ALCAM is indirectly modulated by miR-125b in MCF7 cells

The role of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) in cancer progression, invasion, metastasis and recurrence: A novel cancer stem cell marker and tumor-specific prognostic marker

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) or CD166 is a 100 to 105 KDa transmembrane immunoglobulin which is involved in activation of T-cells, hematopoiesis, neutrophils trans-endothelial migration, angiogenesis, inflammation and tumor propagation and invasiveness through formation of homophilic and heterophilic interactions. Recently, many studies have proposed that the expression pattern of ALCAM is highly associated with the grade, stage and invasiveness of tumors. Although ALCAM is a valuable prognostic marker in different carcinomas, similar expression patterns in different tumor types may be associated with completely different prognostic states, making it to be a tumor-type-dependent prognostic marker. In addition, ALCAM isoforms provide ways for primary detection of tumor cells with metastatic potential. More importantly, this prognostic marker has shown to be considerably dependent on the cytoplasmic and membranous expression, indirect and direct regulation of post-transcriptional molecules, pro-apoptotic proteins functionalities and several other oncogenic proteins or signalling pathways. This review mainly focuses on the pathways involved in expression of ALCAM and its prognostic value of in different types of cancers and the way in which it is regulated.

Upregulation of miR-630 Induced by Oxidative Damage Resists Cell Migration Through Targeting ALCAM in Human Lens Epithelium Cells

Purpose: To investigate the role of miRNAs in regulating oxidative damage during cataract formation.Methods: Microarray analysis and gene expression profiling assay were used to separately evaluate the miRNAs and mRNAs profiles in normal human lens epithelium cell line HLE-B3 treated by H₂O₂. The expression level of miR-630 was detected by RT-qPCR and the gene expression profiles were performed with gene ontology analysis using Bio Informatical database. The targets of miR-630 were predicted using miRecords and the results were used for screening targets of miR-630 combined with the GO analysis above. The mRNA levels of ALCAM, PCDH7, COL12A2, and EDIL3 in HLE-B3 cells after oxidative stimulation or miR-630 mimics transfection were measured by RT-qPCR, and the expression of ALCAM regulated by miR-630 was confirmed by Western blot and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The level of cell migration was measured by transwell assay and scratching test after transfection of miR-630 mimics and ALCAM siRNAs.Results: The microarray analysis demonstrated that miR-630 was significantly increased in HLE-B3 cells after oxidative stimulation. ALCAM, PCDH7, COL12A2, and EDIL3 were screened to be the possible targets of miR-630 by miRecords combined with GO analysis, but the results of RT-qPCR, Western blot and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that only the expression of ALCAM was repressed by miR-630 transfection. Cell migration was inhibited through transfection of miR-630 mimics or ALCAM siRNAs and the upregulation of miR-630 partly reduced the cell migration increased by oxidative stimulation.Conclusion: miR-630 is one of the miRNAs increased by oxidative stimulation in human lens epithelium cells. Its upregulation may inhibit cell migration by targeting on ALCAM, which is important for HLECs to resist behavioral changes induced by oxidative damage and may delay the progression of cataract.

miR-125b is associated with renal cell carcinoma cell migration, invasion and apoptosis

MicroRNA (miR)-125b has been identified as deregulated in a number of types of cancer. Previous studies have detected the expression of miR-125b in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tissues by in situ hybridization and revealed that miR-125b was upregulated in ccRCC tissues, and was associated with recurrence and survival of patients with ccRCC. However, the function of miR-125b in RCC remains unclear. Thus, the expression of miR-125b was detected with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in 24 paired RCC and adjacent normal tissues. The result of qPCR showed that miR-125b was upregulated in RCC tissues. Furthermore, the function of miR-125b in RCC (786-O and ACHN) cells was detected by transfecting miR-125 mimic or inhibitor to upregulate or downregulate miR-125b expression. Cell proliferation assays (MTT and Cell Counting Kit-8), cell mobility assays (cell scratch and Transwell assay) and a cell apoptotic assay (flow cytometry assay) were performed to assess the function of miR-125b on RCC cells. Results from the assays demonstrated that overexpression of miR-125b could promote cell migration and invasion, and reduce the cell apoptotic rate. It was also revealed that downregulation of miR-125b could reduce cell migration and invasion, and induce cell apoptosis. However, the results of the cell proliferation assay revealed that miR-125b had no significant effect on cell proliferation. Not only could miR-125b predict recurrence and survival of ccRCC; the present study revealed that miR-125b could regulate RCC cell migration, invasion and apoptosis. Additional studies are required to determine the mechanism of miR-125b in RCC cells and define the target genes of miR-125b in RCC.

Key Factors in Breast Cancer Dissemination and Establishment at the Bone: Past, Present and Future Perspectives

Bone metastases associated with breast cancer remain a clinical challenge due to their associated morbidity, limited therapeutic intervention and lack of prognostic markers. With a continually evolving understanding of bone biology and its dynamic microenvironment, many potential new targets have been proposed. In this chapter, we discuss the roles of well-established bone markers and how their targeting, in addition to tumour-targeted therapies, might help in the prevention and treatment of bone metastases. There are a vast number of bone markers, of which one of the best-known families is the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). This chapter focuses on their role in breast cancer-associated bone metastases, associated signalling pathways and the possibilities for potential therapeutic intervention. In addition, this chapter provides an update on the role receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) play on breast cancer development and their subsequent influence during the homing and establishment of breast cancer-associated bone metastases. Beyond the well-established bone molecules, this chapter also explores the role of other potential factors such as activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) and its potential impact on breast cancer cells' affinity for the bone environment, which implies that ALCAM could be a promising therapeutic target.