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Xu H, Wang X, Zhu F, Guo S, Chao Z, Cao C, Lu Z, Zhu H, Wang M, Zhu F, Yang J, Zeng R, Yao Y. Comprehensive Pan-Cancer Analysis of Connexin 43 as a Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Human Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC). MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:780. [PMID: 38792963 PMCID: PMC11123162 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Connexin 43 (Cx43) is involved in the transfer of small signaling molecules between neighboring cells, thereby exerting a major influence on the initiation and progression of tumorigenesis. However, there is a lack of systematic research on Cx43 expression and its predictive role in clinical diagnosis and prognosis in pan-cancer. Materials and Methods: Several biological databases were used to evaluate the expression levels of GJA1 (encoding Cx43) and its diagnostic and prognostic significance in pan-cancer. We targeted kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) and investigated the relationship between GJA1 expression and different clinical features of KIRC patients. Then, we performed cell-based experiments to partially confirm our results and predicted several proteins that were functionally related to Cx43. Results: The expression of GJA1 has a high level of accuracy in predicting KIRC. High GJA1 expression was remarkably correlated with a favorable prognosis, and this expression was reduced in groups with poor clinical features in KIRC. Cell experiments confirmed the inhibitory effects of increased GJA1 expression on the migratory capacity of human renal cancer (RCC) cell lines, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis predicted that CDH1 and CTNNB1 were closely related to Cx43. Conclusions: GJA1 could be a promising independent favorable prognostic factor for KIRC, and upregulation of GJA1 expression could inhibit the migratory capacity of renal cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huzi Xu
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Xiuru Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Fan Zhu
- Wuhan Central Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China;
| | - Shuiming Guo
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Zheng Chao
- Division of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China;
| | - Chujin Cao
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Zhihui Lu
- Division of Nursing, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China;
| | - Han Zhu
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Meng Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Fengming Zhu
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Juan Yang
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Rui Zeng
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Ying Yao
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
- Division of Nutrition, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China
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Moon DO. Interplay between paclitaxel, gap junctions, and kinases: unraveling mechanisms of action and resistance in cancer therapy. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:472. [PMID: 38551726 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09411-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive review elucidates the multifaceted roles of paclitaxel, a key chemotherapeutic agent, in cancer therapy, with a focus on its interactions with gap junctions and related kinases. Paclitaxel, with its complex diterpene structure, mediates its anticancer effects predominantly through specific interactions with β-tubulin, instigating cell cycle arrest and triggering various cell death pathways, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis. The paper systematically delineates the chemical attributes and action mechanisms of paclitaxel and its analogs, underscoring their capacity to disrupt microtubule dynamics, thereby leading to mitotic arrest and subsequent cell death induction. It also scrutinizes the pivotal role of gap junctions, composed of connexin proteins, in the modulation of cancer cell behavior and chemoresistance, especially in the milieu of paclitaxel administration. The review articulates how gap junctions can either suppress tumors or contribute to cancer progression, thereby influencing chemotherapy outcomes. Furthermore, the paper provides an in-depth analysis of how paclitaxel modulates gap junction-associated kinases via phosphorylation, influencing the drug's therapeutic efficacy and resistance profiles. By integrating insights from numerous key studies, the review offers a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between paclitaxel, gap junctions, and kinases, shedding light on potential approaches to augment paclitaxel's anti-tumor effectiveness and counteract chemoresistance in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Oh Moon
- Department of Biology Education, Daegu University, 201, Daegudae-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38453, Republic of Korea.
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Jia Y, Guo B, Zhang W, Wang F, Zhang Y, Zhang Q, Li E. Pan-cancer analysis of the prognostic and immunological role of GJB2: a potential target for survival and immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1110207. [PMID: 37427102 PMCID: PMC10327570 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1110207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background GJB2 plays an essential role in the growth and progression of several cancers. However, asystematic pan-cancer analysis of GJB2 is lacking. Therefore, in this study, we performed a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis to determine the potential role of GJB2 in prognostic prediction and cancer immunotherapy response. Methods The differential expression of GJB2 in the tumor and adjacent normal tissues of various cancer types was analyzed using the TIMER, GEPIA, and Sangerbox databases. GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases were used to analyze the survival outcomes based on GJB2 expression levels in pan-cancer. Furthermore, the association of GJB2 expression with the immune checkpoint (ICP) genes, tumor mutational load (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), neoantigens, and tumor infiltration of immune cells was analyzed using via the Sangerbox database. The cBioPortal database was used to determine the characteristics of GJB2 gene alterations in the cancer tissues. The STRING database was used to identify the GJB2-binding proteins. GEPIA database was used to identify the GJB2 co-expressed genes. DAVID was used to perform the functional enrichment analysis of gene ontology (GO) terms and KEGG pathways associated with GJB2. Finally, the mechanistic role of GJB2 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) was analyzed using the LinkedOmics database. Results The GJB2 gene was highly expressed in a variety of tumors. Furthermore, GJB2 expression levels showed significant positive or negative association with the survival outcomes in various cancers. GJB2 expression levels cor related with tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, neoantigens, and tumor infiltration of immune cells in multiple cancers. This suggested that GJB2 played a critical role in the tumor microenvironment. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the biological role of GJB2 in tumors included modulation of gap junction-mediated intercellular transport, regulation of cell communication by electrical coupling, ion transmembrane transport, autocrine signaling, apoptotic signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that GJB2 played a significant role in tumorigenesis and tumor immunity in multiple cancers. Furthermore, GJB2 is a potential prognostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target in multiple types of cancers.
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Chang CWT, Poudyal N, Verdugo DA, Peña F, Stehberg J, Retamal MA. KI04 an Aminoglycosides-Derived Molecule Acts as an Inhibitor of Human Connexin46 Hemichannels Expressed in HeLa Cells. Biomolecules 2023; 13:411. [PMID: 36979346 PMCID: PMC10046693 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Connexins (Cxs) are proteins that help cells to communicate with the extracellular media and with the cytoplasm of neighboring cells. Despite their importance in several human physiological and pathological conditions, their pharmacology is very poor. In the last decade, some molecules derived from aminoglycosides have been developed as inhibitors of Cxs hemichannels. However, these studies have been performed in E. coli, which is a very simple model. Therefore, our main goal is to test whether these molecules have similar effects in mammalian cells. METHODS We transfected HeLa cells with the human Cx46tGFP and characterized the effect of a kanamycin-derived molecule (KI04) on Cx46 hemichannel activity by time-lapse recordings, changes in phosphorylation by Western blot, localization by epifluorescence, and possible binding sites by molecular dynamics (MD). RESULTS We observed that kanamycin and KI04 were the most potent inhibitors of Cx46 hemichannels among several aminoglycosides, presenting an IC50 close to 10 μM. The inhibitory effect was not associated with changes in Cx46 electrophoretic mobility or its intracellular localization. Interestingly, 5 mM DTT did not reverse KI04 inhibition, but the KI04 effect completely disappeared after washing out KI04 from the recording media. MD analysis revealed two putative binding sites of KI04 in the Cx46 hemichannel. RESULTS These results demonstrate that KI04 could be used as a Cx46 inhibitor and could help to develop future selective Cx46 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Wei T. Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-0300, USA
| | - Naveena Poudyal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-0300, USA
| | - Daniel A. Verdugo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Francisca Peña
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Jimmy Stehberg
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Mauricio A. Retamal
- Center for Membrane Protein Research, Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430-6551, USA
- Programa de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7610496, Chile
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El-Hajjar L, Saliba J, Karam M, Shaito A, El Hajj H, El-Sabban M. Ubiquitin-Related Modifier 1 (URM-1) Modulates Cx43 in Breast Cancer Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032958. [PMID: 36769280 PMCID: PMC9917400 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gap-junction-forming connexins are exquisitely regulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs). In particular, the PTM of connexin 43 (Cx43), a tumor suppressor protein, regulates its turnover and activity. Here, we investigated the interaction of Cx43 with the ubiquitin-related modifier 1 (URM-1) protein and its impact on tumor progression in two breast cancer cell lines, highly metastatic triple-negative MDA-MB-231 and luminal breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines. To evaluate the subsequent modulation of Cx43 levels, URM-1 was downregulated in these cells. The transcriptional levels of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and the metastatic phenotype were assessed. We demonstrated that Cx43 co-localizes and interacts with URM-1, and URMylated Cx43 was accentuated upon cellular stress. The significant upregulation of small ubiquitin-like modifier-1 (SUMO-1) was also observed. In cells with downregulated URM-1, Cx43 expression significantly decreased, and SUMOylation by SUMO-1 was affected. The concomitant expression of EMT markers increased, leading to increased proliferation, migration, and invasion potential. Inversely, the upregulation of URM-1 increased Cx43 expression and reversed EMT-induced processes, underpinning a role for this PTM in the observed phenotypes. This study proposes that the URMylation of Cx43 in breast cancer cells regulates its tumor suppression properties and contributes to breast cancer cell malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layal El-Hajjar
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
| | - Jessica Saliba
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut P.O. Box 90656, Lebanon
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut P.O. Box 100, Lebanon
| | - Mario Karam
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
| | - Abdullah Shaito
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University Doha, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
| | - Marwan El-Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +961-(1)-350000 (ext. 4765)
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Kou Y, Sun Q, Zhu R, Lin Z, Li Z, Xu H, Feng X, Liu Y. Dioscin induces M1 macrophage polarization through Connexin-43 Channels in Tumor-associated-macrophages-mediated melanoma metastasis. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 109:154559. [PMID: 36610151 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are important constituent parts of tumor microenvironment that connected with tumor metastasis in melanoma. Connexin 43 (Cx43) was expressed in all the immune cells which modulated different aspects of immune response. However, the concrete molecular mechanism maintains unclear. PURPOSE The study aimed to find a natural drug monomer effectively reversed the polarity of tumor-associated macrophages inhibiting melanoma metastasis and improving survival time. METHODS Flow cytometry was used to determine the effects of dioscin on the macrophage phenotype. Western bolt and ELISA were performed to explore the underlying mechanism of dioscin and a co-culture experiment in vitro was applied to assess the role of dioscin on TAMs-mediated melanoma proliferation, invasion and migration. Moreover, in vivo melanoma metastasis models were established for examining effects of dioscin on TAMs-mediated melanoma metastasis. RESULTS Dioscin repolarized macrophages from M2 towards M1-like phenotype. Dioscin suppressed M2-like phenotype macrophages through enhanced the expression and transport function of Cx43. Furthermore, the stimulation IFN-γ/STAT1 pathway and suppression IL-4/JAK2/STAT3 pathway were major mechanism of dioscin. Importantly, dioscin suppressed Cx43G21R mutation TAMs induced proliferation, invasion, migration and metastasis of melanoma cells. It worthily noting that dioscin ameliorated tumor-associated-macrophages-mediated melanoma metastasis in vitro and vivo. CONCLUSION Dioscin re-polarized macrophages from M2 to M1 phenotype through activation of Cx43-gap-junction-intercellular-communications (Cx43-GJs)/IFN-γ/STAT1 pathway and inhibition of Cx43-GJs/IL-4/JAK2/STAT3 suppressing migration, invasion and metastasis of melanoma, which provided a theoretical and experimental basis for treating melanoma metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Kou
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China; The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medcine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Qidi Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China; The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medcine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rentao Zhu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China; The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medcine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhijie Lin
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhuoqun Li
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China; The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medcine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hairong Xu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China; The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medcine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuan Feng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China; The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medcine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanqing Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China; The Key Laboratory of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Gastric Cancer of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medcine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu, China.
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Unal YC, Yavuz B, Ozcivici E, Mese G. The role of connexins in breast cancer: from misregulated cell communication to aberrant intracellular signaling. Tissue Barriers 2022; 10:1962698. [PMID: 34355641 PMCID: PMC8794248 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2021.1962698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In spite of clinical advancements and improved diagnostic techniques, breast cancers are the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths in women worldwide. Although 70% of early breast cancers can be cured, there are no efficient therapies against metastatic breast cancers. Several factors including connexins and gap junctions play roles in breast tumorigenesis. Connexins are critical for cellular processes as a linkage between connexin mutations and hereditary disorders demonstrated their importance for tissue homeostasis. Further, alterations in their expression, localization and channel activities were observed in many cancers including breast cancer. Both channel-dependent and independent functions of connexins were reported in initiation and progression of cancers. Unlike initial reports suggesting tumor suppressor functions, connexins and gap junctions have stage, context and isoform dependent effects in breast cancers similar to other cancers. In this review, we tried to describe the current understanding of connexins in tumorigenesis specifically in breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yagmur Ceren Unal
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Busra Yavuz
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Engin Ozcivici
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gulistan Mese
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir, Turkey
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Orellana VP, Tittarelli A, Retamal MA. Connexins in melanoma: Potential role of Cx46 in its aggressiveness. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2021; 34:853-868. [PMID: 33140904 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer, and in metastatic advanced states, it is completely refractory to chemotherapy. Therefore, it is relevant to understand the molecular bases that rule their aggressiveness. Connexins (Cxs) are proteins that under normal physiological conditions participate in intercellular communication, via the exchange of signaling molecules between the cytoplasm and extracellular milieu and the exchange of ions/second messengers between the cytoplasm of contacting cells. These proteins have shown important roles in cancer progression, chemo- and radiotherapy resistance, and metastasis. Accordingly, Cx26 and Cx43 seem to play important roles in melanoma progression and metastasis. On the other hand, Cx46 is typically expressed in the eye lens, where it seems to be associated with oxidative stress protection in fiber lens cells. However, in the last decade, Cx46 expression has been associated with breast and brain cancers, due to its role in potentiation of both extracellular vesicle release and cancer stem cell-like properties. In this review, we analyzed a potential role of Cx46 as a new biomarker and therapeutic target in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana P Orellana
- Universidad del Desarrollo. Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Clinica Alemana Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
- Universidad del Desarrollo. Programa de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Clínica Alemana Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrés Tittarelli
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PIDi), Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM), Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio A Retamal
- Universidad del Desarrollo. Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Clinica Alemana Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
- Universidad del Desarrollo. Programa de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Clínica Alemana Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
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Sato A, da Fonseca IIM, Nagamine MK, de Toledo GF, Olio R, Hernandez-Blazquez FJ, Yano T, Yeh ES, Dagli MLZ. Effects of Alpha-Connexin Carboxyl-Terminal Peptide (aCT1) and Bowman-Birk Protease Inhibitor (BBI) on Canine Oral Mucosal Melanoma (OMM) Cells. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:670451. [PMID: 34179163 PMCID: PMC8222509 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.670451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral mucosal melanomas (OMM) are aggressive cancers in dogs, and are good models for human OMM. Gap junctions are composed of connexin units, which may have altered expression patterns and/or subcellular localization in cancer cells. Cell-to-cell communication by gap junctions is often impaired in cancer cells, including in melanomas. Meanwhile, the upregulated expression of the gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) inhibits melanoma progression. The α-connexin carboxyl-terminal (aCT1) peptide reportedly maintains Cx43 expression and cell-cell communication in human mammary cells and increases the communication activity through gap junctions in functional assays, therefore causing decreased cell proliferation. The Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI), a component of soybeans, induces Cx43 expression in several tumor cells as a trypsin–chymotrypsin inhibition function, with antineoplastic effects. This study investigated the effect of aCT1 peptide and BBI treatment, alone or in combination, on TLM1 canine melanoma cell viability. Cell viability after treatment with aCT1, the reverse sequence peptide (R-pep), and/or BBI for 5 days was analyzed by PrestoBlue assay. Immunofluorescence was used to observe Cx43 localization and expression. aCT1 (200 μM) alone did not significantly decrease cell viability in TLM1 cells, whereas BBI (400 μg/ml) alone significantly decreased the TLM1 viability. Combined treatment with both aCT1 (200 μM) and BBI (400 μg/ml) significantly decreased cell viability in TLM1 cells. Cx43 expression, as identified by immunostainings in TLM1 cells, was increased in the cell membrane after the combination treatment with BBI and aCT1. This dual treatment can be combined to achieve the anticancer activity, possibly by increasing Cx 43 expression and affecting Cx43 migration to the cell membrane. In conclusion, a treatment strategy targeting Cx43 with BBI and aCT1 may possibly lead to new effective therapies for canine OMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayami Sato
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Institute of Life Innovation Studies, Toyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Márcia Kazumi Nagamine
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Rennan Olio
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Tomohiro Yano
- Institute of Life Innovation Studies, Toyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Elizabeth Shinmay Yeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Maria Lucia Zaidan Dagli
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Smart JA, Oleksak JE, Hartsough EJ. Cell Adhesion Molecules in Plasticity and Metastasis. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:25-37. [PMID: 33004622 PMCID: PMC7785660 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prior to metastasis, modern therapeutics and surgical intervention can provide a favorable long-term survival for patients diagnosed with many types of cancers. However, prognosis is poor for patients with metastasized disease. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, yet in situ and localized, thin melanomas can be biopsied with little to no postsurgical follow-up. However, patients with metastatic melanoma require significant clinical involvement and have a 5-year survival of only 34% to 52%, largely dependent on the site of colonization. Melanoma metastasis is a multi-step process requiring dynamic changes in cell surface proteins regulating adhesiveness to the extracellular matrix (ECM), stroma, and other cancer cells in varied tumor microenvironments. Here we will highlight recent literature to underscore how cell adhesion molecules (CAM) contribute to melanoma disease progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Smart
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Julia E Oleksak
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Edward J Hartsough
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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11
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Tittarelli A, Navarrete M, Lizana M, Hofmann-Vega F, Salazar-Onfray F. Hypoxic Melanoma Cells Deliver microRNAs to Dendritic Cells and Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes through Connexin-43 Channels. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207567. [PMID: 33066331 PMCID: PMC7589225 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in microRNA (miRNA) profiles, induced by tumor microenvironment stressors, like hypoxia, allow cancer cells to acquire immune-resistance phenotypes. Indeed, hypoxia-induced miRNAs have been implicated in cancer progression through numerous cancer cell non-autonomous mechanisms, including the direct transfer of hypoxia-responsive miRNA from cancer to immune cells via extracellular vesicles. Connexin-43 (Cx43)-constituted gap junctions (GJs) have also been involved in miRNA intercellular mobilization, in other biological processes. In this report, we aimed to evaluate the involvement of Cx43-GJs in the shift of miRNAs induced by hypoxia, from hypoxic melanoma cells to dendritic cells and melanoma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Using qRT-PCR arrays, we identified that miR-192-5p was strongly induced in hypoxic melanoma cells. Immune cells acquired this miRNA after co-culture with hypoxic melanoma cells. The transfer of miR-192-5p was inhibited when hypoxic melanoma cells expressed a dominant negative Cx43 mutant or when Cx43 expression was silenced using specific short-hairpin RNAs. Interestingly, miR-192-5p levels on CTLs after co-culture with hypoxic melanoma cells were inversely correlated with the cytotoxic activity of T cells and with ZEB2 mRNA expression, a validated immune-related target of miR-192-5p, which is also observed in vivo. Altogether, our data suggest that hypoxic melanoma cells may suppress CTLs cytotoxic activity by transferring hypoxia-induced miR-192-5p through a Cx43-GJs driven mechanism, constituting a resistance strategy for immunological tumor escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Tittarelli
- Programa Institucional de Fomento a la Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PIDi), Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM), Santiago 8940577, Chile
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-2-2787-7903
| | - Mariela Navarrete
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile; (M.N.); (M.L.); (F.H.-V.); (F.S.-O.)
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Marcelo Lizana
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile; (M.N.); (M.L.); (F.H.-V.); (F.S.-O.)
| | - Francisca Hofmann-Vega
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile; (M.N.); (M.L.); (F.H.-V.); (F.S.-O.)
| | - Flavio Salazar-Onfray
- Disciplinary Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile; (M.N.); (M.L.); (F.H.-V.); (F.S.-O.)
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
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12
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Antagonistic Functions of Connexin 43 during the Development of Primary or Secondary Bone Tumors. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10091240. [PMID: 32859065 PMCID: PMC7565206 DOI: 10.3390/biom10091240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite research and clinical advances during recent decades, bone cancers remain a leading cause of death worldwide. There is a low survival rate for patients with primary bone tumors such as osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma or secondary bone tumors such as bone metastases from prostate carcinoma. Gap junctions are specialized plasma membrane structures consisting of transmembrane channels that directly link the cytoplasm of adjacent cells, thereby enabling the direct exchange of small signaling molecules between cells. Discoveries of human genetic disorders due to genetic mutations in gap junction proteins (connexins) and experimental data using connexin knockout mice have provided significant evidence that gap-junctional intercellular communication (Gj) is crucial for tissue function. Thus, the dysfunction of Gj may be responsible for the development of some diseases. Gj is thus a main mechanism for tumor cells to communicate with other tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment to survive and proliferate. If it is well accepted that a low level of connexin expression favors cancer cell proliferation and therefore primary tumor development, more evidence is suggesting that a high level of connexin expression stimulates various cellular process such as intravasation, extravasation, or migration of metastatic cells. If so, connexin expression would facilitate secondary tumor dissemination. This paper discusses evidence that suggests that connexin 43 plays an antagonistic role in the development of primary bone tumors as a tumor suppressor and secondary bone tumors as a tumor promoter.
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13
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Gaponova AV, Rodin S, Mazina AA, Volchkov PV. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Cancer Progression and the Perspectives of Antitumor Treatment. Acta Naturae 2020; 12:4-23. [PMID: 33173593 PMCID: PMC7604894 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.11010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
About 90% of all malignant tumors are of epithelial nature. The epithelial tissue is characterized by a close interconnection between cells through cell-cell interactions, as well as a tight connection with the basement membrane, which is responsible for cell polarity. These interactions strictly determine the location of epithelial cells within the body and are seemingly in conflict with the metastatic potential that many cancers possess (the main criteria for highly malignant tumors). Tumor dissemination into vital organs is one of the primary causes of death in patients with cancer. Tumor dissemination is based on the so-called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process when epithelial cells are transformed into mesenchymal cells possessing high mobility and migration potential. More and more studies elucidating the role of the EMT in metastasis and other aspects of tumor progression are published each year, thus forming a promising field of cancer research. In this review, we examine the most recent data on the intracellular and extracellular molecular mechanisms that activate EMT and the role they play in various aspects of tumor progression, such as metastasis, apoptotic resistance, and immune evasion, aspects that have usually been attributed exclusively to cancer stem cells (CSCs). In conclusion, we provide a detailed review of the approved and promising drugs for cancer therapy that target the components of the EMT signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. V. Gaponova
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701 Russia
| | - S. Rodin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 17177 Sweden
| | - A. A. Mazina
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701 Russia
| | - P. V. Volchkov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701 Russia
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14
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Varela-Vázquez A, Guitián-Caamaño A, Carpintero-Fernandez P, Fonseca E, Sayedyahossein S, Aasen T, Penuela S, Mayán MD. Emerging functions and clinical prospects of connexins and pannexins in melanoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188380. [PMID: 32461135 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cellular communication through gap junctions and hemichannels formed by connexins and through channels made by pannexins allows for metabolic cooperation and control of cellular activity and signalling. These channel proteins have been described to be tumour suppressors that regulate features such as cell death, proliferation and differentiation. However, they display cancer type-dependent and stage-dependent functions and may facilitate tumour progression through junctional and non-junctional pathways. The accumulated knowledge and emerging strategies to target connexins and pannexins are providing novel clinical opportunities for the treatment of cancer. Here, we provide an updated overview of the role of connexins and pannexins in malignant melanoma. We discuss how targeting of these channel proteins may be used to potentiate antitumour effects in therapeutic settings, including through improved immune-mediated tumour elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Varela-Vázquez
- CellCOM Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Amanda Guitián-Caamaño
- CellCOM Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Paula Carpintero-Fernandez
- CellCOM Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Eduardo Fonseca
- CellCOM Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain; Dermatology Deparment, University Hospital of A Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Samar Sayedyahossein
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, and Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A5C1, Canada
| | - Trond Aasen
- Translational Molecular Pathology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Autonomous University of Barcelona, CIBERONC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Penuela
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, and Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A5C1, Canada
| | - María D Mayán
- CellCOM Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain.
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15
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Dominiak A, Chełstowska B, Olejarz W, Nowicka G. Communication in the Cancer Microenvironment as a Target for Therapeutic Interventions. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1232. [PMID: 32422889 PMCID: PMC7281160 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex system composed of multiple cells, such as non-cancerous fibroblasts, adipocytes, immune and vascular cells, as well as signal molecules and mediators. Tumor cells recruit and reprogram other cells to produce factors that maintain tumor growth. Communication between cancerous and surrounding cells is a two-way process and engages a diverse range of mechanisms that, in consequence, can lead to rapid proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance, or can serve as a tumors-suppressor, e.g., through tumor-immune cell interaction. Cross-talk within the cancer microenvironment can be direct by cell-to-cell contact via adhesion molecules, electrical coupling, and passage through gap junctions, or indirect through classical paracrine signaling by cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles. Therapeutic approaches for modulation of cell-cell communication may be a promising strategy to combat tumors. In particular, integrative approaches targeting tumor communication in combination with conventional chemotherapy seem reasonable. Currently, special attention is paid to suppressing the formation of open-ended channels as well as blocking exosome production or ablating their cargos. However, many aspects of cell-to-cell communication have yet to be clarified, and, in particular, more work is needed in regard to mechanisms of bidirectional signal transfer. Finally, it seems that some interactions in TEM can be not only cancer-specific, but also patient-specific, and their recognition would help to predict patient response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Dominiak
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (W.O.); (G.N.)
- Center for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Chełstowska
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Laboratory of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-140 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Wioletta Olejarz
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (W.O.); (G.N.)
- Center for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grażyna Nowicka
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (W.O.); (G.N.)
- Center for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
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16
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Cx43 Expression Correlates with Breast Cancer Metastasis in MDA-MB-231 Cells In Vitro, In a Mouse Xenograft Model and in Human Breast Cancer Tissues. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040460. [PMID: 30939738 PMCID: PMC6521103 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins regulate multiple cellular functions and are considered tumor suppressors. Connexin43 (Cx43) is frequently down-regulated in breast tumors. However, Cx43 regulation during cancer onset and metastasis is complex and context-dependent. We investigated the effect of Cx43 over-expression or knock-down on the metastatic potential of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and in human breast cancer tissues. MDA-MB-231 cells over-expressing (Cx43D) or down-regulating Cx43 (shCx43) were generated and used in proliferation, migration, and invasion assays. The regulation of genes/proteins implicated in progression, invasion and metastasis was assessed in vitro and in immune-compromized mice injected with MDA-MB-231, Cx43D or shCx43 cells. Primary tumor onset/growth, metastasis and overall survival of these animals was monitored and evaluated. In addition, Cx43 expression in human breast carcinoma samples was assessed by qPCR. Cx43 over-expression increased protein levels of epithelial markers E-cadherin and zonula occludens 1 expression and resulted in the sequestration of β-catenin at the cell membrane, while Cx43 knock-down induced protein expression of the mesenchymal marker N-cadherin and an increased invasive potential of shCx43 cells. In vivo, in mice xenografted with breast cancer cells, Cx43 over-expression decreased tumor volume, attenuated cell metastasis to lungs and liver and increased overall mice survival. Importantly, the expression of Cx43 in triple negative human breast cancer tissues is also down-regulated. Collectively, Cx43 over-expression induced an epithelial-like phenotype in MDA-MB-231 cells and suppressed tumor growth and metastasis to secondary organs in vivo. In contrast, Cx43 knock-down in MDA-MB-231 cells induced a mesenchymal phenotype with increased cell invasion leading to an enhanced metastatic phenotype. These data provide evidence for a pivotal role of Cx43 in breast cancer metastasis and support the potential targeting of connexins in breast cancer therapy.
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Kiszner G, Balla P, Wichmann B, Barna G, Baghy K, Nemeth IB, Varga E, Furi I, Toth B, Krenacs T. Exploring Differential Connexin Expression across Melanocytic Tumor Progression Involving the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11020165. [PMID: 30717194 PMCID: PMC6406766 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of malignant melanoma, one of the deadliest cancers, continues to increase. Here we tested connexin (Cx) expression in primary melanocytes, melanoma cell lines and in a common nevus, dysplastic nevus, and thin, thick, and metastatic melanoma tumor progression series involving the tumor microenvironment by utilizing in silico analysis, qRT-PCR, immunocyto-/histochemistry and dye transfer tests. Primary melanocytes expressed GJA1/Cx43, GJA3/Cx46 and low levels of GJB2/Cx26 and GJC3/Cx30.2 transcripts. In silico data revealed downregulation of GJA1/Cx43 and GJB2/Cx26 mRNA, in addition to upregulated GJB1/Cx32, during melanoma progression. In three melanoma cell lines, we also showed the loss of GJA1/Cx43 and the differential expression of GJB1/Cx32, GJB2/Cx26, GJA3/Cx46 and GJC3/Cx30.2. The dominantly paranuclear localization of connexin proteins explained the ~10–90 times less melanoma cell coupling compared to melanocytes. In melanocytic tumor tissues, we confirmed the loss of Cx43 protein, fall of cell membrane and elevated paranuclear Cx32 with moderately increased cytoplasmic Cx26 and paranuclear Cx30.2 positivity during tumor progression. Furthermore, we found Cx43, Cx26 and Cx30 proteins upregulated in the melanoma adjacent epidermis, and Cx43 in the tumor flanking vessels. Therefore, differential connexin expression is involved in melanocytic tumor progression where varying connexin isotypes and levels reflect tumor heterogeneity-related bidirectional adaptive interactions with the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergo Kiszner
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Peter Balla
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Barna Wichmann
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1088 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Gabor Barna
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Kornelia Baghy
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Istvan Balazs Nemeth
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Erika Varga
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Istvan Furi
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1088 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Bela Toth
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermato-oncology, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Tibor Krenacs
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary.
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18
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Wu JI, Wang LH. Emerging roles of gap junction proteins connexins in cancer metastasis, chemoresistance and clinical application. J Biomed Sci 2019; 26:8. [PMID: 30642339 PMCID: PMC6332853 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0497-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexin, a four-pass transmembrane protein, contributes to assembly of gap junctions among neighboring cells and thus facilitates gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Traditionally, the roles of connexins were thought to mediate formation of hemichannels and GJIC assembly for transportation of ions and small molecules. Many studies have observed loss of GJIC, due to reduced expression or altered cytoplasmic localization of connexins, in primary tumor cells. Connexins are generally considered tumor-suppressive. However, recent studies of clinical samples suggested a different role of connexins in that expression levels and membrane localization of connexins, including Connexin 43 (Cx43, GJA1) and Connexin 26 (Cx26, GJB2), were found to be enhanced in metastatic lesions of cancer patients. Cx43- and Cx26-mediated GJIC was found to promote cancer cell migration and adhesion to the pulmonary endothelium. Regulatory circuits involved in the induction of connexins and their functional effects have also been reported in various types of cancer. Connexins expressed in stromal cells were correlated with metastasis and were implicated in regulating metastatic behaviors of cancer cells. Recent studies have revealed that connexins can contribute to cellular phenotypes via multiple ways, namely 1) GJIC, 2) C-terminal tail-mediated signaling, and 3) cell-cell adhesion during gap junction formation. Both expression levels and the subcellular localization could participate determining the functional roles of connexins in cancer. Compounds targeting connexins were thus tested as potential therapeutics intervening metastasis or chemoresistance. This review focuses on the recent findings in the correlation between the expression of connexins and patients’ prognosis, their roles in metastasis and chemoresistance, as well as the implications and concerns of using connexin-targeting drugs as anti-metastatic therapeutics. Overall, connexins may serve as biomarkers for cancer prognosis and as therapeutic targets for intervening metastasis and chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-I Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan.,Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Lu-Hai Wang
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan. .,Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. .,Chinese Medical Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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19
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Koch A, Schwab A. Cutaneous pH landscape as a facilitator of melanoma initiation and progression. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2019; 225:e13105. [PMID: 29802798 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma incidence is on the rise and currently causes the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Yet, therapies for metastatic melanoma are still insufficient so that new concepts are essential. Malignant transformation of melanocytes and melanoma progression are intimately linked to the cutaneous pH landscape and its dysregulation in tumour lesions. The pH landscape of normal skin is characterized by a large pH gradient of up to 3 pH units between surface and dermis. The Na+ /H+ exchanger NHE1 is one of the major contributors of acidity in superficial skin layers. It is also activated by the most frequent mutation in melanoma, BRAFV 600E , thereby causing pH dysregulation during melanoma initiation. Melanoma progression is supported by an extracellular acidification and/or NHE1 activity which promote the escape of single melanoma cells from the primary tumour, migration and metastatic spreading. We propose that viewing melanoma against the background of the acid-base physiology of the skin provides a better understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease and allows the development of novel therapeutic concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Koch
- Institute of Physiology II; University of Münster; Münster Germany
| | - A. Schwab
- Institute of Physiology II; University of Münster; Münster Germany
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