Calpain-Associated Proteolytic Regulation of the Stromal Microenvironment in Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuro Miyazaki ◽  
Risako Akasu ◽  
Akira Miyazaki
Keyword(s):  
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Pancreatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Stromal Microenvironment ◽  
Intracellular Proteolysis

Background: Normalization of the stromal microenvironment is a promising strategy for cancer control. Cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, and mesenchymal stromal cells have a central role in stromal functions. Accordingly, understanding these stromal cells is indispensable for the development of next-generation cancer therapies. Growing evidence suggests that calpain-induced intracellular proteolysis is responsible for cancer growth and stromal regulation. Calpain is a family of stress-responsive intracellular proteases and is inducible in cancer and stromal cells during carcinogenesis. Objective: Here, we shed light on the recent advances that have been made in understanding how calpain contributes to stromal regulation in cancer. Conclusions: Calpains are activated in stromal cells, including pancreatic stellate cells and mesenchymal cells, thereby inducing fibrogenic responses in cancer stroma. Moreover, these molecules contribute to epithelial-mesenchymal transition and endothelial-mesenchymal transition to provide mesenchymal stromal cells in the microenvironment, and concomitantly participate in cancer angiogenesis. In addition to the conventional calpains, the unconventional calpain-9 is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Animal experiments showed that targeting calpain systems antagonizes cancer development; thus, this approach is promising for cancer control.

scholarly journals Mesenchymal stromal cells mitigate liver damage after extended resection in the pig by modulating thrombospondin-1/TGF-β

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Nickel ◽  
Sebastian Vlaic ◽  
Madlen Christ ◽  
Kristin Schubert ◽  
Reinhard Henschler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Resection ◽  
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Epithelial Plasticity ◽  
Thrombospondin 1

AbstractPost-surgery liver failure is a serious complication for patients after extended partial hepatectomies (ePHx). Previously, we demonstrated in the pig model that transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) improved circulatory maintenance and supported multi-organ functions after 70% liver resection. Mechanisms behind the beneficial MSC effects remained unknown. Here we performed 70% liver resection in pigs with and without MSC treatment, and animals were monitored for 24 h post surgery. Gene expression profiles were determined in the lung and liver. Bioinformatics analysis predicted organ-independent MSC targets, importantly a role for thrombospondin-1 linked to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and downstream signaling towards providing epithelial plasticity and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This prediction was supported histologically and mechanistically, the latter with primary hepatocyte cell cultures. MSC attenuated the surgery-induced increase of tissue damage, of thrombospondin-1 and TGF-β, as well as of epithelial plasticity in both the liver and lung. This suggests that MSC ameliorated surgery-induced hepatocellular stress and EMT, thus supporting epithelial integrity and facilitating regeneration. MSC-derived soluble factor(s) did not directly interfere with intracellular TGF-β signaling, but inhibited thrombospondin-1 secretion from thrombocytes and non-parenchymal liver cells, therewith obviously reducing the availability of active TGF-β.

scholarly journals Gremlin1 Delivered by Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Promoted Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1785-1799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongxi Hong ◽  
Te Liu ◽  
Weijun Huang ◽  
Yan Liao ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Backgroud/Aims: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Several studies focusing on tumor-derived MSCs have demonstrated that they exhibit a strong ability to promote the tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the factors mediating these effects are poorly understood. Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry assays were used to detect the expression of Gremlin1 (GREM1) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues. ShRNA silencing, flow cytometry, cell counting kit (CCK8) assay, invasion assay, western blot were used to detect the effect of GREM1 in ECa109, TE-1 cell lines and xenograft tumor models. Results: In the current study, we found that the GREM1 was overexpressed in human ESCC tissues. The conditioned medium from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs-CM) enhanced the malignancy of xenograft esophageal tumors in vivo, as well as the cell proliferation, viability and invasion of the esophageal carcinoma cell lines ECa109 and TE-1 in vitro. Furthermore, the shRNA silencing of GREM1 in MSCs (shGREM1-MSCs) reversed the increased malignancy of the esophageal tumor in vivo, while the conditioned medium from shGREM1-MSCs (shGREM1-MSCs-CM) affected the cell cycle and cell invasion in vitro. These processes were accompanied by the EMT in the ECa109 and TE-1 cell lines with an alteration in the expression levels of mesenchymal and epithelial markers. Furthermore, the TGF-β/BMP (transforming growth factor-beta/bone morphogenetic protein) signaling pathway participated in the shGREM1-MSCs-CM-induced anti-tumor effect on enhanced esophageal malignancy induced by MSCs-CM treatment. Conclusions: Taken together, our study suggested that GREM1 delivered by MSCs promoted EMT in ESCC in vitro and in vivo, which is partly through TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway. The results provide experimental evidence to a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of esophageal cancer.

Fiber density and matrix stiffness modulate distinct cell migration modes in a 3D stroma mimetic composite hydrogel

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harrison L. Hiraki ◽  
Daniel L. Matera ◽  
William Y. Wang ◽  
Alexander A. Zarouk ◽  
Anna E. Argento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cancer Therapeutics ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Metastatic Spread ◽  
Tumor Escape ◽  
Fiber Density ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Stromal Microenvironment ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

ABSTRACTThe peritumoral stroma is a complex 3D tissue that provides cells with myriad biophysical and biochemical cues. Histologic observations suggest that during metastatic spread of carcinomas, these cues influence transformed epithelial cells, prompting a diversity of migration modes spanning single cell and multicellular phenotypes. Purported consequences of these variations in tumor escape strategies include differential metastatic capability and therapy resistance. Therefore, understanding how cues from the peritumoral stromal microenvironment regulate migration mode phenotypes has prognostic and therapeutic value. Here, we utilize a synthetic stromal mimetic in which matrix fiber density and bulk hydrogel stiffness can be orthogonally tuned to investigate the contribution of these two key matrix attributes on MCF10A migration mode phenotypes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and invasive potential. We developed an automated computational image analysis framework to extract migratory phenotypes from fluorescent images and determine 3D migration metrics relevant to metastatic spread. Using this analysis, we find that matrix fiber density and bulk hydrogel stiffness distinctly contribute to a variety of MCF10A migration modes including amoeboid, single mesenchymal, multicellular clusters, and collective strands. Taking advantage of the tunability of this material platform, we identify a combination of physical and soluble cues that induces distinct heterogeneous migration modes originating from the same MCF10A spheroid and use this setting to examine a functional consequence of migration mode – apoptotic resistance. We find that cells migrating as part of collective strands are more resistant to staurosporine-induced apoptosis than either disconnected multicellular clusters or individual invading cells. Improved models of the peritumoral stromal microenvironment that help elucidate relationships between matrix attributes and cell migration mode can contribute to ongoing efforts to identify efficacious cancer therapeutics that address migration plasticity-based therapy resistances.

Nano-Coated si-SNHG14 Regulated PD-L1 Expression and Decreased Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 1993-2002
Author(s):  
Haoran Yu ◽  
Chen Zhang ◽  
Wanpeng Li ◽  
Xicai Sun ◽  
Quan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Long Non Coding Rna ◽  
Tumor Agent

To investigate the expression characteristics of long non-coding RNA SNHG14 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its effects on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and development of nano-coated si-SNHG14 as an anti-tumor agent. The SNHG14 expression in cancerous and adjacent non-cancerous tissues was monitored using reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Gain- and loss-of-function experiments tested the regulation of SNHG14, miR- 5590-3p, and ZEB1 on PD-L1. The binding association between the above three factors was verified using bioinformatics analysis. EMT-related E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin were tested using Western blot. Animal experiments in nude mice verified the function of SNHG14 in the EMT of NPC in vivo. The nano-coated si-SNHG14 was developed as an anti-tumor agent and was verified NPC cell in vitro. SNHG14 was upregulated in NPC tissues. Knocking down SNHG14 markedly inhibited the EMT of NPC. Additionally, the expression of ZEB1 was positively related to that of the SNHG14, while it was inversely correlated with that of miR-5590-3p. Moreover, ZEB1 transcription upregulated PD-L1 and promoted the EMT, while SNHG14 could accelerate the EMT of NPC in vivo by regulating the PD-1 and PD-L1. SNHG14-miR-5590- 3p-ZEB1 positively regulated PD-L1 and facilitate the EMT of NPC. Nano-coated si-SNHG14 significantly downregulated PD-L1 expression and decreased EMT.

scholarly journals Ubiquilin Networking in Cancers

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1586
Author(s):  
Salinee Jantrapirom ◽  
Luca Lo Piccolo ◽  
Dumnoensun Pruksakorn ◽  
Saranyapin Potikanond ◽  
Wutigri Nimlamool
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Excision Repair ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Nucleotide Excision

Ubiquilins or UBQLNs, members of the ubiquitin-like and ubiquitin-associated domain (UBL-UBA) protein family, serve as adaptors to coordinate the degradation of specific substrates via both proteasome and autophagy pathways. The UBQLN substrates reveal great diversity and impact a wide range of cellular functions. For decades, researchers have been attempting to uncover a puzzle and understand the role of UBQLNs in human cancers, particularly in the modulation of oncogene’s stability and nucleotide excision repair. In this review, we summarize the UBQLNs’ genetic variants that are associated with the most common cancers and also discuss their reliability as a prognostic marker. Moreover, we provide an overview of the UBQLNs networks that are relevant to cancers in different ways, including cell cycle, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, DNA repairs and miRNAs. Finally, we include a future prospective on novel ubiquilin-based cancer therapies.

scholarly journals Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Skin Cancers: A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Hodorogea ◽  
Andreea Calinescu ◽  
Mihaela Antohe ◽  
Mihaela Balaban ◽  
Roxana Ioana Nedelcu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Skin Cancers ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Epithelial Phenotype

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in physiologic processes such as embryogenesis and wound healing. A similar mechanism occurs in some tumors where cells leave the epithelial layer and gain mesenchymal particularities in order to easily migrate to other tissues. This process can explain the invasiveness and aggressiveness of these tumors which metastasize, by losing the epithelial phenotype (loss of E-cadherin, desmoplakin, and laminin-1) and acquiring mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin). Complex changes and interactions happen between the tumor cells and the microenvironment involving different pathways, transcription factors, altered expression of adhesion molecules, reorganization of cytoskeletal proteins, production of ECM-degrading enzymes, and changes in specific microRNAs. The purpose of this review is to determine particularities of the EMT process in the most common malignant cutaneous tumors (squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma) which still have an increasingly high incidence. More studies are required on this topic in order to establish clear correlations. High costs related to skin cancer therapies in general as well as high impact on patients’ quality of life demand finding new, reliable prognostic and therapeutic markers with significant public health impact.

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