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Catulin reporter marks a heterogeneous population of invasive breast cancer cells with some demonstrating plasticity and participating in vascular mimicry. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12673. [PMID: 35879327 PMCID: PMC9314412 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16802-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. The activation of partial or more complete epithelial–mesenchymal transition in cancer cells enhances acquisition of invasive behaviors and expands their generation of cancer stem cells. Increased by EMT plasticity of tumor cells could promote vascular mimicry, a newly defined pattern of tumor microvascularization by which aggressive tumor cells can form vessel-like structures themselves. VM is strongly associated with a poor prognosis, but biological features of tumor cells that form VM remains unknown. Here we show that catulin is expressed in human BC samples and its expression correlates with the tumor progression. Ablation of catulin in hBC cell lines decreases their invasive potential in the 3D assays. Using a novel catulin promoter based reporter we tracked and characterized the small population of invasive BC cells in xenograft model. RNAseq analysis revealed enrichment in genes important for cellular movement, invasion and interestingly for tumor-vasculature interactions. Analysis of tumors unveiled that catulin reporter marks not only invasive cancer cells but also rare population of plastic, MCAM positive cancer cells that participate in vascular mimicry. Ablation of catulin in the xenograft model revealed deregulation of genes involved in cellular movement, and adhesive properties with striking decrease in CD44 which may impact stemness potential, and plasticity of breast cancer cells. These findings show directly that some plastic tumor cells can change the fate into endothelial-like, expressing MCAM and emphasize the importance of catulin in this process and breast cancer progression.
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Karpińska K, Gielata M, Gwiazdowska A, Boryń Ł, Kobielak A. Catulin Based Reporter System to Track and Characterize the Population of Invasive Cancer Cells in the Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010140. [PMID: 35008571 PMCID: PMC8745103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and loco-regional metastasis. Partial or more complete epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a role in tumor progression; however, it remains a challenge to observe the EMT in vivo, due to its transient nature. Here, we developed a novel catulin promoter-based reporter system that allows us to isolate and characterize in vivo a small fraction of invasive cancer cells. The analyses of tumors revealed that Catulin-green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive cells were enriched in clusters of cells at the tumor invasion front. A functional genomic study unveiled genes involved in cellular movement and invasion providing a molecular profile of HNSCC invasive cells. This profile overlapped partially with the expression of signature genes related to the partial EMT available from the single cell analysis of human HNSCC specimens, highlighting the relevance of our data to the clinical disease progression state. Interestingly, we also observed upregulations of genes involved in axonal guidance-L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), neuropilin-1, semaphorins, and ephrins, indicating potential interactions of cancer cells and neuronal components of the stroma. Taken together, our data indicated that the catulin reporter system marked a population of invasive HNSCC cells with a molecular profile associated with cancer invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Karpińska
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (M.G.); (A.G.)
| | - Mateusz Gielata
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (M.G.); (A.G.)
| | - Aleksandra Gwiazdowska
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (M.G.); (A.G.)
| | - Łukasz Boryń
- Laboratory of Stem Cells, Tissue Development and Regeneration, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Kobielak
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (M.G.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-55-43-735
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3
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Shah PA, Huang C, Li Q, Kazi SA, Byers LA, Wang J, Johnson FM, Frederick MJ. NOTCH1 Signaling in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122677. [PMID: 33322834 PMCID: PMC7764697 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarker-driven targeted therapies are lacking for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), which is common and lethal. Efforts to develop such therapies are hindered by a genomic landscape dominated by the loss of tumor suppressor function, including NOTCH1 that is frequently mutated in HNSCC. Clearer understanding of NOTCH1 signaling in HNSCCs is crucial to clinically targeting this pathway. Structural characterization of NOTCH1 mutations in HNSCC demonstrates that most are predicted to cause loss of function, in agreement with NOTCH1's role as a tumor suppressor in this cancer. Experimental manipulation of NOTCH1 signaling in HNSCC cell lines harboring either mutant or wild-type NOTCH1 further supports a tumor suppressor function. Additionally, the loss of NOTCH1 signaling can drive HNSCC tumorigenesis and clinical aggressiveness. Our recent data suggest that NOTCH1 controls genes involved in early differentiation that could have different phenotypic consequences depending on the cancer's genetic background, including acquisition of pseudo-stem cell-like properties. The presence of NOTCH1 mutations may predict response to treatment with an immune checkpoint or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors. The latter is being tested in a clinical trial, and if validated, it may lead to the development of the first biomarker-driven targeted therapy for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja A. Shah
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.A.S.); (L.A.B.)
| | - Chenfei Huang
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.H.); (M.J.F.)
| | - Qiuli Li
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China;
| | - Sawad A. Kazi
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - Lauren A. Byers
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.A.S.); (L.A.B.)
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Jing Wang
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Faye M. Johnson
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.A.S.); (L.A.B.)
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-713–792-6363; Fax: +1-713-792-1220
| | - Mitchell J. Frederick
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.H.); (M.J.F.)
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4
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Karpińska K, Cao C, Yamamoto V, Gielata M, Kobielak A. Alpha-Catulin, a New Player in a Rho Dependent Apical Constriction That Contributes to the Mouse Neural Tube Closure. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:154. [PMID: 32258033 PMCID: PMC7089943 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Coordination of actomyosin contraction and cell-cell junctions generates forces that can lead to tissue morphogenetic processes like the formation of neural tube (NT), however, its molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating and coupling this contractile network to cadherin adhesion remain to be fully elucidated. Here, using a gene trapping technology, we unveil the new player in this process, α-catulin, which shares sequence homology with vinculin and α-catenin. Ablation of α-catulin in mouse causes defective NT closure due to impairment of apical constriction, concomitant with apical actin and P-Mlc2 accumulation. Using a 3D culture model system, we showed that α-catulin localizes to the apical membrane and its removal alters the distribution of active RhoA and polarization. Actin cytoskeleton and P-Mlc2, downstream targets of RhoA, are not properly organized, with limited accumulation at the junctions, indicating a loss of junction stabilization. Our data suggest that α-catulin plays an important role during NT closure by acting as a scaffold for RhoA distribution, resulting in proper spatial activation of myosin to influence actin-myosin dynamics and tension at cell-cell adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Karpińska
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Christine Cao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Vicky Yamamoto
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mateusz Gielata
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kobielak
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Schuldner M, Dörsam B, Shatnyeva O, Reiners KS, Kubarenko A, Hansen HP, Finkernagel F, Roth K, Theurich S, Nist A, Stiewe T, Paschen A, Knittel G, Reinhardt HC, Müller R, Hallek M, von Strandmann EP. Exosome-dependent immune surveillance at the metastatic niche requires BAG6 and CBP/p300-dependent acetylation of p53. Theranostics 2019; 9:6047-6062. [PMID: 31534536 PMCID: PMC6735508 DOI: 10.7150/thno.36378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles released by tumor cells contribute to the reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment and interfere with hallmarks of cancer including metastasis. Notably, melanoma cell-derived EVs are able to establish a pre-metastatic niche in distant organs, or on the contrary, exert anti-tumor activity. However, molecular insights into how vesicles are selectively packaged with cargo defining their specific functions remain elusive. Methods: Here, we investigated the role of the chaperone Bcl2-associated anthogene 6 (BAG6, synonym Bat3) for the formation of pro- and anti-tumor EVs. EVs collected from wildtype cells and BAG6-deficient cells were characterized by mass spectrometry and RNAseq. Their tumorigenic potential was analyzed using the B-16V transplantation mouse melanoma model. Results: We demonstrate that EVs from B-16V cells inhibit lung metastasis associated with the mobilization of Ly6Clow patrolling monocytes. The formation of these anti-tumor-EVs was dependent on acetylation of p53 by the BAG6/CBP/p300-acetylase complex, followed by recruitment of components of the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) via a P(S/T)AP double motif of BAG6. Genetic ablation of BAG6 and disruption of this pathway led to the release of a distinct EV subtype, which failed to suppress metastasis but recruited tumor-promoting neutrophils to the pre-metastatic niche. Conclusion: We conclude that the BAG6/CBP/p300-p53 axis is a key pathway directing EV cargo loading and thus a potential novel microenvironmental therapeutic target.
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Invasion of human deep nodular endometriotic lesions is associated with collective cell migration and nerve development. Fertil Steril 2019; 110:1318-1327. [PMID: 30503131 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the mechanisms of invasion and innervation of deep endometriosis in women. DESIGN Morphologic and immunohistochemical analysis of human endometriotic lesions. SETTING Academic research unit. PATIENT(S) Seventeen biopsy samples of deep endometriotic lesions were collected from patients undergoing surgery for deep endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S) The endometriotic samples were divided into two parts: the front (the most invasive area of lesions, approaching rectal infiltration) and center (the area close to the posterior part of the cervix). MAIN OUTCOME(S) To elucidate: gland morphology, proliferation, and expression of adhesion molecules (β-catenin, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin) to determine the possible role of collective cell migration (CCM) in the invasion process; and nerve growth factor (NGF) and nerve fiber density (NFD) values to shed further light on the mechanism of innervation. RESULTS Glands from the front showed significantly reduced thickness, but significantly higher proliferation. β-Catenin expression was similar between the lesion center and front. E-cadherin levels were significantly lower and N-cadherin levels significantly higher in glands located at the front of the lesions. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 was significantly higher in glands and stromal cells located at the invasion front. NFD and NGF expression were also significantly higher at the lesion front. CONCLUSION Although some data in the literature point to features of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in human deep nodular endometriosis, our study suggests that gland invasion in these lesions is dominated by CCM. Innervation of deep nodular endometriotic lesions may be a consequence of nerve recruitment from surrounding organs.
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Chen X, Wen Q, Stucky A, Zeng Y, Gao S, Loudon WG, Ho HW, Kabeer MH, Li SC, Zhang X, Zhong JF. Relapse pathway of glioblastoma revealed by single-cell molecular analysis. Carcinogenesis 2019; 39:931-936. [PMID: 29718126 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgy052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains an incurable brain tumor. The highly malignant behavior of GBM may, in part, be attributed to its intraclonal genetic and phenotypic diversity (subclonal evolution). Identifying the molecular pathways driving GBM relapse may provide novel, actionable targets for personalized diagnosis, characterization of prognosis and improvement of precision therapy. We screened single-cell transcriptomes, namely RNA-seq data of primary and relapsed GBM tumors from a patient, to define the molecular profile of relapse. Characterization of hundreds of individual tumor cells identified three mutated genes within single cells, involved in the RAS/GEF GTP-dependent signaling pathway. The identified molecular pathway was further verified by meta-analysis of RNA-seq data from more than 3000 patients. This study showed that single-cell molecular analysis overcomes the inherent heterogeneity of bulk tumors with respect to defining tumor subclonal evolution relevant to GBM relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Chen
- Division of Periodontology, Diagnostic Sciences and Dental Hygiene, and Division of Biomedical Sciences, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Qin Wen
- Division of Periodontology, Diagnostic Sciences and Dental Hygiene, and Division of Biomedical Sciences, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Andres Stucky
- Division of Periodontology, Diagnostic Sciences and Dental Hygiene, and Division of Biomedical Sciences, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yunjing Zeng
- Division of Periodontology, Diagnostic Sciences and Dental Hygiene, and Division of Biomedical Sciences, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Shengjia Gao
- Division of Periodontology, Diagnostic Sciences and Dental Hygiene, and Division of Biomedical Sciences, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - William G Loudon
- Department of Neurosurgery, CHOC Children's Hospital, Neuroscience Institute, Gamma Knife Center of Southern California, University of California - Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Hector W Ho
- Division of Neurological Surgery, Saint Jude Heritage Medical Group, Saint Joseph Hospital, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Mustafa H Kabeer
- Department of Surgery, CHOC Children's Hospital, University of California - Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Shengwen Calvin Li
- Neuro-Oncology and Stem Cell Research Laboratory, CHOC Children's Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Department of Neurology, University of California - Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Xi Zhang
- Division of Periodontology, Diagnostic Sciences and Dental Hygiene, and Division of Biomedical Sciences, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Jiang F Zhong
- Division of Periodontology, Diagnostic Sciences and Dental Hygiene, and Division of Biomedical Sciences, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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8
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Nobre AR, Entenberg D, Wang Y, Condeelis J, Aguirre-Ghiso JA. The Different Routes to Metastasis via Hypoxia-Regulated Programs. Trends Cell Biol 2018; 28:941-956. [PMID: 30041830 PMCID: PMC6214449 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia is linked to metastasis; however, how it affects metastatic progression is not clear due to limited consensus in the literature. We posit that this lack of consensus is due to hypoxia being studied using different approaches, such as in vitro, primary tumor, or metastasis assays in an isolated manner. Here, we review the pros and cons of in vitro hypoxia assays, highlight in vivo studies that inform on physiological hypoxia, and review the evidence that primary tumor hypoxia might influence the fate of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in secondary organs. Our analysis suggests that consensus can be reached by using in vivo methods of study, which also allow better modeling of how hypoxia affects DTC fate and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Nobre
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA; Abel Salazar School of Biomedicine, Porto University, Porto, Portugal; These authors contributed equally
| | - David Entenberg
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center, Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; These authors contributed equally
| | - Yarong Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center, Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - John Condeelis
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center, Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
| | - Julio A Aguirre-Ghiso
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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9
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EphA3 targeting reduces in vitro adhesion and invasion and in vivo growth and angiogenesis of multiple myeloma cells. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2017; 40:483-496. [PMID: 28721629 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-017-0338-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by a clonal expansion of plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow (BM). Since MM has so far remained incurable, further insights into its pathogenesis and the concomitant identification of new therapeutic targets are urgently needed. The tyrosine kinase receptor EphA3 is known to be involved in various cellular processes including cell viability, cell movement and cell-cell interactions. Recently, EphA3 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in several hematologic and solid tumors. Here, we aimed to uncover the role of EphA3 in MM. METHODS EphA3 mRNA and protein expression in primary MM bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs), in MM-derived cell lines and in healthy controls (HCs) was assessed using qRT-PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry. The effects of siRNA-mediated EphA3 silencing and anti EphA3 antibody (EphA3mAb) treatment on MM PC trafficking and viability were evaluated using in vitro assays. The effects of EphA3mAb treatment were also assessed in two MM-derived mouse xenograft models. RESULTS We found that EphA3 was overexpressed in primary MM BMPCs and MM-derived cell lines compared to HCs. We also found that siRNA-mediated EphA3 silencing and EphA3mAb treatment significantly inhibited the ability of MM PCs to adhere to fibronectin and stromal cells and to invade in vitro, without affecting cell proliferation and viability. Gene expression profiling showed that EphA3 silencing resulted in expression modulation of several molecules that regulate adhesion, migration and invasion processes. Importantly, we found that EphA3mAb treatment significantly inhibited in vivo tumor growth and angiogenesis in two MM-derived mouse xenograft models. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that EphA3 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of MM and provide support for the notion that its targeting may represent a novel therapeutic opportunity for MM.
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10
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Important role of collective cell migration and nerve fiber density in the development of deep nodular endometriosis. Fertil Steril 2017; 107:987-995.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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11
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Wang X, Enomoto A, Asai N, Kato T, Takahashi M. Collective invasion of cancer: Perspectives from pathology and development. Pathol Int 2016; 66:183-92. [PMID: 26897041 DOI: 10.1111/pin.12391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Clinical pathologists have long been aware that in many types of human malignant tumors, the cells are often connected and form groups of various sizes or "nests". In this way, they achieve "collective invasion" into the surrounding stroma, rather than spreading out individually. Such collective behavior is also a common feature of migration during embryonic and postnatal developmental stages, suggesting there are advantages gained by collective cell migration in the organisms. Recent studies have revealed the mechanisms underlying the collective invasion of cancer cells. These mechanisms differ from those observed in the migration of single cells in culture, including reliance on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition program. Whereas intercellular adhesion appears to be coordinated, cancer cell groups can be heterogenous, including cells that are leaders and those that are followers. There is also interaction with the tumor microenvironment that is a prerequisite for collective invasion of cancer. In this review, we describe recently emerging mechanisms underlying the collective migration of cells, with a particular focus in our studies on the actin-binding protein Girdin/GIV and the transcriptional regulator tripartite motif containing 27. These studies provide new perspectives on the mechanistic analogy between cancer and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoze Wang
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naoya Asai
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takuya Kato
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, The Francis-Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Masahide Takahashi
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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12
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Liu Z, Lee Y, Jang JH, Li Y, Han X, Yokoi K, Ferrari M, Zhou L, Qin L. Microfluidic cytometric analysis of cancer cell transportability and invasiveness. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14272. [PMID: 26404901 PMCID: PMC4585905 DOI: 10.1038/srep14272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The extensive phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of cancer cells plays an important role in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Characterizing this heterogeneity and identifying invasive phenotype may provide possibility to improve chemotherapy treatment. By mimicking cancer cell perfusion through circulatory system in metastasis, we develop a unique microfluidic cytometry (MC) platform to separate cancer cells at high throughput, and further derive a physical parameter ‘transportability’ to characterize the ability to pass through micro-constrictions. The transportability is determined by cell stiffness and cell-surface frictional property, and can be used to probe tumor heterogeneity, discriminate more invasive phenotypes and correlate with biomarker expressions in breast cancer cells. Decreased cell stiffness and cell-surface frictional force leads to an increase in transportability and may be a feature of invasive cancer cells by promoting cell perfusion through narrow spaces in circulatory system. The MC-Chip provides a promising microfluidic platform for studying cell mechanics and transportability could be used as a novel marker for probing tumor heterogeneity and determining invasive phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongbin Liu
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yeonju Lee
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joon hee Jang
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xin Han
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kenji Yokoi
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mauro Ferrari
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ledu Zhou
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Lidong Qin
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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13
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Bear MD, Liu T, Abualkhair S, Ghamloush MA, Hill NS, Preston I, Fanburg BL, Kayyali US, Toksoz D. Alpha-Catulin Co-Localizes With Vimentin Intermediate Filaments and Functions in Pulmonary Vascular Endothelial Cell Migration via ROCK. J Cell Physiol 2015; 231:934-43. [PMID: 26377600 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous α-catulin acts as a scaffold for distinct signalosomes including RhoA/ROCK; however, its function is not well understood. While α-catulin has homology to the cytoskeletal linkers α-catenin and vinculin, it appears to be functionally divergent. Here we further investigated α-catulin function in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (VEC) on the premise that α-catulin has a unique cytoskeletal role. Examination of endogenous α-catulin intracellular localization by immunofluorescence revealed a highly organized cytosolic filamentous network suggestive of a cytoskeletal system in a variety of cultured VEC. Double-immunofluorescence analyses of VEC showed endogenous α-catulin co-localization with vimentin intermediate filaments. Similar to vimentin, α-catulin was found to distribute into detergent-soluble and -insoluble fractions. Treatment of VEC with withaferinA, an agent that targets vimentin filaments, disrupted the α-catulin network distribution and altered α-catulin solubility. Vimentin participates in cell migration, and withaferinA was found to inhibit VEC migration in vitro; similarly, α-catulin knock-down reduced VEC migration. Based on previous reports showing that ROCK modulates vimentin, we found that ROCK depletion attenuated VEC migration; furthermore, α-catulin depletion was shown to reduce ROCK-induced signaling. These findings indicate that α-catulin has a unique function in co-localization with vimentin filaments that contributes to VEC migration via a pathway that may involve ROCK signaling. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 934-943, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Bear
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tiegang Liu
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shereen Abualkhair
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Nicholas S Hill
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ioana Preston
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Barry L Fanburg
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Usamah S Kayyali
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Deniz Toksoz
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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Kreiseder B, Holper-Schichl YM, Muellauer B, Jacobi N, Pretsch A, Schmid JA, de Martin R, Hundsberger H, Eger A, Wiesner C. Alpha-catulin contributes to drug-resistance of melanoma by activating NF-κB and AP-1. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119402. [PMID: 25793618 PMCID: PMC4368766 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer accounting for 48,000 deaths worldwide each year and an average survival rate of about 6-10 months with conventional treatment. Tumor metastasis and chemoresistance of melanoma cells are reported as the main reasons for the insufficiency of currently available treatments for late stage melanoma. The cytoskeletal linker protein α-catulin (CTNNAL1) has been shown to be important in inflammation, apoptosis and cytoskeletal reorganization. Recently, we found an elevated expression of α-catulin in melanoma cells. Ectopic expression of α-catulin promoted melanoma progression and occurred concomitantly with the downregulation of E-cadherin and the upregulation of mesenchymal genes such as N-cadherin, Snail/Slug and the matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9. In the current study we showed that α-catulin knockdown reduced NF-κB and AP-1 activity in malignant melanoma cells. Further, downregulation of α-catulin diminished ERK phosphorylation in malignant melanoma cells and sensitized them to treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs. In particular, cisplatin treatment led to decreased ERK-, JNK- and c-Jun phosphorylation in α-catulin knockdown melanoma cells, which was accompanied by enhanced apoptosis compared to control cells. Altogether, these results suggest that targeted inhibition of α-catulin may be used as a viable therapeutic strategy to chemosensitize melanoma cells to cisplatin by down-regulation of NF-κB and MAPK pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yvonne M Holper-Schichl
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Nico Jacobi
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | | | - Johannes A. Schmid
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer de Martin
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Hundsberger
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Andreas Eger
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Christoph Wiesner
- SeaLife Pharma GmbH, Tulln, Austria
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences, Krems, Austria
- * E-mail:
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15
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Clinical significance of RacGAP1 expression at the invasive front of gastric cancer. Gastric Cancer 2015; 18:84-92. [PMID: 24615626 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-014-0355-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rac GTPase activating protein 1 (RacGAP1) plays a regulatory role in cell growth, transformation and metastasis. The aim of this study was to clarify the association between RacGAP1 expression and clinical outcome in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS A total of 232 gastric cancer patients in our institute who underwent surgery without preoperative treatments were enrolled in this study. We investigated RacGAP1 expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and evaluated IHC scores calculated by the percentage of positive cells and intensity and its expression at the invasive front. RACGAP1 expression was also assessed. RESULTS RacGAP1 expression was observed in the nuclei of gastric cancer cells. Evaluation by IHC score showed no significant correlations with clinicopathological variables except for histological differentiation. In transcriptional analyses, RACGAP1 expression was elevated in diffuse type gastric cancer than intestinal type without a significant difference. We observed significant correlations of RacGAP1 protein expression at the invasive front with older age, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion and advanced stage. Patients with RacGAP1 protein expression at the invasive front had significantly poorer prognosis than those without it (P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and positive RacGAP1 expression at the invasive front were independent prognostic factors (lymph node metastasis: P = 0.0106; distant metastasis: P = 0.0012; RacGAP1: P = 0.0011). CONCLUSIONS RacGAP1 expression at the invasive front in gastric cancer was significantly correlated with factors reflecting tumor progression and poor prognosis. Our data suggest that RacGAP1 might play important roles in the progression of gastric cancer.
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Carcinoma in-situ of the oral mucosa: Its pathological diagnostic concept based on the recognition of histological varieties proposed in the JSOP Oral CIS Catalog. JOURNAL OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoms.2013.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Nilsson GMA, Akhtar N, Kannius-Janson M, Baeckström D. Loss of E-cadherin expression is not a prerequisite for c-erbB2-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Int J Oncol 2014; 45:82-94. [PMID: 24807161 PMCID: PMC4079157 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research into the mechanisms of tumour cell invasiveness has highlighted the parallels between carcinogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), originally described as a developmental transdifferentiation program but also implicated in fibrosis and cancer. In a model system for mammary carcinogenesis, we previously observed that induced signalling from a homodimer of the c-erbB2 (HER2) receptor tyrosine kinase in an initially non-malignant mammary cell line caused EMT where i) cell scattering occurred before downregulation of the cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin and ii) the progress of EMT was dramatically delayed when cells were grown at high density. Here, we have further analysed these phenomena. Ectopic expression of E-cadherin concomitant with c-erbB2 signalling was unable to impede the progression of EMT, suggesting that E-cadherin downregulation is not required for EMT. Furthermore, fibroblast-like cells isolated after EMT induced in the presence or absence of ectopic E-cadherin expression showed highly similar morphology and vimentin expression. E-cadherin expressed in these fibroblastic cells had a subcellular localisation similar to that found in epithelial cells, but it exhibited a much weaker attachment to the cytoskeleton, suggesting cytoskeletal rearrangements as an important mechanism in EMT-associated cell scattering. We also investigated whether density-dependent inhibition of EMT is mediated by E-cadherin as a sensor for cell-cell contact, by expressing dominant-negative E-cadherin. While expression of this mutant weakened cell-cell adhesion, it failed to facilitate EMT at high cell densities. These results indicate that loss of E-cadherin expression is a consequence rather than a cause of c-erbB2-induced EMT and that density-dependent inhibition of EMT is not mediated by E-cadherin signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela M A Nilsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Noreen Akhtar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marie Kannius-Janson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dan Baeckström
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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18
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Li XX, Zheng HT, Peng JJ, Huang LY, Shi DB, Liang L, Cai SJ. RNA-seq reveals determinants for irinotecan sensitivity/resistance in colorectal cancer cell lines. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2014; 7:2729-2736. [PMID: 24966994 PMCID: PMC4069966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Irinotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor approved worldwide as a first- and second-line chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer (CRC). Although irinotecan showed significant survival advantage for patients, a relatively low response rate and severe adverse effects demonstrated the urgent need for biomarkers searching to select the suitable patients who can benefit from irinotecan-based therapy and avoid the adverse effects. In present work, the irinotecan response (IC50 doses) of 20 CRC cell lines were correlated with the basal expression profiles investigated by RNA-seq to figure out genes responsible for irinotecan sensitivity/resistance. Genes negatively or positively correlated to irinotecan sensitivity were given after biocomputation, and 7 (CDC20, CTNNAL1, FZD7, CITED2, ABR, ARHGEF7, and RNMT) of them were validated in two CRC cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR, several of these 7 genes has been proposed to promote cancer cells proliferation and hence may confer CRC cells resistance to irinotecan. Our work might provide potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for irinotecan sensitivity in CRC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Xiang Li
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan UniversityShanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hong-Tu Zheng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan UniversityShanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jun-Jie Peng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan UniversityShanghai, 200032, China
| | - Li-Yong Huang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan UniversityShanghai, 200032, China
| | - De-Bing Shi
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan UniversityShanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lei Liang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan UniversityShanghai, 200032, China
| | - San-Jun Cai
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan UniversityShanghai, 200032, China
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Chen C, Zimmermann M, Tinhofer I, Kaufmann AM, Albers AE. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem(-like) cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2013; 338:47-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2012] [Revised: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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20
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CD44 staining of cancer stem-like cells is influenced by down-regulation of CD44 variant isoforms and up-regulation of the standard CD44 isoform in the population of cells that have undergone epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57314. [PMID: 23437366 PMCID: PMC3577706 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CD44 is commonly used as a cell surface marker of cancer stem-like cells in epithelial tumours, and we have previously demonstrated the existence of two different CD44high cancer stem-like cell populations in squamous cell carcinoma, one having undergone epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and the other maintaining an epithelial phenotype. Alternative splicing of CD44 variant exons generates a great many isoforms, and it is not known which isoforms are expressed on the surface of the two different cancer stem-like cell phenotypes. Here, we demonstrate that cancer stem-like cells with an epithelial phenotype predominantly express isoforms containing the variant exons, whereas the cancer stem-like cells that have undergone an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition down-regulate these variant isoforms and up-regulate expression of the standard CD44 isoform that contains no variant exons. In addition, we find that enzymatic treatments used to dissociate cells from tissue culture or fresh tumour specimens cause destruction of variant CD44 isoforms at the cell surface whereas expression of the standard CD44 isoform is preserved. This results in enrichment within the CD44high population of cancer stem-like cells that have undergone an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and depletion from the CD44high population of cancer stem-like cells that maintain an epithelial phenotype, and therefore greatly effects the characteristics of any cancer stem-like cell population isolated based on expression of CD44. As well as effecting the CD44high population, enzymatic treatment also reduces the percentage of the total epithelial cancer cell population staining CD44-positive, with potential implications for studies that aim to use CD44-positive staining as a prognostic indicator. Analyses of the properties of cancer stem-like cells are largely dependent on the ability to accurately identify and assay these populations. It is therefore critical that consideration be given to use of multiple cancer stem-like cell markers and suitable procedures for cell isolation in order that the correct populations are assayed.
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