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Yang Z, Zhang X, Bai X, Xi X, Liu W, Zhong W. Anti-angiogenesis in colorectal cancer therapy. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:734-751. [PMID: 38233340 PMCID: PMC10921012 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16063] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The morbidity of colorectal cancer (CRC) has risen to third place among malignant tumors worldwide. In addition, CRC is a common cancer in China whose incidence increases annually. Angiogenesis plays an important role in the development of tumors because it can bring the nutrients that cancer cells need and take away metabolic waste. Various mechanisms are involved in the formation of neovascularization, and vascular endothelial growth factor is a key mediator. Meanwhile, angiogenesis inhibitors and drug resistance (DR) are challenges to consider when formulating treatment strategies for patients with different conditions. Thus, this review will discuss the molecules, signaling pathways, microenvironment, treatment, and DR of angiogenesis in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenni Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyGeneral Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive DiseasesTianjinChina
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyXing'an League People's HospitalXing'an LeagueChina
| | - Xuqian Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyGeneral Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive DiseasesTianjinChina
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyChina Aerospace Science and Industry CorporationBeijingChina
| | - Xiaozhe Bai
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyXing'an League People's HospitalXing'an LeagueChina
| | - Xiaonan Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of PharmacyNankai UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Wentian Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyGeneral Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive DiseasesTianjinChina
| | - Weilong Zhong
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyGeneral Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive DiseasesTianjinChina
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2
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Shaw P, Dwivedi SKD, Bhattacharya R, Mukherjee P, Rao G. VEGF signaling: Role in angiogenesis and beyond. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189079. [PMID: 38280470 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189079] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial process for tissue development, repair, and tumor survival. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key driver secreted by cancer cells, promoting neovascularization. While VEGF's role in angiogenesis is well-documented, its influence on the other aspects in tumor microenvironemt is less discussed. This review elaborates on VEGF's impact on intercellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment, including how VEGF affects pericyte proliferation and migration and mediates interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and cancer cells, resulting in PDL-1-mediated immunosuppression and Nrf2-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The review discusses VEGF's involvement in intra-organelle crosstalk, tumor metabolism, stemness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It also provides insights into current anti-VEGF therapies and their limitations in cancer treatment. Overall, this review aims to provide a thorough overview of the current state of knowledge concerning VEGF signaling and its impact, not only on angiogenesis but also on various other oncogenic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallab Shaw
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Shailendra Kumar Dhar Dwivedi
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Resham Bhattacharya
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Priyabrata Mukherjee
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Geeta Rao
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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Resendiz-Hernández M, García-Hernández AP, Silva-Cázares MB, Coronado-Uribe R, Hernández-de la Cruz ON, Arriaga-Pizano LA, Prieto-Chávez JL, Salinas-Vera YM, Ibarra-Sierra E, Ortiz-Martínez C, López-Camarillo C. MicroRNA-204 Regulates Angiogenesis and Vasculogenic Mimicry in CD44+/CD24- Breast Cancer Stem-like Cells. Noncoding RNA 2024; 10:14. [PMID: 38392969 PMCID: PMC10891775 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna10010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors have high requirements in terms of nutrients and oxygen. Angiogenesis is the classical mechanism for vessel formation. Tumoral vascularization has the function of nourishing the cancer cells to support tumor growth. Vasculogenic mimicry, a novel intratumoral microcirculation system, alludes to the ability of cancer cells to organize in three-dimensional (3D) channel-like architectures. It also supplies the tumors with nutrients and oxygen. Both mechanisms operate in a coordinated way; however, their functions in breast cancer stem-like cells and their regulation by microRNAs remain elusive. In the present study, we investigated the functional role of microRNA-204 (miR-204) on angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry in breast cancer stem-like cells. Using flow cytometry assays, we found that 86.1% of MDA-MB-231 and 92% of Hs-578t breast cancer cells showed the CD44+/CD24- immunophenotype representative of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). The MDA-MB-231 subpopulation of CSCs exhibited the ability to form mammospheres, as expected. Interestingly, we found that the restoration of miR-204 expression in CSCs significantly inhibited the number and size of the mammospheres. Moreover, we found that MDA-MB-231 and Hs-578t CSCs efficiently undergo angiogenesis and hypoxia-induced vasculogenic mimicry in vitro. The transfection of precursor miR-204 in both CSCs was able to impair the angiogenesis in the HUVEC cell model, which was observed as a diminution in the number of polygons and sprouting cells. Remarkably, miR-204 mimics also resulted in the inhibition of vasculogenic mimicry formation in MDA-MB-231 and Hs-578t CSCs, with a significant reduction in the number of channel-like structures and branch points. Mechanistically, the effects of miR-204 were associated with a diminution of pro-angiogenic VEGFA and β-catenin protein levels. In conclusion, our findings indicated that miR-204 abrogates the angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry development in breast cancer stem-like cells, suggesting that it could be a potential tool for breast cancer intervention based on microRNA replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Resendiz-Hernández
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, CDMX 03100, Mexico; (M.R.-H.); (A.P.G.-H.); (O.N.H.-d.l.C.); (Y.M.S.-V.)
| | - Alejandra P. García-Hernández
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, CDMX 03100, Mexico; (M.R.-H.); (A.P.G.-H.); (O.N.H.-d.l.C.); (Y.M.S.-V.)
| | - Macrina B. Silva-Cázares
- Unidad Academica Multidisciplinaria Región Altiplano, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Matehuala 78760, San Luis Potosí, Mexico;
| | - Rogelio Coronado-Uribe
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, CDMX 03100, Mexico; (M.R.-H.); (A.P.G.-H.); (O.N.H.-d.l.C.); (Y.M.S.-V.)
| | - Olga N. Hernández-de la Cruz
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, CDMX 03100, Mexico; (M.R.-H.); (A.P.G.-H.); (O.N.H.-d.l.C.); (Y.M.S.-V.)
| | - Lourdes A. Arriaga-Pizano
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, CDMX 06720, Mexico;
| | - Jessica L. Prieto-Chávez
- Laboratorio de Citometría de Flujo, Centro de Instrumentos, Coordinación de Investigación en Salud, Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, CDMX 06720, Mexico;
| | - Yarely M. Salinas-Vera
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, CDMX 03100, Mexico; (M.R.-H.); (A.P.G.-H.); (O.N.H.-d.l.C.); (Y.M.S.-V.)
| | - Eloisa Ibarra-Sierra
- Departamento de Investigación, Instituto Estatal de Cancerologia “Dr. Arturo Beltrán Ortega”, Acapulco 39610, Guerrero, Mexico;
| | - Concepción Ortiz-Martínez
- Servicio de Ginecología Oncológica, Instituto Estatal de Cancerologia “Dr. Arturo Beltrán Ortega”, Acapulco 39610, Guerrero, Mexico;
| | - César López-Camarillo
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, CDMX 03100, Mexico; (M.R.-H.); (A.P.G.-H.); (O.N.H.-d.l.C.); (Y.M.S.-V.)
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Zheng L, Chen J, Ye W, Fan Q, Chen H, Yan H. An individualized stemness-related signature to predict prognosis and immunotherapy responses for gastric cancer using single-cell and bulk tissue transcriptomes. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6908. [PMID: 38168907 PMCID: PMC10807574 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, many stemness-related signatures have been developed for gastric cancer (GC) to predict prognosis and immunotherapy outcomes. However, due to batch effects, these signatures cannot accurately analyze patients one by one, rendering them impractical in real clinical scenarios. Therefore, we aimed to develop an individualized and clinically applicable signature based on GC stemness. METHODS Malignant epithelial cells from single-cell RNA-Seq data of GC were used to identify stemness-related signature genes based on the CytoTRACE score. Using two bulk tissue datasets as training data, the enrichment scores of the signature genes were applied to classify samples into two subtypes. Then, using the identified subtypes as criteria, we developed an individualized stemness-related signature based on the within-sample relative expression orderings of genes. RESULTS We identified 175 stemness-related signature genes, which exhibited significantly higher AUCell scores in poorly differentiated GCs compared to differentiated GCs. In training datasets, GC samples were classified into two subtypes with significantly different survival times and genomic characteristics. Utilizing the two subtypes, an individualized signature was constructed containing 47 gene pairs. In four independent testing datasets, GC samples classified as high risk exhibited significantly shorter survival times, higher infiltration of M2 macrophages, and lower immune responses compared to low-risk samples. Moreover, the potential therapeutic targets and corresponding drugs were identified for the high-risk group, such as CD248 targeted by ontuxizumab. CONCLUSIONS We developed an individualized stemness-related signature, which can accurately predict the prognosis and efficacy of immunotherapy for each GC sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyong Zheng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Medical Technology and EngineeringFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Jingyan Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Medical Technology and EngineeringFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Wenhai Ye
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Medical Technology and EngineeringFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Qi Fan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Medical Technology and EngineeringFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Haifeng Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryFuzhou Second HospitalFuzhouChina
| | - Haidan Yan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Medical Technology and EngineeringFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, The School of Basic Medical SciencesFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
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5
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Borlongan MC, Saha D, Wang H. Tumor Microenvironment: A Niche for Cancer Stem Cell Immunotherapy. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:3-24. [PMID: 37861969 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10639-6] [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] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Tumorigenic Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), often called tumor-initiating cells (TICs), represent a unique subset of cells within the tumor milieu. They stand apart from the bulk of tumor cells due to their exceptional self-renewal, metastatic, and differentiation capabilities. Despite significant progress in classifying CSCs, these cells remain notably resilient to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, contributing to cancer recurrence. In this review, our objective is to explore novel avenues of research that delve into the distinctive characteristics of CSCs within their surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). We will start with an overview of the defining features of CSCs and then delve into their intricate interactions with cells from the lymphoid lineage, namely T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. Furthermore, we will discuss their dynamic interplay with myeloid lineage cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Moreover, we will illuminate the crosstalk between CSCs and cells of mesenchymal origin, specifically fibroblasts, adipocytes, and endothelial cells. Subsequently, we will underscore the pivotal role of CSCs within the context of the tumor-associated extracellular matrix (ECM). Finally, we will highlight pre-clinical and clinical studies that target CSCs within the intricate landscape of the TME, including CAR-T therapy, oncolytic viruses, and CSC-vaccines, with the ultimate goal of uncovering novel avenues for CSC-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia C Borlongan
- College of Medicine, California Northstate University, 9700 West Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA, 95757, USA
| | - Dipongkor Saha
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, 9700 West Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA, 95757, USA.
| | - Hongbin Wang
- College of Medicine, California Northstate University, 9700 West Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA, 95757, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, 9700 West Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA, 95757, USA.
- Master Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Graduate Studies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences College of Pharmacy, Department of Basic Science College of Medicine, California Northstate University, 9700 West Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA, 95757, USA.
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Huang YH, Wang WL, Wang PH, Lee HT, Chang WW. EXOSC5 maintains cancer stem cell activity in endometrial cancer by regulating the NTN4/integrin β1 signalling axis. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:265-279. [PMID: 38164180 PMCID: PMC10750274 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.86275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a common type of uterine cancer in developed countries, originating from the uterine epithelium. The incidence rate of EC in Taiwan has doubled from 2005. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells that have high tumorigenicity and play a crucial role in the malignant processes of cancer. Targeting molecules associated with CSCs is essential for effective cancer treatments. This study delves into the role of Exosome component 5 (EXOSC5) in EC. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas suggests a correlation between high EXOSC5 mRNA expression and unfavorable EC prognosis. EXOSC5 knockdown diminished EC-CSC self-renewal and reduced expression of key cancer stemness proteins, including c-MYC and SOX2. Intriguingly, this knockdown significantly curtailed tumorigenicity and CSC frequency in EC tumor spheres. A mechanistic examination revealed a reduction in netrin4 (NTN4) levels in EXOSC5-depleted EC cells. Moreover, NTN4 treatment amplified EC cell CSC activity and, when secreted, NTN4 partnered with integrin β1, subsequently triggering the FAK/SRC axis to elevate c-MYC activity. A clear positive relation between EXOSC5 and NTN4 was evident in 93 EC tissues. In conclusion, EXOSC5 augments NTN4 expression, activating c-MYC via the integrin β1/FAK/SRC pathway, offering potential avenues for EC diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hao Huang
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ling Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hui Wang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Te Lee
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
- Institute of Anatomy & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
- Taiwan International Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 115024, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Wei Chang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
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Jung E, Lee YH, Ou S, Kim TY, Shin SY. EGR1 Regulation of Vasculogenic Mimicry in the MDA-MB-231 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line through the Upregulation of KLF4 Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14375. [PMID: 37762678 PMCID: PMC10532327 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814375] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is an intriguing phenomenon observed in tumor masses, in which cancer cells organize themselves into capillary-like channels that closely resemble the structure and function of blood vessels. Although VM is believed to contribute to alternative tumor vascularization, the detailed regulatory mechanisms controlling these cellular processes remain poorly understood. Our study aimed to investigate the role of Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1) in regulating VM in aggressive cancer cells, specifically MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Our study revealed that EGR1 promotes the formation of capillary-like tubes by MDA-MB-231 cells in a 3-dimensional Matrigel matrix. EGR1 was observed to upregulate Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) expression, which regulates the formation of the capillary-like tube structure. Additionally, our findings highlight the involvement of the ERK1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in mediating the expression of EGR1 and KLF4, underscoring their crucial role in VM in MDA-MB-231 cells. Understanding these regulatory mechanisms will provide valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets for preventing VM during the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euitaek Jung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sanghuh College of Life Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; (E.J.); (Y.H.L.); (S.O.); (T.Y.K.)
| | - Young Han Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sanghuh College of Life Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; (E.J.); (Y.H.L.); (S.O.); (T.Y.K.)
- Cancer and Metabolism Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sukjin Ou
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sanghuh College of Life Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; (E.J.); (Y.H.L.); (S.O.); (T.Y.K.)
| | - Tae Yoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sanghuh College of Life Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; (E.J.); (Y.H.L.); (S.O.); (T.Y.K.)
| | - Soon Young Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sanghuh College of Life Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; (E.J.); (Y.H.L.); (S.O.); (T.Y.K.)
- Cancer and Metabolism Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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Izadpanah A, Mohammadkhani N, Masoudnia M, Ghasemzad M, Saeedian A, Mehdizadeh H, Poorebrahim M, Ebrahimi M. Update on immune-based therapy strategies targeting cancer stem cells. Cancer Med 2023; 12:18960-18980. [PMID: 37698048 PMCID: PMC10557910 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating data reveals that tumors possess a specialized subset of cancer cells named cancer stem cells (CSCs), responsible for metastasis and recurrence of malignancies, with various properties such as self-renewal, heterogenicity, and capacity for drug resistance. Some signaling pathways or processes like Notch, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), Hedgehog (Hh), and Wnt, as well as CSCs' surface markers such as CD44, CD123, CD133, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) have pivotal roles in acquiring CSCs properties. Therefore, targeting CSC-related signaling pathways and surface markers might effectively eradicate tumors and pave the way for cancer survival. Since current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy cannot eradicate all of the CSCs and tumor relapse may happen following temporary recovery, improving novel and more efficient therapeutic options to combine with current treatments is required. Immunotherapy strategies are the new therapeutic modalities with promising results in targeting CSCs. Here, we review the targeting of CSCs by immunotherapy strategies such as dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)-engineered immune cells, natural killer-cell (NK-cell) therapy, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), checkpoint inhibitors, and the use of oncolytic viruses (OVs) in pre-clinical and clinical studies. This review will mainly focus on blood malignancies but also describe solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Izadpanah
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
| | - Niloufar Mohammadkhani
- Department of Clinical BiochemistrySchool of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mina Masoudnia
- Department of ImmunologySchool of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mahsa Ghasemzad
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology‐Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Advanced Technologies in BiologyUniversity of Science and CultureTehranIran
| | - Arefeh Saeedian
- Radiation Oncology Research CenterCancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of Radiation OncologyCancer Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Hamid Mehdizadeh
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
| | - Mansour Poorebrahim
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of CalgaryAlbertaCalgaryCanada
| | - Marzieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
- Department of regenerative medicineCell Science research Center, Royan Institute for stem cell biology and technology, ACECRTehranIran
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Das B, Dash SR, Patel H, Sinha S, Bhal S, Paul S, Das C, Pradhan R, Ahmed I, Goutam K, Kundu CN. Quinacrine inhibits HIF-1α/VEGF-A mediated angiogenesis by disrupting the interaction between cMET and ABCG2 in patient-derived breast cancer stem cells. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 117:154914. [PMID: 37321076 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) have a critical role in progression of breast cancer by inducing angiogenesis. Several therapeutic strategies have been designed for the treatment of breast cancer by specifically preventing angiogenesis. But there is a dearth of study regarding the treatment procedure which can specifically target and kill the BCSCs and cause lesser harm to healthy cells of the body. A plant-based bioactive compound Quinacrine (QC) specifically kills cancer stem cells (CSCs) without harming healthy cells and also inhibits cancer angiogenesis but the detailed mechanistic study of its anti-CSCs and anti-angiogenic activity is yet to explore. HYPOTHESIS Earlier report showed that both cMET and ABCG2 play an essential role in cancer angiogenesis. Both are present on the cell surface of CSCs and share an identical ATP-binding domain. Interestingly, QC a plant based and bioactive compound which was found to inhibit the function of CSCs marker cMET and ABCG2. These relevant evidence led us to hypothesize that cMET and ABCG2 may interact with each other and induce the production of angiogenic factors, resulting in activation of cancer angiogenesis and QC might disrupt the interaction between them to stop this phenomena. METHODS Co-immunoprecipitation assay, immunofluorescence assay, and western blotting were performed by using ex vivo patient-derived breast cancer-stem-cells (PDBCSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In silico study was carried out to check the interaction between cMET and ABCG2 in presence or absence of QC. Tube formation assay using HUVECs and in ovo Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay using chick fertilized eggs were performed to monitor angiogenesis. In vivo patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mice model was used to validate in silico and ex vivo results. RESULTS Data revealed that in a hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME), cMET and ABCG2 interact with each other and upregulate HIF-1α/VEGF-A axis to induce breast cancer angiogenesis. In silico and ex vivo study showed that QC disrupted the interaction between cMET and ABCG2 to inhibit the angiogenic response in endothelial cells by reducing the secretion of VEGF-A from PDBCSCs within the TME. Knockdown of cMET, ABCG2 or both, significantly downregulated the expression of HIF-1α and reduced the secretion of pro-angiogenic factor VEGF-A in the TME of PDBCSCs. Additionally, when PDBCSCs were treated with QC, similar experimental results were obtained. CONCLUSION In silico, in ovo, ex vivo and in vivo data confirmed that QC inhibited the HIF-1α/VEGF-A mediated angiogenesis in breast cancer by disrupting the interaction between cMET and ABCG2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswajit Das
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Somya Ranjan Dash
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Harun Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, Dhule 425405, India
| | - Saptarshi Sinha
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Subhasmita Bhal
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Subarno Paul
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Chinmay Das
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Rajalaxmi Pradhan
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Iqrar Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, Dhule 425405, India
| | - Kunal Goutam
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre, Cuttack, Odisha 753007, India
| | - Chanakya Nath Kundu
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India.
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10
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He K, Gan WJ. Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in the Development and Progression of Colorectal Cancer. Cancer Manag Res 2023; 15:435-448. [PMID: 37250384 PMCID: PMC10224676 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s411168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a growth control pathway involved in various biological processes as well as the development and progression of cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world. The hyperactivation of Wnt signaling is observed in almost all CRC and plays a crucial role in cancer-related processes such as cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), chemoresistance, and metastasis. This review will discuss how the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of CRC and related therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang He
- Department of Pathology, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen-Juan Gan
- Department of Pathology, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
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11
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Andrade-Meza A, Arias-Romero LE, Armas-López L, Ávila-Moreno F, Chirino YI, Delgado-Buenrostro NL, García-Castillo V, Gutiérrez-Cirlos EB, Juárez-Avelar I, Leon-Cabrera S, Mendoza-Rodríguez MG, Olguín JE, Perez-Lopez A, Pérez-Plasencia C, Reyes JL, Sánchez-Pérez Y, Terrazas LI, Vaca-Paniagua F, Villamar-Cruz O, Rodríguez-Sosa M. Mexican Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium (MEX-CCRC): Etiology, Diagnosis/Prognosis, and Innovative Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032115. [PMID: 36768437 PMCID: PMC9917340 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2013, recognizing that Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of death by cancer worldwide and that it was a neglected disease increasing rapidly in Mexico, the community of researchers at the Biomedicine Research Unit of the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) established an intramural consortium that involves a multidisciplinary group of researchers, technicians, and postgraduate students to contribute to the understanding of this pathology in Mexico. This article is about the work developed by the Mexican Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium (MEX-CCRC): how the Consortium was created, its members, and its short- and long-term goals. Moreover, it is a narrative of the accomplishments of this project. Finally, we reflect on possible strategies against CRC in Mexico and contrast all the data presented with another international strategy to prevent and treat CRC. We believe that the Consortium's characteristics must be maintained to initiate a national strategy, and the reported data could be useful to establish future collaborations with other countries in Latin America and the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Andrade-Meza
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Luis E. Arias-Romero
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Leonel Armas-López
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Federico Ávila-Moreno
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Yolanda I. Chirino
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Norma L. Delgado-Buenrostro
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Verónica García-Castillo
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Emma B. Gutiérrez-Cirlos
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Imelda Juárez-Avelar
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Sonia Leon-Cabrera
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Mónica G. Mendoza-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Jonadab E. Olguín
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud: Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Araceli Perez-Lopez
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Carlos Pérez-Plasencia
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - José L. Reyes
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Yesennia Sánchez-Pérez
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Luis I. Terrazas
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud: Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Felipe Vaca-Paniagua
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud: Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Olga Villamar-Cruz
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Miriam Rodríguez-Sosa
- Unidad de Investigación en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala (FES-I), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-55-5623-1333
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12
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Mokgautsi N, Kuo YC, Huang YJ, Chen CH, Mukhopadhyay D, Wu ATH, Huang HS. Preclinical Evaluation of a Novel Small Molecule LCC-21 to Suppress Colorectal Cancer Malignancy by Inhibiting Angiogenic and Metastatic Signatures. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020266. [PMID: 36672201 PMCID: PMC9856425 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers, and it frequently metastasizes to the liver and lymph nodes. Despite major advances in treatment modalities, CRC remains a poorly characterized biological malignancy, with high reported cases of deaths globally. Moreover, cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their microenvironment have been widely shown to promote colon cancer development, progression, and metastasis. Therefore, an understanding of the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance of CSCs and their markers in CRC is crucial in efforts to treat cancer metastasis and develop specific therapeutic targets for augmenting current standard treatments. Herein, we applied computational simulations using bioinformatics to identify potential theranostic markers for CRC. We identified the overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor-α (VEGFA)/β-catenin/matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7/Cluster of Differentiation 44 (CD44) in CRC to be associated with cancer progression, stemness, resistance to therapy, metastasis, and poor clinical outcomes. To further investigate, we explored in silico molecular docking, which revealed potential inhibitory activities of LCC-21 as a potential multitarget small molecule for VEGF-A/CTNNB1/MMP7/CD44 oncogenic signatures, with the highest binding affinities displayed. We validated these finding in vitro and demonstrated that LCC-21 inhibited colony and sphere formation, migration, and invasion, and these results were further confirmed by a Western blot analysis in HCT116 and DLD-1 cells. Thus, the inhibitory effects of LCC-21 on these angiogenic and onco-immunogenic signatures could be of translational relevance as potential CRC biomarkers for early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ntlotlang Mokgautsi
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Cheng Kuo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Jiun Huang
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsin Chen
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, WanFang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, No. 111 Sec. 3 Xinglong Rd., Wenshan Dist., Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | | | - Alexander T. H. Wu
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- The Ph.D. Program of Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Clinical Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (A.T.H.W.); (H.-S.H.); Tel.: +886-2-2697-2035 (ext. 112) (A.T.H.W.); +886-2-6638-2736 (ext. 1377) (H.-S.H.)
| | - Hsu-Shan Huang
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Biotechnology Research and Development, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (A.T.H.W.); (H.-S.H.); Tel.: +886-2-2697-2035 (ext. 112) (A.T.H.W.); +886-2-6638-2736 (ext. 1377) (H.-S.H.)
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13
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Wang J, Xia W, Huang Y, Li H, Tang Y, Li Y, Yi B, Zhang Z, Yang J, Cao Z, Zhou J. A vasculogenic mimicry prognostic signature associated with immune signature in human gastric cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1016612. [PMID: 36505458 PMCID: PMC9727221 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1016612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumors worldwide with poor outcomes. Vascular mimicry (VM) is an alternative blood supply to tumors that is independent of endothelial cells or angiogenesis. Previous studies have shown that VM was associated with poor prognosis in patients with GC, but the underlying mechanisms and the relationship between VM and immune infiltration of GC have not been well studied. Methods In this study, expression profiles from VM-related genes were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Cox regression was performed to identify key VM-related genes for survival. Subsequently, a novel risk score model in GC named VM index and a nomogram was constructed. In addition, the expression of one key VM-related gene (serpin family F member 1, SERPINF1) was validated in 33 GC tissues and 23 paracancer tissues using immunohistochemistry staining. Results Univariate and multivariate Cox regression suggested that SERPINF1 and tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2) were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with GC. The AUC (> 0.7) indicated the satisfactory discriminative ability of the nomogram. SsGESA and ESTIMATE showed that higher expression of SERPINF1 and TFPI2 is associated with immune infiltration of GC. Immunohistochemistry staining confirmed that the expression of SERPINF1 protein was significantly higher in GC tissues than that in paracancer tissues. Conclusion A VM index and a nomogram were constructed and showed satisfactory predictive performance. In addition, VM was confirmed to be widely involved in immune infiltration, suggesting that VM could be a promising target in guiding immunotherapy. Taken together, we identified SERPINF1 and TFPI2 as immunologic and prognostic biomarkers related to VM in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yujie Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haoran Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuchen Tang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ye Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Yi
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zixiang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhifei Cao
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Jian Zhou, ; Zhifei Cao,
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Jian Zhou, ; Zhifei Cao,
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14
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Bryl R, Piwocka O, Kawka E, Mozdziak P, Kempisty B, Knopik-Skrocka A. Cancer Stem Cells-The Insight into Non-Coding RNAs. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223699. [PMID: 36429127 PMCID: PMC9688207 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Since their initial identification three decades ago, there has been extensive research regarding cancer stem cells (CSCs). It is important to consider the biology of cancer stem cells with a particular focus on their phenotypic and metabolic plasticity, the most important signaling pathways, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulating these cellular entities. Furthermore, the current status of therapeutic approaches against CSCs is an important consideration regarding employing the technology to improve human health. Cancer stem cells have claimed to be one of the most important group of cells for the development of several common cancers as they dictate features, such as resistance to radio- and chemotherapy, metastasis, and secondary tumor formation. Therapies which could target these cells may develop into an effective strategy for tumor eradication and a hope for patients for whom this disease remains uncurable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rut Bryl
- Section of Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research, Natural Sciences Club, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Oliwia Piwocka
- Section of Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research, Natural Sciences Club, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznań, Poland
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznań, Poland
| | - Emilia Kawka
- Section of Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research, Natural Sciences Club, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Paul Mozdziak
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Bartosz Kempisty
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Division of Anatomy, Medical University of Wrocław, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
- Correspondence: or
| | - Agnieszka Knopik-Skrocka
- Section of Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research, Natural Sciences Club, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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15
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Noubissi Nzeteu GA, Geismann C, Arlt A, Hoogwater FJH, Nijkamp MW, Meyer NH, Bockhorn M. Role of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition for the Generation of Circulating Tumors Cells and Cancer Cell Dissemination. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225483. [PMID: 36428576 PMCID: PMC9688619 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-related death is primarily caused by metastasis; consequently, understanding, preventing, and treating metastasis is essential to improving clinical outcomes. Metastasis is mainly governed by the dissemination of tumor cells in the systemic circulation: so-called circulating tumor cells (CTCs). CTCs typically arise from epithelial tumor cells that undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), resulting in the loss of cell-cell adhesions and polarity, and the reorganization of the cytoskeleton. Various oncogenic factors can induce EMT, among them the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, as well as Wnt and Notch signaling pathways. This entails the activation of numerous transcription factors, including ZEB, TWIST, and Snail proteins, acting as transcriptional repressors of epithelial markers, such as E-cadherin and inducers of mesenchymal markers such as vimentin. These genetic and phenotypic changes ultimately facilitate cancer cell migration. However, to successfully form distant metastases, CTCs must primarily withstand the hostile environment of circulation. This includes adaption to shear stress, avoiding being trapped by coagulation and surviving attacks of the immune system. Several applications of CTCs, from cancer diagnosis and screening to monitoring and even guided therapy, seek their way into clinical practice. This review describes the process leading to tumor metastasis, from the generation of CTCs in primary tumors to their dissemination into distant organs, as well as the importance of subtyping CTCs to improve personalized and targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetan Aime Noubissi Nzeteu
- University Hospital of General and Visceral Surgery, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg and Klinikum Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Geismann
- Laboratory of Molecular Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine I, UKSH-Campus Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexander Arlt
- Department for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Oldenburg, Klinikum Oldenburg AöR, European Medical School (EMS), 26133 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Frederik J. H. Hoogwater
- Section of HPB Surgery & Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten W. Nijkamp
- Section of HPB Surgery & Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - N. Helge Meyer
- University Hospital of General and Visceral Surgery, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg and Klinikum Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-441-798-5041
| | - Maximilian Bockhorn
- University Hospital of General and Visceral Surgery, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg and Klinikum Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
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16
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Sonawala K, Ramalingam S, Sellamuthu I. Influence of Long Non-Coding RNA in the Regulation of Cancer Stem Cell Signaling Pathways. Cells 2022; 11:3492. [PMID: 36359888 PMCID: PMC9656902 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have emerged as an immensely studied and experimental topic, however a wide range of questions concerning the topic still remain unanswered; in particular, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of tumor stem cells and their characteristics. Understanding the cancer stem-cell signaling pathways may pave the way towards a better comprehension of these mechanisms. Signaling pathways such as WNT, STAT, Hedgehog, NOTCH, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, TGF-β, and NF-κB are responsible not only for modulating various features of CSCs but also their microenvironments. Recently, the prominent roles of various non-coding RNAs such as small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in developing and enhancing the tumor phenotypes have been unfolded. This review attempts to shed light on understanding the influence of long non- coding RNAs in the modulation of various CSC-signaling pathways and its impact on the CSCs and tumor properties; highlighting the protagonistic and antagonistic roles of lncRNAs.
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17
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Wu Z, Lin Y, Wei N. N6-methyladenosine-modified HOTAIRM1 promotes vasculogenic mimicry formation in glioma. Cancer Sci 2022; 114:129-141. [PMID: 36086906 PMCID: PMC9807531 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) has been reported to accelerate angiogenesis in malignant tumors, yet the mechanism underlying VM has not been fully elucidated. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mainly modulates mRNA fate and affects multiple tumorigenesis. Here, we aimed to investigate m6A-modified HOXA transcript antisense RNA myeloid-specific 1 (HOTAIRM1) in the regulation of glioma-associated VM formation. Gene expression was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. Cell viability, metastases, and VM formation capacity were determined by CCK-8, migration and invasion, as well as tube formation assays, respectively. The function and mechanisms of m6A-modified HOTAIRM1 were defined through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry m6A quantification, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, RNA stability assays, and RNA pull-down experiments. A glioma xenograft mouse model was further established for VM evaluation in vivo. The results showed that HOTAIRM1, methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) were upregulated in glioma tissues and cell lines. HOTAIRM1 functions as an oncogene in glioma progression; however, knockdown of HOTAIRM1 significantly reduced cell viability, migration, invasion, and VM formation. Notably, METTL3-dependent m6A modification enhanced HOTAIRM1 mRNA stability, whereas knockdown of METTL3 deficiency significantly suppressed VM in glioma. Moreover, HOTAIRM1 was found to bind IGFBP2, and HOTAIRM1 deficiency blocked glioma progression and VM formation in vivo. Our results indicated that METTL3-dependent m6A-modified HOTAIRM1 promoted VM formation in glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangyi Wu
- Department of NeurosurgeryZhejiang Provincial Tongde HospitalHangzhouChina
| | - Yihai Lin
- Department of NeurosurgeryZhejiang Provincial Tongde HospitalHangzhouChina
| | - Nan Wei
- Department of OncologyZhejiang HospitalHangzhouChina
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18
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Nayak A, Warrier NM, Kumar P. Cancer Stem Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment: Targeting the Critical Crosstalk through Nanocarrier Systems. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:2209-2233. [PMID: 35876959 PMCID: PMC9489588 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10426-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The physiological state of the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a central role in cancer development due to multiple universal features that transcend heterogeneity and niche specifications, like promoting cancer progression and metastasis. As a result of their preponderant involvement in tumor growth and maintenance through several microsystemic alterations, including hypoxia, oxidative stress, and acidosis, TMEs make for ideal targets in both diagnostic and therapeutic ventures. Correspondingly, methodologies to target TMEs have been investigated this past decade as stratagems of significant potential in the genre of focused cancer treatment. Within targeted oncotherapy, nanomedical derivates-nanocarriers (NCs) especially-have emerged to present notable prospects in enhancing targeting specificity. Yet, one major issue in the application of NCs in microenvironmental directed therapy is that TMEs are too broad a spectrum of targeting possibilities for these carriers to be effectively employed. However, cancer stem cells (CSCs) might portend a solution to the above conundrum: aside from being quite heavily invested in tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance, CSCs also show self-renewal and fluid clonogenic properties that often define specific TME niches. Further scrutiny of the relationship between CSCs and TMEs also points towards mechanisms that underly tumoral characteristics of metastasis, malignancy, and even resistance. This review summarizes recent advances in NC-enabled targeting of CSCs for more holistic strikes against TMEs and discusses both the current challenges that hinder the clinical application of these strategies as well as the avenues that can further CSC-targeting initiatives. Central role of CSCs in regulation of cellular components within the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aadya Nayak
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Neerada Meenakshi Warrier
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India.
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Claudin-6 increases SNAI1, NANOG and SOX2 gene expression in human gastric adenocarcinoma AGS cells. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:11663-11674. [PMID: 36169897 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07976-z] [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: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is a heterogeneous disease associated to deregulated gastric epithelia tight junction barrier function and di novo expression of claudin-6; these changes are associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, enhanced invasiveness, metastatic progression, resistance to chemotherapy, and poor prognosis. Gastric cancer stem cells represent a rare population of cells within the tumor implicated in tumor growth and higher tumorigenic capacity. The possible relation between claudin-6 expression and the expression of some markers associated to epithelial mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells in gastric cancer cells have never been explored. METHODS AND RESULTS CD44, CD24, Twist, Villin, DCLK1, claudin-6, NANOG, E-Cadherin, SOX2, and SNAI1 expression was evaluated by immunofluorescence and cytofluorometry in wild type and Claudin-6 transfected AGS cells. Cell migration assays were also performed. Differentially expressed genes and biological processes analysis was performed to determine gene preponderance. The results showed that claudin-6 overexpression enriched the CD44 + /CD24- subpopulation with an overall increase in the expression and the number of CD44 + cells. A significant increase in NANOG, SOX2 and SNAI1 expression and enhanced cell migration was observed in claudin-6 transfected cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed 271 genes involved in enhanced biological processes with only 31 with a significantly p value; thirteen of those genes are closely associated to epithelial mesenchymal transition processes and folding and unfolding processes of proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. CONCLUSIONS The pro-tumorigenic effect of claudin-6 in gastric cancer could be associated to dedifferentiation of epithelial cells and an increase in di novo cancer stem cell genesis.
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20
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Demeule M, Charfi C, Currie JC, Zgheib A, Danalache BA, Béliveau R, Marsolais C, Annabi B. The TH1902 Docetaxel Peptide-Drug Conjugate Inhibits Xenografts Growth of Human SORT1-Positive Ovarian and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Stem-like Cells. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091910. [PMID: 36145658 PMCID: PMC9503230 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Breast and ovarian cancer stem cells (CSC) can contribute to the invasive and chemoresistance phenotype of tumors. TH1902, a newly developed sortilin (SORT1)-targeted peptide-docetaxel conjugate is currently in phase-1 clinical trial. Whether TH1902 impacts the chemoresistance phenotype of human triple-negative breast CSC (hTNBCSC) and ovarian CSC (hOvCSC) is unknown. Methods and Results: Immunophenotyping of hTNBCSC and hOvCSC was performed by flow cytometry and confirmed the expression of SORT1, and of CSC markers CD133, NANOG, and SOX2. Western blotting demonstrated the expression of the drug efflux pumps from the P-gp family members, ABCB1 and ABCB5. The cellular uptake of the fluorescent Alexa488-peptide from TH1902 was inhibited upon siRNA-mediated repression of SORT1 or upon competition with SORT1 ligands. In contrast to docetaxel, TH1902 inhibited in vitro migration, induced cell apoptosis and lead to G2/M cell cycle arrest of the hTNBCSC. These events were unaffected by the presence of the P-gp inhibitors cyclosporine A or PSC-833. In vivo, using immunosuppressed nude mice xenografts, TH1902 significantly inhibited the growth of hTNBCSC and hOvCSC xenografts (~80% vs. ~35% for docetaxel) when administered weekly as intravenous bolus for three cycles at 15 mg/kg, a dose equivalent to the maximal tolerated dose of docetaxel. Therapeutic efficacy was further observed when carboplatin was combined to TH1902. Conclusions: Overall, TH1902 exerts a superior anticancer activity than the unconjugated docetaxel, in part, by circumventing the CSC drug resistance phenotype that could potentially reduce cancer recurrence attributable to CSC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cyndia Charfi
- Theratechnologies Inc., Montréal, QC H3A 1T8, Canada
| | | | - Alain Zgheib
- Laboratoire d’Oncologie Moléculaire, Département de Chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Bogdan Alexandru Danalache
- Laboratoire d’Oncologie Moléculaire, Département de Chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Richard Béliveau
- Laboratoire d’Oncologie Moléculaire, Département de Chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | | | - Borhane Annabi
- Laboratoire d’Oncologie Moléculaire, Département de Chimie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(514)-987-3000 (ext. 7610)
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21
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Chu TH, Ko CY, Tai PH, Chang YC, Huang CC, Wu TY, Chan HH, Wu PH, Weng CH, Lin YW, Kung ML, Fang CC, Wu JC, Wen ZH, Lee YK, Hu TH, Tai MH. Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102442. [PMID: 36055405 PMCID: PMC9530851 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) acts as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the antineoplastic mechanism of LECT2, especially its influence on hepatic cancer stem cells (CSCs), remains largely unknown. In The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort, LECT2 mRNA expression was shown to be associated with stage, grade, recurrence, and overall survival in human HCC patients, and LECT2 expression was downregulated in hepatoma tissues compared with the adjacent nontumoral liver. Here, we show by immunofluorescence and immunoblot analyses that LECT2 was expressed at lower levels in tumors and in poorly differentiated HCC cell lines. Using functional assays, we also found LECT2 was capable of suppressing oncogenic behaviors such as cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, migration, invasiveness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatoma cells. Moreover, we show exogenous LECT2 treatment inhibited CSC functions such as tumor sphere formation and drug efflux. Simultaneously, hepatic CSC marker expression was also downregulated, including expression of CD133 and CD44. This was supported by infection with adenovirus encoding LECT2 (Ad-LECT2) in HCC cells. Furthermore, in animal experiments, Ad-LECT2 gene therapy showed potent efficacy in treating HCC. We demonstrate LECT2 overexpression significantly promoted cell apoptosis and reduced neovascularization/CSC expansion in rat hepatoma tissues. Mechanistically, we showed using immunoblot and immunofluorescence analyses that LECT2 inhibited β-catenin signaling via the suppression of the hepatocyte growth factor/c-MET axis to diminish CSC properties in HCC cells. In summary, we reveal novel functions of LECT2 in the suppression of hepatic CSCs, suggesting a potential alternative strategy for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Huei Chu
- Medical Laboratory, Medical Education and Research Center, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chou-Yuan Ko
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Han Tai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Chang
- Doctoral Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University and Academia Sinica, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Yang Wu
- Department of Chest Medicine, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hoi-Hung Chan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Conde S. Januário Hospital, Macau, China
| | - Ping-Hsuan Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hui Weng
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lang Kung
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chieh Fang
- Center for Neuroscience, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Ching Wu
- Doctoral Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University and Academia Sinica, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; LabTurbo Biotech Corporation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Hong Wen
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, Asia-Pacific Ocean Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Kuo Lee
- Medical Laboratory, Medical Education and Research Center, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Hong Tai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Doctoral Degree Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University and Academia Sinica, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Neuroscience, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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22
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Bhuniya A, Sarkar A, Guha A, Choudhury PR, Bera S, Sultana J, Chakravarti M, Dhar S, Das J, Guha I, Ganguly N, Banerjee S, Bose A, Baral R. Tumor activated platelets induce vascular mimicry in mesenchymal stem cells and aid metastasis. Cytokine 2022; 158:155998. [PMID: 35981492 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.155998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Extent of metastasis influences activation of platelets in tumor-microenvironment. Activated platelets potentiate mesenchymal-stem-cells (MSCs) to migrate in secondary metastatic sites without participation in process of invasion. Presence of higher percentage of MSCs along with activated-platelets induces formation of vascular-mimicry (VM). The pathophysiology, VM, has already been reported in multiple types of cancer including lung, ovary, melanoma etc. and related to poor-prognosis. Interaction of MSCs with platelets in cell-to-cell contact dependent manner is essential for their migration, thereby, VM. Evidences are obtained suggesting that under influence of tumor-associated-activated-platelets, expressions of vimentin, ve-cadherin are increased, along with decrease in e-cadherin on CD105+ MSCs in both mRNA and protein levels that may help in formation of vessel like structure in VM. Adoptive transfer of MSCs along with tumor-activated-platelets causes greater B16 melanoma metastasis at lungs in comparison to MSCs with non-activated platelets. Presence of CD105+Vimentin+ MSCs in vessel like structure in the metastatic lung confirms the involvement of platelet-activated-MSCs in VM, thereby, in metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avishek Bhuniya
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Anirban Sarkar
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Aishwarya Guha
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Pritha Roy Choudhury
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Saurav Bera
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Jasmine Sultana
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Mohona Chakravarti
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Sukanya Dhar
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Juhina Das
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Ipsita Guha
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Nilanjan Ganguly
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Saptak Banerjee
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Anamika Bose
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India
| | - Rathindranath Baral
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, 37, S. P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700026, India.
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23
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Abbasi A, Hosseinpourfeizi M, Safaralizadeh R. All-trans retinoic acid-mediated miR-30a up-regulation suppresses autophagy and sensitizes gastric cancer cells to cisplatin. Life Sci 2022; 307:120884. [PMID: 35973456 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120884] [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: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The potential of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in regulating some microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in multiple cancer-related pathways, including resistance to chemotherapeutics, may be a valuable idea for overcoming the CDDP resistance of GC cells. MAIN METHODS Treatment of gastric AGS and MKN-45 cells with CDDP enriched the CDDP surviving cells (CDDP-SCs). The abilities of chemoresistance to CDDP drug, migration, either apoptosis or cell cycle distribution, spheroid body formation and changes at miRNA and protein levels were evaluated in vitro by MTT assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, tumor spheres culture, qRT-PCR and western blot assay in CDDP-SCs and ATRA-treated CDDP-SCs cells, respectively. KEY FINDINGS CDDP-based chemotherapy significantly reduced microRNA-30a (miR-30a) levels in GC cells. We also observed elevated autophagy activity in cancer cells that possess stem cell-like properties with overexpressed specific stem cell markers. Our extended study suggested that the reduction of miR-30a by CDDP treatment, is the possible underlying mechanism of enhanced autophagic activity, as demonstrated by enhancing autophagy-related protein beclin 1 and LC3-II/LC-I ratio. The addition of ATRA in the culture medium of GC cells increased the expression of miR-30a, and disturbed characteristic CSC-like properties. Additional studies revealed that the increased expression of miR-30a declined the expression level of its target gene, beclin 1, and beclin 1-mediated autophagy. This leads to promoted CDDP-induced GC cell apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest. SIGNIFICANCE Overall, miR-30a/autophagy signaling has a critical role in regulating the chemoresistance of GC cells that ATRA could modulate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asadollah Abbasi
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Reza Safaralizadeh
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
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24
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Sokolov D, Sharda N, Giri B, Hassan MS, Singh D, Tarasiewicz A, Lohr C, von Holzen U, Kristian T, Waddell J, Reiter RJ, Ahmed H, Banerjee A. Melatonin and andrographolide synergize to inhibit the colospheroid phenotype by targeting Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. J Pineal Res 2022; 73:e12808. [PMID: 35619550 PMCID: PMC9288490 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
β-catenin signaling, and angiogenesis are associated with colospheroid (CSC), development. CSCs, spheroids derived from colon cancer cells, are responsible for metastasis, drug resistance, and disease recurrence. Whether dysregulating β-catenin and inhibiting angiogenesis reduce CSC growth is unknown. In this study, the molecular mechanism of CSC growth inhibition was evaluated using a novel combination of melatonin (MLT) and andrographolide (AGP). These drugs have anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, and antimetastatic properties. CSCs were obtained from two metastatic colon cancer cell lines (HT29 and HCT-15). The viability and stemness were monitored (FDA propidium iodide staining and immunoblot for CD44, CD133, Nanog, Sox2, and Oct4). The drug combination synergistically diminished stemness via increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP level. MLT + AGP induced cell death by inhibiting β-catenin expression and its downregulatory signals, Cyclin D1, c-Myc. MLT + AGP treated cells exhibited translocation of phospho-β-catenin to the nucleus and dephosphorylated-β-catenin. Downregulation of β-catenin activation and its transcription factors (TCF4 and LEF1) and GTP binding/G-protein related activity were found in the dual therapy. Angiogenic inhibition is consistent with downregulation of VEGF messenger RNA transcripts (VEGF189), phosphorylated VEGF receptor protein expression, matrigel invasion, and capillary tube inhibition. In vivo, the intravenous injection of MLT + AGP slowed HT29 metastatic colon cancer. Histopathology indicated significant reduction in microvascular density and tumor index. Immunohistochemistry for caspase 7, and β-catenin found increased apoptosis and downregulation of β-catenin signals. The mechanism(s) of decreased colospheroids growth were the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Our results provide a rationale for using MLT in combination with AGP for the inhibition of CRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil Sokolov
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - Neha Sharda
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - Banabihari Giri
- Division of Virology and Immunology, Maryland Department of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - Md Sazzad Hassan
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN, U.S.A
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, South Bend, IN, U.S.A
| | - Damandeep Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - Agnieszka Tarasiewicz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - Charity Lohr
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - Urs von Holzen
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, IN, U.S.A
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, South Bend, IN, U.S.A
- Goshen Center for Cancer Care, Goshen, Goshen, IN, U.S.A
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tibor Kristian
- VAMHCS, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
- Department of Anesthesiology and the Center for Shock, Trauma, and Anesthesiology Research (STAR)
| | - Jaylyn Waddell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, U.S.A
| | | | - Aditi Banerjee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
- Corresponding author: Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Bressler Research Building, 13-043, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, Voice: (410) 706-1772, Fax: (410) 328-1072,
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25
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Hassan M, Nasr SM, Elzallat M. Effect of CD133 Polymorphisms on the Risk of Developing Liver Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma Induced by Viral Hepatitis. Virus Res 2022; 312:198714. [PMID: 35181408 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198714] [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: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD133 has been postulated to identify cancer stem cells (CSCs) and to play a role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of CD133 polymorphisms on viral hepatitis-induced liver cirrhosis, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility and prognosis. METHODOLOGY Cd133+ cells were counted and CD133 SNPs (rs3130, rs1029728, rs2240688, and rs2286455) were genotyped in HCV, HCV-liver cirrhosis, HCV-HCC, HBV, HBV-liver cirrhosis, and HBV-HCC patients and disease-free controls. RESULTS The percentage of CD133+ cells was observed to be significantly higher in HCV- and HBV-associated liver cirrhosis and HCC. Also, the CD133 rs3130 (C > T) TT, rs1029728 (A > G) GG, and rs2240688 (G > T) SNP TT genotypes were associated with a greater risk of liver cirrhosis and HCC development in viral hepatitis patients. Furthermore, in HCV-related HCC, rs3130 TT, rs1029728 GG, or rs2240688 TT genotypes were significantly associated with an increased number and size of focal lesions, but only the rs3130 TT genotype was associated with higher lesion size in HBV-associated HCC. In addition, individuals having rs3130 TT and rs1029728 GG genotypes had a significantly higher percentage of CD133+ cells. However, only HCV-infected individuals, carrying rs2240688 TT genotype, had an elevated level of CD133+ cells. CONCLUSIONS CD133 rs3130, rs1029728, and rs2240688 are genetic factors that can influence the susceptibility to liver cirrhosis and cancer, as well as the prognosis. As a result, CD133+ cells and CD133 polymorphisms might serve as potential predictors of these illnesses, laying the groundwork for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Hassan
- Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warraq El-Hadar, Giza 12411, Egypt.
| | - Sami Mohamed Nasr
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Elzallat
- Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warraq El-Hadar, Giza 12411, Egypt
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26
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Senchukova MA. Issues of origin, morphology and clinical significance of tumor microvessels in gastric cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:8262-8282. [PMID: 35068869 PMCID: PMC8717017 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i48.8262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) remains a serious oncological problem, ranking third in the structure of mortality from malignant neoplasms. Improving treatment outcomes for this pathology largely depends on understanding the pathogenesis and biological characteristics of GC, including the identification and characterization of diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and therapeutic biomarkers. It is known that the main cause of death from malignant neoplasms and GC, in particular, is tumor metastasis. Given that angiogenesis is a critical process for tumor growth and metastasis, it is now considered an important marker of disease prognosis and sensitivity to anticancer therapy. In the presented review, modern concepts of the mechanisms of tumor vessel formation and the peculiarities of their morphology are considered; data on numerous factors influencing the formation of tumor microvessels and their role in GC progression are summarized; and various approaches to the classification of tumor vessels, as well as the methods for assessing angiogenesis activity in a tumor, are highlighted. Here, results from studies on the prognostic and predictive significance of tumor microvessels in GC are also discussed, and a new classification of tumor microvessels in GC, based on their morphology and clinical significance, is proposed for consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina A Senchukova
- Department of Oncology, Orenburg State Medical University, Orenburg 460021, Russia
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27
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Massimini M, Romanucci M, De Maria R, Della Salda L. An Update on Molecular Pathways Regulating Vasculogenic Mimicry in Human Osteosarcoma and Their Role in Canine Oncology. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:722432. [PMID: 34631854 PMCID: PMC8494780 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.722432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine tumors are valuable comparative models for human counterparts, especially to explore novel biomarkers and to understand pathways and processes involved in metastasis. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a unique property of malignant cancer cells which promote metastasis. Thus, it represents an opportunity to investigate both the molecular mechanisms and the therapeutic targets of a crucial phenotypic malignant switch. Although this biological process has been largely investigated in different human cancer types, including osteosarcoma, it is still largely unknown in veterinary pathology, where it has been mainly explored in canine mammary tumors. The presence of VM in human osteosarcoma is associated with poor clinical outcome, reduced patient survival, and increased risk of metastasis and it shares the main pathways involved in other type of human tumors. This review illustrates the main findings concerning the VM process in human osteosarcoma, search for the related current knowledge in canine pathology and oncology, and potential involvement of multiple pathways in VM formation, in order to provide a basis for future investigations on VM in canine tumors.
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He L, Wang W, Shi H, Jiang C, Yao H, Zhang Y, Qian W, Lin R. THBS4/integrin α2 axis mediates BM-MSCs to promote angiogenesis in gastric cancer associated with chronic Helicobacter pylori infection. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:19375-19396. [PMID: 34390328 PMCID: PMC8386559 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: BM-MSCs contribute to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced gastric cancer, but their mechanism is still unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the specific role and mechanism of BM-MSCs in H. pylori-induced gastric cancer. Main methods: Mice received total bone marrow transplants and were then infected with H. pylori. BM-MSCs were extracted and transplanted into the gastric serosal layer of mice chronically infected with H. pylori. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry staining and immunofluorescence were performed to detect tumor growth and angiogenesis in mouse stomach tissues. Chicken chorioallantoic membrane assays, xenograft tumor models, and human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation assays were used for in vivo and in vitro angiogenesis studies. THBS4 was screened from RNA-seq analysis of gastric tissues of BM-MSCs transplanted into H. pylori-infected mice. Results: BM-MSCs can migrate to the site of chronic mucosal injury and promote tumor angiogenesis associated with chronic H. pylori infection. Migration of BM-MSCs to the site of chronic mucosal injury induced the upregulation of THBS4, which was also evident in human gastric cancer and correlated with increased blood vessel formation and worse outcome. The THBS4/integrin α2 axis promoted angiogenesis by facilitating the PI3K/AKT pathway in endothelial cells. Conclusions: Our results revealed a novel proangiogenic effect of BM-MSCs in the chronic H. pylori infection microenvironment, primarily mediated by the THBS4/integrin α2 axis, which activates the PI3K/AKT pathway in endothelial cells and eventually induces the formation of new tumor vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- LingNan He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - WeiJun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - HuiYing Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Chen Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - HaiLing Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - YuRui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Wei Qian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Rong Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
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Gaggianesi M, Di Franco S, Pantina VD, Porcelli G, D'Accardo C, Verona F, Veschi V, Colarossi L, Faldetta N, Pistone G, Bongiorno MR, Todaro M, Stassi G. Messing Up the Cancer Stem Cell Chemoresistance Mechanisms Supported by Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2021; 11:702642. [PMID: 34354950 PMCID: PMC8330815 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.702642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the recent advances in cancer patient management and in the development of targeted therapies, systemic chemotherapy is currently used as a first-line treatment for many cancer types. After an initial partial response, patients become refractory to standard therapy fostering rapid tumor progression. Compelling evidence highlights that the resistance to chemotherapeutic regimens is a peculiarity of a subpopulation of cancer cells within tumor mass, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). This cellular compartment is endowed with tumor-initiating and metastasis formation capabilities. CSC chemoresistance is sustained by a plethora of grow factors and cytokines released by neighboring tumor microenvironment (TME), which is mainly composed by adipocytes, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immune and endothelial cells. TME strengthens CSC refractoriness to standard and targeted therapies by enhancing survival signaling pathways, DNA repair machinery, expression of drug efflux transporters and anti-apoptotic proteins. In the last years many efforts have been made to understand CSC-TME crosstalk and develop therapeutic strategy halting this interplay. Here, we report the combinatorial approaches, which perturb the interaction network between CSCs and the different component of TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Gaggianesi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simone Di Franco
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Davide Pantina
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaetana Porcelli
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Caterina D'Accardo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Verona
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Veronica Veschi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Naida Faldetta
- Department of Surgery, Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pistone
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Bongiorno
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matilde Todaro
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Upcin B, Henke E, Kleefeldt F, Hoffmann H, Rosenwald A, Irmak-Sav S, Aktas HB, Rückschloß U, Ergün S. Contribution of Adventitia-Derived Stem and Progenitor Cells to New Vessel Formation in Tumors. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071719. [PMID: 34359889 PMCID: PMC8304670 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Blocking tumor vascularization has not yet come to fruition to the extent it was hoped for, as angiogenesis inhibitors have shown only partial success in the clinic. We hypothesized that under-appreciated vascular wall-resident stem and progenitor cells (VW-SPCs) might be involved in tumor vascularization and influence effectiveness of anti-angiogenic therapy. Indeed, in patient samples, we observed that vascular adventitia-resident CD34+ VW-SPCs are recruited to tumors in situ from co-opted vessels. To elucidate this in detail, we established an ex vivo model using concomitant embedding of multi-cellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) and mouse aortic rings (ARs) into collagen gels, similar to the so-called aortic ring assay (ARA). Moreover, ARA was modified by removing the ARs’ adventitia that harbors VW-SPCs. Thus, this model enabled distinguishing the contribution of VW-SPCs from that of mature endothelial cells (ECs) to new vessel formation. Our results show that the formation of capillary-like sprouts is considerably delayed, and their number and network formation were significantly reduced by removing the adventitia. Substituting iPSC-derived neural spheroids for MCTS resulted in distinct sprouting patterns that were also strongly influenced by the presence or absence of VW-SPCs, also underlying the involvement of these cells in non-pathological vascularization. Our data suggest that more comprehensive approaches are needed in order to block all of the mechanisms contributing to tumor vascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berin Upcin
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; (B.U.); (E.H.); (F.K.); (H.H.); (U.R.)
| | - Erik Henke
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; (B.U.); (E.H.); (F.K.); (H.H.); (U.R.)
| | - Florian Kleefeldt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; (B.U.); (E.H.); (F.K.); (H.H.); (U.R.)
| | - Helene Hoffmann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; (B.U.); (E.H.); (F.K.); (H.H.); (U.R.)
| | - Andreas Rosenwald
- Institute of Pathology, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97070 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Ster Irmak-Sav
- Faculty of Health Sciences, İstanbul Bilgi University, 34060 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Huseyin Bertal Aktas
- Department of Medicine, Hematology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Uwe Rückschloß
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; (B.U.); (E.H.); (F.K.); (H.H.); (U.R.)
| | - Süleyman Ergün
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; (B.U.); (E.H.); (F.K.); (H.H.); (U.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-931-31-82701
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Han YS, Yi EY, Jegal ME, Kim YJ. Cancer Stem-Like Phenotype of Mitochondria Dysfunctional Hep3B Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line. Cells 2021; 10:1608. [PMID: 34198967 PMCID: PMC8307994 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are major organelles that play various roles in cells, and mitochondrial dysfunction is the main cause of numerous diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction also occurs in many cancer cells, and these changes are known to affect malignancy. The mitochondria of normal embryonic stem cells (ESCs) exist in an undifferentiated state and do not function properly. We hypothesized that mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer cells caused by the depletion of mitochondrial DNA might be similar to the mitochondrial state of ESCs. We generated mitochondria dysfunctional (ρ0) cells from the Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cell line and tested whether these ρ0 cells show cancer stem-like properties, such as self-renewal, chemotherapy resistance, and angiogenesis. Compared with Hep3B cells, the characteristics of each cancer stem-like cell were increased in Hep3B/ρ0 cells. The Hep3B/ρ0 cells formed a continuous and large sphere from a single cell. Additionally, the Hep3B/ρ0 cells showed resistance to the anticancer drug doxorubicin because of the increased expression of ATP-binding cassette Subfamily B Member 1. The Hep3B/ρ0 conditioned medium induced more and thicker blood vessels and increased the mobility and invasiveness of the blood vessel cells. Therefore, our data suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction can transform cancer cells into cancer stem-like cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Seon Han
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (Y.-S.H.); (E.-Y.Y.); (M.-E.J.)
| | - Eui-Yeun Yi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (Y.-S.H.); (E.-Y.Y.); (M.-E.J.)
| | - Myeong-Eun Jegal
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (Y.-S.H.); (E.-Y.Y.); (M.-E.J.)
| | - Yung-Jin Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (Y.-S.H.); (E.-Y.Y.); (M.-E.J.)
- Korea Nanobiotechnology Center, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
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Lin T, Peng W, Mai P, Zhang E, Peng L. Human Gastric Cancer Stem Cell (GCSC) Markers Are Prognostic Factors Correlated With Immune Infiltration of Gastric Cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:626966. [PMID: 34113647 PMCID: PMC8185345 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.626966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC) is still unsatisfying. Numerous markers of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) have been identified and were thought to be related to cancer aggressiveness. However, the roles of GCSC markers in GC patients’ prognosis and immune infiltration remain unknown. Expression of GCSC markers was analyzed using Oncomine and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). Their associations with clinicopathological parameters were analyzed using UALCAN and LinkedOmics. Alternations and protein expression of GCSC markers were analyzed by cBioPortal and the Human Protein Atlas databases, respectively. The prognostic significance of GCSC markers was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier plotter. Correlations between the expression of GCSC markers and immune infiltration along with biomarkers of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) were assessed combined Tumor Immune Estimation Resource and GEPIA. GeneMANIA was used to discover the interactive genes of GCSC markers, and enrichment analysis was performed using Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery server. We identified six GCSC markers significantly up-expressed in GC, compared with normal stomach tissues. Among them, the overexpression of ICAM1, THY1, and CXCR4 significantly indicated adverse, while EPCAM indicated beneficial clinicopathological features of GC patients. The up-regulation of CXCR4 showed unfavorable prognostic significance, whereas EPCAM and TFRC showed the opposite. The six GCSC markers were all correlated with the infiltration and activation of distinct TIICs. Especially, ICAM1, THY1, and CXCR4 showed strongly positive correlations with tumor-associated macrophages. Besides, chemokine, Toll-like receptor, NF-kappa B, and HIF-1 signaling pathways might be involved in the regulation of GCSC markers on cancer development. This study proposed that GCSC markers might be promising targets of GC treatment to weaken cancer stem-like properties and strengthen anticancer immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Lin
- The Fourth Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenya Peng
- The Fourth Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peipei Mai
- The Fourth Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - E Zhang
- The Fourth Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lisheng Peng
- Department of Science and Education, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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33
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Sustained oxidative stress instigates differentiation of cancer stem cells into tumor endothelial cells: Pentose phosphate pathway, reactive oxygen species and autophagy crosstalk. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 139:111643. [PMID: 33945913 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor angiogenesis plays a vital role in tumor growth and metastasis. It is proven that in tumor vasculature, endothelial cells (ECs) originate from a small population of cancer cells introduced as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Autophagy has a vital role in ECs differentiation from CSCs and tumor angiogenesis. High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased autophagy by inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and inactivation of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Previously, we suggested that cancer cells initially increase the glycolysis rate when encountering ROS, then the metabolic balance is changed from glycolysis to PPP, following the continuation of oxidative stress. In this study, we investigate the possible role of persistent oxidative stress in the differentiation of CSCs into tumor ECs by relying on the relationship between the ROS, PPP and autophagy. Because tumor angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth and development of cancer, understanding the mechanisms involved in differentiating ECs from CSCs can help find promising treatments for cancer.
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34
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Wojtukiewicz MZ, Mysliwiec M, Matuszewska E, Sulkowski S, Zimnoch L, Politynska B, Wojtukiewicz AM, Tucker SC, Honn KV. Heterogeneous Expression of Proangiogenic and Coagulation Proteins in Gliomas of Different Histopathological Grade. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:605017. [PMID: 34257567 PMCID: PMC8262224 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.605017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Brain gliomas are characterized by remarkably intense invasive growth and the ability to create new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is a key process in the progression of these tumors. Coagulation and fibrinolysis factors play a role in promoting angiogenesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of proangiogenic proteins (VEGF and bFGF) and hemostatic proteins (TF, fibrinogen, fibrin, D-dimers) associated with neoplastic cells and vascular endothelial cells in brain gliomas of various degrees of malignancy. Immunohistochemical tests were performed using the ABC method with the use of mono- and polyclonal antibodies. The obtained results indicated that both neoplastic cells and vascular endothelial cells in gliomas of various degrees of malignancy are characterized by heterogeneous expression of proteins of the hemostatic system and angiogenesis markers. The strongest expression of proangiogenic factors and procoagulant factors was demonstrated in gliomas of higher-grade malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Z Wojtukiewicz
- Department of Oncology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.,Department of Clinical Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Marta Mysliwiec
- Department of Oncology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Elwira Matuszewska
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Stanislaw Sulkowski
- Department of General Pathomorphology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Lech Zimnoch
- Department of General Pathomorphology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Barbara Politynska
- Department of Philosophy and Human Psychology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.,Robinson College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anna M Wojtukiewicz
- Department of Philosophy and Human Psychology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Stephanie C Tucker
- Department of Pathology-School of Medicine, Bioactive Lipids Research Program, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States.,Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Kenneth V Honn
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
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35
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Kayamba V. Nutrition and upper gastrointestinal cancers: An overview of current understandings. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 83:605-616. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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36
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Chung SY, Chao TC, Su Y. The Stemness-High Human Colorectal Cancer Cells Promote Angiogenesis by Producing Higher Amounts of Angiogenic Cytokines via Activation of the Egfr/Akt/Nf-κB Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031355. [PMID: 33573006 PMCID: PMC7866396 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for cancer metastasis by stimulating tumor angiogenesis via various mechanisms. To elucidate the potential of the stemness-high human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells (i.e., CRCSCs) in activating angiogenesis, effects of the GATA6-overexpressing HCT-116 and HT-29 human CRC clones established previously by us in promoting the angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were examined. Methods: Angiogenesis-promoting effects (i.e., migration, invasion, DNA synthesis, and tube formation) in HUVECs of the conditioned media (CM) from various human CRC clones were analyzed. MMP activities were assessed using a zymography assay. Western blotting and selective inhibitors were used to dissect the signaling pathway involved. IHC was used to examine the vascular density in tumor xenografts. Results: We found that the conditioned media (CM) collected from the GATA6-overexpressing clones enhanced angiogenesis of HUVECs more effectively which might be attributed partly to a higher MMP-9 production by HUVECs. Subsequently, elevated levels of IL-8 and VEGF-A were detected in the CM whose tube formation-enhancing activities were abolished by the co-treatment with either a VEGFR2 inhibitor or an IL-8 neutralizing antibody. Interestingly, increased production of these cytokines in the GATA6-overexpressing clones was due to an EGFR/AKT-mediated activation of NF-κB. Furthermore, not only were the levels of CD31 and endomucin but also the blood vessel density was much higher in the xenograft tumors grown from these clones. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that human CRCSCs promote a stronger angiogenesis by producing higher amounts of angiogenic factors through activation of the EGFR/AKT/NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Yi Chung
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Shi-Pai, Taipei 11221, Taiwan;
| | - Ta-Chung Chao
- Department of Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11221, Taiwan;
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Min University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Yeu Su
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Shi-Pai, Taipei 11221, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +886-2-2825-0883
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Corsini M, Ravelli C, Grillo E, Dell'Era P, Presta M, Mitola S. Simultaneously characterization of tumoral angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in stem cell-derived teratomas. Exp Cell Res 2021; 400:112490. [PMID: 33484747 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tumor neovascularization may occur via both angiogenic and vasculogenic events. In order to investigate the vessel formation during tumor growth, we developed a novel experimental model that takes into account the differentiative and tumorigenic properties of Embryonic Stem cells (ESCs). Leukemia Inhibitory Factor-deprived murine ESCs were grafted on the top of the chick embryo chorionallantoic membrane (CAM) in ovo. Cell grafts progressively grew, forming a vascularized mass within 10 days. At this stage, the grafts are formed by cells with differentiative features representative of all three germ layers, thus originating teratomas, a germinal cell tumor. In addition, ESC supports neovascular events by recruiting host capillaries from surrounding tissue that infiltrates the tumor mass. Moreover, immunofluorescence studies demonstrate that perfused active blood vessels within the tumor are of both avian and murine origin because of the simultaneous occurrence of angiogenic and vasculogenic events. In conclusion, the chick embryo ESC/CAM-derived teratoma model may represent a useful approach to investigate both vasculogenic and angiogenic events during tumor growth and for the study of natural and synthetic modulators of the two processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Corsini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Via Branze 39, 25123, Brescia, University of Brescia, Italy; Laboratory for Preventive and Personalized Medicine (MPP Lab), University of Brescia, Italy.
| | - Cosetta Ravelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Via Branze 39, 25123, Brescia, University of Brescia, Italy; Laboratory for Preventive and Personalized Medicine (MPP Lab), University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Grillo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Via Branze 39, 25123, Brescia, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Dell'Era
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Via Branze 39, 25123, Brescia, University of Brescia, Italy; cFRU Lab, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Presta
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Via Branze 39, 25123, Brescia, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefania Mitola
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Via Branze 39, 25123, Brescia, University of Brescia, Italy; Laboratory for Preventive and Personalized Medicine (MPP Lab), University of Brescia, Italy.
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Cancer Stem Cells-Key Players in Tumor Relapse. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030376. [PMID: 33498502 PMCID: PMC7864187 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor relapse and treatment failure are unfortunately common events for cancer patients, thus often rendering cancer an uncurable disease. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of cancer cells endowed with tumor-initiating and self-renewal capacity, as well as with high adaptive abilities. Altogether, these features contribute to CSC survival after one or multiple therapeutic approaches, thus leading to treatment failure and tumor progression/relapse. Thus, elucidating the molecular mechanisms associated with stemness-driven resistance is crucial for the development of more effective drugs and durable responses. This review will highlight the mechanisms exploited by CSCs to overcome different therapeutic strategies, from chemo- and radiotherapies to targeted therapies and immunotherapies, shedding light on their plasticity as an insidious trait responsible for their adaptation/escape. Finally, novel CSC-specific approaches will be described, providing evidence of their preclinical and clinical applications.
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Nawara HM, Afify SM, Hassan G, Zahra MH, Atallah MN, Seno A, Seno M. An assay for cancer stem cell-induced angiogenesis on chick chorioallantoic membrane. Cell Biol Int 2020; 45:749-756. [PMID: 33274828 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11511] [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: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is generally involved in tumor growth and metastasis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to facilitate the angiogenesis. Therefore, CSCs could be the effective targets to stop angiogenesis. Recently, our group successfully generated CSC models from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in the presence of conditioned medium derived from cancer derived cells. These novel model CSCs has been characterized by highly tumorigenic, angiogenic and metastatic potentials in vivo. The angiogenic potential of CSCs has been explained by the expression of both angiogenic factors and their receptors implying the angiogenesis in autocrine manner. In this protocol we optimized the method to evaluate tumor angiogenesis with the CSC model, which was described effective to assess sorafenib as an antiangiogenic drug, on chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Our results demonstrate that CSCs developed from iPSCs and CAM assay are a robust and cost-effective tool to evaluate tumor angiogenesis with CSCs. Collectively, CSCs in CAM assay could serve as a very useful model for the screening of potential therapeutic agents targeting tumor angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hend M Nawara
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Division of Bioengineering and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Said M Afify
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Division of Bioengineering and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.,Division of Biochemistry, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Ghmkin Hassan
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Division of Bioengineering and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.,Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | - Maram H Zahra
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Division of Bioengineering and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Marwa N Atallah
- Department of Zoology, Vertebrates Embryology, and Comparative Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Akimasa Seno
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Division of Bioengineering and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masaharu Seno
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Division of Bioengineering and Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
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Kasprzak A. Angiogenesis-Related Functions of Wnt Signaling in Colorectal Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123601. [PMID: 33276489 PMCID: PMC7761462 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Angiogenesis belongs to the most clinical characteristics of colorectal cancer (CRC) and is strongly linked to the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The most prominent factors stimulating constitutive activation of this pathway, and in consequence angiogenesis, are genetic alterations (mainly mutations) concerning APC and the β-catenin encoding gene (CTNNB1), detected in a large majority of CRC patients. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is involved in the basic types of vascularization (sprouting and nonsprouting angiogenesis), vasculogenic mimicry as well as the formation of mosaic vessels. The number of known Wnt/β-catenin signaling components and other pathways interacting with Wnt signaling, regulating angiogenesis, and enabling CRC progression continuously increases. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the role of the Wnt/Fzd/β-catenin signaling pathway in the process of CRC angiogenesis, aiming to improve the understanding of the mechanisms of metastasis as well as improvements in the management of this cancer. Abstract Aberrant activation of the Wnt/Fzd/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the major molecular mechanisms of colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression. On the other hand, one of the most common clinical CRC characteristics include high levels of angiogenesis, which is a key event in cancer cell dissemination and distant metastasis. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin downstream signaling regulates the most important pro-angiogenic molecules including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family members, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and chemokines. Furthermore, mutations of the β-catenin gene associated with nuclear localization of the protein have been mainly detected in microsatellite unstable CRC. Elevated nuclear β-catenin increases the expression of many genes involved in tumor angiogenesis. Factors regulating angiogenesis with the participation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling include different groups of biologically active molecules including Wnt pathway components (e.g., Wnt2, DKK, BCL9 proteins), and non-Wnt pathway factors (e.g., chemoattractant cytokines, enzymatic proteins, and bioactive compounds of plants). Several lines of evidence argue for the use of angiogenesis inhibition in the treatment of CRC. In the context of this paper, components of the Wnt pathway are among the most promising targets for CRC therapy. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the role of the Wnt/Fzd/β-catenin signaling pathway in the process of CRC angiogenesis, aiming to improve the understanding of the mechanisms of metastasis as well as improvements in the management of this cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldona Kasprzak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Swiecicki Street 6, 60-781 Poznań, Poland
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