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Zhang YE, Stuelten CH. Alternative splicing in EMT and TGF-β signaling during cancer progression. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 101:1-11. [PMID: 38614376 PMCID: PMC11180579 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.04.001] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological process during development where epithelial cells transform to acquire mesenchymal characteristics, which allows them to migrate and colonize secondary tissues. Many cellular signaling pathways and master transcriptional factors exert a myriad of controls to fine tune this vital process to meet various developmental and physiological needs. Adding to the complexity of this network are post-transcriptional and post-translational regulations. Among them, alternative splicing has been shown to play important roles to drive EMT-associated phenotypic changes, including actin cytoskeleton remodeling, cell-cell junction changes, cell motility and invasiveness. In advanced cancers, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a major inducer of EMT and is associated with tumor cell metastasis, cancer stem cell self-renewal, and drug resistance. This review aims to provide an overview of recent discoveries regarding alternative splicing events and the involvement of splicing factors in the EMT and TGF-β signaling. It will emphasize the importance of various splicing factors involved in EMT and explore their regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying E Zhang
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Christina H Stuelten
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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2
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Miyazawa K, Itoh Y, Fu H, Miyazono K. Receptor-activated transcription factors and beyond: multiple modes of Smad2/3-dependent transmission of TGF-β signaling. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107256. [PMID: 38569937 PMCID: PMC11063908 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that is widely distributed throughout the body. Its receptor proteins, TGF-β type I and type II receptors, are also ubiquitously expressed. Therefore, the regulation of various signaling outputs in a context-dependent manner is a critical issue in this field. Smad proteins were originally identified as signal-activated transcription factors similar to signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins. Smads are activated by serine phosphorylation mediated by intrinsic receptor dual specificity kinases of the TGF-β family, indicating that Smads are receptor-restricted effector molecules downstream of ligands of the TGF-β family. Smad proteins have other functions in addition to transcriptional regulation, including post-transcriptional regulation of micro-RNA processing, pre-mRNA splicing, and m6A methylation. Recent technical advances have identified a novel landscape of Smad-dependent signal transduction, including regulation of mitochondrial function without involving regulation of gene expression. Therefore, Smad proteins are receptor-activated transcription factors and also act as intracellular signaling modulators with multiple modes of function. In this review, we discuss the role of Smad proteins as receptor-activated transcription factors and beyond. We also describe the functional differences between Smad2 and Smad3, two receptor-activated Smad proteins downstream of TGF-β, activin, myostatin, growth and differentiation factor (GDF) 11, and Nodal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Miyazawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
| | - Yuka Itoh
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Hao Fu
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Applied Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
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Yousafzai NA, El Khalki L, Wang W, Szpendyk J, Sossey-Alaoui K. Advances in 3D Culture Models to Study Exosomes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:883. [PMID: 38473244 PMCID: PMC10931050 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050883] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, exhibits distinct subtypes with varying pathological, genetic, and clinical characteristics. Despite advancements in breast cancer treatments, its histological and molecular heterogeneity pose a significant clinical challenge. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapeutics, adds to the complexity of breast cancer treatment. Recent years have witnessed the development of advanced 3D culture technologies, such as organoids and spheroids, providing more representative models of healthy human tissue and various malignancies. These structures, resembling organs in structure and function, are generated from stem cells or organ-specific progenitor cells via self-organizing processes. Notably, 3D culture systems bridge the gap between 2D cultures and in vivo studies, offering a more accurate representation of in vivo tumors' characteristics. Exosomes, small nano-sized molecules secreted by breast cancer and stromal/cancer-associated fibroblast cells, have garnered significant attention. They play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication, influencing tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. The 3D culture environment enhances exosome efficiency compared to traditional 2D cultures, impacting the transfer of specific cargoes and therapeutic effects. Furthermore, 3D exosomes have shown promise in improving therapeutic outcomes, acting as potential vehicles for cancer treatment administration. Studies have demonstrated their role in pro-angiogenesis and their innate therapeutic potential in mimicking cellular therapies without side effects. The 3D exosome model holds potential for addressing challenges associated with drug resistance, offering insights into the mechanisms underlying multidrug resistance and serving as a platform for drug screening. This review seeks to emphasize the crucial role of 3D culture systems in studying breast cancer, especially in understanding the involvement of exosomes in cancer pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelum Aziz Yousafzai
- MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA; (N.A.Y.); (L.E.K.); (W.W.)
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4909, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106-7285, USA
| | - Lamyae El Khalki
- MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA; (N.A.Y.); (L.E.K.); (W.W.)
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4909, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106-7285, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA; (N.A.Y.); (L.E.K.); (W.W.)
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106-7285, USA
| | - Justin Szpendyk
- MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA; (N.A.Y.); (L.E.K.); (W.W.)
| | - Khalid Sossey-Alaoui
- MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA; (N.A.Y.); (L.E.K.); (W.W.)
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4909, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106-7285, USA
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4
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Rosemann J, Pyko J, Jacob R, Macho J, Kappler M, Eckert AW, Haemmerle M, Gutschner T. NANOS1 restricts oral cancer cell motility and TGF-ß signaling. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151400. [PMID: 38401491 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequent type of cancer of the head and neck area accounting for approx. 377,000 new cancer cases every year. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program plays an important role in OSCC progression and metastasis therefore contributing to a poor prognosis in patients with advanced disease. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) is a powerful inducer of EMT thereby increasing cancer cell aggressiveness. Here, we aimed at identifying RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that affect TGF-ß-induced EMT. To this end we treated oral cancer cells with TGF-ß and identified a total of 643 significantly deregulated protein-coding genes in response to TGF-ß. Of note, 19 genes encoded RBPs with NANOS1 being the most downregulated RBP. Subsequent cellular studies demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect of NANOS1 on migration and invasion of SAS oral cancer cells. Further mechanistic studies revealed an interaction of NANOS1 with the TGF-ß receptor 1 (TGFBR1) mRNA, leading to increased decay of this transcript and a reduced TGFBR1 protein expression, thereby preventing downstream TGF-ß/SMAD signaling. In summary, we identified NANOS1 as negative regulator of TGF-ß signaling in oral cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Rosemann
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Section for RNA biology and pathogenesis, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06120, Germany
| | - Jonas Pyko
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Section for RNA biology and pathogenesis, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06120, Germany
| | - Roland Jacob
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Section for RNA biology and pathogenesis, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06120, Germany
| | - Jana Macho
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Section for RNA biology and pathogenesis, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06120, Germany
| | - Matthias Kappler
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06120, Germany
| | - Alexander W Eckert
- Department of Cranio Maxillofacial Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg 90471, Germany
| | - Monika Haemmerle
- Institute of Pathology, Section for Experimental Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06120, Germany
| | - Tony Gutschner
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Section for RNA biology and pathogenesis, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06120, Germany.
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Kwon MJ. Role of epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 in cancer progression. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:331. [PMID: 38110955 PMCID: PMC10729575 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03180-6] [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: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
As aberrant alternative splicing by either dysregulation or mutations of splicing factors contributes to cancer initiation and progression, splicing factors are emerging as potential therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. Therefore, pharmacological modulators targeting splicing factors have been under development. Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) is an epithelial cell-specific splicing factor, whose downregulation is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by regulating alternative splicing of multiple genes, such as CD44, CTNND1, ENAH, and FGFR2. Consistent with the downregulation of ESRP1 during EMT, it has been initially revealed that high ESRP1 expression is associated with favorable prognosis and ESRP1 plays a tumor-suppressive role in cancer progression. However, ESRP1 has been found to promote cancer progression in some cancers, such as breast and ovarian cancers, indicating that it plays a dual role in cancer progression depending on the type of cancer. Furthermore, recent studies have reported that ESRP1 affects tumor growth by regulating the metabolism of tumor cells or immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment, suggesting the novel roles of ESRP1 in addition to EMT. ESRP1 expression was also associated with response to anticancer drugs. This review describes current understanding of the roles and mechanisms of ESRP1 in cancer progression, and further discusses the emerging novel roles of ESRP1 in cancer and recent attempts to target splicing factors for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Jeong Kwon
- Vessel-Organ Interaction Research Center (MRC), College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
- BK21 FOUR KNU Community-Based Intelligent Novel Drug Discovery Education Unit, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
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Saitoh M. Transcriptional regulation of EMT transcription factors in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 97:21-29. [PMID: 37802266 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the processes by which epithelial cells transdifferentiate into mesenchymal cells in the developmental stage, known as "complete EMT." In epithelial cancer, EMT, also termed "partial EMT," is associated with invasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapy, and is elicited by several transcription factors, frequently referred to as EMT transcription factors. Among these transcription factors that regulate EMT, ZEB1/2 (ZEB1 and ZEB2), SNAIL, and TWIST play a prominent role in driving the EMT process (hereafter referred to as "EMT-TFs"). Among these, ZEB1/2 show positive correlation with both expression of mesenchymal marker proteins and the aggressiveness of various carcinomas. On the other hand, TWIST and SNAIL are also correlated with the aggressiveness of carcinomas, but are not highly correlated with mesenchymal marker protein expression. Interestingly, these EMT-TFs are not detected simultaneously in any studied cases of aggressive cancers, except for sarcoma. Thus, only one or some of the EMT-TFs are expressed at high levels in cells of aggressive carcinomas. Expression of EMT-TFs is regulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a well-established inducer of EMT, in cooperation with other signaling molecules, such as active RAS signals. The focus of this review is the molecular mechanisms by which EMT-TFs are transcriptionally sustained at sufficiently high levels in cells of aggressive carcinomas and upregulated by TGF-β during cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masao Saitoh
- Center for Medical Education and Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan.
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Trono P, Tocci A, Palermo B, Di Carlo A, D'Ambrosio L, D'Andrea D, Di Modugno F, De Nicola F, Goeman F, Corleone G, Warren S, Paolini F, Panetta M, Sperduti I, Baldari S, Visca P, Carpano S, Cappuzzo F, Russo V, Tripodo C, Zucali P, Gregorc V, Marchesi F, Nistico P. hMENA isoforms regulate cancer intrinsic type I IFN signaling and extrinsic mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint blockade in NSCLC. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006913. [PMID: 37612043 PMCID: PMC10450042 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006913] [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] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding how cancer signaling pathways promote an immunosuppressive program which sustains acquired or primary resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is a crucial step in improving immunotherapy efficacy. Among the pathways that can affect ICB response is the interferon (IFN) pathway that may be both detrimental and beneficial. The immune sensor retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) induces IFN activation and secretion and is activated by actin cytoskeleton disturbance. The actin cytoskeleton regulatory protein hMENA, along with its isoforms, is a key signaling hub in different solid tumors, and recently its role as a regulator of transcription of genes encoding immunomodulatory secretory proteins has been proposed. When hMENA is expressed in tumor cells with low levels of the epithelial specific hMENA11a isoform, identifies non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with poor prognosis. Aim was to identify cancer intrinsic and extrinsic pathways regulated by hMENA11a downregulation as determinants of ICB response in NSCLC. Here, we present a potential novel mechanism of ICB resistance driven by hMENA11a downregulation. METHODS Effects of hMENA11a downregulation were tested by RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq, flow cytometry and biochemical assays. ICB-treated patient tumor tissues were profiled by Nanostring IO 360 Panel enriched with hMENA custom probes. OAK and POPLAR datasets were used to validate our discovery cohort. RESULTS Transcriptomic and biochemical analyses demonstrated that the depletion of hMENA11a induces IFN pathway activation, the production of different inflammatory mediators including IFNβ via RIG-I, sustains the increase of tumor PD-L1 levels and activates a paracrine loop between tumor cells and a unique macrophage subset favoring an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Notably, when we translated our results in a clinical setting of NSCLC ICB-treated patients, transcriptomic analysis revealed that low expression of hMENA11a, high expression of IFN target genes and high macrophage score identify patients resistant to ICB therapy. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these data establish a new function for the actin cytoskeleton regulator hMENA11a in modulating cancer cell intrinsic type I IFN signaling and extrinsic mechanisms that promote protumoral macrophages and favor EMT. These data highlight the role of actin cytoskeleton disturbance in activating immune suppressive pathways that may be involved in resistance to ICB in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Trono
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tocci
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Belinda Palermo
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Di Carlo
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo D'Ambrosio
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniel D'Andrea
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Francesca Di Modugno
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Frauke Goeman
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Corleone
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Sarah Warren
- NanoString Technologies Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Francesca Paolini
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Panetta
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Sperduti
- Biostatistics Unit, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Baldari
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Visca
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Carpano
- Second Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Cappuzzo
- Second Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Russo
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Department of Health Sciences, Human Pathology Section, Tumor Immunology Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Zucali
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Vanesa Gregorc
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Marchesi
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Nistico
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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Verstappe J, Berx G. A role for partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in enabling stemness in homeostasis and cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 90:15-28. [PMID: 36773819 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Stem cells have self-renewal capacities and the ability to give rise to differentiated cells thereby sustaining tissues during homeostasis and injury. This structural hierarchy extends to tumours which harbor stem-like cells deemed cancer stem cells that propagate the tumour and drive metastasis and relapse. The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which plays an important role in development and cancer cell migration, was shown to be correlated with stemness in both homeostasis and cancer indicating that stemness can be acquired and is not necessarily an intrinsic trait. Nowadays it is experimentally proven that the activation of an EMT program does not necessarily drive cells towards a fully mesenchymal phenotype but rather to hybrid E/M states. This review offers the latest advances in connecting the EMT status and stem-cell state of both non-transformed and cancer cells. Recent literature clearly shows that hybrid EMT states have a higher probability of acquiring stem cell traits. The position of a cell along the EMT-axis which coincides with a stem cell-like state is known as the stemness window. We show how the original EMT-state of a cell dictates the EMT/MET inducing programmes required to reach stemness. Lastly we present the mechanism of stemness regulation and the regulatory feedback loops which position cells at a certain EMT state along the EMT axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Verstappe
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Berx
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
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Li J, Zhou Q, Zhang C, Zhu H, Yao J, Zhang M. Development and validation of novel prognostic models for zinc finger proteins-related genes in soft tissue sarcoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:3171-3190. [PMID: 37100454 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
As the most common transcriptional regulators, zinc finer proteins (ZNFs) play vital roles in occurrence and progression of malignant tumors. Whereas, information regarding the roles of ZNFs in soft tissue sarcomas (STS) remains scarce. In this study, a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis investigating roles of ZNFs in STS was performed. Initially, we extracted raw datasets of differentially expressed ZNFs from GSE2719. Using a sequence of bioinformatics methods, we then investigated the prognostic significance, function, and molecular subtype of these differentially expressed ZNFs. In addition, CCK8 and plate clone formation assays were used to explore the effect of ZNF141 on STS cells. A total of 110 differentially expressed ZNFs were identified. Nine ZNFs (HLTF, ZNF292, ZNF141, LDB3, PHF14, ZNF322, PDLIM1, NR3C2, and LIMS2) were selected to establish an overall survival (OS) prediction model, and seven ZNFs (ZIC1, ZNF141, ZHX2, ZNF281, ZNHIT2, NR3C2, and LIMS2) were used to develop a progression-free survival (PFS) prediction model. Compared with patients with low-risk in the TCGA training and testing cohorts, as well as the GEO validation cohorts, patients with high-risk had poorer OS and PFS. Using nomograms constructed with the identified ZNFs predicting OS and PFS, we established a clinically useful model. Four distinct molecular subtypes with different prognostic and immune infiltration characteristics were identified. In vitro experiments showed that ZNF141 promoted the proliferation and viability of STS cells. In conclusion, ZNF-related models are useful as prognostic biomarkers, suggesting their potentials as therapeutic targets in STS. These findings will enable us to develop novel strategies treating STS, which will potentially improve outcomes of patients with STS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqing Li
- Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Center, Luoyang Orthopedic-Traumatological Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital), Zhengzhou, China
| | - Quan Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan University People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Changsheng Zhang
- Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Center, Luoyang Orthopedic-Traumatological Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital), Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huimin Zhu
- Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Center, Luoyang Orthopedic-Traumatological Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital), Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jie Yao
- Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Center, Luoyang Orthopedic-Traumatological Hospital of Henan Province (Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital), Zhengzhou, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan University People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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10
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Cao S, Xiao S, Zhang J, Li S. Identification of the cell cycle characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer and its relationship with tumor immune microenvironment, cell death pathways, and metabolic reprogramming. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1147366. [PMID: 37091844 PMCID: PMC10117961 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1147366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe genes related to the cell cycle progression could be considered the key factors in human cancers. However, the genes involved in cell cycle regulation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not yet been reported. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the genes related to the cell cycle in all types of cancers, especially NSCLC.MethodsThis study constituted the first pan-cancer landscape of cell cycle signaling. Cluster analysis based on cell cycle signaling was conducted to identify the potential molecular heterogeneity of NSCLC. Further, the discrepancies in the tumor immune microenvironment, metabolic remodeling, and cell death among the three clusters were investigated. Immunohistochemistry was performed to validate the protein levels of the ZWINT gene and examine its relationship with the clinical characteristics. Bioinformatics analyses and experimental validation of the ZWINT gene were also conducted.ResultsFirst, pan-cancer analysis provided an overview of cell cycle signaling and highlighted its crucial role in cancer. A majority of cell cycle regulators play risk roles in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD); however, some cell cycle genes play protective roles in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Cluster analysis revealed three potential subtypes for patients with NSCLC. LUAD patients with high cell cycle activities were associated with worse prognosis; while, LUSC patients with high cell cycle activities were associated with a longer survival time. Moreover, the above three subtypes of NSCLC exhibited distinct immune microenvironments, metabolic remodeling, and cell death pathways. ZWINT, a member of the cell signaling pathway, was observed to be significantly associated with the prognosis of LUAD patients. A series of experiments verified the higher expression levels of ZWINT in NSCLC compared to those in paracancerous tissues. The activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by ZWINT might be responsible for tumor progression.ConclusionThis study revealed the regulatory function of the cell cycle genes in NSCLC, and the molecular classification based on cell cycle-associated genes could evaluate the different prognoses of patients with NSCLC. ZWINT expression was found to be significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues, which might promote tumor progression via activation of the EMT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengji Cao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Sitong Xiao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third People’s Hospital of Yuhang District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingyang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Shijun Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- *Correspondence: Shijun Li,
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Wenhua S, Tsunematsu T, Umeda M, Tawara H, Fujiwara N, Mouri Y, Arakaki R, Ishimaru N, Kudo Y. Cancer cell-derived novel periostin isoform promotes invasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Med 2023; 12:8510-8525. [PMID: 36691359 PMCID: PMC10134278 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
It recently has been reported that partial-epithelial-mesenchymal transition (p-EMT) program is associated with metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We previously have identified POSTN (which encodes periostin) as an invasion-promoting molecule in HNSCC. Interestingly, POSTN expression is frequently observed in cancer cells with higher p-EMT score by using a previous single-cell transcriptomic data of HNSCC cases. Although it is known that POSTN has 11 splicing variants, the role of them has not been determined in HNSCC. Here, we found that HNSCC cells with EMT features expressed POSTN isoforms, Iso3 (lacking exon 17 and 21) and Iso5 (lacking exon 17), whereas fibroblast expressed Iso3 and Iso4 (lacking exon 17, 18, and 21). The expression of POSTN Iso3 and Iso4 are known to be widely observed in various cell types including stromal cells. Therefore, we focused on the role of novel cancer cell-derived POSTN isoform, Iso5, in HNSCC. Single overexpression of POSTN Iso5 as well as Iso3 promoted invasion. Surprisingly, Iso5 synergistically promoted invasion together with Iso3. Notably, Iso5 as well as Iso3 upregulated p-EMT-related genes. We suggest that a novel cancer-specific POSTN isoform lacking exon 17 (Iso5) can be a useful marker for detecting cancer cells undergoing p-EMT. Moreover, a POSTN Iso5 can be a novel target for diagnosis and therapy in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao Wenhua
- Department of Oral Bioscience, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Takaaki Tsunematsu
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Masaaki Umeda
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tawara
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Natsumi Fujiwara
- Department of Oral Healthcare Promotion, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Mouri
- Department of Oral Bioscience, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Rieko Arakaki
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Naozumi Ishimaru
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yasusei Kudo
- Department of Oral Bioscience, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
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12
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Underlying mechanisms of epithelial splicing regulatory proteins in cancer progression. J Mol Med (Berl) 2022; 100:1539-1556. [PMID: 36163376 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02257-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second-leading disease-related cause of global mortality after cardiovascular disease. Despite significant advances in cancer therapeutic strategies, cancer remains one of the major obstacles to human life extension. Cancer pathogenesis is extremely complicated and not fully understood. Epithelial splicing regulatory proteins (ESRPs), including ESRP1 and ESRP2, belong to the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein family of RNA-binding proteins and are crucial regulators of the alternative splicing of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The expression and activity of ESRPs are modulated by various mechanisms, including post-translational modifications and non-coding RNAs. Although a growing body of evidence suggests that ESRP dysregulation is closely associated with cancer progression, the detailed mechanisms remain inconclusive. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the structures, functions, and regulatory mechanisms of ESRPs and focus on their underlying mechanisms in cancer progression. We also highlight the clinical implications of ESRPs as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. The information reviewed herein could be extremely beneficial to the development of individualized therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.
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13
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Zhu H, Zhou W, Wan Y, Lu J, Ge K, Jia C. CD44V3, an Alternatively Spliced Form of CD44, Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012061. [PMID: 36292918 PMCID: PMC9603666 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignant tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for its progression are little known. This study aimed to understand the regulatory role of CD44V3 in pancreatic cancer. A Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to reveal the correlation between CD44/CD44V3 expression and the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. CD44V3 and U2AF1 were knocked down using shRNAs. The proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness of two pancreatic cell lines, BxPC-3 and AsPC-1, were examined. The expression of CD44V3, cancer-associated markers, and the activation of AKT signaling were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Both CD44 and CD44V3 expression levels were associated with a poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. Interestingly, the expression of CD44V3, instead of CD44, was greatly increased in tumor tissues. CD44V3 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness of cancer cells. CD44V3 splicing was regulated by U2AF1 and downregulation of U2AF1 enhanced CD44V3 expression, which promoted pancreatic cancer progression. CD44V3 is an important cancer-promoting factor, which may serve as a potential candidate for pancreatic cancer intervention.
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14
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Freckmann EC, Sandilands E, Cumming E, Neilson M, Román-Fernández A, Nikolatou K, Nacke M, Lannagan TRM, Hedley A, Strachan D, Salji M, Morton JP, McGarry L, Leung HY, Sansom OJ, Miller CJ, Bryant DM. Traject3d allows label-free identification of distinct co-occurring phenotypes within 3D culture by live imaging. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5317. [PMID: 36085324 PMCID: PMC9463449 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32958-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Single cell profiling by genetic, proteomic and imaging methods has expanded the ability to identify programmes regulating distinct cell states. The 3-dimensional (3D) culture of cells or tissue fragments provides a system to study how such states contribute to multicellular morphogenesis. Whether cells plated into 3D cultures give rise to a singular phenotype or whether multiple biologically distinct phenotypes arise in parallel is largely unknown due to a lack of tools to detect such heterogeneity. Here we develop Traject3d (Trajectory identification in 3D), a method for identifying heterogeneous states in 3D culture and how these give rise to distinct phenotypes over time, from label-free multi-day time-lapse imaging. We use this to characterise the temporal landscape of morphological states of cancer cell lines, varying in metastatic potential and drug resistance, and use this information to identify drug combinations that inhibit such heterogeneity. Traject3d is therefore an important companion to other single-cell technologies by facilitating real-time identification via live imaging of how distinct states can lead to alternate phenotypes that occur in parallel in 3D culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva C Freckmann
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1HQ, United Kingdom
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Sandilands
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1HQ, United Kingdom
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Erin Cumming
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1HQ, United Kingdom
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Neilson
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Alvaro Román-Fernández
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1HQ, United Kingdom
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantina Nikolatou
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1HQ, United Kingdom
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Marisa Nacke
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1HQ, United Kingdom
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ann Hedley
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - David Strachan
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Salji
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer P Morton
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1HQ, United Kingdom
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Lynn McGarry
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Hing Y Leung
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1HQ, United Kingdom
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1HQ, United Kingdom
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - Crispin J Miller
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1HQ, United Kingdom
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - David M Bryant
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1HQ, United Kingdom.
- The CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, United Kingdom.
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15
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Saitoh M. Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition by Synergy between Transforming Growth Factor-β and Growth Factors in Cancer Progression. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12092127. [PMID: 36140527 PMCID: PMC9497767 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12092127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in appropriate embryonic development, as well as wound healing, organ fibrosis, and cancer progression. During cancer progression, EMT is associated with the invasion, metastasis, and generation of circulating tumor cells and cancer stem cells, as well as resistance to chemo- and radiation therapy. EMT is induced by several transcription factors, known as EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs). In nearly all cases, EMT-TFs appear to be regulated by growth factors or cytokines and extracellular matrix components. Among these factors, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β acts as the key mediator for EMT during physiological and pathological processes. TGF-β can initiate and maintain EMT by activating intracellular/intercellular signaling pathways and transcriptional factors. Recent studies have provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sustained EMT in aggressive cancer cells, EMT induced by TGF-β, and crosstalk between TGF-β and growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masao Saitoh
- Center for Medical Education and Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo-City, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
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16
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ZEB1: Catalyst of immune escape during tumor metastasis. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113490. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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17
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Weng C, Li G, Zhang D, Duan Z, Chen K, Zhang J, Li T, Wang J. Nanoscale Porphyrin Metal-Organic Frameworks Deliver siRNA for Alleviating Early Pulmonary Fibrosis in Acute Lung Injury. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:939312. [PMID: 35923570 PMCID: PMC9339993 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.939312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) has high mortality and still lacks novel and efficient therapies. Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 and 2 (ZEB1/2) are highly expressed in the early stage of ALI and are positively correlated with the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Herein, we developed a nanoscale Zr(IV)-based porphyrin metal-organic (ZPM) framework to deliver small interfering ZEB1/2 (siZEB1/2) to alleviate early pulmonary fibrosis during ALI. This pH-responsive nano-ZPM system could effectively protect siRNAs during lung delivery until after internalization and rapidly trigger siRNA release under the mildly acidic environment of the endo/lysosome (pH 4.0–6.5) for transfection and gene silencing. Furthermore, the in vivo studies confirmed that this nano-ZPM system could anchor in inflamed lungs. Moreover, the ZEB1/2 silencing led to increased E-cadherin and decreased α-SMA levels. Overall, the nano-ZPM system was an excellent non-viral vector system to deliver siRNAs to alleviate early pulmonary fibrosis during ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changmei Weng
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Guanhua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zhaoxia Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Kuijun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jieyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Tao Li
- Center for Joint Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Tao Li, ; Jianmin Wang,
| | - Jianmin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Tao Li, ; Jianmin Wang,
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18
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Beyond Genetics: Metastasis as an Adaptive Response in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116271. [PMID: 35682953 PMCID: PMC9181003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic disease represents the primary cause of breast cancer (BC) mortality, yet it is still one of the most enigmatic processes in the biology of this tumor. Metastatic progression includes distinct phases: invasion, intravasation, hematogenous dissemination, extravasation and seeding at distant sites, micro-metastasis formation and metastatic outgrowth. Whole-genome sequencing analyses of primary BC and metastases revealed that BC metastatization is a non-genetically selected trait, rather the result of transcriptional and metabolic adaptation to the unfavorable microenvironmental conditions which cancer cells are exposed to (e.g., hypoxia, low nutrients, endoplasmic reticulum stress and chemotherapy administration). In this regard, the latest multi-omics analyses unveiled intra-tumor phenotypic heterogeneity, which determines the polyclonal nature of breast tumors and constitutes a challenge for clinicians, correlating with patient poor prognosis. The present work reviews BC classification and epidemiology, focusing on the impact of metastatic disease on patient prognosis and survival, while describing general principles and current in vitro/in vivo models of the BC metastatic cascade. The authors address here both genetic and phenotypic intrinsic heterogeneity of breast tumors, reporting the latest studies that support the role of the latter in metastatic spreading. Finally, the review illustrates the mechanisms underlying adaptive stress responses during BC metastatic progression.
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19
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Role of CD44 isoforms in epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and metastasis. Clin Exp Metastasis 2022; 39:391-406. [PMID: 35023031 PMCID: PMC10042269 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-022-10146-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cellular plasticity lies at the core of cancer progression, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. Stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in cancer are concepts that represent a cancer cell's ability to coopt and adapt normal developmental programs to promote survival and expansion. The cancer stem cell model states that a small subset of cancer cells with stem cell-like properties are responsible for driving tumorigenesis and metastasis while remaining especially resistant to common chemotherapeutic drugs. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity describes a cancer cell's ability to transition between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes which drives invasion and metastasis. Recent research supports the existence of stable epithelial/mesenchymal hybrid phenotypes which represent highly plastic states with cancer stem cell characteristics. The cell adhesion molecule CD44 is a widely accepted marker for cancer stem cells, and it lies at a functional intersection between signaling networks regulating both stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. CD44 expression is complex, with alternative splicing producing many isoforms. Interestingly, not only does the pattern of isoform expression change during transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes in cancer, but these isoforms have distinct effects on cell behavior including the promotion of metastasis and stemness. The role of CD44 both downstream and upstream of signaling pathways regulating epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and stemness make this protein a valuable target for further research and therapeutic intervention.
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20
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Ichikawa MK, Endo K, Itoh Y, Osada AH, Kimura Y, Ueki K, Yoshizawa K, Miyazawa K, Saitoh M. Ets family proteins regulate the EMT transcription factors Snail and ZEB in cancer cells. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:1353-1364. [PMID: 35451213 PMCID: PMC9249322 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial morphological event that occurs during epithelial tumor progression. Snail and ZEB1/2 (ZEB1 and ZEB2), known as EMT transcription factors, are key regulators of this transition. ZEB1/2 are positively correlated with EMT phenotypes and the aggressiveness of cancers. On the contrary, Snail is also correlated with the aggressiveness of cancers, but is not correlated with the expression of EMT marker proteins. Snail is induced by transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), a well‐known inducer of EMT, in various cancer cells. Interestingly, Snail induction by TGF‐β is markedly enhanced by active Ras signals. Thus, cancer cells harboring an active Ras mutation exhibit a drastic induction of Snail by TGF‐β alone. Here, we found that members of the E26 transformation‐specific (Ets) transcription factor family, Ets1 and Ets2, contribute to the upregulation of both Snail and ZEB1/2. Snail induction by TGF‐β and active Ras is dramatically inhibited using siRNAs against both Ets1 and Ets2 together, but not on their own; in addition, siRNAs against both Ets1 and Ets2 also downregulate the constitutive expression of Snail and ZEB1/2 in cancer cells. Examination of several alternatively spliced variants of Ets1 revealed that p54‐Ets1, which includes exon VII, but not p42‐Ets1, which excludes exon VII, regulates the expression of the EMT transcription factors, suggesting that Ets1 is a crucial molecule for regulating Snail and ZEB1/2, and thus cancer progression is mediated through post‐translational modification of the exon VII domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Koizumi Ichikawa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan.,Center for Medical Education and Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kaori Endo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan.,Center for Medical Education and Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yuka Itoh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Asami Hotta Osada
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yujiro Kimura
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Koichiro Ueki
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kunio Yoshizawa
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Keiji Miyazawa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Masao Saitoh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan.,Center for Medical Education and Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo-city, Yamanashi, Japan
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21
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Ungefroren H, Thürling I, Färber B, Kowalke T, Fischer T, De Assis LVM, Braun R, Castven D, Oster H, Konukiewitz B, Wellner UF, Lehnert H, Marquardt JU. The Quasimesenchymal Pancreatic Ductal Epithelial Cell Line PANC-1-A Useful Model to Study Clonal Heterogeneity and EMT Subtype Shifting. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092057. [PMID: 35565186 PMCID: PMC9101310 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Malignant tumors often escape therapy due to clonal propagation of a subfraction of drug-resistant cancer cells. The underlying phenomenon of intratumoral heterogeneity is driven by epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) involving the developmental programs, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), in which epithelial cells are converted to invasive mesenchymal cells, and the reverse process, mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET), which allows for metastatic outgrowth at distant sites. For therapeutic targeting of EMP, a better understanding of this process is required; however, cellular models with which to study EMP in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are scarce. Using single-cell clonal analysis, we have found the PDAC cell line, PANC-1, to consist of cells with different E/M phenotypes and functional attributes. Parental PANC-1 cultures could be induced in vitro to shift towards either a more mesenchymal or a more epithelial phenotype, and this bidirectional shift was controlled by the small GTPases RAC1 and RAC1b, together identifying PANC-1 cells as a useful model with which to study EMP. Abstract Intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) is an intrinsic feature of malignant tumors that eventually allows a subfraction of resistant cancer cells to clonally evolve and cause therapy failure or relapse. ITH, cellular plasticity and tumor progression are driven by epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the reverse process, MET. During these developmental programs, epithelial (E) cells are successively converted to invasive mesenchymal (M) cells, or back to E cells, by passing through a series of intermediate E/M states, a phenomenon termed E–M plasticity (EMP). The induction of MET has clinical potential as it can block the initial EMT stages that favor tumor cell dissemination, while its inhibition can curb metastatic outgrowth at distant sites. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), cellular models with which to study EMP or MET induction are scarce. Here, we have generated single cell-derived clonal cultures of the quasimesenchymal PDAC-derived cell line, PANC-1, and found that these differ strongly with respect to cell morphology and EMT marker expression, allowing for their tentative classification as E, E/M or M. Interestingly, the different EMT phenotypes were found to segregate with differences in tumorigenic potential in vitro, as measured by colony forming and invasive activities, and in circadian clock function. Moreover, the individual clones the phenotypes of which remained stable upon prolonged culture also responded differently to treatment with transforming growth factor (TGF)β1 in regard to regulation of growth and individual TGFβ target genes, and to culture conditions that favour ductal-to-endocrine transdifferentiation as a more direct measure for cellular plasticity. Of note, stimulation with TGFβ1 induced a shift in parental PANC-1 cultures towards a more extreme M and invasive phenotype, while exposing the cells to a combination of the proinflammatory cytokines IFNγ, IL1β and TNFα (IIT) elicited a shift towards a more E and less invasive phenotype resembling a MET-like process. Finally, we show that the actions of TGFβ1 and IIT both converge on regulating the ratio of the small GTPase RAC1 and its splice isoform, RAC1b. Our data provide strong evidence for dynamic EMT–MET transitions and qualify this cell line as a useful model with which to study EMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (I.T.); (T.K.); (T.F.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
- Clinic for Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (B.F.); (R.B.); (U.F.W.)
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, D-24105 Kiel, Germany;
- Correspondence:
| | - Isabel Thürling
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (I.T.); (T.K.); (T.F.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Benedikt Färber
- Clinic for Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (B.F.); (R.B.); (U.F.W.)
| | - Tanja Kowalke
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (I.T.); (T.K.); (T.F.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Tanja Fischer
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (I.T.); (T.K.); (T.F.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Leonardo Vinícius Monteiro De Assis
- Institute for Neurobiology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (L.V.M.D.A.); (H.O.)
| | - Rüdiger Braun
- Clinic for Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (B.F.); (R.B.); (U.F.W.)
| | - Darko Castven
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (I.T.); (T.K.); (T.F.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Henrik Oster
- Institute for Neurobiology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (L.V.M.D.A.); (H.O.)
| | - Björn Konukiewitz
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, D-24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Ulrich Friedrich Wellner
- Clinic for Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (B.F.); (R.B.); (U.F.W.)
| | | | - Jens-Uwe Marquardt
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (I.T.); (T.K.); (T.F.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
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22
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Tsubakihara Y, Ohata Y, Okita Y, Younis S, Eriksson J, Sellin ME, Ren J, Ten Dijke P, Miyazono K, Hikita A, Imamura T, Kato M, Heldin CH, Moustakas A. TGFβ selects for pro-stemness over pro-invasive phenotypes during cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:2330-2354. [PMID: 35348275 PMCID: PMC9208077 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which correlates with stemness and invasiveness. Mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) is induced by TGFβ withdrawal and correlates with metastatic colonization. Whether TGFβ promotes stemness and invasiveness simultaneously via EMT remains unclear. We established a breast cancer cell model expressing red fluorescent protein (RFP) under the E-cadherin promoter. In 2D cultures, TGFβ induced EMT, generating RFPlow cells with a mesenchymal transcriptome, and regained RFP, with an epithelial transcriptome, after MET induced by TGFβ withdrawal. RFPlow cells generated robust mammospheres, with epithelio-mesenchymal cell surface features. Mammospheres that were forced to adhere generated migratory cells, devoid of RFP, a phenotype which was inhibited by a TGFβ receptor kinase inhibitor. Further stimulation of RFPlow mammospheres with TGFβ suppressed the generation of motile cells, but enhanced mammosphere growth. Accordingly, mammary fat-pad-transplanted mammospheres, in the absence of exogenous TGFβ treatment, established lung metastases with evident MET (RFPhigh cells). In contrast, TGFβ-treated mammospheres revealed high tumor-initiating capacity, but limited metastatic potential. Thus, the biological context of partial EMT and MET allows TGFβ to differentiate between pro-stemness and pro-invasive phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaro Tsubakihara
- Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Box 582, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, SE-75123, Uppsala, Sweden.,Dept. of Experimental Pathology and Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yae Ohata
- Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Box 582, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, SE-75123, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yukari Okita
- Dept. of Experimental Pathology and Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shady Younis
- Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Box 582, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, SE-75123, Uppsala, Sweden.,Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jens Eriksson
- Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Box 582, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, SE-75123, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikael E Sellin
- Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Box 582, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, SE-75123, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jiang Ren
- Dept. of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Dept. of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Dept. of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Hikita
- Div. of Tissue Engineering, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Takeshi Imamura
- Dept. of Molecular Medicine for Pathogenesis, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Mitsuyasu Kato
- Dept. of Experimental Pathology and Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Carl-Henrik Heldin
- Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Box 582, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, SE-75123, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aristidis Moustakas
- Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Box 582, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, SE-75123, Uppsala, Sweden
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23
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Transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity: why so many regulators? Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:182. [PMID: 35278142 PMCID: PMC8918127 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04199-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic transition between epithelial-like and mesenchymal-like cell states has been a focus for extensive investigation for decades, reflective of the importance of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) through development, in the adult, and the contributing role EMT has to pathologies including metastasis and fibrosis. Not surprisingly, regulation of the complex genetic networks that underlie EMT have been attributed to multiple transcription factors and microRNAs. What is surprising, however, are the sheer number of different regulators (hundreds of transcription factors and microRNAs) for which critical roles have been described. This review seeks not to collate these studies, but to provide a perspective on the fundamental question of whether it is really feasible that so many regulators play important roles and if so, what does this tell us about EMT and more generally, the genetic machinery that controls complex biological processes.
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24
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Öther-Gee Pohl S, Myant KB. Alternative RNA splicing in tumour heterogeneity, plasticity and therapy. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:dmm049233. [PMID: 35014671 PMCID: PMC8764416 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is a process by which a single gene is able to encode multiple different protein isoforms. It is regulated by the inclusion or exclusion of introns and exons that are joined in different patterns prior to protein translation, thus enabling transcriptomic and proteomic diversity. It is now widely accepted that alternative splicing is dysregulated across nearly all cancer types. This widespread dysregulation means that nearly all cellular processes are affected - these include processes synonymous with the hallmarks of cancer - evasion of apoptosis, tissue invasion and metastasis, altered cellular metabolism, genome instability and drug resistance. Emerging evidence indicates that the dysregulation of alternative splicing also promotes a permissive environment for increased tumour heterogeneity and cellular plasticity. These are fundamental regulators of a patient's response to therapy. In this Review, we introduce the mechanisms of alternative splicing and the role of aberrant splicing in cancer, with particular focus on newfound evidence of alternative splicing promoting tumour heterogeneity, cellular plasticity and altered metabolism. We discuss recent in vivo models generated to study alternative splicing and the importance of these for understanding complex tumourigenic processes. Finally, we review the effects of alternative splicing on immune evasion, cell death and genome instability, and how targeting these might enhance therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin B. Myant
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics of Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
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25
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Lyu J, Cheng C. Regulation of Alternative Splicing during Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Cells Tissues Organs 2022; 211:238-251. [PMID: 34348273 PMCID: PMC8741878 DOI: 10.1159/000518249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is an essential mechanism of gene regulation, giving rise to remarkable protein diversity in higher eukaryotes. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmental process that plays an essential role in metazoan embryogenesis. Recent studies have revealed that alternative splicing serves as a fundamental layer of regulation that governs cells to undergo EMT. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the functional impact of alternative splicing in EMT and EMT-associated activities. We then discuss the regulatory mechanisms that control alternative splicing changes during EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Lyu
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Department of Molecular
& Human Genetics, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College
of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate
Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chonghui Cheng
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Department of Molecular
& Human Genetics, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College
of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate
Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,To whom correspondence should be addressed:
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26
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Miyashita N, Enokido T, Horie M, Fukuda K, Urushiyama H, Strell C, Brunnström H, Micke P, Saito A, Nagase T. TGF-β-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor-promoting effects in CMT64 cells are reflected in the transcriptomic signature of human lung adenocarcinoma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22380. [PMID: 34789779 PMCID: PMC8599691 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01799-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular process during which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal phenotypes. Cancer cells undergo EMT to acquire malignant features and TGF-β is a key regulator of EMT. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that TGF-β could elicit EMT in a mouse lung adenocarcinoma cell line. TGF-β signaling activation led to cell morphological changes corresponding to EMT and enhanced the expression of mesenchymal markers and EMT-associated transcription factors in CMT64 lung cancer cells. RNA-sequencing analyses revealed that TGF-β increases expression of Tead transcription factors and an array of Tead2 target genes. TGF-β stimulation also resulted in alternative splicing of several genes including Cd44, tight junction protein 1 (Tjp1), and Cortactin (Cttn). In parallel with EMT, TGF-β enhanced cell growth of CMT64 cells and promoted tumor formation in a syngeneic transplantation model. Of clinical importance, the expression of TGF-β-induced genes identified in CMT64 cells correlated with EMT gene signatures in human lung adenocarcinoma tissue samples. Furthermore, TGF-β-induced gene enrichment was related to poor prognosis, underscoring the tumor-promoting role of TGF-β signaling in lung adenocarcinoma. Our cellular and syngeneic transplantation model would provide a simple and useful experimental tool to study the significance of TGF-β signaling and EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Miyashita
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Takayoshi Enokido
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masafumi Horie
- Department of Cancer Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kensuke Fukuda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Urushiyama
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Carina Strell
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hans Brunnström
- Laboratory Medicine Region Skåne, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Pathology, Lund University, 22185, Lund, Sweden
| | - Patrick Micke
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Akira Saito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takahide Nagase
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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27
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Epithelial plasticity, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and the TGF-β family. Dev Cell 2021; 56:726-746. [PMID: 33756119 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial cells repress epithelial characteristics and elaborate mesenchymal characteristics to migrate to other locations and acquire new properties. Epithelial plasticity responses are directed through cooperation of signaling pathways, with TGF-β and TGF-β-related proteins playing prominent instructive roles. Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) directed by activin-like molecules, bone morphogenetic proteins, or TGF-β regulate metazoan development and wound healing and drive fibrosis and cancer progression. In carcinomas, diverse EMTs enable stem cell generation, anti-cancer drug resistance, genomic instability, and localized immunosuppression. This review discusses roles of TGF-β and TGF-β-related proteins, and underlying molecular mechanisms, in epithelial plasticity in development and wound healing, fibrosis, and cancer.
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28
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The RNA-Binding Protein ESRP1 Modulates the Expression of RAC1b in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164092. [PMID: 34439247 PMCID: PMC8392041 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third for incidence and second for number of deaths among cancer types worldwide. Poor patient survival due to inadequate response to currently available treatment regimens points to the urgent requirement for personalized therapy in CRC patients. Our aim was to provide mechanistic insights into the pro-tumorigenic role of the RNA-binding protein ESRP1, which is highly expressed in a subset of CRC patients. We show that, in CRC cells, ESRP1 binds to and has the same trend in expression as RAC1b, a well-known tumor promoter. Thus, RAC1b may be a potential therapeutic target in ESRP1-overexpressing CRC. Abstract RNA binding proteins are well recognized as critical regulators of tumorigenic processes through their capacity to modulate RNA biogenesis, including alternative splicing, RNA stability and mRNA translation. The RNA binding protein Epithelial Splicing Regulatory Protein 1 (ESRP1) can act as a tumor suppressor or promoter in a cell type- and disease context-dependent manner. We have previously shown that elevated expression of ESRP1 in colorectal cancer cells can drive tumor progression. To gain further insights into the pro-tumorigenic mechanism of action of ESRP1, we performed cDNA microarray analysis on two colorectal cells lines modulated for ESRP1 expression. Intriguingly, RAC1b was highly expressed, both at mRNA and protein levels, in ESRP1-overexpressing cells, while the opposite trend was observed in ESRP1-silenced CRC cells. Moreover, RAC1 and RAC1b mRNA co-immunoprecipitate with ESRP1 protein. Silencing of RAC1b expression significantly reduced the number of soft agar colonies formed by ESRP1-overexpressing cells, suggesting that ESRP1 acted, at least partially, through RAC1b in its tumor-promoting activities in CRC cells. Thus, our data provide molecular cues on targetable candidates in CRC cases with high ESRP1 expression.
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29
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Ashok C, Ahuja N, Natua S, Mishra J, Samaiya A, Shukla S. E2F1 and epigenetic modifiers orchestrate breast cancer progression by regulating oxygen-dependent ESRP1 expression. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:58. [PMID: 34362878 PMCID: PMC8346533 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00347-6] [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: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) is an RNA binding protein that governs the alternative splicing events related to epithelial phenotypes. ESRP1 contributes significantly at different stages of cancer progression. ESRP1 expression is substantially elevated in carcinoma in situ compared to the normal epithelium, whereas it is drastically ablated in cancer cells within hypoxic niches, which promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Although a considerable body of research sought to understand the EMT-associated ESRP1 downregulation, the regulatory mechanisms underlying ESRP1 upregulation in primary tumors remained largely uncharted. This study seeks to unveil the regulatory mechanisms that spatiotemporally fine-tune the ESRP1 expression during breast carcinogenesis. Our results reveal that an elevated expression of transcription factor E2F1 and increased CpG hydroxymethylation of the E2F1 binding motif conjointly induce ESRP1 expression in breast carcinoma. However, E2F1 fails to upregulate ESRP1 despite its abundance in oxygen-deprived breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, impelled by the hypoxia-driven reduction of tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 3 (TET3) activity, CpG sites across the E2F1 binding motif lose the hydroxymethylation marks while gaining the de novo methyltransferase-elicited methylation marks. These two oxygen-sensitive epigenetic events work in concert to repel E2F1 from the ESRP1 promoter, thereby diminishing ESRP1 expression under hypoxia. Furthermore, E2F1 skews the cancer spliceome by upregulating splicing factor SRSF7 in hypoxic breast cancer cells. Our findings provide previously unreported mechanistic insights into the plastic nature of ESRP1 expression and insinuate important implications in therapeutics targeting breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheemala Ashok
- grid.462376.20000 0004 1763 8131Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Neha Ahuja
- grid.462376.20000 0004 1763 8131Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Subhashis Natua
- grid.462376.20000 0004 1763 8131Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Jharna Mishra
- Department of Pathology, Bansal Hospital, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Atul Samaiya
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Bansal Hospital, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Sanjeev Shukla
- grid.462376.20000 0004 1763 8131Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh India
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30
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刘 佳, 米 春, 龙 文, 孙 涛. Role of alternative splicing events in endometrial cancer prognosis. ZHONG NAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021; 46:680-688. [PMID: 34382583 PMCID: PMC10930128 DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2021.190763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Alternative splicing (AS), as a potent and pervasive mechanism of transcriptional regulation, can expand the genome's coding capacity. Growing evidence suggests that the AS events may be associated with various types of cancer. This study aims to explore the prognostic value of AS in endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS Differently expressed AS (DEAS) events were screened by pairing the percent spliced in (PSI) value of tumor and paracancerous tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were performed on their parental gene analysis of organisms. Subsequently, univariate Cox analysis was used to identify the prognostic AS events and a stepwise multi-factor Cox regression analysis was performed to further construct prognostic models. Furthermore, the diagnostic value of the prognostic model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Finally, the regulatory network of AS events and splicing factory in the model was also constructed. RESULTS A total of 28 281 AS events were detected in EC. Of them, 42 DEAS were identified, and their parental genes were involved in tumor-related processes such as meiotic nuclear division, alpha-amino acid biosynthetic process, nuclear division, and so on. Univariate Cox analysis identified 2 289 prognostic-related AS events and constructed Cox prognostic models based on 7 different types and all types of AS events, in which the area under the curve of ROC of all types was as high as 0.882 and was better than that of 7 different splicing types. Finally, 12 splicing factors and AS events showed an obvious regulatory relationship. CONCLUSIONS We use the whole genome analysis of AS events to establish a scientific prognostic prediction model for EC patients, which provides a reliable theoretical basis for the evaluation of EC clinical prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - 春梅 米
- 米春梅,, ORCID: 0000-0002-8558-8602
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31
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Wang J. Prognostic score model-based signature genes for predicting the prognosis of metastatic skin cutaneous melanoma. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2021; 18:5125-5145. [PMID: 34517481 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2021261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is the most invasive malignancy of skin cancer. Metastasis to distant lymph nodes or other system is an indicator of poor prognosis in melanoma patients. The aim of this study was to identify reliable prognostic biomarkers for SKCMs. METHODS Four RNA-sequencing datasets associated with SKCMs were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database as well as corresponding clinical information. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between primary and metastatic samples by using MetaDE tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to screen functional modules. A prognostic score (PS)-based predictive model and nomogram model were constructed to identify signature genes and independent clinicopathologic factors. RESULTS Based on MetaDE analysis and WGCNA, a total of 456 overlapped genes were identified as hub genes related to SKCMs progression. Functional enrichment analysis revealed these genes were mainly involved in the hippo signaling pathway, signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells, pathways in cancer. In addition, eight optimal DEGs (RFPL1S, CTSV, EGLN3, etc.) were identified as signature genes by using PS model. Cox regression analysis revealed that pathologic stage T, N and recurrence were independent prognostic factors. Three clinical factors and PS status were incorporated to construct a nomogram predictive model for estimating the three years and five-year survival probability of individuals. CONCLUSIONS The prognosis prediction model of this study may provide a promising method for decision making in clinic and prognosis predicting of SKCM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaping Wang
- Laboratory Medicine, Donghai County People's Hospital, Lianyungang City, Jiangsu 222300, China
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32
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Gene Expression Profiling of Olfactory Neuroblastoma Helps Identify Prognostic Pathways and Define Potentially Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112527. [PMID: 34064009 PMCID: PMC8196700 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The gene expression profile of ONB defines a group of patients with a dismal prognosis and identifies potentially targetable pathways. Better prognostic stratification may offer new tailored approaches for the treatment and follow-up of ONB. The integration of new therapeutic agents with standard surgical and RT strategies may improve the outcomes in cases with worse prognoses. Furthermore, the ontogenesis of ONB in basal and neural subtypes is mirrored by different transcriptional pathways, paving the way towards different therapeutic approaches. Abstract Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare sinonasal neoplasm with a peculiar behavior, for which limited prognostic factors are available. Herein, we investigate the transcriptional pathways altered in ONB and correlate them with pathological features and clinical outcomes. We analyze 32 ONB patients treated with curative intent at two independent institutions from 2001 to 2019 for whom there is available pathologic and clinical data. We perform gene expression profiling on primary ONB samples and carry out functional enrichment analysis to investigate the key pathways associated with disease-free survival (DFS). The median age is 53.5 years; all patients undergo surgery and a pure endoscopic approach is adopted in the majority of cases (81.2%). Most patients have advanced disease (stages III–IV, 81.2%) and 84.4% undergo adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy. The median follow-up is 35 months; 11 (26.8%) patients relapse. Clinical characteristics (gender, stage and Hyams’ grade) are not associated with the outcomes. In contrast, TGF-beta binding, EMT, IFN-alpha response, angiogenesis, IL2-STAT5 and IL6-JAK-STAT3 signaling pathways are enriched in patients experiencing recurrence, and significantly associated with shorter DFS. Clustering of transcriptional profiles according to pathological features indicates two distinct molecular groups, defined by either cytokeratin-positive or -negative immunostaining. Definition of the characterizing ONB transcriptomic pathways may pave the way towards tailored treatment approaches.
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33
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Yoshida GJ, Saya H. Molecular pathology underlying the robustness of cancer stem cells. Regen Ther 2021; 17:38-50. [PMID: 33869685 PMCID: PMC8024885 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Intratumoral heterogeneity is tightly associated with the failure of anticancer treatment modalities including conventional chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and molecularly targeted therapy. Such heterogeneity is generated in an evolutionary manner not only as a result of genetic alterations but also by the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are proposed to exist at the top of a tumor cell hierarchy and are undifferentiated tumor cells that manifest enhanced tumorigenic and metastatic potential, self-renewal capacity, and therapeutic resistance. Properties that contribute to the robustness of CSCs include the abilities to withstand redox stress, to rapidly repair damaged DNA, to adapt to a hyperinflammatory or hyponutritious tumor microenvironment, and to expel anticancer drugs by the action of ATP-binding cassette transporters as well as plasticity with regard to the transition between dormant CSC and transit-amplifying progenitor cell phenotypes. In addition, CSCs manifest the phenomenon of metabolic reprogramming, which is essential for maintenance of their self-renewal potential and their ability to adapt to changes in the tumor microenvironment. Elucidation of the molecular underpinnings of these biological features of CSCs is key to the development of novel anticancer therapies. In this review, we highlight the pathological relevance of CSCs in terms of their hallmarks and identification, the properties of their niche—both in primary tumors and at potential sites of metastasis—and their resistance to oxidative stress dependent on system xc (−). Intratumoral heterogeneity driven by CSCs is responsible for therapeutic resistance. CTCs survive in the distant organs and achieve colonization, causing metastasis. E/M hybrid cancer cells due to partial EMT exhibit the highest metastatic potential. The CSC niche regulates stemness in metastatic disease as well as in primary tumor. Activation of system xc(-) by CD44 variant in CSCs is a promising therapeutic target.
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Key Words
- ABC, ATP-binding cassette
- ALDH, Aldehyde dehydrogenase
- BMP, Bone morphogenetic protein
- CAF, Cancer-associated fibroblast
- CD44 variant
- CD44v, CD44 variant
- CSC, Cancer stem cell
- CTC, Circulating tumor cell
- CagA, Cytotoxin-associated gene A
- Cancer stem cell
- DTC, Disseminated tumor cell
- E/M, Epithelial/mesenchymal
- ECM, Extracellular matrix
- EGF, Epidermal growth factor
- EMT, Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
- EpCAM, Epithelial cell adhesion moleculeE
- Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
- GSC, Glioma stem cell
- GSH, reduced glutathione
- HGF, Hepatocyte growth factor
- HNSCC, Head and neck squamous cell cancer
- IL, Interleukin
- Intratumoral heterogeneity
- MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase
- MET, mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition
- NSCLC, non–small cell lung cancer
- Niche
- Nrf2, nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2
- OXPHOS, Oxidative phosphorylation
- Plasticity
- Prrx1, Paired-related homeodomain transcription factor 1
- ROS, Reactive oxygen species
- SRP1, Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1
- TGF-β, Transforming growth factor–β
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Affiliation(s)
- Go J Yoshida
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research (IAMR), Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Saya
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research (IAMR), Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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EHF suppresses cancer progression by inhibiting ETS1-mediated ZEB expression. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:26. [PMID: 33712555 PMCID: PMC7955083 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00313-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
ETS homologous factor (EHF) belongs to the epithelium-specific subfamily of the E26 transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factor family. Currently, little is known about EHF’s function in cancer. We previously reported that ETS1 induces expression of the ZEB family proteins ZEB1/δEF1 and ZEB2/SIP1, which are key regulators of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), by activating the ZEB1 promoters. We have found that EHF gene produces two transcript variants, namely a long form variant that includes exon 1 (EHF-LF) and a short form variant that excludes exon 1 (EHF-SF). Only EHF-SF abrogates ETS1-mediated activation of the ZEB1 promoter by promoting degradation of ETS1 proteins, thereby inhibiting the EMT phenotypes of cancer cells. Most importantly, we identified a novel point mutation within the conserved ETS domain of EHF, and found that EHF mutations abolish its original function while causing the EHF protein to act as a potential dominant negative, thereby enhancing metastasis in vivo. Therefore, we suggest that EHF acts as an anti-EMT factor by inhibiting the expression of ZEBs, and that EHF mutations exacerbate cancer progression.
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35
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Melchionna R, Trono P, Tocci A, Nisticò P. Actin Cytoskeleton and Regulation of TGFβ Signaling: Exploring Their Links. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020336. [PMID: 33672325 PMCID: PMC7926735 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human tissues, to maintain their architecture and function, respond to injuries by activating intricate biochemical and physical mechanisms that regulates intercellular communication crucial in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Coordination of the communication occurs through the activity of different actin cytoskeletal regulators, physically connected to extracellular matrix through integrins, generating a platform of biochemical and biomechanical signaling that is deregulated in cancer. Among the major pathways, a controller of cellular functions is the cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), which remains a complex and central signaling network still to be interpreted and explained in cancer progression. Here, we discuss the link between actin dynamics and TGFβ signaling with the aim of exploring their aberrant interaction in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Melchionna
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (P.T.); (A.T.)
| | - Paola Trono
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (P.T.); (A.T.)
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tocci
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (P.T.); (A.T.)
| | - Paola Nisticò
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (P.T.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0652662539
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36
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Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 and 2 (ESRP1 and ESRP2) upregulation predicts poor prognosis in prostate cancer. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:1220. [PMID: 33339518 PMCID: PMC7749503 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07682-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) and 2 (ESRP2) regulate alternative splicing events of various pre-mRNAs. Some of these targets play a role in cancer-associated processes, including cytoskeleton reorganization and DNA-repair processes. This study was undertaken to estimate the impact of ESRP1 and ESRP2 alterations on prostate cancer patient prognosis. Methods A tissue microarray made from 17,747 individual cancer samples with comprehensive, pathological, clinical and molecular data was analyzed by immunohistochemistry for ESRP1 and ESRP2. Results Nuclear staining for ESRP1 was seen in 38.6% (36.0% low, 2.6% high) of 12,140 interpretable cancers and in 41.9% (36.4% low, 5.3% high) of 12,962 interpretable cancers for ESRP2. Nuclear protein expression was linked to advanced tumor stage, high Gleason score, presence of lymph node metastasis, early biochemical recurrence, and ERG-positive cancers (p < 0.0001 each). Expression of ESRPs was significantly linked to 11 (ESRP1)/9 (ESRP2) of 11 analyzed deletions in all cancers and to 8 (ESRP1)/9 (ESRP2) of 11 deletions in ERG-negative cancers portending a link to genomic instability. Combined ESRPs expression analysis suggested an additive effect and showed the worst prognosis for cancers with high ESRP1 and ESRP2 expression. Multivariate analyses revealed that the prognostic impact of ESRP1, ESRP2 and combined ESRP1/ESRP2 expression was independent of all established pre- and postoperative prognostic features. Conclusions Our data show a striking link between nuclear ESRP expression and adverse features in prostate cancer and identifies expression of ESRP1 and/or ESRP2 as independent prognostic markers with a potential for routine application.
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Faux MC, King LE, Kane SR, Love C, Sieber OM, Burgess AW. APC regulation of ESRP1 and p120-catenin isoforms in colorectal cancer cells. Mol Biol Cell 2020; 32:120-130. [PMID: 33237836 PMCID: PMC8120691 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e20-05-0321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor protein is associated with the regulation of Wnt signaling; however, APC also controls other cellular processes including the regulation of cell adhesion and migration. The expression of full-length APC in SW480 colorectal cancer cells (SW480+APC) not only reduces Wnt signaling, but increases membrane E-cadherin and restores cell–cell adhesion. This report describes the effects of full-length, wild-type APC (fl-APC) on cell–cell adhesion genes and p120-catenin isoform switching in SW480 colon cancer cells: fl-APC increased the expression of genes implicated in cell–cell adhesion, whereas the expression of negative regulators of E-cadherin was decreased. Analysis of cell–cell adhesion-related proteins in SW480+APC cells revealed an increase in p120-catenin isoform 3A; similarly, depletion of APC altered the p120-catenin protein isoform profile. Expression of ESRP1 (epithelial splice regulatory protein 1) is increased in SW480+APC cells, and its depletion results in reversion to the p120-catenin isoform 1A phenotype and reduced cell–cell adhesion. The ESRP1 transcript is reduced in primary colorectal cancer, and its expression correlates with the level of APC. Pyrvinium pamoate, which inhibits Wnt signaling, promotes ESRP1 expression. We conclude that re-expression of APC restores the cell–cell adhesion gene and posttranscriptional regulatory programs leading to p120-catenin isoform switching and associated changes in cell–cell adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maree C Faux
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Lauren E King
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Serena R Kane
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Christopher Love
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Oliver M Sieber
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Antony W Burgess
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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38
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Ungefroren H, Wellner UF, Keck T, Lehnert H, Marquardt JU. The Small GTPase RAC1B: A Potent Negative Regulator of-and Useful Tool to Study-TGFβ Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3475. [PMID: 33266416 PMCID: PMC7700615 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RAC1 and its alternatively spliced isoform, RAC1B, are members of the Rho family of GTPases. Both isoforms are involved in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton remodeling, cell motility, cell proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Compared to RAC1, RAC1B exhibits a number of distinctive features with respect to tissue distribution, downstream signaling and a role in disease conditions like inflammation and cancer. The subcellular locations and interaction partners of RAC1 and RAC1B vary depending on their activation state, which makes RAC1 and RAC1B ideal candidates to establish cross-talk with cancer-associated signaling pathways-for instance, interactions with signaling by transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), a known tumor promoter. Although RAC1 has been found to promote TGFβ-driven tumor progression, recent observations in pancreatic carcinoma cells surprisingly revealed that RAC1B confers anti-oncogenic properties, i.e., through inhibiting TGFβ-induced EMT. Since then, an unexpected array of mechanisms through which RAC1B cross-talks with TGFβ signaling has been demonstrated. However, rather than being uniformly inhibitory, RAC1B interacts with TGFβ signaling in a way that results in the selective blockade of tumor-promoting pathways, while concomitantly allowing tumor-suppressive pathways to proceed. In this review article, we are going to discuss the specific interactions between RAC1B and TGFβ signaling, which occur at multiple levels and include various components such as ligands, receptors, cytosolic mediators, transcription factors, and extracellular inhibitors of TGFβ ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine, Campus Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany;
- Clinic for General Surgery, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, Campus Kiel, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Ulrich F. Wellner
- Clinic for Surgery, Campus Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (U.F.W.); (T.K.)
| | - Tobias Keck
- Clinic for Surgery, Campus Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (U.F.W.); (T.K.)
| | | | - Jens-Uwe Marquardt
- First Department of Medicine, Campus Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany;
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Sinha D, Saha P, Samanta A, Bishayee A. Emerging Concepts of Hybrid Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Progression. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1561. [PMID: 33207810 PMCID: PMC7697085 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process through which epithelial (E) cells lose their adherens junctions, transform into mesenchymal (M) cells and attain motility, leading to metastasis at distant organs. Nowadays, the concept of EMT has shifted from a binary phase of interconversion of pure E to M cells and vice versa to a spectrum of E/M transition states preferably coined as hybrid/partial/intermediate EMT. Hybrid EMT, being a plastic transient state, harbours cells which co-express both E and M markers and exhibit high tumourigenic properties, leading to stemness, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Several preclinical and clinical studies provided the evidence of co-existence of E/M phenotypes. Regulators including transcription factors, epigenetic regulators and phenotypic stability factors (PSFs) help in maintaining the hybrid state. Computational and bioinformatics approaches may be excellent for identifying new factors or combinations of regulatory elements that govern the different EMT transition states. Therapeutic intervention against hybrid E/M cells, though few, may evolve as a rational strategy against metastasis and drug resistance. This review has attempted to present the recent advancements on the concept and regulation of the process of hybrid EMT which generates hybrid E/M phenotypes, evidence of intermediate EMT in both preclinical and clinical setup, impact of partial EMT on promoting tumourigenesis, and future strategies which might be adapted to tackle this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dona Sinha
- Department of Receptor Biology and Tumour Metastasis, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, India; (P.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Priyanka Saha
- Department of Receptor Biology and Tumour Metastasis, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, India; (P.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Anurima Samanta
- Department of Receptor Biology and Tumour Metastasis, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, India; (P.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
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40
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Otake S, Itoh Y, Omata C, Saitoh M, Miyazawa K. ZEB1 and oncogenic Ras constitute a regulatory switch for stimulus-dependent E-cadherin downregulation. Cancer Sci 2020; 112:205-216. [PMID: 33068045 PMCID: PMC7780036 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
E-cadherin, an epithelial cell-specific cell adhesion molecule, has both promoting and suppressing effects on tumor invasion and metastasis. It is often downregulated during cancer progression through gene deletion/mutation, transcriptional repression, or epigenetic silencing. We describe a novel regulatory switch to induce stimulus-dependent downregulation of mRNA encoding E-cadherin (CDH1 mRNA) in KRAS-mutated cancer cells. The regulatory switch consists of ZEB1 and oncogenic K-Ras, does not target the promoter region of CDH1, and requires an external cue to temporally downregulate E-cadherin expression. Its repressive effect is maintained as long as the external stimulus continues and is attenuated with cessation of the stimulus. Contextual external cues that turn this regulatory switch on include activation of protein kinase C or fibroblast growth factor signaling. The mode of action is distinct from that of EPCAM repression by ZEB1, which does not require an external cue. Thus, KRAS-mutated cancer cells acquire a novel mode of regulating E-cadherin expression depending on ZEB1, which could contribute to phenotypic plasticity of cancer cells during malignant progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeo Otake
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Yuka Itoh
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Chiho Omata
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Masao Saitoh
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan.,Center for Medical Education and Science, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Keiji Miyazawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
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Jiménez N, Reig Ò, Montalbo R, Milà-Guasch M, Nadal-Dieste L, Castellano G, Lozano JJ, Victoria I, Font A, Rodriguez-Vida A, Carles J, Suárez C, Domènech M, Sala-González N, Fernández PL, Rodríguez-Carunchio L, Díaz S, Prat A, Marín-Aguilera M, Mellado B. Cell Plasticity-Related Phenotypes and Taxanes Resistance in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:594023. [PMID: 33224888 PMCID: PMC7667288 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.594023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The prostatic tumor cells plasticity is involved in resistance to hormone-therapy, allowing these cells to survive despite androgen receptor inhibition. However, its role in taxanes resistance has not been fully established. Gene expression of plasticity-related phenotypes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stem cell-like and neuroendocrine (NE) phenotypes was studied in vitro, in silico, in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) (N=22) and in tumor samples (N=117) from taxanes-treated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. Docetaxel (D)-resistant cells presented a more pronounced EMT phenotype than cabazitaxel (CZ)-resistant cells. In silico analysis revealed ESRP1 down-regulation in taxane-exposed mCRPC samples. Cell plasticity-related changes occurred in CTCs after taxanes treatment. Tumor EMT phenotype was associated with lower PSA progression-free survival (PFS) to D (P<0.001), and better to CZ (P=0.002). High ESRP1 expression was independently associated with longer PSA-PFS (P<0.001) and radiologic-PFS (P=0.001) in D and shorter PSA-PFS in the CZ cohort (P=0.041). High SYP expression was independently associated with lower PSA-PFS in D (P=0.003) and overall survival (OS) in CZ (P=0.002), and high EZH2 expression was associated with adverse OS in D-treated patients (P=0.013). In conclusion, EMT profile in primary tumor is differentially associated with D or CZ benefit and NE dedifferentiation correlates with adverse taxanes clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Jiménez
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Òscar Reig
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Barcelona, Spain.,Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruth Montalbo
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Milà-Guasch
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluis Nadal-Dieste
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giancarlo Castellano
- Genomic Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan José Lozano
- Bioinformatics Platform, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iván Victoria
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Barcelona, Spain.,Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Font
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Català d'Oncologia, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Alejo Rodriguez-Vida
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Carles
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Suárez
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Núria Sala-González
- Oncology Department, Institut Català d'Oncologia, Hospital Universitari Doctor Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain
| | - Pedro Luis Fernández
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, IGTP and Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | | | - Sherley Díaz
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aleix Prat
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Barcelona, Spain.,Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercedes Marín-Aguilera
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Barcelona, Spain.,Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Begoña Mellado
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Lab, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Barcelona, Spain.,Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Yue PJ, Sun YY, Li YH, Xu ZM, Fu WN. MYCT1 inhibits the EMT and migration of laryngeal cancer cells via the SP1/miR-629-3p/ESRP2 pathway. Cell Signal 2020; 74:109709. [PMID: 32659265 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
MYCT1 has an inhibitory effect on the migration of laryngeal cancer cells, although the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism of MYCT1 in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration of laryngeal cancer cells. We found that MYCT1 significantly decreased the expression of miR-629-3p but increased the expression of ESRP2 in laryngeal cancer cells. The expression of miR-629-3p and ESRP2 in laryngeal cancer tissues showed significantly positive and negative correlations with patient metastasis, respectively. miR-629-3p was confirmed to repress the expression of ESRP2 by targeting its 3'UTR. SP1 was verified to be a direct transcription factor for miR-629-3p and a downstream target of MYCT1. Moreover, MYCT1 inhibited the EMT and migration of laryngeal cancer cells through the SP1/miR-629-3p/ESRP2 pathway. Taken together, our results establish a novel MYCT1 signaling pathway in the EMT and migration of laryngeal cancer cells, thus providing important insights for further studying the pathway in the diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Jie Yue
- Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Sun
- Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China
| | - Yun-Hui Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command (Heping Campus), Shenyang 110001, PR China.
| | - Zhen-Ming Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology, the Fourth People's Hospital of Shenyang City, Shenyang 110031, PR China.
| | - Wei-Neng Fu
- Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China.
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43
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Abstract
Objective Alternative splicing can generate various structural and functional protein isoforms. Recently, accumulating evidence shows a relationship between alternative splicing and cancer. Cancer is a complex and chronic disease that involves malignant transformation. In this review, we consider alternative splicing events in relation to the hallmarks of cancer cells, and discuss current therapies to treat cancer-related to alternative splicing. Data sources Data cited in this article are from the PubMed and Embase database, primarily focusing on research published from 2000 to 2018. Study selection Articles were selected with the search terms “alternative splicing,” “cancer cell,” “tumor microenvironment,” and “therapy.” Results Alternative splicing plays an important role in tumorigenesis, development, and escape from cell death. Taking this trait of cancer cells into consideration will allow more definite diagnoses of cancer, and allow the development of more effective medicines to intervene in cancer that could focus on controlling alternative splicing or competitively binding to the final products. Conclusions Alternative splicing is common in cancer cells. Consideration of alternative splicing may allow different strategies for cancer therapy or the identification of novel biomarkers for cancer diagnosis.
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Weiße J, Rosemann J, Krauspe V, Kappler M, Eckert AW, Haemmerle M, Gutschner T. RNA-Binding Proteins as Regulators of Migration, Invasion and Metastasis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6835. [PMID: 32957697 PMCID: PMC7555251 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nearly 7.5% of all human protein-coding genes have been assigned to the class of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and over the past decade, RBPs have been increasingly recognized as important regulators of molecular and cellular homeostasis. RBPs regulate the post-transcriptional processing of their target RNAs, i.e., alternative splicing, polyadenylation, stability and turnover, localization, or translation as well as editing and chemical modification, thereby tuning gene expression programs of diverse cellular processes such as cell survival and malignant spread. Importantly, metastases are the major cause of cancer-associated deaths in general, and particularly in oral cancers, which account for 2% of the global cancer mortality. However, the roles and architecture of RBPs and RBP-controlled expression networks during the diverse steps of the metastatic cascade are only incompletely understood. In this review, we will offer a brief overview about RBPs and their general contribution to post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Subsequently, we will highlight selected examples of RBPs that have been shown to play a role in oral cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Last but not least, we will present targeting strategies that have been developed to interfere with the function of some of these RBPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Weiße
- Junior Research Group ‘RNA Biology and Pathogenesis’, Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany; (J.W.); (J.R.); (V.K.)
| | - Julia Rosemann
- Junior Research Group ‘RNA Biology and Pathogenesis’, Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany; (J.W.); (J.R.); (V.K.)
| | - Vanessa Krauspe
- Junior Research Group ‘RNA Biology and Pathogenesis’, Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany; (J.W.); (J.R.); (V.K.)
| | - Matthias Kappler
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Alexander W. Eckert
- Department of Cranio Maxillofacial Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, 90471 Nuremberg, Germany;
| | - Monika Haemmerle
- Institute of Pathology, Section for Experimental Pathology, Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany;
| | - Tony Gutschner
- Junior Research Group ‘RNA Biology and Pathogenesis’, Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany; (J.W.); (J.R.); (V.K.)
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Lopatina T, Favaro E, Danilova L, Fertig EJ, Favorov AV, Kagohara LT, Martone T, Bussolati B, Romagnoli R, Albera R, Pecorari G, Brizzi MF, Camussi G, Gaykalova DA. Extracellular Vesicles Released by Tumor Endothelial Cells Spread Immunosuppressive and Transforming Signals Through Various Recipient Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:698. [PMID: 33015029 PMCID: PMC7509153 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a high recurrence and metastatic rate with an unknown mechanism of cancer spread. Tumor inflammation is the most critical processes of cancer onset, growth, and metastasis. We hypothesize that the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by tumor endothelial cells (TECs) induce reprogramming of immune cells as well as stromal cells to create an immunosuppressive microenvironment that favor tumor spread. We call this mechanism as non-metastatic contagious carcinogenesis. Extracellular vesicles were collected from primary HNSCC-derived endothelial cells (TEC-EV) and were used for stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and primary adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). Regulation of ASC gene expression was investigated by RNA sequencing and protein array. PBMC, stimulated with TEC-EV, were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. We validated in vitro the effects of TEC-EV on ASCs or PBMC by measuring invasion, adhesion, and proliferation. We found and confirmed that TEC-EV were able to change ASC inflammatory gene expression signature within 24-48 h. TEC-EV were also able to enhance the secretion of TGF-β1 and IL-10 by PBMC and to increase T regulatory cell (Treg) expansion. TEC-EV carry specific proteins and RNAs that are responsible for Treg differentiation and immune suppression. ASCs and PBMC, treated with TEC-EV, enhanced proliferation, adhesion of tumor cells, and their invasion. These data indicate that TEC-EV exhibit a mechanism of non-metastatic contagious carcinogenesis that regulates tumor microenvironment and reprograms immune cells to sustain tumor growth and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Lopatina
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrica Favaro
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ludmila Danilova
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Laboratory of System Biology and Computational Genetics, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alexander V Favorov
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Laboratory of System Biology and Computational Genetics, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Luciane T Kagohara
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tiziana Martone
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Benedetta Bussolati
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Renato Romagnoli
- General Surgery 2U, Liver Transplantation Center, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Albera
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin School of Medicine, Turin, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Pecorari
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin School of Medicine, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Camussi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Daria A Gaykalova
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Wang B, Li Y, Kou C, Sun J, Xu X. Mining Database for the Clinical Significance and Prognostic Value of ESRP1 in Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:4985014. [PMID: 32964032 PMCID: PMC7492958 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4985014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) has been described as an RNA-binding protein involved in cancer development. However, the expression and regulatory network of ESRP1 in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) remain unclear. METHODS From the sequencing data of 103 CMM samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas database, the expression level of ESRP1 and its correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed using the Oncomine 4.5, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), and UALCAN tools, while LinkedOmics was used to identify differential gene expression with ESRP1 and to analyze Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Gene enrichment analysis examined target networks of kinases, miRNAs, and transcription factors. Finally, TIMER was used to analyze the relationship between ESRP1 and tumor immune cell infiltration. RESULTS We found that ESRP1 was lowly expressed in CMM tissues, and a low level of ESRP1 expression correlated with better overall survival. Expression of this gene was linked to functional networks involving the condensed chromosomes, epidermal development, and translation initiation. Functional network analysis suggested that ESRP1 regulated ribosome metabolism, drug metabolism, and chemical carcinogenesis via pathways involving several cancer-related kinases, miRNAs, and transcription factors. Furthermore, our results suggested that ESRP1 played an important role in regulating tumor-associated macrophage polarization, dendritic cell infiltration, Treg cells, and T cell exhaustion. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates ESRP1 expression, prognostic value, and potential regulatory networks in CMM, thereby shedding light on the clinical significance of ESRP1, and provides a novel biomarker for determining prognosis and immune infiltration in CMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baihe Wang
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 12 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Caixia Kou
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 12 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Jianfang Sun
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 12 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Xiulian Xu
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 12 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing 210042, China
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Ichikawa J, Ando T, Kawasaki T, Sasaki T, Shirai T, Tsukiji N, Kimura Y, Aoki K, Hayakawa K, Suzuki-Inoue K, Saitoh M, Haro H. Role of Platelet C-Type Lectin-Like Receptor 2 in Promoting Lung Metastasis in Osteosarcoma. J Bone Miner Res 2020; 35:1738-1750. [PMID: 32479683 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The overall prognosis of patients with sarcoma-based cancers has changed little in the last 20 years. There is an urgent need to investigate the metastatic potential of these tumors and to develop anti-metastatic drugs. It is becoming increasingly clear that platelets play an important role in the establishment of metastasis of carcinoma cells and could be a useful therapeutic target for patients with carcinoma. However, little is known about the role of platelets in sarcoma progression. Here, we investigated how osteosarcoma progression relates to platelet function to explore the possibility of anti-platelet therapy. We found that, similar to carcinoma cells, podoplanin (also known as Aggrus)-positive osteosarcoma cells induce platelet aggregation and activation. Administration of anti-glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα, also known as CD42b) antibody reduced the lung metastasis of osteosarcoma. The supernatant from platelets cocultured with osteosarcoma cells contained several growth factors and promoted proliferation, invasiveness, and sphere formation of osteosarcoma cells in vitro. In addition, the development of lung metastasis was highly dependent on direct interaction between osteosarcoma cells and platelets. To explore the therapeutic target, we focused on the interactions between podoplanin on osteosarcoma and C-type lectin-like receptor (CLEC)-2 on platelets. The administration of a depleting antibody against CLEC-2 efficiently suppressed osteosarcoma metastasis into the lung. We also analyzed clinical data from patient samples at primary and metastatic sites. Although GPIbα expression was similar between the two sites, there was a significant increase in podoplanin at the metastatic site compared to that in the primary site, and the level of podoplanin expression in the primary site correlated with patient prognosis. These findings suggest that blockade of interactions between platelets CLEC-2 and osteosarcoma podoplanin represent the most promising therapeutic strategy for preventing the lung metastasis of osteosarcoma. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiro Ichikawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Takashi Ando
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Tomonori Kawasaki
- Department of Pathology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Sasaki
- Clinical and Laboratory Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Shirai
- Clinical and Laboratory Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Nagaharu Tsukiji
- Clinical and Laboratory Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yujiro Kimura
- Biological Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kaoru Aoki
- Physical Therapy Division, School of Health Sciences, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan
| | - Keiko Hayakawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Masao Saitoh
- Biological Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Haro
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
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Ochi K, Suzawa K, Tomida S, Shien K, Takano J, Miyauchi S, Takeda T, Miura A, Araki K, Nakata K, Yamamoto H, Okazaki M, Sugimoto S, Shien T, Yamane M, Azuma K, Okamoto Y, Toyooka S. Overcoming epithelial-mesenchymal transition-mediated drug resistance with monensin-based combined therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 529:760-765. [PMID: 32736704 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.06.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in tumor progression and metastasis and is also associated with drug resistance. Thus, controlling EMT status is a research of interest to conquer the malignant tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS A drug repositioning analysis of transcriptomic data from a public cell line database identified monensin, a widely used in veterinary medicine, as a candidate EMT inhibitor that suppresses the conversion of the EMT phenotype. Using TGF-β-induced EMT cell line models, the effects of monensin on the EMT status and EMT-mediated drug resistance were assessed. RESULTS TGF-β treatment induced EMT in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and the EGFR-mutant NSCLC cell lines with TGF-β-induced EMT acquired resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The addition of monensin effectively suppressed the TGF-β-induced-EMT conversion, and restored the growth inhibition and the induction of apoptosis by the EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor. CONCLUSION Our data suggested that combined therapy with monensin might be a useful strategy for preventing EMT-mediated acquired drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Ochi
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan; Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Joint School of Veterinary Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Ken Suzawa
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
| | - Shuta Tomida
- Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Shien
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Jui Takano
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shunsaku Miyauchi
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Tatsuaki Takeda
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Akihiro Miura
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kota Araki
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kentaro Nakata
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Yamamoto
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Mikio Okazaki
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Seiichiro Sugimoto
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Tadahiko Shien
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masaomi Yamane
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kazuo Azuma
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Joint School of Veterinary Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Okamoto
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Joint School of Veterinary Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Shinichi Toyooka
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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Derynck R, Turley SJ, Akhurst RJ. TGFβ biology in cancer progression and immunotherapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2020; 18:9-34. [DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-0403-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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50
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Minami T, Aoyagi K, Kawahara A, Murakami N, Isobe T, Tanaka Y, Kaku H, Fujita F, Akagi Y. Evaluation of the expression of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in the stroma of gastric cancer tissue. Ann Gastroenterol Surg 2020; 4:464-474. [PMID: 32724891 PMCID: PMC7382433 DOI: 10.1002/ags3.12347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) generated by bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) play an important role in cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the relationships of BM-MSCs and CAFs in resected gastric cancers with the clinicopathological factors of patients. METHODS We analyzed 120 gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy. Immunostaining was performed with an anti-CD271 antibody (BM-MSCs) and anti-α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) antibody (CAFs). Staining intensity was used to divide patients into low and high expression groups. Observation sites in cancer tissues were invasive, central, and whole portions. RESULTS Expression of αSMA was significantly related to depth of tumor invasion (T), lymph node metastasis (N), lymphatic invasion (ly), venous invasion (v), and stage. Expression of CD271 was significantly related to v, stage, stromal volume, and tumor infiltration pattern (INF). Overall survival (OS) of the high expression group was significantly lower than that of the low expression group for both αSMA and CD271. Multivariate analysis showed that N, αSMA (whole), and CD271 (invasive) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS Cancer-associated fibroblasts and BM-MSCs are related to the progression, invasion, and prognosis of gastric cancer and may be therapeutic targets of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taizan Minami
- Department of SurgeryKurume University School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
| | - Keishiro Aoyagi
- Department of SurgeryKurume University School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
| | - Akihiko Kawahara
- Department of Diagnostic PathologyKurume University School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
| | - Naotaka Murakami
- Department of SurgeryKurume University School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
| | - Taro Isobe
- Department of SurgeryKurume University School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
| | - Yuya Tanaka
- Department of SurgeryKurume University School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
| | - Hideaki Kaku
- Department of SurgeryKurume University School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
| | - Fumihiko Fujita
- Department of SurgeryKurume University School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
| | - Yoshito Akagi
- Department of SurgeryKurume University School of MedicineFukuokaJapan
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