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Wang B, Wang Y, Wang W, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Pan X, Wen X, Leng H, Guo J, Ma XX. WTAP/IGF2BP3 mediated m6A modification of the EGR1/PTEN axis regulates the malignant phenotypes of endometrial cancer stem cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:204. [PMID: 39044249 PMCID: PMC11264439 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03120-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) stem cells (ECSCs) are pivotal in the oncogenesis, metastasis, immune escape, chemoresistance, and recurrence of EC. However, the specific mechanism of stem cell maintenance in EC cells (ECCs) has not been clarified. We found that WTAP and m6A levels decreased in both EC and ECSCs, and that knocking down WTAP promoted ECCs and ECSCs properties, including proliferation, invasion, migration, cisplatin resistance, and self-renewal. The downregulation of WTAP leads to a decrease in the m6A modification of EGR1 mRNA, and it is difficult for IGF2BP3, as an m6A reader, to recognize and bind to EGR1 mRNA that has lost m6A modification, resulting in a decrease in the stability of EGR1 mRNA. A decrease in the EGR1 level led to a decrease of in the expression tumor suppressor gene PTEN, resulting in deregulation and loss of cellular homeostasis and thereby fostering EC stem cell traits. Notably, the enforced overexpression of WTAP, EGR1, and PTEN inhibited the oncogenic effects of ECCs and ECSCs in vivo, and the combined overexpression of WTAP + EGR1 and EGR1 + PTEN further diminished the tumorigenic potential of these cells. Our findings revealed that the WTAP/EGR1/PTEN pathway is important regulator of EC stem cell maintenance, chemotherapeutic resistance, and tumorigenesis, suggesting a novel and promising therapeutic avenue for treating EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Yuting Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Wantong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Zihao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Yunzheng Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Xin Pan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Hongrui Leng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Xiao-Xin Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China.
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Serambeque B, Mestre C, Correia-Barros G, Teixo R, Marto CM, Gonçalves AC, Caramelo F, Silva I, Paiva A, Beck HC, Carvalho AS, Botelho MF, Carvalho MJ, Matthiesen R, Laranjo M. Influence of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Inhibition on Stemness of Endometrial Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2031. [PMID: 38893151 PMCID: PMC11171353 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is one of the most common gynaecological malignancies. Although often diagnosed at an early stage, there is a subset of patients with recurrent and metastatic disease for whom current treatments are not effective. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a pivotal role in triggering tumorigenesis, disease progression, recurrence, and metastasis, as high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity is associated with invasiveness and chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of ALDH inhibition in endometrial CSCs. ECC-1 and RL95-2 cells were submitted to a sphere-forming protocol to obtain endometrial CSCs. ALDH inhibition was evaluated through ALDH activity and expression, sphere-forming capacity, self-renewal, projection area, and CD133, CD44, CD24, and P53 expression. A mass spectrometry-based proteomic study was performed to determine the proteomic profile of endometrial cancer cells upon N,N-diethylaminobenzaldehyde (DEAB). DEAB reduced ALDH activity and expression, along with a significant decrease in sphere-forming capacity and projection area, with increased CD133 expression. Additionally, DEAB modulated P53 expression. Endometrial cancer cells display a distinct proteomic profile upon DEAB, sharing 75 up-regulated and 30 down-regulated proteins. In conclusion, DEAB inhibits ALDH activity and expression, influencing endometrial CSC phenotype. Furthermore, ALDH18A1, SdhA, and UBAP2L should be explored as novel molecular targets for endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Serambeque
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.M.); (G.C.-B.); (R.T.); (C.M.M.); (M.F.B.); (M.J.C.)
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.G.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Catarina Mestre
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.M.); (G.C.-B.); (R.T.); (C.M.M.); (M.F.B.); (M.J.C.)
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.G.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Gabriela Correia-Barros
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.M.); (G.C.-B.); (R.T.); (C.M.M.); (M.F.B.); (M.J.C.)
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.G.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Ricardo Teixo
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.M.); (G.C.-B.); (R.T.); (C.M.M.); (M.F.B.); (M.J.C.)
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.G.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Carlos Miguel Marto
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.M.); (G.C.-B.); (R.T.); (C.M.M.); (M.F.B.); (M.J.C.)
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.G.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
- Univ Coimbra, Institute of Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Gonçalves
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.G.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology (LOH) and University Clinics of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Caramelo
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.G.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO) and Laboratory of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (LBIM), Faculty of Medicine, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Silva
- Cytometry Operational Management Unit, Clinical Pathology Department, Unidade de Saúde Local de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Artur Paiva
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.G.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
- Cytometry Operational Management Unit, Clinical Pathology Department, Unidade de Saúde Local de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, Laboratory Biomedical Sciences, 3045-043 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Hans C. Beck
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark;
| | - Ana Sofia Carvalho
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.S.C.); (R.M.)
| | - Maria Filomena Botelho
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.M.); (G.C.-B.); (R.T.); (C.M.M.); (M.F.B.); (M.J.C.)
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.G.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
- Univ Coimbra, Institute of Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria João Carvalho
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.M.); (G.C.-B.); (R.T.); (C.M.M.); (M.F.B.); (M.J.C.)
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.G.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
- Univ Coimbra, Universitary Clinic of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
- Gynecology Service, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, Reproduction and Neonatology, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rune Matthiesen
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.S.C.); (R.M.)
| | - Mafalda Laranjo
- Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (C.M.); (G.C.-B.); (R.T.); (C.M.M.); (M.F.B.); (M.J.C.)
- Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.G.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
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Cao M, Liu Z, You D, Pan Y, Zhang Q. TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis of spheroid cells of endometrial cancer possessing cancer stem cell properties. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:119. [PMID: 37143105 PMCID: PMC10161517 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03348-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in endometrial cancer progression and it is potential to isolate CSCs from spheroid cells. Further understanding of spheroid cells at protein level would help find novel CSC markers. METHODS Spheroid cells from endometrial cancer cell lines, Ishikawa and HEC1A, exhibited increased colony forming, subsphere forming, chemo-drug resistance, migration, invasion ability and tumorigenicity, verifying their cancer stem-like cell properties. The up-regulated CD90, CD117, CD133 and W5C5 expression also indicated stemness of spheroid cells. TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis was performed to explore the potential alterations between parent cells and cancer stem-like spheroid cells. HK2-siRNA was transfected to Ishikawa and HEC1A cells to explore the roles and molecular mechanism of HK2 in endometrial cancer. RESULTS We identified and quantified a total of 5735 proteins and 167 overlapped differentially expressed proteins of two cell types, 43 proteins were up-regulated and 124 were down-regulated in spheroid cells comparing with parent cells. KEGG pathway revealed a significant role of HIF-1 pathway in spheroid cells. qRT-PCR and western blot results of GPRC5A, PFKFB3 and HK2 of HIF-1 pathway confirmed their elevated expressions in spheroid cells which were consistent with proteomic results. HK2 promoted cancer stemness in endometrial cancer. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that spheroid cells from endometrial cancer cell lines possess cancer stem-like cell properties and enrich CSCs. HIF-1 pathway is activated in endometrial cancer stem-like spheroid cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No.63, Duobao Road, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No.1838, Baiyun Road North, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danming You
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Pan
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingyan Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 1, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Li Q, Kong F, Cong R, Ma J, Wang C, Ma X. PVT1/miR-136/Sox2/UPF1 axis regulates the malignant phenotypes of endometrial cancer stem cells. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:177. [PMID: 36869031 PMCID: PMC9984375 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05651-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Tumor stem cells (TSCs) are thought to contribute to the progression and maintenance of cancer. Previous studies have suggested that plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) has a tumor-promoting effect on endometrial cancer; however, its mechanism of action in endometrial cancer stem cells (ECSCs) is unknown. Here, we found that PVT1 was highly expressed in endometrial cancers and ECSCs, correlated with poor patient prognosis, promoted the malignant behavior and the stemness of endometrial cancer cells (ECCs) and ECSCs. In contrast, miR-136, which was lowly expressed in endometrial cancer and ECSCs, had the opposite effect, and knockdown miR-136 inhibited the anticancer effects of down-regulated PVT1. PVT1 affected miR-136 specifically binding the 3' UTR region of Sox2 by competitively "sponging" miR-136, thus positively saving Sox2. Sox2 promoted the malignant behavior and the stemness of ECCs and ECSCs, and overexpression Sox2 inhibited the anticancer effects of up-regulated miR-136. Sox2 can act as a transcription factor to positively regulate Up-frameshift protein 1 (UPF1) expression, thereby exerting a tumor-promoting effect on endometrial cancer. In nude mice, simultaneously downregulating PVT1 and upregulating miR-136 exerted the strongest antitumor effect. We demonstrate that the PVT1/miR-136/Sox2/UPF1 axis plays an important role in the progression and maintenance of endometrial cancer. The results suggest a novel target for endometrial cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Fanfei Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Rong Cong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Jian Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Cuicui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Xiaoxin Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China.
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Ferrer AI, Einstein E, Morelli SS. Bone Marrow-Derived Cells in Endometrial Cancer Pathogenesis: Insights from Breast Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040714. [PMID: 35203363 PMCID: PMC8869947 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer, representing 3.5% of all new cancer cases in the United States. Abnormal stem cell-like cells, referred to as cancer stem cells (CSCs), reside in the endometrium and possess the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into cancer progenitors, leading to tumor progression. Herein we review the role of the endometrial microenvironment and sex hormone signaling in sustaining EC progenitors and potentially promoting dormancy, a cellular state characterized by cell cycle quiescence and resistance to conventional treatments. We offer perspective on mechanisms by which bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) within the endometrial microenvironment could promote endometrial CSC (eCSC) survival and/or dormancy. Our perspective relies on the well-established example of another sex hormone-driven cancer, breast cancer, in which the BM microenvironment plays a crucial role in acquisition of CSC phenotype and dormancy. Our previous studies demonstrate that BMDCs migrate to the endometrium and express sex hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptors. Whether the BM is a source of eCSCs is unknown; alternatively, crosstalk between BMDCs and CSCs within the endometrial microenvironment could be an additional mechanism supporting eCSCs and tumorigenesis. Elucidating these mechanisms will provide avenues to develop novel therapeutic interventions for EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra I. Ferrer
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (A.I.F.); (E.E.)
- School of Graduate Studies Newark, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Ella Einstein
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (A.I.F.); (E.E.)
| | - Sara S. Morelli
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Correspondence:
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Li Y, Huo J, He J, Ma X. LncRNA MONC suppresses the malignant phenotype of Endometrial Cancer Stem Cells and Endometrial Carcinoma Cells by regulating the MiR-636/GLCE axis. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:331. [PMID: 34193130 PMCID: PMC8243592 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01911-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emerging evidence shows that abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA is involved in the occurrence and development of various tumors. LncRNA MONC is abnormally expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and acute megakaryocytic leukemia, but the biological function and potential regulatory mechanism of MONC in endometrial cancer stem cells (ECSCs) and endometrial cancer cells (ECCs) have not been studied. In this study, we aimed to explore the tumor suppressive effect and mechanism of MONC in regulating ECSCs and ECCs. Methods We used qRT-PCR to detect the expression of MONC, miR-636 and GLCE in normal human endometrial tissues and endometrial carcinoma (EC) tissues. Luciferase assay was used to verify the binding sites between MONC and miR-636 and between miR-636 and GLCE. Double fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to locate MONC and miR-636 in cells. ECSCs were obtained by flow cytometry sorting assay. Sphere formation assay, CCK-8 assay, transwell invasion assay, cell cycle analysis and apoptosis assay were used to detect the effects of MONC/miR-636/GLCE axis on the malignant biological behavior of ECSCs and ECCs. The effect of MONC on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process was detected using western blot. Finally, we conducted in vivo verification through Tumor xenografts in BALB/C nude mice. Results In this study, we found MONC is low expression in endometrial carcinoma (EC) and patients in the MONC high-expression group had a better prognosis. MONC and miR-636 are relatively co-localized in the cytoplasm. MONC directly inhibits the malignant biological behavior of ECSCs and ECCs by directly inhibiting miR-636. Simultaneously, miR-636 may indirectly reduce the expression of MONC. Down-regulation of miR-636 may promote GLCE expression by targeting the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of the downstream gene GLCE, thereby inhibiting the progression of ECSCs. MONC combined with miR-636 inhibited tumor epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In addition, we verified the tumor suppressive effect of MONC in nude mice, miR-636 can rescue the tumor suppressive effect of overexpressing MONC. Conclusions In conclusion, this study showed that MONC inhibits the malignant phenotypes of ECSCs and ECCs by regulating the miR-636/GLCE axis. Thus the MONC/miR-636/GLCE axis may provide novel treatment avenues for human EC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-01911-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, 110000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianing Huo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, 110000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjian He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, 110000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxin Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang, 110000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
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Hypoxia induces an endometrial cancer stem-like cell phenotype via HIF-dependent demethylation of SOX2 mRNA. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:81. [PMID: 32913192 PMCID: PMC7484801 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00265-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer stem cells (ECSCs) are stem-like cells endowed with self-renewal and differentiation abilities, and these cells are essential for cancer progression in endometrial cancer (EC). As hallmarks of the tumour microenvironment (TME), hypoxia and hypoxia-inducing factors (HIFs) give rise to the dysregulation of tumour stemness genes, such as SOX2. Against this backdrop, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms regulated by HIFs and SOX2 in ECSCs during EC development. Here, ECSCs isolated from EC cell lines and tissues were found to express stemness genes (CD133 and aldehyde dehydrogenase, ALDH1) following the induction of their ECSC expansion. Notably, m6A methylation of RNA and HIF-1α/2α-dependent AlkB homologue 5 (ALKBH5) participate in the regulation of HIFs and SOX2 in EC, as confirmed by the observations that mRNA levels of m6A demethylases and ALKBH5 significantly increase under hypoxic conditions in ECSCs. Moreover, hypoxia and high ALKBH5 levels restore the stem-like state of differentiated ECSCs and increase the ECSC-like phenotype, whereas the knockdown of HIFs or ALKBH5 significantly reduces their tumour initiation capacity. In addition, our findings validate the role of ALKBH5 in promoting SOX2 transcription via mRNA demethylation, thereby maintaining the stem-like state and tumorigenicity potential of ECSCs. In conclusion, these observations demonstrate a critical role for m6A methylation-mediated regulation of the HIF-ALKBH5-SOX2 axis during ECSC expansion in hypoxic TMEs.
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Zhao X, Ma L, Dai L, Zuo D, Li X, Zhu H, Xu F. TNF‑α promotes the malignant transformation of intestinal stem cells through the NF‑κB and Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathways. Oncol Rep 2020; 44:577-588. [PMID: 32627006 PMCID: PMC7336517 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are responsible for tumorigenesis, progression, recurrence and metastasis. Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are regarded as the origin of intestinal neoplasia. Inflammation also serves an important role in intestinal neoplasia. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the inflammation‑mediated induction of intestinal tumorigenesis, the present study investigated the function of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α in the malignant transformation of ISCs. NCM460 spheroid (NCM460s) cells with higher expression of stem cell genes, such as Oct4, Nanog, Sox2 and Lgr5, and with a higher ratio of CD133+, were obtained from NCM460 cells in serum‑free medium. TNF‑α accelerated cell proliferation, migration and invasion, induced chemotherapy resistance and the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition. NF‑κB and Wnt/β‑catenin pathways were activated in TNF‑α‑induced inflammatory responses, leading to the nuclear translocation of p65 and β‑catenin, as well as promoter activity of NF‑κB and TCF/LEF transcription factors. It was further demonstrated that TNF‑α‑induced activation of the NF‑κB and Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathways, as well as the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, were significantly suppressed by p65‑knockdown. Notably, PDTC, an inhibitor of NF‑κB signaling, reversed TNF‑α‑induced activation of the NF‑κB and Wnt/β‑catenin pathways. A similar role was observed for IWP‑2, an inhibitor of Wnt/β‑catenin signaling. Collectively, these results demonstrated that the NF‑κB and Wnt/β‑catenin pathways were activated to promote TNF‑α‑induced malignant transformation of ISCs, in which these two pathways cross‑regulated each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Lu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Lu Dai
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Di Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Xin Li
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Hongli Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi 712000, P.R. China
| | - Fang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
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9
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Giannone G, Attademo L, Scotto G, Genta S, Ghisoni E, Tuninetti V, Aglietta M, Pignata S, Valabrega G. Endometrial Cancer Stem Cells: Role, Characterization and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1820. [PMID: 31752447 PMCID: PMC6896186 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most frequent gynecological cancer. In patients with relapsed and advanced disease, prognosis is still dismal and development of resistance is common. In this context, endometrial Cancer Stem Cells (eCSC), stem-like cells capable to self-renewal and differentiation in mature cancer cells, represent a potential field of expansion for drug development. The aim of this review is to characterize the role of eCSC in EC, their features and how they could be targeted. CSC are involved in progression, invasiveness and metastasis (though epithelial to mesenchimal transition, EMT), as well as chemoresistance in EC. Nevertheless, isolation of eCSC is still controversial. Indeed, CD133, Aldheyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), CD117, CD55 and CD44 are enriched in CSCs but there is no universal marker nowadays. The most frequently activated pathways in eCSC are Wingless-INT (Wnt)/β-catenin, Notch1, and Hedghog, with a high expression of self-renewal transcription factors like Octamer binding transcription factor 4 (OCT), B Lymphoma Mo-MLV Insertion Region 1 Homolog (BMI1), North American Network Operations Group Homebox protein (NANOG), and SRY-Box 2 (SOX2). These pathways have been targeted with selective drugs alone or in combination with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Unfortunately, although preclinical results are encouraging, few clinical data are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Giannone
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Laura Attademo
- Department of Urology and Gynecology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale Napoli, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (L.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Giulia Scotto
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Sofia Genta
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Eleonora Ghisoni
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Valentina Tuninetti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Massimo Aglietta
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Sandro Pignata
- Department of Urology and Gynecology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale Napoli, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (L.A.); (S.P.)
| | - Giorgio Valabrega
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (G.S.); (S.G.); (E.G.); (V.T.); (M.A.); (G.V.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS - Str. Prov.le 142, km. 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy
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10
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Sun Z, Wang L, Dong L, Wang X. Emerging role of exosome signalling in maintaining cancer stem cell dynamic equilibrium. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:3719-3728. [PMID: 29799161 PMCID: PMC6050499 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of heterogeneous cells existed in tumour tissues or cancer cell lines with self-renewal and differentiation potentials. CSCs were considered to be responsible for the failure of conventional therapy and tumour recurrence. However, CSCs are not a static cell population, CSCs and non-CSCs are maintained in dynamic interconversion state by their self-differentiation and dedifferentiation. Therefore, targeting CSCs for cancer therapy is still not enough,exploring the mechanism of dynamic interconversion between CSCs and non-CSCs and blocking the interconversion seems to be imperative. Exosomes are 30-100 nm size in diameter extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by multiple living cells into the extracellular space. They contain cell-state-specific bioactive materials, including DNA, mRNA, ncRNA, proteins, lipids, etc. with their specific surface markers, such as, CD63, CD81, Alix, Tsg101, etc. Exosomes have been considered as information carriers in cell communication between cancer cells and non-cancer cells, which affect gene expressions and cellular signalling pathways of recipient cells by delivering their contents. Now that exosomes acted as information carriers, whether they played role in maintaining dynamic equilibrium state between CSCs and non-CSCs and their mechanism of activity are unknown. This review summarized the current research advance of exosomes' role in maintaining CSC dynamic interconversion state and their possible mechanism of action, which will provide a better understanding the contribution of exosomes to dedifferentiation and stemness acquisition of non-CSCs, and highlight that exosomes might be taken as the attractive target approaches for cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Sun
- Laboratory of Experimental OncologyState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalWest China Clinical Medical SchoolSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Li Wang
- Laboratory of Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Center West China HospitalWest China Clinical Medical SchoolSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lihua Dong
- Human Anatomy DepartmentSchool of Preclinical and Forensic MedcineSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiujie Wang
- Laboratory of Experimental OncologyState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center for BiotherapyWest China HospitalWest China Clinical Medical SchoolSichuan UniversityChengduChina
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11
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Kong F, Ma J, Yang H, Yang D, Wang C, Ma X. Long non-coding RNA PVT1 promotes malignancy in human endometrial carcinoma cells through negative regulation of miR-195-5p. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2018; 1865:S0167-4889(18)30169-1. [PMID: 30031900 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1)1 gene is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)2 that has been shown to be an oncogene in many cancers. Herein, the function and potential molecular mechanisms connecting PVT1 and miR-195-5p were elucidated in endometrial cancer cell lines. Quantitative real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)3 demonstrated that PVT1 is up-regulated concomitant with miR-195-5p down-regulation in human endometrial carcinoma tissues. PVT1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while facilitating apoptosis of endometrial cancer cells. Moreover, restoration of miR-195-5p due to PVT1 knockdown exerted tumor-suppressive functions. We observed that PVT1 promotes malignant cell behavior by decreasing miR-195-5p expression. Binding of PVT1 and miR-195-5p was confirmed using luciferase assays. Furthermore, expression of miR-195-5p negatively correlates with PVT1 expression. At the molecular level, either PVT1 knockdown or miR-195-5p overexpression resulted in a decrease of acidic fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR1)4 and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2).5 FGFR1 and FGF2 are targets of miR-195-5p that play a critical role in endometrial carcinoma by activating PI3K/AKT and MAPK/Erk pathways. Remarkably, PVT1 knockdown combined with miR-195-5p overexpression led to tumor regression in vivo. Overall, these results depict a novel pathway mediated by PVT1 in endometrial carcinoma, which may have potential application for endometrial carcinoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanfei Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Jian Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Di Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Cuicui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Xiaoxin Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
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