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Simsone Z, Feivalds T, Harju L, Miķelsone I, Blāķe I, Bērziņš J, Buiķis I. Morphological and Immunocytochemical Characterization of Paclitaxel-Induced Microcells in Sk-Mel-28 Melanoma Cells. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1576. [PMID: 39062149 PMCID: PMC11274385 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers, including proteins, nucleic acids, antibodies, and peptides, are essential for identifying diseases such as cancer and differentiating between healthy and abnormal cells in patients. To date, studies have shown that cancer stem cells have DNA repair mechanisms that deter the effects of medicinal treatment. Experiments with cell cultures and chemotherapy treatments of these cultures have revealed the presence of small cells, with a small amount of cytoplasm that can be intensively stained with azure eosin, called microcells. Microcells develop during sporosis from a damaged tumor macrocell. After anticancer therapy in tumor cells, a defective macrocell may produce one or more microcells. This study aims to characterize microcell morphology in melanoma cell lines. In this investigation, we characterized the population of cancer cell microcells after applying paclitaxel treatment to a Sk-Mel-28 melanoma cell line using immunocytochemical cell marker detection and fluorescent microscopy. Paclitaxel-treated cancer cells show stronger expression of stem-associated ALDH2, SOX2, and Nanog markers than untreated cells. The proliferation of nuclear antigens in cells and the synthesis of RNA in microcells indicate cell self-defense, promoting resistance to applied therapy. These findings improve our understanding of microcell behavior in melanoma, potentially informing future strategies to counteract drug resistance in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane Simsone
- Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (T.F.); (J.B.); (I.B.)
| | - Tālivaldis Feivalds
- Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (T.F.); (J.B.); (I.B.)
| | - Līga Harju
- Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (T.F.); (J.B.); (I.B.)
| | - Indra Miķelsone
- Department of Human Physiology and Biochemistry, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema Street 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Ilze Blāķe
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Science, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 1, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Juris Bērziņš
- Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (T.F.); (J.B.); (I.B.)
| | - Indulis Buiķis
- Institute of Cardiology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Latvia, Jelgavas Street 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia; (T.F.); (J.B.); (I.B.)
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The Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ALDH2*2 Allele, Associated with Alcohol Drinking Behavior, Dates Back to Prehistoric Times. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091376. [PMID: 34572589 PMCID: PMC8465343 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091376] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human alcohol-consumption behavior is partly genetically encoded. The alcohol consumption of 987 residents in Keelung, Taiwan, was evaluated by using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). We assessed ~750,000 genomic variants of 71 residents who drank hazardously (AUDIT score ≥ 8) and 126 residents who did not drink in their daily lives (AUDIT score = 0), using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. The rs671 G > A manifests the highest significance of the association with drinking behavior (Fisher’s exact P = 8.75 × 10−9). It is a pleiotropic, non-synonymous variant in the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene. The minor allele “A”, commonly known as ALDH2*2, is associated with non-drinkers. Intriguingly, identity-by-descent haplotypes encompassing genomic regions with a median length of 1.6 (0.6–2.0) million nucleotide bases were found in all study participants with either heterozygous or homozygous ALDH2*2 (n = 81 and 13, respectively). We also analyzed a public-domain dataset with genome-wide genotypes of 2000 participants in Guangzhou, a coastal city in Southern China. Among them, 175 participants have homozygous ALDH2*2 genotype, and again, long ALDH2*2-carrying haplotypes were found in all 175 participants without exceptions. The median length of the ALDH2*2-carrying haplotype is 1.7 (0.5–2.8) million nucleotide bases. The haplotype lengths in the Keelung and Guangzhou cohorts combined indicate that the origin of the ALDH2*2 allele dates back to 7935 (7014–9381) years ago. In conclusion, the rs671 G > A is the leading genomic variant associated with the long-term drinking behavior among residents of Keelung, Taiwan. The ALDH2*2 allele has been in Asian populations since prehistoric times.
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Profound Reprogramming towards Stemness in Pancreatic Cancer Cells as Adaptation to AKT Inhibition. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082181. [PMID: 32764385 PMCID: PMC7464748 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells acquire resistance to cytotoxic therapies targeting major survival pathways by adapting their metabolism. The AKT pathway is a major regulator of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression and a key pharmacological target. The mechanisms of adaptation to long-term silencing of AKT isoforms of human and mouse pancreatic adenocarcinoma cancer cells were studied. Following silencing, cancer cells remained quiescent for long periods of time, after which they recovered proliferative capacities. Adaptation caused profound proteomic changes largely affecting mitochondrial biogenesis, energy metabolism and acquisition of a number of distinct cancer stem cell (CSC) characteristics depending on the AKT isoform that was silenced. The adaptation to AKT1 silencing drove most de-differentiation and acquisition of stemness through C-MYC down-modulation and NANOG upregulation, which were required for survival of adapted CSCs. The changes associated to adaptation sensitized cancer cells to inhibitors targeting regulators of oxidative respiration and mitochondrial biogenesis. In vivo pharmacological co-inhibition of AKT and mitochondrial metabolism effectively controlled pancreatic adenocarcinoma growth in pre-clinical models.
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Aldehyde dehydrogenase-positive melanoma stem cells in tumorigenesis, drug resistance and anti-neoplastic immunotherapy. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 47:1435-1443. [PMID: 31838656 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-05227-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a rare subset of cancer cells, are well known for their self-renewing capacity. CSCs play a critical role in therapeutic failure and are responsible for poor prognosis in leukemia and various solid tumors. However, it is still unclear how CSCs initiate carcinogenesis and evade the immune response. In humans, the melanoma initiating cells (MICs) are recognized as the CSCs in melanomas, and were verified to possess CSC potentials. The enzymatic system, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is considered to be a specific marker for CSCs in several tumors. The expression of ALDH in MICs may be closely correlated with phenotypic heterogeneity, melanoma-genesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. The ALDH+ CSCs/MICs not only serve as an indicator for therapeutic efficacy, but have also become a target for the treat of melanoma. In this review, we initially introduce the multiple capacities of MICs in melanoma. Then, we summarize in vivo and in vitro studies that illustrate the relationship between ALDH and MICs. Furthermore, understanding of chemotherapy resistance in melanoma relies on ALDH+ MICs. Finally, we review studies that focus on melanoma immunotherapies, rendering ALDH a potential marker to evaluate the efficacy of anti-neoplastic therapies or an adjuvant anti-melanoma target.
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Feng Y, Li S, Zhang R, Liu F, Xu Q, Ding H, Teng Y. FOXM1 as a prognostic biomarker promotes endometrial cancer progression via transactivation of SLC27A2 expression. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2018; 11:3846-3857. [PMID: 31949772 PMCID: PMC6962789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most important gynecological cancers, but its pathogenesis is not clearly understood, and it also lacks an effective treatment. The nuclear transcriptional protein forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) has crucial functions in the development and progression of cancer and is treated as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in many types of cancers. However, the situation and underlying mechanisms of FOXM1's involvement in EC is largely underestimated. In our present study, we found FOXM1 was overexpressed in EC, including endometrioid (EEC) and serous (SEC). High expression of FOXM1 was meaningfully associated with a poor prognosis of EC patients as well as with EC pathological stages and clinical grades. Knocking down FOXM1 could significantly reduce the proliferation and migration capacity of AN3CA and ISHIKAWA cells. Furthermore, our RNA-seq results indicated that the knockdown of FOXM1 mainly affects downstream metabolic genes in EC cells. Finally, we also discovered one potential functional pathway, FOXM1-SLC27A2, which may contribute to EC progression. Taken together, the high expression of FOXM1 is closely associated with the prognosis, pathological stages, and clinical grades of EC patients. FOXM1 can promote the proliferation and migration of EC cells. Through SLC27A2, FOXM1 may influence the metabolic activity of EC cells, and FOXM1-SLC27A signaling could be treated as a potential cellular target for a therapeutic strategy of EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Feng
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversityJiangsu, P. R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s HospitalShanghai, P. R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Fengxian District Central HospitalShanghai, P. R. China
| | - Shaojing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Fengxian District Central HospitalShanghai, P. R. China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Fengxian District Central HospitalShanghai, P. R. China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s HospitalShanghai, P. R. China
| | - Qinyang Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s HospitalShanghai, P. R. China
| | - Hongmei Ding
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversityJiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Yincheng Teng
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversityJiangsu, P. R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s HospitalShanghai, P. R. China
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Áyen Á, Jiménez Martínez Y, Marchal JA, Boulaiz H. Recent Progress in Gene Therapy for Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19071930. [PMID: 29966369 PMCID: PMC6073662 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy in developed countries. This is due to the lack of specific symptoms that hinder early diagnosis and to the high relapse rate after treatment with radical surgery and chemotherapy. Hence, novel therapeutic modalities to improve clinical outcomes in ovarian malignancy are needed. Progress in gene therapy has allowed the development of several strategies against ovarian cancer. Most are focused on the design of improved vectors to enhance gene delivery on the one hand, and, on the other hand, on the development of new therapeutic tools based on the restoration or destruction of a deregulated gene, the use of suicide genes, genetic immunopotentiation, the inhibition of tumour angiogenesis, the alteration of pharmacological resistance, and oncolytic virotherapy. In the present manuscript, we review the recent advances made in gene therapy for ovarian cancer, highlighting the latest clinical trials experience, the current challenges and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Áyen
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - Yaiza Jiménez Martínez
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - Juan A Marchal
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
| | - Houria Boulaiz
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.
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