TGF-β1在乳腺癌中下调E-cadherin、上调N-cadherin和促进侵袭转移

目的探讨乳腺癌中转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)与上皮性钙粘蛋白E-cadherin和神经性钙粘蛋白N-cadherin水平的关系及在肿瘤侵袭、转移中的临床意义。方法采用免疫组织化学染色检测230例乳腺癌组织芯片及相应癌旁组织中TGF-β1、E-cadherin和N-cadherin的免疫组织化学表达,与乳腺癌临床病理资料进行对照分析,并比较三者表达水平的相关性。将不同浓度的TGF-β1处理乳腺癌细胞检测E-cadherin和N-cadherin免疫反应性,并通过Transwell实验检测TGF-β1对乳腺癌细胞侵袭能力的影响。结果免疫组织化学染色显示,在乳腺癌组织中,TGF-β1和N-cadherin的阳性率明显高于癌旁组织,而E-cadherin的阳性率明显低于癌旁组织。TGF-β1的阳性率随着组织学分级的升高而升高,且在5年后复发的病人中的阳性率显著高于没有复发的病人;E-cadherin的表达与组织学分级呈负相关,且在有淋巴结转移和5年后复发的病人中的阳性率显著低于无淋巴结转移和未复发的病人;与E-cadherin相反,N-cadherin在有淋巴结转移和5年后复发的病人中的阳性率显著高于无淋巴结转移和5年未复发的病人。E-cadherin表达与N-cadherin和TGF-β1表达水平呈显著负相关,而N-cadherin表达与TGF-β1表达具有显著正相关性。TGF-β1处理可降低MCF-7乳腺癌细胞和MDA-MB-231乳腺癌细胞中E-cadherin水平及上调N-cadherin水平,并显著增加两种乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和迁移能力。结论乳腺癌组织中TGF-β1、E-cadherin、N-cadherin的表达与肿瘤上皮间质转化引起的侵袭转移和预后密切相关,检测其免疫组织化学表达对临床指导预后具有重要意义。     

TGF-β1对乳腺癌细胞系Snail表达的影响

目的通过TGF-β1诱导乳腺癌MCF-7发生上皮-间质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)后检测锌指转录因子Snail表达的改变,探讨Snail在EMT及乳腺癌发生发展中的作用。方法常规培养乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7后,用TGF-β1诱导其发生EMT,用Transwell侵袭小室法进行细胞体外侵袭能力检测;用免疫组织化学方法及免疫荧光检测E-cadherin、Vi mentin、Snail的表达;用real ti me PCR检测E-cadherin、Vi mentin、Snail mRNA的表达。结果TGF-β1处理72h后的MCF-7细胞穿透能力明显增强。E-cadherin蛋白及mRNA表达减少,Vi mentin、Snail蛋白及mRNA表达增加。结论E-cadherin、Vi mentin是细胞发生EMT的重要生物学标志,Snail可能在转录水平上调控E-cadherin、Vi mentin蛋白的表达,Snail在EMT和乳腺癌的发生发展中起着重要的作用。     

TGF-β_1通过PI3K/AKT/ARK5/Snail信号通路促进非小细胞肺癌SPC-A1细胞的上皮-间质转化

上皮-间质转化(EMT)在肿瘤侵袭转移发展进程中起着重要的作用.转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)已被证实为肿瘤EMT的主要诱导剂.然而,其分子机制仍有待深入研究.该研究旨在探讨TGF-β1促进非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)细胞系SPC-A1上皮-间质转化过程中的分子机制.细胞的形态学检查结果显示,TGF-β1刺激SPC-A1细胞后细胞形态变成梭形.Transwell侵袭实验揭示,TGF-β1刺激后细胞侵袭能力明显增强.Western印迹结果证明,与未经TGF-β1刺激的SPC-A1细胞比较,EMT上皮标志物上皮-钙粘蛋白(E-cadherin)表达明显下调,而间质标志物波形蛋白(vimentin)明显上调,p-AKT、p-ARK5的表达也明显增强.此外,转录因子Snail在细胞核内的表达水平明显增强.TGF-β1和PI3K抑制剂LY294002同时刺激SPC-A1细胞后,p-AKT、p-ARK5较只加TGF-β1时表达明显降低,Snail在核内的表达水平也明显降低.结果提示,TGF-β1通过激活AKT、ARK5磷酸化,促进转录因子Snail入核,进而导致SPC-A1细胞EMT.     

上皮间质转化介导肿瘤转移的分子机制

上皮间质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT)是上皮细胞上皮样特征减少并获得间充质细胞特性的生理过程。EMT是肿瘤细胞侵袭转移所必要的初始步骤, EMT过程中上皮细胞失去细胞极性和细胞黏附能力,并获得迁移和侵袭性。在EMT过程中,肿瘤细胞频繁出现E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)功能的丧失, N-钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)、波形蛋白(vimentin)及基质金属蛋白酶(matrix metalloproteinases, MMPs)表达水平的上调,β-连环蛋白(β-catenin)从细胞膜到细胞核的重新定位。EMT相关转录因子Twist、Snail及Zeb家族的异常高表达均经促进EMT而介导肿瘤细胞的侵袭转移。     

微小RNA-30e调控EMT对胃癌侵袭和迁移影响的研究

目的:探讨微小RNA-30e(miR-30e)对胃癌细胞迁移和侵袭能力的影响及可能的作用机制。方法:利用Transwell实验和细胞划痕实验检测胃癌细胞系BGC823侵袭和迁移的能力;以脂质体包裹合成miR-30e转染至BGC823细胞,并设空白载体作为对照组;Real-time PCR分别检测实验组和对照组细胞中miR-30e的表达。RT-PCR检测过表达miR-30e后对上皮细胞间充质转化(EMT)相关标记分子Snail、Vimentin、N-cadherin和E-cadherin表达的影响。结果:miR-30e转染至胃癌细胞后,抑制EMT通路主要因子Snail,Vimentin和N-cadherin m RNA和蛋白质表达,而增加E-cadherin的mRNA和蛋白质表达;miR-30e通过TGF-β对BGC823细胞的侵袭和迁移能力有明显的抑制作用。结论:miR-30e可能是肿瘤细胞EMT过程的关键靶标靶点,阻断EMT过程,可以抑制胃癌细胞的侵袭和迁移能力。     

Chk1反义寡核苷酸联合顺铂抑制卵巢癌侵袭转移的分子机制

目的:探究Chk1反义寡核苷酸(CHK1-ASODN)单独或联合顺铂(DDP)对卵巢癌细胞系SKOV-3侵袭转移能力的影响,并阐明其可能的分子机制。方法:体外培养人卵巢癌细胞系SKOV-3,CHK1-ASODN单独或联合DDP处理48 h后,划痕实验检测细胞迁移能力;Transwell实验检测细胞侵袭能力;显微镜下观察细胞上皮或间质表型特征;Western blot及实时定量PCR技术分别检测上皮间质转化(EMT)特异性标志物(E-cadherin、N-cadherin)以及EMT关键调控分子ZEB1的蛋白及m RNA的表达水平。结果:与对照组相比较,CHK1-ASODN单独或联合DDP均能显著抑制SKOV-3细胞的迁移及侵袭(P0.05);细胞表现为间质化表型;E-cadherin的表达显著升高(P0.05),而N-cadherin的表达则显著降低(P0.05);ZEB1的表达显著降低(P0.05)。结论:CHK1-ASODN单独或联合DDP下调ZEB1的表达进而逆转EMT可能是其抑制卵巢癌侵袭转移的重要机制之一。     

人脐带间充质干细胞缓解马兜铃酸诱导小鼠肾纤维化的作用及机制

该实验探究了人脐带间充质干细胞(human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell, hucMSC)缓解马兜铃酸(aristolochic acid, AA)诱导小鼠肾纤维化的作用及可能机制。我们将huc-MSC经尾静脉注射干预AA诱导的肾纤维化小鼠模型。HE、PAS和Masson染色观察肾脏形态变化, Western blot和免疫组化检测上皮间质转化相关标志物E-cadherin、N-cadherin和TGF-β/Smad信号通路蛋白TGF-β1和p-Smad2/3表达水平。组织形态学染色结果显示, AA可诱导小鼠出现肾小管扩张、结构破坏,肾间质区胶原纤维沉积,呈纤维化改变; Western blot和免疫组化结果显示,其E-cadherin表达降低,N-cadherin、TGF-β1及p-Smad2/3表达增高。huc-MSC干预后,肾脏形态明显改善,胶原纤维沉积减少,E-cadherin表达增高, N-cadherin、TGF-β1及p-Smad2/3表达受到降低。研究结果表明, huc-MSC能够通过抑制TGF-β/Smad信号通路减轻肾脏上皮间质转化,从而缓解马兜铃酸诱导的小鼠肾纤维化。     

孕期邻苯二甲酸二正丁酯暴露促进大鼠子代肾小管上皮细胞发生Snail1介导的上皮-间充质转化

目的:本实验以DBP暴露的大鼠为模型,研究DBP相关纤维化肾脏细胞上皮-间充质转化(EMT)水平改变以及该过程的调节机制。方法:动物模型中实验组妊娠大鼠在妊娠14-18天期间以800 mg/kg/天的剂量胃饲DBP,使用免疫组织化学(IHC)检测EMT相关指标;使用IHC、Western blot和PCR技术检测转录因子Snail1表达;以肾小管上皮细胞NRK52E作为体外模型,使用同样方法检测DBP暴露对中TGF-β1表达影响,检测H_2O_2对TGF-β1表达影响、TGF-β1信号通路拮抗剂对DBP诱导的Snail1表达的影响。结果:与对照组相比较,孕期DBP暴露导致子代肾脏E-cadherin指标显著升高,IHC染色强度超过对照组的3倍,N-cadherin指标显著下降,IHC染色强度约为对照组20%(P0.05)。DBP能够显著促进肾小管上皮细胞Snail1表达,IHC染色强度相比对照组升高约2.5倍(P0.05),干扰Snail1能够抑制DBP诱导EMT指标的改变;DBP暴露与肾脏TGF-β1高表达相关,TGF-β1信号通路抑制剂能够引起DBP相关的Snail1表达显著降低(约25%);此外,DBP造成的活性氧(ROS)产物累积促进了肾小管上皮细胞TGF-β1的表达(P0.05)。结论:孕期暴露于DBP会导致肾脏ROS产物累积和TGF-β1高表达,进而促进肾小管上皮细胞发生Snail1介导的EMT。     

靶向沉默HIF-1α信号通路抑制百草枯中毒诱导的肺泡上皮细胞上皮间质转化

目的:探讨HIF-1α信号通路在百草枯(paraquat,PQ)诱导大鼠Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞上皮间质转化(Epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)中的作用机制。方法:使用20μmol/L浓度的百草枯溶剂对大鼠Ⅱ型肺泡上皮RLE-6TN细胞干预24 h,随后在倒置光学显微镜观察各组细胞形态学变化;用real-time PCR与Western blot法检测RLE-6TN细胞中HIF-1α、上皮表型标记蛋白E-cadherin及间质表型标记蛋白Vimentin的表达,Transwell侵袭实验检测各处理组细胞侵袭能力的改变;使用HIF-1α靶向si RNA抑制其表达后,进一步采用RT-PCR和Western blot检测HIF-1α、E-cadherin和Vimentin的表达水平,Transwell法检测细胞侵袭能力变化。结果:体外百草枯溶液可显著诱导大鼠Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞RLE-6TN细胞HIF-1α表达升高和上皮间质转化的发生,同时细胞的体外侵袭能力也增强。靶向沉默HIF-1α基因后,百草枯诱导的上皮间质转化过程被逆转,同时细胞侵袭能力显著减弱。结论:百草枯通过调控HIF-1α信号通路来诱导RLE-6TN细胞上皮间质转化的发生,进而促进肺纤维化的形成。     

具核梭杆菌对结直肠癌细胞增殖、迁移及上皮间质转化作用的影响

【目的】评估具核梭杆菌对人结直肠癌细胞HCT116和人正常结肠上皮细胞HCoEpiC的增殖、黏附、凋亡、迁移、侵袭和上皮间质转化的影响。【方法】本研究用不同感染复数(MOI)Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 23726感染人结直肠癌细胞HCT116和人正常结肠上皮细胞HCoEpiC,建立感染模型;用3-(4,5-二甲基噻唑-2)-2,5-二苯基四氮唑溴盐[3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide,MTT]、平板克隆、细胞划痕及侵袭(transwell)实验检测两组细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭的变化;用流式细胞仪检测两组细胞凋亡情况;通过Western blotting检测两组细胞上皮标记物上皮细胞钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)、Catenin δ-1蛋白、间充质标记物N-钙粘蛋白(N-cadherin)和波形蛋白(vimentin)表达水平的变化。【结果】F.nucleatum可促进HCT116细胞增殖,诱导HCT116细胞的迁移和侵袭,但不能引起细胞凋亡;可抑制HCoEpiC细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭,并加速其凋亡;对HCT116和HCoEpiC细胞表现出很强的粘附能力,致细胞分散和拉长,细胞间粘附减少;使HCT116和HCoEpiC细胞上皮标记物E-cadherin与Catenin δ-1的表达量减少,间充质标记物N-cadherin与vimentin的表达量上升,E-cadherin由细胞膜向细胞质转移。【结论】F.nucleatum可诱导结直肠癌细胞和人正常结肠上皮细胞发生上皮间质转化,但抑制人正常结肠细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭,表现出与结直肠癌细胞相反的作用。     

Dioscin suppresses TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and suppresses A549 lung cancer migration and invasion

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an important cellular process, occurs during cancer development and progression, has a crucial role in metastasis by enhancing the motility of tumor cells. Dioscin is a polyphenolic component isolated from Phyllanthus amarus, which exhibits a wide range of pharmacological and physiological activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-fungal, and anti-viral activities. However, the possible role of dioscin in the EMT is unclear. We investigated the suppressive effect of dioscin on the EMT. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) is known to induce EMT in a number of cancer cell types and promote lung adenocarcinoma migration and invasion. To verify the inhibitory role of dioscin in lung cancer migration and invasion, we investigated the use of dioscin as inhibitors of TGF-β1-induced EMT in A549 lung cancer cells in vitro. Here, we found that dioscin prominently increased expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and expression of the mesenchymal marker N-cadherin and Snail during the TGF-β1-induced EMT. In addition, dioscin inhibited the TGF-β1-induced increase in cell migration and invasion of A549 lung cancer cells. Also, dioscin remarkably inhibited TGF-β1-regulated activation of MMP-2/9, Smad2, and p38. Taken together, our findings provide new evidence that dioscin suppresses lung cancer migration, and invasion in vitro by inhibiting the TGF-β1-induced EMT.     

Transforming growth factor-β1 promotes lung adenocarcinoma invasion and metastasis by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Lung cancer is a highly malignant carcinoma, and most deaths of lung cancer are caused by metastasis. The alterations associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be related to the cancer cell metastasis. Nevertheless, the mechanism of lung cancer metastasis remains unclear. We conducted a study in vitro to investigate whether transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) could induce changes of, such as cell morphology, expression of relative protein markers, and cellular motile and invasive activities. In this research, the changes of cell morphology were first investigated under a phase contrast microscope, then western blotting was employed to detect the expression of E-cadherin, vimentin, and fibronectin, and finally cell motility and invasion were evaluated by cell wound-healing as well as invasion assays. The data indicated that human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, A-549 and PC-9 cells of epithelial cell characteristics, were induced to undergo EMT by TGF-β1. Following TGF-β1 treatment, cells showed dramatic morphological changes assessed by phase contrast microscopy, accompanied by decreased epithelial marker E-cadherin and increased mesenchymal markers vimentin and fibronectin. More importantly, cell motility and invasion were also enhanced in the EMT process. These results indicated that TGF-β1 may promote lung adenocarcinoma invasion and metastasis via the mechanism of EMT.     

Celastrol inhibits TGF-β1-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition by inhibiting Snail and regulating E-cadherin expression

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a pivotal event in the invasive and metastatic potentials of cancer progression. Celastrol inhibits the proliferation of a variety of tumor cells including leukemia, glioma, prostate, and breast cancer; however, the possible role of celastrol in the EMT is unclear. We investigated the effect of celastrol on the EMT. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) induced EMT-like morphologic changes and upregulation of Snail expression. The downregulation of E-cadherin expression and upregulation of Snail in Madin–Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) and A549 cell lines show that TGF-β1-mediated the EMT in epithelial cells; however, celastrol markedly inhibited TGF-β1-induced morphologic changes, Snail upregulation, and E-cadherin expression. Migration and invasion assays revealed that celastrol completely inhibited TGF-β1-mediated cellular migration in both cell lines. These findings indicate that celastrol downregulates Snail expression, thereby inhibiting TGF-β1-induced EMT in MDCK and A549 cells. Thus, our findings provide new evidence that celastrol suppresses lung cancer invasion and migration by inhibiting TGF-β1-induced EMT.     

Combined treatment with zingerone and its novel derivative synergistically inhibits TGF-β1 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition,migration and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important cellular process during which polarized epithelial cells become motile mesenchymal cells, which promote cancer metastasis. Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, is extensively used in cooking worldwide and also as a traditional medicinal herb with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Several pungent compounds have been identified in ginger, including zingerone, which has anticancer potential. However, the role of zingerone in EMT is unclear. We investigated the synergistic effect of zingerone and its derivative on EMT. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) induces the EMT to promote hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis, including migration and invasion. To understand the repressive role of the combination of zingerone and its derivative (ZD 2) in hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis, we investigated the potential use of each compound of ginger, such as zingerone, ZD 2 and 6-shogaol, or the mixture of zingerone and ZD 2 (ZD 2-1) as inhibitors of TGF-β1 induced EMT development in SNU182 hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro. We show that ZD 2-1, but not zingerone, ZD 2 and 6-shogaol significantly increased expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and repressed Snail upregulation and expression of the mesenchymal marker N-cadherin during initiation of the TGF-β1 induced EMT. In addition, ZD 2-1 inhibited the TGF-β1 induced increase in cell migration and invasion of SNU182 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Furthermore, ZD 2-1 significantly inhibited TGF-β1 regulated matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 and activation of Smad2/3. We also found that ZD 2-1 inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB, activation of p42/44 MAPK/AP1 signaling pathway in the TGF-β1 induced EMT. Our findings provide new evidence that combined treatment with ZD 2, novel zingerone derivative, and zingerone synergistically suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis in vitro by inhibiting the TGF-β1 induced EMT.     

Rac1 modulates TGF-β1-mediated epithelial cell plasticity and MMP9 production in transformed keratinocytes

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) activates Rac1 GTPase in mouse transformed keratinocytes. Expression of a constitutively active Q61LRac1 mutant induced an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) linked to stimulation of cell migration and invasion. On the contrary, expression of a dominant-negative N17TRac1 abolished TGF-β1-induced cell scattering, migration and invasion. Moreover, Q61LRac1 enhanced metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) production to levels comparable to those induced by TGF-β1, while N17TRac1 was inhibitory. TGF-β1-mediated EMT involves the expression of the E-cadherin repressor Snail1, regulated by the Rac1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Furthermore, MMP9 production was MAPK-dependent, as the MEK inhibitor PD98059 decreased TGF-β1-induced MMP9 expression and secretion in Q61LRac1 expressing cells. We propose that regulation of TGF-β1-mediated plasticity of transformed keratinocytes requires the cooperation between the Rac1 and MAPK signalling pathways.     

Dual role of RACK1 in airway epithelial mesenchymal transition and apoptosis

Airway epithelial apoptosis and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) are two crucial components of asthma pathogenesis, concomitantly mediated by TGF-β1. RACK1 is the downstream target gene of TGF-β1 shown to enhancement in asthma mice in our previous study. Balb/c mice were sensitized twice and challenged with OVA every day for 7 days. Transformed human bronchial epithelial cells, BEAS-2B cells were cultured and exposed to recombinant soluble human TGF-β1 to induced apoptosis (30 ng/mL, 72 hours) and EMT (10 ng/mL, 48 hours) in vitro, respectively. siRNA and pharmacological inhibitors were used to evaluate the regulation of RACK1 protein in apoptosis and EMT. Western blotting analysis and immunostaining were used to detect the protein expressions in vivo and in vitro. Our data showed that RACK1 protein levels were significantly increased in OVA-challenged mice, as well as TGF-β1-induced apoptosis and EMT of BEAS-2B cells. Knockdown of RACK1 (siRACK1) significantly inhibited apoptosis and decreased TGF-β1 up-regulated EMT related protein levels (N-cadherin and Snail) in vitro via suppression of JNK and Smad3 activation. Moreover, siSmad3 or siJNK impaired TGF-β1-induced N-cadherin and Snail up-regulation in vitro. Importantly, JNK gene silencing (siERK) also impaired the regulatory effect of TGF-β1 on Smad3 activation. Our present data demonstrate that RACK1 is a concomitant regulator of TGF-β1 induces airway apoptosis and EMT via JNK/Smad/Snail signalling axis. Our findings may provide a new insight into understanding the regulation mechanism of RACK1 in asthma pathogenesis.