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Baldini E, Cardarelli S, Campese AF, Lori E, Fallahi P, Virili C, Forte F, Pironi D, Di Matteo FM, Palumbo P, Costanzo ML, D’Andrea V, Centanni M, Sorrenti S, Antonelli A, Ulisse S. Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effects of Harmine on Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1121. [PMID: 38256193 PMCID: PMC10816100 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an extremely difficult disease to tackle, with an overall patient survival of only a few months. The currently used therapeutic drugs, such as kinase inhibitors or immune checkpoint inhibitors, can prolong patient survival but fail to eradicate the tumor. In addition, the onset of drug resistance and adverse side-effects over time drastically reduce the chances of treatment. We recently showed that Twist1, a transcription factor involved in the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), was strongly upregulated in ATC, and we wondered whether it might represent a therapeutic target in ATC patients. To investigate this hypothesis, the effects of harmine, a β-carboline alkaloid shown to induce degradation of the Twist1 protein and to possess antitumoral activity in different cancer types, were evaluated on two ATC-derived cell lines, BHT-101 and CAL-62. The results obtained demonstrated that, in both cell lines, harmine reduced the level of Twist1 protein and reverted the EMT, as suggested by the augmentation of E-cadherin and decrease in fibronectin expression. The drug also inhibited cell proliferation and migration in a dose-dependent manner and significantly reduced the anchorage-independent growth of both ATC cell lines. Harmine was also capable of inducing apoptosis in BHT-101 cells, but not in CAL-62 ones. Finally, the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling, but not that of the MAPK, was drastically reduced in treated cells. Overall, these in vitro data suggest that harmine could represent a new therapeutic option for ATC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enke Baldini
- Department of Surgery, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (S.C.); (E.L.); (D.P.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Silvia Cardarelli
- Department of Surgery, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (S.C.); (E.L.); (D.P.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | | | - Eleonora Lori
- Department of Surgery, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (S.C.); (E.L.); (D.P.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Camilla Virili
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy; (C.V.); (M.C.)
| | - Flavio Forte
- Department of Urology, M.G. Vannini Hospital, 00177 Rome, Italy;
| | - Daniele Pironi
- Department of Surgery, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (S.C.); (E.L.); (D.P.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Filippo Maria Di Matteo
- Department of Surgery, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (S.C.); (E.L.); (D.P.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Piergaspare Palumbo
- Department of Surgery, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (S.C.); (E.L.); (D.P.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Maria Ludovica Costanzo
- Department of Surgery, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (S.C.); (E.L.); (D.P.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Vito D’Andrea
- Department of Surgery, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (S.C.); (E.L.); (D.P.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Marco Centanni
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy; (C.V.); (M.C.)
| | - Salvatore Sorrenti
- Department of Surgery, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (S.C.); (E.L.); (D.P.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and of Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Ulisse
- Department of Surgery, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (S.C.); (E.L.); (D.P.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
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Gao X, Yang C, Li H, Shao L, Wang M, Su R. EMT-related gene risk model establishment for prognosis and drug treatment efficiency prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20380. [PMID: 37990105 PMCID: PMC10663558 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47886-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the prognosis and pharmacological therapy sensitivity of epithelial mesenchymal transition-related genes (EMTRGs) that obtained from the EMTome database in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using bioinformatical method. The expression status of EMTRGs were also investigated using the clinical information of HCC patients supported by TCGA database and the ICGC database to establish the TCGA cohort as the training set and the ICGC cohort as the validation set. Analyze the EMTRGs between HCC tissue and liver tissue in the TCGA cohort in the order of univariate COX regression, LASSO regression, and multivariate COX regression, and construct a risk model for EMTRGs. In addition, enrichment pathways, gene mutation status, immune infiltration, and response to drugs were also analyzed in the high-risk and low-risk groups of the TCGA cohort, and the protein expression status of EMTRGs was verified. The results showed a total of 286 differentially expressed EMTRGs in the TCGA cohort, and EZH2, S100A9, TNFRSF11B, SPINK5, and CCL21 were used for modeling. The TCGA cohort was found to have a worse outcome in the high-risk group of HCC patients, and the ICGC cohort confirmed this finding. In addition, EMTRGs risk score was shown to be an independent prognostic factor in both cohorts by univariate and multivariate COX regression. The results of GSEA analysis showed that most of the enriched pathways in the high-risk group were associated with tumor, and the pathways enriched in the low-risk group were mainly associated with metabolism. Patients in various risk groups had varying immunological conditions, and the high-risk group might benefit more from targeted treatments. To sum up, the EMTRGs risk model was developed to forecast the prognosis for HCC patients, and the model might be useful in assisting in the choice of treatment drugs for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaqing Gao
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunting Yang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
- Department of Geriatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Herbs and Prescription Innovation and Transformation of Gansu Province and Gansu Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine New Product Innovation Engineering Laboratory, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailong Li
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Geriatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Herbs and Prescription Innovation and Transformation of Gansu Province and Gansu Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine New Product Innovation Engineering Laboratory, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Dunhuang Medicine and Transformation, Ministry of Education, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lihua Shao
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
- Department of Geriatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Dunhuang Medicine and Transformation, Ministry of Education, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
- Department of Geriatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Herbs and Prescription Innovation and Transformation of Gansu Province and Gansu Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine New Product Innovation Engineering Laboratory, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Su
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
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Burger GA, Nesenberend DN, Lems CM, Hille SC, Beltman JB. Bidirectional crosstalk between epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and IFN γ-induced PD-L1 expression promotes tumour progression. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220186. [PMID: 36397970 PMCID: PMC9626257 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immunoevasion through upregulation of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) are important drivers of cancer progression. While EMT has been proposed to facilitate PD-L1-mediated immunosuppression, molecular mechanisms of their interaction remain obscure. Here, we provide insight into these mechanisms by proposing a mathematical model that describes the crosstalk between EMT and interferon gamma (IFNγ)-induced PD-L1 expression. Our model shows that via interaction with microRNA-200 (miR-200), the multi-stability of the EMT regulatory circuit is mirrored in PD-L1 levels, which are further amplified by IFNγ stimulation. This IFNγ-mediated effect is most prominent for cells in a fully mesenchymal state and less strong for those in an epithelial or partially mesenchymal state. In addition, bidirectional crosstalk between miR-200 and PD-L1 implies that IFNγ stimulation allows cells to undergo EMT for lower amounts of inducing signal, and the presence of IFNγ accelerates EMT and decelerates mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Overall, our model agrees with published findings and provides insight into possible mechanisms behind EMT-mediated immune evasion, and primary, adaptive, or acquired resistance to immunotherapy. Our model can be used as a starting point to explore additional crosstalk mechanisms, as an improved understanding of these mechanisms is indispensable for developing better diagnostic and therapeutic options for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard A. Burger
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daphne N. Nesenberend
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Mathematical Institute, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn M. Lems
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sander C. Hille
- Mathematical Institute, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Joost B. Beltman
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Duan X, Luo M, Li J, Shen Z, Xie K. Overcoming therapeutic resistance to platinum-based drugs by targeting Epithelial–Mesenchymal transition. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1008027. [PMID: 36313710 PMCID: PMC9614084 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1008027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Platinum-based drugs (PBDs), including cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin, have been widely used in clinical practice as mainstay treatments for various types of cancer. Although there is firm evidence of notable achievements with PBDs in the management of cancers, the acquisition of resistance to these agents is still a major challenge to efforts at cure. The introduction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) concept, a critical process during embryonic morphogenesis and carcinoma progression, has offered a mechanistic explanation for the phenotypic switch of cancer cells upon PBD exposure. Accumulating evidence has suggested that carcinoma cells can enter a resistant state via induction of the EMT. In this review, we discussed the underlying mechanism of PBD-induced EMT and the current understanding of its role in cancer drug resistance, with emphasis on how this novel knowledge can be exploited to overcome PBD resistance via EMT-targeted compounds, especially those under clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xirui Duan
- Department of Oncology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Maochao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Li
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhisen Shen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- *Correspondence: Ke Xie, ; Zhisen Shen,
| | - Ke Xie
- Department of Oncology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Ke Xie, ; Zhisen Shen,
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5
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A complex epigenome-splicing crosstalk governs epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in metastasis and brain development. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:1265-1277. [PMID: 35941369 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00971-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) renders epithelial cells migratory properties. While epigenetic and splicing changes have been implicated in EMT, the mechanisms governing their crosstalk remain poorly understood. Here we discovered that a C2H2 zinc finger protein, ZNF827, is strongly induced during various contexts of EMT, including in brain development and breast cancer metastasis, and is required for the molecular and phenotypic changes underlying EMT in these processes. Mechanistically, ZNF827 mediated these responses by orchestrating a large-scale remodelling of the splicing landscape by recruiting HDAC1 for epigenetic modulation of distinct genomic loci, thereby slowing RNA polymerase II progression and altering the splicing of genes encoding key EMT regulators in cis. Our findings reveal an unprecedented complexity of crosstalk between epigenetic landscape and splicing programme in governing EMT and identify ZNF827 as a master regulator coupling these processes during EMT in brain development and breast cancer metastasis.
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Wozniakova M, Skarda J, Raska M. The Role of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Response in Colorectal Cancer Development and Prognosis. Pathol Oncol Res 2022; 28:1610502. [PMID: 35936516 PMCID: PMC9350736 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2022.1610502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The patient’s prognosis largely depends on the tumor stage at diagnosis. The pathological TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors (pTNM) staging of surgically resected cancers represents the main prognostic factor and guidance for decision-making in CRC patients. However, this approach alone is insufficient as a prognostic predictor because clinical outcomes in patients at the same histological tumor stage can still differ. Recently, significant progress in the treatment of CRC has been made due to improvements in both chemotherapy and surgical management. Immunotherapy-based approaches are one of the most rapidly developing areas of tumor therapy. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the tumor microenvironment (TME), immune response and its interactions with CRC development, immunotherapy and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Wozniakova
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Genetics, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Maria Wozniakova,
| | - Jozef Skarda
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Genetics, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Milan Raska
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
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Mendik P, Kerestély M, Kamp S, Deritei D, Kunšič N, Vassy Z, Csermely P, Veres DV. Translocating proteins compartment-specifically alter the fate of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in a compartmentalized Boolean network model. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2022; 8:19. [PMID: 35680961 PMCID: PMC9184490 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-022-00228-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of translocating proteins is crucial in defining cellular behaviour. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is important in cellular processes, such as cancer progression. Several orchestrators of EMT, such as key transcription factors, are known to translocate. We show that translocating proteins become enriched in EMT-signalling. To simulate the compartment-specific functions of translocating proteins we created a compartmentalized Boolean network model. This model successfully reproduced known biological traits of EMT and as a novel feature it also captured organelle-specific functions of proteins. Our results predicted that glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3B) compartment-specifically alters the fate of EMT, amongst others the activation of nuclear GSK3B halts transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFB) induced EMT. Moreover, our results recapitulated that the nuclear activation of glioma associated oncogene transcription factors (GLI) is needed to achieve a complete EMT. Compartmentalized network models will be useful to uncover novel control mechanisms of biological processes. Our algorithmic procedures can be automatically rerun on the https://translocaboole.linkgroup.hu website, which provides a framework for similar future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Péter Mendik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márk Kerestély
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Dávid Deritei
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nina Kunšič
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Vassy
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Csermely
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Daniel V Veres
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. .,Turbine Ltd, Budapest, Hungary.
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Sundararajan V, Burk UC, Bajdak-Rusinek K. Revisiting the miR-200 Family: A Clan of Five Siblings with Essential Roles in Development and Disease. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060781. [PMID: 35740906 PMCID: PMC9221129 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Over two decades of studies on small noncoding RNA molecules illustrate the significance of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in controlling multiple physiological and pathological functions through post-transcriptional and spatiotemporal gene expression. Among the plethora of miRs that are essential during animal embryonic development, in this review, we elaborate the indispensable role of the miR-200 family (comprising miR-200a, -200b, 200c, -141, and -429) in governing the cellular functions associated with epithelial homeostasis, such as epithelial differentiation and neurogenesis. Additionally, in pathological contexts, miR-200 family members are primarily involved in tumor-suppressive roles, including the reversal of the cancer-associated epithelial–mesenchymal transition dedifferentiation process, and are dysregulated during organ fibrosis. Moreover, recent eminent studies have elucidated the crucial roles of miR-200s in the pathophysiology of multiple neurodegenerative diseases and tissue fibrosis. Lastly, we summarize the key studies that have recognized the potential use of miR-200 members as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers, elaborating the application of these small biomolecules in aiding early cancer detection and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Sundararajan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Center for Translational Medicine, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
| | - Ulrike C. Burk
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Karolina Bajdak-Rusinek
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-32-208-8382
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Gasior K, Hauck M, Bhattacharya S. Modeling the influence of cell-cell contact and TGF-β signaling on the epithelial mesenchymal transition in MCF7 breast carcinoma cells. J Theor Biol 2022; 546:111160. [PMID: 35594913 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which cells lose their adhesive nature and gain the migratory properties associated with mesenchymal cells. This transition allows cells to migrate away from a primary tumor while maintaining their newly acquired invasive behavior, suggesting that there is a bistable switch between the epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes. In recent experimental work, we found evidence of this bistability in the MCF7 breast carcinoma cell line (Gasior et al., 2019). Underlying the complex processes governing EMT, we identify a feedback loop between E-cadherin, a protein involved in cellular adhesion, and Slug, a transcription factor that is upregulated during EMT. Here, we present a simple mathematical model that examines the relationship between E-cadherin and Slug in response to pro-epithelial and pro-mesenchymal factors, cell-cell contact and TGF-β, respectively. We hypothesize that cell-cell contact is a critical component in the transition from the epithelial to the mesenchymal phenotype and that it is possible to initiate EMT with the loss of cell-cell contact or the activation of the TGF-β signaling pathway. We propose a reversible bistable switch in response to a loss of cell-cell contact but an irreversible bistable switch when the cell is exposed to TGF-β. Taken together, this model shows that acquiring and retaining invasive behavior by cells with high levels of cell-cell contact is not impossible but, instead, depends on the cooperation between the two switches. The predictions of this model for E-cadherin and Slug levels were compared against relative gene expression data from our recent experiments with MCF7 cells (Gasior et al., 2019). Our model works well to predict E-cadherin and Slug mRNA expression in low confluence experiments, while also highlighting issues that arise when comparing in vitro experimental results to theoretical predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Gasior
- Department of Mathematics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Marlene Hauck
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Sudin Bhattacharya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Center for Research on Ingredient Safety, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity: why so many regulators? Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:182. [PMID: 35278142 PMCID: PMC8918127 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04199-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic transition between epithelial-like and mesenchymal-like cell states has been a focus for extensive investigation for decades, reflective of the importance of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) through development, in the adult, and the contributing role EMT has to pathologies including metastasis and fibrosis. Not surprisingly, regulation of the complex genetic networks that underlie EMT have been attributed to multiple transcription factors and microRNAs. What is surprising, however, are the sheer number of different regulators (hundreds of transcription factors and microRNAs) for which critical roles have been described. This review seeks not to collate these studies, but to provide a perspective on the fundamental question of whether it is really feasible that so many regulators play important roles and if so, what does this tell us about EMT and more generally, the genetic machinery that controls complex biological processes.
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Particulate Matter (PM 10) Promotes Cell Invasion through Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) by TGF-β Activation in A549 Lung Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312632. [PMID: 34884446 PMCID: PMC8657922 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Air pollution presents a major environmental problem, inducing harmful effects on human health. Particulate matter of 10 μm or less in diameter (PM10) is considered an important risk factor in lung carcinogenesis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a regulatory program capable of inducing invasion and metastasis in cancer. In this study, we demonstrated that PM10 treatment induced phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 and upregulation of SMAD4. We also reported that PM10 increased the expression and protein levels of TGFB1 (TGF-β), as well as EMT markers SNAI1 (Snail), SNAI2 (Slug), ZEB1 (ZEB1), CDH2 (N-cadherin), ACTA2 (α-SMA), and VIM (vimentin) in the lung A549 cell line. Cell exposed to PM10 also showed a decrease in the expression of CDH1 (E-cadherin). We also demonstrated that expression levels of these EMT markers were reduced when cells are transfected with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against TGFB1. Interestingly, phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 and upregulation of SMAD induced by PM10 were not affected by transfection of TGFB1 siRNAs. Finally, cells treated with PM10 exhibited an increase in the capacity of invasiveness because of EMT induction. Our results provide new evidence regarding the effect of PM10 in EMT and the acquisition of an invasive phenotype, a hallmark necessary for lung cancer progression.
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Mnt Represses Epithelial Identity To Promote Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. Mol Cell Biol 2021; 41:e0018321. [PMID: 34460331 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00183-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The multistep process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereby static epithelial cells become migratory mesenchymal cells, plays a critical role during various developmental contexts, wound healing, and pathological conditions such as cancer metastasis. Despite the established function of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs) in cell fate determination, only a few have been examined for their role in EMT. Here, using transcriptome analysis of distinct stages during stepwise progression of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)-induced EMT in mammary epithelial cells, we revealed distinct categories of bHLH TFs that show differential expression kinetics during EMT. Using a short interfering RNA-mediated functional screen for bHLH TFs during EMT, we found Max network transcription repressor (MNT) to be essential for EMT in mammary epithelial cells. We show that the depletion of MNT blocks TGFβ-induced morphological changes during EMT, and this is accompanied by derepression of a large number of epithelial genes. We show that MNT mediates the repression of epithelial identity genes during EMT by recruiting HDAC1 and mediating the loss of H3K27ac and chromatin accessibility. Lastly, we show that MNT is expressed at higher levels in EMT-High breast cancer cells and is required for their migration. Taken together, these findings establish MNT as a critical regulator of cell fate changes during mammary EMT. IMPORTANCE The bHLH TF Mnt promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition through epigenetic repression of the epithelial gene expression program.
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Baldini E, Tuccilli C, Pironi D, Catania A, Tartaglia F, Di Matteo FM, Palumbo P, Arcieri S, Mascagni D, Palazzini G, Tripodi D, Maturo A, Vergine M, Tarroni D, Lori E, Ferent IC, De Vito C, Fallahi P, Antonelli A, Censi S, D’Armiento M, Barollo S, Mian C, Morrone A, D’Andrea V, Sorrenti S, Ulisse S. Expression and Clinical Utility of Transcription Factors Involved in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition during Thyroid Cancer Progression. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10184076. [PMID: 34575184 PMCID: PMC8469282 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10184076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factors involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT-TFs) silence the genes expressed in epithelial cells (e.g., E-cadherin) while inducing those typical of mesenchymal cells (e.g., vimentin). The core set of EMT-TFs comprises Zeb1, Zeb2, Snail1, Snail2, and Twist1. To date, information concerning their expression profile and clinical utility during thyroid cancer (TC) progression is still incomplete. We evaluated the EMT-TF, E-cadherin, and vimentin mRNA levels in 95 papillary TC (PTC) and 12 anaplastic TC (ATC) tissues and correlated them with patients’ clinicopathological parameters. Afterwards, we corroborated our findings by analyzing the data provided by a case study of the TGCA network. Compared with normal tissues, the expression of E-cadherin was found reduced in PTC and more strongly in ATC, while the vimentin expression did not vary. Among the EMT-TFs analyzed, Twist1 seems to exert a prominent role in EMT, being significantly associated with a number of PTC high-risk clinicopathological features and upregulated in ATC. Nonetheless, in the multivariate analysis, none of the EMT-TFs displayed a prognostic value. These data suggest that TC progression is characterized by an incomplete EMT and that Twist1 may represent a valuable therapeutic target warranting further investigation for the treatment of more aggressive thyroid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enke Baldini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Chiara Tuccilli
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Daniele Pironi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Antonio Catania
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Francesco Tartaglia
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Filippo Maria Di Matteo
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Piergaspare Palumbo
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Stefano Arcieri
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Domenico Mascagni
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Giorgio Palazzini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Domenico Tripodi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Alessandro Maturo
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Massimo Vergine
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Danilo Tarroni
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Eleonora Lori
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Iulia Catalina Ferent
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Corrado De Vito
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.F.); (A.A.)
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.F.); (A.A.)
| | - Simona Censi
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (S.C.); (S.B.); (C.M.)
| | - Matteo D’Armiento
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (M.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Susy Barollo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (S.C.); (S.B.); (C.M.)
| | - Caterina Mian
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (S.C.); (S.B.); (C.M.)
| | - Aldo Morrone
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (M.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Vito D’Andrea
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Salvatore Sorrenti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Salvatore Ulisse
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (C.T.); (D.P.); (A.C.); (F.T.); (F.M.D.M.); (P.P.); (S.A.); (D.M.); (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.M.); (M.V.); (D.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Peng Y, Yang H, Li S. The role of glycometabolic plasticity in cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2021; 226:153595. [PMID: 34481210 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2021.153595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated glycometabolism represented by the Warburg effect is well recognized as a hallmark of cancer that can be driven by oncogenes (e.g., c-Myc, K-ras, and BRAF) and contribute to cellular malignant transformation. The Warburg effect reveals the different glycometabolic patterns of cancer cells, but this unique glycometabolic pattern has the characteristic of plasticity rather than changeless which can vary with different internal or external stimuli during evolution. Glycometabolic plasticity enables cancer cells to modulate glycometabolism to support progression, metastasis, treatment resistance and recurrence. In this review, we report the characteristics of glycometabolic plasticity during different stages of cancer evolution, providing insight into the molecular mechanisms of glycometabolic plasticity in cancer. In addition, we discussed the challenges and future research directions of glycometabolism research in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Peng
- Multidisciplinary Center for Pituitary Adenomas of Chongqing, Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Multidisciplinary Center for Pituitary Adenomas of Chongqing, Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Song Li
- Multidisciplinary Center for Pituitary Adenomas of Chongqing, Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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15
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Partial EMT in head and neck cancer biology: a spectrum instead of a switch. Oncogene 2021; 40:5049-5065. [PMID: 34239045 PMCID: PMC8934590 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01868-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has slowly evolved from a simple two state, binary model to a multi-step, dynamic continuum of epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity, with metastable intermediate transition states that may drive cancer metastasis. Head and neck cancer is no exception, and in this review, we use head and neck as a case study for how partial-EMT (p-EMT) cell states may play an important role in cancer progression. In particular, we summarize recent in vitro and in vivo studies that uncover these intermediate transition states, which exhibit both epithelial and mesenchymal properties and appear to have distinct advantages in migration, survival in the bloodstream, and seeding and propagation within secondary metastatic sites. We then summarize the common and distinct regulators of p-EMT as well as methodologies for identifying this unique cellular subpopulation, with a specific emphasis on the role of cutting-edge technologies, such as single cell approaches. Finally, we propose strategies to target p-EMT cells, highlighting potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention to specifically target the process of metastasis. Thus, although significant challenges remain, including numerous gaps in current knowledge, a deeper understanding of EMT plasticity and a genuine identification of EMT as spectrum rather than a switch will be critical for improving patient diagnosis and treatment across oncology.
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Liao C, Wang Q, An J, Long Q, Wang H, Xiang M, Xiang M, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Liu J, Guan X. Partial EMT in Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Snapshot. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3036-3047. [PMID: 34421348 PMCID: PMC8375241 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.61566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the process of cancer EMT, some subgroups of cancer cells simultaneously exhibit both mesenchymal and epithelial characteristics, a phenomenon termed partial EMT (pEMT). pEMT is a plastic state in which cells coexpress epithelial and mesenchymal markers. In squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), pEMT is regulated, and the phenotype is maintained via the HIPPO pathway, NOTCH pathway and TGF-β pathways and by microRNAs, lncRNAs and the cancer microenvironment (CME); thus, SCC exhibits aggressive tumorigenic properties and high stemness, which leads collective migration and therapy resistance. Few studies have reported therapeutic interventions to address cells that have undergone pEMT, and this approach may be an effective way to inhibit the plasticity, drug resistance and metastatic potential of SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Liao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
- Microbial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, Life Sciences Institute, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Jiaxing An
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Qian Long
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Meiling Xiang
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Mingli Xiang
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Yulin Liu
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Jianguo Liu
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Xiaoyan Guan
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
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Govindaraj V, Kar S. Role of microRNAs in oncogenesis: Insights from computational and systems‐level modeling approaches. COMPUTATIONAL AND SYSTEMS ONCOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cso2.1028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandip Kar
- Department of Chemistry IIT Bombay Mumbai India
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18
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Katebi A, Ramirez D, Lu M. Computational systems-biology approaches for modeling gene networks driving epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. COMPUTATIONAL AND SYSTEMS ONCOLOGY 2021; 1:e1021. [PMID: 34164628 PMCID: PMC8219219 DOI: 10.1002/cso2.1021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important biological process through which epithelial cells undergo phenotypic transitions to mesenchymal cells by losing cell-cell adhesion and gaining migratory properties that cells use in embryogenesis, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. An important research topic is to identify the underlying gene regulatory networks (GRNs) governing the decision making of EMT and develop predictive models based on the GRNs. The advent of recent genomic technology, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, has opened new opportunities to improve our understanding about the dynamical controls of EMT. In this article, we review three major types of computational and mathematical approaches and methods for inferring and modeling GRNs driving EMT. We emphasize (1) the bottom-up approaches, where GRNs are constructed through literature search; (2) the top-down approaches, where GRNs are derived from genome-wide sequencing data; (3) the combined top-down and bottom-up approaches, where EMT GRNs are constructed and simulated by integrating bioinformatics and mathematical modeling. We discuss the methodologies and applications of each approach and the available resources for these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ataur Katebi
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel Ramirez
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Mingyang Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Park JH, Kundu A, Lee SH, Jiang C, Lee SH, Kim YS, Kyung SY, Park SH, Kim HS. Specific Pyruvate Kinase M2 Inhibitor, Compound 3K, Induces Autophagic Cell Death through Disruption of the Glycolysis Pathway in Ovarian Cancer Cells. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:1895-1908. [PMID: 34131394 PMCID: PMC8193271 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.59855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a common cause of death among gynecological cancers. Although ovarian cancer initially responds to chemotherapy, frequent recurrence in patients remains a therapeutic challenge. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) plays a pivotal role in regulating cancer cell survival. However, its therapeutic role remains unclear. Here, we investigated the anticancer effects of compound 3K, a specific PKM2 inhibitor, on the regulation of autophagic and apoptotic pathways in SK-OV-3 (PKM2-overexpressing human ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line). The anticancer effect of compound 3K was examined using MTT and colony formation assays in SK-OV-3 cells. PKM2 expression was positively correlated with the severity of the tumor, and expression of pro-apoptotic proteins increased in SK-OV-3 cells following compound 3K treatment. Compound 3K induced AMPK activation, which was accompanied by mTOR inhibition. Additionally, this compound inhibited glycolysis, resulting in reduced proliferation of SK-OV-3 cells. Compound 3K treatment suppressed tumor progression in an in vivo xenograft model. Our findings suggest that the inhibition of PKM2 by compound 3K affected the Warburg effect and induced autophagic cell death. Therefore, use of specific PKM2 inhibitors to block the glycolytic pathway and target cancer cell metabolism represents a promising therapeutic approach for treating PKM2-overexpressing ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hyeon Park
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Amit Kundu
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Hyun Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - ChunXue Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Song Hee Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Seul Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - So Young Kyung
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - So Hyun Park
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Sik Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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20
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Liu QL, Luo M, Huang C, Chen HN, Zhou ZG. Epigenetic Regulation of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in the Cancer Metastatic Cascade: Implications for Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:657546. [PMID: 33996581 PMCID: PMC8117142 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.657546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the end stage of cancer progression and the direct cause of most cancer-related deaths. The spreading of cancer cells from the primary site to distant organs is a multistep process known as the metastatic cascade, including local invasion, intravasation, survival in the circulation, extravasation, and colonization. Each of these steps is driven by the acquisition of genetic and/or epigenetic alterations within cancer cells, leading to subsequent transformation of metastatic cells. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a cellular process mediating the conversion of cell from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype, and its reverse transformation, termed mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET), together endow metastatic cells with traits needed to generate overt metastases in different scenarios. The dynamic shift between these two phenotypes and their transitional state, termed partial EMT, emphasizes the plasticity of EMT. Recent advances attributed this plasticity to epigenetic regulation, which has implications for the therapeutic targeting of cancer metastasis. In this review, we will discuss the association between epigenetic events and the multifaceted nature of EMT, which may provide insights into the steps of the cancer metastatic cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Luo Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Maochao Luo
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Canhua Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Hai-Ning Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Zong-Guang Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
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21
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Jia D, Park JH, Kaur H, Jung KH, Yang S, Tripathi S, Galbraith M, Deng Y, Jolly MK, Kaipparettu BA, Onuchic JN, Levine H. Towards decoding the coupled decision-making of metabolism and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:1902-1911. [PMID: 33859341 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01385-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells have the plasticity to adjust their metabolic phenotypes for survival and metastasis. A developmental programme known as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role during metastasis, promoting the loss of polarity and cell-cell adhesion and the acquisition of motile, stem-cell characteristics. Cells undergoing EMT or the reverse mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) are often associated with metabolic changes, as the change in phenotype often correlates with a different balance of proliferation versus energy-intensive migration. Extensive crosstalk occurs between metabolism and EMT, but how this crosstalk leads to coordinated physiological changes is still uncertain. The elusive connection between metabolism and EMT compromises the efficacy of metabolic therapies targeting metastasis. In this review, we aim to clarify the causation between metabolism and EMT on the basis of experimental studies, and propose integrated theoretical-experimental efforts to better understand the coupled decision-making of metabolism and EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongya Jia
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Jun Hyoung Park
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Harsimran Kaur
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Kwang Hwa Jung
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sukjin Yang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shubham Tripathi
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.,PhD Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Theoretical Biological Physics and Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Madeline Galbraith
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Youyuan Deng
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.,Applied Physics Graduate Program, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Benny Abraham Kaipparettu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - José N Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics and Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
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22
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Abstract
As our understanding of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) increases, the original binary concept of E versus M no longer fits with experimental evidence. Re-definition of the EMT paradigm as spectral transitions between a full epithelium and a full mesenchyme suggests the existence of a virtual infinity of intermediate cellular states. The new challenge is to develop technical tools needed to contextualize each of these states and identify biologically significant cellular mechanisms that could be targeted in combatting EMT-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiane Hamidi
- International Research Centre for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nagai
- International Research Centre for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Guojun Sheng
- International Research Centre for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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23
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Lotsberg ML, Rayford A, Thiery JP, Belleggia G, D'Mello Peters S, Lorens JB, Chouaib S, Terry S, Engelsen AST. Decoding cancer's camouflage: epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2020; 3:832-853. [PMID: 35582229 PMCID: PMC8992561 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2020.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) of cancer cells contributes to cancer cell heterogeneity, and it is well established that EMP is a critical determinant of acquired resistance to cancer treatment modalities including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Here, we aimed to explore how EMP contributes to cancer cell camouflage, allowing an ever-changing population of cancer cells to pass under the radar of our immune system and consequently compromise the effect of immune checkpoint blockade therapies. The ultimate clinical benefit of any combination regimen is evidenced by the sum of the drug-induced alterations observed in the variety of cellular populations composing the tumor immune microenvironment. The finely-tuned molecular crosstalk between cancer and immune cells remains to be fully elucidated, particularly for the spectrum of malignant cells along the epithelial to mesenchymal axis. High-dimensional single cell analyses of specimens collected in ongoing clinical studies is becoming a key contributor to our understanding of these interactions. This review will explore to what extent targeting EMP in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition represents a promising therapeutic avenue within the overarching strategy to reactivate a halting cancer-immunity cycle and establish a robust host immune response against cancer cells. Therapeutic strategies currently in clinical development will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Lotsberg
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen 5009, Norway.,Equal contribution
| | - Austin Rayford
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen 5009, Norway.,BerGenBio ASA, Jonas Lies vei 91, Bergen 5009, Norway.,Equal contribution
| | - Jean Paul Thiery
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen 5009, Norway.,INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif 94805, France.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, A-STAR, Singapore, Singapore 138673, Singapore.,Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health, Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Giuliana Belleggia
- School of Medicine, Clinical Skills Assessment Program, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Stacey D'Mello Peters
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen 5009, Norway
| | - James B Lorens
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen 5009, Norway.,BerGenBio ASA, Jonas Lies vei 91, Bergen 5009, Norway
| | - Salem Chouaib
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif 94805, France.,Thumbay Research Institute of Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman 4184, United Arab Emirates
| | - Stephane Terry
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif 94805, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, Jouy-en-Josas 78350, France
| | - Agnete S T Engelsen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen 5009, Norway.,INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Fac. de Médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif 94805, France
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24
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Chen T, Zhao Z, Chen B, Wang Y, Yang F, Wang C, Dong Q, Liu Y, Liang H, Zhao W, Qi L, Xu Y, Gu Y. An individualized transcriptional signature to predict the epithelial-mesenchymal transition based on relative expression ordering. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:13172-13186. [PMID: 32639951 PMCID: PMC7377874 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process is involved in cancer cell metastasis and immune system activation. Hence, identification of gene expression signatures capable of predicting the EMT status of cancer cells is essential for development of therapeutic strategies. However, quantitative identification of EMT markers is limited by batch effects, the platform used, or normalization methods. We hypothesized that a set of EMT-related relative expression orderings are highly stable in epithelial samples yet are reversed in mesenchymal samples. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed transcriptome data for ovarian cancer cohorts from publicly available databases, to develop a qualitative 16-gene pair signature (16-GPS) that effectively distinguishes the mesenchymal from epithelial phenotype. Our method was superior to previous quantitative methods in terms of classification accuracy and applicability to individualized patients without requiring data normalization. Patients with mesenchymal-like ovarian cancer showed poorer overall survival compared to patients with epithelial-like ovarian cancer. Additionally, EMT score was positively correlated with expression of immune checkpoint genes and metastasis. We, therefore, established a robust EMT 16-GPS that is independent of detection platform, batch effects and individual variations, and which represents a qualitative signature for investigating the EMT and providing insights into immunotherapy for ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Chen
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhangxiang Zhao
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Bo Chen
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuquan Wang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Fan Yang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chengyu Wang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qi Dong
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yaoyao Liu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Haihai Liang
- College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wenyuan Zhao
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lishuang Qi
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yan Xu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yunyan Gu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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25
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Lavin DP, Tiwari VK. Unresolved Complexity in the Gene Regulatory Network Underlying EMT. Front Oncol 2020; 10:554. [PMID: 32477926 PMCID: PMC7235173 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the process whereby a polarized epithelial cell ceases to maintain cell-cell contacts, loses expression of characteristic epithelial cell markers, and acquires mesenchymal cell markers and properties such as motility, contractile ability, and invasiveness. A complex process that occurs during development and many disease states, EMT involves a plethora of transcription factors (TFs) and signaling pathways. Whilst great advances have been made in both our understanding of the progressive cell-fate changes during EMT and the gene regulatory networks that drive this process, there are still gaps in our knowledge. Epigenetic modifications are dynamic, chromatin modifying enzymes are vast and varied, transcription factors are pleiotropic, and signaling pathways are multifaceted and rarely act alone. Therefore, it is of great importance that we decipher and understand each intricate step of the process and how these players at different levels crosstalk with each other to successfully orchestrate EMT. A delicate balance and fine-tuned cooperation of gene regulatory mechanisms is required for EMT to occur successfully, and until we resolve the unknowns in this network, we cannot hope to develop effective therapies against diseases that involve aberrant EMT such as cancer. In this review, we focus on data that challenge these unknown entities underlying EMT, starting with EMT stimuli followed by intracellular signaling through to epigenetic mechanisms and chromatin remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vijay K. Tiwari
- The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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26
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Ramirez D, Kohar V, Lu M. Toward Modeling Context-Specific EMT Regulatory Networks Using Temporal Single Cell RNA-Seq Data. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:54. [PMID: 32391378 PMCID: PMC7190801 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is well established as playing a crucial role in cancer progression and being a potential therapeutic target. To elucidate the gene regulation that drives the decision making of EMT, many previous studies have been conducted to model EMT gene regulatory circuits (GRCs) using interactions from the literature. While this approach can depict the generic regulatory interactions, it falls short of capturing context-specific features. Here, we explore the effectiveness of a combined bioinformatics and mathematical modeling approach to construct context-specific EMT GRCs directly from transcriptomics data. Using time-series single cell RNA-sequencing data from four different cancer cell lines treated with three EMT-inducing signals, we identify context-specific activity dynamics of common EMT transcription factors. In particular, we observe distinct paths during the forward and backward transitions, as is evident from the dynamics of major regulators such as NF-KB (e.g., NFKB2 and RELB) and AP-1 (e.g., FOSL1 and JUNB). For each experimental condition, we systematically sample a large set of network models and identify the optimal GRC capturing context-specific EMT states using a mathematical modeling method named Random Circuit Perturbation (RACIPE). The results demonstrate that the approach can build high quality GRCs in certain cases, but not others and, meanwhile, elucidate the role of common bioinformatics parameters and properties of network structures in determining the quality of GRCs. We expect the integration of top-down bioinformatics and bottom-up systems biology modeling to be a powerful and generally applicable approach to elucidate gene regulatory mechanisms of cellular state transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ramirez
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Vivek Kohar
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME, United States
| | - Mingyang Lu
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME, United States
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27
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Cortesi M, Liverani C, Mercatali L, Ibrahim T, Giordano E. Computational models to explore the complexity of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in cancer. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2020; 12:e1488. [PMID: 32208556 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex biological process that plays a key role in cancer progression and metastasis formation. Its activation results in epithelial cells losing adhesion and polarity and becoming capable of migrating from their site of origin. At this step the disease is generally considered incurable. As EMT execution involves several individual molecular components, connected by nontrivial relations, in vitro techniques are often inadequate to capture its complexity. Computational models can be used to complement experiments and provide additional knowledge difficult to build up in a wetlab. Indeed in silico analysis gives the user total control on the system, allowing to identify the contribution of each independent element. In the following, two kinds of approaches to the computational study of EMT will be presented. The first relies on signal transduction networks description and details how changes in gene expression could influence this process, both focusing on specific aspects of the EMT and providing a general frame for this phenomenon easily comparable with experimental data. The second integrates single cell and population level descriptions in a multiscale model that can be considered a more accurate representation of the EMT. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach will be highlighted, together with the importance of coupling computational and experimental results. Finally, the main challenges that need to be addressed to improve our knowledge of the role of EMT in the neoplastic disease and the scientific and translational value of computational models in this respect will be presented. This article is categorized under: Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilisa Cortesi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Engineering "S. Cavalcanti", Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering "G. Marconi" (DEI), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Chiara Liverani
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Laura Mercatali
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Toni Ibrahim
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Emanuele Giordano
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Engineering "S. Cavalcanti", Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering "G. Marconi" (DEI), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy.,BioEngLab, Health Science and Technology, Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-CIRI), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Advanced Research Center on Electronic Systems (ARCES), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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28
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Xu Z, Ding W, Deng X. PM 2.5, Fine Particulate Matter: A Novel Player in the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition? Front Physiol 2019; 10:1404. [PMID: 31849690 PMCID: PMC6896848 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) refers to the conversion of epithelial cells to mesenchymal phenotype, which endows the epithelial cells with enhanced migration, invasion, and extracellular matrix production abilities. These characteristics link EMT with the pathogenesis of organ fibrosis and cancer progression. Recent studies have preliminarily established that fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) is correlated with EMT initiation. In this pathological process, PM2.5 particles, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from PM2.5, and certain components in PM2.5, such as ions and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), have been implicated as potential EMT mediators that are linked to the activation of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/SMADs, NF-κB, growth factor (GF)/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), GF/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, wingless/integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin, Notch, Hedgehog, high mobility group box B1 (HMGB1)-receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling cascades and to cytoskeleton rearrangement. These pathways directly and indirectly transduce pro-EMT signals that regulate EMT-related gene expression in epithelial cells, finally inducing the characteristic alterations in morphology and functions of epithelia. In addition, novel associations between autophagy, ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), and exosomes with PM2.5-induced EMT have also been summarized. However, some debates and paradoxes remain to be consolidated. This review discusses the potential molecular mechanisms underlying PM2.5-induced EMT, which might account for the latent role of PM2.5 in cancer progression and fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Xu
- Faculty of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjun Ding
- Laboratory of Environment and Health, College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobei Deng
- Faculty of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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29
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Guo Q, Zhu L, Wang C, Wang S, Nie X, Liu J, Liu Q, Hao Y, Li X, Lin B. SERPIND1 Affects the Malignant Biological Behavior of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer via the PI3K/AKT Pathway: A Mechanistic Study. Front Oncol 2019; 9:954. [PMID: 31637210 PMCID: PMC6788328 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Serpin family D member 1 (SERPIND1) belongs to the serine protease inhibitor family. Its role in cancers has gradually attracted interest from researchers in recent years. However, the role of SERPIND1 in the development of epithelial ovarian cancer remains poorly understood. This studied aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of SERPIND1 in epithelial ovarian cancer, as well as its effect on the malignant biological behavior of ovarian cancer cells and the related regulatory mechanisms. We found that SERPIND1 expression was significantly elevated in epithelial ovarian cancer. Patients with higher expression of SERPIND1 in ovarian cancer tissues had poor prognoses. SERPIND1 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, G1-to-S phase transition, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of ovarian cancer cells and inhibited their apoptosis by promoting phosphorylation in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway. Meanwhile, the inhibition of SERPIND1 expression in ovarian cancer cells resulted in opposite effects. The addition of the PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002 to SERPIND1-overexpressing cells could reverse the promoting effect of SERPIND1 on the malignant biological behavior of ovarian cancer cells. Further, nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1, a transcription factor could bind to the promoter region of SERPIND1 and regulate SERPIND1 expression. In conclusion, our results indicated that SERPIND1 could be an effective marker for assessing the prognosis of ovarian cancer. By elucidating its mechanism underlying the promotion of malignant biological behavior of ovarian cancer by SERPIND1, we demonstrated that SERPIND1 could potentially serve as a novel drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine of Liaoning Province, Benxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Higher Education of Liaoning Province, Benxi, China
| | - Liancheng Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Caixia Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xin Nie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Juanjuan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yingying Hao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bei Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine of Liaoning Province, Benxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Higher Education of Liaoning Province, Benxi, China
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30
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Wang RQ, Geng J, Sheng WJ, Liu XJ, Jiang M, Zhen YS. The ionophore antibiotic gramicidin A inhibits pancreatic cancer stem cells associated with CD47 down-regulation. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:145. [PMID: 31139022 PMCID: PMC6532126 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-019-0862-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs), a special population of cells, renew themselves infinitely and resist to various treatment. Gramicidin A (GrA), an ionophore antibiotic derived from microorganism, can form channels across the cell membrane and disrupt cellular ionic homeostasis, leading to cell dysfunction and death. As reported, the ionophore antibiotic salinomycin (Sal) has been proved to kill CSCs effectively. Whether GrA owns the potential as a therapeutic drug for CSCs still remains unknown. This study investigated the effect of GrA on pancreatic CSCs and the mechanism. Methods Tumorsphere formation assay was performed to assess pancreatic CSCs self-renewal potential. In vitro hemolysis assay was determined to test the borderline concentration of GrA. CCK-8 assay was used to detect pancreatic cancer cell proliferation capability. Flow cytometry was performed to detect cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy was used to observe ultrastructural morphological changes on cell membrane surface and mitochondria, respectively. Western blot analysis was used to determine relative protein expression levels. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe CD47 re-distribution. Results GrA at 0.05 μM caused tumorspheres disintegration and decrease in number of pancreatic cancer BxPC-3 and MIA PaCa-2 cells. GrA and Sal both inhibited cancer cell proliferation. The IC50 values of GrA and Sal for BxPC-3 cells were 0.025 μM and 0.363 μM; while for MIA PaCa-2 cells were 0.032 μM and 0.163 μM, respectively. Compared on equal concentrations, the efficacy of GrA was stronger than that of Sal. GrA at 0.1 μM or lower did not cause hemolysis. GrA induced ultrastructural changes, such as the decrease of microvilli-like protrusions on cell surface membrane and the swelling of mitochondria. GrA down-regulated the expression levels of CD133, CD44, and CD47; in addition, CD47 re-distribution was observed on cell surface. Moreover, GrA showed synergism with gemcitabine in suppressing cancer cell proliferation. Conclusions The study found that GrA was highly active against pancreatic CSCs. It indicates that GrA exerts inhibitory effects against pancreatic CSCs associated with CD47 down-regulation, implying that GrA might play a positive role in modulating the interaction between macrophages and tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Qi Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Jing Geng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Wei-Jin Sheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Xiu-Jun Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Min Jiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Yong-Su Zhen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050 China
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31
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Quan J, Lu Z, Yu L, Fan C, Cao H, Liu J. [Research progress of exosomes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2019; 39:377-380. [PMID: 31068312 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2019.03.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Exosome, a membranous vesicle with biological activity, not only transmits active substances between cells but also transfers information between cells to participate in cell communication. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which epithelial cells acquire migratory and invasive properties to become mesenchymal stem cells. EMT is essential for the development of a spectrum of diseases. Studies have shown that exosomes have dual effects on EMT to, on the one hand, promote EMT and tumor cell invasion and metastasis and accelerate angiogenesis and tumor growth; on the other hand, exosomes can suppress tumor cell invasion, inhibit fibrosis of the heart, liver and kidney, and improve myocardial infarction by inhibiting EMT. Exosomes modulate EMT-related signaling pathways by carrying EMT-related proteins or miRNA to exert their bi-directional regulatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Quan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zibin Lu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Linzhong Yu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chunlin Fan
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Huihui Cao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Junshan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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Volumetric chemical imaging by clearing-enhanced stimulated Raman scattering microscopy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:6608-6617. [PMID: 30872474 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1813044116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional visualization of tissue structures using optical microscopy facilitates the understanding of biological functions. However, optical microscopy is limited in tissue penetration due to severe light scattering. Recently, a series of tissue-clearing techniques have emerged to allow significant depth-extension for fluorescence imaging. Inspired by these advances, we develop a volumetric chemical imaging technique that couples Raman-tailored tissue-clearing with stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy. Compared with the standard SRS, the clearing-enhanced SRS achieves greater than 10-times depth increase. Based on the extracted spatial distribution of proteins and lipids, our method reveals intricate 3D organizations of tumor spheroids, mouse brain tissues, and tumor xenografts. We further develop volumetric phasor analysis of multispectral SRS images for chemically specific clustering and segmentation in 3D. Moreover, going beyond the conventional label-free paradigm, we demonstrate metabolic volumetric chemical imaging, which allows us to simultaneously map out metabolic activities of protein and lipid synthesis in glioblastoma. Together, these results support volumetric chemical imaging as a valuable tool for elucidating comprehensive 3D structures, compositions, and functions in diverse biological contexts, complementing the prevailing volumetric fluorescence microscopy.
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Norton KA, Gong C, Jamalian S, Popel AS. Multiscale Agent-Based and Hybrid Modeling of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Processes (Basel) 2019; 7:37. [PMID: 30701168 PMCID: PMC6349239 DOI: 10.3390/pr7010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiscale systems biology and systems pharmacology are powerful methodologies that are playing increasingly important roles in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of biological phenomena and in clinical applications. In this review, we summarize the state of the art in the applications of agent-based models (ABM) and hybrid modeling to the tumor immune microenvironment and cancer immune response, including immunotherapy. Heterogeneity is a hallmark of cancer; tumor heterogeneity at the molecular, cellular, and tissue scales is a major determinant of metastasis, drug resistance, and low response rate to molecular targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Agent-based modeling is an effective methodology to obtain and understand quantitative characteristics of these processes and to propose clinical solutions aimed at overcoming the current obstacles in cancer treatment. We review models focusing on intra-tumor heterogeneity, particularly on interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells, including immune cells, the role of tumor-associated vasculature in the immune response, immune-related tumor mechanobiology, and cancer immunotherapy. We discuss the role of digital pathology in parameterizing and validating spatial computational models and potential applications to therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerri-Ann Norton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Computer Science Program, Department of Science, Mathematics, and Computing, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504, USA
| | - Chang Gong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Samira Jamalian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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34
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Yang X, Liang X, Zheng M, Tang Y. Cellular Phenotype Plasticity in Cancer Dormancy and Metastasis. Front Oncol 2018; 8:505. [PMID: 30456206 PMCID: PMC6230580 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer dormancy is a period of cancer progression in which residual tumor cells exist, but clinically remain asymptomatic for a long time, as well as resistant to conventional chemo- and radiotherapies. Cellular phenotype plasticity represents that cellular phenotype could convert between epithelial cells and cells with mesenchymal traits. Recently, this process has been shown to closely associate with tumor cell proliferation, cancer dormancy and metastasis. In this review, we have described different scenarios of how the transition from epithelial to mesenchymal morphology (EMT) and backwards (MET) are connected with the initiation of dormancy and reactivation of proliferation. These processes are fundamental for cancer cells to invade tissues and metastasize. Recognizing the mechanisms underlying the cellular phenotype plasticity as well as dormancy and targeting them is likely to increase the efficiency of traditional tumor treatment inhibiting tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and Department of OralPathology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinhua Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and Department of OralPathology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Zheng
- Department of Stomatology, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhoushan, China
| | - Yaling Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and Department of OralPathology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Jolly MK, Somarelli JA, Sheth M, Biddle A, Tripathi SC, Armstrong AJ, Hanash SM, Bapat SA, Rangarajan A, Levine H. Hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypes promote metastasis and therapy resistance across carcinomas. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 194:161-184. [PMID: 30268772 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis and therapy resistance are the major unsolved clinical challenges, and account for nearly all cancer-related deaths. Both metastasis and therapy resistance are fueled by epithelial plasticity, the reversible phenotypic transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). EMT and MET have been largely considered as binary processes, where cells detach from the primary tumor as individual units with many, if not all, traits of a mesenchymal cell (EMT) and then convert back to being epithelial (MET). However, recent studies have demonstrated that cells can metastasize in ways alternative to traditional EMT paradigm; for example, they can detach as clusters, and/or occupy one or more stable hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotypes that can be the end point of a transition. Such hybrid E/M cells can integrate various epithelial and mesenchymal traits and markers, facilitating collective cell migration. Furthermore, these hybrid E/M cells may possess higher tumor-initiation and metastatic potential as compared to cells on either end of the EMT spectrum. Here, we review in silico, in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence for the existence of one or more hybrid E/M phenotype(s) in multiple carcinomas, and discuss their implications in tumor-initiation, tumor relapse, therapy resistance, and metastasis. Together, these studies drive the emerging notion that cells in a hybrid E/M phenotype may occupy 'metastatic sweet spot' in multiple subtypes of carcinomas, and pathways linked to this (these) hybrid E/M state(s) may be relevant as prognostic biomarkers as well as a promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Jason A Somarelli
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Maya Sheth
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Adrian Biddle
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Satyendra C Tripathi
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Andrew J Armstrong
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Samir M Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Sharmila A Bapat
- National Center for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Annapoorni Rangarajan
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
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36
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Cevenini A, Orrù S, Mancini A, Alfieri A, Buono P, Imperlini E. Molecular Signatures of the Insulin-like Growth Factor 1-mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Breast, Lung and Gastric Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19082411. [PMID: 30111747 PMCID: PMC6122069 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system, which is constituted by the IGF-1 and IGF-2 peptide hormones, their corresponding receptors and several IGF binding proteins, is involved in physiological and pathophysiological processes. The IGF system promotes cancer proliferation/survival and its signaling induces the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype, which contributes to the migration, invasiveness, and metastasis of epithelial tumors. These cancers share two major IGF-1R signaling transduction pathways, PI3K/AKT and RAS/MEK/ERK. However, as far as we could review at this time, each type of cancer cell undergoes EMT through tumor-specific routes. Here, we review the tumor-specific molecular signatures of IGF-1-mediated EMT in breast, lung, and gastric cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Cevenini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a r.l., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Stefania Orrù
- Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e del Benessere, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Parthenope", Via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy.
- IRCCS SDN, Via Francesco Crispi 8, 80121 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Annamaria Mancini
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a r.l., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e del Benessere, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Parthenope", Via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Andreina Alfieri
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a r.l., Via G. Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e del Benessere, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Parthenope", Via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Pasqualina Buono
- Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e del Benessere, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Parthenope", Via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy.
- IRCCS SDN, Via Francesco Crispi 8, 80121 Napoli, Italy.
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37
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Dong L, Li Y, Xue D, Liu Y. PCMT1 is an unfavorable predictor and functions as an oncogene in bladder cancer. IUBMB Life 2018. [PMID: 29517839 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liming Dong
- Department of Urology; The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 4 Chongshan Road East, Huanggu District; Liaoning Shenyang China
| | - Yanpei Li
- Department of Urology; The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 4 Chongshan Road East, Huanggu District; Liaoning Shenyang China
| | - Dongwei Xue
- Department of Urology; The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 4 Chongshan Road East, Huanggu District; Liaoning Shenyang China
| | - Yili Liu
- Department of Urology; The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 4 Chongshan Road East, Huanggu District; Liaoning Shenyang China
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38
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Stefania DD, Vergara D. The Many-Faced Program of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: A System Biology-Based View. Front Oncol 2017; 7:274. [PMID: 29181337 PMCID: PMC5694026 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
System biology uses a range of experimental and statistical methods to dissect complex processes that results from alterations in biological models. Given the complexity of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) program, system biology represents a promising approach to understanding its fine molecular regulation by the interpretation of high-throughput datasets. Herein, we review recent contributions of system biology applied to the field of EMT physiology and illustrate the importance of these approaches to model biological networks that are perturbed during the transition. Together, these results allowed the definition of an EMT signature across different tumor types, the identification of dysregulated processes and new modules of regulation, making possible to reveal the EMT molecular visage underneath.
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Affiliation(s)
- De Domenico Stefania
- Biotecgen, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Lecce, Italy.,Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Lecce, Italy
| | - Daniele Vergara
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
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