Macrophage migration inhibitory factor promotes the invasion and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma through matrix metalloprotein‐2/9

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been shown to closely associate with the malignant progression of a variety of human carcinomas. However, the role and its underlying molecular mechanisms of MIF in the invasion and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) still remains unclear. Here, we found that MIF silencing reduced the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as matrix metalloprotein‐2 (MMP‐2) and MMP‐9 in OSCC cells. Overexpression of MMP‐2 or MMP‐9 restored the migration and invasion of MIF‐knockdown cells, indicating that MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 are downstream targets of MIF. In the xenograft model, MIF silencing inhibited tumor growth and in lymph metastasis model, MIF silencing reduced tumor metastasis. More importantly, immunohistochemistry staining in a tissue microarray (TMA) demonstrated that MIF expression was positively correlated with clinic stage, recurrence, metastasis, and poor prognosis of patients with OSCC as well as with the levels of MMP‐2 or MMP‐9 in TMA. Therefore, our findings suggest that MIF may promote the invasion and metastasis of OSCC through the activation of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 and prompt further investigation into the therapeutic value of MIF for OSCC treatment.     

巨噬细胞移动抑制因子与肿瘤

巨噬细胞移动抑制因子（MIF）是一种多功能细胞因子，因与多种炎症性疾病、自体免疫性疾病及肿瘤等密切相关而倍受关注。MIF通过多种信号传导通路，促进肿瘤细胞的增殖和浸润转移，参与肿瘤的发生演进过程。     

巨噬细胞移动抑制因子与肿瘤

巨噬细胞移动抑制因子(MIF)是一种多功能细胞因子,因与多种炎症性疾病、自体免疫性疾病及肿瘤等密切相关而倍受关注。MIF通过多种信号传导通路,促进肿瘤细胞的增殖和浸润转移,参与肿瘤的发生演进过程。     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in cancer

The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in patients with colorectal cancer (GIS) and malignant melanoma (MM). The study group consists of pathologically verified colorectal cancer (n = 63) and malignant melanoma (n = 65) patients and healthy controls (n = 25). Serum MIF concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum values of the patients were significantly higher than the controls (p < 0.001 for GIS, p = 0.032 for MM). Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were calculated for MIF for colorectal and malignant melanoma. The results demonstrate that colorectal cancer express and secrete large amounts of MIF.     

MIIP通过HDAC6参与肿瘤侵袭转移的研究进展

迁移侵袭抑制蛋白（ migration and invasion inhibitory protein,MIIP）,是近年来研究发现的潜在肿瘤转移抑制基因,定位于1p36,该区域在多种肿瘤中缺失。MIIP的定位提示其可能在肿瘤侵袭、转移中发挥作用,并且已有研究报道MIIP可抑制胶质瘤及乳腺癌的侵袭转移。本文就MIIP通过HDAC6在肿瘤侵袭转移中的作用及其分子机制作一综述。     

沉默SDC1通过ERK信号通路促进胆囊癌细胞的侵袭和迁移

目的:观察沉默黏结蛋白聚糖1（syndecan-1,SDC1）对胆囊癌细胞侵袭和迁移能力的影响,并探讨其分子机制。方法:采用RNA干扰技术敲低胆囊癌细胞系GBC-SD中SDC1的表达,Western blot和qRT-PCR验证转染效果;Transwell侵袭实验、划痕愈合实验检测细胞侵袭和迁移能力;Western blot分析ERK1/2、p-ERK1/2、Snail、E-cadherin和N-cadherin蛋白表达。结果:成功构建SDC1低表达的胆囊癌细胞系;转染后各组细胞SDC1 蛋白和mRNA表达水平显著低于shNC组（P＜0.05）;与BC组和NC组相比,shSDC1组细胞侵袭和迁移能力明显提高（P＜0.01）;与BC组和NC组相比,shSDC1组细胞p-ERK1/2、Snail、N-cadherin蛋白表达水平显著上调,而E-cadherin蛋白表达水平显著降低。结论:沉默SDC1可能通过ERK信号通路促进胆囊癌细胞的侵袭和迁移。     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor: roles in regulating tumor cell migration and expression of angiogenic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) may contribute to multiple aspects of tumor progression, including control of cell proliferation, differentiation, cell survival and angiogenesis. However, the potential roles of MIF in regulating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor cell migration and the expression of angiogenic factors by HCC tumor cells have not been studied yet. In our study, we reported that intracellular MIF mRNA and protein were overexpressed in HCC tissues compared to nontumor tissues by using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemic staining. HCC tumor cell lines also secreted large amounts of MIF into the supernatants of tumor cell culture. To assess the role of MIF in HCC, we employed the transwell invasion chamber to study the effect of MIF on tumor cell migration. Our results showed that recombinant MIF and the supernatants of tumor cell line culture could enhance the invasion and migration of HCC cells. This effect can be inhibited by the addition of a neutralizing anti-MIF antibody. We observed that increased MIF serum levels correlated with higher levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the sera of patients with HCC than in normal volunteers. We therefore hypothesized that MIF may regulate the production of angiogenic factors by HCC cells. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of MIF treatment on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-8 expression by HCC cell lines. MIF induced a significant dose-dependent increase in IL-8 and VEGF production. Taken together, our results indicated that MIF may act as an autocrine-acting factor that stimulates angiogenesis and metastasis in HCC by promoting expression of angiogenic factors and migration of tumor cells. A more detailed understanding of the MIF regulatory mechanisms involved may provide insight into new direction in the treatment of HCC.     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protein and mRNA expression in cutaneous melanocytic tumours

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a widely expressed cytokine involved in various biological processes. Although MIF's functions in cancer have not been completely elucidated, its expression has usually been correlated with tumour progression and aggressiveness, and it is currently discussed as a new promising target for novel therapies. Recent studies seem to confirm its active role in melanoma pathobiology; however, its expression has not yet been extensively studied in melanocytic tumours. We evaluated MIF protein expression in 126 skin lesions, including benign and atypical nevi, melanoma and melanoma metastases. In 55 cases, we also assessed MIF mRNA expression by real-time RT-PCR. Benign nevi were subdivided into nevocytic and Spitz/blue types; and melanomas into the radial, and vertical growth phase. A strong cytoplasmic MIF positivity was found in most samples, although it was more heterogeneous in malignant tumours; MIF nuclear expression characterized Spitz/blue nevi, atypical nevi, melanomas and metastases. All samples expressed MIF mRNA but it was significantly lower in benign nevi vs atypical nevi, melanomas and metastases (p=0.001; p<0.0001; p=0.002, respectively). Our study shows a widespread distribution of MIF among melanocytic tumours. Whereas we observed a trend towards higher expression levels of mRNA in atypical and malignant tumours, MIF protein was highly expressed in all lesions, although limited to the cytoplasm in most benign nevi. These observations suggest differences in MIF protein storage, subcellular location and properties in most benign nevi vs atypical and malignant tumours that should be confirmed by further investigation and correlation with clinical outcome.     

miR-451下调MIF的表达并抑制其促鼻咽癌细胞浸润和转移的作用

目的:研究巨噬细胞移动抑制因子(macrophage migration inhibitory factor,MIF)在鼻咽癌细胞浸润转移过程中的作用.方法:采用免疫印迹实验观察鼻咽癌细胞株HONE1、5-8F、CNE-1、CNE-2中MIF的表达水平.检验过表达MIF后鼻咽癌细胞株HONE1中黏附蛋白的表达水平以及miR-451对5-8F和293A细胞中MIF表达水平的影响,Transwell实验观察鼻咽癌细胞侵袭迁移能力,荧光报告系统验证miR-451对MIF的调控作用.结果:MIF在鼻咽癌高转移细胞株5-8F中表达量增高,MIF通过降低黏附蛋白的表达,减弱鼻咽癌细胞间黏附性,提高鼻咽癌细胞侵袭迁移能力.MIF的表达受miR-451的调控,miR-451能够抑制MIF的表达.结论:MIF能降低鼻咽癌细胞间的黏附性,在鼻咽癌的浸润转移过程中具有重要的促进作用,并且MIF的表达受miR-451的直接调控.     

RACK1 promotes breast carcinoma migration/metastasis via activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway

We aimed to gain a mechanistic understanding of the role of RACK1 in breast carcinoma migration/metastasis. Migration assays were conducted in breast carcinoma cell lines. siRNA targeting RACK1 as well as the Rho kinase inhibitor were also applied. Immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence were used to study the RACK1/RhoA interaction. GTP-Rho pull-down assays were performed to assess the activation of RhoA. We also conducted immunohistochemistry in 160 breast carcinoma samples. Experiments in vitro showed that RACK1 promotes migration via interaction with RhoA and activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway. Immunohistochemistry in 160 samples revealed that RACK1 is strongly correlated with accepted tumor spread indicators and RhoA (all P < 0.05). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicated a correlation between higher RACK1 expression and shorter survival times (P < 0.001). RACK1 is a prognostic factor that promotes breast carcinoma migration/metastasis by interacting with RhoA and activating the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway.     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor: a potential marker for cancer diagnosis and therapy

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pluripotent cytokine which plays roles in inflammation, immune responses and cancer development. It assists macrophages in carrying out functions like phagocytosis, adherence and motility. Of late, MIF is implicated in almost all stages of neoplasia and expression is a feature of most types of cancer. The presence of MIF in almost all tumors and all stages of cancer makes it an interesting candidate for cancer therapy. This review explores the roles of MIF in neoplasia.     

Tumor invasion-inhibiting factor 2: primary structure and inhibitory effect on invasion in vitro and pulmonary metastasis of tumor cells.

The primary structure of tumor invasion-inhibiting factor 2 (IIF-2) purified from bovine liver (A. Isoai et al., Jpn. J. Cancer Res., 81:909-914, 1990) was determined. A computer homology search of the National Biomedical Research Foundation data bank revealed that IIF-2 is identical to the carboxyl-terminal region, residue number [69-89], of high mobility group 17 which is a DNA-binding non-histone protein. IIF-2 synthesized by an automated peptide synthesizer showed similar invasion-inhibitory activity as compared with the purified factor, when tested with the monolayer invasion assay system using highly invasive rat ascites tumor cells. When examined with the other in vitro assay systems using a modified Boyden chamber, the synthetic IIF-2 suppressed the chemotactic migration of highly metastatic B16 melanoma (B16FE7) cells to fibronectin or laminin and invasion through Matrigel. The IIF-2 inhibited neither the cell proliferation nor the binding of cells to fibronectin or Matrigel and also showed no significant inhibition of Mr 90,000 type IV collagenase (gelatinase) obtained from human schwannoma (YST-3) cells. The formation of lung colonies in mice given injections of B16FE7 and Lewis lung carcinoma cells was significantly reduced by the coinjection of the IIF-2. These results suggest that IIF-2 suppresses tumor invasion by impairing cell motility and inhibits the migration of metastasizing cells through extracellular matrix (extravasation steps) following their arrest in the capillary bed of the lung in vivo.     

Macrophage subtype predicts lymph node metastasis in oesophageal adenocarcinoma and promotes cancer cell invasion in vitro

Background:

Currently, there is a lack of ideal biomarkers for predicting nodal status in preoperative stage of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) to aid optimising therapeutic options. We studied the potential of applying subtype macrophages to predict lymph node metastasis and prognosis in EAC.

Material and Methods:

Fifty-three EAC resection specimens were immunostained with CD68, CD40 (M1), and CD163 (M2). Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was estimated with the staining of D2-40. Subsequently, we tested if M2d macrophage could promote EAC cell migration and invasion.

Results:

In EAC without neoadjuvant treatment, an increase in M2-like macrophage was associated with poor patient survival, independent of the locations of macrophages in tumour. The M2/M1 ratio that represented the balance between M2- and M1-like macrophages was significantly higher in nodal-positive EACs than that in nodal-negative EACs, and inversely correlated with patient overall survival. The M2/M1 ratio was not related to LVD. EAC cell polarised THP1 cell into M2d-like macrophage, which promoted EAC cell migration and invasion. Neoadjuvant therapy appeared to diminish the correlation between the M2/M1 ratio and survival.

Conclusions:

The ratio of M2/M1 macrophage may serve as a sensitive marker to predict lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in EAC without neoadjuvant therapy. M2d macrophage may have important roles in EAC metastasis.     

Cucurbitacin E inhibits breast tumor metastasis by suppressing cell migration and invasion

Tumor metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related deaths of patients. Breast cancer is highly malignant with considerable metastatic potential, which urges the necessity for developing novel potential drug candidate to prevent tumor metastasis. Here, we report our finding with Cucurbitacin E (CuE, α-elaterin), a tetracyclic triterpenes compound isolated from Cucurbitaceae. The potency of CuE on breast cancer metastasis inhibition was assessed in vivo and in vitro. In our animal experiments, intraperitoneal administrations of CuE significantly inhibited breast tumor metastasis to the lung without affecting apoptosis or proliferation of inoculated 4T1 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Treatment of metastatic breast tumor cells with CuE markedly blocked tumor cell migration and invasion in vitro. Subsequent studies showed that CuE impaired Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization and suppressed Src/FAK/Rac1/MMP involved pathway. Overall, our data demonstrate that CuE blocks breast cancer metastasis by suppressing tumor cell migration and invasion. We provide first evidence of a novel role for CuE as a potential candidate for treating breast cancer metastasis.