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Krishnamoorthi MK, Thandavarayan RA, Youker KA, Bhimaraj A. An In Vitro Platform to Study Reversible Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:912660. [PMID: 35814231 PMCID: PMC9259860 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.912660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells can acquire a mesenchymal phenotype in response to external stimuli through both mechanical and biological factors, using a process known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal (EndoMT) transition. EndoMT is characterized by the decrease in endothelial characteristics, increase in mesenchymal markers, and morphological changes. It has been recognized not only during development but also in different pathological conditions including organ/tissue fibrosis in adults. The ability to modulate the EndoMT process could have a therapeutic potential in many fibrotic diseases. An in vitro method is presented here to induce EndoMT with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) and angiotensin II (Ang II) followed by a protocol to study the reversibility of EndoMT. Using this method, we furnish evidence that the combination of L-NAME and Ang II can stimulate EndoMT in Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and this process can be reversed as observed using endothelial functionality assays. This method may serve as a model to screen and identify potential pharmacological molecules to target and regulate the EndoMT process, with applications in drug discovery for human diseases.
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Zhang F, Liu S. Mechanistic insights of adipocyte metabolism in regulating breast cancer progression. Pharmacol Res 2020; 155:104741. [PMID: 32151679 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adipocyte account for the largest component in breast tissue. Dysfunctional adipocyte metabolism, such as metaflammation in metabolically abnormal obese patients, will cause hyperplasia and hypertrophy of its constituent adipocytes. Inflamed adipose tissue is one of the biggest risk factors causing breast cancer. Factors linking adipocyte metabolism to breast cancer include dysfunctional secretion of proinflammatory mediators, proangiogenic factors and estrogens. The accumulation of tumor supporting cells and systemic effects, such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress, which are caused by abnormal adipocyte metabolism, further contribute to a more aggressive tumor microenvironment and stimulate breast cancer stem cell to influence the development and progression of breast cancer. Here, in this review, we focus on the adipocyte metabolism in regulating breast cancer progression, and discuss the potential targets which can be used for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuchuang Zhang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Institutes, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Suling Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Institutes, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Romano A, Parrinello NL, La Cava P, Tibullo D, Giallongo C, Camiolo G, Puglisi F, Parisi M, Pirosa MC, Martino E, Conticello C, Palumbo GA, Di Raimondo F. PMN-MDSC and arginase are increased in myeloma and may contribute to resistance to therapy. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2018; 18:675-683. [PMID: 29707981 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2018.1470929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite improvement in overall response due to the introduction of the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (btz), multiple myeloma (MM) is still an incurable disease due to the immune-suppressive bone marrow (BM) environment. Thus, the authors aimed to identify the role of CD11b+CD15+CD14-HLA-DR- granulocytic-like myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSC) in MM patients treated up-front with novel agents. METHODS In MM cell lines and primary cells derived by patients affected by MGUS and MM, we investigated sensitivity to bortezomib and lenalidomide in presence of Arg-1 and PMN-MDSC. RESULTS The authors found that PMN-MDSC and their function through increased arginase-1 (Arg-1) are associated with MM progression. When the authors assessed cell viability of the human myeloma cell lines MM1.s, OPM2 and U266 treated with 5-20 nM btz for 24 h in PMN-MDSC conditioned media, they disclosed that amount of Arg-1 and Arg-1 inhibition could affect btz sensitivity in-vitro. PMN-MDSC and Arg-1 were increased in peripheral blood of newly diagnosed MM patients compared to healthy subjects. PMN-MDSC and arginase were reduced after exposure to lenalidomide-based regimen but increased after btz-based treatment. CONCLUSION In MM, Arg-1 is mainly expressed by PMN-MDSC. PMN-MDSC and Arg-1 are reduced in vivo after lenalidomide but not bortezomib treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Romano
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Nunziatina Laura Parrinello
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Piera La Cava
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Daniele Tibullo
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Cesarina Giallongo
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Giuseppina Camiolo
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Fabrizio Puglisi
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Marina Parisi
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Pirosa
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Enrica Martino
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Concetta Conticello
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Giuseppe Alberto Palumbo
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
| | - Francesco Di Raimondo
- a Department of medical and surgical specialties, Hematology Section , University of Catania , Catania , Italy
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Poyet C, Thomas L, Benoit TM, Delmo DA, Luberto L, Banzola I, Günthart MS, Sais G, Eberli D, Sulser T, Provenzano M. Implication of vascular endothelial growth factor A and C in revealing diagnostic lymphangiogenic markers in node-positive bladder cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:21871-21883. [PMID: 28423532 PMCID: PMC5400630 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Several lymphangiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), have been found to drive the development of lymphatic metastasis in bladder cancer (BCa). Here, we have analyzed the gene expression of lymphangiogenic factors in tissue specimens from 12 non-muscle invasive bladder cancers (NMIBC) and 11 muscle invasive bladder cancers (MIBC), considering tumor and tumor-adjacent normal bladder areas obtained from the same organs. We then compared the results observed in patients with those obtained after treating human primary bladder microvascular endothelial cells (MEC) with either direct stimulation with VEGF-A or VEGF-C or by co-culturing (trans-well assay) MEC with bladder cancer cell lines varying in VEGF-A and VEGF-C production based on tumor grade. The genes of three markers of lymphatic endothelial commitment and development (PDPN, LYVE-1 and SLP-76) were significantly overexpressed in tissues of MIBC patients showing positive lymphovascular invasion (LVI+), lymph node metastasis (Ln+) and tumor progression. Their expression was also significantly enhanced either after direct stimulation of MEC by VEGF-A and VEGF-C or in the trans-well assay with each bladder cancer cell line. SLP-76 showed the highest gene expression. Both VEGF-A and VEGF-C also enhanced the expression of SLP-76 protein in MEC. However, a correlation between increase of SLP-76 gene expression and the ability of MEC to migrate could only be seen after induction by VEGF-C. The significant expression of SLP-76 in LVI+/Ln+ progressive MIBC and its overexpression in MEC after VEGF-A and VEGF-C stimulation suggest the need to develop this regulator of developmental lymphangiogenesis as a diagnostic tool in BCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Poyet
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Linto Thomas
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias M Benoit
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David Aquino Delmo
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Laura Luberto
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irina Banzola
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michèle S Günthart
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Sais
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Eberli
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tullio Sulser
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Provenzano
- Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
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Mocellin S, Bronte V, Nitti D. Nitric oxide, a double edged sword in cancer biology: Searching for therapeutic opportunities. Med Res Rev 2007; 27:317-52. [PMID: 16991100 DOI: 10.1002/med.20092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 321] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a pleiotropic molecule critical to a number of physiological and pathological processes. The last decade has witnessed major advances in dissecting NO biology and its role in cancer pathogenesis. However, the complexity of the interactions between different levels of NO and several aspects of tumor development/progression has led to apparently conflicting findings. Furthermore, both anti-NO and NO-based anticancer strategies appear effective in several preclinical models. This paradoxical dichotomy is leaving investigators with a double challenge: to determine the net impact of NO on cancer behavior and to define the therapeutic role of NO-centered anticancer strategies. Only a comprehensive and dynamic view of the cascade of molecular and cellular events underlying tumor biology and affected by NO will allow investigators to exploit the potential antitumor properties of drugs interfering with NO metabolism. Available data suggest that NO should be considered neither a universal target nor a magic bullet, but rather a signal transducer to be modulated according to the molecular makeup of each individual cancer and the interplay with conventional antineoplastic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Mocellin
- Department of Oncological and Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Provenzano M, Panelli MC, Mocellin S, Bracci L, Sais G, Stroncek DF, Spagnoli GC, Marincola FM. MHC–peptide specificity and T-cell epitope mapping: where immunotherapy starts. Trends Mol Med 2006; 12:465-72. [PMID: 16962375 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2006.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2006] [Revised: 08/04/2006] [Accepted: 08/24/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The evaluation and characterization of epitope-specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-restricted memory T-cell reactivity is an important step for the development of preventive vaccines and peptide-based immunotherapies for viral and tumor diseases. The past decade has witnessed the use of HLA-restricted peptides as tools to activate strong immune responses of naïve or memory T cells specifically. This has fuelled an active search for methodological approaches focusing on HLA and peptide associations. Here, we outline new perspective on the emerging opportunity of evaluating HLA and peptide restriction by using novel approaches, such as quantitative real-time PCR, that can identify epitope specificities that are potentially useful in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Provenzano
- Institute for Surgical Research and Hospital Management, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
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van Horssen R, Ten Hagen TLM, Eggermont AMM. TNF-alpha in cancer treatment: molecular insights, antitumor effects, and clinical utility. Oncologist 2006; 11:397-408. [PMID: 16614236 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.11-4-397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 513] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), isolated 30 years ago, is a multifunctional cytokine playing a key role in apoptosis and cell survival as well as in inflammation and immunity. Although named for its antitumor properties, TNF has been implicated in a wide spectrum of other diseases. The current use of TNF in cancer is in the regional treatment of locally advanced soft tissue sarcomas and metastatic melanomas and other irresectable tumors of any histology to avoid amputation of the limb. It has been demonstrated in the isolated limb perfusion setting that TNF-alpha acts synergistically with cytostatic drugs. The interaction of TNF-alpha with TNF receptor 1 and receptor 2 (TNFR-1, TNFR-2) activates several signal transduction pathways, leading to the diverse functions of TNF-alpha. The signaling molecules of TNFR-1 have been elucidated quite well, but regulation of the signaling remains unclear. Besides these molecular insights, laboratory experiments in the past decade have shed light upon TNF-alpha action during tumor treatment. Besides extravasation of erythrocytes and lymphocytes, leading to hemorrhagic necrosis, TNF-alpha targets the tumor-associated vasculature (TAV) by inducing hyperpermeability and destruction of the vascular lining. This results in an immediate effect of selective accumulation of cytostatic drugs inside the tumor and a late effect of destruction of the tumor vasculature. In this review, covering TNF-alpha from the molecule to the clinic, we provide an overview of the use of TNF-alpha in cancer starting with molecular insights into TNFR-1 signaling and cellular mechanisms of the antitumor activities of TNF-alpha and ending with clinical response. In addition, possible factors modulating TNF-alpha actions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remco van Horssen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC--Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Van Buren G, Camp ER, Yang AD, Gray MJ, Fan F, Somcio R, Ellis LM. The role of nitric oxide in mediating tumour blood flow. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2006; 10:689-701. [PMID: 16981826 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.10.5.689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous molecule with a myriad of physiological and pathophysiological roles. It has numerous direct and indirect effects on tumour vasculature as both a regulatory and effector molecule. NO affects tumour blood flow through its effects on tumour angiogenesis, vascular tone and vascular permeability, partly via its interaction with vascular endothelial growth factor. In this review, the authors examine the basic tenants of NO biology, the association of NO with tumour progression, and the role NO plays in mediating alterations in vascular functions in tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Van Buren
- University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Houston, TX 77230, USA
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