S100A4 is a Biomarker of Tumorigenesis, EMT, Invasion, and Colonization of Host Organs in Experimental Malignant Mesothelioma

Tumor-Targeting Extracellular Vesicles Loaded with siS100A4 for Suppressing Postoperative Breast Cancer Metastasis

Introduction

S100A4 promotes the establishment of tumor microenvironment for malignant cancer cells, and knockdown of S100A4 can inhibit tumorigenesis. However, there is no efficient way to target S100A4 in metastatic tumor tissues. Here, we investigated the role of siS100A4-loaded iRGD-modified extracellular vesicles (siS100A4-iRGD-EVs) in postoperative breast cancer metastasis.

Methods

siS100A4-iRGD-EVs nanoparticles were engineered and analyzed using TEM and DLS. siRNA protection, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity of EV nanoparticles were examined in vitro. Postoperative lung metastasis mouse model was created to investigate the tissue distribution and anti-metastasis roles of nanoparticles in vivo.

Results

siS100A4-iRGD-EVs protected siRNA from RNase degradation, enhanced the cellular uptake and compatibility in vitro. Strikingly, iRGD-modified EVs significantly increased tumor organotropism and siRNA accumulation in lung PMNs compared to siS100A4-EVs in vivo. Moreover, siS100A4-iRGD-EVs treatment remarkedly attenuated lung metastases from breast cancer and increased survival rate of mice through suppressing S100A4 expression in lung.

Conclusions

siS100A4-iRGD-EVs nanoparticles show more potent anti-metastasis effect in postoperative breast cancer metastasis mouse model.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-022-00757-5.

miRNAs and Multiple Myeloma: Focus on the Pathogenesis, Prognosis, and Drug Resistance

Multiple myeloma (MM) produces clonal plasma cells and aberrant monoclonal antibody accumulation in patients' bone marrow (BM). Around 1% of all cancers and 13% of hematological malignancies are caused by MM, making it one of the most common types of cancer. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods for managing MM are currently undergoing extensive research. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that reduce or inhibit the translation of their target mRNA after transcription. Because miRNAs play an influential role in how myeloma develops, resources, and becomes resistant to drugs, miRNA signatures may be used to diagnose, do prognosis, and treat the myeloma response. Consequently, researchers have investigated the levels of miRNA in plasma cells from MM patients and developed tools to test whether they directly impacted tumor growth. This review discusses the latest discoveries in miRNA science and their role in the development of MM. We also emphasize the potential applications of miRNAs to diagnose, prognosticate, and treat MM in the future.

A high-efficiency differential expression method for cancer heterogeneity using large-scale single-cell RNA-sequencing data

Colorectal cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease. Tumor heterogeneity limits the efficacy of cancer treatment. Single-cell RNA-sequencing technology (scRNA-seq) is a powerful tool for studying cancer heterogeneity at cellular resolution. The sparsity, heterogeneous diversity, and fast-growing scale of scRNA-seq data pose challenges to the flexibility, accuracy, and computing efficiency of the differential expression (DE) methods. We proposed HEART (high-efficiency and robust test), a statistical combination test that can detect DE genes with various sources of differences beyond mean expression changes. To validate the performance of HEART, we compared HEART and the other six popular DE methods on various simulation datasets with different settings by two simulation data generation mechanisms. HEART had high accuracy (F1 score >0.75) and brilliant computational efficiency (less than 2 min) on multiple simulation datasets in various experimental settings. HEART performed well on DE genes detection for the PBMC68K dataset quantified by UMI counts and the human brain single-cell dataset quantified by read counts (F1 score = 0.79, 0.65). By applying HEART to the single-cell dataset of a colorectal cancer patient, we found several potential blood-based biomarkers (CTTN, S100A4, S100A6, UBA52, FAU, and VIM) associated with colorectal cancer metastasis and validated them on additional spatial transcriptomic data of other colorectal cancer patients.

Proteomes of Residual Tumors in Curcumin-Treated Rats Reveal Changes in Microenvironment/Malignant Cell Crosstalk in a Highly Invasive Model of Mesothelioma

Curcumin exhibits both immunomodulatory properties and anticarcinogenic effects which have been investigated in different experimental tumor models and cancer types. Its interactions with multiple signaling pathways have been documented through proteomic studies on malignant cells in culture; however, in vivo approaches are scarce. In this study, we used a rat model of highly invasive peritoneal mesothelioma to analyze the residual tumor proteomes of curcumin-treated rats in comparison with untreated tumor-bearing rats (G1) and provide insights into the modifications in the tumor microenvironment/malignant cell crosstalk. The cross-comparing analyses of the histological sections of residual tumors from two groups of rats given curcumin twice on days 21 and 26 after the tumor challenge (G2) or four times on days 7, 9, 11 and 14 (G3), in comparison with G1, identified a common increase in caveolin-1 which linked with significant abundance changes affecting 115 other proteins. The comparison of G3 vs. G2 revealed additional features for 65 main proteins, including an increase in histidine-rich glycoprotein and highly significant abundance changes for 22 other proteins regulating the tumor microenvironment, linked with the presence of numerous activated T cells. These results highlight new features in the multiple actions of curcumin on tumor microenvironment components and cancer cell invasiveness.

Curcuminoids as Modulators of EMT in Invasive Cancers: A Review of Molecular Targets With the Contribution of Malignant Mesothelioma Studies

Curcuminoids, which include natural acyclic diarylheptanoids and the synthetic analogs of curcumin, have considerable potential for fighting against all the characteristics of invasive cancers. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process for embryonic morphogenesis, however, the last decade has confirmed it orchestrates many features of cancer invasiveness, such as tumor cell stemness, metabolic rewiring, and drug resistance. A wealth of studies has revealed EMT in cancer is in fact driven by an increasing number of parameters, and thus understanding its complexity has now become a cornerstone for defining future therapeutic strategies dealing with cancer progression and metastasis. A specificity of curcuminoids is their ability to target multiple molecular targets, modulate several signaling pathways, modify tumor microenvironments and enhance the host’s immune response. Although the effects of curcumin on these various parameters have been the subject of many reviews, the role of curcuminoids against EMT in the context of cancer have never been reviewed so far. This review first provides an updated overview of all EMT drivers, including signaling pathways, transcription factors, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and tumor microenvironment components, with a special focus on the most recent findings. Secondly, for each of these drivers the effects of curcumin/curcuminoids on specific molecular targets are analyzed. Finally, we address some common findings observed between data reported in the literature and the results of investigations we conducted on experimental malignant mesothelioma, a model of invasive cancer representing a useful tool for studies on EMT and cancer.

GJA1 reverses arsenic-induced EMT via modulating MAPK/ERK signaling pathway

Arsenic is known as a well-established human carcinogen. Gap Junction Protein Alpha 1 (GJA1) is a multifunction protein that forms gap junction channels and is important for intercellular communication. Recently, its aberrant expression has been shown to associate with cancer recurrence and metastatic spread. However, whether GJA1 plays a role in arsenic carcinogenesis remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that chronic exposure of human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells to sodium arsenite promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via increasing the expression of EMT inducer S100A4 and activation of MAPK/ERK signaling. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that chronic exposure to sodium arsenite reduced GJA1 expression. Forced expression of GJA1 inhibited sodium arsenite-induced EMT via suppressing MAPK/ERK signaling whereas GJA1 knockdown produced an opposite effect. Intriguingly, chronic exposure to sodium arsenite increased autophagy flux. Inhibition of autophagy by pharmacological intervention or genetic deletion of autophagy core gene Beclin-1 upregulated GJA1 expression. These results suggested that GJA1 restrained the carcinogenic effect of sodium arsenite by limiting MAPK/ERK signaling, and GJA1 expression was decreased by arsenic-activated autophagy. In addition, interventions directed at enhancing the level or functional activity of GJA1 could be of preventive and therapeutic interest.

Associations among S100A4, Sphingosine-1-Phosphate, and Pulmonary Function in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background. S100A4 is a member of the S100 calcium-binding protein family and is increased in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a naturally occurring bioactive sphingolipid, which regulates the adhesion between the cells and the extracellular matrix and affects cell migration and differentiation. The goal of this study was to analyze the correlations among S100A4, S1P, and pulmonary function among COPD patients. Methods. All 139 serum samples and 15 lung specimens were collected in COPD patients and control subjects. S100A4 and S1P were detected in two groups. The markers of fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were measured in the lungs of COPD patients and control subjects. Results. The protein expression of S100A4 was higher in the lungs and serum of COPD patients than control cases. Additionally, serum S100A4 was inversely associated with pulmonary function among COPD patients. Meanwhile, collagen deposition and EMT nuclear transcription factors were elevated in the lungs of COPD patients. Moreover, the protein expression of S1P was increased in the serum of COPD patients. Serum S1P was gradually increased along with pulmonary function decline in COPD patients. Further correlation analysis revealed that serum S1P was negatively associated with pulmonary function in COPD patients. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between S1P and S100A4 in COPD patients. Conclusions. These results provide evidence that the elevation of S100A4 and S1P may be involved in the onset and progression of COPD.

Fluid Flow Stimulation Modulates Expression of S100 Genes in Normal Breast Epithelium and Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION

S100 proteins are intracellular calcium ion sensors that participate in cellular processes, some of which are involved in normal breast functioning and breast cancer development. Despite several S100 genes being overexpressed in breast cancer, their roles during disease development remain elusive. Human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) can be exposed to fluid shear stresses and implications of such interactions have not been previously studied. The goal of this study was to analyze expression profiles of S100 genes upon exposing HMECs to fluid flow.

METHODS

HMECs and breast cancer cell lines were exposed to fluid flow in a parallel-plate bioreactor system. Changes in gene expression were quantified using microarrays and qPCR, gene-gene interactions were elucidated using network analysis, and key modified genes were examined in three independent clinical datasets.

RESULTS

S100 genes were among the most upregulated genes upon flow stimulation. Network analysis revealed interactions between upregulated transcripts, including interactions between S100P, S100PBP, S100A4, S100A7, S100A8 and S100A9. Overexpression of S100s was also observed in patients with early stage breast cancer compared to normal breast tissue, and in most breast cancer patients. Finally, survival analysis revealed reduced survival times for patients with elevated expression of S100A7 and S100P.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that exposing HMECs to fluid flow upregulates genes identified clinically to be overexpressed during breast cancer development, including S100A7 and S100P. These findings are the first to show that S100 genes are flow-responsive and might be participating in a fundamental adaptation pathway in normal tissue that is also active in breast cancer.

Novel Lysine-Rich Delivery Peptides of Plant Origin ERD and Human S100: The Effect of Carboxyfluorescein Conjugation, Influence of Aromatic and Proline Residues, Cellular Internalization, and Penetration Ability

The need for novel drug delivery peptides is an important issue of the modern pharmaceutical research. Here, we test K-rich peptides from plant dehydrin ERD14 (ERD-A, ERD-B, and ERD-C) and the C-terminal CPP-resembling region of S100A4 (S100) using the 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (Cf) tag at the N-terminus. Via a combined pH-dependent NMR and fluorescence study, we analyze the effect of the Cf conjugation/modification on the structural behavior, separately investigating the (5)-Cf and (6)-Cf forms. Flow cytometry results show that all peptides internalize; however, there is a slight difference between the cellular internalization of (5)- and (6)-Cf-peptides. We indicate the possible importance of residues with an aromatic sidechain and proline. We prove that ERD-A localizes mostly in the cytosol, ERD-B and S100 have partial colocalization with lysosomal staining, and ERD-C mainly localizes within vesicle-like compartments, while the uptake mechanism mainly occurs through energy-dependent paths.

The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in the Development and Metastasis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumor mainly associated with asbestos exposure and is characterized by a very difficult pharmacological approach. One of the molecular mechanisms associated with cancer onset and invasiveness is the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an event induced by different types of inducers, such as transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), the main inducer of EMT, and oxidative stress. MPM development and metastasis have been correlated to EMT; On one hand, EMT mediates the effects exerted by asbestos fibers in the mesothelium, particularly via increased oxidative stress and TGFβ levels evoked by asbestos exposure, thus promoting a malignant phenotype, and on the other hand, MPM acquires invasiveness via the EMT event, as shown by an upregulation of mesenchymal markers or, although indirectly, some miRNAs or non-coding RNAs, all demonstrated to be involved in cancer onset and metastasis. This review aims to better describe how EMT is involved in driving the development and invasiveness of MPM, in an attempt to open new scenarios that are useful in the identification of predictive markers and to improve the pharmacological approach against this aggressive cancer.

Lymphoid Organ Proteomes Identify Therapeutic Efficacy Biomarkers Following the Intracavitary Administration of Curcumin in a Highly Invasive Rat Model of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

This study aimed to identify the proteomic changes produced by curcumin treatment following stimulation of the host immune system in a rat model of malignant mesothelioma. We analyzed the proteomes of secondary lymphoid organs from four normal rats, four untreated tumor-bearing rats, and four tumor-bearing rats receiving repeated intraperitoneal administrations of curcumin. Cross-comparing proteome analyses of histological sections of the spleen from the three groups first identified a list of eighty-three biomarkers of interest, thirteen of which corresponded to proteins already reported in the literature and involved in the anticancer therapeutic effects of curcumin. In a second step, comparing these data with proteomic analyses of histological sections of mesenteric lymph nodes revealed eight common biomarkers showing a similar pattern of changes in both lymphoid organs. Additional findings included a partial reduction of the increase in spleen-circulating biomarkers, a decrease in C-reactive protein and complement C3 in the spleen and lymph nodes, and an increase in lymph node purine nucleoside phosphorylase previously associated with liver immunodeficiency. Our results suggest some protein abundance changes could be related to the systemic, distant non-target antitumor effects produced by this phytochemical.

MiR-296-5p ameliorates deep venous thrombosis by inactivating S100A4

Deep venous thrombosis is one of the most common venous thromboembolic diseases and has a low cure rate and a high postoperative recurrence rate. Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates that microRNAs are involved in deep venous thrombosis. miR-296-5p is an important microRNA that plays a critical role in various cellular functions, and S100A4 is closely related to vascular function. miR-296-5p is downregulated in deep venous thrombosis patients, and its predicted target S100A4 is upregulated in deep venous thrombosis patients. Therefore, it was hypothesized that miR-296-5p may play a vital role in the development of deep venous thrombosis by targeting S100A4. An Ox-LDL-stimulated HUVEC and deep venous thrombosis mouse model was employed to detect the biological functions of miR-296-5p and S100A4. Dual luciferase reporter assays and pull-down assays were used to authenticate the interaction between miR-296-5p and S100A4. ELISA and Western blotting were employed to detect the protein levels of thrombosis-related factors and the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT)-related factors. The miR-296-5p levels were reduced, while the S100A4 levels were enhanced in deep venous thrombosis patients, and the miR-296-5p levels were negatively correlated with the S100A4 levels in deep venous thrombosis patients. miR-296-5p suppressed S100A4 expression by targeting the 3' UTR of S100A4. MiR-296-5p knockdown accelerated ox-LDL-induced HUVEC apoptosis, oxidative stress, thrombosis-related factor expression, and EndMT, while S100A4 knockdown antagonized these effects in ox-LDL-induced HUVECs. S100A4 knockdown reversed the effect induced by miR-296-5p knockdown. Moreover, the in vivo studies revealed that miR-296-5p knockdown in deep venous thrombosis mice exacerbated deep venous thrombosis formation, whereas S100A4 knockdown had the opposite effect. These results indicate that elevated miR-296-5p inhibits deep venous thrombosis formation by inhibiting S100A4 expression. Both miR-296-5p and S100A4 may be potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for deep venous thrombosis.

Curcumin Treatment Identifies Therapeutic Targets within Biomarkers of Liver Colonization by Highly Invasive Mesothelioma Cells-Potential Links with Sarcomas

Simple Summary

Aggressive sarcomatoid tumors designed in inbred strains of immunocompetent rats represent useful tools for both the identification of biomarkers of invasiveness and evaluation of innovative therapies. Our aim was to investigate the molecular determinants of liver colonization and potential common biomarkers of sarcomas and sarcomatoid tumors, using the most invasive (M5-T1) of our four experimental models of peritoneal sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma in the F344 rat. Using an advanced and robust technique of quantitative proteomics and a bank of paraffin-embedded tumor and tissue samples, we analyzed changes in the proteotype patterns of the liver from normal rats, adjacent non-tumorous liver from untreated tumor-bearing rats, and liver from tumor-bearing rats positively responding to repeated administrations of curcumin given intraperitoneally. The identification of proteome alterations accounting for the antitumor effects of curcumin and changes in the liver microenvironment, which favored the induction of an immune response, could be useful to the research community.

Abstract

Investigations of liver metastatic colonization suggest that the microenvironment is preordained to be intrinsically hospitable to the invasive cancer cells. To identify molecular determinants of that organotropism and potential therapeutic targets, we conducted proteomic analyses of the liver in an aggressive model of sarcomatoid peritoneal mesothelioma (M5-T1). The quantitative changes between SWATH-MS (sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragmentation spectra) proteotype patterns of the liver from normal rats (G1), adjacent non-tumorous liver from untreated tumor-bearing rats (G2), and liver from curcumin-treated rats without hepatic metastases (G3) were compared. The results identified 12 biomarkers of raised immune response against M5-T1 cells in G3 and 179 liver biomarker changes in (G2 vs. G1) and (G3 vs. G2) but not in (G3 vs. G1). Cross-comparing these 179 candidates with proteins showing abundance changes related to increasing invasiveness in four different rat mesothelioma tumor models identified seven biomarkers specific to the M5-T1 tumor. Finally, analysis of correlations between these seven biomarkers, purine nucleoside phosphorylase being the main biomarker of immune response, and the 179 previously identified proteins revealed a network orchestrating liver colonization and treatment efficacy. These results highlight the links between potential targets, raising interesting prospects for optimizing therapies against highly invasive cancer cells exhibiting a sarcomatoid phenotype and sarcoma cells.

Function and regulation of the PEA3 subfamily of ETS transcription factors in cancer

The PEA3 subfamily is a subgroup of the E26 transformation-specific (ETS) family. Its members, ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5, have been found to be overexpressed in multiple cancers. The deregulation of ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5 induces cell growth, invasion, and migration in various tumor cells, leading to tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Therefore, exploring drugs or therapeutic targets that target the PEA3 subfamily may contribute to the clinical treatment of tumor patients. In this review, we introduce the structures and functions of the PEA3 subfamily members, systematically review their main roles in various tumor cells, analyze their prognostic and diagnostic value, and, finally, introduce several molecular targets and therapeutic drugs targeting ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5. We conclude that targeting a series of upstream regulators and downstream target genes of the PEA3 subfamily may be an effective strategy for the treatment of ETV1/ETV4/ETV5-overexpressing tumors.

Cross-Species Proteomics Identifies CAPG and SBP1 as Crucial Invasiveness Biomarkers in Rat and Human Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) still represents a devastating disease that is often detected too late, while the current effect of therapies on patient outcomes remains unsatisfactory. Invasiveness biomarkers may contribute to improving early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment for patients, a task that could benefit from the development of high-throughput proteomics. To limit potential sources of bias when identifying such biomarkers, we conducted cross-species proteomic analyzes on three different MM sources. Data were collected firstly from two human MM cell lines, secondly from rat MM tumors of increasing invasiveness grown in immunocompetent rats and human MM tumors grown in immunodeficient mice, and thirdly from paraffin-embedded sections of patient MM tumors of the epithelioid and sarcomatoid subtypes. Our investigations identified three major invasiveness biomarkers common to the three tumor sources, CAPG, FABP4, and LAMB2, and an additional set of 25 candidate biomarkers shared by rat and patient tumors. Comparing the data to proteomic analyzes of preneoplastic and neoplastic rat mesothelial cell lines revealed the additional role of SBP1 in the carcinogenic process. These observations could provide new opportunities to identify highly vulnerable MM patients with poor survival outcomes, thereby improving the success of current and future therapeutic strategies.

Friend or Foe: S100 Proteins in Cancer

S100 proteins are widely expressed small molecular EF-hand calcium-binding proteins of vertebrates, which are involved in numerous cellular processes, such as Ca²⁺ homeostasis, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and inflammation. Although the complex network of S100 signalling is by far not fully deciphered, several S100 family members could be linked to a variety of diseases, such as inflammatory disorders, neurological diseases, and also cancer. The research of the past decades revealed that S100 proteins play a crucial role in the development and progression of many cancer types, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma. Hence, S100 family members have also been shown to be promising diagnostic markers and possible novel targets for therapy. However, the current knowledge of S100 proteins is limited and more attention to this unique group of proteins is needed. Therefore, this review article summarises S100 proteins and their relation in different cancer types, while also providing an overview of novel therapeutic strategies for targeting S100 proteins for cancer treatment.