MicroRNA-29b-1 impairs in vitro cell proliferation, self-renewal and chemoresistance of human osteosarcoma 3AB-OS cancer stem cells

AbstractLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated tumor development in a range of different cancers, including pancreatic cancer (PC). Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a drug-resistant cancer cell subset, drive tumor progression in PC. In this work, we aimed to investigate the mechanism by which lncRNA LINC00261 affects the biological functions of CSCs during the progression of PC. Microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes and lncRNAs suggested that LINC00261 is downregulated in PC. Both LINC00261 and ITIH5 were confirmed to be downregulated in PC cells and PC stem cells. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function investigations were performed to analyze their effects on cell proliferation, drug resistance, cell cycle distribution, self-renewal, invasion, and ultimately overall tumorigenicity. These experiments revealed that the expression of stem cell markers was reduced, and cell proliferation, self-renewal ability, cell invasion, drug resistance, and tumorigenicity were all suppressed by upregulation of LINC00261 or ITIH5. The results of dual-luciferase reporter gene, ChIP, and RIP assays indicated that LINC00261 binds directly to GATA6, increasing its activity at the ITIH5 promoter. The presence of LINC00261 and GATA6 inhibited the self-renewal and tumorigenesis of PC stem cells, while silence of ITIH5 rescued those functions. Collectively, this study identifies the tumor suppressive activity of LINC00261 in PC, showing that this lncRNA limits the functions of PC stem through an ITIH5/GATA6 regulatory pathway.

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MicroRNA-28-5p Regulates Liver Cancer Stem Cell Expansion via IGF-1 Pathway

Stem Cells International ◽

10.1155/2019/8734362 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Qing Xia ◽

Tao Han ◽

Pinghua Yang ◽

Ruoyu Wang ◽

Hengyu Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Cancer Stem Cells ◽

Liver Cancer ◽

Critical Role ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Sorafenib Treatment ◽

The Impact

Background. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in the regulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the role of miRNAs in liver CSCs has not been fully elucidated. Methods. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-miR-28-5p in liver cancer stem cells (CSCs). The impact of miR-28-5p on liver CSC expansion was investigated both in vivo and in vitro. The correlation between miR-28-5p expression and sorafenib benefits in HCC was further evaluated in patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Results. Our data showed that miR-28-5p was downregulated in sorted EpCAM- and CD24-positive liver CSCs. Biofunctional investigations revealed that knockdown miR-28-5p promoted liver CSC self-renewal and tumorigenesis. Consistently, miR-28-5p overexpression inhibited liver CSC’s self-renewal and tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, we found that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was a direct target of miR-28-5p in liver CSCs, and the effects of miR-28-5p on liver CSC’s self-renewal and tumorigenesis were dependent on IGF-1. The correlation between miR-28-5p and IGF-1 was confirmed in human HCC tissues. Furthermore, the miR-28-5p knockdown HCC cells were more sensitive to sorafenib treatment. Analysis of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) further demonstrated that the miR-28-5p may predict sorafenib benefits in HCC patients. Conclusion. Our findings revealed the crucial role of the miR-28-5p in liver CSC expansion and sorafenib response, rendering miR-28-5p an optimal therapeutic target for HCC.

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417. In vivo and in vitro evidence for cancer stem cells in human endometrial cancer

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/srb08abs417 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 20 (9) ◽

pp. 97

Author(s):

S. Hubbard ◽

C. E. Gargett

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Cancer Stem Cells ◽

Single Cell ◽

Type I ◽

Type Ii ◽

Cloning Efficiency ◽

Isolated Cells ◽

Vimentin Expression ◽

Self Renewal

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in solid human cancers, including breast, colon, and ovary. Recent evidence suggests that the highly regenerative human endometrium harbors rare populations of epithelial stem/progenitor cells1. We hypothesised that CSCs are responsible for the epithelial neoplasia associated with endometrial carcinoma (EC), the most common gynaecological malignancy in women. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that a rare population of EC cells posses CSC properties. Stem cell characteristics were assessed in 25 EC and 2 endometrial hyperplasia tissues obtained from women aged 62 ± 9 yrs. Samples were cultured at clonal densities (100–500 cells/cm2) for 3–5 wks to determine cloning efficiency. Individual clones were serially subcloned (<10 cells/cm2) every 2–4 wks to determine self renewal capacity. Isolated cells in serial dilution (103–106 cells) were placed under the kidney capsule of immunocompromised mice for 12–16 wks to examine for the presence of tumour initiating cells (TIC). Resulting tumours and original parent tumours were examined for markers by immunohistochemistry. Most samples (23/26) contained rare colony forming cells. The cloning efficiency was 0.23% ± 0.28% (n = 11) in G1, 0.78% ± 0.67% (n = 8) in G2, 0.22% ± 0.21% (n = 3) in G3, 0.03% (n = 2) in type II tumours, and 0.14% (n = 2) in hyperplasia samples, and did not differ significantly between grades or between type I EC and normal endometrial epithelial samples 1. Single cell derived clones subcloned 2.5 ± 1.4 (n = 11), 3.2 ± 0.4 (n = 5), 3.5 (n = 2), 3.0 ± 1.7 (n = 3), and 2.5 (n = 2) times in G1, G2, G3, type II tumours and hyperplasia samples respectively, indicating increasing self renewal capacity with increasing tumour grade. Transplanted EC single cell suspensions initiated tumour growth with similar morphology, ERα, PR, EpCAM, cytokeratin, and vimentin expression as the parent tumour, indicating the presence of TIC. This evidence suggests that rare cells possessing the CSC properties of clonogenicty, self renewal, and tumorigenicity, may be responsible for the initiation and progression of EC. (1) Chan RWS et al. (2004). Biology of Reproduction. 70:1738–1750

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Long non-coding RNA NORAD promotes pancreatic cancer stem cell proliferation and self-renewal by blocking microRNA-202-5p-mediated ANP32E inhibition

Journal of Translational Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12967-021-03052-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yu-Shui Ma ◽

Xiao-Li Yang ◽

Yu-Shan Liu ◽

Hua Ding ◽

Jian-Jun Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Cancer Stem Cells ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Cell Cycle Distribution ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Self Renewal

Abstract Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are key regulators in the processes of tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence. The mechanism that maintains their stemness remains enigmatic, although the role of several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been highlighted in the pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs). In this study, we first established that PCSCs overexpressing lncRNA NORAD, and then investigated the effects of NORAD on the maintenance of PCSC stemness. Methods Expression of lncRNA NORAD, miR-202-5p and ANP32E in PC tissues and cell lines was quantified after RNA isolation. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down and RIP assays were performed to verify the interactions among NORAD, miR-202-5p and ANP32E. We then carried out gain- and loss-of function of miR-202-5p, ANP32E and NORAD in PANC-1 cell line, followed by measurement of the aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, colony formation, self-renewal ability and tumorigenicity of PC cells. Results LncRNA NORAD and ANP32E were upregulated in PC tissues and cells, whereas the miR-202-5p level was down-regulated. LncRNA NORAD competitively bound to miR-202-5p, and promoted the expression of the miR-202-5p target gene ANP32E thereby promoting PC cell viability, proliferation, and self-renewal ability in vitro, as well as facilitating tumorigenesis of PCSCs in vivo. Conclusion Overall, lncRNA NORAD upregulates ANP32E expression by competitively binding to miR-202-5, which accelerates the proliferation and self-renewal of PCSCs.

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Chemosensitization of prostate cancer stem cells in mice by angiogenin and plexin-B2 inhibitors

Communications Biology ◽

10.1038/s42003-020-0750-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Shuping Li ◽

Kevin A. Goncalves ◽

Baiqing Lyu ◽

Liang Yuan ◽

Guo-fu Hu

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Cancer Stem Cells ◽

Ribosomal Rna ◽

Protein Translation ◽

Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽

Self Renewal ◽

5S Ribosomal Rna ◽

Prostate Cancer Stem Cells

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSCs) are an obstacle in cancer therapy and are a major cause of drug resistance, cancer recurrence, and metastasis. Available treatments, targeting proliferating cancer cells, are not effective in eliminating quiescent CSCs. Identification of CSC regulators will help design therapeutic strategies to sensitize drug-resistant CSCs for chemo-eradication. Here, we show that angiogenin and plexin-B2 regulate the stemness of prostate CSCs, and that inhibitors of angiogenin/plexin-B2 sensitize prostate CSCs to chemotherapy. Prostate CSCs capable of self-renewal, differentiation, and tumor initiation with a single cell inoculation were identified and shown to be regulated by angiogenin/plexin-B2 that promotes quiescence and self-renewal through 5S ribosomal RNA processing and generation of the bioactive 3′-end fragments of 5S ribosomal RNA, which suppress protein translation and restrict cell cycling. Monoclonal antibodies of angiogenin and plexin-B2 decrease the stemness of prostate CSCs and sensitize them to chemotherapeutic agents in vitro and in vivo.

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IL-17B/IL-17RB signaling cascade contributes to self-renewal and tumorigenesis of cancer stem cells by regulating Beclin-1 ubiquitination

Oncogene ◽

10.1038/s41388-021-01699-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Qingli Bie ◽

Hui Song ◽

Xinke Chen ◽

Xiao Yang ◽

Shuo Shi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Cancer Stem Cells ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor ◽

Beclin 1 ◽

Signaling Cascade ◽

Interleukin 17 ◽

Self Renewal

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSCs) are characterized by robust self-renewal and tumorigenesis and are responsible for metastasis, drug resistance, and angiogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms for the regulation of CSC homeostasis are incompletely understood. This study demonstrated that the interleukin-17 (IL-17)B/IL-17RB signaling cascade promotes the self-renewal and tumorigenesis of CSCs by inducing Beclin-1 ubiquitination. We found that IL-17RB expression was significantly upregulated in spheroid cells and Lgr5-positive cells from the same tumor tissues of patients with gastric cancer (GC), which was closely correlated with the degree of cancer cell differentiation. Recombinant IL-17B (rIL-17B) promoted the sphere-formation ability of CSCs in vitro and enhanced tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Interestingly, IL-17B induced autophagosome formation and cleavage-mediated transformation of LC3 in CSCs and 293T cells. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy activation by ATG7 knockdown reversed rIL-17B-induced self-renewal of GC cells. In addition, we showed that IL-17B also promoted K63-mediated ubiquitination of Beclin-1 by mediating the binding of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 to Beclin-1. Silencing IL-17RB expression abrogated the effects of IL-17B on Beclin-1 ubiquitination and autophagy activation in GC cells. Finally, we showed that IL-17B level in the serum of GC patients was positively correlated with IL-17RB expression in GC tissues, and IL-17B could induce IL-17RB expression in GC cells. Overall, the results elucidate the novel functions of IL-17B for CSCs and suggest that the intervention of the IL-17B/IL-17RB signaling pathway may provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer.

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Moonlighting Role of PEDF in Breast Cancer

10.21203/rs.3.rs-93992/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Carmen Gil-Gas ◽

Marta Sánchez-Díez ◽

Paloma Honrubia-Gómez ◽

Jose Luis Sánchez-Sánchez ◽

Carmen Belen Alvarez-Simón ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Cancer Stem Cells ◽

Cancer Patient ◽

In Vitro Culture ◽

Screening Tests ◽

Stem Cell Markers ◽

Self Renewal

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among females in developed countries. Although the implementation of screening tests and the development of new therapies has increased the probability of remission, relapse rates still remain high. Numerous studies have indicated the connection between cancer initiating cells and slow cellular cycle cells, identified by their capacity to retain long labelling (LT+). Methods: We have designed a transgenic protein consisting in the C-terminal part of this protein, which acts by blocking endogenous PEDF in culture cell assays. Present work is based in doses-response in vitro assays as well as flow cytometry analysis of surface markers and cell cycle kinetic study of the tumour initiating cells.Results: In this study we show that this type of cells is present not only in cancer cell lines but also in cancer cells from patients with metastatic and advanced stage tumours. We also present new assays showing how stem cell self-renewal modulating proteins, such as PEDF, can modify the properties, expression of markers, and carcinogenicity of cancer stem cells. This protein has been involved in self-renewal in adult stem cells and has been described as anti-tumoral because of its anti-angiogenic effect. However, we show that PEDF enhances resistance in breast cancer patient cells in vitro culture by favoring a slow cellular cycle population (LT+). The PEDF signalling pathway could be a useful tool for controlling cancer stem cells self-renewal, and therefore control patient relapse. Conclusions: We demonstrate that it is possible to interfere with the self-renewal capacity of cancer stem cells, induce anoikis in vivo, and reduce resistance against Docetaxel treatment in cancer patient cells in vitro culture. We have also demonstrated that this PEDF modified protein produces a significant decrease in cancer stem cell markers. All these properties make this protein a potential application in clinical cancer therapies via co-administration with chemotherapy for relapse cancer treatment.

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Sox2-dependent maintenance of mouse oligodendroglioma involves the Sox2-mediated downregulation of Cdkn2b, Ebf1, Zfp423 and Hey2

10.1101/2020.03.04.976811 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Cristiana Barone ◽

Mariachiara Buccarelli ◽

Francesco Alessandrini ◽

Miriam Pagin ◽

Laura Rigoldi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Transcription Factor ◽

Cancer Stem Cells ◽

Regulatory Network ◽

Glioma Cells ◽

High Grade Glioma ◽

High Grade

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSC) are essential for tumorigenesis. The transcription factor Sox2 is overexpressed in brain tumors. In gliomas, Sox2 is essential to maintain CSC. In mouse high-grade glioma pHGG, Sox2 deletion causes cell proliferation arrest and inability to reform tumors in vivo; 134 genes are significantly derepressed. To identify genes mediating the effects of Sox2 deletion, we overexpressed into pHGG cells nine among the most derepressed genes, and identified four genes, Cdkn2b, Ebf1, Zfp423 and Hey2, that strongly reduced cell proliferation in vitro and brain tumorigenesis in vivo. CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, or pharmacological inactivation, of each of these genes, individually, showed that their activity is essential for the proliferation arrest caused by Sox2 deletion. These Sox2-inhibited antioncogenes also inhibited clonogenicity in primary human glioblastoma-derived cancer stem-like cell lines. These experiments identify critical anti-oncogenic factors whose inhibition by Sox2 is involved in CSC maintenance, defining new potential therapeutic targets for gliomas.Table of Contents ImageMain PointsSox2 maintains glioma tumorigenicity by repressing the antioncogenic activity of a regulatory network involving the Ebf1, Hey2, Cdkn2b and Zfp423 genes.Mutation of these genes prevents the cell proliferation arrest of Sox2-deleted glioma cells.

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Lgr5+CD44+EpCAM+ Strictly Defines Cancer Stem Cells in Human Colorectal Cancer

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000488743 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 46 (2) ◽

pp. 860-872 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Zhengwei Leng ◽

Qinghua Xia ◽

Jinhuang Chen ◽

Yong Li ◽

Jiqian Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Cancer Stem Cells ◽

Colony Formation ◽

Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Tumor Xenograft ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Mesenchymal Transition

Background/Aims: Although EpCAM+CD44+ cells exhibit more stem-like properties than did EpCAM-CD44- cells, the specificity of EpCAM combined with CD44 in defining CSCs needs further improvement. Lgr5 is used as a biomarker to isolate cancer stem cells (CSCs) in colorectal cancer. However, it remains unclear whether Lgr5, along with EpCAM and CD44, can further identify and define CSCs in colorectal cancer. Methods: Lgr5+CD44+EpCAM+, Lgr5+CD44+EpCAM-, Lgr5+CD44-EpCAM+, Lgr5-CD44+EpCAM+, and Lgr5-CD44-EpCAM-cells were separately isolated using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Colony formation, self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenic properties of these cells were investigated through in vitro experiments and in vivo tumor xenograft models. The expression of stemness genes and CSC- and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes, such as KLF4, Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, CD133, CD44, CD166, ALDH1, Lgr5, E-cadherin, ZO-1, Vimentin, Snail, Slug, and Twist, was examined using real-time PCR. Results: Lgr5-positive subpopulations exhibited higher capacities for colony formation, self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity as well as higher expression of stemness genes and mesenchymal genes and lower expression of epithelial genes than did Lgr5-negative subpopulations. Conclusion: Our data revealed that tumorigenic cells were highly restricted to Lgr5-positive subpopulations. Most importantly, Lgr5+CD44+EpCAM+ cells exhibited more pronounced CSC-like traits than did any other subpopulation, indicating that Lgr5 combined with CD44 and EpCAM can further improve the stem-like traits of CSCs in colorectal cancer.

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Computational modeling reveals MAP3K8 as mediator of resistance to vemurafenib in thyroid cancer stem cells

Bioinformatics ◽

10.1093/bioinformatics/bty969 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (13) ◽

pp. 2267-2275 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Fiorenza Gianì ◽

Giulia Russo ◽

Marzio Pennisi ◽

Laura Sciacca ◽

Francesco Frasca ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Drug Resistance ◽

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Cancer Stem Cells ◽

Braf Inhibitor ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Braf V600e ◽

Supplementary Information

Abstract Motivation Val600Glu (V600E) mutation is the most common BRAF mutation detected in thyroid cancer. Hence, recent research efforts have been performed trying to explore several inhibitors of the V600E mutation-containing BRAF kinase as potential therapeutic options in thyroid cancer refractory to standard interventions. Among them, vemurafenib is a selective BRAF inhibitor approved by Food and Drug Administration for clinical practice. Unfortunately, vemurafenib often displays limited efficacy in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas probably because of intrinsic and/or acquired resistance mechanisms. In this view, cancer stem cells (CSCs) may represent a possible mechanism of resistance to vemurafenib, due to their self-renewal and chemo resistance properties. Results We present a computational framework to suggest new potential targets to overcome drug resistance. It has been validated with an in vitro model based upon a spheroid-forming method able to isolate thyroid CSCs that may mimic resistance to vemurafenib. Indeed, vemurafenib did not inhibit cell proliferation of BRAF V600E thyroid CSCs, but rather stimulated cell proliferation along with a paradoxical over-activation of ERK and AKT pathways. The computational model identified a fundamental role of mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAP3K8), a serine/threonine kinase expressed in thyroid CSCs, in mediating this drug resistance. To confirm model prediction, we set a suitable in vitro experiment revealing that the treatment with MAP3K8 inhibitor restored the effect of vemurafenib in terms of both DNA fragmentation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage (apoptosis) in thyroid CSCs. Moreover, MAP3K8 expression levels may be a useful marker to predict the response to vemurafenib. Availability and implementation The model is available in GitHub repository visiting the following URL: https://github.com/francescopappalardo/MAP3K8-Thyroid-Spheres-V-3.0. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

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