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Prasad H, Mandal S, Mathew JKK, Cherukunnath A, Duddu AS, Banerjee M, Ramani H, Bhat R, Jolly MK, Visweswariah SS. An Endosomal Acid-Regulatory Feedback System Rewires Cytosolic cAMP Metabolism and Drives Tumor Progression. Mol Cancer Res 2024; 22:465-481. [PMID: 38319300 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-23-0606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Although suppressed cAMP levels have been linked to cancer for nearly five decades, the molecular basis remains uncertain. Here, we identify endosomal pH as a novel regulator of cytosolic cAMP homeostasis and a promoter of transformed phenotypic traits in colorectal cancer. Combining experiments and computational analysis, we show that the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE9 contributes to proton leak and causes luminal alkalinization, which induces resting [Ca2+], and in consequence, represses cAMP levels, creating a feedback loop that echoes nutrient deprivation or hypoxia. Higher NHE9 expression in cancer epithelia is associated with a hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal (E/M) state, poor prognosis, tumor budding, and invasive growth in vitro and in vivo. These findings point to NHE9-mediated cAMP suppression as a pseudostarvation-induced invasion state and potential therapeutic vulnerability in colorectal cancer. Our observations lay the groundwork for future research into the complexities of endosome-driven metabolic reprogramming and phenotype switching and the biology of cancer progression. IMPLICATIONS Endosomal pH regulator NHE9 actively controls cytosolic Ca2+ levels to downregulate the adenylate cyclase-cAMP system, enabling colorectal cancer cells to acquire hybrid E/M characteristics and promoting metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Prasad
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Susmita Mandal
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Aparna Cherukunnath
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Mallar Banerjee
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Harini Ramani
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Ramray Bhat
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Sandhya S Visweswariah
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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2
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Zeng L, Xie L, Hu J, He C, Liu A, Lu X, Zhou W. Osteopontin-driven partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition governs the development of middle ear cholesteatoma. Cell Cycle 2024; 23:537-554. [PMID: 38662954 PMCID: PMC11135870 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2024.2345481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholesteatoma is a common disease of the middle ear. Currently, surgical removal is the only treatment option and patients face a high risk of relapse. The molecular basis of cholesteatoma remains largely unknown. Here, we show that Osteopontin (OPN), a predominantly secreted protein, plays a crucial role in the development of middle ear cholesteatoma. Global transcriptome analysis revealed the loss of epithelial features and an enhanced immune response in human cholesteatoma tissues. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining of middle ear cholesteatoma validated the reduced expression of epithelial markers, as well as the elevated expression of mesenchymal markers including Vimentin and Fibronectin, but not N-Cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) or ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1), indicating a partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) state. Besides, the expression of OPN was significantly elevated in human cholesteatoma tissues. Treatment with OPN promoted cell proliferation, survival and migration and led to a partial EMT in immortalized human keratinocyte cells. Importantly, blockade of OPN signaling could remarkably improve the cholesteatoma-like symptoms in SD rats. Our mechanistic study demonstrated that the AKT-zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) axis mediated the effects of OPN. Overall, these findings suggest that targeting the OPN signaling represents a promising strategy for the treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Zeng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Li Xie
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jin Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chao He
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Aiguo Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiang Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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3
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Zhang F, Qi Y, Li J, Liu B, Liu Z, Cui X. Activin A induces apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. Oncol Rep 2024; 51:29. [PMID: 38131250 PMCID: PMC10777458 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor‑β (TGF‑β) superfamily, has been implicated in the tumorigenesis and progression of various cancers. However, it remains unclear whether activin A induces apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cells through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway. In the present study, BrdU, flow cytometry and western blotting were used to examine cell proliferation, apoptosis and protein expression, respectively. The present study revealed that activin A inhibited human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and upregulated the protein levels of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), growth arrest and DNA damage‑inducible protein 34 (GADD34), cleaved‑caspase‑3 and caspase‑12. Furthermore, the administration of activin A did not alter the levels of suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic 3 (Smad3) or phosphorylated (p)‑Smad3 proteins, whereas, it significantly elevated the levels of ActRIIA and p‑extracellular signal regulated kinase proteins 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) proteins in A549 cells. The apoptotic effects of activin A on A549 cells were attenuated by the ERK inhibitor FR180204, which also downregulated CHOP and caspase‑12 protein levels. Additionally, activin A increased intracellular calcium flux in A549 cells, and the calcium ion chelator BAPTA acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA‑AM) inhibited activin A‑induced A549 cell apoptosis, whereas the calcium agonist ionomycin significantly increased apoptosis of A549 cells induced by activin A. These findings indicated that the activation of the ER stress pathway resulting in apoptosis of A549 cells triggered by activin A is facilitated by the ActRIIA‑ERK1/2 signaling and calcium signaling. The present findings suggest that the agonists of ERK and calcium signaling exhibit promising clinical therapeutic potential for the induction of apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglin Zhang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Yan Qi
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Boyang Liu
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Department of Scientific Research, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, Jilin 130118, P.R. China
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Xueling Cui
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
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Kirtana R, Manna S, Patra SK. KDM5A noncanonically binds antagonists MLL1/2 to mediate gene regulation and promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2023; 1866:194986. [PMID: 37722486 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Differential expression of genes involved in certain processes is a collaborative outcome of crosstalk between signalling molecules and epigenetic modifiers. In response to environmental stimulus, interplay between transcription factors and epigenetic modifiers together dictates the regulation of genes. MLLs and KDM5A are functionally antagonistic proteins, as one acts as a writer and the other erases the active chromatin mark, i.e., H3K4me3. KDM5A influences the process of EMT by binding to both epithelial and mesenchymal gene promoters. Through this work, we show that when bound to E-cadherin promoter, KDM5A acts as a classical repressor by demethylating H3K4me3, but on mesenchymal markers, it acts as a transcriptional activator by inhibiting the activity of HDACs and increasing H3K18ac. Further, through our chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments, we observed a co-occupancy of KDM5A with MLLs, we tested whether KDM5A might physically interact with MLLs and WDR5, and here we provide experimental evidence that KDM5A indeed interacts with MLLs and WDR5.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kirtana
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India
| | - Soumen Manna
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India
| | - Samir Kumar Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India.
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5
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Mukhopadhyay D, Goel HL, Xiong C, Goel S, Kumar A, Li R, Zhu LJ, Clark JL, Brehm MA, Mercurio AM. The calcium channel TRPC6 promotes chemotherapy-induced persistence by regulating integrin α6 mRNA splicing. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113347. [PMID: 37910503 PMCID: PMC10872598 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the cell biological mechanisms that enable tumor cells to persist after therapy is necessary to improve the treatment of recurrent disease. Here, we demonstrate that transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6), a channel that mediates calcium entry, contributes to the properties of breast cancer stem cells, including resistance to chemotherapy, and that tumor cells that persist after therapy are dependent on TRPC6. The mechanism involves the ability of TRPC6 to regulate integrin α6 mRNA splicing. Specifically, TRPC6-mediated calcium entry represses the epithelial splicing factor ESRP1 (epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1), which enables expression of the integrin α6B splice variant. TRPC6 and α6B function in tandem to facilitate stemness and persistence by activating TAZ and, consequently, repressing Myc. Therapeutic inhibition of TRPC6 sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and tumors to chemotherapy by targeting the splicing of α6 integrin mRNA and inducing Myc. These data reveal a Ca2+-dependent mechanism of chemotherapy-induced persistence, which is amenable to therapy, that involves integrin mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimpi Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Hira Lal Goel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Choua Xiong
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Shivam Goel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ayush Kumar
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jennifer L Clark
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Michael A Brehm
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Arthur M Mercurio
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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6
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Jain P, Pillai M, Duddu AS, Somarelli JA, Goyal Y, Jolly MK. Dynamical hallmarks of cancer: Phenotypic switching in melanoma and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 96:48-63. [PMID: 37788736 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.09.007] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity was recently incorporated as a hallmark of cancer. This plasticity can manifest along many interconnected axes, such as stemness and differentiation, drug-sensitive and drug-resistant states, and between epithelial and mesenchymal cell-states. Despite growing acceptance for phenotypic plasticity as a hallmark of cancer, the dynamics of this process remains poorly understood. In particular, the knowledge necessary for a predictive understanding of how individual cancer cells and populations of cells dynamically switch their phenotypes in response to the intensity and/or duration of their current and past environmental stimuli remains far from complete. Here, we present recent investigations of phenotypic plasticity from a systems-level perspective using two exemplars: epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in carcinomas and phenotypic switching in melanoma. We highlight how an integrated computational-experimental approach has helped unravel insights into specific dynamical hallmarks of phenotypic plasticity in different cancers to address the following questions: a) how many distinct cell-states or phenotypes exist?; b) how reversible are transitions among these cell-states, and what factors control the extent of reversibility?; and c) how might cell-cell communication be able to alter rates of cell-state switching and enable diverse patterns of phenotypic heterogeneity? Understanding these dynamic features of phenotypic plasticity may be a key component in shifting the paradigm of cancer treatment from reactionary to a more predictive, proactive approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paras Jain
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Maalavika Pillai
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | | - Jason A Somarelli
- Department of Medicine, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
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7
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Psilopatis I, Schaefer JI, Arsenakis D, Bolovis D, Levidou G. SOX11 and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Metastatic Serous Ovarian Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2540. [PMID: 37760985 PMCID: PMC10526401 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecological malignancies, with serous carcinoma being the most common histopathologic subtype. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) correlates with increased metastatic potential, whereas the transcription factor SRY-box transcription factor 11 (SOX11) is overexpressed in diverse malignancies. METHODS In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the potential role of the immunohistochemical expression of SOX11 in 30 serous ovarian carcinomas in association with E-cadherin and vimentin expression as well as with patients' clinicopathological data. RESULTS Most of the examined cases showed concurrent expression of E-cadherin and vimentin, whereas SOX11 was expressed in a minority of the cases (26.7%). Interestingly, the positive cases more frequently had a metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis compared with the negative cases (p = 0.09), an association, however, of marginal significance. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between E-cadherin and SOX11 expression (p = 0.0077) and a positive correlation between vimentin and SOX11 expression (p = 0.0130). CONCLUSIONS The present work, for the first time, provides preliminary evidence of a possible implication of SOX11 overexpression in the promotion of EMT in metastatic serous ovarian cancer, thereby endorsing tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iason Psilopatis
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Klinikum Nuremberg, Paracelsus University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Erlangen, Universitaetsstrasse 21–23, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jule Ida Schaefer
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Klinikum Nuremberg, Paracelsus University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Arsenakis
- Department of Gynecology, Medical School, Klinikum Nuremberg, Paracelsus University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Bolovis
- Department of Gynecology, Medical School, Klinikum Nuremberg, Paracelsus University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Georgia Levidou
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Klinikum Nuremberg, Paracelsus University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
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Virtanen V, Paunu K, Kukkula A, Niva S, Junila Y, Toriseva M, Jokilehto T, Mäkelä S, Huhtaniemi R, Poutanen M, Paatero I, Sundvall M. Glucocorticoid receptor-induced non-muscle caldesmon regulates metastasis in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Oncogenesis 2023; 12:42. [PMID: 37573448 PMCID: PMC10423232 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-023-00485-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Lethal prostate cancer (PCa) is characterized by the presence of metastases and development of resistance to therapies. Metastases form in a multi-step process enabled by dynamic cytoskeleton remodeling. An actin cytoskeleton regulating gene, CALD1, encodes a protein caldesmon (CaD). Its isoform, low-molecular-weight CaD (l-CaD), operates in non-muscle cells, supporting the function of filaments involved in force production and mechanosensing. Several factors, including glucocorticoid receptor (GR), have been identified as regulators of l-CaD in different cell types, but the regulation of l-CaD in PCa has not been defined. PCa develops resistance in response to therapeutic inhibition of androgen signaling by multiple strategies. Known strategies include androgen receptor (AR) alterations, modified steroid synthesis, and bypassing AR signaling, for example, by GR upregulation. Here, we report that in vitro downregulation of l-CaD promotes epithelial phenotype and reduces spheroid growth in 3D, which is reflected in vivo in reduced formation of metastases in zebrafish PCa xenografts. In accordance, CALD1 mRNA expression correlates with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transcripts in PCa patients. We also show that CALD1 is highly co-expressed with GR in multiple PCa data sets, and GR activation upregulates l-CaD in vitro. Moreover, GR upregulation associates with increased l-CaD expression after the development of resistance to antiandrogen therapy in PCa xenograft mouse models. In summary, GR-regulated l-CaD plays a role in forming PCa metastases, being clinically relevant when antiandrogen resistance is attained by the means of bypassing AR signaling by GR upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verneri Virtanen
- Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, and FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, University of Turku, and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Kreetta Paunu
- Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, and FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, University of Turku, and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Antti Kukkula
- Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, and FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, University of Turku, and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Saana Niva
- Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, and FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, University of Turku, and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Ylva Junila
- Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, and FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, University of Turku, and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Mervi Toriseva
- Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, and FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, University of Turku, and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Terhi Jokilehto
- Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, and FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, University of Turku, and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Sari Mäkelä
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, and FICAN West Cancer Center, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Riikka Huhtaniemi
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, and FICAN West Cancer Center, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Matti Poutanen
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, and FICAN West Cancer Center, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Ilkka Paatero
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Maria Sundvall
- Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, and FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, University of Turku, and Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520, Turku, Finland.
- Department of Oncology, Turku University Hospital, PL52, 20521, Turku, Finland.
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Fernandez Garcia E, Paudel U, Noji MC, Bowman CE, Rustgi AK, Pitarresi JR, Wellen KE, Arany Z, Weissenrieder JS, Foskett JK. The mitochondrial Ca 2+ channel MCU is critical for tumor growth by supporting cell cycle progression and proliferation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1082213. [PMID: 37363724 PMCID: PMC10285664 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1082213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The mitochondrial uniporter (MCU) Ca2+ ion channel represents the primary means for Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria. Mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ plays critical roles in mitochondrial bioenergetics by impinging upon respiration, energy production and flux of biochemical intermediates through the TCA cycle. Inhibition of MCU in oncogenic cell lines results in an energetic crisis and reduced cell proliferation unless media is supplemented with nucleosides, pyruvate or α-KG. Nevertheless, the roles of MCU-mediated Ca2+ influx in cancer cells remain unclear, in part because of a lack of genetic models. Methods: MCU was genetically deleted in transformed murine fibroblasts for study in vitro and in vivo. Tumor formation and growth were studied in murine xenograft models. Proliferation, cell invasion, spheroid formation and cell cycle progression were measured in vitro. The effects of MCU deletion on survival and cell-death were determined by probing for live/death markers. Mitochondrial bioenergetics were studied by measuring mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ concentration, membrane potential, global dehydrogenase activity, respiration, ROS production and inactivating-phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase. The effects of MCU rescue on metabolism were examined by tracing of glucose and glutamine utilization for fueling of mitochondrial respiration. Results: Transformation of primary fibroblasts in vitro was associated with increased MCU expression, enhanced MCU-mediated Ca2+ uptake, altered mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ concentration responses to agonist stimulation, suppression of inactivating-phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase and a modest increase of mitochondrial respiration. Genetic MCU deletion inhibited growth of HEK293T cells and transformed fibroblasts in mouse xenograft models, associated with reduced proliferation and delayed cell-cycle progression. MCU deletion inhibited cancer stem cell-like spheroid formation and cell invasion in vitro, both predictors of metastatic potential. Surprisingly, mitochondrial matrix [Ca2+], membrane potential, global dehydrogenase activity, respiration and ROS production were unaffected. In contrast, MCU deletion elevated glycolysis and glutaminolysis, strongly sensitized cell proliferation to glucose and glutamine limitation, and altered agonist-induced cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals. Conclusion: Our results reveal a dependence of tumorigenesis on MCU, mediated by a reliance on MCU for cell metabolism and Ca2+ dynamics necessary for cell-cycle progression and cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Fernandez Garcia
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Usha Paudel
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael C. Noji
- Department of Cancer Biology and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Caitlyn E. Bowman
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anil K. Rustgi
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jason R. Pitarresi
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Departments of Medicine and Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Kathryn E. Wellen
- Department of Cancer Biology and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Zolt Arany
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jillian S. Weissenrieder
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - J. Kevin Foskett
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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10
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García EF, Paudel U, Noji MC, Bowman CE, Pitarresi JR, Rustgi AK, Wellen KE, Arany Z, Weissenrieder JS, Foskett JK. The mitochondrial Ca 2+ channel MCU is critical for tumor growth by supporting cell cycle progression and proliferation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.26.538295. [PMID: 37163088 PMCID: PMC10168388 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.26.538295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The mitochondrial uniporter (MCU) Ca 2+ ion channel represents the primary means for Ca 2+ uptake into mitochondria. Here we employed in vitro and in vivo models with MCU genetically eliminated to understand how MCU contributes to tumor formation and progression. Transformation of primary fibroblasts in vitro was associated with increased MCU expression, enhanced mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake, suppression of inactivating-phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase, a modest increase of basal mitochondrial respiration and a significant increase of acute Ca 2+ -dependent stimulation of mitochondrial respiration. Inhibition of mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake by genetic deletion of MCU markedly inhibited growth of HEK293T cells and of transformed fibroblasts in mouse xenograft models. Reduced tumor growth was primarily a result of substantially reduced proliferation and fewer mitotic cells in vivo , and slower cell proliferation in vitro associated with delayed progression through S-phase of the cell cycle. MCU deletion inhibited cancer stem cell-like spheroid formation and cell invasion in vitro , both predictors of metastatic potential. Surprisingly, mitochondrial matrix Ca 2+ concentration, membrane potential, global dehydrogenase activity, respiration and ROS production were unchanged by genetic deletion of MCU in transformed cells. In contrast, MCU deletion elevated glycolysis and glutaminolysis, strongly sensitized cell proliferation to glucose and glutamine limitation, and altered agonist-induced cytoplasmic Ca 2+ signals. Our results reveal a dependence of tumorigenesis on MCU, mediated by a reliance on mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake for cell metabolism and Ca 2+ dynamics necessary for cell-cycle progression and cell proliferation.
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11
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Janke EK, Chalmers SB, Roberts-Thomson SJ, Monteith GR. Intersection between calcium signalling and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in the context of cancer. Cell Calcium 2023; 112:102741. [PMID: 37060674 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2023.102741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a form of cellular phenotypic plasticity and is considered a crucial step in the progression of many cancers. The calcium ion (Ca2+) acts as a ubiquitous second messenger and is implicated in many cellular processes, including cell death, migration, invasion and more recently EMT. Throughout this review, the complex interplay between Ca2+ signalling and EMT will be explored. An overview of the Ca2+ pathways that are remodelled as a consequence of EMT is provided and the role of Ca2+ signalling in regulating EMT and its significance is considered. Ca2+ signalling pathways may represent a therapeutic opportunity to regulate EMT. However, as will be described in this review, the complexity of these signalling pathways represents significant challenges that must be considered if Ca2+ signalling is to be manipulated with the aim of therapeutic intervention in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen K Janke
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Silke B Chalmers
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Nordre Ringgade 1, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
| | - Sarah J Roberts-Thomson
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Gregory R Monteith
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, 4102, Australia.
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12
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Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Phenotypic Marker Evaluation in Human, Canine, and Feline Mammary Gland Tumors. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050878. [PMID: 36899736 PMCID: PMC10000046 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal properties. EMT has been closely associated with cancer cell aggressiveness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mRNA and protein expression of EMT-associated markers in mammary tumors of humans (HBC), dogs (CMT), and cats (FMT). Real-time qPCR for SNAIL, TWIST, and ZEB, and immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin, vimentin, CD44, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), ERBB2, Ki-67, cytokeratin (CK) 8/18, CK5/6, and CK14 were performed. Overall, SNAIL, TWIST, and ZEB mRNA was lower in tumors than in healthy tissues. Vimentin was higher in triple-negative HBC (TNBC) and FMTs than in ER+ HBC and CMTs (p < 0.001). Membranous E-cadherin was higher in ER+ than in TNBCs (p < 0.001), whereas cytoplasmic E-cadherin was higher in TNBCs when compared with ER+ HBC (p < 0.001). A negative correlation between membranous and cytoplasmic E-cadherin was found in all three species. Ki-67 was higher in FMTs than in CMTs (p < 0.001), whereas CD44 was higher in CMTs than in FMTs (p < 0.001). These results confirmed a potential role of some markers as indicators of EMT, and suggested similarities between ER+ HBC and CMTs, and between TNBC and FMTs.
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13
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Li D, Xia L, Huang P, Wang Z, Guo Q, Huang C, Leng W, Qin S. Heterogeneity and plasticity of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer metastasis: Focusing on partial EMT and regulatory mechanisms. Cell Prolif 2023:e13423. [PMID: 36808651 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) or mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) plays critical roles in cancer metastasis. Recent studies, especially those based on single-cell sequencing, have revealed that EMT is not a binary process, but a heterogeneous and dynamic disposition with intermediary or partial EMT states. Multiple double-negative feedback loops involved by EMT-related transcription factors (EMT-TFs) have been identified. These feedback loops between EMT drivers and MET drivers finely regulate the EMT transition state of the cell. In this review, the general characteristics, biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of different EMT transition states were summarized. We additionally discussed the direct and indirect roles of EMT transition state in tumour metastasis. More importantly, this article provides direct evidence that the heterogeneity of EMT is closely related to the poor prognosis in gastric cancer. Notably, a seesaw model was proposed to explain how tumour cells regulate themselves to remain in specific EMT transition states, including epithelial state, hybrid/intermediate state and mesenchymal state. Additionally, this article also provides a review of the current status, limitations and future perspectives of EMT signalling in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Lingyun Xia
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Pan Huang
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Zidi Wang
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Qiwei Guo
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Congcong Huang
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Weidong Leng
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Shanshan Qin
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
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14
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Chakraborti S, Karmakar A, Guha R, Ngan C, Kumar Das R, Whitaker N. Induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in HPV16 E6/E7 oncogene transfected C33A cell line. Tissue Cell 2023; 82:102041. [PMID: 36827821 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on the induction of EMT by HPV16 in the C33A cell line. Expression of β-catenin, EMT-transcription factors (EMT-TFs), and c-myc in the nuclei of HPV16 E6/E7 oncogene transfected and non-transfected C33A cells were investigated through immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. Microphotographs of β-catenin, c-myc, and DAPI-stained nuclei were processed and analyzed by Python and ImageJ respectively. Microphotographs of immunocytochemically stained transfected and control cells were then processed and analyzed with the help of ImageJ and Python programming. The intensity and the integrated density of β-catenin were computed at the cell membrane area as well as the cytoplasmic area along with the integrated density of c-myc and Renyi entropy of DAPI-stained nuclei was quantified by ImageJ software. Python programming was implemented to determine the total percentage of white pixels depicting the presence of β-catenin in the cytoplasmic area of cells. The signal of β-catenin at the cytoplasmic area was found significantly higher in transfected samples which implies the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin. The expression of the c-myc protein was found significantly higher in transfected cells along with significantly higher nuclear entropy. RT-PCR result shows two folds of up-regulation of EMT-TFs Snail1, Twist1, and Zeb2 and down-regulation of Snail2 and Twist2. The study concludes that HPV16 E6/E7 oncogene can induce EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourangshu Chakraborti
- Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Aparajita Karmakar
- Department of Data Science, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Riana Guha
- School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Christopher Ngan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Raunak Kumar Das
- Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India; School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Noel Whitaker
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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15
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Wang H, Mi K. Emerging roles of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the cellular plasticity of cancer cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1110881. [PMID: 36890838 PMCID: PMC9986440 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1110881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular plasticity is a well-known dynamic feature of tumor cells that endows tumors with heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance and alters their invasion-metastasis progression, stemness, and drug sensitivity, thereby posing a major challenge to cancer therapy. It is becoming increasingly clear that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a hallmark of cancer. The dysregulated expression of ER stress sensors and the activation of downstream signaling pathways play a role in the regulation of tumor progression and cellular response to various challenges. Moreover, mounting evidence implicates ER stress in the regulation of cancer cell plasticity, including epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity, drug resistance phenotype, cancer stem cell phenotype, and vasculogenic mimicry phenotype plasticity. ER stress influences several malignant characteristics of tumor cells, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stem cell maintenance, angiogenic function, and tumor cell sensitivity to targeted therapy. The emerging links between ER stress and cancer cell plasticity that are implicated in tumor progression and chemoresistance are discussed in this review, which may aid in formulating strategies to target ER stress and cancer cell plasticity in anticancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Breast Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Kun Mi
- Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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16
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Functional Resilience of Mutually Repressing Motifs Embedded in Larger Networks. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12121842. [PMID: 36551270 PMCID: PMC9775907 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the design principles of regulatory networks driving cellular decision-making has important implications for understanding cell differentiation and guiding the design of synthetic circuits. Mutually repressing feedback loops between 'master regulators' of cell fates can exhibit multistable dynamics enabling "single-positive" phenotypes: (high A, low B) and (low A, high B) for a toggle switch, and (high A, low B, low C), (low A, high B, low C) and (low A, low B, high C) for a toggle triad. However, the dynamics of these two motifs have been interrogated in isolation in silico, but in vitro and in vivo, they often operate while embedded in larger regulatory networks. Here, we embed these motifs in complex larger networks of varying sizes and connectivity to identify hallmarks under which these motifs maintain their canonical dynamical behavior. We show that an increased number of incoming edges onto a motif leads to a decay in their canonical stand-alone behaviors. We also show that this decay can be exacerbated by adding self-inhibition but not self-activation loops on the 'master regulators'. These observations offer insights into the design principles of biological networks containing these motifs and can help devise optimal strategies for the integration of these motifs into larger synthetic networks.
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17
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Cell Dissemination in Pancreatic Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223683. [PMID: 36429111 PMCID: PMC9688670 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a disease notorious for its high frequency of recurrence and low survival rate. Surgery is the most effective treatment for localized pancreatic cancer, but most cancer recurs after surgery, and patients die within ten years of diagnosis. The question persists: what makes pancreatic cancer recur and metastasize with such a high frequency? Herein, we review evidence that subclinical dormant pancreatic cancer cells disseminate before developing metastatic or recurring cancer. We then discuss several routes by which pancreatic cancer migrates and the mechanisms by which pancreatic cancer cells adapt. Lastly, we discuss unanswered questions in pancreatic cancer cell migration and our perspectives.
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18
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Network topology metrics explaining enrichment of hybrid epithelial mesenchymal phenotypes in metastasis. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010687. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and its reverse—Mesenchymal to Epithelial Transition (MET) are hallmarks of metastasis. Cancer cells use this reversible cellular programming to switch among Epithelial (E), Mesenchymal (M), and hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal (hybrid E/M) state(s) and seed tumors at distant sites. Hybrid E/M cells are often more aggressive and metastatic than the “pure” E and M cells. Thus, identifying mechanisms to inhibit hybrid E/M cells can be promising in curtailing metastasis. While multiple gene regulatory networks (GRNs) based mathematical models for EMT/MET have been developed recently, identifying topological signatures enriching hybrid E/M phenotypes remains to be done. Here, we investigate the dynamics of 13 different GRNs and report an interesting association between “hybridness” and the number of negative/positive feedback loops across the networks. While networks having more negative feedback loops favor hybrid phenotype(s), networks having more positive feedback loops (PFLs) or many HiLoops–specific combinations of PFLs, support terminal (E and M) phenotypes. We also establish a connection between “hybridness” and network-frustration by showing that hybrid phenotypes likely result from non-reinforcing interactions among network nodes (genes) and therefore tend to be more frustrated (less stable). Our analysis, thus, identifies network topology-based signatures that can give rise to, as well as prevent, the emergence of hybrid E/M phenotype in GRNs underlying EMP. Our results can have implications in terms of targeting specific interactions in GRNs as a potent way to restrict switching to the hybrid E/M phenotype(s) to curtail metastasis.
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19
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Chemokine/GPCR Signaling-Mediated EMT in Cancer Metastasis. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:2208176. [PMID: 36268282 PMCID: PMC9578795 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2208176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis, the chief cause of cancer-related deaths, is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In the tumor microenvironment, EMT can be triggered by chemokine/G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, which is closely associated with tumor progression. However, the functional links between chemokine/GPCR signaling-mediated EMT and metastasis remain unclear. Herein, we summarized the mechanisms of chemokine/GPCR signaling-mediated EMT with an insight into facilitating metastasis and clarified the role of chemokine in the local invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and colonization, respectively. Moreover, several potential pathways that might contribute to EMT based on the latest studies on GPCR signaling were proposed, including signaling mediated by G protein, β-arrestin, intracellular, dimerization activation, and transactivation. However, there is still limited evidence to support the EMT programme functional contribution to metastasis, which keeps a key question still open whether we should target EMT programme of cancer cells. Answers to that question might help develop an anticancer strategy or guide new directions for anticancer metastasis therapy.
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20
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Uncovering Novel Features of the Pc Locus in Horn Development from Gene-Edited Holstein Cattle by RNA-Sequencing Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012060. [PMID: 36292916 PMCID: PMC9603690 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Polled Celtic (Pc) mutation locus is a genetically simple single mutation that is the best choice for breeding polled cattle using gene editing. However, the mechanism of the Pc locus for regulating horn development is unclear, so we used gene editing, somatic cell nuclear transfer and embryo transfer to obtain polled Holstein fetal bovine (gestation time 90 days) with a homozygous Pc insertion (gene-edited Holstein fetal bovine, EH) and the wild-type 90 days Holstein fetal bovine (WH) as controls. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining results showed that, compared to the WH, the EH horn buds had no white keratinized projections or vacuolated keratinocytes and no thick nerve bundles under the dermal tissue. Furthermore, DNA sequencing results showed that the Pc locus was homozygously inserted into the fetal bovine genome. A total of 791 differentially expressed genes were identified by transcriptome sequencing analysis. Enrichment analysis and protein interaction analysis results of differentially expressed genes showed that abundant gene changes after Pc insertion were associated with the adhesion molecule regulation, actin expression, cytoskeletal deformation and keratin expression and keratinization. It was also noted that the results contained several genes that had been reported to be associated with the development of horn traits, such as RXFP2 and TWIST1. This study identified these changes for the first time and summarized them. The results suggested that the Pc mutant locus may inhibit neural crest cell EMT generation and keratin expression, leading to failures in neural crest cell migration and keratinization of the horn bud tissue, regulating the production of the polled phenotype.
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21
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Aggarwal V, Sahoo S, Donnenberg VS, Chakraborty P, Jolly MK, Sant S. P4HA2: A link between tumor-intrinsic hypoxia, partial EMT and collective migration. ADVANCES IN CANCER BIOLOGY - METASTASIS 2022; 5:100057. [PMID: 36187341 PMCID: PMC9517480 DOI: 10.1016/j.adcanc.2022.100057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a well-established phenomenon studied across pan-cancer types, has long been known to be a major player in driving tumor invasion and metastasis. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of partial EMT phenotypes in metastasis. Initially thought as a transitional state between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypic states, partial EMT state is now widely recognized as a key driver of intra-tumoral heterogeneity and phenotypic plasticity, further accelerating tumor metastasis and therapeutic resistance. However, how tumor microenvironment regulates partial EMT phenotypes remains unclear. We have developed unique size-controlled three-dimensional microtumor models that recapitulate tumor-intrinsic hypoxia and the emergence of collectively migrating cells. In this study, we further interrogate these microtumor models to understand how tumor-intrinsic hypoxia regulates partial EMT and collective migration in hypoxic large microtumors fabricated from T47D breast cancer cells. We compared global gene expression profiles of hypoxic, migratory microtumors to that of non-hypoxic, non-migratory microtumors at early and late time-points. Using our microtumor models, we identified unique gene signatures for tumor-intrinsic hypoxia (early versus late), partial EMT and migration (pre-migratory versus migratory phenotype). Through differential gene expression analysis between the microtumor models with an overlap of hypoxia, partial EMT and migration signatures, we identified prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit 2 (P4HA2), a hypoxia responsive gene, as a central regulator common to hypoxia, partial EMT and collective migration. Further, the inhibition of P4HA2 significantly blocked collective migration in hypoxic microtumors. Thus, using the integrated computational-experimental analysis, we identify the key role of P4HA2 in tumor-intrinsic hypoxia-driven partial EMT and collective migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Aggarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Vera S. Donnenberg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC-Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Priyanka Chakraborty
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Shilpa Sant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC-Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Corresponding author. University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Department of Bioengineering UPMC-Hillman Cancer Center McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, 7408 Salk Hall, 3501 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA. (S. Sant)
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22
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Jinesh GG, Brohl AS. Classical epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and alternative cell death process-driven blebbishield metastatic-witch (BMW) pathways to cancer metastasis. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:296. [PMID: 35999218 PMCID: PMC9399134 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01132-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is a pivotal event that accelerates the prognosis of cancer patients towards mortality. Therapies that aim to induce cell death in metastatic cells require a more detailed understanding of the metastasis for better mitigation. Towards this goal, we discuss the details of two distinct but overlapping pathways of metastasis: a classical reversible epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (hybrid-EMT)-driven transport pathway and an alternative cell death process-driven blebbishield metastatic-witch (BMW) transport pathway involving reversible cell death process. The knowledge about the EMT and BMW pathways is important for the therapy of metastatic cancers as these pathways confer drug resistance coupled to immune evasion/suppression. We initially discuss the EMT pathway and compare it with the BMW pathway in the contexts of coordinated oncogenic, metabolic, immunologic, and cell biological events that drive metastasis. In particular, we discuss how the cell death environment involving apoptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and NETosis in BMW or EMT pathways recruits immune cells, fuses with it, migrates, permeabilizes vasculature, and settles at distant sites to establish metastasis. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic targets that are common to both EMT and BMW pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goodwin G Jinesh
- Department of Molecular Oncology, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, 33612, FL, USA. .,Sarcoma Department, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, 33612, FL, USA.
| | - Andrew S Brohl
- Department of Molecular Oncology, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, 33612, FL, USA. .,Sarcoma Department, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, 33612, FL, USA.
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23
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Pillai M, Rajaram G, Thakur P, Agarwal N, Muralidharan S, Ray A, Barbhaya D, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. Mapping phenotypic heterogeneity in melanoma onto the epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal axis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:913803. [PMID: 36003764 PMCID: PMC9395132 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.913803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-studied hallmark of epithelial-like cancers that is characterized by loss of epithelial markers and gain of mesenchymal markers. Melanoma, which is derived from melanocytes of the skin, also undergo phenotypic plasticity toward mesenchymal-like phenotypes under the influence of various micro-environmental cues. Our study connects EMT to the phenomenon of de-differentiation (i.e., transition from proliferative to more invasive phenotypes) observed in melanoma cells during drug treatment. By analyzing 78 publicly available transcriptomic melanoma datasets, we found that de-differentiation in melanoma is accompanied by upregulation of mesenchymal genes, but not necessarily a concomitant loss of an epithelial program, suggesting a more “one-dimensional” EMT that leads to a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype. Samples lying in the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype also correspond to the intermediate phenotypes in melanoma along the proliferative-invasive axis - neural crest and transitory ones. As melanoma cells progress along the invasive axis, the mesenchymal signature does not increase monotonically. Instead, we observe a peak in mesenchymal scores followed by a decline, as cells further de-differentiate. This biphasic response recapitulates the dynamics of melanocyte development, suggesting close interactions among genes controlling differentiation and mesenchymal programs in melanocytes. Similar trends were noted for metabolic changes often associated with EMT in carcinomas in which progression along mesenchymal axis correlates with the downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation, while largely maintaining glycolytic capacity. Overall, these results provide an explanation for how EMT and de-differentiation axes overlap with respect to their transcriptional and metabolic programs in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maalavika Pillai
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Undergraduate Programme, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Gouri Rajaram
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
| | - Pradipti Thakur
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
| | - Nilay Agarwal
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Undergraduate Programme, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Srinath Muralidharan
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Ankita Ray
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
| | - Dev Barbhaya
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
| | | | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- *Correspondence: Mohit Kumar Jolly,
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Subbalakshmi AR, Ashraf B, Jolly MK. Biophysical and biochemical attributes of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypes. Phys Biol 2022; 19. [PMID: 34986465 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/ac482c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a biological phenomenon associated with explicit phenotypic and molecular changes in cellular traits. Unlike the earlier-held popular belief of it being a binary process, EMT is now thought of as a landscape including diverse hybrid E/M phenotypes manifested by varying degrees of the transition. These hybrid cells can co-express both epithelial and mesenchymal markers and/or functional traits, and can possess the property of collective cell migration, enhanced tumor-initiating ability, and immune/targeted therapy-evasive features, all of which are often associated with worse patient outcomes. These characteristics of the hybrid E/M cells have led to a surge in studies that map their biophysical and biochemical hallmarks that can be helpful in exploiting their therapeutic vulnerabilities. This review discusses recent advances made in investigating hybrid E/M phenotype(s) from diverse biophysical and biochemical aspects by integrating live cell-imaging, cellular morphology quantification and mathematical modelling, and highlights a set of questions that remain unanswered about the dynamics of hybrid E/M states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayalur Raghu Subbalakshmi
- Indian Institute of Science, Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Bangalore, 560012, INDIA
| | - Bazella Ashraf
- Central University of Kashmir, Department of Biotechnology, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, 191201, INDIA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Indian Institute of Science, Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Bangalore, 560012, INDIA
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25
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Gardiner JC, Cukierman E. Meaningful connections: Interrogating the role of physical fibroblast cell-cell communication in cancer. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 154:141-168. [PMID: 35459467 PMCID: PMC9483832 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As part of the connective tissue, activated fibroblasts play an important role in development and disease pathogenesis, while quiescent resident fibroblasts are responsible for sustaining tissue homeostasis. Fibroblastic activation is particularly evident in the tumor microenvironment where fibroblasts transition into tumor-supporting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), with some CAFs maintaining tumor-suppressive functions. While the tumor-supporting features of CAFs and their fibroblast-like precursors predominantly function through paracrine chemical communication (e.g., secretion of cytokine, chemokine, and more), the direct cell-cell communication that occurs between fibroblasts and other cells, and the effect that the remodeled CAF-generated interstitial extracellular matrix has in these types of cellular communications, remain poorly understood. Here, we explore the reported roles fibroblastic cell-cell communication play within the cancer stroma context and highlight insights we can gain from other disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edna Cukierman
- Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program, Marvin and Concetta Greenberg Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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26
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Debir B, Meaney C, Kohandel M, Unlu MB. The role of calcium oscillations in the phenotype selection in endothelial cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23781. [PMID: 34893636 PMCID: PMC8664853 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02720-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is an important process in the formation and maintenance of tissues which is driven by a complex system of intracellular and intercellular signaling mechanisms. Endothelial cells taking part in early angiogenesis must select their phenotype as either a tip cells (leading, migratory) or a stalk cells (following). Recent experiments have demonstrated that rapid calcium oscillations within active cells characterize this phenotype selection process and that these oscillations play a necessary role in governing phenotype selection and eventual vessel architecture. In this work, we develop a mathematical model capable of describing these oscillations and their role in phenotype selection then use it to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms at play. We developed a model based on two previously published and experimentally validated mathematical models of calcium and angiogenesis then use our resulting model to simulate various multi-cell scenarios. We are able to capture essential calcium oscillation dynamics and intercellular communication between neighboring cells. The results of our model show that although the late DLL4 (a transmembrane protein that activates Notch pathway) levels of a cell are connected with its initial IP3 (Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate) level, cell-to-cell communication determines its eventual phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birses Debir
- Department of Physics, Bogazici University, 34342, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Cameron Meaney
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Mohammad Kohandel
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - M Burcin Unlu
- Department of Physics, Bogazici University, 34342, Istanbul, Turkey
- Hokkaido University, Global Station for Quantum Medical Science and Engineering, Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education (GI-CoRE), Sapporo, 060-8648, Japan
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