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Sinha D, Saha P, Samanta A, Bishayee A. Emerging Concepts of Hybrid Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Progression. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1561. [PMID: 33207810 PMCID: PMC7697085 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process through which epithelial (E) cells lose their adherens junctions, transform into mesenchymal (M) cells and attain motility, leading to metastasis at distant organs. Nowadays, the concept of EMT has shifted from a binary phase of interconversion of pure E to M cells and vice versa to a spectrum of E/M transition states preferably coined as hybrid/partial/intermediate EMT. Hybrid EMT, being a plastic transient state, harbours cells which co-express both E and M markers and exhibit high tumourigenic properties, leading to stemness, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Several preclinical and clinical studies provided the evidence of co-existence of E/M phenotypes. Regulators including transcription factors, epigenetic regulators and phenotypic stability factors (PSFs) help in maintaining the hybrid state. Computational and bioinformatics approaches may be excellent for identifying new factors or combinations of regulatory elements that govern the different EMT transition states. Therapeutic intervention against hybrid E/M cells, though few, may evolve as a rational strategy against metastasis and drug resistance. This review has attempted to present the recent advancements on the concept and regulation of the process of hybrid EMT which generates hybrid E/M phenotypes, evidence of intermediate EMT in both preclinical and clinical setup, impact of partial EMT on promoting tumourigenesis, and future strategies which might be adapted to tackle this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dona Sinha
- Department of Receptor Biology and Tumour Metastasis, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, India; (P.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Priyanka Saha
- Department of Receptor Biology and Tumour Metastasis, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, India; (P.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Anurima Samanta
- Department of Receptor Biology and Tumour Metastasis, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, India; (P.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
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Hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal State in Cancer Metastasis: Clinical Significance and Regulatory Mechanisms. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030623. [PMID: 32143517 PMCID: PMC7140395 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been well recognized for its essential role in cancer progression as well as normal tissue development. In cancer cells, activation of EMT permits the cells to acquire migratory and invasive abilities and stem-like properties. However, simple categorization of cancer cells into epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes misleads the understanding of the complicated metastatic process, and contradictory results from different studies also indicate the limitation of application of EMT theory in cancer metastasis. Nowadays, growing evidence suggests the existence of an intermediate status between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, i.e., the "hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal (hybrid E/M)" state, provides a possible explanation for those conflicting results. Appearance of hybrid E/M phenotype offers a more plastic status for cancer cells to adapt the stressful environment for proceeding metastasis. In this article, we review the biological importance of the dynamic changes between the epithelial and the mesenchymal states. The regulatory mechanisms encompassing the translational, post-translational, and epigenetic control for this complex and plastic status are also discussed.
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Williams ED, Gao D, Redfern A, Thompson EW. Controversies around epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in cancer metastasis. Nat Rev Cancer 2019; 19:716-732. [PMID: 31666716 PMCID: PMC7055151 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-019-0213-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Experimental evidence accumulated over decades has implicated epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP), which collectively encompasses epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the reverse process of mesenchymal-epithelial transition, in tumour metastasis, cancer stem cell generation and maintenance, and therapeutic resistance. However, the dynamic nature of EMP processes, the apparent need to reverse mesenchymal changes for the development of macrometastases and the likelihood that only minor cancer cell subpopulations exhibit EMP at any one time have made such evidence difficult to accrue in the clinical setting. In this Perspectives article, we outline the existing preclinical and clinical evidence for EMP and reflect on recent controversies, including the failure of initial lineage-tracing experiments to confirm a major role for EMP in dissemination, and discuss accumulating data suggesting that epithelial features and/or a hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal phenotype are important in metastasis. We also highlight strategies to address the complexities of therapeutically targeting the EMP process that give consideration to its spatially and temporally divergent roles in metastasis, with the view that this will yield a potent and broad class of therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth D Williams
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland (APCRC-Q) and Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dingcheng Gao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Redfern
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital Campus, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Gao D, Mittal V, Ban Y, Lourenco AR, Yomtoubian S, Lee S. Metastatic tumor cells - genotypes and phenotypes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 13:277-286. [PMID: 30774650 DOI: 10.1007/s11515-018-1513-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastasis is the primary cause of mortality in cancer patients. Therefore, elucidating the genetics and epigenetics of metastatic tumor cells and the mechanisms by which tumor cells acquire metastatic properties constitute significant challenges in cancer research. OBJECTIVE To summarize the current understandings of the specific genotype and phenotype of the metastatic tumor cells. METHOD and RESULT In-depth genetic analysis of tumor cells, especially with advances in the next-generation sequencing, have revealed insights of the genotypes of metastatic tumor cells. Also, studies have shown that the cancer stem cell (CSC) and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotypes are associated with the metastatic cascade. CONCLUSION In this review, we will discuss recent advances in the field by focusing on the genomic instability and phenotypic dynamics of metastatic tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingcheng Gao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10065, USA
| | - Vivek Mittal
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10065, USA
| | - Yi Ban
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10065, USA
| | - Ana Rita Lourenco
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10065, USA
| | - Shira Yomtoubian
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10065, USA
| | - Sharrell Lee
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10065, USA
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Liu W, Ye H, Liu YF, Xu CQ, Zhong YX, Tian T, Ma SW, Tao H, Li L, Xue LC, He HQ. Transcriptome-derived stromal and immune scores infer clinical outcomes of patients with cancer. Oncol Lett 2018. [PMID: 29541203 PMCID: PMC5835954 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.7855] [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] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The stromal and immune cells that form the tumor microenvironment serve a key role in the aggressiveness of tumors. Current tumor-centric interpretations of cancer transcriptome data ignore the roles of stromal and immune cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical utility of stromal and immune cells in tissue-based transcriptome data. The 'Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data' (ESTIMATE) algorithm was used to probe diverse cancer datasets and the fraction of stromal and immune cells in tumor tissues was scored. The association between the ESTIMATE scores and patient survival data was asessed; it was indicated that the two scores have implications for patient survival, metastasis and recurrence. Analysis of a colorectal cancer progression dataset revealed that decreased levels immune cells could serve an important role in cancer progression. The results of the present study indicated that trasncriptome-derived stromal and immune scores may be a useful indicator of cancer prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China.,Department of Pathology, Human Centrifuge Medical Training Center, Institute of Aviation Medicine of Chinese PLA Air Force, Beijing 100089, P.R. China
| | - Hua Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ningbo Medical Treatment Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
| | - Ying-Fu Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Logistics University of Chinese Armed Police Forces, Tianjin 300309, P.R. China
| | - Chao-Qun Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Yue-Xian Zhong
- School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Tian Tian
- School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Wei Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Huan Tao
- School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Ling Li
- School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Li-Chun Xue
- School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Hua-Qin He
- School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
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The Roles of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells in Tumor Microenvironment Associated with Inflammation. Mediators Inflamm 2016; 2016:7314016. [PMID: 27630452 PMCID: PMC5007366 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7314016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
State of tumor microenvironment (TME) is closely linked to regulation of tumor growth and progression affecting the final outcome, refractoriness, and relapse of disease. Interactions of tumor, immune, and mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have been recognized as crucial for understanding tumorigenesis. Due to their outstanding features, stem cell-like properties, capacity to regulate immune response, and dynamic functional phenotype dependent on microenvironmental stimuli, MSCs have been perceived as important players in TME. Signals provided by tumor-associated chronic inflammation educate MSCs to alter their phenotype and immunomodulatory potential in favor of tumor-biased state of MSCs. Adjustment of phenotype to TME and acquisition of tumor-promoting ability by MSCs help tumor cells in maintenance of permissive TME and suppression of antitumor immune response. Potential utilization of MSCs in treatment of tumor is based on their inherent ability to home tumor tissue that makes them suitable delivery vehicles for immune-stimulating factors and vectors for targeted antitumor therapy. Here, we review data regarding intrusive effects of inflammatory TME on MSCs capacity to affect tumor development through modification of their phenotype and interactions with immune system.
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