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Liu J, Yu X, Braucht A, Smith S, Wang C. N-Cadherin Targeted Melanin Nanoparticles Reverse the Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Vascular Endothelial Cells to Potentially Slow the Progression of Atherosclerosis and Cancer. ACS NANO 2024; 18:8229-8247. [PMID: 38427686 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) of vascular endothelial cells has recently been considered as a key player in the early progression of a variety of vascular and nonvascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, cancer, and organ fibrosis. However, current strategies attempting to identify pharmacological inhibitors to block the regulatory pathways of EndoMT suffer from poor selectivity, unwanted side effects, and a heterogeneous response from endothelial cells with different origins. Furthermore, EndoMT inhibitors focus on preventing EndoMT, leaving the endothelial cells that have already undergone EndoMT unresolved. Here, we report the design of a simple but powerful nanoparticle system (i.e., N-cadherin targeted melanin nanoparticles) to convert cytokine-activated, mesenchymal-like endothelial cells back to their original endothelial phenotype. We term this process "Reversed EndoMT" (R-EndoMT). R-EndoMT allows the impaired endothelial barriers to recover their quiescence and intactness, with significantly reduced leukocyte and cancer cell adhesion and transmigration, which could potentially stop atheromatous plaque formation and cancer metastasis in the early stages. R-EndoMT is achieved on different endothelial cell types originating from arteries, veins, and capillaries, independent of activating cytokines. We reveal that N-cadherin targeted melanin nanoparticles reverse EndoMT by downregulating an N-cadherin dependent RhoA activation pathway. Overall, this approach offers a different prospect to treat multiple EndoMT-associated diseases by designing nanoparticles to reverse the phenotypical transition of endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyuan Liu
- Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
- BioSystems Networks & Translational Research (BioSNTR), 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
| | - Xiao Yu
- Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
- BioSystems Networks & Translational Research (BioSNTR), 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
| | - Annaliese Braucht
- Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
- BioSystems Networks & Translational Research (BioSNTR), 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
| | - Steve Smith
- Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
- BioSystems Networks & Translational Research (BioSNTR), 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
| | - Congzhou Wang
- Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
- BioSystems Networks & Translational Research (BioSNTR), 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
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Hall IF, Kishta F, Xu Y, Baker AH, Kovacic JC. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition: at the axis of cardiovascular health and disease. Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:223-236. [PMID: 38385523 PMCID: PMC10939465 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) line the luminal surface of blood vessels and play a major role in vascular (patho)-physiology by acting as a barrier, sensing circulating factors and intrinsic/extrinsic signals. ECs have the capacity to undergo endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a complex differentiation process with key roles both during embryonic development and in adulthood. EndMT can contribute to EC activation and dysfunctional alterations associated with maladaptive tissue responses in human disease. During EndMT, ECs progressively undergo changes leading to expression of mesenchymal markers while repressing EC lineage-specific traits. This phenotypic and functional switch is considered to largely exist in a continuum, being characterized by a gradation of transitioning stages. In this report, we discuss process plasticity and potential reversibility and the hypothesis that different EndMT-derived cell populations may play a different role in disease progression or resolution. In addition, we review advancements in the EndMT field, current technical challenges, as well as therapeutic options and opportunities in the context of cardiovascular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Fernando Hall
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Franceska Kishta
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Yang Xu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Andrew H Baker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, The Netherlands
| | - Jason C Kovacic
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Lowy Packer Building, 405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St. Vincent’s Clinical School and University of New South Wales, 390 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
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Wei WF, Zhou HL, Chen PY, Huang XL, Huang L, Liang LJ, Guo CH, Zhou CF, Yu L, Fan LS, Wang W. Cancer-associated fibroblast-derived PAI-1 promotes lymphatic metastasis via the induction of EndoMT in lymphatic endothelial cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:160. [PMID: 37415190 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02714-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is an emerging adaptive process that modulates lymphatic endothelial function to drive aberrant lymphatic vascularization in the tumour microenvironment (TME); however, the molecular determinants that govern the functional role of EndoMT remain unclear. Here, we show that cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-derived PAI-1 promoted the EndoMT of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). METHODS Immunofluorescent staining of α-SMA, LYVE-1 and DAPI were examined in primary tumour samples obtained from 57 CSCC patients. Assessment of cytokines secreted by CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) was performed using human cytokine antibody arrays. The phenotype of EndoMT in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), gene expression levels, protein secretion and activity of signaling pathways were measured by real-time RT-PCR, ELISA or western blotting. The function of lymphatic endothelial monolayers was examined by transwell, tube formation assay, transendothelial migration assay in vitro. Lymphatic metastasis was measured using popliteal lymph node metastasis model. Furthermore, association between PAI-1 expression and EndoMT in CSCC was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases was used to assess the association of PAI-1 with survival rate in CSCC. RESULTS CAF-derived PAI-1 promoted the EndoMT of LECs in CSCC. LECs undergoing EndoMT could initiate tumour neolymphangiogenesis that facilitated cancer cell intravasation/extravasation, which in turn promoted lymphatic metastasis in CSCC. Mechanistically, PAI-1 activated the AKT/ERK1/2 pathways by directly interacting with low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP1), thereby leading to elevated EndoMT activity in LECs. Blockade of PAI-1 or inhibition of LRP1/AKT/ERK1/2 abrogated EndoMT and consequently attenuated CAF-induced tumour neolymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, clinical data revealed that increased PAI-1 levels positively correlated with EndoMT activity and poor prognosis in CSCC patients. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that CAF-derived PAI-1 acts as an important neolymphangiogenesis-initiating molecular during CSCC progression through modulating the EndoMT of LECs, resulting in promotion of metastasis ability in primary site. PAI-1 could serve as an effective prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for CSCC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Fei Wei
- Department of Gynaecology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui-Ling Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Pei-Yu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Lan Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Long Huang
- Department of Urology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China
| | - Luo-Jiao Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Chu-Hong Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Chen-Fei Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Lan Yu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Liang-Sheng Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Gynaecology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Schiano C, Balbi C, de Nigris F, Napoli C. Basic Pathogenic Mechanisms and Epigenetic Players Promoted by Extracellular Vesicles in Vascular Damage. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087509. [PMID: 37108672 PMCID: PMC10138986 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Both progression from the early pathogenic events to clinically manifest cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer impact the integrity of the vascular system. Pathological vascular modifications are affected by interplay between endothelial cells and their microenvironment. Soluble factors, extracellular matrix molecules and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging determinants of this network that trigger specific signals in target cells. EVs have gained attention as package of molecules with epigenetic reversible activity causing functional vascular changes, but their mechanisms are not well understood. Valuable insights have been provided by recent clinical studies, including the investigation of EVs as potential biomarkers of these diseases. In this paper, we review the role and the mechanism of exosomal epigenetic molecules during the vascular remodeling in coronary heart disease as well as in cancer-associated neoangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Schiano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (DAMSS), University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Cardiocentro Ticino Institute, 6807 Taverne-Torricella, Switzerland
| | - Carolina Balbi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Cardiocentro Ticino Institute, 6807 Taverne-Torricella, Switzerland
| | - Filomena de Nigris
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Napoli
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (DAMSS), University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Clinical Department of Internal Medicine and Specialistic Units, Division of Clinical Immunology and Immunohematology, Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Immunology (SIMT), Azienda Universitaria Policlinico (AOU), 80138 Naples, Italy
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Watabe T, Takahashi K, Pietras K, Yoshimatsu Y. Roles of TGF-β signals in tumor microenvironment via regulation of the formation and plasticity of vascular system. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 92:130-138. [PMID: 37068553 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells evolve in tumor microenvironment composed of multiple cell types. Among these, endothelial cells (ECs) are the major players in tumor angiogenesis, which is a driver of tumor progression and metastasis. Increasing evidence suggests that ECs also contribute to tumor progression and metastasis as they modify their phenotypes to differentiate into mesenchymal cells through a process known as endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). This plasticity of ECs is mediated by various cytokines, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and modulated by other stimuli depending on the cellular contexts. Recent lines of evidence have shown that EndoMT is involved in various steps of tumor progression, including tumor angiogenesis, intravasation and extravasation of cancer cells, formation of cancer-associated fibroblasts, and cancer therapy resistance. In this review, we summarize current updates on EndoMT, highlight the roles of EndoMT in tumor progression and metastasis, and underline targeting EndoMT as a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuro Watabe
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kazuki Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan; Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kristian Pietras
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Translational Cancer Research, Lund University Cancer Centre, Medicon Village, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Yasuhiro Yoshimatsu
- Division of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
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Smeda M, Jasztal A, Maleki EH, Bar A, Sternak M, Kwiatkowski G, Suraj-Prażmowska J, Proniewski B, Kieronska-Rudek A, Wojnar-Lason K, Skrzypek K, Majka M, Chrabaszcz K, Malek K, Chlopicki S. Endothelial-mesenchymal transition induced by metastatic 4T1 breast cancer cells in pulmonary endothelium in aged mice. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1050112. [PMID: 36504711 PMCID: PMC9731229 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1050112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ageing is a major risk factor for cancer metastasis but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we characterised ageing effects on cancer-induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in the pulmonary circulation of female BALB/c mice in a metastatic 4T1 breast cancer model. The effect of intravenously injected 4T1 cells on pulmonary endothelium, pulmonary metastasis, lung tissue architecture, and systemic endothelium was compared between 40-week-old and 20-week-old mice. The 40-week-old mice showed features of ongoing EndMT in their lungs before 4T1 breast cancer cell injection. Moreover, they had preexisting endothelial dysfunction in the aorta detected by in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to 20-week-old mice. The injection of 4T1 breast cancer cells into 40-week-old mice resulted in rapid EndMT progression in their lungs. In contrast, injection of 4T1 breast cancer cells into 20-week-old mice resulted in initiation and less pronounced EndMT progression. Although the number of metastases did not differ significantly between 20-week-old and 40-week-old mice, the lungs of older mice displayed altered lung tissue architecture and biochemical content, reflected in higher Amide II/Amide I ratio, higher fibronectin levels, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1α) levels as well as lower nitric oxide (NO) production. Our results indicate that age-dependent pre-existing endothelial dysfunction in the pulmonary endothelium of 40-week-old mice predisposed them to rapid EndMT progression in the presence of circulating 4T1 breast cancer cells what might contribute to a more severe metastatic breast cancer phenotype in these ageing mice compared to younger mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Smeda
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland,*Correspondence: Stefan Chlopicki, ; Marta Smeda,
| | - Agnieszka Jasztal
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ebrahim H Maleki
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Bar
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Sternak
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Kwiatkowski
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Joanna Suraj-Prażmowska
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Bartosz Proniewski
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Kieronska-Rudek
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland,Department of Pharmacology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Kamila Wojnar-Lason
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland,Department of Pharmacology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Klaudia Skrzypek
- Department of Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcin Majka
- Department of Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Chrabaszcz
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland,Department of Experimental Physics of Complex Systems, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Kamilla Malek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Stefan Chlopicki
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland,Department of Pharmacology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland,*Correspondence: Stefan Chlopicki, ; Marta Smeda,
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Shi X, Yang J, Deng S, Xu H, Wu D, Zeng Q, Wang S, Hu T, Wu F, Zhou H. TGF-β signaling in the tumor metabolic microenvironment and targeted therapies. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:135. [PMID: 36115986 PMCID: PMC9482317 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01349-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractTransforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling has a paradoxical role in cancer progression, and it acts as a tumor suppressor in the early stages but a tumor promoter in the late stages of cancer. Once cancer cells are generated, TGF-β signaling is responsible for the orchestration of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and supports cancer growth, invasion, metastasis, recurrence, and therapy resistance. These progressive behaviors are driven by an “engine” of the metabolic reprogramming in cancer. Recent studies have revealed that TGF-β signaling regulates cancer metabolic reprogramming and is a metabolic driver in the tumor metabolic microenvironment (TMME). Intriguingly, TGF-β ligands act as an “endocrine” cytokine and influence host metabolism. Therefore, having insight into the role of TGF-β signaling in the TMME is instrumental for acknowledging its wide range of effects and designing new cancer treatment strategies. Herein, we try to illustrate the concise definition of TMME based on the published literature. Then, we review the metabolic reprogramming in the TMME and elaborate on the contribution of TGF-β to metabolic rewiring at the cellular (intracellular), tissular (intercellular), and organismal (cancer-host) levels. Furthermore, we propose three potential applications of targeting TGF-β-dependent mechanism reprogramming, paving the way for TGF-β-related antitumor therapy from the perspective of metabolism.
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The Nitric Oxide Donor [Zn(PipNONO)Cl] Exhibits Antitumor Activity through Inhibition of Epithelial and Endothelial Mesenchymal Transitions. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174240. [PMID: 36077778 PMCID: PMC9454450 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical pathophysiological role in cancer by modulating several processes, such as angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastatic potential. The aim of this study was to characterize the antitumor effects of a novel NO donor, [Zn(PipNONO)Cl], on the processes of epithelial– and endothelial–mesenchymal transitions (EMT and EndMT), known to actively participate in cancer progression. Two tumor cells lines were used in this study: human lung cancer cells (A549) and melanoma cells (A375), alone and co-cultured with human endothelial cells. Our results demonstrate that both tumor and endothelial cells were targets of NO action, which impaired EMT and EndMT functional and molecular features. Further studies are needed to finalize the therapeutic use of the novel NO donor. Abstract Exogenous nitric oxide appears a promising therapeutic approach to control cancer progression. Previously, a nickel-based nonoate, [Ni(SalPipNONO)], inhibited lung cancer cells, along with impairment of angiogenesis. The Zn(II) containing derivatives [Zn(PipNONO)Cl] exhibited a protective effect on vascular endothelium. Here, we have evaluated the antitumor properties of [Zn(PipNONO)Cl] in human lung cancer (A549) and melanoma (A375) cells. Metastasis initiates with the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, consisting of the acquisition of invasive and migratory properties by tumor cells. At not cytotoxic levels, the nonoate significantly impaired A549 and A375 EMT induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Reduction of the mesenchymal marker vimentin, upregulated by TGF-β1, and restoration of the epithelial marker E-cadherin, reduced by TGF-β1, were detected in both tumor cell lines in the presence of Zn-nonoate. Further, the endothelial–mesenchymal transition achieved in a tumor-endothelial cell co-culture was assessed. Endothelial cells co-cultured with A549 or A375 acquired a mesenchymal phenotype with increased vimentin, alpha smooth muscle actin and Smad2/3, and reduced VE-cadherin. The presence of [Zn(PipNONO)Cl] maintained a typical endothelial phenotype. In conclusion, [Zn(PipNONO)Cl] appears a promising therapeutic tool to control tumor growth and metastasis, by acting on both tumor and endothelial cells, reprogramming the cells toward their physiologic phenotypes.
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Yoshimatsu Y, Watabe T. Emerging roles of inflammation-mediated endothelial–mesenchymal transition in health and disease. Inflamm Regen 2022; 42:9. [PMID: 35130955 PMCID: PMC8818500 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-021-00186-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a cellular differentiation process in which endothelial cells (ECs) lose their properties and differentiate into mesenchymal cells, has been observed not only during development but also in various pathological states in adults, including cancer progression and organ/tissue fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an inflammation-related cytokine, has been shown to play central roles in the induction of EndoMT. TGF-β induces EndoMT by regulating the expression of various transcription factors, signaling molecules, and cellular components that confer ECs with mesenchymal characteristics. However, TGF-β by itself is not necessarily sufficient to induce EndoMT to promote the progression of EndoMT-related diseases to a refractory extent. In addition to TGF-β, additional activation by other inflammatory factors is often required to stabilize the progression of EndoMT. Since recent lines of evidence indicate that inflammatory signaling molecules act as enhancers of EndoMT, we summarize the roles of inflammatory factors in the induction of EndoMT and related diseases. We hope that this review will help to develop therapeutic strategies for EndoMT-related diseases by targeting inflammation-mediated EndoMT.
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Motallebnejad P, Rajesh VV, Azarin SM. Evaluating the Role of IL-1β in Transmigration of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells Across the Brain Endothelium. Cell Mol Bioeng 2022; 15:99-114. [PMID: 35096187 PMCID: PMC8761198 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-021-00710-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In vivo, breast cancer cells spend on average 3-7 days adhered to the endothelial cells inside the vascular lumen before entering the brain. IL-1β is one of the highly upregulated molecules in brain-seeking triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. In this study, the effect of IL-1β on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and astrocytes and its role in transmigration of TNBC cells were evaluated. METHODS The effect of IL-1β on transendothelial electrical resistance, gene and protein expression of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain-specific microvascular endothelial-like cells (iBMECs) was studied. Transport of IL-1β across the iBMEC layer was investigated and the effect of IL-1β treatment of astrocytes on their cytokine and chemokine secretome was evaluated with a cytokine membrane array. Using BBB-on-a-chip devices, transmigration of MDA-MB-231 cells and their brain-seeking variant (231BR) across the iBMECs was studied, and the effect of an IL-1β neutralizing antibody on TNBC cell transmigration was investigated. RESULTS We showed that IL-1β reduces BBB integrity and induces endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in iBMECs. IL-1β crosses the iBMEC layer and induces secretion of multiple chemokines by astrocytes, which can enhance TNBC cell transmigration across the BBB. Transmigration assays in a BBB-on-a-chip device showed that 231BR cells have a higher rate of transmigration across the iBMECs compared to MDA-MB-231 cells, and IL-1β pretreatment of BBB-on-a-chip devices increases the number of transmigrated MDA-MB-231 cells. Finally, we demonstrated that neutralizing IL-1β reduces the rate of 231BR cell transmigration. CONCLUSION IL-1β plays a significant role in transmigration of brain-seeking TNBC cells across the BBB. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-021-00710-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Motallebnejad
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Vinayak V. Rajesh
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Samira M. Azarin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
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Zhu D, Li Y, Zhang Z, Xue Z, Hua Z, Luo X, Zhao T, Lu C, Liu Y. Recent advances of nanotechnology-based tumor vessel-targeting strategies. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:435. [PMID: 34930293 PMCID: PMC8686559 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-01190-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor vessels can provide oxygen and nutrition for solid tumor tissue, create abnormal tumor microenvironment (TME), and play a vital role in the development, immune escape, metastasis and drug resistance of tumor. Tumor vessel-targeting therapy has become an important and promising direction in anti-tumor therapy, with the development of five anti-tumor therapeutic strategies, including vascular disruption, anti-angiogenesis, vascular blockade, vascular normalization and breaking immunosuppressive TME. However, the insufficient drug accumulation and severe side effects of vessel-targeting drugs limit their development in clinical application. Nanotechnology offers an excellent platform with flexible modified surface that can precisely deliver diverse cargoes, optimize efficacy, reduce side effects, and realize the combined therapy. Various nanomedicines (NMs) have been developed to target abnormal tumor vessels and specific TME to achieve more efficient vessel-targeting therapy. The article reviews tumor vascular abnormalities and the resulting abnormal microenvironment, the application of NMs in the tumor vessel-targeting strategies, and how NMs can improve these strategies and achieve multi-strategies combination to maximize anti-tumor effects. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjie Zhu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yang Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Zhengjia Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Zeyu Xue
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Zhenglai Hua
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xinyi Luo
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ting Zhao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yuanyan Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
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12
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Muñoz R, Girotti A, Hileeto D, Arias FJ. Metronomic Anti-Cancer Therapy: A Multimodal Therapy Governed by the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215414. [PMID: 34771577 PMCID: PMC8582362 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Metronomic chemotherapy with different mechanisms of action against cancer cells and their microenvironment represents an exceptional holistic cancer treatment. Each type of tumor has its own characteristics, including each individual tumor in each patient. Understanding the complexity of the dynamic interactions that take place between tumor and stromal cells and the microenvironment in tumor progression and metastases, as well as the response of the host and the tumor itself to anticancer therapy, will allow therapeutic actions with long-lasting effects to be implemented using metronomic regimens. This study aims to highlight the complexity of cellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment and summarize some of the preclinical and clinical results that explain the multimodality of metronomic therapy, which, together with its low toxicity, supports an inhibitory effect on the primary tumor and metastases. We also highlight the possible use of nano-therapeutic agents as good partners for metronomic chemotherapy. Abstract The concept of cancer as a systemic disease, and the therapeutic implications of this, has gained special relevance. This concept encompasses the interactions between tumor and stromal cells and their microenvironment in the complex setting of primary tumors and metastases. These factors determine cellular co-evolution in time and space, contribute to tumor progression, and could counteract therapeutic effects. Additionally, cancer therapies can induce cellular and molecular responses in the tumor and host that allow them to escape therapy and promote tumor progression. In this study, we describe the vascular network, tumor-infiltrated immune cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts as sources of heterogeneity and plasticity in the tumor microenvironment, and their influence on cancer progression. We also discuss tumor and host responses to the chemotherapy regimen, at the maximum tolerated dose, mainly targeting cancer cells, and a multimodal metronomic chemotherapy approach targeting both cancer cells and their microenvironment. In a combination therapy context, metronomic chemotherapy exhibits antimetastatic efficacy with low toxicity but is not exempt from resistance mechanisms. As such, a better understanding of the interactions between the components of the tumor microenvironment could improve the selection of drug combinations and schedules, as well as the use of nano-therapeutic agents against certain malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Muñoz
- Department of Biochemistry, Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
- Smart Biodevices for NanoMed Group, University of Valladolid, LUCIA Building, Paseo de Belén, 47011 Valladolid, Spain;
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessandra Girotti
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), University of Valladolid, CIBER-BBN, LUCIA Building, Paseo de Belén, 47011 Valladolid, Spain;
| | - Denise Hileeto
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 361, Canada;
| | - Francisco Javier Arias
- Smart Biodevices for NanoMed Group, University of Valladolid, LUCIA Building, Paseo de Belén, 47011 Valladolid, Spain;
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13
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Stuelten CH, Zhang YE. Transforming Growth Factor-β: An Agent of Change in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:764727. [PMID: 34712672 PMCID: PMC8545984 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.764727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) is a key regulator of embryonic development, adult tissue homeostasis, and lesion repair. In tumors, TGF-β is a potent inhibitor of early stage tumorigenesis and promotes late stage tumor progression and metastasis. Here, we review the roles of TGF-β as well as components of its signaling pathways in tumorigenesis. We will discuss how a core property of TGF-β, namely its ability to change cell differentiation, leads to the transition of epithelial cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts to a myofibroblastoid phenotype, changes differentiation and polarization of immune cells, and induces metabolic reprogramming of cells, all of which contribute to the progression of epithelial tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina H. Stuelten
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ying E. Zhang
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
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14
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Islam S, Boström KI, Di Carlo D, Simmons CA, Tintut Y, Yao Y, Hsu JJ. The Mechanobiology of Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cardiovascular Disease. Front Physiol 2021; 12:734215. [PMID: 34566697 PMCID: PMC8458763 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.734215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) lining the cardiovascular system are subjected to a highly dynamic microenvironment resulting from pulsatile pressure and circulating blood flow. Endothelial cells are remarkably sensitive to these forces, which are transduced to activate signaling pathways to maintain endothelial homeostasis and respond to changes in the environment. Aberrations in these biomechanical stresses, however, can trigger changes in endothelial cell phenotype and function. One process involved in this cellular plasticity is endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). As a result of EndMT, ECs lose cell-cell adhesion, alter their cytoskeletal organization, and gain increased migratory and invasive capabilities. EndMT has long been known to occur during cardiovascular development, but there is now a growing body of evidence also implicating it in many cardiovascular diseases (CVD), often associated with alterations in the cellular mechanical environment. In this review, we highlight the emerging role of shear stress, cyclic strain, matrix stiffness, and composition associated with EndMT in CVD. We first provide an overview of EndMT and context for how ECs sense, transduce, and respond to certain mechanical stimuli. We then describe the biomechanical features of EndMT and the role of mechanically driven EndMT in CVD. Finally, we indicate areas of open investigation to further elucidate the complexity of EndMT in the cardiovascular system. Understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the mechanobiology of EndMT in CVD can provide insight into new opportunities for identification of novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahrin Islam
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kristina I Boström
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,UCLA Molecular Biology Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Dino Di Carlo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Craig A Simmons
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Translational Biology and Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yin Tintut
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yucheng Yao
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jeffrey J Hsu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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15
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Anbara T, Sharifi M, Aboutaleb N. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in the Cardiogenesis and Cardiovascular Diseases. Curr Cardiol Rev 2021; 16:306-314. [PMID: 31393254 PMCID: PMC7903503 DOI: 10.2174/1573403x15666190808100336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) does not only play a major role in the course of development but also contributes to several cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. EndMT is characterized by down-regulation of the endothelial proteins and highly up-regulated fibrotic specific genes and extracellular matrix-forming proteins. EndMT is also a transforming growth factor-β-driven (TGF-β) process in which endothelial cells lose their endothelial characteristics and acquire a mesenchymal phenotype with expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibroblast-specific protein 1, etc. EndMT is a vital process during cardiac development, thus disrupted EndMT gives rise to the congenital heart diseases, namely septal defects and valve abnormalities. In this review, we have discussed the main signaling pathways and mechanisms participating in the process of EndMT such as TGF-β and Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Wnt#, and Notch signaling pathway and also studied the role of EndMT in physiological cardiovascular development and pathological conditions including myocardial infarction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, congenital heart defects, cardiac fibrosis, and atherosclerosis. As a perspective view, having a clear understanding of involving cellular and molecular mechanisms in EndMT and conducting Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a large number of samples for involving pharmacological agents may guide us into novel therapeutic approaches of congenital disorders and heart diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taha Anbara
- Department of Surgery, Erfan Specialty Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masuomeh Sharifi
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahid Aboutaleb
- Physiology Research Center, Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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16
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Clere N, Renault S, Corre I. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:747. [PMID: 32923440 PMCID: PMC7456955 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Tumor cells grow in a complex microenvironment constituted of immune, stromal, and vascular cells that supports growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Endothelial cells (ECs) are major components of the vascular microenvironment. These cells have been described for their plasticity and potential to transdifferentiate into mesenchymal cells through a process known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). This complex process is controlled by various factors, by which ECs convert into a phenotype characterized by mesenchymal protein expression and motile, contractile morphology. Initially described in normal heart development, EndMT is now identified in several pathologies, and especially in cancer. In this review, we highlight the process of EndMT in the context of cancer and we discuss it as an important adaptive process of the tumor microenvironment that favors tumor growth and dissemination but also resistance to treatment. Thus, we underline targeting of EndMT as a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Clere
- Micro and Nanomédecines Translationnelles, Université d'Angers, INSERM UMR U1066, CNRS 6021, Angers, France
| | - Sarah Renault
- Sarcomes Osseux et Remodelage des Tissus Calcifiés, Université de Nantes, INSERM UMR U1238, Nantes, France
| | - Isabelle Corre
- Sarcomes Osseux et Remodelage des Tissus Calcifiés, Université de Nantes, INSERM UMR U1238, Nantes, France
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17
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Yoshimatsu Y, Wakabayashi I, Kimuro S, Takahashi N, Takahashi K, Kobayashi M, Maishi N, Podyma‐Inoue KA, Hida K, Miyazono K, Watabe T. TNF-α enhances TGF-β-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition via TGF-β signal augmentation. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:2385-2399. [PMID: 32385953 PMCID: PMC7385392 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of various components including cancer cells, tumor vessels, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and inflammatory cells. These components interact with each other via various cytokines, which often induce tumor progression. Thus, a greater understanding of TME networks is crucial for the development of novel cancer therapies. Many cancer types express high levels of TGF-β, which induces endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), leading to formation of CAFs. Although we previously reported that CAFs derived from EndMT promoted tumor formation, the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions remain to be elucidated. Furthermore, tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells secrete various cytokines, including TNF-α. However, the role of TNF-α in TGF-β-induced EndMT has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study examined the effect of TNF-α on TGF-β-induced EndMT in human endothelial cells (ECs). Various types of human ECs underwent EndMT in response to TGF-β and TNF-α, which was accompanied by increased and decreased expression of mesenchymal cell and EC markers, respectively. In addition, treatment of ECs with TGF-β and TNF-α exhibited sustained activation of Smad2/3 signals, which was presumably induced by elevated expression of TGF-β type I receptor, TGF-β2, activin A, and integrin αv, suggesting that TNF-α enhanced TGF-β-induced EndMT by augmenting TGF-β family signals. Furthermore, oral squamous cell carcinoma-derived cells underwent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to humoral factors produced by TGF-β and TNF-α-cultured ECs. This EndMT-driven EMT was blocked by inhibiting the action of TGF-βs. Collectively, our findings suggest that TNF-α enhances TGF-β-dependent EndMT, which contributes to tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Yoshimatsu
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
- Division of PharmacologyGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesNiigata UniversityNiigataJapan
| | - Ikumi Wakabayashi
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Shiori Kimuro
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Naoya Takahashi
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Kazuki Takahashi
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Miho Kobayashi
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Nako Maishi
- Department of Vascular Biology and Molecular PathologyGraduate School of Dental MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Katarzyna A. Podyma‐Inoue
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Kyoko Hida
- Department of Vascular Biology and Molecular PathologyGraduate School of Dental MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Molecular PathologyGraduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Tetsuro Watabe
- Department of BiochemistryGraduate School of Medical and Dental SciencesTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityTokyoJapan
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18
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Aneuploid Circulating Tumor-Derived Endothelial Cell (CTEC): A Novel Versatile Player in Tumor Neovascularization and Cancer Metastasis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061539. [PMID: 32599893 PMCID: PMC7349247 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematogenous and lymphogenous cancer metastases are significantly impacted by tumor neovascularization, which predominantly consists of blood vessel-relevant angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, vasculogenic mimicry, and lymphatic vessel-related lymphangiogenesis. Among the endothelial cells that make up the lining of tumor vasculature, a majority of them are tumor-derived endothelial cells (TECs), exhibiting cytogenetic abnormalities of aneuploid chromosomes. Aneuploid TECs are generated from “cancerization of stromal endothelial cells” and “endothelialization of carcinoma cells” in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Both processes crucially engage the hypoxia-triggered epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Compared to the cancerization process, endothelialization of cancer cells, which comprises the fusion of tumor cells with endothelial cells and transdifferentiation of cancer cells into TECs, is the dominant pathway. Tumor-derived endothelial cells, possessing the dual properties of cancerous malignancy and endothelial vascularization ability, are thus the endothelialized cancer cells. Circulating tumor-derived endothelial cells (CTECs) are TECs shed into the peripheral circulation. Aneuploid CD31+ CTECs, together with their counterpart CD31- circulating tumor cells (CTCs), constitute a unique pair of cellular circulating tumor biomarkers. This review discusses a proposed cascaded framework that focuses on the origins of TECs and CTECs in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and their clinical implications for tumorigenesis, neovascularization, disease progression, and cancer metastasis. Aneuploid CTECs, harboring hybridized properties of malignancy, vascularization and motility, may serve as a unique target for developing a novel metastasis blockade cancer therapy.
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19
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Ma J, Sanchez-Duffhues G, Goumans MJ, ten Dijke P. TGF-β-Induced Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Disease and Tissue Engineering. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:260. [PMID: 32373613 PMCID: PMC7187792 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a complex biological process that gives rise to cells with multipotent potential. EndMT is essential for the formation of the cardiovascular system during embryonic development. Emerging results link EndMT to the postnatal onset and progression of fibrotic diseases and cancer. Moreover, recent reports have emphasized the potential for EndMT in tissue engineering and regenerative applications by regulating the differentiation status of cells. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) engages in many important physiological processes and is a potent inducer of EndMT. In this review, we first summarize the mechanisms of the TGF-β signaling pathway as it relates to EndMT. Thereafter, we discuss the pivotal role of TGF-β-induced EndMT in the development of cardiovascular diseases, fibrosis, and cancer, as well as the potential application of TGF-β-induced EndMT in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ma
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Marie-José Goumans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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20
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Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EndoMT): Roles in Tumorigenesis, Metastatic Extravasation and Therapy Resistance. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:8361945. [PMID: 31467544 PMCID: PMC6701373 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8361945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells evolve in a very complex tumor microenvironment, composed of several cell types, among which the endothelial cells are the major actors of the tumor angiogenesis. Today, these cells are also characterized for their plasticity, as endothelial cells have demonstrated their potential to modify their phenotype to differentiate into mesenchymal cells through the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). This cellular plasticity is mediated by various stimuli including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and is modulated dependently of experimental conditions. Recently, emerging evidences have shown that EndoMT is involved in the development and dissemination of cancer and also in cancer cell to escape from therapeutic treatment. In this review, we summarize current updates on EndoMT and its main induction pathways. In addition, we discuss the role of EndoMT in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and its potential implication in cancer therapy resistance.
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21
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Akatsu Y, Takahashi N, Yoshimatsu Y, Kimuro S, Muramatsu T, Katsura A, Maishi N, Suzuki HI, Inazawa J, Hida K, Miyazono K, Watabe T. Fibroblast growth factor signals regulate transforming growth factor-β-induced endothelial-to-myofibroblast transition of tumor endothelial cells via Elk1. Mol Oncol 2019; 13:1706-1724. [PMID: 31094056 PMCID: PMC6670013 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment contains various components, including cancer cells, tumor vessels, and cancer-associated fibroblasts, the latter of which are comprised of tumor-promoting myofibroblasts and tumor-suppressing fibroblasts. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induces the formation of myofibroblasts and other types of mesenchymal (non-myofibroblastic) cells from endothelial cells. Recent reports show that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) modulates TGF-β-induced mesenchymal transition of endothelial cells, but the molecular mechanisms behind the signals that control transcriptional networks during the formation of different groups of fibroblasts remain largely unclear. Here, we studied the roles of FGF2 during the regulation of TGF-β-induced mesenchymal transition of tumor endothelial cells (TECs). We demonstrated that auto/paracrine FGF signals in TECs inhibit TGF-β-induced endothelial-to-myofibroblast transition (End-MyoT), leading to suppressed formation of contractile myofibroblast cells, but on the other hand can also collaborate with TGF-β in promoting the formation of active fibroblastic cells which have migratory and proliferative properties. FGF2 modulated TGF-β-induced formation of myofibroblastic and non-myofibroblastic cells from TECs via transcriptional regulation of various mesenchymal markers and growth factors. Furthermore, we observed that TECs treated with TGF-β were more competent in promoting in vivo tumor growth than TECs treated with TGF-β and FGF2. Mechanistically, we showed that Elk1 mediated FGF2-induced inhibition of End-MyoT via inhibition of TGF-β-induced transcriptional activation of α-smooth muscle actin promoter by myocardin-related transcription factor-A. Our data suggest that TGF-β and FGF2 oppose and cooperate with each other during the formation of myofibroblastic and non-myofibroblastic cells from TECs, which in turn determines the characteristics of mesenchymal cells in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Akatsu
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan.,Biomedicine Group, Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Group, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoya Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yoshimatsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Shiori Kimuro
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Tomoki Muramatsu
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Akihiro Katsura
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nako Maishi
- Department of Vascular Biology and Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi I Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan.,David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Johji Inazawa
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Kyoko Hida
- Department of Vascular Biology and Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Watabe
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
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22
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Kanazawa M, Takahashi T, Ishikawa M, Onodera O, Shimohata T, Del Zoppo GJ. Angiogenesis in the ischemic core: A potential treatment target? J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2019; 39:753-769. [PMID: 30841779 PMCID: PMC6501515 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x19834158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The ischemic penumbra is both a concept in understanding the evolution of cerebral tissue injury outcome of focal ischemia and a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke. In this review, we examine the evidence that angiogenesis can contribute to beneficial outcomes following focal ischemia in model systems. Several studies have shown that, following cerebral ischemia, endothelial proliferation and subsequent angiogenesis can be detected beginning four days after cerebral ischemia in the border of the ischemic core, or in the ischemic periphery, in rodent and non-human primate models, although initial signals appear within hours of ischemia onset. Components of the neurovascular unit, its participation in new vessel formation, and the nature of the core and penumbra responses to experimental focal cerebral ischemia, are considered here. The potential co-localization of vascular remodeling and axonal outgrowth following focal cerebral ischemia based on the definition of tissue remodeling and the processes that follow ischemic stroke are also considered. The region of angiogenesis in the ischemic core and its surrounding tissue (ischemic periphery) may be a novel target for treatment. We summarize issues that are relevant to model studies of focal cerebral ischemia looking ahead to potential treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Kanazawa
- 1 Department of Neurology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Takahashi
- 1 Department of Neurology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Masanori Ishikawa
- 1 Department of Neurology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Osamu Onodera
- 1 Department of Neurology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Shimohata
- 2 Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Gregory J Del Zoppo
- 3 Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,4 Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Fintha A, Gasparics Á, Rosivall L, Sebe A. Therapeutic Targeting of Fibrotic Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-An Outstanding Challenge. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:388. [PMID: 31057405 PMCID: PMC6482168 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Back in 1995, a landmark paper was published, which shaped the fibrosis literature for many years to come. During the characterization of a fibroblast-specific marker (FSP1) in the kidneys, an observation was made, which gave rise to the hypothesis that “fibroblasts in some cases arise from the local conversion of epithelium.” In the following years, epithelial-mesenchymal transition was in the spotlight of fibrosis research, especially in the kidney. However, the hypothesis came under scrutiny following some discouraging findings from lineage tracing experiments and clinical observations. In this review, we provide a timely overview of the current position of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition hypothesis in the context of fibrosis (with a certain focus on renal fibrosis) and highlight some of the potential hurdles and pitfalls preventing therapeutic breakthroughs targeting fibrotic epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Fintha
- 2nd Department of Pathology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ákos Gasparics
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Rosivall
- Department of Pathophysiology, International Nephrology Research and Training Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Sebe
- Department of Pathophysiology, International Nephrology Research and Training Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
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24
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Piera-Velazquez S, Jimenez SA. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Physiology and in the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:1281-1324. [PMID: 30864875 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00021.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 301] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells are capable of undergoing endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a newly recognized type of cellular transdifferentiation. EndMT is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells adopt a mesenchymal phenotype displaying typical mesenchymal cell morphology and functions, including the acquisition of cellular motility and contractile properties. Endothelial cells undergoing EndMT lose the expression of endothelial cell-specific proteins such as CD31/platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule, von Willebrand factor, and vascular-endothelial cadherin and initiate the expression of mesenchymal cell-specific genes and the production of their encoded proteins including α-smooth muscle actin, extra domain A fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibroblast specific protein-1, also known as S100A4 protein, and fibrillar type I and type III collagens. Transforming growth factor-β1 is considered the main EndMT inducer. However, EndMT involves numerous molecular and signaling pathways that are triggered and modulated by multiple and often redundant mechanisms depending on the specific cellular context and on the physiological or pathological status of the cells. EndMT participates in highly important embryonic development processes, as well as in the pathogenesis of numerous genetically determined and acquired human diseases including malignant, vascular, inflammatory, and fibrotic disorders. Despite intensive investigation, many aspects of EndMT remain to be elucidated. The identification of molecules and regulatory pathways involved in EndMT and the discovery of specific EndMT inhibitors should provide novel therapeutic approaches for various human disorders mediated by EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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25
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Suraj J, Kurpińska A, Zakrzewska A, Sternak M, Stojak M, Jasztal A, Walczak M, Chlopicki S. Early and late endothelial response in breast cancer metastasis in mice: simultaneous quantification of endothelial biomarkers using a mass spectrometry-based method. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm.036269. [PMID: 30683749 PMCID: PMC6451429 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.036269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelium plays an important role in cancer metastasis, but the mechanisms involved are still not clear. In the present work, we characterised the changes in endothelial function at early and late stages of breast cancer progression in an orthotopic model of murine mammary carcinoma (4T1 cells). Endothelial function was analysed based on simultaneous microflow liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using multiple reaction monitoring (microLC/MS-MRM) quantification of 12 endothelium-related biomarkers, including those reflecting glycocalyx disruption – syndecan-1 (SDC-1), endocan (ESM-1); endothelial inflammation – vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin (E-sel); endothelial permeability – fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT-1), angiopoietin 2 (Angpt-2); and haemostasis – von Willebrand factor (vWF), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), as well as those that are pathophysiologically linked to endothelial function – adrenomedullin (ADM) and adiponectin (ADN). The early phase of metastasis in mouse plasma was associated with glycocalyx disruption (increased SDC-1 and ESM-1), endothelial inflammation [increased soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1)] and increased vascular permeability (Angpt-2). During the late phase of metastasis, additional alterations in haemostasis (increased PAI-1 and vWF), as well as a rise in ADM and substantial fall in ADN concentration, were observed. In conclusion, in a murine model of breast cancer metastasis, we identified glycocalyx disruption, endothelial inflammation and increased endothelial permeability as important events in early metastasis, while the late phase of metastasis was additionally characterised by alterations in haemostasis. Summary: A microLC/MS-MRM-based approach for simultaneous determination of endothelium-related biomarkers identified glycocalyx disruption, endothelial inflammation and increased endothelial permeability as important events in early pulmonary metastasis in a murine model of breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Suraj
- Jagiellonian University, Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland.,Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chair and Department of Toxicology, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Kurpińska
- Jagiellonian University, Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Zakrzewska
- Jagiellonian University, Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Sternak
- Jagiellonian University, Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marta Stojak
- Jagiellonian University, Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Jasztal
- Jagiellonian University, Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Maria Walczak
- Jagiellonian University, Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland .,Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chair and Department of Toxicology, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Stefan Chlopicki
- Jagiellonian University, Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland .,Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Chair of Pharmacology, Grzegorzecka 16, 31-531 Krakow, Poland
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26
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Smeda M, Kieronska A, Adamski MG, Proniewski B, Sternak M, Mohaissen T, Przyborowski K, Derszniak K, Kaczor D, Stojak M, Buczek E, Jasztal A, Wietrzyk J, Chlopicki S. Nitric oxide deficiency and endothelial-mesenchymal transition of pulmonary endothelium in the progression of 4T1 metastatic breast cancer in mice. Breast Cancer Res 2018; 20:86. [PMID: 30075800 PMCID: PMC6091065 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-018-1013-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mesenchymal transformation of pulmonary endothelial cells contributes to the formation of a metastatic microenvironment, but it is not known whether this precedes or follows early metastasis formation. In the present work, we characterize the development of nitric oxide (NO) deficiency and markers of endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in the lung in relation to the progression of 4T1 metastatic breast cancer injected orthotopically in mice. Methods NO production, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation status, markers of EndMT in the lung, pulmonary endothelium permeability, and platelet activation/reactivity were analyzed in relation to the progression of 4T1 breast cancer metastasis to the lung, as well as to lung tissue remodeling, 1–5 weeks after 4T1 cancer cell inoculation in Balb/c mice. Results Phosphorylation of eNOS and NO production in the lungs of 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice was compromised prior to the development of pulmonary metastasis, and was associated with overexpression of Snail transcription factor in the pulmonary endothelium. These changes developed prior to the mesenchymal phenotypic switch in the lungs evidenced by a decrease in vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-CAD) and CD31 expression, and the increase in pulmonary endothelial permeability, phenomena which coincided with early pulmonary metastasis. Increased activation of platelets was also detected prior to the early phase of metastasis and persisted to the late phase of metastasis, as evidenced by the higher percentage of unstimulated platelets binding fibrinogen without changes in von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen binding in response to ADP stimulation. Conclusions Decreased eNOS activity and phosphorylation resulting in a low NO production state featuring pulmonary endothelial dysfunction was an early event in breast cancer pulmonary metastasis, preceding the onset of its phenotypic switch toward a mesenchymal phenotype (EndMT) evidenced by a decrease in VE-CAD and CD31 expression. The latter coincided with development of the first metastatic nodules in the lungs. These findings suggest that early endothelial dysfunction featured by NO deficiency rather than EndMT, might represent a primary regulatory target to prevent early pulmonary metastasis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13058-018-1013-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Smeda
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Kieronska
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland.,Department of Pharmacology, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Grzegorzecka 16, 31-531, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mateusz G Adamski
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Bartosz Proniewski
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Sternak
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Tasnim Mohaissen
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Kamil Przyborowski
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Derszniak
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Dawid Kaczor
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marta Stojak
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Buczek
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Jasztal
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Joanna Wietrzyk
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 4 St., 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Stefan Chlopicki
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14 St., 30-348, Krakow, Poland. .,Department of Pharmacology, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Grzegorzecka 16, 31-531, Krakow, Poland.
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27
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Wilhelm I, Fazakas C, Molnár K, Végh AG, Haskó J, Krizbai IA. Foe or friend? Janus-faces of the neurovascular unit in the formation of brain metastases. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2018; 38:563-587. [PMID: 28920514 PMCID: PMC5888855 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x17732025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite the potential obstacle represented by the blood-brain barrier for extravasating malignant cells, metastases are more frequent than primary tumors in the central nervous system. Not only tightly interconnected endothelial cells can hinder metastasis formation, other cells of the brain microenvironment (like astrocytes and microglia) can also be very hostile, destroying the large majority of metastatic cells. However, malignant cells that are able to overcome these harmful mechanisms may benefit from the shielding and even support provided by cerebral endothelial cells, astrocytes and microglia, rendering the brain a sanctuary site against anti-tumor strategies. Thus, cells of the neurovascular unit have a Janus-faced attitude towards brain metastatic cells, being both destructive and protective. In this review, we present the main mechanisms of brain metastasis formation, including those involved in extravasation through the brain vasculature and survival in the cerebral environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imola Wilhelm
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldiş Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
| | - Csilla Fazakas
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Kinga Molnár
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila G Végh
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - János Haskó
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - István A Krizbai
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldiş Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania
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28
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Understanding the Progression of Bone Metastases to Identify Novel Therapeutic Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19010148. [PMID: 29300334 PMCID: PMC5796097 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone is one of the most preferential target site for cancer metastases, particularly for prostate, breast, kidney, lung and thyroid primary tumours. Indeed, numerous chemical signals and growth factors produced by the bone microenvironment constitute factors promoting cancer cell invasion and aggression. After reviewing the different theories proposed to provide mechanism for metastatic progression, we report on the gene expression profile of bone-seeking cancer cells. We also discuss the cross-talk between the bone microenvironment and invading cells, which impacts on the tumour actions on surrounding bone tissue. Lastly, we detail therapies for bone metastases. Due to poor prognosis for patients, the strategies mainly aim at reducing the impact of skeletal-related events on patients' quality of life. However, recent advances have led to a better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying bone metastases progression, and therefore of novel therapeutic targets.
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29
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Ribera J, Pauta M, Melgar-Lesmes P, Córdoba B, Bosch A, Calvo M, Rodrigo-Torres D, Sancho-Bru P, Mira A, Jiménez W, Morales-Ruiz M. A small population of liver endothelial cells undergoes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in response to chronic liver injury. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2017; 313:G492-G504. [PMID: 28798084 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00428.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Rising evidence points to endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) as a significant source of the mesenchymal cell population in fibrotic diseases. In this context, we hypothesized that liver endothelial cells undergo EndMT during fibrosis progression. Cirrhosis in mice was induced by CCl4 A transgenic mouse expressing a red fluorescent protein reporter under the control of Tie2 promoter (Tie2-tdTomato) was used to trace the acquisition of EndMT. Sinusoidal vascular connectivity was evaluated by intravital microscopy and high-resolution three-dimensional confocal microscopy. A modest but significant fraction of liver endothelial cells from both cirrhotic patients and CCl4-treated Tie2-tdTomato mice acquired an EndMT phenotype characterized by the coexpression of CD31 and α-smooth muscle actin, compared with noncirrhotic livers. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) inhibited the acquisition of EndMT induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) treatment in cultured primary mouse liver endothelial cells from control mice. EndMT was also reduced significantly in vivo in cirrhotic Tie2-tdTomato mice treated intraperitoneally with BMP-7 compared with untreated mice (1.9 ± 0.2 vs. 3.8 ± 0.3%, respectively; P < 0.05). The decrease of EndMT in cirrhotic livers correlated with a significant decrease in liver fibrosis (P < 0.05) and an improvement in the vascular disorganization rate (P < 0.05). We demonstrated the acquisition of the EndMT phenotype by a subpopulation of endothelial cells from cirrhotic livers in both animal models and patients. BMP-7 treatment decreases the occurrence of the EndMT phenotype and has a positive impact on the severity of disease by reducing fibrosis and sinusoidal vascular disorganization.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A subpopulation of liver endothelial cells from cirrhotic patients and mice with liver fibrosis undergoes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Liver endothelial cells from healthy mice could transition into a mesenchymal phenotype in culture in response to TGF-β1 treatment. Fibrotic livers treated chronically with BMP-7 showed lower EndMT acquisition, reduced fibrosis, and improved vascular organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Ribera
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montse Pauta
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Melgar-Lesmes
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bernat Córdoba
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Bosch
- Advanced Optic Microscopy Unit, School of Medicine, Centres Científics i Tecnològics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Calvo
- Advanced Optic Microscopy Unit, School of Medicine, Centres Científics i Tecnològics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Rodrigo-Torres
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Barcelona, Spain; and
| | - Pau Sancho-Bru
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Barcelona, Spain; and
| | - Aurea Mira
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biomedicine-Biochemistry Unit, School of Medicine University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Wladimiro Jiménez
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Biomedicine-Biochemistry Unit, School of Medicine University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Morales-Ruiz
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Barcelona, Spain; .,Department of Biomedicine-Biochemistry Unit, School of Medicine University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Sánchez-Duffhues G, García de Vinuesa A, Ten Dijke P. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cardiovascular diseases: Developmental signaling pathways gone awry. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:492-508. [PMID: 28891150 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The process named endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was observed for the first time during the development of the chicken embryo several decades ago. Of interest, accumulating evidence suggests that EndMT plays a critical role in the onset and progression of multiple postnatal cardiovascular diseases. EndMT is controlled by a set of developmental signaling pathways, very similar to the process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which determine the activity of several EndMT transcriptional effectors. Once activated, these EndMT effectors regulate the expression of endothelial- and mesenchymal-specific genes, in part by interacting with specific motifs in promoter regions, eventually leading to the down-regulation of endothelial-specific features and acquisition of a fibroblast-like phenotype. Important technical advances in lineage tracing methods combined with experimental mouse models demonstrated the pathophysiological importance of EndMT for human diseases. In this review, we discuss the major signal transduction pathways involved in the activation and regulation of the EndMT program. Furthermore, we will review the latest discoveries on EndMT, focusing on cardiovascular diseases, and in particular on its role in vascular calcification, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and organ fibrosis. Developmental Dynamics 247:492-508, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Sánchez-Duffhues
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Amaya García de Vinuesa
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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Blaha L, Zhang C, Cabodi M, Wong JY. A microfluidic platform for modeling metastatic cancer cell matrix invasion. Biofabrication 2017; 9:045001. [PMID: 28812983 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/aa869d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Invasion of the extracellular matrix is a critical step in the colonization of metastatic tumors. The invasion process is thought to be driven by both chemokine signaling and interactions between invading cancer cells and physical components of the metastatic niche, including endothelial cells that line capillary walls and serve as a barrier to both diffusion and invasion of the underlying tissue. Transwell chambers, a tool for generating artificial chemokine gradients to induce cell migration, have facilitated recent work to investigate the chemokine contributions to matrix invasion. These chambers, however, are poorly designed for imaging, which limits their use in investigating the physical cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions driving matrix invasion. Microfluidic devices offer a promising model in which the invasion process can be imaged. Many current designs, however, have limited surface areas and possess intricate geometries that preclude the use of standard staining protocols to visualize cells and matrix proteins. In this work, we present a novel microfluidic platform for imaging cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions driving metastatic cancer cell matrix invasion. Our model is applied to investigate how endothelial cell-secreted matrix proteins and the physical endothelial monolayer itself interact with invading metastatic breast cancer cells to facilitate invasion of an underlying type I collagen gel. The results show that matrix invasion of metastatic breast cancer cells is significantly enhanced in the presence of live endothelial cells. Probing this interaction further, our platform revealed that, while the fibronectin-rich matrix deposited by endothelial cells was not sufficient to drive invasion alone, metastatic breast cancer cells were able to exploit components of energetically inactivated endothelial cells to gain entry into the underlying matrix. These findings reveal novel cell-cell interactions driving a key step in the colonization of metastatic tumors and have important implications for designing drugs targeted at preventing cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Blaha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
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Gasparics Á, Sebe A. MRTFs- master regulators of EMT. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:396-404. [PMID: 28681541 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence implicates the myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) as key mediators of the phenotypic plasticity leading to the conversion of various cell types into myofibroblasts. This review highlights the function of MRTFs during development, fibrosis and cancer, and the role of MRTFs during epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) underlying these processes. EMT is a sequentially orchestrated process where cells undergo a rearrangement of their cell contacts and activate a fibrogenic and myogenic expression program. MRTFs interact with and regulate the major signaling pathways and the expression of key markers and transcription factors involved in EMT. These functions indicate a central role for MRTFs in controlling the process of EMT. Developmental Dynamics 247:396-404, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ákos Gasparics
- Semmelweis University, Department of Pathophysiology, Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Sebe
- Semmelweis University, Department of Pathophysiology, Budapest, Hungary.,Paul Ehrlich Institute, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Langen, Germany
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33
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Mechanisms contributing to cardiac remodelling. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 131:2319-2345. [PMID: 28842527 DOI: 10.1042/cs20171167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac remodelling is classified as physiological (in response to growth, exercise and pregnancy) or pathological (in response to inflammation, ischaemia, ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, biomechanical stress, excess neurohormonal activation and excess afterload). Physiological remodelling of the heart is characterized by a fine-tuned and orchestrated process of beneficial adaptations. Pathological cardiac remodelling is the process of structural and functional changes in the left ventricle (LV) in response to internal or external cardiovascular damage or influence by pathogenic risk factors, and is a precursor of clinical heart failure (HF). Pathological remodelling is associated with fibrosis, inflammation and cellular dysfunction (e.g. abnormal cardiomyocyte/non-cardiomyocyte interactions, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, autophagy alterations, impairment of metabolism and signalling pathways), leading to HF. This review describes the key molecular and cellular responses involved in pathological cardiac remodelling.
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Sancho A, Vandersmissen I, Craps S, Luttun A, Groll J. A new strategy to measure intercellular adhesion forces in mature cell-cell contacts. Sci Rep 2017; 7:46152. [PMID: 28393890 PMCID: PMC5385528 DOI: 10.1038/srep46152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Intercellular adhesion plays a major role in tissue development and homeostasis. Yet, technologies to measure mature cell-cell contacts are not available. We introduce a methodology based on fluidic probe force microscopy to assess cell-cell adhesion forces after formation of mature intercellular contacts in cell monolayers. With this method we quantify that L929 fibroblasts exhibit negligible cell-cell adhesion in monolayers whereas human endothelial cells from the umbilical artery (HUAECs) exert strong intercellular adhesion forces per cell. We use a new in vitro model based on the overexpression of Muscle Segment Homeobox 1 (MSX1) to induce Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT), a process involved in cardiovascular development and disease. We reveal how intercellular adhesion forces in monolayer decrease significantly at an early stage of EndMT and we show that cells undergo stiffening and flattening at this stage. This new biomechanical insight complements and expands the established standard biomolecular analyses. Our study thus introduces a novel tool for the assessment of mature intercellular adhesion forces in a physiological setting that will be of relevance to biological processes in developmental biology, tissue regeneration and diseases like cancer and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sancho
- Department of Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry and Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI), University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ine Vandersmissen
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sander Craps
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aernout Luttun
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jürgen Groll
- Department of Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry and Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI), University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
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Dejana E, Hirschi KK, Simons M. The molecular basis of endothelial cell plasticity. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14361. [PMID: 28181491 PMCID: PMC5309780 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The endothelium is capable of remarkable plasticity. In the embryo, primitive endothelial cells differentiate to acquire arterial, venous or lymphatic fates. Certain endothelial cells also undergo hematopoietic transition giving rise to multi-lineage hematopoietic stem and progenitors while others acquire mesenchymal properties necessary for heart development. In the adult, maintenance of differentiated endothelial state is an active process requiring constant signalling input. The failure to do so leads to the development of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition that plays an important role in pathogenesis of a number of diseases. A better understanding of these phenotypic changes may lead to development of new therapeutic interventions. Vascular endothelium possesses remarkable plasticity in response to cues from its surroundings, leading to great heterogeneity of endothelial cells in different vascular beds. Here the authors explain the molecular basis of endothelial plasticity during embryogenesis and in various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Dejana
- Vascular Biology Unit, FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20129, Italy
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden
| | - Karen K. Hirschi
- Yale Cardiovasc. Res. Center, Departments of Internal Medicine, Genetics and Biomedical Engineering New Haven, Connecticut CT06511, USA
| | - Michael Simons
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut CT06511, USA
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