1
|
Nafie E, Lolarga J, Lam B, Guo J, Abdollahzadeh E, Rodriguez S, Glackin C, Liu J. Harmine inhibits breast cancer cell migration and invasion by inducing the degradation of Twist1. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247652. [PMID: 33626096 PMCID: PMC7904211 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The majority of deaths (90%) in breast cancer patients is caused by invasion and metastasis-two features related to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Twist1 is a key transcription factor that promotes the EMT, which leads to cell migration, invasion, cancer metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Harmine is a beta-carboline alkaloid found in a variety of plants and was recently shown to be able to induce degradation of Twist Family BHLH Transcription Factor 1 (Twist1) in non-small cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC). In this study, we show that harmine can inhibit migration and invasion of both human and mouse breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Further study shows that this inhibition is most likely achieved by inducing a proteasome-dependent Twist1 degradation. At the concentrations tested, harmine did not affect the viability of cells significantly, suggesting that its inhibition of cancer cell migration and invasion is largely independent of its cytotoxicity, but due to its ability to affect regulators of EMT such as Twist1. This result may facilitate the development of strategies that target Twist1 to treat metastatic breast cancer, as Twist1 is expressed at a high level in metastatic breast cancer cells but not in normal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ebtesam Nafie
- Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States of America
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Jade Lolarga
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, United States of America
| | - Brandon Lam
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Guo
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, United States of America
| | - Elnaz Abdollahzadeh
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, United States of America
| | - Sandy Rodriguez
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, CA, United States of America
| | - Carlotta Glackin
- Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States of America
| | - Junjun Liu
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhao Y, Yang X, Zhao J, Gao M, Zhang M, Shi T, Zhang F, Zheng X, Pan Y, Shao D, Li J, He K, Chen L. Berberine inhibits chemotherapy-exacerbated ovarian cancer stem cell-like characteristics and metastasis through GLI1. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 895:173887. [PMID: 33482182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.173887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Despite the remarkable clinical response in ovarian cancer therapy, the distinctively high metastasis rate is still a barrier to achieve satisfying prognosis. Our study aimed to decipher the role of berberine in inhibiting chemotherapy-exacerbated ovarian cancer metastasis. We found that chemotherapy exacerbated the migration and cancer stem cell (CSC)-like characteristics through transcriptional factor GLI1, which regulated the pluripotency-associated gene BMI1 and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers Vimentin and Snail. Berberine could not only down-regulate CSC-like characteristics but also reverse EMT and migration through inhibiting chemotherapy-activated GLI1/BMI1 signaling pathway. Together, our study revealed the pivotal role of berberine in overcoming chemotherapy-exacerbated ovarian cancer metastasis, thereby provided a potential adjuvant therapeutic agent in combination with chemotherapeutics to prevent metastasis during ovarian cancer chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuehan Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingtong Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Mohan Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongfei Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Shao
- Institutes of Life Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering and National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Kan He
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanomedicine Engineering Laboratory of Jilin Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China; School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang J, Zhang S, Gao S, Ma Y, Tan X, Kang Y, Ren W. HIF-1α, TWIST-1 and ITGB-1, associated with Tumor Stiffness, as Novel Predictive Markers for the Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:2209-2222. [PMID: 32273760 PMCID: PMC7102918 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s246349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the relationship between hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), Twist family BHLH transcription factor 1 (TWIST-1), and β1 integrin (ITGB-1) expression and tumor stiffness, and evaluate performance of HIF-1α, TWIST-1, and ITGB-1 alone and in combination with Ki-67 for predicting pathological responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in breast cancer (BC). PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective cohort study of 104 BC patients receiving NACT. Tumor stiffness and oxygen score (OS) were evaluated before NACT by shear-wave elastography and optical imaging; HIF-1α, TWIST-1, ITGB-1, and Ki-67 expression were quantitatively assessed by immunohistochemistry of paraffin-embedded tumor samples obtained by core needle biopsy. Indexes were compared among different residual cancer burden (RCB) groups, and associations of HIF-1α, TWIST-1, ITGB-1, and Ki-67 with tumor stiffness and OS were examined. The value of HIF-1α, TWIST-1, ITGB-1, and Ki-67, and a possible new combined index (predRCB) for predicting NACT responses was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS HIF-1α, TWIST-1, and ITGB-1 expression were positively correlated with tumor stiffness and negatively with OS. Area under the ROC curves (AUCs) measuring the performance of HIF-1α, TWIST-1, ITGB-1, and Ki-67 for predicting responses to NACT were 0.81, 0.85, 0.79, and 0.80 for favorable responses, and 0.83, 0.86, 0.84, and 0.85 for resistant responses, respectively. PredRCB showed better prediction than the other individual indexes for favorable responses (AUC = 0.88) and resistant responses (AUC = 0.92). CONCLUSION HIF-1α, TWIST-1, ITGB-1, and Ki-67 performed well in predicting favorable responses and resistance to NACT, and predRCB improved the predictive power of the individual indexes. These results support individualized treatment of BC patients receiving NACT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning110004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning110004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Song Gao
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning110004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning110004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xueying Tan
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning110004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ye Kang
- Department of Pathology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning110004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weidong Ren
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning110004, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nguyen VHL, Hough R, Bernaudo S, Peng C. Wnt/β-catenin signalling in ovarian cancer: Insights into its hyperactivation and function in tumorigenesis. J Ovarian Res 2019; 12:122. [PMID: 31829231 PMCID: PMC6905042 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-019-0596-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the deadliest female malignancy. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays critical roles in regulating embryonic development and physiological processes. This pathway is tightly regulated to ensure its proper activity. In the absence of Wnt ligands, β-catenin is degraded by a destruction complex. When the pathway is stimulated by a Wnt ligand, β-catenin dissociates from the destruction complex and translocates into the nucleus where it interacts with TCF/LEF transcription factors to regulate target gene expression. Aberrant activation of this pathway, which leads to the hyperactivity of β-catenin, has been reported in ovarian cancer. Specifically, mutations of CTNNB1, AXIN, or APC, have been observed in the endometrioid and mucinous subtypes of EOC. In addition, upregulation of the ligands, abnormal activation of the receptors or intracellular mediators, disruption of the β-catenin destruction complex, inhibition of the association of β-catenin/E-cadherin on the cell membrane, and aberrant promotion of the β-catenin/TCF transcriptional activity, have all been reported in EOC, especially in the high grade serous subtype. Furthermore, several non-coding RNAs have been shown to regulate EOC development, in part, through the modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been reported to promote cancer stem cell self-renewal, metastasis, and chemoresistance in all subtypes of EOC. Emerging evidence also suggests that the pathway induces ovarian tumor angiogenesis and immune evasion. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays critical roles in EOC development and is a strong candidate for the development of targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca Hough
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Chun Peng
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shen X, Jiang H, Chen Z, Lu B, Zhu Y, Mao J, Chai K, Chen W. MicroRNA-145 Inhibits Cell Migration and Invasion in Colorectal Cancer by Targeting TWIST. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:10799-10809. [PMID: 31849487 PMCID: PMC6911328 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s216147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION MicroRNAs function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in the development of various human cancers. We investigated the effect of microRNA-145 (miR-145) on colorectal cancer (CRC) cell invasion and migration. METHODS The levels of miR-145 in CRC cells were examined by quantitative PCR; Western blotting was used to detect TWIST1 (twist family bHLH transcription factor 1) protein and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins (E-cadherin, vimentin). Then, we transfected miR-145 mimics or inhibitor into CRC cells and used the wound healing and Transwell invasion assays to investigate their migration and invasive capability, respectively. RESULTS The miR-145 mimics suppressed CRC cell invasion and migration significantly; in contrast, miR-145 downregulation had the opposite effect. Furthermore, miR-145 regulated TWIST1 levels negatively at transcriptional level. TWIST1 knockdown significantly inhibited the CRC cell migration ability and the number of CRC cells that crossed the Transwell membrane. There was no significant difference in terms of migration and invasive capability after the cells had been transfected with miR-145 mimics or inhibitor plus TWIST1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) as compared to the TWIST1 siRNA-only group. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the inhibition of miR-145 could enhance the capability for lung metastasis in vivo. CONCLUSION Taken together, these findings indicate that miR-145 acts as a new tumor suppressor by regulating TWIST1 and plays a vital role in the invasive and migration ability of CRC cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuning Shen
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Honggang Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiheng Chen
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bohao Lu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiayan Mao
- Cancer Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy Combining Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kequn Chai
- Cancer Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy Combining Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310012, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Chen
- Cancer Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy Combining Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310012, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310012, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pineda B, Diaz-Lagares A, Pérez-Fidalgo JA, Burgués O, González-Barrallo I, Crujeiras AB, Sandoval J, Esteller M, Lluch A, Eroles P. A two-gene epigenetic signature for the prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:33. [PMID: 30786922 PMCID: PMC6381754 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0626-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) varies between 30 and 40% approximately. To provide further insight into the prediction of pCR, we evaluated the role of an epigenetic methylation-based signature. Methods Epigenetic assessment of DNA extracted from biopsy archived samples previous to NAC from TNBC patients was performed. Patients included were categorized according to previous response to NAC in responder (pCR or residual cancer burden, RCB = 0) or non-responder (non-pCR or RCB > 0) patients. A methyloma study was performed in a discovery cohort by the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (450K array) from Illumina. The epigenetic silencing of those methylated genes in the discovery cohort were validated by bisulfite pyrosequencing (PyroMark Q96 System version 2.0.6, Qiagen) and qRT-PCR in an independent cohort of TN patients and in TN cell lines. Results Twenty-four and 30 patients were included in the discovery and validation cohorts, respectively. In the discovery cohort, nine genes were differentially methylated: six presented higher methylation in non-responder patients (LOC641519, LEF1, HOXA5, EVC2, TLX3, CDKL2) and three greater methylation in responder patients (FERD3L, CHL1, and TRIP10). After validation, a two-gene (FER3L and TRIP10) epigenetic score predicted RCB = 0 with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.905 (95% CI = 0.805–1.000). Patients with a positive epigenetic two-gene score showed 78.6% RCB = 0 versus only 10.7% RCB = 0 if signature were negative. Conclusions These results suggest that pCR in TNBC could be accurately predicted with an epigenetic signature of FERD3L and TRIP10 genes. Further prospective validation of these findings is warranted. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-019-0626-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Begoña Pineda
- Biomedical Research Institute (INCLIVA), Valencia, Spain.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Diaz-Lagares
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain.,Present Address: Cancer Epigenomics, Translational Medical Oncology (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), University Clinical Hospital of Santiago (CHUS/SERGAS), CIBERONC, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José Alejandro Pérez-Fidalgo
- Biomedical Research Institute (INCLIVA), Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Oncology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Octavio Burgués
- Biomedical Research Institute (INCLIVA), Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Pathology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Ana B Crujeiras
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain.,Present Address: Laboratory of Epigenomics in Endocrinology and Nutrition, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria (IDIS), Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago (CHUS), Santiago de Compostela University (USC) and CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutricion (CIBERobn), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Sandoval
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain.,Biomarkers and Precision Medicne Unit (UByMP), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IISLaFeValencia), Valencia, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain.,Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ana Lluch
- Biomedical Research Institute (INCLIVA), Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Oncology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar Eroles
- Biomedical Research Institute (INCLIVA), Valencia, Spain. .,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain. .,COST action, CA15204, Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Glackin CA. Nanoparticle Delivery of TWIST Small Interfering RNA and Anticancer Drugs: A Therapeutic Approach for Combating Cancer. Enzymes 2018; 44:83-101. [PMID: 30360816 DOI: 10.1016/bs.enz.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast and ovarian cancer are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women in the United States with over 232,000 new Breast Cancer (BC) diagnoses expected in 2018 and almost 40,000 deaths and an estimated 239,000 new ovarian cancer (OC) cases and 152,000 deaths worldwide annually. OC is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. This high mortality rate is due to tumor recurrence and metastasis, primarily caused by chemoresistant cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) patients also become resistant to chemotherapy due to recurrence of CSCs. Currently, no ovarian or breast cancer therapies target CSC specifically. TWIST is overexpressed in the majority of chemoresistant cancers resulting in a low survival rate. Our long-term goal is to develop novel treatments for women with ovarian and breast cancer, specifically treatments that sensitize chemoresistant tumors. Despite successful initial surgery and chemotherapy, over 70% of advanced EOC will recur, and only 15-30% of recurrent disease will respond to chemotherapy (Cortez et al., 2017; Berezhnaya, 2010; Jackson et al., 2015). Moreover, drug resistance causes treatment failure in over 90% of patients with metastatic disease (Solmaz et al., 2015). Thus, recurrent metastatic disease is a major clinical challenge without effective therapy. One of the major challenges in the treatment of breast cancer is the presence of a subpopulation of cancer cells that are chemoresistant (CRC) and metastatic. Given that metastasis is the driving force behind mortality for breast and ovarian cancer patients, it is essential to identify the characteristics of these aberrant cancer cells that allow them to spread to distant sites in the body and develop into metastatic tumors. Understanding the metastatic mechanisms driving cancer cell dispersal will open the door to developing novel therapies that prevent metastasis and improve long-term outcomes for patients. In this chapter we assess the feasibility of targeting the Twist and EMT signaling pathways in breast and ovarian cancer. Additional discussions of the pathways that mediate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that can give rise to chemoresistance. We review potential treatment strategies for targeting EMT and drug resistance as well as the problems that may arise with these targeted delivery therapeutic approaches. Finally, we examine recent advances in the field, including cancer stem cell targeted nanoparticle delivery and small interference RNA (siRNA) technology, and discuss the impact that these approaches may have on translating much needed therapeutic approaches into the clinic, for the benefit of patients battling this devastating disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta A Glackin
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wei C, Zhang X, He S, Liu B, Han H, Sun X. MicroRNA-219-5p inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of epithelial ovarian cancer cells by targeting the Twist/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Gene 2017; 637:25-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
9
|
Yang H, Hu H, Gou Y, Hu Y, Li H, Zhao H, Wang B, Li P, Zhang Z. Combined detection of Twist1, Snail1 and squamous cell carcinoma antigen for the prognostic evaluation of invasion and metastasis in cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Int J Clin Oncol 2017; 23:321-328. [PMID: 29101499 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-017-1210-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours of the female reproductive system, ranking second only to breast cancer in morbidity worldwide. Essential features of the progression of cervical cancer are invasion and metastasis, which are closely related to disease prognosis and mortality rate. At the present time there is no effective method to evaluate cancer invasion and metastasis before surgery. Here we report our study on molecular changes in biopsy tissue for the prognostic evaluation of cancer invasion and metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors Twist1 and Snail1 was detected by immunohistochemistry in 32 normal, 36 low-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (LSIL), 54 high-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia (HSIL) and 320 cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) samples. The correlation between the expression of Twist1, Snail1 and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) in CSCC tissues and clinical pathology results was evaluated. A transwell migration and invasion assay was used to explore the roles of Twist1 and Snail1 in the invasion of cancer cells. Lymph node metastasis and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) rates for the following groups were analysed: SCCA(+) group, Twist1(+) group, Snail1(+) group, Twist1(+)Snail1(+)group, Twist1(+)SCCA(+)group, Snail1(+)SCCA(+)group and Twist1(+)Snail1(+)SCCA(+) group. RESULTS The expression of Twist1 and Snail1 was significantly upregulated in HSIL and CSCC (p < 0.05). Twist1 and Snail1 expression levels were associated with LVSI, lymph node metastasis and histological grade (p < 0.05) but not with age or FIGO stage (p > 0.05). The expression of SCCA was associated with LVSI, lymph node metastasis, FIGO stage and histological grade (p < 0.05) but not with age (p > 0.05). Twist1 was an independent factor contributing to the invasion ability of cervical cancer cells. In addition, the positive rate of lymph node metastasis and LVSI was higher in the Twist1(+)Snail1(+)SCCA(+) group than in the SCCA(+) group, Twist1(+) group and Snail1(+) group, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Combined detection of Twist1 and Snail1 in SCCA-positive biopsy specimens may be a potential method for evaluating the invasion and metastasis of CSCC prior to surgery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huilun Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of Yangzhou, Yangzhou, 225000, China
| | - Haiyang Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, 272000, China
| | - Yanling Gou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yuhong Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated to Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Hongwei Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Beidi Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Peiling Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zongfeng Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Darvishi B, Farahmand L, Majidzadeh-A K. Stimuli-Responsive Mesoporous Silica NPs as Non-viral Dual siRNA/Chemotherapy Carriers for Triple Negative Breast Cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 7:164-180. [PMID: 28624192 PMCID: PMC5415966 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and lethal subtype of breast cancer. It is associated with a very poor prognosis and intrinsically resistant to several conventional and targeted chemotherapy agents and has a 5-year survival rate of less than 25%. Because the treatment options for TNBC are very limited and not efficient enough for achieving minimum desired goals, shifting toward a new generation of anti-cancer agents appears to be very critical. Among recent alternative approaches being proposed, small interfering RNA (siRNA) gene therapy can potently suppress Bcl-2 proto-oncogene and p-glycoprotein gene expression, the most important chemotherapy resistance inducers in TNBC. When resensitized, primarily ineffective chemotherapy drugs turn back into valuable sources for further intensive chemotherapy. Regrettably, siRNA's poor stability, rapid clearance in the circulatory system, and poor cellular uptake mostly hampers the beneficial outcomes of siRNA therapy. Considering these drawbacks, dual siRNA/chemotherapy drug encapsulation in targeted delivery vehicles, especially mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) appears to be the most reasonable solution. The literature is full of reports of successful treatments of multi-drug-resistant cancer cells by administration of dual drug/siRNA-loaded MSNs. Here we tried to answer the question of whether application of a similar approach with identical delivery devices in TNBC is rational.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Behrad Darvishi
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, 1517964311 Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Farahmand
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, 1517964311 Tehran, Iran
| | - Keivan Majidzadeh-A
- Genetics Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, 1517964311 Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sun X, Cui M, Zhang A, Tong L, Wang K, Li K, Wang X, Sun Z, Zhang H. MiR-548c impairs migration and invasion of endometrial and ovarian cancer cells via downregulation of Twist. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2016; 35:10. [PMID: 26762267 PMCID: PMC4712560 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-016-0288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs, which post-transcriptionally repress the expression of genes involved in cancer initiation and progression. Although some miRNAs that target many signaling pathways (also called universe miRNAs) are supposed to play a global role in diverse human tumors, their regulatory functions in gynecological cancers remain largely unknown. We investigated the biological role and underlying mechanism of miR-548c (one universe miRNA) in endometrial and ovarian cancer. METHODS The effects of miR-548c overexpression on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were studied in endometrial and ovarian cancer cells. TWIST1 (Twist) was identified as a direct miR-548c target by western blot analysis and luciferase activity assay. The expression of miR-548c and Twist were examined by qRT-PCR in endometrial and ovarian cancer tissues. RESULTS Here, we report that miR-548c is down-regulated in endometrial and ovarian cancer tissues when compared to normal tissues, and our meta-analysis reveal that decreased miR-548c expression correlates with poor prognosis in endometrial cancer patients. We show that in endometrial and ovarian cancer cells, ectopic expression of miR-548c significantly inhibits whereas knockdown of miR-548c dramatically induces cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. By using luciferase reporter assay, we demonstrate that Twist, a known oncogene in endometrial and ovarian cancers, is a direct target of miR-548c. Furthermore, the expression of Twist partially abrogates the tumor suppressive effects of miR-548c on cell migration and invasion. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that miR-548c directly downregulates Twist, and provide a novel mechanism for Twist upregulation in both endometrial and ovarian cancers. The use of miR-548c may hold therapeutic potential for the treatment of Twist-overexpressing tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Manhua Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China.
| | - Aichen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Lingling Tong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Ziqian Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Hongye Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Brivio S, Cadamuro M, Fabris L, Strazzabosco M. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Invasiveness: What Can We Learn from Cholangiocarcinoma? J Clin Med 2015; 4:2028-41. [PMID: 26703747 PMCID: PMC4693158 DOI: 10.3390/jcm4121958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to its well-established role in embryo development, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been proposed as a general mechanism favoring tumor metastatization in several epithelial malignancies. Herein, we review the topic of EMT in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a primary liver cancer arising from the epithelial cells lining the bile ducts (cholangiocytes) and characterized by an abundant stromal reaction. CCA carries a dismal prognosis, owing to a pronounced invasiveness and scarce therapeutic opportunities. In CCA, several reports indicate that cancer cells acquire a number of EMT biomarkers and functions. These phenotypic changes are likely induced by both autocrine and paracrine signals released in the tumor microenvironment (cytokines, growth factors, morphogens) and intracellular stimuli (microRNAs, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes) variably associated with specific disease mechanisms, including chronic inflammation and hypoxia. Nevertheless, evidence supporting a complete EMT of neoplastic cholangiocytes into stromal cells is lacking, and the gain of EMT-like changes by CCA cells rather reflects a shift towards an enhanced pro-invasive phenotype, likely induced by the tumor stroma. This concept may help to identify new biomarkers of early metastatic behavior along with potential therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Brivio
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Cadamuro
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua School of Medicine, Viale Colombo 3, 35131 Padua, Italy.
| | - Luca Fabris
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua School of Medicine, Viale Colombo 3, 35131 Padua, Italy.
- Liver Center, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University, TAC Building, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy.
- Liver Center, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University, TAC Building, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Suarez-Carmona M, Bourcy M, Lesage J, Leroi N, Syne L, Blacher S, Hubert P, Erpicum C, Foidart JM, Delvenne P, Birembaut P, Noël A, Polette M, Gilles C. Soluble factors regulated by epithelial-mesenchymal transition mediate tumour angiogenesis and myeloid cell recruitment. J Pathol 2015; 236:491-504. [PMID: 25880038 DOI: 10.1002/path.4546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) programmes provide cancer cells with invasive and survival capacities that might favour metastatic dissemination. Whilst signalling cascades triggering EMT have been extensively studied, the impact of EMT on the crosstalk between tumour cells and the tumour microenvironment remains elusive. We aimed to identify EMT-regulated soluble factors that facilitate the recruitment of host cells in the tumour. Our findings indicate that EMT phenotypes relate to the induction of a panel of secreted mediators, namely IL-8, IL-6, sICAM-1, PAI-1 and GM-CSF, and implicate the EMT-transcription factor Snail as a regulator of this process. We further show that EMT-derived soluble factors are pro-angiogenic in vivo (in the mouse ear sponge assay), ex vivo (in the rat aortic ring assay) and in vitro (in a chemotaxis assay). Additionally, conditioned medium from EMT-positive cells stimulates the recruitment of myeloid cells. In a bank of 40 triple-negative breast cancers, tumours presenting features of EMT were significantly more angiogenic and infiltrated by a higher quantity of myeloid cells compared to tumours with little or no EMT. Taken together, our results show that EMT programmes trigger the expression of soluble mediators in cancer cells that stimulate angiogenesis and recruit myeloid cells in vivo, which might in turn favour cancer spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meggy Suarez-Carmona
- Laboratory of Tumour and Development Biology (LBTD), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium.,Laboratory of Experimental Pathology (LEP), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium
| | - Morgane Bourcy
- Laboratory of Tumour and Development Biology (LBTD), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium
| | - Julien Lesage
- INSERM UMR-S 903, Laboratoire Pol Bouin, University of Reims, France
| | - Natacha Leroi
- Laboratory of Tumour and Development Biology (LBTD), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium
| | - Laïdya Syne
- Laboratory of Tumour and Development Biology (LBTD), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium
| | - Silvia Blacher
- Laboratory of Tumour and Development Biology (LBTD), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium
| | - Pascale Hubert
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology (LEP), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Erpicum
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology (LEP), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jean-Michel Foidart
- Laboratory of Tumour and Development Biology (LBTD), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium
| | - Philippe Delvenne
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology (LEP), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Agnès Noël
- Laboratory of Tumour and Development Biology (LBTD), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium
| | - Myriam Polette
- INSERM UMR-S 903, Laboratoire Pol Bouin, University of Reims, France
| | - Christine Gilles
- Laboratory of Tumour and Development Biology (LBTD), GIGA-Cancer, Liège, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ke Z, Caiping S, Qing Z, Xiaojing W. Sonic hedgehog-Gli1 signals promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition in ovarian cancer by mediating PI3K/AKT pathway. Med Oncol 2014; 32:368. [PMID: 25432698 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-014-0368-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been reported to play an important role in distant metastasis in cancer-related disease. A large number of studies have shown that sonic hedgehog-glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Shh-Gli1) signals participate in the process of EMT; however, the role and mechanism of Shh-Gli1 signals in the progression of EMT in ovarian cancer remain largely unknown. First, we investigated the occurrence of EMT and invasion and migration ability in ovarian cancer cells stimulated by different concentration of Shh-Gli1 signals agonist purmorphamine in vitro. Then, Akt siRNA was transfected into ovarian cancer cells which already stimulated by purmorphamine to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of EMT in ovarian cancer. Gli1 expression was significantly enhanced in ovarian cancer cells after stimulated by purmorphamine. In addition, Gli1 up-regulation promoted EMT, invasion and migration ability of ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, we validated a cross talk between Shh-Gli1 signals and PI3K-Akt pathway in the occurrence of EMT in ovarian cancer cells. These findings revealed a novel role for Shh-Gli1 signals in EMT in ovarian cancer and provided for us a potential therapeutic target for the suppression of EMT, invasion and metastasis in ovarian cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Ke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450002, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Glackin CA. Targeting the Twist and Wnt signaling pathways in metastatic breast cancer. Maturitas 2014; 79:48-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
|
16
|
Zhou XM, Zhang H, Han X. Role of epithelial to mesenchymal transition proteins in gynecological cancers: pathological and therapeutic perspectives. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:9523-30. [PMID: 25168372 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-2537-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Gynecorelogic cancers like ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers are among the major threats to modern life, especially to female health. Like some other types of cancers, all of these gynecological cancers have found to be associated with the developmental stage epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). More specifically, the aberrant expression of major EMT markers, such as lower expressions of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin, and overexpressions of N-cadherin, beta-catenin, vimentin, and matrix metalloproteinases, have been reported in ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers. The transcription factors, such as Twist, Snail, Slug, and Zeb, which regulate these EMT mediators, are also reported to be overexpressed in gynecological cancers. In addition to the over/lower expression, the promoter methylation of some of these genes has been identified too. In the era of target-specific cancer therapeutics, some promising studies showed that targeting EMT markers might be an interesting and successful tool in future cancer therapy. In this study, we have reviewed the recent development in the research on the association of EMT markers with three major gynecological cancers in the perspectives of carcinogenesis and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Mei Zhou
- Department of Gynaecolgy and Obstetrics, Shenzhen FuTian District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, No. 6001 Beihuan Blvd., Futian District, Shenzhen, 518000, China,
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Li R, Zhao Y, Chen J, Shao S, Zhang X. Fisetin inhibits migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of LMP1-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Mol Med Rep 2013; 9:413-8. [PMID: 24297333 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2013.1836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Fisetin (3,3',4',7-tetrahydroxyflavone) has been reported to possess certain anticancer properties. It may inhibit tumor cell proliferation, metastasis and induce apoptosis. However, the effects of fisetin in preventing the metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells remain to be determined. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in several metastatic malignancies including NPC. It has been reported that the Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) induced EMT and is associated with the metastasis of NPC. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of fisetin in preventing the migration and invasion of LMP1-expressing NPC cells (CNE1-LMP1 cells), as well as to investigate whether fisetin may inhibit the molecular changes associated with EMT induced by LMP1. The investigation demonstrated that fisetin suppressed the migration and invasion of CNE1-LMP1 cells under non-cytotoxic concentrations. Fisetin inhibited molecular changes associated with EMT induced by LMP1, upregulated the epithelial marker, E-cadherin protein, and downregulated the mesenchymal marker, vimentin protein, levels. Fisetin also significantly reduced the levels of Twist protein, an EMT regulator. The investigation suggested that fisetin inhibits the migration and invasion of LMP1-positive NPC cells, and the molecular mechanism involves fisetin reversing the EMT induced by LMP1 and downregulates the expression of Twist. This study indicated that fisetin serves as a potential candidate for the treatment of cancer metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong Li
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, P.R. China
| | - Yinhai Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, P.R. China
| | - Jin Chen
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, P.R. China
| | - Songjun Shao
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, P.R. China
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|