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Chen EX, Hu SC, Xu JQ, Liu KY, Tang J, Shen XP, Liang X, Xie YL, Ge LX, Luo X, Wang YX, Xiang YL, Ding YB. Suppression of GATA3 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and simultaneous cellular senescence in human extravillous trophoblasts. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119768. [PMID: 38838858 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
The regulatory mechanism of the transcription factor GATA3 in the differentiation and maturation process of extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) in early pregnancy placenta, as well as its relevance to the occurrence of pregnancy disorders, remains poorly understood. This study leveraged single-cell RNA sequencing data from placental organoid models and placental tissue to explore the dynamic changes in GATA3 expression during EVT maturation. The expression pattern exhibited an initial upregulation followed by subsequent downregulation, with aberrant GATA3 localization observed in cases of recurrent miscarriage (RM). By identifying global targets regulated by GATA3 in primary placental EVT cells, JEG3, and HTR8/SVneo cell lines, this study offered insights into its regulatory mechanisms across different EVT cell models. Shared regulatory targets among these cell types and activation of trophoblast cell marker genes emphasized the importance of GATA3 in EVT differentiation and maturation. Knockdown of GATA3 in JEG3 cells led to repression of GATA3-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as evidenced by changes in marker gene expression levels and enhanced migration ability. Additionally, interference with GATA3 accelerated cellular senescence, as indicated by reduced proliferation rates and increased activity levels for senescence-associated β-galactosidase enzyme, along with elevated expression levels for senescence-associated genes. This study provides comprehensive insights into the dual role of GATA3 in regulating EMT and cellular senescence during EVT differentiation, shedding light on the dynamic changes in GATA3 expression in normal and pathological placental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- En-Xiang Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Toxicology, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Changsha Medical University, Hunan 410219, China
| | - Si-Chen Hu
- Department of Toxicology, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jia-Qi Xu
- Department of Toxicology, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Kun-Yan Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Toxicology, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xi-Peng Shen
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xiao Liang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - You-Long Xie
- Department of Toxicology, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Lu-Xin Ge
- Department of Toxicology, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Agricultural Biogenomics, Changsha Medical University. Hunan 410219, China
| | - Xin Luo
- Department of Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying-Xiong Wang
- Department of Toxicology, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Yun-Long Xiang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Yu-Bin Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China; Department of Toxicology, Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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Yin Y, Yang X, Cheng Z, Wang H, Lei J, Wang D, Wang P, Li B, Mi J, Yuan Q. Identification of extracellular matrix-related biomarkers in colon adenocarcinoma by bioinformatics and experimental validation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1371584. [PMID: 38694509 PMCID: PMC11061380 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1371584] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds Extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important component of tumor microenvironment, and its abnormal expression promotes tumor formation, progression and metastasis. Methods Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify ECM-related hub genes based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) data. COAD clinical samples were used to verify the expression of potential biomarkers in tumor tissues, and siRNA was used to explore the role of potential biomarkers in cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Results Three potential biomarkers (LEP, NGF and PCOLCE2) related to prognosis of COAD patients were identified and used to construct ERGPI. Immunohistochemical analysis of clinical samples showed that the three potential biomarkers were highly expressed in tumor tissues of COAD patients. Knockdown of LEP, NGF or PCOLCE2 inhibited COAD cell proliferation and EMT. Dictamnine inhibited tumor cell growth by binding to these three potential biomarkers based on molecular docking and transplanted tumor model. Conclusion The three biomarkers can provide new ideas for the diagnosis and targeted therapy of COAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkui Yin
- College of Life Science, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Xiaojie Yang
- College of Life Science, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Zhengyi Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Xi’an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tangdu Hospital of The Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jun Lei
- Department of Assets Management, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Dan Wang
- College of Life Science, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Peiwen Wang
- College of Life Science, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Biao Li
- College of Life Science, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Jing Mi
- College of Life Science, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Qi Yuan
- College of Life Science, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China
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Zhou W, Li X, Li X, Liu Y, Song W, Yang Q. The role of circular RNA in preeclampsia: From pathophysiological mechanism to clinical application. Life Sci 2024; 338:122407. [PMID: 38184270 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122407] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a common pregnancy-induced hypertension disorder that poses a significant threat to the health of pregnant women and fetuses, and has become a leading cause of maternal, fetal, and neonatal mortality. Currently, the therapy strategy for PE is mainly prevention management and symptomatic treatment, and only delivery can completely terminate PE. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of PE is needed to make treatment and prevention more effective and targeted. With the deepening of molecular etiology research, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to be widely involved in various processes of PE pathogenesis. As a kind of RNA with a special "head to tail" loop structure, the characteristics of circRNAs enable them to play diverse roles in the pathophysiology of PE, and can also serve as ideal biomarkers for early prediction and monitoring progression of PE. In this review, we summarized the latest research on PE-related circRNAs, trying to elucidate the unique or shared roles of circRNAs in various pathophysiological mechanisms of PE, aiming to provide a whole picture of current research on PE-related circRNAs, and extend a new perspective for the precise screening and targeted therapy of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zhou
- Medical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; Department of Cancer Epidemiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiuying Li
- Medical Research Center, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Xin Li
- Medical College, Jilin Engineering Vocational College, Siping, Jilin, China.
| | - Yaojia Liu
- Medical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Wenling Song
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Qiwei Yang
- Medical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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Kawabe N, Matsuoka K, Komeda K, Muraki N, Takaba M, Togami Y, Ito Y, Yamada M, Sunaga N, Girard L, Minna JD, Cai L, Xie Y, Tanaka I, Morise M, Sato M. Silencing of GRHL2 induces epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition in lung cancer cell lines with different effects on proliferation and clonogenic growth. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:391. [PMID: 37600329 PMCID: PMC10433723 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) is a transcription factor that suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It has been previously shown that GRHL2 can confer both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles in human cancers, including breast, pancreatic and colorectal cancers. However, its role in lung cancer remains elusive. In the present study, a meta-analysis of multiple gene expression datasets with clinical data revealed that GRHL2 expression was increased in lung cancer compared with that in the normal tissues. Copy number analysis of GRHL2, performed using datasets of whole exome sequencing involving 151 lung cancer cell lines, revealed frequent amplifications, suggesting that the increased GRHL2 expression may have resulted from gene amplification. A survival meta-analysis of GRHL2 using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset showed no association of GRHL2 expression with overall survival. GRHL2 expression was found to be associated with EMT status in lung cancer in TCGA dataset and lung cancer cell lines. GRHL2 knockdown induced partial EMT in the hTERT/Cdk4-immortalized normal lung epithelial cell line HBEC4KT without affecting proliferation measured by CCK-8 assays. In addition, GRHL2 silencing caused three lung cancer cell lines, H1975, H2009 and H441, to undergo partial EMT. However, the proliferative effects differed significantly. GRHL2 silencing promoted proliferation but not colony formation in H1975 cells whilst suppressing colony formation without affecting proliferation in H2009 cells, but it did not affect proliferation in H441 cells. These results suggest cell type-dependent effects of GRHL2 knockdown. Downstream, GRHL2 silencing enhanced the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK, assessed by western blotting with phospho-specific antibodies, in HBEC4KT, H1975 and H2009 cell lines but not in the H441 cell line. By contrast, transient GRHL2 overexpression did not affect A549 cell proliferation, which lack detectable endogenous expression of the GRHL2 protein. However, GRHL2 overexpression did suppress E-cadherin expression in A549 cells. These results suggested that GRHL2 does not only function as a tumor suppressor of EMT but can also behave as an oncogene depending on the lung cancer cell-type context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomi Kawabe
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Kohei Matsuoka
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Kazuki Komeda
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Nao Muraki
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Miho Takaba
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Yasuha Togami
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Yumeno Ito
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Mizuki Yamada
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Noriaki Sunaga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Luc Girard
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75230-8593, USA
| | - John D. Minna
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75230-8593, USA
| | - Ling Cai
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75230-8593, USA
| | - Yang Xie
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75230-8593, USA
| | - Ichidai Tanaka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Masahiro Morise
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Sato
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
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Zhang J, Chen WQ, Yang K, Wang ZX, Sun DL, Peng YY, Yu M, Wang SX, Guo Q. RBM25 induces trophoblast epithelial-mesenchymal transition and preeclampsia disorder by enhancing the positive feedback loop between Grhl2 and RBM25. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:1267-1277. [PMID: 37728157 PMCID: PMC10621477 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231191199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Defects in migration and invasion caused by dysregulation of trophoblast epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) are one of the key factors in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). RNA-binding motif protein 25 (RBM25) is an RNA-binding protein involved in a variety of cellular processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration and invasion, and EMT. However, the expression and function of RBM25 in placental of PE remain unclear. In this study, we reveal that the expression of RBM25 is significantly elevated in PE placental tissue. RBM25 depletion and over-expression in trophoblast cells increase and decrease, respectively, cell migration and invasion by regulating EMT marker E-cadherin and Vimentin expression. Mechanistically, Grhl2 is involved in RBM25-regulated trophoblast cell migration, invasion, and EMT through RBM25-facilitated mRNA stabilization. Furthermore, the upregulation of Grhl2 enhances the expression of RBM25 through transcription and forms a positive feedback regulation in the progression of PE. These findings suggest that upregulation of RBM25 induces dysregulation of trophoblast EMT by enhancing positive feedback regulation of Grhl2 and RBM25, leading to defects in cell migration and invasion. Targeting this newly identified regulatory axis may provide benefits in the prevention and treatment of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
| | - Wen-qi Chen
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
| | - Kai Yang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Zhao-xi Wang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
| | - Dong-lan Sun
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
| | - Yuan-yuan Peng
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
| | - Mei Yu
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
| | - Shao-xiong Wang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
| | - Qing Guo
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050011, China
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Zhang H, Kong W, Xie Y, Zhao X, Luo D, Chen S, Pan Z. Telomere-related genes as potential biomarkers to predict endometriosis and immune response: Development of a machine learning-based risk model. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1132676. [PMID: 36968845 PMCID: PMC10034389 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1132676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionEndometriosis (EM) is an aggressive, pleomorphic, and common gynecological disease. Its clinical presentation includes abnormal menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and infertility, which seriously affect the patient's quality of life. However, the pathogenesis underlying EM and associated regulatory genes are unknown.MethodsTelomere-related genes (TRGs) were uploaded from TelNet. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data of EM patients were obtained from three datasets (GSE5108, GSE23339, and GSE25628) in the GEO database, and a random forest approach was used to identify telomere signature genes and build nomogram prediction models. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were used to identify the pathways involved in the action of the signature genes. Finally, the CAMP database was used to screen drugs for potential use in EM treatment.ResultsFifteen total genes were screened as EM–telomere differentially expressed genes. Further screening by machine learning obtained six genes as characteristic predictive of EM. Immuno-infiltration analysis of the telomeric genes showed that expressions including macrophages and natural killer cells were significantly higher in cluster A. Further enrichment analysis showed that the differential genes were mainly enriched in biological pathways like cell cycle and extracellular matrix. Finally, the Connective Map database was used to screen 11 potential drugs for EM treatment.DiscussionTRGs play a crucial role in EM development, and are associated with immune infiltration and act on multiple pathways, including the cell cycle. Telomere signature genes can be valuable predictive markers for EM.
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Subbalakshmi AR, Sahoo S, Manjunatha P, Goyal S, Kasiviswanathan VA, Mahesh Y, Ramu S, McMullen I, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. The ELF3 transcription factor is associated with an epithelial phenotype and represses epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Biol Eng 2023; 17:17. [PMID: 36864480 PMCID: PMC9983220 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-023-00333-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) involves bidirectional transitions between epithelial, mesenchymal and multiple intermediary hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypes. While the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its associated transcription factors are well-characterised, the transcription factors that promote mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) and stabilise hybrid E/M phenotypes are less well understood. RESULTS Here, we analyse multiple publicly-available transcriptomic datasets at bulk and single-cell level and pinpoint ELF3 as a factor that is strongly associated with an epithelial phenotype and is inhibited during EMT. Using mechanism-based mathematical modelling, we also show that ELF3 inhibits the progression of EMT. This behaviour was also observed in the presence of an EMT inducing factor WT1. Our model predicts that the MET induction capacity of ELF3 is stronger than that of KLF4, but weaker than that of GRHL2. Finally, we show that ELF3 levels correlates with worse patient survival in a subset of solid tumour types. CONCLUSION ELF3 is shown to be inhibited during EMT progression and is also found to inhibit the progression of complete EMT suggesting that ELF3 may be able to counteract EMT induction, including in the presence of EMT-inducing factors, such as WT1. The analysis of patient survival data indicates that the prognostic capacity of ELF3 is specific to cell-of-origin or lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayalur Raghu Subbalakshmi
- grid.34980.360000 0001 0482 5067Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, 560012 Bangalore, India
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- grid.34980.360000 0001 0482 5067Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, 560012 Bangalore, India
| | - Prakruthi Manjunatha
- grid.444321.40000 0004 0501 2828Department of Medical Electronics, M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, 560054 Bangalore, India
| | - Shaurya Goyal
- grid.429017.90000 0001 0153 2859Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, 721302 Kharagpur, India
| | - Vignesh A Kasiviswanathan
- grid.512757.30000 0004 1761 9897Department of Biotechnology, JSS Science and Technology University, 570006 Mysore, India
| | - Yeshwanth Mahesh
- grid.34980.360000 0001 0482 5067Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, 560012 Bangalore, India
| | - Soundharya Ramu
- grid.419655.a0000 0001 0008 3668Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, 506004 Warangal, India
| | - Isabelle McMullen
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Medicine, Duke University, NC 27708 Durham, USA
| | - Jason A. Somarelli
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Medicine, Duke University, NC 27708 Durham, USA ,grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, NC 27708 Durham, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, 560012, Bangalore, India.
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GRHL2 Enhances Phosphorylated Estrogen Receptor (ER) Chromatin Binding and Regulates ER-Mediated Transcriptional Activation and Repression. Mol Cell Biol 2022; 42:e0019122. [PMID: 36036613 PMCID: PMC9584124 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00191-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of estrogen receptor α (ER) at serine 118 (pS118-ER) is induced by estrogen and is the most abundant posttranslational mark associated with a transcriptionally active receptor. Cistromic analysis of pS118-ER from our group revealed enrichment of the GRHL2 motif near pS118-ER binding sites. In this study, we used cistromic and transcriptomic analyses to interrogate the relationship between GRHL2 and pS118-ER. We found that GRHL2 is bound to chromatin at pS118-ER/GRHL2 co-occupancy sites prior to ligand treatment, and GRHL2 binding is required for maximal pS118-ER recruitment. pS118-ER/GRHL2 co-occupancy sites were enriched at active enhancers marked by H3K27ac and H3K4me1, along with FOXA1 and p300, compared to sites where each factor binds independently. Transcriptomic analysis yielded four subsets of ER/GRHL2-coregulated genes revealing that GRHL2 can both enhance and antagonize E2-mediated ER transcriptional activity. Gene ontology analysis indicated that coregulated genes are involved in cell migration. Accordingly, knockdown of GRHL2, combined with estrogen treatment, resulted in increased cell migration but no change in proliferation. These results support a model in which GRHL2 binds to selected enhancers and facilitates pS118-ER recruitment to chromatin, which then results in differential activation and repression of genes that control estrogen-regulated ER-positive breast cancer cell migration.
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Wang L, Li S, Luo H, Lu Q, Yu S. PCSK9 promotes the progression and metastasis of colon cancer cells through regulation of EMT and PI3K/AKT signaling in tumor cells and phenotypic polarization of macrophages. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:303. [PMID: 36242053 PMCID: PMC9563506 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02477-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Background Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is the ninth member of the proprotein convertase family that regulates lipoprotein homeostasis and altered PCSK9 expression was reportedly associated with tumor development and progression. This study assessed PCSK9 expression and functions in human colon cancer and then explored the underlying molecular events. Methods Colon cancer tissues were utilized for analysis of PCSK9 expression for association with clinicopathological factors from patients by immunohistochemistry assay. Manipulation of PCSK9 expression was assessed in vitro and in vivo for colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion using cell viability CCK-8, Transwell tumor cell migration and invasion, and wound-healing assays. Next, proteomic analysis, Western blot, qRT-PCR and Flow cytometry were conducted to assess downstream targets and tumor cell-derived PCSK9 action on macrophage polarization. Results PCSK9 expression was upregulated in colon cancer tissues versus the normal tissues, and associated with advanced tumor pathological grade. Knockdown of PCSK9 expression reduced colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and suppressed tumor metastasis in vivo. PCSK9 directly or indirectly upregulated Snail 1 and in turn to downregulate E-cadherin expression, but upregulate N-cadherin and MMP9 levels and thereafter, to induce colon cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and activated PI3K/AKT signaling. However, PCSK9 overexpression showed the inverse effects on colon cancer cells. Knockdown of PCSK9 expression inhibited M2 macrophage polarization, but also promoted M1 macrophage polarization by reduction of lactate, protein lactylation and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) levels. Conclusion PCSK9 played an important role in the progression and metastasis of colon cancer by regulation of tumor cell EMT and PI3K/AKT signaling and in the phenotypic polarization of macrophages by mediating MIF and lactate levels. Targeting PCSK9 expression or activity could be used to effectively control colon cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02477-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- grid.452222.10000 0004 4902 7837Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 China ,grid.410638.80000 0000 8910 6733Department of Pharmacy, Central Hospital Affiliated to, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250012 China
| | - Shuangshuang Li
- grid.452222.10000 0004 4902 7837Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 China
| | - Huanhua Luo
- grid.410638.80000 0000 8910 6733Department of Pharmacy, Central Hospital Affiliated to, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250012 China
| | - Qi Lu
- grid.452222.10000 0004 4902 7837Department of Pharmacy, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 China
| | - Shuwen Yu
- grid.452402.50000 0004 1808 3430Phase I Drug Clinical Trial Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 China ,grid.27255.370000 0004 1761 1174NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 China
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10
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Bai X, Li Y, Li Y, Li F, Che N, Ni C, Zhao N, Zhao X, Liu T. GRHL2 Expression Functions in Breast Cancer Aggressiveness and Could Serve as Prognostic and Diagnostic Biomarker for Breast Cancer. Clin Med Insights Oncol 2022; 16:11795549221109511. [PMID: 35898391 PMCID: PMC9310218 DOI: 10.1177/11795549221109511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignancy in women worldwide and the leading cause of female cancer-associated death in the world. Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) is an important gene involved in human cancer progression. However, the role of GRHL2 in BC is unknown. Methods In this study, we used in vitro experiments to verify the role of GRHL2 expression in BC progression. We used 14 databases to analyse the expression level of GRHL2 in BC and its prognostic and diagnostic value. In addition, the correlation between GRHL2 expression and immune cell infiltration and DNA methylation was also analysed. Results At the cellular level, overexpression of GRHL2 induced E-cadherin expression in BC cells with a mesenchymal phenotype and resulted in a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotype, which is more strongly correlated with tumour aggressiveness than a pure mesenchymal phenotype. Through analysis of various databases, we found that tumour tissue had a higher expression level of GRHL2. High expression of GRHL2 was associated with worse prognosis of BC patients and indicated that GRHL2 had significant diagnostic value. Grainyhead-like 2 is also related to immune infiltration and regulated by DNA methylation. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses showed that GRHL2-related signalling pathways in BC were related to tumour cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. Conclusions In summary, evidence indicates that GRHL2 can be used as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Bai
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin
Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin
Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanlei Li
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin
Medical University, Tianjin, China,Department of Pathology, General
Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin
Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Na Che
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin
Medical University, Tianjin, China,Department of Pathology, General
Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunsheng Ni
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin
Medical University, Tianjin, China,Department of Pathology, General
Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Nan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin
Medical University, Tianjin, China,Department of Pathology, General
Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiulan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin
Medical University, Tianjin, China,Department of Pathology, General
Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tieju Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin
Medical University, Tianjin, China,Department of Pathology, General
Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China,Tieju Liu, Department of Pathology, Tianjin
Medical University, Qixiangtai Road No. 22, HePing District, Tianjin, 30070,
China.
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11
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Rafiq A, Aashaq S, Jan I, Beigh MA. SIX1 transcription factor: A review of cellular functions and regulatory dynamics. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 193:1151-1164. [PMID: 34742853 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.10.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Sine Oculis Homeobox 1 (SIX1) is a member of homeobox transcription factor family having pivotal roles in organismal development and differentiation. This protein functionally acts to regulate the expression of different proteins that are involved in organ development during embryogenesis and in disorders like cancer. Aberrant expression of this homeoprotein has therefore been reported in multiple pathological complexities like hearing impairment and renal anomalies during development and tumorigenesis in adult life. Most of the cellular effects mediated by it are mostly due to its role as a transcription factor. This review presents a concise narrative of its structure, interaction partners and cellular functions vis a vis its role in cancer. We thoroughly discuss the reported molecular mechanisms that govern its function in cellular milieu. Its post-translational regulation by phosphorylation and ubiquitination are also discussed with an emphasis on yet to be explored mechanistic insights regulating its molecular dynamics to fully comprehend its role in development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Rafiq
- Department of Nanotechnology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Campus, Srinagar JK-190006, India
| | - Sabreena Aashaq
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar JK-190011, India
| | - Iqra Jan
- Department of Nanotechnology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Campus, Srinagar JK-190006, India
| | - Mushtaq A Beigh
- Department of Nanotechnology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Campus, Srinagar JK-190006, India.
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12
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Imodoye SO, Adedokun KA, Muhammed AO, Bello IO, Muhibi MA, Oduola T, Oyenike MA. Understanding the Complex Milieu of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Metastasis: New Insight Into the Roles of Transcription Factors. Front Oncol 2021; 11:762817. [PMID: 34868979 PMCID: PMC8636732 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.762817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological program during which polarised, immobile epithelial cells lose connection with their neighbours and are converted to migratory mesenchymal phenotype. Mechanistically, EMT occurs via a series of genetic and cellular events leading to the repression of epithelial-associated markers and upregulation of mesenchymal-associated markers. EMT is very crucial for many biological processes such as embryogenesis and ontogenesis during human development, and again it plays a significant role in wound healing during a programmed replacement of the damaged tissues. However, this process is often hijacked in pathological conditions such as tumour metastasis, which constitutes the most significant drawback in the fight against cancer, accounting for about 90% of cancer-associated mortality globally. Worse still, metastatic tumours are not only challenging to treat with the available conventional radiotherapy and surgical interventions but also resistant to several cytotoxic agents during treatment, owing to their anatomically diffuse localisation in the body system. As the quest to find an effective method of addressing metastasis in cancer intervention heightens, understanding the molecular interplay involving the signalling pathways, downstream effectors, and their interactions with the EMT would be an important requisite while the challenges of metastasis continue to punctuate. Unfortunately, the molecular underpinnings that govern this process remain to be completely illuminated. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that EMT, which initiates every episode of metastasis, significantly requires some master regulators called EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs). Thus, this review critically examines the roles of TFs as drivers of molecular rewiring that lead to tumour initiation, progression, EMT, metastasis, and colonisation. In addition, it discusses the interaction of various signalling molecules and effector proteins with these factors. It also provides insight into promising therapeutic targets that may inhibit the metastatic process to overcome the limitation of “undruggable” cancer targets in therapeutic design and upturn the current spate of drug resistance. More so, it extends the discussion from the basic understanding of the EMT binary switch model, and ultimately unveiling the E/M cellular plasticity along a phenotypic spectrum via multiple trans-differentiations. It wraps up on how this knowledge update shapes the diagnostic and clinical approaches that may demand a potential shift in investigative paradigm using novel technologies such as single-cell analyses to improve overall patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sikiru O Imodoye
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Kamoru A Adedokun
- Department of Oral Pathology, Dental University Hospital, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdurrasheed Ola Muhammed
- Department of Histopathology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim O Bello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL, United States
| | - Musa A Muhibi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Edo State University, Uzairue, Nigeria
| | - Taofeeq Oduola
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Musiliu A Oyenike
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Nigeria
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13
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Li CH, Hsu TI, Chang YC, Chan MH, Lu PJ, Hsiao M. Stationed or Relocating: The Seesawing EMT/MET Determinants from Embryonic Development to Cancer Metastasis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091265. [PMID: 34572451 PMCID: PMC8472300 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial and mesenchymal transition mechanisms continue to occur during the cell cycle and throughout human development from the embryo stage to death. In embryo development, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) can be divided into three essential steps. First, endoderm, mesoderm, and neural crest cells form, then the cells are subdivided, and finally, cardiac valve formation occurs. After the embryonic period, the human body will be subjected to ongoing mechanical stress or injury. The formation of a wound requires EMT to recruit fibroblasts to generate granulation tissues, repair the wound and re-create an intact skin barrier. However, once cells transform into a malignant tumor, the tumor cells acquire the characteristic of immortality. Local cell growth with no growth inhibition creates a solid tumor. If the tumor cannot obtain enough nutrition in situ, the tumor cells will undergo EMT and invade the basal membrane of nearby blood vessels. The tumor cells are transported through the bloodstream to secondary sites and then begin to form colonies and undergo reverse EMT, the so-called "mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET)." This dynamic change involves cell morphology, environmental conditions, and external stimuli. Therefore, in this manuscript, the similarities and differences between EMT and MET will be dissected from embryonic development to the stage of cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hsiu Li
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (T.-I.H.); (M.-H.C.)
| | - Tai-I Hsu
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (T.-I.H.); (M.-H.C.)
| | - Yu-Chan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
| | - Ming-Hsien Chan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (T.-I.H.); (M.-H.C.)
| | - Pei-Jung Lu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
- Clinical Medicine Research Center, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (P.-J.L.); (M.H.)
| | - Michael Hsiao
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (T.-I.H.); (M.-H.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (P.-J.L.); (M.H.)
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14
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Sundararajan V, Pang QY, Choolani M, Huang RYJ. Spotlight on the Granules (Grainyhead-Like Proteins) - From an Evolutionary Conserved Controller of Epithelial Trait to Pioneering the Chromatin Landscape. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:213. [PMID: 32974388 PMCID: PMC7471608 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the transcription factors that are conserved across phylogeny, the grainyhead family holds vital roles in driving the epithelial cell fate. In Drosophila, the function of grainyhead (grh) gene is essential during developmental processes such as epithelial differentiation, tracheal tube formation, maintenance of wing and hair polarity, and epidermal barrier wound repair. Three main mammalian orthologs of grh: Grainyhead-like 1-3 (GRHL1, GRHL2, and GRHL3) are highly conserved in terms of their gene structures and functions. GRHL proteins are essentially associated with the development and maintenance of the epithelial phenotype across diverse physiological conditions such as epidermal differentiation and craniofacial development as well as pathological functions including hearing impairment and neural tube defects. More importantly, through direct chromatin binding and induction of epigenetic alterations, GRHL factors function as potent suppressors of oncogenic cellular dedifferentiation program – epithelial-mesenchymal transition and its associated tumor-promoting phenotypes such as tumor cell migration and invasion. On the contrary, GRHL factors also induce pro-tumorigenic effects such as increased migration and anchorage-independent growth in certain tumor types. Furthermore, investigations focusing on the epithelial-specific activation of grh and GRHL factors have revealed that these factors potentially act as a pioneer factor in establishing a cell-type/cell-state specific accessible chromatin landscape that is exclusive for epithelial gene transcription. In this review, we highlight the essential roles of grh and GRHL factors during embryogenesis and pathogenesis, with a special focus on its emerging pioneering function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Sundararajan
- Center for Translational Medicine, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qing You Pang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mahesh Choolani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruby Yun-Ju Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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15
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Nie Y, Ding Y, Yang M. GRHL2 Upregulation Predicts a Poor Prognosis and Promotes the Resistance of Serous Ovarian Cancer to Cisplatin. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:6303-6314. [PMID: 32636649 PMCID: PMC7335298 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s250412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background GRHL2 has been shown to function in ovarian carcinogenesis. However, the relationship between GRHL2 and cisplatin (DDP) resistance in serous ovarian cancer (SOC) is not clear. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the function and mechanism of GRHL2 in DDP resistance of SOC. Materials and Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was utilized to identify GRHL2 protein expression in DDP resistant and sensitive SOC tissues. GRHL2 mRNA and protein levels were identified using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting in SKOV3/DDP and SKOV3 cell lines. We conducted loss- and gain-of-function experiments to uncover the consequence of GRHL2 knockdown or overexpression on the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to DDP in vitro and in vivo and the underlying mechanism. Results It was observed that expression of GRHL2 was higher in DDP resistant SOC tissues relative to DDP sensitive SOC tissues. In addition, the increased expression of GRHL2 led to shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Meanwhile, the GRHL2 transcript and protein levels in SKOV3/DDP were also higher than SKOV3. Small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-facilitated GRHL2 gene knockdown considerably heightened the sensitivity of SKOV3/DDP cells to DDP by inhibiting proliferation and promoting apoptosis, while up-regulation of GRHL2 significantly reduced the sensitivity of SKOV3 cells to DDP by promoting proliferation and decreasing apoptosis. In addition, GRHL2 promotes DDP resistance of SOC through activation of ERK/MAPK signaling pathways. Conclusion Our results suggest that GRHL2 up-regulation predicts a poor prognosis and promotes the resistance of SOC to DDP. Therefore, GRHL2 may be a possible treatment target for cisplatin-resistant serous ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Nie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiling Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengyuan Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
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16
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Konrad L, Dietze R, Riaz MA, Scheiner-Bobis G, Behnke J, Horné F, Hoerscher A, Reising C, Meinhold-Heerlein I. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Endometriosis-When Does It Happen? J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9061915. [PMID: 32570986 PMCID: PMC7357060 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9061915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important process of cell remodeling characterized by the gradual loss of the epithelial phenotype and progressive gain of a mesenchymal phenotype. EMT is not an all-or-nothing process, but instead a transition of epithelial to mesenchymal cells with intermediate cell states. Recently, EMT was described in endometriosis, and many EMT-specific pathways like Twist, Snail, Slug, Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1/2 (ZEB1/2), E/N-cadherin, keratins, and claudins are involved. However, as pointed out in this review, a comparison of the eutopic endometrium of women with and without endometriosis yielded only subtle changes of these EMT markers. Furthermore, only very few alterations in cell-cell contacts could be found but without changes in the epithelial phenotype. This suggests only a partial EMT which is not a prerequisite for the detachment of endometrial cells and, thus, not critical for the first step(s) in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In contrast, the majority of changes in the EMT-related marker expression were found in the ectopic endometrium, especially in the three endometriotic entities, ovarian, peritoneal, and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), compared with the eutopic endometrium. In this review, we examine the most important EMT pathways described in endometriosis and propose that partial EMT might result from the interaction of endometrial implants with their surrounding microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Konrad
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-641-985-45282
| | - Raimund Dietze
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Muhammad A. Riaz
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Georgios Scheiner-Bobis
- Institute for Veterinary-Physiology and -Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, 35390 Gießen, Germany;
| | - Judith Behnke
- Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatalogy, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Fabian Horné
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Alena Hoerscher
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Christoph Reising
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Ivo Meinhold-Heerlein
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
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17
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Yang Z, Chen Y, Wei X, Wu D, Min Z, Quan Y. Upregulated NTF4 in colorectal cancer promotes tumor development via regulating autophagy. Int J Oncol 2020; 56:1442-1454. [PMID: 32236587 PMCID: PMC7170041 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2020.5027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy plays a key role in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and reduces the sensitivity of CRC cells to treatment. The present study reported a novel tumor-suppressive role for autophagy, which was demonstrated to be regulated through the novel oncogene neurotrophin-4 (NTF4). NTF4 was significantly overexpressed in tumor tissue compared with non-tumor mucosa, and the upregulation of NTF4 in CRC was associated with poor overall survival and advanced TNM stage. The genetic knockdown of NTF4 using short hairpin RNA in CRC cells prevented epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and activated autophagy; this was regulated through the interaction between autophagy-associated gene 5 (Atg5) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. In addition, the knockdown of NTF4 inhibited cell invasion, migration, proliferation and colony formation, and promoted cell cycle arrest. Treatment of the cells with the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) rescued these functions and promoted cell invasion, migration, proliferation and colony formation. Finally, the knockdown of NTF4 inhibited the growth of subcutaneous xenografts in Balb/c-nu mice. In conclusion, these findings suggested that NTF4 may be a diagnostic marker associated with the overall survival and progression of patients with CRC. NTF4 was found to promote tumorigenesis and CRC development through autophagy regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai 201399, P.R. China
| | - Yusheng Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai 201399, P.R. China
| | - Xiyi Wei
- First Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Dejun Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai 201399, P.R. China
| | - Zhijun Min
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai 201399, P.R. China
| | - Yingjun Quan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai 201399, P.R. China
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18
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He J, Feng C, Zhu H, Wu S, Jin P, Xu T. Grainyhead-like 2 as a double-edged sword in development and cancer. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:310-331. [PMID: 32194886 PMCID: PMC7061838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2), one of the three homologs of Drosophila grainyhead, contributes to epithelial morphogenesis and differentiation. Dysregulation of GRHL2 has been shown to be involved in hearing loss and neural tube defects during embryogenesis. Moreover, it is well-recognized that GRHL2 suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that is required for migration and invasion of carcinoma, implicating, GRHL2 in carcinogenesis. Diverse mechanisms, as well as the varied roles of GRHL2 in different tumor tissues, have been elucidated. However, the functions of GRHL2 appear to be more complicated than initially thought. GRHL2, acting as either a tumor enhancer or a tumor inhibitor, depends on the type of cancer. In this review, we summarize research progress about normal physiological functions of GRHL2 including epithelial morphogenesis, neural tube closure, and hearing loss. Moreover, the mechanisms of GRHL2 in tumorigenesis, containing EMT suppression, forming a negative feedback loop with ZEB1 and miR200 family, interactions with estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent signaling pathway, regulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase and relationships with TGF-beta signaling pathway are discussed in this review in an effort to better understand the roles of GRHL2 in a variety of cancers toward the goal of GRHL2-targeted treatment in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing He
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chunyang Feng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - He Zhu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - Shuying Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Tianmin Xu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
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Kotarba G, Taracha-Wisniewska A, Wilanowski T. Grainyhead-like transcription factors in cancer - Focus on recent developments. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 245:402-410. [PMID: 32008358 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220903009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of grainyhead-like transcription factors in cancer has been widely investigated by the scientific community. However, some of its aspects do not seem to be adequately appreciated, and these are the topic of our article. In addition to their well-documented role as tumor suppressors, in many cases the grainyhead-like proteins perform tumor-promoting functions, which make them potential drug targets. However, it is difficult to directly target transcription factors, which is why we recommend an alternative approach. The transcriptional transactivation activity of grainyhead-like transcription factors is regulated by phosphorylation, and protein kinases are much more feasible drug targets. Studying the phosphorylation of grainyhead-like proteins may thus allow to identify protein kinases regulating the activity of these factors, and design inhibitors of these kinases to indirectly regulate the activity of grainyhead-like transcription factors. There are many somatic mutations in the GRHL genes that occur during cancer development. These mutations are widely distributed across the GRHL loci, and these mutations are very rare. For this reason, they are unlikely to become targets of future therapies, nevertheless some of them may be driver mutations and studying them may provide important novel information about the regulation of functioning of the GRHL genes and proteins. Analogous information may be obtained by studying single nucleotide polymorphisms in GRHL genes that are associated with disease risk. Such polymorphisms may also prove useful in identifying individuals with an increased risk of a particular disease. Impact statement In the present article, we focus on relatively little appreciated aspects of involvement of the grainyhead-like (GRHL) transcription factors in cancer. These aspects are nevertheless very important for the functioning of GRHL proteins, as well as for cancer development. Some of the GRHL factors perform tumor-promoting functions in certain types of cancer, which makes them potential drug targets. Much information is available about somatic cancer mutations in the GRHL genes, yet there are very few analyses of these mutations in the scientific literature. The activity of GRHL transcription factors is controlled by phosphorylation, and we suggest that regulating their phosphorylation with specific protein kinases provides an alternative approach to modify the activity of GRHL proteins. Some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GRHL genes are associated with disease risk. Studying such SNPs may yield new information about the functioning of GRHL genes and proteins, and may also allow to identify people with an increased risk of a particular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Kotarba
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-096, Poland
| | | | - Tomasz Wilanowski
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-096, Poland
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