Proto-oncogene ACTR/AIB1 promotes cancer cell invasion by up-regulating specific matrix metalloproteinase expression

Overexpression of ACTR/AIB1 is frequently found in different cancers with distant metastasis. To address its possible involvement in tumor metastasis, we performed invasion assays to examine the effect of ACTR alteration on the invasiveness of breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 or T-47D) and found that high levels of ACTR are required for their strong invasiveness. Molecular analysis indicates that ACTR functions as a coactivator of AP-1 to up-regulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases such as MMP-7 and MMP-10 and reduce cell adhesion to specific extracellular matrix proteins. These novel findings provide a mechanistic link between ACTR and MMPs, and suggest that ACTR may also play an important role in cancer progression by facilitating tumor invasion.     

Proteolysis in human breast and colorectal cancer.

Proteolysis occurs when proteinase activity exceeds inhibitor activity. Proteolysis is normally tightly regulated and is involved in cancer invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study was to compare proteolysis in breast and colorectal cancer. Proteinase and inhibitor expression were analysed in paired tumour and normal tissue samples from 43 breast and 24 colorectal cancer patients using substrate zymography, Western blotting and quenched fluorescence substrate hydrolysis. The expression of the latent forms of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-3 and MMP-9, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2 expression were observed in both tumour and normal tissue samples from breast and colorectal tissue; however, expression was greater in the tumour tissue. Expression of active MMP-2 and MMP-9 and the total MMP activity were greater in tumour compared to normal samples in both tissues (P < 0.05). The expression of all proteinases and total MMP activity was greater in colorectal tissue than breast tissue samples. Breast and colorectal cancer demonstrated different proteinase profiles, however proteolysis in both tissues was greater in tumour tissue than normal tissue.     

Induction of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-1 and MMP-2 by co-culture of breast cancer cells and bone marrow fibroblasts

Two invasive breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and BT-549) were found to be more adherent and have greater migratory capacity on bone marrow fibroblasts than three non-invasive cell lines (MCF-7, T47D and BT-483). Antibodies to the adhesion molecules CD44, E-cadherin, ICAM-1, and integrin chains 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, v, 1, 3 and 7 failed to inhibit breast cancer cell migration through bone marrow fibroblasts. Inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases, 1, 10-phenanthroline, Ro-9790, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were able to attenuate the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells through bone marrow fibroblast monolayers suggesting a role for these enzymes in the migration of breast cancer cells through bone marrow adherent layers. Co-culture of MDA-MB-231 cells and bone marrow fibroblasts resulted in augmentation of the levels of the matrix metalloproteases MMP-1 and MMP-2 in culture supernatants. Soluble factors produced by bone marrow fibroblasts were responsible for the increase in MMP-1 levels. However, maximal MMP-2 production was dependent on direct contract between the breast cancer cells and the bone marrow fibroblasts. Modulation of MMP production by cell–cell contact or soluble factors suggests a mechanism by which breast cancer cells can enhance their ability to invade the bone marrow microenvironment.     

Adenovirus-mediated expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in bone inhibits osteolytic degradation by human prostate cancer

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that play critical roles in the pathogenesis of human cancers. Clinical trials using synthetic small molecule MMP inhibitors have been carried out but with little success. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are endogenous inhibitors that block the extracellular matrix-degrading activity of MMPs. Here, we investigated the possibilities of genetically modifying human bones with TIMPs to create a high-TIMP bone microenvironment, which is hostile to metastatic prostate cancer cells using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer technology and SCID-hu end-organ colonization mouse model. Two strategies were used to achieve bone-specific TIMP expression: (i) ex vivo bone adenoviral infection followed by in vivo bone implantation; and (ii) ex vivo BMS cell infection followed by injection into in vivo implanted human fetal bones. PC-3 prostate cancer cells were injected into human fetal bones 4 weeks after implantation in SCID mice. In vitro, adenovirus-mediated expression of TIMP-1 or TIMP-2 in bone fragments inhibited MMP-2 activity, bone turnover and prostate cancer cell-induced proteolytic degradation as determined by gelatin zymography, calcium measurement and DQ protein quenched fluorescence assay, respectively. In vivo, immunohistochemistry confirmed TIMP-2 expression in AdTIMP-2-infected bone implants 4 weeks after implantation in SCID mice. Mice receiving AdTIMP-treated bone fragments showed significantly reduced PC-3-induced osteolysis, osteoclast recruitment and bone turnover in the implanted bones. We propose that adenoviral gene transfer of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 can prevent the proteolytic activity of prostate cancer cells in bone and that enhancing anti-proteolytic defense mechanisms in target organs represents a promising form of prostate cancer gene therapy.     

Upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in breast cancer xenografts: a major induction of stromal MMP-13

In human breast cancer (HBC), as with many carcinoma systems, most matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are largely expressed by the stromal cells, whereas the tumour cells are relatively silent in MMP expression. To determine the tissue source of the most relevant MMPs, we xenografted HBC cell lines and HBC tissues into the mammary fat pad (MFP) or bone of immunocompromised mice and measured the expression of human and mouse MMP-2, -9, -11, -13, membrane-type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP), MT2-MMP and MT3-MMP by species-specific real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Our data confirm a stromal origin for most tumour-associated MMPs and indicate marked and consistent upregulation of stromal (mouse) MMP-13 and MT1-MMP in all xenografts studied, irrespective of implantation in the MFP or bone environments. In addition, we show increased expression of both human MMP-13 and human MT1-MMP by the MDA-MB-231 tumour cells grown in the MFP compared to in vitro production. MMP protein and activity data confirm the upregulation of MMP mRNA production and indicate an increase in the activated MMP-2 species as a result of tumour implantation. These data directly demonstrate tumour induction of MMP production by stromal cells in both the MFP and bone environments. These xenografts are a valuable means for examining in vivo production of MMPs and suggest that MMP-13 and MT1-MMP will be relevant targets for inhibiting breast cancer progression.     

Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs): the beginning of phase I or the termination of phase III clinical trials

The decade of the 1990s was ripe with enthusiasm for the use of MMPIs to treat cancer. Limitations to new cytotoxic chemotherapy approaches to treat solid cancers and a better understanding of tumor biology provided a strong impetus for alternative drug development. It is estimated that the pharmaceutical industry invested at least a billion dollars in this effort. Because MMPIs represent an entirely different therapeutic modality from proven anti-cancer agents, many of the therapeutic trials designed to test MMPIs in human patients with cancer bypassed traditional approaches to evaluate drug efficiency. The concept of systematic progression from small phase I (dose escalation to toxicity to examine drug safety), to phase II (drug treatment of patients with cancer types considered to be good candidates for the selected drug), to phase III (randomized trial of new drug versus best available therapy to determine drug efficacy) trials was modified. Much to the chagrin of everyone involved in these studies, the randomized trials of MMPIs in advanced cancer have, pretty much, flopped. This review article will attempt to dissect out aspects of previous human and animal studies that may be helpful in making decisions about the future of MMPI drug development for the treatment of cancer. The important questions to be addressed in this report are: What are the lessons that we have learned from preclinical (animal models) and clinical studies of MMPIs in cancer? Are we ready to abandon MMPIs as a therapeutic modality in cancer (termination of phase III trials) or do we need to have a better understanding of the myriad effects of MMPs in cancer before we proceed to develop different types of drugs that alter MMP activity in patients with cancer (beginning of new phase I trials)?     

宫颈癌组织中MMP-9和CD44V6表达与癌细胞增殖及侵袭转移的关系

目的:探讨MMP-9和CD44V6在宫颈癌中的表达及其临床意义。方法:采用免疫组织化学SP法检测75例宫颈癌(ICC)、18例宫颈上皮内瘤样病变(CIN)和15例正常宫颈上皮(NCE)中MMP-9和CD44V6的表达情况,并检测癌细胞增殖标记指数(Ki-67标记)。结果:MMP-9在NCE、CIN和ICC组织中表达阳性率分别为20·00%、55·56%和81·33%;CD44V6分别为20·00%、55·56%和69·33%;Ki-67分别为13·33%、72·22%和96·00%。宫颈癌伴有盆腔淋巴结转移、脉管浸润、突破深肌层间质浸润、FIGO分期为Ⅱ期、组织学分级为Ⅲ级及Ki-67高度表达者,其MMP-9阳性率分别高于无盆腔淋巴结转移、无脉管浸润、未突破深肌层间质浸润、FIGO分期为Ⅰ期、组织学分级在Ⅱ级以内及Ki-67表达在中度以内者。CD44V6在宫颈癌中表达与盆腔淋巴结转移、脉管浸润、组织学类型及Ki-67表达有关,P均<0·05。宫颈癌伴有盆腔淋巴结转移、脉管浸润、组织学类型为鳞癌及Ki-67高度表达者,其CD44V6阳性率分别高于无盆腔淋巴结转移、无脉管浸润、组织学类型为腺癌及Ki-67表达在中度以内者。MMP-9和CD44V6在宫颈癌中表达无显著相关性,r=-0·063,P=0·591。但两者均阳性表达者,其Ki-67高度表达、盆腔淋巴结转移、突破深肌层间质浸润和脉管浸润的发生率显著高于两者均阴性及两者之一为阳性者。结论:宫颈癌MMP-9及CD44V6表达可能在癌细胞增殖和侵袭转移中起重要作用,两者均过度表达其癌细胞增殖活跃,且更易发生侵袭转移。     

MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity is regulated by estradiol and tamoxifen in cultured human breast cancer cells

Sex steroids play a dominant role in breast carcinogenesis by still largely unknown mechanisms. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been extensively studied in the context of matrix biology but it is not known if sex steroids affect MMPs in breast cancer. MMPs degrade extracellular matrix components enabling tumor cell invasion and metastasis, but may also regulate the bioavailability of a variety of biologically active molecules such as anti-angiogenic fragments, which may be beneficial for the host. This study shows that estradiol and tamoxifen regulate MMP-2 and MMP-9 as well as TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in ER + PR + human breast cancer cells. The main finding was a significant effect of tamoxifen exposure, which increased intracellular and secreted protein levels whereas estradiol induced a significant decrease. The overall net effect of these alterations resulted in increased MMP-2/MMP-9 activity by tamoxifen treatment, which also significantly increased extracellular endostatin levels. We conclude that estradiol and tamoxifen have the ability to modulate MMP-2/MMP-9 activity, and endostatin levels in human breast cancer in vitro. The results suggest a possible role of MMP modulation associated with a generation of anti-angiogenic fragments in the therapeutic effect of tamoxifen in breast cancer.     

Glycine-extended gastrin induces matrix metalloproteinase-1- and -3-mediated invasion of human colon cancer cells through type I collagen gel and Matrigel

The effects of glycine-extended gastrin (G-Gly) on the invasion by colon cancer cells through stromal extracellular matrix and the role of metalloproteinases (MMPs) in this invasion were investigated. We found that 10(-9)-10(-6) M G-Gly significantly increased the invasiveness of 2 human colon cancer cell lines, LoVo and HT-29, both expressing the G-Gly-specific binding site but little gastrin/CCK-B receptor (gastrin receptor). LoVo cells expressed MMP-1, -2, -3 and -9. An amount of 10(-7) M G-Gly enhanced collagenase MMP-1 expression. Overexpression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-fused MMP-1 in LoVo cells, by cDNA transfection, enhanced invasiveness through type I collagen gel. Immunofluorescence study revealed that G-Gly increased the number of cytoplasmic vesicles containing MMP-1, some vesicles being released from the cells. The MMP-1 vesicles contained one of the ubiquitous coat proteins, Golgi-localized, gamma-adaptin ear-containing, ARF-binding proteins-2 (GGA-2). MMP-1 also colocalized with CD147 (EMMPRIN, an extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer in adjacent stromal cells). It was suggested that G-Gly increased the number of vesicles containing MMP-1 and that MMP-1 interacted with CD147 to increase invasion. G-Gly significantly enhanced the production of MMP-3, an activator of MMP-1 and -9, as well as gelatinase MMP-9 activity. The G-Gly-mediated MMP-9 increase was inhibited by treatment with anti-MMP-3 IgG and MMP-3 siRNA. Furthermore, G-Gly increased the proMMP-2 level, although no activated MMP-2 was found in conditioned medium in either the presence or the absence of G-Gly. By contrast, gastrin (10(-7) M) had no effect on the levels of these MMPs or the invasiveness of colon cancer cells in type I collagen gel and Matrigel. These effects of G-Gly on the activity and expression of MMPs and the invasiveness of colon cancer cells were inhibited by treating the cells with a broad-spectrum metalloproteinase inhibitor (CGS27023A) and nonselective gastrin/CCK receptor antagonists (proglumide and benzotript). But a gastrin/CCK-B receptor antagonist (YM022) did not inhibit the increased invasion by G-Gly. Together, these results demonstrate that G-Gly renders colon cancer cells more invasive by increasing MMP-1 and MMP-3 expressions via the putative G-Gly receptor and would thus be a good molecular target in a clinical setting.     

Human bone marrow stromal cells enhance breast cancer cell growth rates in a cell line-dependent manner when evaluated in 3D tumor environments

Our understanding of the impact that fibroblasts have on cancer cell behavior in vivo has been limited by the complexities of in vivo tumor microenvironments, which contain many distinct cell populations that influence tumor growth and survival. Herein, we describe a novel, three-dimensional (3D), in vitro, fluorometric, Tumor Growth Assay (TGA) that allows for non-invasive measurements of cancer cell expansion in the presence of multiple tumor-associated cell types or soluble factors, while embedded in Cultrex or Matrigel Basement Membrane Extract (BME). Using this assay, we investigated the direct biological impact of primary human bone marrow stromal cells (hMSC) on the growth rates of a panel of metastatic breast cancer cell lines. Human MSC can be readily isolated from bone marrow, a principle site of breast cancer metastasis, and were found to significantly enhance the growth rate of MCF-7 (P-value<0.0001), an estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) positive breast cancer cell line, in a soluble factor-dependent manner. MSC paracrine factors also enhanced the growth of other ERalpha positive breast cancer cell lines including T47D, BT474, and ZR-75-1 (P-value<0.05). In contrast, the ERalpha negative cell line MDA-MB-231 was unaffected by hMSC and the growth rate of another ERalpha negative cell line MDA-MB-468 was elevated in the presence of hMSC, albeit to a lesser extent than MCF-7 or the other ERalpha positive cell lines tested.     

骨髓间充质干细胞源外泌体miR-21-5p 通过下调PHLPP2 促进前列腺癌PC-3 细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭

目的：探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell,BMSC）来源的外泌体对前列腺癌细胞PC-3 的增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响及其作用机制。方法：采用qPCR检测miR-21-5p 在前列腺癌细胞系中的表达水平。采用电子显微镜观察BMSC分离出的外泌体形态,Western blotting 检测外泌体表面标志物的表达以及上皮间质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT）相关蛋白E-cadherin、N-cadherin 和Vimentin 的表达。采用双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测miR-21-5p 和同源血小板富亮氨酸复重蛋白磷酸酶2（PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 2,PHLPP2）的靶向调控关系。向PC-3 细胞培养液中加入10 μl 的BMSC外泌体悬液（Exo 组）、转染sh-PHLPP2 或antagomiR,CCK-8 和Transwell 实验检测PC-3 细胞增殖和迁移能力。结果：miR-21-5p 在前列腺癌PC-3 细胞系中高表达。成功分离BMSC培养液上清中的外泌体,透射电子显微镜下观察到外泌体典型的囊泡状结构,且表达CD9、CD63 和CD81 等特异性蛋白。Exo组中PC-3 细胞的增殖、侵袭[ （421.34±22.45）vs（200.09±14.22）个,P<0.05]、迁移能力和N-cadherin、Vimentin和miR-21-5p的表达水平均显著高于对照组（均P<0.05）。证实PHLPP2 是miR-21-5p的靶基因。与对照组相比,Exo 组和sh-PHLPP2 组PC-3 细胞中PHLPP2 的表达明显降低（0.66±0.09、0.42±0.05 vs 1.09±0.08,均P<0.01）,细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移[ （87.23±12.67）%、（82.45±10.13）% vs（66.46±9.13）%]能力均显著提高（均P<0.01）,E-cadherin 表达水平显著降低而N-cadherin 和Vimentin 表达水平显著升高（均P<0.05）。结论：miR-21-5p 在前列腺癌PC-3 细胞系中高表达,BMSC外泌体miR-21-5p通过靶向下调PHLPP2提高PC-3 细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力。     

Bone marrow stromal deficiency in acute myeloid leukemia in mice

A study of bone marrow stroma in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in mice was carried out. AML was induced in C57B1 mice by i.v. inoculation of the C1498 cell line. There was a direct correlation between the marrow leukemic load and the degree of marrow stromal deficiency. This was expressed by reduced in vitro fibroblastoid colony formation. In co-cultures of normal mouse bone marrow and leukemic cells, and also in cultures of normal marrow with added conditioned medium (CM) of leukemic cells, marked inhibition of fibroblast-colony-forming units (CFU-F) from normal marrow was observed.

In additional experiments, leukemic mice were treated with two consecutive injections of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) (2 × 200mg/kg) and sacrificed 48 h later. Bone marrow samples of treated animals formed in vitro an increased number of fibroblastoid colonies despite relatively high levels of marrow leukemia. It is concluded that: (a) there is a direct correlation between the incidence of marrow leukemic cells and the degree of stromal deficiency; (b) leukemic cells produce in vitro—and probably in vivo CFU-F inhibitory factors and (c) administration of restricted doses of cytosine arabinoside to leukemic mice reduces the marrow leukemic cell content to some extent and increases the capacity of CFU-F to form fibroblastoid colonies in vitro.     

PAK5通过上皮-间质转化促进人乳腺癌细胞侵袭

目的:探讨p21活化激酶-5（p21-activated kinase 5,PAK5）蛋白对乳腺肿瘤细胞侵袭转移的作用机制。方法:观察PAK5过表达对乳腺癌细胞形态的影响,人乳腺肿瘤细胞MCF-7通过慢病毒感染稳定表达Flag-PAK5。然后提取感染细胞的总蛋白进行蛋白免疫印迹检测上皮-间质转化（EMT）标志物上皮-钙黏蛋白（E-cadherin）,纤维连接蛋白（Fibronectin）和波形蛋白（vimentin）的表达。最后通过Transwell实验检测过表达PAK5对乳腺癌细胞迁移和侵袭的影响。结果:过表达PAK5蛋白能够使细胞形态由鹅卵石样像梭形变化,下调E-cadherin蛋白,促进乳腺癌细胞迁移和侵袭。结论:PAK5可能参与调节乳腺肿瘤细胞发生上皮－间质转化,促进乳腺肿瘤侵袭转移的发生。     

GPRC5A facilitates cell proliferation through cell cycle regulation and correlates with bone metastasis in prostate cancer

The prognosis of patients with progressive prostate cancers that are hormone refractory and/or have bone metastasis is poor. Multiple therapeutic targets to improve prostate cancer patient survival have been investigated, including orphan GPCRs. In our study, we identified G Protein-Coupled Receptor Class C Group 5 Member A (GPRC5A) as a candidate therapeutic molecule using integrative gene expression analyses of registered data sets for prostate cancer cell lines. Kaplan–Meier analysis of TCGA data sets revealed that patients who have high GPRC5A expression had significantly shorter overall survival. PC3 prostate cancer cells with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated GPRC5A knockout exhibited significantly reduced cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. RNA-seq revealed that GPRC5A KO PC3 cells had dysregulated expression of cell cycle-related genes, leading to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Furthermore, the registered gene expression profile data set showed that the expression level of GPRC5A in original lesions of prostate cancer patients with bone metastasis was higher than that without bone metastasis. In fact, GPRC5A KO PC3 cells failed to establish bone metastasis in xenograft mice models. In addition, our clinical study revealed that GPRC5A expression levels in prostate cancer patient samples were significantly correlated with bone metastasis as well as the patient's Gleason score (GS). Combined assessment with the immunoreactivity of GPRC5A and GS displayed higher specificity for predicting the occurrence of bone metastasis. Together, our findings indicate that GPRC5A can be a possible therapeutic target and prognostic marker molecule for progressive prostate cancer.     

Effect on prognosis of bone marrow infiltration detected by magnetic resonance imaging in small cell lung cancer

The staging system of limited disease (LD) and extensive disease (ED) is widely used and has been shown to provide useful prognostic information in cases of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, accurate examinations are necessary for correct staging. In this report, we evaluated the clinical usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of bone marrow in SCLC. 37 patients with LD by standard staging and 41 with ED were examined with bone marrow MRI. Results of bone marrow MRI did not influence the choice of treatment in patients with LD. For subsequent analysis, patients with LD were divided into two groups: patients in whom bone marrow infiltration was detected with MRI (MRI-positive LD group) and those in whom it was not (MRI-negative LD group). Focal or diffuse metastases to bone marrow were detected with MRI in 46% (36/78) of all patients and 35% (13/37) of LD patients. The response rates to treatment in patients with MRI-positive LD were lower than those in patients with MRI-negative LD (P=0.006). The survival of patients with MRI-positive LD was worse than that of MRI-negative LD (generalised Wilcoxon test: P=0.0157), and closer to that of ED. Multivariate analyses using a Cox model that included the result of bone marrow MRI, performance status, chemotherapy regimen, radiotherapy and serum lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) level showed that the result of bone marrow MRI remained a prognostic factor in SCLC patients with limited disease. Bone marrow examination with MRI is useful for better staging of SCLC. According to our analysis of response rates and survival, MRI-positive LD should be considered a type of ED.