1
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Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 counter-regulates thymosin beta-4 expression and primary cilium formation for HeLa cervical cancer cell survival. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20170. [PMID: 36424462 PMCID: PMC9691707 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24596-6] [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: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the function of thymosin beta-4 (TB4) expression and primary cilium (PC) formation via the underlying Nrf2-dependent mechanism for cervical cancer cell (CC) survival under conditions of serum deprivation (SD). TB4 silencing was achieved using RNA interference. The percentage of PC formation was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. Nrf2 expression was modified by the preparation of stable Nrf2-knockdown cells with shNrf2 and the overexpression of Nrf2 with pcDNA-Nrf2 plasmids. Gene expression was measured using reverse-transcription PCR, Gaussia luciferase assay, and western blotting. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay or CellTiter Glo assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected with flow cytometry. CCs incubated in SD without fetal bovine serum remained viable, and SD increased PC formation and TB4 transcription. CC viability was further decreased by treatment with ciliobrevin A to inhibit PC formation or TB4-siRNA. SD increased ROS, including H2O2. N-acetylcysteine inhibited ROS production following H2O2 treatment or SD, which also decreased PC formation and TB4 transcription. Meanwhile, H2O2 increased PC formation, which was attenuated in response to TB4 siRNA. Treatment with H2O2 increased Nrf2 expression, antioxidant responsive element (ARE) activity, and PC formation, which were inhibited by the Nrf2 inhibitor clobestasol propionate. Nrf2 knockdown via expression of Tet-On shNrf2 enhanced ROS production, leading to increased PC formation and decreased TB4 expression; these effects were counteracted by Nrf2 overexpression. Our data demonstrate that Nrf2 counter-regulates TB4 expression and PC formation for CC survival under conditions of SD, suggesting cervical CC survival could be upregulated by PC formation via Nrf2 activation and TB4 expression.
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2
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Lunin SM, Novoselova EG, Glushkova OV, Parfenyuk SB, Novoselova TV, Khrenov MO. Cell Senescence and Central Regulators of Immune Response. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084109. [PMID: 35456927 PMCID: PMC9028919 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathways regulating cell senescence and cell cycle underlie many processes associated with ageing and age-related pathologies, and they also mediate cellular responses to exposure to stressors. Meanwhile, there are central mechanisms of the regulation of stress responses that induce/enhance or weaken the response of the whole organism, such as hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, thymic hormones, and the pineal hormone melatonin. Although there are many analyses considering relationships between the HPA axis and organism ageing, we found no systematic analyses of relationships between the neuroendocrine regulators of stress and inflammation and intracellular mechanisms controlling cell cycle, senescence, and apoptosis. Here, we provide a review of the effects of neuroendocrine regulators on these mechanisms. Our analysis allowed us to postulate a multilevel system of central regulators involving neurotransmitters, glucocorticoids, melatonin, and the thymic hormones. This system finely regulates the cell cycle and metabolic/catabolic processes depending on the level of systemic stress, stage of stress response, and energy capabilities of the body, shifting the balance between cell cycle progression, cell cycle stopping, senescence, and apoptosis. These processes and levels of regulation should be considered when studying the mechanisms of ageing and the proliferation on the level of the whole organism.
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3
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Makowiecka A, Mazurkiewicz E, Mrówczyńska E, Malek N, Battistella A, Lazzarino M, Nowak D, Mazur AJ. Changes in Biomechanical Properties of A375 Cells Due to the Silencing of TMSB4X Expression Are Not Directly Correlated with Alterations in Their Stemness Features. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040769. [PMID: 33807338 PMCID: PMC8067020 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040769] [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: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a small, 44-amino acid polypeptide. It has been implicated in multiple processes, including cell movement, angiogenesis, and stemness. Previously, we reported that melanoma cell lines differ in Tβ4 levels. Studies on stable clones with silenced TMSB4X expression showed that Tβ4 impacted adhesion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression. Here, we show that the cells with silenced TMSB4X expression exhibited altered actin cytoskeleton’s organization and subcellular relocalization of two intermediate filament proteins: Nestin and Vimentin. The rearrangement of the cell cytoskeleton resulted in changes in the cells’ topology, height, and stiffness defined by Young’s modulus. Simultaneously, only for some A375 clones with a lowered Tβ4 level, we observed a decreased ability to initiate colony formation in soft agar, tumor formation in vivo, and alterations in Nanog’s expression level transcription factor regulating stemness. Thus, we show for the first time that in A375 cells, biomechanical properties are not directly coupled to stemness features, and this cell line is phenotypically heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Makowiecka
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence: or (A.M.); (A.J.M.); Tel.: +48-71-375-6206 (A.J.M.)
| | - Ewa Mazurkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Ewa Mrówczyńska
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Natalia Malek
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Alice Battistella
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Marco Lazzarino
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Antonina Joanna Mazur
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
- Correspondence: or (A.M.); (A.J.M.); Tel.: +48-71-375-6206 (A.J.M.)
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4
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Lee JW, Thuy PX, Han HK, Moon EY. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced tumor growth is regulated by primary cilium formation via the axis of H 2O 2 production-thymosin beta-4 gene expression. Int J Med Sci 2021; 18:1247-1258. [PMID: 33526986 PMCID: PMC7847613 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.53595] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) that is one of the most commonly used phthalates in manufacturing plastic wares regulates tumorigenesis. Thymosin beta-4 (TB4), an actin-sequestering protein, has been reported as a novel regulator to form primary cilia that are antenna-like organelles playing a role in various physiological homeostasis and pathological development including tumorigenesis. Here, we investigated whether DEHP affects tumor growth via primary cilium (PC) formation via the axis of TB4 gene expression and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Tumor growth was increased by DEHP treatment that enhanced TB4 expression, PC formation and ROS production. The number of cells with primary cilia was enhanced time-dependently higher in HeLa cells incubated in the culture medium with 0.1% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The number of cells with primary cilia was decreased by the inhibition of TB4 expression. The incubation of cells with 0.1% FBS enhanced ROS production and the transcriptional activity of TB4 that was reduced by ciliobrevin A (CilioA), the inhibitor of ciliogenesis. ROS production was decreased by catalase treatment but not by mito-TEMPO, which affected to PC formation with the same trend. H2O2 production was reduced by siRNA-based inhibition of TB4 expression. H2O2 also increased the number of ciliated cells, which was reduced by siRNA-TB4 or the co-incubation with CilioA. Tumor cell viability was maintained by ciliogenesis, which was correlated with the changes of intracellular ATP amount rather than a simple mitochondrial enzyme activity. TB4 overexpression enhanced PC formation and DEHP-induced tumor growth. Taken together, data demonstrate that DEHP-induced tumor growth might be controlled by PC formation via TB4-H2O2 axis. Therefore, it suggests that TB4 could be a novel bio-marker to expect the risk of DEHP on tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Wook Lee
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Pham Xuan Thuy
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Kyoung Han
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Yi Moon
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
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5
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Lee JW, Kim HS, Moon EY. Thymosin β-4 is a novel regulator for primary cilium formation by nephronophthisis 3 in HeLa human cervical cancer cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6849. [PMID: 31048733 PMCID: PMC6497666 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43235-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymosinβ-4(Tβ4) is an actin-sequestering protein involved in tumor malignancy. Primary cilia, microtubule-based organelles, are present in most eukaryotic cells, which might be related to tumor cell transformation. Here, we investigated whether ciliogenesis is affected by Tβ4 in HeLa human cervical cancer cells. The inhibition of Tβ4 attenuated primary cilia formation. The frequency of cilia was increased by Tβ4 overexpression. When yeast two-hybrid assay was performed by using Tβ4 as a bait, we rescued nephronophthisis 3(NPHP3), one of the components of primary cilia. Interaction of Tβ4 with NPHP3 in mammalian cells was confirmed by GST-pulldown assay. Their intracellular co-localization was observed by immunofluorescence staining at peripheral surface of cells. In addition, the number of ciliated cells was reduced by the inhibition of NPHP3. Moreover, NPHP3 expression was decreased by the inhibition of Tβ4 but it was increased by Tβ4 overexpression. Taken together, the results demonstrate that primary cilia formation could be regulated by Tβ4 through its interaction with NPHP3 and/or the control of NPHP3 expression. It suggests that Tβ4 is a novel regulator for primary cilia formation by NPHP3. It also suggests that tumorigenesis could be associated with inappropriate regulation of Tβ4 and/or NPHP3 expression to maintain primary cilia formation normally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Wook Lee
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Sug Kim
- Macrogen Inc., 254, Beotkkot-ro, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, 08511, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Yi Moon
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Shi B, Ding Q, He X, Zhu H, Niu Y, Cai B, Cai J, Lei A, Kang D, Yan H, Ma B, Wang X, Qu L, Chen Y. Tβ4-overexpression based on the piggyBac transposon system in cashmere goats alters hair fiber characteristics. Transgenic Res 2016; 26:77-85. [PMID: 27900536 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-016-9988-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Increasing cashmere yield is one of the vital aims of cashmere goats breeding. Compared to traditional breeding methods, transgenic technology is more efficient and the piggyBac (PB) transposon system has been widely applied to generate transgenic animals. For the present study, donor fibroblasts were stably transfected via a PB donor vector containing the coding sequence of cashmere goat thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) and driven by a hair follicle-specific promoter, the keratin-associated protein 6.1 (KAP6.1) promoter. To obtain genetically modified cells as nuclear donors, we co-transfected donor vectors into fetal fibroblasts of cashmere goats. Five transgenic cashmere goats were generated following somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Via determination of the copy numbers and integration sites, the Tβ4 gene was successfully inserted into the goat genome. Histological examination of skin tissue revealed that Tβ4-overexpressing, transgenic goats had a higher secondary to primary hair follicle (S/P) ratio compared to wild type goats. This indicates that Tβ4-overexpressing goats possess increased numbers of secondary hair follicles (SHF). Our results indicate that Tβ4-overexpression in cashmere goats could be a feasible strategy to increase cashmere yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbo Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Qiang Ding
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Xiaolin He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Haijing Zhu
- Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, Yulin, 719000, China.,Life Science Research Center, Yulin University, Yulin, 719000, China
| | - Yiyuan Niu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Bei Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Jiao Cai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Anming Lei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Danju Kang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Hailong Yan
- Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, Yulin, 719000, China.,Life Science Research Center, Yulin University, Yulin, 719000, China
| | - Baohua Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Lei Qu
- Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, Yulin, 719000, China. .,Life Science Research Center, Yulin University, Yulin, 719000, China.
| | - Yulin Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
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7
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Gao X, Liang H, Hou F, Zhang Z, Nuo M, Guo X, Liu D. Thymosin Beta-4 Induces Mouse Hair Growth. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130040. [PMID: 26083021 PMCID: PMC4470810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is known to induce hair growth and hair follicle (HF) development; however, its mechanism of action is unknown. We generated mice that overexpressed Tβ4 in the epidermis, as well as Tβ4 global knockout mice, to study the role of Tβ4 in HF development and explore the mechanism of Tβ4 on hair growth. To study Tβ4 function, we depilated control and experimental mice and made tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). To explore the effect of Tβ4 on hair growth and HF development, the mRNA and protein levels of Tβ4 and VEGF were detected by real-time PCR and western blotting in control and experimental mice. Protein expression levels and the phosphorylation of P38, ERK and AKT were also examined by western blotting. The results of depilation indicated that hair re-growth was faster in Tβ4-overexpressing mice, but slower in knockout mice. Histological examination revealed that Tβ4-overexpressing mice had a higher number of hair shafts and HFs clustered together to form groups, while the HFs of control mice and knockout mice were separate. Hair shafts in knockout mice were significantly reduced in number compared with control mice. Increased Tβ4 expression at the mRNA and protein levels was confirmed in Tβ4-overexpressing mice, which also had increased VEGF expression. On the other hand, knockout mice had reduced levels of VEGF expression. Mechanistically, Tβ4-overexpressing mice showed increased protein expression levels and phosphorylation of P38, ERK and AKT, whereas knockout mice had decreased levels of both expression and phosphorylation of these proteins. Tβ4 appears to regulate P38/ERK/AKT signaling via its effect on VEGF expression, with a resultant effect on the speed of hair growth, the pattern of HFs and the number of hair shafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Gao
- National Research Center for Animal Transgenic Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Hao Liang
- National Research Center for Animal Transgenic Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Fang Hou
- National Research Center for Animal Transgenic Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Zhipeng Zhang
- National Research Center for Animal Transgenic Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Mingtu Nuo
- National Research Center for Animal Transgenic Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Xudong Guo
- National Research Center for Animal Transgenic Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
- * E-mail: (DL); (XG)
| | - Dongjun Liu
- National Research Center for Animal Transgenic Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
- * E-mail: (DL); (XG)
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8
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Ryu YK, Lee JW, Moon EY. Thymosin Beta-4, Actin-Sequestering Protein Regulates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression via Hypoxia-Inducible Nitric Oxide Production in HeLa Cervical Cancer Cells. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2015; 23:19-25. [PMID: 25593639 PMCID: PMC4286745 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2014.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important regulator of neovascularization. Hypoxia inducible nitric oxide (NO) enhanced the expression of VEGF and thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4), actin sequestering protein. Here, we investigated whether NO-mediated VEGF expression could be regulated by Tβ4 expression in HeLa cervical cancer cells. Hypoxia inducible NO production and VEGF expression were reduced by small interference (si) RNA of Tβ4. Hypoxia response element (HRE)-luciferase activity and VEGF expression were increased by the treatment with N-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-N2-acetyl-S-nitroso-D, L-penicillaminamide (SNAP-1), to generate NO, which was inhibited by the inhibition of Tβ4 expression with Tβ4-siRNA. In hypoxic condition, HRE-luciferase activity and VEGF expression were inhibited by the treatment with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), an inhibitor to nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which is accompanied with a decrease in Tβ4 expression. VEGF expression inhibited by L-NMMA treatment was restored by the transfection with pCMV-Tβ4 plasmids for Tβ4 overexpression. Taken together, these results suggest that Tβ4 could be a regulator for the expression of VEGF via the maintenance of NOS activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Kyoung Ryu
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 143-747, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Wook Lee
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 143-747, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Yi Moon
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 143-747, Republic of Korea
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9
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The actin-sequestering protein thymosin beta-4 is a novel target of hypoxia-inducible nitric oxide and HIF-1α regulation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e106532. [PMID: 25271630 PMCID: PMC4182666 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The actin-sequestering protein thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is involved in various cellular and physiological processes such as proliferation, motility, growth and metastasis. Nitric oxide (NO) promotes tumor invasiveness and metastasis by activating various enzymes. Herein, we investigated whether hypoxia-inducible NO regulates Tβ4 expression and cancer cell migration using HeLa cervical cancer cells. NO production and Tβ4 expression were increased in a hypoxic condition. The treatment with N-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-N2-acetyl-S-nitroso-D, L-penicillaminamide (SNAP-1), to generate NO, enhanced the transcription of Tβ4 and cancer cell migration. SNAP-1-induced cell migration was decreased by the inhibition of Tβ4 with small interference (si) RNA. In a hypoxic condition, treatment with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, reduced Tβ4 transcriptional activity, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Hypoxia-induced cancer cell migration was also decreased by L-NMMA treatment. In a normoxic condition, Tβ4 transcriptional activity was decreased in the cells incubated in the presence of L-NMMA after co-transfection with Tβ4 promoter and GST-conjugated HIF-1α. Collectively, these results suggest that NO could regulate the expression of Tβ4 by direct or indirect effect of HIF-1α on Tβ4 promoter.
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10
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In vivo growth suppression of CT-26 mouse colorectal cancer cells by adenovirus-expressed small hairpin RNA specifically targeting thymosin beta-4 mRNA. Cancer Gene Ther 2014; 21:389-96. [PMID: 25124811 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2014.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 07/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is known to be involved in tumorigenesis. Overexpression of this polypeptide has been observed in a wide variety of cancers, including colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Accordingly, Tβ4 has been proposed to be a novel therapeutic target for CRC, especially in its metastatic form. Although in vitro tumor-suppressive effects of Tβ4 gene silencing mediated by small hairpin RNA (shRNA) have already been demonstrated, the in vivo efficacy of such an approach has not yet been reported. Herein, we demonstrated that infection with recombinant adenovirus expressing an shRNA targeting Tβ4 markedly reduced the growth of and robustly induced apoptosis in CT-26 mouse CRC cells in culture. Additionally, tumors grown in nude mice from the CT-26 cells whose Tβ4 expression already been downregulated by virus infection were also drastically reduced. Most importantly, significant growth arrest of tumors derived from the parental CT-26 cells was observed after multiple intratumoral injections of these viruses. Together, our results show for the first time that in vivo silencing of Tβ4 expression by its shRNA generated after adenoviral infection can suppress CRC growth. These results further demonstrate the feasibility of treating CRC by a Tβ4 knockdown gene therapeutic approach.
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11
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Ock MS, Cha HJ, Choi YH. Verifiable hypotheses for thymosin β4-dependent and -independent angiogenic induction of Trichinella spiralis-triggered nurse cell formation. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:23492-8. [PMID: 24351861 PMCID: PMC3876058 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141223492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 11/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichinella spiralis has been reported to induce angiogenesis for nutrient supply and waste disposal by the induction of the angiogenic molecule vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) during nurse cell formation. However, the action mechanism to induce VEGF in nurse cells by T. spiralis is not known. Hypoxia in nurse cells was suggested as a possible mechanism; however, the presence of hypoxic conditions in infected muscle or nurse cells and whether hypoxia indeed induces the expression of VEGF and subsequent angiogenesis in the infected muscle are both a matter of debate. Our recent studies have shown that thymosin β4, a potent VEGF inducing protein, is expressed in the very early stages of T. spiralis muscle infection suggesting the induction of VEGF in early stage nurse cells. Nevertheless, we now show that hypoxic conditions were not detected in any nurse cell stage but were detected only in the accumulated inflammatory cells. These studies propose that induction of angiogenesis by VEGF in T. spiralis-infected nurse cells was mediated by thymosin β4 and is unrelated to hypoxic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mee Sun Ock
- Department of Parasitology and Genetics, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan 602-702, Korea; E-Mail:
| | - Hee-Jae Cha
- Department of Parasitology and Genetics, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan 602-702, Korea; E-Mail:
- Institute for Medical Science, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan 602-702, Korea
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (H.-J.C.); (Y.H.C.); Tel.: +82-51-990-6428 (H.-J.C.); +82-51-850-7413 (Y.H.C.); Fax: +82-51-990-3081 (H.-J.C.); +82-51-853-4036 (Y.H.C.)
| | - Yung Hyun Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Oriental Medicine, Anti-Aging Research Center, Dongeui University, Busan 614-052, Korea
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (H.-J.C.); (Y.H.C.); Tel.: +82-51-990-6428 (H.-J.C.); +82-51-850-7413 (Y.H.C.); Fax: +82-51-990-3081 (H.-J.C.); +82-51-853-4036 (Y.H.C.)
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12
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Kang YJ, Jo JO, Ock MS, Chang HK, Lee SH, Ahn BK, Baek KW, Choi YH, Kim WJ, Leem SH, Cha HJ. Thymosin β4 was upregulated in recurred colorectal cancers. J Clin Pathol 2013; 67:188-90. [PMID: 24098025 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2013-201940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Jeong Kang
- Departments of Parasitology and Genetics, Kosin University College of Medicine, , Busan, Republic of Korea
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13
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Ock MS, Song KS, Kleinman H, Cha HJ. Thymosin β4 stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factor-1α protein in an oxygen-independent manner. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2013; 1269:79-83. [PMID: 23045974 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06657.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The small actin-binding protein thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is understood to stimulate angiogenesis. Previously, we reported that Tβ4 induces angiogenesis by increasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, but the mechanism underlying how Tβ4 upregulates VEGF expression remain unknown. To identify the mechanism of VEGF induction by Tβ4, we measured VEGF promoter activity and analyzed the effect of Tβ4 on VEGF RNA stability. The Tβ4 peptide had no effect on either VEGF promoter activity or VEGF RNA stability. We focused on the possibility that Tβ4 may indirectly induce VEGF expression via hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. We determined that Tβ4 increased the stability of HIF-1α protein under normoxic conditions. These data suggest that Tβ4 indirectly induces VEGF expression by increasing the protein stability of HIF-1α in an oxygen-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mee Sun Ock
- Department of Parasitology and Genetics, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, South Korea
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Ji YI, Lee BY, Kang YJ, Jo JO, Lee SH, Kim HY, Kim YO, Lee C, Koh SB, Kim A, Lee JY, Jung MH, Ock MS, Cha HJ. Expression Patterns of Thymosin β4 and Cancer Stem Cell Marker CD133 in Ovarian Cancers. Pathol Oncol Res 2012; 19:237-45. [DOI: 10.1007/s12253-012-9574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Accepted: 09/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Nemolato S, Restivo A, Cabras T, Coni P, Zorcolo L, Orrù G, Fanari M, Cau F, Gerosa C, Fanni D, Messana I, Castagnola M, Casula G, Faa G. Thymosin β 4 in colorectal cancer is localized predominantly at the invasion front in tumor cells undergoing epithelial mesenchymal transition. Cancer Biol Ther 2012; 13:191-7. [PMID: 22233609 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.13.4.18691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Thymosin β 4 (Tβ(4)) is a ubiquitous peptide that plays pivotal roles in the cytoskeletal system and in cell differentiation during embryogenesis. Recently, a role for Tβ(4) has been proposed in experimental and human carcinogenesis. This study was aimed at evaluating the correlation between Tβ(4) immunoractivity and colorectal cancer, with particular attemption to tumor cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. METHODS AND RESULTS 86 intestinal biopsies were retrospectively analyzed including 76 colorectal adenocarcinomas with evident features of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and 10 samples of normal colorectal mucosa. Paraffin sections were immunostained for Tβ(4) and for E-cadherin. Total RNA was isolated from frozen specimens obtained, at surgery, from the normal colon mucosa, the deeper regions and the superficial tumor regions in four cases of colon cancer. Tβ(4) immunoreactivity was detected in the vast majority (59/76) of colon carcinomas, showing a patchy distribution, with well differentiated areas significantly more reactive than the less differentiated tumor zones. We also noted a zonal pattern in the majority of tumors, characterized by a progressive increase in immunostaining for Tβ(4) from the superficial toward the deepest tumor regions. The strongest expression for Tβ(4) was frequently detected in invading tumor cells with features of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The increase in reactivity for Tβ(4) matched with a progressive decrease in E-cadherin expression in invading cancer cells. At mRNA level, the differences in Tβ(4) expression between the surrounding colon mucosa and the tumors samples were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that Tβ(4) is expressed in the majority of colon cancers, with preferential immunoreactivity in deep tumor regions. The preferential expression of the peptide and the increase in intensity of the immunostaining at the invasion front suggests a possible link between the peptide and the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition, suggesting a role for Tβ(4) in colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Nemolato
- Dipartimento di Citomorfologia, Divisione di Anatomia Patologica, University of Cagliari, Italy.
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Kang YJ, Jo JO, Cho MK, Yu HS, Ock MS, Cha HJ. Trichinella spiralis infection induces angiogenic factor thymosin β4 expression. Vet Parasitol 2011; 181:222-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.03.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2011] [Revised: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 03/31/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Thymosin β4 induces the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α-dependent manner. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2010; 1803:1244-51. [PMID: 20691219 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2010.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Revised: 07/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin β4 has multi-functional roles in cell physiology, but little is known about its mechanism(s) of action. We previously reported that thymosin β4 stimulated angiogenesis through the induction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). To identify the mechanism of VEGF induction by thymosin β4, we have used a luciferase assay system with VEGF in the 5' promoter region. We also analyzed the effect of thymosin β4 on VEGF mRNA stability and on the expression and stability of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. We found that thymosin β4 induces VEGF expression by an increase in the stability of HIF-1α protein. Analysis of the expression patterns of thymosin β4 and HIF-1α in colon cancer tissue microarray showed that thymosin β4 and HIF-1α co-localized in these biopsies. These data show that thymosin β4 induces the expression of VEGF indirectly by increasing the protein stability of HIF-1α.
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Oh JM, Moon EY. Actin-sequestering protein, thymosin beta-4, induces paclitaxel resistance through ROS/HIF-1alpha stabilization in HeLa human cervical tumor cells. Life Sci 2010; 87:286-93. [PMID: 20637781 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2010.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2010] [Revised: 06/20/2010] [Accepted: 06/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We investigated whether actin-sequestering protein, thymosin beta-4 (TB4)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) affect the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF)-1alpha and paclitaxel-resistance induction. MAIN METHODS HeLa human cervical tumor cells were used. The percentage of cell survival was determined by MTT assay. ROS production, cell cycle and hypodiploid cell formation were assessed by flow cytometry analysis. HIF-1alpha stabilization and molecular changes were analyzed by western blotting or RT-PCR. NF-kappaB activation was assessed by EMSA and western blotting. KEY FINDINGS TB4 protein (TB4P) significantly increased intracellular ROS level and HIF-1alpha. The increased level of HIF-1alpha by TB4P was reduced by the treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a well-known ROS scavenger. TB4P-induced ROS production was confirmed by the activation of nuclear factor kappa B. TB4P-induced Erk phosphorylation was attenuated by the treatment with NAC. In addition, tumor cell death was decreased by TB4 gene overexpression and TB4P treatment. NAC treatment attenuated tumor cell density increased by TB4P. Tumor cell death by paclitaxel was also increased by NAC treatment or the transfection with HIF-1alpha-siRNA. Paclitaxel-induced B16F10 mouse melanoma regression was physiologically inhibited in TB4-transgenic mice compared to wildtype mice. SIGNIFICANCE These findings demonstrate that TB4-induced ROS and ROS-mediated HIF-1alpha stabilization could play a role in tumor cell resistance to anticancer agents like paclitaxel. It suggests that soluble TB4 could be a novel endogenous regulator to control intracellular ROS production in tumor cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Nucleus/drug effects
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Cytosol/drug effects
- Cytosol/metabolism
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
- Flow Cytometry
- HeLa Cells
- Humans
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/biosynthesis
- Melanoma, Experimental/drug therapy
- Melanoma, Experimental/genetics
- Melanoma, Experimental/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- NF-kappa B
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Paclitaxel/pharmacology
- Paclitaxel/therapeutic use
- Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Thymosin/genetics
- Thymosin/pharmacology
- Thymosin/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Mi Oh
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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