The clinical significance of changes in ezrin expression in osteosarcoma of children and young adults

EZR promotes pancreatic cancer proliferation and metastasis by activating FAK/AKT signaling pathway

Background

As a member of the ERM (ezrin-radixin-moesin) protein family, EZR has been recognized as a regulator of adhesion signal pathways by researchers. Moreover, EZR was thought to play irreplaceable roles in invasion and metastasis of versatile cancers. In this study, we managed to undermine the effect of EZR on proliferation and metastasis in pancreatic cancer (PC).

Methods

To analyze the impact of EZR expression on overall survival and free diseases survival of PC patients, we screened abnormally expressed EZR in PC using the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO database) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Following, Gene Ontology (GO)-based functional analysis and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to predicate the possible biological processes in which EZR were involved. The clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of PC patients were analyzed according to clinical data. Further, immunohistochemistry, western blotting and real time PCR analysis were conducted to analyze the expression level of EZR in PC and paired paracancerous tissues. The effect of EZR on proliferation of PC cell lines were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and meanwhile, Transwell assay was performed to detect the effect of EZR on invasion and migration of PC cell.

Result

EZR exhibited higher expression level in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell than paracancerous tissues and cell, and its expression level was positively correlated with poor overall survival and diseases-free survival in PC patients. CCK8 assay indicated that EZR facilitated the proliferation of PC cells, meanwhile, Transwell assay showed that EZR promoted the migration and invasion of PC cells. The GO analysis predicated that EZR was involved in biological processes including cell adhesion, ameboidal-type cell migration, cell junction assembly. Through GSEA analysis, pancreatic cancer pathway, and the adhesion junction pathway were screened as the mostly enriched pathways in EZR-regulated pathological process. The inhibition of EZR suppressed proliferation and migration of PC cells. Western blot experiment revealed a positive correlation between EZR and FAK, the proliferation invasion and migration ability of PC cells were significantly decreased after knockdown of EZR.

Conclusion

Our finding revealed EZR accelerated the progression of PC via FAK/AKT signaling pathway.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02222-1.

The clinical prognostic significance of ezrin in patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas: a meta-analysis

Ezrin is a member of the ezrin–radixin–moesin (ERM) protein family and has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis in patients with a variety of solid tumors. However, the clinical prognostic significance of ezrin in patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas remains unclear. Here, we performed a systematic meta‐analysis by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library Database, EMBASE, the Web of Science, and the CBM, WanFang Med Online and CNKI databases. In total, 19 studies with a total of 1316 bone and soft tissue sarcoma patients were included. Pooled analyses showed that ezrin overexpression was correlated with a higher rate of tumor metastasis (OR 6.59, 95% CI: 2.84–15.33, P < 0.01, P_FDR < 0.01) and recurrence (OR 3.18, 95% CI: 1.88–5.37, P < 0.01, P_FDR < 0.01) and a more advanced tumor grade (OR 3.252, 95% CI: 1.371–7.715, P = 0.01, P_FDR = 0.03). Moreover, elevated ezrin expression could predict poor OS (HR 3.02, 95% CI: 2.35–3.89, P < 0.01, P_FDR < 0.01), MFS (HR 5.22, 95% CI: 2.08–13.08, P < 0.01, P_FDR < 0.01), and EFS (HR 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03–1.11, P < 0.01, P_FDR < 0.01). Subgroup analyses revealed the underlying sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was observed in the analysis of metastasis. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the results were robust. Our findings indicated that ezrin overexpression was significantly correlated with poor survival and more advanced tumor progression in bone and soft tissue sarcomas, which suggests that ezrin might be a valuable prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target.

MicroRNA-506-3p initiates mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and suppresses autophagy in osteosarcoma cells by directly targeting SPHK1

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common malignant bone tumor. In cancer cells, autophagy is related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Although microRNA (miR)-506-3p has been demonstrated to act as a tumor suppressor in OS, its role in regulating the EMT process and autophagy remains unknown. The results showed that miR-506-3p directly inhibited the expression of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) in 143B and SaOS-2 cells. The invasive capability of OS cells was reduced following miR-506-3p mimics transfection, and restored when SPHK1 was overexpressed simultaneously. Further, miR-506-3p mimics initiated mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) - E-cadherin expression was upregulated, whilst vimentin and fibronectin were downregulated. The basal autophagy flux (LC3II/I) was suppressed by miR-506-3p mimics. The alterations induced by miR-506-3p mimics were partly reversed by SPHK1 overexpression or treatment of rapamycin. Meanwhile, treatment of SPHK1-transfected cells with 3-methyladenine inhibited EMT. The data suggest that miR-506-3p initiates MET and suppresses autophagy in OS cells by targeting SPHK1.

Up-regulated MiR-27-3p promotes the G1-S phase transition by targeting inhibitor of growth family member 5 in osteosarcoma

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in regulating malignant progression of tumour cells by inhibiting translation or stability of messenger RNA. However, the expression pattern and regulatory mechanism of miR-27-3p in osteosarcoma remains unclear.

METHODS

We examined the expression of miR-27-3p in 5 osteosarcoma cell lines compared with that in 2 normal osteocyte cell lines. Osteosarcoma cells U-2OS and MG-63 were transduced to up-regulate or down-regulate the expression of miR-27-3p. The 3-(4, 5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide, or MTT, assay, colony formation assays, BrdUrd labelling, immunofluorescence, anchorage-independent growth ability assay and flow cytometry analysis were used to test the effect of miR-27-3p. Luciferase assays were added to verify the direct relationship between miR-27-3p and the predicted target gene inhibitor of growth family member 5 (ING5).

RESULTS

The expression of miR-27-3p was significantly increased in examined osteosarcoma cell lines compared with that in normal osteocyte cell lines. Up-regulation of miR-27-3p significantly accelerated osteosarcoma cell growth via promoting G1-S transition. In addition, the opposite result was observed in miR-27-3p-down-regulated cells. Up-regulation of ING5 significantly attenuated the miR-27-3p-induced proliferation in osteosarcoma cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggested that miR-27-3p could promote the G1-S phase transition that leads to proliferation by down-regulating the expression of ING5 in osteosarcoma.

The effects of TRAF6 on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion in osteosarcoma are regulated by miR-124

The present study aimed to verify tumor necrosis factor receptor‑associated factor 6 (TRAF6) as the target gene of microRNA-124 (miR-124). In addition, the expression of miR‑124 was investigated in osteosarcoma tissues and cells, and its effects on the biological characteristics of osteosarcoma cells were determined, in order to provide an experimental and theoretical basis for the application of TRAF6 in the treatment of osteosarcoma. A fluorescence reporter enzyme system was used to verify TRAF6 as a target gene of miR‑124, and western blotting was used to detect the effects of miR‑124 on the protein expression levels of TRAF6 in cells. The expression levels of miR‑124 were detected in osteosarcoma tissues and an osteosarcoma cell line (MG‑63) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In addition, a total of 48 h post‑transfection of MG‑63 cells with a miR‑124 mimic, qPCR was used to detect the expression levels of miR‑124, and the effects of miR‑124 on the viability of MG‑63 human osteosarcoma cells was determined using the MTT method. The effects of miR‑124 on the cell cycle progression and apoptosis of MG‑63 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, whereas the effects of miR‑124 on the migration of MG‑63 cells was detected using the Transwell invasion chamber analysis method. A TRAF6 recombinant expression plasmid (pcDNA3.1‑TRAF6) was also constructed, and MG‑63 cells were transfected with the recombinant plasmid and a miR‑124 mimic, in order to further validate the biological role of miR‑124 via the regulation of TRAF6. The results of the present study indicated that, compared with in the normal control group, the expression levels of miR‑124 were significantly increased in MG‑63 cells transfected with a miR‑124 mimic (P<0.01). In addition, the luciferase reporter gene system demonstrated that, compared with in the control group, relative luciferase activity was significantly reduced in the miR‑124 mimic group (P<0.01). The results of MTT analysis indicated that cell viability was also significantly reduced in response to the overexpression of miR‑124 in MG‑63 cells (P<0.01). Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the proportion of cells in S phase and G2/M phase was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in cells overexpressing miR‑124, and the number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased (P<0.01). Furthermore, the results of the Transwell invasion assay suggested that the number of invasive cells was significantly decreased following enhanced expression of miR‑124 (P<0.01). In MG‑63 cells overexpressing miR‑124 and TRAF6, the results of MTT, flow cytometric and Transwell assay analyses demonstrated that the overexpression of TRAF6 had the opposite biological effects compared to miR‑124 overexpression. In conclusion, the present study indicated that the expression levels of miR‑124 were downregulated in human osteosarcoma tissues and cells, and that miR‑124 is associated with negative regulation of TRAF6 expression; therefore, the role of TRAF6 in primary osteosarcoma may be regulated by miR‑124. Therapeutic strategies that enhance miR‑124 expression or inhibit TRAF6 expression may be beneficial for the treatment of patients with osteosarcoma.

Ezrin as a possible diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker in mice lymphatic metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks in the top of cancers leading to death. Early diagnosis is the big challenge in the case of HCC. Our in vitro study showed that Ezrin expression in lymphatic metastasis hepatocellular carcinoma (LNM-HCC) was associated with the metastatic rate. Here we aim to evaluate Ezrin expression as diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker of LNM-HCC in mice. Chinese inbred 615 mice, Hca-F and Hca-P cell lines were used in the study. Histological changes were determined by Hematoxylin and Eosin, while Ezrin expression was assessed by qRT-PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ezrin expression in this study gives credit to our in vitro study which Ezrin expression was positively correlated with LNM-HCC and negatively with Annexin7 (A7) expression. The highest histological changes were observed in high metastatic primary/secondary tumors combined with high Ezrin expression. Ezrin and A7 are higher in total primary tumors than in total secondary tumors (P = 0.0001, P = 0.021), respectively. Ezrin expression was enhanced in Hca-P A7 down-regulated primary/secondary tumors (P = 0.004), whereas, Ezrin expression was suppressed in Hca-F A7 upregulated primary/secondary tumors. Serum ELISA indicated differential expression of Ezrin among the study groups (P ≤ 0.0001). Ezrin expression was higher in NC-Hca-F than NC-Hca-P (P ≤ 0.0001), suppressed in Hca-F A7 upregulation (P ≤ 0.0001) and in enhanced in Hca-P A7 down-regulation (P = 0.0001). In conclusion, Ezrin level may serve as a differential diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker for high and low LNM-HCC and may be beneficial in the diagnosis of HCC disease. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(5):662-672, 2017.

Comparative proteomics of matrix fractions between pimpled and normal chicken eggshells

Eggshell matrix can be dissociated into three matrix fractions: acid-insoluble matrix (M1), water-insoluble matrix (M2) and acid-water facultative-soluble matrix (M3). Matrix fractions from pimpled and normal eggshells were compared using label-free proteomic method to understand the differences among three matrix fractions and the proteins involved with eggshell quality. A total of 738 and 600 proteins were identified in the pimpled and normal calcified eggshells, respectively. Both eggshells showed a combined proteomic inventory of 769 proteins. In the same type of eggshell, a high similarity was present in the proteomes of three matrix fractions. These triply overlapped common proteins formed the predominant contributor to proteomic abundance in the matrix fractions. In each matrix fraction and between both eggshell models, normal and pimpled eggshells, a majority of the proteomes of the fractions were commonly observed. Forty-two common major proteins (iBAQ-derived abundance ≥0.095% of proteomic abundance) were identified throughout the three matrix fractions and these proteins might act as backbone constituents in chicken eggshell matrix. Finally, using 1.75-fold as up-regulated and using 0.57-fold as down-regulated cutoff values, twenty-five differential major proteins were screened and they all negatively influence and none showed any effect on eggshell quality. Overall, we uncovered the characteristics of proteomics of three eggshell matrix fractions and identified candidate proteins influencing eggshell quality. The next research on differential proteins will uncover the potential mechanisms underlying how proteins affect eggshell quality.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

It was reported that the proteins in an eggshell can be divided into insoluble and soluble proteins. The insoluble proteins are thought to be an inter-mineral matrix and acts as a structural framework, while the soluble proteins are thought as intra-mineral matrix that are embedded within the crystal during calcification. However, the difference between matrix fractions is unknown. Cross-analysis of proteomic data of three matrix fractions from the same type of eggshell, uncovered triply overlapped common proteins formed the predominant contributor to proteomic abundance of any matrix fraction, and we suggested that abundance variance of some common proteins between the three matrix fractions might be an important cause of their solubility differences. Moreover, eggshell is formed in hen's uterus, and uterus tend to be considered as unique organ determining eggshell quality. By cross-analysis on proteomic data of three matrix fractions between two eggshell models, normal and pimpled eggshells, the differential proteins were screened as candidates influencing eggshell quality. And we suggested that the liver and spleen or lymphocytes might be the major organs influencing eggshell quality, because the most promising candidates are almost blood and non-collagenous proteins, and originated from above organs.

Germline and somatic genetics of osteosarcoma - connecting aetiology, biology and therapy

Clinical outcomes and treatment modalities for osteosarcoma, the most common primary cancer of bone, have changed very little over the past 30 years. The peak incidence of osteosarcoma occurs during the adolescent growth spurt, which suggests that bone growth and pubertal hormones are important in the aetiology of the disease. Tall stature, high birth weight and certain inherited cancer predisposition syndromes are well-described risk factors for osteosarcoma. Common genetic variants are also associated with osteosarcoma. The somatic genome of osteosarcoma is highly aneuploid, exhibits extensive intratumoural heterogeneity and has a higher mutation rate than most other paediatric cancers. Complex pathways related to bone growth and development and tumorigenesis are also important in osteosarcoma biology. In this Review, we discuss the contributions of germline and somatic genetics, tumour biology and animal models in improving our understanding of osteosarcoma aetiology, and their potential to identify novel therapeutic targets and thus improve the lives of patients with osteosarcoma.