scholarly journals Molecular mechanisms underpinning sarcomas and implications for current and future therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Damerell ◽  
Michael S. Pepper ◽  
Sharon Prince
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Mesenchymal To Epithelial Transition ◽  
Cells Of Origin ◽  
Novel Treatment Strategies ◽  
Future Therapy

AbstractSarcomas are complex mesenchymal neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Their clinical management is highly challenging due to their heterogeneity and insensitivity to current treatments. Although there have been advances in understanding specific genomic alterations and genetic mutations driving sarcomagenesis, the underlying molecular mechanisms, which are likely to be unique for each sarcoma subtype, are not fully understood. This is in part due to a lack of consensus on the cells of origin, but there is now mounting evidence that they originate from mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs). To identify novel treatment strategies for sarcomas, research in recent years has adopted a mechanism-based search for molecular markers for targeted therapy which has included recapitulating sarcomagenesis using in vitro and in vivo MSC models. This review provides a comprehensive up to date overview of the molecular mechanisms that underpin sarcomagenesis, the contribution of MSCs to modelling sarcomagenesis in vivo, as well as novel topics such as the role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT)/mesenchymal-to-epithelial-transition (MET) plasticity, exosomes, and microRNAs in sarcomagenesis. It also reviews current therapeutic options including ongoing pre-clinical and clinical studies for targeted sarcoma therapy and discusses new therapeutic avenues such as targeting recently identified molecular pathways and key transcription factors.

scholarly journals Operative ubiquitin-specific protease 22 deubiquitination confers a more invasive phenotype to cholangiocarcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Tian ◽  
Bo Tang ◽  
Chengye Wang ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Jiakai Mao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumour Growth ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Sirtuin 1 ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Specific Protease ◽  
Ubiquitin Specific Protease ◽  
Paired Tumour

AbstractOncogenic ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22) is implicated in a variety of tumours; however, evidence of its role and underlying molecular mechanisms in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) development remains unknown. We collected paired tumour and adjacent non-tumour tissues from 57 intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) patients and evaluated levels of the USP22 gene and protein by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Both the mRNA and protein were significantly upregulated, correlated with the malignant invasion and worse OS of iCCA. In cell cultures, USP22 overexpression increased CCA cell proliferation and mobility, and induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Upon an interaction, USP22 deubiquitinated and stabilized sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), in conjunction with Akt/ERK activation. In implantation xenografts, USP22 overexpression stimulated tumour growth and metastasis to the lungs of mice. Conversely, the knockdown by USP22 shRNA attenuated the tumour growth and invasiveness in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, SIRT1 overexpression reversed the USP22 functional deficiency, while the knockdown acetylated TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and Akt. Our present study defines USP22 as a poor prognostic predictor in iCCA that cooperates with SIRT1 and facilitates tumour development.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin—From Traditional Past to Present and Future Clinical Applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 3757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Bachmeier ◽  
Dieter Melchart
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Microbial Infection ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Novel Treatment Strategies

The efficacy of the plant-derived polyphenol curcumin, in various aspects of health and wellbeing, is matter of public interest. An internet search of the term “Curcumin” displays about 12 million hits. Among the multitudinous information presented on partly doubtful websites, there are reports attracting the reader with promises ranging from eternal youth to cures for incurable diseases. Unfortunately, many of these reports are not based on scientific evidence, but they feed the desideratum of the reader for a “miracle cure”. This circumstance makes it very difficult for researchers, who work in a scientifically sound and evidence-based manner on the therapeutic benefits (or side effects) of curcumin, to demarcate their results from sensational reports that circulate in the web and in other media. This is only one of many obstacles making it difficult to pave curcumin’s way into clinical application; others are its nonpatentability and low economic usability. A further impediment comes from scientists who never worked with curcumin or any other natural plant-derived compound in their own labs. They have never tested these compounds in any scientific assay, neither in vitro nor in vivo; however, they claim, in a sometimes polemic manner, that everything that has so far been published on curcumin’s molecular effects is based on artefacts. The here presented Special Issue comprises a collection of five scientifically sound articles and nine reviews reporting on the therapeutic benefits and the molecular mechanisms of curcumin or of chemically modified curcumin in various diseases ranging from malignant tumors to chronic diseases, microbial infection, and even neurodegenerative diseases. The excellent results of the scientific projects that underlie the five original papers give reason to hope that curcumin will be part of novel treatment strategies in the near future—either as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs or therapeutic applications.

scholarly journals P4HA2 Promotes Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Glioma Malignancy through the Collagen-Dependent PI3K/AKT Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Jing Lin ◽  
Lei Jiang ◽  
Xiaogang Wang ◽  
Wenxin Wei ◽  
Chaoli Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Enzyme Inhibitor ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Akt Activation ◽  
Collagen Genes ◽  
First Time

Prolyl-4-hydroxylase subunit 2 (P4HA2) is a member of collagen modification enzymes involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Mounting evidence has suggested that deregulation of P4HA2 is common in cancer. However, the role of P4HA2 in glioma remains unknown. The present study aimed to elucidate the expression pattern, oncogenic functions, and molecular mechanisms of P4HA2 in glioblastoma cells. The TCGA datasets and paraffin samples were used for examining the expressions of P4HA2. P4HA2-specific lentivirus was generated to assess its oncogenic functions. A P4HA2 enzyme inhibitor (DHB) and an AKT agonist (SC79) were utilized to study the mechanisms. As a result, we demonstrated that P4HA2 is overexpressed in glioma and inversely correlates with patient survival. Knockdown of P4HA2 inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) like phenotype of glioma cells in vitro and suppressed tumor xenograft growth in vivo. Mechanistically, expressions of a series of collagen genes and of phosphorylated PI3K/AKT were downregulated by either P4HA2 silencing or inhibition of its prolyl hydroxylase. Finally, the inhibitory effects on the migration, invasion, and EMT-related molecules by P4HA2 knockdown were reversed by AKT activation with SC79. Our findings for the first time reveal that P4HA2 acts as an oncogenic molecule in glioma malignancy by regulating the expressions of collagens and the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Lysine 63 Ubiquitination Prevents the Progression of Renal Fibrosis in Diabetic DBA/2J Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5194
Author(s):  
Paola Pontrelli ◽  
Francesca Conserva ◽  
Rossella Menghini ◽  
Michele Rossini ◽  
Alessandra Stasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Nephropathy ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Selective Inhibition ◽  
Collagen I ◽  
Protein Accumulation ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Collagen Iii ◽  
Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most frequent cause of end-stage renal disease. Tubulointerstitial accumulation of lysine 63 (K63)-ubiquitinated (Ub) proteins is involved in the progression of DN fibrosis and correlates with urinary miR-27b-3p downregulation. We explored the renoprotective effect of an inhibitor of K63-Ub (NSC697923), alone or in combination with the ACE-inhibitor ramipril, in vitro and in vivo. Proximal tubular epithelial cells and diabetic DBA/2J mice were treated with NSC697923 and/or ramipril. K63-Ub protein accumulation along with α-SMA, collagen I and III, FSP-1, vimentin, p16INK4A expression, SA-α Gal staining, Sirius Red, and PAS staining were measured. Finally, we measured the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (uACR), and urinary miR-27b-3p expression in mice. NSC697923, both alone and in association with ramipril, in vitro and in vivo inhibited hyperglycemia-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition by significantly reducing K63-Ub proteins, α-SMA, collagen I, vimentin, FSP-1 expression, and collagen III along with tubulointerstitial and glomerular fibrosis. Treated mice also showed recovery of urinary miR-27b-3p and restored expression of p16INK4A. Moreover, NSC697923 in combination with ramipril demonstrated a trend in the reduction of uACR. In conclusion, we suggest that selective inhibition of K63-Ub, when combined with the conventional treatment with ACE inhibitors, might represent a novel treatment strategy to prevent the progression of fibrosis and proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy and we propose miR-27b-3p as a biomarker of treatment efficacy.

KCNN4 promotes the progression of lung adenocarcinoma by activating the AKT and ERK signaling pathways

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Ping Xu ◽  
Xiao Mo ◽  
Ruixue Xia ◽  
Long Jiang ◽  
Chengfei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potassium Channels ◽  
Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Potassium Channel ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumor Biology ◽  
Erk Signaling ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

BACKGROUND: Potassium channels, encoded by more than seventy genes, are cell excitability transmembrane proteins and become evident to play essential roles in tumor biology. OBJECTIVE: The deregulation of potassium channel genes has been related to cancer development and patient prognosis. The objective of this study is to understand the role of potassium channels in lung cancer. METHODS: We examined all potassium channel genes and identified that KCNN4 is the most significantly overexpressed one in lung adenocarcinoma. The role and mechanism of KCNN4 in lung adenocarcinoma were further investigated by in vitro cell and molecular assay and in vivo mouse xenograft models. RESULTS: We revealed that the silencing of KCNN4 significantly inhibits cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity of lung adenocarcinoma. Further studies showed that knockdown of KCNN4 promotes cell apoptosis, induces cell cycle arrested in the S phase, and is associated with the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Most importantly, we demonstrated that KCNN4 regulates the progression of lung adenocarcinoma through P13K/AKT and MEK/ERK signaling pathways. The use of inhibitors that targeted AKT and ERK also significantly inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study investigated the function and mechanism of KCNN4 in lung adenocarcinoma. On this basis, this means that KCNN4 can be used as a tumor marker for lung adenocarcinoma and is expected to become an important target for a potential drug.

scholarly journals Potential Role of microRNA-183 as a Tumor Suppressor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 2065-2072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Bian ◽  
Hongfei Zhang ◽  
Miao Tang ◽  
Shaojun Zhang ◽  
Lichao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Metastatic Progression ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Reporter Assays

Background/Aims: Disseminated tumors, known as metastases, are responsible for ninety-percent of mortality due to cancer. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition, a phenomenon required for morphological conversion of non-motile discoid shaped epithelial cells to highly motile spindle-shaped mesenchymal cells, is thought to be a pre-requisite for metastatic progression. Metastasis-associated 1 (MTA1) protein is a prime inducer of EMT and metastatic progression in all solid tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the expression and function of MTA1 in HCC have not been elucidated. Methods: In silico prediction algorithms were used to find microRNAs (miRNAs) that may target MTA1. We examined the relationship between the expression of MTA1 and miR-183 using quantitative real time PCR. We also determined the levels of the MTA1 protein using immunohistochemistry. Reporter assays, in the presence and absence of the miR-183 mimic, were used to confirm MTA1 as a bona fide target of miR183. The effect of miR-183 on HCC pathogenesis was determined using a combination of in vitro migration and invasion assay, together with in vivo xenograft experiments. The correlation between miR-183 and MTA1 expression was also studied in samples from HCC patients, and in The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. Results: Analysis of the sequence database revealed that MTA1 is a putative target of miR-183. MTA1 protein and RNA expression showed opposite trends to miR-183 expression in breast, renal, prostate, and testicular tissue samples from cancer patients, and in the metastatic HCC cell line HepG2. An inverse correlation was also observed between MTA1 (high) and miR-183 (low) expression within samples from HHC patients and in the TCGA dataset. Reporter assays in HepG2 cells showed that miR-183 could inhibit translation of a reporter harboring the wild-type, but not the mutant miR-183 3’-untranslated region (UTR). In addition, miR-183 significantly inhibited in vitro migration and invasion in HepG2 cells, and in vivo hepatic metastasis. Conclusion: Our results reveal a novel post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism for MTA1 expression via miR-183, which is suppressed during HCC pathogenesis.

scholarly journals OMRT-11. The effect of microenvironment on glioblastoma stem cells therapeutic resistance

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii9-ii9
Author(s):  
Tamara Lah Turnsek ◽  
Barbara Breznik ◽  
Bernarda Majc ◽  
Metka Novak ◽  
Andrej Porčnik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Cell Plasticity ◽  
Glioblastoma Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Differential Gene

Abstract Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential molecular and cellular process in physiologic processes and invasion of various types of carcinoma and glioblastoma (GBM) cells. EMT is activated and regulated by specific endogenous triggers in complex network of intercellular interactions and signaling pathways. The hallmark of cancer-linked EMT are intermediate states that show notable cell plasticity, characteristic of cancer stem cells (CSCs), including glioblastoma stem cells – GSCs. GSCs resistance to irradiation (IR) and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy is responsible for early relapses, even at distant brain sites. As GSCs are mostly homing to their “niches” as slowly-dividing GSC-subtype, mimicking a proneural-like non- invasive phenotype PN-genotype, we assume that this, by undergoing an EMT-like transition, GSCs are-reprogrammed to an invasive mesenchymal (MES) GBs/GSCs phenotype in a processes, called PMT (1). However, it is not known, if and by which environmental cues within the niche, this transition of GSCs is induced in vivo. In this work, we are presenting the transriptome data obtained when we exposed GSC spheroids to irradiation alone, TMZ alone and to the combined treatment in vitro and compared their differential genetic fingerprints related to EMT/PMT transition to the GSCs PMT transition, when embedded in their natural microenvironment in the GBM organoid model. The differential gene expression upon GSCs therapeutic perturbation (when alone and vs in the tumoroid microenvironment) will reveal the effects of the major candidate genes, associated with micronevironmendt stromal cells and matrix are contributing their observed EMT/PMT transition of GSCs in vivo. •1. Majc, B., Sever, T., Zarić, M, Breznik, B., Turk, B, Lah Turnšek, T. Epithelial- to-mesenchymal transition as the driver of changing carcinoma and glioblastoma microenvironment. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118782

scholarly journals Sp1-Induced Upregulation of LBX2-AS1 Aggravates The Progression of Glioblastoma By Targeting The miR-491-5p/LIF Axis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wentao Li ◽  
Ismatullah Soufiany ◽  
Xiao Lyu ◽  
Lin Zhao ◽  
Chenfei Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Stat3 Signaling ◽  
Regulatory Effects

Abstract Background: Mounting evidences have shown the importance of lncRNAs in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. LBX2-AS1 is an oncogenic lncRNA that has been found abnormally expressed in gastric cancer and lung cancer samples. Nevertheless, the biological function of LBX2-AS1 in glioblastoma (GBM) and potential molecular mechanism are largely unclear. Methods: Relative levels of LBX2-AS1 in GBM samples and cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR and FISH. In vivo and in vitro regulatory effects of LBX2-AS1 on cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis in GBM were examined through xenograft models and functional experiments, respectively. The interaction between Sp1 and LBX2-AS1 was assessed by ChIP. Through bioinformatic analyses, dual-luciferase reporter assay, RIP and Western blot, the regulation of LBX2-AS1 and miR-491-5p on the target gene leukemia Inhibitory factor (LIF) was identified. Results: LBX2-AS1 was upregulated in GBM samples and cell lines, and its transcription was promoted by binding to the transcription factor Sp1. As a lncRNA mainly distributed in the cytoplasm, LBX2-AS1 upregulated LIF, and activated the LIF/STAT3 signaling by exerting the miRNA sponge effect on miR-491-5p, thus promoting cell proliferation, EMT and angiogenesis in GBM. Besides, LBX2-AS1 was unfavorable to the progression of glioma and the survival. Conclusion: Upregulated by Sp1, LBX2-AS1 promotes the progression of GBM by targeting the miR-491-5p/LIF axis. It is suggested that LBX2-AS1 may be a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target of GBM.

scholarly journals Circular RNA CircPPP1CB Suppresses Tumorigenesis by Interacting With the MiR-1307-3p/SMG1 Axis in Human Bladder Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feifan Wang ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Xuejian Zhou ◽  
Xianwu Chen ◽  
Jiayong Xiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Circular Rna ◽  
Human Bladder Cancer ◽  
Human Bladder ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Circular Structure

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a newly discovered endogenous non-coding RNA (ncRNA), which is characterized with a closed circular structure. A growing body of evidence has verified the vital roles of circRNAs in human cancer. In this research, we selected circPPP1CB as a study object by circRNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) validation in human bladder cancer (BC). CircPPP1CB is downregulated in BC and is negatively correlated with clinical stages and histological grades. Functionally, circPPP1CB modulated cell growth, metastasis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, we performed various experiments to verify the circPPP1CB/miR-1307-3p/SMG1 regulatory axis. Taken together, our results demonstrated that circPPP1CB participates in tumor growth, metastasis, and EMT process by interacting with the miR-1307-3p/SMG1 axis, and that circPPP1CB might be a novel therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker in human BC.

Tanshinone IIA Inhibits Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition Through Regulating β-arrestin1 Mediated β-catenin Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Song ◽  
Liu Yang ◽  
Zhifen Han ◽  
Xinnan Wu ◽  
Ruixiao Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Lung Metastasis ◽  
Nude Mice ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tanshinone Iia ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Abstract Background: Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is a major active ingredient extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza, which has been proved to inhibit metastasis of various cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the detailed mechanisms of Tan IIA against CRC metastasis are not well explored. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) exerts an important regulatory role in CRC metastasis, and our previous mechanism studies demonstrated that β-arrestin1 could regulate CRC EMT partly through β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, in this work we investigated whether Tan IIA could regulate CRC EMT through β-arrestin1-mediated β-catenin signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro.Methods: The nude mice tail vein metastasis model was established to observe the effect of Tan IIA on CRC lung metastasis in vivo. The lung metastasis was evaluated by living animal imaging and hemaoxylin-eosin staining. The migratory ability of CRC cells in vitro were measured by transwell and wound healing assays. The protein expression and cellular localization of β-arrestin1 and β-catenin were characterized by immunofluorescence staining and western blot. The β-catenin signaling pathway related proteins and EMT associated proteins in CRC cells were detected by western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results: Our results showed that Tan IIA inhibited the lung metastases of CRC cells in vivo and extended the survival time of nude mice. In vitro, Tan IIA increased the expression of E-cadherin, decreased the secretion of Snail, N-cadherin and Vimentin, thus suppressed EMT and the migratory ability of CRC cells. Further study found the mechanism involving in Tan IIA regulating EMT and metastasis, referring to the suppression of β-arrestin1 expression, reduction of β-catenin nuclear localization, thereby the decreased activity of β-catenin signaling. Conclusion: Our data revealed a new mechanism of Tan IIA on the suppression of EMT and metastasis in CRC via β-arrestin1-mediated β-catenin signaling pathway, and provided support for Tan IIA as anti-metastatic agents in CRC.

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