RESUMO
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most prevalent form of skin cancer. An increasing number of cSCCs are associated with dysregulation of key molecules that control skin homeostasis. These observations have increased interest in the role of neurotrophins and their receptors in the pathogenesis of cSCC. They have been demonstrated to have a considerable impact on the aggressiveness potential of skin cancer by both in vitro and in vivo models. In this context, mouse models are classically used to dissect proliferation versus differentiation balance, but they have some limitations in terms of time, space, and costs. Recently, zebrafish models have been implemented as a new tool to obtain information regarding the invasive capacity and metastasis of neoplastic cells. By xenotransplantation technique, cSCC cells from a patient's biopsy or cell line can be successfully characterized, with or without the presence of genetic manipulation or treatments. In addition, the evaluation of the immune microenvironment contributes to potentially identifying connections and homologies with humans. In this review, we retrace the role of the neurotrophin network in healthy and pathological skin, particularly in cSCC. We review how zebrafish models can be important tools for studying cSCC development, growth, and potential treatments.
RESUMO
In the interfollicular epidermis, keratinocyte stem cells (KSC) generate a short-lived population of transit amplifying (TA) cells that undergo terminal differentiation after several cell divisions. Recently, we isolated and characterized a highly proliferative keratinocyte cell population, named "early" TA (ETA) cell, representing the first KSC progenitor with exclusive features. This work aims to evaluate epidermis, with a focus on KSC and ETA cells, during transition from infancy to childhood. Reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) generated from infant keratinocytes is more damaged by UV irradiation, as compared to RHE from young children. Moreover, the expression of several differentiation and barrier genes increases with age, while the expression of genes related to stemness is reduced from infancy to childhood. The proliferation rate of KSC and ETA cells is higher in cells derived from infants' skin samples than of those derived from young children, as well as the capacity of forming colonies is more pronounced in KSC derived from infants than from young children's skin samples. Finally, infants-KSC show the greatest regenerative capacity in skin equivalents, while young children ETA cells express higher levels of differentiation markers, as compared to infants-ETA. KSC and ETA cells undergo substantial changes during transition from infancy to childhood. The study presents a novel insight into pediatric skin, and sheds light on the correlation between age and structural maturation of the skin.
Assuntos
Diferenciação Celular , Queratinócitos , Células-Tronco , Humanos , Lactente , Células-Tronco/citologia , Células-Tronco/metabolismo , Queratinócitos/metabolismo , Queratinócitos/citologia , Pré-Escolar , Proliferação de Células , Células Epidérmicas/metabolismo , Células Epidérmicas/citologia , Criança , Pele/citologia , Pele/metabolismo , Feminino , Masculino , Epiderme/metabolismo , Células CultivadasRESUMO
Sildenafil citrate is an approved drug used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Despite a widespread application, sildenafil citrate shows numerous adverse cardiovascular effects in high-risk patients. Local transdermal drug delivery of this drug is therefore being explored as an interesting and noninvasive alternative administration method that avoids adverse effects arised from peak plasma drug concentrations. Although human and animal skin represents the most reliable models to perform penetration studies, they involve a series of ethical issues and restrictions. For these reasons new in vitro approaches based on artificially reconstructed human skin or "human skin equivalents" are being developed as possible alternatives for transdermal testing. There is little information, however, on the efficiency of such new in vitro methods on cutaneous penetration of active ingredients. The objective of the current study was to investigate the sildenafil citrate loaded in three commercial transdermal vehicles using 3D full-thickness skin equivalent and compare the results with the permeability experiments using porcine skin. Our results demonstrated that, while the formulation plays an imperative role in an appropriate dermal uptake of sildenafil citrate, the D coefficient results obtained by using the 3D skin equivalent are comparable to those obtained by using the porcine skin when a simple drug suspension is applied (1.17 × 10-10 ± 0.92 × 10-10 cm2/s vs 3.5 × 102 ± 3.3 × 102 cm2/s), suggesting that in such case, this 3D skin model can be a valid alternative for ex-vivo skin absorption experiments.
Assuntos
Prepúcio do Pênis , Pele , Masculino , Animais , Suínos , Humanos , Citrato de Sildenafila/farmacologia , Citrato de Sildenafila/uso terapêutico , Pele/metabolismo , Absorção Cutânea , Administração CutâneaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most prevalent form of skin cancer, showing a rapid increasing incidence worldwide. Although most cSCC can be cured by surgery, a sizeable number of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, with local invasion and distant metastatic lesions. In the skin, neurotrophins (NTs) and their receptors (CD271 and Trk) form a complex network regulating epidermal homeostasis. Recently, several works suggested a significant implication of NT receptors in cancer. However, CD271 functions in epithelial tumors are controversial and its precise role in cSCC is still to be defined. METHODS: Spheroids from cSCC patients with low-risk (In situ or Well-Differentiated cSCC) or high-risk tumors (Moderately/Poorly Differentiated cSCC), were established to explore histological features, proliferation, invasion abilities, and molecular pathways modulated in response to CD271 overexpression or activation in vitro. The effect of CD271 activities on the response to therapeutics was also investigated. The impact on the metastatic process and inflammation was explored in vivo and in vitro, by using zebrafish xenograft and 2D/3D models. RESULTS: Our data proved that CD271 is upregulated in Well-Differentiated tumors as compared to the more aggressive Moderately/Poorly Differentiated cSCC, both in vivo and in vitro. We demonstrated that CD271 activities reduce proliferation and malignancy marker expression in patient-derived cSCC spheroids at each tumor grade, by increasing neoplastic cell differentiation. CD271 overexpression significantly increases cSCC spheroid mass density, while it reduces their weight and diameter, and promotes a major fold-enrichment in differentiation and keratinization genes. Moreover, both CD271 overexpression and activation decrease cSCC cell invasiveness in vitro. A significant inhibition of the metastatic process by CD271 was observed in a newly established zebrafish cSCC model. We found that the recruitment of leucocytes by CD271-overexpressing cells directly correlates with tumor killing and this finding was further highlighted by monocyte infiltration in a THP-1-SCC13 3D model. Finally, CD271 activity synergizes with Trk receptor inhibition, by reducing spheroid viability, and significantly improves the outcome of photodynamic therapy (PTD) or chemotherapy in spheroids and zebrafish. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence that CD271 could prevent the switch between low to high-risk cSCC tumors. Because CD271 contributes to maintaining active differentiative paths and favors the response to therapies, it might be a promising target for future pharmaceutical development.
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas , Neoplasias Cutâneas , Animais , Humanos , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/tratamento farmacológico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , Peixe-Zebra , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Epiderme/metabolismo , Proliferação de Células/genética , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão GênicaRESUMO
In the interfollicular epidermis (IFE), stem cells (KSC) generate transit amplifying (TA) cells that, after symmetric divisions, produce differentiating daughters. Here, we isolated and characterized the highly proliferative interfollicular epidermal basal cell population "early" TA (ETA) cells, based on their capacity to adhere to type IV collagen. Proliferation and colony-forming efficiency in ETA cells are lower than in KSC but higher than in "late" TA (LTA). Stemness, proliferation, and differentiation markers confirmed that ETA cells display a unique phenotype. Skin reconstructs derived from ETA cells present different features (epidermal thickness, Ki67, and Survivin expression), as compared to skin equivalents generated from either KSC or LTA cells. The low-affinity neurotrophin receptor CD271, which regulates the KSC to TA cell transition in the human epidermis through an on/off switch control mechanism, is predominantly expressed in ETA cells. Skin equivalents generated from siRNA CD271 ETA cells display a more proliferative and less differentiated phenotype, as compared to mock-derived reconstructs. Consistently, CD271 overexpression in LTA cells generates a more proliferative skin equivalent than mock LTA cells. Finally, the CD271 level declines with cellular senescence, while it induces a delay in p16INK4 expression. We conclude that ETA cells represent the first KSC progenitor with exclusive features. CD271 identifies and modulates ETA cells, thus participating in the early differentiation and regenerative capacity of the human epidermis.
Assuntos
Células Epidérmicas , Queratinócitos , Humanos , Diferenciação Celular , Proliferação de Células , Células Epidérmicas/metabolismo , Epiderme/metabolismo , Receptores de Fator de Crescimento Neural/genética , Receptores de Fator de Crescimento Neural/metabolismo , Pele/metabolismoRESUMO
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) represents the second most common type of skin cancer, which incidence is continuously increasing worldwide. Given its high frequency, cSCC represents a major public health problem. Therefore, to provide the best patients' care, it is necessary having a detailed understanding of the molecular processes underlying cSCC development, progression, and invasion. Extensive efforts have been made in developing new models allowing to study the molecular pathogenesis of solid tumors, including cSCC tumors. Traditionally, in vitro studies were performed with cells grown in a two-dimensional context, which, however, does not represent the complexity of tumor in vivo. In the recent years, new in vitro models have been developed aiming to mimic the three-dimensionality (3D) of the tumor, allowing the evaluation of tumor cell-cell and tumor-microenvironment interaction in an in vivo-like setting. These models include spheroids, organotypic cultures, skin reconstructs and organoids. Although 3D models demonstrate high potential to enhance the overall knowledge in cancer research, they lack systemic components which may be solved only by using animal models. Zebrafish is emerging as an alternative xenotransplant model in cancer research, offering a high-throughput approach for drug screening and real-time in vivo imaging to study cell invasion. Moreover, several categories of mouse models were developed for pre-clinical purpose, including xeno- and syngeneic transplantation models, autochthonous models of chemically or UV-induced skin squamous carcinogenesis, and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of cSCC. These models have been instrumental in examining the molecular mechanisms of cSCC and drug response in an in vivo setting. The present review proposes an overview of in vitro, particularly 3D, and in vivo models and their application in cutaneous SCC research.
RESUMO
Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer characterized by high cellular heterogeneity, which contributes to therapy resistance and unpredictable disease outcome. Recently, by correlating reflectance confocal microscopy morphology with histopathological type, we identified four distinct melanoma subtypes: dendritic cell, round cell, dermal nest, and combined-type melanomas. In this study, each reflectance confocal microscopy melanoma subtype expressed a specific biomolecular profile and biological behavior in vitro. Markers of tumor aggressiveness, including Ki-67, MERTK, nestin, and stemness markers were highest in the most invasive combined-type and dermal nest melanomas than in dendritic cell and round cell melanomas. This was also confirmed in multicellular tumor spheroids. Transcriptomic analysis showed modulation of cancer progression-associated genes from dendritic cell to combined-type melanomas. The switch from E- to N-cadherin expression proved the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition from dendritic cell to combined-type subtypes. The dermal nest melanoma was predominantly located in the dermis, as also shown in skin reconstructs. It displayed a unique behavior and a molecular profile associated with a high degree of aggressiveness. Altogether, our results show that each reflectance confocal microscopy melanoma subtype has a distinct biological and gene expression profile related to tumor aggressiveness, confirming that reflectance confocal microscopy can be a dependable tool for in vivo detection of different types of melanoma and for early diagnostic screening.
Assuntos
Melanoma , Neoplasias Cutâneas , Humanos , Melanoma/patologia , Microscopia Confocal/métodos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , SíndromeRESUMO
Drug resistance mechanisms still characterize metastatic melanoma, despite the new treatments that have been recently developed. Targeting of the cGMP/protein kinase G pathway is emerging as a therapeutic approach in cancer research. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effects of two polymeric-linked dimeric cGMP analogs able to bind and activate protein kinase G, called protein kinase G activators (PAs) 4 and 5. PA5 was identified as the most effective compound on melanoma cell lines as well as on patient-derived metastatic melanoma cells cultured as three-dimensional spheroids and in a zebrafish melanoma model. PA5 was able to significantly reduce cell viability, size, and invasion of melanoma spheroids. Importantly, PA5 showed a tumor-specific outcome because no toxic effect was observed in healthy melanocytes exposed to the cGMP analog. We defined that by triggering protein kinase G, PA5 interfered with the EGF pathway as shown by lower EGFR phosphorylation and reduction of activated, phosphorylated forms of protein kinase B and extracellular signalâregulated kinase 1/2 in melanoma cells. Finally, PA5 significantly reduced the metastatic process in zebrafish. These studies open future perspectives for the cGMP analog PA5 as a potential therapeutic strategy for melanoma.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Proteínas Quinases Dependentes de GMP Cíclico/metabolismo , GMP Cíclico/farmacologia , Melanócitos/fisiologia , Melanoma/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-akt/metabolismo , Neoplasias Cutâneas/metabolismo , Animais , Morte Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , GMP Cíclico/análogos & derivados , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Fator de Crescimento Epidérmico/metabolismo , Receptores ErbB/metabolismo , Humanos , Invasividade Neoplásica , Metástase Neoplásica , Fosforilação , Transdução de Sinais , Peixe-ZebraRESUMO
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) ranks second in the frequency of all skin cancers. The balance between keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation is disrupted in the pathological development of cSCC. DLX3 is a homeobox transcription factor which plays pivotal roles in embryonic development and epidermal homeostasis. To investigate the impact of DLX3 expression on cSCC prognosis, we carried out clinicopathologic analysis of DLX3 expression which showed statistical correlation between tumors of higher pathologic grade and levels of DLX3 protein expression. Further, Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis demonstrated that low DLX3 expression correlated with poor patient survival. To model the function of Dlx3 in skin tumorigenesis, a two-stage dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) study was performed on mice genetically depleted of Dlx3 in skin epithelium (Dlx3cKO). Dlx3cKO mice developed significantly more tumors, with more rapid tumorigenesis compared to control mice. In Dlx3cKO mice treated only with DMBA, tumors developed after ~16 weeks suggesting that loss of Dlx3 has a tumor promoting effect. Whole transcriptome analysis of tumor and skin tissue from our mouse model revealed spontaneous activation of the EGFR-ERBB2 pathway in the absence of Dlx3. Together, our findings from human and mouse model system support a tumor suppressive function for DLX3 in skin and underscore the efficacy of therapeutic approaches that target EGFR-ERBB2 pathway.
Assuntos
9,10-Dimetil-1,2-benzantraceno/toxicidade , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patologia , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/genética , Receptor ErbB-2/metabolismo , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Idoso , Animais , Carcinógenos/toxicidade , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/induzido quimicamente , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Receptores ErbB/genética , Receptores ErbB/metabolismo , Feminino , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Gradação de Tumores , Receptor ErbB-2/genética , Transdução de Sinais , Neoplasias Cutâneas/induzido quimicamente , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genética , Neoplasias Cutâneas/metabolismo , Taxa de Sobrevida , Acetato de Tetradecanoilforbol/toxicidade , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismoRESUMO
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) represents the second most frequent skin cancer,recently showing a rapid increase in incidence worldwide, with around >1 million cases/year in theUnited States and 2500 deaths [1] [...].
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/terapia , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genética , Neoplasias Cutâneas/terapia , Animais , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/metabolismo , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patologia , Feminino , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Masculino , Modelos Animais , Neoplasias Cutâneas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , Estados UnidosRESUMO
Well-regulated epidermal homeostasis depends on the function of different classes of factors, such as transcription regulators and receptors. Alterations in this homeostatic balance may lead to the development of cutaneous squamous tumorigenesis. The homeobox transcription factor DLX3 is determinant for a p53-dependent regulation of epidermal differentiation and modulates skin carcinogenesis. The maintenance of skin homeostasis also involves the action of neurotrophins (NTs) and their receptors, Trk and CD271. While Trk receptor overexpression is a hallmark of cancer, there are conflicting data on CD271 expression and function in cutaneous SCC (cSCC). Previous studies have reported NT receptors expression in head and neck SSC (HNSCC). We show that CD271 is expressed at low levels in primary cSCC cells and the number of CD271+ cells correlates with cell cohesion in SCC spheroids. In normal epidermis, CD271 is expressed in proliferative progenitor cells and DLX3 in terminally differentiated keratinocytes. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin 3 (NT3) increase DLX3 expression. In the absence of a functional BDNF receptor TrkB in keratinocytes, we hypothesize that the BDNF-dependent DLX3 response could be mediated via CD271. Altogether, our results support a putative CD271-DLX3 connection in keratinocytes, which might be crucial to preventing squamous skin cancer.
Assuntos
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/genética , Queratinócitos/metabolismo , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/genética , Receptores de Fator de Crescimento Neural/genética , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Biomarcadores , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/metabolismo , Humanos , Modelos Biológicos , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica , Receptores de Fator de Crescimento Neural/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismoRESUMO
Pemphigus is a blistering disease characterized by pemphigus autoantibodies (PVIgG) directed mostly against desmogleins (Dsgs), resulting in the loss of keratinocyte adhesion (acantholysis). Yet, the mechanisms underlying blister formation remain to be clarified. We have shown previously that anti-Fas ligand (FasL) antibody (Ab) prevents PVIgG-induced caspase-8 activation and Dsg cleavage in human keratinocytes, and that sera from pemphigus patients contain abnormally increased levels of FasL. Here, we demonstrate that recombinant FasL induces the activation of caspases prior to Dsg degradation, and anti-FasL Ab prevents acantholysis in cultured keratinocytes. Moreover, the silencing of FasL reduces PVIgG-induced caspase-8 activation and Dsg3 cleavage. Following injection of PVIgG into mice, FasL is upregulated at 1-3 h and is followed by caspase-8-mediated keratinocyte apoptosis, before blister formation. The administration of anti-FasL Ab after PVIgG injection blocks blister formation in mice. Furthermore, we injected PVIgG into two different gene-targeted mutant mice that selectively lack either secreted soluble FasL (sFasL), FasLΔs/Δs mice, or the membrane-bound form of FasL (mFasL), FasLΔm/Δm mice. After PVIgG treatment, blisters are only visible in FasLΔm/Δm animals, lacking mFasL, but still producing sFasL, similar to wild-type (C57BL/6) animals. By contrast, a significant decrease in the relative acantholytic area is observed in the FasLΔs/Δs animals. These results demonstrate that soluble FasL plays a crucial role in the mechanisms of blister formation, and blockade of FasL could be an effective therapeutic approach for pemphigus.
Assuntos
Vesícula/patologia , Desmogleínas/metabolismo , Proteína Ligante Fas/metabolismo , Queratinócitos/fisiologia , Pênfigo/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Bloqueadores/farmacologia , Autoanticorpos/metabolismo , Vesícula/metabolismo , Caspase 8/metabolismo , Adesão Celular , Células Cultivadas , Desmogleínas/imunologia , Proteína Ligante Fas/genética , Humanos , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Transgênicos , Transgenes/genéticaRESUMO
Skin cancer, which includes melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, represents the most common type of cutaneous malignancy worldwide, and its incidence is expected to rise in the near future. This condition derives from acquired genetic dysregulation of signaling pathways involved in the proliferation and apoptosis of skin cells. The development of animal models has allowed a better understanding of these pathomechanisms, with the possibility of carrying out toxicological screening and drug development. In particular, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been established as one of the most important model organisms for cancer research. This model is particularly suitable for live cell imaging and high-throughput drug screening in a large-scale fashion. Thanks to the recent advances in genome editing, such as the clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) methodologies, the mechanisms associated with cancer development and progression, as well as drug resistance can be investigated and comprehended. With these unique tools, the zebrafish represents a powerful platform for skin cancer research in the development of target therapies. Here, we will review the advantages of using the zebrafish model for drug discovery and toxicological and phenotypical screening. We will focus in detail on the most recent progress in the field of zebrafish model generation for the study of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), including cancer cell injection and transgenic animal development. Moreover, we will report the latest compounds and small molecules under investigation in melanoma zebrafish models.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/tratamento farmacológico , Peixe-Zebra/fisiologia , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Descoberta de Drogas , HumanosRESUMO
Epidermal homeostasis relies on a well-defined transcriptional control of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, which is critical to prevent skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or cancer. We have recently shown that the homeobox transcription factor DLX3 and the tumor suppressor p53 co-regulate cell cycle-related signaling and that this mechanism is functionally involved in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma development. Here we show that DLX3 expression and its downstream signaling depend on protein kinase C α (PKCα) activity in skin. We found that following 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) topical treatment, DLX3 expression is significantly upregulated in the epidermis and keratinocytes from mice overexpressing PKCα by transgenic targeting (K5-PKCα), resulting in cell cycle block and terminal differentiation. Epidermis lacking DLX3 (DLX3cKO), which is linked to the development of a DLX3-dependent epidermal hyperplasia with hyperkeratosis and dermal leukocyte recruitment, displays enhanced PKCα activation, suggesting a feedback regulation of DLX3 and PKCα. Of particular significance, transcriptional activation of epidermal barrier, antimicrobial peptide and cytokine genes is significantly increased in DLX3cKO skin and further increased by TPA-dependent PKC activation. Furthermore, when inhibiting PKC activity, we show that epidermal thickness, keratinocyte proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration are reduced and the PKC-DLX3-dependent gene expression signature is normalized. Independently of PKC, DLX3 expression specifically modulates regulatory networks such as Wnt signaling, phosphatase activity and cell adhesion. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis of primary suprabasal keratinocytes showed binding of DLX3 to the proximal promoter regions of genes associated with cell cycle regulation, and of structural proteins and transcription factors involved in epidermal differentiation. These results indicate that Dlx3 potentially regulates a set of crucial genes necessary during the epidermal differentiation process. Altogether, we demonstrate the existence of a robust DLX3-PKCα signaling pathway in keratinocytes that is crucial to epidermal differentiation control and cutaneous homeostasis.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Homeodomínio/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase C-alfa/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismo , Animais , Peptídeos Catiônicos Antimicrobianos/metabolismo , Cálcio/farmacologia , Adesão Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Diferenciação Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Quimiocinas/metabolismo , Citocinas/metabolismo , Epiderme/patologia , Epiderme/fisiologia , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/genética , Humanos , Hiperplasia , Indóis/farmacologia , Queratinócitos/citologia , Queratinócitos/metabolismo , Leucócitos/citologia , Leucócitos/imunologia , Maleimidas/farmacologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Transgênicos , Proteína Quinase C-alfa/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteína Quinase C-alfa/genética , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Acetato de Tetradecanoilforbol/análogos & derivados , Acetato de Tetradecanoilforbol/farmacologia , Fatores de Transcrição/genéticaRESUMO
CD271 is a neurotrophin receptor variably expressed in melanoma. Although contradictory data are reported on its role as a marker of tumor-initiating cells, little is known about its function in tumor progression. CD271 expression was higher in spheroids derived from freshly isolated cells of primary melanomas and in primary WM115 and WM793-B cell lines, and it decreased during progression to advanced stages in cells isolated from metastatic melanomas and in metastatic WM266-4 and 1205Lu cell lines. Moreover, CD271 was scarcely detected in the highly invasive spheroids (SKMEL28 and 1205Lu). CD271, originally expressed in the epidermis of skin reconstructs, disappeared when melanoma started to invade the dermis. SKMEL8 CD271(-) cells showed greater proliferation and invasiveness in vitro and were associated with a higher number of metastases in zebrafish compared with CD271(+) cells. CD271 silencing in WM115 induced a more aggressive phenotype in vitro and in vivo. On the contrary, CD271 overexpression in SKMEL28 cells reduced invasion in vitro, and CD271 overexpressing 1205Lu cells was associated with a lower percentage of metastases in zebrafish. A reduced cell-cell adhesion was also observed in the absence of CD271. Taken together, these results indicate that CD271 loss is critical for melanoma progression and metastasis.
Assuntos
Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/genética , Melanoma/patologia , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/genética , Receptores de Fator de Crescimento Neural/genética , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , Animais , Adesão Celular , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Progressão da Doença , Regulação para Baixo , Inativação Gênica , Humanos , Melanoma/genética , Invasividade Neoplásica , Metástase Neoplásica , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genética , Peixe-ZebraRESUMO
Squamous Cell Carcinoma-derived Stem-like Cells (SCC-SC) originate from alterations in keratinocyte stem cells (KSC) gene expression and sustain tumor development, invasion and recurrence. Since survivin, a KSC marker, is highly expressed in SCC-SC, we evaluate its role in SCC-SC cell growth and SCC models. Survivin silencing by siRNA decreases clonal growth of SCC keratinocytes and viability of total, rapidly adhering (RAD) and non-RAD (NRAD) cells from primary SCC. Similarly, survivin silencing reduces the expression of stem cell markers (OCT4, NOTCH1, CD133, ß1-integrin), while it increases the level of differentiation markers (K10, involucrin). Moreover, survivin silencing improves the malignant phenotype of SCC 3D-reconstruct, as demonstrated by reduced epidermal thickness, lower Ki-67 positive cell number, and decreased expression of MMP9 and psoriasin. Furthermore, survivin depletion by siRNA in Ras(G12V)-IκBα-derived tumors leads to smaller tumor formation characterized by lower mitotic index and reduced expression of the tumor-associated marker HIF1α, VEGF and CD51. Therefore, our results indicate survivin as a key gene in regulating SCC cancer stem cell formation and cSCC development.
Assuntos
Carcinogênese/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/genética , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose/genética , Queratinócitos/metabolismo , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genética , Antígeno AC133 , Animais , Antígenos CD/genética , Antígenos CD/metabolismo , Carcinogênese/metabolismo , Carcinogênese/patologia , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/metabolismo , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patologia , Técnicas de Cultura de Células , Proliferação de Células , Sobrevivência Celular , Glicoproteínas/genética , Glicoproteínas/metabolismo , Humanos , Subunidade alfa do Fator 1 Induzível por Hipóxia/genética , Subunidade alfa do Fator 1 Induzível por Hipóxia/metabolismo , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose/metabolismo , Integrina alfaV/genética , Integrina alfaV/metabolismo , Integrina beta1/genética , Integrina beta1/metabolismo , Queratinócitos/patologia , Camundongos , Camundongos SCID , Transplante de Neoplasias , Células-Tronco Neoplásicas/patologia , Fator 3 de Transcrição de Octâmero/genética , Fator 3 de Transcrição de Octâmero/metabolismo , Peptídeos/genética , Peptídeos/metabolismo , Cultura Primária de Células , RNA Interferente Pequeno/genética , RNA Interferente Pequeno/metabolismo , Receptor Notch1/genética , Receptor Notch1/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Neoplasias Cutâneas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , Survivina , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/genética , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismoRESUMO
The Notch signaling pathway orchestrates cell fate by either inducing cell differentiation or maintaining cells in an undifferentiated state. This study aims to evaluate Notch expression and function in normal human keratinocytes. Notch1 is expressed in all epidermal layers, though to a different degree of intensity, with a dramatic decrease during ageing. Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD) levels are decreased during transit from keratinocyte stem cells (KSC) to transit amplifying (TA) cells, mimicking survivin expression in samples from donors of all ages. Calcium markedly reduces N1ICD levels in keratinocytes. N1ICD overexpression induces the up-regulation of survivin and the down-regulation of keratin 10 and involucrin, while increasing the S phase of the cell cycle. On the other hand, Notch1 inhibition (DAPT) dose-dependently decreases survivin, stimulates differentiation, and reduces keratinocyte proliferation in samples from donors of all ages. Silencing Notch downgrades survivin and increases keratin 10. In addition, Notch1 inhibition decreases survivin levels and proliferation both in KSC and TA cells. Finally, while survivin overexpression decreases keratinocyte differentiation and increases N1ICD expression both in KSC and TA cells, silencing survivin results in N1ICD down-regulation and an increase in differentiation markers. These results suggest that the Notch1/survivin crosstalk contributes to the maintenance of stemness in human keratinocytes.
Assuntos
Autorrenovação Celular , Senescência Celular , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose/metabolismo , Queratinócitos/metabolismo , Receptores Notch/metabolismo , Células-Tronco/metabolismo , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Cálcio/metabolismo , Proliferação de Células , Senescência Celular/genética , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ligação Proteica , Receptor Notch1/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Survivina , Adulto JovemRESUMO
CD271 is the low-affinity neurotrophin (p75NTR) receptor that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. Because in human epidermis, CD271 is predominantly expressed in transit-amplifying (TA) cells, we evaluated the role of this receptor in keratinocyte differentiation and in the transition from keratinocyte stem cells (KSCs) to progeny. Calcium induced an upregulation of CD271 in subconfluent keratinocytes, which was prevented by CD271 small interfering RNA. Furthermore, CD271 overexpression provoked the switch of KSCs to TA cells, whereas silencing CD271 induced TA cells to revert to a KSC phenotype, as shown by the expression of ß1-integrin and by the increased clonogenic ability. CD271(+) keratinocytes sorted from freshly isolated TA cells expressed more survivin and keratin 15 (K15) compared with CD271(-) cells and displayed a higher proliferative capacity. Early differentiation markers and K15 were more expressed in the skin equivalent generated from CD271(+) TA than from those derived from CD271(-) TA cells. By contrast, late differentiation markers were more expressed in skin equivalents from CD271(-) than in reconstructs from CD271(+) TA cells. Finally, skin equivalents originated from CD271(-) TA cells displayed a psoriatic phenotype. These results indicate that CD271 is critical for keratinocyte differentiation and regulates the transition from KSCs to TA cells.