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Du J, Qin H. Lipid metabolism dynamics in cancer stem cells: potential targets for cancers. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1367981. [PMID: 38994204 PMCID: PMC11236562 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1367981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a small subset of heterogeneous cells within tumors that possess the ability to self-renew and initiate tumorigenesis. They serve as potential drivers for tumor initiation, metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance. Recent research has demonstrated that the stemness preservation of CSCs is heavily reliant on their unique lipid metabolism alterations, enabling them to maintain their own environmental homeostasis through various mechanisms. The primary objectives involve augmenting intracellular fatty acid (FA) content to bolster energy supply, promoting β-oxidation of FA to optimize energy utilization, and elevating the mevalonate (MVA) pathway for efficient cholesterol synthesis. Additionally, lipid droplets (LDs) can serve as alternative energy sources in the presence of glycolysis blockade in CSCs, thereby safeguarding FA from peroxidation. Furthermore, the interplay between autophagy and lipid metabolism facilitates rapid adaptation of CSCs to the harsh microenvironment induced by chemotherapy. In this review, we comprehensively review recent studies pertaining to lipid metabolism in CSCs and provide a concise overview of the indispensable role played by LDs, FA, cholesterol metabolism, and autophagy in maintaining the stemness of CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Du
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hai Qin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Guizhou Hospital, Guiyang, China
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Liang Y, Nephew KP, Hyder SM. Cholesterol Biosynthesis Inhibitor RO 48-8071 Suppresses Growth of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells in Vitro and In Vivo. JOURNAL OF CANCER SCIENCE AND CLINICAL THERAPEUTICS 2023; 7:1-8. [PMID: 38105923 PMCID: PMC10723059 DOI: 10.26502/jcsct.5079185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) cells express enzymes in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, making this pathway an attractive therapeutic target for controlling ovarian cancer. Potent small molecule inhibitors of one biosynthetic enzyme, Oxidosqualene Cyclase (OSC), have been identified, and RO 48-8071 (4'-[6-(allylmethylamino)hexyloxy]-4-bromo-2'-fluorobenzophenone fumarate) (RO), has emerged as a useful chemotherapeutic agent for breast and prostate cancer. Methods Cell viability assays were performed to determine effects of RO 48-8071 on growth of EOC cells. Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH) assay was conducted to determine the effects of drug on reducing stem cell like properties of EOC cells. Finally, xenograft studies were performed to assess the ability of RO 48-8071 to inhibit the growth of EOC cells in vivo. Results We found that short-term (24-48 h) administration of pharmacological doses of RO effectively reduced the viability of drug-resistant EOC cells (SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3), as determined with sulforhodamine B colorimetric assays. In 7-day assays, nanomolar concentrations of RO effectively inhibited the growth of EOC cells. RO also suppressed ALDH activity, a marker of stem cells. Importantly, RO significantly suppressed growth of xenografts derived from EOC cells when given to mice intraperitoneally (20-40 mg kg-1 day-1) for 27 days once tumors reached 100 mm3 (controls: 336 + 60 mm3; treated: 171 + 20 mm3) with no toxicity to the experimental animals. Mechanistically, RO induced apoptosis in tumor cells in vivo as shown with immunohistochemistry. Conclusion Cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor RO 48-8071 is thus a novel and potent inhibitor of human EOC, including EOC stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayun Liang
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, United States
- Dept of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, United States
| | - Kenneth P Nephew
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Salman M Hyder
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, United States
- Dept of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, United States
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A Marine Collagen-Based Biomimetic Hydrogel Recapitulates Cancer Stem Cell Niche and Enhances Progression and Chemoresistance in Human Ovarian Cancer. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18100498. [PMID: 33003514 PMCID: PMC7599646 DOI: 10.3390/md18100498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent attention has focused on the development of an effective three-dimensional (3D) cell culture system enabling the rapid enrichment of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are resistant to therapies and serving as a useful in vitro tumor model that accurately reflects in vivo behaviors of cancer cells. Presently, an effective 3D in vitro model of ovarian cancer (OC) was developed using a marine collagen-based hydrogel. Advantages of the model include simplicity, efficiency, bioactivity, and low cost. Remarkably, OC cells grown in this hydrogel exhibited biochemical and physiological features, including (1) enhanced cell proliferation, migration and invasion, colony formation, and chemoresistance; (2) suppressed apoptosis with altered expression levels of apoptosis-regulating molecules; (3) upregulated expression of crucial multidrug resistance-related genes; (4) accentuated expression of key molecules associated with malignant progression, such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition transcription factors, Notch, and pluripotency biomarkers; and (5) robust enrichment of ovarian CSCs. The findings indicate the potential of our 3D in vitro OC model as an in vitro research platform to study OC and ovarian CSC biology and to screen novel therapies targeting OC and ovarian CSCs.
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Bai J, Chen WB, Zhang XY, Kang XN, Jin LJ, Zhang H, Wang ZY. HIF-2α regulates CD44 to promote cancer stem cell activation in triple-negative breast cancer via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. World J Stem Cells 2020; 12:87-99. [PMID: 32110277 PMCID: PMC7031759 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v12.i1.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor that seriously threatens women’s health. Breast cancer stem cell (CSC)-like cell population may be the main factor for breast cancer metastasis. Therefore, targeted therapy for CSCs has great potential significance. Hypoxia-inducible factor is a transcription factor widely expressed in tumors. Studies have shown that down-regulation of the hypoxia signaling pathway inhibits tumor stem cell self-renewal and increases the sensitivity of stem cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α). However, the specific mechanism remains unclear and further research is necessary.
AIM To investigate the effect of HIF-2α down-regulation on stem cell markers, microsphere formation, and apoptosis in breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 under hypoxia and its possible mechanism.
METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of HIF-2α and CD44 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-TNBC tissues. Double-labeling immunofluorescence was applied to detect the co-expression of HIF-2α and CD44 in MDA-MB-231 cells and MCF-7 cells. HIF-2α was silenced by RNA interference, and the expression of CD44 and transfection efficiency were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Further, flow cytometry, TdT-mediated X-dUTP nick end labeling, and mammosphere formation assays were used to evaluate the effect of HIF-2α on CSCs and apoptosis. The possible mechanisms were analyzed by Western blot.
RESULTS The results of immunohistochemistry showed that HIF-2α was highly expressed in both TNBC and non-TNBC, while the expression of CD44 in different molecular types of breast cancer cells was different. In in vitro experiments, it was found that HIF-2α and CD44 were expressed almost in the same cell. Compared with hypoxia + negative-sequence control, HIF-2α small interfering ribonucleic acid transfection can lower the expression of HIF-2α and CD44 mRNA(P < 0.05), increase the percentage of apoptotic cells (P < 0.05), and resulted in a reduction of CD44+/CD24− population (P < 0.05) and mammosphere formation (P < 0.05) in hypoxic MDA-MB-231 cells. Western blot analysis revealed that phosphorylated protein-serine-threonine kinase (p-AKT) and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) levels in MDA-MB-231 decreased significantly after HIF-2α silencing (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION Down-regulation of HIF-2α expression can inhibit the stemness of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and promote apoptosis, and its mechanism may be related to the CD44/phosphoinosmde-3-kinase/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Bai
- Thyroid and Breast Deptartment III, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061001, Hebei Province, China
| | - Wei-Bin Chen
- Department of Radiology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan 063000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhang
- Thyroid and Breast Deptartment III, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061001, Hebei Province, China
| | - Xiao-Ning Kang
- Department of Second Ultrasound, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061001, Hebei Province, China
| | - Li-Jun Jin
- Thyroid and Breast Deptartment III, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061001, Hebei Province, China
| | | | - Zun-Yi Wang
- Thyroid and Breast Deptartment III, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061001, Hebei Province, China
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Alferez DG, Simões BM, Howell SJ, Clarke RB. The Role of Steroid Hormones in Breast and Effects on Cancer Stem Cells. CURRENT STEM CELL REPORTS 2018; 4:81-94. [PMID: 29600163 PMCID: PMC5866269 DOI: 10.1007/s40778-018-0114-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review This review will discuss how the steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone, as well as treatments that target steroid receptors, can regulate cancer stem cell (CSC) activity. The CSC theory proposes a hierarchical organization in tumors where at its apex lies a subpopulation of cancer cells endowed with self-renewal and differentiation capacity. Recent Findings In breast cancer (BC), CSCs have been suggested to play a key role in tumor maintenance, disease progression, and the formation of metastases. In preclinical models of BC, only a few CSCs are required sustain tumor re-growth, especially after conventional anti-endocrine treatments. CSCs include therapy-resistant clones that survive standard of care treatments like chemotherapy, irradiation, and hormonal therapy. Summary The relevance of hormones for both normal mammary gland and BC development is well described, but it was only recently that the activities of hormones on CSCs have been investigated, opening new directions for future BC treatments and CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis G. Alferez
- Breast Biology Group, Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ UK
| | - Bruno M. Simões
- Breast Biology Group, Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ UK
| | - Sacha J. Howell
- Breast Biology Group, Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ UK
- Department of Medical Oncology, The University of Manchester, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, M20 4BX UK
| | - Robert B. Clarke
- Breast Biology Group, Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ UK
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Das M, Renganathan A, Dighe SN, Bhaduri U, Shettar A, Mukherjee G, Kondaiah P, Satyanarayana Rao MR. DDX5/p68 associated lncRNA LOC284454 is differentially expressed in human cancers and modulates gene expression. RNA Biol 2018; 15:214-230. [PMID: 29227193 PMCID: PMC5798960 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2017.1397261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important players in regulation of gene expression in higher eukaryotes. DDX5/p68 RNA helicase protein which is involved in splicing of precursor mRNAs also interacts with lncRNAs like, SRA and mrhl, to modulate gene expression. We performed RIP-seq analysis in HEK293T cells to identify the complete repertoire of DDX5/p68 interacting transcripts including 73 single exonic (SE) lncRNAs. The LOC284454 lncRNA is the second top hit of the list of SE lncRNAs which we have characterized in detail for its molecular features and cellular functions. The RNA is located in the same primary transcript harboring miR-23a∼27a∼24-2 cluster. LOC284454 is a stable, nuclear restricted and chromatin associated lncRNA. The sequence is conserved only in primates among 26 different species and is expressed in multiple human tissues. Expression of LOC284454 is significantly reduced in breast, prostate, uterus and kidney cancer and also in breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and T47D). Global gene expression studies upon loss and gain of function of LOC284454 revealed perturbation of genes related to cancer-related pathways. Focal adhesion and cell migration pathway genes are downregulated under overexpression condition, and these genes are significantly upregulated in breast cancer cell lines as well as breast cancer tissue samples suggesting a functional role of LOC284454 lncRNA in breast cancer pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monalisa Das
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advance Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Arun Renganathan
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advance Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Shrinivas Nivrutti Dighe
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advance Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Utsa Bhaduri
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advance Scientific Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Abhijith Shettar
- Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Paturu Kondaiah
- Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Liang Y, Goyette S, Hyder SM. Cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor RO 48-8071 reduces progesterone receptor expression and inhibits progestin-dependent stem cell-like cell growth in hormone-dependent human breast cancer cells. BREAST CANCER-TARGETS AND THERAPY 2017; 9:487-494. [PMID: 28744156 PMCID: PMC5511027 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s140265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Clinical trials and studies have shown that postmenopausal women undergoing combination hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen and progestin have an increased risk of breast cancer compared with women taking estrogen or placebo alone. Using animal models, we have previously shown that synthetic progestins, including medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), which is widely used clinically, accelerate breast cancer tumor growth and promote metastasis. Furthermore, we have found that MPA elevates CD44 protein expression and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, two markers of cancer stem cells (CSCs), and increases mammosphere formation, another hallmark of stem cells, in hormone-dependent T47-D human breast cancer cells. Herein, we show that RO 48-8071 (RO), an inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis, reduced MPA-induced CD44 protein expression in two hormone-dependent human breast cancer cell lines, T47-D and BT-474. Because we have previously shown that MPA induction of CD44 is progesterone receptor (PR) dependent, we examined RO’s effects on PR protein and mRNA expressions in T47-D cells. PR mRNA levels remained unchanged after RO treatment; however, RO significantly reduced the protein expression of both PR receptor isoforms, PR-A and PR-B. Using the proteasome inhibitor MG-132, we demonstrated that RO decreases PR protein expression in T47-D cells via the proteasomal degradation pathway. Importantly, treatment of T47-D cells with RO abolished MPA-induced mammosphere formation. Based on our observations, we contend that RO may represent a novel means of preventing MPA-induced CSC expansion. RO could be used clinically to both treat and prevent hormone-dependent breast cancers, which represent the majority of human breast cancers. RO may also have clinical utility in reducing resistance to antihormone therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayun Liang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences.,Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Sandy Goyette
- Department of Biomedical Sciences.,Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Salman M Hyder
- Department of Biomedical Sciences.,Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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