Junlong Zhuang

TGFβ1 secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition of bladder cancer cells through lncRNA-ZEB2NAT

Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) patients at muscle invasive stage have poor clinical outcome, due to high propensity for metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), one of the principal constituents of the tumor stroma, play an important role in tumor development. However, it is unclear whether CAFs from UBC induce cell invasion and which signaling pathway is involved. Herein, we found that conditional medium from UBC CAFs (CAF-CM) enhanced the invasion of UBC cells. CAF-CM induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by regulating expression levels of EMT-associated markers in UBC cells. Higher concentration of TGFβ1 in CAF-CM, comparing with the CM from adjacent normal fibroblast, led to phosphorylation of Smad2 in UBC cells. Additionally, inhibition of TGFβ1 signaling decreased the EMT-associated gene expression, and cancer cell invasion. Interestingly, a long non-coding RNA, ZEB2NAT, was demonstrated to be essential for this TGFβ1-dependent process. ZEB2NAT depletion reversed CAF-CM-induced EMT and invasion of cancer cells, as well as reduced the ZEB2 protein level. Consistently, TGFβ1 mRNA expression is positively correlated with ZEB2NAT transcript and ZEB2 protein levels in human bladder cancer specimens. Our data revealed a novel mechanism that CAFs induces EMT and invasion of human UBC cells through the TGFβ1-ZEB2NAT-ZEB2 axis.

Honokiol inhibits bladder tumor growth by suppressing EZH2/miR-143 axis

The oncoprotein EZH2, as a histone H3K27 methyltransferase, is frequently overexpressed in various cancer types. However, the mechanisms underlying its role in urinary bladder cancer (UBC) cells have not yet fully understood. Herein, we reported that honokiol, a biologically active biphenolic compound isolated from the Magnolia officinalis inhibited human UBC cell proliferation, survival, cancer stemness, migration, and invasion, through downregulation of EZH2 expression level, along with the reductions of MMP9, CD44, Sox2 and the induction of tumor suppressor miR-143. Either EZH2 overexpression or miR-143 inhibition could partially reverse honokiol-induced cell growth arrest and impaired clonogenicity. Importantly, it was first revealed that EZH2 could directly bind to the transcriptional regulatory region of miR-143 and repress its expression. Furthermore, honokiol treatment on T24 tumor xenografts confirmed its anticancer effects in vivo, including suppression tumor growth and tumor stemness, accompanied by the dysregulation of EZH2 and miR-143 expressions. Our data suggest a promising therapeutic option to develop drugs targeting EZH2/miR-143 axis, such as honokiol, for bladder cancer treatment.

TGFβƒ1 Promotes Gemcitabine Resistance Through Regulating the LncRNA-LET/NF90/miR-145 Signaling Axis in Bladder Cancer

High tumor recurrence is frequently observed in patients with urinary bladder cancers (UBCs), with the need for biomarkers of prognosis and drug response. Chemoresistance and subsequent recurrence of cancers are driven by a subpopulation of tumor initiating cells, namely cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). However, the underlying molecular mechanism in chemotherapy-induced CSCs enrichment remains largely unclear. In this study, we found that during gemcitabine treatment lncRNA-Low Expression in Tumor (lncRNA-LET) was downregulated in chemoresistant UBC, accompanied with the enrichment of CSC population. Knockdown of lncRNA-LET increased UBC cell stemness, whereas forced expression of lncRNA-LET delayed gemcitabine-induced tumor recurrence. Furthermore, lncRNA-LET was directly repressed by gemcitabine treatment-induced overactivation of TGFβ/SMAD signaling through SMAD binding element (SBE) in the lncRNA-LET promoter. Consequently, reduced lncRNA-LET increased the NF90 protein stability, which in turn repressed biogenesis of miR-145 and subsequently resulted in accumulation of CSCs evidenced by the elevated levels of stemness markers HMGA2 and KLF4. Treatment of gemcitabine resistant xenografts with LY2157299, a clinically relevant specific inhibitor of TGFβRI, sensitized them to gemcitabine and significantly reduced tumorigenecity in vivo. Notably, overexpression of TGFβ1, combined with decreased levels of lncRNA-LET and miR-145 predicted poor prognosis in UBC patients. Collectively, we proved that the dysregulated lncRNA-LET/NF90/miR-145 axis by gemcitabine-induced TGFβ1 promotes UBC chemoresistance through enhancing cancer cell stemness. The combined changes in TGFβ1/lncRNA-LET/miR-145 provide novel molecular prognostic markers in UBC outcome. Therefore, targeting this axis could be a promising therapeutic approach in treating UBC patients.

δ-tocotrienol induces human bladder cancer cell growth arrest, apoptosis and chemosensitization through inhibition of STAT3 pathway.

Vitamin E intake has been implicated in reduction of bladder cancer risk. However, the mechanisms remain elusive. Here we reported that δ-tocotrienol (δ-T3), one of vitamin E isomers, possessed the most potent cytotoxic capacity against human bladder cancer cells, compared with other Vitamin E isomers. δ-T3 inhibited cancer cell proliferation and colonogenicity through induction of G1 phase arrest and apoptosis. Western blotting assay revealed that δ-T3 increased the expression levels of cell cycle inhibitors (p21, p27), pro-apoptotic protein (Bax) and suppressed expression levels of cell cycle protein (Cyclin D1), anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1), resulting in the Caspase-3 activation and cleavage of PARP. Moreover, the δ-T3 treatment inhibited ETK phosphorylation level and induced SHP-1 expression, which was correlated with downregulation of STAT3 activation. In line with this, δ-T3 reduced the STAT3 protein level in nuclear fraction, as well as its transcription activity. Knockdown of SHP-1 partially reversed δ-T3-induced cell growth arrest. Importantly, low dose of δ-T3 sensitized Gemcitabine-induced cytotoxic effects on human bladder cancer cells. Overall, our findings demonstrated, for the first time, the cytotoxic effects of δ-T3 on bladder cancer cells and suggest that δ-T3 might be a promising chemosensitization reagent for Gemcitabine in bladder cancer treatment.

GOLPH3 is a potential therapeutic target and a prognostic indicator of poor survival in bladder cancer treated by cystectomy

Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) has been reported to be involved in the development of several human cancers. However, its clinical significance and biological role in bladder cancer remains unclear. In this study, we sought to analyze the GOLPH3 expression in bladder cancer samples and cells, and explore its clinical significance and biological role. We found that GOLPH3 was significantly increased in bladder cancer tissues and cells. Overexpression of GOLPH3 had significant correlation with poorer survival for bladder cancer patients treated by cystectomy. Knockdown of GOLPH3 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of cancer cells, and tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. GOLPH3 silencing inhibited AKT/m-TOR signaling, increased the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p27 and decreased the CDK regulator cyclin D1 and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9). Thus, GOLPH3 is likely to play important roles in bladder cancer progression via modulating AKT/mTOR signaling, and it is a novel prognostic biomarker and promising therapeutic target for bladder cancer.

miR34a/GOLPH3 Axis abrogates Urothelial Bladder Cancer Chemoresistance via Reduced Cancer Stemness

Rationale: Chemoresistance and subsequent recurrence of human urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) is partially driven by a subpopulation of tumor initiating cells, namely cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the underlying molecular mechanism in chemotherapy-induced CSCs enrichment and following chemoresistance and recurrence remains largely unclear. Methods: Gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) chemoresistant cell lines (T24 GC 3rd and 5637 GC 3rd cells) and the chemo-sensitive UBC cell lines T24 and 5637 were established in vivo for the investigation of acquired resistance mechanisms. The role of miR34a/GOLPH3 axis in regulating UBC chemoresistance and recurrence was evaluated in cell and animal models. The expression levels of miR34a/GOLPH3 axis and CSCs markers were assayed in specimens of UBC. The association of GOLPH3 with clinicopathologic features and prognosis was analysed. Results: RT-PCR and western blotting confirmed that the expression levels of miR34a were decreased and GOLPH3 were increased in GC chemoresistant UBC cell lines. Downregulation of miR34a resulted in the overexpression of GOLPH3, which is a target gene of miR34a confirmed by luciferase experiment. The ectopic expression of miR34a decreased the stem cell properties of chemoresistant UBC cells and re-sensitized these cells to GC treatment in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, miR34a/GOLPH3 axis has obvious clinical relevance with prognosis and recurrence in human UBC patients with standard GC chemotherapy. Conclusion: Our results suggest that miR34a/GOLPH3 axis exert key role in CSCs involved UBC drug resistance and recurrence and warrant further development as a promising therapeutic approach in treating drug-resistant UBC.

Renal cell carcinoma with synchronous ipsilateral urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis

The simultaneous occurrence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and urothelial carcinoma (UC) in the same kidney is extraordinarily rare, and is also known as multiple primary malignant tumors. The present study reports the case of a 76-year-old female with synchronous ipsilateral RCC and UC of the renal pelvis, who underwent operation, chemotherapy and reoperation when recurrence of RCC or UC was identified. Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is one of the promising markers for identifying cancer stem cells in various solid tumors, along with aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 A1 (ALDH1A1). Detection of CD44 and ALDH1A1 prior to and subsequent to chemotherapy could provide useful prognostic information. New treatments against the cancer stem cells fraction should be used in combination with chemotherapy to improve the outcome for patients with overexpression of CSC markers.

MP81-05 MIR34A/GOLPH3 AXIS ABROGATES UROTHELIAL BLADDER CANCER CHEMORESISTANCE VIA REDUCED CANCER STEMNESS

compared to the IRI control group. A greater increase in glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase was observed in renal cotex of hypoxic preconditioned hBMSC injection than in the IRI control group. These findings further suggest that anti-oxidative responses were elicited by IRI and hBMSC treatment contributed to further anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects after IRI in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Renal function is effectively rescued from renal IRI through renal arterial injection of both normoxic cultured and hypoxic preconditioned hBMSC.

Abstract 3517: Honokiol inhibits bladder tumor growth by suppressing EZH2/miR-143 axis

EZH2, a histone H3K27 methyltransferase, plays an essential role in regulation of cell proliferation, survival, invasiveness and cancer stem cell (CSC) maintenance. The upregulation of the histone methyltransferase EZH2 is frequently detected in various cancer types, including urinary bladder cancer (UBC). However, the mechanisms underlying its role in cancer cell are not yet fully understood. Honokiol, a biologically active biphenolic compound isolated from the Magnolia spp, has been linked with anticancer activities; however, its mechanisms is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of honokiol on UBC cells and whether honokiol can modulate EZH2 mediated network. By employing MTT, colony formation, wound healing, transwell invasion, Western blot, and Aldofluor stem cell detection assays, honokiol was shown to inhibit human UBC cell proliferation, survival, CSC maintenance, migration and invasion. Immunoblotting assay showed that the reduction of EZH2 expression level by honokiol was correlated with the decreases of MMP9, CD44, Sox2, Notch1. Forced expression of EZH2 reversed honokiol induced cell growth arrest and low clonogenicity, indicating that EZH2 is a major downstream target for honokiol in UBC cells. Since EZH2 is essential for gene expression repression, we screened 24 cancer related miRNAs and found that tumor suppressor miR-143 was the most induced miRNA by honokiol treatment. Further quantitative RT-PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and functional analysis revealed that EZH2 directly inhibited the expression of miR-143, whereas the inhibition of miR-143 partially rescued the EZH2 knockdown-induced cell growth arrest and reduced clonogenicity. Moreover, in vivo investigation using xenograft analysis in athymic nude mice indicated that honokiol treatment inhibited tumor progression, which was associated with reduced EZH2, CD44, Sox2, Notch1 and MMP9, and increased expression of miR-143. Altogether, our data indicated that honokiol inhibited human UBC tumor growth and aggressiveness through suppression of EZH2 function and induction of its target, miR-143, and that honokiol is promising candidate for chemoprevention and/or therapeutic treatment for bladder cancer. Citation Format: Jun Yan, Qing Zhang, Wei Zhao, Changxiao Ye, Cunjie Chang, Xiaojing Huang, Junlong Zhuang, Jiannan Song, Yangyan Cui, Isaac Eliaz, Bing Shen, Ruimin Huang, Hao Ying, Hongqian Guo. Honokiol inhibits bladder tumor growth by suppressing EZH2/miR-143 axis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3517. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3517