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Zhou Y, Tao L, Qiu J, Xu J, Yang X, Zhang Y, Tian X, Guan X, Cen X, Zhao Y. Tumor biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:132. [PMID: 38763973 PMCID: PMC11102923 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01823-2] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor biomarkers, the substances which are produced by tumors or the body's responses to tumors during tumorigenesis and progression, have been demonstrated to possess critical and encouraging value in screening and early diagnosis, prognosis prediction, recurrence detection, and therapeutic efficacy monitoring of cancers. Over the past decades, continuous progress has been made in exploring and discovering novel, sensitive, specific, and accurate tumor biomarkers, which has significantly promoted personalized medicine and improved the outcomes of cancer patients, especially advances in molecular biology technologies developed for the detection of tumor biomarkers. Herein, we summarize the discovery and development of tumor biomarkers, including the history of tumor biomarkers, the conventional and innovative technologies used for biomarker discovery and detection, the classification of tumor biomarkers based on tissue origins, and the application of tumor biomarkers in clinical cancer management. In particular, we highlight the recent advancements in biomarker-based anticancer-targeted therapies which are emerging as breakthroughs and promising cancer therapeutic strategies. We also discuss limitations and challenges that need to be addressed and provide insights and perspectives to turn challenges into opportunities in this field. Collectively, the discovery and application of multiple tumor biomarkers emphasized in this review may provide guidance on improved precision medicine, broaden horizons in future research directions, and expedite the clinical classification of cancer patients according to their molecular biomarkers rather than organs of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lei Tao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiahao Qiu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- School of Medicine, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Xinyu Tian
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinqi Guan
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaobo Cen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Khan AQ, Hasan A, Mir SS, Rashid K, Uddin S, Steinhoff M. Exploiting transcription factors to target EMT and cancer stem cells for tumor modulation and therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 100:1-16. [PMID: 38503384 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.03.002] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are essential in controlling gene regulatory networks that determine cellular fate during embryogenesis and tumor development. TFs are the major players in promoting cancer stemness by regulating the function of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Understanding how TFs interact with their downstream targets for determining cell fate during embryogenesis and tumor development is a critical area of research. CSCs are increasingly recognized for their significance in tumorigenesis and patient prognosis, as they play a significant role in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance. However, traditional therapies have limited effectiveness in eliminating this subset of cells, allowing CSCs to persist and potentially form secondary tumors. Recent studies have revealed that cancer cells and tumors with CSC-like features also exhibit genes related to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT-associated transcription factors (EMT-TFs) like TWIST and Snail/Slug can upregulate EMT-related genes and reprogram cancer cells into a stem-like phenotype. Importantly, the regulation of EMT-TFs, particularly through post-translational modifications (PTMs), plays a significant role in cancer metastasis and the acquisition of stem cell-like features. PTMs, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation, can alter the stability, localization, and activity of EMT-TFs, thereby modulating their ability to drive EMT and stemness properties in cancer cells. Although targeting EMT-TFs holds potential in tackling CSCs, current pharmacological approaches to do so directly are unavailable. Therefore, this review aims to explore the role of EMT- and CSC-TFs, their connection and impact in cellular development and cancer, emphasizing the potential of TF networks as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Adria Hasan
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Integral Information and Research Centre-4 (IIRC-4), Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India; Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Snober S Mir
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Integral Information and Research Centre-4 (IIRC-4), Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India; Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Khalid Rashid
- Department of Urology,Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
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Lu JW, Lin LI, Sun Y, Liu D, Gong Z. Effect of Lipopolysaccharides on Liver Tumor Metastasis of twist1a/krasV12 Double Transgenic Zebrafish. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10010095. [PMID: 35052775 PMCID: PMC8773574 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010095] [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: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The poor prognosis of patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is directly associated with the multi-step process of tumor metastasis. TWIST1, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, is the most important epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gene involved in embryonic development, tumor progression, and metastasis. However, the role that TWIST1 gene plays in the process of liver tumor metastasis in vivo is still not well understood. Zebrafish can serve as a powerful model for cancer research. Thus, in this study, we crossed twist1a+ and kras+ transgenic zebrafish, which, respectively, express hepatocyte-specific mCherry and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP); they also drive overexpression of their respective transcription factors. This was found to exacerbate the development of metastatic HCC. Fluorescence of mCherry and EGFP-labeled hepatocytes revealed that approximately 37.5% to 45.5% of the twist1a+/kras+ double transgenic zebrafish exhibited spontaneous tumor metastasis from the liver to the abdomen and tail areas, respectively. We also investigated the inflammatory effects of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the hepatocyte-specific co-expression of twist1a+ and kras+ in double transgenic zebrafish. Following LPS exposure, co-expression of twist1a+ and kras+ was found to increase tumor metastasis by 57.8%, likely due to crosstalk with the EMT pathway. Our results confirm that twist1a and kras are important mediators in the development of metastatic HCC. Taken together, our in-vivo model demonstrated that co-expression of twist1a+/kras+ in conjunction with exposure to LPS enhanced metastatic HCC offers a useful platform for the study of tumor initiation and metastasis in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeng-Wei Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore;
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10048, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (J.-W.L.); (Z.G.); Tel.: +65-6516-2860 (Z.G.)
| | - Liang-In Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10048, Taiwan;
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 10048, Taiwan
| | - Yuxi Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore;
- Brain Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China;
| | - Dong Liu
- Brain Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China;
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore;
- Correspondence: (J.-W.L.); (Z.G.); Tel.: +65-6516-2860 (Z.G.)
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4
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Imodoye SO, Adedokun KA, Muhammed AO, Bello IO, Muhibi MA, Oduola T, Oyenike MA. Understanding the Complex Milieu of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Metastasis: New Insight Into the Roles of Transcription Factors. Front Oncol 2021; 11:762817. [PMID: 34868979 PMCID: PMC8636732 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.762817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological program during which polarised, immobile epithelial cells lose connection with their neighbours and are converted to migratory mesenchymal phenotype. Mechanistically, EMT occurs via a series of genetic and cellular events leading to the repression of epithelial-associated markers and upregulation of mesenchymal-associated markers. EMT is very crucial for many biological processes such as embryogenesis and ontogenesis during human development, and again it plays a significant role in wound healing during a programmed replacement of the damaged tissues. However, this process is often hijacked in pathological conditions such as tumour metastasis, which constitutes the most significant drawback in the fight against cancer, accounting for about 90% of cancer-associated mortality globally. Worse still, metastatic tumours are not only challenging to treat with the available conventional radiotherapy and surgical interventions but also resistant to several cytotoxic agents during treatment, owing to their anatomically diffuse localisation in the body system. As the quest to find an effective method of addressing metastasis in cancer intervention heightens, understanding the molecular interplay involving the signalling pathways, downstream effectors, and their interactions with the EMT would be an important requisite while the challenges of metastasis continue to punctuate. Unfortunately, the molecular underpinnings that govern this process remain to be completely illuminated. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that EMT, which initiates every episode of metastasis, significantly requires some master regulators called EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs). Thus, this review critically examines the roles of TFs as drivers of molecular rewiring that lead to tumour initiation, progression, EMT, metastasis, and colonisation. In addition, it discusses the interaction of various signalling molecules and effector proteins with these factors. It also provides insight into promising therapeutic targets that may inhibit the metastatic process to overcome the limitation of “undruggable” cancer targets in therapeutic design and upturn the current spate of drug resistance. More so, it extends the discussion from the basic understanding of the EMT binary switch model, and ultimately unveiling the E/M cellular plasticity along a phenotypic spectrum via multiple trans-differentiations. It wraps up on how this knowledge update shapes the diagnostic and clinical approaches that may demand a potential shift in investigative paradigm using novel technologies such as single-cell analyses to improve overall patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sikiru O Imodoye
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Kamoru A Adedokun
- Department of Oral Pathology, Dental University Hospital, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdurrasheed Ola Muhammed
- Department of Histopathology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim O Bello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL, United States
| | - Musa A Muhibi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Edo State University, Uzairue, Nigeria
| | - Taofeeq Oduola
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Musiliu A Oyenike
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Nigeria
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Bukovac A, Kafka A, Raguž M, Brlek P, Dragičević K, Müller D, Pećina-Šlaus N. Are We Benign? What Can Wnt Signaling Pathway and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition Tell Us about Intracranial Meningioma Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1633. [PMID: 33915799 PMCID: PMC8037732 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is characterized by the reduced expression of E-cadherin and increased expression of N-cadherin, plays an important role in the tumor invasion and metastasis. Classical Wnt signaling pathway has a tight link with EMT and it has been shown that nuclear translocation of β-catenin can induce EMT. This research has showed that genes that are involved in cadherin switch, CDH1 and CDH2, play a role in meningioma progression. Increased N-cadherin expression in relation to E-cadherin was recorded. In meningioma, transcription factors SNAIL, SLUG, and TWIST1 demonstrated strong expression in relation to E- and N-cadherin. The expression of SNAIL and SLUG was significantly associated with higher grades (p = 0.001), indicating their role in meningioma progression. Higher grades also recorded an increased expression of total β-catenin followed by an increased expression of its active form (p = 0.000). This research brings the results of genetic and protein analyzes of important molecules that are involved in Wnt and EMT signaling pathways and reveals their role in intracranial meningioma. The results of this study offer guidelines and new markers of progression for future research and reveal new molecular targets of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Bukovac
- Laboratory of Neurooncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.); (A.K.); (P.B.); (K.D.)
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anja Kafka
- Laboratory of Neurooncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.); (A.K.); (P.B.); (K.D.)
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Raguž
- Department of Neurosurgery, University hospital Dubrava, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Petar Brlek
- Laboratory of Neurooncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.); (A.K.); (P.B.); (K.D.)
| | - Katarina Dragičević
- Laboratory of Neurooncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.); (A.K.); (P.B.); (K.D.)
| | - Danko Müller
- Department of Pathology and Cytology, University Hospital Dubrava, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Nives Pećina-Šlaus
- Laboratory of Neurooncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.B.); (A.K.); (P.B.); (K.D.)
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Shao JB, Luo XQ, Mo LH, Yang G, Liu ZQ, Liu JQ, Liu ZG, Liu DB, Yang PC. Twist1 sustains the apoptosis resistance in eosinophils in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 702:108828. [PMID: 33741336 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.108828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Eosinophils (Eos) are the canonical effector cells in allergic rhinitis (AR) and many inflammatory diseases. The mechanism of eosinophilia occurring in the lesion sites is not fully understood yet. Twist1 protein (Twist, in short) is an apoptosis inhibitor that also has immune regulatory functions. This study aims to investigate the role of Twist in the pathogenesis of eosinophilia in AR. In this study, surgically removed human nasal mucosal samples were obtained from patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps with AR (the AR group) or without AR (the nAR group). Eos were isolated from the samples by flow cytometry. We found that abundant Eos were obtained from the surgically removed nasal mucosa tissues of both nAR and AR groups. Significantly higher Ras activation was detected in AR Eos than that in nAR Eos. Ras activation was associated with the apoptosis resistance in AR Eos. The Twist (an apoptosis inhibitor) expression was higher in AR Eos, which was positively correlated with the Ras activation status. The sensitization to IgG induced Twist expression in Eos, in which Ras activated the MAPK-HIF-1α pathway, the latter promoted the Twist gene transcription. Twist bound Rac GTPase activating protein-1 to sustain the Ras activation in Eos. Ras activation sustained the apoptosis resistance in Eos. In conclusion, high Ras activation was detected in the AR nasal mucosal tissue-isolated Eos. IgG-sensitization induced Ras activation and Twist expression in Eos, that conferred Eos the apoptosis resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Bo Shao
- Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiang-Qian Luo
- Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li-Hua Mo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen, China; Research Center of Allergy & Immunology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gui Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Longgang Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Liu
- Longgang ENT Hospital and Shenzhen ENT Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiang-Qi Liu
- Longgang ENT Hospital and Shenzhen ENT Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Liu
- Research Center of Allergy & Immunology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Da-Bo Liu
- Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Ping-Chang Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen, China; Research Center of Allergy & Immunology, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China.
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MicroRNA-361-5p Inhibits Tumorigenesis and the EMT of HCC by Targeting Twist1. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:8891876. [PMID: 33381597 PMCID: PMC7762665 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8891876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNA-361-5p (miR-361-5p) is a tumor suppressor miRNA that is dysregulated in several types of human cancer. However, the functional significance of miR-361-5p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. This study explored the biological function of miR-361-5p in regulating the progression of HCC and the underlying molecular mechanism. RT-qPCR analysis showed that miR-361-5p was downregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Functional analysis revealed that miR-361-5p acted as a tumor suppressor, inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in HCC cell lines. Bioinformatics analyses identified Twist1 as a direct target of miR-361-5p, which was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assays, RT-qPCR, and western blotting. Rescue experiments indicated that Twist1 may mediate the tumor-suppressive effect of miR-361-5p in HCC cells, and this was supported by the effect of miR-361-5p on inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by targeting Twist1. This study is the first to suggest that miR-361-5p inhibits tumorigenesis and EMT in HCC by targeting Twist1. These findings are valuable for the diagnosis and clinical management of HCC.
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8
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Gene Expression Comparison between Sézary Syndrome and Lymphocytic-Variant Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Refines Biomarkers for Sézary Syndrome. Cells 2020; 9:cells9091992. [PMID: 32872487 PMCID: PMC7563155 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sézary syndrome (SS), an aggressive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) with poor prognosis, is characterized by the clinical hallmarks of circulating malignant T cells, erythroderma and lymphadenopathy. However, highly variable clinical skin manifestations and similarities with benign mimickers can lead to significant diagnostic delay and inappropriate therapy that can lead to disease progression and mortality. SS has been the focus of numerous transcriptomic-profiling studies to identify sensitive and specific diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Benign inflammatory disease controls (e.g., psoriasis, atopic dermatitis) have served to identify chronic inflammatory phenotypes in gene expression profiles, but provide limited insight into the lymphoproliferative and oncogenic roles of abnormal gene expression in SS. This perspective was recently clarified by a transcriptome meta-analysis comparing SS and lymphocytic-variant hypereosinophilic syndrome, a benign yet often clonal T-cell lymphoproliferation, with clinical features similar to SS. Here we review the rationale for selecting lymphocytic-variant hypereosinophilic syndrome (L-HES) as a disease control for SS, and discuss differentially expressed genes that may distinguish benign from malignant lymphoproliferative phenotypes, including additional context from prior gene expression studies to improve understanding of genes important in SS.
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Georgakopoulos-Soares I, Chartoumpekis DV, Kyriazopoulou V, Zaravinos A. EMT Factors and Metabolic Pathways in Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:499. [PMID: 32318352 PMCID: PMC7154126 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) represents a biological program during which epithelial cells lose their cell identity and acquire a mesenchymal phenotype. EMT is normally observed during organismal development, wound healing and tissue fibrosis. However, this process can be hijacked by cancer cells and is often associated with resistance to apoptosis, acquisition of tissue invasiveness, cancer stem cell characteristics, and cancer treatment resistance. It is becoming evident that EMT is a complex, multifactorial spectrum, often involving episodic, transient or partial events. Multiple factors have been causally implicated in EMT including transcription factors (e.g., SNAIL, TWIST, ZEB), epigenetic modifications, microRNAs (e.g., miR-200 family) and more recently, long non-coding RNAs. However, the relevance of metabolic pathways in EMT is only recently being recognized. Importantly, alterations in key metabolic pathways affect cancer development and progression. In this review, we report the roles of key EMT factors and describe their interactions and interconnectedness. We introduce metabolic pathways that are involved in EMT, including glycolysis, the TCA cycle, lipid and amino acid metabolism, and characterize the relationship between EMT factors and cancer metabolism. Finally, we present therapeutic opportunities involving EMT, with particular focus on cancer metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Georgakopoulos-Soares
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Dionysios V Chartoumpekis
- Service of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Venetsana Kyriazopoulou
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Apostolos Zaravinos
- College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Life Sciences European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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TWIST1 Gene Expression as a Biomarker for Predicting Primary Doxorubicin Resistance in Breast Cancer. Balkan J Med Genet 2019; 22:25-30. [PMID: 31942413 PMCID: PMC6956638 DOI: 10.2478/bjmg-2019-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Doxorubicin is one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents for adjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer. In the studies focused on finding biomarkers to predict the response of the patients and tumors to the drugs used, the Twist transcription factor has been suggested as a candidate biomarker for predicting chemo-resistance of breast tumors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between TWIST transcription factor expression and the effectiveness of doxorubicin treatment on directly taken primary tumor samples from chemotherapy-naive breast cancer patients. Twenty-six primary breast tumor samples taken from 26 different breast cancer patients were included in this study. Adenosine triphosphate tumor chemo-sensitivity assay (ATP-TCA) has been used to determine tumor response to doxorubicin and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for analyzing the TWIST1 gene expression of tumors. There was a significant difference in TWIST gene expression between responder and non responder tumors (p <0.05). The TWIST gene expression of the drug-resistant group was higher than the responsive group. This difference was not dependent on the histopathological features of tumors. In conclusion, compatible with earlier studies that have been performed with cell lines, the current study supports the role of higher TWIST gene expression as a biomarker for predicting the response of breast tumors to chemo-therapeutic agent doxorubicin.
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11
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Harris K, Gelberg HB, Kiupel M, Helfand SC. Immunohistochemical Features of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Vet Pathol 2019; 56:826-839. [PMID: 31331247 DOI: 10.1177/0300985819859873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (FOSCC) is an aggressive malignancy with invasive and metastatic behavior. It is poorly responsive to chemotherapy and radiation. Neoplastic epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) portends highly malignant behavior and enhances resistance to therapy. In transitioning to a more malignant phenotype, carcinoma stem cells undergo transformation mediated by expression of proteins, endowing them with mesenchymal properties advantageous to cell survival. The goal of the current study was to identify proteins associated with EMT in FOSCC. This study documents protein expression patterns in 10 FOSCC biopsies and 3 FOSCC cell lines (SCCF1, SCCF2, SCCF3), compatible with an EMT phenotype. As markers of EMT, P-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, nuclear transcription factors Twist and Snail, hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), programmed death ligand 1, and vascular endothelial growth factor D, as well as E-cadherin, were examined using immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. P-cadherin, Twist, HIF-1α, and programmed death ligand 1 were commonly expressed in biopsies and cell lines. N-cadherin, classically associated with EMT, was not highly expressed, and E-cadherin was coexpressed along with proteins characteristic of EMT in all specimens. Production of vascular endothelial growth factor A by cell lines, a process regulated by HIF-1α expression, was suppressed by the small-molecule inhibitor dasatinib. These data are consistent with EMT in FOSCC and shed light on cellular changes that could contribute to the aggressive behavior of FOSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal Harris
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Howard B Gelberg
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Matti Kiupel
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Stuart C Helfand
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
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Xue YN, Yu BB, Liu YN, Guo R, Li JL, Zhang LC, Su J, Sun LK, Li Y. Zinc promotes prostate cancer cell chemosensitivity to paclitaxel by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and inducing apoptosis. Prostate 2019; 79:647-656. [PMID: 30714183 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paclitaxel (PTX) is a first-line chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of prostate cancer. However, most patients develop resistance and metastasis, and thus new therapeutic approaches are urgently required. Recent studies have identified widespread anti-tumor effects of zinc (Zn) in various tumor cell lines, especially prostate cancer cells. In this study, we examined the effects of Zn as an adjuvant to PTX in prostate cancer cells. METHODS PC3 and DU145 cells were treated with different concentrations of Zn and/or PTX. MTT assay was used to detect cell viability. Real-time cell analysis (RTCA) and microscopy were used to observe morphological changes in cells. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins. qPCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) was used to examine changes in TWIST1 mRNA levels. Cell invasion and migration were detected by scratch and transwell assays. shRNA against TWIST1 was used to knockdown TWIST1. Colony formation assay was used to detect cell proliferation, while Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) staining was used to detect cell apoptosis. RESULTS Zn and PTX increased proliferation inhibition in a dose- and time-dependent manner in prostate cancer cells, while Zn increased prostate cancer cell chemosensitivity to PTX. Combined Zn and PTX inhibited prostate cancer cell invasion and migration by downregulating the expression of TWIST1. Furthermore, knockdown of TWIST1 increased the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to PTX. In addition, Zn and PTX reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that Zn and PTX combined therapy inhibits EMT by reducing the expression of TWIST1, which reduces the invasion and migration of prostate cancer cells. SiTWIST1 increased the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to PTX. In addition, with prolonged treatment, Zn and PTX inhibited proliferation and led to prostate cancer cell apoptosis. Therefore, Zn may be a potential adjuvant of PTX in treating prostate cancer and combined treatment may offer a promising therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Xue
- Department of Pathophysiology, Prostate Diseases Prevention and Treatment Research Center, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Bing-Bing Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Prostate Diseases Prevention and Treatment Research Center, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ya-Nan Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Prostate Diseases Prevention and Treatment Research Center, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Prostate Diseases Prevention and Treatment Research Center, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jiu-Ling Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Prostate Diseases Prevention and Treatment Research Center, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Li-Chao Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Prostate Diseases Prevention and Treatment Research Center, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jing Su
- Department of Pathophysiology, Prostate Diseases Prevention and Treatment Research Center, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lian-Kun Sun
- Department of Pathophysiology, Prostate Diseases Prevention and Treatment Research Center, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Prostate Diseases Prevention and Treatment Research Center, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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He N, Kong Y, Lei X, Liu Y, Wang J, Xu C, Wang Y, Du L, Ji K, Wang Q, Li Z, Liu Q. MSCs inhibit tumor progression and enhance radiosensitivity of breast cancer cells by down-regulating Stat3 signaling pathway. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:1026. [PMID: 30297887 PMCID: PMC6175943 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0949-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The acquisition of radioresistance by breast cancer cells during radiotherapy may lead to cancer recurrence and poor survival. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is activated in breast cancer cells and, therefore, may be an effective target for overcoming therapeutic resistance. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been investigated for use in cancer treatment. Here, we investigated the potential of MSC conditioned medium (MSC-CM) in sensitizing breast cancer to radiotherapy. It was found that MSC-CM could inhibit the level of activated Stat3, suppress cancer growth, and exhibit synergetic effects with radiation treatment in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, MSC-CM reduced the ALDH-positive cancer stem cells (CSCs) population, modulated several potential stem cell markers, and decreased tumor migration, as well as metastasis. These results demonstrate that MSC-CM suppresses breast cancer cells growth and sensitizes cancer cells to radiotherapy through inhibition of the Stat3 signaling pathway, thus, providing a novel strategy for breast cancer therapy by overcoming radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning He
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Yangyang Kong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Xudan Lei
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Jinhan Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Liqing Du
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Kaihua Ji
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Zongjin Li
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Qiang Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiobiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
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14
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Heidari N, Vosoughi T, Mohammadi Asl J, Saki Malehi A, Saki N. How is the relationship between TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 gene expressions in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients? Biomarkers 2018; 23:1-6. [PMID: 29297244 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2018.1423705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The activation and increased expression of BCR-ABL1 lead to malignant chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) cells, as well as the resistance to antitumour agents and apoptosis inducers. Moreover, TWIST-1 protein is a prognostic factor of leukemogenesis, and its level is raised in CML patients with cytogenetic resistance to imatinib. So, there is a likely relationship between BCR-ABL1 and TWIST-1 genes. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 expressions. METHODS Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 44 CML patients under treatment and also from ten healthy subjects as normal controls. The expression of TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 genes was measured using real-time PCR, and ABL1 was used as the reference gene. The gene expression was evaluated by REST software. RESULTS The expression levels of TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 genes in CML patients was changed 40.23 ± 177.75-fold and 6 ± 18-fold, respectively. DISCUSSION No significant relationship was observed between the expressions of TWIST-1 and BCR-ABL1 genes. All patients with TWIST-1 expression levels ≥100-fold had failure of response to treatment. CONCLUSION The probability of the relationship between BCR-ABL1 and TWIST-1 is still debatable, and the average of TWIST-1 expression has been higher in patients without response to treatment. Definitive conclusion needs further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Heidari
- a Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Research Institute of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran
| | - Tina Vosoughi
- a Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Research Institute of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran
| | - Javad Mohammadi Asl
- b Department of Medical Genetics , School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran
| | - Amal Saki Malehi
- a Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Research Institute of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran
| | - Najmaldin Saki
- a Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Research Institute of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran
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15
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Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Myeloid Malignancies: A Focus on Immune Escaping and Therapeutic Implications. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:6720594. [PMID: 28947904 PMCID: PMC5602646 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6720594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of the bone marrow microenvironment forming the so-called niche in physiologic hemopoiesis is largely known, and recent evidences support the presence of stromal alterations from the molecular to the cytoarchitectural level in hematologic malignancies. Various alterations in cell adhesion, metabolism, cytokine signaling, autophagy, and methylation patterns of tumor-derived mesenchymal stem cells have been demonstrated, contributing to the genesis of a leukemic permissive niche. This niche allows both the ineffective haematopoiesis typical of myelodysplastic syndromes and the differentiation arrest, proliferation advantage, and clone selection which is the hallmark of acute myeloid leukemia. Furthermore, the immune system, both adaptive and innate, encompassing mesenchymal-derived cells, has been shown to take part to the leukemic niche. Here, we critically review the state of art about mesenchymal stem cell role in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia, focusing on immune escaping mechanisms as a target for available and future anticancer therapies.
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16
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Upregulation of microRNA-137 expression by Slug promotes tumor invasion and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer cells through suppression of TFAP2C. Cancer Lett 2017; 402:190-202. [PMID: 28610956 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulator, Slug, plays multifaceted roles in controlling lung cancer progression, but its downstream targets and mechanisms in promoting lung cancer progression have not been well defined. In particular, the miRNAs downstream of Slug in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain undetermined. Here, we report that miR-137 is downstream of the EMT regulator, Slug, in lung cancer cells. Slug binds directly to the E-box of the miR-137 promoter and up-regulates its expression in lung cancer cells. Knockdown of miR-137 abolished Slug-induced cancer invasion and migration, whereas upregulation of miR-137 was found to trigger lung cancer cell invasion and progression by direct suppressing TFAP2C (transcription factor AP-2 gamma). Clinical data showed that lung adenocarcinoma patients with low-level expression of Slug and miR-137 but high-level expression of TFAP2C experienced significantly better survival. miR-137 is a Slug-induced miRNA that relays the pro-metastatic effects of Slug by targeting TFAP2C. Our findings add new components to the Slug-mediated regulatory network in lung cancer, and suggest that Slug, miR-137, and TFAP2C may be useful prognostic markers in lung adenocarcinoma.
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17
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Pei H, Li Y, Liu M, Chen Y. Targeting Twist expression with small molecules. MEDCHEMCOMM 2016; 8:268-275. [PMID: 30108743 DOI: 10.1039/c6md00561f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Twist, as one of the important embryonic transcription factors, regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration in embryo formation and cancer development. Both Twist-1 and Twist-2 are rarely detectable in healthy adult tissues, but are frequently overexpressed in multiple kinds of human cancer tissues, such as breast, prostate, uterus, liver, melanoma, etc. Twist is considered as a crucial EMT inductor and correlated with carcinoma aggression, invasion and metastasis. In the past decades, in-depth investigation has been reported in terms of the role of Twist in cancers; in addition, several kinds of small molecules have played important roles in studying the effect of Twist on cancer development, suggesting that Twist can be regarded as one of the important potential targets for cancer treatment. Hence we provide a brief overview of Twist and several small molecules targeting its expression, highlighting the biological features that make it a charming target for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixiang Pei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology , The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences , East China Normal University , Shanghai , 200241 , China . ; ; Tel: +86 21 2420 6647
| | - Yunqi Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology , The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences , East China Normal University , Shanghai , 200241 , China . ; ; Tel: +86 21 2420 6647
| | - Mingyao Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology , The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences , East China Normal University , Shanghai , 200241 , China . ; ; Tel: +86 21 2420 6647
| | - Yihua Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology , The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences , East China Normal University , Shanghai , 200241 , China . ; ; Tel: +86 21 2420 6647
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18
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Norozi F, Ahmadzadeh A, Shahrabi S, Vosoughi T, Saki N. Mesenchymal stem cells as a double-edged sword in suppression or progression of solid tumor cells. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:11679-11689. [PMID: 27440203 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5187-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells are able to attract mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to primary tumor site. On the other hand, MSCs secrete various factors to attract tumor cells towards BM. In this review, in addition to assessment of MSCs function at tumor sites and their impact on growth and metastasis of tumor cells, the importance of MSC in attraction of malignant cells to BM and their involvement in drug resistance of tumor cells have also been studied. Relevant literature was identified by a PubMed search (2000-2015) of English-language literature using the terms mesenchymal stem cells, cancer cell, metastasis, and tumor microenvironment. MSCs migrate towards tumor microenvironment and are involved in both pro-tumorigenic and antitumorigenic functions. The dual function of MSCs at tumor sites is dependent upon a variety of factors, including the type and origin of MSCs, the cancer cell line under study, in vivo or in vitro conditions, the factors secreted by MSCs and interactions between MSCs, host immune cells and cancer cells. Therefore, MSCs can be regarded both as friends and enemies of cancer cells. Although the role of a number of pathways, including IL-6/STAT3 pathway, has been indicated in controlling the interaction between MSCs and tumor cells, other mechanisms by which MSCs can control the tumor cells are not clear yet. A better understanding of these mechanisms through further studies can determine the exact role of MSCs in cancer progression and identify them as important therapeutic agents or targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Norozi
- Health Research Institute, Research Center of Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ahmadzadeh
- Health Research Institute, Research Center of Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Saeid Shahrabi
- Department of biochemistry and hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of medical sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Tina Vosoughi
- Health Research Institute, Research Center of Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Najmaldin Saki
- Health Research Institute, Research Center of Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
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19
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Pleyer L, Valent P, Greil R. Mesenchymal Stem and Progenitor Cells in Normal and Dysplastic Hematopoiesis-Masters of Survival and Clonality? Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17071009. [PMID: 27355944 PMCID: PMC4964385 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17071009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are malignant hematopoietic stem cell disorders that have the capacity to progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Accumulating evidence suggests that the altered bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in general, and in particular the components of the stem cell niche, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their progeny, play a pivotal role in the evolution and propagation of MDS. We here present an overview of the role of MSCs in the pathogenesis of MDS, with emphasis on cellular interactions in the BM microenvironment and related stem cell niche concepts. MSCs have potent immunomodulatory capacities and communicate with diverse immune cells, but also interact with various other cellular components of the microenvironment as well as with normal and leukemic stem and progenitor cells. Moreover, compared to normal MSCs, MSCs in MDS and AML often exhibit altered gene expression profiles, an aberrant phenotype, and abnormal functional properties. These alterations supposedly contribute to the “reprogramming” of the stem cell niche into a disease-permissive microenvironment where an altered immune system, abnormal stem cell niche interactions, and an impaired growth control lead to disease progression. The current article also reviews molecular targets that play a role in such cellular interactions and possibilities to interfere with abnormal stem cell niche interactions by using specific targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Pleyer
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials at Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- 3rd Medical Department, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology & Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Richard Greil
- 3rd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials at Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
- 3rd Medical Department, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
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20
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Abba ML, Patil N, Leupold JH, Allgayer H. MicroRNA Regulation of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition. J Clin Med 2016; 5:jcm5010008. [PMID: 26784241 PMCID: PMC4730133 DOI: 10.3390/jcm5010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a central regulatory program that is similar in many aspects to several steps of embryonic morphogenesis. In addition to its physiological role in tissue repair and wound healing, EMT contributes to chemo resistance, metastatic dissemination and fibrosis, amongst others. Classically, the morphological change from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype is characterized by the appearance or loss of a group of proteins which have come to be recognized as markers of the EMT process. As with all proteins, these molecules are controlled at the transcriptional and translational level by transcription factors and microRNAs, respectively. A group of developmental transcription factors form the backbone of the EMT cascade and a large body of evidence shows that microRNAs are heavily involved in the successful coordination of mesenchymal transformation and vice versa, either by suppressing the expression of different groups of transcription factors, or otherwise acting as their functional mediators in orchestrating EMT. This article dissects the contribution of microRNAs to EMT and analyzes the molecular basis for their roles in this cellular process. Here, we emphasize their interaction with core transcription factors like the zinc finger enhancer (E)-box binding homeobox (ZEB), Snail and Twist families as well as some pluripotency transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed L Abba
- Department of Experimental Surgery, Center for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, Ludolf-Krehl-Str. 6, 68135 Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Nitin Patil
- Department of Experimental Surgery, Center for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, Ludolf-Krehl-Str. 6, 68135 Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Jörg Hendrik Leupold
- Department of Experimental Surgery, Center for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, Ludolf-Krehl-Str. 6, 68135 Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Heike Allgayer
- Department of Experimental Surgery, Center for Biomedicine and Medical Technology Mannheim (CBTM), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, Ludolf-Krehl-Str. 6, 68135 Mannheim, Germany.
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