1
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Ma X, Ligan C, Huang S, Chen Y, Li M, Cao Y, Zhao W, Zhao S. Mitochondrial activity related genes of mast cells identify poor prognosis and metastasis of ovarian cancer. Immunobiology 2024; 229:152831. [PMID: 38944891 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2024.152831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic role of tumor infiltrating mast cells (TIMs) in tumors depends not only on the type of cancer and the degree of tumor progression, but also on their location in the tumor bulk. In our investigation, we employed immunohistochemistry to reveal that the mast cells (MCs) in the tumor stroma are positively correlated with metastasis of ovarian cancer (OC), but not in the tumor parenchyma. To delve deeper into the influence of different culture matrix stiffness on MCs' biological functions within the tumor parenchymal and stromal regions, we conducted a transcriptome analysis of the mouse MC line (P815) cultured in two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) culture system. Further research has found that the softer 3D extracellular matrix stiffness could improve the mitochondrial activity of MCs to promote proliferation by increasing the expression levels of mitochondrial activity-related genes, namely Pet100, atp5md, and Cox7a2. Furthermore, employing LASSO regression analysis, we identified that Pet100 and Cox7a2 were closely associated with the prognosis of OC patients. These two genes were subsequently employed to construct a risk score model, which revealed that the high-risk group model as one of the prognostic factors for OC patients. Additionally, the XCell algorithm analysis showed that the high-risk group displayed a broader spectrum of immune cell infiltrations. Our research revealed that TIMs in the tumor stroma could promote the metastasis of OC, and mitochondrial activity-related proteins Pet100/Cox7a2 can serve as biomarkers for prognostic evaluation of OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinghua Ma
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Caryl Ligan
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shijia Huang
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yirong Chen
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Muxin Li
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cao
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Shuli Zhao
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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2
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Loh JJ, Ma S. Hallmarks of cancer stemness. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:617-639. [PMID: 38701757 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.04.004] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stemness is recognized as a key component of tumor development. Previously coined "cancer stem cells" (CSCs) and believed to be a rare population with rigid hierarchical organization, there is good evidence to suggest that these cells exhibit a plastic cellular state influenced by dynamic CSC-niche interplay. This revelation underscores the need to reevaluate the hallmarks of cancer stemness. Herein, we summarize the techniques used to identify and characterize the state of these cells and discuss their defining and emerging hallmarks, along with their enabling and associated features. We also highlight potential future directions in this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Jian Loh
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China; Centre for Translational and Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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3
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Wang J, Zhang B, Chen X, Xin Y, Li K, Zhang C, Tang K, Tan Y. Cell mechanics regulate the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via JNK signaling. Acta Biomater 2024; 176:321-333. [PMID: 38272199 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.01.024] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, especially those with metastatic competence, show reduced stiffness compared to the non-malignant counterparts. However, it is still unclear whether and how the mechanics of HCC cells influence their migration and invasion. This study reports that HCC cells with enhanced motility show reduced mechanical stiffness and cytoskeleton, suggesting the inverse correlation between cellular stiffness and motility. Through pharmacologic and genetic approaches, inhibiting actomyosin activity reduces HCC cellular stiffness but promotes their migration and invasion, while activating it increases cell stiffness but impairs cell motility. Actomyosin regulates cell motility through the influence on cellular stiffness. Mechanistically, weakening/strengthening cells inhibits/promotes c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, activation/inhibition of which rescues the effects of cell mechanics on their migration and invasion. Further, HCC cancer stem cells (CSCs) exhibit higher motility but lower stiffness than control cells. Increasing CSC stiffness weakens migration and invasion through the activation of JNK signaling. In conclusion, our findings unveil a new regulatory role of actomyosin-mediated cellular mechanics in tumor cell motility and present new evidence to support that tumor cell softening may be one driving force for HCC metastasis. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Tumor cells progressively become softened during metastasis and low cell stiffness is associated with high metastatic potential. However, it remains unclear whether tumor cell softening is a by-product of or a driving force for tumor progression. This work reports that the stiffness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells is linked to their migration and invasion. Importantly, tumor cell softening promotes migration and invasion, while cell stiffening impairs the mobility. Weakening/strengthening cells inhibits/promotes JNK phosphorylation, activation/inhibition of which rescues the effects of cell mechanics on their migration and invasion ability. Further, stiffening liver cancer stem cells attenuates their motility through activating JNK signaling. In summary, our study uncovers a previously unappreciated role of tumor cell mechanics in migration and invasion and implicates the therapeutic potential of cell mechanics in the mechanotargeting of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfan Wang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Bai Zhang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xi Chen
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ying Xin
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Keming Li
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Cunyu Zhang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Kai Tang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China.
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4
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Sha Y, Liang W, Mo C, Hou X, Ou M. Multi‑dimensional analysis reveals NCKAP5L is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancers, especially colorectal cancer. Oncol Lett 2024; 27:53. [PMID: 38192666 PMCID: PMC10773189 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.14186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The Nck-associated protein 5-like (NCKAP5L) gene, also known as Cep169, is associated with certain cancers. However, the diagnosis and prognosis value of NCKAP5L in several types of human cancer, including colorectal cancer, is not fully understood. In the present study, a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of NCKAP5L was performed using several approaches, including gene expression and alteration, protein phosphorylation, immune infiltration, survival prognosis analyses and gene enrichment using the following: The University of California Santa Cruz Genome Browser Human Dec. 2013 (GRCh38/hg38) Assembly, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (version 2), Human Protein Atlas, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (version 2), University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Data Analysis portal, the Kaplan-Meier Plotter, cBioportal, Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins, Jvenn and the Metascape server. The role of NCKAP5L in colorectal cancer was further assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The results demonstrated that NCKAP5L was upregulated in the majority of cancer types, including colorectal cancer. The high expression of NCKAP5L was significantly correlated with patient survival prognosis and immune infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts in numerous types of cancer, including colorectal cancer. Furthermore, Gene Ontology analysis identified that NCKAP5L may serve an important role in metabolic and cellular processes in human cancers. In summary, the data from the present study demonstrate that NCKAP5L is a potential tumor biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancers, especially colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Sha
- Central Laboratory, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541199, P.R. China
| | - Wenken Liang
- Central Laboratory, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541199, P.R. China
| | - Chune Mo
- Central Laboratory, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541199, P.R. China
| | - Xianliang Hou
- Central Laboratory, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541199, P.R. China
| | - Minglin Ou
- Central Laboratory, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541199, P.R. China
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5
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Xin Y, Li K, Huang M, Liang C, Siemann D, Wu L, Tan Y, Tang X. Biophysics in tumor growth and progression: from single mechano-sensitive molecules to mechanomedicine. Oncogene 2023; 42:3457-3490. [PMID: 37864030 PMCID: PMC10656290 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02844-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from physical sciences in oncology increasingly suggests that the interplay between the biophysical tumor microenvironment and genetic regulation has significant impact on tumor progression. Especially, tumor cells and the associated stromal cells not only alter their own cytoskeleton and physical properties but also remodel the microenvironment with anomalous physical properties. Together, these altered mechano-omics of tumor tissues and their constituents fundamentally shift the mechanotransduction paradigms in tumorous and stromal cells and activate oncogenic signaling within the neoplastic niche to facilitate tumor progression. However, current findings on tumor biophysics are limited, scattered, and often contradictory in multiple contexts. Systematic understanding of how biophysical cues influence tumor pathophysiology is still lacking. This review discusses recent different schools of findings in tumor biophysics that have arisen from multi-scale mechanobiology and the cutting-edge technologies. These findings range from the molecular and cellular to the whole tissue level and feature functional crosstalk between mechanotransduction and oncogenic signaling. We highlight the potential of these anomalous physical alterations as new therapeutic targets for cancer mechanomedicine. This framework reconciles opposing opinions in the field, proposes new directions for future cancer research, and conceptualizes novel mechanomedicine landscape to overcome the inherent shortcomings of conventional cancer diagnosis and therapies.
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Grants
- R35 GM150812 NIGMS NIH HHS
- This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project no. 11972316, Y.T.), Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (Project no. JCYJ20200109142001798, SGDX2020110309520303, and JCYJ20220531091002006, Y.T.), General Research Fund of Hong Kong Research Grant Council (PolyU 15214320, Y. T.), Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF18191421, Y.T.), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (1-CD75, 1-ZE2M, and 1-ZVY1, Y.T.), the Cancer Pilot Research Award from UF Health Cancer Center (X. T.), the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number R35GM150812 (X. T.), the National Science Foundation under grant number 2308574 (X. T.), the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under award number FA9550-23-1-0393 (X. T.), the University Scholar Program (X. T.), UF Research Opportunity Seed Fund (X. T.), the Gatorade Award (X. T.), and the National Science Foundation REU Site at UF: Engineering for Healthcare (Douglas Spearot and Malisa Sarntinoranont). We are deeply grateful for the insightful discussions with and generous support from all members of Tang (UF)’s and Tan (PolyU)’s laboratories and all staff members of the MAE/BME/ECE/Health Cancer Center at UF and BME at PolyU.
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xin
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Keming Li
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Miao Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Chenyu Liang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Dietmar Siemann
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lizi Wu
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
- Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xin Tang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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6
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Provasek VE, Kodavati M, Guo W, Wang H, Boldogh I, Van Den Bosch L, Britz G, Hegde ML. lncRNA Sequencing Reveals Neurodegeneration-Associated FUS Mutations Alter Transcriptional Landscape of iPS Cells That Persists in Motor Neurons. Cells 2023; 12:2461. [PMID: 37887305 PMCID: PMC10604943 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202461] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fused-in sarcoma (FUS) gene mutations have been implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study aimed to investigate the impact of FUS mutations (R521H and P525L) on the transcriptome of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived motor neurons (iMNs). Using RNA sequencing (RNA Seq), we characterized differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and subsequently predicted lncRNA-mRNA target pairs (TAR pairs). Our results show that FUS mutations significantly altered the expression profiles of mRNAs and lncRNAs in iPSCs. Using this large dataset, we identified and verified six key differentially regulated TAR pairs in iPSCs that were also altered in iMNs. These target transcripts included: GPR149, NR4A, LMO3, SLC15A4, ZNF404, and CRACD. These findings indicated that selected mutant FUS-induced transcriptional alterations persist from iPSCs into differentiated iMNs. Functional enrichment analyses of DEGs indicated pathways associated with neuronal development and carcinogenesis as likely altered by these FUS mutations. Furthermore, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) and GO network analysis of lncRNA-targeted mRNAs indicated associations between RNA metabolism, lncRNA regulation, and DNA damage repair. Our findings provide insights into potential molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of ALS-associated FUS mutations and suggest potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent E. Provasek
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.E.P.); (M.K.); (H.W.)
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Manohar Kodavati
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.E.P.); (M.K.); (H.W.)
| | - Wenting Guo
- INSERM, UMR-S1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, Université de Strasbourg, CRBS, 67000 Strasbourg, France;
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Haibo Wang
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.E.P.); (M.K.); (H.W.)
| | - Istvan Boldogh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Gavin Britz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Muralidhar L. Hegde
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.E.P.); (M.K.); (H.W.)
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
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7
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Chen X, Xu Z, Tang K, Hu G, Du P, Wang J, Zhang C, Xin Y, Li K, Zhang Q, Hu J, Zhang Z, Yang M, Wang G, Tan Y. The Mechanics of Tumor Cells Dictate Malignancy via Cytoskeleton-Mediated APC/Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0224. [PMID: 37746658 PMCID: PMC10513157 DOI: 10.34133/research.0224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells progressively remodel cytoskeletal structures and reduce cellular stiffness during tumor progression, implicating the correlation between cell mechanics and malignancy. However, the roles of tumor cell cytoskeleton and the mechanics in tumor progression remain incompletely understood. We report that softening/stiffening tumor cells by targeting actomyosin promotes/suppresses self-renewal in vitro and tumorigenic potential in vivo. Weakening/strengthening actin cytoskeleton impairs/reinforces the interaction between adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and β-catenin, which facilitates β-catenin nuclear/cytoplasmic localization. Nuclear β-catenin binds to the promoter of Oct4, which enhances its transcription that is crucial in sustaining self-renewal and malignancy. These results demonstrate that the mechanics of tumor cells dictate self-renewal through cytoskeleton-APC-Wnt/β-catenin-Oct4 signaling, which are correlated with tumor differentiation and patient survival. This study unveils an uncovered regulatory role of cell mechanics in self-renewal and malignancy, and identifies tumor cell mechanics as a hallmark not only for cancer diagnosis but also for mechanotargeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China
- Research Institute of Smart Ageing,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zichen Xu
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants,
Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kai Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guanshuo Hu
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China
- Research Institute of Smart Ageing,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pengyu Du
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Junfang Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cunyu Zhang
- Research Institute of Smart Ageing,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ying Xin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Keming Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qiantang Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants,
Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Jianjun Hu
- Department of Pathology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550002, China
| | - Zhuxue Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550002, China
| | - Mo Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants,
Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China
- Research Institute of Smart Ageing,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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8
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Young KM, Reinhart-King CA. Cellular mechanosignaling for sensing and transducing matrix rigidity. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2023; 83:102208. [PMID: 37473514 PMCID: PMC10527818 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms by which cells sense their mechanical environment and transduce the signal through focal adhesions and signaling pathways to the nucleus is an area of key focus for the field of mechanobiology. In the past two years, there has been expansion of our knowledge of commonly studied pathways, such as YAP/TAZ, FAK/Src, RhoA/ROCK, and Piezo1 signaling, as well as the discovery of new interactions, such as the effect of matrix rigidity of cell mitochondrial function and metabolism, which represent a new and exciting direction for the field as a whole. This review covers the most recent advances in the field of substrate stiffness sensing as well as perspective on future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Young
- Vanderbilt University Department of Biomedical Engineering 2414 Highland Ave, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Cynthia A Reinhart-King
- Vanderbilt University Department of Biomedical Engineering 2414 Highland Ave, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.
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9
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Atcha H, Choi YS, Chaudhuri O, Engler AJ. Getting physical: Material mechanics is an intrinsic cell cue. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:750-765. [PMID: 37267912 PMCID: PMC10247187 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Advances in biomaterial science have allowed for unprecedented insight into the ability of material cues to influence stem cell function. These material approaches better recapitulate the microenvironment, providing a more realistic ex vivo model of the cell niche. However, recent advances in our ability to measure and manipulate niche properties in vivo have led to novel mechanobiological studies in model organisms. Thus, in this review, we will discuss the importance of material cues within the cell niche, highlight the key mechanotransduction pathways involved, and conclude with recent evidence that material cues regulate tissue function in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Atcha
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yu Suk Choi
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Ovijit Chaudhuri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Adam J Engler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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10
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Gargalionis AN, Papavassiliou KA, Papavassiliou AG. Mechanobiology of solid tumors. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166555. [PMID: 36150659 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical features of cancer cells emerge as a distinct trait during development and progression of solid tumors. Herein, we discuss recent key findings regarding the impact of various types of mechanical stresses on cancer cell properties. Data suggest that different mechanical forces, alterations of matrix rigidity and tumor microenvironment facilitate cancer hallmarks, especially invasion and metastasis. Moreover, a subset of mechanosensory proteins are responsible for mediating mechanically induced oncogenic signaling and response to chemotherapy. Delineating cancer dynamics and decoding of respective signal transduction mechanisms will provide new therapeutic strategies against solid tumors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios N Gargalionis
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece.
| | - Kostas A Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Athanasios G Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece.
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Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer stemness and heterogeneity: updated. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:193. [PMID: 36071302 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01801-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as a trans-differentiation program and a key process in tumor progression is linked positively with increased expansion of cancer stem cells and cells with stem-like properties. This is mediated through modulation of critical tumorigenic events and is positively correlated with hypoxic conditions in tumor microenvironment. The presence of cells eliciting diverse phenotypical states inside tumor is representative of heterogeneity and higher tumor resistance to therapy. In this review, we aimed to discuss about the current understanding toward EMT, stemness, and heterogeneity in tumors of solid organs, their contribution to the key tumorigenic events along with major signaling pathway involved, and, finally, to suggest some strategies to target these critical events.
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Zhang J, Ha W, Chang Y, Ge Y, Wei X, Tan Y, Jia Q. Tumorigenic cell selection and substrate rigidity manipulation using 2D and 3D extracellular matrices. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101577. [PMID: 35880125 PMCID: PMC9307683 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Soft fibrin gels are used to select tumorigenic cells and regulate the stemness and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells via mechanotransduction. This protocol details steps to produce two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrices for substrate rigidity manipulation and tumorigenic cell selection. We also describe how it can be applied to tumor mechanotransductive research by colony growth monitoring and cell isolation. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Chang et al. (2022). Protocol of tumorigenic cell selection and substrate rigidity manipulation Fabricate and maintain soft 3D fibrin gels with tumorigenic cell selection capacity Tune substrate rigidity by 2D polyacrylamide (PA) gels Application of 3D fibrin and 2D PA gels in tumor mechanotransductive research
Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China.
| | - Wentao Ha
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China.
| | - Yuhan Chang
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Yutong Ge
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Xiaowei Wei
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Qiong Jia
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China.
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Wang Y, Chen H, Yu J, Kang W, To KF. Recent insight into the role and therapeutic potential of YAP/TAZ in gastrointestinal cancers. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188787. [PMID: 36041574 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188787] [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: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
With the rapid development of cancer treatment, gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are still the most prevalent malignancies with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Dysregulation of the Hippo signaling pathway has been recognized to play a critical role during cancer development and adopted for monitoring disease progression and therapy response. Despite the well-documented tumor proliferation and metastasis, recent efforts in two core Hippo components, Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), have identified as the driving forces behind cancer metabolism, stemness, tumor immunity, and therapy resistance. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which YAP/TAZ facilitates the tumorigenesis and progression of GI cancer, and identifying novel therapeutic strategies for targeting YAP/TAZ are crucial to GI cancer treatment and prevention. In this study, we summarize the latest findings on the function and regulatory mechanisms of YAP/TAZ in GI cancers, and highlight the translational significance of targeting YAP/TAZ for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Wang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Huarong Chen
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care and Peter Hung Pain Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
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14
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Biomechanics of cancer stem cells. Essays Biochem 2022; 66:359-369. [PMID: 35942932 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been believed to be one driving force for tumor progression and drug resistance. Despite the significance of biochemical signaling in malignancy, highly malignant tumor cells or CSCs exhibit lower cellular stiffness than weakly malignant cells or non-CSCs, which are softer than their healthy counterparts, suggesting the inverse correlation between cell stiffness and malignancy. Recent years have witnessed the rapid accumulation of evidence illustrating the reciprocity between cell cytoskeleton/mechanics and CSC functions and the potential of cellular stiffness for specific targeting of CSCs. However, a systematic understanding of tumor cell mechanics and their role in CSCs and tumor progression is still lacking. The present review summarizes the recent progress in the alterations of tumor cell cytoskeleton and stiffness at different stages of tumor progression and recapitulates the relationship between cellular stiffness and CSC functions. The altered cell mechanics may mediate the mechanoadaptive responses that possibly empower CSCs to survive and thrive during metastasis. Furthermore, we highlight the possible impact of tumor cell mechanics on CSC malignancy, which may potentiate low cell stiffness as a mechanical marker for CSC targeting.
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Lu Y, Mao J, Xu Y, Pan H, Wang Y, Li W. Ropivacaine represses the ovarian cancer cell stemness and facilitates cell ferroptosis through inactivating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Hum Exp Toxicol 2022; 41:9603271221120652. [PMID: 36124980 DOI: 10.1177/09603271221120652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor in women all over the world. Ropivacaine is identified as a potential drug for the treatment of malignant tumors, but the role and mechanism of ropivacaine in ovarian cancer remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ovarian cancer cells were treated with different doses of ropivacaine. The function of ropivacaine in ovarian cancer was assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, sphere-formation assay, Western blot, Fe2+ level analysis, and immunofluorescence. Meanwhile, the mechanism of ropivacaine in ovarian cancer was investigated by multiple molecular experiments. The protective function of ropivacaine in ovarian cancer was further confirmed by in vivo assay. RESULTS The functional research data indicated that the growth and stemness of ovarian cancer cells were restrained after ropivacaine treatment, while the ferroptosis in ovarian cancer cells was facilitated. The mechanism results confirmed that ropivacaine inactivated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, in vivo assay demonstrated that ropivacaine repressed the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells in vivo and had a protective function in ovarian cancer. CONCLUSION Ropivacaine restrained ovarian cancer cell stemness and accelerated cell ferroptosis by inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lu
- Department Of Anesthesia, 34708Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jinbao Mao
- Department Of Anesthesia and Surgery, 34708Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yanbing Xu
- Department Of Anesthesia, 34708Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Hao Pan
- Department Of Anesthesia, 34708Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department Of Anesthesia, 34708Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department Of Anesthesia, 34708Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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