scholarly journals Extracellular Matrix Composition Modulates the Responsiveness of Differentiated and Stem Pancreatic Cancer Cells to Lipophilic Derivate of Gemcitabine

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Stefania Forciniti ◽  
Elisa Dalla Pozza ◽  
Maria Raffaella Greco ◽  
Tiago Miguel Amaral Carvalho ◽  
Barbara Rolando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Collagen I ◽  
Matrix Composition ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Intracellular Uptake ◽  
Standard Drug ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Panc1 Cell ◽  
2D And 3D

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal disease. Gemcitabine (GEM) is used as the gold standard drug in PDAC treatment. However, due to its poor efficacy, it remains urgent to identify novel strategies to overcome resistance issues. In this context, an intense stroma reaction and the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been shown to influence PDAC aggressiveness, metastatic potential, and chemoresistance. Methods: We used three-dimensional (3D) organotypic cultures grown on an extracellular matrix composed of Matrigel or collagen I to test the effect of the new potential therapeutic prodrug 4-(N)-stearoyl-GEM, called C18GEM. We analyzed C18GEM cytotoxic activity, intracellular uptake, apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy induction in both Panc1 cell line (P) and their derived CSCs. Results: PDAC CSCs show higher sensitivity to C18GEM treatment when cultured in both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D conditions, especially on collagen I, in comparison to GEM. The intracellular uptake mechanisms of C18GEM are mainly due to membrane nucleoside transporters’ expression and fatty acid translocase CD36 in Panc1 P cells and to clathrin-mediated endocytosis and CD36 in Panc1 CSCs. Furthermore, C18GEM induces an increase in cell death compared to GEM in both cell lines grown on 2D and 3D cultures. Finally, C18GEM stimulated protective autophagy in Panc1 P and CSCs cultured on 3D conditions. Conclusion: We propose C18GEM together with autophagy inhibitors as a valid alternative therapeutic approach in PDAC treatment.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Mitochondrial Dynamics Preferentially Targets Pancreatic Cancer Cells with Enhanced Tumorigenic and Invasive Potential

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 698
Author(s):  
Sarah Courtois ◽  
Beatriz de Luxán-Delgado ◽  
Laure Penin-Peyta ◽  
Alba Royo-García ◽  
Beatriz Parejo-Alonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽  
Mitochondrial Fission ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Expression Ratio ◽  
Cytotoxic Effects ◽  
Mitochondrial Homeostasis ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Tumorigenic Potential ◽  
Dose Dependent

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest tumors, partly due to its intrinsic aggressiveness, metastatic potential, and chemoresistance of the contained cancer stem cells (CSCs). Pancreatic CSCs strongly rely on mitochondrial metabolism to maintain their stemness, therefore representing a putative target for their elimination. Since mitochondrial homeostasis depends on the tightly controlled balance between fusion and fission processes, namely mitochondrial dynamics, we aim to study this mechanism in the context of stemness. In human PDAC tissues, the mitochondrial fission gene DNM1L (DRP1) was overexpressed and positively correlated with the stemness signature. Moreover, we observe that primary human CSCs display smaller mitochondria and a higher DRP1/MFN2 expression ratio, indicating the activation of the mitochondrial fission. Interestingly, treatment with the DRP1 inhibitor mDivi-1 induced dose-dependent apoptosis, especially in CD133+ CSCs, due to the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria and the subsequent energy crisis in this subpopulation. Mechanistically, mDivi-1 inhibited stemness-related features, such as self-renewal, tumorigenicity, and invasiveness and chemosensitized the cells to the cytotoxic effects of Gemcitabine. In summary, mitochondrial fission is an essential process for pancreatic CSCs and represents an attractive target for designing novel multimodal treatments that will more efficiently eliminate cells with high tumorigenic potential.

scholarly journals The role of S100A9 in the interaction between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells and stromal cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pin-Jui Kung ◽  
Ting-Yu Lai ◽  
Jerry Cao ◽  
Li-Chung Hsu ◽  
Tsai-Chen Chiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Survival Data ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Gene Expression Omnibus ◽  
High Expression ◽  
Pancreatic Stellate Cells ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Cancer Tissue ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Abstract Background A major feature of the microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the significant amount of extracellular matrix produced by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), which have been reported to enhance the invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells and negatively impact the prognosis. Methods We analyzed the data from two publicly available microarray datasets deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus and found candidate genes that were differentially expressed in PDAC cells with metastatic potential and PDAC cells cocultured with PSCs. We studied the interaction between PDAC cells and PSCs in vitro and verified our finding with the survival data of patients with PDAC from the website of The Human Protein Atlas. Results We found that PSCs stimulated PDAC cells to secrete S100A9, which attracted circulatory monocytes into cancer tissue and enhanced the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on macrophages. When analyzing the correlation of S100A9 and PD-L1 expression with the clinical outcomes of patients with PDAC, we ascertained that high expression of S100A9 and PD-L1 was associated with poor survival in patients with PDAC. Conclusions PSCs stimulated PDAC cells to secrete S100A9, which acts as a chemoattractant to attract circulatory monocytes into cancer microenvironment and induces expression of PD-L1 on macrophages. High expression of S100A9 and PD-L1 was associated with worse overall survival in a cohort of patients with PDAC.

scholarly journals Thyroid Cancer Stem-Like Cells: From Microenvironmental Niches to Therapeutic Strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1455
Author(s):  
Elisa Stellaria Grassi ◽  
Viola Ghiandai ◽  
Luca Persani
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Matrix Composition ◽  
Stem Cell Niches

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy. Recent progress in thyroid cancer biology revealed a certain degree of intratumoral heterogeneity, highlighting the coexistence of cellular subpopulations with distinct proliferative capacities and differentiation abilities. Among those subpopulations, cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are hypothesized to drive TC heterogeneity, contributing to its metastatic potential and therapy resistance. CSCs principally exist in tumor areas with specific microenvironmental conditions, the so-called stem cell niches. In particular, in thyroid cancer, CSCs’ survival is enhanced in the hypoxic niche, the immune niche, and some areas with specific extracellular matrix composition. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about thyroid CSCs, the tumoral niches that allow their survival, and the implications for TC therapy.

scholarly journals 5-epi-Sinuleptolide from Soft Corals of the Genus Sinularia Exerts Cytotoxic Effects on Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines via the Inhibition of JAK2/STAT3, AKT, and ERK Activity

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (22) ◽  
pp. 6932
Author(s):  
Wan-Chi Tsai ◽  
Wen-Hung Wang ◽  
Bo-Cian Huang ◽  
Chiung-Yao Huang ◽  
Jyh-Horng Sheu
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
M Cell ◽  
Cytotoxic Effects ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Erk Phosphorylation ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancies: more than half of patients are diagnosed with a metastatic disease, which is associated with a five-year survival rate of only 3%. 5-epi-Sinuleptolide, a norditerpene isolated from Sinularia sp., has been demonstrated to possess cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. However, the cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cells and the related mechanisms are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-pancreatic cancer potential of 5-epi-sinuleptolide and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The inhibitory effects of 5-epi-sinuleptolide treatment on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells were determined and the results showed that 5-epi-sinuleptolide treatment inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest, and suppressed the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. The results of western blotting further revealed that 5-epi-sinuleptolide could inhibit JAK2/STAT3, AKT, and ERK phosphorylation, which may account for the diverse cytotoxic effects of 5-epi-sinuleptolide. Taken together, our present investigation unveils a new therapeutic and anti-metastatic potential of 5-epi-sinuleptolide for pancreatic cancer treatment.

scholarly journals Molecular signatures of mu opioid receptor and somatostatin receptor 2 in pancreatic cancer

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (22) ◽  
pp. 3659-3672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Jorand ◽  
Sunetra Biswas ◽  
Devin L. Wakefield ◽  
Steven J. Tobin ◽  
Ottavia Golfetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Opioid Receptor ◽  
Somatostatin Receptor ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Mu Opioid Receptor ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Mu Opioid ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Epithelial Marker

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a particularly aggressive malignancy, has been linked to atypical levels, certain mutations, and aberrant signaling of G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs have been challenging to target in cancer because they organize into complex networks in tumor cells. To dissect such networks with nanometer-scale precision, here we combine traditional biochemical approaches with superresolution microscopy methods. A novel interaction specific to PDAC is identified between mu opioid receptor (MOR) and somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2). Although MOR and SSTR2 did not colocalize in healthy pancreatic cells or matching healthy patient tissues, the pair did significantly colocalize in pancreatic cancer cells, multicellular tumor spheroids, and cancerous patient tissues. Moreover, this association in pancreatic cancer cells correlated with functional cross-talk and increased metastatic potential of cells. Coactivation of MOR and SSTR2 in PDAC cells led to increased expression of mesenchymal markers and decreased expression of an epithelial marker. Together these results suggest that the MOR-SSTR2 heteromer may constitute a novel therapeutic target for PDAC.

scholarly journals Progressively De-Differentiated Pancreatic Cancer Cells Shift from Glycolysis to Oxidative Metabolism and Gain a Quiescent Stem State

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Ambrosini ◽  
Elisa Dalla Pozza ◽  
Giuseppina Fanelli ◽  
Claudia Di Carlo ◽  
Andrea Vettori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Quiescent State ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is typically characterized by high chemoresistance and metastatic spread, features mainly attributable to cancer stem cells (CSCs). It is of central interest the characterization of CSCs and, in particular, the study of their metabolic features in order to selectively identify their peculiarities for an efficient therapeutic approach. In this study, CSCs have been obtained by culturing different PDAC cell lines with a specific growth medium. Cells were characterized for the typical stem/mesenchymal properties at short-, medium-, and long-term culture. Metabolomics, proteomics, analysis of oxygen consumption rate in live cells, and the effect of the inhibition of lactate transporter on cell proliferation have been performed to delineate the metabolism of CSCs. We show that gradually de-differentiated pancreatic cancer cells progressively increase the expression of both stem and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers, shift their metabolism from a glycolytic to an oxidative one, and lastly gain a quiescent state. These quiescent stem cells are characterized by high chemo-resistance, clonogenic ability, and metastatic potential. Re-differentiation reverts these features, re-activating their proliferative capacity and glycolytic metabolism, which generally correlates with high aggressiveness. These observations add an important piece of knowledge to the comprehension of the biology of CSCs, whose metabolic plasticity could be exploited for the generation of promising and selective therapeutic approaches for PDAC patients.

scholarly journals Syndecans and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 349
Author(s):  
Nausika Betriu ◽  
Juan Bertran-Mas ◽  
Anna Andreeva ◽  
Carlos E. Semino
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Components ◽  
Detection And Diagnosis ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Early Detection And Diagnosis

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a fatal disease with poor prognosis because patients rarely express symptoms in initial stages, which prevents early detection and diagnosis. Syndecans, a subfamily of proteoglycans, are involved in many physiological processes including cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration. Syndecans are physiologically found in many cell types and their interactions with other macromolecules enhance many pathways. In particular, extracellular matrix components, growth factors, and integrins collect the majority of syndecans associations acting as biochemical, physical, and mechanical transducers. Syndecans are transmembrane glycoproteins, but occasionally their extracellular domain can be released from the cell surface by the action of matrix metalloproteinases, converting them into soluble molecules that are capable of binding distant molecules such as extracellular matrix (ECM) components, growth factor receptors, and integrins from other cells. In this review, we explore the role of syndecans in tumorigenesis as well as their potential as therapeutic targets. Finally, this work reviews the contribution of syndecan-1 and syndecan-2 in PDAC progression and illustrates its potential to be targeted in future treatments for this devastating disease.

Galectin-3 is modulated in pancreatic cancer cells under hypoxia and nutrient deprivation

2020 ◽  
Vol 401 (10) ◽  
pp. 1153-1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antônio F. da Silva Filho ◽  
Lucas B. Tavares ◽  
Maira G. R. Pitta ◽  
Eduardo I. C. Beltrão ◽  
Moacyr J. B. M. Rêgo
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Through Flow ◽  
Galectin 3

AbstractPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most aggressive tumors with a microenvironment marked by hypoxia and starvation. Galectin-3 has been evaluated in solid tumors and seems to present both pro/anti-tumor effects. So, this study aims to characterize the expression of Galectin-3 from pancreatic tumor cells and analyze its influence for cell survive and motility in mimetic microenvironment. For this, cell cycle and cell death were accessed through flow cytometry. Characterization of inside and outside Galectin-3 was performed through Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence, Western blot, and ELISA. Consequences of Galectin-3 extracellular inhibition were investigated using cell death and scratch assays. PANC-1 showed increased Galectin-3 mRNA expression when cultivated in hypoxia for 24 and 48 h. After 24 h in simultaneously hypoxic/deprived incubation, PANC-1 shows increased Galectin-3 protein and secreted levels. For Mia PaCa-2, cultivation in deprivation was determinant for the increasing in Galectin-3 mRNA expression. When cultivated in simultaneously hypoxic/deprived condition, Mia PaCa-2 also presented increasing for the Galectin-3 secreted levels. Treatment of PANC-1 cells with lactose increased the death rate when cells were incubated simultaneously hypoxic/deprived condition. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the microenvironmental conditions modulate the Galectin-3 expression on the transcriptional and translational levels for pancreatic cancer cells.

scholarly journals Tumor-derived exosomal long noncoding RNA LINC01133, regulated by Periostin, contributes to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma epithelial-mesenchymal transition through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by silencing AXIN2

Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (17) ◽  
pp. 3164-3179
Author(s):  
Yang Liu ◽  
Tianchi Tang ◽  
Xiaosheng Yang ◽  
Peng Qin ◽  
Pusen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Pancreatic Tumor ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Overall Survival Rate ◽  
Poor Overall Survival ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells

AbstractPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal malignancies and rapidly progressive diseases. Exosomes and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as vital mediators in tumor cells and their microenvironment. However, the detailed roles and mechanisms of exosomal lncRNAs in PDAC progression remain unknown. Here, we aimed to clarify the clinical significance and mechanisms of exosomal lncRNA 01133 (LINC01133) in PDAC. We analyzed the expression of LINC01133 in PDAC and found that exosomal LINC01133 expression was high and positively correlated with higher TNM stage and poor overall survival rate of PDAC patients. Further research demonstrated that Periostin could increase exosome secretion and then enhance LINC01133 expression. In addition, Periostin increased p-EGFR, p-Erk, and c-myc expression, and c-myc could bind to the LINC01133 promoter region. These findings suggested that LINC01133 can be regulated by Periostin via EGFR pathway activity. We also observed that LINC01133 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of pancreatic cancer cells. We subsequently evaluated the effect of LINC01133 on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and confirmed that LINC01133 can interact with Enhancer Of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) and then promote H3K27 trimethylation. This can further silence AXIN2 and suppress GSK3 activity, ultimately activating β-catenin. Collectively, these data indicate that exosomal LINC01133 plays an important role in pancreatic tumor progression, and targeting LINC01133 may provide a potential treatment strategy for PDAC.

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