scholarly journals ETV4 promotes breast cancer cell stemness by activating glycolysis and CXCR4-mediated sonic Hedgehog signaling

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Zhu ◽  
Juyan Zheng ◽  
Wei Zhuo ◽  
Pinhua Pan ◽  
Min Li ◽  
...  

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSCs) are a major cause of tumor treatment resistance, relapse and metastasis. Cancer cells exhibit reprogrammed metabolism characterized by aerobic glycolysis, which is also critical for sustaining cancer stemness. However, regulation of cancer cell metabolism rewiring and stemness is not completely understood. Here, we report that ETV4 is a key transcription factor in regulating glycolytic gene expression. ETV4 loss significantly inhibits the expression of HK2, LDHA as well as other glycolytic enzymes, reduces glucose uptake and lactate release in breast cancer cells. In human breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, ETV4 expression is positively correlated with glycolytic signaling. Moreover, we confirm that breast CSCs (BCSCs) are glycolysis-dependent and show that ETV4 is required for BCSC maintenance. ETV4 is enriched in BCSCs, its knockdown and overexpression suppresses and promotes breast cancer cell stem-like traits, respectively. Mechanistically, on the one hand, we find that ETV4 may enhance glycolysis activity to facilitate breast cancer stemness; on the other, ETV4 activates Sonic Hedgehog signaling by transcriptionally promoting CXCR4 expression. A xenograft assay validates the tumor growth-impeding effect and inhibition of CXCR4/SHH/GLI1 signaling cascade after ETV4 depletion. Together, our study highlights the potential roles of ETV4 in promoting cancer cell glycolytic shift and BCSC maintenance and reveals the molecular basis.

Theranostics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 3021-3033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Cao ◽  
Shu-Hai Lin ◽  
Yongbin Wang ◽  
Y. Eugene Chin ◽  
Lan Kang ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seo Young Kang ◽  
Eun Ji Lee ◽  
Jung Woo Byun ◽  
Dohyun Han ◽  
Yoori Choi ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aerobic glycolysis is a hallmark of cancer glucose metabolism. Several studies have suggested that cancer-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can modulate glucose metabolism in adjacent cells and promote disease progression. Here we suggest that EVs originated from cancer cell with highly glycolytic activity can modulate glucose metabolism in the recipient cancer cells with relative low glycolytic activity, and further induce cell proliferation. Two types of breast cancer cell lines with different levels of glycolytic activity, MDA-MB-231 of a claudin low-type breast cancer cell and MCF7 of luminal type breast cancer cell, were selected and co-cultured using indirect co-culture system such as transwell system or microfluidic system. Glucose uptake of the recipient MCF7 cells was markedly increased after co-culture with MDA-MB-231 cells. MCF7 cells after co-culture with MDA-MB-231-tdTomato cells represented multiple tdTomato signal inside the cell, which proved that EVs originated from MDA-MB-231-tdTomato were transferred to MCF7 cell. In addition, serine phosphorylation of PKM2 necessary for tumorigenesis was highly activated, and tyrosine phosphorylation of PKM2 suggesting activated aerobic glycolysis was also increased in the co-cultured MCF7 cells. Proteomic profiling of the co-cultured MCF7 cells revealed the proliferation and dedifferentiation of MCF7 cells, and further confirmed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is a key phenomenon for cancer metastasis. In the transcriptomic analysis, glycolysis increased in co-cultured MCF7 cells, and the component analysis of genes associated with glycolysis revealed that the next major component after cytoplasm was extracellular exosome. Proteomic analysis of EVs revealed that there were important proteins in the EV such as EGFR, ERBB2 and MAPK for phosphorylating PKM2. This phenomenon suggests the potential for aggressive cancer cells to affect other cancer cells through EV mediators.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 538
Author(s):  
Chen Xie ◽  
Pen-Jen Lin ◽  
Jijun Hao

Prostate cancer chemoresistance is a major therapeutic problem, and the underlying mechanism is not well understood and effective therapies to overcome this problem are not available. Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), a main intracellular enzyme for cAMP hydrolysis, has been previously shown to involve in the early chemo-sensitive prostate cancer cell proliferation and progression, but its role in the more-advanced chemo-resistant prostate cancer is completely unknown. Here we found that the expression of PDE4 subtype, PDE4D, is highly elevated in the chemo-resistant prostate cancer cells (DU145-TxR and PC3-TxR) in comparison to the chemo-sensitive prostate cancer cells (DU145 and PC3). Inhibition of PDE4D with a potent and selective PDED4 inhibitor, Eggmanone, effectively decreases the invasion and proliferation as well as induces cell death of the chemo-resistant prostate cancer cells (DU145-TxR and PC3-TxR). These results were confirmed by siRNA knockdown of PDE4D. We and colleagues previously reported that Eggmanone can effectively blocked sonic Hedgehog signaling via PDE4D inhibition, and here our study suggests that that Eggmanone downregulated proliferation of the chemo-resistant prostate cancer cells via sonic Hedgehog signaling. In addition, Eggmanone treatment dose-dependently increases docetaxel cytotoxicity to DU145-TxR and PC3-TxR. As cancer stem cells (CSCs) are known to be implicated in cancer chemoresistance, we further examined Eggmanone impacts on CSC-like properties in the chemo-resistant prostate cancer cells. Our study shows that Eggmanone effectively down-regulates the expression of CSCs’ marker genes Nanog and ABC sub-family G member 2 (ABCG2) and attenuates sphere formation in DU145-TxR and PC3-TxR cells. In summary, our work shows that Eggmanone effectively overcomes the chemoresistance of prostate cancer cells presumably through sonic Hedgehog signaling and targeting CSCs, suggesting that Eggmanone may serve as a novel agent for chemo-resistant prostate cancer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Peng ◽  
Chuansheng Yang ◽  
Yanan Kong ◽  
Xiaojia Huang ◽  
Yanyu Chen ◽  
...  

Background: CDK12 is a promising therapeutic target in breast cancer with an effective ability of maintaining cancer cell stemness. Objective: We aim to investigate the mechanism of CDK12 in maintaining breast cancer stemness. Methods: CDK12 expression level was accessed by using RT-qPCR and IHC. CDK12-altered breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231-shCDK12 and SkBr-3-CDK12 were then established. CCK8, colony formation assays, and xenograft model were used to value the effect of CDK12 on tumorigenicity. Transwell assay, mammosphere formation, FACS, and lung metastasis model in vivo were determined. Western blot further characterized the mechanism of CDK12 in breast cancer stemness through the c-myc/β-catenin pathway. Results: Our results showed a higher level of CDK12 exhibited in breast cancer samples. Tumor formation, cancer cell mobility, spheroid forming, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition will be enhanced in the CDK12high group. In addition, CDK12 was associated with lung metastasis and maintained breast cancer cell stemness. CDK12high cancer cells presented higher tumorigenicity and a population of CD44+ subset compared with CDK12low cells. Our study demonstrated c-myc positively expressed with CDK12. The c-myc/β-catenin signaling was activated by CDK12, which is a potential mechanism to initiate breast cancer stem cell renewal and may serve as a potential biomarker of breast cancer prognosis. Conclusion: CDK12 overexpression promotes breast cancer tumorigenesis and maintains the stemness of breast cancer by activating c-myc/β-catenin signaling. Inhibiting CDK12 expression may become a potential therapy for breast cancer.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 738-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Badran ◽  
Atia-tul-Wahab ◽  
Sharmeen Fayyaz ◽  
Elias Baydoun ◽  
Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary

Background:Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer type in women globally. It is characterized by distinct subtypes depending on different gene expression patterns. Oncogene HER2 is expressed on the surface of cell and is responsible for cell growth regulation. Increase in HER2 receptor protein due to gene amplification, results in aggressive growth, and high metastasis in cancer cells.Methods:The current study evaluates and compares the anti-breast cancer effect of commercially available compounds against HER2 overexpressing BT-474, and triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines.Results:Preliminary in vitro cell viability assays on these cell lines identified 6 lead molecules active against breast cancer. Convallatoxin (4), a steroidal lactone glycoside, showed the most potent activity with IC50 values of 0.63 ± 0.56, and 0.69 ± 0.59 µM against BT-474 and MDA-MB-231, respectively, whereas 4-[4-(Trifluoromethyl)-phenoxy] phenol (3) a phenol derivative, and Reserpine (5) an indole alkaloid selectively inhibited the growth of BT-474, and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, respectively.Conclusion:These results exhibited the potential of small molecules in the treatment of HER2 amplified and triple negative breast cancers in vitro.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4153
Author(s):  
Kutlwano R. Xulu ◽  
Tanya N. Augustine

Thromboembolic complications are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Cancer patients often present with an increased risk for thrombosis including hypercoagulation, so the application of antiplatelet strategies to oncology warrants further investigation. This study investigated the effects of anastrozole and antiplatelet therapy (aspirin/clopidogrel cocktail or atopaxar) treatment on the tumour responses of luminal phenotype breast cancer cells and induced hypercoagulation. Ethical clearance was obtained (M150263). Blood was co-cultured with breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and T47D) pre-treated with anastrozole and/or antiplatelet drugs for 24 h. Hypercoagulation was indicated by thrombin production and platelet activation (morphological and molecular). Gene expression associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was assessed in breast cancer cells, and secreted cytokines associated with tumour progression were evaluated. Data were analysed with the PAST3 software. Our findings showed that antiplatelet therapies (aspirin/clopidogrel cocktail and atopaxar) combined with anastrozole failed to prevent hypercoagulation and induced evidence of a partial EMT. Differences in tumour responses that modulate tumour aggression were noted between breast cancer cell lines, and this may be an important consideration in the clinical management of subphenotypes of luminal phenotype breast cancer. Further investigation is needed before this treatment modality (combined hormone and antiplatelet therapy) can be considered for managing tumour associated-thromboembolic disorder.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiantian Tang ◽  
Guiying Wang ◽  
Sihua Liu ◽  
Zhaoxue Zhang ◽  
Chen Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractThe role of organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B3 (SLCO1B3) in breast cancer is still controversial. The clinical immunohistochemical results showed that a greater proportion of patients with negative lymph nodes, AJCC stage I, and histological grade 1 (P < 0.05) was positively correlated with stronger expression of SLCO1B3, and DFS and OS were also increased significantly in these patients (P = 0.041, P = 0.001). Further subgroup analysis showed that DFS and OS were significantly enhanced with the increased expression of SLCO1B3 in the ER positive subgroup. The cellular function assay showed that the ability of cell proliferation, migration and invasion was significantly enhanced after knockdown of SLCO1B3 expression in breast cancer cell lines. In contrast, the ability of cell proliferation, migration and invasion was significantly reduced after overexpress the SLCO1B3 in breast cancer cell lines (P < 0.05). Overexpression or knockdown of SLCO1B3 had no effect on the apoptotic ability of breast cancer cells. High level of SLCO1B3 expression can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer cells, leading to better prognosis of patients. The role of SLCO1B3 in breast cancer may be related to estrogen. SLCO1B3 will become a potential biomarker for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis assessment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Svartdal Normann ◽  
Miriam Ragle Aure ◽  
Suvi-Katri Leivonen ◽  
Mads Haugland Haugen ◽  
Vesa Hongisto ◽  
...  

AbstractHER2-positive (HER2 +) breast cancer patients that do not respond to targeted treatment have a poor prognosis. The effects of targeted treatment on endogenous microRNA (miRNA) expression levels are unclear. We report that responsive HER2 + breast cancer cell lines had a higher number of miRNAs with altered expression after treatment with trastuzumab and lapatinib compared to poorly responsive cell lines. To evaluate whether miRNAs can sensitize HER2 + cells to treatment, we performed a high-throughput screen of 1626 miRNA mimics and inhibitors in combination with trastuzumab and lapatinib in HER2 + breast cancer cells. We identified eight miRNA mimics sensitizing cells to targeted treatment, miR-101-5p, mir-518a-5p, miR-19b-2-5p, miR-1237-3p, miR-29a-3p, miR-29c-3p, miR-106a-5p, and miR-744-3p. A higher expression of miR-101-5p predicted better prognosis in patients with HER2 + breast cancer (OS: p = 0.039; BCSS: p = 0.012), supporting the tumor-suppressing role of this miRNA. In conclusion, we have identified miRNAs that sensitize HER2 + breast cancer cells to targeted therapy. This indicates the potential of combining targeted drugs with miRNAs to improve current treatments for HER2 + breast cancers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 174480692110240
Author(s):  
Silvia Gutierrez ◽  
James C Eisenach ◽  
M Danilo Boada

Some types of cancer are commonly associated with intense pain even at the early stages of the disease. The mandible is particularly vulnerable to metastasis from breast cancer, and this process has been studied using a bioluminescent human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231LUC+). Using this cell line and anatomic and neurophysiologic methods in the trigeminal ganglion (TG), we examined the impact of cancer seeding in the mandible on behavioral evidence of hypersensitivity and on trigeminal sensory neurons. Growth of cancer cells seeded to the mandible after arterial injection of the breast cancer cell line in Foxn1 animals (allogeneic model) induced behavioral hypersensitivity to mechanical stimulation of the whisker pad and desensitization of tactile and sensitization of nociceptive mechanically sensitive afferents. These changes were not restricted to the site of metastasis but extended to sensory afferents in all three divisions of the TG, accompanied by widespread overexpression of substance P and CGRP in neurons through the ganglion. Subcutaneous injection of supernatant from the MDA-MB-231LUC+ cell culture in normal animals mimicked some of the changes in mechanically responsive afferents observed with mandibular metastasis. We conclude that released products from these cancer cells in the mandible are critical for the development of cancer-induced pain and that the overall response of the system greatly surpasses these local effects, consistent with the widespread distribution of pain in patients. The mechanisms of neuronal plasticity likely occur in the TG itself and are not restricted to afferents exposed to the metastatic cancer microenvironment.


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