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Chen W, Chen M, Hong L, Xiahenazi A, Huang M, Tang N, Yang X, She F, Chen Y. M2-like tumor-associated macrophage-secreted CCL2 facilitates gallbladder cancer stemness and metastasis. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:83. [PMID: 39138521 PMCID: PMC11320879 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00550-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The predominant immune cells in solid tumors are M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (M2-like TAMs), which significantly impact the promotion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumors, enhancing stemness and facilitating tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the contribution of M2-like TAMs to tumor progression in gallbladder cancer (GBC) is partially known. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of M2-like TAMs and cancer stem cell (CSC) markers in 24 pairs of GBC and adjacent noncancerous tissues from patients with GBC. Subsequently, GBC cells and M2-like TAMs were co-cultured to examine the expression of CSC markers, EMT markers, and migratory behavior. Proteomics was performed on the culture supernatant of M2-like TAMs. The mechanisms underlying the induction of EMT, stemness, and metastasis in GBC by M2-like TAMs were elucidated using proteomics and transcriptomics. GBC cells were co-cultured with undifferentiated macrophages (M0) and analyzed. The therapeutic effect of gemcitabine combined with a chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (CCR2) antagonist on GBC was observed in vivo. RESULTS The expression levels of CD68 and CD163 in M2-like TAMs and CD44 and CD133 in gallbladder cancer stem cells (GBCSCs) were increased and positively correlated in GBC tissues compared with those in neighboring noncancerous tissues. M2-like TAMs secreted a significant amount of chemotactic cytokine ligand 2 (CCL2), which activated the MEK/extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway and enhanced SNAIL expression after binding to the receptor CCR2 on GBC cells. Activation of the ERK pathway caused nuclear translocation of ELK1, which subsequently led to increased SNAIL expression. GBCSCs mediated the recruitment and polarization of M0 into M2-like TAMs within the GBC microenvironment via CCL2 secretion. In the murine models, the combination of a CCR2 antagonist and gemcitabine efficiently inhibited the growth of subcutaneous tumors in GBC. CONCLUSIONS The interaction between M2-like TAMs and GBC cells is mediated by the chemokine CCL2, which activates the MEK/ERK/ELK1/SNAIL pathway in GBC cells, promoting EMT, stemness, and metastasis. A combination of a CCR2 inhibitor and gemcitabine effectively suppressed the growth of subcutaneous tumors. Consequently, our study identified promising therapeutic targets and strategies for treating GBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihong Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
- Fujian Medical University Cancer Center, Fuzhou, 350108, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Tumor Microbiology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, Fujian, China
| | - Mingyuan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
- Fujian Medical University Cancer Center, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Lingju Hong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Abudukeremu Xiahenazi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
- Fujian Medical University Cancer Center, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Maotuan Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
- Fujian Medical University Cancer Center, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Nanhong Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
- Fujian Medical University Cancer Center, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Xinyue Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
- Fujian Medical University Cancer Center, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Feifei She
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Tumor Microbiology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, Fujian, China.
| | - Yanling Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
- Fujian Medical University Cancer Center, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
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Zhang Z, Lv ZG, Lu M, Li H, Zhou J. Nerve-tumor crosstalk in tumor microenvironment: From tumor initiation and progression to clinical implications. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189121. [PMID: 38796026 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
The autonomic nerve system (ANS) innervates organs and tissues throughout the body and maintains functional balance among various systems. Further investigations have shown that excessive activation of ANS not only causes disruption of homeostasis, but also may promote tumor formation. In addition, the dynamic interaction between nerve and tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment also regulate tumor progression. On the one hand, nerves are passively invaded by tumor cells, that is, perineural invasion (PNI). On the other hand, compared with normal tissues, tumor tissues are subject to more abundant innervation, and nerves can influence tumor progression through regulating tumor proliferation, metastasis and drug resistance. A large number of studies have shown that nerve-tumor crosstalk, including PNI and innervation, is closely related to the prognosis of patients, and contributes to the formation of cancer pain, which significantly deteriorates the quality of life for patients. These findings suggest that nerve-tumor crosstalk represents a potential target for anti-tumor therapies and the management of cancer pain in the future. In this review, we systematically describe the mechanism by which nerve-tumor crosstalk regulates tumorigenesis and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhang
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhen Gang Lv
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Miao Lu
- Department of Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haifeng Li
- Department of Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiahua Zhou
- Department of Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Khan AQ, Hasan A, Mir SS, Rashid K, Uddin S, Steinhoff M. Exploiting transcription factors to target EMT and cancer stem cells for tumor modulation and therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 100:1-16. [PMID: 38503384 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are essential in controlling gene regulatory networks that determine cellular fate during embryogenesis and tumor development. TFs are the major players in promoting cancer stemness by regulating the function of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Understanding how TFs interact with their downstream targets for determining cell fate during embryogenesis and tumor development is a critical area of research. CSCs are increasingly recognized for their significance in tumorigenesis and patient prognosis, as they play a significant role in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance. However, traditional therapies have limited effectiveness in eliminating this subset of cells, allowing CSCs to persist and potentially form secondary tumors. Recent studies have revealed that cancer cells and tumors with CSC-like features also exhibit genes related to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT-associated transcription factors (EMT-TFs) like TWIST and Snail/Slug can upregulate EMT-related genes and reprogram cancer cells into a stem-like phenotype. Importantly, the regulation of EMT-TFs, particularly through post-translational modifications (PTMs), plays a significant role in cancer metastasis and the acquisition of stem cell-like features. PTMs, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation, can alter the stability, localization, and activity of EMT-TFs, thereby modulating their ability to drive EMT and stemness properties in cancer cells. Although targeting EMT-TFs holds potential in tackling CSCs, current pharmacological approaches to do so directly are unavailable. Therefore, this review aims to explore the role of EMT- and CSC-TFs, their connection and impact in cellular development and cancer, emphasizing the potential of TF networks as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Adria Hasan
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Integral Information and Research Centre-4 (IIRC-4), Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India; Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Snober S Mir
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Integral Information and Research Centre-4 (IIRC-4), Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India; Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Khalid Rashid
- Department of Urology,Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Kursi Road, Lucknow 226026, India; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
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Barzegar S, Pirouzpanah S. Zinc finger proteins and ATP-binding cassette transporter-dependent multidrug resistance. Eur J Clin Invest 2024; 54:e14120. [PMID: 37930002 DOI: 10.1111/eci.14120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a significant challenge in cancer treatment, leading to poor clinical outcomes. Dysregulation of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters has been identified as a key contributor to MDR. Zinc finger proteins (ZNPs) are key regulators of transcription and have emerged as potential contributors to cancer drug resistance. Bridging the knowledge gap between ZNPs and MDR is essential to understand a source of heterogeneity in cancer treatment. This review sought to elucidate how different ZNPs modulate the transcriptional regulation of ABC genes, contributing to resistance to cancer therapies. METHODS The search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Web of Science. RESULTS In addition to ABC-blockers, the transcriptional features regulated by ZNP are expected to play a role in reversing ABC-mediated MDR and predicting the efficacy of anticancer treatments. Among the ZNP-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition, SNAIL, SLUG and Zebs have been identified as important factors in promoting MDR through activation of ATM, NFκB and PI3K/Akt pathways, exposing the metabolism to potential ZNP-MDR interactions. Additionally, nuclear receptors, such as VDR, ER and PXR have been found to modulate certain ABC regulations. Other C2H2-type zinc fingers, including Kruppel-like factors, Gli and Sp also have the potential to contribute to MDR. CONCLUSION Besides reviewing evidence on the effects of ZNP dysregulation on ABC-related chemoresistance in malignancies, significant markers of ZNP functions are discussed to highlight the clinical implications of gene-to-gene and microenvironment-to-gene interactions on MDR prospects. Future research on ZNP-derived biomarkers is crucial for addressing heterogeneity in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Barzegar
- Shahid Madani Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeed Pirouzpanah
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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5
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Delamonica B, Balázsi G, Shub M. Cusp bifurcation in a metastatic regulatory network. J Theor Biol 2023; 575:111630. [PMID: 37804940 PMCID: PMC11132523 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2023.111630] [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: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the potential for cancers to metastasize is still relatively unknown. While many predictive methods may use deep learning or stochastic processes, we highlight a long standing mathematical concept that may be useful for modeling metastatic breast cancer systems. Ordinary differential equations (ODEs) can model cell state transitions by considering the pertinent environmental variables as well as the paths systems take over time. Bifurcation theory is a branch of dynamical systems which studies changes in the behavior of an ODE system while one or more parameters are varied. Many studies have applied concepts in one-parameter bifurcation theory to model biological network dynamics, and cell division. However, studies of two-parameter bifurcations are much more rare. Two-parameter bifurcations have not been studied in metastatic systems. Here we show how a specific two-parameter bifurcation phenomenon called a cusp bifurcation separates two qualitatively different metastatic cell state transitions modalities and propose a new perspective on defining such transitions based on mathematical theory. We hope the observations and verification methods detailed here may help in the understanding of metastatic potential from a basic biological perspective and in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Delamonica
- Applied Mathematics and Statistics Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Gábor Balázsi
- The Louis and Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
| | - Michael Shub
- Department of Mathematics,City College and the Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, NY 10031, USA.
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Zhang S, Guo Y, Zhang S, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Zuo S. Targeting the deubiquitinase USP2 for malignant tumor therapy (Review). Oncol Rep 2023; 50:176. [PMID: 37594087 PMCID: PMC10463009 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin‑proteasome system is a major degradation pathway for >80% of proteins in vivo. Deubiquitylases, which remove ubiquitinated tags to stabilize substrate proteins, are important components involved in regulating the degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. In addition, they serve multiple roles in tumor development by participating in physiological processes such as protein metabolism, cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair and gene transcription. The present review systematically summarized the role of ubiquitin‑specific protease 2 (USP2) in malignant tumors and the specific molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of USP2 in tumor‑associated pathways. USP2 reverses ubiquitin‑mediated degradation of proteins and is involved in aberrant proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and drug resistance of tumors. Additionally, the present review summarized studies reporting on the use of USP2 as a therapeutic target for malignancies such as breast, liver, ovarian, colorectal, bladder and prostate cancers and glioblastoma and highlights the current status of pharmacological research on USP2. The clinical significance of USP2 as a therapeutic target for malignant tumors warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilong Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Yi Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Shenjie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Yewei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Shi Zuo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
- Precision Medicine Research Institute of Guizhou, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
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7
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Clevenger AJ, McFarlin MK, Collier CA, Sheshadri VS, Madyastha AK, Gorley JPM, Solberg SC, Stratman AN, Raghavan SA. Peristalsis-Associated Mechanotransduction Drives Malignant Progression of Colorectal Cancer. Cell Mol Bioeng 2023; 16:261-281. [PMID: 37811008 PMCID: PMC10550901 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-023-00776-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor microenvironment, cancerous and precancerous cells continuously experience mechanical forces associated with peristalsis. Given that mechanical forces like shear stress and strain can positively impact cancer progression, we explored the hypothesis that peristalsis may also contribute to malignant progression in CRC. We defined malignant progression as enrichment of cancer stem cells and the acquisition of invasive behaviors, both vital to CRC progression. Methods We leveraged our peristalsis bioreactor to expose CRC cell lines (HCT116), patient-derived xenograft (PDX1,2) lines, or non-cancerous intestinal cells (HIEC-6) to forces associated with peristalsis in vitro. Cells were maintained in static control conditions or exposed to peristalsis for 24 h prior to assessment of cancer stem cell (CSC) emergence or the acquisition of invasive phenotypes. Results Exposure of HCT116 cells to peristalsis significantly increased the emergence of LGR5+ CSCs by 1.8-fold compared to static controls. Peristalsis enriched LGR5 positivity in several CRC cell lines, notably significant in KRAS mutant lines. In contrast, peristalsis failed to increase LGR5+ in non-cancerous intestinal cells, HIEC-6. LGR5+ emergence downstream of peristalsis was dependent on ROCK and Wnt activity, and not YAP1 activation. Additionally, HCT116 cells adopted invasive morphologies when exposed to peristalsis, with increased filopodia density and epithelial to mesenchymal gene expression, in a Wnt dependent manner. Conclusions Peristalsis associated forces drive malignant progression of CRC via ROCK, YAP1, and Wnt-related mechanotransduction. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-023-00776-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail J. Clevenger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 5016 Emerging Technologies Building, 3120 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Maygan K. McFarlin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 5016 Emerging Technologies Building, 3120 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Claudia A. Collier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 5016 Emerging Technologies Building, 3120 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Vibha S. Sheshadri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 5016 Emerging Technologies Building, 3120 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Anirudh K. Madyastha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 5016 Emerging Technologies Building, 3120 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - John Paul M. Gorley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 5016 Emerging Technologies Building, 3120 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Spencer C. Solberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 5016 Emerging Technologies Building, 3120 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 USA
| | - Amber N. Stratman
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Shreya A. Raghavan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 5016 Emerging Technologies Building, 3120 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 USA
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
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8
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Pospieszna J, Dams-Kozlowska H, Udomsak W, Murias M, Kucinska M. Unmasking the Deceptive Nature of Cancer Stem Cells: The Role of CD133 in Revealing Their Secrets. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10910. [PMID: 37446085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, and its complexity poses a significant challenge to effective treatment. Cancer stem cells and their markers have become key players in tumor growth and progression. CD133, a marker in various cancer types, is an active research area as a potential therapeutic target. This article explores the role of CD133 in cancer treatment, beginning with an overview of cancer statistics and an explanation of cancer stem cells and their markers. The rise of CD133 is discussed, including its structure, functions, and occurrence in different cancer types. Furthermore, the article covers CD133 as a therapeutic target, focusing on gene therapy, immunotherapy, and approaches to affect CD133 expression. Nanoparticles such as gold nanoparticles and nanoliposomes are also discussed in the context of CD133-targeted therapy. In conclusion, CD133 is a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. As research in this area progresses, it is hoped that CD133-targeted therapies will offer new and effective treatment options for cancer patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Pospieszna
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 30 Dojazd Street, 10 Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego Street, 60-631 Poznan, Poland
| | - Hanna Dams-Kozlowska
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 15 Garbary Street, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 15 Garbary Street, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Wachirawit Udomsak
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 30 Dojazd Street, 10 Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego Street, 60-631 Poznan, Poland
| | - Marek Murias
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 30 Dojazd Street, 10 Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego Street, 60-631 Poznan, Poland
- Center for Advanced Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 10 Street, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Kucinska
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 30 Dojazd Street, 10 Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego Street, 60-631 Poznan, Poland
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9
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Sharma R, Balta S, Raza A, Escalona RM, Kannourakis G, Prithviraj P, Ahmed N. In Vitro and In Silico Analysis of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stemness as Prognostic Markers of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092586. [PMID: 37174052 PMCID: PMC10177434 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) involves the phenotypic transformation of cells from epithelial to mesenchymal status. The cells exhibiting EMT contain features of cancer stem cells (CSC), and the dual processes are responsible for progressive cancers. Activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) is fundamental to the pathogenesis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and their role in promoting EMT and CSCs is crucial for ccRCC tumour cell survival, disease progression, and metastatic spread. In this study, we explored the status of HIF genes and their downstream targets, EMT and CSC markers, by immunohistochemistry on in-house accrued ccRCC biopsies and adjacent non-tumorous tissues from patients undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy. In combination, we comprehensively analysed the expression of HIF genes and its downstream EMT and CSC-associated targets relevant to ccRCC by using publicly available datasets, the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and the clinical proteome tumour analysis consortium (CPTAC). The aim was to search for novel biological prognostic markers that can stratify high-risk patients likely to experience metastatic disease. Using the above two approaches, we report the development of novel gene signatures that may help to identify patients at a high risk of developing metastatic and progressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Revati Sharma
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia
- Health Innovation and Transformation Centre, Mt Helen Campus, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
| | - Showan Balta
- Dorevitch Pathology, Ballarat Base Hospital, Drummond Street, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
| | - Ali Raza
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia
- Health Innovation and Transformation Centre, Mt Helen Campus, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
| | - Ruth M Escalona
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia
- Centre for Reproductive Health, The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - George Kannourakis
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia
- Health Innovation and Transformation Centre, Mt Helen Campus, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
| | - Prashanth Prithviraj
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia
- Health Innovation and Transformation Centre, Mt Helen Campus, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
| | - Nuzhat Ahmed
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia
- Health Innovation and Transformation Centre, Mt Helen Campus, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
- Centre for Reproductive Health, The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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10
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Kokabi F, Khosravi A, Jazi MS, Asadi J. A reliable mouse model of liver and lung metastasis by injecting esophageal cancer stem cells (CSCs) through tail-vein injection. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:3401-3411. [PMID: 36753017 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08294-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly aggressive tumor with increased metastatic potential. Recent evidence suggests that esophageal CSCs have a crucial role in tumor initiation, progression, and resistance to conventional anti-cancer therapies. The study aimed to develop mouse model to mimic the late steps of the metastasis process using a tail-vein injection of esophageal CSCs. METHODS AND RESULTS The sphere formation assay was used to enrich CSCs. For analysis of tumorigenicity, YM-1 adherent cells and enriched CSCs were injected subcutaneously into dorsal flank of nude mice. The expression of SLUG, E-cad, and CTHRC1 genes was examined by Real-Time qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods. To assess the metastatic potential of adherent YM-1 cells and their enriched CSCs, we injected the cells into the tail vein of nude mice. Our findings showed the up-regulation of SLUG and down-regulation of E-cad in the esophageal CSC-derived tumors (ECSCTs) compared to adherent cells-derived tumors. There was no statistically significant difference between CTHRC1 gene expressions in both groups of tumors. IHC staining confirmed the higher expression of SLUG protein in ECSCTs compared to adherent cell-derived tumors. Enriched CSCs were able to metastasize to the lungs and livers after three months, but, metastasis of adherent cells wasn't observed. CONCLUSION Our study showed esophageal CSCs injected through the tail-vein injection can migrate and metastasize to the lung and liver after three months. The developed metastatic mouse model can be a valuable and relevant model to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of metastasis and develop successful targeted therapies against ESCC. The present study is one of the few studies that investigate the metastasis of esophageal cancer stem cells (ESCC type) through injection into the tail vein of nude mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Kokabi
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ayyoob Khosravi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Technologies, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
| | - Marie Saghaeian Jazi
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Stem Cell Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Jahanbakhsh Asadi
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
- Stem Cell Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
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11
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Lin X, Tu M, Zhang Y, Zhuang W, Cai L, Zhang L, Yu L, Zhang Z, Huang Y. Aberrant NSG1 Expression Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell EMT by the Activation of ERK Signaling Pathway. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 68:1847-1857. [PMID: 36396779 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07748-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuron-specific gene family member 1 (NSG1) is a 21 kDa endosomal protein that is specifically expressed in neurons. AIMS This study was to explore the expression of NSG1 and possible mechanism in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was consulted to analyze the expression of NSG1 in ESCC. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was used to evaluate NSG1 expression in ESCC cancerous tissues and matched paracancerous tissues. The CCK-8 assay, wound-healing assay, and transwell assay were used to detect the cell viability, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells. Western blot was used to assay epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and ERK signaling pathway protein expression. RESULTS The results showed that the expression of NSG1 in ESCC cancerous tissues was higher than noncancerous tissues. Compared with negative control (NC) group, cell viability, migration. and invasion significantly increased, the expression of p-ERK in ERK signaling pathway was significantly upregulated, the expressions of mesenchymal marker Vimentin and EMT-related transcription factors including snail and slug were significantly upregulated, and the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin was significantly downregulated in KYSE-150 cells with NSG1 overexpression. However, these effects were reversed by the ERK signaling pathway inhibitor U0126. On the other hand, TE-1 cells with NSG1 knockdown had the changes contrary to that in KYSE-150 cells with NSG1 overexpression. CONCLUSION NSG1 plays a potential carcinogenic role on the occurrence and progression of ESCC, and aberrant NSG1 expression might promote ESCC cell EMT by the activation of ERK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Lin
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Mingshu Tu
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Wanzhen Zhuang
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Liqing Cai
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Liangming Zhang
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Lili Yu
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Zhenlong Zhang
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China. .,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China. .,Central Laboratory, Center for Experimental Research in Clinical Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
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12
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Li Y, Azmi AS, Mohammad RM. Deregulated transcription factors and poor clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:122-134. [PMID: 35940398 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors are a group of proteins, which possess DNA-binding domains, bind to DNA strands of promoters or enhancers, and initiate transcription of genes with cooperation of RNA polymerase and other co-factors. They play crucial roles in regulating transcription during embryogenesis and development. Their physiological status in different cell types is also important to maintain cellular homeostasis. Therefore, any deregulation of transcription factors will lead to the development of cancer cells and tumor progression. Based on their functions in cancer cells, transcription factors could be either oncogenic or tumor suppressive. Furthermore, transcription factors have been shown to modulate cancer stem cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and drug response; therefore, measuring deregulated transcription factors is hypothesized to predict treatment outcomes of patients with cancers and targeting deregulated transcription factors could be an encouraging strategy for cancer therapy. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of major deregulated transcription factors and their effects on causing poor clinical outcome of patients with cancer. The information presented here will help to predict the prognosis and drug response and to design novel drugs and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancers by targeting deregulated transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Li
- Karmanos Cancer Institute and Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Karmanos Cancer Institute and Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ramzi M Mohammad
- Karmanos Cancer Institute and Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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13
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Schmidtlein PM, Volz C, Hackel A, Thürling I, Castven D, Braun R, Wellner UF, Konukiewitz B, Riemekasten G, Lehnert H, Marquardt JU, Ungefroren H. Activation of a Ductal-to-Endocrine Transdifferentiation Transcriptional Program in the Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line PANC-1 Is Controlled by RAC1 and RAC1b through Antagonistic Regulation of Stemness Factors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215541. [PMID: 34771704 PMCID: PMC8583136 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary For patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) there is currently no cure; hence, novel effective therapies are desperately needed. Among PDAC patients, the tumor cell phenotypes are heterogeneous as a result of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, a process that endows them with the ability to metastasize, resist therapy, and generate cancer stem cells. The heightened plasticity of quasimesenchymal and potentially metastatic tumor cells may, however, also be exploited for their transdifferentiation into benign, highly differentiated or post-mitotic cells. Since PDAC patients often have a need for replacement of insulin-producing cells, conversion of tumor cells with a ductal/exocrine origin to endocrine β cell-like cells is an attractive therapeutic option. Successful transdifferentiation into insulin-producing cells has been reported for the quasimesenchymal cell line PANC-1; however, the mechanistic basis of this transformation process is unknown. Here, we show that the small GTPases, RAC1 and RAC1b control this process by antagonistic regulation of stemness genes. Abstract Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a driving force for tumor growth, metastatic spread, therapy resistance, and the generation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the regained stem cell character may also be exploited for therapeutic conversion of aggressive tumor cells to benign, highly differentiated cells. The PDAC-derived quasimesenchymal-type cell lines PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 have been successfully transdifferentiated to endocrine precursors or insulin-producing cells; however, the underlying mechanism of this increased plasticity remains elusive. Given its crucial role in normal pancreatic endocrine development and tumor progression, both of which involve EMT, we analyzed here the role of the small GTPase RAC1. Ectopic expression in PANC-1 cells of dominant negative or constitutively active mutants of RAC1 activation blocked or enhanced, respectively, the cytokine-induced activation of a ductal-to-endocrine transdifferentiation transcriptional program (deTDtP) as revealed by induction of the NEUROG3, INS, SLC2A2, and MAFA genes. Conversely, ectopic expression of RAC1b, a RAC1 splice isoform and functional antagonist of RAC1-driven EMT, decreased the deTDtP, while genetic knockout of RAC1b dramatically increased it. We further show that inhibition of RAC1 activation attenuated pluripotency marker expression and self-renewal ability, while depletion of RAC1b dramatically enhanced stemness features and clonogenic potential. Finally, rescue experiments involving pharmacological or RNA interference-mediated inhibition of RAC1 or RAC1b, respectively, confirmed that both RAC1 isoforms control the deTDtP in an opposite manner. We conclude that RAC1 and RAC1b antagonistically control growth factor-induced activation of an endocrine transcriptional program and the generation of CSCs in quasimesenchymal PDAC cells. Our results have clinical implications for PDAC patients, who in addition to eradication of tumor cells have a need for replacement of insulin-producing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Marie Schmidtlein
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Clara Volz
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Alexander Hackel
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (A.H.); (G.R.)
| | - Isabel Thürling
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Darko Castven
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Rüdiger Braun
- Clinic for Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (R.B.); (U.F.W.)
| | - Ulrich Friedrich Wellner
- Clinic for Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (R.B.); (U.F.W.)
| | - Björn Konukiewitz
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, D-24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Gabriela Riemekasten
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (A.H.); (G.R.)
| | | | - Jens-Uwe Marquardt
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, D-24105 Kiel, Germany;
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany
- Correspondence:
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14
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Cao J, Bhatnagar S, Wang J, Qi X, Prabha S, Panyam J. Cancer stem cells and strategies for targeted drug delivery. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 11:1779-1805. [PMID: 33095384 PMCID: PMC8062588 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-020-00863-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small proportion of cancer cells with high tumorigenic activity, self-renewal ability, and multilineage differentiation potential. Standard anti-tumor therapies including conventional chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and molecularly targeted therapies are not effective against CSCs, and often lead to enrichment of CSCs that can result in tumor relapse. Therefore, it is hypothesized that targeting CSCs is key to increasing the efficacy of cancer therapies. In this review, CSC properties including CSC markers, their role in tumor growth, invasiveness, metastasis, and drug resistance, as well as CSC microenvironment are discussed. Further, CSC-targeted strategies including the use of targeted drug delivery systems are examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Shubhmita Bhatnagar
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- School of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Jiawei Wang
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Xueyong Qi
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Swayam Prabha
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Cancer Research & Molecular Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Jayanth Panyam
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
- School of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
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15
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A Comparative Endocrine Trans-Differentiation Approach to Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells with Different EMT Phenotypes Identifies Quasi-Mesenchymal Tumor Cells as Those with Highest Plasticity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184663. [PMID: 34572891 PMCID: PMC8466512 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancer types with the quasi-mesenchymal (QM) subtype of PDAC having the worst prognosis. De-differentiation of the ductal tumor cells to a mesenchymal phenotype occurs as a result of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process associated with the acquisition of stem cell traits. While QM tumor cells are highly metastatic and drug-resistant, their increased plasticity opens a window of opportunity for trans-differentiation into non-malignant pancreatic cells. In this study we compared established PDAC-derived cell lines of either epithelial (E) or QM phenotype for their potential to be differentiated to pancreatic endocrine cells. We found that QM cells responded more strongly than E cells with transcriptional activation of a pancreatic progenitor or pancreatic β cell-specific program. Our results bear strong implications for a novel type of targeted therapy, namely EMT-based trans-differentiation of highly metastatic PDAC cells in vivo to non-malignant endocrine cells. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and therapy-resistant cancer types which is largely due to tumor heterogeneity, cancer cell de-differentiation, and early metastatic spread. The major molecular subtypes of PDAC are designated classical/epithelial (E) and quasi-mesenchymal (QM) subtypes, with the latter having the worst prognosis. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the reverse process, mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), are involved in regulating invasion/metastasis and stem cell generation in cancer cells but also early pancreatic endocrine differentiation or de-differentiation of adult pancreatic islet cells in vitro, suggesting that pancreatic ductal exocrine and endocrine cells share common EMT programs. Using a panel of PDAC-derived cell lines classified by epithelial/mesenchymal expression as either E or QM, we compared their trans-differentiation (TD) potential to endocrine progenitor or β cell-like cells since studies with human pancreatic cancer cells for possible future TD therapy in PDAC patients are not available so far. We observed that QM cell lines responded strongly to TD culture using as inducers 5′-aza-2′-deoxycytidine or growth factors/cytokines, while their E counterparts were refractory or showed only a weak response. Moreover, the gain of plasticity was associated with a decrease in proliferative and migratory activities and was directly related to epigenetic changes acquired during selection of a metastatic phenotype as revealed by TD experiments using the paired isogenic COLO 357-L3.6pl model. Our data indicate that a QM phenotype in PDAC coincides with increased plasticity and heightened trans-differentiation potential to activate a pancreatic β cell-specific transcriptional program. We strongly assume that this specific biological feature has potential to be exploited clinically in TD-based therapy to convert metastatic PDAC cells into less malignant or even benign cells.
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16
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Su KM, Gao HW, Chang CM, Lu KH, Yu MH, Lin YH, Liu LC, Chang CC, Li YF, Chang CC. Synergistic AHR Binding Pathway with EMT Effects on Serous Ovarian Tumors Recognized by Multidisciplinary Integrated Analysis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:866. [PMID: 34440070 PMCID: PMC8389648 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) are fatal and obstinate among gynecological malignancies in advanced stage or relapsed status, with serous carcinomas accounting for the vast majority. Unlike EOCs, borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs), including serous BOTs, maintain a semimalignant appearance. Using gene ontology (GO)-based integrative analysis, we analyzed gene set databases of serous BOTs and serous ovarian carcinomas for dysregulated GO terms and pathways and identified multiple differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in various aspects. The SRC (SRC proto-oncogene, non-receptor tyrosine kinase) gene and dysfunctional aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) binding pathway consistently influenced progression-free survival and overall survival, and immunohistochemical staining revealed elevated expression of related biomarkers (SRC, ARNT, and TBP) in serous BOT and ovarian carcinoma samples. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is important during tumorigenesis, and we confirmed the SNAI2 (Snail family transcriptional repressor 2, SLUG) gene showing significantly high performance by immunohistochemistry. During serous ovarian tumor formation, activated AHR in the cytoplasm could cooperate with SRC, enter cell nuclei, bind to AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT) together with TATA-Box Binding Protein (TBP), and act on DNA to initiate AHR-responsive genes to cause tumor or cancer initiation. Additionally, SNAI2 in the tumor microenvironment can facilitate EMT accompanied by tumorigenesis. Although it has not been possible to classify serous BOTs and serous ovarian carcinomas as the same EOC subtype, the key determinants of relevant DEGs (SRC, ARNT, TBP, and SNAI2) found here had a crucial role in the pathogenetic mechanism of both tumor types, implying gradual evolutionary tendencies from serous BOTs to ovarian carcinomas. In the future, targeted therapy could focus on these revealed targets together with precise detection to improve therapeutic effects and patient survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Min Su
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (K.-M.S.); (M.-H.Y.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (Y.-H.L.); (L.-C.L.); (C.-C.C.)
| | - Hong-Wei Gao
- Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Ming Chang
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Hsi Lu
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
| | - Mu-Hsien Yu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (K.-M.S.); (M.-H.Y.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (Y.-H.L.); (L.-C.L.); (C.-C.C.)
| | - Yi-Hsin Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (Y.-H.L.); (L.-C.L.); (C.-C.C.)
| | - Li-Chun Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (Y.-H.L.); (L.-C.L.); (C.-C.C.)
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital Songshan Branch, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 105, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ching Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (Y.-H.L.); (L.-C.L.); (C.-C.C.)
| | - Yao-Feng Li
- Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan;
| | - Cheng-Chang Chang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (K.-M.S.); (M.-H.Y.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan; (Y.-H.L.); (L.-C.L.); (C.-C.C.)
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Zhang J, Guan W, Xu X, Wang F, Li X, Xu G. A novel homeostatic loop of sorcin drives paclitaxel-resistance and malignant progression via Smad4/ZEB1/miR-142-5p in human ovarian cancer. Oncogene 2021; 40:4906-4918. [PMID: 34163033 PMCID: PMC8321900 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01891-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The primary chemotherapy of ovarian cancer (OC) often acquires chemoresistance. Sorcin (SRI), a soluble resistance-related calcium-binding protein, has been reported to be an oncogenic protein in cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of SRI regulation and the role and aberrant expression of SRI in chemoresistant OC remain unclear. Here, we identified SRI as a key driver of paclitaxel (PTX)-resistance and explored its regulatory mechanism. Using transcriptome profiles, qRT-PCR, proteomics, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and bioinformatics analyses, we found that SRI was overexpressed in PTX-resistant OC cells and the overexpression of SRI was related to the poor prognosis of patients. SRI was a key molecule required for growth, migration, and PTX-resistance in vitro and in vivo and was involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness. Mechanistic studies showed that miR-142-5p directly bound to the 3'-UTR of SRI to suppress its expression, whereas a transcription factor zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) inhibited the transcription of miR-142-5p by directly binding to the E-box fragment in the miR-142 promoter region. Furthermore, ZEB1 was negatively regulated by SRI which physically interacted with Smad4 to block its translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus. Taken together, our findings unveil a novel homeostatic loop of SRI that drives the PTX-resistance and malignant progression via Smad4/ZEB1/miR-142-5p in human OC. Targeting this SRI/Smad4/ZEB1/miR-142-5p loop may reverse the PTX-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinguo Zhang
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wencai Guan
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Xiaolin Xu
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fanchen Wang
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xin Li
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Guoxiong Xu
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Center for Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China.
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Fatma H, Siddique HR. Pluripotency inducing Yamanaka factors: role in stemness and chemoresistance of liver cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2021; 21:853-864. [PMID: 33832395 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2021.1915137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Liver cancer is a major cause of mortality and is characterized by the transformation of cells into an uncontrolled mass of tumor cells with many genetic and epigenetic changes, which lead to the development of tumors. A small subpopulation of cell population known as Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) is responsible for cancer stemness and chemoresistance. Yamanaka factors [octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 2 (SOX2), kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), and Myelocytomatosis (MYC); OSKM] are responsible for cancer cell stemness, chemoresistance, and recurrence.Area covered: We cover recent discoveries and investigate the role of OSKM in inducing pluripotency and stem cell-like properties in various cancers with special emphasis on liver cancer. We review Yamanaka factors' role in stemness and chemoresistance of liver cancer.Expert opinion: In CSCs, including liver CSCs, the deregulation of various signaling pathways is one of the major reasons for stemness and drug resistance and is primarily due to OSKM. OSKM are responsible for tumor heterogeneity which renders targeting drug useless after a certain period. These factors can be exploited to understand the underlying mechanism of cancer stemness and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homa Fatma
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Laboratory, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Hifzur Rahman Siddique
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Laboratory, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-Uttar Pradesh, India
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19
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Jin Q, Ren Q, Chang X, Yu H, Jin X, Lu X, He N, Wang G. Neuropilin-1 predicts poor prognosis and promotes tumor metastasis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer. J Cancer 2021; 12:3648-3659. [PMID: 33995640 PMCID: PMC8120182 DOI: 10.7150/jca.52851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to determine whether Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) promotes gastric cancer (GC) metastasis by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and to clarify its regulatory mechanism. Using the data of GC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases, combined with the data of GC patients in our medical center, the effect of NRP1 on the prognosis of GC patients were analyzed. Then, we investigated the role of NRP1 in GC metastasis and its potential mechanism. The level of NRP1 was up-regulated in GC tissues and associated with poor prognosis of GC patients. The expression of NRP1 was closely related to maximum tumor diameter, invasion depth, lymphnode metastasis, distant metastasis, and advanced TNM stage, and was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) in GC patients. Besides, the results of in vitro indicated that NRP1 could induce EMT to promote the migration and invasion of GC cells by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and the HGF/c-Met axis was involved in this process. This study determined that NRP1 was a gene that promotes gastric cancer. NRP1 induced EMT to enhance the migration and invasion ability of GC cells by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. NRP1 was an independent prognostic marker for OS in GC patients and expected to be a therapeutic target for GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianna Jin
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging
| | - Qianqian Ren
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging
| | - Xiaona Chang
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Haixing Yu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xin Jin
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xiaoming Lu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Nan He
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Guobin Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, China
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20
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van de Merbel AF, van Hooij O, van der Horst G, van Rijt-van de Westerlo CCM, van der Mark MH, Cheung H, Kroon J, Verhaegh GW, Tijhuis J, Wellink A, Maas P, Viëtor H, Schalken JA, van der Pluijm G. The Identification of Small Molecule Inhibitors That Reduce Invasion and Metastasis of Aggressive Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041688. [PMID: 33567533 PMCID: PMC7915539 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transformed epithelial cells can activate programs of epithelial plasticity and switch from a sessile, epithelial phenotype to a motile, mesenchymal phenotype. This process is linked to the acquisition of an invasive phenotype and the formation of distant metastases. The development of compounds that block the acquisition of an invasive phenotype or revert the invasive mesenchymal phenotype into a more differentiated epithelial phenotype represent a promising anticancer strategy. In a high-throughput assay based on E-cadherin (re)induction and the inhibition of tumor cell invasion, 44,475 low molecular weight (LMW) compounds were screened. The screening resulted in the identification of candidate compounds from the PROAM02 class. Selected LMW compounds activated E-cadherin promoter activity and inhibited cancer cell invasion in multiple metastatic human cancer cell lines. The intraperitoneal administration of selected LMW compounds reduced the tumor burden in human prostate and breast cancer in vivo mouse models. Moreover, selected LMW compounds decreased the intra-bone growth of xenografted human prostate cancer cells. This study describes the identification of the PROAM02 class of small molecules that can be exploited to reduce cancer cell invasion and metastases. Further clinical evaluation of selected candidate inhibitors is warranted to address their safety, bioavailability and antitumor efficacy in the management of patients with aggressive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjanneke F. van de Merbel
- Department of Urology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.F.v.d.M.); (G.v.d.H.); (M.H.v.d.M.); (H.C.); (J.K.)
| | - Onno van Hooij
- Department of Urology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (O.v.H.); (C.C.M.v.R.-v.d.W.); (G.W.V.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Geertje van der Horst
- Department of Urology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.F.v.d.M.); (G.v.d.H.); (M.H.v.d.M.); (H.C.); (J.K.)
| | - Cindy C. M. van Rijt-van de Westerlo
- Department of Urology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (O.v.H.); (C.C.M.v.R.-v.d.W.); (G.W.V.); (J.A.S.)
- Oncodrone BV, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (H.V.)
| | - Maaike H. van der Mark
- Department of Urology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.F.v.d.M.); (G.v.d.H.); (M.H.v.d.M.); (H.C.); (J.K.)
| | - Henry Cheung
- Department of Urology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.F.v.d.M.); (G.v.d.H.); (M.H.v.d.M.); (H.C.); (J.K.)
| | - Jan Kroon
- Department of Urology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.F.v.d.M.); (G.v.d.H.); (M.H.v.d.M.); (H.C.); (J.K.)
- Department of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerald W. Verhaegh
- Department of Urology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (O.v.H.); (C.C.M.v.R.-v.d.W.); (G.W.V.); (J.A.S.)
| | - Johan Tijhuis
- Specs, 2712 PB Zoetermeer, The Netherlands; (J.T.); (P.M.)
| | - Antoine Wellink
- Oncodrone BV, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (H.V.)
| | - Peter Maas
- Specs, 2712 PB Zoetermeer, The Netherlands; (J.T.); (P.M.)
| | - Henk Viëtor
- Oncodrone BV, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (H.V.)
| | - Jack A. Schalken
- Department of Urology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (O.v.H.); (C.C.M.v.R.-v.d.W.); (G.W.V.); (J.A.S.)
- Oncodrone BV, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.W.); (H.V.)
| | - Gabri van der Pluijm
- Department of Urology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (A.F.v.d.M.); (G.v.d.H.); (M.H.v.d.M.); (H.C.); (J.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-715265255
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21
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Jonckheere S, Adams J, De Groote D, Campbell K, Berx G, Goossens S. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) as a Therapeutic Target. Cells Tissues Organs 2021; 211:157-182. [PMID: 33401271 DOI: 10.1159/000512218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumour to distant sites and organs throughout the body. It is the primary cause of cancer morbidity and mortality, and is estimated to account for 90% of cancer-related deaths. During the initial steps of the metastatic cascade, epithelial cancer cells undergo an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and as a result become migratory and invasive mesenchymal-like cells while acquiring cancer stem cell properties and therapy resistance. As EMT is involved in such a broad range of processes associated with malignant transformation, it has become an increasingly interesting target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Anti-EMT therapeutic strategies could potentially not only prevent the invasion and dissemination of cancer cells, and as such prevent the formation of metastatic lesions, but also attenuate cancer stemness and increase the effectiveness of more classical chemotherapeutics. In this review, we give an overview about the pros and cons of therapies targeting EMT and discuss some already existing candidate drug targets and high-throughput screening tools to identify novel anti-EMT compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Jonckheere
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jamie Adams
- Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic De Groote
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kyra Campbell
- Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Geert Berx
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Goossens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium, .,Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium,
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Wu L, Zhao N, Zhou Z, Chen J, Han S, Zhang X, Bao H, Yuan W, Shu X. PLAGL2 promotes the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells via USP37-mediated deubiquitination of Snail1. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:700-714. [PMID: 33391500 PMCID: PMC7738862 DOI: 10.7150/thno.47800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: PLAGL2 (pleomorphic adenoma gene like-2), a zinc finger PLAG transcription factor, is aberrantly expressed in several malignant tumors. However, the biological roles of PLAGL2 and its underlying mechanism in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. Methods: A series of experiments in vitro and in vivo were conducted to reveal the role of PLAGL2 in GC progression. Results: The data revealed that PLAGL2 promotes GC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrated the critical role of PLAGL2 in the stabilization of snail family transcriptional repressor 1 (Snail1) and promoting Snail1-mediated proliferation and migration of GC cells. PLAGL2 activated the transcription of deubiquitinase USP37, which then interacted with and deubiquitinated Snail1 protein directly. In addition, GSK-3β-dependent phosphorylation of Snail1 protein is essential for USP37-mediated Snail1 deubiquitination regulation. Conclusions: In general, PLAGL2 promotes the proliferation and migration of GC cells through USP37-mediated deubiquitination of Snail1 protein. This work provided potential therapeutic targets for GC treatment.
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23
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Arefin B, Parvin F, Bahrampour S, Stadler CB, Thor S. Drosophila Neuroblast Selection Is Gated by Notch, Snail, SoxB, and EMT Gene Interplay. Cell Rep 2020; 29:3636-3651.e3. [PMID: 31825841 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the developing Drosophila central nervous system (CNS), neural progenitor (neuroblast [NB]) selection is gated by lateral inhibition, controlled by Notch signaling and proneural genes. However, proneural mutants still generate many NBs, indicating the existence of additional proneural genes. Moreover, recent studies reveal involvement of key epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes in NB selection, but the regulatory interplay between Notch signaling and the EMT machinery is unclear. We find that SoxNeuro (SoxB family) and worniu (Snail family) are integrated with the Notch pathway, and constitute the missing proneural genes. Notch signaling, the proneural, SoxNeuro, and worniu genes regulate key EMT genes to orchestrate the NB selection process. Hence, we uncover an expanded lateral inhibition network for NB selection and demonstrate its link to key players in the EMT machinery. The evolutionary conservation of the genes involved suggests that the Notch-SoxB-Snail-EMT network may control neural progenitor selection in many other systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Badrul Arefin
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, 58185 Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Farjana Parvin
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, 58185 Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Shahrzad Bahrampour
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, 58185 Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Caroline Bivik Stadler
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, 58185 Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Stefan Thor
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linkoping University, 58185 Linkoping, Sweden; School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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24
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Xiang L, Huang X, Wang S, Ou H, Chen Z, Hu Z, Huang Y, Li X, Yuan Y, Yang D. Deficiency of pseudogene UPAT leads to hepatocellular carcinoma progression and forms a positive feedback loop with ZEB1. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:4102-4117. [PMID: 32808348 PMCID: PMC7648020 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common disease worldwide. Accumulating reports have evidenced the internal connection between epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs), as well as their significance in metastasis and post–operative recurrence. In this study, we investigated an interesting ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway associated pseudogene of AOC4, also known as UPAT, and showed that it was downregulated in 39.78% (37/93) of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related HCC. Downregulation of UPAT was associated with multiple worse clinicopathological parameters, as well as decreased recurrence‐free survival (RFS). In vitro and in vivo assays found that overexpression of UPAT significantly suppressed cellular migration, invasion, EMT processes, and CSC properties. Mechanistic studies showed that UPAT promoted ZEB1 degradation via a ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway and, in contrast, ZEB1 transcriptionally suppressed UPAT by binding to multiple E‐box (CACCTG) elements in the promoter region. Moreover, UPAT was negatively correlated with ZEB1 protein in HCC tissues, their combined expression discriminated RFS outcomes for patients with HBV‐related HCC. These data on the UPAT‐ZEB1 circuit‐mediated pathway will further knowledge on EMT and CSCs, and may help to develop novel therapeutic approaches for the prevention of HCC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyang Xiang
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oncology Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoting Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siqi Wang
- Department of gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huohui Ou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, China
| | - Zhanjun Chen
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Baoan Hospital of Shenzhen, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhigang Hu
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianghong Li
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yawei Yuan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dinghua Yang
- Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Chen X, He LY, Lai S, He Y. Dihydroartemisinin inhibits the migration of esophageal cancer cells by inducing autophagy. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:94. [PMID: 32831913 PMCID: PMC7439151 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is a complex gastrointestinal malignancy and its global incidence rate ranks 7th among all cancer types. Due to its aggressive nature and the potential for early metastasis, the survival rates of patients with EC are poor. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is the primary active derivative of artemisinin, and, as well as its use as an anti-malarial, DHA has also exhibited antitumor activity in various cancer models, such as cholangiocarcinoma, head and neck carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor effect of DHA in the treatment of EC remains poorly understood. The results of the present study demonstrated that DHA significantly inhibited the migration of TE-1 and Eca-109 EC cells in a dose-dependent manner by activating autophagy. DHA treatment also significantly reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by downregulating the EMT-associated markers, N-cadherin and vimentin, and upregulating the expression of E-cadherin. Mechanistically, DHA treatment decreased Akt phosphorylation and inhibited the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, leading to the activation of autophagy. The levels of the autophagy-associated proteins were suppressed and DHA-mediated inhibition of migration in EC cells was reversed when an active form of Akt was overexpressed. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the potential value of DHA in the treatment of EC, and revealed the underlying mechanism by which FDHA inhibits cellular migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing 400014, P.R. China
| | - Lan-Ying He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, P.R. China
| | - Shu Lai
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiulongpo District People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing 400050, P.R. China
| | - Yao He
- Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing 400014, P.R. China
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Peritoneal Metastatic Cancer Stem Cells of Gastric Cancer with Partial Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition and Enhanced Invasiveness in an Intraperitoneal Transplantation Model. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2020; 2020:3256538. [PMID: 32831823 PMCID: PMC7426763 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3256538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives This preliminary study is aimed at enriching and isolating peritoneal metastatic cancer stem cells (pMCSCs) of gastric cancer and assessing their epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and invasiveness. Methods Cancer stem cells of human gastric cancer (CSC-hGC) were previously isolated and transfected with green fluorescent protein and luciferase genes to validate the mouse model of peritoneal metastasis established via transplantation. The first and second generations ([G1] and [G2], respectively) of pMCSCs were isolated from intraperitoneally transplanted CSC-hGC (pMCSC-tGC) by spherical culture. CSC and EMT-related markers and regulators in the two generations of intraperitoneally transplanted tumors were examined by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, and quantitative PCR. Cell mobility was examined by a transwell assay. Results The nude mouse model of intraperitoneally transplanted CSC-hGC was successful in establishing sequential formation of peritoneal tumors and enrichment of pMCSCs. CD44 and CD54 were consistently expressed in the two generations of transplanted tumors. In vitro cell (migration) assays and immunocytofluorescence assays showed that in pMCSC-tGC[G2], E-cad, Survivin, and Vimentin expression was stable; α-SMA expression was decreased; and OVOL2, GRHL2, and ZEB1 expression was increased. PCR analysis indicated that in pMCSC-tGC[G2], the mRNA expression of E-cad, α-SMA, MMP9, MMP2, and Vimentin was downregulated, while that of ZEB1, OVOL2, and GRHL2 was upregulated. In vivo tumor (homing) assays and immunohistochemical assays demonstrated that in pMCSC-tGC[G2], E-cad and Snail were upregulated, while α-SMA was downregulated. The numbers of migrated and invaded pMCSC-tGC[G1] and pMCSC-tGC[G2] were significantly higher than those of CSC-hGC in migration and invasion assays. Conclusions pMCSCs might be a specific subpopulation that can be sequentially enriched by intraperitoneal transplantation. pMCSCs exhibited a tendency towards partial mesenchymal-epithelial transition, enhancing their invasiveness during homing and the formation of peritoneal tumors. However, these preliminary findings require validation in further experiments.
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Liu Q, Hodge J, Wang J, Wang Y, Wang L, Singh UP, Li Y, Yao Y, Wang D, Ai W, Nagarkatti P, Chen H, Xu P, Murphy EA, Fan D. Emodin reduces Breast Cancer Lung Metastasis by suppressing Macrophage-induced Breast Cancer Cell Epithelial-mesenchymal transition and Cancer Stem Cell formation. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:8365-8381. [PMID: 32724475 PMCID: PMC7381725 DOI: 10.7150/thno.45395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous studies demonstrated that the natural compound emodin blocks the tumor-promoting feedforward interactions between cancer cells and macrophages, and thus ameliorates the immunosuppressive state of the tumor microenvironment. Since tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) also affect epithelial mesenchymal-transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) formation, here we aimed to test if emodin as a neoadjuvant therapy halts breast cancer metastasis by attenuating TAM-induced EMT and CSC formation of breast cancer cells. Methods: Bioinformatical analysis was performed to examine the correlation between macrophage abundance and EMT/CSC markers in human breast tumors. Cell culture and co-culture studies were performed to test if emodin suppresses TGF-β1 or macrophage-induced EMT and CSC formation of breast cancer cells, and if it inhibits breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Using mouse models, we tested if short-term administration of emodin before surgical removal of breast tumors halts breast cancer post-surgery metastatic recurrence in the lungs. The effects of emodin on TGF-β1 signaling pathways in breast cancer cells were examined by western blots and immunofluorescent imaging. Results: Macrophage abundance positively correlates with EMT and CSC markers in human breast tumors. Emodin suppressed TGF-β1 production in breast cancer cells and macrophages and attenuated TGF-β1 or macrophage-induced EMT and CSC formation of breast cancer cells. Short-term administration of emodin before surgery halted breast cancer post-surgery metastatic recurrence in the lungs by reducing tumor-promoting macrophages and suppressing EMT and CSC formation in the primary tumors. Mechanistic studies revealed that emodin inhibited both canonical and noncanonical TGF-β1 signaling pathways in breast cancer cells and suppressed transcription factors key to EMT and CSC. Conclusion: Natural compound emodin suppresses EMT and CSC formation of breast cancer cells by blocking TGF-β1-mediated crosstalk between TAMs and breast cancer cells. Our study provides evidence suggesting that emodin harbors the potential for clinical development as a new effective and safe agent to halt metastatic recurrence of breast cancer.
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Abreu M, Cabezas-Sainz P, Pereira-Veiga T, Falo C, Abalo A, Morilla I, Curiel T, Cueva J, Rodríguez C, Varela-Pose V, Lago-Lestón R, Mondelo P, Palacios P, Moreno-Bueno G, Cano A, García-Caballero T, Pujana MÁ, Sánchez-Piñón L, Costa C, López R, Muinelo-Romay L. Looking for a Better Characterization of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Means of Circulating Tumor Cells. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E353. [PMID: 32012729 PMCID: PMC7074553 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, studies to address the characterization of mechanisms promoting tumor aggressiveness and progression have been focused only on primary tumor analyses, which could provide relevant information but have limitations to really characterize the more aggressive tumor population. To overcome these limitations, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a noninvasive and valuable tool for real-time profiling of disseminated tumor cells. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the value of CTC enumeration and characterization to identify markers associated with the outcome and the aggressiveness of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). For that aim, the CTC population from 32 patients diagnosed with TNBC was isolated and characterized. This population showed important cell plasticity in terms of expression of epithelia/mesenchymal and stemness markers, suggesting the relevance of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) intermediate phenotypes for efficient tumor dissemination. Importantly, the CTC signature demonstrated prognostic value to predict the patients' outcome and pointed to a relevant role of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) and androgen receptor (AR) for TNBC biology. Furthermore, we also analyzed the usefulness of the AR and TIMP1 blockade to target TNBC proliferation and dissemination using in vitro and in vivo zebra fish and mouse models. Overall, the molecular characterization of CTCs from advanced TNBC patients identifies highly specific biomarkers with potential applicability as noninvasive prognostic markers and reinforced the value of TIMP1 and AR as potential therapeutic targets to tackle the most aggressive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Abreu
- Liquid Biopsy Analysis Unit, Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.A.); (A.A.); (R.L.-L.); (P.M.); (R.L.)
| | - Pablo Cabezas-Sainz
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (P.C.-S.); (L.S.-P.)
| | - Thais Pereira-Veiga
- Roche-CHUS Joint Unit, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Complejo Hospitalario de Santiago de Compostela, Trav. Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (T.P.-V.); (C.C.)
| | - Catalina Falo
- Department of Medical Oncology-Breast Cancer Unit, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO)-Hospitalet-Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Universitat de Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (C.F.); (I.M.)
| | - Alicia Abalo
- Liquid Biopsy Analysis Unit, Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.A.); (A.A.); (R.L.-L.); (P.M.); (R.L.)
| | - Idoia Morilla
- Department of Medical Oncology-Breast Cancer Unit, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO)-Hospitalet-Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Universitat de Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (C.F.); (I.M.)
| | - Teresa Curiel
- Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (T.C.); (J.C.); (C.R.); (V.V.-P.); (P.P.)
| | - Juan Cueva
- Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (T.C.); (J.C.); (C.R.); (V.V.-P.); (P.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (G.M.-B.); (A.C.)
| | - Carmela Rodríguez
- Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (T.C.); (J.C.); (C.R.); (V.V.-P.); (P.P.)
| | - Vanesa Varela-Pose
- Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (T.C.); (J.C.); (C.R.); (V.V.-P.); (P.P.)
| | - Ramón Lago-Lestón
- Liquid Biopsy Analysis Unit, Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.A.); (A.A.); (R.L.-L.); (P.M.); (R.L.)
| | - Patricia Mondelo
- Liquid Biopsy Analysis Unit, Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.A.); (A.A.); (R.L.-L.); (P.M.); (R.L.)
| | - Patricia Palacios
- Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (T.C.); (J.C.); (C.R.); (V.V.-P.); (P.P.)
| | - Gema Moreno-Bueno
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (G.M.-B.); (A.C.)
- Fundación MD Anderson Internacional, C/Gómez Hemans 2, 28033 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas ‘Alberto Sols’ (CSIC-UAM), IdiPaz, Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Amparo Cano
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (G.M.-B.); (A.C.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas ‘Alberto Sols’ (CSIC-UAM), IdiPaz, Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tomás García-Caballero
- Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Santiago, Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Miquel Ángel Pujana
- ProCURE, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Laura Sánchez-Piñón
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (P.C.-S.); (L.S.-P.)
| | - Clotilde Costa
- Roche-CHUS Joint Unit, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Complejo Hospitalario de Santiago de Compostela, Trav. Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (T.P.-V.); (C.C.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (G.M.-B.); (A.C.)
| | - Rafael López
- Liquid Biopsy Analysis Unit, Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.A.); (A.A.); (R.L.-L.); (P.M.); (R.L.)
- Roche-CHUS Joint Unit, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), Complejo Hospitalario de Santiago de Compostela, Trav. Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (T.P.-V.); (C.C.)
- Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (T.C.); (J.C.); (C.R.); (V.V.-P.); (P.P.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (G.M.-B.); (A.C.)
| | - Laura Muinelo-Romay
- Liquid Biopsy Analysis Unit, Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.A.); (A.A.); (R.L.-L.); (P.M.); (R.L.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (G.M.-B.); (A.C.)
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Park SY, Lee DG, Jo A, Choi H, Lee JE, Jeong AJ, Leem SH, Jun W, Shim S, Ye SK, Min JK, Chung JW. Extracellular Microenvironmental Change by B16F10 Melanoma-derived Proteins Induces Cancer Stem-like Cell Properties from NIH3T3 Cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16757. [PMID: 31727938 PMCID: PMC6856526 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53326-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) can generate solid tumors through the properties of stem cells such as self-renewal and differentiation and they cause drug resistance, metastasis and recurrence. Therefore, establishing CSC lines is necessary to conduct various studies such as on the identification of CSC origin and specific targeted therapies. In this study, we stimulated NIH3T3 fibroblasts to exhibit the characteristics of CSCs using the whole protein lysates of B16F10 melanoma cells. As a result, we induced colony formation that displayed self-renewal and differentiation capacities through anchorage-independent culture and re-attached culture. Moreover, colonies showed drug resistance by being maintained in the G0/G1 state. Colonies expressed various CSC markers and displayed high-level drug efflux capacity. Additionally, colonies clearly demonstrated tumorigenic ability by forming a solid tumor in vivo. These results show that proteins of cancer cells could transform normal cells into CSCs by increasing expression of CSC markers. This study argues the tremendous importance of the extracellular microenvironmental effect on the generation of CSCs. It also provides a simple experimental method for deriving CSCs that could be based on the development of targeted therapy techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soon Yong Park
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Gwang Lee
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomolecular Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Ara Jo
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeongrok Choi
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Eon Lee
- Division of Drug Development and Optimization, KBIO-New Drug Development Center, Cheongju, 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Ae Jin Jeong
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Hee Leem
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Woojin Jun
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangin Shim
- Department of Agronomy, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Kyu Ye
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Ki Min
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Biomolecular Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jin Woong Chung
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, Republic of Korea.
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30
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Horvat L, Madunić J, Grubar M, Antica M, Matulić M. Induction of Urokinase Activity by Retinoic Acid in Two Cell Lines of Neuronal Origin. Biomedicines 2019; 7:biomedicines7030070. [PMID: 31547462 PMCID: PMC6784121 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines7030070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid is one of the most well-known agents able to induce differentiation in several types of tumours. Unfortunately, most of the tumours are refractive to the differentiation cues. The aim of this investigation was to analyse the effects of prolonged treatment with retinoic acid on two cell lines of neural origin refractive to differentiation. Cells were also treated with retinoic acid in combination with a poly(ADP-ribosyl) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor because PARP1 is a known chromatin modulator and can influence the process of differentiation. The main methods comprised tumour cell line culturing and treatment; analysis of RNA and protein expression after cell treatment; as well as analysis of urokinase activity, migration, and proliferation. Both cell lines continued to proliferate under the prolonged treatment and showed increase in urokinase plasminogen activator activity. Analysis of gene expression and cell phenotype revealed different mechanisms, which only in neuroblastoma H4 cells could indicate the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The data collected indicate that the activity of the urokinase plasminogen activator, although belonging to an extracellular protease, does not necessary lead to epithelial-mesenchymal reprogramming and increase in cell migration but can have different outcomes depending on the intracellular milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Horvat
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102A, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.H.); (J.M.)
| | - Josip Madunić
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102A, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.H.); (J.M.)
| | - Martina Grubar
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102A, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.H.); (J.M.)
| | - Mariastefania Antica
- Division of Molecular Biology, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maja Matulić
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102A, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.H.); (J.M.)
- Correspondence:
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31
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He J, Lee HJ, Saha S, Ruan D, Guo H, Chan CH. Inhibition of USP2 eliminates cancer stem cells and enhances TNBC responsiveness to chemotherapy. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:285. [PMID: 30918246 PMCID: PMC6437220 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1512-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer that harbors enriched cancer stem cell (CSC) populations in tumors. Conventional chemotherapy is a standard treatment for TNBC, but it spares the CSC populations, which cause tumor recurrence and progression. Therefore, identification of the core molecular pathway that controls CSC activity and expansion is essential for developing effective therapeutics for TNBC. In this study, we identify that USP2 deubiquitinating enzyme is upregulated in CSCs and is a novel regulator of CSCs. Genetic and pharmacological targeting of USP2 substantially inhibits the self-renewal, expansion and chemoresistance of CSCs. We show that USP2 maintains the CSC population by activating self-renewing factor Bmi1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through Twist upregulation. Mechanistically, USP2 promotes Twist stabilization by removing β-TrCP-mediated ubiquitination of Twist. Animal studies indicate that pharmacological inhibition of USP2 suppresses tumor progression and sensitizes tumor responses to chemotherapy in TNBC. Furthermore, the histological analyses reveal a positive correlation between USP2 upregulation and lymph node metastasis. Our findings together demonstrate a previously unrecognized role of USP2 in mediating Twist activation and CSC enrichment, suggesting that targeting USP2 is a novel therapeutic strategy to tackle TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabei He
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Hong-Jen Lee
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.,Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Suchandrima Saha
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.,Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Diane Ruan
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Hua Guo
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Chia-Hsin Chan
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA. .,Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
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32
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Cui B, Luo Y, Tian P, Peng F, Lu J, Yang Y, Su Q, Liu B, Yu J, Luo X, Yin L, Cheng W, An F, He B, Liang D, Wu S, Chu P, Song L, Liu X, Luo H, Xu J, Pan Y, Wang Y, Li D, Huang P, Yang Q, Zhang L, Zhou BP, Liu S, Xu G, Lam EWF, Kelley KW, Liu Q. Stress-induced epinephrine enhances lactate dehydrogenase A and promotes breast cancer stem-like cells. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:1030-1046. [PMID: 30688660 PMCID: PMC6391112 DOI: 10.1172/jci121685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress triggers activation of the sympathetic nervous system and drives malignancy. Using an immunodeficient murine system, we showed that chronic stress-induced epinephrine promoted breast cancer stem-like properties via lactate dehydrogenase A-dependent (LDHA-dependent) metabolic rewiring. Chronic stress-induced epinephrine activated LDHA to generate lactate, and the adjusted pH directed USP28-mediated deubiquitination and stabilization of MYC. The SLUG promoter was then activated by MYC, which promoted development of breast cancer stem-like traits. Using a drug screen that targeted LDHA, we found that a chronic stress-induced cancer stem-like phenotype could be reversed by vitamin C. These findings demonstrated the critical importance of psychological factors in promoting stem-like properties in breast cancer cells. Thus, the LDHA-lowering agent vitamin C can be a potential approach for combating stress-associated breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bai Cui
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Luo
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Pengfei Tian
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Fei Peng
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jinxin Lu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Yongliang Yang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Qitong Su
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jiachuan Yu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xi Luo
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Liu Yin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Fan An
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Bin He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dapeng Liang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Sijin Wu
- Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Peng Chu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Luyao Song
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Huandong Luo
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yujia Pan
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dangsheng Li
- Shanghai Information Center for Life Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingkai Yang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Lingqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center of Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Binhua P. Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Suling Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Guowang Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Eric W.-F. Lam
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Keith W. Kelley
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, and Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Quentin Liu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Li Z, Huang J, Shen S, Ding Z, Luo Q, Chen Z, Lu S. SIRT6 drives epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer via snail-dependent transrepression of KLF4. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:323. [PMID: 30577808 PMCID: PMC6303940 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0984-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to the invasion and metastasis of epithelial tumors. Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), an NAD-dependent deacetylase, is known to promote metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS In this work, we determined the role of SIRT6 in the EMT of NSCLC cells and identified the key EMT-related genes involved in the oncogenic activity of SIRT6. RESULTS We report that depletion of SIRT6 inhibits transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced EMT in A549 and H1299 NSCLC cells, which is rescued by ectopic expression of SIRT6. Knockdown of SIRT6 leads to a reduction in Snail protein without affecting the mRNA level. Immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate a physical association between SIRT6 and Snail. SIRT6 deacetylates Snail and prevents its proteasomal degradation. Silencing of Snail blunts SIRT6-induced NSCLC cell migration and invasion, while overexpression of Snail restores the invasion and EMT in SIRT6-depleted NSCLC cells. SIRT6 depletion leads to an upregulation of kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and reduced Snail binding to the promoter of Klf4 in NSCLC cells. Knockdown of KLF4 rescues the invasive capacity in SIRT6-depleted NSCLC cells. Conversely, co-expression of KLF4 impairs SIRT6-induced aggressive behavior. In vivo data further demonstrate that SIRT6-induced NSCLC metastasis is antagonized by overexpression of KLF4. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide mechanistic insights into the pro-metastatic activity of SIRT6 and highlight the role of the SIRT6/Snail/KLF4 axis in regulating EMT and invasion of NSCLC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Li
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Huang
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengping Shen
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenping Ding
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingquan Luo
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhiwei Chen
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shun Lu
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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34
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Yang X, Xia W, Chen L, Wu CX, Zhang CC, Olson P, Wang XQ. Synergistic antitumor effect of a γ-secretase inhibitor PF-03084014 and sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:34996-35007. [PMID: 30405889 PMCID: PMC6201862 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As a multi-kinase inhibitor, sorafenib is beneficial in around 30% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients; however, HCC patients develop acquired drug resistance quickly. Clinical benefits of sorafenib, in combination with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiotherapy, and other chemodrugs are limited. We investigated the efficacy and mechanisms of Notch signaling inhibition as adjuvant to sorafenib in HCC spheroid-derived in vitro and in vivo tumor models, using the γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI), PF-03084014. The combination of PF-03084014 plus sorafenib inhibited proliferation and self-renewal of HCC spheroids (stem-like cancer cells). PF-03084014 significantly enhanced antitumor activity of sorafenib; both agents at low dose reached synergistic tumor growth suppression of HCC spheroid-derived orthotopic tumors. The Notch1-Snail1 signaling pathway contributed to sorafenib resistance via increasing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and EMT-mediated cancer stem cell (CSC) features, such as increased expression of Snail1, N-cadherin, ABCG2, and the stem cell related genes Nanog and Oct4, and decreased expression of E-cadherin. Anti-tumor activity of the combination therapy was associated with decreased expression of survival signals (Mek/Erk, PI3K/Akt) and reduced microvessel density. PF-03084014 plus sorafenib targets Notch1-Snail1 signaling to reverse EMT and EMT-mediated CSC stemness in the tumors. These synergistic effects provide a rationale to utilize GSIs, in combination with sorafenib, as a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuran Yang
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chuan Xing Wu
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cathy C Zhang
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research and Development, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Peter Olson
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research and Development, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Xiao Qi Wang
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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35
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Yang L, Chang Y, Cao P. CCR7 preservation via histone deacetylase inhibition promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Exp Cell Res 2018; 371:231-237. [PMID: 30107147 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The effects of Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) differs in various types of cancers. However, its function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not well-explored. In this study, we investigated the effect of HDAC inhibition on EMT in HCC cells by using trichostatin A (TSA) and valproic acid (VPA). The results showed that TSA/VPA significantly induced EMT phenotype, as demonstrated by the decreased level of E-cadherin, increased level of N-cadherin, vimentin, Twist and snail, and enhanced capacity of cell migration and invasion. In addition, CCR7 was speculated and confirmed as a function target of HDAC inhibition. CCR7 promotes the progression of HCC and is associated with poor survival. Knockdown of CCR7 significantly attenuated the effect of TSA on EMT. Moreover, our results demonstrated that HDAC inhibition up-regulates CCR7 via reversing the promoter hypoacetylation and increasing CCR7 transcription. Taken together, our study has identified the function of HDAC in EMT of HCC and suggested a novel mechanism through which TSA/VPA exerts its carcinogenic roles in HCC. HDAC inhibitors require careful caution before their application as new anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Baoji Central hospital, Baoji 721008, China
| | - Yanxiang Chang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710003, China
| | - Peilong Cao
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.
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Zheng H, Yang Y, Ye C, Li PP, Wang ZG, Xing H, Ren H, Zhou WP. Lamp2 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition by suppressing Snail expression in HCC. Oncotarget 2018; 9:30240-30252. [PMID: 30100986 PMCID: PMC6084387 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Lysosomal associated membrane protein 2 (Lamp2) influences a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. However, little is known about the role of Lamp2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis. This study found that Lamp2 expression was significantly lower in HCC tissues than in adjacent nontumor tissues (ANTs), and its expression level correlated with HCC metastasis. Low Lamp2 expression was significantly correlated with the AFP serum level (> 20 ng/Ml, P = 0.024), capsular formation (absent, P = 0.024), and microvascular invasion (present, P < 0.001), and low expression of Lamp2 indicated a poor prognosis in HCC. LowLamp2 expression was an independent and significant risk factor for recurrence-free survival (RFS; P < 0.001) and overall survival (OS; P < 0.001) in HCC. In this study, we demonstrated that Lamp2 overexpression inhibited cell motility and invasiveness in vitro and inhibited lung metastasis in vivo. In addition, Lamp2 could reverse the EMT program. Lamp2 silencing by siRNA in HCC cell lines enhanced the expression of mesenchymal markers and decreased the expression of epithelial markers. Consistent with these findings, Lamp2 overexpression had the opposite effects. Mechanistically, we found that Lamp2 could suppress Snail expression, upregulate E-cadherin, and inhibit HCC cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).Together, these findings suggest that Lamp2 attenuates EMT by suppressing Snail expression in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zheng
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yuan Yang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chen Ye
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Peng-Peng Li
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhen-Guang Wang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hao Xing
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hao Ren
- Department of Microbiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wei-Ping Zhou
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Namvar S, Woolf AS, Zeef LA, Wilm T, Wilm B, Herrick SE. Functional molecules in mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition revealed by transcriptome analyses. J Pathol 2018; 245:491-501. [PMID: 29774544 PMCID: PMC6055603 DOI: 10.1002/path.5101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Peritoneal fibrosis is a common complication of abdominal and pelvic surgery, and can also be triggered by peritoneal dialysis, resulting in treatment failure. In these settings, fibrosis is driven by activated myofibroblasts that are considered to be partly derived by mesothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (MMT). We hypothesized that, if the molecular signature of MMT could be better defined, these insights could be exploited to block this pathological cellular transition. Rat peritoneal mesothelial cells were purified by the use of an antibody against HBME1, a protein present on mesothelial cell microvilli, and streptavidin nanobead technology. After exposure of sorted cells to a well‐known mediator of MMT, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, RNA sequencing was undertaken to define the transcriptomes of mesothelial cells before and during early‐phase MMT. MMT was associated with dysregulation of transcripts encoding molecules involved in insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling. The application of either recombinant BMP4 or IGF‐binding protein 4 (IGFBP4) ameliorated TGF‐β1‐induced MMT in culture, as judged from the retention of epithelial morphological and molecular phenotypes, and reduced migration. Furthermore, peritoneal tissue from peritoneal dialysis patients showed less prominent immunostaining than control tissue for IGFBP4 and BMP4 on the peritoneal surface. In a mouse model of TGF‐β1‐induced peritoneal thickening, BMP4 immunostaining on the peritoneal surface was attenuated as compared with healthy controls. Finally, genetic lineage tracing of mesothelial cells was used in mice with peritoneal injury. In this model, administration of BMP4 ameliorated the injury‐induced shape change and migration of mesothelial cells. Our findings demonstrate a distinctive MMT signature, and highlight the therapeutic potential for BMP4, and possibly IGFBP4, to reduce MMT. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Namvar
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Adrian S Woolf
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.,Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Leo Ah Zeef
- The Bioinformatics Core Facility, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Thomas Wilm
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Bettina Wilm
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarah E Herrick
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
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Yi M, Li J, Chen S, Cai J, Ban Y, Peng Q, Zhou Y, Zeng Z, Peng S, Li X, Xiong W, Li G, Xiang B. Emerging role of lipid metabolism alterations in Cancer stem cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:118. [PMID: 29907133 PMCID: PMC6003041 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0784-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs) represent a small population of cancer cells with self-renewal and tumor-initiating properties. Unlike the bulk of tumor cells, CSCs or TICs are refractory to traditional therapy and are responsible for relapse or disease recurrence in cancer patients. Stem cells have distinct metabolic properties compared to differentiated cells, and metabolic rewiring contributes to self-renewal and stemness maintenance in CSCs. MAIN BODY Recent advances in metabolomic detection, particularly in hyperspectral-stimulated raman scattering microscopy, have expanded our knowledge of the contribution of lipid metabolism to the generation and maintenance of CSCs. Alterations in lipid uptake, de novo lipogenesis, lipid droplets, lipid desaturation, and fatty acid oxidation are all clearly implicated in CSCs regulation. Alterations on lipid metabolism not only satisfies the energy demands and biomass production of CSCs, but also contributes to the activation of several important oncogenic signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo/YAP signaling. In this review, we summarize the current progress in this attractive field and describe some recent therapeutic agents specifically targeting CSCs based on their modulation of lipid metabolism. CONCLUSION Increased reliance on lipid metabolism makes it a promising therapeutic strategy to eliminate CSCs. Targeting key players of fatty acids metabolism shows promising to anti-CSCs and tumor prevention effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yi
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410008 China
| | - Junjun Li
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
| | - Shengnan Chen
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
| | - Jing Cai
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
| | - Yuanyuan Ban
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
| | - Qian Peng
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
| | - Shuping Peng
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
| | - Bo Xiang
- Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital and Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya Medical School, The Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan China
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 China
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Li H, Yang LL, Xiao Y, Deng WW, Chen L, Wu L, Zhang WF, Sun ZJ. Overexpression of Golgi Phosphoprotein 2 Is Associated With Poor Prognosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Am J Clin Pathol 2018; 150:74-83. [PMID: 29788173 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqy029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between Golgi phosphoprotein 2 (GOLPH2) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and explore the clinical significance of GOLPH2 in OSCC. METHODS Tissue microarrays from human OSCC samples were stained for GOLPH2 expression and clinicopathologic features. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the survival of patients with high GOLPH2 expression and patients with low GOLPH2 expression. RESULTS We found GOLPH2 is highly expressed in OSCC tissue, and the GOLPH2 expression in metastatic lymph nodes is higher than in tumor tissue. Our data indicate that patients with higher GOLPH2 expression have poor overall survival compared with those with lower GOLPH2 expression. This study demonstrated that GOLPH2 was associated with CD44, SOX2, Slug, B7-H3, B7-H4, TIM3, and VISTA. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest GOLPH2 is a potential marker for estimating the patient's prognosis and may be a target for molecular-targeted therapy against OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei-Lei Yang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei-Wei Deng
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Chen
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Wu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen-Feng Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Head Neck Surgery, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Head Neck Surgery, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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40
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The p21-activated kinase 4-Slug transcription factor axis promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and worsens prognosis in prostate cancer. Oncogene 2018; 37:5147-5159. [PMID: 29849120 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) facilitates cancer invasion and metastasis and thus accelerates cancer progression. p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a critical regulator of prostate cancer (PC) progression. Here, we report that PAK4 activation promotes PC progression through the EMT regulator Slug. We find that phosphorylated PAK4S474 (pPAK4) levels, an index of PAK4 activation, were tightly associated with Gleason score (p < 0.001), a clinical indicator of PC progression, but not with prostate serum antigen levels or tumor stage. Stable silencing of PAK4 in PC cells reduced their potential for EMT, cellular invasion, and metastasis in vivo. PAK4 bound and directly phosphorylated Slug at two previously unknown sites, S158 and S254, which resulted in its stabilization. The non-phosphorylatable form SlugS158A/S254A upregulated transcription of CDH1, which encodes E-cadherin, and thus suppressed EMT and invasion, to a greater extent than did wild-type Slug. The strong EMT inducer TGF-β elevated pPAK4 and pSlugS158 levels; PAK4 knockdown or introduction of a dominant-negative form of PAK4 inhibited both TGF-β-stimulated EMT and an increase in pSlugS158 levels. Finally, immunohistochemistry revealed a positive correlation between pPAK4 and pSlugS158 but an inverse correlation between pSlugS158 and E-cadherin. The results suggest that the PAK4-Slug axis represents a novel pathway that promotes PC progression.
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41
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Bronte G, Bravaccini S, Bronte E, Burgio MA, Rolfo C, Delmonte A, Crinò L. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in the context of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition in non-small-cell lung cancer. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 93:1735-1746. [PMID: 29671943 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The identification of oncogenic driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has led to the development of targeted drugs. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) target lung tumours bearing EGFR-activating mutations. This new therapeutic strategy has greatly improved tumour response rates. However, drug resistance invariably occurs during TKI-based treatment. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the resistance mechanisms identified in EGFR-mutated NSCLC treated with TKIs. In this review we gather together the most important findings on this phenomenon in relation to cancer stem cells and cancer epigenetics. We also outline the correlation between the effects of stromal factors from the microenvironment, the transcription factors activated, the epigenetic changes in chromatin, and the evolution of cellular behaviour. Notably, EMT has already been shown to be the link between benign lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung carcinogenesis. The various mechanisms of acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs are also briefly described to provide background information on EMT. Our extensive review of the scientific literature serves to highlight the cellular and molecular events that lead to the onset of EMT in NSCLC cells treated with EGFR-TKIs. Finally, we put forward a hypothesis to explain why, in some cases, EMT rather than other known mechanisms is involved in resistance to TKIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Bronte
- Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, Italy
| | - Sara Bravaccini
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Enrico Bronte
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Angelo Burgio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, Italy
| | - Christian Rolfo
- Phase I Early Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Oncology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Angelo Delmonte
- Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, Italy
| | - Lucio Crinò
- Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, Italy
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Meng C, Bai C, Brown TD, Hood LE, Tian Q. Human Gut Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2018. [PMID: 29474889 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2017.06.002.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Human gut microbiota play an essential role in both healthy and diseased states of humans. In the past decade, the interactions between microorganisms and tumors have attracted much attention in the efforts to understand various features of the complex microbial communities, as well as the possible mechanisms through which the microbiota are involved in cancer prevention, carcinogenesis, and anti-cancer therapy. A large number of studies have indicated that microbial dysbiosis contributes to cancer susceptibility via multiple pathways. Further studies have suggested that the microbiota and their associated metabolites are not only closely related to carcinogenesis by inducing inflammation and immune dysregulation, which lead to genetic instability, but also interfere with the pharmacodynamics of anticancer agents. In this article, we mainly reviewed the influence of gut microbiota on cancers in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers) and the regulation of microbiota by diet, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, antibiotics, or the Traditional Chinese Medicine. We also proposed some new strategies in the prevention and treatment of GI cancers that could be explored in the future. We hope that this review could provide a comprehensive overview of the studies on the interactions between the gut microbiota and GI cancers, which are likely to yield translational opportunities to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality by improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changting Meng
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Chunmei Bai
- Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China
| | | | - Leroy E Hood
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Swedish Cancer Institute, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Qiang Tian
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; P4 Medicine Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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43
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Meng C, Bai C, Brown TD, Hood LE, Tian Q. Human Gut Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2018; 16:33-49. [PMID: 29474889 PMCID: PMC6000254 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human gut microbiota play an essential role in both healthy and diseased states of humans. In the past decade, the interactions between microorganisms and tumors have attracted much attention in the efforts to understand various features of the complex microbial communities, as well as the possible mechanisms through which the microbiota are involved in cancer prevention, carcinogenesis, and anti-cancer therapy. A large number of studies have indicated that microbial dysbiosis contributes to cancer susceptibility via multiple pathways. Further studies have suggested that the microbiota and their associated metabolites are not only closely related to carcinogenesis by inducing inflammation and immune dysregulation, which lead to genetic instability, but also interfere with the pharmacodynamics of anticancer agents. In this article, we mainly reviewed the influence of gut microbiota on cancers in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers) and the regulation of microbiota by diet, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, antibiotics, or the Traditional Chinese Medicine. We also proposed some new strategies in the prevention and treatment of GI cancers that could be explored in the future. We hope that this review could provide a comprehensive overview of the studies on the interactions between the gut microbiota and GI cancers, which are likely to yield translational opportunities to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality by improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changting Meng
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Chunmei Bai
- Department of Oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China
| | | | - Leroy E Hood
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Swedish Cancer Institute, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Qiang Tian
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; P4 Medicine Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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44
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Ding SM, Lu AL, Zhang W, Zhou L, Xie HY, Zheng SS, Li QY. The role of cancer-associated fibroblast MRC-5 in pancreatic cancer. J Cancer 2018; 9:614-628. [PMID: 29483967 PMCID: PMC5820929 DOI: 10.7150/jca.19614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Our previous study showed that cancer-associated fibroblast MRC-5 promoted hepatocellular carcinoma progression by enhancing migration and invasion capability. However, few studies have explored the role of MRC-5 in pancreatic cancer (PC). In this study, we examined the exact role and associated mechanisms of MRC-5. Methods: The conditioned media for MRC-5 was used to culture PC cell lines SW1990 and PANC-1. Cell proliferation was compared based on colony formation assays of PC cells in normal media and of PC cells cultured with conditioned media of MRC-5. Cell migration and invasion were assayed by transwell chambers. The expression of EMT-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins was evaluated using Western blot. And confocal microscopy was used to further detect the expression of EMT-related proteins. qRT-PCR was used to confirm the expression changes of related genes at the mRNA level. We also used flow cytometry to examine the cell cycle, apoptotic rate, and expression of CD3, CD4, CD14, CD25, CD45, CD61, CD90, TLR1, and TLR4. Results: MRC-5 repressed the colony formation ability of PC cells and significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion potential. MRC-5 induced S-phase cell cycle arrest but did not augment the apoptotic effects in PC cells. We hypothesized that the weakened malignant biological behavior of PC cells was correlated with MRC-5-induced altered expression of the cancer stem cell marker CD90; the immune-related cell surface molecules CD14, CD25, TLR4, and TLR1; and cell polarity complexes Par, Scribble, and Crumbs. Conclusion: MRC-5 limits the malignant activities of PC cells by suppressing cancer stem cell expansion, remolding epithelial polarity, and blocking the protumoral cascade reaction coupled to TLR4, TLR1, CD14, and CD25.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Ming Ding
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital (Zhejiang University International Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Ai-Li Lu
- Division of oncology department, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Wu Zhang
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital (Zhejiang University International Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health; Key Laboratory of Organ Trans-plantation, Zhejiang Province; Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hai-Yang Xie
- Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health; Key Laboratory of Organ Trans-plantation, Zhejiang Province; Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shu-Sen Zheng
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital (Zhejiang University International Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health; Key Laboratory of Organ Trans-plantation, Zhejiang Province; Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Qi-Yong Li
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital (Zhejiang University International Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
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Curcumin reversed chronic tobacco smoke exposure induced urocystic EMT and acquisition of cancer stem cells properties via Wnt/β-catenin. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e3066. [PMID: 28981096 PMCID: PMC5680574 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco smoke (TS) is the most important single risk factor for bladder cancer. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a transdifferentiation process, involved in the initiation of TS-related cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have an essential role in the progression of many tumors including TS-related cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of TS exposure induced urocystic EMT and acquisition of CSCs properties remains undefined. Wnt/β-catenin pathway is critical for EMT and the maintenance of CSCs. The aim of our present study was to investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in chronic TS exposure induced urocystic EMT, stemness acquisition and the preventive effect of curcumin. Long time TS exposure induced EMT changes and the levels of CSCs’ markers were significant upregulated. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulated TS-triggered EMT and stemness, as evidenced by the findings that TS elevated Wnt/β-catenin activation, and that TS-mediated EMT and stemness were attenuated by Wnt/β-catenin inhibition. Treatment of curcumin reversed TS-elicited activation of Wnt/β-catenin, EMT and CSCs properties. Collectively, these data indicated the regulatory role of Wnt/β-catenin in TS-triggered urocystic EMT, acquisition of CSCs properties and the chemopreventive effect of curcumin.
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Huang L, Ma B, Ma J, Wang F. Fractalkine/CX3CR1 axis modulated the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 493:1510-1517. [PMID: 28986258 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a fatal malignancy with an estimated 5 year survival rate of approximately 5% of all stages combined. High potential of PDAC metastasis is a leading cause for high mortality and poor prognosis. The majority of patients present with distant metastasis at diagnosis. Fractalkine (FKN) is recognized as a chemokine and a specific ligand of CX3CR1. It has been reported that FKN/CX3CR1 system was upregulated in many types of solid tumors. However, role of FKN/CX3CR1 in PDAC development remains unclear. In the current investigation, we found that FKN and CX3CR1 expression was significantly increased in PDAC tissues, especially in the metastatic samples, and was highly-correlated with severity of PDAC. Ectopic expression of FKN promoted the proliferation and migration of PDAC, while knockdown of CX3CR1 reversed the function of FKN. In addition, PDAC cells with FKN-deficiency showed impaired proliferation and migration activity. The underlying mechanism is that FKN/CX3CR1 activated JAK/STAT signaling, which in turn regulated cell growth. Consistently, in vivo tumorigenesis assay validated the regulatory role of FKN/CX3CR1 in PDAC growth. Our investigation helped understanding the pathogenesis of PDAC occurrence, and demonstrated critical role of FKN/CX3CR1 in PDAC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- LiYa Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of NingXia Medical University, Yinchuan, NingXia, 750004, China.
| | - BinWu Ma
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of NingXia Medical University, Yinchuan, NingXia, 750004, China
| | - JunWen Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology Surgery, General Hospital of NingXia Medical University, Yinchuan, NingXia, 750004, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of NingXia Medical University, Yinchuan, NingXia, 750004, China
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47
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Impaired autophagic flux and p62-mediated EMT are involved in arsenite-induced transformation of L-02 cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017; 334:75-87. [PMID: 28888487 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a catabolic process essential for preserving cellular homeostasis, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved during tissue development and cancer progression. In arsenite-treated human hepatic epithelial (L-02) cells, arsenite reduced the autophagic flux, which caused accumulation of p62, an adaptor and receptor of autophagy. Further, in arsenite-transformed L-02 cells, the levels of E-cadherin were attenuated, but the levels of vimentin, which is expressed in mesenchymal cells, and Snail, a transcription regulator of the EMT, were up-regulated. Thus, after chronic exposure of L-02 cells to arsenite, the impaired autophagic flux induced the accumulation of p62, which up-regulated the expression of Snail, a protein involved in arsenite-induced EMT of these cells. Knockdown of p62 by siRNA reversed the arsenite-induced EMT and decreased the capacities of arsenite-transformed L-02 cells for colony formation and invasion and migration. Therefore, in arsenite-induced transformation of L-02 cells, the accumulation of p62, by impairing autophagic flux, mediates the EMT via Snail. These results provide a previously unknown mechanism underlying arsenic toxicity and carcinogenicity.
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Nagasaka M, Pansare RS, Abdulfatah E, Guan H, Tranchida P, Gadgeel SM. Histologic Transformation in NSCLC with PD-1 therapy. J Thorac Oncol 2017; 12:e133-e134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2017.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Transcriptional and Genomic Control of Stem Cells in Development and Cancer. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:2513598. [PMID: 28729878 PMCID: PMC5495003 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2513598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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50
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Francart ME, Lambert J, Vanwynsberghe AM, Thompson EW, Bourcy M, Polette M, Gilles C. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and circulating tumor cells: Travel companions to metastases. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:432-450. [PMID: 28407379 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) associated with metastatic progression may contribute to the generation of hybrid phenotypes capable of plasticity. This cellular plasticity would provide tumor cells with an increased potential to adapt to the different microenvironments encountered during metastatic spread. Understanding how EMT may functionally equip circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with an enhanced competence to survive in the bloodstream and niche in the colonized organs has thus become a major cancer research axis. We summarize here clinical data with CTC endpoints involving EMT. We then review the work functionally linking EMT programs to CTC biology and deciphering molecular EMT-driven mechanisms supporting their metastatic competence. Developmental Dynamics 247:432-450, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Emilie Francart
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Justine Lambert
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Aline M Vanwynsberghe
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Erik W Thompson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, and Translational Research Institute Brisbane, and University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Morgane Bourcy
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Myriam Polette
- Inserm UMR-S 903, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Biopathology Laboratory, CHU of Reims, Reims, France
| | - Christine Gilles
- GIGA-Cancer, Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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