Cordyceps militaris Exerts Antitumor Effect on Carboplatin-Resistant Ovarian Cancer via Activation of ATF3/TP53 Signaling In Vitro and In Vivo

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Cordyceps militaris extract on the proliferation and apoptosis of carboplatin- resistant SKOV-3 and determine the underlying mechanisms for overcoming carboplatin resistance in human ovarian cancer. We cultured the carboplatin-resistant SKOV-3 cells in vitro until the exponential growth phase and then treated with different concentrations of C. militaris for 24, 48, and 72 hours. We performed cell proliferation assay, cell morphological change assessment using transmission electron microscopy, apoptosis assay, and immunoblotting to measure the protein expression of caspase-3 and -8, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1, B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3)/TP53 signaling-related proteins. As a result, C. militaris reduced the viability of carboplatin-resistant SKOV-3 and induced morphological disruptions in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The gene expression profiles indicated a reprogramming pattern of the previously known and unknown genes and transcription factors associated with the action of TCTN3 on carboplatin-resistant SKOV-3 cells. We also confirmed the C. militaris-induced activation of the ATF3/TP53 pathway. Immunoblotting indicated that cotreatment of C. militaris and carboplatin-mediated ATF3/TP53 upregulation induced apoptosis in the carboplatin-resistant SKOV-3 cells, which are involved in the serial activation of pro-apoptotic proteins, including Bcl-2, Bax, caspases, and PARP-1. Further, when the ATF3 and TP53 expression increased, the CHOP and PUMA expressions were upregulated. Consequently, the upregulated CHOP/PUMA expression activated the positive regulation of the apoptotic signaling pathway. In addition, it decreased the Bcl-2 expression, leading to marked ovarian cancer cells sensitive to carboplatin by enhancing apoptosis. We then corroborated these results using in vivo experiments. Taken together, C. militaris inhibits carboplatin-resistant SKOV-3 cell proliferation and induces apoptosis possibly through ATF3/TP53 signaling upregulation and CHOP/PUMA activation. Therefore, our findings provide new insights into the treatment of carboplatin-resistant ovarian cancer using C. militaris.

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STK3 Suppresses Ovarian Cancer Progression by Activating NF-κB Signaling to Recruit CD8+ T-Cells

Journal of Immunology Research ◽

10.1155/2020/7263602 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Xiangyu Wang ◽

Fengmian Wang ◽

Zhi-Gang Zhang ◽

Xiao-Mei Yang ◽

Rong Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

T Cells ◽

Tumor Growth ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽

And Migration

Serine/threonine protein kinase-3 (STK3) is a critical molecule of the Hippo pathway but little is known about its biological functions in the ovarian cancer development. We demonstrated the roles of STK3 in ovarian cancer. Existing databases were used to study the expression profile of STK3. STK3 was significantly downregulated in OC patients, and the low STK3 expression was correlated with a poor prognosis. In vitro cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration assays, and in vivo subcutaneous xenograft tumor models were used to determine the roles of STK3. The overexpression of STK3 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of ovarian cancer cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Bisulfite sequencing PCR analysis was performed to validate the methylation of STK3 in ovarian cancer. RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to compare the transcriptome changes in the STK3 overexpression ovarian cancer and control cells. The signaling pathway was analyzed by western blotting. STK3 promoted the migration of CD8+ T-cells by activating nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) signaling. STK3 is a potential predictor of OC. It plays an important role in suppressing tumor growth of ovarian cancer and in chemotaxis of CD8+ T-cells.

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WISP2 promotes cell proliferation via targeting ERK and YAP in ovarian cancer cells

10.21203/rs.3.rs-18963/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zi-Qing Shi ◽

Zi-Yan Chen ◽

Yao Han ◽

Heng-Yan Zhu ◽

Meng-Dan Lyu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽

Extracellular Signal ◽

And Migration

Abstract Background: Wnt-inducible signaling pathway protein 2 (WISP2) is a wnt1-induced signaling pathway protein 2. Although studies indicate that WISP2 may promote the development of various tumors, its role in ovarian cancer remains unclear. The objective of the current study was to analyze the effects of WISP2 on the proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.Results: Immunohistochemistry and western blotting indicated that WISP2 was highly expressed in various ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines，but weakly expressed in normal ovary tissue. WISP2 deletion inhibited cell growth, clone formation, and migration of ovarian cancer cells while promoting cell apoptosis and affecting the cell cycle. This growth inhibitory effect caused by WISP2 loss is due to the inhibition of phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK)1/2, as well as CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (CEBPα) and CEPBβ. In addition, WISP2 deletion also activated the Yes-associated protein (YAP).Conclusion: WISP2 deletion inhibits ovarian cancer cell proliferation by affecting ERK signaling pathways.

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WISP2 promotes cell proliferation via targeting ERK and YAP in ovarian cancer cells

10.21203/rs.3.rs-18963/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zi-Qing Shi ◽

Zi-Yan Chen ◽

Yao Han ◽

Heng-Yan Zhu ◽

Meng-Dan Lyu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽

Growth Inhibitory ◽

Extracellular Signal ◽

And Migration

Abstract Background Wnt inducible signaling protein 2 (WISP2) is a wnt1-induced signaling pathway protein 2. Although studies indicate that WISP2 may promote the development of various tumors, its role in ovarian cancer remains unclear. The objective of the current study was to analyze the effects of WISP2 on proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo . Results Immunohistochemistry and western blot results indicated that WISP2 was highly expressed in various ovarian tissues and cell lines. WISP2 deletion inhibited cell growth, clone formation, and migration of ovarian cancer cells. WISP2 deletion promoted cell apoptosis and affected the cell cycle. This growth inhibitory effect caused by WISP2 loss is due to the inhibition of extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK)1/2, as well as CEBPα and CEBPβ. In addition, WISP2 deletion also activated the Yes-associated protein (YAP). Conclusion WISP2 deletion inhibits ovarian cancer cell proliferation by affecting ERK signaling pathways.

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The Novel Zinc Finger Protein 587B Gene, ZNF587B, Regulates Cell Proliferation and Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer Cells in vivo and in vitro

Cancer Management and Research ◽

10.2147/cmar.s252347 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol Volume 12 ◽

pp. 5119-5130

Author(s):

Yujie Liu ◽

Qianying Ouyang ◽

Zeen Sun ◽

Jieqiong Tan ◽

Weihua Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Zinc Finger Protein ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽

The Novel ◽

Finger Protein ◽

Proliferation And Metastasis ◽

Cell Proliferation And Metastasis

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microRNA-4488 in extracellular vesicles derived from marrow mesenchymal stem cells suppresses ABHD8 to inhibit ovarian cancer progression

10.21203/rs.3.rs-125335/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lei Chang ◽

Junying Zhou ◽

Wanjia Tian ◽

Mengyu Chen ◽

Ruixia Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽

Invasion And Migration ◽

And Migration

Abstract Background Extracellular vesicle (EV) that delivered microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found as the important biomarkers participating in the pathological mechanism of ovarian cancer. Consequently, this study sought to examine the underlying mechanism of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived EVs containing miR-4488 in ovarian cancer. Methods The normal ovarian tissues and ovarian cancer tissues were extracted, and the information of MSC-EV miRNA was obtained by Bioinformatics analysis. RT-qPCR and western blot analysis were applied to detect miR-4488 and α/β-hydrolase domain-containing (ABHD)8 expression followed by determination of relationship between miR-4488 and ABHD8 by dual-luciferase reporter assay. After transfection with different plasmids and treatment with DMSO or GW4869 (inhibitor of EV), the regulatory roles of MSC-EV-miR-4488 in invasion, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of cancer cells were explored. Besides, xenograft tumor in nude mice was conducted to explore the role of miR-4488 and ABHD8 in ovarian cancer in vivo. Results miR-4488 was poorly expressed and ABHD8 was highly expressed in ovarian cancer cells and tissues. ABHD8 was a target gene of miR-4488 while the knockdown of ABHD8 resulted in the suppression of proliferation, invasion, and migration while promoting the apoptosis of cancer cells. Functionally, MSC-EV-derived miR-4488 inhibited the expression of ABHD8. Additionally, miR-4488 over-expressed in MSC-EVs inhibited the cell proliferation, invasion, and migration through down-regulation of ABHD8 expression. At last, these in vitro findings were also confirmed in vivo. Conclusion To summarize, miR-4488 overexpressed in MSC-EVs suppressed ABHD8 expression to inhibit the cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, thus suppressing ovarian cancer.

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Wnt5A modulates integrin expression in a receptor-dependent manner in ovarian cancer cells

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85356-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Vajihe Azimian-Zavareh ◽

Zeinab Dehghani-Ghobadi ◽

Marzieh Ebrahimi ◽

Kian Mirzazadeh ◽

Irina Nazarenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cell Attachment ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽

Integrin Expression ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Cancer Cell Proliferation ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Multicellular Aggregates ◽

Focal Adhesion Kinase Activity

AbstractWnt5A signals through various receptors that confer versatile biological functions. Here, we used Wnt5A overexpressing human ovarian SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 stable clones for assessing integrin expression, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and the ability of multicellular aggregates (MCAs) formation. We found here, that Wnt5A regulates differently the expression of its receptors in the stable Wnt5A overexpressing clones. The expression levels of Frizzled (FZD)-2 and -5, were increased in different clones. However ROR-1, -2 expression levels were differently regulated in clones. Wnt5A overexpressing clones showed increased cell proliferation, migration, and clonogenicity. Moreover, Wnt5A overexpressing SKOV-3 clone showed increased MCAs formation ability. Cell invasion had been increased in OVCAR-3-derived clones, while this was decreased in SKOV-3-derived clone. Importantly, αv integrin expression levels were increased in all assessed clones, accompanied by increased cell attachment to fibronectin and focal adhesion kinase activity. Moreover, the treatment of clones with Box5 as a Wnt5A/FZD5 antagonist abrogates ITGAV increase, cell proliferation, migration, and their attachment to fibronectin. Accordingly, we observed significantly higher expression levels of ITGAV and ITGB3 in human high-grade serous ovarian cancer specimens and ITGAV correlated positively with Wnt5A in metastatic serous type ovarian cancer. In summary, we hypothesize here, that Wnt5A/FZD-5 signaling modulate αv integrin expression levels that could be associated with ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration, and fibronectin attachment.

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Plasma cells shape the mesenchymal identity of ovarian cancers through transfer of exosome-derived microRNAs

Science Advances ◽

10.1126/sciadv.abb0737 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. eabb0737

Author(s):

Zhengnan Yang ◽

Wei Wang ◽

Linjie Zhao ◽

Xin Wang ◽

Ryan C. Gimple ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Plasma Cell ◽

Plasma Cells ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Phenotype ◽

Ovarian Cancers ◽

Novel Approach

Ovarian cancer represents a highly lethal disease that poses a substantial burden for females, with four main molecular subtypes carrying distinct clinical outcomes. Here, we demonstrated that plasma cells, a subset of antibody-producing B cells, were enriched in the mesenchymal subtype of high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSCs). Plasma cell abundance correlated with the density of mesenchymal cells in clinical specimens of HGSCs. Coculture of nonmesenchymal ovarian cancer cells and plasma cells induced a mesenchymal phenotype of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Phenotypic switch was mediated by the transfer of plasma cell–derived exosomes containing miR-330-3p into nonmesenchymal ovarian cancer cells. Exosome-derived miR-330-3p increased expression of junctional adhesion molecule B in a noncanonical fashion. Depletion of plasma cells by bortezomib reversed the mesenchymal characteristics of ovarian cancer and inhibited in vivo tumor growth. Collectively, our work suggests targeting plasma cells may be a novel approach for ovarian cancer therapy.

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Imaging-Guided Therapy Simultaneously Targeting HER2 and EpCAM with Trastuzumab and EpCAM-Directed Toxin Provides Additive Effect in Ovarian Cancer Model

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13163939 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (16) ◽

pp. 3939

Author(s):

Tianqi Xu ◽

Anzhelika Vorobyeva ◽

Alexey Schulga ◽

Elena Konovalova ◽

Olga Vorontsova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Growth Factor Receptor ◽

Repeated Administration ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽

Her2 Positive ◽

Efficient Treatment ◽

Pseudomonas Exotoxin A ◽

Epidermal Growth

Efficient treatment of disseminated ovarian cancer (OC) is challenging due to its heterogeneity and chemoresistance. Overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in approx. 30% and 70% of ovarian cancers, respectively, allows for co-targeted treatment. The clinical efficacy of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab in patients with HER2-positive breast, gastric and gastroesophageal cancers makes it readily available as the HER2-targeting component. As the EpCAM-targeting component, we investigated the designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin) Ec1 fused to a truncated variant of Pseudomonas exotoxin A with reduced immunogenicity and low general toxicity (LoPE). Ec1-LoPE was radiolabeled, evaluated in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and its biodistribution and tumor-targeting properties were studied in vivo. The therapeutic efficacy of Ec1-LoPE alone and in combination with trastuzumab was studied in mice bearing EpCAM- and HER2-expressing SKOV3 xenografts. SPECT/CT imaging enabled visualization of EpCAM and HER2 expression in the tumors. Co-treatment using Ec1-LoPE and trastuzumab was more effective at reducing tumor growth and prolonged the median survival of mice compared with mice in the control and monotherapy groups. Repeated administration of Ec1-LoPE was well tolerated without signs of hepatic or kidney toxicity. Co-treatment with trastuzumab and Ec1-LoPE might be a potential therapeutic strategy for HER2- and EpCAM-positive OC.

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Splicing factor USP39 promotes ovarian cancer malignancy through maintaining efficient splicing of oncogenic HMGA2

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-021-03581-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Shourong Wang ◽

Zixiang Wang ◽

Jieyin Li ◽

Junchao Qin ◽

Jianping Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

Splicing Factor ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽

Nuclear Speckles ◽

Aberrant Expression ◽

Intergenic Regions

AbstractAberrant expression of splicing factors was found to promote tumorigenesis and the development of human malignant tumors. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms and functional relevance remain elusive. We here show that USP39, a component of the spliceosome, is frequently overexpressed in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) and that an elevated level of USP39 is associated with a poor prognosis. USP39 promotes proliferation/invasion in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Importantly, USP39 was transcriptionally activated by the oncogene protein c-MYC in ovarian cancer cells. We further demonstrated that USP39 colocalizes with spliceosome components in nuclear speckles. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that USP39 deletion led to globally impaired splicing that is characterized by skipped exons and overrepresentation of introns and intergenic regions. Furthermore, RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing showed that USP39 preferentially binds to exon-intron regions near 5′ and 3′ splicing sites. In particular, USP39 facilitates efficient splicing of HMGA2 and thereby increases the malignancy of ovarian cancer cells. Taken together, our results indicate that USP39 functions as an oncogenic splicing factor in ovarian cancer and represents a potential target for ovarian cancer therapy.

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