Integrin αvβ3 in the Mediating Effects of Dihydrotestosterone and Resveratrol on Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation

Integrins and Actions of Androgen in Breast Cancer

Androgen has been shown to regulate male physiological activities and cancer proliferation. It is used to antagonize estrogen-induced proliferative effects in breast cancer cells. However, evidence indicates that androgen can stimulate cancer cell growth in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cells via different types of receptors and different mechanisms. Androgen-induced cancer growth and metastasis link with different types of integrins. Integrin αvβ3 is predominantly expressed and activated in cancer cells and rapidly dividing endothelial cells. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) also plays a vital role in cancer growth. The part of integrins in action with androgen in cancer cells is not fully mechanically understood. To clarify the interactions between androgen and integrin αvβ3, we carried out molecular modeling to explain the potential interactions of androgen with integrin αvβ3. The androgen-regulated mechanisms on PD-L1 and its effects were also addressed.

Vascular endothelial-derived Von Willebrand factor inhibits lung cancer progression through the αvβ3/ERK1/2 axis

Lung cancer remains a common malignant tumor causing death due to the rapid industrialization and serious pollution of the environment. The Von Willebrand Factor (vWF) protein is an endothelial marker and is widely used to diagnose cancer and other inflammations, however its exact mechanism of action remains largely unexplored. In particular, how it plays two opposing roles in tumor development is not clear. Our study aimed to the impact of endothelial-derived vWF on tumor development by co-culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with lung cancer cells (95D and A549). A knockdown of endothelial-derived vWF assisted lung cancer cell in proliferation, migration and inhibited apoptosis in vitro, while overexpression of endothelial-derived vWF inhibited the proliferation, migration and induced apoptosis of lung cancer cells. The results of further experiments indicated that the vWF secreted by endothelial cells could affect lung cancer cell migration and apoptosis via its binding to integrin αvβ3 on the surface of lung cancer cells. Furthermore, a novel finding was the fact that endothelial-derived vWF inhibited lung cancer cell apoptosis by phosphorylating ERK1/2. At the same time, we established experimental lung metastasis model and xenograft model in normal mice and vWF^-/- mice, and found that knockout of vWF in mice significantly promoted lung cancer growth and metastasis. In conclusion, our research found that endothelial-derived vWF could directly combine to αvβ3 on the exterior of A549 and 95D, thereby mediating lung cancer proliferation, migration and apoptosis and inhibiting the development of lung cancer.

Potential of resveratrol in the treatment of interstitial lung disease

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by lung injury caused by lung fibroblast proliferation, interstitial inflammation, and fibrosis. Different cell signal transduction pathways are activated in response to various proinflammatory or fibrotic cytokines, such as IL-6, and these cytokines are increased in different ILDs. The overexpressed cytokines and growth factors in ILD can activate TGF-β/Smad2/3/4, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT signal transduction pathways, promote the activation of immune cells, increase the release of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic factors, differentiate fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and promote the occurrence and development of ILD. This finding suggests the importance of signal transduction pathways in patients with ILD. Recent evidence suggests that resveratrol (RSV) attenuates excessive inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad2/3/4, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT signal transduction pathways and overactivation of immune cells. In this review, advances in lung protection and the underlying mechanisms of RSV are summarized, and the potential efficacy of RSV as a promising treatment option for ILD is highlighted.

The Regulation of Neutrophil Migration in Patients with Sepsis: The Complexity of the Molecular Mechanisms and Their Modulation in Sepsis and the Heterogeneity of Sepsis Patients

Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Common causes include gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as fungi. Neutrophils are among the first cells to arrive at an infection site where they function as important effector cells of the innate immune system and as regulators of the host immune response. The regulation of neutrophil migration is therefore important both for the infection-directed host response and for the development of organ dysfunctions in sepsis. Downregulation of CXCR4/CXCL12 stimulates neutrophil migration from the bone marrow. This is followed by transmigration/extravasation across the endothelial cell barrier at the infection site; this process is directed by adhesion molecules and various chemotactic gradients created by chemotactic cytokines, lipid mediators, bacterial peptides, and peptides from damaged cells. These mechanisms of neutrophil migration are modulated by sepsis, leading to reduced neutrophil migration and even reversed migration that contributes to distant organ failure. The sepsis-induced modulation seems to differ between neutrophil subsets. Furthermore, sepsis patients should be regarded as heterogeneous because neutrophil migration will possibly be further modulated by the infecting microorganisms, antimicrobial treatment, patient age/frailty/sex, other diseases (e.g., hematological malignancies and stem cell transplantation), and the metabolic status. The present review describes molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of neutrophil migration; how these mechanisms are altered during sepsis; and how bacteria/fungi, antimicrobial treatment, and aging/frailty/comorbidity influence the regulation of neutrophil migration.

ITGB1-mediated molecular landscape and cuproptosis phenotype induced the worse prognosis in diffuse gastric cancer

Diffuse type gastric cancer was identified with relatively worse prognosis than other Lauren’s histological classification. Integrin β1 (ITGB1) was a member of integrin family which played a markedly important role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the influence of ITGB1 in diffuse gastric cancer (DGC) remains uncertain. Here, we leveraged the transcriptomic and proteomic data to explore the association between ITGB1 expression and clinicopathologic information and biological process in DGC. Cell phenotype experiments combined with quantitative-PCR (q-PCR) and western blotting were utilized to identify the potential molecular mechanism underling ITGB1.Transcriptomics and proteomics both revealed that the higher ITGB1 expression was significantly associated with worse prognosis in DGC, but not in intestinal GC. Genomic analysis indicated that the mutation frequency of significantly mutated genes of ARID1A and COL11A1, and mutational signatures of SBS6 and SBS15 were markedly increased in the ITGB1 low expression subgroup. The enrichment analysis revealed diverse pathways related to dysregulation of ITGB1 in DGC, especially in cell adhesion, proliferation, metabolism reprogramming, and immune regulation alterations. Elevated activities of kinase-ROCK1, PKACA/PRKACA and AKT1 were observed in the ITGB1 high-expression subgroup. The ssGSEA analysis also found that ITGB1 low-expression had a higher cuproptosis score and was negatively correlated with key regulators of cuproptosis, including FDX1, DLAT, and DLST. We further observed that the upregulated expression of mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in the ITGB1 low-expression group. Reduced expression of ITGB1 inhibited the ability of cell proliferation and motility and also potentiated the cell sensitive to copper ionophores via western blotting assay. Overall, this study revealed that ITGB1 was a protumorigenic gene and regulated tumor metabolism and cuproptosis in DGC.

Multifunctional Graphene Oxide Nanodelivery Platform for Breast Cancer Treatment

Background

Breast cancer (BC) has the highest global prevalence among all malignancies in women and the second highest prevalence in the overall population. Paclitaxel (PTX), a tricyclic diterpenoid, is effective against BC. However, its poor solubility in water and the allergenicity of its dissolution medium limited its clinical application.

Methods

In this work, we established a multifunctional graphene oxide (GO) tumor-targeting drug delivery system using nanosized graphene oxide (nGO) modified with D-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) and arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) for PTX loading.

Results

The obtained RGD-TPGS-nGO-PTX was 310.20±19.86 nm in size; the polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential were 0.21±0.020 and -23.42 mV, respectively. The mean drug loading capacity of RGD-TPGS-nGO-PTX was 48.78%. RGD-TPGS-nGO-PTX showed satisfactory biocompatibility and biosafety and had no significant toxic effects on zebrafish embryos. Importantly, it exerted excellent cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells, reversed multi-drug resistance (MDR) in MCF-7/ADR cells, and showed significant anti-tumor efficacy in tumor-bearing nude mice.

Conclusion

These findings strongly suggested that the multifunctional GO tumor-targeting drug delivery system RGD-TPGS-nGO-PTX could be used in clinical settings to improve PTX delivery, reverse MDR and increase the therapeutic efficacy of BC treatment.

Imaging for illuminating actionable pathways in breast cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Nuclear medicine has the potential to explore and illuminate several pathways in breast cancer (BC) offering different radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography (PET) designed to target specific tumor characteristics. The aim of this critical review is to give an overview about emerging opportunities in PET imaging, underlining the future potential contribution in the management of BC patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Beside 2-deoxy-2-[ 18 F]-fluoro- d -glucose (FDG), new generation tracers for PET imaging have been recently proposed to investigate specific characteristics in breast cancer, both targeting tumor cells and the tumor micro-environment (TME).

SUMMARY

FDG-PET is a procedure that received extensive clinical validation. However, its role in BC is still suboptimal due to the low-FDG avidity of specific tumor subtypes. Human epidermal growth receptor-2 and integrin targeted PET radiotracers might provide useful information selecting patients more likely to respond to target therapy. FluoroEstradiol (FES) is a FDA-approved PET radiotracer targeting the estrogen receptor (ER), useful to investigate metastatic ER+ patients, to assess in vivo ER heterogeneity and to evaluate hormonal therapy efficacy. Inhibitors of the fibroblast activation protein (FAPi) targeting the cancer-associated fibroblast can explore the TME with PET imaging. FAPi is also proposed a theranostic agent for radio-ligand therapy.

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with Resveratrol Are Used for Targeted Breast Cancer Therapy

Objective

The characteristics of poor pharmacokinetics, stability, and low solubility seriously limited the clinical application of resveratrol (Res) in breast cancer. Thus, this study intends to develop a delivery system for Res which could be better used in breast cancer therapy.

Methods

Resveratrol-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-Res) were chemically constructed. Their shape and encapsulation were detected by transmission electron microscope, Fourier transforms infrared spectrometer, and UV spectroscopy, respectively. MGF-7 tumor-bearing mice were established by subcutaneous injection, and the pathological changes were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining. CCK-8 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical staining were used for proliferation evaluation in vitro and in vivo. Flow cytometry, TUNEL, wound healing, and transwell assay detected cell apoptosis, invasion, and migration.

Results

MSN-Res was successfully prepared with high biosafety. MSN-Res inhibited MGF-7 cell proliferation, invasion, and migration and promoted apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, MSN-Res showed better performance compared Res in breast cancer mouse models. In addition, we found that MSN-Res inhibited tumor growth via inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Conclusion

MSN-Res inhibited breast cancer progression with better efficacy compared with Res treatment alone by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, suggesting that MSN-Res is a more effective adjuvant treatment method for breast cancer. Thus, our findings may provide a new and safer means of using phytochemicals in combinatorial therapy of breast cancer.

Evidence That β1-Integrin Is Required for the Anti-Viability and Anti-Proliferative Effect of Resveratrol in CRC Cells

The β1-integrin receptor is broadly expressed on tumor and other cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and is an unfavorable prognostic factor for cancers. Nature-derived resveratrol has preventive and apoptotic effects on tumors, but whether resveratrol can exert its suppressive actions on TME-induced tumorigenesis through β1-integrin on the surface of CRC cells is still unknown. HCT116 or SW480 cells were exposed to inhibitory antibodies against β1-integrin, bacitracin (selective β1-integrin inhibitor), integrin-binding RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptide, and/or resveratrol. We evaluated the anti-tumor actions and signaling impacts of resveratrol in colorectal cancer (CRC)-TME. We found that resveratrol completely altered the β1-integrin distribution pattern and expression on the surface of CRC cells in TME. Moreover, resveratrol down-regulated CRC cell proliferation, colony formation, viability, and up-regulated apoptosis in a concentration-dependent way. These actions of resveratrol were antagonized mainly by inhibitory antibodies against β1-integrin but not β5-integrin, and by an integrin-binding RGD peptide but not by RGE peptide, and by bacitracin in TME. Similarly, resveratrol-blocked TME-induced p65-NF-kB and its promoted gene markers linked to proliferation (cyclin D1), invasion (focal adhesion kinase, FAK), or apoptosis (caspase-3), were largely abrogated by anti-β1-integrin or RGD peptide, suggesting that β1-integrin is a potential transmission pathway for resveratrol/integrin down-stream signaling in CRC cells. The current results highlight, for the first time, the important gateway role of β1-integrins as signal carriers for resveratrol on the surfaces of HCT116 and SW480 cells, and their functional cooperation for the modulatory effects of resveratrol on TME-promoted tumorigenesis.

Homomultimer strategy for improvement of radiolabeled peptides and antibody fragments in tumor targeting

A homomultimeric radioligand is composed of multiple identical ligands connected to the linker and radionuclide to detect a variety of overexpressed receptors on cancer cells. Multimer strategy holds great potential for introducing new radiotracers based on peptide and monoclonal antibody (mAb) derivatives in molecular imaging and therapy. It offers a reliable procedure for the preparation of biological-based targeting with diverse affinities and pharmacokinetics. In this context, we provide a useful summary and interpretation of the main results by a comprehensive look at multimeric radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear oncology. Therefore, there will be explanations for the strategy mechanisms and the main variables affecting the biodistribution results. The discussion is followed by highlights of recent work in the targeting of various types of receptors. The consequences are expressed based on comparing some parameters between monomer and multimer counterparts in each relevant section.

Role of Integrin αvβ3 in Doxycycline-Induced Anti-Proliferation in Breast Cancer Cells

Doxycycline, an antibiotic, displays the inhibition of different signal transduction pathways, such as anti-inflammation and anti-proliferation, in different types of cancers. However, the anti-cancer mechanisms of doxycycline via integrin αvβ3 are incompletely understood. Integrin αvβ3 is a cell-surface anchor protein. It is the target for estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormone and plays a pivotal role in the proliferation, migration, and angiogenic process in cancer cells. In our previous study, thyroxine hormones can interact with integrin αvβ3 to activate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and upregulate programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. In the current study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of doxycycline on proliferation in two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Doxycycline induces concentration-dependent anti-proliferation in both breast cancer cell lines. It regulates gene expressions involved in proliferation, pro-apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Doxycycline suppresses cell cyclin D1 (CCND1) and c-Myc which play crucial roles in proliferation. It also inhibits PD-L1 gene expression. Our findings show that modulation on integrin αvβ3 binding activities changed both thyroxine- and doxycycline-induced signal transductions by an integrin αvβ3 inhibitor (HSDVHK-NH₂). Doxycycline activates phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a downstream of integrin, but inhibits the ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Regardless, doxycycline-induced FAK phosphorylation is blocked by HSDVHK-NH₂. In addition, the specific mechanism of action associated with pERK1/2 inhibition via integrin αvβ3 is unknown for doxycycline treatment. On the other hand, our findings indicated that inhibiting ERK1/2 activation leads to suppression of PD-L1 expression by doxycycline treatment. Furthermore, doxycycline-induced gene expressions are disturbed by a specific integrin αvβ3 inhibitor (HSDVHK-NH₂) or a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) kinase (MAPK/ERK, MEK) inhibitor (PD98059). The results imply that doxycycline may interact with integrin αvβ3 and inhibits ERK1/2 activation, thereby regulating cell proliferation and downregulating PD-L1 gene expression in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.

Nanoparticles as phytochemical carriers for cancer treatment: News of the last decade

INTRODUCTION

The development and application of novel therapeutic medicines for the treatment of cancer are of vital importance to improve the disease's outcome and survival rate. One noteworthy treatment approach is the use of biologically active compounds present in natural products. Even though these phytocompounds present anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, their use is limited essentially due to poor systemic delivery, low bioavailability, and water solubility concerns. To make full use of the anticancer potential of natural products, these limitations need to be technologically addressed. In this sense, nanotechnology emerges as a promising drug delivery system strategy.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the benefits and potential of nanodelivery systems for natural products encapsulation as promising therapeutic approaches for cancer, which were developed during the last decade, are highlighted.

EXPERT OPINION

The nanotechnology area has been under extensive research in the medical field given its capacity for improving the therapeutic potential of drugs by increasing their bioavailability and allowing a targeted delivery to the tumor site. Thereby, the nanoencapsulation of phytocompounds can have a direct impact on the recognized therapeutic activity of natural products towards cancer.

Resveratrol and Immune Cells: A Link to Improve Human Health

The use of polyphenols as adjuvants in lowering risk factors for various debilitating diseases has been investigated in recent years due to their possible antioxidant action. Polyphenols represent a fascinating and relatively new subject of research in nutraceuticals and nutrition, with interest rapidly expanding since they can help maintain health by controlling metabolism, weight, chronic diseases, and cell proliferation. Resveratrol is a phenolic compound found mostly in the pulp, peels, seeds, and stems of red grapes. It has a wide variety of biological actions that can be used to prevent the beginning of various diseases or manage their symptoms. Resveratrol can influence multiple inflammatory and non-inflammatory responses, protecting organs and tissues, thanks to its interaction with immune cells and its activity on SIRT1. This compound has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anticancer, and antiviral properties, making it a potential adjunct to traditional pharmaceutical therapy in public health. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of resveratrol in terms of active biological effects and mechanism of action in modifying the immune cellular response to promote human psychophysical health.

The Intriguing Thyroid Hormones-Lung Cancer Association as Exemplification of the Thyroid Hormones-Cancer Association: Three Decades of Evolving Research

Exemplifying the long-pursued thyroid hormones (TH)-cancer association, the TH-lung cancer association is a compelling, yet elusive, issue. The present narrative review provides background knowledge on the molecular aspects of TH actions, with focus on the contribution of TH to hallmarks of cancer. Then, it provides a comprehensive overview of data pertinent to the TH-lung cancer association garnered over the last three decades and identifies obstacles that need to be overcome to enable harnessing this association in the clinical setting. TH contribute to all hallmarks of cancer through integration of diverse actions, currently classified according to molecular background. Despite the increasingly recognized implication of TH in lung cancer, three pending queries need to be resolved to empower a tailored approach: (1) How to stratify patients with TH-sensitive lung tumors? (2) How is determined whether TH promote or inhibit lung cancer progression? (3) How to mimic the antitumor and/or abrogate the tumor-promoting TH actions in lung cancer? To address these queries, research should prioritize the elucidation of the crosstalk between TH signaling and oncogenic signaling implicated in lung cancer initiation and progression, and the development of efficient, safe, and feasible strategies leveraging this crosstalk in therapeutics.

The 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM) and the 3-iodothyroacetic acid (TA1) indicate a novel connection with the histamine system for neuroprotection

The 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM) and 3-iodothryoacetic acid (TA1), are endogenous occurring compounds structurally related with thyroid hormones (THs, the pro-hormone T4 and the active hormone T3) initially proposed as possible mediators of the rapid effects of T3. However, after years from their identification, the physio-pathological meaning of T1AM and TA1 tissue levels remains an unsolved issue while pharmacological evidence indicates both compounds promote in rodents central and peripheral effects with mechanisms which remain mostly elusive. Pharmacodynamics of T1AM includes the recognition of G-coupled receptors, ion channels but also biotransformation into an active metabolite, i.e. the TA1. Furthermore, long term T1AM treatment associates with post-translational modifications of cell proteins. Such array of signaling may represent an added value, rather than a limit, equipping T1AM to play different functions depending on local expression of targets and enzymes involved in its biotransformation. Up to date, no information regarding TA1 mechanistic is available. We here review some of the main findings describing effects of T1AM (and TA1) which suggest these compounds interplay with the histaminergic system. These data reveal T1AM and TA1 are part of a network of signals involved in neuronal plasticity including neuroprotection and suggest T1AM and TA1 as lead compounds for a novel class of atypical psychoactive drugs.

Obesity and Androgen Receptor Signaling: Associations and Potential Crosstalk in Breast Cancer Cells

Obesity is an increasing health challenge and is recognized as a breast cancer risk factor. Although obesity-related breast cancer mechanisms are not fully understood, this association has been linked to impaired hormone secretion by the dysfunctional obese adipose tissue (hyperplasic and hypertrophic adipocytes). Among these hormones, altered production of androgens and adipokines is observed, and both, are independently associated with breast cancer development. In this review, we describe and comment on the relationships reported between these factors and breast cancer, focusing on the biological associations that have helped to unveil the mechanisms by which signaling from androgens and adipokines modifies the behavior of mammary epithelial cells. Furthermore, we discuss the potential crosstalk between the two most abundant adipokines produced by the adipose tissue (adiponectin and leptin) and the androgen receptor, an emerging marker in breast cancer. The identification and understanding of interactions among adipokines and the androgen receptor in cancer cells are necessary to guide the development of new therapeutic approaches in order to prevent and cure obesity and breast cancer.

Coronaviruses and Integrin αvβ3: Does Thyroid Hormone Modify the Relationship?

BACKGROUND

Uptake of coronaviruses by target cells involves binding of the virus by cell ectoenzymes. For the etiologic agent of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), a receptor has been identified as angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). Recently it has been suggested that plasma membrane integrins may be involved in the internalization and replication of clinically important coronaviruses. For example, integrin αvβ3 is involved in the cell uptake of a model porcine enteric α-coronavirus that causes human epidemics. ACE2 modulates the intracellular signaling generated by integrins.

OBJECTIVE

We propose that the cellular internalization of αvβ3 applies to uptake of coronaviruses bound to the integrin, and we evaluate the possibility that clinical host T4 may contribute to target cell uptake of coronavirus and to the consequence of cell uptake of the virus.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The viral binding domain of the integrin is near the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide-binding site and RGD molecules can affect virus binding. In this same locale on integrin αvβ3 is the receptor for thyroid hormone analogues, particularly, L-thyroxine (T4). By binding to the integrin, T4 has been shown to modulate the affinity of the integrin for other proteins, to control internalization of αvβ3 and to regulate the expression of a panel of cytokine genes, some of which are components of the 'cytokine storm' of viral infections. If T4 does influence coronavirus uptake by target cells, other thyroid hormone analogues, such as deaminated T4 and deaminated 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3), are candidate agents to block the virus-relevant actions of T4 at integrin αvβ3 and possibly restrict virus uptake.