MicroRNA-128 Confers Anti-Endothelial Adhesion and Anti-Migration Properties to Counteract Highly Metastatic Cervical Cancer Cells' Migration in a Parallel-Plate Flow Chamber.

Despite the distant metastasis of cervical cancer cells being a prominent cause of mortality, neither the metastasis capacity nor the in vitro conditions mimicking adhesion of cervical cancer cells to endothelial cells have been fully elucidated. Circulating metastatic cancer cells undergo transendothelial migration and invade normal organs in distant metastasis; however, the putative molecular mechanism remains largely uncertain. In this study, we describe the use of an in vitro parallel-plate flow chamber to simulate the dynamic circulation stress on cervical cancer cells and elucidate their vascular adhesion and metastasis. We isolate the viable and shear stress-resistant (SSR) cervical cancer cells for mechanistic studies. Remarkably, the identified SSR-HeLa and SSR-CaSki exhibited high in vitro adhesive and metastatic activities. Hence, a consistently suppressed miR-128 level was revealed in SSR cell clones compared to those of parental wild-type (WT) cells. Overexpressed miR-128 attenuated SSR-HeLa cells' adherence to human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVECs); in contrast, suppressed miR-128 efficiently augmented the static adhesion capacity in WT-HeLa and WT-CaSki cells. Hence, amplified miR-128 modestly abolished in vitro SSR-augmented HeLa and CaSki cell movement, whereas reduced miR-128 aggravated the migration speed in a time-lapse recording assay in WT groups. Consistently, the force expression of miR-128 alleviated the SSR-enhanced HeLa and CaSki cell mobility in a wound healing assay. Notably, miR-128 mediated SSR-enhanced HeLa and CaSki cells' adhesion and metastasis through suppressed ITGA5, ITGB5, sLex, CEACAM-6, MMP9, and MMP23 transcript levels. Our data provide evidence suggesting that miR-128 is a promising microRNA that prevented endothelial cells' adhesion and transendothelial migration to contribute to the SSR-enhanced adhesion and metastasis progression under a parallel-plate flow chamber system. This indicates that the nucleoid-based miR-128 strategy may be an attractive therapeutic strategy to eliminate tumor cells resistant to circulation shear flow, prevent vascular adhesion, and preclude subsequent transendothelial metastasis.

MicroRNA-29a Exhibited Pro-Angiogenic and Anti-Fibrotic Features to Intensify Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Renovated Perfusion Recovery and Preventing against Fibrosis from Skeletal Muscle Ischemic Injury.

This study was conducted to elucidate whether microRNA-29a (miR-29a) and/or together with transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from umbilical cord Wharton's jelly (uMSCs) could aid in skeletal muscle healing and putative molecular mechanisms. We established a skeletal muscle ischemic injury model by injection of a myotoxin bupivacaine (BPVC) into gastrocnemius muscle of C57BL/6 mice. Throughout the angiogenic and fibrotic phases of muscle healing, miR-29a was considerably downregulated in BPVC-injured gastrocnemius muscle. Overexpressed miR-29a efficaciously promoted human umbilical vein endothelial cells proliferation and capillary-like tube formation in vitro, crucial steps for neoangiogenesis, whereas knockdown of miR-29a notably suppressed those endothelial functions. Remarkably, overexpressed miR-29a profitably elicited limbic flow perfusion and estimated by Laser Dopple. MicroRNA-29a motivated perfusion recovery through abolishing the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2, led great numbers of pro-angiogenic matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to be liberated from bondage of TIMP, thus reinforced vascular development. Furthermore, engrafted uMSCs also illustrated comparable effect to restore the flow perfusion and augmented vascular endothelial growth factors-A, -B, and -C expression. Notably, the combination of miR29a and the uMSCs treatments revealed the utmost renovation of limbic flow perfusion. Amplified miR-29a also adequately diminished the collagen deposition and suppressed broad-wide miR-29a targeted extracellular matrix components expression. Consistently, miR-29a administration intensified the relevance of uMSCs to abridge BPVC-aggravated fibrosis. Our data support that miR-29a is a promising pro-angiogenic and anti-fibrotic microRNA which delivers numerous advantages to endorse angiogenesis, perfusion recovery, and protect against fibrosis post injury. Amalgamation of nucleic acid-based strategy (miR-29a) together with the stem cell-based strategy (uMSCs) may be an innovative and eminent strategy to accelerate the healing process post skeletal muscle injury.

Causes and Clinical Features of Infertile Men With Nonobstructive Azoospermia and Histopathologic Diagnosis of Hypospermatogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the causes and the clinical features of infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia and hypospermatogenesis (HS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 100 patients with nonobstructive azoospermia and HS and 8 patients with obstructive azoospermia and normal spermatogenesis. The severity of HS was subdivided into 3 groups (mild, moderate, and severe) based on spermatogenic score. Data of history, physical findings, serum hormone profiles, genetic studies, and sperm retrieval rate were collected. Whole genome DNA methylation analysis and microarray mRNA expression analysis were used to identify the candidate genes of methylation dysregulation in HS. RESULTS: Thirty-two (32%) patients had at least 1 prior/current testicular insults and 13 (13%) patients had genetic anomalies. Fifty-five (55%) patients were categorized as idiopathic HS. Patients with mild HS had a higher frequency of testicular insults, and patients with severe HS had a significantly higher frequency of genetic anomalies. Sperm retrieval rate was 100%, 100%, and 88.4% for patients with mild, moderate, and severe HS, respectively. Four sterility-related genes, including BOLL, DDX4, HORMAD1, and MAEL, were found to have increased methylation at CpGs of the promoter regions and decreased mRNA expressions in HS testis. CONCLUSION: The causes of HS are complex and multifactorial. The main causes of HS were prior or current testicular insults and chromosomal or genetic anomalies. More than half of the patients were categorized as idiopathic HS. With high throughput analysis, methylation dysregulations of BOLL, DDX4, HORMAD1, and MAEL are believed to be associated with HS.

3'-Hydroxy-4'-methoxy-ß-methyl-ß-nitrostyrene inhibits tumor growth through ROS generation and GSH depletion in lung cancer cells.

AIMS: Members of the ß-nitrostyrene family are known to suppress tumor growth, with the underlying mechanisms of ß-nitrostyrene remain mostly unclear. Herein, we synthesized a ß-nitrostyrene derivative, 3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-ß-methyl-ß-nitrostyrene (CYT-Rx20), and explored its anticancer activities in human lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. MAIN METHODS: Cell viability was measured by XTT assay. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI staining. Caspase activation was determined by western blotting. ROS (reactive oxygen species), MMP (mitochondrial membrane potential) and mitochondrial mass were determined by flow cytometry. GSH level was detected by ELISA assay. KEY FINDINGS: In this study, we found that CYT-Rx20 significantly reduced cell viability, accompanied by G2/M arrest in lung cancer cells. Increased protein levels of cleaved-caspase families indicated apoptotic cell death upon CYT-Rx20 treatment. Furthermore, increased level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), glutathione (GSH) depletion and inhibition of GSH reductase were observed after CYT-Rx20 treatment. The effects of CYT-Rx20 on cell viability and the loss of ΔΨm were significantly reversed when cells were pretreated with thiol antioxidants NAC, GSH, or 2-ME. Finally, xenograft animal study demonstrated that CYT-Rx20 significantly suppressed lung tumor growth in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE: Our data demonstrated that CYT-Rx20 triggered apoptotic cell death in lung cancer cells and suppressed lung tumor growth through GSH depletion, suggesting that CYT-Rx20 may have the potential to be further developed as an anticancer compound for treating lung cancer.

VLDL and LDL, but not HDL, promote breast cancer cell proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis.

Abnormal lipoprotein profiles are associated with breast cancer progression. However, the mechanisms linking abnormal lipoprotein levels to breast cancer progression, especially metastasis, remain unclear. Herein, we found that L1 and L5 subfractions of LDL and VLDL, but not HDL, enhanced breast cancer cell viability. L1, L5, and VLDL also increased the in vitro tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells in anchorage-independent soft agar assay. In addition, L1, L5, and VLDL, but not HDL, increased the levels of mesenchymal markers Slug, Vimentin, and ß-Catenin, and promoted breast cancer cell migration and invasion. L1, L5, and VLDL increased Akt Ser473 phosphorylation and promoted cell migration, which were reversed by the PI3K/Akt inhibitor wortmannin. Further in vitro angiogenesis assay and cytokine array analysis demonstrated that L1, L5, and VLDL enhanced secretion of angiogenic factors in breast cancer cells and promoted angiogenic activity. However, only VLDL reduced anchorage-dependent cell death and promoted lung metastasis in nude mice. In summary, our data suggest that L1, L5, and especially VLDL promote breast cancer progression and metastasis through Akt-induced EMT and angiogenesis, and provide a novel mechanism of how dyslipoproteinemia promotes breast cancer progression.

Association of aberrant expression of sex-determining gene fibroblast growth factor 9 with Sertoli cell-only syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) in normal testes and in testes with Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS), explore the biological function of testicular FGF9, and identify the sequence variants of FGF9 gene in patients with SCOS. DESIGN: Retrospective case study. SETTING: University reproductive clinic. PATIENT(S): Forty-one patients with SCOS, seven with normal spermatogenesis, and 100 controls. INTERVENTION(S): Protein expressions of testicular FGF9 and sequence variants of FGF9 gene in normal controls and patients with SCOS were studied. The biological function and regulation of testicular FGF9 were assessed in vitro. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression profiles of testicular FGF9, effects of FGF9 on germ cell proliferation, and sequence variants of the FGF9 gene. RESULT(S): FGF9 was predominately expressed in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells of normal testis; its expression was significantly decreased in patients with SCOS. Conditioned medium of FGF9-treated Leydig cells stimulated germ cell proliferation. A promoter polymorphism (c.-712C→T) of the FGF9 gene attenuated the promoter activity, which contributes to one of the causes of its low expression. CONCLUSION(S): In addition to the role of sex determination, FGF9 is expressed in postnatal Leydig cells and is involved in cell-to-cell interaction of testicular function. Aberrant expression of testicular FGF9 is associated with SCOS.

Estrogen receptor expression affected by hypoxia inducible factor-1α in stromal cells from patients with endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the different expression of estrogen receptors (ER) and its relation to hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in stromal cells from women with endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paired eutopic endometrial and ectopic endometriotic stromal cells were isolated from women with endometriosis while they underwent laparoscopy. The expression of ERα and ERß was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Regulation of ER expression was evaluated by HIF-1α knockdown via short interference RNA. RESULTS: The expression of ERß was significantly increased in ectopic stromal cells. Treatment of endometrial stromal cells with hypoxia induced ERß expression. Knockdown of HIF-1α abolished hypoxia-induced ERß expression and increased ERα expression. CONCLUSION: The expression of ERß is regulated by hypoxia. Results of this study will provide important information in the involvement of hypoxia factors in mediating estrogen action via different ER expression in endometriosis.

Overexpression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 3 increases drug resistance and early recurrence in colon cancer.

The switch of cellular metabolism from mitochondrial respiration to glycolysis is the hallmark of cancer cells and is associated with tumor malignancy. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1 (PDK1) and PDK3 participate in the metabolic switch of cancer cells; however, the medical significance of PDK1 and PDK3 in cancer progression is not known. Here, we assessed the expression profiles of PDK1 and PDK3 in colorectal cancer. Western blot analysis (n = 74) demonstrated that PDK3 was markedly increased in colon cancer compared to that in adjacent normal tissues, whereas PDK1 was decreased in cancer cells. In addition, PDK3 expression was positively correlated with that of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in cancer cells. Further analysis using immunohistochemical staining revealed that PDK3 levels were positively associated with severity of cancer and negatively associated with disease-free survival. In vitro studies using several colon cancer cell lines showed that PDK3 expression was controlled by HIF-1α and contributed to hypoxia-induced increased drug resistance, perhaps explaining why patients with PDK3 overexpression have a greater incidence of treatment failure. Taken together, our findings suggest that PDK3 plays an important role in the metabolic switch and drug resistance of colon cancer and is potentially a novel target for cancer therapy.

Prostaglandin E2: the master of endometriosis?

Endometriosis is the primary cause of infertility in women, with a prevalence rate ranging from 5% to 10%. Women with endometriosis suffer from symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia, which significantly reduce the quality of life. Endometriosis is a polygenic disease with a complex, multifactorial etiology. The mechanism responsible for the initiation and development of this disease remains largely unknown. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), a versatile eicosanoid that exerts numerous physiological and pathological functions, has been implicated to play critical roles in the development of endometriosis. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that PGE(2) regulates many pathophysiological processes including cell proliferation, antiapoptosis, immune suppression and angiogenesis during the development of endometriosis. This review focuses on recent advances in cellular and molecular mechanisms triggered by PGE(2) that contribute to the pathological processes of endometriosis.

Induction of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-3 by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 promotes metabolic switch and drug resistance.

The switch of cellular metabolism from mitochondrial respiration to glycolysis is the hallmark of cancer cells and associated with tumor malignancy. However, the mechanism of this metabolic switch remains largely unknown. Herein, we reported that hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) induced pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-3 (PDK3) expression leading to inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. Promoter activity assay, small interference RNA knockdown assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that hypoxia-induced PDK3 gene activity was regulated by HIF-1 at the transcriptional level. Forced expression of PDK3 in cancer cells resulted in increased lactic acid accumulation and drugs resistance, whereas knocking down PDK3 inhibited hypoxia-induced cytoplasmic glycolysis and cell survival. These data demonstrated that increased PDK3 expression due to elevated HIF-1alpha in cancer cells may play critical roles in metabolic switch during cancer progression and chemoresistance in cancer therapy.

Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response element-binding protein and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein mediate prostaglandin E2-induced steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression in endometriotic stromal cells.

Aberrant expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein in human endometriotic stromal cells plays an important role in the development of endometriosis. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is a potent inducer of StAR expression in these cells; however, the mechanisms responsible for the transcriptional regulation of StAR remain to be elucidated. Herein we report that PGE(2)-induced StAR expression is independent of the transcriptional suppressor DAX-1 but is regulated by the transcriptional activator cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB). A promoter activity assay revealed that the cis-element needed for the binding of the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) was critical for PGE(2)-induced StAR expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that this region of the StAR promoter was bound by C/EBPalpha, C/EBPbeta, and CREB. Forced expression of either C/EBPalpha or C/EBPbeta alone was sufficient to up-regulate StAR promoter activity whereas PGE(2) was needed to induce StAR promoter activity in CREB-overexpressed cells. Results from a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that the binding of C/EBPbeta to the StAR promoter was increased whereas CREB binding was unchanged after PGE(2) treatment. Taken together, PGE(2)-induced StAR promoter activity appears to be regulated by CREB and C/EBPbeta in a cooperative manner in ectopic human endometriotic stromal cells, providing a molecular framework for the etiology of endometriosis.