RESUMO
Here, we focused on the role of Nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2), a multifunctional protein, in gastric carcinoma (GC) progression. NUCB2 expression was investigated in 150 GC cases (20 non-invasive (pT1) and 130 invasive (pT2/pT3/pT4) tumors) by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and in situ hybridization for detection of the mRNA in 21 cases. Using GC cell lines, we determined whether NUCB2 expression was associated with specific cellular phenotypes. In GC clinical samples, NUCB2 was transcriptionally upregulated when compared to normal tissues. High NUCB2 expression was associated with clinicopathological factors including deep tumor invasion, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and advanced clinical stages, and was a significant independent predictor of unfavorable progression-free survival in 150 non-invasive and invasive GC patients. Similar findings were also evident in 72 invasive GC cases in which patients received post-operative chemotherapy, but not in 58 invasive tumors from patients who did not receive the chemotherapy. In cell lines, NUCB2 knockout inhibited proliferation, susceptibility to apoptosis, and migration capability by inducting cellular senescence; this was consistent with higher proliferation and apoptotic indices in the NUCB2 IHC-high compared to NUCB2 IHC-low GC cases. NUCB2-dependent inhibition of senescence in GC engenders aggressive tumor behavior by modulating proliferation, apoptosis, and migration.
Assuntos
Senescência Celular , Nucleobindinas , Neoplasias Gástricas , Humanos , Neoplasias Gástricas/patologia , Neoplasias Gástricas/genética , Neoplasias Gástricas/metabolismo , Nucleobindinas/metabolismo , Feminino , Masculino , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Proliferação de Células , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Apoptose , Movimento Celular , PrognósticoRESUMO
Notch signaling contributes to tissue development and homeostasis, but little is known about its role in morular differentiation of endometrial carcinoma (Em Ca) cells. The current study focused on crosstalk between Notch and ß-catenin signaling in Em Ca with morules. Promoters of hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1) and mastermind-like 2 (MAML2) were activated by Notch intracellular domain 1 but not ß-catenin, and a positive feedback loop between Hes1 and MAML2 was observed. Immunoreactivities for nuclear ß-catenin, Hes1, and MAML2, as well as the interaction between ß-catenin and Hes1 or MAML2, were significantly higher in morular lesions compared with surrounding carcinoma in Em Ca. Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) increased expression of total nuclear and cytoplasmic GSK-3ß and its phosphorylated forms, as well as Notch intracellular domain 1, Hes1, and active ß-catenin. GSK-3ß inhibition also decreased proliferation and migration, consistent with the response of cells stably overexpressing Hes1. Finally, the nuclear/cytoplasmic GSK-3ß score was significantly higher in morules compared with surrounding carcinoma in Em Ca, and it was positively correlated with nuclear ß-catenin, Hes1, and MAML2 scores. This complex interplay between Notch effectors and ß-catenin signaling through GSK-3ß inhibition contributes to the establishment and maintenance of ß-catenin-mediated morular differentiation, which is, in turn, associated with reduced proliferation and inhibition of migration in Em Ca.
Assuntos
Carcinoma , Neoplasias do Endométrio , Feminino , Humanos , beta Catenina/metabolismo , Glicogênio Sintase Quinase 3 beta/metabolismo , Neoplasias do Endométrio/patologia , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is overexpressed in several primary solid tumor types, its role in endometrial carcinoma (Em Ca) remains unclear. METHODS: We evaluated expression of ALK and its related molecules in clinical samples consisting of 168 Em Ca tissues. We also used Em Ca cell lines to evaluate the functional role of ALK. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic ALK immunoreactivity in the absence of chromosomal rearrangement was positively correlated with ALK mRNA expression, and was significantly higher in Grade (G) 3 Em Ca than in G1 or G2 tumors. ALK immunoreactivity was also significantly associated with expression of cancer stem cell (CSC)-related molecules (cytoplasmic CD133, ALDH1, Sox2) and neuroendocrine markers (CD56 and synaptophysin). Although the proliferative index was significantly higher in ALK-positive Em Ca when compared to ALK- negative malignancies, there was no association between ALK expression and other clinicopathological factors in this disease. In Em Ca cell lines, full-length ALK overexpression increased proliferation, decreased susceptibility to apoptosis, enhanced cancer stem cell features, and accelerated cell mobility, whereas these phenotypes were abrogated in ALK-knockdown cells. Finally, patients with tumors harboring either wild-type ALK or high ALK mRNA expression had a poorer prognosis than those with either mutant ALK or low ALK mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: Full-length ALK overexpression occurs in a subset of Em Ca, particularly in G3 tumors, and contributes to the establishment and maintenance of aggressive phenotypic characteristics through modulation of several biological processes.
Assuntos
Quinase do Linfoma Anaplásico , Neoplasias do Endométrio , Feminino , Humanos , Quinase do Linfoma Anaplásico/genética , Citoplasma , Neoplasias do Endométrio/genética , Fenótipo , RNA MensageiroRESUMO
Ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50) is a scaffold protein that is required for epithelial polarity. Knockout (KO) of membranous EBP50 (Me-EBP50) in ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) cells induced an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like phenotype, along with decreased proliferation, accelerated migration capability, and induction of cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties. Shotgun proteomics analysis of proteins that co-immunoprecipitated with EBP50 revealed that Me-EBP50 strongly interacts with myosin 9 (MYH9). Specific inhibition of MYH9 with blebbistatin phenocopied Me-EBP50 KO, and blebbistatin treatment potentiated the effects of Me-EBP50 KO. In OCCC cells from clinical samples, Me-EBP50 and MYH9 were co-localized at the apical plasma membrane. Patients with a combination of Me-EBP50-high and MYH9-high scores had the best prognosis for overall and progression-free survival. Our data suggest that Me-EBP50 has tumor-suppressive effects through the establishment and maintenance of epithelial polarization. By contrast, loss of Me-EBP50 expression induces EMT-like phenotypes, probably due to MYH9 dysfunction; this results in increased cell mobility and enhanced CSC-like properties, which in turn promote OCCC progression.
RESUMO
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a hallmark of uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS). Here, shotgun proteomics analysis used to identify biomarkers associated with blebbistatin-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in UCS indicated up-regulation of nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) in endometrial carcinoma (Em Ca) cells. Expression of N-cadherin, Snail, Slug, and ZEB1 was reduced in NUCB2 knockout Em Ca cells, whereas ZEB1, Twist1, and vimentin were up-regulated in NUCB2-overexpressing Em Ca cells. NUCB2 knockout reduced cell proliferation and migration, whereas NUCB2 overexpression had the opposite effect. Treatment of Em Ca cells with transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 dramatically altered morphology toward a fibroblastic appearance; concomitantly, expression of NUCB2 and ZEB1 increased. The NUCB2 promoter was also activated by transfection of Smad2. In UCS tissues, NUCB2 expression was significantly higher in sarcomatous compared with carcinomatous components, which was consistent with increased TGF-ß1 mRNA expression in stromal and sarcomatous components compared with carcinomatous components. In addition, NUCB2 score correlated positively with ZEB1 and vimentin scores, whereas ZEB1 score correlated positively with Slug and vimentin scores and inversely with the E-cadherin score. Collectively, these data indicate that TGF-ß-dependent up-regulation of NUCB2 and ZEB1 contributes to the phenotypic characteristics of sarcomatous components in UCS.
Assuntos
Carcinossarcoma , Neoplasias Uterinas , Humanos , Feminino , Homeobox 1 de Ligação a E-box em Dedo de Zinco/genética , Homeobox 1 de Ligação a E-box em Dedo de Zinco/metabolismo , Nucleobindinas/genética , Nucleobindinas/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/metabolismo , Vimentina/metabolismo , Genes Homeobox , Caderinas/genética , Caderinas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Uterinas/genética , Neoplasias Uterinas/patologia , Fenótipo , Carcinossarcoma/genética , Carcinossarcoma/patologia , Dedos de Zinco , Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal/genética , Linhagem Celular TumoralRESUMO
Ezin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50) is a scaffold protein that interacts with several partner molecules including ß-catenin. Here, we examined the crosstalk between EBP50 and nuclear catenin during colorectal carcinoma (CRC) progression. In clinical samples, there were no correlations between the subcellular location of EBP50 and any clinicopathological factors. However, EBP50 expression was significantly lower specifically in the outer areas of tumor lesions, in regions where tumor budding (BD) was observed. Low EBP50 expression was also significantly associated with several unfavorable prognostic factors, suggesting that EBP50 depletion rather than its overexpression or subcellular distribution plays an important role in CRC progression. In CRC cell lines, knockout of EBP50 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like features, decreased proliferation, accelerated migration capability, and stabilized nuclear ß-catenin due to disruption of the interaction between EBP50 and ß-catenin at the plasma membrane. In addition, Slug expression was significantly higher in outer lesions, particularly in BD areas, and was positively correlated with nuclear ß-catenin status, consistent with ß-catenin-driven transactivation of the Slug promoter. Together, our data suggest that EBP50 depletion releases ß-catenin from the plasma membrane in outer tumor lesions, allowing ß-catenin to accumulate and translocate to the nucleus, where it transactivates the Slug gene to promote EMT. This in turn triggers tumor budding and contributes to the progression of CRC to a more aggressive phase.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although a lack of functional PTEN contributes to tumorigenesis in a wide spectrum of human malignancies, little is known about the functional role of its overexpression in the tumors. The current study focused on PTEN overexpression in endometrial carcinoma (Em Ca). METHODS: The functional impact of PTEN overexpression was assessed by Em Ca cell lines. Immunohistochemical analyses were also conducted using 38 Em Ca with morular lesions. RESULTS: Em Ca cell lines stably overexpressing PTEN (H6-PTEN) exhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like features, probably through ß-catenin/Slug-meditated suppression of E-cadherin. PTEN overexpression also inhibited cell proliferation, accelerated cellular senescence, increased apoptotic features, and enhanced migration capability. Moreover, H6-PTEN cells exhibited cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties, along with high expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 and CD44s, a large ALDH 1high population, enriched spheroid formation, and ß-catenin-mediated upregulation of cyclin D2, which is required for persistent CSC growth. In clinical samples, immunoreactivities for PTEN, as well as CSC-related molecules, were significantly higher in morular lesions as compared to the surrounding carcinomas. PTEN score was positively correlated with expression of nuclear ß-catenin, cytoplasmic CD133, and CD44v6, and negatively with cell proliferation. Finally, estrogen receptor-α (ERα)-dependent expression of Ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding phophoprotein-50 (EBP50), a multifunctional scaffolding protein, acts as a negative regulator of morular formation by Em Ca cells through interacting with PTEN and ß-catenin. CONCLUSION: In the abscess of ERα/EBP50 expression, PTEN overexpression and nuclear ß-catenin stabilization promote the establishment and maintenance of morular phenotype associated with EMT/CSC-like features in Em Ca cells. Video Abstract.
Assuntos
Neoplasias do Endométrio , PTEN Fosfo-Hidrolase , Animais , Feminino , Humanos , beta Catenina , Neoplasias do Endométrio/metabolismo , Neoplasias do Endométrio/patologia , Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas/metabolismo , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas/patologiaRESUMO
Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) are significant mediators of immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. We focused on the immunological impact of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling during tumor progression in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and its association with resistance to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) in locally advanced rectal carcinoma (LAd-RC). Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of 100 CRC cases (including 34 RC) without NCRT and 109 NCRT-treated LAd-RC cases were performed. Membranous tumoral PD-L1 expression was identified in 9 of 100 (9%) CRC cases, including 1 of 34 (2.9%) RC cases, but PD-L1 immunopositivity was not associated with any clinicopathological factors, with the exception of deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) status. In contrast, stromal PD-L1+ immune cells, which frequently exhibited coexpression of PD-1 and CD8 markers, were significantly correlated with tumor vessel invasion, nuclear ß-catenin+ tumor budding cancer stem cell (CSC)-like features, and unfavorable prognosis. In the LAd-RC cases, stromal CD8+ (but not PD-L1+) immune cell infiltration in pretreatment-biopsied samples was significantly and positively associated with therapeutic efficacy. After NCRT, tumoral PD-L1 expression was observed in only 2 of 83 (2.4%) tumors, independent of dMMR status, whereas high stromal PD-L1+ and tumoral nuclear ß-catenin positivity were significantly linked to a poor response to NCRT and high tumor budding features. In addition, high stromal PD-L1 immunoreactivity was significantly associated with poorer overall survival. In conclusion, a combination of stromal PD-L1+ immune cells and nuclear ß-catenin+ tumor budding may contribute to tumor progression in CRC and resistance to NCRT in LAd-RC, through formation of niche-like lesions that exhibit immune resistance and CSC properties.
Assuntos
Antígeno B7-H1 , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Receptor de Morte Celular Programada 1 , Tolerância a Radiação , Neoplasias Retais , beta Catenina , Antígeno B7-H1/genética , Antígeno B7-H1/imunologia , Núcleo Celular/genética , Núcleo Celular/imunologia , Quimiorradioterapia Adjuvante , Neoplasias Colorretais/genética , Neoplasias Colorretais/imunologia , Neoplasias Colorretais/patologia , Neoplasias Colorretais/terapia , Progressão da Doença , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/genética , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/imunologia , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/genética , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/imunologia , Humanos , Terapia Neoadjuvante , Prognóstico , Receptor de Morte Celular Programada 1/genética , Receptor de Morte Celular Programada 1/imunologia , Tolerância a Radiação/genética , Tolerância a Radiação/imunologia , Neoplasias Retais/genética , Neoplasias Retais/imunologia , Neoplasias Retais/patologia , Neoplasias Retais/terapia , Microambiente Tumoral/genética , Microambiente Tumoral/imunologia , beta Catenina/genética , beta Catenina/imunologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain tumor and has vascular-rich features. The S100A4/non-muscle myosin IIA (NMIIA) axis contributes to aggressive phenotypes in a variety of human malignancies, but little is known about its involvement in GBM tumorigenesis. Herein, we examined the role of the S100A4/NMIIA axis during tumor progression and vasculogenesis in GBM. METHODS: We performed immunohistochemistry for S100A4, NMIIA, and two hypoxic markers, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), in samples from 94 GBM cases. The functional impact of S100A4 knockdown and hypoxia were also assessed using a GBM cell line. RESULTS: In clinical GBM samples, overexpression of S100A4 and NMIIA was observed in both non-pseudopalisading (Ps) and Ps (-associated) perinecrotic lesions, consistent with stabilization of HIF-1α and CA9. CD34(+) microvascular densities (MVDs) and the interaction of S100A4 and NMIIA were significantly higher in non-Ps perinecrotic lesions compared to those in Ps perinecrotic areas. In non-Ps perinecrotic lesions, S100A4(+)/HIF-1α(-) GBM cells were recruited to the surface of preexisting host vessels in the vascular-rich areas. Elevated vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) mRNA expression was found in S100A4(+)/HIF-1α(+) GBM cells adjacent to the vascular-rich areas. In addition, GBM patients with high S100A4 protein expression had significantly worse OS and PFS than did patients with low S100A4 expression. Knockdown of S100A4 in the GBM cell line KS-1 decreased migration capability, concomitant with decreased Slug expression; the opposite effects were elicited by blebbistatin-dependent inhibition of NMIIA. CONCLUSION: S100A4(+)/HIF-1α(-) GBM cells are recruited to (and migrate along) preexisting vessels through inhibition of NMIIA activity. This is likely stimulated by extracellular VEGF that is released by S100A4(+)/HIF-1α(+) tumor cells in non-Ps perinecrotic lesions. In turn, these events engender tumor progression via acceleration of pro-tumorigenic vascular functions. Video abstract.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Encefálicas , Glioblastoma , Miosina não Muscular Tipo IIA , Proteína A4 de Ligação a Cálcio da Família S100 , Neoplasias Encefálicas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Encefálicas/patologia , Carcinogênese , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Glioblastoma/metabolismo , Glioblastoma/patologia , Humanos , Subunidade alfa do Fator 1 Induzível por Hipóxia/metabolismo , Miosina não Muscular Tipo IIA/metabolismo , Proteína A4 de Ligação a Cálcio da Família S100/metabolismo , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: S100A1 expression is deregulated in a variety of human malignancies, but its role in normal and malignant endometrial cells is unclear. METHODS: We used endometrial carcinoma (Em Ca) cell lines to evaluate the physical and functional interaction of S100A1 with p53 and its negative regulator, mouse double minute 2 (MDM2). We also evaluated the expression of S100A1, p53, and MDM2 in clinical samples consisting of 89 normal endometrial and 189 Em Ca tissues. RESULTS: S100A1 interacted with MDM2 but not p53 in Em Ca cell lines. Treatment of cells stably overexpressing S100A1 with Nutlin-3A, an inhibitor of the p53/MDM2 interaction, increased expression of p53-target genes including p21waf1 and BAX. S100A1 overexpression enhanced cellular migration, but also sensitized cells to the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of Adriamycin, a genotoxic agent; these phenotypes were abrogated when S100A1 was knocked down using shRNA. In clinical samples from normal endometrium, S100A1 expression was significantly higher in endometrial glandular cells of the middle/late secretory and menstrual stages when compared to cells in the proliferative phases; high S100A1 was also positively correlated with expression of MDM2 and p21waf1 and apoptotic status, and inversely correlated with Ki-67 scores. However, such correlations were absent in Em Ca tissues. CONCLUSION: The interaction between S100A1 and MDM2 may modulate proliferation, susceptibility to apoptosis, and migration through alterations in p53 signaling in normal- but not malignant-endometrial cells.
Assuntos
Neoplasias do Endométrio/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-mdm2/metabolismo , Proteínas S100/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/genética , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismo , Animais , Apoptose , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/genética , Endométrio/citologia , Feminino , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/genética , Humanos , CamundongosRESUMO
Patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) experience frequent recurrence, which is most likely due to chemoresistance. We used shotgun proteomics analysis and identified upregulation of ezrin-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50) in recurrent OCCC samples. Cytoplasmic and/or nuclear (Cyt/N), but not membranous, EBP50 immunoreactivity was significantly higher in recurrent OCCC as compared with that of primary tumors. OCCC cells expressing cytoplasmic EBP50 were significantly less susceptible to cisplatin (CDDP)-induced apoptosis compared with cells expressing membranous EBP50. Abrogation of resistance following knockdown of cytoplasmic EBP50 was accompanied by decreased XIAP and BCL2, increased BAX and increased caspase-3 cleavage. We found that poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase1 (PARP1), which is involved in DNA damage detection and repair, binds to EBP50 through its PDZ1 domain. CDDP treatment of cells expressing cytoplasmic (but not membranous) EBP50 increased nuclear PARP1 expression, whereas knockdown of EBP50 cells decreased PARP1 expression and activity following CDDP treatment. Finally, OCCC patients with a combination of Cyt/N EBP50 and high PARP1 score had worst the prognosis for overall and progression-free survival. Together, our data suggest that cytoplasmic EBP50 inhibits apoptosis and promotes OCCC survival through stabilization of PARP1 activity and modulation of the XIAP/BCL2/BAX axis. This may increase the likelihood of tumor recurrence, and we therefore suggest a combined analysis for EBP50 and PARP1 may have great utility in OCCC prediction and prognosis.
Assuntos
Biomarcadores Tumorais/metabolismo , Citoplasma/metabolismo , Neoplasias Ovarianas/metabolismo , Fosfoproteínas/metabolismo , Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerase-1/metabolismo , Trocadores de Sódio-Hidrogênio/metabolismo , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Apoptose , Caspase 3/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Movimento Celular , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/metabolismo , Neoplasias Ovarianas/patologia , Prognóstico , Ligação Proteica , Proteômica/métodos , Análise de SobrevidaRESUMO
Deregulated full-length anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) overexpression has been found in some primary solid tumors, but little is known about its role in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). The current study focused on the functional roles of ALK in HGSC. Cytoplasmic ALK immunoreactivity without chromosomal rearrangement and gene mutations was significantly higher in HGSC compared with non-HGSC-type ovarian carcinomas, and was significantly associated with several unfavorable clinicopathologic factors and poor prognosis. HGSC cell lines stably overexpressing ALK exhibited increased cell proliferation, enhanced cancer stem cell features, and accelerated cell mobility, whereas these phenotypes were abrogated in ALK-knockdown cells. Expression of the nervous system-associated gene, ELAVL3, and the corresponding protein (commonly known as HuC) was significantly increased in cells overexpressing ALK. Expression of SRY-box transcription factor (Sox)2 and Sox3 (genes associated with the neural progenitor population) increased in ALK-overexpressing but not ALK-knockdown cells. Furthermore, overexpression of Sox2 or Sox3 enhanced both ALK and ELAVL3 promoter activities, suggesting the existence of ALK/Sox/HuC signaling loops. Finally, ALK overexpression was attributed to increased expression of neuroendocrine markers, including synaptophysin, CD56, and B-cell lymphoma 2, in HGSC tissues. These findings suggest that overexpression of full-length ALK may influence the biological behavior of HGSC through cooperation with ELAVL3 and Sox factors, leading to the establishment and maintenance of the aggressive phenotypic characteristics of HGSC.
Assuntos
Quinase do Linfoma Anaplásico/metabolismo , Cistadenocarcinoma Seroso/enzimologia , Cistadenocarcinoma Seroso/patologia , Neoplasias Ovarianas/enzimologia , Neoplasias Ovarianas/patologia , Adulto , Idoso , Diferenciação Celular , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Movimento Celular , Proliferação de Células , Citoplasma/enzimologia , Proteína Semelhante a ELAV 3/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Modelos Biológicos , Análise Multivariada , Gradação de Tumores , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas/patologia , Células Neuroendócrinas/metabolismo , Células Neuroendócrinas/patologia , Fenótipo , Prognóstico , Intervalo Livre de Progressão , Fatores de Transcrição SOX/metabolismoRESUMO
Glioblastomas (GBM) contain numerous hypoxic foci associated with a rare fraction of glioma stem cells (GSCs). Left-right determination factor (LEFTY) and Nodal, members of the transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) superfamily, have glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß) phosphorylation motifs and are linked with stemness in human malignancies. Herein, we investigated the roles of LEFTY and Nodal in GBM hypoxic foci. In clinical samples, significantly higher expression of LEFTY, Nodal, phospho (p) GSK-3ß, pSmad2, and Nestin, as well as higher apoptotic and lower proliferation rates, were observed in nonpseudopalisading (non-Ps) perinecrotic lesions as compared to Ps and non-necrotic tumor lesions, with a positive correlation between LEFTY, Nodal, pGSK-3ß, or pSmad2 scores. In KS-1, a GBM cell line that lacks endogenous Nodal expression, treatment with the hypoxic mimetic CoCl2 increased LEFTY, pGSK-3ß, and pSmad2 levels, but decreased pAkt levels. Moreover, the promoter for LEFTY, but not Nodal, was activated by Smad2 or TGF-ß1, suggesting that overexpression of LEFTY and Nodal may be due to Akt-independent GSK-3ß inactivation, with or without cooperation of the TGF-ß1/Smad2 axis. LEFTY and Nodal overexpression increased proliferation rates and reduced susceptibility to CoCl2 -induced apoptosis, and increased the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/GSC-related markers. An increased ALDH1high population and more efficient spheroid formation was also observed in LEFTY-overexpressing cells. These findings suggest that LEFTY and Nodal may contribute to cell survival in non-Ps GBM perinecrotic lesions, leading to alterations in apoptosis, proliferation, or EMT/GCS features.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Encefálicas/metabolismo , Glioblastoma/metabolismo , Fatores de Determinação Direita-Esquerda/metabolismo , Proteína Nodal/metabolismo , Regulação para Cima , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Neoplasias Encefálicas/genética , Hipóxia Celular , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Sobrevivência Celular , Cobalto/efeitos adversos , Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal , Feminino , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Glioblastoma/genética , Humanos , Fatores de Determinação Direita-Esquerda/genética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Proteína Nodal/genética , Fosforilação , Transdução de Sinais , Adulto JovemRESUMO
S100A4 is a small calcium-binding protein that exerts its biological functions by interacting with nonmuscle myosin IIA (NMIIA) and p53. Although S100A4 promotes metastasis in several tumors, little is known about its involvement in the progression of ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs). Herein, we focused on functional roles of the S100A4/NMIIA/p53 axis in these tumors. In HGSC cell lines harboring mutant p53, knockdown (KD) of S100A4 reduced the expression of several epithelial-mesenchymal transition/cancer stem cell markers and the ALDH1high population, consistent with an inhibition of stemness features. S100A4-KD also increased apoptosis, decreased cell proliferation, and accelerated cell mobility. This was accompanied by increased Snail expression, which, in turn, was likely due to loss of p53 function. In contrast, specific inhibition of NMIIA by blebbistatin induced phenotypes that-with the exception of cell proliferation and mobility-were opposite to those observed in S100A4-KD cells. In clinical samples, cytoplasmic and/or nuclear interactions between S100A4, NMIIA, and mutant p53 were observed. In addition, high expression of S100A4, but not NMIIA or p53, was a significant and independent unfavorable prognostic factor in HGSC patients. These findings suggest that, via its interaction with NMIIA and p53, overexpressed S100A4 may induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition/cancer stem cell properties in HGSC and elicit several other tumor-associated phenotypes.
Assuntos
Cistadenocarcinoma Seroso/metabolismo , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas/metabolismo , Miosina não Muscular Tipo IIA/metabolismo , Neoplasias Ovarianas/metabolismo , Proteína A4 de Ligação a Cálcio da Família S100/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Movimento Celular , Proliferação de Células , Cistadenocarcinoma Seroso/patologia , Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal , Feminino , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas/patologia , Neoplasias Ovarianas/patologia , Fatores de Transcrição da Família Snail/biossínteseRESUMO
Uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) represents a true example of cancer associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which exhibits cancer stem cell (CSC)-like traits. Although S100A4 is an inducer of EMT, little is known about its involvement in UCS tumorigenesis. Herein, we focused on the functional role of S100A4 during development of UCS. Expression of S100A4 and molecules associated with its function were also examined in 35 UCS cases. In endometrial carcinoma cell lines, S100A4 promoter activity and mRNA levels were significantly increased by the transfection of NF-κB/p65, independent of a putative κB-binding site in the promoter. Cells stably overexpressing S100A4 showed enhancement of CSC properties, along with decreased cell proliferation and acceleration of cell migration. These phenotypes were abrogated in S100A4-knockdown cells. A combination of S100A4 antibody-mediated co-immunoprecipitation and shotgun proteomics analysis revealed that S100A4 strongly interacted with non-muscle myosin II (NMII) heavy chains, including myosin 9 and myosin 14. Specific inhibition of NMII by blebbistatin phenocopied S100A4 overexpression and induced a fibroblast-like morphology. In clinical samples, S100A4 score was significantly higher in sarcomatous as compared with carcinomatous components of UCS, and was positively correlated with ALDH1, Slug, and vimentin scores, and inversely with Ki-67 labeling indices. These findings suggest that an S100A4/NMII-related signaling cascade may contribute to the establishment and maintenance of EMT/CSC properties, along with changes in cell proliferation and migration capability. These events may be initiated in carcinomatous components in UCS and lead to divergent sarcomatous differentiation.
Assuntos
Carcinossarcoma/patologia , Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal/fisiologia , Proteína A4 de Ligação a Cálcio da Família S100 , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Neoplasias Uterinas/patologia , Carcinossarcoma/química , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Feminino , Técnicas de Silenciamento de Genes , Humanos , Proteína A4 de Ligação a Cálcio da Família S100/genética , Proteína A4 de Ligação a Cálcio da Família S100/metabolismo , Neoplasias Uterinas/química , Útero/química , Útero/patologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Expression of Nodal, a member of the TGF-ß superfamily, is commonly absent in differentiated tissues, while its re-expression occurs in a variety of human malignancy. However, little is known about its involvement in ovarian tumorigenesis. Herein, we focused on the functional roles of Nodal in ovarian endometriosis-carcinoma lesions. METHODS: Regulation and function of Nodal and its associated molecules, including Smad2, GSK-3ß, and several cell kinetics-related molecules, were assessed using clinical samples consisting of 108 ovarian carcinomas and 33 endometriotic lesions, as well as ES-2 (ovarian clear cell carcinoma; OCCCa) and Ishikawa (endometrial carcinoma) cell lines. RESULTS: Nodal expression was significantly higher in endometriosis and OCCCa lesions as compared to that of non-OCCCas, with positive correlations to phosphorylated forms of both Smad2 (pSmad2) and GSK-3ß. When compared to endometriotic lesions, the expression of Nodal and pSmad2 was significantly decreased in OCCCa. Treatment of Ishikawa cells with TGF-ß1 resulted in transcriptional upregulation of Nodal, along with increased pSmad2 expression, while inhibition of GSK-3ß also induced an increase in Nodal expression at the posttranslational level. Both ES-2 and Ishikawa cells stably overexpressing Nodal had increased susceptibility to apoptosis in response to treatment with cisplatin and doxorubicin, respectively, together with higher cleaved caspase-3 expression and decreased Bcl2/Bax ratio. Moreover, the stable Nodal-overexpressing cells showed reduced cell proliferation, along with increased expression of p27kip1 and p21waf1. In clinical samples, a significantly higher number of apoptotic cells and lower Ki-67 labeling indices were observed in Nodal-positive as compared to Nodal-negative OCCCa. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that Nodal is a multifunctional cytokine involved in the modulation of cell kinetics in ovarian endometriosis-OCCCa lesions.
Assuntos
Adenocarcinoma de Células Claras/metabolismo , Endometriose/metabolismo , Proteína Nodal/metabolismo , Neoplasias Ovarianas/metabolismo , Regulação para Cima , Adenocarcinoma de Células Claras/genética , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Apoptose , Proliferação de Células , Endometriose/genética , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Proteína Nodal/genética , Neoplasias Ovarianas/genética , Fosforilação , Transdução de Sinais , Proteína Smad2/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismoRESUMO
Advanced ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCCa) shows poor prognosis with chemoresistance, which is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/cancer stem cell (CSC) features. The left-right determination factor (LEFTY), a novel member of the TGF-ß superfamily, is a marker of stemness. Here we focused on the functional roles of LEFTY in OCCCas. OCCCa cell lines that were cultured in STK2, a serum-free medium for mesenchymal stem cells, or treated with TGF-ß1 underwent morphological changes toward an EMT appearance, along with increased expression of LEFTY and Snail. The cells also showed CSC properties, as demonstrated by increases in the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)1high activity population, number of spheroid formation, and expression of several CSC markers. Inhibition of LEFTY expression induced decreases in the number of spindle-shaped cells and CSC features, while cells stably overexpressing LEFTY exhibited enhancement of such EMT/CSC properties. Finally, treatment of cells with TGF-ß1 led to increased LEFTY expression and activation of Akt, which subsequently induced inactivation of GSK-3ß, while inhibition of GSK-3ß resulted in increased expression of both LEFTY and Snail. In clinical samples, LEFTY expression showed a tendency for positive associations with expression of vimentin, as well as Sox2 and ALDH1, in OCCCas with epithelial-like morphology, indicating a possible relationship between LEFTY and the epithelial-mesenchymal hybrid stage of the tumors. In conclusion, TGF-ß-mediated LEFTY/Akt/GSK-3ß/Snail axis may contribute to the establishment and maintenance of phenotypic characteristics of OCCCas through modulation of EMT/CSC properties.
Assuntos
Adenocarcinoma de Células Claras/metabolismo , Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Ovarianas/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismo , Adenocarcinoma de Células Claras/patologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Glicogênio Sintase Quinase 3 beta/metabolismo , Humanos , Fatores de Determinação Direita-Esquerda/metabolismo , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas/patologia , Neoplasias Ovarianas/patologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-akt/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição da Família Snail/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The left-right determination factor (LEFTY) is a novel member of the TGF-ß/Smad2 pathway and belongs to the premenstrual/menstrual repertoire in human endometrium, but little is known about its functional role in endometrial carcinomas (Em Cas). Herein, we focused on LEFTY expression and its association with progesterone therapy in Em Cas. METHODS: Regulation and function of LEFTY, as well as its associated molecules including Smad2, ovarian hormone receptors, GSK-3ß, and cell cycle-related factors, were assessed using clinical samples and cell lines of Em Cas. RESULTS: In clinical samples, LEFTY expression was positively correlated with estrogen receptor-α, but not progesterone receptor (PR), status, and was inversely related to phosphorylated (p) Smad2, cyclin A2, and Ki-67 levels. During progesterone therapy, expression of LEFTY, pSmad2, and pGSK-3ß showed stepwise increases, with significant correlations to morphological changes toward secretory features and decreased Ki-67 values. In Ishikawa cells, an Em Ca cell line that expresses PR, progesterone treatment reduced proliferation and induced increased expression of LEFTY and pGSK-3ß, although LEFTY promoter regions were inhibited by transfection of PR. Moreover, inhibition of GSK-3ß resulted in increased LEFTY expression through a decrease in its ubiquitinated form, suggesting posttranslational regulation of LEFTY protein via GSK-3ß suppression in response to progesterone. In addition, overexpression or knockdown of LEFTY led to suppression or enhancement of Smad2-dependent cyclin A2 expression, respectively. CONCLUSION: Upregulation of LEFTY may serve as a useful clinical marker for the therapeutic effects of progesterone for Em Cas, leading to inhibition of tumor cell proliferation through alteration in Smad2-dependent transcription of cyclin A2.
Assuntos
Neoplasias do Endométrio/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias do Endométrio/metabolismo , Fatores de Determinação Direita-Esquerda/metabolismo , Progesterona/metabolismo , Adulto , Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Neoplasias do Endométrio/genética , Neoplasias do Endométrio/patologia , Endométrio/efeitos dos fármacos , Endométrio/metabolismo , Endométrio/patologia , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Feminino , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Fatores de Determinação Direita-Esquerda/genética , Receptores de Progesterona/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteína Smad2/metabolismo , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which is a receptor tyrosine kinase, is essentially and transiently expressed in the developing nervous system. Here we examined the functional role of the ALK gene in glioblastomas (GBMs). In clinical samples of GBMs, high ALK expression without gene rearrangements or mutations was frequently observed in perivascular lesions, in contrast to the relatively low expression in the perinecrotic areas, which was positively correlated with N-myc and phosphorylated (p) Stat3 scores and Ki-67 labeling indices. ALK immunoreactivity was also found to be associated with neovascular features including vascular co-option and vascular mimicry. In astrocytoma cell lines, cells stably overexpressing full-length ALK showed an increase in expression of pStat3 and pAkt proteins, as well as hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) mRNAs, in contrast to cells with knockdown of endogenous ALK which showed decreased expression of these molecules. Transfection of the constitutively active form of Stat3 induced an increase in HIF-1α promoter activity, and the overexpression of HIF-1α in turn resulted in enhancement of VEGF-A promoter activity. In addition, cells with overexpression or knockdown of ALK also showed a tendency toward increased and decreased proliferation, respectively, through changes in expression of pAkt and pStat3. Finally, ALK promoter was significantly activated by transfection of Sox4 and N-myc, which are known to contribute to neuronal properties. These findings therefore suggest that N-myc/Sox4-mediated ALK signaling cascades containing Stat3, Akt, HIF-1α, and VEGF-A confer multiple advantages to tumor growth through alterations in neovascularization and cell proliferation in GBMs.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Encefálicas/patologia , Proliferação de Células , Glioblastoma/patologia , Neovascularização Patológica , Receptores Proteína Tirosina Quinases/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Quinase do Linfoma Anaplásico , Neoplasias Encefálicas/irrigação sanguínea , Neoplasias Encefálicas/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Glioblastoma/irrigação sanguínea , Glioblastoma/metabolismo , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , PrognósticoRESUMO
AIMS: ß-Catenin signalling participates in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ß-catenin in resistance to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer, especially pertaining to its association with EMT/CSC features. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 109 cases of locally advanced rectal cancer, along with a colon cancer cell line, were investigated. Nuclear ß-catenin accumulation in pretreatment-biopsied samples was inversely associated with the therapeutic efficacy of chemoradiotherapy in resected rectal cancer. In resected tumours, nuclear ß-catenin was predominantly observed in EMT-like lesions with decreased E-cadherin and increased Snail expression, along with expression of CSC-related markers. The EMT-like lesions also showed significant decreases in both apoptosis and cell proliferation as compared with non-EMT lesions. In-vitro culture of a colon cancer cell line in STK2 was sufficient to induce EMT/CSC properties together with nuclear ß-catenin accumulation, and showed inhibition of cell proliferation and resistance to doxorubicin treatment. CONCLUSION: Nuclear ß-catenin accumulation may contribute to chemoradioresistance in locally advanced rectal cancer, probably through its regulation of EMT/CSC properties. In addition, nuclear ß-catenin in pretreatment-biopsied samples is useful in predicting the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer.