scholarly journals Cirrhotic Human Liver Extracellular Matrix 3D Scaffolds Promote Smad-Dependent TGF-β1 Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Mazza ◽  
Andrea Telese ◽  
Walid Al-Akkad ◽  
Luca Frenguelli ◽  
Ana Levi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Human Liver ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
3D Scaffolds ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

An altered liver microenvironment characterized by a dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) supports the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The development of experimental platforms able to reproduce these physio-pathological conditions is essential in order to identify and validate new therapeutic targets for HCC. The aim of this work was to validate a new in vitro model based on engineering three-dimensional (3D) healthy and cirrhotic human liver scaffolds with HCC cells recreating the micro-environmental features favoring HCC. Healthy and cirrhotic human livers ECM scaffolds were developed using a high shear stress oscillation-decellularization procedure. The scaffolds bio-physical/bio-chemical properties were analyzed by qualitative and quantitative approaches. Cirrhotic 3D scaffolds were characterized by biomechanical properties and microarchitecture typical of the native cirrhotic tissue. Proteomic analysis was employed on decellularized 3D scaffolds and showed specific enriched proteins in cirrhotic ECM in comparison to healthy ECM proteins. Cell repopulation of cirrhotic scaffolds highlighted a unique up-regulation in genes related to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and TGFβ signaling. This was also supported by the presence and release of higher concentration of endogenous TGFβ1 in cirrhotic scaffolds in comparison to healthy scaffolds. Fibronectin secretion was significantly upregulated in cells grown in cirrhotic scaffolds in comparison to cells engrafted in healthy scaffolds. TGFβ1 induced the phosphorylation of canonical proteins Smad2/3, which was ECM scaffold-dependent. Important, TGFβ1-induced phosphorylation of Smad2/3 was significantly reduced and ECM scaffold-independent when pre/simultaneously treated with the TGFβ-R1 kinase inhibitor Galunisertib. In conclusion, the inherent features of cirrhotic human liver ECM micro-environment were dissected and characterized for the first time as key pro-carcinogenic components in HCC development.

scholarly journals Loss of Nitric Oxide Induces Fibrogenic Response in Organotypic 3D Co-Culture of Mammary Epithelia and Fibroblasts—An Indicator for Breast Carcinogenesis

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2815
Author(s):  
Gang Ren ◽  
Xunzhen Zheng ◽  
Vandana Sharma ◽  
Joshua Letson ◽  
Andrea L. Nestor-Kalinoski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Precancerous Lesions ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
In Vitro Response ◽  
Mammary Epithelia

Excessive myofibroblast activation, which leads to dysregulated collagen deposition and the stiffening of the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays pivotal roles in cancer initiation and progression. Cumulative evidence attests to the cancer-causing effects of a number of fibrogenic factors found in the environment, diseases and drugs. While identifying such factors largely depends on epidemiological studies, it would be of great importance to develop a robust in vitro method to demonstrate the causal relationship between fibrosis and cancer. Here, we tested whether our recently developed organotypic three-dimensional (3D) co-culture would be suitable for that purpose. This co-culture system utilizes the discontinuous ECM to separately culture mammary epithelia and fibroblasts in the discrete matrices to model the complexity of the mammary gland. We observed that pharmaceutical deprivation of nitric oxide (NO) in 3D co-cultures induced myofibroblast differentiation of the stroma as well as the occurrence of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of the parenchyma. Such in vitro response to NO deprivation was unique to co-cultures and closely mimicked the phenotype of NO-depleted mammary glands exhibiting stromal desmoplasia and precancerous lesions undergoing EMT. These results suggest that this novel 3D co-culture system could be utilized in the deep mechanistic studies of the linkage between fibrosis and cancer.

Dynamic extracellular matrix stiffening induces a phenotypic transformation and a migratory shift in epithelial cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 161-174
Author(s):  
Shane C Allen ◽  
Jessica A Widman ◽  
Anisha Datta ◽  
Laura J Suggs
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Soft Tissue Tumors ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Matrix Stiffness ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cell Clusters

Abstract Soft tissue tumors, including breast cancer, become stiffer throughout disease progression. This increase in stiffness has been shown to correlate to malignant phenotype and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. Unlike current models, utilizing static increases in matrix stiffness, our group has previously created a system that allows for dynamic stiffening of an alginate–matrigel composite hydrogel to mirror the native dynamic process. Here, we utilize this system to evaluate the role of matrix stiffness on EMT and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Epithelial cells were seen to lose normal morphology and become protrusive and migratory after stiffening. This shift corresponded to a loss of epithelial markers and gain of mesenchymal markers in both the cell clusters and migrated cells. Furthermore, stiffening in a murine model reduced tumor burden and increased migratory behavior prior to tumor formation. Inhibition of FAK and PI3K in vitro abrogated the morphologic and migratory transformation of epithelial cell clusters. This work demonstrates the key role extracellular matrix stiffening has in tumor progression through integrin signaling and, in particular, its ability to drive EMT-related changes and metastasis.

Dexamethasone-dependent versus -independent markers of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in primary hepatocytes

2010 ◽  
Vol 391 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricio Godoy ◽  
Sumathi Lakkapamu ◽  
Markus Schug ◽  
Alexander Bauer ◽  
Joanna D. Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Collagen Gels ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Subsequent Step ◽  
Twist 1 ◽  
Emt Markers

Abstract Recently, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to represent a feature of dedifferentiating hepatocytes in vitro. Three-dimensional soft collagen gels can antagonize but not completely abolish this effect. Hormonal additives to culture media are known to maintain differentiated hepatocyte functions. Therefore, we studied whether insulin and dexamethasone antagonize EMT in cultured hepatocytes. Both hormones antagonized but not completely abolished certain morphological features of EMT. Dexamethasone antagonized acquisition of fibroblastoid shape, whereas insulin favored bile canaliculi formation. In a subsequent step, we analyzed expression of a battery of EMT-related genes. Of all markers tested, vimentin and snail-1 correlated best with morphological features of EMT. Interestingly, dexamethasone reduced expression levels of both vimentin and snail-1, whereas the influence of insulin was less pronounced. An important result of this study is that 12 out of 17 analyzed EMT markers were transcriptionally influenced by dexamethasone (vimentin, snail-1, snail-2, HNF4α, Twist-1, ZEB2, fibronectin, occludin, MMP14, claudin-1, cytokeratin-8, and cytokeratin-18), whereas the remaining factors seemed to be less dependent on dexamethasone. In conclusion, EMT markers in hepatocytes can be classified as dexamethasone-dependent versus -independent.

scholarly journals Diesel Particulate Matter 2.5 Induces Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Upregulation of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor during Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Alveolar Organoid Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8410
Author(s):  
Jung-Hyun Kim ◽  
Jeeyoung Kim ◽  
Woo Jin Kim ◽  
Yung Hyun Choi ◽  
Se-Ran Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cell ◽  
Developmental Toxicity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate ◽  
The Body ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Growing evidence links prenatal exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) with reduced lung function and incidence of pulmonary diseases in infancy and childhood. However, the underlying biological mechanisms of how prenatal PM2.5 exposure affects the lungs are incompletely understood, which explains the lack of an ideal in vitro lung development model. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been successfully employed for in vitro developmental toxicity evaluations due to their unique ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body. In this study, we investigated the developmental toxicity of diesel fine PM (dPM2.5) exposure during hPSC-derived alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) differentiation and three-dimensional (3D) multicellular alveolar organoid (AO) development. We found that dPM2.5 (50 and 100 μg/mL) treatment disturbed the AEC differentiation, accompanied by upregulation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases and inflammation. Exposure to dPM2.5 also promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition during AEC and AO development via activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling, while dPM2.5 had no effect on surfactant protein C expression in hPSC-derived AECs. Notably, we provided evidence, for the first time, that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a receptor to mediate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus clade 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry into target cells, and the cofactor transmembrane protease serine 2 were significantly upregulated in both hPSC-AECs and AOs treated with dPM2.5. In conclusion, we demonstrated the potential alveolar development toxicity and the increase of SARS-Cov-2 susceptibility of PM2.5. Our findings suggest that an hPSC-based 2D and 3D alveolar induction system could be a useful in vitro platform for evaluating the adverse effects of environmental toxins and for virus research.

scholarly journals Erythropoietin Inhibits Hypoxia–Induced Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition via Upregulation of miR-200b in HK-2 Cells

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiuxu Bai ◽  
Xiao Xiao ◽  
Xiaoling Zhang ◽  
Hanmin Cui ◽  
Junfeng Hao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Interstitial Fibrosis ◽  
Tubular Epithelial Cell ◽  
Epithelial Cell Line ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Proximal Tubular ◽  
Renal Tubular

Background/Aims: Renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is regarded as an important factor leading to renal interstitial fibrosis. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been reported to attenuate renal fibrosis. The mechanism underlying this protective effect of EPO remains unclear. In this study, we aim to identify possible mechanisms of the EPO renoprotective effect. Methods: Hypoxia was induced in vitro by incubating human proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 cells in 1% O2 and 5% CO2. Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses were used to evaluate the expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers in the cell samples. The expression of miR-200b in the HK-2 cells under hypoxia or treatment with EPO was examined. Results: EPO represses hypoxia-induced EMT by upregulating miR-200b in HK-2 cells. Overexpression of miR-200b represses the effect of ETS proto-oncogene 1 (Ets-1)-induced EMT in HK-2 cells. Conclusion: miR-200 mediates the protective effects of EPO on EMT in hypoxic HK-2 cells. EPO attenuated hypoxia-induced EMT by increasing miR-200 expression via the repression of Ets-1.

scholarly journals Effect and Mechanism of TL1A Expression on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition during Chronic Colitis-Related Intestinal Fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Jia Wenxiu ◽  
Yang Mingyue ◽  
Han Fei ◽  
Luo Yuxin ◽  
Wu Mengyao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Tumor Necrosis ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Intestinal Fibrosis

Background and Aims. Recent evidences reveal that epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) exacerbates the process of intestinal fibrosis. Tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A (TL1A) is a member of the tumor necrosis family (TNF), which can take part in the development of colonic inflammation and fibrosis by regulating immune response or inflammatory factors. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the possible contribution of TL1A in onset and progression of intestinal inflammation and fibrosis through EMT. Methods. Colonic specimens were obtained from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and control individuals. The expression levels of TL1A and EMT-related markers in intestinal tissues were evaluated. Furthermore, the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, HT-29, was stimulated with TL1A, anti-TL1A antibody, or BMP-7 to assess EMT process. In addition, transgenic mice expressing high levels of TL1A in lymphoid cells were used to further investigate the mechanism of TL1A in intestinal fibrosis. Results. High levels of TL1A expression were detected in the intestinal specimens of patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease and were negatively associated with the expression of an epithelial marker (E-cadherin), while it was positively associated with the expression of interstitial markers (FSP1 and α-SMA). Transgenic mice with high expression of TL1A were more sensitive to dextran sodium sulfate and exhibited severe intestinal inflammation and fibrosis. Additionally, the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway may be involved in TL1A-induced EMT, and the expression of IL-13 and EMT-related transcriptional molecules (e.g., ZEB1 and Snail1) was increased in the intestinal specimens of the transgenic mice. Furthermore, TL1A-induced EMT can be influenced by anti-TL1A antibody or BMP-7 in vitro. Conclusions. TL1A participates in the formation and process of EMT in intestinal fibrosis. This new knowledge enables us to better understand the pathogenesis of intestinal fibrosis and identify new therapeutic targets for its treatment.

scholarly journals MiR-1301-3p Inhibits Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition via Targeting RhoA in Pancreatic Cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinxue Zhang ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Junming Xu ◽  
Jun Ma ◽  
Zhe Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pathological Differentiation

Abstract Background: Micro(mi)RNAs play an essential role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in human cancers. This study aimed to uncover the regulatory mechanism of miR-1301-3p on EMT in pancreatic cancer (PC).Methods: GEO database (GSE31568, GSE41372, and GSE32688) and the PC cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas were applied to discover the expression and prognostic role of miR-1301-3p. In the validation cohort, qRT-PCR was performed in 72 paired PC tissue samples. CCK-8, wound healing, and transwell migration assays were used to detect miR-1301-3p function on PC cells. Luciferase reporter assays and western blotting were performed to discover the potential target of miR-1301-3p on EMT.Results: Our study revealed that miR-1301-3p was downregulated in PC tissues compared with normal samples. A low level of miR-1301-3p was associated with malignant pathological differentiation, lymphatic metastasis, tumor residual, and unsatisfactory overall survival. Gene Ontology analyses indicated that miR-1301-3p possibly regulated cell cycle and adheren junction. In vitro assays showed that miR-1301-3p suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of PC cells. Mechanically, miR-1301-3p inhibits RhoA expression, and knockdown of RhoA upregulated E-cadherin; however, downregulated N-cadherin and vimentin level.Conclusions: MiR-1301-3p acts as a prognostic biomarker for PC and inhibits PC progression by targeting RhoA induced EMT process.

scholarly journals ROS Promote Hypoxia-Induced Keratinocyte Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Inducing SOX2 Expression and Subsequent Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin

2022 ◽  
Vol 2022 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Yan Shi ◽  
Shang Wang ◽  
Ronghua Yang ◽  
Zhenmin Wang ◽  
Weiwei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Sox2 Expression ◽  
Subsequent Activation ◽  
And Migration

We previously showed that wound-induced hypoxia is related to keratinocyte migration. The ability of keratinocytes within wound healing to undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes significantly to the acquisition of migratory properties. However, the effect of hypoxia on keratinocyte EMT on wound healing and the potential mechanism are poorly documented. This study first demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) appear to be an essential signalling mediator in keratinocytes with increased EMT and migration subjected to hypoxic conditions. Next, we showed that the expression of sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), a stemness-associated molecule, is ROS-dependent under hypoxia and that SOX2 inhibition in keratinocytes dramatically prevented hypoxia-induced EMT and migration. In addition, β-catenin was found to be a potential molecular target of SOX2, and the activation of Wnt/β-catenin was required for hypoxia-induced EMT and migration. Using an in vitro skin culture model and an in vivo skin wound model, our study further reinforced the critical role of ROS in inducing EMT through SOX2 expression and subsequent activation of Wnt/β-catenin, allowing for rapid reepithelialization of the wound area. Taken together, our findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism by which hypoxia promotes wound healing by promoting reepithelialization through the production of ROS, inducing keratinocyte EMT and migration via the enhancement of SOX2 and activation of Wnt/β-catenin.

scholarly journals Scutellarin ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis through inhibiting NF-κB/NLRP3-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition and inflammation

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Peng ◽  
Li Wen ◽  
Qing-Feng Shi ◽  
Feng Gao ◽  
Bin Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Anti Inflammation ◽  
Iκbα Degradation

AbstractIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is featured with inflammation and extensive lung remodeling caused by overloaded deposition of extracellular matrix. Scutellarin is the major effective ingredient of breviscapine and its anti-inflammation efficacy has been reported before. Nevertheless, the impact of scutellarin on IPF and the downstream molecular mechanism remain unclear. In this study, scutellarin suppressed BLM-induced inflammation via NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway both in vivo and in vitro. BLM significantly elevated p-p65/p65 ratio, IκBα degradation, and levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, caspase-11, ASC, GSDMDNterm, IL-1β, and IL-18, while scutellarin reversed the above alterations except for that of caspase-11. Scutellarin inhibited BLM-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in vivo and in vitro. The expression levels of EMT-related markers, including fibronectin, vimentin, N-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, were increased in BLM group, and suppressed by scutellarin. The expression level of E-cadherin showed the opposite changes. However, overexpression of NLRP3 eliminated the anti-inflammation and anti-EMT functions of scutellarin in vitro. In conclusion, scutellarin suppressed inflammation and EMT in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis through NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling.

scholarly journals Emodin Ameliorates High Glucose Induced-Podocyte Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition In-Vitro and In-Vivo

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 1425-1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingfang Chen ◽  
Li Yang Zheng ◽  
Wenzhen Xiao ◽  
Dingkun Gui ◽  
Xiaoxia Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Glucose ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Diabetic Rats ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Epithelial Marker

Background: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a potential pathway leading to podocyte depletion and proteinuria in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Here, we investigated the protective effects of Emodin (EMO) on high glucose (HG) induced-podocyte EMT in-vitro and in-vivo. Methods: Conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes were exposed to HG with 30μg /ml of EMO and 1μmol/ml of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) inhibitor QLT0267 for 24 h. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated with EMO at 20 mg· kg-1· d-1 and QLT0267 at 10 mg· kg-1· w-1 p.o., for 12 weeks. Albuminuria and blood glucose level were measured. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting and real-time PCR were used to detect expression of ILK, the epithelial marker of nephrin and the mesenchymal marker of desmin in-vitro and in-vivo. Results: HG increased podocyte ILK and desmin expression while decreased nephrin expression. However, EMO significantly inhibited ILK and desmin expression and partially restored nephrin expression in HG-stimulated podocytes. These in-vitro observations were further confirmed in-vivo. Treatment with EMO for 12 weeks attenuated albuminuria, renal histopathology and podocyte foot process effacement in diabetic rats. EMO also repressed renal ILK and desmin expression, preserved nephrin expression, as well as ameliorated albuminuria in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Conclusion: EMO ameliorated glucose-induced EMT and subsequent podocyte dysfunction partly through ILK and desmin inhibition as well as nephrin upregulatiotion, which might provide a potential novel therapeutic option for DKD.

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