Wnt10B is critical for the progression of gastric cancer

Melatonin promotes proliferation of Inner Mongolia cashmere goat hair follicle papilla cells through Wnt10b

The study demonstrated that melatonin (MT) can induce the development of secondary hair follicles in Inner Mongolian cashmere goats through the Wnt10b gene, leading to secondary dehairing. However, the mechanisms underlying the expression and molecular function of Wnt10b in dermal papilla cells (DPC) remain unknown. This research aimed to investigate the impact of MT on DPC and the regulation of Wnt10b expression, function, and molecular mechanisms in DPC. The findings revealed that MT promotes DPC proliferation and enhances DPC activity. Co-culturing DPC with overexpressed Wnt10b and MT showed a significant growth promotion. Subsequent RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of overexpressed Wnt10b and control groups unveiled the regulatory role of Wnt10b in DPC. Numerous genes and pathways, including developmental pathways such as Wnt and MAPK, as well as processes like hair follicle morphogenesis and hair cycle, were identified. These results suggest that Wnt10b promotes the growth of secondary hair follicles in Inner Mongolian cashmere goats by regulating crucial factors and pathways in DPC proliferation.

The platinum coordination complex inhibits cell invasion-migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by altering the TGF-β-SMAD pathway in colorectal cancer

Introduction: There is a steady increase in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidences worldwide; at diagnosis, about 20 percent of cases show metastases. The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway is one of the critical pathways that influence the expression of cadherins allowing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is involved in the progression of the normal colorectal epithelium to adenoma and metastatic carcinoma. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of a novel coordination complex of platinum (salicylaldiminato) PT(II) complex with dimethyl propylene linkage (PT-complex) on TGF-β and EMT markers involved in the invasion and migration of the human HT-29 and SW620 CRC cell lines. Methods: Functional study and wound healing assay showed PT-complex significantly reduced cell motility and the migration and invasion of CRC cell lines compared to the untreated control. Western blot performed in the presence and absence of TGF-β demonstrated that PT-complex significantly regulated the TGF-β-mediated altered expressions of EMT markers. Results and Discussion: PT-complex attenuated the migration and invasion by upregulating the protein expression of EMT-suppressing factor E-cadherin and suppressing EMT-inducing factors such as N-Cadherin and Vimentin. Moreover, PT-complex significantly suppressed the activation of SMAD3 in both CRC cell lines. Further, the microarray data analysis revealed differential expression of genes related to invasion and migration. In conclusion, besides displaying antiproliferative activity, the PT complex can decrease the metastasis of CRC cell lines by modulating TGF-β-regulated EMT markers. These findings provide new insight into TGF-β/SMAD signaling as the molecular mechanism involved in the antitumoral properties of novel PT-complex.

Chelerythrine chloride inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer by targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts through intervention with WNT10B/β-catenin and TGFβ2/Smad2/3 axis

Chelerythrine chloride (CHE) is a benzodiazepine alkaloid derived from natural herbs with significant anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the exact role and underlying mechanisms of CHE in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate the influence of CHE on the progression of CRC. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay (CCK-8), transwell, apoptosis rate, cell cycle distribution, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and colony formation determined the anti-proliferative activity of CHE in CRC cell lines. Transcriptome sequencing and western blot were used to explore the mechanism. Finally, H&E staining, Ki67, TUNEL, and immunofluorescence were conducted to verify the anti-CRC activity and potential mechanisms of CHE in vivo. CHE had a prominent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of CRC cells. CHE induces G1 and S phase arrest and induces cell apoptosis by ROS accumulation. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a key role in CRC metastasis. Then, this study found that CHE regulates WNT10B/β-catenin and TGFβ2/Smad2/3 axis, thereby decreasing the expression of α-SMA, which is a maker of CAFs. Taken together, CHE is a candidate drug and a potent compound for metastatic CRC, which can intervene CAFs in a dual pathway to effectively inhibit the invasion and migration of cancer cells, which can provide a new choice for future clinical treatment.

The role of WNT10B in physiology and disease: A 10-year update

WNT10B, a member of the WNT family of secreted glycoproteins, activates the WNT/β-catenin signaling cascade to control proliferation, stemness, pluripotency, and cell fate decisions. WNT10B plays roles in many tissues, including bone, adipocytes, skin, hair, muscle, placenta, and the immune system. Aberrant WNT10B signaling leads to several diseases, such as osteoporosis, obesity, split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM), fibrosis, dental anomalies, and cancer. We reviewed WNT10B a decade ago, and here we provide a comprehensive update to the field. Novel research on WNT10B has expanded to many more tissues and diseases. WNT10B polymorphisms and mutations correlate with many phenotypes, including bone mineral density, obesity, pig litter size, dog elbow dysplasia, and cow body size. In addition, the field has focused on the regulation of WNT10B using upstream mediators, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). We also discussed the therapeutic implications of WNT10B regulation. In summary, research conducted during 2012-2022 revealed several new, diverse functions in the role of WNT10B in physiology and disease.

Knockdown of nuclear receptor binding SET domain-containing protein 1 (NSD1) inhibits proliferation and facilitates apoptosis in paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer cells via inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

The burden of breast cancer (BC) has exacerbated over decades. Paclitaxel resistance is responsible for increasing BC treatment burden. Nuclear receptor binding SET domain-containing protein 1 (NSD1) is positively correlated with a poor prognosis in patients with BC. This study investigates the function of NSD1 in paclitaxel-resistant (PR) BC cells. The high levels of NSD1 and Wnt10b in PR BC cell lines (MCF-7/PR) or MCF-7 parental cells were determined by RT-qPCR. Western blotting was conducted to measure the levels of NSD1 protein, apoptosis-associated proteins, Wnt10b protein, H3K36me2 protein, H3K27me3 protein, and signal pathway-associated proteins in MCF-7/PR cells or MCF-7 cells or in vivo subcutaneous xenografted tumor model, and the results demonstrated that NSD1 inhibited cell apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation and tumor growth via activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Cell apoptosis and viability were estimated using cell counting kit-8 assays and flow cytometry. Positive correlation between NSD1 and Wnt10b was identified by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The distribution of β-catenin was determined by immunofluorescence assays. We conclude that NSD1 knockdown inhibits the viability and promotes the apoptosis of paclitaxel-resistant BC cells by inactivating the NSD1/H3K27me3/Wnt10b/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Study of the co-expression gene modules of non-small cell lung cancer metastases

BACKGROUND

Metastasis regularly is a marker of the disease development of cancers. Some metastatic sites significantly showed more serious clinical outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Whether they are caused by tissue-specific (TS) or non-tissue-specific (NTS) mechanisms is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

Explore co-expression gene modules of non-small cell lung cancer metastases.

METHODS

Weighted Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify the gene modules among the metastases of NSCLC. The clinical significance of those gene modules was evaluated with the Cox hazard proportional model with another independent dataset. Functions of each gene module were analyzed with gene ontology. Typical genes were further studied.

RESULTS

There were two TS gene modules and two NTS gene modules identified. One TS gene module (green module) and one NTS gene module (purple module) significantly correlated with survival. This NTS gene module (purple module) was significantly enriched in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Higher expression of the typical genes (CA14, SOX10, TWIST1, and ALX1) from EMT process was significantly associated with a worse survival.

CONCLUSION

The lethality of NSCLC metastases was caused by TS gene modules and NTS gene modules, among which the EMT-related gene module was critical for a worse clinical outcome.

Functional characterization of ATF1, GREM2 AND WNT10B variants associated with tooth agenesis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the functional effects of ATF1, WNT10B and GREM2 gene variants identified in individuals with tooth agenesis (TA).

SETTINGS AND SAMPLE POPULATION

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) were used as an in vitro model system to test the effect of TA-associated variants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plasmid constructs containing reference and mutant alleles for ATF1 rs11169552, WNT10B rs833843 and GREM2 rs1414655 variants were transfected into SHED for functional characterization of variants. Allele-specific changes in gene transcription activity, protein expression, cell migration and proliferation, and expression of additional tooth development genes (MSX1, PAX9 and AXIN2) were evaluated. Data analyses were performed using Student's t-test. P-values ≤ .05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Mutant variants resulted in significantly decreased transcriptional activity of respective genes (P < 0.05), although no changes in protein localization were noted. Expression of MSX1 was significantly decreased in ATF1- and GREM2-mutant cells, whereas PAX9 or AXIN2 mRNA expression was not significantly altered. Mutant WNT10B had no significant effect on the expression of additional TA genes. ATF1- and GREM2-mutant cells presented increased cell migration. Cell proliferation was also affected with all three mutant alleles.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that ATF1, WNT10B and GREM2 mutant alleles have modulatory effects on gene/protein function that may contribute to TA.

LINC00355:8 promotes cell proliferation and migration with invasion via the MiR-6777-3p/Wnt10b axis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Recent studies have reported that various long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) promote hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, and our previous study indicated that lncRNA LINC00355:8 is overexpressed in HCC. However, the role of LINC00355:8 in HCC is unclear. The primary aim of this study was to explore the biological role of LINC00355:8 in HCC.

Methods: Microarray analysis was performed to explore the aberrantly expressed lncRNAs in HCC compared with precancerous tissues. Real-time PCR and in situ hybridization were used to investigate the expression of LINC00355:8 in HCC tissues. CCK8, EdU, colony formation, wound healing and transwell assays were performed to analyse cell proliferation, migration and invasion. A xenograft tumour model was established to analyse the effect of LINC00355:8 on tumour growth in vivo. Luciferase assays were utilized to explore the binding sites between miR-6777-3p and other genes, such as LINC00355:8 and Wnt10b. After cell transfection, the protein expression levels of Wnt10b, β-catenin, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, c-Myc and Snail were determined by Western blotting.

Results: The present study revealed that LINC00355:8 was significantly upregulated in HCC, promoted HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and enhanced tumour growth in vivo. LINC00355:8 regulated miR-6777-3p expression by acting as a ceRNA, and the expression of Wnt10b was negatively modulated by miR-6777-3p. Moreover, LINC00355:8 could activate the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway and promote EMT progression by inhibiting the miR-6777-3p/Wnt10b interaction in HCC.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that LINC00355:8 activates Wnt10b and promotes HCC progression via the suppression of miR-6777-3p, which may provide novel therapeutic targets for HCC.

ADMA mediates gastric cancer cell migration and invasion via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Objective

To explore the role of ADMA in gastric cancer.

Methods

The specimens of 115 gastric cancer patients were analyzed by ELISA and survival analysis. Functional assays were used to assess the effects of ADMA on gastric cancer cells. Experiments were conducted to detect the signaling pathway induced by ADMA in GC.

Results

Gastric cancer patients with high ADMA levels had poor prognosis and low survival rate. Furthermore, high level of ADMA did not affect the proliferation while promoted the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cell. Moreover, ADMA enhanced the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Importantly, ADMA positively regulated β-catenin expression in GC and promoted GC migration and invasion via Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Conclusions

ADMA regulates gastric cancer cell migration and invasion via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and which may be applied to clinical practice as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s12094-020-02422-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Combination of Inositol Hexaphosphate and Inositol Inhibits Liver Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer in Mice Through the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Introduction

Colorectal cancer, one of the most common tumors, is mainly fatal because of the occurrence of liver metastasis. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) and inositol (INS) were found, both, in vitro and in vivo to play an anti-tumor effect, whereas the combination of IP6 and INS was more effective than IP6 or INS alone.

Materials and Methods

The inhibitory effects of IP6, INS and the combination of IP6+INS on tumor progression and liver metastasis of colorectal cancer were investigated in an orthotopic transplantation model of colorectal cancer. The tumor-bearing mice were selected by in vivo bioluminescence imaging and were treated with IP6, INS, and IP6 combined with INS, respectively. All mice were sacrificed after 6 weeks of treatment. The cancer development and metastasis were compared among the groups. The expression of genes related to the Wnt/β-catenin in the model was analyzed.

Results

The results demonstrated that liver metastasis was inhibited after treatment with IP6, INS, and IP6+INS. Compared to that of the M_G, survival period was extended, and tumor weight was lowered in IP6_G, INS_G, and IP6+INS_G. Besides, the liver metastatic area of mice in IP6+INS_G was relatively smaller than that in M_G, IP6_G, or INS_G. The results of RNA-seq analysis showed that the expressions of Wnt10b, Tcf7, and c-Myc were significantly downregulated in IP6+INS_G compared to that in M_G (P<0.05). Results of real-time PCR and Western blot showed that mRNA and protein expressions of β-catenin, Wnt10b, Tcf7, and c-Myc were significantly lower in IP6+INS_G compared to that in M_G (P<0.05).

Discussion

IP6+INS was more effective in inhibiting liver metastasis of colorectal cancer than IP6 or INS alone. The better inhibition effect may be accomplished through regulating the mutation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by inhibiting Wnt10b, Tcf7, β-catenin, and c-Myc from abnormally high expression.

Emerging Roles of Wnt Ligands in Human Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and constitutive activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is universal in most CRC cases. Wnt ligands (Wnts) are secreted glycoproteins and fundamentally essential for the transduction of Wnt signaling pathway. However, the 19 members of Wnts in humans imply a daunting complexity of Wnt signaling and biological effects, and our understanding of their roles in CRC tumorigenesis is still quite rudimentary. This review will give an overview of the structural characteristics and maturation process of Wnts. The expression pattern of all human Wnts in CRC tissues, including Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt2b, Wnt3, Wnt3a, Wnt4, Wnt5a, Wnt5b, Wnt6, Wnt7a, Wnt7b, Wnt8a, Wnt8b, Wnt9a, Wnt9b, Wnt10a, Wnt10b, Wnt11, and Wnt16, and their relationship with the tumorigenesis and the progression of CRC will be specifically summarized separately. Despite certain challenges, Wnt-based therapeutics for CRC emerge continuously and some are now in clinical trials. In conclusion, a deep understanding of Wnts is very helpful for a better management of this disease.

The diagnosis and prognosis values of WNT mRNA expression in colon adenocarcinoma

WNT family genes have participated in the progression and development of many cancers, however, the association between colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) and WNTs have been rarely reported. This study investigated the significance of WNT genes expression in COAD from the standpoint of diagnosis and prognosis. The RNA-sequencing dataset of COAD was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and University of California, Santa Cruz Xena browser. The biology functions of WNT genes were investigated by biological analysis. Biological analysis of WNT family genes indicated that WNT genes were noticeably enriched in the complex process of WNT signaling pathway. The Pearson correlation analysis suggested WNT1 and WNT9B had a strong correlation. And receiver operating characteristic curves suggested that most of the genes could serve as a significant diagnostic makers in COAD (P < .05), especially WNT2 and WNT7B had high diagnostic values that the area under curve were 0.997 (95% confidence interval [0.994-1.000]) and 0.961 (95%CI [0.939-0.983]), respectively. And our multivariate survival analysis suggested the downregulated of WNT10B (P < .05) showed a favor prognosis in COAD overall survival. And the risk score model predicted that the upregulated expression of WNT10B might increase the risk of death. The very study we had conducted suggested that WNT genes had a certain connection with the diagnosis and prognosis of COAD. The messenger RNA expression of WNT2 and WNT7B might become potentially diagnostic biomarkers, and WNT10B might serve as an independent prognosis indicator for COAD.

MiR-148a suppressed cell invasion and migration via targeting WNT10b and modulating β-catenin signaling in cisplatin-resistant colorectal cancer cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are suggested to be responsible for high recurrence rate and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Identifying novel targets that can suppress CSCs proliferation and metastasis may provide novel approach to combat against CRC. In the present study, we examined the role of miR-148a in cisplatin-resistant CRC cells with enhanced stem cell marker expression and explored the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we used cisplatin to selectively enrich cisplatin-resistant CRC cells from SW480 cell line, and these selected cisplatin-resistant SW480 cells were with significantly enhanced expression of stem cell markers and increased chemoresistance. MicroRNA (miRNA) array and qRT-PCR assay identified the down-regulation of miR-148a in cisplatin-resistant SW480 cells. Overexpression of miR-148a suppressed expression of stem cell markers, inhibited sphere formation, invasion and migration, induced apoptosis, and reduced chemo-resistance in cisplatin-resistant SW480 cells. Bioinformatics prediction and luciferase reporter assay revealed that WNT10b was a downstream target of miR-148a, and overexpression of miR-148a suppressed WNT10b expression and β-catenin signaling activities. Enforced expression WNT10b attenuated the effects of miR-148a on cisplatin-resistant SW480 cells sphere formation, invasion and migration. Further study showed that overexpression of miR-148a also suppressed in vivo tumor growth, and WNT10b expression and β-catenin signaling activities in tumor tissues were suppressed by miR-148a overexpression. In the clinical samples, miR-184a was found to be down-regulated in CRC tissues, down-regulation of miR-148a predicted poor prognosis in CRC patients. In conclusion, our study for the first time enriched the cisplatin-resistant CRC cells with enhanced stem cell marker expression from sphere-forming and chemo-resistant SW480-derived tumor xenografts in immune-deficient mice, and miR-148a suppressed the expression of stem cell markers, increased chemo-sensitivity, cell invasion and migration at least partly via regulating WNT10b and β-catenin signaling pathway.

Wnt Signalling in Gastrointestinal Epithelial Stem Cells

Wnt signalling regulates several cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and migration, and is critical for embryonic development. Stem cells are defined by their ability for self-renewal and the ability to be able to give rise to differentiated progeny. Consequently, they are essential for the homeostasis of many organs including the gastrointestinal tract. This review will describe the huge advances in our understanding of how stem cell functions in the gastrointestinal tract are regulated by Wnt signalling, including how deregulated Wnt signalling can hijack these functions to transform cells and lead to cancer.