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Caruso A, Gelsomino L, Panza S, Accattatis FM, Naimo GD, Barone I, Giordano C, Catalano S, Andò S. Leptin: A Heavyweight Player in Obesity-Related Cancers. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1084. [PMID: 37509120 PMCID: PMC10377641 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity, defined as the abnormal or excessive expansion of white adipose tissue, has reached pandemic proportions and is recognized as an important health concern since it is a common root for several comorbidities, including malignancies. Indeed, the current knowledge of the white adipose tissue, which shifts its role from an energy storage tissue to an important endocrine and metabolic organ, has opened up new avenues for the discovery of obesity's effects on tumor biology. In this review, we will report the epidemiological studies concerning the strong impact of obesity in several types of cancer and describe the mechanisms underlying the heterotypic signals between cancer cell lines and adipocytes, with particular emphasis on inflammation, the insulin/IGF-1 axis, and adipokines. Among the adipokines, we will further describe the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical data concerning the role of leptin, recognized as one of the most important mediators of obesity-associated cancers. In fact, leptin physiologically regulates energy metabolism, appetite, and reproduction, and several studies have also described the role of leptin in affecting cancer development and progression. Finally, we will summarize the newest pharmacological strategies aimed at mitigating the protumorigenic effects of leptin, underlining their mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Caruso
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
| | - Luca Gelsomino
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
- Centro Sanitario, Via P. Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
| | - Salvatore Panza
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
| | - Felice Maria Accattatis
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Daniela Naimo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
| | - Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
- Centro Sanitario, Via P. Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
| | - Cinzia Giordano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
- Centro Sanitario, Via P. Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
- Centro Sanitario, Via P. Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
- Centro Sanitario, Via P. Bucci, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), 87036 Cosenza, Italy
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2
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Zhang L, Chen W, Liu S, Chen C. Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:552-570. [PMID: 36632469 PMCID: PMC9830502 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.76187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential roles of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) in tumor initiation and recurrence have been recognized for many decades. Due to their strong capacity for self-renewal and differentiation, BCSCs are the major reasons for poor clinical outcomes and low therapeutic response. Several hypotheses on the origin of cancer stem cells have been proposed, including critical gene mutations in stem cells, dedifferentiation of somatic cells, and cell plasticity remodeling by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment, including cellular components and cytokines, modulates the self-renewal and therapeutic resistance of BCSCs. Small molecules, antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting BCSCs have been developed, and their applications in combination with conventional therapies are undergoing clinical trials. In this review, we focus on the features of BCSCs, emphasize the major factors and tumor environment that regulate the stemness of BCSCs, and discuss potential BCSC-targeting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai paracrine Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College; Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenmin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650201, China.,Kunming College of Life Sciences, the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Suling Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai paracrine Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College; Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Ceshi Chen, E-mail: or Suling Liu, E-mail:
| | - Ceshi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650201, China.,Academy of Biomedical Engineering, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.,The Third Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Ceshi Chen, E-mail: or Suling Liu, E-mail:
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3
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Adipokines as Regulators of Autophagy in Obesity-Linked Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203230. [PMID: 36291097 PMCID: PMC9600294 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Excess body weight and obesity have become significant risk factors for cancer development. During obesity, adipose tissue alters its biological function, deregulating the secretion of bioactive factors such as hormones, cytokines, and adipokines that promote an inflammatory microenvironment conducive to carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Adipokines regulate tumor processes such as apoptosis, proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and invasion. Additionally, it has been found that they can modulate autophagy, a process implicated in tumor suppression in healthy tissue and cancer progression in established tumors. Since the tumor-promoting role of autophagy has been well described, the process has been suggested as a therapeutic target in cancer. However, the effects of targeting autophagy might depend on the tumor type and microenvironmental conditions, where circulating adipokines could influence the role of autophagy in cancer. Here, we review recent evidence related to the role of adipokines in cancer cell autophagy in an effort to understand the tumor response in the context of obesity under the assumption of an autophagy-targeting treatment.
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4
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Zeng R, Wu H, Qiu X, Zhuo Z, Sha W, Chen H. Predicting survival and immune microenvironment in colorectal cancer: a STAT signaling-related signature. QJM 2022; 115:596-604. [PMID: 34978566 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcab334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite research advances, studies on predictive models of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain scarce and none have evaluated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling. AIM To develop an effective prognostic signature for and evaluate its association with immune microenvironment. DESIGN Comprehensive analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases with experimental validation. METHODS Gene expression and clinical profiles of CRC patients were extracted from the databases. Differentially expressed genes with prognostic values were used to construct a signature. Immune cell infiltration and composition were further evaluated by TIMER, single-sample gene set enrichment and CIBERSORT analyses. The impact of the hub gene Caveolin-1 (CAV1) on cell proliferation, apoptosis, senescence and tumor angiogenesis was experimentally validated. RESULTS The five-gene-based STAT signaling-related prognostic signature was significantly associated with CRC survival, and the nomogram was with improved prognostic efficacy than the conventional TNM stage. The STAT signaling-related signature was correlated with tumor immune microenvironment. CAV1 was further identified as the hub gene within the signature. CAV1 inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis as well as senescence of CRC cells. In addition, the tumor angiogenesis of CRC can be suppressed by CAV1 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS The STAT signaling-related signature effectively predicts the prognosis and regulates tumor immune microenvironment in CRC. Our study underscores the role of STAT regulator, CAV1, as an important tumor suppressor in CRC carcinogenesis. Modulating STAT and its regulators could be a promising strategy for CRC in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Zeng
- From the Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, Yuexiu District, Guangdong, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Jinping District, Guangdong, China
| | - H Wu
- From the Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, Yuexiu District, Guangdong, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Panyu District, Guangdong, China
| | - X Qiu
- Zhuguang Community Healthcare Center, Guangzhou 510080, Yuexiu District, Guangdong, China
| | - Z Zhuo
- From the Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, Yuexiu District, Guangdong, China
- School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Panyu District, Guangdong, China
| | - W Sha
- From the Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, Yuexiu District, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Baiyun District, Guangdong, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Panyu District, Guangdong, China
| | - H Chen
- From the Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, Yuexiu District, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Baiyun District, Guangdong, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Panyu District, Guangdong, China
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Chen K, Zhang J, Beeraka NM, Tang C, Babayeva YV, Sinelnikov MY, Zhang X, Zhang J, Liu J, Reshetov IV, Sukocheva OA, Lu P, Fan R. Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity-Driven Effects in Breast Cancers. Front Oncol 2022; 12:820968. [PMID: 35814391 PMCID: PMC9258420 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.820968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and associated chronic inflammation were shown to facilitate breast cancer (BC) growth and metastasis. Leptin, adiponectin, estrogen, and several pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the development of obesity-driven BC through the activation of multiple oncogenic and pro-inflammatory pathways. The aim of this study was to assess the reported mechanisms of obesity-induced breast carcinogenesis and effectiveness of conventional and complementary BC therapies. We screened published original articles, reviews, and meta-analyses that addressed the involvement of obesity-related signaling mechanisms in BC development, BC treatment/prevention approaches, and posttreatment complications. PubMed, Medline, eMedicine, National Library of Medicine (NLM), and ReleMed databases were used to retrieve relevant studies using a set of keywords, including "obesity," "oncogenic signaling pathways," "inflammation," "surgery," "radiotherapy," "conventional therapies," and "diet." Multiple studies indicated that effective BC treatment requires the involvement of diet- and exercise-based approaches in obese postmenopausal women. Furthermore, active lifestyle and diet-related interventions improved the patients' overall quality of life and minimized adverse side effects after traditional BC treatment, including postsurgical lymphedema, post-chemo nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Further investigation of beneficial effects of diet and physical activity may help improve obesity-linked cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo Chen
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Narasimha M. Beeraka
- Department of Human Anatomy, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CEMR), Department of Biochemistry, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER), JSS Medical College, Mysuru, India
| | - Chengyun Tang
- Department of Human Anatomy, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia V. Babayeva
- Department of Human Anatomy, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail Y. Sinelnikov
- Department of Human Anatomy, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Xinliang Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Jiacheng Zhang
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Junqi Liu
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Igor V. Reshetov
- Department of Human Anatomy, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga A. Sukocheva
- Discipline of Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Pengwei Lu
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruitai Fan
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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6
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Fultang N, Chakraborty M, Peethambaran B. Regulation of cancer stem cells in triple negative breast cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2022; 4:321-342. [PMID: 35582030 PMCID: PMC9019272 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2020.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is the most lethal subtype of breast cancer. Despite the successes of emerging targeted therapies, relapse, recurrence, and therapy failure rates in TNBC significantly outpace other subtypes of breast cancer. Mounting evidence suggests accumulation of therapy resistant Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) populations within TNBCs contributes to poor clinical outcomes. These CSCs are enriched in TNBC compared to non-TNBC breast cancers. The mechanisms underlying CSC accumulation have been well-characterized and discussed in other reviews. In this review, we focus on TNBC-specific mechanisms that allow the expansion and activity of self-renewing CSCs. We highlight cellular signaling pathways and transcription factors, specifically enriched in TNBC over non-TNBC breast cancer, contributing to stemness. We also analyze publicly available single-cell RNA-seq data from basal breast cancer tumors to highlight the potential of emerging bioinformatic approaches in identifying novel drivers of stemness in TNBC and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman Fultang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Madhuparna Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Bela Peethambaran
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
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7
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Tang X, Hao N, Zhou Y, Liu Y. Ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction-mediated SOCS3 attenuates biological characteristics and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer stem cells. Bioengineered 2022; 13:3896-3910. [PMID: 35109743 PMCID: PMC8973955 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2031384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SOCS3 is low-expressed in breast cancer and may be a potential target. Ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) improved the efficiency of gene transfection. We explored the effects of UTMD-mediated transfection of SOCS3 on the biological characteristics and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). The expression of SOCS3 in breast cancer (BC) and its association with prognosis were evaluated by GEPIA and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) websites. BCSCs were sorted by flow cytometry and immunomagnetic bead method, followed by sphere formation, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and xenograft assays to test their effects in vitro and in vivo. The levels of SOCS3, EMT- and STAT3 pathway-related genes were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. The effects of liposome and UTMD on BCSCs and mice were compared by the gain-of-function experiments. Low expression of SOCS3 was associated with poor prognosis of BC patients, and found in BC and BCSCs. BCSCs were successfully sorted, with high viability and tumorigenicity. UTMD increased the transfection rate of SOCS3. Moreover, UTMD- and liposome-mediated SOCS3 reduced cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion, blocked cell cycle, inhibited sphere formation in BCSCs, and retarded tumor growth in mice. Mechanistically, overexpressed SOCS3 inhibited the expressions of EMT-related genes and the activation of STAT3 pathway in BCSCs and mice. The regulatory effects of UTMD-mediated SOCS3 on the above-mentioned biological characteristics were better than liposome-mediated SOCS3. UTMD-mediated SOCS3 has a better therapeutic effect in BC, providing new experimental evidence for the treatment of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojiang Tang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Na Hao
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuhui Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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8
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Bai X, Ni J, Beretov J, Wang S, Dong X, Graham P, Li Y. THOC2 and THOC5 Regulate Stemness and Radioresistance in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2102658. [PMID: 34708581 PMCID: PMC8693071 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202102658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Radioresistance and stemness are substantial obstacles to TNBC treatment. The THO complex (THOC) is a subunit of the TRanscription-EXport complex that functions in the coupling of transcription to nascent RNA splicing, elongation, and export. However, its role in regulating TNBC therapeutic resistance is not reported yet. In this study, the authors demonstrate that cancer stem cells are enriched in radioresistant TNBC cells and describe the role of the THOC in regulating TNBC radioresistance and stemness. The authors find that THOC2 and THOC5 are upregulated in radioresistant TNBC cells and associated with a poor prognosis in TNBC patients. Further investigation reveals that THOC2 promotes the stem-like properties and radioresistance of TNBC cells in a THOC5-dependent manner by facilitating the release of sex-determining region Y (SRY)-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2) and homeobox transcription factor (NANOG) transcripts from the nucleus. Silencing THOC2 or THOC5 expression decreases the protein expression of SOX2 and NANOG, depletes the stem-like properties, and causes radiosensitization in these TNBC cells. Moreover, THOC2 or THOC5 depletion blocks the xenograft tumorigenesis and growth of radioresistant TNBC in vivo. These findings uncover the novel correlations of THOC with TNBC stemness and therapeutic resistance, proposing alternative therapeutic strategies against relapsed TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xupeng Bai
- St George and Sutherland Clinical SchoolFaculty of MedicineUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSW2052Australia
- Cancer Care CentreSt George HospitalKogarahNSW2217Australia
| | - Jie Ni
- St George and Sutherland Clinical SchoolFaculty of MedicineUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSW2052Australia
- Cancer Care CentreSt George HospitalKogarahNSW2217Australia
| | - Julia Beretov
- St George and Sutherland Clinical SchoolFaculty of MedicineUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSW2052Australia
- Cancer Care CentreSt George HospitalKogarahNSW2217Australia
- Anatomical PathologyNSW Health PathologySt George HospitalKogarahNSW2217Australia
| | - Shanping Wang
- Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical SciencesGuangdong University of TechnologyGuangzhou510006China
| | - Xingli Dong
- Department of Biopharmaceutical SciencesCollege of PharmacyHarbin Medical UniversityHarbin150081China
| | - Peter Graham
- St George and Sutherland Clinical SchoolFaculty of MedicineUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSW2052Australia
- Cancer Care CentreSt George HospitalKogarahNSW2217Australia
| | - Yong Li
- St George and Sutherland Clinical SchoolFaculty of MedicineUNSW SydneyKensingtonNSW2052Australia
- Cancer Care CentreSt George HospitalKogarahNSW2217Australia
- School of Basic MedicineZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001China
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9
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Umar MI, Hassan W, Murtaza G, Buabeid M, Arafa E, Irfan HM, Asmawi MZ, Huang X. The Adipokine Component in the Molecular Regulation of Cancer Cell Survival, Proliferation and Metastasis. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:1609828. [PMID: 34588926 PMCID: PMC8473628 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.1609828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A hormonal imbalance may disrupt the rigorously monitored cellular microenvironment by hampering the natural homeostatic mechanisms. The most common example of such hormonal glitch could be seen in obesity where the uprise in adipokine levels is in virtue of the expanding bulk of adipose tissue. Such aberrant endocrine signaling disrupts the regulation of cellular fate, rendering the cells to live in a tumor supportive microenvironment. Previously, it was believed that the adipokines support cancer proliferation and metastasis with no direct involvement in neoplastic transformations and tumorigenesis. However, the recent studies have reported discrete mechanisms that establish the direct involvement of adipokine signaling in tumorigenesis. Moreover, the individual adipokine profile of the patients has never been considered in the prognosis and staging of the disease. Hence, the present manuscript has focused on the reported extensive mechanisms that culminate the basis of poor prognosis and diminished survival rate in obese cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Waseem Hassan
- Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Murtaza
- Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Manal Buabeid
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.,Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research Centre, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Elshaimaa Arafa
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.,Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research Centre, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Mohd Zaini Asmawi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Science Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Xianju Huang
- College of Pharmacy, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China
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10
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Zheng Y, Karnoub AE. Endocrine regulation of cancer stem cell compartments in breast tumors. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 535:111374. [PMID: 34242715 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111374] [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: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells within breast tumors exist within a hierarchy in which only a small and rare subset of cells is able to regenerate growths with the heterogeneity of the original tumor. These highly malignant cancer cells, which behave like stem cells for new cancers and are called "cancer stem cells" or CSCs, have also been shown to possess increased resistance to therapeutics, and represent the root cause underlying therapy failures, persistence of residual disease, and relapse. As >90% of cancer deaths are due to refractory tumors, identification of critical molecular drivers of the CSC-state would reveal vulnerabilities that can be leveraged in designing therapeutics that eradicate advanced disease and improve patient survival outcomes. An expanding and complex body of work has now described the exquisite susceptibility of CSC pools to the regulatory influences of local and systemic hormones. Indeed, breast CSCs express a plethora of hormonal receptors, which funnel hormonal influences over every aspect of breast neoplasia - be it tumor onset, growth, survival, invasion, metastasis, or therapy resistance - via directly impacting CSC behavior. This article is intended to shed light on this active area of investigation by attempting to provide a systematic and comprehensive overview of the available evidence directly linking hormones to breast CSC biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Zheng
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Antoine E Karnoub
- Department of Pathology and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
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11
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Zhang X, Zhu M, Hong Z, Chen C. Co-culturing polarized M2 Thp-1-derived macrophages enhance stemness of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:709. [PMID: 33987407 PMCID: PMC8106048 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-1256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background The tumor microenvironment (TME) is highly associated with cancer stem cells, and affects tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. This study aimed to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of induction of A549 cancer cell stemness by THP-1-derived macrophages. Method The Hedgehog inhibitor (Vismodegib), Notch inhibitor Gamma Secretase Inhibitor (GSI), and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor Cucurbitacin I (JSI-124) were added separately into the co-culture system of A549 cancer cell with THP-1-derived macrophages. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and the Cell-IQ continuous surveillance system were used to examine the cell growth and morphological changes of A549 cells. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression levels of stem cell markers were respectively analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting, and the activity of Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzyme was assessed by flow cytometry analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and qRT-PCR assays were performed to evaluate the activation and differentiation of macrophages. Results Results showed that the proliferation and stemness of A549 cells were significantly enhanced by co-culturing with THP-1-derived macrophages. The expression levels of Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in macrophages were notably increased after co-culturing with A549 cells. Meanwhile, co-culturing with A549 cells induced the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype. Moreover, the inhibitors could reduce the proliferation and stemness of the co-culture system, and decrease the expression of TGF-β and IL-6. Conclusions These results suggested that co-culturing A549 cells with THP-1-derived macrophages could induce the stemness of A549 cells via multiple pro-tumorigenic pathways. Thus, inhibition of the interaction between macrophages and lung cancer stem cells may be a viable target for lung cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocheng Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Mingyang Zhu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zipu Hong
- Department of Traumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chengshui Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Kulkarni A, Bowers LW. The role of immune dysfunction in obesity-associated cancer risk, progression, and metastasis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:3423-3442. [PMID: 33464384 PMCID: PMC11073382 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03752-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Obesity has been linked to an increased risk of and a worse prognosis for several types of cancer. A number of interrelated mediators contribute to obesity's pro-tumor effects, including chronic adipose inflammation and other perturbations of immune cell development and function. Here, we review studies examining the impact of obesity-induced immune dysfunction on cancer risk and progression. While the role of adipose tissue inflammation in obesity-associated cancer risk has been well characterized, the effects of obesity on immune cell infiltration and activity within the tumor microenvironment are not well studied. In this review, we aim to highlight the impact of both adipose-mediated inflammatory signaling and intratumoral immunosuppressive signaling in obesity-induced cancer risk, progression, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneesha Kulkarni
- Department of Nutrition Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA
| | - Laura W Bowers
- Department of Nutrition Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA.
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13
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Trinh T, Broxmeyer HE. Role for Leptin and Leptin Receptors in Stem Cells During Health and Diseases. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:511-522. [PMID: 33598894 PMCID: PMC7889057 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10132-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) give rise to all blood and immune cells in the body. These rare cells reside in the hypoxic niche of the bone marrow (BM) where they are subjected to a complex network of regulatory factors including cellular and molecular components. To sustain hematopoiesis over the lifetime of an individual, HSCs maintain distinctive metabolic programs, and in recent years nutritional factors have been increasingly recognized as critical regulators of HSC numbers and functions. Leptin (LEP), a neuroendocrine messenger, and its receptor (LEPR) are well-known for their immunomodulatory and energy balancing effects; yet, how LEP/LEPR signaling plays a role in hematopoiesis is under-appreciated. In this review, we summarize and highlight recent work that demonstrated involvement of LEP/LEPR in hematopoiesis under steady state or stress-associated situations as well as in pathological conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and malignancies. Although the field is only in its infancy, these studies suggest evidence of potential clinical applications and proof-of-principle for more in-depth future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thao Trinh
- Departments of Microbiology/Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 950 West Walnut Street, Bldg. R2, Room 302, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5121, USA
| | - Hal E Broxmeyer
- Departments of Microbiology/Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 950 West Walnut Street, Bldg. R2, Room 302, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5121, USA.
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The Tumor Microenvironment as a Driving Force of Breast Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123863. [PMID: 33371274 PMCID: PMC7766255 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer stem cells are a subset of transformed cells that sustain tumor growth and can metastasize to secondary organs. Since metastasis accounts for most cancer deaths, it is of paramount importance to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate this subgroup of cells. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the habitat in which transformed cells evolve, and it is composed by many different cell types and the extracellular matrix (ECM). A body of evidence strongly indicates that microenvironmental cues modulate stemness in breast cancer, and that the coevolution of the TME and cancer stem cells determine the fate of breast tumors. In this review, we summarize the studies providing links between the TME and the breast cancer stem cell phenotype and we discuss their specific interactions with immune cell subsets, stromal cells, and the ECM. Abstract Tumor progression involves the co-evolution of transformed cells and the milieu in which they live and expand. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a specialized subset of cells that sustain tumor growth and drive metastatic colonization. However, the cellular hierarchy in breast tumors is rather plastic, and the capacity to transition from one cell state to another depends not only on the intrinsic properties of transformed cells, but also on the interplay with their niches. It has become evident that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major player in regulating the BCSC phenotype and metastasis. The complexity of the TME is reflected in its number of players and in the interactions that they establish with each other. Multiple types of immune cells, stromal cells, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) form an intricate communication network with cancer cells, exert a highly selective pressure on the tumor, and provide supportive niches for BCSC expansion. A better understanding of the mechanisms regulating these interactions is crucial to develop strategies aimed at interfering with key BCSC niche factors, which may help reducing tumor heterogeneity and impair metastasis.
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Malavia N, Kuche K, Ghadi R, Jain S. A bird's eye view of the advanced approaches and strategies for overshadowing triple negative breast cancer. J Control Release 2020; 330:72-100. [PMID: 33321156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive form of breast cancer. It is characterized by the absence of estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptors. The main issue with TNBC is that it exhibits poor prognosis, high risk of relapse, short progression-free survival and low overall survival in patients. This is because the conventional therapy used for managing TNBC has issues pertaining to poor bioavailability, lower cellular uptake, increased off-target effects and development of resistance. To overcome such pitfalls, several other approaches are explored. In this context, the present manuscript showcases three of the most widely used approaches which are (i) nanotechnology-based approach; (ii) gene therapy approach and (iii) Phytochemical-based approach. The ultimate focus is to present and explain the insightful reports based on these approaches. Further, the review also expounds on the identified molecular targets and novel targeting ligands which are explored for managing TNBC effectively. Thus, in a nutshell, the review tries to highlight these existing treatment approaches which might inspire for future development of novel therapies with a potential of overshadowing TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilesh Malavia
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Kaushik Kuche
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Rohan Ghadi
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Sanyog Jain
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India.
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KDM1A inhibition is effective in reducing stemness and treating triple negative breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2020; 185:343-357. [PMID: 33057995 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-020-05963-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are highly tumorigenic, spared by chemotherapy, sustain tumor growth, and are implicated in tumor recurrence after conventional therapies in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (KDM1A) is highly expressed in several human malignancies and CSCs including TNBC. However, the precise mechanistic role of KDM1A in CSC functions and therapeutic utility of KDM1A inhibitor for treating TNBC is poorly understood. METHODS The effect of KDM1A inhibition on cell viability, apoptosis, and invasion were examined by Cell Titer Glo, Caspase 3/7 Glo, and matrigel invasion assays, respectively. Stemness and self-renewal of CSCs were examined using mammosphere formation and extreme limiting dilution assays. Mechanistic studies were conducted using RNA-sequencing, RT-qPCR, Western blotting and reporter gene assays. Mouse xenograft and patient derived xenograft models were used for preclinical evaluation of KDM1A inhibitor. RESULTS TCGA data sets indicated that KDM1A is highly expressed in TNBC. CSCs express high levels of KDM1A and inhibition of KDM1A reduced the CSCs enrichment in TNBC cells. KDM1A inhibition reduced cell viability, mammosphere formation, self-renewal and promoted apoptosis of CSCs. Mechanistic studies suggested that IL6-JAK-STAT3 and EMT pathways were downregulated in KDM1A knockdown and KDM1A inhibitor treated cells. Importantly, doxycycline inducible knockout of KDM1A reduced tumor progression in orthotopic xenograft models and KDM1A inhibitor NCD38 treatment significantly reduced tumor growth in patient derived xenograft (PDX) models. CONCLUSIONS Our results establish that KDM1A inhibition mitigates CSCs functions via inhibition of STAT3 and EMT signaling, and KDM1A inhibitor NCD38 may represent a novel class of drug for treating TNBC.
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17
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Liu C, Zhao Q, Yu X. Bone Marrow Adipocytes, Adipocytokines, and Breast Cancer Cells: Novel Implications in Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:561595. [PMID: 33123472 PMCID: PMC7566900 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.561595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating discoveries highlight the importance of interaction between marrow stromal cells and cancer cells for bone metastasis. Bone is the most common metastatic site of breast cancer and bone marrow adipocytes (BMAs) are the most abundant component of the bone marrow microenvironment. BMAs are unique in their origin and location, and recently they are found to serve as an endocrine organ that secretes adipokines, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. It is reasonable to speculate that BMAs contribute to the modification of bone metastatic microenvironment and affecting metastatic breast cancer cells in the bone marrow. Indeed, BMAs may participate in bone metastasis of breast cancer through regulation of recruitment, invasion, survival, colonization, proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune modulation by their production of various adipocytokines. In this review, we provide an overview of research progress, focusing on adipocytokines secreted by BMAs and their potential roles for bone metastasis of breast cancer, and investigating the mechanisms mediating the interaction between BMAs and metastatic breast cancer cells. Based on current findings, BMAs may function as a pivotal modulator of bone metastasis of breast cancer, therefore targeting BMAs combined with conventional treatment programs might present a promising therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of General Practice, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xijie Yu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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18
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Panza S, Russo U, Giordano F, Leggio A, Barone I, Bonofiglio D, Gelsomino L, Malivindi R, Conforti FL, Naimo GD, Giordano C, Catalano S, Andò S. Leptin and Notch Signaling Cooperate in Sustaining Glioblastoma Multiforme Progression. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060886. [PMID: 32526957 PMCID: PMC7356667 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant form of glioma, which represents one of the commonly occurring tumors of the central nervous system. Despite the continuous development of new clinical therapies against this malignancy, it still remains a deadly disease with very poor prognosis. Here, we demonstrated the existence of a biologically active interaction between leptin and Notch signaling pathways that sustains GBM development and progression. We found that the expression of leptin and its receptors was significantly higher in human glioblastoma cells, U-87 MG and T98G, than in a normal human glial cell line, SVG p12, and that activation of leptin signaling induced growth and motility in GBM cells. Interestingly, flow cytometry and real-time RT-PCR assays revealed that GBM cells, grown as neurospheres, displayed stem cell-like properties (CD133+) along with an enhanced expression of leptin receptors. Leptin treatment significantly increased the neurosphere forming efficiency, self-renewal capacity, and mRNA expression levels of the stemness markers CD133, Nestin, SOX2, and GFAP. Mechanistically, we evidenced a leptin-mediated upregulation of Notch 1 receptor and the activation of its downstream effectors and target molecules. Leptin-induced effects on U-87 MG and T98G cells were abrogated by the selective leptin antagonist, the peptide LDFI (Leu-Asp-Phe-Ile), as well as by the specific Notch signaling inhibitor, GSI (Gamma Secretase Inhibitor) and in the presence of a dominant-negative of mastermind-like-1. Overall, these findings demonstrate, for the first time, a functional interaction between leptin and Notch signaling in GBM, highlighting leptin/Notch crosstalk as a potential novel therapeutic target for GBM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Panza
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
| | - Umberto Russo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
| | - Francesca Giordano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
| | - Antonella Leggio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
| | - Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
| | - Daniela Bonofiglio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
- Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Luca Gelsomino
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
| | - Rocco Malivindi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
| | - Francesca Luisa Conforti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
- Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Giuseppina Daniela Naimo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
| | - Cinzia Giordano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
- Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
- Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (S.A.); Tel.: +39-0984-496207 (S.C.); +39-0984-496201 (S.A.)
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy; (S.P.); (U.R.); (F.G.); (A.L.); (I.B.); (D.B.); (L.G.); (R.M.); (F.L.C.); (G.D.N.); (C.G.)
- Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy
- Correspondence: (S.C.); (S.A.); Tel.: +39-0984-496207 (S.C.); +39-0984-496201 (S.A.)
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Prabhu KS, Raza A, Karedath T, Raza SS, Fathima H, Ahmed EI, Kuttikrishnan S, Therachiyil L, Kulinski M, Dermime S, Junejo K, Steinhoff M, Uddin S. Non-Coding RNAs as Regulators and Markers for Targeting of Breast Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020351. [PMID: 32033146 PMCID: PMC7072613 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is regarded as a heterogeneous and complicated disease that remains the prime focus in the domain of public health concern. Next-generation sequencing technologies provided a new perspective dimension to non-coding RNAs, which were initially considered to be transcriptional noise or a product generated from erroneous transcription. Even though understanding of biological and molecular functions of noncoding RNA remains enigmatic, researchers have established the pivotal role of these RNAs in governing a plethora of biological phenomena that includes cancer-associated cellular processes such as proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis, and stemness. In addition to this, the transmission of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs was identified as a source of communication to breast cancer cells either locally or systemically. The present review provides in-depth information with an aim at discovering the fundamental potential of non-coding RNAs, by providing knowledge of biogenesis and functional roles of micro RNA and long non-coding RNAs in breast cancer and breast cancer stem cells, as either oncogenic drivers or tumor suppressors. Furthermore, non-coding RNAs and their potential role as diagnostic and therapeutic moieties have also been summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirti S. Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; (H.F.); (E.I.A.); (S.K.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (S.U.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +974-4439-0966
| | - Afsheen Raza
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; (A.R.); (S.D.)
| | | | - Syed Shadab Raza
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Era University, Lucknow 226003, India;
| | - Hamna Fathima
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; (H.F.); (E.I.A.); (S.K.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (S.U.)
| | - Eiman I. Ahmed
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; (H.F.); (E.I.A.); (S.K.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (S.U.)
| | - Shilpa Kuttikrishnan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; (H.F.); (E.I.A.); (S.K.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (S.U.)
- Qatar College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Lubna Therachiyil
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; (H.F.); (E.I.A.); (S.K.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (S.U.)
- Qatar College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Michal Kulinski
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; (H.F.); (E.I.A.); (S.K.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (S.U.)
| | - Said Dermime
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; (A.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Kulsoom Junejo
- General Surgery Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar;
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; (H.F.); (E.I.A.); (S.K.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (S.U.)
- Department of Dermatology Venereology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
- Department of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; (H.F.); (E.I.A.); (S.K.); (L.T.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (S.U.)
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Igelmann S, Neubauer HA, Ferbeyre G. STAT3 and STAT5 Activation in Solid Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101428. [PMID: 31557897 PMCID: PMC6826753 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT)3 and 5 proteins are activated by many cytokine receptors to regulate specific gene expression and mitochondrial functions. Their role in cancer is largely context-dependent as they can both act as oncogenes and tumor suppressors. We review here the role of STAT3/5 activation in solid cancers and summarize their association with survival in cancer patients. The molecular mechanisms that underpin the oncogenic activity of STAT3/5 signaling include the regulation of genes that control cell cycle and cell death. However, recent advances also highlight the critical role of STAT3/5 target genes mediating inflammation and stemness. In addition, STAT3 mitochondrial functions are required for transformation. On the other hand, several tumor suppressor pathways act on or are activated by STAT3/5 signaling, including tyrosine phosphatases, the sumo ligase Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT3 (PIAS3), the E3 ubiquitin ligase TATA Element Modulatory Factor/Androgen Receptor-Coactivator of 160 kDa (TMF/ARA160), the miRNAs miR-124 and miR-1181, the Protein of alternative reading frame 19 (p19ARF)/p53 pathway and the Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 and 3 (SOCS1/3) proteins. Cancer mutations and epigenetic alterations may alter the balance between pro-oncogenic and tumor suppressor activities associated with STAT3/5 signaling, explaining their context-dependent association with tumor progression both in human cancers and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Igelmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville, CRCHUM, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.
- CRCHUM, 900 Saint-Denis St, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada.
| | - Heidi A Neubauer
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna 1210, Austria.
| | - Gerardo Ferbeyre
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville, CRCHUM, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.
- CRCHUM, 900 Saint-Denis St, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada.
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Barone I, Giordano C, Bonofiglio D, Andò S, Catalano S. The weight of obesity in breast cancer progression and metastasis: Clinical and molecular perspectives. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 60:274-284. [PMID: 31491560 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The escalating epidemic of overweight and obesity is currently recognized as one of the most significant health and economic concern worldwide. At the present time, over 1.9 billion adults and more than 600 million people can be, respectively, classified as overweight or obese, and numbers will continue to increase in the coming decades. This alarming scenario implies important clinical implications since excessive adiposity can progressively cause and/or exacerbate a wide spectrum of co-morbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and even certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. Indeed, pathological remodelling of white adipose tissue and increased levels of fat-specific cytokines (mainly leptin), as a consequence of the obesity condition, have been associated with several hallmarks of breast cancer, such as sustained proliferative signaling, cellular energetics, inflammation, angiogenesis, activating invasion and metastasis. Different preclinical and clinical data have provided evidence indicating that obesity may worsen the incidence, the severity, and the mortality of breast cancer. In the present review, we will discuss the epidemiological connection between obesity and breast cancer progression and metastasis and we will highlight the candidate players involved in this dangerous relationship. Since the major cause of death from cancer is due to widespread metastases, understanding these complex mechanisms will provide insights for establishing new therapeutic interventions to prevent/blunt the effects of obesity and thwart breast tumor progression and metastatic growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Giordano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy; Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Via P Bucci, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Daniela Bonofiglio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy; Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Via P Bucci, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Via P Bucci, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy.
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Sánchez-Jiménez F, Pérez-Pérez A, de la Cruz-Merino L, Sánchez-Margalet V. Obesity and Breast Cancer: Role of Leptin. Front Oncol 2019; 9:596. [PMID: 31380268 PMCID: PMC6657346 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity-related breast cancer is an important threat that affects especially post-menopausal women. The link between obesity and breast cancer seems to be relying on the microenvironment generated at adipose tissue level, which includes inflammatory cytokines. In addition, its association with systemic endocrine changes, including hyperinsulinemia, increased estrogens levels, and hyperleptinemia may be key factors for tumor development. These factors may promote tumor initiation, tumor primary growth, tissue invasion, and metastatic progression. Although the relationship between obesity and breast cancer is already established, the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved are not clear. Obesity-related insulin resistance is a well-known risk factor for breast cancer development in post-menopausal women. However, the role of inflammation and other adipokines, especially leptin, is less studied. Leptin, like insulin, appears to be a growth factor for breast cancer cells. There exists a link between leptin and metabolism of estrogens and between leptin and other factors in a more complex network. As a result, obesity-associated hyperleptinemia has been suggested as an important mediator in the pathophysiology of breast cancer. On the other hand, recent data on the paradoxical effect of obesity on cancer immunotherapy efficacy has brought some controversy, since the proinflammatory effect of leptin may help the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, a better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that mediate leptin action may be helpful to understand the underlying processes which link obesity to breast cancer in post-menopausal women, as well as the possible role of leptin in the response to immunotherapy in obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Sánchez-Jiménez
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Pérez
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Luis de la Cruz-Merino
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Víctor Sánchez-Margalet
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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Xie Q, Yang Z, Huang X, Zhang Z, Li J, Ju J, Zhang H, Ma J. Ilamycin C induces apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion in triple-negative breast cancer by suppressing IL-6/STAT3 pathway. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:60. [PMID: 31186039 PMCID: PMC6558915 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0744-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis, and its treatment remains a challenge due to few targeted medicines and high risk of relapse, metastasis, and drug resistance. Thus, more effective drugs and new regimens for the therapy of TNBC are urgently needed. Ilamycins are a kind of cyclic peptides and produced by Streptomyces atratus and Streptomyces islandicus with effective anti-tuberculosis activity. Ilamycin C is a novel compound isolated from the deep South China Sea-derived Streptomyces atratus SCSIO ZH16 and exhibited a strong cytotoxic activity against several cancers including breast cancer cell line MCF7. However, the cytotoxic activity of Ilamycin C to TNBC cells and a detailed antitumor mechanism have not been reported. METHODS CCK-8 assays were used to examine cell viability and cytotoxic activity of Ilamycin C to TNBC, non-TNBC MCF7, and nonmalignant MCF10A cells. EdU assays and flow cytometry were performed to assess cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. Transwell migration and Matrigel invasion assays were utilized to assess the migratory and invading capacity of TNBC cells following the treatment of Ilamycin C. The expressions of proteins were detected by western blot. RESULTS In this study, we found that Ilamycin C has more preferential cytotoxicity in TNBC cells than non-TNBC MCF7 and nonmalignant MCF10A cells. Notably, our studies revealed the mechanism that Ilamycin C can induce Bax/Bcl-2-related caspase-dependent apoptosis and inhibit migration and invasion through MMP2/MMP9/vimentin/fascin in TNBC by suppressing IL-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first evidence that Ilamycin C has significant implications for the potential as a novel IL-6/STAT3 inhibitor for TNBC treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Xie
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China
| | - Zhijie Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, RNAM Center for Marine Microbiology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Xuanmei Huang
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China
| | - Zikang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China
| | - Jiangbin Li
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China
| | - Jianhua Ju
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, RNAM Center for Marine Microbiology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China.
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China.
| | - Junying Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, RNAM Center for Marine Microbiology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China.
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Wu DM, Zheng ZH, Zhang YB, Fan SH, Zhang ZF, Wang YJ, Zheng YL, Lu J. Down-regulated lncRNA DLX6-AS1 inhibits tumorigenesis through STAT3 signaling pathway by suppressing CADM1 promoter methylation in liver cancer stem cells. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:237. [PMID: 31171015 PMCID: PMC6554918 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1239-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) are a small subset of cells characterized by unlimited self-renewal, cell differentiation, and uncontrollable cellular growth. LCSCs are also resistant to conventional therapies and are thus believed to be held responsible for causing treatment failure of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has been recently found that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators in HCC. This present study aims to explore the underlying mechanism of how lncRNA DLX6-AS1 influences the development of LCSCs and HCC. Methods A microarray-based analysis was performed to initially screen differentially expressed lncRNAs associated with HCC. We then analyzed the lncRNA DLX6-AS1 levels as well as CADM1 promoter methylation. The mRNA and protein expression of CADM1, STAT3, CD133, CD13, OCT-4, SOX2, and Nanog were then detected. We quantified our results by evaluating the spheroid formation, proliferation, and tumor formation abilities, as well as the proportion of tumor stem cells, and the recruitment of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) in LCSCs when lncRNA DLX6-AS1 was either overexpressed or silenced. Results LncRNA DLX6-AS1 was upregulated in HCC. The silencing of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 was shown to reduce and inhibit spheroid formation, colony formation, proliferation, and tumor formation abilities, as well as attenuate CD133, CD13, OCT-4, SOX2, and Nanog expression in LCSCs. Furthermore, downregulation of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 contributed to a reduction in CADM1 promoter methylation via suppression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b in LCSCs and inactivating the STAT3 signaling pathway. Conclusion This study demonstrated that down-regulated lncRNA DLX6-AS1 may inhibit the stem cell properties of LCSCs through upregulation of CADM1 by suppressing the methylation of the CADM1 promoter and inactivation of the STAT3 signaling pathway. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1239-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Mei Wu
- Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.,College of Health Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Hui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base For TCM Quality and Efficacy, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Bo Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, 161006, People's Republic of China
| | - Shao-Hua Fan
- Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.,College of Health Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.,College of Health Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Jian Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.,College of Health Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Lin Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. .,College of Health Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jun Lu
- Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. .,College of Health Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
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Qin JJ, Yan L, Zhang J, Zhang WD. STAT3 as a potential therapeutic target in triple negative breast cancer: a systematic review. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:195. [PMID: 31088482 PMCID: PMC6518732 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1206-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is typically lack of expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), represents the most aggressive and mortal subtype of breast cancer. Currently, only a few treatment options are available for TNBC due to the absence of molecular targets, which underscores the need for developing novel therapeutic and preventive approaches for this disease. Recent evidence from clinical trials and preclinical studies has demonstrated a pivotal role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the initiation, progression, metastasis, and immune evasion of TNBC. STAT3 is overexpressed and constitutively activated in TNBC cells and contributes to cell survival, proliferation, cell cycle progression, anti-apoptosis, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, chemoresistance, immunosuppression, and stem cells self-renewal and differentiation by regulating the expression of its downstream target genes. STAT3 small molecule inhibitors have been developed and shown excellent anticancer activities in in vitro and in vivo models of TNBC. This review discusses the recent advances in the understanding of STAT3, with a focus on STAT3’s oncogenic role in TNBC. The current targeting strategies and representative small molecule inhibitors of STAT3 are highlighted. We also propose potential strategies that can be further examined for developing more specific and effective inhibitors for TNBC prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Jiang Qin
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Li Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jia Zhang
- Shanxi Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, 030012, China
| | - Wei-Dong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China. .,Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Ghasemi A, Saeidi J, Azimi-Nejad M, Hashemy SI. Leptin-induced signaling pathways in cancer cell migration and invasion. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2019; 42:243-260. [PMID: 30877623 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-019-00428-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence indicates that obesity is associated with tumor development and progression. Leptin is an adipocyte-related hormone with a key role in energy metabolism and whose circulating levels are elevated in obesity. The effect of leptin on cancer progression and metastasis and its underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Leptin can impact various steps in tumor metastasis, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM), and proteolysis of ECM components. To do so, leptin binds to its receptor (OB-Rb) to activate signaling pathways and downstream effectors that participate in tumor cell invasion as well as distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS In this review, we describe metastasis steps in detail and characterize metastasis-related molecules activated by leptin, which may help to develop a roadmap that guides future work. In addition, we conclude that a profound understanding of the fundamental molecular processes that contribute to leptin-induced metastasis may pave the way for the development of new prognostic molecules and appropriate approaches to the treatment of obesity-related cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Ghasemi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Jafar Saeidi
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Science, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Mohsen Azimi-Nejad
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
- Department of Genetic, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Isaac Hashemy
- Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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27
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Self-renewal signaling pathways in breast cancer stem cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2019; 107:140-153. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2018.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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28
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Jena MK, Jaswal S, Kumar S, Mohanty AK. Molecular mechanism of mammary gland involution: An update. Dev Biol 2019; 445:145-155. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Abstract
Obesity leads to many diseases including hypercholesterolemia, type-2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. It is the fastest-growing lethal disease in the Western and developing countries. The link between obesity and cancer is relatively underappreciated among the general population. Obesity represents the number one risk factor for type-2 diabetes and a considerable body of epidemiological studies supports the relationship between type-2 diabetes and many cancers. In this review, we examine the obesity-type-2-diabetes-cancer relationships from a mechanistic perspective, and where appropriate, we highlight potential pharmaceutical and dietary interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khosrow Kashfi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, USA
- Graduate Program in Biology, City University of New York Graduate Center, New York, USA
| | - Casey L. Rosen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Melissa Aslan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli Turkey
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Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote the stemness of CD24 + liver cells via paracrine signaling. J Mol Med (Berl) 2018; 97:243-255. [PMID: 30564864 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-018-1731-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), which support tumor progress in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in fibrotic or cirrhotic livers, are regulated by the tumor microenvironment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major component of the tumor stroma in HCC; however, the mechanisms by which CAFs contribute to stemness maintenance remain largely unknown. Here, we found that the expression of CD24 was high in HCC tissues compared with adjacent normal liver tissues, and positively correlated with the poor prognosis and α-SMA expression in CAFs. CD24+ cells isolated from HCC cell lines exhibited stemness properties of self-renewal, chemotherapy resistance, metastasis, and tumorigenicity in NOD/SCID mice. Moreover, CAF-derived HGF and IL6 enhanced the stemness properties of CD24+ cells via activating STAT3 Tyr705 phosphorylation. Blockade of HGF/c-Met or IL6/IL6R signaling significantly abolished the effect of CAFs on stemness properties, which compromised the activation of STAT3 pathway in CD24+ cells. Meanwhile, knockdown of STAT3 in CD24+ cells notably attenuated CAF-induced stemness characteristics of CD24+ cells. Furthermore, in HCC patients, higher expression of phospho-STAT3 was also demonstrated to be positively correlated with poor clinical outcomes. In summary, HGF and IL6 secreted by CAFs promoted the stemness properties of CD24+ cells through the phosphorylation of STAT3 signaling, and targeting the paracrine pathways may provide a new therapeutic strategy for HCC. KEY MESSAGES: CD24, identified as a marker for HCC CSCs, was positively correlated with the poor prognosis and α-SMA expression in CAFs. CAFs promoted self-renewal, chemotherapy resistance, metastasis, and tumorigenicity of CD24+ HCC cells. HGF and IL6 secreted by CAFs promoted the stemness properties of CD24+ HCC cells through the phosphorylation of STAT3.
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31
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Crean-Tate KK, Reizes O. Leptin Regulation of Cancer Stem Cells in Breast and Gynecologic Cancer. Endocrinology 2018; 159:3069-3080. [PMID: 29955847 PMCID: PMC6669812 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
It is well established that obesity increases the incidence and worsens the prognosis of women's cancer. For breast cancer, women with obesity exhibit more than a twofold increase in the odds of being diagnosed with cancer, with a greater risk of advanced stage at diagnosis, and ≤40% greater risk of recurrence and death than their normal-weight counterparts. These findings are similar in gynecologic cancers, where women who are obese with a body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m2 have up to six times greater risk of developing endometrial cancer and a 9.2% increase in mortality with every 10% increase in BMI. Likewise, patients with obesity exhibit a twofold higher risk of premenopausal ovarian cancer, and patients who are obese with advanced stage ovarian cancer have shown a shorter time to recurrence and poorer overall survival. Obesity is accompanied by changes in expression of adipose factors that act on local tissues and systemically. Once obesity was recognized as a factor in cancer incidence and progression, the adipose cytokine (adipokine) leptin became the focus of intense investigation as a putative link, with nearly 3000 publications on the topic. Leptin has been shown to increase cell proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, promote angiogenesis, and increase therapeutic resistance. These characteristics are associated with a subset of cells in both liquid and solid tumors known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), or tumor initiating cells. We will review the literature discussing leptin's role in breast and gynecologic cancer, focusing on its role in CSCs, and consider goals for targeting future therapy in this arena to disrupt tumor initiation and progression in women's cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie K Crean-Tate
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women’s Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Ofer Reizes
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio
- Correspondence: Ofer Reizes, PhD, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, NC10, Cleveland, Ohio 44195. E-mail:
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32
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Xiang X, Deng L, Xiong R, Xiao D, Chen Z, Yang F, Liu K, Feng G. Tex10 is upregulated and promotes cancer stem cell properties and chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Cycle 2018; 17:1310-1318. [PMID: 30045663 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2018.1480208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Testis expressed 10 (Tex10), a new core component of the pluripotency circuitry, has been reported to positively regulate embryonic stem cell (ESC) super-enhancers to promote ESC self-renewal; however, the expression and function of Tex10 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cancer stem cells remains unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the expression patterns of Tex10 with immunohistochemistry, western blotting and RT-qPCR in samples from HCC patients and HCC cell lines. The results obtained show that Tex10 was highly expressed in HCC tissues, and elevated Tex10 protein levels positively correlate with the poorly differentiated carcinoma. Likewise, we found that Tex10 expression in the high-metastasis HCCLM3 potential cell line was higher than that in the low-metastasis HepG2 potential cell line, and Tex10 expression in liver cancer stem cells was also higher than that in adhered HCC cells. In addition, Tex10 knockdown decreased stem cell marker expression and drug resistance. Tex10 promoted cancer stemness through activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway. Taken together, our study demonstrates that Tex10 plays a potent carcinogenic role in HCC tumorigenesis by maintaining cancer stem cell properties through activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway and promoting chemo-resistance. Thus, targeting Tex10 may provide a novel and effective therapeutic strategy to suppress the tumorigenicity of advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocong Xiang
- a Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells , Nanchong Central Hospital, the Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College , Nanchong , China
| | - Li Deng
- a Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells , Nanchong Central Hospital, the Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College , Nanchong , China
| | - Rong Xiong
- a Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells , Nanchong Central Hospital, the Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College , Nanchong , China
| | - Dongqin Xiao
- a Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells , Nanchong Central Hospital, the Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College , Nanchong , China
| | - Zhu Chen
- a Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells , Nanchong Central Hospital, the Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College , Nanchong , China
| | - Fei Yang
- a Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells , Nanchong Central Hospital, the Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College , Nanchong , China
| | - Kang Liu
- a Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells , Nanchong Central Hospital, the Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College , Nanchong , China
| | - Gang Feng
- a Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells , Nanchong Central Hospital, the Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College , Nanchong , China
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Bowers LW, Rossi EL, McDonell SB, Doerstling SS, Khatib SA, Lineberger CG, Albright JE, Tang X, deGraffenried LA, Hursting SD. Leptin Signaling Mediates Obesity-Associated CSC Enrichment and EMT in Preclinical TNBC Models. Mol Cancer Res 2018; 16:869-879. [PMID: 29453319 PMCID: PMC5967653 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is associated with poor prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Preclinical models of TNBC were used to test the hypothesis that increased leptin signaling drives obesity-associated TNBC development by promoting cancer stem cell (CSC) enrichment and/or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). MMTV-Wnt-1 transgenic mice, which develop spontaneous basal-like, triple-negative mammary tumors, received either a control diet (10% kcal from fat) or a diet-induced obesity regimen (DIO, 60% kcal from fat) for up to 42 weeks (n = 15/group). Mice were monitored for tumor development and euthanized when tumor diameter reached 1.5 cm. Tumoral gene expression was assessed via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). DIO mice had greater body weight and percent body fat at termination than controls. DIO mice, versus controls, demonstrated reduced survival, increased systemic metabolic and inflammatory perturbations, upregulated tumoral CSC/EMT gene signature, elevated tumoral aldehyde dehydrogenase activity (a CSC marker), and greater leptin signaling. In cell culture experiments using TNBC cells (murine: E-Wnt and M-Wnt; human: MDA-MB-231), leptin enhanced mammosphere formation, and media supplemented with serum from DIO versus control mice increased cell viability, migration, invasion, and CSC- and EMT-related gene expression, including Foxc2, Twist2, Vim, Akt3, and Sox2 In E-Wnt cells, knockdown of leptin receptor ablated these procancer effects induced by DIO mouse serum. These findings indicate that increased leptin signaling is causally linked to obesity-associated TNBC development by promoting CSC enrichment and EMT.Implications: Leptin-associated signals impacting CSC and EMT may provide new targets and intervention strategies for decreasing TNBC burden in obese women. Mol Cancer Res; 16(5); 869-79. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura W Bowers
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Emily L Rossi
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Shannon B McDonell
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Steven S Doerstling
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Subreen A Khatib
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Claire G Lineberger
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Jody E Albright
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina
| | - Xiaohu Tang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan
| | | | - Stephen D Hursting
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Kannapolis, North Carolina
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Galoczova M, Coates P, Vojtesek B. STAT3, stem cells, cancer stem cells and p63. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2018; 23:12. [PMID: 29588647 PMCID: PMC5863838 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-018-0078-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor with many important functions in the biology of normal and transformed cells. Its regulation is highly complex as it is involved in signaling pathways in many different cell types and under a wide variety of conditions. Besides other functions, STAT3 is an important regulator of normal stem cells and cancer stem cells. p63 which is a member of the p53 protein family is also involved in these functions and is both physically and functionally connected with STAT3. This review summarizes STAT3 function and regulation, its role in stem cell and cancer stem cell properties and highlights recent reports about its relationship to p63.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Galoczova
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Philip Coates
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Borivoj Vojtesek
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
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Anti-spasmogenic effect of cyproheptadine on guinea-pig ileum. Cancers (Basel) 1984; 11:cancers11070965. [PMID: 31324052 PMCID: PMC6678244 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11070965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive form of breast cancer that lacks targeted therapy options, and patients diagnosed with TNBC have poorer outcomes than patients with other breast cancer subtypes. Emerging evidence suggests that breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), which have tumor-initiating potential and possess self-renewal capacity, may be responsible for this poor outcome by promoting therapy resistance, metastasis, and recurrence. TNBC cells have been consistently reported to display cancer stem cell (CSC) signatures at functional, molecular, and transcriptional levels. In recent decades, CSC-targeting strategies have shown therapeutic effects on TNBC in multiple preclinical studies, and some of these strategies are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Therefore, understanding CSC biology in TNBC has the potential to guide the discovery of novel therapeutic agents in the future. In this review, we focus on the self-renewal signaling pathways (SRSPs) that are aberrantly activated in TNBC cells and discuss the specific signaling components that are involved in the tumor-initiating potential of TNBC cells. Additionally, we describe the molecular mechanisms shared by both TNBC cells and CSCs, including metabolic plasticity, which enables TNBC cells to switch between metabolic pathways according to substrate availability to meet the energetic and biosynthetic demands for rapid growth and survival under harsh conditions. We highlight CSCs as potential key regulators driving the aggressiveness of TNBC. Thus, the manipulation of CSCs in TNBC can be a targeted therapeutic strategy for TNBC in the future.
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