Emodin Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells by Facilitating the Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition Through Targeting ILK

HMGB1 enhances the migratory and invasive abilities of A2780/DDP cells by facilitating epithelial to mesenchymal transition via GSK‑3β

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact and mechanism of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) on the regulation of cell migration and invasion in A2780/DDP cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells. After transfecting small interfering (si)RNA-HMGB1 into A2780/DDP cells, Transwell migration and invasion assays were conducted to assess alterations in the cell migratory and invasive abilities. Additionally, western blotting analyses were performed to examine changes in HMGB1, phosphorylated (p)-GSK-3β, GSK-3β, E-cadherin and vimentin expression levels. The results of the present study demonstrated that the migratory and invasive abilities of A2780/DDP cells were significantly higher compared with those of A2780 cells. Additionally, the expression levels of HMGB1, p-GSK-3β and the mesenchymal phenotype marker, vimentin, in A2780/DDP cells were significantly elevated relative to the levels in A2780 cells. Conversely, the expression level of the epithelial phenotype marker, E-cadherin, was markedly decreased compared with that in A2780 cells. Following transfection of A2780/DDP cells with siRNA-HMGB1, there was a significant reduction in the rate of cell migration and invasion. Simultaneously, the expression levels of HMGB1, p-GSK-3β and vimentin were downregulated while the level of E-cadherin was upregulated. It was therefore concluded that the high expression of HMGB1 in A2780/DDP cells enhanced the cell migration and invasion abilities by facilitating epithelial to mesenchymal transition via GSK-3β.

Development of an SPRi Test for the Quantitative Detection of Cadherin 12 in Human Plasma and Peritoneal Fluid

A new method for the determination of cadherin 12 (CDH12)-an adhesive protein that has a significant impact on the development, growth, and movement of cancer cells-was developed and validated. The method is based on a biosensor using surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) detection. A quartz crystal microbalance was used to analyze the characteristics of the formation of successive layers of the biosensor, from the linker monolayer to the final capture of CDH12 from solution. The association equilibrium constant (KA = 1.66 × 1011 dm3 mol-1) and the dissociation equilibrium constant (KD = 7.52 × 10-12 mol dm-3) of the anti-CDH12 antibody-CDH12 protein complex were determined. The determined analytical parameters, namely the values determining the accuracy, precision, and repeatability of the method, do not exceed the permissible 20% deviations specified by the aforementioned institutions. The proposed method is also selective with respect to possible potential interferents, occurring in up to 100-fold excess concentration relative to the CDH12 concentration. The determined Limit of Quantification (LOQ = 4.92 pg mL-1) indicates the possibility of performing quantitative analysis in human plasma or peritoneal fluid without the need to concentrate the samples; however, particular attention should be paid to their storage conditions, as the analyte does not exhibit high stability. The Passing-Bablok regression model revealed good agreement between the reference method and the SPRi biosensor, with ρSpearman values of 0.961 and 0.925.

Network pharmacology prediction and experimental verification of Rhubarb-Peach Kernel promoting apoptosis in endometriosis

BACKGROUND

"Rhubarb-Peach Kernel" herb pair (RP) one of the most frequently used drug pairs, has been used in traditional medicine in China to treat inflammation and diseases associated with pain. Although it is widely used clinically and has a remarkable curative effect, the mechanism of RP treatment for endometriosis (EMs) remains unclear due to its complicated components. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-endometriosis effect of RP, with emphasis on apoptosis via network pharmacology prediction, molecular docking and experimental verification.

METHODS

The related ingredients and targets of RP in treating EMs were screened out using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP), Tool for Molecular mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM), and GeneCards database. The data of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was obtained by the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interaction Gene/Proteins (STRING) Database. The Metascape database was adopt for Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. After that, the molecular docking of the main active ingredients and apoptosis targets was performed. Finally, the pro-apoptotic effect of RP was verified in hEM15a cells.

RESULTS

A total of 32 RP compounds were collected. Forty-two matching targets were picked out as the correlative targets of RP in treating EMs. Among these, 18 hub targets including P53, CASP3 were recognized by the PPI network. KEGG enrichment analysis discovered that the regulation of apoptosis was one of the potential mechanisms of RP against EMs. Anthraquinone compounds, flavonoids, and triterpenes in RP were identified as crucial active ingredients, involved in the pro-apoptotic effect, which were confirmed subsequently by molecular docking. Additionally, it was verified that RP treatment promoted apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of EMs cells (assessed by MTT and Flow cytometry). Moreover, the induction of apoptosis in treated EMs cells may be due to the regulation of apoptosis-related protein expression, including P53, BAX, and CASP3.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study demonstrated that RP may exert its therapeutic effects on EMs through the potential mechanism of promoting apoptosis. Anthraquinones, flavonoids and triterpenoids are the possible pro-apoptotic components in RP.

The Expression of TGF-β1, SMAD3, ILK and miRNA-21 in the Ectopic and Eutopic Endometrium of Women with Endometriosis

The molecular pathogenesis of endometriosis has been associated with pathological alterations of protein expression via disturbances in homeostatic genes, miRNA expression profiles, and signaling pathways that play an essential role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. TGF-β1 has been hypothesized to play a key role in the development and progression of endometriosis, but the activation of a specific mechanism via the TGF-β-SMAD-ILK axis in the formation of endometriotic lesions is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of EMT markers (TGF-β1, SMAD3, ILK) and miR-21 in ectopic endometrium (ECE), in its eutopic (EUE) counterpart, and in the endometrium of healthy women. The expression level of the tested genes and miRNA was also evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in women with and without endometriosis. Fifty-four patients (n = 54; with endometriosis, n = 29, and without endometriosis, n = 25) were enrolled in the study. The expression levels (RQ) of the studied genes and miRNA were evaluated using qPCR. Endometriosis patients manifested higher TGF-β1, SMAD3, and ILK expression levels in the eutopic endometrium and a decreased expression level in the ectopic lesions in relation to control tissue. Compared to the endometrium of healthy participants, miR-21 expression levels did not change in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis, but the RQ was higher in their endometrial implants. In PBMC, negative correlations were found between the expression level of miR-21 and the studied genes, with the strongest statistically significant correlation observed between miR-21 and TGF-β1. Our results suggest the loss of the endometrial epithelial phenotype defined by the differential expression of the TGF-β1, SMAD3 and ILK genes in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium. We concluded that the TGF-β1-SMAD3-ILK signaling pathway, probably via a mechanism related to the EMT, may be important in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. We also identified miR-21 as a possible inhibitor of this TGF-β1-SMAD3-ILK axis.

Plasma and Peritoneal Fluid ZEB Levels in Patients with Endometriosis and Infertility

Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) are transcription factors that regulate epithelial−mesenchymal transformation (EMT). The aim of this study was to compare levels of ZEB1 and ZEB2 in the peritoneal fluid and plasma between patients with and without endometriosis in order to assess their utility in the diagnostic process. Plasma and peritoneal fluid samples were collected from 50 patients with and 48 without endometriosis during planned surgical procedures in eight clinical centers. Quantitative ZEB1 and ZEB2 levels analyses were performed using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No significant differences were observed in ZEB1 levels in any of the subanalyses nor any differences regarding ZEB2 levels between patients with and without endometriosis. Plasma ZEB2 levels were significantly higher among patients with infertility compared to fertile women (16.07 ± 12.70 ng/L vs. 12.07 ± 11.92 ng/L; p < 0.04). Both ZEB1 and ZEB2 do not seem to have a significant value in the initial diagnosis of endometriosis as a single marker. The differences in ZEB2 plasma levels between patients with and without infertility indicate the possibility of EMT dysregulation in the pathogenesis of adverse fertility outcomes.

The Role of Cadherin 12 (CDH12) in the Peritoneal Fluid among Patients with Endometriosis and Endometriosis-Related Infertility

Cadherin 12 (CDH 12) can play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of cadherin 12 in the peritoneal fluid between women with and without endometriosis. This was a multicenter cross-sectional study. Eighty-two patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures were enrolled in the study. Cadherin 12 concentrations were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. No differences in cadherin 12 concentrations between patients with and without endometriosis were observed (p = 0.4). Subgroup analyses showed that CDH 12 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with infertility or primary infertility and endometriosis in comparison with patients without endometriosis and without infertility or primary infertility (p = 0.02) and also higher in patients with stage I or II endometriosis and infertility or primary infertility than in patients without endometriosis and infertility or primary infertility (p = 0.03, p = 0.048, respectively). In total, CDH 12 levels were significantly higher in patients diagnosed with infertility or primary infertility (p = 0.0092, p = 0.009, respectively) than in fertile women. Cadherin 12 can possibly play a role in the pathogenesis of infertility, both in women with and without endometriosis.

Autophagy as a Therapeutic Target of Natural Products Enhancing Embryo Implantation

Infertility is an emerging health issue worldwide, and female infertility is intimately associated with embryo implantation failure. Embryo implantation is an essential process during the initiation of prenatal development. Recent studies have strongly suggested that autophagy in the endometrium is the most important factor for successful embryo implantation. In addition, several studies have reported the effects of various natural products on infertility improvement via the regulation of embryo implantation, embryo quality, and endometrial receptivity. However, it is unclear whether natural products can improve embryo implantation ability by regulating endometrial autophagy. Therefore, we performed a literature review of studies on endometrial autophagy, embryo implantation, natural products, and female infertility. Based on the information from these studies, this review suggests a new treatment strategy for female infertility by proposing natural products that have been proven to be safe and effective as endometrial autophagy regulators; additionally, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the regulation of endometrial autophagy by natural products and female infertility, with an emphasis on embryo implantation.

Knockdown of circ_0075503 suppresses cell migration and invasion by regulating miR-15a-5p and KLF12 in endometriosis

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease. Several researches have reported the dysregulated circular RNAs (circRNAs) in endometriosis, whereas the functions of circRNAs are largely unknown. This study aims to explore the role and mechanism of circ_0075503 in migration and invasion of eutopic endometrial stromal cells. 30 paired ectopic and eutopic endometrium tissues were collected from patients with endometriosis. And primary endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were stimulated with estradiol (E2) to establish the in vitro cellular model of endometriosis. The levels of circ_0075503, miR-15a-5p and Krüppel-like factor 12 (KLF12) were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or western blot assays. Cell viability, migration and invasion were examined via 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide, transwell assay or western blot assays. The target relationship between miR-15a-5p and circ_0075503 or KLF12 was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Circ_0075503 expression was elevated in ectopic endometrium and ectopic ESCs. Down-regulation of circ_0075503 suppressed E2-induced promotion of cell viability, migration and invasion in eutopic ESCs. Circ_0075503 could act as a sponge for miR-15a-5p, and KLF12 was targeted by miR-15a-5p. Inhibition of miR-15a-5p reversed the effects of circ_0075503 knockdown on E2-treated ESCs migration and invasion. Besides, miR-15a-5p repressed E2-induced promotion effects on cell migration and invasion via targeting KLF12. Circ_0075503 could regulate KLF12 expression by sponging miR-15a-5p. Knockdown of circ_0075503 inhibited E2-induced enhancement of cell migration and invasion in eutopic ESCs by regulating miR-15a-5p/KLF12 axis, indicating a novel target for the treatment of endometriosis.

Emodin Reverses the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells by Inhibiting ILK/GSK-3β Pathway

Purpose

To explore the exact mechanism through which emodin down-regulates the migration and invasion abilities of endometrial stromal cells. Moreover, to explore the theoretical basis of emodin in the treatment of endometriosis.

Patients and Methods

Endometriosis endometrial stromal cells (EESs) were cultured from 15 women with endometriosis and control endometrial stromal cells (CESs) were cultured from 12 women without endometriosis. The levels of proteins were evaluated by Western blot. The migration and invasion abilities of cells were detected by transwell assays.

Results

The abilities of migration and invasion of EESs were much stronger than those of CESs. After treated with emodin, the migration and invasion abilities of EESs and CESs were significantly down-regulated, and the levels of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and p-GSK-3β were statistically down-regulated in EESs. Besides that, the expression of keratin was up-regulated while the expression of vimentin, β-catenin and slug were all down-regulated by emodin in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Silencing of ILK gene in EESs also achieved the above effects, which were strengthened by emodin. Conversely, exogenous expression of ILK in CESs increased the expression of p-GSK-3β, which were abrogated by emodin. Furthermore, SB216763 increased migration and invasion abilities of CESs by facilitating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through up-regulating levels of p-GSK-3β, β-catenin and slug, which were also abrogated by emodin.

Conclusion

Emodin inhibits the migration and invasion abilities of human endometrial stromal cells by reversing the EMT via ILK/GSK-3β pathway. So, emodin may be considered as a promising targeted therapy for endometriosis.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition as the driver of changing carcinoma and glioblastoma microenvironment

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential molecular and cellular process that is part of normal embryogenesis and wound healing, and also has a ubiquitous role in various types of carcinoma and glioblastoma. EMT is activated and regulated by specific microenvironmental endogenous triggers and a complex network of signalling pathways. These mostly include epigenetic events that affect protein translation-controlling factors and proteases, altogether orchestrated by the switching on and off of oncogenes and tumour-suppressor genes in cancer cells. The hallmark of cancer-linked EMT is that the process is incomplete, as it is opposed by the reverse process of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, which results in a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype that shows notable cell plasticity. This is a characteristic of cancer stem cells (CSCs), and it is of the utmost importance in their niche microenvironment, where it governs CSC migratory and invasive properties, thereby creating metastatic CSCs. These cells have high resistance to therapeutic treatments, in particular in glioblastoma.

Cancer cachexia has many symptoms but only one cause: anoxia

During nearly 100 years of research on cancer cachexia (CC), science has been reciting the same mantra: it is a multifactorial syndrome. The aim of this paper is to show that the symptoms are many, but they have a single cause: anoxia. CC is a complex and devastating condition that affects a high proportion of advanced cancer patients. Unfortunately, it cannot be reversed by traditional nutritional support and it generally reduces survival time. It is characterized by significant weight loss, mainly from fat deposits and skeletal muscles. The occurrence of cachexia in cancer patients is usually a late phenomenon. The conundrum is why do similar patients with similar tumors, develop cachexia and others do not? Even if cachexia is mainly a metabolic dysfunction, there are other issues involved such as the activation of inflammatory responses and crosstalk between different cell types.  The exact mechanism leading to a wasting syndrome is not known, however there are some factors that are surely involved, such as anorexia with lower calorie intake, increased glycolytic flux, gluconeogenesis, increased lipolysis and severe tumor hypoxia. Based on this incomplete knowledge we put together a scheme explaining the molecular mechanisms behind cancer cachexia, and surprisingly, there is one cause that explains all of its characteristics: anoxia.  With this different view of CC we propose a treatment based on the physiopathology that leads from anoxia to the symptoms of CC.  The fundamentals of this hypothesis are based on the idea that CC is the result of anoxia causing intracellular lactic acidosis. This is a dangerous situation for cell survival which can be solved by activating energy consuming gluconeogenesis. The process is conducted by the hypoxia inducible factor-1α. This hypothesis was built by putting together pieces of evidence produced by authors working on related topics.

Extracellular vesicle-mediated transfer of the lncRNA-TC0101441 promotes endometriosis migration/invasion

Extracellular vesicular long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) to influence recipient cells is emerging as a novel mechanism for disease progression. TC0101441 is a newly identified metastasis-related lncRNA involved in cancer. Since endometriosis exhibits prometastasis behavior similar to those observed in cancer, we aimed to investigate whether TC0101441 is involved in endometriosis and, if so, whether extracellular vesicular TC0101441 contributes to the migration/invasion of endometriotic cyst stromal cells (ECSCs). Clinically, we found that TC0101441 was highly expressed in ectopic endometria than in the eutopic and normal endometria. Serum extracellular vesicular TC0101441 levels were substantially increased in patients at stage III/IV endometriosis in comparison with stage I/II endometriosis and controls. In vitro, using TC0101441-high-expression ECSCs (ECSCs-H) as extracellular vesicles (EVs)-generating cells and TC0101441-low-expression ECSCs (ECSCs-L) as recipient cells, we observed that the PKH67-labeled ECSCs-H-derived EVs were effectively internalized by ECSCs-L. ECSCs-H-derived EVs shuttling TC0101441 were transferred to ECSCs-L, modulating their migratory/invasive abilities partially by regulating certain metastasis-related proteins, which eventually facilitated endometriosis migration/invasion. This study elucidates a potential crosstalk between ECSCs via EVs in endometriotic milieus, suggests a novel mechanism for endometriosis migration/invasion from the perspective of the "extracellular vesicular transfer of lncRNAs" and highlights the potential of circulating extracellular vesicular TC0101441 as a biomarker for endometriosis.

Emodin Inhibits Colon Cancer Cell Invasion and Migration by Suppressing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Colon cancer (CC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Emodin is an anthraquinone-active substance that has the ability to affect tumor progression. Our study aims to explore the effects and the relevant mechanism of emodin on the invasion and migration of CC in vitro and in vivo. In our study, we found that emodin inhibited the invasion and migration abilities of RKO cells and decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), MMP-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a dose-dependent manner. Further research suggested that emodin inhibited EMT by increasing the mRNA level of E-cadherin and decreasing the expression of N-cadherin, Snail, and β-catenin. Emodin also significantly inhibited the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by downregulating the expression of related downstream target genes, including TCF4, cyclin D1, and c-Myc. A Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway agonist abolished the effect of emodin on EMT and cell mobility, suggesting that emodin exerted its regulating role through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The CC xenograft model was established to study the antitumor efficiency of emodin in vivo. The in vivo study further demonstrated that emodin (40 mg/kg) suppressed tumor growth by inhibiting EMT via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in vivo. Taken together, we suggest that emodin inhibits the invasion and migration of CC cells in vitro and in vivo by blocking EMT, which is related with the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

ILK enhances migration and invasion abilities of human endometrial stromal cells by facilitating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a significant part in the pathogenesis of endometriosis by facilitating the migration and invasion abilities of cells. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) increases the cell migration and invasion abilities by inducing the EMT. Eutopic and control endometrial stromal cells (EuSCs and CSCs) were isolated and cultured. Cell migration and invasion abilities were detected by transwell assays. Levels of proteins were detected by Western blot. EuSCs showed higher levels of ILK, N-cadherin, vimentin and stronger migration and invasion abilities. After transfection of siRNA-ILK, E-cadherin and keratin levels were increased while N-cadherin and vimentin levels were decreased in EuSCs. Besides that, the migration and invasion abilities of EuSCs were significantly decreased after transfection of siRNA-ILK. On the contrary, levels of ILK, N-cadherin and vimentin were increased while levels of E-cadherin and keratin were decreased simultaneously after transfecting CSCs with pEGFP-C1-ILK. Simultaneously, the migration and invasion abilities of CSCs were increased after transfection of pEGFP-C1-ILK. Our study verified that high expression of ILK enhanced the migration and invasion abilities of ESCs by facilitating the EMT. Given that ILK played crucial roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, it may be considered as a promising targeted therapy for endometriosis.

Emodin suppresses proliferation, migration and invasion in ovarian cancer cells by down regulating ILK in vitro and in vivo

OBJECTIVE

Although our previous studies have confirmed that 1, 3, 8-trihydroxy-6-methylant hraquinone (emodin) inhibits migration and invasion in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. Here, the aim was to investigate the effects of emodin on EOC cells and to study further the mechanism underlying this process, both in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell proliferation was evaluated by the methylthiazolyl tetrazolium assay. Cell migration and invasion abilities were tested using the transwell assay. The expression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated factors were measured with western blotting.

RESULTS

Exogenous ILK enhanced the proliferation, migration and invasion properties of A2780 and SK-OV-3 cells. After treatment with emodin, the survival rate of cells was gradually reduced, including those of SK-OV-3/pLVX-ILK and A2780/pLVX-ILK cells, with increasing emodin concentrations. The migration and invasion abilities of A2780 and SK-OV-3 cells were effectively increased by the transfection of pLVX-ILK, which could be abrogated by following this with 48 hours of emodin treatment. Treatment with emodin significantly downregulated the expression of ILK and EMT-related proteins. So, emodin suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion in ovarian cancer cells by downregulating ILK in vitro. SK-OV-3/pLVX-Con and SK-OV-3/pLVX-ILK cells were used to generate xenografts in nude mice. Tumors grew more rapidly in the SK-OV-3/pLVX-ILK group compared with the control group, and this could be significantly inhibited by emodin. Also, the expression of E-cadherin was downregulated, while the expression of Slug, MMP-9 and Vimentin were upregulated in the SK-OV-3/pLVX-ILK group, and this could be reversed by following treatment with emodin. Emodin did not demonstrate target toxicity on hepatocytes, nephrocytes and cardiomyocytes.

CONCLUSION

Emodin suppresses proliferation, migration and invasion in ovarian cancer by targeting ILK.

EMT: Present and future in clinical oncology

Epithelial/mesenchymal transition (EMT) has emerged as a key regulator of metastasis by facilitating tumor cell invasion and dissemination to distant organs. Recent evidences support that the reverse mesenchymal/epithelial transition (MET) is required for metastatic outgrowth; moreover, the existence of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotypes is increasingly being reported in different tumor contexts. The accumulated data strongly support that plasticity between epithelial and mesenchymal states underlies the dissemination and metastatic potential of carcinoma cells. However, the translation into the clinics of EMT and epithelial plasticity processes presents enormous challenges and still remains a controversial issue. In this review, we will evaluate current evidences for translational applicability of EMT and depict an overview of the most recent EMT in vivo models, EMT marker analyses in human samples as well as potential EMT therapeutic approaches and ongoing clinical trials. We foresee that standardized analyses of EMT markers in solid and liquid tumor biopsies in addition to innovative tools targeting the E/M states will become promising strategies for future translation to the clinical setting.

Increased expression of integrin-linked kinase during decidualization regulates the morphological transformation of endometrial stromal cells

OBJECTIVE

To study the impact of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) during decidualization.

DESIGN

Laboratory study with the use of human endometrium.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Fertile reproductive-age women who had not received hormonal treatment for 3 months before tissue collection.

INTERVENTION(S)

Endometrium tissue collection, in vitro decidualization of isolated ESCs, and small interfering (si) RNA transfection.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, Western blot analysis, methylthiazolyl tetrazolium assay, and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULT(S)

In vivo expression of ILK is significantly increased in distended-fusiform stromal cells of late secretory endometrium and in cobblestone-shaped decidual cells of early pregnancy. During in vitro decidualization for up to 8 days, confluent cultures of isolated ESCs consistently displayed increased ILK expression and morphologic transformation from fibroblast-like to polygonal cells. Subsequent ILK knockdown by siRNA transfection reversed this transformation, accompanied by decreased phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3β and decreased viable cell numbers. Immunofluorescence staining of the decidualized ESCs demonstrated linkage of increased levels of ILK at the tips of the fan-shaped organization of actin stress fibers located in the submembranous area, which expanded the decidual cells into a typical polygonal appearance. Knock-down of ILK abrogated the polymerization and organization of actin fibers, which reverted the cells to their undecidualized morphology.

CONCLUSION(S)

During human endometrial decidualization, ILK is essential for morphologic transformation of ESCs through organization of the actin cytoskeleton; it may also function through subsequent GSK3β signaling, which requires further studies.

Emodin Inhibits the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells via ILK/GSK-3β/Slug Signaling Pathway

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Despite the anticancer capabilities of emodin observed in many cancers, including EOC, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. A crucial link has been discovered between the acquisition of metastatic traits and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The present study aimed to determine whether emodin could inhibit the EMT of EOC cells and explore the underlying mechanism. The CCK-8 assay and transwell assay showed that emodin effectively repressed the abilities of proliferation, invasion, and migration in A2780 and SK-OV-3 cells. The Western blot showed that emodin upregulated epithelial markers (E-cadherin and Claudin) while it downregulated mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin and Vimentin) and transcription factor (Slug) in a dose-dependent fashion. After transfection of siRNA-Slug, both Slug and N-cadherin were downregulated in EOC cells while E-cadherin was upregulated, which was intensified by emodin. Besides, emodin decreased the expression of ILK, p-GSK-3β, β-catenin, and Slug. Transfection of siRNA-ILK also achieved the same effects, which was further strengthened by following emodin treatment. Nevertheless, SB216763, an inhibitor of GSK-3β, could reverse the effects of emodin except for ILK expression. These findings suggest that emodin inhibited the EMT of EOC cells via ILK/GSK-3β/Slug signaling pathway.