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。     

Flot-2高表达促进食管鳞状细胞癌的生长和侵袭

目的探究flotillin-2(Flot-2)在人食管鳞状细胞癌中的表达及基本功能。方法利用免疫组织化学技术检测76例人食管鳞状细胞癌组织及相应癌旁组织中Flot-2的免疫反应阳性水平,并分析其与食管鳞状细胞癌的相关性。以小分子si RNA降低人食管鳞状细胞癌细胞系KYSE150细胞中Flot-2表达后,利用CKK-8及Transwell小室实验,检测细胞生长和侵袭能力的变化。结果 Flot-2在人食管鳞状细胞癌组织中免疫反应性明显升高,其在转移组织中的免疫反应水平显著高于非转移组织。敲低Flot-2表达后,KYSE150细胞的生长和侵袭能力明显降低。结论 Flot-2能促进细胞的生长和侵袭,参与人食管鳞状细胞癌的发生与转移过程。     

ING4和HIF-1α在口腔鳞癌中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨人口腔鳞状细胞癌(OSCC)组织中生长抑制因子4(ING4)和缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)的表达及其临床意义。方法:选择我院确诊的口腔鳞癌患者共计65例,均经过手术治疗,术前未行放化疗,切除标本经过石蜡包埋切片,同时选取20例正常口腔黏膜作为对照。采用免疫组化S-P法检测人口腔鳞状细胞癌和正常口腔黏膜组织中ING4和HIF-1α的表达,并分析其与OSCC患者临床病理特征的相关性及人口腔鳞状细胞癌组织中ING4和HIF-1α表达的相关性。结果:OSCC组织中ING4的阳性表达率为41.5%(27/65),显著低于正常口腔黏膜组织(P0.05);OSCC组织中HIF-1α的阳性表达率为64.6%(42/65),显著高于正常口腔黏膜组织(P0.05)。ING4和HIF-1α的表达与OSCC的病理分级、TNM分期和是否有淋巴结转移显著相关(P0.05);OSCC组织中,ING4的表达与HIF-1α的表达呈显著负相关(P0.05)。结论:口腔鳞状细胞癌组织中ING4的表达下调,HIF-1α的表达上调,二者可能通过负向调控作用在口腔鳞状细胞癌的发生、发展、侵袭和转移中发挥着重要作用。     

CRISPR/Cas9沉默PAK5抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖并促进细胞衰老

p21活化激酶5(p21-activated kinase 5,PAK5)是一种丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶,调节多种细胞进程,包括细胞骨架重构、细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭.研究表明,PAK5是调控乳腺癌进程的关键因子,但与衰老关系的研究尚未见报道.本研究利用CRISPR/Cas9慢病毒感染方法,构建敲低PAK5的人乳腺癌MDA-MB...     

VEGF和CEA在乳腺癌中的表达及与血管生成的关系

为了考察血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和癌胚抗原(CEA)在乳腺癌中的表达及与血管生成的关系,本研究应用RT-PCR和Western blotting检测了30份乳腺癌组织和癌旁组织中的VEGF和CEA表达,并比较了人乳腺癌腺癌细胞系(MCF-7)和人正常乳腺上皮细胞(MCF10A)中的VEGF和CEA的表达。通过转染含有VEGF sh RNA (sh-VEGF)和CEA shRNA (sh-CEA)的慢病毒来敲低基因表达。将MCF-7和HUVEC的细胞共培养来模拟肿瘤微环境,并通过小管形成测定和细胞侵袭试验来评价VEGF和CEA对血管生成的影响。研究显示,与癌旁组织相比,VEGF和CEA在乳腺癌组织中明显上调(p0.05)。与MCF10A相比,MCF-7细胞中的VEGF和CEA的水平明显升高(p0.05)。VEGF和CEA的异常表达与TNM分期和淋巴结转移相关(p0.05)。敲低VEGF和CEA均可显著抑制MCF-7细胞中Notch1、Dell4和Jagged1的表达(p0.05)。敲低VEGF和CEA均抑制了HUVEC细胞的小管形成能力和侵袭能力(p0.05)。总之,VEGF和CEA在乳腺癌中明显上调,并且与患者的不良预后相关。敲低VEGF和CEA可通过抑制Notch1信号的激活来抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和血管生成。     

METTL3对皮肤鳞状细胞癌细胞的增殖和分化的影响研究

皮肤鳞状细胞癌来源于表皮干细胞的自我更新和分化的平衡失调。近来研究表明,甲基转移酶3(METTL3)介导的m6A修饰在多种癌症研究中成为前沿热点。然而, METTL3在皮肤鳞状细胞癌中的作用尚未报道。该研究目的在于了解METTL3在皮肤鳞状细胞癌发生中的作用。通过构建shRNA敲低皮肤鳞状细胞癌中METTL3,研究其对WTAP、METTL14以及m6A修饰水平的作用。此外,应用免疫组化、免疫印迹、qPCR以及裸鼠荷瘤实验,在体外和体内水平研究敲低METTL3对鳞状细胞癌增殖、分化和自我更新的影响。结果显示, METTL3在鳞状细胞癌细胞中表达上调。敲低METTL3能降低METTL14以及m6A修饰水平。敲低METTL3促进癌细胞的分化,并增加IKKα的表达;同时抑制癌细胞的增殖和自我更新,降低自我更新相关基因的表达。综上,该实验证明了METTL3在调节皮肤鳞状细胞癌细胞分化和自我更新中的关键作用。该研究也为皮肤鳞状细胞癌的治疗提供一个新的靶点。     

人PAK1重组蛋白质的表达及在人胃癌BGC-823细胞内定位

为检测人PAK1在原核细胞中的表达情况及在真核细胞中的定位,利用RT-PCR技术获得PAK1目的基因,构建GST融合蛋白原核表达载体pGEX-5X-1/PAK1,IPTG诱导后进行SDS-PAGE及Western印迹检测,并用体外激酶实验测定其生物学活性;同时,构建带绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)标签的真核表达载体pEGFP/PAK1,利用脂质体法转入人胃癌BGC-823细胞系中,在共焦激光扫描显微镜下观察癌细胞中绿色荧光蛋白的表达。结果表明,pGEX-5X-1/PAK1载体能在大肠杆菌BL-21中正确表达GST-PAK1融合蛋白,大小约为94kDa,具有生物活性;PAK1绿色荧光蛋白定位于细胞浆。上述研究为进一步探索PAK1的生物学特性及信号转导通路打下了基础。     

miR-106b-5p靶向调控SIRT7/SMAD4信号通路对口腔鳞状细胞癌侵袭和迁移的影响机制探究

该文探讨了miR-106b-5p对口腔鳞状细胞癌(OSCC)细胞迁移和侵袭的影响及其机制。采用qRT-PCR检测OSCC组织与细胞系中mi R-106b-5p表达情况,将SCC15、OECM1细胞分为Control组、miR-NC组、miR-106b-5p mimics组、anti-miR-NC组、anti-miR-106b-5p、anti-miR-106b-5p+si-NC组、anti-miR-106b-5p+si-SIRT7组,分别检测各组细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭能力, Western blot检测E-cadherin、N-cadherin、MMP-9、SIRT7、SMAD4蛋白表达情况,双荧光素酶报告基因实验与RIP实验验证miR-106b-5p与SIRT7的靶向关系。结果显示, miR-106b-5p在OSCC组织与细胞中表达水平升高(P<0.05),过表达mi R-106b-5p可显著促进OSCC细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭及EMT,抑制miR-106b-5p表达可显著抑制OSCC细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭及EMT(P<0.05);双荧光素酶报告基因实验与RIP实验证实, miR-...     

敲低心肌连接斑株蛋白对人胃癌SGC-7901细胞的迁移和侵袭能力的影响及机制研究

该文研究了敲低心肌连接斑株蛋白(junction plakoglobin,JUP)对人胃癌SGC-7901细胞迁移和侵袭的影响及其机制。通过sh RNA慢病毒介导的方式构建了敲低JUP基因的慢病毒载体序列及其阴性对照病毒,并感染至人胃癌SGC-7901细胞中,荧光检测细胞感染效率,获得JUP基因稳定沉默及其对照细胞株。用嘌呤霉素筛选阳性转染细胞株,采用实时荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)和蛋白质免疫印记法(Western blot)检测JUP表达水平。采用细胞划痕愈合实验和Transwell小室实验检测敲低JUP基因之后对人胃癌SGC-7901细胞迁移和侵袭能力的影响。采用Western blot检测敲低JUP之后β-连环蛋白水平的影响。结果显示,通过sh RNA介导的慢病毒成功构建了敲低JUP基因的人胃癌SGC-7901稳定细胞株。与对照组相比,敲低JUP表达可促进细胞的迁移和侵袭能力(P0.05),上调了β-连环蛋白的水平(P0.05)。以上结果表明,敲低人胃癌SGC-7901细胞中JUP基因表达后可促进胃癌细胞SGC-7901的迁移和侵袭能力可能与其上调β-连环蛋白的水平从而活化Wnt信号通路有关。     

具核梭杆菌通过Toll样受体促进口腔鳞状细胞癌发生发展的研究进展

口腔鳞状细胞癌(oral squamous cell carcinoma,OSCC)是常见的恶性肿瘤,其发病率和致死率位于口腔肿瘤的首位。目前,世界范围内约四分之一的恶性肿瘤与微生物感染相关。牙周主要致病菌具核梭杆菌(Fusobacterium nucleatum,F.nucleatum)可促进食管癌和结直肠癌恶性转化,并且与口腔鳞状细胞癌的发生发展密切相关。F.nucleaum通过与OSCC细胞外膜受体的相互作用,上调Toll样受体表达,调节免疫因子IL-6、IL-8等,实现对OSCC发生发展的影响。本研究将对Toll样受体在F.nucleaum促进OSCC发生发展中的作用机制作一综述。     

Naa10p and IKKα interaction regulates EMT in oral squamous cell carcinoma via TGF-β1/Smad pathway

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been contributed to increase migration and invasion of cancer cells. However, the correlate of Naa10p and IKKα with EMT in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is not yet fully understood. In our present study, we found N-α-acetyltransferase 10 protein (Naa10p) and IκB kinase α (IKKα) were abnormally abundant in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Bioinformatic results indicate that the expression of Naa10p and IKKα is correlated with TGF-β1/Smad and EMT-related molecules. The Transwell migration, invasion, qRT-PCR and Western blot assay indicated that Naa10p repressed OSCC cell migration, invasion and EMT, whereas IKKα promoted TGF-β1–mediated OSCC cell migration, invasion and EMT. Mechanistically, Naa10p inhibited IKKα activation of Smad3 through the interaction with IKKα directly in OSCC cells after TGF-β1 stimulation. Notably, knockdown of Naa10p reversed the IKKα-induced change in the migration, invasion and EMT-related molecules in OSCC cells after TGF-β1 stimulation. These findings suggest that Naa10p interacted with IKKα mediates EMT in OSCC cells through TGF-β1/Smad, a novel pathway for preventing OSCC.     

Focal Adhesion Kinase Knockdown in Carcinoma‐Associated Fibroblasts Inhibits Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Metastasis via Downregulating MCP‐1/CCL2 Expression

Carcinoma‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been demonstrated to play an important role in the occurrence and development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of CAFs on OSCC cells and to explore the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in this process. The results showed that oral CAFs expressed a higher level of FAK than normal human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), and the conditioned medium (CM) of CAFs could induce the invasion and migration of SCC‐25, one oral squamous carcinoma cell line. However, knockdown of FAK by small interfering RNA (siRNA) resulted in inhibition of CAF–CM induced cell invasion and migration in SCC‐25, probably by reducing the production of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1/CCL2), one of downstream target chemokines. Therefore, our findings indicated that targeting FAK in CAFs might be a promising strategy for the treatment of OSCC in the future.     

Naa10p and IKKα interaction regulates EMT in oral squamous cell carcinoma via TGF‐β1/Smad pathway

Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been contributed to increase migration and invasion of cancer cells. However, the correlate of Naa10p and IKKα with EMT in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is not yet fully understood. In our present study, we found N‐α‐acetyltransferase 10 protein (Naa10p) and IκB kinase α (IKKα) were abnormally abundant in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Bioinformatic results indicate that the expression of Naa10p and IKKα is correlated with TGF‐β1/Smad and EMT‐related molecules. The Transwell migration, invasion, qRT‐PCR and Western blot assay indicated that Naa10p repressed OSCC cell migration, invasion and EMT, whereas IKKα promoted TGF‐β1–mediated OSCC cell migration, invasion and EMT. Mechanistically, Naa10p inhibited IKKα activation of Smad3 through the interaction with IKKα directly in OSCC cells after TGF‐β1 stimulation. Notably, knockdown of Naa10p reversed the IKKα‐induced change in the migration, invasion and EMT‐related molecules in OSCC cells after TGF‐β1 stimulation. These findings suggest that Naa10p interacted with IKKα mediates EMT in OSCC cells through TGF‐β1/Smad, a novel pathway for preventing OSCC.     

Glutaredoxin 3 promotes migration and invasion via the Notch signalling pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Substantial evidence indicates that the alteration of the cellular redox status is a critical factor involved in cell growth and death and results in tumourigenesis. Cancer cells have an efficient antioxidant system to counteract the increased generation of ROS. However, whether this ability to survive high levels of ROS has an important role in the growth and metastasis of tumours is not well understood. Glutaredoxin 3 (GLRX3), also known as TXNL2, Grx3 and PICOT, maintains a low level of ROS, thus contributing to the survival and metastasis of several types of cancer. However, little is known about the role of GLRX3 and the underlying mechanisms that suppress oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression. Here, by using immunohistochemical staining, we demonstrated that GLRX3 was overexpressed in human OSCC, and enhanced GLRX3 expression correlated with metastasis and with decreased overall patient survival. Knockdown of GLRX3 in human OSCC cell lines reduced Notch activity by reversing the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), resulting in the inhibition of in vitro migration and invasion. Importantly, knockdown of GLRX3 triggered the generation of ROS. Furthermore, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, enhanced the effects of GLRX3 knockdown on Notch-dependent EMT. Collectively, these findings suggested the vital roles of GLRX3 in OSCC progression through its relationship with EMT progression, and these data also suggest that a strategy of blocking ROS to enhance the activity of GLRX3 knockdown warrants further attention in the treatment of OSCC.     

The crucial role of SEMA3F in suppressing the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common types of malignancy. Semaphorin 3F (SEMA3F) is highly conserved but present at a lower level in various cancers than in healthy tissues. While it has been reported that SEMA3F is involved in cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion, its function in OSCC remains unknown.

Methods

The expression of SEMA3F in OSCC tissues and OSCC-derived cells was analyzed using qRT-PCR and western blotting. Using SAS and HSC2 cells, we also monitored the effect of SEMA3F on OSCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion using MTT, colony formation and transwell assays. The function of SEMA3F in OSCC tumor formation was also assessed in vivo.

Results

SEMA3F was significantly downregulated in OSCC tissues and OSCC-derived cells. SEMA3F shows growth inhibitory activity in SAS and HSC2 cells and may act as a tumor suppressor. It can inhibit the migration and invasion potential of OSCC cells. Our results also demonstrate that SEMA3F can suppress the growth of OSCC cells in vivo.

Conclusions

This study revealed that SEMA3F plays a role as a tumor suppressor in OSCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Our finding provides new insight into the progression of OSCC. Therapeutically, SEMA3F has some potential as a target for OSCC treatment, given sufficient future research.

     

PAK1 promotes proliferation,migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma by facilitating EMT via directly up-regulating Snail

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary cause of cancer mortality. PAK1 plays key roles in many types of cancers. However, the role of PAK1 in HCC is not clear.MethodsqRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to determine expressions of PAK1, Snail and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins. Luciferase reporter assay was used to measure the interaction between PAK1 and Snail. Wound healing, transwell, colony formation assays and flow cytometry were used to assess cell migration, invasion, proliferation and apoptosis. Mouse tumor xenograft model was used to determine the effect of PAK1 on tumor growth in vivo.ResultsPAK1 and Snail were up-regulated in HCC cells. PAK1 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and increased apoptosis of HCC cells. PAK1 knockdown also inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, PAK1 promoted EMT by targeting Snail. Knockdown of PAK1 could up-regulate pro-apoptotic proteins but down-regulate proliferation-related proteins via suppressing β-catenin signaling pathway.ConclusionPAK1 promotes EMT process by increasing Snail, and facilitates progression of HCC by activating β-catenin pathway.     

Angiotensin II directly impairs adipogenic differentiation of human preadipose cells

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that have been suggested to play an essential role in tumorigenesis. Reduced expression of miR-338 has been reported in several types of cancers; however, the role of miR-338 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that miR-338 was dramatically downregulated in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-338 significantly inhibited proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells. In addition, neuropilin1 (NRP1) was identified as a target of miR-338 in OSCC cells and inversely correlated with miR-338 in OSCC tissues. Furthermore, restoration of NRP1 attenuated the tumor-suppressive effects of miR-338. Taken together, miR-338 might inhibit growth and metastasis of OSCC cells by targeting NRP1.     

LncRNA PAPAS promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma by upregulating transforming growth factor-β1

PAPAS is a recently identified long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) with inhibitory effects on ribosomal RNA synthesis. We studied the role of PAPAS in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In the present study we showed that plasma PAPAS and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) were both upregulated in patients with OSCC, and were positively correlated only in patients with OSCC. Plasma levels of PAPAS were not significantly affected by AJCC stages and upregulation of PAPAS distinguished stage I OSCC patients from healthy controls. High plasma levels of PAPAS were followed by low overall survival rate. PAPAS overexpression led to upregulation of TGF-β1 in OSCC cells, while TGF-β1 treatment failed to significantly affect PAPAS. PAPAS overexpression and exogenous TGF-β1 treatment led to promoted invasion and migration of OSCC cells. In addition, TGF-β inhibitor attenuated the effects of PAPAS overexpression. Therefore, lncRNA PAPAS may promote OSCC by upregulating TGF-β1.     

Downregulation of FAP suppresses cell proliferation and metastasis through PTEN/PI3K/AKT and Ras-ERK signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma

It is largely recognized that fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) of many human carcinomas. Furthermore, FAP was recently also reported to be expressed in carcinoma cells of the breast, stomach, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, colorectum, and uterine cervix. The carcinoma cell expression pattern of FAP has been described in several types of cancers, but the role of FAP in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is unknown. The role of endogenous FAP in epithelium-derived tumors and molecular mechanisms has also not been reported. In this study, FAP was found to be expressed in carcinoma cells of OSCC and was upregulated in OSCC tissue samples compared with benign tissue samples using immunohistochemistry. In addition, its expression level was closely correlated with overall survival of patients with OSCC. Silencing FAP inhibited the growth and metastasis of OSCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, knockdown of FAP inactivated PTEN/PI3K/AKT and Ras-ERK and its downstream signaling regulating proliferation, migration, and invasion in OSCC cells, as the inhibitory effects of FAP on the proliferation and metastasis could be rescued by PTEN silencing. Our study suggests that FAP acts as an oncogene and may be a potential therapeutic target for patients with OSCC.