scholarly journals Exosomal lncRNA PVT1/VEGFA Axis Promotes Colon Cancer Metastasis and Stemness by Downregulation of Tumor Suppressor miR-152-3p

Author(s):  
Shiue-Wei Lai ◽  
Ming-Yao Chen ◽  
Ming-Shou Hsieh ◽  
Ting-Yi Huang ◽  
Chi-Tai Yeh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Late-stage colon cancer remains a treatment challenge in clinical settings because of the development of drug resistance and distant metastasis. Nevertheless, the mechanisms through which colon cancer cells acquire the ability to metastasize are complicated and require more research.Methods: Bioinformatic analysis was performed to determine gene associated with exosomal lncRNA PVT1/VEGFA axis of colon cancer patients. Biological importance of exosomal lncRNA PVT1/VEGFA axis was investigated in vitro (HCT116 and LoVo cell lines) and in vivo (PDX mouse model) through knockdown (siPVT1) and overexpression (add exosomes from sera of distant metastasis patients). PVT1/VEGFA axis related protein expression in and cell lines were investigated through RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry analysis. Colony formation Assay, cell invasion, migration, and tumorsphere-formation assay were used to explore possible molecular mechanism. Results: First, using public databases, we demonstrated that PVT1 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis and increased metastatic markers, such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This finding was then validated in a small cohort of patients with colon cancer, where increased PVT1 expression was correlated with colon cancer incidence, disease recurrence, and distant metastasis. Notably, serum exosomes from patients with metastatic (M-exo) colon cancer were enriched with PVT1 and VEGFA and increased both migratory and invasive abilities in colon cancer cell lines when cocultured. This metastasis-promoting effect was accompanied by an increased expression of Twist1, Vimentin, and MMP2. Notably, M-exo promoted metastatic incidence in patient-derived xenograft mice. In vitro silencing of PVT1 led to decreased colon tumorigenic properties, including colony formation, tumorsphere formation, and metastatic potential. Further analysis revealed that miR-152-3p has multiple targets, including PVT1, VEGFA, and EGFR. Increased miR-152-3p resulted in decreased tumorigenesis, and the reverse was true when the miR-152-3p level was decreased.Conclusion: In conclusion, we provided evidence regarding the role of exosomal PVT1 in promoting metastasis in colon cancer through its association with EGFR and VEGFA expression. PVT1 and VEGFA are both targets of miR-152-3p, and this regulatory pathway could be explored for drug and prognostic biomarker development.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Shiue-Wei Lai ◽  
Ming-Yao Chen ◽  
Oluwaseun Adebayo Bamodu ◽  
Ming-Shou Hsieh ◽  
Ting-Yi Huang ◽  
...  

Background. Treating advanced colon cancer remains challenging in clinical settings because of the development of drug resistance and distant metastasis. Mechanisms underlying the metastasis of colon cancer are complex and unclear. Methods. Computational analysis was performed to determine genes associated with the exosomal long noncoding (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1)/vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) axis in patients with colon cancer. The biological importance of the exosomal lncRNA PVT1/VEGFA axis was examined in vitro by using HCT116 and LoVo cell lines and in vivo by using a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model through knockdown (by silencing of PVT1) and overexpression (by adding serum exosomes isolated from patients with distant metastasis (M-exo)). Results. The in silico analysis demonstrated that PVT1 overexpression was associated with poor prognosis and increased expression of metastatic markers such as VEGFA and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This finding was further validated in a small cohort of patients with colon cancer in whom increased PVT1 expression was correlated with colon cancer incidence, disease recurrence, and distant metastasis. M-exo were enriched with PVT1 and VEGFA, and both migratory and invasive abilities of colon cancer cell lines increased when they were cocultured with M-exo. The metastasis-promoting effect was accompanied by increased expression of Twist1, vimentin, and MMP2. M-exo promoted metastasis in PDX mice. In vitro silencing of PVT1 reduced colon tumorigenic properties including migratory, invasive, colony forming, and tumorsphere generation abilities. Further analysis revealed that PVT1, VEGFA, and EGFR interact with and are regulated by miR-152-3p. Increased miR-152-3p expression reduced tumorigenesis, where increased tumorigenesis was observed when miR-152-3p expression was downregulated. Conclusion. Exosomal PVT1 promotes colon cancer metastasis through its association with EGFR and VEGFA expression. miR-152-3p targets both PVT1 and VEGFA, and this regulatory pathway can be explored for drug development and as a prognostic biomarker.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 1622-1633
Author(s):  
Alaa Mahmoud ◽  
Dana Elkhalifa ◽  
Feras Alali ◽  
Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa ◽  
Ashraf Khalil

Background/Objective: KRAS-mutant colorectal cancers (CRC) are tumors that are associated with poor prognosis. However, no effective treatments are available to target them. Therefore, we designed and synthesized novel chalcone analogs, small organic molecules, to investigate their effects on KRAS-mutant CRC cells. Methods: Fourteen new chalcone analogs were synthesized, optimized, characterized, and tested against two KRAS-mutant CRC cell lines (HCT-116 and LoVo), one p-53 and BRAF mutant CRC cell line (HT-29) and one normal immortalized colon cells (NCE-1 E6/E7). Effects on cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, colony formation, EMT, and angiogenesis were investigated. Results: Compounds 3 and 14 were the most effective. Compound 3 showed potent activity against HCT-116 and LoVo cell lines (GI50 of 6.10 μM and 7.00 μM, respectively). While compound 14 showed GI50 of 8.60 μM and 8.80 μM on HCT-116 and LoVo cell lines, respectively. Both compounds were approximately 2-3 times more selective toward cancer cells rather than normal colon cells. Compound 3 was effective in inducing apoptosis in HCT-116 cells via Bax upregulation and Bcl-2 downregulation. Invasion and metastasis of KRAS-mutant cells were modulated by compounds 3 and 14 through significant inhibition of cell migration and the prevention of colony formation. In addition, they reversed EMT by downregulation of EMT markers (vimentin, fascin, and β- catenin) and upregulation of cell-cell adhesion marker, E-cadherin. Furthermore, compounds 3 and 14 had significantly inhibited angiogenesis in ovo. Conclusion: Compounds 3 and 14 represent potent and selective leads for KRAS-mutant CRC cells, thus, further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to confirm their effect on KRAS-mutant CRCs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazim Husain ◽  
Domenico Coppola ◽  
Chung S. Yang ◽  
Mokenge P. Malafa

AbstractThe activation and growth of tumour-initiating cells with stem-like properties in distant organs characterize colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and metastasis. Thus, inhibition of colon cancer stem cell (CCSC) growth holds promise for CRC growth and metastasis prevention. We and others have shown that farnesyl dimethyl chromanol (FDMC) inhibits cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. We provide the first demonstration that FDMC inhibits CCSC viability, survival, self-renewal (spheroid formation), pluripotent transcription factors (Nanog, Oct4, and Sox2) expression, organoids formation, and Wnt/β-catenin signalling, as evidenced by comparisons with vehicle-treated controls. In addition, FDMC inhibits CCSC migration, invasion, inflammation (NF-kB), angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF), and metastasis (MMP9), which are critical tumour metastasis processes. Moreover, FDMC induced apoptosis (TUNEL, Annexin V, cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved PARP) in CCSCs and CCSC-derived spheroids and organoids. Finally, in an orthotopic (cecum-injected CCSCs) xenograft metastasis model, we show that FDMC significantly retards CCSC-derived tumour growth (Ki-67); inhibits inflammation (NF-kB), angiogenesis (VEGF and CD31), and β-catenin signalling; and induces apoptosis (cleaved PARP) in tumour tissues and inhibits liver metastasis. In summary, our results demonstrate that FDMC inhibits the CCSC metastatic phenotype and thereby supports investigating its ability to prevent CRC metastases.


2004 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 300
Author(s):  
P.Y. Wai ◽  
Z. Mi ◽  
H. Guo ◽  
S. Sarraf-Yazdi ◽  
B. Clary ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (S1) ◽  
pp. E85-E91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaolin Nie ◽  
Jumei Zhou ◽  
Fei Bai ◽  
Bonian Jiang ◽  
Juying Chen ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3345-3345
Author(s):  
Anargyros Xenocostas ◽  
Benjamin D Hedley ◽  
Jenny E Chu ◽  
D. George Ormond ◽  
Michel Beausoleil ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3345 Background: Erythropoietin (EPO) is a key regulator of erythropoiesis, and has been shown to stimulate growth, maintain viability, and promote differentiation of red blood cell precursors. The EPO receptor (EPO-R) is expressed by erythroid cells and by several non-hematopoietic cell types including various neoplastic cells. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are used clinically for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia. The results of some recent randomized clinical trials have reported an increased incidence in adverse events and reduced survival in ESA-treated metastatic breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, potentially related to EPO-induced cancer progression. These results have raised concerns over ESA treatment in metastatic cancer patients. However, very little pre-clinical data is available regarding the impact of EPO on breast cancer metastasis. The goal of the current study was therefore to determine if EPO can influence the malignant behavior of breast cancer cells and/or influence the metastatic process. Methods: MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435, and 4T-1 breast cancer cell lines were treated with recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO; 10 U/ml) or control media and screened for EPO-R mRNA expression levels by RT-PCR, and for EPO-R protein expression by Western blot and flow cytometry. MDA-MB-231 (231) and MDA-MB-435 (435) cell lines were used for functional assays in vitro and in vivo. Untreated or rHuEPO treated cells were grown in 2D and 3D in vitro systems (standard tissue culture plates and 0.6% soft agar, respectively) to determine if rHuEPO influenced growth. In vitro cell survival was also assessed in response to treatment with rHuEPO in the presence or absence of paclitaxel chemotherapy (10mg/ml), radiation (10G), or hypoxic conditions (1% O2). Following mammary fat pad injection, in vivo effects of rHuEPO (300U/kg) alone or in combination with paclitaxel treatment (10mg/kg) were assessed in mouse models of tumorigenicity and spontaneous metastasis. Results: Expression analysis of EPO-R mRNA and protein revealed a large variation in levels across different cell lines. The majority of cell lines did not express cell surface EPO-R by flow cytometry, although two cell lines (231 and 435) did show weak expression of EPO-R mRNA, with only the 231 cell line showing EPO-R expression by Western blot. In vitro, a small protective effect from rHuEPO on radiation-treated 435 cells was seen (p<0.05); however, rHuEPO treatment alone or combined with chemotherapy or hypoxia did not cause a significant increase in cell survival relative to untreated controls cells. In contrast, in vivo studies demonstrated that rHuEPO increased the incidence and burden of lung metastases in immunocompromised mice injected with 231 or 435 cells and treated with paclitaxel relative to mice treated with paclitaxel alone (p<0.05). Conclusions: The lack of an in vitro effect of rHuEPO highlights the importance of in vivo studies to delineate the effects of EPO on the metastatic process. Our novel findings demonstrate that rHuEPO can reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy in the metastatic setting in vivo, and in some cases enhance the inherent metastatic growth potential of human breast cancer cells. This work was supported by funding from the London Regional Cancer Program and Janssen Ortho Canada Disclosures: Xenocostas: Janssen Ortho: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Allan:Janssen Ortho: Research Funding.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 14515-14515
Author(s):  
V. Dangles-Marie ◽  
P. Validire ◽  
S. Richon ◽  
L. Weiswald ◽  
M. Briffod ◽  
...  

14515 Background: In vitro spheroid model using cancer cell lines is widely admitted to mimic in vivo micro tumors, including micrometastases. Floating spheroid cell cluster culture has been recently used for normal and cancer stem cell expansion. Spontaneously spheroids generated in vivo have been only studied in ovarian cancer ascites while organoid aggregates have been sometimes observed in the establishment of human colon cancer cell lines. In this study, we investigated whether spontaneous spheroid aggregates from colon cancer could be isolated and characterized. Methods: 127 colorectal primary tumor specimens have been collected and mechanically dissociated into small fragments, which were then shortly cultured on cell plastic flask. Production of spheroid- like structures, referred to as colospheres, was examined at Day 1 and colospheres were gathered for phenotypic characterization. Results: Colospheres were successfully generated from 67 surgical specimens (53%). The capacity to form colospheres was strictly restricted to tumor tissue: dissociated normal colon mucosa never generated colospheres and colospheres were formed exclusively by cancer cells. The ability to generate colospheres was demonstrated to be significantly related to tumor aggressiveness, according to nodal status and AJCC’s stages (Chi-2 test, p<0.05). Immunohistochemical studies showed that cells forming colospheres were frequently positive for Ki67, and displayed often a disturbed expression of the epithelial caretaker E-cadherin. Peripheral cells of colospheres were able to migrate into Matrigel in absence of any chemoattractant. Conclusions: Collectively, the morphology of these colospheres derived directly from tumoral tissues and made up exclusively of cancer cells, their potential capacity to acquire an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition phenotype and their in vitro migration ability could be aligned with the collective migration properties of carcinomas. Consequently, these ex vivo spherical structures might form an in vitro cell system for micrometastasis studies, at the very time when mortality among colorectal cancer patients continues to be attributed to metastasis development. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


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