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Srivastava K, Lines KE, Jach D, Crnogorac-Jurcevic T. S100PBP is regulated by mutated KRAS and plays a tumour suppressor role in pancreatic cancer. Oncogene 2023; 42:3422-3434. [PMID: 37794133 PMCID: PMC10638088 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02851-y] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
We have previously shown that expression of S100PBP, an S100P binding partner, gradually decreases during progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC). Here, we show that loss of S100PBP leads to oncogenic transformation of pancreatic cells; after deregulation of S100PBP expression, both in silico and in vitro analyses highlighted alterations of genes known to modulate cytoskeleton, cell motility and survival. Overexpression of S100P reduced S100PBP expression, while co-immunoprecipitation indicated the interaction of S100P with S100PBP-p53-ubiquitin protein complex, likely causing S100PBP degradation. The doxycycline-induced KrasG12D activation resulted in decreased S100PBP levels, while low-dose treatment with HDAC inhibitor MS-275 rescued its expression in both human and mouse PDAC cell lines. This indicates KrasG12D as an upstream epigenetic regulator of S100PBP. Finally, analysis of TCGA PanCancer Atlas PDAC datasets demonstrated poor prognosis in patients with high S100P and low S100PBP expression, suggesting that S100PBP is a novel tumour suppressor gene with potential clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Srivastava
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
- In-Vitro Pharmacology, UCB Pharmaceuticals Ltd, 216 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 3WE, UK.
| | - K E Lines
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - D Jach
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - T Crnogorac-Jurcevic
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
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2
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Xu F, Tong M, Tong CSW, Chan BKC, Chu HY, Wong TL, Fong JHC, Cheung MSH, Mak KHM, Pardeshi L, Huang Y, Wong KH, Choi GCG, Ma S, Wong ASL. A combinatorial CRISPR-Cas9 screen identifies ifenprodil as an adjunct to sorafenib for liver cancer treatment. Cancer Res 2021; 81:6219-6232. [PMID: 34666996 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-1017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Systematic testing of existing drugs and their combinations is an attractive strategy to exploit approved drugs for repurposing and identify the best actionable treatment options. To expedite the search among many possible drug combinations, we designed a combinatorial CRISPR-Cas9 screen to inhibit druggable targets. Co-blockade of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) with targets of first-line kinase inhibitors reduced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell growth. Clinically, HCC patients with low NMDAR1 expression showed better survival. The clinically approved NMDAR antagonist ifenprodil synergized with sorafenib to induce the unfolded protein response, trigger cell cycle arrest, downregulate genes associated with WNT signaling and stemness, and reduce self-renewal ability of HCC cells. In multiple HCC patient-derived organoids and human tumor xenograft models, the drug combination, but neither single drug alone, markedly reduced tumor-initiating cancer cell frequency. Since ifenprodil has an established safety history for its use as a vasodilator in humans, our findings support the repurposing of this drug as an adjunct for HCC treatment to improve clinical outcome and reduce tumor recurrence. These results also validate an approach for readily discovering actionable combinations for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong
| | - Man Tong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong
| | | | | | - Hoi Yee Chu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong
| | - Tin Lok Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong
| | - John H C Fong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong
| | | | | | | | - Yuanhua Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong
| | | | - Gigi C G Choi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong
| | - Alan S L Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong
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3
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Rothgangl T, Dennis MK, Lin PJC, Oka R, Witzigmann D, Villiger L, Qi W, Hruzova M, Kissling L, Lenggenhager D, Borrelli C, Egli S, Frey N, Bakker N, Walker JA, Kadina AP, Victorov DV, Pacesa M, Kreutzer S, Kontarakis Z, Moor A, Jinek M, Weissman D, Stoffel M, van Boxtel R, Holden K, Pardi N, Thöny B, Häberle J, Tam YK, Semple SC, Schwank G. In vivo adenine base editing of PCSK9 in macaques reduces LDL cholesterol levels. Nat Biotechnol 2021; 39:949-957. [PMID: 34012094 PMCID: PMC8352781 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-021-00933-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Most known pathogenic point mutations in humans are C•G to T•A substitutions, which can be directly repaired by adenine base editors (ABEs). In this study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of ABEs in the livers of mice and cynomolgus macaques for the reduction of blood low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Lipid nanoparticle-based delivery of mRNA encoding an ABE and a single-guide RNA targeting PCSK9, a negative regulator of LDL, induced up to 67% editing (on average, 61%) in mice and up to 34% editing (on average, 26%) in macaques. Plasma PCSK9 and LDL levels were stably reduced by 95% and 58% in mice and by 32% and 14% in macaques, respectively. ABE mRNA was cleared rapidly, and no off-target mutations in genomic DNA were found. Re-dosing in macaques did not increase editing, possibly owing to the detected humoral immune response to ABE upon treatment. These findings support further investigation of ABEs to treat patients with monogenic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Rothgangl
- University of Zurich, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Rurika Oka
- Oncode Institute, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Dominik Witzigmann
- University of Zurich, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Villiger
- University of Zurich, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Weihong Qi
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH Zurich/University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina Hruzova
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Kissling
- University of Zurich, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Lenggenhager
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Costanza Borrelli
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabina Egli
- University of Zurich, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nina Frey
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Noëlle Bakker
- University of Zurich, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Martin Pacesa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Kreutzer
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH Zurich/University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Genome Engineering and Measurement Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zacharias Kontarakis
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH Zurich/University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Genome Engineering and Measurement Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Moor
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Jinek
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Markus Stoffel
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruben van Boxtel
- Oncode Institute, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Norbert Pardi
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Beat Thöny
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Häberle
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ying K Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Gerald Schwank
- University of Zurich, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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4
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Wang SH, Chen YL, Hsiao JR, Tsai FY, Jiang SS, Lee AYL, Tsai HJ, Chen YW. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 promotes radiosensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells via positive feedback on NF-κB/IL-6/ROS signaling. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:95. [PMID: 33712045 PMCID: PMC7955639 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01898-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ectopic insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) expression has been shown to enhance cell migration and lymph node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. However, OSCC patients with high IGFBP3 expression had improved survival compared with those with low expression. Therefore, we speculated that IGFBP3 expression may play a role in response to conventional OSCC therapies, such as radiotherapy. Methods We used in vitro and in vivo analyses to explore IGFBP3-mediated radiosensitivity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection by flow cytometry was used to confirm IGFBP3-mediated ionizing radiation (IR)-induced apoptosis. Geneset enrichment analysis (GSEA) and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) were used to analyze the relationship between IGFBP3 and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling. Assays involving an NF-κB inhibitor, ROS scavenger or interleukin 6 (IL-6) were used to evaluate the NF-κB/IL-6/ROS signaling in IGFBP3-mediated radiosensitivity. Results Ectopic IGFBP3 expression enhanced IR-induced cell-killing in vitro. In vivo, IGFBP3 reduced tumor growth and increased apoptotic signals of tumor tissues in immunocompromised mice treated with IR. Combined with IR, ectopic IGFBP3 expression induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, which was apparent through mitochondrial destruction and increased ROS production. Ectopic IGFBP3 expression enhanced NK-κB activation and downstream cytokine expression. After IR exposure, IGFBP3-induced NF-κB activation was inhibited by the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). IGFBP3-mediated ROS production was reduced by the NF-κB inhibitor BMS-345541, while exogenous IL-6 rescued the NF-κB-inhibited, IGFBP3-mediated ROS production. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that IGFBP3, a potential biomarker for radiosensitivity, promotes IR-mediated OSCC cell death by increasing ROS production through NF-κB activation and cytokine production. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01898-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ssu-Han Wang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lin Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Jenn-Ren Hsiao
- Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Yu Tsai
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Shih Sheng Jiang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Alan Yueh-Luen Lee
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Jen Tsai
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Wen Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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5
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Chen YL, Yen YC, Jang CW, Wang SH, Huang HT, Chen CH, Hsiao JR, Chang JY, Chen YW. Ephrin A4-ephrin receptor A10 signaling promotes cell migration and spheroid formation by upregulating NANOG expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:644. [PMID: 33436772 PMCID: PMC7804096 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80060-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ephrin type-A receptor 10 (EPHA10) has been implicated as a potential target for breast and prostate cancer therapy. However, its involvement in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. We demonstrated that EPHA10 supports in vivo tumor growth and lymphatic metastasis of OSCC cells. OSCC cell migration, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), and sphere formation were found to be regulated by EPHA10, and EPHA10 was found to drive expression of some EMT- and stemness-associated transcription factors. Among EPHA10 ligands, exogenous ephrin A4 (EFNA4) induced the most OSCC cell migration and sphere formation, as well as up-regulation of SNAIL, NANOG, and OCT4. These effects were abolished by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibition and NANOG knockdown. Also, EPHA10 was required for EFNA4-induced cell migration, sphere formation, and expression of NANOG and OCT4 mRNA. Our microarray dataset revealed that EFNA4 mRNA expression was associated with expression of NANOG and OCT4 mRNA, and OSCC patients showing high co-expression of EFNA4 with NANOG or OCT4 mRNA demonstrated poor recurrence-free survival rates. Targeting forward signaling of the EFNA4-EPHA10 axis may be a promising therapeutic approach for oral malignancies, and the combination of EFNA4 mRNA and downstream gene expression may be a useful prognostic biomarker for OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lin Chen
- grid.59784.370000000406229172National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053 Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Yen
- grid.59784.370000000406229172National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053 Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Wei Jang
- grid.59784.370000000406229172National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053 Taiwan
| | - Ssu-Han Wang
- grid.59784.370000000406229172National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053 Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Ting Huang
- grid.59784.370000000406229172National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053 Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsing Chen
- grid.59784.370000000406229172Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan ,grid.59784.370000000406229172Taiwan Bioinformatics Core, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Jenn-Ren Hsiao
- grid.64523.360000 0004 0532 3255Department of Otolaryngology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jang-Yang Chang
- grid.59784.370000000406229172National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053 Taiwan
| | - Ya-Wen Chen
- grid.59784.370000000406229172National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053 Taiwan ,grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Ph.D. Program for Aging, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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6
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Strauss RP, Audsley KM, Passman AM, van Vuuren JH, Finch-Edmondson ML, Callus BA, Yeoh GC. Loss of ARF/INK4A Promotes Liver Progenitor Cell Transformation Toward Tumorigenicity Supporting Their Role in Hepatocarcinogenesis. Gene Expr 2020; 20:39-52. [PMID: 32317048 PMCID: PMC7284103 DOI: 10.3727/105221620x15874935364268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Liver progenitor cells (LPCs) contribute to liver regeneration during chronic damage and are implicated as cells of origin for liver cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The CDKN2A locus, which encodes the tumor suppressors alternate reading frame protein (ARF) and INK4A, was identified as one of the most frequently altered genes in HCC. This study demonstrates that inactivation of CDKN2A enhances tumorigenic transformation of LPCs. The level of ARF and INK4A expression was determined in a panel of transformed and nontransformed wild-type LPC lines. Moreover, the transforming potential of LPCs with inactivated CDKN2A was shown to be enhanced in LPCs derived from Arf-/- and CDKN2Afl/fl mice and in wild-type LPCs following CRISPR-Cas9 suppression of CDKN2A. ARF and INK4A abundance is consistently reduced or ablated following LPC transformation. Arf-/- and CDKN2A-/- LPCs displayed hallmarks of transformation such as anchorage-independent and more rapid growth than control LPC lines with unaltered CDKN2A. Transformation was not immediate, suggesting that the loss of CDKN2A alone is insufficient. Further analysis revealed decreased p21 expression as well as reduced epithelial markers and increased mesenchymal markers, indicative of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, following inactivation of the CDKN2A gene were required for tumorigenic transformation. Loss of ARF and INK4A enhances the propensity of LPCs to undergo a tumorigenic transformation. As LPCs represent a cancer stem cell candidate, identifying CDKN2A as a driver of LPC transformation highlights ARF and INK4A as viable prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn P. Strauss
- *School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- †Centre for Medical Research, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Katherine M. Audsley
- *School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Adam M. Passman
- *School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- †Centre for Medical Research, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Joanne H. van Vuuren
- †Centre for Medical Research, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | | | - Bernard A. Callus
- *School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - George C. Yeoh
- *School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- †Centre for Medical Research, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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7
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ERK Activation Modulates Cancer Stemness and Motility of a Novel Mouse Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010061. [PMID: 31878324 PMCID: PMC7016611 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We established the NHRI-HN1 cell line from a mouse tongue tumor induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO)/arecoline, with further selection for cell stemness via in vitro sphere culture, to evaluate potential immunotherapies for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in East and Southeast Asia. In vivo and in vitro phenotypic characterization, including tumor growth, immune modulator administration, gene expression, morphology, migration, invasion, and sphere formation assays, were conducted. NHRI-HN1 cells are capable of generating orthotopic tumors in syngeneic mice. Interestingly, immune stimulation via CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) dramatically reduced the tumor growth in NHRI-HN1 cell-injected syngeneic mice. The pathways enriched in genes that were differentially expressed in NHRI-HN1 cells when compared to non-tumorigenic cells were similar to those that were identified when comparing human OSCC and non-tumorous tissues. NHRI-HN1 cells have characteristics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including enhanced migration and invasion. NHRI-HN1 cells showed aggressive cell growth and sphere formation. The blockage of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation suppressed cell migration and reduced stemness characteristics in NHRI-HN1 cells, similar to human OSCC cell lines. Our data suggest that NHRI-HN1 cells, showing tumorigenic characteristics of EMT, cancer stemness, and ERK activation, are sufficient in modeling human OSCC and also competent for use in investigating oral cancer immunotherapies.
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8
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Chen YL, Wu WL, Jang CW, Yen YC, Wang SH, Tsai FY, Shen YY, Chen YW. Interferon-stimulated gene 15 modulates cell migration by interacting with Rac1 and contributes to lymph node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Oncogene 2019; 38:4480-4495. [PMID: 30765861 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0731-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In an effort to understand the underlying mechanisms of lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), through in vivo selection, LN1-1 cells were previously established from OEC-M1 cells and showed enhanced lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis capabilities. In the current study, we use a stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomic platform to compare LN1-1 to OEC-M1 cells. Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) was found highly expressed in LN1-1 cells. Immunohistochemical analysis and meta-analysis of publicly available microarray datasets revealed that the ISG15 level was increased in human OSCC tissues and associated with poor disease outcome. Knockdown of ISG15 had minimal effects on tumor growth but did decrease tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis of LN1-1 cells. Consistent with the in vivo assay, ISG15 knockdown did not impair cell growth but diminished cell migration, invasion, and transendothelial migration in vitro. ISG15-induced cell migration was independent of ISGylation and associated with membrane protrusion. Ectopic expression of ISG15 increased Rac1 activity and knockdown of Rac1 impaired ISG15-enhanced migration. Furthermore, Rac1 colocalized with ISG15 to a region of membrane protrusion and ISG15 coimmunoprecipitated with Rac1, especially with the Rac1-GDP form. Importantly, as shown by proximity ligation assays, ISG15 and Rac1 physically interacted with each other. Our results indicated that ISG15 affects cell migration by interacting with Rac1 and regulating Rac1 activity and contributes to lymphatic metastasis in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lin Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Lin Wu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Wei Jang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Yen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ssu-Han Wang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Yu Tsai
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Ying Shen
- Pathology Core Laboratory, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Wen Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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9
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Raghunath A, Sundarraj K, Arfuso F, Sethi G, Perumal E. Dysregulation of Nrf2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Role in Cancer Progression and Chemoresistance. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10120481. [PMID: 30513925 PMCID: PMC6315366 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10120481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver executes versatile functions and is the chief organ for metabolism of toxicants/xenobiotics. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and the third foremost cause of cancer death worldwide. Oxidative stress is a key factor related with the development and progression of HCC. Nuclear factor erythroid 2 [NF-E2]-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a cytosolic transcription factor, which regulates redox homeostasis by activating the expression of an array of antioxidant response element-dependent genes. Nrf2 displays conflicting roles in normal, healthy liver and HCC; in the former, Nrf2 offers beneficial effects, whereas in the latter it causes detrimental effects favouring the proliferation and survival of HCC. Sustained Nrf2 activation has been observed in HCC and facilitates its progression and aggressiveness. This review summarizes the role and mechanism(s) of action of Nrf2 dysregulation in HCC and therapeutic options that can be employed to modulate this transcription factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azhwar Raghunath
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
| | - Kiruthika Sundarraj
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
| | - Frank Arfuso
- Stem Cell and Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore.
| | - Ekambaram Perumal
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
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10
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Quattrochi B, Gulvady A, Driscoll DR, Sano M, Klimstra DS, Turner CE, Lewis BC. MicroRNAs of the mir-17~92 cluster regulate multiple aspects of pancreatic tumor development and progression. Oncotarget 2018; 8:35902-35918. [PMID: 28415794 PMCID: PMC5482626 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy characterized by resistance to currently employed chemotherapeutic approaches. Members of the mir-17~92 cluster of microRNAs (miRNAs) are upregulated in PDAC, but the precise roles of these miRNAs in PDAC are unknown. Using genetically engineered mouse models, we show that loss of mir-17~92 reduces ERK pathway activation downstream of mutant KRAS and promotes the regression of KRASG12D-driven precursor pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs) and their replacement by normal exocrine tissue. In a PDAC model driven by concomitant KRASG12D expression and Trp53 heterozygosity, mir-17~92 deficiency extended the survival of mice that lacked distant metastasis. Moreover, mir-17~92-deficient PDAC cell lines display reduced invasion activity in transwell assays, form fewer invadopodia rosettes than mir-17~92-competent cell lines and are less able to degrade extracellular matrix. Specific inhibition of miR-19 family miRNAs with antagomirs recapitulates these phenotypes, suggesting that miR-19 family miRNAs are important mediators of PDAC cell invasion. Together these data demonstrate an oncogenic role for mir-17~92 at multiple stages of pancreatic tumorigenesis and progression; specifically, they link this miRNA cluster to ERK pathway activation and precursor lesion maintenance in vivo and identify a novel role for miR-19 family miRNAs in promoting cancer cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Quattrochi
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Anushree Gulvady
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, State University of New York Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - David R Driscoll
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Makoto Sano
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - David S Klimstra
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Christopher E Turner
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, State University of New York Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Brian C Lewis
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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11
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Krstic J, Galhuber M, Schulz TJ, Schupp M, Prokesch A. p53 as a Dichotomous Regulator of Liver Disease: The Dose Makes the Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E921. [PMID: 29558460 PMCID: PMC5877782 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19030921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lifestyle-related disorders, such as the metabolic syndrome, have become a primary risk factor for the development of liver pathologies that can progress from hepatic steatosis, hepatic insulin resistance, steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis, to the most severe condition of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While the prevalence of liver pathologies is steadily increasing in modern societies, there are currently no approved drugs other than chemotherapeutic intervention in late stage HCC. Hence, there is a pressing need to identify and investigate causative molecular pathways that can yield new therapeutic avenues. The transcription factor p53 is well established as a tumor suppressor and has recently been described as a central metabolic player both in physiological and pathological settings. Given that liver is a dynamic tissue with direct exposition to ingested nutrients, hepatic p53, by integrating cellular stress response, metabolism and cell cycle regulation, has emerged as an important regulator of liver homeostasis and dysfunction. The underlying evidence is reviewed herein, with a focus on clinical data and animal studies that highlight a direct influence of p53 activity on different stages of liver diseases. Based on current literature showing that activation of p53 signaling can either attenuate or fuel liver disease, we herein discuss the hypothesis that, while hyper-activation or loss of function can cause disease, moderate induction of hepatic p53 within physiological margins could be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of liver pathologies. Hence, stimuli that lead to a moderate and temporary p53 activation could present new therapeutic approaches through several entry points in the cascade from hepatic steatosis to HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Krstic
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism & Aging, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - Markus Galhuber
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism & Aging, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria.
| | - Tim J Schulz
- Department of Adipocyte Development and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehhbrücke, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany.
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 85764 München-Neuherberg, Germany.
- Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany.
| | - Michael Schupp
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Cardiovascular Research, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Andreas Prokesch
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism & Aging, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria.
- BioTechMed-Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria.
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12
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Bui KC, Barat S, Chen X, Bozko P, Scholta T, Nguyen MLT, Bhuria V, Xing J, Nguyen LT, Le HS, Velavan TP, Sipos B, Wilkens L, Malek NP, Plentz RR. Silencing of Kangai 1 C-terminal interacting tetraspanin suppresses progression of cholangiocarcinoma. Exp Cell Res 2018; 364:59-67. [PMID: 29366806 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is the second most common primary hepatic malignancy. CC treatment options are very limited especially for patients with distant metastasis. Kangai 1 C-terminal interacting tetraspanin (KITENIN) is highly expressed in numerous cancers, but the role of KITENIN in CC remains unknown. Here, we have investigated for the first time the function of KITENIN in human CC cell lines (TFK-1, SZ-1), tissues and a CC mouse model (Alb-Cre/LSL-KRASG12D/p53L/L). KITENIN was expressed in 92.2% of human CC tissues, in murine CC samples and also in human CC cell lines. Knockdown of KITENIN by small interfering RNA (siRNA) effectively reduced proliferation, migration, invasion and colony formation in both intra- and extra-hepatic CC cells. The expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers like N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail and Slug were suppressed in KITENIN knockdown CC cells. Our results indicate that KITENIN is crucial for cholangiocarcinogenesis and it might become a potential therapeutic target for human CC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khac Cuong Bui
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Pathophysiology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Samarpita Barat
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Przemyslaw Bozko
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tim Scholta
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mai Ly Thi Nguyen
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany; Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vikas Bhuria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jun Xing
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Linh Toan Nguyen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Huu Song Le
- Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam; 108 Military Central Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thirumalaisamy P Velavan
- Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bence Sipos
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ludwig Wilkens
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Regional Hospital, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nisar P Malek
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ruben R Plentz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine II, Bremen-Nord Hospital, Bremen, Germany.
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13
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Mekala JR, Naushad SM, Ponnusamy L, Arivazhagan G, Sakthiprasad V, Pal-Bhadra M. Epigenetic regulation of miR-200 as the potential strategy for the therapy against triple-negative breast cancer. Gene 2017; 641:248-258. [PMID: 29038000 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNAs that are involved in the regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. MicroRNAs play an important role in cancer cell proliferation, survival and apoptosis. Epigenetic modifiers regulate the microRNA expression. Among the epigenetic players, histone deacetylases (HDACs) function as the key regulators of microRNA expression. Epigenetic machineries such as DNA and histone modifying enzymes and various microRNAs have been identified as the important contributors in cancer initiation and progression. Recent studies have shown that developing innovative microRNA-targeting therapies might improve the human health, specifically against the disease areas of high unmet medical need. Thus microRNA based therapeutics are gaining importance for anti-cancer therapy. Studies on Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) have revealed the early relapse and poor overall survival of patients which needs immediate therapeutic attention. In this report, we focus the effect of HDAC inhibitors on TNBC cell proliferation, regulation of microRNA gene expression by a series of HDAC genes, chromatin epigenetics, epigenetic remodelling at miR-200 promoter and its modulation by various HDACs. We also discuss the need for identifying novel HDAC inhibitors for modulation of miR-200 in triple negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaki Ramaiah Mekala
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Tirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur 613401, India.
| | | | - Lavanya Ponnusamy
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Tirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur 613401, India
| | - Gayatri Arivazhagan
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Tirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur 613401, India
| | - Vaishnave Sakthiprasad
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Tirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur 613401, India
| | - Manika Pal-Bhadra
- CSIR - Centre for Chemical Biology, CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
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14
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Fan M, Shen J, Liu H, Wen Z, Yang J, Yang P, Liu K, Chang Y, Duan J, Lu K. Downregulation of PRRX1 via the p53-dependent signaling pathway predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:1083-1090. [PMID: 28677793 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Paired-related homeobox 1 (PRRX1) has been identified as a novel molecule associated with induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), acquisition of cancer stem cell like properties and poor prognosis in tumors. However, the function of PRRX1 in hepatocellular carcinoma has not been elucidated. In the present study, we observed that PRRX1 expression levels were downregulated and positively correlated with the downregulated expression of p53 in hepatocellular carcinoma specimens. Decreased expression of PRRX1 and/or p53 by siRNA induced both the migration and the invasion features of HCC cells in vitro. Furthermore, the loss of PRRX1 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell apoptosis, an anti-apoptotic expression profile was upregulated accompanied by downregulated expression of p53. HCC patients with low-expression of both PRRX1 and p53 had a significantly shorter overall and disease-free survival. These findings demonstrate that PRRX1 plays an important role in metastasis and apoptosis of HCC cells through the p53-dependent signaling pathway and is expected to become a novel biomarker associated with patient prognosis and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Fan
- Department of Laparoscopy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jun Shen
- The First Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Hu Liu
- Department of Laparoscopy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Zhijian Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Vascular Surgery, No. 174 Hospital of PLA, Xiamen, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Jue Yang
- Department of Laparoscopy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Pinghua Yang
- Department of Laparoscopy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Kai Liu
- Department of Laparoscopy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yanxin Chang
- Department of Laparoscopy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jicheng Duan
- Department of Laparoscopy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Kai Lu
- Department of Laparoscopy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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15
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Sano M, Driscoll DR, DeJesus-Monge WE, Quattrochi B, Appleman VA, Ou J, Zhu LJ, Yoshida N, Yamazaki S, Takayama T, Sugitani M, Nemoto N, Klimstra DS, Lewis BC. Activation of WNT/β-Catenin Signaling Enhances Pancreatic Cancer Development and the Malignant Potential Via Up-regulation of Cyr61. Neoplasia 2016; 18:785-794. [PMID: 27889647 PMCID: PMC5126137 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a poor prognostic cancer, commonly develops following activating mutations in the KRAS oncogene. Activation of WNT signaling is also commonly observed in PDAC. To ascertain the impact of postnatal activation of WNT-stimulated signaling pathways in PDAC development, we combined the Elastase-tva-based RCAS-TVA pancreatic cancer model with the established LSL-KrasG12D, Ptf1a-cre model. Delivery of RCAS viruses encoding β-cateninS37A and WNT1 stimulated the progression of premalignant pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanIN) and PDAC development. Moreover, mice injected with RCAS-β-cateninS37A or RCAS-Wnt1 had reduced survival relative to RCAS-GFP-injected controls (P < .05). Ectopic expression of active β-catenin, or its DNA-binding partner TCF4, enhanced transformation associated phenotypes in PDAC cells. In contrast, these phenotypes were significantly impaired by the introduction of ICAT, an inhibitor of the β-catenin/TCF4 interaction. By gene expression profiling, we identified Cyr61 as a target molecule of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer cells. Nuclear β-catenin and CYR61 expression were predominantly detected in moderately to poorly differentiated murine and human PDAC. Indeed, nuclear β-catenin- and CYR61-positive PDAC patients demonstrated poor prognosis (P < .01). Knockdown of CYR61 in a β-catenin-activated pancreatic cancer cell line reduced soft agar, migration and invasion activity. Together, these data suggest that the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway enhances pancreatic cancer development and malignancy in part via up-regulation of CYR61.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Sano
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605; Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan.
| | - David R Driscoll
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Wilfredo E DeJesus-Monge
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Brian Quattrochi
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Victoria A Appleman
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Jianhong Ou
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605
| | - Nao Yoshida
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Shintaro Yamazaki
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Tadatoshi Takayama
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Masahiko Sugitani
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - Norimichi Nemoto
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
| | - David S Klimstra
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10021
| | - Brian C Lewis
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605; Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605; Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605.
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16
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Yen YC, Hsiao JR, Jiang SS, Chang JS, Wang SH, Shen YY, Chen CH, Chang IS, Chang JY, Chen YW. Insulin-like growth factor-independent insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 promotes cell migration and lymph node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by requirement of integrin β1. Oncotarget 2016; 6:41837-55. [PMID: 26540630 PMCID: PMC4747192 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Frequent metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes leads to poor survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). To understand the underlying mechanisms of lymph node metastasis, two sublines were successfully isolated from cervical lymph nodes of nude mice through in vivo selection, and identified as originating from poorly metastatic parental cells. These two sublines specifically metastasized to cervical lymph nodes in 83% of mice, whereas OEC-M1 cells did not metastasize after injection into the oral cavity. After gene expression analysis, we identified insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) as one of the significantly up-regulated genes in the sublines in comparison with their parental cells. Consistently, meta-analysis of the public microarray datasets and IGFBP3 immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased both levels of IGFBP3 mRNA and protein in human OSCC tissues when compared to normal oral or adjacent nontumorous tissues. Interestingly, the up-regulated IGFBP3 mRNA expression was significantly associated with OSCC patients with lymph node metastasis. IGFBP3 knockdown in the sublines impaired and ectopic IGFBP3 expression in the parental cells promoted migration, transendothelial migration and lymph node metastasis of orthotopic transplantation. Additionally, ectopic expression of IGFBP3 with an IGF-binding defect sustained the IGFBP3-enhanced biological functions. Results indicated that IGFBP3 regulates metastasis-related functions of OSCC cells through an IGF-independent mechanism. Furthermore, exogenous IGFBP3 was sufficient to induce cell motility and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation. The silencing of integrin β1 was able to impair exogenous IGFBP3-mediated migration and ERK phosphorylation, suggesting a critical role of integrin β1 in IGFBP3-enchanced functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chen Yen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Jenn-Ren Hsiao
- Department of Otolaryngology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shih Sheng Jiang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Jeffrey S Chang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ssu-Han Wang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Ying Shen
- Pathology Core Laboratory, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsing Chen
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - I-Shou Chang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Jang-Yang Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Wen Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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17
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Wang SH, Chang JS, Hsiao JR, Yen YC, Jiang SS, Liu SH, Chen YL, Shen YY, Chang JY, Chen YW. Tumour cell-derived WNT5B modulates in vitro lymphangiogenesis via induction of partial endothelial-mesenchymal transition of lymphatic endothelial cells. Oncogene 2016; 36:1503-1515. [PMID: 27593938 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis of the cervical lymph nodes frequently leads to poor survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The underlying mechanisms of lymph node metastasis are unclear. Wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 5B (WNT5B), one component of the WNT signal pathway, was markedly up-regulated in OSCC sublines with high potential of lymphatic metastasis compared to that in OSCC cells with low nodal metastasis. Increased WNT5B mRNA was demonstrated in human OSCC tissues in comparison with adjacent non-tumorous tissues. Interestingly, the high level of WNT5B protein in serum was associated with lymph node metastasis in OSCC patients. Knockdown of WNT5B expression in OSCC sublines did not affect tumour growth but impaired lymph node metastasis and tumour lymphangiogenesis of orthotopic transplantation. Conditioned medium from WNT5B knockdown cells reduced the tube formation of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). In contrast, recombinant WNT5B enhanced the tube formation, permeability and migration of LECs. In LECs stained with phalloidin, the morphology of those treated with recombinant WNT5B changed from flat to spindle-like. Recombinant WNT5B also increased α-smooth muscle actin and inhibited the expression of vascular endothelial-cadherin but retained characteristics of endothelial cells. The results suggest that WNT5B functions in the partial endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Furthermore, WNT5B-induced tube formation was impaired in the LECs following the knockdown of EndoMT-related transcription factor, SNAIL or SLUG. The WNT5B-induced expression of Snail or Slug was abolished by IWR-1-endo and Rac1 inhibitors, which are involved in the WNT/β-catenin and planar cell polarity pathways, respectively. Collectively, the data suggest that WNT5B induces tube formation by regulating the expression of Snail and Slug proteins through activation of canonical and non-canonical WNT signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- S-H Wang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - J S Chang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - J-R Hsiao
- Department of Otolaryngology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Y-C Yen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - S S Jiang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - S-H Liu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Y-L Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Y-Y Shen
- Pathology Core Laboratory, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - J-Y Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Y-W Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.,PhD Program for Aging, Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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18
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Behbahani GD, Ghahhari NM, Javidi MA, Molan AF, Feizi N, Babashah S. MicroRNA-Mediated Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer. Pathol Oncol Res 2016; 23:1-12. [DOI: 10.1007/s12253-016-0101-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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19
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Ahronian LG, Zhu LJ, Chen YW, Chu HC, Klimstra DS, Lewis BC. A novel KLF6-Rho GTPase axis regulates hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and dissemination. Oncogene 2016; 35:4653-62. [PMID: 26876204 PMCID: PMC4985511 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The presence of invasion into the extra-hepatic portion of the portal vein or the development of distant metastases renders hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients ineligible for the only potential curative options for this malignancy-tumor resection or organ transplantation. Gene expression profiling of murine HCC cell lines identified KLF6 as a potential regulator of HCC cell migration. KLF6 knockdown increases cell migration, consistent with the correlation between decreased KLF6 mRNA levels and the presence of vascular invasion in human HCC. Concordantly, single-copy deletion of Klf6 in a HCC mouse model results in increased tumor formation, increased metastasis to the lungs and decreased survival, indicating that KLF6 suppresses both HCC development and metastasis. By combining gene expression profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to deep sequencing, we identified novel transcriptional targets of KLF6 in HCC cells including VAV3, a known activator of the RAC1 small GTPase. Indeed, RAC1 activity is increased in KLF6-knockdown cells in a VAV3-dependent manner, and knockdown of either RAC1 or VAV3 impairs HCC cell migration. Together, our data demonstrate a novel function for KLF6 in constraining HCC dissemination through the regulation of a VAV3-RAC1 signaling axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Ahronian
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - L J Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Y-W Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Maioli, Taiwan
| | - H-C Chu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Maioli, Taiwan
| | - D S Klimstra
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - B C Lewis
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.,Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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20
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Abstract
Metastasis is often modeled by xenotransplantation of cell lines in immunodeficient mice. A wealth of information about tumor cell behavior in the new environment is obtained from these efforts. Yet by design, this approach is "tumor-centric," as it focuses on cell-autonomous determinants of human tumor dissemination in mouse tissues, in effect using the animal body as a sophisticated "Petri dish" providing nutrients and support for tumor growth. Transgenic or gene knockout mouse models of cancer allow the study of tumor spread as a systemic disease and offer a complimentary approach for studying the natural history of cancer. This introduction is aimed at describing the overall methodological approach to studying metastasis in genetically modified mice, with a particular focus on using animals with regulated expression of potent human oncogenes in the breast.
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Ahronian LG, Driscoll DR, Klimstra DS, Lewis BC. The p53R172H mutant does not enhance hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123816. [PMID: 25885474 PMCID: PMC4401698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a highly deadly malignancy, accounting for approximately 800,000 deaths worldwide every year. Mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is a common genetic change in HCC, present in 30% of cases. p53R175H (corresponding to p53R172H in mice) is a hotspot for mutation that demonstrates “prometastatic” gain-of-function in other cancer models. Since the frequency of p53 mutation increases with tumor grade in HCC, we hypothesized that p53R172H is a gain-of-function mutation in HCC that contributes to a decrease in tumor-free survival and an increase in metastasis. In an HCC mouse model, we found that p53R172H/flox mice do not have decreased survival, increased tumor incidence, or increased metastasis, relative to p53flox/flox littermates. Analysis of cell lines derived from both genotypes indicated that there are no differences in anchorage-independent growth and cell migration. However, shRNA-mediated knockdown of mutant p53 in p53R172H-expressing HCC cell lines resulted in decreased cell migration and anchorage-independent growth. Thus, although p53 mutant-expressing cells and tumors do not have enhanced properties relative to their p53 null counterparts, p53R172H-expressing HCC cells depend on this mutant for their transformation. p53 mutants have been previously shown to bind and inhibit the p53 family proteins p63 and p73. Interestingly, we find that the levels of p63 and p73 target genes are similar in p53 mutant and p53 null HCC cells. These data suggest that pathways regulated by these p53 family members are similarly impacted by p53R172H in mutant expressing cells, and by alternate mechanisms in p53 null cells, resulting in equivalent phenotypes. Consistent with this, we find that p53 null HCC cell lines display lower levels of the TA isoforms of p63 and p73 and higher levels of ΔNp63. Taken together these data point to the importance of p63 and p73 in constraining HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne G. Ahronian
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David R. Driscoll
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David S. Klimstra
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Brian C. Lewis
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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The Regulatory Role of MicroRNAs in EMT and Cancer. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2015; 2015:865816. [PMID: 25883654 PMCID: PMC4389820 DOI: 10.1155/2015/865816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a powerful process in tumor invasion, metastasis, and tumorigenesis and describes the molecular reprogramming and phenotypic changes that are characterized by a transition from polarized immotile epithelial cells to motile mesenchymal cells. It is now well known that miRNAs are important regulators of malignant transformation and metastasis. The aberrant expression of the miR-200 family in cancer and its involvement in the initiation and progression of malignant transformation has been well demonstrated. The metastasis suppressive role of the miR-200 members is strongly associated with a pathologic EMT. This review describes the most recent advances regarding the influence of miRNAs in EMT and the control they exert in major signaling pathways in various cancers. The ability of the autocrine TGF-β/ZEB/miR-200 signaling regulatory network to control cell plasticity between the epithelial and mesenchymal state is further discussed. Various miRNAs are reported to directly target EMT transcription factors and components of the cell architecture, as well as miRNAs that are able to reverse the EMT process by targeting the Notch and Wnt signaling pathways. The link between cancer stem cells and EMT is also reported and the most recent developments regarding clinical trials that are currently using anti-miRNA constructs are further discussed.
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Yen YC, Shiah SG, Chu HC, Hsu YM, Hsiao JR, Chang JY, Hung WC, Liao CT, Cheng AJ, Lu YC, Chen YW. Reciprocal regulation of microRNA-99a and insulin-like growth factor I receptor signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Mol Cancer 2014; 13:6. [PMID: 24410957 PMCID: PMC3895693 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNA molecules can function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in tumorigenesis. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 50%. Methods The expression of microRNA-99a (miR-99a) in OSCC tissues and cell lines was investigated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. The functions of miR-99a in migration/invasion and lung colonization were determined by transwell and tail vein injection assays, respectively. Specific targets of miR-99a were determined by software prediction, correlation with target protein expression, and luciferase reporter assay. The signaling pathways involved in regulation of miR-99a were investigated using the kinase inhibitors. Results We observed reduced levels of miR-99a, identified as one of the most downregulated miRNA in OSCC and all tested OSCC cell lines compared to normal oral keratinocytes. Ectopic miR-99a expression in OSCC cells markedly reduced migration and invasion in vitro as well as lung colonization in vivo. When evaluating the specific targets of miR-99a, we found that ectopic miR-99a expression downregulates insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) protein and that the expression of miR-99a correlates negatively with IGF1R protein in OSCC cells. Insertion of the 3′UTR of IGF1R mRNA into the 3′UTR of a reporter gene markedly reduced luciferase activity in OSCC cells expressing miR-99a, suggesting that miR-99a reduces luciferase activity by targeting the 3′UTR of IGF1R mRNA. When evaluating the mechanisms of miR-99a downregulation, we observed the upregulation of miR-99a expression in serum-starved conditions and its suppression in response to insulin-like growth factor (IGF1) stimulation. Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase inhibited IGF1-induced suppression of miR-99a, suggesting the negative regulation of miR-99a expression by IGF1R signaling. Conclusion Overall, results indicate that miR-99a functions as a tumor metastasis suppressor in OSCC cells and mutually regulates IGF1R expression in a reciprocal regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ya-Wen Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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Chen YW, Pan HB, Tseng HH, Chu HC, Hung YT, Yen YC, Chou CP. Differentiated epithelial- and mesenchymal-like phenotypes in subcutaneous mouse xenografts using diffusion weighted-magnetic resonance imaging. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:21943-59. [PMID: 24196357 PMCID: PMC3856043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141121943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Revised: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is important for tumor metastasis. Detection of EMT protein expression and observation of morphological changes are commonly used to identify EMT. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and measuring apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values are noninvasive techniques for characterizing tumor microenvironments. We investigated the difference in ADC values between epithelial- and mesenchymal-like subcutaneous mouse xenografted tumors using DW-MRI. Epithelial-like MM189 PB-Klf4 and BL322 PB-Klf4 cells were generated from tumor suppressive Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4)-expressing mesenchymal-like MM189 and BL322 cells. The ADC values of xenografted tumors from epithelial-like MM189 PB-Klf4 and BL322 PB-Klf4 were significantly lower than those from their mesenchymal-like counterparts (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Our results suggested that DW-MRI is a potential tool for observing mesenchymal- or epithelial-like characteristics of subcutaneous xenografted tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Wen Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan; E-Mails: (Y.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-C.Y.)
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Huay-Ben Pan
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan; E-Mails: (H.-B.P.); (Y.-T.H.)
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; E-Mail:
| | - Hui-Hwa Tseng
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; E-Mail:
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Chien Chu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan; E-Mails: (Y.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-C.Y.)
| | - Yu-Ting Hung
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan; E-Mails: (H.-B.P.); (Y.-T.H.)
| | - Yi-Chen Yen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan; E-Mails: (Y.-W.C.); (H.-C.C.); (Y.-C.Y.)
| | - Chen-Pin Chou
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan; E-Mails: (H.-B.P.); (Y.-T.H.)
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; E-Mail:
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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Wang Z, Jiang Y, Guan D, Li J, Yin H, Pan Y, Xie D, Chen Y. Critical roles of p53 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72846. [PMID: 24023784 PMCID: PMC3759437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most malignant tumors and the biggest obstacle in curing HCC is its high metastasis potential. Alteration of p53 is the most frequent genetic change found in HCC. Although the biological function of p53 in tumor initiation and progression has been well characterized, whether or not p53 is implicated in metastasis of HCC is largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the potential functions of p53 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis of HCC cells. Both insulin- and TGF-β1-induced changes of critical EMT markers were greatly enhanced by p53 knockdown in HCC cells. The insulin- and TGF-β1-stimulated migration of HCC cells were enhanced by p53 knockdown. Furthermore, in vivo metastasis of HCC cells using different mouse models was robustly enhanced by p53 knockdown. In addition, we found that p53 regulation on EMT and metastasis involves β-catenin signaling. The nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity of β-catenin was modulated by p53. The enhanced EMT phenotype, cell migration and tumor metastasis of HCC cells by p53 knockdown were abrogated by inhibiting β-catenin signal pathway. In conclusion, this study reveals that p53 plays a pivotal role in EMT and metastasis of HCC cells via its regulation on β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhui Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongxian Guan
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongkun Yin
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Pan
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Xie
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail:
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Kuo CS, Huang CY, Kuo HT, Cheng CP, Chen CH, Lu CL, Yang FL, Syu Huang RF. Interrelationships among genetic C677T polymorphism of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, biochemical folate status, and lymphocytic p53 oxidative damage in association with tumor malignancy and survivals of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Nutr Food Res 2013; 58:329-42. [PMID: 23996892 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201200479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Revised: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE Metabolic genotypes of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and folate status on oxidative DNA lesions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been elucidated. The aims of the study were to investigate the folate-polymorphic interactions on genetic oxidative damage in association with advanced HCC malignancy and prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS The study included 232 HCC patients with folate nutrition, MTHFR C677T polymorphic, p53 genetic and tumour pathological data collected and analyzed for their survivals after a 7.8-years following up. By adjustment for oxidative risk factors of HCC, the compound CT and TT genotypes in relative to the CC wild-type were associated with 83% reduced lymphocytic p53 oxidative lesions of HCC patients with RBC folate lower than 688 ng/mL (OR: 0.17, 95%CI: 0.07-0.43). Such genetic protective effects by the CT/TT genotypes were 2-fold enhanced among those with high RBC folate (OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03-0.21, P for interaction < 0.001). For those with non-folate-deficient status, the compound CT and TT vs. CC genotypes were associated with 80% reduced risks of advanced HCC stages (III&IV) (OR: 0.2, 95%CI: 0.08-0.56). Such protection was negated either by adjustment of lymphocytic p53 oxidative lesions or by 3-fold increased risks among those with high RBC status (OR: 0.6, 95%CI; 0.31-1.41, P for interaction = 0.009). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that the CT/TT genotypes vs. CC wild-type were the independent predictable factor for better survival outcome of HCC patients (HR: 0.48, CI = 0.30-0.79). For CC homozygote, the second vs. the bottom tertile levels of RBC status were associated with 2-fold increased mortality rate of HCC patients (HR: 2.05, CI = 1.0-4.1). CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated that reduced MTHFR activities associated with the MTHFR T allele may interact with RBC folate as the risk modifiers of lymphocytic p53 oxidative lesions of HCC patients. The CT/TT genotypes correlated with lower risks of late-stage HCC and a favorable survival of HCC patients, depending on p53 oxidative lesions or RBC folate status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Sheng Kuo
- Ph.D. Program in Nutrition and Food Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, HsinChuang, Taiwan
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27
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Jiao B, Taniguchi-Ishigaki N, Güngör C, Peters MA, Chen YW, Riethdorf S, Drung A, Ahronian LG, Shin J, Pagnis R, Pantel K, Tachibana T, Lewis BC, Johnsen SA, Bach I. Functional activity of RLIM/Rnf12 is regulated by phosphorylation-dependent nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Mol Biol Cell 2013; 24:3085-96. [PMID: 23904271 PMCID: PMC3784382 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e13-05-0239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In mice, the ubiquitin ligase RLIM/Rnf12 is a critical survival factor for mammary milk-producing alveolar cells, but little is known about how its activity is regulated. It is shown here that RLIM shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, and shuttling is important for its alveolar survival function. The X-linked gene Rnf12 encodes the ubiquitin ligase really interesting new gene (RING) finger LIM domain–interacting protein (RLIM)/RING finger protein 12 (Rnf12), which serves as a major sex-specific epigenetic regulator of female mouse nurturing tissues. Early during embryogenesis, RLIM/Rnf12 expressed from the maternal allele is crucial for the development of extraembryonic trophoblast cells. In contrast, in mammary glands of pregnant and lactating adult females RLIM/Rnf12 expressed from the paternal allele functions as a critical survival factor for milk-producing alveolar cells. Although RLIM/Rnf12 is detected mostly in the nucleus, little is known about how and in which cellular compartment(s) RLIM/Rnf12 mediates its biological functions. Here we demonstrate that RLIM/Rnf12 protein shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm and this is regulated by phosphorylation of serine S214 located within its nuclear localization sequence. We show that shuttling is important for RLIM to exert its biological functions, as alveolar cell survival activity is inhibited in cells expressing shuttling-deficient nuclear or cytoplasmic RLIM/Rnf12. Thus regulated nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of RLIM/Rnf12 coordinates cellular compartments during mammary alveolar cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baowei Jiao
- Program in Gene Function and Expression, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605-2324 Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605-2324 Centre for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany Institute for Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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p16 Stimulates CDC42-dependent migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69389. [PMID: 23894465 PMCID: PMC3722281 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 06/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Tumor dissemination to the extra-hepatic region of the portal vein, lymph nodes, lungs or bones contributes to the high mortality seen in HCC; yet, the molecular mechanisms responsible for HCC metastasis remain unclear. Prior studies have suggested a potential link between accumulated cytoplasm-localized p16 and tumor progression. Here we report that p16 enhances metastasis-associated phenotypes in HCC cells – ectopic p16 expression increased cell migration in vitro, and lung colonization after intravenous injection, whereas knockdown of endogenous p16 reduced cell migration. Interestingly, analysis of p16 mutants indicated that the Cdk4 interaction domain is required for stimulation of HCC cell migration; however, knockdown of Cdk4 and Cdk6 showed that these proteins are dispensable for this phenomenon. Intriguingly, we found that in p16-positive HCC samples, p16 protein is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm. In addition, we identified a potential role for nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling in p16-stimulated migration, consistent with the predominantly cytoplasmic localization of p16 in IHC-positive HCC samples. Finally, we determined that p16-stimulated cell migration requires the Cdc42 GTPase. Our results demonstrate for the first time a pro-migratory role for p16, and suggest a potential mechanism for the observed association between cytoplasmic p16 and tumor progression in diverse tumor types.
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Lin ZS, Chu HC, Yen YC, Lewis BC, Chen YW. Krüppel-like factor 4, a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma cells reverts epithelial mesenchymal transition by suppressing slug expression. PLoS One 2012; 7:e43593. [PMID: 22937066 PMCID: PMC3427336 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc-finger transcription factor that plays an important role in differentiation and pathogenesis. KLF4 has been suggested to act as an oncogene or tumor suppressor in different tumor types. However, the role of KLF4 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that forced expression of Klf4 in murine HCC cell lines reduced anchorage-independent growth in soft agar as well as cell migration and invasion activities in vitro. Ectopic Klf4 expression impaired subcutaneous tumor growth and lung colonization in vivo. By contrast, Klf4 knockdown enhanced HCC cell migration. Interestingly, ectopic expression of Klf4 changed the morphology of murine HCC cells to a more epithelial phenotype. Associated with this, we found that expression of Slug, a critical epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related transcription factor, was significantly down-regulated in Klf4-expressing cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase reporter assays showed that Klf4 is able to bind and repress the activity of the Slug promoter. Furthermore, ectopic Slug expression partially reverts the Klf4-mediated phenotypes. Consistent with a role as a tumor suppressor in HCC, analysis of the public microarray databases from Oncomine revealed reduced KLF4 expression in human HCC tissues in comparison with normal liver tissues in 3 out of 4 data sets. By quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), we found reduced KLF4 mRNA in 50% of HCC tissues. Importantly, an inverse correlation between the expression of KLF4 and SLUG was found in HCC tissues. Our data suggest that KLF4 acts as a tumor suppressor in HCC cells, in part by suppressing SLUG transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Shiang Lin
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Chien Chu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Yen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Brian C. Lewis
- Program in Gene Function and Expression, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ya-Wen Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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30
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Paliwal S, Ho N, Parker D, Grossman SR. CtBP2 Promotes Human Cancer Cell Migration by Transcriptional Activation of Tiam1. Genes Cancer 2012; 3:481-90. [PMID: 23264848 PMCID: PMC3527986 DOI: 10.1177/1947601912463695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2012] [Accepted: 09/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian COOH-terminal binding proteins (CtBPs) CtBP1 and CtBP2 are metabolically regulated transcriptional co-repressors that are degraded upon acute exposure to the alternative reading frame (ARF) tumor suppressor. We reported previously that CtBP stimulates cell migration in certain contexts via repression of PTEN transcription and activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. We have now identified an additional and direct mechanism for CtBP stimulation of cell migration via regulation of T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam1) protein. Tiam1 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rac GTPase that plays a critical role in regulating cell adhesion, invasion, and migration and has been directly implicated in the promotion of cancer progression and metastasis. We noted a strict positive correlation between CtBP2 and Tiam1 expression levels and that CtBP promotion of cell migration required CtBP-dependent transcriptional activation of Tiam1. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of CtBP2 in human colon or lung carcinoma cells led to decreased Tiam1 protein and mRNA expression, while overexpression of CtBP2 increased Tiam1 expression levels. RNAi and overexpression studies also demonstrated that Tiam1 is a key downstream mediator of CtBP2-mediated cell migration. An analysis of the Tiam1 promoter revealed binding sites for the CtBP-interacting Kruppel-like factor 8 (KLF8), and a Tiam1 promoter luciferase reporter was induced in the presence of both KLF8 and CtBP2, consistent with KLF8-dependent CtBP transactivation of Tiam1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated CtBP2 occupancy of the Tiam1 promoter that was dependent on the presence of KLF8. Our results indicate that Tiam1 is a transcriptional activation target of CtBP2 and that this interaction promotes the pro-oncogenic function of CtBP2 leading to cancer cell migration. Transcriptional activation thus plays a role in CtBP pro-oncogenic functions along with the previously characterized CtBP co-repressor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Paliwal
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ngoc Ho
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Parker
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Steven R. Grossman
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Palliative Care, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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O'Dell MR, Huang JL, Whitney-Miller CL, Deshpande V, Rothberg P, Grose V, Rossi RM, Zhu AX, Land H, Bardeesy N, Hezel AF. Kras(G12D) and p53 mutation cause primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Cancer Res 2012; 72:1557-67. [PMID: 22266220 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-3596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) is a primary cancer of the liver with an increasing incidence and poor prognosis. Preclinical studies of the etiology and treatment of this disease are hampered by the relatively small number of available IHCC cell lines or genetically faithful animal models. Here we report the development of a genetically engineered mouse model of IHCC that incorporates two of the most common mutations in human IHCC, activating mutations of Kras (Kras(G12D)) and deletion of p53. Tissue-specific activation of Kras(G12D) alone resulted in the development of invasive IHCC with low penetrance and long latency. Latency was shortened by combining Kras(G12D) activation with heterozygous or homozygous deletion of p53 (mean survival of 56 weeks vs. 19 weeks, respectively), which also resulted in widespread local and distant metastasis. Serial analysis showed that the murine models closely recapitulated the multistage histopathologic progression of the human disease, including the development of stroma-rich tumors and the premalignant biliary lesions, intraductal papillary biliary neoplasms (IPBN), and Von Meyenburg complexes (VMC; also known as biliary hamartomas). These findings establish a new genetically and histopathologically faithful model of IHCC and lend experimental support to the hypothesis that IPBN and VMC are precursors to invasive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R O'Dell
- James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
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Morris SM, Baek JY, Koszarek A, Kanngurn S, Knoblaugh SE, Grady WM. Transforming growth factor-beta signaling promotes hepatocarcinogenesis induced by p53 loss. Hepatology 2012; 55:121-31. [PMID: 21898503 PMCID: PMC3237853 DOI: 10.1002/hep.24653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) results from the accumulation of deregulated tumor suppressor genes and/or oncogenes in hepatocytes. Inactivation of TP53 and inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling are among the most common molecular events in human liver cancers. Thus, we assessed whether inactivation of TGF-β signaling, by deletion of the TGF-β receptor, type II (Tgfbr2), cooperates with Trp53 loss to drive HCC formation. Albumin-cre transgenic mice were crossed with floxed Trp53 and/or floxed Tgfbr2 mice to generate mice lacking p53 and/or Tgfbr2 in the liver. Deletion of Trp53 alone (Trp53(KO) ) resulted in liver tumors in approximately 41% of mice by 10 months of age, whereas inactivation of Tgfbr2 alone (Tgfbr2(KO) ) did not induce liver tumors. Surprisingly, deletion of Tgfbr2 in the setting of p53 loss (Trp53(KO) ;Tgfbr2(KO) ) decreased the frequency of mice with liver tumors to around 17% and delayed the age of tumor onset. Interestingly, Trp53(KO) and Trp53(KO) ;Tgfbr2(KO) mice develop both HCC and cholangiocarcinomas, suggesting that loss of p53, independent of TGF-β, may affect liver tumor formation through effects on a common liver stem cell population. Assessment of potential mechanisms through which TGF-β signaling may promote liver tumor formation in the setting of p53 loss revealed a subset of Trp53(KO) tumors that express increased levels of alpha-fetoprotein. Furthermore, tumors from Trp53(KO) mice express increased TGF-β1 levels compared with tumors from Trp53(KO) ;Tgfbr2(KO) mice. Increased phosphorylated Smad3 and ERK1/2 expression was also detected in the tumors from Trp53(KO) mice and correlated with increased expression of the TGF-β responsive genes, Pai1 and Ctgf. CONCLUSION TGF-β signaling paradoxically promotes the formation of liver tumors that arise in the setting of p53 inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli M. Morris
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
| | - Ji Yeon Baek
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
,Center for Colorectal Cancer, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Amanda Koszarek
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
| | - Samornmas Kanngurn
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
,Department of Pathology, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand
| | - Sue E. Knoblaugh
- Animal Health Resources, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
| | - William M. Grady
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109 USA
,Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
,Corresponding Author: William M. Grady, MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Clinical Research Division, 1100 Fairview Ave. N, Mailstop D4-100, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, Phone: 206-667-1107, Fax: 206-667-2917,
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Morris SM, Baek JY, Koszarek A, Kanngurn S, Knoblaugh SE, Grady WM. Transforming growth factor-beta signaling promotes hepatocarcinogenesis induced by p53 loss. HEPATOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD.) 2011. [PMID: 21898503 DOI: 10.1002/hep.2465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) results from the accumulation of deregulated tumor suppressor genes and/or oncogenes in hepatocytes. Inactivation of TP53 and inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling are among the most common molecular events in human liver cancers. Thus, we assessed whether inactivation of TGF-β signaling, by deletion of the TGF-β receptor, type II (Tgfbr2), cooperates with Trp53 loss to drive HCC formation. Albumin-cre transgenic mice were crossed with floxed Trp53 and/or floxed Tgfbr2 mice to generate mice lacking p53 and/or Tgfbr2 in the liver. Deletion of Trp53 alone (Trp53(KO) ) resulted in liver tumors in approximately 41% of mice by 10 months of age, whereas inactivation of Tgfbr2 alone (Tgfbr2(KO) ) did not induce liver tumors. Surprisingly, deletion of Tgfbr2 in the setting of p53 loss (Trp53(KO) ;Tgfbr2(KO) ) decreased the frequency of mice with liver tumors to around 17% and delayed the age of tumor onset. Interestingly, Trp53(KO) and Trp53(KO) ;Tgfbr2(KO) mice develop both HCC and cholangiocarcinomas, suggesting that loss of p53, independent of TGF-β, may affect liver tumor formation through effects on a common liver stem cell population. Assessment of potential mechanisms through which TGF-β signaling may promote liver tumor formation in the setting of p53 loss revealed a subset of Trp53(KO) tumors that express increased levels of alpha-fetoprotein. Furthermore, tumors from Trp53(KO) mice express increased TGF-β1 levels compared with tumors from Trp53(KO) ;Tgfbr2(KO) mice. Increased phosphorylated Smad3 and ERK1/2 expression was also detected in the tumors from Trp53(KO) mice and correlated with increased expression of the TGF-β responsive genes, Pai1 and Ctgf. CONCLUSION TGF-β signaling paradoxically promotes the formation of liver tumors that arise in the setting of p53 inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli M Morris
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA
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Kim NH, Kim HS, Li XY, Lee I, Choi HS, Kang SE, Cha SY, Ryu JK, Yoon D, Fearon ER, Rowe RG, Lee S, Maher CA, Weiss SJ, Yook JI. A p53/miRNA-34 axis regulates Snail1-dependent cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 195:417-33. [PMID: 22024162 PMCID: PMC3206336 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201103097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 340] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Expression of the essential EMT inducer Snail1 is inhibited by miR-34 through a p53-dependent regulatory pathway. Snail1 is a zinc finger transcriptional repressor whose pathological expression has been linked to cancer cell epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) programs and the induction of tissue-invasive activity, but pro-oncogenic events capable of regulating Snail1 activity remain largely uncharacterized. Herein, we demonstrate that p53 loss-of-function or mutation promotes cancer cell EMT by de-repressing Snail1 protein expression and activity. In the absence of wild-type p53 function, Snail1-dependent EMT is activated in colon, breast, and lung carcinoma cells as a consequence of a decrease in miRNA-34 levels, which suppress Snail1 activity by binding to highly conserved 3′ untranslated regions in Snail1 itself as well as those of key Snail1 regulatory molecules, including β-catenin, LEF1, and Axin2. Although p53 activity can impact cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and DNA repair pathways, the EMT and invasion programs initiated by p53 loss of function or mutation are completely dependent on Snail1 expression. These results identify a new link between p53, miR-34, and Snail1 in the regulation of cancer cell EMT programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam Hee Kim
- Department of Oral Pathology, Oral Cancer Research Institute, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-752, South Korea
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Kim T, Veronese A, Pichiorri F, Lee TJ, Jeon YJ, Volinia S, Pineau P, Marchio A, Palatini J, Suh SS, Alder H, Liu CG, Dejean A, Croce CM. p53 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition through microRNAs targeting ZEB1 and ZEB2. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 208:875-83. [PMID: 21518799 PMCID: PMC3092351 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20110235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 425] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
By transactivating expression of miRNAs that repress expression of the ZEB1 and ZEB2 transcription factors, p53 inhibits the epithelial–mesenchymal transition. p53 suppresses tumor progression and metastasis. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in tumor progression and metastasis. The transcription factors ZEB1 and ZEB2 promote EMT. Here, we show that p53 suppresses EMT by repressing expression of ZEB1 and ZEB2. By profiling 92 primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and 9 HCC cell lines, we found that p53 up-regulates microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-200 and miR-192 family members. The miR-200 family members transactivated by p53 then repress ZEB1/2 expression. p53-regulated miR-192 family members also repress ZEB2 expression. Inhibition or overexpression of the miRNAs affects p53-regulated EMT by altering ZEB1 and ZEB2 expression. Our findings indicate that p53 can regulate EMT, and that p53-regulated miRNAs are critical mediators of p53-regulated EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taewan Kim
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2 Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Wu YH, Wu TC, Liao JW, Yeh KT, Chen CY, Lee H. p53 Dysfunction by Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group C Defects Enhance Lung Adenocarcinoma Metastasis via Increased Mmp1 Expression. Cancer Res 2010; 70:10422-32. [PMID: 21056989 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-2615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hui Wu
- Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Iakova P, Timchenko L, Timchenko NA. Intracellular signaling and hepatocellular carcinoma. Semin Cancer Biol 2010; 21:28-34. [PMID: 20850540 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2010.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2010] [Revised: 09/05/2010] [Accepted: 09/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer related death in the world. The recent development of new techniques for the investigations of global change in the gene expression, signaling pathways and wide genome binding has provided novel information for the mechanisms underlying liver cancer progression. Although these studies identified gene expression signatures in hepatocellular carcinoma, the early steps of the development of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) are not well understood. The development of HCC is a multistep process which includes the progressive alterations of gene expression leading to the increased proliferation and to liver cancer. This review summarizes recent progress in the identification of the key steps of the development of HCC with the focus on early events of carcinogenesis and on the role of translational and epigenetic alterations in the development of HCC. Quiescent stage of the liver is supported by several tumor suppressor proteins including p53, Rb and C/EBPα. Studies with chemical models of liver carcinogenesis and with human HCC have shown that the elevation of gankyrin is responsible for the elimination of these three proteins at early steps of carcinogenesis. Later stages of progression of the liver cancer are associated with alterations in many signaling pathways including translation which leads to epigenetic silencing/activation of many genes. Particularly, recent reports suggest a critical role of histone deacetylase 1, HDAC1, in the development of HCC through the interactions with transcription factors such as C/EBP family proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Iakova
- Department of Pathology and Immunology and Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States
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Differential roles of insulin-like growth factor receptor- and insulin receptor-mediated signaling in the phenotypes of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Neoplasia 2009; 11:835-45. [PMID: 19724677 DOI: 10.1593/neo.09476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2009] [Revised: 05/29/2009] [Accepted: 06/01/2009] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastases are common findings in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) expression is frequently induced in HCC, and serum IGF2 levels correlate with the presence of extrahepatic metastases. Yet, the role of IGF-induced signaling in the dissemination of HCC remains unclear. We have previously observed elevated IGF2 levels in tumors with metastatic potential in an HCC mouse model. Here, we demonstrate that inhibition of IGF2, or its receptor IGF1R, impairs the migration and invasion activities of murine HCC cells. Furthermore, inhibition of IGF1R also impairs the ability of HCC cells to colonize the lungs after introduction into the circulation through the tail vein but does not impair subcutaneous tumor growth. Collectively, these findings suggest that IGF1R-mediated signaling plays a causative role in tumor dissemination but is not required for tumor growth per se. Although previous studies indicate that IGF ligands can signal through IGF1R/insulin receptor (IR) heterodimers, and IR-A homodimers, we demonstrate that the IR is not required for invasion and metastasis by HCC cells. Finally, we identify matrix metalloproteinase 2 as a mediator of the invasive phenotype downstream of IGF1R-induced signaling. Thus, our studies demonstrate the importance of IGF2-induced signaling in the dissemination of HCC cells.
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Wang SP, Wang WL, Chang YL, Wu CT, Chao YC, Kao SH, Yuan A, Lin CW, Yang SC, Chan WK, Li KC, Hong TM, Yang PC. p53 controls cancer cell invasion by inducing the MDM2-mediated degradation of Slug. Nat Cell Biol 2009; 11:694-704. [PMID: 19448627 DOI: 10.1038/ncb1875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 376] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2008] [Accepted: 02/19/2009] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The tumour suppressor p53 is known to prevent cancer progression by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of tumour cells. Slug, an invasion promoter, exerts its effects by repressing E-cadherin transcription. Here we show that wild-type p53 (wtp53) suppresses cancer invasion by inducing Slug degradation, whereas mutant p53 may stabilize Slug protein. In non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), mutation of p53 correlates with low MDM2, high Slug and low E-cadherin expression. This expression profile is associated with poor overall survival and short metastasis-free survival in patients with NSCLC. wtp53 upregulates MDM2 and forms a wtp53-MDM2-Slug complex that facilitates MDM2-mediated Slug degradation. Downregulation of Slug by wtp53 or MDM2 enhances E-cadherin expression and represses cancer cell invasiveness. In contrast, mutant p53 inactivates Slug degradation and leads to Slug accumulation and increased cancer cell invasiveness. Our findings indicate that wtp53 and p53 mutants may differentially control cancer invasion and metastasis through the p53-MDM2-Slug pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Ping Wang
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
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Sánchez A, Fabregat I. Genetically modified animal models recapitulating molecular events altered in human hepatocarcinogenesis. Clin Transl Oncol 2009; 11:208-14. [DOI: 10.1007/s12094-009-0342-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Gurtsevitch VE. Human oncogenic viruses: hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses and their role in hepatocarcinogenesis. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2008; 73:504-13. [PMID: 18605975 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297908050039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infections caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the main risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in humans. Both viruses cause a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from healthy carrier state to acute and chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and HCC. HBV and HCV belong to different viral families (Hepadnoviridae and Flaviviridae, respectively); they are characterized by different genetic structures. Clinical manifestations of these viral infections result from the interaction between these viruses and host hepatocytes (i.e. between viral and cell genomes). Proteins encoded by both viruses play an important role in processes responsible for immortalization and transformation of these cells. Chronic inflammation determined by host immune response to the viral infection, hepatocyte death and their compensatory proliferation, as well as modulation of expression of some regulatory proteins of the cell (growth factors, cytokines, etc.) are the processes that play the major role in liver cancer induced by HBV and HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- V E Gurtsevitch
- Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow 115478, Russia.
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Ko E, Kim Y, Kim SJ, Joh JW, Song S, Park CK, Park J, Kim DH. Promoter Hypermethylation of the p16 Gene Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Recurrent Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008; 17:2260-7. [DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-08-0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Sheahan S, Bellamy CO, Harland SN, Harrison DJ, Prost S. TGFbeta induces apoptosis and EMT in primary mouse hepatocytes independently of p53, p21Cip1 or Rb status. BMC Cancer 2008; 8:191. [PMID: 18611248 PMCID: PMC2467431 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-8-191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2008] [Accepted: 07/08/2008] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND TGFbeta has pleiotropic effects that range from regulation of proliferation and apoptosis to morphological changes and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Some evidence suggests that these effects may be interconnected. We have recently reported that P53, P21Cip1 and pRB, three critical regulators of the G1/S transition are variably involved in TGFbeta-induced cell cycle arrest in hepatocytes. As these proteins are also involved in the regulation of apoptosis in many circumstances, we investigated their contribution to other relevant TGFbeta-induced effects, namely apoptosis and EMT, and examined how the various processes were interrelated. METHODS Primary mouse hepatocytes deficient in p53, p21 and/or Rb, singly or in combination were treated with TGFbeta for 24 to 96 hours. Apoptosis was quantified according to morphology and by immunostaining for cleaved-capsase 3. Epithelial and mesenchymal marker expression was studied using immunocytochemistry and real time PCR. RESULTS We found that TGFbeta similarly induced morphological changes regardless of genotype and independently of proliferation index or sensitivity to inhibition of proliferation by TGFbeta. Morphological changes were accompanied by decrease in E-cadherin and increased Snail expression but the mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, SMAalpha and Vimentin) studied remained unchanged. TGFbeta induced high levels of apoptosis in p53-/-, Rb-/-, p21cip1-/- and control hepatocytes although with slight differences in kinetics. This was unrelated to proliferation or changes in morphology and loss of cell-cell adhesion. However, hepatocytes deficient in both p53 and p21cip1were less sensitive to TGFbeta-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSION Although p53, p21Cip1 and pRb are well known regulators of both proliferation and apoptosis in response to a multitude of stresses, we conclude that they are critical for TGFbeta-driven inhibition of hepatocytes proliferation, but only slightly modulate TGFbeta-induced apoptosis. This effect may depend on other parameters such as proliferation and the presence of other regulatory proteins as suggested by the consequences of p53, p21Cip1 double deficiency. Similarly, p53, p21Cip1 and pRB deficiency had no effect on the morphological changes and loss of cell adhesion which is thought to be critical for metastasis. This indicates that possible association of these genes with metastasis potential would be unlikely to involve TGFbeta-induced EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Sheahan
- Division of Pathology, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, EH16 4TJ, Edinburgh, UK
- Biotransfer Unit, BioSciences Institute, University College, Cork, Ireland
| | - Christopher O Bellamy
- Division of Pathology, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, EH16 4TJ, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stephen N Harland
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David J Harrison
- Division of Pathology, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, EH16 4TJ, Edinburgh, UK
- Division of Pathology, Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XR, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sandrine Prost
- Division of Pathology, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, EH16 4TJ, Edinburgh, UK
- Division of Pathology, Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XR, Edinburgh, UK
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and deadly cancer whose pathogenesis is incompletely understood. Comparative genomic studies from human HCC samples have classified HCCs into different molecular subgroups; yet, the unifying feature of this tumor is its propensity to arise upon a background of inflammation and fibrosis. This review seeks to analyze the available experimental models in HCC research and to correlate data from human populations with them in order to consolidate our efforts to date, as it is increasingly clear that different models will be required to mimic different subclasses of the neoplasm. These models will be instrumental in the evaluation of compounds targeting specific molecular pathways in future preclinical studies.
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Chen YW, Paliwal S, Draheim K, Grossman SR, Lewis BC. p19Arf inhibits the invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by binding to C-terminal binding protein. Cancer Res 2008; 68:476-82. [PMID: 18199542 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-1960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The INK4A/ARF tumor suppressor locus is frequently inactivated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet the consequences of this remain unknown. We recently described a HCC mouse model in which loss of the Ink4a/Arf locus accelerates the development of metastasis and enhances tumor cell migration and invasion in cell culture assays. We show here that knockdown of p19Arf in an HCC cell line increases invasion in cell culture assays. Furthermore, reintroduction of p19(Arf) into HCC cell lines lacking Ink4a/Arf inhibits tumor cell invasion, without affecting cell proliferation, or cell transformation as measured by soft agar colony formation. Inhibition of cell invasion by p19(Arf) was dependent on its C-terminal binding protein (CtBP) interaction domain but independent of Mdm2 binding and nucleolar localization. Indeed, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of CtBP1 or CtBP2 decreased cell invasion, and ectopic expression of CtBP2 enhanced tumor cell migration and invasion. Thus, our data indicate a novel role for the Arf tumor suppressor protein in regulating phenotypes associated with tumor progression and metastasis in HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Wen Chen
- Program in Gene Function and Expression, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Hepatocarcinogenesis is a multistep process evolving from normal through chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis and dysplastic nodules to HCC. With advances in molecular methods, there is a growing understanding of the molecular mechanisms in hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatocarcinogenesis is strongly linked to increases in allelic losses, chromosomal changes, gene mutations, epigenetic alterations and alterations in molecular cellular pathways. Some of these alterations are accompanied by a stepwise increase in the different pathological disease stages in hepatocarcinogenesis. Overall, a detailed understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of HCC is of fundamental importance to the development of effective prevention and treatment regimes for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ming Wong
- SH Ho Foundation Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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