Role of the extracellular matrix in cancer-associated epithelial to mesenchymal transition phenomenon.

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) program is a crucial component in the processes of morphogenesis and embryonic development. The transition of epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype is associated with numerous structural and functional changes, including loss of cell polarity and tight cell-cell junctions, the acquisition of invasive abilities, and the expression of mesenchymal proteins. The switch between the two phenotypes is involved in human pathology and is crucial for cancer progression. Extracellular matrices (ECMs) are multi-component networks that surround cells in tissues. These networks are obligatory for cell survival, growth, and differentiation as well as tissue organization. Indeed, the ECM suprastructure, in addition to its supportive role, can process and deliver a plethora of signals to cells, which ultimately regulate their behavior. Importantly, the ECM derived signals are critically involved in the process of EMT during tumorigenesis. This review discusses the multilayer interaction between the ECM and the EMT process, focusing on contributions of discrete mediators, a strategy that may identify novel potential target molecules. Developmental Dynamics 247:368-381, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Data on the putative role of p53 in breast cancer cell adhesion: Technical information for adhesion assay.

In this data article, the potential role of p53 tumor suppressor gene (p53) on the attachment ability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells was investigated. In our main article, "IGF-I/ EGF and E2 signaling crosstalk through IGF-IR conduit point affect breast cancer cell adhesion" (K. Voudouri, D. Nikitovic, A. Berdiaki, D. Kletsas, N.K. Karamanos, G.N. Tzanakakis, 2016) [1], we describe the key role of IGF-IR in breast cancer cell adhesion onto fibronectin (FN). p53 tumor suppressor gene is a principal regulator of cancer cell proliferation. Various data have demonstrated an association between p53 and IGF-IR actions on cell growth through its' putative regulation of IGF-IR expression. According to our performed experiments, p53 does not modify IGF-IR expression and does not affect basal MCF-7 cells adhesion onto FN. Moreover, technical details about the performance of adhesion assay onto the FN substrate were provided.

Heparin regulates B6FS cell motility through a FAK/actin cytoskeleton axis.

Soft tissue sarcomas are rare, heterogeneous tumors of mesenchymal origin with an aggressive behavior. Heparin is a mixture of heavily sulfated, linear glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains, which participate in the regulation of various cell biological functions. Heparin is considered to have significant anticancer capabilities, although the mechanisms involved have not been fully defined. In the present study, the effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low­molecular­weight heparin (LMWH) on B6FS fibrosarcoma cell motility were examined. Both preparations of heparin were shown to both enhance B6FS cell adhesion (p<0.01 and p<0.05), and migration (p<0.05), the maximal effect being evident at the concentration of 10 µg/ml. The utilization of FAK­deficient cells demonstrated that the participation of FAK was obligatory for heparin­dependent fibrosarcoma cell adhesion (p<0.05). The results of confocal microscopy indicated that heparin was taken up by the B6FS cells, and that UFH and LMWH induced F­actin polymerization. Heparitinase digestion demonstrated that the endogenous heparan sulfate (HS) chains did not affect the motility of the B6FS cells (p>0.05, not significant). In conclusion, both UFH and LMWH, through a FAK/actin cytoskeleton axis, promoted the adhesion and migration of B6FS fibrosarcoma cells. Thus, our findings indicate that the responsiveness of fibrosarcoma cells to the exogenous heparin/HS content of the cancer microenvironment may play a role in their ability to become mobile and metastasize.

IGF-I/EGF and E2 signaling crosstalk through IGF-IR conduit point affects breast cancer cell adhesion.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)/insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and Estradiol (E2) can regulate biological functions of hormone-dependent tumor cells. Fibronectin (FN) is a large glycoprotein abundantly expressed in breast cancer extracellular matrices (ECMs) postulated to be a marker of aggressiveness during cancer pathogenesis. In this study we demonstrate that IGF-I/EGF as well E2 strongly increase the adhesion of the MCF-7 breast cancer cells onto FN. Moreover, IGF-IR is necessary for the IGF-I-/EGF- and E2-induced cell adhesion. Erk1/2 inhibition abolished the IGF-I-/EGF-/E2-induced MCF-7 cell adhesion, suggesting that this regulation of cell adhesion is perpetrated through Erk1/2 downstream signaling. Erk1/2 signaling was shown to modulate IGF-IR status as its' inhibition attenuates both IGF-IR expression and activation. Notably, EGF and E2 enhanced the mRNA as well as protein expression of IGF-IR in MCF-7 cells. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that treatment of MCF-7 cells with IGF-I or EGF induced actin reorganization, which was attenuated with Erk1/2 inhibition. Interestingly, IGF-I treatment induced a co-localization of IGF-IR and FAK, which was evident mostly at the cell membranes of MCF-7 cells. In summary, IGF-IR was shown to be a convergence point for the IGF-/EGF- and E2-dependent MCF-7 cell adhesion onto FN.

Insulin-like growth factor and epidermal growth factor signaling in breast cancer cell growth: focus on endocrine resistant disease.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women worldwide with a lifetime risk amounting to a staggering total of 10%. It is well established that the endogenous synthesis of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) polypeptide growth factors are closely correlated to malignant transformation and all the steps of the breast cancer metastatic cascade. Numerous studies have demonstrated that both estrogens and growth factors stimulate the proliferation of steroid-dependent tumor cells, and that the interaction between these signaling pathways occurs at several levels. Importantly, the majority of breast cancer cases are estrogen receptor- (ER-) positive which have a more favorable prognosis and pattern of recurrence with endocrine therapy being the backbone of treatment. Unfortunately, the majority of patients progress to endocrine therapy resistant disease (acquired resistance) whereas a proportion of patients may fail to respond to initial therapy (de novo resistance). The IGF-I and EGF downstream signaling pathways are closely involved in the process of progression to therapy resistant disease. Modifications in the bioavailability of these growth factors contribute critically to disease progression. In the present review therefore, we will discuss in depth how IGF and EGF signaling participate in breast cancer pathogenesis and progression to endocrine resistant disease.

The motile breast cancer phenotype roles of proteoglycans/glycosaminoglycans.

The consecutive stages of cancer growth and dissemination are obligatorily perpetrated through specific interactions of the tumor cells with their microenvironment. Importantly, cell-associated and tumor microenvironment glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)/proteoglycan (PG) content and distribution are markedly altered during tumor pathogenesis and progression. GAGs and PGs perform multiple functions in specific stages of the metastatic cascade due to their defined structure and ability to interact with both ligands and receptors regulating cancer pathogenesis. Thus, GAGs/PGs may modulate downstream signaling of key cellular mediators including insulin growth factor receptor (IGFR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), estrogen receptors (ERs), or Wnt members. In the present review we will focus on breast cancer motility in correlation with their GAG/PG content and critically discuss mechanisms involved. Furthermore, new approaches involving GAGs/PGs as potential prognostic/diagnostic markers or as therapeutic agents for cancer-related pathologies are being proposed.

Syndecan-2 is a key regulator of transforming growth factor beta 2/Smad2-mediated adhesion in fibrosarcoma cells.

Fibrosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor originating from fibroblasts. Transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFß2) has been established to regulate processes correlated to fibrosarcoma tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated the possible participation of syndecan-2 (SDC-2), a cell membrane heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycan on these TGFß2 functions. Our results demonstrate that the inhibition of SDC-2 expression by short interfering RNA (siSDC2) abolished TGFß2-dependent HT1080 cell adhesion (P ≤ 0.01). In parallel, the downregulation of SDC-2 significantly inhibited TGFß2-induced Smad2 phosphorylation (P ≤ 0.01). The immunoflourescence signal of TGF receptor III as well as its protein expression was decreased in SDC-2-deficient cells. The enhancement of adhesion molecules integrin ß1 (P ≤ 0.01) and focal adhesion kinase expression, induced by TGFß2 treatment (P ≤ 0.001), was markedly inhibited in SDC-2-defficient cells (P ≤ 0.01). Conclusively, the obtained data suggest that SDC-2 modulates TGFß2 transcriptional regulation via Smad signaling to facilitate fibrosarcoma cell adhesion.