Alpha-catenin is required for IGF-I-induced cellular migration but not invasion in human colonic cancer cells

The mechanisms by which growth factors cooperate with cell adhesion molecules to modulate epithelial cell motility remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of the E-cadherin/catenin complex in insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I)-dependent cell migration and invasion. We used variants of the HCT-8 colon cancer family that differ in their expression of alphaE-catenin, an intracellular molecule that links the E-cadherin/catenin complex to the actin cytoskeleton. Migration was determined using a monolayer wound model and cell invasion by the penetration of the cells into type-I collagen gels. We showed that alpha-catenin-deficient cells were not able to migrate in cohort upon IGF-I stimulation. Transfection of these cells with alpha-catenin isoforms (alphaN- or alphaT-catenin) restored migratory response IGF-I. These results suggest that alpha-catenins are involved in the signal issued from the E-cadherin/catenin complex to regulate IGF-I-stimulated migration. In contrast, IGF-I promoted invasion of both alpha-catenin-deficient and alpha-catenin-expressing cells, indicating that alpha-catenin did not participate in the regulation of IGF-I-induced invasion. Inhibition of E-cadherin function by treatment with MB-2 monoclonal antibodies inhibited both IGF-I-dependent cell migration and invasion. Taken together, our results indicate that functional alpha-catenin is essential for migration but not for invasion, while E-cadherin is involved in both phenomena.     

Protease-activated receptor-2 is essential for factor VIIa and Xa-induced signaling, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells

Protease-activated receptors (PAR) are G protein-coupled receptors that function as cell-surface sensors for coagulant proteases, as well as other proteases associated with the tumor microenvironment. PAR1 is activated by thrombin whereas the upstream coagulant protease VIIa bound to tissue factor and Xa can activate both PAR1 and PAR2. PAR1 has been implicated in tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion whereas the function of PAR2 in these processes is largely unknown. Towards defining the functional importance of PAR2 in cancer cells, we used small interfering RNAs to deplete highly invasive breast cancer cells of endogenous PAR proteins. Our findings strongly suggest that PAR2 is critical for MDA-MB-231 and BT549 breast cancer cell migration and invasion towards NIH 3T3 fibroblast conditioned medium. To define the relative importance of PAR1 versus PAR2 in mediating factor VIIa and Xa responses, we assessed signaling in cancer cells lacking either endogenous PAR1 or PAR2 proteins. Strikingly, in MDA-MB-231 cells depleted of PAR2, we observed a marked inhibition of VIIa and Xa signaling to phosphoinositide hydrolysis and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation whereas signaling by VIIa and Xa remained intact in PAR1-deficient cells. Factor VIIa and Xa-induced cellular migration was also impaired in MDA-MB-231 cells deficient in PAR2 but not in cells lacking PAR1. Together, these studies reveal the novel findings that PAR2, a second protease-activated G protein-coupled receptor, has a critical role in breast cancer cell migration and invasion and functions as the endogenous receptor for coagulant proteases VIIa and Xa in these cells.     

Tg737 signaling is required for hypoxia-enhanced invasion and migration of hepatoma cells

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Although hypoxia is known to promote hepatoma cell invasion and migration, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms of this process. Our previous research showed that loss of Tg737 is associated with hepatoma cell invasion and migration; therefore, we hypothesized that the Tg737 signal might be required for hypoxia-enhanced invasion and migration. METHODS: We established in vitro normoxic or hypoxic models to investigate the role of Tg737 in the hypoxia-enhanced invasion and migration of hepatoma cells. The hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and MHCC97-H were subjected to normoxic or hypoxic conditions, and the cell adhesion, invasion, and migration capabilities were tested. The expression of Tg737 under normoxia or hypoxia was detected using western blot assays; cell viability was determined using flow cytometry. Furthermore, we created HepG2 and MHCC97-H cells that over expressed Tg737 prior to incubation under hypoxia and investigated their metastatic characteristics. Finally, we analyzed the involvement of critical molecular events known to regulate invasion and migration. RESULTS: In this study, Tg737 expression was significantly inhibited in HepG2 and MHCC97-H cells following exposure to hypoxia. The down regulation of Tg737 expression corresponded to significantly decreased adhesion and increased invasion and migration. Hypoxia also decreased the expression/secretion of polycystin-1, increased the secretion of interleukin-8 (IL-8), and increased the levels of active and total transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1), critical regulators of cell invasion and migration. Moreover, the decrease in adhesiveness and the increase in the invasive and migratory capacities of hypoxia-treated hepatoma cells were attenuated by pcDNA3.1-Tg737 transfection prior to hypoxia. Finally, following the up regulation of Tg737, the expression/secretion of polycystin-1 increased, and the secretion of IL-8 and the levels of active and total TGF-beta1 decreased correspondingly. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide evidence that Tg737 contributes to hypoxia-induced invasion and migration, partially through the polycystin-1, IL-8, and TGF-beta1 pathway. Taken together, this work suggests that Tg737 is involved in the invasion and migration of hepatoma cells under hypoxia, with the involvement of the polycystin-1, IL-8, and TGF-beta1 signaling pathway. Tg737 is a potential therapeutic target for inhibiting the high invasion and migration potential of hepatoma cells in hypoxic regions.     

Attenuation of junctional adhesion molecule-A is a contributing factor for breast cancer cell invasion

The metastatic potential of cancer cells is directly attributed to their ability to invade through the extracellular matrix. The mechanisms regulating this cellular invasiveness are poorly understood. Here, we show that junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A), a tight junction protein, is a key negative regulator of cell migration and invasion. JAM-A is robustly expressed in normal human mammary epithelium, and its expression is down-regulated in metastatic breast cancer tumors. In breast cancer cell lines, an inverse relationship between JAM-A expression and the ability of these cells to migrate on a collagen matrix was observed, which correlates with the known ability of these cells to metastasize. The T47D and MCF-7 cells, which migrate least, are found to express high levels of JAM-A, whereas the more migratory MDA-MB-468 cells have lower levels of JAM-A on the cell surface. MDA-MB-231 cells, which are highly migratory, express the least amount of JAM-A. Overexpression of JAM-A in MDA-MB-231 cells inhibited both migration and invasion through collagen gels. Furthermore, knockdown of JAM-A using short interfering RNAs enhanced the invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 cells as well as T47D cells. The ability of JAM-A to attenuate cell invasion correlated with the formation of increased numbers of focal adhesions and the formation of functional tight junctions. These results show for the first time that an immunoglobulin superfamily cell adhesion protein expressed at tight junctions could serve as a key negative regulator of breast cancer cell invasion and possibly metastasis. Furthermore, loss of JAM-A could be used as a biomarker for aggressive breast cancer.     

MAPK信号激活抑制三阴性乳腺癌细胞的迁移和侵袭

背景与目的：三阴性乳腺癌具有高复发和转移风险,除了化疗,临床上无特定的靶向治疗。因此,研究三阴性乳腺癌复发转移机制对提高患者生存率具有重要意义,本研究旨在探讨丝裂原激活的蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号激活对三阴性乳腺癌细胞迁移和侵袭的影响。方法：首先用细胞划痕和细胞小室(Transwell)试验分析和比较肺高转移三阴性乳腺癌细胞系231-HM及其父代肺低转移细胞系231-p的体外迁移和侵袭性差异;然后用蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)检测转移相关蛋白和MAPK分子激活状态;最后用MAPK抑制剂处理231-p细胞,测定MAPK抑制情况下的细胞迁移、侵袭和相关蛋白变化。结果：与231-p细胞相比,231-HM细胞迁移和侵袭性明显增强;Western blot检测发现,231-HM细胞中促细胞迁移和侵袭蛋白Caveolin-1和β-catenin升高,MAPK通路相关蛋白P38、Erk1/2和MEK的磷酸化水平明显降低;用P38/MAPK磷酸化抑制剂(SB202190)处理231-p细胞后发现,其细胞迁移和侵袭性明显增强,Caveolin-1和β-catenin表达水平上升。结论：MAPK信号激活抑制三阴性乳腺癌的迁移和侵袭。     

Claudin-4 is required for vasculogenic mimicry formation in human breast cancer cells

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) refers to the unique capability of aggressive tumor cells to mimic the pattern of embryonic vasculogenic networks. Claudins are aberrantly expressed in aggressive breast cancer. However, the relationship between claudins and VM formation is not clear. We examined VM in two human breast cancer cell lines with different aggressive capabilities (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells) and one human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (HUVEC). Both HUVEC and MDA-MB-231 cells formed vascular channels in Matrigel cultures, while MCF-7 cells did not. Western blot analysis revealed a possible correlation between claudin-4 and -6 expression in breast cancer cell lines and tumor aggressiveness, with protein levels correlating with the ability to form vascular channels. Treatment of MDA-MB-231 and HUVEC cells with claudin-4 monoclonal antibodies completely inhibited the ability of cells to form vascular channels. Moreover, knockdown of claudin-4 by short hairpin RNA completely inhibited tubule formation in MDA-MB-231 cells. Overexpression of claudin-4 in MCF-7 cells induced formation of vascular channels. Immunocytochemistry revealed that membranous claudin-4 protein was significantly associated with vascular channel formation. Collectively, these results indicate that claudin-4 may play a critical role in VM in human breast cancer cells, opening new opportunities to improve aggressive breast cancer therapy.     

三阴性乳腺癌细胞源性外泌体活化的巨噬细胞促进乳腺癌细胞的迁移和侵袭

目的:研究三阴性乳腺癌（triple-negative breast cancer,TNBC）细胞来源的外泌体对巨噬细胞极化作用以及经外泌体活化的巨噬细胞对TNBC细胞迁移和侵袭能力的影响及作用机制。方法:提取TNBC细胞BT-549和MDA-MB-231外泌体,透射电镜、纳米颗粒跟踪分析（nanoparticle tracking analysis,NTA）、蛋白质印记(Western blot)鉴定外泌体;流式细胞术检测经外泌体处理后巨噬细胞分子标志物CD206、CD80的表达;实时荧光定量PCR检测单核细胞THP-1、巨噬细胞M0及外泌体处理后巨噬细胞中CD163、转化生长因子β(transforming growth factor β,TGF-β)、一氧化氮合酶(nitric oxide synthase,iNOS)、肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factor α,TNF-α)的mRNA水平;Transwell实验分析外泌体活化的巨噬细胞对TNBC细胞迁移和侵袭的影响,Western blot方法检测MMP-2、MMP-9、N-cadherin、E-cadherin的蛋白水平。结果:透射电镜下BT-549和MDA-MB-231细胞的外泌体具有膜结构囊状小泡并表达外泌体的分子标记物CD81、CD63;BT-549细胞来源的外泌体直径分布为80~150 nm,MDA-MB-231细胞来源的外泌体直径分布为100~200 nm;经BT-549和MDA-MB-231细胞源性外泌体处理的巨噬细胞与M0相比,CD206均有稳定表达（P＜0.05),而CD80表达未见明显差异;外泌体处理后巨噬细胞的CD163、TGF-β mRNA表达水平均增加（P＜0.01),iNOS mRNA表达水平降低（P＜0.05),TNF-α mRNA表达水平未见明显变化;外泌体处理后的巨噬细胞使得TNBC细胞的迁移、侵袭穿膜数目增加(P＜0.01),N-cadherin、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白表达增加（P＜0.05),E-cadherin 蛋白表达降低（P＜0.05)。结论:TNBC细胞分泌的外泌体可以诱导巨噬细胞向M2极化,进而促进TNBC细胞间质转化,增强TNBC细胞的迁移和侵袭能力。     

Prognostic significance of NANOG and KLF4 for breast cancer

Background

Some of the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS cell)-inducing factors have been reported to be expressed in breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between the expression of iPS cell-inducing factors and the prognosis of breast cancer patients.

Methods

In 100 breast cancer patients, the expression of c-MYC, KLF4, NANOG, OCT4, and SOX2 was determined by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray analysis.

Results

Patients with strong expression of NANOG had significantly lower disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival rates than those with weak expression of NANOG (P = 0.004 and 0.033, respectively). In contrast, patients with strong expression of KLF4 had better DFS (P = 0.014).

Conclusions

Strong expression of NANOG is an indicator of a poor prognosis for breast cancer patients, whereas KLF4 is a favorable prognostic indicator. Our results suggest that NANOG stimulates the growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells, whereas KLF4 inhibits these processes.     

Silencing stem cell factor attenuates stemness and inhibits migration of cancer stem cells derived from Lewis lung carcinoma cells

Stem cell factor (SCF) plays an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. However, the function of SCF in regulating stemness and migration of cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains largely undefined. Here, we report that non-adhesive culture system can enrich and expand CSCs derived from Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells and that the expression level of SCF in CSCs was higher than those in LLC cells. Silencing SCF via short hairpin (sh) RNA lentivirus transduction attenuated sphere formation and inhibited expressions of stemness genes, ALDH1, Sox2, and Oct4 of CSCs in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, SCF-silenced CSCs inhibited the migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, with decreased expression of N-cadherin, Vimentin, and increased expression of E-cadherin in vitro and in vivo. Finally, SCF-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentivirus transduction suppressed tumorigenicity of CSCs. Taken together, our findings unraveled an important role of SCF in CSCs derived from LLC cells. SCF might serve as a novel target for lung cancer therapy.     

TNK2 preserves epidermal growth factor receptor expression on the cell surface and enhances migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells

Introduction  

Amplification of the TNK2 gene in primary tumours correlates with poor prognosis. In accordance, TNK2 overexpression was shown to promote invasion of cancer cells – but the mechanism by which TNK2 mediates these effects is unresolved. TNK2 was suggested to regulate Cdc42-driven migration by activation of breast cancer antioestrogen resistance 1 (BCAR1); however, distinct from this effect is evidence for a role of TNK2 in the regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) endocytosis and degradation. In the present study we sought to investigate whether negative targeting of TNK2 by siRNA could be used to inhibit cancer cell invasion, to establish the contribution of its effect on the EGFR and to consequently attempt to resolve the issue of TNK2's mechanism of action.     

Co-targeting the IGF system and HIF-1 inhibits migration and invasion by (triple-negative) breast cancer cells

Background:

Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer is mostly incurable, due to lack of suitable drug targets. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system could provide such a target, and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R)-directed agents are already available, but seem unable to control all the complexities of the system, including crosstalk with hypoxia-inducible pathways.

Methods:

Migration of triple-negative MDA-231 breast cancer cells and its modulation by IGFs, the IGF-1R inhibitor NVP-AEW541 and the IGF-2-sequestering monoclonal antibody MAB292 were assessed by the scratch wound healing and Boyden chamber assays; the effect of topotecan (inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)) under hypoxia was also evaluated. Constitutive as well as drug-modulated levels of components of the IGF and HIF-1 pathways were evaluated by western blotting and qPCR.

Results:

IGF-induced migration of MDA-231 cells was not abrogated by the IGF-1R inhibitor NVP-AEW541, whereas IGF-2 sequestration by MAB292 significantly reduced cell migration. Under hypoxia, topotecan was also effective, likely by reducing HIF-1-induced IGF-2 release. Simultaneous targeting of IGF-1R and IGF-2 or HIF-1 completely abolished cell migration.

Conclusions:

IR activation may account for the failure of NVP-AEW541 to suppress MDA-231 cell migration. Ligand-targeting compounds, or co-inhibition of the IGF and HIF-1 systems, may prevent activation of compensatory signalling, thereby providing a valuable addition to IGF-1R inhibitor-based therapies.     

Role of Src in breast cancer cell migration and invasion in a breast cell/bone-derived cell microenvironment

The preferential metastasis of breast cancer cells to bone comprises a complex set of events including homing and preferential growth, which may require unique factors produced by bone or other cells in the immediate microenvironment. In this study, an in vitro co-culture system composed of bone mesenchymal stem cells and breast cancer cell lines is used to examine the role of Src kinase on breast cancer cell migration and invasion in the presence of bone-derived cells. This research shows that Src kinase activity in breast cancer cell lines with either high or low levels of endogenous Src activity is increased by bone-derived cell-conditioned medium but not HS68 fibroblast-conditioned medium. Breast cancer cells exhibit enhanced migration in co-culture with bone-derived cells but not HS68 fibroblasts or no co-cultured cells. Inhibition of Src kinase activity using the inhibitors PP2 or saracatinib or using siRNA abrogates the preferential migration of the breast cancer cell lines in response to bone-derived cells. Inhibition of Src activity with saracatinib does not have any significant effect on breast cancer cell invasion in the presence of bone-derived cells. Factors are identified that are produced preferentially by bone-derived cells over HS68 cells that may impact breast cancer cell behavior. This research implicates Src kinase as an important effector of bone-derived cell signals on breast cancer cell migration.     

亚硒酸钠对肺癌干细胞侵袭和迁移的影响

目的:研究亚硒酸钠对肺癌干细胞侵袭和迁移的影响。方法:利用免疫磁珠细胞分选技术分选出肺癌干细胞,CCK-8实验检测不同浓度亚硒酸钠对肺癌干细胞活力的影响,Transwell小室法检测亚硒酸钠对肺癌干细胞侵袭能力的影响,细胞划痕法检测亚硒酸钠对肺癌干细胞迁移能力的影响,Western blot检测不同浓度亚硒酸钠对肺癌干细胞中SBP1及Ki67蛋白表达的影响。结果:成功分选出了纯度为82%的CD133+肺癌干细胞。CCK-8实验结果显示亚硒酸钠能够剂量依赖性地抑制肺癌干细胞的活力。Transwell小室法检测结果显示亚硒酸钠能够抑制肺癌干细胞的侵袭能力。细胞划痕实验结果显示亚硒酸钠能抑制肺癌干细胞的迁移能力。Western blot检测结果显示亚硒酸钠能够剂量依赖性地促进肺癌干细胞中SBP1的表达,抑制Ki67蛋白的表达。A549小鼠肺癌移植瘤结果显示,与控制组（注射生理盐水组）相比,瘤内注射亚硒酸钠能够显著抑制肿瘤的生长。结论:亚硒酸钠能够抑制肺癌干细胞的生长、侵袭和迁移,可能是治疗肺癌的潜在药物。     

TAGLN基因过表达对乳腺癌细胞迁移和侵袭能力的影响

目的 研究TAGLN基因过表达对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231迁移能力和侵袭能力的影响及其分子机制.方法 对MDA-MB-231细胞采用慢病毒表达系统构建TAGLN基因稳定过表达细胞株,将MDA-MB-231细胞正常培养设为空白对照组,空载体慢病毒包装感染MDA-MB-231细胞后获得的稳定转染细胞株设为空载体对照组.Real time PCR和Western blot检测TAGLN mRNA和蛋白表达,划痕实验和Transwell侵袭实验检测细胞迁移和侵袭能力,Western blot检测TAGLN基因过表达后基质金属蛋白酶2(matrix metalloproteinase-2,MMP-2)和MMP-9蛋白表达变化.结果 MDA-MB-231细胞感染TAGLN基因过表达慢病毒载体后,细胞中TAGLN mRNA表达和蛋白表达升高(均P＜0.01),成功构建TAGLN基因过表达稳定细胞株(231-TAGLN).231-TAGLN细胞的体外迁移能力和侵袭能力下降,与空载体对照组和空白对照组细胞比较,差异均具有统计学意义(均P＜0.01),同时伴有MMP-2和MMP-9表达水平降低(均P＜0.01).结论 TAGLN基因过表达可以抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移和侵袭,MMP-2和MMP-9基因表达下降可能参与这一过程.     

Overexpression of CEACAM6 promotes migration and invasion of oestrogen-deprived breast cancer cells

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) is an intercellular adhesion molecule that is overexpressed in a wide variety of human cancers, including colon, breast and lung and is associated with tumourigenesis, tumour cell adhesion, invasion and metastasis. In this study, we showed that CEACAM6 was overexpressed in a panel of oestrogen receptor (ERalpha)-positive human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7:5C and MCF-7:2A) that have acquired resistance to oestrogen deprivation, and this overexpression was associated with a more aggressive invasive phenotype in vitro. Expression array analysis revealed that MCF-7:5C and MCF-7:2A cells overexpressed CEACAM6 mRNA by 27-fold and 12-fold, respectively, and were 6-15-times more invasive compared to non-invasive wild-type MCF-7 cells which expressed low levels of CEACAM6. Suppression of CEACAM6 expression using small interfering RNA (siRNA) completely reversed migration and invasion of MCF-7:5C and MCF-7:2A cells and it significantly reduced phosphorylated Akt and c-Src expression in these cells. In conclusion, our findings establish CEACAM6 as a unique mediator of migration and invasion of drug resistant oestrogen-deprived breast cancer cells and suggest that this protein could be an important biomarker of metastasis.