Expression of MMP-9 decreases metastatic potential of Chondrosarcoma: an immunohistochemical study

Chondrosarcoma Co-Culture 3D Model─An Insight to Evaluate Drugs Acting on TAMs

Chondrosarcoma (CHS), also known as malignant cartilage tumors, is the second most common bone cancer after osteosarcoma. This tumor is particularly chemo- and radioresistant, and the only therapeutic alternative is surgery with wide margins. The tumor immune microenvironment reveals an infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) sometimes approaching 50% of the tumor mass, mainly differentiated into M2-like phenotype and correlated with poor prognosis and metastasis. Thus, macrophage-targeting therapies could have an interest in the management of CHS. To evaluate these strategies, we propose here the development of a three-dimensional (3D) tumoroid co-culture model between two human CHS cell lines (JJ012 and CH2879) and a human leukemia monocytic cell line (THP-1) in a methylcellulose matrix. These two models were compared to the in vivo xenograft models in terms of macrophage phenotypes, proteoglycans, MMP-9, and COX-2 expression. Finally, mifamurtide, an immunomodulator acting on TAMs, was evaluated on the most in vitro relevant model: 3D co-culture CH2879 model. Our results showed that it is now possible to develop 3D models that very accurately mimic what is found in vivo with the possibility of evaluating treatments specific to a tumor cell component.

Emerging Treatments Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment for Advanced Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma (ChS), a malignant cartilage-producing tumor, is the second most frequently diagnosed osseous sarcoma after osteosarcoma. It represents a very heterogeneous group of malignant chemo- and radiation-resistant neoplasms, accounting for approximately 20% of all bone sarcomas. The majority of ChS patients have a good prognosis after a complete surgical resection, as these tumors grow slowly and rarely metastasize. Conversely, patients with inoperable disease, due to the tumor location, size, or metastases, represent a great clinical challenge. Despite several genetic and epigenetic alterations that have been described in distinct ChS subtypes, very few therapeutic options are currently available for ChS patients. Therefore, new prognostic factors for tumor progression as well as new treatment options have to be explored, especially for patients with unresectable or metastatic disease. Recent studies have shown that a correlation between immune infiltrate composition, tumor aggressiveness, and survival does exist in ChS patients. In addition, the intra-tumor microvessel density has been proven to be associated with aggressive clinical behavior and a high metastatic potential in ChS. This review will provide an insight into the ChS microenvironment, since immunotherapy and antiangiogenic agents are emerging as interesting therapeutic options for ChS patients.

Importance of Metalloproteinase Enzyme Group in Selected Skeletal System Diseases

Bone tissue is a dynamic structure that is involved in maintaining the homeostasis of the body due to its multidirectional functions, such as its protective, endocrine, or immunological role. Specialized cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) are responsible for the remodeling of specific bone structures, which alters the biomechanical properties of the tissue. Imbalances in bone-forming elements lead to the formation and progression of bone diseases. The most important family of enzymes responsible for bone ECM remodeling are matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-enzymes physiologically present in the body's tissues and cells. The activity of MMPs is maintained in a state of balance; disruption of their activity is associated with the progression of many groups of diseases, including those of the skeletal system. This review summarizes the current understanding of the role of MMPs in bone physiology and the pathophysiology of bone tissue and describes their role in specific skeletal disorders. Additionally, this work collects data on the potential of MMPs as bio-markers for specific skeletal diseases.

Visfatin-Induced Inhibition of miR-1264 Facilitates PDGF-C Synthesis in Chondrosarcoma Cells and Enhances Endothelial Progenitor Cell Angiogenesis

New treatments for chondrosarcoma are extremely important. Chondrosarcoma is a primary malignant bone tumor with a very unfavorable prognosis. High-grade chondrosarcoma has a high potential to metastasize to any organ in the body. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a potent angiogenic factor that promotes tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. The adipocytokine visfatin promotes metastatic potential of chondrosarcoma; however, the role of visfatin in angiogenesis in human chondrosarcoma is unclear. We report that the levels of PDGF-C expression were positively correlated with tumor stages, significantly higher than the levels of expression in normal cartilage. Visfatin increased PDGF-C expression and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) angiogenesis through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and dose-dependently down-regulated the synthesis of miR-1264, which targets the 3′-UTR of PDGF-C. Additionally, we discovered inhibition of visfatin or PDGF-C in chondrosarcoma tumors significantly reduced tumor angiogenesis and size. Our results indicate that visfatin inhibits miR-1264 production through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling cascade, and thereby promotes PDGF-C expression and chondrosarcoma angiogenesis. Visfatin may be worth targeting in the treatment of chondrosarcoma angiogenesis.

MicroRNA‑34a‑5p serves as a tumor suppressor by regulating the cell motility of bladder cancer cells through matrix metalloproteinase‑2 silencing

Bladder cancer (BC), a common urologic cancer, is the fifth most frequently diagnosed tumor worldwide. hsa-miR-34a displays antitumor activity in several types of cancer. However, the functional mechanisms underlying hsa-miR-34a in BC remains largely unknown. We observed that hsa-mir-34a levels were significantly and negatively associated with clinical disease stage as well as regional lymph node metastasis in human BC. In a series of in vitro investigations, overexpression of hsa-miR-34a inhibited cell migration and invasion in BC cell lines 5637 and UMUC3 as detected by Transwell assays. We further found that hsa-miR-34a inhibited cell migration and invasion by silencing matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression and thus interrupting MMP-2-mediated cell motility. Our analysis of BC datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas database revealed a negative correlation between hsa-miR-34a and MMP-2. Moreover, higher MMP-2 protein expression was observed in the BC tissues when compared with that noted in the normal tissue. MMP-2 levels were also significantly associated with clinical disease stage and poor survival rate in human BC. These findings indicate that MMP-2 plays a critical role in regulating BC progression. Therefore, hsa-miR-34a is a promising treatment to target MMP-2 for the prevention and inhibition of cell migration and invasion in BC.

Silencing matrix metalloproteinase-13 (Mmp-13) reduces inflammatory bone resorption associated with LPS-induced periodontal disease in vivo

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of specific inhibition of MMP-13 on inflammation and inflammatory bone resorption in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Periodontitis was induced in mice by micro-injections of LPS into the gingival tissues adjacent to the palatal surfaces of maxillary molars twice a week for 15 days. Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (Mmp-13) shRNA or a specific biochemical inhibitor were also injected into the same sites in alternating days with the LPS injections. Efficacy of shRNA-mediated silencing of Mmp-13 was verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunoblot. Bone resorption was assessed by microcomputed tomography (uCT). Histological sections stained with hematoxylin/eosin (H/E) were used in the stereometric analysis of the inflammatory infiltrate. Gingival tissues were used to evaluate expression of Mmp-13, Il-6, Tnf-α, Ptgs2, and Rankl (qPCR). Protein levels of TGF-β and IL-10 in the tissues were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or by MMP-13 and p38 immunoblot.

RESULTS

Silencing Mmp-13 expression reduced bone resorption significantly. Expression of Mmp-13, Il-6, and Tnf-α, as well as the protein levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, was reduced in the animals treated with adenovirus-delivered shRNA; however, these effects were not associated with modulation of p38 MAPK signaling. Interestingly, inhibition Mmp-13 did not affect the severity of inflammatory infiltrate.

CONCLUSIONS

Site-specific inhibition of MMP-13 reduced bone resorption and production of inflammatory mediators associated with periodontal disease.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The results suggest that site-specific inhibition of MMP-13 may be an interesting strategy to modulate inflammation and reduce bone resorption in osteolytic inflammatory diseases.

Flavonoids in Cancer Metastasis

Metastasis represents a serious complication in the treatment of cancer. Flavonoids are plant secondary metabolites exerting various health beneficiary effects. The effects of flavonoids against cancer are associated not only with early stages of the cancer process, but also with cancer progression and spread into distant sites. Flavonoids showed potent anti-cancer effects against various cancer models in vitro and in vivo, mediated via regulation of key signaling pathways involved in the migration and invasion of cancer cells and metastatic progression, including key regulators of epithelial-mesenchymal transition or regulatory molecules such as MMPs, uPA/uPAR, TGF-β and other contributors of the complex process of metastatic spread. Moreover, flavonoids modulated also the expression of genes associated with the progression of cancer and improved inflammatory status, a part of the complex process involved in the development of metastasis. Flavonoids also documented clear potential to improve the anti-cancer effectiveness of conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Most importantly, flavonoids represent environmentally-friendly and cost-effective substances; moreover, a wide spectrum of different flavonoids demonstrated safety and minimal side effects during long-termed administration. In addition, the bioavailability of flavonoids can be improved by their conjugation with metal ions or structural modifications by radiation. In conclusion, anti-cancer effects of flavonoids, targeting all phases of carcinogenesis including metastatic progression, should be implemented into clinical cancer research in order to strengthen their potential use in the future targeted prevention and therapy of cancer in high-risk individuals or patients with aggressive cancer disease with metastatic potential.

Clinical significance of plasma MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels as biomarkers for tumor expression in breast cancer patients in Egypt

Matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) are involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix in normal physiological processes as well as in disease processes, such as cancer metastasis. We conducted this work to study the role of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in breast cancer by measuring their plasma concentrations before and after surgery. Also, to examine if their levels can reflect the stage of disease and prognosis. Forty-eight breast cancer patients and 13 patients with benign breast diseases were included in the study. MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were measured by ELISA and semi-quantitative real-time PCR. MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels in plasma were determined by ELISA immediately before surgery and during 6 to 12 months after curative surgery. We observed a significant increase in the level of MMP-9 mRNA expression in breast cancer patients in comparison to their normal breast tissues and to tissues of benign breast disease. In all TNM tumor stages, the plasma levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased significantly before curative surgery in the studied patients with breast carcinoma and decreased significantly after surgery. Both MMP-2 and MMP-9 may be used as a possible marker for follow-up or as a marker that reflects the response of the disease to treatment.

Antimetastatic effect of epigenetic drugs, hydralazine and valproic acid, in Ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells

Introduction

Metastasis involves the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations leading to activation of prometastatic genes and inactivation of antimetastatic genes. Among epigenetic alterations, DNA hypermethylation and histone hypoacetylation are the focus of intense translational research because their pharmacological inhibition has been shown to produce antineoplastic activity in a variety of experimental models.

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the antimetastatic effect of the DNA-methylation inhibitor, hydralazine, and the histone deacetylase inhibitor, valproic acid.

Methods

NIH 3T3-Ras murine cells were treated with hydralazine and valproic acid to evaluate their effects upon cell proliferation, cell motility, chemotaxis, gelatinase activity, and gene expression. Lung metastases were developed by intravenous injection of NIH 3T3-Ras cells in BALB/c nu/nu mice and then treated with the drug combination.

Results

Treatment induced a growth-inhibitory effect on NIH 3T3-Ras cells, showed a trend toward increased gelatinase activity of MMP2 and MMP9, and inhibited chemotaxis and cell motility. The combination led to a strong antimetastatic effect in lungs of nude mice.

Conclusion

Hydralazine and valproic acid, two repositioned drugs as epigenetic agents, exhibit antimetastatic effects in vitro and in vivo and hold potential for cancer treatment.