scholarly journals Requirement of transcription factor NME2 for the maintenance of the stemness of gastric cancer stem-like cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaxin Qi ◽  
Jun Wei ◽  
Xiaobo Zhang

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSCs), which can self-renew and produce heterogeneous cancer cells, are the key factors during tumorigenesis. Transcription factors take essential effects on CSCs. However, the role of transcription factors in regulating the stemness of gastric cancer stem-like cells has not been well explored. In this investigation, it was found that transcription factor NME2 (NME/NM23 nucleoside diphosphate kinase 2) was upregulated in gastric cancer stem-like cells that sorted from the solid tumors of patients with gastric cancer and gastric cancer cell lines. NME2 could preserve the stemness of gastric cancer stem-like cells via suppressing their apoptosis. In vitro and in vivo data revealed that NME2 was crucial for maintaining the stemness of gastric cancer stem cells by enhancing the expression of anti-apoptosis genes. Consequently, our data contributed a new perspective to the relationship between transcription factor and the stemness maintenance of gastric cancer stem cells.

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianwen Shao ◽  
Jing Xu ◽  
Xin Guan ◽  
Bing Zhou ◽  
Wei Wei ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyang Zhang ◽  
Meng Wang ◽  
Yi He ◽  
Ting Deng ◽  
Rui Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSCs) are an important cause of tumor recurrence and drug resistance. As a new type of cell death that relies on iron ions and is strictly regulated by intracellular and extracellular signals, the role of ferroptosis in tumor stem cells deserves extensive attention. Mass spectrum was applied to screen for ferroptosis-related proteins in gastric cancer (GC). Sphere-formation assay was used to estimate the stemness of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs). Exosomal lnc-ENDOG-1:1 (lncFERO) was isolated by ultracentrifugation. Ferroptosis was induced by erastin and was assessed by detecting lipid ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell death. Furthermore, a series of functional in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of lncFERO on regulating ferroptosis and chemosensitivity in GCSCs. Here, we showed that stearoyl-CoA-desaturase (SCD1) played a key role in regulating lipid metabolism and ferroptosis in GCSCs. Importantly, exosomal lncFERO (exo-lncFERO) derived from GC cells was demonstrated to promote SCD1 expression by directly interacting with SCD1 mRNA and recruiting heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1), which resulted in the dysregulation of PUFA levels and the suppression of ferroptosis in GCSCs. Moreover, we found that hnRNPA1 was also involved in lncFERO packing into exosomes in GC cells, and both in vitro and in vivo data suggested that chemotoxicity induced lncFERO secretion from GC cells by upregulating hnRNPA1 expression, leading to enhanced stemness and acquired chemo-resistance. All these data suggest that GC cells derived exo-lncFERO controls GCSC tumorigenic properties through suppressing ferroptosis, and targeting exo-lncFERO/hnRNPA1/SCD1 axis combined with chemotherapy could be a promising CSC-based strategy for the treatment of GC.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaobei Zhang ◽  
Meng Jin ◽  
Shiqi Liu ◽  
Mingde Zang ◽  
Lei Hu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are proposed to be responsible for almost all malignant phenotypes (e.g. heterogeneity, uncontrolled growth, metastasis, recurrence, chemoresistance) of tumors. Long non-coding RNA WT1 antisense RNA (WT1-AS) has been found to be involved in the regulation of lung cancer cell stemness. However, the roles and molecular mechanisms of WT1-AS in the maintenance and development of gastric cancer stem cells (GSCs) have not been investigated. Methods mRNA and protein expression was measured by RT-qPCR and western blot. CCK8 and Soft agar colony formation assays were performed to assess cell viability and colony clone formation ability. Cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry analysis. Cell transwell and wound healing analyses were carried out to assess cell migration ability. In vitro angiogenesis and 3D spheroid cultures assays were also performed. Moreover, in vitro experiments were carried out to explore the function of WT1-AS on tumor growth, metastasis and cell stemness. The upstream transcription factors or downstream genes of WT1-AS were screened through Bioinformatics, dual-luciferase assays and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. Results Our present study demonstrated that WT1-AS knockdown or wilms tumor 1 (WT1) overexpression improved GSC proliferative and migratory capacities, promoted GSC EMT, enhanced GSC stemness, inhibited GSC apoptosis, potentiated the resistance of GSCs to 5-FU and induced HUVEC angiogenesis in vitro. WT1-AS loss or WT1 increase facilitated the formation of in-vitro 3D GSC aggregates. WT1-AS ameliorated the malignant phenotypes of GSCs by down-regulating WT in vitro. Additionally, WT1-AS inhibited tumor growth and metastasis, and reduced tumor stemness in GSCs-derived xenografts (s.c., i.p., and i.v.) in vivo. Furthermore, XBP1 was identified as an upstream regulator of WT1-AS in GSCs. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR data suggested that PSPH, GSTO2, FYN, and PHGDH might be the downstream targets of WT1-AS in GSCs. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that WT1-AS weakened the stem-cell like behaviors and characteristics of GSCs in vitro and in vivo by down-regulating WT1. Also, some upstream regulators and downstream targets of WT1-AS were identified in GSCs. Investigations on the molecular mechanisms underlying the complex phenotypes of GSCs might contribute to the better management of headaches in cancers.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiana Barone ◽  
Mariachiara Buccarelli ◽  
Francesco Alessandrini ◽  
Miriam Pagin ◽  
Laura Rigoldi ◽  
...  

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSC) are essential for tumorigenesis. The transcription factor Sox2 is overexpressed in brain tumors. In gliomas, Sox2 is essential to maintain CSC. In mouse high-grade glioma pHGG, Sox2 deletion causes cell proliferation arrest and inability to reform tumors in vivo; 134 genes are significantly derepressed. To identify genes mediating the effects of Sox2 deletion, we overexpressed into pHGG cells nine among the most derepressed genes, and identified four genes, Cdkn2b, Ebf1, Zfp423 and Hey2, that strongly reduced cell proliferation in vitro and brain tumorigenesis in vivo. CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, or pharmacological inactivation, of each of these genes, individually, showed that their activity is essential for the proliferation arrest caused by Sox2 deletion. These Sox2-inhibited antioncogenes also inhibited clonogenicity in primary human glioblastoma-derived cancer stem-like cell lines. These experiments identify critical anti-oncogenic factors whose inhibition by Sox2 is involved in CSC maintenance, defining new potential therapeutic targets for gliomas.Table of Contents ImageMain PointsSox2 maintains glioma tumorigenicity by repressing the antioncogenic activity of a regulatory network involving the Ebf1, Hey2, Cdkn2b and Zfp423 genes.Mutation of these genes prevents the cell proliferation arrest of Sox2-deleted glioma cells.


2021 ◽  
pp. 153537022110384
Author(s):  
Chen Shen ◽  
Junfeng Wang ◽  
Zhihua Xu ◽  
Liping Zhang ◽  
Wen Gu ◽  
...  

Gastric cancer is the third dominating cause of cancer-associated death. MiroRNAs are potential clinical tools for cancer diagnosis and therapy. In this project, we demonstrated significant overexpression of ONECUT2 and down-regulation of hsa-miR-15a-5p in gastric cancer via bioinformatics analysis and in vitro assays. Meanwhile, ONECUT2 expression is related to clinical prognosis in gastric cancer and inversely proportional to the differentiation degree of gastric adenocarcinoma according to immunohistochemistry results. Then, we separated CD133+/CD44+ MKN45 by flow cytometry and found that, compared with parental MKN45, CD133+/CD44+ MKN45 gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) had higher levels of ONECUT2 and lower levels of hsa-miR-15a-5p. In addition, we applied both in vivo and ex vivo assays to demonstrate hsa-miR-15a-5p regulates the stemness maintenance, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and chemosensitivity of GCSCs through targeting ONECUT2. Also, hsa-miR-15a-5p inhibits G0 phase block of GCSCs by regulating ONECUT2/β-catenin signaling pathway. However, this study has provided novel perspective into the dynamic control of cancer stem cells for advanced gastric cancer treatment.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Giraud ◽  
Damien Bouriez ◽  
Lornella Seeneevassen ◽  
Benoit Rousseau ◽  
Elodie Sifré ◽  
...  

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSC) are at the origin of tumor initiation, chemoresistance, and the formation of metastases. However, there is a lack of mouse models enabling the study of the metastatic process in gastric adenocarcinoma (GC). The aims of this study were to develop original mouse models of patient-derived primary GC orthotopic xenografts (PDOX) allowing the development of distant metastases as preclinical models to study the anti-metastatic efficiency of drugs such as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor Buparlisib (BKM120). Luciferase-encoding cells generated from primary GC were injected into the stomach wall of immunocompromised mice; gastric tumor and metastases development were followed by bioluminescence imaging. The anti-CSC properties of BKM120 were evaluated on the GC cells’ phenotype (CD44 expression) and tumorigenic properties in vitro and in vivo on BKM120-treated mice. After eight weeks, PDOX mice formed tumors in the stomach as well as distant metastases, that were enriched in CSC, in the liver, the lung, and the peritoneal cavity. BKM120 treatment significantly inhibited the CSC properties in vitro and reduced the number of distant metastases in mice. These new preclinical models offer the opportunity to study the anti-metastatic efficiency of new CSC-based therapeutic strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110581
Author(s):  
Yao-dong Zhu ◽  
He Ba ◽  
Jie Chen ◽  
Mei Zhang ◽  
Ping Li

Background Celastrus orbiculatus ethyl acetate extract (COE) has shown a strong anti-gastric cancer effect, but the understanding of its mechanism is still lacking. The results of previous studies indicated that COE may be able to inhibit the stemness of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) by regulating PDCD4 and EIF3H expression. Aims To explore if COE could inhibit the stemness of GCSCs by regulating PDCD4 and EIF3H expression in vitro and in vivo. Procedure The GCSCs model was established by stem cell-conditioned culture. Spheroid formation and flow cytometry assays were used to detect the effect of COE on the spheroid formation ability of GCSCs and the percentage of CD44+/CD24+ and ALDH+ cell subpopulations. Western blot analysis was applied to measure the expression of GCSCs biomarkers (Nanog, Oct-4, and SOX-2), PDCD4, and EIF3H in GCSCs treated with COE; and RT-PCR was performed to investigate the effect of COE on PDCD4 mRNA expression in GCSCs. An in vivo tumorigenicity experiment was also conducted to evaluate the effect of COE on tumor-initiating ability of GCSCs in vivo; and the expression of PDCD4 and EIF3H in xenograft tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Results After culture in stem cell-conditioned medium, SGC7901 cells manifested significantly enhanced spheroid formation ability, upregulated Nanog, Oct-4, and SOX-2 expression and increased percentages of CD44+/CD24+ and ALDH+ cell subpopulations, indicating successful establishment of the GCSCs model. COE treatment significantly inhibited the spheroid formation ability of GCSCs and reduced the percentage of CD44+/CD24+ and ALDH+ cell subpopulations. The western blot analysis showed a significant decrease of Nanog, Oct-4, SOX-2, and EIF3H expression and an increase of PDCD4 expression in GCSCs after COE treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. COE treatment also significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of PDCD4 in GCSCs. In addition, COE displayed a strong inhibitory effect on the tumor-initiating ability of GCSCs in vivo and upregulated PDCD4 and downregulated EIF3H expression in xenograft tissues. Conclusion COE may be able to inhibit GC growth by suppressing the stemness of GCSCs via regulating PDCD4 and EIF3H expression.


Background and aim: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an incriminated pathogen causing diseases in both animals and humans and considered a zoonotic pathogen. H. pylori infection is considered a cause of gastric cancer, which rests a significant health care challenge. This study analyzes the expression pattern of matrix metalloprotein 2 (MMP-2) in patients with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and the effect of H. pylori on gastric cancer stem cells, as well as study the role of helicon bacteriosis in dog in transmission of H. pylori infection to human. Materials and methods: Fifty-five of each sample (gastric biopsy, blood and stool) were collected from patients suffering from dyspepsia, chronic vomiting and perforated peptic ulcers and also from apparent healthy dogs. The investigation detected H. pylori by serological and histopathological examination. Biopsies were stored in physiological saline for identification of H. pylori by conventional time PCR. MMP-2 and Gastric cancer stem cells were then identified by immunohistochemistry. Results: Serological identification for H. pylori Antigen and Antibodies revealed (63% human, 50% dogs) and (87% human, 90% dogs) respectively were positive. Genotyping of H. pylori based on 16S rRNA gene showed 54.5% of human and 35% of dogs were positive. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong expression of CD44 in H. pylori- associated gastric cancer cases, MMP-2 expression was observed in all neoplastic lesions associated with H. pylori infection. Conclusion: H. pylori infection affects gastric mucosa and induces changes in gastric stem cells altering their differentiation and increased expression of MMP’s and CD44with a resultant potentiation of oncogenic alteration. In addition the up-regulation of both markers could be an instrumental to interpret the origination of gastric cancer.


2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth N Corry ◽  
D Alan Underhill

To date, the majority of the research regarding eukaryotic transcription factors has focused on characterizing their function primarily through in vitro methods. These studies have revealed that transcription factors are essentially modular structures, containing separate regions that participate in such activities as DNA binding, protein–protein interaction, and transcriptional activation or repression. To fully comprehend the behavior of a given transcription factor, however, these domains must be analyzed in the context of the entire protein, and in certain cases the context of a multiprotein complex. Furthermore, it must be appreciated that transcription factors function in the nucleus, where they must contend with a variety of factors, including the nuclear architecture, chromatin domains, chromosome territories, and cell-cycle-associated processes. Recent examinations of transcription factors in the nucleus have clarified the behavior of these proteins in vivo and have increased our understanding of how gene expression is regulated in eukaryotes. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding sequence-specific transcription factor compartmentalization within the nucleus and discuss its impact on the regulation of such processes as activation or repression of gene expression and interaction with coregulatory factors.Key words: transcription, subnuclear localization, chromatin, gene expression, nuclear architecture.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii201-ii202
Author(s):  
Miranda Tallman ◽  
Abigail Zalenski ◽  
Amanda Deighen ◽  
Morgan Schrock ◽  
Sherry Mortach ◽  
...  

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor with nearly universal recurrence. GBM cancer stem cells (CSCs), a subpopulation of radio- and chemo-resistant cancer cells capable of self-renewal, contribute to the high rate of recurrence. The anti-cancer agent, CBL0137, inhibits the FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) complex leading to cancer cell specific cytotoxicity. Here, we show that CBL0137 sensitized GBM CSCs to radiotherapy using both in vitro and in vivo models. Treatment of CBL0137 combined with radiotherapy led to increased DNA damage in GBM patient specimens and failure to resolve the damage led to decreased cell viability. Using clonogenic assays, we confirmed that CBL0137 radiosensitized the CSCs. To validate that combination therapy impacted CSCs, we used an in vivo subcutaneous model and showed a decrease in the frequency of cancer stem cells present in tumors as well as decreased tumor volume. Using an orthotopic model of GBM, we confirmed that treatment with CBL0137 followed by radiotherapy led to significantly increased survival compared to either treatment alone. Radiotherapy remains a critical component of patient care for GBM, even though there exists a resistant subpopulation. Radio-sensitizing agents, including CBL0137, pose an exciting treatment paradigm to increase the efficacy of irradiation, especially by inclusively targeting CSCs.


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