scholarly journals Fibroblast Activation Protein-α as a Target in the Bench-to-Bedside Diagnosis and Treatment of Tumors: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Xin ◽  
Jinfang Gao ◽  
Ziliang Zheng ◽  
Yiyou Chen ◽  
Shuxin Lv ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Fibroblast Activation Protein ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Matrix Remodeling ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Fibroblast Activation ◽  
Bedside Diagnosis

Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) is a type II integral serine protease that is specifically expressed by activated fibroblasts. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor stroma have an abundant and stable expression of FAP, which plays an important role in promoting tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and immunosuppression. For example, in females with a high incidence of breast cancer, CAFs account for 50–70% of the cells in the tumor’s microenvironment. CAF overexpression of FAP promotes tumor development and metastasis by influencing extracellular matrix remodeling, intracellular signaling, angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and immunosuppression. This review discusses the basic biological characteristics of FAP and its applications in the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers. We review the emerging basic and clinical research data regarding the use of nanomaterials that target FAP.

scholarly journals Expression of Fibroblast Activation Protein Is Enriched in Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer and Predicts Worse Survival

Genes ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Panagiotis J. Vlachostergios ◽  
Athanasios Karathanasis ◽  
Vassilios Tzortzis
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Fibroblast Activation Protein ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Fibroblast Activation ◽  
Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer

Background: Advanced prostate cancer (PC) may accumulate genomic alterations that hallmark lineage plasticity and transdifferentiation to a neuroendocrine (NE) phenotype. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a key player in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, its clinical value and role in NE differentiation in advanced PC has not been fully investigated. Methods: Two hundred and eight patients from a multicenter, prospective cohort of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with available RNA sequencing data were analyzed for tumor FAP mRNA expression, and its association with overall survival (OS) and NE tumor features was investigated. Results: Twenty-one patients (10%) were found to have high FAP mRNA expression. Compared to the rest, this subset had a proportionally higher exposure to taxanes and AR signaling inhibitors (abiraterone or enzalutamide) and was characterized by active NE signaling, evidenced by high NEPC- and low AR-gene expression scores. These patients with high tumor mRNA FAP expression had a more aggressive clinical course and significantly shorter survival (12 months) compared to those without altered FAP expression (28 months, log-rank p = 0.016). Conclusions: FAP expression may serve as a valuable NE marker indicating a worse prognosis in patients with metastatic CRPC.

Targeting Galectin-1 by Aflibercept Strongly Enhances Its Antitumor Effect in Neuroendocrine Carcinomas

2020 ◽  
Vol 111 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 146-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Rodríguez-Remírez ◽  
Laura del Puerto-Nevado ◽  
María Jesús Fernández-Aceñero ◽  
Marlid Cruz-Ramos ◽  
Laura García-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Pancreatic Tumors ◽  
Matrix Remodeling ◽  
Antiangiogenic Effect ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblast ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Neuroendocrine Carcinomas

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Galectin-1 (Gal-1) plays major roles in cancer by modulating different processes leading to tumor development and progression. In the last years, it has been suggested as a promising target for anticancer therapy. Recently, aflibercept has shown high affinity for Gal-1. Here, we investigated how aflibercept could exert its antitumor activity via Gal-1-driven pathways in neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). <b><i>Methods and Results:</i></b> NEC tumor xenografts were used to assess the effect of aflibercept on Gal-1 functions. Aflibercept induced a significant reduction of Gal-1 at epithelial, stromal, and extracellular localizations in lung NEC, whereas this was not observed in colon NECs, which displayed low expression of Gal-1. Additionally, aflibercept significantly reduced p-VEGFR2 protein, extracellular matrix remodeling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and activation of cancer-associated fibroblast hampering cell invasion in lung NEC but not in colon NEC. Gal-1 screening in human NECs confirmed that pulmonary and pancreatic tumors displayed higher levels of Gal-1 than colon NECs, becoming good candidates to benefit from aflibercept treatment. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The lack of validated predictive markers of aflibercept is a weakness for guaranteeing the best treatment management with this drug. This work provides new mechanistic insight of aflibercept depending on Gal-1. Thus, in tumors overexpressing Gal-1, aflibercept has not only an antiangiogenic effect but also prevents Gal-1-mediated tumor-stroma cross talk. The stronger aflibercept effect in tumors with high levels of Gal-1 points out this protein as a molecular marker to predict the efficacy of this agent not only for NECs but also for other tumors with high levels of this protein.

The role of DUBs in the post-translational control of cell migration

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 579-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillem Lambies ◽  
Antonio García de Herreros ◽  
Víctor M. Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Translational Control ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Remodeling ◽  
Matrix Remodeling ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tgfβ Receptors ◽  
Fundamental Process ◽  
Multistep Process

Abstract Cell migration is a multifactorial/multistep process that requires the concerted action of growth and transcriptional factors, motor proteins, extracellular matrix remodeling and proteases. In this review, we focus on the role of transcription factors modulating Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT-TFs), a fundamental process supporting both physiological and pathological cell migration. These EMT-TFs (Snail1/2, Twist1/2 and Zeb1/2) are labile proteins which should be stabilized to initiate EMT and provide full migratory and invasive properties. We present here a family of enzymes, the deubiquitinases (DUBs) which have a crucial role in counteracting polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of EMT-TFs after their induction by TGFβ, inflammatory cytokines and hypoxia. We also describe the DUBs promoting the stabilization of Smads, TGFβ receptors and other key proteins involved in transduction pathways controlling EMT.

scholarly journals Anti-Cancer Effects of Glaucarubinone in the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line Huh7 via Regulation of the Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition-Associated Transcription Factor Twist1

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1700
Author(s):  
Jihye Seo ◽  
Jain Ha ◽  
Eunjeong Kang ◽  
Haelim Yoon ◽  
Sewoong Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Wound Healing ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Huh7 Cells ◽  
Anti Cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. As HCC has a high mortality rate and its incidence is increasing worldwide, understanding and treating HCC are crucial for resolving major public health concerns. In the present study, wound healing screening assays were performed using natural product libraries to identify natural chemicals that can inhibit cancer cell migration. Glaucarubinone (GCB) showed a high potential for inhibiting cell migration. The anti-cancer effects of GCB were evaluated using the HCC cell line, Huh7. GCB showed anti-cancer effects, as verified by wound healing, cell migration, invasion, colony formation, and three-dimensional spheroid invasion assays. In addition, cells treated with GCB showed suppressed matrix metalloproteinase activities. Immunoblotting analyses of intracellular signaling pathways revealed that GCB regulated the levels of Twist1, a crucial transcription factor associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and mitogen-activated protein kinase. The invasive ability of cancer cells was found to be decreased by the regulation of Twist1 protein levels. Furthermore, GCB downregulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. These results indicate that GCB exhibits anti-metastatic properties in Huh7 cells, suggesting that it could be used to treat HCC.

scholarly journals CXCL12 and Its Isoforms: Different Roles in Pancreatic Cancer?

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Righetti ◽  
Matteo Giulietti ◽  
Berina Šabanović ◽  
Giulia Occhipinti ◽  
Giovanni Principato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Tumor Invasion ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Splicing Isoforms

CXCL12 is a chemokine that acts through CXCR4 and ACKR3 receptors and plays a physiological role in embryogenesis and haematopoiesis. It has an important role also in tumor development, since it is released by stromal cells of tumor microenvironment and alters the behavior of cancer cells. Many studies investigated the roles of CXCL12 in order to understand if it has an anti- or protumor role. In particular, it seems to promote tumor invasion, proliferation, angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. Nevertheless, some evidence shows opposite functions; therefore research on CXCL12 is still ongoing. These discrepancies could be due to the presence of at least six CXCL12 splicing isoforms, each with different roles. Interestingly, three out of six variants have the highest levels of expression in the pancreas. Here, we report the current knowledge about the functions of this chemokine and then focus on pancreatic cancer. Moreover, we discuss the methods applied in recent studies in order to understand if they took into account the existence of the CXCL12 isoforms.

scholarly journals Lamins in Lung Cancer: Biomarkers and Key Factors for Disease Progression through miR-9 Regulation?

Cells ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Guinde ◽  
Diane Frankel ◽  
Sophie Perrin ◽  
Valérie Delecourt ◽  
Nicolas Lévy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Nuclear Lamina ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Scaffolding Protein ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cancer Subtypes

Lung cancer represents the primary cause of cancer death in the world. Malignant cells identification and characterization are crucial for the diagnosis and management of patients with primary or metastatic cancers. In this context, the identification of new biomarkers is essential to improve the differential diagnosis between cancer subtypes, to select the most appropriate therapy, and to establish prognostic correlations. Nuclear abnormalities are hallmarks of carcinoma cells and are used as cytological diagnostic criteria of malignancy. Lamins (divided into A- and B-types) are localized in the nuclear matrix comprising nuclear lamina, where they act as scaffolding protein, involved in many nuclear functions, with regulatory effects on the cell cycle and differentiation, senescence and apoptosis. Previous studies have suggested that lamins are involved in tumor development and progression with opposite results concerning their prognostic role. This review provides an overview of lamins expression in lung cancer and the relevance of these findings for disease diagnosis and prognosis. Furthermore, we discuss the link between A-type lamins expression in lung carcinoma cells and nuclear deformability, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and metastatic potential, and which mechanisms could regulate A-type lamins expression in lung cancer, such as the microRNA miR-9.

scholarly journals Snail1: A Transcriptional Factor Controlled at Multiple Levels

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josep Baulida ◽  
Víctor M. Díaz ◽  
Antonio García de Herreros
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Transcriptional Repressor ◽  
Transcriptional Factor ◽  
Protein Modifications ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Fibroblast Activation ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
And Function ◽  
Snail1 Expression

Snail1 transcriptional factor plays a key role in the control of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and fibroblast activation. As a consequence, Snail1 expression and function is regulated at multiple levels from gene transcription to protein modifications, affecting its interaction with specific cofactors. In this review, we describe the different elements that control Snail1 expression and its activity both as transcriptional repressor or activator.

scholarly journals Alteration of the Tumor Stroma Using a Consensus DNA Vaccine Targeting Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) Synergizes with Antitumor Vaccine Therapy in Mice

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 1190-1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth K. Duperret ◽  
Aspen Trautz ◽  
Dylan Ammons ◽  
Alfredo Perales-Puchalt ◽  
Megan C. Wise ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Vaccine ◽  
Tumor Stroma ◽  
Fibroblast Activation Protein ◽  
Vaccine Therapy ◽  
Fibroblast Activation ◽  
Antitumor Vaccine

scholarly journals Cathepsin B Is Upregulated and Mediates ECM Degradation in Colon Adenocarcinoma HT29 Cells Overexpressing Snail

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Kryczka ◽  
Izabela Papiewska-Pajak ◽  
M. Anna Kowalska ◽  
Joanna Boncela
Keyword(s):  
Cathepsin B ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Colon Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Mesenchymal Cell ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Colon And Rectum ◽  
Phenotypic Shift

During tumor development and ongoing metastasis the acquisition of mesenchymal cell traits by epithelial carcinoma cells is achieved through a programmed phenotypic shift called the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, EMT. EMT contributes to increased cancer cell motility and invasiveness mainly through invadosomes, the adhesion structures that accompany the mesenchymal migration. The invadosomes and their associated proteases restrict protease activity to areas of the cell in direct contact with the ECM, thus precisely controlling cell invasion. Our data prove that Snail-overexpressing HT-29 cells that imitate the phenotype of colon cancer cells in the early stage of the EMT showed an increase in the expression and pericellular activity of cathepsin B. It appears that the pericellular localization of cathepsin B, also observed in colon and rectum adenocarcinoma tissue samples, plays a key role in its function.

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