scholarly journals Hypoxia-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Is Involved in Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Guo ◽  
Jun-mei Xu ◽  
Lei Liu ◽  
Su-mei Liu ◽  
Rong Zhu
Keyword(s):  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Lung Fibrosis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Protein Levels

Pulmonary fibrosis is a severe disease that contributes to the morbidity and mortality of a number of lung diseases. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to lung fibrosis are poorly understood. This study investigated the roles of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the associated molecular mechanisms in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. The bleomycin-induced fibrosis animal model was established by intratracheal injection of a single dose of bleomycin. Protein expression was measured by Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Typical lesions of lung fibrosis were observed 1 week after bleomycin injection. A progressive increase in MMP-2, S100A4,α-SMA, HIF-1α, ZEB1, CD44, phospho-p44/42 (p-p44/42), and phospho-p38 MAPK (p-p38) protein levels as well as activation of EMT was observed in the lung tissues of bleomycin mice. Hypoxia increased HIF-1αand ZEB1 expression and activated EMT in H358 cells. Also, continuous incubation of cells under mild hypoxic conditions increased CD44, p-p44/42, and p-p38 protein levels in H358 cells, which correlated with the increase in S100A4 expression. In conclusion, bleomycin induces progressive lung fibrosis, which may be associated with activation of EMT. The fibrosis-induced hypoxia may further activate EMT in distal alveoli through a hypoxia-HIF-1α-ZEB1 pathway and promote the differentiation of lung epithelial cells into fibroblasts through phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and Erk1/2 proteins.

scholarly journals Metformin Attenuates Silica-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis via AMPK Signaling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Demin Cheng ◽  
Qi Xu ◽  
Yue Wang ◽  
Guanru Li ◽  
Wenqing Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Lung Fibrosis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pharmacological Action ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Lung Fibroblasts ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Abstract Background: Silicosis is one of the most common occupational pulmonary fibrosis caused by respirable silica-based particle exposure, with no ideal drugs at present. Metformin, a commonly used biguanide antidiabetic agent, could activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to exert its pharmacological action. Therefore, we sought to investigate the role of metformin in silica-induced lung fibrosis.Methods: The anti-fibrotic role of metformin was assessed in 50 mg/kg silica-induced lung fibrosis model. SiO2-stimulated lung epithelial cells/macrophages and TGF-β-induced differentiated lung fibroblasts were used for in vitro models.Results: At the concentration of 300 mg/kg in the mouse model, metformin significantly reduced lung inflammation and fibrosis in SiO2-instilled mice at the early and late fibrotic stages. Besides, metformin (range 2mM to 10mM) reversed SiO2-induced cell toxicity, oxidative stress, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in epithelial cells (A549 and HBE), inhibited inflammation response in macrophages (THP-1), and alleviated TGF-β1-stimulated fibroblast activation in lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) via an AMPK-dependent pathway.Conclusions: In this study, we identified that metformin might be a potential drug for silicosis treatment.

MiR-597 Targeting 14-3-3σ Enhances Cellular Invasion and EMT in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisha Xie ◽  
Tao Jiang ◽  
Ailan Cheng ◽  
Ting Zhang ◽  
Pin Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Suppressor Gene ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Before And After

Background: Alterations in microRNAs (miRNAs) are related to the occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and play an important role in the molecular mechanism of NPC. Our previous studies show low expression of 14-3-3σ (SFN) is related to the metastasis and differentiation of NPC, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: Through bioinformatics analysis, we find miR-597 is the preferred target miRNA of 14-3-3σ. The expression level of 14-3-3σ in NPC cell lines was detected by Western blotting. The expression of miR-597 in NPC cell lines was detected by qRT-PCR. We transfected miR-597 mimic, miR-597 inhibitor and 14-3-3σ siRNA into 6-10B cells and then verified the expression of 14-3-3σ and EMT related proteins, including E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin by western blotting. The changes of migration and invasion ability of NPC cell lines before and after transfected were determined by wound healing assay and Transwell assay. Results: miR-597 expression was upregulated in NPC cell lines and repaired in related NPC cell lines, which exhibit a potent tumor-forming effect. After inhibiting the miR-597 expression, its effect on NPC cell line was obviously decreased. Moreover, 14-3-3σ acts as a tumor suppressor gene and its expression in NPC cell lines is negatively correlated with miR-597. Here 14-3-3σ was identified as a downstream target gene of miR-597, and its downregulation by miR-597 drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promotes the migration and invasion of NPC. Conclusion: Based on these findings, our study will provide theoretical and experimental evidences for molecular targeted therapy of NPC.

Galectin-3: A factotum in carcinogenesis bestowing an archery for prevention

Tumor Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-96
Author(s):  
T. Jeethy Ram ◽  
Asha Lekshmi ◽  
Thara Somanathan ◽  
K. Sujathan
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Innovative Strategy ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Galectin 3

Cancer metastasis and therapy resistance are the foremost hurdles in oncology at the moment. This review aims to pinpoint the functional aspects of a unique multifaceted glycosylated molecule in both intracellular and extracellular compartments of a cell namely galectin-3 along with its metastatic potential in different types of cancer. All materials reviewed here were collected through the search engines PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar. Among the 15 galectins identified, the chimeric gal-3 plays an indispensable role in the differentiation, transformation, and multi-step process of tumor metastasis. It has been implicated in the molecular mechanisms that allow the cancer cells to survive in the intravascular milieu and promote tumor cell extravasation, ultimately leading to metastasis. Gal-3 has also been found to have a pivotal role in immune surveillance and pro-angiogenesis and several studies have pointed out the importance of gal-3 in establishing a resistant phenotype, particularly through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. Additionally, some recent findings suggest the use of gal-3 inhibitors in overcoming therapeutic resistance. All these reports suggest that the deregulation of these specific lectins at the cellular level could inhibit cancer progression and metastasis. A more systematic study of glycosylation in clinical samples along with the development of selective gal-3 antagonists inhibiting the activity of these molecules at the cellular level offers an innovative strategy for primary cancer prevention.

scholarly journals MicroRNAs and Stem-like Properties: The Complex Regulation Underlying Stemness Maintenance and Cancer Development

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1074
Author(s):  
Giuseppina Divisato ◽  
Silvia Piscitelli ◽  
Mariantonietta Elia ◽  
Emanuela Cascone ◽  
Silvia Parisi
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cancer Development ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Different Cell Types

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the extraordinary properties to indefinitely proliferate and self-renew in culture to produce different cell progeny through differentiation. This latter process recapitulates embryonic development and requires rounds of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is characterized by the loss of the epithelial features and the acquisition of the typical phenotype of the mesenchymal cells. In pathological conditions, EMT can confer stemness or stem-like phenotypes, playing a role in the tumorigenic process. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation, found in the tumor tissues, with stem-like properties such as uncontrolled proliferation, self-renewal, and ability to differentiate into different cell types. ESCs and CSCs share numerous features (pluripotency, self-renewal, expression of stemness genes, and acquisition of epithelial–mesenchymal features), and most of them are under the control of microRNAs (miRNAs). These small molecules have relevant roles during both embryogenesis and cancer development. The aim of this review was to recapitulate molecular mechanisms shared by ESCs and CSCs, with a special focus on the recently identified classes of microRNAs (noncanonical miRNAs, mirtrons, isomiRs, and competitive endogenous miRNAs) and their complex functions during embryogenesis and cancer development.

Visfatin facilitates gastric cancer malignancy by targeting snai1 via the NF-κB signaling

2021 ◽  
pp. 096032712110061
Author(s):  
D Cao ◽  
L Chu ◽  
Z Xu ◽  
J Gong ◽  
R Deng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Blot Analysis ◽  
Western Blot Analysis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cell Migration And Invasion ◽  
Protein Levels

Background: Visfatin acts as an oncogenic factor in numerous tumors through a variety of cellular processes. Visfatin has been revealed to promote cell migration and invasion in gastric cancer (GC). Snai1 is a well-known regulator of EMT process in cancers. However, the relationship between visfatin and snai1 in GC remains unclear. The current study aimed to explore the role of visfatin in GC. Methods: The RT-qPCR and western blot analysis were used to measure RNA and protein levels, respectively. The cell migration and invasion were tested by Trans-well assays and western blot analysis. Results: Visfatin showed upregulation in GC cells. Additionally, Visfatin with increasing concentration facilitated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by increasing E-cadherin and reducing N-cadherin and Vimentin protein levels in GC cells. Moreover, endogenous overexpression and knockdown of visfatin promoted and inhibited migratory and invasive abilities of GC cells, respectively. Then, we found that snai1 protein level was positively regulated by visfatin in GC cells. In addition, visfatin activated the NF-κB signaling to modulate snai1 protein expression. Furthermore, the silencing of snai1 counteracted the promotive impact of visfatin on cell migration, invasion and EMT process in GC. Conclusion: Visfatin facilitates cell migration, invasion and EMT process by targeting snai1 via the NF-κB signaling, which provides a potential insight for the treatment of GC.

scholarly journals Circulating miRNAs Related to Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transitions (EMT) as the New Molecular Markers in Endometriosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 900-916
Author(s):  
Anna Zubrzycka ◽  
Monika Migdalska-Sęk ◽  
Sławomir Jędrzejczyk ◽  
Ewa Brzeziańska-Lasota
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Endometrial Stromal Cells ◽  
Disease Etiology ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarkers ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Non Invasive

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease defined by the presence of endometrial-like tissue found outside the uterus, most commonly in the peritoneal cavity. Endometriosis lesions are heterogenous but usually contain endometrial stromal cells and epithelial glands, immune cell infiltrates and are vascularized and innervated by nerves. The complex etiopathogenesis and heterogenity of the clinical symptoms, as well as the lack of a specific non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers, underline the need for more advanced diagnostic tools. Unfortunately, the contribution of environmental, hormonal and immunological factors in the disease etiology is insufficient, and the contribution of genetic/epigenetic factors is still fragmentary. Therefore, there is a need for more focused study on the molecular mechanisms of endometriosis and non-invasive diagnostic monitoring systems. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) demonstrate high stability and tissue specificity and play a significant role in modulating a range of molecular pathways, and hence may be suitable diagnostic biomarkers for the origin and development of endometriosis. Of these, the most frequently studied are those related to endometriosis, including those involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), whose expression is altered in plasma or endometriotic lesion biopsies; however, the results are ambiguous. Specific miRNAs expressed in endometriosis may serve as diagnostics markers with prognostic value, and they have been proposed as molecular targets for treatment. The aim of this review is to present selected miRNAs associated with EMT known to have experimentally confirmed significance, and discuss their utility as biomarkers in endometriosis.

scholarly journals A novel homeostatic loop of sorcin drives paclitaxel-resistance and malignant progression via Smad4/ZEB1/miR-142-5p in human ovarian cancer

Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinguo Zhang ◽  
Wencai Guan ◽  
Xiaolin Xu ◽  
Fanchen Wang ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Malignant Progression ◽  
Bioinformatics Analyses ◽  
Aberrant Expression ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
E Box

AbstractThe primary chemotherapy of ovarian cancer (OC) often acquires chemoresistance. Sorcin (SRI), a soluble resistance-related calcium-binding protein, has been reported to be an oncogenic protein in cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of SRI regulation and the role and aberrant expression of SRI in chemoresistant OC remain unclear. Here, we identified SRI as a key driver of paclitaxel (PTX)-resistance and explored its regulatory mechanism. Using transcriptome profiles, qRT-PCR, proteomics, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and bioinformatics analyses, we found that SRI was overexpressed in PTX-resistant OC cells and the overexpression of SRI was related to the poor prognosis of patients. SRI was a key molecule required for growth, migration, and PTX-resistance in vitro and in vivo and was involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness. Mechanistic studies showed that miR-142-5p directly bound to the 3ʹ-UTR of SRI to suppress its expression, whereas a transcription factor zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) inhibited the transcription of miR-142-5p by directly binding to the E-box fragment in the miR-142 promoter region. Furthermore, ZEB1 was negatively regulated by SRI which physically interacted with Smad4 to block its translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus. Taken together, our findings unveil a novel homeostatic loop of SRI that drives the PTX-resistance and malignant progression via Smad4/ZEB1/miR-142-5p in human OC. Targeting this SRI/Smad4/ZEB1/miR-142-5p loop may reverse the PTX-resistance.

scholarly journals Circular RNA hsa_circ_0000277 sequesters miR-4766-5p to upregulate LAMA1 and promote esophageal carcinoma progression

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Li Zhou ◽  
Zhengyang Wu ◽  
Wenguang Zhang ◽  
Miao Xu ◽  
Jianzhuang Ren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Bioinformatics Analysis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Circular Rnas ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Dismal Prognosis ◽  
Advanced Tumor

AbstractGrowing evidence has indicated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a pivotal role as functional RNAs in diverse cancers. However, most circRNAs involved in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain undefined, and the underlying molecular mechanisms mediated by circRNAs are largely unclear. Here, we screened human circRNA expression profiles in ESCC tissues and found significantly increased expression of hsa_circ_0000277 (termed circPDE3B) in ESCC tissues and cell lines compared to the normal controls. Moreover, higher circPDE3B expression in patients with ESCC was correlated with advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and dismal prognosis. Functional experiments demonstrated that circPDE3B promoted the tumorigenesis and metastasis of ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, bioinformatics analysis, a dual-luciferase reporter assay, and anti-AGO2 RNA immunoprecipitation showed that circPDE3B could act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by harboring miR-4766-5p to eliminate the inhibitory effect on the target gene laminin α1 (LAMA1). In addition, LAMA1 was significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and was positively associated with the aggressive oncogenic phenotype. More importantly, rescue experiments revealed that the oncogenic role of circPDE3B in ESCC is partly dependent on the miR-4766-5p/LAMA1 axis. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis combined with validation experiments showed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation was involved in the oncogenic functions of the circPDE3B–miR-4766-5p/LAMA1 axis in ESCC. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time that the circPDE3B/miR-4766-5p/LAMA1 axis functions as an oncogenic factor in promoting ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by inducing EMT, implying its potential prognostic and therapeutic significance in ESCC.

YAP1 Overexpression Is Associated with Kidney Dysfunction in Lupus Nephritis

Pathobiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ying Xie ◽  
Yuanyuan Ruan ◽  
Huimei Zou ◽  
Yixin Wang ◽  
Xin Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lupus Nephritis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Kidney Tissue ◽  
Mouse Kidney ◽  
Experimental Comparison ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Protein Levels

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The goal of the present study was to determine the expression of yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) in renal tissues of mice with lupus nephritis (LN) and elucidate its role in the progression of renal fibrosis. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> C57BL/6 mice and MRL/lpr mice were selected for experimental comparison. Mouse kidney tissues were removed and sectioned for hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson’s trichome staining, Sirius staining, and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein levels of YAP1 in mouse kidney tissues were detected, and the correlation between YAP1 and fibronectin (FN) mRNA levels was analyzed. Mouse renal epithelial cells were used for in vitro experiments. After transfection and stimulation, the cells were divided into 4 groups, namely the C57BL/6 serum group (group 1), the MRL/lpr serum group (group 2), the MRL/lpr serum + siRNA-negative control group (group 3), and the MRL/lpr serum + siRNA-YAP1 group (group 4). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in each group were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and urinary protein levels were detected and assessed for their correlation with YAP1 mRNA levels by Spearman’s analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Compared to C57BL/6 mice, MRL/lpr mice exhibited obvious changes in fibrosis in renal tissues. In addition, YAP1 expression was significantly higher in the renal tissues of MRL/lpr mice than in those of C57BL/6 mice, and YAP1 mRNA levels were positively correlated with those of FN. YAP1 silencing in lupus serum-stimulated cells could effectively relieve serum-induced EMT. Finally, we observed that YAP1 mRNA levels in mouse kidney tissue were significantly and positively correlated with the degree of renal function injury. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> YAP1 expression in the kidney tissues of LN mice was higher than that observed in normal mice, indicating that YAP1 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of LN.

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