LRP16通过调控E-钙粘合素的表达促进MCF-7细胞的侵袭生长

LRP16在原代乳腺癌组织中表达水平与雌激素受体α（ERα）表达状态以及腋窝淋巴结侵袭数目密切相关.为研究LRP16基因对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞侵袭生长的影响,并探讨涉及的分子机制,采用基质胶黏附实验与Transwell方法,检测内源性LRP16表达抑制MCF-7细胞的体外黏附、侵袭生长与迁移特征.结果表明,抑制LRP16在MCF-7细胞中的表达,降低了细胞的体外黏附、侵袭与迁移能力;采用FVB小鼠进行的实验性转移试验结果显示,抑制LRP16显著降低了MCF-7细胞的肺转移结节数目;为探索可能的分子机制,采用Western印迹方法,检测了LRP16对乳腺癌转移相关分子MMP-2, MMP-9, CD44和E-钙黏着蛋白表达的影响,结果在LRP16抑制的MCF-7细胞中只有E-钙黏着蛋白蛋白表达上调.进一步的Northern印迹与免疫组化实验结果表明,抑制LRP16可上调MCF-7细胞中E 钙黏着蛋白基因的mRNA与蛋白表达水平;共转染与双荧光素酶方法检测LRP16对E-钙黏着蛋白基因启动子的表达调控效应,结果显示,LRP16抑制E 钙黏着蛋白基因基因5′-近端启动子的转录激活,该抑制效应选择性存在于内源性ERα阳性细胞,并且依赖于雌激素的存在;染色质免疫共沉淀方法（ChIP）检测ERα与E-钙黏着蛋白基因启动子的相互作用,结果显示,在LRP16基因表达缺陷的MCF-7细胞中,ERα抗体沉淀到E-钙黏着蛋白基因启动子的DNA序列;上述研究结果表明,抑制LRP16基因表达,削弱了激素依赖型乳腺癌细胞的侵袭生长能力,其分子机制涉及了LRP16通过ERα介导对E-钙黏着蛋白基因基因转录激活的调控.     

LRP16基因通过雌激素受体α介导抑制Ishikawa细胞中E-钙黏着素的转录活性

目的:既往研究表明LRP16基因过表达通过下调E-钙黏着素促进子宫内膜癌Ishikawa细胞的侵袭生长,本研究目的在于探讨LRP16基因下调E-钙黏着素的分子途径。方法:用免疫组化方法检测LRP16基因过表达的Ishikawa细胞中E-钙黏着素的表达;用共转染与荧光素酶实验检测LRP16基因对E-钙黏着素启动子转录活性的影响;用染色质免疫共沉淀实验检测雌激素受体α(ERα)与LRP16蛋白在E-钙黏着素启动子区的招募状况。结果:E-钙黏着素在LRP16过表达的Ishikawa细胞中的表达水平明显下调;LRP16抑制了E-钙黏着素启动子的转录活性,该效应呈现对雌激素(E2)存在的依赖性特征;LRP16本身没有与E-钙黏着素启动子区结合,但明显抑制了ERα与E-钙黏着素启动子区的结合。结论:LRP16通过抑制ERα对E-钙黏着素基因的转录激活活性,下调E-钙黏着素在Ishikawa细胞中的表达水平。     

MiR-150-5p通过靶向调控Rab1A抑制乳腺癌细胞MDA-231的上皮-间质转化

先前的研究表明,miR-150-5p发挥抑癌基因的作用,调控肿瘤细胞的侵袭与转移。然而,关于其在乳腺癌细胞侵袭与转移中的机制尚不明确。本实验旨在研究miR-150-5p负向调控Rab1A在乳腺癌细胞上皮-间质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT）中的作用。双荧光素酶的结果显示,miR-150-5p可负向调控Rab1A。荧光定量PCR (qRT-PCR) 结果显示,miR-150-5p在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7及MDA-MB-231（MDA-231）中的表达水平明显低于正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A; 在MDA-231中过表达miR-150-5p后,qRT-PCR结果显示,Rab1A mRNA的表达水平明显降低。Western印迹结果显示,过表达miR-150-5p后,miR-150-5p组细胞中的Rab1A、波形蛋白(vimentin)及N-钙黏着蛋白(N-cadherin)的表达水平相对于对照组（NC）细胞明显降低,而E-钙黏着蛋白(E-cadherin)的表达水平明显增加。Transwell侵袭和划痕实验显示,与miR-150-5p+Con组细胞相比,miR-150-5p+Rab1A组细胞的侵袭和迁移能力明显增加。qRT-PCR结果显示,miR-150-5p+Rab1A组细胞的Rab1A mRNA表达水平明显增加。Western印迹结果显示,miR-150-5p+Rab1A组细胞中的波形蛋白、N-钙黏着蛋白表达水平明显增加, 而E-钙黏着蛋白表达明显降低,过表达Rab1A后显著逆转了miR-150-5p对EMT的影响。综上所述,miR-150-5p可以通过负向调控Rab1A抑制EMT,进而抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和迁移。     

过表达Snail增强肺癌细胞A549的体外侵袭能力

用锌指转录因子Snail诱导肺癌细胞A549发生上皮细胞-间质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT),检测肺癌发生EMT后细胞侵袭能力的变化,为临床筛选分子靶向药物提供依据.构建pcDNA3.1-snail载体,用pcDNA3.1-snail及空pcDNA3.1载体转染肺癌A549细胞后,进行G418筛选;光镜观察培养后细胞形态学的改变、免疫细胞化学与免疫荧光检测细胞表达E-钙黏着蛋白(E-cadherin)、波形蛋白(vimentin)的改变,Western印迹检测细胞中E-钙黏着蛋白和波形蛋白的改变,Transwell侵袭小室法进行细胞体外侵袭能力检测.采用pcDNA3.1-snail转染细胞后,A549细胞变得细长,细胞融合度降低.免疫细胞化学、免疫荧光、Western印迹结果显示,E-钙黏着蛋白表达降低,波形蛋白表达升高;transwell侵袭小室法结果显示,过表达Snail的A549细胞穿透matrigel胶的细胞数明显增多.结果提示,Snail能有效诱导肺癌发生EMT,并且能增强肺癌的体外侵袭能力.     

钙通道蛋白Orai1在骨肉瘤细胞转移中的作用研究

目的:骨肉瘤是一种常见的恶性骨肿瘤,恶性程度高,往往在早期就会发生远隔器官的转移,从而导致骨肉瘤的预后非常差。Orai1是一类定位于细胞膜,介导钙离子内流的受体依赖性钙通道蛋白。大量研究发现钙通道蛋白Orai1过表达于多种肿瘤细胞,并对维持肿瘤细胞粘附、侵袭、迁移等恶性表型有非常重要的作用。然而,钙通道蛋白Orai1是否参与了骨肉瘤的转移过程,目前未见相关报道。本研究的目的是探究钙通道蛋白Orai1是否在骨肉瘤转移过程中的发挥作用。方法:利用合成的靶向Orai1的小干扰RNA(Orai1 si RNA)片段,转染至人骨肉瘤细胞系Saos-2细胞。在Saos-2细胞中抑制Orai1的表达。采用细胞黏附实验、细胞划痕实验和细胞Transwell实验检测骨肉瘤细胞的黏附、迁移及侵袭等肿瘤细胞转移能力;Western-blot实验检测Saos-2细胞的中黏着斑激酶(FAK)和桩蛋白(Paxillin)的表达水平和磷酸化水平。结果:靶向Orai1 si RNA瞬时转染至骨肉瘤细胞系Saos-2细胞后,Saos-2细胞中Orai1蛋白表达水平和m RNA转录水平均显著下降。并且,在Saos-2细胞中抑制Orai1表达后,Saos-2细胞的黏附能力、迁移能力、及侵袭能力均显著下降。进一步研究发现,在Saos-2细胞中抑制Orai1表达后,Saos-2细胞的FAK和Paxillin磷酸化水平明显下降。结论:Orai1可以促进骨肉瘤细胞的黏附、迁移和侵袭,增加黏着斑的形成,从而促进骨肉瘤的转移。因此,深入研究钙通道蛋白Orai1调控骨肉瘤转移的分子机制,可为骨肉瘤转移的治疗提供新的新方向和新策略。     

类风湿性关节炎成纤维样滑膜(FLS)细胞中DDR2相互作用分子的筛选鉴定及其对FLS细胞侵袭能力的影响

目的:在类风湿性关节炎(RA)成纤维样滑膜(FLS)细胞中筛选并鉴定盘状结构域受体2(DDR2)的相互作用蛋白,并研究其对FLS细胞侵袭能力的影响。方法:首先利用免疫沉淀结合SDS-PAGE分离鉴定DDR2互作蛋白波形蛋白,进而采用免疫沉淀和激光共聚焦实验,进一步验证波形蛋白是DDR2的相互作用蛋白,最后采用Transwell实验考察波形蛋白对RA FLS细胞侵袭能力的影响。结果:Ⅱ型胶原刺激引起RA FLS细胞中DDR2的磷酸化水平升高,DDR2被活化,活化前后共有8个DDR2相互作用蛋白发生变化,经质谱分析,其中变化最大的是波形蛋白和膜联蛋白A2;在HEK293T细胞中,免疫共沉淀结果显示Fc DDR2与波形蛋白存在相互作用;激光共聚焦结果显示在RA FLS细胞中,DDR2和波形蛋白存在共定位;下调RA FLS细胞中波形蛋白的表达后,细胞的侵袭能力较对照组显著下降。结论:波形蛋白是DDR2的相互作用蛋白,Ⅱ型胶原可引起RA FLS细胞的DDR2磷酸化水平升高,并通过波形蛋白促进RA FLS细胞的侵袭。     

shRNA沉默HuR抑制肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721的增殖、迁移及侵袭能力

人抗原R (human antigen R,HuR)基因在肺癌、乳腺癌等多种肿瘤组织中高表达。推测HuR基因也参与肝癌的发展过程。为探索HuR对肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721的增殖、迁移和侵袭的作用,本研究通过蛋白质印迹实验,检测HuR在肝细胞癌细胞系和正常肝细胞中蛋白质的表达水平。结果显示,肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721 HuR的表达量显著高于正常肝细胞HL-7702。合成特异性靶向HuR基因的shRNA,转染肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721,检测结果发现,HuR基因表达量下调90%。沉默HuR,实时细胞分析技术(real time cell analysis,RTCA)结果显示,细胞增殖能力降低55%,侵袭能力下降75%;细胞划痕实验结果显示,迁移能力下降80%;克隆形成实验中细胞克隆数减少85%;此外,在HuR敲低稳转肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721细胞中过表达Bcl-2,其细胞学现象部分获得逆转。激光共聚焦扫描系统检测结果显示,Bcl-2主要定位于肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721的核膜及胞质。蛋白质印迹法检测结果显示,沉默HuR,Bcl-2下调92%,Survivin下调55%,Twinst1下调69%,N-钙黏着蛋白(N-cadherin)下调48%,E-钙黏着蛋白(E-cadherin)上调1.5倍。以上结果表明,HuR可能通过调控定位于核膜及胞质上的Bcl-2来参与肝细胞癌细胞系SMMC-7721的增殖、迁移、侵袭及克隆形成过程,HuR基因有望成为临床上治疗肝癌的一个新的潜在靶点。     

CXCR4/Akt信号通路对食管癌细胞侵袭和肿瘤转移的调控作用

多项研究发现CXCR4在各种类型的癌症中高表达,然而尚不清楚CXCR4在食管癌细胞生长和转移中的作用。本研究检测了CXCR4在食管癌组织和细胞系(TE-1)中的表达,并通过转染CXCR4-短发夹RNA(CXCR4-sh RNA)慢病毒来敲低TE-1细胞中CXCR4的表达。应用PI3K/AKT抑制剂LY294002(50μmol/L)处理TE-1细胞12 h来考察AKT信号在食管癌细胞生长和转移中的作用;应用蛋白质印迹分析检测AKT和Rho家族蛋白(RhoA,Rac-1和Cdc42)的表达;应用CCK-8实验检测细胞增殖;Transwell实验检测细胞侵袭;对雄性BALB/c-nu/nu裸鼠皮下注射转染CXCR4-shRNA的TE-1细胞建立肿瘤异种移植模型。研究显示,CXCR4在食管癌组织中的表达水平明显高于癌旁组织,并且与TNM分期和淋巴结转移有关。CXCR4在人食管鳞状细胞癌细胞系(TE-1)中的表达水平明显高于人正常食管上皮细胞系(human normal esophageal epithelial cell line,HEEC)。敲低CXCR4能抑制食管鳞状细胞癌细胞的增殖和侵袭能力,并抑制肿瘤异种移植裸鼠的肿瘤形成。敲低CXCR4抑制了AKT的磷酸化及RhoA、Rac-1和Cdc42的表达。此外,PI3K/AKT抑制剂LY294002处理显著降低了TE-1细胞中AKT的磷酸化,并降低了RhoA、Rac-1和Cdc42的表达。本研究表明,CXCR4在食管癌患者中上调,与不良预后相关。下调CXCR4的表达可在体内和体外抑制食管癌肿瘤的生长和转移。下调CXCR4可通过抑制AKT信号的激活来抑制Rho家族粘附/侵袭相关蛋白的表达,从而抑制肿瘤转移。     

HepaCAM联合藏红花素抑制前列腺癌细胞PC3迁移活性的研究

为研究肝细胞黏附分子(hepatocyte cell adhesion molecule,hepa CAM)联合藏红花素(crocin)对前列腺癌(prostate cancer,PCa)细胞PC3上皮间质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)及侵袭转移的影响,采用细胞免疫荧光观察迁移相关蛋白的表达情况;划痕实验检测细胞侵袭转移能力;Transwell实验检测细胞体外迁移能力;实时荧光定量PCR、Western blotting检测EMT相关分子及基质金属蛋白酶-2(matrix metalloproteinase 2,MMP-2)和MMP-9的表达变化。实验显示,hepaCAM过表达腺病毒与藏红花素均可有效抑制PC3细胞的侵袭转移(p0.01),两者联用比单独应用效果更加明显(p0.01)。Q-PCR显示,过表达hepaCAM联合藏红花素组与单独处理组相比,MMP-2、MMP-9及波形蛋白(vimentin,VIM)mRNA表达水平下调更显著(p0.01);E-钙粘蛋白(E-cadherin,E-CA)m RNA水平上调更加明显(p0.01)。Western blotting显示,与过表达hepa CAM组或藏红花素组相比,两者联用组MMP-2、MMP-9、VIM蛋白表达量明显降低(p0.01),同时E-CA蛋白水平上调更加明显(p0.01)。因此得出以下结论,hepaCAM过表达腺病毒联合藏红花素可显著抑制PC3细胞的侵袭转移,作用机制或与EMT和MMPs的表达有关。     

EBP50通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移

EBP50通过抑制LIMK/cofilin信号通路和PI3K/Akt/m TOR/MMP信号通路抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。然而,EBP50是否可以通过其他机制抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移尚未可知。本研究发现,EBP50能通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路影响乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。Western印迹结果显示,EBP50在低转移细胞株MCF-7和正常乳腺细胞株MCF-10A中高表达,而在高转移细胞株MDA-MB-231低表达。采用RNAi技术将小RNA质粒瞬时转染乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7,同时将质粒pc DNA3.1-EBP50转入乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231。Western印迹结果显示,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组的EBP50表达水平明显下调,MDA231/EBP50细胞组的EBP50表达水平明显上调。Transwell侵袭实验和划痕实验结果显示,用Wnt3a刺激后,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组体外迁移和侵袭能力明显增强,MDA231/EBP50细胞组体外迁移和侵袭能力明显减弱。Western印迹结果显示,与未用Wnt3a或同时用Wnt3a和抑制剂Dkk1刺激的相比,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组上皮-钙粘蛋白(Ecadherin)下调,波形蛋白(vimentin)上调,细胞核中β-联蛋白(β-catenin)的表达水平升高,而MDA231/EBP50细胞组上皮-钙粘蛋白上调,波形蛋白下调,细胞核中β-联蛋白表达下降。上述结果表明,EBP50通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路影响β-联蛋白的转核,抑制EMT的发生,进而抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。     

Long Non-coding RNA HOXA10-AS Promotes Invasion and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Some studies have showed that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA10-AS acts as an oncogene and regulates the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. However, its mechanism in the invasion and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells is unclear. The purpose of this study was to analyze the expression of HOXA10-AS in HCC tissues and its clinical significance, detect the influence of HOXA10-AS on the invasion and migration of HCC cells, and explore the mechanism of HOXA10-AS in promoting the invasion and migration of HCC cells. The results of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that the expression of HOXA10-AS was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared with the adjacent non-HCC tissues. Age and gender did not show significant correlation with HOXA10-AS expression, while tumor size, lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis showed significant correlation with HOXA10-AS expression. Meanwhile, the expression of HOXA10-AS in HCC cells was higher than that in normal liver cells. After interfering with HOXA10-AS in HCC cell lines HepG2 and QGY7701, Transwell invasion and scratch experiments showed that the invasion and migration ability of HOXA10-AS cells in the HOXA10-AS group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Western blotting results showed that the expression levels of vimentin and N-cadherin were significantly lower than those of the control group, while the E-cadherin expression was significantly increased. The TGFβ1/Smads signaling pathway was inhibited after HOXA10-AS interference. In summary, HOXA10-AS promotes the invasion and migration of HCC cells by the TGFβ1/Smads signaling pathway.     

GRP78 promotes the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells by FAK and JNK

The major characteristics of pancreatic cancer are its excessive local invasion and early systemic dissemination. The glucose-regulated protein is over-expressed in many human cancers including pancreatic cancer and correlated with invasion and metastasis in many cancers. To investigate the effect of Grp78 on the invasion of pancreatic cancer, we used western blot and Transwell assay. We found Grp78 is expressed at lower levels in capan-2 and higher expressed in MiaPaCa-2 cells, and Grp78 expression levels were correlated with the invasion potentials of tumor cells. Then,we increased the expression of Grp78 in capan-2 cells and decreased the expression of Grp78 in MiaPaCa-2 cells. We found that over-expression of Grp78 caused significant increase in the expression of TIMP-1, TIMP-2, MMP-14, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in Capan-2 cells. Consistently, knockdown of Grp78 decreased the expression of them in MiaPaCa-2 cells. Gelatin zymography showed Grp78 over-expression stimulated the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9, while GRP78 knockdown reduced the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Cytoskeleton staining showed that knockdown of Grp78 caused a marked increase in cytoskeleton F-actin stress fibers in MiaPaCa-2 cells. Consistently, GRP78 knockdown hyperactivated RhoA and inhibited significantly Rac activity. Grp78 over-expression decreases the RhoA and stimulated Rac activity. We also found that Grp78 modulated FAK and JNK signaling pathways. Over-expression of GRP78 in Capan-2 activated FAK and JNK. Finally, we demonstrated that knockdown of FAK by shRNA in combination with blockade of JNK signaling pathway with SP600125 completely inhibited GRP78-induced cancer cell invasion. GRP78 is involved in the regulation of pancreatic cancer invasion. FAK and JNK are the key downstream effectors of GRP78.     

LncRNA CRNDE promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via enhancing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) is a significantly upregulated long noncoding RNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CRNDE could promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while its molecular mechanisms were still largely unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of CRNDE. CRNDE was significantly upregulated in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. In vitro, we revealed that knockdown of CRNDE inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and cell invasion capacities in HCC. Animal studies indicated that CRNDE knockdown represses both growth and metastasis of HCC tumors in vivo. Moreover, knockdown of CRNDE suppressed the cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by increasing the expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1, whereas, decreasing the expression of N-cadherin, slug, twist, and vimentin in HCC cells. We also revealed that knockdown of CRNDE suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HCC. Thus, CRNDE could modulate EMT of HCC cells and knockdown of CRNDE impaired the mesenchymal properties. CRNDE increased invasion of HCC cells might be through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.     

Retracted: Upregulation of microRNA-140-3p inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition,invasion, and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma through inactivation of the MAPK signaling pathway by targeting GRN

Invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) results in poor prognosis. Human intervention in these pathological processes may benefit the treatment of HCC. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the mechanism of miR-140-3p affecting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis in HCC. Microarray analysis was performed for differentially expressed genes screening. The target relationship between miR-140-3p and GRN was analyzed. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) against granulin (GRN) was synthesized. EMT markers were detected, and invasion and migration were evaluated in HCC cells introduced with a miR-140-3p inhibitor or mimic, or siRNA against GRN. A mechanistic investigation was conducted for the determination of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway-related genes and EMT markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin). GRN was highlighted as an upregulated gene in HCC. GRN was a target gene of miR-140-3p. Elevation of miR-140-3p or inhibition of GRN restrained the EMT process and suppressed the HCC cell migration and invasion. HCC cells treated with the miR-140-3p mimic or siRNA-GRN exhibited decreased GRN expression and downregulated the expressions of the MAPK signaling pathway-related genes, N-cadherin, and Vimentin but upregulated the expression of E-cadherin. GRN silencing can reverse the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and induction of EMT mediated by miR-140-3p inhibition. Taken together, the results show that miR-140-3p confers suppression of the MAPK signaling pathway by targeting GRN, thus inhibiting EMT, invasion, and metastasis in HCC.     

RANKL Promotes Migration and Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via NF-κB-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Background

Metastasis accounts for the most deaths in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) is associated with cancer metastasis, while its role in HCC remains largely unknown.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression of RANK in HCC tissue (n = 398). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to examine the expression of RANK, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail, Slug, Twist and MMPs in HCC cells. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to evaluate cell migration and invasion ability.

Results

We found that expression of RANK, the receptor of RANKL, was significantly higher in HCC tumor tissues than in peritumor liver tissues (p<0.001). Constitutive expression of RANK was detected in HCC cell lines, which can be up-regulated when HCC cells were stimulated with RANKL. Notably, in vitro experiments showed that activation of RANKL-RANK axis significantly promoted migration and invasion ability of HCC cells. In addition, RANKL stimulation increased the expression levels of N-cadherin, Snail, and Twist, while decreased the expression of E-cadherin, with concomitant activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, administration of the NF-κB inhibitor attenuated RANKL-induced migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCC cells.

Conclusions

RANKL could potentiate migration and invasion ability of RANK-positive HCC cells through NF-κB pathway-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which means that RANKL-RANK axis could be a potential target for HCC therapy.     

MiR-186-5p通过靶向调控PTTG1抑制肺腺癌细胞的上皮-间质转化

先前研究表明,miR-186-5p在人类许多恶性肿瘤中扮演抑癌基因的作用,但其在肺腺癌上皮-间质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT）中的作用并不明确。本研究旨在证明,miR-186-5p可通过靶向调控PTTG1抑制肺腺癌细胞的上皮-间质转化。我们首先分析了miR-186-5p在人肺癌细胞中的表达。荧光定量PCR（QRT-PCR）结果显示,与人正常肺上皮细胞BEAS-2B相比,肺腺癌细胞SPC-A1、A549中的miR-186-5p表达量明显降低。为研究miR-186-5p在肺腺癌细胞中的功能,利用GV369-miR-186-5p表达载体,实现了在A549细胞中的过表达。基因转染结合Transwell侵袭结果显示,与对照质粒转染的A549细胞相比,过表达miR-186-5p的A549细胞的体外侵袭能力明显下降。Western印迹检测细胞中EMT相关标志物揭示,GV369-miR-186-5p转染的A549细胞中的上皮-钙黏着蛋白（E-cadherin）表达明显上调,而神经-钙黏着蛋白（N-cadherin）和波形蛋白（vimentin）表达明显下调。同时,GV369-miR-186-5p转染引起其靶基因--垂体肿瘤转化基因1（pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1,PTTG1）编码蛋白在A549细胞中明显降低。重要的是,过表达miR-186-5p与敲减PTTG1均可导致上皮-钙黏着蛋白表达上调,而神经-钙黏着蛋白和波形蛋白下调|而miR-186-5p和PTTG1表达载体共转染后,3种EMT相关标志物在A549的表达与对照细胞的表达无明显差异,提示过表达PTTG1可抵消miR-186-5p对EMT相关标志物表达的影响。综上所述,miR-186-5p可通过靶向调控PTTG1抑制EMT的发生,进而抑制肺腺癌细胞的侵袭转移。     

MicroRNA-122 Triggers Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition and Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Motility and Invasion by Targeting RhoA

The loss of microRNA-122 (miR-122) expression is strongly associated with increased invasion and metastasis, and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the present study, we observed that miR-122 over-expression in HCC cell lines Sk-hep-1 and Bel-7402 triggered the mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), as demonstrated by epithelial-like morphological changes, up-regulated epithelial proteins (E-cadherin, ZO-1, α-catenin, occludin, BVES, and MST4), and down-regulated mesenchymal proteins (vimentin and fibronectin). The over-expression of miRNA-122 also caused cytoskeleton disruption, RhoA/Rock pathway inactivation, enhanced cell adhesion, and suppression of migration and invasion of Sk-hep-1 and Bel-7402 cells, whereas, these effects could be reversed through miR-122 inhibition. Additional studies demonstrated that the inhibition of wild-type RhoA function induced MET and inhibited cell migration and invasion, while RhoA over-expression reversed miR-122-induced MET and inhibition of migration and invasion of HCC cells, suggesting that miR-122 induced MET and suppressed the migration and invasion of HCC cells by targeting RhoA. Moreover, our results demonstrated that HNF4α up-regulated its target gene miR-122 that subsequently induced MET and inhibited cell migration and invasion, whereas miR-122 inhibition reversed these HNF4α-induced phenotypes. These results revealed functional and mechanistic links among the tumor suppressors HNF4α, miR-122, and RhoA in EMT and invasive and metastatic phenotypes of HCC. Taken together, our study provides the first evidence that the HNF4α/miR-122/RhoA axis negatively regulates EMT and the migration and invasion of HCC cells.     

N-Cadherin Expression Is Associated with Acquisition of EMT Phenotype and with Enhanced Invasion in Erlotinib-Resistant Lung Cancer Cell Lines

Background

The epidermal growth-factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been effective in non-small cell lung cancer patients. However, acquired resistance eventually develops in most patients despite an initial positive response. Emerging evidence suggests that there is a molecular connection between acquired resistance and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). N-cadherin is involved in the EMT and in the metastasis of cancer cells. Here, we analyzed N-cadherin expression and function in erlotinib-resistant lung cancer cell lines.

Methods

H1650 cell lines were used to establish the subline resistant to erlotinib(H1650ER). Then, induction of the EMT was analyzed using immunostaining and western blots in H1650ER cells. N-cadherin expression in the resistant cells was examined using FACS and western blot. In addition, an invasion assay was performed to characterize the resistant cells. The effects of N-cadherin on cell proliferation and invasion were analyzed. The association of N-cadherin expression with the EMT phenotype was investigated using immunohistochemical analysis of 13 archived, lung adenocarcinoma tissues, before and after treatment with erlotinib.

Results

In H1650ER cells, N-cadherin expression was upregulated, paralleled by the reduced expression of E-cadherin. The marked histological change and the development of a spindle-like morphology suggest that H1650ER cells underwent an EMT, accompanied by a decrease in E-cadherin and an increase in vimentin. A change in the EMT status between pre-and post-treatment was observed in 11 out of 13 cases (79%). In biopsies of resistant cancers, N-cadherin expression was increased in 10 out of 13 cases. Induction of the EMT was consistent with aggressive characteristics. Inhibition of N-cadherin expression by siRNA was tested to reduce proliferation and invasion of H1650ER cells in vitro.

Conclusions

Our data provide evidence that induction of the EMT contributes to the acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in lung cancer. It suggests that N-cadherin is a potential molecular target in the treatment of NSCLC.