scholarly journals Estrogen Activation by Steroid Sulfatase Increases Colorectal Cancer Proliferation via GPER

2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (12) ◽  
pp. 4435-4447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna C Gilligan ◽  
Habibur P Rahman ◽  
Anne-Marie Hewitt ◽  
Alice J Sitch ◽  
Ali Gondal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Estrogen Metabolism ◽  
Data Set ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Metabolism Enzymes ◽  
Estradiol Synthesis

Abstract Context Estrogens affect the incidence and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), although the precise molecular mechanisms remain ill-defined. Objective The present study investigated prereceptor estrogen metabolism through steroid sulphatase (STS) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and subsequent nongenomic estrogen signaling in human CRC tissue, in The Cancer Genome Atlas colon adenocarcinoma data set, and in in vitro and in vivo CRC models. We aimed to define and therapeutically target pathways through which estrogens alter CRC proliferation and progression. Design, Setting, Patients, and Interventions Human CRC samples with normal tissue-matched controls were collected from postmenopausal female and age-matched male patients. Estrogen metabolism enzymes and nongenomic downstream signaling pathways were determined. CRC cell lines were transfected with STS and cultured for in vitro and in vivo analysis. Estrogen metabolism was determined using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method. Primary Outcome Measure The proliferative effects of estrogen metabolism were evaluated using 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine assays and CRC mouse xenograft studies. Results Human CRC exhibits dysregulated estrogen metabolism, favoring estradiol synthesis. The activity of STS, the fundamental enzyme that activates conjugated estrogens, is significantly (P < 0.001) elevated in human CRC compared with matched controls. STS overexpression accelerates CRC proliferation in in vitro and in vivo models, with STS inhibition an effective treatment. We defined a G-protein–coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) proproliferative pathway potentially through increased expression of connective tissue growth factor in CRC. Conclusion Human CRC favors estradiol synthesis to augment proliferation via GPER stimulation. Further research is required regarding whether estrogen replacement therapy should be used with caution in patients at high risk of developing CRC.

SIRT4 is the molecular switch mediating cellular proliferation in colorectal cancer through GLS mediated activation of AKT/GSK3β/Cyclin D1 pathway

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Cui ◽  
Yibing Bai ◽  
Jiani Yang ◽  
Yuanfei Yao ◽  
Chunhui Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Patient ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
Interactome Network

Abstract Mitochondria-localized sirtuin 4 (SIRT4) is associated with malignant phenotypes in colorectal cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms that drive SIRT4-mediated carcinogenesis are unclear. Initially, we confirmed expression of SIRT4 in colorectal cancer through public database and in colorectal cancer patient tissues using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR. We established HCT116 colorectal cells that overexpressed SIRT4 and HT29 cells were transfected with plasmids bearing a small interfering RNA siRNA construct to silence SIRT4. Assays to determine the malignant phenotypes (proliferation, invasion and migration) were performed. Xenograft in-vivo models were also constructed. A protein interactome network was built using differentially expressed proteins identified using the liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrophotometry, the findings of which were confirmed using coimmunoprecipitation, western blotting, and phenotype rescue experiments. Decreased SIRT4 expression was associated with malignant phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. The ribosomal biogenesis pathway was enriched in the interactome network. SIRT4 suppression activated glutaminase, thereby initiating AKT activation. Our research provided novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying colorectal cancer, and identified that SIRT4 exerts its antitumor activity in colorectal cancer possibly dependent on glutaminase to inhibit proliferation, migration, and invasion via the AKT/GSK3β/CyclinD1 pathway.

scholarly journals NFATc1 Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Facilitates Colorectal Cancer Metastasis by Targeting SNAI1

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianli Shen ◽  
Chenyang Yue ◽  
Xingjie Wang ◽  
Zijun Wang ◽  
Yunhua Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Clinical Stages

Abstract BackgroundMetastatic recurrence remains a major cause of colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality. In this study, we focused on the role and the potential underlying mechanisms of nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) in CRC metastasis. MethodsWe examined the expression of NFATc1 in 140 cases of CRC tissues and 35 corresponding adjacent tissues, as well as analyzed the correlation between NFATc1 expression levels and clinical stages. The role of NFATc1 in CRC metastasis and the molecular mechanisms were investigated in both in vitro and in vivo models. ResultsThe results showed that NFATc1 expression was increased in metastatic CRC tissues and positively associated with clinical stages (Stage I vs. Stage II, III or IV) of CRC. Overexpression of NFATc1 promoted CRC cell migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, SNAI1 was verified as the direct transcriptional target of NFATc1 and interacted with Slug to promote EMT. Remarkably, our lung and liver double metastasis mouse model demonstrated that NFATc1 overexpression accelerated CRC metastasis, and treatment with FK506, a calcineurin-NFAT pathway inhibitor, could suppress CRC metastasis in vivo. ConclusionsTaken together, our findings suggest that NFATc1 could transcriptionally activate SNAI1, which in turn could interact with Slug to mediate EMT and to promote CRC metastasis, making NFATc1 a promising target in CRC treatment.

scholarly journals HSP90-dependent PUS7 overexpression facilitates the metastasis of colorectal cancer cells by regulating LASP1 abundance

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Song ◽  
Ming Guo ◽  
Shuai Xu ◽  
Xiaotian Song ◽  
Bin Bai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Intellectual Development ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Hsp90 Inhibitor ◽  
Pseudouridine Synthase ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Cell Metastasis ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background Pseudouridine synthase (PUS) 7 is a member of the PUS family that catalyses pseudouridine formation. It has been shown to be involved in intellectual development and haematological malignancies. Nevertheless, the role and the underlying molecular mechanisms of PUS7 in solid tumours, such as colorectal cancer (CRC), remain unexplored. This study elucidated, for the first time, the role of PUS7 in CRC cell metastasis and the underlying mechanisms. Methods We conducted immunohistochemistry, qPCR, and western blotting to quantify the expression of PUS7 in CRC tissues as well as cell lines. Besides, diverse in vivo and in vitro functional tests were employed to establish the function of PUS7 in CRC. RNA-seq and proteome profiling analysis were also applied to identify the targets of PUS7. PUS7-interacting proteins were further uncovered using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Results Overexpression of PUS7 was observed in CRC tissues and was linked to advanced clinical stages and shorter overall survival. PUS7 silencing effectively repressed CRC cell metastasis, while its upregulation promoted metastasis, independently of the PUS7 catalytic activity. LASP1 was identified as a downstream effector of PUS7. Forced LASP1 expression abolished the metastasis suppression triggered by PUS7 silencing. Furthermore, HSP90 was identified as a client protein of PUS7, associated with the increased PUS7 abundance in CRC. NMS-E973, a specific HSP90 inhibitor, also showed higher anti-metastatic activity when combined with PUS7 repression. Importantly, in line with these results, in human CRC tissues, the expression of PUS7 was positively linked to the expression of HSP90 and LASP1, and patients co-expressing HSP90/PUS7/LASP1 showed a worse prognosis. Conclusions The HSP90-dependent PUS7 upregulation promotes CRC cell metastasis via the regulation of LASP1. Thus, targeting the HSP90/PUS7/LASP1 axis may be a novel approach for the treatment of CRC.

scholarly journals Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals distinct cellular factors for response to immunotherapy targeting CD73 and PD-1 in colorectal cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e002503
Author(s):  
Miok Kim ◽  
Yong Ki Min ◽  
Jinho Jang ◽  
Hyejin Park ◽  
Semin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Single Cell Rna Sequencing ◽  
Tcr Diversity ◽  
Cancer Immunotherapies

BackgroundAlthough cancer immunotherapy is one of the most effective advanced-stage cancer therapies, no clinically approved cancer immunotherapies currently exist for colorectal cancer (CRC). Recently, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade has exhibited clinical benefits according to ongoing clinical trials. However, ongoing clinical trials for cancer immunotherapies are focused on PD-1 signaling inhibitors such as pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and atezolizumab. In this study, we focused on revealing the distinct response mechanism for the potent CD73 ectoenzyme selective inhibitor AB680 as a promising drug candidate that functions by blocking tumorigenic ATP/adenosine signaling in comparison to current therapeutics that block PD-1 to assess the value of this drug as a novel immunotherapy for CRC.MethodsTo understand the distinct mechanism of AB680 in comparison to that of a neutralizing antibody against murine PD-1 used as a PD-1 blocker, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of CD45+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from untreated controls (n=3) and from AB680-treated (n=3) and PD-1-blockade-treated murine CRC in vivo models. We also used flow cytometry, Azoxymethane (AOM)/Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) models, and in vitro functional assays to validate our new findings.ResultsWe initially observed that the expressions of Nt5e (a gene for CD73) and Entpd1 (a gene for CD39) affect T cell receptor (TCR) diversity and transcriptional profiles of T cells, thus suggesting their critical roles in T cell exhaustion within tumor. Importantly, PD-1 blockade significantly increased the TCR diversity of Entpd1-negative T cells and Pdcd1-positive T cells. Additionally, we determined that AB680 improved the anticancer functions of immunosuppressed cells such as Treg and exhausted T cells, while the PD-1 blocker quantitatively reduced Malat1high Treg and M2 macrophages. We also verified that PD-1 blockade induced Treg depletion in AOM/DSS CRC in vivo models, and we confirmed that AB680 treatment caused increased activation of CD8+ T cells using an in vitro T cell assay.ConclusionsThe intratumoral immunomodulation of CD73 inhibition is distinct from PD-1 inhibition and exhibits potential as a novel anticancer immunotherapy for CRC, possibly through a synergistic effect when combined with PD-1 blocker treatments. This study may contribute to the ongoing development of anticancer immunotherapies targeting refractory CRC.

Schisandrin B Attenuates Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer through SIRT1 Linked SMURF2 Signaling

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Zhichen Pu ◽  
Weiwei Zhang ◽  
Minhui Wang ◽  
Maodi Xu ◽  
Haitang Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Hct116 Cell ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Schisandrin B ◽  
In Vivo Models

Colon cancer, a common type of malignant tumor, seriously endangers human health. However, due to the relatively slow progress in diagnosis and treatment, the clinical therapeutic technology of colon cancer has not been substantially improved in the past three decades. The present study was designed to investigate the effects and involved mechanisms of schisandrin B in cell growth and metastasis of colon cancer. C57BL/6 mice received AOM and dextran sulfate sodium. Mice in treatment groups were gavaged with 3.75–30 mg/kg/day of schisandrin B. Transwell chamber migration, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot analysis, immunoprecipitation (IP) and immunofluorescence were conducted, and HCT116 cell line was employed in this study. Data showed that schisandrin B inhibited tumor number and tumor size in the AOD+DSS-induced colon cancer mouse model. Schisandrin B also inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis of colon cancer cells. We observed that schisandrin B induced SMURF2 protein expression and affected SIRT1 in vitro and in vivo. SMURF2 interacted with SIRT1 protein, and there was a negative correlation between SIRT1 and SMURF2 expressions in human colorectal cancer. The regulation of SMURF2 was involved in the anticancer effects of schisandrin B in both in vitro and in vivo models. In conclusion, the present study revealed that schisandrin B suppressed SIRT1 protein expression, and SIRT1 is negatively correlated with the induction of SMURF2, which inhibited cell growth and metastasis of colon cancer. Schisandrin B could be a leading compound, which will contribute to finding novel potential agents and therapeutic targets for colon cancer.

scholarly journals Biophysical studies of protein misfolding and aggregation in in vivo models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa Sinnige ◽  
Karen Stroobants ◽  
Christopher M. Dobson ◽  
Michele Vendruscolo
Keyword(s):  
Protein Misfolding ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Disease Modifying Drugs ◽  
Parkinson’S Diseases ◽  
Protein Misfolding And Aggregation

Abstract Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's diseases (PD), are characterised by the formation of aberrant assemblies of misfolded proteins. The discovery of disease-modifying drugs for these disorders is challenging, in part because we still have a limited understanding of their molecular origins. In this review, we discuss how biophysical approaches can help explain the formation of the aberrant conformational states of proteins whose neurotoxic effects underlie these diseases. We discuss in particular models based on the transgenic expression of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau in AD, and α-synuclein in PD. Because biophysical methods have enabled an accurate quantification and a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein misfolding and aggregation in vitro, we expect that the further development of these methods to probe directly the corresponding mechanisms in vivo will open effective routes for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

scholarly journals Development of Preclinical Models to Understand and Treat Colorectal Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (03) ◽  
pp. 199-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Sebolt-Leopold
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Colorectal Tumors ◽  
Human Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Preclinical Models ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Molecular Determinants ◽  
Experimental Therapies ◽  
Molecular Aberrations

AbstractThe establishment and validation of preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate the pathogenesis and treatment response of human colorectal cancer (CRC) is critical to expedient therapeutic advances in the clinical management of this disease. Integral to the application of precision medicine for patients diagnosed with metastatic CRC is the need to understand the molecular determinants of response for a given therapy. Preclinical models of CRC have proven invaluable in answering many of our basic questions relating to the molecular aberrations that drive colorectal tumor progression. This review will address the comparative merits and limitations of the broad spectrum of in vitro and in vivo models available for study of colorectal tumors and their response to experimental therapies.

An Innovative Ex Vivo Vascular Bioreactor as Comprehensive Tool to Study the Behavior of Native Blood Vessels Under Physiologically Relevant Conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noemi Vanerio ◽  
Marco Stijnen ◽  
Bas A. J. M. de Mol ◽  
Linda M. Kock
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Blood Vessels ◽  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Biological Response ◽  
Vessel Diameter ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
In Vivo Models

Abstract Ex vivo systems represent important models to study vascular biology and to test medical devices, combining the advantages of in vitro and in vivo models such as controllability of parameters and the presence of biological response, respectively. The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive ex vivo vascular bioreactor to long-term culture and study the behavior of native blood vessels under physiologically relevant conditions. The system was designed to allow for physiological mechanical loading in terms of pulsatile hemodynamics, shear stress, and longitudinal prestretch and ultrasound imaging for vessel diameter and morphology evaluation. In this first experience, porcine carotid arteries (n = 4) from slaughterhouse animals were cultured in the platform for 10 days at physiological temperature, CO2 and humidity using medium with blood-mimicking viscosity, components, and stability of composition. As expected, a significant increase in vessel diameter was observed during culture. Flow rate was adjusted according to diameter values to reproduce and maintain physiological shear stress, while pressure was kept physiological. Ultrasound imaging showed that the morphology and structure of cultured arteries were comparable to in vivo. Histological analyses showed preserved endothelium and extracellular matrix and neointimal tissue growth over 10 days of culture. In conclusion, we have developed a comprehensive pulsatile system in which a native blood vessel can be cultured under physiological conditions. The present model represents a significant step toward ex vivo testing of vascular therapies, devices, drug interaction, and as basis for further model developments.

scholarly journals MeCP2 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Metastasis by Modulating ZEB1 Transcription

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 758
Author(s):  
Dan Luo ◽  
Wei Ge
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Migration Ability ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
Distant Organ Metastasis

Background: Recurrence and distant organ metastasis is a major cause of death in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating this phenomenon are poorly understood. MeCP2 is a key epigenetic regulator and is amplified in many types of cancer. Its role in CRC and the molecular mechanisms underlying its action remain unknown. Methods: We used western blot and immunohistochemistry to detect MeCP2 expression in CRC tissues, and then investigated its biological functions in vitro and in vivo. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, co-immunoprecipitation, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to detect the associations among MeCP2 (Methyl-CpG binding protein 2), SPI1 (Spi-1 Proto-Oncogene), and ZEB1 (Zinc Finger E-Box Binding Homeobox 1). Results: Using the Cancer Genome Atlas and Oncomine databases, we found MeCP2 expression was upregulated in CRC tissues and this upregulation was related to poor prognosis. Meanwhile, MeCP2 depletion (KO/KD) in CRC cells significantly inhibited stem cell frequency, and invasion and migration ability in vitro, and suppressed CRC metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, we show MeCP2 binds to the transcription factor SPI1, and aids its recruitment to the ZEB1 promoter. SPI1 then facilitates ZEB1 expression at the transcription level. In turn, ZEB1 induces the expression of MMP14, CD133, and SOX2, thereby maintaining CRC stemness and metastasis. Conclusions: MeCP2 is a novel regulator of CRC metastasis. MeCP2 suppression may be a promising therapeutic strategy in CRC.

scholarly journals HIF-1–dependent repression of equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) in hypoxia

2005 ◽  
Vol 202 (11) ◽  
pp. 1493-1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holger K. Eltzschig ◽  
Parween Abdulla ◽  
Edgar Hoffman ◽  
Kathryn E. Hamilton ◽  
Dionne Daniels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Nucleoside Transporter ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 ◽  
And Function

Extracellular adenosine (Ado) has been implicated as central signaling molecule during conditions of limited oxygen availability (hypoxia), regulating physiologic outcomes as diverse as vascular leak, leukocyte activation, and accumulation. Presently, the molecular mechanisms that elevate extracellular Ado during hypoxia are unclear. In the present study, we pursued the hypothesis that diminished uptake of Ado effectively enhances extracellular Ado signaling. Initial studies indicated that the half-life of Ado was increased by as much as fivefold after exposure of endothelia to hypoxia. Examination of expressional levels of the equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT)1 and ENT2 revealed a transcriptionally dependent decrease in mRNA, protein, and function in endothelia and epithelia. Examination of the ENT1 promoter identified a hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1)–dependent repression of ENT1 during hypoxia. Using in vitro and in vivo models of Ado signaling, we revealed that decreased Ado uptake promotes vascular barrier and dampens neutrophil tissue accumulation during hypoxia. Moreover, epithelial Hif1α mutant animals displayed increased epithelial ENT1 expression. Together, these results identify transcriptional repression of ENT as an innate mechanism to elevate extracellular Ado during hypoxia.

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