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Coperchini F, Greco A, Croce L, Teliti M, Calì B, Chytiris S, Magri F, Rotondi M. Do PFCAs drive the establishment of thyroid cancer microenvironment? Effects of C6O4, PFOA and PFHxA exposure in two models of human thyroid cells in primary culture. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 187:108717. [PMID: 38728818 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to environmental pollutants is suspected to be one of the potential causes accounting for the increase in thyroid cancer (TC) incidence worldwide. Among the ubiquitous pollutants, per-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), were demonstrated to exert thyroid disrupting effects. Perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) represent a subgroup of PFAS and include perfluoro carboxylic acids (PFOA and PFHxA) and perfluoropolyether carboxylic acid (C6O4). The potential relationship between exposure to PFCAs and TC was not yet fully elucidated. This in vitro study investigated whether certain PFCAs (C6O4, PFOA, and PFHxA) can influence the composition of TC microenvironment. METHODS Two models of normal thyroid cells in primary cultures: Adherent (A-NHT) and Spheroids (S-NHT) were employed. A-NHT and S-NHT were exposed to C6O4, PFOA or PFHxA (0; 0.01; 0.1, 1; 10; 100; 1000 ng/mL) to assess viability (WST-1 and AV/PI assay), evaluate spherification index (SI) and volume specifically in S-NHT. CXCL8 and CCL2 (mRNA and protein), and EMT-related genes were assessed in both models after exposure to PFCAs. RESULTS PFHxA reduced the viability of both A-NHT and S-NHT. None of the PFCAs interfered with the volume or spherification process in S-NHT. CXCL8 and CCL2 mRNA and protein levels were differently up-regulated by each PFCAs, being PFOA and PFHxA the stronger inducers. Moreover, among the tested PFCAs, PFHxA induced a more consistent increase in the mRNA levels of EMT-related genes. CONCLUSIONS This is the first evaluation of the effects of exposure to PFCAs on factors potentially involved in establishing the TC microenvironment. PFHxA modulated the TC microenvironment at three levels: cell viability, pro-tumorigenic chemokines, and EMT-genes. The results provide further evidence of the pro-tumorigenic effect of PFOA. On the other hand, a marginal effect was observed for C6O4 on pro-tumorigenic chemokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Coperchini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Alessia Greco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Laura Croce
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Marsida Teliti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Benedetto Calì
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Department of General and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Pavia, (PV) 27100, Italy
| | - Spyridon Chytiris
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Flavia Magri
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario Rotondi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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Ebrahimi N, Manavi MS, Faghihkhorasani F, Fakhr SS, Baei FJ, Khorasani FF, Zare MM, Far NP, Rezaei-Tazangi F, Ren J, Reiter RJ, Nabavi N, Aref AR, Chen C, Ertas YN, Lu Q. Harnessing function of EMT in cancer drug resistance: a metastasis regulator determines chemotherapy response. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:457-479. [PMID: 38227149 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10162-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complicated molecular process that governs cellular shape and function changes throughout tissue development and embryogenesis. In addition, EMT contributes to the development and spread of tumors. Expanding and degrading the surrounding microenvironment, cells undergoing EMT move away from the main location. On the basis of the expression of fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP1), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), collagen, and smooth muscle actin (-SMA), the mesenchymal phenotype exhibited in fibroblasts is crucial for promoting EMT. While EMT is not entirely reliant on its regulators like ZEB1/2, Twist, and Snail proteins, investigation of upstream signaling (like EGF, TGF-β, Wnt) is required to get a more thorough understanding of tumor EMT. Throughout numerous cancers, connections between tumor epithelial and fibroblast cells that influence tumor growth have been found. The significance of cellular crosstalk stems from the fact that these events affect therapeutic response and disease prognosis. This study examines how classical EMT signals emanating from various cancer cells interfere to tumor metastasis, treatment resistance, and tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Ebrahimi
- Genetics Division, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | | | - Siavash Seifollahy Fakhr
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Science and Biotechnology, Campus Hamar, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
| | | | | | - Mohammad Mehdi Zare
- Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Nazanin Pazhouhesh Far
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rezaei-Tazangi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Jun Ren
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Russel J Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Translational Medicine Group, Xsphera Biosciences, 6 Tide Street, Boston, MA, 02210, USA.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Chu Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu, 226001, China
| | - Yavuz Nuri Ertas
- ERNAM-Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, 38039, Türkiye.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri, 38039, Türkiye.
| | - Qi Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu, 226001, China.
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3
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Celià-Terrassa T, Kang Y. How important is EMT for cancer metastasis? PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002487. [PMID: 38324529 PMCID: PMC10849258 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a biological phenomenon of cellular plasticity initially reported in embryonic development, has been increasingly recognized for its importance in cancer progression and metastasis. Despite tremendous progress being made in the past 2 decades in our understanding of the molecular mechanism and functional importance of EMT in cancer, there are several mysteries around EMT that remain unresolved. In this Unsolved Mystery, we focus on the variety of EMT types in metastasis, cooperative and collective EMT behaviors, spatiotemporal characterization of EMT, and strategies of therapeutically targeting EMT. We also highlight new technical advances that will facilitate the efforts to elucidate the unsolved mysteries of EMT in metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Celià-Terrassa
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yibin Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Princeton Branch, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
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4
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Hakami MA, Hazazi A, Abdulaziz O, Almasoudi HH, Alhazmi AYM, Alkhalil SS, Alharthi NS, Alhuthali HM, Almalki WH, Gupta G, Khan FR. HOTAIR: A key regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade in cancer progression and treatment. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 253:154957. [PMID: 38000201 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOTAIR occupies a central position in the complex domain of cancer biology, particularly concerning its intricate interplay with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted interactions between HOTAIR and the Wnt/β-catenin cascade, elucidating their profound function in cancer growth, progression, and therapeutic strategies. The study commences by underscoring the pivotal role of the Wnt/β-catenin cascade in governing essential cellular activities, emphasizing its dysregulation as a linchpin in cancer initiation and advancement. It introduces HOTAIR as a crucial regulatory entity, influencing gene expression in both healthy and diseased. The core of this review plunges into the intricacies of HOTAIR's engagement with Wnt/β-catenin signaling. It unravels how HOTAIR, through epigenetic modifications and transcriptional control, exerts its influence over key pathway constituents, including β-catenin, Wnt ligands, and target genes. This influence drives unchecked cancer cell growth, invasion, and metastasis. Furthermore, the review underscores the clinical significance of the HOTAIR-Wnt/β-catenin interplay, elucidating its associations with diverse cancer subtypes, patient prognoses, and prospects as a therapy. It provides insights into ongoing research endeavors to develop HOTAIR-targeted treatments and initiatives to facilitate aberrant Wnt/β-catenin activation. Concluding on a forward-looking note, the article accentuates the broader implications of HOTAIR's involvement in cancer biology, including its contributions to therapy resistance and metastatic dissemination. It underscores the importance of delving deeper into these intricate molecular relationships to pave the way for groundbreaking cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Ageeli Hakami
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Quwayiyah, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Hazazi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Security Forces Hospital Program, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama Abdulaziz
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif Province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan Hussain Almasoudi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Samia S Alkhalil
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Quwayiyah, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nahed S Alharthi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences. College of Applied Medical Sciences in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudia Arabia
| | - Hayaa M Alhuthali
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif Province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, India; School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun 248007, India; School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jagatpura, Mahal Road, Jaipur 302017, India
| | - Farhan R Khan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Quwayiyah, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Tangsiri M, Hheidari A, Liaghat M, Razlansari M, Ebrahimi N, Akbari A, Varnosfaderani SMN, Maleki-Sheikhabadi F, Norouzi A, Bakhtiyari M, Zalpoor H, Nabi-Afjadi M, Rahdar A. Promising applications of nanotechnology in inhibiting chemo-resistance in solid tumors by targeting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:115973. [PMID: 38064969 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy, also known as chemo-resistance, poses a significant obstacle to cancer treatment and can ultimately result in patient mortality. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the many factors and processes responsible for chemo-resistance. Studies have shown that targeting EMT can help overcome chemo-resistance, and nanotechnology and nanomedicine have emerged as promising approaches to achieve this goal. This article discusses the potential of nanotechnology in inhibiting EMT and proposes a viable strategy to combat chemo-resistance in various solid tumors, including breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. While nanotechnology has shown promising results in targeting EMT, further research is necessary to explore its full potential in overcoming chemo-resistance and discovering more effective methods in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Tangsiri
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ali Hheidari
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Liaghat
- Department of Medical Laboratory sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Iran; Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahtab Razlansari
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tübingen University, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Narges Ebrahimi
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdullatif Akbari
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Fahimeh Maleki-Sheikhabadi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ali Norouzi
- Dental Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Maryam Bakhtiyari
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Zalpoor
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Rahdar
- Department of Physics, University of Zabol, Zabol 98613-35856, Iran.
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Cunha A, Silva PMA, Sarmento B, Queirós O. Targeting Glucose Metabolism in Cancer Cells as an Approach to Overcoming Drug Resistance. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2610. [PMID: 38004589 PMCID: PMC10675572 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15112610] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The "Warburg effect" consists of a metabolic shift in energy production from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. The continuous activation of glycolysis in cancer cells causes rapid energy production and an increase in lactate, leading to the acidification of the tumour microenvironment, chemo- and radioresistance, as well as poor patient survival. Nevertheless, the mitochondrial metabolism can be also involved in aggressive cancer characteristics. The metabolic differences between cancer and normal tissues can be considered the Achilles heel of cancer, offering a strategy for new therapies. One of the main causes of treatment resistance consists of the increased expression of efflux pumps, and multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins, which are able to export chemotherapeutics out of the cell. Cells expressing MDR proteins require ATP to mediate the efflux of their drug substrates. Thus, inhibition of the main energy-producing pathways in cancer cells, not only induces cancer cell death per se, but also overcomes multidrug resistance. Given that most anticancer drugs do not have the ability to distinguish normal cells from cancer cells, a number of drug delivery systems have been developed. These nanodrug delivery systems provide flexible and effective methods to overcome MDR by facilitating cellular uptake, increasing drug accumulation, reducing drug efflux, improving targeted drug delivery, co-administering synergistic agents, and increasing the half-life of drugs in circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cunha
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU (IUCS—CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (A.C.); (P.M.A.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Patrícia M. A. Silva
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU (IUCS—CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (A.C.); (P.M.A.S.); (B.S.)
- 1H—TOXRUN—One Health Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU (IUCS—CESPU), 3810-193 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sarmento
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU (IUCS—CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (A.C.); (P.M.A.S.); (B.S.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Odília Queirós
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU (IUCS—CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (A.C.); (P.M.A.S.); (B.S.)
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7
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Peng JM, Su YL. Lymph node metastasis and tumor-educated immune tolerance: Potential therapeutic targets against distant metastasis. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115731. [PMID: 37541450 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Lymph node metastasis has been shown to positively associated with the prognosis of many cancers. However, in clinical treatment, lymphadenectomy is not always successful, suggesting that immune cells in the tumor and sentinel lymph nodes still play a pivotal role in tumor immunosuppression. Recent studies had shown that tumors can tolerate immune cells through multiple strategies, including tumor-induced macrophage reprogramming, T cells inactivation, production of B cells pathogenic antibodies and activation of regulatory T cells to promote tumor colonization, growth, and metastasis in lymph nodes. We reviewed the bidirectional effect of immune cells on anti-tumor or promotion of cancer cell metastasis during lymph node metastasis, and the mechanisms by which malignant cancer cells modify immune cells to create a more favorable environment for the growth and survival of cancer cells. Research and treatment strategies focusing on the immune system in lymph nodes and potential immune targets in lymph node metastasis were also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jei-Ming Peng
- Institute for Translational Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong Dist., Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Li Su
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, No. 123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong Dist., Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan.
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8
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Dang X, Fang L, Jia Q, Wu Z, Guo Y, Liu B, Cheng JC, Sun YP. TGF-β1 upregulates secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine expression in human granulosa-lutein cells: a potential mechanism for the pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:101. [PMID: 37158892 PMCID: PMC10165787 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01123-2] [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: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a serious complication during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The upregulation of ovarian transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) is involved in the development of OHSS. The secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a secreted multifunctional matricellular glycoprotein. Although the regulatory effects of TGF-β1 on SPARC expression have been reported, whether TGF-β1 regulates SPARC expression in the human ovary remains unknown. In addition, the role of SPARC in the pathogenesis of OHSS is unclear. METHODS A steroidogenic human ovarian granulosa-like tumor cell line, KGN, and primary culture of human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells obtained from patients undergoing IVF treatment were used as experimental models. OHSS was induced in rats, and ovaries were collected. Follicular fluid samples were collected from 39 OHSS and 35 non-OHSS patients during oocyte retrieval. The underlying molecular mechanisms mediating the effect of TGF-β1 on SPARC expression were explored by a series of in vitro experiments. RESULTS TGF-β1 upregulated SPARC expression in both KGN and hGL cells. The stimulatory effect of TGF-β1 on SPARC expression was mediated by SMAD3 but not SMAD2. The transcription factors, Snail and Slug, were induced in response to the TGF-β1 treatment. However, only Slug was required for the TGF-β1-induced SPARC expression. Conversely, we found that the knockdown of SPARC decreased Slug expression. Our results also revealed that SPARC was upregulated in the OHSS rat ovaries and in the follicular fluid of OHSS patients. Knockdown of SPARC attenuated the TGF-β1-stimulated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and aromatase, two markers of OHSS. Moreover, the knockdown of SPARC reduced TGF-β1 signaling by downregulating SMAD4 expression. CONCLUSIONS By illustrating the potential physiological and pathological roles of TGF-β1 in the regulation of SPARC in hGL cells, our results may serve to improve current strategies used to treat clinical infertility and OHSS. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Dang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lanlan Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qiongqiong Jia
- Center for Reproductive Medicine Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ze Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yanjie Guo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Boqun Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jung-Chien Cheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Ying-Pu Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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9
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Gogola S, Rejzer M, Bahmad HF, Abou-Kheir W, Omarzai Y, Poppiti R. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition-Related Markers in Prostate Cancer: From Bench to Bedside. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082309. [PMID: 37190236 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082309] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequent type of cancer in men worldwide, with 288,300 new cases and 34,700 deaths estimated in the United States in 2023. Treatment options for early-stage disease include external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, radical prostatectomy, active surveillance, or a combination of these. In advanced cases, androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is considered the first-line therapy; however, PCa in most patients eventually progresses to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) despite ADT. Nonetheless, the transition from androgen-dependent to androgen-independent tumors is not yet fully understood. The physiological processes of epithelial-to-non-epithelial ("mesenchymal") transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) are essential for normal embryonic development; however, they have also been linked to higher tumor grade, metastatic progression, and treatment resistance. Due to this association, EMT and MET have been identified as important targets for novel cancer therapies, including CRPC. Here, we discuss the transcriptional factors and signaling pathways involved in EMT, in addition to the diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that have been identified in these processes. We also tackle the various studies that have been conducted from bench to bedside and the current landscape of EMT-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Gogola
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Michael Rejzer
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Hisham F Bahmad
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
| | - Wassim Abou-Kheir
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon
| | - Yumna Omarzai
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
- Department of Pathology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Robert Poppiti
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
- Department of Pathology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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10
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Tímár J, Honn KV, Hendrix MJC, Marko-Varga G, Jalkanen S. Newly identified form of phenotypic plasticity of cancer: immunogenic mimicry. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:323-334. [PMID: 36754910 PMCID: PMC10014767 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10087-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer plasticity is now a recognized new hallmark of cancer which is due to disturbances of cell differentiation programs. It is manifested not only in various forms like the best-known epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) but also in vasculogenic and megakaryocytic mimicries regulated by EMT-specific or less-specific transcription factors such as HIF1a or STAT1/2. Studies in the past decades provided ample data that cancer plasticity can be manifested also in the expression of a vast array of immune cell genes; best-known examples are PDL1/CD274, CD47, or IDO, and we termed it immunogenic mimicry (IGM). However, unlike other types of plasticities which are epigenetically regulated, expression of IGM genes are frequently due to gene amplifications. It is important that the majority of the IGM genes are regulated by interferons (IFNs) suggesting that their protein expressions are regulated by the immune microenvironment. Most of the IGM genes have been shown to be involved in immune escape of cancers broadening the repertoire of these mechanisms and offering novel targets for immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- József Tímár
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Kenneth V Honn
- Departments of Pathology, Oncology and Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Mary J C Hendrix
- Department of Biology, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, USA
| | - György Marko-Varga
- Clinical Protein Science and Imaging, Biomedical Centre, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sirpa Jalkanen
- Medicity Research Laboratories, Turku, Finland.,InFLAMES Flagship, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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11
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Chu F, Maffini F, Lepanto D, Vacirca D, Taormina SV, De Berardinis R, Gandini S, Vignati S, Ranghiero A, Rappa A, Chiocca S, Barberis M, Tagliabue M, Ansarin M. The Genetic and Immunologic Landscape Underlying the Risk of Malignant Progression in Laryngeal Dysplasia. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041117. [PMID: 36831458 PMCID: PMC9954731 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041117] [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: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The development of laryngeal cancer is a multistep process involving structural alterations of the epithelial mucosa, from dysplasia (LDy) to invasive carcinoma. In this study, we define new biomarkers, prognostic for malignant transformation, in patients affected by LDy. (2) Methods: We used targeted next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemical analysis to define the mutational and immunological landscape of 15 laryngeal dysplasia progressing to invasive cancer (progressing dysplasia), as well as 31 cases of laryngeal dysplasia that did not progress to carcinoma (non-progressing dysplasia). Two pathologists independently analyzed the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in LDy pre-embedded paraffin-fixed specimens. The RNA-based next-generation sequencing panel OIRRA was used to evaluate the expression of 395 genes related to immune system activation. (3) Results: High TILs are significantly correlated with a higher risk of malignant transformation. The non-brisk pattern was significantly associated with an 86% reduced risk of malignant progression (OR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.03-0.5, p = 0.008). TILs showed a highly positive correlation with CCR6, CD83, HLA-DPB1, MX1 and SNAI1, and they were inversely correlated with CD48, CIITA, CXCR4, FCER1G, IL1B, LST1 and TLR8. (4) Conclusions: TILs have a great potential to identify high-risk progression dysplasia and thus to define surveillance protocols and prevention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Chu
- Division of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Fausto Maffini
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Lepanto
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Vacirca
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Vincenzo Taormina
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Rita De Berardinis
- Division of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.D.B.); (M.T.); Tel.: +39-02-57489380 (R.D.B. & M.T.)
| | - Sara Gandini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvano Vignati
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Ranghiero
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rappa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Chiocca
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Barberis
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Tagliabue
- Division of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.D.B.); (M.T.); Tel.: +39-02-57489380 (R.D.B. & M.T.)
| | - Mohssen Ansarin
- Division of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy
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12
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Aliyah AN, Lintangsari G, Maran GG, Hermawan A, Meiyanto E. Cinnamon oil as a co-chemotherapy agent through inhibition of cell migration and MMP-9 expression on 4T1 cells. JOURNAL OF COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 19:921-928. [PMID: 34126659 DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2020-0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The long-term and high-dose use of doxorubicin as chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stimulates cancer metastasis. Cinnamaldehyde is a major compound of cinnamon oil (CO) suppressing Snail and NFκB activity that are involved in cell migration. This study aims to explore the activity of CO as a co-chemotherapeutic agent on 4T1 breast cancer cells. METHODS The CO was obtained by water and steam distillation and was characterized phytochemically by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Cytotoxic activity of single CO or in combination with doxorubicin was observed by MTT assay. Cell migration and MMP-9 expression were measured by scratch wound healing and gelatin zymography assays. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were observed by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA) staining flowcytometry. RESULTS The phytochemical analysis with GC-MS showed that CO contains 14 compounds with cinnamaldehyde as the major compound. CO exhibited cytotoxicity on 4T1 cells with the IC50 value of 25 μg/mL and its combination with doxorubicin decreased cell viability and inhibited cell migration compared to a single use. Furthermore, the combination of CO and doxorubicin inhibited MMP-9 expression and elevated intracellular ROS levels compared to control. CONCLUSIONS CO has the potential to be developed as a co-chemotherapy agent through inhibition of cell migration, and intracellular ROS levels elevation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Nuril Aliyah
- Cancer Chemoprevention Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ghina Lintangsari
- Cancer Chemoprevention Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Gergorius Gena Maran
- Cancer Chemoprevention Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Adam Hermawan
- Cancer Chemoprevention Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Edy Meiyanto
- Cancer Chemoprevention Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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13
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Rajabi N, Mohammadnejad F, Doustvandi MA, Shadbad MA, Amini M, Tajalli H, Mokhtarzadeh A, Baghbani E, Silvestris N, Baradaran B. Photodynamic therapy with zinc phthalocyanine enhances the anti-cancer effect of tamoxifen in breast cancer cell line: Promising combination treatment against triple-negative breast cancer? Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2022; 41:103212. [PMID: 36436735 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2022.103212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a light-based anti-neoplastic therapeutic approach. Growing evidence indicates that combining conventional anti-cancer therapies with PDT can be a promising approach to treat malignancies. Herein, we aimed to investigate anti-cancer effects of the combination treatment of zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc)-PDT with tamoxifen (TA) on MDA-MB-231 cells (as a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line). For this purpose, we investigated the cytotoxicity of TA and ZnPc-PDT on MDA-MB-231 cells performing the MTT assay. The effect of TA and ZnPc-PDT on the apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells was studied using Annexin V/PI and DAPI staining. The wound-healing assay, and colony formation assay were performed to study the effect of TA and ZnPc-PDT on the migration, and clonogenicity of MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. The qRT-PCR was done to study the gene expression of caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3, ZEB1, ROCK1, SNAIL1, CD133, CD44, SOX2, and ABCG2 (ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2). Based on our results, monotherapies with TA and ZnPc-PDT can remarkably increase cell cytotoxicity effects, stimulate apoptosis via downregulating Bcl-2 and upregulating caspase-3 and caspase-9, inhibit migration via downregulating SNAIL1 and ZEB1, and suppress clonogenicity via downregulating SOX2 and CD44 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Besides, these monotherapies can downregulate the expression of ABCG2 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Nevertheless, the combination treatment can potentiate the above-mentioned anti-cancer effects compared to monotherapy with TA. Of interest, the combined treatment of TA with ZnPc-PDT can synergically increase cell cytotoxicity effects on MDA-MB-231 cells. In fact, synergistic effects were estimated by calculation of Combination Index (CI); that synergistic outcomes were observed in all groups. Also, this combination treatment can significantly upregulate the caspase-8 gene expression and downregulate ROCK1 and CD133 gene expression in MDA-MB-231 cells. Overall, our results show that ZnPc-PDT can more sensitize the MDA-MB-231 cells to TA treatment. Based on our knowledge and experiment, the synergistic effects of ZnPc-PDT and TA deserve further evaluation in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Rajabi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Amin Doustvandi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Amini
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Habib Tajalli
- Biophotonic Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran; Research Institute for Applied Physics and Astronomy, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Baghbani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Human Pathology "G. Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Pharmaceutical Analysis Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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14
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Tsirigoti C, Ali MM, Maturi V, Heldin CH, Moustakas A. Loss of SNAI1 induces cellular plasticity in invasive triple-negative breast cancer cells. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:832. [PMID: 36171192 PMCID: PMC9519755 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05280-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor SNAI1 mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition, fibroblast activation and controls inter-tissue migration. High SNAI1 expression characterizes metastatic triple-negative breast carcinomas, and its knockout by CRISPR/Cas9 uncovered an epithelio-mesenchymal phenotype accompanied by reduced signaling by the cytokine TGFβ. The SNAI1 knockout cells exhibited plasticity in differentiation, drifting towards the luminal phenotype, gained stemness potential and could differentiate into acinar mammospheres in 3D culture. Loss of SNAI1 de-repressed the transcription factor FOXA1, a pioneering factor of mammary luminal progenitors. FOXA1 induced a specific gene program, including the androgen receptor (AR). Inhibiting AR via a specific antagonist regenerated the basal phenotype and blocked acinar differentiation. Thus, loss of SNAI1 in the context of triple-negative breast carcinoma cells promotes an intermediary luminal progenitor phenotype that gains differentiation plasticity based on the dual transcriptional action of FOXA1 and AR. This function of SNAI1 provides means to separate cell invasiveness from progenitor cell de-differentiation as independent cellular programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysoula Tsirigoti
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mohamad Moustafa Ali
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Varun Maturi
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden ,grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Pharmacy, Drug Delivery, Uppsala University, SE-752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carl-Henrik Heldin
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aristidis Moustakas
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
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15
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Fedorova O, Parfenyev S, Daks A, Shuvalov O, Barlev NA. The Role of PTEN in Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153786. [PMID: 35954450 PMCID: PMC9367281 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The PTEN phosphatase is a ubiquitously expressed tumor suppressor, which inhibits the PI3K/AKT pathway in the cell. The PI3K/AKT pathway is considered to be one of the main signaling pathways that drives the proliferation of cancer cells. Furthermore, the same pathway controls the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is an evolutionarily conserved developmental program, which, upon aberrant reactivation, is also involved in the formation of cancer metastases. Importantly, metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths. In this review, we discuss the literature data that highlight the role of PTEN in EMT. Based on this knowledge, we speculate about new possible strategies for cancer treatment. Abstract Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog deleted on Chromosome 10 (PTEN) is one of the critical tumor suppressor genes and the main negative regulator of the PI3K pathway. PTEN is frequently found to be inactivated, either partially or fully, in various malignancies. The PI3K/AKT pathway is considered to be one of the main signaling cues that drives the proliferation of cells. Perhaps it is not surprising, then, that this pathway is hyperactivated in highly proliferative tumors. Importantly, the PI3K/AKT pathway also coordinates the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is pivotal for the initiation of metastases and hence is regarded as an attractive target for the treatment of metastatic cancer. It was shown that PTEN suppresses EMT, although the exact mechanism of this effect is still not fully understood. This review is an attempt to systematize the published information on the role of PTEN in the development of malignant tumors, with a main focus on the regulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in EMT.
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16
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Pei M, Han D, Kim KY, Kim DW, Nam W, Kim HJ, Cho ES, Kim HS, Cha IH, Zhang X. Risk Factors of Microscopically Tumor-Free Surgical Margins for Recurrence and Survival of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients. Front Oncol 2022; 12:930988. [PMID: 35875099 PMCID: PMC9300840 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.930988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The concept of adequate surgical margins remains controversial in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) surgery. This study aimed to identify surgical margin-related indicators that might impact recurrence and survival of OSCC patients. Materials and Methods Histopathological examination was performed using hematoxylin-eosin-stained surgical margin tissue sections in 235 OSCC patients. Axin2 and Snail expression at the surgical margin was detected by immunohistochemistry. The impact of the Axin2-Snail cascade on tumorigenesis of the immortalized human oral keratinocyte (IHOK) line was investigated in vivo. Results The width and dysplasia of surgical margins were not significantly associated with the outcome of OSCC patients. In a multivariate analysis using variable clinicopathologic factors and with Axin2 and Snail expression as cofactors, higher age (hazard ratio [HR]:1.050; P=0.047), Axin2 (HR:6.883; P=0.014), and Snail abundance (HR:5.663; P=0.009) had independent impacts on worsened overall survival. Similarly, lesion site in retromolar trigone (HR:4.077; P=0.010), upper (HR:4.332; P=0.005) and lower gingiva (HR:3.545; P=0.012), presence of extranodal extension (HR:9.967; P<0.001), perineural invasion (HR:3.627; P=0.024), and Snail abundance (HR:3.587; P<0.001) had independent impacts on worsened recurrence-free survival. Furthermore, Axin2 knockdown induced decreased Snail expression and attenuated tumorigenesis in the IHOK line. Conclusion Histopathological examination of surgical margins may not be reliable to predict OSCC patient outcome. Molecular analysis may provide a more accurate risk assessment of surgical margins in OSCC. In particular, Axin2 and Snail are potential predictive biomarkers for the risk assessment of surgical margins in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Pei
- Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dawool Han
- Department of Oral Pathology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ki-Yeol Kim
- BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Dental Education, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong Wook Kim
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woong Nam
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyung Jun Kim
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunae Sandra Cho
- Department of Oral Pathology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
- BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Sil Kim
- Department of Oral Pathology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In-Ho Cha
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: In-Ho Cha, ; Xianglan Zhang,
| | - Xianglan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, China
- Oral Cancer Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea
- *Correspondence: In-Ho Cha, ; Xianglan Zhang,
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WNT5A promotes the metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by activating the HDAC7/SNAIL signaling pathway. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:480. [PMID: 35595735 PMCID: PMC9122958 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04901-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with high incidence and mortality rates and low survival rates. However, the detailed molecular mechanism of ESCC progression remains unclear. Here, we first showed significantly higher WNT5A and SNAIL expression in ESCC samples than in corresponding paracancerous samples. High WNT5A and SNAIL expression levels correlated positively with lymphatic metastasis and poor prognosis for patients with ESCC based on immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of 145 paired ESCC samples. Spearman's correlation analyses confirmed the strong positive correlation between WNT5A and SNAIL expression, and patients with ESCC presenting coexpression of WNT5A and SNAIL had the worst prognosis. Then, we verified that the upregulation of WNT5A promoted ESCC cell metastasis in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that WNT5A might be a promising therapeutic target for the prevention of ESCC. Furthermore, WNT5A overexpression induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition via histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) upregulation, and HDAC7 silencing significantly reversed WNT5A-induced SNAIL upregulation and ESCC cell metastasis. In addition, we used HDAC7 inhibitors (SAHA and TMP269) to further confirm that HDAC7 participates in WNT5A-mediated carcinogenesis. Based on these results, HDAC7 is involved in WNT5A-mediated ESCC progression, and approaches targeting WNT5A and HDAC7 might be potential therapeutic strategies for ESCC.
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18
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The Complex Biology of the Obesity-Induced, Metastasis-Promoting Tumor Microenvironment in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052480. [PMID: 35269622 PMCID: PMC8910079 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in women contributing to cancer-related death in the advanced world. Apart from the menopausal status, the trigger for developing breast cancer may vary widely from race to lifestyle factors. Epidemiological studies refer to obesity-associated metabolic changes as a critical risk factor behind the progression of breast cancer. The plethora of signals arising due to obesity-induced changes in adipocytes present in breast tumor microenvironment, significantly affect the behavior of adjacent breast cells. Adipocytes from white adipose tissue are currently recognized as an active endocrine organ secreting different bioactive compounds. However, due to excess energy intake and increased fat accumulation, there are morphological followed by secretory changes in adipocytes, which make the breast microenvironment proinflammatory. This proinflammatory milieu not only increases the risk of breast cancer development through hormone conversion, but it also plays a role in breast cancer progression through the activation of effector proteins responsible for the biological phenomenon of metastasis. The aim of this review is to present a comprehensive picture of the complex biology of obesity-induced changes in white adipocytes and demonstrate the relationship between obesity and breast cancer progression to metastasis.
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Chen YQ, Hung CY, Wei MT, Kuo JC, Yang MH, Cheng HY, Chiou A. Snail Augments Nuclear Deformability to Promote Lymph Node Metastasis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:809738. [PMID: 35265612 PMCID: PMC8899106 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.809738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to 50% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients have lymph node (LN) metastasis, resulting in poor survival rate. Numerous studies have supported the notion that the alterations of gene expression and mechanical properties of cancer cells play an important role in cancer metastasis. However, which genes and how they regulate the biomechanical properties of HNSCC cells to promote LN metastasis remains elusive. In this study, we used an LN-metastatic mouse model in vivo to generate an LN-metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line and compared the differences in the biomolecular and biomechanical properties of LN-metastatic and non-metastatic cells. Our results showed that LN-metastatic cells had a higher level of Snail expression compared to non-LN-metastatic cells. The higher Snail expression promoted the cellular invasion capability in confined environments, mainly by increasing the longitudinal strain of the cell nuclei, which could be attributed to the stronger cell traction force and softer nuclear stiffness. These two biomechanical changes were correlated, respectively, to a larger amount of focal adhesion and less amount of nuclear lamins. Taken together, our works revealed not only the biomechanical profiles of LN-metastatic cells but also the corresponding biomolecular expressions to pinpoint the key process in LN metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Quan Chen
- Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Yin-Quan Chen,
| | - Chen-Yu Hung
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tzo Wei
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Jean-Cheng Kuo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Muh-Hwa Yang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Ying Cheng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Arthur Chiou
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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AL-Abedi R, Tuncay Cagatay S, Mayah A, Brooks SA, Kadhim M. Ionising Radiation Promotes Invasive Potential of Breast Cancer Cells: The Role of Exosomes in the Process. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111570. [PMID: 34769002 PMCID: PMC8583851 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Along with the cells that are exposed to radiation, non-irradiated cells can unveil radiation effects as a result of intercellular communication, which are collectively defined as radiation induced bystander effects (RIBE). Exosome-mediated signalling is one of the core mechanisms responsible for multidirectional communication of tumor cells and their associated microenvironment, which may result in enhancement of malignant tumor phenotypes. Recent studies show that exosomes and exosome-mediated signalling also play a dynamic role in RIBE in cancer cell lines, many of which focused on altered exosome cargo or their effects on DNA damage. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how these changes in exosome cargo are reflected in other functional characteristics of cancer cells from the aspects of invasiveness and metastasis. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to investigate exosome-mediated bystander effects of 2 Gy X-ray therapeutic dose of ionizing radiation on the invasive potential of MCF-7 breast cancer cells in vitro via assessing Matrigel invasion potential, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics and the extent of glycosylation, as well as underlying plausible molecular mechanisms. The findings show that exosomes derived from irradiated MCF-7 cells enhance invasiveness of bystander MCF-7 cells, possibly through altered miRNA and protein content carried in exosomes.
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Usman S, Waseem NH, Nguyen TKN, Mohsin S, Jamal A, Teh MT, Waseem A. Vimentin Is at the Heart of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Mediated Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4985. [PMID: 34638469 PMCID: PMC8507690 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible plethora of molecular events where epithelial cells gain the phenotype of mesenchymal cells to invade the surrounding tissues. EMT is a physiological event during embryogenesis (type I) but also happens during fibrosis (type II) and cancer metastasis (type III). It is a multifaceted phenomenon governed by the activation of genes associated with cell migration, extracellular matrix degradation, DNA repair, and angiogenesis. The cancer cells employ EMT to acquire the ability to migrate, resist therapeutic agents and escape immunity. One of the key biomarkers of EMT is vimentin, a type III intermediate filament that is normally expressed in mesenchymal cells but is upregulated during cancer metastasis. This review highlights the pivotal role of vimentin in the key events during EMT and explains its role as a downstream as well as an upstream regulator in this highly complex process. This review also highlights the areas that require further research in exploring the role of vimentin in EMT. As a cytoskeletal protein, vimentin filaments support mechanical integrity of the migratory machinery, generation of directional force, focal adhesion modulation and extracellular attachment. As a viscoelastic scaffold, it gives stress-bearing ability and flexible support to the cell and its organelles. However, during EMT it modulates genes for EMT inducers such as Snail, Slug, Twist and ZEB1/2, as well as the key epigenetic factors. In addition, it suppresses cellular differentiation and upregulates their pluripotent potential by inducing genes associated with self-renewability, thus increasing the stemness of cancer stem cells, facilitating the tumour spread and making them more resistant to treatments. Several missense and frameshift mutations reported in vimentin in human cancers may also contribute towards the metastatic spread. Therefore, we propose that vimentin should be a therapeutic target using molecular technologies that will curb cancer growth and spread with reduced mortality and morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saima Usman
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Turner Str., London E1 2AT, UK; (S.U.); (T.K.N.N.); (A.J.); (M.-T.T.)
| | - Naushin H. Waseem
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Str., London EC1V 9EL, UK;
| | - Thuan Khanh Ngoc Nguyen
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Turner Str., London E1 2AT, UK; (S.U.); (T.K.N.N.); (A.J.); (M.-T.T.)
| | - Sahar Mohsin
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Ahmad Jamal
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Turner Str., London E1 2AT, UK; (S.U.); (T.K.N.N.); (A.J.); (M.-T.T.)
| | - Muy-Teck Teh
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Turner Str., London E1 2AT, UK; (S.U.); (T.K.N.N.); (A.J.); (M.-T.T.)
| | - Ahmad Waseem
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Turner Str., London E1 2AT, UK; (S.U.); (T.K.N.N.); (A.J.); (M.-T.T.)
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Cevik M, Namal E, Dinc Sener N, Iner Koksal U, Deliorman G, Ciftci C, Susleyici B. The effects of SNAI1 rs6125849 gene polymorphism on metastasis and survival in colorectal cancer: Preliminary results from Turkish subjects. GENE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Cui H, Wang Y, Chen L, Qian M, Zhang L, Zheng X, Yang X, Chen L, Zhao Y, Chen Q, Wang J. Chemotherapeutic potency stimulated by SNAI1-knockdown based on multifaceted nanomedicine. J Control Release 2021; 337:343-355. [PMID: 34324894 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Molecular insights into tumorigenesis have uncovered intimate correlation of SNAI1 with tumor malignancy. Herein, to explore merits of SNAI1-knockdown in tumor therapy, we harnessed RNA interference tool (shSNAI1), together with chemotherapeutic doxorubicin. Owing to abundant hydroxyl groups, pullulan was attempted to be covalently conjugated with a multiple of functional moieties, including positively-charged oligoethylenimine components for electrostatic entrapment of polyanionic shSNAI1 and hydrophobic components for entrapment of lipophilic doxorubicin. Notably, the aforementioned covalent conjugations were tailored to be detachable in response to intracellular reducing microenvironment owing to redox disulfide linkage, thereby accounting for selective intracellular liberation of the therapeutic payloads. Moreover, the surface of nanomedicine was modified with hyaluronic acid, endowing not only excellent biocompatibilities but active tumor-targeting function due to its receptors (CD44) overexpressed on tumor cells. Subsequent investigations approved appreciably targeted co-delivery of shSNAI1 and doxorubicin into solid lung tumors via systemic administration and demonstrated critical contribution of SNAI1-knockdown in amplifying chemotherapeutic potencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China; School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China; Department of Gastric Cancer, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute (Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, China
| | - Lili Chen
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Ming Qian
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Liuwei Zhang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Xiujue Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, South Campus, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Li Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Gastric Cancer, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute (Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, China.
| | - Qixian Chen
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Jingyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China; School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China.
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Plasticity of Cancer Stem Cell: Origin and Role in Disease Progression and Therapy Resistance. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 16:397-412. [PMID: 31965409 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-019-09942-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In embryonic development and throughout life, there are some cells can exhibit phenotypic plasticity. Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of cells to differentiate into multiple lineages. In normal development, plasticity is highly regulated whereas cancer cells re-activate this dynamic ability for their own progression. The re-activation of these mechanisms enables cancer cells to acquire a cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype- a subpopulation of cells with increased ability to survive in a hostile environment and resist therapeutic insults. There are several contributors fuel CSC plasticity in different stages of disease progression such as a complex network of tumour stroma, epidermal microenvironment and different sub-compartments within tumour. These factors play a key role in the transformation of tumour cells from a stable condition to a progressive state. In addition, flexibility in the metabolic state of CSCs helps in disease progression. Moreover, epigenetic changes such as chromatin, DNA methylation could stimulate the phenotypic change of CSCs. Development of resistance to therapy due to highly plastic behaviour of CSCs is a major cause of treatment failure in cancers. However, recent studies explored that plasticity can also expose the weaknesses in CSCs, thereby could be utilized for future therapeutic development. Therefore, in this review, we discuss how cancer cells acquire the plasticity, especially the role of the normal developmental process, tumour microenvironment, and epigenetic changes in the development of plasticity. We further highlight the therapeutic resistance property of CSCs attributed by plasticity. Also, outline some potential therapeutic options against plasticity of CSCs. Graphical Abstract .
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Hassan S, Blick T, Thompson EW, Williams ED. Diversity of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Phenotypes in Circulating Tumour Cells from Prostate Cancer Patient-Derived Xenograft Models. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112750. [PMID: 34206049 PMCID: PMC8198708 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Spread of prostate cancer to other parts of the body is responsible for the majority of deaths. Tumour cell epithelial mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) increases their metastatic potential and facilitates their survival in the blood as circulating tumour cells (CTCs). The aim of this study was to molecularly characterise CTCs in a panel of prostate cancer patient-derived xenografts using genes associated with epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, and to compare the EMP status of CTCs with their matched primary tumours. The study highlights high heterogeneity in CTC enumeration and EMP gene expression between tumour-bearing mice and within individual blood samples, and therefore caution should be taken when interpreting pooled CTC analyses. Critically, tumour cells were present in the epithelial-mesenchymal hybrid state in the circulation. The study also demonstrates that there is high variation in CTC size, which would introduce sample bias to size-based CTC isolation techniques. Abstract Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) status of primary tumours has relevance to metastatic potential and therapy resistance. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) provide a window into the metastatic process, and molecular characterisation of CTCs in comparison to their primary tumours could lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the metastatic cascade. In this study, paired blood and tumour samples were collected from four prostate cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models (BM18, LuCaP70, LuCaP96, LuCaP105) and assessed using an EMP-focused, 42 gene human-specific, nested quantitative RT-PCR assay. CTC burden varied amongst the various xenograft models with LuCaP96 having the highest number of CTCs per mouse (mean: 704; median: 31) followed by BM18 (mean: 101; median: 21), LuCaP70 (mean: 73; median: 16) and LuCaP105 (mean: 57; median: 6). A significant relationship was observed between tumour size and CTC number (p = 0.0058). Decreased levels of kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3) mRNA (which encodes prostate-specific antigen; PSA) were observed in CTC samples from all four models compared to their primary tumours. Both epithelial- and mesenchymal-associated genes were commonly expressed at higher levels in CTCs compared to the bulk primary tumour, although some common EMT-associated genes (CDH1, VIM, EGFR, EPCAM) remained unchanged. Immunofluorescence co-staining for pan-cytokeratin (KRT) and vimentin (VIM) indicated variable proportions of CTCs across the full EMP axis, even in the same model. EMP hybrids predominated in the BM18 and LuCaP96 models, but were not detected in the LuCaP105 model, and variable numbers of KRT+ and human VIM+ cells were observed in each model. SERPINE1, which encodes plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), was enriched at the RNA level in CTCs compared to primary tumours and was the most commonly expressed mesenchymal gene in the CTCs. Co-staining for SERPINE1 and KRT revealed SERPINE1+ cells in 7/11 samples, six of which had SERPINE+KRT+ CTCs. Cell size variation was observed in CTCs. The majority of samples (8/11) contained larger CTCs ranging from 15.3 to 37.8 µm, whilst smaller cells (10.7 ± 4.1 µm, similar in size to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)) were identified in 6 of 11 samples. CTC clusters were also identified in 9/11 samples, containing 2–100 CTCs per cluster. Where CTC heterogeneity was observed in the clusters, epithelial-like cells (KRT+VIM−) were located on the periphery of the cluster, forming a layer around hybrid (KRT+VIM+) or mesenchymal-like (KRT−VIM+) cells. The CTC heterogeneity observed in these models emphasises the complexity in CTC isolation and classification and supports the increasingly recognised importance of the epithelial-mesenchymal hybrid state in cancer progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hassan
- Faculty of Health and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia; (S.H.); (T.B.)
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Tony Blick
- Faculty of Health and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia; (S.H.); (T.B.)
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Erik W. Thompson
- Faculty of Health and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia; (S.H.); (T.B.)
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Correspondence: (E.W.T.); (E.D.W.)
| | - Elizabeth D. Williams
- Faculty of Health and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia; (S.H.); (T.B.)
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre—Queensland (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Correspondence: (E.W.T.); (E.D.W.)
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De Las Rivas J, Brozovic A, Izraely S, Casas-Pais A, Witz IP, Figueroa A. Cancer drug resistance induced by EMT: novel therapeutic strategies. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2279-2297. [PMID: 34003341 PMCID: PMC8241801 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03063-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade, important clinical benefits have been achieved in cancer patients by using drug-targeting strategies. Nevertheless, drug resistance is still a major problem in most cancer therapies. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and tumour microenvironment have been described as limiting factors for effective treatment in many cancer types. Moreover, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has also been associated with therapy resistance in many different preclinical models, although limited evidence has been obtained from clinical studies and clinical samples. In this review, we particularly deepen into the mechanisms of which intermediate epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) states and its interconnection to microenvironment influence therapy resistance. We also describe how the use of bioinformatics and pharmacogenomics will help to figure out the biological impact of the EMT on drug resistance and to develop novel pharmacological approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier De Las Rivas
- Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics Group, Cancer Research Center (CiC-IBMCC, CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), University of Salamanca (USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Anamaria Brozovic
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sivan Izraely
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Alba Casas-Pais
- Epithelial Plasticity and Metastasis Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Sergas, Spain.,Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Coruña, Spain
| | - Isaac P Witz
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Angélica Figueroa
- Epithelial Plasticity and Metastasis Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Sergas, Spain. .,Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Coruña, Spain.
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Role of AMPK and Akt in triple negative breast cancer lung colonization. Neoplasia 2021; 23:429-438. [PMID: 33839456 PMCID: PMC8042649 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2021.03.005] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease with a 5-y relative survival rate of 11% after distant metastasis. To survive the metastatic cascade, tumor cells remodel their signaling pathways by regulating energy production and upregulating survival pathways. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt regulate energy homeostasis and survival, however, the individual or synergistic role of AMPK and Akt isoforms during lung colonization by TNBC cells is unknown. The purpose of this study was to establish whether targeting Akt, AMPKα or both Akt and AMPKα isoforms in circulating cancer cells can suppress TNBC lung colonization. Transient silencing of Akt1 or Akt2 dramatically decreased metastatic colonization of lungs by inducing apoptosis or inhibiting invasion, respectively. Importantly, transient pharmacologic inhibition of Akt activity with MK-2206 or AZD5363 inhibitors did not prevent colonization of lung tissue by TNBC cells. Knockdown of AMPKα1, AMPKα2, or AMPKα1/2 also had no effect on metastatic colonization of lungs. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that transient decrease in AMPK isoforms expression alone or in combination with Akt1 in circulating tumor cells does not synergistically reduce TNBC metastatic lung colonization. Our results also provide evidence that Akt1 and Akt2 expression serve as a bottleneck that can challenge colonization of lungs by TNBC cells.
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Sbiera I, Kircher S, Altieri B, Fassnacht M, Kroiss M, Sbiera S. Epithelial and Mesenchymal Markers in Adrenocortical Tissues: How Mesenchymal Are Adrenocortical Tissues? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1736. [PMID: 33917436 PMCID: PMC8038668 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A clinically relevant proportion of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) cases shows a tendency to metastatic spread. The objective was to determine whether the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a mechanism associated with metastasizing in several epithelial cancers, might play a crucial role in ACC. 138 ACC, 29 adrenocortical adenomas (ACA), three normal adrenal glands (NAG), and control tissue samples were assessed for the expression of epithelial (E-cadherin and EpCAM) and mesenchymal (N-cadherin, SLUG and SNAIL) markers by immunohistochemistry. Using real-time RT-PCR we quantified the alternative isoform splicing of FGFR 2 and 3, another known indicator of EMT. We also assessed the impact of these markers on clinical outcome. Results show that both normal and neoplastic adrenocortical tissues lacked expression of epithelial markers but strongly expressed mesenchymal markers N-cadherin and SLUG. FGFR isoform splicing confirmed higher similarity of adrenocortical tissues to mesenchymal compared to epithelial tissues. In ACC, higher SLUG expression was associated with clinical markers indicating aggressiveness, while N-cadherin expression inversely associated with these markers. In conclusion, we could not find any indication of EMT as all adrenocortical tissues lacked expression of epithelial markers and exhibited closer similarity to mesenchymal tissues. However, while N-cadherin might play a positive role in tissue structure upkeep, SLUG seems to be associated with a more aggressive phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliu Sbiera
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (I.S.); (B.A.); (M.F.)
| | - Stefan Kircher
- Institute for Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Barbara Altieri
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (I.S.); (B.A.); (M.F.)
| | - Martin Fassnacht
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (I.S.); (B.A.); (M.F.)
- Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Kroiss
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (I.S.); (B.A.); (M.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Silviu Sbiera
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (I.S.); (B.A.); (M.F.)
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Mayo V, Bowles AC, Wubker LE, Ortiz I, Cordoves AM, Cote RJ, Correa D, Agarwal A. Human-derived osteoblast-like cells and pericyte-like cells induce distinct metastatic phenotypes in primary breast cancer cells. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:971-985. [PMID: 33210551 PMCID: PMC8024509 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220971599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 70% of advanced breast cancer patients will develop bone metastases, which accounts for ∼90% of cancer-related mortality. Breast cancer circulating tumor cells (CTCs) establish metastatic tumors in the bone after a close interaction with local bone marrow cells including pericytes and osteoblasts, both related to resident mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BM-MSCs) progenitors. In vitro recapitulation of the critical cellular players of the bone microenvironment and infiltrating CTCs could provide new insights into their cross-talk during the metastatic cascade, helping in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Human BM-MSCs were isolated and fractionated according to CD146 presence. CD146+ cells were utilized as pericyte-like cells (PLCs) given the high expression of the marker in perivascular cells, while CD146- cells were induced into an osteogenic phenotype generating osteoblast-like cells (OLCs). Transwell migration assays were performed to establish whether primary breast cancer cells (3384T) were attracted to OLC. Furthermore, proliferation of 3384T breast cancer cells was assessed in the presence of PLC- and OLC-derived conditioned media. Additionally, conditioned media cultures as well as transwell co-cultures of each OLCs and PLCs were performed with 3384T breast cancer cells for gene expression interrogation assessing their induced transcriptional changes with an emphasis on metastatic potential. PLC as well as their conditioned media increased motility and invasion potential of 3384T breast cancer cells, while OLC induced a dormant phenotype, downregulating invasiveness markers related with migration and proliferation. Altogether, these results indicate that PLC distinctively drive 3384T cancer cells to an invasive and migratory phenotype, while OLC induce a quiescence state, thus recapitulating the different phases of the in vivo bone metastatic process. These data show that phenotypic responses from metastasizing cancer cells are influenced by neighboring cells at the bone metastatic niche during the establishment of secondary metastatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Mayo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
| | - Annie C Bowles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
- Department of Orthopedics, UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Diabetes Research Institute & Cell Transplant Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Laura E Wubker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
| | - Ismael Ortiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
| | - Albert M Cordoves
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
| | - Richard J Cote
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Diego Correa
- Department of Orthopedics, UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Diabetes Research Institute & Cell Transplant Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ashutosh Agarwal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
- Diabetes Research Institute & Cell Transplant Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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30
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Progression of Metastasis through Lymphatic System. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030627. [PMID: 33808959 PMCID: PMC7999434 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lymph nodes are the most common sites of metastasis in cancer patients. Nodal disease status provides great prognostic power, but how lymph node metastases should be treated is under debate. Thus, it is important to understand the mechanisms by which lymph node metastases progress and how they can be targeted to provide therapeutic benefits. In this review, we focus on delineating the process of cancer cell migration to and through lymphatic vessels, survival in draining lymph nodes and further spread to other distant organs. In addition, emerging molecular targets and potential strategies to inhibit lymph node metastasis are discussed.
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Li J, Zhang Y, Liu J, Shi Q, Liu W, Luo B. EBV-miR-BART12 inhibits cell migration and proliferation by targeting Snail expression in EBV-associated gastric cancer. Arch Virol 2021; 166:1313-1323. [PMID: 33646408 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-05001-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was the first oncovirus found to encode microRNAs. In EBV-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC), EBV-encoded BamHI-A rightward transcript microRNAs (BARTs) are highly expressed. However, the role of BARTs in EBVaGC remains obscure. In this study, we found that EBV-miR-BART12 (miR-BART12) inhibits cell proliferation and migration. Zinc finger protein SNAI1 (Snail) is an important epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inducer, and overexpression of Snail is closely associated with cancer metastasis. Here, we report that Snail expression in EBVaGC cells is lower than in EBV-negative gastric cancer (EBVnGC) cells. A dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-BART12 targets Snail directly by interacting with its 3'-UTR. A CHX chase assay revealed that miR-BART12 accelerates the degradation of Snail. Furthermore, we found that miR-BART12 can regulate the expression of EMT-related genes. Flow cytometry analysis showed that transfection with miR-BART12 induced G2/M phase arrest and promoted cell apoptosis. In summary, the results of our study have suggested a new mechanism by which BARTs can repress cell proliferation and migration in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Qingdao University Medical College, 2 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zibo Central Hospital, 54 Gongqingtuan Road, Zibo, 255036, China
| | - Juanjuan Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Qingdao University Medical College, 2 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Qianzhu Shi
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Qingdao University Medical College, 2 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Qingdao University Medical College, 2 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Bing Luo
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Qingdao University Medical College, 2 Ningde Road, Qingdao, 266000, China.
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32
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Meng F, Liu J, Lu T, Zang L, Wang J, He Q, Zhou A. SNHG1 knockdown upregulates miR-376a and downregulates FOXK1/Snail axis to prevent tumor growth and metastasis in HCC. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2021; 21:264-277. [PMID: 34095464 PMCID: PMC8143978 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), and genes are emerging players in cancer progression. In the present study, we explored the roles and interactions of oncogenic lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1), miR-376, forkhead box protein K1 (FOXK1), and Snail in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Expression of SNHG1, miR-376, and FOXK1 in HCC was characterized in clinical HCC tissues of 75 patients with HCC. The interactions between SNHG1 and miR-376 and between miR-376 and FOXK1 were predicted and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Overexpression and knockdown experiments were performed in HCC cells to examine the effects of the SNHG1/miR-376/FOXK1/Snail axis on viability, apoptosis, invasiveness, and migrating abilities. Their effects on tumor growth and metastasis were validated in nude mouse models. SNHG1 and FOXK1 were upregulated, and miR-376a was downregulated in HCC. SNHG1 knockdown contributed to suppression of HCC cell viability, invasion, and migration properties and promotion of apoptosis. SNHG1 could competitively bind to miR-376a to upregulate its target gene FOXK1, which upregulated Snail. SNHG1 knockdown delayed cancer progression both in vitro and in vivo by upregulating miR-376a and downregulating FOXK1 and Snail. SNHG1 knockdown exerts anti-tumor activity in HCC, suggesting a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanzhi Meng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi 276000, P.R. China.,Prof. Dr. Cai's Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi 276000, P.R. China
| | - Jinghua Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi 276000, P.R. China.,Prof. Dr. Cai's Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi 276000, P.R. China
| | - Tao Lu
- Shandong Coal Linyi Hot Spring Sanatorium, Linyi 276000, P.R. China
| | - Lanlan Zang
- Central Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi 276000, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi 276000, P.R. China
| | - Qiang He
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi 276000, P.R. China.,Prof. Dr. Cai's Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi 276000, P.R. China
| | - Aijin Zhou
- Department of Emergency, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi 276000, P.R. China
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Garcia-Escolano M, Montoyo-Pujol YG, Ortiz-Martinez F, Ponce JJ, Delgado-Garcia S, Martin TA, Ballester H, Aranda FI, Castellon-Molla E, Sempere-Ortells JM, Peiro G. ID1 and ID4 Are Biomarkers of Tumor Aggressiveness and Poor Outcome in Immunophenotypes of Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030492. [PMID: 33514024 PMCID: PMC7865969 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Inhibitor of differentiation (ID) proteins are essential to promote proliferation during embryonic development, but they are silenced in most adult tissues. Evidence to date shows ID1 expression in many tumor types, including breast cancer. However, the role of the remaining ID family members, especially ID4, in breast cancer remains unclear. In this work, we aimed to assess the four ID genes expression in breast cancer cell lines and a long series of breast cancer samples and correlate them with clinicopathological features and patients’ survival. We observed a significantly higher expression of ID4 in tumor cell lines than the healthy breast epithelium cell line. We confirmed that the overexpression of ID1 and ID4 correlated with more aggressive phenotypes and poor survival in breast cancer patients’ samples. Our results support the importance of ID proteins as targets for the development of anti-cancer drugs. Abstract Inhibitor of differentiation (ID) proteins are a family of transcription factors that contribute to maintaining proliferation during embryogenesis as they avoid cell differentiation. Afterward, their expression is mainly silenced, but their reactivation and contribution to tumor development have been suggested. In breast cancer (BC), the overexpression of ID1 has been previously described. However, whether the remaining ID genes have a specific role in this neoplasia is still unclear. We studied the mRNA expression of all ID genes by q RT-PCR in BC cell lines and 307 breast carcinomas, including all BC subtypes. Our results showed that ID genes are highly expressed in all cell lines tested. However, ID4 presented higher expression in BC cell lines compared to a healthy breast epithelium cell line. In accordance, ID1 and ID4 were predominantly overexpressed in Triple-Negative and HER2-enriched samples. Moreover, high levels of both genes were associated with larger tumor size, histological grade 3, necrosis and vascular invasion, and poorer patients’ outcomes. In conclusion, ID1 and ID4 may act as biomarkers of tumor aggressiveness and worse prognosis in breast cancer, and they could be used as potential targets for new treatments discover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Garcia-Escolano
- Research Department, University General Hospital of Alicante, and Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (Y.G.M.-P.); (F.O.-M.); (G.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-965-913953 (ext. 3952)
| | - Yoel G. Montoyo-Pujol
- Research Department, University General Hospital of Alicante, and Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (Y.G.M.-P.); (F.O.-M.); (G.P.)
| | - Fernando Ortiz-Martinez
- Research Department, University General Hospital of Alicante, and Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (Y.G.M.-P.); (F.O.-M.); (G.P.)
| | - Jose J. Ponce
- Medical Oncology Department, University General Hospital of Alicante, and Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain;
| | - Silvia Delgado-Garcia
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, University General Hospital of Alicante, and Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (S.D.-G.); (T.A.M.); (H.B.)
| | - Tina A. Martin
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, University General Hospital of Alicante, and Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (S.D.-G.); (T.A.M.); (H.B.)
| | - Hortensia Ballester
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, University General Hospital of Alicante, and Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (S.D.-G.); (T.A.M.); (H.B.)
| | - F. Ignacio Aranda
- Pathology Department, University General Hospital of Alicante, and Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (F.I.A.); (E.C.-M.)
| | - Elena Castellon-Molla
- Pathology Department, University General Hospital of Alicante, and Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (F.I.A.); (E.C.-M.)
| | - J. Miguel Sempere-Ortells
- Biotechnology Department, Immunology Division, University of Alicante, Ctra San Vicente s/n. 03080-San Vicente del Raspeig, 03010 Alicante, Spain;
| | - Gloria Peiro
- Research Department, University General Hospital of Alicante, and Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (Y.G.M.-P.); (F.O.-M.); (G.P.)
- Pathology Department, University General Hospital of Alicante, and Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (F.I.A.); (E.C.-M.)
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Coban B, Bergonzini C, Zweemer AJM, Danen EHJ. Metastasis: crosstalk between tissue mechanics and tumour cell plasticity. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:49-57. [PMID: 33204023 PMCID: PMC7782541 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-01150-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that different genetic programmes drive metastasis of solid tumours, the ultimate outcome is the same: tumour cells are empowered to pass a series of physical hurdles to escape the primary tumour and disseminate to other organs. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been proposed to drive the detachment of individual cells from primary tumour masses and facilitate the subsequent establishment of metastases in distant organs. However, this concept has been challenged by observations from pathologists and from studies in animal models, in which partial and transient acquisition of mesenchymal traits is seen but tumour cells travel collectively rather than as individuals. In this review, we discuss how crosstalk between a hybrid E/M state and variations in the mechanical aspects of the tumour microenvironment can provide tumour cells with the plasticity required for strategies to navigate surrounding tissues en route to dissemination. Targeting such plasticity provides therapeutic opportunities to combat metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bircan Coban
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cecilia Bergonzini
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annelien J M Zweemer
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H J Danen
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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35
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Yastrebova MA, Khamidullina AI, Tatarskiy VV, Scherbakov AM. Snail-Family Proteins: Role in Carcinogenesis and Prospects for Antitumor Therapy. Acta Naturae 2021; 13:76-90. [PMID: 33959388 PMCID: PMC8084295 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.11062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The review analyzes Snail family proteins, which are transcription factors involved in the regulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells. We describe the structure of these proteins, their post-translational modification, and the mechanisms of Snail-dependent regulation of genes. The role of Snail proteins in carcinogenesis, invasion, and metastasis is analyzed. Furthermore, we focus on EMT signaling mechanisms involving Snail proteins. Next, we dissect Snail signaling in hypoxia, a condition that complicates anticancer treatment. Finally, we offer classes of chemical compounds capable of down-regulating the transcriptional activity of Snails. Given the important role of Snail proteins in cancer biology and the potential for pharmacological inhibition, Snail family proteins may be considered promising as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. A. Yastrebova
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334 Russia
| | - A. I. Khamidullina
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334 Russia
| | - V. V. Tatarskiy
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334 Russia
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow, 115478 Russia
| | - A. M. Scherbakov
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow, 115478 Russia
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36
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Golshan M, Khaleghi S, Shafiee SM, Valaee S, Ghanei Z, Jamshidizad A, Dashtizad M, Shamsara M. Metformin modulates oncogenic expression of HOTAIR gene via promoter methylation and reverses epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MDA-MB-231 cells. J Cell Biochem 2020; 122:385-393. [PMID: 33164274 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological event, which critically regulates migration and invasion of cancer cells. EMT is regulated by several protein and nonprotein factors (such as noncoding RNAs). HOTAIR is an oncogenic long noncoding RNA that stimulates EMT in cancers. In the current study, we investigated the effect of metformin on EMT behavior and HOTAIR expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The minimal effective concentrations of metformin (10 and 20 mM) were obtained by the MTT test. Cell migration and invasion in the metformin-containing medium were assayed in the scratch assay and transwell test. Meaningful decreases in both cell migration and invasion were observed in the presence of metformin. Vimentin, snail, β-catenin, and HOTAIR transcripts were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Reduction in the expression of vimentin, β-catenin, and HOTAIR was detected as the result of metformin treatment, but the snail showed a constant expression. Western blottingrevealed the downregulation of vimentin and β-catenin proteins. HOTAIR promoter methylation pattern was also investigated in metformin-exposed cells using bisulfite sequencing PCR which the result showed differences in the methylation profile of CpG islands between the treated and untreated cells. In conclusion, metformin modulated oncogenic expression of the HOTAIR gene in the MDA-MB-231 cells. This downregulation was associated with the modification of promoter methylation patterns. Since HOTAIR induces EMT in breast cancer, HOTAIR decline might be one of the mechanisms by which metformin reverses EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Golshan
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Khaleghi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Biochemistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Shiva Valaee
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Ghanei
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Jamshidizad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Dashtizad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Shamsara
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
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Revenco T, Nicodème A, Pastushenko I, Sznurkowska MK, Latil M, Sotiropoulou PA, Dubois C, Moers V, Lemaire S, de Maertelaer V, Blanpain C. Context Dependency of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition for Metastasis. Cell Rep 2020; 29:1458-1468.e3. [PMID: 31693888 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.09.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been proposed to be important for metastatic dissemination. However, recent studies have challenged the requirement of EMT for metastasis. Here, we assessed in different models of primary skin squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) whether EMT is associated with metastasis. The incidence of metastasis was much higher in SCCs presenting EMT compared to SCCs without EMT, supporting the notion that a certain degree of EMT is required to initiate the metastatic cascade in primary skin SCCs. Most circulating tumor cells presented EMT, whereas most lung metastasis did not present EMT, showing that mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition is important for metastatic colonization. In contrast, immunodeficient mice transplanted with SCCs, whether displaying EMT or not, presented metastasis. Altogether, our data demonstrate that the association of EMT and metastasis is model dependent, and metastasis of primary skin SCCs is associated with EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Revenco
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | - Adeline Nicodème
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | - Ievgenia Pastushenko
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | | | - Mathilde Latil
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | | | - Christine Dubois
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | - Virginie Moers
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | - Sophie Lemaire
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | | | - Cédric Blanpain
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium; WELBIO, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium.
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38
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Role of the CXCR4-LASP1 Axis in the Stabilization of Snail1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092372. [PMID: 32825729 PMCID: PMC7563118 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The CXCL12-CXCR4 axis plays a vital role in many steps of breast cancer metastasis, but the molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. We previously reported that activation of CXCR4 by CXCL12 promotes the nuclear localization of LASP1 (LIM and SH3 protein 1). The nuclear LASP1 then interacts with Snail1 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. In this study, we report that the nuclear accumulation and retention of Snail1 was dependent on an increase in nuclear LASP1 levels driven by active CXCR4. The CXCR4-LASP1 axis may directly regulate the stabilization of nuclear Snail1, by upregulating nuclear levels of pS473-Akt, pS9-GSK-3β, A20, and LSD1. Furthermore, the activation of CXCR4 induced association of LASP1 with Snail1, A20, GSK-3β, and LSD1 endogenously. Thus, nuclear LASP1 may also regulate protein-protein interactions that facilitate the stability of Snail1. Genetic ablation of LASP1 resulted in the mislocalization of nuclear Snail1, loss of the ability of TNBC cells to invade Matrigel and a dysregulated expression of both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, including an increased expression of ALDH1A1, a marker for epithelial breast cancer stem-like cells. Our findings reveal a novel role for the CXCR4-LASP1 axis in facilitating the stability of nuclear localized Snail1.
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39
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Azimi T, Loizidou M, Dwek MV. Cancer cells grown in 3D under fluid flow exhibit an aggressive phenotype and reduced responsiveness to the anti-cancer treatment doxorubicin. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12020. [PMID: 32694700 PMCID: PMC7374750 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68999-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
3D laboratory models of cancer are designed to recapitulate the biochemical and biophysical characteristics of the tumour microenvironment and aim to enable studies of cancer, and new therapeutic modalities, in a physiologically-relevant manner. We have developed an in vitro 3D model comprising a central high-density mass of breast cancer cells surrounded by collagen type-1 and we incorporated fluid flow and pressure. We noted significant changes in cancer cell behaviour using this system. MDA-MB231 and SKBR3 breast cancer cells grown in 3D downregulated the proliferative marker Ki67 (P < 0.05) and exhibited decreased response to the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) (P < 0.01). Mesenchymal markers snail and MMP14 were upregulated in cancer cells maintained in 3D (P < 0.001), cadherin-11 was downregulated (P < 0.001) and HER2 increased (P < 0.05). Cells maintained in 3D under fluid flow exhibited a further reduction in response to DOX (P < 0.05); HER2 and Ki67 levels were also attenuated. Fluid flow and pressure was associated with reduced cell viability and decreased expression levels of vimentin. In summary, aggressive cancer cell behaviour and reduced drug responsiveness was observed when breast cancer cells were maintained in 3D under fluid flow and pressure. These observations are relevant for future developments of 3D in vitro cancer models and organ-on-a-chip initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayebeh Azimi
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish St, London, W1W 6UW, UK
| | - Marilena Loizidou
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, Department of Surgical Biotechnology, UCL Medical School Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Miriam V Dwek
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish St, London, W1W 6UW, UK.
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40
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Jiang Y, Fan L. Evaluation of anticancer activities of Poria cocos ethanol extract in breast cancer: In vivo and in vitro, identification and mechanism. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 257:112851. [PMID: 32283190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Poria cocos Wolf (P. cocos), a well-known traditional East-Asian medicinal and edible fungus, is one of the most important components in Chinese medicine formulas like "Guizhi fuling wan" to treat hyperplasia of mammary glands and breast cancer. AIMING OF STUDY In this study, we attempted to verify the anticancer efficacy of the ethanol extract of P. cocos (PC) on the breast cancer as well as to investigate its most active compound and its underlying molecular mechanism in vivo and in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS The key anti-cancer components were separated and purified through chromatography and identified by spectral analyses. The in vivo anti-breast cancer efficacy and side effects of PC were evaluated in BALB/c nude mice that have been subcutaneously injected with breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231. Cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of PC were evaluated in vitro by cell viability assays and flow cytometry. The protein levels were examined via western blotting. RESULTS Pachymic acid (PA), separated and identified as the most active compound, induced the significant cytotoxicity on breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231(IC50 value, 2.13 ± 0.24 μg/mL) and was not active against the normal breast epithelium cells MCF-10A. The in vivo experiment revealed that PC could significantly inhibit the tumor development and the final mean tumor weight of the mice in the PC group (0.51 ± 0.12g) was significantly lower than that in the model group (1.22 ± 0.45g). Notably, compared to the first-line anticancer drug cisplatin, PC showed less side effects on the function of the vital organs and the muscle strength of the mice. Among in vitro study, PC significantly inhibited the cell growth of MDA-MB-231 by inducing cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrested at G0/G1 phase in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of cell cycle-associated cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK2, and CDK4 were downregulated, while p53 and p21 expression were upregulated following the PA treatment. In addition, PA downregulated the apoptotic regulator Bcl-2, increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax, and promoted the release of cytochrome c and the activation of cleaved caspase-3, -9 and caspase -8 via mitochondria-mediated and death receptor-mediated signaling pathways. CONCLUSION This study verified the anticancer efficacy of PC on breast cancer in vivo and in vitro through induction of cell apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. The data also suggested that PA could be developed as an efficacious agent for breast cancer treatment with less side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jiang
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Liuping Fan
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
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41
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Yuan C, Ning Y, Pan Y. Emerging roles of HOTAIR in human cancer. J Cell Biochem 2020; 121:3235-3247. [PMID: 31943306 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chunjue Yuan
- Department of Laboratory MedicineZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei China
- School of Laboratory MedicineHubei University of Chinese Medicine Wuhan China
| | - Yong Ning
- School of Laboratory MedicineHubei University of Chinese Medicine Wuhan China
| | - Yunbao Pan
- Department of Laboratory MedicineZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei China
- Center for Gene DiagnosisZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei China
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42
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Corso G, Figueiredo J, De Angelis SP, Corso F, Girardi A, Pereira J, Seruca R, Bonanni B, Carneiro P, Pravettoni G, Guerini Rocco E, Veronesi P, Montagna G, Sacchini V, Gandini S. E-cadherin deregulation in breast cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:5930-5936. [PMID: 32301282 PMCID: PMC7294130 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
E‐cadherin protein (CDH1 gene) integrity is fundamental to the process of epithelial polarization and differentiation. Deregulation of the E‐cadherin function plays a crucial role in breast cancer metastases, with worse prognosis and shorter overall survival. In this narrative review, we describe the inactivating mechanisms underlying CDH1 gene activity and its possible translation to clinical practice as a prognostic biomarker and as a potential targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Corso
- Division of Breast Surgery, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Joana Figueiredo
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IPATIMUP - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Federica Corso
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonia Girardi
- Division of Breast Surgery, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Joana Pereira
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IPATIMUP - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Seruca
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IPATIMUP - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bernardo Bonanni
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Genetics, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Patricia Carneiro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IPATIMUP - Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Division of Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Guerini Rocco
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Division of Pathology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Veronesi
- Division of Breast Surgery, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Montagna
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Virgilio Sacchini
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sara Gandini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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43
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PAK1 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma by facilitating EMT via directly up-regulating Snail. Genomics 2020; 112:694-702. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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44
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Wang Q, López-Ozuna VM, Baloch T, Bithras J, Amin O, Kessous R, Kogan L, Laskov I, Yasmeen A. Biguanides in combination with olaparib limits tumorigenesis of drug-resistant ovarian cancer cells through inhibition of Snail. Cancer Med 2019; 9:1307-1320. [PMID: 31863638 PMCID: PMC7013055 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. Currently, new chemotherapeutic strategies are required to improve patient outcome and survival. Biguanides, classic anti‐diabetic drugs, have gained importance for theiri antitumor potency demonstrated by various studies. Olaparib is a PARP inhibitor approved for maintenance therapy following platinum‐based chemotherapy. Furthermore, Snai1, a transcription factor that works as a master regulator of the epithelial/mesenchymal transition process (EMT) is involved in ovarian cancer resistance and progression. Here we aimed to demonstrate the possible cross talk between biguanides and Snail in response to olaparib combination therapy. In this study, we have shown that while in A2780CR cells biguanides reduced cell survival (single treatments ~20%; combined treatment ~44%) and cell migration (single treatments ~45%; biguanide‐olaparib ~80%) significantly, A2780PAR exhibited superior efficacy with single (~60%) and combined treatments (~80%). Moreover, our results indicate that knock‐down of Snail further enhances the attenuation of migration, inhibits EMT related‐proteins (~90%) and induces a synergistic effect in biguanide‐olaparib treatment. Altogether, this work suggests a novel treatment strategy against drug‐resistant or recurrent ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wang
- Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute of Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China.,Division of Uterine Vascular Biology, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Vanessa M López-Ozuna
- Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute of Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tahira Baloch
- Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute of Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Experimental Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joanne Bithras
- Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute of Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Oreekha Amin
- Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute of Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Roy Kessous
- Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute of Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Liron Kogan
- Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute of Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ido Laskov
- Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute of Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Amber Yasmeen
- Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute of Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Punzi S, Balestrieri C, D'Alesio C, Bossi D, Dellino GI, Gatti E, Pruneri G, Criscitiello C, Lovati G, Meliksetyan M, Carugo A, Curigliano G, Natoli G, Pelicci PG, Lanfrancone L. WDR5 inhibition halts metastasis dissemination by repressing the mesenchymal phenotype of breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res 2019; 21:123. [PMID: 31752957 PMCID: PMC6873410 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-019-1216-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Development of metastases and drug resistance are still a challenge for a successful systemic treatment in breast cancer (BC) patients. One of the mechanisms that confer metastatic properties to the cell relies in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, both EMT and metastasis are partly modulated through epigenetic mechanisms, by repression or induction of specific related genes. Methods We applied shRNAs and drug targeting approaches in BC cell lines and metastatic patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models to inhibit WDR5, the core subunit of histone H3 K4 methyltransferase complexes, and evaluate its role in metastasis regulation. Result We report that WDR5 is crucial in regulating tumorigenesis and metastasis spreading during BC progression. In particular, WDR5 loss reduces the metastatic properties of the cells by reverting the mesenchymal phenotype of triple negative- and luminal B-derived cells, thus inducing an epithelial trait. We also suggest that this regulation is mediated by TGFβ1, implying a prominent role of WDR5 in driving EMT through TGFβ1 activation. Moreover, such EMT reversion can be induced by drug targeting of WDR5 as well, leading to BC cell sensitization to chemotherapy and enhancement of paclitaxel-dependent effects. Conclusions We suggest that WDR5 inhibition could be a promising pharmacologic approach to reduce cell migration, revert EMT, and block metastasis formation in BC, thus overcoming resistance to standard treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Punzi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Balestrieri
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele (MI), 20090, Italy.,Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Rozzano (MI), 20089, Italy
| | - Carolina D'Alesio
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Present address: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (Di.M.I), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniela Bossi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Present address: Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Gaetano Ivan Dellino
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Gatti
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Pruneri
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathology, Biobank for Translational Medicine Unit, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Present address: Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori - Fondazione IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmen Criscitiello
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapy, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Lovati
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Marine Meliksetyan
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Carugo
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, UT MD Anderson Cancer Cente, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Division of Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapy, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Natoli
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele (MI), 20090, Italy.,Humanitas Clinical and Research Institute, Rozzano (MI), 20089, Italy
| | - Pier Giuseppe Pelicci
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Lanfrancone
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
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46
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Norum JH, Frings O, Kasper M, Bergholtz H, Zell Thime H, Bergström Å, Andersson A, Kuiper R, Fredlund E, Sørlie T, Toftgård R. GLI1‐induced mammary gland tumours are transplantable and maintain major molecular features. Int J Cancer 2019; 146:1125-1138. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Henrik Norum
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska Institutet Huddinge Sweden
- Department of Cancer GeneticsInstitute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital Oslo Norway
| | - Oliver Frings
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology‐PathologyKarolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Maria Kasper
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska Institutet Huddinge Sweden
| | - Helga Bergholtz
- Department of Cancer GeneticsInstitute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital Oslo Norway
| | - Helene Zell Thime
- Department of Cancer GeneticsInstitute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital Oslo Norway
| | - Åsa Bergström
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska Institutet Huddinge Sweden
| | - Agneta Andersson
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska Institutet Huddinge Sweden
| | - Raoul Kuiper
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Center for Innovative Medicine (CIMED)Karolinska Institutet Huddinge Sweden
| | - Erik Fredlund
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology‐PathologyKarolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Therese Sørlie
- Department of Cancer GeneticsInstitute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital Oslo Norway
| | - Rune Toftgård
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska Institutet Huddinge Sweden
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Contribution of Epithelial Plasticity to Therapy Resistance. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8050676. [PMID: 31091749 PMCID: PMC6571660 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8050676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy resistance is responsible for tumour recurrence and represents one of the major challenges in present oncology. Significant advances have been made in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying resistance to conventional and targeted therapies improving the clinical management of relapsed patients. Unfortunately, in too many cases, resistance reappears leading to a fatal outcome. The recent introduction of immunotherapy regimes has provided an unprecedented success in the treatment of specific cancer types; however, a good percentage of patients do not respond to immune-based treatments or ultimately become resistant. Cellular plasticity, cancer cell stemness and tumour heterogeneity have emerged as important determinants of treatment resistance. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with resistance in many different cellular and preclinical models, although little evidence derives directly from clinical samples. The recognition of the presence in tumours of intermediate hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal states as the most likely manifestation of epithelial plasticity and their potential link to stemness and tumour heterogeneity, provide new clues to understanding resistance and could be exploited in the search for anti-resistance strategies. Here, recent evidence linking EMT/epithelial plasticity to resistance against conventional, targeted and immune therapy are summarized. In addition, future perspectives for related clinical approaches are also discussed.
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48
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Ali A, Al-Tobasei R, Lourenco D, Leeds T, Kenney B, Salem M. Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Genomic Loci Affecting Filet Firmness and Protein Content in Rainbow Trout. Front Genet 2019; 10:386. [PMID: 31130980 PMCID: PMC6509548 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Filet quality traits determine consumer satisfaction and affect profitability of the aquaculture industry. Soft flesh is a criterion for fish filet downgrades, resulting in loss of value. Filet firmness is influenced by many factors, including rate of protein turnover. A 50K transcribed gene SNP chip was used to genotype 789 rainbow trout, from two consecutive generations, produced in the USDA/NCCCWA selective breeding program. Weighted single-step GBLUP (WssGBLUP) was used to perform genome-wide association (GWA) analyses to identify quantitative trait loci affecting filet firmness and protein content. Applying genomic sliding windows of 50 adjacent SNPs, 212 and 225 SNPs were associated with genetic variation in filet shear force and protein content, respectively. Four common SNPs in the ryanodine receptor 3 gene (RYR3) affected the aforementioned filet traits; this association suggests common mechanisms underlying filet shear force and protein content. Genes harboring SNPs were mostly involved in calcium homeostasis, proteolytic activities, transcriptional regulation, chromatin remodeling, and apoptotic processes. RYR3 harbored the highest number of SNPs (n = 32) affecting genetic variation in shear force (2.29%) and protein content (4.97%). Additionally, based on single-marker analysis, a SNP in RYR3 ranked at the top of all SNPs associated with variation in shear force. Our data suggest a role for RYR3 in muscle firmness that may be considered for genomic- and marker-assisted selection in breeding programs of rainbow trout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ali
- Department of Biology and Molecular Biosciences Program, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, United States
| | - Rafet Al-Tobasei
- Computational Science Program, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, United States.,Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Daniela Lourenco
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Tim Leeds
- National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Kearneysville, WV, United States
| | - Brett Kenney
- Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Mohamed Salem
- Department of Biology and Molecular Biosciences Program, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, United States.,Computational Science Program, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, United States
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Abstract
Biomarker-driven personalized cancer therapy is a field of growing interest, and several molecular tests have been developed to detect biomarkers that predict, e.g., response of cancers to particular therapies. Identification of these molecules and understanding their molecular mechanisms is important for cancer prognosis and the development of therapeutics for late stage diseases. In the past, significant efforts have been placed on the discovery of protein or DNA-based biomarkers while only recently the class of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has emerged as a new category of biomarker. The mammalian genome is pervasively transcribed yielding a vast amount of non-protein-coding RNAs including lncRNAs. Hence, these transcripts represent a rich source of information that has the potential to significantly contribute to precision medicine in the future. Importantly, many lncRNAs are differentially expressed in carcinomas and they are emerging as potent regulators of tumor progression and metastasis. Here, we will highlight prime examples of lncRNAs that serve as marker for cancer progression or therapy response and which might represent promising therapeutic targets. Furthermore, we will introduce lncRNA targeting tools and strategies, and we will discuss potential pitfalls in translating these into clinical trials.
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50
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Gupta PB, Pastushenko I, Skibinski A, Blanpain C, Kuperwasser C. Phenotypic Plasticity: Driver of Cancer Initiation, Progression, and Therapy Resistance. Cell Stem Cell 2018; 24:65-78. [PMID: 30554963 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Our traditional understanding of phenotypic plasticity in adult somatic cells comprises dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation in the context of tissue regeneration or wound healing. Although dedifferentiation is central to tissue repair and stemness, this process inherently carries the risk of cancer initiation. Consequently, recent research suggests phenotypic plasticity as a new paradigm for understanding cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. Here, we discuss how cells acquire plasticity and the role of plasticity in initiating cancer, cancer progression, and metastasis and in developing therapy resistance. We also highlight the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and known molecular mechanisms underlying plasticity and we consider potential therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyush B Gupta
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Ievgenia Pastushenko
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | - Adam Skibinski
- Department of Developmental, Chemical and Molecular Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, USA; Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Cedric Blanpain
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Brussels 1070, Belgium; WELBIO, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium.
| | - Charlotte Kuperwasser
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Brussels 1070, Belgium; Department of Developmental, Chemical and Molecular Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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