namely NP size and surface chemistry. In this review, we cover recent advances regarding the understanding of the mechanisms of uptake of nano-sized MOFs (nanoMOFs)s, their journey inside the cell, and the importance of biological context in their final fate. We examine critically the impact of MOF physicochemical properties on intracellular trafficking and successful cargo delivery. Finally, we highlight key unanswered questions on the topic and discuss the future of the field and the next steps for nanoMOFs as drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Linnane
- The Adsorption & Advanced Materials Laboratory (A2ML), Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Phillipa Fawcett Drive, CB3 0AS, UK.
| | - Salame Haddad
- The Adsorption & Advanced Materials Laboratory (A2ML), Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Phillipa Fawcett Drive, CB3 0AS, UK.
| | - Francesca Melle
- The Adsorption & Advanced Materials Laboratory (A2ML), Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Phillipa Fawcett Drive, CB3 0AS, UK.
| | - Zihan Mei
- The Adsorption & Advanced Materials Laboratory (A2ML), Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Phillipa Fawcett Drive, CB3 0AS, UK.
| | - David Fairen-Jimenez
- The Adsorption & Advanced Materials Laboratory (A2ML), Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Phillipa Fawcett Drive, CB3 0AS, UK.
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Zheng S, Luo J, Xie S, Lu S, Liu Q, Xiao H, Luo W, Huang Y, Liu K. Tumor budding of cervical squamous cell carcinoma: epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like cancer stem cells? PeerJ 2022; 10:e13745. [PMID: 35860042 PMCID: PMC9291004 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the origin of cancers. Scientists have identified CSCs in various tumors and have suggested the existence of a variety of states of CSCs. The existence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like CSCs has been confirmed in vitro, but they have not been identified in vivo. Tumor budding was defined as single cell or clusters of ≤ 5 cells at the invasive front of cancers. Such tumor budding is hypothesized to be closely related to EMT and linked to CSCs, especially to those migrating at the invasive front. Therefore, tumor budding has been proposed to represent EMT-like stem cells. However, this hypothesis has not yet been proven. Thus, we studied the expression of EMT markers, certain CSC markers of tumor budding, and the tumor center of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CxSCC). We performed tissue chip analyses of 95 primary CxSCCs from patients. Expression of EMT and CSC markers (E-cadherin, β-catenin, vimentin, Ki67, CD44, SOX2 , and ALDH1A1) in a set of tumor samples on tissue chips (87 cases of tumor budding/the main tumor body) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. We found that the cell-membranous expression of β-catenin was stronger in the main tumor body than in tumor buds. Compared with the main tumor body, tumor buds had reduced proliferative activity as measured by Ki67. Moreover, vimentin expression was high and E-cadherin expression was low in tumor buds. Expression of EMT-related markers suggested that tumor buds were correlated with EMT. We noted that CxSCC tumor buds had a CD44negative/low/SOX2high/ALDH1A1high staining pattern, indicating that tumor buds of CxSCC present CSC-like immunophenotypic features. Taken together, our data indicate that tumor buds in CxSCC may represent EMT-like CSCs in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoqiu Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Pelvic Radiotherapy, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shoucheng Xie
- Department of Pathology, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shanming Lu
- Department of Pathology, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qinghua Liu
- Department of Pathology, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huanqin Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenjuan Luo
- Department of Pathology, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanfang Huang
- Department of Pathology, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of Pathology, Meizhou People’s Hospital, Meizhou, Guangdong, China
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Regulation of Tissue Factor by CD44 Supports Coagulant Activity in Breast Tumor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133288. [PMID: 35805061 PMCID: PMC9266039 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Metastasis and thromboembolic complications are the main cause of cancer-associated death. An overexpression of coagulation factors, and particularly Tissue factor, by tumor cells is a key event implicated in this observed hypercoagulability. Tissue Factor is indeed a cellular initiator of the coagulation cascade which has been associated with aggressive tumor phenotypes such as those characteristic of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions (EMTs) and Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs). Understanding molecular mechanisms controlling Tissue Factor overexpression in those tumor phenotypes is thus an important aspect of cancer research. We show here that CD44 (a transmembrane marker of CSC and EMT phenotypes) contributes to regulate TF expression at a transcriptional level, thereby supporting procoagulant properties in tumor cells that facilitate their metastatic spread. Abstract Previous work identified Tissue Factor (TF), a key activator of the coagulation cascade, as a gene induced in cellular contexts of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions (EMTs), providing EMT+ Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) with coagulant properties that facilitate their metastatic seeding. Deciphering further molecular aspects of TF regulation in tumor cells, we report here that CD44 and TF coexpress in EMT contexts, and that CD44 acts as a regulator of TF expression supporting procoagulant properties and metastatic seeding. A transcriptional regulatory mechanism bridging CD44 to TF expression was further evidenced. Comparing different TF –promoter luciferase reporter constructs, we indeed found that the shortest -111 pb TF promoter fragment harboring three Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1) binding sites is still responsive to CD44 silencing. The observation that (i) mutation within Sp1 binding sites decreased the basal activity of the -111 pb TF promoter construct, (ii) CD44 silencing decreased Sp1 protein and mRNA levels and (iii) Sp1 silencing diminished TF expression further points to Sp1 as a key mediator linking CD44 to TF regulation. All together, these data thus report a transcriptional regulatory mechanism of TF expression by CD44 supporting procoagulant activity and metastatic competence of CTCs.
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Solimando AG, Da Vià MC, Bolli N, Steinbrunn T. The Route of the Malignant Plasma Cell in Its Survival Niche: Exploring “Multiple Myelomas”. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133271. [PMID: 35805041 PMCID: PMC9265748 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence points to multiple myeloma (MM) and its stromal microenvironment using several mechanisms to subvert effective immune and anti-tumor responses. Recent advances have uncovered the tumor-stromal cell influence in regulating the immune-microenvironment and have envisioned targeting these suppressive pathways to improve therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, some subgroups of patients include those with particularly unfavorable prognoses. Biological stratification can be used to categorize patient-, disease- or therapy-related factors, or alternatively, these biological determinants can be included in a dynamic model that customizes a given treatment to a specific patient. Genetic heterogeneity and current knowledge enforce a systematic and comprehensive bench-to-bedside approach. Given the increasing role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in better characterizing the pathogenesis of solid and hematological malignancies, disease relapse, and drug resistance, identifying and describing CSCs is of paramount importance in the management of MM. Even though the function of CSCs is well-known in other cancer types, their role in MM remains elusive. With this review, we aim to provide an update on MM homing and resilience in the bone marrow micro milieu. These data are particularly interesting for clinicians facing unmet medical needs while designing novel treatment approaches for MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Internal Medicine ‘G. Baccelli’, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.G.S.); (T.S.); Tel.: +39-3395626475 (A.G.S.)
| | - Matteo Claudio Da Vià
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.C.D.V.); (N.B.)
| | - Niccolò Bolli
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.C.D.V.); (N.B.)
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Torsten Steinbrunn
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Correspondence: (A.G.S.); (T.S.); Tel.: +39-3395626475 (A.G.S.)
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Guo K, Duan J, Lu J, Xiao L, Han L, Zeng S, Tang X, Li W, Huang L, Zhang Y. TNF-α-inducing protein of Helicobacter pylori promotes EMT and cancer stem-like cells properties via activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells. Pathog Dis 2022; 80:6626024. [PMID: 35776950 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftac025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-α-inducing protein (Tipα) is a newly identified toxin, which promotes the inflammation and carcinogenesis caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). However, its mechanism of pathogenesis is still unclear. To investigate the carcinogenic mechanisms of Tipα, SGC7901 cells and SGC7901-derived cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) were stimulated by recombinant Tipα protein with or without Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitor XAV939. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), CSCs markers, and downstream target genes of this signaling pathway. The cell migration ability was measured by wound healing assay and transwell assay. Our results indicated that Tipα promoted CSC properties of SGC7901 spheroids, including increased expression of CSC specific surface markers CD44, Oct4, Nanog, and an increased capacity for self-renewal. Tipα activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in both SGC7901 cells or CSCs. Furthermore, Tipα induced the EMT and increased the expressions of downstream target genes of this signaling, including c-myc, cyclin D1, and CD44. However, XAV939 pretreatment inhibited Tipα-induced EMT and CSC properties in SGC7901 cells or CSCs. These results suggest that Tipα promotes EMT and CSC-like properties in gastric cancer cells through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby accelerating the progression of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyun Guo
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Innovative Training Base for Postgraduates, University of South China and Nanyue Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Duan
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Innovative Training Base for Postgraduates, University of South China and Nanyue Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Jingwen Lu
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Innovative Training Base for Postgraduates, University of South China and Nanyue Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Lingqiao Xiao
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Innovative Training Base for Postgraduates, University of South China and Nanyue Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Liang Han
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Innovative Training Base for Postgraduates, University of South China and Nanyue Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Shasha Zeng
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Innovative Training Base for Postgraduates, University of South China and Nanyue Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Tang
- School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Innovative Training Base for Postgraduates, University of South China and Nanyue Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Lijun Huang
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Innovative Training Base for Postgraduates, University of South China and Nanyue Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control; Hunan Province Innovative Training Base for Postgraduates, University of South China and Nanyue Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China
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37
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Abstract
Mucin domains are densely O-glycosylated modular protein domains found in various extracellular and transmembrane proteins. Mucin-domain glycoproteins play important roles in many human diseases, such as cancer and cystic fibrosis, but the scope of the mucinome remains poorly defined. Recently, we characterized a bacterial O-glycoprotease, StcE, and demonstrated that an inactive point mutant retains binding selectivity for mucin-domain glycoproteins. In this work, we leverage inactive StcE to selectively enrich and identify mucin-domain glycoproteins from complex samples like cell lysate and crude ovarian cancer patient ascites fluid. Our enrichment strategy is further aided by an algorithm to assign confidence to mucin-domain glycoprotein identifications. This mucinomics platform facilitates detection of hundreds of glycopeptides from mucin domains and highly overlapping populations of mucin-domain glycoproteins from ovarian cancer patients. Ultimately, we demonstrate our mucinomics approach can reveal key molecular signatures of cancer from in vitro and ex vivo sources. Mucin-domain glycoproteins are densely O-glycosylated proteins with unique secondary structure that imparts a large influence on cellular environments. Here, the authors develop a technique to selectively enrich and characterize mucin-domain glycoproteins from cell lysate and patient biofluids.
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38
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Yao W, Hou J, Liu G, Wu F, Yan Q, Guo L, Wang C. LncRNA CBR3-AS1 promotes osteosarcoma progression through the network of miR-140-5p/DDX54-NUCKS1-mTOR signaling pathway. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 25:189-200. [PMID: 35592388 PMCID: PMC9092395 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) CBR3-AS1 (termed as CBR3-AS1) has been reported to be upregulated in several cancers including osteosarcoma. Its positive impact on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells has been unveiled; nevertheless, whether it also affects the stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of osteosarcoma cells is unclear. The purpose for this study was to explore the effects of CBR3-AS1 on the stemness and EMT of osteosarcoma cells as well as its underlying mechanism. qRT-PCR and western blot were applied to detect target gene expression. Function assays were conducted to evaluate the effect of genes on the stemness and EMT of osteosarcoma cells. Mechanism assays were done to verify the association among different genes. In vivo assays were also performed. The obtained data showed that CBR3-AS1 demonstrated a high expression in osteosarcoma cells. CBR3-AS1 could promote stemness and EMT of osteosarcoma cells as well as osteosarcoma tumor growth. Mechanically, CBR3-AS1 sponged miR-140-5p and recruited DDX54 to upregulate NUCKS1, thus activating the mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, NUCKS1 could facilitate stemness and EMT of osteosarcoma cells. In summary, this study reveals that CBR3-AS1 exerts an oncogenic role in osteosarcoma through modulating the network of the miR-140-5p/DDX54-NUCKS1-mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weitao Yao
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Henan Cancer Hospital), 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, China
| | - Jingyu Hou
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Henan Cancer Hospital), 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, China
| | - Guoqing Liu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Henan Cancer Hospital), 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, China
| | - Fangxing Wu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Henan Cancer Hospital), 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, China
| | - Qiang Yan
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Henan Cancer Hospital), 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, China
| | - Liangyu Guo
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Henan Cancer Hospital), 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, China
| | - Chuchu Wang
- School of Life Science, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450001, China
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39
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Vahala D, Choi YS. Modelling the Tumor Microenvironment: Recapitulating Nano- and Micro-Scale Properties that Regulate Tumor Progression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:908799. [PMID: 35800896 PMCID: PMC9254080 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.908799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant burden with 1 in 8 women affected and metastasis posing a significant challenge for patient survival. Disease progression involves remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In breast cancer, tissue stiffness increases owing to an increase in collagen production by recruited cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). These stromal modifications are notable during primary tumor growth and have a dualistic action by creating a hard capsule to prevent penetration of anti-cancer therapies and forming a favorable environment for tumor progression. Remodeling of the tumor microenvironment immediately presented to cells can include changes in protein composition, concentration and structural arrangement and provides the first mechanical stimuli in the metastatic cascade. Not surprisingly, metastatic cancer cells possess the ability to mechanically adapt, and their adaptability ensures not only survival but successful invasion within altered environments. In the past decade, the importance of the microenvironment and its regulatory role in diseases have gained traction and this is evident in the shift from plastic culture to the development of novel biomaterials that mimic in vivo tissue. With these advances, elucidations can be made into how ECM remodeling and more specifically, altered cell-ECM adhesions, regulate tumor growth and cancer cell plasticity. Such enabling tools in mechanobiology will identify fundamental mechanisms in cancer progression that eventually help develop preventative and therapeutic treatment from a clinical perspective. This review will focus on current platforms engineered to mimic the micro and nano-properties of the tumor microenvironment and subsequent understanding of mechanically regulated pathways in cancer.
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40
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Koltai T, Reshkin SJ, Carvalho TMA, Di Molfetta D, Greco MR, Alfarouk KO, Cardone RA. Resistance to Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Physiopathologic and Pharmacologic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2486. [PMID: 35626089 PMCID: PMC9139729 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a very aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis and inadequate response to treatment. Many factors contribute to this therapeutic failure: lack of symptoms until the tumor reaches an advanced stage, leading to late diagnosis; early lymphatic and hematic spread; advanced age of patients; important development of a pro-tumoral and hyperfibrotic stroma; high genetic and metabolic heterogeneity; poor vascular supply; a highly acidic matrix; extreme hypoxia; and early development of resistance to the available therapeutic options. In most cases, the disease is silent for a long time, andwhen it does become symptomatic, it is too late for ablative surgery; this is one of the major reasons explaining the short survival associated with the disease. Even when surgery is possible, relapsesare frequent, andthe causes of this devastating picture are the low efficacy ofand early resistance to all known chemotherapeutic treatments. Thus, it is imperative to analyze the roots of this resistance in order to improve the benefits of therapy. PDAC chemoresistance is the final product of different, but to some extent, interconnected factors. Surgery, being the most adequate treatment for pancreatic cancer and the only one that in a few selected cases can achieve longer survival, is only possible in less than 20% of patients. Thus, the treatment burden relies on chemotherapy in mostcases. While the FOLFIRINOX scheme has a slightly longer overall survival, it also produces many more adverse eventsso that gemcitabine is still considered the first choice for treatment, especially in combination with other compounds/agents. This review discusses the multiple causes of gemcitabine resistance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephan Joel Reshkin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Tiago M. A. Carvalho
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Daria Di Molfetta
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Maria Raffaella Greco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Khalid Omer Alfarouk
- Zamzam Research Center, Zamzam University College, Khartoum 11123, Sudan;
- Alfarouk Biomedical Research LLC, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, USA
| | - Rosa Angela Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
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41
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Guo L, Ke H, Zhang H, Zou L, Yang Q, Lu X, Zhao L, Jiao B. TDP43 promotes stemness of breast cancer stem cells through CD44 variant splicing isoforms. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:428. [PMID: 35504883 PMCID: PMC9065105 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04867-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a promising clinical target for cancer treatment at the post-transcriptional level. We previously identified a unique AS profile in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is regulated by the splicing regulator TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP43), thus indicating the crucial role of TDP43 in heterogeneous TNBC. Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), a widely recognized marker for breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), is extensively spliced into CD44 variant AS isoforms (CD44v) during the development of breast cancer. At present, however, the regulatory mechanism of CD44v is not fully understood. In the current study, we found that loss of TDP43 inhibits BCSC stemness by reducing the abundance of CD44v. In addition, serine-arginine-rich splicing factor 3 (SRSF3), another splicing factor and partner of TDP43, acts as an upstream regulator of TDP43 to maintain CD44v isoforms and thereafter BCSC stemness. Mechanistically, SRSF3 stabilizes the mRNA of TDP43 by inhibiting nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). These findings illustrate the important role of complicated regulatory networks formed by splicing factors in TNBC progression, thus providing potential therapeutic targets from an AS perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Guo
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 China
| | - Hao Ke
- grid.260463.50000 0001 2182 8825Human Aging Research Institute (HARI) and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, and Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Human Aging, Nanchang, 330031 Jiangxi China
| | - Honglei Zhang
- grid.440773.30000 0000 9342 2456Center for Scientific Research, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500 Yunnan China
| | - Li Zou
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Qin Yang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Xuemei Lu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223 Yunnan China
| | - Limin Zhao
- grid.260463.50000 0001 2182 8825Human Aging Research Institute (HARI) and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, and Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Human Aging, Nanchang, 330031 Jiangxi China
| | - Baowei Jiao
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223 Yunnan China
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42
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Lierova A, Kasparova J, Filipova A, Cizkova J, Pekarova L, Korecka L, Mannova N, Bilkova Z, Sinkorova Z. Hyaluronic Acid: Known for Almost a Century, but Still in Vogue. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:838. [PMID: 35456670 PMCID: PMC9029726 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) has a special position among glycosaminoglycans. As a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This simple, unbranched polysaccharide is involved in the regulation of various biological cell processes, whether under physiological conditions or in cases of cell damage. This review summarizes the history of this molecule's study, its distinctive metabolic pathway in the body, its unique properties, and current information regarding its interaction partners. Our main goal, however, is to intensively investigate whether this relatively simple polymer may find applications in protecting against ionizing radiation (IR) or for therapy in cases of radiation-induced damage. After exposure to IR, acute and belated damage develops in each tissue depending upon the dose received and the cellular composition of a given organ. A common feature of all organ damage is a distinct change in composition and structure of the ECM. In particular, the important role of HA was shown in lung tissue and the variability of this flexible molecule in the complex mechanism of radiation-induced lung injuries. Moreover, HA is also involved in intermediating cell behavior during morphogenesis and in tissue repair during inflammation, injury, and would healing. The possibility of using the HA polymer to affect or treat radiation tissue damage may point to the missing gaps in the responsible mechanisms in the onset of this disease. Therefore, in this article, we will also focus on obtaining answers from current knowledge and the results of studies as to whether hyaluronic acid can also find application in radiation science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lierova
- Department of Radiobiology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (A.F.); (J.C.); (L.P.); (Z.S.)
| | - Jitka Kasparova
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (L.K.); (N.M.); (Z.B.)
| | - Alzbeta Filipova
- Department of Radiobiology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (A.F.); (J.C.); (L.P.); (Z.S.)
| | - Jana Cizkova
- Department of Radiobiology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (A.F.); (J.C.); (L.P.); (Z.S.)
| | - Lenka Pekarova
- Department of Radiobiology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (A.F.); (J.C.); (L.P.); (Z.S.)
| | - Lucie Korecka
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (L.K.); (N.M.); (Z.B.)
| | - Nikola Mannova
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (L.K.); (N.M.); (Z.B.)
| | - Zuzana Bilkova
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (L.K.); (N.M.); (Z.B.)
| | - Zuzana Sinkorova
- Department of Radiobiology, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (A.F.); (J.C.); (L.P.); (Z.S.)
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43
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Haldavnekar R, Ganesh S, Venkatakrishnan K, Tan B. Cancer Stem Cell DNA Enabled Real-Time Genotyping with Self-Functionalized Quantum Superstructures-Overcoming the Barriers of Noninvasive cfDNA Cancer Diagnostics. SMALL METHODS 2022; 6:e2101467. [PMID: 35247038 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202101467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer diagnosis and determining its tissue of origin are crucial for clinical implementation of personalized medicine. Conventional diagnostic techniques such as imaging and tissue biopsy are unable to capture the dynamic tumor landscape. Although circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) shows promise for diagnosis, the clinical relevance of ctDNA remains largely undetermined due to several biological and technical complexities. Here, cancer stem cell-ctDNA is used to overcome the biological complexities like the inability for molecular analysis of ctDNA and dependence on ctDNA concentration rather than the molecular profile. Ultrasensitive quantum superstructures overcome the technical complexities of trace-level detection and rapid diagnosis to detect ctDNA within its short half-life. Activation of multiple surface enhanced Raman scattering mechanisms of the quantum superstructures achieved a very high enhancement factor (1.35 × 1011 ) and detection at ultralow concentration (10-15 M) with very high reliability (RSD: 3-12%). Pilot validation with clinical plasma samples from an independent validation cohort achieved a diagnosis sensitivity of ≈95% and specificity of 83%. Quantum superstructures identified the tissue of origin with ≈75-86% sensitivity and ≈92-96% specificity. With large scale clinical validation, the technology can develop into a clinically useful liquid biopsy tool improving cancer diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupa Haldavnekar
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (I BEST), Partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
- Ultrashort Laser Nanomanufacturing Research Facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nano-Bio Interface facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Swarna Ganesh
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (I BEST), Partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
- Ultrashort Laser Nanomanufacturing Research Facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nano-Bio Interface facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Krishnan Venkatakrishnan
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (I BEST), Partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
- Ultrashort Laser Nanomanufacturing Research Facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nano-Bio Interface facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Bo Tan
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (I BEST), Partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
- Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
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44
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Zou W, Zhang Y, Bai G, Zhuang J, Wei L, Wang Z, Sun M, Wang J. siRNA-induced CD44 knockdown suppresses the proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer stem cells through inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:1969-1978. [PMID: 35229451 PMCID: PMC8980945 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
CD44 has shown prognostic values and promising therapeutic potential in multiple human cancers; however, the effects of CD44 silencing on biological behaviors of cancer stem cells (CSCs) have not been fully understood in colorectal cancer. To examine the contribution of siRNA‐induced knockdown of CD44 to the biological features of colorectal CSCs, colorectal CSCs HCT116‐CSCs were generated, and CD44 was knocked down in HCT116‐CSCs using siRNA. The proliferation, migration and invasion of HCT116‐CSCs were measured, and apoptosis and cell‐cycle analyses were performed. The sensitivity of HCT116‐CSCs to oxaliplatin was tested, and xenograft tumor growth assay was performed to examine the role of CD44 in HCT116‐CSCs tumorigenesis in vivo. In addition, the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin and vimentin was quantified. siRNA‐induced knockdown of CD44 was found to inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion, induce apoptosis, promote cell‐cycle arrest at the G1/G0 phase and increase the sensitivity of HCT116‐CSCs to oxaliplatin in HCT116‐CSCs, and knockdown of CD44 suppressed in vivo tumorigenesis and intrapulmonary metastasis of HCT116‐CSCs. Moreover, silencing CD44 resulted in EMT inhibition. Our findings demonstrate that siRNA‐induced CD44 knockdown suppresses the proliferation, invasion and in vivo tumorigenesis and metastasis of colorectal CSCs by inhibiting EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyan Zou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- The Second Department of Surgery, Xiamen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen City, China
| | - Guangfu Bai
- Department of Emergency, Wuxi Huishan District People's Hospital, Wuxi City, China
| | - Jialu Zhuang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
| | - Lin Wei
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
| | - Zishu Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
| | - Meiqun Sun
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
| | - Junbin Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
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45
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Yu W, Liu F, Lei Q, Wu P, Yang L, Zhang Y. Identification of Key Pathways and Genes Related to Immunotherapy Resistance of LUAD Based on WGCNA Analysis. Front Oncol 2022; 11:814014. [PMID: 35071018 PMCID: PMC8770266 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.814014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy resistance is a major barrier in the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. Although recent studies have found several mechanisms and potential genes responsible for immunotherapy resistance, ways to solve this problem are still lacking. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) algorithm is a newly developed method to calculate potential regulators and indicators of ICI resistance. In this article, we combined TIDE and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to screen potential modules and hub genes that are highly associated with immunotherapy resistance using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset of LUAD patients. We identified 45 gene co-expression modules, and the pink module was most correlated with TIDE score and other immunosuppressive features. After considering the potential factors in immunotherapy resistance, we found that the pink module was also highly related to cancer stemness. Further analysis showed enriched immunosuppressive cells in the extracellular matrix (ECM), immunotherapy resistance indicators, and common cancer-related signaling pathways in the pink module. Seven hub genes in the pink module were shown to be significantly upregulated in tumor tissues compared with normal lung tissue, and were related to poor survival of LUAD patients. Among them, THY1 was the gene most associated with TIDE score, a gene highly related to suppressive immune states, and was shown to be strongly expressed in late-stage patients. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) results demonstrated that THY1 level was higher in the progressive disease (PD) group of LUAD patients receiving a PD-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and positively correlated with SOX9. Collectively, we identified that THY1 could be a critical biomarker in predicting ICI efficiency and a potential target for avoiding tumor immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weina Yu
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fengsen Liu
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qingyang Lei
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Li Yang
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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46
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Afify SM, Hassan G, Ishii H, Monzur S, Nawara HM, Osman A, Abu Quora HA, Sheta M, Zahra MH, Seno A, Seno M. Functional and Molecular Characters of Cancer Stem Cells Through Development to Establishment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1393:83-101. [PMID: 36587303 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-12974-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are small subpopulation sharing similar properties like normal stem such as self-renewal and differentiation potential to direct tumor growth. Last few years, scientists considered CSCs as the cause of phenotypic heterogeneity in diverse cancer types. Also, CSCs contribute to cancer metastasis and recurrence. The cellular and molecular regulators influence on the CSCs' phenotype changing their behaviors in different stages of cancer progression. CSC markers play significance roles in cancer diagnosis and characterization. We delineate the cross-talks between CSCs and the tumor microenvironment that supports their intrinsic properties including survival, stemness, quiescence and their cellular and molecular adaptation. An insight into the markers of CSCs specific to organs is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Said M Afify
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
- Faculty of Science, Division of Biochemistry, Chemistry Department, Menoufia University, Shebin El Koum, 32511, Egypt
| | - Ghmkin Hassan
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Damascus University, Damascus, 10769, Syria
| | - Hiroko Ishii
- GSP Enterprise, Inc, 1-4-38 12F Minato-Machi, Naniwaku, Osaka, 556-0017, Japan
| | - Sadia Monzur
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Hend M Nawara
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Amira Osman
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology, Kafr Elsheikh University, Kafr Elsheikh, 33511, Egypt
| | - Hagar A Abu Quora
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
- Faculty of Science, Cytology, Histology and Histochemistry, Zoology Department, Menoufia University, Menoufia, 32511, Egypt
| | - Mona Sheta
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
- Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Maram H Zahra
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Akimasa Seno
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Masaharu Seno
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan.
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Criscuolo D, Morra F, Celetti A. A xCT role in tumour-associated ferroptosis shed light on novel therapeutic options. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2022; 3:570-581. [PMID: 36338517 PMCID: PMC9630094 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2022.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11; also known as xCT), a key component of the cystine/glutamate antiporter, is essential for the maintenance of cellular redox status and the regulation of tumor-associated ferroptosis. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that xCT overexpression, resulting from different oncogenic and tumor suppressor signaling, promotes tumor progression and multidrug resistance partially via suppressing ferroptosis. In addition, recent studies have highlighted the role of xCT in regulating the metabolic flexibility in cancer cells. In this review, the xCT activities in intracellular redox balance and in ferroptotic cell death have been summarized. Moreover, the role of xCT in promoting tumor development, drug resistance, and nutrient dependency in cancer cells has been explored. Finally, different therapeutic strategies, xCT-based, for anti-cancer treatments have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Criscuolo
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy,Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Morra
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy,Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Angela Celetti
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy,Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy,Correspondence: Angela Celetti, Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Research National Council, CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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Yang H, Wang L, Zheng Y, Hu G, Ma H, Shen L. Knockdown of zinc finger protein 267 suppresses diffuse large B-cell lymphoma progression, metastasis, and cancer stem cell properties. Bioengineered 2022; 13:1686-1701. [PMID: 35001816 PMCID: PMC8805851 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2014644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger protein 267 (ZNF267) is a member of the Kruppel-like transcription factor family, which regulates various biological processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the biological significance of ZNF267 and its potential role in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remain to be documented. Experiments were herein conducted to study the role of ZNF267 in DLBCL. real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting assays were conducted to detect the expression of ZNF267 in tissues and cells. Tissue microarray and bioinformatics analyses of public data were also done to detect the expression status and clinical significance of ZNF267. Functional cell experiments including CCK8 assay, colony formation assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EDU) assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, transwell assay, and wound healing assay were conducted to study the effects of ZNF267 knockdown and overexpression on cell proliferation and mobility. Xenograft assay was also conducted to confirm the effects of ZNF267 knockdown in vivo. In the present study, we found ZNF267 was significantly upregulated in DLBCL and predicted a poor survival outcome based on the bioinformatics analysis. Functionally, the knockdown of ZNF267 resulted in less cell proliferation and mobility, whereas the overexpression led to enhanced cell proliferation and mobility. Animal experiments also confirmed that ZNF267 silence contributed to less tumor growth and less lung metastasis. Further analysis showed that ZFN267 knockdown resulted in decreased epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. Our results suggest that ZNF267 is an oncogene in DLBCL and its silence could compromise the aggression of DLBCL, which makes ZNF267 a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Yang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Linmei Wang
- Department of Resoiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yingbin Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guiming Hu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Ma
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liyun Shen
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Leon F, Seshacharyulu P, Nimmakayala RK, Chugh S, Karmakar S, Nallasamy P, Vengoji R, Rachagani S, Cox JL, Mallya K, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. Reduction in O-glycome induces differentially glycosylated CD44 to promote stemness and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. Oncogene 2022; 41:57-71. [PMID: 34675409 PMCID: PMC8727507 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02047-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant protein glycosylation has been shown to have a significant contribution in aggressive cancer, including pancreatic cancer (PC). Emerging evidence has implicated the involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in PC aggressiveness; however, the contribution of glycosylation on self-renewal properties and maintenance of CSC is understudied. Here, using several in vitro and in vivo models lacking C1GALT1 expression, we identified the role of aberrant O-glycosylation in stemness properties and aggressive PC metastasis. A loss in C1GALT1 was found to result in the truncation of O-glycosylation on several glycoproteins with an enrichment of Tn carbohydrate antigen. Mapping of Tn-bearing glycoproteins in C1GALT1 KO cells identified significant Tn enrichment on CSC glycoprotein CD44. Notably, a loss of C1GALT1 in PC cells was found to enhance CSC features (side population-SP, ALDH1+, and tumorspheres) and self-renewal markers NANOG, SOX9, and KLF4. Furthermore, a loss of CD44 in existing C1GALT1 KO cells decreased NANOG expression and CSC features. We determined that O-glycosylation of CD44 activates ERK/NF-kB signaling, which results in increased NANOG expression in PC cells that facilitated the alteration of CSC features, suggesting that NANOG is essential for PC stemness. Finally, we identified that loss of C1GALT1 expression was found to augment tumorigenic and metastatic potential, while an additional loss of CD44 in these cells reversed the effects. Overall, our results identified that truncation of O-glycans on CD44 increases NANOG activation that mediates increased CSC activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Leon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Rama K Nimmakayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Seema Chugh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Saswati Karmakar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Palanisamy Nallasamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Raghupathy Vengoji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Satyanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jesse L Cox
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kavita Mallya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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50
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Joshi J, Patel H, Bhavnagari H, Tarapara B, Pandit A, Shah F. Eliminating Cancer Stem-Like Cells in Oral Cancer by Targeting Elementary Signaling Pathways. Crit Rev Oncog 2022; 27:65-82. [PMID: 37199303 DOI: 10.1615/critrevoncog.2022047207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Oral cancer is a heterogeneous, aggressive, and complex entity. Current major treatment options for the disease are surgery, chemo, and/or radiotherapy either alone or in combination with each other. Each treatment method has its own limitations such as a significant journey with deformities and a protracted rehabilitation process leading to loss of self-esteem, loss of tolerance, and therapeutic side effects. Conventional therapies are frequently experienced with regimen resistance and recurrence attributed to the cancer stem cells (CSCs). Given that CSCs exert their tumorigenesis by affecting several cellular and molecular targets and pathways an improved understanding of CSCs' actions is required. Hence, more research is recommended to fully understand the fundamental mechanisms driving CSC-mediated treatment resistance. Despite the difficulties and disagreements surrounding the removal of CSCs from solid tumors, a great amount of knowledge has been derived from the characterization of CSCs. Various efforts have been made to identify the CSCs using several cell surface markers. In the current review, we will discuss numerous cell surface markers such as CD44, ALDH1, EPCAM, CD24, CD133, CD271, CD90, and Cripto-1 for identifying and isolating CSCs from primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Further, a spectrum of embryonic signaling pathways has been thought to be the main culprit of CSCs' active state in cancers, resulting in conventional therapeutic resistance. Hence, we discuss the functional and molecular bases of several signaling pathways such as the Wnt/beta;-catenin, Notch, Hedgehog, and Hippo pathways and their associations with disease aggressiveness. Moreover, numerous inhibitors targeting the above mentioned signaling pathways have already been identified and some of them are already undergoing clinical trials. Hence, the present review encapsulates the characterization and effectiveness of the prospective potential targeted therapies for eradicating CSCs in oral cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jigna Joshi
- Molecular Diagnostic and Research Lab-III, Department of Cancer Biology, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Hitarth Patel
- Molecular Diagnostic and Research Lab-III, Department of Cancer Biology, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Hunayna Bhavnagari
- Molecular Diagnostic and Research Lab-III, Department of Cancer Biology, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Bhoomi Tarapara
- Molecular Diagnostic and Research Lab-III, Department of Cancer Biology, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Apexa Pandit
- Molecular Diagnostic and Research Lab-III, Department of Cancer Biology, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Franky Shah
- Molecular Diagnostic and Research Lab-III, Department of Cancer Biology, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
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