scholarly journals Zebrafish Microenvironment Elevates EMT and CSC-Like Phenotype of Engrafted Prostate Cancer Cells

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 797
Author(s):  
Lanpeng Chen ◽  
Maciej Boleslaw Olszewski ◽  
Marianna Kruithof-de Julio ◽  
B. Ewa Snaar-Jagalska

To visually and genetically trace single-cell dynamics of human prostate cancer (PCa) cells at the early stage of metastasis, a zebrafish (ZF) xenograft model was employed. The phenotypes of intravenously transplanted fluorescent cells were monitored by high-resolution, single-cell intravital confocal and light-sheet imaging. Engrafted osteotropic, androgen independent PCa cells were extravasated from caudle vein, invaded the neighboring tissue, proliferated and formed experimental metastases around caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT) in four days. Gene expression comparison between cells in culture and in CHT revealed that engrafted PCa cells responded to the ZF microenvironment by elevating expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness markers. Next, metastatic potentials of ALDHhi cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) and ALDHlow non-CSCs were analyzed in ZF. Engraftment of CSCs induced faster metastatic onset, however after six days both cell subpopulations equally responded to the ZF microenvironment, resulting in the same increase of stemness genes expression including Nanog, Oct-4 and Cripto. Knockdown of Cripto significantly reduced the vimentin/E-cadherin ratio in engrafted cells, indicating that Cripto is required for transduction of the microenvironment signals from the ZF niche to increase mesenchymal potential of cells. Targeting of either Cripto or EMT transcriptional factors Snail 1 and Zeb1 significantly suppressed metastatic growth. These data indicated that zebrafish microenvironment governed the CSC/EMT plasticity of human PCa cells promoting metastasis initiation.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolei Pei ◽  
Danfeng Zheng ◽  
Shaoping She ◽  
Zhiwei Fang ◽  
Shiying Zhang ◽  
...  

Prostate cancer (PCa), especially metastatic PCa, is one of the main cancer types accounting for male mortality worldwide. Over decades, researchers have tried to search for effective curative methods for PCa, but many attempts have failed. The therapeutic failure of PCa is usually due to off-target or side effects; thus, finding a key molecule that could prevent PCa metastatic progression has become the most important goal for curing aggressive PCa. In this study, we collected hundreds of PCa tissues and serum and urine samples from patients to verify the upregulated expression of PC3-secreted microprotein (PSMP) in PCa tumor tissues with high Gleason scores. According to biopsy results, PSMP expression was found related to extraprostatic extension (EPE), contributing to PCa metastasis. Mechanistically, recombinant PSMP protein could promote the proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, and rhPSMP could promote epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of PC3 in vitro. Additionally, PSMP could also influence cytokine production in the xenograft model and monocyte migration and macrophage polarization in vitro. Our most important finding was that neutralizing antibodies against PSMP could suppress xenograft PC3 growth and promote the survival of PC3 metastatic mice model, providing an effective option to cure human PCa.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawei Wang ◽  
Guoliang Lu ◽  
Yuan Shao ◽  
Da Xu

miRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs that exert critical roles in various biological processes. The aim of the present study was to identify the functional roles of miR-802 in regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in prostate cancer (PCa). miR-802 expression was detected in 73 pairs of PCa samples and PCa cell lines (PC3 and DU145 cells) by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation was detected using MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry. Transwell assay was conducted to investigate cell migration and invasion. Expression analysis of a set of EMT markers was performed to explore whether miR-802 is involved in EMT program. Xenograft model was established to investigate the function of miR-802 in carcinogenesis in vivo. The direct regulation of Flotillin-2 (Flot2) by miR-802 was identified using luciferase reporter assay. miR-802 was remarkably down-regulated in PCa tissues and cell lines. Gain-of-function trails showed that miR-802 serves as an ‘oncosuppressor’ in PCa through inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting cell apoptosis in vitro. Overexpression of miR-802 significantly suppressed in vivo PCa tumor growth. Luciferase reporter analysis identified Flot2 as a direct target of miR-802 in PCa cells. Overexpressed miR-802 significantly suppressed EMT, migration and invasion in PCa cells by regulating Flot2. We identified miR-802 as a novel tumor suppressor in PCa progression and elucidated a novel mechanism of the miR-802/Flot2 axis in the regulation of EMT, which may be a potential therapeutic target.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Duck Choi ◽  
Tae Jin Kim ◽  
Byong Chang Jeong ◽  
Hwang Gyun Jeon ◽  
Seong Soo Jeon ◽  
...  

Abstract Abnormal expression of insulin gene enhancer-binding protein 1 (ISL1) has been demonstrated to be closely associated with cancer development and progression in several cancers. However, little is known about ISL1 expression in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). ISL1 has also been recognized as a positive modulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we focused on ISL1 which showed maximum upregulation at the mRNA level in the enzalutamide-resistant cell line. Accordingly, we found that ISL1 was overexpressed in enzalutamide-resistant C4-2B cells and its expression was significantly related to EMT. Our findings reveal the important role of ISL1 in androgen receptor (AR)-dependent prostate cancer cell growth; ISL1 knockdown reduced the AR activity and cell growth. ISL1 knockdown using small-interfering RNA inhibited AR, PSA, and EMT-related protein expression in C4-2B ENZR cells. In addition, knock-down ISL1 reduced the levels of AKT and p65 phosphorylation in C4-2B ENZR cells and these suggest that knock-down ISL1 suppresses EMT in part by targeting the AKT/ NF-κB pathway. Further, ISL1 downregulation could effectively inhibit tumor growth in a human CRPC xenograft model. Together, the present study shows that downregulation of ISL1 expression is necessary for overcoming enzalutamide resistance and improving the survival of CRPC patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Duck Choi ◽  
Tae Jin Kim ◽  
Byong Chang Jeong ◽  
Hwang Gyun Jeon ◽  
Seong Soo Jeon ◽  
...  

AbstractAbnormal expression of insulin gene enhancer-binding protein 1 (ISL1) has been demonstrated to be closely associated with cancer development and progression in several cancers. However, little is known about ISL1 expression in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). ISL1 has also been recognized as a positive modulator of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we focused on ISL1 which showed maximum upregulation at the mRNA level in the enzalutamide-resistant cell line. Accordingly, we found that ISL1 was overexpressed in enzalutamide-resistant C4-2B cells and its expression was significantly related to EMT. Our findings reveal the important role of ISL1 in androgen receptor (AR)-dependent prostate cancer cell growth; ISL1 knockdown reduced the AR activity and cell growth. ISL1 knockdown using small-interfering RNA inhibited AR, PSA, and EMT-related protein expression in C4-2B ENZR cells. In addition, knock-down ISL1 reduced the levels of AKT and p65 phosphorylation in C4-2B ENZR cells and these suggest that knock-down ISL1 suppresses EMT in part by targeting the AKT/NF-κB pathway. Further, ISL1 downregulation could effectively inhibit tumor growth in a human CRPC xenograft model. Together, the present study shows that downregulation of ISL1 expression is necessary for overcoming enzalutamide resistance and improving the survival of CRPC patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianna Maria Santos ◽  
Fazle Hussain

Background: Reduced levels of magnesium can cause several diseases and increase cancer risk. Motivated by magnesium chloride’s (MgCl2) non-toxicity, physiological importance, and beneficial clinical applications, we studied its action mechanism and possible mechanical, molecular, and physiological effects in prostate cancer with different metastatic potentials.Methods: We examined the effects of MgCl2, after 24 and 48 hours, on apoptosis, cell migration, expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, and V-H+-ATPase, myosin II (NMII) and the transcription factor NF Kappa B (NFkB) expressions.Results: MgCl2 induces apoptosis, and significantly decreases migration speed in cancer cells with different metastatic potentials.  MgCl2 reduces the expression of V-H+-ATPase and myosin II that facilitates invasion and metastasis, suppresses the expression of vimentin and increases expression of E-cadherin, suggesting a role of MgCl2 in reversing the EMT. MgCl2 also significantly increases the chromatin condensation and decreases NFkB expression.Conclusions: These results suggest a promising preventive and therapeutic role of MgCl2 for prostate cancer. Further studies should explore extending MgCl2 therapy to in vivo studies and other cancer types.Keywords: Magnesium chloride, prostate cancer, migration speed, V-H+-ATPase, and EMT.


Author(s):  
Mirazkar D. Pandareesh ◽  
Vivek Hamse Kameshwar ◽  
Kullaiah K. Byrappa

: Prostate cancer is a multifactorial disease that mainly occurs due to the accumulation of somatic, genetic and epigenetic changes, resulting in the inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes and activation of oncogenes. Mutations in genes, specifically those that control cell growth and division or the repair of damaged DNA, make the cells grow and divide uncontrollably to form a tumor. The risk of developing prostate cancer depends upon the gene that has undergone the mutation. Identifying such genetic risk factors for prostate cancer pose a challenge for the researchers. Besides genetic mutations, many epigenetic alterations including DNA methylation, histone modifications (methylation, acetylation, ubiquitylation, sumoylation, and phosphorylation) nucleosomal remodelling, and chromosomal looping, have been significantly contributed to the onset of prostate cancer as well as the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of prostate cancer. Chronic inflammation also plays a major role in the onset and progression of human cancer, via. modifications in the tumor microenvironment by initiating epithelial-mesenchymal transition and remodelling the extracellular matrix. In this article, the authors present a brief history of the mechanisms and potential links between the genetic aberrations, epigenetic changes, inflammation and inflammasomes that are known to contribute to the prognosis of prostate cancer. Furthermore, the authors examine and discuss clinical potential of prostate carcinogenesis in relation to epigenetics and inflammation for its diagnosis and treatment.


Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaisa-Mari Launonen ◽  
Ville Paakinaho ◽  
Gianluca Sigismondo ◽  
Marjo Malinen ◽  
Reijo Sironen ◽  
...  

AbstractTreatment of prostate cancer confronts resistance to androgen receptor (AR)-targeted therapies. AR-associated coregulators and chromatin proteins hold a great potential for novel therapy targets. Here, we employed a powerful chromatin-directed proteomics approach termed ChIP-SICAP to uncover the composition of chromatin protein network, the chromatome, around endogenous AR in castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells. In addition to several expected AR coregulators, the chromatome contained many nuclear proteins not previously associated with the AR. In the context of androgen signaling in CRPC cells, we further investigated the role of a known AR-associated protein, a chromatin remodeler SMARCA4 and that of SIM2, a transcription factor without a previous association with AR. To understand their role in chromatin accessibility and AR target gene expression, we integrated data from ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq and functional experiments. Despite the wide co-occurrence of SMARCA4 and AR on chromatin, depletion of SMARCA4 influenced chromatin accessibility and expression of a restricted set of AR target genes, especially those involved in cell morphogenetic changes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The depletion also inhibited the CRPC cell growth, validating SMARCA4’s functional role in CRPC cells. Although silencing of SIM2 reduced chromatin accessibility similarly, it affected the expression of a much larger group of androgen-regulated genes, including those involved in cellular responses to external stimuli and steroid hormone stimulus. The silencing also reduced proliferation of CRPC cells and tumor size in chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay, further emphasizing the importance of SIM2 in CRPC cells and pointing to the functional relevance of this potential prostate cancer biomarker in CRPC cells. Overall, the chromatome of AR identified in this work is an important resource for the field focusing on this important drug target.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153303382198981
Author(s):  
Xin-bo Sun ◽  
Yong-wei Chen ◽  
Qi-sheng Yao ◽  
Xu-hua Chen ◽  
Min He ◽  
...  

Background: Prostate cancer is a common malignant tumor with a high incidence. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be important post-transcriptional regulators during tumorigenesis. This study aimed to explore the effect of miR-144 on PCa proliferation and apoptosis. Material and Methods: The expression of miR-144 and EZH2 were examined in clinical PCa tissues. PCa cell line LNCAP and DU-145 was employed and transfected with miR-144 mimics or inhibitors. The correlation between miR-144 and EZH2 was verified by luciferase reporter assay. Cell viability, apoptosis and migratory capacity were detected by CCK-8, flow cytometry assay and wound healing assay. The protein level of EZH2, E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin and vimentin were analyzed by western blotting. Results: miR-144 was found to be negatively correlated to the expression of EZH2 in PCa tissues. Further studies identified EZH2 as a direct target of miR-144. Moreover, overexpression of miR-144 downregulated expression of EZH2, reduced cell viability and promoted cell apoptosis, while knockdown of miR-144 led to an inverse result. miR-144 also suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition level of PCa cells. Conclusion: Our study indicated that miR-144 negatively regulate the expression of EZH2 in clinical specimens and in vitro. miR-144 can inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis in PCa cells. Therefore, miR-144 has the potential to be used as a biomarker for predicting the progression of PCa.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenming Jiang ◽  
Yuxi Zhang ◽  
Xi Chen ◽  
Pingeng Wu ◽  
Dong Chen

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.


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