Under stress: p53 controls EMT and stemness in pancreatic epithelial cells

Comment on: Pinho AV, et al. Cell Cycle 2011; 10:1312-21.     

SETD8 induces stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of pancreatic cancer cells by regulating ROR1 expression

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most deadly diseases,and its incidence is increasing year by year.The methyltransferase SETD8 has been demonstrated to play...     

Cadmium induces p53-dependent apoptosis in human prostate epithelial cells

Cadmium, a widespread toxic pollutant of occupational and environmental concern, is a known human carcinogen. The prostate is a potential target for cadmium carcinogenesis, although the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Furthermore, cadmium may induce cell death by apoptosis in various cell types, and it has been hypothesized that a key factor in cadmium-induced malignant transformation is acquisition of apoptotic resistance. We investigated the in vitro effects produced by cadmium exposure in normal or tumor cells derived from human prostate epithelium, including RWPE-1 and its cadmium-transformed derivative CTPE, the primary adenocarcinoma 22Rv1 and CWR-R1 cells and LNCaP, PC-3 and DU145 metastatic cancer cell lines. Cells were treated for 24 hours with different concentrations of CdCl(2) and apoptosis, cell cycle distribution and expression of tumor suppressor proteins were analyzed. Subsequently, cellular response to cadmium was evaluated after siRNA-mediated p53 silencing in wild type p53-expressing RWPE-1 and LNCaP cells, and after adenoviral p53 overexpression in p53-deficient DU145 and PC-3 cell lines. The cell lines exhibited different sensitivity to cadmium, and 24-hour exposure to different CdCl(2) concentrations induced dose- and cell type-dependent apoptotic response and inhibition of cell proliferation that correlated with accumulation of functional p53 and overexpression of p21 in wild type p53-expressing cell lines. On the other hand, p53 silencing was able to suppress cadmium-induced apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that cadmium can induce p53-dependent apoptosis in human prostate epithelial cells and suggest p53 mutation as a possible contributing factor for the acquisition of apoptotic resistance in cadmium prostatic carcinogenesis.     

p53 coordinates cranial neural crest cell growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition/delamination processes

Neural crest development involves epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), during which epithelial cells are converted into individual migratory cells. Notably, the same signaling pathways regulate EMT function during both development and tumor metastasis. p53 plays multiple roles in the prevention of tumor development; however, its precise roles during embryogenesis are less clear. We have investigated the role of p53 in early cranial neural crest (CNC) development in chick and mouse embryos. In the mouse, p53 knockout embryos displayed broad craniofacial defects in skeletal, neuronal and muscle tissues. In the chick, p53 is expressed in CNC progenitors and its expression decreases with their delamination from the neural tube. Stabilization of p53 protein using a pharmacological inhibitor of its negative regulator, MDM2, resulted in reduced SNAIL2 (SLUG) and ETS1 expression, fewer migrating CNC cells and in craniofacial defects. By contrast, electroporation of a dominant-negative p53 construct increased PAX7(+) SOX9(+) CNC progenitors and EMT/delamination of CNC from the neural tube, although the migration of these cells to the periphery was impaired. Investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed that p53 coordinates CNC cell growth and EMT/delamination processes by affecting cell cycle gene expression and proliferation at discrete developmental stages; disruption of these processes can lead to craniofacial defects.     

p53-dependent apoptosis induced by proteasome inhibition in mammary epithelial cells

We have examined the effects of inhibition of the 26S proteasome in a murine mammary cell line, KIM-2 cells using the peptide aldehyde inhibitor MG132. These studies have demonstrated a clear requirement for proteasome function in cell viability. Induction of apoptosis was observed following MG132 treatment in KIM-2 cells and this death was shown to be dependent on the cell actively traversing the cell cycle. KIM-2 cells were generated using a temperature sensitive T-antigen (Tag) and studies at the permissive temperature (33 degrees C) have shown that a Tag binding protein was essential for this apoptotic response. Studies in two additional cell lines, HC11, which is a mammary epithelial cell line carrying mutant p53 alleles and p53 null ES cells suggest that p53 is actively required for the apoptosis induced as a consequence of proteasome inhibition. These results suggest a pivotal role for the 26S proteasome degradation pathway in progression through the cell cycle in proliferating cells.     

Differentiated pre-adipocytes promote proliferation,migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells of different p53 status

Molecular Biology Reports - Breast cancer progression and metastasis are associated with stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. Adipocytes are the most abundant cells surrounding breast...     

Pancreatic stellate cells promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells

The interaction between pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), a major profibrogenic cell type in the pancreas, is receiving increasing attention. There is accumulating evidence that PSCs promote the progression of pancreatic cancer by increasing cancer cell proliferation and invasion as well as by protecting them from radiation- and gemcitabine-induced apoptosis. Because epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in the progression of pancreatic cancer, we hypothesized that PSCs promote EMT in pancreatic cancer cells. Panc-1 and SUIT-2 pancreatic cancer cells were indirectly co-cultured with human PSCs isolated from patients undergoing operation for pancreatic cancer. The expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers was examined by real-time PCR and immunofluorescent staining. The migration of pancreatic cancer cells was examined by scratch and two-chamber assays. Pancreatic cancer cells co-cultured with PSCs showed loose cell contacts and a scattered, fibroblast-like appearance. The expression of E-cadherin, cytokeratin 19, and membrane-associated β-catenin was decreased, whereas vimentin and Snail (Snai-1) expression was increased more in cancer cells co-cultured with PSCs than in mono-cultured cells. The migration of pancreatic cancer cells was increased by co-culture with PSCs. The PSC-induced decrease of E-cadherin expression was not altered by treatment with anti-TGF-β-neutralizing antibody, excluding a central role of TGF-β in this process. In conclusion, PSCs promoted EMT in pancreatic cancer cells suggesting a novel mechanism by which PSCs contribute to the aggressive behavior of pancreatic cancer cells.     

Nitric oxide attenuates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in alveolar epithelial cells

Patients with interstitial lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), suffer from lung fibrosis secondary to myofibroblast-mediated excessive ECM deposition and destruction of lung architecture. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) to myofibroblasts both in vitro and in vivo. Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) attenuates ECM accumulation, enhances lung growth, and decreases alveolar myofibroblast number in experimental models. We therefore hypothesized that NO attenuates TGF-beta1-induced EMT in cultured AEC. Studies of the capacity for endogenous NO production in AEC revealed that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are expressed and active in AEC. Total NOS activity was 1.3 pmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1) with 67% derived from eNOS. TGF-beta1 (50 pM) suppressed eNOS expression by more than 60% and activity by 83% but did not affect iNOS expression or activity. Inhibition of endogenous NOS with l-NAME led to spontaneous EMT, manifested by increased alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression and a fibroblast-like morphology. Provision of exogenous NO to TGF-beta1-treated AEC decreased stress fiber-associated alpha-SMA expression and decreased collagen I expression by 80%. NO-treated AEC also retained an epithelial morphology and expressed increased lamellar protein, E-cadherin, and pro-surfactant protein B compared with those treated with TGF-beta alone. These findings indicate that NO serves a critical role in preserving an epithelial phenotype and in attenuating EMT in AEC. NO-mediated regulation of AEC fate may have important implications in the pathophysiology and treatment of diseases such as IPF and BPD.     

Rho activation is required for transforming growth factor-beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lens epithelial cells

Lens epithelial cells undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) after injury as in cataract extraction, leading to fibrosis of the lens capsule. We have recently shown that TGF-beta-induced EMT in lens epithelial cells depends on PI3 kinase/Akt signal pathway. In this report, we suggest Smad3 is necessary for TGF-beta-induced EMT by showing that the expression of dominant-negative Smad3 blocks the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and morphological changes. We also show that TGF-beta induces a biphasic change in Rho activity, and that Y27632, a selective inhibitor of Rho effector ROCK, inhibits TGF-beta-induced EMT in vitro and in vivo. We finally show that Smad3 activation and Rho signal activation is independent each other. All of these findings suggest that Rho/ROCK activation together with Smad3 is necessary for TGF-beta-induced EMT in lens epithelial cells.     

p53-dependent and p53-independent activation of apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells reveals a survival function of EGF and insulin

The p53 tumor suppressor protein has been implicated as a mediator of programmed cell death (PCD). A series of nontransformed mammary epithelial cell (MEC) lines were used to correlate p53 function with activation of PCD. Treatment of MECs expressing mutant, inactive, or no p53 with DNA-damaging agents did not induce apoptosis. Upon introduction of temperature-sensitive p53 into HC11 cells, which lack wild-type (wt) p53, PCD was observed after mitomycin treatment at 32 degrees, when the ts p53 protein is in wt conformation. Thus, wt p53 mediates activation of PCD in response to mitomycin in HC11 cells. Treatment of the MCF10-A cells, which express wt p53, with various DNA- damaging agents led to nuclear accumulation of p53. Only mitomycin treatment led to an increase in the number of apoptotic nuclei. ErbB-2- transformed MCF10-A cells responded to mitomycin, cisplatin, and 5-Fl- uracil, suggesting that signaling from activated ErbB-2 enhances the cells ability to respond to DNA damage. A combination of high cell density and serum-free medium induces apoptosis in all MECs tested, irrespective of their p53 status. Under these conditions, EGF or insulin act as survival factors in preventing PCD. These data might elucidate some aspects of breast involution and tumorigenesis.     

p53: Guardian of pancreatic epithelial identity

Comment on: Andreia V. Pinho, et al. Cell Cycle 2011; 10: In press.     

Proteinase-activated receptor 4 stimulation-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in alveolar epithelial cells

Background

Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs; PAR_1–4) that can be activated by serine proteinases such as thrombin and neutrophil catepsin G are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of various pulmonary diseases including fibrosis. Among these PARs, especially PAR₄, a newly identified subtype, is highly expressed in the lung. Here, we examined whether PAR₄ stimulation plays a role in the formation of fibrotic response in the lung, through alveolar epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) which contributes to the increase in myofibroblast population.

Methods

EMT was assessed by measuring the changes in each specific cell markers, E-cadherin for epithelial cell, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) for myofibroblast, using primary cultured mouse alveolar epithelial cells and human lung carcinoma-derived alveolar epithelial cell line (A549 cells).

Results

Stimulation of PAR with thrombin (1 U/ml) or a synthetic PAR₄ agonist peptide (AYPGKF-NH₂, 100 μM) for 72 h induced morphological changes from cobblestone-like structure to elongated shape in primary cultured alveolar epithelial cells and A549 cells. In immunocytochemical analyses of these cells, such PAR₄ stimulation decreased E-cadherin-like immunoreactivity and increased α-SMA-like immunoreactivity, as observed with a typical EMT-inducer, tumor growth factor-β (TGF-β). Western blot analyses of PAR₄-stimulated A549 cells also showed similar changes in expression of these EMT-related marker proteins. Such PAR₄-mediated changes were attenuated by inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase and Src. PAR₄-mediated morphological changes in primary cultured alveolar epithelial cells were reduced in the presence of these inhibitors. PAR₄ stimulation increased tyrosine phosphorylated EGFR or tyrosine phosphorylated Src level in A549 cells, and the former response being inhibited by Src inhibitor.

Conclusion

PAR₄ stimulation of alveolar epithelial cells induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as monitored by cell shapes, and epithelial or myofibroblast marker at least partly through EGFR transactivation via receptor-linked Src activation.     

p53 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition: A linking thread between embryogenesis and cancer

Comment on: Rinon A, et al. Development 2011; 138:1827-38.     

Vanadate-induced cell growth arrest is p53-dependent through activation of p21 in C141 cells

Vanadium is widely used in industry. It is a potent toxic agent and carcinogen. The mechanisms involved in its toxicity and carcinogenesis are still unclear. Improper cell growth is believed to be involved in cancer development. The present study investigated the regulation of p53 on vanadate-induced cell growth arrest using both p53 wild type C141 cells and p53 deficient embryo fibroblasts (p53 -/-). On vanadate stimulation, C141 cells exhibited a dose- and time-dependent S phase arrest as determined by DNA content analysis. In contrast, vanadate was unable to increase the percentage of S phase in p53 -/- cells. Luciferase assay showed that vanadate induced p53 activation in a dose- and time-dependent manner in p53 wild type C141 cells. Addition of pifithrin-alpha (PFT), a specific inhibitor of p53, reduced the activation of p53 with a concomitant decrease in growth arrest at S phase. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that vanadate caused a dose- and time-dependent increase of p21 level in C141 cells. Pretreatment of C141 cells with PFT decreased p21 expression induced by vanadate while the p21 expression did not vary in vanadate stimulated p53 -/- cells. The results obtained from the present study suggest that vanadate is able to induce S phase arrest through p53- and p21-dependent pathway.     

p53DINP1, a p53-inducible gene, regulates p53-dependent apoptosis

Using the differential display method combined with a cell line that carries a well-controlled expression system for wild-type p53, we isolated a p53-inducible gene, termed p53DINP1 (p53-dependent damage-inducible nuclear protein 1). Cell death induced by DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), as well as Ser46 phosphorylation of p53 and induction of p53AIP1, were blocked when we inhibited expression of p53DINP1 by means of an antisense oligonucleotide. Overexpression of p53DINP1 and DNA damage by DSBs synergistically enhanced Ser46 phosphorylation of p53, induction of p53AIP1 expression, and apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, the protein complex interacting with p53DINP1 was shown to phosphorylate Ser46 of p53. Our results suggest that p53DINP1 may regulate p53-dependent apoptosis through phosphorylation of p53 at Ser46, serving as a cofactor for the putative p53-Ser46 kinase.