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Zhi S, Chen C, Huang H, Zhang Z, Zeng F, Zhang S. Hypoxia-inducible factor in breast cancer: role and target for breast cancer treatment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1370800. [PMID: 38799423 PMCID: PMC11116789 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1370800] [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: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Globally, breast cancer stands as the most prevalent form of cancer among women. The tumor microenvironment of breast cancer often exhibits hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, a transcription factor, is found to be overexpressed and activated in breast cancer, playing a pivotal role in the anoxic microenvironment by mediating a series of reactions. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha is involved in regulating downstream pathways and target genes, which are crucial in hypoxic conditions, including glycolysis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. These processes significantly contribute to breast cancer progression by managing cancer-related activities linked to tumor invasion, metastasis, immune evasion, and drug resistance, resulting in poor prognosis for patients. Consequently, there is a significant interest in Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha as a potential target for cancer therapy. Presently, research on drugs targeting Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha is predominantly in the preclinical phase, highlighting the need for an in-depth understanding of HIF-1α and its regulatory pathway. It is anticipated that the future will see the introduction of effective HIF-1α inhibitors into clinical trials, offering new hope for breast cancer patients. Therefore, this review focuses on the structure and function of HIF-1α, its role in advancing breast cancer, and strategies to combat HIF-1α-dependent drug resistance, underlining its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Fancai Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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2
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Rypens C, Van Berckelaer C, Berditchevski F, van Dam P, Van Laere S. Deciphering the molecular biology of inflammatory breast cancer through molecular characterization of patient samples and preclinical models. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 384:77-112. [PMID: 38637101 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with dismal patient prognosis and a unique clinical presentation. In the past two decades, molecular profiling technologies have been used in order to gain insight into the molecular biology of IBC and to search for possible targets for treatment. Although a gene signature that accurately discriminates between IBC and nIBC patient samples and preclinical models was identified, the overall genomic and transcriptomic differences are small and ambiguous, mainly due to the limited sample sizes of the evaluated patient series and the failure to correct for confounding effects of the molecular subtypes. Nevertheless, data collected over the past 20 years by independent research groups increasingly support the existence of several IBC-specific biological characteristics. In this review, these features are classified as established, emerging and conceptual hallmarks based on the level of evidence reported in the literature. In addition, a synoptic model is proposed that integrates all hallmarks and that can explain how cancer cell intrinsic mechanisms (i.e. NF-κB activation, genomic instability, MYC-addiction, TGF-β resistance, adaptive stress response, chromatin remodeling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition) can contribute to the establishment of the dynamic immune microenvironment associated with IBC. It stands to reason that future research projects are needed to further refine (parts of) this model and to investigate its clinical translatability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Rypens
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; CellCarta N V, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Christophe Van Berckelaer
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Fedor Berditchevski
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Peter van Dam
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Multidisciplinary Oncological Centre Antwerp (MOCA), Antwerp University Hospital, Drie Eikenstraat 655, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Steven Van Laere
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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3
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Iwase T, Wang X, Thi Hanh Phi L, Sridhar N, Ueno NT, Lee J. Advances in targets in inflammatory breast cancer. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 384:125-152. [PMID: 38637096 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Iwase
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, United States.
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lan Thi Hanh Phi
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nithya Sridhar
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Naoto T Ueno
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Jangsoon Lee
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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4
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Cersosimo F, Lonardi S, Ulivieri C, Martini P, Morrione A, Vermi W, Giordano A, Giurisato E. CSF-1R in Cancer: More than a Myeloid Cell Receptor. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:282. [PMID: 38254773 PMCID: PMC10814415 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020282] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CFS-1R) is a myeloid receptor with a crucial role in monocyte survival and differentiation. Its overexpression is associated with aggressive tumors characterized by an immunosuppressive microenvironment and poor prognosis. CSF-1R ligands, IL-34 and M-CSF, are produced by many cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), suggesting a key role for the receptor in the crosstalk between tumor, immune and stromal cells in the TME. Recently, CSF-1R expression was reported in the cell membrane of the cancer cells of different solid tumors, capturing the interest of various research groups interested in investigating the role of this receptor in non-myeloid cells. This review summarizes the current data available on the expression and activity of CSF-1R in different tumor types. Notably, CSF-1R+ cancer cells have been shown to produce CSF-1R ligands, indicating that CSF-1R signaling is positively regulated in an autocrine manner in cancer cells. Recent research demonstrated that CSF-1R signaling enhances cell transformation by supporting tumor cell proliferation, invasion, stemness and drug resistance. In addition, this review covers recent therapeutic strategies, including monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors, targeting the CSF-1R and designed to block the pro-oncogenic role of CSF-1R in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cersosimo
- Department of Biotechnology Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Silvia Lonardi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy; (S.L.); (P.M.); (W.V.)
| | - Cristina Ulivieri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Paolo Martini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy; (S.L.); (P.M.); (W.V.)
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA;
| | - William Vermi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy; (S.L.); (P.M.); (W.V.)
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Giurisato
- Department of Biotechnology Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
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5
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Alkubaisi BO, Aljobowry R, Ali SM, Sultan S, Zaraei SO, Ravi A, Al-Tel TH, El-Gamal MI. The latest perspectives of small molecules FMS kinase inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115796. [PMID: 37708796 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115796] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
FMS kinase is a type III tyrosine kinase receptor that plays a central role in the pathophysiology and management of several diseases, including a range of cancer types, inflammatory disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and bone disorders among others. In this review, the pathophysiological pathways of FMS kinase in different diseases and the recent developments of its monoclonal antibodies and inhibitors during the last five years are discussed. The biological and biochemical features of these inhibitors, including binding interactions, structure-activity relationships (SAR), selectivity, and potencies are discussed. The focus of this article is on the compounds that are promising leads and undergoing advanced clinical investigations, as well as on those that received FDA approval. In this article, we attempt to classify the reviewed FMS inhibitors according to their core chemical structure including pyridine, pyrrolopyridine, pyrazolopyridine, quinoline, and pyrimidine derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal O Alkubaisi
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Raya Aljobowry
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Salma M Ali
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sara Sultan
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Seyed-Omar Zaraei
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anil Ravi
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Taleb H Al-Tel
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates; College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Mohammed I El-Gamal
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates; College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates; Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
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6
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Heryanto YD, Imoto S. The transcriptome signature analysis of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and immune cell infiltration in colon adenocarcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18383. [PMID: 37884639 PMCID: PMC10603081 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45792-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process is tightly connected to tumors' immune microenvironment. In colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), both the EMT and immune cell infiltration contribute to tumor progression; however, several questions regarding the mechanisms governing the interaction between EMT and the immune response remain unanswered. Our study aims to investigate the cross-talk between these two processes in cases of COAD and identify the key regulators involved. We utilized the EMT and immune signatures of samples from the COAD-TCGA database to identify three subtypes of COAD: high mesenchymal, medium mesenchymal, and low mesenchymal. We observed that EMT was associated with increased tumor immune response and infiltration mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, EMT was also linked to immunosuppressive activity that involved regulatory T cells, dendritic cells, and the upregulated expression of multiple immune checkpoints, such as PD-1, PDL-1, CTLA-4, and others. Finally, we employed the multivariate random forest feature importance method to identify key genes, such as DOK2 and MSRB3, that may play crucial roles in both EMT and the intratumoral immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusri Dwi Heryanto
- Division of Health Medical Intelligence, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
| | - Seiya Imoto
- Division of Health Medical Intelligence, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Laboratory of Sequence Analysis, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
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7
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Wylie D, Wang X, Yao J, Xu H, Ferrick-Kiddie EA, Iwase T, Krishnamurthy S, Ueno NT, Lambowitz AM. Inflammatory breast cancer biomarker identification by simultaneous TGIRT-seq profiling of coding and non-coding RNAs in tumors and blood. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.26.23290469. [PMID: 37398275 PMCID: PMC10312853 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.26.23290469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive and lethal breast cancer subtype, but lags in biomarker identification. Here, we used an improved Thermostable Group II Intron Reverse Transcriptase RNA sequencing (TGIRT-seq) method to simultaneously profile coding and non-coding RNAs from tumors, PBMCs, and plasma of IBC and non-IBC patients and healthy donors. Besides RNAs from known IBC-relevant genes, we identified hundreds of other overexpressed coding and non-coding RNAs (p≤0.001) in IBC tumors and PBMCs, including higher proportions with elevated intron-exon depth ratios (IDRs), likely reflecting enhanced transcription resulting in accumulation of intronic RNAs. As a consequence, differentially represented protein-coding gene RNAs in IBC plasma were largely intron RNA fragments, whereas those in healthy donor and non-IBC plasma were largely fragmented mRNAs. Potential IBC biomarkers in plasma included T-cell receptor pre-mRNA fragments traced to IBC tumors and PBMCs; intron RNA fragments correlated with high IDR genes; and LINE-1 and other retroelement RNAs that we found globally up-regulated in IBC and preferentially enriched in plasma. Our findings provide new insights into IBC and demonstrate advantages of broadly analyzing transcriptomes for biomarker identification. The RNA-seq and data analysis methods developed for this study may be broadly applicable to other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Wylie
- Departments of Molecular Biosciences and Oncology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Jun Yao
- Departments of Molecular Biosciences and Oncology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Hengyi Xu
- Departments of Molecular Biosciences and Oncology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | | | - Toshiaki Iwase
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
- University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813
| | - Savitri Krishnamurthy
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Naoto T Ueno
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030
- University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813
| | - Alan M Lambowitz
- Departments of Molecular Biosciences and Oncology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
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8
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Mavatkar AD, Naidu CM, Prabhu JS, Nair MG. The dynamic tumor-stromal crosstalk: implications of 'stromal-hot' tumors in the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:5379-5393. [PMID: 37046108 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08422-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer metastatic programming involves an intricate process by which the tumor cell coevolves with the surrounding extracellular niche. The supporting cells from the local host stroma get transformed into cancer-associated stromal cells. This complex crosstalk leads to extracellular matrix remodeling, invasion, and eventually distant metastasis. METHODS In this review, we examine the protein-miRNA secretome that is crucial for this crosstalk. We also provide evidence from the literature for the pivotal role played by the various stromal cells like fibroblasts, adipocytes, and immune cells in promoting the process of EMT in breast cancer. Through in-silico analysis, we have also attempted to establish that stromal presence is integral to the process of EMT. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The in-silico analysis delineates the persuasive role of the stroma in mediating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. This review elucidates the importance of examining the role of the stromal niche that can yield promising diagnostic markers and pave avenues for formulating tailored anti-cancer therapy. Process of EMT as driven by 'stroma-hot' tumors: The process of EMT is driven by the stromal cells. The stromal cells in the form of fibroblasts, adipocytes, endothelial cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and tissue associated macrophages secrete the miRNA-protein secretome that modulates the stromal niche and the tumor cells to be become 'tumor associated'. This drives tumor progression and invasion. The 'stromal-hot' tumors eventually get the benefit of the surplus nurturing from the stroma that facilitates EMT leading to distant organ seeding and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apoorva D Mavatkar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Chandrakala M Naidu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Jyothi S Prabhu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Madhumathy G Nair
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
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9
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Macrophage-Colony-Stimulating Factor Receptor Enhances Prostate Cancer Cell Growth and Aggressiveness In Vitro and In Vivo and Increases Osteopontin Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416028. [PMID: 36555673 PMCID: PMC9785574 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416028] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a major public health concern and one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide. The definition of altered signaling pathways implicated in this complex disease is thus essential. In this context, abnormal expression of the receptor of Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor-1 (M-CSF or CSF-1) has been described in prostate cancer cells. Yet, outcomes of this expression remain unknown. Using mouse and human prostate cancer cell lines, this study has investigated the functionality of the wild-type CSF-1 receptor in prostate tumor cells and identified molecular mechanisms underlying its ligand-induced activation. Here, we showed that upon CSF-1 binding, the receptor autophosphorylates and activates multiple signaling pathways in prostate tumor cells. Biological experiments demonstrated that the CSF-1R/CSF-1 axis conferred significant advantages in cell growth and cell invasion in vitro. Mouse xenograft experiments showed that CSF-1R expression promoted the aggressiveness of prostate tumor cells. In particular, we demonstrated that the ligand-activated CSF-1R increased the expression of spp1 transcript encoding for osteopontin, a key player in cancer development and metastasis. Therefore, this study highlights that the CSF-1 receptor is fully functional in a prostate cancer cell and may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Canciello A, Cerveró-Varona A, Peserico A, Mauro A, Russo V, Morrione A, Giordano A, Barboni B. "In medio stat virtus": Insights into hybrid E/M phenotype attitudes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1038841. [PMID: 36467417 PMCID: PMC9715750 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1038841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) refers to the ability of cells to dynamically interconvert between epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) phenotypes, thus generating an array of hybrid E/M intermediates with mixed E and M features. Recent findings have demonstrated how these hybrid E/M rather than fully M cells play key roles in most of physiological and pathological processes involving EMT. To this regard, the onset of hybrid E/M state coincides with the highest stemness gene expression and is involved in differentiation of either normal and cancer stem cells. Moreover, hybrid E/M cells are responsible for wound healing and create a favorable immunosuppressive environment for tissue regeneration. Nevertheless, hybrid state is responsible of metastatic process and of the increasing of survival, apoptosis and therapy resistance in cancer cells. The present review aims to describe the main features and the emerging concepts regulating EMP and the formation of E/M hybrid intermediates by describing differences and similarities between cancer and normal hybrid stem cells. In particular, the comprehension of hybrid E/M cells biology will surely advance our understanding of their features and how they could be exploited to improve tissue regeneration and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Canciello
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Adrián Cerveró-Varona
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Alessia Peserico
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Annunziata Mauro
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Valentina Russo
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO), Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Barbara Barboni
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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11
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Cheng W, Xiao X, Liao Y, Cao Q, Wang C, Li X, Jia Y. Conducive target range of breast cancer: Hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:978276. [PMID: 36226050 PMCID: PMC9550190 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.978276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a kind of malignant tumor disease that poses a serious threat to human health. Its biological characteristics of rapid proliferation and delayed angiogenesis, lead to intratumoral hypoxia as a common finding in breast cancer. HIF as a transcription factor, mediate a series of reactions in the hypoxic microenvironment, including metabolic reprogramming, tumor angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation and metastasis and other important physiological and pathological processes, as well as gene instability under hypoxia. In addition, in the immune microenvironment of hypoxia, both innate and acquired immunity of tumor cells undergo subtle changes to support tumor and inhibit immune activity. Thus, the elucidation of tumor microenvironment hypoxia provides a promising target for the resistance and limited efficacy of current breast cancer therapies. We also summarize the hypoxic mechanisms of breast cancer treatment related drug resistance, as well as the current status and prospects of latest related drugs targeted HIF inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Cheng
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Xian Xiao
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Liao
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingqing Cao
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Chaoran Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaojiang Li
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaojiang Li, ; Yingjie Jia,
| | - Yingjie Jia
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaojiang Li, ; Yingjie Jia,
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12
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Lu L, Hu W, Liu B, Yang T. Insights into Circulating Tumor Cell Clusters: A Barometer for Treatment Effects and Prognosis for Prostate Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163985. [PMID: 36010983 PMCID: PMC9406494 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a promising biomarker for the risk of prostate cancer aggressiveness and metastasis and play a role in the processes of tumor migration and metastasis. CTC clusters, which have different physical and biological properties from individual CTCs, are collections of tumor cells and non-malignant cells, resulting in greater metastatic potential. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the current knowledge of CTC clusters in metastasis as well as related biological properties and to suggest possibilities for their usage in diagnostic and therapeutic practice. Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) exhibits high cellular heterogeneity across patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more real-time and accurate detection methods, in both prognosis and treatment in clinical settings. Circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters, a population of tumor cells and non-malignant cells in the blood of patients with tumors, are a promising non-invasive tool for screening PCa progression and identifying potential benefit groups. CTC clusters are associated with tumor metastasis and possess stem-like characteristics, which are likely attributable to epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, these biological properties of CTC clusters, particularly androgen receptor V7, have indicated the potential to reflect curative effects, guide treatment modalities, and predict prognosis in PCa patients. Here, we discuss the role of CTC clusters in the mechanisms underlying PCa metastasis and clinical applications, with the aim of informing more appropriate clinical decisions, and ultimately, improving the overall survival of PCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyao Lu
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai 201399, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai 201399, China
| | - Bingli Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Pudong New Area People’s Hospital, Shanghai 201299, China
- Correspondence: (B.L.); (T.Y.); Tel./Fax: +86-21-2050-9000 (B.L.); +86-21-6803-6506 (T.Y.)
| | - Tao Yang
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai 201399, China
- Correspondence: (B.L.); (T.Y.); Tel./Fax: +86-21-2050-9000 (B.L.); +86-21-6803-6506 (T.Y.)
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13
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Yang T, Liang N, Li J, Hu P, Huang Q, Zhao Z, Wang Q, Zhang H. MDSCs might be "Achilles heel" for eradicating CSCs. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 65:39-50. [PMID: 35595600 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
During tumor initiation and progression, the complicated role of immune cells in the tumor immune microenvironment remains a concern. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a group of immune cells that originate from the bone marrow and have immunosuppressive potency in various diseases, including cancer. In recent years, the key role of cancer stemness has received increasing attention in cancer development and therapy. Several studies have demonstrated the important regulatory relationship between MDSCs and cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, there is still no clear understanding regarding the complex interacting regulation of tumor malignancy, and current research progress is limited. In this review, we summarize the complicated role of MDSCs in the modulation of cancer stemness, evaluate the mechanism of the relationship between CSCs and MDSCs, and discuss potential strategies for eradicating CSCs with respect to MDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- Department of Pain Treatment, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Ning Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The 75th Group Army Hospital, Dali 671000, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Stomatology, Shaanxi Provincial Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, China
| | - Pan Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the 920 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese PLA, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qian Huang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The 75th Group Army Hospital, Dali 671000, China
| | - Zifeng Zhao
- Department of Pain Treatment, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
| | - Hongxin Zhang
- Department of Pain Treatment, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China; Department of Intervention Therapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China.
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14
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Subbalakshmi AR, Ashraf B, Jolly MK. Biophysical and biochemical attributes of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypes. Phys Biol 2022; 19. [PMID: 34986465 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/ac482c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a biological phenomenon associated with explicit phenotypic and molecular changes in cellular traits. Unlike the earlier-held popular belief of it being a binary process, EMT is now thought of as a landscape including diverse hybrid E/M phenotypes manifested by varying degrees of the transition. These hybrid cells can co-express both epithelial and mesenchymal markers and/or functional traits, and can possess the property of collective cell migration, enhanced tumor-initiating ability, and immune/targeted therapy-evasive features, all of which are often associated with worse patient outcomes. These characteristics of the hybrid E/M cells have led to a surge in studies that map their biophysical and biochemical hallmarks that can be helpful in exploiting their therapeutic vulnerabilities. This review discusses recent advances made in investigating hybrid E/M phenotype(s) from diverse biophysical and biochemical aspects by integrating live cell-imaging, cellular morphology quantification and mathematical modelling, and highlights a set of questions that remain unanswered about the dynamics of hybrid E/M states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayalur Raghu Subbalakshmi
- Indian Institute of Science, Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Bangalore, 560012, INDIA
| | - Bazella Ashraf
- Central University of Kashmir, Department of Biotechnology, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, 191201, INDIA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Indian Institute of Science, Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Bangalore, 560012, INDIA
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15
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Williams MM, Hafeez SA, Christenson JL, O’Neill KI, Hammond NG, Richer JK. Reversing an Oncogenic Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Program in Breast Cancer Reveals Actionable Immune Suppressive Pathways. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111122. [PMID: 34832904 PMCID: PMC8622696 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Approval of checkpoint inhibitors for treatment of metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC) has opened the door for the use of immunotherapies against this disease. However, not all patients with mTNBC respond to current immunotherapy approaches such as checkpoint inhibitors. Recent evidence demonstrates that TNBC metastases are more immune suppressed than primary tumors, suggesting that combination or additional immunotherapy strategies may be required to activate an anti-tumor immune attack at metastatic sites. To identify other immune suppressive mechanisms utilized by mTNBC, our group and others manipulated oncogenic epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) programs in TNBC models to reveal differences between this breast cancer subtype and its more epithelial counterpart. This review will discuss how EMT modulation revealed several mechanisms, including tumor cell metabolism, cytokine milieu and secretion of additional immune modulators, by which mTNBC cells may suppress both the innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune responses. Many of these pathways/proteins are under preclinical or clinical investigation as therapeutic targets in mTNBC and other advanced cancers to enhance their response to chemotherapy and/or checkpoint inhibitors.
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16
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Bornes L, Belthier G, van Rheenen J. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in the Light of Plasticity and Hybrid E/M States. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112403. [PMID: 34072345 PMCID: PMC8197992 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular program which leads to cells losing epithelial features, including cell polarity, cell-cell adhesion and attachment to the basement membrane, while gaining mesenchymal characteristics, such as invasive properties and stemness. This program is involved in embryogenesis, wound healing and cancer progression. Over the years, the role of EMT in cancer progression has been heavily debated, and the requirement of this process in metastasis even has been disputed. In this review, we discuss previous discrepancies in the light of recent findings on EMT, plasticity and hybrid E/M states. Moreover, we highlight various tumor microenvironmental cues and cell intrinsic signaling pathways that induce and sustain EMT programs, plasticity and hybrid E/M states. Lastly, we discuss how recent findings on plasticity, especially on those that enable cells to switch between hybrid E/M states, have changed our understanding on the role of EMT in cancer metastasis, stemness and therapy resistance.
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17
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Cai J, Cui Y, Yang J, Wang S. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition: When tumor cells meet myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188564. [PMID: 33974950 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous myeloid cell population characterized by protumoral functions in the tumor immune network. An increasing number of studies have focused on the biological functions of MDSCs in tumor immunity. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular plasticity process accompanied by a loss of epithelial phenotypes and an acquisition of mesenchymal phenotypes. In general, tumor cells that undergo EMT are more likely to invade and metastasize. Recently, extensive evidence suggests that EMT is closely related to a highly immunosuppressive environment. This review will summarize the immunosuppressive capacities of MDSC subsets and their distinct role in tumor EMT and further discuss immunotherapy for tumor EMT by targeting MDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingshan Cai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yudan Cui
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
| | - Shengjun Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
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18
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de Bessa Garcia SA, Araújo M, Pereira T, Freitas R. HOXB7 Overexpression Leads Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells to a Less Aggressive Phenotype. Biomedicines 2021; 9:515. [PMID: 34063128 PMCID: PMC8148148 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
HOX genes appear to play a role in breast cancer progression in a molecular subtype-dependent way. The altered expression of HOXB7, for example, was reported to promote breast cancer progression in specific subtypes. Here we induced HOXB7 overexpression in MDA-MB-231 cells, a cellular model of the Triple-Negative breast cancer molecular subtype, and evaluated the phenotypic changes in cell viability, morphogenesis, migration, invasion, and colony formation. During the phenotypic characterization of the HOXB7-overexpressing cells, we consistently found less aggressive behavior represented by lower cell viability, inhibition of cell migration, invasion, and attachment-independent colony formation capacities added to the more compact and organized spheroid growth in 3D cultures. We then evaluated the expression of putative downstream targets and their direct binding to HOXB7 comparing ChIP-qPCR data generated from HOXB7-overexpressing cells and controls. In the manipulated cells, we found enriched biding of HOXB7 to CTNNB1, EGFR, FGF2, CDH1, DNMT3B, TGFB2, and COMMD7. Taken together, these results highlight the plasticity of the HOXB7 function in breast cancer, according to the cellular genetic background and expression levels, and provide evidence that in Triple-Negative breast cancer cells, HOXB7 overexpression has the potential to promote less aggressive phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mafalda Araújo
- I3S—Institute for Innovation & Health Research, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.A.d.B.G.); (M.A.); (T.P.)
| | - Tiago Pereira
- I3S—Institute for Innovation & Health Research, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.A.d.B.G.); (M.A.); (T.P.)
| | - Renata Freitas
- I3S—Institute for Innovation & Health Research, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.A.d.B.G.); (M.A.); (T.P.)
- ICBAS—Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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19
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Thomas C, Karagounis IV, Srivastava RK, Vrettos N, Nikolos F, Francois N, Huang M, Gong S, Long Q, Kumar S, Koumenis C, Krishnamurthy S, Ueno NT, Chakrabarti R, Maity A. Estrogen Receptor β-Mediated Inhibition of Actin-Based Cell Migration Suppresses Metastasis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2021; 81:2399-2414. [PMID: 33514514 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a highly metastatic breast carcinoma with high frequency of estrogen receptor α (ERα) negativity. Here we explored the role of the second ER subtype, ERβ, and report expression in IBC tumors and its correlation with reduced metastasis. Ablation of ERβ in IBC cells promoted cell migration and activated gene networks that control actin reorganization, including G-protein-coupled receptors and downstream effectors that activate Rho GTPases. Analysis of preclinical mouse models of IBC revealed decreased metastasis of IBC tumors when ERβ was expressed or activated by chemical agonists. Our findings support a tumor-suppressive role of ERβ by demonstrating the ability of the receptor to inhibit dissemination of IBC cells and prevent metastasis. On the basis of these findings, we propose ERβ as a potentially novel biomarker and therapeutic target that can inhibit IBC metastasis and reduce its associated mortality. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate the capacity of ERβ to elicit antimetastatic effects in highly aggressive inflammatory breast cancer and propose ERβ and the identified associated genes as potential therapeutic targets in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoforos Thomas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Ilias V Karagounis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ratnesh K Srivastava
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicholas Vrettos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Fotis Nikolos
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Noëlle Francois
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Menggui Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Siliang Gong
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Qi Long
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Constantinos Koumenis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Savitri Krishnamurthy
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Naoto T Ueno
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Rumela Chakrabarti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amit Maity
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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20
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Sinha D, Saha P, Samanta A, Bishayee A. Emerging Concepts of Hybrid Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Progression. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1561. [PMID: 33207810 PMCID: PMC7697085 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process through which epithelial (E) cells lose their adherens junctions, transform into mesenchymal (M) cells and attain motility, leading to metastasis at distant organs. Nowadays, the concept of EMT has shifted from a binary phase of interconversion of pure E to M cells and vice versa to a spectrum of E/M transition states preferably coined as hybrid/partial/intermediate EMT. Hybrid EMT, being a plastic transient state, harbours cells which co-express both E and M markers and exhibit high tumourigenic properties, leading to stemness, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Several preclinical and clinical studies provided the evidence of co-existence of E/M phenotypes. Regulators including transcription factors, epigenetic regulators and phenotypic stability factors (PSFs) help in maintaining the hybrid state. Computational and bioinformatics approaches may be excellent for identifying new factors or combinations of regulatory elements that govern the different EMT transition states. Therapeutic intervention against hybrid E/M cells, though few, may evolve as a rational strategy against metastasis and drug resistance. This review has attempted to present the recent advancements on the concept and regulation of the process of hybrid EMT which generates hybrid E/M phenotypes, evidence of intermediate EMT in both preclinical and clinical setup, impact of partial EMT on promoting tumourigenesis, and future strategies which might be adapted to tackle this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dona Sinha
- Department of Receptor Biology and Tumour Metastasis, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, India; (P.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Priyanka Saha
- Department of Receptor Biology and Tumour Metastasis, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, India; (P.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Anurima Samanta
- Department of Receptor Biology and Tumour Metastasis, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, India; (P.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
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21
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Saxena K, Jolly MK, Balamurugan K. Hypoxia, partial EMT and collective migration: Emerging culprits in metastasis. Transl Oncol 2020; 13:100845. [PMID: 32781367 PMCID: PMC7419667 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular biological process involved in migration of primary cancer cells to secondary sites facilitating metastasis. Besides, EMT also confers properties such as stemness, drug resistance and immune evasion which can aid a successful colonization at the distant site. EMT is not a binary process; recent evidence suggests that cells in partial EMT or hybrid E/M phenotype(s) can have enhanced stemness and drug resistance as compared to those undergoing a complete EMT. Moreover, partial EMT enables collective migration of cells as clusters of circulating tumor cells or emboli, further endorsing that cells in hybrid E/M phenotypes may be the 'fittest' for metastasis. Here, we review mechanisms and implications of hybrid E/M phenotypes, including their reported association with hypoxia. Hypoxia-driven activation of HIF-1α can drive EMT. In addition, cyclic hypoxia, as compared to acute or chronic hypoxia, shows the highest levels of active HIF-1α and can augment cancer aggressiveness to a greater extent, including enriching for a partial EMT phenotype. We also discuss how metastasis is influenced by hypoxia, partial EMT and collective cell migration, and call for a better understanding of interconnections among these mechanisms. We discuss the known regulators of hypoxia, hybrid EMT and collective cell migration and highlight the gaps which needs to be filled for connecting these three axes which will increase our understanding of dynamics of metastasis and help control it more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Saxena
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - Kuppusamy Balamurugan
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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22
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Deng YT, Wang JW, Chu H, Wang J, Hu Y, lin Y, Shu M, Lin ZH. 3D-QSAR and Docking Studies on Pyrimidine Derivatives as CSF-1R Inhibitors. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1570180816666190329224946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Colony Stimulating Factor-1 Receptor (CSF-1R) is associated with
malignancy, invasiveness and poor prognosis of tumors, and pyrimidine derivatives are considered as
a novel class of CSF-1R inhibitor.
Methods:
To explore the relationship between the structures of substituted pyrimidine derivatives
and their inhibitory activities against CSF-1R, CoMFA and CoMSIA analyses, and molecular
docking studies were performed on a dataset of forty-four compounds.
Results:
We found in CoMFA model including steric and electrostatic fields for the training set, the
cross-validated q2 value was 0.617 and the non-cross-validated r2 value was 0.983. While, the crossvalidated
q2 value was 0.637 and the non-cross-validated r2 value was 0.984 in CoMSIA Model
which include steric, electrostatic and hydrophobic fields. 3D equipotential maps generated from
CoMFA and CoMSIA along with the docking binding structures provided enough information about
the structural requirements for better activity.
Conclusion:
The data generated from the present study helped us to predict the activity of new
inhibitors and further design some novel and potent CSF-1R inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-ting Deng
- Department of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400055, China
| | - Jun-wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400055, China
| | - Han Chu
- Department of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400055, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400055, China
| | - Yong Hu
- Department of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400055, China
| | - Yong lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400055, China
| | - Mao Shu
- Department of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400055, China
| | - Zhi-hua Lin
- Department of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400055, China
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23
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Stone TW. Dependence and Guidance Receptors-DCC and Neogenin-In Partial EMT and the Actions of Serine Proteases. Front Oncol 2020; 10:94. [PMID: 32117748 PMCID: PMC7010924 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is an important concept in understanding the processes of oncogenesis, especially with respect to the relationship between cell proliferation and metastatic properties such as spontaneous cell motility, chemotaxic migration and tissue invasion. EMT is now recognized as a more complex phenomenon than an all-or-nothing event, in which different components of the EMT may have distinct roles in the physio-pathological regulation of cell function and which may in turn depend on differential interactions with cell constituents and metabolic products. This mini-review summarizes recent work on the induction of cancer properties in parallel with the presence of EMT activities in the presence of serine proteases, with the focus on those tumor suppressors known as “dependence” receptors such as neogenin and Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC). It is concluded that various forms of partial EMT should be given more detailed investigation and consideration as the results could have valuable implications for the development of disease-specific and patient-specific therapies.
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24
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Jia D, Li X, Bocci F, Tripathi S, Deng Y, Jolly MK, Onuchic JN, Levine H. Quantifying Cancer Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity and its Association with Stemness and Immune Response. J Clin Med 2019; 8:E725. [PMID: 31121840 PMCID: PMC6572429 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8050725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells can acquire a spectrum of stable hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) states during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cells in these hybrid E/M phenotypes often combine epithelial and mesenchymal features and tend to migrate collectively commonly as small clusters. Such collectively migrating cancer cells play a pivotal role in seeding metastases and their presence in cancer patients indicates an adverse prognostic factor. Moreover, cancer cells in hybrid E/M phenotypes tend to be more associated with stemness which endows them with tumor-initiation ability and therapy resistance. Most recently, cells undergoing EMT have been shown to promote immune suppression for better survival. A systematic understanding of the emergence of hybrid E/M phenotypes and the connection of EMT with stemness and immune suppression would contribute to more effective therapeutic strategies. In this review, we first discuss recent efforts combining theoretical and experimental approaches to elucidate mechanisms underlying EMT multi-stability (i.e., the existence of multiple stable phenotypes during EMT) and the properties of hybrid E/M phenotypes. Following we discuss non-cell-autonomous regulation of EMT by cell cooperation and extracellular matrix. Afterwards, we discuss various metrics that can be used to quantify EMT spectrum. We further describe possible mechanisms underlying the formation of clusters of circulating tumor cells. Last but not least, we summarize recent systems biology analysis of the role of EMT in the acquisition of stemness and immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongya Jia
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Xuefei Li
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Federico Bocci
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Shubham Tripathi
- PhD Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Youyuan Deng
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Applied Physics Graduate Program, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - José N Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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25
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The Vicious Cross-Talk between Tumor Cells with an EMT Phenotype and Cells of the Immune System. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050460. [PMID: 31096701 PMCID: PMC6562673 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Carcinoma cells that undergo an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and display a predominantly mesenchymal phenotype (hereafter EMT tumor cells) are associated with immune exclusion and immune deviation in the tumor microenvironment (TME). A large body of evidence has shown that EMT tumor cells and immune cells can reciprocally influence each other, with EMT cells promoting immune exclusion and deviation and immune cells promoting, under certain circumstances, the induction of EMT in tumor cells. This cross-talk between EMT tumor cells and immune cells can occur both between EMT tumor cells and cells of either the native or adaptive immune system. In this article, we review this evidence and the functional consequences of it. We also discuss some recent evidence showing that tumor cells and cells of the immune system respond to similar stimuli, activate the expression of partially overlapping gene sets, and acquire, at least in part, identical functionalities such as migration and invasion. The possible significance of these symmetrical changes in the cross-talk between EMT tumor cells and immune cells is addressed. Eventually, we also discuss possible therapeutic opportunities that may derive from disrupting this cross-talk.
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26
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Toward understanding cancer stem cell heterogeneity in the tumor microenvironment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:148-157. [PMID: 30587589 PMCID: PMC6320545 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1815345116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) formation are two paramount processes driving tumor progression, therapy resistance, and cancer metastasis. Recent experiments show that cells with varying EMT and CSC phenotypes are spatially segregated in the primary tumor. The underlying mechanisms generating such spatiotemporal dynamics in the tumor microenvironment, however, remain largely unexplored. Here, we show through a mechanism-based dynamical model that the diffusion of EMT-inducing signals such as TGF-β, together with noncell autonomous control of EMT and CSC decision making via the Notch signaling pathway, can explain experimentally observed disparate localization of subsets of CSCs with varying EMT phenotypes in the tumor. Our simulations show that the more mesenchymal CSCs lie at the invasive edge, while the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) CSCs reside in the tumor interior. Further, motivated by the role of Notch-Jagged signaling in mediating EMT and stemness, we investigated the microenvironmental factors that promote Notch-Jagged signaling. We show that many inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 that can promote Notch-Jagged signaling can (i) stabilize a hybrid E/M phenotype, (ii) increase the likelihood of spatial proximity of hybrid E/M cells, and (iii) expand the fraction of CSCs. To validate the predicted connection between Notch-Jagged signaling and stemness, we knocked down JAG1 in hybrid E/M SUM149 human breast cancer cells in vitro. JAG1 knockdown significantly restricted tumor organoid formation, confirming the key role that Notch-Jagged signaling can play in tumor progression. Together, our integrated computational-experimental framework reveals the underlying principles of spatiotemporal dynamics of EMT and CSCs.
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27
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Pastushenko I, Blanpain C. EMT Transition States during Tumor Progression and Metastasis. Trends Cell Biol 2018; 29:212-226. [PMID: 30594349 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1526] [Impact Index Per Article: 254.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process in which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal features. In cancer, EMT is associated with tumor initiation, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Recently, it has been demonstrated that EMT is not a binary process, but occurs through distinct cellular states. Here, we review the recent studies that demonstrate the existence of these different EMT states in cancer and the mechanisms regulating their functions. We discuss the different functional characteristics, such as proliferation, propagation, plasticity, invasion, and metastasis associated with the distinct EMT states. We summarize the role of the transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes, gene regulatory network and their surrounding niche in controlling the transition through the different EMT states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ievgenia Pastushenko
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cédric Blanpain
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; WELBIO, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
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28
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Jolly MK, Somarelli JA, Sheth M, Biddle A, Tripathi SC, Armstrong AJ, Hanash SM, Bapat SA, Rangarajan A, Levine H. Hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypes promote metastasis and therapy resistance across carcinomas. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 194:161-184. [PMID: 30268772 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis and therapy resistance are the major unsolved clinical challenges, and account for nearly all cancer-related deaths. Both metastasis and therapy resistance are fueled by epithelial plasticity, the reversible phenotypic transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). EMT and MET have been largely considered as binary processes, where cells detach from the primary tumor as individual units with many, if not all, traits of a mesenchymal cell (EMT) and then convert back to being epithelial (MET). However, recent studies have demonstrated that cells can metastasize in ways alternative to traditional EMT paradigm; for example, they can detach as clusters, and/or occupy one or more stable hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotypes that can be the end point of a transition. Such hybrid E/M cells can integrate various epithelial and mesenchymal traits and markers, facilitating collective cell migration. Furthermore, these hybrid E/M cells may possess higher tumor-initiation and metastatic potential as compared to cells on either end of the EMT spectrum. Here, we review in silico, in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence for the existence of one or more hybrid E/M phenotype(s) in multiple carcinomas, and discuss their implications in tumor-initiation, tumor relapse, therapy resistance, and metastasis. Together, these studies drive the emerging notion that cells in a hybrid E/M phenotype may occupy 'metastatic sweet spot' in multiple subtypes of carcinomas, and pathways linked to this (these) hybrid E/M state(s) may be relevant as prognostic biomarkers as well as a promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Jason A Somarelli
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Maya Sheth
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Adrian Biddle
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Satyendra C Tripathi
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Andrew J Armstrong
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Samir M Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Sharmila A Bapat
- National Center for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Annapoorni Rangarajan
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
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29
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Basu S, Cheriyamundath S, Ben-Ze'ev A. Cell-cell adhesion: linking Wnt/β-catenin signaling with partial EMT and stemness traits in tumorigenesis. F1000Res 2018; 7. [PMID: 30271576 PMCID: PMC6144947 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.15782.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in cell adhesion and motility are considered key elements in determining the development of invasive and metastatic tumors. Co-opting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, which is known to occur during embryonic development, and the associated changes in cell adhesion properties in cancer cells are considered major routes for tumor progression. More recent
in vivo studies in tumor tissues and circulating tumor cell clusters suggest a stepwise EMT process rather than an “all-or-none” transition during tumor progression. In this commentary, we addressed the molecular mechanisms underlying the changes in cell adhesion and motility and adhesion-mediated signaling and their relationships to the partial EMT states and the acquisition of stemness traits by cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayon Basu
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sanith Cheriyamundath
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Avri Ben-Ze'ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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