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Lee S, Song SG, Chung DH. Comprehensive Transcriptomic Analysis for Thymic Epithelial Cells of Aged Mice and Humans. Immune Netw 2023; 23:e36. [PMID: 37970235 PMCID: PMC10643332 DOI: 10.4110/in.2023.23.e36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play a critical role in thymic development and thymopoiesis. As individuals age, TECs undergo various changes that impact their functions, leading to a reduction in cell numbers and impaired thymic selection. These age-related alterations have been observed in both mice and humans. However, the precise mechanisms underlying age-related TEC dysfunction remain unclear. Furthermore, there is a lack of a comprehensive study that connects mouse and human biological processes in this area. To address this gap, we conducted an extensive transcriptome analysis of young and old TECs in mice, complemented by further analysis of publicly available human TEC single-cell RNA sequencing data. Our analysis revealed alterations in both known and unknown pathways that potentially contribute to age-related TEC dysfunction. Specifically, we observed downregulation of pathways related to cell proliferation, T cell development, metabolism, and cytokine signaling in old age TECs. Conversely, TGF-β, BMP, and Wnt signaling pathways were upregulated, which have been known to be associated with age-related TEC dysfunctions or newly discovered in this study. Importantly, we found that these age-related changes in mouse TECs were consistently present in human TECs as well. This cross-species validation further strengthens the significance of our findings. In conclusion, our comprehensive analysis provides valuable insight into the biological and immunological characteristics of aged TECs in both mice and humans. These findings contribute to a better understanding of thymic involution and age-induced immune dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangsin Lee
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Seung Geun Song
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Doo Hyun Chung
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
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2
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Unraveling the function of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer: Metastasis, therapy response, and revisiting molecular pathways. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114395. [PMID: 36804124 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a dangerous form of cancer that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is a major global health concern, and the aggressive behavior of tumor cells makes it difficult to treat, leading to poor survival rates for patients. One major challenge in treating CRC is the metastasis, or spread, of the cancer, which is a major cause of death. In order to improve the prognosis for patients with CRC, it is necessary to focus on ways to inhibit the cancer's ability to invade and spread. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process that is linked to the spread of cancer cells, also known as metastasis. The process transforms epithelial cells into mesenchymal ones, increasing their mobility and ability to invade other tissues. This has been shown to be a key mechanism in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), a particularly aggressive form of gastrointestinal cancer. The activation of EMT leads to increases in the spread of CRC cells, and during this process, levels of the protein E-cadherin decrease while levels of N-cadherin and vimentin increase. EMT also contributes to the development of resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy in CRC. Non-coding RNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play a role in regulating EMT in CRC, often through their ability to "sponge" microRNAs. Anti-cancer agents have been shown to suppress EMT and reduce the progression and spread of CRC cells. These findings suggest that targeting EMT or related mechanisms may be a promising approach for treating CRC patients in the clinic.
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3
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Li R, Xu H, Gao X. The ceRNA network regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14143. [PMID: 36950593 PMCID: PMC10025087 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process that transforms epithelial cells into a mesenchymal phenotype, conferring cell migration and invasion capabilities. EMT is involved in the progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Recently, emerging evidence has shown dysregulation of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) was linked to EMT. ncRNAs, including long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), regulate the transcription of downstream target genes (mRNA) through interaction with microRNAs (miRNAs); these are termed competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks. CeRNA dysregulation-induced EMT, which is linked to the progression and prognosis of CRC, has attracted wide attention. However, understanding the role of the regulation of the ceRNA network in the EMT of CRC remains limited. We discuss the molecular functions of lncRNA, the ceRNA networks related to miRNAs and mRNAs in EMT, as well as EMT transcription factors, such as the zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1/2 (ZEB1/2), SNAIL, SLUG, and TWIST1/2. In addition, miRNAs and lncRNAs that directly target genes, thereby initiating different signaling pathways to promote EMT in CRC, were summarized. Clarifying the role of these molecules in EMT is critical for understanding molecular mechanisms and exploring the potential therapeutic targets of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruina Li
- School of Public Health, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Hui Xu
- The Center of Clinical Laboratory, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Xiaoling Gao
- The Center of Clinical Laboratory, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou 570100, China
- Corresponding author.
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4
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Elucidation of the Role of SMAD4 in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity: Does It Help to Better Understand the Consequences of DPC4 Inactivation in the Malignant Progression of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030581. [PMID: 36765537 PMCID: PMC9913373 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the 4th leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with a 5-year-survival rate below 10% that is the lowest of all cancer types [...].
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5
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Antón-García P, Haghighi EB, Rose K, Vladimirov G, Boerries M, Hecht A. TGFβ1-Induced EMT in the MCF10A Mammary Epithelial Cell Line Model Is Executed Independently of SNAIL1 and ZEB1 but Relies on JUNB-Coordinated Transcriptional Regulation. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:558. [PMID: 36672507 PMCID: PMC9856774 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) fosters cancer cell invasion and metastasis, the main cause of cancer-related mortality. Growing evidence that SNAIL and ZEB transcription factors, typically portrayed as master regulators of EMT, may be dispensable for this process, led us to re-investigate its mechanistic underpinnings. For this, we used an unbiased computational approach that integrated time-resolved analyses of chromatin structure and differential gene expression, to predict transcriptional regulators of TGFβ1-inducible EMT in the MCF10A mammary epithelial cell line model. Bioinformatic analyses indicated comparatively minor contributions of SNAIL proteins and ZEB1 to TGFβ1-induced EMT, whereas the AP-1 subunit JUNB was anticipated to have a much larger impact. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated loss-of-function studies confirmed that TGFβ1-induced EMT proceeded independently of SNAIL proteins and ZEB1. In contrast, JUNB was necessary and sufficient for EMT in MCF10A cells, but not in A549 lung cancer cells, indicating cell-type-specificity of JUNB EMT-regulatory capacity. Nonetheless, the JUNB-dependence of EMT-associated transcriptional reprogramming in MCF10A cells allowed to define a gene expression signature which was regulated by TGFβ1 in diverse cellular backgrounds, showed positively correlated expression with TGFβ signaling in multiple cancer transcriptomes, and was predictive of patient survival in several cancer types. Altogether, our findings provide novel mechanistic insights into the context-dependent control of TGFβ1-driven EMT and thereby may lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Antón-García
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elham Bavafaye Haghighi
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katja Rose
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Georg Vladimirov
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Boerries
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Hecht
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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6
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Husanie H, Abu-Remaileh M, Maroun K, Abu-Tair L, Safadi H, Atlan K, Golan T, Aqeilan RI. Loss of tumor suppressor WWOX accelerates pancreatic cancer development through promotion of TGFβ/BMP2 signaling. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:1074. [PMID: 36572673 PMCID: PMC9792466 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05519-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, owing to its late diagnosis and resistance to chemotherapy. The tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), one of the most active fragile sites in the human genome (FRA16D), is commonly altered in pancreatic cancer. However, the direct contribution of WWOX loss to pancreatic cancer development and progression remains largely unknown. Here, we report that combined conditional deletion of Wwox and activation of KRasG12D in Ptf1a-CreER-expressing mice results in accelerated formation of precursor lesions and pancreatic carcinoma. At the molecular level, we found that WWOX physically interacts with SMAD3 and BMP2, which are known activators of the TGF-β signaling pathway. In the absence of WWOX, TGFβ/BMPs signaling was enhanced, leading to increased macrophage infiltration and enhanced cancer stemness. Finally, overexpression of WWOX in patient-derived xenografts led to diminished aggressiveness both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our findings reveal an essential role of WWOX in pancreatic cancer development and progression and underscore its role as a bona fide tumor suppressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussam Husanie
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Muhannad Abu-Remaileh
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Kian Maroun
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lina Abu-Tair
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hazem Safadi
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Karine Atlan
- grid.17788.310000 0001 2221 2926Department of Pathology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Talia Golan
- grid.12136.370000 0004 1937 0546Oncology Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rami I. Aqeilan
- grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538The Concern Foundation Laboratories, The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Department of Immunology and Cancer Research-IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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7
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Maslankova J, Vecurkovska I, Rabajdova M, Katuchova J, Kicka M, Gayova M, Katuch V. Regulation of transforming growth factor-β signaling as a therapeutic approach to treating colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2022. [PMID: 36156927 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i33.4744.pmid:36156927;pmcid:pmc9476856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
According to data from 2020, Slovakia has long been among the top five countries with the highest incidence rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) worldwide, and the rate is continuing to rise every year. In approximately 80% of CRC cases, allelic loss (loss of heterozygosity, LOH) occurs in the long arm of chromosome 18q. The most important genes that can be silenced by 18q LOH or mutations are small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 2 and SMAD4, which are intracellular mediators of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily signals. TGF-β plays an important role in the pro-oncogenic processes, including such properties as invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (commonly known as EMT), promotion of angiogenesis, and immunomodulatory effects. Several recent studies have reported that activation of TGF-β signaling is related to drug resistance in CRC. Because the mechanisms of drug resistance are different between patients in different stages of CRC, personalized treatment is more effective. Therefore, knowledge of the activation and inhibition of factors that affect the TGF-β signaling pathway is very important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Maslankova
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Ivana Vecurkovska
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Miroslava Rabajdova
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Jana Katuchova
- First Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty of Safarik University, Kosice 04011, Kosicky kraj, Slovakia.
| | - Milos Kicka
- First Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty of Safarik University, Kosice 04011, Kosicky kraj, Slovakia
| | - Michala Gayova
- Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical Faculty at Safarik University and University Hospital, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Vladimir Katuch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty at Safarik University and University Hospital, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
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8
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Maslankova J, Vecurkovska I, Rabajdova M, Katuchova J, Kicka M, Gayova M, Katuch V. Regulation of transforming growth factor-β signaling as a therapeutic approach to treating colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:4744-4761. [PMID: 36156927 PMCID: PMC9476856 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i33.4744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
According to data from 2020, Slovakia has long been among the top five countries with the highest incidence rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) worldwide, and the rate is continuing to rise every year. In approximately 80% of CRC cases, allelic loss (loss of heterozygosity, LOH) occurs in the long arm of chromosome 18q. The most important genes that can be silenced by 18q LOH or mutations are small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 2 and SMAD4, which are intracellular mediators of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily signals. TGF-β plays an important role in the pro-oncogenic processes, including such properties as invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (commonly known as EMT), promotion of angiogenesis, and immunomodulatory effects. Several recent studies have reported that activation of TGF-β signaling is related to drug resistance in CRC. Because the mechanisms of drug resistance are different between patients in different stages of CRC, personalized treatment is more effective. Therefore, knowledge of the activation and inhibition of factors that affect the TGF-β signaling pathway is very important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Maslankova
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Ivana Vecurkovska
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Miroslava Rabajdova
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Jana Katuchova
- First Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty of Safarik University, Kosice 04011, Kosicky kraj, Slovakia
| | - Milos Kicka
- First Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty of Safarik University, Kosice 04011, Kosicky kraj, Slovakia
| | - Michala Gayova
- Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical Faculty at Safarik University and University Hospital, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Vladimir Katuch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty at Safarik University and University Hospital, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
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9
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Wang S, Jiang H, Zheng C, Gu M, Zheng X. Secretion of BMP-2 by tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) promotes microcalcifications in breast cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:34. [PMID: 34983451 PMCID: PMC8729115 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-09150-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Breast microcalcifications is a characteristic feature in diagnostic imaging and a prognostic factor of breast cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms of breast microcalcifications formation are not fully understood. Previous studies have shown that upregulation of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) is associated with the occurrence of microcalcifications and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment can secrete BMP-2. The aim of this study is to elucidate the role of secretion of BMP-2 by TAMs in promoting microcalcifications of breast cancer through immunohistochemical staining and co-culturing of breast cancer cells with TAMs. Methods A total of 272 patients diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer from January 2010 to January 2012 in the First Hospital of China Medical University were included in this study. Immunohistochemical staining of CD68 (marker of entire macrophages), CD168 (marker of the M2-like macrophages) and BMP-2 were performed on 4-μm tissue microarray (TMA) sections. Following induction, THP-1 cells were differentiated to M2-like TAMs and were then co-cultured with breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Calcifications and BMP-2 expression were analyzed by Alizarin Red S staining and western blot, respectively. Results Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression of CD168 was significantly increased in tissues with microcalcifications and was correlated with the expression of BMP-2 and poor prognosis. The formation of cellular microcalcifications and BMP-2 expression were significantly increased in MCF-7 cells co-cultured with TAMs compared with MCF-7 cells alone. Conclusions These findings support the hypothesis that TAMs secrete BMP-2 to induce microcalcifications in breast cancer cells and influence prognosis via multiple pathways including BMP-2 and its downstream factors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-09150-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Haiyang Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Caiwei Zheng
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Ming Gu
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinyu Zheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China. .,Lab 1, Cancer Institute, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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10
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Frey P, Devisme A, Rose K, Schrempp M, Freihen V, Andrieux G, Boerries M, Hecht A. SMAD4 mutations do not preclude epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer. Oncogene 2021; 41:824-837. [PMID: 34857888 PMCID: PMC8816731 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02128-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily signaling is a prime inducer of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) that foster cancer cell invasion and metastasis, a major cause of cancer-related deaths. Yet, TGFβ signaling is frequently inactivated in human tumor entities including colorectal cancer (CRC) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) with a high proportion of mutations incapacitating SMAD4, which codes for a transcription factor (TF) central to canonical TGFβ and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Beyond its role in initiating EMT, SMAD4 was reported to crucially contribute to subsequent gene regulatory events during EMT execution. It is therefore widely assumed that SMAD4-mutant (SMAD4mut) cancer cells are unable to undergo EMT. Here, we scrutinized this notion and probed for potential SMAD4-independent EMT execution using SMAD4mut CRC cell lines. We show that SMAD4mut cells exhibit morphological changes, become invasive, and regulate EMT marker genes upon induction of the EMT-TF SNAIL1. Furthermore, SNAIL1-induced EMT in SMAD4mut cells was found to be entirely independent of TGFβ/BMP receptor activity. Global assessment of the SNAIL1-dependent transcriptome confirmed the manifestation of an EMT gene regulatory program in SMAD4mut cells highly related to established EMT signatures. Finally, analyses of human tumor transcriptomes showed that SMAD4 mutations are not underrepresented in mesenchymal tumor samples and that expression patterns of EMT-associated genes are similar in SMAD4mut and SMAD4 wild-type (SMAD4wt) cases. Altogether, our findings suggest that alternative TFs take over the gene regulatory functions of SMAD4 downstream of EMT-TFs, arguing for considerable plasticity of gene regulatory networks operating in EMT execution. Further, they establish that EMT is not categorically precluded in SMAD4mut tumors, which is relevant for their diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Frey
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Antoine Devisme
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katja Rose
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Monika Schrempp
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Vivien Freihen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Geoffroy Andrieux
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, Germany, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Melanie Boerries
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, Germany, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Hecht
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. .,Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. .,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. .,BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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11
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Bondoc A, Glaser K, Jin K, Lake C, Cairo S, Geller J, Tiao G, Aronow B. Identification of distinct tumor cell populations and key genetic mechanisms through single cell sequencing in hepatoblastoma. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1049. [PMID: 34497364 PMCID: PMC8426487 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02562-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common primary liver malignancy of childhood, and molecular investigations are limited and effective treatment options for chemoresistant disease are lacking. There is a knowledge gap in the investigation of key driver cells of HB in tumor. Here we show single cell ribonucleic acid sequencing (scRNAseq) analysis of human tumor, background liver, and patient derived xenograft (PDX) to demonstrate gene expression patterns within tumor and to identify intratumor cell subtype heterogeneity to define differing roles in pathogenesis based on intracellular signaling in pediatric HB. We have identified a driver tumor cell cluster in HB by genetic expression which can be examined to define disease mechanism and treatments. Identification of both critical mechanistic pathways combined with unique cell populations provide the basis for discovery and investigation of novel treatment strategies in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Bondoc
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Kathryn Glaser
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kang Jin
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Developmental Biology, and Pediatrics, Cincinnati, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Charissa Lake
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Stefano Cairo
- Research and Development Unit, XenTech, Genopole-Campus 3, Fontaine, France
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Corso Stati Uniti, Padua, Italy
| | - James Geller
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Gregory Tiao
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bruce Aronow
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Developmental Biology, and Pediatrics, Cincinnati, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Liu S, Ma Y, You W, Li J, Li JN, Qian JM. Hamartomatous polyposis syndrome associated malignancies: Risk, pathogenesis and endoscopic surveillance. J Dig Dis 2021; 22:444-451. [PMID: 34145757 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.13029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hamartomatous polyposis syndromes (HPS) are a heterogeneous spectrum of diseases that are characterized by diffuse hamartomatous polyps lining the gastrointestinal (GI) tract together with extra-GI manifestations. Classical HPS includes juvenile polyposis syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome and hereditary mixed polyposis syndrome. Patients with HPS have a higher risk of GI and extra-GI malignancies than the general population, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear and are obviously different from the carcinogenesis of classical adenocarcinoma and colitis-associated malignancy. In this review we aimed to clarify the risks, possible mechanism and endoscopic surveillance of HPS-associated GI malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wen You
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ji Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Nan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Ming Qian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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13
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Bone Morphogenic Protein Signaling and Melanoma. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:48. [PMID: 33866453 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-021-00849-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Malignant melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer caused by neoplastic transformation of melanocytic cells. Despite recent progress in melanoma therapy, by inhibition of activated oncogenes or immunotherapy, survival rate for metastatic melanoma patients remains low. The remarkable phenotypic plasticity of melanoma cells allows for rapid development of invasive properties and metastatic tumors, the main cause of mortality in melanoma patients. Phenotypic and molecular analyses of developing tumors revealed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a cellular and molecular mechanism, controls transition from mature melanocyte to less differentiated melanocyte lineage progenitor cells forming melanoma tumors. This transition is facilitated by persistence of transcriptional regulatory circuit characteristic of embryonic stage in mature melanocytes. Switching of the developmental program of mature melanocyte to EMT is induced by accumulated mutations, especially targeting BRAF, N-RAS, or MEK1/2 signaling pathways, and further promoted by dynamic stimuli from local environment including hypoxia, interactions with extracellular matrix and growth factors or cytokines. Recent reports demonstrate that signaling mediated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) play critical roles in inducing EMT by controlling expression of critical transcription factors. BMPs are essential modulators of differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, invasiveness, and metastases in developing melanoma tumors. They control transcription and epigenetic landscape of melanoma cells. Better understanding of the role of BMPs may lead to new strategies to control EMT processes in melanocyte cell lineage and to achieve clinical benefits for the patients.
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14
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Wei X, Chen Y, Jiang X, Peng M, Liu Y, Mo Y, Ren D, Hua Y, Yu B, Zhou Y, Liao Q, Wang H, Xiang B, Zhou M, Li X, Li G, Li Y, Xiong W, Zeng Z. Mechanisms of vasculogenic mimicry in hypoxic tumor microenvironments. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:7. [PMID: 33397409 PMCID: PMC7784348 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01288-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a recently discovered angiogenetic process found in many malignant tumors, and is different from the traditional angiogenetic process involving vascular endothelium. It involves the formation of microvascular channels composed of tumor cells; therefore, VM is considered a new model for the formation of new blood vessels in aggressive tumors, and can provide blood supply for tumor growth. Many studies have pointed out that in recent years, some clinical treatments against angiogenesis have not been satisfactory possibly due to the activation of VM. Although the mechanisms underlying VM have not been fully elucidated, increasing research on the soil “microenvironment” for tumor growth suggests that the initial hypoxic environment in solid tumors is inseparable from VM. Main body In this review, we describe that the stemness and differentiation potential of cancer stem cells are enhanced under hypoxic microenvironments, through hypoxia-induced epithelial-endothelial transition (EET) and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling to form the specific mechanism of vasculogenic mimicry; we also summarized some of the current drugs targeting VM through these processes, suggesting a new reference for the clinical treatment of tumor angiogenesis. Conclusion Overall, the use of VM inhibitors in combination with conventional anti-angiogenesis treatments is a promising strategy for improving the effectiveness of targeted angiogenesis treatments; further, considering the importance of hypoxia in tumor invasion and metastasis, drugs targeting the hypoxia signaling pathway seem to achieve good results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxu Wei
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yunhua Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xianjie Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Peng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yiduo Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongzhen Mo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Daixi Ren
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yuze Hua
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Boyao Yu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yujuan Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bo Xiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Xu W, Chen B, Ke D, Chen X. MicroRNA-138-5p targets the NFIB-Snail1 axis to inhibit colorectal cancer cell migration and chemoresistance. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:475. [PMID: 33013202 PMCID: PMC7528477 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01573-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Colorectal cancer ranks among the most lethal diseases worldwide. Although much progress has been made in research and treatment of colorectal cancer in recent years, the underlying mechanisms related to migration of the cancer cells and the reason for chemoresistance still remain unclear. In this research, we explored the underlying effect of miR-138-5p in colorectal cancer. Methods We used qRT-PCR to investigate the expression of miR-138-5p, Snail1, NFIB in colorectal cancer cells. Lentiviral vectors containing miR-138-5p mimics and inhibitors were constructed and transfected cells. Wound healing assay was applied to illustrate interferences on cell migration. Fluorouracial, doxorubicin, cisplat in were used to detect chemotherapy resistance. In order to identify target genes, bioinformatic methods were applied. Snail1 and NFIB protein expression in stable cell lines was detected using Western blot. Double luciferase and CHIP experiment were used to verify binding sites. We used rescue experiments to further explore the interactions among Snail1, NFIB and miR-138-5p. Results The expression of miR-138-5p in colorectal cancer cells was low. miR-138-5p inhibited cell migration in colorectal cancer, and could negatively regulate chemotherapy resistance. miR-138-5p targeted NFIB, and regulated Snail1 expression, which mediated colorectal cancer cell migration and chemotherapy resistance. Conclusions Our research indicates that miR-138-5p could be a crucial modulator controlling colorectal cancer cell migration and chemoresistance, by acting upon the NFIB-Snail1 axis. miR-138-5p has an emerging prospect to be exploited as a new target for colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifeng Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 127 Dong Ming Road, Zhengzhou, 450008 Henan People's Republic of China
| | - Beibei Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 127 Dong Ming Road, Zhengzhou, 450008 Henan People's Republic of China
| | - Dianshan Ke
- Department of Cell Biology, Southern Medical University, 510515 Guangzhou, Guangdong China
| | - Xiaobing Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 127 Dong Ming Road, Zhengzhou, 450008 Henan People's Republic of China
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