scholarly journals LOXL1‐AS1 communicating with TIAR modulates vasculogenic mimicry in glioma via regulation of the miR‐374b‐5p/ MMP14 axis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bolong Yi ◽  
Hao Li ◽  
Heng Cai ◽  
Xin Lou ◽  
Mingjun Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vasculogenic Mimicry

scholarly journals Overview on the Different Patterns of Tumor Vascularization

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 639
Author(s):  
Domenico Ribatti ◽  
Francesco Pezzella
Keyword(s):  
Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽  
Endothelial Cell Proliferation ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Alternative Mechanism ◽  
Tumor Vascularization ◽  
Angiogenic Therapy ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Inhibition Of Angiogenesis ◽  
Therapeutic Development

Angiogenesis is a crucial event in the physiological processes of embryogenesis and wound healing. During malignant transformation, dysregulation of angiogenesis leads to the formation of a vascular network of tumor-associated capillaries promoting survival and proliferation of the tumor cells. Starting with the hypothesis formulated by Judah Folkman that tumor growth is angiogenesis-dependent, this area of research has a solid scientific foundation and inhibition of angiogenesis is a major area of therapeutic development for the treatment of cancer. Over this period numerous authors published data of vascularization of tumors, which attributed the cause of neo-vascularization to various factors including inflammation, release of angiogenic cytokines, vasodilatation, and increased tumor metabolism. More recently, it has been demonstrated that tumor vasculature is not necessarily derived by endothelial cell proliferation and sprouting of new capillaries, but alternative vascularization mechanisms have been described, namely vascular co-option and vasculogenic mimicry. In this article, we have analyzed the mechanisms involved in tumor vascularization in association with classical angiogenesis, including post-natal vasculogenesis, intussusceptive microvascular growth, vascular co-option, and vasculogenic mimicry. We have also discussed the role of these alternative mechanism in resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy and potential therapeutic approaches to overcome resistance.

scholarly journals TEM8 marks neovasculogenic tumor-initiating cells in triple-negative breast cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiahui Xu ◽  
Xiaoli Yang ◽  
Qiaodan Deng ◽  
Cong Yang ◽  
Dong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Breast Tumor ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Tumor Initiating Cells ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Tumor Endothelial Marker 8

AbstractEnhanced neovasculogenesis, especially vasculogenic mimicry (VM), contributes to the development of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Breast tumor-initiating cells (BTICs) are involved in forming VM; however, the specific VM-forming BTIC population and the regulatory mechanisms remain undefined. We find that tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) is abundantly expressed in TNBC and serves as a marker for VM-forming BTICs. Mechanistically, TEM8 increases active RhoC level and induces ROCK1-mediated phosphorylation of SMAD5, in a cascade essential for promoting stemness and VM capacity of breast cancer cells. ASB10, an estrogen receptor ERα trans-activated E3 ligase, ubiquitylates TEM8 for degradation, and its deficiency in TNBC resulted in a high homeostatic level of TEM8. In this work, we identify TEM8 as a functional marker for VM-forming BTICs in TNBC, providing a target for the development of effective therapies against TNBC targeting both BTIC self-renewal and neovasculogenesis simultaneously.

scholarly journals Computational Methods for Structure-to-Function Analysis of Diet-Derived Catechins-Mediated Targeting of In Vitro Vasculogenic Mimicry

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 117693512110092
Author(s):  
Abicumaran Uthamacumaran ◽  
Narjara Gonzalez Suarez ◽  
Abdoulaye Baniré Diallo ◽  
Borhane Annabi
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Emergent Behavior ◽  
Molecular Signature ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Cells

Background: Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is an adaptive biological phenomenon wherein cancer cells spontaneously self-organize into 3-dimensional (3D) branching network structures. This emergent behavior is considered central in promoting an invasive, metastatic, and therapy resistance molecular signature to cancer cells. The quantitative analysis of such complex phenotypic systems could require the use of computational approaches including machine learning algorithms originating from complexity science. Procedures: In vitro 3D VM was performed with SKOV3 and ES2 ovarian cancer cells cultured on Matrigel. Diet-derived catechins disruption of VM was monitored at 24 hours with pictures taken with an inverted microscope. Three computational algorithms for complex feature extraction relevant for 3D VM, including 2D wavelet analysis, fractal dimension, and percolation clustering scores were assessed coupled with machine learning classifiers. Results: These algorithms demonstrated the structure-to-function galloyl moiety impact on VM for each of the gallated catechin tested, and shown applicable in quantifying the drug-mediated structural changes in VM processes. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence of how appropriate 3D VM compression and feature extractors coupled with classification/regression methods could be efficient to study in vitro drug-induced perturbation of complex processes. Such approaches could be exploited in the development and characterization of drugs targeting VM.

scholarly journals Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of hypoxia-inducible factors 1α and 2α in hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review with meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175883592098707
Author(s):  
Carolina Méndez-Blanco ◽  
Paula Fernández-Palanca ◽  
Flavia Fondevila ◽  
Javier González-Gallego ◽  
José L. Mauriz
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Tumor Size ◽  
Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Clinicopathological Features ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factors ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Node Metastasis ◽  
Clinicopathological Significance

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly recurrent tumor after resection and has been closely related to hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factors 1α and 2α (HIF-1α and HIF-2α) have been shown to contribute to tumor progression and therapy resistance in HCC. We evaluated the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in HCC patients. Methods: We systematically searched Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) from inception to 1 June 2020 for studies evaluating HIF-1α and/or HIF-2α expression in HCC. Selected articles evaluate at least one factor by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in HCC patients who underwent surgical resection, and its relationship with prognosis and/or clinicopathological features. Study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CDR42020191977). We meta-analyzed the data extracted or estimated according to the Parmar method employing STATA software. We evaluated the overall effect size for the hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), as well as heterogeneity across studies with the I2 statistic and chi-square-based Q test. Moreover, we conducted subgroup analysis when heterogeneity was substantial. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot asymmetry and Egger’s test. Results: HIF-1α overexpression was correlated with overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS)/recurrence-free survival (RFS) and clinicopathological features including Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC), capsule infiltration, intrahepatic metastasis, lymph node metastasis, tumor–node–metastasis (TNM), tumor differentiation, tumor number, tumor size (3 cm), vascular invasion and vasculogenic mimicry. We also detected a possible correlation of HIF-1α with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), cirrhosis, histological grade, tumor size (5 cm) and albumin after subgroup analysis. Initially, only DFS/RFS appeared to be associated with HIF-2α overexpression. Subgroup analysis denoted that HIF-2α overexpression was related to OS and capsule infiltration. Conclusions: HIF-1α and HIF-2α overexpression is related to poor OS, DFS/RFS and some clinicopathological features of HCC patients, suggesting that both factors could be useful HCC biomarkers.

scholarly journals A novel humanized Frizzled-7-targeting antibody enhances antitumor effects of Bevacizumab against triple-negative breast cancer via blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Xie ◽  
Huijie Zhao ◽  
Fengxian Wang ◽  
Yiyun Wang ◽  
Yuan He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Mouse Xenograft Model

Abstract Background Anti-angiogenic therapy has been widely applied to the clinical treatment of malignant tumors. However, the efficacy of such treatments has been called into question, especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Bevacizumab, the first anti-angiogenic agent approved by FDA, actually increases invasive and metastatic properties of TNBC cells, resulting from the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in response to hypoxia. As a critical receptor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Frizzled-7 (Fzd7) is aberrantly expressed in TNBC, indicating Fzd7 a potential target for developing drugs to be combined with anti-angiogenic agents. Methods Hybridoma technique and antibody humanization technique were utilized to generate a Fzd7-targeting antibody (SHH002-hu1). Biolayer interferometry (BLI) assay and near infrared (NIR) imaging were conducted to detect the affinity and targeting ability of SHH002-hu1. Next, whether SHH002-hu1 could suppress the invasion and migration of TNBC cells induced by Bevacizumab were validated, and the underlying molecular mechanisms were elucidated by luciferase reporter and western blot assays. The nude-mice transplanted TNBC models were established to assess the anti-TNBC activities of SHH002-hu1 when combined with Bevacizumab. Then, the effects on putative TNBC stem-like cells and Wnt/β-catenin signaling were evaluated by immunofluorescence (IF). Further, the tumor-initiating and self-renew capacity of TNBC cells were studied by secondary nude mouse xenograft model and sphere formation assay. In addition, the effects of SHH002-hu1 on the adaptation of TNBC cells to hypoxia were evaluated by the detection of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) transcriptional activity. Results The novel humanized antibody targeting Fzd7 (SHH002-hu1) exhibited extremely high affinity with Fzd7, and specifically targeted to Fzd7+ cells and tumor tissues. SHH002-hu1 repressed invasion, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal cell transformation (EMT) of TNBC cells induced by Bevacizumab through abating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. SHH002-hu1 significantly enhanced the capacity of Bevacizumab to inhibit the growth of TNBC via reducing the subpopulation of putative TNBC stem-like cells, further attenuating Bevacizumab-enhanced tumor-initiating and self-renew capacity of TNBC cells. Moreover, SHH002-hu1 effectively restrained the adaptation of TNBC cells to hypoxia via disrupting Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Conclusion SHH002-hu1 significantly enhances the anti-TNBC capacity of Bevacizumab, and shows the potential of preventing TNBC recurrence, suggesting SHH002-hu1 a good candidate for the synergistic therapy together with Bevacizumab.

scholarly journals CD36 promotes vasculogenic mimicry in melanoma by mediating adhesion to the extracellular matrix

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmela Martini ◽  
Mark DeNichilo ◽  
Danielle P. King ◽  
Michaelia P. Cockshell ◽  
Brenton Ebert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽  
Tumor Vasculature ◽  
Melanoma Cells ◽  
Human Melanoma ◽  
Cell Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Melanoma Cancer ◽  
In Vitro Angiogenesis

Abstract Background The formation of blood vessels within solid tumors directly contributes to cancer growth and metastasis. Until recently, tumor vasculature was thought to occur exclusively via endothelial cell (EC) lined structures (i.e. angiogenesis), but a second source of tumor vasculature arises from the cancer cells themselves, a process known as vasculogenic mimicry (VM). While it is generally understood that the function of VM vessels is the same as that of EC-lined vessels (i.e. to supply oxygen and nutrients to the proliferating cancer cells), the molecular mechanisms underpinning VM are yet to be fully elucidated. Methods Human VM-competent melanoma cell lines were examined for their VM potential using the in vitro angiogenesis assays (Matrigel), together with inhibition studies using small interfering RNA and blocking monoclonal antibodies. Invasion assays and adhesion assays were used to examine cancer cell function. Results Herein we demonstrate that CD36, a cell surface glycoprotein known to promote angiogenesis by ECs, also supports VM formation by human melanoma cancer cells. In silico analysis of CD36 expression within the melanoma cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas suggests that melanoma patients with high expression of CD36 have a poorer clinical outcome. Using in vitro ‘angiogenesis’ assays and CD36-knockdown approaches, we reveal that CD36 supports VM formation by human melanoma cells as well as adhesion to, and invasion through, a cancer derived extracellular matrix substrate. Interestingly, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a ligand for CD36 on ECs that inhibits angiogenesis, has no effect on VM formation. Further investigation revealed a role for laminin, but not collagen or fibronectin, as ligands for CD36 expressing melanoma cells. Conclusions Taken together, this study suggests that CD36 is a novel regulator of VM by melanoma cancer cells that is facilitated, at least in part, via integrin-α3 and laminin. Unlike angiogenesis, VM is not perturbed by the presence of TSP-1, thus providing new information on differences between these two processes of tumor vascularization which may be exploited to combat cancer progression.

scholarly journals EGCG Inhibits Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiation into Adipocytes and Prevents a STAT3-Mediated Paracrine Oncogenic Control of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Invasive Phenotype

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1506
Author(s):  
Narjara Gonzalez Suarez ◽  
Sahily Rodriguez Torres ◽  
Amira Ouanouki ◽  
Layal El Cheikh-Hussein ◽  
Borhane Annabi
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Invasive Phenotype ◽  
Fatty Acid Binding

Obese subjects have an increased risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in part associated with the chronic low-grade inflammation state. On the other hand, epidemiological data indicates that increased consumption of polyphenol-rich fruits and vegetables plays a key role in reducing incidence of some cancer types. Here, we tested whether green tea-derived epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could alter adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into adipocytes, and how this impacts the secretome profile and paracrine regulation of the TNBC invasive phenotype. Here, cell differentiation was performed and conditioned media (CM) from preadipocytes and mature adipocytes harvested. Human TNBC-derived MDA-MB-231 real-time cell migration was performed using the exCELLigence system. Differential gene arrays and RT-qPCR were used to assess gene expression levels. Western blotting was used to assess protein expression and phosphorylation status levels. In vitro vasculogenic mimicry (VM) was assessed with Matrigel. EGCG was found to inhibit the induction of key adipogenic biomarkers, including lipoprotein lipase, adiponectin, leptin, fatty acid synthase, and fatty acid binding protein 4. Increased TNBC-derived MDA-MB-231 cell chemotaxis and vasculogenic mimicry were observed in response to mature adipocytes secretome, and this was correlated with increased STAT3 phosphorylation status. This invasive phenotype was prevented by EGCG, the JAK/STAT inhibitors Tofacitinib and AG490, as well as upon STAT3 gene silencing. In conclusion, dietary catechin-mediated interventions could, in part through the inhibition of adipogenesis and modulation of adipocytes secretome profile, prevent the onset of an obesogenic environment that favors TNBC development.

scholarly journals HIF-1α promoted vasculogenic mimicry formation in lung adenocarcinoma through NRP1 upregulation in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ran Fu ◽  
Wenwen Du ◽  
Zongli Ding ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Vimentin Expression ◽  
Cell Metastasis ◽  
Therapeutic Value ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Important Form

AbstractNeovascularization is a key factor that contributes to tumor metastasis, and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is an important form of neovascularization found in highly invasive tumors, including lung cancer. Despite the increasing number of studies focusing on VM, the mechanisms underlying VM formation remain unclear. Herein, our study explored the role of the HIF-1α/NRP1 axis in mediating lung adenocarcinoma metastasis and VM formation. HIF-1α, NRP1 expression, and VM in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patient samples were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative real-time (qRT-PCR), western blot, transwell assay, wound healing assay, and tube formation assay were performed to verify the role of HIF-1α/NRP1 axis in LUAD metastasis and VM formation. ChIP and luciferase reporter assay were used to confirm whether NRP1 is a direct target of HIF-1α. In LUAD tissues, we confirmed a positive relationship between HIF-1α and NRP1 expression. Importantly, high HIF-1α and NRP1 expression and the presence of VM were correlated with poor prognosis. We also found that HIF-1α could induce LUAD cell migration, invasion, and VM formation by regulating NRP1. Moreover, we demonstrated that HIF-1α can directly bind to the NRP1 promoter located between −2009 and −2017 of the promoter. Mechanistically, MMP2, VE-cadherin, and Vimentin expression were affected. HIF-1α plays an important role in inducing lung adenocarcinoma cell metastasis and VM formation via upregulation of NRP1. This study highlights the potential therapeutic value of targeting NRP1 for suppressing lung adenocarcinoma metastasis and progression.

scholarly journals Vasculogenic mimicry, a negative indicator for progression free survival of lung adenocarcinoma irrespective of first line treatment and epithelial growth factor receptor mutation status

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuejun He ◽  
Jijun You ◽  
Haibing Ding ◽  
Zhisheng Zhang ◽  
Lin Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Target Therapy ◽  
Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽  
Therapy Response ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Egfr Mutations ◽  
Line Treatment ◽  
First Line ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
First Line Treatment

Abstract Background Vascular mimicry (VM) was associated with the prognosis of cancers. The aim of the study was to explore the association between VM and anticancer therapy response in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Methods This was a single-center retrospective study of patients with lung adenocarcinoma between March 1st, 2013, to April 1st, 2019, at the Second People’s Hospital of Taizhou City. All included patients were divided into the VM and no-VM groups according to whether VM was observed or not in the specimen. Vessels with positive PAS and negative CD34 staining were confirmed as VM. The main outcome was progression-free survival (PFS). Results Sixty-six (50.4%) patients were male. Eighty-one patients received chemotherapy as the first-line treatment, and 50 patients received TKIs. Forty-five (34.4%) patients were confirmed with VM. There was no difference regarding the first-line treatment between the VM and no-VM groups (P = 0.285). The 86 patients without VM had a median PFS of 279 (range, 90–1095) days, and 45 patients with VM had a median PFS of 167 (range, 90–369) days (P < 0.001). T stage (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10–1.71), N stage (HR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.09–1.86), M stage (HR = 2.85, 95%CI: 1.76–4.61), differentiation (HR = 1.85, 95%CI: 1.29–2.65), therapy (HR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.21–0.49), VM (HR = 2.12, 95%CI: 1.33–3.37), and ECOG (HR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.09–1.84) were independently associated with PFS. Conclusion The benefits of first-line TKIs for NSCLC with EGFR mutation are possibly better than those of platinum-based regimens in patients without VM, but there is no difference in the benefit of chemotherapy or target therapy for VM-positive NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations.

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