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León-Fuentes IM, Salgado-Gil MG, Novoa MS, Retamal MA. Connexins in Cancer, the Possible Role of Connexin46 as a Cancer Stem Cell-Determining Protein. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1460. [PMID: 37892142 PMCID: PMC10604234 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101460] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a widespread and incurable disease caused by genetic mutations, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and metastasis. Connexins (Cx) are transmembrane proteins that facilitate intercellular communication via hemichannels and gap junction channels. Among them, Cx46 is found mostly in the eye lens. However, in pathological conditions, Cx46 has been observed in various types of cancers, such as glioblastoma, melanoma, and breast cancer. It has been demonstrated that elevated Cx46 levels in breast cancer contribute to cellular resistance to hypoxia, and it is an enhancer of cancer aggressiveness supporting a pro-tumoral role. Accordingly, Cx46 is associated with an increase in cancer stem cell phenotype. These cells display radio- and chemoresistance, high proliferative abilities, self-renewal, and differentiation capacities. This review aims to consolidate the knowledge of the relationship between Cx46, its role in forming hemichannels and gap junctions, and its connection with cancer and cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mauricio A. Retamal
- Programa de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, República de Honduras 12740, Las Condes, Santiago 7610496, Chile; (I.M.L.-F.); (M.G.S.-G.); (M.S.N.)
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2
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Harryman WL, Marr KD, Nagle RB, Cress AE. Integrins and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Cooperation in the Tumor Microenvironment of Muscle-Invasive Lethal Cancers. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:837585. [PMID: 35300411 PMCID: PMC8921537 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.837585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle-invasive lethal carcinomas traverse into and through this specialized biophysical and growth factor enriched microenvironment. We will highlight cancers that originate in organs surrounded by smooth muscle, which presents a barrier to dissemination, including prostate, bladder, esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers. We propose that the heterogeneity of cell-cell and cell-ECM adhesion receptors is an important driver of aggressive tumor networks with functional consequences for progression. Phenotype heterogeneity of the tumor provides a biophysical advantage for tumor network invasion through the tensile muscle and survival of the tumor network. We hypothesize that a functional epithelial-mesenchymal cooperation (EMC)exists within the tumor invasive network to facilitate tumor escape from the primary organ, invasion and traversing of muscle, and navigation to metastatic sites. Cooperation between specific epithelial cells within the tumor and stromal (mesenchymal) cells interacting with the tumor is illustrated using the examples of laminin-binding adhesion molecules—especially integrins—and their response to growth and inflammatory factors in the tumor microenvironment. The cooperation between cell-cell (E-cadherin, CDH1) and cell-ECM (α6 integrin, CD49f) expression and growth factor receptors is highlighted within poorly differentiated human tumors associated with aggressive disease. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are examined for their role in the tumor microenvironment in generating and organizing various growth factors. Cellular structural proteins are potential utility markers for future spatial profiling studies. We also examine the special characteristics of the smooth muscle microenvironment and how invasion by a primary tumor can alter this environment and contribute to tumor escape via cooperation between epithelial and stromal cells. This cooperative state allows the heterogenous tumor clusters to be shaped by various growth factors, co-opt or evade immune system response, adapt from hypoxic to normoxic conditions, adjust to varying energy sources, and survive radiation and chemotherapeutic interventions. Understanding the epithelial-mesenchymal cooperation in early tumor invasive networks holds potential for both identifying early biomarkers of the aggressive transition and identification of novel agents to prevent the epithelial-mesenchymal cooperation phenotype. Epithelial-mesenchymal cooperation is likely to unveil new tumor subtypes to aid in selection of appropriate therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William L Harryman
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kendra D Marr
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Ray B Nagle
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Anne E Cress
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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3
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Identification of Key Pathways and Establishment of a Seven-Gene Prognostic Signature in Cervical Cancer. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:4748796. [PMID: 35154316 PMCID: PMC8837458 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4748796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) remains high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify critical pathways underlying cervical carcinogenesis and establish a prognostic signature. Six datasets from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database were used to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CC and normal tissues. We used the unions of the DEGs to perform functional analysis. The 108 overlapped DEGs were analyzed to determine a prognostic signature by Cox regression and Lasso analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Immune Cell Abundance Identifier (ImmuCellAI) were used to determine the relationships between the signature and biological functions. The PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the Ras signaling pathway, and the viral carcinogenesis pathway may be critical for CC development. We identified seven genes (PLOD2, DSG2, SPP1, CXCL8, MCM5, HLTF, and KLF4) to construct a risk score formula. Survival analysis showed that the high-risk group indicated a worse prognosis than the low-risk group
. The AUC of the prognostic signature was 0.7449, 0.7641, and 0.8146 at 1, 3, and 5 years. We also identified that the signature is an independent prognostic factor. GSEA showed five pathways were relevant to the signature, such as the adherens junction pathway. The signature also affected the abundances of various types of immune cells, such as B cell, CD4+ T cell, and CD8+ T cell. Further, we found that SPP1 was co-expressed with HK3, CD163, CCL3, CLEC5A, MMP8, TREM1, OLR1, and TREM2. The results of Gene Ontology analysis showed that SPP1 and its co-expressed related proteins mainly affected metabolic process, multicellular organismal process, cell communication, cell proliferation, protein binding, and transporter activity. In conclusion, the present study explored the key pathways for CC development and the seven-gene signature can effectively make the prognosis evaluation of CC patients.
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4
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Abdel-Hamid NM, Abass SA. Matrix metalloproteinase contribution in management of cancer proliferation, metastasis and drug targeting. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:6525-6538. [PMID: 34379286 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06635-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or matrixins, are members of a zinc-dependent endopeptidase family. They cause remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) leading to numerous diseases. MMPs subfamilies possess: collagenases, gelatinases, stromelysins and membrane-type MMPs (MT-MMP). They consist of several domains; pro-peptide, catalytic, linker peptide and the hemopexin (Hpx) domains. MMPs are involved in initiation, proliferation and metastasis of cancer through the breakdown of ECM physical barriers. Overexpression of MMPs is associated with poor prognosis of cancer. This review will discuss both types of MMPs and current inhibitors, which target them in different aspects, including, biosynthesis, activation, secretion and catalytic activity. Several synthetic and natural inhibitors of MMPs (MMPIs) that can bind the catalytic domain of MMPs have been designed including; peptidomimetic, non-peptidomimetic, tetracycline derivatives, off-target MMPI, natural products, microRNAs and monoclonal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil M Abdel-Hamid
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt.
| | - Shimaa A Abass
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt
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5
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Partial EMT in head and neck cancer biology: a spectrum instead of a switch. Oncogene 2021; 40:5049-5065. [PMID: 34239045 PMCID: PMC8934590 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01868-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has slowly evolved from a simple two state, binary model to a multi-step, dynamic continuum of epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity, with metastable intermediate transition states that may drive cancer metastasis. Head and neck cancer is no exception, and in this review, we use head and neck as a case study for how partial-EMT (p-EMT) cell states may play an important role in cancer progression. In particular, we summarize recent in vitro and in vivo studies that uncover these intermediate transition states, which exhibit both epithelial and mesenchymal properties and appear to have distinct advantages in migration, survival in the bloodstream, and seeding and propagation within secondary metastatic sites. We then summarize the common and distinct regulators of p-EMT as well as methodologies for identifying this unique cellular subpopulation, with a specific emphasis on the role of cutting-edge technologies, such as single cell approaches. Finally, we propose strategies to target p-EMT cells, highlighting potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention to specifically target the process of metastasis. Thus, although significant challenges remain, including numerous gaps in current knowledge, a deeper understanding of EMT plasticity and a genuine identification of EMT as spectrum rather than a switch will be critical for improving patient diagnosis and treatment across oncology.
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6
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Lachat C, Peixoto P, Hervouet E. Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition History: From Embryonic Development to Cancers. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11060782. [PMID: 34067395 PMCID: PMC8224685 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process that allows epithelial cells to progressively acquire a reversible mesenchymal phenotype. Here, we recount the main events in the history of EMT. EMT was first studied during embryonic development. Nowadays, it is an important field in cancer research, studied all around the world by more and more scientists, because it was shown that EMT is involved in cancer aggressiveness in many different ways. The main features of EMT's involvement in embryonic development, fibrosis and cancers are briefly reviewed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lachat
- UMR 1098 RIGHT, University Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS-BFC, F-25000 Besançon, France; (P.P.); (E.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Paul Peixoto
- UMR 1098 RIGHT, University Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS-BFC, F-25000 Besançon, France; (P.P.); (E.H.)
- EPIgenetics and GENe EXPression Technical Platform (EPIGENExp), University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Eric Hervouet
- UMR 1098 RIGHT, University Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS-BFC, F-25000 Besançon, France; (P.P.); (E.H.)
- EPIgenetics and GENe EXPression Technical Platform (EPIGENExp), University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France
- DImaCell Platform, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France
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7
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Herrera A, Menendez A, Torroba B, Ochoa A, Pons S. Dbnl and β-catenin promote pro-N-cadherin processing to maintain apico-basal polarity. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:212044. [PMID: 33939796 PMCID: PMC8097490 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202007055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural tube forms when neural stem cells arrange into a pseudostratified, single-cell–layered epithelium, with a marked apico-basal polarity, and in which adherens junctions (AJs) concentrate in the subapical domain. We previously reported that sustained β-catenin expression promotes the formation of enlarged apical complexes (ACs), enhancing apico-basal polarity, although the mechanism through which this occurs remained unclear. Here, we show that β-catenin interacts with phosphorylated pro-N-cadherin early in its transit through the Golgi apparatus, promoting propeptide excision and the final maturation of N-cadherin. We describe a new β-catenin–dependent interaction of N-cadherin with Drebrin-like (Dbnl), an actin-binding protein that is involved in anterograde Golgi trafficking of proteins. Notably, Dbnl knockdown led to pro-N-cadherin accumulation and limited AJ formation. In brief, we demonstrate that Dbnl and β-catenin assist in the maturation of pro-N-cadherin, which is critical for AJ formation and for the recruitment AC components like aPKC and, consequently, for the maintenance of apico-basal polarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Herrera
- Instituto de Biología Molecular de Barcelona, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anghara Menendez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular de Barcelona, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Blanca Torroba
- Instituto de Biología Molecular de Barcelona, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Ochoa
- Instituto de Biología Molecular de Barcelona, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sebastián Pons
- Instituto de Biología Molecular de Barcelona, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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8
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Nrf2 regulates cell motility through RhoA-ROCK1 signalling in non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1247. [PMID: 33441941 PMCID: PMC7806835 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81021-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key transcriptional regulator of several antioxidant and anti-inflammatory enzymes. It binds to its endogenous inhibitor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) in the cytoplasm under normal conditions. Various endogenous or environmental oxidative stresses can disrupt the Nrf2/Keap1 complex, allowing Nrf2 to translocate into the nucleus, where it induces the transcription of various cytoprotective enzymes by binding to antioxidant responsive elements. These enzymes have been reported to play a role in regulating tumour growth, angiogenesis, and chemoprevention. Invasion and migration are the most harmful aspects of cancer; they directly impacts the patients’ survival. Although the roles of Keap1/Nrf2 and their downstream genes in various cancers have been widely documented, their role in regulating cell motility still remains unclear, particularly in cancer cells. We observed that Nrf2 suppression following treatment with brusatol in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells with either exogenously introduced Keap1 or siNrf2 resulted in the inhibition of cell migration and invasion, with shrinking cell morphology due to decreased focal adhesions via inhibition of the RhoA–ROCK1 pathway. Nrf2 overexpression showed opposite results. Thus, the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway may affect cell motility by dysregulating the RhoA–ROCK1 signalling pathway in NSCLC.
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9
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Pratt SJP, Lee RM, Chang KT, Hernández-Ochoa EO, Annis DA, Ory EC, Thompson KN, Bailey PC, Mathias TJ, Ju JA, Vitolo MI, Schneider MF, Stains JP, Ward CW, Martin SS. Mechanoactivation of NOX2-generated ROS elicits persistent TRPM8 Ca 2+ signals that are inhibited by oncogenic KRas. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:26008-26019. [PMID: 33020304 PMCID: PMC7584994 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2009495117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in the mechanical microenvironment and mechanical signals are observed during tumor progression, malignant transformation, and metastasis. In this context, understanding the molecular details of mechanotransduction signaling may provide unique therapeutic targets. Here, we report that normal breast epithelial cells are mechanically sensitive, responding to transient mechanical stimuli through a two-part calcium signaling mechanism. We observed an immediate, robust rise in intracellular calcium (within seconds) followed by a persistent extracellular calcium influx (up to 30 min). This persistent calcium was sustained via microtubule-dependent mechanoactivation of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2)-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), which acted on transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) channels to prolong calcium signaling. In contrast, the introduction of a constitutively active oncogenic KRas mutation inhibited the magnitude of initial calcium signaling and severely blunted persistent calcium influx. The identification that oncogenic KRas suppresses mechanically-induced calcium at the level of ROS provides a mechanism for how KRas could alter cell responses to tumor microenvironment mechanics and may reveal chemotherapeutic targets for cancer. Moreover, we find that expression changes in both NOX2 and TRPM8 mRNA predict poor clinical outcome in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer patients, a population with limited available treatment options. The clinical and mechanistic data demonstrating disruption of this mechanically-activated calcium pathway in breast cancer patients and by KRas activation reveal signaling alterations that could influence cancer cell responses to the tumor mechanical microenvironment and impact patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J P Pratt
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201;
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Rachel M Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Katarina T Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Erick O Hernández-Ochoa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - David A Annis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Eleanor C Ory
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Keyata N Thompson
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Patrick C Bailey
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Trevor J Mathias
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Julia A Ju
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Michele I Vitolo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Martin F Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Joseph P Stains
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Christopher W Ward
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Stuart S Martin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201;
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
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10
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The Mechanical Microenvironment in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061452. [PMID: 32503141 PMCID: PMC7352870 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanotransduction is the interpretation of physical cues by cells through mechanosensation mechanisms that elegantly translate mechanical stimuli into biochemical signaling pathways. While mechanical stress and their resulting cellular responses occur in normal physiologic contexts, there are a variety of cancer-associated physical cues present in the tumor microenvironment that are pathological in breast cancer. Mechanistic in vitro data and in vivo evidence currently support three mechanical stressors as mechanical modifiers in breast cancer that will be the focus of this review: stiffness, interstitial fluid pressure, and solid stress. Increases in stiffness, interstitial fluid pressure, and solid stress are thought to promote malignant phenotypes in normal breast epithelial cells, as well as exacerbate malignant phenotypes in breast cancer cells.
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11
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Wan J, Qin J, Cao Q, Hu P, Zhong C, Tu C. Hypoxia-induced PLOD2 regulates invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in endometrial carcinoma cells. Genes Genomics 2019; 42:317-324. [PMID: 31872384 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-019-00901-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2) was induced in hypoxia and participated in cancer development. However, the role of PLOD2 in endometrial carcinoma remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To explore the influences and regulation mechanism of PLOD2 in endometrial carcinoma under hypoxic condition. METHODS The small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting to PLOD2 and pcDNA3.1-PLPD2 were transfected to endometrial carcinoma cells to alter PLOD2 expression. Cell proliferation ability was determined by colony formation assay. Wound healing assay used to detect cell migration ability. Transwell invasion assay was used to detect cell invasion ability. RESULTS PLOD2 and Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were induced by hypoxia. Down-regulation of PLOD2 did not affect endometrial carcinoma cell proliferation ability, while inhibited cell migration, invasion under hypoxic condition. Besides, down-regulation of PLOD2 increased the levels of γ-catenin and E-cadherin and decreased levels of Fibronectin and Snail under hypoxic condition. Down-regulation of PLOD2 also inactivated Src and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/ protein kinase B (Akt) signaling under hypoxic condition. The promoting effects of PLOD2 overexpression on migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of endometrial carcinoma cells were reversed by Akt inhibitor (MK2206) under hypoxic condition. CONCLUSION PLOD2 expression was increased in endometrial carcinoma cells under hypoxic condition. PLOD2 modulated migration, invasion, and EMT of endometrial carcinoma cells via PI3K/Akt signaling. PLOD2 may be a potential therapeutic target for endometrial carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Wan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1st Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17# Yongwai Zheng Street, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, 330006, China
| | - Junli Qin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1st Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17# Yongwai Zheng Street, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, 330006, China
| | - Qinyue Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, 330006, China
| | - Ping Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, 330006, China
| | - Chunmei Zhong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, 330006, China
| | - Chunhua Tu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1st Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17# Yongwai Zheng Street, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, 330006, China.
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12
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Jalaleddine N, El-Hajjar L, Dakik H, Shaito A, Saliba J, Safi R, Zibara K, El-Sabban M. Pannexin1 Is Associated with Enhanced Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Patient Breast Cancer Tissues and in Breast Cancer Cell Lines. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121967. [PMID: 31817827 PMCID: PMC6966616 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of connexin-mediated cell-cell communication is a hallmark of breast cancer progression. Pannexin1 (PANX1), a glycoprotein that shares structural and functional features with connexins and engages in cell communication with its environment, is highly expressed in breast cancer metastatic foci; however, PANX1 contribution to metastatic progression is still obscure. Here we report elevated expression of PANX1 in different breast cancer (BRCA) subtypes using RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The elevated PANX1 expression correlated with poorer outcomes in TCGA BRCA patients. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway genes correlated positively with PANX1 expression. Pharmacological inhibition of PANX1, in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells, or genetic ablation of PANX1, in MDA-MB-231 cells, reverted the EMT phenotype, as evidenced by decreased expression of EMT markers. In addition, PANX1 inhibition or genetic ablation decreased the invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results suggest PANX1 overexpression in breast cancer is associated with a shift towards an EMT phenotype, in silico and in vitro, attributing to it a tumor-promoting effect, with poorer clinical outcomes in breast cancer patients. This association offers a novel target for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Jalaleddine
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Beirut 1107-2809, Lebanon;
| | - Layal El-Hajjar
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon;
| | - Hassan Dakik
- University of Tours, EA 7501 GICC, CNRS ERL 7001 LNOx, CEDEX 01, 37032 Tours, France;
| | - Abdullah Shaito
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese International University, Beirut 1105, Lebanon;
| | - Jessica Saliba
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut 1003, Lebanon;
| | - Rémi Safi
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon;
| | - Kazem Zibara
- ER045-Laboratory of Stem Cells, PRASE, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut 1003, Lebanon;
| | - Marwan El-Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +961-1-350000 (ext. 4765-4766)
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13
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Wu Y, Yang Y, Xian YS. HCRP1 inhibits cell proliferation and invasion and promotes chemosensitivity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Chem Biol Interact 2019; 308:357-363. [PMID: 31152734 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma related protein 1 (HCRP1), which is essential for internalization and degradation of ubiquitinated membrane receptors, was reported to play crucial roles in cancer pathogenesis and progression. However, the functional roles of HCRP1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of HCRP1 on ESCC cells and the underlying mechanism. Our results demonstrated that HCRP1 was lowly expressed in ESCC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of HCRP1 significantly suppressed ESCC cell proliferation and invasion as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Furthermore, HCRP1 increased the sensitivity of ESCC cells towards cisplatin/fluorouracil. Mechanistically, HCRP1 inhibited the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in ESCC cells. In conclusion, these findings indicated that HCRP1 suppressed ESCC cell proliferation and invasion through regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Therefore, HCRP1 may function as a tumor suppressor in ESCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shaanxi People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China
| | - Ye Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shaanxi People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China
| | - Yin-Sheng Xian
- Department of Oncosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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14
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Roles of MicroRNA-34a in Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Competing Endogenous RNA Sponging and Its Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20040861. [PMID: 30781524 PMCID: PMC6413055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a), a tumor suppressor, has been reported to be dysregulated in various human cancers. MiR-34a is involves in certain epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated signal pathways to repress tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and metastasis. Due to the particularity of miR-34 family in tumor-associated EMT, the significance of miR-34a is being increasingly recognized. Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) is a novel concept involving mRNA, circular RNA, pseudogene transcript, and long noncoding RNA regulating each other’s expressions using microRNA response elements to compete for the binding of microRNAs. Studies showed that miR-34a is efficient for cancer therapy. Here, we provide an overview of the function of miR-34a in tumor-associated EMT. ceRNA hypothesis plays an important role in miR-34a regulation in EMT, cancer progression, and metastasis. Its potential roles and challenges as a microRNA therapeutic candidate are discussed. As the negative effect on cancer progression, miR-34a should play crucial roles in clinical diagnosis and cancer therapy.
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15
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The role of autophagy in morphogenesis and stem cell maintenance. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 150:721-732. [PMID: 30382373 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1751-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
During embryonic development, cells need to undergo a number of morphological changes that are decisive for the shaping of the embryo's body, initiating organogenesis and differentiation into functional tissues. These remodeling processes are accompanied by profound changes in the cell membrane, the cytoskeleton, organelles, and extracellular matrix composition. While considerably detailed insight into the role of autophagy in stem cells biology has been gained in the recent years, information regarding the participation of autophagy in morphogenetic processes is only sparse. This review, therefore, focuses on the role of autophagy in cell morphogenesis through its regulatory activity in TGFβ signaling, expression of adhesion molecules and cell cycle modification. It also discusses the role of autophagy in stem cell maintenance which is very fundamental for cell renewal and replacement during development, pathogenesis of certain diseases and development of therapies. We are thus addressing here perspectives for further potentially rewarding research topics.
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16
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Zuccarini M, Giuliani P, Ziberi S, Carluccio M, Iorio PD, Caciagli F, Ciccarelli R. The Role of Wnt Signal in Glioblastoma Development and Progression: A Possible New Pharmacological Target for the Therapy of This Tumor. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9020105. [PMID: 29462960 PMCID: PMC5852601 DOI: 10.3390/genes9020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt is a complex signaling pathway involved in the regulation of crucial biological functions such as development, proliferation, differentiation and migration of cells, mainly stem cells, which are virtually present in all embryonic and adult tissues. Conversely, dysregulation of Wnt signal is implicated in development/progression/invasiveness of different kinds of tumors, wherein a certain number of multipotent cells, namely “cancer stem cells”, are characterized by high self-renewal and aggressiveness. Hence, the pharmacological modulation of Wnt pathway could be of particular interest, especially in tumors for which the current standard therapy results to be unsuccessful. This might be the case of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), one of the most lethal, aggressive and recurrent brain cancers, probably due to the presence of highly malignant GBM stem cells (GSCs) as well as to a dysregulation of Wnt system. By examining the most recent literature, here we point out several factors in the Wnt pathway that are altered in human GBM and derived GSCs, as well as new molecular strategies or experimental drugs able to modulate/inhibit aberrant Wnt signal. Altogether, these aspects serve to emphasize the existence of alternative pharmacological targets that may be useful to develop novel therapies for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Zuccarini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Patricia Giuliani
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Sihana Ziberi
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- StemTeCh Group, via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Marzia Carluccio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- StemTeCh Group, via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Di Iorio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Francesco Caciagli
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Renata Ciccarelli
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Center and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
- StemTeCh Group, via L. Polacchi 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
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17
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Thewke DP, Kou J, Fulmer ML, Xie Q. The HGF/MET Signaling and Therapeutics in Cancer. CURRENT HUMAN CELL RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-7296-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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18
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Khammanivong A, Sorenson BS, Ross KF, Dickerson EB, Hasina R, Lingen MW, Herzberg MC. Involvement of calprotectin (S100A8/A9) in molecular pathways associated with HNSCC. Oncotarget 2017; 7:14029-47. [PMID: 26883112 PMCID: PMC4924696 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Calprotectin (S100A8/A9), a heterodimeric protein complex of calcium-binding proteins S100A8 and S100A9, plays key roles in cell cycle regulation and inflammation, with potential functions in squamous cell differentiation. While upregulated in many cancers, S100A8/A9 is downregulated in squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix, esophagus, and the head and neck (HNSCC). We previously reported that ectopic S100A8/A9 expression inhibits cell cycle progression in carcinoma cells. Here, we show that declining expression of S100A8/A9 in patients with HNSCC is associated with increased DNA methylation, less differentiated tumors, and reduced overall survival. Upon ectopic over-expression of S100A8/A9, the cancer phenotype of S100A8/A9-negative carcinoma cells was suppressed in vitro and tumor growth in vivo was significantly decreased. MMP1, INHBA, FST, LAMC2, CCL3, SULF1, and SLC16A1 were significantly upregulated in HNSCC but were downregulated by S100A8/A9 expression. Our findings strongly suggest that downregulation of S100A8/A9 through epigenetic mechanisms may contribute to increased proliferation, malignant transformation, and disease progression in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Khammanivong
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Brent S Sorenson
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Karen F Ross
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Mucosal and Vaccine Research Center, Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Erin B Dickerson
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Rifat Hasina
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mark W Lingen
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mark C Herzberg
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Mucosal and Vaccine Research Center, Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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19
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Gooskens SL, Klasson TD, Gremmels H, Logister I, Pieters R, Perlman EJ, Giles RH, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM. TCF21 hypermethylation regulates renal tumor cell clonogenic proliferation and migration. Mol Oncol 2017; 12:166-179. [PMID: 29080283 PMCID: PMC5792742 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We recently identified hypermethylation at the gene promoter of transcription factor 21 (TCF21) in clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK), a rare pediatric renal tumor. TCF21 is a transcription factor involved in tubular epithelial development of the kidney and is a candidate tumor suppressor. As there are no in vitro models of CCSK, we employed a well-established clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cell line, 786-O, which also manifests high methylation at the TCF21 promoter, with consequent low TCF21 expression. The tumor suppressor function of TCF21 has not been functionally addressed in ccRCC cells; we aimed to explore the functional potential of TCF21 expression in ccRCC cells in vitro. 786-O clones stably transfected with either pBABE-TCF21-HA construct or pBABE vector alone were functionally analyzed. We found that ectopic expression of TCF21 in 786-O cells results in a trend toward decreased cell proliferation (not significant) and significantly decreased migration compared with mock-transfected 786-O cells. Although the number of colonies established in colony formation assays was not different between 786-O clones, colony size was significantly reduced in 786-O cells expressing TCF21. To investigate whether the changes in migration were due to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition changes, we interrogated the expression of selected epithelial and mesenchymal markers. Although we observed upregulation of mRNA and protein levels of epithelial marker E-cadherin in clones overexpressing TCF21, this did not result in surface expression of E-cadherin as measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and immunofluorescence. Furthermore, mRNA expression of the mesenchymal markers vimentin (VIM) and SNAI1 was not significantly decreased in TCF21-expressing 786-O cells, while protein levels of VIM were markedly decreased. We conclude that re-expression of TCF21 in renal cancer cells that have silenced their endogenous TCF21 locus through hypermethylation results in reduced clonogenic proliferation, reduced migration, and reduced mesenchymal-like characteristics, suggesting a tumor suppressor function for transcription factor 21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia L Gooskens
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy D Klasson
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik Gremmels
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ive Logister
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Pieters
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth J Perlman
- Department of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, IL, USA
| | - Rachel H Giles
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
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20
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Ory EC, Bhandary L, Boggs AE, Chakrabarti KR, Parker J, Losert W, Martin SS. Analysis of microtubule growth dynamics arising from altered actin network structure and contractility in breast tumor cells. Phys Biol 2017; 14:026005. [PMID: 28092269 PMCID: PMC5738915 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/aa59a2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The periphery of epithelial cells is shaped by opposing cytoskeletal physical forces generated predominately by two dynamic force generating systems-growing microtubule ends push against the boundary from the cell center, and the actin cortex contracts the attached plasma membrane. Here we investigate how changes to the structure and dynamics of the actin cortex alter the dynamics of microtubules. Current drugs target actin polymerization and contraction to reduce cell division and invasiveness; however, the impacts on microtubule dynamics remain incompletely understood. Using human MCF-7 breast tumor cells expressing GFP-tagged microtubule end-binding-protein-1 (EB1) and coexpression of cytoplasmic fluorescent protein mCherry, we map the trajectories of growing microtubule ends and cytoplasmic boundary respectively. Based on EB1 tracks and cytoplasmic boundary outlines, we calculate the speed, distance from cytoplasmic boundary, and straightness of microtubule growth. Actin depolymerization with Latrunculin-A reduces EB1 growth speed as well as allows the trajectories to extend beyond the cytoplasmic boundary. Blebbistatin, a direct myosin-II inhibitor, reduced EB1 speed and yielded less straight EB1 trajectories. Inhibiting signaling upstream of myosin-II contractility via the Rho-kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, altered EB1 dynamics differently from Blebbistatin. These results indicate that reduced actin cortex integrity can induce distinct alterations in microtubule dynamics. Given recent findings that tumor stem cell characteristics are increased by drugs which reduce actin contractility or stabilize microtubules, it remains important to clearly define how cytoskeletal drugs alter the interactions between these two filament systems in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor C Ory
- Department of Physics, IPST, and IREAP, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
| | - Lekhana Bhandary
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Amanda E Boggs
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Kristi R Chakrabarti
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Joshua Parker
- Department of Physics, IPST, and IREAP, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Department of Physics, IPST, and IREAP, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States of America
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Stuart S Martin
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Bressler Bldg. Rm 10-29, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
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21
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Nishitani S, Noma K, Ohara T, Tomono Y, Watanabe S, Tazawa H, Shirakawa Y, Fujiwara T. Iron depletion-induced downregulation of N-cadherin expression inhibits invasive malignant phenotypes in human esophageal cancer. Int J Oncol 2016; 49:1351-9. [PMID: 27499208 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal carcinomas often have a poor prognosis due to early lymph node metastasis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is strongly associated with the acquisition of cancer metastasis and invasion. However, there is no established treatment to eliminate the EMT of cancer cells. Iron is an essential element for both normal and cancer cells in humans. Recently, iron depletion has been discovered to suppress tumor growth. Therefore, we hypothesized that decreased iron conditions would regulate EMT phenotypes, as well as suppressing tumor growth. The human TE esophageal cancer cell lines and OE19 were used in our study. Decreased iron conditions were made using an iron-depletion diet in mice and the iron chelator deferasirox for cell studies. Migration and invasion abilities of cells were measured using migration, invasion, and sphere-formation assays. Esophageal subcutaneous tumor growth was suppressed in decreased iron conditions. In vitro study showed that decreased iron conditions inhibited esophageal cancer cell proliferation as well as migration and invasion abilities, with downregulation of N-cadherin expression. Also, migration and invasion abilities were suppressed by inhibiting expression of N-cadherin. In conclusion, decreased iron conditions revealed a profound anticancer effect by the suppression of tumor growth and the inhibition of migration and invasion abilities via N-cadherin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seishi Nishitani
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Noma
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Ohara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | | | - Shinichiro Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tazawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Shirakawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Toshiyoshi Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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22
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Suwala AK, Hanaford A, Kahlert UD, Maciaczyk J. Clipping the Wings of Glioblastoma: Modulation of WNT as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2016; 75:388-96. [PMID: 26979081 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlw013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumor and has a dismal prognosis. Aberrant WNT signaling is known to promote glioma cell growth and dissemination and resistance to conventional radio- and chemotherapy. Moreover, a population of cancer stem-like cells that promote glioma growth and recurrence are strongly dependent on WNT signaling. Here, we discuss the role and mechanisms of aberrant canonical and noncanonical WNT signaling in GBM. We present current clinical approaches aimed at modulating WNT activity and evaluate their clinical perspective as a novel treatment option for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail K Suwala
- From the Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany (AKS, UDK, JM); and Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland (AH)
| | - Allison Hanaford
- From the Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany (AKS, UDK, JM); and Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland (AH)
| | - Ulf D Kahlert
- From the Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany (AKS, UDK, JM); and Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland (AH)
| | - Jaroslaw Maciaczyk
- From the Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany (AKS, UDK, JM); and Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland (AH).
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23
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Abstract
Desmosomes are cell-cell junctions that mediate adhesion and couple the intermediate filament cytoskeleton to sites of cell-cell contact. This architectural arrangement integrates adhesion and cytoskeletal elements of adjacent cells. The importance of this robust adhesion system is evident in numerous human diseases, both inherited and acquired, which occur when desmosome function is compromised. This review focuses on autoimmune and infectious diseases that impair desmosome function. In addition, we discuss emerging evidence that desmosomal genes are often misregulated in cancer. The emphasis of our discussion is placed on the way in which human diseases can inform our understanding of basic desmosome biology and in turn, the means by which fundamental advances in the cell biology of desmosomes might lead to new treatments for acquired diseases of the desmosome.
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24
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Le JM, Squarize CH, Castilho RM. Histone modifications: Targeting head and neck cancer stem cells. World J Stem Cells 2014; 6:511-525. [PMID: 25426249 PMCID: PMC4178252 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i5.511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, and is responsible for a quarter of a million deaths annually. The survival rate for HNSCC patients is poor, showing only minor improvement in the last three decades. Despite new surgical techniques and chemotherapy protocols, tumor resistance to chemotherapy remains a significant challenge for HNSCC patients. Numerous mechanisms underlie chemoresistance, including genetic and epigenetic alterations in cancer cells that may be acquired during treatment and activation of mitogenic signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer-of activated B cell, that cause reduced apoptosis. In addition to dysfunctional molecular signaling, emerging evidence reveals involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor development and in tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These observations have sparked interest in understanding the mechanisms involved in the control of CSC function and fate. Post-translational modifications of histones dynamically influence gene expression independent of alterations to the DNA sequence. Recent findings from our group have shown that pharmacological induction of post-translational modifications of tumor histones dynamically modulates CSC plasticity. These findings suggest that a better understanding of the biology of CSCs in response to epigenetic switches and pharmacological inhibitors of histone function may directly translate to the development of a mechanism-based strategy to disrupt CSCs. In this review, we present and discuss current knowledge on epigenetic modifications of HNSCC and CSC response to DNA methylation and histone modifications. In addition, we discuss chromatin modifications and their role in tumor resistance to therapy.
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25
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Nantajit D, Lin D, Li JJ. The network of epithelial-mesenchymal transition: potential new targets for tumor resistance. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2014; 141:1697-713. [PMID: 25270087 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-014-1840-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In multiple cell metazoans, the ability of polarized epithelial cells to convert to motile mesenchymal cells in order to relocate to another location is governed by a unique process termed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). While being an essential process of cellular plasticity for normal tissue and organ developments, EMT is found to be involved in an array of malignant phenotypes of tumor cells including proliferation and invasion, angiogenesis, stemness of cancer cells and resistance to chemo-radiotherapy. Although EMT is being extensively studied and demonstrated to play a key role in tumor metastasis and in sustaining tumor hallmarks, there is a lack of clear picture of the overall EMT signaling network, wavering the potential clinical trials targeting EMT. METHODS In this review, we highlight the potential key therapeutic targets of EMT linked with tumor aggressiveness, hypoxia, angiogenesis and cancer stem cells, emphasizing on an emerging EMT-associated NF-κB/HER2/STAT3 pathway in radioresistance of breast cancer stem cells. RESULTS Further definition of cancer stem cell repopulation due to EMT-controlled tumor microenvironment will help to understand how tumors exploit the EMT mechanisms for their survival and expansion advantages. CONCLUSIONS The knowledge of EMT will offer more effective targets in clinical trials to treat therapy-resistant metastatic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danupon Nantajit
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
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26
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Zhang HY, Wang ZQ, Li YY, Wang F, Zeng QR, Gao Y, Xuan XY, Li SS. Transforming growth factor-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via the PTEN/PI3K signaling pathway. Oncol Rep 2014; 32:2134-42. [PMID: 25175594 DOI: 10.3892/or.2014.3453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial step for the invasive and metastatic properties of malignant tumor cells during tumor progression. Numerous signaling pathways are involved in the process of EMT in cancer, such as the EMT-inducing signal transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and the recently demonstrated PTEN/PI3K signaling pathway. To date, no data have been reported concerning the influence of PTEN/PI3K signaling pathway on EMT in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and how TGF-β1 and PTEN/PI3K act through multiple interconnected signaling pathways to trigger events associated with EMT and tumor progression. Our data showed that the PTEN/PI3K pathway was active in human ESCC tissues in vivo, particularly in ESCC with decreased E-cadherin and increased vimentin protein expression, poor differentiation, deep invasion and lymph node metastasis, which are responsible for EMT and tumor progression. In addition, in the human ESCC cell line (EC-1) in vitro, TGF-β1 treatment markedly induced EMT, including morphological alterations, a decrease of E-cadherin and an increase of vimentin levels and enhanced mobility and invasiveness. Furthermore, the PTEN/PI3K pathway was also activated in the process of TGF-β1-induced EMT in EC-1 cells in vitro, whereas inhibition of the PTEN/PI3K pathway by using pcDNA3.1 PTEN partially blocked TGF-β1-induced EMT and reduced mobility and invasiveness. These studies suggest that TGF-β1 and the PTEN/PI3K signaling pathway contribute to EMT and the PTEN/PI3K signaling pathway is a key regulator of TGF-β1‑induced EMT in ESCC. Disruption of the PTEN/PI3K pathway involved in TGF-β1-induced EMT may provide possible routes for therapeutic intervention to ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yun-Yun Li
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Qing-Ru Zeng
- Department of Supersonics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Yan Xuan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Basic Medical College of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Shan-Shan Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
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D'Angelo RC, Liu XW, Najy AJ, Jung YS, Won J, Chai KX, Fridman R, Kim HRC. TIMP-1 via TWIST1 induces EMT phenotypes in human breast epithelial cells. Mol Cancer Res 2014; 12:1324-33. [PMID: 24895412 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) regulates intracellular signaling networks for inhibition of apoptosis. Tetraspanin (CD63), a cell surface binding partner for TIMP-1, was previously shown to regulate integrin-mediated survival pathways in the human breast epithelial cell line MCF10A. In the current study, we show that TIMP-1 expression induces phenotypic changes in cell morphology, cell adhesion, cytoskeletal remodeling, and motility, indicative of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This is evidenced by loss of the epithelial cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin with an increase in the mesenchymal markers vimentin, N-cadherin, and fibronectin. Signaling through TIMP-1, but not TIMP-2, induces the expression of TWIST1, an important EMT transcription factor known to suppress E-cadherin transcription, in a CD63-dependent manner. RNAi-mediated knockdown of TWIST1 rescued E-cadherin expression in TIMP-1-overexpressing cells, demonstrating a functional significance of TWIST1 in TIMP-1-mediated EMT. Furthermore, analysis of TIMP-1 structural mutants reveals that TIMP-1 interactions with CD63 that activate cell survival signaling and EMT do not require the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-inhibitory domain of TIMP-1. Taken together, these data demonstrate that TIMP-1 binding to CD63 activates intracellular signal transduction pathways, resulting in EMT-like changes in breast epithelial cells, independent of its MMP-inhibitory function. IMPLICATIONS TIMP-1's function as an endogenous inhibitor of MMP or as a "cytokine-like" signaling molecule may be a critical determinant for tumor cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemarie Chirco D'Angelo
- Department of Pathology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Xu-Wen Liu
- Department of Pathology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Abdo J Najy
- Department of Pathology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Young Suk Jung
- Department of Pathology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Joshua Won
- Department of Pathology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Karl X Chai
- Department of Pathology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Rafael Fridman
- Department of Pathology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Hyeong-Reh Choi Kim
- Department of Pathology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
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Pacchiani N, Censini S, Buti L, Covacci A. Echoes of a distant past: The cag pathogenicity island of Helicobacter pylori. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2013; 3:cshperspect.a010355. [PMID: 24097901 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a010355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This review discusses the multiple roles of the CagA protein encoded by the cag pathogenicity island of Helicobacter pylori and highlights the CagA degradation activities on p53. By subverting the p53 tumor suppressor pathway CagA induces a strong antiapoptotic effect. Helicobacter pylori infection has been always associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. The pro-oncogenic functions of CagA also target the tumor suppressor ASPP2. In the absence of tumor suppressor genes, cells survive and proliferate at times and in places where their survival and proliferation are inappropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pacchiani
- Systems Biology Unit, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, 53100 Siena, Italy
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29
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Essentials of circulating tumor cells for clinical research and practice. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2013; 88:338-56. [PMID: 23830807 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2013.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Revised: 03/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The major cause of death due to cancer is its metastatic deposit in numerous tissues and organs. The metastatic process requires the migration of malignant cells from primary sites to distant environments. Even for tumors initially spreading through lymphatic vessels, hematogenous transport is the most common metastatic pathway. The detachment of cancer cells from a primary tumor into the blood stream is called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). As these cells circulate further in the bloodstream they are known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The CTC population is highly resilient, enabling the cells to colonize a foreign microenvironment. Alternatively, cancer stem cells (CSCs) may arise from differentiated cancer cells through EMT and an embryonic transdifferentiation process. The presence of CTCs/CSCs in blood seems to be a determining factor of metastasis. This paper reviews various methods of clinical cancer detection as well as the biology and molecular characterization of CTCs/CSCs. Our goal was to summarize clinical studies which used CTC/CSCs for prognosis in patients with breast, colorectal, prostate, lung, ovarian, and bladder cancer.
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30
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Awazu Y, Nakamura K, Mizutani A, Kakoi Y, Iwata H, Yamasaki S, Miyamoto N, Imamura S, Miki H, Hori A. A novel inhibitor of c-Met and VEGF receptor tyrosine kinases with a broad spectrum of in vivo antitumor activities. Mol Cancer Ther 2013; 12:913-24. [PMID: 23548264 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-12-1011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), are dysregulated in a wide variety of human cancers and are linked with tumorigenesis and metastatic progression. VEGF also plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis and progression by stimulating the proangiogenic signaling of endothelial cells via activation of VEGF receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFR). Therefore, inhibiting both HGF/c-Met and VEGF/VEGFR signaling may provide a novel therapeutic approach for treating patients with a broad spectrum of tumors. Toward this goal, we generated and characterized T-1840383, a small-molecule kinase inhibitor that targets both c-Met and VEGFRs. T-1840383 inhibited HGF-induced c-Met phosphorylation and VEGF-induced VEGFR-2 phosphorylation in cancer epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells, respectively. It also inhibited constitutively activated c-Met phosphorylation in c-met-amplified cancer cells, leading to suppression of cell proliferation. In addition, T-1840383 potently blocked VEGF-dependent proliferation and capillary tube formation of endothelial cells. Following oral administration, T-1840383 showed potent antitumor efficacy in a wide variety of human tumor xenograft mouse models, along with reduction of c-Met phosphorylation levels and microvessel density within tumor xenografts. These results suggest that the efficacy of T-1840383 is produced by direct effects on tumor cell growth and by an antiangiogenic mechanism. Furthermore, T-1840383 showed profound antitumor activity in a gastric tumor peritoneal dissemination model. Collectively, our findings indicate the therapeutic potential of targeting both c-Met and VEGFRs simultaneously with a single small-molecule inhibitor for the treatment of human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiko Awazu
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd., Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
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Giudice FS, Pinto DS, Nör JE, Squarize CH, Castilho RM. Inhibition of histone deacetylase impacts cancer stem cells and induces epithelial-mesenchyme transition of head and neck cancer. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58672. [PMID: 23527004 PMCID: PMC3603970 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome is organized and packed into the nucleus through interactions with core histone proteins. Emerging evidence suggests that tumors are highly responsive to epigenetic alterations that induce chromatin-based events and dynamically influence tumor behavior. We examined chromatin organization in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using acetylation levels of histone 3 as a marker of chromatin compaction. Compared to control oral keratinocytes, we found that HNSCC cells are hypoacetylated and that microenvironmental cues (e.g., microvasculature endothelial cells) induce tumor acetylation. Furthermore, we found that chemical inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDAC) reduces the number of cancer stem cells (CSC) and inhibits clonogenic sphere formation. Paradoxically, inhibition of HDAC also induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HNSCC cells, accumulation of BMI-1, an oncogene associated with tumor aggressiveness, and expression of the vimentin mesenchymal marker. Importantly, we observed co-expression of vimentin and acetylated histone 3 at the invasion front of human HNSCC tumor tissues. Collectively, these findings suggest that environmental cues, such as endothelial cell-secreted factors, modulate tumor plasticity by limiting the population of CSC and inducing EMT. Therefore, inhibition of HDAC may constitute a novel strategy to disrupt the population of CSC in head and neck tumors to create a homogeneous population of cancer cells with biologically defined signatures and predictable behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda S. Giudice
- Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Decio S. Pinto
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jacques E. Nör
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Cristiane H. Squarize
- Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Rogerio M. Castilho
- Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Huang YH, Lin YH, Chi HC, Liao CH, Liao CJ, Wu SM, Chen CY, Tseng YH, Tsai CY, Lin SY, Hung YT, Wang CJ, Lin CD, Lin KH. Thyroid hormone regulation of miR-21 enhances migration and invasion of hepatoma. Cancer Res 2013; 73:2505-17. [PMID: 23442323 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-2218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone (T(3)) signaling through the thyroid hormone receptor (TRα1) regulates hepatoma cell growth and pathophysiology, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear at present. Here, we have shown that the oncomir microRNA-21 (miR-21) is activated by T(3) through a native T(3) response element in the primary miR-21 promoter. Overexpression of miR-21 promoted hepatoma cell migration and invasion, similar to that observed with T(3) stimulation in hepatoma cells. In addition, anti-miR-21-induced suppression of cell migration was rescued by T(3). The Rac-controlled regulator of invasion and metastasis, T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (TIAM1), was identified as a miR-21 target additionally downregulated by T(3). Attenuation and overexpression of miR-21 induced upregulation and downregulation of TIAM1, respectively. TIAM1 attenuation, in turn, enhanced migration and invasion via the upregulation of β-catenin, vimentin, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in hepatoma cells. Notably, correlations between TRα1, miR-21, and TIAM1 expression patterns in animal models paralleled those observed in vitro. In the clinic, we observed a positive correlation (P = 0.005) between the tumor/nontumor ratios of TRα1 and miR-21 expression, whereas a negative correlation (P = 0.019) was seen between miR-21 and TIAM1 expression in patients with hepatoma. Our findings collectively indicate that miR-21 stimulation by T(3) and subsequent TIAM1 suppression promotes hepatoma cell migration and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Hui Huang
- Liver Research Center, Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
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Zou M, Jiao J, Zou Q, Xu Y, Cheng M, Xu J, Zhang Y. Multiple metastases in a novel LNCaP model of human prostate cancer. Oncol Rep 2013; 30:615-22. [PMID: 23446457 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is a frequent and lethal consequence of prostate cancer. Current treatments for metastasis are palliative only. Thus, experimental animal models of metastatic prostate cancer are required for investigations of its pathogenesis and for the development of treatment strategies; however, few models exist at present. In the present study, the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line was co-transfected with a PGK-luciferase-GFP lentivirual vector (LNCaP-luc). Repeated subcutaneous injections of LNCaP-luc cells with Matrigel in nude mice followed by isolation of the cells from tumors resulted in the generation of the LNCaP1-luc cell line. We used CCK-8 and Transwell migration assays, western blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction to detect differences in the characteristics between the LNCaP-luc and LNCaP1-luc cells, and used LNCaP cells to generate a mouse model of metastatic prostate cancer by intracardiac injection. Metastasis was evaluated by bioluminescence imaging, and histological and immunohistochemical staining. the characteristics of the LNCaP1-luc cells differed from those of LNCaP cells, and LNCaP1-luc cells showed increased cell proliferation, cell invasion, tumorigenicity and metastasis potential, and underwent epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition, the LNCaP1-luc cells induced multiple metastases in mice when injected into the left cardiac muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhong Zou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, PR China
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Gravgaard KH, Lyng MB, Laenkholm AV, Søkilde R, Nielsen BS, Litman T, Ditzel HJ. The miRNA-200 family and miRNA-9 exhibit differential expression in primary versus corresponding metastatic tissue in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2012; 134:207-17. [PMID: 22294488 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-012-1969-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Metastases are the major cause of cancer-related deaths, but the mechanisms of the metastatic process remain poorly understood. In recent years, the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer has become apparent, and the objective of this study was to identify miRNAs associated with breast cancer progression. Global miRNA expression profiling was performed on 47 tumor samples from 14 patients with paired samples from primary breast tumors and corresponding lymph node and distant metastases using LNA-enhanced miRNA microarrays. The identified miRNA expression alterations were validated by real-time PCR, and tissue distribution of the miRNAs was visualized by in situ hybridization. The patients, in which the miRNA profile of the primary tumor and corresponding distant metastasis clustered in the unsupervised cluster analysis, showed significantly shorter intervals between the diagnosis of the primary tumor and distant metastasis (median 1.6 years) compared to those that did not cluster (median 11.3 years) (p<0.003). Fifteen miRNAs were identified that were significantly differentially expressed between primary tumors and corresponding distant metastases, including miR-9, miR-219-5p and four of the five members of the miR-200 family involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Tumor expression of miR-9 and miR-200b were confirmed using in situ hybridization, which also verified higher expression of these miRNAs in the distant metastases versus corresponding primary tumors. Our results demonstrate alterations in miRNA expression at different stages of disease progression in breast cancer, and suggest a direct involvement of the miR-200 family and miR-9 in the metastatic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina H Gravgaard
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J. B. Winsloewsvej 25, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
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35
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Schumacher U, Nehmann N, Adam E, Mukthar D, Slotki IN, Horny HP, Flens MJ, Schlegelberger B, Steinemann D. MDR-1-overexpression in HT 29 colon cancer cells grown in SCID mice. Acta Histochem 2012; 114:594-602. [PMID: 22154301 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2011.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2011] [Revised: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The multidrug-resistance 1 (MDR-1) P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a transmembrane transporter system, which actively pumps cytotoxic drugs out of the cell. MDR-1 acquired in vitro differs from MDR-1 acquired in vivo, but has important consequences on the cellular phenotype and metastatic behavior. Here we report that the human colonic cancer cell line HT29 (MDR-1 negative) is more malignant than its MDR-1 overexpressing variant (HT29 MDR-1 positive). HT29 MDR-1 negative cells produce undifferentiated signet ring carcinomas when implanted subcutaneously into SCID mice, while HT29 MDR-1 positive cells form tumors with tubular structures, but without signet ring cells. Immunohistochemical proliferation marker analysis revealed that the MDR-1 positive cells proliferate much more slowly than the MDR-1 negative cells. MDR-1 overexpression results in a less differentiated phenotype at the cellular level (absence of mucin producing cells) but in a more differentiated phenotype at the tissue level (tubule formation). In addition, lectin binding patterns including that of Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA), an indicator of metastatic potential, differed between the two cell lines. HT29 MDR-1 positive cells had less HPA binding sites than HT29 MDR-1 negative counterparts and metastasized less frequently in SCID mice. As slow proliferation, low degree of differentiation and multidrug-resistance is a hallmark of cancer stem cells and all were present in MDR-1 positive tumors, it is attractive to speculate that they represent a stem cell rich tumor. As shown by global gene expression analyses, genes involved, e.g. in cell adhesion, glycosylation and signal transduction, were deregulated in MDR-1 positive tumors compared to MDR-negative tumors. Overexpression of E-cadherin and carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules 1 (CEACAM1) may provide clues to the mechanisms responsible for the reduced metastatic potential of MDR-1 overexpressing tumors. Since drug treatment shifted the cells towards a less metastatic phenotype in this in vivo model, it seems conceivable to achieve this using drug treatment also in a clinical situation.
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MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/genetics
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/metabolism
- Animals
- Cell Proliferation
- Female
- HT29 Cells
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, SCID
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Transplantation, Heterologous
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Affiliation(s)
- Udo Schumacher
- Department of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
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Hagio M, Matsuda Y, Suzuki T, Ishiwata T. Nestin regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition marker expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines. Mol Clin Oncol 2012; 1:83-87. [PMID: 24649127 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2012.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 06/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nestin, a class VI intermediate filament, is a neuronal stem/progenitor cell marker that is also expressed by various types of cancer, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We previously detected nestin expression in approximately 30% of PDAC cases, and found that nestin promotes the migration, invasion and metastasis of cells. Findings of recent studies have shown that epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is important in the invasion and migration of cancer. In the present study, we investigated whether an altered nestin expression affected the expression levels of EMT markers in PDAC cells. Two human PDAC cell lines, PK-45H and KLM-1, in which nestin was suppressed and overexpressed, respectively, were used. The expression levels of the EMT-related molecules E-cadherin, Snail, Slug and Twist were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR. Results showed that E-cadherin expression was decreased in nestin-overexpressed KLM-1 cells, and increased in nestin-suppressed PK-45H cells. Snail gene expression in the PDAC cells was altered concomitantly with the changes in nestin expression, while the Slug gene expression was significantly decreased in nestin-overexpressed KLM-1 cells. The Twist gene expression was below the detection limit in the two PDAC cell lines. The present findings indicated that nestin may be involved in the control of cancer behaviors in PDAC via the modulation of EMT-related molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Hagio
- Departments of Pathology and Integrative Oncological Pathology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
| | - Yoko Matsuda
- Departments of Pathology and Integrative Oncological Pathology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
| | - Taeko Suzuki
- Departments of Pathology and Integrative Oncological Pathology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Ishiwata
- Departments of Pathology and Integrative Oncological Pathology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
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E/N-cadherin switch mediates cancer progression via TGF-β-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Br J Cancer 2011; 105:1885-93. [PMID: 22068819 PMCID: PMC3251878 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2011.452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process governing not only morphogenesis in multicellular organisms, but also cancer progression. During EMT, epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) is downregulated while neural cadherin (N-cadherin) is upregulated, referred to as 'cadherin switch'. This study aimed to investigate whether cadherin switch promotes cancer progression in cholangiocarcinoma (CC). METHODS CC cell lines were examined for migration, invasion, and morphological changes with typical EMT-induced model using recombinant TGF-β1. The changes in E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression were investigated during EMT. We also examined E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression in resected specimens from extrahepatic CC patients (n=38), and the associations with clinicopathological factors and survival rates. RESULTS TGF-β1 treatment activated cell migration, invasion, and fibroblastic morphological changes, especially in extrahepatic CC HuCCT-1 cells. These changes occurred with E-cadherin downregulation and N-cadherin upregulation, that is, cadherin switch. Patients with low E-cadherin expression had a significantly lower survival rate than patients with high E-cadherin expression (P=0.0059). Patients with decreasing E-cadherin and increasing N-cadherin expression had a significantly lower survival rate than patients with increasing E-cadherin and decreasing N-cadherin expression (P=0.017). CONCLUSION Cadherin switch promotes cancer progression via TGF-β-induced EMT in extrahepatic CC, suggesting a target for elucidating the mechanisms of invasion and metastasis in extrahepatic CC.
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Dal Vechio AMDC, Giudice FS, Sperandio FF, Mantesso A, Pinto Junior DDS. Vimentin expression and the influence of Matrigel in cell lines of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Braz Oral Res 2011; 25:235-40. [PMID: 21670854 DOI: 10.1590/s1806-83242011000300008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2010] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Vimentin is a cytoeskeletal intermediate filament protein commonly observed in mesenchymal cells; however, it can also be found in malignant epithelial cells. It is demonstrated in several carcinomas, such as those of the cervix, breast and bladder, in which it is widely used as a marker of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition that takes place during embryogenesis and metastasis. Vimentin is associated with tumors that show a high degree of invasiveness, being detected in invasion front cells. Its expression seems to be influenced by the tumor microenvironment. The aim of this study was to evaluate vimentin expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines, and to investigate the contribution of the microenvironment to its expression. HNSCC cell lines (HN6, HN30 and HN31) and an immortalized nontumorigenic cell line (HaCaT) were submitted to a three-dimensional assay with Matrigel. Cytoplasmatic staining of the HN6 cell line cultured without Matrigel and of the HN30 and HN31 cell lines cultured with Matrigel was demonstrated through immunohistochemistry. Western Blotting revealed a significant decrease in vimentin expression for the HN6 cell line and a significant increase for the HN30 and HN31 cell lines cultured with Matrigel. The results suggest that vimentin can be expressed in HNSCC cells and its presence is influenced by the microenvironment of a tumor.
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Nalla AK, Estes N, Patel J, Rao JS. N-cadherin mediates angiogenesis by regulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression via PI3K/Akt signaling in prostate cancer cells. Exp Cell Res 2011; 317:2512-21. [PMID: 21855541 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2011.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2011] [Revised: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 07/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, evidence continues to mount showing that N-cadherin is a critical protein in cancer progression and metastasis. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of N-cadherin in human prostate cancer tissue specimens and cell lines. Enhanced expression of N-cadherin was observed in both the malignant and bone-metastasized prostate tissue specimens compared to the healthy prostate tissues. Consistent with the tissue array data, N-cadherin was highly expressed in PC3, but not in Du145 and LNCaP human prostate cell lines. Based on cell to cell binding assay, we found that N-cadherin expression facilitates homotypic interaction between human prostate cancer cells and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC). Human angiogenesis antibody array and in vitro angiogenesis assay showed that siRNA-mediated knockdown of N-cadherin reduced the secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which played a potential role in stimulating capillary network formation of HMEC. Additionally, culture supernatant of Du145 cells transfected with full-length N-cadherin expressing plasmid showed increased MCP-1 expression and chemoattractant ability compared to normal Du145 cells. Further, we noticed that blocking PI3K activity inhibited N-cadherin mediated MCP-1 expression. Our data demonstrated that N-cadherin in prostate cancer cell mediates cell-cell adhesion and regulates MCP-1 expression via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar Nalla
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, Peoria, IL, USA
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Proteomic profiling of lipid rafts in a human breast cancer model of tumorigenic progression. Clin Exp Metastasis 2011; 28:529-40. [PMID: 21533873 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-011-9389-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2010] [Accepted: 04/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Tumor biomarkers assist in the early detection of cancer, act as therapeutic targets for intervention, and function as diagnostic indicators for the evaluation of therapeutic responses. To identify novel human breast cancer biomarkers, we have analyzed the protein content of lipid rafts isolated from a series of human mammary epithelial cell lines with increasing tumorigenic potential. Since lipid rafts function as platforms for protein interaction critical to several biological processes, we hypothesized that the abundance of proteins associated with proliferation, invasion and metastasis would be dysregulated in highly transformed cells. For this purpose, the MCF10A epithelial lineage, which include benign MCF10A cells, premalignant AT and TG3B cells, and malignant CA1a tumor cells, was utilized. Detergent-resistant membranes were isolated from each line and proteins were identified and relatively quantitated using iTRAQ™ reagents and tandem mass spectrometry. 57 proteins were identified, and 1667 peptide identifications, mapping to 49 proteins, contained sufficient information for semi-quantitative analysis. When comparing malignant to benign cells, we observed consistent alterations in groups of proteins, such as a 5.7-fold average decrease in G protein content (n = 5), 2.7-fold decrease in glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked proteins (n = 7) and 3.3-fold increase in intermediate filaments (n = 9). Several of the identified proteins, including caveolin-1, filamin A, keratins 5, 6 and 17, and vimentin, are bona fide or candidate biomarkers in clinical studies, underscoring the usefulness of the MCF10A series as a model to better understand the biological mechanisms underlying cancer progression.
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Brown AC, Rowe JA, Barker TH. Guiding epithelial cell phenotypes with engineered integrin-specific recombinant fibronectin fragments. Tissue Eng Part A 2010; 17:139-50. [PMID: 20695776 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2010.0199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides important cues for directing cell phenotype. Cells interact with underlying ECM through cell-surface receptors known as integrins, which bind to specific sequences on their ligands. During tissue development, repair, and regeneration of epithelial tissues, cells must interact with an interstitial fibronectin (Fn)-rich matrix, which has been shown to direct a more migratory/repair phenotype, presumably through interaction with Fn's cell binding domain comprised of both synergy Pro-His-Ser-Arg-Asn (PHSRN) and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequences. We hypothesized that the Fn synergy site is critical to the regulation of epithelial cell phenotype by directing integrin specificity. Epithelial cells were cultured on Fn fragments displaying stabilized synergy and RGD (FnIII9'10), or RGD alone (FnIII10) and cell phenotype analyzed by cytoskeleton changes, epithelial cell-cell contacts, changes in gene expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers, and wound healing assay. Data indicate that epithelial cells engage RGD only with αv integrins and display a significant shift toward a mesenchymal phenotype due, in part, to enhanced transforming growth factor-β activation and/or signaling compared with cells on the synergy containing FnIII9'10. These studies demonstrate the importance of synergy in regulating epithelial cell phenotype relevant to tissue engineering as well as the utility of engineered integrin-specific ECM fragments in guiding cell phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley C Brown
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0535, USA
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Giudice FS, Dal Vechio AMDC, Abrahão AC, Sperandio FF, Pinto-Junior DDS. Different expression patterns of pAkt, NF-κB and cyclin D1 proteins during the invasion process of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: an in vitro approach. J Oral Pathol Med 2010; 40:405-11. [PMID: 20969630 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2010.00960.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several signaling pathways are involved in the progression of squamous cell carcinoma. Among them, activated PI3K/Akt may result in NF-κB nuclear translocation, thus leading to the transcription of genes enrolled in cellular invasion and proliferation, such as cyclin D1. This study sought to evaluate the expression of pAkt, NF-κB and cyclin D1 proteins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and their respective in vitro-obtained invasive clones. METHODS Squamous cell carcinoma cell lines originating from the tongue, pharynx and the metastatic lymph node were submitted to an in vitro invasion assay to select invasive clones. All experimental groups were submitted to immunofluorescence and Western blot assays. Statistical analysis was performed through a Student's t-test with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS The pAkt and NF-κB expression differed from cytoplasm and nucleus depending on the studied cell line. The invasive clone from the tongue presented a network-like structure of pAkt's cytoplasmic expression. This lineage as well as the invasive clone from pharynx also showed pAkt and NF-κB nuclear transportation. Significant pAkt and NF-κB increases were observed in the tongue and pharynx invasive clones. Cyclin D1 was detected in the nucleus of all studied cells and was significantly enhanced in the invasive clones from tongue and pharynx. CONCLUSION This study suggests the participation of pAkt, NF-κB and cyclin D1 in the invasion process of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover, cytoplasmic pAkt network-like structure was probably related to cytoskeleton changes presented during invasion.
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Szasz AM, Tokes AM, Micsinai M, Krenacs T, Jakab C, Lukacs L, Nemeth Z, Baranyai Z, Dede K, Madaras L, Kulka J. Prognostic significance of claudin expression changes in breast cancer with regional lymph node metastasis. Clin Exp Metastasis 2010; 28:55-63. [PMID: 20963473 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-010-9357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2009] [Accepted: 10/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Adherent and tight junction molecules have been described to contribute to carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Additionally, the group of claudin-low tumors have recently been identified as a molecular subgroup of breast carcinoma. In our study, we examined the expression pattern of claudins, beta-catenin and E-cadherin in invasive ductal (IDCs) and lobular (ILCs) carcinomas and their corresponding lymph node metastases (LNMs). Tissue microarrays of 97 breast samples (60 invasive ductal carcinomas, 37 invasive lobular carcinomas) and their corresponding LNMs have been analyzed immunohistochemically for claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7, beta-catenin and E-cadherin expression. The stained slides were digitalized with a slide scanner and the reactions were evaluated semiquantitatively. When compared to LNMs, in the IDC group beta-catenin and claudin-2, -3, -4 and -7 protein expression showed different pattern while claudin-1, -2, -3, -4 and -7 were differently expressed in the ILC group. Lymph node metastases developed a notable increase of claudin-5 expression in both groups. Decrease or loss of claudin-1 and expression of claudin-4 in lymph node metastases correlated with reduced disease-free survival in our patients. According to our observations, the expression of epithelial junctional molecules, especially claudins, is different in primary breast carcinomas compared to their lymph node metastases as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Loss of claudin junctional molecules might contribute to tumor progression, and certain claudin expression pattern might be of prognostic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Szasz
- 2nd Department of Pathology, Semmelweis University, Ulloi ut 93, Budapest 1091, Hungary.
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Cannito S, Novo E, di Bonzo LV, Busletta C, Colombatto S, Parola M. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition: from molecular mechanisms, redox regulation to implications in human health and disease. Antioxid Redox Signal 2010; 12:1383-430. [PMID: 19903090 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2009.2737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process, paradigmatic of the concept of cell plasticity, that leads epithelial cells to lose their polarization and specialized junctional structures, to undergo cytoskeleton reorganization, and to acquire morphological and functional features of mesenchymal-like cells. Although EMT has been originally described in embryonic development, where cell migration and tissue remodeling have a primary role in regulating morphogenesis in multicellular organisms, recent literature has provided evidence suggesting that the EMT process is a more general biological process that is also involved in several pathophysiological conditions, including cancer progression and organ fibrosis. This review offers first a comprehensive introduction to describe major relevant features of EMT, followed by sections dedicated on those signaling mechanisms that are known to regulate or affect the process, including the recently proposed role for oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Current literature data involving EMT in both physiological conditions (i.e., embryogenesis) and major human diseases are then critically analyzed, with a special final focus on the emerging role of hypoxia as a relevant independent condition able to trigger EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Cannito
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Oncology and Interuniversity Center for Hepatic Pathophysiology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Yan W, Cao QJ, Arenas RB, Bentley B, Shao R. GATA3 inhibits breast cancer metastasis through the reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:14042-51. [PMID: 20189993 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.105262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
GATA3, a transcription factor that regulates T lymphocyte differentiation and maturation, is exclusively expressed in early stage well differentiated breast cancers but not in advanced invasive cancers. However, little is understood regarding its activity and the mechanisms underlying this differential expression in cancers. Here, we employed GATA3-positive, non-invasive (MCF-7) and GATA3-negative, invasive (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells to define its role in the transformation between these two distinct phenotypes. Ectopic expression of GATA3 in MDA-MB-231 cells led to a cuboidal-like epithelial phenotype and reduced cell invasive activity. These cells also increased E-cadherin expression but decreased levels of vimentin, N-cadherin, and MMP-9. Further, MDA-MB-231 cells expressing GATA3 grew smaller primary tumors without metastasis compared with larger metastatic tumors derived from control MDA-MB-231 cells in xenografted mice. GATA3 was found to induce E-cadherin expression through binding GATA-like motifs located in the E-cadherin promoter. Blockade of GATA3 using small interfering RNA gene knockdown in MCF-7 cells triggered fibroblastic transformation and cell invasion, resulting in distant metastasis. Studies of human breast cancer showed that GATA3 expression correlated with elevated E-cadherin levels, ER expression, and long disease-free survival. These data suggest that GATA3 drives invasive breast cancer cells to undergo the reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, leading to the suppression of cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yan
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, University of Massachusetts, Springfield, Massachusetts 01107, USA
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Schaeffer DF, Assi K, Chan K, Buczkowski AK, Chung SW, Scudamore CH, Weiss A, Salh B, Owen DA. Tumor expression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) correlates with the expression of the E-cadherin repressor snail: an immunohistochemical study in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Virchows Arch 2010; 456:261-8. [PMID: 20091050 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-009-0866-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Revised: 11/11/2009] [Accepted: 11/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a key molecule involved in mediating several biological functions including cell-matrix interactions, angiogenesis, and invasion, as well as playing a role in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells. In ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma, increased expression of ILK has been linked to tumor prognosis and correlated with increased chemoresistance to drugs, such as gemcitabine. However, the precise relationship between ILK, Snail, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin expression on the stepwise development of pancreatic cancer is unknown. Hence, the purpose of this work was to investigate levels of expression of ILK, Snail, and the cadherins in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), and cancer. Resection specimens of 25 randomly selected patients, who underwent a pyloric preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma, were utilized for this study. Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded pancreatic tissue was immunostained for ILK, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Snail by standard techniques. The extent of staining positivity was scored and the results correlated with clinicopathological parameters. In 23 of 25 cases, ILK expression showed extensive positivity (>50%), while two cases did not demonstrate any ILK staining. PanIN grades 1 (n = 16), 2 (n = 11), and 3 (n = 19) lesions demonstrated only focal positivity (<10%) for ILK. E-cadherin showed a reciprocal staining pattern to ILK in 21 of 25 cases, with only focal expression of the marker in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Interestingly, 15 of 19 PanIN-3 lesions expressed extensive E-cadherin staining. N-cadherin, however, was moderately expressed in the majority of cases (n = 18). Snail expression (n = 22) correlated with ILK expression in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma (rho = 0.8168, p = 0.02), but only minimal Snail staining activity was detected in PanIN lesions. The increase in expression of the E-cadherin repressor Snail, as well as the related increase in the ILK expression, may point towards an ILK-mediated induction, opening possible avenues for targeted drug therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David F Schaeffer
- Department of Pathology, The University of British Columbia, 855 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.
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Power CA, Pwint H, Chan J, Cho J, Yu Y, Walsh W, Russell PJ. A novel model of bone-metastatic prostate cancer in immunocompetent mice. Prostate 2009; 69:1613-23. [PMID: 19585491 DOI: 10.1002/pros.21010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone metastasis is a frequent and catastrophic consequence of prostate cancer for which only palliative treatment is available. Animal models of bone metastatic prostate cancer are necessary for understanding disease mechanisms but few models exist. METHODS We have used the murine prostate carcinoma cell line RM1 to generate a bone metastatic model of prostate cancer. Repeated intracardiac injection of RM1 cells followed by isolation of cells from bone tumors has yielded a cell line with strong bone-metastatic potential, RM1 bone metastatic (BM). RESULTS This cell line metastasizes to multiple bony sites in over 95% of injected C57BL/6 mice and is far less tropic to soft tissues. Bone tumors produced by the RM1(BM) cell line show no preference for particular skeletal sites as most bones are affected. Histology, and micro-computed tomography show that RM1(BM) cells form osteolytic tumors, but with evidence of osteoblastic changes. In vitro the RM1 cells express E-cadherin but not vimentin, do not form colonies in soft agar, are non-invasive but are more motile than the parent cell line. CONCLUSIONS This model provides a novel means for identifying cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to bone metastasis and allow for preclinical testing of therapies to prevent and treat tumor metastasis to bone. Finally as the syngeneic tumor cells are injected into immunocompetent mice, this model will provide a means to study interactions between the immune system, tumors and bone, and therapies that target such interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl A Power
- Oncology Research Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
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Lee MJ, Yu GR, Yoo HJ, Kim JH, Yoon BI, Choi YK, Kim DG. ANXA8 down-regulation by EGF-FOXO4 signaling is involved in cell scattering and tumor metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma. Gastroenterology 2009; 137:1138-50, 1150.e1-9. [PMID: 19376120 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2009.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2008] [Revised: 02/27/2009] [Accepted: 04/09/2009] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The sarcomatoid change in cholangiocarcinoma (CC) contributes to more aggressive intrahepatic spread and widespread metastasis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the molecular mechanisms of CC metastasis during tumor progression and sarcomatoid change. METHODS Using the subtraction suppression hybridization (SSH) method, we identified altered expression of the candidate gene ANXA8 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in sarcomatoid CC cells. We assessed ANXA8 expression during the progression of CC in cells and tissues and examined its functional significance by performing in vitro cell experiments and using in vivo animal models. RESULTS ANXA8 is highly expressed in human and hamster CCs but is down-regulated with tumor dedifferentiation. ANXA8 is transcriptionally down-regulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF), which is correlated with the morphologic changes of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the CC cells. Furthermore, ectopic ANXA8 reverses the morphology of cells, and this is associated with focal adhesion kinase expression and altered F-actin dynamics. EGFR and its downstream targets, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and Akt, are linked to the phosphorylation of FOXO4, which leads to the inhibition of ANXA8 transcription. In addition, an in vitro cell invasion assay and in vivo spontaneous metastasis assay reveal that ANXA8 inhibits the cell migratory and metastatic characteristics of CC cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that FOXO4 and ANXA8 play key roles in growth factor-mediated tumor progression and metastasis during the EMT change in CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Jin Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
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Hugo HJ, Wafai R, Blick T, Thompson EW, Newgreen DF. Staurosporine augments EGF-mediated EMT in PMC42-LA cells through actin depolymerisation, focal contact size reduction and Snail1 induction - a model for cross-modulation. BMC Cancer 2009; 9:235. [PMID: 19604397 PMCID: PMC2717979 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2008] [Accepted: 07/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A feature of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) relevant to tumour dissemination is the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton/focal contacts, influencing cellular ECM adherence and motility. This is coupled with the transcriptional repression of E-cadherin, often mediated by Snail1, Snail2 and Zeb1/deltaEF1. These genes, overexpressed in breast carcinomas, are known targets of growth factor-initiated pathways, however it is less clear how alterations in ECM attachment cross-modulate to regulate these pathways. EGF induces EMT in the breast cancer cell line PMC42-LA and the kinase inhibitor staurosporine (ST) induces EMT in embryonic neural epithelial cells, with F-actin de-bundling and disruption of cell-cell adhesion, via inhibition of aPKC. METHODS PMC42-LA cells were treated for 72 h with 10 ng/ml EGF, 40 nM ST, or both, and assessed for expression of E-cadherin repressor genes (Snail1, Snail2, Zeb1/deltaEF1) and EMT-related genes by QRT-PCR, multiplex tandem PCR (MT-PCR) and immunofluorescence +/- cycloheximide. Actin and focal contacts (paxillin) were visualized by confocal microscopy. A public database of human breast cancers was assessed for expression of Snail1 and Snail2 in relation to outcome. RESULTS When PMC42-LA were treated with EGF, Snail2 was the principal E-cadherin repressor induced. With ST or ST+EGF this shifted to Snail1, with more extreme EMT and Zeb1/deltaEF1 induction seen with ST+EGF. ST reduced stress fibres and focal contact size rapidly and independently of gene transcription. Gene expression analysis by MT-PCR indicated that ST repressed many genes which were induced by EGF (EGFR, CAV1, CTGF, CYR61, CD44, S100A4) and induced genes which alter the actin cytoskeleton (NLF1, NLF2, EPHB4). Examination of the public database of breast cancers revealed tumours exhibiting higher Snail1 expression have an increased risk of disease-recurrence. This was not seen for Snail2, and Zeb1/deltaEF1 showed a reverse correlation with lower expression values being predictive of increased risk. CONCLUSION ST in combination with EGF directed a greater EMT via actin depolymerisation and focal contact size reduction, resulting in a loosening of cell-ECM attachment along with Snail1-Zeb1/deltaEF1 induction. This appeared fundamentally different to the EGF-induced EMT, highlighting the multiple pathways which can regulate EMT. Our findings add support for a functional role for Snail1 in invasive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honor J Hugo
- Embryology Laboratory, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia
- VBCRC Invasion and Metastasis Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Razan Wafai
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tony Blick
- VBCRC Invasion and Metastasis Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- VBCRC Invasion and Metastasis Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- University of Melbourne Department of Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Donald F Newgreen
- Embryology Laboratory, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia
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Güller MC, André J, Legrand A, Setterblad N, Mauviel A, Verrecchia F, Daniel F, Bernuau D. c-Fos accelerates hepatocyte conversion to a fibroblastoid phenotype through ERK-mediated upregulation of paxillin-Serine178 phosphorylation. Mol Carcinog 2009; 48:532-44. [PMID: 18973190 DOI: 10.1002/mc.20492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) exerts an important role in the late steps of carcinogenesis by cooperating with Ras to induce cell motility and tumor invasion. The transcription complex AP-1 has been implicated in the regulation of genes involved in motility and invasion, by mechanisms not yet delineated. We utilized a model of immortalized human hepatocytes (IHH) overexpressing c-Fos (IHH-Fos) or not (IHH-C) to investigate the role of c-Fos on cell motility in response to a prolonged treatment with TGF-beta, EGF or a combination of both. Cotreatment with EGF and TGF-beta, but neither cytokine alone, induced the conversion of hepatocytes to a fibroblastoid phenotype and increased their motility in Boyden chambers. EGF/TGF-beta cotreatment induced a higher effect on ERK phosphorylation compared to TGF-beta treatment alone. It also induced an increase in total and phosphorylated Ser(178) paxillin, a protein previously implicated in cell motility. This response was inhibited by two specific MEK inhibitors, indicating the involvement of the ERK pathway in paxillin activation. Overexpression of c-Fos correlated with increased cell scattering and motility, higher levels of ERK activation and phospho Ser(178) paxillin, increased levels of EGF receptor (EGF-R) mRNA and higher EGF-R phosphorylation levels following EGF/TGF-beta cotreatment. Conversely, siRNA-mediated invalidation of c-Fos delayed the appearance of fibroblastoid cells, decreased EGF-R mRNA and downregulated ERK and Ser(178) paxillin phosphorylations, indicating that c-Fos activates hepatocyte motility through an EGF-R/ERK/paxillin pathway. Since c-Fos is frequently overexpressed in hepatocarcinomas, this newly identified mechanism might be involved in the progression of hepatic tumors in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meryem C Güller
- INSERM U697, Université Paris 7 Denis Diderot, Paris, France
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