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Turyova E, Mikolajcik P, Grendar M, Kudelova E, Holubekova V, Kalman M, Marcinek J, Hrnciar M, Kovac M, Miklusica J, Laca L, Lasabova Z. Expression of OCT4 isoforms is reduced in primary colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1166835. [PMID: 37409260 PMCID: PMC10319064 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1166835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. The carcinogenesis of CRC is indeed complex, and there are many different mechanisms and pathways that contribute to the development of malignancy and the progression from primary to metastatic tumors. The OCT4A, encoded by the POU5F1 gene, is a transcription factor responsible for the phenotype of stem cells, maintaining pluripotency and regulation of differentiation. The POU5F1 gene is made up of five exons that can create numerous isoforms through alternative promoter or alternative splicing. In addition to OCT4A, other isoforms called OCT4B are also translated into protein; however, their role in cells has been unclear. The aim of our work was to investigate the expression patterns of OCT4 isoforms in primary and metastatic CRC, providing us with useful information about their role in the development and progression of CRC. Methods Surgical specimens from a total of 78 patients were collected and isolated from primary tumors (n = 47) and metastases (n = 31). The relative gene expression of OCT4 isoforms was investigated using the RT-qPCR method together with the TaqMan probes for particular OCT4 isoforms. Results Our results suggest significantly downregulated expression of the OCT4A and OCT4Bs isoforms in both primary (p = 0.0002 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and metastatic tumors (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.00051, respectively) when compared with the control samples. We also observed a correlation between reduced expression of all OCT4 isoforms and both primary and left-sided tumors (p = 0.001 and p = 0.030, respectively). On the other hand, the expression of all OCT4 isoforms was significantly upregulated in metastases compared with primary tumors (p < 0.0001). Discussion Unlike previous reports, we found out that the expression of OCT4A, OCT4Bs, and all OCT4 isoforms was significantly reduced in primary tumors and metastases compared with control samples. On the other hand, we supposed that the expression rate of all OCT4 isoforms may be related to the cancer type and side, as well as to liver metastases. However, further studies are required to investigate the detailed expression patterns and significance of individual OCT4 isoforms in carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Turyova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Peter Mikolajcik
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Marian Grendar
- Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Eva Kudelova
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Holubekova
- Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Michal Kalman
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Marcinek
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Matej Hrnciar
- Department of Informatics, Information Systems and Software Engineering, Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Kovac
- Department of Informatics, Information Systems and Software Engineering, Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Miklusica
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Ludovit Laca
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin and University Hospital Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Zora Lasabova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
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Liu S, Cheng K, Zhang H, Kong R, Wang S, Mao C, Liu S. Methylation Status of the Nanog Promoter Determines the Switch between Cancer Cells and Cancer Stem Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1903035. [PMID: 32154082 PMCID: PMC7055559 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201903035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the main cause of tumor development, metastasis, and relapse. CSCs are thus considered promising targets for cancer therapy. However, it is hard to eradicate CSCs due to their inherent plasticity and heterogeneity, and the underlying mechanism of the switch between non-CSCs and CSCs remains unclear. Here, it is shown that miR-135a combined with SMYD4 activates Nanog expression and induces the switch of non-CSCs into CSCs. The miR-135a level, once elevated, lowers the methylation level of the CG5 site in the Nanog promoter by directly targeting DNMT1. SMYD4 binds to the unmethylated Nanog promoter to activate Nanog expression in Nanog-negative tumor cells. The in vivo regulation of miR-135a levels could significantly affect both the CSCs proportion and tumor progression. These findings indicate that DNA methylation of the Nanog promoter modulates the switch of non-CSCs into CSCs under the control of the miRNA-135 level. In addition, the related pathways, miR-135a/DNMT1 and SMYD4, involved in these processes are potential targets for CSC-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shupeng Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyShanghai Tenth People's HospitalTongji UniversityShanghai200072China
- Department of Laboratory DiagnosticsChanghai HospitalSecond Military Medical UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Kai Cheng
- Department of Laboratory DiagnosticsChanghai HospitalSecond Military Medical UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Laboratory DiagnosticsChanghai HospitalSecond Military Medical UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Ruijiao Kong
- Department of Laboratory DiagnosticsShanghai Fourth People's HospitalAffiliated to Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai200081China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Laboratory DiagnosticsChanghai HospitalSecond Military Medical UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Chuanbin Mao
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryStephenson Life Sciences Research CenterUniversity of Oklahoma101 Stephenson ParkwayNormanOK73019‐5300USA
| | - Shanrong Liu
- Department of Laboratory DiagnosticsChanghai HospitalSecond Military Medical UniversityShanghai200433China
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3
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Liu ML, Zang F, Zhang SJ. RBCK1 contributes to chemoresistance and stemness in colorectal cancer (CRC). Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 118:109250. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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MicroRNA Biogenesis Pathway Genes Are Deregulated in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184460. [PMID: 31510013 PMCID: PMC6770105 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. Each step of their production and maturation has to be strictly regulated, as any disruption of control mechanisms may lead to cancer. Thus, we have measured the expression of 19 genes involved in miRNAs biogenesis pathway in tumor tissues of 239 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, 17 CRC patients with liver metastases and 239 adjacent tissues using real-time PCR. Subsequently, the expression of analyzed genes was correlated with the clinical-pathological features as well as with the survival of patients. In total, significant over-expression of all analyzed genes was observed in tumor tissues as well as in liver metastases except for LIN28A/B. Furthermore, it was shown that the deregulated levels of some of the analyzed genes significantly correlate with tumor stage, grade, location, size and lymph node positivity. Finally, high levels of DROSHA and TARBP2 were associated with shorter disease-free survival, while the over-expression of XPO5, TNRC6A and DDX17 was detected in tissues of patients with shorter overall survival and poor prognosis. Our data indicate that changed levels of miRNA biogenesis genes may contribute to origin as well as progression of CRC; thus, these molecules could serve as potential therapeutic targets.
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5
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Amirkhah R, Naderi-Meshkin H, Shah JS, Dunne PD, Schmitz U. The Intricate Interplay between Epigenetic Events, Alternative Splicing and Noncoding RNA Deregulation in Colorectal Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:cells8080929. [PMID: 31430887 PMCID: PMC6721676 DOI: 10.3390/cells8080929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) results from a transformation of colonic epithelial cells into adenocarcinoma cells due to genetic and epigenetic instabilities, alongside remodelling of the surrounding stromal tumour microenvironment. Epithelial-specific epigenetic variations escorting this process include chromatin remodelling, histone modifications and aberrant DNA methylation, which influence gene expression, alternative splicing and function of non-coding RNA. In this review, we first highlight epigenetic modulators, modifiers and mediators in CRC, then we elaborate on causes and consequences of epigenetic alterations in CRC pathogenesis alongside an appraisal of the complex feedback mechanisms realized through alternative splicing and non-coding RNA regulation. An emphasis in our review is put on how this intricate network of epigenetic and post-transcriptional gene regulation evolves during the initiation, progression and metastasis formation in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheleh Amirkhah
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK
- Nastaran Center for Cancer Prevention (NCCP), Mashhad 9185765476, Iran
| | - Hojjat Naderi-Meshkin
- Nastaran Center for Cancer Prevention (NCCP), Mashhad 9185765476, Iran
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Academic Center for Education, Culture Research (ACECR), Khorasan Razavi Branch, Mashhad 9177949367, Iran
| | - Jaynish S Shah
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Philip D Dunne
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Ulf Schmitz
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
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Zhang YF, Zhou YZ, Zhang B, Huang SF, Li PP, He XM, Cao GD, Kang MX, Dong X, Wu YL. Pancreatic cancer-derived exosomes promoted pancreatic stellate cells recruitment by pancreatic cancer. J Cancer 2019; 10:4397-4407. [PMID: 31413760 PMCID: PMC6691697 DOI: 10.7150/jca.27590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are an important component of the tumor microenvironment, have been identified in the blood circulation of patients with cancer metastasis, and metastatic cancer cells can recruit circulating CAFs. However, primary carcinoma sites usually regulate the behavior of metastatic cancer cells through exosomes. Here, we hypothesized that cancer-derived exosomes could enhance CAF recruitment. Exosomes secreted by pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2) were isolated and characterized. The ability of pancreatic cancer to recruit pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) was assessed with Transwell assays in vitro and bioluminescent imaging in a mouse model in vivo, and the underlying molecular mechanism was also investigated. The results showed that pancreatic cancer cell-derived exosomes (Exo-Pan and Exo-Mia) promoted the pancreatic cancer recruitment of PSCs. This effect was mediated partially by the transfer of the exosomal protein Lin28B to the recipient cells to activate the Lin28B/let-7/HMGA2/PDGFB signaling pathway. These results suggested that exosomes derived from local cancer could promote the formation of distant metastases through transferring the exosomal protein Lin28B to the metastatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Feng Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Zhao Zhou
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Cancer Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Fei Huang
- Department of Surgery, Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Hangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Peng-Ping Li
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Cancer Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Man He
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Cancer Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Guo-Dong Cao
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Cancer Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Mu-Xing Kang
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Cancer Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Xin Dong
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Department of General Surgery, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Lian Wu
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
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7
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Guo M, You C, Dou J. Role of transmembrane glycoprotein mucin 1 (MUC1) in various types of colorectal cancer and therapies: Current research status and updates. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 107:1318-1325. [PMID: 30257347 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.08.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common malignant tumor in the world. In recent years, the morbidity and mortality of CRC have increased in the world due to increasingly ageing population, modern dietary habits, environmental change, genetic disorders and chronic intestinal inflammation. Despite recent advances in earlier detection and improvements in chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rate of patients with metastatic CRC remains low. Therefore, novel effective treatment strategies for primary or metastatic CRC have emerged to enhance cure rate as well as elongation of patient's survival. Immunotherapy has been proposed for a potentially effective therapeutic approach to the treatment of CRC. Tumor vaccination in preclinical and clinical studies has supported the antitumor activity induced by immunization with CRC cell vaccines. Epithelial cell molecule Mucin 1 (MUC1), a transmembrane glycoprotein aberrantly overexpressed in various cancers including CRC, has been used as a candidate target antigen in the peptide, dendritic cell, and whole tumor vaccines. Several clinical trials in progress reveal the immunogenicity and suitability of MUC1 that acted as immunotherapeutic vaccines for CRC/colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSC). The present review summarizes the potential roles of MUC1 on CRC/CCSC vaccines according to the latest data. Moreover, this review also discusses the novel strategies for targeting CCSC via inducing an immune response against MUC1 to achieve the best prevention and treatment effects in animal models and clinical trails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Guo
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Chengzhong You
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jun Dou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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8
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Wang Y, Li J, Guo S, Ouyang Y, Yin L, Liu S, Zhao Z, Yang J, Huang W, Qin H, Zhao X, Ni B, Wang H. Lin28B facilitates the progression and metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:60414-60428. [PMID: 28947981 PMCID: PMC5601149 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lin28B, a Lin28 homologue, represses the biogenesis of let-7 microRNAs (miRNAs), has a role in tumorigenesis, and is considered a potential therapeutic target for various human malignancies. However, the associations between Lin28B and the clinical features and outcomes of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain unclear. In this study, we explored the clinical significance of Lin28B in PDAC and its association with metastasis by examining tissues from patients with PDAC and elucidated the molecular mechanisms using PDAC cell lines. In patients, high Lin28B expression was significantly correlated with high levels of lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis and a poor prognosis. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis identified Lin28B expression as an independent prognostic factor in patients. In cell lines, stable silencing of Lin28B inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle transition, migration and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It also increased the expression of the c-MYC, HMGA2 and KRAS genes, which are targeted by the cancer-suppressor miRNA let-7. Lin28B overexpression in the PDAC cell lines had the opposite effect. In human PDAC samples, high Lin28B expression was associated with decreased let-7 expression and increased c-MYC, HMGA2 and KRAS expression. Thus, Lin28B is a novel marker for predicting the prognosis of patients with PDAC and might be a potential therapeutic target for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchao Wang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China.,Department of Pathophysiology and High Altitude Pathology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Jian Li
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Shixiang Guo
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Yongsheng Ouyang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Liangyu Yin
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Songsong Liu
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Zhiping Zhao
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Jiali Yang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Wenjie Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, PR China
| | - Huan Qin
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University, Jiangsu 215006, PR China
| | - Bing Ni
- Department of Pathophysiology and High Altitude Pathology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Huaizhi Wang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
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S Franco S, Szczesna K, Iliou MS, Al-Qahtani M, Mobasheri A, Kobolák J, Dinnyés A. In vitro models of cancer stem cells and clinical applications. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:738. [PMID: 27766946 PMCID: PMC5073996 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2774-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells, stem cells and cancer stem cells have for a long time played a significant role in the biomedical sciences. Though cancer therapy is more effective than it was a few years ago, the truth is that still none of the current non-surgical treatments can cure cancer effectively. The reason could be due to the subpopulation called “cancer stem cells” (CSCs), being defined as those cells within a tumour that have properties of stem cells: self-renewal and the ability for differentiation into multiple cell types that occur in tumours. The phenomenon of CSCs is based on their resistance to many of the current cancer therapies, which results in tumour relapse. Although further investigation regarding CSCs is still needed, there is already evidence that these cells may play an important role in the prognosis of cancer, progression and therapeutic strategy. Therefore, long-term patient survival may depend on the elimination of CSCs. Consequently, isolation of pure CSC populations or reprogramming of cancer cells into CSCs, from cancer cell lines or primary tumours, would be a useful tool to gain an in-depth knowledge about heterogeneity and plasticity of CSC phenotypes and therefore carcinogenesis. Herein, we will discuss current CSC models, methods used to characterize CSCs, candidate markers, characteristic signalling pathways and clinical applications of CSCs. Some examples of CSC-specific treatments that are currently in early clinical phases will also be presented in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara S Franco
- Szent István University, Gödöllö, Hungary.,Biotalentum Ltd., Gödöllö, Hungary
| | | | - Maria S Iliou
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mohammed Al-Qahtani
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research (CEGMR), King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Mobasheri
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research (CEGMR), King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
| | | | - András Dinnyés
- Szent István University, Gödöllö, Hungary. .,Biotalentum Ltd., Gödöllö, Hungary. .,Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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10
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Bose B, Shenoy P S. Pluripotent Conversion of Muscle Stem Cells Without Reprogramming Factors or Small Molecules. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2015; 12:73-89. [PMID: 26358783 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-015-9620-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Muscle derived stem cells (MDSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into several lineages including skeletal muscle precursor cells. Here, we show that MDSCs from myostatin null mice (Mstn (-/-) ) can be readily induced into pluripotent stem cells without using reprogramming factors. Microarray studies revealed a strong upregulation of markers like Leukemia Inhibitory factor (LIF) and Leukemia Inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) in Mstn (-/-) MDSCs as compared to wild type MDSCs (WT-MDSCs). Furthermore when cultured in mouse embryonic stem cell media with LIF for 95 days, Mstn (-/-) MDSCs formed embryonic stem cell (ES) like colonies. We termed such ES like cells as the culture-induced pluripotent stem cells (CiPSC). CiPSCs from Mstn (-/-) MDSCs were phenotypically similar to ESCs, expressed high levels of Oct4, Nanog, Sox2 and SSEA-1, maintained a normal karyotype. Furthermore, CiPSCs formed embryoid bodies and teratomas when injected into immunocompromised mice. In addition, CiPSCs differentiated into somatic cells of all three lineages. We further show that culturing in ES cell media, resulted in hypermethylation and downregulation of BMP2 in Mstn(-/-) MDSCs. Western blot further confirmed a down regulation of BMP2 signaling in Mstn (-/-) MDSCs in supportive of pluripotent reprogramming. Given that down regulation of BMP2 has been shown to induce pluripotency in cells, we propose that lack of myostatin epigenetically reprograms the MDSCs to become pluripotent stem cells. Thus, here we report the successful establishment of ES-like cells from adult stem cells of the non-germline origin under culture-induced conditions without introducing reprogramming genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bipasha Bose
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60, Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
- Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Division, Yenepoya Research Center, Yenepoya University, University Road, Derlakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575018, India.
| | - Sudheer Shenoy P
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60, Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
- Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Division, Yenepoya Research Center, Yenepoya University, University Road, Derlakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575018, India.
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11
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Tan Y, Ooi S, Wang L. Immunogenicity and tumorigenicity of pluripotent stem cells and their derivatives: genetic and epigenetic perspectives. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2014; 9:63-72. [PMID: 24160683 PMCID: PMC3873036 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x113086660068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2013] [Revised: 10/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
One aim of stem cell-based therapy is to utilize pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) as a supplementary source of cells
to repair or replace tissues or organs that have ceased to function due to severe tissue damage. However, PSC-based therapy
requires extensive research to ascertain if PSC derivatives are functional without the risk of tumorigenicity, and also
do not engender severe immune rejection that threatens graft survival and function. Recently, the suitability of induced
pluripotent stem cells applied for patient-tailored cell therapy has been questioned since the discovery of several genetic
and epigenetic aberrations during the reprogramming process. Hence, it is crucial to understand the effect of these abnormalities
on the immunogenicity and survival of PSC grafts. As induced PSC-based therapy represents a hallmark for the
potential solution to prevent and arrest immune rejection, this review also summarizes several up-to-date key findings in
the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa K1H8M5, Canada.
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12
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Lin H, Sun LH, Han W, He TY, Xu XJ, Cheng K, Geng C, Su LD, Wen H, Wang XY, Chen QL. Knockdown of OCT4 suppresses the growth and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells through inhibition of the AKT pathway. Mol Med Rep 2014; 10:1335-42. [PMID: 25017645 PMCID: PMC4121418 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Octamer‑binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) is one of the factors associated with self‑renewal and differentiation in cancer stem cells, and is crucial for the progression of various types of human malignancy. However, the expression and function of OCT4 in human pancreatic cancer has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the function and molecular mechanisms of OCT4 in pancreatic cancer cells. The clinical significance of OCT4 expression was assessed by an immunohistochemical assay using a tissue microarray procedure in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells with different degrees of differentiation. A loss‑of‑function approach was used to examine the effects of a lentivirus‑mediated OCT4 small hairpin RNA vector on biological behaviors, including cell proliferative activity and invasive potential. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of OCT4 protein in cancer tissues were significantly elevated compared with those in adjacent non‑cancerous tissues (65.0 vs. 42.5%; P=0.005), which was correlated with tumor differentiation (P=0.008). The knockdown of OCT4 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells (Panc‑1) expressing high levels of OCT4, accompanied with decreased expression of AKT, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and matrix metalloproteinase‑2 (MMP‑2). In conclusion, the present study reveals that the increased expression of OCT4 is correlated with the differentiation of pancreatic cancer, while knockdown of OCT4 suppresses the growth and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells through inhibition of AKT pathway‑mediated PCNA and MMP‑2 expression, suggesting that OCT4 might serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Lin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Li-Hua Sun
- Liver Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Wei Han
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Tie-Ying He
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Jian Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Kun Cheng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Geng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Li-Dan Su
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Hao Wen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Xi-Yan Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830000, P.R. China
| | - Qi-Long Chen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
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Hahn S, Hermeking H. ZNF281/ZBP-99: a new player in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stemness, and cancer. J Mol Med (Berl) 2014; 92:571-81. [PMID: 24838609 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-014-1160-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) represents an important mechanism during development and wound healing, and its deregulation has been implicated in metastasis. Recently, the Krüppel-type zinc-finger transcription factor ZNF281 has been characterized as an EMT-inducing transcription factor (EMT-TF). Expression of ZNF281 is induced by the EMT-TF SNAIL and inhibited by the tumor suppressive microRNA miR-34a, which mediates repression of ZNF281 by the p53 tumor suppressor. Therefore, SNAIL, miR-34a and ZNF281 form a feed-forward regulatory loop, which controls EMT. Deregulation of this circuitry by mutational and epigenetic alterations in the p53/miR-34a axis promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and metastasis formation. As ZNF281 physically interacts with the transcription factors NANOG, OCT4, SOX2, and c-MYC, it has been implicated in the regulation of pluripotency, stemness, and cancer. Accordingly, ectopic ZNF281 expression in CRC lines induces the stemness markers LGR5 and CD133 and promotes sphere formation, suggesting that the elevated expression of ZNF281 detected in cancer may enhance tumor stem cell formation and/or function. Here, we review the functional and organismal studies of ZNF281/ZBP-99 and its close relative ZBP-89/ZFP148 reported so far. Taken together, ZNF281 related biology has the potential to be translated into cancer diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Hahn
- Experimental and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Thalkirchner Strasse 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
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Increased expression of Lin28B associates with poor prognosis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83869. [PMID: 24386298 PMCID: PMC3875533 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/09/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies showed that incomplete cell reprogramming can transform cells into tumour-like cells. Lin28A is associated with fibroblast and sarcoma cell reprogramming, whereas its homologue Lin28B is associated with hematopoietic cell reprogramming. This study aimed to investigate the expression and prognostic difference between Lin28A and Lin28B in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Expression level was assessed by immunohistochemistry and staining location was confirmed by immunofluorescence. Prognostic values were analysed and compared by the Kaplan-Meier analysis and uni and multivariate Cox regression models. Besides, in vitro cell assays and in vivo nude mice xenograft were used to demonstrate the influence of increased Lin28B expression in OSCC. Lin28A and Lin28B expression increased in OSCC, and co-expression of Lin28A and Lin28B showed no significant association with patient prognosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with high Lin28B but not Lin28A expression had lower overall survival (OS) rates than those with low Lin28B expression. Further Univariate analysis showed that patients with increased Lin28B expression had shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and shorter OS, while multivariate analysis showed Lin28B overexpression with TNM stage predicted poor prognosis in patients with OSCC. Besides, stable expressing Lin28B in oral cancer cells promoted cell migration, invasion, colony formation, in vivo proliferation and increased the expression of cancer suppressor miRNA let-7 targeted genes IL-6, HMGA2, the EMT markers Snail and Twist, the angiogenesis inducer VEGF, and the apoptosis inhibitor Survivin. These combined results indicate that Lin28B is a novel marker for predicting prognosis in patients with OSCC and may be a therapeutic target.
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