WSZG inhibits BMSC-induced EMT and bone metastasis in breast cancer by regulating TGF-β1/Smads signaling

Icariin Regulates EMT and Stem Cell-Like Character in Breast Cancer through Modulating lncRNA NEAT1/TGFβ/SMAD2 Signaling Pathway

Metastases and drug resistance are the major risk factors associated with breast cancer (BC), which is the most common type of tumor affecting females. Icariin (ICA) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound that possesses significant anticancer properties. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in a wide variety of biological and pathological processes and have been shown to modulate the effectiveness of certain drugs in cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential effect of ICA on epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness articulation in BC cells, as well as the possible relationship between its inhibitory action on EMT and stemness with the NEAT1/transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)/SMAD2 pathway. The effect of ICA on the proliferation (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony assays), EMT (Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and wound healing), and stemness (mammosphere formation assays, Western blotting) of BC cells were examined. According to the findings, ICA suppressed the proliferation, EMT, and stem cell-like in MDA-MB-231 cells, and exerted its inhibitory impact by downregulating the TGFβ/SMAD2 signaling pathway. ICA could significantly downregulate the expression of lncRNA NEAT1, and silencing NEAT1 enhanced the effect of ICA in suppressing EMT and expression of different stem cell markers. In addition, silencing NEAT1 was found to attenuate the TGFβ/SMAD2 signaling pathway, thereby improving the inhibitory impact of ICA on stemness and EMT in BC cells. In conclusion, ICA can potentially inhibit the metastasis of BC via affecting the NEAT1/TGFβ/SMAD2 pathway, which provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the mechanisms involved in potential application of ICA for BC therapy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Breast Cancer: A Review

A total of 18% of global breast cancer (BC) deaths are attributed to BC in China, making it one of the five most common cancers there. There has been a steady rise in BC morbidity and mortality in women in the last few years and it is now a leading cancer among Chinese women. Conventional treatments for BC are currently effective but have several limitations and disadvantages, and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a vital role in the overall process of cancer prevention and therapy. It is known that TCM can treat a variety of conditions at a variety of sites and targets. In recent years, increasingly, research has been conducted on TCM's ability to treat BC. TCM has shown positive results in the treatment of breast cancer and the adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This review describes the progress of clinical observation and mechanism research of TCM in the treatment of breast cancer in recent years. It provides some ideas and theoretical basis for the treatment of BC with TCM.

New insights in application of mesenchymal stem cells therapy in tumor microenvironment: pros and cons

Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely accepted as a useful tool for cell-based therapy of various diseases including malignancies. The therapeutic effects of MSCs are mainly attributed to their immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive properties. Despite the promising outcomes of MSCs in cancer therapy, a growing body of evidence implies that MSCs also show tumorigenic properties in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which might lead to tumor induction and progression. Owing to the broad-spectrum applications of MSCs, this challenge needs to be tackled so that they can be safely utilized in clinical practice. Herein, we review the diverse activities of MSCs in TME and highlight the potential methods to convert their protumorigenic characteristics into onco-suppressive effects.

Identification of molecularly unique tumor-associated mesenchymal stromal cells in breast cancer patients

The tumor microenvironment is a complex mixture of cell types that bi-directionally interact and influence tumor initiation, progression, recurrence, and patient survival. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) of the tumor microenvironment engage in crosstalk with cancer cells to mediate epigenetic control of gene expression. We identified CD90+ MSCs residing in the tumor microenvironment of patients with invasive breast cancer that exhibit a unique gene expression signature. Single-cell transcriptional analysis of these MSCs in tumor-associated stroma identified a distinct subpopulation characterized by increased expression of genes functionally related to extracellular matrix signaling. Blocking the TGFβ pathway reveals that these cells directly contribute to cancer cell proliferation. Our findings provide novel insight into communication between breast cancer cells and MSCs that are consistent with an epithelial to mesenchymal transition and acquisition of competency for compromised control of proliferation, mobility, motility, and phenotype.

Detection of Increased Expression of Claudin-1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Analysis and Clinical-Pathological Correlation

Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive disease that lacks therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers. Claudin-1 is a well-described tight junction protein with prognostic value in many human cancers. Aims The need for the discovery of biomarkers of TNBC disease was a major reason for this study. Claudin-1 is a tight junction protein that has shown promising results in the prognosis and management of cancer in general. In the breast, claudin-1 expression and significance have shown variable results, especially in TNBC patients. Our study assessed expression of claudin-1 in a group of TNBC patients, and correlated this expression with clinical-pathological parameters, and with the expression of β-catenin. Materials and methods Tissues from a group of 52 TNBC patients were retrieved from the archives of the community hospital. All related information including demographical, pathologic and clinical data were retrieved. Immunohistochemistry assays of a rabbit polyclonal antibody anti-human claudin-1 were applied using the avidin-biotin peroxidase methodology. Results A statistically significant majority of TNBC cases positively expressed claudin-1 (81%, χ2=13.705; p<0.001). Most TNBC cases had grade 2 β-catenin expression (77.5%; p<0.001), and positive expression for claudin-1 correlated with that of β-catenin (χ2= 23.757; p<0.001). Claudin-1 and β-catenin expressions within tumour cells shared several features including absent or weakness of membranous expression, and redistribution of both proteins to the cytoplasm of tumour cells, and in some cases to the nuclei of these cells. Claudin-1 expression also correlates with adverse survival outcomes, where only four of 20 claudin-1-positive patients who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) achieved pathological complete response (pCR). Conclusions The above presents a complex role of claudin-1 in TNBC patients. In this study, claudin-1 expression was associated with poor prognostic features including invasion, metastases and adverse clinical outcomes. Claudin-1 expression in TNBC correlated with the expression of β-catenin, an important oncogene and a major contributor to the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenomenon. Overall, the above results may serve as an impetus for further mechanistic studies to assess the exact role of claudin-1 in TNBC and its possible use in the management of this subset of breast cancer.

RUNX2 recruits the NuRD(MTA1)/CRL4B complex to promote breast cancer progression and bone metastasis

Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) is an osteogenesis-related transcription factor that has emerged as a prominent transcription repressing factor in carcinogenesis. However, the role of RUNX2 in breast cancer metastasis remains poorly understood. Here, we show that RUNX2 recruits the metastasis-associated 1 (MTA1)/NuRD and the Cullin 4B (CUL4B)-Ring E3 ligase (CRL4B) complex to form a transcriptional-repressive complex, which catalyzes the histone deacetylation and ubiquitylation. Genome-wide analysis of the RUNX2/NuRD(MTA1)/CRL4B complex targets identified a cohort of genes including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), which are critically involved in cell growth, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion. We demonstrate that the RUNX2/NuRD(MTA1)/CRL4B complex promotes the proliferation, invasion, tumorigenesis, bone metastasis, cancer stemness of breast cancer in vitro and in vivo. Strikingly, RUNX2 expression is upregulated in multiple human carcinomas, including breast cancer. Our study suggests that RUNX2 is a promising potential target for the future treatment strategies of breast cancer.

Effect of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs) with High miR-183-5p Expression on Ovarian Cancer Cells by Regulating Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3)

Currently, the treatment for ovarian cancer (OC) is not satisfactory. The microRNAs may have an important function in tumor pathogenesis. miR-183-5p involves in several tumors. However, its effect on OC cells is unclear. The BMSCs could regulate the micro-environment of tumor and participate in tumor procession. In this study, effect of BMSCs with highly-expressed miR-183-5p on OC cells was assessed. The BMSCs with highly-expressed miR-183-5p was established and co-cultivated with OC cell line SKOV3 followed by measuring miR-183-5p level by PCR, STAT3 and ADAM9 expression by western blot. miR-183-5p level in OC cells was reduced and further decreased after co-culture with BMSCs along with enhance cell proliferation and upregulated STAT3 expression (P < 0.05). In addition, miR-183-5p level was increased in BMSCs with highly-expressed miR-183-5p and STAT3 expression was reduced along with restrained cell proliferation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, miR-183-5p in OC cells is downregulated and malignant biological behaviors of OC cells are restrained by BMSCs with highly-expressed miR-183-5p possibly through regulating the expression of STAT3.

Variations in the Gut Microbiota in Breast Cancer Occurrence and Bone Metastasis

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cancer overall. Although advancements in the early diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer have occurred in recent years, the prognosis of breast cancer bone metastasis remains poor and this type of cancer is rarely cured. The gut microbiota is indispensable for internal homeostasis and regulates various biological processes. Understanding the gut microbiota profiles in normal controls (NCs), breast cancer patients with no metastasis (BNs), and breast cancer patients with bone metastasis (BMs) may shed light on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic targets for breast cancer and bone metastasis. We comprehensively analyzed the gut microbiota from NCs, BNs, and BMs and found that the community diversity decreased in the order of NCs, BNs, and BMs. Streptococcus, Campylobacter and Moraxellaceae showed higher abundances in BNs and BMs than in NCs. The lack of Megamonas and Akkermansia in the BM compared with those in the NC and BN groups was considered related to bone metastasis. Additionally, based on the distinct gut microbiota profiles, we predicted that lipid transportation and metabolism, as well as folate biosynthesis, participate in breast cancer occurrence and that steroid hormone biosynthesis influences bone metastasis. Our study demonstrated that variations in gut microbiota are associated with breast cancer occurrence and bone metastasis, providing attractive targets to develop therapeutic and diagnostic methods.

Ruyiping formula inhibits metastasis via the microRNA-134-SLUG axis in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Metastasis is the leading cause of death among breast cancer patients. MicroRNA-134 has been reported to have a tumor-suppressive role in breast cancer. Ruyiping (RYP), a traditional Chinese formula, has been shown with the ability to reduce breast cancer metastasis in pre-clinical studies. This present study was designed to examine whether miR-134 was involved in RYP-inhibited breast cancer metastasis.

METHODS

The expression of SLUG, E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin and miR-134 in MDA-MB-231 and 4 T1 cells treated with RYP or vehicle control were determined by quantitative realtime-PCR and western blot. Invasiveness determined by transwell assay as well as SLUG gene expression determined by qPCR were detected in cells transfected with chemically synthesized miR-134 mimics or inhibitors. BALB/c mice were injected with 4 T1 cells orthotopically and fed with RYP through gavage. Breast tumor growth, metastasis and tumor expression of EMT markers were detected.

RESULTS

Compared with the control, Ruyiping formula significantly inhibited SLUG-regulated breast cancer cells invasion. MiR-134 was induced by RYP in vitro and in vivo and was able to suppress SLUG by targeting its 3'UTR. RYP suppressed SLUG expression and cell invasion through miR-134. In 4 T1 tumor-bearing mice, RYP significantly inhibited 4 T1 tumor growth and lung metastasis, increased the levels of miR-134 and epithelial marker while decreased the levels of SLUG and mesenchymal marker.

CONCLUSION

Our data uncovered that Ruyiping formula exerts an anti-metastatic activity against breast cancer cells by regulating SLUG through miR-134. MiR-134-SLUG axis might be a promising strategy in breast cancer therapy.

Recent Advances in Anti-Metastatic Approaches of Herbal Medicines in 5 Major Cancers: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related death. Despite its high fatality, a comprehensive study that covers anti-metastasis of herbal medicines has not yet been conducted. The aim of this study is to investigate and assess the anti-metastatic efficacies of herbal medicines in the five major cancers, including lung, colorectal, gastric, liver, and breast cancers. We collected articles published within five years using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science with "cancer metastasis" and "herbal medicine" as keywords. Correspondingly, 16 lung cancer, 23 colorectal cancer, 10 gastric cancer, 10 liver cancer, and 18 breast cancer studies were systematically reviewed. The herbal medicines attenuated metastatic potential targeting various mechanisms such as epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and angiogenesis. Specifically, the drugs regulated metastasis related factors such as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), serine-threonine protein kinase/extracellular regulated protein kinase (AKT/ERK), angiogenic factors, and chemokines. Overall, the present study is the first review, comprehensively investigating the anti-metastasis effect of herbal medicines on five major cancers, providing the experimental models, doses and durations, and mechanisms. Herbal medicines could be a potent candidate for anti-metastatic drugs.

A comprehensive review of tanshinone IIA and its derivatives in fibrosis treatment

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is the most abundant lipid-soluble component in Salvia miltiorrhiza. Both Tan IIA and its derivatives including Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) have been widely used in clinic due to their proved anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and anti-fibrosis functions. Recently, combinations containing Tan IIA and active components have attracted intensive interest in fibrosis. Multiple studies have been conducted to attempt to decipher the mechanisms of this traditional Chinese medicine and found that Tan IIA can attenuate fibrosis through different pathways such as Smad2/3, NF-κB, Nrf2, E2F and snail/twist axis. However, some of the studies were contradictory and confusing. Therefore, it was important to develop an easy-to-access reference for clinic use. In this study, we reviewed the pharmacological mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology of Tan IIA and its derivatives in the treatment of fibrosis and introduced the cutting-edge new formulation of Tan IIA compound.

The long noncoding RNA FTX promotes a malignant phenotype in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via the miR-186/c-Met axis

Gliomas are the most common and aggressive primary tumours of the central nervous system in adults. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are an important component of the glioma microenvironment. Our previous study indicated that BMSCs in the glioma microenvironment could be induced to malignantly transform by glioma stem cells (GSCs). The malignant transformation of BMSCs is closely related to glioma progression; however, the underlying mechanism of this transformation has not been fully clarified. In this study, we found that compared with the levels in normal BMSCs, the levels of the long noncoding RNA FTX transcript XIST regulator (lncRNA-FTX) were increased in malignantly transformed BMSCs (tBMSCs), which was associated with the proliferation, migration and invasion of tBMSCs. Next, by using a luciferase reporter assay and an RNA pull-down assay, we found that lncRNA-FTX acted as a sponge for miR-186 in tBMSCs. Further research revealed that miR-186 could bind to the 3'-UTR (untranslated region) of c-Met, which acts as an oncogene in gliomas. Through functional assays, we showed that lncRNA-FTX could regulate c-Met expression in tBMSCs in a miR-186-dependent manner. Based on these data, we concluded that lncRNA-FTX plays a key role in the GSC-mediated malignant transformation of BMSCs in the glioma microenvironment, which is of great significance for further understanding the pathogenesis of glioma.

Exosomes: key players in cancer and potential therapeutic strategy

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles secreted by most eukaryotic cells and participate in intercellular communication. The components of exosomes, including proteins, DNA, mRNA, microRNA, long noncoding RNA, circular RNA, etc., which play a crucial role in regulating tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis in the process of cancer development, and can be used as a prognostic marker and/or grading basis for tumor patients. Hereby, we mainly summarized as followed: the role of exosome contents in cancer, focusing on proteins and noncoding RNA; the interaction between exosomes and tumor microenvironment; the mechanisms that epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion and migration of tumor affected by exosomes; and tumor suppression strategies based on exosomes. Finally, the application potential of exosomes in clinical tumor diagnosis and therapy is prospected, which providing theoretical supports for using exosomes to serve precise tumor treatment in the clinic.