Inhibition of tissue factor-factor VIIa proteolytic activity blunts hepatic metastasis in colorectal cancer

Liquiritigenin Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Proliferation, Invasion, and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition by Decreasing Expression of Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2

Inhibition of tumor metastasis is one of the most important purposes in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. This study aimed to explore the effects of liquiritigenin, a flavonoid extracted from the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, on HCT116 cell proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We found that liquiritigenin significantly inhibited HCT116 cell proliferation, invasion, and the EMT process, but had no influence on cell apoptosis. Moreover, liquiritigenin remarkably reduced the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in HCT116 cells. Overexpression of Runx2 obviously reversed the liquiritigenin-induced invasion and EMT inhibition. Furthermore, liquiritigenin inactivated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway in HCT116 cells. Upregulation of Runx2 reversed the liquiritigenin-induced PI3K/AKT pathway inactivation. In conclusion, our research verified that liquiritigenin exerted significant inhibitory effects on CRC invasion and EMT process by downregulating the expression of Runx2 and inactivating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Liquiritigenin could be an effective therapeutic and preventative medicine for CRC treatment.

Factor VIIa regulates the expression of caspase-3, MMP-9, and CD44 in SW620 colon cancer cells involving PAR2/MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways

Our previous study has demonstrated that TF/FVIIa and PAR2 are closely related to the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cell line SW620. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms in the process remain unclear. This study further investigated whether some important molecules (caspase-3, MMP-9 and CD44) are involved in the events. The results showed that PAR2-AP or FVIIa elicited time-dependent downregulation of caspase-3, and up-regulation of MMP-9 and CD44 in SW620 cells. The effects of FVIIa were TF-dependent and involving PAR2/MAPKs/NF-κB signal transduction pathways. Our study suggests that the links among PAR2/MAPKs/NF-κB may be blocked for effective treatments of colorectal cancers.

The Interface between Inflammation and Coagulation in Cardiovascular Disease

The intimate connection between coagulation and inflammation in the pathogenesis of vascular disease has moved more and more into focus of clinical research. This paper focuses on the essential components of this interplay in the settings of cardiovascular disease and acute coronary syndrome. Tissue factor, the main initiator of the extrinsic coagulation pathway, plays a central role via causing a proinflammatory response through activation of coagulation factors and thereby initiating coagulation and downstream cellular signalling pathways. Regarding activated clotting factors II, X, and VII, protease-activated receptors provide the molecular link between coagulation and inflammation. Hereby, PAR-1 displays deleterious as well as beneficial properties. Unravelling these interrelations may help developing new strategies to ameliorate the detrimental reciprocal aggravation of inflammation and coagulation.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits proliferation and migration of human colon cancer SW620 cells in vitro

AIM

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major polyphenolic constituent in green tea. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of EGCG on proliferation and migration of the human colon cancer SW620 cells.

METHODS

Proliferation and migration of SW620 cells were induced by the protease-activated receptor 2-agonist peptide (PAR2-AP, 100 μmol/L) or factor VIIa (10 nmol/L), and analyzed using MTT and Transwell assays, respectively. The cellular cytoskeleton was stained with rhodamine-conjugated phalloidin and examined with a laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscope. The expression of caspase-7, tissue factor (TF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in the cells was examined using QT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot assays. The activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways was analyzed with Western blot.

RESULTS

Both PAR2-AP and factor VIIa promoted SW620 cell proliferation and migration, and caused cytoskeleton reorganization (increased filopodia and pseudopodia). Pretreatment with EGCG (25, 50, 75, and 100 μg/mL) dose-dependently blocked the cell proliferation and migration induced by PAR2-AP or factor VIIa. EGCG (100 μg/mL) prevented the cytoskeleton changes induced by PAR2-AP or factor VIIa. EGCG (100 μg/mL) counteracted the down-regulation of caspase-7 expression and up-regulation of TF and MMP-9 expression in the cells treated with PAR2-AP or factor VIIa. Furthermore, it blocked the activation of ERK1/2 and NF-κB (p65/RelA) induced by PAR2-AP or factor VIIa.

CONCLUSION

EGCG blocks the proliferation and migration of SW620 cells induced by PAR2-AP and factor VIIa via inhibition of the ERK1/2 and NF-κB pathways. The compound may serve as a preventive and therapeutic agent for colon cancers.

Depletion of tissue factor suppresses hepatic metastasis and tumor growth in colorectal cancer via the downregulation of MMPs and the induction of autophagy and apoptosis

Tissue factor (TF) is a significant risk factor for hepatic metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the mechanism by which TF promotes hepatic metastasis in CRC remains elusive. In this study, we first confirmed that TF expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, hepatic metastasis and TNM staging in clinical CRC samples, and found that TF expression in colon cancer cell lines was correlated with the invasion ability. Next, by employing TF-overexpressing LOVO cell line as a model we demonstrated that lentivirus mediated knockdown of TF suppressed the migration and invasion of LOVO cells in vitro, and hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer in nude mice orthotopic model. Mechanistically, we found that TF knockdown decreases colony formation ability and induced autophagy and apoptosis of LOVO cells, and this was at least partly mediated by the activation of unfolded protein response/PERK signaling. In conclusion, our data provide new insight into hepatic metastasis of CRC. Agents targeting TF should be developed as adjuvant therapeutics for CRC metastasis.

Tissue factor, blood coagulation, and beyond: an overview

Emerging evidence shows a broad spectrum of biological functions of tissue factor (TF). TF classical role in initiating the extrinsic blood coagulation and its direct thrombotic action in close relation to cardiovascular risks have long been established. TF overexpression/hypercoagulability often observed in many clinical conditions certainly expands its role in proinflammation, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, angiogenesis, tumor metastasis, wound repairs, embryonic development, cell adhesion/migration, innate immunity, infection, pregnancy loss, and many others. This paper broadly covers seminal observations to discuss TF pathogenic roles in relation to diverse disease development or manifestation. Biochemically, extracellular TF signaling interfaced through protease-activated receptors (PARs) elicits cellular activation and inflammatory responses. TF diverse biological roles are associated with either coagulation-dependent or noncoagulation-mediated actions. Apparently, TF hypercoagulability refuels a coagulation-inflammation-thrombosis circuit in “autocrine” or “paracrine” fashions, which triggers a wide spectrum of pathophysiology. Accordingly, TF suppression, anticoagulation, PAR blockade, or general anti-inflammation offers an array of therapeutical benefits for easing diverse pathological conditions.