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Rezapour M, Wesolowski R, Gurcan MN. Identifying Key Genes Involved in Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer Using Advanced RNA-Seq Analysis: A Methodological Approach with GLMQL and MAS. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7306. [PMID: 39000413 PMCID: PMC11242629 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Our study aims to address the methodological challenges frequently encountered in RNA-Seq data analysis within cancer studies. Specifically, it enhances the identification of key genes involved in axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) in breast cancer. We employ Generalized Linear Models with Quasi-Likelihood (GLMQLs) to manage the inherently discrete and overdispersed nature of RNA-Seq data, marking a significant improvement over conventional methods such as the t-test, which assumes a normal distribution and equal variances across samples. We utilize the Trimmed Mean of M-values (TMMs) method for normalization to address library-specific compositional differences effectively. Our study focuses on a distinct cohort of 104 untreated patients from the TCGA Breast Invasive Carcinoma (BRCA) dataset to maintain an untainted genetic profile, thereby providing more accurate insights into the genetic underpinnings of lymph node metastasis. This strategic selection paves the way for developing early intervention strategies and targeted therapies. Our analysis is exclusively dedicated to protein-coding genes, enriched by the Magnitude Altitude Scoring (MAS) system, which rigorously identifies key genes that could serve as predictors in developing an ALNM predictive model. Our novel approach has pinpointed several genes significantly linked to ALNM in breast cancer, offering vital insights into the molecular dynamics of cancer development and metastasis. These genes, including ERBB2, CCNA1, FOXC2, LEFTY2, VTN, ACKR3, and PTGS2, are involved in key processes like apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, response to hypoxia, and KRAS signaling pathways, which are crucial for tumor virulence and the spread of metastases. Moreover, the approach has also emphasized the importance of the small proline-rich protein family (SPRR), including SPRR2B, SPRR2E, and SPRR2D, recognized for their significant involvement in cancer-related pathways and their potential as therapeutic targets. Important transcripts such as H3C10, H1-2, PADI4, and others have been highlighted as critical in modulating the chromatin structure and gene expression, fundamental for the progression and spread of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Rezapour
- Center for Artificial Intelligence Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Robert Wesolowski
- Division of Medical Oncology, James Cancer Hospital and the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Metin Nafi Gurcan
- Center for Artificial Intelligence Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
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2
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Khan AQ, Hasan A, Mir SS, Rashid K, Uddin S, Steinhoff M. Exploiting transcription factors to target EMT and cancer stem cells for tumor modulation and therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 100:1-16. [PMID: 38503384 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are essential in controlling gene regulatory networks that determine cellular fate during embryogenesis and tumor development. TFs are the major players in promoting cancer stemness by regulating the function of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Understanding how TFs interact with their downstream targets for determining cell fate during embryogenesis and tumor development is a critical area of research. CSCs are increasingly recognized for their significance in tumorigenesis and patient prognosis, as they play a significant role in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance. However, traditional therapies have limited effectiveness in eliminating this subset of cells, allowing CSCs to persist and potentially form secondary tumors. Recent studies have revealed that cancer cells and tumors with CSC-like features also exhibit genes related to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT-associated transcription factors (EMT-TFs) like TWIST and Snail/Slug can upregulate EMT-related genes and reprogram cancer cells into a stem-like phenotype. Importantly, the regulation of EMT-TFs, particularly through post-translational modifications (PTMs), plays a significant role in cancer metastasis and the acquisition of stem cell-like features. PTMs, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation, can alter the stability, localization, and activity of EMT-TFs, thereby modulating their ability to drive EMT and stemness properties in cancer cells. Although targeting EMT-TFs holds potential in tackling CSCs, current pharmacological approaches to do so directly are unavailable. Therefore, this review aims to explore the role of EMT- and CSC-TFs, their connection and impact in cellular development and cancer, emphasizing the potential of TF networks as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Adria Hasan
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Integral Information and Research Centre-4 (IIRC-4), Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India; Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Snober S Mir
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Integral Information and Research Centre-4 (IIRC-4), Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India; Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Khalid Rashid
- Department of Urology,Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
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Yuan H, Liang Y, Hu S, Chen J, You J, Jiang J, Luo M, Zeng M. The role of transcription factor FOXA1/C2/M1/O3/P1/Q1 in breast cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37709. [PMID: 38608123 PMCID: PMC11018205 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037709] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a common malignancy with the highest mortality rate among women worldwide. Its incidence is on the rise year after year, accounting for more than one-tenth of new cancers worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that forkhead box (FOX) transcription factors play an important role in the occurrence and development of breast cancer. However, little is known about the relationship between the expression, prognostic value, function, and immune infiltration of FOX transcription factors in tumor microenvironment. We used bioinformatics to investigate expression and function of FOX factor in breast cancer. Our results revealed the expression levels of FOXA1 and FOXM1 were significantly higher in breast cancer tissues than in normal tissues. The high expression of mRNA in FOXA1 (P < .05), FOXM1 (P < .01), and FOXP1 (P < .05) groups was related to tumor stage. Survival analysis results showed that increased FOXP1 mRNA levels were significantly associated with overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in all patients with breast cancer (P < .05). Patients with the FOXA1 high-expression group had better RFS and DMFS than the low-expression group (P < .05), while patients with FOXM1 high-expression group had worse RFS, OS, and DMFS than the low-expression group (P < .05). Meanwhile, mutation analysis showed that genetic alterations in FOX transcription factors were significantly associated with shorter OS and progression-free survival (P < .05), but not with disease-free survival (P = .710) in patients with breast cancer. FOXP1, FOXA1, and FOXM1 may be used as potential biomarkers to predict the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Functional enrichment indicated that FOX was mainly involved in cell division, cell senescence, cell cycle, and prolactin signaling pathway. In patients with breast cancer, FOXC2 expression was negatively correlated with the infiltration of B cells and positively correlated with the infiltration of neutrophils and dendritic cells. However, FOXM1 was negatively correlated with the infiltration of CD8 + T cells and macrophages and positively correlated with the infiltration of neutrophils and dendritic cells. These findings provided novel insights into the screening of prognostic biomarkers of the FOX family in breast cancer and laid a foundation for further research on the immune infiltration of the FOX transcription factor family members in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yuan
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Liang
- Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaorun Hu
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Municipal Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinxiang Chen
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Municipal Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Jingcan You
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Municipal Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Jun Jiang
- Department of General Surgery (Thyroid Surgery), The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Metabolic Vascular Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Mao Luo
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Municipal Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Min Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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Kanno C, Kudo Y, Matsubayashi J, Furumoto H, Takahashi S, Maehara S, Hagiwara M, Kakihana M, Ohira T, Nagao T, Ikeda N. Association between pathological infiltrative tumor growth pattern and prognosis in patients with resected lung squamous cell carcinoma. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY 2024; 50:107973. [PMID: 38262301 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2024.107973] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) usually shows expansive growth with large tumor nests; few reports on invasive growth patterns (INF) in LUSC have been associated with poor prognosis in gastrointestinal and urothelial cancers. In this study, we examine the association between INF and the prognosis of LUSC. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed INF as a potential prognostic factor in 254 consecutive patients with LUSC who underwent complete surgical resection at our hospital between 2008 and 2017. INF was classified into 3 categories based on the structure of the tumor other than the large round solid nest of tumor cells. RESULTS INF was categorized as INFa in 59 patients (23 %) with only well-demarcated large solid tumor cell nests, INFb in 89 patients (35 %) with medium to small, alongside large solid nests, and INFc in 98 patients (39 %) with cord-like/small nests or isolated cells plus large or medium solid nests. No significant lymph node metastasis differences were observed between INFc and INFa/b tumors. However, in patients with p-stage I, INFc had a poorer prognosis with regard to recurrence-free survival (RFS), with a 5-year RFS rate of 53.3 %, compared to 74.9 % for INFa/b (p = 0.010). CONCLUSION Our study highlights a novel pathological concept of INF in LUSC, and contributed to the proposal that it is a factor indicating an unfavorable prognosis in patients with early-stage LUSC. A prospective multicenter study is warranted for INFc patients, as careful follow-up and adjuvant chemotherapy might lead to the early detection and prevention of recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiaki Kanno
- Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yujin Kudo
- Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Jun Matsubayashi
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | | | | | - Sachio Maehara
- Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Hagiwara
- Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Tatsuo Ohira
- Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Nagao
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norihiko Ikeda
- Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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Fedele M, Cerchia L, Battista S. Subtype Transdifferentiation in Human Cancer: The Power of Tissue Plasticity in Tumor Progression. Cells 2024; 13:350. [PMID: 38391963 PMCID: PMC10887430 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040350] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The classification of tumors into subtypes, characterized by phenotypes determined by specific differentiation pathways, aids diagnosis and directs therapy towards targeted approaches. However, with the advent and explosion of next-generation sequencing, cancer phenotypes are turning out to be far more heterogenous than initially thought, and the classification is continually being updated to include more subtypes. Tumors are indeed highly dynamic, and they can evolve and undergo various changes in their characteristics during disease progression. The picture becomes even more complex when the tumor responds to a therapy. In all these cases, cancer cells acquire the ability to transdifferentiate, changing subtype, and adapt to changing microenvironments. These modifications affect the tumor's growth rate, invasiveness, response to treatment, and overall clinical behavior. Studying tumor subtype transitions is crucial for understanding tumor evolution, predicting disease outcomes, and developing personalized treatment strategies. We discuss this emerging hallmark of cancer and the molecular mechanisms involved at the crossroads between tumor cells and their microenvironment, focusing on four different human cancers in which tissue plasticity causes a subtype switch: breast cancer, prostate cancer, glioblastoma, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Fedele
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “G. Salvatore” (IEOS), National Research Council—CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.C.); (S.B.)
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Ahuja S, Zaheer S. Multifaceted TGF-β signaling, a master regulator: From bench-to-bedside, intricacies, and complexities. Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:87-127. [PMID: 37859532 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Physiological embryogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis are regulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an evolutionarily conserved family of secreted polypeptide factors, acting in an autocrine and paracrine manner. The role of TGF-β in inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer is complex and sometimes even contradictory, exhibiting either inhibitory or promoting effects depending on the stage of the disease. Under pathological conditions, especially fibrosis and cancer, overexpressed TGF-β causes extracellular matrix deposition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer-associated fibroblast formation, and/or angiogenesis. In this review article, we have tried to dive deep into the mechanism of action of TGF-β in inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. As TGF-β and its downstream signaling mechanism are implicated in fibrosis and carcinogenesis blocking this signaling mechanism appears to be a promising avenue. However, targeting TGF-β carries substantial risk as this pathway is implicated in multiple homeostatic processes and is also known to have tumor-suppressor functions. There is a need for careful dosing of TGF-β drugs for therapeutic use and patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Ahuja
- Department of Pathology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Sufian Zaheer
- Department of Pathology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
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7
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den Hollander P, Maddela JJ, Mani SA. Spatial and Temporal Relationship between Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and Stem Cells in Cancer. Clin Chem 2024; 70:190-205. [PMID: 38175600 PMCID: PMC11246550 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvad197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is often linked with carcinogenesis. However, EMT is also important for embryo development and only reactivates in cancer. Connecting how EMT occurs during embryonic development and in cancer could help us further understand the root mechanisms of cancer diseases. CONTENT There are key regulatory elements that contribute to EMT and the induction and maintenance of stem cell properties during embryogenesis, tissue regeneration, and carcinogenesis. Here, we explore the implications of EMT in the different stages of embryogenesis and tissue development. We especially highlight the necessity of EMT in the mesodermal formation and in neural crest cells. Through EMT, these cells gain epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP). With this transition, crucial morphological changes occur to progress through the metastatic cascade as well as tissue regeneration after an injury. Stem-like cells, including cancer stem cells, are generated from EMT and during this process upregulate factors necessary for stem cell maintenance. Hence, it is important to understand the key regulators allowing stem cell awakening in cancer, which increases plasticity and promotes treatment resistance, to develop strategies targeting this cell population and improve patient outcomes. SUMMARY EMT involves multifaceted regulation to allow the fluidity needed to facilitate adaptation. This regulatory mechanism, plasticity, involves many cooperating transcription factors. Additionally, posttranslational modifications, such as splicing, activate the correct isoforms for either epithelial or mesenchymal specificity. Moreover, epigenetic regulation also occurs, such as acetylation and methylation. Downstream signaling ultimately results in the EMT which promotes tissue generation/regeneration and cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra den Hollander
- Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Joanna Joyce Maddela
- Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Sendurai A Mani
- Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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8
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Wang Y, Chen Y, Zhang J, Yang Y, Fleishman JS, Wang Y, Wang J, Chen J, Li Y, Wang H. Cuproptosis: A novel therapeutic target for overcoming cancer drug resistance. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 72:101018. [PMID: 37979442 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Cuproptosis is a newly identified form of cell death driven by copper. Recently, the role of copper and copper triggered cell death in the pathogenesis of cancers have attracted attentions. Cuproptosis has garnered enormous interest in cancer research communities because of its great potential for cancer therapy. Copper-based treatment exerts an inhibiting role in tumor growth and may open the door for the treatment of chemotherapy-insensitive tumors. In this review, we provide a critical analysis on copper homeostasis and the role of copper dysregulation in the development and progression of cancers. Then the core molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis and its role in cancer is discussed, followed by summarizing the current understanding of copper-based agents (copper chelators, copper ionophores, and copper complexes-based dynamic therapy) for cancer treatment. Additionally, we summarize the emerging data on copper complexes-based agents and copper ionophores to subdue tumor chemotherapy resistance in different types of cancers. We also review the small-molecule compounds and nanoparticles (NPs) that may kill cancer cells by inducing cuproptosis, which will shed new light on the development of anticancer drugs through inducing cuproptosis in the future. Finally, the important concepts and pressing questions of cuproptosis in future research that should be focused on were discussed. This review article suggests that targeting cuproptosis could be a novel antitumor therapy and treatment strategy to overcome cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100049, PR China.
| | - Yongming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Junjing Zhang
- Department of Hepato-Biliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Huhhot First Hospital, Huhhot 010030, PR China
| | - Yihui Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Joshua S Fleishman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Disease Research & Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, PR China
| | - Jinhua Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Jichao Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Yuanfang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Hongquan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, PR China.
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Kuburich NA, den Hollander P, Castaneda M, Pietilä M, Tang X, Batra H, Martínez-Peña F, Visal TH, Zhou T, Demestichas BR, Dontula RV, Liu JY, Maddela JJ, Padmanabhan RS, Phi LTH, Rosolen MJ, Sabapathy T, Kumar D, Giancotti FG, Lairson LL, Raso MG, Soundararajan R, Mani SA. Stabilizing vimentin phosphorylation inhibits stem-like cell properties and metastasis of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal carcinomas. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113470. [PMID: 37979166 PMCID: PMC11062250 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) empowers epithelial cells with mesenchymal and stem-like attributes, facilitating metastasis, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal (E/M) cells, retaining both epithelial and mesenchymal traits, exhibit heightened metastatic potential and stemness. The mesenchymal intermediate filament, vimentin, is upregulated during EMT, enhancing the resilience and invasiveness of carcinoma cells. The phosphorylation of vimentin is critical to its structure and function. Here, we identify that stabilizing vimentin phosphorylation at serine 56 induces multinucleation, specifically in hybrid E/M cells with stemness properties but not epithelial or mesenchymal cells. Cancer stem-like cells are especially susceptible to vimentin-induced multinucleation relative to differentiated cells, leading to a reduction in self-renewal and stemness. As a result, vimentin-induced multinucleation leads to sustained inhibition of stemness properties, tumor initiation, and metastasis. These observations indicate that a single, targetable phosphorylation event in vimentin is critical for stemness and metastasis in carcinomas with hybrid E/M properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick A Kuburich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Petra den Hollander
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Maria Castaneda
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mika Pietilä
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
| | - Ximing Tang
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Harsh Batra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Tanvi H Visal
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tieling Zhou
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Breanna R Demestichas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Ritesh V Dontula
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jojo Y Liu
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joanna Joyce Maddela
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Reethi S Padmanabhan
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lan Thi Hanh Phi
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Matthew J Rosolen
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Thiru Sabapathy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Dhiraj Kumar
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA; Cancer Metastasis Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Genetics and Development, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Filippo G Giancotti
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA; Cancer Metastasis Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Genetics and Development, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Luke L Lairson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Maria Gabriela Raso
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rama Soundararajan
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sendurai A Mani
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
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10
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Rodriguez Troncoso J, Marium Mim U, Ivers JD, Paidi SK, Harper MG, Nguyen KG, Ravindranathan S, Rebello L, Lee DE, Zaharoff DA, Barman I, Rajaram N. Evaluating differences in optical properties of indolent and aggressive murine breast tumors using quantitative diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 14:6114-6126. [PMID: 38420330 PMCID: PMC10898562 DOI: 10.1364/boe.505153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
We used diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to quantify tissue absorption and scattering-based parameters in similarly sized tumors derived from a panel of four isogenic murine breast cancer cell lines (4T1, 4T07, 168FARN, 67NR) that are each capable of accomplishing different steps of the invasion-metastasis cascade. We found lower tissue scattering, increased hemoglobin concentration, and lower vascular oxygenation in indolent 67NR tumors incapable of metastasis compared with aggressive 4T1 tumors capable of metastasis. Supervised learning statistical approaches were able to accurately differentiate between tumor groups and classify tumors according to their ability to accomplish each step of the invasion-metastasis cascade. We investigated whether the inhibition of metastasis-promoting genes in the highly metastatic 4T1 tumors resulted in measurable optical changes that made these tumors similar to the indolent 67NR tumors. These results demonstrate the potential of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to noninvasively evaluate tumor biology and discriminate between indolent and aggressive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Umme Marium Mim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Jesse D. Ivers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Santosh K. Paidi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Mason G. Harper
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Khue G. Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Sruthi Ravindranathan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Lisa Rebello
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - David E. Lee
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
- Department of Exercise Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA
| | - David A. Zaharoff
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Ishan Barman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Narasimhan Rajaram
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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11
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Gherman ML, Zanoaga O, Budisan L, Raduly L, Berindan-Neagoe I. Doxorubicin as a Potential Treatment Option in Canine Mammary Tumors. Vet Sci 2023; 10:654. [PMID: 37999477 PMCID: PMC10674590 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10110654] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine mammary tumors represent one of the leading malignant pathologies in female dogs, displaying the importance of efficient therapeutic findings, besides the golden-standard surgery, able to limit the development of the disease. Studies in human cancers demonstrated that Doxorubicin presents a good effect in different biological processes like apoptosis, autophagy, the cell cycle, cell invasion, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. This study followed the effects of Doxorubicin on two canine mammary cancer cell lines P114 and CMT-U27. Doxorubicin treatment in both cell lines shows an inhibitory effect in cell proliferation and an alteration in expression of the EMT-related genes. The obtained results provide valuable information for revealing the link between Doxorubicin, phenotypic changes, and proliferation dynamics in canine mammary tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Luciana Gherman
- Experimental Center, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (O.Z.); (L.B.); (I.B.-N.)
| | - Oana Zanoaga
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (O.Z.); (L.B.); (I.B.-N.)
| | - Liviuta Budisan
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (O.Z.); (L.B.); (I.B.-N.)
| | - Lajos Raduly
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (O.Z.); (L.B.); (I.B.-N.)
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (O.Z.); (L.B.); (I.B.-N.)
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12
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Jain P, Pillai M, Duddu AS, Somarelli JA, Goyal Y, Jolly MK. Dynamical hallmarks of cancer: Phenotypic switching in melanoma and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 96:48-63. [PMID: 37788736 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.09.007] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity was recently incorporated as a hallmark of cancer. This plasticity can manifest along many interconnected axes, such as stemness and differentiation, drug-sensitive and drug-resistant states, and between epithelial and mesenchymal cell-states. Despite growing acceptance for phenotypic plasticity as a hallmark of cancer, the dynamics of this process remains poorly understood. In particular, the knowledge necessary for a predictive understanding of how individual cancer cells and populations of cells dynamically switch their phenotypes in response to the intensity and/or duration of their current and past environmental stimuli remains far from complete. Here, we present recent investigations of phenotypic plasticity from a systems-level perspective using two exemplars: epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in carcinomas and phenotypic switching in melanoma. We highlight how an integrated computational-experimental approach has helped unravel insights into specific dynamical hallmarks of phenotypic plasticity in different cancers to address the following questions: a) how many distinct cell-states or phenotypes exist?; b) how reversible are transitions among these cell-states, and what factors control the extent of reversibility?; and c) how might cell-cell communication be able to alter rates of cell-state switching and enable diverse patterns of phenotypic heterogeneity? Understanding these dynamic features of phenotypic plasticity may be a key component in shifting the paradigm of cancer treatment from reactionary to a more predictive, proactive approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paras Jain
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Maalavika Pillai
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | | - Jason A Somarelli
- Department of Medicine, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
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13
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Kuburich NA, Sabapathy T, Demestichas BR, Maddela JJ, den Hollander P, Mani SA. Proactive and reactive roles of TGF-β in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 95:120-139. [PMID: 37572731 PMCID: PMC10530624 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells adapt to varying stress conditions to survive through plasticity. Stem cells exhibit a high degree of plasticity, allowing them to generate more stem cells or differentiate them into specialized cell types to contribute to tissue development, growth, and repair. Cancer cells can also exhibit plasticity and acquire properties that enhance their survival. TGF-β is an unrivaled growth factor exploited by cancer cells to gain plasticity. TGF-β-mediated signaling enables carcinoma cells to alter their epithelial and mesenchymal properties through epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP). However, TGF-β is a multifunctional cytokine; thus, the signaling by TGF-β can be detrimental or beneficial to cancer cells depending on the cellular context. Those cells that overcome the anti-tumor effect of TGF-β can induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to gain EMP benefits. EMP allows cancer cells to alter their cell properties and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), facilitating their survival. Due to the significant roles of TGF-β and EMP in carcinoma progression, it is essential to understand how TGF-β enables EMP and how cancer cells exploit this plasticity. This understanding will guide the development of effective TGF-β-targeting therapies that eliminate cancer cell plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick A Kuburich
- Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Thiru Sabapathy
- Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Breanna R Demestichas
- Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Joanna Joyce Maddela
- Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Petra den Hollander
- Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Sendurai A Mani
- Legorreta Cancer Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
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14
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Haerinck J, Goossens S, Berx G. The epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity landscape: principles of design and mechanisms of regulation. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:590-609. [PMID: 37169858 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00601-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) enables cells to interconvert between several states across the epithelial-mesenchymal landscape, thereby acquiring hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypic features. This plasticity is crucial for embryonic development and wound healing, but also underlies the acquisition of several malignant traits during cancer progression. Recent research using systems biology and single-cell profiling methods has provided novel insights into the main forces that shape EMP, which include the microenvironment, lineage specification and cell identity, and the genome. Additionally, key roles have emerged for hysteresis (cell memory) and cellular noise, which can drive stochastic transitions between cell states. Here, we review these forces and the distinct but interwoven layers of regulatory control that stabilize EMP states or facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) and discuss the therapeutic potential of manipulating the EMP landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jef Haerinck
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Goossens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 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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15
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Cannell IG, Sawicka K, Pearsall I, Wild SA, Deighton L, Pearsall SM, Lerda G, Joud F, Khan S, Bruna A, Simpson KL, Mulvey CM, Nugent F, Qosaj F, Bressan D, Dive C, Caldas C, Hannon GJ. FOXC2 promotes vasculogenic mimicry and resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112791. [PMID: 37499655 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112791] [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: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) describes the formation of pseudo blood vessels constructed of tumor cells that have acquired endothelial-like properties. VM channels endow the tumor with a tumor-derived vascular system that directly connects to host blood vessels, and their presence is generally associated with poor patient prognosis. Here we show that the transcription factor, Foxc2, promotes VM in diverse solid tumor types by driving ectopic expression of endothelial genes in tumor cells, a process that is stimulated by hypoxia. VM-proficient tumors are resistant to anti-angiogenic therapy, and suppression of Foxc2 augments response. This work establishes co-option of an embryonic endothelial transcription factor by tumor cells as a key mechanism driving VM proclivity and motivates the search for VM-inhibitory agents that could form the basis of combination therapies with anti-angiogenics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian G Cannell
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK; New York Genome Center, 101 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013, USA.
| | - Kirsty Sawicka
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK; New York Genome Center, 101 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013, USA
| | - Isabella Pearsall
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK; New York Genome Center, 101 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013, USA
| | - Sophia A Wild
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Lauren Deighton
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Sarah M Pearsall
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK; Cancer Research UK Cancer Biomarker Centre, Manchester M20 4BX, UK; CRUK Manchester Institute, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Giulia Lerda
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Fadwa Joud
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Showkhin Khan
- New York Genome Center, 101 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013, USA
| | - Alejandra Bruna
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK; Preclinical Modelling of Paediatric Cancer Evolution Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, Cotswold Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5N, UK
| | - Kathryn L Simpson
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Biomarker Centre, Manchester M20 4BX, UK; CRUK Manchester Institute, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Claire M Mulvey
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Fiona Nugent
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Fatime Qosaj
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Dario Bressan
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Caroline Dive
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Biomarker Centre, Manchester M20 4BX, UK; CRUK Manchester Institute, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Carlos Caldas
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK; Department of Oncology and Breast Cancer Programme, CRUK Cambridge Centre, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS and University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK
| | - Gregory J Hannon
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK; New York Genome Center, 101 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013, USA.
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16
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Tariq L, Arafah A, Sehar N, Ali A, Khan A, Rasool I, Rashid SM, Ahmad SB, Beigh S, Dar TUH, Rehman MU. Novel insights on perils and promises of miRNA in understanding colon cancer metastasis and progression. Med Oncol 2023; 40:282. [PMID: 37639075 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02099-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third highest frequent malignancy and ultimate critical source of cancer-associated mortality around the world. Regardless of latest advances in molecular and surgical targeted medicines that have increased remedial effects in CRC patients, the 5-year mortality rate for CRC patients remains dismally low. Evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) execute an essential part in the development and spread of CRC. The miRNAs are a type of short non-coding RNA that exhibited to control the appearance of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. miRNA expression profiling is already being utilized in clinical practice as analytical and prognostic biomarkers to evaluate cancer patients' tumor genesis, advancement, and counteraction to drugs. By modulating their target genes, dysregulated miRNAs are linked to malignant characteristics (e.g., improved proliferative and invasive capabilities, cell cycle aberration, evasion of apoptosis, and promotion of angiogenesis). This review presents an updated summary of circulatory miRNAs, tumor-suppressive and oncogenic miRNAs, and the potential reasons for dysregulated miRNAs in CRC. Further we will explore the critical role of miRNAs in CRC drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubna Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, 183254, India
| | - Azher Arafah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nouroz Sehar
- Centre for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Chemical & Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Aarif Ali
- Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-Kashmir, Alusteng, Shuhama, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Andleeb Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, 45142, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Iyman Rasool
- Department of Pathology, Government Medical College (GMC-Srinagar), Karanagar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Shahzada Mudasir Rashid
- Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-Kashmir, Alusteng, Shuhama, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Sheikh Bilal Ahmad
- Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-Kashmir, Alusteng, Shuhama, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Saba Beigh
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Al Baha University, 65431, Al Baha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tanveer Ul Hassan Dar
- Department of Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, 183254, India
| | - Muneeb U Rehman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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17
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Ibrahim MT, Lee J, Tao P. Homology modeling of Forkhead box protein C2: identification of potential inhibitors using ligand and structure-based virtual screening. Mol Divers 2023; 27:1661-1674. [PMID: 36048303 PMCID: PMC9975119 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10519-0] [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: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of Forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) has been associated with different types of carcinomas. FOXC2 plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, which is essential for the development of higher-grade tumors with an enhanced ability for metastasis. Thus, FOXC2 has become a therapeutic target for the development of anticancer drugs. MC-1-F2, the only identified experimental inhibitor of FOXC2, interacts with the full length of FOXC2. However, only the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of FOXC2 has resolved crystal structure. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) structure of the full-length FOXC2 using homology modeling was developed and used for structure-based drug design (SBDD). The quality of this 3D model of the full-length FOXC2 was evaluated using MolProbity, ERRAT, and ProSA modules. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was also carried out to verify its stability. Ligand-based drug design (LBDD) was carried out to identify similar analogues for MC-1-F2 against 15 million compounds from ChEMBL and ZINC databases. 792 molecules were retrieved from this similarity search. De novo SBDD was performed against the full-length 3D structure of FOXC2 through homology modeling to identify novel inhibitors. The combination of LBDD and SBDD helped in gaining a better insight into the binding of MC-1-F2 and its analogues against the full length of the FOXC2. The binding free energy of the top hits was further investigated using MD simulations and MM/GBSA calculations to result in eight promising hits as lead compounds targeting FOXC2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayar Tarek Ibrahim
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jiyong Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA
| | - Peng Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA.
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18
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Bi X, Zheng D, Cai J, Xu D, Chen L, Xu Z, Cao M, Li P, Shen Y, Wang H, Zheng W, Wu D, Zheng S, Li K. Pan-cancer analyses reveal multi-omic signatures and clinical implementations of the forkhead-box gene family. Cancer Med 2023; 12:17428-17444. [PMID: 37401400 PMCID: PMC10501247 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6312] [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: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forkhead box (FOX) proteins belong to one of the largest transcription factor families and play crucial roles in the initiation and progression of cancer. Prior research has linked several FOX genes, such as FOXA1 and FOXM1, to the crucial process of carcinogenesis. However, the overall picture of FOX gene family across human cancers is far from clear. METHODS To investigate the broad molecular signatures of the FOX gene family, we conducted study on multi-omics data (including genomics, epigenomics and transcriptomics) from over 11,000 patients with 33 different types of human cancers. RESULTS Pan-cancer analysis reveals that FOX gene mutations were found in 17.4% of tumor patients with a substantial cancer type-dependent pattern. Additionally, high expression heterogeneity of FOX genes across cancer types was discovered, which can be partially attributed to the genomic or epigenomic alteration. Co-expression network analysis reveals that FOX genes may exert functions by regulating the expression of both their own and target genes. For a clinical standpoint, we provided 103 FOX gene-drug target-drug predictions and found FOX gene expression have potential survival predictive value. All of the results have been included in the FOX2Cancer database, which is freely accessible at http://hainmu-biobigdata.com/FOX2Cancer. CONCLUSION Our findings may provide a better understanding of roles FOX genes played in the development of tumors, and help to offer new avenues for uncovering tumorigenesis and unprecedented therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoman Bi
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Dehua Zheng
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Jiale Cai
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Dahua Xu
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Liyang Chen
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Zhizhou Xu
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Meng Cao
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Peihu Li
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Yutong Shen
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Hong Wang
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Wuping Zheng
- Department of Breast Thoracic TumorThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Deng Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of ScienceThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongChina
| | - Shaojiang Zheng
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
- Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research of Hainan Province, Hainan Women and Children's Medical CenterHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Kongning Li
- Cancer Institute of The First Affiliated HospitalCollege of Biomedical Information and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
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19
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Liu X, Bai F, Wang Y, Wang C, Chan HL, Zheng C, Fang J, Zhu WG, Pei XH. Loss of function of GATA3 regulates FRA1 and c-FOS to activate EMT and promote mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:370. [PMID: 37353480 PMCID: PMC10290069 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05888-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Basal-like breast cancers (BLBCs) are among the most aggressive cancers, partly due to their enrichment of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Breast CSCs can be generated from luminal-type cancer cells via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). GATA3 maintains luminal cell fate, and its expression is lost or reduced in BLBCs. However, deletion of Gata3 in mice or cells results in early lethality or proliferative defects. It is unknown how loss-of-function of GATA3 regulates EMT and CSCs in breast cancer. We report here that haploid loss of Gata3 in mice lacking p18Ink4c, a cell cycle inhibitor, up-regulates Fra1, an AP-1 family protein that promotes mesenchymal traits, and downregulates c-Fos, another AP-1 family protein that maintains epithelial fate, leading to activation of EMT and promotion of mammary tumor initiation and metastasis. Depletion of Gata3 in luminal tumor cells similarly regulates Fra1 and c-Fos in activation of EMT. GATA3 binds to FOSL1 (encoding FRA1) and FOS (encoding c-FOS) loci to repress FOSL1 and activate FOS transcription. Deletion of Fra1 or reconstitution of Gata3, but not reconstitution of c-Fos, in Gata3 deficient tumor cells inhibits EMT, preventing tumorigenesis and/or metastasis. In human breast cancers, GATA3 expression is negatively correlated with FRA1 and positively correlated with c-FOS. Low GATA3 and FOS, but high FOSL1, are characteristics of BLBCs. Together, these data provide the first genetic evidence indicating that loss of function of GATA3 in mammary tumor cells activates FOSL1 to promote mesenchymal traits and CSC function, while concurrently repressing FOS to lose epithelial features. We demonstrate that FRA1 is required for the activation of EMT in GATA3 deficient tumorigenesis and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Feng Bai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
- Dewitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Yuchan Wang
- Gansu Dian Medical Laboratory, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Chuying Wang
- Dewitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Ho Lam Chan
- Dewitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Chenglong Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Jian Fang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Wei-Guo Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xin-Hai Pei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
- Dewitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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20
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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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21
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Subhadarshini S, Markus J, Sahoo S, Jolly MK. Dynamics of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity: What Have Single-Cell Investigations Elucidated So Far? ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:11665-11673. [PMID: 37033874 PMCID: PMC10077445 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) is a key driver of cancer metastasis and therapeutic resistance, through which cancer cells can reversibly and dynamically alter their molecular and functional traits along the epithelial-mesenchymal spectrum. While cells in the epithelial phenotype are usually tightly adherent, less metastatic, and drug-sensitive, those in the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal and/or mesenchymal state are more invasive, migratory, drug-resistant, and immune-evasive. Single-cell studies have emerged as a powerful tool in gaining new insights into the dynamics of EMP across various cancer types. Here, we review many recent studies that employ single-cell analysis techniques to better understand the dynamics of EMP in cancer both in vitro and in vivo. These single-cell studies have underlined the plurality of trajectories cells can traverse during EMP and the consequent heterogeneity of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypes seen at both preclinical and clinical levels. They also demonstrate how diverse EMP trajectories may exhibit hysteretic behavior and how the rate of such cell-state transitions depends on the genetic/epigenetic background of recipient cells, as well as the dose and/or duration of EMP-inducing growth factors. Finally, we discuss the relationship between EMP and patient survival across many cancer types. We also present a next set of questions related to EMP that could benefit much from single-cell observations and pave the way to better tackle phenotypic switching and heterogeneity in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joel Markus
- Centre
for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- Centre
for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre
for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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22
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Sun L, Qiu Y, Ching WK, Zhao P, Zou Q. PCB: A pseudotemporal causality-based Bayesian approach to identify EMT-associated regulatory relationships of AS events and RBPs during breast cancer progression. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1010939. [PMID: 36930678 PMCID: PMC10057809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
During breast cancer metastasis, the developmental process epithelial-mesenchymal (EM) transition is abnormally activated. Transcriptional regulatory networks controlling EM transition are well-studied; however, alternative RNA splicing also plays a critical regulatory role during this process. Alternative splicing was proved to control the EM transition process, and RNA-binding proteins were determined to regulate alternative splicing. A comprehensive understanding of alternative splicing and the RNA-binding proteins that regulate it during EM transition and their dynamic impact on breast cancer remains largely unknown. To accurately study the dynamic regulatory relationships, time-series data of the EM transition process are essential. However, only cross-sectional data of epithelial and mesenchymal specimens are available. Therefore, we developed a pseudotemporal causality-based Bayesian (PCB) approach to infer the dynamic regulatory relationships between alternative splicing events and RNA-binding proteins. Our study sheds light on facilitating the regulatory network-based approach to identify key RNA-binding proteins or target alternative splicing events for the diagnosis or treatment of cancers. The data and code for PCB are available at: http://hkumath.hku.hk/~wkc/PCB(data+code).zip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangjie Sun
- Department of Mathematics, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yushan Qiu
- College of Mathematics and Statistics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Wai-Ki Ching
- Department of Mathematics, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pu Zhao
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Quan Zou
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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23
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Lansbergen MF, Khelil M, Etten-Jamaludin FSV, Bijlsma MF, van Laarhoven HWM. Poor-prognosis molecular subtypes in adenocarcinomas of pancreato-biliary and gynecological origin: A systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 185:103982. [PMID: 37004743 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.103982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreato-biliary and gynecological adenocarcinomas need better tools to predict clinical outcome. Potential prognostic mesenchymal(-like) transcriptome-based subtypes have been identified in these cancers. In this systematic review, we include studies into molecular subtyping and summarize biological and clinical features of the subtypes within and across sites of origin, searching for suggestions to improve classification and prognostication. PubMed and Embase were searched for original research articles describing potential mesenchymal(-like) mRNA-based subtypes in pancreato-biliary or gynecological adenocarcinomas. Studies limited to supervised clustering were excluded. Fourty-four studies, discussing cholangiocarcinomas, gallbladder, ampullary, pancreatic, ovarian, and endometrial adenocarcinomas were included. There was overlap in molecular and clinical features in mesenchymal(-like) subtypes across all adenocarcinomas. Approaches including microdissection were more likely to identify prognosis-associating subtypes. To conclude, molecular subtypes in pancreato-biliary and gynecological adenocarcinomas share biological and clinical characteristics. Furthermore, separation of stromal and epithelial signals should be applied in future studies into biliary and gynecological adenocarcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein F Lansbergen
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Medical Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Maryam Khelil
- University of Amsterdam, Spui 21, 1012 WX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Faridi S van Etten-Jamaludin
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Research Support Medical Library, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten F Bijlsma
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Jaarbeursplein 6, 3521 AL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hanneke W M van Laarhoven
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Medical Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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24
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Hargadon KM, Strong EW. The FOXC2 Transcription Factor: A Master Regulator of Chemoresistance in Cancer. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2023; 22:15330338231155284. [PMID: 36740986 PMCID: PMC9903043 DOI: 10.1177/15330338231155284] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
FOXC2, a member of the forkhead box family of transcription factors, is an emerging oncogene that has been linked to several hallmarks of cancer progression. Among its many oncogenic functions is the promotion of drug resistance, with evidence supporting roles for FOXC2 in escape from broad classes of chemotherapeutics across an array of cancer types. In this Mini-Review, we highlight the current understanding of the mechanisms by which FOXC2 drives cancer chemoresistance, including its roles in the promotion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, induction of multidrug transporters, activation of the oxidative stress response, and deregulation of cell survival signaling pathways. We discuss the clinical implications of these findings, including strategies for modulating FOXC2-associated chemoresistance in cancer. Particular attention is given to ways in which FOXC2 and its downstream gene products and pathways can be targeted to restore chemosensitivity in cancer cells. In addition, the utility of FOXC2 expression as a predictor of patient response to chemotherapy is also highlighted, with emphasis on the value of FOXC2 as a novel biomarker that can be used to guide therapeutic choice towards regimens most likely to achieve clinical benefit during frontline therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian M. Hargadon
- Hargadon Laboratory, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA, USA,Kristian M. Hargadon, PhD, Hampden-Sydney College, Brown Student Center, Box 837, Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943, USA.
| | - Elijah W. Strong
- Hargadon Laboratory, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA, USA
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25
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Castaneda M, den Hollander P, Kuburich NA, Rosen JM, Mani SA. Mechanisms of cancer metastasis. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 87:17-31. [PMID: 36354098 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic cancer is almost always terminal, and more than 90% of cancer deaths result from metastatic disease. Combating cancer metastasis and post-therapeutic recurrence successfully requires understanding each step of metastatic progression. This review describes the current state of knowledge of the etiology and mechanism of cancer progression from primary tumor growth to the formation of new tumors in other parts of the body. Open questions, avenues for future research, and therapeutic approaches with the potential to prevent or inhibit metastasis through personalization to each patient's mutation and/or immune profile are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Castaneda
- Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Petra den Hollander
- Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Legoretta Cancer Center, Brown University, Providence, RI 021912, USA
| | - Nick A Kuburich
- Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Legoretta Cancer Center, Brown University, Providence, RI 021912, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Rosen
- Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Sendurai A Mani
- Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Legoretta Cancer Center, Brown University, Providence, RI 021912, USA.
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26
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Hargadon KM, Goodloe TB, Lloyd ND. Oncogenic functions of the FOXC2 transcription factor: a hallmarks of cancer perspective. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2022; 41:833-852. [PMID: 35701636 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10045-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is a fundamental determinant of molecular and cellular function, and epigenetic reprogramming in the context of cancer has emerged as one of the key enabling characteristics associated with acquisition of the core hallmarks of this disease. As such, there has been renewed interest in studying the role of transcription factors as epigenetic regulators of gene expression in cancer. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge surrounding the oncogenic functions of FOXC2, a transcription factor that frequently becomes dysregulated in a variety of cancer types. In addition to highlighting the clinical impact of aberrant FOXC2 activity in cancer, we discuss mechanisms by which this transcription factor becomes dysregulated in both tumor and tumor-associated cells, placing particular emphasis on the ways in which FOXC2 promotes key hallmarks of cancer progression. Finally, we bring attention to important issues related to the oncogenic dysregulation of FOXC2 that must be addressed going forward in order to improve our understanding of FOXC2-mediated cancer progression and to guide prognostic and therapeutic applications of this knowledge in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian M Hargadon
- Hargadon Laboratory, Department of Biology, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA, 23943, USA.
| | - Travis B Goodloe
- Hargadon Laboratory, Department of Biology, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA, 23943, USA
| | - Nathaniel D Lloyd
- Hargadon Laboratory, Department of Biology, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA, 23943, USA
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27
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Lufkin L, Samanta A, Baker D, Lufkin S, Schulze J, Ellis B, Rose J, Lufkin T, Kraus P. Glis1 and oxaloacetate in nucleus pulposus stromal cell somatic reprogramming and survival. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1009402. [PMID: 36406265 PMCID: PMC9671658 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1009402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Regenerative medicine aims to repair degenerate tissue through cell refurbishment with minimally invasive procedures. Adipose tissue (FAT)-derived stem or stromal cells are a convenient autologous choice for many regenerative cell therapy approaches. The intervertebral disc (IVD) is a suitable target. Comprised of an inner nucleus pulposus (NP) and an outer annulus fibrosus (AF), the degeneration of the IVD through trauma or aging presents a substantial socio-economic burden worldwide. The avascular nature of the mature NP forces cells to reside in a unique environment with increased lactate levels, conditions that pose a challenge to cell-based therapies. We assessed adipose and IVD tissue-derived stromal cells through in vitro transcriptome analysis in 2D and 3D culture and suggested that the transcription factor Glis1 and metabolite oxaloacetic acid (OAA) could provide NP cells with survival tools for the harsh niche conditions in the IVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Lufkin
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,The Clarkson School, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States
| | - Ankita Samanta
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States
| | - DeVaun Baker
- The Clarkson School, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States,Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States
| | - Sina Lufkin
- The Clarkson School, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States,Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States
| | | | - Benjamin Ellis
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States
| | - Jillian Rose
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States
| | - Thomas Lufkin
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States
| | - Petra Kraus
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Petra Kraus,
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28
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Karagiorgou Z, Fountas PN, Manou D, Knutsen E, Theocharis AD. Proteoglycans Determine the Dynamic Landscape of EMT and Cancer Cell Stemness. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5328. [PMID: 36358747 PMCID: PMC9653992 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 03/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteoglycans (PGs) are pivotal components of extracellular matrices, involved in a variety of processes such as migration, invasion, morphogenesis, differentiation, drug resistance, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cellular plasticity is a crucial intermediate phenotypic state acquired by cancer cells, which can modulate EMT and the generation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). PGs affect cell plasticity, stemness, and EMT, altering the cellular shape and functions. PGs control these functions, either by direct activation of signaling cascades, acting as co-receptors, or through regulation of the availability of biological compounds such as growth factors and cytokines. Differential expression of microRNAs is also associated with the expression of PGs and their interplay is implicated in the fine tuning of cancer cell phenotype and potential. This review summarizes the involvement of PGs in the regulation of EMT and stemness of cancer cells and highlights the molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoi Karagiorgou
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Panagiotis N. Fountas
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Dimitra Manou
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Erik Knutsen
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9010 Tromsø, Norway
- Centre for Clinical Research and Education, University Hospital of North Norway, 9038 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Achilleas D. Theocharis
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
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29
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Nakayama J, Makinoshima H, Gong Z. Gastrulation Screening to Identify Anti-metastasis Drugs in Zebrafish Embryos. Bio Protoc 2022; 12:e4525. [PMID: 36313195 PMCID: PMC9548519 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Few models exist that allow for rapid and effective screening of anti-metastasis drugs. Here, we present a drug screening protocol utilizing gastrulation of zebrafish embryos for identification of anti-metastasis drugs. Based on the evidence that metastasis proceeds through utilizing the molecular mechanisms of gastrulation, we hypothesized that chemicals interrupting zebrafish gastrulation might suppress the metastasis of cancer cells. Thus, we developed a phenotype-based chemical screen that uses epiboly, the first morphogenetic movement in gastrulation, as a marker. The screen only needs zebrafish embryos and enables hundreds of chemicals to be tested in five hours by observing the epiboly progression of chemical-treated embryos. In the screen, embryos at the two-cell stage are firstly corrected and then developed to the sphere stage. The embryos are treated with a test chemical and incubated in the presence of the chemical until vehicle-treated embryos develop to the 90% epiboly stage. Finally, positive 'hit' chemicals that interrupt epiboly progression are selected by comparing epiboly progression of the chemical-treated and vehicle-treated embryos under a stereoscopic microscope. A previous study subjected 1,280 FDA-approved drugs to the screen and identified adrenosterone and pizotifen as epiboly-interrupting drugs. These were validated to suppress metastasis of breast cancer cells in mice models of metastasis. Furthermore, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (HSD11β1) and serotonin receptor 2C (HTR2C), the primary targets of adrenosterone and pizotifen, respectively, promoted metastasis through induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Therefore, this screen could be converted into a chemical genetic screening platform for identification of metastasis-promoting genes. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joji Nakayama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Japan
,
Shonai Regional Industry Promotion Center, Tsuruoka, Japan
,
Department of Biological Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
,
*For correspondence:
| | - Hideki Makinoshima
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Japan
,
Division of Translational Research, Exploratory Oncology Research, and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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30
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Recouvreux MS, Miao J, Gozo MC, Wu J, Walts AE, Karlan BY, Orsulic S. FOXC2 Promotes Vasculogenic Mimicry in Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4851. [PMID: 36230774 PMCID: PMC9564305 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXC2 is a forkhead family transcription factor that plays a critical role in specifying mesenchymal cell fate during embryogenesis. FOXC2 expression is associated with increased metastasis and poor survival in various solid malignancies. Using in vitro and in vivo assays in mouse ovarian cancer cell lines, we confirmed the previously reported mechanisms by which FOXC2 could promote cancer growth, metastasis, and drug resistance, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stem cell-like differentiation, and resistance to anoikis. In addition, we showed that FOXC2 expression is associated with vasculogenic mimicry in mouse and human ovarian cancers. FOXC2 overexpression increased the ability of human ovarian cancer cells to form vascular-like structures in vitro, while inhibition of FOXC2 had the opposite effect. Thus, we present a novel mechanism by which FOXC2 might contribute to cancer aggressiveness and poor patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sol Recouvreux
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jiangyong Miao
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Maricel C. Gozo
- Women’s Cancer Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Jingni Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ann E. Walts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Beth Y. Karlan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sandra Orsulic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Acharya N, Singh KP. Recent advances in the molecular basis of chemotherapy resistance and potential application of epigenetic therapeutics in chemorefractory renal cell carcinoma. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1575. [DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Narayan Acharya
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas USA
| | - Kamaleshwar P. Singh
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas USA
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Paidi SK, Troncoso JR, Harper MG, Liu Z, Nguyen KG, Ravindranathan S, Rebello L, Lee DE, Ivers JD, Zaharoff DA, Rajaram N, Barman I. Raman spectroscopy reveals phenotype switches in breast cancer metastasis. Theranostics 2022; 12:5351-5363. [PMID: 35910801 PMCID: PMC9330538 DOI: 10.7150/thno.74002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The accurate analytical characterization of metastatic phenotype at primary tumor diagnosis and its evolution with time are critical for controlling metastatic progression of cancer. Here, we report a label-free optical strategy using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning to identify distinct metastatic phenotypes observed in tumors formed by isogenic murine breast cancer cell lines of progressively increasing metastatic propensities. Methods: We employed the 4T1 isogenic panel of murine breast cancer cells to grow tumors of varying metastatic potential and acquired label-free spectra using a fiber probe-based portable Raman spectroscopy system. We used MCR-ALS and random forests classifiers to identify putative spectral markers and predict metastatic phenotype of tumors based on their optical spectra. We also used tumors derived from 4T1 cells silenced for the expression of TWIST, FOXC2 and CXCR3 genes to assess their metastatic phenotype based on their Raman spectra. Results: The MCR-ALS spectral decomposition showed consistent differences in the contribution of components that resembled collagen and lipids between the non-metastatic 67NR tumors and the metastatic tumors formed by FARN, 4T07, and 4T1 cells. Our Raman spectra-based random forest analysis provided evidence that machine learning models built on spectral data can allow the accurate identification of metastatic phenotype of independent test tumors. By silencing genes critical for metastasis in highly metastatic cell lines, we showed that the random forest classifiers provided predictions consistent with the observed phenotypic switch of the resultant tumors towards lower metastatic potential. Furthermore, the spectral assessment of lipid and collagen content of these tumors was consistent with the observed phenotypic switch. Conclusion: Overall, our findings indicate that Raman spectroscopy may offer a novel strategy to evaluate metastatic risk during primary tumor biopsies in clinical patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar Paidi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218
| | | | - Mason G. Harper
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205
| | - Zhenhui Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218
| | - Khue G. Nguyen
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695
| | | | - Lisa Rebello
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
| | - David E. Lee
- Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701
| | - Jesse D. Ivers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
| | - David A. Zaharoff
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695
| | - Narasimhan Rajaram
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205
| | - Ishan Barman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21287
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Qiu J, Li M, Su C, Liang Y, Ou R, Chen X, Huang C, Zhang Y, Ye Y, Liao W, Zhang C. FOXS1 Promotes Tumor Progression by Upregulating CXCL8 in Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:894043. [PMID: 35898871 PMCID: PMC9309265 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.894043] [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: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Forkhead box S1 (FOXS1) is a member of the forkhead box (FOX) transcriptional factor superfamily. The biological roles and underlying regulatory mechanism of FOXS1 in CRC remain unclear. Methods Bioinformatics analysis, Western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to detect the expression FOXS1 in CRC. MTT assay, transwell assay, human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation assay, and chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay were performed to investigate the effects of FOXS1 on proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. Additionally, tumor formation assay and orthotopic implantation assay were used to investigate the effects of FOXS1 on tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to analyze the correlation between FOXS1 and EMT or angiogenesis. The correlation between FOXS1 and CXCL8 expression was analyzed in clinical CRC samples using IHC. Results The results showed that FOXS1 expression was upregulated in CRC tissues compared with adjacent normal intestine tissues. A high FOXS1 expression is positively correlated with poor survival. FOXS1 promoted the malignant behavior of CRC cancer cells in vitro, including proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. In addition, FOXS1 promoted tumor growth and metastasis in nude mice. Mechanistically, FOXS1 upregulated the expression of C–X–C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) at the transcriptional level. Knockdown of CXCL8 blocked FOXS1 induced the enhancement of the EMT and angiogenesis. GSEAs in public CRC datasets revealed strong correlations between FOXS1 expression and EMT marker and angiogenesis markers. IHC showed that FOXS1 expression was positively correlated with CXCL8 expression and CD31 expression in clinical CRC samples. Conclusion The results suggest that FOXS1 promotes angiogenesis and metastasis by upregulating CXCL8 in CRC. Interference with the FOXS1/CXCL8 axis may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of metastatic CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Qiu
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingzhou Li
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cailin Su
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yihao Liang
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruizhang Ou
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoning Chen
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengmei Huang
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaping Ye
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yaping Ye, ; Wenting Liao, ; Chao Zhang,
| | - Wenting Liao
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yaping Ye, ; Wenting Liao, ; Chao Zhang,
| | - Chao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yaping Ye, ; Wenting Liao, ; Chao Zhang,
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Revisiting Epithelial Carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137437. [PMID: 35806442 PMCID: PMC9267463 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137437] [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: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin of cancer remains one of the most important enigmas in modern biology. This paper presents a hypothesis for the origin of carcinomas in which cellular aging and inflammation enable the recovery of cellular plasticity, which may ultimately result in cancer. The hypothesis describes carcinogenesis as the result of the dedifferentiation undergone by epithelial cells in hyperplasia due to replicative senescence towards a mesenchymal cell state with potentially cancerous behavior. In support of this hypothesis, the molecular, cellular, and histopathological evidence was critically reviewed and reinterpreted when necessary to postulate a plausible generic series of mechanisms for the origin and progression of carcinomas. In addition, the implications of this theoretical framework for the current strategies of cancer treatment are discussed considering recent evidence of the molecular events underlying the epigenetic switches involved in the resistance of breast carcinomas. The hypothesis also proposes an epigenetic landscape for their progression and a potential mechanism for restraining the degree of dedifferentiation and malignant behavior. In addition, the manuscript revisits the gradual degeneration of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to propose an integrative generalized mechanistic explanation for the involution and carcinogenesis of tissues associated with aging. The presented hypothesis might serve to understand and structure new findings into a more encompassing view of the genesis of degenerative diseases and may inspire novel approaches for their study and therapy.
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Bakr MN, Takahashi H, Kikuchi Y. Analysis of Melanoma Gene Expression Signatures at the Single-Cell Level Uncovers 45-Gene Signature Related to Prognosis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071478. [PMID: 35884783 PMCID: PMC9313451 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the current melanoma clinicopathological staging system remains restricted to predicting survival outcomes, establishing precise prognostic targets is needed. Here, we used gene expression signature (GES) classification and Cox regression analyses to biologically characterize melanoma cells at the single-cell level and construct a prognosis-related gene signature for melanoma. By analyzing publicly available scRNA-seq data, we identified six distinct GESs (named: “Anti-apoptosis”, “Immune cell interactions”, “Melanogenesis”, “Ribosomal biogenesis”, “Extracellular structure organization”, and “Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)”). We verified these GESs in the bulk RNA-seq data of patients with skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Four GESs (“Immune cell interactions”, “Melanogenesis”, “Ribosomal biogenesis”, and “Extracellular structure organization”) were significantly correlated with prognosis (p = 1.08 × 10−5, p = 0.042, p = 0.001, and p = 0.031, respectively). We identified a prognostic signature of melanoma composed of 45 genes (MPS_45). MPS_45 was validated in TCGA-SKCM (HR = 1.82, p = 9.08 × 10−6) and three other melanoma datasets (GSE65904: HR = 1.73, p = 0.006; GSE19234: HR = 3.83, p = 0.002; and GSE53118: HR = 1.85, p = 0.037). MPS_45 was independently associated with survival (p = 0.002) and was proved to have a high potential for predicting prognosis in melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Nabil Bakr
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan;
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Cairo 11516, Egypt
| | - Haruko Takahashi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan;
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
- Correspondence: (H.T.); (Y.K.); Tel.: +81-82-424-7440 (Y.K.)
| | - Yutaka Kikuchi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan;
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
- Correspondence: (H.T.); (Y.K.); Tel.: +81-82-424-7440 (Y.K.)
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Castaneda M, den Hollander P, Mani SA. Forkhead Box Transcription Factors: Double-Edged Swords in Cancer. Cancer Res 2022; 82:2057-2065. [PMID: 35315926 PMCID: PMC9258984 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-3371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A plethora of treatment options exist for cancer therapeutics, but many are limited by side effects and either intrinsic or acquired resistance. The need for more effective targeted cancer treatment has led to the focus on forkhead box (FOX) transcription factors as possible drug targets. Forkhead factors such as FOXA1 and FOXM1 are involved in hormone regulation, immune system modulation, and disease progression through their regulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Forkhead factors can influence cancer development, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. In this review, we discuss the various roles of forkhead factors in biological processes that support cancer as well as their function as pioneering factors and their potential as targetable transcription factors in the fight against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Castaneda
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Petra den Hollander
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sendurai A. Mani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Corresponding Author: Sendurai A. Mani, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2130 West Holcombe Boulevard, Suite 910, Houston, TX 77030-3304. Phone: 713-792-9638; E-mail:
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37
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Long non-coding RNAs involved in different steps of cancer metastasis. Clin Transl Oncol 2022; 24:997-1013. [PMID: 35119654 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-021-02761-z] [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: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Non-proteincoding transcripts bearing 200 base pairs known as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a role in a variety of molecular mechanisms, including cell differentiation, apoptosis and metastasis. Previous studies have suggested that frequently dysregulated lncRNAs play a crucial role in various aspects of cancer metastasis. Metastasis is the main leading cause of death in cancer. The role of lncRNAs in different stages of metastasis is the subject of this review. Based on in vitro and in vivo investigations on metastasis, we categorized lncRNAs into distinct stages of metastasis including angiogenesis, invasion, intravasation, survival in circulation, and extravasation. The involvement of lncRNAs in angiogenesis and invasion has been extensively studied. Here, we comprehensively discuss the role and functions of these lncRNAs with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms.
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38
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Kudaravalli S, den Hollander P, Mani SA. Role of p38 MAP kinase in cancer stem cells and metastasis. Oncogene 2022; 41:3177-3185. [PMID: 35501462 PMCID: PMC9166676 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic resistance and metastatic progression are responsible for the majority of cancer mortalities. In particular, the development of resistance is a significant barrier to the efficacy of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) underlie treatment resistance and metastasis. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) is downstream of several CSC-specific signaling pathways, and it plays an important role in CSC development and maintenance and contributes to metastasis and chemoresistance. Therefore, the development of therapeutic approaches targeting p38 can sensitize tumors to chemotherapy and prevent metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriya Kudaravalli
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Rice University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Petra den Hollander
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sendurai A Mani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Huang Z, Zhang Z, Zhou C, Liu L, Huang C. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition: The history, regulatory mechanism, and cancer therapeutic opportunities. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e144. [PMID: 35601657 PMCID: PMC9115588 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a program wherein epithelial cells lose their junctions and polarity while acquiring mesenchymal properties and invasive ability. Originally defined as an embryogenesis event, EMT has been recognized as a crucial process in tumor progression. During EMT, cell–cell junctions and cell–matrix attachments are disrupted, and the cytoskeleton is remodeled to enhance mobility of cells. This transition of phenotype is largely driven by a group of key transcription factors, typically Snail, Twist, and ZEB, through epigenetic repression of epithelial markers, transcriptional activation of matrix metalloproteinases, and reorganization of cytoskeleton. Mechanistically, EMT is orchestrated by multiple pathways, especially those involved in embryogenesis such as TGFβ, Wnt, Hedgehog, and Hippo, suggesting EMT as an intrinsic link between embryonic development and cancer progression. In addition, redox signaling has also emerged as critical EMT modulator. EMT confers cancer cells with increased metastatic potential and drug resistant capacity, which accounts for tumor recurrence in most clinic cases. Thus, targeting EMT can be a therapeutic option providing a chance of cure for cancer patients. Here, we introduce a brief history of EMT and summarize recent advances in understanding EMT mechanisms, as well as highlighting the therapeutic opportunities by targeting EMT in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Chengwei Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
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Ahmadi N, Kelly G, Low TH(H, Clark J, Gupta R. Molecular factors governing perineural invasion in malignancy. Surg Oncol 2022; 42:101770. [DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2022.101770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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41
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Zylla JLS, Hoffman MM, Plesselova S, Bhattacharya S, Calar K, Afeworki Y, de la Puente P, Gnimpieba EZ, Miskimins WK, Messerli SM. Reduction of Metastasis via Epigenetic Modulation in a Murine Model of Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071753. [PMID: 35406526 PMCID: PMC8996906 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of a dual selective Class I histone deacetylase (HDAC)/lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (LSD1) inhibitor known as 4SC-202 (Domatinostat) on tumor growth and metastasis in a highly metastatic murine model of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). 4SC-202 is cytotoxic and cytostatic to the TNBC murine cell line 4T1 and the human TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231; the drug does not kill the normal breast epithelial cell line MCF10A. Furthermore, 4SC-202 reduces cancer cell migration. In vivo studies conducted in the syngeneic 4T1 model, which closely mimics human TNBC in terms of sites of metastasis, reveal reduced tumor burden and lung metastasis. The mechanism of action of 4SC-202 may involve effects on cancer stem cells (CSC) which can self-renew and form metastatic lesions. Approximately 5% of the total 4T1 cell population grown in three-dimensional scaffolds had a distinct CD44high/CD24low CSC profile which decreased after treatment. Bulk transcriptome (RNA) sequencing analyses of 4T1 tumors reveal changes in metastasis-related pathways in 4SC-202-treated tumors, including changes to expression levels of genes implicated in cell migration and cell motility. In summary, 4SC-202 treatment of tumors from a highly metastatic murine model of TNBC reduces metastasis and warrants further preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. S. Zylla
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD 57107, USA; (J.L.S.Z.); (M.M.H.); (E.Z.G.)
- 2-Dimensional Materials for Biofilm Engineering Science and Technology (2DBEST) Center, Sioux Falls, SD 57107, USA
| | - Mariah M. Hoffman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD 57107, USA; (J.L.S.Z.); (M.M.H.); (E.Z.G.)
- 2-Dimensional Materials for Biofilm Engineering Science and Technology (2DBEST) Center, Sioux Falls, SD 57107, USA
| | - Simona Plesselova
- Cancer Biology & Immunotherapies, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (S.P.); (S.B.); (K.C.); (P.d.l.P.); (W.K.M.)
| | - Somshuvra Bhattacharya
- Cancer Biology & Immunotherapies, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (S.P.); (S.B.); (K.C.); (P.d.l.P.); (W.K.M.)
| | - Kristin Calar
- Cancer Biology & Immunotherapies, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (S.P.); (S.B.); (K.C.); (P.d.l.P.); (W.K.M.)
| | - Yohannes Afeworki
- Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA;
| | - Pilar de la Puente
- Cancer Biology & Immunotherapies, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (S.P.); (S.B.); (K.C.); (P.d.l.P.); (W.K.M.)
- Department of Surgery, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006, USA
| | - Etienne Z. Gnimpieba
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD 57107, USA; (J.L.S.Z.); (M.M.H.); (E.Z.G.)
- 2-Dimensional Materials for Biofilm Engineering Science and Technology (2DBEST) Center, Sioux Falls, SD 57107, USA
| | - W. Keith Miskimins
- Cancer Biology & Immunotherapies, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (S.P.); (S.B.); (K.C.); (P.d.l.P.); (W.K.M.)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006, USA
| | - Shanta M. Messerli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD 57107, USA; (J.L.S.Z.); (M.M.H.); (E.Z.G.)
- 2-Dimensional Materials for Biofilm Engineering Science and Technology (2DBEST) Center, Sioux Falls, SD 57107, USA
- Cancer Biology & Immunotherapies, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA; (S.P.); (S.B.); (K.C.); (P.d.l.P.); (W.K.M.)
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006, USA
- Correspondence:
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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: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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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Circulating tumour cells in the -omics era: how far are we from achieving the 'singularity'? Br J Cancer 2022; 127:173-184. [PMID: 35273384 PMCID: PMC9296521 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01768-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, cancer diagnosis has expanded to include liquid biopsies in addition to tissue biopsies. Liquid biopsies can result in earlier and more accurate diagnosis and more effective monitoring of disease progression than tissue biopsies as samples can be collected frequently. Because of these advantages, liquid biopsies are now used extensively in clinical care. Liquid biopsy samples are analysed for circulating tumour cells (CTCs), cell-free DNA, RNA, proteins and exosomes. CTCs originate from the tumour, play crucial roles in metastasis and carry information on tumour heterogeneity. Multiple single-cell omics approaches allow the characterisation of the molecular makeup of CTCs. It has become evident that CTCs are robust biomarkers for predicting therapy response, clinical development of metastasis and disease progression. This review describes CTC biology, molecular heterogeneity within CTCs and the involvement of EMT in CTC dynamics. In addition, we describe the single-cell multi-omics technologies that have provided insights into the molecular features within therapy-resistant and metastasis-prone CTC populations. Functional studies coupled with integrated multi-omics analyses have the potential to identify therapies that can intervene the functions of CTCs.
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Raina R, Almutary AG, Bagabir SA, Afroze N, Fagoonee S, Haque S, Hussain A. Chrysin Modulates Aberrant Epigenetic Variations and Hampers Migratory Behavior of Human Cervical (HeLa) Cells. Front Genet 2022; 12:768130. [PMID: 35096000 PMCID: PMC8790538 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.768130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Plant-derived phytochemicals have shown epigenetic modulatory effect in different types of cancer by reversing the pattern of DNA methylation and chromatin modulation, thereby restoring the function of silenced tumor-suppressor genes. In the present study, attempts have been made to explore chrysin-mediated epigenetic alterations in HeLa cells. Methods: Colony formation and migration assays followed by methylation-specific PCR for examining the methylation status of CpG promoters of various tumor-suppressor genes (TSGs) and the expression of these TSGs at the transcript and protein levels were performed. Furthermore, global DNA methylation; biochemical activities of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), histone methyl transferases (HMTs), histone deacetylases (HDACs), and histone acetyl transferases (HATs) along with the expression analysis of chromatin-modifying enzymes; and H3 and H4 histone modification marks analyses were performed after chrysin treatment. Results: The experimental analyses revealed that chrysin treatment encourages cytostatic behavior as well as inhibits the migration capacity of HeLa cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Chrysin reduces the methylation of various tumor-suppressor genes, leading to their reactivation at mRNA and protein levels. The expression levels of various chromatin-modifying enzymes viz DNMTs, HMTs, HDACs, and HATS were found to be decreased, and H3 and H4 histone modification marks were modulated too. Also, reduced global DNA methylation was observed following the treatment of chrysin. Conclusion: This study concludes that chrysin can be used as a potential epigenetic modifier for cancer treatment and warrants for further experimental validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Raina
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdulmajeed G Almutary
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sali Abubaker Bagabir
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nazia Afroze
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sharmila Fagoonee
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (CNR), Turin, Italy
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.,Bursa Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine, Görükle Campus, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Arif Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Topa J, Grešner P, Żaczek AJ, Markiewicz A. Breast cancer circulating tumor cells with mesenchymal features-an unreachable target? Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:81. [PMID: 35048186 PMCID: PMC8770434 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04064-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) mediate dissemination of solid tumors and can be an early sign of disease progression. Moreover, they show a great potential in terms of non-invasive, longitudinal monitoring of cancer patients. CTCs have been extensively studied in breast cancer (BC) and were shown to present a significant phenotypic plasticity connected with initiation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Apart from conferring malignant properties, EMT affects CTCs recovery rate, making a significant portion of CTCs from patients’ samples undetected. Wider application of methods and markers designed to isolate and identify mesenchymal CTCs is required to expand our knowledge about the clinical impact of mesenchymal CTCs. Therefore, here we provide a comprehensive review of clinical significance of mesenchymal CTCs in BC together with statistical analysis of previously published data, in which we assessed the suitability of a number of methods/markers used for isolation of CTCs with different EMT phenotypes, both in in vitro spike-in tests with BC cell lines, as well as clinical samples. Results of spiked-in cell lines indicate that, in general, methods not based on epithelial enrichment only, capture mesenchymal CTCs much more efficiently that CellSearch® (golden standard in CTCs detection), but at the same time are not much inferior to Cell Search®, though large variation in recovery rates of added cells among the methods is observed. In clinical samples, where additional CTCs detection markers are needed, positive epithelial-based CTCs enrichment was the most efficient in isolating CTCs with mesenchymal features from non-metastatic BC patients. From the marker side, PI3K and VIM were contributing the most to detection of CTCs with mesenchymal features (in comparison to SNAIL) in non-metastatic and metastatic BC patients, respectively. However, additional data are needed for more robust identification of markers for efficient detection of CTCs with mesenchymal features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Topa
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Peter Grešner
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anna J Żaczek
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Markiewicz
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Debinki 1, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland.
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46
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Nam MW, Kim CW, Choi KC. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Inducing Factors Involved in the Progression of Lung Cancers. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2022; 30:213-220. [PMID: 35039464 PMCID: PMC9047489 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2021.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there have been advances in cancer therapy and surgical improvement, lung cancer has the lowest survival rate (19%) at all stages. This is because most patients are diagnosed with concurrent metastasis, which occurs due to numerous related reasons. Especially, lung cancer is one of the most common and malignant cancers in the world. Although there are advanced therapeutic strategies, lung cancer remains one of the main causes of cancer death. Recent work has proposed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the main cause of metastasis in most cases of human cancers including lung cancer. EMT involves the conversion of epithelial cells, wherein the cells lose their epithelial abilities and become mesenchymal cells involved in embryonic development, such as gastrulation and neural crest formation. In addition, recent research has indicated that EMT contributes to altering the cancer cells into cancer stem cells (CSCs). Although EMT is important in the developmental stages, this process also activates lung cancer progression, including complicated and diverse signaling pathways. Despite the numerous investigations on signaling pathways involved in the progression of lung cancer, this malignancy is considered critical for treatment. EMT in lung cancer involves many transcription factors and inducers, for example, Snail, TWIST, and ZEB are the master regulators of EMT. EMT-related factors and signaling pathways are involved in the progression of lung cancer, proposing new approaches to lung cancer therapy. In the current review, we highlight the signaling pathways implicated in lung cancer and elucidate the correlation of these pathways, indicating new insights to treat lung cancer and other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Woo Nam
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Cho-Won Kim
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Chul Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
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Wu T, Jiang D, Zou M, Sun W, Wu D, Cui J, Huntress I, Peng X, Li G. Coupling high-throughput mapping with proteomics analysis delineates cis-regulatory elements at high resolution. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:e5. [PMID: 34634809 PMCID: PMC8754656 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that functional cis-regulatory elements (cis-REs) not only exist in epigenetically marked but also in unmarked sites of the human genome. While it is already difficult to identify cis-REs in the epigenetically marked sites, interrogating cis-REs residing within the unmarked sites is even more challenging. Here, we report adapting Reel-seq, an in vitro high-throughput (HTP) technique, to fine-map cis-REs at high resolution over a large region of the human genome in a systematic and continuous manner. Using Reel-seq, as a proof-of-principle, we identified 408 candidate cis-REs by mapping a 58 kb core region on the aging-related CDKN2A/B locus that harbors p16INK4a. By coupling Reel-seq with FREP-MS, a proteomics analysis technique, we characterized two cis-REs, one in an epigenetically marked site and the other in an epigenetically unmarked site. These elements are shown to regulate the p16INK4a expression over an ∼100 kb distance by recruiting the poly(A) binding protein PABPC1 and the transcription factor FOXC2. Downregulation of either PABPC1 or FOXC2 in human endothelial cells (ECs) can induce the p16INK4a-dependent cellular senescence. Thus, we confirmed the utility of Reel-seq and FREP-MS analyses for the systematic identification of cis-REs at high resolution over a large region of the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wu
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
- Department of Medicine, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Danli Jiang
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Meijuan Zou
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Wei Sun
- Center for Pulmonary Vascular Biology and Medicine, Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Di Wu
- Division of Oral Craniofacial Health Science, Adams School of Dentistry, Department of Biostatistics, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jing Cui
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ian Huntress
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Bioinformatics Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Xinxia Peng
- Bioinformatics Graduate Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Gang Li
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15223, USA
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Nakayama J, Tan L, Li Y, Goh BC, Wang S, Makinoshima H, Gong Z. A zebrafish embryo screen utilizing gastrulation identifies the HTR2C inhibitor pizotifen as a suppressor of EMT-mediated metastasis. eLife 2021; 10:e70151. [PMID: 34919051 PMCID: PMC8824480 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is responsible for approximately 90% of cancer-associated mortality but few models exist that allow for rapid and effective screening of anti-metastasis drugs. Current mouse models of metastasis are too expensive and time consuming to use for rapid and high-throughput screening. Therefore, we created a unique screening concept utilizing conserved mechanisms between zebrafish gastrulation and cancer metastasis for identification of potential anti-metastatic drugs. We hypothesized that small chemicals that interrupt zebrafish gastrulation might also suppress metastatic progression of cancer cells and developed a phenotype-based chemical screen to test the hypothesis. The screen used epiboly, the first morphogenetic movement in gastrulation, as a marker and enabled 100 chemicals to be tested in 5 hr. The screen tested 1280 FDA-approved drugs and identified pizotifen, an antagonist for serotonin receptor 2C (HTR2C) as an epiboly-interrupting drug. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of HTR2C suppressed metastatic progression in a mouse model. Blocking HTR2C with pizotifen restored epithelial properties to metastatic cells through inhibition of Wnt signaling. In contrast, HTR2C induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through activation of Wnt signaling and promoted metastatic dissemination of human cancer cells in a zebrafish xenotransplantation model. Taken together, our concept offers a novel platform for discovery of anti-metastasis drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joji Nakayama
- Department of Biological Science, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
- Shonai Regional Industry Promotion CenterTsuruokaJapan
| | - Lora Tan
- Department of Biological Science, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Biological Science, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Boon Cher Goh
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Shu Wang
- Department of Biological Science, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Institute of Bioengineering and NanotechnologySingaporeSingapore
| | - Hideki Makinoshima
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
- Division of Translational Research, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer CenterKashiwaJapan
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Science, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
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Liu X, Chen J, Li J, Zeng Z, Jiang X, Gao Y, Huang Z, Wu Q, Gong Y, Xie C. Comprehensive analysis reveals common DNA methylation patterns of tobacco-associated cancers: A pan-cancer analysis. Gene 2021; 804:145900. [PMID: 34400279 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The role of tobacco in carcinogenesis has received increasing attention across a number of disciplines in recent years. Accumulating evidences reveal that tobacco consumption affects various epigenetic modifications, especially DNA methylation. However, the genetic modifications of methylation patterns involved in tobacco-attributable cancers remain poorly understood. In this manuscript, aberrant DNA methylation patterns were investigated in 9 tobacco-attributable cancers. Differential methylated probes (DMPs) were identified in each cancer type and a total of 2,392 hyper- and 736 hypomethylated pan-cancer DMPs (PDMPs) were screened out for further analysis. PDMP-associated genes were mostly enriched in metabolism-associated pathways, suggesting the potential roles of methylation alternation in reprogramming cancer cell metabolism. Hypomethylated PDMPs cg12422154, cg02772121 and cg06051311 constituted an enhancer region, significantly downregulating TRIM15, TRIM26 and RPP21, which serve as epigenetically therapeutic biomarkers. Forty-three hypermethylated and 13 hypomethylated transcription factor motifs were clustered into 6 groups, and exhibited various biological functions. Forty-nine PDMPs were reported to be associated with prognosis, providing effective tools to predict clinical outcomes. In summary, our studies revealed the characteristics, influences and potential mechanisms of DNA methylation patterns of tobacco-attributable cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Liu
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiarui Chen
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiali Li
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zihang Zeng
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xueping Jiang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanping Gao
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengrong Huang
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiuji Wu
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Gong
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Tumor Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Translational Medicine, Hubei Engineering Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Conghua Xie
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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50
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Imodoye SO, Adedokun KA, Muhammed AO, Bello IO, Muhibi MA, Oduola T, Oyenike MA. Understanding the Complex Milieu of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Metastasis: New Insight Into the Roles of Transcription Factors. Front Oncol 2021; 11:762817. [PMID: 34868979 PMCID: PMC8636732 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.762817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological program during which polarised, immobile epithelial cells lose connection with their neighbours and are converted to migratory mesenchymal phenotype. Mechanistically, EMT occurs via a series of genetic and cellular events leading to the repression of epithelial-associated markers and upregulation of mesenchymal-associated markers. EMT is very crucial for many biological processes such as embryogenesis and ontogenesis during human development, and again it plays a significant role in wound healing during a programmed replacement of the damaged tissues. However, this process is often hijacked in pathological conditions such as tumour metastasis, which constitutes the most significant drawback in the fight against cancer, accounting for about 90% of cancer-associated mortality globally. Worse still, metastatic tumours are not only challenging to treat with the available conventional radiotherapy and surgical interventions but also resistant to several cytotoxic agents during treatment, owing to their anatomically diffuse localisation in the body system. As the quest to find an effective method of addressing metastasis in cancer intervention heightens, understanding the molecular interplay involving the signalling pathways, downstream effectors, and their interactions with the EMT would be an important requisite while the challenges of metastasis continue to punctuate. Unfortunately, the molecular underpinnings that govern this process remain to be completely illuminated. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that EMT, which initiates every episode of metastasis, significantly requires some master regulators called EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs). Thus, this review critically examines the roles of TFs as drivers of molecular rewiring that lead to tumour initiation, progression, EMT, metastasis, and colonisation. In addition, it discusses the interaction of various signalling molecules and effector proteins with these factors. It also provides insight into promising therapeutic targets that may inhibit the metastatic process to overcome the limitation of “undruggable” cancer targets in therapeutic design and upturn the current spate of drug resistance. More so, it extends the discussion from the basic understanding of the EMT binary switch model, and ultimately unveiling the E/M cellular plasticity along a phenotypic spectrum via multiple trans-differentiations. It wraps up on how this knowledge update shapes the diagnostic and clinical approaches that may demand a potential shift in investigative paradigm using novel technologies such as single-cell analyses to improve overall patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sikiru O Imodoye
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Kamoru A Adedokun
- Department of Oral Pathology, Dental University Hospital, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdurrasheed Ola Muhammed
- Department of Histopathology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim O Bello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL, United States
| | - Musa A Muhibi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Edo State University, Uzairue, Nigeria
| | - Taofeeq Oduola
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Musiliu A Oyenike
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Nigeria
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