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Li Y, Wang D, Ge H, Güngör C, Gong X, Chen Y. Cytoskeletal and Cytoskeleton-Associated Proteins: Key Regulators of Cancer Stem Cell Properties. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1369. [PMID: 36355541 PMCID: PMC9698833 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111369] [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: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells possessing stemness characteristics that are closely associated with tumor proliferation, recurrence and resistance to therapy. Recent studies have shown that different cytoskeletal components and remodeling processes have a profound impact on the behavior of CSCs. In this review, we outline the different cytoskeletal components regulating the properties of CSCs and discuss current and ongoing therapeutic strategies targeting the cytoskeleton. Given the many challenges currently faced in targeted cancer therapy, a deeper comprehension of the molecular events involved in the interaction of the cytoskeleton and CSCs will help us identify more effective therapeutic strategies to eliminate CSCs and ultimately improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqiang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heming Ge
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cenap Güngör
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Xuejun Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
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2
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Molecular characterization of low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma identifies genomic aberrations according to hormone receptor expression. NPJ Precis Oncol 2022; 6:47. [PMID: 35768582 PMCID: PMC9242985 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-022-00288-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormone receptor expression is a characteristic of low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC). Studies investigating estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression levels suggest its prognostic and predictive significance, although their associations with key molecular aberrations are not well understood. As such, we sought to describe the specific genomic profiles associated with different ER/PR expression patterns and survival outcomes in a cohort of patients with advanced disease. The study comprised fifty-five advanced-staged (III/IV) LGSOCs from the Canadian Ovarian Experimental Unified Resource (COEUR) for which targeted mutation sequencing, copy-number aberration, clinical and follow-up data were available. ER, PR, and p16 expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Tumors were divided into low and high ER/PR expression groups based on Allred scoring. Copy number analysis revealed that PR-low tumors (Allred score <2) had a higher fraction of the genome altered by copy number changes compared to PR-high tumors (p = 0.001), with cancer genes affected within specific loci linked to altered peptidyl-tyrosine kinase, MAP-kinase, and PI3-kinase signaling. Cox regression analysis showed that ER-high (p = 0.02), PR-high (p = 0.03), stage III disease (p = 0.02), low residual disease burden (p = 0.01) and normal p16 expression (p<0.001) were all significantly associated with improved overall survival. This study provides evidence that genomic aberrations are linked to ER/PR expression in primary LGSOC.
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Perez SM, Brinton LT, Kelly KA. Plectin in Cancer: From Biomarker to Therapeutic Target. Cells 2021; 10:2246. [PMID: 34571895 PMCID: PMC8469460 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cytolinker and scaffolding protein, plectin, has emerged as a potent driver of malignant hallmarks in many human cancers due to its involvement in various cellular activities contributing to tumorigenesis, including cancer cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion, and signal transduction. Evidence shows that beyond plectin's diverse protein interactome, its cancer-specific mislocalization to the cell surface enables its function as a potent oncoprotein. As such, therapeutic targeting of plectin, its protein interactors, and, in particular, cancer-specific plectin (CSP) presents an attractive opportunity to impede carcinogenesis directly. Here, we report on plectin's differential gene and protein expression in cancer, explore its mutational profile, and discuss the current understanding of plectin's and CSP's biological function in cancer. Moreover, we review the landscape of plectin as a prognostic marker, diagnostic biomarker, and target for imaging and therapeutic modalities. We highlight how, beyond their respective biological importance, plectin's common overexpression in cancer and CSP's cancer-specific bioavailability underscore their potential as high-value druggable targets. We discuss how recent evidence of the potent anti-cancer effects of CSP therapeutic targeting opens the door for cell-surface mislocalized proteins as novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M. Perez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA;
| | | | - Kimberly A. Kelly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA;
- ZielBio, Inc., Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
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Greening DW, Notaras M, Chen M, Xu R, Smith JD, Cheng L, Simpson RJ, Hill AF, van den Buuse M. Chronic methamphetamine interacts with BDNF Val66Met to remodel psychosis pathways in the mesocorticolimbic proteome. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:4431-4447. [PMID: 31822818 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0617-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse has reached epidemic proportions in many countries and can induce psychotic episodes mimicking the clinical profile of schizophrenia. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in both Meth effects and schizophrenia. We therefore studied the long-term effects of chronic Meth exposure in transgenic mice engineered to harbor the human BDNFVal66Met polymorphism expressed via endogenous mouse promoters. These mice were chronically treated with an escalating Meth regime during late adolescence. At least 4 weeks later, all hBDNFVal66Met Meth-treated mice exhibited sensitization confirming persistent behavioral effects of Meth. We used high-resolution quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to biochemically map the long-term effects of Meth within the brain, resulting in the unbiased detection of 4808 proteins across the mesocorticolimbic circuitry. Meth differentially altered dopamine signaling markers (e.g., Dat, Comt, and Th) between hBDNFVal/Val and hBDNFMet/Met mice, implicating involvement of BDNF in Meth-induced reprogramming of the mesolimbic proteome. Targeted analysis of 336 schizophrenia-risk genes, as well as 82 growth factor cascade markers, similarly revealed that hBDNFVal66Met genotype gated the recruitment of these factors by Meth in a region-specific manner. Cumulatively, these data represent the first comprehensive analysis of the long-term effects of chronic Meth exposure within the mesocorticolimbic circuitry. In addition, these data reveal that long-term Meth-induced brain changes are strongly dependent upon BDNF genetic variation, illustrating how drug-induced psychosis may be modulated at the molecular level by a single genetic locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Greening
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Molecular Proteomics, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Notaras
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maoshan Chen
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases (ACBD), Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rong Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joel D Smith
- Biological Research Unit, Racing Analytical Services Ltd, Flemington, VIC, Australia
| | - Lesley Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Richard J Simpson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew F Hill
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
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5
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Wesley T, Berzins S, Kannourakis G, Ahmed N. The attributes of plakins in cancer and disease: perspectives on ovarian cancer progression, chemoresistance and recurrence. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:55. [PMID: 34001250 PMCID: PMC8127266 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00726-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The plakin family of cytoskeletal proteins play an important role in cancer progression yet are under-studied in cancer, especially ovarian cancer. These large cytoskeletal proteins have primary roles in the maintenance of cytoskeletal integrity but are also associated with scaffolds of intermediate filaments and hemidesmosomal adhesion complexes mediating signalling pathways that regulate cellular growth, migration, invasion and differentiation as well as stress response. Abnormalities of plakins, and the closely related spectraplakins, result in diseases of the skin, striated muscle and nervous tissue. Their prevalence in epithelial cells suggests that plakins may play a role in epithelial ovarian cancer progression and recurrence. In this review article, we explore the roles of plakins, particularly plectin, periplakin and envoplakin in disease-states and cancers with emphasis on ovarian cancer. We discuss the potential role the plakin family of proteins play in regulating cancer cell growth, survival, migration, invasion and drug resistance. We highlight potential relationships between plakins, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) and discuss how interaction of these processes may affect ovarian cancer progression, chemoresistance and ultimately recurrence. We propose that molecular changes in the expression of plakins leads to the transition of benign ovarian tumours to carcinomas, as well as floating cellular aggregates (commonly known as spheroids) in the ascites microenvironment, which may contribute to the sustenance and progression of the disease. In this review, attempts have been made to understand the crucial changes in plakin expression in relation to progression and recurrence of ovarian cancer. Video Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsin Wesley
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat Technology Central Park, Suites 23-26, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat, VIC, 3353, Australia.,School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Stuart Berzins
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat Technology Central Park, Suites 23-26, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat, VIC, 3353, Australia.,School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - George Kannourakis
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat Technology Central Park, Suites 23-26, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat, VIC, 3353, Australia.,School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Nuzhat Ahmed
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat Technology Central Park, Suites 23-26, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat, VIC, 3353, Australia. .,School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, 3010, Australia. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Centre for Reproductive Health, The Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia.
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6
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Cai W, Zhou W, Han Z, Lei J, Zhuang J, Zhu P, Wu X, Yuan W. Master regulator genes and their impact on major diseases. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9952. [PMID: 33083114 PMCID: PMC7546222 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Master regulator genes (MRGs) have become a hot topic in recent decades. They not only affect the development of tissue and organ systems but also play a role in other signal pathways by regulating additional MRGs. Because a MRG can regulate the concurrent expression of several genes, its mutation often leads to major diseases. Moreover, the occurrence of many tumors and cardiovascular and nervous system diseases are closely related to MRG changes. With the development in omics technology, an increasing amount of investigations will be directed toward MRGs because their regulation involves all aspects of an organism’s development. This review focuses on the definition and classification of MRGs as well as their influence on disease regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanwan Cai
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, Key Laboratory of MOE for Development Biology and Protein Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wanbang Zhou
- College of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhe Han
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Junrong Lei
- College of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jian Zhuang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiushan Wu
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, Key Laboratory of MOE for Development Biology and Protein Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wuzhou Yuan
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, Key Laboratory of MOE for Development Biology and Protein Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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7
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Kim J, Cheong JH. Role of Mitochondria-Cytoskeleton Interactions in the Regulation of Mitochondrial Structure and Function in Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071691. [PMID: 32674438 PMCID: PMC7407978 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the promise of cancer medicine, major challenges currently confronting the treatment of cancer patients include chemoresistance and recurrence. The existence of subpopulations of cancer cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), contributes to the failure of cancer therapies and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Of note, one of the recently characterized features of CSCs is augmented mitochondrial function. The cytoskeleton network is essential in regulating mitochondrial morphology and rearrangement, which are inextricably linked to its functions, such as oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). The interaction between the cytoskeleton and mitochondria can enable CSCs to adapt to challenging conditions, such as a lack of energy sources, and to maintain their stemness. Cytoskeleton-mediated mitochondrial trafficking and relocating to the high energy requirement region are crucial steps in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, the cytoskeleton itself interplays with and blocks the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) to directly regulate bioenergetics. In this review, we describe the regulation of cellular bioenergetics in CSCs, focusing on the cytoskeleton-mediated dynamic control of mitochondrial structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungmin Kim
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea;
| | - Jae-Ho Cheong
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea;
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Health System, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2228-2094; Fax: +82-2-313-8289
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Proteomic Technology "Lens" for Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Process Identification in Oncology. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2019; 2019:3565970. [PMID: 31781477 PMCID: PMC6855076 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3565970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex transformation process that induces local and distant progression of many malignant tumours. Due to its complex array of proteins that are dynamically over-/underexpressed during this process, proteomic technologies gained their place in the EMT research in the last years. Proteomics has identified new molecular pathways of this process and brought important insights to develop new therapy targets. Various proteomic tools and multiple combinations were developed in this area. Out of the proteomic technology armentarium, mass spectrometry and array technologies are the most used approaches. The main characteristics of the proteomic technology used in this domain are high throughput and detection of minute concentration in small samples. We present herein, using various proteomic technologies, the identification in cancer cell lines and in tumour tissue EMT-related proteins, proteins that are involved in the activation of different cellular pathways. Proteomics has brought besides standard EMT markers (e.g., cell-cell adhesion proteins and transcription factors) other future potential markers for improving diagnosis, monitoring evolution, and developing new therapy targets. Future will increase the proteomic role in clinical investigation and validation of EMT-related biomarkers.
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The Role of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Plasticity in Ovarian Cancer Progression and Therapy Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060838. [PMID: 31213009 PMCID: PMC6628067 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of all gynecologic malignancies and the eighth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. The main reasons for this poor prognosis are late diagnosis; when the disease is already in an advanced stage, and the frequent development of resistance to current chemotherapeutic regimens. Growing evidence demonstrates that apart from its role in ovarian cancer progression, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) can promote chemotherapy resistance. In this review, we will highlight the contribution of EMT to the distinct steps of ovarian cancer progression. In addition, we will review the different types of ovarian cancer resistance to therapy with particular attention to EMT-mediated mechanisms such as cell fate transitions, enhancement of cancer cell survival, and upregulation of genes related to drug resistance. Preclinical studies of anti-EMT therapies have yielded promising results. However, before anti-EMT therapies can be effectively implemented in clinical trials, more research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms leading to EMT-induced therapy resistance.
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Zhang LY, Chen Y, Jia J, Zhu X, He Y, Wu LM. MiR-27a promotes EMT in ovarian cancer through active Wnt/𝜷-catenin signalling by targeting FOXO1. Cancer Biomark 2019; 24:31-42. [PMID: 30614794 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-181229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer (OC) is the fifth most common type of cancer in women worldwide. MiR-27a plays an important role in the development of ovarian cancer. However, the exact function and molecular mechanism of miR-27a in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. METHODS Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of miR-27a and FOXO1 mRNA in ovarian tissues and cells. The function of miR-27a in ovarian cancer was investigated through overexpression and knockdown of miR-27a in vitro. Wound healing and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate the migration and invasive capacity of the cells. A luciferase reporter assay was conducted to confirm the interaction between miR-27a and FOXO1. Western blotting was used to evaluate FOXO1, EMT and Wnt/β-catenin relative protein expression. RESULTS In our study, we found that the mRNA expression level of miR-27a was significantly higher in ovarian cancer tissues and in HO8910 and OV90 cells. Functional experiments showed that miR-27a overexpression potentiated the migration and invasion of HO8910 and OV90 cells, while miR-27a inhibition reduced the cells' migration and invasion. Moreover, miR-27a upregulated the expression of mesenchymal cell markers and downregulated the expression of epithelial cell markers, which were restored via silencing of miR-27a expression. Subsequently, miR-27a was found to directly target and suppress the expression of FOXO1. Finally, we demonstrated that miR-27a promoted the progression of ovarian cancer cells and induced the process of EMT via the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway through inhibition of FOXO1. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results indicate that targeting miR-27a and FOXO1 could represent a strategy for anticancer therapy in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ya Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Huizhou No. 2 Women's and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Huizhou, Guangdong 516001, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Huizhou College of Life Sciences, Huizhou, Guangdong 516001, China
| | - Jue Jia
- Department of Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Tumor Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China
| | - Xi Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Shenyang Maternal and Child Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, China
| | - Yan He
- Department of Gynecology, Huizhou No. 2 Women's and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Huizhou, Guangdong 516001, China
| | - Li-Ming Wu
- Department of Gynecology, Huizhou No. 2 Women's and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Huizhou, Guangdong 516001, China
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11
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Beckmann A, Hainz N, Tschernig T, Meier C. Facets of Communication: Gap Junction Ultrastructure and Function in Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11030288. [PMID: 30823688 PMCID: PMC6468480 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11030288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junction proteins are expressed in cancer stem cells and non-stem cancer cells of many tumors. As the morphology and assembly of gap junction channels are crucial for their function in intercellular communication, one focus of our review is to outline the data on gap junction plaque morphology available for cancer cells. Electron microscopic studies and freeze-fracture analyses on gap junction ultrastructure in cancer are summarized. As the presence of gap junctions is relevant in solid tumors, we exemplarily outline their role in glioblastomas and in breast cancer. These were also shown to contain cancer stem cells, which are an essential cause of tumor onset and of tumor transmission into metastases. For these processes, gap junctional communication was shown to be important and thus we summarize, how the expression of gap junction proteins and the resulting communication between cancer stem cells and their surrounding cells contributes to the dissemination of cancer stem cells via blood or lymphatic vessels. Based on their importance for tumors and metastases, future cancer-specific therapies are expected to address gap junction proteins. In turn, gap junctions also seem to contribute to the unattainability of cancer stem cells by certain treatments and might thus contribute to therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Beckmann
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany.
| | - Nadine Hainz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Tschernig
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany.
| | - Carola Meier
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany.
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12
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Monferrer E, Burgos-Panadero R, Blanquer-Maceiras M, Cañete A, Navarro S, Noguera R. High Oct4 expression: implications in the pathogenesis of neuroblastic tumours. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:1. [PMID: 30606139 PMCID: PMC6318846 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-5219-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastic tumours (NBTs) are paediatric solid tumours derived from embryonic neural crest cells which harbour their own cancer stem cells (CSC). There is evidence indicating that CSC may be responsible for tumour progression, chemotherapy resistance and recurrence in NBTs. Oct4 is a transcription factor which plays a key role in mammal embryonic development and stem cell fate regulation. The aim of the study is to elucidate the clinical significance of Oct4 in NBTs. METHODS We studied Oct4 expression in 563 primary NBTs using digital image quantification. Chi-square test was applied to analyse the correlation between histopathology and the Oct4+ cell percentage. Survival analysis was carried out with Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test. Additionally, a multivariate Cox regression analysis with the stepwise backwards (Wald) method was undertaken to calculate the impact of Oct4 expression level on survival. RESULTS We found that tumours with a high proportion of cells expressing Oct4 correlated statistically with undifferentiated and poorly differentiated neuroblastoma / nodular ganglioneuroblastoma, and that Oct4 expression was not present in ganglioneuroma (p < 0.05). Statistical analysis also indicated a relationship between high Oct4 expression levels, high-risk patients according to the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group pre-treatment classification parameters, larger blood vessels and low survival rates. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the Oct4 gene may regulate NBT pathogenic differentiation pathways, and should thus be considered as a target for knockdown when developing novel therapies for high-risk NBT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezequiel Monferrer
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Burgos-Panadero
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Maite Blanquer-Maceiras
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adela Cañete
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Samuel Navarro
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Noguera
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
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Ruan Z, Yang X, Cheng W. OCT4 accelerates tumorigenesis through activating JAK/STAT signaling in ovarian cancer side population cells. Cancer Manag Res 2018; 11:389-399. [PMID: 30643464 PMCID: PMC6314052 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s180418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy eliminate clinically apparent ovarian tumor, the 5-year survival rate is no more than 45%. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified for precaution of tumor metastasis and recurrence in many kinds of cancers including ovarian cancer. AIM This study aims to explore the function of OCT4, a CSC marker, in ovarian cancer progression and to investigate its underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS By Hoechst side population (SP) technique, CSC-like SP cells from human ovarian cancer SKOV3 and A2780 cells were isolated and used for this study. shRNA and lentivirus targeting human OCT4 gene were used to knock down OCT4 in SP cells and upregulate OCT4 in non-SP (NSP) cells stably. Peficitinib was used to inhibit JAK/STAT signaling. Cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, and in vivo xenograft model were used to evaluate the effects of OCT4/JAK/STAT on the viability, drug resistance, apoptosis, cycle, and tumorigenesis of the SP cells. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the location of STAT6. RESULTS Results showed that OCT4 was upregulated in the SP of SKOV3 and A2780 cells when compared with the NSP cells. Downregulation of OCT4 inhibited SP cell viability, tumorigenesis, and reduced cell drug resistance and induced a G2/M phase arrest, while upregulation of OCT4 conferred NSP cell malignant features. Besides, OCT4 upregulation in NSP cells increased the phosphorylated levels of proteins in JAK and STAT families, especially in JAK1 and STAT6. Furthermore, the roles of apoptosis inhibition and viability, invasion, and tumorigenesis promotions induced by OCT4 in NSP cells were all abolished when adding peficitinib. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that OCT4 accelerated ovarian cancer progression through activating JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyi Ruan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China,
| | - Xingyu Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China,
| | - Weiwei Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China,
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Wu Z, Song W, Cheng Z, Yang D, Yu L. Expression of LGR5 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation to vasculogenic mimicry. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2017; 10:11267-11275. [PMID: 31966480 PMCID: PMC6965846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND LGR5, also named as GPR49, is considered as a biomarker of cancer stem cells which have been responsible for the initiation, progression, metastasis, and recurrence of cancers. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) which defines the formation of fluid-conducting tubes by highly progressive and genetically dysregulated cancer cells has been considered as useful biomarker for metastasis and prognosis in various cancers. In this study, we analyzed associations between LGR5 and VM in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and their association with clinicopathological characters in OSCC. METHODS Positive rates of LGR5 and VM in 190 OSCC tissue samples and correspondence normal tissues were detected by immunohistochemical and histochemical staining. Patients' clinical data were also collected. RESULTS Positive rates of LGR5 and VM were significantly higher in OSCC tissues than those in normal tissues. Positive rates of LGR5 and VM were positively related to tumor size, grades, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stages, and inversely with patients overall survival time. And there was a positive association between the expression of LGR5 and positive rate of VM. In multivariate analysis, high expression of LGR5 and positive VM and lymph node metastasis, as well as TNM stages were to be considered as independent prognosis factors for overall survival time in patients with OSCC. CONCLUSIONS The expression of LGR5 and VM represent potential biomarkers for metastasis and prognosis, as well as therapeutic targets for OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Wu
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
| | - Wenqing Song
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
| | - Zenong Cheng
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
| | - Dongkun Yang
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
| | - Lan Yu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
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Huan HB, Yang DP, Wen XD, Chen XJ, Zhang L, Wu LL, Bie P, Xia F. HOXB7 accelerates the malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by promoting stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2017. [PMID: 28646927 PMCID: PMC5483250 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-017-0559-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Homeobox B7 (HOXB7) has been identified associated with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the specific mechanism by which HOXB7 promotes the malignant progression of HCC remains to be determined. Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression level of HOXB7 in 77-paired HCC tissue samples, and the correlation between HOXB7 and HCC prognosis was assessed. The location of HOXB7 was confirmed by immunofluorescence. Cell Titer-Blue assay was used to assess the proliferation of hepatoma cells. The stem-like properties of hepatoma cells were analysed by sphere formation and clone formation assays. The effect of HOXB7 on expression of cancer stem cell markers was evaluated. Transwell and wound-healing assays were performed to estimate the invasion and migration abilities of hepatoma cells. A xenograft tumor model was established in nude mice to assess the role of HOXB7 in tumor growth. Bioluminescence imaging was used to survey the effect of HOXB7 on the metastatic ability of hepatoma cells in vivo. Results Higher expression of HOXB7 was detected in HCC tissues compared with noncancerous tissues and significantly associated with poor prognosis of HCC. In addition, HOXB7 knockdown suppressed the cell proliferation, clone formation, sphere formation, invasion and migration of hepatoma cells in vitro; conversely, these biological abilities of hepatoma cells were enhanced by HOXB7 overexpression. Moreover, the cancer stem cell markers EPCAM and NANOG were up-regulated by HOXB7. The role of HOXB7 in promoting tumor growth and metastasis was verified in vivo. Further investigation revealed that c-Myc and Slug expression was elevated by HOXB7 and the AKT pathway was activated. Conclusion Overexpression of HOXB7 was significantly correlated with poor prognosis of HCC. HOXB7 up-regulated c-Myc and Slug expression via the AKT pathway to promote the acquisition of stem-like properties and facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatoma cells, accelerating the malignant progression of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Bo Huan
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Da-Peng Yang
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xu-Dong Wen
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xue-Jiao Chen
- Laboratory of Biotherapy of Cancer, Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Li-Li Wu
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Ping Bie
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Feng Xia
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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