Syndecan-1 Depletion Has a Differential Impact on Hyaluronic Acid Metabolism and Tumor Cell Behavior in Luminal and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans (PGs) are major components of the glycocalyx. The secreted GAG and CD44 ligand hyaluronic acid (HA), and the cell surface PG syndecan-1 (Sdc-1) modulate the expression and activity of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and adhesion molecules, acting as critical regulators of tumor cell behavior. Here, we studied the effect of Sdc-1 siRNA depletion and HA treatment on hallmark processes of cancer in breast cancer cell lines of different levels of aggressiveness. We analyzed HA synthesis, and parameters relevant to tumor progression, including the stem cell phenotype, Wnt signaling constituents, cell cycle progression and apoptosis, and angiogenic markers in luminal MCF-7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. Sdc-1 knockdown enhanced HAS-2 synthesis and HA binding in MCF-7, but not in MDA-MB-231 cells. Sdc-1-depleted MDA-MB-231 cells showed a reduced CD24-/CD44+ population. Furthermore, Sdc-1 depletion was associated with survival signals in both cell lines, affecting cell cycle progression and apoptosis evasion. These changes were linked to the altered expression of KLF4, MSI2, and miR-10b and differential changes in Erk, Akt, and PTEN signaling. We conclude that Sdc-1 knockdown differentially affects HA metabolism in luminal and triple-negative breast cancer model cell lines and impacts the stem phenotype, cell survival, and angiogenic factors.     

Periostin Expression and Its Prognostic Value for Colorectal Cancer

Integrin is important for cell growth, invasion and metastasis, which are frequently observed in malignant tumors. The periostin (POSTN) gene encodes the ligand for integrin, one of the key focal adhesion proteins contributing to the formation of a structural link between the extracellular matrix and integrins. High expression levels of the POSTN gene are correlated with numerous human malignancies. We examined POSTN protein in colorectal cancer specimens from 115 patients by strictly following up using immunohistochemistry. Cytoplasm immunohistochemical staining showed POSTN protein expression in colorectal cancers. The positive expression rate of POSTN protein (59.13%, 68/115) in colorectal cancers was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal colon mucosa (0.47%, 11/109). POSTN over-expression in colorectal cancers was positively correlated with tumor size, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, serosal invasion, clinical stage and five-year survival rates. Further analysis showed that patients with advanced stage colorectal cancer and high POSTN expression levels had lower survival rates than those with early stage colorectal cancer and low POSTN expression levels. Overall, our results showed that POSTN played an important role in the progression of colorectal cancers.     

Syndecan Transmembrane Domain Specifically Regulates Downstream Signaling Events of the Transmembrane Receptor Cytoplasmic Domain

Despite the known importance of the transmembrane domain (TMD) of syndecan receptors in cell adhesion and signaling, the molecular basis for syndecan TMD function remains unknown. Using in vivo invertebrate models, we found that mammalian syndecan-2 rescued both the guidance defects in C. elegans hermaphrodite-specific neurons and the impaired development of the midline axons of Drosophila caused by the loss of endogenous syndecan. These compensatory effects, however, were reduced significantly when syndecan-2 dimerization-defective TMD mutants were introduced. To further investigate the role of the TMD, we generated a chimera, 2eTPC, comprising the TMD of syndecan-2 linked to the cytoplasmic domain of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). This chimera exhibited SDS-resistant dimer formation that was lost in the corresponding dimerization-defective syndecan-2 TMD mutant, 2eT(GL)PC. Moreover, 2eTPC specifically enhanced Tyr 579 and Tyr 857 phosphorylation in the PDGFR cytoplasmic domain, while the TMD mutant failed to support such phosphorylation. Finally, 2eTPC, but not 2eT(GL)PC, induced phosphorylation of Src and PI3 kinase (known downstream effectors of Tyr 579 phosphorylation) and promoted Src-mediated migration of NIH3T3 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that the TMD of a syndecan-2 specifically regulates receptor cytoplasmic domain function and subsequent downstream signaling events controlling cell behavior.     

Gleditsia sinensis Thorn Attenuates the Collagen-Based Migration of PC3 Prostate Cancer Cells through the Suppression of α2β1 Integrin Expression

Gleditsia sinensis thorns (GST) have been used as a traditional medicine for carbuncles and skin diseases. The purpose of this study was to decide whether non-toxicological levels of water extract of GST (WEGST) are effective in inhibiting the progress of prostate cancer formation and to identify the target molecule involved in the WEGST-mediated inhibitory process of prostate cancer cell migration and in vivo tumor formation. Through the Boyden chamber migration assay, we found that non-toxic levels of WEGST could not attenuate the PC3 migration to the bottom area coated with serum but significantly inhibited PC3 cell migration to the collagen-coated bottom area. We also found that non-toxic levels of WEGST significantly attenuated collagen against adhesion. Interestingly, ectopic administration of WEGST could not affect the expression of α2β1 integrin, which is known as a receptor of collagen. However, when the PC3 cells adhered to a collagen-coated plate, the expression of α2 integrin but not that of β1 integrin was significantly inhibited by the administration of non-toxic levels of WEGST, leading to the inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation. Furthermore, oral administration of WEGST (25 mg/kg/day) significantly inhibited the size of a PC3 cell-xenografted tumor. Taken together, these results suggest a novel molecular mechanism for WEGST to inhibit prostate cancer progression at particular stages, such as collagen-mediated adhesion and migration, and it might provide further development for the therapeutic use of WEGST in the treatment of prostate cancer progression.     

Synthetic Polyamine BPA‐C8 Inhibits TGF‐β1‐Mediated Conversion of Human Dermal Fibroblast to Myofibroblasts and Establishment of Galectin‐1‐Rich Extracellular Matrix in Vitro

Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a role in the progression of malignant tumors. They are formed by conversion of fibroblasts to smooth muscle α‐actin‐positive (SMA‐positive) myofibroblasts. Polyamines are known to change the arrangement of the actin cytoskeleton by binding to the anionic actin. We tested the effect of the synthetic polyamine BPA‐C8 on the transition of human dermal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts induced either by TGF‐β1 alone or by TGF‐β1 together with adhesion/growth‐regulatory galectin‐1. Pre‐existing CAFs, myofibroblasts from pancreatitis, and rat smooth muscle cells were also exposed to BPA‐C8. BPA‐C8 impaired myofibroblast formation from activated fibroblasts, but it had no effect on cells already expressing SMA. BPA‐C8 also reduced the occurrence of an extracellular matrix around the activated fibroblasts. The reported data thus extend current insights into polyamine activity, adding interference with tumor progression to the tumor‐promoting processes warranting study.     

Polymeric fibre adhesion to the cementitious matrix related to the fibres type,water to cement ratio and curing time

In this study adhesion of some polymeric fibres to a cement matrix was evaluated by both theoretical and experimental approach. The adhesion results are interpreted in terms of fibre nature, water to cement ratio and curing. It was found that practical work of adhesion (G) is ten times larger than thermodynamic work of adhesion (W) between fibre and cement matrix. By employing adhesion theory to the composite system, fibre/cement interactions are better described. The results indicated that chemical adhesion between cement matrix and fibres decreased with decrease in water to cement ratio while mechanical bonding increased. The application of adhesion theory to cement based composite leads to calculation of a new parameter which is called energy dissipation (loss function). It was found that the loss function of the fibre–cement system increases more than 21% by increase in the curing time of the matrix from 14 days to 28 days.     

Stromal CCL5 Promotes Breast Cancer Progression by Interacting with CCR3 in Tumor Cells

Chemokines secreted from stromal cells have important roles for interactions with carcinoma cells and regulating tumor progression. C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 5 is expressed in various types of stromal cells and associated with tumor progression, interacting with C-C chemokine receptor (CCR) 1, 3 and 5 expressed in tumor cells. However, the expression on CCL5 and its receptors have so far not been well-examined in human breast carcinoma tissues. We therefore immunolocalized CCL5, as well as CCR1, 3 and 5, in 111 human breast carcinoma tissues and correlated them with clinicopathological characteristics. Stromal CCL5 immunoreactivity was significantly correlated with the aggressive phenotype of breast carcinomas. Importantly, this tendency was observed especially in the CCR3-positive group. Furthermore, the risk of recurrence was significantly higher in the patients with breast carcinomas positive for CCL5 and CCR3 but negative for CCR1 and CCR5, as compared with other patients. In summary, the CCL5-CCR3 axis might contribute to a worse prognosis in breast cancer patients, and these findings will contribute to a better understanding of the significance of the CCL5/CCRs axis in breast carcinoma microenvironment.     

Viscoelastic properties of short-fiber-reinforced rubber composites and the role of adhesion

Viscoelastic properties of short-fiber-reinforced natural rubber composites have been studied as a function of temperature and at different levels of adhesion. The effect of adhesion on the viscoelastic properties of the composites has been assessed, and it is found that the increase in adhesion increases the mechanical loss per cycle and modulus. With the increase in temperature the mechanical loss and modulus drop, indicating a possible deterioration of the adhesion at higher temperatures. Presence of carbon black increases the mechanical loss but does not necessarily increase the level of adhesion. The effect of overcuring has also been studied. Complex modulus of the composites displays an exponential behavior with the increase in volume fraction of fiber.     

Extracellular Matrix Remodeling by Fibroblast-MMP14 Regulates Melanoma Growth

Maintaining a balanced state in remodeling the extracellular matrix is crucial for tissue homeostasis, and this process is altered during skin cancer progression. In melanoma, several proteolytic enzymes are expressed in a time and compartmentalized manner to support tumor progression by generating a permissive environment. One of these proteases is the matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14). We could previously show that deletion of MMP14 in dermal fibroblasts results in the generation of a fibrotic-like skin in which melanoma growth is impaired. That was primarily due to collagen I accumulation due to lack of the collagenolytic activity of MMP14. However, as well as collagen I processing, MMP14 can also process several extracellular matrices. We investigated extracellular matrix alterations occurring in the MMP14-deleted fibroblasts that can contribute to the modulation of melanoma growth. The matrix deposited by cultured MMP14-deleted fibroblast displayed an antiproliferative and anti-migratory effect on melanoma cells in vitro. Analysis of the secreted and deposited-decellularized fibroblast’s matrix identified a few altered proteins, among which the most significantly changed was collagen XIV. This collagen was increased because of post-translational events, while de novo synthesis was unchanged. Collagen XIV as a substrate was not pro-proliferative, pro-migratory, or adhesive, suggesting a negative regulatory role on melanoma cells. Consistent with that, increasing collagen XIV concentration in wild-type fibroblast-matrix led to reduced melanoma proliferation, migration, and adhesion. In support of its anti-tumor activity, enhanced accumulation of collagen XIV was detected in peritumoral areas of melanoma grown in mice with the fibroblast’s deletion of MMP14. In advanced human melanoma samples, we detected reduced expression of collagen XIV compared to benign nevi, which showed a robust expression of this molecule around melanocytic nests. This study shows that loss of fibroblast-MMP14 affects melanoma growth through altering the peritumoral extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, with collagen XIV being a modulator of melanoma progression and a new proteolytic substrate to MMP14.     

ANXA1 Contained in EVs Regulates Macrophage Polarization in Tumor Microenvironment and Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Progression and Metastasis

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a dynamic system where nontumor and cancer cells intercommunicate through soluble factors and extracellular vesicles (EVs). The TME in pancreatic cancer (PC) is critical for its aggressiveness and the annexin A1 (ANXA1) has been identified as one of the oncogenic elements. Previously, we demonstrated that the autocrine/paracrine activities of extracellular ANXA1 depend on its presence in EVs. Here, we show that the complex ANXA1/EVs modulates the macrophage polarization further contributing to cancer progression. The EVs isolated from wild type (WT) and ANXA1 knock-out MIA PaCa-2 cells have been administrated to THP-1 macrophages finding that ANXA1 is crucial for the acquisition of a protumor M2 phenotype. The M2 macrophages activate endothelial cells and fibroblasts to induce angiogenesis and matrix degradation, respectively. We have also found a significantly increased presence of M2 macrophage in mice tumor and liver metastasis sections previously obtained by orthotopic xenografts with WT cells. Taken together, our data interestingly suggest the relevance of ANXA1 as potential diagnostic/prognostic and/or therapeutic PC marker.     

Integrin β1 Promotes Pancreatic Tumor Growth by Upregulating Kindlin-2 and TGF-β Receptor-2

The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in defining the growth and malignancy of solid tumors. Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen, vitronectin, and fibronectin are major components of the tumor microenvironment. Tumor growth-promoting reciprocal interaction between ECM and cytoplasmic proteins is regulated by the cell surface receptors called integrins. This study investigated the mechanism by which integrin β1 promotes pancreatic tumor growth. In MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cell line, the loss of integrin β1 protein reduced the ability of cells to proliferate in a 3D matrix and compromised the ability to form a focal adhesion complex. Decreased expression of integrin α5 was observed in KO cells, which resulted in impaired cell spreading and adhesion on vitronectin and fibronectin. Reduced expression of the integrin-associated protein, kindlin-2 was also recorded. The downregulation of kindlin-2 decreased the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 by reducing the expression of TGF-β receptor 2. These results unravel a new mechanism of integrin β1 in tumor growth by modifying the expression of kindlin-2 and TGF-β receptor 2 signaling.     

Androgen/Androgen Receptor Signaling in Ovarian Cancer: Molecular Regulation and Therapeutic Potentials

Ovarian cancer (OVCA) arises from three cellular origins, namely surface epithelial cells, germ cells, and stromal cells. More than 85% of OVCAs are EOCs (epithelial ovarian carcinomas), which are the most lethal gynecological malignancies. Cancer stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs) are considered to be cancer promoters due to their capacity for unlimited self-renewal and drug resistance. Androgen receptor (AR) belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily and can be activated through binding to its ligand androgens. Studies have reported an association between AR expression and EOC carcinogenesis, and AR is suggested to be involved in proliferation, migration/invasion, and stemness. In addition, alternative AR activating signals, including both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent, are involved in OVCA progression. Although some clinical trials have previously been conducted to evaluate the effects of anti-androgens in EOC, no significant results have been reported. In contrast, experimental studies evaluating the effects of anti-androgen or anti-AR reagents in AR-expressing EOC models have demonstrated positive results for suppressing disease progression. Since AR is involved in complex signaling pathways and may be expressed at various levels in OVCA, the aim of this article was to provide an overview of current studies and perspectives regarding the relevance of androgen/AR roles in OVCA.     

The Influence of VE-Cadherin on Adhesion and Incorporation of Breast Cancer Cells into Vascular Endothelium

During metastasis, cancer cells that originate from the primary tumor circulate in the bloodstream, extravasate, and form micrometastases at distant locations. Several lines of evidence suggest that specific interactions between cancer cells and endothelial cells, in particular tumor cell adhesion to the endothelium and transendothelial migration, play a crucial role in extravasation. Here we have studied the role of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin which is expressed aberrantly by breast cancer cells and might promote such interactions. By comparing different human breast cancer cell lines, we observed that the number of cancer cells that adhered to endothelium correlated with VE-cadherin expression levels. VE-cadherin silencing experiments confirmed that VE-cadherin enhances cancer cell adhesion to endothelial cells. However, in contrast, the number of cancer cells that incorporated into the endothelium was not dependent on VE-cadherin. Thus, it appears that cancer cell adhesion and incorporation are distinct processes that are governed by different molecular mechanisms. When cancer cells incorporated into the endothelial monolayer, they formed VE-cadherin positive contacts with endothelial cells. On the other hand, we also observed tumor cells that had displaced endothelial cells, reflecting either different modes of incorporation, or a temporal sequence where cancer cells first form contact with endothelial cells and then displace them to facilitate transmigration. Taken together, these results show that VE-cadherin promotes the adhesion of breast cancer cells to the endothelium and is involved in the initial phase of incorporation, but not their transmigration. Thus, VE-cadherin might be of relevance for therapeutic strategies aiming at preventing the metastatic spread of breast cancer cells.     

Application of scaling and sensitivity analysis for tumor–immune model reduction

Mathematical modeling plays a facilitating role in comprehending tumor growth and its interaction with the immune system. However, there are some hindrances in modeling these phenomena. Firstly, the complexity of the tumor–immune model increases with the inclusion of dynamics of different types of immune cells. In this work, complexity is considered in terms of number of parameters and differences in the order of magnitude of their values. We have assumed that the model structure accurately represents the actual tumor–immune interactions. This may result in non-identifiability, imprecise measurement/estimation of the parameters. Secondly, very few parameters in the model will significantly influence the evolution of state variables and it is important for us to know these sensitive parameters.In this work, a recent and elaborate tumor–immune model is considered and its reduced parametric representation is obtained through a systematic scaling approach without any loss in its predictive ability. The advantage of scaling approach is quantified using theoretical identifiability analysis and by evaluating the condition number of the Fisher information matrix. Then, global sensitivity analysis is applied on the reduced model to identify the key parameters affecting the tumor progression. Such model reduction and parameter analysis may be necessary in order to increase the possibility of bringing model based approaches to standard medical practice and patient care.     

Newly Developed Recombinant Antithrombin Protects the Endothelial Glycocalyx in an Endotoxin-Induced Rat Model of Sepsis

(1) Background: The endothelial glycocalyx is a primary target during the early phase of sepsis. We previously reported a newly developed recombinant non-fucosylated antithrombin has protective effects in vitro. We further evaluated the effects of this recombinant antithrombin on the glycocalyx damage in an animal model of sepsis. (2) Methods: Following endotoxin injection, in Wistar rats, circulating levels of hyaluronan, syndecan-1 and other biomarkers were evaluated in low-dose or high-dose recombinant antithrombin-treated animals and a control group (n = 7 per group). Leukocyte adhesion and blood flow were evaluated with intravital microscopy. The glycocalyx was also examined using side-stream dark-field imaging. (3) Results: The activation of coagulation was inhibited by recombinant antithrombin, leukocyte adhesion was significantly decreased, and flow was better maintained in the high-dose group (both p < 0.05). Circulating levels of syndecan-1 (p < 0.01, high-dose group) and hyaluronan (p < 0.05, low-dose group; p < 0.01, high-dose group) were significantly reduced by recombinant antithrombin treatment. Increases in lactate and decreases in albumin levels were significantly attenuated in the high-dose group (p < 0.05, respectively). The glycocalyx thickness was reduced over time in control animals, but the derangement was attenuated and microvascular perfusion was better maintained in the high-dose group recombinant antithrombin group (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Recombinant antithrombin maintained vascular integrity and the microcirculation by preserving the glycocalyx in this sepsis model, effects that were more prominent with high-dose therapy.     

鼠抗角蛋白单克隆抗体的研制及在肿瘤分类诊断中的应用

以人皮肤、牛鼻皮肤及 Hela 细胞角蛋白作免疫原,应用鼠——鼠杂交瘤技术获得了三株在肿瘤分类诊断中具有应用价值的抗角蛋白单克隆抗体。其中 HK_2和 K_(174)既可识别大分子角蛋白,又与小分子角蛋白反应,因而在免疫组化染色中对复层上皮、单层上皮及鳞癌和腺癌细胞都呈阳性反应。但 HK_2对起源于单层上皮、腺上皮癌的反应优于 K_(174),而 K_(174)则对鳞癌的反应比 HK_2强。二者的混合单抗对低分化和未分化癌的免疫组化染色阳性率达87.1%。K_(27)则主要识别大分子角蛋白,故仅与复层上皮基底层以上细胞及鳞癌反应,而单层上皮及肺部肿瘤以外的腺癌呈阴性反应,故可用于除肺部肿瘤以外的鳞癌和腺癌的分类诊断。     

The Behavior of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in Colorectal Cancer

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the degradation of extracellular matrix components crucial for tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. MMPs are controlled by natural inhibitors called tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). We and others have demonstrated that MMPs and TIMPs are especially important in the process of tumor invasion, progression and the metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). It has been proposed that MMPs and TIMPs might play a part not only in tumor invasion and initiation of metastasis but also in carcinogenesis from colorectal adenomas. Several recent studies demonstrated that high preoperative serum or plasma MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 antigen levels are strong predictive factors for poor prognosis in patients with CRC and their determination might be useful for identification of patients with higher risk for cancer recurrence. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 have significant potential tumor marker impact in CRC. Their diagnostic sensitivity is consistently higher than those of conventional biomarkers. The pharmacological targeting of CRC by the development of a new generation of selective inhibitors of MMPs, that is highly specific for certain MMPs, is a promising and challenging area for the future.     

Metalloproteinases 1 and 3 as Potential Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Development

Breast cancer continues to be one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality globally and was the leading cause of cancer death in women in Spain in 2020. Early diagnosis is one of the most effective methods to lower the incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer. The human metalloproteinases (MMP) mainly function as proteolytic enzymes degrading the extracellular matrix and plays important roles in most steps of breast tumorigenesis. This retrospective cohort study shows the immunohistochemical expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 in 154 women with breast cancer and 42 women without tumor disease. The samples of breast tissue are assessed using several tissue matrices (TMA). The percentages of staining (≤50%–>50%) and intensity levels of staining (weak, moderate, or intense) are considered. The immunohistochemical expression of the MMP-1-intensity (p = 0.043) and MMP-3 percentage (p = 0.018) and intensity, (p = 0.025) present statistically significant associations with the variable group (control–case); therefore, expression in the tumor tissue samples of these MMPs may be related to the development of breast cancer. The relationships between these MMPs and some clinicopathological factors in breast cancer are also evaluated but no correlation is found. These results suggest the use of MMP-1 and MMP-3 as potential biomarkers of breast cancer diagnosis.