International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 3087 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biphasic α2β1 Integrin Expression in Breast Cancer Metastasis to Bone

by Milene N.O. Moritz, Alyssa R. Merkel, Ean G. Feldman, Heloisa S. Selistre-de-Araujo and Julie A. Rhoades (Sterling)

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(13), 6906; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22136906 - 27 Jun 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2855

Abstract

Integrins participate in the pathogenesis and progression of tumors at many stages during the metastatic cascade. However, current evidence for the role of integrins in breast cancer progression is contradictory and seems to be dependent on tumor stage, differentiation status, and microenvironmental influences. [...] Read more.

Integrins participate in the pathogenesis and progression of tumors at many stages during the metastatic cascade. However, current evidence for the role of integrins in breast cancer progression is contradictory and seems to be dependent on tumor stage, differentiation status, and microenvironmental influences. While some studies suggest that loss of α2β1 enhances cancer metastasis, other studies suggest that this integrin is pro-tumorigenic. However, few studies have looked at α2β1 in the context of bone metastasis. In this study, we aimed to understand the role of α2β1 integrin in breast cancer metastasis to bone. To address this, we utilized in vivo models of breast cancer metastasis to bone using MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with an α2 expression plasmid (MDA-OEα2). MDA cells overexpressing the α2 integrin subunit had increased primary tumor growth and dissemination to bone but had no change in tumor establishment and bone destruction. Further in vitro analysis revealed that tumors in the bone have decreased α2β1 expression and increased osteolytic signaling compared to primary tumors. Taken together, these data suggest an inverse correlation between α2β1 expression and bone-metastatic potential. Inhibiting α2β1 expression may be beneficial to limit the expansion of primary tumors but could be harmful once tumors have established in bone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attacking Cancer Progression and Metastasis 2.0)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inhalational Anesthetics Inhibit Neuroglioma Cell Proliferation and Migration via miR-138, -210 and -335

by Masashi Ishikawa, Masae Iwasaki, Hailin Zhao, Junichi Saito, Cong Hu, Qizhe Sun, Atsuhiro Sakamoto and Daqing Ma

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(9), 4355; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22094355 - 21 Apr 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2430

Abstract

Inhalational anesthetics was previously reported to suppress glioma cell malignancy but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aims to investigate the effects of sevoflurane and desflurane on glioma cell malignancy changes via microRNA (miRNA) modulation. The cultured H4 cells were exposed to [...] Read more.

Inhalational anesthetics was previously reported to suppress glioma cell malignancy but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aims to investigate the effects of sevoflurane and desflurane on glioma cell malignancy changes via microRNA (miRNA) modulation. The cultured H4 cells were exposed to 3.6% sevoflurane or 10.3% desflurane for 2 h. The miR-138, -210 and -335 expression were determined with qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed with wound healing assay, Ki67 staining and cell count kit 8 (CCK8) assay with/without miR-138/-210/-335 inhibitor transfections. The miRNA downstream proteins, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), were also determined with immunofluorescent staining. Sevoflurane and desflurane exposure to glioma cells inhibited their proliferation and migration. Sevoflurane exposure increased miR-210 expression whereas desflurane exposure upregulated both miR-138 and miR-335 expressions. The administration of inhibitor of miR-138, -210 or -335 inhibited the suppressing effects of sevoflurane or desflurane on cell proliferation and migration, in line with the HIF-1α and MMP9 expression changes. These data indicated that inhalational anesthetics, sevoflurane and desflurane, inhibited glioma cell malignancy via miRNAs upregulation and their downstream effectors, HIF-1α and MMP9, downregulation. The implication of the current study warrants further study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attacking Cancer Progression and Metastasis 2.0)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

AQP3 Increases Intercellular Cohesion in NSCLC A549 Cell Spheroids through Exploratory Cell Protrusions

by Sol Min, Chungyoul Choe and Sangho Roh

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(8), 4287; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22084287 - 20 Apr 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3488

Abstract

Tumor cell aggregation is critical for cell survival following the loss of extracellular matrix attachment and dissemination. However, the underlying mechanotransduction of clustering solitary tumor cells is poorly understood, especially in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Here, we examined whether cell surface protrusions [...] Read more.

Tumor cell aggregation is critical for cell survival following the loss of extracellular matrix attachment and dissemination. However, the underlying mechanotransduction of clustering solitary tumor cells is poorly understood, especially in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Here, we examined whether cell surface protrusions played an important role in facilitating the physical contact between floating cells detached from a substrate. We employed poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-based 3D culture methods to mimic in vivo tumor cell cluster formation. The suprastructural analysis of human NSCLC A549 cell spheroids showed that finger-like protrusions clung together via the actin cytoskeleton. Time-lapse holotomography demonstrated that the finger-like protrusions of free-floating cells in 3D culture displayed exploratory coalescence. Global gene expression analysis demonstrated that the genes in the organic hydroxyl transport were particularly enriched in the A549 cell spheroids. Particularly, the knockdown of the water channel aquaporin 3 gene (AQP3) impaired multicellular aggregate formation in 3D culture through the rearrangement of the actomyosin cytoskeleton. Moreover, the cells with reduced levels of AQP3 decreased their transmigration. Overall, these data indicate that cell detachment-upregulated AQP3 contributes to cell surface protrusions through actomyosin cytoskeleton remodeling, causing the aggressive aggregation of free-floating cells dependent on the property of the substratum and collective metastasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attacking Cancer Progression and Metastasis 2.0)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Skp2 and Slug Are Coexpressed in Aggressive Prostate Cancer and Inhibited by Neddylation Blockade

by Alena Mickova, Gvantsa Kharaishvili, Daniela Kurfurstova, Mariam Gachechiladze, Milan Kral, Ondrej Vacek, Barbora Pokryvkova, Martin Mistrik, Karel Soucek and Jan Bouchal

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(6), 2844; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22062844 - 11 Mar 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3252

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in Western countries, and there is still an urgent need for a better understanding of PCa progression to inspire new treatment strategies. Skp2 is a substrate-recruiting component of the E3 [...] Read more.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in Western countries, and there is still an urgent need for a better understanding of PCa progression to inspire new treatment strategies. Skp2 is a substrate-recruiting component of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, whose activity is regulated through neddylation. Slug is a transcriptional repressor involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which may contribute to therapy resistance. Although Skp2 has previously been associated with a mesenchymal phenotype and prostate cancer progression, the relationship with Slug deserves further elucidation. We have previously shown that a high Gleason score (≥8) is associated with higher Skp2 and lower E-cadherin expression. In this study, significantly increased expression of Skp2, AR, and Slug, along with E-cadherin downregulation, was observed in primary prostate cancer in patients who already had lymph node metastases. Skp2 was slightly correlated with Slug and AR in the whole cohort (Rs 0.32 and 0.37, respectively), which was enhanced for both proteins in patients with high Gleason scores (Rs 0.56 and 0.53, respectively) and, in the case of Slug, also in patients with metastasis to lymph nodes (Rs 0.56). Coexpression of Skp2 and Slug was confirmed in prostate cancer tissues by multiplex immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. The same relationship between these two proteins was observed in three sets of prostate epithelial cell lines (PC3, DU145, and E2) and their mesenchymal counterparts. Chemical inhibition of Skp2, but not RNA interference, modestly decreased Slug protein in PC3 and its docetaxel-resistant subline PC3 DR12. Importantly, chemical inhibition of Skp2 by MLN4924 upregulated p27 and decreased Slug expression in PC3, PC3 DR12, and LAPC4 cells. Novel treatment strategies targeting Skp2 and Slug by the neddylation blockade may be promising in advanced prostate cancer, as recently documented for other aggressive solid tumors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attacking Cancer Progression and Metastasis 2.0)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Chemokine Receptor CCR3 Is Potentially Involved in the Homing of Prostate Cancer Cells to Bone: Implication of Bone-Marrow Adipocytes

by Adrien Guérard, Victor Laurent, Gaëlle Fromont, David Estève, Julia Gilhodes, Edith Bonnelye, Sophie Le Gonidec, Philippe Valet, Bernard Malavaud, Nicolas Reina, Camille Attané and Catherine Muller

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(4), 1994; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041994 - 17 Feb 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3284

Abstract

Bone metastasis remains the most frequent and the deadliest complication of prostate cancer (PCa). Mechanisms leading to the homing of tumor cells to bone remain poorly characterized. Role of chemokines in providing navigational cues to migrating cancer cells bearing specific receptors is well [...] Read more.

Bone metastasis remains the most frequent and the deadliest complication of prostate cancer (PCa). Mechanisms leading to the homing of tumor cells to bone remain poorly characterized. Role of chemokines in providing navigational cues to migrating cancer cells bearing specific receptors is well established. Bone is an adipocyte-rich organ since 50 to 70% of the adult bone marrow (BM) volume comprise bone marrow adipocytes (BM-Ads), which are likely to produce chemokines within the bone microenvironment. Using in vitro migration assays, we demonstrated that soluble factors released by human primary BM-Ads are able to support the directed migration of PCa cells in a CCR3-dependent manner. In addition, we showed that CCL7, a chemokine previously involved in the CCR3-dependent migration of PCa cells outside of the prostate gland, is released by human BM-Ads. These effects are amplified by obesity and ageing, two clinical conditions known to promote aggressive and metastatic PCa. In human tumors, we found an enrichment of CCR3 in bone metastasis vs. primary tumors at mRNA levels using Oncomine microarray database. In addition, immunohistochemistry experiments demonstrated overexpression of CCR3 in bone versus visceral metastases. These results underline the potential importance of BM-Ads in the bone metastatic process and imply a CCR3/CCL7 axis whose pharmacological interest needs to be evaluated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attacking Cancer Progression and Metastasis 2.0)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2053 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sevoflurane and Desflurane Exposure Enhanced Cell Proliferation and Migration in Ovarian Cancer Cells via miR-210 and miR-138 Downregulation

by Masashi Ishikawa, Masae Iwasaki, Hailin Zhao, Junichi Saito, Cong Hu, Qizhe Sun, Atsuhiro Sakamoto and Daqing Ma

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(4), 1826; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041826 - 12 Feb 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2752

Abstract

Inhalational anaesthetics were previously reported to promote ovarian cancer malignancy, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aims to investigate the role of sevoflurane- or desflurane-induced microRNA (miRNA) changes on ovarian cancer cell behaviour. The cultured SKOV3 cells were exposed to 3.6% [...] Read more.

Inhalational anaesthetics were previously reported to promote ovarian cancer malignancy, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aims to investigate the role of sevoflurane- or desflurane-induced microRNA (miRNA) changes on ovarian cancer cell behaviour. The cultured SKOV3 cells were exposed to 3.6% sevoflurane or 10.3% desflurane for 2 h. Expression of miR-138, -210 and -335 was determined with qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed with wound healing assay, Ki67 staining and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay with or without mimic miR-138/-210 transfections. The miRNA downstream effector, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), was also analysed with immunofluorescent staining. Sevoflurane or desflurane exposure to cancer cells enhanced their proliferation and migration. miR-138 expression was suppressed by both sevoflurane and desflurane, while miR-210 expression was suppressed only by sevoflurane. miR-335 expression was not changed by either sevoflurane or desflurane exposure. The administration of mimic miR-138 or -210 reduced the promoting effects of sevoflurane and desflurane on cancer cell proliferation and migration, in line with the HIF-1α expression changes. These data indicated that inhalational agents sevoflurane and desflurane enhanced ovarian cancer cell malignancy via miRNA deactivation and HIF-1α. The translational value of this work needs further study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attacking Cancer Progression and Metastasis 2.0)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 4323 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increased Stromal Infiltrating Lymphocytes Are Associated with the Risk of Disease Progression in Mesenchymal Circulating Tumor Cell-Positive Primary Breast Cancer Patients

by Bozena Smolkova, Zuzana Cierna, Katarina Kalavska, Svetlana Miklikova, Jana Plava, Gabriel Minarik, Tatiana Sedlackova, Dana Cholujova, Paulina Gronesova, Marina Cihova, Karolina Majerova, Marian Karaba, Juraj Benca, Daniel Pindak, Jozef Mardiak and Michal Mego

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(24), 9460; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21249460 - 12 Dec 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2455

Abstract

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and the immune infiltration of tumors are closely related to clinical outcomes. This study aimed to verify the influence of stromal lymphocyte infiltration and the immune context of tumor microenvironment on the hematogenous spread and prognosis of 282 chemotherapy [...] Read more.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and the immune infiltration of tumors are closely related to clinical outcomes. This study aimed to verify the influence of stromal lymphocyte infiltration and the immune context of tumor microenvironment on the hematogenous spread and prognosis of 282 chemotherapy naïve primary BC patients. To detect the presence of mesenchymal CTCs, RNA extracted from CD45-depleted peripheral blood was interrogated for the expression of mesenchymal gene transcripts. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were detected in the stromal areas by immunohistochemistry, using CD3, CD8, and CD45RO antibodies. The concentrations of 51 plasma cytokines were measured by multiplex bead arrays. TILs infiltration in mesenchymal CTC-positive patients significantly decreased their progression-free survival (HR = 4.88, 95% CI 2.30–10.37, p < 0.001 for CD3^high; HR = 6.17, 95% CI 2.75–13.80, p < 0.001 for CD8^high; HR = 6.93, 95% CI 2.86–16.81, p < 0.001 for CD45RO^high). Moreover, the combination of elevated plasma concentrations of transforming growth factor beta-3 (cut-off 662 pg/mL), decreased monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (cut-off 52.5 pg/mL) and interleukin-15 (cut-off 17.1 pg/mL) significantly increased the risk of disease recurrence (HR = 4.838, 95% CI 2.048–11.427, p < 0.001). Our results suggest a strong impact of the immune tumor microenvironment on BC progression, especially through influencing the dissemination and survival of more aggressive, mesenchymal CTC subtypes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attacking Cancer Progression and Metastasis 2.0)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

29 pages, 2457 KiB

Open AccessReview

Heterogeneity of Colorectal Cancer Progression: Molecular Gas and Brakes

by Federica Gaiani, Federica Marchesi, Francesca Negri, Luana Greco, Alberto Malesci, Gian Luigi de’Angelis and Luigi Laghi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(10), 5246; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22105246 - 15 May 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4269

Abstract

The review begins with molecular genetics, which hit the field unveiling the involvement of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) and uncovering genetic predispositions. Then the notion of molecular phenotypes with different clinical behaviors was introduced and [...] Read more.

The review begins with molecular genetics, which hit the field unveiling the involvement of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) and uncovering genetic predispositions. Then the notion of molecular phenotypes with different clinical behaviors was introduced and translated in the clinical arena, paving the way to next-generation sequencing that captured previously unrecognized heterogeneity. Among other molecular regulators of CRC progression, the extent of host immune response within the tumor micro-environment has a critical position. Translational sciences deeply investigated the field, accelerating the pace toward clinical transition, due to its strong association with outcomes. While the perturbation of gut homeostasis occurring in inflammatory bowel diseases can fuel carcinogenesis, micronutrients like vitamin D and calcium can act as brakes, and we discuss underlying molecular mechanisms. Among the components of gut microbiota, Fusobacterium nucleatum is over-represented in CRC, and may worsen patient outcome. However, any translational knowledge tracing the multifaceted evolution of CRC should be interpreted according to the prognostic and predictive frame of the TNM-staging system in a perspective of clinical actionability. Eventually, we examine challenges and promises of pharmacological interventions aimed to restrain disease progression at different disease stages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Attacking Cancer Progression and Metastasis 2.0)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Attacking Cancer Progression and Metastasis 2.0

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Related Special Issues

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI