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Hapeman JD, Carneiro CS, Nedelcu AM. A model for the dissemination of circulating tumour cell clusters involving platelet recruitment and a plastic switch between cooperative and individual behaviours. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:39. [PMID: 37605189 PMCID: PMC10440896 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02147-5] [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: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In spite of extensive research, cancer remains a major health problem worldwide. As cancer progresses, cells acquire traits that allow them to disperse and disseminate to distant locations in the body - a process known as metastasis. While in the vasculature, these cells are referred to as circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and can manifest either as single cells or clusters of cells (i.e., CTC clusters), with the latter being the most aggressive. The increased metastatic potential of CTC clusters is generally associated with cooperative group benefits in terms of survival, including increased resistance to shear stress, anoikis, immune attacks and drugs. However, the adoption of a group phenotype poses a challenge when exiting the vasculature (extravasation) as the large size can hinder the passage through vessel walls. Despite their significant role in the metastatic process, the mechanisms through which CTC clusters extravasate remain largely unknown. Based on the observed in vivo association between CTC clusters and platelets, we hypothesized that cancer cells take advantage of the platelet-derived Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-β1) - a signalling factor that has been widely implicated in many aspects of cancer, to facilitate their own dissemination. To address this possibility, we evaluated the effect of exogenous TGF-β1 on an experimentally evolved non-small cell lung cancer cell line that we previously developed and used to investigate the biology of CTC clusters. RESULTS We found that exogenous TGF-β1 induced the dissociation of clusters in suspension into adherent single cells. Once adhered, cells released their own TGF-β1 and were able to individually migrate and invade in the absence of exogenous TGF-β1. Based on these findings we developed a model that involves a TGF-β1-mediated plastic switch between a cooperative phenotype and a single-celled stage that enables the extravasation of CTC clusters. CONCLUSIONS This model allows for the possibility that therapies can be developed against TGF-β1 signalling components and/or TGF-β1 target genes to suppress the metastatic potential of CTC clusters. Considering the negative impact that metastasis has on cancer prognosis and the lack of therapies against this process, interfering with the ability of CTC clusters to switch between cooperative and individual behaviours could provide new strategies to improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorian D Hapeman
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Caroline S Carneiro
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Aurora M Nedelcu
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada.
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2
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Cerro PA, Mascaraque M, Gallego-Rentero M, Almenara-Blasco M, Nicolás-Morala J, Santiago JL, González S, Gracia-Cazaña T, Juarranz Á, Gilaberte Y. Tumor microenvironment in non-melanoma skin cancer resistance to photodynamic therapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:970279. [PMID: 36338755 PMCID: PMC9634550 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.970279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-melanoma skin cancer has recently seen an increase in prevalence, and it is estimated that this grow will continue in the coming years. In this sense, the importance of therapy effectiveness has increased, especially photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy has attracted much attention as a minimally invasive, selective and repeatable approach for skin cancer treatment and prevention. Although its high efficiency, this strategy has also faced problems related to tumor resistance, where the tumor microenvironment has gained a well-deserved role in recent years. Tumor microenvironment denotes a wide variety of elements, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune cells, endothelial cells or the extracellular matrix, where their interaction and the secretion of a wide diversity of cytokines. Therefore, the need of designing new strategies targeting elements of the tumor microenvironment to overcome the observed resistance has become evident. To this end, in this review we focus on the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages in the resistance to photodynamic therapy. We are also exploring new approaches consisting in the combination of new and old drugs targeting these cells with photodynamic therapy to enhance treatment outcomes of non-melanoma skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina A. Cerro
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria (IIS), Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain
| | - Marta Mascaraque
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experminetal Dermatology and Skin Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigaciones Sanitarias, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Gallego-Rentero
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experminetal Dermatology and Skin Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigaciones Sanitarias, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Almenara-Blasco
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria (IIS), Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain
| | - Jimena Nicolás-Morala
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experminetal Dermatology and Skin Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigaciones Sanitarias, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Santiago
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital General de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Salvador González
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tamara Gracia-Cazaña
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria (IIS), Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain
| | - Ángeles Juarranz
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experminetal Dermatology and Skin Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigaciones Sanitarias, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ángeles Juarranz, ; Yolanda Gilaberte,
| | - Yolanda Gilaberte
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria (IIS), Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ángeles Juarranz, ; Yolanda Gilaberte,
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3
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Biological Effects of Transforming Growth Factor Beta in Human Cholangiocytes. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11040566. [PMID: 35453765 PMCID: PMC9033039 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
TGF-β is a cytokine implicated in multiple cellular responses, including cell cycle regulation, fibrogenesis, angiogenesis and immune modulation. In response to pro-inflammatory and chemotactic cytokines and growth factors, cholangiocytes prime biliary damage, characteristic of cholangiopathies and pathologies that affect biliary tree. The effects and signaling related to TGF-β in cholangiocyte remains poorly investigated. In this study, the cellular response of human cholangiocytes to TGF-β was examined. Wound-healing assay, proliferation assay and cell cycle analyses were used to monitor the changes in cholangiocyte behavior following 24 and 48 h of TGF-β stimulation. Moreover, proteomic approach was used to identify proteins modulated by TGF-β treatment. Our study highlighted a reduction in cholangiocyte proliferation and a cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase following TGF-β treatment. Moreover, proteomic analysis allowed the identification of four downregulated proteins (CaM kinase II subunit delta, caveolin-1, NipSnap1 and calumin) involved in Ca2+ homeostasis. Accordingly, Gene Ontology analysis highlighted that the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum are the cellular compartments most affected by TGF-β. These results suggested that the effects of TGF-β in human cholangiocytes could be related to an imbalance of intracellular calcium homeostasis. In addition, for the first time, we correlated calumin and NipSnap1 to TGF-β signaling.
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4
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Mikuła-Pietrasik J, Rutecki S, Książek K. The functional multipotency of transforming growth factor β signaling at the intersection of senescence and cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:196. [PMID: 35305149 PMCID: PMC11073081 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04236-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family of cytokines comprises a group of proteins, their receptors, and effector molecules that, in a coordinated manner, modulate a plethora of physiological and pathophysiological processes. TGF-β1 is the best known and plausibly most active representative of this group. It acts as an immunosuppressant, contributes to extracellular matrix remodeling, and stimulates tissue fibrosis, differentiation, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In recent years, this cytokine has been established as a vital regulator of organismal aging and cellular senescence. Finally, the role of TGF-β1 in cancer progression is no longer in question. Because this protein is involved in so many, often overlapping phenomena, the question arises whether it can be considered a molecular bridge linking some of these phenomena together and governing their reciprocal interactions. In this study, we reviewed the literature from the perspective of the role of various TGF-β family members as regulators of a complex mutual interplay between senescence and cancer. These aspects are then considered in a broader context of remaining TGF-β-related functions and coexisting processes. The main narrative axis in this work is centered around the interaction between the senescence of normal peritoneal cells and ovarian cancer cells. The discussion also includes examples of TGF-β activity at the interface of other normal and cancer cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Mikuła-Pietrasik
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Długa ½ Str, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-848, Poznań, Poland
| | - Szymon Rutecki
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Długa ½ Str, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-848, Poznań, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Książek
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Długa ½ Str, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-848, Poznań, Poland.
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5
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Xie J, Hu X, Chen L, Piruska A, Zheng Z, Bao M, Huck WTS. The Effect of Geometry and TGF-β Signaling on Tumor Cell Migration from Free-Standing Microtissues. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102696. [PMID: 35182463 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102696] [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: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Recapitulation of 3D multicellular tissues in vitro is of great interest to the field of tumor biology to study the integrated effect of local biochemical and biophysical signals on tumor cell migration and invasion. However, most microengineered tissues and spheroids are unable to recapitulate in vitro the complexities of 3D geometries found in vivo. Here, lithographically defined degradable alginate microniches are presented to produce free-standing tumor microtissues, with precisely controlled geometry, high viability, and allowing for high cell proliferation. The role of microtissue geometry and TGF-β signaling in tumor cell migration is further investigated. TGF-β is found to induce the expression of p-myosin II, vimentin, and YAP/TAZ nuclear localization at the periphery of the microtissue, where enhanced nuclear stiffness and orientation are also observed. Upon embedding in a collagen matrix, microtissues treated with TGF-β maintain their geometric integrity, possibly due to the higher cell tension observed around the periphery. In contrast, cells in microtissues not treated with TGF-β are highly mobile and invade the surrounding matrix rapidly, with the initial migration strongly dependent on the local geometry. The microtissues presented here are promising model systems for studying the influence of biophysical properties and soluble factors on tumor cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xie
- Institute for Molecules and Materials Radboud University Heyendaalseweg 135 Nijmegen 6525AJ the Netherlands
- Department of Cellular Biophysics Max Planck Institute for Medical Research 29 Jahnstraße Heidelberg 69120 Germany
| | - Xinyu Hu
- Institute for Molecules and Materials Radboud University Heyendaalseweg 135 Nijmegen 6525AJ the Netherlands
| | - Lina Chen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials Radboud University Heyendaalseweg 135 Nijmegen 6525AJ the Netherlands
- Laboratory for Advanced Interfacial Materials and Devices Institute of Textiles and Clothing The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong SAR, QT 807 China
| | - Aigars Piruska
- Institute for Molecules and Materials Radboud University Heyendaalseweg 135 Nijmegen 6525AJ the Netherlands
| | - Zijian Zheng
- Laboratory for Advanced Interfacial Materials and Devices Institute of Textiles and Clothing The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong SAR, QT 807 China
| | - Min Bao
- Institute for Molecules and Materials Radboud University Heyendaalseweg 135 Nijmegen 6525AJ the Netherlands
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering California Institute of Technology 1200 E. California Boulevard Pasadena CA 91125 USA
| | - Wilhelm T. S. Huck
- Institute for Molecules and Materials Radboud University Heyendaalseweg 135 Nijmegen 6525AJ the Netherlands
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6
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Asthmatic Eosinophils Promote Contractility and Migration of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells and Pulmonary Fibroblasts In Vitro. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061389. [PMID: 34199925 PMCID: PMC8229663 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhanced contractility and migration of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) and pulmonary fibroblasts (PF) are part of airway remodeling in asthma. Eosinophils are the central inflammatory cells that participate in airway inflammation. However, the role of asthmatic eosinophils in ASMC and PF contractility, migration, and differentiation to contractile phenotype has not yet been precisely described. A total of 38 individuals were included in this study: 13 steroid-free non-severe allergic asthma (AA) patients, 11 severe non-allergic eosinophilic asthma (SNEA) patients, and 14 healthy subjects (HS). For AA patients and HS groups, a bronchial allergen challenge with D. pteronyssinus was performed. Individual combined cell cultures were prepared from isolated peripheral blood eosinophils and immortalized ASMC or commercial PF cell lines separately. The migration of ASMC and PF was evaluated using wound healing assay and contractility using collagen gel assay. Gene expression of contractile apparatus proteins, COL1A1, COL5A1, and FN, in ASMC and PF was evaluated using qRT-PCR. We found that contractility and migration of ASMC and PF significantly increased after incubation with asthmatic eosinophils compared to HS eosinophils, p < 0.05, and SNEA eosinophils demonstrated the highest effect on contractility of ASMC and migration of both cell lines, p < 0.05. AA and SNEA eosinophils significantly increased gene expression of contractile apparatus proteins, COL1A1 and FN, in both cell lines, p < 0.05. Furthermore, the allergen-activated AA eosinophils significantly increased the contractility of ASMC, and migration and gene expression in ASMC and PF, p < 0.05. Thus, asthmatic eosinophils change ASMC and PF behavior by increasing their contractility and migration, contributing to airway remodeling.
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7
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Ma D, Qiao L, Guo B. Smad7 suppresses melanoma lung metastasis by impairing Tregs migration to the tumor microenvironment. Am J Transl Res 2021; 13:719-731. [PMID: 33594321 PMCID: PMC7868836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling plays critical roles in both physiological and pathological conditions. In the tumor microenvironment, TGF-β are well demonstrated as a tumor inducer, which also promote tumor growth and metastasis. SMAD family is an important TGF-β signalling transducer, which consists of receptor-regulated SMADs (R-SMADs), common-mediator SMADs (co-SMADs), and inhibitory SMADs (I-SMADs). Smad7 is one of the I-SMADs which has been proved to block TGF-β signalling transduction in both tumor cells and immune cells. Accumulated evidence has suggested SMAD7 acted as a tumor suppressor in various cancer types, such as colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and skin melanoma, etc. However, the role of SMAD7 in melanoma lung metastasis has not been well studied. Here, we first investigated the role of SMAD7 on tumor cell viability by overexpressing SMAD7 in murine melanoma cell line B16-F10. Our results showed that SMAD7 overexpression slightly impaired B16-F10 cells growth, promoted cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at S phase. In vivo study showed that SMAD7 overexpression inhibited B16-F10 lung metastasis. Further mechanism study suggested that SMAD7 promoted T cells activation by decreasing regulatory T cells (Tregs) infiltrating into the tumor microenvironment. In summary, our results proved that tumor cell derived SMAD7 inhibited melanoma lung metastasis by impairing the migration capacity of Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deliang Ma
- Department of Oncology, Linyi Central HospitalLinyi 276400, Shandong, China
| | - Li Qiao
- Department of Oncology, Linyi Central HospitalLinyi 276400, Shandong, China
| | - Bingnan Guo
- Jiangsu Institute of Health Emergency, Xuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhou 221000, Jiangsu, China
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8
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Eiden C, Ungefroren H. The Ratio of RAC1B to RAC1 Expression in Breast Cancer Cell Lines as a Determinant of Epithelial/Mesenchymal Differentiation and Migratory Potential. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020351. [PMID: 33567745 PMCID: PMC7915250 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogenous disease encompassing tumors with different histomorphological phenotypes and transcriptionally defined subtypes. However, the non-mutational/epigenetic alterations that are associated with or causally involved in phenotype diversity or conversion remain to be elucidated. Data from the pancreatic cancer model have shown that the small GTPase RAC1 and its alternatively spliced isoform, RAC1B, antagonistically control epithelial–mesenchymal transition and cell motility induced by transforming growth factor β. Using a battery of established BC cell lines with either a well-differentiated epithelial or poorly differentiated mesenchymal phenotype, we observed subtype-specific protein expression of RAC1B and RAC1. While epithelial BC lines were RAC1Bhigh and RAC1low, mesenchymal lines exhibited the reverse expression pattern. High RAC1B and/or low RAC1 abundance also correlated closely with a poor invasion potential, and vice versa, as revealed by measuring random cell migration (chemokinesis), the preferred mode of cellular movement in cells that have undergone mesenchymal transdifferentiation. We propose that a high RAC1B:RAC1 ratio in BC cells is predictive of an epithelial phenotype, while low RAC1B along with high RAC1 is a distinguishing feature of the mesenchymal state. The combined quantitative assessment of RAC1B and RAC1 in tumor biopsies of BC patients may represent a novel diagnostic tool for probing molecular subtype and eventually predict malignant potential of breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Eiden
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany;
| | - Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany;
- Clinic for General Surgery, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-451-3101-7866
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9
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Ungefroren H, Wellner UF, Keck T, Lehnert H, Marquardt JU. The Small GTPase RAC1B: A Potent Negative Regulator of-and Useful Tool to Study-TGFβ Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3475. [PMID: 33266416 PMCID: PMC7700615 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RAC1 and its alternatively spliced isoform, RAC1B, are members of the Rho family of GTPases. Both isoforms are involved in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton remodeling, cell motility, cell proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Compared to RAC1, RAC1B exhibits a number of distinctive features with respect to tissue distribution, downstream signaling and a role in disease conditions like inflammation and cancer. The subcellular locations and interaction partners of RAC1 and RAC1B vary depending on their activation state, which makes RAC1 and RAC1B ideal candidates to establish cross-talk with cancer-associated signaling pathways-for instance, interactions with signaling by transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), a known tumor promoter. Although RAC1 has been found to promote TGFβ-driven tumor progression, recent observations in pancreatic carcinoma cells surprisingly revealed that RAC1B confers anti-oncogenic properties, i.e., through inhibiting TGFβ-induced EMT. Since then, an unexpected array of mechanisms through which RAC1B cross-talks with TGFβ signaling has been demonstrated. However, rather than being uniformly inhibitory, RAC1B interacts with TGFβ signaling in a way that results in the selective blockade of tumor-promoting pathways, while concomitantly allowing tumor-suppressive pathways to proceed. In this review article, we are going to discuss the specific interactions between RAC1B and TGFβ signaling, which occur at multiple levels and include various components such as ligands, receptors, cytosolic mediators, transcription factors, and extracellular inhibitors of TGFβ ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine, Campus Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany;
- Clinic for General Surgery, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, Campus Kiel, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Ulrich F. Wellner
- Clinic for Surgery, Campus Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (U.F.W.); (T.K.)
| | - Tobias Keck
- Clinic for Surgery, Campus Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (U.F.W.); (T.K.)
| | | | - Jens-Uwe Marquardt
- First Department of Medicine, Campus Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany;
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10
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RAC1B Induces SMAD7 via USP26 to Suppress TGFβ1-Dependent Cell Migration in Mesenchymal-Subtype Carcinoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061545. [PMID: 32545415 PMCID: PMC7352540 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase RAC1B has been shown to act as a powerful inhibitor of the transforming growth factor (TGF)β type I receptor ALK5 and TGFβ1/ALK5-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition and cell motility. However, the precise mechanism has remained elusive. RNAi-mediated knockdown of RAC1B in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-derived cell line Panc1 failed to alter transcriptional activity from a transfected ALK5 promoter–reporter construct. In contrast, pharmacological inhibition of the proteasome decreased the abundance of ALK5 protein in cell lines of the mesenchymal subtype (Panc1, IMIM-PC-1, and breast cancer MDA-MB-231), but not in a PDAC cell line of the epithelial subtype (Colo357). Here, we focused on the inhibitory Smad protein, SMAD7, as a potential candidate for RAC1B-mediated inhibition of cell migration. In Panc1 cells devoid of RAC1B, SMAD7 protein was dramatically reduced and these cells were refractory to TGFβ1-induced upregulation of SMAD7 protein but not mRNA expression. Intriguingly, RNAi-mediated knockdown or ectopic overexpression of SMAD7 in Panc1 cells up- or downregulated, respectively, ALK5 protein expression and mimicked the suppressive effect of RAC1B on TGFβ/SMAD3-dependent transcriptional activity, target gene expression and cell migration. Transfection of SMAD7 was further able to partially rescue cells from the RAC1B knockdown-mediated increase in migratory properties. Conversely, knockdown of SMAD7 was able to partially rescue Panc1 and MDA-MB-231 cells from the antimigratory effect of ectopically expressed RAC1B. Finally, we demonstrate that RAC1B upregulation of SMAD7 protein requires intermittent transcriptional induction of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP26. Our data suggest that RAC1B induces SMAD7 by promoting its deubiquitination and establishes this Smad as one of RAC1B’s downstream effectors in negative regulation of ALK5 and TGFβ1-induced cell migration in mesenchymal-type carcinoma cells.
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Zinn R, Otterbein H, Lehnert H, Ungefroren H. RAC1B: A Guardian of the Epithelial Phenotype and Protector Against Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Cells 2019; 8:cells8121569. [PMID: 31817229 PMCID: PMC6952788 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1B (RAC1B) has been shown to potently inhibit transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic and breast epithelial cells, but the underlying mechanism has remained obscure. Using a panel of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-derived cell lines of different differentiation stages, we show that RAC1B is more abundantly expressed in well differentiated as opposed to poorly differentiated cells. Interestingly, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of RAC1B decreased expression of the epithelial marker protein E-cadherin, encoded by CDH1, and enhanced its TGF-β1-induced downregulation, whereas ectopic overexpression of RAC1B upregulated CDH1 expression and largely prevented its TGF-β1-induced silencing of CDH1. Conversely, knockdown of RAC1B, or deletion of the RAC1B-specific exon 3b by CRISPR/Cas-mediated genomic editing, enhanced basal and TGF-β1-induced upregulation of mesenchymal markers like Vimentin, and EMT-associated transcription factors such as SNAIL and SLUG. Moreover, we demonstrate that knockout of RAC1B enhanced the cells’ migratory activity and derepressed TGF-β1-induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK2. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 activation in RAC1B-depleted cells rescued cells from the RAC1B knockdown-induced enhancement of cell migration, TGF-β1-induced downregulation of CDH1, and upregulation of SNAI1. We conclude that RAC1B promotes epithelial gene expression and suppresses mesenchymal gene expression by interfering with TGF-β1-induced MEK-ERK signaling, thereby protecting cells from undergoing EMT and EMT-associated responses like acquisition of cell motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabea Zinn
- First Department of Medicine, UKSH, Campus Lübeck, 23552 Lübeck, Germany; (R.Z.); (H.O.); (H.L.)
| | - Hannah Otterbein
- First Department of Medicine, UKSH, Campus Lübeck, 23552 Lübeck, Germany; (R.Z.); (H.O.); (H.L.)
| | - Hendrik Lehnert
- First Department of Medicine, UKSH, Campus Lübeck, 23552 Lübeck, Germany; (R.Z.); (H.O.); (H.L.)
| | - Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine, UKSH, Campus Lübeck, 23552 Lübeck, Germany; (R.Z.); (H.O.); (H.L.)
- Department of General Surgery, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-451-3101-7866
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12
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Otterbein H, Mihara K, Hollenberg MD, Lehnert H, Witte D, Ungefroren H. RAC1B Suppresses TGF-β-Dependent Chemokinesis and Growth Inhibition through an Autoregulatory Feed-Forward Loop Involving PAR2 and ALK5. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081211. [PMID: 31434318 PMCID: PMC6721813 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase RAC1B functions as a powerful inhibitor of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell motility, and growth arrest in pancreatic epithelial cells. Previous work has shown that RAC1B downregulates the TGF-β type I receptor ALK5, but the molecular details of this process have remained unclear. Here, we hypothesized that RAC1B-mediated suppression of activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) involves proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), a G protein-coupled receptor encoded by F2RL1 that is crucial for sustaining ALK5 expression. We found in pancreatic carcinoma Panc1 cells that PAR2 is upregulated by TGF-β1 in an ALK5-dependent manner and that siRNA-mediated knockdown of RAC1B increased both basal and TGF-β1-induced expression of PAR2. Further, the simultaneous knockdown of PAR2 and RAC1B rescued Panc1 cells from a RAC1B knockdown-induced increase in ALK5 abundance and the ALK5-mediated increase in TGF-β1-induced migratory activity. Conversely, Panc1 cells with stable ectopic expression of RAC1B displayed reduced ALK5 expression, an impaired upregulation of PAR2, and a reduced migratory responsiveness to TGF-β1 stimulation. However, these effects could be reversed by ectopic overexpression of PAR2. Moreover, the knockdown of PAR2 alone in Panc1 cells and HaCaT keratinocytes phenocopied RAC1B's ability to suppress ALK5 abundance and TGF-β1-induced chemokinesis and growth inhibition. Lastly, we found that the RAC1B knockdown-induced increase in TGF-β1-induced PAR2 mRNA expression was sensitive to pharmacological inhibition of MEK-ERK signaling. Our data show that in pancreatic and skin epithelial cells, downregulation of ALK5 activity by RAC1B is secondary to suppression of F2RL1/PAR2 expression. Since F2RL1 itself is a TGF-β target gene and its upregulation by TGF-β1 is mediated by ALK5 and MEK-ERK signaling, we suggest the existence of a feed-forward signaling loop involving ALK5 and PAR2 that is efficiently suppressed by RAC1B to restrict TGF-β-driven cell motility and growth inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Otterbein
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Koichiro Mihara
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology and Medicine, Inflammation Research Network, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Morley D Hollenberg
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology and Medicine, Inflammation Research Network, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Hendrik Lehnert
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany
| | - David Witte
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany.
| | - Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany.
- Clinic for General Surgery, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, D-24105 Kiel, Germany.
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Zhao L, Mok S, Moraes C. Micropocket hydrogel devices for all-in-one formation, assembly, and analysis of aggregate-based tissues. Biofabrication 2019; 11:045013. [DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ab30b4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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RAC1B Suppresses TGF-β1-Dependent Cell Migration in Pancreatic Carcinoma Cells through Inhibition of the TGF-β Type I Receptor ALK5. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050691. [PMID: 31108998 PMCID: PMC6562819 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1B (RAC1B) has been shown previously by RNA interference-mediated knockdown (KD) to function as a powerful inhibitor of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in epithelial cells, but the underlying mechanism has remained enigmatic. Using pancreatic carcinoma cells, we show that both KD and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-mediated knockout (KO) of RAC1B increased the expression of the TGF-β type I receptor ALK5 (activin receptor-like kinase 5), but this effect was more pronounced in CRISPR-KO cells. Of note, in KO, but not KD cells, ALK5 upregulation was associated with resensitization of TGFBR1 to induction by TGF-β1 stimulation. RAC1B KO also increased TGF-β1-induced C-terminal SMAD3 phosphorylation, SMAD3 transcriptional activity, growth inhibition, and cell migration. The KD of ALK5 expression by RNA interference or inactivation of the ALK5 kinase activity by dominant-negative interference or ATP-competitive inhibition rescued the cells from the RAC1B KD/KO-mediated increase in TGF-β1-induced cell migration, whereas the ectopic expression of kinase-active ALK5 mimicked this RAC1B KD/KO effect. We conclude that RAC1B downregulates the abundance of ALK5 and SMAD3 signaling, thereby attenuating TGF-β/SMAD3-driven cellular responses, such as growth inhibition and cell motility.
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15
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Li Y, Xiao F, Li W, Hu P, Xu R, Li J, Li G, Zhu C. Overexpression of Opa interacting protein 5 increases the progression of liver cancer via BMPR2/JUN/CHEK1/RAC1 dysregulation. Oncol Rep 2019; 41:2075-2088. [PMID: 30816485 PMCID: PMC6412147 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Opa interacting protein 5 (OIP5) overexpression is associated with human carcinoma. However, its biological function, underlying mechanism and clinical significance in liver cancer remain unknown. In the present study, the effects of OIP5 expression on liver cancer, and the mechanisms regulating these effects, were investigated. OIP5 expression was measured in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and liver cancer cell lines. The effect of OIP5 knockdown on tumorigenesis was also detected in nude mice, and differentially‑expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and their biological functions were identified. The results indicated that OIP5 expression was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and four liver cancer cell lines (P<0.01). Increased OIP5 protein expression significantly predicted reduced survival rate of patients with HCC (P<0.01). OIP5 knockdown resulted in the suppression of proliferation and colony forming abilities, cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 or G2/M phases, and promotion of cell apoptosis. A total of 628 DEGs, including 87 upregulated and 541 downregulated genes, were identified following OIP5 knockdown. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs were involved in 'RNA Post‑Transcriptional Modification, Cancer and Organismal Injury and Abnormalities'. Finally, OIP5 knockdown in Huh7 cells dysregulated bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2/JUN/checkpoint kinase 1/Rac family small GTPase 1 expression. In conclusion, the overall results demonstrated the involvement of OIP5 in the progression of liver cancer and its mechanism of action.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Animals
- Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II/metabolism
- Carcinogenesis/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Cycle Proteins
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Checkpoint Kinase 1/metabolism
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/genetics
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/metabolism
- Disease Progression
- Down-Regulation
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Gene Knockdown Techniques
- Humans
- JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Liver/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/mortality
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Middle Aged
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Up-Regulation
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Fei Xiao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519000, P.R. China
| | - Wenting Li
- Third Liver Unit, Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Pingping Hu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Ruirui Xu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Guimei Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
- Correspondence to: Dr Guimei Li, Department of Pediatrics, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 9677 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China, E-mail:
| | - Chuanlong Zhu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
- Dr Chuanlong Zhu, Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China, E-mail:
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RAC1B: A Rho GTPase with Versatile Functions in Malignant Transformation and Tumor Progression. Cells 2019; 8:cells8010021. [PMID: 30621237 PMCID: PMC6356296 DOI: 10.3390/cells8010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RAC1B is an alternatively spliced isoform of the monomeric GTPase RAC1. It differs from RAC1 by a 19 amino acid in frame insertion, termed exon 3b, resulting in an accelerated GDP/GTP-exchange and an impaired GTP-hydrolysis. Although RAC1B has been ascribed several protumorigenic functions such as cell cycle progression and apoptosis resistance, its role in malignant transformation, and other functions driving tumor progression like epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration/invasion and metastasis are less clear. Insertion of exon 3b endows RAC1B with specific biochemical properties that, when compared to RAC1, encompass both loss-of-functions and gain-of-functions with respect to the type of upstream activators, downstream targets, and binding partners. In its extreme, this may result in RAC1B and RAC1 acting in an antagonistic fashion in regulating a specific cellular response with RAC1B behaving as an endogenous inhibitor of RAC1. In this review, we strive to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview, rather than critical discussions, on various aspects of RAC1B biology in eukaryotic cells.
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Dai B, Zhang X, Shang R, Wang J, Yang X, Zhang H, Liu Q, Wang D, Wang L, Dou K. Blockade of ARHGAP11A reverses malignant progress via inactivating Rac1B in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Commun Signal 2018; 16:99. [PMID: 30545369 PMCID: PMC6293628 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-018-0312-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The molecular signaling events involving in high malignancy and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are extremely complicated. Blockade of currently known targets has not yet led to successful clinical outcome. More understanding about the regulatory mechanisms in HCC is necessary for developing new effective therapeutic strategies for HCC patients. Methods The expression of Rho GTPase-activating protein 11A (ARHGAP11A) was examined in human normal liver and HCC tissues. The correlations between ARHGAP11A expression and clinicopathological stage or prognosis in HCC patients were analyzed. ARHGAP11A was downregulated to determine its role in the proliferation, invasion, migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) development, and regulatory signaling of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Results ARHGAP11A exhibited high expression in HCC, and was significantly correlated with clinicopathological stage and prognosis in HCC patients. Moreover, ARHGAP11A facilitated Hep3B and MHCC97-H cell proliferation, invasion, migration and EMT development in vitro. ARHGAP11A knockdown significantly inhibited the in vivo growth and metastasis of HCC cells. Furthermore, ARHGAP11A directly interacted with Rac1B independent of Rho GTPase- activating activity. Rac1B blockade effectively interrupted ARHGAP11A-elicited HCC malignant phenotype. Meanwhile, upregulation of Rac1B reversed ARHGAP11A knockdown mediated mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) development in HCC cells. Conclusion ARHGAP11A facilitates malignant progression in HCC patients via ARHGAP11A-Rac1B interaction. The ARHGAP11A/Rac1B signaling could be a potential therapeutic target in the clinical treatment of HCC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-018-0312-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Runze Shang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianlin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xisheng Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Desheng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Kefeng Dou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
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