scholarly journals HOXB7 induces oncogenic transformation in NMuMG cells via JAK2-STAT3 signaling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Sakamoto ◽  
Jun Nakayama ◽  
Atsuka Matsui ◽  
Jiro Fujimoto ◽  
Naoki Goshima ◽  
...  

The homeobox family genes are often dysregulated in various cancer types. In particular, HOXB7 overexpression contributes to cancer progression by promoting epithelial to mesenchymal transition, anti-cancer drug resistance, and metastasis of breast, hepatocellular and gastric cancer. Although the relationship between HOXB7 and cancer progression has been described, the role of HOXB7 in cancer initiation is unclear. In this study, we showed that HOXB7 overexpression induced oncogenic transformation in vitro and in vivo through the activation of JAK-STAT signaling and enhanced the expression of ERBB2 in NMuMG cells. In public data sets, HER2-positive breast cancer highly expressed HOXB7, the expression of which was correlated with poor prognosis in breast cancer cohorts. Furthermore, the amplification of HOXB7 on 17q23.32 was found to be a potential clinical diagnostic marker.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Yi Sun ◽  
Lin Ding ◽  
Wenjing Shi ◽  
Keshuo Ding ◽  
...  

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of female cancer-related mortalities worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been increasingly reported to play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Herein, we focused on LINC00467, which has never been studied in breast cancer. Silence of LINC00467 suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer cells in vitro, whereas forced expression of LINC00467 exhibited the opposite effects. Furthermore, we demonstrated overexpression of LINC00467 promoted tumor growth, while knockdown of LINC00467 inhibited pulmonary metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC00467 down-regulated miR-138-5p by acting as a miRNA “sponge”. Besides, LINC00467 also up-regulated the protein level of lin-28 homolog B (LIN28B) via a direct interaction. A higher expression level of LINC00467 was observed in breast cancer tissues as compared to the adjacent normal counterparts and elevated LINC00467 predicted poor overall survival. Our findings suggest LINC00467 promotes progression of breast cancer through interacting with miR-138-5p and LIN28B directly. LINC00467 may serve as a potential candidate for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyu Li ◽  
Chenyuan Li ◽  
Qi Wu ◽  
Yi Tu ◽  
Changhua Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractBreast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women. Mesenteric estrogen-dependent adipogenesis gene (MEDAG) was first reported as a novel adipogenic gene, and its involvement and mechanism in visceral adiposity were analyzed. However, the role of MEDAG in BC is unclear. The biological roles and corresponding mechanisms were investigated in vitro and in vivo. We found that MEDAG was highly expressed in BC samples and that a high MEDAG expression was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and poor survival in BC patients. MEDAG knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration; triggered epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT); and enhanced epirubicin sensitivity in vitro. The opposite results were observed in MEDAG-overexpressing cells. The inhibition of MEDAG suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, MEDAG knockdown led to decreased phosphorylation levels of AKT, increased levels of p-AMPK, and reduced levels of p-mTOR, while the overexpression of MEDAG had the opposite effects. Moreover, the activation of p-AKT and inhibition of p-AMPK restored the effect of MEDAG on EMT and chemosensitivity in BC cell lines, indicating that MEDAG functions as an oncogene by regulating the AKT/AMPK/mTOR pathway. MEDAG regulates BC progression and EMT via the AKT/AMPK/mTOR pathway and reduces chemosensitivity in BC cells. Therefore, MEDAG is a promising target for BC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Zabkiewicz ◽  
L Ye ◽  
R Hargest

Abstract Introduction HER2 over-expression denotes poor prognosis in breast cancers.Bone morphogenetic protein(BMP) signalling is known to interact with EGF signalling, co-regulating breast cancer progression.BMP antagonist Gremlin-1 may influence breast cancer disease progression, but this remains unexplored in HER2 positive breast cancers. Method GREM1 and HER2 expression, and clinical outcomes were examined in clinical cohorts.GREM1 overexpression or pEF control plasmid were transduced into BT474 HER2+breast cancer cells. In vitro function tests using BT474 pEF and BT474GREM1cells include 2D/3D growth, migration, and expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT)markers. Signalling cascades were examined in BT474 treated with RhGremlin-1. In vivo, BALB/c nude mice underwent either mammary injection or intra-cardiac injection of BT474pEF or BT474GREM1 cells and disease burden assessed. Result GREM1 expression correlates with HER2 in breast tumours(p=0.03) and is higher in metastatic HER2 positive cancers (p = 0.04). HER2 positive patients with high GREM1 have poor survival(p = 0.0002). BT474GREM1cells have up-regulated markers of EMT compared to control. BT474 RhGremlin-1 treated cells have active AKT pathway signalling, independent of BMP signalling. In vitro,  BT474GREM1cells significantly proliferate and migrate compared to control(p<0.05 and p < 0.001).This is confirmed in vivo,  BT474GREM1 mice grew significantly larger mammary tumours(p<0.05) and had more PETCT metastatic hotspots. Conclusion Gremlin-1 is correlated with poor outcomes in HER2 patients and promotes breast cancer cellular growth, migration and metastasis.Gremlin-1 is a novel area of research with potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for personalised, effective, breast cancer outcomes. Take-home message BMP antagonists are gaining interest for their potential in breast cancer prognosis and therapeutics.This novel area of research shows BMP antagonist Gremlin-1 is of importance in HER2 positive breast cancers. DRAGONS DEN


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya Fan ◽  
Jia Wang ◽  
Wen Jin ◽  
Yifei Sun ◽  
Yuemei Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background E3 ubiquitin ligase HRD1 (HMG-CoA reductase degradation protein 1, alias synoviolin with SYVN1 as the official gene symbol) was found downregulated and acting as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer, while the exact expression profile of HRD1 in different breast cancer subtypes remains unknown. Recent studies characterized circular RNAs (circRNAs) playing an regulatory role as miRNA sponge in tumor progression, presenting a new viewpoint for the post-transcriptional regulation of cancer-related genes. Methods Examination of the expression of HRD1 protein and mRNA was implemented using public microarray/RNA-sequencing datasets and breast cancer tissues/cell lines. Based on public RNA-sequencing results, online databases and enrichment/clustering analyses were used to predict the specific combinations of circRNA/miRNA that potentially govern HRD1 expression. Gain-of-function and rescue experiments in vitro and in vivo were executed to evaluate the suppressive effects of circNR3C2 on breast cancer progression through HRD1-mediated proteasomal degradation of Vimentin, which was identified using immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, and in vitro ubiquitination assays. Results HRD1 is significantly underexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) against other subtypes and has an inverse correlation with Vimentin, inhibiting the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) process of breast cancer cells via inducing polyubiquitination-mediated proteasomal degradation of Vimentin. CircNR3C2 (hsa_circ_0071127) is also remarkably downregulated in TNBC, negatively correlated with the distant metastasis and lethality of invasive breast carcinoma. Overexpressing circNR3C2 in vitro and in vivo leads to a crucial enhancement of the tumor-suppressive effects of HRD1 through sponging miR-513a-3p. Conclusions Collectively, we elucidated a bona fide circNR3C2/miR-513a-3p/HRD1/Vimentin axis that negatively regulates the metastasis of TNBC, suggesting that circNR3C2 and HRD1 can act as potential prognostic biomarkers. Our study may facilitate the development of therapeutic agents targeting circNR3C2 and HRD1 for patients with aggressive breast cancer.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wentao Li ◽  
Ismatullah Soufiany ◽  
Xiao Lyu ◽  
Lin Zhao ◽  
Chenfei Lu ◽  
...  

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.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1918
Author(s):  
Yanyuan Wu ◽  
Marianna Sarkissyan ◽  
Ochanya Ogah ◽  
Juri Kim ◽  
Jaydutt V. Vadgama

Background: Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is associated with cancer progression. Our study examined the role of MALAT1 in breast cancer and the mechanisms involved in the regulation of MALAT1. Methods: In vitro cell and in vivo animal models were used to examine the role of MALAT1 in breast cancer. The interaction of FOXO1 (Forkhead Box O1) at the promoter region of MALAT1 was investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Results: The data shows an elevated expression of MALAT1 in breast cancer tissues and cells compared to non-cancer tissues and cells. The highest level of MALAT1 was observed in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and trastuzumab-resistant HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) overexpressing (HER2+) cells. Knockdown of MALAT1 in trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ cells reversed epithelial to mesenchymal transition-like phenotype and cell invasiveness. It improved the sensitivity of the cell’s response to trastuzumab. Furthermore, activation of Akt by phosphorylation was associated with the upregulation of MALAT1. The transcription factor FOXO1 regulates the expression of MALAT1 via the PI3/Akt pathway. Conclusions: We show that MALAT1 contributes to HER2+ cell resistance to trastuzumab. Targeting the PI3/Akt pathway and stabilizing FOXO1 translocation could inhibit the upregulation of MALAT1.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Landuzzi ◽  
Arianna Palladini ◽  
Claudio Ceccarelli ◽  
Sofia Asioli ◽  
Giordano Nicoletti ◽  
...  

AbstractWe established patient-derived xenografts (PDX) from human primary breast cancers and studied whether stability or progressive events occurred during long-term in vivo passages (up to 4 years) in severely immunodeficient mice. While most PDX showed stable biomarker expression and growth phenotype, a HER2-positive PDX (PDX-BRB4) originated a subline (out of 6 studied in parallel) that progressively acquired a significantly increased tumor growth rate, resistance to cell senescence of in vitro cultures, increased stem cell marker expression and high lung metastatic ability, along with a strong decrease of BCL2 expression. RNAseq analysis of the progressed subline showed that BCL2 was connected to three main hub genes also down-regulated (CDKN2A, STAT5A and WT1). Gene expression of progressed subline suggested a partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. PDX-BRB4 with its progressed subline is a preclinical model mirroring the clinical paradox of high level-BCL2 as a good prognostic factor in breast cancer. Sequential in vivo passages of PDX-BRB4 chronically treated with trastuzumab developed progressive loss of sensitivity to trastuzumab while HER2 expression and sensitivity to the pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor neratinib were maintained. Long-term PDX studies, even though demanding, can originate new preclinical models, suitable to investigate the mechanisms of breast cancer progression and new therapeutic approaches.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monish Ram Makena ◽  
Myungjun Ko ◽  
Donna Kimberly Dang ◽  
Rajini Rao

AbstractThe secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase SPCA2 is a tumor suppressor in triple receptor negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive molecular subtype that lacks tailored treatment options. Low expression of SPCA2 in TNBC confers poor survival prognosis in patients. Previous work has established that re-introducing SPCA2 to TNBC cells restores basal Ca2+ signaling, represses mesenchymal gene expression, mitigates tumor migration in vitro and metastasis in vivo. In this study, we examined the effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) in TNBC cell lines. We show that the pan-HDACi vorinostat and the class I HDACi romidepsin induce dose-dependent upregulation of SPCA2 transcript with concurrent downregulation of mesenchymal markers and tumor cell migration characteristic of epithelial phenotype. Silencing SPCA2 abolished the ability of HDACi to reverse epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Independent of ATPase activity, SPCA2 elevated resting Ca2+ levels to activate downstream components of non-canonical Wnt/Ca2+ signaling. HDACi treatment led to SPCA2-dependent phosphorylation of CAMKII and β-catenin, turning Wnt signaling off. We conclude that SPCA2 mediates the efficacy of HDACi in reversing EMT in TNBC by a novel mode of non-canonical Wnt/Ca2+ signaling. Our findings provide incentive for screening epigenetic modulators that exploit Ca2+ signaling pathways to reverse EMT in breast tumors.Simple SummaryThe triple receptor negative breast cancer subtype, or TNBC, currently has no tailored treatment options. TNBC is highly metastatic, associated with high patient mortality, and disproportionately occurs in Black/African American women where it contributes to racial disparities in health outcomes. Therefore, we focused on new therapeutic approaches to TNBC. We discovered that levels of the Calcium-ATPase SPCA2 are abnormally low in TNBC and that these low levels correlate with poor survival prognosis in patients. Previously, we showed that recombinant SPCA2 prevented TNBC cells from acquiring aggressive ‘mesenchymal’ properties associated with metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. These findings motivated us to search for drugs that turn the SPCA2 gene back on in TNBC cells. In this study, we show that histone deacetylase inhibitors increase SPCA2 levels, activate Ca2+ signaling and convert cancer cells to a less aggressive ‘epithelial’ state. These findings could lead to new treatment options for TNBC.Graphical Abstract


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document