RNAi-mediated silencing of VEGF-C inhibits non-small cell lung cancer progression by simultaneously down-regulating the CXCR4, CCR7, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3-dependent axes-induced ERK, p38 and AKT signalling pathways

Radix Bupleuri-Radix Paeoniae Alba Inhibits the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Activation of the PTEN/PD-L1 Axis within the Immune Microenvironment

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated how Radix Bupleuri-Radix Paeoniae Alba (BP) was active against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database was employed to determine the active ingredients of BP and potential targets against HCC. Molecular docking analysis verified the binding activity of PTEN with BP ingredients. H22 cells were used to establish an HCC model in male balb/c mice. Immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time quantitative PCR were used to study changes in proliferation, apoptosis, PTEN levels, inflammation, and T-cell differentiation in male balb/c mice.

RESULTS

The major active ingredients in BP were found to be quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol. Molecular docking demonstrated that these five active BP ingredients formed a stable complex with PTEN. BP exhibited an anti-tumor effect in our HCC mouse model. BP was found to increase the CD8+ and IFN-γ+/CD4+ T cell levels while decreasing the PD-1+/CD8+ T and Treg cell levels in HCC mice. BP up-regulated the IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α levels but down-regulated the IL-10 levels in HCC mice. After PTEN knockdown, BP-induced effects were abrogated.

CONCLUSION

BP influenced the immune microenvironment through activation of the PTEN/PD-L1 axis, protecting against HCC.

FUT8-Mediated Core Fucosylation Promotes the Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive cardiopulmonary disease with unclear underlying molecular mechanisms and limited therapeutic options. This study aimed to explore the role of core fucosylation and the only glycosyltransferase FUT8 in PAH. We observed increased core fucosylation in a monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rat model and isolated rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) treated with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). We found that 2-fluorofucose (2FF), a drug used to inhibit core fucosylation, improved hemodynamics and pulmonary vascular remodeling in MCT-induced PAH rats. In vitro, 2FF effectively restrains the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic switching of PASMCs and promotes apoptosis. Compared with controls, serum FUT8 concentration in PAH patients and MCT-induced rats was significantly elevated. FUT8 expression appeared increased in the lung tissues of PAH rats, and the co-localization of FUT8 with α-SMA was also observed. SiRNA was used to knockdown FUT8 in PASMCs (siFUT8). After effectively silencing FUT8 expression, phenotypic changes induced in PASMCs by PDGF-BB stimulation were alleviated. FUT8 activated the AKT pathway, while the admission of AKT activator SC79 could partially counteract the negative effect of siFUT8 on the proliferation, apoptotic resistance, and phenotypic switching of PASMCs, which may be involved in the core fucosylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). Our research confirmed the critical role of FUT8 and its mediated core fucosylation in pulmonary vascular remodeling in PAH, providing a potential novel therapeutic target for PAH.

The Small RNA Landscape in NSCLC: Current Therapeutic Applications and Progresses

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the second most diagnosed type of malignancy and the first cause of cancer death worldwide. Despite recent advances, the treatment of choice for NSCLC patients remains to be chemotherapy, often showing very limited effectiveness with the frequent occurrence of drug-resistant phenotype and the lack of selectivity for tumor cells. Therefore, new effective and targeted therapeutics are needed. In this context, short RNA-based therapeutics, including Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs), microRNAs (miRNAs), short interfering (siRNA) and aptamers, represent a promising class of molecules. ASOs, miRNAs and siRNAs act by targeting and inhibiting specific mRNAs, thus showing an improved specificity compared to traditional anti-cancer drugs. Nucleic acid aptamers target and inhibit specific cancer-associated proteins, such as "nucleic acid antibodies". Aptamers are also able of receptor-mediated cell internalization, and therefore, they can be used as carriers of secondary agents giving the possibility of producing very highly specific and effective therapeutics. This review provides an overview of the proposed applications of small RNAs for NSCLC treatment, highlighting their advantageous features and recent advancements in the field.

C-C Chemokine Receptor 7 in Cancer

C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) was one of the first two chemokine receptors that were found to be upregulated in breast cancers. Chemokine receptors promote chemotaxis of cells and tissue organization. Since under homeostatic conditions, CCR7 promotes migration of immune cells to lymph nodes, questions immediately arose regarding the ability of CCR7 to direct migration of cancer cells to lymph nodes. The literature since 2000 was examined to determine to what extent the expression of CCR7 in malignant tumors promoted migration to the lymph nodes. The data indicated that in different cancers, CCR7 plays distinct roles in directing cells to lymph nodes, the skin or to the central nervous system. In certain tumors, it may even serve a protective role. Future studies should focus on defining mechanisms that differentially regulate the unfavorable or beneficial role that CCR7 plays in cancer pathophysiology, to be able to improve outcomes in patients who harbor CCR7-positive cancers.

Glioma stem cell-derived exosomal miR-944 reduces glioma growth and angiogenesis by inhibiting AKT/ERK signaling

In this study, we investigated the regulatory role of exosomal microRNA-944 (miR-944) derived from glioma stem cells (GSCs) in glioma progression and angiogenesis. Bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-944 levels were significantly lower in high-grade gliomas (HGGs) than low-grade gliomas in the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas and The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets. The overall survival rates were significantly shorter for glioma patients expressing low miR-944 levels than high miR-944 levels. GSC-derived exosomal miR-944 significantly decreased in vitro proliferation, migration, and tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Targetscan and dual luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR-944 directly targets the 3’UTR of VEGFC. In vivo mouse studies demonstrated that injection of agomiR-944 directly into tumors 3 weeks after xenografting glioma cells significantly reduced tumor growth and angiogenesis. GSC-derived exosomal miR-944 significantly reduced VEGFC levels and suppressed activation of AKT/ERK signaling pathways in HUVECs and xenograft glioma cell tumors. These findings demonstrate that GSC-derived exosomal miR-944 inhibits glioma growth, progression, and angiogenesis by suppressing VEGFC expression and inhibiting the AKT/ERK signaling pathway.

Up-Regulation of the Long Noncoding RNA X-Inactive-Specific Transcript and the Sex Bias in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a sex-biased disease. Increased expression and activity of the long-noncoding RNA X-inactive-specific transcript (Xist), essential for X-chromosome inactivation and dosage compensation of X-linked genes, may explain the sex bias of PAH. The present studies used a murine model of plexiform PAH, the intersectin-1s (ITSN) heterozygous knockout (KOITSN+/-) mouse transduced with an ITSN fragment (EHITSN) possessing endothelial cell proliferative activity, in conjunction with molecular, cell biology, biochemical, morphologic, and functional approaches. The data demonstrate significant sex-centered differences with regard to EHITSN-induced alterations in pulmonary artery remodeling, lung hemodynamics, and p38/ETS domain containing protein/c-Fos signaling, altogether leading to a more severe female lung PAH phenotype. Moreover, the long-noncoding RNA-Xist is up-regulated in the lungs of female EHITSN-KOITSN+/- mice compared with that in female wild-type mice, leading to sex-specific modulation of the X-linked gene ETS domain containing protein and its target, two molecular events also characteristic to female human PAH lung. More importantly, cyclin A1 expression in the S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle of synchronized pulmonary artery endothelial cells of female PAH patients is greater versus controls, suggesting functional hyperproliferation. Thus, Xist up-regulation leading to female pulmonary artery endothelial cell sexual dimorphic behavior may provide a better understanding of the origin of sex bias in PAH. Notably, the EHITSN-KOITSN+/- mouse is a unique experimental animal model of PAH that recapitulates most of the sexually dimorphic characteristics of human disease.

CCR7 as a therapeutic target in Cancer

The CCR7 chemokine axis is comprised of chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) and chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) acting on chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7). This axis plays two important but apparently opposing roles in cancer. On the one hand, this axis is significantly engaged in the trafficking of a number of effecter cells involved in mounting an immune response to a growing tumour. This suggests therapeutic strategies which involve potentiation of this axis can be used to combat the spread of cancer. On the other hand, the CCR7 axis plays a significant role in controlling the migration of tumour cells towards the lymphatic system and metastasis and can thus contribute to the expansion of cancer. This implies that therapeutic strategies which involve decreasing signaling through the CCR7 axis would have a beneficial effect in preventing dissemination of cancer. This dichotomy has partly been the reason why this axis has not yet been exploited, as other chemokine axes have, as a therapeutic target in cancer. Recent report of a crystal structure for CCR7 provides opportunities to exploit this axis in developing new cancer therapies. However, it remains unclear which of these two strategies, potentiation or antagonism of the CCR7 axis, is more appropriate for cancer therapy. This review brings together the evidence supporting both roles of the CCR7 axis in cancer and examines the future potential of each of the two different therapeutic approaches involving the CCR7 axis in cancer.

A review on RNAi therapy for NSCLC: Opportunities and challenges

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the primary cause of cancer death worldwide. Despite developments in chemotherapy and targeted therapies, the 5-year survival rate has remained at approximately 16% for the last four decades. NSCLC is a heterogeneous group of tumors that, through mutations and drivers, also demonstrate intra-tumor heterogeneity. Thus, current treatment approaches revolve around targeting these oncogenes, often using small molecule inhibitors and chemotherapeutics. However, the efficacy of these therapies has been crippled by acquired and inherent drug-resistance in the tumor, accompanied by increased therapeutic dosages and subsequent devastating off-target effects for patients. Evidently, there is a critical need for developing treatment methodologies more effective than the current standard of care. Fortunately, RNA interference, particularly small interfering RNA (siRNA), presents an alternative of silencing specific oncogenes to control tumor growth. Although siRNA therapy is subject to rapid degradation and poor internalization in vivo, nanoparticles can serve as nontoxic and efficient delivery vehicles, even introducing combinational delivery of multiple therapeutic agents. Indeed, siRNA-nanoconstructs possess extraordinary potential as an innovative modality to address clinical needs. This state-of-the-art review summarizes the recent advancements in the development of novel nanosystems for delivering siRNA to NSCLC tumors and analyzes the efficacy of representative examples. By illuminating the most promising biomarkers for silencing, we hope to streamline current therapeutic efforts and highlight powerful translational opportunities to combat NSCLC. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid-Based Structures Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.

miR-503-5p inhibits colon cancer tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis by directly downregulating VEGF-A

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are considered important in the pathogenesis of colon cancer. But the mechanism of their role in colon cancer is still largely unknown. Here, we aimed to explore the function of miR-503-5p in the pathogenesis of colon cancer. This study analyzed miRNA microarray of colon cancer. Then, we performed EdU, CCK-8, flow cytometry, Transwell invasion assays and in vivo assays to explore the exact role of miR-503-5p in colon cancer. We observed considerable downregulation of miR-503-5p expression in colon cancer cells and tissues and significant correlation with the TNM stage, differentiation grade and lymph node metastasis of colon cancer. Overexpression of miR-503-5p promoted the apoptosis and G1 arrest of colon cancer cells, and inhibited migration, proliferation, invasion and colony formation. Interestingly, ectopic miR-503-5p overexpression could significantly inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A expression and reduce the activity of a luciferase reporter containing the VEGF-A 3'-untranslated region. Furthermore, overexpressed miR-503-5p in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and colon cancer cells resulted in lower expression levels of VEGFR-2, and subsequently inhibited AKT signaling pathway. Additionally, overexpression of miR-503-5p suppressed both lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in vivo and significantly inhibited the tumorigenicity of HT-29 cells in nude mice. In summary, our study shows downregulation of miR-503-5p at least partially contributes to the tumorigenesis of colon cancer through modulating the angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis by targeting VEGF-A while stimulating AKT signaling pathways. Therapeutic strategies to restore miR-503-5p in colon cancer could be useful to inhibit tumor progression.

MiR-182-5p inhibits colon cancer tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis by directly downregulating VEGF-C

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are gene modulators essential for biological processes. However, the precise functions of miRNAs in growth and development of colon cancer are still elusive. To clarify their role, here we analyzed a miRNA microarray of colon cancer. MiR-182-5p was found markedly downregulated in colon cancer tissues and cells, and strongly correlated with pathological stage, differentiation, and lymphatic metastasis. In vitro, miR-182-5p overexpression repressed colon cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion, and triggered G1 arrest and apoptosis. MiR-182-5p overexpression also downregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and inhibited the activity of a luciferase reporter containing the VEGF-C 3'-untranslated region. Moreover, miR-182-5p overexpression in colon cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) downregulated VEGF-A as well as VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2 and VEGFR-3, thereby inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT. In vivo, miR-182-5p overexpression strikingly suppressed oncogenicity of SW620 cells as well as angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis of xenograft tumors in nude mice. These data indicate that miR-182-5p regulates colon cancer tumorigenesis partially through modulating angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis by targeting VEGF-C, and inhibiting ERK and AKT signaling pathways.

CCR7 preservation via histone deacetylase inhibition promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

The effects of Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) differs in various types of cancers. However, its function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not well-explored. In this study, we investigated the effect of HDAC inhibition on EMT in HCC cells by using trichostatin A (TSA) and valproic acid (VPA). The results showed that TSA/VPA significantly induced EMT phenotype, as demonstrated by the decreased level of E-cadherin, increased level of N-cadherin, vimentin, Twist and snail, and enhanced capacity of cell migration and invasion. In addition, CCR7 was speculated and confirmed as a function target of HDAC inhibition. CCR7 promotes the progression of HCC and is associated with poor survival. Knockdown of CCR7 significantly attenuated the effect of TSA on EMT. Moreover, our results demonstrated that HDAC inhibition up-regulates CCR7 via reversing the promoter hypoacetylation and increasing CCR7 transcription. Taken together, our study has identified the function of HDAC in EMT of HCC and suggested a novel mechanism through which TSA/VPA exerts its carcinogenic roles in HCC. HDAC inhibitors require careful caution before their application as new anticancer drugs.

Therapeutic Potency of Nanoformulations of siRNAs and shRNAs in Animal Models of Cancers

RNA Interference (RNAi) has brought revolutionary transformations in cancer management in the past two decades. RNAi-based therapeutics including siRNA and shRNA have immense scope to silence the expression of mutant cancer genes specifically in a therapeutic context. Although tremendous progress has been made to establish catalytic RNA as a new class of biologics for cancer management, a lot of extracellular and intracellular barriers still pose a long-lasting challenge on the way to clinical approval. A series of chemically suitable, safe and effective viral and non-viral carriers have emerged to overcome physiological barriers and ensure targeted delivery of RNAi. The newly invented carriers, delivery techniques and gene editing technology made current treatment protocols stronger to fight cancer. This review has provided a platform about the chronicle of siRNA development and challenges of RNAi therapeutics for laboratory to bedside translation focusing on recent advancement in siRNA delivery vehicles with their limitations. Furthermore, an overview of several animal model studies of siRNA- or shRNA-based cancer gene therapy over the past 15 years has been presented, highlighting the roles of genes in multiple cancers, pharmacokinetic parameters and critical evaluation. The review concludes with a future direction for the development of catalytic RNA vehicles and design strategies to make RNAi-based cancer gene therapy more promising to surmount cancer gene delivery challenges.

Progranulin promotes lymphangiogenesis through VEGF-C and is an independent risk factor in human esophageal cancers

Lymph node metastasis is one of the most important predictors of the prognosis for esophageal cancer (EC) patients. However, the mechanism underlying the lymph node metastasis is largely unknown. Progranulin (PGRN) is shown to be highly expressed in various types of cancers and could promote the angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells in previous studies. However, the expression status of PGRN and its effects on the lymphangiogenesis in EC are largely unclear. In this study, we show for the first time that PGRN is expressed in EC tissue samples and cell lines and could promote the expression of VEGF-C in vitro, a well-known lymphangiogenesis inducer, through the putative signaling transducers p-ERK and p-AKT. Besides, increased levels of PGRN are correlated with lymph node metastasis, high levels of lymph microvessel density, and lymph vessel space invasion in tissue samples of EC patients. In addition, Cox proportional risk model shows that patients with high levels of PGRN would have 2-fold increases in 5-year mortality compared with patients with low levels of PGRN. Finally, we establish a clinically useful nomogram to predict the possibility of mortality for individual EC patients. In conclusion, PGRN may play an important role in the lymphangiogenesis through activation of VEGF-C in the EC patients.

Estrogen induces CXCR4 overexpression and CXCR4/CXL12 pathway activation in lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro

PURPOSE

This study was designed to investigate whether estradiol is related to the expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its activation in lung adenocarcinoma in vitro, since lung adenocarcinomas from premenopausal women have shown high levels of CXCR4, and this expression has been associated with worse prognosis and poor survival.

METHODS

The effect of 17-β-estradiol (E2) (0.03 nM-10 nM) on CXCR4 expression was analyzed in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (SK-LU-1, H1435, H23, A549) by immunofluorescence after 24 and 72-h poststimulation. Tamoxifen treatment was applied to corroborate the estrogenic effect. The wound-healing assay was performed to investigate whether E2 treatment increased CXCR4/CXL12 pathway activity. A549 and SK-LU-1 cells were stimulated with E2, CXCL12, and CXCL12 combined with E2. Tamoxifen and AMD3100 were applied to corroborate estrogen and chemokine pathway activation.

RESULTS

Estradiol stimulated significantly CXCR4 overexpression in all the cell lines analyzed in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. Tamoxifen treatment inhibited the CXCR4 overexpression observed in estrogen-treated groups, demonstrating that estrogen strongly influences CXCR4 expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Cells treated with E2, CXCL12 and E2 combined with CXCL12 exhibited significant cell migration, which was suppressed when tamoxifen and AMD3100 were present.

CONCLUSION

Overexpression of CXCR4 induced by estrogen and the activity of CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway could be a new mechanism by which this hormone supports tumor progression and metastasis. These findings may partly explain the worse prognosis observed in premenopausal women and suggest considering the role of estrogen in lung cancer for the design of more specific treatment schemes.

Association of CXCR4, CCR7, VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression with lymph node metastasis in patients with cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

We attempted to investigate the expression of CXCR4, CCR7, VEGF-C and VEGF-D in cervical cancer specimens, and the association between CXCR4, CCR7, VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression with the clinicopathological parameters of patients with cervical cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

57 tissue microarrays including 9 normal cervical tissues and 48 cervical cancer tissues were purchased from Biomax. The association between CXCR4, CCR7, VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression with the clinicopathological parameters were evaluated. Then immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of CXCR4, CCR7, VEGF-C and VEGF-D in cervical cancer specimens. Finally, Spearman correlations were used for the correlation analyses between CXCR4, CCR7, VEGF-C and VEGF-D.

RESULTS

We revealed that CXCR4 expression was significantly higher in patients with squamous cell carcinomas (P=0.002) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.038), while CCR7 expression was significantly elevated in patients with lymph node metastasis (P=0.037). VEGF-C expression was markedly up-regulated in patients exhibiting FIGO stage II-III tumors (P=0.015) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.038), while VEGF-D expression was obviously increased in patients displaying FIGO stage II-III tumors (P=0.025), squamous carcinomas (P=0.017) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.037). The correlation analysis indicated that CXCR4, CCR7, VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression have a significant correlation to each other.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that CXCR4, CCR7, VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression might have synergistic effects on the lymph node metastasis in patients with cervical cancer.

miRNA-556-3p promotes human bladder cancer proliferation, migration and invasion by negatively regulating DAB2IP expression

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in tumorigenesis and metastasis by negatively regulating gene expression through complementary binding to the 3'-untranslated region of target mRNAs. The role of miRNAs in expression of the tumor suppressor DAB2IP in bladder cancer (BC) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to identify miRNAs targeting DAB2IP and determine their expression and function in BC. We predicted candidate miRNAs targeting DAB2IP using TargetScan software. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miRNA-556-3p directly regulated DAB2IP expression. Quantitative RT-PCR and RNase protection assays showed that endogenous miRNA-556-3p expression was significantly upregulated in clinical samples of BC patients and BC cell lines and western blot analysis indicated that DAB2IP expression in BC tissues and BC cell lines was concurrently downregulated. Gain or loss of function studies showed that upregulation of miRNA-556-3p promoted proliferation, invasion, migration and colony formation of BC cells, whereas downregulation resulted in opposite effects. Importantly, restoration of DAB2IP expression rescued the effects induced by miRNA-556-3p. Overexpression of miRNA-556-3p in BC cells not only decreased DAB2IP expression, but also markedly increased Ras GTPase activity and ERK1/2 phosphorylation level. These findings suggest that DAB2IP is a direct target of miRNA-556-3p, and endogenous miRNA-556-3p expression shows inverse correlation with simultaneous DAB2IP expression in BC tissues and cells. miRNA-556-3p functions as a tumor promoter in tumorigenesis and metastasis of BC by targeting DAB2IP. Moreover, miRNA-556-3p-mediated DAB2IP suppression plays an oncogenic role by partial activation of the Ras-ERK pathway.

Gene Expression Profiles of HIV/AIDS Patients with Qi-Yin Deficiency and Dampness-Heat Retention

Objectives: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) applied in the clinic as a complementary and alternative therapy has helped improve immunity and reduce side effects and symptomatic treatment in patients with HIV/AIDS. However, the mechanisms of TCM syndromes are not clear. Transcriptomics enables the study of such TCM syndromes.

Design: This study compared the messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of healthy persons and patients with HIV/AIDS who had two common TCM syndromes, qi-yin deficiency and dampness-heat retention, to find the difference in HIV/AIDS with TCM syndromes.

Results: Comparison with healthy persons identified 113 mRNAs—41 enhanced and 72 decreased—in the qi-yin deficiency group. Additionally, 76 mRNAs were found in the dampness-heat retention group: 14 increased and 62 decreased. Functional genetic analysis of the mRNAs indicated that two TCM syndromes were correlated with cell apoptosis, immunoinflammatory responses, and lymphocyte activation. Differentially expressed mRNAs in the qi-yin deficiency group were obviously associated with cellular activity, communication, protein localization, cellular ion homeostasis, and regulation of cell motion, whereas mRNAs in the dampness-heat retention group were associated with sequence-specific DNA binding, cellular response to stress, and hemopoietic or lymphoid organ development.

Conclusions: These results suggest that the formation of different TCM syndromes in patients with HIV/AIDS were founded on biological transcriptomics, which reveal mechanisms of the formation of these syndromes in HIV/AIDS. Differentially expressed mRNAs in two TCM syndrome groups tended to normalize after TCM intervention, which indicates that TCM might remit symptoms by changing genetic expression.

Use of NRP1, a novel biomarker, along with VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, CCR7 and SEMA3E, to predict lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

Lymph node (LN) metastasis has been suggested as a major prognostic factor for oral cancer. Knockdown of the growth factors and receptors involved in these metastatic mechanisms could significantly reduce LN metastasis and improve the survival of oral cancer patients after treatment. The present study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the expression levels of the following growth factors and receptors in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue: the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‑C and VEGF‑D, which bind to the cell surface tyrosine kinase receptor VEGF receptor‑3 (VEGFR‑3); C‑C motif chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7); neuropilin (NRP)1 and NRP2; and semaphorin 3E (SEMA3E). Furthermore, we assessed microvessel density (MVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) to demonstrate the correlation between these factors and regional LN metastasis, with respect to the clinicopathological features. Finally, we analyzed the correlation between these proteins and overall or disease‑free survival, in order to demonstrate their prognostic value. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between LN metastasis and the expression levels of VEGF‑C, VEGFR‑3, CCR7, NRP1, and SEMA3E, as well as LVD, in SCC cells. In contrast, multivariate analysis identified associations between LN metastasis and NRP1 expression, as well as between LN metastasis and LVD; however, no correlation was found between LN metastasis and the expression levels of the other proteins. The expression levels of VEGF‑C, VEGFR‑3, NRP1, and SEMA3E, as well as LVD, were correlated with disease‑free survival time. These results indicate that LN metastasis is associated with poor survival in SCC. This study suggests that NRP1 expression and LVD are independent factors that are likely to predict the risk of LN metastasis in SCC of the tongue, whereas the expression of VEGF‑C, VEGFR‑3, CCR7, and SEMA3E are non‑independent predictive factors.

RNAi-mediated gene silencing of vascular endothelial growth factor C suppresses growth and induces apoptosis in mouse breast cancer in vitro and in vivo

Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF)-C promotes tumorigenesis by allowing lymph node metastasis and lymphangiogenesis, among other actions. RNA interference (RNAi) is a novel technique for suppressing target gene expression and may increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments. The present study assessed the influence of VEGF-C RNAi on the apoptosis and proliferation of mouse breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. A total of three pairs of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting mouse VEGF-C were designed and synthesized prior to transfection into 4T1 cells via a liposomal approach. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry were performed in vitro to analyze VEGF-C expression, cleaved caspase-3 protein expression and 4T1 cell proliferation and apoptosis. Experiments were also conducted in vivo on BALB/c mice with breast cancer. Tumor weight and volume were measured and the number of apoptotic cells in tumor tissues was assessed by a TUNEL assay. Immunohistochemical assays and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to measure the expression of VEGF-C in tumor tissues. The results demonstrated that the three pairs of siRNA, particularly siV2, significantly reduced VEGF-C mRNA and protein levels in 4T1 cells. siV2 was deemed to be the most efficient siRNA and therefore was selected to be used in subsequent experiments. Furthermore, in vitro studies indicated that VEGF-C RNAi significantly decreased cell growth, induced apoptosis and upregulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3 protein. Tumor weight and volume in breast cancer in vivo models was reduced by the intratumoral injection of siV2. Antitumor efficacy was associated with decreased VEGF-C expression and increased induction of apoptosis. The present study therefore indicated that VEGF-C RNAi inhibited mouse breast cancer growth in vitro and in vivo and that it may be a novel targeted therapy for breast cancer.

Promotion of metastasis of thyroid cancer cells via NRP-2-mediated induction

Tumor-node-metastasis is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in thyroid cancer patients. Upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) increases the migratory ability of thyroid cancer cells to lymph nodes. Expression of neuropilin-2 (NRP-2), the co-receptor of VEGF-C, has been reported to be correlated with lymph node metastasis in human thyroid cancer. The present study investigated the role of VEGF-C/NRP-2 signaling in the regulation of metastasis of two different types of human thyroid cancer cells. The results indicated that the VEGF-C/NRP-2 axis significantly promoted the metastatic activities of papillary thyroid carcinoma cells through the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 MAPK signaling cascades. However, neither MEK or p38 MAPK inhibitors produced significant inhibition of the migratory activity and invasiveness regulated by the VEGF-C/NRP-2 axis in follicular thyroid carcinoma cells. Finally, VEGF-C/NRP-2-mediated invasion and migration of thyroid cancer cells required the expression of NRP-2. The present results demonstrate that the promotion of metastasis by VEGF-C is mainly due to the upregulation of NRP-2 in thyroid cancer cells, and this metastatic activity regulated by the VEGF-C/NRP-2 axis provides further insight into the process of tumor metastasis.

CCR7 enhances TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor overall survival in gastric cancer

CCR7 is a G protein-coupled chemokine receptor. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry with tissue microarrays to measure CCR7 expression in tumor specimens from 122 patients with gastric cancer. We show that CCR7 expression is associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.022) and overall survival (OS; P = 0.025), and is an independent factor associated with poorer overall survival (P = 0.032). The CCR7 mechanism was predicted based on bioinformatic analysis and verified in gastric cancer cell lines and primary tumor samples. The data show that CCR7 contributes to TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and that the effects of TGF-β1 are inhibited by a CCR7 neutralizing antibody or a NF-κB inhibitor. Increased TGF-β1 expression was accompanied by nuclear localization of NF-κB-p65 and higher levels of the mesenchymal marker vimentin in human gastric cancer samples. We conclude that the CCR7 axis mediates TGF-β1-induced EMT via crosstalk with NF-κB signaling, facilitating lymph node metastasis and poorer overall survival in patients with gastric cancer. These findings suggest CCR7 is a novel prognostic indicator and a potential target for gastric cancer therapy.

Differential effects of MTSS1 on invasion and proliferation in subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer cells

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for >80% of all cases of lung cancer and can be divided into lung adenocarcinoma (LAC), large-cell carcinoma (LCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Accumulating evidence suggests that MTSS1, which is a newly discovered protein associated with tumor progression and metastasis, may have differential roles in cancer malignancy. As it has been demonstrated that MTSS1 is overexpressed in NSCLC and may be an independent prognostic factor in patients with SCC, the present study explored the differential roles of MTSS1 in the invasion and proliferation of different subtypes of NSCLC. Stable overexpression and knockdown of MTSS1 was performed in human NSCLC H920 (LAC), H1581 (LCC) and SW900 cell lines (SCC), and western blot, cell invasion, proliferation and FAK activity analyses were used to investigate the effects. Overexpression of MTSS1 enhanced the invasion and proliferation abilities of H920 and H1581 cells, and these effects were abolished by treatment with selective FAK inhibitor 14, which did not affect the expression of MTSS1. Notably, overexpression of MTSS1 inhibited invasion and proliferation in SW900 cells, and this effect was enhanced by the selective FAK inhibitor. Knockdown of MTSS1 decreased the invasion and proliferation abilities of H920 and H1581 cells, whereas knockdown increased invasion and proliferation in SW900 cells. Furthermore, while overexpression of MTSS1 induced FAK phosphorylation and activity in H920 and H1581 cells, MTSS1 overexpression inhibited FAK phosphorylation/activity in SW900 cells. Knockdown of MTSS1 decreased FAK phosphorylation/activity in H920 and H1581 cells, whereas knockdown increased these processes in SW900 cells. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to demonstrate that MTSS1 has differential roles in various subtypes of NSCLC, acting via a FAK-dependent mechanism. The results indicated that MTSS1 may enhance invasion and proliferation in LAC and LCC cells, whereas MTS11 inhibits these processes in SCC cells. These findings provide novel insight into the functional role of MTSS1 in cancer and may help elucidate therapeutic strategies for the treatment of various types of cancer.

Evaluation of Antimetastatic Effect of lncRNA-ATB siRNA Delivered Using Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Destruction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common human malignancies around the world. The poor prognosis and high recurrence rate of HCC are largely the result of the high frequencies of intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastases. However, the treatment of metastasis is very limited. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) technology has been recognized as a promising technology for drug and gene delivery in vivo and in vitro. Long noncoding RNA activated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β; lncRNA-ATB) was recently identified, which was upregulated in HCC metastases and associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients. In this study, we used microbubbles for UTMD-mediated siRNA transfection to silence lncRNA-ATB expression. We found that UTMD-mediated siRNA transfection significantly inhibited lncRNA-ATB expression and ZEB1 and ZEB2 expression and suppressed cell migration and invasion. We also demonstrated that transfecting siRNA against lncRNA-ATB by using UTMD was more efficient than that by using lipidosome. UTMD-mediated siRNA transfection against lncRNA-ATB may be a promising therapy for HCC metastasis.

CXCR4 pharmacogical inhibition reduces bone and soft tissue metastatic burden by affecting tumor growth and tumorigenic potential in prostate cancer preclinical models

BACKGROUND

The majority of prostate cancer (Pca) patient morbidity can be attributed to bone metastatic events, which poses a significant clinical obstacle. Therefore, a better understanding of this phenomenon is imperative and might help to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) and its receptor CXCR4 have been implicated as regulators of bone resorption and bone metastatic development, suggesting that agents able to suppress this signaling pathway may be used as pharmacological treatments. In this study we studied if two CXCR4 receptor antagonists, Plerixafor and CTE9908, may affect bone metastatic disease induced by Pca in preclinical experimental models

METHODS

To verify the hypothesis that CXCR4 inhibition affects Pca metastatic disease, selective CXCR4 compounds, Plerixafor, and CTE9908, were tested in preclinical models known to generate bone lesions. Additionally, the expression levels of CXCR4 and SDF-1α were analyzed in a number of human tissues derived from primary tumors, lymph-nodes and osseous metastases of Pca as well as in a wide panel of human Pca cell lines to non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic phenotype.

RESULTS

Bone-derived Pca cells express higher CXCR4 levels than other Pca cell lines. This differential expression was also observed in human Pca samples. In vitro evidence supports the hypothesis that factors produced by bone microenvironment differentially sustain CXCR4 and SDF1-α expression with respect to prostate microenvironment determining increased efficacy toward Plerixafor. The use of SDF1-α neutralizing antibodies greatly reduced the increase of CXCR4 expression in cells co-cultured with bone stromal cells (BMSc) and to a lesser extent in cells co-cultured with prostate stromal cells (HPSc) and partially reduced SDF1-α Plerixafor efficacy. SDF-1α induced tumor cell migration and invasion, as well as MMP-9, MMP-2, and uPA expression, which were reduced by Plerixafor. The incidence of X-ray detectable bone lesions was significantly reduced following Plerixafor and CTE9908 treatment Kaplan-Meier probability plots showed a significant improvement in the overall survival of mice treated with Plerixafor and CTE9908. The reduced intra-osseous growth of PC3 and PCb2 tumor cells after intratibial injection, as a result of Plerixafor and CTE9908 treatment, correlated with decreased osteolysis and serum levels of both mTRAP and type I collagen fragments (CTX), which were significantly lower with respect to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our report provides novel information on the potential activity of CXCR4 inhibitors on the formation and progression of Pca bone and soft tissue metastases and supports a biological rationale for the use of these inhibitors in men at high risk to develop clinically evident bone lesions.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials on the role of targeted therapy in the management of advanced gastric cancer: Evidence does not translate?

It is still uncertain if targeted therapy-based regimens in advanced gastric cancer actually produce survival benefit. To shed light on this important question, we performed a systematic review and meta-analyses on each relevant targeted-pathway. By searching literature databases and proceedings of major cancer meetings in the time-frame 2005-2014, 22 randomized clinical trials exploring targeted therapy for a total of 7022 advanced gastric cancer patients were selected and included in the final analysis. Benefit was demonstrated for antiangiogenic agents in terms of overall survival (HR 0.759; 95%CI 0.655-0.880; p < 0.001). Conversely no benefit was found for EGFR pathway (HR 1.077; 95%CI 0.847-1.370; p = 0.543). Meta-analysis of HER-2 pathway confirmed improvement in terms of survival outcome, already known for this class of drugs (HR 0.823; 95%CI 0.722-0.939; p = 0.004). Pooled analysis demonstrated a significant survival benefit (OS: HR 0.823; PFS: HR 0.762) with acceptable tolerability profile for targeted-based therapies as compared to conventional treatments. This finding conflicts with the outcome of most individual studies, probably due to poor trial design or patients selection. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate a significant survival benefit for targeted therapy in its whole, which can be ascribed to anti-angiogenic and anti-HER2 agents.

Twist promotes invasion and cisplatin resistance in pancreatic cancer cells through growth differentiation factor 15

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive and devastating disease with a poor prognosis. Cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for solid tumors, is effective as a single agent or in combination with other drugs for the treatment of PC. Previous studies have suggested that Twist and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) are involved in the progression of PC. However, the role of Twist and GDF15 in PC remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the individual effect of and interaction between Twist and GDF15 in PC cell invasion and chemoresistance to cisplatin was examined. Twist and/or GDF15 were stably overexpressed or knocked down in ASPC‑1 and BXPC‑3 human PC cells. Overexpression of Twist in the two cell lines markedly increased GDF15 expression, cell invasion, matrix metalloproteinase‑2 expression/activity and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of cisplatin, which was eradicated by GDF15 knockdown or the selective p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 (10 µM). By contrast, Twist knockdown significantly decreased GDF15 expression, cell invasion, matrix metalloproteinase‑2 expression/activity and the IC50 values of cisplatin, which was completely reversed by overexpression of GDF15. In addition, while overexpression and knockdown of Twist increased and decreased p38 MAPK activity, respectively, GDF15 demonstrated no significant effect on p38 MAPK activity in PC cells. In conclusion, the present study, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, demonstrated that Twist promotes PC cell invasion and cisplatin chemoresistance through inducing GDF15 expression via a p38 MAPK‑dependent mechanism. The present study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying PC progression and chemoresistance.

Novel peptides suppress VEGFR-3 activity and antagonize VEGFR-3-mediated oncogenic effects

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) supports tumor lymphangiogenesis. It was originally identified as a lymphangiogenic factor expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells. VEGFR-3 was detected in advanced human malignancies and correlated with poor prognosis. Our previous studies show that activation of the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 axis promotes cancer metastasis and is associated with clinical progression in patients with lung cancer, indicating that VEGFR-3 is a potential target for cancer therapy. In this study, we developed eight peptides targeting VEGFR-3. Two peptides strongly inhibited the kinase activity of VEGFR-3 and suppressed VEGF-C-mediated invasion of cancer cells. Moreover, these peptides abolished VEGF-C-induced drug resistance and tumor initiating cell formation. This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of VEGFR-3-targeting peptides.

Podocalyxin promotes glioblastoma multiforme cell invasion and proliferation by inhibiting angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas signaling

Podocalyxin (PODX) reportedly enhances invasion in many human cancers including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Recent studies have shown that the local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in tumor environment contributes significantly to tumor progression. As a counter-regulatory axis in RAS, angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7)/Mas signaling has been shown to inhibit the growth and invasiveness of several human cancers including GBM. In the present study, we examined the crosstalk between PODX and Ang-(1-7)/Mas signaling in GBM cells, and assessed its impact on GBM cell invasion and proliferation. A strong negative correlation between the expression of PODX and Mas in GBM tumor tissues from 10 consecutive patients (r=-0.768, p<0.01) was observed. The stable overexpression of PODX in LN-229 and U-118 MG human GBM cells decreased the expression of Mas at the mRNA and protein levels, which led to decreased density of Ang-(1-7)-binding Mas on the cell membrane. This effect was completely abolished by selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor BKM120. By contrast, the stable knockdown of PODX in LN-229 and U-118 MG cells increased the expression of Mas and the density of Ang-(1-7)-binding Mas on the cell membrane. Overexpression and knockdown of PODX respectively reversed and enhanced the inhibitory effects of Ang-(1-7) on the expression/activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and cell invasion and proliferation in GBM cells. Although the overexpression of Mas showed no significant effect on the promoting effect of PODX on GBM cell invasion and proliferation in the absence of Ang-(1-7), it completely eliminated the effect of PODX in the presence of Ang-(1-7). In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present study provided the first evidence that PODX inhibits Ang-(1-7)/Mas signaling by downregulating the expression of Mas through a PI3K-dependent mechanism in GBM cells. This effect led to enhanced GBM cell invasion and proliferation. The results of this study add new insight into the biological functions of PODX and the molecular mechanisms underlying GBM progression.

TBL1XR1 promotes lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Transducin (β)-like 1 X-linked receptor 1 (TBL1XR1) plays an important role in controlling the precisely regulated switch between gene repression and gene activation in transcriptional regulation. We investigated its biological function and clinical significance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

DESIGN

Immunoblotting and immunochemistry were used to determine TBL1XR1 expression in ESCC cell lines, ESCC clinical tissues and 230 clinicopathologically characterised ESCC specimens. The role of TBL1XR1 in lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis was examined by tube formation, cell invasion and wound-healing assays in vitro, and by a popliteal lymph node metastasis model in vivo. The molecular mechanism by which TBL1XR1 upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) expression was explored using real-time PCR, ELISA, luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS

TBL1XR1 expression was significantly upregulated in ESCC, positively correlated with disease stage and patient survival, and identified as an independent prognostic factor for patient outcome. We found that TBL1XR1 overexpression promoted lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in ESCC in vitro and in vivo, whereas TBL1XR1 silencing had the converse effect. We demonstrated that TBL1XR1 induced VEGF-C expression by binding to the VEGF-C promoter. We confirmed the correlation between TBL1XR1 and VEGF-C expression in a large cohort of clinical ESCC samples and through analysis of published datasets in gastric, colorectal and breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated that TBL1XR1 induced lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in ESCC via upregulation of VEGF-C, and may represent a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with ESCC.

Novel role for NFAT3 in ERK-mediated regulation of CXCR4

The G-protein coupled chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor CXCR4 is linked to cancer, HIV, and WHIM (Warts, Hypogammaglobulinemia, Infections, and Myelokathexis) syndrome. While CXCR4 is reported to be overexpressed in multiple human cancer types and many hematological cancer cell lines, we have observed poor in vitro cell surface expression of CXCR4 in many solid tumor cell lines. We explore further the possible factors and pathways involved in regulating CXCR4 expression. Here, we showed that MEK-ERK signaling pathway and NFAT3 transcriptional factor plays a novel role in regulating CXCR4 expression. When cultured as 3D spheroids, HeyA8 ovarian tumor cells showed a dramatic increase in surface CXCR4 protein levels as well as mRNA transcripts. Furthermore, HeyA8 3D spheroids showed a decrease in phospho-ERK levels when compared to adherent cells. The treatment of adherent HeyA8 cells with an inhibitor of the MEK-ERK pathway, U0126, resulted in a significant increase in surface CXCR4 expression. Additional investigation using the PCR array assay comparing adherent to 3D spheroid showed a wide range of transcription factors being up-regulated, most notably a > 20 fold increase in NFAT3 transcription factor mRNA. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis showed that direct binding of NFAT3 on the CXCR4 promoter corresponds to increased CXCR4 expression in HeyA8 ovarian cell line. Taken together, our results suggest that high phospho-ERK levels and NFAT3 expression plays a novel role in regulating CXCR4 expression.

Therapeutic face of RNAi: in vivo challenges

INTRODUCTION

RNA interference is a sequence-specific gene silencing phenomenon in which small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can trigger gene transcriptional and post-transcriptional silencing. This phenomenon represents an emerging therapeutic approach for in vivo studies by efficient delivery of specific synthetic siRNAs against diseases. Therefore, simultaneous development of synthetic siRNAs along with novel delivery techniques is considered as novel and interesting therapeutic challenges.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides a basic explanation to siRNA signaling pathways and their therapeutic challenges. Here, we provide a comprehensive explanation to failed and successful trials and their in vivo challenges.

EXPERT OPINION

Specific, efficient and targeted delivery of siRNAs is the major concern for their in vivo administrations. Also, anatomical barriers, drug stability and availability, immunoreactivity and existence of various delivery routes, different genetic backgrounds are major clinical challenges. However, successful administration of siRNA-based drugs is expected during foreseeable features. But, their systemic applications will depend on strong targeted drug delivery strategies.

Non-coding RNAs in lung cancer

The discovery that protein-coding genes represent less than 2% of all human genome, and the evidence that more than 90% of it is actively transcribed, changed the classical point of view of the central dogma of molecular biology, which was always based on the assumption that RNA functions mainly as an intermediate bridge between DNA sequences and protein synthesis machinery. Accumulating data indicates that non-coding RNAs are involved in different physiological processes, providing for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. They are important regulators of gene expression, cellular differentiation, proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and stem cell maintenance. Alterations and disruptions of their expression or activity have increasingly been associated with pathological changes of cancer cells, this evidence and the prospect of using these molecules as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets, make currently non-coding RNAs among the most relevant molecules in cancer research. In this paper we will provide an overview of non-coding RNA function and disruption in lung cancer biology, also focusing on their potential as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers.

Annexin A5 inhibits diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell invasion and chemoresistance through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma worldwide. Although patient outcomes have significantly improved to a greater than 40% cure rate by the combinatorial cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy, which is widely used, resistance to the CHOP regimen continues to pose a problem in managing or curing DLBCL. While it promotes the malignancy and chemo-resistance in certain types of cancer, Annexin A5 is negatively correlated with those in other cancers, including DLBCL. In the present study, we explored the effects of Annexin A5 on DLBCL cell invasion and chemoresistance to CHOP. Stable overexpression and knockdown of Annexin A5 were performed in Toledo and Pfeiffer human DLBCL cell lines. Overexpression of Annexin A5 in both cell lines significantly decreased cell invasion, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression/activity, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity/Akt phosphorylation, and cell survival against CHOP-induced apoptosis. On the other hand, knockdown of Annexin A5 markedly increased cell invasion, MMP-9 expression/activity, PI3K activity/Akt phosphorylation, and CHOP-induced apoptosis in the DLBCL cell lines, which was abolished by selective PI3K inhibitor BKM120. In conclusion, our study provides the first in vitro evidence that Annexin A5 inhibits DLBCL cell invasion, MMP-9 expression/activity, and chemoresistance to CHOP through a PI3K-dependent mechanism; it provides new insight not only into the biological function of Annexin A5, but also into the molecular mechanisms underlying DLBCL progression and chemoresistance.

Annexin A5 promotes invasion and chemoresistance to temozolomide in glioblastoma multiforme cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the prevalent and most fatal brain tumor in adults. Invasion and a high rate of recurrence largely contribute to the poor prognosis of GBM. The current standard therapy for GBM includes surgery with maximum feasible resection, radiotherapy, and treatment with chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide. Annexin A5 reportedly promotes progression and chemoresistance in a variety of cancers. In the present study, we explored the effects of annexin A5 on GBM cell invasion and chemoresistance to temozolomide. Stable overexpression and knockdown of annexin A5 were performed in both U-87 MG and U-118 MG human GBM cell lines. Overexpression of annexin A5 in both cell lines significantly increased cell invasion, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression/activity, Akt phosphorylation at serine 473, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of temozolomide and markedly decreased temozolomide-induced apoptosis, all of which were abolished by selective PI3K inhibitor BKM120. On the other hand, knockdown of annexin A5 markedly decreased cell invasion, MMP-2 expression/activity, Akt phosphorylation at serine 473, and the IC50 values of temozolomide and significantly increased temozolomide-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, our study provides the first evidence that annexin A5 promotes GBM cell invasion, MMP-2 expression/activity, and chemoresistance to temozolomide through a PI3K-dependent mechanism. It adds new insights not only into the biological function of annexin A5 but also into the molecular mechanisms underlying GBM progression and chemoresistance.

Effectiveness of local injection of lentivirus-delivered stathmin1 and stathmin1 shRNA in human gastric cancer xenograft mouse

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We have reported previously that RNA interference targeting stathmin1 (STMN1) gene in human gastric cancer cells inhibits proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Based on these observations, in the present study, the possibility that local injection of lentivirus-delivered stathmin shRNA would induce regression of the established human gastric cancer xenograft in animal model was investigated.

METHODS

BALB/c nude mice were inoculated subcutaneously into the right armpit with human gastric cancer cells SGC-7901(2 × 10(6) cells in 200 μL phosphate-buffered saline) to develop a xenograft model of human gastric cancer. When tumor reached suitable size, mice were randomly divided into two groups. STMN1 shRNA group (n = 6) were given local injection of lentivirus-delivered STMN1 shRNA, and the non-silencing shRNA group (n = 6) were administered with local injection of lentivirus-delivered non-silencing shRNA. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to verify the knockdown of the gene expression in dissected tumor at mRNA and protein level, respectively.

RESULTS

Experimental therapy on the nude mice model bearing subcutaneous tumor of SGC-7901 cells showed that local administration of STMN1 shRNA effectively regressed the pre-established tumors. Stathmin shRNA-treated tumors were significantly regressed as compared with that of the tumor injected with non-silencing shRNA (P < 0.05). Tumor weight was significantly decreased in STMN1-treated group as compared with non-silencing shRNA group (P < 0.05). Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot showed downregulation of STMN1 gene expression in STMN1 shRNA group as compared with non-silencing shRNA group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the potential use of local injection of lentivirus-delivered shRNA for the treatment of early localized human gastric carcinoma.

microRNA-128 plays a critical role in human non-small cell lung cancer tumourigenesis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis by directly targeting vascular endothelial growth factor-C

Recent studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are important gene regulators that play critical roles in biological processes and function as either tumour suppressors or oncogenes. Therefore, the expression levels of miRNAs can be important and reliable biomarkers for cancer detection and prognostic prediction, and potentially serve as targets for cancer therapy. In this study, we showed that the expression level of miR-128 was significantly downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cancer cells, and was significantly correlated with NSCLC differentiation, pathological stage and lymph node metastasis. Ectopic miR-128 overexpression significantly suppressed in vitro proliferation, colony formation, immigration and invasion, and induced G1 arrest and apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Interestingly, ectopic miR-128 overexpression could significantly inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C expression and reduce the activity of a luciferase reporter containing the VEGF-C 3'-untranslated region. In addition, overexpression of miR-128 in NSCLC cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cells led to decreased expression of VEGF-A, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2 and VEGFR-3, critical factors responsible for cancer angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, and subsequently decreased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (AKT) and p38 signalling pathways. Furthermore, in vivo restoration of miR-128 significantly suppressed tumourigenicity of A549 cells in nude mice and inhibited both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis of tumour xenografts. These findings suggest that miR-128 could play a role in NSCLC tumourigenesis at least in part by modulation of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis through targeting VEGF-C, and could simultaneously block ERK, AKT and p38 signalling pathways. Therapeutic strategies to restore miR-128 in NSCLC could be useful to inhibit tumour progression.

Endothelin A receptor antagonism enhances inhibitory effects of anti-ganglioside GD2 monoclonal antibody on invasiveness and viability of human osteosarcoma cells

Endothelin-1 (ET-1)/endothelin A receptor (ETAR) signaling is important for osteosarcoma (OS) progression. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting ganglioside GD2 reportedly inhibit tumor cell viability independent of the immune system. A recent study suggests that ganglioside GD2 may play an important role in OS progression. In the present study, we for the first time explored the effects of anti-GD2 mAb alone or in combination with ETAR antagonist on OS cell invasiveness and viability. Human OS cell lines Saos-2, MG-63 and SJSA-1 were treated with control IgG (PK136 mAb, 50 µg/mL), anti-GD2 14G2a mAb (50 µg/mL), selective ETAR antagonist BQ123 (5 µM), or 14G2a (50 µg/mL)+BQ123 (5 µM). Cells with knockdown of ETAR (ETAR-shRNA) with or without 14G2a mAb treatment were also tested. Cells treated with selective phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor BKM120 (50 µM) were used as a positive control. Our results showed that BQ123, ETAR-shRNA and 14G2a mAb individually decreased cell invasion and viability, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression and activity, PI3k activity, and phosphorylation at serine 473 (ser473) of Akt in OS cells. 14G2a mAb in combination with BQ123 or ETAR-shRNA showed significantly stronger inhibitory effects compared with each individual treatment. In all three cell lines tested, 14G2a mAb in combination with BQ123 showed the strongest inhibitory effects. In conclusion, we provide the first in vitro evidence that anti-ganglioside GD2 14G2a mAb effectively inhibits cell invasiveness, MMP-2 expression and activity, and cell viability in human OS cells. ETAR antagonist BQ123 significantly enhances the inhibitory effects of 14G2a mAb, likely mainly through inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway. This study adds novel insights into OS treatment, which will serve as a solid basis for future in vivo studies on the effects of combined treatment of OS with anti-ganglioside GD2 mAbs and ETAR antagonists.

ADAMTS1 inhibits lymphangiogenesis by attenuating phosphorylation of the lymphatic endothelial cell-specific VEGF receptor

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis play roles in malignant tumor progression, dissemination, and metastasis. ADAMTS1, a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, is known to inhibit angiogenesis. Recombinant ADAMTS1 was shown to strongly inhibit angiogenesis. We investigated whether ADAMTS1 inhibited lymphangiogenesis in the present study. We examined cell proliferation and cell migration in normal human dermal lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-dLy) transduced with or without adenoviral human ADAMTS1 gene therapy. We then examined the VEGFC/VEGFR3 signal transduction pathway in ADAMTS1-transduced HMVEC-dLy. Cell proliferation and tube formation in Matrigel were significantly lower with transduced ADAMTS1 than with control (non-transduced HMVEC-dLy). The phosphorylation of VEGFR3 was also attenuated by ADAMTS1 gene therapy in HMVEC-dLy. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that ADAMTS1 formed a complex with VEGFC. Our results demonstrated that ADAMTS1 inhibited lymphangiogenesis in vitro. The data highlight the new function of ADAMTS1 in the regulation of lymphangiogenesis and the therapeutic potential of ADAMTS1 in cancer therapy.

Overexpression of AKIP1 promotes angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

A-kinase-interacting protein 1 (AKIP1) is found to be overexpressed in breast and prostate cancers, suggesting that AKIP1 might act as a potent oncogenic protein. However, the clinical significance and biological role of AKIP1 in cancer progression remain largely unknown. Herein, we report that AKIP1 is markedly overexpressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines and clinical ESCC samples. AKIP1 expression significantly correlates with ESCC progression and patients' shorter survival time. Furthermore, we find that overexpressing AKIP1 induces, whereas silencing AKIP1 reduces, ESCC angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrate that AKIP1 transcriptionally upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) via interaction with its promoter through cooperation with multiple transcriptional factors, including SP1, AP2 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Importantly, significant correlation between levels of AKIP1 and VEGF-C is observed in a cohort of human ESCC, as well as in non-small cell lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and ovarian cancer. Hence, these findings indicate an important role for AKIP1 in ESCC angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, and uncover a novel mechanism for the upregulation of VEGF-C in cancers.

VEGF165 modulates proliferation, adhesion, migration and differentiation of cultured human outer root sheath cells from central hair follicle epithelium through VEGFR-2 activation in vitro

BACKGROUND

The functional state of vasculature is tightly controlled by vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Recent studies revealed that VEGFR-2 is expressed on hair follicle keratinocytes.

OBJECTIVE

We proposed to investigate its effect on proliferation, adhesion and migration of cultured human outer root sheath cells from central hair follicle epithelium.

METHODS

These studies were undertaken in vitro using human outer root sheath cells from central hair follicle epithelium, immunohistochemistry analysis, immunofluorescence microscopy, western blot analysis, MTT, trans well analysis, and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Our results show that VEGFR-2 is expressed in these cells in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, proliferation and migration of cultured human outer root sheath cells from central hair follicle epithelium is increased by VEGF165, while homotypic adhesion is decreased but heterotypic adhesion is increased. VEGF165 upregulates integrin β1 but dowregulates lgr6 expression. In addition, phosphorylation of VEGFR-2, Erk1/2, c-Jun and p38, are increased following VEGF165 treatment and these effects are reversed by a VEGFR-2 neutralizing antibody.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a role of VEGF/VEGFR-2 beyond angiogenesis in hair follicle regulation.

Lentiviral-mediated RNA interference targeting stathmin1 gene in human gastric cancer cells inhibits proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is highly aggressive disease. Despite advances in diagnosis and therapy, the prognosis is still poor. Various genetic and molecular alterations are found in gastric cancer that underlies the malignant transformation of gastric mucosa during the multistep process of gastric cancer pathogenesis. The detailed mechanism of the gastric cancer development remains uncertain. In present study we investigated the potential role of stathmin1 gene in gastric cancer tumorigenesis and examined the usefulness of RNA interference (RNAi) targeting stathmin1 as a form of gastric cancer treatment.

METHODS

A lentiviral vector encoding a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeted against stathmin1 was constructed and transfected into the packaging cells HEK 293 T and the viral supernatant was collected to transfect MKN-45 cells. The transwell chemotaxis assay and the CCK-8 assay were used to measure migration and proliferation of tumor cells, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of stathmin1.

RESULTS

Lentivirus mediated RNAi effectively reduced stathmin1 expression in gastric cells. Significant decreases in stathmin1 mRNA and protein expression were detected in gastric cells carrying lentiviral stathmin-shRNA vector and also significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration in gastric cancer cells and tumorigenicity in Xenograft Animal Models.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that stathmin1 overexpression is common in gastric cancer and may play a role in its pathogenesis. Lentivirus mediated RNAi effectively reduced stathmin1 expression in gastric cells. In summary, shRNA targeting of stathmin1 can effectively inhibits human gastric cancer cell growth in vivo and may be a potential therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.

CD40 signal regulates CXCR4 mediating ovarian carcinoma cell migration: implications for extrapelvic metastastic factors

Ovarian carcinomas are highly invasive, especially in the peritoneal cavity. SDF-1α and its receptor, CXCR4, play a crucial role in migration of cancer cells. Here, SDF-1α directed HO8910 cell migration, but not SKOV3 cells. After being educated to express CXCR4 in vivo or by treating with sCD40L, SDF-1α reexhibited the ability of directing SKOV3 cell migration, which could be antagonized by CXCR4-neutralizing antibody. Furthermore, concomitant expression of CXCR4/CD40 in ovarian carcinoma tissues had stronger correlation with pelvic metastasis than did each alone. It is suggest that SDF-1α acts through CXCR4 to induce ovarian cancer cell migration, which could be facilitated by CD40 activation. Simultaneously examining the expression of CXCR4 and CD40 will provide valuable diagnosis of pelvic metastasis for ovarian carcinomas.

Tpl2 kinase impacts tumor growth and metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Due to the innate high metastatic ability of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), many patients with RCC experience local or systemic relapses after surgical resection. A deeper understanding of the molecular pathogenesis underlying advanced RCC is essential for novel innovative therapeutics. Tumor progression locus 2 (Tpl2), upregulated in various tumor types, has been reported to be associated with oncogenesis and metastatic progression via activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Herein, the relevance of Tpl2 in tumor growth and metastasis of RCC is explored. Inspection of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) indicated that Tpl2 overexpression was significantly related to the presence of metastases and poor outcome in clear cell RCC (ccRCC), which is the most aggressive subtype of RCC. Moreover, expression of Tpl2 and CXCR4 showed a positive correlation in ccRCC patients. Depletion of Tpl2 by RNAi or activity by a Tpl2 kinase inhibitor in human ccRCC cells remarkably suppressed MAPK pathways and impaired in vitro cell proliferation, clonogenicity, anoikis resistance, migration, and invasion capabilities. Similarly, orthotopic xenograft growth and lung metastasis were significantly inhibited by Tpl2 silencing. Furthermore, Tpl2 knockdown reduced CXCL12-directed chemotaxis and chemoinvasion accompanied with impaired downstream signaling, indicating potential involvement of Tpl2 in CXCR4-mediated metastasis. Taken together, these data indicate that Tpl2 kinase is associated with and contributes to disease progression of ccRCC.

IMPLICATIONS

Tpl2 kinase activity has prognostic and therapeutic targeting potential in aggressive clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

CXCR4-targeted therapy inhibits VEGF expression and chondrosarcoma angiogenesis and metastasis

Chondrosarcoma is notable for its lack of response to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, propensity for developing lung metastases, and poor survival. Therefore, a better understanding of angiogenic and metastatic pathways is needed. Multiple pathways regulate angiogenesis and metastasis, including chemokines and their receptors. In this study, we investigated chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) signaling in chondrosarcoma and tested the hypotheses that CXCR4 inhibition suppresses tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. CXCR4 expression, analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blot, was increased in human chondrosarcoma cell line JJ compared with normal chondrocytes and was further increased in JJ by hypoxia (2% O2), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA; 10 ng/mL), and in xenograft tumors in nude mice. The CXCR4 ligand CXCL12 (10 ng/mL) doubled secreted VEGFA, measured with ELISA, under hypoxic conditions and this conditioned media increased human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation. These effects were inhibited by CXCR4 siRNA or AMD3100 (5 μg/mL). In a xenograft mouse model, four weeks of AMD3100 treatment (1.25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally twice daily) inhibited tumor angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. VEGFA content in tumor extracts was decreased (7.19 ± 0.52 ng/mL control vs. 3.96 ± 0.66 treatment) and bioimaging of angiogenesis was decreased by 56%. Tumor volumes averaged 4.44 ± 0.68 cm(3) in control compared with 2.48 ± 0.61 cm(3) in the treatment group. The number of lung metastatic nodules was 23 ± 9 in control compared with 10 ± 6 in the treatment group (N = 8/group). Therefore, CXCR4-targeted therapy may be a treatment strategy for chondrosarcoma.

Protein kinase C epsilon and genetic networks in osteosarcoma metastasis

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the bone, and pulmonary metastasis is the most frequent cause of OS mortality. The aim of this study was to discover and characterize genetic networks differentially expressed in metastatic OS. Expression profiling of OS tumors, and subsequent supervised network analysis, was performed to discover genetic networks differentially activated or organized in metastatic OS compared to localized OS. Broad trends among the profiles of metastatic tumors include aberrant activity of intracellular organization and translation networks, as well as disorganization of metabolic networks. The differentially activated PRKCε-RASGRP3-GNB2 network, which interacts with the disorganized DLG2 hub, was also found to be differentially expressed among OS cell lines with differing metastatic capacity in xenograft models. PRKCε transcript was more abundant in some metastatic OS tumors; however the difference was not significant overall. In functional studies, PRKCε was not found to be involved in migration of M132 OS cells, but its protein expression was induced in M112 OS cells following IGF-1 stimulation.