4-nitrophenol exposure in T24 human bladder cancer cells promotes proliferation,motilities, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Although health hazards of 4-nitrophenol (PNP) exposure have been reported, the adverse effects of PNP exposure on cancer biological features are still unknown. We investigated the effects of administration of PNP in T24 human bladder cancer cells. The results showed that PNP exposure promoted cellular proliferation, migration and invasion, inhibited adhesion and apoptosis in vitro. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we found that (1) the mRNA expression levels of cell-cycle regulators PCNA, cyclin D1 and COX-2 were increased in PNP-treated cells compared to controls, however, that of pro-apoptotic gene Bax was decreased; (2) the expression level of EMT-associated gene E-cadherin was decreased in PNP-treated cells, whereas those of N-cadherin, vimentin, snail, and slug were increased; (3) the expression levels of cancer-promoting genes HIF-1, IL-1β, VEGFα and K-Ras were enhanced, but those of tumor suppressors p53, PTEN and BRCA were decreased. There was a positive association between PNP exposure times and the promotion effects. Finally, we found that the expression level of PPARγ (γ1 isoform) was increased in PNP-treated T24 cells. GW9662, a specific PPARγ antagonist, attenuated PNP-induced cell migration and invasion. These findings indicate that PNP exposure may promote bladder cancer growth and progression involving PPARγ signaling. PPARγ is a potential target for development of novel intervention study on environment pollution. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 61:316–328, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Genetic ablation of FLRT3 reveals a novel morphogenetic function for the anterior visceral endoderm in suppressing mesoderm differentiation

During early mouse development, the anterior visceral endoderm (AVE) secretes inhibitor and activator signals that are essential for establishing the anterior–posterior (AP) axis of the embryo and for restricting mesoderm formation to the posterior epiblast in the primitive streak (PS) region. Here we show that AVE cells have an additional morphogenetic function. These cells express the transmembrane protein FLRT3. Genetic ablation of FLRT3 did not affect the signaling functions of the AVE according to the normal expression pattern of Nodal and Wnt and the establishment of a proper AP patterning in the epiblast. However, FLRT3^−/− embryos showed a highly disorganized basement membrane (BM) in the AVE region. Subsequently, adjacent anterior epiblast cells displayed an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like process characterized by the loss of cell polarity, cell ingression, and the up-regulation of the EMT and the mesodermal marker genes Eomes, Brachyury/T, and FGF8. These results suggest that the AVE acts as a morphogenetic boundary to prevent EMT and mesoderm induction in the anterior epiblast by maintaining the integrity of the BM. We propose that this novel function cooperates with the signaling activities of the AVE to restrict EMT and mesoderm induction to the posterior epiblast.     

ATAD2对人胶质瘤细胞系转移及上皮间质转换的影响

目的探讨三磷酸腺苷酶家族蛋白2(ATAD2)对人胶质瘤细胞的影响。方法用real-time PCR及Western blot检测ATAD2在人胶质瘤细胞系U87MG、U251和正常人星形胶质细胞的表达。U87MG和U251分为对照组(control)、脂质体对照组(mock)、ATAD2 siRNA(转染特异性siRNA)和ATAD2 overexpression(过表达ATAD2)4组,MTT法、Transwell实验观察细胞增殖和侵袭迁移。Western blot检测上皮间质转换标志蛋白上皮钙黏素、神经钙黏素和波形蛋白的表达。结果 U87MG和U251细胞ATAD2高表达。与对照相比,ATAD2 siRNA抑制U87MG和U251细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移、神经钙黏素及波形蛋白表达,促进上皮钙黏素表达(P0.05);ATAD2 overexpression促进细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移、神经钙黏素和波形蛋白表达,降低上皮钙黏素表达(P0.05)。结论 ATAD2可能通过调节上皮间充质转换进程参与人胶质瘤细胞转移。     

Loss of miR‐101 expression promotes Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway activation and malignancy in colon cancer cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer‐related mortality in Western countries. Although the aberrant expression of several microRNAs (oncomiRs) is associated with CRC progression, the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are still under investigation. Here we show that miR‐101 expression is differentially impaired in CRC specimens, depending on tumour grade. miR‐101 re‐expression suppresses cell growth in 3D, hypoxic survival and invasive potential in CRC cells showing low levels of miR‐101. Additionally, we provide molecular evidence of a bidirectional regulatory mechanism between miR‐101 expression and important CRC pro‐malignant features, such as inflammation, activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). We then propose that up‐regulated miR‐101 may function as a tumour suppressor in CRC and that its pharmacological restoration might hamper the aggressive behaviour of CRC in vivo. MiR‐101 expression may also represent a cancer biomarker for CRC diagnosis and prognosis. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dysregulation of the epigenome in triple-negative breast cancers: Basal-like and claudin-low breast cancers express aberrant DNA hypermethylation

A subset of human breast cancer cell lines exhibits aberrant DNA hypermethylation that is characterized by hyperactivity of the DNA methyltransferase enzymes, overexpression of DNMT3b, and concurrent methylation-dependent silencing of numerous epigenetic biomarker genes. The objective of this study was to determine if this aberrant DNA hypermethylation (i) is found in primary breast cancers, (ii) is associated with specific breast cancer molecular subtypes, and (iii) influences patient outcomes. Analysis of epigenetic biomarker genes (CDH1, CEACAM6, CST6, ESR1, GNA11, MUC1, MYB, SCNN1A, and TFF3) identified a gene expression signature characterized by reduced expression levels or loss of expression among a cohort of primary breast cancers. The breast cancers that express this gene expression signature are enriched for triple-negative subtypes — basal-like and claudin-low breast cancers. Methylation analysis of primary breast cancers showed extensive promoter hypermethylation of epigenetic biomarker genes among triple-negative breast cancers, compared to other breast cancer subclasses where promoter hypermethylation events were less frequent. Furthermore, triple-negative breast cancers either did not express or expressed significantly reduced levels of protein corresponding to methylation-sensitive biomarker gene products. Together, these findings suggest strongly that loss of epigenetic biomarker gene expression is frequently associated with gene promoter hypermethylation events. We propose that aberrant DNA hypermethylation is a common characteristic of triple-negative breast cancers and may represent a fundamental biological property of basal-like and claudin-low breast cancers. Kaplan–Meier analysis of relapse-free survival revealed a survival disadvantage for patients with breast cancers that exhibit aberrant DNA hypermethylation. Identification of this distinguishing trait among triple-negative breast cancers forms the basis for development of new rational therapies that target the epigenome in patients with basal-like and claudin-low breast cancers.     

miR-183 promotes radioresistance of lung adenocarcinoma H1299 cells via epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Lung adenocarcinomas are usually sensitive to radiation therapy, but some develop resistance. Radiation resistance can lead to poor patient prognosis. Studies have shown that lung adenocarcinoma cells (H1299 cells) can develop radioresistance through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and this process is regulated by miRNAs. However, it is unclear which miRNAs are involved in the process of EMT. In our present study, we found that miR-183 expression was increased in a radioresistant lung adenocarcinoma cell line (H1299R cells). We then explored the regulatory mechanism of miR-183 and found that it may be involved in the regulation of zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) expression and mediate EMT in lung adenocarcinoma cells. qPCR results showed that miR-183, ZEB1, and vimentin were highly expressed in H1299R cells, whereas no difference was observed in E-cadherin expression. Western blot results showed that ZEB1 and vimentin were highly expressed in H1299R cells, while E-cadherin expression was decreased. When miR-183 expression was inhibited in H1299R cells, radiation resistance, proliferation, and cell migration were decreased. The expression of ZEB1 and vimentin in H1299R cells was decreased, while the expression of E-cadherin was increased. Moreover, miR-183 overexpression in H1299 cells enhanced radiation resistance, proliferative capacity, and cell migration ability. The expression of ZEB1 and vimentin in H1299 cells was increased, while that of E-cadherin was decreased. In conclusion, miR-183 may promote EMT and radioresistance in H1299 cells, and targeting the miR-183-ZEB1 signaling pathway may be a promising approach for lung cancer treatment.     

慢病毒载体MicroRNA-375过表达调控EMT通路抑制结直肠癌细胞侵袭和迁移

目的:通过慢病毒载体构建microRNA-375过表达的结直肠癌细胞HCT116,研究microR-NA-375通过调控EMT通路抑制结直肠癌细胞在人体中侵袭、迁移的作用.方法:通过慢病毒载体转染构建并培养出HCT116细胞的microRNA-375过表达实验组(过表达组)、设立空载体对照组(空载体组)、空白对照组(空...     

上皮-间充质转分化与转录因子Snail、Slug、Twist在口腔鳞状细胞癌发生、发展中的作用

上皮-间充质转分化(EMT)是上皮细胞在特定生理和病理情况下向间充质细胞转化的现象,它在上皮性肿瘤的演进中发挥了关键作用。肿瘤发生过程中,转录因子Snail、Slug、Twist等常可引发EMT,促使肿瘤的侵袭与转移。Snail、Slug和Twist在口腔鳞癌演变过程中,尤其在浸润和转移中发挥重要作用。该文介绍EMT的概念、特征以及Snail、Slug和Twist的基因结构特点、生物学特性等,特别对其在口腔鳞癌中的作用进行了综述。