FAK regulates epithelial‑mesenchymal transition in adenomyosis

T-plastin contributes to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lung cancer cells through FAK/AKT/Slug axis signaling pathway

T-plastin (PLST), a member of the actin-bundling protein family, plays crucial roles in cytoskeletal structure, regulation, and motility. Studies have shown that the plastin family is associated with the malignant characteristics of cancer, such as circulating tumor cells and metastasis, by inducing epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) in various cancer cells. However, the role of PLST in the EMT of human lung cancer cells remains unclear. In this study, we observed that PLST overexpression enhanced cell migratory and invasive abilities, whereas its downregulation resulted in their suppression. Moreover, PLST expression levels were associated with the expression patterns of EMT markers, including E-cadherin, vimentin, and Slug. Furthermore, the phosphorylation levels of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT) were dependent on PLST expression levels. These findings indicate that PLST induces the migration and invasion of human lung cancer cells by promoting Slug-mediated EMT via the FAK/AKT signaling pathway. [BMB Reports 2024; 57(6): 305-310].

Morphological and cytoskeleton changes in cells after EMT

Epithelial cells undergoing EMT experience significant alterations at transcriptional and morphological levels. However, changes in the cytoskeleton, especially cytoskeleton dynamics are poorly described. Addressing the question we induced EMT in three cell lines (MCF-7, HaCaT and A-549) and analyzed morphological and cytoskeletal changes there using immunostaining and life cell imaging of cells transfected with microtubule and focal adhesion markers. In all studied cell lines, cell area after EMT increased, MCF-7 and A-549 cells became elongated, while HaCaT cells kept the aspect ratio the same. We next analyzed three components of the cytoskeleton: microtubules, stress fibers and focal adhesions. The following changes were observed after EMT in cultured cells: (i) Organization of microtubules becomes more radial; and the growth rate of microtubule plus ends was accelerated; (ii) Actin stress fibers become co-aligned forming the longitudinal cell axis; and (iii) Focal adhesions had decreased area in all cancer cell lines studied and became more numerous in HaCaT cells. We conclude that among dynamic components of the cytoskeleton, the most significant changes during EMT happen in the regulation of microtubules.

MIR503HG silencing promotes endometrial stromal cell progression and metastasis and suppresses apoptosis in adenomyosis by activating the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway via targeting miR‑191

MIR503HG is a 786 bp long lncRNA located on chromosome Xq26.3, and it can regulate diverse cellular processes. The pathogenesis of adenomyosis (AD) is associated with endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). The present study investigated the specific role of MIR503HG in AD pathogenesis and progression using ESCs derived from the endometrium of patients with AD as a model. Expression of MIR503HG and microRNA (miR)-191 were assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. An immunocytochemistry assay was used to detect cytokeratin- or vimentin-positive ESCs. Transfections of ESCs with MIR503HG overexpression plasmid, short hairpin-MIR503HG and miR-191 inhibitor were performed. ESC viability, migration, invasion and apoptosis were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8, Transwell and flow cytometry assays. The association between MIR503HG and miR-191 was predicted by StarBase and confirmed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related markers (E-cadherin and N-cadherin) and Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related molecules (β-catenin) in ESCs were analyzed by western blotting. The isolated ESCs were vimentin-positive and cytokeratin-negative. MIR503HG was lowly expressed in the endometrial tissues derived from patients with AD. MIR503HG overexpression hindered ESC viability, migration and invasion while enhancing the apoptosis and downregulating miR-191 expression. MIR503HG knockdown induced the opposite effects, accompanied by downregulation of the E-cadherin expression and upregulation of N-cadherin and β-catenin levels. MIR503HG directly targeted miR-191 that was highly expressed in endometrial tissues derived from patients with AD. In ESCs, downregulation of miR-191 inhibited the viability, migration and invasion and the expression of N-cadherin and β-catenin levels while enhancing the apoptosis and E-cadherin expression in ESCs. Moreover, downregulation of miR-191 partially reversed the effect of MIR503HG knockdown. Collectively, overexpressed MIR503HG impeded the proliferation and migration of ESCs derived from endometrium of patients with AD, while promoting apoptosis via inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway via targeting miR-191.

Cycloartocarpin Inhibits Migration through the Suppression of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and FAK/AKT Signaling in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Lung cancer metastasis is a multifaceted process that accounts for 90% of cancer deaths. According to several studies, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an essential role in lung cancer metastasis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential pharmacological effect of cycloartocarpin on the suppression of metastasis-related behaviors and EMT. An MTT assay was used to examine cell viability. Cell migration was determined using a wound healing assay. Anchorage-independent cell growth was also performed. Western blot analysis was used to identify the key signaling proteins involved in the regulation of EMT and migration. The results found that non-toxic concentrations of cycloartocarpin (10-20 μM) effectively suppressed cell migration and attenuated anchorage-independent growth in H292, A549, and H460 cells. Interestingly, these effects were consistent with the findings of Western blot analysis, which revealed that the level of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK), phosphorylated ATP-dependent tyrosine kinase (p-AKT), and cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) were significantly reduced, resulting in the inhibition of the EMT process, as evidenced by decreased N-cadherin, vimentin, and slug expression. Taken together, the results suggest that cycloartocarpin inhibits EMT by suppressing the FAK/AKT signaling pathway, which is involved in Cdc42 attenuation. Our findings demonstrated that cycloartocarpin has antimetastatic potential for further research and development in lung cancer therapy.

Mechanism Study of Cinnamomi Ramulus and Paris polyphylla Sm. Drug Pair in the Treatment of Adenomyosis by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

Objective. To explore the molecular mechanism of the Cinnamomi ramulus and Paris polyphylla Sm. (C-P) drug pair in the treatment of adenomyosis (AM) based on network pharmacology and animal experiments. Methods. Via a network pharmacology strategy, a drug-component-target-disease network (D-C-T-D) and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were constructed to explore the core components and key targets of C-P drug pair therapy for AM, and the core components and key targets were verified by molecular docking. Based on the results of network pharmacology, animal experiments were performed for further verification. The therapeutic effect of the C-P drug pair on uterine ectopic lesions was evaluated in a constructed AM rat model. Results. A total of 30 components and 45 corresponding targets of C-P in the treatment of AM were obtained through network pharmacology. In the D-C-T-D network and PPI network, 5 core components and 10 key targets were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that the PI3K signaling pathway was the most significantly enriched nontumor pathway. Molecular docking showed that most of the core components and key targets docked completely. Animal experiments showed that the C-P drug pair significantly ameliorated the pathological changes of endometriotic lesions in AM model rats and inhibited PI3K and Akt gene expression, and PI3K and Akt protein phosphorylation. In addition, treatment with the C-P drug pair promoted AM cell apoptosis; upregulated the protein expression of Bax, Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-9; and restrained Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions. We propose that the pharmacological mechanism of the C-P drug pair in the treatment of AM is related to inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway and promotion of apoptosis in AM ectopic lesions.

The Role of mTOR and eIF Signaling in Benign Endometrial Diseases

Adenomyosis, endometriosis, endometritis, and typical endometrial hyperplasia are common non-cancerous diseases of the endometrium that afflict many women with life-impacting consequences. The mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway interacts with estrogen signaling and is known to be dysregulated in endometrial cancer. Based on this knowledge, we attempt to investigate the role of mTOR signaling in benign endometrial diseases while focusing on how the interplay between mTOR and eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs) affects their development. In fact, mTOR overactivity is apparent in adenomyosis, endometriosis, and typical endometrial hyperplasia, where it promotes endometrial cell proliferation and invasiveness. Recent data show aberrant expression of various components of the mTOR pathway in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium of patients with adenomyosis or endometriosis and in hyperplastic endometrium as well. Moreover, studies on endometritis show that derangement of mTOR signaling is linked to the establishment of endometrial dysfunction caused by chronic inflammation. This review shows that inhibition of the mTOR pathway has a promising therapeutic effect in benign endometrial conditions, concluding that mTOR signaling dysregulation plays a critical part in their pathogenesis.

FAK in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, is overexpressed and activated in many cancer types. FAK regulates diverse cellular processes, including growth factor signaling, cell cycle progression, cell survival, cell motility, angiogenesis, and the establishment of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments through kinase-dependent and kinase-independent scaffolding functions in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Mounting evidence has indicated that targeting FAK, either alone or in combination with other agents, may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for various cancers. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying FAK-mediated signaling networks during tumor development. We also summarize the recent progress of FAK-targeted small-molecule compounds for anticancer activity from preclinical and clinical evidence.

Upregulated Talin1 synergistically boosts β-estradiol-induced proliferation and pro-angiogenesis of eutopic and ectopic endometrial stromal cells in adenomyosis

Adenomyosis (ADS) is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease with unspecified etiopathogenesis. Local hyperestrogenism may serve a key role in contributing to the origin of ADS. Talin1 is mostly identified to be overexpressed and involved in the progression of numerous human carcinomas through mediating cell proliferation, adhesion and motility. Whether Talin1 exerts an oncogenic role in the pathogenesis of ADS and puts an extra impact on the efficacy of estrogen, no relevant data are available yet. Here we demonstrated that the adenomyotic eutopic and ectopic endometrial stromal cells (ADS_Eu_ESC and ADS_Ec_ESC) treated with β-estradiol (β-E₂) presented stronger proliferative and pro-angiogenetic capacities, accompanied by increased expression of PCNA, Ki67, VEGFB and ANGPTL4 proteins. Meanwhile, these promoting effects were partially abrogated by Fulvestrant (ICI 182780, an estrogen-receptor antagonist). Aberrantly upregulation of Talin1 mRNA and protein level was observed in ADS endometrial specimens and stromal cells. Through performing functional experiments in vitro, we further determined that merely overexpression of Talin1 (OV-Talin1) also enhanced ADS stromal cell proliferation and pro-angiogenesis, while the most pronounced facilitating effects were found in the co-intervention group of OV-Talin1 plus β-E₂ treatment. Results from the xenograft nude mice model showed that the hypodermic endometrial lesions from co-intervention group had the highest mean weight and volume, compared with that of individual OV-Talin1 or β-E₂ treatment. The expression levels of PCNA, Ki67, VEGFB and ANGPTL4 in the lesions were correspondingly elevated the most in the co-intervention group. Our findings unveiled that overexpressed Talin1 might cooperate withβ-E₂ in stimulating ADS endometrial stromal cell proliferation and neovascularization, synergistically promoting the growth and survival of ectopic lesions. These results may be beneficial to provide a new insight for clarifying the pathogenesis of ADS.

Artocarpin Targets Focal Adhesion Kinase-Dependent Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Suppresses Migratory-Associated Integrins in Lung Cancer Cells

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) controls several cancer aggressive potentials of cell movement and dissemination. As epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the migratory-associated integrins, known influencers of metastasis, have been found to be linked with FAK activity, this study unraveled the potential pharmacological effect of artocarpin in targeting FAK resulting in the suppression of EMT and migratory behaviors of lung cancer cells. Treatment with artocarpin was applied at concentrations of 0–10 μM, and the results showed non-cytotoxicity in lung cancer cell lines (A549 and H460), normal lung (BEAS-2B) cells and primary metastatic lung cancer cells (ELC12, ELC16, and ELC20). We also found that artocarpin (0–10 µM) had no effect on cell viability, proliferation, and migration in BEAS-2B cells. For metastasis-related approaches, artocarpin significantly inhibited cell migration, invasion, and filopodia formation. Artocarpin also dramatically suppressed anchorage-independent growth, cancer stem cell (CSC) spheroid formation, and viability of CSC-rich spheroids. For molecular targets of artocarpin action, computational molecular docking revealed that artocarpin had the best binding affinity of −8.0 kcal/mol with FAK protein. Consistently, FAK-downstream proteins, namely active Akt (phosphorylated Akt), active mTOR (phosphorylated mTOR), and Cdc42, and EMT marker and transcription factor (N-cadherin, Vimentin, and Slug), were found to be significantly depleted in response to artocarpin treatment. Furthermore, we found the decrease of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) accompanied by the reduction of integrin-αν and integrin-β3. Taken together, these findings support the anti-metastasis potentials of the compound to be further developed for cancer therapy.

Origin and Pathogenic Mechanisms of Uterine Adenomyosis: What Is Known So Far

Uterine adenomyosis is a benign disease, commonly encountered in reproductive-age women and responsible for chronic pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, and infertility. Although the exact origin and pathogenic mechanisms involved in adenomyosis still need to be elucidated, significant progress has been made over recent years. Ever since the theory of endometrium invaginating the myometrium via a traumatized interface was first proposed, numerous molecular mechanisms have been reported to participate in this process. At the same time, an alternative theory has suggested de novo development of adenomyotic lesions from metaplasia of Müllerian remnants or adult stem cells. Hence, our understanding of the pathogenesis of adenomyosis has been greatly enhanced and is anticipated to pave the way for development of an effective and safe treatment. The goal of this review is to analyze current knowledge on the origin and pathogenic mechanisms of adenomyosis, ranging from the most widely accepted theories to newly reported data.

Vimentin filaments drive migratory persistence in polyploidal cancer cells

Polyploidal giant cancer cells (PGCCs) are multinucleated chemoresistant cancer cells found in heterogeneous solid tumors. Due in part to their apparent dormancy, the effect of PGCCs on cancer progression has remained largely unstudied. Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of PGCCs as aggressive and chemoresistant cancer cells, as well as their ability to undergo amitotic budding to escape dormancy. Our recent study demonstrated the unique biophysical properties of PGCCs, as well as their unusual migratory persistence. Here we unveil the critical function of vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs) in maintaining the structural integrity of PGCCs and enhancing their migratory persistence. We performed in-depth single-cell analysis to examine the distribution of VIFs and their role in migratory persistence. We found that PGCCs rely heavily on their uniquely distributed and polarized VIF network to enhance their transition from a jammed to an unjammed state to allow for directional migration. Both the inhibition of VIFs with acrylamide and small interfering RNA knockdown of vimentin significantly decreased PGCC migration and resulted in a loss of PGCC volume. Because PGCCs rely on their VIF network to direct migration and to maintain their enlarged morphology, targeting vimentin or vimentin cross-linking proteins could provide a therapeutic approach to mitigate the impact of these chemoresistant cells in cancer progression and to improve patient outcomes with chemotherapy.

[Effect of honokiol on proliferation, migration and apoptosis of human tongue cancer CAL-27 cells in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of honokiol on proliferation, migration and apoptosis of human tongue carcinoma CAL-27 cells.

METHODS

Routinely cultured CAL-27 cells were treated with 20, 40, or 60 μmol/L honokiol and the changes in cell proliferation were assessed with MTT assay. The scratch wound healing assay was used to assess the migration ability of the treated cells, and the cell apoptosis was detected with Hoechst33342 fluorescence staining and annexin V-FITC/PI method. The protein expression levels of p-Pi3k, p-Fak, Fak, MMP-2, MMP-9, p-Akt, Akt, Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved-caspase-3 in the treated cells were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTS

Treatment with honokiol at 20, 40, and 60 μmol/L for 24 h significantly lowered the proliferation and migration ability of CAL-27 cells. The number of apoptotic cells increased with the increase of honokiol concentration, which resulted in a cell apoptosis rate of (15.24±2.06)% at 20 μmol/L, (35.03±2.42)% at 40 μmol/L, and (48.13±4.61)% at 60 μmol/L, as compared with (6.53±1.80)% in the control group. The expressions of p-Pi3k, p-Fak, MMP-2, MMP-9, p-Akt and BCL-2 decreased and those of Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 increased significantly in the cells after the treatment (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Honokiol can inhibit the proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis of CAL-27 cells in vitro possibly by regulating the expressions of p-Pi3k, p-Fak, MMP-2, MMP-9, p-Akt, Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved-caspase-3.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Sanjie Zhentong Capsule Assessed By Network Pharmacology Analysis of Adenomyosis Treatment

Background

Sanjie Zhentong capsule (SZC) offers excellent effect in treating adenomyosis (AM), which is a common and difficult gynecological disease in the clinic. However, the systematic analysis of its mechanism has not been carried out yet and further studies are needed to reveal the role of SZC.

Methods

A systematic network pharmacology analysis was conducted by integrating construction of SZC compound database and AM target database, prediction of potential active compounds and targets by molecular docking combined with compound-target prediction graph (CTPG), protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Then, the anti-inflammation experiments in vitro were performed by investigating SZC and the representative compounds regulating nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10).

Results

Our findings show that SZC mainly treated AM by stimulating 28 core targets through 30 key potential active compounds, and affecting 4 crucial pathways. The treatment was associated with inflammation reaction, hormone regulation, cell adhesion, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Additionally, SZC achieved the anti-inflammatory activity by the cooperation of the compounds through inhibiting NO and IL-6, both promoting and inhibiting IL-10.

Conclusion

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of SZC based on a systematic analysis of SZC remedying AM, which was revealed to be one of the essential mechanisms. These findings will provide valuable guidance for further research of the SZC treatment of AM, and help improve the comprehension of SZC pharmacological basis as well as AM pathogenesis.

Curcumin Downregulates GSK3 and Cdk5 in Scopolamine-Induced Alzheimer's Disease Rats Abrogating Aβ40/42 and Tau Hyperphosphorylation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation and tau hyperphosphorylation are the key drivers of AD. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) and cyclin dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) have been known as leading applicants arbitrating abnormal tau hyperphosphorylation. Thus, we evaluated the efficacy and underlying mechanism of action of curcumin in scopolamine-induced AD rats in our study. We found that curcumin-treated AD rats markedly reduced the levels of Aβ₄₀ and Aβ₄₂ in the brain and in the plasma in comparison to untreated AD rats. Moreover, the levels of phosphorylated tau at Ser396 (PHF13), Ser202/Thr205 (AT8), and Aβ_40/42 (MOAB2) were decreased significantly in AD rats treated with curcumin. Phospho-GSK3β (Tyr216), the active form of GSK3β, and total GSK3β were significantly decreased in AD rats treated with curcumin. Furthermore, Cdk5 and its activators p35 and p25 were significantly decreased in curcumin-treated AD rats. The reduced levels of Cdk5, p35, p25, and GSK3β in curcumin-treated AD rats may result decreased Aβ aggregation and tau hyperphosphorylation, thus ameliorating AD. Impaired spatial memory and locomotor activity in AD rats were partially reversed by curcumin. Therefore, curcumin, as a natural compound present in turmeric, may be a more effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of AD in humans.