Elevation of ADAM12 facilitates tumor progression by enhancing metastasis and immune infiltration in gastric cancer

ADAM12 Silencing Mediated by FOXC2 Represses Meningioma Progression Through Inactivating the JAK1/STAT3/VEGFA Pathway

Meningioma is a prevalently intracranial tumor, and the malignant type is aggressive with high recurrence. A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease 12 (ADAM12) is a common oncogene and differentially expressed in meningioma. However, its roles and mechanisms in meningioma development remain obscure. The differentially expressed genes in meningioma were analyzed by GEO (GSE77259 and GSE43290) datasets and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) based on GSE16581. ADAM12 expression was measured via qRT-PCR and western blot. The correlation between ADAM12 and FOXC2 was predicted through JASPER tool and identified via luciferase reporter analysis. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were investigated using CCK-8, EdU, transwell assays. The JAK1/STAT3/VEGFA signaling was activated by IL-6, and analyzed via western blot. The differentially expressed ADAM12 in meningioma was screened by WGCNA and GEO analyses. ADAM12 silencing repressed meningioma cell proliferation, and decreased migration and invasion. The transcription factor FOXC2 expression was enhanced in meningioma based on GSE77259 and GSE43290 datasets, and positively induced ADAM12 transcription. The JAK1/STAT3/VEGFA signaling was inactivated due to ADAM12 silencing and activated via IL-6. Upregulation of FOXC2 promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and these effects were reversed by silencing ADAM12. ADAM12 knockdown mediated via FOXC2 silencing restrained proliferation, migration and invasion of meningioma cells through inactivating the JAK1/STAT3/VEGFA pathway.

Germline-specific RNA helicase DDX4 forms cytoplasmic granules in cancer cells and promotes tumor growth

Cancer cells undergo major epigenetic alterations and transcriptomic changes, including ectopic expression of tissue- and cell-type-specific genes. Here, we show that the germline-specific RNA helicase DDX4 forms germ-granule-like cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules in various human tumors, but not in cultured cancer cells. These cancerous DDX4 complexes contain RNA-binding proteins and splicing regulators, including many known germ granule components. The deletion of DDX4 in cancer cells induces transcriptomic changes and affects the alternative splicing landscape of a number of genes involved in cancer growth and invasiveness, leading to compromised capability of DDX4-null cancer cells to form xenograft tumors in immunocompromised mice. Importantly, the occurrence of DDX4 granules is associated with poor survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and higher histological grade of prostate cancer. Taken together, these results show that the germ-granule-resembling cancerous DDX4 granules control gene expression and promote malignant and invasive properties of cancer cells.

Harnessing function of EMT in cancer drug resistance: a metastasis regulator determines chemotherapy response

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complicated molecular process that governs cellular shape and function changes throughout tissue development and embryogenesis. In addition, EMT contributes to the development and spread of tumors. Expanding and degrading the surrounding microenvironment, cells undergoing EMT move away from the main location. On the basis of the expression of fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP1), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), collagen, and smooth muscle actin (-SMA), the mesenchymal phenotype exhibited in fibroblasts is crucial for promoting EMT. While EMT is not entirely reliant on its regulators like ZEB1/2, Twist, and Snail proteins, investigation of upstream signaling (like EGF, TGF-β, Wnt) is required to get a more thorough understanding of tumor EMT. Throughout numerous cancers, connections between tumor epithelial and fibroblast cells that influence tumor growth have been found. The significance of cellular crosstalk stems from the fact that these events affect therapeutic response and disease prognosis. This study examines how classical EMT signals emanating from various cancer cells interfere to tumor metastasis, treatment resistance, and tumor recurrence.

Decoding the Tumour Microenvironment: Molecular Players, Pathways, and Therapeutic Targets in Cancer Treatment

The tumour microenvironment (TME) is a complex and constantly evolving collection of cells and extracellular components. Cancer cells and the surrounding environment influence each other through different types of processes. Characteristics of the TME include abnormal vasculature, altered extracellular matrix, cancer-associated fibroblast and macrophages, immune cells, and secreted factors. Within these components, several molecules and pathways are altered and take part in the support of the tumour. Epigenetic regulation, kinases, phosphatases, metabolic regulators, and hormones are some of the players that influence and contribute to shaping the tumour and the TME. All these characteristics contribute significantly to cancer progression, metastasis, and immune escape, and may be the target for new approaches for cancer treatment.

LUM as a novel prognostic marker and its correlation with immune infiltration in gastric cancer: a study based on immunohistochemical analysis and bioinformatics

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is considered the sixth highly prevailing malignant neoplasm and is ranked third in terms of cancer mortality rates. To enable an early and efficient diagnosis of GC, it is important to detect the fundamental processes involved in the oncogenesis and progression of gastric malignancy. The understanding of molecular signaling pathways can facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic strategies for GC patients.

METHODS

The screening of genes that exhibited differential expression in early and advanced GC was performed utilizing the Gene Expression Omnibus databases (GSE3438). Based on this, the protein and protein interaction network was constructed to screen for hub genes. The resulting list of hub genes was evaluated with bioinformatic analysis and selected genes were validated the protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Finally, a competing endogenous RNA network of GC was constructed.

RESULTS

The three genes (ITGB1, LUM, and COL5A2) overexpressed in both early and advanced GC were identified for the first time. Their upregulation has been linked with worse overall survival (OS) time in patients with GC. Only LUM was identified as an independent risk factor for OS among GC patients by means of additional analysis. IHC results demonstrated that the expression of LUM protein was increased in GC tissue, and was positively associated with the pathological T stage. LUM expression can effectively differentiate tumorous tissue from normal tissue (area under the curve = 0.743). The area under 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival relative operating characteristics were greater than 0.6. Biological function enrichment analyses suggested that the genes related to LUM expression were involved in extracellular matrix development-related pathways and enriched in several cancer-related pathways. LUM affects the infiltration degree of cells linked to the immune system in the tumor microenvironment. In GC progression, the AC117386.2/hsa-miR-378c/LUM regulatory axis was also identified.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, a thorough bioinformatics analysis was carried out and an AC117386.2/hsa-miR-378c/LUM regulatory axis in the stomach adenocarcinoma dataset was detected. These findings should serve as a guide for future experimental investigations and warrant confirmation from larger studies.

Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics reveal POSTN+ cancer-associated fibroblasts correlated with immune suppression and tumour progression in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are potential targets for cancer therapy. Due to the heterogeneity of CAFs, the influence of CAF subpopulations on the progression of lung cancer is still unclear, which impedes the translational advances in targeting CAFs.

METHODS

We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on tumour, paired tumour-adjacent, and normal samples from 16 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. CAF subpopulations were analyzed after integration with published NSCLC scRNA-seq data. SpaTial enhanced resolution omics-sequencing (Stereo-seq) was applied in tumour and tumour-adjacent samples from seven NSCLC patients to map the architecture of major cell populations in tumour microenvironment (TME). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and multiplexed IHC (mIHC) were used to validate marker gene expression and the association of CAFs with immune infiltration in TME.

RESULTS

A subcluster of myofibroblastic CAFs, POSTN+ CAFs, were significantly enriched in advanced tumours and presented gene expression signatures related to extracellular matrix remodeling, tumour invasion pathways and immune suppression. Stereo-seq and mIHC demonstrated that POSTN+ CAFs were in close localization with SPP1+ macrophages and were associated with the exhausted phenotype and lower infiltration of T cells. POSTN expression or the abundance of POSTN+ CAFs were associated with poor prognosis of NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified a myofibroblastic CAF subpopulation, POSTN+ CAFs, which might associate with SPP1+ macrophages to promote the formation of desmoplastic architecture and participate in immune suppression. Furthermore, we showed that POSTN+ CAFs associated with cancer progression and poor clinical outcomes and may provide new insights on the treatment of NSCLC.

A new strategy to identify ADAM12 and PDGFRB as a novel prognostic biomarker for matrine regulates gastric cancer via high throughput chip mining and computational verification

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is a life-threatening disease that poses a serious risk to human health. Although there are numerous molecular targets for gastric cancer in clinical practice, they often exhibit low specificity and sensitivity. Consequently, this can result in a low early diagnosis rate, delayed treatment, and poor prognosis for patients with gastric cancer. Hence, it remains crucial to identify more precise diagnostic markers for this disease.

METHODS

This study utilized ceRNA chips and bioinformatics methods to investigate the key genes and mechanisms involved in matrine intervention in gastric cancer cells.

RESULTS

ADAM12 and PDGFRB are the key genes that are down-regulated after matrine intervention in gastric cancer cells. By conducting bioinformatics analysis, two ceRNA regulatory axes were identified, which are associated with the prognosis of gastric cancer. These axes are lncRNA DGCR5/hsa-miR-206/ADAM12 and circRNA ITGA3/hsa-miR-24-3p/PDGFRB.

CONCLUSION

The low expression of ADAM12 may weaken the digestion of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, which can result in the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. This occurs without the catalysis of ECM proteases, thereby impacting the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells. Additionally, the analysis of immune infiltration suggests that ADAM12 and PDGFRB may influence changes in the tumor immune microenvironment, thereby affecting the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of the matrine-related ceRNA network in gastric cancer, providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. It holds significant importance in discovering new drug treatment targets.

Prognostic Impact of FSTL3, ADAM12, and FAT4 in Patients of Colon Cancer: Clinicopathologic Study

There is a cellular crosstalk between Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo/Yes-related protein 1 signaling paths in colon cancer (CC) which promotes EMT processes that mediate the metastatic progression of CC. We aimed to evaluate follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3), ADAM12, and FAT4 expressions in CC. A statistical analysis was done to establish how disease-free survival, overall survival (OS), and relapse all performed a prognostic role. High FSTL3 was detected in 68% of CC and significantly related to left-sided tumors ( P = 0.002) and the advanced tumor features, such as metastasis ( P = 0.010), pT ( P = 0.006), high grade ( P = 0.005), lymph node contribution ( P = 0.013), and advanced stage ( P = 0.003). Positive ADAM12 expression was observed in 60% and significantly related to left-sided tumors ( P = 0.001) and significantly common in high grade ( P = 0.028), lymph node involvement ( P < 0.001), and advanced stage ( P = 0.004). Low FAT4 expression was recognized in 76% and linked with the right-sided tumors ( P = 0.036). FAT4 expression was contrariwise linked with CC grade ( P < 0.001). Furthermore, FAT4 expression was inversely correlated with lymph node involvement ( P = 0.002), metastasis ( P = 0.046), and advanced stage ( P = 0.002). During the follow-up, 14 cases were relapsed and positively associated with high FSTL3 expression ( P = 0.001) and ADAM12 expression ( P < 0.001), but negatively linked with FAT4 expression ( P = 0.003). Shorter disease-free survival was substantially correlated with positive ADAM12, extreme FSTL3, and low FAT4 expression ( P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P = 0.003, consecutively). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated a significant correlation between shorter OS with extreme FSTL3, positive ADAM12, and low FAT4 ( P = 0.004, <0.001, 0.019, consecutively). High FSTL3, positive ADAM12, and low FAT4 expression are unfavorable prognostic influences in CC that may be accountable for relapse and therapeutic resistance in CC.

ADAM12 promotes the resistance of lung adenocarcinoma cells to EGFR-TKI and regulates the immune microenvironment by activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR and RAS signaling pathways

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a malignant respiratory disease, resulting in a heavy social burden. Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) resistance and tumor immune microenvironment are important directions in the treatment of LUAD. In this study, we confirmed the role of ADAM metallopeptidase domain 12 (ADAM12) in LUAD development and progression. Our bioinformatic analysis was conducted to screen ADAM12 was correlated with EGFR-TKI and immune infiltration in LUAD patients. Our results showed that the transcription and post-transcription level of ADAM12 is significantly increased in tumor samples compared to normal samples, and ADAM12 correlated with poor prognosis in LUAD patients. High level of ADAM12 accelerated the LUAD progression via promoting proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis escaping, immune escaping, EGFR-TKI resistance, angiogenesis, invasion and migration based on experiment validation in vitro and in vivo, which could be attenuated by ADAM12 knockdown. Further mechanistic studies suggested that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and RAS signaling pathways were activated after ADAM12 knockdown. Therefore, ADAM12 might be validated as a possible molecular therapy target and prognostic marker for patients with LUAD.

New insight in urological cancer therapy: From epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to application of nano-biomaterials

A high number of cancer-related deaths (up to 90) are due to metastasis and simple definition of metastasis is new colony formation of tumor cells in a secondary site. In tumor cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) stimulates metastasis and invasion, and it is a common characteristic of malignant tumors. Prostate cancer, bladder cancer and renal cancer are three main types of urological tumors that their malignant and aggressive behaviors are due to abnormal proliferation and metastasis. EMT has been well-documented as a mechanism for promoting invasion of tumor cells and in the current review, a special attention is directed towards understanding role of EMT in malignancy, metastasis and therapy response of urological cancers. The invasion and metastatic characteristics of urological tumors enhance due to EMT induction and this is essential for ensuring survival and ability in developing new colonies in neighboring and distant tissues and organs. When EMT induction occurs, malignant behavior of tumor cells enhances and their tend in developing therapy resistance especially chemoresistance promotes that is one of the underlying reasons for therapy failure and patient death. The lncRNAs, microRNAs, eIF5A2, Notch-4 and hypoxia are among common modulators of EMT mechanism in urological tumors. Moreover, anti-tumor compounds such as metformin can be utilized in suppressing malignancy of urological tumors. Besides, genes and epigenetic factors modulating EMT mechanism can be therapeutically targeted for interfering malignancy of urological tumors. Nanomaterials are new emerging agents in urological cancer therapy that they can improve potential of current therapeutics by their targeted delivery to tumor site. The important hallmarks of urological cancers including growth, invasion and angiogenesis can be suppressed by cargo-loaded nanomaterials. Moreover, nanomaterials can improve chemotherapy potential in urological cancer elimination and by providing phototherapy, they mediate synergistic tumor suppression. The clinical application depends on development of biocompatible nanomaterials.

A disintegrin and metalloprotease 12 contributes to colorectal cancer metastasis by regulating epithelial‑mesenchymal transition

A disintegrin and metalloprotease 12 (ADAM12) and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) are linked in the metastasis of various types of cancer. The present study aimed to assess the ability of ADAM12 to induce EMT and its potential as a therapeutic target for colorectal cancer (CRC). ADAM12 expression in CRC cell lines, CRC tissues and a mouse model of peritoneal metastasis was assessed. The effect of ADAM12 on CRC EMT and metastasis was investigated using ADAM12‑pcDNA6‑myc and ADAM12‑pGFP‑C‑shLenti constructs. ADAM12 overexpression enhanced the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of CRC cells. The phosphorylation levels of factors associated with the PI3K/Akt pathway were also increased by ADAM12 overexpression. The knockdown of ADAM12 reversed these effects. ADAM12 expression and the loss of E‑cadherin expression were significantly associated with poorer survival compared with other expression statuses of both proteins. In a mouse model of peritoneal metastasis, overexpression of ADAM12 induced increased tumor weight and peritoneal carcinomatosis index compared with that in the negative control group. Conversely, knockdown of ADAM12 reversed these effects. Furthermore, E‑cadherin expression was significantly decreased by overexpression of ADAM12 compared with in the negative control group. By contrast, E‑cadherin expression was increased by knockdown of ADAM12 compared with in the negative control group. ADAM12 overexpression contributed to CRC metastasis by regulating EMT. In addition, in the mouse model of peritoneal metastasis, ADAM12 knockdown exhibited strong anti‑metastatic action. Consequently, ADAM12 may be considered a therapeutic target for CRC metastasis.

ADAM12 promotes clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression and triggers EMT via EGFR/ERK signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a major worldwide health problem due to its high prevalence and mortality rate. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 12 (ADAM12) is aberrantly expressed in various cancers and plays an important role in tumor progression. However, its explicit effect and molecular mechanism in ccRCC remain unclear.

METHODS

We investigated the dysregulation of ADAM12 in ccRCC through public databases and bioinformatics analyses. The expression of ADAM12 was further verified in ccRCC tissues by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationship between ADAM12 expression and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed statistically. The effects of ADAM12 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of ccRCC cells were examined by in vitro and in vivo experiments.

RESULTS

ADAM12 was significantly upregulated in ccRCC tissues and associated with poor prognosis in ccRCC patients. ADAM12 promoted ccRCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and the growth of subcutaneous tumors in vivo. Knockdown of ADAM12 successfully suppressed its oncogenic function. Mechanistically, its overexpression induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by downregulating E-cadherin and upregulating N-cadherin and Snail. Moreover, ADAM12 participated in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway and activated the downstream signal ERK1/2 by shedding the EGFR ligand, thereby upregulating target genes including c-Myc, enhancing cell survival and invasion ability, and promoting tumor progression, metastasis and the induction of EMT.

CONCLUSIONS

High expression of ADAM12 induced EMT and promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by activating the EGFR/ERK signaling pathway in ccRCC.

Alternatively Spliced Isoforms of MUC4 and ADAM12 as Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Metastasis

There is a pertinent need to develop prognostic biomarkers for practicing predictive, preventive and personalized medicine (PPPM) in colorectal cancer metastasis. The analysis of isoform expression data governed by alternative splicing provides a high-resolution picture of mRNAs in a defined condition. This information would not be available by studying gene expression changes alone. Hence, we utilized our prior data from an exon microarray and found ADAM12 and MUC4 to be strong biomarker candidates based on their alternative splicing scores and pattern. In this study, we characterized their isoform expression in a cell line model of metastatic colorectal cancer (SW480 & SW620). These two genes were found to be good prognostic indicators in two cohorts from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. We studied their exon structure using sequence information in the NCBI and ENSEMBL genome databases to amplify and validate six isoforms each for the ADAM12 and MUC4 genes. The differential expression of these isoforms was observed between normal, primary and metastatic colorectal cancer cell lines. RNA-Seq analysis further proved the differential expression of the gene isoforms. The isoforms of MUC4 and ADAM12 were found to change expression levels in response to 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment in a dose-, time- and cell line-dependent manner. Furthermore, we successfully detected the protein isoforms of ADAM12 and MUC4 in cell lysates, reflecting the differential expression at the protein level. The change in the mRNA and protein expression of MUC4 and ADAM12 in primary and metastatic cells and in response to 5-FU qualifies them to be studied as potential biomarkers. This comprehensive study underscores the importance of studying alternatively spliced isoforms and their potential use as prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers in the PPPM approach towards cancer.

ADAM12 promotes gemcitabine resistance by activating EGFR signaling pathway and induces EMT in bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Gemcitabine (GEM)-based chemotherapy regimens is widely used in bladder cancer (BC) patients. However, GEM resistance may occur and result in treatment failure and disease progression. A disintegrin and metalloprotease 12 (ADAM12) plays a critical role in many cancers. However, the role of ADAM12 in GEM resistance of BC remains unclear.

METHODS

We analyzed the relationship between ADAM12 expression and tumor characteristics using the data downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then, we established GEM resistant BC cell lines and used quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, cell counting kit-8, immunohistochemistry, and xenograft mouse model to investigate the role of ADAM12 in GEM resistance.

RESULTS

In general, ADAM12 was found to be upregulated in GEM resistant BC cells. ADAM12 knockdown increased the chemosensitivity of BC cells. We further proved that ADAM12 could promote GEM resistance by activating the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway in BC. Furthermore, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype was observed in GEM resistant BC cells. ADAM12 induced EMT process and promotes tumor progression in BC.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that ADAM12 was a key gene for GEM resistance and positively correlated with malignancy of BC. It might serve as a novel and valuable therapeutic target for BC.

Roles of follistatin-like protein 3 in human non-tumor pathophysiologies and cancers

Follistatin-like protein 3 (FSTL3) is a type of FSTLs. By interacting with a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 12 (ADAM12), transforming growth factor-β ligands (activin, myostatin and growth differentiation factor (GDF) 11), FSTL3 can either activate or inhibit these molecules in human non-tumor pathophysiologies and cancers. The FSTL3 gene was initially discovered in patients with in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and subsequent studies have shown that the FSTL3 protein is associated with reproductive development, insulin resistance, and hematopoiesis. FSTL3 reportedly contributes to the development and progression of many cancers by promoting tumor metastasis, facilitating angiogenesis, and inducing stem cell differentiation. This review summarizes the current pathophysiological roles of FSTL3, which may be a putative prognostic biomarker for various diseases and serve as a potential therapeutic target.