HYAL1 Hyaluronidase: A Molecular Determinant of Bladder Tumor Growth and Invasion

Tumor-derived exosomal hyaluronidase 1 induced M2 macrophage polarization and promoted esophageal cancer progression

The communication between tumor-derived exosomes and macrophages plays an important role in facilitating the progression of tumors. However, the regulatory mechanisms by which exosomes regulate tumor progression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have not been fully elucidated. We constructed a coculture system containing an ESCC cell line and macrophages using a Transwell chamber. We isolated exosomes from the conditioned medium of cancer cells, and characterized them with transmission electron microscopy and western blotting and used then to treat macrophages. We used co-immunoprecipitation to evaluate the interaction between hyaluronidase 1 (HYAL1) and Aurora B kinase (AURKB). We evaluated HYAL1 and AURKB expression in tissues and cells with quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. We used RT-qPCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry to detect macrophage polarization. We assessed cell viability, invasion and migration with the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell and wound healing assays. HYAL1 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cells and cancer cell-derived exosomes, and exosomes can be delivered to macrophages through the cancer cell-derived exosomes. The exosomes extracted from HYAL1-overexpressed ESCC cells suppressed M1 macrophage polarization and induced M2 macrophage polarization, thereby promoting ESCC cell viability, invasion and migration. HYAL1 silencing in ESCC cells produced the opposite effects on macrophage polarization and cancer cell functions. We found that HYAL1 interacted with AURKB and further activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway in macrophages. In conclusion, ESCC-derived exosomes containing HYAL1 facilitate M2 macrophage polarization by targeting AURKB to active the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which in turn promotes ESCC progression.

The Eleutherococcus senticosus fruits' intractum affects changes in the transepithelial electric potential in the distal section of the rabbit's large intestine and inhibits hyaluronidase

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim. has been used in traditional Russian medicine due to its recognized immunostimulant and anti-inflammatory activities. Compounds present in the fruits have demonstrated the capability to modulate the activity of enzymes such as hyaluronidase, suggesting their potential value in the development of effective therapies for various conditions where anti-inflammatory properties are beneficial, such as gastrointestinal diseases and tumor growth.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In order to support the use of the fruits in folk medicine, this study is aimed to evaluate, post-mortem, the impact of E. senticosus fruits intractum (40 % extract made from fresh fruits) on the transepithelial electrogenic transport of sodium ions in the colon. The objective of this study was also to examine the impact of the intractum on proinflammatory serum hyaluronidase in children diagnosed with acute leukemia.

METHODS

The study employed the Ussing technique to examine electrophysiological characteristics of isolated epithelial tissue, using the distal colon wall isolated from 10 New Zealand white male rabbits. The effect of the intractum on the inhibition of human serum hyaluronidase was examined with turbidimetric screening methods, using the blood samples collected from patients diagnosed with acute leukemia.

RESULTS

For the first time, we discovered that the intractum used in the stimulation fluid, caused hyperpolarization reactions in colon tissue. Statistical analysis showed that these reactions were significantly different in relation to the control. The intractum significantly inhibited hyaluronidase activity with the mean value by group of 60 %, and 40 % for aescin used as a control.

CONCLUSION

The results support the traditional use of the fruits in inflammatory-related diseases. The use of intractum of E. senticosus on the distal colon wall demonstrates its protective effect on the wall integrity and in a relation to hyaluronidase inhibition may additionally indicate its anti-inflammatory property. Thus, the results mean that the intractum may be used in colon-related diseases.

Hyaluronan Metabolism in Urologic Cancers

Hyaluronan (HA) is one of the major components of the extracellular matrix in tumor tissue. Recent reports have made it clear that the balance of HA synthesis and degradation is critical for tumor progression. HA is synthesized on the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane by hyaluronan synthases (HAS) and extruded into the extracellular space. Excessive HA production in cancer is associated with enhanced HA degradation in the tumor microenvironment, leading to the accumulation of HA fragments with small molecular weight. These perturbations in both HA synthesis and degradation may play important roles in tumor progression. Recently, it has become increasingly clear that small HA fragments can induce a variety of biological events, such as angiogenesis, cancer-promoting inflammation, and tumor-associated immune suppression. Progression of urologic malignancies, particularly of prostate and bladder cancers, as well as of certain types of kidney cancer show markedly perturbed metabolism of tumor-associated HA. This review highlights the recent research findings regarding HA metabolism in tumor microenvironments with a special focus on urologic cancers. It also will discuss the potential implications of these findings for the development of novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers.

Alternative splicing in bladder cancer: potential strategies for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment

Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract worldwide. The therapeutic options to tackle this disease comprise surgery, intravesical or systemic chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Unfortunately, a wide number of patients ultimately become resistant to these treatments and develop aggressive metastatic disease, presenting a poor prognosis. Therefore, the identification of novel therapeutic approaches to tackle this devastating pathology is urgently needed. However, a significant limitation is that the progression and drug response of bladder cancer is strongly associated with its intrinsic molecular heterogeneity. In this sense, RNA splicing is recently gaining importance as a critical hallmark of cancer since can have a significant clinical value. In fact, a profound dysregulation of the splicing process has been reported in bladder cancer, especially in the expression of certain key splicing variants and circular RNAs with a potential clinical value as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets in this pathology. Indeed, some authors have already evidenced a profound antitumor effect by targeting some splicing factors (e.g., PTBP1), mRNA splicing variants (e.g., PKM2, HYAL4-v1), and circular RNAs (e.g., circITCH, circMYLK), which illustrates new possibilities to significantly improve the management of this pathology. This review represents the first detailed overview of the splicing process and its alterations in bladder cancer, and highlights opportunities for the development of novel diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and their clinical potential for the treatment of this devastating cancer type. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.

Role of Hyaluronic Acid in Selected Malignant Neoplasms in Women

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a significant glycosaminoglycan component of the extracellular matrix, playing an essential role in cell localization and proliferation. However, high levels of HA may also correlate with multidrug resistance of tumor cells, an increased tendency to metastasize, or cancer progression, and thus represent a very unfavorable prognosis for cancer patients. The purpose of this review article is to summarize the results of studies describing the relationship between HA, the main ligand of the CD44 receptor, or other components of the HA signaling pathway. In addition, we review the course of selected female malignancies, i.e., breast, cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer, with the main focus on the mechanisms oriented to CD44. We also analyze reports on the beneficial use of HA-containing preparations in adjuvant therapy among patients with these types of cancer. Data from the literature suggest that HA and its family members may be critical prognostic biomarkers of selected malignancies among women. Nevertheless, the results of the available studies are inconclusive, and the actual clinical significance of HA expression analysis is still quite enigmatic. In our opinion, the HA-CD44 signaling pathway should be an attractive target for future research related to targeted therapy in gynecological cancers.

Hyaluronic Acid as a Modern Approach in Anticancer Therapy-Review

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear polysaccharide and crucial component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), maintaining tissue hydration and tension. Moreover, HA contributes to embryonic development, healing, inflammation, and cancerogenesis. This review summarizes new research on the metabolism and interactions of HA with its binding proteins, known as hyaladherins (CD44, RHAMM), revealing the molecular basis for its distinct biological function in the development of cancer. The presence of HA on the surface of tumor cells is a sign of an adverse prognosis. The involvement of HA in malignancy has been extensively investigated using cancer-free naked mole rats as a model. The HA metabolic components are examined for their potential impact on promoting or inhibiting tumor formation, proliferation, invasion, and metastatic spread. High molecular weight HA is associated with homeostasis and protective action due to its ability to preserve tissue integrity. In contrast, low molecular weight HA indicates a pathological condition in the tissue and plays a role in pro-oncogenic activity. A systematic approach might uncover processes related to cancer growth, establish novel prognostic indicators, and identify potential targets for treatment action.

Fluorescence turn-on Cu2-xSe@HA-rhodamine 6G FRET nanoprobe for hyaluronidase detection and imaging

The application of nanostructures to design fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based sensing platforms has been greatly concerned with the demand for sensitive and selective detection of biomolecules. Here, a novel sensitive turn-on fluorescence strategy based on the FRET mechanism has been designed for hyaluronidase (HAase) detection through the modulation of Cu_2-xSe@HA-Rh6G nanoprobe fabricated by self-assembly of rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) together with Cu_2-xSe@HA nanoparticles through electrostatic adsorption. The Cu_2-xSe@HA had extensive localized surface plasma resonance (LSPR) absorption in the wide range of ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths and showed good light capture characteristics, which can be acted as good acceptors in the FRET interactions with Rh6G, inducing its efficient fluorescence quenching. In the presence of HAase, the FRET process was disrupted and the fluorescence signal was recovered. In the range of 0.1-10.0 U/mL, the fluorescence recovery of Rh6G showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of HAase, and the detection limit was 0.06 U/mL. The sensing platform has been used for HAase detection in real urine samples and cancer cells imaging.

Hyal1 Expression in Colorectal Carcinoma Cell Migration and Invasiveness: Significance and Mechanism

Objective

To clarify the significance of hyaluronidsase 1 (Hyal1) expression in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and its impact on tumor cell migration and invasiveness.

Methods

Human CRC cell lines SW480, HCT116, and SW620 were purchased, ELISA and western blot were used to detect the expression of Hyal1 in cells, CCK-8 assay to detect cell proliferation ability, cell scratch assay to check cell migration rate, and cell invasion was detected by the transwell assay. The correlation of Hyal1 with CRC cell migration and invasiveness capacities was analyzed.

Result

ELISA results showed that supernatant Hyal1 level was the lowest in SW480, highest in HCT116, with the level in SW620 in between (P < 0.05). No evident difference was identified by western blot in Hyal1 protein expression among the three cells (P > 0.05). The cell scratch assay and transwell assay showed that the migration and invasion ability of HCT116 cells was higher than that of SW620 (P < 0.05). In vitro, Hyal1 had a synergistic relationship with the invasiveness and migration capacities of CRC cells (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Hyal1 is elevated in CRC and is consistent with the invasiveness and metastasis abilities of CRC cells. It is hoped that this research can provide reference for future prevention and treatment of CRC.

Hyaluronan and the Fascial Frontier

The buzz about hyaluronan (HA) is real. Whether found in face cream to increase water volume loss and viscoelasticity or injected into the knee to restore the properties of synovial fluid, the impact of HA can be recognized in many disciplines from dermatology to orthopedics. HA is the most abundant polysaccharide of the extracellular matrix of connective tissues. HA can impact cell behavior in specific ways by binding cellular HA receptors, which can influence signals that facilitate cell survival, proliferation, adhesion, as well as migration. Characteristics of HA, such as its abundance in a variety of tissues and its responsiveness to chemical, mechanical and hormonal modifications, has made HA an attractive molecule for a wide range of applications. Despite being discovered over 80 years ago, its properties within the world of fascia have only recently received attention. Our fascial system penetrates and envelopes all organs, muscles, bones and nerve fibers, providing the body with a functional structure and an environment that enables all bodily systems to operate in an integrated manner. Recognized interactions between cells and their HA-rich extracellular microenvironment support the importance of studying the relationship between HA and the body’s fascial system. From fasciacytes to chronic pain, this review aims to highlight the connections between HA and fascial health.

Urine and serum glycosaminoglycan levels in the diagnosis of urological diseases and conditions: A narrative review of the literature

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are sulfated, negatively charged polysaccharides produced in almost every cell of the human body. As GAGs are extracellularly localized, the changes in body fluids such as blood and urine may reflect pathological changes in the urinary system as observed in other pathologies. In this review, we determined the potential of urinary and/or serum GAG levels as a marker for kidney and urothelial system diseases. We performed a search in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect databases until September 30, 2019. A number of studies reported changes in the urinary and/or plasma GAG levels or composition in urological diseases and conditions, such as renal cell carcinoma, kidney stone, bladder carcinoma, and overactive bladder. GAGs were found to have a predictive biomarker potential that could be limited by generalizability concerns.

A Novel Splice Variant of HYAL-4 Drives Malignant Transformation and Predicts Outcome in Patients with Bladder Cancer

PURPOSE

Poor prognosis of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer that often metastasizes drives the need for discovery of molecular determinants of bladder cancer progression. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, including CD44, regulate cancer progression; however, the identity of a chondroitinase (Chase) that cleaves chondroitin sulfate from proteoglycans is unknown. HYAL-4 is an understudied gene suspected to encode a Chase, with no known biological function. We evaluated HYAL-4 expression and its role in bladder cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

In clinical specimens, HYAL-4 wild-type (Wt) and V1 expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR, IHC, and/or immunoblotting; a novel assay measured Chase activity. Wt and V1 were stably expressed or silenced in normal urothelial and three bladder cancer cell lines. Transfectants were analyzed for stem cell phenotype, invasive signature and tumorigenesis, and metastasis in four xenograft models, including orthotopic bladder.

RESULTS

HYAL-4 expression, specifically a novel splice variant (V1), was elevated in bladder tumors; Wt expression was barely detectable. V1 encoded a truncated 349 amino acid protein that was secreted. In bladder cancer tissues, V1 levels associated with metastasis and cancer-specific survival with high efficacy and encoded Chase activity. V1 cleaved chondroitin-6-sulfate from CD44, increasing CD44 secretion. V1 induced stem cell phenotype, motility/invasion, and an invasive signature. CD44 knockdown abrogated these phenotypes. V1-expressing urothelial cells developed angiogenic, muscle-invasive tumors. V1-expressing bladder cancer cells formed tumors at low density and formed metastatic bladder tumors when implanted orthotopically.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study discovered the first naturally-occurring eukaryotic/human Chase and connected it to disease pathology, specifically cancer. V1-Chase is a driver of malignant bladder cancer and potential predictor of outcome in patients with bladder cancer.

Urinary hyaluronic acid: a versatile marker of bladder cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of urinary hyaluronic acid (HA) as a diagnostic marker in urothelial carcinoma (UCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and adenocarcinoma (ADC) of urinary bladder and compare it with urine cytology.

METHODS

HA was estimated in 170 subjects divided into three groups. Group I: UCC 88 patients, 28 with SCC and 12 with ADC; group II: 34 patients with benign bladder tumors; and group III: 10 healthy bladders. HA was estimated in urine and then readjusted to creatinine (HA/Cr) and protein (HA/Pr) in urine. Urine cytology was evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD level HA was higher in UCC (589 ± 72), SCC (637 ± 45), and ADC (526 ± 30) as compared with benign (476 ± 92) and normal (277 ± 44) groups regardless the grade of tumor (p < 0.0001). A cutoff value of 490 ng/ml was calculated to detect malignancy with sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 66%. PPV, NPV, and ACC were 88.6%, 94.1%, and 90%, respectively. Urine cytology showed sensitivity of, specificity, PPV, NPV, and ACC of 52.6%, 90%, 90.45, 50%, and 65.5%, respectively. HA/Pr and HA/Cr, cutoff values for detection of malignancy were 84.9 and 9.6 but with less predictive values. Histopathological type was the only independent factor affecting level of HA on multivariate analysis, (p = 0.012, Exp (B) 14.98, 95% CI 1.8-121).

CONCLUSION

Combination of urinary HA and urine cytology provides reliable marker of bladder cancer.

HYAL1 Is Downregulated in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Inhibits HFL-1 Fibroblast Proliferation When Upregulated

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common interstitial lung disease, arises from transforming growth factor beta 1- (TGFβ1-) induced aberrant fibroproliferation in response to epithelial injury. The TGFβ1-) induced aberrant fibroproliferation in response to epithelial injury. The TGF

Methods

We first performed microarray data mining of previously published gene expression datasets to identify key gene signatures in IPF lung tissues. HYAL1 expression levels in IPF and normal lung tissues were then characterized using immunohistochemistry followed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis on isolated fibroblasts from fresh lung tissues of IPF and healthy donors. A human fetal lung fibroblast HFL-1 cell line, which was used in place of primary lung fibroblasts, was used to assess the proliferative or apoptotic effects associated with lentiviral-induced HYAL1 overexpression using CCK-8 cell proliferation assay and Annexin V-APC staining. The identification of potentially associated molecular pathways was performed using microarray analysis followed by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis.

Results

Lung tissue microarray data mining and immunohistochemistry revealed significantly downregulation of HYAL1 in IPF lung tissue. However, HYAL1 in IPF lung tissue. However, HYAL1 in IPF lung tissue. However, HYAL1 in IPF lung tissue. However, β1-) induced aberrant fibroproliferation in response to epithelial injury. The TGFβ1-) induced aberrant fibroproliferation in response to epithelial injury. The TGF

Conclusions

We showed that HYAL1 overexpression could prevent HFL-1 fibroproliferation. Furthermore, our findings suggest that transcriptional regulators and BMP receptor signaling may be involved in HYAL1 modulation in IPF therapy.HYAL1 in IPF lung tissue. However,

The suppressive role of HYAL1 and HYAL2 in the metastasis of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Hyaluronidases (HAases), enzymes that degrade hyaluronan, have been widely investigated in cancer biology. However, whether HAases serve as tumor promoters or suppressors has been controversial in different cancers, and the exact role of HAases in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been elucidated.

METHODS

The expression levels of HYAL1, HYAL2, and HYAL3 in cancer and corresponding normal tissues from CRC patients were examined via immunohistochemistry. Then the correlation between HAases levels and pathological characteristics of CRC patients was analyzed. To verify the clinical data, HYAL1 and HYAL2 were downregulated or overexpressed in colon cancer cells LOVO and HCT116 to observe their influences on cell invasion and migration. For the mechanism study, we investigated the effects of HYAL1 and HYAL2 on the expression of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs)/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases (TIMPs) and distribution of F-actin.

RESULTS

All the three HAases were abnormally elevated in cancer tissues. Interestingly, HYAL1 and HYAL2, but not HYAL3, were negatively correlated with lymphatic metastasis and TNM stage. When HYAL1 and HYAL2 were knocked down, the invasion and migration abilities of colon cancer cells were accelerated, whereas overexpression of HYAL1 and HYAL2 had the opposite effects. In addition, colon cancer cells with HYAL1 and HYAL2 downregulation showed increased levels of MMP2 and MMP9, decreased levels of TIMP1 and TIMP2, and more intense F-actin stress fibers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that HYAL1 and HYAL2 suppress CRC metastasis through regulating MMPs/TIMPs balance and rearranging F-actin distribution, further inhibiting invasion and migration of cancer cells.

Breast Hyperplasias, Risk Signature, and Breast Cancer

We address the dilemma faced by oncologists in administering preventative measures to "at risk" patients diagnosed with atypical and nonatypical hyperplasias due to lack of any molecular means of risk stratification and identifying high-risk subjects. Our study purpose is to investigate a four marker risk signature, MMP-1, CEACAM6, HYAL1, and HEC1, using 440 hyperplastic tissues for identifying high-risk subjects who will benefit from preventative therapies. We assayed the markers by IHC and combined their expression levels to obtain a composite value from 0-10, which we called a "Cancer Risk Score." We demonstrate that the four marker-based risk scores predict subsequent cancer development with an accuracy of 91% and 86% for atypical and nonatypical subjects, respectively. We have established a correlation between risk scores and cancer rates by stratifying the samples into low risk (score ≤ 0.5); intermediate risk (score ≤ 5.4), and high risk (score >5.4) groups using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. We have evaluated cancer rates at 5, 10, and 15 years. Our results show that the average cancer rates in the first 5 years among low- and intermediate-risk groups were 2% and 15%, respectively. Among high-risk group, the average cancer rates at 5 years were 73% and 34% for atypical and nonatypical subjects, respectively. The molecular risk stratification described here assesses a patient's tumor biology-based risk level as low, intermediate, or high and for making informed treatment decisions. The outcomes of our study in conjunction with the available prophylactic measures could prevent approximately 20%-25% of sporadic breast cancers.

Influence of Hyaluronic Acid Transitions in Tumor Microenvironment on Glioblastoma Malignancy and Invasive Behavior

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical in tumor growth and invasive potential of cancer cells. In glioblastoma tumors, some components of the native brain ECM such as hyaluronic acid (HA) have been suggested as key regulators of processes associated with poor patient outlook such as invasion and therapeutic resistance. Given the importance of cell-mediated remodeling during invasion, it is likely that the molecular weight of available HA polymer may strongly influence GBM progression. Biomaterial platforms therefore provide a unique opportunity to systematically examine the influence of the molecular weight distribution of HA on GBM cell activity. Here we report the relationship between the molecular weight of matrix-bound HA within a methacrylamidefunctionalized gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel, the invasive phenotype of a patient-derived xenograft GBM population that exhibits significant in vivo invasivity, and the local production of soluble HA during GBM cell invasion. Hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights spanning a range associated with cell-mediated remodeling (10, 60, and 500 kDa) was photopolymerized into GelMA hydrogels, with cell activity compared to GelMA only conditions (-HA). Polymerization conditions were tuned to create a homologous series of GelMA hydrogels with conserved poroelastic properties (i.e., shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, and diffusivity). GBM migration was strongly influenced by HA molecular weight; while markers associated with active remodeling of HA (hyaluronan synthase and hyaluronidase) were found to be uninfluenced. These results provide new information regarding the importance of local hyaluronic acid content on the invasive phenotype of GBM.

Antitumor activity of sulfated hyaluronic acid fragments in pre-clinical models of bladder cancer

Tumor cell-derived hyaluronidase HYAL-1 degrades hyaluronic acid (HA) into angiogenic fragments (AGF: 10-12 disaccharides). AGF support tumor growth and progression. Urine and tissue HAase/HYAL-1 levels are sensitive markers for high-grade bladder cancer (BCa) and its metastasis. In preclinical models of BCa, we evaluated whether o-sulfated AGF (sHA-F) inhibits HAase activity and has antitumor activity. At IC₅₀ for HAase activity inhibition (5-20 μg/ml [0.4-1.7 μM]), sHA-F significantly inhibited proliferation, motility and invasion of HYAL-1 expressing BCa cells (253J-Lung, HT1376, UMUC-3), P<0.001. sHA-F did not affect the growth of HYAL-1 non-expressing BCa (5637, RT4, T24, TCCSUP) and normal urothelial (Urotsa, SV-HUC1) cells. sHA-F treatment induced apoptosis by death receptor pathway. sHA-F downregulated transcript and/or protein levels of HA receptors (CD44, RHAMM), p-AKT, β-catenin, pβ-Catenin(S552), Snail and Twist but increased levels of pβ-Catenin(T41/S45), pGSK-3α/β(S21/S9) and E-cadherin. sHA-F also inhibited CD44/Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K) complex formation and PI-3K activity. AGF addition or myristoylated-AKT overexpression attenuated sHA-F effects. Contrarily, HYAL-1 expression sensitized RT4 cells to sHA-F treatment. In the 253J-L and HT1376 xenograft models, sHA-F treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth (P<0.001), plausibly by inhibiting angiogenesis and HA receptor-PI-3K/AKT signaling. This study delineates that sHA-F targets tumor-associated HA-HAase system and could be potentially useful in BCa treatment.

Analysis of HYAL3 Gene Mutations in Chinese Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients

Purpose

In a previous study, we found a hyaluronidase 3 (HYAL3) gene mutation in exon 2 at position 188 by genome sequencing in a lung squamous cell carcinoma patient. The mutation results in substitution of serine for alanine. The aim of the study was to screen the HYAL3 gene mutation in Chinese lung squamous cell carcinoma patients and explore the correlation between mutation of HYAL3 with clinical and pathological characteristics in lung squamous cell carcinoma patients in China.

Methods

We applied polymerase chain reaction to examine the HYAL3 gene mutations in cancer tissues and their adjacent normal tissues from 39 cases of lung squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Results

1) The incidence rate of HYAL3 mutation in 39 cases of lung squamous cell carcinoma was 10.26% (4/39) and none in adjacent normal lung tissues (0/39). 2) The mutations of HYAL3 in the 4 cases were all heterozygous: 3 of them were located in exon 1 (G-T) and one in exon 2 (G-T). 3) Mutations of the HYAL3 gene were not correlated with the distribution of patient gender, age, tumor size, histological grade, smoking history, TNM stage or distant metastasis ( P >0.05). The gene mutation was correlated with lymph node status ( P = 0.044).

Conclusion

Mutations of the HYAL3 gene are rare in Chinese lung squamous cell carcinoma patients and might contribute to lymph node metastasis.

Stepwise co-delivery of an enzyme and prodrug based on a multi-responsive nanoplatform for accurate tumor therapy

We fabricated a HAase@SiO₂@prodrug nanoplatform with a core–shell–corona structure for highly selective and effective tumor therapy via microenvironment-responsive sequential catalytic reactions.

Hyaluronic acid family in bladder cancer: potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Background:

Molecular markers of clinical outcome may aid in designing targeted treatments for bladder cancer. However, only a few bladder cancer biomarkers have been examined as therapeutic targets.

Methods:

Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and bladder specimens were evaluated to determine the biomarker potential of the hyaluronic acid (HA) family of molecules – HA synthases, HA receptors and hyaluronidase. The therapeutic efficacy of 4-methylumbelliferone (4MU), a HA synthesis inhibitor, was evaluated in vitro and in xenograft models.

Results:

In clinical specimens and TCGA data sets, HA synthases and hyaluronidase-1 levels significantly predicted metastasis and poor survival. 4-Methylumbelliferone inhibited proliferation and motility/invasion and induced apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. Oral administration of 4MU both prevented and inhibited tumour growth, without dose-related toxicity. Effects of 4MU were mediated through the inhibition of CD44/RHAMM and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT axis, and of epithelial–mesenchymal transition determinants. These were attenuated by HA, suggesting that 4MU targets oncogenic HA signalling. In tumour specimens and the TCGA data set, HA family expression correlated positively with β-catenin, Twist and Snail expression, but negatively with E-cadherin expression.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that the HA family can be exploited for developing a biomarker-driven, targeted treatment for bladder cancer, and 4MU, a non-toxic oral HA synthesis inhibitor, is one such candidate.

Role of protein glycosylation in cancer metastasis

Although altered glycosylation has been detected in human cancer cells decades ago, only investigations in the last years have enormously increased our knowledge about the details of protein glycosylation and its role in tumour progression. Many proteins, which are heavily glycosylated, i.e. adhesion proteins or proteases, play an important role in cancer metastasis that represents the crucial and frequently life-threatening step in progression of most tumour types. Compared to normal tissue, tumour cells often show altered glycosylation patters with appearance of new tumour-specific antigens. In this review, we give an overview about the role of glycosylation in tumour metastasis, describing recent results about O-glycans, N-glycans and glycosaminoglycans. We show that glycan structures, glycosylated proteins and glycosylation enzymes have influence on different steps of the metastatic process, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, invasion/intravasation and extravasation of tumour cells. Regarding the important role of cancer metastasis for patients survival, further knowledge about the consequences of altered glycosylation patterns in tumour cells is needed which might eventually lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

Proximal and distal regulation of the HYAL1 gene cluster by the estrogen receptor α in breast cancer cells

Chromosomal and genome abnormalities at the 3p21.3 locus are frequent events linked to epithelial cancers, including ovarian and breast cancers. Genes encoded in the 3p21.3 cluster include HYAL1, HYAL2 and HYAL3 members of hyaluronidases involved in the breakdown of hyaluronan, an abundant component of the vertebrate extracellular matrix. However, the transcriptional regulation of HYAL genes is poorly defined. Here, we identified the estrogen receptor ERα as a negative regulator of HYAL1 expression in breast cancer cells. Integrative data mining using METABRIC dataset revealed a significant inverse correlation between ERα and HYAL1 gene expression in human breast tumors. ChIP-Seq analysis identified several ERα binding sites within the 3p21.3 locus, supporting the role of estrogen as an upstream signal that diversely regulates the expression of 3p21.3 genes at both proximal and distal locations. Of these, HYAL1 was repressed by estrogen through ERα binding to a consensus estrogen response element (ERE) located in the proximal promoter of HYAL1 and flanked by an Sp1 binding site, required to achieve optimal estrogen repression. The repressive chromatin mark H3K27me3 was increased at the proximal HYAL1 ERE but not at other EREs contained in the cluster, providing a mechanism to selectively downregulate HYAL1. The HYAL1 repression was also specific to ERα and not to ERβ, whose expression did not correlate with HYAL1 in human breast tumors. This study identifies HYAL1 as an ERα target gene and provides a functional framework for the direct effect of estrogen on 3p21.3 genes in breast cancer cells.

Hyaluronic Acid--an "Old" Molecule with "New" Functions: Biosynthesis and Depolymerization of Hyaluronic Acid in Bacteria and Vertebrate Tissues Including during Carcinogenesis

Hyaluronic acid is an evolutionarily ancient molecule commonly found in vertebrate tissues and capsules of some bacteria. Here we review modern data regarding structure, properties, and biological functions of hyaluronic acid in mammals and Streptococcus spp. bacteria. Various aspects of biogenesis and degradation of hyaluronic acid are discussed, biosynthesis and degradation metabolic pathways for glycosaminoglycan together with involved enzymes are described, and vertebrate and bacterial hyaluronan synthase genes are characterized. Special attention is given to the mechanisms underlying the biological action of hyaluronic acid as well as the interaction between polysaccharide and various proteins. In addition, all known signaling pathways involving hyaluronic acid are outlined. Impaired hyaluronic acid metabolism, changes in biopolymer molecular weight, hyaluronidase activity, and enzyme isoforms often accompany carcinogenesis. The interaction between cells and hyaluronic acid from extracellular matrix that may be important during malignant change is discussed. An expected role for high molecular weight hyaluronic acid in resistance of naked mole rat to oncologic diseases and the protective role of hyaluronic acid in bacteria are discussed.

Analysis of different components in the peritumoral tissue microenvironment of colorectal cancer: A potential prospect in tumorigenesis

The present study aimed to observe the varying expression of biomarkers in the microenvironment adjacent to colorectal cancer lesions to provide additional insight into the functions of microenvironment components in carcinogenesis and present a novel or improved indicator for early diagnosis of cancer. A total of 144 human samples from three different locations in 48 patients were collected, these locations were 10, 5 and 2 cm from the colorectal cancer lesion, respectively. The biomarkers analyzed included E‑cadherin, cytokeratin 18 (CK18), hyaluronidase‑1 (Hyal‑1), collagen type I (Col‑I), Crumbs3 (CRB3), vimentin, proteinase activated receptor 3 (PAR‑3), α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA), cyclin D1 (CD1) and cluster of differentiation (CD)133. In addition, crypt architecture was observed. Related functional analysis of proteins was performed using hierarchical index cluster analysis. More severe destroyed crypt architecture closer to the cancer lesions was observed compared with the 10 cm sites, with certain crypts degraded entirely. Expression levels of E‑cadherin, CK18, CRB3 and PAR‑3 were lower in 2 cm sites compared with the 10 cm sites (all P<0.001), while the expression levels of the other biomarkers in the 2 cm sites were increased compared with 10 cm sites (all P<0.0001). Notably, the expression of CK18 in 2 cm sites was higher than in the 5 cm site (P<0.0001), which was different from the expression of E‑cadherin, CRB3 and PAR‑3. The expression levels of Hyal‑1 and Col‑I at the 2 cm sites were lower than that of the 5 cm sites (P>0.05 and P=0.0001, respectively), while the expression of vimentin, α‑SMA, CD1 and CD133 were not. Hyal‑1 and Col‑I may be independently important in cancer initiation in the tumor microenvironment. The results of the present study suggest that the biomarkers in the tissue microenvironment are associated with early tumorigenesis and may contribute to the development of carcinomas. These observations may be useful for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Can recurrence and progression be predicted by HYAL-1 expression in primary T1 bladder cancer?

BACKGROUND

Molecular prognostic markers have been under investigation for the last decade and no validated marker to date has been proven to be used in daily clinical practice for urinary bladder cancers. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the significance of HYAL-1 expression in prediction of recurrence and progression in pT1 urothelial carcinomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-nine urothelial carcinoma cases staged as T1 according to 2004 WHO classification were studied. Representative sections from every case were stained immunohistochemically for HYAL-1 and scored between 0 and +3, according to staining density, and graded as low and high for the scores 0-1 and 2-3, respectively.

RESULTS

Of the 89 pT1 bladder cancer patients, HYAL-1 expression was high in 92.1% (82 patients; 72 patients +3 and 10 patients +2) and low in 7.9% (only 7 patients; 6 patients +1 and 1 patient 0) of the cases. Of the 89 patients, 38 (42.7%) had recurrence and 22 (24.7%) showed progression. HYAL-1 staining did not show significant characteristics for tumor grade, accompanying CIS, multiplicity, tumor size, age and sex. HYAL-1 expression did not have any prognostic value in estimating recurrence or progression.

CONCLUSIONS

HYAL-1 expression was found to be high, but did not have any prognostic importance in T1 bladder urothelial carcinomas.

Sugars in the microenvironment: the sticky problem of HA turnover in tumors

The properties and behavior of tumor cells are closely regulated by their microenvironment. Accordingly, stromal cells and extracellular matrix components can have a pronounced effect on cancer initiation, growth, and progression. The linear glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA) is a major component of the extracellular matrix. Altered synthesis and degradation of HA in the tumor context has been implicated in many aspects of tumor biology. In particular, the accumulation of small HA oligosaccharides (sHA) in the tumor interstitial space may play a decisive role, due to the ability of sHA to activate a number of biological processes that are not modulated by high molecular weight (HMW)-HA. In this article, we review the normal physiological role and metabolism of HA and then survey the evidence implicating HA in tumor growth and progression, focusing in particular on the potential contribution of sHA to these processes.

Targeting hyaluronic acid family for cancer chemoprevention and therapy

Hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan (HA) is perhaps one of the most uncomplicated large polymers that regulates several normal physiological processes and, at the same time, contributes to the manifestation of a variety of chronic and acute diseases, including cancer. Members of the HA signaling pathway (HA synthases, HA receptors, and HYAL-1 hyaluronidase) have been experimentally shown to promote tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis, and hence each of them is a potential target for cancer therapy. Furthermore, as these members are also overexpressed in a variety of carcinomas, targeting of the HA family is clinically relevant. A variety of targeted approaches have been developed to target various HA family members, including small-molecule inhibitors and antibody and vaccine therapies. These treatment approaches inhibit HA-mediated intracellular signaling that promotes tumor cell proliferation, motility, and invasion, as well as induction of endothelial cell functions. Being nontoxic, nonimmunogenic, and versatile for modifications, HA has been used in nanoparticle preparations for the targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs and other anticancer compounds to tumor cells through interaction with cell-surface HA receptors. This review discusses basic and clinical translational aspects of targeting each HA family member and respective treatment approaches that have been described in the literature.

Dietary supplement 4-methylumbelliferone: an effective chemopreventive and therapeutic agent for prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Prevention and treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) by a nontoxic agent can improve outcome, while maintaining quality of life. 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) is a dietary supplement that inhibits hyaluronic acid (HA) synthesis. We evaluated the chemopreventive and therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of action of 4-MU.

METHODS

TRAMP mice (7-28 per group) were gavaged with 4-MU (450mg/kg/day) in a stage-specific treatment design (8-28, 12-28, 22-28 weeks). Efficacy of 4-MU (200-450mg/kg/day) was also evaluated in the PC3-ML/Luc(+) intracardiac injection and DU145 subcutaneous models. PCa cells and tissues were analyzed for HA and Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K)/Akt signaling and apoptosis effectors. HA add-back and myristoylated Akt (mAkt) overexpression studies evaluated the mechanism of action of 4-MU. Data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and unpaired t test or Tukey's multiple comparison test. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

While vehicle-treated transgenic adenocarcinoma of the prostate (TRAMP) mice developed prostate tumors and metastases at 28 weeks, both were abrogated in treatment groups, without serum/organ toxicity or weight loss; no tumors developed at one year, even after stopping the treatment at 28 weeks. 4-MU did not alter the transgene or neuroendocrine marker expression but downregulated HA levels. However, 4-MU decreased microvessel density and proliferative index (P < .0001,). 4-MU completely prevented/inhibited skeletal metastasis in the PC3-ML/Luc(+) model and DU145-tumor growth (85-90% inhibition, P = .002). 4-MU also statistically significantly downregulated HA receptors, PI-3K/CD44 complex and activity, Akt signaling, and β-catenin levels/activation, but upregulated GSK-3 function, E-cadherin, and apoptosis effectors (P < .001); HA addition or mAkt overexpression rescued these effects.

CONCLUSION

4-MU is an effective nontoxic, oral chemopreventive, and therapeutic agent that targets PCa development, growth, and metastasis by abrogating HA signaling.

A novel role of low molecular weight hyaluronan in breast cancer metastasis

Low molecular weight hyaluronan (LMW-HA), a degradation fragment of the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan (HA), has been proven to play a crucial role in cancer progression. However, no systematic clinical study of breast cancer has been performed to correlate LMW-HA levels with metastasis. In the present study, we analyzed 176 serum specimens and found for the first time that the serum LMW-HA (but not total HA) level significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, suggesting that serum LMW-HA represents a better prognostic indicator of breast cancer progression than HA. Similarly, we found that breast cancer cell lines displaying higher invasive potential had a higher LMW-HA concentration than less-invasive cell lines. This higher LMW-HA level was accompanied by the overexpression of hyaluronan synthase (HAS2) and hyaluronidase (both HYAL1 and HYAL2). Of great importance, decreasing LMW-HA production significantly inhibited breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Overall, our results suggest that during cancer progression, cancer cells may actively remodel their microenvironment via an autocrine/paracrine-like process, resulting in elevated LMW-HA levels, which in turn may facilitate cancer progression by promoting the migration and invasion of cancer cells. Therefore, cancer-associated LMW-HA may be a more promising molecular biomarker than total HA for detecting metastasis and may have further applications in breast cancer treatment.

Hyaluronidase-1 expression promotes lung metastasis in syngeneic mouse tumor models without affecting accumulation of small hyaluronan oligosaccharides in tumor interstitial fluid

Enhanced levels in tumors of hyaluronan, a glycosaminoglycan component of the extracellular matrix, and hyaluronidases such as hyaluronidase-1 (Hyal1) that degrade hyaluronan have both been linked to poor prognosis and metastasis, suggesting that the turnover of hyaluronan might contribute to tumor progression. Small hyaluronan oligosaccharides (sHA) can accumulate in tumor interstitial fluid (TIF), and have been implicated in a number of processes that drive tumor progression, including MMP expression and angiogenesis. The properties of Hyal1 suggest that it might contribute to the degradation of hyaluronan in tumors and the subsequent accumulation of sHA. Accumulation of Hyal1-produced sHA may therefore account for the association between Hyal1 and metastasis. Here we have investigated this hypothesis using mouse syngeneic breast tumor models. Specifically, we modulated Hyal1 expression and activity either in the tumor cells themselves, or in the stromal compartment by using Hyal1 knockout (KO) mice. These approaches did not change sHA levels in TIF, but nevertheless fostered metastasis to the lung in some of the models used in the study. Together, these data suggest that Hyal1 can promote lung metastasis in a manner that is not dependent on altered accumulation of sHA in TIF.

Roles of NFκB-miR-29s-MMP-2 circuitry in experimental choroidal neovascularization

Background

Previous reports have indicated that matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2) regulates angiogenic processes, which are involved in choroidal neovascularization (CNV). However, the regulation of MMP-2 in CNV has not been well-characterized. To gain more information about the regulation of MMP-2 in CNV, we analyzed the circuitry associated with MMP-2 regulation in a CNV model and in cell cultures, focusing on NFκB and the microRNA-29 family (miR-29s).

Methods

The CNV model was established by subjecting C57BL/6 mice to fundus photocoagulation with a krypton red laser. In choroidal-retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tissues of the model, immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the angiogenesis and MMP-2 expression; reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the levels of miR-29s; and western blot was used to analyze the protein levels of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) inhibitor, IκBα, and its phosphorylated form, phospho-IκBα. At the cellular level, RT-qPCR was used to examine the levels of miR-29s following NFκB activation by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα); and western blot and luciferase assay were used to determine the regulation of MMP-2 by miR-29s in a human RPE cell line (ARPE-19) and in an umbilical vein endothelial cell line (EA hy926).

Results

MMP-2 staining was increased in the choroidal neovascular membrane of laser-treated retina. Also, the NFκB pathway was induced in choroid-RPE tissue, as evidenced by a lower protein level of IκBα and a higher level of phospho-IκBα in the tissue homogenates than in those from non-treated eyes. During the period when the NFκB pathway was induced, reduced miR-29s were detected in the choroidal-RPE tissue of the laser-treated eyes. In cultured ARPE-19 cells, TNFα decreased miR-29a, b, and c, and the effects were rescued by NFκB decoy. In ARPE-19 and EA hy926, miR-29s mimics reduced the contents of secreted MMP-2 in the culture media. We also documented that miR-29s reduced MMP-2 3’-UTR-mediated luciferase transcription.

Conclusions

The results suggest that in CNV, NFκB activation inhibits miR-29s, which may contribute to angiogenesis by up-regulating the MMP-2 protein level in RPE cells. These observations may help in developing a strategy for resolving CNV by targeting miR-29s levels.

A proposed score for assessing progression in pT1 high-grade urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

We tested a selected series of patients with single urothelial high-grade pT1 stage (pT1 HG) or urothelial carcinoma in situ (CIS) with a set of immunohistochemical markers to elaborate a risk score for progression. We retrospectively reviewed all first diagnoses of single, <3 cm, urothelial papillary carcinoma pT1 HG or isolated CIS between 2006 and 2009. Galectin-3, CD44, E-cadherin, CD138, p16, survivin, HYAL-1, and topoisomerase-II α were used. A grading score 0 or 1 for each immunohistochemical staining was assigned to obtain a total score for assessing the progression. The median "progression score" was selected as cutoff value for statistical analysis. Overall, 23 patients (19 pT1 HG and 4 CIS) were included in the study. After a median follow-up of 21 months (range, 12 to 34 mo), 9 patients (39.1%) showed disease recurrence whereas 4 patients (17.4%) showed tumor progression. Topoisomerase-II α, p16, survivin, galectin-3, and CD138 were significantly associated with progression. Progression score ranged from 0 (best prognosis) to 7 (worst prognosis). Using a score ≥5 as a threshold, specificity was 78.9%, sensitivity 100%, positive predictive value 50%, and negative predictive value 100%. ROC area (a 95% confidence interval, 0.807-1.000; P<0.001). This immunohistochemistry-based progression score using a threshold ≥5, might help the clinician to focus on patients with HG pT1 or extended CIS at high risk for disease progression. These patients might benefit from a more intensive follow-up program or early cystectomy.

The impact of the receptor of hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM) on human urothelial transitional cell cancer of the bladder

Hyaluronan (HA) is a carbohydrate of the extracellular matrix with tumor promoting effects in a variety of cancers. The present study addressed the role of HA matrix for progression and prognosis of human bladder cancer by studying the expression and function of HA-related genes.

The roles of hyaluronan/RHAMM/CD44 and their respective interactions along the insidious pathways of fibrosarcoma progression

Fibrosarcomas are rare malignant mesenchymal tumors originating from fibroblasts. Importantly, fibrosarcoma cells were shown to have a high content and turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM) components including hyaluronan (HA), proteoglycans, collagens, fibronectin, and laminin. ECMs are complicated structures that surround and support cells within tissues. During cancer progression, significant changes can be observed in the structural and mechanical properties of the ECM components. Importantly, hyaluronan deposition is usually higher in malignant tumors as compared to benign tissues, predicting tumor progression in some tumor types. Furthermore, activated stromal cells are able to produce tissue structure rich in hyaluronan in order to promote tumor growth. Key biological roles of HA result from its interactions with its specific CD44 and RHAMM (receptor for HA-mediated motility) cell-surface receptors. HA-receptor downstream signaling pathways regulate in turn cellular processes implicated in tumorigenesis. Growth factors, including PDGF-BB, TGFβ2, and FGF-2, enhanced hyaluronan deposition to ECM and modulated HA-receptor expression in fibrosarcoma cells. Indeed, FGF-2 through upregulation of specific HAS isoforms and hyaluronan synthesis regulated secretion and net hyaluronan deposition to the fibrosarcoma pericellular matrix modulating these cells' migration capability. In this paper we discuss the involvement of hyaluronan/RHAMM/CD44 mediated signaling in the insidious pathways of fibrosarcoma progression.

Elimination of autofluorescence in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy using the AzaDiOxaTriAngulenium (ADOTA) fluorophore in combination with time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC)

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a frequently applied technique that allows for the precise and sensitive analysis of molecular diffusion and interactions. However, the potential of FCS for in vitro or ex vivo studies has not been fully realized due in part to artifacts originating from autofluorescence (fluorescence of inherent components and fixative-induced fluorescence). Here, we propose the azadioxatriangulenium (ADOTA) dye as a solution to this problem. The lifetime of the ADOTA probe, about 19.4 ns, is much longer than most components of autofluorescence. Thus, it can be easily separated by time-correlated single-photon counting methods. Here, we demonstrate the suppression of autofluorescence in FCS using ADOTA-labeled hyaluronan macromolecules (HAs) with Rhodamine 123 added to simulate diffusing fluorescent background components. The emission spectrum and decay rate of Rhodamine 123 overlap with the usual sources of autofluorescence, and its diffusion behavior is well known. We show that the contributions from Rhodamine 123 can be eliminated by time gating or by fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy (FLCS). While the pairing of ADOTA and time gating is an effective strategy for the removal of autofluorescence from fluorescence imaging, the loss of photons leads to erroneous concentration values with FCS. On the other hand, FLCS eliminates autofluorescence without such errors. We then show that both time gating and FLCS may be used successfully with ADOTA-labeled HA to detect the presence of hyaluronidase, the overexpression of which has been observed in many types of cancer.

Molecular diagnostic trends in urological cancer: biomarkers for non-invasive diagnosis

The early detection of urological cancers is pivotal for successful patient treatment and management. The development of molecular assays that can diagnose disease accurately, or that can augment current methods of evaluation, would be a significant advance. Ideally, such molecular assays would be applicable to non-invasively obtained body fluids, enabling not only diagnosis of at risk patients, but also asymptomatic screening, monitoring disease recurrence and response to treatment. The advent of advanced proteomics and genomics technologies and associated bioinformatics development is bringing these goals into focus. In this article we will discuss the promise of biomarkers in urinalysis for the detection and clinical evaluation of the major urological cancers, including bladder, kidney and prostate. The development of urine-based tests to detect urological cancers would be of tremendous benefit to both patients and the healthcare system.

Detection of hyaluronidase RNA and activity in urine of schistosomal and non-schistosomal bladder cancer

Diagnosis of bladder cancer is done by cystoscopy and cytology. In the last decade, many urine-based tests for bladder cancer have been developed and tested in different populations. Hence, it was relevant to assess the diagnostic significance of urinary hyaluronidase RNA and its enzyme activity in bladder cancer. Seventy patients with bladder cancer, 56 patients with benign bladder lesions, and 49 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Voided urine samples from all subjects were used for estimation of urinary HAase RNA by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and determination of its enzymatic activity by zymography. There was a significant difference in the mean ranks and positivity rates of HAase RNA expression (P < 0.01) and its enzymatic activity among the three investigated groups: malignant, benign, and normal (P < 0.01). In detecting bladder cancer, the sensitivity of urine cytology (42.83 %) was improved to 100 % when combined with urinary Hyal RNA or Hyal enzyme activity. Detection of urinary Hyal RNA and its enzyme activity is promising noninvasive tests with high sensitivities and specificities for detection of bladder cancer.

Urinary retinoic acid receptor-β2 gene promoter methylation and hyaluronidase activity as noninvasive tests for diagnosis of bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the significance of urinary retinoic acid receptor-β2 (RAR-β2) gene promoter methylation and hyaluronidase activity in comparison with voided urine cytology (VUC) in diagnosis of bladder cancer.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This study included 100 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer, 65 patients with benign urological disorders and 51 healthy volunteers. Urine supernatant was used for determining hyaluronidase activity by zymography while urine sediment was used for cytology and detection of methylated RAR-β2 gene promoter by methylation specific nested PCR.

RESULTS

The sensitivity and specificity were 53% and 90.5% for VUC, 65% and 89.7% for percent methylation fraction of RAR-β2 gene promoter, and 89% and 90.5% for hyaluronidase activity; combination of the three parameters increased sensitivity to 95%. A significant association was observed between investigated markers and advanced grade tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined use of RAR-β2 gene promoter methylation, hyaluronidase activity and VUC is promising non-invasive tool for bladder cancer detection.

Lifetime-based sensing of the hyaluronidase using fluorescein labeled hyaluronic acid

In this report we propose a lifetime-based sensing (LBS) for the detection of hyaluronidase (HA-ase). First, we heavily label hyaluronan macromolecules (HAs) with fluorescein amine. The fluorescein labeled HA (HA-Fl) has a weak fluorescence and short fluorescence lifetime due to an efficient self-quenching. Upon the addition of HA-ase, the brightness and lifetime of the sample increase. The cleavage of an HA macromolecule reduces the energy migration between fluorescein molecules and the degree of the self-quenching. A first order of the cleavage reaction depends on the amount of the HA-ase enzyme. We describe an HA-ase sensing strategy based on the lifetime changes of the fluorescein labeled HA in the presence of HA-ase. We demonstrate that the calibration of the sensing response is the same for the average lifetime as for a single exponential decay approximation, which significantly simplifies the analysis of the sensing measurements.

Hyaluronic acid-based nanocarriers for intracellular targeting: interfacial interactions with proteins in cancer

The therapeutic efficacy of most drugs is greatly depends on their ability to cross the cellular barrier and reach their intracellular target sites. To transport the drugs effectively through the cellular membrane and to deliver them into the intracellular environment, several interesting smart carrier systems based on both synthetic or natural polymers have been designed and developed. In recent years, hyaluronic acid (HA) has emerged as a promising candidate for intracellular delivery of various therapeutic and imaging agents because of its innate ability to recognize specific cellular receptors that overexpressed on diseased cells. The aim of this review is to highlight the significance of HA in cancer, and to explore the recent advances of HA-based drug carriers towards cancer imaging and therapeutics.

Upregulation of HYAL1 expression in breast cancer promoted tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a component of the Extra-cellular matrix (ECM), it is closely correlated with tumor cell growth, proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis, etc. Hyaluronidase (HAase) is a HA-degrading endoglycosidase, levels of HAase are elevated in many cancers. Hyaluronidase-1 (HYAL1) is the major tumor-derived HAase. We previously demonstrated that HYAL1 were overexpression in human breast cancer. Breast cancer cells with higher HAase expression, exhibited significantly higher invasion ability through matrigel than those cells with lower HAase expression, and knockdown of HYAL1 expression in breast cancer cells resulted in decreased cell growth, adhesion, invasion and angiogenesis. Here, to further elucidate the function of HYAL1 in breast cancer, we investigated the consequences of forcing HYAL1 expression in breast cancer cells by transfection of expression plasmid. Compared with control, HYAL1 up-regulated cells showed increased the HAase activity, and reduced the expression of HA in vitro. Meantime, upregulation of HYAL1 promoted the cell growth, migration, invasion and angiogenesis in vitro. Moreover, in nude mice model, forcing HYAL1 expression induced breast cancer cell xenograft tumor growth and angiogenesis. Interestingly, the HA expression was upregulated by forcing HYAL1 expression in vivo. These findings suggested that HYAL1-HA system is correlated with the malignant behavior of breast cancer.

Fluorescence detection of hyaluronidase

We labeled hyaluronan (HA) with two fluorophores, fluorescein amine and rhodamine B amine. These two fluorophores are suitable for a fluorescence (Foerster) resonance energy transfer (FRET) which results in a fluorescein quenching and an enhanced rhodamine emission. Such labeled HA (HA-FRET) is a potential sensor for HA degradation. We studied fluorescence properties of HA-FRET in the absence and presence of hyaluronidase enzyme (HA-ase). The time-resolved fluorescence measurements indicate more than 50% of FRET in the absence of HA-ase. In the presence of HA-ase FRET decreases with time, and relative fluorescence intensities of fluorescein and rhodamine shifts to fluorescein indicating a release of FRET. The kinetics of the digestion process of HA by HA-ase depends on the concentration of the enzyme. We demonstrate that simultaneous measurements of green and red emission of HA-FRET can be used in ratio metric detection of the HA-ase presence and activity. This in turn, can be utilized for the construction of a robust but reliable HA-ase sensing device.

Subtype specific elevated expression of hyaluronidase-1 (HYAL-1) in epithelial ovarian cancer

Background

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is morphologically heterogeneous being classified as serous, endometrioid, clear cell, or mucinous. Molecular genetic analysis has suggested a role for tumor suppressor genes located at chromosome 3p in serous EOC pathogenesis. Our objective was to evaluate the expression of HYAL1, located at chromosome 3p21.3, in these EOC subtypes, and to investigate its correlation with the expression of steroid hormone receptors.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We determined the mRNA expression of HYAL1, estrogen receptor (ER)-α, ERβ and progesterone receptor (PR) in EOC tumor samples and cell lines using quantitative RT-PCR. We also examined the expression of these genes in a publicly available microarray dataset. HYAL-1 enzyme activity was measured in EOC cell lines and in plasma samples from patients. We found that HYAL1 mRNA expression was elevated in clear cell and mucinous EOC tissue samples, but not in serous and endometrioid samples, normal ovaries or benign tumors. Similar results were obtained by two different techniques and with tissue sample cohorts from two independent institutions. Concordantly, HYAL1 mRNA levels and enzymatic activity were elevated only in EOC cell lines derived from clear cell and mucinous subtypes. We also showed that HYAL1 mRNA was inversely correlated to that of ERα specifically in clear cell and mucinous EOCs. Additionally, ectopic expression of ERα in a clear cell EOC cell line (ER- and PR-negative) induced 50% reduction of HYAL1 mRNA expression, supporting a role of ERα in HYAL1 gene regulation. Significantly, HYAL-1 activity was also high in the plasma of patients with these EOC subtypes.

Conclusions/Significance

This is the first report showing high HYAL-1 levels in EOC and demonstrating HYAL1 gene repression by ERα. Our results identify Hyaluronidase-1 as a potential target/biomarker for clear cell and mucinous EOCs and especially in tumors with low ERα levels.