scholarly journals The Effect of Alpha Mangostin on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells Surviving Sorafenib via TGF-β/Smad Pathways

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-655
Author(s):  
Syarinta Adenina ◽  
Melva Louisa ◽  
Vivian Soetikno ◽  
Wawaimuli Arozal ◽  
Septelia Inawati Wanandi

Purpose : This study was intended to find out the impact of alpha mangostin administration on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and TGF-β/Smad pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma Hep-G2 cells surviving sorafenib. Methods: Hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells were treated with sorafenib 10 μM. Cells surviving sorafenib treatment (HepG2surv) were then treated vehicle, sorafenib, alpha mangostin, or combination of sorafenib and alpha mangostin. Afterward, cells were observed for their morphology with an inverted microscope and counted for cell viability. The concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in a culture medium were examined using ELISA. The mRNA expressions of TGF-β1, TGF-β1-receptor, Smad3, Smad7, E-cadherin, and vimentin were evaluated using quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. The protein level of E-cadherin was also determined using western blot analysis. Results: Treatment of alpha mangostin and sorafenib caused a significant decrease in the viability of sorafenib-surviving HepG2 cells versus control (both groups with P<0.05). Our study found that alpha mangostin treatment increased the expressions of vimentin (P<0.001 versus control). In contrast, alpha mangostin treatment tends to decrease the expressions of Smad7 and E-cadherin (both with P>0.05). In line with our findings, the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad3 are significantly upregulated after alpha mangostin administration (both with P<0.05) versus control. Conclusion: Alpha mangostin reduced cell viability of sorafenib-surviving HepG2 cells; however, it also enhanced epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers by activating TGF-β/Smad pathways.

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (22) ◽  
pp. 4751-4765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Kolosionek ◽  
Rajkumar Savai ◽  
Hossein Ardeschir Ghofrani ◽  
Norbert Weissmann ◽  
Andreas Guenther ◽  
...  

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) has emerged as a critical event in the pathogenesis of organ fibrosis and cancer and is typically induced by the multifunctional cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential role of phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in TGF-β1-induced EMT in the human alveolar epithelial type II cell line A549. Stimulation of A549 with TGF-β1 induced EMT by morphological alterations and by expression changes of the epithelial phenotype markers E-cadherin, cytokeratin-18, zona occludens-1, and the mesenchymal phenotype markers, collagen I, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin. Interestingly, TGF-β1 stimulation caused twofold increase in total cAMP-PDE activity, contributed mostly by PDE4. Furthermore, mRNA and protein expression demonstrated up-regulation of PDE4A and PDE4D isoforms in TGF-β1-stimulated cells. Most importantly, treatment of TGF-β1 stimulated epithelial cells with the PDE4-selective inhibitor rolipram or PDE4 small interfering RNA potently inhibited EMT changes in a Smad-independent manner by decreasing reactive oxygen species, p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation. In contrast, the ectopic overexpression of PDE4A and/or PDE4D resulted in a significant loss of epithelial marker E-cadherin but did not result in changes of mesenchymal markers. In addition, Rho kinase signaling activated by TGF-β1 during EMT demonstrated to be a positive regulator of PDE4. Collectively, the findings presented herein suggest that TGF-β1 mediated up-regulation of PDE4 promotes EMT in alveolar epithelial cells. Thus, targeting PDE4 isoforms may be a novel approach to attenuate EMT-associated lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer.


2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1871-1879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian Medici ◽  
Elizabeth D. Hay ◽  
Daniel A. Goodenough

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) has been shown to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during various stages of embryogenesis and progressive disease. This alteration in cellular morphology is typically characterized by changes in cell polarity and loss of adhesion proteins such as E-cadherin. Here we demonstrate that EMT is associated with loss of claudin-1, claudin-2, occludin, and E-cadherin expression within 72 h of exposure to TGF-β1 in MDCKII cells. It has been suggested that this expression loss occurs through TGF-β1 in a Smad-independent mechanism, involving MEK and PI3K pathways, which have previously been shown to induce expression of the Snail (SNAI-1) gene. Here we show that these pathways are responsible for loss of tight junctions and a partial loss of E-cadherin. However, our results also demonstrate that a complete loss of E-cadherin and transformation to the mesenchymal phenotype are dependent on Smad signaling, which subsequently stimulates formation of β-catenin/LEF-1 complexes that induce EMT.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 2222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonan Chen ◽  
Shikun Zhou ◽  
Yujuan Zhan ◽  
Junzi Ke ◽  
Kun Wang ◽  
...  

Dioscin is a natural steroidal saponin that can be isolated from Chinese medicine, such as Dioscoreae rhizoma. It has wild range of pharmacological activities such as hepatoprotection, a lipid-lowering effect, and anti-inflammation. Recently, mounting studies reported the anticancer effect of dioscin on a variety of tumor cells. However, the potential effect of dioscin on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HepG2 cells is unclear. In the present study, dioscin was identified to inhibit transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and induced invasive and migratory behavior of HepG2 cells. Consistently, the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and gap junction proteins increased following dioscin treatment, while mesenchymal markers decreased, including N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug. Furthermore, we discovered that TGF-β1 induces phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and Erk, whereas the activation of these kinases was reversed by dioscin treatment in a dose-dependent manner. With the addition of Asiatic acid, a p38 activator, the inhibitory effect of dioscin on EMT was reversed. Taken together, these data indicated that dioscin inhibits EMT in HepG2 cells, which is mediated in large part by inhibition of the p38-MAPK signaling.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 030006052199651
Author(s):  
Jie Yang ◽  
Enzi Feng ◽  
Yanxin Ren ◽  
Shun Qiu ◽  
Liufang Zhao ◽  
...  

Objectives To identify key long non-coding (lnc)RNAs responsible for the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CNE1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and to investigate possible regulatory mechanisms in EMT. Methods CNE1 cells were divided into transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced EMT and control groups. The mRNA and protein expression of EMT markers was determined by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups were identified by RNA sequencing analysis, and DEG functions were analyzed by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. EMT marker expression was re-evaluated by western blotting after knockdown of a selected lncRNA. Results TGF-β1-induced EMT was characterized by decreased E-cadherin and increased vimentin, N-cadherin, and Twist expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Sixty lncRNA genes were clustered in a heatmap, and mRNA expression of 14 dysregulated lncRNAs was consistent with RNA sequencing. Knockdown of lnc-PNRC2-1 increased expression of its antisense gene MYOM3 and reduced expression of EMT markers, resembling treatment with the TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor LY2109761. Conclusion Various lncRNAs participated indirectly in the TGF-β1-induced EMT of CNE1 cells. Lnc-PNRC2-1 may be a key regulator of this and is a potential target to alleviate CNE1 cell EMT.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1889
Author(s):  
Ritu Shrestha ◽  
Prashanth Prithviraj ◽  
Kim R. Bridle ◽  
Darrell H. G. Crawford ◽  
Aparna Jayachandran

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary hepatic malignancy. HCC is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. The oral multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor Sorafenib is the standard first-line therapy in patients with advanced unresectable HCC. Despite the significant survival benefit in HCC patients post treatment with Sorafenib, many patients had progressive disease as a result of acquiring drug resistance. Circumventing resistance to Sorafenib by exploring and targeting possible molecular mechanisms and pathways is an area of active investigation worldwide. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular process allowing epithelial cells to assume mesenchymal traits. HCC tumour cells undergo EMT to become immune evasive and develop resistance to Sorafenib treatment. Immune checkpoint molecules control immune escape in many tumours, including HCC. The aim of this study is to investigate whether combined inhibition of EMT and immune checkpoints can re-sensitise HCC to Sorafenib treatment. Post treatment with Sorafenib, HCC cells PLC/PRF/5 and Hep3B were monitored for induction of EMT and immune checkpoint molecules using quantitative reverse transcriptase (qRT)- PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, and motility assays. The effect of combination treatment with SB431542, a specific inhibitor of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β receptor kinase, and siRNA mediated knockdown of programmed cell death protein ligand-1 (PD-L1) on Sorafenib resistance was examined using a cell viability assay. We found that three days of Sorafenib treatment activated EMT with overexpression of TGF-β1 in both HCC cell lines. Following Sorafenib exposure, increase in the expression of PD-L1 and other immune checkpoints was observed. SB431542 blocked the TGF-β1-mediated EMT in HCC cells and also repressed PD-L1 expression. Likewise, knockdown of PD-L1 inhibited EMT. Moreover, the sensitivity of HCC cells to Sorafenib was enhanced by combining a blockade of EMT with SB431542 and knockdown of PD-L1 expression. Sorafenib-induced motility was attenuated with the combined treatment of SB431542 and PD-L1 knockdown. Our findings indicate that treatment with Sorafenib induces EMT and expression of immune checkpoint molecules, which contributes to Sorafenib resistance in HCC cells. Thus, the combination treatment strategy of inhibiting EMT and immune checkpoint molecules can re-sensitise HCC cells to Sorafenib.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 2883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiko Takagi ◽  
Yutaka Midorikawa ◽  
Tadatoshi Takayama ◽  
Hayato Abe ◽  
Kyoko Fujiwara ◽  
...  

Synthetic pyrrole-imidazole (PI) polyamides bind to the minor groove of double-helical DNA with high affinity and specificity, and inhibit the transcription of corresponding genes. In liver cancer, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β expression is correlated with tumor grade, and high-grade liver cancer tissues express epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers. TGF-β1 was reported to be involved in cancer development by transforming precancer cells to cancer stem cells (CSCs). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TGF-β1-targeting PI polyamide on the growth of liver cancer cells and CSCs and their TGF-β1 expression. We analyzed TGF-β1 expression level after the administration of GB1101, a PI polyamide that targets human TGF-β1 promoter, and examined its effects on cell proliferation, invasiveness, and TGF-β1 mRNA expression level. GB1101 treatment dose-dependently decreased TGF-β1 mRNA levels in HepG2 and HLF cells, and inhibited HepG2 colony formation associated with downregulation of TGF-β1 mRNA. Although GB1101 did not substantially inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells compared to untreated control cells, GB1101 significantly suppressed the invasion of HLF cells, which displayed high expression of CD44, a marker for CSCs. Furthermore, GB1101 significantly inhibited HLF cell sphere formation by inhibiting TGF-β1 expression, in addition to suppressing the proliferation of HLE and HLF cells. Taken together, GB1101 reduced TGF-β1 expression in liver cancer cells and suppressed cell invasion; therefore, GB1101 is a novel candidate drug for the treatment of liver cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5543
Author(s):  
Jitka Soukupova ◽  
Andrea Malfettone ◽  
Esther Bertran ◽  
María Isabel Hernández-Alvarez ◽  
Irene Peñuelas-Haro ◽  
...  

(1) Background: The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β plays a dual role in liver carcinogenesis. At early stages, it inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis. However, TGF-β expression is high in advanced stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cells become resistant to TGF-β induced suppressor effects, responding to this cytokine undergoing epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), which contributes to cell migration and invasion. Metabolic reprogramming has been established as a key hallmark of cancer. However, to consider metabolism as a therapeutic target in HCC, it is necessary to obtain a better understanding of how reprogramming occurs, which are the factors that regulate it, and how to identify the situation in a patient. Accordingly, in this work we aimed to analyze whether a process of full EMT induced by TGF-β in HCC cells induces metabolic reprogramming. (2) Methods: In vitro analysis in HCC cell lines, metabolomics and transcriptomics. (3) Results: Our findings indicate a differential metabolic switch in response to TGF-β when the HCC cells undergo a full EMT, which would favor lipolysis, increased transport and utilization of free fatty acids (FFA), decreased aerobic glycolysis and an increase in mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. (4) Conclusions: EMT induced by TGF-β in HCC cells reprograms lipid metabolism to facilitate the utilization of FFA and the entry of acetyl-CoA into the TCA cycle, to sustain the elevated requirements of energy linked to this process.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 407-414
Author(s):  
Rui-qin Li ◽  
Bai-yan Wang ◽  
Yu-wen Ding ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Jun-xia Zhang ◽  
...  

AbstractThe present study explores the mechanism of resistance to pulmonary fibrosis by observing the possible effects of serum containing drugs prepared from Gua Lou Xie Bai decoction (GLXB-D) on transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) induced Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of A549 human alveolar epithelial cells. The inhibition rate was observed with the help of thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) in 24 h and 48 h treated cells. Inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to study the changes in the morphology and ultrastructure of the cells. The expressions of E-cadherin and Vimentin were comparatively analyzed by Western blotting, while the expressions of Collagen I and III were analyzed by ELISA. The data obtained indicated that the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin was decreased, while the expressions of EMT markers such as Vimentin and Collagen I and III were increased in 24 h after TGF-β1 induction. However, the serum containing drugs of GLXB-D were found to inhibit the TGF-β1 induced proliferation of cells, increase the expression of E-cadherin and decrease the expression of Vimentin, collagen I and III. In conclusion, the serum containing drugs of GLXB-D effectively reduced pulmonary fibrosis, mainly via the reversal of EMT induction by TGF-β1. Thus, it can be considered as a potential candidate for the development of better treatment methods for pulmonary fibrosis.


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