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Castellón EA, Indo S, Contreras HR. Cancer Stemness/Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Axis Influences Metastasis and Castration Resistance in Prostate Cancer: Potential Therapeutic Target. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314917. [PMID: 36499245 PMCID: PMC9736174 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer death in men, worldwide. Mortality is highly related to metastasis and hormone resistance, but the molecular underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We have studied the presence and role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PCa, using both in vitro and in vivo models, thereby providing evidence that the stemness-mesenchymal axis seems to be a critical process related to relapse, metastasis and resistance. These are complex and related processes that involve a cooperative action of different cancer cell subpopulations, in which CSCs and mesenchymal cancer cells (MCCs) would be responsible for invading, colonizing pre-metastatic niches, initiating metastasis and an evading treatments response. Manipulating the stemness-EMT axis genes on the androgen receptor (AR) may shed some light on the effect of this axis on metastasis and castration resistance in PCa. It is suggested that the EMT gene SNAI2/Slug up regulates the stemness gene Sox2, and vice versa, inducing AR expression, promoting metastasis and castration resistance. This approach will provide new sight about the role of the stemness-mesenchymal axis in the metastasis and resistance mechanisms in PCa and their potential control, contributing to develop new therapeutic strategies for patients with metastatic and castration-resistant PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique A. Castellón
- Correspondence: (E.A.C.); (H.R.C.); Tel.: +56-229-786-863 (E.A.C.); +56-229-786-862 (H.R.C.)
| | | | - Héctor R. Contreras
- Correspondence: (E.A.C.); (H.R.C.); Tel.: +56-229-786-863 (E.A.C.); +56-229-786-862 (H.R.C.)
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Amilca-Seba K, Tan TZ, Thiery JP, Louadj L, Thouroude S, Bouygues A, Sabbah M, Larsen AK, Denis JA. Osteopontin (OPN/SPP1), a Mediator of Tumor Progression, Is Regulated by the Mesenchymal Transcription Factor Slug/SNAI2 in Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Cells 2022; 11:cells11111808. [PMID: 35681502 PMCID: PMC9180003 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Expression of the transcription factor Slug/SNAI2 is associated with the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and is correlated with poorer disease-free survival in colorectal cancer (CRC). In order to decipher the basis for the Slug-mediated aggressive phenotype, we conducted RNAseq experiments with a panel of HT-29 CRC cells expressing different levels of Slug, both in vitro and in tumor models. Osteopontin (OPN), a mediator associated with tumor progression in different tumor types, was among the top upregulated genes in both cells and tumors and was the most overexpressed gene coding for a secreted protein. We further show that Slug is a direct regulator of osteopontin via binding to the OPN promoter. Interestingly, Slug expression and osteopontin secretion were correlated in vitro, as well as in tumor models, suggesting that liquid biopsies may be useful in estimating the aggressiveness phenotype of the tumor. Abstract In colorectal cancer (CRC), disease-related death is closely linked to tumor aggressiveness and metastasis. Gene expression profiling of patient tumors has suggested that a more mesenchymal phenotype, present in about one-fourth of all patients, is associated with increased aggressiveness. Accordingly, the mesenchymal transcription factor Slug/SNAI2 has been associated with decreased disease-free survival. To decipher the basis for the Slug-mediated phenotype, we conducted RNAseq experiments with a panel of HT-29 CRC cells expressing different levels of Slug, both in vitro and in tumor models. The results show that osteopontin, a secreted pleotropic protein involved in multiple steps of colorectal cancer progression, was highly upregulated by Slug in vitro, as well as in vivo. We further show that Slug is a direct regulator of osteopontin at the promoter level. The levels of secreted osteopontin were correlated with Slug expression, thereby linking the tumor phenotype to a biomarker available by liquid biopsies. The results also suggest that osteopontin neutralization may attenuate at least some of the Slug-mediated functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katyana Amilca-Seba
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), 75571 Paris, France; (K.A.-S.); (L.L.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (M.S.); (A.K.L.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U938, 75012 Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie (IUC), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Tuan Zea Tan
- Center for Translational Medicine, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
| | | | - Lila Louadj
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), 75571 Paris, France; (K.A.-S.); (L.L.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (M.S.); (A.K.L.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U938, 75012 Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie (IUC), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Thouroude
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), 75571 Paris, France; (K.A.-S.); (L.L.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (M.S.); (A.K.L.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U938, 75012 Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie (IUC), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Anaïs Bouygues
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), 75571 Paris, France; (K.A.-S.); (L.L.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (M.S.); (A.K.L.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U938, 75012 Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie (IUC), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Michèle Sabbah
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), 75571 Paris, France; (K.A.-S.); (L.L.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (M.S.); (A.K.L.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U938, 75012 Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie (IUC), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 75016 Paris, France
| | - Annette K. Larsen
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), 75571 Paris, France; (K.A.-S.); (L.L.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (M.S.); (A.K.L.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U938, 75012 Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie (IUC), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 75016 Paris, France
| | - Jérôme A. Denis
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), 75571 Paris, France; (K.A.-S.); (L.L.); (S.T.); (A.B.); (M.S.); (A.K.L.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U938, 75012 Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie (IUC), Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
- Department of Endocrinology and Oncology Biochemistry, Pitié-Salpetrière Hospital, 075013 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
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Li Y, Ji M, Xu H, Yang F, Yang Z, Shen L. CircRNA_0040705 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. IUBMB Life 2022; 74:408-418. [PMID: 35080329 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2598] [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: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in cancer progression. Nonetheless, the role and mechanism of circ_0040705 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are unclear. METHODS The aberrantly expressed circRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) in HCC tissues were screened by bioinformatics. Circ_0040705, miR-557, SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2), E-cadherin, and N-cadherin expressions were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or Western blot. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), Transwell experiments were utilized to examine the changes in HCC cell growth, migration and invasion after circ_0040475 was overexpressed or knocked down. Lung metastasis assay was used to validate the effects of circRNA_0040705 on the lung metastasis of HCC cells in vivo. Binding sequences between circ_0040705 and miR-557, and between miR-557 and SOX2 were verified using dual-luciferase reporter gene experiments. RESULTS The expression levels of circ_0040705 and SOX2 mRNA were markedly increased in HCC tissues but miR-557 expression was down-regulated. Circ_0040705 overexpression enhanced the growth, migration, invasion, and the expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin of HCC cells, and promoted lung metastasis in vivo whereas circ_0040705 knockdown exerted the opposite effects in HCC cells. Circ_0040705 worked as a sponge for miR-557 to down-modulate miR-557 expression, and miR-557 could specifically down-modulate SOX2 expression. CONCLUSION Circ_0040705 facilitates HCC cell growth, migration, and invasion by down-modulating miR-557 expression and up-modulating SOX2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Mengyao Ji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Huang Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Oncology and Intervention, General Hospital of TISCO, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Zhiyong Yang
- Department of Oncology and Intervention, General Hospital of TISCO, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Lei Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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Shen J, Meng Y, Wang K, Gao M, Du J, Wang J, Li Z, Zuo D, Wu Y. EML4-ALK G1202R mutation induces EMT and confers resistance to ceritinib in NSCLC cells via activation of STAT3/Slug signaling. Cell Signal 2022; 92:110264. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Behind the Adaptive and Resistance Mechanisms of Cancer Stem Cells to TRAIL. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13071062. [PMID: 34371753 PMCID: PMC8309156 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), also known as Apo-2 ligand (Apo2L), is a member of the TNF cytokine superfamily. TRAIL has been widely studied as a novel strategy for tumor elimination, as cancer cells overexpress TRAIL death receptors, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting blood vessel formation. However, cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are the main culprits responsible for therapy resistance and cancer remission, can easily develop evasion mechanisms for TRAIL apoptosis. By further modifying their properties, they take advantage of this molecule to improve survival and angiogenesis. The molecular mechanisms that CSCs use for TRAIL resistance and angiogenesis development are not well elucidated. Recent research has shown that proteins and transcription factors from the cell cycle, survival, and invasion pathways are involved. This review summarizes the main mechanism of cell adaption by TRAIL to promote response angiogenic or pro-angiogenic intermediates that facilitate TRAIL resistance regulation and cancer progression by CSCs and novel strategies to induce apoptosis.
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Quiroz-Reyes AG, Delgado-Gonzalez P, Islas JF, Gallegos JLD, Martínez Garza JH, Garza-Treviño EN. Behind the Adaptive and Resistance Mechanisms of Cancer Stem Cells to TRAIL. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1062. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13071062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), also known as Apo-2 ligand (Apo2L), is a member of the TNF cytokine superfamily. TRAIL has been widely studied as a novel strategy for tumor elimination, as cancer cells overexpress TRAIL death receptors, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting blood vessel formation. However, cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are the main culprits responsible for therapy resistance and cancer remission, can easily develop evasion mechanisms for TRAIL apoptosis. By further modifying their properties, they take advantage of this molecule to improve survival and angiogenesis. The molecular mechanisms that CSCs use for TRAIL resistance and angiogenesis development are not well elucidated. Recent research has shown that proteins and transcription factors from the cell cycle, survival, and invasion pathways are involved. This review summarizes the main mechanism of cell adaption by TRAIL to promote response angiogenic or pro-angiogenic intermediates that facilitate TRAIL resistance regulation and cancer progression by CSCs and novel strategies to induce apoptosis.
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Li F, Xu J, Liu S. Cancer Stem Cells and Neovascularization. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051070. [PMID: 33946480 PMCID: PMC8147173 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) refer to a subpopulation of cancer cells responsible for tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Increasing evidence suggests that CSC-associated tumor neovascularization partially contributes to the failure of cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss the roles of CSCs on tumor-associated angiogenesis via trans-differentiation or forming the capillary-like vasculogenic mimicry, as well as the roles of CSCs on facilitating endothelial cell-involved angiogenesis to support tumor progression and metastasis. Furthermore, we discuss the underlying regulation mechanisms, including the intrinsic signals of CSCs and the extrinsic signals such as cytokines from the tumor microenvironment. Further research is required to identify and verify some novel targets to develop efficient therapeutic approaches for more efficient cancer treatment through interfering CSC-mediated neovascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengkai Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Institutes, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (F.L.); (J.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- The International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Institutes, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (F.L.); (J.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- The International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Suling Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Institutes, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (F.L.); (J.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- The International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-21-34771023
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Osman NAA, Khalil AI, Yousef RK. The Clinical and Prognostic Implications of Pluripotent Stem Cell Markers Expression and Their Correlation with the WNT signal pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2020; 21:2961-2970. [PMID: 33112555 PMCID: PMC7798175 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2020.21.10.2961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the expression of SOX2, SOX9, p53, and β-catenin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters of prognostic importance. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five patients were enrolled in this study. All patients had full clinical and follow-up data and available paraffin blocks. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed and correlated with clinicopathological factors and patient survival. Results: We detected the positive expression of SOX2, SOX9, p53, and β-catenin in 76%, 50.7%, 50.7%, and 77.9% of HCC specimens respectively. All studied markers showed a significant increase in the expression in tumor tissue specimens compared to non-tumor tissue. Both SOX2 and SOX9 expressions were significantly associated with adverse prognostic factors in HCC. Significant positive correlations were found between SOX2 and SOX9 and both p53 and β-catenin expression (r= 0.528, 0.485 and; r = 0.253, 0.327, respectively; p< 0.0001 for both of them). Regarding survival, we found that HCC patients with positive SOX2 and SOX9 expressions had significantly shorter overall survival (p=0.0001, each). Additionally, larger tumor size, tumor grade, high stage, tumor multiplicity, presence of cirrhosis, tumor necrosis, high p53 expression, and positive β-catenin expression were independent predictors of worse survival. A multivariate Cox analysis revealed that tumor grade, stage, p53, and SOX2 expression were independent predictors of unfavorable prognosis in overall survival (p=0.0001, p=0.0001,p=0.033; and p=0.003, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings might provide an insight into SOX2 and SOX9’s role in HCC and suggest that SOX2 might be targeted for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisreen A A Osman
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt
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Immunodetection of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Tumor Proliferation Markers in GLi-1-positive Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2020; 29:335-344. [PMID: 32769440 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000000866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), involvement and activation of the Hedgehog pathway (HH) may be related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell proliferation. The present study aimed to evaluate epithelial-mesenchymal transition and proliferative potential in OSCC cases demonstrating activation of the HH pathway. Twenty-three GLi-1-positive OSCC cases were submitted to immunohistochemical detection of Snail, Slug, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and MCM3 proteins. Clinical-pathologic immunoexpression data were obtained from the invasion front and tumor islets, and then compared. At the invasion front, OSCC cases presented positive Snail, Slug, and MCM3 expression in the nuclei of tumor cells. Loss of membrane and cytoplasmic expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was also observed. Positive N-cadherin expression was observed in 31.78% of the cases. GLi-1 immunoexpression was associated with loss of membrane E-cadherin (P<0.001), membrane β-catenin (P<0.001), and cytoplasmic β-catenin (P=0.02) expression. In the tumor islets, we observed nuclear expression of GLi-1, Snail, Slug, and MCM3. E-cadherin and β-catenin showed positivity in tumor cell membranes. Statistically significant positive correlations between GLi-1 and Snail (P=0.05), E-cadherin (P=0.01), and cytoplasmic β-catenin (P=0.04) were found. GLi-1 was associated with clinical staging, while membrane β-catenin expression was related to the presence of metastasis in lymph nodes and to clinical staging. The HH pathway may be involved in regulating the expression of the mesenchymal phenotype. The loss of membrane E-cadherin and β-catenin expression was observed at the tumor front region, whereas cell adhesion protein expression was detected in tumor islets regardless of MCM3.
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10
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Shi C, Yang J, Hu L, Liao B, Qiao L, Shen W, Xie F, Zhu G. Glycochenodeoxycholic acid induces stemness and chemoresistance via the STAT3 signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:15546-15555. [PMID: 32756004 PMCID: PMC7467378 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is primarily attributed to its high frequency of recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the acquisition of cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the fundamental drivers of chemoresistance in HCC. Glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDC), a component of bile acid (BA), has been reported to induce necrosis in primary human hepatocytes. In the present work, we investigated the function of GCDC in HCC chemoresistance. We found that GCDC promoted chemoresistance in HCC cells by down-regulating and up-regulating the expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes, respectively. Furthermore, GCDC induced the EMT phenotype and stemness in HCC cells and activated the STAT3 signaling pathway. These findings reveal that GCDC promotes chemoresistance in HCC by inducing stemness via the STAT3 pathway and could be a potential target in HCC chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changying Shi
- Department of Hepatology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiamei Yang
- Department of Hepatology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Longmiao Hu
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Boyi Liao
- Department of Hepatology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Qiao
- Department of Hepatology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weifeng Shen
- Department of Hepatology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Xie
- Department of Biliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoqing Zhu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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11
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Meel MH, de Gooijer MC, Metselaar DS, Sewing ACP, Zwaan K, Waranecki P, Breur M, Buil LCM, Lagerweij T, Wedekind LE, Twisk JWR, Koster J, Hashizume R, Raabe EH, Montero Carcaboso Á, Bugiani M, Phoenix TN, van Tellingen O, van Vuurden DG, Kaspers GJL, Hulleman E. Combined Therapy of AXL and HDAC Inhibition Reverses Mesenchymal Transition in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3319-3332. [PMID: 32165429 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an incurable type of pediatric brain cancer, which in the majority of cases is driven by mutations in genes encoding histone 3 (H3K27M). We here determined the preclinical therapeutic potential of combined AXL and HDAC inhibition in these tumors to reverse their mesenchymal, therapy-resistant, phenotype. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We used public databases and patient-derived DIPG cells to identify putative drivers of the mesenchymal transition in these tumors. Patient-derived neurospheres, xenografts, and allografts were used to determine the therapeutic potential of combined AXL/HDAC inhibition for the treatment of DIPG. RESULTS We identified AXL as a therapeutic target and regulator of the mesenchymal transition in DIPG. Combined AXL and HDAC inhibition had a synergistic and selective antitumor effect on H3K27M DIPG cells. Treatment of DIPG cells with the AXL inhibitor BGB324 and the HDAC inhibitor panobinostat resulted in a decreased expression of mesenchymal and stem cell genes. Moreover, this combination treatment decreased expression of DNA damage repair genes in DIPG cells, strongly sensitizing them to radiation. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that BGB324, like panobinostat, crosses the blood-brain barrier. Consequently, treatment of patient-derived DIPG xenograft and murine DIPG allograft-bearing mice with BGB324 and panobinostat resulted in a synergistic antitumor effect and prolonged survival. CONCLUSIONS Combined inhibition of AXL and HDACs in DIPG cells results in a synergistic antitumor effect by reversing their mesenchymal, stem cell-like, therapy-resistant phenotype. As such, this treatment combination may serve as part of a future multimodal therapeutic strategy for DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël H Meel
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mark C de Gooijer
- Division of Pharmacology/Mouse Cancer Clinic, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis S Metselaar
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A Charlotte P Sewing
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kenn Zwaan
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Piotr Waranecki
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Breur
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Levi C M Buil
- Division of Pharmacology/Mouse Cancer Clinic, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tonny Lagerweij
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuro-oncology Research Group, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laurine E Wedekind
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuro-oncology Research Group, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jos W R Twisk
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Koster
- Department of Oncogenomics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rintaro Hashizume
- Departments of Neurological Surgery and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Eric H Raabe
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ángel Montero Carcaboso
- Preclinical Therapeutics and Drug Delivery Research Program, Department of Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marianna Bugiani
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Timothy N Phoenix
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati/Research in Patient Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Olaf van Tellingen
- Division of Pharmacology/Mouse Cancer Clinic, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dannis G van Vuurden
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gertjan J L Kaspers
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Hulleman
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. .,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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12
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Homeobox Genes and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050621. [PMID: 31058850 PMCID: PMC6562709 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common type of cancer, and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths each year. It involves a multi-step progression and is strongly associated with chronic inflammation induced by the intake of environmental toxins and/or viral infections (i.e., hepatitis B and C viruses). Although several genetic dysregulations are considered to be involved in disease progression, the detailed regulatory mechanisms are not well defined. Homeobox genes that encode transcription factors with homeodomains control cell growth, differentiation, and morphogenesis in embryonic development. Recently, more aberrant expressions of Homeobox genes were found in a wide variety of human cancer, including HCC. In this review, we summarize the currently available evidence related to the role of Homeobox genes in the development of HCC. The objective is to determine the roles of this conserved transcription factor family and its potential use as a therapeutic target in future investigations.
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13
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Li Z, Chen Y, An T, Liu P, Zhu J, Yang H, Zhang W, Dong T, Jiang J, Zhang Y, Jiang M, Yang X. Nuciferine inhibits the progression of glioblastoma by suppressing the SOX2-AKT/STAT3-Slug signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:139. [PMID: 30922391 PMCID: PMC6440136 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1134-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nuciferine (NF), extracted from the leaves of N. nucifera Gaertn, has been shown to exhibit anti-tumor and anti-viral pharmacological properties. It can also penetrate the blood brain barrier (BBB). However, the mechanism by which NF inhibits glioblastoma (GBM) progression is not well understood. We aimed to determine the anti-tumor effect of NF on GBM cell lines and clarify the potential molecular mechanism involved. METHODS U87MG and U251 cell lines were used in vitro to assess the anti-tumor efficacy of NF. Cytotoxicity, viability, and proliferation were evaluated by MTT and colony formation assay. After Annexin V-FITC and PI staining, flow cytometry was performed to evaluate apoptosis and cell cycle changes in NF-treated GBM cells. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to assess migration and invasion of GBM cells. Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemistry, and bioinformatics were used to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms. Preclinical therapeutic efficacy was mainly estimated by ultrasound and MRI in xenograft nude mouse models. RESULTS NF inhibited the proliferation, mobility, stemness, angiogenesis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of GBM cells. Additionally, NF induced apoptosis and G2 cell cycle arrest. Slug expression was also decreased by NF via the AKT and STAT3 signaling pathways. Interestingly, we discovered that NF affected GBM cells partly by targeting SOX2, which may be upstream of the AKT and STAT3 pathways. Finally, NF led to significant tumor control in GBM xenograft models. CONCLUSIONS NF inhibited the progression of GBM via the SOX2-AKT/STAT3-Slug signaling pathway. SOX2-targeting with NF may offer a novel therapeutic approach for GBM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhuo Li
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaodong Chen
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting An
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiyuan Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Haichao Yang
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianxiu Dong
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Jiang
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Maitao Jiang
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuhua Yang
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Bioinformatics Analysis Makes Revelation to Potential Properties on Regulation and Functions of Human Sox2. Pathol Oncol Res 2019; 26:693-706. [PMID: 30712195 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-019-00581-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2) is a transcription factor that is essential for maintaining self-renewal or pluripotency of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells. The expression and distribution of Sox2 in tumor tissues have been extensively recorded, which are related to the progression and metastasis of tumor. However, a complete mechanistic understanding of Sox2 regulation and function remains to be studied. Herein, we show new potential properties of Sox2 regulation and functions from bioinformatics analysis. We use numerous algorithms to characterize the Sox2 gene promoter elements and the Sox2 protein structure, physio-chemical, localization properties and its evolutionary relationships. The expression of Sox2 is regulated by a diverse set of transcription factors and associated with the levels of methylation of CpG Islands in promoters. The structural properties of Sox2 indicate that Sox2 expresses as a stem cell marker in a variety of stem cells. Sox2 together with other transcription factors or proteins regulate the expression of downstream target genes, which makes a great difference to the biological function of stem cells. Not only stem cells, Sox2 also play an important role in tumor cells. In conclusion, this information from bioinformatics analysis will help to understand Sox2 regulation and functions better in future attempts.
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15
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Sun H, Yao N, Cheng S, Li L, Liu S, Yang Z, Shang G, Zhang D, Yao Z. Cancer stem-like cells directly participate in vasculogenic mimicry channels in triple-negative breast cancer. Cancer Biol Med 2019; 16:299-311. [PMID: 31516750 PMCID: PMC6713644 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2018.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) channels that are lined by tumor cells are a functional blood supply in malignant tumors. However, the role of VM-initiating cells remains poorly understood. Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are positively correlated with VM. In this study, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) enriched with CSCs was used to investigate the relationship between VM and CSCs. Methods The expression of several CSC markers was detected by immunohistochemistry in 100 human breast cancer samples. The clinical significance of CSC markers and the relationship between VM, CSCs, breast cancer subtypes, and VM-associated proteins were analyzed. CD133+ and ALDH+ human and mouse TNBC cells were isolated by FACS to examine the ability of VM formation and the spatial relationship between VM and CSCs. Results CSCs were associated with TNBC subtype and VM in human invasive breast cancer. CSCs in TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells formed more VM channels and expressed more molecules promoting VM than the non-TNBC MCF-7 cells in vitro. MDA-MB-231 cells that encircled VM channels on Matrigel expressed CD133. Moreover, CSCs were located near VM channels in the 3D reconstructed blood supply system in human TNBC grafts. The CD133+ and ALDH+ cells isolated from TA2 mouse breast cancer formed more VM channels in vivo.
Conclusions CSCs line VM channels directly. Additionally, CSCs provide more VM-related molecules to synergize VM formation. The signaling pathways that control CSC differentiation may also be potential treatment targets for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizhi Sun
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Nan Yao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Siqi Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Linqi Li
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Shiqi Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Zhao Yang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Guanjie Shang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Danfang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Zhi Yao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.,Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
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16
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Li ZR, Jiang Y, Hu JZ, Chen Y, Liu QZ. SOX2 knockdown inhibits the migration and invasion of basal cell carcinoma cells by targeting the SRPK1-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Oncol Lett 2018; 17:1617-1625. [PMID: 30675221 PMCID: PMC6341784 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of human skin cancer, which is driven by the aberrant activation of Hedgehog signaling. Previous evidence indicated that sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) is associated with the tumor metastasis. However, the expression and role of SOX2 in BCC remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to analyze the possible mechanism of SOX2 in the progression of BCC. The levels of SOX2 in BCC cells were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Transwell assays were also used to determine the migration and invasion of BCC cells. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence were used for analyzing the role of SOX2 knockdown in the serine-arginine protein kinase 1 (SRPK1)-mediated phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway in BCC cells. The results demonstrated that SOX2 is overexpressed in BCC tissues and cells. In addition, SOX2 knockdown inhibited the migration and invasion of BCC cells, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress of BCC cells. It was also observed that SOX2 knockdown decreased SRPK1 expression, which further led to the downregulation of PI3K and AKT expression levels in BCC cells. Furthermore, SRPK1 transfection or PI3K/AKT pathway activation abolished the inhibitory effects of SOX2 knockdown on the migration, invasion and EMT progress of BCC cells. In conclusion, these results indicated that SOX2 may potentially serve as a target for BCC therapy by targeting the SRPK1-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo-Ran Li
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, P.R. China
| | - Yong Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Zhong Hu
- Department of Dermatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics Institute, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, P.R. China
| | - Quan-Zhong Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
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17
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Assani G, Zhou Y. Effect of modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition regulators Snail1 and Snail2 on cancer cell radiosensitivity by targeting of the cell cycle, cell apoptosis and cell migration/invasion. Oncol Lett 2018; 17:23-30. [PMID: 30655734 PMCID: PMC6313178 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Several strategies of treatment, including radiotherapy, have been developed and used to treat this disease. However, post-treatment metastasis and resistance to treatment are two major causes for the limited effectiveness of radiotherapy in cancer patients. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is regulated by SNAIL family transcription factors, including Snail1 and Snail2 (Slug), and serves important roles in progression and cancer resistance to treatment. Snail1 and Slug also have been shown to be implicated in cancer treatment resistance. For resolving the resistance to treatment problems, combining the modulation of gene expression with radiotherapy is a novel strategy to treat patients with cancer. The present review focuses on the effect of Snail1 and Slug on cancer radiosensitivity by targeting cell apoptosis, the cell cycle and cell migration/invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganiou Assani
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biology Behaviors, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China
| | - Yunfeng Zhou
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biology Behaviors, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China
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18
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Liu P, Tang H, Song C, Wang J, Chen B, Huang X, Pei X, Liu L. SOX2 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Metastasis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:942. [PMID: 30186173 PMCID: PMC6110877 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explored the expression, biological function and prognostic role of SOX2 in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of SOX2 in TNBC cell lines and clinical tissues. MTT assay, Transwell assay, flow cytometry and xenograft mouse model were used to assess the biological functions of SOX2. It was found that SOX2 was up-regulated in both TNBC cell lines and clinical tissues. High expression of SOX2 was associated with shorter overall survival and disease free survival. Moreover, inhibition of SOX2 suppressed cell proliferation and invasion, induced cell apoptosis in vitro, and suppressed tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. In addition, analysis of TNM stage and lymph nodes infiltration among the 237 TNBC patients by paired χ2 test showed that SOX2 was inversely correlated with tumor status, our findings provided evidence that SOX2 acts as a tumor promoter in TNBC and inhibition of SOX2 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cailu Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojia Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqing Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Ultrasond, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Longzhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Department of Ultrasond, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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19
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Zhao X, Sun B, Liu T, Shao B, Sun R, Zhu D, Zhang Y, Gu Q, Dong X, Liu F, Zhao N, Zhang D, Li Y, Meng J, Gong W, Zheng Y, Zheng X. Long noncoding RNA n339260 promotes vasculogenic mimicry and cancer stem cell development in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2018; 109:3197-3208. [PMID: 30022558 PMCID: PMC6172069 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) refers to the unique capability of aggressive tumor cells to mimic the pattern of embryonic vasculogenic networks. Cancer stem cells (CSC) represent a subpopulation of tumor cells endowed with the capacity for self‐renewal and multilineage differentiation. Previous studies have indicated that CSC may participate in the formation of VM. With the advance of high‐resolution microarrays and massively parallel sequencing technology, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are suggested to play a critical role in tumorigenesis and, in particular, the development of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, no definitive relationship between lncRNA and VM formation has been described. In the current study, we demonstrated that expression of the lncRNA, n339260, is associated with CSC phenotype in HCC, and n339260 level correlated with VM, metastasis, and shorter survival time in an animal model. Overexpression of n339260 in HepG2 cells was associated with a significant increase in CSC. Additionally, the appearance of VM and vascular endothelial (VE)‐cadherin, a molecular marker of VM, was also induced by n339260 overexpression. Using a short hairpin RNA approach, n339260 was silenced in tumor cells, and knockdown of n339260 was associated with reduced VM and CSC. The results of this study indicate that n339260 promotes VM, possibly by the development of CSC. The related molecular pathways may be used as novel therapeutic targets for the inhibition of HCC angiogenesis and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiulan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Baocun Sun
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Cancer Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tieju Liu
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Bing Shao
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ran Sun
- Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Dongwang Zhu
- Stomatology Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanhui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Cancer Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Gu
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueyi Dong
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Nan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Danfang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanlei Li
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Meng
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenchen Gong
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanjun Zheng
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xu Zheng
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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20
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Karaosmanoğlu O, Banerjee S, Sivas H. Identification of biomarkers associated with partial epithelial to mesenchymal transition in the secretome of slug over-expressing hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2018; 41:439-453. [PMID: 29858962 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-018-0384-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Complete epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has long been considered as a crucial step for metastasis initiation. It has, however, become apparent that many carcinoma cells can metastasize without complete loss of epithelial traits or with incomplete gain of mesenchymal traits, i.e., partial EMT. Here, we aimed to determine the similarities and differences between complete and partial EMT through over-expression of the EMT-associated transcription factor Slug in different HCC-derived cell lines. METHODS Slug over-expressing HCC-derived HepG2 and Huh7 cells were assessed for their EMT, chemo-resistance and stemness features using Western blotting, qRT-PCR, neutral red uptake, doxorubicin accumulation and scratch wound healing assays. We also collected conditioned media from Slug over-expressing HCC cells and analyzed its exosomal protein content for the presence of chemo-resistance and partial EMT markers using MALDI-TOF/TOF and ELISA assays, respectively. RESULTS We found that Slug over-expression resulted in the induction of both complete and partial EMT in the different HCC-derived cell lines tested. Complete EMT was characterized by downregulation of E-cadherin and upregulation of ZEB2. Partial EMT was characterized by upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of vimentin and ZEB2. Interestingly, we found that Slug induced chemo-resistance through downregulation of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCB1 and upregulation of the ABC transporter ABCG2, as well as through expression of CD133, a stemness marker that exhibited a similar expression pattern in cells with either a complete or a partial EMT phenotype. In addition, we found that Slug-mediated partial EMT was associated with enhanced exosomal secretion of post-translationally modified fibronectin 1 (FN1), collagen type II alpha 1 (COL2A1) and native fibrinogen gamma chain (FGG). CONCLUSIONS From our data we conclude that the exosomal proteins identified may be considered as potential non-invasive biomarkers for chemo-resistance and partial EMT in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oğuzhan Karaosmanoğlu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Anadolu University, 26400, Eskişehir, Turkey.
| | - Sreeparna Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Letters, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hülya Sivas
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Anadolu University, 26400, Eskişehir, Turkey
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21
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Aboushousha T, Mamdouh S, Hamdy H, Helal N, Khorshed F, Safwat G, Seleem M. Immunohistochemical and Biochemical Expression Patterns of TTF-1, RAGE, GLUT-1 and SOX2 in HCV-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinomas. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2018; 19:219-227. [PMID: 29373917 PMCID: PMC5844622 DOI: 10.22034/apjcp.2018.19.1.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the expression of TTF-1, RAGE, GLUT1 and SOX2 in HCV-associated HCCs and in surrounding non-tumorous liver tissue. Material and Methods: Tissue material from partial hepatectomy cases for HCC along with corresponding serum samples and 30 control serum samples from healthy volunteers were studied. Biopsies were classified into: non-tumor hepatic tissue (36 sections); HCC (33 sections) and liver cell dysplasia (LCD) (15 sections). All cases were positive for HCV. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), gene extraction and quantitative real-time reverse-transcription assays (qRT-PCR) were applied. Results: By IHC, LCD and HCC showed significantly high percentages of positive cases with all markers. SOX2 showed significant increase with higher HCC grades, while RAGE demonstrated an inverse relation and GLUT-1 and TTF-1 lacked any correlation. In nontumorous-HCV tissue, we found significantly high TTF-1, low RAGE and negative SOX2 expression. RAGE, GLUT-1 and SOX2 show non-significant elevation positivity in high grade HCV compared to low grade lesions. TTF-1, RAGE and SOX2 exhibited low expression in cirrhosis compared to fibrosis. Biochemical studies on serum and tissue extracts revealed significant down-regulation of RAGE, GLUT-1 and SOX2 genes, as well as significant up-regulation of the TTF-1 gene in HCC cases compared to controls. All studied genes show significant correlation with HCC grade. In non-tumor tissue, only TTF-1 gene expression had a significant correlation with the fibrosis score. Conclusion: Higher expression of TTF-1, RAGE, GLUT-1 and SOX2 in HCC and dysplasia compared to non-tumor tissues indicates up-regulation of these markers as early events during the development of HCV-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Aboushousha
- Pathology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.
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22
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Li XL, Liu L, Li DD, He YP, Guo LH, Sun LP, Liu LN, Xu HX, Zhang XP. Integrin β4 promotes cell invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through the modulation of Slug expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40464. [PMID: 28084395 PMCID: PMC5233967 DOI: 10.1038/srep40464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrin β4 (ITGB4) is a transmembrane receptor involved in tumorigenesis and the invasiveness of many cancers. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most prevalent human cancers worldwide, remains unclear. Here, we examined the involvement of ITGB4 in HCC and explored the underlying mechanisms. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical analyses of tissues from 82 patients with HCC and four HCC cell lines showed higher ITGB4 levels in tumor than in adjacent non-tumor tissues and in HCC than in normal hepatic cells. Silencing of ITGB4 repressed cell proliferation, colony forming ability and cell invasiveness, whereas ectopic expression of ITGB4 promoted the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells and induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in parallel with the upregulation of Slug, as shown by transwell assays, WB and immunocytochemistry. Knockdown of Slug reduced cell viability inhibited invasion and reversed the effects of ITBG4 overexpression on promoting EMT, and AKT/Sox2-Nanog may also be involved. In a xenograft tumor model induced by injection of ITGB4-overexpressing cells into nude mice, ITGB4 promoted tumor growth and metastasis to the lungs. Taken together, our results indicate that ITGB4 plays a tumorigenic and pro-metastatic role mediated by Slug and suggest IGTB4 could be a prognostic indicator or a therapeutic target in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Long Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Educational Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Interventional & Vascular Surgery, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Dan-Dan Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Educational Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Ya-Ping He
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Educational Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Le-Hang Guo
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Educational Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Li-Ping Sun
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Educational Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Lin-Na Liu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Educational Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Hui-Xiong Xu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Educational Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China,
| | - Xiao-Ping Zhang
- Department of Interventional & Vascular Surgery, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China,
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Zhang Y, Zhang D, Jiang J, Dong L. Loss of miR-638 promotes invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by targeting SOX2 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Rep 2016; 37:323-332. [PMID: 27878280 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.5273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of microRNAs has been identified as regulators of biological processes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by negatively regulating protein-coding mRNAs. Several studies have demonstrated that miR-638 expression was dysregulated in various human cancers. However, the clinical significance and underlying mechanisms of miR-638 involved in HCC remain to be elucidated. Herein, we confirmed that a reduced miR-638 expression was present in HCC tissues and cell lines. Our clinical analysis revealed that the downregulated miR-638 expression was significantly correlated with poor prognostic features including high Edmondson-Steiner grade, venous infiltration and advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. Moreover, we demonstrated that miR-638 was a novel independent prognostic marker for predicting 5-year survival of HCC patients. Functionally, overexpressed miR-638 expression inhibited cell migration and invasion, while downregulated miR-638 reversed the effect. In addition, miR-638 could regulate SOX2 by directly binding to its 3'-UTR. Alternation of SOX2 expression at least partially abolished the migration and invasion effects of miR-638 on HCC cells. Aberrant miR-638 expression could regulate the expression level of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers in vitro and in vivo by modulating SOX2 expression. In conclusion, our data indicated that miR-638 functioned as a tumor suppressor gene and play a critical role in the development of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, P.R. China
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, P.R. China
| | - Jiong Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, P.R. China
| | - Lei Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, P.R. China
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Ranjan A, Bera K, Iwakuma T. Murine double minute 2, a potential p53-independent regulator of liver cancer metastasis. HEPATOMA RESEARCH 2016; 2:114-121. [PMID: 28944296 PMCID: PMC5609474 DOI: 10.20517/2394-5079.2015.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has emerged as one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of human cancer; yet, the mechanisms underlying HCC progression remain unclear. Unlike other cancers, systematic chemotherapy is not effective for HCC patients, while surgical resection and liver transplantation are the most viable treatment options. Thus, identifying factors or pathways that suppress HCC progression would be crucial for advancing treatment strategies for HCC. The murine double minute 2 (MDM2)-p53 pathway is impaired in most of the cancer types, including HCC, and MDM2 is overexpressed in approximately 30% of HCC. Overexpression of MDM2 is reported to be well correlated with metastasis, drug resistance, and poor prognosis of multiple cancer types, including HCC. Importantly, these correlations are observed even when p53 is mutated. Indeed, p53-independent functions of overexpressed MDM2 in cancer progression have been suitably demonstrated. In this review article, we summarize potential effectors of MDM2 that promote or suppress cancer metastasis and discuss the p53-independent roles of MDM2 in liver cancer metastasis from clinical as well as biological perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul Ranjan
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Kaustav Bera
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Tomoo Iwakuma
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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25
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Jittreetat T, Shin YS, Hwang HS, Lee BS, Kim YS, Sannikorn P, Kim CH. Tolfenamic Acid Inhibits the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Involvement of p38-Mediated Down-Regulation of Slug. Yonsei Med J 2016; 57:588-98. [PMID: 26996556 PMCID: PMC4800346 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2016.57.3.588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Revised: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Tolfenamic acid (TA), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is known to exhibit antitumor effects in various cancers apart from nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). NPC exhibits high invasiveness, as well as metastatic potential, and patients continue to suffer from residual, recurrent, or metastatic disease even after chemoradiation therapy. Therefore, new treatment strategies are needed for NPC. In this study, we investigated the efficacy and molecular mechanisms of TA in NPC treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS TA-induced cell death was detected by cell viability assay in the NPC cell lines, HNE1 and HONE1. Wound healing assay, invasion assay, and Western blot analysis were used to evaluate the antitumor effects of TA in NPC cell lines. RESULTS Treatment with TA suppressed the migration and invasion of HNE1 and HONE1 cells. Hepatocyte growth factor enhanced the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of NPC cells. This enhancement was successfully inhibited by TA treatment. Treatment with TA increased phosphorylation of p38, and the inhibition of p38 with SB203580 reversed the cytotoxic, anti-invasive, and anti-migratory effects of TA treatment in NPC cell lines. Moreover, inhibition of p38 also reversed the decrease in expression of Slug that was induced by TA treatment. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the activation of p38 plays a role in mediating TA-induced cytotoxicity and inhibition of invasion and migration via down-regulation of Slug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsanachat Jittreetat
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
- Center of Excellent in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yoo Seob Shin
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
| | - Hye Sook Hwang
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
| | - Bok-Soon Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
| | - Yeon Soo Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
| | - Phakdee Sannikorn
- Center of Excellent in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Chul-Ho Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea.
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26
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Yao C, Su L, Shan J, Zhu C, Liu L, Liu C, Xu Y, Yang Z, Bian X, Shao J, Li J, Lai M, Shen J, Qian C. IGF/STAT3/NANOG/Slug Signaling Axis Simultaneously Controls Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Stemness Maintenance in Colorectal Cancer. Stem Cells 2016; 34:820-31. [PMID: 26840943 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Discovery of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are two milestones in people exploring the nature of malignant tumor in recent decades. Although some studies have presented the potential connections between them, the link details, underneath their superficial correlation, are largely unknown. In this study, we identified a small subpopulation of NANOG-positive colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, and demonstrated that they exhibited characteristics of CSCs and EMT traits simultaneously. Furthermore, we found that NANOG was a core factor in regulating both of EMT and stemness in CRC cells, NANOG modulate EMT and metastasis by binding to Slug promoter and transcriptionally regulate Slug expression. For the first time, we demonstrated that NANOG was regulated by extracellular IGF signaling pathway via STAT3 phosphorylation in CRC. This coincides with that IGF receptor IGF-1R is often increasing expressed in malignant metastasis colon cancer. Taken together, our data define the crucial functions of IGF/STAT3/NANOG/Slug signaling axis in the progression of CRC by operating EMT and CSCs properties, which make them served as potential therapeutic targets for treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yao
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Su
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Juanjuan Shan
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuanlin Zhu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Limei Liu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chungang Liu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanmin Xu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiuwu Bian
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jimin Shao
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianming Li
- Department of Pathology, Soochow University School of Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Maode Lai
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junjie Shen
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Cheng Qian
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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27
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Samanta S, Sun H, Goel HL, Pursell B, Chang C, Khan A, Greiner DL, Cao S, Lim E, Shultz LD, Mercurio AM. IMP3 promotes stem-like properties in triple-negative breast cancer by regulating SLUG. Oncogene 2015; 35:1111-21. [PMID: 25982283 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
IMP3 (insulin-like growth factor-2 mRNA binding protein 3) is an oncofetal protein whose expression is prognostic for poor outcome in several cancers. Although IMP3 is expressed preferentially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), its function is poorly understood. We observed that IMP3 expression is significantly higher in tumor initiating than in non-tumor initiating breast cancer cells and we demonstrate that IMP3 contributes to self-renewal and tumor initiation, properties associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs). The mechanism by which IMP3 contributes to this phenotype involves its ability to induce the stem cell factor SOX2. IMP3 does not interact with SOX2 mRNA significantly or regulate SOX2 expression directly. We discovered that IMP3 binds avidly to SNAI2 (SLUG) mRNA and regulates its expression by binding to the 5' UTR. This finding is significant because SLUG has been implicated in breast CSCs and TNBC. Moreover, we show that SOX2 is a transcriptional target of SLUG. These data establish a novel mechanism of breast tumor initiation involving IMP3 and they provide a rationale for its association with aggressive disease and poor outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Samanta
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - H Sun
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - H L Goel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - B Pursell
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - C Chang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - A Khan
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - D L Greiner
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - S Cao
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - E Lim
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - L D Shultz
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | - A M Mercurio
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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