1
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Kim JY, Hwang HG, Jeon HJ, Kim SI, Kim MK, Kim JY. ARHGEF5 binds Drebrin and affects α-tubulin acetylation to direct neuronal morphogenesis and migration during mouse brain development. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1421932. [PMID: 38932934 PMCID: PMC11199874 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1421932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Rho GEFs) activate Rho GTPases, which act as molecular switches regulating various essential cellular functions. This study investigated the role of ARHGEF5, a Rho GEF known for its involvement in cell migration and invasion processes, in the context of brain development. We found that ARHGEF5 is essential for dendrite development during the early stages of neuronal growth. We also discovered that ARHGEF5 binds to Drebrin E, which is vital for coordinating actin and microtubule dynamics, and facilitates the interaction between Drebrin E and Cyclin-dependent kinase 5, which phosphorylates Drebrin E. Notably, ARHGEF5 deficiency resulted in a decrease in acetylated α-tubulin levels, and the expression of an α-tubulin acetylation mimetic mutant (K40Q) rescued the defects in dendrite development and neuronal migration, suggesting ARHGEF5's role in modulating microtubule stability. Additionally, ARHGEF5 was shown to influence Golgi positioning in the leading processes of migrating cortical neurons during brain development. Our study suggests that ARHGEF5 plays a crucial role in integrating cytoskeletal dynamics with neuronal morphogenesis and migration processes during brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-ye Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Gon Hwang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Jin Jeon
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Il Kim
- Digital Omics Research Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-kyu Kim
- Divison of Animal and Dairy Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Yoon Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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2
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Leone P, Malerba E, Susca N, Favoino E, Perosa F, Brunori G, Prete M, Racanelli V. Endothelial cells in tumor microenvironment: insights and perspectives. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1367875. [PMID: 38426109 PMCID: PMC10902062 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1367875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a highly complex and dynamic mixture of cell types, including tumor, immune and endothelial cells (ECs), soluble factors (cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors), blood vessels and extracellular matrix. Within this complex network, ECs are not only relevant for controlling blood fluidity and permeability, and orchestrating tumor angiogenesis but also for regulating the antitumor immune response. Lining the luminal side of vessels, ECs check the passage of molecules into the tumor compartment, regulate cellular transmigration, and interact with both circulating pathogens and innate and adaptive immune cells. Thus, they represent a first-line defense system that participates in immune responses. Tumor-associated ECs are involved in T cell priming, activation, and proliferation by acting as semi-professional antigen presenting cells. Thus, targeting ECs may assist in improving antitumor immune cell functions. Moreover, tumor-associated ECs contribute to the development at the tumor site of tertiary lymphoid structures, which have recently been associated with enhanced response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). When compared to normal ECs, tumor-associated ECs are abnormal in terms of phenotype, genetic expression profile, and functions. They are characterized by high proliferative potential and the ability to activate immunosuppressive mechanisms that support tumor progression and metastatic dissemination. A complete phenotypic and functional characterization of tumor-associated ECs could be helpful to clarify their complex role within the tumor microenvironment and to identify EC specific drug targets to improve cancer therapy. The emerging therapeutic strategies based on the combination of anti-angiogenic treatments with immunotherapy strategies, including ICI, CAR T cells and bispecific antibodies aim to impact both ECs and immune cells to block angiogenesis and at the same time to increase recruitment and activation of effector cells within the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Leone
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Malerba
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area-(DiMePRe-J), Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Susca
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Elvira Favoino
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuliano Brunori
- Centre for Medical Sciences, University of Trento and Nephrology and Dialysis Division, Santa Chiara Hospital, Provincial Health Care Agency (APSS), Trento, Italy
| | - Marcella Prete
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Centre for Medical Sciences, University of Trento and Internal Medicine Division, Santa Chiara Hospital, Provincial Health Care Agency (APSS), Trento, Italy
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3
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Takahashi K, Kobayashi M, Katsumata H, Tokizaki S, Anzai T, Ikeda Y, Alcaide DM, Maeda K, Ishihara M, Tahara K, Kubota Y, Itoh F, Park J, Takahashi K, Matsunaga YT, Yoshimatsu Y, Podyma‐Inoue KA, Watabe T. CD40 is expressed in the subsets of endothelial cells undergoing partial endothelial-mesenchymal transition in tumor microenvironment. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:490-506. [PMID: 38111334 PMCID: PMC10859613 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor progression and metastasis are regulated by endothelial cells undergoing endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a cellular differentiation process in which endothelial cells lose their properties and differentiate into mesenchymal cells. The cells undergoing EndoMT differentiate through a spectrum of intermediate phases, suggesting that some cells remain in a partial EndoMT state and exhibit an endothelial/mesenchymal phenotype. However, detailed analysis of partial EndoMT has been hampered by the lack of specific markers. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a central role in the induction of EndoMT. Here, we showed that inhibition of TGF-β signaling suppressed EndoMT in a human oral cancer cell xenograft mouse model. By using genetic labeling of endothelial cell lineage, we also established a novel EndoMT reporter cell system, the EndoMT reporter endothelial cells (EMRECs), which allow visualization of sequential changes during TGF-β-induced EndoMT. Using EMRECs, we characterized the gene profiles of multiple EndoMT stages and identified CD40 as a novel partial EndoMT-specific marker. CD40 expression was upregulated in the cells undergoing partial EndoMT, but decreased in the full EndoMT cells. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of human tumors revealed that CD40 expression was enriched in the population of cells expressing both endothelial and mesenchymal cell markers. Moreover, decreased expression of CD40 in EMRECs enhanced TGF-β-induced EndoMT, suggesting that CD40 expressed during partial EndoMT inhibits transition to full EndoMT. The present findings provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying TGF-β-induced EndoMT and will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting EndoMT-driven cancer progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
- Institute of Industrial ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Miho Kobayashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Hisae Katsumata
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Shiori Tokizaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Tatsuhiko Anzai
- Department of Biostatistics, M&D Data Science CenterTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Yukinori Ikeda
- Institute of Industrial ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | | | - Kentaro Maeda
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life SciencesTokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesTokyoJapan
| | - Makoto Ishihara
- Scientific Affairs Section, Life Science Sales Department, Life Science Business Division, Medical Business GroupSony CorporationKanagawaJapan
| | - Katsutoshi Tahara
- Section 1, Product Design Department 2, Medical Product Design Division, Medical Business GroupSony CorporationKanagawaJapan
| | - Yoshiaki Kubota
- Department of AnatomyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Fumiko Itoh
- Laboratory of Stem Cells RegulationsTokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesTokyoJapan
| | - Jihwan Park
- School of Life SciencesGwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)GwangjuSouth Korea
| | - Kunihiko Takahashi
- Department of Biostatistics, M&D Data Science CenterTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | | | - Yasuhiro Yoshimatsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life SciencesTokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesTokyoJapan
- Division of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesNiigata UniversityNiigataJapan
| | - Katarzyna A. Podyma‐Inoue
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Tetsuro Watabe
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life SciencesTokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesTokyoJapan
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4
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Juan-Guadarrama DG, Beltrán-Navarro YM, Reyes-Cruz G, Vázquez-Prado J. Ephexin3/ARHGEF5 Together with Cell Migration Signaling Partners within the Tumor Microenvironment Define Prognostic Transcriptional Signatures in Multiple Cancer Types. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16427. [PMID: 38003617 PMCID: PMC10671824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216427] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell migration involves a repertoire of signaling proteins that lead cytoskeleton reorganization as a critical step in metastatic dissemination. RhoGEFs are multidomain effectors that integrate signaling inputs to activate the molecular switches that orchestrate actin cytoskeleton reorganization. Ephexins, a group of five RhoGEFs, play oncogenic roles in invasive and metastatic cancer, leading to a mechanistic hypothesis about their function as signaling nodes assembling functional complexes that guide cancer cell migration. To identify clinically significant Ephexin signaling partners, we applied three systematic data mining strategies, based on the screening of essential Ephexins in multiple cancer cell lines and the identification of coexpressed signaling partners in the TCGA cancer patient datasets. Based on the domain architecture of encoded proteins and gene ontology criteria, we selected Ephexin signaling partners with a role in cytoskeletal reorganization and cell migration. We focused on Ephexin3/ARHGEF5, identified as an essential gene in multiple cancer cell types. Based on significant coexpression data and coessentiality, the signaling repertoire that accompanies Ephexin3 corresponded to three groups: pan-cancer, cancer-specific and coessential. To further select the Ephexin3 signaling partners likely to be relevant in clinical settings, we first identified those whose high expression was statistical linked to shorter patient survival. The resulting Ephexin3 transcriptional signatures represent significant accumulated risk, predictive of shorter survival, in 17 cancer types, including PAAD, LUAD, LGG, OSC, AML, KIRC, THYM, BLCA, LIHC and UCEC. The signaling landscape that accompanies Ephexin3 in various cancer types included the tyrosine kinase receptor MET and the tyrosine phosphatase receptor PTPRF, the serine/threonine kinases MARK2 and PAK6, the Rho GTPases RHOD, RHOF and RAC1, and the cytoskeletal regulator DIAHP1. Our findings set the basis to further explore the role of Ephexin3/ARHGEF5 as an essential effector and signaling hub in cancer cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dante Gustavo Juan-Guadarrama
- Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Yarely Mabell Beltrán-Navarro
- Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Reyes-Cruz
- Department of Cell Biology, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - José Vázquez-Prado
- Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
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5
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Kim S, Lee H, Moon H, Kim R, Kim M, Jeong S, Kim H, Kim SH, Hwang SS, Lee MY, Kim J, Song BW, Chang W. Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Attenuates Myocardial Dysfunction via Inhibition of Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1059. [PMID: 37237925 PMCID: PMC10215739 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12051059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac tissue damage following ischemia leads to cardiomyocyte apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an active polyphenol flavonoid or catechin, exerts bioactivity in tissues with various diseases and protects ischemic myocardium; however, its association with the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is unknown. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) pretreated with transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were treated with EGCG to verify cellular function. In addition, EGCG is involved in RhoA GTPase transmission, resulting in reduced cell mobility, oxidative stress, and inflammation-related factors. A mouse myocardial infarction (MI) model was used to confirm the association between EGCG and EndMT in vivo. In the EGCG-treated group, ischemic tissue was regenerated by regulating proteins involved in the EndMT process, and cardioprotection was induced by positively regulating apoptosis and fibrosis of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, EGCG can reactivate myocardial function due to EndMT inhibition. In summary, our findings confirm that EGCG is an impact activator controlling the cardiac EndMT process derived from ischemic conditions and suggest that supplementation with EGCG may be beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sejin Kim
- Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (S.K.); (H.L.); (R.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Hyunjae Lee
- Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (S.K.); (H.L.); (R.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Hanbyeol Moon
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary’s Hospital, Incheon 22711, Republic of Korea; (H.M.); (S.J.); (H.K.)
| | - Ran Kim
- Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (S.K.); (H.L.); (R.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Minsuk Kim
- Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (S.K.); (H.L.); (R.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Seongtae Jeong
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary’s Hospital, Incheon 22711, Republic of Korea; (H.M.); (S.J.); (H.K.)
| | - Hojin Kim
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary’s Hospital, Incheon 22711, Republic of Korea; (H.M.); (S.J.); (H.K.)
| | - Sang Hyeon Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Severance Biomedical Science Institute and Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; (S.H.K.); (S.S.H.)
- Chronic Intractable Disease Systems Medical Research Center, Institute of Genetic Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Seok Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Severance Biomedical Science Institute and Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; (S.H.K.); (S.S.H.)
- Chronic Intractable Disease Systems Medical Research Center, Institute of Genetic Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Young Lee
- Department of Molecular Physiology, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jongmin Kim
- Department of Life Systems, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea;
| | - Byeong-Wook Song
- Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary’s Hospital, Incheon 22711, Republic of Korea; (H.M.); (S.J.); (H.K.)
| | - Woochul Chang
- Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (S.K.); (H.L.); (R.K.); (M.K.)
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6
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Watabe T, Takahashi K, Pietras K, Yoshimatsu Y. Roles of TGF-β signals in tumor microenvironment via regulation of the formation and plasticity of vascular system. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 92:130-138. [PMID: 37068553 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells evolve in tumor microenvironment composed of multiple cell types. Among these, endothelial cells (ECs) are the major players in tumor angiogenesis, which is a driver of tumor progression and metastasis. Increasing evidence suggests that ECs also contribute to tumor progression and metastasis as they modify their phenotypes to differentiate into mesenchymal cells through a process known as endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). This plasticity of ECs is mediated by various cytokines, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and modulated by other stimuli depending on the cellular contexts. Recent lines of evidence have shown that EndoMT is involved in various steps of tumor progression, including tumor angiogenesis, intravasation and extravasation of cancer cells, formation of cancer-associated fibroblasts, and cancer therapy resistance. In this review, we summarize current updates on EndoMT, highlight the roles of EndoMT in tumor progression and metastasis, and underline targeting EndoMT as a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuro Watabe
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kazuki Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan; Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kristian Pietras
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Translational Cancer Research, Lund University Cancer Centre, Medicon Village, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Yasuhiro Yoshimatsu
- Division of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
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7
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Regulation of Inflammation-Mediated Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition with Echinochrome a for Improving Myocardial Dysfunction. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20120756. [PMID: 36547903 PMCID: PMC9781361 DOI: 10.3390/md20120756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a process by which endothelial cells (ECs) transition into mesenchymal cells (e.g., myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells) and induce fibrosis of cells/tissues, due to ischemic conditions in the heart. Previously, we reported that echinochrome A (EchA) derived from sea urchin shells can modulate cardiovascular disease by promoting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity; however, the mechanism underlying these effects was unclear. We investigated the role of EchA in the EndMT process by treating human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) with TGF-β2 and IL-1β, and confirmed the regulation of cell migration, inflammatory, oxidative responses and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, we developed an EndMT-induced myocardial infarction (MI) model to investigate the effect of EchA in vivo. After EchA was administered once a day for a total of 3 days, the histological and functional improvement of the myocardium was investigated to confirm the control of the EndMT. We concluded that EchA negatively regulates early or inflammation-related EndMT and reduces the myofibroblast proportion and fibrosis area, meaning that it may be a potential therapy for cardiac regeneration or cardioprotection from scar formation and cardiac fibrosis due to tissue granulation. Our findings encourage the study of marine bioactive compounds for the discovery of new therapeutics for recovering ischemic cardiac injuries.
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8
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Krishnamoorthi MK, Thandavarayan RA, Youker KA, Bhimaraj A. An In Vitro Platform to Study Reversible Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:912660. [PMID: 35814231 PMCID: PMC9259860 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.912660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells can acquire a mesenchymal phenotype in response to external stimuli through both mechanical and biological factors, using a process known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal (EndoMT) transition. EndoMT is characterized by the decrease in endothelial characteristics, increase in mesenchymal markers, and morphological changes. It has been recognized not only during development but also in different pathological conditions including organ/tissue fibrosis in adults. The ability to modulate the EndoMT process could have a therapeutic potential in many fibrotic diseases. An in vitro method is presented here to induce EndoMT with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) and angiotensin II (Ang II) followed by a protocol to study the reversibility of EndoMT. Using this method, we furnish evidence that the combination of L-NAME and Ang II can stimulate EndoMT in Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and this process can be reversed as observed using endothelial functionality assays. This method may serve as a model to screen and identify potential pharmacological molecules to target and regulate the EndoMT process, with applications in drug discovery for human diseases.
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9
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Tang Q, McNair AJ, Phadwal K, Macrae VE, Corcoran BM. The Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling in Myxomatous Mitral Valve Degeneration. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:872288. [PMID: 35656405 PMCID: PMC9152029 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.872288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) due to myxomatous degeneration is one of the most important chronic degenerative cardiovascular diseases in people and dogs. It is a common cause of heart failure leading to significant morbidity and mortality in both species. Human MVP is usually classified into primary or non-syndromic, including Barlow’s Disease (BD), fibro-elastic deficiency (FED) and Filamin-A mutation, and secondary or syndromic forms (typically familial), such as Marfan syndrome (MFS), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and Loeys–Dietz syndrome. Despite different etiologies the diseased valves share pathological features consistent with myxomatous degeneration. To reflect this common pathology the condition is often called myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (disease) (MMVD) and this term is universally used to describe the analogous condition in the dog. MMVD in both species is characterized by leaflet thickening and deformity, disorganized extracellular matrix, increased transformation of the quiescent valve interstitial cell (qVICs) to an activated state (aVICs), also known as activated myofibroblasts. Significant alterations in these cellular activities contribute to the initiation and progression of MMVD due to the increased expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily cytokines and the dysregulation of the TGF-β signaling pathways. Further understanding the molecular mechanisms of MMVD is needed to identify pharmacological manipulation strategies of the signaling pathway that might regulate VIC differentiation and so control the disease onset and development. This review briefly summarizes current understanding of the histopathology, cellular activities, molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis of MMVD in dogs and humans, and in more detail reviews the evidence for the role of TGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyu Tang
- The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. McNair
- The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kanchan Phadwal
- The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Vicky E. Macrae
- The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Brendan M. Corcoran
- The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Brendan M. Corcoran,
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10
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Wang Y, Jin C, Tian H, Xu J, Chen J, Hu S, Li Q, Lu L, Ou Q, Xu GT, Cui H. CHIR99021 balance TGFβ1 induced human corneal endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition to favor corneal endothelial cell proliferation. Exp Eye Res 2022; 219:108939. [PMID: 35150734 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.108939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) play a major role in the maintenance of stromal hydration via the barrier and pump function for clear vision. Adult CEC cannot regenerate after injury. CECs cultured in vitro can undergo mitosis but may undergo corneal endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EnMT) and lose their endothelial characteristics. In this study, we examined the effects of CHIR99201 on transforming growth factor beta-1(TGFβ1)-induced EnMT in human CEC (hCECs) lines. CHIR99021 kept hCECs in the hexagonal shape and could downregulate the EnMT markers alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN1), meanwhile maintained the hCECs function markers Na+/K+-ATPase and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) at levels comparable to those in the normal control. Interestingly, we found that the combination of CHIR99021 and TGFβ1 at appropriate concentrations would significantly promote the proliferation and migration of hCECs. These effects may be related to the inhibition of RhoA or Rac1, as well as the activation of Wnt and Erk pathway, with a calcium homeostasis. Our findings indicate that CHIR99021 inhibit EnMT and that the combination of CHIR99021 and TGFβ1 may provide new ideas for corneal endothelial regeneration and wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200123, China
| | - Caixia Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haibin Tian
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingying Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200123, China
| | - Shuqin Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200123, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200123, China
| | - Lixia Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingjian Ou
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Guo-Tong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hongping Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200123, China.
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11
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Yoshimatsu Y, Watabe T. Emerging roles of inflammation-mediated endothelial–mesenchymal transition in health and disease. Inflamm Regen 2022; 42:9. [PMID: 35130955 PMCID: PMC8818500 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-021-00186-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a cellular differentiation process in which endothelial cells (ECs) lose their properties and differentiate into mesenchymal cells, has been observed not only during development but also in various pathological states in adults, including cancer progression and organ/tissue fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an inflammation-related cytokine, has been shown to play central roles in the induction of EndoMT. TGF-β induces EndoMT by regulating the expression of various transcription factors, signaling molecules, and cellular components that confer ECs with mesenchymal characteristics. However, TGF-β by itself is not necessarily sufficient to induce EndoMT to promote the progression of EndoMT-related diseases to a refractory extent. In addition to TGF-β, additional activation by other inflammatory factors is often required to stabilize the progression of EndoMT. Since recent lines of evidence indicate that inflammatory signaling molecules act as enhancers of EndoMT, we summarize the roles of inflammatory factors in the induction of EndoMT and related diseases. We hope that this review will help to develop therapeutic strategies for EndoMT-related diseases by targeting inflammation-mediated EndoMT.
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12
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Ciszewski WM, Wawro ME, Sacewicz-Hofman I, Sobierajska K. Cytoskeleton Reorganization in EndMT-The Role in Cancer and Fibrotic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111607. [PMID: 34769036 PMCID: PMC8583721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation promotes endothelial plasticity, leading to the development of several diseases, including fibrosis and cancer in numerous organs. The basis of those processes is a phenomenon called the endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT), which results in the delamination of tightly connected endothelial cells that acquire a mesenchymal phenotype. EndMT-derived cells, known as the myofibroblasts or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), are characterized by the loss of cell–cell junctions, loss of endothelial markers, and gain in mesenchymal ones. As a result, the endothelium ceases its primary ability to maintain patent and functional capillaries and induce new blood vessels. At the same time, it acquires the migration and invasion potential typical of mesenchymal cells. The observed modulation of cell shape, increasedcell movement, and invasion abilities are connected with cytoskeleton reorganization. This paper focuses on the review of current knowledge about the molecular pathways involved in the modulation of each cytoskeleton element (microfilaments, microtubule, and intermediate filaments) during EndMT and their role as the potential targets for cancer and fibrosis treatment.
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13
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Wang D, Rabhi N, Yet SF, Farmer SR, Layne MD. Aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein regulates vascular adventitial progenitor and fibroblast differentiation through myocardin related transcription factor A. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3948. [PMID: 33597582 PMCID: PMC7889889 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82941-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The vascular adventitia contains numerous cell types including fibroblasts, adipocytes, inflammatory cells, and progenitors embedded within a complex extracellular matrix (ECM) network. In response to vascular injury, adventitial progenitors and fibroblasts become activated and exhibit increased proliferative capacity and differentiate into contractile cells that remodel the ECM. These processes can lead to vascular fibrosis and disease progression. Our previous work established that the ECM protein aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein (ACLP) promotes fibrotic remodeling in the lung and is activated by vascular injury. It is currently unknown what controls vascular adventitial cell differentiation and if ACLP has a role in this process. Using purified mouse aortic adventitia Sca1+ progenitors, ACLP repressed stem cell markers (CD34, KLF4) and upregulated smooth muscle actin (SMA) and collagen I expression. ACLP enhanced myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTFA) activity in adventitial cells by promoting MRTFA nuclear translocation. Sca1 cells from MRTFA-null mice exhibited reduced SMA and collagen expression induced by ACLP, indicating Sca1 cell differentiation is regulated in part by the ACLP-MRTFA axis. We determined that ACLP induced vessel contraction and increased adventitial collagen in an explant model. Collectively these studies identified ACLP as a mediator of adventitial cellular differentiation, which may result in pathological vessel remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahai Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.,Department of Hematology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nabil Rabhi
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Shaw-Fang Yet
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Stephen R Farmer
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Matthew D Layne
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
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14
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Ma J, van der Zon G, Gonçalves MAFV, van Dinther M, Thorikay M, Sanchez-Duffhues G, ten Dijke P. TGF-β-Induced Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition Is Determined by a Balance Between SNAIL and ID Factors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:616610. [PMID: 33644053 PMCID: PMC7907445 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.616610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) plays an important role in embryonic development and disease progression. Yet, how different members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family regulate EndMT is not well understood. In the current study, we report that TGF-β2, but not bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)9, triggers EndMT in murine endothelial MS-1 and 2H11 cells. TGF-β2 strongly upregulates the transcription factor SNAIL, and the depletion of Snail is sufficient to abrogate TGF-β2-triggered mesenchymal-like cell morphology acquisition and EndMT-related molecular changes. Although SLUG is not regulated by TGF-β2, knocking out Slug also partly inhibits TGF-β2-induced EndMT in 2H11 cells. Interestingly, in addition to SNAIL and SLUG, BMP9 stimulates inhibitor of DNA binding (ID) proteins. The suppression of Id1, Id2, or Id3 expression facilitated BMP9 in inducing EndMT and, in contrast, ectopic expression of ID1, ID2, or ID3 abrogated TGF-β2-mediated EndMT. Altogether, our results show that SNAIL is critical and indispensable for TGF-β2-mediated EndMT. Although SLUG is also involved in the EndMT process, it plays less of a crucial role in it. In contrast, ID proteins are essential for maintaining endothelial traits and repressing the function of SNAIL and SLUG during the EndMT process. These data suggest that the control over endothelial vs. mesenchymal cell states is determined, at least in part, by a balance between the expression of SNAIL/SLUG and ID proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ma
- Department of Cell Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Gerard van der Zon
- Department of Cell Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Maarten van Dinther
- Department of Cell Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Midory Thorikay
- Department of Cell Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Peter ten Dijke
- Department of Cell Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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15
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Wang Y, Liu YJ, Xu DF, Zhang H, Xu CF, Mao YF, Lv Z, Zhu XY, Jiang L. DRD1 downregulation contributes to mechanical stretch-induced lung endothelial barrier dysfunction. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:2505-2521. [PMID: 33456556 PMCID: PMC7806475 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The lung-protective effects of dopamine and its role in the pathology of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) are emerging. However, the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. Objective: To investigate the contribution of dopamine receptor dysregulation in the pathogenesis of VILI and therapeutic potential of dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) agonist in VILI. Methods: The role of dopamine receptors in mechanical stretch-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction and lung injury was studied in DRD1 knockout mice, in isolated mouse lung vascular endothelial cells (MLVECs), and in lung samples from patients who underwent pulmonary lobectomy with mechanical ventilation for different time periods. Measurements and Main Results: DRD1 was downregulated in both surgical patients and mice exposed to mechanical ventilation. Prophylactic administration of dopamine or DRD1 agonist attenuated mechanical stretch-induced lung endothelial barrier dysfunction and lung injury. By contrast, pulmonary knockdown or global knockout of DRD1 exacerbated these effects. Prophylactic administration of dopamine attenuated mechanical stretch-induced α-tubulin deacetylation and subsequent endothelial hyperpermeability through DRD1 signaling. We identified that cyclic stretch-induced glycogen-synthase-kinase-3β activation led to phosphorylation and activation of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), which resulted in deacetylation of α-tubulin. Upon activation, DRD1 signaling attenuated mechanical stretch-induced α-tubulin deacetylation and subsequent lung endothelial barrier dysfunction through cAMP/exchange protein activated by cAMP (EPAC)-mediated inactivation of HDAC6. Conclusions: This work identifies a novel protective role for DRD1 against mechanical stretch-induced lung endothelial barrier dysfunction and lung injury. Further study of the mechanisms involving DRD1 in the regulation of microtubule stability and interference with DRD1/cAMP/EPAC/HDAC6 signaling may provide insight into therapeutic approaches for VILI.
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16
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AP-1 and TGFß cooperativity drives non-canonical Hedgehog signaling in resistant basal cell carcinoma. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5079. [PMID: 33033234 PMCID: PMC7546632 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18762-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity and lack of knowledge about resistant cell states remain a barrier to targeted cancer therapies. Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) depend on Hedgehog (Hh)/Gli signaling, but can develop mechanisms of Smoothened (SMO) inhibitor resistance. We previously identified a nuclear myocardin-related transcription factor (nMRTF) resistance pathway that amplifies noncanonical Gli1 activity, but characteristics and drivers of the nMRTF cell state remain unknown. Here, we use single cell RNA-sequencing of patient tumors to identify three prognostic surface markers (LYPD3, TACSTD2, and LY6D) which correlate with nMRTF and resistance to SMO inhibitors. The nMRTF cell state resembles transit-amplifying cells of the hair follicle matrix, with AP-1 and TGFß cooperativity driving nMRTF activation. JNK/AP-1 signaling commissions chromatin accessibility and Smad3 DNA binding leading to a transcriptional program of RhoGEFs that facilitate nMRTF activity. Importantly, small molecule AP-1 inhibitors selectively target LYPD3+/TACSTD2+/LY6D+ nMRTF human BCCs ex vivo, opening an avenue for improving combinatorial therapies.
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17
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Hiepen C, Mendez PL, Knaus P. It Takes Two to Tango: Endothelial TGFβ/BMP Signaling Crosstalk with Mechanobiology. Cells 2020; 9:E1965. [PMID: 32858894 PMCID: PMC7564048 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) superfamily of cytokines. While some ligand members are potent inducers of angiogenesis, others promote vascular homeostasis. However, the precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these functions is still a growing research field. In bone, the tissue in which BMPs were first discovered, crosstalk of TGFβ/BMP signaling with mechanobiology is well understood. Likewise, the endothelium represents a tissue that is constantly exposed to multiple mechanical triggers, such as wall shear stress, elicited by blood flow or strain, and tension from the surrounding cells and to the extracellular matrix. To integrate mechanical stimuli, the cytoskeleton plays a pivotal role in the transduction of these forces in endothelial cells. Importantly, mechanical forces integrate on several levels of the TGFβ/BMP pathway, such as receptors and SMADs, but also global cell-architecture and nuclear chromatin re-organization. Here, we summarize the current literature on crosstalk mechanisms between biochemical cues elicited by TGFβ/BMP growth factors and mechanical cues, as shear stress or matrix stiffness that collectively orchestrate endothelial function. We focus on the different subcellular compartments in which the forces are sensed and integrated into the TGFβ/BMP growth factor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Petra Knaus
- Knaus-Lab/Signal Transduction, Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany; (C.H.); (P.-L.M.)
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18
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The New Model of Snail Expression Regulation: The Role of MRTFs in Fast and Slow Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165875. [PMID: 32824297 PMCID: PMC7461591 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a crucial phenomenon in regulating the development of diseases, including cancer metastasis and fibrotic disorders. The primary regulators of disease development are zinc-finger transcription factors belonging to the Snail family. In this study, we characterized the myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF)-dependent mechanisms of a human snail promoter regulation in TGF-β-stimulated human endothelial cells. Although in silico analysis revealed that the snail promoter’s regulatory fragment contains one GCCG and two SP1 motifs that could be occupied by MRTFs, the genetic study confirmed that MRTF binds only to SP1 sites to promote snail expression. The more accurate studies revealed that MRTF-A binds to both SP1 elements, whereas MRTF-B to only one (SP1near). Although we found that each MRTF alone is capable of inducing snail expression, the direct cooperation of these proteins is required to reinforce snail expression and promote the late stages of EndMT within 48 hours. Furthermore, genetic and biochemical analysis revealed that MRTF-B alone could induce the late stage of EndMT. However, it requires a prolonged time. Therefore, we concluded that MRTFs might cause EndMT in a fast- and slow-dependent manner. Based on MRTF-dependent Snail upregulation, we recognized that TGF-β1, as an MRTF-B regulator, is involved in slow EndMT induction, whereas TGF-β2, which altered both MRTF-A and MRTF-B expression, promotes a fast EndMT process.
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19
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Clere N, Renault S, Corre I. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:747. [PMID: 32923440 PMCID: PMC7456955 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Tumor cells grow in a complex microenvironment constituted of immune, stromal, and vascular cells that supports growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Endothelial cells (ECs) are major components of the vascular microenvironment. These cells have been described for their plasticity and potential to transdifferentiate into mesenchymal cells through a process known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). This complex process is controlled by various factors, by which ECs convert into a phenotype characterized by mesenchymal protein expression and motile, contractile morphology. Initially described in normal heart development, EndMT is now identified in several pathologies, and especially in cancer. In this review, we highlight the process of EndMT in the context of cancer and we discuss it as an important adaptive process of the tumor microenvironment that favors tumor growth and dissemination but also resistance to treatment. Thus, we underline targeting of EndMT as a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Clere
- Micro and Nanomédecines Translationnelles, Université d'Angers, INSERM UMR U1066, CNRS 6021, Angers, France
| | - Sarah Renault
- Sarcomes Osseux et Remodelage des Tissus Calcifiés, Université de Nantes, INSERM UMR U1238, Nantes, France
| | - Isabelle Corre
- Sarcomes Osseux et Remodelage des Tissus Calcifiés, Université de Nantes, INSERM UMR U1238, Nantes, France
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20
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Yoshimatsu Y, Wakabayashi I, Kimuro S, Takahashi N, Takahashi K, Kobayashi M, Maishi N, Podyma‐Inoue KA, Hida K, Miyazono K, Watabe T. TNF-α enhances TGF-β-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition via TGF-β signal augmentation. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:2385-2399. [PMID: 32385953 PMCID: PMC7385392 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of various components including cancer cells, tumor vessels, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and inflammatory cells. These components interact with each other via various cytokines, which often induce tumor progression. Thus, a greater understanding of TME networks is crucial for the development of novel cancer therapies. Many cancer types express high levels of TGF-β, which induces endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), leading to formation of CAFs. Although we previously reported that CAFs derived from EndMT promoted tumor formation, the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions remain to be elucidated. Furthermore, tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells secrete various cytokines, including TNF-α. However, the role of TNF-α in TGF-β-induced EndMT has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study examined the effect of TNF-α on TGF-β-induced EndMT in human endothelial cells (ECs). Various types of human ECs underwent EndMT in response to TGF-β and TNF-α, which was accompanied by increased and decreased expression of mesenchymal cell and EC markers, respectively. In addition, treatment of ECs with TGF-β and TNF-α exhibited sustained activation of Smad2/3 signals, which was presumably induced by elevated expression of TGF-β type I receptor, TGF-β2, activin A, and integrin αv, suggesting that TNF-α enhanced TGF-β-induced EndMT by augmenting TGF-β family signals. Furthermore, oral squamous cell carcinoma-derived cells underwent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to humoral factors produced by TGF-β and TNF-α-cultured ECs. This EndMT-driven EMT was blocked by inhibiting the action of TGF-βs. Collectively, our findings suggest that TNF-α enhances TGF-β-dependent EndMT, which contributes to tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Yoshimatsu
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
- Division of PharmacologyGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesNiigata UniversityNiigataJapan
| | - Ikumi Wakabayashi
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Shiori Kimuro
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Naoya Takahashi
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Kazuki Takahashi
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Miho Kobayashi
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Nako Maishi
- Department of Vascular Biology and Molecular PathologyGraduate School of Dental MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Katarzyna A. Podyma‐Inoue
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Kyoko Hida
- Department of Vascular Biology and Molecular PathologyGraduate School of Dental MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Molecular PathologyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Tetsuro Watabe
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
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21
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Chen X, Chen X, Shi X, Gao Z, Guo Z. Curcumin attenuates endothelial cell fibrosis through inhibiting endothelial-interstitial transformation. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2020; 47:1182-1192. [PMID: 32020664 PMCID: PMC7318201 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Curcumin (Cur) has various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic and anticancer effects. However, there is no report on the effect of Cur on endothelial cell fibrosis. This study was designed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Cur on endothelial cell fibrosis. An endothelial cell fibrosis model was established by using transforming growth factor (TGF) induction. Proliferation assays, qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunostaining were performed to investigate the effects and mechanism of Cur on endothelial cell fibrosis. We found that in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), TGF-β1 treatment significantly decreased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF-2), dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1 (DDAH1), and VE-cadherin, the secretion of cellular nitric oxide (NO) and the activity of nitrous oxide synthase (NOS), while asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and the release of inflammatory factors were elevated. Immunofluorescence showed decreased CD31 and increased α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Overexpression of NRF-2 significantly attenuated the effects of TGF-β1, while downregulation of DDAH1 potently counteracted the effect of NRF-2. In addition, ADMA treatment resulted in similar results to those of TGF-β1, and Cur significantly attenuated the effect of TGF-β1, accompanied by increased VE-cadherin, DDAH1 and NRF-2 and decreased matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. The NRF-2 inhibitor ML385 had the opposite effect as that of Cur. These results demonstrated that Cur inhibits TGF-β1-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) by stimulating DDAH1 expression via the NRF-2 pathway, thus attenuating endothelial cell fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Chen
- Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xuliang Chen
- Department of CardiologyThe Sencond Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Xiangxiang Shi
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Zhan Gao
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Zhigang Guo
- Department of CardiologyHuiqiao Medical CenterNanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
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22
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Yoshimatsu Y, Kimuro S, Pauty J, Takagaki K, Nomiyama S, Inagawa A, Maeda K, Podyma-Inoue KA, Kajiya K, Matsunaga YT, Watabe T. TGF-beta and TNF-alpha cooperatively induce mesenchymal transition of lymphatic endothelial cells via activation of Activin signals. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232356. [PMID: 32357159 PMCID: PMC7194440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic systems play important roles in the maintenance of fluid homeostasis and undergo anatomical and physiological changes during inflammation and aging. While lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) undergo mesenchymal transition in response to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), the molecular mechanisms underlying endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) of LECs remain largely unknown. In this study, we examined the effect of TGF-β2 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), an inflammatory cytokine, on EndMT using human skin-derived lymphatic endothelial cells (HDLECs). TGF-β2-treated HDLECs showed increased expression of SM22α, a mesenchymal cell marker accompanied by increased cell motility and vascular permeability, suggesting HDLECs to undergo EndMT. Our data also revealed that TNF-α could enhance TGF-β2-induced EndMT of HDLECs. Furthermore, both cytokines induced the production of Activin A while decreasing the expression of its inhibitory molecule Follistatin, and thus enhancing EndMT. Finally, we demonstrated that human dermal lymphatic vessels underwent EndMT during aging, characterized by double immunostaining for LYVE1 and SM22α. These results suggest that both TGF-β and TNF-α signals play a central role in EndMT of LECs and could be potential targets for senile edema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Yoshimatsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Shiori Kimuro
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Joris Pauty
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Akihiko Inagawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Maeda
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katarzyna A. Podyma-Inoue
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Tetsuro Watabe
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Oncology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
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23
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Zhang HM, Li H, Wang GX, Wang J, Xiang Y, Huang Y, Shen C, Dai ZT, Li JP, Zhang TC, Liao XH. MKL1/miR-5100/CAAP1 loop regulates autophagy and apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Neoplasia 2020; 22:220-230. [PMID: 32315812 PMCID: PMC7167518 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose miR-5100 participates in the proliferation of lung cancer and pancreatic cancer cells, and participates in the differentiation of osteoblasts. However, the regulation of gastric cancer cells in gastric cancer cells remains unclear. Experimental design The blood of patients was collected to detect the expression level of miR-5100, and the apoptosis and autophagy levels of cells were detected using western blot, flow cytometry, and confocal. At the same time, in vitro tumor formation experiments in nude mice were used to verify the results of in vitro experiments. Results The expression of miR-5100 is related to the prognosis of gastric cancer, miR-5100 can enhance the apoptosis level of gastric cancer cells and inhibit the occurrence of autophagy by targeting CAAP1. MKL1 can inhibit the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells and promote the occurrence of autophagy by targeting CAAP1. At the same time, MKL1 can also increase the expression of miR-5100. Conclusions Our research reveals the mechanism by which the MKL1/miR-5100/CAAP1 loop regulates apoptosis and autophagy levels in gastric cancer cells, and miR-5100 is expected to become a new potential target for gastric cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Min Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China
| | - Hui Li
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China
| | - Gen-Xin Wang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China.
| | - Jun Wang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China
| | - Yuan Xiang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China
| | - You Huang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China
| | - Chao Shen
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China
| | - Zhou-Tong Dai
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China
| | - Jia-Peng Li
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China
| | - Tong-Cun Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China.
| | - Xing-Hua Liao
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China.
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24
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Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EndoMT): Roles in Tumorigenesis, Metastatic Extravasation and Therapy Resistance. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:8361945. [PMID: 31467544 PMCID: PMC6701373 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8361945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells evolve in a very complex tumor microenvironment, composed of several cell types, among which the endothelial cells are the major actors of the tumor angiogenesis. Today, these cells are also characterized for their plasticity, as endothelial cells have demonstrated their potential to modify their phenotype to differentiate into mesenchymal cells through the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). This cellular plasticity is mediated by various stimuli including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and is modulated dependently of experimental conditions. Recently, emerging evidences have shown that EndoMT is involved in the development and dissemination of cancer and also in cancer cell to escape from therapeutic treatment. In this review, we summarize current updates on EndoMT and its main induction pathways. In addition, we discuss the role of EndoMT in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and its potential implication in cancer therapy resistance.
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25
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Akatsu Y, Takahashi N, Yoshimatsu Y, Kimuro S, Muramatsu T, Katsura A, Maishi N, Suzuki HI, Inazawa J, Hida K, Miyazono K, Watabe T. Fibroblast growth factor signals regulate transforming growth factor-β-induced endothelial-to-myofibroblast transition of tumor endothelial cells via Elk1. Mol Oncol 2019; 13:1706-1724. [PMID: 31094056 PMCID: PMC6670013 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment contains various components, including cancer cells, tumor vessels, and cancer-associated fibroblasts, the latter of which are comprised of tumor-promoting myofibroblasts and tumor-suppressing fibroblasts. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induces the formation of myofibroblasts and other types of mesenchymal (non-myofibroblastic) cells from endothelial cells. Recent reports show that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) modulates TGF-β-induced mesenchymal transition of endothelial cells, but the molecular mechanisms behind the signals that control transcriptional networks during the formation of different groups of fibroblasts remain largely unclear. Here, we studied the roles of FGF2 during the regulation of TGF-β-induced mesenchymal transition of tumor endothelial cells (TECs). We demonstrated that auto/paracrine FGF signals in TECs inhibit TGF-β-induced endothelial-to-myofibroblast transition (End-MyoT), leading to suppressed formation of contractile myofibroblast cells, but on the other hand can also collaborate with TGF-β in promoting the formation of active fibroblastic cells which have migratory and proliferative properties. FGF2 modulated TGF-β-induced formation of myofibroblastic and non-myofibroblastic cells from TECs via transcriptional regulation of various mesenchymal markers and growth factors. Furthermore, we observed that TECs treated with TGF-β were more competent in promoting in vivo tumor growth than TECs treated with TGF-β and FGF2. Mechanistically, we showed that Elk1 mediated FGF2-induced inhibition of End-MyoT via inhibition of TGF-β-induced transcriptional activation of α-smooth muscle actin promoter by myocardin-related transcription factor-A. Our data suggest that TGF-β and FGF2 oppose and cooperate with each other during the formation of myofibroblastic and non-myofibroblastic cells from TECs, which in turn determines the characteristics of mesenchymal cells in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Akatsu
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan.,Biomedicine Group, Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Group, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoya Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yoshimatsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Shiori Kimuro
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Tomoki Muramatsu
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Akihiro Katsura
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nako Maishi
- Department of Vascular Biology and Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi I Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan.,David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Johji Inazawa
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Kyoko Hida
- Department of Vascular Biology and Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Watabe
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
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26
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Piera-Velazquez S, Jimenez SA. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Physiology and in the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:1281-1324. [PMID: 30864875 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00021.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 307] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells are capable of undergoing endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a newly recognized type of cellular transdifferentiation. EndMT is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells adopt a mesenchymal phenotype displaying typical mesenchymal cell morphology and functions, including the acquisition of cellular motility and contractile properties. Endothelial cells undergoing EndMT lose the expression of endothelial cell-specific proteins such as CD31/platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule, von Willebrand factor, and vascular-endothelial cadherin and initiate the expression of mesenchymal cell-specific genes and the production of their encoded proteins including α-smooth muscle actin, extra domain A fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibroblast specific protein-1, also known as S100A4 protein, and fibrillar type I and type III collagens. Transforming growth factor-β1 is considered the main EndMT inducer. However, EndMT involves numerous molecular and signaling pathways that are triggered and modulated by multiple and often redundant mechanisms depending on the specific cellular context and on the physiological or pathological status of the cells. EndMT participates in highly important embryonic development processes, as well as in the pathogenesis of numerous genetically determined and acquired human diseases including malignant, vascular, inflammatory, and fibrotic disorders. Despite intensive investigation, many aspects of EndMT remain to be elucidated. The identification of molecules and regulatory pathways involved in EndMT and the discovery of specific EndMT inhibitors should provide novel therapeutic approaches for various human disorders mediated by EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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27
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Charbonier FW, Zamani M, Huang NF. Endothelial Cell Mechanotransduction in the Dynamic Vascular Environment. ADVANCED BIOSYSTEMS 2019; 3:e1800252. [PMID: 31328152 PMCID: PMC6640152 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201800252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The vascular endothelial cells (ECs) that line the inner layer of blood vessels are responsible for maintaining vascular homeostasis under physiological conditions. In the presence of disease or injury, ECs can become dysfunctional and contribute to a progressive decline in vascular health. ECs are constantly exposed to a variety of dynamic mechanical stimuli, including hemodynamic shear stress, pulsatile stretch, and passive signaling cues derived from the extracellular matrix. This review describes the molecular mechanisms by which ECs perceive and interpret these mechanical signals. The translational applications of mechanosensing are then discussed in the context of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and engineering of vascular grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank W. Charbonier
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
| | - Maedeh Zamani
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
| | - Ngan F. Huang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
- Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, 94304
- The Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
- Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, MC 5407, Stanford, CA 94305-5407, USA
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28
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Emerging Roles of Ephexins in Physiology and Disease. Cells 2019; 8:cells8020087. [PMID: 30682817 PMCID: PMC6406967 DOI: 10.3390/cells8020087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Dbl (B-cell lymphoma)-related guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), the largest family of GEFs, are directly responsible for the activation of Rho family GTPases and essential for a number of cellular events such as proliferation, differentiation and movement. The members of the Ephexin (Eph-interacting exchange protein) family, a subgroup of Dbl GEFs, initially were named for their interaction with Eph receptors and sequence homology with Ephexin1. Although the first Ephexin was identified about two decades ago, their functions in physiological and pathological contexts and regulatory mechanisms remained elusive until recently. Ephexins are now considered as GEFs that can activate Rho GTPases such as RhoA, Rac, Cdc42, and RhoG. Moreover, Ephexins have been shown to have pivotal roles in neural development, tumorigenesis, and efferocytosis. In this review, we discuss the known and proposed functions of Ephexins in physiological and pathological contexts, as well as their regulatory mechanisms.
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29
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Kovacic JC, Dimmeler S, Harvey RP, Finkel T, Aikawa E, Krenning G, Baker AH. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Cardiovascular Disease: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Coll Cardiol 2019; 73:190-209. [PMID: 30654892 PMCID: PMC6865825 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.09.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 326] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a process whereby an endothelial cell undergoes a series of molecular events that lead to a change in phenotype toward a mesenchymal cell (e.g., myofibroblast, smooth muscle cell). EndMT plays a fundamental role during development, and mounting evidence indicates that EndMT is involved in adult cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, valvular disease, and fibroelastosis. Therefore, the targeting of EndMT may hold therapeutic promise for treating CVD. However, the field faces a number of challenges, including the lack of a precise functional and molecular definition, a lack of understanding of the causative pathological role of EndMT in CVDs (versus being a "bystander-phenomenon"), and a lack of robust human data corroborating the extent and causality of EndMT in adult CVDs. Here, we review this emerging but exciting field, and propose a framework for its systematic advancement at the molecular and translational levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason C Kovacic
- The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, and German Center of Cardiovascular Research, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Richard P Harvey
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia; St. Vincent's Clinical School and School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Toren Finkel
- Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Elena Aikawa
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, and Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Guido Krenning
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Andrew H Baker
- UoE/BHF Center for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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30
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Nicolini A, Ferrari P, Rossi G, Carpi A. Tumour growth and immune evasion as targets for a new strategy in advanced cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2018; 25:R577–R604. [PMID: 30306784 DOI: 10.1530/erc-18-0142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
It has become clearer that advanced cancer, especially advanced breast cancer, is an entirely displayed pathological system that is much more complex than previously considered. However, the direct relationship between tumour growth and immune evasion can represent a general rule governing the pathological cancer system from the initial cancer cells to when the system is entirely displayed. Accordingly, a refined pathobiological model and a novel therapeutic strategy are proposed. The novel therapeutic strategy is based on therapeutically induced conditions (undetectable tumour burden and/or a prolonged tumour ‘resting state’), which enable an efficacious immune response in advanced breast and other types of solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Nicolini
- Department of Oncology, Transplantations and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Ferrari
- Department of Oncology, Transplantations and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rossi
- Unit of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research, Pisa, Italy
| | - Angelo Carpi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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31
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Thuan DTB, Zayed H, Eid AH, Abou-Saleh H, Nasrallah GK, Mangoni AA, Pintus G. A Potential Link Between Oxidative Stress and Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Systemic Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1985. [PMID: 30283435 PMCID: PMC6156139 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc), an autoimmune disease that is associated with a number of genetic and environmental risk factors, is characterized by progressive fibrosis and microvasculature damage in the skin, lungs, heart, digestive system, kidneys, muscles, joints, and nervous system. These abnormalities are associated with altered secretion of growth factor and profibrotic cytokines, such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and connective-tissue growth factor (CTGF). Among the cellular responses to this proinflammatory environment, the endothelial cells phenotypic conversion into activated myofibroblasts, a process known as endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), has been postulated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) might play a key role in SSs-associated fibrosis and vascular damage by mediating and/or activating TGF-β-induced EndMT, a phenomenon that has been observed in other disease models. In this review, we identified and critically appraised published studies investigating associations ROS and EndMT and the presence of EndMT in SSc, highlighting a potential link between oxidative stress and EndMT in this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duong Thi Bich Thuan
- Department of Biochemistry, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Hue, Hue, Vietnam
| | - Hatem Zayed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Haissam Abou-Saleh
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Gheyath K Nasrallah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Arduino A Mangoni
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gianfranco Pintus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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32
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Suzuki HI, Horie M, Mihira H, Saito A. Molecular Analysis of Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling. J Vis Exp 2018:57577. [PMID: 30124659 PMCID: PMC6126611 DOI: 10.3791/57577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity of endothelial cells underlies cardiovascular system development, cardiovascular diseases, and various conditions associated with organ fibrosis. In these conditions, differentiated endothelial cells acquire mesenchymal-like phenotypes. This process is called endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and is characterized by downregulation of endothelial markers, upregulation of mesenchymal markers, and morphological changes. EndMT is induced by several signaling pathways, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, Wnt, and Notch, and regulated by molecular mechanisms similar to those of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) important for gastrulation, tissue fibrosis, and cancer metastasis. Understanding the mechanisms of EndMT is important to develop diagnostic and therapeutic approaches targeting EndMT. Robust induction of EndMT in vitro is useful to characterize common gene expression signatures, identify druggable molecular mechanisms, and screen for modulators of EndMT. Here, we describe an in vitro method for induction of EndMT. MS-1 mouse pancreatic microvascular endothelial cells undergo EndMT after prolonged exposure to TGF-β and show upregulation of mesenchymal markers and morphological changes as well as induction of multiple inflammatory chemokines and cytokines. Methods for the analysis of microRNA (miRNA) modulation are also included. These methods provide a platform to investigate mechanisms underlying EndMT and the contribution of miRNAs to EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi I Suzuki
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
| | - Masafumi Horie
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo; Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
| | - Hajime Mihira
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Akira Saito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
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33
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Miyazono K, Katsuno Y, Koinuma D, Ehata S, Morikawa M. Intracellular and extracellular TGF-β signaling in cancer: some recent topics. Front Med 2018; 12:387-411. [PMID: 30043220 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-018-0646-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β regulates a wide variety of cellular responses, including cell growth arrest, apoptosis, cell differentiation, motility, invasion, extracellular matrix production, tissue fibrosis, angiogenesis, and immune function. Although tumor-suppressive roles of TGF-β have been extensively studied and well-characterized in many cancers, especially at early stages, accumulating evidence has revealed the critical roles of TGF-β as a pro-tumorigenic factor in various types of cancer. This review will focus on recent findings regarding epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by TGF-β, in relation to crosstalk with some other signaling pathways, and the roles of TGF-β in lung and pancreatic cancers, in which TGF-β has been shown to be involved in cancer progression. Recent findings also strongly suggested that targeting TGF-β signaling using specific inhibitors may be useful for the treatment of some cancers. TGF-β plays a pivotal role in the differentiation and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). TGF-β is produced as latent high molecular weight complexes, and the latent TGF-β complex expressed on the surface of Tregs contains glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP, also known as leucine-rich repeat containing 32 or LRRC32). Inhibition of the TGF-β activities through regulation of the latent TGF-β complex activation will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Yoko Katsuno
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Daizo Koinuma
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shogo Ehata
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masato Morikawa
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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34
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Chen Y, Yang Q, Zhan Y, Ke J, Lv P, Huang J. The role of miR-328 in high glucose-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Life Sci 2018; 207:110-116. [PMID: 29859985 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.05.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) contribute to diabetic cardiac fibrosis, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In the study, we aimed to investigate the role of miR-328 in EndMT mediated by high glucose (HG) and the signaling pathways implicated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). MATERIALS AND METHODS EndMT of HUVECs was determined by immunofluorescent staining and western blot of the markers CD31 and α-SMA. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect mRNA expression of miR-328 and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). SB431542 was used to study the relation of miR-328 and TGF-β1 during EndMT induced by HG. Over-expression and inhibition of miR-328 were achieved by transduction of miR-328 and antagomiR-328. The effects of miR-328 on expression of type I and III collagen, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2 were examined by Western blot. KEY FINDINGS The level of miR-328 was significantly up-regulated in HG-induced EndMT. MiR-328 showed the independent capability of inducing EndMT, which was not related to TGF-β1, and this effect was abrogated by antagomiR-328. MiR-328 affected type I collagen in a time- and dose-dependent manner and enhanced protein expression of type I and III collagens. Further investigation displayed that a significantly higher expression of p-MEK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 in HUVECs transduced with miR-328, and a lower expression of p-MEK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 in cells transduced with antagomiR-328. SIGNIFICANCE These results suggest a novel role for miR-328 in HG-induced EndMT, MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway is likely to be involved in the associated effects. Our findings may suggest antagomiR-328 as an alternative agent in prevention of HG-induced EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxiao Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Qin Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Yuliang Zhan
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Junsong Ke
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Ping Lv
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Jun Huang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China.
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35
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Souilhol C, Harmsen MC, Evans PC, Krenning G. Endothelial–mesenchymal transition in atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Res 2018; 114:565-577. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvx253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Celine Souilhol
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease (IICD), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Martin C Harmsen
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul C Evans
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease (IICD), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Guido Krenning
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
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He H, Du F, He Y, Wei Z, Meng C, Xu Y, Zhou H, Wang N, Luo XG, Ma W, Zhang TC. The Wnt-β-catenin signaling regulated MRTF-A transcription to activate migration-related genes in human breast cancer cells. Oncotarget 2018; 9:15239-15251. [PMID: 29632640 PMCID: PMC5880600 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
MRTF-A is a transcriptional co-activator being critical for multiple processes including tissue fibrosis and cancer metastasis. The Rho-actin signaling stimulates the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of MRTF-A with little effect on the expression of MRTF-A gene. High expression of MRTF-A was observed in pancreatic cancer tissues and in TGF-β treated breast cancer cells. However, the mechanism for the upregulation of MRTF-A gene remains unclear. In this study, we showed that the transcription of MRTF-A was regulated by the Wnt-β-catenin signaling in breast cancer cells. LiCl treatment, Wnt3a treatment or β-catenin overexpression enhanced the transcription of MRTF-A gene. In agreement, depletion of β-catenin with siRNA diminished MRTF-A transcription. With ChIP assays, β-catenin was identified to interact with the MRTF-A promoter whereby it increased histone H4 acetylation and RNA polymerase II association. Further, results of RT-qPCR and Western-blotting supported that the transcriptional co-activator activity of MRTF-A was controlled by both the Rho-actin and the Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathways. MRTF-A was required for cell migration stimulated by the Wnt-β-catenin signaling. Taken together, our results suggest that MRTF-A integrates the Rho-actin and the Wnt-β-catenin signaling to regulate migration-related genes and consequently increases the mobility of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongpeng He
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P. R. China
| | - Fu Du
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P. R. China
| | - Yongping He
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoqiang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P. R. China
| | - Chao Meng
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P. R. China
| | - Yuexin Xu
- Department of Pathology, Mentougou Hospital in Beijing, 102300, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P. R. China
| | - Nan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P. R. China
| | - Xue-Gang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P. R. China
| | - Wenjian Ma
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P. R. China
| | - Tong-Cun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P. R. China.,College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430081, Wuhan, P. R. China
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Zhuang C, Yuan Y, Song T, Wang H, Huang L, Luo X, He H, Huo L, Zhou H, Wang N, Zhang T. miR-219a-5p inhibits breast cancer cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by targeting myocardin-related transcription factor A. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2017; 49:1112-1121. [PMID: 29077787 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmx114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although many miRNAs are reported to be involved in tumor formation and progression, the effect of miR-219a-5p on breast cancer metastasis is not well-known. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of miR-219a-5p on the migratory ability and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer cells. First, miR-219a-5p was found to be highly expressed in low-invasive breast cancer MCF-7 cells, but lowly expressed in high-invasive breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Wound scratch assay and transwell assay showed that miR-219a-5p inhibited the migratory ability of MDA-MB-231 cells. miR-219a-5p also suppressed the cellular EMT, confirmed by suppressing the expression of mesenchymal markers vimentin and N-cadherin and increasing the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin. Using the epithelial-mesenchymal-epithelial model in MCF-7 cells, we confirmed that the level of miR-219a-5p was highly expressed in epithelial-type cells and lowly expressed in mesenchymal-type cells. Importantly, we identified myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) as a novel potential target gene of miR-219a-5p. Overexpression of miR-219a-5p in MDA-MB-231 cells could inhibit the expression of MRTF-A as revealed by real-time PCR and western blot analysis. miR-219a-5p inhibited the transcription of MRTF-A by targeting the 3'UTR of MRTF-A, which was confirmed by wild-type or mutant MRTF-A 3'UTR luciferase reporter system. Furthermore, knockdown of MRTF-A using siRNA for MRTF-A could depress breast cell migration. In conclusion, our present study revealed the tumor suppressive role of miR-219a-5p in regulating breast cancer migration by targeting MRTF-A, suggesting that miR-219a-5p might be a therapeutic target in breast cancer through regulating EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Tiefeng Song
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Huiqin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Liwen Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuegang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongpeng He
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Lihong Huo
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Tongcun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Omori K, Morikawa T, Kunita A, Nakamura T, Aritake K, Urade Y, Fukayama M, Murata T. Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase-derived PGD 2 attenuates malignant properties of tumor endothelial cells. J Pathol 2017; 244:84-96. [PMID: 29124765 DOI: 10.1002/path.4993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) are a key component of the tumor microenvironment. They have abnormal characteristics compared to the ECs in normal tissues. Here, we found a marked increase in lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) mRNA (Ptgds) expression in ECs isolated from mouse melanoma. Immunostaining of mouse melanoma revealed expression of L-PGDS protein in the ECs. In situ hybridization also showed L-PGDS (PTGDS) mRNA expression in the ECs of human melanoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma. In vitro experiments showed that stimulation with tumor cell-derived IL-1 and TNF-α increased L-PGDS mRNA expression and its product prostaglandin D2 (PGD2 ) in human normal ECs. We also investigated the contribution of L-PGDS-PGD2 to tumor growth and vascularization. Systemic or EC-specific deficiency of L-PGDS accelerated the growth of melanoma in mice, whereas treatment with an agonist of the PGD2 receptor, DP1 (BW245C, 0.1 mg/kg, injected intraperitoneally twice daily), attenuated it. Morphological and in vivo studies showed that endothelial L-PGDS deficiency resulted in functional changes of tumor ECs such as accelerated vascular hyperpermeability, angiogenesis, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in tumors, which in turn reduced tumor cell apoptosis. These observations suggest that tumor cell-derived inflammatory cytokines increase L-PGDS expression and subsequent PGD2 production in the tumor ECs. This PGD2 acts as a negative regulator of the tumorigenic changes in tumor ECs. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Omori
- Department of Animal Radiology, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Teppei Morikawa
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiko Kunita
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Nakamura
- Department of Animal Radiology, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosuke Aritake
- Intemational Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Urade
- Intemational Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Masashi Fukayama
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahisa Murata
- Department of Animal Radiology, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Sánchez-Duffhues G, García de Vinuesa A, Ten Dijke P. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cardiovascular diseases: Developmental signaling pathways gone awry. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:492-508. [PMID: 28891150 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The process named endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was observed for the first time during the development of the chicken embryo several decades ago. Of interest, accumulating evidence suggests that EndMT plays a critical role in the onset and progression of multiple postnatal cardiovascular diseases. EndMT is controlled by a set of developmental signaling pathways, very similar to the process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which determine the activity of several EndMT transcriptional effectors. Once activated, these EndMT effectors regulate the expression of endothelial- and mesenchymal-specific genes, in part by interacting with specific motifs in promoter regions, eventually leading to the down-regulation of endothelial-specific features and acquisition of a fibroblast-like phenotype. Important technical advances in lineage tracing methods combined with experimental mouse models demonstrated the pathophysiological importance of EndMT for human diseases. In this review, we discuss the major signal transduction pathways involved in the activation and regulation of the EndMT program. Furthermore, we will review the latest discoveries on EndMT, focusing on cardiovascular diseases, and in particular on its role in vascular calcification, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and organ fibrosis. Developmental Dynamics 247:492-508, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Sánchez-Duffhues
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Amaya García de Vinuesa
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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40
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A novel immunotoxin reveals a new role for CD321 in endothelial cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181502. [PMID: 29028806 PMCID: PMC5640210 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There are currently several antibody therapies that directly target tumors, and antibody-drug conjugates represent a novel moiety as next generation therapeutics. Here, we used a unique screening probe, DT3C, to identify functional antibodies that recognized surface molecules and functional epitopes, and which provided toxin delivery capability. Accordingly, we generated the 90G4 antibody, which induced DT3C-dependent cytotoxicity in endothelial cells. Molecular analysis revealed that 90G4 recognized CD321, a protein localized at tight junctions. Although CD321 plays a pivotal role in inflammation and lymphocyte trans-endothelial migration, little is known about its mechanism of action in endothelial cells. Targeting of CD321 by the 90G4 immunotoxin induced cell death. Moreover, 90G4 immunotoxin caused cytotoxicity primarily in migratory endothelial cells, but not in those forming sheets, suggesting a critical role for CD321 in tumor angiogenesis. We also found that hypoxia triggered redistribution of CD321 to a punctate localization on the basal side of cells, resulting in functional impairment of tight junctions and increased motility. Thus, our findings raise the intriguing possibility that endothelial CD321 presented cellular localization in tight junction as well as multifunctional dynamics in several conditions, leading to illuminate the importance of widely-expressed CD321 as a potential target for antitumor therapy.
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Ciszewski WM, Sobierajska K, Wawro ME, Klopocka W, Chefczyńska N, Muzyczuk A, Siekacz K, Wujkowska A, Niewiarowska J. The ILK-MMP9-MRTF axis is crucial for EndMT differentiation of endothelial cells in a tumor microenvironment. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2017; 1864:2283-2296. [PMID: 28893556 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that the tumor microenvironment is a critical factor supporting cancer progression, chemoresistance and metastasis. Recently, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been recognized as a crucial tumor stromal component promoting cancer growth and invasiveness via modulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, tumor metabolism and immune reprogramming. One of the main sources of CAFs are endothelial cells undergoing the endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). EndMT is mainly promoted by the Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) family secreted by tumor cells, though the role of particular members in EndMT regulation remains poorly understood. Our findings demonstrate that TGF-β2 induces mesenchymal transdifferentiation of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1 cells) to CAF-like cells in association with elongated cell morphology, modulation of stress fiber organization, higher α-SMA protein levels and activation of RhoA and Rac-1 pathways. Such regulation is similar to that observed in cells maintained using conditioned medium from invasive colorectal cancer cell line culture. Furthermore, TGF-β2 stimulation resulted in myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) activation and upregulation. Our results demonstrate for the first time that such interaction is sufficient for integrin-linked kinase (ILK) overexpression. ILK upregulation also enhanced MRTF activation via RhoA and Rac-1-MMP9 via inside-out integrin activation. Herein, we propose a new ILK-MMP9-MRTF axis that appears to be critical for EndMT differentiation of endothelial to CAF-like cells. Thus, it might be an attractive target for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech M Ciszewski
- Department of Medical Cell Mechanisms, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Sobierajska
- Department of Medical Cell Mechanisms, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-216 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Marta E Wawro
- Department of Medical Cell Mechanisms, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
| | - Wanda Klopocka
- Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Natasza Chefczyńska
- Department of Medical Cell Mechanisms, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
| | - Angelika Muzyczuk
- Department of Medical Cell Mechanisms, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
| | - Kamil Siekacz
- Department of Medical Cell Mechanisms, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
| | - Agata Wujkowska
- Department of Medical Cell Mechanisms, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
| | - Jolanta Niewiarowska
- Department of Medical Cell Mechanisms, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 6/8, 92-216 Lodz, Poland.
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Koopmans T, Gosens R. Revisiting asthma therapeutics: focus on WNT signal transduction. Drug Discov Today 2017; 23:49-62. [PMID: 28890197 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is a complex disease of the airways that develops as a consequence of both genetic and environmental factors. This interaction has highlighted genes important in early life, particularly those that control lung development, such as the Wingless/Integrase-1 (WNT) signalling pathway. Although aberrant WNT signalling is involved with an array of human conditions, it has received little attention within the context of asthma. Yet it is highly relevant, driving events involved with inflammation, airway remodelling, and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). In this review, we revisit asthma therapeutics by examining whether WNT signalling is a valid therapeutic target for asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Koopmans
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Reinoud Gosens
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
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43
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Suzuki HI, Katsura A, Mihira H, Horie M, Saito A, Miyazono K. Regulation of TGF-β-mediated endothelial-mesenchymal transition by microRNA-27. J Biochem 2017; 161:417-420. [PMID: 28338957 PMCID: PMC5412016 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvx017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Here we report that microRNA-27b (miR-27b) positively regulates transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced EndMT of MS-1 mouse pancreatic microvascular endothelial cells. TGF-β induced miR-23b/24-1/27b expression, and inhibition of miR-27 suppressed TGF-β-mediated induction of mesenchymal genes. Genome-wide miRNA target analysis revealed that miR-27 targets Elk1, which acts as a competitive inhibitor of myocardin-related transcription factor-serum response factor signalling and as a myogenic repressor. miR-27b was also found to regulate several semaphorin receptors including Neuropilin 2, Plexin A2 and Plexin D1. These results suggest important roles of miR-27 in TGF-β-driven EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi I Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.,David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main St, 76-417, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Akihiro Katsura
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hajime Mihira
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masafumi Horie
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Akira Saito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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44
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Chen Y, Yuan T, Zhang H, Yan Y, Wang D, Fang L, Lu Y, Du G. Activation of Nrf2 Attenuates Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling via Inhibiting Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: an Insight from a Plant Polyphenol. Int J Biol Sci 2017; 13:1067-1081. [PMID: 28924387 PMCID: PMC5599911 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.20316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has been demonstrated to be involved in pulmonary vascular remodeling. It is partly attributed to oxidative and inflammatory stresses in endothelial cells. In current study, we conducted a series of experiments to clarify the effect of salvianolic acid A (SAA), a kind of polyphenol compound, in the process of EndMT in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and in vivo therapeutic efficacy on vascular remodeling in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced EndMT. EndMT was induced by TGFβ1 in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs). SAA significantly attenuated EndMT, simultaneously inhibited cell migration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. In MCT-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) model, SAA improved vascular function, decreased TGFβ1 level and inhibited inflammation. Mechanistically, SAA stimulated Nrf2 translocation and subsequent heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) up-regulation. The effect of SAA on EndMT in vitro was abolished by ZnPP, a HO-1 inhibitor. In conclusion, this study indicates a deleterious impact of oxidative stress on EndMT. Polyphenol antioxidant treatment may provide an adjunctive action to alleviate pulmonary vascular remodeling via inhibiting EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
| | - Tianyi Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening
| | - Huifang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
| | - Yu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
| | - Danshu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
| | - Lianhua Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines
| | - Yang Lu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Polymorphic Drugs, Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Guanhua Du
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening
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45
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Gasparics Á, Sebe A. MRTFs- master regulators of EMT. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:396-404. [PMID: 28681541 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence implicates the myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) as key mediators of the phenotypic plasticity leading to the conversion of various cell types into myofibroblasts. This review highlights the function of MRTFs during development, fibrosis and cancer, and the role of MRTFs during epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) underlying these processes. EMT is a sequentially orchestrated process where cells undergo a rearrangement of their cell contacts and activate a fibrogenic and myogenic expression program. MRTFs interact with and regulate the major signaling pathways and the expression of key markers and transcription factors involved in EMT. These functions indicate a central role for MRTFs in controlling the process of EMT. Developmental Dynamics 247:396-404, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ákos Gasparics
- Semmelweis University, Department of Pathophysiology, Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Sebe
- Semmelweis University, Department of Pathophysiology, Budapest, Hungary.,Paul Ehrlich Institute, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Langen, Germany
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46
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Karlsson MC, Gonzalez SF, Welin J, Fuxe J. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer metastasis through the lymphatic system. Mol Oncol 2017; 11:781-791. [PMID: 28590032 PMCID: PMC5496496 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
It was already in the 18th century when the French surgeon LeDran first noted that breast cancer patients with spread of tumor cells to their axillary lymph nodes had a drastically worse prognosis than patients without spread (LeDran et al., ). Since then, metastatic spread of cancer cells to regional lymph nodes has been established as the most important prognostic factor in many types of cancer (Carter et al., ; Elston and Ellis, ). However, despite its clinical importance, lymph metastasis remains an underexplored area of tumor biology. Fundamental questions, such as when, how, and perhaps most importantly, why tumor cells disseminate through the lymphatic system, remain largely unanswered. Accordingly, no treatment strategies exist that specifically target lymph metastasis. The identification of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as a mechanism, which allows cancer cells to dedifferentiate and acquire enhanced migratory and invasive properties, has been a game changer in cancer research. Conceptually, EMT provides an explanation for why epithelial cancers with poor differentiation status are generally more aggressive and prone to metastasize than more differentiated cancers. Inflammatory cytokines, such as TGF-β, which are produced and secreted by tumor-infiltrating immune cells, are potent inducers of EMT. Thus, reactivation of EMT also links cancer-related inflammation to invasive and metastatic disease. Recently, we found that breast cancer cells undergoing TGF-β-induced EMT acquire properties of immune cells allowing them to disseminate in a targeted fashion through the lymphatic system similar to activated dendritic cells during inflammation. Here, we review our current understanding of the mechanisms by which cancer cells spread through the lymphatic system and the links to inflammation and the immune system. We also emphasize how imaging techniques have the potential to further expand our knowledge of the mechanisms of lymph metastasis, and how lymph nodes serve as an interface between cancer and the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikael C. Karlsson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor Biology and Cell Biology (MTC)Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | | - Josefin Welin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor Biology and Cell Biology (MTC)Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Jonas Fuxe
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor Biology and Cell Biology (MTC)Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
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Ungefroren H, Witte D, Lehnert H. The role of small GTPases of the Rho/Rac family in TGF-β-induced EMT and cell motility in cancer. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:451-461. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine; University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck, and University of Lübeck; Lübeck Germany
- Department of General and Thoracic Surgery; UKSH, Campus Kiel; Kiel Germany
| | - David Witte
- First Department of Medicine; University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck, and University of Lübeck; Lübeck Germany
| | - Hendrik Lehnert
- First Department of Medicine; University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck, and University of Lübeck; Lübeck Germany
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Kryczka J, Przygodzka P, Bogusz H, Boncela J. HMEC-1 adopt the mixed amoeboid-mesenchymal migration type during EndMT. Eur J Cell Biol 2017; 96:289-300. [PMID: 28487031 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of endothelial cells to scar and fibrotic tissue formation is undisputedly connected to their ability to undergo the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) towards fibroblast phenotype-resembling cells. The migration model of fibroblasts and fibroblast-resembling cells is still not fully understood. It may be either a Rho/ROCK-independent, an integrin- and MMP-correlated ECM degradation-dependent, a mesenchymal model or Rho/ROCK-dependent, integrin adhesion- and MMP activity-independent, an amoeboid model. Here, we hypothesized that microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) undergoing EndMT adopt an intermediate state of drifting migration model between the mesenchymal and amoeboid protrusive types in the early stages of fibrosis. We characterized the response of HMEC-1 to TGF-β2, a well-known mediator of EndMT within the microvasculature. We observed that TGF-β2 induces up to an intermediate mesenchymal phenotype in HMEC-1. In parallel, MMP-2 is upregulated and is responsible for most proteolytic activity. Interestingly, the migration of HMEC-1 undergoing EndMT is dependent on both ECM degradation and invadosome formation associated with MMP-2 proteolytic activity and Rho/ROCK cytoskeleton contraction. In conclusion, the transition from mesenchymal towards amoeboid movement highlights a molecular plasticity mechanism in endothelial cell migration in skin fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Kryczka
- Institute of Medical Biology, PAS, 106 Lodowa Street, 93232 Lodz, Poland.
| | | | - Helena Bogusz
- Institute of Medical Biology, PAS, 106 Lodowa Street, 93232 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Joanna Boncela
- Institute of Medical Biology, PAS, 106 Lodowa Street, 93232 Lodz, Poland.
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Xu YP, He Q, Shen Z, Shu XL, Wang CH, Zhu JJ, Shi LP, Du LZ. MiR-126a-5p is involved in the hypoxia-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition of neonatal pulmonary hypertension. Hypertens Res 2017; 40:552-561. [PMID: 28148930 DOI: 10.1038/hr.2017.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a clinical syndrome characterized by increased medial and adventitial thickness of the lung vasculature. The underlying mechanisms that regulate the cell phenotype alteration during PPHN remodeling are largely unknown. We randomly selected newborn rats that were exposed to hypoxia (10-12%) or room air for 2 weeks and used a microarray to identify the lung tissue microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in PPHN progression. The role of a key miRNA that affects the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in primary cultured rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (RPMECs) was investigated. The expression of miR-126a-5p was elevated in the PPHN model according to microarray analysis. The relative expression of miR-126a-5p in RPMECs increased when they were exposed to hypoxia (P<0.05), consistent with the microarray results. Pecam1 expression decreased, whereas alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) increased in the hypoxic RPMECs. Knockdown of miR-126a-5p in RPMECs followed by treatment with hypoxia for 48 h resulted in a significant increase in the expression of Pecam1 and a reduction in α-SMA expression, with a simultaneous increase in PI3K (p85β) and phosphorylation of AKT at serine 473 compared with the negative control. Finally, the circulating miR-126a-5p concentration was upregulated in the PPHN model compared with healthy neonates. We concluded that hypoxia changed the cell homeostasis and that miR-126a-5p was upregulated in PPHN, which is partly responsible for hypoxia-induced EndMT. The mechanism underlying the upregulation of miR-126a-5p by hypoxia probably acts through the p85-β/p-AKT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ping Xu
- NICU, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi He
- NICU, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Shen
- Center Lab, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Li Shu
- Center Lab, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen-Hong Wang
- NICU, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Jun Zhu
- Department of Neonatology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li-Ping Shi
- NICU, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li-Zhong Du
- NICU, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, Hangzhou, China
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50
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Cantelli G, Crosas-Molist E, Georgouli M, Sanz-Moreno V. TGFΒ-induced transcription in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2017; 42:60-69. [PMID: 27586372 PMCID: PMC6137079 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2016.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGFβ) pathway mediates a broad spectrum of cellular processes and is involved in several diseases, including cancer. TGFβ has a dual role in tumours, acting as a tumour suppressor in the early phase of tumorigenesis and as a tumour promoter in more advanced stages. In this review, we discuss the effects of TGFβ-driven transcription on all stages of tumour progression, with special focus on lung cancer. Since some TGFβ target genes are specifically involved in promoting metastasis, we speculate that these genes might be good targets to block tumour progression without compromising the tumour suppressor effects of the TGFβ pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Cantelli
- Tumour Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Eva Crosas-Molist
- Tumour Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Mirella Georgouli
- Tumour Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Victoria Sanz-Moreno
- Tumour Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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