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Coni P, Piras M, Piludu M, Lachowicz JI, Matteddu A, Coni S, Reali A, Fanos V, Jaremko M, Faa G, Pichiri G. Exploring cell surface markers and cell-cell interactions of human breast milk stem cells. J Public Health Res 2023; 12:22799036221150332. [PMID: 36712902 PMCID: PMC9880586 DOI: 10.1177/22799036221150332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Breakthrough studies have shown that pluripotent stem cells are present in human breast milk. The expression of pluripotency markers by breast milk cells is heterogeneous, relating to cellular hierarchy, from early-stage multi-lineage stem cells to fully differentiated mammary epithelial cells, as well as weeks of gestation and days of lactation. Design and methods Here, we qualitatively analyze cell marker expression in freshly isolated human breast milk cells, without any manipulation that could influence protein expression. Moreover, we use electron microscopy to investigate cell-cell networks in breast milk for the first time, providing evidence of active intercellular communication between cells expressing different cellular markers. Results The immunocytochemistry results of human breast milk cells showed positive staining in all samples for CD44, CD45, CD133, and Ki67 markers. Variable positivity was present with P63, Tβ4 and CK14 markers. No immunostaining was detected for Wt1, nestin, Nanog, OCT4, SOX2, CK5, and CD34 markers. Cells isolated from human breast milk form intercellular connections, which together create a cell-to-cell communication network. Conclusions Cells freshly isolated form human breast milk, without particular manipulations, show heterogeneous expression of stemness markers. The studied milk staminal cells show "pluripotency" at different stages of differentiation, and are present as single cells or grouped cells. The adjacent cell interactions are evidenced by electron microscopy, which showed the formation of intercellular connections, numerous contact regions, and thin pseudopods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Coni
- Department of Medical Sciences and
Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Monica Piras
- Department of Medical Sciences and
Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Piludu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences,
University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Joanna Izabela Lachowicz
- Department of Medical Sciences and
Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy,Joanna Izabela Lachowicz, Department of
Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella
Universitaria, Monserrato, Cagliari 09048, Italy.
| | - Anna Matteddu
- Department of Medical Sciences and
Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Stefano Coni
- Department of Medical Sciences and
Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Reali
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di
Cagliari, Terapia Intesiva Neonatale (TIN), P.O. Duilio Casula di Monserrato,
Cagliari, Italy
| | - Vassilios Fanos
- Department of Surgical Sciences,
University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Smart-Health Initiative (SHI) and Red
Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environ-mental Sciences and
Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST),
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gavino Faa
- Department of Medical Sciences and
Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Pichiri
- Department of Medical Sciences and
Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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2
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Silva CTX, Saddi VA, Silva KSFE, Sugita DM, Guillo LA. Expression of the cancer stem cell marker OCT4 is associated with worse prognosis and survival in cutaneous melanoma. Melanoma Res 2021; 31:439-448. [PMID: 34433195 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma has an aggressive clinical presentation, showing rapid rate of growth and metastatic dissemination due to the permanence of cancer stem cells. The present study was to evaluate the expression of the self-renewal regulatory factor and the clinical significance of the transcription factor OCT4 in melanoma. Melanoma tissues were stained by immunohistochemistry and the correlation between the expression of this marker was determined through clinical-pathological variables and survival outcomes. Positive expression of nuclear and cytoplasmic OCT4 was observed in 49% and 41.2% of cases, respectively. The positive expression of nuclear OCT4 in melanoma was significantly associated with prognostic factors, such as Breslow depth, Clark's level, ulceration and metastasis. Survival of patients was 56% compared to positive nuclear OCT4 expression and 94.2% when compared to the low expression of the gene. Nuclear OCT4 positive genotype indicated aggressive tumor behavior with a worse clinical outcome, which indicates OCT4 as a useful biomarker in the prognosis of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vera Aparecida Saddi
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biodiversity, Department of Environmental and Health Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás
| | | | | | - Lidia Andreu Guillo
- Cell Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
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3
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Oliphant MUJ, Kong D, Zhou H, Lewis MT, Ford HL. Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Role of Developmental pathways and pluripotency factors in normal mammary stem cells and breast cancer metastasis. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2020; 25:85-102. [PMID: 32323111 PMCID: PMC7395869 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-020-09449-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer initiation and progression are often observed as the result of dysregulation of normal developmental processes and pathways. Studies focused on normal mammary stem/progenitor cell activity have led to an understanding of how breast cancer cells acquire stemness-associated properties including tumor initiation, survival and multi-lineage differentiation into heterogeneous tumors that become difficult to target therapeutically. Importantly, more recent investigations have provided valuable insight into how key developmental regulators can impact multiple phases of metastasis, where they are repurposed to not only promote metastatic phenotypes such as migration, invasion and EMT at the primary site, but also to regulate the survival, initiation and maintenance of metastatic lesions at secondary organs. Herein, we discuss findings that have led to a better understanding of how embryonic and pluripotency factors contribute not only to normal mammary development, but also to metastatic progression. We further examine the therapeutic potential of targeting these developmental pathways, and discuss how a better understanding of compensatory mechanisms, crosstalk between pathways, and novel experimental models could provide critical insight into how we might exploit embryonic and pluripotency regulators to inhibit tumor progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M U J Oliphant
- Integrated Physiology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Ludwig Center at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Building C1, Room 513B, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Deguang Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Hengbo Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - M T Lewis
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Radiology. Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine. One Baylor Plaza BCM600, Room N1210, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - H L Ford
- Integrated Physiology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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Khamis T, Abdelalim AF, Abdallah SH, Saeed AA, Edress NM, Arisha AH. Early intervention with breast milk mesenchymal stem cells attenuates the development of diabetic-induced testicular dysfunction via hypothalamic Kisspeptin/Kiss1r-GnRH/GnIH system in male rats. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165577. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.165577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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5
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Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that breast milk contains a population of cells displaying many of the properties typical of stem cells. This review outlines progress made in this newly emerging field of stem cell biology and provides an analysis of the available data on purification, propagation and differentiation of certain types of progenitor cells from breast milk. The possible fates of breast milk cells, including microchimerism caused by their transmission to the distant organs of the infant, are also discussed. Unique properties of breast milk-derived stem cells, such as their unusually low tumorigenic potential and their negligible ability to form teratomas, are highlighted as obvious advantages for using these cells in regenerative therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ninkina
- Institute of Physiology Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, 1 Severnyj Proezd, Chernogolovka, Russian Federation.
- Cardiff University, Life Sciences Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK.
| | - Michail S Kukharsky
- Institute of Physiology Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, 1 Severnyj Proezd, Chernogolovka, Russian Federation
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianova str 1, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Maria V Hewitt
- Institute of Physiology Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, 1 Severnyj Proezd, Chernogolovka, Russian Federation
| | - Ekaterina A Lysikova
- Institute of Physiology Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, 1 Severnyj Proezd, Chernogolovka, Russian Federation
| | - Larissa N Skuratovska
- The Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 8 Baltiyskaya st., Moscow, 125315, Russian Federation
| | - Alexey V Deykin
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova str., 34/5, Moscow, 19334, Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir L Buchman
- Institute of Physiology Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, 1 Severnyj Proezd, Chernogolovka, Russian Federation
- Cardiff University, Life Sciences Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK
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6
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Vanik SA, Yadav SK, Jahan A, Pruthi SK, Sarin N, Chopra R, Singh S. Octamer 4 expression and lymph node metastasis in ductal carcinoma of breast: Are they associated? Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.4103/ijmpo.ijmpo_154_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose: Octamer 4 (Oct-4) is a transcription factor which is required for the self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells and germ cells. In this study, we tried to examine the association of expression of Oct-4 with lymph node metastasis in ductal carcinoma of the breast. Methods: The study was conducted on a total of 45 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast, no special type. Oct-4 expression was studied on paraffin-embedded sections by immunohistochemistry. Results: Oct-4 expression was seen in 22.2% of cases. No statistically significant association was found between the expression of Oct-4 and histological type, tumor size, histological grade, and lymph node metastasis. Of Oct-4 positive tumor, 80% of cases showed lymph node metastasis, as compared to 62.85% without Oct-4 expression. However, the association was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Oct-4 expression can be a promising biomarker of carcinogenesis, metastatic potential, and prognosis of carcinoma breast. However, the study with larger sample size is needed to establish the clinicopathological potential of this biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangita A Vanik
- Department of Pathology, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Shakti Kumar Yadav
- Department of Pathology, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Aarzoo Jahan
- Department of Pathology, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Sonam Kumar Pruthi
- Department of Pathology, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Namrata Sarin
- Department of Pathology, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Ratna Chopra
- Department of Surgery, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Sompal Singh
- Department of Pathology, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India
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7
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Monroy EAC, de Andrade Santos PP, de Sousa Lopes MLD, Mosqueda-Taylor A, Pinto LP, de Souza LB. Oct-4 and CD44 in epithelial stem cells like of benign odontogenic lesions. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 150:371-7. [PMID: 29971493 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1692-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Benign epithelial odontogenic lesions are great clinical importance entities that develop in the jaws from the tissues that form teeth. It has been shown that benign and malignant tumors are present in a large number of tumor stem cells, which has great implications in the development of these lesions. Oct-4 and CD44 have been demonstrated as important markers for tumoral stem cells. The aim of this study was investigate the presence of stem cell markers Oct-4 and CD44 in benign epithelial odontogenic lesions. Twenty odontogenic keratocysts (OKC), 20 ameloblastomas (AMB) of the solid/multicystic type and 20 adenomatoid odontogenic tumors (AOT) were retrospectively analyzed for immunohistochemical detection of Oct-4 and CD44 in their epithelial component. All cases were positive for the two markers, with the majority exhibiting a high expression. Analysis of the expression of Oct-4 revealed no statistically significant differences (p = 0.406) between the lesions studied. Regarding CD44, there was a significant difference between the cases of AMB and AOT in relation with OKC, with the latter presenting a greater labelling (p = 0.034). No statistically significant correlation between Oct-4 and CD44 was observed in the lesions. In our findings, the presence of stem cell-like phenotype at various sites of the epithelial component of the odontogenic lesions was identified, suggesting its possible participation in histogenesis and differentiation without, however, exerting influence on the aggressiveness of the lesions.
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8
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Chung SS, Wu Y, Okobi Q, Adekoya D, Atefi M, Clarke O, Dutta P, Vadgama JV. Proinflammatory Cytokines IL-6 and TNF- α Increased Telomerase Activity through NF- κB/STAT1/STAT3 Activation, and Withaferin A Inhibited the Signaling in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Mediators Inflamm 2017; 2017:5958429. [PMID: 28676732 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5958429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There are increasing evidences of proinflammatory cytokine involvement in cancer development. Here, we found that two cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α, activated colorectal cancer cells to be more invasive and stem-like. Combined treatment of IL-6 and TNF-α phosphorylated transcription factors STAT3 in a synergistic manner. STAT3, STAT1, and NF-κB physically interacted upon the cytokine stimulation. STAT3 was bound to the promoter region of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). IL-6 and TNF-α stimulation further enhanced STAT3 binding affinity. Stem cell marker Oct-4 was upregulated in colorectal cancer cells upon IL-6 and TNF-α stimulation. Withaferin A, an anti-inflammatory steroidal lactone, inhibited the IL-6- and TNF-α-induced cancer cell invasion and decreased colonosphere formation. Notably, withaferin A inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and abolished the STAT3, STAT1, and NF-κB interactions. Oct-4 expression was also downregulated by withaferin A inhibition. The binding of STAT3 to the hTERT promoter region and telomerase activity showed reduction with withaferin A treatments. Proinflammatory cytokine-induced cancer cell invasiveness is mediated by a STAT3-regulated mechanism in colorectal cancer cells. Our data suggest that withaferin A could be a promising anticancer agent that effectively inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer.
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9
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Briere CE, Jensen T, McGrath JM, Young EE, Finck C. Stem-Like Cell Characteristics from Breast Milk of Mothers with Preterm Infants as Compared to Mothers with Term Infants. Breastfeed Med 2017; 12:174-179. [PMID: 28277748 DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2017.0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast milk stem cells are hypothesized to be involved in infant health and development. Our research team is the first known team to enroll mothers of hospitalized preterm infants during the first few weeks of lactation and compare stem cell phenotypes and gene expression to mothers of healthy full-term infants. SETTINGS Participants were recruited from a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (preterm dyads) and the community (full-term dyads) in the northeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS Mothers of hospitalized preterm infants (<37 weeks gestational age at birth) and mothers of healthy full-term infants (>39 weeks gestational age at birth). RESULTS Breast milk stem-like cell populations were identified in both preterm and full-term breast milk samples. The data suggest variability in the proportion of stem cell phenotypes present, as well as statistically significant differential expression (both over- and underexpression) of stem cell-specific genetic markers when comparing mothers' milk for preterm and full-term births. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that (1) stem cells are present in preterm breast milk; (2) differential expression of stem cell-specific markers can be detected in preterm and full-term breast milk samples; and (3) the percentage of cells expressing the various stem cell-specific markers differs when preterm and full-term breast milk samples are compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie-Ellen Briere
- 1 Department of Nursing Research, Connecticut Children's Medical Center , Hartford, Connecticut.,2 School of Nursing, University of Connecticut , Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Todd Jensen
- 3 Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health , Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Jacqueline M McGrath
- 1 Department of Nursing Research, Connecticut Children's Medical Center , Hartford, Connecticut.,2 School of Nursing, University of Connecticut , Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Erin E Young
- 2 School of Nursing, University of Connecticut , Storrs, Connecticut.,4 Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut.,5 Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Christine Finck
- 3 Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health , Farmington, Connecticut.,6 Department of Surgery, Connecticut Children's Medical Center , Hartford, Connecticut
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Nolte S, Zlobec I, Lugli A, Hohenberger W, Croner R, Merkel S, Hartmann A, Geppert CI, Rau TT. Construction and analysis of tissue microarrays in the era of digital pathology: a pilot study targeting CDX1 and CDX2 in a colon cancer cohort of 612 patients. J Pathol Clin Res 2017; 3:58-70. [PMID: 28138402 PMCID: PMC5259563 DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
CDX1 and CDX2 are possibly predictive biomarkers in colorectal cancer. We combined digitally‐guided (next generation) TMA construction (ngTMA) and the utility of digital image analysis (DIA) to assess accuracy, tumour heterogeneity and the selective impact of different combined intensity‐percentage levels on prognosis.CDX1 and CDX2 immunohistochemistry was performed on ngTMAs covering normal tissue, tumour centre and invasive front. The percentages of all epithelial cells per staining intensity per core were analysed digitally. Beyond classical prognosis analysis following REMARK guidelines, we investigated pre‐analytical conditions, three different types of heterogeneity (mosaic‐like, targeted and haphazard) and influences on cohort segregation and patient selection. The ngTMA‐DIA approach produced robust biomarker data with infrequent core loss and excellent on‐target punching. The detailed assessment of tumour heterogeneity could – except for a certain diffuse mosaic‐like heterogeneity – exclude differences between the invasive front and tumour centre, as well as detect haphazard clonal heterogeneous elements. Moreover, lower CDX1 and CDX2 counts correlated with mucinous histology, higher TNM stage, higher tumour grade and worse survival (p < 0.01, all). Different protein expression intensity levels shared comparable prognostic power and a great overlap in patient selection. The combination of ngTMA with DIA enhances accuracy and controls for biomarker analysis. Beyond the confirmation of CDX1 and CDX2 as prognostically relevant markers in CRC, this study highlights the greater robustness of CDX2 in comparison to CDX1. For the assessment of CDX2 protein loss, cut‐points as percentage data of complete protein loss can be deduced as a recommendation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nolte
- Institute of Pathology Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Erlangen Germany
| | - Inti Zlobec
- Institute of Pathology University Bern Bern Switzerland
| | | | - Werner Hohenberger
- Department of Surgery Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Erlangen Germany
| | - Roland Croner
- Department of Surgery Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Erlangen Germany
| | - Susanne Merkel
- Department of Surgery Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Erlangen Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Erlangen Germany
| | - Carol I Geppert
- Institute of Pathology Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Erlangen Germany
| | - Tilman T Rau
- Institute of PathologyFriedrich Alexander University Erlangen-NurembergErlangenGermany; Institute of PathologyUniversity BernBernSwitzerland
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Sulaiman A, Sulaiman B, Khouri L, McGarry S, Nessim C, Arnaout A, Li X, Addison C, Dimitroulakos J, Wang L. Both bulk and cancer stem cell subpopulations in triple-negative breast cancer are susceptible to Wnt, HDAC, and ERα coinhibition. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:4606-4616. [PMID: 27859250 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Development of targeted therapies for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC, a more aggressive subtype) is an unmet medical need. We analyzed data from 887 patients with invasive breast cancer and observed that increased Wnt and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activities are associated with estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and progesterone receptor (PGR) repression, poor survival, and increased relapse. The inverse correlation between Wnt signaling and repression of ESR1 and PGR expression was found to be magnified in cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulations in TNBC cell lines. Cosuppression of Wnt, HDAC, and ESR1 using clinically relevant low-dose inhibitors effectively repressed both bulk and CSC subpopulations and converted CSCs to non-CSCs in TNBC cells without affecting MCF-10A mammary epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Sulaiman
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Brandon Sulaiman
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Lara Khouri
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sarah McGarry
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Carolyn Nessim
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada
| | - Angel Arnaout
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada
| | - Xuguang Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada.,Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate, Health Canada Sir Frederick G. Banting Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Christina Addison
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada.,Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada
| | - Jim Dimitroulakos
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada.,Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada.,Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada.,Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Canada
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Briere CE, McGrath JM, Jensen T, Matson A, Finck C. Breast Milk Stem Cells: Current Science and Implications for Preterm Infants. Adv Neonatal Care 2016; 16:410-9. [PMID: 27749687 DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The benefits of breast milk are well described, yet the mechanistic details related to how breast milk protects against acute and chronic diseases and optimizes neurodevelopment remain largely unknown. Recently, breast milk was found to contain stem cells that are thought to be involved in infant development. PURPOSE The purpose of this review was to synthesize all available research involving the characterization of breast milk stem cells to provide a basis of understanding for what is known and what still needs further exploration. METHODS/SEARCH STRATEGY The literature search was conducted between August and October 2015 using the CINAHL, PubMed, and reference list searching. Nine studies addressed characterization of human breast milk stem cells. FINDINGS/RESULTS Five research teams in 4 countries have published studies on breast milk stem cells. Current research has focused on characterizing stem cells in full-term breast milk. The amount, phenotype, and expression of breast milk stem cells are known to vary between mothers, and they have been able to differentiate into all 3 germ layers (expressing pluripotent characteristics). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE There is much to learn about breast milk stem cells. Given the potential impact of this research, healthcare professionals should be aware of their presence and ongoing research to determine benefits for infants. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH Extensive research is needed to further characterize stem cells in breast milk (full-term and preterm), throughout the stages of lactation, and most importantly, their role in the health of infants, and potential for use in regenerative therapies.
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13
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Shatos MA, Hodges RR, Morinaga M, McNay DE, Islam R, Bhattacharya S, Li D, Turpie B, Makarenkova HP, Masli S, Utheim TP, Dartt DA. Alteration in cellular turnover and progenitor cell population in lacrimal glands from thrombospondin 1 -/- mice, a model of dry eye. Exp Eye Res 2016; 153:27-41. [PMID: 27697548 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes that occur in the lacrimal glands (LGs) in female thrombospondin 1 knockout (TSP1-/-) mice, a mouse model of the autoimmune disease Sjogren's syndrome. The LGs of 4, 12, and 24 week-old female TSP1-/- and C57BL/6J (wild type, WT) mice were used. qPCR was performed to measure cytokine expression. To study the architecture, LG sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Cell proliferation was measured using bromo-deoxyuridine and immunohistochemistry. Amount of CD47 and stem cell markers was analyzed by western blot analysis and location by immunofluorescence microscopy. Expression of stem cell transcription factors was performed using Mouse Stem Cell Transcription Factors RT2 Profiler PCR Array. Cytokine levels significantly increased in LGs of 24 week-old TSP1-/- mice while morphological changes were detected at 12 weeks. Proliferation was decreased in 12 week-old TSP1-/- mice. Three transcription factors were overexpressed and eleven underexpressed in TSP1-/- compared to WT LGs. The amount of CD47, Musashi1, and Sox2 was decreased while the amount of ABCG2 was increased in 12 week-old TSP1-/- mice. We conclude that TSP1 is necessary for maintaining normal LG homeostasis. Absence of TSP1 alters cytokine levels and stem cell transcription factors, LG cellular architecture, decreases cell proliferation, and alters amount of stem cell markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie A Shatos
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Robin R Hodges
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Masahiro Morinaga
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - David E McNay
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Rakibul Islam
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Sumit Bhattacharya
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Dayu Li
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Bruce Turpie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Helen P Makarenkova
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Sharmila Masli
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tor P Utheim
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Darlene A Dartt
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, United States.
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Alsaweed M, Lai CT, Hartmann PE, Geddes DT, Kakulas F. Human Milk Cells and Lipids Conserve Numerous Known and Novel miRNAs, Some of Which Are Differentially Expressed during Lactation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152610. [PMID: 27074017 PMCID: PMC4830559 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human milk (HM) is rich in miRNAs, which are thought to contribute to infant protection and development. We used deep sequencing to profile miRNAs in the cell and lipid fractions of HM obtained post-feeding from 10 lactating women in months 2, 4, and 6 postpartum. In both HM fractions, 1,195 mature known miRNAs were identified, which were positively associated with the cell (p = 0.048) and lipid (p = 0.010) content of HM. An additional 5,167 novel miRNA species were predicted, of which 235 were high-confidence miRNAs. HM cells contained more known miRNAs than HM lipids (1,136 and 835 respectively, p<0.001). Although the profile of the novel miRNAs was very different between cells and lipids, with the majority conserved in the cell fraction and being mother-specific, 2/3 of the known miRNAs common between cells and lipids were similarly expressed (p>0.05). Great similarities between the two HM fractions were also found in the profile of the top 20 known miRNAs. These were largely similar also between the three lactation stages examined, as were the total miRNA concentration, and the number and expression of the known miRNAs common between cells and lipids (p>0.05). Yet, approximately a third of all known miRNAs were differentially expressed during the first 6 months of lactation (p<0.05), with more pronounced miRNA upregulation seen in month 4. These findings indicate that although the total miRNA concentration of HM cells and lipids provided to the infant does not change in first 6 months of lactation, the miRNA composition is altered, particularly in month 4 compared to months 2 and 6. This may reflect the remodeling of the gland in response to infant feeding patterns, which usually change after exclusive breastfeeding, suggesting adaptation to the infant’s needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Alsaweed
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Almajmaah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ching Tat Lai
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter E. Hartmann
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Donna T. Geddes
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Foteini Kakulas
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- * E-mail:
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15
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Qian X, Zhao FQ. Regulatory roles of Oct proteins in the mammary gland. Biochim Biophys Acta 2016; 1859:812-9. [PMID: 27044595 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2016.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The expression of Oct-1 and -2 and their binding to the octamer motif in the mammary gland are developmentally and hormonally regulated, consistent with the expression of milk proteins. Both of these transcription factors constitutively bind to the proximal promoter of the milk protein gene β-casein and might be involved in the inhibition or activation of promoter activity via interactions with other transcription factors or cofactors at different developmental stages. In particular, the lactogenic hormone prolactin and glucocorticoids induce Oct-1 and Oct-2 binding and interaction with both the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) and the glucocorticoid receptor on the β-casein promoter to activate β-casein expression. In addition, increasing evidence has shown the involvement of another Oct factor, Oct-3/4, in mammary tumorigenesis, making Oct-3/4 an emerging prognostic marker of breast cancer and a molecular target for the gene-directed therapeutic intervention, prevention and treatment of breast cancer. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Oct Transcription Factor Family, edited by Dr. Dean Tantin.
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Umazume T, Thomas WM, Campbell S, Aluri H, Thotakura S, Zoukhri D, Makarenkova HP. Lacrimal Gland Inflammation Deregulates Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Alters Molecular Signature of Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2016; 56:8392-402. [PMID: 26747770 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-17477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The adult lacrimal gland (LG) is highly regenerative and is able to repair itself even after substantial damage; however, this ability to regenerate is lost with the development of dry eye conditions in chronically inflamed LGs.This study compares changes in the cell adhesion and cell matrix molecules and stem cell transcription factors in the LGs of healthy mice and of two mouse models of Sjögren's syndrome: nonobese diabetic (NOD) and MRL-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice during the early stage of inflammation. METHODS The LGs from 12- to 13-week-old female MRL/lpr and male NOD mice along with their respective control strains were harvested and divided into three pieces and processed for quantitative (q) RT-PCR and qRT-PCR Arrays, histology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. RESULTS The extracellular matrix (ECM) and adhesion molecules RT2-PCR array combined with protein expression data revealed changes in the expression of integrins, matrix metalloproteinases, and other molecules, which are associated largely with invasion, attachment, and expansion of the lymphocytic cells, whereas changes in the stem cell transcription factors revealed substantial decrease in expression of transcription factors associated with epithelial stem/progenitor cell lineage. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that the expression of several important ECM components is significantly deregulated in the LG of two murine models of Sjögren's syndrome, suggesting an alteration of the epithelial stem/progenitor cell niche. This may result in profound effects on localization, activation, proliferation, and differentiation of the LG stem/progenitor cells and, therefore, LG regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Umazume
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - William M Thomas
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Sabrina Campbell
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Hema Aluri
- Department of Diagnosis and Health Promotion, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Suharika Thotakura
- Department of Diagnosis and Health Promotion, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Driss Zoukhri
- Department of Diagnosis and Health Promotion, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Helen P Makarenkova
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
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17
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Seymour T, Twigger AJ, Kakulas F. Pluripotency Genes and Their Functions in the Normal and Aberrant Breast and Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:27288-301. [PMID: 26580604 PMCID: PMC4661882 DOI: 10.3390/ijms161126024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) attracted considerable interest with the successful isolation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from the inner cell mass of murine, primate and human embryos. Whilst it was initially thought that the only PSCs were ESCs, in more recent years cells with similar properties have been isolated from organs of the adult, including the breast and brain. Adult PSCs in these organs have been suggested to be remnants of embryonic development that facilitate normal tissue homeostasis during repair and regeneration. They share certain characteristics with ESCs, such as an inherent capacity to self-renew and differentiate into cells of the three germ layers, properties that are regulated by master pluripotency transcription factors (TFs) OCT4 (octamer-binding transcription factor 4), SOX2 (sex determining region Y-box 2), and homeobox protein NANOG. Aberrant expression of these TFs can be oncogenic resulting in heterogeneous tumours fueled by cancer stem cells (CSC), which are resistant to conventional treatments and are associated with tumour recurrence post-treatment. Further to enriching our understanding of the role of pluripotency TFs in normal tissue function, research now aims to develop optimized isolation and propagation methods for normal adult PSCs and CSCs for the purposes of regenerative medicine, developmental biology, and disease modeling aimed at targeted personalised cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Seymour
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
| | - Alecia-Jane Twigger
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
| | - Foteini Kakulas
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, the University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
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18
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Alsaweed M, Hartmann PE, Geddes DT, Kakulas F. MicroRNAs in Breastmilk and the Lactating Breast: Potential Immunoprotectors and Developmental Regulators for the Infant and the Mother. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2015; 12:13981-4020. [PMID: 26529003 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph121113981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human milk (HM) is the optimal source of nutrition, protection and developmental programming for infants. It is species-specific and consists of various bioactive components, including microRNAs, small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. microRNAs are both intra- and extra-cellular and are present in body fluids of humans and animals. Of these body fluids, HM appears to be one of the richest sources of microRNA, which are highly conserved in its different fractions, with milk cells containing more microRNAs than milk lipids, followed by skim milk. Potential effects of exogenous food-derived microRNAs on gene expression have been demonstrated, together with the stability of milk-derived microRNAs in the gastrointestinal tract. Taken together, these strongly support the notion that milk microRNAs enter the systemic circulation of the HM fed infant and exert tissue-specific immunoprotective and developmental functions. This has initiated intensive research on the origin, fate and functional significance of milk microRNAs. Importantly, recent studies have provided evidence of endogenous synthesis of HM microRNA within the human lactating mammary epithelium. These findings will now form the basis for investigations of the role of microRNA in the epigenetic control of normal and aberrant mammary development, and particularly lactation performance.
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Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading female cancer in terms of prevalence. Progress in molecular biology has brought forward a better understanding of its pathogenesis that has led to better prognostication and treatment. Subtypes of breast cancer have been identified at the genomic level and guide therapeutic decisions based on their biology and the expected benefit from various interventions. Despite this progress, a significant percentage of patients die from their disease and further improvements are needed. The cancer stem cell theory and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition are two comparatively novel concepts that have been introduced in the area of cancer research and are actively investigated. Both processes have their physiologic roots in normal development and common mediators have begun to surface. This review discusses the associations of these networks as a prognostic framework in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis A Voutsadakis
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sault Area Hospital, Sault Ste Marie, ON, Canada ; Division of Clinical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, ON, Canada
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20
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Abstract
Breastfeeding has been regarded first and foremost as a means of nutrition for infants, providing essential components for their unique growth and developmental requirements. However, breast milk is also rich in immunologic factors, highlighting its importance as a mediator of protection. In accordance with its evolutionary origin, the mammary gland offers via the breastfeeding route continuation of the maternal to infant immunologic support established in utero. At birth, the infant's immune system is immature, and although it was exposed to the maternal microbial flora during pregnancy, it experiences an abrupt change in its microbial environment during and after birth, which is challenging and renders the infant highly susceptible to infection. Active and passive immunity protects the infant via breast milk, which is rich in immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lysozyme, cytokines, and numerous other immunologic factors, including maternal leukocytes. Breast milk leukocytes provide active immunity and promote development of immunocompetence in the infant. Additionally, it has been speculated that they play a role in the protection of the mammary gland from infection. Leukocytes are thought to exert these functions via phagocytosis, secretion of antimicrobial factors and/or antigen presentation in both the mammary gland and the gastrointestinal tract of the infant, and also in other infant tissues, where they are transported via the systemic circulation. Recently, it has been demonstrated that breast milk leukocytes respond dynamically to maternal as well as infant infections, and are fewer in nonexclusively compared with exclusively breastfeeding dyads, further emphasizing their importance for both the mother and infant. This review summarizes the current knowledge of human milk leukocytes and factors influencing them, and presents recent novel findings supporting their potential as a diagnostic marker for infections of the lactating breast and of the breastfed infant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foteini Hassiotou
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
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21
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Abstract
Breast milk contains bioactive molecules that provide a multitude of immunologic, developmental and nutritional benefits to the infant. Less attention has been placed on the cellular nature of breast milk, which contains thousands to millions of maternal cells in every milliliter that the infant ingests. What are the properties and roles of these cells? Most studies have examined breast milk cells from an immunologic perspective, focusing specifically on the leukocytes, mainly in the early postpartum period. In the past decade, research has taken a multidimensional approach to investigating the cells of human milk. Technologic advances in single cell analysis and imaging have aided this work, which has resulted in the breakthrough discovery of stem cells in breast milk with multilineage potential that are transferred to the offspring during breastfeeding. This has generated numerous implications for both infant and maternal health and regenerative medicine. This review summarizes the latest knowledge on breast milk stem cells, and discusses their known in vitro and in vivo attributes as well as potential functions and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foteini Hassiotou
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
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22
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Abstract
The acquisition of and departure from stemness in cancer tissues might not only be hardwired by genetic controllers, but also by the pivotal regulatory role of the cellular metabotype, which may act as a "starter dough" for cancer stemness traits. We have coined the term metabostemness to refer to the metabolic parameters causally controlling or functionally substituting the epitranscriptional orchestration of the genetic reprograming that redirects normal and tumor cells toward less-differentiated cancer stem cell (CSC) cellular states. Certain metabotypic alterations might operate as pivotal molecular events rendering a cell of origin susceptible to epigenetic rewiring required for the acquisition of aberrant stemness and, concurrently, of refractoriness to differentiation. The metabostemness attribute can remove, diminish, or modify the nature of molecular barriers present in Waddington's epigenetic landscapes, thus allowing differentiated cells to more easily (re)-enter into CSC cellular macrostates. Activation of the metabostemness trait can poise cells with chromatin states competent for rapid dedifferentiation while concomitantly setting the idoneous metabolic stage for later reprograming stimuli to finish the journey from non-cancerous into tumor-initiating cells. Because only a few permitted metabotypes will be compatible with the operational properties owned by CSC cellular states, the metabostemness property provides a new framework through which to pharmacologically resolve the apparently impossible problem of discovering drugs aimed to target the molecular biology of the cancer stemness itself. The metabostemness cancer hallmark generates a shifting oncology theory that should guide a new era of metabolo-epigenetic cancer precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier A Menendez
- Metabolism and Cancer Group, Translational Research Laboratory, Catalan Institute of Oncology-Girona (ICO-Girona) , Girona , Spain ; Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI) , Girona , Spain
| | - Tomás Alarcón
- Computational and Mathematical Biology Research Group, Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM) , Barcelona , Spain
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Lin H, Sun LH, Han W, He TY, Xu XJ, Cheng K, Geng C, Su LD, Wen H, Wang XY, Chen QL. Knockdown of OCT4 suppresses the growth and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells through inhibition of the AKT pathway. Mol Med Rep 2014; 10:1335-42. [PMID: 25017645 PMCID: PMC4121418 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Octamer‑binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) is one of the factors associated with self‑renewal and differentiation in cancer stem cells, and is crucial for the progression of various types of human malignancy. However, the expression and function of OCT4 in human pancreatic cancer has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the function and molecular mechanisms of OCT4 in pancreatic cancer cells. The clinical significance of OCT4 expression was assessed by an immunohistochemical assay using a tissue microarray procedure in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells with different degrees of differentiation. A loss‑of‑function approach was used to examine the effects of a lentivirus‑mediated OCT4 small hairpin RNA vector on biological behaviors, including cell proliferative activity and invasive potential. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of OCT4 protein in cancer tissues were significantly elevated compared with those in adjacent non‑cancerous tissues (65.0 vs. 42.5%; P=0.005), which was correlated with tumor differentiation (P=0.008). The knockdown of OCT4 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells (Panc‑1) expressing high levels of OCT4, accompanied with decreased expression of AKT, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and matrix metalloproteinase‑2 (MMP‑2). In conclusion, the present study reveals that the increased expression of OCT4 is correlated with the differentiation of pancreatic cancer, while knockdown of OCT4 suppresses the growth and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells through inhibition of AKT pathway‑mediated PCNA and MMP‑2 expression, suggesting that OCT4 might serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Lin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Li-Hua Sun
- Liver Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Wei Han
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Tie-Ying He
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Jian Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Kun Cheng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Geng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Li-Dan Su
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Hao Wen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
| | - Xi-Yan Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830000, P.R. China
| | - Qi-Long Chen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, P.R. China
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Prabhakaran P, Hassiotou F, Blancafort P, Filgueira L. Cisplatin induces differentiation of breast cancer cells. Front Oncol 2013; 3:134. [PMID: 23761858 PMCID: PMC3669802 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast tumors are heterogeneous including cells with stem cell properties and more differentiated cells. This heterogeneity is reflected into the molecular breast cancer subtypes. Breast cancer stem cells are resistant to chemotherapy, thus recent efforts are focusing on identifying treatments that shift them toward a more differentiated phenotype, making them more susceptible to chemotherapy. We examined whether the drug cisplatin induces differentiation in breast cancer cell lines that represent different breast cancer subtypes. We used three cell lines representing triple-negative breast cancers, BT-549 and MDA-MB-231 (claudin-low), and MDA-MB-468 (basal-like), along with estrogen and progesterone receptor positive MCF-7 cells (luminal). Cisplatin was applied at 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 μM, and cell viability and proliferation were measured using MTS and BrdU assays, respectively. The effect of cisplatin on the cellular hierarchy was examined by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR. Cisplatin treatment of 10 and 20 μM reduced cell viability by 36–51% and proliferation capacity by 36–67%. Treatment with cisplatin resulted in 12–67% down-regulation of stem cell markers (CD49f, SSEA4) and 10–130% up-regulation of differentiation markers (CK18, SMA, β-tubulin). At the mRNA level, CD49f was down-regulated whilst β-tubulin was up-regulated in the claudin-low cell lines. SSEA4 protein expression decreased upon cisplatin treatment, but SSEA4 mRNA expression increased indicating a differential regulation of cisplatin at the post-transcriptional level. It is concluded that cisplatin reduces breast cancer cell survival and induces differentiation of stem/progenitor cell subpopulations within breast cancer cell lines. These effects indicate the potential of this drug to target specific chemotherapy-resistant cells within a tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praseetha Prabhakaran
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia , Crawley, Perth, WA , Australia ; Faculty of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia , Skudai, Johor , Malaysia
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