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Yan Q, Liu J, Liu Y, Wen Z, Jin D, Wang F, Gao L. Tumor-associated macrophage-derived exosomal miR21-5p promotes tumor angiogenesis by regulating YAP1/HIF-1α axis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:179. [PMID: 38602536 PMCID: PMC11009780 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05210-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently received increasing attention as essential mediators of communication between tumor cells and their microenvironments. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a proangiogenic role in various tumors, especially head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and angiogenesis is closely related to tumor growth and metastasis. This research focused on exploring the mechanisms by which EVs derived from TAMs modulate tumor angiogenesis in HNSCC. Our results indicated that TAMs infiltration correlated positively with microvascular density in HNSCC. Then we collected and identified EVs from TAMs. In the microfluidic chip, TAMs derived EVs significantly enhanced the angiogenic potential of pHUVECs and successfully induced the formation of perfusable blood vessels. qPCR and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that EVs from TAMs transferred miR-21-5p to endothelial cells (ECs). And targeting miR-21-5p of TAMs could effectively inhibit TAM-EVs induced angiogenesis. Western blot and tube formation assays showed that miR-21-5p from TAM-EVs downregulated LATS1 and VHL levels but upregulated YAP1 and HIF-1α levels, and the inhibitors of YAP1 and HIF-1α could both reduce the miR-21-5p enhanced angiogenesis in HUVECs. The in vivo experiments further proved that miR-21-5p carried by TAM-EVs promoted the process of tumor angiogenesis via YAP1/HIF-1α axis in HNSCC. Conclusively, TAM-derived EVs transferred miR-21-5p to ECs to target the mRNA of LATS1 and VHL, which inhibited YAP1 phosphorylation and subsequently enhanced YAP1-mediated HIF-1α transcription and reduced VHL-mediated HIF-1α ubiquitination, contributing to angiogenesis in HNSCC. These findings present a novel regulatory mechanism of tumor angiogenesis, and miR-21-5p/YAP1/HIF-1α might be a potential therapeutic target for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Yan
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Immune and Oral Development & Regeneration, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Immune and Oral Development & Regeneration, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiding Liu
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Immune and Oral Development & Regeneration, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihao Wen
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Immune and Oral Development & Regeneration, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong Jin
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Immune and Oral Development & Regeneration, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Fu Wang
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China.
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Immune and Oral Development & Regeneration, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.
- The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lu Gao
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, No. 9 West Section, Lvshun South Road, Dalian, 116044, People's Republic of China.
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Immune and Oral Development & Regeneration, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.
- The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, People's Republic of China.
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Cui Y, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Zhou Z, Zhu L, Zhou CX. EN1 promotes lung metastasis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma by regulating the PI3K-AKT pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:51. [PMID: 38291456 PMCID: PMC10829235 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03230-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Engrailed homeobox 1 (EN1) is a candidate oncogene that is epigenetically modified in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC). We investigated the expression of EN1 in SACC tissues and cells, EN1 promoter methylation, and the role of EN1 in tumour progression in SACC. METHODS Thirty-five SACC samples were screened for key transcription factors that affect tumour progression. In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to determine the viability, tumorigenicity, and metastatic ability of SACC cells with modulated EN1 expression. Quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed on SACC samples. RESULTS EN1 was identified as a transcription factor that was highly overexpressed in SACC tissues, regardless of clinical stage and histology subtype, and its level of expression correlated with distant metastasis. EN1 promoted cell invasion and migration through epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro and enhanced SACC metastasis to the lung in vivo. RNA-seq combined with in vitro assays indicated that EN1 might play an oncogenic role in SACC through the PI3K-AKT pathway. EN1 mRNA levels were negatively correlated with promoter hypermethylation, and inhibition of DNA methylation by 5-aza-dC increased EN1 expression. CONCLUSIONS The transcription factor EN1 is overexpressed in SACC under methylation regulation and plays a pivotal role in SACC progression through the PI3K-AKT pathway. These results suggest that EN1 may be a diagnostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for SACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajuan Cui
- Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medicine Devices, 22 South Avenue Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medicine Devices, 22 South Avenue Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Yuping Liu
- Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medicine Devices, 22 South Avenue Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Zheng Zhou
- Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medicine Devices, 22 South Avenue Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Lijing Zhu
- Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medicine Devices, 22 South Avenue Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Chuan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology & National Center of Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease & National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medicine Devices, 22 South Avenue Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, PR China.
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Wen Z, Zhang Y, Wang X, Wu Y, Mao J, Li Q, Gong S. THBS1-Mediated Degradation of Collagen via the PI3K/AKT Pathway Facilitates the Metastasis and Poor Prognosis of OSCC. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13312. [PMID: 37686118 PMCID: PMC10488045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent form of malignant tumor, characterized by a persistently high incidence and mortality rate. The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in the initiation, progression, and diverse biological behaviors of OSCC, facilitated by mechanisms such as providing structural support, promoting cell migration and invasion, regulating cell morphology, and modulating signal transduction. This study investigated the involvement of ECM-related genes, particularly THBS1, in the prognosis and cellular behavior of OSCC. The analysis of ECM-related gene data from OSCC samples identified 165 differentially expressed genes forming two clusters with distinct prognostic outcomes. Seventeen ECM-related genes showed a significant correlation with survival. Experimental methods were employed to demonstrate the impact of THBS1 on proliferation, migration, invasion, and ECM degradation in OSCC cells. A risk-prediction model utilizing four differentially prognostic genes demonstrated significant predictive value in overall survival. THBS1 exhibited enrichment of the PI3K/AKT pathway, indicating its potential role in modulating OSCC. In conclusion, this study observed and verified that ECM-related genes, particularly THBS1, have the potential to influence the prognosis, biological behavior, and immunotherapy of OSCC. These findings hold significant implications for enhancing survival outcomes and providing guidance for precise treatment of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Wen
- Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (J.M.)
| | - Yuxiao Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (J.M.)
- School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xiangyao Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (J.M.)
- School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yaxin Wu
- Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (J.M.)
- School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jing Mao
- Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (J.M.)
- School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Qilin Li
- Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (J.M.)
- School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Shiqiang Gong
- Department of Stomatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Z.W.); (Y.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.W.); (J.M.)
- School of Stomatology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan 430022, China
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