scholarly journals Inhibitory role of ATF3 in gastric cancer progression through regulating cell EMT and stemness

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanqian Huang ◽  
Renli Chen ◽  
Fangjing Zheng ◽  
Yirong Tang ◽  
Xiukang Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers and the third leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. The 5-year survival rate is rather low owing to advanced unresectable and distant metastasis. The EMT has been widely implicated in the stemness, metastatic dormancy, and chemoresistance of different solid tumors. Given the fact that activating transcription factor-3 (ATF3) is a member of the ATF/CREB family of transcription factors and its role in regulation of GC recurrence and metastasis remain poorly understood, the aim of the present study was to investigate its potential impact in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties and GC aggression. Methods To elucidate the potential role of ATF3 in gastric cancer, we utilized SGC-7901 and MGC-803 gastric cancer cell lines as research models and constructed stable cell lines overexpressing ATF3. We conducted a series of assays including cell proliferation, colony formation, cell migration, tumorsphere formation, and invasion to investigate the functional roles of ATF3 in stemness of gastric cancer. The possible effect of ATF3 on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) was assessed through flow cytometry and qRT-PCR. In vivo functional effect of upregulation of ATF3 on tumor growth was examined in a mouse xenograft model. Results We found that overexpression of ATF3 inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, cell migration and invasion. In addition, up-regulation of ATF3 attenuated tumorsphere formation, cell stemness, and potentially decreased expression of EMT markers. Moreover, ATF3 overexpression inhibited tumorigenesis in mouse xenograft model. Conclusion Our data suggest a suppressive role of ATF3 in gastric cancer development. Our findings will provide a potential therapeutic strategy and novel drug target for gastric cancer.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinxia Li ◽  
Chunyan Dai ◽  
Li Shen

Background. Ursolic acid (UA) is an antitumor component derived from Chinese herbal medicine; this study is to observe the effects of UA on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer. Methods. (1) In vitro experiments: 25μmol/L and 50μmol/L UA were applied to BGC-823, AGS, MGC-803, and HGC-27 cells; MTT staining, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation, cell migration, and apoptosis, respectively. Western blot was performed to detect the expressions of N-Cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, Twist, Axl, p-Axl, IKK, p-IKK, NF-κB, and p-NF-κB. (2) In vivo experiments: Ten BALB/c-nu mice were used to establish gastric cancer xenograft model. Five were orally given UA for 4 weeks and five were given normal saline. Expressions of N-Cadherin and Snail were examined by immunohistochemical assay; expressions of N-Cadherin, Snail, Twist, Axl, p-Axl, IKK, and p-IKK were detected by Western blot. Results. (1) UA inhibited cell proliferation in BGC-823 and HGC-27 cells in dose-dependent manners. (2) UA inhibited cell migration in BGC-823, AGS, and MGC-803 cells while inducing apoptosis in BGC-823 cells. (3) UA significantly decreased the expressions of N-Cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, Twist p-Axl, p-IKKα/β, and p-NF-κB in BGC-823 and MGC-803 cells. (4) UA distinctly decreased the expressions of N-Cadherin, Snail, p-Axl, and p-IKKα/β in gastric cancer xenograft model rats. Conclusion. UA can effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. The antitumor effect of UA is conducted by EMT inhibition, which may be associated with the regulation of Axl/NF-κB signaling pathway.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuming Zhang ◽  
Jiang Chen ◽  
Shi Jiang ◽  
Shilin He ◽  
Yanfeng Bai ◽  
...  

Background. N-Acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) has been reported to be expressed at high levels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, its role in chemoresistance is unclear. This study is aimed at investigating whether NAT10 regulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and chemoresistance in HCC. Methods. HCC cell lines (Huh-7, Bel-7402, SNU387, and SNU449) were treated with remodelin, an inhibitor of NAT10, or transfected with small inhibitory RNAs (siRNAs) targeting NAT10 or Twist. The EMT was induced by hypoxia. The CCK-8 assay was used to quantify cell viability, the EdU incorporation assay to assess cell proliferation. siRNA knockdown efficiency and epithelial/mesenchymal marker expression were assessed by western blotting. Results. Knockdown of NAT10 using siRNA or inhibition of NAT10 using remodelin increased the sensitivity of HCC cell lines to doxorubicin; similar effects were observed in cells transfected with the Twist siRNA. Inhibition of NAT10 using remodelin also reversed the ability of doxorubicin to induce the EMT in HCC cells. Furthermore, inhibiting NAT10 reversed the hypoxia-induced EMT. Finally, we confirmed that combining doxorubicin with remodelin delayed tumor growth and reduced tumor cell proliferation in a mouse xenograft model of HCC. Conclusions. NAT10 may contribute to chemoresistance in HCC by regulating the EMT. The mechanism by which NAT10 regulates the EMT and doxorubicin sensitivity in HCC cells merits further investigation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-ming Hou ◽  
Shu-qiao Yuan ◽  
Da Zhao ◽  
Xiao-jun Liu ◽  
Xin-an Wu

Abstract Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDH-A) is a key enzyme during glycolysis, which increases the synthesis of related proteins and has elevated activity in cancer cells. The role of LDH-A in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression was investigated in the present study. Expression levels of LDH-A were assessed in LUAD samples, and the relationship between LDH-A expression status and the prognosis of LUAD patients was confirmed. The effect of LDH-A on proliferation, invasion, migration, and colony formation of cancer cells was assessed. We further determined the role of LDH-A in tumor growth in vivo by using xenograft LUAD tumor models. The potential mechanism of LDH-A promotion in LUAD progression was explored. LDH-A showed an abnormally high expression in LUAD, which is closely associated with poor prognosis in patients with LUAD. In in vitro experiments, silencing LDH-A expression in LUAD cells could effectively inhibit proliferation, invasion, migration, and colony formation of cancer cells. In in vivo experiments, tumor growth was markedly inhibited by LDH-A silencing in a xenograft model of LUAD. Notably, LDH-A could also promote tumor progression by regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related molecules. LDH-A can promote the malignant biological behaviors of LUAD cells, and thus can be a potential target for LUAD treatment.


2012 ◽  
Vol 255 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syamal D. Bhattacharya ◽  
Zhiyong Mi ◽  
Victoria M. Kim ◽  
Hongtao Guo ◽  
Lindsay J. Talbot ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Man-Hui Pai ◽  
Yueh-Hsiung Kuo ◽  
En-Pei Isabel Chiang ◽  
Feng-Yao Tang

Oral cancer is prevalent worldwide. Studies have indicated that an increase in the osteopontin (OPN) plasma level is correlated with the progression of oral cancer. Our previous report showed that the aqueous garlic extract S-allylcysteine (SAC) inhibited the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human oral cancer CAL-27 cells in vitro. Therefore, the present study investigated whether SAC consumption would help prevent tumour growth and progression, including the EMT, in a mouse xenograft model of oral cancer. The results demonstrated that SAC dose-dependently inhibited the growth of oral cancer in tumour-bearing mice. The histopathological and immunohistochemical staining results indicated that SAC was able to effectively suppress the tumour growth and progression of oral cancer in vivo. The chemopreventive effect of SAC was associated with the suppression of carcinogenesis factors such as N-methylpurine DNA glycosylase and OPN. SAC significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin, inhibitor of κBα and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in tumour tissues. The results demonstrated that the SAC-mediated suppression of cyclin D1 protein was associated with an augmented expression of the cell-cycle inhibitor p16Ink4. Furthermore, SAC inhibited the expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2, vimentin and NF-κB p65 (RelA). These results show that SAC has potential as an agent against tumour growth and the progression of oral cancer in a mouse xenograft model.


Author(s):  
Zizhen Si ◽  
Lei Yu ◽  
Haoyu Jing ◽  
Lun Wu ◽  
Xidi Wang

Abstract Background Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are reported to influence colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. Currently, the functions of the lncRNA ZNF561 antisense RNA 1 (ZNF561-AS1) in CRC are unknown. Methods ZNF561-AS1 and SRSF6 expression in CRC patient samples and CRC cell lines was evaluated through TCGA database analysis, western blot along with real-time PCR. SRSF6 expression in CRC cells was also examined upon ZNF561-AS1 depletion or overexpression. Interaction between miR-26a-3p, miR-128-5p, ZNF561-AS1, and SRSF6 was examined by dual luciferase reporter assay, as well as RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated knockdown experiments were performed to assess the role of ZNF561-AS1 and SRSF6 in the proliferative actives and apoptosis rate of CRC cells. A mouse xenograft model was employed to assess tumor growth upon ZNF561-AS1 knockdown and SRSF6 rescue. Results We find that ZNF561-AS1 and SRSF6 were upregulated in CRC patient tissues. ZNF561-AS1 expression was reduced in tissues from treated CRC patients but upregulated in CRC tissues from relapsed patients. SRSF6 expression was suppressed and enhanced by ZNF561-AS1 depletion and overexpression, respectively. Mechanistically, ZNF561-AS1 regulated SRSF6 expression by sponging miR-26a-3p and miR-128-5p. ZNF561-AS1-miR-26a-3p/miR-128-5p-SRSF6 axis was required for CRC proliferation and survival. ZNF561-AS1 knockdown suppressed CRC cell proliferation and triggered apoptosis. ZNF561-AS1 depletion suppressed the growth of tumors in a model of a nude mouse xenograft. Similar observations were made upon SRSF6 depletion. SRSF6 overexpression reversed the inhibitory activities of ZNF561-AS1 in vivo, as well as in vitro. Conclusion In summary, we find that ZNF561-AS1 promotes CRC progression via the miR-26a-3p/miR-128-5p-SRSF6 axis. This study reveals new perspectives into the role of ZNF561-AS1 in CRC.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096032712110061
Author(s):  
D Cao ◽  
L Chu ◽  
Z Xu ◽  
J Gong ◽  
R Deng ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Surman ◽  
Sylwia Kędracka-Krok ◽  
Dorota Hoja-Łukowicz ◽  
Urszula Jankowska ◽  
Anna Drożdż ◽  
...  

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is an aggressive type of skin cancer for which effective biomarkers are still needed. Recently, the protein content of extracellular vesicles (ectosomes and exosomes) became increasingly investigated in terms of its functional role in CM and as a source of novel biomarkers; however, the data concerning the proteome of CM-derived ectosomes is very limited. We used the shotgun nanoLC–MS/MS approach to the profile protein content of ectosomes from primary (WM115, WM793) and metastatic (WM266-4, WM1205Lu) CM cell lines. Additionally, the effect exerted by CM ectosomes on recipient cells was assessed in terms of cell proliferation (Alamar Blue assay) and migratory properties (wound healing assay). All cell lines secreted heterogeneous populations of ectosomes enriched in the common set of proteins. A total of 1507 unique proteins were identified, with many of them involved in cancer cell proliferation, migration, escape from apoptosis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis. Isolated ectosomes increased proliferation and motility of recipient cells, likely due to the ectosomal transfer of different cancer-promoting molecules. Taken together, these results confirm the significant role of ectosomes in several biological processes leading to CM development and progression, and might be used as a starting point for further studies exploring their diagnostic and prognostic potential.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoshan Su ◽  
Junjie Chen ◽  
Xiaoping Lin ◽  
Xiaoyang Chen ◽  
Zhixing Zhu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential pathophysiological process in COPD and plays an important role in airway remodeling, fibrosis, and malignant transformation of COPD. Previous studies have indicated FERMT3 is downregulated and plays a tumor-suppressive role in lung cancer. However, the role of FERMT3 in COPD, including EMT, has not yet been investigated. Methods The present study aimed to explore the potential role of FERMT3 in COPD and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Three GEO datasets were utilized to analyse FERMT3 gene expression profiles in COPD. We then established EMT animal models and cell models through cigarette smoke (CS) or cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure to detect the expression of FERMT3 and EMT markers. RT-PCR, western blot, immunohistochemical, cell migration, and cell cycle were employed to investigate the potential regulatory effect of FERMT3 in CSE-induced EMT. Results Based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data set analysis, FERMT3 expression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was lower in COPD smokers than in non-smokers or smokers. Moreover, FERMT3 expression was significantly down-regulated in lung tissues of COPD GOLD 4 patients compared with the control group. Cigarette smoke exposure reduced the FERMT3 expression and induces EMT both in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that overexpression of FERMT3 could inhibit EMT induced by CSE in A549 cells. Furthermore, the CSE-induced cell migration and cell cycle progression were reversed by FERMT3 overexpression. Mechanistically, our study showed that overexpression of FERMT3 inhibited CSE-induced EMT through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Conclusions In summary, these data suggest FERMT3 regulates cigarette smoke-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition through Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These findings indicated that FERMT3 was correlated with the development of COPD and may serve as a potential target for both COPD and lung cancer.


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