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Xu G(B, Pan YX, Mei W, Chen H. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing (scRNA-seq) Identifies L1CAM as a Key Mediator between Epithelial Tuft Cell and Innate Lymphoid Cell in the Colon of Hnrnp I Knockout Mice. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2734. [PMID: 37893107 PMCID: PMC10604312 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102734] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Knockout (KO) of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein I (Hnrnp I) in mouse intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) induced a severe inflammatory response in the colon, followed by hyperproliferation. This study aimed to investigate the epithelial lineage dynamics and cell-cell communications that underlie inflammation and colitis. (2) Methods: Single cells were isolated from the colons of wildtype (WT) and KO mice and used in scRNA-seq. Whole colons were collected for immunofluorescence staining and cytokine assays. (3) Results: from scRNA-seq, the number of DCLK1 + colonic tuft cells was significantly higher in the Hnrnp I KO mice compared to the WT mice. This was confirmed by immunofluorescent staining of DCLK1. The DCLK1 + colonic tuft cells in KO mice developed unique communications with lymphocytes via interactions between surface L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) and integrins. In the KO mice colons, a significantly elevated level of inflammatory cytokines IL4, IL6, and IL13 were observed, which marks type-2 immune responses directed by group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). (4) Conclusions: This study demonstrates one critical cellular function of colonic tuft cells, which facilitates type-2 immune responses by communicating with ILC2s via the L1CAM-integrins interaction. This communication promotes pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in ILC2, leading to the increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanying (Bianca) Xu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (G.X.); (Y.-X.P.)
| | - Yuan-Xiang Pan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (G.X.); (Y.-X.P.)
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Wenyan Mei
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (G.X.); (Y.-X.P.)
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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2
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Buenaventura RGM, Merlino G, Yu Y. Ez-Metastasizing: The Crucial Roles of Ezrin in Metastasis. Cells 2023; 12:1620. [PMID: 37371090 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ezrin is the cytoskeletal organizer and functions in the modulation of membrane-cytoskeleton interaction, maintenance of cell shape and structure, and regulation of cell-cell adhesion and movement, as well as cell survival. Ezrin plays a critical role in regulating tumor metastasis through interaction with other binding proteins. Notably, Ezrin has been reported to interact with immune cells, allowing tumor cells to escape immune attack in metastasis. Here, we review the main functions of Ezrin, the mechanisms through which it acts, its role in tumor metastasis, and its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rand Gabriel M Buenaventura
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Glenn Merlino
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yanlin Yu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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3
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Congiu L, Granato V, Jakovcevski I, Kleene R, Fernandes L, Freitag S, Kneussel M, Schachner M, Loers G. Mice Mutated in the Third Fibronectin Domain of L1 Show Enhanced Hippocampal Neuronal Cell Death, Astrogliosis and Alterations in Behavior. Biomolecules 2023; 13:776. [PMID: 37238646 PMCID: PMC10216033 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Adhesion molecules play major roles in cell proliferation, migration, survival, neurite outgrowth and synapse formation during nervous system development and in adulthood. The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 contributes to these functions during development and in synapse formation and synaptic plasticity after trauma in adulthood. Mutations of L1 in humans result in L1 syndrome, which is associated with mild-to-severe brain malformations and mental disabilities. Furthermore, mutations in the extracellular domain were shown to cause a severe phenotype more often than mutations in the intracellular domain. To explore the outcome of a mutation in the extracellular domain, we generated mice with disruption of the dibasic sequences RK and KR that localize to position 858RKHSKR863 in the third fibronectin type III domain of murine L1. These mice exhibit alterations in exploratory behavior and enhanced marble burying activity. Mutant mice display higher numbers of caspase 3-positive neurons, a reduced number of principle neurons in the hippocampus, and an enhanced number of glial cells. Experiments suggest that disruption of the dibasic sequence in L1 results in subtle impairments in brain structure and functions leading to obsessive-like behavior in males and reduced anxiety in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Congiu
- Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany (R.K.); (S.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Viviana Granato
- Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany (R.K.); (S.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Igor Jakovcevski
- Institut für Anatomie und Klinische Morphologie, Universität Witten/Herdecke, 58455 Witten, Germany;
| | - Ralf Kleene
- Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany (R.K.); (S.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Luciana Fernandes
- Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany (R.K.); (S.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Sandra Freitag
- Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany (R.K.); (S.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Matthias Kneussel
- Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany (R.K.); (S.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Melitta Schachner
- Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08554, USA
| | - Gabriele Loers
- Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany (R.K.); (S.F.); (M.K.)
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4
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Li Y, Wang D, Ge H, Güngör C, Gong X, Chen Y. Cytoskeletal and Cytoskeleton-Associated Proteins: Key Regulators of Cancer Stem Cell Properties. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1369. [PMID: 36355541 PMCID: PMC9698833 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells possessing stemness characteristics that are closely associated with tumor proliferation, recurrence and resistance to therapy. Recent studies have shown that different cytoskeletal components and remodeling processes have a profound impact on the behavior of CSCs. In this review, we outline the different cytoskeletal components regulating the properties of CSCs and discuss current and ongoing therapeutic strategies targeting the cytoskeleton. Given the many challenges currently faced in targeted cancer therapy, a deeper comprehension of the molecular events involved in the interaction of the cytoskeleton and CSCs will help us identify more effective therapeutic strategies to eliminate CSCs and ultimately improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqiang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heming Ge
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cenap Güngör
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Xuejun Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
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5
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Saha A, Gavert N, Brabletz T, Ben-Ze’ev A. Downregulation of the Tumor Suppressor TFF1 Is Required during Induction of Colon Cancer Progression by L1. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184478. [PMID: 36139637 PMCID: PMC9497096 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184478] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the subsequent induction of downstream target genes is a hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Previously, we found that overexpression of the immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion receptor L1CAM (L1), a target of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, confers enhanced proliferation, motility, tumorigenesis, and liver metastasis in CRC cells. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed changes in both pro-tumorigenic and potential tumor-suppressor genes in L1-overexpressing CRC cells. We wished to identify such tumor suppressor/s, and found that trefoil family factor 1 (TFF1) was involved in L1-mediated CRC progression. TFF1 overexpression suppressed the growth, motility and tumorigenesis of L1-expressing CRC cells by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. In human CRC tissue, TFF1-positive staining was evident in goblet cells of the normal mucosa, while in CRC tissue, TFF1 expression was lost in >50% of the tumor samples. Our results support a tumor-suppressor role of TFF1 in human CRC, and we suggest that TFF1 could be used for CRC detection and as a novel therapeutic target in L1-mediated CRC. Abstract The immunoglobulin family cell adhesion receptor L1 is induced in CRC cells at the invasive front of the tumor tissue, and confers enhanced proliferation, motility, tumorigenesis, and liver metastasis. To identify putative tumor suppressors whose expression is downregulated in L1-expressing CRC cells, we blocked the L1–ezrin–NF-κB signaling pathway and searched for genes induced under these conditions. We found that TFF1, a protein involved in protecting the mucus epithelial layer of the colon, is downregulated in L1-expressing cells and displays characteristics of a tumor suppressor. Overexpression of TFF1 in L1-transfected human CRC cells blocks the pro-tumorigenic and metastatic properties conferred by L1 by suppressing NF-κB signaling. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that human CRC tissue samples often lose the expression of TFF1, while the normal mucosa displays TFF1 in goblet cells. Identifying TFF1 as a tumor suppressor in CRC cells could provide a novel marker for L1-mediated CRC development and a potential target for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arka Saha
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Nancy Gavert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine I, Nikolaus-Feibiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Avri Ben-Ze’ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
- Correspondence:
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6
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Barik GK, Sahay O, Paul D, Santra MK. Ezrin gone rogue in cancer progression and metastasis: An enticing therapeutic target. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188753. [PMID: 35752404 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer as it remains the most complicated, devastating, and enigmatic aspect of cancer. Several decades of extensive research have identified several key players closely associated with metastasis. Among these players, cytoskeletal linker Ezrin (the founding member of the ERM (Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin) family) was identified as a critical promoter of metastasis in pediatric cancers in the early 21st century. Ezrin was discovered 40 years ago as a aminor component of intestinal epithelial microvillus core protein, which is enriched in actin-containing cell surface structures. It controls gastric acid secretion and plays diverse physiological roles including maintaining cell polarity, regulating cell adhesion, cell motility and morphogenesis. Extensive research for more than two decades evinces that Ezrin is frequently dysregulated in several human cancers. Overexpression, altered subcellular localization and/or aberrant activation of Ezrin are closely associated with higher metastatic incidence and patient mortality, thereby justifying Ezrin as a valuable prognostic biomarker in cancer. Ezrin plays multifaceted role in multiple aspects of cancer, with its significant contribution in the complex metastatic cascade, through reorganizing the cytoskeleton and deregulating various cellular signaling pathways. Current preclinical studies using genetic and/or pharmacological approaches reveal that inactivation of Ezrin results in significant inhibition of Ezrin-mediated tumor growth and metastasis as well as increase in the sensitivity of cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic drugs. In this review, we discuss the recent advances illuminating the molecular mechanisms responsible for Ezrin dysregulation in cancer and its pleiotropic role in cancer progression and metastasis. We also highlight its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in various cancers. More importantly, we put forward some potential questions, which we strongly believe, will stimulate both basic and translational research to better understand Ezrin-mediated malignancy, ultimately leading to the development of Ezrin-targeted cancer therapy for the betterment of human life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Kumar Barik
- Cancer Biology Division, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India; Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
| | - Osheen Sahay
- Cancer Biology Division, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India; Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
| | - Debasish Paul
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Centre for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Manas Kumar Santra
- Cancer Biology Division, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India.
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7
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Hoskin V, Ghaffari A, Laight BJ, SenGupta S, Madarnas Y, Nicol CJB, Elliott BE, Varma S, Greer PA. Targeting the Ezrin Adaptor Protein Sensitizes Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells to Chemotherapy and Reduces Neoadjuvant Therapy-induced Metastasis. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:456-470. [PMID: 36923551 PMCID: PMC10010290 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The main cause of cancer-associated deaths is the spread of cancer cells to distant organs. Despite its success in the primary tumor setting, modern chemotherapeutic strategies are rendered ineffective at treating metastatic disease, largely due to the development of resistance. The adaptor protein ezrin has been shown to promote cancer metastasis in multiple preclinical models and is associated with poor prognosis in several cancer types, including breast cancer. Ezrin promotes pro-survival signaling, particularly in disseminated cancer cells, to facilitate metastatic outgrowth. However, the role of ezrin in breast cancer chemoresistance is not fully known. In this study, we show that upregulating or downregulating ezrin expression modifies the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin and docetaxel treatment in vitro and is associated with changes in PI3K/Akt and NFκB pathway activation. In addition, we tested the effects of systemic treatment with a small-molecule ezrin inhibitor, NSC668394, on lung metastatic burden in vivo as a monotherapy, or in combination with anthracycline- or taxane-based chemotherapy treatment. We show that anti-ezrin treatment alone reduces metastatic burden and markedly sensitizes metastases to doxorubicin or docetaxel in neoadjuvant as well as neoadjuvant plus adjuvant treatment models. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the impact of anti-ezrin treatment in modulating response to chemotherapy in breast cancer cells as well as the efficacy of anti-ezrin treatment in combination with chemotherapy at reducing metastatic burden. Significance This work provides preclinical evidence for combining anti-ezrin treatment with chemotherapy as a novel strategy for effectively targeting metastasis, particularly in a neoadjuvant treatment setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Hoskin
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Queen's Cancer Research Institute; Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abdi Ghaffari
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Queen's Cancer Research Institute; Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian J Laight
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Queen's Cancer Research Institute; Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandip SenGupta
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Christopher J B Nicol
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Queen's Cancer Research Institute; Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bruce E Elliott
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Queen's Cancer Research Institute; Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sonal Varma
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter A Greer
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Queen's Cancer Research Institute; Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Saha A, Cheriyamundath S, Kumar A, Gavert N, Brabletz T, Ben-Ze’ev A. A Necessary Role for Increased Biglycan Expression during L1-Mediated Colon Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010445. [PMID: 35008869 PMCID: PMC8745639 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and downstream β-catenin-TCF target genes is a hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. We identified the immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion receptor L1CAM (L1) as a target of β-catenin-TCF transactivation in CRC cells. Overexpression of L1 in CRC cells confers enhanced proliferation, motility, tumorigenesis, and liver metastasis, and L1 is exclusively localized at invasive areas of human CRC tissue. Several genes are induced after L1 transfection into CRC cells by a mechanism involving the L1-ezrin-NF-κB pathway. We conducted a secretomic analysis of the proteins in the culture medium of L1-overexpressing CRC cells. We detected a highly increased level of biglycan, a small leucine-rich ECM component, and a signaling molecule. We found that induction of biglycan is required for the cellular processes conferred by L1, including enhanced proliferation, motility, tumorigenesis, and liver metastasis. The suppression of endogenous biglycan levels or a point mutation in the L1 ectodomain that regulates cell–cell adhesion mediated by L1 blocked the enhanced tumorigenic properties conferred by L1. The mechanism of biglycan induction by L1 involves the L1-NF-κB pathway. Blocking NF-κB signaling in L1 expressing cells suppressed the induction of biglycan and the tumorigenic properties conferred by L1. Biglycan expression was undetectable in the normal colonic mucosa, but expressed at highly increased levels in the tumor tissue, especially in the stroma. The therapeutic strategies to target biglycan expression might provide a useful approach for CRC treatment in L1-overexpressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arka Saha
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (A.S.); (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Sanith Cheriyamundath
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (A.S.); (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Anmol Kumar
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (A.S.); (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Nancy Gavert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (A.S.); (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine I, Nikolaus-Feibiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Avri Ben-Ze’ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (A.S.); (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
- Correspondence:
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9
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Mir H, Kapur N, Gales DN, Sharma PK, Oprea-Ilies G, Johnson AT, Singh R, Singh S. CXCR6-CXCL16 Axis Promotes Breast Cancer by Inducing Oncogenic Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143568. [PMID: 34298782 PMCID: PMC8306453 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer (BrCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in American women, and its incidence is on the rise. Insufficient understanding of the mechanisms leading to BrCa limits the effectiveness of the treatment. In this article, we show the importance of a chemokine axis-CXCR6/CXCL16 in supporting BrCa progression. We have delineated BrCa-promoting mechanisms induced by this chemokine axis at the molecular level. This work projects the therapeutic significance of CXCR6/CXCL16 signaling for the treatment of BrCa. Abstract Precise mechanisms underlying breast cancer (BrCa) metastasis are undefined, which becomes a challenge for effective treatments. Chemokine signaling instigates the trafficking of cancer cells in addition to leukocytes. This study aimed to ascertain the clinical and biological significance of the CXCR6/CXCL16 signaling axis in the pathobiology of BrCa. Our data show a higher expression of CXCR6 in BrCa cell lines and tissues. Stage-III BrCa tissues express significantly higher CXCR6 compared to stage-II tissues. The ligand, CXCL16, could remain tethered to the cell surface, and, after proteolytic shedding of the ectodomain, the N-terminal fragment is released, converting it to its oncogenic, soluble form. Like CXCR6, N-terminal CXCL16 and ADAM-10 were significantly higher in stage-III than stage-II, but no significant difference was observed in the C-terminal fragment of CXCL16. Further, stimulation of the CXCR6/CXCL16 axis activated Src, FAK, ERK1/2, and PI3K signaling pathways, as per antibody microarray analysis, which also underlie CXCL16-induced F-actin polymerization. The CXCR6/CXCL16 axis induces cytoskeleton rearrangement facilitating migration and invasion and supports BrCa cell survival by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. This study highlights the significance of the CXCR6/CXCL16 axis and ADAM10 as potential therapeutic targets for advanced-stage BrCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Mir
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (H.M.); (N.K.); (D.N.G.); (R.S.)
- Cancer Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Neeraj Kapur
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (H.M.); (N.K.); (D.N.G.); (R.S.)
- Cancer Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Dominique N. Gales
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (H.M.); (N.K.); (D.N.G.); (R.S.)
- Cancer Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Praveen K. Sharma
- Centre for Life Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Jharkhand 835205, India;
| | - Gabriela Oprea-Ilies
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Anita T. Johnson
- Comprehensive Cancer Care Network, Cancer Treatment Center of America, Atlanta, GA 30265, USA;
| | - Rajesh Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (H.M.); (N.K.); (D.N.G.); (R.S.)
- Cancer Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Shailesh Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (H.M.); (N.K.); (D.N.G.); (R.S.)
- Cancer Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-404-756-5718
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10
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Cheng KJ, Mejia Mohammed EH, Khong TL, Mohd Zain S, Thavagnanam S, Ibrahim ZA. IL-1α and colorectal cancer pathogenesis: Enthralling candidate for anti-cancer therapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 163:103398. [PMID: 34147647 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation has been well-established as a hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC). Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) is one of the primary inflammatory mediators driving the pathogenesis of inflammation-associated CRC. This systematic review presents the roles of IL-1α in the pathogenesis of the disease. Bibliographic databases PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched for articles that addresses the relationship between IL-1α and colorectal cancer. We highlighted various mechanisms by which IL-1α promotes the pathogenesis of CRC including enhancement of angiogenesis, metastasis, resistance to therapy, and inhibition of tumour suppressive genes. We also discussed the potential mechanisms by which IL-1α expression is induced or secreted in various studies. Beyond these, the systematic review also highlights several potential therapeutic strategies which should be further explored in the future; to target IL-1α and/or its associated pathways; paving our way in finding effective treatments for CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Jun Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Tak Loon Khong
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shamsul Mohd Zain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Surendran Thavagnanam
- Department of Paediatrics, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Rd, Whitechapel, E1 1FR London, United Kingdom
| | - Zaridatul Aini Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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11
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Resnik-Docampo M, Cunningham KM, Ruvalcaba SM, Choi C, Sauer V, Jones DL. Neuroglian regulates Drosophila intestinal stem cell proliferation through enhanced signaling via the epidermal growth factor receptor. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:1584-1597. [PMID: 33961791 PMCID: PMC8190597 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila intestine is an excellent system for elucidating mechanisms regulating stem cell behavior. Here we show that the septate junction (SJ) protein Neuroglian (Nrg) is expressed in intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and enteroblasts (EBs) within the fly intestine. SJs are not present between ISCs and EBs, suggesting Nrg plays a different role in this tissue. We reveal that Nrg is required for ISC proliferation in young flies, and depletion of Nrg from ISCs and EBs suppresses increased ISC proliferation in aged flies. Conversely, overexpression of Nrg in ISC and EBs promotes ISC proliferation, leading to an increase in cells expressing ISC/EB markers; in addition, we observe an increase in epidermal growth factor receptor (Egfr) activation. Genetic epistasis experiments reveal that Nrg acts upstream of Egfr to regulate ISC proliferation. As Nrg function is highly conserved in mammalian systems, our work characterizing the role of Nrg in the intestine has implications for the treatment of intestinal disorders that arise due to altered ISC behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Resnik-Docampo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kathleen M Cunningham
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - S Mateo Ruvalcaba
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Charles Choi
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Vivien Sauer
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - D Leanne Jones
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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12
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Cave DD, Hernando-Momblona X, Sevillano M, Minchiotti G, Lonardo E. Nodal-induced L1CAM/CXCR4 subpopulation sustains tumor growth and metastasis in colorectal cancer derived organoids. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5686-5699. [PMID: 33897875 PMCID: PMC8058729 DOI: 10.7150/thno.54027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently the third leading cause for cancer-related mortality. Cancer stem cells have been implicated in colorectal tumor growth, but their specific role in tumor biology, including metastasis, is still uncertain. Methods: Increased expression of L1CAM, CXCR4 and NODAL was identified in tumor section of patients with CRC and in patients-derived-organoids (PDOs). The expression of L1CAM, CXCR4 and NODAL was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The effects of the L1CAM, CXCR4 and NODAL on tumor growth, proliferation, migration, invasion, colony-formation ability, metastasis and chemoresistance were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Results: We found that human colorectal cancer tissue contains cancer stem cells defined by L1CAMhigh/CXCR4high expression that is activated by Nodal in hypoxic microenvironment. This L1CAMhigh/CXCR4high population is tumorigenic, highly resistant to standard chemotherapy, and determines the metastatic phenotype of the individual tumor. Depletion of the L1CAMhigh/CXCR4high population drastically reduces the tumorigenic potential and the metastatic phenotype of colorectal tumors. Conclusion: In conclusion, we demonstrated that a subpopulation of migrating L1CAMhigh/CXCR4high is essential for tumor progression. Together, these findings suggest that strategies aimed at modulating the Nodal signaling could have important clinical applications to inhibit colorectal cancer-derived metastasis.
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13
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Cheriyamundath S, Kumar A, Gavert N, Brabletz T, Ben-Ze’ev A. The Collagen-Modifying Enzyme PLOD2 Is Induced and Required during L1-Mediated Colon Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3552. [PMID: 33805564 PMCID: PMC8038063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The overactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. We identified the cell adhesion molecule L1CAM (L1) as a target of β-catenin-TCF transactivation in CRC cells. The overexpression of L1 in CRC cells confers enhanced proliferation, motility, tumorigenesis and liver metastasis, and L1 is exclusively localized in the invasive areas of human CRC tissue. A number of genes are induced after L1 transfection into CRC cells by a mechanism involving the cytoskeletal protein ezrin and the NF-κB pathway. When studying the changes in gene expression in CRC cells overexpressing L1 in which ezrin levels were suppressed by shRNA to ezrin, we discovered the collagen-modifying enzyme lysyl hydroxylase 2 (PLOD2) among these genes. We found that increased PLOD2 expression was required for the cellular processes conferred by L1, including enhanced proliferation, motility, tumorigenesis and liver metastasis, since the suppression of endogenous PLOD2 expression, or its enzymatic activity, blocked the enhanced tumorigenic properties conferred by L1. The mechanism involved in increased PLOD2 expression by L1 involves ezrin signaling and PLOD2 that affect the SMAD2/3 pathway. We found that PLOD2 is localized in the colonic crypts in the stem cell compartment of the normal mucosa and is found at increased levels in invasive areas of the tumor and, in some cases, throughout the tumor tissue. The therapeutic strategies to target PLOD2 expression might provide a useful approach for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanith Cheriyamundath
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Anmol Kumar
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Nancy Gavert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Experimental Medicine I, Nikolaus-Feibiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Avri Ben-Ze’ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
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14
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Zhao X, Liu S, Chen X, Zhao J, Li F, Zhao Q, Xie T, Huang L, Zhang Z, Qi Y, Yang Y, Zhao S, Zhang Y. L1CAM overexpression promotes tumor progression through recruitment of regulatory T cells in esophageal carcinoma. Cancer Biol Med 2021; 18:j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0182. [PMID: 33710805 PMCID: PMC8185865 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) exhibits oncogenic activity in tumors. However, the link between L1CAM and the tumor microenvironment remains poorly understood in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study, we investigated how L1CAM expression in ESCC affects the oncogenic characteristics of tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. METHODS Human ESCC samples were collected, and the mRNA and protein levels of L1CAM were examined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Overexpression and knockdown gene expression assays were used for mechanistic studies. The cell proliferation and cell cycle were measured with CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion ability were measured with Transwell assays. Multiplex bead-based assays were performed to identity the factors downstream of L1CAM. Xenograft studies were performed in nude mice to evaluate the effects of L1CAM on tumor growth and regulatory T cell (Treg) recruitment. RESULTS L1CAM expression was significantly elevated in ESCC tissues (P < 0.001) and correlated with poorer prognosis (P < 0.05). Ablation of L1CAM in ESCC cells inhibited tumor growth and migration, and increased tumor cell apoptosis (P < 0.05). In the tumor microenvironment, L1CAM expression correlated with Treg infiltration in ESCC by affecting CCL22 secretion. Mechanistically, L1CAM facilitated CCL22 expression by activating the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, CCL22 promoted Treg recruitment to the tumor site; the Tregs then secreted TGF-β, which in turn promoted L1CAM expression via Smad2/3 in a positive feedback loop. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide new insight into the mechanism of immune evasion mediated by L1CAM, suggesting that targeting L1CAM-CCL22-TGF-β crosstalk between tumor cells and Tregs may offer a unique means to improve treatment of patients with ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhao
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Shasha Liu
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xinfeng Chen
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Jianyi Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Feng Li
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Qitai Zhao
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Tan Xie
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yu Qi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Song Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou 450052, China
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15
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Angius A, Scanu AM, Arru C, Muroni MR, Rallo V, Deiana G, Ninniri MC, Carru C, Porcu A, Pira G, Uva P, Cossu-Rocca P, De Miglio MR. Portrait of Cancer Stem Cells on Colorectal Cancer: Molecular Biomarkers, Signaling Pathways and miRNAome. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1603. [PMID: 33562604 PMCID: PMC7915330 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and about 20% is metastatic at diagnosis and untreatable. Increasing evidence suggests that the heterogeneous nature of CRC is related to colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs), a small cells population with stemness behaviors and responsible for tumor progression, recurrence, and therapy resistance. Growing knowledge of stem cells (SCs) biology has rapidly improved uncovering the molecular mechanisms and possible crosstalk/feedback loops between signaling pathways that directly influence intestinal homeostasis and tumorigenesis. The generation of CCSCs is probably connected to genetic changes in members of signaling pathways, which control self-renewal and pluripotency in SCs and then establish function and phenotype of CCSCs. Particularly, various deregulated CCSC-related miRNAs have been reported to modulate stemness features, controlling CCSCs functions such as regulation of cell cycle genes expression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasization, and drug-resistance mechanisms. Primarily, CCSC-related miRNAs work by regulating mainly signal pathways known to be involved in CCSCs biology. This review intends to summarize the epigenetic findings linked to miRNAome in the maintenance and regulation of CCSCs, including their relationships with different signaling pathways, which should help to identify specific diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers for CRC, but also develop innovative CCSCs-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Angius
- Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), CNR, Cittadella Universitaria di Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy;
| | - Antonio Mario Scanu
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Via P. Manzella, 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.S.); (M.R.M.); (G.D.); (M.C.N.); (A.P.); (P.C.-R.)
| | - Caterina Arru
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (C.A.); (C.C.); (G.P.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Muroni
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Via P. Manzella, 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.S.); (M.R.M.); (G.D.); (M.C.N.); (A.P.); (P.C.-R.)
| | - Vincenzo Rallo
- Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), CNR, Cittadella Universitaria di Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy;
| | - Giulia Deiana
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Via P. Manzella, 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.S.); (M.R.M.); (G.D.); (M.C.N.); (A.P.); (P.C.-R.)
| | - Maria Chiara Ninniri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Via P. Manzella, 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.S.); (M.R.M.); (G.D.); (M.C.N.); (A.P.); (P.C.-R.)
| | - Ciriaco Carru
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (C.A.); (C.C.); (G.P.)
| | - Alberto Porcu
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Via P. Manzella, 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.S.); (M.R.M.); (G.D.); (M.C.N.); (A.P.); (P.C.-R.)
| | - Giovanna Pira
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (C.A.); (C.C.); (G.P.)
| | - Paolo Uva
- IRCCS G. Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Paolo Cossu-Rocca
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Via P. Manzella, 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.S.); (M.R.M.); (G.D.); (M.C.N.); (A.P.); (P.C.-R.)
- Department of Diagnostic Services, “Giovanni Paolo II” Hospital, ASSL Olbia-ATS Sardegna, 07026 Olbia, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria De Miglio
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Via P. Manzella, 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.S.); (M.R.M.); (G.D.); (M.C.N.); (A.P.); (P.C.-R.)
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16
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Cheriyamundath S, Ben-Ze’ev A. Wnt/β-Catenin Target Genes in Colon Cancer Metastasis: The Special Case of L1CAM. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113444. [PMID: 33228199 PMCID: PMC7699470 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Wnt/β-catenin cell–cell signaling pathway is one of the most basic and highly conserved pathways for intercellular communications regulating key steps during development, differentiation, and cancer. In colorectal cancer (CRC), in particular, aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is believed to be responsible for perpetuating the disease from the very early stages of cancer development. A large number of downstream target genes of β-catenin-T-cell factor (TCF), including oncogenes, were detected as regulators of CRC development. In this review, we will summarize studies mainly on one such target gene, the L1CAM (L1) cell adhesion receptor, that is selectively induced in invasive and metastatic CRC cells and in regenerating cells of the intestine following injury. We will describe studies on the genes activated when the levels of L1 are increased in CRC cells and their effectiveness in propagating CRC development. These downstream targets of L1-signaling can serve in diagnosis and may provide additional targets for CRC therapy. Abstract Cell adhesion to neighboring cells is a fundamental biological process in multicellular organisms that is required for tissue morphogenesis. A tight coordination between cell–cell adhesion, signaling, and gene expression is a characteristic feature of normal tissues. Changes, and often disruption of this coordination, are common during invasive and metastatic cancer development. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is an excellent model for studying the role of adhesion-mediated signaling in colorectal cancer (CRC) invasion and metastasis, because β-catenin has a dual role in the cell; it is a major adhesion linker of cadherin transmembrane receptors to the cytoskeleton and, in addition, it is also a key transducer of Wnt signaling to the nucleus, where it acts as a co-transcriptional activator of Wnt target genes. Hyperactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a common feature in the majority of CRC patients. We found that the neural cell adhesion receptor L1CAM (L1) is a target gene of β-catenin signaling and is induced in carcinoma cells of CRC patients, where it plays an important role in CRC metastasis. In this review, we will discuss studies on β-catenin target genes activated during CRC development (in particular, L1), the signaling pathways affected by L1, and the role of downstream target genes activated by L1 overexpression, especially those that are also part of the intestinal stem cell gene signature. As intestinal stem cells are highly regulated by Wnt signaling and are believed to also play major roles in CRC progression, unravelling the mechanisms underlying the regulation of these genes will shed light on both normal intestinal homeostasis and the development of invasive and metastatic CRC.
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17
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Song Y, Ma X, Zhang M, Wang M, Wang G, Ye Y, Xia W. Ezrin Mediates Invasion and Metastasis in Tumorigenesis: A Review. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:588801. [PMID: 33240887 PMCID: PMC7683424 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.588801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ezrin, as encoded by the EZR gene, is a member of the Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (ERM) family. The ERM family includes three highly related actin filament binding proteins, Ezrin, Radixin, and Moesin. These three members share similar structural properties containing an N-terminal domain named FERM, a central helical linker region, and a C-terminal domain that mediates the interaction with F-actin. Ezrin protein is highly regulated through the conformational change between a closed, inactivate form and an open, active form. As a membrane-cytoskeleton linker protein, Ezrin facilitates numerous signal transductions in tumorigenesis and mediates diverse essential functions through interactions with a variety of growth factor receptors and adhesion molecules. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that Ezrin is an oncogene protein, as high levels of Ezrin are associated with metastatic behavior in various types of cancer. The diverse functions attributed to Ezrin and the understanding of how Ezrin drives the deadly process of metastasis are complex and often controversial. Here by reviewing recent findings across a wide spectrum of cancer types we will highlight the structures, protein interactions and oncogenic roles of Ezrin as well as the emerging therapeutic agents targeting Ezrin. This review provides a comprehensive framework to guide future studies of Ezrin and other ERM proteins in basic and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Song
- Central Laboratory, The Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaokun Ma
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Central Laboratory, The Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Menghan Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoyu Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Ye
- Central Laboratory, The Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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18
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Altevogt P, Ben-Ze'ev A, Gavert N, Schumacher U, Schäfer H, Sebens S. Recent insights into the role of L1CAM in cancer initiation and progression. Int J Cancer 2020; 147:3292-3296. [PMID: 32588424 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
First described as a neuronal cell adhesion molecule, L1CAM was later identified to be present at increased levels in primary tumors and metastases of various types of cancer. Here, we describe the multifaceted roles of L1CAM that are involved in diverse fundamental steps during tumor initiation and progression, as well as in chemoresistance. Recently, Ganesh et al reported that L1CAM identifies metastasis-initiating cells in colorectal carcinoma exhibiting stem-like cell features, increased tumorigenic potential and enhanced chemoresistance. In this review, we highlight recent advances in L1CAM research with particular emphasis on its role in de-differentiation processes and cancer cell stemness supporting the view that L1CAM is a powerful prognostic factor and a suitable target for improved therapy of metastatic and drug-resistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Altevogt
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Avri Ben-Ze'ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nancy Gavert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Udo Schumacher
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heiner Schäfer
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Susanne Sebens
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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19
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Fang QX, Zheng XC, Zhao HJ. L1CAM is involved in lymph node metastasis via ERK1/2 signaling in colorectal cancer. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:837-846. [PMID: 32269716 PMCID: PMC7137048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
L1-cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM, L1) belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and was originally found to play a role in nerve cells. Recently, the expression and prognostic value of L1 has been established in several cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its association with lymph node metastasis in CRC and the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the L1 transcript levels in CRC (n=12) and normal intestinal tissues (n=15) by qRT-PCR. Western blotting was used to evaluate L1 and pERK1/2 expression levels. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the relationship between L1 and pERK1/2 in CRC tissues with different levels of differentiation. The mRNA expression levels in CRC tissues were significantly higher compared to normal intestinal tissues. Western blotting demonstrated that both L1 and pERK1/2 levels were higher in CRC than in normal tissues. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that L1 and pERK1/2 levels in adenomas with lymph node metastasis were significantly higher than in poorly and well-differentiated adenomas, indicating that L1 and pERK1/2 levels correlated with CRC lymph node metastasis. In conclusion, L1 and pERK1/2 were significantly up-regulated in CRC tissues and lymph node metastasis may occur via the L1CAM-mediated ERK pathway in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Xia Fang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao-Chun Zheng
- Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hua-Jun Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China
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Tampakis A, Tampaki EC, Nonni A, Tsourouflis G, Posabella A, Patsouris E, Kontzoglou K, von Flüe M, Nikiteas N, Kouraklis G. L1CAM expression in colorectal cancer identifies a high-risk group of patients with dismal prognosis already in early-stage disease. Acta Oncol 2020; 59:55-59. [PMID: 31532272 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2019.1667022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background: Metastatic disease in colorectal cancer represents a major cause of significant cancer-associated morbidity and mortality. L1CAM is a stem cell marker, cell adhesion molecule, belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules (IgCAM) and it is aberrantly expressed in several different types of human solid tumors. The aim of the present study was to assess the expression patterns of L1CAM and its clinical significance in colorectal cancer.Patients and methods: Surgical specimens of 109 patients with primary resectable colorectal cancer were examined for L1CAM expression via immunohistochemistry and the results were correlated with clinical and survival data.Results: L1CAM expression was significantly correlated with advanced stage of disease (p < .001), higher T classification (p = .040), the presence of lymph node (p < .001) and distant metastasis (p = .011). Patients displaying high L1CAM expression demonstrated a dismal three-year progression free survival (29.7% vs 87.1%, p < .001) and five-year overall survival (39.9% vs 87.7%, p < .001). Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard models revealed high L1CAM expression as a prognostic marker of dismal progression free (HR 0.187, 95%CI = 0.075-0.467, p < .0001) and overall survival (HR 0.154, 95%CI = 0.049-0.483, p = .001) independent of other clinicopathological characteristics. Subgroup analysis comprised of patients with early stage disease only presented as well significantly worse progression free and overall survival when L1CAM exhibited high expression.Conclusions: Colorectal cancer patients displaying high expression of L1CAM harbor high risk for metastasis already in early stage disease identifying therefore a group of patients prone to dismal prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Tampakis
- Clarunis University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Disorders, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- 2nd Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ekaterini Christina Tampaki
- 2nd Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Afroditi Nonni
- 1st Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Tsourouflis
- 2nd Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Alberto Posabella
- Clarunis University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Disorders, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Efstratios Patsouris
- 1st Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kontzoglou
- 2nd Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Markus von Flüe
- Clarunis University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Disorders, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaos Nikiteas
- 2nd Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Gregory Kouraklis
- 2nd Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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21
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Cheriyamundath S, Basu S, Haase G, Doernberg H, Gavert N, Brabletz T, Ben-Ze'ev A. ISG15 induction is required during L1-mediated colon cancer progression and metastasis. Oncotarget 2019; 10:7122-7131. [PMID: 31903170 PMCID: PMC6935256 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivation of Wnt/β-catenin target gene expression is a hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. We identified L1-CAM (L1) and Nr-CAM, members of the immunoglobulin family of nerve cell adhesion receptors, as target genes of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in CRC cells. L1 overexpression in CRC cells enhances their motile and tumorigenic capacity and promotes liver metastasis. L1 is often localized at the invasive edge of CRC tissue. Using gene arrays and proteomic analyses we identified downstream signaling pathways and targets of L1-mediated signaling. Here, we found that the expression of interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) that operates much like ubiquitin (is conjugated to proteins by ISGylation), is elevated in the conditioned medium and in CRC cells overexpressing L1. Suppression of endogenous ISG15 levels in L1-expressing cells blocked the increased proliferative, motile, tumorigenic and liver metastatic capacities of CRC cells. ISG15 overexpression, on its own, could enhance these properties in CRC cells, but only to a much lower extent compared to L1. We show that NF-κB signaling is involved in the L1-mediated increase in ISG15, since blocking the NF-κB pathway abolished the induction of ISG15 by L1. Point mutations in the L1 ectodomain that interfere with its binding to L1 ligands, also inhibited the increase in ISG15. We detected high levels of ISG15 in human CRC tissue cells and in the adjacent stroma, but not in the normal mucosa. The results suggest that ISG15 is involved in L1-mediated CRC development and is a potential target for CRC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanith Cheriyamundath
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Sayon Basu
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Gal Haase
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Harry Doernberg
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Nancy Gavert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Experimental Medicine I, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Avri Ben-Ze'ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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22
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Ye DJ, Kwon YJ, Baek HS, Shin S, Lee C, Yun JW, Nam KT, Lim KM, Chun YJ. Discovery of Ezrin Expression as a Potential Biomarker for Chemically Induced Ocular Irritation Using Human Corneal Epithelium Cell Line and a Reconstructed Human Cornea-like Epithelium Model. Toxicol Sci 2019; 165:335-346. [PMID: 29893927 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have attempted to develop a new in vitro eye irritation test (EIT). To obtain more reliable results from EIT, potential new biomarkers that reflect eye irritation by chemicals must be identified. We investigated candidate biomarkers for eye irritation, using a proteomics approach. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or benzalkonium chloride (BAC) was applied on a reconstructed human cornea-like epithelium model, MCTT HCE, and corneal protein expression was examined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. We found that ezrin (EZR) was significantly upregulated by SLS or BAC. In addition, upregulation of EZR in immortalized human corneal cells treated with SLS or BAC was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and western blot analysis. Furthermore, other well-known eye irritants such as cetylpyridinium bromide, Triton X-100, cyclohexanol, ethanol, 2-methyl-1-pentanol, and sodium hydroxide significantly increased EZR expression in immortalized human corneal cells. Induction of EZR promoter activity in irritant-treated human corneal cells was confirmed by a luciferase gene reporter assay. In conclusion, EZR expression may be a potential biomarker for detecting eye irritation, which may substantially improve the performance of in vitro EIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Jin Ye
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeo-Jung Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung-Seok Baek
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangyun Shin
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Choongho Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Won Yun
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Taek Nam
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Min Lim
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jin Chun
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
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23
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Basu S, Cheriyamundath S, Gavert N, Brabletz T, Haase G, Ben-Ze'ev A. Increased expression of cathepsin D is required for L1-mediated colon cancer progression. Oncotarget 2019; 10:5217-5228. [PMID: 31497251 PMCID: PMC6718269 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivation of Wnt/β-catenin target genes is considered a key step in human colorectal cancer (CRC) development. We previously identified the immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion receptor L1 as a target gene of β-catenin/TCF transactivation that is localized at the invasive edge of CRC tissue. Using gene arrays, we discovered a number of downstream target genes and signaling pathways conferred by L1 overexpression during colon cancer progression. Here, we have used a proteomic approach to identify proteins in the secretome of L1-overexpressing CRC cells and studied the role of the increase in the aspartate protease cathepsin D (CTSD) in L1-mediated colon cancer development. We found that in addition to the increase in CTSD in the secretome, the RNA and protein levels of CTSD were also induced by L1 in CRC cells. CTSD overexpression resulted in elevated proliferation under stress and increased motility, tumorigenesis and liver metastasis, although to a lesser extent than after L1-transfection. The suppression of endogenous CTSD in L1-expressing cells blocked the increase in the proliferative, motile, tumorigenic and metastatic ability of CRC cells. Enhancing Wnt/β-catenin signaling by the inhibition of GSK3β resulted in increased endogenous CTSD levels, suggesting the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in CTSD expression. In human CRC tissue, CTSD was detected in epithelial cells and in the stromal compartment at the more invasive areas of the tumor, but not in the normal mucosa, indicating that CTSD plays an essential role in CRC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayon Basu
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Sanith Cheriyamundath
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Nancy Gavert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Experimental Medicine I, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Gal Haase
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Avri Ben-Ze'ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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24
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Maten MVD, Reijnen C, Pijnenborg JMA, Zegers MM. L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule in Cancer, a Systematic Review on Domain-Specific Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20174180. [PMID: 31455004 PMCID: PMC6747497 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is a glycoprotein involved in cancer development and is associated with metastases and poor prognosis. Cellular processing of L1CAM results in expression of either full-length or cleaved forms of the protein. The different forms of L1CAM may localize at the plasma membrane as a transmembrane protein, or in the intra- or extracellular environment as cleaved or exosomal forms. Here, we systematically analyze available literature that directly relates to L1CAM domains and associated signaling pathways in cancer. Specifically, we chart its domain-specific functions in relation to cancer progression, and outline pre-clinical assays used to assess L1CAM. It is found that full-length L1CAM has both intracellular and extracellular targets, including interactions with integrins, and linkage with ezrin. Cellular processing leading to proteolytic cleavage and/or exosome formation results in extracellular soluble forms of L1CAM that may act through similar mechanisms as compared to full-length L1CAM, such as integrin-dependent signals, but also through distinct mechanisms. We provide an algorithm to guide a step-wise analysis on L1CAM in clinical samples, to promote interpretation of domain-specific expression. This systematic review infers that L1CAM has an important role in cancer progression that can be attributed to domain-specific forms. Most studies focus on the full-length plasma membrane L1CAM, yet knowledge on the domain-specific forms is a prerequisite for selective targeting treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam van der Maten
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Casper Reijnen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna M A Pijnenborg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Mirjam M Zegers
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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25
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Pusey MA, Pace K, Fascelli M, Linser PJ, Steindler DA, Galileo DS. Ectopic expression of L1CAM ectodomain alters differentiation and motility, but not proliferation, of human neural progenitor cells. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 78:49-64. [PMID: 31421150 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult human neural progenitor and stem cells have been implicated as a potential source of brain cancer causing cells, but specific events that might cause cells to progress towards a transformed phenotype remain unclear. The L1CAM (L1) cell adhesion/recognition molecule is expressed abnormally by human glioma cancer cells and is released as a large extracellular ectodomain fragment, which stimulates cell motility and proliferation. This study investigates the effects of ectopic overexpression of the L1 long ectodomain (L1LE; ˜180 kDa) on the motility, proliferation, and differentiation of human neural progenitor cells (HNPs). L1LE was ectopically expressed in HNPs using a lentiviral vector. Surprisingly, overexpression of L1LE resulted in reduced HNP motility in vitro, in stark contrast to the effects on glioma and other cancer cell types. L1LE overexpression resulted in a variable degree of maintenance of HNP proliferation in media without added growth factors but did not increase proliferation. In monolayer culture, HNPs expressed a variety of differentiation markers. L1LE overexpression resulted in loss of glutamine synthetase (GS) and β3-tubulin expression in normal HNP media, and reduced vimentin and increased GS expression in the absence of added growth factors. When co-cultured with chick embryonic brain cell aggregates, HNPs show increased differentiation potential. Some HNPs expressed p-neurofilaments and oligodendrocytic O4, indicating differentiation beyond that in monolayer culture. Most HNP-L1LE cells lost their vimentin and GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) staining, and many cells were positive for astrocytic GS. However, these cells rarely were positive for neuronal markers β3-tubulin or p-neurofilaments, and few HNP oligodendrocyte progenitors were found. These results suggest that unlike for glioma cells, L1LE does not increase HNP cell motility, but rather decreases motility and influences the differentiation of normal brain progenitor cells. Therefore, the effect of L1LE on increasing motility and proliferation appears to be limited to already transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Pusey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Karma Pace
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Michele Fascelli
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Paul J Linser
- Whitney Laboratory, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, USA
| | | | - Deni S Galileo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
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26
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Voutsadakis IA. Prognostic role of tumor budding in breast cancer. World J Exp Med 2018; 8:12-17. [PMID: 30211020 PMCID: PMC6134264 DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v8.i2.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor budding, defined as a small number of cancer cells observed in pathology sections detached from the main tumor mass, is a common phenomenon in cancer. It is suggested that cells in buds are in the process of actively moving away from the primary tumor in the first step of metastasis. Tumor budding has been observed in a variety of carcinomas and is best studied in colorectal cancers where it portends poor prognosis. More recently, tumor budding was found to be of prognostic significance in other cancers including breast cancer. Tumor budding in breast cancer is associated with other adverse pathologic factors, such as larger tumor size and lymphovascular invasion, but may have additional independent prognostic value. In the future, standardization of the quantification criteria for tumor budding may further aid in its adoption as a prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis A Voutsadakis
- Algoma District Cancer Program, Sault Area Hospital, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada; and Section of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, P3E 2C6, Canada
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27
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NF-κB pathways in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. Transl Res 2018; 197:43-56. [PMID: 29550444 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) has been widely implicated in the development and progression of cancer. In colorectal cancer (CRC), NF-κB has a key role in cancer-related processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The role of NF-κB in CRC is complex, owed to the cross talk with other signaling pathways. Although there is sufficient evidence gained from cell lines and animal models that NF-κB is involved in cancer-related processes, because of a lack of studies in human tissue, the clinical evidence of its importance is limited in patients with CRC. This review summarizes evidence relating to how NF-κB is involved in the development and progression of CRC and comments on future work to be carried out.
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28
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Liu P, Yang P, Zhang Z, Liu M, Hu S. Ezrin/NF-κB Pathway Regulates EGF-induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), Metastasis, and Progression of Osteosarcoma. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:2098-2108. [PMID: 29628496 PMCID: PMC5907830 DOI: 10.12659/msm.906945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is responsible for metastasis of cancers, and NF-κB can promote tumor progression. Ezrin is an important molecule participating in EMT. However, whether Ezrin mediates NF-κB in EGF-induced osteosarcoma is unknown. Material/Methods Ezrin phosphorylation, NF-κB activation, and EGF-induced EMT were studied in MG63 and U20S cells with NF-κB inhibition, silencing, or over-expressing Ezrin. Cell morphology, proliferation, migration, and motility were analyzed. An osteosarcoma model was established in mice by injecting MG63 and U20S and reducing Ezrin. Results With EGF induction in vitro, Ezrin Tyr353 and Thr567 were phosphorylated, and EMT, proliferation, migration, and motility of osteosarcoma cells were promoted. Silencing Ezrin suppressed and over-expressing Ezrin promoted the nuclear translocation of p65 and phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα) in EGF-induced osteosarcoma cells. NF-κB inhibitor blocked EGF-induced EMT in both cell types, as well as reserving cell morphology and suppressing proliferation, migration, and motility. In vivo, reducing Ezrin significantly suppressed metastasis of osteosarcoma xenografts, increased liver and lung weights, and activated NF-κB, which were both induced by EGF. Conclusions Ezrin/NF-κB regulated EGF-induced EMT, as well as progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma in vivo and in vitro. Ezrin/NF-κB may be a new therapeutic target to prevent osteosarcoma from deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (mainland)
| | - Peng Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China (mainland)
| | - Zhang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (mainland)
| | - Mingfa Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Hohhot First Hospital, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China (mainland)
| | - Sanbao Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (mainland)
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29
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The intestinal stem cell regulating gene ASCL2 is required for L1-mediated colon cancer progression. Cancer Lett 2018; 424:9-18. [PMID: 29551399 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a common event during human colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Previously, we characterized members of the L1 family of cell adhesion receptors as targets of β-catenin-LEF1/TCF transactivation that are expressed at the invasive CRC tissue edge. Overexpression of L1 in CRC cells confers enhanced motility, tumorigenesis and liver metastasis. We identified several downstream targets of L1-mediated signaling that are considered key intestinal stem cell signature genes. Here, we investigated the involvement of ASCL2, a Wnt target gene and key determinant of intestinal stem cell state, in L1-mediated CRC progression. In L1 overexpressing CRC cells we found an increase in ASCL2, a decrease in E-cadherin and accumulation of nuclear β-catenin, β-catenin-LEF1/TCF transactivation and target gene expression. The increase in ASCL2 by L1 overexpression enhanced ASCL2 target gene expression, conferred increased motility, tumorigenesis and metastasis, similar to L1 overexpression. Suppression of ASCL2 in cells expressing L1 blocked these tumorigenic properties. In human CRC tissue, ASCL2 was detected in the nuclei of cells at invasive areas of the tumor that also expressed L1. The results suggest that increased ASCL2 expression is a critical step in L1-mediated CRC progression.
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30
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Borowsky J, Dumenil T, Bettington M, Pearson SA, Bond C, Fennell L, Liu C, McKeone D, Rosty C, Brown I, Walker N, Leggett B, Whitehall V. The role of APC in WNT pathway activation in serrated neoplasia. Mod Pathol 2018; 31:495-504. [PMID: 29148535 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.2017.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Conventional adenomas are initiated by APC gene mutation that activates the WNT signal. Serrated neoplasia is commonly initiated by BRAF or KRAS mutation. WNT pathway activation may also occur, however, to what extent this is owing to APC mutation is unknown. We examined aberrant nuclear β-catenin immunolocalization as a surrogate for WNT pathway activation and analyzed the entire APC gene coding sequence in serrated and conventional pathway polyps and cancers. WNT pathway activation was a common event in conventional pathway lesions with aberrant nuclear immunolocalization of β-catenin and truncating APC mutations in 90% and 89% of conventional adenomas and 82% and 70% of BRAF wild-type cancers, respectively. WNT pathway activation was seen to a lesser extent in serrated pathway lesions. It occurred at the transition to dysplasia in serrated polyps with a significant increase in nuclear β-catenin labeling from sessile serrated adenomas (10%) to sessile serrated adenomas with dysplasia (55%) and traditional serrated adenomas (9%) to traditional serrated adenomas with dysplasia (39%) (P=0.0001). However, unlike the conventional pathway, truncating APC mutations were rare in the serrated pathway lesions especially sessile serrated adenomas even when dysplastic (15%) and in the BRAF mutant cancers with microsatellite instability that arise from them (8%). In contrast, APC missense mutations that were rare in conventional pathway adenomas and cancers (3% in BRAF wild-type cancers) were more frequent in BRAF mutant cancers with microsatellite instability (32%). We conclude that increased WNT signaling is important in the transition to malignancy in the serrated pathway but that APC mutation is less common and the spectrum of mutations is different than in conventional colorectal carcinogenesis. Moderate impact APC mutations and non-APC-related causes of increased WNT signaling may have a more important role in serrated neoplasia than the truncating APC mutations common in conventional adenomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Borowsky
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Envoi Specialist Pathologists, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Troy Dumenil
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark Bettington
- Envoi Specialist Pathologists, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sally-Ann Pearson
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Catherine Bond
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lochlan Fennell
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Cheng Liu
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Diane McKeone
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Christophe Rosty
- Envoi Specialist Pathologists, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ian Brown
- Envoi Specialist Pathologists, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Pathology Queensland, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Neal Walker
- Envoi Specialist Pathologists, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Barbara Leggett
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Vicki Whitehall
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Pathology Queensland, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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31
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Added Value of Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, and L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression to Histology-Based Endometrial Carcinoma Recurrence Prediction Models: An ENITEC Collaboration Study. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2018; 28:514-523. [DOI: 10.1097/igc.0000000000001187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesEndometrial carcinoma mortality is mainly caused by recurrent disease, and various immunohistochemical markers to predict recurrences have been studied. Loss of the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) and the presence of the L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) are promising markers, but their combined value has not been studied.Materials and MethodsExpression of ER, PR, and L1CAM was immunohistochemically determined in 293 endometrial carcinomas from 11 collaborating European Network for Individualized Treatment of Endometrial Cancer centers. Estrogen receptor, PR, or L1CAM staining was considered positive or negative when expressed by greater than or equal to 10% or less than 10% of the tumor cells, respectively. The association between these markers and clinicopathological markers, and their combined value in predicting survival were calculated, both in the entire cohort and in a selected groups of stage I endometrioid and low-risk stage I endometrioid carcinomas.ResultsEstrogen receptor and PR were negative in 19% and 28% of the cases, respectively, and L1CAM was positive in 18%. All 3 were associated with advanced stage, high-grade, nonendometrioid histology, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and reduced disease-free survival. Only advanced stage, loss of PR, and LVSI were associated with reduced disease-free survival in multivariate analysis. A prognostic model including these 3 markers was superior to 1 including only the 3 immunohistochemical markers, which was superior to the traditional model. In both the stage I endometrioid and the low-risk stage I endometrioid groups, only loss of PR was associated with reduced disease-free survival.ConclusionsLoss of ER and PR, and the presence of L1CAM are associated with high risk characteristics, and loss of PR is the strongest predictor of recurrent disease. Although a combination of these 3 markers is slightly superior to the traditional histological markers, a prognostic model including stage, PR expression, and LVSI is the most promising model in the identification of high risk carcinomas. In the stage I endometrioid carcinomas, PR immunohistochemistry appears to be of additional value in predicting recurrences.
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Jansen SR, Poppinga WJ, de Jager W, Lezoualc'h F, Cheng X, Wieland T, Yarwood SJ, Gosens R, Schmidt M. Epac1 links prostaglandin E2 to β-catenin-dependent transcription during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Oncotarget 2018; 7:46354-46370. [PMID: 27344171 PMCID: PMC5216803 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In epithelial cells, β-catenin is localized at cell-cell junctions where it stabilizes adherens junctions. When these junctions are disrupted, β-catenin can translocate to the nucleus where it functions as a transcriptional cofactor. Recent research has indicated that PGE2 enhances the nuclear function of β-catenin through cyclic AMP. Here, we aim to study the role of the cyclic AMP effector Epac in β-catenin activation by PGE2 in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. We show that PGE2 induces a down-regulation of E-cadherin, promotes cell migration and enhances β-catenin translocation to the nucleus. This results in β-catenin-dependent gene transcription. We also observed increased expression of Epac1. Inhibition of Epac1 activity using the CE3F4 compound or Epac1 siRNA abolished the effects of PGE2 on β-catenin. Further, we observed that Epac1 and β-catenin associate together. Expression of an Epac1 mutant with a deletion in the nuclear pore localization sequence prevents this association. Furthermore, the scaffold protein Ezrin was shown to be required to link Epac1 to β-catenin. This study indicates a novel role for Epac1 in PGE2-induced EMT and subsequent activation of β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepp R Jansen
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy (GRIP), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wilfred J Poppinga
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy (GRIP), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wim de Jager
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy (GRIP), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Lezoualc'h
- Inserm UMR-1048, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires, Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Integrative Biology & Pharmacology, Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Thomas Wieland
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephen J Yarwood
- School of Life Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Reinoud Gosens
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy (GRIP), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martina Schmidt
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute for Pharmacy (GRIP), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Kong J, Di C, Piao J, Sun J, Han L, Chen L, Yan G, Lin Z. Ezrin contributes to cervical cancer progression through induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Oncotarget 2017; 7:19631-42. [PMID: 26933912 PMCID: PMC4991407 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in females worldwide. The treatment options for advanced cervical cancer are limited, leading to high mortality. Ezrin is a membrane-cytoskeleton-binding protein recently reported to act as a tumor promoter, and we previously indicated that the aberrant localization and overexpression of Ezrin could be an independent effective biomarker for prognostic evaluation of cervical cancers. In this study, we identified Ezrin as a regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in cervical cancer. Ezrin knock-down inhibited anchorage-independent growth, cell migration, and invasion of cervical cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. EMT was inhibited in Ezrin-depleted cells, with up-regulation of E-cadherin and Cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) and down-regulation of mesenchymal markers. Ezrin knock-down also induced Akt phosphorylation. These results implicate Ezrin as an EMT regulator and tumor promoter in cervical cancer, and down-regulation of Ezrin suppressed cervical cancer progression, possibly via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway. Furthermore, the expression pattern of Ezrin protein was closely related with the lymphovascular invasion status of cervical cancer by immunohistochemistry, and the survival analysis revealed that the cervical cancer patients with the perinuclear Ezrin expression pattern had longer survival time than those with the cytoplasmic Ezrin expression pattern. Ezrin thus represents a promising target for the development of novel and effective strategies aimed at preventing the progression of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jienan Kong
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Research Center, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China.,Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Chunchan Di
- Department of Pathology, Zibo First Hospital, Zibo 255200, China
| | - Junjie Piao
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Research Center, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Research Center, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Longzhe Han
- Department of Pathology, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji 133000, China
| | - Liyan Chen
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Research Center, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Guanghai Yan
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Research Center, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Zhenhua Lin
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Research Center, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China
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Guo JC, Xie YM, Ran LQ, Cao HH, Sun C, Wu JY, Wu ZY, Liao LD, Zhao WJ, Fang WK, Li EM, Xu LY, Schachner M, Xie JJ. L1CAM drives oncogenicity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by stimulation of ezrin transcription. J Mol Med (Berl) 2017; 95:1355-1368. [PMID: 28939985 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-017-1595-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is highly expressed in various types of human cancers, displaying yet unknown molecular mechanisms underlying their oncogenic potential. Here, we found that L1CAM expression was significantly increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC; n = 157) lesions compared with non-cancerous tissues. High tumorous L1CAM expression significantly correlated with reduced overall survival. Experimentally, L1CAM knockdown led to decreased cell growth, migration, and invasiveness in vitro, whereas overexpression of L1CAM showed the opposite effect. In nude mice, L1CAM depletion attenuated tumorigenesis and ability to penetrate the tissues surrounding ESCC cells. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and SubpathwayMiner analysis on gene expression profiles (microarray data on ESCC tissues, GSE53625; cDNA microarray data on L1CAM-knockdown ESCC cell line, GSE86268) suggested that L1CAM-co-expression genes were related to cell motility, cell proliferation, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton, validating the above experimental findings. Further mechanistical analysis showed that L1CAM upregulated the expression of the cytoskeletal protein ezrin via activating integrin β1/MAPK/ERK/AP1 signaling and thus led to the malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells. Together, our findings suggest that L1CAM may be employed as a valuable prognosis marker and a therapeutic target for ESCC patients and that L1CAM promotes ESCC tumorigenicity by upregulating ezrin expression. KEY MESSAGES L1CAM promotes growth and invasiveness of ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo. L1CAM upregulates the expression of ezrin by integrin α5β1/MAPK/ERK/AP1 pathway. Ezrin is a key downstream effector in the L1CAM-promoted malignant phenotypes. High expression levels of both L1CAM and ezrin significantly correlated with reduced overall survival. Nuclear L1CAM is an independent prognosis marker for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Cheng Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Shantou University, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, China
| | - Yang-Min Xie
- Department of Experimental Animal Center, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Li-Qiang Ran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Shantou University, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, China
| | - Hui-Hui Cao
- Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Chun Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Shantou University, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, China
| | - Jian-Yi Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Shantou University, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Wu
- Department of Oncologic Surgery, Shantou Central Hospital, Affiliated Shantou Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shantou, China
| | - Lian-Di Liao
- Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Wei-Jiang Zhao
- Center for Neuroscience, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Wang-Kai Fang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Shantou University, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, China
| | - En-Min Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Shantou University, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, China
| | - Li-Yan Xu
- Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, China.
| | - Melitta Schachner
- Center for Neuroscience, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, China. .,W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Jian-Jun Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Shantou University, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, China.
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Li Y, Lin Z, Chen B, Chen S, Jiang Z, Zhou T, Hou Z, Wang Y. Ezrin/NF-kB activation regulates epithelial- mesenchymal transition induced by EGF and promotes metastasis of colorectal cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 92:140-148. [PMID: 28535417 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that epithelial mesenchymal-transition (EMT) plays significant roles in terms of tumor metastasis. There are a lot of cytokines inducing EMT of tumor cells, EGF is one of the important cytokines.Ezrin is a connexin between the cytoskeleton and the cell membrane, which is closely related to the morphological movement and metastasis of tumor cells.EGF can activate Ezrin and affects cell motility. In recent years, many studies have shown that NF-kB acts as an important transcription factor, involving in the process of EMT. However, does Ezrin participate in the regulation of EGF-induced EMT through the NF-kB pathway? This question needs us to discuss.In the present study, we found that EGF could induce colorectal cancer cells to develop EMT,enhance their ability to invade and migrate and promotes phosphorylation of Ezrin Tyr353.On the other hand, inhibition of Ezrin could reverse EGF-induced EMT and inhibit NF-kB P65 translocating into the nucleus. Finally, knockout of Ezrin inhibited EGF-induced lung metastasis of colorectal cancer xenografts and abnormal activation of Ezrin and NF-kB were related with colorectal cancer metastasis and poor prognosis. Our present results suggest that Ezrin/NF-kB pathway may provide experimental evidence for new targeted drugs for colorectal cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingru Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, The sixth affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat_Sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoyu Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Chen
- The Affiliated Xuzhou Center Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, The sixth affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat_Sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zhipeng Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, The sixth affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat_Sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Taicheng Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, The sixth affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat_Sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zehui Hou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, The sixth affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat_Sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youyuan Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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C1QBP suppresses cell adhesion and metastasis of renal carcinoma cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:999. [PMID: 28428626 PMCID: PMC5430506 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01084-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement component 1q subcomponent binding protein (C1QBP) is a ubiquitously expressed cellular protein and can be upregulated or activated in a variety of malignant tumors, including those from thyroid, colon and breast, but its role remains unclear in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this study, C1QBP knockdown in RCC cell influenced expression of multiple genes associated with cell adhesion, among which L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) was significantly higher upon a reduction of C1QBP. In turn, cell adhesion and invasion abilities were significantly increased with increased metastasis to lung and liver in vivo. C1QBP may regulate RCC cell adhesion and invasion through influencing the p-GSK3/β-Catenin/L1CAM expression. Over all, our study demonstrated that C1QBP could regulate RCC metastasis by regulating the GSK3/β-Catenin/L1CAM signaling pathway.
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37
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Fu SL, Chen CA, Hung LC, Lee MS, Chiou WY, Lin HY, Su YC, Lee CC, Hung SK. Preliminary results of a non-invasive method to measure tumor size and distribution in vivo. Exp Ther Med 2017; 12:3614-3620. [PMID: 28105095 PMCID: PMC5228536 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging of reporter gene expression in cancer cells can provide rapid, sensitive and non-invasive monitoring of tumor behavior. The aim of the present study was to establish a non-invasive method to measure tumor size and distribution in vivo. Briefly, H-Ras-transformed cells were stably transfected with a plasmid containing the luciferase gene (Luc), designated as Ras/Luc. Ras/Luc cells were injected into the back or tail vein of nude BALB/cAnN-Foxn1nu/CrlNarl mice (age, 6-8 weeks). Mice were subsequently administered D-luciferin via intra-peritoneal injection, prior to image acquisition. Photons emitted from the mice were detected via an imaging system. Tumor size and distribution in vivo were quantified as photons/second. Andrographolide has demonstrated radiosensitization in previous in vitro and in vivo studies. In the present study, the potential effects of andrographolide cancer metastasis were investigated further, using an imaging system. Preliminary results of andrographolide combined with radiation indicated the inhibition of cancer metastasis. The present mechanistic study of andrographolide-mediated effects demonstrated that activated extracellular signal regulated kinase protein and H2O2 production levels were significantly increased by andrographolide. In summary, the present study established a non-invasive method to measure tumor size and distribution in vivo and indicated that andrographolide may be a potential therapeutic strategy in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Ling Fu
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chien-An Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongxing Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 10341, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ling-Chien Hung
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Moon-Sing Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan, R.O.C.; School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian 97061, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wen-Yen Chiou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan, R.O.C.; School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian 97061, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hon-Yi Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan, R.O.C.; School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian 97061, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yu-Chieh Su
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian 97061, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Department of Hematological Oncology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ching-Chih Lee
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian 97061, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Department of Otolaryngology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shih-Kai Hung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan, R.O.C.; School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian 97061, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Haase G, Gavert N, Brabletz T, Ben-Ze'ev A. A point mutation in the extracellular domain of L1 blocks its capacity to confer metastasis in colon cancer cells via CD10. Oncogene 2016; 36:1597-1606. [PMID: 27641335 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The neural L1 transmembrane cell adhesion receptor of the immunoglobulin-like family is a target gene of Wnt-β-catenin signaling in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and is expressed at the invasive edge of the tumor tissue. L1 overexpression in cultured CRC cells confers enhanced proliferation, motility and liver metastasis. We have analyzed the mechanisms of L1-mediated signaling in CRC cells by using various point mutations in the L1 ectodomain that are known to cause severe genetically inherited mental retardation disorders in patients. We found that all such L1 ectodomain mutations abolish the ability of L1 to confer metastatic properties in CRC cells. Using gene array analysis, we identified L1-mutation-specific gene expression signatures for the L1/H210Q and L1/D598N mutations. We identified CD10, a metalloprotease (neprilysin, neutral endopeptidase) and a gene that is specifically induced in CRC cells by L1 in an L1/H210Q mutation-specific manner. CD10 expression was required for the L1-mediated induction of cell proliferation, motility and metastasis, as suppression of CD10 levels in L1-expressing CRC cells abolished the L1 effects on CRC progression. The signaling from L1 to CD10 was mediated through the L1-ezrin-NF-κB pathway. In human CRC tissue L1 and CD10 were localized in partially overlapping regions in the more invasive areas of the tumor tissue. The results suggest that CD10 is a necessary component conferring the L1 effects in CRC cells. The identification of gene expression patterns of L1-domain-specific point mutations may provide novel markers and targets for interfering with L1-mediated CRC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Haase
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - N Gavert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - T Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine I, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - A Ben-Ze'ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Shapiro B, Tocci P, Haase G, Gavert N, Ben-Ze'ev A. Clusterin, a gene enriched in intestinal stem cells, is required for L1-mediated colon cancer metastasis. Oncotarget 2016; 6:34389-401. [PMID: 26399194 PMCID: PMC4741460 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperactive Wnt signaling is a common feature in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. A central question is the identification and role of Wnt/β-catenin target genes in CRC and their relationship to genes enriched in colonic stem cells, since Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells were suggested to be the cell of CRC origin. Previously, we identified the neural immunoglobulin-like adhesion receptor L1 as a Wnt/β-catenin target gene localized in cells at the invasive front of CRC tissue and showed that L1 expression in CRC cells confers enhanced motility and liver metastasis. Here, we identified the clusterin (CLU) gene that is also enriched in Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells, as a gene induced during L1-mediated CRC metastasis. The increase in CLU levels by L1 in CRC cells resulted from transactivation of CLU by STAT-1. CLU overexpression in CRC cells enhanced their motility and the reduction in CLU levels in L1 overexpressing cells suppressed the ability of L1 to confer increased tumorigenesis and liver metastasis. Genes induced during L1-mediated CRC cell metastasis and enriched in intestinal stem cells might be important for both CRC progression and colonic epithelium homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beny Shapiro
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Piera Tocci
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Gal Haase
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Nancy Gavert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Avri Ben-Ze'ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
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van der Putten LJ, Visser NC, van de Vijver K, Santacana M, Bronsert P, Bulten J, Hirschfeld M, Colas E, Gil-Moreno A, Garcia A, Mancebo G, Alameda F, Trovik J, Kopperud RK, Huvila J, Schrauwen S, Koskas M, Walker F, Weinberger V, Minar L, Jandakova E, Snijders MP, van den Berg-van Erp S, Matias-Guiu X, Salvesen HB, Amant F, Massuger LF, Pijnenborg JM. L1CAM expression in endometrial carcinomas: an ENITEC collaboration study. Br J Cancer 2016; 115:716-24. [PMID: 27505134 PMCID: PMC5023774 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2016.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Identification of aggressive endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EECs) and non-endometrioid carcinomas (NEECs) is essential to improve outcome. L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) expression is a strong prognostic marker in stage I EECs, but less is known about L1CAM expression in advanced-stage EECs and NEECs. This study analyses L1CAM expression in a clinically representative cohort of endometrial carcinomas. Methods: The expression of L1CAM was immunohistochemically determined in 1199 endometrial carcinomas, treated at one of the European Network for Individualized Treatment of Endometrial Cancer (ENITEC) centres. Staining was considered positive when >10% of the tumour cells expressed L1CAM. The association between L1CAM expression and several clincopathological characteristics and disease outcome was calculated. Results: In all, L1CAM was expressed in 10% of the 935 stage I EECs, 18% of the 160 advanced stage EECs, and 75% of the 104 NEECs. The expression of L1CAM was associated with advanced stage, nodal involvement, high tumour grade, non-endometrioid histology, lymphovascular space invasion, and distant recurrences in all cases, and with reduced survival in the EECs, but not in the NEECs. Conclusions: The expression of L1CAM is a strong predictor of poor outcome in EECs, but not NEECs. It is strongly associated with non-endometrioid histology and distant spread, and could improve the postoperative selection of high-risk endometrial carcinomas. The value of L1CAM expression in the preoperative selection of high-risk endometrial carcinomas should be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Jm van der Putten
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 10, Nijmegen 6525GA, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole Cm Visser
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 10, Nijmegen 6525GA, The Netherlands
| | - Koen van de Vijver
- Department of Pathology, Anthoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam 1066CX, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Santacana
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Genetics and Research Laboratory, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, IRBLLEIDA, Avenida Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, Lleida 25198, Spain
| | - Peter Bronsert
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, Freiburg 79106, Germany
| | - Johan Bulten
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 10, Nijmegen 6525GA, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Hirschfeld
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, Freiburg 79106, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg D-69120, Germany
| | - Eva Colas
- Biomedical Research Group in Gynecology, Vall Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Antonio Gil-Moreno
- Biomedical Research Group in Gynecology, Vall Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain.,Gynecological Department, Vall Hebron University Hospital, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Angel Garcia
- Department of Pathology, Vall Hebron University Hospital, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Gemma Mancebo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital del Mar, Passeig Marítim, 25-29, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Fransesc Alameda
- Department of Pathology, Hospital del Mar, Passeig Marítim, 25-29, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Jone Trovik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haukeland University Hospital, Jonas Lies vei 65, Bergen 5021, Norway
| | - Reidun K Kopperud
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, Bergen 5020, Norway.,Center for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, Bergen 5020, Norway
| | - Jutta Huvila
- Department of Pathology, University of Turku, PO Box 7245, Laskut, Turku 01051, Finland
| | - Stefanie Schrauwen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Martin Koskas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, 46 Rue Henri Huchard, Paris 75018, France
| | - Francine Walker
- Department of Pathology, Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, 46 Rue Henri Huchard, Paris 75018, France
| | - Vit Weinberger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Lubos Minar
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Jandakova
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Marc Plm Snijders
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Weg door Jonkerbos 100, Nijmegen 6532SZ, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia van den Berg-van Erp
- Department of Pathology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Weg door Jonkerbos 100, Nijmegen 6532SZ, The Netherlands
| | - Xavier Matias-Guiu
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Genetics and Research Laboratory, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, IRBLLEIDA, Avenida Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, Lleida 25198, Spain
| | - Helga B Salvesen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haukeland University Hospital, Jonas Lies vei 65, Bergen 5021, Norway
| | - Frederic Amant
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Leon Fag Massuger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 10, Nijmegen 6525GA, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna Ma Pijnenborg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, TweeSteden Hospital, Doctor Deelenlaan 5, Tilburg 5042AD, The Netherlands
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Haase G, Gavert N, Brabletz T, Ben-Ze'ev A. The Wnt Target Gene L1 in Colon Cancer Invasion and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:cancers8050048. [PMID: 27187476 PMCID: PMC4880865 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8050048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathway is highly conserved during evolution and determines normal tissue homeostasis. Hyperactivation of Wnt-β-catenin signaling is a characteristic feature of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. β-catenin is a major transducer of the Wnt signal from the cytoplasm into the nucleus where it acts as a co-transcriptional activator of β-catenin-TCF target genes. β-catenin is also required for linking cadherin type cell-cell adhesion receptors to the cytoskeleton, and consequently Wnt-β-catenin signaling is an attractive system for investigating the role of adhesion-mediated signaling in both normal intestinal tissue homeostasis and CRC development. In this review, we summarize our studies on one Wnt-β-catenin target gene, L1, a member of the immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion transmembrane receptor family. We describe the mechanisms of L1-mediated signaling in CRC cells, its exclusive localization in invasive areas of CRC tissue, and its ability to increase cell motility and confer metastasis to the liver. We discuss the activation (by L1) of genes via an ezrin-NF-κB pathway and the induction of genes also found in the intestinal stem cell signature. By studying L1 (adhesion)-mediated signaling, we expect to learn about mechanisms regulating both normal intestinal homeostasis and CRC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gal Haase
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| | - Nancy Gavert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Experimental Medicine I, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuerenberg, Erlangen, 91054, Germany.
| | - Avri Ben-Ze'ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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Abstract
Overactivation of Wnt signaling is a hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC). The Wnt pathway is a key regulator of both the early and the later, more invasive, stages of CRC development. In the normal intestine and colon, Wnt signaling controls the homeostasis of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) that fuel, via proliferation, upward movement of progeny cells from the crypt bottom toward the villus and differentiation into all cell types that constitute the intestine. Studies in recent years suggested that cancer stem cells (CSCs), similar to ISCs of the crypts, consist of a small subpopulation of the tumor and are responsible for the initiation and progression of the disease. Although various ISC signature genes were also identified as CRC markers and some of these genes were even demonstrated to have a direct functional role in CRC development, the origin of CSCs and their contribution to cancer progression is still debated. Here, we describe studies supporting a relationship between Wnt-regulated CSCs and the progression of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayon Basu
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gal Haase
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Avri Ben-Ze'ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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43
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Abstract
In all eukaryotes, the plasma membrane is critically important as it maintains the architectural integrity of the cell. Proper anchorage and interaction between the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton is critical for normal cellular processes. The ERM (ezrin-radixin-moesin) proteins are a class of highly homologous proteins involved in linking the plasma membrane to the cortical actin cytoskeleton. This review takes a succinct look at the biology of the ERM proteins including their structure and function. Current reports on their regulation that leads to activation and deactivation was examined before taking a look at the different interacting partners. Finally, emerging roles of each of the ERM family members in cancer was highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin A Ponuwei
- Cell migration laboratory, Molecular and Cellular Medicine Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Hopkins Building, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Berkshire, UK. .,Molecular and Cellular Medicine unit, Department of Biomedical sciences, School of Life Sciences, Hopkins Building, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, UK.
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44
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Yu X, Yang F, Fu DL, Jin C. L1 cell adhesion molecule as a therapeutic target in cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2016; 16:359-71. [PMID: 26781307 DOI: 10.1586/14737140.2016.1143363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is the prototype member of the L1-family of closely related neural adhesion molecules. L1CAM is differentially expressed in the normal nervous system as well as pathological tissues and displays a wide range of biological activities. In human malignancies, L1CAM plays a vital role in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. Recently, increasing evidence has suggested that L1CAM exerts a variety of functions at different steps of tumor progression through a series of signaling pathways. In addition, L1CAM has been identified as a promising target for cancer therapy by using synthetic and natural inhibitors. In this review, we provide an up-to-date overview of the role of L1CAM involved in cancers and the rationale for L1CAM as a novel molecular target for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinzhe Yu
- a Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Huashan Hospital , Fudan University , Shanghai , China
| | - Feng Yang
- a Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Huashan Hospital , Fudan University , Shanghai , China
| | - De-Liang Fu
- a Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Huashan Hospital , Fudan University , Shanghai , China
| | - Chen Jin
- a Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Huashan Hospital , Fudan University , Shanghai , China
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45
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Cantini L, Isella C, Petti C, Picco G, Chiola S, Ficarra E, Caselle M, Medico E. MicroRNA-mRNA interactions underlying colorectal cancer molecular subtypes. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8878. [PMID: 27305450 PMCID: PMC4660217 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) transcriptional subtypes have been recently identified by gene expression profiling. Here we describe an analytical pipeline, microRNA master regulator analysis (MMRA), developed to search for microRNAs potentially driving CRC subtypes. Starting from a microRNA–mRNA tumour expression data set, MMRA identifies candidate regulator microRNAs by assessing their subtype-specific expression, target enrichment in subtype mRNA signatures and network analysis-based contribution to subtype gene expression. When applied to a CRC data set of 450 samples, assigned to subtypes by 3 different transcriptional classifiers, MMRA identifies 24 candidate microRNAs, in most cases downregulated in the stem/serrated/mesenchymal (SSM) poor prognosis subtype. Functional validation in CRC cell lines confirms downregulation of the SSM subtype by miR-194, miR-200b, miR-203 and miR-429, which share target genes and pathways mediating this effect. These results show that, by combining statistical tests, target prediction and network analysis, MMRA effectively identifies microRNAs functionally associated to cancer subtypes. Colorectal cancer subtypes can be distinguished by their different biological and molecular properties. Here the authors present microRNA Master Regulator Analysis, a tool to identify microRNAs driving subtype-specific gene expression and cancer variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cantini
- Department of Oncology, Università degli Studi di Torino, S.P. 142, km 3, 95-10060 Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Cso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi-Consorzio Interuniversitario, Viale delle Medaglie d'Oro, 305-00136 Roma, Italy
| | - Claudio Isella
- Department of Oncology, Università degli Studi di Torino, S.P. 142, km 3, 95-10060 Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, S.P. 142, km 3, 95-10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Consalvo Petti
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, S.P. 142, km 3, 95-10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Gabriele Picco
- Department of Oncology, Università degli Studi di Torino, S.P. 142, km 3, 95-10060 Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, S.P. 142, km 3, 95-10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Simone Chiola
- Department of Oncology, Università degli Studi di Torino, S.P. 142, km 3, 95-10060 Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, S.P. 142, km 3, 95-10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Elisa Ficarra
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Cso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Michele Caselle
- Department of Physics and INFN, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P.Giuria 1, I-10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Enzo Medico
- Department of Oncology, Università degli Studi di Torino, S.P. 142, km 3, 95-10060 Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, S.P. 142, km 3, 95-10060 Candiolo, Italy
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Altevogt P, Doberstein K, Fogel M. L1CAM in human cancer. Int J Cancer 2015; 138:1565-76. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Altevogt
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology; University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg; Mannheim Germany
| | - Kai Doberstein
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine; University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mina Fogel
- Central Laboratories; Kaplan Medical Center; Rehovot Israel
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47
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Molecular targets and pathways involved in liver metastasis of colorectal cancer. Clin Exp Metastasis 2015; 32:623-35. [DOI: 10.1007/s10585-015-9732-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Shvab A, Haase G, Ben-Shmuel A, Gavert N, Brabletz T, Dedhar S, Ben-Ze'ev A. Induction of the intestinal stem cell signature gene SMOC-2 is required for L1-mediated colon cancer progression. Oncogene 2015; 35:549-57. [PMID: 25915847 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Overactivation of Wnt-β-catenin signaling, including β-catenin-TCF target gene expression, is a hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. We identified the immunoglobulin family of cell-adhesion receptors member L1 as a β-catenin-TCF target gene preferentially expressed at the invasive edge of human CRC tissue. L1 can confer enhanced motility and liver metastasis when expressed in CRC cells. This ability of L1-mediated metastasis is exerted by a mechanism involving ezrin and the activation of NF-κB target genes. In this study, we identified the secreted modular calcium-binding matricellular protein-2 (SMOC-2) as a gene activated by L1-ezrin-NF-κB signaling. SMOC-2 is also known as an intestinal stem cell signature gene in mice expressing Lgr5 in cells at the bottom of intestinal crypts. The induction of SMOC-2 expression in L1-expressing CRC cells was necessary for the increase in cell motility, proliferation under stress and liver metastasis conferred by L1. SMOC-2 expression induced a more mesenchymal like phenotype in CRC cells, a decrease in E-cadherin and an increase in Snail by signaling that involves integrin-linked kinase (ILK). SMOC-2 was localized at the bottom of normal human colonic crypts and at increased levels in CRC tissue with preferential expression in invasive areas of the tumor. We found an increase in Lgr5 levels in CRC cells overexpressing L1, p65 or SMOC-2, suggesting that L1-mediated CRC progression involves the acquisition of a stem cell-like phenotype, and that SMOC-2 elevation is necessary for L1-mediated induction of more aggressive/invasive CRC properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Shvab
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - G Haase
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - A Ben-Shmuel
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - N Gavert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - T Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - S Dedhar
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - A Ben-Ze'ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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49
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Dawson H, Lugli A. Molecular and pathogenetic aspects of tumor budding in colorectal cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2015; 2:11. [PMID: 25806371 PMCID: PMC4354406 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2015.00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, tumor budding in colorectal cancer has gained much attention as an indicator of lymph node metastasis, distant metastatic disease, local recurrence, worse overall and disease-free survival, and as an independent prognostic factor. Tumor buds, defined as the presence of single tumor cells or small clusters of up to five tumor cells at the peritumoral invasive front (peritumoral buds) or within the main tumor body (intratumoral buds), are thought to represent the morphological correlate of cancer cells having undergone epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), an important mechanism for the progression of epithelial cancers. In contrast to their undisputed prognostic power and potential to influence clinical management, our current understanding of the biological background of tumor buds is less established. Most studies examining tumor buds have attempted to recapitulate findings of mechanistic EMT studies using immunohistochemical markers. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of studies examining protein expression profiles of tumor buds and to illustrate the molecular pathways and crosstalk involved in their formation and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Dawson
- Clinical Pathology Division, Institute of Pathology, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland ; Translational Research Unit, Institute of Pathology, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Lugli
- Clinical Pathology Division, Institute of Pathology, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland ; Translational Research Unit, Institute of Pathology, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
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50
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Ghaffari A, Hoskin V, Szeto A, Hum M, Liaghati N, Nakatsu K, LeBrun D, Madarnas Y, Sengupta S, Elliott BE. A novel role for ezrin in breast cancer angio/lymphangiogenesis. Breast Cancer Res 2014; 16:438. [PMID: 25231728 PMCID: PMC4303119 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-014-0438-2] [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: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent evidence suggests that tumour lymphangiogenesis promotes lymph node metastasis, a major prognostic factor for survival of breast cancer patients. However, signaling mechanisms involved in tumour-induced lymphangiogenesis remain poorly understood. The expression of ezrin, a membrane cytoskeletal crosslinker and Src substrate, correlates with poor outcome in a diversity of cancers including breast. Furthermore, ezrin is essential in experimental invasion and metastasis models of breast cancer. Ezrin acts cooperatively with Src in the regulation of the Src-induced malignant phenotype and metastasis. However, it remains unclear if ezrin plays a role in Src-induced tumour angio/lymphangiogenesis. METHODS The effects of ezrin knockdown and mutation on angio/lymphangiogenic potential of human MDA-MB-231 and mouse AC2M2 mammary carcinoma cell lines were examined in the presence of constitutively active or wild-type (WT) Src. In vitro assays using primary human lymphatic endothelial cells (hLEC), an ex vivo aortic ring assay, and in vivo tumour engraftment were utilized to assess angio/lymphangiogenic activity of cancer cells. RESULTS Ezrin-deficient cells expressing activated Src displayed significant reduction in endothelial cell branching in the aortic ring assay in addition to reduced hLEC migration, tube formation, and permeability compared to the controls. Intravital imaging and microvessel density (MVD) analysis of tumour xenografts revealed significant reductions in tumour-induced angio/lymphangiogenesis in ezrin-deficient cells when compared to the WT or activated Src-expressing cells. Moreover, syngeneic tumours derived from ezrin-deficient or Y477F ezrin-expressing (non-phosphorylatable by Src) AC2M2 cells further confirmed the xenograft results. Immunoblotting analysis provided a link between ezrin expression and a key angio/lymphangiogenesis signaling pathway by revealing that ezrin regulates Stat3 activation, VEGF-A/-C and IL-6 expression in breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, high expression of ezrin in human breast tumours significantly correlated with elevated Src expression and the presence of lymphovascular invasion. CONCLUSIONS The results describe a novel function for ezrin in the regulation of tumour-induced angio/lymphangiogenesis promoted by Src in breast cancer. The combination of Src/ezrin might prove to be a beneficial prognostic/predictive biomarker for early-stage metastatic breast cancer.
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