scholarly journals Pericyte–fibroblast transition promotes tumor growth and metastasis

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (38) ◽  
pp. E5618-E5627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayoko Hosaka ◽  
Yunlong Yang ◽  
Takahiro Seki ◽  
Carina Fischer ◽  
Olivier Dubey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Cancer Invasion ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Stromal Fibroblast ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Invasion And Metastasis ◽  
Tumor Dissemination

Vascular pericytes, an important cellular component in the tumor microenvironment, are often associated with tumor vasculatures, and their functions in cancer invasion and metastasis are poorly understood. Here we show that PDGF-BB induces pericyte–fibroblast transition (PFT), which significantly contributes to tumor invasion and metastasis. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments demonstrate that PDGF-BB-PDGFRβ signaling promotes PFT both in vitro and in in vivo tumors. Genome-wide expression analysis indicates that PDGF-BB–activated pericytes acquire mesenchymal progenitor features. Pharmacological inhibition and genetic deletion of PDGFRβ ablate the PDGF-BB–induced PFT. Genetic tracing of pericytes with two independent mouse strains, TN-AP-CreERT2:R26R-tdTomato and NG2-CreERT2:R26R-tdTomato, shows that PFT cells gain stromal fibroblast and myofibroblast markers in tumors. Importantly, coimplantation of PFT cells with less-invasive tumor cells in mice markedly promotes tumor dissemination and invasion, leading to an increased number of circulating tumor cells and metastasis. Our findings reveal a mechanism of vascular pericytes in PDGF-BB–promoted cancer invasion and metastasis by inducing PFT, and thus targeting PFT may offer a new treatment option of cancer metastasis.

scholarly journals Assessment of phagocytic activity in live macrophages-tumor cells co-cultures by Confocal and Nomarski Microscopy

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalia Martinez-Marin ◽  
Courtney Jarvis ◽  
Thomas Nelius ◽  
Stéphanie Filleur
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Phagocytic Activity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Functional Assay ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Multiple Cancer

Abstract Macrophages have been recognized as the main inflammatory component of the tumor microenvironment. Although often considered as beneficial for tumor growth and disease progression, tumor-associated macrophages have also been shown to be detrimental to the tumor depending on the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, understanding the molecular interactions between macrophages and tumor cells in relation to macrophages functional activities such as phagocytosis is critical for a better comprehension of their tumor-modulating action. Still, the characterization of these molecular mechanisms in vivo remains complicated due to the extraordinary complexity of the tumor microenvironment and the broad range of tumor-associated macrophage functions. Thus, there is an increasing demand for in vitro methodologies to study the role of cell–cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment. In the present study, we have developed live co-cultures of macrophages and human prostate tumor cells to assess the phagocytic activity of macrophages using a combination of Confocal and Nomarski Microscopy. Using this model, we have emphasized that this is a sensitive, measurable, and highly reproducible functional assay. We have also highlighted that this assay can be applied to multiple cancer cell types and used as a selection tool for a variety of different types of phagocytosis agonists. Finally, combining with other studies such as gain/loss of function or signaling studies remains possible. A better understanding of the interactions between tumor cells and macrophages may lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets against cancer.

scholarly journals Knockdown of ARK5 Expression Suppresses Invasion and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 1025-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dehu Chen ◽  
Guiyuan Liu ◽  
Ning Xu ◽  
Xiaolan You ◽  
Haihua Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Invasion And Metastasis ◽  
Ags Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Background/Aims: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common and lethal malignancy, and AMP-activated protein kinase-related kinase 5 (ARK5) has been discovered to promote cancer metastasis in certain types of cancer. In this study, we explored the role of ARK5 in GC invasion and metastasis. Methods: ARK5 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot in GC specimens. Other methods including stably transfected against ARK5 into SGC7901 and AGS cells, western blot, migration and invasion assays in vitro and nude mice tumorigenicity in vivo were also employed. Results: The results demonstrated that ARK5 expression was increased and positively correlated with metastasis, EMT-related markers and poor prognosis in patients with GC. Knockdown of ARK5 expression remarkably suppressed GC cells invasion and metastasis via regulating EMT, rather than proliferation in vitro and in vivo. And knockdown of ARK5 expression in GC cells resulted in the down-regulation of the mTOR/p70S6k signals, Slug and SIP1. Conclusion: The elevated ARK5 expression was closely associated with cancer metastasis and patient survival, and it seemed to function in GC cells migration and invasion via EMT alteration, together with the alteration of the mTOR/p70S6k signals, Slug and SIP1, thus providing a potential therapeutic target for GC.

scholarly journals EFEMP2 Inhibits Breast Cancer Invasion And Metastasis In Vitro And In Vivo

2019 ◽  
Vol Volume 12 ◽  
pp. 8915-8933
Author(s):  
Ning Kang ◽  
Jijun Zhou ◽  
Jia Xu ◽  
Dongsheng Zhou ◽  
Weichen Shi
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Invasion ◽  
Invasion And Metastasis ◽  
Breast Cancer Invasion

scholarly journals Dissecting Breast Cancer Circulating Tumor Cells Competence via Modelling Metastasis in Zebrafish

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (17) ◽  
pp. 9279
Author(s):  
Inés Martínez-Pena ◽  
Pablo Hurtado ◽  
Nuria Carmona-Ule ◽  
Carmen Abuín ◽  
Ana Belén Dávila-Ibáñez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Circulating Tumor Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Zebrafish Embryo ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Fluid Shear Stress ◽  
In Vivo Models

Background: Cancer metastasis is a deathly process, and a better understanding of the different steps is needed. The shedding of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and CTC-cluster from the primary tumor, its survival in circulation, and homing are key events of the metastasis cascade. In vitro models of CTCs and in vivo models of metastasis represent an excellent opportunity to delve into the behavior of metastatic cells, to gain understanding on how secondary tumors appear. Methods: Using the zebrafish embryo, in combination with the mouse and in vitro assays, as an in vivo model of the spatiotemporal development of metastases, we study the metastatic competency of breast cancer CTCs and CTC-clusters and the molecular mechanisms. Results: CTC-clusters disseminated at a lower frequency than single CTCs in the zebrafish and showed a reduced capacity to invade. A temporal follow-up of the behavior of disseminated CTCs showed a higher survival and proliferation capacity of CTC-clusters, supported by their increased resistance to fluid shear stress. These data were corroborated in mouse studies. In addition, a differential gene signature was observed, with CTC-clusters upregulating cell cycle and stemness related genes. Conclusions: The zebrafish embryo is a valuable model system to understand the biology of breast cancer CTCs and CTC-clusters.

scholarly journals Dexamethasone enhances the lung metastasis of breast cancer via a PI3K-SGK1-CTGF pathway

Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujing Zhang ◽  
Gang Shi ◽  
Hantao Zhang ◽  
Qi Xiong ◽  
Fuyi Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell ◽  
Lung Metastasis ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Breast Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment

AbstractDexamethasone (Dex), as a pretreatment agent, is widely used to attenuate the side effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer treatment. However, whether and how Dex affects breast cancer metastasis remain to be furtherly understood. In this study, we established several mouse breast cancer metastatic models to study the effect of Dex in vitro and in vivo. Transwell, Western Blot and RNA interference were applied to study the molecular mechanism of Dex in promoting breast cancer cell migration. Meanwhile, the effect of Dex on lung metastasis of breast cancer in Dex combined with PTX chemotherapy was discussed. Our results confirmed that Dex could promote breast cancer cell metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies revealed that this pro-metastatic effect of Dex was mediated by the GR-PI3K-SGK1-CTGF pathway in tumor cells. Ligation of Dex and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) on tumor cells activated the PI3K signaling pathway and upregulated serum glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) expression, and then increased the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) through Nedd4l-Smad2. Moreover, Dex was the leading factor for lung metastasis in a standard regimen for breast cancer treatment with paclitaxel and Dex. Importantly, targeting SGK1 with the inhibitor GSK650394 remarkably reduced lung metastasis in this regimen. Our present data provide new insights into Dex-induced breast cancer metastasis and indicate that SGK1 could be a candidate target for the treatment of breast cancer metastasis.

scholarly journals Suppression of Breast Cancer Metastasis Using Stapled Peptides Targeting the WASF Regulatory Complex

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 117906441771319 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K Cowell ◽  
Yong Teng ◽  
N George Bendzunas ◽  
Roxan Ara ◽  
Ali S Arbab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Breast Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Invasion And Metastasis ◽  
Stapled Peptides ◽  
Regulatory Complex

The WASF3 gene facilitates the metastatic phenotype, and its inactivation leads to suppression of invasion and metastasis regardless of the genetic background of the cancer cell. This reliance on WASF3 to facilitate metastasis suggests that targeting its function could serve as an effective strategy to suppress metastasis. WASF3 stability and function are regulated by the WASF Regulatory Complex (WRC) of proteins, particularly CYFIP1 and NCKAP1. Knockdown of these proteins in vitro leads to disruption of the WRC and suppression of invasion. We have used mouse xenograft models of breast cancer metastasis to assess whether targeting the WRC complex suppresses metastasis in vivo. Stapled peptides targeting the WASF3-CYFIP1 interface (WAHM1) and the CYFIP1-NCKAP1 interface (WANT3) suppress the development of lung and liver metastases. Targeting these critical protein-protein interactions, therefore, could potentially be developed into a therapeutic strategy to control cancer cell invasion and metastasis.

scholarly journals Development of pyrazoline-based derivatives as aminopeptidase N inhibitors to overcome cancer invasion and metastasis

RSC Advances ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (35) ◽  
pp. 21426-21432
Author(s):  
Jiangying Cao ◽  
Chunlong Zhao ◽  
Hang Dong ◽  
Qifu Xu ◽  
Yingjie Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Invasion ◽  
Aminopeptidase N ◽  
Invasion And Metastasis

Compound 2k exhibited promising in vitro anti-invasion and in vivo anti-metastasis potencies, suggesting its prospect as an anti-invasion and anti-metastasis lead.

scholarly journals APOC2 accelerates colorectal cancer progression via modulating lipid metabolism and transcriptional activity of PHF8

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Chen ◽  
Chao Xiao ◽  
Yupeng Wang ◽  
Guohe Song ◽  
Xiaoliang Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Blood Lipid ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Invasion And Metastasis ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Progression

AbstractThe apolipoproteins (APOs) are the major proteins in blood lipid transportation. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that APOs might exert important function in tumor cells, but the underlying mechanism remains inclusive. In this study, we aim to explore the relationship between APOC2 dysfunction and colorectal cancer (CRC) malignancy. By analyzing the expression of APOC2 in 507 patients with CRC, we demonstrated that the APOC2 was overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis in CRC. We then found that high levels of APOC2 resulted in proliferation, invasion and metastasis of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we revealed that APOC2 directly interacted with FASN which resulted in decreased levels of omega-3 fatty acids and increased levels of alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG). Both RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analysis revealed that APOC2 overexpression resulted accumulation of α-KG leads to activation on the transcriptional program of PHF8 and thereby contributed to activation on genes involved in cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Together, our study unveiled the oncogenic role of APOC2 in tumor cells, which sheds new light on the potential of APOC2 as a biomarker in the prognosis of CRC.

Cinobufacini Inhibits Colon Cancer Invasion and Metastasis via Suppressing Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway and EMT

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (03) ◽  
pp. 703-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Wang ◽  
Han Cai ◽  
Qiaoli Liu ◽  
Yue Xia ◽  
LiKai Xing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cancer Invasion ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Colon Cancer Cells ◽  
Invasion And Metastasis ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
And Migration

Cinobufacini is a well-known Chinese medicine extracted from Venenum Bufonis, also called Chan Su. It has been used clinically for various cancers, including colon cancer. However, the function of Cinobufacini on colon cancer invasion and metastasis, and its underlying molecular mechanism, is still not clear. In this study, we investigated the function and mechanism of Cinobufacini on colon cancer invasion and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo studies. Human colon cancer cells were cultured. CCK assay was used to detect the effect of Cinobufacini on colon cancer cells proliferation. The invasion and migration abilities were observed by transwell assays, and the expression of invasion and migration related genes MMP2, MMP9, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) relate genes were observed by Western blot assays. An orthotopic xenograft model in nude mice was established using colon cancer HCT116 cells, and the function of Cinobufacini on colon cancer invasion and metastasis were observed in vivo. We found Cinobufacini significantly inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation in a dose/time-dependent manner; the invasion and migration abilities of colon cancer were decreased after treated with Cinobufacini. The metastasis and EMT related genes MMP9, MMP2, N-cadherin and Snail were obviously down-regulated, while the expression of E-cadherin was up-regulated after treatment with Cinobufacini. The Wnt/[Formula: see text]-catenin signaling pathway related genes were observed using WB,and results show that the expression of [Formula: see text]-catenin, wnt3a, c-myc, cyclin D1, and MMP7 were all down-regulated after being treated with cinobufacini, while the expression of APC was up-regulated. In vivo studies of the volume and weight of orthotopic xenograft tumors showed significantly shrinkage in the Cinobufacini group compared to the control group. The enterocoelia and liver metastasis tumors were significantly decreased, and the expression of MMP9, MMP2, and [Formula: see text]-catenin were also down-regulated, while E-cadherin was up-regulated in vivo after the treatment with Cinobufacini. Our data proves that Cinobufacini can inhibit colon cancer invasion and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo; the mechanism is related by suppressing the Wnt/[Formula: see text]-catenin signaling pathway and then inhibiting the EMT of CRC.

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