Breast cancer invasion and progression by MMP-9 through Ets-1 transcription factor

A review of the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, synthetic biology and comprehensive utilization of Silybum marianum

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn, a herbaceous plant with a long history in traditional medicine for the treatment of hepatobiliary diseases, particularly in Europe, which has attracted attention for its remarkable therapeutic effect. This review systematically summarizes the research progress in the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, comprehensive utilization and synthetic biology of S. marianum. Up to now, more than 20 types of flavonolignan components have been isolated from S. marianum. In addition, the rearch on fatty acids and triterpenoids is also constantly improving. Among them, silybin is the most active compound in flavonolignans components. Its pharmacological effects in vivo and in vitro include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumour, hypoglycaemic, neuroprotective and immunoregulatory properties. The use of coniferyl alcohol and taxifolin as substrates to produce silybin and isosilybin under the action of enzyme catalysis is the commonly used biosynthetic pathway of silymarin, which provides support for a comprehensive analysis of the synthetic pathway of silymarin. In addition to medicinal use, the extracts of plants also have broad application prospects in the production of food, healthcare products, cosmetics and other aspects. In addition, the chemical composition, pharmacological mechanism and synthetic biology of S. marianum need to be further studied, which is very important for its clinical efficacy and resource development.

Redox signaling-mediated tumor extracellular matrix remodeling: pleiotropic regulatory mechanisms

BACKGROUND

The extracellular matrix (ECM), a fundamental constituent of all tissues and organs, is crucial for shaping the tumor microenvironment. Dysregulation of ECM remodeling has been closely linked to tumor initiation and progression, where specific signaling pathways, including redox signaling, play essential roles. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are risk factors for carcinogenesis whose excess can facilitate the oxidative damage of biomacromolecules, such as DNA and proteins. Emerging evidence suggests that redox effects can aid the modification, stimulation, and degradation of ECM, thus affecting ECM remodeling. These alterations in both the density and components of the ECM subsequently act as critical drivers for tumorigenesis. In this review, we provide an overview of the functions and primary traits of the ECM, and it delves into our current understanding of how redox reactions participate in ECM remodeling during cancer progression. We also discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by clinical strategies targeting redox-controlled ECM remodeling to overcome cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The redox-mediated ECM remodeling contributes importantly to tumor survival, progression, metastasis, and poor prognosis. A comprehensive investigation of the concrete mechanism of redox-mediated tumor ECM remodeling and the combination usage of redox-targeted drugs with existing treatment means may reveal new therapeutic strategy for future antitumor therapies.

ETS1 regulates NDRG1 to promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism by which the transcription factor ETS1 regulates N-myc downstream regulatory gene 1 (NDRG1) to provide a new theoretical basis for the study of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

METHODS

In this study, eight human OSCC and paraneoplastic samples were collected. The expressions of NDRG1, ETS1, and Ki67 were detected by immunohistochemistry; apoptosis was detected by tdt-mediated dUTP notched end labeling; cell migration and invasion were detected by Transwell; quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect the expression of NDRG1; RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays detected NDRG1 expression; immunofluorescence assays detected ETS1 expression.

RESULTS

NDRG1 and ETS1 expression was significantly upregulated in cancer tissues and CAL-27 and SCC-6 cells. Knockdown of NDRG1 and ETS1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cloning, and EMT while promoting apoptosis and inhibited tumor development; ETS1 positively regulated NDRG1 expression; Finally, overexpression of NDRG1 in vivo and in vitro reversed the effect of ETS1 knockdown on CAL-27 and SCC-6 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

ETS1 positively regulates the expression of NDRG1 and promotes OSCC. Therefore, ETS1 may serve as a new target for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of OSCC.

Understanding organotropism in cancer metastasis using microphysiological systems

Cancer metastasis, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, remains a complex challenge in medical science. Stephen Paget's "seed and soil theory" introduced the concept of organotropism, suggesting that metastatic success depends on specific organ microenvironments. Understanding organotropism not only offers potential for curbing metastasis but also novel treatment strategies. Microphysiological systems (MPS), especially organ-on-a-chip models, have emerged as transformative tools in this quest. These systems, blending microfluidics, biology, and engineering, grant precise control over cell interactions within organ-specific microenvironments. MPS enable real-time monitoring, morphological analysis, and protein quantification, enhancing our comprehension of cancer dynamics, including tumor migration, vascularization, and pre-metastatic niches. In this review, we explore innovative applications of MPS in investigating cancer metastasis, particularly focusing on organotropism. This interdisciplinary approach converges the field of science, engineering, and medicine, thereby illuminating a path toward groundbreaking discoveries in cancer research.

Human papillomavirus-mediated expression of complement regulatory proteins in human cervical cancer cells

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the expression pattern of complement regulatory proteins (CRPs) CD46, CD59, and CD55 in HPV-positive (HPV+) & negative (HPV-) cervical cancer cell lines in search of a reliable differential biomarker.

STUDY DESIGN

We analysed the expression of CRPs in HPV 16-positive SiHa cell line, HPV 18-positive HeLa cell line, and HPV-negative cell line C33a using RT-qPCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

We observed a differential expression profile of CRPs in HPV+ and HPV- cervical cancer cell lines. The mRNA level of CD59 & CD55 showed a higher expression pattern in HPV+ cells when compared to HPV- cancer cells. However, flow cytometry-based experiments revealed that CD46 was preferentially expressed more in HPV 16-positive SiHa cells followed by HPV 18-positive HeLa cells when compared to HPV- C33a cells. Interestingly, confocal microscopy revealed a high level of CD59 expression in Hela cells and SiHa cells but low expression in HPV- C33a cells. In addition, HPV 18-positive HeLa cells expressed more CD55, which was lower in SiHa cells and very weak in C33a cells.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates the differential expression of CRPs in both HPV+ and HPV- cervical cancer cells for the first time, and their potential to serve as an early diagnostic marker for cervical carcinogenesis.

Self-transfecting GMO-PMO chimera targeting Nanog enable gene silencing in vitro and suppresses tumor growth in 4T1 allografts in mouse

Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotide (PMO)-based antisense reagents cannot enter cells without the help of a delivery technique, which limits their clinical applications. To overcome this problem, self-transfecting guanidinium-linked morpholino (GMO)-PMO or PMO-GMO chimeras have been explored as antisense agents. GMO facilitates cellular internalization and participates in Watson-Crick base pairing. Targeting NANOG in MCF7 cells resulted in decline of the whole epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness pathway, evident through its phenotypic manifestations, all of which were promulgated in combination with Taxol due to downregulation of MDR1 and ABCG2. GMO-PMO-mediated knockdown of no tail gene resulted in desired phenotypes in zebrafish even upon delivery after 16-cell stages. In BALB/c mice, 4T1 allografts were found to regress via intra-tumoral administration of NANOG GMO-PMO antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), which was associated with occurrence of necrotic regions. GMO-PMO-mediated tumor regression restored histopathological damage in liver, kidney, and spleen caused by 4T1 mammary carcinoma. Serum parameters of systemic toxicity indicated that GMO-PMO chimeras are safe. To the best of our knowledge, self-transfecting antisense reagent is the first report since the discovery of guanidinium-linked DNA (DNG), which could be useful as a combination cancer therapy and, in principle, can render inhibition of any target gene without using any delivery vehicle.

A Systematic Study on Zinc-Related Metabolism in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer has become the most common cancer worldwide. Despite the major advances made in the past few decades in the treatment of breast cancer using a combination of chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and immunotherapy, the genesis, treatment, recurrence, and metastasis of this disease continue to pose significant difficulties. New treatment approaches are therefore urgently required. Zinc is an important trace element that is involved in regulating various enzymatic, metabolic, and cellular processes in the human body. Several studies have shown that abnormal zinc homeostasis can lead to the onset and progression of various diseases, including breast cancer. This review highlights the role played by zinc transporters in pathogenesis, apoptosis, signal transduction, and potential clinical applications in breast cancer. Additionally, the translation of the clinical applications of zinc and associated molecules in breast cancer, as well as the recent developments in the zinc-related drug targets for breast cancer treatment, is discussed. These developments offer novel insights into understanding the concepts and approaches that could be used for the diagnosis and management of breast cancer.

Proteome profiling of ductal carcinoma in situ

BACKGROUND AND AIM

DCIS is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer, accounting for about 15 to 30%. Proteome profile is used to detect biomarkers in the tissues of breast cancer patients by mass spectrometry. This study aimed to obtain the expression profile of DCIS proteome, and the expression profile of invasive biomarkers, and finally to introduce a dedicated biomarker panel to facilitate the prognosis and early detection for in situ breast cancer patients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

In this study, 10 patients with breast cancer (DCIS) were studied. Benign (marginal) and cancerous tissue samples were obtained from patients for proteomics experiments. Initially, all tissue proteins were extracted using standard methods, and the proteins were separated using two-dimensional electrophoresis. Then, the expression amount of the extracted proteins was determined by ITRAQ. The data were analysed by R software, and gene ontology was utilised for describing the protein in detail.

RESULTS

30 spots on gel electrophoresis were found in the tumor tissue group (sample), and 15 spots in the margin group (control) with P < 0.05. Healthy and cancerous tissue gels showed that 5 spots had different expression. VWF, MMP9, ITGAM, MPO and PLG protein spots were identified using the site www.ebi.ac.uk/IPI. Finally, protein biomarkers for breast tumor tissue with margin were introduced with the names of P04406, P49915, P05323, P06733, and P02768.

DISCUSSION

There are 5 critical proteins in inducing cancer pathways especially complement and coagulation cascades. The hall markers of a healthy cell to be cancerous are proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and changes in the immune system. Hence, regulation of protein plays a key role in developing recurrence to breast cancer in margins.

Lysine demethylase 5A promotes prostate adenocarcinoma progression by suppressing microRNA-330-3p expression and activating the COPB2/PI3K/AKT axis in an ETS1-dependent manner

Lysine demethylase 5A (KDM5A) is a histone demethylase frequently involved in cancer progression. This research aimed to explore the function of KDM5A in prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) and the molecular mechanism. KDM5A was highly expressed in collected PRAD tissues and acquired PRAD cells. High KDM5A expression was correlated with reduced survival and poor prognosis of patients with PRAD. Knockdown of KDM5A suppressed the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasiveness of PRAD cells and reduced angiogenesis ability of endothelial cells. Downstream molecules implicated in KDM5A mediation were predicted using integrated bioinformatic analyses. KDM5A enhanced ETS proto-oncogene 1 (ETS1) expression through demethylation of H3K4me2 at its promoter. ETS1 suppressed the transcription activity of miR-330-3p, and either further ETS1 overexpression or miR-330-3p inhibition blocked the functions of KDM5A knockdown in PRAD. miR-330-3p targeted coatomer protein complex subunit β2 (COPB2) mRNA. Downregulation of miR-330-3p restored the expression of COPB2 and activated the PI3K/AKT pathway in PRAD. The results in vitro were reproduced in vivo where KDM5A downregulation suppressed the growth and metastasis of xenograft tumors in nude mice. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that KDM5A promoted PRAD by suppressing miR-330-3p and activating the COPB2/PI3K/AKT axis in an ETS1-dependent manner.

Identifying the potential role of curcumin analogues as anti-breast cancer agents; an in silico approach

Background

Breast cancer ranks top among newly reported cancer cases and most of the women suffers from breast cancer. Development of target therapy using phytochemicals with minimal side effects is trending in health care research. Phytochemicals targets complex multiple signalling events in cancer and are pleiotropic in nature. Thus, the present study was conducted to check the effectivity of curcumin analogues (Capsaicin, Chlorogenic acid, Ferulic acid, Zingerone, Gingerol) against the receptors that are expressed in breast cancer cells and prove its ethno-medicinal value by using bioinformatic tools and softwares like PDB, Patch Dock, PubChem, Chimera and My Presto.

Result

Out of the various curcumin analogues studied, Ferulic acid showed best binding affinity with all the breast cancer cell specific receptors (FGF, MMP9, RNRM1, TGF-beta, DHFR, VEGF and aromatase) which was confirmed through the docking studies.

Conclusion

The current work was a preliminary step towards screening suitable drug candidate against breast cancer using in silico methods. This information can be used further to carry out in vivo studies using selected natural analogues of curcumin as a suitable drug candidate against breast cancer saving time and cost.

Bioinformatic Analysis Identifies of Potential miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Networks Involved in the Pathogenesis of Lung Cancer

Objective. The purpose of the present study was to explore the biomarkers related to lung cancer based on the bioinformatics method, which might be new targets for lung cancer treatment. Methods. GSE17681 and GSE18842 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and genes (DEGs) in lung cancer samples were screened via the GEO2R online tool. DEMs were submitted to the mirDIP website to predict target genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were conducted via uploading DEGs to the DAVID database. The protein-protein interaction network (PPI) of the DEGs was analyzed by STRING’s online tool. Then, the PPI network was visualized using Cytoscape 3.8.0. Results. 46 DEMs were identified in GSE17681, and the website predicted that there were 873 target genes of these DEMs. 1029 DEGs were identified in the GSE18842 chip. GO analysis suggested that the co-DEGs participated in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway, a serine/threonine kinase signaling pathway, the Wnt signaling pathway, and cell-cell signaling by Wnt. KEGG analysis results showed the co-DEGs of GSE17681 and GSE18842 were related to the Hippo signaling pathway and adhesion molecules. In addition, six hub genes that were related to lung cancer were identified as hub genes, including mTOR, NF1, CHD7, ETS1, IL-6, and COL1A1. Conclusions. The present study identified six hub genes that were related to lung cancer, including mTOR, NF1, CHD7, ETS1, IL-6, and COL1A1, which might be a potential target for lung cancer.

The research progress in the interaction between Candida albicans and cancers

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogenic fungus, which tends to infect the host with defective immune function including cancer patients. A growing number of studies have shown that C. albicans infection increases the host susceptibility to cancer such as oral, gastric, and colorectal cancer. Cancer and anti-cancer treatment may also affect the colonization of C. albicans. C. albicans may promote the development of cancer by damaging mucosal epithelium, inducing the production of carcinogens, triggering chronic inflammation including Th17 cell-mediated immune response. In this article, we aim to elaborate the interaction between C. albicans and cancers development and summarize the potential molecular mechanisms, so as to provide theoretical basis for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

Regulation of MMP9 transcription by ETS1 in immortalized salivary gland epithelial cells of patients with salivary hypofunction and primary Sjögren's syndrome

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) patients exhibit enhanced degradation of the salivary epithelium initially through MMP9 overexpression. We assessed the expression of MMP9 and an associated transcription factor, ETS1, in primary salivary gland epithelial cells (SGECs) and investigated potential regulatory mechanism(s) in immortalized SGECs. SGECs and iSGECs were derived from pSS and/or xerostomic “sicca” patients. siRNA knockdown of ETS1 in iSGECs was performed to determine MMP9 mRNA (qRT-PCR) and protein expression (ELISA). ETS1 binding to MMP9 promoter was assessed by luciferase activity and binding confirmed by mutagenesis and ChIP. Effects of ETS1 overexpression on progenitor and Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) associated markers were determined by Western blot. Expression of ETS1 and its phosphorylated form in iSGECs was determined by immunofluorescence microscopy. ETS1 and MMP9 were overexpressed in SGECs of pSS and non-pSS sicca patients with salivary gland lymphocytic infiltration compared to non-pSS sicca patients without infiltration. ETS1 siRNA knockdown reduced both MMP9 mRNA and protein levels. ETS1 overexpression affected the expression of EMT and progenitor cell markers. Lastly, ETS1 bound the MMP9 promoter within the DNA region of −296 bp to −339 bp. ETS1 may impair salivary function through direct transcriptional control of the MMP9 promoter. ETS1 upregulation may also affect other factors involved in repair of the dysfunctional pSS salivary epithelium.

The Multiple Roles of CD147 in the Development and Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Overview

Cluster of differentiation (CD)147, also termed extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer or basigin, is a glycoprotein ubiquitously expressed throughout the human body, the oral cavity included. CD147 actively participates in physiological tissue development or growth and has important roles in reactive processes such as inflammation, immunity, and tissue repair. It is worth noting that deregulated expression and/or activity of CD147 is observed in chronic inflammatory or degenerative diseases, as well as in neoplasms. Among the latter, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is characterized by an upregulation of CD147 in both the neoplastic and normal cells constituting the tumor mass. Most interestingly, the expression and/or activity of CD147 gradually increase as healthy oral mucosa becomes inflamed; hyperplastic/dysplastic lesions are then set on, and, eventually, OSCC develops. Based on these findings, here we summarize published studies which evaluate whether CD147 could be employed as a marker to monitor OSCC development and progression. Moreover, we describe CD147-promoted cellular and molecular events which are relevant to oral carcinogenesis, with the aim to provide useful information for assessing whether CD147 may be the target of novel therapeutic approaches directed against OSCC.

The Breast Cancer Protooncogenes HER2, BRCA1 and BRCA2 and Their Regulation by the iNOS/NOS2 Axis

The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; NOS2) and derived NO in various cancers was reported to exert pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects depending on the levels of expression and the tumor types. In humans, the breast cancer level of iNOS was reported to be overexpressed, to exhibit pro-tumorigenic activities, and to be of prognostic significance. Likewise, the expression of the oncogenes HER2, BRCA1, and BRCA2 has been associated with malignancy. The interrelationship between the expression of these protooncogenes and oncogenes and the expression of iNOS is not clear. We have hypothesized that there exist cross-talk signaling pathways between the breast cancer protooncogenes, the iNOS axis, and iNOS-mediated NO mutations of these protooncogenes into oncogenes. We review the molecular regulation of the expression of the protooncogenes in breast cancer and their interrelationships with iNOS expression and activities. In addition, we discuss the roles of iNOS, HER2, BRCA1/2, and NO metabolism in the pathophysiology of cancer stem cells. Bioinformatic analyses have been performed and have found suggested molecular alterations responsible for breast cancer aggressiveness. These include the association of BRCA1/2 mutations and HER2 amplifications with the dysregulation of the NOS pathway. We propose that future studies should be undertaken to investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying the expression of iNOS and various breast cancer oncogenes, with the aim of identifying new therapeutic targets for the treatment of breast cancers that are refractory to current treatments.

In the Tumor Microenvironment, ETS1 Is an Oncogenic Immune Protein: An Integrative Pancancer Analysis

Background

Previous research suggested that ETS1 (ETS proto-oncogene 1, transcription factor) could be useful for cancer immunotherapy. The processes underlying its therapeutic potential, on the other hand, have yet to be thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to look into the relationship between ETS1 expression and immunity.

Methods

TCGA and GEO provide raw data on 33 different cancers as well as GSE67501, GSE78220, and IMvigor210. In addition, we looked at ETS1's genetic changes, expression patterns, and survival studies. The linkages between ETS1 and TME, as well as its association with immunological processes/elements and the major histocompatibility complex, were explored to effectively understand the role of ETS1 in cancer immunotherapy. Three distinct immunotherapeutic cohorts were employed to examine the relationship between ETS1 and immunotherapeutic response.

Results

ETS1 expression was shown to be high in tumor tissue. ETS1 overexpression is linked to a worse clinical outcome in individuals with overall survival. Immune cell infiltration, immunological modulators, and immunotherapeutic signs are all linked to ETS1. Overexpression of ETS1 is linked to immune-related pathways. However, no statistically significant link was found between ETS1 and immunotherapeutic response.

Conclusions

ETS1 may be a reliable biomarker for tumor prognosis and a viable prospective therapeutic target for human cancer immunotherapy (e.g., KIRP, MESO, BLCA, KIRC, and THYM).

Detection of Breast Cancer Using Histopathological Image Classification Dataset with Deep Learning Techniques

Cancer is one of the top causes of mortality, and it arises when cells in the body grow abnormally, like in the case of breast cancer. For people all around the world, it has now become a huge issue and a threat to their safety and wellbeing. Breast cancer is one of the major causes of death among females all over the globe, and it is particularly prevalent in the United States. It is possible to diagnose breast cancer using a variety of imaging modalities including mammography, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and biopsies, among others. To analyze the picture, a histopathology study (biopsy) is often performed, which assists in the diagnosis of breast cancer. The goal of this study is to develop improved strategies for various CAD phases that will play a critical role in minimizing the variability gap between and among observers. It created an automatic segmentation approach that is then followed by self-driven post-processing activities to successfully identify the Fourier Transform based Segmentation in the CAD system to improve its performance. When compared to existing techniques, the proposed segmentation technique has several advantages: spatial information is incorporated, there is no need to set any initial parameters beforehand, it is independent of magnification, it automatically determines the inputs for morphological operations to enhance segmented images so that pathologists can analyze the image with greater clarity, and it is fast. Extensive tests were conducted to determine the most effective feature extraction techniques and to investigate how textural, morphological, and graph characteristics impact the accuracy of categorization classification. In addition, a classification strategy for breast cancer detection has been developed that is based on weighted feature selection and uses an upgraded version of the Genetic Algorithm in conjunction with a Convolutional Neural Network Classifier. The practical application of the suggested improved segmentation and classification algorithms for the CAD framework may reduce the number of incorrect diagnoses and increase the accuracy of classification. So, it may serve as a second opinion tool for pathologists and aid in the early detection of diseases.

Clinical Value and Potential Mechanism of miRNA-33a-5p in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This study is aimed at thoroughly exploring the expression status, clinical significance, and underlying molecular mechanism of miRNA-33a-5p in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Here, we detected miRNA-33a-5p in 20 samples from patients with LUSCs and 20 matching non-LUSC specimens by in-house quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Relationship between miRNA-33a-5p expression and clinicopathological traits was investigated from materials derived from miRNA sequencing and miRNA microarrays. A pool standard mean difference (SMD) and summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC) were calculated to evaluate the integrated expression value of miRNA-33a-5p in LUSC. Twelve online platforms were applied to select potential target genes of miRNA-33a-5p. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of LUSC and the candidate target genes of miRNA-33a-5p were overlapped to acquire a set of specific genes for further analyses of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. miRNA-33a-5p overexpressed in LUSC was supported by 706 LUSC and 261 non-LUSC samples gathering from RT-qPCR, miRNA-seq, and public miRNA microarrays. The pooled SMD was 0.56 (95% CI: -0.01-1.05), and the area under the curve (AUC) of the SROC was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.74-0.82). A total of 240 genes were identified as potential target genes of miRNA-33a-5p for functional enrichment analyses; the results suggested that these target genes may participate in several vital biological processes that promote the proliferation and progression of LUSC. miRNA-33a-5p may play an essential role in the occurrence and development of LUSC by targeting hub genes (ETS1, EDNRB, CYR61, and LRRK2) derived from the PPI network. In summary, our results indicated that miRNA-33a-5p may contribute as a prospective therapeutic target in LUSC.

Hypermethylation of the Promoter of miR-338-5p Mediates Aberrant Expression of ETS-1 and Is Correlated With Disease Severity Of Astrocytoma Patients

The pro-oncogene ETS-1 (E26 transformation-specific sequence 1) is a key regulator of the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. The present work examined the correlation of the aberrant expression of ETS-1 with histological or clinical classification of astrocytoma: grade I (pilocytic astrocytoma), grade II (diffuse astrocytoma), grade III (anaplastic astrocytoma), and grade IV (glioblastoma multiforme). MicroRNA, miR-338-5p, was predicted by an online tool (miRDB) to potentially target the 3’ untranslated region of ETS-1; this was confirmed by multi-assays, including western blot experiments or the point mutation of the targeting sites of miR-338-5p in ETS-1’s 3’untralation region (3’UTR). The expression of miR-338-5p was negatively associated with that of ETS-1 in astrocytoma, and deficiency of miR-338-5p would mediate aberrant expression of ETS-1 in astrocytoma. Mechanistically, hypermethylation of miR-338-5p by DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) resulted in repression of miR-338-5p expression and the aberrant expression of ETS-1. Knockdown or deactivation of DNMT1 decreased the methylation rate of the miR-338-5p promoter, increased the expression of miR-338-5p, and repressed the expression of ETS-1 in astrocytoma cell lines U251 and U87. These results indicate that hypermethylation of the miR-338-5p promoter by DNMT1 mediates the aberrant expression of ETS-1 related to disease severity of patients with astrocytoma.

E2F3 promotes liver cancer progression under the regulation of circ-PRKAR1B

Liver cancer is one of the most lethal malignant tumors in the world. The high recurrence and mortality rate make it urgent for scientists and clinicians to find new targets for better treatment of liver cancer. Here, we found that circ-PRKAR1B expression was increased in the paired intrahepatic metastasis sample through high-throughput sequencing. Further experiments also confirmed its high expression both in carcinoma and metastasis when compared to the paired para-carcinoma and the paired carcinoma, respectively. Mechanism study showed that circ-PRKAR1B could promote liver cancer progression through the miR-432-5p/E2F3 pathway, and microRNA-432-5p could directly target the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of E2F3 mRNA to suppress its translation, thereby influencing liver cancer cell invasion and migration capacities. Clinical data obtained by using online databases based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) samples and the clinicopathological data of liver cancer patients who underwent surgery in our hospital in the past 2 years also confirmed the significance of circ-PRKAR1B/miR-432-5p/E2F3 signaling in liver cancer progression. Animal experiments also indicated that targeting this newly identified signaling by overexpressing microRNA-432-5p could suppress the progression of liver cancer. Together, our study suggests that circ-PRKAR1B plays an important role in the regulation of liver cancer progression, and targeting this new circ-PRKAR1B/miR-432-5p/E2F3 signaling may help us find new treatment strategies to better suppress liver cancer progression.

Cancer-associated fibroblast-derived exosomal miR-18b promotes breast cancer invasion and metastasis by regulating TCEAL7

Studies have shown that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an irreplaceable role in the occurrence and development of tumors. Therefore, exploring the action and mechanism of CAFs on tumor cells is particularly important. In this study, we compared the effects of CAFs-derived exosomes and normal fibroblasts (NFs)-derived exosomes on breast cancer cells migration and invasion. The results showed that exosomes from both CAFs and NFs could enter into breast cancer cells and CAFs-derived exosomes had a more enhancing effect on breast cancer cells migration and invasion than NFs-derived exosomes. Furthermore, microRNA (miR)-18b was upregulated in CAFs-derived exosomes, and CAFs-derived exosomes miR-18b can promote breast cancer cell migration and metastasis by specifically binding to the 3'UTR of Transcription Elongation Factor A Like 7 (TCEAL7). The miR-18b-TCEAL7 pathway promotes nuclear Snail ectopic activation by activating nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), thereby inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promoting cell invasion and metastasis. Moreover, CAFs-derived exosomes miR-18b could promote mouse xenograft model tumor metastasis. Overall, our findings suggest that CAFs-derived exosomes miR-18b promote nuclear Snail ectopic by targeting TCEAL7 to activate the NF-κB pathway, thereby inducing EMT, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer. Targeting CAFs-derived exosome miR-18b may be a potential treatment option to overcome breast cancer progression.

Exosomes: A Forthcoming Era of Breast Cancer Therapeutics

Despite the recent advancements in therapeutics and personalized medicine, breast cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers among women. The prognostic and diagnostic aids mainly include assessment of tumor tissues with conventional methods towards better therapeutic strategies. However, current era of gene-based research may influence the treatment outcome particularly as an adjunct to diagnostics by exploring the role of non-invasive liquid biopsies or circulating markers. The characterization of tumor milieu for physiological fluids has been central to identifying the role of exosomes or small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). These exosomes provide necessary communication between tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The manipulation of exosomes in TME may provide promising diagnostic/therapeutic strategies, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer patients. This review has described and highlighted the role of exosomes in breast carcinogenesis and how they could be used or targeted by recent immunotherapeutics to achieve promising intervention strategies.

Immune System Effects on Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, with the ability to metastasize to secondary organs, which is the main cause of cancer-related deaths. Understanding how breast tumors progress is essential for developing better treatment strategies against breast cancer. Until recently, it has been considered that breast cancer elicits a small immune response. However, it is now clear that breast tumor progression is either prevented by the action of antitumor immunity or exacerbated by proinflammatory cytokines released mainly by the immune cells. In this comprehensive review we first explain antitumor immunity, then continue with how the tumor suppresses and evades the immune response, and next, outline the role of inflammation in breast tumor initiation and progression. We finally review the current immunotherapeutic and immunoengineering strategies against breast cancer as a promising emerging approach for the discovery and design of immune system-based strategies for breast cancer treatment.

ETS1 promoted cell growth, metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in melanoma by regulating miR-16-mediated SOX4 expression

Melanoma is a malignant tumor with high metastasis and mortality. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was reported to be involved in the growth and metastasis of melanoma. To investigate these sections further, we showed that E26 transformation specific 1 (ETS1) could regulate growth, metastasis and EMT process of melanoma by regulating microRNA(miR)-16/SRY-related HMG box (SOX) 4 expression. MiR-16, ETS1, SOX4 and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) expression levels in melanoma cells were examined using qPCR. ETS1, SOX4, EMT-related proteins and NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins were examined using western blot. Cell counting kit-8 assay, transwell assay were applied to evaluate the cell proliferation, migration and invasion of melanoma cells, respectively. Besides, a dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to verify the binding relationship between ETS1 and miR-16, miR-16 and SOX4, miR-16 and NF-κB1. We showed that ETS1 and SOX4 were upregulated in melanoma cells, while miR-16 was downregulated. MiR-16 overexpression suppressed growth, metastasis and EMT process of melanoma. We found ETS1 could bind to the promoter region of miR-16 and inhibited its transcription. ETS1 silence could inhibit growth, metastasis and EMT process of melanoma, and inhibition of miR-16 could reverse the effects. Besides, miR-16 is directly bound to SOX4 and downregulated its expression. Rescued experiments confirmed that SOX4 overexpression abolished the inhibition effect of miR-16 mimics on growth, metastasis and EMT process of melanoma. Finally, NF-κB1 as the target of miR-16 mediated downstream biological responses. ETS1 activated NF-κB signaling pathway through miR-16 via targeting SOX4, thus promoting growth, metastasis and EMT of melanoma.

Effect arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 on morphology, adhesion, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells: role of matrix metalloproteinases and integrin αV

Reducted arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT1) in breast cancers is associated with poor patient survival. NAT1 has also been associated with changes in cancer cell survival and invasion both invitro and invivo. Here, we report the effects of NAT1 in cancer cell invasion by addressing its role in adherence, migration, and invasion in vitro. The NAT1 gene was deleted in MDA-MB-231, HT-29 and HeLa cells using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Loss of NAT1 increased adherence to collagen in all three cell-lines but migration was unaffected. NAT1 deletion decreased invasion and induced changes to cell morphology. These effects were independent of matrix metalloproteinases but were related to integrin ITGαV expression. The data suggest NAT1 is important in adhesion and invasion through integrin expression.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β)-mediated phosphorylation of ETS1 promotes progression of ovarian carcinoma

ETS1 - an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor involved in the regulation of a number of cellular processes - is overexpressed in several malignancies, including ovarian cancer. Most studies on ETS1 expression have been focused on the transcriptional and RNA levels, with post-translational control mechanisms remaining relatively unexplored in the pathogenesis of malignancies. Here, we show that ETS1 forms a complex with glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β). Specifically, GSK3β-mediated phosphorylation of ETS1 at threonine 265 and serine 269 promoted protein stability, induced the transcriptional activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and increased cell migration. In vivo experiments revealed that a GSK3β inhibitor was able to suppress both endogenous ETS1 expression and induction of MMP-9 expression. Upon generation of a specific antibody against phosphorylated ETS1, we demonstrated that phospho-ETS1 immunohistochemical expression in ovarian cancer specimens was correlated with that of MMP-9. Notably, the cumulative overall survival of patients with low phospho-ETS1 histoscores was significantly longer than that of those showing higher scores. We conclude that the GSK3β/ETS1/MMP-9 axis may regulate the biological aggressiveness of ovarian cancer and can serve as a prognostic factor in patients with this malignancy.

Phthalates promote the invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by enhancing the interaction between Pregnane X receptor and E26 transformation specific sequence 1

Phthalates (PAEs) are considered endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), a series of compounds able to disrupt the normal regulation of the human endocrine-system. In the present study, we investigated the roles of four PAEs, butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP), in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. We define novel roles for the PAEs on the migration of HCC cells via their enhancing of the interaction between the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and E26 transformation specific sequence 1 (ETS-1). Our results indicate that PAEs induced the transcriptional activation of ETS-1 and PXR. PXR activated by PAEs could bind to ETS-1 directly and enhanced the activity of ETS-1, which resulted in the induction of invasion-related ETS-1 target genes. The "LXXLL" motif in the ETS-1C-terminal was essential for the interaction between PXR and ETS-1 induced by PAEs. Treatment of PAEs promoted the nuclear accumulation of ETS-1 or the recruitment of ETS-1, but not in cells expressing ETS-1 with a mutated LXXLL motif in its downstream gene promoter region, or following transfection of PXR siRNA. Treatment with the PXR antagonist ketoconazole almost completely inhibited the effects of PAEs. Moreover, PAEs enhanced the in vitro or in vivo invasion of HCC cells via PXR/ETS-1. Therefore, our results not only contribute to a better understanding of HCC, but also extended the roles of EDCs regulating human malignancies.

Expression of E26 transformation specific-1 (ETS-1) in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is adverse prognostic factor in invasive breast cancer

AIM OF THE STUDY

The microenvironment depicts the relationship between tumour cells and immune response, and every insight into stromal lymphocytes could contribute to explain their role and activity. E26 transformation specific-1 (ETS-1) is a transcription factor that is active in cell proliferation. We analysed its immunohistochemical expression in tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in invasive breast cancer and correlated its immunohistochemical score (IHS) to traditional predictive and prognostic factors and survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample contains data of 121 patients with invasive breast cancer, not otherwise specified (NOS) who underwent mammectomy and lymphadenectomy in 2002 at the Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia. Paraffin blocks of the tumour tissue were collected from the pathological archive. Three representative areas of every patient were chosen and multiple tissue samples were made. Immunohistochemical staining with rabbit anti-ETS-1 (Novocastra, UK) and the ABC method was performed on a DAKO Autostainer. The expression of ETS-1 in stromal TILs was analysed on an Olympus 41 microscope. The IHS score was calculated and correlated with clinical and pathological parameters, as well as disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

In almost all patients (95%), some expression of ETS-1 in TILs was found. A moderate/high score of ETS-1 correlated with larger tumour size and higher histological grade, high proliferation index and low progesterone receptors (PgR). The patients with moderate/high ETS-1 expression in TILs had shorter DFS than patients with weak/negative ETS-1 expression.

CONCLUSION

In invasive breast cancer NOS, expression of ETS-1 in TILs is an adverse prognostic factor.

High mobility group box 1 regulates gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration via RAGE-mTOR/ERK feedback loop

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignancy tumour in China. Despite various therapeutic approaches to improve the survival rate of GC patients, the effectiveness of currently available treatments remains unsatisfactory. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is reported to play a role in tumour development. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in HMGB1-mediated regulation of proliferation and migration of GC cells remain unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that HMGB1 is highly expressed in GC cells and tissue. In HGC-27 GC cells, HMGB1 overexpression or HMGB1 RNA interference both demonstrated that HMGB1 could promote GC cell proliferation and migration. Investigation of the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed that HMGB1 enhanced cyclins expression, induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) expression and promoted RAGE expression as well as RAGE-mediated activation of Akt/mTOR/P70S6K and ERK/P90RSK/CREB signalling pathways. We also found that inhibition of ERK and mTOR using specific inhibitors reduced recombinant human HMGB1-induced RAGE expression, suggesting that the RAGE-mTOR/ERK positive feedback loop is involved in HMGB1-induced GC cell proliferation and migration. Our study highlights a novel mechanism by which HMGB1 promotes GC cell proliferation and migration via RAGE-mediated Akt-mTOR and ERK-CREB signalling pathways which also involves the RAGE-mTOR/ERK feedback loop. These findings indicate that HMGB1 is a potential therapeutic target for GC.

Characterizing the effect of substrate stiffness on the extravasation potential of breast cancer cells using a 3D microfluidic model

Different biochemical and biomechanical cues from tumor microenvironment affect the extravasation of cancer cells to distant organs; among them, the mechanical signals are poorly understood. Although the effect of substrate stiffness on the primary migration of cancer cells has been previously probed, its role in regulating the extravasation ability of cancer cells is still vague. Herein, we used a microfluidic device to mimic the extravasation of tumor cells in a 3D microenvironment containing cancer cells, endothelial cells, and the biological matrix. The microfluidic-based extravasation model was utilized to probe the effect of substrate stiffness on the invasion ability of breast cancer cells. MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells were cultured among substrates with different stiffness which followed by monitoring their extravasation capability through the microfluidic device. Our results demonstrated that acidic collagen at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml promotes migration of cancer cells. Additionally, the substrate softening resulted in up to 46% reduction in the invasion of breast cancer cells. The substrate softening not only affected the number of extravasated cells but also reduced their migration distance up to 53%. We further investigated the secreted level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and identified that there is a positive correlation between substrate stiffening, MMP9 concentration, and extravasation of cancer cells. These findings suggest that the substrate stiffness mediates the cancer cells extravasation in a microfluidic model. Changes in MMP9 level could be one of the possible underlying mechanisms which need more investigations to be addressed thoroughly.

Histone demethylase Jumonji domain-containing 1A inhibits proliferation and progression of gastric cancer by upregulating runt-related transcription factor 3

The histone demethylase Jumonji domain‐containing 1A (JMJD1A) is overexpressed in multiple cancers and promotes cancer progression. However, the role and mechanism of JMJD1A in gastric cancer (GC) remains poorly understood. Here, we found that JMJD1A could suppress GC cell proliferation and xenograft tumor growth. Using RNA sequencing, we identified runt‐related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) as a novel target gene of JMJD1A. Mechanistically, we identified that JMJD1A upregulated RUNX3 through co–activating Ets‐1 and reducing the H3K9me1/2 levels at the RUNX3 promoter in GC cells. Functionally, JMJD1A inhibits the growth of GC cells in vivo, which is partially dependent on RUNX3. Moreover, JMJD1A expression was decreased in GC and low expression of JMJD1A was correlated with an aggressive phenotype and a poor prognosis in patients with GC. Importantly, JMJD1A expression was positively associated with RUNX3 expression in GC samples. These studies indicated that JMJD1A upregulates RUNX3 expression via co–activation of transcription factor Ets‐1 to inhibit proliferation of GC cells. Our findings provide new insight into the mechanism by which JMJD1A regulates RUNX3 transcription and suggest that JMJD1A and/or RUNX3 may be used as a therapeutic intervention for GC.

Silybin Prevents Prostate Cancer by Inhibited the ALDH1A1 Expression in the Retinol Metabolism Pathway

Background

Silybin was known to exert inhibition in prostate cancer, but the underlying mechanism remained largely unknown. This study was designed to find out the potential target of Silybin on prostate cancer and explore the relative mechanisms.

Methods

Firstly, we screened the possible targets of Silybin through the PubChem database and Subpathway – GM. Then DU145 cells were transferred to investigate the correction about related targets, magnetic bead sorting and flow cytometry were used to sort and identify the cells. Proliferation, migration and invasion ability of DU145 cells were detected by MTT assay, Transwell assay, plate clonality and sphere formation assay. BALB/c nude mice were constructed models with implanted sarcoma and measured the tumor volume every 5 days as wells tumor weight. The levels of proteins were detected by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. RT-PCR was selected to test the expression of protein’s mRNA.

Results

It was screened out the ALDH1A1 was highly correlated with subpathways of the Silybin risk metabolic pathway. And ALDH1A1 expression was positively correlated RARα with Ets1 by interfering with the ALDH1A1 gene. Importantly, ALDH1A1(+) cells showed proliferation, migration and invasion ability. In addition, it showed that Silybin exerted the inhibition on prostate cells by suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of cells in vitro experiment. Silybin also reduced the tumor volume and weight. And Silybin displayed obviously reduced the proteins and mRNA of ALDH1A1, RARα, Ets1 and MMP9 expressions.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that Silybin showed inhibition of prostate cancer and the mechanism was involving with downregulating ALDH1A1 expression, thereby inhibiting the activation of RARα and preventing the activation of Ets1 to inhibit the growth and invasion of prostate cancer.

lncRNA PART1 Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Progression by Directly Targeting miR-4516

Introduction

Breast cancer is a serious threat to human health. It is meaningful to study the pathogenesis of breast cancer. lncRNAs have been found to play vital roles in numerous biological processes including development, immunology and cancer.

Methods

qRT-PCR was performed to examine the expressions of PART1 and miR-4516. CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and transwell assay were used to examine the progression of breast cancer cells.

Results

In this study, we showed that lncRNA PART1 was highly expressed in breast cancer cells. Knockdown of PART1 induced decreased proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer cells. Moreover, we found that PART1 can bind to miR-4516 directly. We also found that inhibition of miR-4516 could rescue the decreased proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells induced by knockdown of PART1.

Discussion

lncRNA PART1 and miR-4516 were proven to be involved in the progression of many cancers. However, the roles of lncRNA PART1 and miR-4516 in the regulation of breast cancer remain unknown. Here, we demonstrated that PART1 can bind to miR-4516 to decrease the expression of miR-4516 and promote the development of breast cancer.

Cancer and SOX proteins: New insight into their role in ovarian cancer progression/inhibition

Transcription factors are potential targets in disease therapy, particularly in cancer. This is due to the fact that transcription factors regulate a variety of cellular events, and their modulation has opened a new window in cancer therapy. Sex-determining region Y (SRY)-related high-mobility group (HMG) box (SOX) proteins are potential transcription factors that are involved in developmental processes such as embryogenesis. It has been reported that abnormal expression of SOX proteins is associated with development of different cancers, particularly ovarian cancer (OC). In the present review, our aim is to provide a mechanistic review of involvement of SOX members in OC. SOX members may suppress and/or promote aggressiveness and proliferation of OC cells. Clinical studies have also confirmed the potential of transcription factors as diagnostic and prognostic factors in OC. Notably, studies have demonstrated the relationship between SOX members and other molecular pathways such as ST6Ga1-I, PI3K, ERK and so on, leading to more complexity. Furthermore, SOX members can be affected by upstream mediators such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and so on. It is worth mentioning that the expression of each member of SOX proteins is corelated with different stages of OC. Furthermore, their expression determines the response of OC cells to chemotherapy. These topics are discussed in this review to shed some light on role of SOX transcription factors in OC.

The Impact of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 on the Sequential Steps of the Metastatic Process

In industrialized countries, cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. Most cancer patients die because of metastases, which consist of the self-transplantation of malignant cells in anatomical sites other than the one from where the tumor arose. Disseminated cancer cells retain the phenotypic features of the primary tumor, and display very poor differentiation indices and functional regulation. Upon arrival at the target organ, they replace preexisting, normal cells, thereby permanently compromising the patient's health; the metastasis can, in turn, metastasize. The spread of cancer cells implies the degradation of the extracellular matrix by a variety of enzymes, among which the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 is particularly effective. This article reviews the available published literature concerning the important role that MMP-9 has in the metastatic process. Additionally, information is provided on therapeutic approaches aimed at counteracting, or even preventing, the development of metastasis via the use of MMP-9 antagonists.

ETS1 Suppresses Tumorigenesis of Human Breast Cancer via Trans-Activation of Canonical Tumor Suppressor Genes

ETS1 has shown dichotomous roles as an oncogene and a tumor suppressor gene in diverse cancers, but its functionality in breast cancer tumorigenesis still remains unclear. We utilized the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to analyze comprehensive functions of ETS1 in human breast cancer (BRCA) patients by investigating its expression patterns and methylation status in relation to clinical prognosis. ETS1 expression was significantly diminished by hyper-methylation of the ETS1 promoter region in specimens from BRCA patients compared to a healthy control group. Moreover, ETS1^high BRCA patients showed better prognosis and longer survival compared to ETS1^low BRCA patients. Consistent with clinical evidence, comparative transcriptome analysis combined with CRISPR/Cas9 or shRNA based perturbation of ETS1 expression revealed direct as well as indirect mechanisms of ETS1 that hinder tumorigenesis of BRCA cells. Taken together, our study enlightens a novel function of ETS1 as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer cells.

MiR-524-5p Suppresses Migration, Invasion, and EMT Progression in Breast Cancer Cells Through Targeting FSTL1

Background: The effects of miR-524-5p on breast cancer (BC) have not been investigated, though studies show that miR-524-5p has an anticancer function. Thus, this study investigated the effects of miR-524-5p on BC cells and its potential molecular mechanism. Materials and Methods: The expression of miR-524-5p from the collected BC samples was determined. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to examine the effect of miR-524-5p on BC cells viability. The target for miR-524-5p was predicted by bioinformatics and further verified by luciferase assay. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were performed to determine cell migration and invasion of BC cells. The expressions of Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) and related proteins in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were detected by Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: MiR-524-5p was low-expressed in BC samples, and upregulation of miR-524-5p suppressed BC cell viability, migration, and invasion. FSTL1 was predicted as a target for miR-524-5p. In addition, overexpressed FSTL1 effectively abolished the effect of miR-524-5p on inhibiting FSTL1 expression, and reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-524-5p on the migration, invasion of BC cells as well as the effect of miR-524-5p on regulating the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), E-cadherin, and N-cadherin. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that miR-524-5p targeting FSTL1 adversely affects the progression of migration, invasion, and EMT of BC cells, thus, miR-524-5p is possibly a target for BC treatment.

Transcriptional regulation of HSPB1 by Friend leukemia integration-1 factor modulates radiation and temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor and is invariably fatal. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) provide protein signatures/biomarkers for GBM that afford potential as targets for developing anti-GBM drugs. In GBM, elevated expression of hypoxia inducible factors under the influence of Ets family proteins significantly promotes the expression of HSPs. RNAseq analysis identified HSPB1 as a prominent upregulated HSP in GBM and in radiation resistant/temozolomide resistant (radio/TMZR) GBM. Here, we established friend leukemia integration 1 (Fli-1), a member of Ets family to be playing a transcriptional regulatory role on the HSPB1 gene. Fli-1 binds to nucleotide residues GGAA at binding sites 3, 6 and 7 in the 5-kb upstream region of HSPB1. Fli-1 has been linked to oncogenic transformation with upregulation in radio/TMZR GBM. Overexpression of Fli-1 in GBM promotes resistance, whereas Fli-1 knockdown in radio/TMZR GBM cells suppresses resistance. We identify the underlying molecular mechanisms of Fli-1-mediated regulation of HSPB1 that drive extracellular matrix remodeling and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in radio/TMZR GBM cells. This study uncovers Fli-1 as a potential therapeutic target for combating radiation and temozolomide resistance in GBM.

The chemokine CCL7 regulates invadopodia maturation and MMP-9 mediated collagen degradation in liver-metastatic carcinoma cells

Liver metastases remain a major cause of death from gastrointestinal tract cancers and other malignancies, such as breast and lung carcinomas. Understanding the underlying biology is essential for the design of effective therapies. We previously identified the chemokine CCL7 and its receptor CCR3 as critical mediators of invasion and metastasis in lung and colon carcinoma cells. Here we show that the CCL7/CCR3 axis regulates a late stage in invadopodia genesis namely, the targeting of MMP-9 to the invadopodia complex, thereby promoting invadopodia maturation and collagen degradation. We show that this process could be blocked by overexpression of a dominant negative RhoA in highly invasive cells, while a constitutively active RhoA upregulated invadopodia maturation in CCL7-silenced and poorly invasive and metastatic cells and also enhanced their metastatic potential in vivo, collectively, implicating RhoA activation in signaling downstream of CCL7. Blockade of the ERK or PI3K pathways by chemical inhibitors also inhibited invadopodia formation, but affected the initiation stage of invadopodia genesis. Our data implicate CCL7/CCR3 signaling in invadopodia maturation and suggest that chemokine signaling acts in concert with extracellular matrix-initiated signals to promote invasion and liver metastasis.

ISG20 serves as a potential biomarker and drives tumor progression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most common malignancies and lacks reliable biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, which results in high incidence and mortality rates of ccRCC. In this study, ISG20, HJURP, and FOXM1 were identified as hub genes via weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and Cox regression analysis. Samples validation showed that only ISG20 was up-regulated in ccRCC. Therefore, ISG20 was selected for further study. High ISG20 expression was associated with poor overall survival and disease-free survival. Furthermore, the expression of ISG20 could effectively differentiate ccRCC from normal tissues and was positively correlated to clinical stages. Functional experiments proved that knockdown of ISG20 expression could obviously inhibit cell growth, migration, and invasion in ccRCC cells. To find the potential mechanisms of ISG20, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed and revealed that high expression of ISG20 was significantly involved in metastasis and cell cycle pathways. In addition, we found that ISG20 could regulate the expression of MMP9 and CCND1. In conclusion, these findings suggested that ISG20 promoted cell proliferation and metastasis via regulating MMP9/CCND1 expression and might serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in ccRCC.

Long Noncoding RNA SNHG6 Functions as an Oncogene in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer via Modulating ETS1 Signaling

Background

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a great threat to human health and the biology of the NSCLC still remains largely unknown. Aberrantly expressed long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Small nucleolar RNA host gene 6 (SNHG6) was involved in the tumorigenesis and progression of various cancers. The aim of this study is to investigate the roles of SNHG6 in NSCLC.

Methods

qRT-PCR and Western blot assays were applied to detect gene expressions. Cell proliferation and migration assays were used to analyze the gene functions. Luciferase reporter assay, RNA Immunoprecipitation assay and Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were performed to investigate the molecular mechanism.

Results

We found that SNHG6 expression was significantly increased in NSCLC tissues and cell lines and its high expression was correlated with malignant features of NSCLC. In in vitro assays, knockdown of SNHG6 significantly depressed the proliferation vitality and migration activity of NSCLC cells. Research on mechanisms revealed that SNHG6 exerted its tumorigenesis role by promoting ETS1 expression via competitively binding with miR-944 and miR-181d-5p. We also demonstrated that ETS1 enhanced the expression of WIPF1 via binding to its promoter and SNHG6 could thereby regulate the expression of ETS1 target genes including WIPF1, MMP2 and MMP9.

Conclusion

Our study illustrates that SNHG6 is an oncogene in NSCLC and involved in NSCLC tumorigenesis by regulating ETS1 signaling via miR-944 and miR-181d-5p.

Nitric Oxide and S-Nitrosylation in Cancers: Emphasis on Breast Cancer

Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous, endogenously produced, water-soluble signaling molecule playing critical roles in physiological processes. Nitric oxide plays pleiotropic roles in cancer and, depending on its local concentration, may lead to either tumor progression or tumor suppression. Addition of NO group to a cysteine residue within a protein, termed as S-nitrosylation, plays diverse regulatory roles and affects processes such as metabolism, apoptosis, protein phosphorylation, and regulation of transcription factors. The process of S-nitrosylation has been associated with development of different cancers, including breast cancer. The present review discusses different mechanisms through which NO acts, with special emphasis on breast cancers, and provides detailed insights into reactive nitrogen species, posttranslational modifications of proteins mediated by NO, dual nature of NO in cancers, and the implications of S-nitrosylation in cancers. Our review will generate interest in exploring molecular regulation by NO in different cancers and will have significant therapeutic implications in the management and treatment of breast cancer.