Clinical significance of plasma MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels as biomarkers for tumor expression in breast cancer patients in Egypt

MMPs-responsive silk spheres for controlled drug release within tumor microenvironment

Silk is a biocompatible and biodegradable material that enables the formation of various morphological forms, including nanospheres. The functionalization of bioengineered silk makes it possible to produce particles with specific properties. In addition to tumor cells, the tumor microenvironment (TME) includes stromal, immune, endothelial cells, signaling molecules, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are overexpressed in TME. We investigated bioengineered spider silks functionalized with MMP-responsive peptides to obtain targeted drug release from spheres within TME. Soluble silks MS12.2MS1, MS12.9MS1, and MS22.9MS2 and the corresponding silk spheres carrying MMP-2 or MMP-2/9 responsive peptides were produced, loaded with doxorubicin (Dox), and analyzed for their susceptibility to MMP-2/9 digestion. Although all variants of functionalized silks and spheres were specifically degraded by MMP-2/9, the MS22.9MS2 nanospheres showed the highest levels of degradation and release of Dox after enzyme treatment. Moreover, functionalized spheres were degraded in the presence of cancer cells releasing MMP-2/9. In the 2D and 3D spheroid cancer models, the MMP-2/9-responsive substrate was degraded and released from spheres when loaded into MS22.9MS2 particles but not into the control MS2 spheres. The present study demonstrated that a silk-based MMP-responsive delivery system could be used for controlled drug release within the tumor microenvironment.

The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer metastasis

Breast cancer deaths are primarily caused by metastasis. There are several treatment options that can be used to treat breast cancer. There are, however, a limited number of treatments that can either prevent or inhibit the spread of breast tumor metastases. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Studies have increasingly focused on the importance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in metastasis of breast cancer. As the most abundant cells in the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play important roles in cancer pathogenesis. They can remodel the structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and engage in crosstalk with cancer cells or other stroma cells by secreting growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, as well as components of the ECM, which assist the tumor cells to invade through the TME and cause distant metastasis. Clinically, CAFs not only foster the initiation, growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer but also serve as biomarkers for diagnosis, therapy, and prediction of prognosis. In this review, we summarize the biological characteristics and subtypes of CAFs and their functions in breast cancer metastasis, focusing on their important roles in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of breast cancer. Recent studies suggest that CAFs are vital partners of breast cancer cells that assist metastasis and may represent ideal targets for prevention and treatment of breast cancer metastasis.

Natural products in digestive tract tumors metabolism: Functional and application prospects

Digestive tract diseases are presently the hotspot of clinical diagnosis and treatment, and the incidence of digestive tract tumor is increasing annually. Surgery remains the main therapeutic schedule for digestive tract tumor. Though benefits were brought by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a part of patients lose the chance of surgery because of late detection or inappropriate intervention. Therefore, the treatment of inoperable patients has become an urgent need. At the same time, tumor metabolism is an extremely complex and diverse process. Natural products are confirmed effective to inhibit the development of tumors in vitro and in vitro. There are many kinds of natural products and their functions remain not clear. However, some natural products such as polyphenols have been proven to have definite anti-cancer effects, and some terpenoids have definite anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-tumor, and other effects. Therefore, the anti-tumor characteristics of natural products should arouse our high attention. Although there are many obstacles to study the activities of natural products in tumor, including the difficulty in detection or distinguishing each component due to their low levels in tumor tissue, etc., the emergence of highly sensitive and locatable spatial metabolomics make the research and application of natural products a big step forward. In this review, natural products such as phenols, terpenoids and biotinoids were summarized to further discuss the development and therapeutic properties of natural metabolites on digestive tract tumors.

TEM1 up-regulates MMP-2 and promotes ECM remodeling for facilitating invasion and migration of uterine sarcoma

OBJECTIVES

To explore the correlation between tumor endothelial marker 1 (TEM1) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in uterine sarcoma and their roles in the progression of uterine sarcoma.

METHODS

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS, n = 25) and uterine leiomyoma (n = 25) specimens were collected from a total of 50 patients. Immunohistochemistry assay was conducted to determine the expression of TEM1, MMP-2 and MMP-9. TEM1 over expression (hTEM1) and low expression (shRNA-TEM1) MES-SA cell lines were established as in vitro uterine sarcoma models. MMP-2 mRNA, protein expression and enzymatic activity were verified using qPCR, Western blot and gelatin zymography respectively. MMP-2 expression was downregulated using MMP-2 siRNA in hTEM1 MES-SA cells to better study the role of MMP-2. The invasive and migratory capacities of hTEM1, shRNA-TEM1, and hTEM1 treated with MMP-2 siRNA MES-SA cells were determined using transwell assays. Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling mediated by TEM1 was examined using cell-ECM adhesion and fluorescent gelatin-ECM degradation assays. The immunofluorescence of F-actin was examined to analyze the formation of invadopodia. Subcutaneous and intraperitoneal xenografts were established to validate the role of TEM1 in promoting uterine sarcoma metastasis.

RESULTS

TEM1 and MMP-2 were expressed in 92% (n = 23) and 88% (n = 22) of uterine leiomyosarcoma specimens, respectively. Both TEM1 and MMP-2 were highly expressed in 100% (n = 17) of high stage (III-IV) uterine leiomyosarcoma specimens. In addition, TEM1 expression was positively correlated with MMP-2 expression in uterine leiomyosarcoma. The successful establishment of in vitro uterine sarcoma models was confirmed with qPCR and Western blotting tests. TEM1 promoted the invasion and metastasis of uterine sarcoma in vivo and in vitro. MMP-2 expression and activity were up-regulated in hTEM1 cells but down-regulated in shRNA-TEM1 cells. Importantly, MMP-2 knockdown impaired the invasive and migratory capacity of hTEM1 cells. TEM1 promoted ECM remodeling by increasing cell-ECM adhesion and ECM degradation. TEM1 overexpression also induced the formation of invadopodia.

CONCLUSION

TEM1 was co-expressed and positively correlated with MMP-2 in uterine leiomyosarcoma specimens. In addition, both TEM1 and MMP-2 were associated with tumor development. TEM1 promoted uterine sarcoma progression by regulating MMP-2 activity and ECM remodeling.

Clinical relevance of CERK and SPHK1 in breast cancer and their association with metastasis and drug resistance

Despite numerous reports on the altered sphingolipids metabolism in human cancers, their clinical significance in breast cancer remains obscure. Previously, we identified the high levels of sphingolipids, ceramide phosphates and sphingosine phosphates, and the genes involved in their synthesis, CERK and SPHK1, in breast cancer patients. The present study aimed to determine the correlations of CERK and SPHK1 with clinical outcomes as well as metastasis and drug resistance markers. Both local and TCGA cohorts were analysed. High-confidence regulatory interaction network was constructed to find association of target genes with metastasis and drug resistance. Furthermore, correlations of CERK and SPHK1 with selected metastasis and drug resistance markers were validated in both cohorts. Overexpression of CERK and SPHK1 was associated with nodal metastasis, late tumor stage and high proliferation potency. In addition, increased CERK expression was also indicative of poor patient survival. Computational network analysis revealed the association of CERK and SPHK1 with known metastasis markers MMP-2 and MMP-9 and drug resistance markers ABCC1 and ABCG2. Correlation analysis confirmed the associations of target genes with these markers in both local as well as TCGA cohort. The above findings suggest clinical utility of CERK and SPHK1 as potential biomarkers in breast cancer patients and thus could provide novel leads in the development of therapeutics.

SOX12 Promotes Thyroid Cancer Cell Proliferation and Invasion by Regulating the Expression of POU2F1 and POU3F1

PURPOSE

SOX12 is overexpressed in many cancers, and we aimed to explore the biological function and mechanism of SOX12 in thyroid cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We first analyzed the expression of SOX12 in thyroid cancer using data in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were performed to identify SOX12 expression in thyroid cancer tissue and cells. Thyroid cancer cells were transfected with small interfering RNA targeting SOX12, and cellular functional experiments, including CCK8, wound healing, and Transwell assays, were performed. Protein expression was examined by Western blot analysis. A xenograft model was developed to evaluate the effect of SOX12 on tumor growth in vivo.

RESULTS

SOX12 expression was increased in thyroid cancer tissue and cells. SOX12 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and accelerated tumor growth in vivo. The expression of PCNA, Cyclin D1, E-cadherin, Snail, MMP-2, and MMP-9 was affected by SOX12 knockdown. Bioinformatic analysis showed that SOX12 could interact with the POU family. SOX12 knockdown inhibited the expression of POU2F1, POU2F2, POU3F1 and POU3F2, and SOX12 expression showed a positive correlation with POU2F1, POU3F1, and POU3F2 expression in clinical data. POU2F1 and POU3F1 were able to reverse the effect of SOX12 knockdown on thyroid cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

SOX12 affects the progression of thyroid cancer by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and interacting with POU2F1 and POU3F1, which may be novel targets for thyroid cancer molecular therapy.

MicroRNA-129-1-3p Represses the Progression of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Targeting the GRIN2D Gene

The aberrant expression of miRNA is strongly linked to numerous stages of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression, and it plays an indispensable role in the process from tumor onset and progress to invasion and metastasis. In this study, we first transfected miR-129-1-3p mimics and inhibitor into MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, respectively. Then, we assessed the pathological role of miR-129-1-3p in MDA-MB-231 cells. The results showed that miR-129-1-3p were successfully inserted into MDA-MB-231 cells. Besides, miR-129-1-3p could distinctively repress the growth, migration along with infiltration of MDA-MB-231 cells, which might be related to the inhibition of GRIN2D expression. Our results indicate that miR-129-1-3p was illustrated to serve as a tumor repressor via targeting GRIN2D in TNBC cells and highlight that the restoration of miR-129-1-3p might be a new treatment target for TNBC.

MMP-9 secreted by M2-type macrophages promotes Wilms' tumour metastasis through the PI3K/AKT pathway

BACKGROUND

Wilms' tumour (WT) is a malignant tumour of childhood with the typical symptoms of an abdominal mass. Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) accumulate and imply a poor prognosis in WT, but the mechanism of how TAMs affect the prognosis has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to present the molecular mechanisms underlying the protumorigenic capacities of TAMs in WT.

METHODS

TAMs were polarized into M1- and M2-type macrophages. The two types of macrophages were cocultured with SK-NEP-1 cells, and their cell viability and invasion ability were measured. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) expression was assessed in different types of macrophages, and the role of MMP9 in WT was explored. Then data from children diagnosed with WT in our department between February 2006 and July 2014 were retrospectively analysed, the tumour tissues were analysed to explore the distribution of MMP9. Kaplan-Meier analysis of the relationship between MMP9 expression and follow-up information was performed.

RESULTS

The results showed that M2-type macrophages could improve the viability and invasive ability of SK-NEP-1 cells. MMP9 expression in M2-type macrophages was significantly higher than that in M1-type macrophages. MMP9 could activate the AKT/PI3K signalling pathway to initiate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, and promote the proliferation and invasion of WT. In WT tissue, the MMP9 expression level was elevated and it was located in the tumour stroma, which was the same as M2-type macrophage location, and a high level of MMP9 predicted poor survival.

CONCLUSION

M2-type macrophages facilitate tumour proliferation and metastasis by secreting MMP9 to enhance the EMT process via a PI3K/AKT dependent pathway in Wilms' tumour.

Effect of Inhalation Anesthetics on Tumor Metastasis

Many factors affect the prognosis of patients undergoing tumor surgery, and anesthesia is one of the potential influencing factors. In general anesthesia, inhalation anesthesia is widely used in the clinic because of its strong curative effect and high controllability. However, the effect of inhalation anesthetics on the tumor is still controversial. More and more research has proved that inhalation anesthetics can intervene in local recurrence and distant metastasis of tumor by acting on tumor biological behavior, immune response, and gene regulation. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress of diverse inhalation anesthetics promoting or inhibiting cancer in the critical events of tumor recurrence and metastasis, and compared the effects of inhalation anesthetics on patients' prognosis in clinical studies, to provide theoretical reference for anesthesia management of patients undergoing tumor surgery.

PFOI stimulates the motility of T24 bladder cancer cells: Possible involvement and activation of lncRNA malat1

Perfluorinated iodine alkanes (PFIs) can serve as an important raw materials for the synthesis of various perfluorinated chemical products through telomerization reaction. The estrogenic effects of PFIs have been reported previously by some in vitro and in vivo screening assays. To explore the potential epigenetic toxicity of PFIs, activation of lncRNAs was screened, and the cell motility changes induced by perfluorooctyl iodide (PFOI) were analyzed in this study. High metastatic bladder cell line (T24) was used to investigate the cellular migration function affected by PFOI. PFOI exposure significantly induced the upregulation of lncRNA anril, thorlnc, hotairm1, meg3, and malat1. The migration and invasion of T24 cells were also enhanced upon PFOI exposure. The transcription level of matrix metalloenzyme genes, epidermal growth factors, cytoskeleton genes, and the upstream factors involved in cell motility pathways were examined to illustrate possible mechanisms. Additionally, the basic role of malat1 in cellular motility was investigated by lncRNA knockdown and migration assays. The knockdown of malat1 inhibited the cellular motility induced by PFOI. The levels of MMP-2/-9 genes were also down-regulated by the treatment of si-malat1. Overall, the perturbation of cytoskeleton genes (E-cadherin/N-cadherin) may account for the impact on the motility of T24 cells. Our studies indicate that perfluorinated chemicals might regulate the lncRNAs, thus promoting the metastasis of the tumor cells.

Antitumor Effects of Carvacrol and Thymol: A Systematic Review

Background: It is estimated that one in five people worldwide faces a diagnosis of a malignant neoplasm during their lifetime. Carvacrol and its isomer, thymol, are natural compounds that act against several diseases, including cancer. Thus, this systematic review aimed to examine and synthesize the knowledge on the antitumor effects of carvacrol and thymol.

Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Lilacs databases in April 2020 (updated in March 2021) based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The following combination of health descriptors, MeSH terms and their synonyms were used: carvacrol, thymol, antitumor, antineoplastic, anticancer, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell proliferation, in vitro and in vivo. To assess the risk of bias in in vivo studies, the SYRCLE Risk of Bias tool was used, and for in vitro studies, a modified version was used.

Results: A total of 1,170 records were identified, with 77 meeting the established criteria. The studies were published between 2003 and 2021, with 69 being in vitro and 10 in vivo. Forty-three used carvacrol, 19 thymol, and 15 studies tested both monoterpenes. It was attested that carvacrol and thymol induced apoptosis, cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, antimetastatic activity, and also displayed different antiproliferative effects and inhibition of signaling pathways (MAPKs and PI3K/AKT/mTOR).

Conclusions: Carvacrol and thymol exhibited antitumor and antiproliferative activity through several signaling pathways. In vitro, carvacrol appears to be more potent than thymol. However, further in vivo studies with robust methodology are required to define a standard and safe dose, determine their toxic or side effects, and clarify its exact mechanisms of action.

This systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020176736) and the protocol is available at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=176736.

LncRNA LINC02418 affects proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating miR-940 expression

BACKGROUND

The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) LINC02418 is up-regulated in non-small cell lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, and other tumors, and promotes the development of tumors. However, the role and mechanism of LINC02418 in the occurrence and development of liver cancer are unknown. Target gene prediction with LncBase Predicted v.2 shows that LINC02418 may target miR-940. This study hypothesized that LINC02418 can target and regulate miR-940 to affect the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of liver cancer cells, thereby affecting the development of liver cancer.

AIM

To investigate the effect of lncRNA LINC02418 on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression levels of LINC02418 and miR-940 in hepatocellular carcinoma cancer tissues and adjacent tissues. After LINC02418 small interfering RNA or miR-940 mimic was transfected into liver cancer HCCLM3 cells, RT-qPCR was used to detect the transfection efficiency, and CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay, flow cytometry, and Western blot were used to detect the effects of LINC02418 down-regulation or miR-940 up-regulation on HCCLM3 cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis, as well as the protein expression levels of CyclinD1, p21, MMP-2, MMP-9, Bcl-2, and Bax. The regulatory relationship between miR-940 and LINC02418 was verified by double luciferase reporter gene assay.

RESULTS

Compared with adjacent tissues, the expression of LINC02418 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues increased (P < 0.05), while the expression of miR-940 decreased (P < 0.05). Down-regulating LINC02418 or up-regulating miR-940 reduced HCCLM3 cell viability, the number of migrating and invading cells, and the protein expression of CyclinD1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and Bcl-2 (P < 0.05), but increased apoptosis and the protein expression of p21 and Bax (P < 0.05). LINC02418 negatively regulated the expression of miR-940. Down-regulating miR-940 reversed the effects of down-regulating LINC02418 on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of HCCLM3 cells.

CONCLUSION

The expression of LINC02418 is elevated in liver cancer tissues, and down-regulating its expression may inhibit the malignant biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by up-regulating miR-940, which could be used as a molecular target for liver cancer treatment.

Intense remodeling of extracellular matrix within the varicose vein: the role of gelatinases and vascular endothelial growth factor

BACKGROUND

Increased blood pressure in the varicose veins (VV) can contribute to the overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), affecting the endothelium, smooth muscle, and extracellular matrix of the vein wall. Gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), hypoxia, and inflammation occurring in the VV wall contribute to the increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

AIMS

Our objective was to analyze the concentration of gelatinases and VEGF in the great saphenous VV wall and plasma of patients.

METHODS

In total, 65 patients (2nd degree according to clinical state classification, etiology, anatomy, and pathophysiology-CEAP classification) aged 22 to 70 were enrolled. Control veins (n = 10) were collected from the patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Control plasma (n = 20) was obtained from healthy individuals. Gelatinases and VEGF levels were measured with the usage of ELISA method.

RESULTS

A significant increase in MMP-9 (11.2 vs. 9.98 ng/mg of protein) and VEGF (41.06 vs. 26 ng/g of protein) concentration in VV wall compared with control veins was observed. A positive correlation between VEGF versus MMP-2 (p = 0.03, r = 0.27) was found in the VV wall. However, no correlation was found between the concentration of VEGF and MMP-9 (p = 0.4, r = 0.11) in the VV wall. In addition, no statistical differences between MMP-9, MMP-2, and VEGF levels in plasma of VV patients compared with controls were noticed.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study confirm that VV's patients have altered expression of MMPs and VEGF. Overexpression of MMP-9 and VEGF in the VV wall may contribute to the spreading of inflammatory process and suggests the intense remodeling of extracellular tissue within the VV wall.