Lin28 Induces Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Stemness via Downregulation of Let-7a in Breast Cancer Cells

The RNA-binding protein Lin28 is known to promote malignancy by inhibiting the biogenesis of let-7, which functions as a tumor suppressor. However, the role of the Lin28/let-7 axis in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness in breast cancer has not been clearly expatiated. In our previous study, we demonstrated that let-7 regulates self-renewal and tumorigenicity of breast cancer stem cells. In the present study, we demonstrated that Lin28 was highly expressed in mesenchymal (M) type cells (MDA-MB-231 and SK-3rd), but it was barely detectable in epithelial (E) type cells (MCF-7 and BT-474). Lin28 remarkably induced the EMT, increased a higher mammosphere formation rate and ALDH activity and subsequently promoted colony formation, as well as adhesion and migration in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Lin28 induced EMT in breast cancer cells via downregulation of let-7a. Strikingly, Lin28 overexpression was found in breast cancers that had undergone metastasis and was strongly predictive of poor prognoses in breast cancers. Given that Lin28 induced the EMT via let-7a and promoted breast cancer metastasis, Lin28 may be a therapeutic target for the eradication of breast cancer metastasis.     

MicroRNA-338 Inhibits Growth,Invasion and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer by Targeting NRP1 Expression

NRP1 as multifunctional non-tyrosine-kinase receptors play critical roles in tumor progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an important class of pervasive genes that are involved in a variety of biological functions, particularly cancer. It remains unclear whether miRNAs can regulate the expression of NRP1. The goal of this study was to identify miRNAs that could inhibit the growth, invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer by targeting NRP1 expression. We found that miR-338 expression was reduced in gastric cancer cell lines and in gastric cancer tissues. Moreover, we found that miR-338 inhibited gastric cancer cell migration, invasion, proliferation and promoted apoptosis by targeting NRP1 expression. As an upstream regulator of NRP1, miR-338 directly targets NRP1. The forced expression of miR-338 inhibited the phosphorylation of Erk1/2, P38 MAPK and Akt; however, the expression of phosphorylated Erk1/2, P38 MAPK and Akt was restored by the overexpression of NRP1. In AGS cells infected with miR-338 or transfected with SiNRP1, the protein levels of fibronectin, vimentin, N-cadherin and SNAIL were decreased, but the expression of E-cadherin was increased. The expression of mesenchymal markers in miR-338-expressing cells was restored to normal levels by the restoration of NRP1 expression. In vivo, miR-338 also decreased tumor growth and suppressed D-MVA by targeting NRP1. Therefore, we conclude that miR-338 acts as a novel tumor suppressor gene in gastric cancer. miR-338 can decrease migratory, invasive, proliferative and apoptotic behaviors, as well as gastric cancer EMT, by attenuating the expression of NRP1.     

The Actin Targeting Compound Chondramide Inhibits Breast Cancer Metastasis via Reduction of Cellular Contractility

Background

A major player in the process of metastasis is the actin cytoskeleton as it forms key structures in both invasion mechanisms, mesenchymal and amoeboid migration. We tested the actin binding compound Chondramide as potential anti-metastatic agent.

Methods

In vivo, the effect of Chondramide on metastasis was tested employing a 4T1-Luc BALB/c mouse model. In vitro, Chondramide was tested using the highly invasive cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 in Boyden-chamber assays, fluorescent stainings, Western blot and Pull down assays. Finally, the contractility of MDA-MB-231 cells was monitored in 3D environment and analyzed via PIV analysis.

Results

In vivo, Chondramide treatment inhibits metastasis to the lung and the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells is reduced by Chondramide in vitro. On the signaling level, RhoA activity is decreased by Chondramide accompanied by reduced MLC-2 and the stretch induced guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav2 activation. At same conditions, EGF-receptor autophosphorylation, Akt and Erk as well as Rac1 are not affected. Finally, Chondramide treatment disrupted the actin cytoskeleton and decreased the ability of cells for contraction.

Conclusions

Chondramide inhibits cellular contractility and thus represents a potential inhibitor of tumor cell invasion.     

Targeting Cancer-Related Inflammation: Chinese Herbal Medicine Inhibits Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is an almost universally fatal disease resulting from early invasion of adjacent structures and metastasis and the lack of an effective treatment modality. Our previous studies have shown that Qingyihuaji Formula (QYHJ), a seven-herb Chinese medicine formula, had significant anti-cancer effects in pancreatic cancer. Here, we examined the effects of QYHJ on pancreatic cancer cell invasion and metastasis and the potential associated mechanism(s). We found that QYHJ inhibited both tumor growth and metastasis in nude mice with human pancreatic cancer cell xenografts. Further study indicated that QYHJ inhibited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is characterized by increased E-cadherin expression and decreased vimentin, N-cadherin and Slug expression. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced mainly by macrophages, could promote cancer cell EMT and invasion. In contrast, treatment with QYHJ inhibited cancer-related inflammation in tumors by decreasing infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages and IL-6 production, thus preventing cell invasion and metastasis. These results suggested that the Chinese herbal medicine QYHJ could inhibit pancreatic cancer cell invasion and metastasis in part by reversing tumor-supporting inflammation.     

MicroRNA-1280 Inhibits Invasion and Metastasis by Targeting ROCK1 in Bladder Cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-protein-coding sequences that can function as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. This study documents the tumor suppressor role of miR-1280 in bladder cancer. Quantitative real-time PCR and in situ hybridization analyses showed that miR-1280 is significantly down-regulated in bladder cancer cell lines and tumors compared to a non-malignant cell line or normal tissue samples. To decipher the functional significance of miR-1280 in bladder cancer, we ectopically over-expressed miR-1280 in bladder cancer cell lines. Over-expression of miR-1280 had antiproliferative effects and impaired colony formation of bladder cancer cell lines. FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorting) analysis revealed that re-expression of miR-1280 in bladder cancer cells induced G2-M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that miR-1280 inhibited migration and invasion of bladder cancer cell lines. miR-1280 also attenuated ROCK1 and RhoC protein expression. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that oncogene ROCK1 is a direct target of miR-1280 in bladder cancer. This study also indicates that miR-1280 may be of diagnostic and prognostic importance in bladder cancer. For instance, ROC analysis showed that miR-1280 expression can distinguish between malignant and normal bladder cancer cases and Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with miR-1280 high expression had higher overall survival compared to those with low miR-1280 expression. In conclusion, this is the first study to document that miR-1280 functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting oncogene ROCK1 to invasion/migration and metastasis. Various compounds are currently being used as ROCK1 inhibitors; therefore restoration of tumor suppressor miR-1280 might be therapeutically useful either alone or in combination with these compounds in the treatment of bladder cancer.     

MicroRNA-7 Inhibits Tumor Metastasis and Reverses Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition through AKT/ERK1/2 Inactivation by Targeting EGFR in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression and activation result in increased proliferation and migration of solid tumors including ovarian cancer. In recent years, mounting evidence indicates that EGFR is a direct and functional target of miR-7. In this study, we found that miR-7 expression was significantly downregulated in highly metastatic epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cell lines and metastatic tissues, whereas the expression of, EGFR correlated positively with metastasis in both EOC patients and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-7 markedly suppressed the capacities of cell invasion and migration and resulted in morphological changes from a mesenchymal phenotype to an epithelial-like phenotype in EOC. In addition, overexpression of miR-7 upregulated CK-18 and β-catenin expression and downregulated Vimentin expression, accompanied with EGFR inhibition and AKT/ERK1/2 inactivation. Similar to miR-7 transfection, silencing of EGFR with this siRNA in EOC cells also upregulated CK-18 and β-catenin expression and downregulated Vimentin expression, and decreased phosphorylation of both Akt and ERK1/2, confirming that EGFR is a target of miR-7 in reversing EMT. The pharmacological inhibition of PI3K-AKT and ERK1/2 both significantly enhanced CK-18 and β-catenin expression and suppressed vimentin expression, indicating that AKT and ERK1/2 pathways are required for miR-7 mediating EMT. Finally, the expression of miR-7 and EGFR in primary EOC with matched metastasis tissues was explored. It was showed that miR-7 is inversely correlated with EGFR. Taken together, our results suggested that miR-7 inhibited tumor metastasis and reversed EMT through AKT and ERK1/2 pathway inactivation by reducing EGFR expression in EOC cell lines. Thus, miR-7 might be a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer metastasis intervention.     

Resveratrol Inhibits Cisplatin-Induced Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

Background

Many patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer experience recurrence and metastasis, two aspects that will often cause their demise. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process involved in cancer progression. With increasing evidence linking Cisplatin and EMT, we wanted to identify a compound able to counter EMT progression when cancer cells are treated with Cisplatin.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Cell death was evaluated by cytometry with Annexin V/PI staining in A2780 and A2780CP cells. Ovarian cancer cell lines were treated with Cisplatin (24 h, 10 µM) and different concentrations of Resveratrol to evaluate its effect on Cisplatin-induced EMT using Western Blot and RT-PCR analysis. Morphological studies and wound healing assay to evaluate cell motility were performed using 72 h Cisplatin treatment with A2780 and A2780CP cells. Densitometry was done on Western Blot and PCR results, and statistical significance was determined using One-Way ANOVA followed by Tukey post-hoc test. Our results show that Cisplatin induced EMT-associated morphological changes in the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line and to a lesser extent in its Cisplatin-resistant counterpart A2780CP. Resveratrol caused cell death in A2780 and A2780CP cell lines in an apoptotic-independent manner. Resveratrol inhibited Cisplatin-induced Snail expression by reducing the Erk pathway activation, reverted morphological changes induced by Cisplatin and decreased cell migration.

Conclusions

These results indicate that Resveratrol has interesting potential to prevent Cisplatin-induced EMT in ovarian cancer cells. By increasing cell death, it also represents an inviting approach as adjuvant therapy to be used with chemotherapy. Using Erk pathway inhibitors could also prove helpful in ovarian cancer treatment to reduce the risk of metastasis.     

Akt1基因沉默降低小鼠乳腺癌细胞的肺转移能力

Akt1是一种丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶,参与调节细胞的代谢、生长和发育。作为一种原癌基因,Akt1在许多人类肿瘤中表达显著增高,促进肿瘤转移;但也有研究表明,Akt1的活化可抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。为了深入探讨Akt1在肿瘤发生发展过程中的作用,采用RNA干扰技术沉默了高转移小鼠乳腺癌细胞4T1中Akt1的表达。MTT法检测发现,Akt1沉默不影响4T1细胞的增殖能力;Transwell法检测证明,Akt1沉默可降低4T1细胞的迁移能力。与以上结果相一致,Akt1沉默不影响乳腺癌形成原位瘤的能力,但显著降低其体内肺转移能力。结果表明,Akt1在小鼠乳腺癌细胞转移过程中发挥重要作用,并提示Akt1可能成为乳腺癌治疗的靶点。     

miR-145通过靶向吞噬和细胞活力蛋白1抑制乳腺癌细胞侵袭

吞噬和细胞活力蛋白1（engulfment and cell motility protein 1,ELMO1）可以促进多种癌细胞的侵袭和转移,但ELMO1的表达是否受miRNA的调控鲜有研究。本研究旨在探讨miR-145与ELMO1表达的相关性,以及miR-145通过结合ELMO1的mRNA对乳腺癌侵袭的影响。通过TargetScan (http://www.targetscan.org/)靶基因预测软件预测与ELMO1的3′UTR结合的miR-145。荧光素酶结果证实两者互补结合。Transwell侵袭结果显示,miR-145组和siELMO1+miR-145组MDA-231乳腺癌细胞穿膜数较对照组分别降低40%（P＜0.05）和79%（P＜0.05）。siELMO1+miR-145组和siELMO1组细胞穿膜数则无显著差异（P>0.05）。结果提示,miR-145通过与ELMO1的mRNA结合抑制细胞侵袭。qRT-PCR显示,低侵袭的MCF-7乳腺癌细胞miR-145的表达量较高侵袭的MDA-435细胞高80%（P＜0.05）,较MDA-231乳腺癌细胞高75%（P＜0.05）,即miR-145与癌细胞侵袭能力呈负相关。Western印迹结果表明,miR-145组ELMO1表达量低于阴性对照组,miR-145 抑制组ELMO1表达量高于抑制剂NC组（P＜0.05）,证明miR-145抑制ELMO1的表达。qRT-PCR显示,过表达miR-145后ELMO1 mRNA含量与对照组无显著差异（P>0.05）。结果提示,miR-145对ELMO1的调控作用通过抑制其翻译实现。F-肌动蛋白聚合实验表明,miR-145组和阴性对照组于20 s和60 s时F-肌动蛋白聚合结果存在明显区别（P＜0.05）。Western 印迹结果表明,miR-145组活化的Rac1表达量较阴性对照组降低60%（P<0.05）,抑制剂NC组活化的Rac1较miR-145 抑制组降低55%（P<0.05）;miR-145组磷酸化的整合素β1较对照组于15 min时降低42%（P<0.05）,于30 min时降低31%（P<0.05）。由此得出的miR-145过表达显著促进乳腺癌细胞F-肌动蛋白聚合、Rac1活化和整合素β1磷酸化结论。综上所述,miR-145通过靶向ELMO1的 mRNA抑制ELMO1翻译,从而抑制乳腺癌的侵袭。     

miR-145通过靶向吞噬和细胞活力蛋白1抑制乳腺癌细胞侵袭

吞噬和细胞活力蛋白1（engulfment and cell motility protein 1,ELMO1）可以促进多种癌细胞的侵袭和转移,但ELMO1的表达是否受miRNA的调控鲜有研究。本研究旨在探讨miR-145与ELMO1表达的相关性,以及miR-145通过结合ELMO1的mRNA对乳腺癌侵袭的影响。通过TargetScan (http://www.targetscan.org/)靶基因预测软件预测与ELMO1的3′UTR结合的miR-145。荧光素酶结果证实两者互补结合。Transwell侵袭结果显示,miR-145组和siELMO1+miR-145组MDA-231乳腺癌细胞穿膜数较对照组分别降低40%（P＜0.05）和79%（P＜0.05）。siELMO1+miR-145组和siELMO1组细胞穿膜数则无显著差异（P>0.05）。结果提示,miR-145通过与ELMO1的mRNA结合抑制细胞侵袭。qRT-PCR显示,低侵袭的MCF-7乳腺癌细胞miR-145的表达量较高侵袭的MDA-435细胞高80%（P＜0.05）,较MDA-231乳腺癌细胞高75%（P＜0.05）,即miR-145与癌细胞侵袭能力呈负相关。Western印迹结果表明,miR-145组ELMO1表达量低于阴性对照组,miR-145 抑制组ELMO1表达量高于抑制剂NC组（P＜0.05）,证明miR-145抑制ELMO1的表达。qRT-PCR显示,过表达miR-145后ELMO1 mRNA含量与对照组无显著差异（P>0.05）。结果提示,miR-145对ELMO1的调控作用通过抑制其翻译实现。F-肌动蛋白聚合实验表明,miR-145组和阴性对照组于20 s和60 s时F-肌动蛋白聚合结果存在明显区别（P＜0.05）。Western 印迹结果表明,miR-145组活化的Rac1表达量较阴性对照组降低60%（P<0.05）,抑制剂NC组活化的Rac1较miR-145 抑制组降低55%（P<0.05）;miR-145组磷酸化的整合素β1较对照组于15 min时降低42%（P<0.05）,于30 min时降低31%（P<0.05）。由此得出的miR-145过表达显著促进乳腺癌细胞F-肌动蛋白聚合、Rac1活化和整合素β1磷酸化结论。综上所述,miR-145通过靶向ELMO1的 mRNA抑制ELMO1翻译,从而抑制乳腺癌的侵袭。     

SIRT1 Suppresses the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Metastasis and Organ Fibrosis

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腺病毒介导的EMC6基因通过下调FAK信号通路抑制胃癌细胞迁移

内质网膜蛋白复合物亚单位6（endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein complex subunit 6,EMC6）,也称穿膜蛋白93 (transmembrane protein 93, TMEM93)是我们首次报道的一个人类自噬相关分子。EMC6基因进化保守,表达广泛,在胃癌组织中表达下调或缺失。本研究利用构建的重组腺病毒5型EMC6（Ad5-EMC6）载体,感染胃癌细胞系BGC823和SGC7901,分析了其在肿瘤细胞的表达以及抗肿瘤活性。研究证明, Ad5-EMC6能够显著抑制胃癌细胞的克隆形成、细胞划痕修复、以及迁移和侵袭的能力。进一步的研究提示,Ad5-EMC6能够降低胃癌细胞局部黏着斑激酶（FAK）的Y576/577磷酸化水平,FAK下游的基质金属蛋白酶MMP2和MMP9的蛋白质水平也同时下调。在裸鼠的腹膜扩散模型中,Ad5-EMC6处理组的小鼠腹膜结节数量明显减少或缺失。这些研究数据提示, Ad5-EMC6介导的FAK信号灭活可能是其抑瘤活性的机制之一,其分子机制还需要进一步探讨。     

Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells

The potential roles of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) in tumor initiation and recurrence have been recognized for many decades. Due to their strong capacity for self-renewal and differentiation, BCSCs are the major reasons for poor clinical outcomes and low therapeutic response. Several hypotheses on the origin of cancer stem cells have been proposed, including critical gene mutations in stem cells, dedifferentiation of somatic cells, and cell plasticity remodeling by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment, including cellular components and cytokines, modulates the self-renewal and therapeutic resistance of BCSCs. Small molecules, antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting BCSCs have been developed, and their applications in combination with conventional therapies are undergoing clinical trials. In this review, we focus on the features of BCSCs, emphasize the major factors and tumor environment that regulate the stemness of BCSCs, and discuss potential BCSC-targeting therapies.     

miR-9 在卵巢癌细胞上皮间质转化中的初步研究

目的:研究miR-9在卵巢癌细胞上皮间质转化(EMT)中的作用。方法:上调或者下调miR-9后,在RNA水平上通过RT-qPCR检测卵巢癌细胞系SKOV3和A2780中上皮指标E-cadherin表达变化;在蛋白水平,通过western blotting方法检测2株细胞系中上皮指标E-cadherin和间质指标vimentin蛋白表达变化。生物信息学预测可能靶向E-cadherin 3'UTR的miR NA,双荧光素酶报告系统进一步验证miR-9靶向结合E-cadherin的3'UTR区。结果:上调miR-9后,卵巢癌细胞系中E-cadherin表达受到明显抑制,vimentin表达明显增加;反之,下调miR-9后,E-cadherin表达明显增高,vimentin表达明显降低。通过生物信息学预测发现miR-9可以直接靶向E-cadherin的3'UTR区,荧光素酶报告系统验证预测结果正确。结论:miR-9促进卵巢癌细胞上皮间质转化。     

MicroRNA-576-3p Inhibits Proliferation in Bladder Cancer Cells by Targeting Cyclin D1

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous RNAs that play important gene-regulatory roles by binding to the imperfectly complementary sequences at the 3′-UTR of mRNAs and directing their gene expression. Here, we first discovered that miR-576-3p was down-regulated in human bladder cancer cell lines compared with the non-malignant cell line. To better characterize the role of miR-576-3p in bladder cancer cells, we over-expressed or down-regulated miR-576-3p in bladder cancer cells by transfecting with chemically synthesized mimic or inhibitor. The overexpression of miR-576-3p remarkably inhibited cell proliferation via G1-phase arrest, and decreased both mRNA and protein levels of cyclin D1 which played a key role in G1/S phase transition. The knock-down of miR-576-3p significantly promoted the proliferation of bladder cancer cells by accelerating the progression of cell cycle and increased the expression of cyclin D1. Moreover, the dual-luciferase reporter assays indicated that miR-576-3p could directly target cyclin D1 through binding its 3′-UTR. All the results demonstrated that miR-576-3p might be a novel suppressor of bladder cancer cell proliferation through targeting cyclin D1.     

p66ShcA Promotes Breast Cancer Plasticity by Inducing an Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

Breast cancers are stratified into distinct subtypes, which influence therapeutic responsiveness and patient outcome. Patients with luminal breast cancers are often associated with a better prognosis relative to that with other subtypes. However, subsets of patients with luminal disease remain at increased risk of cancer-related death. A critical process that increases the malignant potential of breast cancers is the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The p66ShcA adaptor protein stimulates the formation of reactive oxygen species in response to stress stimuli. In this paper, we report a novel role for p66ShcA in inducing an EMT in HER2⁺ luminal breast cancers. p66ShcA increases the migratory properties of breast cancer cells and enhances signaling downstream of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase in these tumors. Moreover, Met activation is required for a p66ShcA-induced EMT in luminal breast cancer cells. Finally, elevated p66ShcA levels are associated with the acquisition of an EMT in primary breast cancers spanning all molecular subtypes, including luminal tumors. This is of high clinical relevance, as the luminal and HER2 subtypes together comprise 80% of all newly diagnosed breast cancers. This study identifies p66ShcA as one of the first prognostic biomarkers for the identification of more aggressive tumors with mesenchymal properties, regardless of molecular subtype.