Ara-C increases gastric cancer cell invasion by upregulating CD-147-MMP-2/MMP‑9 via the ERK signaling pathway

Representing ECM composition and EMT pathways in gastric cancer using a new metastatic gene signature

Introduction

Gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive and heterogeneous malignancy marked by cellular and molecular diversity. In GC, cancer cells invade locally in the stomach at stage I and can progress to metastasis in distant organs by stage IV, where it often becomes fatal.

Methods

We analyzed gene expression profiles from 719 stage I and stage IV GC patients across seven public datasets, conducting functional enrichment analysis to identify a gene signature linked to disease progression. Additionally, we developed an in vitro model of a simplified extracellular matrix (ECM) for cell-based assays.

Results

Our analysis identified a progression-associated gene signature (APOD, COL1A2, FSTL1, GEM, LUM, and SPARC) that characterizes stage IV GC. This signature is associated with ECM organization and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), both of which influence the tumor microenvironment by promoting cell invasion and triggering EMT.

Discussion

This gene signature may help identify stage I GC patients at higher risk, offering potential utility in early-stage patient management. Furthermore, our experimental ECM model may serve as a platform for investigating molecular mechanisms underlying metastatic spread in gastric cancer.

Tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles in cancer invasion and metastasis: molecular mechanisms, and clinical significance

The production and release of tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles (TDSEVs) from cancerous cells play a pivotal role in the propagation of cancer, through genetic and biological communication with healthy cells. TDSEVs are known to orchestrate the invasion-metastasis cascade via diverse pathways. Regulation of early metastasis processes, pre-metastatic niche formation, immune system regulation, angiogenesis initiation, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, immune modulation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are among the pathways regulated by TDSEVs. MicroRNAs (miRs) carried within TDSEVs play a pivotal role as a double-edged sword and can either promote metastasis or inhibit cancer progression. TDSEVs can serve as excellent markers for early detection of tumors, and tumor metastases. From a therapeutic point of view, the risk of cancer metastasis may be reduced by limiting the production of TDSEVs from tumor cells. On the other hand, TDSEVs represent a promising approach for in vivo delivery of therapeutic cargo to tumor cells. The present review article discusses the recent developments and the current views of TDSEVs in the field of cancer research and clinical applications.

CD147: an integral and potential molecule to abrogate hallmarks of cancer

CD147 also known as EMMPRIN, basigin, and HAb18G, is a single-chain type I transmembrane protein shown to be overexpressed in aggressive human cancers of CNS, head and neck, breasts, lungs, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, skin, hematological, and musculoskeletal. In these malignancies, the molecule is integral to the diverse but complimentary hallmarks of cancer: it is pivotal in cancerous proliferative signaling, growth propagation, cellular survival, replicative immortality, angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, immune evasion, invasion, and metastasis. CD147 also has regulatory functions in cancer-enabling characteristics such as DNA damage response (DDR) and immune evasion. These neoplastic functions of CD147 are executed through numerous and sometimes overlapping molecular pathways: it transduces signals from upstream molecules or ligands such as cyclophilin A (CyPA), CD98, and S100A9; activates a repertoire of downstream molecules and pathways including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2,3,9, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF)-1/2α, PI3K/Akt/mTOR/HIF-1α, and ATM/ATR/p53; and also functions as an indispensable chaperone or regulator to monocarboxylate, fatty acid, and amino acid transporters. Interestingly, induced loss of functions to CD147 prevents and reverses the acquired hallmarks of cancer in neoplastic diseases. Silencing of Cd147 also alleviates known resistance to chemoradiotherapy exhibited by malignant tumors like carcinomas of the breast, lung, pancreas, liver, gastric, colon, ovary, cervix, prostate, urinary bladder, glioblastoma, and melanoma. Targeting CD147 antigen in chimeric and induced-chimeric antigen T cell or antibody therapies is also shown to be safer and more effective. Moreover, incorporating anti-CD147 monoclonal antibodies in chemoradiotherapy, oncolytic viral therapy, and oncolytic virus-based-gene therapies increases effectiveness and reduces on and off-target toxicity. This study advocates the expedition and expansion by further exploiting the evidence acquired from the experimental studies that modulate CD147 functions in hallmarks of cancer and cancer-enabling features and strive to translate them into clinical practice to alleviate the emergency and propagation of cancer, as well as the associated clinical and social consequences.

Signaling Switching from Hedgehog-GLI to MAPK Signaling Potentially Serves as a Compensatory Mechanism in Melanoma Cell Lines Resistant to GANT-61

BACKGROUND

Melanoma represents the deadliest skin cancer due to its cell plasticity which results in high metastatic potential and chemoresistance. Melanomas frequently develop resistance to targeted therapy; therefore, new combination therapy strategies are required. Non-canonical signaling interactions between HH-GLI and RAS/RAF/ERK signaling were identified as one of the drivers of melanoma pathogenesis. Therefore, we decided to investigate the importance of these non-canonical interactions in chemoresistance, and examine the potential for HH-GLI and RAS/RAF/ERK combined therapy.

METHODS

We established two melanoma cell lines resistant to the GLI inhibitor, GANT-61, and characterized their response to other HH-GLI and RAS/RAF/ERK inhibitors.

RESULTS

We successfully established two melanoma cell lines resistant to GANT-61. Both cell lines showed HH-GLI signaling downregulation and increased invasive cell properties like migration potential, colony forming capacity, and EMT. However, they differed in MAPK signaling activity, cell cycle regulation, and primary cilia formation, suggesting different potential mechanisms responsible for resistance occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides the first ever insights into cell lines resistant to GANT-61 and shows potential mechanisms connected to HH-GLI and MAPK signaling which may represent new hot spots for noncanonical signaling interactions.

Role of CD147 in the development and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC is characterized by insidious onset, and most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage with a poor prognosis. Identification of biomarkers for HCC onset and progression is imperative to development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. CD147 is a glycoprotein that is involved in tumor cell invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis through multiple mechanisms. In this review, we describe the molecular structure of CD147 and its role in regulating HCC invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. We highlight its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for HCC.

miRNA-338-3p inhibits the migration, invasion and proliferation of human lung adenocarcinoma cells by targeting MAP3K2

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-338-3p on the migration, invasion and proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells.

Methods: Bioinformatics analysis was employed to evaluate the function and expression of related genes in lung cancer. Human A549 and NCI-H1299 cells cultured to logarithmic growth stage were assigned to negative control (NC) mimic group, miR-338-3p mimic group (miR-mimic group), NC inhibitor group and miR-338-3p inhibitor group (miR-inhibitor group) treated with or without MAP3K2 overexpression (OE)-lentivirus, or TBHQ or FR180204. Transwell assay, cell colony formation assay, Western blotting and cell-cycle analysis were carried out.

Results: Bioinformatics results manifested that miR-338 and MAP3K2 were involved in LUAD. The expression levels of MAP3K2, p-ERK1/2, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, cyclin A2 and cyclin D1 were increased after addition of miR-338-3p inhibitor, consistent with the raised amount of LUAD cells in migration and invasion experiments and number of colonies formed, as well as the cell cycle, but miR-338-3p mimic reversed these results. Moreover, MAP3K2 overexpression elevated the level of p-ERK1/2. Meanwhile, after treatment with TBHQ or FR180204, the influence of miR-338-3p inhibitor or mimic was also verified.

Conclusions: MiR-338-3p overexpression can modulate the ERK1/2 signaling pathway by targeting MAP3K2, thus inhibiting the migration, invasion and proliferation of human LUAD cells.

AIM2 Promotes Gastric Cancer Cell Proliferation via the MAPK Signaling Pathway

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is a highly prevalent tumor type. The dysregulated expression of melanoma deficiency factor 2 (AIM2) has been observed in a range of tumor types. Herein, we explore the role of AIM2 in the regulation of GC progression.

Methods

Gastric cancer cells BGC-823 and MGC-803 in logarithmic growth phase were divided into blank group (control), Control group (NC) and SH-AIM2 group, respectively. Control group and SH-AIM2 group were transfected with AIM2 NC and SH-AIM2, respectively. Nude mice were divided into blank group (control) and SH-AIM2 group, and the treatment methods were the same as above. Differential AIM2 expression in GC tissues was assessed via bioinformatics analyses, after which western blotting was used for analyzing the AIM2 levels in tumor and paracancerous tissues from five stomach cancer patients. In addition, qPCR and protein imprinting were used to assess AIM2 expression levels in GC cells, and AIM2 knockdown was conducted in MGC-803 and BGC-823cells, after which colony formation and EdU incorporation assay were utilized to assess cell proliferation. The oncogenic role of AIM2 was then assessed in mice and validated through immunohistochemical analyses.

Results

GC tissues and cell lines exhibited marked AIM2 overexpression. AIM2 knockdown significantly impaired GC cell proliferation and migration, as confirmed through in vitro assays. In vivo experiments showed that both the increment ability and invasion and migration ability of AIM2 knockdown group were significantly lower than that of control and NC the change of AIM2 protein level would affect the change of MAPK pathway related protein level.

Conclusions

AIM2 knockdown markedly suppresses the proliferation, migration, as well as invasion of GC cells via the inhibition of MAPK signaling, thereby slowing tumor progression. Overall, these results suggest that further analyses of AIM2 may offer clinically valuable insights that can aid in the treatment of human GC.

MicroRNA-936/ERBB4/Akt axis exhibits anticancer properties of gastric cancer through inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers globally and has a poor prognosis. MiR-936 has been reported to regulate cell activity and tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer, glioma, and epithelial ovarian cancer. However, the specific role and mechanism of miR-936 in gastric cancer have not been explored. In present study, gastric cancer cells were transfected with miR-936 mimic, and cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, cell apoptosis, migration and invasion were assessed via cell-counting kit-8, flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assay, respectively. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to check miR-936 binding to its downstream target. It was shown that miR-936 was downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cells. Erb-B2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 4 (ERBB4) was confirmed as a direct target of miR-936 and negatively regulated its expression by miR-936. Overexpression of miR-936 suppressed cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell migration and invasion, and enhanced cell apoptosis in gastric cancer cells, which could be reversed by further ERBB4 overexpression. Western blot results showed that miR-936/ERBB4 axis regulated Akt-related pathways to control gastric cancer cell activities. Therefore, our data suggest that miR-936 overexpression inhibits cell proliferation and invasion and promotes cell apoptosis through Akt-related pathways by targeting ERBB4, which provides novel insight to target miR-936 or miR-936/ERBB4 axis for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract Inhibits Metastasis and ERK/Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) Signaling Pathway in Gastric Cancer

Background

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761), a standard extract of the Chinese traditional medicine Ginkgo biloba, plays an anti-tumor role in various cancers. However, whether EGb761 is involved in the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer remains unclear.

Material/Methods

In the current study, cell viability assay, Western blotting, wound-healing assay, Transwell invasion assay, and orthotopic transplantation model were performed to explore the effects of EGb761 on gastric cancer.

Results

In vitro, the results showed that EGb761 suppressed the proliferation of gastric cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the migration and invasiveness were weakened and the protein levels of p-ERK1/2, NF-κB P65, NF-κB p-P65, and MMP2 were decreased by EGb761 or U0126 (an inhibitor of ERK signaling pathway) exposure in gastric cancer cells. Moreover, the combined treatment with EGb761 and U0126 significantly inhibited ERK, NF-κB signaling pathway, and the expression of MMP2 than those of single drug. In vivo, EGb761 inhibited the tumor growth and hepatic metastasis of gastric cancer in the mouse model. Results of immunohistochemistry indicated that the expression of ERK1/2, NF-κB P65 and MMP2 were decreased by EGb761 in the tumor tissues.

Conclusions

EGb761 plays a vital role in the suppression of metastasis and ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway in gastric cancer.

[Role and mechanism of Galectin-3 gene in proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

The effect and mechanism of Galectin-3 gene expression on proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) were investigated.

METHODS

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-
PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein of Galectin-3 gene in OSCC. OSCC Tca8113 was divided into control, negative control, and Galectin-3 transfection groups. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Galectin-3, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, Cleaved Caspase-3, β-catenin, and Cyclin D1 protein after transfection for 48 h in each group. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK8. Cell invasion ability was detected by using a Transwell chamber. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The mRNA and protein expression levels of Galectin-3 gene in OSCC were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues (P<0.01). Galectin-3 protein expression in Tca8113 cells significantly decreased after RNA interference. Cell survival rate and invasion as well as MMP-2, MMP-9, β-catenin, and Cyclin D1 protein expression were significantly lower than the blank group. Apoptosis rate and Cleaved Caspase-3 protein expression were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of Galectin-3 gene expression in OSCC can significantly reduce the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells and induce apoptosis. The mechanism is related to downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Rosmarinic acid influences collagen, MMPs, TIMPs, glycosylation and MUC1 in CRL-1739 gastric cancer cell line

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural phenylpropanoid with numerous pharmacological activities. Because of limited studies of the effects of RA action in gastric cancer cells we examined how 100 and 200 μM acid influences MMPs, TIMPs, collagen, MUC1 and specific sugar antigens in gastric adenocarcinoma CRL-1739 cells. We revealed inhibitory effect of RA on MMP-9 activity what was correlated with increased collagen type I expression, main ECM substrate degraded by MMPs. Tissue inhibitor of MMPs, TIMP-1 but not TIMP-2 was significantly decreased on the protein level and increased on mRNA level by RA action what can suggest TIMP-1 independent inhibitory action of an acid on MMP-9 activity. Glycosylation of gastric cancer proteins was also effected by RA. ELISA tests revealed inhibitory effect of an acid on Tn antigen in cell lysates and culture supernatant and on T antigen in cell lysates. RA inhibited also sialylated Tn antigen in protein of culture supernatant and sialyl T in cell lysates. Extracellular domain of MUC1 mucin, main carrier of Tn and T antigens was significantly inhibited by higher dose of RA. The data suggest potential usefulness of RA as a complementary agent supporting chemotherapy in cancer treatment.

miR-29b negatively regulates MMP2 to impact gastric cancer development by suppress gastric cancer cell migration and tumor growth

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators and associated with the development of many different types of cancer, including gastric cancer. However, their pathophysiologic role and their relevance to tumorigenesis, invasion and metastasis are still unknown. In our current study, we performed microRNA array and found that 28 of miRNAs were differentially expressed in INF type of gastric cancer. Among 28 miRNAs, miR-29b was one of the most significantly down-regulated miRNA. Further bioinformatics analysis showed that MMP2 was a potential target of miR-29b. Interestingly, luciferase analysis showed that miR-29b negatively regulates MMP2 by binding with the miRNA response element (MRE) on the 3'UTR of MMP2. In addition, overexpression of miR-29b significantly decreased the mRNA and protein level of MMP2 and the activity of MMP2 to suppress gastric cancer cell migration. Moreover, lentivirus mediated overexpression of miR-29b dramatically suppressed the ability of BGC823 cells to form colonies in vitro and their ability to develop tumor in vivo in nude mice. Finally, our qPCR and western blot analysis showed that miR-29b was significantly reduced in clinical gastric cancer tissue, whereas MMP2 protein was significantly up-regulated, suggesting that this aberrant down-regulation of miR-29b might be associated with the abnormal regulation of MMP2 and the development of gastric cancer. Significant apparent was also found between miR-29b expression and TNM staging, lymph node status, tumor differentiation and Ming classification. Together, our data suggest an important regulatory role of miR-29b in the development of gastric cancer. Thus, miR-29b and MMP2 might be important diagnostic or therapeutic targets for human tumor diseases.

Quercetin Inhibits the Migration and Invasion of HCCLM3 Cells by Suppressing the Expression of p-Akt1, Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) MMP-2, and MMP-9

Background

Quercetin is a natural bioactive flavonoid that is present in a wide variety of vegetables and fruits and exhibits a promising anti-metastasis property in various human cancer cells. However, the effect of quercetin on human HCCLM3 cells is unclear.

Material/Methods

In the current study, a wound-healing assay was performed using quercetin-treated HCCLM3 cells to further explore whether quercetin affects the motility of human HCCLM3 cells. Transwell assay was used to explore the potential effect of quercetin in HCCLM3 cells on cell migration and cell invasion. Western blotting analysis was used to explore the expression of p-Akt1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in quercetin-treated HCCLM3 cells.

Results

The wound-healing time was delayed in quercetin-treated HCCLM3 cells, and the ability to migrate and invade was inhibited in quercetin-treated human HCCLM3 cells. Moreover, the protein levels of p-Akt1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were down-regulated in quercetin-treated HCCLM3 cells, as detected by Western blotting.

Conclusions

Our data show that quercetin attenuated cell migration and invasion by suppressing the protein levels of p-Akt1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in HCCLM3 cells.

Glucose-derived AGEs enhance human gastric cancer metastasis through RAGE/ERK/Sp1/MMP2 cascade

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been reported to take part in many cancer processes. Whether AGEs contribute to gastric cancer (GC) course and the underlying mechanism are still unclear. Here, glucose-derived AGEs are detected to be accumulated in tumor tissues and blood of patients with GC. As the receptor for AGEs, RAGE is highly expressed in cancer tissues, and closely associated with the depth of cancer invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. Both in vivo and in vitro treatment of AGEs accelerate the tumor invasion and metastasis, with upregualtion of RAGE, Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1), and MMP2 protein expression, as well as enhancement of MMP2 activity. Either RAGE-blocking antibody or Sp1-knockdown can partially block the AGEs-induced effects. Moreover, AGEs increased the phosphorylation of ERK, and reducing the phosphorylation level of ERK by MEK1/2 inhibitor decreased the expression of Sp1. These results indicate that accumulation of glucose-derived AGEs may act as one of potential risk factors for GC progression and promote the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer partially through the activation of RAGE/ERK/Sp1/MMP2 pathway.

miR-15a-3p and miR-16-1-3p Negatively Regulate Twist1 to Repress Gastric Cancer Cell Invasion and Metastasis

MicroRNAs are a novel class of gene regulators that function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. In our current study, we investigated the role of miR-15a-3p and miR-16-1-3p in the regulation of Twist1 expression and EMT process. Our bioinformatics analysis suggested that on the 3' UTR of Twist1, there are two conserved miRNA recognition sites for miR-15a-3p and miR-16-1-3p respectively. Interestingly, overexpression of miR-15a-3p and miR-16-1-3p significantly suppressed the activity of luciferase reporter containing Twist1-3' UTR, reduced mRNA and protein level of EMT related genes such as TWIST1, N-cadherin, α-SMA and Fibronectin, and repressed MMP9 and MMP2 activity, as well as cell migration and invasion. Conversely, inhibition of miR-15a-3p and miR-16-1-3p significantly increased TWIST1, N-cadherin, α-SMA and Fibronectin protein expression. In addition, Twist1 co-transfection significantly ameliorated the loss of cell migration and invasion. Moreover, overexpression of miR-15a-3p and miR-16-1-3p dramatically suppressed the ability of BGC823 cells to form colonies in vitro and develop tumors in vivo in nude mice. Finally, qPCR and Western blot analysis showed that miR-15a-3p and miR-16-1-3p were significantly reduced in clinical gastric cancer tissue, whereas Twist1 mRNA and protein were significantly up-regulated, suggesting that this aberrant down-regulation of miR-15a-3p and miR-16-1-3p might be associated with the abnormal regulation of Twist1 and the EMT process in gastric cancer development. Our results help to elucidate a novel and important mechanism for the regulation of Twist1 in the development of cancer.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway and invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer

The mortality rate of gastric cancer worldwide is as high as 70%, despite the development of novel therapeutic strategies. One reason for the high mortality is the rapid and uninhibited spread of the disease, such that the majority of patients are diagnosed at a stage when efficient therapeutic treatment is not available. Therefore, in-depth research is needed to investigate the mechanism of gastric cancer metastasis and invasion to improve outcomes and provide biomarkers for early diagnosis. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is widely expressed in multicellular organisms, with critical roles in multiple biological processes, such as cell proliferation, death, differentiation, migration, and invasion. The MAPK pathway typically responds to extracellular stimulation. However, the MAPK pathway is often involved in the occurrence and progression of cancer when abnormally regulated. Many studies have researched the relationship between the MAPK signaling pathway and cancer metastasis and invasion, but little is known about the important roles that the MAPK signaling pathway plays in gastric cancer. Based on an analysis of published data, this review aims to summarize the important role that the MAP kinases play in the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer and attempts to provide potential directions for further research and clinical treatment.