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Weidle UH, Birzele F. Deregulated circRNAs in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer With Activity in Preclinical In Vivo Models: Identification of Targets and New Modalities for Therapeutic Intervention. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2024; 21:213-237. [PMID: 38670587 PMCID: PMC11059596 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20442] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is associated with a dismal prognosis due to development of resistance to chemotherapy and metastasis in the peritoneal cavity and distant organs. In order to identify new targets and treatment modalities we searched the literature for up- and and down-regulated circRNAs with efficacy in preclinical EOC-related in vivo systems. Our search yielded circRNAs falling into the following categories: cisplatin and paclitaxel resistance, transmembrane receptors, secreted factors, transcription factors, RNA splicing and processing factors, RAS pathway-related components, proteolysis and cell-cycle regulation, signaling-related proteins, and circRNAs regulating proteins in additional categories. These findings can be potentially translated by validation and manipulation of the corresponding targets, inhibition of circRNAs with antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), small interfering RNAs (siRNA) or small hairpin RNA (shRNA) or by reconstituting their activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich H Weidle
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany;
| | - Fabian Birzele
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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2
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Ebrahimi N, Manavi MS, Faghihkhorasani F, Fakhr SS, Baei FJ, Khorasani FF, Zare MM, Far NP, Rezaei-Tazangi F, Ren J, Reiter RJ, Nabavi N, Aref AR, Chen C, Ertas YN, Lu Q. Harnessing function of EMT in cancer drug resistance: a metastasis regulator determines chemotherapy response. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:457-479. [PMID: 38227149 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10162-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complicated molecular process that governs cellular shape and function changes throughout tissue development and embryogenesis. In addition, EMT contributes to the development and spread of tumors. Expanding and degrading the surrounding microenvironment, cells undergoing EMT move away from the main location. On the basis of the expression of fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP1), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), collagen, and smooth muscle actin (-SMA), the mesenchymal phenotype exhibited in fibroblasts is crucial for promoting EMT. While EMT is not entirely reliant on its regulators like ZEB1/2, Twist, and Snail proteins, investigation of upstream signaling (like EGF, TGF-β, Wnt) is required to get a more thorough understanding of tumor EMT. Throughout numerous cancers, connections between tumor epithelial and fibroblast cells that influence tumor growth have been found. The significance of cellular crosstalk stems from the fact that these events affect therapeutic response and disease prognosis. This study examines how classical EMT signals emanating from various cancer cells interfere to tumor metastasis, treatment resistance, and tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Ebrahimi
- Genetics Division, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | | | - Siavash Seifollahy Fakhr
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Science and Biotechnology, Campus Hamar, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
| | | | | | - Mohammad Mehdi Zare
- Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Nazanin Pazhouhesh Far
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rezaei-Tazangi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Jun Ren
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Russel J Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Translational Medicine Group, Xsphera Biosciences, 6 Tide Street, Boston, MA, 02210, USA.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Chu Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu, 226001, China
| | - Yavuz Nuri Ertas
- ERNAM-Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, 38039, Türkiye.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri, 38039, Türkiye.
| | - Qi Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu, 226001, China.
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3
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Wang J, Ford JC, Mitra AK. Defining the Role of Metastasis-Initiating Cells in Promoting Carcinogenesis in Ovarian Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1492. [PMID: 38132318 PMCID: PMC10740540 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological malignancy with a high prevalence of transcoelomic metastasis. Metastasis is a multi-step process and only a small percentage of cancer cells, metastasis-initiating cells (MICs), have the capacity to finally establish metastatic lesions. These MICs maintain a certain level of stemness that allows them to differentiate into other cell types with distinct transcriptomic profiles and swiftly adapt to external stresses. Furthermore, they can coordinate with the microenvironment, through reciprocal interactions, to invade and establish metastases. Therefore, identifying, characterizing, and targeting MICs is a promising strategy to counter the spread of ovarian cancer. In this review, we provided an overview of OC MICs in the context of characterization, identification through cell surface markers, and their interactions with the metastatic niche to promote metastatic colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Wang
- Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; (J.W.); (J.C.F.)
- Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - James C. Ford
- Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; (J.W.); (J.C.F.)
| | - Anirban K. Mitra
- Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; (J.W.); (J.C.F.)
- Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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4
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He Z, He J, Xie K. KLF4 transcription factor in tumorigenesis. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:118. [PMID: 37031197 PMCID: PMC10082813 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01416-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like transcriptional factor is important in maintaining cellular functions. Deletion of Krüppel-like transcriptional factor usually causes abnormal embryonic development and even embryonic death. KLF4 is a prominent member of this family, and embryonic deletion of KLF4 leads to alterations in skin permeability and postnatal death. In addition to its important role in embryo development, it also plays a critical role in inflammation and malignancy. It has been investigated that KLF4 has a regulatory role in a variety of cancers, including lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, hepatocellular, ovarian, esophageal, bladder and brain cancer. However, the role of KLF4 in tumorigenesis is complex, which may link to its unique structure with both transcriptional activation and transcriptional repression domains, and to the regulation of its upstream and downstream signaling molecules. In this review, we will summarize the structural and functional aspects of KLF4, with a focus on KLF4 as a clinical biomarker and therapeutic target in different types of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong He
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- The South China University of Technology Comprehensive Cancer Center, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie He
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Guangzhou First People's Hospital, South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Keping Xie
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
- The South China University of Technology Comprehensive Cancer Center, Guangdong, China.
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5
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The Role of Cytokines in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Gynaecological Cancers: A Systematic Review. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030416. [PMID: 36766756 PMCID: PMC9913821 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation has been closely linked to the development and progression of various cancers. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process involving the acquisition of mesenchymal features by carcinoma cells and is an important link between inflammation and cancer development. Inflammatory mediators in the tumour micro-environment, such as cytokines and chemokines, can promote EMT changes in cancer cells. The aim of this systematic review is to analyse the effect of cytokines on EMT in gynaecological cancers and discuss their possible therapeutic implications. A search of the databases CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PubMed, TRIP, and Web of Science was performed using the keywords: "cytokines" AND "epithelial mesenchymal transition OR transformation" AND "gynaecological cancer". Seventy-one articles reported that various cytokines, such as TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-6, etc., promoted EMT changes in ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers. The EMT changes included from epithelial to mesenchymal morphological change, downregulation of the epithelial markers E-cadherin/β-catenin, upregulation of the mesenchymal markers N-cadherin/vimentin/fibronectin, and upregulation of the EMT-transformation factors (EMT-TF) SNAI1/SNAI2/TWIST/ZEB. Cytokine-induced EMT can lead to gynaecological cancer development and metastasis and hence novel therapies targeting the cytokines or their EMT signalling pathways could possibly prevent cancer progression, reduce cancer recurrence, and prevent drug-resistance.
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Zhang Y, Yao C, Ju Z, Jiao D, Hu D, Qi L, Liu S, Wu X, Zhao C. Krüppel-like factors in tumors: Key regulators and therapeutic avenues. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1080720. [PMID: 36761967 PMCID: PMC9905823 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1080720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a group of DNA-binding transcriptional regulators with multiple essential functions in various cellular processes, including proliferation, migration, inflammation, and angiogenesis. The aberrant expression of KLFs is often found in tumor tissues and is essential for tumor development. At the molecular level, KLFs regulate multiple signaling pathways and mediate crosstalk among them. Some KLFs may also be molecular switches for specific biological signals, driving their transition from tumor suppressors to promoters. At the histological level, the abnormal expression of KLFs is closely associated with tumor cell stemness, proliferation, apoptosis, and alterations in the tumor microenvironment. Notably, the role of each KLF in tumors varies according to tumor type and different stages of tumor development rather than being invariant. In this review, we focus on the advances in the molecular biology of KLFs, particularly the regulations of several classical signaling pathways by these factors, and the critical role of KLFs in tumor development. We also highlight their strong potential as molecular targets in tumor therapy and suggest potential directions for clinical translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Zhang
- School of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chongjie Yao
- School of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China,Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziyong Ju
- School of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Danli Jiao
- School of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Hu
- School of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Qi
- School of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shimin Liu
- School of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueqing Wu
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Chen Zhao, ; Xueqing Wu,
| | - Chen Zhao
- School of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Chen Zhao, ; Xueqing Wu,
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Aghayousefi R, Hosseiniyan Khatibi SM, Zununi Vahed S, Bastami M, Pirmoradi S, Teshnehlab M. A diagnostic miRNA panel to detect recurrence of ovarian cancer through artificial intelligence approaches. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:325-341. [PMID: 36378340 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04468-2] [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: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian Cancer (OC) is the deadliest gynecology malignancy, whose high recurrence rate in OC patients is a challenging object. Therefore, having deep insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms of OC recurrence can improve the target therapeutic procedures. This study aimed to discover crucial miRNAs for the detection of tumor recurrence in OC by artificial intelligence approaches. METHOD Through the ANOVA feature selection method, we selected 100 candidate miRNAs among 588 miRNAs. For their classification, a deep-learning model was employed to validate the significance of the candidate miRNAs. The accuracy, F1-score (high-risk), and AUC-ROC of classification test data based on the 100 miRNAs were 73%, 0.81, and 0.65, respectively. Association rule mining was used to discover hidden relations among the selected miRNAs. RESULT Five miRNAs, including miR-1914, miR-203, miR-135a-2, miR-149, and miR-9-1, were identified as the most frequent items among high-risk association rules. The identified miRNAs may target genes/proteins involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), resistance to therapy, and cancer stem cells; being responsible for the heterogeneity and plasticity of the tumor. Our conclusion presents mir-1914 as the significant candidate miRNA and the most frequent item. Current knowledge indicates that the dysregulated miR-1914 may function as a tumor suppressor or oncogene in the development of cancer. CONCLUSION These candidate miRNAs can be considered a powerful tool in the diagnosis of OC recurrence. We hypothesize that mir-1914 might open a new line of research in the realm of managing the recurrence of OC and could be a significant factor in triggering OC recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyhaneh Aghayousefi
- Department of Electrical Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hosseiniyan Khatibi
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Rahat Breath and Sleep Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Kidney Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Milad Bastami
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Saeed Pirmoradi
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Teshnehlab
- Department of Electrical Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
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8
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Huo X, Zhang W, Zhao G, Chen Z, Dong P, Watari H, Narayanan R, Tillmanns TD, Pfeffer LM, Yue J. FAK PROTAC Inhibits Ovarian Tumor Growth and Metastasis by Disrupting Kinase Dependent and Independent Pathways. Front Oncol 2022; 12:851065. [PMID: 35574330 PMCID: PMC9095959 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.851065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers and is a target for cancer therapy. Since FAK kinase inhibitors only block the kinase activity of FAK, they are not highly effective in clinical trials. FAK also functions as a scaffold protein in a kinase-independent pathway. To effectively target FAK, it is required to block both FAK kinase-dependent and FAK-independent pathways. Thus, we tested a new generation drug FAK PROTAC for ovarian cancer therapy, which blocks both kinase and scaffold activity. We tested the efficacy of FAK PROTAC and its parent kinase inhibitor (VS-6063) in ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro by performing cell functional assays including cell proliferation, migration, invasion. We also tested in vivo activity in orthotopic ovarian cancer mouse models. In addition, we assessed whether FAK PROTAC disrupts kinase-dependent and kinase-independent pathways. We demonstrated that FAK PROTAC is highly effective as compared to its parent FAK kinase inhibitor VS-6063 in inhibiting cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. FAK PROTAC not only inhibits the FAK kinase activity but also FAK scaffold function by disrupting the interaction between FAK and its interaction protein ASAP1. We further showed that FAK PROTAC effectively inhibits ovarian tumor growth and metastasis. Taken together, FAK PROTAC inhibits both FAK kinase activity and its scaffold protein activity by disrupting the interaction between FAK and ASAP1 and is highly effective in inhibiting ovarian tumor growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyun Huo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Genomics & Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Guannan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Zhenwen Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Peixin Dong
- Department of Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hidemichi Watari
- Department of Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ramesh Narayanan
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Todd D Tillmanns
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, West Cancer Center, Germantown, TN, United States
| | - Lawrence M Pfeffer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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Liu X, Zhao G, Huo X, Wang Y, Tigyi G, Zhu BM, Yue J, Zhang W. Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Facilitate Ovarian Tumor Growth and Metastasis by Promoting Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition Through Activating the TGF-β Pathway. Front Oncol 2022; 11:756011. [PMID: 35004276 PMCID: PMC8727693 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.756011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) are multipotent mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissues and are capable of differentiating into multiple cell types in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The roles of ADSC in ovarian cancer (OC) metastasis are still not well defined. To understand whether ADSC contributes to ovarian tumor metastasis, we examined epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in OC cells following the treatment of the ADSC-conditioned medium (ADSC-CM). ADSC-CM promotes EMT in OC cells. Functionally, ADSC-CM promotes OC cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. We further demonstrated that ADSC-CM induced EMT via TGF-β growth factor secretion from ADSC and the ensuing activation of the TGF-β pathway. ADSC-CM-induced EMT in OC cells was reversible by the TGF-β inhibitor SB431542 treatment. Using an orthotopic OC mouse model, we also provide the experimental evidence that ADSC contributes to ovarian tumor growth and metastasis by promoting EMT through activating the TGF-β pathway. Taken together, our data indicate that targeting ADSC using the TGF-β inhibitor has the therapeutic potential in blocking the EMT and OC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowu Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Guannan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Xueyun Huo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaohong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Gabor Tigyi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Bing-Mei Zhu
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Genomics & Informatics, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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10
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Subbalakshmi AR, Sahoo S, McMullen I, Saxena AN, Venugopal SK, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. KLF4 Induces Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition (MET) by Suppressing Multiple EMT-Inducing Transcription Factors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5135. [PMID: 34680284 PMCID: PMC8533753 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity (EMP) refers to reversible dynamic processes where cells can transition from epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) or from mesenchymal to epithelial (MET) phenotypes. Both these processes are modulated by multiple transcription factors acting in concert. While EMT-inducing transcription factors (TFs)-TWIST1/2, ZEB1/2, SNAIL1/2/3, GSC, and FOXC2-are well-characterized, the MET-inducing TFs are relatively poorly understood (OVOL1/2 and GRHL1/2). Here, using mechanism-based mathematical modeling, we show that transcription factor KLF4 can delay the onset of EMT by suppressing multiple EMT-TFs. Our simulations suggest that KLF4 overexpression can promote a phenotypic shift toward a more epithelial state, an observation suggested by the negative correlation of KLF4 with EMT-TFs and with transcriptomic-based EMT scoring metrics in cancer cell lines. We also show that the influence of KLF4 in modulating the EMT dynamics can be strengthened by its ability to inhibit cell-state transitions at the epigenetic level. Thus, KLF4 can inhibit EMT through multiple parallel paths and can act as a putative MET-TF. KLF4 associates with the patient survival metrics across multiple cancers in a context-specific manner, highlighting the complex association of EMP with patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayalur Raghu Subbalakshmi
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; (A.R.S.); (S.S.); (S.K.V.)
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; (A.R.S.); (S.S.); (S.K.V.)
| | | | | | - Sudhanva Kalasapura Venugopal
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; (A.R.S.); (S.S.); (S.K.V.)
| | - Jason A. Somarelli
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; (A.R.S.); (S.S.); (S.K.V.)
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11
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Zhao G, Zhang W, Dong P, Watari H, Guo Y, Pfeffer LM, Tigyi G, Yue J. EIF5A2 controls ovarian tumor growth and metastasis by promoting epithelial to mesenchymal transition via the TGFβ pathway. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:70. [PMID: 33827661 PMCID: PMC8025533 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00578-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to tumor metastasis and chemoresistance. Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A2 (EIF5A2) is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers but rarely expressed in normal tissues. While EIF5A2 has oncogenic activity in several cancers and contributes to tumor metastasis, its role in ovarian cancer is unknown. In this study, we investigate whether EIF5A2 contributes to ovarian tumor metastasis by promoting EMT. METHODS To investigate the role of EIF5A2, we knocked out (KO) EIF5A2 using lentiviral CRISPR/Cas9 nickase in high invasive SKOV3 and OVCAR8 cells and overexpressed EIF5A2 in low invasive OVCAR3 cells using lentiviral vector. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion was examined in vitro ovarian cancer cells and tumor metastasis was evaluated in vivo using orthotopic ovarian cancer mouse models. RESULTS Here we report that EIF5A2 is highly expressed in ovarian cancers and associated with patient poor survival. Lentiviral CRISPR/Cas9 nickase vector mediated knockout (KO) of EIF5A2 inhibits epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in SKOV3 and OVCAR8 ovarian cancer cells that express high levels of EIF5A2. In contrast, overexpression of EIF5A2 promotes EMT in OVCAR3 epithelial adenocarcinoma cells that express relatively low EIF5A2 levels. KO of EIF5A2 in SKOV3 and OVCAR8 cells inhibits ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion, while its overexpression promotes cell migration and invasion in OVCAR3 adenocarcinoma cells. We further demonstrate that EIF5A2 promotes EMT by activating the TGFβ pathway and KO of EIF5A2 inhibits ovarian tumor growth and metastasis in orthotopic ovarian cancer mouse models. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that EIF5A2 is an important controller of ovarian tumor growth and metastasis by promoting EMT and activating the TGFβ pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Genomics & Informatics, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Peixin Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8638 Japan
| | - Hidemichi Watari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8638 Japan
| | - Yuqi Guo
- People′s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan China
| | - Lawrence M. Pfeffer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Gabor Tigyi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
- Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
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12
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Jin H, Gao S, Song D, Liu Y, Chen X. Intratumorally CpG immunotherapy with carbon nanotubes inhibits local tumor growth and liver metastasis by suppressing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colon cancer cells. Anticancer Drugs 2021; 32:278-285. [PMID: 32976213 PMCID: PMC7861496 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Colon cancer liver metastasis accounts for the major cause of death of colon cancer patients. Previous study reported a carbon nanotubes (CNT)-conjugated CpG complex (CNT-CpG), which displayed a significant antitumor effect in gliomas. However, whether CNT-CpG could limit colon tumor growth and suppress the colon cancer liver metastasis has not been evaluated. In this study, we report CNT enhances CpG uptake in mouse colon cancer cells. Results demonstrated only CpG with CNT conjugation showed significant activation of NF-κB signal. Moreover, intratumorally delivery of CNT-CpG successfully suppressed local xenograft tumor growth and liver metastasis. CNT-CpG treatments cured 75% of mice and inhibited local tumor growth, significantly prolonged survival outcomes and limited liver metastatic tumor nodules from colon cancer cells. Using human colon cancer cell line, HCT116, we observed significantly inhibitory effects of CNT-CpG on cell growth, invasion and migration. Importantly, CNT-CpG treatment blocked the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). We compared the mRNA levels of EMT markers of colon cancer cells without or with CNT-CpG treatment from in-vitro and in-vivo models. Consistent results demonstrated expression of epithelial marker, E-cadherin was upregulated by CNT-CpG. In contrast, three mesenchymal markers, snail, fibronectin and vimentin were significantly suppressed by CNT-CpG treatment compared with control or free CpG. In summary, our data suggest CNT-CpG is an effective therapeutic approach against local colon tumor and their liver metastasis. This study presents the CNT-CpG complex as a promising therapeutic target for developing novel therapies against both local colon tumors and liver metastatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sujie Gao
- Department of Anesthesia, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province
| | | | - Yiting Liu
- Department of Radiology, Peking University School of Oncology, Beijing Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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13
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LY75 Ablation Mediates Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition (MET) in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) Cells Associated with DNA Methylation Alterations and Suppression of the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21051848. [PMID: 32156068 PMCID: PMC7084525 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence demonstrates that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) progression and spreading; however, its molecular mechanisms remain poorly defined. We have previously shown that the antigen receptor LY75 can modulate EOC cell phenotype and metastatic potential, as LY75 depletion directed mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) in EOC cell lines with mesenchymal phenotype. We used the LY75-mediated modulation of EMT as a model to investigate for DNA methylation changes during EMT in EOC cells, by applying the reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) methodology. Numerous genes have displayed EMT-related DNA methylation patterns alterations in their promoter/exon regions. Ten selected genes, whose DNA methylation alterations were further confirmed by alternative methods, were further identified, some of which could represent new EOC biomarkers/therapeutic targets. Moreover, our methylation data were strongly indicative for the predominant implication of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the EMT-induced DNA methylation variations in EOC cells. Consecutive experiments, including alterations in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity in EOC cells with a specific inhibitor and the identification of LY75-interacting partners by a proteomic approach, were strongly indicative for the direct implication of the LY75 receptor in modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in EOC cells.
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14
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Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition: A Mechanism that Fuels Cancer Radio/Chemoresistance. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020428. [PMID: 32059478 PMCID: PMC7072371 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to tumor progression, cancer cell invasion, and therapy resistance. EMT is regulated by transcription factors such as the protein products of the SNAI gene family, which inhibits the expression of epithelial genes. Several signaling pathways, such as TGF-beta1, IL-6, Akt, and Erk1/2, trigger EMT responses. Besides regulatory transcription factors, RNA molecules without protein translation, micro RNAs, and long non-coding RNAs also assist in the initialization of the EMT gene cluster. A challenging novel aspect of EMT research is the investigation of the interplay between tumor microenvironments and EMT. Several microenvironmental factors, including fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, as well as inflammatory, immune, and endothelial cells, induce EMT in tumor cells. EMT tumor cells change their adverse microenvironment into a tumor friendly neighborhood, loaded with stromal regulatory T cells, exhausted CD8+ T cells, and M2 (protumor) macrophages. Several EMT inhibitory mechanisms are instrumental in reversing EMT or targeting EMT cells. Currently, these mechanisms are also significant for clinical use.
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15
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Agbo KC, Huang JZ, Ghaleb AM, Williams JL, Shroyer KR, Bialkowska AB, Yang VW. Loss of the Krüppel-like factor 4 tumor suppressor is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 5. [PMID: 32566755 PMCID: PMC7304562 DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2019.35] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cancer-related cause of death due to its propensity to metastasize. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a multistep process important for invasion and metastasis of CRC. Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc finger transcription factor highly expressed in differentiated cells of the intestinal epithelium. KLF4 has been shown to play a tumor suppressor role during CRC tumorigenesis - its loss accelerates development and progression of cancer. The present study examined the relationship between KLF4 and markers of EMT in CRC. Methods: Immunofluorescence staining for KLF4 and EMT markers was performed on archived patient samples after colorectal cancer resection and on colonic tissues of mice with colitis-associated cancer. Results: We found that KLF4 expression is lost in tumor sections obtained from CRC patients and in those of mouse colon following azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) treatment when compared to their respective normal appearing mucosa. Importantly, in CRC patient tumor sections, we observed a negative correlation between KLF4 levels and mesenchymal markers including TWIST, β-catenin, claudin-1, N-cadherin, and vimentin. Similarly, in tumor tissues from AOM/DSS-treated mice, KLF4 levels were negatively correlated with mesenchymal markers including SNAI2, β-catenin, and vimentin and positively correlated with the epithelial marker E-cadherin. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the loss of KLF4 expression is a potentially significant indicator of EMT in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley C Agbo
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Jessie Z Huang
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Amr M Ghaleb
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Jennie L Williams
- Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Kenneth R Shroyer
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Agnieszka B Bialkowska
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Vincent W Yang
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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16
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Zhang L, Zhou Q, Qiu Q, Hou L, Wu M, Li J, Li X, Lu B, Cheng X, Liu P, Lu W, Lu Y. CircPLEKHM3 acts as a tumor suppressor through regulation of the miR-9/BRCA1/DNAJB6/KLF4/AKT1 axis in ovarian cancer. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:144. [PMID: 31623606 PMCID: PMC6796346 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1080-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence has shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play essential roles in cancer biology and are potential biomarkers and targets for cancer therapy. However, the expression and function of circRNAs in ovarian carcinogenesis and its progression remain elusive. METHODS RNA sequencing was performed to reveal circRNA expression profiles in ovarian cancerous and normal tissues. Single-molecule RNA in-situ hybridization was used to quantify circPLEKHM3 expression in tumor tissues. Cell-based in-vitro and in-vivo assays were subsequently conducted to support the clinical findings. RESULTS CircPLEKHM3 was identified as one of the most significantly down-regulated circRNAs in ovarian cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. Its expression was further decreased in peritoneal metastatic ovarian carcinomas compared to primary ovarian carcinomas. Patients with lower circPLEKHM3 tend to have a worse prognosis. Functionally, circPLEKHM3 overexpression inhibited cell growth, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, whereas its knockdown exerted an opposite role. Further analyses showed that circPLEKHM3 sponged miR-9 to regulate the endogenous expression of BRCA1, DNAJB6 and KLF4, and consequently inactivate AKT1 signaling. In addition, AKT inhibitor MK-2206 could block the tumor-promoting effect of circPLEKHM3 depletion, and potentiate Taxol-induced growth inhibition of ovarian cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated that circPLEKHM3 functions as a tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer cells by targeting the miR-9/BRCA1/DNAJB6/KLF4/AKT1 axis and may be used as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target in ovarian cancer patients. The new strategy for treating ovarian cancer by a combination therapy of Taxol with MK-2206 is worth further investigation, especially in ovarian cancer patients with loss of circPLEKHM3 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Center for Uterine Cancer Diagnosis & Therapy Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, and Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310029, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Center for Uterine Cancer Diagnosis & Therapy Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, and Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310029, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiongzi Qiu
- Center for Uterine Cancer Diagnosis & Therapy Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, and Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310029, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ling Hou
- Center for Uterine Cancer Diagnosis & Therapy Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, and Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310029, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengting Wu
- Center for Uterine Cancer Diagnosis & Therapy Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, and Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310029, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xufan Li
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bingjian Lu
- Center for Uterine Cancer Diagnosis & Therapy Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, and Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310029, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Center for Uterine Cancer Diagnosis & Therapy Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, and Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310029, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pengyuan Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Physiology and Center of Systems Molecular Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Weiguo Lu
- Center for Uterine Cancer Diagnosis & Therapy Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, and Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310029, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Center for Uterine Cancer Diagnosis & Therapy Research of Zhejiang Province, Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, and Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310029, Zhejiang, China. .,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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17
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Zhao G, Wang Q, Wu Z, Tian X, Yan H, Wang B, Dong P, Watari H, Pfeffer LM, Guo Y, Li W, Yue J. Ovarian Primary and Metastatic Tumors Suppressed by Survivin Knockout or a Novel Survivin Inhibitor. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:2233-2245. [PMID: 31515295 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family, is upregulated in multiple cancers including ovarian cancer, but is rarely detectable in normal tissues. We previously reported that survivin promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ovarian cancer cells, suggesting that survivin may contribute to ovarian tumor metastasis and chemoresistance. In this study, we tested whether knockout or pharmacologic inhibition of survivin overcomes chemoresistance and suppresses tumor metastasis. The genetic loss of survivin suppressed tumor metastasis in an orthotopic ovarian cancer mouse model. To pharmacologically test the role of survivin on ovarian tumor metastasis, we treated chemo-resistant ovarian cancer cells with a selective survivin inhibitor, MX106, and found that MX106 effectively overcame chemoresistance in vitro MX106 inhibited cell migration and invasion by attenuating the TGFβ pathway and inhibiting EMT in ovarian cancer cells. To evaluate the efficacy of MX106 in inhibiting ovarian tumor metastasis, we treated an orthotopic ovarian cancer mouse model with MX106, and found that MX106 efficiently inhibited primary tumor growth in ovaries and metastasis in multiple peritoneal organs as compared with vehicle-treated control mice. Our data demonstrate that inhibition of survivin using either genetic knockout or a novel inhibitor MX106 suppresses primary ovarian tumor growth and metastasis, supporting that targeting survivin could be an effective therapeutic approach in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Qinghui Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Zhongzhi Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Xinchun Tian
- Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Iowa
| | - Huan Yan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Baojin Wang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, China
| | - Peixin Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hidemichi Watari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Lawrence M Pfeffer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Yuqi Guo
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. .,School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee. .,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
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18
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Varamo C, Peraldo-Neia C, Ostano P, Basiricò M, Raggi C, Bernabei P, Venesio T, Berrino E, Aglietta M, Leone F, Cavalloni G. Establishment and Characterization of a New Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Line Resistant to Gemcitabine. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040519. [PMID: 30979003 PMCID: PMC6520787 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is one of the most lethal liver cancers. Late diagnosis and chemotherapy resistance contribute to the scarce outfit and poor survival. Resistance mechanisms are still poorly understood. Here, we established a Gemcitabine (GEM) resistant model, the MT-CHC01R1.5 cell line, obtained by a GEM gradual exposure (up to 1.5 µM) of the sensitive counterpart, MT-CHC01. GEM resistance was irreversible, even at high doses. The in vitro and in vivo growth was slower than MT-CHC01, and no differences were highlighted in terms of migration and invasion. Drug prediction analysis suggested that Paclitaxel and Doxycycline might overcome GEM resistance. Indeed, in vitro MT-CHC01R1.5 growth was reduced by Paclitaxel and Doxycycline. Importantly, Doxycycline pretreatment at very low doses restored GEM sensitivity. To assess molecular mechanisms underlying the acquisition of GEM resistance, a detailed analysis of the transcriptome in MT-CHC01R1.5 cells versus the corresponding parental counterpart was performed. Transcriptomic analysis showed that most up-regulated genes were involved in cell cycle regulation and in the DNA related process, while most down-regulated genes were involved in the response to stimuli, xenobiotic metabolism, and angiogenesis. Furthermore, additional panels of drug resistance and epithelial to mesenchymal transition genes (n = 168) were tested by qRT-PCR and the expression of 20 genes was affected. Next, based on a comparison between qRT-PCR and microarray data, a list of up-regulated genes in MT-CHC01R1.5 was selected and further confirmed in a primary cell culture obtained from an ICC patient resistant to GEM. In conclusion, we characterized a new GEM resistance ICC model that could be exploited either to study alternative mechanisms of resistance or to explore new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Varamo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10100 Torino, Italy.
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Department of Oncology, Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, B3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | | | - Paola Ostano
- Cancer Genomics Lab, Fondazione Edo ed Elvo Tempia, 13900 Biella, Italy.
| | - Marco Basiricò
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
| | - Chiara Raggi
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Italy.
- Dept. Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università di Firenze, 50100 Florence, Italy.
| | - Paola Bernabei
- Flow Cytometry Center, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Venesio
- Molecular Pathology Lab, Unit of Pathology, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
| | - Enrico Berrino
- Molecular Pathology Lab, Unit of Pathology, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126 Turin, Italy.
| | - Massimo Aglietta
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10100 Torino, Italy.
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
| | - Francesco Leone
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10100 Torino, Italy.
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
| | - Giuliana Cavalloni
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
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19
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Ji L, Zhao G, Zhang P, Huo W, Dong P, Watari H, Jia L, Pfeffer LM, Yue J, Zheng J. Knockout of MTF1 Inhibits the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Ovarian Cancer Cells. J Cancer 2018; 9:4578-4585. [PMID: 30588241 PMCID: PMC6299381 DOI: 10.7150/jca.28040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to peritoneal metastasis and frequent recurrence, ovarian cancer has the highest mortality among gynecological cancers. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to ovarian tumor metastasis. In this study, we report for the first time that metal regulatory transcription factor 1 (MTF1) was upregulated in ovarian cancer, and its high expression was associated with poor patient survival and disease relapse. Knockout of MTF1 using lentiviral CRISPR/Cas9 nickase vector-mediated gene editing inhibited EMT by upregulating epithelial cell markers E-cadherin and cytokeratin 7, and downregulating mesenchymal markers Snai2 and β-catenin in ovarian cancer SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. Loss of MTF1 reduced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in both SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. Knockout of MTF1 upregulated the expression of the KLF4 transcription factor, and attenuated two cellular survival pathways, ERK1/2 and AKT. Our studies demonstrated that MTF1 plays an oncogenic role and contributes to ovarian tumor metastasis by promoting EMT. MTF1 may be a novel biomarker for early diagnosis as well as a drug target for clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Ji
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Science, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Guannan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Wenying Huo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Peixin Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hidemichi Watari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Limin Jia
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Science, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lawrence M Pfeffer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Jinhua Zheng
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Science, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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20
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Jia Y, Sun R, Ding X, Cao C, Yang X. Bisphenol S Triggers the Migration and Invasion of Pheochromocytoma PC12 Cells via Estrogen-Related Receptor α. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 66:188-196. [PMID: 30140998 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1148-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a tumor of the adrenal medulla for which surgical resection is the only therapy approach. Risk factors responsible for the tumorigenesis and progression of PCC are not well illustrated. Our present study revealed that an industrial chemical, bisphenol S (BPS), can promote the migration and invasion of PCC PC12 cells, which was evidenced by the upregulation of fibronectin (FN) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). The inhibitor of estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα), while not estrogen receptor α/β (ERα/β) or G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), can attenuate BPS-induced cell migration. Mechanically, BPS can increase the binding between ERRα and promoter of FN1 and then induce the expression of FN in PC12 cells. Further, BPS can induce the expression of miR-10b in PC12 cells via ERRα. The upregulated miR-10b inhibited the expression of KLF4, which can suppress the migration and invasion of cancer cells. BPS can trigger the mRNA and protein expression of ERRα in PC12 cells via a time-dependent manner. Collectively, our study revealed that nanomolar BPS can trigger the migration and invasion of PC12 cells via activation and upregulation of ERRα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuefeng Jia
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.16 of Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Ruixia Sun
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.16 of Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Xuemei Ding
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.16 of Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Caixia Cao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.16 of Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Xuecheng Yang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.16 of Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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21
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Wang B, Li X, Zhao G, Yan H, Dong P, Watari H, Sims M, Li W, Pfeffer LM, Guo Y, Yue J. miR-203 inhibits ovarian tumor metastasis by targeting BIRC5 and attenuating the TGFβ pathway. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:235. [PMID: 30241553 PMCID: PMC6150978 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0906-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously reported that miR-203 functions as a tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer cells by directly targeting transcription factor Snai2 and inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas BIRC5/survivin promotes EMT. In this study, we tested our hypothesis that miR-203 inhibits ovarian tumor metastasis by suppressing EMT through targeting BIRC5, using an orthotopic ovarian cancer mouse model. METHODS We overexpressed miR-203 in ovarian cancer SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells using a lentiviral vector and examined cell migration and invasion using transwell plates. The small molecule inhibitor, YM155, was used to inhibit survivin expression. miR-203-expressing and control SKOV3 cells were intrabursally injected into immunocompromised NSG female mice. Primary tumors in ovaries and metastatic tumors were collected to determine the expression of survivin and EMT markers using Western blot and immunostaining. RESULTS Overexpression of miR-203 inhibits EMT by targeting BIRC5 in ovarian cancer SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. miR-203 expression enhances the ability of the survivin inhibitor YM155 to reduce tumor cell migration and invasion in vitro. We further showed that miR-203 expression attenuated the TGFβ pathway in both SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. miR-203 expression also inhibited primary tumor growth in ovaries and metastatic tumors in multiple peritoneal organs including liver and spleen. CONCLUSION miR-203 inhibits ovarian tumor metastasis by targeting BIRC5/survivin and attenuating the TGFβ pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojin Wang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. .,Department of Pathology, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA. .,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.
| | - Xia Li
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Guannan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Huan Yan
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Peixin Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hidemichi Watari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Michelle Sims
- Department of Pathology, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Lawrence M Pfeffer
- Department of Pathology, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Yuqi Guo
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China. .,International Joint Laboratory for Gynecological Oncology Nanomedicine of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA. .,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.
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22
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Zhao G, Wang Q, Gu Q, Qiang W, Wei JJ, Dong P, Watari H, Li W, Yue J. Lentiviral CRISPR/Cas9 nickase vector mediated BIRC5 editing inhibits epithelial to mesenchymal transition in ovarian cancer cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:94666-94680. [PMID: 29212257 PMCID: PMC5706903 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BIRC5 encodes the protein survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family. Survivin is highly expressed in a variety of cancers but has very low expression in the corresponding normal tissues, and its expression is often associated with tumor metastasis and chemoresistance. We report that survivin was highly expressed in ovarian cancer and strongly correlated with patient overall poor survival. For the first time, we provide experimental evidence that survivin is involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ovarian cancer cells. Lentiviral CRISPR/Cas9 nickase vector mediated BIRC5 gene editing led to the inhibition of EMT by upregulating epithelial cell marker, cytokeratin 7 and downregulating mesenchymal markers: snail2, β-catenin, and vimentin in both ovarian cancer SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. Consistent with this molecular approach, pharmacological treatment of ovarian cancer cells using a small molecule survivin inhibitor, YM155 also inhibited EMT in these ovarian cancer cell lines. Overexpression of BIRC5 promoted EMT in SKOV3 cells. Using molecular or pharmacological approaches, we found that cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were significantly inhibited following BIRC5 disruption in both cell lines. Inhibition of BIRC5 expression also sensitized cell responses to paclitaxel treatment. Moreover, loss of BIRC5 expression attenuated TGFβ signaling in both SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. Collectively, our studies demonstrated that disruption of BIRC5 expression inhibited EMT by attenuating the TGFβ pathway in ovarian cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA
| | - Qinghui Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA
| | - Qingqing Gu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA
| | - Wenan Qiang
- Department of Pathology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, USA.,Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA
| | - Jian-Jun Wei
- Department of Pathology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - Peixin Dong
- Department of Women's Health Educational System, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,Department of Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hidemichi Watari
- Department of Women's Health Educational System, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,Department of Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA.,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA
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23
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Li X, Zhao Z, Zhang X, Yang S, Lin X, Yang X, Lin X, Shi J, Wang S, Zhao W, Li J, Gao F, Liu M, Ma N, Luo W, Yao K, Sun Y, Xiao S, Xiao D, Jia J. Klf4 reduces stemness phenotype, triggers mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET)-like molecular changes, and prevents tumor progression in nasopharygeal carcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:93924-93941. [PMID: 29212199 PMCID: PMC5706845 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The reprogramming factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4), one of the Yamanaka's reprogramming factors, plays an essential role in reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Klf4 is dysregulated and displays divergent functions in multiple malignancies, but the biological roles of Klf4 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain unknown. The present study revealed that Klf4 downregulation in a cohort of human NPC biopsies is significantly associated with invasive and metastatic phenotypes of NPC. Our results showed exogenous expression of Klf4 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, decreased stemness, triggered mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET)-like molecular changes, and suppressed migration and invasion of NPC cells, whereas depletion of endogeneous Klf4 by RNAi reversed the aforementioned biological behaviors and characheristics. Klf4 silencing significantly enhanced the metastatic ability of NPC cells in vivo. In addition, CHIP assay confirmed that E-cadherin is a transcriptional target of Klf4 in NPC cells. Additional studies demonstrated that Klf4-induced MET-like cellular marker alterations, and reduced motility and invasion of NPC cells were mediated by E-cadherin. This study revealed the clinical correlation between Klf4 expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers (including its target gene E-cadherin) in a cohort of NPC biopsies. Taken together, our findings suggest, for what we believe is the first time, that Klf4 functions as a tumor suppressor in NPC to decrease stemness phenotype, inhibit EMT and prevent tumor progression, suggesting that restoring Klf4 function may provide therapeutic benefits in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiqing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.,Institute of Comparative Medicine & Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.,Department of Oncology, The People's Hosptial of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Zhunlan Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.,Department of Oncology, The People's Hosptial of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Sheng Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xia Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xinglong Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaolin Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Junwen Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shengchun Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wentao Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Mingyue Liu
- Department of Oncology, The People's Hosptial of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Ning Ma
- Department of Oncology, The People's Hosptial of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Weiren Luo
- The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen 518112, China
| | - Kaitai Yao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shengjun Xiao
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Dong Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.,Institute of Comparative Medicine & Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Junshuang Jia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunotherapy Research and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology Research, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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24
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Li S, Huang L, Gu J, Wu J, Ou W, Feng J, Liu B, Xu X, Zhou Y. Restoration of KLF4 Inhibits Invasion and Metastases of Lung Adenocarcinoma through Suppressing MMP2. J Cancer 2017; 8:3480-3489. [PMID: 29151932 PMCID: PMC5687162 DOI: 10.7150/jca.21241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: KLF4 is a zin-finger transcription factor that plays roles in differentiation, development, and proliferation. Recent studies show that KLF4 is involved in tumorigenesis and somatic cells reprogramming. Metastasis is the primary cause of death in patients with lung cancer, and its biological mechanisms are poorly understood. Goals: In this study, we aim to explore the expression pattern and biological function of KLF4 in lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: We determined KLF4 in lung adenocarcinoma tissue and cell lines, using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. And we further analyzed the correlation between KLF4 expression and clinicopathologic parameters. We restored KLF4 expression and studied its effect on lung adenocarcinoma cells in vivo and in vitro. Luciferase assay was used to study impact of KLF4 on activity of MMP2 promoter. Results: KLF4 is dramatically down-regulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissue and cell lines. Promoter methylation contributes to the down-regulation of KLF4. Down-regulation of KLF4 in lung adenocarcinoma tissue is significantly associated with reduced survival time. Restoration of KLF4 inhibits migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro. Metastases to lungs significantly decrease in mice intravenously injected with tumor cells overexpressing KLF4. KLF4 inhibits invasion and metastasis via suppressing MMP2 promoter activity. Conclusion: The ability of KLF4 to inhibit migration, invasion, and metastasis of lung tumor cells indicates a potential role of KLF4 as therapeutic target in lung adenocarcinoma. KLF4 might be utilized as a favorable biomarker for prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoli Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lixia Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jincui Gu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weijun Ou
- Center of Organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinglun Feng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baomo Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxian Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanbin Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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25
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Crow J, Atay S, Banskota S, Artale B, Schmitt S, Godwin AK. Exosomes as mediators of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:11917-11936. [PMID: 28060758 PMCID: PMC5355315 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosomes have been implicated in the cell-cell transfer of oncogenic proteins and genetic material. We speculated this may be one mechanism by which an intrinsically platinum-resistant population of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells imparts its influence on surrounding tumor cells. To explore this possibility we utilized a platinum-sensitive cell line, A2780 and exosomes derived from its resistant subclones, and an unselected, platinum-resistant EOC line, OVCAR10. A2780 cells demonstrate a ~2-fold increase in viability upon treatment with carboplatin when pre-exposed to exosomes from platinum-resistant cells as compared to controls. This coincided with increased epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). DNA sequencing of EOC cell lines revealed previously unreported somatic mutations in the Mothers Against Decapentaplegic Homolog 4 (SMAD4) within platinum-resistant cells. A2780 cells engineered to exogenously express these SMAD4 mutations demonstrate up-regulation of EMT markers following carboplatin treatment, are more resistant to carboplatin, and release exosomes which impart a ~1.7-fold increase in resistance in naive A2780 recipient cells as compared to controls. These studies provide the first evidence that acquired SMAD4 mutations enhance the chemo-resistance profile of EOC and present a novel mechanism in which exchange of tumor-derived exosomes perpetuates an EMT phenotype, leading to the development of subpopulations of platinum-refractory cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Crow
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Safinur Atay
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Samagya Banskota
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, NC, USA
| | - Brittany Artale
- Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Sarah Schmitt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Andrew K Godwin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.,University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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26
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Xu L, Sun H, Zhang M, Jiang Y, Zhang C, Zhou J, Ding L, Hu Y, Yan G. MicroRNA-145 protects follicular granulosa cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by targeting Krüppel-like factor 4. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 452:138-147. [PMID: 28564582 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Revised: 04/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress-induced follicular granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis plays an essential role in abnormal follicular atresia, which may trigger ovarian dysfunction. To investigate the role of microRNA (miR)-145 in the regulation of GC apoptosis and modulation of the apoptotic pathway in the setting of oxidative stress, we employed an H2O2-induced in vitro model and a 3-nitropropionic acid (NP)-induced in vivo model of ovarian oxidative stress. We demonstrated in vitro that miR-145 expression was significantly down-regulated in KGN cells and mouse granulosa cells (mGCs) treated with H2O2, whereas miR-145 over-expression attenuated H2O2-induced apoptosis in GCs. Moreover, miR-145 protected GCs against H2O2-induced apoptosis by targeting KLF4, which promoted H2O2-induced GC apoptosis via the BAX/BCL-2 pathway. Importantly, decreased miR-145 expression in the in vivo ovarian oxidative stress model promoted apoptosis by up-regulating KLF4 expression, whereas GC-specific miR-145 over-expression attenuated apoptosis by targeting KLF4. In conclusion, miR-145 protects GCs against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by targeting KLF4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Drum Tower Clinic Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunxue Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianjun Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lijun Ding
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yali Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Drum Tower Clinic Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Guijun Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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27
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Tiwari A, Loughner CL, Swamynathan S, Swamynathan SK. KLF4 Plays an Essential Role in Corneal Epithelial Homeostasis by Promoting Epithelial Cell Fate and Suppressing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:2785-2795. [PMID: 28549095 PMCID: PMC5455171 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-21826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that KLF4 promotes corneal epithelial (CE) cell fate by suppressing the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), using spatiotemporally regulated CE-specific ablation of Klf4 in Klf4Δ/ΔCE (Klf4LoxP/LoxP/Krt12rtTA/rtTA/Tet-O-Cre) mice. Methods CE-specific ablation of Klf4 was achieved by feeding Klf4Δ/ΔCE mice with doxycycline chow. The wild-type (WT; normal chow-fed littermates) and the Klf4Δ/ΔCE histology was compared by hematoxylin and eosin–stained sections; EMT marker expression was quantified by quantitative PCR, immunoblots, and immunofluorescent staining; and wound healing rate was measured by CE debridement using Algerbrush. KLF4 and EMT markers were quantified in human corneal limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells undergoing TGF-β1–induced EMT by quantitative PCR, immunoblots, and immunofluorescent staining. Results The epithelial markers E-cadherin, Krt12, claudin-3, and claudin-4 were down-regulated, whereas the mesenchymal markers vimentin, β-catenin, survivin, and cyclin-D1 and the EMT transcription factors Snail, Slug, Twist1, Twist2, Zeb1, and Zeb2 were up-regulated in the Klf4Δ/ΔCE corneas. The Klf4Δ/ΔCE cells migrated faster, filling 93% of the debrided area within 16 hours compared with 61% in the WT. After 7 days of wounding, the Klf4Δ/ΔCE cells that filled the gap failed to regain epithelial characteristics, as they displayed abnormal stratification; down-regulation of E-cadherin and Krt12; up-regulation of β-catenin, survivin, and cyclin-D1; and a 2.5-fold increase in the number of proliferative Ki67+ cells. WT CE cells at the migrating edge and the HCLE cells undergoing TGF-β1–induced EMT displayed significant down-regulation of KLF4. Conclusions Collectively, these results reveal that KLF4 plays an essential role in CE homeostasis by promoting epithelial cell fate and suppressing EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Tiwari
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Chelsea L Loughner
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Sudha Swamynathan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Shivalingappa K Swamynathan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 2McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 3Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 4Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
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28
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Bilyk O, Coatham M, Jewer M, Postovit LM. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in the Female Reproductive Tract: From Normal Functioning to Disease Pathology. Front Oncol 2017; 7:145. [PMID: 28725636 PMCID: PMC5497565 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological process that is vital throughout the human lifespan. In addition to contributing to the development of various tissues within the growing embryo, EMT is also responsible for wound healing and tissue regeneration later in adulthood. In this review, we highlight the importance of EMT in the development and normal functioning of the female reproductive organs (the ovaries and the uterus) and describe how dysregulation of EMT can lead to pathological conditions, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and carcinogenesis. We also summarize the current literature relating to EMT in the context of ovarian and endometrial carcinomas, with a particular focus on how molecular mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment can govern cancer cell plasticity, therapy resistance, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Bilyk
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Mackenzie Coatham
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michael Jewer
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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29
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Lund RJ, Huhtinen K, Salmi J, Rantala J, Nguyen EV, Moulder R, Goodlett DR, Lahesmaa R, Carpén O. DNA methylation and Transcriptome Changes Associated with Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1469. [PMID: 28473707 PMCID: PMC5431431 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01624-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer is the most common ovarian cancer type. Although the combination of surgery and platinum-taxane chemotherapy provide an effective treatment, drug resistance frequently occurs leading to poor outcome. In order to clarify the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance, the DNA methylation and transcriptomic changes, associated with the development of drug resistance in high-grade serous ovarian cancer, were examined from patient derived malignant ascites cells. In parallel with large-scale transcriptome changes, cisplatin resistance was associated with loss of hypermethylation at several CpG sites primarily localized in the intergenic regions of the genome. The transcriptome and CpG methylome changes in response to cisplatin treatment of both sensitive and resistant cells were minimal, indicating the importance of post-translational mechanisms in regulating death or survival of the cells. The response of resistant cells to high concentrations of cisplatin revealed transcriptomic changes in potential key drivers of drug resistance, such as KLF4. Among the strongest changes was also induction of IL6 in resistant cells and the expression was further increased in response to cisplatin. Also, several other components of IL6 signaling were affected, further supporting previous observations on its importance in malignant transformation and development of drug resistance in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riikka J Lund
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.
| | - Kaisa Huhtinen
- Department of Pathology, Medicity Research Unit, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jussi Salmi
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Juha Rantala
- Department of Pathology, Medicity Research Unit, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Elizabeth V Nguyen
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Robert Moulder
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - David R Goodlett
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Riitta Lahesmaa
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Olli Carpén
- Department of Pathology, Medicity Research Unit, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
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30
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Liu S, Yang H, Chen Y, He B, Chen Q. Krüppel-Like Factor 4 Enhances Sensitivity of Cisplatin to Lung Cancer Cells and Inhibits Regulating Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. Oncol Res 2017; 24:81-7. [PMID: 27296948 PMCID: PMC7838665 DOI: 10.3727/096504016x14597766487717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to improve therapeutic efficacy, it is a current emergency to better know the mechanisms underlying cisplatin resistance in lung cancer cells. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in cisplatin-resistant lung cancer cells. We developed cisplatin-resistant lung cancer cell line A549/DDP, and then a battery of experiments was used to analyze the effects of KLF4 in cisplatin resistance of lung cancer. We found that KLF4 was significantly downregulated in cisplatin-resistant A549 cells and forced KLF4 expression inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis. Further, we found that overexpression of KLF4 was able to inhibit cell migration and invasion, to inhibit the expression of Slug, Twist, and vimentin, and to increase the expression of E-cadherin and subsequent inhibition of the EMT process. Thus, overexpression of KLF4 may be a potential strategy for lung cancer treatment, especially for cisplatin-resistant cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenggang Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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31
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Ghaleb AM, Yang VW. Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4): What we currently know. Gene 2017; 611:27-37. [PMID: 28237823 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 329] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is an evolutionarily conserved zinc finger-containing transcription factor that regulates diverse cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Since its discovery in 1996, KLF4 has been gaining a lot of attention, particularly after it was shown in 2006 as one of four factors involved in the induction of pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Here we review the current knowledge about the different functions and roles of KLF4 in various tissue and organ systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr M Ghaleb
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Vincent W Yang
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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32
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Qin Y, Zhang Q, Lee S, Zhong WL, Liu YR, Liu HJ, Zhao D, Chen S, Xiao T, Meng J, Jing XS, Wang J, Sun B, Dai TT, Yang C, Sun T, Zhou HG. Doxycycline reverses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and suppresses the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:40667-79. [PMID: 26512779 PMCID: PMC4747360 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gelatinase inhibitor doxycycline is the prototypical antitumor antibiotic. We investigated the effects of doxycycline on the migration, invasion, and metastasis of human lung cancer cell lines and in a mouse model. We also measured the effect of doxycycline on the transcription of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, and used immunohistochemistry to determine whether EMT reversal was associated with doxycycline inhibition. Doxycycline dose-dependently inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of NCI-H446 human small cell lung cancer cells. It also suppressed tumor growth from NCI-H446 and A549 lung cancer cell xenografts without altering body weight, inhibited Lewis lung carcinoma cell migration, and prolonged survival. The activities of the transcription factors Twist1/2, SNAI1/2, AP1, NF-κB, and Stat3 were suppressed by doxycycline, which reversed EMT and inhibited signal transduction, thereby suppressing tumor growth and metastasis. Our data demonstrate functional targeting of transcription factors by doxycycline to reverse EMT and suppress tumor proliferation and metastasis. Thus, doxycycline selectively targets malignant tumors and reduces its metastatic potential with less cytotoxicity in lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shan Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei-Long Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan-Rong Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Hui-Juan Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Ting Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xue-Shuang Jing
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Ting-Ting Dai
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Cheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong-Gang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
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Wang X, Li X, Huang C, Li L, Qu H, Yu X, Ni H, Cui Q. Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF-4) inhibits the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and proliferation of human endometrial carcinoma cells. Gynecol Endocrinol 2016; 32:772-776. [PMID: 27098518 DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2016.1163673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) are a group of transcriptional regulators, being tumor-suppressive in various types of cancers, but not clear in human endometrial carcinoma (EC). We investigated the KLF-4 expression in both mRNA and protein levels in 29 EC specimens with RT-qPCR and Western blotting methods, and then to determine its promotion to Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and proliferation of EC Ishikawa cells, via analyzing EMT-associated markers and via CCK-8 and colony forming assay. We found the downregulation of KLF-4 in the 29 EC specimens, correlating with the EC malignance. Moreover, we confirmed reduced levels of EMT and cell proliferation of Ishikawa cells post-KLF-4 overexpression. In conclusion, the significantly reduced KLF-4 correlated with the EC malignance. And the overexpressed KLF-4 promoted the EMT and proliferation of EC cells in vitro. The present study recognized the tumor suppressive role of KLF-4 in EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Wang
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University , Yantai , Shandong , China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University , Yantai , Shandong , China
| | - Cuiping Huang
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University , Yantai , Shandong , China
| | - Lei Li
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University , Yantai , Shandong , China
| | - Hongmei Qu
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University , Yantai , Shandong , China
| | - Xiaoyan Yu
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University , Yantai , Shandong , China
| | - Huijie Ni
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University , Yantai , Shandong , China
| | - Qing Cui
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University , Yantai , Shandong , China
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New application of an old drug: Antitumor activity and mechanisms of doxycycline in small cell lung cancer. Int J Oncol 2016; 48:1353-60. [PMID: 26846275 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains one of the most aggressive tumors with a poor prognosis. The clinical outcome of SCLC patients has reached its plateau with the existing standard treatment and thus new therapies are urgently required. Accumulating evidences have indicated that doxycycline, a commonly used antibiotic, has antitumor activity against several malignancies. However, whether doxycycline has antitumor activity in SCLC and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Our investigation demonstrated that doxycycline could significantly inhibit the proliferation and colony formulation of SCLC cells (p<0.05). Furthermore, both Hoechst 33258 dye staining and TUNEL assays indicated that doxycycline could induce remarkable apoptosis of H446 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. RT-PCR and western blot assays proved that apoptosis induction effect of doxycycline was achieved via inducing the expression of caspase-3 and bax, as well as attenuating the expression of survivin and bcl-2. Moreover, the wound healing assay and Transwell assay indicated that doxycycline could significantly suppress the migration and invasion of H446 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (p<0.05). ELISA assay proved that the inhibitory effect of doxycycline on the migration and invasion of H446 cells was achieved via decreasing the secretion of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF, as well as increasing the secretion of TIMP-2. Taken together, doxycycline dose-dependently suppressed the proliferation, colony formulation, migration and invasion of SCLC cells, as well as induced apoptosis. These findings encourage further investigations on the potential of doxycycline as a candidate drug for the treatment of SCLC.
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Zhong X, Zhao E, Tang C, Zhang W, Tan J, Dong Z, Ding HF, Cui H. Antibiotic drug tigecycline reduces neuroblastoma cells proliferation by inhibiting Akt activation in vitro and in vivo. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:7615-23. [PMID: 26687647 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4613-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As the first member of glycylcycline bacteriostatic agents, tigecycline is approved as a novel expanded-spectrum antibiotic, which is clinically available. However, accumulating evidence indicated that tigecycline was provided with the potential application in cancer therapy. In this paper, tigecycline was shown to exert an anti-proliferative effect on neuroblastoma cell lines. Furthermore, it was found that tigecycline induced G1-phase cell cycle arrest instead of apoptosis by means of Akt pathway inhibition. In neuroblastoma cell lines, the Akt activator insulin-like growth factor-1 (hereafter referred to as IGF-1) reversed tigecycline-induced cell cycle arrest. Besides, tigecycline inhibited colony formation and suppressed neuroblastoma cells xenograft formation and growth. After tigecycline treatment in vivo, the Akt pathway inhibition was confirmed as well. Collectively, our data provided strong evidences that tigecycline inhibited neuroblastoma cells growth and proliferation through the Akt pathway inhibition in vitro and in vivo. In addition, these results were supported by previous studies concerning the application of tigecycline in human tumors treatment, suggesting that tigecycline might act as a potential candidate agent for neuroblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Erhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunling Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Weibo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Centre, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China
| | - Han-Fei Ding
- Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People's Republic of China.
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36
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Ke B, Zhang A, Wu X, Fang X. The Role of Krüppel-like Factor 4 in Renal Fibrosis. Front Physiol 2015; 6:327. [PMID: 26617530 PMCID: PMC4641914 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by renal fibrosis is an important public health concern. It is therefore necessary to understand the molecular pathogenesis of renal fibrosis in order to develop novel therapeutic strategies. KLF4 is the most extensively studied factor among the various members of the Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family of zinc finger-containing transcription factors. Many studies have demonstrated that KLF4 inhibits the activation of myofibroblasts and exerts an inhibitory effect on fibrosis. However, other studies have indicated that KLF4 may promote renal fibrosis. These controversial results suggest that KLF4 may be crucially involved in the development of renal fibrosis, although the underlying mechanism(s) remain unclear. Here, we summarize the recent progress made in understanding the role of KLF4 in renal fibrosis. Together, these findings suggest that KLF4 may participate in the development of renal fibrosis, but that its inhibition of fibrosis is greater than its promotion of the condition, which suggests that KLF4 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Ke
- Department of Nephrology, Nanchang University School of Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital to Nanchang University Nanchang, China
| | - Afei Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Nanchang University School of Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital to Nanchang University Nanchang, China
| | - Xianfeng Wu
- Department of Nephrology, Nanchang University School of Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital to Nanchang University Nanchang, China
| | - Xiangdong Fang
- Department of Nephrology, Nanchang University School of Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital to Nanchang University Nanchang, China
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37
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Delp EE, Swamynathan S, Kao WW, Swamynathan SK. Spatiotemporally Regulated Ablation of Klf4 in Adult Mouse Corneal Epithelial Cells Results in Altered Epithelial Cell Identity and Disrupted Homeostasis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2015; 56:3549-58. [PMID: 26047041 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-16463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In previous studies, conditional disruption of Klf4 in the developing mouse ocular surface from embryonic day 10 resulted in corneal epithelial fragility, stromal edema, and loss of conjunctival goblet cells, revealing the importance of Klf4 in ocular surface maturation. Here, we use spatiotemporally regulated ablation of Klf4 to investigate its functions in maintenance of adult corneal epithelial homeostasis. METHODS Expression of Cre was induced in ternary transgenic (Klf4(LoxP/LoxP)/Krt12(rtTA/rtTA)/Tet-O-Cre) mouse corneal epithelium by doxycycline administered through intraperitoneal injections and drinking water, to generate corneal epithelium-specific deletion of Klf4 (Klf4(Δ/ΔCE)). Corneal epithelial barrier function was tested by fluorescein staining. Expression of selected Klf4-target genes was determined by quantitative PCR (QPCR), immunoblotting, and immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS Klf4 was efficiently ablated within 5 days of doxycycline administration in adult Klf4(Δ/ΔCE) corneal epithelium. The Klf4(Δ/ΔCE) corneal epithelial barrier function was disrupted, and the basal cells were swollen and rounded after 15 days of doxycycline treatment. Increased numbers of cell layers and Ki67-positive proliferating cells suggested deregulated Klf4(Δ/ΔCE) corneal epithelial homeostasis. Expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin, desmosomal Dsg and Dsp, basement membrane laminin-332, and corneal epithelial-specific keratin-12 was decreased, while that of matrix metalloproteinase Mmp9 and noncorneal keratin-17 increased, suggesting altered Klf4(Δ/ΔCE) corneal epithelial cell identity. CONCLUSIONS Ablation of Klf4 in the adult mouse corneas resulted in the absence of characteristic corneal epithelial cell differentiation, disrupted barrier function, and squamous metaplasia, revealing that Klf4 is essential for maintenance of the adult corneal epithelial cell identity and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emili E Delp
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Sudha Swamynathan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Winston W Kao
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Shivalingappa K Swamynathan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 3McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 4Department of Cell Biology, U
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EMT-Inducing Molecular Factors in Gynecological Cancers. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:420891. [PMID: 26356073 PMCID: PMC4556818 DOI: 10.1155/2015/420891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Gynecologic cancers are the unregulated growth of neoplastic cells that arise in the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and vulva. Although gynecologic cancers are characterized by different signs and symptoms, studies have shown that they share common risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, age, exposure to certain chemicals, infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and infection with human papilloma virus (HPV). Despite recent advancements in the preventative, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions for gynecologic cancers, many patients still die as a result of metastasis and recurrence. Since mounting evidence indicates that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process plays an essential role in metastatic relapse of cancer, understanding the molecular aberrations responsible for the EMT and its underlying signaling should be given high priority in order to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality.
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39
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Wang Y, Yang C, Gu Q, Sims M, Gu W, Pfeffer LM, Yue J. KLF4 Promotes Angiogenesis by Activating VEGF Signaling in Human Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130341. [PMID: 26075898 PMCID: PMC4467843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) has been implicated in regulating cell proliferation, migration and differentiation in a variety of human cells and is one of four factors required for the induction of pluripotent stem cell reprogramming. However, its role has not been addressed in ocular neovascular diseases. This study investigated the role of KLF4 in angiogenesis and underlying molecular mechanisms in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs). The functional role of KLF4 in HRMECs was determined following lentiviral vector mediated inducible expression and shRNA knockdown of KLF4. Inducible expression of KLF4 promotes cell proliferation, migration and tube formation. In contrast, silencing KLF4 inhibits cell proliferation, migration, tube formation and induces apoptosis in HRMECs. KLF4 promotes angiogenesis by transcriptionally activating VEGF expression, thus activating the VEGF signaling pathway in HRMECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chuanhe Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Qingqing Gu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Michelle Sims
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Weiwang Gu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (JY); (WG)
| | - Lawrence M. Pfeffer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JY); (WG)
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40
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Zhao X, Zou Y, Gu Q, Zhao G, Gray H, Pfeffer LM, Yue J. Lentiviral Vector Mediated Claudin1 Silencing Inhibits Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer Cells. Viruses 2015; 7:2965-79. [PMID: 26067567 PMCID: PMC4488722 DOI: 10.3390/v7062755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has a high incidence and mortality rate worldwide. Several viral vectors including lentiviral, adenoviral and adeno-associated viral vectors have been used in gene therapy for various forms of human cancer, and have shown promising effects in controlling tumor development. Claudin1 (CLDN1) is a member of the tetraspan transmembrane protein family that plays a major role in tight junctions and is associated with tumor metastasis. However, the role of CLDN1 in breast cancer is largely unexplored. In this study, we tested the therapeutic potential of silencing CLDN1 expression in two breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 and MCF7) cell lines using lentiviral vector mediated RNA interference. We found that a CLDN1 short hairpin (shRNA) construct efficiently silenced CLDN1 expression in both breast cancer cell lines, and CLDN1 knockdown resulted in reduced cell proliferation, survival, migration and invasion. Furthermore, silencing CLDN1 inhibited epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating the epithelial cell marker, E-cadherin, and downregulating mesenchymal markers, smooth muscle cell alpha-actin (SMA) and Snai2. Our data demonstrated that lentiviral vector mediated CLDN1 RNA interference has great potential in breast cancer gene therapy by inhibiting EMT and controlling tumor cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianqi Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
| | - Yanan Zou
- Department of Medicine, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
| | - Qingqing Gu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
| | - Guannan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
| | - Horace Gray
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
| | - Lawrence M Pfeffer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 19 S. Manassas St., Rm. 266, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
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Simmen RCM, Heard ME, Simmen AM, Montales MTM, Marji M, Scanlon S, Pabona JMP. The Krüppel-like factors in female reproductive system pathologies. J Mol Endocrinol 2015; 54:R89-R101. [PMID: 25654975 PMCID: PMC4369192 DOI: 10.1530/jme-14-0310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Female reproductive tract pathologies arise largely from dysregulation of estrogen and progesterone receptor signaling, leading to aberrant cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. The signaling pathways orchestrated by these nuclear receptors are complex, require the participation of many nuclear proteins serving as key binding partners or targets, and involve a range of paracrine and autocrine regulatory circuits. The members of the Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family of transcription factors are ubiquitously expressed in reproductive tissues and have been increasingly implicated as critical co-regulators and integrators of steroid hormone actions. Herein, we explore the involvement of KLF family members in uterine pathology, describe their currently known molecular mechanisms, and discuss their potential as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalia C M Simmen
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USADepartment of Internal MedicineHarlem Hospital Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10037, USA
| | - Melissa E Heard
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USADepartment of Internal MedicineHarlem Hospital Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10037, USA
| | - Angela M Simmen
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USADepartment of Internal MedicineHarlem Hospital Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10037, USA
| | - Maria Theresa M Montales
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USADepartment of Internal MedicineHarlem Hospital Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10037, USA
| | - Meera Marji
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USADepartment of Internal MedicineHarlem Hospital Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10037, USA
| | - Samantha Scanlon
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USADepartment of Internal MedicineHarlem Hospital Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10037, USA
| | - John Mark P Pabona
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USADepartment of Internal MedicineHarlem Hospital Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10037, USA
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Zhao G, Guo Y, Chen Z, Wang Y, Yang C, Dudas A, Du Z, Liu W, Zou Y, Szabo E, Lee SC, Sims M, Gu W, Tillmanns T, Pfeffer LM, Tigyi G, Yue J. miR-203 Functions as a Tumor Suppressor by Inhibiting Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Ovarian Cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 7:34-43. [PMID: 26819680 DOI: 10.4172/1948-5956.1000322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ovarian cancer is a gynecological malignancy that has a high mortality rate in women due to metastatic progression and recurrence. miRNAs are small, endogenous, noncoding RNAs that function as tumor suppressors or oncogenes in various human cancers by selectively suppressing the expression of target genes. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of miR-203 in ovarian cancer. METHODS miR-203 was expressed in ovarian cancer SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells using lentiviral vector and cell proliferation, migration, invasion were examined using MTT, transwell and Matrigel assays, respectively. Tumor growth was examined using Xenograft mouse model. RESULTS miR-203 expression was downregulated, whereas expression of its target gene Snai2 was upregulated in human ovarian serous carcinoma tissue as compared to normal ovaries. In addition, high miR-203 expression was associated with long-term survival rate of ovarian cancer patients. miR-203 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of SKOV3 and OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, miR-203 overexpression inhibited the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ovarian cancer cells. Silencing Snai2 with lentiviral short hairpin (sh) RNA mimics miR-203-mediated inhibition of EMT and tumor cell invasion. Xenografts of miR-203-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells in immunodeficient mice exhibited a significantly reduced tumor growth. CONCLUSION miR-203 functions as a tumor suppressor by down regulating Snai2 in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA; The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, China
| | - Yuqi Guo
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, China
| | - Zixuan Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yinan Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA; Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuanhe Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Andrew Dudas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ziyun Du
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA; Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanan Zou
- Harbin Medical University, P. R. China
| | - Erzsebet Szabo
- Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA
| | - Sue-Chin Lee
- Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA
| | - Michelle Sims
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA
| | - Weiwang Gu
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Lawrence M Pfeffer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Gabor Tigyi
- Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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