scholarly journals Wnt5A and TGFβ1 Converges through YAP1 Activity and Integrin Alpha v Up-Regulation Promoting Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Ovarian Cancer Cells and Mesothelial Cell Activation

Cells ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 237
Author(s):  
Zeinab Dehghani-Ghobadi ◽  
Shahrzad Sheikh Hasani ◽  
Ehsan Arefian ◽  
Ghamartaj Hossein

In this paper, we investigate whether Wnt5A is associated with the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 and Hippo-YAP1/TAZ-TEAD pathways, implicated in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in epithelial ovarian cancer. We used 3D and 2D cultures of human epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV-3, OVCAR-3, CAOV-4, and different subtypes of human serous ovarian cancer compared to normal ovary specimens. Wnt5A showed a positive correlation with TAZ and TGFβ1 in high- and low-grade serous ovarian cancer specimens compared to borderline serous and normal ovaries. Silencing Wnt5A by siRNAs significantly decreased Smad2/3 activation and YAP1 expression and nuclear shuttling in ovarian cancer (OvCa) cells. Furthermore, Wnt5A was required for TGFβ1-induced cell migration and invasion. In addition, inhibition of YAP1 transcriptional activity by Verteporfin (VP) altered OvCa cell migration and invasion through decreased Wnt5A expression and inhibition of Smad2/3 activation, which was reverted in the presence of exogenous Wnt5A. We found that the activation of TGFβ1 and YAP1 nuclear shuttling was promoted by Wnt5A-induced integrin alpha v. Lastly, Wnt5A was implicated in activating human primary omental mesothelial cells and subsequent invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Together, we propose that Wnt5A could be a critical mediator of EMT-associated pathways.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shixia Bu ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Junyan Sun ◽  
Xiao Li ◽  
Tingting Gu ◽  
...  

Abstract Chronic stress has been shown to facilitate progression of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), however, the neuro-endocranial mechanism participating in this process still remains unclear. Here, we reported that chronic restraint stress (CRS) promoted the abdominal implantation metastasis of EOC cells and the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition-related markers in tumor-bearing mouse model, including TWIST, SLUG, SNAIL, and β-catenin. We observed that β-catenin co-expressed with SLUG and norepinephrine (NE) in tumor tissues obtained from nude mice. Further ex vivo experiments revealed that NE promoted migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells and SLUG expression through upregulating expression and improving transcriptional function of β-catenin in vitro. A human phosphor-kinase array suggested that NE activated various kinases in ovarian cancer cells, and we further confirmed that AKT inhibitor reduced NE-mediated pro-metastatic impacts and activation of the β-catenin/SLUG axis. Furthermore, the expression levels of NE and β-catenin were examined in ovarian tumor tissues by using tumor tissue arrays. Results showed that the expression levels of both NE and β-catenin were associated with poor clinical stage of serous EOC. Moreover, we found that melatonin (MLT) effectively reduced the abdominal tumor burden of ovarian cancer induced by CRS, which was partially related to the inhibition of the NE/AKT/β-catenin/SLUG axis. Collectively, these findings suggest a novel mechanism for CRS-mediated ovarian cancer metastasis and MLT has a potential therapeutic efficacy against ovarian cancer.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 638
Author(s):  
Kittipong Sanookpan ◽  
Nongyao Nonpanya ◽  
Boonchoo Sritularak ◽  
Pithi Chanvorachote

Cancer metastasis is the major cause of about 90% of cancer deaths. As epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is known for potentiating metastasis, this study aimed to elucidate the effect of ovalitenone on the suppression of EMT and metastasis-related behaviors, including cell movement and growth under detached conditions, and cancer stem cells (CSCs), of lung cancer cells. Methods: Cell viability and cell proliferation were determined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazo-liumbromide (MTT) and colony formation assays. Cell migration and invasion were analyzed using a wound-healing assay and Boyden chamber assay, respectively. Anchorage-independent cell growth was determined. Cell protrusions (filopodia) were detected by phalloidin-rhodamine staining. Cancer stem cell phenotypes were assessed by spheroid formation. The proteins involved in cell migration and EMT were evaluated by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Results: Ovalitenone was used at concentrations of 0–200 μM. While it caused no cytotoxic effects on lung cancer H460 and A549 cells, ovalitenone significantly suppressed anchorage-independent growth, CSC-like phenotypes, colony formation, and the ability of the cancer to migrate and invade cells. The anti-migration activity was confirmed by the reduction of filopodia in the cells treated with ovalitenone. Interestingly, we found that ovalitenone could significantly decrease the levels of N-cadherin, snail, and slug, while it increased E-cadherin, indicating EMT suppression. Additionally, the regulatory signaling of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), ATP-dependent tyrosine kinase (AKT), the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) was suppressed by ovalitenone. Conclusions: The results suggest that ovalitenone suppresses EMT via suppression of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, ovalitenone exhibited potential for the suppression of CSC phenotypes. These data reveal the anti-metastasis potential of the compound and support the development of ovalitenone treatment for lung cancer therapy.


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