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Zhang W, Zhu L, Fang F, Zhang F, Wang R, Yang K, Liu Y, Cui X. Activin A plays an essential role in migration and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells via Smad3 and calcium signaling. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20419. [PMID: 39223291 PMCID: PMC11369249 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71304-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Activin A and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are involved in tissue repair and fibrosis in liver injury. This study investigated the impact of activin A on HSC activation and migration. A microfluidic D4-chip was used for examining the cell migration of mouse hepatic stellate cell line MHSteC. The analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that activin βA (Inhba), activin receptor type 1A (Acvr1a) and type 2A (Acvr2a) mRNAs were more significantly expressed in human HSCs than in the hepatocytes. Moreover, activin A promoted MHSteC proliferation and induced MHSteC migration. Furthermore, the MHSteCs treated with activin A exhibited increased levels of migration-related proteins, N-cadherin, Vimentin, α-SMA, MMP2 and MMP9, but a decreased level of E-cadherin. Additionally, activin A treatment significantly increased the p-Smad3 levels and p-Smad3/Smad3 ratio in the MHSteCs, and the Smad3 inhibitor SIS3 attenuated activin A-induced MHSteC proliferation and migration. Simultaneously, activin A increased the calcium levels in the MHSteCs, and the migratory effects of activin A on MHSteCs were weakened by the intracellular calcium ion-chelating agent BAPTA-AM. These data indicate that activin A can promote MHSteC activation and migration through the canonical Smad3 signaling and calcium signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Linjing Zhu
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Fenglin Zhang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Runnan Wang
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Institute of Applied Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Yahui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Xueling Cui
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
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Licari E, Cricrì G, Mauri M, Raimondo F, Dioni L, Favero C, Giussani A, Starace R, Nucera S, Biondi A, Piazza R, Bollati V, Dander E, D'Amico G. ActivinA modulates B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cell communication and survival by inducing extracellular vesicles production. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16083. [PMID: 38992199 PMCID: PMC11239915 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66779-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a new mechanism of cellular communication, by delivering their cargo into target cells to modulate molecular pathways. EV-mediated crosstalk contributes to tumor survival and resistance to cellular stress. However, the role of EVs in B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (B-ALL) awaits to be thoroughly investigated. We recently published that ActivinA increases intracellular calcium levels and promotes actin polymerization in B-ALL cells. These biological processes guide cytoskeleton reorganization, which is a crucial event for EV secretion and internalization. Hence, we investigated the role of EVs in the context of B-ALL and the impact of ActivinA on this phenomenon. We demonstrated that leukemic cells release a higher number of EVs in response to ActivinA treatment, and they can actively uptake EVs released by other B-ALL cells. Under culture-induced stress conditions, EVs coculture promoted cell survival in B-ALL cells in a dose-dependent manner. Direct stimulation of B-ALL cells with ActivinA or with EVs isolated from ActivinA-stimulated cells was even more effective in preventing cell death. This effect can be possibly ascribed to the increase of vesiculation and modifications of EV-associated microRNAs induced by ActivinA. These data demonstrate that ActivinA boosts EV-mediated B-ALL crosstalk, improving leukemia survival in stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Licari
- Tettamanti Center, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via Pergolesi, 20900, Monza, Italy
| | - Giulia Cricrì
- Tettamanti Center, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via Pergolesi, 20900, Monza, Italy
- Paediatric Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant Unit, Fondazione Ca' Granda IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Mario Mauri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Francesca Raimondo
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomic Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Laura Dioni
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Favero
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Giussani
- Tettamanti Center, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via Pergolesi, 20900, Monza, Italy
| | - Rita Starace
- Tettamanti Center, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via Pergolesi, 20900, Monza, Italy
| | - Silvia Nucera
- Tettamanti Center, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via Pergolesi, 20900, Monza, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Rocco Piazza
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Hematology Division and Bone Marrow Unit, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Valentina Bollati
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- CRC, Center for Environmental Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Erica Dander
- Tettamanti Center, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via Pergolesi, 20900, Monza, Italy
| | - Giovanna D'Amico
- Tettamanti Center, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via Pergolesi, 20900, Monza, Italy.
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Peng H, Ye T, Deng L, Yang X, Li Q, Tong J, Guo J. Activin and Hepatocyte Growth Factor Promotes Colorectal Cancer Stemness and Metastasis through FOXM1/SOX2/CXCR4 Signaling. Gut Liver 2024; 18:476-488. [PMID: 37458065 PMCID: PMC11096902 DOI: 10.5009/gnl220531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to drive tumor development and metastasis. Activin and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are important cytokines with the ability to induce cancer stemness. However, the effect of activin and HGF combination treatment on CSCs is still unclear. Methods In this study, we sequentially treated colorectal cancer cells with activin and HGF and examined CSC marker expression, self-renewal, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. The roles of forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) and sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), two stemness-related transcription factors, in activin/HGF-induced aggressive phenotype were explored. Results Activin and HGF treatment increased the expression of CSC markers and enhanced sphere formation in colorectal cancer cells. The tumorigenic and metastatic capacities of colorectal cancer cells were enhanced upon activin and HGF treatment. Activin and HGF treatment preferentially promoted stemness and metastasis of CD133+ subpopulations sorted from colorectal cancer cells. FOXM1 was upregulated by activin and HGF treatment, and the knockdown of FOXM1 blocked activin/HGF-induced stemness, tumorigenesis, and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells. Similarly, SOX2 was silencing impaired sphere formation of activin/HGF-treated colorectal cancers. Overexpression of SOX2 rescued the stem cell-like phenotype in FOXM1-depleted colorectal cancer cells with activin and HGF treatment. Additionally, the inhibition of FOXM1 via thiostrepton suppressed activin/HGF-induced stemness, tumorigenesis and metastasis. Conclusions Sequential treatment with activin and HGF promotes colorectal cancer stemness and metastasis through activation of the FOXM1/SOX2 signaling. FOXM1 could be a potential target for the treatment of colorectal cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing University School of Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing University School of Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaofang Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing University School of Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingling Li
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Tong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing University School of Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinjun Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing, Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Lan X, Guo L, Hu C, Zhang Q, Deng J, Wang Y, Chen ZJ, Yan J, Li Y. Fibronectin mediates activin A-promoted human trophoblast migration and acquisition of endothelial-like phenotype. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:61. [PMID: 38263146 PMCID: PMC10807102 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01463-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During human early placentation, a proportion of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) migrate to the maternal decidua, differentiating into endovascular EVTs to remodel spiral arteries and ensure the establishment of blood circulation at the maternal-fetal interface. Inadequate EVT migration and endovascular differentiation are closely associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage. Activin A and fibronectin are both secretory molecules abundantly expressed at the maternal-fetal interface. Activin A has been reported to regulate EVT biological functions. However, whether fibronectin mediates activin A-promoted EVT migration and acquisition of endothelial-like phenotype as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Additionally, the role of fibronectin in pregnancy establishment and maintenance warrants further investigation. METHODS Primary and immortalized (HTR8/SVneo) human EVTs were used as in vitro study models. Cultured human first-trimester chorionic villous explants were utilized for ex vivo validation. A local fibronectin knockdown model in ICR mouse uteri, achieved by nonviral in vivo transfection with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting fibronectin 1 (si-Fn1), was employed to explore the roles of fibronectin in the establishment and maintenance of early pregnancy. RESULTS Our results showed that activin A treatment significantly induced fibronectin 1 (FN1) mRNA expression and fibronectin protein production, which is essential for human trophoblast migration and endothelial-like tube formation. Both basal and activin A-upregulated fibronectin expression were abolished by the TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor SB431542 or siRNA-mediated knockdown of activin receptor-like kinase (ALK4) or SMAD4. Moreover, activin A-increased trophoblast migration and endothelial-like tube formation were attenuated following the depletion of fibronectin. Fibronectin knockdown via intrauterine siRNA administration reduced CD31 and cytokeratin 8 (CK8) expression at the maternal-fetal interface, resulting in a decrease in the number of implantation sites and embryos. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that activin A promotes trophoblast cell migration and acquisition of endothelial-like phenotype via ALK4-SMAD2/3-SMAD4-mediated fibronectin upregulation. Furthermore, through a local fibronectin knockdown model in mouse uteri, we found that the absence of fibronectin at the maternal-fetal interface impedes endovascular migration of trophoblasts and decidual vascularization, thereby interfering with early embryo implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy. These findings provide novel insights into placental development during early pregnancy establishment and contribute to the advancement of therapeutic approaches for managing pregnancy complications related to trophoblast dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangxin Lan
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Ling Guo
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Cuiping Hu
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Jianye Deng
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2021RU001), Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Junhao Yan
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
| | - Yan Li
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
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Guevara-Garcia A, Soleilhac M, Minc N, Delacour D. Regulation and functions of cell division in the intestinal tissue. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023:S1084-9521(23)00004-6. [PMID: 36702722 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In multicellular organisms, epithelial cells are key elements of tissue organization. In developing epithelial tissues, cellular proliferation and differentiation are under the tight regulation of morphogenetic programs to ensure correct organ formation and functioning. In these processes, proliferation rates and division orientation regulate the speed, timing and direction of tissue expansion but also its proper patterning. Moreover, tissue homeostasis relies on spatio-temporal modulations of daughter cell behavior and arrangement. These aspects are particularly crucial in the intestine, which is one of the most proliferative tissues in adults, making it a very attractive adult organ system to study the role of cell division on epithelial morphogenesis and organ function. Although epithelial cell division has been the subject of intense research for many years in multiple models, it still remains in its infancy in the context of the intestinal tissue. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge on cell division and regulatory mechanisms at play in the intestinal epithelial tissue, as well as their importance in developmental biology and physiopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matis Soleilhac
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Minc
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Delphine Delacour
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006 Paris, France.
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Li X, Wu Y, Tian T. TGF-β Signaling in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC): From Underlying Mechanism to Potential Applications in Clinical Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:14436. [PMID: 36430910 PMCID: PMC9698504 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious public health issue, and it has the leading incidence and mortality among malignant tumors worldwide. CRC patients with metastasis in the liver, lung or other distant sites always have poor prognosis. Thus, there is an urgent need to discover the underlying mechanisms of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and to develop optimal therapy for mCRC. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling plays a significant role in various physiologic and pathologic processes, and aberrant TGF-β signal transduction contributes to mCRC progression. In this review, we summarize the alterations of the TGF-β signaling pathway in mCRC patients, the functional mechanisms of TGF-β signaling, its promotion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, its facilitation of angiogenesis, its suppression of anti-tumor activity of immune cells in the microenvironment and its contribution to stemness of CRC cells. We also discuss the possible applications of TGF-β signaling in mCRC diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapies in clinical trials. Hopefully, these research advances in TGF-β signaling in mCRC will improve the development of new strategies that can be combined with molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy and traditional therapies to achieve better efficacy and benefit mCRC patients in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tian Tian
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
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