1
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Weston WC, Hales KH, Hales DB. Flaxseed Reduces Cancer Risk by Altering Bioenergetic Pathways in Liver: Connecting SAM Biosynthesis to Cellular Energy. Metabolites 2023; 13:945. [PMID: 37623888 PMCID: PMC10456508 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13080945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This article illustrates how dietary flaxseed can be used to reduce cancer risk, specifically by attenuating obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We utilize a targeted metabolomics dataset in combination with a reanalysis of past work to investigate the "metabo-bioenergetic" adaptations that occur in White Leghorn laying hens while consuming dietary flaxseed. Recently, we revealed how the anti-vitamin B6 effects of flaxseed augment one-carbon metabolism in a manner that accelerates S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) biosynthesis. Researchers recently showed that accelerated SAM biosynthesis activates the cell's master energy sensor, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Our paper provides evidence that flaxseed upregulates mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and glycolysis in liver, concomitant with the attenuation of lipogenesis and polyamine biosynthesis. Defatted flaxseed likely functions as a metformin homologue by upregulating hepatic glucose uptake and pyruvate flux through the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) in laying hens. In contrast, whole flaxseed appears to attenuate liver steatosis and body mass by modifying mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and lipogenesis. Several acylcarnitine moieties indicate Randle cycle adaptations that protect mitochondria from metabolic overload when hens consume flaxseed. We also discuss a paradoxical finding whereby flaxseed induces the highest glycated hemoglobin percentage (HbA1c%) ever recorded in birds, and we suspect that hyperglycemia is not the cause. In conclusion, flaxseed modifies bioenergetic pathways to attenuate the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and NAFLD, possibly downstream of SAM biosynthesis. These findings, if reproducible in humans, can be used to lower cancer risk within the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C. Weston
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Systemic Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
| | - Karen H. Hales
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
| | - Dale B. Hales
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Systemic Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
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2
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Sundararajan V, Burk UC, Bajdak-Rusinek K. Revisiting the miR-200 Family: A Clan of Five Siblings with Essential Roles in Development and Disease. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060781. [PMID: 35740906 PMCID: PMC9221129 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Over two decades of studies on small noncoding RNA molecules illustrate the significance of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in controlling multiple physiological and pathological functions through post-transcriptional and spatiotemporal gene expression. Among the plethora of miRs that are essential during animal embryonic development, in this review, we elaborate the indispensable role of the miR-200 family (comprising miR-200a, -200b, 200c, -141, and -429) in governing the cellular functions associated with epithelial homeostasis, such as epithelial differentiation and neurogenesis. Additionally, in pathological contexts, miR-200 family members are primarily involved in tumor-suppressive roles, including the reversal of the cancer-associated epithelial–mesenchymal transition dedifferentiation process, and are dysregulated during organ fibrosis. Moreover, recent eminent studies have elucidated the crucial roles of miR-200s in the pathophysiology of multiple neurodegenerative diseases and tissue fibrosis. Lastly, we summarize the key studies that have recognized the potential use of miR-200 members as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers, elaborating the application of these small biomolecules in aiding early cancer detection and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Sundararajan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Center for Translational Medicine, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
| | - Ulrike C. Burk
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Karolina Bajdak-Rusinek
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-32-208-8382
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3
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Skryabin GO, Komelkov AV, Zhordania KI, Bagrov DV, Vinokurova SV, Galetsky SA, Elkina NV, Denisova DA, Enikeev AD, Tchevkina EM. Extracellular Vesicles from Uterine Aspirates Represent a Promising Source for Screening Markers of Gynecologic Cancers. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071064. [PMID: 35406627 PMCID: PMC8997481 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, are key factors of intercellular communication, performing both local and distant transfers of bioactive molecules. The increasingly obvious role of EVs in carcinogenesis, similarity of molecular signatures with parental cells, precise selection and high stability of cargo molecules make exosomes a promising source of liquid biopsy markers for cancer diagnosis. The uterine cavity fluid, unlike blood, urine and other body fluids commonly used to study EVs, is of local origin and therefore enriched in EVs secreted by cells of the female reproductive tract. Here, we show that EVs, including those corresponding to exosomes, could be isolated from individual samples of uterine aspirates (UA) obtained from epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients and healthy donors using the ultracentrifugation technique. First, the conducted profiling of small RNAs (small RNA-seq) from UA-derived EVs demonstrated the presence of non-coding RNA molecules belonging to various classes. The analysis of the miRNA content in EVs from UA performed on a pilot sample revealed significant differences in the expression levels of a number of miRNAs in EVs obtained from EOC patients compared to healthy individuals. The results open up prospects for using UA-derived EVs as a source of markers for the diagnostics of gynecological cancers, including EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleb O. Skryabin
- Institute of Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoye sh. 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (G.O.S.); (K.I.Z.); (S.V.V.); (S.A.G.); (N.V.E.); (D.A.D.); (A.D.E.); (E.M.T.)
| | - Andrey V. Komelkov
- Institute of Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoye sh. 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (G.O.S.); (K.I.Z.); (S.V.V.); (S.A.G.); (N.V.E.); (D.A.D.); (A.D.E.); (E.M.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-926-482-9147
| | - Kirill I. Zhordania
- Institute of Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoye sh. 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (G.O.S.); (K.I.Z.); (S.V.V.); (S.A.G.); (N.V.E.); (D.A.D.); (A.D.E.); (E.M.T.)
| | - Dmitry V. Bagrov
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1/12, 111234 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Svetlana V. Vinokurova
- Institute of Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoye sh. 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (G.O.S.); (K.I.Z.); (S.V.V.); (S.A.G.); (N.V.E.); (D.A.D.); (A.D.E.); (E.M.T.)
| | - Sergey A. Galetsky
- Institute of Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoye sh. 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (G.O.S.); (K.I.Z.); (S.V.V.); (S.A.G.); (N.V.E.); (D.A.D.); (A.D.E.); (E.M.T.)
| | - Nadezhda V. Elkina
- Institute of Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoye sh. 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (G.O.S.); (K.I.Z.); (S.V.V.); (S.A.G.); (N.V.E.); (D.A.D.); (A.D.E.); (E.M.T.)
| | - Darya A. Denisova
- Institute of Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoye sh. 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (G.O.S.); (K.I.Z.); (S.V.V.); (S.A.G.); (N.V.E.); (D.A.D.); (A.D.E.); (E.M.T.)
| | - Adel D. Enikeev
- Institute of Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoye sh. 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (G.O.S.); (K.I.Z.); (S.V.V.); (S.A.G.); (N.V.E.); (D.A.D.); (A.D.E.); (E.M.T.)
| | - Elena M. Tchevkina
- Institute of Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoye sh. 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (G.O.S.); (K.I.Z.); (S.V.V.); (S.A.G.); (N.V.E.); (D.A.D.); (A.D.E.); (E.M.T.)
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4
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Weston WC, Hales KH, Hales DB. Flaxseed Increases Animal Lifespan and Reduces Ovarian Cancer Severity by Toxically Augmenting One-Carbon Metabolism. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26185674. [PMID: 34577143 PMCID: PMC8471351 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We used an LC-MS/MS metabolomics approach to investigate one-carbon metabolism in the plasma of flaxseed-fed White Leghorn laying hens (aged 3.5 years). In our study, dietary flaxseed (via the activity of a vitamin B6 antagonist known as "1-amino d-proline") induced at least 15-fold elevated plasma cystathionine. Surprisingly, plasma homocysteine (Hcy) was stable in flaxseed-fed hens despite such highly elevated cystathionine. To explain stable Hcy, our data suggest accelerated Hcy remethylation via BHMT and MS-B12. Also supporting accelerated Hcy remethylation, we observed elevated S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), an elevated SAM:SAH ratio, and elevated methylthioadenosine (MTA), in flaxseed-fed hens. These results suggest that flaxseed increases SAM biosynthesis and possibly increases polyamine biosynthesis. The following endpoint phenotypes were observed in hens consuming flaxseed: decreased physiological aging, increased empirical lifespan, 9-14% reduced body mass, and improved liver function. Overall, we suggest that flaxseed can protect women from ovarian tumor metastasis by decreasing omental adiposity. We also propose that flaxseed protects cancer patients from cancer-associated cachexia by enhancing liver function.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C. Weston
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Systemic Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
| | - Karen H. Hales
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
| | - Dale B. Hales
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Systemic Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-618-453-1544
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5
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Pal P, Starkweather KN, Hales KH, Hales DB. A Review of Principal Studies on the Development and Treatment of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in the Laying Hen Gallus gallus. Comp Med 2021; 71:271-284. [PMID: 34325771 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-20-000116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Often referred to as the silent killer, ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. This disease rarely shows any physical symptoms until late stages and no known biomarkers are available for early detection. Because ovarian cancer is rarely detected early, the physiology behind the initiation, progression, treatment, and prevention of this disease remains largely unclear. Over the past 2 decades, the laying hen has emerged as a model that naturally develops epithelial ovarian cancer that is both pathologically and histologically similar to that of the human form of the disease. Different molecular signatures found in human ovarian cancer have also been identified in chicken ovarian cancer including increased CA125 and elevated E-cadherin expression, among others. Chemoprevention studies conducted in this model have shown that decreased ovulation and inflammation are associated with decreased incidence of ovarian cancer development. The purpose of this article is to review the major studies performed in laying hen model of ovarian cancer and discuss how these studies shape our current understanding of the pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purab Pal
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
| | | | - Karen Held Hales
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
| | - Dale Buchanan Hales
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois;,
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6
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Choi PW, Bahrampour A, Ng SK, Liu SK, Qiu W, Xie F, Kuo WP, Kwong J, Hales KH, Hales DB, Wong KK, Norwitz ER, Chow CK, Berkowitz RS, Ng SW. Characterization of miR-200 family members as blood biomarkers for human and laying hen ovarian cancer. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20071. [PMID: 33208870 PMCID: PMC7674435 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77068-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA-200 (miR-200) family is highly expressed in ovarian cancer. We evaluated the levels of family members relative to the internal control miR-103a in ovarian cancer and control blood specimens collected from American and Hong Kong Chinese institutions, as well as from a laying hen spontaneous ovarian cancer model. The levels of miR-200a, miR-200b and miR-200c were significantly elevated in all human cancer versus all control blood samples. Further analyses showed significantly higher miR-200 levels in Chinese control (except miR-429) and cancer (except miR-200a and miR141) samples than their respective American counterparts. Subtype-specific analysis showed that miR-200b had an overall elevated level in serous cancer compared with controls, whereas miR-429 was significantly elevated in clear cell and endometrioid cancer versus controls. MiR-429 was also significantly elevated in cancer versus control in laying hen plasma samples, consistent with the fact that endometrioid tumor is the prevalent type in this species. A neural network model consisting of miR-200a/200b/429/141 showed an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.904 for American ovarian cancer prediction, whereas a model consisting of miR-200b/200c/429/141 showed an AUC value of 0.901 for Chinese women. Hence, miR-200 is informative as blood biomarkers for both human and laying hen ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pui-Wah Choi
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,MedTimes Molecular Laboratory Limited, Medtimes Medical Group Limited, Unit B, 7/F Roxy Industrial Centre, Kwai Chung, Hong Kong, China.,WomenX Biotech Limited, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Abbas Bahrampour
- School of Medicine and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.,Faculty of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Shu-Kay Ng
- School of Medicine and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Sze Kei Liu
- WomenX Biotech Limited, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Qiu
- CloudHealth Genomics Limited, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Xie
- CloudHealth Genomics Limited, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Joseph Kwong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Karen H Hales
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Southern Illinois School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | - Dale B Hales
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Southern Illinois School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA.,Department of Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern Illinois School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | - Kwong-Kwok Wong
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Chun Kin Chow
- MedTimes Molecular Laboratory Limited, Medtimes Medical Group Limited, Unit B, 7/F Roxy Industrial Centre, Kwai Chung, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ross S Berkowitz
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Shu-Wing Ng
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
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7
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Pal P, Hales K, Petrik J, Hales DB. Pro-apoptotic and anti-angiogenic actions of 2-methoxyestradiol and docosahexaenoic acid, the biologically derived active compounds from flaxseed diet, in preventing ovarian cancer. J Ovarian Res 2019; 12:49. [PMID: 31128594 PMCID: PMC6535187 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-019-0523-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have previously shown that a whole flaxseed supplemented diet decreased the onset and severity of ovarian cancer in the laying hen, the only known animal model of spontaneous ovarian cancer. Flaxseed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (OM3FA), mostly α-Linoleic acid (ALA), which gets converted to Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by the action of delta-6 desaturase enzyme. Ingestion of flaxseed also causes an increase in production of 2-methoxyestradiol (2MeOE2) via the induction of the CYP1A1 pathway of estrogen metabolism. We have previously reported that the flaxseed diet induces apoptosis via p38-MAPK pathway in chicken tumors. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the flaxseed diet on ovarian cancer in chickens, focusing on two hallmarks of cancer, apoptosis and angiogenesis. RESULTS The anti-cancer effects of two active biologically derived compounds of flax diet, 2MeOE2 and DHA, were individually tested on human ovarian cancer cells and in vivo by the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay. Our results indicate that a flaxseed-supplemented diet promotes apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis in chicken tumors but not in normal ovaries. 2MeOE2 promotes apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells, inhibits angiogenesis on CAM and its actions are dependent on the p38-MAPK pathway. DHA does not have any pro-apoptotic effect on human ovarian cancer cells but has strong anti-angiogenic effects as seen on CAM, but not dependent on the p38-MAPK pathway. CONCLUSIONS Dietary flaxseed supplementation promotes a pro-apoptotic and anti-angiogenic effect in ovarian tumors, not in normal ovaries. The biologically derived active compounds from flaxseed diet act through different pathways to elicit their respective anti-cancer effects. A flaxseed-supplemented diet is a promising approach for prevention of ovarian cancer as well as having a significant potential as an adjuvant treatment to supplement chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of advanced stages of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purab Pal
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Life Science II, Room 245B, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | - Karen Hales
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, 62702, USA
| | - Jim Petrik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Dale Buchanan Hales
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Life Science II, Room 245B, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, 62702, USA.
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8
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The Functions of MicroRNA-200 Family in Ovarian Cancer: Beyond Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Int J Mol Sci 2017. [PMID: 28587302 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061207] [] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of studies on microRNA-200 family members (miR-200s) in human cancers are based on the premise that miR-200s maintain epithelial cell integrity by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through direct inhibition of mesenchymal transcription factors zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1/2 (ZEB1/ZEB2) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a potent inducer of EMT. Hence, downregulation of miR-200 in cancer cells promotes EMT and cancer metastasis. Yet, miR-200s are highly expressed in ovarian cancer, and ovarian cancer metastasizes primarily by dissemination within the pelvic cavity. In this review, we will refocus the epithelial property of ovarian cancer cells and the role of miR-200s in safeguarding this property, as well as the diverse roles of miR-200s in inclusion cyst formation, cancer cell growth, collective movement, angiogenesis, exosome-mediated cell communication, and chemoresponse. Taken together, miR-200s play a significant role in the initiation, progression and metastasis of ovarian cancer and may serve as diagnostic biomarkers and a target in therapeutic development.
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9
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The Functions of MicroRNA-200 Family in Ovarian Cancer: Beyond Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Int J Mol Sci 2017. [PMID: 28587302 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061207]+[] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of studies on microRNA-200 family members (miR-200s) in human cancers are based on the premise that miR-200s maintain epithelial cell integrity by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through direct inhibition of mesenchymal transcription factors zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1/2 (ZEB1/ZEB2) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a potent inducer of EMT. Hence, downregulation of miR-200 in cancer cells promotes EMT and cancer metastasis. Yet, miR-200s are highly expressed in ovarian cancer, and ovarian cancer metastasizes primarily by dissemination within the pelvic cavity. In this review, we will refocus the epithelial property of ovarian cancer cells and the role of miR-200s in safeguarding this property, as well as the diverse roles of miR-200s in inclusion cyst formation, cancer cell growth, collective movement, angiogenesis, exosome-mediated cell communication, and chemoresponse. Taken together, miR-200s play a significant role in the initiation, progression and metastasis of ovarian cancer and may serve as diagnostic biomarkers and a target in therapeutic development.
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10
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Choi PW, Ng SW. The Functions of MicroRNA-200 Family in Ovarian Cancer: Beyond Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18061207. [PMID: 28587302 PMCID: PMC5486030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of studies on microRNA-200 family members (miR-200s) in human cancers are based on the premise that miR-200s maintain epithelial cell integrity by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through direct inhibition of mesenchymal transcription factors zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1/2 (ZEB1/ZEB2) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a potent inducer of EMT. Hence, downregulation of miR-200 in cancer cells promotes EMT and cancer metastasis. Yet, miR-200s are highly expressed in ovarian cancer, and ovarian cancer metastasizes primarily by dissemination within the pelvic cavity. In this review, we will refocus the epithelial property of ovarian cancer cells and the role of miR-200s in safeguarding this property, as well as the diverse roles of miR-200s in inclusion cyst formation, cancer cell growth, collective movement, angiogenesis, exosome-mediated cell communication, and chemoresponse. Taken together, miR-200s play a significant role in the initiation, progression and metastasis of ovarian cancer and may serve as diagnostic biomarkers and a target in therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pui-Wah Choi
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Shu-Wing Ng
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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11
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Choi PW, Yang J, Ng SK, Feltmate C, Muto MG, Hasselblatt K, Lafferty-Whyte K, JeBailey L, MacConaill L, Welch WR, Fong WP, Berkowitz RS, Ng SW. Loss of E-cadherin disrupts ovarian epithelial inclusion cyst formation and collective cell movement in ovarian cancer cells. Oncotarget 2016; 7:4110-21. [PMID: 26684027 PMCID: PMC4826193 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased inclusion cyst formation in the ovary is associated with ovarian cancer development. We employed in vitro three-dimensional (3D) organotypic models formed by normal human ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells and ovarian cancer cells to study the morphologies of normal and cancerous ovarian cortical inclusion cysts and the molecular changes during their transitions into stromal microenvironment. When compared with normal cysts that expressed tenascin, the cancerous cysts expressed high levels of laminin V and demonstrated polarized structures in Matrigel; and the cancer cells migrated collectively when the cyst structures were positioned in a stromal-like collagen I matrix. The molecular markers identified in the in vitro 3D models were verified in clinical samples. Network analysis of gene expression of the 3D structures indicates concurrent downregulation of transforming growth factor beta pathway genes and high levels of E-cadherin and microRNA200 (miR200) expression in the cancerous cysts and the migrating cancer cells. Transient silencing of E-cadherin expression in ovarian cancer cells disrupted cyst structures and inhibited collective cell migration. Taken together, our studies employing 3D models have shown that E-cadherin is crucial for ovarian inclusion cyst formation and collective cancer cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pui-Wah Choi
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Junzheng Yang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shu-Kay Ng
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Australia
| | - Colleen Feltmate
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael G Muto
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kathleen Hasselblatt
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Laura MacConaill
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William R Welch
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wing-Ping Fong
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ross S Berkowitz
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shu-Wing Ng
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Dikshit A, Gao C, Small C, Hales K, Hales DB. Flaxseed and its components differentially affect estrogen targets in pre-neoplastic hen ovaries. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 159:73-85. [PMID: 26925929 PMCID: PMC4821676 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Flaxseed has been studied for decades for its health benefits that include anti-cancer, cardio-protective, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory properties. The biologically active components that mediate these effects are the omega-3 fatty acids and the lignan, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside. We have previously shown that whole flaxseed supplemented diet decreases the severity and incidence of ovarian cancer while a 15% dose of flaxseed is most protective against inflammation and estrogen-induced chemical and genotoxicity. The objective of this study was to dissect the independent effects of the two flaxseed components on estrogen signaling and metabolism. Two and half year old hens were fed either a control diet, 15% whole flaxseed diet, defatted flax meal diet or 5% flax oil diet for 3 months after which the animals were sacrificed and blood and tissues were harvested. Whole flaxseed diet caused a decrease in expression of ERα. ERα target gene expression was assessed using RT(2) profiler PCR array. Some targets involved in the IGF/insulin signaling pathway (IRS1, IGFBP4, IGFBP5) were downregulated by flaxseed and its components. Flaxseed diet also downregulated AKT expression. A number of targets related to NF-kB signaling were altered by flaxseed diet including a series of targets implicated in cancer. Whole flaxseed diet also affected E2 metabolism by increasing CYP1A1 expression with a corresponding increase in the onco-protective E2 metabolite, 2-methoxyestradiol. The weak anti-estrogens, enterolactone, enterodiol and 2-methoxyestradiol, might be working synergistically to generate a protective effect on the ovaries from hens on whole flaxseed diet by altering the estrogen signaling and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushka Dikshit
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Life Science II, Room 245B, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA
| | - Chunqi Gao
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Life Science II, Room 245B, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA
| | - Carrie Small
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Life Science II, Room 245B, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA
| | - Karen Hales
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Dale Buchanan Hales
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Life Science II, Room 245B, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, USA.
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Pietrofesa RA, Solomides CC, Christofidou-Solomidou M. Flaxseed Mitigates Acute Oxidative Lung Damage in a Mouse Model of Repeated Radiation and Hyperoxia Exposure Associated with Space Exploration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 4. [PMID: 25705570 DOI: 10.4172/2161-105x.1000215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spaceflight missions may require crewmembers to conduct extravehicular activities (EVA). Pre-breathe protocols in preparation for an EVA entail 100% hyperoxia exposure that may last for a few hours and be repeated 2-3 times weekly. Each EVA is associated with additional challenges such as low levels of total body cosmic/galactic radiation exposure that may present a threat to crewmember health. We have developed a mouse model of total body radiation and hyperoxia exposure and identified acute damage of lung tissues. In the current study we evaluated the usefulness of dietary flaxseed (FS) as a countermeasure agent for such double-hit exposures. METHODS We evaluated lung tissue changes 2 weeks post-initiation of exposure challenges. Mouse cohorts (n=5/group) were pre-fed diets containing either 0% FS or 10% FS for 3 weeks and exposed to: a) normoxia (Untreated); b) >95% O2 (O2); c) 0.25Gy single fraction gamma radiation (IR); or d) a combination of O2 and IR (O2+IR) 3 times per week for 2 consecutive weeks, where 8-hour hyperoxia treatments were spanned by normoxic intervals. RESULTS At 2 weeks post challenge, while control-diet fed mice developed significant lung injury and inflammation across all challenges, FS protected lung tissues by decreasing bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neutrophils (p<0.003) and protein levels, oxidative tissue damage, as determined by levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.008) and nitrosative stress as determined by nitrite levels. Lung hydroxyproline levels, a measure of lung fibrosis, were significantly elevated in mice fed 0% FS (p<0.01) and exposed to hyperoxia/radiation or the combination treatment, but not in FS-fed mice. FS also decreased levels of a pro-inflammatory, pro-fibrogenic cytokine (TGF-β1) gene expression levels in lung. CONCLUSION Flaxseed mitigated adverse effects in lung of repeat exposures to radiation/hyperoxia. This data will provide useful information in the design of countermeasures to early tissue oxidative damage associated with space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph A Pietrofesa
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Allergy and Critical Care Division, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Melpo Christofidou-Solomidou
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Allergy and Critical Care Division, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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