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Maurya SB, Shetty DC, Rathore AS, Juneja S, Jain A, Banga A. Immunolocalization of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Cancer Res Ther 2023; 19:1775-1780. [PMID: 38376277 DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1012_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancers are complex tissues composed of multiple distinct cell types that participate in heterotypic interactions with one another. Physiologically cell-to-cell contacts formed by dense populations of normal cells operate to suppress further cell proliferation. OBJECTIVES The objective of the study is to evaluate and compare the immunoexpression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to hypothesize their role in the progression in varying grades of these lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 60 samples comprising of 30 cases each of OED and OSCC. Three micrometers thin sections were taken and subjected for hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemical procedure. The sections were incubated with monoclonal anti-EpCAM anti-MMP-9 antibody. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19. RESULTS The results of the study show EpCAM immunoexpression decreased in OSCC when compared to OED. MMP-9 immunoexpression increased in OSCC when compared to OED (statistically significant, P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION Correlation between EpCAM and MMP-9 may help to unravel the signaling cascades involved in the carcinomatous changes, tumor cell invasion, and progression of OSCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Bhal Maurya
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Devi Charan Shetty
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, ITS Dental College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ajit Singh Rathore
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, ITS Dental College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Saurabh Juneja
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, ITS Dental College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anshi Jain
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, ITS Dental College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Akanksha Banga
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, ITS Dental College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Wang T, Wang C, Wang J, Wang B. An Intrabody against B-Cell Receptor-Associated Protein 31 (BAP31) Suppresses the Glycosylation of the Epithelial Cell-Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) via Affecting the Formation of the Sec61-Translocon-Associated Protein (TRAP) Complex. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14787. [PMID: 37834237 PMCID: PMC10572819 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial cell-adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is hyperglycosylated in carcinoma tissue and the oncogenic function of EpCAM primarily depends on the degree of glycosylation. Inhibiting EpCAM glycosylation is expected to have an inhibitory effect on cancer. We analyzed the relationship of BAP31 with 84 kinds of tumor-associated antigens and found that BAP31 is positively correlated with the protein level of EpCAM. Triple mutations of EpCAM N76/111/198A, which are no longer modified by glycosylation, were constructed to determine whether BAP31 has an effect on the glycosylation of EpCAM. Plasmids containing different C-termini of BAP31 were constructed to identify the regions of BAP31 that affects EpCAM glycosylation. Antibodies against BAP31 (165-205) were screened from a human phage single-domain antibody library and the effect of the antibody (VH-F12) on EpCAM glycosylation and anticancer was investigated. BAP31 increases protein levels of EpCAM by promoting its glycosylation. The amino acid region from 165 to 205 in BAP31 plays an important role in regulating the glycosylation of EpCAM. The antibody VH-F12 significantly inhibited glycosylation of EpCAM which, subsequently, reduced the adhesion of gastric cancer cells, inducing cytotoxic autophagy, inhibiting the AKT-PI3K-mTOR signaling pathway, and, finally, resulting in proliferation inhibition both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we clarified that BAP31 plays a key role in promoting N-glycosylation of EpCAM by affecting the Sec61 translocation channels. Altogether, these data implied that BAP31 regulates the N-glycosylation of EpCAM and may represent a potential therapeutic target for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bing Wang
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, 195 Chuangxin Road, Hunnan District, Shenyang 110819, China; (T.W.); (C.W.); (J.W.)
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3
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Dressler FF, Hinrichs S, Roesch MC, Perner S. EpCAM tumor specificity and proteoform patterns in urothelial cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023:10.1007/s00432-023-04809-9. [PMID: 37154925 PMCID: PMC10374485 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04809-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in cancer is still unclear. EpCAM cleavage through regulated intramembrane proteolysis results in fragments which interact with both oncogenic and tumor suppressive pathways. Additionally, the EpCAM molecule itself is used as a descriptive therapeutic target in urothelial cancer (UC), while data on its actual tumor specificity remain limited. METHODS Samples from diagnostic formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) UC tissue and fresh-frozen UC cells were immunoblotted and used for qualitative characterization of five different EpCAM fragments. These expression patterns were quantified across a cohort of 76 samples with 52 UC and 24 normal urothelial samples. Cell viability effects of the extracellular EpEX fragment were assessed in the UC cell lines T24 and HT1376. RESULTS The proteolytic EpCAM fragments could be identified in clinical FFPE tissue specimens too. Neither overall nor fragment-specific EpCAM expression showed relevant tumor specificity. EpEX and its deglycosylated variant showed an inverse relationship across healthy and tumor tissue with a decrease of deglycosylated EpEX in tumors. However, extracellular EpEX did not show a relevant effect in vitro. CONCLUSIONS EpCAM should not be regarded as tumor-specific in UC without patient-specific predictive testing. EpCAM fragment patterns indicate cancer-specific changes and could be involved in its complex tumor-biological role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz F Dressler
- Institute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
| | - Sofie Hinrichs
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Marie C Roesch
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sven Perner
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
- Institute of Pathology and Hematopathology, Hamburg, Germany
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Huang Y, Li X, Hou J, Luo Z, Yang G, Zhou S. Conductive Nanofibers-Enhanced Microfluidic Device for the Efficient Capture and Electrical Stimulation-Triggered Rapid Release of Circulating Tumor Cells. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13050497. [PMID: 37232858 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The effective detection and release of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are of great significance for cancer diagnosis and monitoring. The microfluidic technique has proved to be a promising method for CTCs isolation and subsequent analysis. However, complex micro-geometries or nanostructures were often constructed and functionalized to improve the capture efficiency, which limited the scale-up for high-throughput production and larger-scale clinical applications. Thus, we designed a simple conductive nanofiber chip (CNF-Chip)-embedded microfluidic device with a herringbone microchannel to achieve the efficient and specific capture and electrical stimulation-triggered rapid release of CTCs. Here, the most used epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) was selected as the representative biomarker, and the EpCAM-positive cancer cells were mainly studied. Under the effects of the nanointerface formed by the nanofibers with a rough surface and the herringbone-based high-throughput microfluidic mixing, the local topographic interaction between target cells and nanofibrous substrate in the microfluidic was synergistically enhanced, and the capture efficiency for CTCs was further improved (more than 85%). After capture, the sensitive and rapid release of CTCs (release efficiency above 97%) could be conveniently achieved through the cleavage of the gold-sulfur bond by applying a low voltage (-1.2 V). The device was successfully used for the effective isolation of CTCs in clinical blood samples from cancer patients, indicating the great potential of this CNF-Chip-embedded microfluidic device in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisha Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Xilin Li
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Jianwen Hou
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Zhouying Luo
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Shaobing Zhou
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
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Chen M, Assis DM, Benet M, McClung CM, Gordon EA, Ghose S, Dupard SJ, Willetts M, Taron CH, Samuelson JC. Comparative site-specific N-glycoproteome analysis reveals aberrant N-glycosylation and gives insights into mannose-6-phosphate pathway in cancer. Commun Biol 2023; 6:48. [PMID: 36639722 PMCID: PMC9839730 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04439-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
N-glycosylation is implicated in cancers and aberrant N-glycosylation is recognized as a hallmark of cancer. Here, we mapped and compared the site-specific N-glycoproteomes of colon cancer HCT116 cells and isogenic non-tumorigenic DNMT1/3b double knockout (DKO1) cells using Fbs1-GYR N-glycopeptide enrichment technology and trapped ion mobility spectrometry. Many significant changes in site-specific N-glycosylation were revealed, providing a molecular basis for further elucidation of the role of N-glycosylation in protein function. HCT116 cells display hypersialylation especially in cell surface membrane proteins. Both HCT116 and DKO1 show an abundance of paucimannose and 80% of paucimannose-rich proteins are annotated to reside in exosomes. The most striking N-glycosylation alteration was the degree of mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) modification. N-glycoproteomic analyses revealed that HCT116 displays hyper-M6P modification, which was orthogonally validated by M6P immunodetection. Significant observed differences in N-glycosylation patterns of the major M6P receptor, CI-MPR in HCT116 and DKO1 may contribute to the hyper-M6P phenotype of HCT116 cells. This comparative site-specific N-glycoproteome analysis provides a pool of potential N-glycosylation-related cancer biomarkers, but also gives insights into the M6P pathway in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyong Chen
- grid.273406.40000 0004 0376 1796New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938 USA
| | - Diego M. Assis
- grid.423270.00000 0004 0491 2576Bruker, 40 Manning Road, Billerica, MA 01821 USA
| | - Matthieu Benet
- grid.273406.40000 0004 0376 1796New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938 USA
| | - Colleen M. McClung
- grid.273406.40000 0004 0376 1796New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938 USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Gordon
- grid.423270.00000 0004 0491 2576Bruker, 40 Manning Road, Billerica, MA 01821 USA
| | - Shourjo Ghose
- grid.423270.00000 0004 0491 2576Bruker, 40 Manning Road, Billerica, MA 01821 USA
| | - Steven J. Dupard
- grid.273406.40000 0004 0376 1796New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938 USA
| | - Matthew Willetts
- grid.423270.00000 0004 0491 2576Bruker, 40 Manning Road, Billerica, MA 01821 USA
| | - Christopher H. Taron
- grid.273406.40000 0004 0376 1796New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938 USA
| | - James C. Samuelson
- grid.273406.40000 0004 0376 1796New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938 USA
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Xiang Y, Hu C, Wu G, Xu S, Li Y. Nanomaterial-based microfluidic systems for cancer biomarker detection: Recent applications and future perspectives. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Deglycosylated EpCAM regulates proliferation by enhancing autophagy of breast cancer cells via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:316-329. [PMID: 34983878 PMCID: PMC8791205 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is an important regulator of cellular homeostasis and its dysregulation often results in cancer. Aberrant glycosylation induced by oncogenic transformation contributes to tumor invasion and metastasis. In a previous study, we have demonstrated that EpCAM, a glycosylation protein, is associated with cell growth and metastasis in breast cancer. But the effect of EpCAM glycosylation on autophagy is not clear. the precise mechanism of regulation remains largely unknown. In this study, breast cancer cells were transfected with N-glycosylation mutation EpCAM plasmid to express deglycosylated EpCAM. The result showed that deglycosylated EpCAM promoted autophagy in breast cancer cells. We further confirmed this conclusion with the activator (Rapamycin, RAP) and inhibitor (Wortmannin) of autophagy. We also found that deglycosylated EpCAM promoted apoptosis and inhibited proliferation through activating autophagy by suppressing Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in breast cancer cells. These findings represent a novel mechanism by which deglycosylated EpCAM inhibits proliferation by enhancing autophagy of breast cancer cells via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. In conclusion, the combination of autophagy modulation and EpCAM targeted therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of breast cancer.
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8
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Khan T, Cabral H. Abnormal Glycosylation of Cancer Stem Cells and Targeting Strategies. Front Oncol 2021; 11:649338. [PMID: 33889547 PMCID: PMC8056457 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.649338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cell (CSCs) are deemed as one of the main reasons of tumor relapse due to their resistance to standard therapies. Numerous intracellular signaling pathways along with extracellular features are crucial in regulating CSCs properties, such as heterogeneity, plasticity and differentiation. Aberrant glycosylation of these cellular signaling pathways and markers of CSCs have been directly correlated with maintaining survival, self-renewal and extravasation properties. In this review, we highlight the importance of glycosylation in promoting stemness character of CSCs, and present strategies for targeting abnormal glycosylation to eliminate the resistant CSC population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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9
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Glycosylation of Stem Cells. Stem Cells 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-1638-9_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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10
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Roshan R, Naderi S, Behdani M, Cohan RA, Ghaderi H, Shokrgozar MA, Golkar M, Kazemi-Lomedasht F. Isolation and characterization of nanobodies against epithelial cell adhesion molecule as novel theranostic agents for cancer therapy. Mol Immunol 2020; 129:70-77. [PMID: 33183767 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Camelids produce functional antibodies composed of heavy chains only that bind to their antigens via a single domain variable fragment known as nanobody. Nanobodies show multiple advantages over traditional monoclonal antibodies. Isolation of functional anti-EpCAM nanobodies (Nbs) was the main aim of this study. An immune nanobody library containing 108 members was constructed previously. Anti -EpCAM nanobodies were isolated from camel immune library using phage display. Four consecutive rounds of biopanning were performed on immobilized EpCAM. Four nanobodies (Nb4, Nb5, Nb22, and Nb23) with highest signal intensity in monoclonal phage ELISA were selected. Affinity of these selected nanobodies for EpCAM was in the nanomolar range. Selected nanobodies significantly inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The in vivo study revealed that a significant reduction in tumor size occurred when treated with nanobodies Nb4 and Nb5, after 14 days monitoring. Our data revealed that nanobodies Nb4 and Nb5 could be considered as attractive theranostic agents for EpCAM overexpressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyhaneh Roshan
- Biotechnology Research Center, Biotechnology Department, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shamsi Naderi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Biotechnology Department, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Biotechnology Research Center, Biotechnology Department, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Ahangari Cohan
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, New Technologies Research Group, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hajarsadat Ghaderi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Biotechnology Department, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Majid Golkar
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kazemi-Lomedasht
- Biotechnology Research Center, Biotechnology Department, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab., Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Fagotto F, Aslemarz A. EpCAM cellular functions in adhesion and migration, and potential impact on invasion: A critical review. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188436. [PMID: 32976980 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
EpCAM has long been known as a cell surface protein highly expressed in carcinomas. It has since become one of the key cancer biomarkers. Despite its high fame, its actual role in cancer development is still controversial. Beyond a flurry of correlative studies, which point either to a positive or a negative link with tumour progression, there has been surprisingly few studies on the actual cellular mechanisms of EpCAM and on their functional consequences. Clearly, EpCAM plays multiple important roles, in cell proliferation as well as in cell adhesion and migration. The two latter functions, directly relevant for metastasis, are the focus of this review. We attempt here to bring together the available experimental data to build a global coherent view of EpCAM functions. We also include in this overview EpCAM2/Trop2, the close relative of EpCAM. At the core of EpCAM (and EpCAM2/Trop2) function stands the ability to repress contractility of the actomyosin cell cortex. This activity appears to involve direct inhibition by EpCAM of members of the novel PKC family and of a specific downstream PKD-Erk cascade. We will discuss how this activity can result in a variety of adhesive and migratory phenotypes, thus potentially explaining at least part of the apparent inconsistencies between different studies. The picture remains fragmented, and we will highlight some of the conflicting evidence and the many unsolved issues, starting with the controversy around its original description as a cell-cell adhesion molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Fagotto
- CRBM, University of Montpellier and CNRS, Montpellier 34293, France.
| | - Azam Aslemarz
- CRBM, University of Montpellier and CNRS, Montpellier 34293, France; Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A1B1, Canada
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12
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Fagotto F. EpCAM as Modulator of Tissue Plasticity. Cells 2020; 9:E2128. [PMID: 32961790 PMCID: PMC7563481 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule or EpCAM is a well-known marker highly expressed in carcinomas and showing a strong correlation with poor cancer prognosis. While its name relates to its proposed function as a cell adhesion molecule, EpCAM has been shown to have various signalling functions. In particular, it has been identified as an important positive regulator of cell adhesion and migration, playing an essential role in embryonic morphogenesis as well as intestinal homeostasis. This activity is not due to its putative adhesive function, but rather to its ability to repress myosin contractility by impinging on a PKC signalling cascade. This mechanism confers EpCAM the unique property of favouring tissue plasticity. I review here the currently available data, comment on possible connections with other properties of EpCAM, and discuss the potential significance in the context of cancer invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Fagotto
- CRBM, University of Montpellier and CNRS, 34293 Montpellier, France
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Gires O, Pan M, Schinke H, Canis M, Baeuerle PA. Expression and function of epithelial cell adhesion molecule EpCAM: where are we after 40 years? Cancer Metastasis Rev 2020; 39:969-987. [PMID: 32507912 PMCID: PMC7497325 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-020-09898-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule) was discovered four decades ago as a tumor antigen on colorectal carcinomas. Owing to its frequent and high expression on carcinomas and their metastases, EpCAM serves as a prognostic marker, a therapeutic target, and an anchor molecule on circulating and disseminated tumor cells (CTCs/DTCs), which are considered the major source for metastatic cancer cells. Today, EpCAM is reckoned as a multi-functional transmembrane protein involved in the regulation of cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, stemness, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of carcinoma cells. To fulfill these functions, EpCAM is instrumental in intra- and intercellular signaling as a full-length molecule and following regulated intramembrane proteolysis, generating functionally active extra- and intracellular fragments. Intact EpCAM and its proteolytic fragments interact with claudins, CD44, E-cadherin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and intracellular signaling components of the WNT and Ras/Raf pathways, respectively. This plethora of functions contributes to shaping intratumor heterogeneity and partial EMT, which are major determinants of the clinical outcome of carcinoma patients. EpCAM represents a marker for the epithelial status of primary and systemic tumor cells and emerges as a measure for the metastatic capacity of CTCs. Consequentially, EpCAM has reclaimed potential as a prognostic marker and target on primary and systemic tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Gires
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Group "Personalized Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer", Helmholtz Zentrum, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Min Pan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Henrik Schinke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Canis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Patrick A Baeuerle
- Institute for Immunology, LMU Munich, Grosshadernerstr. 9, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany
- MPM Capital, Cambridge MA, 450 Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
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14
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Künzel J, Gribko A, Lu Q, Stauber RH, Wünsch D. Nanomedical detection and downstream analysis of circulating tumor cells in head and neck patients. Biol Chem 2020; 400:1465-1479. [PMID: 30903749 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of novel biomarkers in liquid biopsies of cancer patients has come more into focus in prognostic and diagnostic research efforts. Due to their prognostic relevance disseminated tumor cells or circulating tumor cells are the subject of intensive research and are discussed as early diagnostic indicators for treatment failure and the formation of micrometastases. A potential association of this early-systemic tumor component with poor prognosis of cancer patients could be already demonstrated for various entities including breast, colon, lung, melanoma, ovarian and prostate cancers. Thus, the detection of circulating tumor cells seems to be also applicable for minimal-invasive monitoring of therapy progress in head and neck cancer patients. A major problem of the use in clinical routine is that circulating tumor cells could not be detected by modern imaging techniques. To overcome these limitations highly sensitive detection methods and techniques for their molecular characterization are urgently needed allowing mechanistic understanding and targeting of circulating tumor cells. Especially the medical application of nanotechnology (nanomedical methods) has made valuable contributions to the field. Here, we want to provide a comprehensive overview on (nanomedical) detection methods for circulating tumor cells and discuss their merits, pitfalls and future perspectives especially for head and neck solid squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Künzel
- Nanobiomedicine Department/Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery/ENT, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Alena Gribko
- Nanobiomedicine Department/Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery/ENT, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Qiang Lu
- Nanobiomedicine Department/Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery/ENT, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Roland H Stauber
- Nanobiomedicine Department/Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery/ENT, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Désirée Wünsch
- Nanobiomedicine Department/Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery/ENT, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
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15
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Mohtar MA, Syafruddin SE, Nasir SN, Yew LT. Revisiting the Roles of Pro-Metastatic EpCAM in Cancer. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020255. [PMID: 32046162 PMCID: PMC7072682 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a cell surface protein that was discovered as a tumour marker of epithelial origins nearly four decades ago. EpCAM is expressed at basal levels in the basolateral membrane of normal epithelial cells. However, EpCAM expression is upregulated in solid epithelial cancers and stem cells. EpCAM can also be found in disseminated tumour cells and circulating tumour cells. Various OMICs studies have demonstrated that EpCAM plays roles in several key biological processes such as cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and differentiation. Additionally, EpCAM can be detected in the bodily fluid of cancer patients suggesting that EpCAM is a pathophysiologically relevant anti-tumour target as well as being utilized as a diagnostic/prognostic agent for a variety of cancers. This review will focus on the structure-features of EpCAM protein and discuss recent evidence on the pathological and physiological roles of EpCAM in modulating cell adhesion and signalling pathways in cancers as well as deliberating the clinical implication of EpCAM as a therapeutic target.
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16
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Ruiu R, Tarone L, Rolih V, Barutello G, Bolli E, Riccardo F, Cavallo F, Conti L. Cancer stem cell immunology and immunotherapy: Harnessing the immune system against cancer's source. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2019; 164:119-188. [PMID: 31383404 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in diagnosis and therapy having improved cancer outcome, many patients still do not respond to treatments, resulting in the progression or relapse of the disease, eventually impairing survival expectations. The limited efficacy of therapy is often attributable to its inability to affect cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small population of cells resistant to current radio- and chemo-therapies. CSCs are characterized by self-renewal and tumor-initiating capabilities, and function as a reservoir for the local and distant recurrence of the disease. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches able to effectively target and deplete CSCs are urgently needed. Immunotherapy is facing a renewed interest for its potential in cancer treatment, and the possibility of harnessing the immune system to target CSCs is being addressed by a new exciting research field. In this chapter, we discuss the cancer stem cell model and illustrate CSC biological and molecular properties, critically addressing theoretical and practical issues linked with their definition and study. We then review the existing literature regarding the immunological properties of CSCs and the complex interplay occurring between CSCs and immune cells. Finally, we present up-to-date studies on CSC immunotargeting and its potential future perspective. In conclusion, understanding the interplay between CSC biology and tumor immunology will provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that regulate CSC immunological properties. This will contribute to the design of new CSC-directed immunotherapeutic strategies with the potential of strongly improving cancer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Lidia Tarone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Rolih
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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Barkeer S, Chugh S, Karmakar S, Kaushik G, Rauth S, Rachagani S, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. Novel role of O-glycosyltransferases GALNT3 and B3GNT3 in the self-renewal of pancreatic cancer stem cells. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:1157. [PMID: 30466404 PMCID: PMC6251200 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-5074-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glycosylation plays a critical role in the aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer (PC). Emerging evidences indicate significant involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in PC aggressiveness. However, the importance of glycosylation in pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) is yet to be addressed. Hence, we evaluated the potential role of glycosylation in maintenance of stemness of PCSCs. METHODS Effect of glycosylation specific inhibitors on growth and PCSCs of PC cells was assessed by MTT assay and Side Population (SP) analysis. Isolated PCSCs/SP were characterized using molecular and functional assays. Expression of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) was analyzed in PCSCs by western blotting. Effect of tunicamycin on PCSCs was analyzed by tumorsphere, clonogenicity, migration assay and immunoblotting for CSCs markers. The differential expression of glycogenes in PCSCs compared to non-CSCs were determined by RT-qPCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Co-expression of GALNT3 and B3GNT3 with CD44v6 was assessed in progression stages of KrasG12D; Pdx-1-Cre (KC) and KrasG12D; p53R172H; Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) tumors by immunofluorescence. Transient and CRISPR/Cas9 silencing of GALNT3 and B3GNT3 was performed to examine their effect on CSCs maintenance. RESULTS Inhibition of glycosylation decreased growth and CSCs/SP in PC cells. PCSCs overexpressed CSC markers (CD44v6, ESA, SOX2, SOX9 and ABCG2), exhibited global expressional variation of TACAs and showed higher self-renewal potential. Specifically, N-glycosylation inhibition, significantly decreased tumorsphere formation, migration, and clonogenicity of PCSCs, as well as hypo-glycosylated CD44v6 and ESA. Of note, glycosyltransferases (GFs), GALNT3 and B3GNT3, were significantly overexpressed in PCSCs and co-expressed with CD44v6 at advanced PDAC stages in KC and KPC tumors. Further, GALNT3 and B3GNT3 knockdown led to a decrease in the expression of cell surface markers (CD44v6 and ESA) and self-renewal markers (SOX2 and OCT3/4) in PCSCs. Interestingly, CD44v6 was modified with sialyl Lewis a in PCSCs. Finally, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated GALNT3 KO significantly decreased self-renewal, clonogenicity, and migratory capacity in PCSCs. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, for the first time, our study showed the importance of glycosylation in mediating growth, stemness, and maintenance of PCSCs. These results indicate that elevated GALNT3 and B3GNT3 expression in PCSCs regulate stemness through modulating CSC markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Barkeer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Seema Chugh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Saswati Karmakar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Garima Kaushik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Sanchita Rauth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Satyanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
| | - Surinder K. Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198 USA
| | - Moorthy P. Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870 USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198 USA
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18
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Liu X, Yang L, Zhang D, Liu T, Yan Q, Yang X. Deglycosylation of epithelial cell adhesion molecule affects epithelial to mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:4504-4514. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Liu Yang
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Tingjiao Liu
- Department of Oral Pathology, College of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Qiu Yan
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University Dalian China
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University Dalian China
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19
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Zhou L, Zhu Y. The EpCAM overexpression is associated with clinicopathological significance and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Surg 2018; 56:274-280. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2018.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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20
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Barkeer S, Chugh S, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. Glycosylation of Cancer Stem Cells: Function in Stemness, Tumorigenesis, and Metastasis. Neoplasia 2018; 20:813-825. [PMID: 30015157 PMCID: PMC6037882 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant glycosylation plays a critical role in tumor aggressiveness, progression, and metastasis. Emerging evidence associates cancer initiation and metastasis to the enrichment of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Several universal markers have been identified for CSCs characterization; however, a specific marker has not yet been identified for different cancer types. Specific glycosylation variation plays a major role in the progression and metastasis of different cancers. Interestingly, many of the CSC markers are glycoproteins and undergo differential glycosylation. Given the importance of CSCs and altered glycosylation in tumorigenesis, the present review will discuss current knowledge of altered glycosylation of CSCs and its application in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Barkeer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE.
| | - Seema Chugh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE.
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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21
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Gärtner K, Battke C, Dünzkofer J, Hüls C, von Neubeck B, Kellner MK, Fiestas E, Fackler S, Lang S, Zeidler R. Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles activate primary monocytes. Cancer Med 2018; 7:2013-2020. [PMID: 29601673 PMCID: PMC5943417 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells educate immune effector cells in their vicinity by releasing factors that manipulate their phenotype and function. In fact, the thus generated immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment constitutes an integral part and a hallmark of solid tumors and contributes significantly to tumor development and immune escape. It has long been thought that soluble factors like prostaglandin E2 and TGF-β are the main mediators of these effects. But tumor cells also constantly release large number of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are important conveyors of immune responses. We show here that tumor-derived EVs interact with primary monocytes and induce an activated phenotype, which is also observed in tumor-associated macrophages. Thus, both tumor-derived EVs and soluble factors together collaborate to form the immunosuppressive milieu of the tumor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Gärtner
- Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Battke
- Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Judith Dünzkofer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Klinikum der Universität (KUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Corinna Hüls
- Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Klinikum der Universität (KUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Bettina von Neubeck
- Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Mar-Kus Kellner
- Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Elena Fiestas
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Klinikum der Universität (KUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Fackler
- Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Lang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Zeidler
- Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Klinikum der Universität (KUM), Munich, Germany
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Isolation and characterization of the primary epithelial breast cancer cells and the adjacent normal epithelial cells from Iranian women's breast cancer tumors. Cytotechnology 2018; 70:625-639. [PMID: 29380298 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-017-0159-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
As an experimental model, most studies rely on established human cancer cell lines; however, some genetical or phenotypical differences exist between these cells and their original tumor. Therefore, primary cells isolated directly from tissue are believed to be more biologically relevant tools for studying human and animal biology. Here, we aimed to isolate primary epithelial cancer and normal cells from breast tumors of Iranian women, for the first time. Thus, we isolated the epithelial and fibroblast cells from biopsy samples of patients with breast cancer based on differential centrifugation followed by culture in selective media. Normal epithelial cells obtained from the tissue biopsy away from the core of the tumor, based on the pathological diagnosis. Flow cytometry analysis indicated the positive immunoreactivity of the isolated epithelial cells against CD24 and Epithelial Specific Antigen (ESA/EpCAM), while they displayed a concomitant low expression of CD44 and CD49f. In contrat to fibroblasts, the qPCR data indicated the expression of luminal intracellular cytokeratin (Ck18) in both normal and cancer epithelial cells, but there was no expression of myoepithelial/basal markers, CK5 and vimentin. The epithelial cancer cells were reactive to cytokeratin 19 (CK19) antibody, whereas the normal epithelial cells were not. The expression of calmodulin-like protein (CLP) was also lower in the cancer epithelial cells than in the normal ones. In conclusion, primary epithelial normal and cancer cells, in addition to the fibroblasts were isolated and characterized from breast tumor of Iranian patients; and CLP expression is suggested as a susceptibility marker for breast cancer screening.
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Valedkarimi Z, Nasiri H, Aghebati-Maleki L, Majidi J. Antibody-cytokine fusion proteins for improving efficacy and safety of cancer therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 95:731-742. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.07.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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Azevedo R, Peixoto A, Gaiteiro C, Fernandes E, Neves M, Lima L, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. Over forty years of bladder cancer glycobiology: Where do glycans stand facing precision oncology? Oncotarget 2017; 8:91734-91764. [PMID: 29207682 PMCID: PMC5710962 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The high molecular heterogeneity of bladder tumours is responsible for significant variations in disease course, as well as elevated recurrence and progression rates, thereby hampering the introduction of more effective targeted therapeutics. The implementation of precision oncology settings supported by robust molecular models for individualization of patient management is warranted. This effort requires a comprehensive integration of large sets of panomics data that is yet to be fully achieved. Contributing to this goal, over 40 years of bladder cancer glycobiology have disclosed a plethora of cancer-specific glycans and glycoconjugates (glycoproteins, glycolipids, proteoglycans) accompanying disease progressions and dissemination. This review comprehensively addresses the main structural findings in the field and consequent biological and clinical implications. Given the cell surface and secreted nature of these molecules, we further discuss their potential for non-invasive detection and therapeutic development. Moreover, we highlight novel mass-spectrometry-based high-throughput analytical and bioinformatics tools to interrogate the glycome in the postgenomic era. Ultimately, we outline a roadmap to guide future developments in glycomics envisaging clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Azevedo
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreia Peixoto
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- New Therapies Group, INEB-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristiana Gaiteiro
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Fernandes
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Biomaterials for Multistage Drug and Cell Delivery, INEB-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuel Neves
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Lima
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Glycobiology in Cancer, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lúcio Lara Santos
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Alexandre Ferreira
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Glycobiology in Cancer, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Liu X, Gao J, Sun Y, Zhang D, Liu T, Yan Q, Yang X. Mutation of N-linked glycosylation in EpCAM affected cell adhesion in breast cancer cells. Biol Chem 2017; 398:1119-1126. [DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2016-0232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) expression is elevated in breast cancer tissue, and correlates with the cancer metastasis and cell adhesion. Although EpCAM glycosylation is supposed to be associated with its function, the contribution of N-glycosylation to its function remains unclear. Here we analyzed cell adhesion ability of EpCAM in breast cancer cells. The results showed that EpCAM expression was associated with cell adhesion and N-glycosylation mutation of EpCAM decreased adhesion capacity. N-glycosylation mutation of EpCAM was correlated with lower levels of integrin β1 and fibronectin. We also found that effect of N-glycosylation of EpCAM on cell adhesion was regulated via FAK/Akt/Gsk-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway, which further adjusted MMP2/9 expression and activities. Our studies identified the characteristics and function of EpCAM glycosylation sites on breast cancer cell adhesion. These data could potentially clarify molecular regulation of EpCAM by N-glycosylation and intensify our understanding of the utility of glycosylated EpCAM as a target for breast cancer therapy.
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Sun D, Chen Z, Wu M, Zhang Y. Nanomaterial-based Microfluidic Chips for the Capture and Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells. Nanotheranostics 2017; 1:389-402. [PMID: 29071201 PMCID: PMC5647762 DOI: 10.7150/ntno.21268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), a type of cancer cells that spreads from primary or metastatic tumors into the bloodstream, can lead to a new fatal metastasis. As a new type of liquid biopsy, CTCs have become a hot pursuit and detection of CTCs offers the possibility for early diagnosis of cancers, earlier evaluation of chemotherapeutic efficacy and cancer recurrence, and choice of individual sensitive anti-cancer drugs. The fundamental challenges of capturing and characterizing CTCs are the extremely low number of CTCs in the blood and the intrinsic heterogeneity of CTCs. A series of microfluidic devices have been proposed for the analysis of CTCs with automation capability, precise flow behaviors, and significant advantages over the conventional larger scale systems. This review aims to provide in-depth insights into CTCs analysis, including various nanomaterial-based microfluidic chips for the capture and detection of CTCs based on the specific biochemical and physical properties of CTCs. The current developmental trends and promising research directions in the establishment of microfluidic chips for the capture and detection of CTCs are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duanping Sun
- Institute of Medical Instrument and Application, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Zuanguang Chen
- Institute of Medical Instrument and Application, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Minhao Wu
- Department of Immunology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, P. R. China
| | - Yuanqing Zhang
- Institute of Medical Instrument and Application, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
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Vitale SG, Laganà AS, Capriglione S, Angioli R, La Rosa VL, Lopez S, Valenti G, Sapia F, Sarpietro G, Butticè S, Tuscano C, Fanale D, Tropea A, Rossetti D. Target Therapies for Uterine Carcinosarcomas: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18051100. [PMID: 28531111 PMCID: PMC5455008 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18051100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Carcinosarcomas (CS) in gynecology are very infrequent and represent only 2-5% of uterine cancers. Despite surgical cytoreduction and subsequent chemotherapy being the primary treatment for uterine CS, the overall five-year survival rate is 30 ± 9% and recurrence is extremely common (50-80%). Due to the poor prognosis of CS, new strategies have been developed in the last few decades, targeting known dysfunctional molecular pathways for immunotherapy. In this paper, we aimed to gather the available evidence on the latest therapies for the treatment of CS. We performed a systematic review using the terms "uterine carcinosarcoma", "uterine Malignant Mixed Müllerian Tumors", "target therapies", "angiogenesis therapy", "cancer stem cell therapy", "prognostic biomarker", and "novel antibody-drug". Based on our results, the differential expression and accessibility of epithelial cell adhesion molecule-1 on metastatic/chemotherapy-resistant CS cells in comparison to normal tissues and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) open up new possibilities in the field of target therapy. Nevertheless, future investigations are needed to clarify the impact of these new therapies on survival rate and medium-/long-term outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Giovanni Vitale
- Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.
| | - Antonio Simone Laganà
- Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.
| | - Stella Capriglione
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy.
| | - Roberto Angioli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy.
| | - Valentina Lucia La Rosa
- Unit of Psychodiagnostics and Clinical Psychology, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Lopez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy.
| | - Gaetano Valenti
- Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Sapia
- Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Sarpietro
- Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Butticè
- Department of Human Pathology, Unit of Urology, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.
| | - Carmelo Tuscano
- Radiation Oncology Department, AO "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli", 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy.
| | - Daniele Fanale
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Tropea
- Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy.
| | - Diego Rossetti
- Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Desenzano del Garda Hospital, Section of Gavardo, 25085 Gavardo, Brescia, Italy.
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Zhang D, Liu X, Gao J, Sun Y, Liu T, Yan Q, Yang X. The role of epithelial cell adhesion molecule N-glycosylation on apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317695973. [DOI: 10.1177/1010428317695973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation of cell surface proteins plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis. It has been demonstrated that knockdown of epithelial cell adhesion molecule promoted apoptosis, inhibited cell proliferation, and caused cell-cycle arrest. In this study, we investigated whether and how N-glycosylation of epithelial cell adhesion molecule influenced the apoptosis in breast cancer cells. We applied the N-glycosylation mutation epithelial cell adhesion molecule plasmid to express deglycosylation of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and then to study its function. Our results showed that deglycosylation of epithelial cell adhesion molecule promoted apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation. Deglycosylation of epithelial cell adhesion molecule enhanced the cytotoxic effect of 5-fluorouracil, promoting apoptosis by downregulating the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and upregulating the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase 3 via the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. These findings are important for a better understanding of epithelial cell adhesion molecule apoptosis regulation and suggest epithelial cell adhesion molecule as a potential target for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Zhang
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xue Liu
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiujiao Gao
- Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Nephrology, Hematology and Rheumatology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital, Binzhou Medical College, Yantai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tingjiao Liu
- Section of Oral Pathology, College of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiu Yan
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People’s Republic of China
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Epithelial cell adhesion molecule in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines: a target of chemoresistence. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:228. [PMID: 26984381 PMCID: PMC4794840 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2252-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The low survival rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is partly attributable to its resistance to existing chemotherapeutic agents. Until now, there have been limited chemotherapeutic agents for liver cancer. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) has been found to be over-expressed during stages of carcinogenesis and has been associated with poor overall survival in many cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate EpCAM expression in HCC and evaluate the effects of EpCAM to established chemotherapy. Methods Three human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines—HepG2, Hep3B and HuH-7—were pre- and post-treated with doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin. Cell viability and EpCAM protein expression were measured by MTT assay and Western Blotting respectively. EpCAM positive cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. To evaluate the effects of doxorubicin efficacy on EpCAM positive cells, a small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific to EpCAM was transfected into the cells and treated with doxorubicin. Results: EpCAM was significantly down-regulated by doxorubicin treatment in all three HCC cell lines (P <0.05 or 0.01). EpCAM expression was down-regulated by the 5-FU and cisplatin in HepG2 cells, however the EpCAM expression was up-regulated by 5-FU and cisplatin in Hep3B cell line. EpCAM expression was down-regulated by 5-FU, and up-regulated by cisplatin in Huh-7 cell line. Flow cytometry assay showed doxorubicin exposure decreased EpCAM positive cell quantities in three HCC cell lines. EpCAM siRNA knock-down attenuated cell mortality after doxorubicin exposure. Conclusion All of these findings demonstrate that EpCAM is one of targets of chemoresistence.
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Chen Y, Ding L, Song W, Yang M, Ju H. Liberation of Protein-Specific Glycosylation Information for Glycan Analysis by Exonuclease III-Aided Recycling Hybridization. Anal Chem 2016; 88:2923-8. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b04883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Chen
- State
Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Ding
- State
Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wanyao Song
- State
Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Yang
- Department
of Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry, UCL School
of Pharmacy, University College London, London WC1N 1AX, U.K
| | - Huangxian Ju
- State
Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China
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Li YQ, Chandran BK, Lim CT, Chen X. Rational Design of Materials Interface for Efficient Capture of Circulating Tumor Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2015; 2:1500118. [PMID: 27980914 PMCID: PMC5115340 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201500118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Originating from primary tumors and penetrating into blood circulation, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a vital role in understanding the biology of metastasis and have great potential for early cancer diagnosis, prognosis and personalized therapy. By exploiting the specific biophysical and biochemical properties of CTCs, various material interfaces have been developed for the capture and detection of CTCs from blood. However, due to the extremely low number of CTCs in peripheral blood, there exists a need to improve the efficiency and specificity of the CTC capture and detection. In this regard, a critical review of the numerous reports of advanced platforms for highly efficient and selective capture of CTCs, which have been spurred by recent advances in nanotechnology and microfabrication, is essential. This review gives an overview of unique biophysical and biochemical properties of CTCs, followed by a summary of the key material interfaces recently developed for improved CTC capture and detection, with focus on the use of microfluidics, nanostructured substrates, and miniaturized nuclear magnetic resonance-based systems. Challenges and future perspectives in the design of material interfaces for capture and detection of CTCs in clinical applications are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Qiang Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Avenue SIngapore 639798 Singapore; School of Radiation Medicine and Protection and School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X)Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions Medical College of Soochow University Suzhou Jiangsu 215123 China
| | - Bevita K Chandran
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Avenue SIngapore 639798 Singapore
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Mechanobiology Institute Centre for Advanced 2D Materials National University of Singapore 9 Engineering Drive 1 Singapore 117575 Singapore
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Avenue SIngapore 639798 Singapore
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A phase I trial of intravenous catumaxomab: a bispecific monoclonal antibody targeting EpCAM and the T cell coreceptor CD3. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2015; 75:1065-73. [PMID: 25814216 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-015-2728-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of intravenous catumaxomab, a trifunctional bispecific antibody that binds to EpCAM on epithelial cancer cells and CD3 on T cells. METHODS The trial was a dose-escalation study with a 3 + 3 design in epithelial cancers with known EpCAM expression. The dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) period consisted of 4 weeks, with weekly intravenous administration of catumaxomab. Key DLTs were ≥grade 3 optimally treated non-hematological toxicity; ≥grade 3 infusion-related reactions refractory to supportive care; ≥grade 3 increase in liver enzymes and/or bilirubin not resolving to grade 2. RESULTS Sixteen patients were enrolled receiving doses of 2 (n = 5), 4 (n = 3), 7 (n = 7) and 10 µg catumaxomab (n = 1). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were chills (93.8 %) and pyrexia (87.5 %). The most common TEAE of grade ≥3 was transient dose-dependent increases in aspartate aminotransferase (56.3 %). The intensity of toxicities decreased with the number of infusions. Also, serum IL-6 increased in a dose-dependent manner and reverted to low or undetectable levels after four infusions. A reversible decrease in liver function test (prothrombin time) at the 7-µg dose level was considered a DLT. The first patient at 10 µg experienced a fatal hepatic failure related to catumaxomab that led to the termination of the study. CONCLUSIONS The MTD of weekly intravenous catumaxomab was 7 µg. Major toxicities were cytokine release-related symptoms and hepatotoxicity.
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Dollé L, Theise ND, Schmelzer E, Boulter L, Gires O, van Grunsven LA. EpCAM and the biology of hepatic stem/progenitor cells. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2015; 308:G233-50. [PMID: 25477371 PMCID: PMC4329473 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00069.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a transmembrane glycoprotein, which is frequently and highly expressed on carcinomas, tumor-initiating cells, selected tissue progenitors, and embryonic and adult stem cells. During liver development, EpCAM demonstrates a dynamic expression, since it can be detected in fetal liver, including cells of the parenchyma, whereas mature hepatocytes are devoid of EpCAM. Liver regeneration is associated with a population of EpCAM-positive cells within ductular reactions, which gradually lose the expression of EpCAM along with maturation into hepatocytes. EpCAM can be switched on and off through a wide panel of strategies to fine-tune EpCAM-dependent functional and differentiative traits. EpCAM-associated functions relate to cell-cell adhesion, proliferation, maintenance of a pluripotent state, regulation of differentiation, migration, and invasion. These functions can be conferred by the full-length protein and/or EpCAM-derived fragments, which are generated upon regulated intramembrane proteolysis. Control by EpCAM therefore not only depends on the presence of full-length EpCAM at cellular membranes but also on varying rates of the formation of EpCAM-derived fragments that have their own regulatory properties and on changes in the association of EpCAM with interaction partners. Thus spatiotemporal localization of EpCAM in immature liver progenitors, transit-amplifying cells, and mature liver cells will decisively impact the regulation of EpCAM functions and might be one of the triggers that contributes to the adaptive processes in stem/progenitor cell lineages. This review will summarize EpCAM-related molecular events and how they relate to hepatobiliary differentiation and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Dollé
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Liver Cell Biology Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Neil D. Theise
- 2Departments of Pathology and Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York;
| | - Eva Schmelzer
- 3McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
| | - Luke Boulter
- 4Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh, Scotland; and
| | - Olivier Gires
- 5Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Leo A. van Grunsven
- 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Liver Cell Biology Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium;
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Pavšič M, Gunčar G, Djinović-Carugo K, Lenarčič B. Crystal structure and its bearing towards an understanding of key biological functions of EpCAM. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4764. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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A novel COX-independent mechanism of sulindac sulfide involves cleavage of epithelial cell adhesion molecule protein. Exp Cell Res 2014; 326:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Hristodorov D, Amoury M, Mladenov R, Niesen J, Arens K, Berges N, Hein L, Di Fiore S, Pham AT, Huhn M, Helfrich W, Fischer R, Thepen T, Barth S. EpCAM-selective elimination of carcinoma cells by a novel MAP-based cytolytic fusion protein. Mol Cancer Ther 2014; 13:2194-202. [PMID: 24980949 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-0781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In normal epithelia, the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) expression is relatively low and only present at the basolateral cell surface. In contrast, EpCAM is aberrantly overexpressed in various human carcinomas. Therefore, EpCAM is considered to be a highly promising target for antibody-based cancer immunotherapy. Here, we present a new and fully human cytolytic fusion protein (CFP), designated "anti-EpCAM(scFv)-MAP," that is comprised of an EpCAM-specific antibody fragment (scFv) genetically fused to the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAP). Anti-EpCAM(scFv)-MAP shows potent EpCAM-restricted proapoptotic activity toward rapidly proliferating carcinoma cells. In vitro assays confirmed that treatment with anti-EpCAM(scFv)-MAP resulted in the colocalization and stabilization of microtubules, suggesting that this could be the potential mode of action. Dose-finding experiments indicated that anti-EpCAM(scFv)-MAP is well tolerated in mice. Using noninvasive far-red in vivo imaging in a tumor xenograft mouse model, we further demonstrated that anti-EpCAM(scFv)-MAP inhibited tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, our data suggest that anti-EpCAM(scFv)-MAP may be of therapeutic value for the targeted elimination of EpCAM(+) carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrij Hristodorov
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Manal Amoury
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Radoslav Mladenov
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Katharina Arens
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nina Berges
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lea Hein
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefano Di Fiore
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anh-Tuan Pham
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Huhn
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Wijnand Helfrich
- Laboratory for Translational Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Rainer Fischer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany. Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (Biology VII), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Theo Thepen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Barth
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany. Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany.
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Mu Y, Sa N, Yu L, Lu S, Wang H, Xu W. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule is overexpressed in hypopharyngeal carcinoma and suppresses the metastasis and proliferation of the disease when downregulated. Oncol Lett 2014; 8:175-182. [PMID: 24959240 PMCID: PMC4063652 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is overexpressed in the majority of human epithelial carcinomas, and its overexpression is associated with proliferation and neoplastic transformation. However, the precise molecular mechanism involved in EpCAM-related proliferation and metastasis in hypopharyngeal carcinoma is unknown. The aim of the present study was to identify the role of EpCAM in the metastasis and proliferation of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. An immunohistochemical staining assay indicated that EpCAM was overexpressed in primary hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues, and that this overexpression correlated with the tumor size and lymph node metastasis. In the following treatment of the hypopharyngeal carcinoma FaDu cell line with EpCAM, the downregulation of EpCAM was found to significantly suppress cell metastasis and proliferation, as detected by Transwell, clone formation and MTT assays. Additionally, western blot analysis revealed that EpCAM downregulation increased the expression of the adhesion- and proliferation-related factors, E-cadherin, α-catenin and β-catenin, in the cytoskeleton, as well as β-catenin expression in the nucleus. In conclusion, the present study indicated that EpCAM is a potential oncogene and contributes to the metastasis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. The current study is the first to provide evidence for the potential value of targeting EpCAM in hypopharyngeal carcinoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yakui Mu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
| | - Na Sa
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
| | - Liang Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
| | - Sumei Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
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Wang S, Haque F, Rychahou PG, Evers BM, Guo P. Engineered nanopore of Phi29 DNA-packaging motor for real-time detection of single colon cancer specific antibody in serum. ACS NANO 2013; 7:9814-22. [PMID: 24152066 PMCID: PMC3915501 DOI: 10.1021/nn404435v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The ingenious design of the bacterial virus phi29 DNA packaging nanomotor with an elegant and elaborate channel has inspired its application for single molecule detection of antigen/antibody interactions. The hub of this bacterial virus nanomotor is a truncated cone-shaped connector consisting of 12 protein subunits. These subunits form a ring with a central 3.6-nm channel acting as a path for dsDNA to enter during packaging and to exit during infection. The connector has been inserted into a lipid bilayer. Herein, we reengineered an Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) peptide into the C-terminal of nanopore as a probe to specifically detect EpCAM antibody (Ab) in nanomolar concentration at the single molecule level. The binding of Abs sequentially to each peptide probe induced stepwise blocks in current. The distinctive current signatures enabled us to analyze the docking and undocking kinetics of Ab-probe interactions and determine the Kd. The signal of EpCAM antibody can be discriminated from the background events in the presence of nonspecific antibody or serum. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of generating a highly sensitive platform for detecting antibodies at extremely low concentrations in the presence of contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoying Wang
- Nanobiotechnology Center, ‡Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, and §Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
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Tomao F, Papa A, Rossi L, Strudel M, Vici P, Lo Russo G, Tomao S. Emerging role of cancer stem cells in the biology and treatment of ovarian cancer: basic knowledge and therapeutic possibilities for an innovative approach. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2013; 32:48. [PMID: 23902592 PMCID: PMC3734167 DOI: 10.1186/1756-9966-32-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In 2013 there will be an estimated 22,240 new diagnoses and 14,030 deaths from ovarian cancer in the United States. Despite the improved surgical approach and the novel active drugs that are available today in clinical practice, about 80% of women presenting with late-stage disease have a 5-year survival rate of only 30%. In the last years a growing scientific knowledge about the molecular pathways involved in ovarian carcinogenesis has led to the discovery and evaluation of several novel molecular targeted agents, with the aim to test alternative models of treatment in order to overcome the clinical problem of resistance. Cancer stem cells tend to be more resistant to chemotherapeutic agents and radiation than more differentiated cellular subtypes from the same tissue. In this context the study of ovarian cancer stem cells is taking on an increasingly important strategic role, mostly for the potential therapeutic application in the next future. In our review, we focused our attention on the molecular characteristics of epithelial ovarian cancer stem cells, in particular on possible targets to hit with targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Tomao
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Rome, Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Turksma AW, Braakhuis BJ, Bloemena E, Meijer CJ, Leemans CR, Hooijberg E. Immunotherapy for head and neck cancer patients: shifting the balance. Immunotherapy 2013; 5:49-61. [PMID: 23256798 DOI: 10.2217/imt.12.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer in the western world. Over the last few decades little improvement has been made to increase the relatively low 5-year survival rate. This calls for novel and improved therapies. Here, we describe opportunities in immunotherapy for head and neck cancer patients and hurdles yet to be overcome. Viruses are involved in a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cases. The incidence of HPV-related head and neck cancer is increasing and is a distinctly different disease from other head and neck carcinomas. Virus-induced tumors express viral antigens that are good targets for immunotherapeutic treatment options. The type of immunotherapeutic treatment, either active or passive, should be selected depending on the HPV status of the tumor and the immune status of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies W Turksma
- VU University Medical Center - Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Pathology 2.26, de Boelelaan 1117, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Schnell U, Cirulli V, Giepmans BNG. EpCAM: structure and function in health and disease. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2013; 1828:1989-2001. [PMID: 23618806 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2013.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Injection of tumor cells in mice more than 30 years ago resulted in the discovery of an epithelial antigen, later defined as a cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). Although EpCAM has since evoked significant interest as a target in cancer therapy, mechanistic insights on the functions of this glycoprotein have been emerging only very recently. This may have been caused by the multitude of functions attributed to the glycoprotein, its localization at different subcellular sites and complex posttranslational modifications. Here, we review how EpCAM modifies cell-cell contact adhesion strength and tissue plasticity, and how it regulates cell proliferation and differentiation. Major knowledge derived from human diseases will be highlighted: Mutant EpCAM that is absent from the cell surface leads to fatal intestinal abnormalities (congenital tufting enteropathy). EpCAM-mediated cell proliferation in cancer may result from signaling (i) via regulated intramembrane proteolysis and/or (ii) the localization and association with binding partners in specialized membrane microdomains. New insight in EpCAM signaling will help to develop optimized cancer therapies and open new avenues in the field of regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Schnell
- Dept. of Cell Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Choi H, Kim KB, Jeon CS, Hwang I, Lee S, Kim HK, Kim HC, Chung TD. A label-free DC impedance-based microcytometer for circulating rare cancer cell counting. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:970-7. [PMID: 23340965 DOI: 10.1039/c2lc41376k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Quantification of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood samples is believed to provide valuable evidence of cancer progression, cancer activity status, response to therapy in patients with metastatic cancer, and possible cancer diagnosis. Recently, a number of researchers reported that CTCs tend to lose their epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) by an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). As such, label-free CTC detection methods are attracting worldwide attention. Here, we describe a label-free DC impedance-based microcytometer for CTCs by exploiting the difference in size between CTCs and blood cells. This system detects changes in DC impedance between two polyelectrolytic gel electrodes (PGEs) under low DC voltages. Using spiked ovarian cancer cell lines (OVCAR-3) in blood as a model system, we were able to count the cells using a microcytometer with 88% efficiency with a flow rate of 13 μl min(-1) without a dilution process. Furthermore, we examined blood samples from breast cancer patients using the cytometer, and detected CTCs in 24 out of 24 patient samples. Thus, the proposed DC impedance-based microcytometer presents a facile and fast way of CTC evaluation regardless of their biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyoungseon Choi
- Interdisciplinary Program, Bioengineering Major, Seoul National University, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
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Ovarian cancer stem cells: a new target for cancer therapy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:916819. [PMID: 23509802 PMCID: PMC3581273 DOI: 10.1155/2013/916819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2012] [Revised: 01/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a highly lethal disease among all gynecologic malignancies and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Although the standard combination of surgery and chemotherapy was initially effective in patients with ovarian cancer, disease relapse commonly occurred due to the generation of chemoresistance. It has been reported that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are involved in drug resistance and cancer recurrence. Over the past decades, increasing studies have been done to identify CSCs from human ovarian cancer cells. The present paper will summarize different investigations on ovarian CSCs, including isolation, mechanisms of chemoresistance, and therapeutic approaches. Although there are still numerous challenges to translate basic research to clinical applications, understanding the molecular details of CSCs is essential for developing effective strategies to prevent ovarian cancer and its recurrence.
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45
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Scatena R, Bottoni P, Giardina B. Circulating tumour cells and cancer stem cells: a role for proteomics in defining the interrelationships between function, phenotype and differentiation with potential clinical applications. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2012; 1835:129-43. [PMID: 23228700 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2012.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2012] [Revised: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Research on the discovery and implementation of valid cancer biomarkers is one of the most challenging fields in oncology and oncoproteomics in particular. Moreover, it is generally accepted that an evaluation of cancer biomarkers from the blood could significantly enable biomarker assessments by providing a relatively non-invasive source of representative tumour material. In this regard, circulating tumour cells (CTCs) isolated from the blood of metastatic cancer patients have significant promise. It has been demonstrated that localised and metastatic cancers may give rise to CTCs, which are detectable in the bloodstream. Despite technical difficulties, recent studies have highlighted the prognostic significance of the presence and number of CTCs in the blood. Future studies are necessary not only to detect CTCs but also to characterise them. Furthermore, another pathogenically significant type of cancer cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or more recently termed circulating tumour stem cells (CTSCs), appears to have a significant role as a subpopulation of CTCs. This review discusses the potential application of proteomic methodologies to improve the isolation and characterisation of CTCs and to distinguish between CTCs with a poor clinical significance and those with important biological and clinical implications.
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Martowicz A, Spizzo G, Gastl G, Untergasser G. Phenotype-dependent effects of EpCAM expression on growth and invasion of human breast cancer cell lines. BMC Cancer 2012; 12:501. [PMID: 23110550 PMCID: PMC3519683 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) has been shown to be overexpressed in breast cancer and stem cells and has emerged as an attractive target for immunotherapy of breast cancer patients. This study analyzes the effects of EpCAM on breast cancer cell lines with epithelial or mesenchymal phenotype. Methods For this purpose, shRNA-mediated knockdown of EpCAM gene expression was performed in EpCAMhigh breast cancer cell lines with epithelial phenotype (MCF-7, T47D and SkBR3). Moreover, EpCAMlow breast carcinoma cell lines with mesenchymal phenotype (MDA-MB-231, Hs578t) and inducible overexpression of EpCAM were used to study effects on proliferation, migration and in vivo growth. Results In comparison to non-specific silencing controls (n/s-crtl) knockdown of EpCAM (E#2) in EpCAMhigh cell lines resulted in reduced cell proliferation under serum-reduced culture conditions. Moreover, DNA synthesis under 3D culture conditions in collagen was significantly reduced. Xenografts of MCF-7 and T47D cells with knockdown of EpCAM formed smaller tumors that were less invasive. EpCAMlow cell lines with tetracycline-inducible overexpression of EpCAM showed no increased cell proliferation or migration under serum-reduced growth conditions. MDA-MB-231 xenografts with EpCAM overexpression showed reduced invasion into host tissue and more infiltrates of chicken granulocytes. Conclusions The role of EpCAM in breast cancer strongly depends on the epithelial or mesenchymal phenotype of tumor cells. Cancer cells with epithelial phenotype need EpCAM as a growth- and invasion-promoting factor, whereas tumor cells with a mesenchymal phenotype are independent of EpCAM in invasion processes and tumor progression. These findings might have clinical implications for EpCAM-based targeting strategies in patients with invasive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Martowicz
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
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Pavšič M, Lenarčič B. Expression, crystallization and preliminary X-ray characterization of the human epithelial cell-adhesion molecule ectodomain. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2011; 67:1363-6. [PMID: 22102232 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309111031897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 08/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial cell-adhesion molecule (EpCAM; CD326) is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in epithelial cell-cell adhesion, cell proliferation and differentiation. Its elevated expression level in various carcinomas is exploited by several antitumour therapies that are at various stages of clinical development. The 35 kDa polypeptide chain of EpCAM is divided into a large extracellular part, a transmembrane helix and a short cytoplasmic tail. The modular extracellular part of human EpCAM was cloned and mutated to prevent N-linked glycosylation. After expression in insect cells and purification using standard chromatographic techniques, the extracellular part was crystallized. The crystals belonged to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 86.83, b = 50.16, c = 66.56 Å, β = 127.9°. The crystal diffracted to 1.95 Å resolution and contained one molecule in the asymmetric unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miha Pavšič
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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48
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Zheng X, Cheung LSL, Schroeder JA, Jiang L, Zohar Y. Cell receptor and surface ligand density effects on dynamic states of adhering circulating tumor cells. LAB ON A CHIP 2011; 11:3431-9. [PMID: 21853194 PMCID: PMC6765388 DOI: 10.1039/c1lc20455f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic states of cancer cells moving under shear flow in an antibody-functionalized microchannel are investigated experimentally and theoretically. The cell motion is analyzed with the aid of a simplified physical model featuring a receptor-coated rigid sphere moving above a solid surface with immobilized ligands. The motion of the sphere is described by the Langevin equation accounting for the hydrodynamic loadings, gravitational force, receptor-ligand bindings, and thermal fluctuations; the receptor-ligand bonds are modeled as linear springs. Depending on the applied shear flow rate, three dynamic states of cell motion have been identified: (i) free motion, (ii) rolling adhesion, and (iii) firm adhesion. Of particular interest is the fraction of captured circulating tumor cells, defined as the capture ratio, via specific receptor-ligand bonds. The cell capture ratio decreases with increasing shear flow rate with a characteristic rate. Based on both experimental and theoretical results, the characteristic flow rate increases monotonically with increasing either cell-receptor or surface-ligand density within certain ranges. Utilizing it as a scaling parameter, flow-rate dependent capture ratios for various cell-surface combinations collapse onto a single curve described by an exponential formula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjun Zheng
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Luthur Siu Lun Cheung
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Joyce A. Schroeder
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Arizona Cancer Center, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- BIO5 Innstitute, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Linan Jiang
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- College of Optical Science, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Yitshak Zohar
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Arizona Cancer Center, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- BIO5 Innstitute, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Agboola AJ, Paish EC, Rakha EA, Powe DG, Macmillan RD, Ellis IO, Green AR. EpCAM expression is an indicator of recurrence in basal-like breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2011; 133:575-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s10549-011-1813-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2011] [Accepted: 09/29/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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50
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Zheng X, Cheung LSL, Schroeder JA, Jiang L, Zohar Y. A high-performance microsystem for isolating circulating tumor cells. LAB ON A CHIP 2011; 11:3269-76. [PMID: 21837324 PMCID: PMC6765387 DOI: 10.1039/c1lc20331b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A unique flow field pattern in a bio-functional microchannel is utilized to significantly enhance the performance of a microsystem developed for selectively isolating circulating tumor cells from cell suspensions. For high performance of such systems, disposal of maximum non-target species is just as important as retention of maximum target species; unfortunately, most studies ignore or fail to report this aspect. Therefore, sensitivity and specificity are introduced as quantitative criteria to evaluate the system performance enabling a direct comparison among systems employing different techniques. The newly proposed fluidic scheme combines a slow flow field, for maximum target-cell attachment, followed by a faster flow field, for maximum detachment of non-target cells. Suspensions of homogeneous or binary mixtures of circulating breast tumor cells, with varying relative concentrations, were driven through antibody-functionalized microchannels. Either EpCAM or cadherin-11 transmembrane receptors were targeted to selectively capture target cells from the suspensions. Cadherin-11-expressing MDA-MB-231 cancer cells were used as target cells, while BT-20 cells were used as non-target cells as they do not express cadherin-11. The attachment and detachment of these two cell lines are characterized, and a two-step attachment/detachment flow field pattern is implemented to enhance the system performance in capturing target cells from binary mixtures. While the system sensitivity remains high, above 0.95, the specificity increases from about 0.85 to 0.95 solely due to the second detachment step even for a 1 : 1000 relative concentration of the target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjun Zheng
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Luthur Siu Lun Cheung
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Joyce A. Schroeder
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Arizona Cancer Center, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- BIO5 Innstitute, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Linan Jiang
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- College of Optical Science, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Yitshak Zohar
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Arizona Cancer Center, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- BIO5 Innstitute, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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