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Giri H, Biswas I, Rezaie AR. Thrombomodulin: a multifunctional receptor modulating the endothelial quiescence. J Thromb Haemost 2024; 22:905-914. [PMID: 38266676 PMCID: PMC10960680 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2024.01.006] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Thrombomodulin (TM) is a type 1 receptor best known for its function as an anticoagulant cofactor for thrombin activation of protein C on the surface of vascular endothelial cells. In addition to its anticoagulant cofactor function, TM also regulates fibrinolysis, complement, and inflammatory pathways. TM is a multidomain receptor protein with a lectin-like domain at its N-terminus that has been shown to exhibit direct anti-inflammatory functions. This domain is followed by 6 epidermal growth factor-like domains that support the interaction of TM with thrombin. The interaction inhibits the procoagulant function of thrombin and enables the protease to regulate the anticoagulant and fibrinolytic pathways by activating protein C and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor. TM has a Thr/Ser-rich region immediately above the membrane surface that harbors chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans, and this region is followed by a single-spanning transmembrane and a C-terminal cytoplasmic domain. The structure and physiological function of the extracellular domains of TM have been extensively studied, and numerous excellent review articles have been published. However, the physiological function of the cytoplasmic domain of TM has remained poorly understood. Recent data from our laboratory suggest that intracellular signaling by the cytoplasmic domain of TM plays key roles in maintaining quiescence by modulating phosphatase and tensin homolog signaling in endothelial cells. This article briefly reviews the structure and function of extracellular domains of TM and focuses on the mechanism and possible physiological importance of the cytoplasmic domain of TM in modulating phosphatase and tensin homolog signaling in endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemant Giri
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Indranil Biswas
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Alireza R Rezaie
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
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2
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Giri H, Biswas I, Rezaie AR. Thrombomodulin Regulates PTEN/AKT Signaling Axis in Endothelial Cells. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:352-365. [PMID: 38059351 PMCID: PMC10841639 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We recently demonstrated that deletion of thrombomodulin gene from endothelial cells results in upregulation of proinflammatory phenotype. In this study, we investigated the molecular basis for the altered phenotype in thrombomodulin-deficient (TM-/-) cells. METHODS Different constructs containing deletions or mutations in the cytoplasmic domain of thrombomodulin were prepared and introduced to TM-/- cells. The phenotype of cells expressing different derivatives of thrombomodulin and tissue samples of thrombomodulin-knockout mice were analyzed for expression of distinct regulatory genes in established signaling assays. RESULTS The phosphatase and tensin homolog were phosphorylated and its recruitment to the plasma membrane was impaired in TM-/- cells, leading to hyperactivation of AKT (protein kinase B) and phosphorylation-dependent nuclear exclusion of the transcription factor, forkhead box O1. The proliferative/migratory properties of TM-/- cells were enhanced, and cells exhibited hypersensitivity to stimulation by angiopoietin 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Reexpression of wild-type thrombomodulin in TM-/- cells normalized the cellular phenotype; however, thrombomodulin lacking its cytoplasmic domain failed to restore the normal phenotype in TM-/- cells. Increased basal permeability and loss of VE-cadherin were restored to normal levels by reexpression of wild-type thrombomodulin but not by a thrombomodulin construct lacking its cytoplasmic domain. A thrombomodulin cytoplasmic domain deletion mutant containing 3-membrane-proximal Arg-Lys-Lys residues restored the barrier-permeability function of TM-/- cells. Enhanced phosphatase and tensin homolog phosphorylation and activation of AKT and mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1) were also observed in the liver of thrombomodulin-KO mice. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the cytoplasmic domain of thrombomodulin interacts with the actin cytoskeleton and plays a crucial role in regulation of phosphatase and tensin homolog/AKT signaling in endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemant Giri
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
| | - Indranil Biswas
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
| | - Alireza R. Rezaie
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
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3
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Chhabra G, Singh CK, Guzmán-Pérez G, Ndiaye MA, Iczkowski KA, Ahmad N. Anti-melanoma effects of concomitant inhibition of SIRT1 and SIRT3 in Braf V600E/Pten NULL mice. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1145-1157.e7. [PMID: 34597611 PMCID: PMC9199498 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.08.434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Novel therapeutic strategies are required for the effective and lasting treatment of metastatic melanoma, one of the deadliest skin malignancies. In this study, we determined the anti-melanoma efficacy of 4'-bromo-resveratrol (4'-BR), which is a small molecule dual inhibitor of SIRT1 and SIRT3 in a BrafV600E/PtenNULL mouse model that recapitulates human disease, including metastases. Tumors were induced by topical application of 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen on shaved backs of 10-week-old mice, and the effects of 4'-BR (5-30 mg/kg b.wt.; intraperitoneally; 3d/week for 5 weeks) were assessed on melanoma development and progression. We found that 4'-BR at a dose of 30 mg/kg significantly reduced size and volume of primary melanoma tumors, as well as lung metastasis, with no adverse effects. Further, mechanistic studies on tumors showed significant modulation in markers of proliferation, survival and melanoma progression. As SIRT1 and SIRT3 are linked to immunomodulation, we performed differential gene expression analysis via NanoString PanCancer Immune Profiling panel (770 genes). Our data demonstrated that 4'-BR significantly downregulated genes related to metastasis-promotion, chemokine/cytokine-regulation, and innate/adaptive immune functions. Overall, inhibition of SIRT1 and SIRT3 by 4'-BR is a promising anti-melanoma therapy with anti-metastatic and immunomodulatory activities warranting further detailed studies, including clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagan Chhabra
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Chandra K Singh
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Mary A Ndiaye
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kenneth A Iczkowski
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nihal Ahmad
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; William S. Middleton VA Medical Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
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4
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Liu Y, He D, Xiao M, Zhu Y, Zhou J, Cao K. Long noncoding RNA LINC00518 induces radioresistance by regulating glycolysis through an miR-33a-3p/HIF-1α negative feedback loop in melanoma. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:245. [PMID: 33664256 PMCID: PMC7933330 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03523-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The long noncoding RNA, LINC00518, is highly expressed in various types of cancers and is involved in cancer progression. Although LINC00518 promotes the metastasis of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), the mechanism underlaying its effects on CMM radiosensitivity remains unclear. In this study, LINC00518 expression was significantly upregulated in CMM samples, and LINC00518 levels were associated with poor prognosis of patients with CMM. Knockdown of LINC00518 in CMM cells significantly inhibited cell invasion, migration, proliferation, and clonogenicity. LINC00518-mediated invasion, migration, proliferation, and clonogenicity were negatively regulated by the microRNA, miR-33a-3p, in vitro, which increased sensitivity to radiotherapy via inhibition of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)/lactate dehydrogenase A glycolysis axis. Additionally, HIF-1α recognized the miR-33a-3p promoter region and recruited histone deacetylase 2, which decreased the expression of miR-33a-3p and formed an LINC00518/miR-33a-3p/HIF-1α negative feedback loop. Furthermore, signaling with initially activated glycolysis and radioresistance in CMM cells was impaired by Santacruzamate A, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and 2-deoxy-D-glucose, a glycolytic inhibitor. Lastly, knockdown of LINC00518 expression sensitized CMM cancer cells to radiotherapy in an in vivo subcutaneously implanted tumor model. In conclusion, LINC00518 was confirmed to be an oncogene in CMM, which induces radioresistance by regulating glycolysis through an miR-33a-3p/HIF-1α negative feedback loop. Our study, may provide a potential strategy to improve the treatment outcome of radiotherapy in CMM.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement
- Cell Proliferation
- Databases, Genetic
- Feedback, Physiological
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Glycolysis
- Humans
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism
- Male
- Melanoma/genetics
- Melanoma/metabolism
- Melanoma/pathology
- Melanoma/radiotherapy
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics
- RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism
- Radiation Tolerance
- Signal Transduction
- Skin Neoplasms/genetics
- Skin Neoplasms/metabolism
- Skin Neoplasms/pathology
- Skin Neoplasms/radiotherapy
- Tumor Hypoxia
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, PR China
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, PR China
| | - Dong He
- Department of Respiration, the Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410000, PR China
| | - Mengqing Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, PR China
| | - Yuxing Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, PR China
| | - Jianda Zhou
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, PR China
| | - Ke Cao
- Department of Oncology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, PR China.
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Giuntini G, Monaci S, Cau Y, Mori M, Naldini A, Carraro F. Inhibition of Melanoma Cell Migration and Invasion Targeting the Hypoxic Tumor Associated CAXII. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3018. [PMID: 33080820 PMCID: PMC7602957 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12103018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intratumoral hypoxia contributes to cancer progression and poor prognosis. Carbonic anhydrases IX (CAIX) and XII (CAXII) play pivotal roles in tumor cell adaptation and survival, as aberrant Hedgehog (Hh) pathway does. In malignant melanoma both features have been investigated for years, but they have not been correlated before and/or identified as a potential pharmacological target. Here, for the first time, we demonstrated that malignant melanoma cell motility was impaired by targeting CAXII via either CAs inhibitors or through the inhibition of the Hh pathway. METHODS We tested cell motility in three melanoma cell lines (WM-35, SK-MEL28, and A375), with different invasiveness capabilities. To this end we performed a scratch assay in the presence of the smoothened (SMO) antagonist cyclopamine (cyclo) or CAs inhibitors under normoxia or hypoxia. Then, we analyzed the invasiveness potential in the cell lines which were more affected by cyclo and CAs inhibitors (SK-MEL28 and A375). Western blot was employed to assess the expression of the hypoxia inducible factor 1α, CAXII, and FAK phosphorylation. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to verify the blockade of CAXII expression. RESULTS Hh inhibition reduced melanoma cell migration and CAXII expression under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Interestingly, basal CAXII expression was higher in the two more aggressive melanoma cell lines. Finally, a direct CAXII blockade impaired melanoma cell migration and invasion under hypoxia. This was associated with a decrease of FAK phosphorylation and metalloprotease activities. CONCLUSIONS CAXII may be used as a target for melanoma treatment not only through its direct inhibition, but also through Hh blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Giuntini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Physiology Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.G.); (S.M.); (A.N.)
| | - Sara Monaci
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Physiology Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.G.); (S.M.); (A.N.)
| | - Ylenia Cau
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (Y.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (Y.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Antonella Naldini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Physiology Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.G.); (S.M.); (A.N.)
| | - Fabio Carraro
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Cellular and Molecular Physiology Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Thrombomodulin Regulation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20081851. [PMID: 30991642 PMCID: PMC6514922 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The multifaceted role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in modulating signal transduction pathways in inflammatory conditions such as infection, cardiovascular disease, and cancer has been well established. Recently, coagulation factors have also emerged as key players in regulating intracellular signaling pathways during inflammation. Among coagulation factors, thrombomodulin, as a high affinity receptor for thrombin on vascular endothelial cells, has been discovered to be a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic signaling molecule. The protective signaling function of thrombomodulin is separate from its well-recognized role in the clotting cascade, which is to function as an anti-coagulant receptor in order to switch the specificity of thrombin from a procoagulant to an anti-coagulant protease. The underlying protective signaling mechanism of thrombomodulin remains largely unknown, though a few published reports link the receptor to the regulation of MAPKs under different (patho)physiological conditions. The goal of this review is to summarize what is known about the regulatory relationship between thrombomodulin and MAPKs.
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7
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Song J, Ma D, Liu X, Chen Y, Fang J, Lui VWY, Zhao S, Xia J, Cheng B, Wang Z. Thrombomodulin (TM) in tumor cell differentiation and periphery blood immune microenvironment in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Clin Immunol 2018; 191:27-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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8
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TR47, a PAR1-based peptide, inhibits melanoma cell migration in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 495:1300-1304. [PMID: 29196264 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.11.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Activated Protein C (APC) is a serine-protease that displays antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, cleavage of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) by APC exerts endothelial cytoprotective actions. The effects of APC on endothelial cells may be reproduced by TR47, a PAR1-based peptide that mimics the novel N-terminus of PAR1 generated upon cleavage at Arg-46 by APC. In this study we demonstrate that wild-type APC and its signaling-proficient mutant, APC-2Cys (which has dramatically reduced anticoagulant activity), display similar inhibitory effects towards the transendothelial migration of A375 human melanoma cells. Consistent with this observation, APC and APC-2Cys significantly reduced the in vivo metastatic potential of the B16F10 murine melanoma cells. TR47 recapitulated the in vitro and in vivo protective profiles of APC and APC-2Cys. Treatment of EA.hy926 endothelial cells with TR47 (20 μM) significantly decreased the A375 cell migration. In addition, treatment of C57/BL6 mice with a single TR47 dose (125 μg/animal) strongly reduced the metastatic burden of B16F10 cells. Together, our results suggest that protection of the endothelial barrier by APC/TR47-mediated signaling pathways might be a valuable therapeutic approach to prevent metastasis.
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9
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Shirai Y, Uwagawa T, Shiba H, Shimada Y, Horiuchi T, Saito N, Furukawa K, Ohashi T, Yanaga K. Recombinant thrombomodulin suppresses tumor growth of pancreatic cancer by blocking thrombin-induced PAR1 and NF-κB activation. Surgery 2017; 161:1675-1682. [PMID: 28094003 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2016.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thrombomodulin, an anticoagulant that inhibits thrombin-induced growth factor promotion, also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Furthermore, thrombomodulin inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B activation, which plays a crucial role in cancer progression. We assessed the antitumor activity of recombinant thrombomodulin for pancreatic cancer. METHODS A xenograft orthotopic model was established in mice by implantation of human pancreatic cancer cells. The animals were treated with intraperitoneal injection of recombinant thrombomodulin 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Nuclear factor-kappa B activation was evaluated by measuring nuclear localization of the p65. Efficacy of recombinant thrombomodulin on the signal transduction of nuclear factor-kappa B was measured in vitro under preconditioning with thrombin or epidermal growth factor. RESULTS Tumor growth was suppressed by recombinant thrombomodulin (P < .05). Recombinant thrombomodulin inhibited the expression of IκB kinase β (P < .05) and pIκBα (P < .01), as well as the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B NF-κB (P < .001). Furthermore, recombinant thrombomodulin inhibited thrombin-induced protease activate receptor 1 and nuclear factor-kappa B activation in vitro (P < .05). The number of Ki67-positive cells was decreased by recombinant thrombomodulin (P < .01). Recombinant thrombomodulin also suppressed body weight loss associated with pancreatic cancer (P < .05). No obvious adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSION Recombinant thrombomodulin significantly suppressed tumor growth against human pancreatic cancer by blocking thrombin-induced nuclear factor-kappa B activation without adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Shirai
- Department of Surgery, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Gene Therapy, Research Center for Medical Science, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Tadashi Uwagawa
- Department of Surgery, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Clinical Oncology and Hematology, and Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Shiba
- Department of Surgery, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohta Shimada
- Division of Gene Therapy, Research Center for Medical Science, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Horiuchi
- Department of Surgery, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Gene Therapy, Research Center for Medical Science, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Saito
- Department of Surgery, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Gene Therapy, Research Center for Medical Science, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenei Furukawa
- Department of Surgery, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toya Ohashi
- Division of Gene Therapy, Research Center for Medical Science, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Yanaga
- Department of Surgery, The Jikei University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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10
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Zheng N, Huo Z, Zhang B, Meng M, Cao Z, Wang Z, Zhou Q. Thrombomodulin reduces tumorigenic and metastatic potential of lung cancer cells by up-regulation of E-cadherin and down-regulation of N-cadherin expression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 476:252-259. [PMID: 27223053 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Thrombomodulin (TM) is an endothelial cell membrane protein and plays critical roles in anti-thrombosis, anti-inflammation, vascular endothelial protection, and is traditionally regarded as a "vascular protection god". In recent years, although TM has been reported to be down-regulated in a variety of malignant tumors including lung cancer, the role and mechanism of TM in lung cancer are enigmatic. In this study, we found that induction of TM overexpression by cholesterol-reducing drug atorvastatin significantly diminished the tumorigenic capability of the lung cancer cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that TM overexpression caused G0/G1 phase arrest and markedly reduced the colony forming capability of the cells. Furthermore, overexpression of TM inhibited cell migration and invasion. Consistently, depletion of TM promoted cell growth, reduced the cell population at the G0/G1 phase, and enhanced cell migratory ability. Mechanistic study revealed that TM up-regulated E-cadherin but down-regulated N-cadherin expression, resulting in reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the lung cancer cells. Moreover, silencing TM expression led to decreased E-cadherin and increased N-cadherin. Taken together, our study suggests that TM functions as a tumor suppressive protein, providing a conceptual framework for inducing TM overexpression as a sensible strategy and approach for novel anti-lung cancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Zheng
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Zihe Huo
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Mei Meng
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Zhifei Cao
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China; Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Quansheng Zhou
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
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