scholarly journals Stationed or Relocating: The Seesawing EMT/MET Determinants from Embryonic Development to Cancer Metastasis

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1265
Author(s):  
Chien-Hsiu Li ◽  
Tai-I Hsu ◽  
Yu-Chan Chang ◽  
Ming-Hsien Chan ◽  
Pei-Jung Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Dynamic Change ◽  
Skin Barrier ◽  
Basal Membrane ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Local Cell ◽  
External Stimuli

Epithelial and mesenchymal transition mechanisms continue to occur during the cell cycle and throughout human development from the embryo stage to death. In embryo development, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) can be divided into three essential steps. First, endoderm, mesoderm, and neural crest cells form, then the cells are subdivided, and finally, cardiac valve formation occurs. After the embryonic period, the human body will be subjected to ongoing mechanical stress or injury. The formation of a wound requires EMT to recruit fibroblasts to generate granulation tissues, repair the wound and re-create an intact skin barrier. However, once cells transform into a malignant tumor, the tumor cells acquire the characteristic of immortality. Local cell growth with no growth inhibition creates a solid tumor. If the tumor cannot obtain enough nutrition in situ, the tumor cells will undergo EMT and invade the basal membrane of nearby blood vessels. The tumor cells are transported through the bloodstream to secondary sites and then begin to form colonies and undergo reverse EMT, the so-called “mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET).” This dynamic change involves cell morphology, environmental conditions, and external stimuli. Therefore, in this manuscript, the similarities and differences between EMT and MET will be dissected from embryonic development to the stage of cancer metastasis.

scholarly journals Role of Metabolic Reprogramming in Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 2042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunkoo Kang ◽  
Hyunwoo Kim ◽  
Sungmin Lee ◽  
HyeSook Youn ◽  
BuHyun Youn
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Progression ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Metabolic Enzyme ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Altered Glucose

Activation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to be an essential step for cancer metastasis. Tumor cells undergo EMT in response to a diverse range of extra- and intracellular stimulants. Recently, it was reported that metabolic shifts control EMT progression and induce tumor aggressiveness. In this review, we summarize the involvement of altered glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolic enzyme expression and the underlying molecular mechanisms in EMT induction in tumor cells. Moreover, we propose that metabolic regulation through gene-specific or pharmacological inhibition may suppress EMT and this treatment strategy may be applied to prevent tumor progression and improve anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy. This review presents evidence for the importance of metabolic changes in tumor progression and emphasizes the need for further studies to better understand tumor metabolism.

scholarly journals Context-dependent EMT programs in cancer metastasis

2019 ◽  
Vol 216 (5) ◽  
pp. 1016-1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Aiello ◽  
Yibin Kang
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Adherent Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
Tumor Types

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmental process whereby stationary, adherent cells acquire the ability to migrate. EMT is critical for dramatic cellular movements during embryogenesis; however, tumor cells can reactivate EMT programs, which increases their aggressiveness. In addition to motility, EMT is associated with enhanced stem cell properties and drug resistance; thus it can drive metastasis, tumor recurrence, and therapy resistance in the context of cancer. However, the precise requirements for EMT in metastasis have not been fully delineated, with different tumor types relying on discrete EMT effectors. Most tumor cells do not undergo a full EMT, but rather adopt some qualities of mesenchymal cells and maintain some epithelial characteristics. Emerging evidence suggests that partial EMT can drive distinct migratory properties and enhance the epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity of cancer cells as well as cell fate plasticity. This review discusses the diverse regulatory mechanisms and functional consequences of EMT, with an emphasis on the importance of partial EMT.

scholarly journals A Novel Ex Vivo System Using 3D Polymer Scaffold to Culture Circulating Tumor Cells from Breast Cancer Patients Exhibits Dynamic E-M Phenotypes

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamasa De ◽  
Shina Goyal ◽  
Gowri Balachander ◽  
Kaushik Chatterjee ◽  
Prashant Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Breast Cancer Patient ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Circulating Tumor Cells ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

The majority of the cancer-associated deaths is due to metastasis—the spread of tumors to other organs. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which are shed from the primary tumor into the circulation, serve as precursors of metastasis. CTCs have now gained much attention as a new prognostic and diagnostic marker, as well as a screening tool for patients with metastatic disease. However, very little is known about the biology of CTCs in cancer metastasis. An increased understanding of CTC biology, their heterogeneity, and interaction with other cells can help towards a better understanding of the metastatic process, as well as identify novel drug targets. Here we present a novel ex vivo 3D system for culturing CTCs from breast cancer patient blood samples using porous poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds. As a proof of principle study, we show that ex vivo culture of 12/16 (75%) advanced stage breast cancer patient blood samples were enriched for CTCs identified as CK+ (cytokeratin positive) and CD45− (CD45 negative) cells. The deposition of extracellular matrix proteins on the PCL scaffolds permitted cellular attachment to these scaffolds. Detection of Ki-67 and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) positive cells revealed proliferating cell population in the 3D scaffolds. The CTCs cultured without prior enrichment exhibited dynamic differences in epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) composition. Thus, our 3D PCL scaffold system offers a physiologically relevant model to be used for studying CTC biology as well as for individualized testing of drug susceptibility. Further studies are warranted for longitudinal monitoring of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CTCs for clinical association.

scholarly journals Tumor-associated exosomes promote lung cancer metastasis through multiple mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunyang Jiang ◽  
Na Zhang ◽  
Xiaoli Hu ◽  
Hongyan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Lung Cancer Metastasis

AbstractAs an important medium of intercellular communication, exosomes play an important role in information transmission between tumor cells and their microenvironment. Tumor metastasis is a serious influencing factor for poor treatment effect and shortened survival. Lung cancer is a major malignant tumor that seriously threatens human health. The study of the underlying mechanisms of exosomes in tumor genesis and development may provide new ideas for early and effective diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer metastasis. Many studies have shown that tumor-derived exosomes promote lung cancer development through a number of processes. By promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition of tumor cells, they induce angiogenesis, establishment of the pretransfer microenvironment, and immune escape. This understanding enables researchers to better understand the mechanism of lung cancer metastasis and explore new treatments for clinical application. In this article, we systematically review current research progress of tumor-derived exosomes in metastasis of lung cancer. Although positive progress has been made toward understanding the mechanism of exosomes in lung cancer metastasis, systematic basic research and clinical translational research remains lacking and are needed to translate our scientific understanding toward applications in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer metastasis in the near future.

scholarly journals Born to Run? Diverse Modes of Epithelial Migration

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengfei Lu ◽  
Yunzhe Lu
Keyword(s):  
Basement Membrane ◽  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Epithelial Migration ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
Initial Description

Bundled with various kinds of adhesion molecules and anchored to the basement membrane, the epithelium has historically been considered as an immotile tissue and, to migrate, it first needs to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Since its initial description more than half a century ago, the EMT process has fascinated generations of developmental biologists and, more recently, cancer biologists as it is believed to be essential for not only embryonic development, organ formation, but cancer metastasis. However, recent progress shows that epithelium is much more motile than previously realized. Here, we examine the emerging themes in epithelial collective migration and how this has impacted our understanding of EMT.

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