中心体蛋白70促进乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移

中心体蛋白70（centrosomal protein 70, CEP70）可通过介导内皮细胞的迁移影响血管新生,肿瘤的转移能力与肿瘤细胞的迁移密切相关,CEP70是否影响肿瘤细胞的侵袭转移尚不明确。结合前期淋巴结转移和未发生淋巴结转移原位乳腺癌组织的基因表达芯片的比较结果,本研究通过免疫组化染色,检测CEP70在淋巴结转移和未发生淋巴结转移的原位乳腺癌组织中的表达情况,以及real-time PCR和Western 印迹检测不同乳腺癌细胞系中CEP70的表达,结果提示,淋巴结转移患者的乳腺癌组织中CEP70强阳性的比例明显高于未发生淋巴结转移的乳腺癌组织,同时CEP70在侵袭能力强的乳腺癌细胞中表达较高。利用慢病毒转染构建CEP70稳定下调的MDA-MB-231细胞系,划痕实验以及侵袭转移的结果显示,下调CEP70的表达,可明显抑制MDA-MB-231细胞系的细胞迁移和侵袭能力。上述结果证明,CEP70的表达与乳腺癌的侵袭转移呈正相关,下调CEP70可抑制乳腺癌的侵袭转移,因此CEP70有望成为乳腺癌临床诊断及治疗的新靶点。     

TrkB Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis via Suppression of Runx3 and Keap1 Expression

In metastatic breast cancer, the acquisition of malignant traits has been associated with the increased rate of cell growth and division, mobility, resistance to chemotherapy, and invasiveness. While screening for the key regulators of cancer metastasis, we observed that neurotrophin receptor TrkB is frequently overexpressed in breast cancer patients and breast cancer cell lines. Additionally, we demonstrate that TrkB expression and clinical breast tumor pathological phenotypes show significant correlation. Moreover, TrkB expression was significantly upregulated in basal-like, claudin-low, and metaplastic breast cancers from a published microarray database and in patients with triple-negative breast cancer, which is associated with a higher risk of invasive recurrence. Interestingly, we identified a new TrkB-regulated functional network that is important for the tumorigenicity and metastasis of breast cancer. We demonstrated that TrkB plays a key role in regulation of the tumor suppressors Runx3 and Keap1. A markedly increased expression of Runx3 and Keap1 was observed upon knockdown of TrkB, treatment with a TrkB inhibitor, and in TrkB kinase dead mutants. Additionally, the inhibition of PI3K/AKT activation significantly induced Runx3 and Keap1 expression. Furthermore, we showed that TrkB enhances metastatic potential and induces proliferation. These observations suggest that TrkB plays a key role in tumorigenicity and metastasis of breast cancer cells through suppression of Runx3 or Keap1 and that it is a promising target for future intervention strategies for preventing tumor metastasis and cancer chemoprevention.     

Semaphorin Signals on the Road to Cancer Invasion and Metastasis

Semaphorins are a large family of secreted and membrane-bound molecules initially implicated in the development of the nervous system and in axon guidance. More recently, they have been found to regulate cell adhesion and cell motility, angiogenesis, immune function and tumour progression. Notably, Semaphorins have been implicated with opposite functions in cancer: either as putative tumor suppressors and anti-angiogenic factors, or as mediating tumour angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Interestingly, Semaphorins may display divergent activities in different cell types. These multifaceted functions may be explained by the involvement of different kinds of semaphorin receptor complexes, and by the consequent activation of multiple signaling pathways, in different cells or different functional stages. Semaphorin signaling is largely mediated by the Plexins. However, semaphorin receptor complexes may also include Neuropilins and tyrosine kinases implicated in cancer. In this review, we will focus on major open questions concerning the potential role of Semaphorin signals in cancer.     

Semaphorin Signals on the Road to Cancer Invasion and Metastasis

Semaphorins are a large family of secreted and membrane-bound molecules initially implicated in the development of the nervous system and in axon guidance. More recently, they have been found to regulate cell adhesion and cell motility, angiogenesis, immune function and tumor progression. Notably, Semaphorins have been implicated with opposite functions in cancer: either as putative tumor suppressors and anti-angiogenic factors, or as mediating tumor angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Interestingly, Semaphorins may display divergent activities in different cell types. These multifaceted functions may be explained by the involvement of different kinds of semaphorin receptor complexes, and by the consequent activation of multiple signaling pathways, in different cells or different functional stages. Semaphorin signaling is largely mediated by the Plexins. However, semaphorin receptor complexes may also include Neuropilins and tyrosine kinases implicated in cancer. In this review, we will focus on major open questions concerning the potential role of Semaphorin signals in cancer.Key words: semaphorin, plexin, neuropilin, migration, tumor, metastasis, signalingOver twenty different Semaphorin genes are known in vertebrates. They were initially discovered as repelling cues for axons, in the wiring of the neural system. However, they are currently considered versatile signals regulating cell migration, angiogenesis, tissue morphogenesis, immune function and cancer.^1–2 Semaphorins have been implicated with opposite functions in tumor progression (summarized in Fig. 1). For example, Semaphorins 3B and 3F are putative tumor suppressors, while the expression of Semaphorin 3C, 3E and 5C has been associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Interestingly, certain Semaphorins display divergent activities in different cell types. These varied functions of Semaphorins are likely to be explained by the involvement of different receptor complexes and multiple signaling pathways.Open in a separate windowFigure 1Semaphorin signals on the road to cancer invasion and metastasis. Semaphorins play a regulatory role on the main elements driving cancer progression. They can be seen as “stop” or “go” signals for tumor cells, as well as for stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. The scheme features some examples of the semaphorin signals implicated so far. More information on the implicated receptors and functional activities of the different semaphorins are summarized in 相似文献   

Down-Regulation of NDUFB9 Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation,Metastasis by Mediating Mitochondrial Metabolism

Despite advances in basic and clinical research, metastasis remains the leading cause of death in breast cancer patients. Genetic abnormalities in mitochondria, including mutations affecting complex I and oxidative phosphorylation, are found in breast cancers and might facilitate metastasis. Genes encoding complex I components have significant breast cancer prognostic value. In this study, we used quantitative proteomic analyses to compare a highly metastatic cancer cell line and a parental breast cancer cell line; and observed that NDUFB9, an accessory subunit of the mitochondrial membrane respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase (complex I), was down-regulated in highly metastatic breast cancer cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that loss of NDUFB9 promotes MDA-MB-231 cells proliferation, migration, and invasion because of elevated levels of mtROS, disturbance of the NAD⁺/NADH balance, and depletion of mtDNA. We also showed that, the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway and EMT might be involved in this mechanism. Thus, our findings contribute novel data to support the hypothesis that misregulation of mitochondrial complex I NADH dehydrogenase activity can profoundly enhance the aggressiveness of human breast cancer cells, suggesting that complex I deficiency is a potential and important biomarker for further basic research or clinical application.     

Tim-3 Expression in Cervical Cancer Promotes Tumor Metastasis

BackgroundT cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3) has been identified as a negative regulator of anti-tumor immunity. Recent studies highlight the important role of Tim-3 in the CD8⁺ T cell exhaustion that takes place in both human and animal cancer models. However, the nature of Tim-3 expression in the tumor cell and the mechanism by which it inhibits anti-tumor immunity are unclear. This present study aims to determine Tim-3 is expressed in cervical cancer cells and to evaluate the role of Tim-3 in cervical cancer progression.MethodologyA total of 85 cervical tissue specimens including 43 human cervical cancer, 22 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 20 chronic cervicitis were involved. Tim-3 expression in tumor cells was detected and was found to correlate with clinicopathological parameters. Meanwhile, expression of Tim-3 was assessed by RT-PCR, Western Blot and confocal microscopy in cervical cancer cell lines, HeLa and SiHa. The migration and invasion potential of Hela cells was evaluated after inhibiting Tim-3 expression by ADV-antisense Tim-3.ConclusionsWe found that Tim-3 was expressed at a higher level in the clinical cervical cancer cells compared to the CIN and chronic cervicitis controls. We supported this finding by confirming the presence of Tim-3 mRNA and protein in the cervical cell lines. Tim-3 expression in tumor cells correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Patients with high expression of Tim-3 had a significant metastatic potential, advanced cancer grades and shorter overall survival than those with lower expression. Multivariate analysis showed that Tim-3 expression was an independent factor for predicting the prognosis of cervical cancer. Significantly, down-regulating the expression of Tim-3 protein inhibited migration and invasion of Hela cells. Our study suggests that the expression of Tim-3 in tumor cells may be an independent prognostic factor for patients with cervical cancer. Moreover, Tim-3 expression may promote metastatic potential in cervical cancers.     

乳腺癌转移相关基因的筛选与生物信息学分析

乳腺癌是女性最常见的恶性肿瘤,转移与复发是乳腺癌患者死亡的主要原因. 研究与乳腺癌细胞转移相关的分子靶点对预防乳腺癌术后复发、提高疗效有重要意义. 本研究以3组乳腺癌转移相关的基因表达谱数据(GSE2034, GSE2603, GSE12276)为分析材料,采用GeneSpring软件筛选乳腺癌原发瘤与转移瘤芯片数据的差异表达基因,结合生物信息学工具PATHER、STRING、pSTIING和文献挖掘工具iHOP对差异基因及其相互作用关系进行分析. 结果显示,共筛选出乳腺癌转移共同差异基因147个,其中表达上调93个,表达下调54个. 这些差异基因主要涉及细胞周期与增殖、细胞粘附、细胞迁移、血管形成及信号转导等生物通路和生物过程. 差异基因编码蛋白间的相互作用主要集中在14个蛋白,且在更为复杂的网络图谱中仍可见其中9个基因（CXCR4、MMP1、MMP2、MMP3、CTGF、COL1A1、MEF2C、PTGS2及SPARC）在重要的节点位置. 文献挖掘发现,COL1A1基因可能为新发现的乳腺癌转移候选基因,为乳腺癌转移的发病机制提供新的思路,也为转移性乳腺癌的分子诊断和个体化治疗奠定基础.     

Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1/CCL2 Produced by Stromal Cells Promotes Lung Metastasis of 4T1 Murine Breast Cancer Cells

MCP-1/CCL2 plays an important role in the initiation and progression of cancer. Since tumor cells produce MCP-1, they are considered to be the main source of this chemokine. Here, we examined whether MCP-1 produced by non-tumor cells affects the growth and lung metastasis of 4T1 breast cancer cells by transplanting them into the mammary pad of WT or MCP-1^−/− mice. Primary tumors at the injected site grew similarly in both mice; however, lung metastases were markedly reduced in MCP-1^−/− mice, with significantly longer mouse survival. High levels of MCP-1 mRNA were detected in tumors growing in WT, but not MCP-1^−/− mice. Serum MCP-1 levels were increased in tumor-bearing WT, but not MCP-1^−/− mice. Transplantation of MCP-1^−/− bone marrow cells into WT mice did not alter the incidence of lung metastasis, whereas transplantation of WT bone marrow cells into MCP-1^−/− mice increased lung metastasis. The primary tumors of MCP-1^−/− mice consistently developed necrosis earlier than those of WT mice and showed decreased infiltration by macrophages and reduced angiogenesis. Interestingly, 4T1 cells that metastasized to the lung constitutively expressed elevated levels of MCP-1, and intravenous injection of 4T1 cells producing a high level of MCP-1 resulted in increased tumor foci in the lung of WT and MCP-1^−/− mice. Thus, stromal cell-derived MCP-1 in the primary tumors promotes lung metastasis of 4T1 cells, but tumor cell-derived MCP-1 can also contribute once tumor cells enter the circulation. A greater understanding of the source and role of this chemokine may lead to novel strategies for cancer treatment.     

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase 4 (MAP2K4) Promotes Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the US. Death from PCa primarily results from metastasis. Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MAP2K4) is overexpressed in invasive PCa lesions in humans, and can be inhibited by small molecule therapeutics that demonstrate favorable activity in phase II studies. However, MAP2K4''s role in regulating metastatic behavior is controversial and unknown. To investigate, we engineered human PCa cell lines which overexpress either wild type or constitutive active MAP2K4. Orthotopic implantation into mice demonstrated MAP2K4 increases formation of distant metastasis. Constitutive active MAP2K4, though not wild type, increases tumor size and circulating tumor cells in the blood and bone marrow. Complementary in vitro studies establish stable MAP2K4 overexpression promotes cell invasion, but does not affect cell growth or migration. MAP2K4 overexpression increases the expression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) protein and protease production, with the largest effect upon matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), both in vitro and in mouse tumor samples. Further, MAP2K4-mediated increases in cell invasion are dependent upon heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and MMP-2, but not upon MAP2K4''s immediate downstream targets, p38 MAPK or JNK. We demonstrate that MAP2K4 increases human PCa metastasis, and prolonged over expression induces long term changes in cell signaling pathways leading to independence from p38 MAPK and JNK. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for human studies linking increases in HSP27 and MMP-2 to progression to metastatic disease. MAP2K4 is validated as an important therapeutic target for inhibiting human PCa metastasis.     

乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4 的表达及其对细胞转移的影响和机理研究

目的:观察乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4蛋白的表达水平,研究MKK4蛋白表达对乳腺癌细胞运动能力及EMT标志物的影响,确定MKK4在肿瘤细胞EMT转化及肿瘤转移中的作用,为肿瘤转移机制研究提供一定的基础资料,为肿瘤防治奠定一定的理论基础。方法:通过体外细胞培养技术收集系列乳腺癌细胞株的培养裂解液,利用Western blot技术检测细胞培养裂解液中MKK4及EMT标志物的表达水平,构建MKK4表达水平与细胞转移能力的对应图;采用siRNA技术,干扰MKK4高表达乳腺癌细胞株MKK4的表达,Western blot技术观察MKK4低表达后,EMT标志物的变化,同时,构建MKK4质粒,转染MKK4低表达乳腺癌细胞株,Western blot技术观察MKK4高表达后,EMT标志物的变化。并采用MTT法、Transwell、划痕法观察MKK4高表达后细胞增殖、运动、迁移等能力的变化。结果:乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4蛋白的表达水平与乳腺癌细胞运动能力有一定的相关性,并与EMT标志物的表达具有相关性,MKK4蛋白表达越高,细胞运动能力越差。干扰或转染技术影响乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4的表达后,细胞EMT标志物的表达也相应变化,乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4高表达后,其细胞增殖明显抑制,运动迁移能力也相应下降。结论:乳腺癌细胞中MKK4蛋白的表达水平与乳腺癌细胞EMT转化及运动能力有一定的相关性,MKK4蛋白表达越高,细胞运动能力越差。     

乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4的表达及其对细胞转移的影响和机理研究

目的：观察乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4蛋白的表达水平,研究MKK4蛋白表达对乳腺癌细胞运动能力及EMT标志物的影响,确定MKK4在肿瘤细胞EMT转化及肿瘤转移中的作用,为肿瘤转移机制研究提供一定的基础资料,为肿瘤防治奠定一定的理论基础。方法：通过体外细胞培养技术收集系列乳腺癌细胞株的培养裂解液,利用Westernblot技术检测细胞培养裂解液中MKK4及EMT标志物的表达水平,构建M鼬（4表达水平与细胞转移能力的对应图;采用siRNA技术,干扰MKK4高表达乳腺癌细胞株MKK4的表达,Westernblot技术观察MKK4低表达后,EMT标志物的变化,同时,构建MKK4质粒,转染MKK4低表达乳腺癌细胞株,Westernblot技术观察MKK4高表达后,EMT标志物的变化。并采用MTT法、Transwell、划痕法观察MKK4高表达后细胞增殖、运动、迁移等能力的变化。结果：乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4蛋白的表达水平与乳腺癌细胞运动能力有一定的相关性,并与EMT标志物的表达具有相关性,MKK4蛋白表达越高,细胞运动能力越差。干扰或转染技术影响乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4的表达后,细胞EMT标志物的表达也相应变化,乳腺癌细胞株中MKK4高表达后,其细胞增殖明显抑制,运动迁移能力也相应下降。结论：乳腺癌细胞中MKK4蛋白的表达水平与乳腺癌细胞EMT转化及运动能力有一定的相关性,MKK4蛋白表达越高,细胞运动能力越差。     

Semaphorin4D的作用机制与功能

Semaphorins家族是一类以结构中具有sema区域为共同特征的蛋白,Semaphorin4D(Sema4D)是其成员之一.Sema4D与受体丛状蛋白B1(PlexinB1)和分化抗原簇72(cluster of differentiation antigen72,CD72)结合,通过多种信号转导途径,在神经系统的轴突导向,免疫系统中T、B细胞的活化和免疫调节中发挥关键作用.最近发现,Sema4D在许多人体肿瘤组织中高表达,且对血管发生及肿瘤侵袭转移起重要作用.本文旨在对Sema4D的结构、作用机制及生物学功能的研究最新进展作一综述.     

RhoE Promotes Metastasis in Gastric Cancer through a Mechanism Dependent on Enhanced Expression of CXCR4

RhoE, a novel member of the Rho protein family, is a key regulator of the cytoskeleton and cell migration. Our group has previously shown that RhoE as a direct target for HIF-1α and mediates hypoxia-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer cells. Therefore, we assumed that RhoE might play an important role in gastric cancer metastasis. In the present study, we have explored the role of RhoE expression in gastric cancer, cell invasion and metastasis, and the influence of RhoE on regulating the potential expression of down-stream genes. RhoE expression was elevated in gastric cancer tissues as compared with normal gastric tissues. We also found a close correlation between the histological grade and the diagnosis of the patient. Up-regulation of RhoE significantly enhanced the migratory and invasive abilities of gastric cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, down-regulation of RhoE diminished the metastatic potential of cancer cells. PCR array and subsequent transwell assay showed that the regulation of gastric cancer metastasis by RhoE was partially mediated by CXCR4. This observation suggested that CXCR4 might be a downstream effector for RhoE. In summary, our study identified RhoE as a novel prognostic biomarker and metastatic-promoting gene of gastric cancer.     

Up-Regulation of RFC3 Promotes Triple Negative Breast Cancer Metastasis and is Associated With Poor Prognosis Via EMT

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) was regarded as the most aggressive and mortal subtype of breast cancer (BC) since the molecular subtype system has been established. Abundant studies have revealed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) played a pivotal role during breast cancer metastasis and progression, especially in TNBC. Herein, we showed that inhibition the expression of replication factor C subunit 3 (RFC3) significantly attenuated TNBC metastasis and progression, which was associated with EMT signal pathway. In TNBC cells, knockdown of RFC3 can down-regulate mesenchymal markers and up-regulate epithelial markers, significantly attenuated cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Additionally, silencing RFC3 expression can decrease nude mice tumor volume, weight and relieve lung metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that overexpression of RFC3 in TNBC showed increased metastasis, progression and poor prognosis. We confirmed all of these results by immunohistochemistry analysis in 127 human TNBC tissues and found that RFC3 expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis in TNBC. Taken all these findings into consideration, we can conclude that up-regulation of RFC3 promotes TNBC progression through EMT signal pathway. Therefore, RFC3 could be an independent prognostic factor and therapeutic target for TNBC.     

O-GlcNAcylation of Cofilin Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Invasion

O-GlcNAcylation is a post-translational modification that regulates a broad range of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins and is emerging as a key regulator of various biological processes. Previous studies have shown that increased levels of global O-GlcNAcylation and O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) are linked to the incidence of metastasis in breast cancer patients, but the molecular basis behind this is not fully known. In this study, we have determined that the actin-binding protein cofilin is O-GlcNAcylated by OGT and mainly, if not completely, mediates OGT modulation of cell mobility. O-GlcNAcylation at Ser-108 of cofilin is required for its proper localization in invadopodia at the leading edge of breast cancer cells during three-dimensional cell invasion. Loss of O-GlcNAcylation of cofilin leads to destabilization of invadopodia and impairs cell invasion, although the actin-severing activity or lamellipodial localization is not affected. Our study provides insights into the mechanism of post-translational modification in fine-tuning the regulation of cofilin activity and suggests its important implications in cancer metastasis.     

乳腺癌细胞迁移的调节与转移

细胞迁移是乳腺癌侵袭和转移中的关键步骤之一.癌细胞在迁移过程中主要受到Rho GTPases的调节,发生肌动蛋白骨架重组,获得定向迁移的能力;高迁移能力的癌细胞通过与胞外基质成分相互作用,为迁移创造合适的微环境;最后迁移的癌细胞在靶器官的趋化作用下在特定部位驻足生长,这些环节共同作用导致乳腺癌转移.研究细胞迁移复杂的分子机制将为控制乳腺癌转移提供新的策略.