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Matherne MG, Phillips ES, Embrey SJ, Burke CM, Machado HL. Emerging functions of C/EBPβ in breast cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1111522. [PMID: 36761942 PMCID: PMC9905667 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1111522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast tumorigenesis relies on complex interactions between tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment, orchestrated by tightly regulated transcriptional networks. C/EBPβ is a key transcription factor that regulates the proliferation and differentiation of multiple cell types and modulates a variety of biological processes such as tissue homeostasis and the immune response. In addition, C/EBPβ has well-established roles in mammary gland development, is overexpressed in breast cancer, and has tumor-promoting functions. In this review, we discuss context-specific roles of C/EBPβ during breast tumorigenesis, isoform-specific gene regulation, and regulation of the tumor immune response. We present challenges in C/EBPβ biology and discuss the importance of C/EBPβ isoform-specific gene regulation in devising new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G. Matherne
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Emily S. Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Samuel J. Embrey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Caitlin M. Burke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Heather L. Machado
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States,Tulane Cancer Center, Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium, New Orleans, LA, United States,*Correspondence: Heather L. Machado,
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2
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Liu G, Zeng T. Sporoderm-Removed Ganoderma lucidum Spore Powder May Suppress the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells Through PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Erk Pathway. Integr Cancer Ther 2021; 20:15347354211062157. [PMID: 34841952 PMCID: PMC8649442 DOI: 10.1177/15347354211062157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is a key factor of therapeutic failure in tumor patients, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be explored and novel effective curative strategies are urgently required. Emerging evidence suggests that sporoderm-removed Ganoderma lucidum spore powder can suppress tumor growth and metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms of action remain elusive. In the present study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of sporoderm-removed Ganoderma lucidum spore powder against esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC). The expression of MCP-1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells was detected by Western blotting. The MTS assay was used to assess the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells viability. The clone formation assay was used to evaluate to the proliferation ability of KYSE140 and KYSE510 cells. Apoptosis and the cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to analyze the migration of KYSE140 and KYSE510 cells. Invasion was also analyzed by the Transwell assay. The expressions of PI3K, AKT/p-AKT, Erk/p-Erk, JNK1, and mTOR were detected by Western blotting. We found that the MCP-1 protein was highly expressed in KYSE140 and KYSE510. In addition, sporoderm-removed Ganoderma lucidum spore powder treatment was found to inhibit esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation, to block the cell cycle, to induce cell apoptosis and to inhibit cell migration and invasion. Finally, we found that sporoderm-removed Ganoderma lucidum spore powder decreased the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Erk signaling pathways. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that sporoderm-removed Ganoderma lucidum spore powder suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinomas by involving MCP-1, regulated by PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Erk signal pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiping Liu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, P.R. China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Tao Zeng
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, P.R. China
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3
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da Costa VR, Araldi RP, Vigerelli H, D’Ámelio F, Mendes TB, Gonzaga V, Policíquio B, Colozza-Gama GA, Valverde CW, Kerkis I. Exosomes in the Tumor Microenvironment: From Biology to Clinical Applications. Cells 2021; 10:2617. [PMID: 34685596 PMCID: PMC8533895 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most important health problems and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Despite the advances in oncology, cancer heterogeneity remains challenging to therapeutics. This is because the exosome-mediated crosstalk between cancer and non-cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) contributes to the acquisition of all hallmarks of cancer and leads to the formation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which exhibit resistance to a range of anticancer drugs. Thus, this review aims to summarize the role of TME-derived exosomes in cancer biology and explore the clinical potential of mesenchymal stem-cell-derived exosomes as a cancer treatment, discussing future prospects of cell-free therapy for cancer treatment and challenges to be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Rodrigues da Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFES), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil; (V.R.d.C.); (T.B.M.); (G.A.C.-G.)
- Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil; (H.V.); (F.D.); (V.G.); (B.P.)
| | - Rodrigo Pinheiro Araldi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFES), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil; (V.R.d.C.); (T.B.M.); (G.A.C.-G.)
- Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil; (H.V.); (F.D.); (V.G.); (B.P.)
- Cellavita Pesquisas Científicas Ltd.a., Valinhos 13271-650, Brazil;
| | - Hugo Vigerelli
- Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil; (H.V.); (F.D.); (V.G.); (B.P.)
| | - Fernanda D’Ámelio
- Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil; (H.V.); (F.D.); (V.G.); (B.P.)
| | - Thais Biude Mendes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFES), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil; (V.R.d.C.); (T.B.M.); (G.A.C.-G.)
- Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil; (H.V.); (F.D.); (V.G.); (B.P.)
- Cellavita Pesquisas Científicas Ltd.a., Valinhos 13271-650, Brazil;
| | - Vivian Gonzaga
- Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil; (H.V.); (F.D.); (V.G.); (B.P.)
- Cellavita Pesquisas Científicas Ltd.a., Valinhos 13271-650, Brazil;
| | - Bruna Policíquio
- Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil; (H.V.); (F.D.); (V.G.); (B.P.)
- Cellavita Pesquisas Científicas Ltd.a., Valinhos 13271-650, Brazil;
| | - Gabriel Avelar Colozza-Gama
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFES), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil; (V.R.d.C.); (T.B.M.); (G.A.C.-G.)
- Genetic Bases of Thyroid Tumors Laboratory, Division of Genetics, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | | | - Irina Kerkis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFES), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil; (V.R.d.C.); (T.B.M.); (G.A.C.-G.)
- Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil; (H.V.); (F.D.); (V.G.); (B.P.)
- Cellavita Pesquisas Científicas Ltd.a., Valinhos 13271-650, Brazil;
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4
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Kilinc AN, Han S, Barrett LA, Anandasivam N, Nelson CM. Integrin-linked kinase tunes cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions to regulate the switch between apoptosis and EMT downstream of TGFβ1. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:402-412. [PMID: 33405954 PMCID: PMC8098849 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e20-02-0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a morphogenetic process that endows epithelial cells with migratory and invasive potential. Mechanical and chemical signals from the tumor microenvironment can activate the EMT program, thereby permitting cancer cells to invade the surrounding stroma and disseminate to distant organs. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is a potent inducer of EMT that can also induce apoptosis depending on the microenvironmental context. In particular, stiff microenvironments promote EMT while softer ones promote apoptosis. Here, we investigated the molecular signaling downstream of matrix stiffness that regulates the phenotypic switch in response to TGFβ1 and uncovered a critical role for integrin-linked kinase (ILK). Specifically, depleting ILK from mammary epithelial cells precludes their ability to sense the stiffness of their microenvironment. In response to treatment with TGFβ1, ILK-depleted cells undergo apoptosis on both soft and stiff substrata. We found that knockdown of ILK decreases focal adhesions and increases cell–cell adhesions, thus shifting the balance from cell–matrix to cell–cell adhesion. High cell–matrix adhesion promotes EMT whereas high cell–cell adhesion promotes apoptosis downstream of TGFβ1. These results highlight an important role for ILK in controlling cell phenotype by regulating adhesive connections to the local microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Nihan Kilinc
- Departments of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Siyang Han
- Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Lena A Barrett
- Departments of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Niroshan Anandasivam
- Departments of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Celeste M Nelson
- Departments of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
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5
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Hu HF, Xu WW, Zhang WX, Yan X, Li YJ, Li B, He QY. Identification of miR-515-3p and its targets, vimentin and MMP3, as a key regulatory mechanism in esophageal cancer metastasis: functional and clinical significance. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:271. [PMID: 33243974 PMCID: PMC7693265 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00275-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the main factor of treatment failure in cancer patients, but the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated and effective new treatment strategies are urgently needed. This study aims to explore novel key metastasis-related microRNAs (miRNAs) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). By comparing miRNA profiles of the highly metastatic ESCC cell sublines, we established through serial in vivo selection with the parental cells, we found that the expression level of miR-515-3p was lower in ESCC tumor tissues than adjacent normal tissues, further decreased in metastatic tumors, and moreover, markedly associated with advanced stage, metastasis and patient survival. The in vitro and in vivo assays suggested that miR-515-3p could increase the expression of the epithelial markers as well as decrease the expression of the mesenchymal markers, and more importantly, suppress invasion and metastasis of ESCC cells. Mechanistically, we revealed that miR-515-3p directly regulated vimentin and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3) expression by binding to the coding sequence and 3'untranslated region, respectively. In addition, the data from whole-genome methylation sequencing and methylation-specific PCR indicated that the CpG island within miR-515-3p promoter was markedly hypermethylated in ESCC cell lines and ESCC tumor tissues, which may lead to deregulation of miR-515-3p expression in ESCC. Furthermore, our preclinical experiment provides solid evidence that systemic delivery of miR-515-3p oligonucleotide obviously suppressed the metastasis of ESCC cells in nude mice. Taken together, this study demonstrates that miR-515-3p suppresses tumor metastasis and thus represents a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic strategy in ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Fang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes and MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen Wen Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine and MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Xia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes and MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Yan
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes and MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang-Jia Li
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes and MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Li
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes and MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Qing-Yu He
- Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes and MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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6
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Kobayashi PE, Lainetti PF, Leis-Filho AF, Delella FK, Carvalho M, Cury SS, Carvalho RF, Fonseca-Alves CE, Laufer-Amorim R. Transcriptome of Two Canine Prostate Cancer Cells Treated With Toceranib Phosphate Reveals Distinct Antitumor Profiles Associated With the PDGFR Pathway. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:561212. [PMID: 33324695 PMCID: PMC7726326 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.561212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine prostate cancer (PC) presents a poor antitumor response, usually late diagnosis and prognosis. Toceranib phosphate (TP) is a nonspecific inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and c-KIT. This study aimed to evaluate VEGFR2, PDGFR-β, and c-KIT protein expression in two established canine PC cell lines (PC1 and PC2) and the transcriptome profile of the cells after treatment with TP. Immunofluorescence (IF) analysis revealed VEGFR2 and PDGFR-β protein expression and the absence of c-KIT protein expression in both cell lines. After TP treatment, only the viability of PC1 cells decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Transcriptome and enrichment analyses of treated PC1 cells revealed 181 upregulated genes, which were related to decreased angiogenesis and cell proliferation. In addition, we found upregulated PDGFR-A, PDGFR-β, and PDGF-D expression in PC1 cells, and the upregulation of PDGFR-β was also observed in treated PC1 cells by qPCR. PC2 cells had fewer protein-protein interactions (PPIs), with 18 upregulated and 22 downregulated genes; the upregulated genes were involved in the regulation of parallel pathways and mechanisms related to proliferation, which could be associated with the resistance observed after treatment. The canine PC1 cell line but not the PC2 cell line showed decreased viability after treatment with TP, although both cell lines expressed PDGFR and VEGFR receptors. Further studies could explain the mechanism of resistance in PC2 cells and provide a basis for personalized treatment for dogs with PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila E Kobayashi
- Department of Veterinary Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Patrícia F Lainetti
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Antonio F Leis-Filho
- Department of Veterinary Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Flávia K Delella
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Marcio Carvalho
- Department of Veterinary Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Sarah Santiloni Cury
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Robson Francisco Carvalho
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Carlos E Fonseca-Alves
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil.,Institute of Health Sciences, Paulista University-UNIP, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Renée Laufer-Amorim
- Department of Veterinary Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
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7
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Cai YJ, Ma B, Wang ML, Chen J, Zhao FG, Zhou JD, Guo X, Zheng L, Xu CJ, Wang Y, He YB, Liu J, Xie SN. Impact of Nischarin on EMT regulators in breast cancer cell lines. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:291. [PMID: 33101485 PMCID: PMC7576990 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nischarin is an integrin-binding protein, which is well known as a novel tumor suppressor. In breast cancer, Nischarin serves a critical role in breast cancer cell migration and invasion. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the role of Nischarin remains unclear. Recent findings have demonstrated that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) increases the capacity of cell migration and invasion. As a member of the integrin family, it was hypothesized that Nischarin may regulate cellular processes via various signaling pathways associated with the EMT process. The present study detected the mRNA levels of EMT regulators via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and related protein levels via western blotting in breast cancer cells, following NISCH-overexpression and -knockdown. The results demonstrated that Nischarin inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, when the NISCH gene was overexpressed, the relative mRNA level of E-cadherin was increased, while the relative mRNA levels of several transcription factors, such as Snail, ZEB1, N-cadherin, Slug, Twist1 and vimentin, decreased. When NISCH was silenced, these results were reversed. The present results demonstrated that Nischarin suppresses cell migration and invasion via inhibiting the EMT process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Jie Cai
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, P.R. China
| | - Bo Ma
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, P.R. China
| | - Mei-Li Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, P.R. China
| | - Fu-Guang Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, P.R. China
| | - Juan-Di Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, P.R. China
| | - Xu Guo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, P.R. China
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Jing Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, P.R. China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Bo He
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang University Affiliated Hangzhou First People Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Shang-Nao Xie
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang University Affiliated Hangzhou First People Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
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8
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Patkunarajah A, Stear JH, Moroni M, Schroeter L, Blaszkiewicz J, Tearle JLE, Cox CD, Fürst C, Sánchez-Carranza O, Ocaña Fernández MDÁ, Fleischer R, Eravci M, Weise C, Martinac B, Biro M, Lewin GR, Poole K. TMEM87a/Elkin1, a component of a novel mechanoelectrical transduction pathway, modulates melanoma adhesion and migration. eLife 2020; 9:53308. [PMID: 32228863 PMCID: PMC7173973 DOI: 10.7554/elife.53308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanoelectrical transduction is a cellular signalling pathway where physical stimuli are converted into electro-chemical signals by mechanically activated ion channels. We describe here the presence of mechanically activated currents in melanoma cells that are dependent on TMEM87a, which we have renamed Elkin1. Heterologous expression of this protein in PIEZO1-deficient cells, that exhibit no baseline mechanosensitivity, is sufficient to reconstitute mechanically activated currents. Melanoma cells lacking functional Elkin1 exhibit defective mechanoelectrical transduction, decreased motility and increased dissociation from organotypic spheroids. By analysing cell adhesion properties, we demonstrate that Elkin1 deletion is associated with increased cell-substrate adhesion and decreased homotypic cell-cell adhesion strength. We therefore conclude that Elkin1 supports a PIEZO1-independent mechanoelectrical transduction pathway and modulates cellular adhesions and regulates melanoma cell migration and cell-cell interactions. When cells receive signals about their surrounding environment, this initiates a chain of signals which generate a response. Some of these signalling pathways allow cells to sense physical and mechanical forces via a process called mechanotransduction. There are different types of mechanotransduction. In one pathway, mechanical forces open up specialized channels on the cell surface which allow charged particles to move across the membrane and create an electrical current. Mechanoelectrical transduction plays an important role in the spread of cancer: as cancer cells move away from a tumour they use these signalling pathways to find their way between cells and move into other parts of the body. Understanding these pathways could reveal ways to stop cancer from spreading, making it easier to treat. However, it remains unclear which molecules regulate mechanoelectrical transduction in cancer cells. Now, Patkunarajah, Stear et al. have studied whether mechanoelectrical transduction is involved in the migration of skin cancer cells. To study mechanoelectrical transduction, a fine mechanical input was applied to the skin cancer cells whilst measuring the flow of charged molecules moving across the membrane. This experiment revealed that a previously unknown protein named Elkin1 is required to convert mechanical forces into electrical currents. Deleting this newly found protein caused skin cancer cells to move more slowly and dissociate more easily from tumour-like clusters of cells. These findings suggest that Elkin1 is part of a newly identified mechanotransduction pathway that allows cells to sense mechanical forces from their surrounding environment. More work is needed to determine what role Elkin1 plays in mechanoelectrical transduction and whether other proteins are also involved. This could lead to new approaches that prevent cancer cells from dissociating from tumours and spreading to other body parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrutha Patkunarajah
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Cellular and Systems Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jeffrey H Stear
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Mirko Moroni
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Lioba Schroeter
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Cellular and Systems Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Jacqueline LE Tearle
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Charles D Cox
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - Carina Fürst
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | | | | | - Raluca Fleischer
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Murat Eravci
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Weise
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berlin, Germany
| | - Boris Martinac
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - Maté Biro
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gary R Lewin
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Kate Poole
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Cellular and Systems Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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9
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Sangiorgi B, de Souza FC, Mota de Souza Lima I, Dos Santos Schiavinato JL, Corveloni AC, Thomé CH, Araújo Silva W, Faça VM, Covas DT, Zago MA, Panepucci RA. A High-Content Screening Approach to Identify MicroRNAs Against Head and Neck Cancer Cell Survival and EMT in an Inflammatory Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1100. [PMID: 31788442 PMCID: PMC6856008 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is among the most common cancer types. Metastasis, the main cause of death by cancer, can be promoted by an inflammatory microenvironment, which induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through a NF-κB-mediated stabilization of Snail. Here, we aimed to explore how microRNAs (miRs) can affect cell survival and EMT in HNSCC cells under an inflammatory microenvironment. By using a high-content screening (HCS) approach, we evaluated alterations in morphometric parameters, as well as expression/localization of Snail/Slug, in HNSCC cells primed with TNF-α. Based on those quantitation, we established the optimal experimental conditions of EMT induction driven by TNF-α. Those conditions were applied to cells transfected with distinct miRs (N = 31), followed by clusterization of miRs based on alterations related to cell survival and EMT. The signaling pathways enriched with molecular targets from each group of miRs were identified by in silico analyses. Finally, cells were transfected with siRNAs against signaling pathways targeted by miRs with anti-survival/EMT effect and evaluated for alterations in cell survival and EMT. Overall, we observed that TNF-α, at 20 ng/ml, induced EMT-related changes in cell morphology, Snail/Slug expression, and cell migration. Predicted targets of miRs with anti-survival/EMT effect were enriched with targets of NF-κB, PI3K/ATK, and Wnt/beta catenin pathways. Strikingly, individual gene silencing of elements from those pathways, namely RELA (NF-kB), AKT1 (PI3K/AKT), and CTNNB1 (Wnt/beta catenin) reduced cell survival and/or expression of Snail/Slug in cells stimulated with TNF-α. As a whole, our HCS approach allowed for the identification of miRs capable of inhibiting cell survival and EMT considering the presence of an inflammatory microenvironment, also indicating the common signaling pathways and molecular targets most likely to underlie those alterations. These findings may contribute to the development of targeted therapies against HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Sangiorgi
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Genetics and Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe Canto de Souza
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Genetics and Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Ildercílio Mota de Souza Lima
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Genetics and Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Josiane Lilian Dos Santos Schiavinato
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Genetics and Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Amanda Cristina Corveloni
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Genetics and Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Carolina Hassibe Thomé
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Wilson Araújo Silva
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Genetics and Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Vitor Marcel Faça
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Dimas Tadeu Covas
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Marco Antônio Zago
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Alexandre Panepucci
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC), Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Department of Genetics and Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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10
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Venhuizen JH, Span PN, van den Dries K, Sommer S, Friedl P, Zegers MM. P120 Catenin Isoforms Differentially Associate with Breast Cancer Invasion and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101459. [PMID: 31569498 PMCID: PMC6826419 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is the endpoint of tumor progression and depends on the ability of tumor cells to locally invade tissue, transit through the bloodstream and ultimately to colonize secondary organs at distant sites. P120 catenin (p120) has been implicated as an important regulator of metastatic dissemination because of its roles in cell–cell junctional stability, cytoskeletal dynamics, growth and survival. However, conflicting roles for p120 in different tumor models and steps of metastasis have been reported, and the understanding of p120 functions is confounded by the differential expression of p120 isoforms, which differ in N-terminal length, tissue localization and, likely, function. Here, we used in silico exon expression analyses, in vitro invasion assays and both RT-PCR and immunofluorescence of human tumors. We show that alternative exon usage favors expression of short isoform p120-3 in 1098 breast tumors and correlates with poor prognosis. P120-3 is upregulated at the invasive front of breast cancer cells migrating as collective groups in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrate in histological sections of 54 human breast cancer patients that p120-3 expression is maintained throughout the metastatic cascade, whereas p120-1 is differentially expressed and diminished during invasion and in metastases. These data suggest specific regulation and functions of p120-3 in breast cancer invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Hendrik Venhuizen
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Paul N Span
- Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Koen van den Dries
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Sebastian Sommer
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Cancer Genomic Centre, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77230, USA.
| | - Mirjam M Zegers
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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11
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Gomes CP, Nóbrega-Pereira S, Domingues-Silva B, Rebelo K, Alves-Vale C, Marinho SP, Carvalho T, Dias S, Bernardes de Jesus B. An antisense transcript mediates MALAT1 response in human breast cancer. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:771. [PMID: 31382922 PMCID: PMC6683341 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5962-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a substantial portion of the human transcriptome. LncRNAs present a very stringent cell-type/tissue specificity being potential candidates for therapeutical applications during aging and disease. As example, targeting of MALAT1, a highly conserved lncRNA originally identified in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, has shown promising results in cancer regression. Nevertheless, the regulation and specificity of MALAT1 have not been directly addressed. Interestingly, MALAT1 locus is spanned by an antisense transcript named TALAM1. METHODS Here using a collection of breast cancer cells and in vitro and in vivo migration assays we characterized the dynamics of expression and demonstrated that TALAM1 regulates and synergizes with MALAT1 during tumorigenesis. RESULTS Down-regulation of TALAM1 was shown to greatly impact on the capacity of breast cancer cells to migrate in vitro or to populate the lungs of immunocompromised mice. Additionally, we demonstrated that TALAM1 cooperates with MALAT1 in the regulation of the properties guiding breast cancer aggressiveness and malignancy. CONCLUSIONS By characterizing this sense/anti-sense pair we uncovered the complexity of MALAT1 locus regulation, describing new potential candidates for cancer targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Pereira Gomes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sandrina Nóbrega-Pereira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Domingues-Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Kenny Rebelo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Alves-Vale
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Pires Marinho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tânia Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Dias
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal. .,Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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12
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Septin 9 isoforms promote tumorigenesis in mammary epithelial cells by increasing migration and ECM degradation through metalloproteinase secretion at focal adhesions. Oncogene 2019; 38:5839-5859. [PMID: 31285548 PMCID: PMC6859949 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0844-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The cytoskeletal interacting protein Septin 9 (SEPT9), a member of the septin gene family, has been proposed to have oncogenic functions. It is a known hot spot of retroviral tagging insertion and a fusion partner of both de novo and therapy-induced mixed lineage leukemia (MLL). Of all septins, SEPT9 holds the strongest link to cancer, especially breast cancer. Murine models of breast cancer frequently exhibit Sept9 amplification in the form of double minute chromosomes, and about 20% of human breast cancer display genomic amplification and protein over expression at the SEPT9 locus. Yet, a clear mechanism by which SEPT9 elicits tumor-promoting functions is lacking. To obtain unbiased insights on molecular signatures of SEPT9 upregulation in breast tumors, we overexpressed several of its isoforms in breast cancer cell lines. Global transcriptomic profiling supports a role of SEPT9 in invasion. Functional studies reveal that SEPT9 upregulation is sufficient to increase degradation of the extracellular matrix, while SEPT9 downregulation inhibits this process. The degradation pattern is peripheral and associated with focal adhesions (FA), where it is coupled with increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases. SEPT9 overexpression induces MMP upregulation in human tumors and in culture models and promotes MMP3 secretion to the media at FAs. Downregulation of SEPT9 or chemical inhibition of septin filament assembly impairs recruitment of MMP3 to FAs. Our results indicate that SEPT9 promotes upregulation and both trafficking and secretion of MMPs near FAs, thus enhancing migration and invasion of breast cancer cells.
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13
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Elisha Y, Sagi Y, Klein G, Straussman R, Geiger B. Cooperativity between stromal cytokines drives the invasive migration of human breast cancer cells. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180231. [PMID: 31431170 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The cross-talk between cancer cells and the stromal microenvironment plays a key role in regulating cancer invasion. Here, we employed an ex vivo invasion model system for exploring the regulation of breast cancer cells infiltration into a variety of stromal fibroblast monolayers. Our results revealed considerable variability in the stromal induction of invasiveness, with some lines promoting and others blocking invasion. It was shown that conditioned medium (CM), derived from invasion-promoting fibroblasts, can induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like process in the cancer cells, and trigger their infiltration into a monolayer of invasion-blocking fibroblasts. To identify the specific invasion-promoting molecules, we analysed the cytokines in stimulatory CM, screened a library of purified cytokines for invasion-promoting activity and tested the effect of specific inhibitors of selected cytokine receptors on the CM-induced invasion. Taken together, these experiments indicated that the invasiveness of BT-474 is induced by the combined action of IL1 and IL6 and that IL1 can induce IL6 secretion by invasion-blocking fibroblasts, thereby triggering cancer cell invasion into the stroma. This unexpected observation suggests that stromal regulation of cancer invasion may involve not only cross-talk between stromal and cancer cells, but also cooperation between different stromal subpopulations. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Forces in cancer: interdisciplinary approaches in tumour mechanobiology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yair Elisha
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yael Sagi
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Georg Klein
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ravid Straussman
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Benjamin Geiger
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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14
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Yamamoto S, Okada K, Sasaki N, Chang AC, Yamaguchi K, Nakanishi J. Photoactivatable Hydrogel Interfaces for Resolving the Interplay of Chemical, Mechanical, and Geometrical Regulation of Collective Cell Migration. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:7459-7468. [PMID: 30379076 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b02371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Collective migration is the mechanobiological interplay within migrating cell clusters and against extracellular matrixes (ECMs) underneath, mediating various physiological and pathological processes. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a robust platform on which collective migration can be studied under standardized conditions to understand how cells migrate differently between normal and disease states. We herein demonstrated phtotoactivatable hydrogel interfaces as suitable candidates for such applications. The substrate was composed of a poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) hydrogel whose surface was sequentially functionalized with poly-d-lysine (PDL) and photocleavable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). On the surface of the gel substrates, cell clusters with any given geometries can be prepared by controlling the irradiation patterns (geometrical cue), and their collective migration can be induced by the subsequent irradiation of the surrounding regions. Moreover, the substrate mechanical properties can be controlled by changing the composition of the PAAm hydrogel (mechanical cue), and the chemical properties were controlled by changing the amount of immobilized PDL, thereby altering the adsorbed amount of ECM proteins (chemical cue). The photoactivatable gel substrates were characterized by fluorescence microscopy, ζ-potential measurements, and the protein adsorption test. Through the study of the interplay of chemical, mechanical, and geometrical cues in the regulation of collective characteristics, we found additive effects of chemical and mechanical cues on the suppression of circular expansion by up-regulating the epithelial morphology. Also, the impact of geometrical cues became more significant by decreasing the chemical cue. We believe the present platform will be a useful research tool for the comprehensive mechanobiological analysis of collective cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Yamamoto
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA) , National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) , 1-1 Namiki , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-0044 , Japan
| | - Kei Okada
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering , Toyo University , 2100 Kujirai , Kawagoe , Saitama 350-8585 , Japan
| | - Naoki Sasaki
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering , Toyo University , 2100 Kujirai , Kawagoe , Saitama 350-8585 , Japan
| | - Alice Chinghsuan Chang
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA) , National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) , 1-1 Namiki , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-0044 , Japan
| | - Kazuo Yamaguchi
- Department of Chemistry , Kanagawa University , 2946 Tsuchiya , Hiratsuka , Kanagawa 259-1293 , Japan
| | - Jun Nakanishi
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA) , National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) , 1-1 Namiki , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-0044 , Japan
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering , Waseda University , 3-4-1 Okubo , Shinjuku-ku , Tokyo 169-8555 , Japan
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15
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Defining rules for cancer cell proliferation in TRAIL stimulation. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2019; 5:5. [PMID: 30792889 PMCID: PMC6377620 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-019-0084-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to their self-organizing evolutionary plasticity, cancers remain evasive to modern treatment strategies. Previously, for sensitizing tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-resistant human fibrosarcoma (HT1080), we developed and validated a dynamic computational model that showed the inhibition of protein kinase (PK)C, using bisindolylmaleimide (BIS) I, enhances apoptosis with 95% cell death. Although promising, the long-term effect of remaining ~ 5% cells is a mystery. Will they remain unchanged or are they able to proliferate? To address this question, here we adopted a discrete spatiotemporal cellular automata model utilizing simple rules modified from the famous "Conway's game of life". Based on three experimental initializations: cell numbers obtained from untreated (high), treatment with TRAIL only (moderate), and treatment with TRAIL and BIS I (low), the simulations show cell proliferation in time and space. Notably, when all cells are fixed in their initial space, the proliferation is rapid for high and moderate cell numbers, however, slow and steady for low number of cells. However, when mesenchymal-like random movement was introduced, the proliferation becomes significant even for low cell numbers. Experimental verification showed high proportion of mesenchymal cells in TRAIL and BIS I treatment compared with untreated or TRAIL only treatment. In agreement with the model with cell movement, we observed rapid proliferation of the remnant cells in TRAIL and BIS I treatment over time. Hence, our work highlights the importance of mesenchymal-like cellular movement for cancer proliferation. Nevertheless, re-treatment of TRAIL and BIS I on proliferating cancers is still largely effective.
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16
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PRSS3/Mesotrypsin and kallikrein-related peptidase 5 are associated with poor prognosis and contribute to tumor cell invasion and growth in lung adenocarcinoma. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1844. [PMID: 30755669 PMCID: PMC6372636 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38362-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine proteases have been implicated as key drivers and facilitators of lung cancer malignancy, and while these proteins represent straightforward targets for therapeutic inhibitors, identification of optimal points for intervention has been complicated by the complex networks in which these enzymes function. Here we implicate a signaling pathway consisting of PRSS3/mesotrypsin and kallikrein-related peptidase 5 (KLK5) in lung adenocarcinoma malignancy. We show that elevated PRSS3/mesotrypsin expression is prognostic for poor outcome for patients with lung adenocarcinoma, and that genetic or pharmacologic targeting of PRSS3/mesotrypsin reduces lung adenocarcinoma cell invasiveness and proliferation. We further show that genetic targeting of KLK5, a known target of PRSS3/mesotrypsin, phenocopies the effect of PRSS3/mesotrypsin knockdown, and also that elevated expression of KLK5 is similarly prognostic for outcome in lung adenocarcinoma. Finally, we use transcriptional profiling experiments to show that PRSS3/mesotrypsin and KLK5 control a common malignancy-promoting pathway. These experiments implicate a potential PRSS3/mesotrypsin-KLK5 signaling module in lung adenocarcinoma and reveal the potential therapeutic benefit of selectively targeting these pathways.
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17
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RAC1B: A Rho GTPase with Versatile Functions in Malignant Transformation and Tumor Progression. Cells 2019; 8:cells8010021. [PMID: 30621237 PMCID: PMC6356296 DOI: 10.3390/cells8010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RAC1B is an alternatively spliced isoform of the monomeric GTPase RAC1. It differs from RAC1 by a 19 amino acid in frame insertion, termed exon 3b, resulting in an accelerated GDP/GTP-exchange and an impaired GTP-hydrolysis. Although RAC1B has been ascribed several protumorigenic functions such as cell cycle progression and apoptosis resistance, its role in malignant transformation, and other functions driving tumor progression like epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration/invasion and metastasis are less clear. Insertion of exon 3b endows RAC1B with specific biochemical properties that, when compared to RAC1, encompass both loss-of-functions and gain-of-functions with respect to the type of upstream activators, downstream targets, and binding partners. In its extreme, this may result in RAC1B and RAC1 acting in an antagonistic fashion in regulating a specific cellular response with RAC1B behaving as an endogenous inhibitor of RAC1. In this review, we strive to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview, rather than critical discussions, on various aspects of RAC1B biology in eukaryotic cells.
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18
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Dai B, Zhang X, Shang R, Wang J, Yang X, Zhang H, Liu Q, Wang D, Wang L, Dou K. Blockade of ARHGAP11A reverses malignant progress via inactivating Rac1B in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Commun Signal 2018; 16:99. [PMID: 30545369 PMCID: PMC6293628 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-018-0312-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The molecular signaling events involving in high malignancy and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are extremely complicated. Blockade of currently known targets has not yet led to successful clinical outcome. More understanding about the regulatory mechanisms in HCC is necessary for developing new effective therapeutic strategies for HCC patients. Methods The expression of Rho GTPase-activating protein 11A (ARHGAP11A) was examined in human normal liver and HCC tissues. The correlations between ARHGAP11A expression and clinicopathological stage or prognosis in HCC patients were analyzed. ARHGAP11A was downregulated to determine its role in the proliferation, invasion, migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) development, and regulatory signaling of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Results ARHGAP11A exhibited high expression in HCC, and was significantly correlated with clinicopathological stage and prognosis in HCC patients. Moreover, ARHGAP11A facilitated Hep3B and MHCC97-H cell proliferation, invasion, migration and EMT development in vitro. ARHGAP11A knockdown significantly inhibited the in vivo growth and metastasis of HCC cells. Furthermore, ARHGAP11A directly interacted with Rac1B independent of Rho GTPase- activating activity. Rac1B blockade effectively interrupted ARHGAP11A-elicited HCC malignant phenotype. Meanwhile, upregulation of Rac1B reversed ARHGAP11A knockdown mediated mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) development in HCC cells. Conclusion ARHGAP11A facilitates malignant progression in HCC patients via ARHGAP11A-Rac1B interaction. The ARHGAP11A/Rac1B signaling could be a potential therapeutic target in the clinical treatment of HCC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-018-0312-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Runze Shang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianlin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xisheng Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Desheng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Kefeng Dou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
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19
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Chen F, Wu P, Hu H, Tian D, Jiang N, Wu C. Protein kinase TTK promotes proliferation and migration and mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human bladder cancer cells. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2018; 11:4854-4861. [PMID: 31949560 PMCID: PMC6962905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the expression level of TTK in bladder cancer, and its role in the proliferation and migration. To investigate the relationship between TTK and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). PATIENTS AND METHODS We compared the expression level of TTK between human bladder cancer tissues and normal bladder epithelial tissues from 70 patients using immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and western blotting. Subsequently, we conducted cell viability and cell migration experiments to investigate the effect of TTK on bladder cancer cells. Furthermore, we used qRT-PCR to detect the biomarkers of EMT to examine the relationship between TTK and EMT. RESULTS The expression level of TTK was significantly higher in bladder cancer tissues as compared to the adjacent noncancerous tissues (P < 0.001). The qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting also showed the same trend. Furthermore, cell viability and cell migration assays showed that TTK promoted proliferation and migration of human bladder cancer cells, and mediated EMT. CONCLUSION This study showed that high expression of TTK can promote proliferation and migration, and might mediate the EMT process in human bladder cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiran Chen
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Peikang Wu
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Hailong Hu
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Dawei Tian
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
| | - Changli Wu
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
- Department of Urology, Sino-Singapore Eco-city Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin, China
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20
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Young age at diagnosis is associated with worse prognosis in the Luminal A breast cancer subtype: a retrospective institutional cohort study. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2018; 172:689-702. [PMID: 30225619 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-018-4950-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although age is a recognized independent prognostic risk factor, its relative importance among molecular subtypes of Breast cancer (BCA) is not well documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of age at diagnosis among different immunohistochemical subtypes of BCA. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of women with invasive BCA undergoing surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, excluding patients presenting with stage IV breast cancer. Patients were stratified into three age groups: ≤ 40, 41-60, and > 60 years, and multivariable analysis was performed using Cox regression. We also identified differentially expressed genes (DEG) between age groups among BCA subtypes in the public TCGA dataset. Finally, we identified key driver genes within the DEGs using a weighted gene co-expression network analysis. RESULTS Luminal A breast cancer patients had significantly lower 5 year disease-free survival (DFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in the ≤ 40 year age group compared to the 41-60 year age group, while the other molecular subtypes showed no significant association of DFS or DMFS with age. Age was a stronger outcome predictor than tumor grade or proliferative index in Luminal A BCA patients, but not other subtypes. BCA TCGA gene expression data were divided into two groups (≤ 40 years, > 40 years). We identified 374 DEGs in the Luminal A BCA subset, which were enriched in seven pathways and two modules of co-expressed genes. No age group-specific DEGs were identified in non-Luminal A subtypes. CONCLUSIONS Age at diagnosis may be an important prognostic factor in Luminal A BCA.
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21
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Leggett SE, Sim JY, Rubins JE, Neronha ZJ, Williams EK, Wong IY. Morphological single cell profiling of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Integr Biol (Camb) 2017; 8:1133-1144. [PMID: 27722556 DOI: 10.1039/c6ib00139d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Single cells respond heterogeneously to biochemical treatments, which can complicate the analysis of in vitro and in vivo experiments. In particular, stressful perturbations may induce the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a transformation through which compact, sensitive cells adopt an elongated, resistant phenotype. However, classical biochemical measurements based on population averages over large numbers cannot resolve single cell heterogeneity and plasticity. Here, we use high content imaging of single cell morphology to classify distinct phenotypic subpopulations after EMT. We first characterize a well-defined EMT induction through the master regulator Snail in mammary epithelial cells over 72 h. We find that EMT is associated with increased vimentin area as well as elongation of the nucleus and cytoplasm. These morphological features were integrated into a Gaussian mixture model that classified epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes with >92% accuracy. We then applied this analysis to heterogeneous populations generated from less controlled EMT-inducing stimuli, including growth factors (TGF-β1), cell density, and chemotherapeutics (Taxol). Our quantitative, single cell approach has the potential to screen large heterogeneous cell populations for many types of phenotypic variability, and may thus provide a predictive assay for the preclinical assessment of targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Leggett
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Providence, RI 02912, USA and Pathobiology Graduate Program Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
| | - Jea Yun Sim
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Jonathan E Rubins
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Zachary J Neronha
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | | | - Ian Y Wong
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Providence, RI 02912, USA and Pathobiology Graduate Program Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
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22
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Nelson CM, Gleghorn JP, Pang MF, Jaslove JM, Goodwin K, Varner VD, Miller E, Radisky DC, Stone HA. Microfluidic chest cavities reveal that transmural pressure controls the rate of lung development. Development 2017; 144:4328-4335. [PMID: 29084801 DOI: 10.1242/dev.154823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical forces are increasingly recognized to regulate morphogenesis, but how this is accomplished in the context of the multiple tissue types present within a developing organ remains unclear. Here, we use bioengineered 'microfluidic chest cavities' to precisely control the mechanical environment of the fetal lung. We show that transmural pressure controls airway branching morphogenesis, the frequency of airway smooth muscle contraction, and the rate of developmental maturation of the lungs, as assessed by transcriptional analyses. Time-lapse imaging reveals that branching events are synchronized across distant locations within the lung, and are preceded by long-duration waves of airway smooth muscle contraction. Higher transmural pressure decreases the interval between systemic smooth muscle contractions and increases the rate of morphogenesis of the airway epithelium. These data reveal that the mechanical properties of the microenvironment instruct crosstalk between different tissues to control the development of the embryonic lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste M Nelson
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA .,Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Jason P Gleghorn
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Mei-Fong Pang
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Jacob M Jaslove
- Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Katharine Goodwin
- Quantitative and Computational Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Victor D Varner
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Erin Miller
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Derek C Radisky
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Howard A Stone
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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23
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Radisky ES, Raeeszadeh-Sarmazdeh M, Radisky DC. Therapeutic Potential of Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition in Breast Cancer. J Cell Biochem 2017; 118:3531-3548. [PMID: 28585723 PMCID: PMC5621753 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc endopeptidases that cleave nearly all components of the extracellular matrix as well as many other soluble and cell-associated proteins. MMPs have been implicated in normal physiological processes, including development, and in the acquisition and progression of the malignant phenotype. Disappointing results from a series of clinical trials testing small molecule, broad spectrum MMP inhibitors as cancer therapeutics led to a re-evaluation of how MMPs function in the tumor microenvironment, and ongoing research continues to reveal that these proteins play complex roles in cancer development and progression. It is now clear that effective targeting of MMPs for therapeutic benefit will require selective inhibition of specific MMPs. Here, we provide an overview of the MMP family and its biological regulators, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). We then summarize recent research from model systems that elucidate how specific MMPs drive the malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells, including acquisition of cancer stem cell features and induction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and we also outline clinical studies that implicate specific MMPs in breast cancer outcomes. We conclude by discussing ongoing strategies for development of inhibitors with therapeutic potential that are capable of selectively targeting the MMPs most responsible for tumor promotion, with special consideration of the potential of biologics including antibodies and engineered proteins based on the TIMP scaffold. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3531-3548, 2017. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evette S Radisky
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jacksonville 32224, Florida
| | | | - Derek C Radisky
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jacksonville 32224, Florida
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24
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Mihalko EP, Brown AC. Material Strategies for Modulating Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transitions. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2017; 4:1149-1161. [PMID: 33418653 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transitions (EMT) involve the phenotypic change of epithelial cells into fibroblast-like cells. This process is accompanied by the loss of cell-cell contacts, increased extracellular matrix (ECM) production, stress fiber alignment, and an increase in cell mobility. While essential for development and wound repair, EMT has also been recognized as a contributing factor to fibrotic diseases and cancer. Both chemical and mechanical cues, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, NF-κB, Wnt, Notch, interleukin-8, metalloproteinase-3, ECM proteins, and ECM stiffness can determine the degree and duration of EMT events. Additionally, transforming growth factor beta is a primary driver of EMT and, interestingly, can be activated through cell-mediated mechanoactivation. In this review, we highlight recent findings demonstrating the contribution of mechanical stimuli, such as tissue and material stiffness, in driving EMT. We then highlight material strategies for controlling EMT events. Finally, we discuss drivers of the similar process of endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) and corresponding material strategies for controlling EndoMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily P Mihalko
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States.,Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Ashley C Brown
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States.,Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
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25
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Harner-Foreman N, Vadakekolathu J, Laversin SA, Mathieu MG, Reeder S, Pockley AG, Rees RC, Boocock DJ. A novel spontaneous model of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) using a primary prostate cancer derived cell line demonstrating distinct stem-like characteristics. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40633. [PMID: 28094783 PMCID: PMC5240554 DOI: 10.1038/srep40633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells acquire the invasive and migratory properties necessary for the invasion-metastasis cascade and the establishment of aggressive, metastatic disease by reactivating a latent embryonic programme: epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Herein, we report the development of a new, spontaneous model of EMT which involves four phenotypically distinct clones derived from a primary tumour-derived human prostate cancer cell line (OPCT-1), and its use to explore relationships between EMT and the generation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in prostate cancer. Expression of epithelial (E-cadherin) and mesenchymal markers (vimentin, fibronectin) revealed that two of the four clones were incapable of spontaneously activating EMT, whereas the others contained large populations of EMT-derived, vimentin-positive cells having spindle-like morphology. One of the two EMT-positive clones exhibited aggressive and stem cell-like characteristics, whereas the other was non-aggressive and showed no stem cell phenotype. One of the two EMT-negative clones exhibited aggressive stem cell-like properties, whereas the other was the least aggressive of all clones. These findings demonstrate the existence of distinct, aggressive CSC-like populations in prostate cancer, but, importantly, that not all cells having a potential for EMT exhibit stem cell-like properties. This unique model can be used to further interrogate the biology of EMT in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Harner-Foreman
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Jayakumar Vadakekolathu
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Stéphanie A Laversin
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Morgan G Mathieu
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Stephen Reeder
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - A Graham Pockley
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Robert C Rees
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - David J Boocock
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
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26
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Xu Q, Niu X, Wang W, Yang W, Du Y, Gu J, Song L. Specific N-glycan alterations are coupled in EMT induced by different density cultivation of MCF 10A epithelial cells. Glycoconj J 2016; 34:219-227. [PMID: 28035583 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-016-9754-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process in tumor progression during which cancer cells undergo dramatic changes acquiring highly invasive properties. In a widespread adoption of TGF-β-induced EMT model, we have previously observed that expression of bisecting GlcNAc on N-glycans was dramatically decreased. Herein, we performed in vitro studies with the MCF10A cell line. In response to low cell density, MCF10A cells suffered spontaneously morphologic and phenotypic EMT-like changes, including elongated spindle shape, extended out from edge of the cell sheet, cytoskeleton reorganization, vimentin and fibronectin up-regulation, catenins redistribution, and cadherin switching. Moreover, these phenotypic changes were associated with specific N-glycan alterations. Interestingly, the amounts of bisecting GlcNAc structure were declined, by contrast, the formation of β1-6 GlcNAc branches were obviously up-regulated during the EMT induced by sparse cell conditions. We further investigated N-glycans on the β1-integrin, which is a good target of some glycosyltransferases. The reactivity with E4-PHA lectin decreased, whereas the staining for L4-PHA lectin, which recognizes branched GlcNAc, increased in sparse cell conditions compared with dense cell conditions. Taken together, these results demonstrated that specific N-glycan alterations are coupled in EMT process and promoted cells migration at a low cell density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingsong Xu
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, 52. Heishijiao Street, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116023, China. .,Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Miyagi, 981-8558, Japan.
| | - Xueming Niu
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, 52. Heishijiao Street, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Dalian Elite Analytical Instruments Company Limited, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Wen Yang
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, 52. Heishijiao Street, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Yuguang Du
- Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jianguo Gu
- Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Miyagi, 981-8558, Japan.
| | - Linsheng Song
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, 52. Heishijiao Street, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116023, China
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27
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Gamboa Castro M, Leggett SE, Wong IY. Clustering and jamming in epithelial-mesenchymal co-cultures. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:8327-8337. [PMID: 27722738 PMCID: PMC5063081 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm01287f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Collective behaviors emerge from coordinated cell-cell interactions during the morphogenesis of tissues and tumors. For instance, cells may display density-dependent phase transitions from a fluid-like "unjammed" phase to a solid-like "jammed" phase, while different cell types can "self-sort". Here, we comprehensively track single cell dynamics in mixtures of sheet-forming epithelial cells and dispersed mesenchymal cells. We find that proliferating epithelial cells nucleate multicellular clusters that coarsen at a critical density, arresting migration and strengthening spatial velocity correlations. The addition of mesenchymal cells can slow cluster formation and coarsening, resulting in more dispersed individual cells with weak spatial velocity correlations. These behaviors have analogies with a jamming-unjamming transition, where the control parameters are cell density and mesenchymal fraction. This complex interplay of proliferation, clustering and correlated migration may have physical implications for understanding epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marielena Gamboa Castro
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
| | - Susan E Leggett
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. and Pathobiology Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Ian Y Wong
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. and Pathobiology Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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28
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Škalamera D, Dahmer-Heath M, Stevenson AJ, Pinto C, Shah ET, Daignault SM, Said NAB, Davis M, Haass NK, Williams ED, Hollier BG, Thompson EW, Gabrielli B, Gonda TJ. Genome-wide gain-of-function screen for genes that induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 7:61000-61020. [PMID: 27876705 PMCID: PMC5308632 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmental program that has been implicated in progression, metastasis and therapeutic resistance of some carcinomas. To identify genes whose overexpression drives EMT, we screened a lentiviral expression library of 17000 human open reading frames (ORFs) using high-content imaging to quantitate cytoplasmic vimentin. Hits capable of increasing vimentin in the mammary carcinoma-derived cell line MDA-MB-468 were confirmed in the non-tumorigenic breast-epithelial cell line MCF10A. When overexpressed in this model, they increased the rate of cell invasion through Matrigel™, induced mesenchymal marker expression and reduced expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. In gene-expression datasets derived from breast cancer patients, the expression of several novel genes correlated with expression of known EMT marker genes, indicating their in vivo relevance. As EMT-associated properties are thought to contribute in several ways to cancer progression, genes identified in this study may represent novel targets for anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dubravka Škalamera
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Mater Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Mareike Dahmer-Heath
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Mater Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Alexander J. Stevenson
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Mater Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Cletus Pinto
- St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research and University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Esha T. Shah
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sheena M. Daignault
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nur Akmarina B.M. Said
- Monash Institute of Medical Research (now Hudson Institute of Medical Research), Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Melissa Davis
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nikolas K. Haass
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Elizabeth D. Williams
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Monash Institute of Medical Research (now Hudson Institute of Medical Research), Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Brett G. Hollier
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Erik W. Thompson
- St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research and University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Brian Gabrielli
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Mater Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Thomas J. Gonda
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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29
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EMT in Breast Carcinoma-A Review. J Clin Med 2016; 5:jcm5070065. [PMID: 27429011 PMCID: PMC4961996 DOI: 10.3390/jcm5070065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular program that is involved in embryonic development; wound healing, but also in tumorigenesis. Breast carcinoma (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and the majority of deaths (90%) are caused by invasion and metastasis. The EMT plays an important role in invasion and subsequent metastasis. Several distinct biological events integrate a cascade that leads not only to a change from an epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype, but allows for detachment, migration, invasion and ultimately, colonization of a second site. Understanding the biological intricacies of the EMT may provide important insights that lead to the development of therapeutic targets in pre-invasive and invasive breast cancer, and could be used as biomarkers identifying tumor subsets with greater chances of recurrence, metastasis and therapeutic resistance leading to death.
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30
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Abstract
The two biological mechanisms that determine types of malignancy are infiltration and metastasis, for which tumour microenvironment plays a key role in developing and establishing the morphology, growth and invasiveness of a malignancy. The microenvironment is formed by complex tissue containing the extracellular matrix, tumour and non-tumour cells, a signalling network of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and proteases that control autocrine and paracrine communication among individual cells, facilitating tumour progression. During the development of the primary tumour, the tumour stroma and continuous genetic changes within the cells makes it possible for them to migrate, having to count on a pre-metastatic niche receptor that allows the tumour’s survival and distant growth. These niches are induced by factors produced by the primary tumour; if it is eradicated, the active niches become responsible for activating the latent disseminated cells. Due to the importance of these mechanisms, the strategies that develop tumour cells during tumour progression and the way in which the microenvironment influences the formation of metastasis are reviewed. It also suggests that the metastatic niche can be an ideal target for new treatments that make controlling metastasis possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Arvelo
- Centro de Biociencias, Fundación Instituto de Estudios Avanzado [IDEA], Caracas 1015-A, Venezuela, Apartado 17606, Caracas 1015-A, Venezuela; Laboratorio de Cultivo de Tejidos y Biología de Tumores, Instituto de Biología Experimental, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Apartado 47114, Caracas, 1041-A, Venezuela
| | - Felipe Sojo
- Centro de Biociencias, Fundación Instituto de Estudios Avanzado [IDEA], Caracas 1015-A, Venezuela, Apartado 17606, Caracas 1015-A, Venezuela; Laboratorio de Cultivo de Tejidos y Biología de Tumores, Instituto de Biología Experimental, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Apartado 47114, Caracas, 1041-A, Venezuela
| | - Carlos Cotte
- Laboratorio de Cultivo de Tejidos y Biología de Tumores, Instituto de Biología Experimental, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Apartado 47114, Caracas, 1041-A, Venezuela
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31
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Tumor cell expression of MMP3 as a prognostic factor for poor survival in pancreatic, pulmonary, and mammary carcinoma. Genes Cancer 2016; 6:480-9. [PMID: 26807201 PMCID: PMC4701227 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers collectively represent one third of all diagnosed tumors and are responsible for almost 40% of overall cancer mortality. Despite improvements in current treatments, efforts to develop more specific therapeutic options are warranted. Here we identify matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) as a potential target within all three of these tumor types. MMP3 has previously been shown to induce expression of Rac1b, a tumorigenic splice isoform of Rac1. In this study we find that MMP3 and Rac1b proteins are both strongly expressed by the tumor cells of all three tumor types and that expression of MMP3 protein is prognostic of poor survival in pancreatic cancer patients. We also find that MMP3 gene expression can serve as a prognostic marker for patient survival in breast and lung cancer. These results suggest an oncogenic MMP3-Rac1b signaling axis as a driver of tumor progression in three common poor prognosis tumor types, further suggesting that new therapies to target these pathways could have substantial therapeutic benefit.
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32
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Xu H, Li M, Zhou Y, Wang F, Li X, Wang L, Fan Q. S100A4 participates in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer via targeting MMP2. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:2925-32. [PMID: 26409452 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3709-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that S100A4 acquires its metastasis-promoting effects via inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, its role and mechanism in EMT in breast cancer had not been clearly elucidated. Herein, we showed that the knockdown of S100A4 expression in breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468, inhibited not only cell invasion ability greatly, but also the occurrence of EMT significantly. In addition, S100A4 knockdown could also decrease the expression of MMP2, a promoter and a mediator of the EMT processes in cancer. Above all, restoring the expression of MMP2 in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 could not only rescue the invasion ability inhibited by knockdown of S100A4, but also reverse the EMT suppressed by knockdown of S100A4. In summary, our results indicated that S100A4 could promote the invasion ability of breast cancer cells via EMT, more importantly, it could participate in EMT via regulating MMP2 in breast cancer. Therefore, S100A4 could be a candidate biomarker for defining breast cancer metastasis and useful target for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Xu
- Department of Breast Disease Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengquan Li
- Department of Breast Disease Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangke Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Liuxing Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingxia Fan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China.
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