Versican G3 domain modulates breast cancer cell apoptosis: a mechanism for breast cancer cell response to chemotherapy and EGFR therapy

Hyaluronic Acid Interacting Molecules Mediated Crosstalk between Cancer Cells and Microenvironment from Primary Tumour to Distant Metastasis

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a prominent component of the extracellular matrix, and its interactions with HA-interacting molecules (HAIMs) play a critical role in cancer development and disease progression. This review explores the multifaceted role of HAIMs in the context of cancer, focusing on their influence on disease progression by dissecting relevant cellular and molecular mechanisms in tumour cells and the tumour microenvironment. Cancer progression can be profoundly affected by the interactions between HA and HAIMs. They modulate critical processes such as cell adhesion, migration, invasion, and proliferation. The TME serves as a dynamic platform in which HAIMs contribute to the formation of a unique niche. The resulting changes in HA composition profoundly influence the biophysical properties of the TME. These modifications in the TME, in conjunction with HAIMs, impact angiogenesis, immune cell recruitment, and immune evasion. Therefore, understanding the intricate interplay between HAIMs and HA within the cancer context is essential for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Targeting these interactions offers promising avenues for cancer treatment, as they hold the potential to disrupt critical aspects of disease progression and the TME. Further research in this field is imperative for advancing our knowledge and the treatment of cancer.

The Prognostic Value of ADAMTS8 and Its Role as a Tumor Suppressor in Breast Cancer

A disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with therombospondin type1 motif 8 (ADAMTS8) plays an important role in many malignancies. However, the clinical and biological significance of ADAMTS8 in breast cancer remain unknown. In this study, the clinical data from 1066 breast cancer patients were analyzed by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and were analyzed using the correlation between ADAMTS8 expression and the clinicopathological features and prognoses. The CCK-8 assay, clone formation assay, flow cytometry and Transwell assay were used to characterize the effects of ADAMTS8 on proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and western blotting were used to identify the potential molecular mechanism on how ADAMTS8 exert its biological function. ADAMTS8 overexpression correlated longer overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). ADAMTS8 was considered as an independent prognostic factor for OS. ADAMTS8 overexpression inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest. ADAMTS8 was also involved in cell cycle regulation and was associated with the EGFR/Akt signaling pathway. ADAMTS8 knockdown showed the reverse effect. Together, the results showed that ADAMTS8 functioned as a tumor suppressor gene (TGS) and could be a prognostic biomarker for breast cancer.

Genome-Wide Association Study and FST Analysis Reveal Four Quantitative Trait Loci and Six Candidate Genes for Meat Color in Pigs

Meat color is the primary criterion by which consumers evaluate meat quality. However, there are a few candidate genes and molecular markers of meat color that were reported for pig molecular breeding. The purpose of the present study is to identify the candidate genes affecting meat color and provide the theoretical basis for meat color molecular breeding. A total of 306 Suhuai pigs were slaughtered, and meat color was evaluated at 45 min and 24 h after slaughter by CIELAB color space. All individuals were genotyped using GeneSeek GGP-Porcine 80K SNP BeadChip. The genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs), heritability, and genetic correlation of meat color were calculated by DMU software. The genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and the fixation index (F_ST) tests were performed to identify SNPs related to meat color, and the candidate genes within 1 Mb upstream and downstream of significant SNPs were screened by functional enrichment analysis. The heritability of L* 45 min, L* 24 h, a* 45 min, a* 24 h, b* 45 min, and b* 24 h was 0.20, 0.16, 0.30, 0.13, 0.29, and 0.22, respectively. The genetic correlation between a* (a* 45 min and a* 24 h) and L* (L* 45 min and L* 24 h) is strong, whereas the genetic correlation between b* 45 min and b* 24 h is weak. Forty-nine significant SNPs associated with meat color were identified through GWAS and F_ST tests. Among these SNPs, 34 SNPs were associated with L* 45 min within a 5-Mb region on Sus scrofa chromosome 11 (SSC11); 22 SNPs were associated with a* 45 min within a 14.72-Mb region on SSC16; six SNPs were associated with b* 45 min within a 4.22-Mb region on SSC13; 11 SNPs were associated with b* 24 h within a 2.12-Mb region on SSC3. These regions did not overlap with meat color–associated QTLs reported previously. Moreover, six candidate genes (HOMER1, PIK3CG, PIK3CA, VCAN, FABP3, and FKBP1B), functionally related to muscle development, phosphatidylinositol phosphorylation, and lipid binding, were detected around these significant SNPs. Taken together, our results provide a set of potential molecular markers for the genetic improvement of meat color in pigs.

Proteoglycans in the Pathogenesis of Hormone-Dependent Cancers: Mediators and Effectors

Hormone-dependent cancers exhibit high morbidity and mortality. In spite of advances in therapy, the treatment of hormone-dependent cancers remains an unmet health need. The tumor microenvironment (TME) exhibits unique characteristics that differ among various tumor types. It is composed of cancerous, non-cancerous, stromal, and immune cells that are surrounded and supported by components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, the interactions among cancer cells, stromal cells, and components of the ECM determine cancer progression and response to therapy. Proteoglycans (PGs), hybrid molecules consisting of a protein core to which sulfated glycosaminoglycan chains are bound, are significant components of the ECM that are implicated in all phases of tumorigenesis. These molecules, secreted by both the stroma and cancer cells, are crucial signaling mediators that modulate the vital cellular pathways implicated in gene expression, phenotypic versatility, and response to therapy in specific tumor types. A plethora of deregulated signaling pathways contributes to the growth, dissemination, and angiogenesis of hormone-dependent cancers. Specific inputs from the endocrine and immune systems are some of the characteristics of hormone-dependent cancer pathogenesis. Importantly, the mechanisms involved in various aspects of cancer progression are executed in the ECM niche of the TME, and the PG components crucially mediate these processes. Here, we comprehensively discuss the mechanisms through which PGs affect the multifaceted aspects of hormone-dependent cancer development and progression, including cancer metastasis, angiogenesis, immunobiology, autophagy, and response to therapy.

Versican and Versican-matrikines in Cancer Progression, Inflammation, and Immunity

Versican is an extracellular matrix proteoglycan with key roles in multiple facets of cancer development, ranging from proliferative signaling, evasion of growth-suppressor pathways, regulation of cell death, promotion of neoangiogenesis, and tissue invasion and metastasis. Multiple lines of evidence implicate versican and its bioactive proteolytic fragments (matrikines) in the regulation of cancer inflammation and antitumor immune responses. The understanding of the dynamics of versican deposition/accumulation and its proteolytic turnover holds potential for the development of novel immune biomarkers as well as approaches to reset the immune thermostat of tumors, thus promoting efficacy of modern immunotherapies. This article summarizes work from several laboratories, including ours, on the role of this central matrix proteoglycan in tumor progression as well as tumor-immune cell cross-talk.

Targeting of stromal versican by miR-144/199 inhibits multiple myeloma by downregulating FAK/STAT3 signalling

The abnormal growth of malignant plasma cells in Multiple Myeloma (MM) requires bone marrow (BM) niche consisting of proteoglycans, cytokines, etc. Versican (VCAN), a chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan promotes progression in solid tumours but there is dearth of literature in MM. Hence, we studied the involvement of VCAN in MM and its regulation by microRNAs as a therapeutic approach. Thirty MM patients and 20 controls were recruited and BM stromal cells (BMSCs) were isolated by primary culture. Molecular levels of VCAN, miR-144, miR-199 & miR-203 were determined in study subjects and cell lines. The involvement of VCAN in myeloma pathogenesis was studied using BMSCs-conditioned medium (BMSCs-CM) and VCAN-neutralizing antibody or microRNA mimics. Elevated expression of VCAN was observed in patients especially in BM stroma while microRNA expression was significantly lower and showed negative correlation with VCAN. Moreover, BMSCs-CM showed the presence of VCAN which upon supplementing to MM cells alter parameters in favour of myeloma progression, however, this effect was neutralized by VCAN antibody or miR (miR-144 and miR-199) mimics. The downstream signalling of VCAN was found to activate FAK and STAT3 which subsides by using VCAN antibody or miR mimics. The neutralization of oncogenic effect of BMSCs-CM by VCAN blockage affirms its plausible role in progression of MM. VCAN was observed as a paracrine mediator in the cross-talk of BMSCs and myeloma cells in BM microenvironment. Therefore, these findings suggest exploring VCAN as novel therapeutic target and utilization of microRNAs as a therapy to regulate VCAN for better management of MM.

Dissecting the role of hyaluronan synthases in the tumor microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment is becoming a crucial factor in determining the aggressiveness of neoplastic cells. The glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan is one of the principal constituents of both the tumor stroma and the cancer cell surfaces, and its accumulation can dramatically influence patient survival. Hyaluronan functions are dictated by its ability to interact with several signaling receptors that often activate pro-angiogenic and pro-tumorigenic intracellular pathways. Although hyaluronan is a linear, non-sulfated polysaccharide, and thus lacks the ability of the other sulfated glycosaminoglycans to bind and modulate growth factors, it compensates for this by the ability to form hyaluronan fragments characterized by a remarkable variability in length. Here, we will focus on the role of both high and low molecular weight hyaluronan in controlling the hallmarks of cancer cells, including cell proliferation, migration, metabolism, inflammation, and angiogenesis. We will critically assess the multilayered regulation of HAS2, the most critical hyaluronan synthase, and its role in cancer growth, metabolism, and therapy.

The extracellular matrix as a multitasking player in disease

Extracellular matrices (ECMs) are highly specialized and dynamic three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds into which cells reside in tissues. ECM is composed of a variety of fibrillar components, such as collagens, fibronectin, and elastin, and non-fibrillar molecules as proteoglycans, hyaluronan, and glycoproteins including matricellular proteins. These macromolecular components are interconnected forming complex networks that actively communicate with cells through binding to cell surface receptors and/or matrix effectors. ECMs exert diverse roles, either providing tissues with structural integrity and mechanical properties essential for tissue functions or regulating cell phenotype and functions to maintain tissue homeostasis. ECM molecular composition and structure vary among tissues, and is markedly modified during normal tissue repair as well as during the progression of various diseases. Actually, abnormal ECM remodeling occurring in pathologic circumstances drives disease progression by regulating cell-matrix interactions. The importance of matrix molecules to normal tissue functions is also highlighted by mutations in matrix genes that give rise to genetic disorders with diverse clinical phenotypes. In this review, we present critical and emerging issues related to matrix assembly in tissues and the multitasking roles for ECM in diseases such as osteoarthritis, fibrosis, cancer, and genetic diseases. The mechanisms underlying the various matrix-based diseases are also discussed. Research focused on the highly dynamic 3D ECM networks will help to discover matrix-related causative abnormalities of diseases as well as novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets.

Advances in targeting epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway in mammary cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. The role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in many epithelial malignancies has been established, since it is dysregulated, overexpressed or mutated. Its overexpression has been associated with increased aggressiveness and metastatic potential in breast cancer. The well-established interplay between EGFR signaling pathway and estrogen receptors (ERs) as well as major extracellular matrix (ECM) mediators is crucial for regulating basic functional properties of breast cancer cells, including migration, proliferation, adhesion and invasion. EGFR activation leads to endocytosis of the receptor with implications in the regulation of downstream signaling effectors, the modulation of autophagy and cell survival. Therefore, EGFR is considered as a promising therapeutic target in breast cancer. Several anti-EGFR therapies (i.e. monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors) have been evaluated both in vitro and in vivo, making their way to clinical trials. However, the response rates of anti-EGFR therapies in the clinical trials is low mainly due to chemoresistance. Novel drug design, phytochemicals and microRNAs (miRNAs) are assessed as new therapeutic approaches against EGFR. The main goal of this review is to highlight the importance of targeting EGFR signaling pathway in terms of its crosstalk with ERs, the involvement of ECM effectors and epigenetics. Moreover, recent insights into the design of specialized delivery systems contributing in the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in breast cancer are addressed.

Genetic variants in the exon region of versican predict survival of patients with resected early-stage hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

The upregulated expression of versican (VCAN) promotes the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of various types of human cancer cells, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

Patients and methods

In this study, genetic variants in the exon region of VCAN were genotyped by DNA sequencing. Prognostic values of VCAN exon single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were assessed by Kaplan–Meier with the log-rank test, and uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model.

Results

A total of 111 patients with resected hepatitis B virus-associated early-stage HCC were collected for genotyping VCAN exon SNPs using Sanger DNA sequencing. Haplotype analysis was performed using Haploview 4.2. Survival data were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. The rs2652098, rs309559, rs188703, rs160278, and rs160277 SNPs were significantly associated with overall patient survival (p<0.001, p=0.012, p=0.010, p=0.007, and p=0.007, respectively). Patients carrying the TAGTG haplotype had a poorer prognosis than those with the most common CGAAT haplotype, after adjusting for tumor size, tumor capsule, and regional invasion (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] =2.06, 95% CI: 1.27–3.34, p=0.003). Meanwhile, patients with the TAGTG haplotype and a larger tumor size or an incomplete tumor capsule had an increased risk of death, compared with the others (adjusted HR =3.00, 95% CI: 1.67–5.36, p<0.001; and adjusted HR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.12–3.55, p = 0.02, respectively). The online database mining analysis showed that upregulated VCAN expression in HCC tissues was associated with a poor overall survival of 148 HCC patients.

Conclusion

Genetic variants in the exon region of VCAN were associated with overall survival in patients with resected early-stage hepatitis B virus-associated HCC, and may be a potential prognostic biomarker.

Proteoglycans-Biomarkers and Targets in Cancer Therapy

Proteoglycans (PGs), important constituents of the extracellular matrix, have been associated with cancer pathogenesis. Their unique structure consisting of a protein core and glycosaminoglycan chains endowed with fine modifications constitutes these molecules as capable cellular effectors important for homeostasis and contributing to disease progression. Indeed, differential expression of PGs and their interacting proteins has been characterized as specific for disease evolvement in various cancer types. Importantly, PGs to a large extent regulate the bioavailability of hormones, growth factors, and cytokines as well as the activation of their respective receptors which regulate phenotypic diversibility, gene expression and rates of recurrence in specific tumor types. Defining and targeting these effectors on an individual patient basis offers ground for the development of newer therapeutic approaches which may act as either supportive or a substitute treatment to the standard therapy protocols. This review discusses the roles of PGs in cancer progression, developing technologies utilized for the defining of the PG "signature" in disease, and how this may facilitate the generation of tailor-made cancer strategies.

Proteoglycans remodeling in cancer: Underlying molecular mechanisms

Extracellular matrix is a highly dynamic macromolecular network. Proteoglycans are major components of extracellular matrix playing key roles in its structural organization and cell signaling contributing to the control of numerous normal and pathological processes. As multifunctional molecules, proteoglycans participate in various cell functions during morphogenesis, wound healing, inflammation and tumorigenesis. Their interactions with matrix effectors, cell surface receptors and enzymes enable them with unique properties. In malignancy, extensive remodeling of tumor stroma is associated with marked alterations in proteoglycans' expression and structural variability. Proteoglycans exert diverse functions in tumor stroma in a cell-specific and context-specific manner and they mainly contribute to the formation of a permissive provisional matrix for tumor growth affecting tissue organization, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and tumor cell signaling. Proteoglycans also modulate cancer cell phenotype and properties, the development of drug resistance and tumor stroma angiogenesis. This review summarizes the proteoglycans remodeling and their novel biological roles in malignancies with particular emphasis to the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Versican G1 domain enhances adenoviral-mediated transgene expression and can be modulated by inhibitors of the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT and Src family kinase pathways

To examine the biochemical influences that may contribute to the success of gene therapy for ocular disorders, the role of versican, a vitreous component, in adenoviral-mediated transgene expression was examined. Versican is a large chondroitin sulfate-containing, hyaluronic acid-binding proteoglycan present in the extracellular matrix and in ocular vitreous body. Y79 retinoblastoma cells and CD44-negative SK-N-DZ neuroblastoma cells transduced with adenoviral vectors in the presence of versican respond with an activation of transgene expression. Proteolysis of versican generates a hyaluronan-binding G1 domain. The addition of recombinant versican G1 to SK-N-DZ cells results in a similar activation of transgene expression, and treatment with dasatinib, an inhibitor of Src family kinases, also mimics the effects of versican. Enhancement is accompanied by an increase in signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) phosphorylation and is abrogated by treatment with C188-9, a STAT3/5 inhibitor, or with ruxolitinib, a Janus kinase 1/2 (JAK1/2) inhibitor. These data implicate versican G1 in enhancing adenoviral vector transgene expression in a hyaluronic acid-CD44 independent manner that is down-regulated by inhibitors of the JAK/STAT pathway and enhanced by inhibitors of the Src kinase pathway.

Salmon nasal cartilage proteoglycan enhances growth of normal human dermal fibroblast through Erk1/2 phosphorylation

Proteoglycan (PG) is a heavily glycosylated protein, localized to cell surface and extracellular matrix, and has various functions. Recently, it has been gradually revealed that PG interacts with various growth factors and morphogens and regulates cellular functions. Although salmon nasal cartilage PG (Salmon-PG) increases proliferation of immortalized cells, its mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we confirmed the effect of Salmon-PG on normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) and investigated the mechanism of PG action on NHDF. Salmon-PG dose- and time-dependently increased NHDF proliferation. Receptor tyrosine kinase array revealed that Salmon-PG increased only Erk1/2 signaling. Erk1/2 phosphorylation was significantly increased by Salmon-PG in a time-(10 min) and dose-(400 or 800 μg/mL) dependent manner. MEK inhibitor suppressed the enhancement of NHDF proliferation by Salmon-PG. The overall findings indicate that Salmon-PG plays a role as a growth factor in NHDF via Erk1/2 activation, suggesting that Salmon-PG contributes to the maintenance of skin homeostasis.

Amiodarone Induces Overexpression of Similar to Versican b to Repress the EGFR/Gsk3b/Snail Signaling Axis during Cardiac Valve Formation of Zebrafish Embryos

Although Amiodarone, a class III antiarrhythmic drug, inhibits zebrafish cardiac valve formation, the detailed molecular pathway is still unclear. Here, we proved that Amiodarone acts as an upstream regulator, stimulating similar to versican b (s-vcanb) overexpression at zebrafish embryonic heart and promoting cdh-5 overexpression by inhibiting snail1b at atrioventricular canal (AVC), thus blocking invagination of endocardial cells and, as a result, preventing the formation of cardiac valves. A closer investigation showed that an intricate set of signaling events ultimately caused the up-regulation of cdh5. In particular, we investigated the role of EGFR signaling and the activity of Gsk3b. It was found that knockdown of EGFR signaling resulted in phenotypes similar to those of Amiodarone-treated embryos. Since the reduced phosphorylation of EGFR was rescued by knockdown of s-vcanb, it was concluded that the inhibition of EGFR activity by Amiodarone is s-vcanb-dependent. Moreover, the activity of Gsk3b, a downstream effector of EGFR, was greatly increased in both Amiodarone-treated embryos and EGFR-inhibited embryos. Therefore, it was concluded that reduced EGFR signaling induced by Amiodarone treatment results in the inhibition of Snail functions through increased Gsk3b activity, which, in turn, reduces snail1b expression, leading to the up-regulation the cdh5 at the AVC, finally resulting in defective formation of valves. This signaling cascade implicates the EGFR/Gsk3b/Snail axis as the molecular basis for the inhibition of cardiac valve formation by Amiodarone.

Temporospatial expression of fibulin-1 after acute spinal cord injury in rats

OBJECTIVE

Fibulin-1 is a matricellular protein that plays important roles in motility inhibition in a variety of cells and blocks the proliferation of cultured neural stem cells. The biological function of fibulin-1 in the spinal cord has not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

To clarify the expressions and possible functions of fibulin-1 in spinal cord injury (SCI), we performed an acute spinal cord contusion injury model in adult rats. Our work studied the temporospatial expression patterns of fibulin-1.

RESULTS

Western blot analysis revealed that fibulin-1 levels significantly increased 5 days after spinal cord contusion. Immunohistochemistry confirmed an increased number of fibulin-1 immunopositive cells about 2 mm from the lesion site. Moreover, double immunofluorescence labeling suggested that these changes were especially prominent in neurons and microglia.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that fibulin-1 may be involved in neuronal apoptosis and microglial activation after SCI.

Insights into the key roles of proteoglycans in breast cancer biology and translational medicine

Proteoglycans control numerous normal and pathological processes, among which are morphogenesis, tissue repair, inflammation, vascularization and cancer metastasis. During tumor development and growth, proteoglycan expression is markedly modified in the tumor microenvironment. Altered expression of proteoglycans on tumor and stromal cell membranes affects cancer cell signaling, growth and survival, cell adhesion, migration and angiogenesis. Despite the high complexity and heterogeneity of breast cancer, the rapid evolution in our knowledge that proteoglycans are among the key players in the breast tumor microenvironment suggests their potential as pharmacological targets in this type of cancer. It has been recently suggested that pharmacological treatment may target proteoglycan metabolism, their utilization as targets for immunotherapy or their direct use as therapeutic agents. The diversity inherent in the proteoglycans that will be presented herein provides the potential for multiple layers of regulation of breast tumor behavior. This review summarizes recent developments concerning the biology of selected proteoglycans in breast cancer, and presents potential targeted therapeutic approaches based on their novel key roles in breast cancer.

Verbascoside promotes apoptosis by regulating HIPK2-p53 signaling in human colorectal cancer

Background

We investigated the role of the HIPK2–p53 signaling pathway in tumorigenesis and resistance to the drug Verbascoside (VB) in colorectal cancer (CRC), using in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Methods

Primary human CRC samples and normal intestinal tissues from patients were analyzed for HIPK2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and its expression was correlated against patients’ clinicopathological characteristics. Human CRC HCT-116 cells were implanted in BALB/c nude mice; mice with xenografted tumors were randomly administrated vehicle (control), 20, 40, or 80 mg/mL VB, or 1 mg/mL fluorouracil (5-FU). HIPK2, p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 expression in these tumors were determined by IHC. In vitro effects of VB on CRC cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry; HIPK2, p53, p-p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 were measured by western blot.

Results

IHC analysis for 100 human CRC tumor samples and 20 normal intestinal tissues, showed HIPK2 expression to inversely correlate with Dukes stage and depth of invasion in CRC (P < 0.05). In vivo, the inhibition rates of 20, 40, and 80 mg/mL VB on CRC xenograft tumor weight were 42.79%, 53.90%, and 60.99%, respectively, and were accompanied by increased expression of HIPK2, p53, and Bax, and decreased Bcl-2 expression in treated tumors. In vitro, VB significantly inhibited proliferation of CRC cell lines HCT-116, HT-29, LoVo, and SW620, in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The apoptosis rates of 25, 50, and 100 μM VB on HCT-116 cells were 10.83 ± 1.28, 11.25 ± 1.54, and 20.19 ± 2.87%, and on HT-29 cells were 18.92 ± 6.12, 21.57 ± 4.05, and 25.14 ± 6.73%, respectively. In summary, VB treatment significantly enhanced the protein expression of pro-apoptotic HIPK2, p53, p-p53, Bax, and decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression in CRC cells.

Conclusions

HIPK2 protein modulates the phosphorylation status of p53, and levels of Bax and Bcl-2 in CRC. We also found that VB effectively activated the HIPK2–p53 signaling pathway, resulting in increased CRC cell apoptosis.

MicroRNA and cancer--a brief overview

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs with a length of ∼22 nucleotides, involved in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. Until now, over 2588 miRNAs have been identified in humans and the list is growing. MicroRNAs have an important role in all biological processes and aberrant miRNA expression is associated with many diseases including cancer. In the year 2002 the first connection between cancer and miRNA deregulation was discovered. Since then, a lot of information about the key role which miRNAs play in cancer development and drug resistance has been gained. However, there is still a long way to go to fully understand the miRNA world. In this review, we briefly describe miRNA biogenesis and discuss the role of miRNAs in cancer development and drug resistance. Finally we explain how miRNAs can be used as biomarkers and as a novel therapeutic approach in cancer.

The motile breast cancer phenotype roles of proteoglycans/glycosaminoglycans

The consecutive stages of cancer growth and dissemination are obligatorily perpetrated through specific interactions of the tumor cells with their microenvironment. Importantly, cell-associated and tumor microenvironment glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)/proteoglycan (PG) content and distribution are markedly altered during tumor pathogenesis and progression. GAGs and PGs perform multiple functions in specific stages of the metastatic cascade due to their defined structure and ability to interact with both ligands and receptors regulating cancer pathogenesis. Thus, GAGs/PGs may modulate downstream signaling of key cellular mediators including insulin growth factor receptor (IGFR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), estrogen receptors (ERs), or Wnt members. In the present review we will focus on breast cancer motility in correlation with their GAG/PG content and critically discuss mechanisms involved. Furthermore, new approaches involving GAGs/PGs as potential prognostic/diagnostic markers or as therapeutic agents for cancer-related pathologies are being proposed.

The wound healing, chronic fibrosis, and cancer progression triad

For decades tumors have been recognized as "wounds that do not heal." Besides the commonalities that tumors and wounded tissues share, the process of wound healing also portrays similar characteristics with chronic fibrosis. In this review, we suggest a tight interrelationship, which is governed as a concurrence of cellular and microenvironmental reactivity among wound healing, chronic fibrosis, and cancer development/progression (i.e., the WHFC triad). It is clear that the same cell types, as well as soluble and matrix elements that drive wound healing (including regeneration) via distinct signaling pathways, also fuel chronic fibrosis and tumor progression. Hence, here we review the relationship between fibrosis and cancer through the lens of wound healing.

Cross-talk between estradiol receptor and EGFR/IGF-IR signaling pathways in estrogen-responsive breast cancers: focus on the role and impact of proteoglycans

In hormone-dependent breast cancer, estrogen receptors are the principal signaling molecules that regulate several cell functions either by the genomic pathway acting directly as transcription factors in the nucleus or by the non-genomic pathway interacting with other receptors and their adjacent pathways like EGFR/IGFR. It is well established in literature that EGFR and IGFR signaling pathways promote cell proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, recent data indicate the cross-talk between ERs and EGFR/IGFR signaling pathways causing a transformation of cell functions as well as deregulation on normal expression pattern of matrix molecules. Specifically, proteoglycans, a major category of extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell surface macromolecules, are modified during malignancy and cause alterations in cancer cell signaling, affecting eventually functional cell properties such as proliferation, adhesion and migration. The on-going strategies to block only one of the above signaling effectors result cancer cells to overcome such inactivation using alternative signaling pathways. In this article, we therefore review the underlying mechanisms in respect to the role of ERs and the involvement of cross-talk between ERs, IGFR and EGFR in breast cancer cell properties and expression of extracellular secreted and cell bound proteoglycans involved in cancer progression. Understanding such signaling pathways may help to establish new potential pharmacological targets in terms of using ECM molecules to design novel anticancer therapies.

Friend or foe: the role of microRNA in chemotherapy resistance

Chemotherapy has been widely used in treating cancer patients. Despite the tremendous progress in cancer treatment achieved during the last decades, drug resistance still accounts for most of the tumor relapses in chemotherapy-treated patients. Emerging evidence shows that microRNAs play an important role in regulating the drug sensitivity of tumor cells. However, the mechanism of microRNA-mediated drug resistance is not fully understood. Current data suggest that microRNAs can be categorized as oncogenic or tumor-suppressive based on their functions and targets. In tumor cells undergoing drug treatment, microRNAs can function either by decreasing expression of genes associated with multiple drug resistance or by promoting escape from apoptosis and inducing tumor stem cell development. This review aims to provide an updated understanding of the role of microRNAs in regulating chemotherapy resistance and a discussion of potential therapeutic applications.

The role of versican G3 domain in regulating breast cancer cell motility including effects on osteoblast cell growth and differentiation in vitro - evaluation towards understanding breast cancer cell bone metastasis

BACKGROUND

Versican is detected in the interstitial tissues at the invasive margins of breast carcinoma, is predictive of relapse, and negatively impacts overall survival rates. The versican G3 domain is important in breast cancer cell growth, migration and bone metastasis. However, mechanistic studies evaluating versican G3 enhanced breast cancer bone metastasis are limited.

METHODS

A versican G3 construct was exogenously expressed in the 66c14 and the MC3T3-E1 cell line. Cells were observed through light microscopy and viability analyzed by Coulter Counter or determined with colorimetric proliferation assays. The Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit was used to detect apoptotic activity. Modified Chemotactic Boyden chamber migration invasion assays were applied to observe tumor migration and invasion to bone stromal cells and MC3T3-E1 cells. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and ALP ELISA assays were performed to observe ALP activity in MC3T3-E1 cells.

RESULTS

In the four mouse breast cancer cell lines 67NR, 66c14, 4T07, and 4T1, 4T1 cells expressed higher levels of versican, and showed higher migration and invasion ability to MC3T3-E1 cells and primary bone stromal cells. 4T1 conditioned medium (CM) inhibited MC3T3-E1 cell growth, and even lead to apoptosis. Only 4T1 CM prevented MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation, noted by inhibition of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. We exogenously expressed a versican G3 construct in a cell line that expresses low versican levels (66c14), and observed that the G3-expressing 66c14 cells showed enhanced cell migration and invasion to bone stromal and MC3T3-E1 cells. This observation was prevented by selective EGFR inhibitor AG1478, selective MEK inhibitor PD 98059, and selective AKT inhibitor Triciribine, but not by selective JNK inhibitor SP 600125. Versican G3 enhanced breast cancer cell invasion to bone stromal cells or osteoblast cells appears to occur through enhancing EGFR/ERK or AKT signaling. G3 expressing MC3T3-E1 cells showed inhibited cell growth and cell differentiation when cultured with TGF-β1 (1 ng/ml), and expressed enhanced cell apoptosis when cultured with TNF-α (2 ng/ml). Enhanced EGFR/JNK signaling appears to be responsible for G3 enhanced osteoblast apoptosis and inhibited osteoblast differentiation. Whereas repressed expression of GSK-3β (S9P) contributes to G3 inhibited osteoblast growth. Versican G3 functionality was dependent on its EGF-like motifs. Without the structure of EGF-like repeats, the G3 domain would not confer enhancement of tumor cell migration and invasion to bone with concordant inhibition of osteoblast differentiation and promotion of osteoblast apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Versican enhances breast cancer bone metastasis not only through enhancing tumor cell mobility, invasion, and survival in bone tissues, but also by inhibiting pre-osteoblast cell growth, differentiation, which supply favorable microenvironments for tumor metastasis.

Midkine confers Adriamycin resistance in human gastric cancer cells

Midkine (MDK) is a heparin-binding molecule involved in the regulation of growth and differentiation during embryogenesis, which is overexpressed in most of human malignant tumors and may act as an oncoprotein. The aim of the current study was to investigate the mechanism of MDK involved in the Adriamycin (ADR) resistance in human gastric cancer cells in vitro. We found that Adriamycin-resistant SGC7901 (SGC7901/ADR) exhibited 58.6-fold greater resistance to ADR compared with Adriamycin-sensitive SGC7901 cell line. MDK mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in SGC7901/ADR than in SGC7901. To gain a deeper insight into the role of MDK in SGC7901/ADR, we stably transfected Adriamycin-sensitive SGC7901 with viral vector expressing MDK. Our result showed that multidrug resistance type I (MDR1) was found in SGC7901/ADR, not in SGC7901 by RT-PCR regardless of MDK transfection. P-Glycoprotein, which is the MDR1-coded protein, was found in SGC7901/ADR, not in SGC7901 by Western blot regardless of MDK transfection. We investigated whether an activation of the tyrosine kinase pathway would change the drug resistance phenotype with MDK transfection. Western blot results showed the upregulation of phosphorylated protein kinase B (AKT) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in Adriamycin-sensitive SGC7901 cell by MDK transfection accompanied with drug resistance to ADR, although the level of AKT and ERK protein expression did not change, so our results suggested that MDK, which can activate AKT and ERK by phosphorylation, induced the Adriamycin resistance in gastric cancer cells. Understanding the molecular mechanisms, driving MDK-induced ADR resistance, will provide benefits in developing new therapies for gastric cancer.