scholarly journals The Cancer Microbiota: EMT and Inflammation as Shared Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Plasticity and Progression

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Vergara ◽  
Pasquale Simeone ◽  
Marina Damato ◽  
Michele Maffia ◽  
Paola Lanuti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Malignant Progression ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Host Interactions

With the advent of novel molecular platforms for high-throughput/next-generation sequencing, the communities of commensal and pathogenic microorganisms that inhabit the human body have been defined in depth. In the last decade, the role of microbiota-host interactions in driving human cancer plasticity and malignant progression has been well documented. Germ-free preclinical models provided an invaluable tool to demonstrate that the human microbiota can confer susceptibility to various types of cancer and can also modulate the host response to therapeutic treatments. Of interest, besides the detrimental effects of dysbiosis on cancer etiopathogenesis, specific microorganisms have been shown to exert protective activities against cancer growth. This has strong clinical implications, as restoration of the physiologic microbiota is being rapidly implemented as a novel anticancer therapeutic strategy. Here, we reviewed past and recent literature depicting the role of microbiota-host interactions in modulating key molecular mechanisms that drive human cancer plasticity and lead to malignant progression. We analyzed microbiota-host interactions occurring in the gut as well as in other anatomic sites, such as oral and nasal cavities, lungs, breast, esophagus, stomach, reproductive tract, and skin. We revealed a common ground of biological alterations and pathways modulated by a dysbiotic microbiota and potentially involved in the control of cancer progression. The molecular mechanisms most frequently affected by the pathogenic microorganisms to induce malignant progression involve epithelial-mesenchymal transition- (EMT-) dependent barrier alterations and tumor-promoting inflammation. This evidence may pave the way to better stratify high-risk cancer patients based on unique microenvironmental/microbial signatures and to develop novel, personalized, biological therapies.

scholarly journals Mechanistic Insights Delineating the Role of Cholesterol in Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition and Drug Resistance in Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naaziyah Abdulla ◽  
C. Theresa Vincent ◽  
Mandeep Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cholesterol Metabolism ◽  
Cholesterol Content ◽  
Multi Drug Resistance ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Proposed Model

Despite the significant advancements made in targeted anti-cancer therapy, drug resistance constitutes a multifaceted phenomenon leading to therapy failure and ultimately mortality. Emerging experimental evidence highlight a role of cholesterol metabolism in facilitating drug resistance in cancer. This review aims to describe the role of cholesterol in facilitating multi-drug resistance in cancer. We focus on specific signaling pathways that contribute to drug resistance and the link between these pathways and cholesterol. Additionally, we briefly discuss the molecular mechanisms related to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the documented link between EMT, metastasis and drug resistance. We illustrate this by specifically focusing on hypoxia and the role it plays in influencing cellular cholesterol content following EMT induction. Finally, we provide a proposed model delineating the crucial role of cholesterol in EMT and discuss whether targeting cholesterol could serve as a novel means of combatting drug resistance in cancer progression and metastasis.

scholarly journals Multifunctional Roles of miR-34a in Cancer: A Review with the Emphasis on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Thyroid Cancer with Clinical Implications

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 563
Author(s):  
David Kalfert ◽  
Marie Ludvikova ◽  
Martin Pesta ◽  
Jaroslav Ludvik ◽  
Lucie Dostalova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Squamous Carcinoma ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

MiR-34a belongs to the class of small non-coding regulatory RNAs and functions as a tumor suppressor. Under physiological conditions, miR-34a has an inhibitory effect on all processes related to cell proliferation by targeting many proto-oncogenes and silencing them on the post-transcriptional level. However, deregulation of miR-34a was shown to play important roles in tumorigenesis and processes associated with cancer progression, such as tumor-associated epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, further understanding of miR-34a molecular mechanisms in cancer are indispensable for the development of effective diagnosis and treatments. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on miR-34a functions in human disease with an emphasis on its regulation and dysregulation, its role in human cancer, specifically head and neck squamous carcinoma and thyroid cancer, and emerging role as a disease diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and the novel therapeutic target in oncology.

scholarly journals The epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cytoskeleton in bioengineered systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E. Leggett ◽  
Alex M. Hruska ◽  
Ming Guo ◽  
Ian Y. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Vimentin Expression ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Surrounding Matrix ◽  
Planar Surfaces

AbstractThe epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is intrinsically linked to alterations of the intracellular cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. After EMT, cells acquire an elongated morphology with front/back polarity, which can be attributed to actin-driven protrusion formation as well as the gain of vimentin expression. Consequently, cells can deform and remodel the surrounding matrix in order to facilitate local invasion. In this review, we highlight recent bioengineering approaches to elucidate EMT and functional changes in the cytoskeleton. First, we review transitions between multicellular clusters and dispersed individuals on planar surfaces, which often exhibit coordinated behaviors driven by leader cells and EMT. Second, we consider the functional role of vimentin, which can be probed at subcellular length scales and within confined spaces. Third, we discuss the role of topographical patterning and EMT via a contact guidance like mechanism. Finally, we address how multicellular clusters disorganize and disseminate in 3D matrix. These new technologies enable controlled physical microenvironments and higher-resolution spatiotemporal measurements of EMT at the single cell level. In closing, we consider future directions for the field and outstanding questions regarding EMT and the cytoskeleton for human cancer progression.

scholarly journals MiR-877 suppresses gastric cancer progression by downregulating AQP3

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 030006052090366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyu Zhu ◽  
Yulian Wu ◽  
Muxing Kang ◽  
Bo Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Reporter Assays

Objectives Gastric cancer (GC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of GC remain unclear. This study investigated the role of the miR-877–AQP3 axis in GC tumorigenesis. Methods The levels of miR-877 expression were measured in GC tissues and cell lines by qRT-PCR. Functional assays were performed to elucidate the role of miR-877 in GC development. Results Our results showed that miR-877 levels were lower in GC tissues and cell lines compared with the corresponding controls. Additionally, reduced miR-877 levels were associated with unfavorable prognoses. Increased miR-877 expression suppressed proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, while promoting apoptosis in GC cells. Luciferase reporter assays showed that aquaporin 3 (AQP3) was a direct downstream target of miR-877. Overexpression of AQP3 partially rescued the tumor suppressive effects of miR-877 in GC cells. Moreover, miR-877 was negatively correlated with AQP3 mRNA expression in GC tissues. Conclusions This study demonstrated that miR-877 plays a suppressive role in GC tumorigenesis by regulating AQP3.

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 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 Exploring Hyperoxia Effects in Cancer—From Perioperative Clinical Data to Potential Molecular Mechanisms

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1213
Author(s):  
Anca Irina Ristescu ◽  
Crina Elena Tiron ◽  
Adrian Tiron ◽  
Ioana Grigoras
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Perioperative Period ◽  
Postoperative Recovery ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Oncological Treatment

Increased inspiratory oxygen concentration is constantly used during the perioperative period of cancer patients to prevent the potential development of hypoxemia and to provide an adequate oxygen transport to the organs, tissues and cells. Although the primary tumours are surgically removed, the effects of perioperative hyperoxia exposure on distal micro-metastases and on circulating cancer cells can potentially play a role in cancer progression or recurrence. In clinical trials, hyperoxia seems to increase the rate of postoperative complications and, by delaying postoperative recovery, it can alter the return to intended oncological treatment. The effects of supplemental oxygen on the long-term mortality of surgical cancer patients offer, at this point, conflicting results. In experimental studies, hyperoxia effects on cancer biology were explored following multiple pathways. In cancer cell cultures and animal models, hyperoxia increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases the oxidative stress. These can be followed by the induction of the expression of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other molecules involved in angiogenesis and by the promotion of various degrees of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).

scholarly journals SPNS2 Downregulation Induces EMT and Promotes Colorectal Cancer Metastasis via Activating AKT Signaling Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Lv ◽  
Qiyi Yi ◽  
Ying Yan ◽  
Fengmei Chao ◽  
Ming Li
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Akt Inhibitor ◽  
Colon Adenoma ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Spinster homologue 2 (SPNS2), a transporter of S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate), has been reported to mediate immune response, vascular development, and pathologic processes of diseases such as cancer via S1P signaling pathways. However, its biological functions and expression profile in colorectal cancer (CRC) is elusive. In this study, we disclosed that SPNS2 expression, which was regulated by copy number variation and DNA methylation of its promoter, was dramatically upregulated in colon adenoma and CRC compared to normal tissues. However, its expression was lower in CRC than in colon adenoma, and low expression of SPN2 correlated with advanced T/M/N stage and poor prognosis in CRC. Ectopic expression of SPNS2 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis in CRC cell lines, while silencing SPNS2 had the opposite effects. Meanwhile, measuring the intracellular and extracellular level of S1P after overexpression of SPNS2 pinpointed a S1P-independent model of SPNS2. Mechanically, SPNS2 led to PTEN upregulation and inactivation of Akt. Moreover, AKT inhibitor (MK2206) abrogated SPNS2 knockdown-induced promoting effects on the migration and invasion, while AKT activator (SC79) reversed the repression of migration and invasion by SPNS2 overexpression in CRC cells, confirming the pivotal role of AKT for SPNS2’s function. Collectively, our study demonstrated the suppressor role of SPNS2 during CRC metastasis, providing new insights into the pathology and molecular mechanisms of CRC progression.

scholarly journals HNF1A recruits UTX to activate a differentiation program that suppresses pancreatic cancer

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Kalisz ◽  
Edgar Bernardo ◽  
Anthony Beucher ◽  
Miguel Angel Maestro ◽  
Natalia del Pozo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pancreatic Acinar Cells ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Molecular Phenotype ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Pancreatic Exocrine ◽  
Direct Genetic Evidence

AbstractDefects in transcriptional regulators of pancreatic exocrine differentiation have been implicated in pancreatic tumorigenesis, but the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. The locus encoding the transcription factor HNF1A harbors susceptibility variants for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), while KDM6A, encoding the histone demethylase UTX, carries somatic mutations in PDAC. Here, we show that pancreas-specific Hnf1a null mutations phenocopy Utx deficient mutations, and both synergize with KrasG12D to cause PDAC with sarcomatoid features. We combine genetic, epigenomic and biochemical studies to show that HNF1A recruits UTX to genomic binding sites in pancreatic acinar cells. This remodels the acinar enhancer landscape, activates a differentiation program, and indirectly suppresses oncogenic and epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes. Finally, we identify a subset of non-classical PDAC samples that exhibit the HNF1A/UTX-deficient molecular phenotype. These findings provide direct genetic evidence that HNF1A-deficiency promotes PDAC. They also connect the tumor suppressive role of UTX deficiency with a cell-specific molecular mechanism that underlies PDAC subtype definition.

Role of Herbal Medicine/Phyto-Therapy in Cancer Prevention by Inhibiting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Pathways

2021 ◽  
pp. 215-234
Author(s):  
Rekha Gahtori ◽  
Ashutosh Paliwal
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Synthetic Drugs ◽  
Extracellular Signals ◽  
Different Levels

Human life is surrounded and dependent on its environment. Human civilization is nurtured by nature as it provides raw materials that are used in the manufacturing of various essential products like medicine, food items, etc. Not only developing countries but developed countries also depend on herbal-based medications. Cancer is a global health burden. Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) plays a key role in cancer progression and is also stimulated by different extracellular signals and could be regulated at different levels. Conventional therapies exhibit a cytotoxic effect, which encourages the development of a new approach that could be used with synthetic drugs. Phytotherapy emerged as an effective weapon against cancer. Herbal drugs directly target different signaling pathways that promote EMT and eventually lead to cancer.

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