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Ang HL, Mohan CD, Shanmugam MK, Leong HC, Makvandi P, Rangappa KS, Bishayee A, Kumar AP, Sethi G. Mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer and its regulation by natural compounds. Med Res Rev 2023. [PMID: 36929669 DOI: 10.1002/med.21948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process with a primordial role in cellular transformation whereby an epithelial cell transforms and acquires a mesenchymal phenotype. This transformation plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and self-renewal, and exacerbates resistance to apoptosis and chemotherapy. EMT can be initiated and promoted by deregulated oncogenic signaling pathways, hypoxia, and cells in the tumor microenvironment, resulting in a loss-of-epithelial cell polarity, cell-cell adhesion, and enhanced invasive/migratory properties. Numerous transcriptional regulators, such as Snail, Slug, Twist, and ZEB1/ZEB2 induce EMT through the downregulation of epithelial markers and gain-of-expression of the mesenchymal markers. Additionally, signaling cascades such as Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, Sonic hedgehog, nuclear factor kappa B, receptor tyrosine kinases, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Hippo, and transforming growth factor-β pathways regulate EMT whereas they are often deregulated in cancers leading to aberrant EMT. Furthermore, noncoding RNAs, tumor-derived exosomes, and epigenetic alterations are also involved in the modulation of EMT. Therefore, the regulation of EMT is a vital strategy to control the aggressive metastatic characteristics of tumor cells. Despite the vast amount of preclinical data on EMT in cancer progression, there is a lack of clinical translation at the therapeutic level. In this review, we have discussed thoroughly the role of the aforementioned transcription factors, noncoding RNAs (microRNAs, long noncoding RNA, circular RNA), signaling pathways, epigenetic modifications, and tumor-derived exosomes in the regulation of EMT in cancers. We have also emphasized the contribution of EMT to drug resistance and possible therapeutic interventions using plant-derived natural products, their semi-synthetic derivatives, and nano-formulations that are described as promising EMT blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li Ang
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Muthu K Shanmugam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hin Chong Leong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pooyan Makvandi
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Centre for Materials Interface, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Anupam Bishayee
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, Florida, USA
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Wang WS, Lin YK, Zhang F, Lei WJ, Pan F, Zhu YN, Lu JW, Zhang CY, Zhou Q, Ying H, Sun K. Single cell transcriptomic analysis of human amnion identifies cell-specific signatures associated with membrane rupture and parturition. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:64. [PMID: 35585644 PMCID: PMC9118831 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00797-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The human amnion is an intrauterine tissue which is involved in the initiation of parturition. In-depth understanding of gene expression signatures of individual cell types in the amnion with respect to membrane rupture at parturition may help identify crucial initiators of parturition for the development of specific strategies to prevent preterm birth, a leading cause of perinatal mortality. Results Six major cell types were revealed in human amnion including epithelial cells, fibroblasts and immunocytes as well as three other cell types expressing dual cell markers including epithelial/fibroblast, immune/epithelial and immune/fibroblast markers. The existence of cell types expressing these dual cell markers indicates the presence of epithelial-mesenchymal (EMT), epithelial-immune (EIT) and mesenchymal-immune (MIT) transitions in amnion at parturition. We found that the rupture zone of amnion exhibited some specific increases in subcluster proportions of immune and EMT cells related to extracellular matrix remodeling and inflammation in labor. The non-rupture zone exhibited some common changes in subcluster compositions of epithelial and fibroblast cells with the rupture zone in labor, particularly those related to oxidative stress and apoptosis in epithelial cells and zinc ion transport in fibroblasts. Moreover, we identified that C–C motif chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) was among the top up-regulated genes in amnion epithelial cells, fibroblasts and immunocytes in the rupture zone at parturition. Studies in pregnant mice showed that administration of CCL20 induced immunocytes infiltration to tissues at the maternal–fetal interface and led to preterm birth. Conclusions Apart from the conventional epithelial, fibroblast and immunocytes, human amnion cells may undergo EMT, EIT and FIT in preparation for parturition. Intense inflammation and ECM remodeling are present in the rupture zone, while enhanced apoptosis and oxidative stress in epithelial cells and zinc ion transport in fibroblasts are present in amnion regardless of the rupture zones at parturition. CCL20 derived from the major cell types of the amnion participates in labor onset. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00797-4.
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Dardis C, Donner D, Sanai N, Xiu J, Mittal S, Michelhaugh SK, Pandey M, Kesari S, Heimberger AB, Gatalica Z, Korn MW, Sumrall AL, Phuphanich S. Gliosarcoma vs. glioblastoma: a retrospective case series using molecular profiling. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:231. [PMID: 34162346 PMCID: PMC8220715 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02233-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gliosarcoma (GS) refers to the presence of mesenchymal differentiation (as seen using light microscopy) in the setting of glioblastoma (GB, an astrocytoma, WHO Grade 4). Although the same approach to treatment is typically adopted for GS and GB, there remains some debate as to whether GS should be considered a discrete pathological entity. Differences between these tumors have not been clearly established at the molecular level. Methods Patients with GS (n=48) or GB (n=1229) underwent molecular profiling (MP) with a pan-cancer panel of tests as part of their clinical care. The methods employed included next-generation sequencing (NGS) of DNA and RNA, copy number variation (CNV) of DNA and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The MP comprised 1153 tests in total, although results for each test were not available for every tumor profiled. We analyzed this data retrospectively in order to determine if our results were in keeping with what is known about the pathogenesis of GS by contrast with GB. We also sought novel associations between the MP and GS vs. GB which might improve our understanding of pathogenesis of GS. Results Potentially meaningful associations (p<0.1, Fisher’s exact test (FET)) were found for 14 of these tests in GS vs. GB. A novel finding was higher levels of proteins mediating immuno-evasion (PD-1, PD-L1) in GS. All of the differences we observed have been associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in other tumor types. Many of the changes we saw in GS are novel in the setting of glial tumors, including copy number amplification in LYL1 and mutations in PTPN11. Conclusions GS shows certain characteristics of EMT, by contrast with GB. Treatments targeting immuno-evasion may be of greater therapeutic value in GS relative to GB. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1186/s12883-021-02233-5).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Dardis
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
| | - David Donner
- School of Medicine, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Nader Sanai
- Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Joanne Xiu
- Precision Oncology Alliance, Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Sandeep Mittal
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Sharon K Michelhaugh
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Manjari Pandey
- Department of Medical Oncology, West Cancer Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Germantown, TN, USA
| | - Santosh Kesari
- Pacific Neuroscience Institute and Department of Translational Neurosciences and Neurotherapeutics, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Amy B Heimberger
- Simpson Querry Biomedical Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zoran Gatalica
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Michael W Korn
- Precision Oncology Alliance, Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Ashley L Sumrall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Surasak Phuphanich
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Behzatoglu K. Osteoclasts in Tumor Biology: Metastasis and Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Myeloid Transition. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:609472. [PMID: 34257573 PMCID: PMC8262221 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.609472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Osteoclast is a specialized cell that originates from monocytic lineage, communicates closely with osteoblasts under physiological conditions, participates in bone modeling and re-modeling, contributes to calcium homeostasis and osteoimmunity. In pathological conditions, it is involved in many tumors such as giant cell bone tumor (osteoclastoma), aneurysmal bone cyst, osteosarcoma, and metastatic cancers, and it usually causes local spread and progression of the tumor, working against the host. Since osteoclasts play an active role in primary bone tumors and bone metastases, the use of anti-osteoclastic agents significantly reduces the mortality and morbidity rates of patients by preventing the progression and local spread of tumors. Osteoclasts also accompany undifferentiated carcinomas of many organs, especially pancreas, thyroid, bladder and ovary. Undifferentiated carcinomas rich in osteoclasts have osteoclastoma-like histology. In these organs, osteoclastoma-like histology may accompany epithelial carcinomas, and de novo, benign and borderline tumors. Mature and immature myeloid cells, including osteoclasts, play an active role in the tumor progression in primary and metastatic tumor microenvironment, in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), mesenchymal-epithelial-transition (MET), and cancer stem cell formation. Additionally, they are the most suitable candidates for cancer cells in cell fusion due to their evolutionary fusion capabilities. Myeloid features and markers (CD163, CD33, CD68 etc.) can be seen in metastatic cancer cells. Consequently, they provide metastatic cancer cells with motility, margination, transmigration, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, angiogenesis, matrix degradation, and resistance to chemotherapy. For these reasons, we think that the concept of Epithelial-Mesencyhmal-Myeloid-Transition (EMMT) will be more accurate than EMT for cancer cells with myeloid properties.
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Zanfi ED, Fantini S, Lotti R, Bertesi M, Marconi A, Grande A, Manfredini R, Pincelli C, Zanocco-Marani T. Wnt/CTNNB1 Signal Transduction Pathway Inhibits the Expression of ZFP36 in Squamous Cell Carcinoma, by Inducing Transcriptional Repressors SNAI1, SLUG and TWIST. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165692. [PMID: 32784485 PMCID: PMC7461120 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/CTNNB1 pathway is often deregulated in epithelial tumors. The ZFP36 gene, encoding the mRNA binding protein Tristetraprolin (TTP), is downregulated in several cancers, where it has been described to behave as a tumor suppressor. By this report, we show that Wnt/CTNNB1 pathway is constitutively activated, and ZFP36 expression is downregulated in Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) cell lines compared to normal keratinocytes. Moreover, we suggest that the decrease of ZFP36 expression might depend on the activity of transcriptional repressors SNAI1, SLUG and TWIST, whose expression is induced by Wnt/CTNNB1, highlighting a potential regulatory mechanism underlying ZFP36 downregulation in epithelial cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma D. Zanfi
- Laboratory of Applied Biology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (E.D.Z.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Sebastian Fantini
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine “Stefano Ferrari”, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Roberta Lotti
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Biology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.L.); (A.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Matteo Bertesi
- Laboratory of Applied Biology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (E.D.Z.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Alessandra Marconi
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Biology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.L.); (A.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Alexis Grande
- Laboratory of Applied Biology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (E.D.Z.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Rossella Manfredini
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine “Stefano Ferrari”, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Carlo Pincelli
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Biology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.L.); (A.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Tommaso Zanocco-Marani
- Laboratory of Applied Biology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (E.D.Z.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence:
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