Tumor-suppressive microRNA-10a inhibits cell proliferation and metastasis by targeting Tiam1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Aberrant microRNAs (miRNAs) expressions could contribute to the progression of numerous cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, while miR-10a participates in multiple biological processes on cancers. However, the molecular mechanism of miR-10a in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has not been investigated. Herein, miR-10a was significantly reduced in ESCC clinical tissues and ESCC cell lines (EC109 and TE-3). In addition, immunohistochemistry indicated that the expressions of α-SMA, Ki-67, and PCNA in tumor tissues were higher than that of controls. In vitro, overexpression of miR-10a dramatically suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced cell apoptosis, while the decrease of miR-10a expressed the opposite outcome. Specially, overexpression of miR-10a caused a G0/G1 peak accumulation. Moreover, miR-10a also negatively regulated ESCC cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, targetscan bioinformatics predictions and the dual-luciferase assay confirmed that Tiam1 was a direct target gene of miR-10a. The statistical analysis showed Tiam1 was negatively in correlation with miR-10a in ESCC patient samples. And silencing Tiam1 could lead to a decline on cell growth, invasion, and migration in ESCC cell lines, while it could enhance cell apoptosis and cause a G0/G1 peak accumulation. In vivo, it revealed that miR-10a notably decreased the tumor growth and metastasis in xenograft model and pulmonary metastasis model. And it showed a lower expressions of Tiam1 in the miR-10a mimics group by immunohistochemistry. Taken together the results, they indicated that miR-10a might function as a novel tumor suppressor in vitro and in vivo via targeting Tiam1, suggesting miR-10a to be a candidate biomarker for the ESCC therapy.     

Overexpression of Aurora-A kinase promotes tumor cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line

Attrora-A kinase, a serine/threonine protein kinase, is a potential oncogene. Amplification and overexpression of Aurora-A have been found in several types of human tumors, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC）. It has been demonstrated that cells overexpressing Attrora-A are more resistant to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating these effects remain largely unknown. In this report, we showed that overexpression of Attrora-A through stable transfection of pEGFP-Aurora-A in human ESCC KYSE150 cells significantly promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cisplatin- or UV irradiation-induced apoptosis. Cleavages of caspase-3 and poly （ADPribose） polymerase （PARP） in Attrora-A overexpressing cells were substantially reduced after cisplatin or UV treatment. Furthermore, we found that silencing of endogenous Aurora-A kinase with siRNA substantially enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin- or UV-induced apoptosis in human ESCC EC9706 cells. In parallel, overexpression of Aurora-A potently upregulated the expression of Bcl-2. Moreover, the knockdown of Bcl-2 by siRNA abrogated the Aurora-A＇s effect on inhibiting apoptosis. Taken together, these data provide evidence that Aurora-A overexpression promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis, suggesting a novel mechanism that is closely related to malignant phenotype and anti-cancer drugs resistance of ESCC cells.     

CCN5 inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common cancer with poor prognosis and high mortality. The role of CCN5 has attracted a great focus on the regulation of cancer progression. However, the biological function and mechanism of CCN5 in OSCC are still not well elucidated. The current study was designed to determine the effects of CCN5 on OSCC cell proliferation and apoptosis using two OSCC cell lines. Further, LY294002, a PI3K/AKT antagonist, was employed to explore the mechanism underlying the effects of CCN5 in the regulation of OSCC. The results showed that overexpression of CCN5 in TSCCa cells significantly reduced viable cell number, arrested cell cycle, and suppressed cell‐cycle regulators (cyclin D1, cyclin E, and CDK2). CCN5 overexpression increased the apoptotic ratio and Hoechst‐positive cell number, and altered the apoptotic‐related proteins (caspase‐3/9, Bax, and Bcl‐2). However, CCN5 silencing induced opposite effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis in Tca‐8113 cells. In addition, we observed that CCN5 knockdown increased the expression levels of PI3K (p85α and p110α) and phosphorylated AKT at serine 473 (p‐AKT Ser473) in Tca‐8113 cells. Inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling with LY294002 rescued the apoptotic process in CCN5‐silenced OSCC cells. Finally, xenograft analysis showed that CCN5 represses tumorigenesis of OSCC cells. These findings together suggest that CCN5 functions as a tumor suppressor for OSCC cell development through inactivation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, providing a potential candidate for OSCC therapy.     

Metastasis suppressor protein 1 regulated by PTEN suppresses invasion,migration, and EMT of gastric carcinoma by inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial event for cancer progression and metastasis. Metastasis suppressor protein 1 (MTSS1) is a metastasis suppressor in several cancers. In this study, we elucidated the potential physiological function of MTSS1 in the invasion and migration of gastric cancer (GC), and its distinct role in EMT and subsequently determined the potential molecular mechanism. We observed that MTSS1 expression was downregulated in GC tissues and several GC cell lines (SGC-7901, MGC-803, MKN-28, MKN-45, and BGC-823). Importantly, forced expression of MTSS1 drastically diminished the cell viability in both SGC-7901 and MKN-45 cells. Moreover, overexpression of MTSS1 attenuated the invasion ability of these two cell lines. In addition to the invasive capability, introduction of MTSS1 led to a loss of migratory potential. Furthermore, augmentation of MTSS1 exhibited the typical EMT phenotype switch, accompanied by enhanced the expression of vimentin and N-cadherin and reduced E-cadherin expression. Interestingly, MTSS1 also repressed transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced EMT. Our mechanistic investigations revealed that MTSS1 was positively regulated by the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and it functioned as a tumor suppressor, possibly by inactivating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene (AKT) pathway in GC cells. Collectively, our data provide insight into an important role for MTSS1 in suppressing tumor cell invasion, migration and EMT, which indicates that MTSS1 may act as a prospective prognostic biological marker and a promising therapeutic target for GC.     

Inhibitor of growth 4 inhibits cell proliferation,migration, and induces apoptosis of renal cell carcinoma cells

The inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4) is known as a tumor suppressor. The expressions of ING4 were markedly reduced in human renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tissues. However, the role of ING4 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains unknown. The aim of the current study was to detect the ING4 expression level and its potential role in human RCC cell lines. Our results showed that ING4 was lowly expressed in human RCC cell lines compared with that in proximal tubular cell line. Ectopic overexpression of ING4 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion properties, and as well as prevented epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype of RCC cells. In addition, ING4 overexpression induced cell apoptosis and autophagy in RCC cells. Furthermore, ING4 overexpression suppressed the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway in RCC cells. The activator of PI3K/Akt, insulin-like growth factor 1, abolished the effects of ING4 on RCC cells. These findings indicated that ING4 presented anticancer activity in RCC cells. The effects of ING4 on RCC cells were mediated by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. These findings suggested that ING4 could be used for gene therapy of RCC.     

食管鳞癌染色体及基因组DNA畸变研究进展

食管鳞癌是我国常见的消化道恶性肿瘤,进展快且预后差。由于早期一般无明显症状,临床确诊的食管鳞癌大多已发展到了中晚期,治愈难度较大。越来越多的证据表明,在食管鳞癌发生发展过程中,染色体及基因组DNA畸变均是最常见的遗传学改变。文章就食管鳞癌染色体及基因组水平异常的研究进展作一综述。     

食管鳞癌染色体及基因组DNA畸变研究进展

食管鳞癌是我国常见的消化道恶性肿瘤, 进展快且预后差。由于早期一般无明显症状, 临床确诊的食管鳞癌大多已发展到了中晚期, 治愈难度较大。越来越多的证据表明, 在食管鳞癌发生发展过程中, 染色体及基因组DNA畸变均是最常见的遗传学改变。文章就食管鳞癌染色体及基因组水平异常的研究进展作一综述。     

IGHMBP2过表达促进食管鳞癌细胞的侵袭和迁移

IGHMBP2(Immunoglobulin mu binding protein 2)基因编码一种解旋酶,参与DNA的复制和修复,并且作为转录调节因子在基因转录中发挥重要作用。IGHMBP2基因定位于11q13.2,该染色体区段在食管鳞癌中扩增频率较高。为了探讨IGHMBP2基因在食管鳞癌中的扩增情况及其在食管鳞癌中的作用,文章对本实验室前期报道的59例食管鳞癌原发肿瘤array-CGH数据进行分析,结果显示IGHMBP2基因扩增频率为28.9%(17/59)。进一步利用荧光原位杂交(FISH)和Western blot技术,发现食管鳞癌细胞系KYSE30、KYSE180、KYSE510和KYSE150中存在IGHMBP2基因扩增/增益以及蛋白高表达。敲降IGHMBP2后,KYSE30和KYSE150细胞的侵袭迁移能力明显降低(P<0.001),侵袭迁移相关蛋白E-cadherin的表达水平升高;敲降后转染IGHMBP2质粒,回复其蛋白表达后,细胞的侵袭迁移能力又得以恢复(P<0.01)。上述结果表明,IGHMBP2过表达可能通过降低E-cadherin的表达从而增强食管鳞癌细胞的侵袭迁移能力。     

食管鳞癌相关基因与预后及临床病理关系的研究进展

食管鳞癌是一种多因素的疾病,除了环境因素可以影响食管癌发生和发展,分子水平的基因改变是近年研究的热点。近年基因芯片技术的发展,已发现众多基因,如β-catenin、wnt1、p53、cyclinD1以及EGFR等基因表达的改变与食管鳞癌的发生、发展或预后相关,从而可更好地寻找判断预后的分子指标,具有广阔的应用前景,但其与影响食管鳞癌预后的众多因素之间的关系及其与临床病理的关系以及应用,仍需进一步研究。     

MicroRNA-143 functions as a tumor suppressor in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide with a poor prognosis. MicroRNAs(miRNAs) are a class of naturally occurring small noncoding RNAs and play an important role in cancer initiation and development. In this study, we demonstrate that the expression levels of miR-143 and miR-145 were significantly decreased in ESCC tissues in comparison with adjacent normal esophageal squamous tissues(NESTs). Furthermore, an inverse correlation between miR-143 and tumor invasion depth and lymph node metastasis was observed. The enforced expression of miR-143 induced growth suppression and apoptosis of ESCC cells. Rescue of miR-143 significantly suppressed the ESCC cells migration and invasion capabilities. Moreover, we show that functions of miR-143 in ESCC are mediated at least in part by the inhibition of extracellular signal regulated kinase-5(ERK-5) activity. These results prove that miR-143 may act as a tumor suppressor in ESCC.     

Histone deacetylases inhibitor MS-275 suppresses human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell growth and progression via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a malignant tumor with low survival rate, so new therapies are urgently needed. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a critical role in tumorigenesis, and HDACs inhibition is a potential therapeutic target in ESSC. In our study, we evaluated the effect and molecular mechanism of MS-275 (an inhibitor of HDACs) on ESCC cells. We found that HDAC1 and HDAC2 were overexpressed in ESCC tissues and related with clinical pathological features of patients with ESCC. MS-275 markedly reduced HDAC1 and HDAC2 expression, whereas increased the level of AcH3 and AcH2B. MS-275 suppressed proliferation and clonogenicity of ESCC cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, MS-275 induced apoptosis, arrested cell cycle, and inhibited migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and sphere-forming ability of ESCC cells in vitro. Moreover, p-Akt1 and p-mTOR were downregulated by MS-275. Finally, MS-275 significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Taken together, HDAC1 and HDAC2 are associated with the progression of ESCC, and MS-275 hinders the progression and stemness of ESCC cells by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Our findings show that MS-275 inhibits ESCC cells growth in vitro and in vivo, which is a potential drug for the ESCC therapy.     

miR-32 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma metastasis by targeting CXXC5

MicroRNA-32 (miR-32) functioned as a tumor oncogene in some cancer, which control genes involved in important biological and pathological functions and facilitate the tumor growth and metastasis. However, the role of miR-32 modulates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) malignant transformation has not been clarified. Here, we focused on the function and the underlying molecular mechanism of miR-32 in ESCC. Results discovered a significant increased expression of miR-32 in ESCC tissues and cells. Downregulation of miR-32 inhibited the migration, invasion, adhesion of ESCC cell lines (EC9706 and KYSE450), and the levels of EMT protein in vitro. In vivo, miR-32 inhibitors decrease tumor size, tumor weight, and the number of metastatic nodules. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) results revealed that inhibition of miR-32 attenuate lung metastasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assay showed increased level of E-cadherin and decreased level of N-cadherin and Vimentin with treatment of miR-32 inhibitors. Furthermore, miR-32 targeted the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of CXXC5, and inhibited the level of mRNA and protein of CXXC5. There is a negative correlation between the expressions of CXXC5 and miR-32. Then, after EC9706 and KYSE450 cells cotransfected with si-CXXC5 and miR-32 inhibitors, the ability of cell migration, invasion, and adhesion was significantly reduced. In addition, the protein expression of EMT and TGF-β signaling was also depressed. Collectively, these data supply an insight into the positive role of miR-32 in ESCC progression and metastasis, and its biological effects may attribute the inhibition of TGF-β signaling mediated by CXXC5.     

TMEM106A inhibits cell proliferation,migration, and induces apoptosis of lung cancer cells

Transmembrane protein 106A (TMEM106A) has been found to function as tumor suppressor in gastric and renal cancer. However, the role of TMEM106A in nonsmall-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) has not been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the expression profile of TMEM106A in NSCLC tissues and cell line, and explored the roles of TMEM106A in NSCLC cell lines. Our results showed that TMEM106A expression was significantly decreased in human NSCLC tissues. In vitro assays showed that TMEM106A expression in NSCLC cell lines was much lower than that in the bronchial epithelial cell line. Besides, overexpression of TMEM106A reduced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while induced cell apoptosis in NSCLC cells. TMEM106A overexpression repressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which was illustrated by increased E-cadherin expression and decreased the expressions of N-cadherin, and vimentin. In addition, TMEM106A overexpression suppressed the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor-κB (PI3K/Akt/NF-κB) signaling pathway in NSCLC cells. Our results indicated that TMEM106A acted as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC, and could be a therapeutic target for the management of NSCLC.     

Knockdown of LINC01116 inhibits cell migration and invasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are linked to tumor development and progression. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance and biological role of LINC01116 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We identified 21 aberrantly expressed lncRNAs specific to HNSCC that were common in two microarray datasets. LINC01116 was highly overexpressed in HNSCC tissues and was correlated to shorter overall survival and relapse-free survival duration, as analyzed by the online Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis platform. LINC01116 was also overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues, and LINC01116 silencing significantly inhibited the migration and invasion capacities of both cell lines by blocking the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. In addition, 125 coexpressing genes were identified by circlncRNAnet, and were mainly located on human autosomes and enriched in transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway. These findings indicate that LINC01116 might be a potential therapeutic target for HNSCC.     

Kallikrein-related peptidase 4 contributes to the tumor metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a disfiguring malignancy and significantly impacts the quality of patient’s life. Kallikrein-related peptidase 4 (KLK4), which is closely related to cancers, is highly expressed in OSCC. To explore the biological function of KLK4 in OSCC, a KLK4-specific shRNA was used to silence its endogenous expression, and then the migration and invasion of OSCC cells were explored. Results of our study showed that silencing KLK4 inhibited the migration and invasion of OSCC cells. The protein levels of epithelial mesenchymal transition-associated markers and proteases were also altered by KLK4 silencing. Further study showed that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3 K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway was involved in the function of KLK4. Treatment with a PI3 K/AKT activator reversed the migration-inhibitory effect of KLK4 shRNA. Our study suggests that KLK4 may contribute to the metastasis of OSCC through the PI3 K/AKT signaling pathway.