The critical role of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in cancer and cancer stem cells metastasis

2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 809-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gelmini ◽  
M. Mangoni ◽  
M. Serio ◽  
P. Romagnani ◽  
E. Lazzeri
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Xia ◽  
Tao Han ◽  
Pinghua Yang ◽  
Ruoyu Wang ◽  
Hengyu Li ◽  
...  

Background. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in the regulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the role of miRNAs in liver CSCs has not been fully elucidated. Methods. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-miR-28-5p in liver cancer stem cells (CSCs). The impact of miR-28-5p on liver CSC expansion was investigated both in vivo and in vitro. The correlation between miR-28-5p expression and sorafenib benefits in HCC was further evaluated in patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Results. Our data showed that miR-28-5p was downregulated in sorted EpCAM- and CD24-positive liver CSCs. Biofunctional investigations revealed that knockdown miR-28-5p promoted liver CSC self-renewal and tumorigenesis. Consistently, miR-28-5p overexpression inhibited liver CSC’s self-renewal and tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, we found that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was a direct target of miR-28-5p in liver CSCs, and the effects of miR-28-5p on liver CSC’s self-renewal and tumorigenesis were dependent on IGF-1. The correlation between miR-28-5p and IGF-1 was confirmed in human HCC tissues. Furthermore, the miR-28-5p knockdown HCC cells were more sensitive to sorafenib treatment. Analysis of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) further demonstrated that the miR-28-5p may predict sorafenib benefits in HCC patients. Conclusion. Our findings revealed the crucial role of the miR-28-5p in liver CSC expansion and sorafenib response, rendering miR-28-5p an optimal therapeutic target for HCC.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjuan Mei ◽  
Xiaozeng Lin ◽  
Anil Kapoor ◽  
Yan Gu ◽  
Kuncheng Zhao ◽  
...  

Research in the last decade has clearly revealed a critical role of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) in prostate cancer (PC). Prostate stem cells (PSCs) reside in both basal and luminal layers, and are the target cells of oncogenic transformation, suggesting a role of PCSCs in PC initiation. Mutations in PTEN, TP53, and RB1 commonly occur in PC, particularly in metastasis and castration-resistant PC. The loss of PTEN together with Ras activation induces partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is a major mechanism that confers plasticity to cancer stem cells (CSCs) and PCSCs, which contributes to metastasis. While PTEN inactivation leads to PC, it is not sufficient for metastasis, the loss of PTEN concurrently with the inactivation of both TP53 and RB1 empower lineage plasticity in PC cells, which substantially promotes PC metastasis and the conversion to PC adenocarcinoma to neuroendocrine PC (NEPC), demonstrating the essential function of TP53 and RB1 in the suppression of PCSCs. TP53 and RB1 suppress lineage plasticity through the inhibition of SOX2 expression. In this review, we will discuss the current evidence supporting a major role of PCSCs in PC initiation and metastasis, as well as the underlying mechanisms regulating PCSCs. These discussions will be developed along with the cancer stem cell (CSC) knowledge in other cancer types.


Stem Cells ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 879-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda Kucia ◽  
Ryan Reca ◽  
Katarzyna Miekus ◽  
Jens Wanzeck ◽  
Wojtek Wojakowski ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. E6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swetha J. Sundar ◽  
Jason K. Hsieh ◽  
Sunil Manjila ◽  
Justin D. Lathia ◽  
Andrew Sloan

Recurrence in glioblastoma is nearly universal, and its prognosis remains dismal despite significant advances in treatment over the past decade. Glioblastoma demonstrates considerable intratumoral phenotypic and molecular heterogeneity and contains a population of cancer stem cells that contributes to tumor propagation, maintenance, and treatment resistance. Cancer stem cells are functionally defined by their ability to self-renew and to differentiate, and they constitute the diverse hierarchy of cells composing a tumor. When xenografted into an appropriate host, they are capable of tumorigenesis. Given the critical role of cancer stem cells in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma, research into their molecular and phenotypic characteristics is a therapeutic priority. In this review, the authors discuss the evolution of the cancer stem cell model of tumorigenesis and describe the specific role of cancer stem cells in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma and their molecular and microenvironmental characteristics. They also discuss recent clinical investigations into targeted therapies against cancer stem cells in the treatment of glioblastoma.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Ciardiello ◽  
Alessandra Leone ◽  
Alfredo Budillon

Several evidences nowadays demonstrated the critical role of the microenvironment in regulating cancer stem cells and their involvement in tumor progression. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered as one of the most effective vehicles of information among cells. Accordingly, a number of studies led to the recognition of stem cell-associated EVs as new complexes able to contribute to cell fate determination of either normal or tumor cells. In this review, we aim to highlight an existing bidirectional role of EV-mediated communication—from cancer stem cells to microenvironment and also from microenvironment to cancer stem cells—in the most widespread solid cancers as prostate, breast, lung, and colon tumors.


Aging ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linglong Peng ◽  
Yongfu Xiong ◽  
Rong Wang ◽  
Ling Xiang ◽  
He Zhou ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Yang ◽  
Shuoji Zhu ◽  
Yongqing Li ◽  
Jian Zhuang ◽  
Jimei Chen ◽  
...  

Background: Our previous studies have shown that Pygo (Pygopus) in Drosophila plays a critical role in adult heart function that is likely conserved in mammals. However, its role in the differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) into cardiomyocytes remains unknown. Objective: To investigate the role of pygo2 in the differentiation of hUC-MSCs into cardiomyocytes. Methods: Third passage hUC-MSCs were divided into two groups: a p+ group infected with the GV492-pygo2 virus and a p− group infected with the GV492 virus. After infection and 3 or 21 days of incubation, Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect pluripotency markers, including OCT-4 and SOX2. Nkx2.5, Gata-4 and cTnT were detected by immunofluorescence at 7, 14 and 21 days post-infection, respectively. Expression of cardiac-related genes—including Nkx2.5, Gata-4, TNNT2, MEF2c, ISL-1, FOXH1, KDR, αMHC and α-Actin—were analyzed by qRT-PCR following transfection with the virus at one, two and three weeks. Results : After three days of incubation, there were no significant changes in the expression of the pluripotency stem cell markers OCT-4 and SOX2 in the p+ group hUC-MSCs relative to controls (OCT-4: 1.03 ± 0.096 VS 1, P > 0.05, SOX2: 1.071 ± 0.189 VS 1, P > 0.05); however, after 21 days, significant decreases were observed (OCT-4: 0.164 ± 0.098 VS 1, P < 0.01, SOX2: 0.209 ± 0.109 VS 1, P < 0.001). Seven days following incubation, expression of mesoderm specialisation markers, such as Nkx2.5, Gata-4, MEF2c and KDR, were increased; at 14 days following incubation, expression of cardiac genes, such as Nkx2.5, Gata-4, TNNT2, MEF2c, ISL-1, FOXH1, KDR, αMHC and α-Actin, were significantly upregulated in the p+ group relative to the p− group (P < 0.05). Taken together, these findings suggest that overexpression of pygo2 results in more hUCMSCs gradually differentiating into cardiomyocyte-like cells. Conclusion: We are the first to show that overexpression of pygo2 significantly enhances the expression of cardiac-genic genes, including Nkx2.5 and Gata-4, and promotes the differentiation of hUC-MSCs into cardiomyocyte-like cells.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2864
Author(s):  
Anna Pulawska-Czub ◽  
Tomasz D. Pieczonka ◽  
Paula Mazurek ◽  
Krzysztof Kobielak

Nails are highly keratinized skin appendages that exhibit continuous growth under physiological conditions and full regeneration upon removal. These mini-organs are maintained by two autonomous populations of skin stem cells. The fast-cycling, highly proliferative stem cells of the nail matrix (nail stem cells (NSCs)) predominantly replenish the nail plate. Furthermore, the slow-cycling population of the nail proximal fold (nail proximal fold stem cells (NPFSCs)) displays bifunctional properties by contributing to the peri-nail epidermis under the normal homeostasis and the nail structure upon injury. Here, we discuss nail mini-organ stem cells’ location and their role in skin and nail homeostasis and regeneration, emphasizing their importance to orchestrate the whole digit tip regeneration. Such endogenous regeneration capabilities are observed in rodents and primates. However, they are limited to the region adjacent to the nail’s proximal area, indicating the crucial role of nail mini-organ stem cells in digit restoration. Further, we explore the molecular characteristics of nail mini-organ stem cells and the critical role of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Wnt signaling pathways in homeostatic nail growth and digit restoration. Finally, we investigate the latest accomplishments in stimulating regenerative responses in regeneration-incompetent injuries. These pioneer results might open up new opportunities to overcome amputated mammalian digits and limbs’ regenerative failures in the future.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1674
Author(s):  
Sara Tomei ◽  
Ola Ibnaof ◽  
Shilpa Ravindran ◽  
Soldano Ferrone ◽  
Cristina Maccalli

Cancer cells endowed with stemness properties and representing a rare population of cells within malignant lesions have been isolated from tumors with different histological origins. These cells, denominated as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer initiating cells (CICs), are responsible for tumor initiation, progression and resistance to therapies, including immunotherapy. The dynamic crosstalk of CSCs/CICs with the tumor microenvironment orchestrates their fate and plasticity as well as their immunogenicity. CSCs/CICs, as observed in multiple studies, display either the aberrant expression of immunomodulatory molecules or suboptimal levels of molecules involved in antigen processing and presentation, leading to immune evasion. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that can regulate either stemness properties or their immunological profile, with in some cases dual functions, can provide insights into these mechanisms and possible interventions to develop novel therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs/CICs and reverting their immunogenicity. In this review, we provide an overview of the immunoregulatory features of CSCs/CICs including miRNA profiles involved in the regulation of the interplay between stemness and immunological properties.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii200-ii200
Author(s):  
Stephen Skirboll ◽  
Natasha Lucki ◽  
Genaro Villa ◽  
Naja Vergani ◽  
Michael Bollong ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of primary brain cancer. A subpopulation of multipotent cells termed GBM cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a critical role in tumor initiation and maintenance, drug resistance, and recurrence following surgery. New therapeutic strategies for the treatment of GBM have recently focused on targeting CSCs. Here we have used an unbiased large-scale screening approach to identify drug-like small molecules that induce apoptosis in GBM CSCs in a cell type-selective manner. METHODS A luciferase-based survival assay of patient-derived GBM CSC lines was established to perform a large-scale screen of ∼one million drug-like small molecules with the goal of identifying novel compounds that are selectively toxic to chemoresistant GBM CSCs. Compounds found to kill GBM CSC lines as compared to control cell types were further characterized. A caspase activation assay was used to evaluate the mechanism of induced cell death. A xenograft animal model using patient-derived GBM CSCs was employed to test the leading candidate for suppression of in vivo tumor formation. RESULTS We identified a small molecule, termed RIPGBM, from the cell-based chemical screen that induces apoptosis in primary patient-derived GBM CSC cultures. The cell type-dependent selectivity of RIPGBM appears to arise at least in part from redox-dependent formation of a proapoptotic derivative, termed cRIPGBM, in GBM CSCs. cRIPGBM induces caspase 1-dependent apoptosis by binding to receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) and acting as a molecular switch, which reduces the formation of a prosurvival RIPK2/TAK1 complex and increases the formation of a proapoptotic RIPK2/caspase 1 complex. In an intracranial GBM xenograft mouse model, RIPGBM was found to significantly suppress tumor formation. CONCLUSIONS Our chemical genetics-based approach has identified a small molecule drug candidate and a potential drug target that selectively targets cancer stem cells and provides an approach for the treatment of GBMs.


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