-Yan Li

miR-200b suppresses invasiveness and modulates the cytoskeletal and adhesive machinery in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells via targeting Kindlin-2.

To further our understanding of the pathobiology of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we previously performed microRNA profiling that revealed downregulation of miR-200b in ESCC. Using quantitative real-time PCR applied to 88 patient samples, we confirmed that ESCC tumors expressed significantly lower levels of miR-200b compared with the respective adjacent benign tissues (P = 0.003). Importantly, downregulation of miR-200b significantly correlated with shortened survival (P = 0.025), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.002) and advanced clinical stage (P = 0.020) in ESCC patients. Quantitative mass spectrometry identified 57 putative miR-200b targets, including Kindlin-2, previously implicated in the regulation of tumor invasiveness and actin cytoskeleton in other cell types. Enforced expression of miR-200b mimic in ESCC cells led to a decrease of Kindlin-2 expression, whereas transfection of miR-200b inhibitor induced Kindlin-2 expression. Furthermore, transfection of miR-200b mimic or knockdown of Kindlin-2 in ESCC cells decreased cell protrusion and focal adhesion (FA) formation, reduced cell spreading and invasiveness/migration. Enforced expression of Kindlin-2 largely abrogated the inhibitory effects of miR-200b on ESCC cell invasiveness. Mechanistic studies revealed that Rho-family guanosine triphosphatases and FA kinase mediated the biological effects of the miR-200b-Kindlin-2 axis in ESCC cells. To conclude, loss of miR-200b, a frequent biochemical defect in ESCC, correlates with aggressive clinical features. The tumor suppressor effects of miR-200b may be due to its suppression of Kindlin-2, a novel target of miR-200b that modulates actin cytoskeleton, FA formation and the migratory/invasiveness properties of ESCC.

Down-regulated desmocollin-2 promotes cell aggressiveness through redistributing adherens junctions and activating beta-catenin signalling in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

In contrast to the well‐recognized loss of adherens junctions in cancer progression, the role of desmosomal components in cancer development has not been well explored. We previously demonstrated that desmocollin‐2 (DSC2), a desmosomal cadherin protein, is reduced in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and is associated with enhanced tumour metastasis and poor prognosis. Here, we report that restoration of DSC2 in ESCC cells impeded cell migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo, whereas siRNA‐mediated suppression of DSC2 expression increased cell motility. In E‐cadherin‐expressing ESCC cells, DSC2 restoration strengthened E‐cadherin‐mediated adherens junctions and promoted the localization of β‐catenin at these junctions, which indirectly inhibited β‐catenin‐dependent transcription. These effects of DSC2 were not present in EC109 cells that lacked E‐cadherin expression. ESCC patients with tumours that had reduced E‐cadherin and negative DSC2 had poorer clinical outcomes than patients with tumours that lacked either E‐cadherin or DSC2, implying that the invasive potential of ESCC cells was restricted by both DSC2 and E‐cadherin‐dependent junctions. Further studies revealed that DSC2 was a downstream target of miR‐25. Enhanced miR‐25 promoted ESCC cell invasiveness, whereas restoration of DSC2 abolished these effects. Collectively, our work suggests that miR‐25‐mediated down‐regulation of DSC2 promotes ESCC cell aggressiveness through redistributing adherens junctions and activating beta‐catenin signalling. Copyright

Comparative analysis of histone H3 and H4 post-translational modifications of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with different invasive capabilities.

UNLABELLED Eukaryotic DNA is packaged into a chromatin with the help of four core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4). Diverse histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) are hence involved in the regulation of gene transcription. However, how this regulation does work is still poorly understood and lacks details. Here we used the mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach to perform a comparative analysis of histone marks at a global level in two phenotypes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with different invasiveness. We obtained a comprehensive profiling of histone H3 and H4 PTMs including lysine methylation, acetylation and novel butyrylation. The correlation between histone marks and cancer invasive capabilities was further characterized and one distinguishable PTM, H4K79me2 was discovered and verified in this study. Immunohistochemistry analysis suggests that abnormal level of H4K79me2 may be related to poor survival of ESCC patients. Our results enrich the dataset of the feature pattern of global histone PTMs in ESCC cell lines. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Core histone proteins, decorated by multiple biological significant protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as lysine acetylation and lysine methylation, are considered to regulate gene transcription and be associated with the development of cancer. Recent studies have further shown that global level of histone modifications is the potential hallmark of cancer to predict the clinical outcomes of human cancers. However, the regulation mechanism is largely unknown. Here we used the mass spectrometry based proteomics coupled with stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) to characterize the global levels of histone marks in two phenotypes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines with different invasive capabilities. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report about the comparative analysis for histone marks of the different invasive ESCC cell lines. A significantly differential level of histone modification, H4K79me2, was determined and verified. Immunohistochemistry analysis further suggests that abnormal level of H4K79me2 may be related to poor survival of ESCC patients. Our results could contribute to understanding the different expressions of global histone PTMs in different invasive ESCC cell lines.

Expression of cysteine-rich 61 is correlated with poor prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION Cysteine-rich 61 (Cyr61), a secreted protein belonged to the CCN family, was involved in the progression of many cancers. The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical significance of Cyr61 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Cyr61 expression was detected on tissue microarrays of ESCC samples in 372 cases by using immunohistochemical staining. Survival analysis was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Relative risk was evaluated by the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS The staining pattern of Cyr61 was heterogeneous and varied from negative to intense expression in a cytoplasmic distribution. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that expression of Cyr61 was related to poor survival of ESCC patients (P = 0.001). Further analysis revealed that Cyr61 high-expression was related to poorer overall survival of patients in stage I/II (P = 0.001); but did not effect the overall survival of patients in stage III/IV. Univariate and multivariate analysis suggested that Cyr61 expression status was an independent prognostic factor for ESCC (P = 0.001). DISCUSSION Cyr61 might play important roles in the progression of ESCC. Cyr61 is a new biomarker to predict the prognosis of ESCC patients.

DACT2 is a candidate tumor suppressor and prognostic marker in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

In animals ranging from fish to mice, the function of DACT2 as a negative regulator of the TGF-β/Nodal signal pathway is conserved in evolution, indicating that it might play an important role in human cancer. In this study, we showed that tumors with higher DACT2 protein level were correlated with better differentiation and better survival rate in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Restored expression of DACT2 significantly inhibited growth, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells in vitro, and reduced tumorigenicity in vivo. Furthermore, when DACT2 expression was restored, the activity of TGF-β/SMAD2/3 was suppressed via both proteasome and lysosomal degradation pathways, leading to F-actin rearrangement that might depend on the involvement of cofilin and ezrin–redixin–moesin (ERM) proteins. Taken together, we propose here that DACT2 serves as a prognostic marker that reduces tumor cell malignancy by suppressing TGF-β signaling and promotes actin rearrangement in ESCC. Cancer Prev Res; 6(8); 791–800. ©2013 AACR.

SMYD3 stimulates EZR and LOXL2 transcription to enhance proliferation, migration, and invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, are involved in the regulation of cancer initiation and progression. SET and MYND domain-containing protein 3 (SMYD3), a methyltransferase, plays an important role in transcriptional regulation during human cancer progression. However, SMYD3 expression and its function in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unknown. In this study, SMYD3 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry in a tumor tissue microarray from 131 cases of ESCC patients. Statistical analysis showed that overall survival of patients with high SMYD3 expressing in primary tumors was significantly lower than that of patients with low SMYD3-expressing tumors (P = .008, log-rank test). Increased expression of SMYD3 was found to be associated with lymph node metastasis in ESCC (P = .036) and was an independent prognostic factor for poor overall survival (P = .025). RNAi-mediated knockdown of SMYD3 suppressed ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and inhibited local tumor invasion in vivo. SMYD3 regulated transcription of EZR and LOXL2 by directly binding to the sequences of the promoter regions of these target genes, as demonstrated by a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Immunohistochemical staining of ESCC tissues also confirmed that protein levels of EZR and LOXL2 positively correlated with SMYD3 expression, and the Spearman correlation coefficients (rs) were 0.78 (n = 81; P < .01) and 0.637 (n = 103; P < .01), respectively. These results indicate that SMYD3 enhances tumorigenicity in ESCC through enhancing transcription of genes involved in proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Quantitative proteomics reveals the downregulation of GRB2 as a prominent node of F806-targeted cell proliferation network.

UNLABELLED High-throughput proteomics has successfully identified thousands of proteins as potential therapeutic targets during investigations into mechanisms of drug action. A novel macrolide analog, denoted F806, is a potential antitumor drug. Here, using the quantitative proteomic approach of stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS), we characterize the F806-regulating protein profiles and identify the potential target molecules or pathways of F806 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. From a total of 1931 quantified proteins, 181 proteins were found to be down-regulated (FDR p-value<0.1, H/L ratio<0.738), and 119 proteins were up-regulated (FDR p-value<0.1, H/L ratio>1.156). Among the down-regulated proteins, we uncovered the over- and under-represented protein clusters in biological process and molecular function respectively by Gene Ontology analysis. Furthermore, down-regulated and up-regulated proteins were significantly enriched in 37 pathways and 60 sub-pathways by bioinformatic analysis (FDR p-value<0.1), while a down-regulated molecule growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2) was a prominent node in fourteen cell proliferation-related sub-pathways. We concluded that GRB2 downregulation would be a potential target of F806 in ESCC cells. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE This study used SILAC-based quantitative proteomics screen to systematically characterize molecular changes induced by a novel macrolide analog F806 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. Followed by bioinformatic analyses, signal pathway networks generated from the quantified proteins, would facilitate future investigation into the further mechanisms of F806 in ESCC cells. Notably, it provided information that growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2) would be a prominent node in the F806-targeted cell proliferation network.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9/Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Complex Activity in Human Glioma Samples Predicts Tumor Presence and Clinical Prognosis.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9/neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (MMP-9/NGAL) complex activity is elevated in brain tumors and may serve as a molecular marker for brain tumors. However, the relationship between MMP-9/NGAL activity in brain tumors and patient prognosis and treatment response remains unclear. Here, we compared the clinical characteristics of glioma patients with the MMP-9/NGAL activity measured in their respective tumor and urine samples. Using gelatin zymography assays, we found that MMP-9/NGAL activity was significantly increased in tumor tissues (TT) and preoperative urine samples (Preop-1d urine). Activity was reduced by seven days after surgery (Postop-1w urine) and elevated again in cases of tumor recurrence. The MMP-9/NGAL status correlated well with MRI-based tumor assessments. These findings suggest that MMP-9/NGAL activity could be a novel marker to detect gliomas and predict the clinical outcome of patients.

Ezrin Ser66 phosphorylation regulates invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells by mediating filopodia formation

BACKGROUND Ezrin, links the plasma membrane to the actin cytoskeleton, and plays an important role in the development and progression of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the roles of ezrin S66 phosphorylation in tumorigenesis of ESCC remain unclear. METHODS Distribution of ezrin in membrane and cytosol fractions was examined by analysis of detergent-soluble/-insoluble fractions and cytosol/membrane fractionation. Both immunofluorescence and live imaging were used to explore the role of ezrin S66 phosphorylation in the behavior of ezrin and actin in cell filopodia. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells were investigated by proliferation and migration assays, respectively. Tumorigenesis, local invasion and metastasis were assessed in a nude mouse model of regional lymph node metastasis. RESULTS Ezrin S66 phosphorylation enhanced the recruitment of ezrin to the membrane in ESCC cells. Additionally, non-phosphorylatable ezrin (S66A) significantly prevented filopodia formation, as well as caused a reduction in the number, length and lifetime of filopodia. Moreover, functional experiments revealed that expression of non-phosphorylatable ezrin (S66A) markedly suppressed migration and invasion but not proliferation of ESCC cells in vitro, and attenuated local invasion and regional lymph node metastasis, but not primary tumor growth of ESCC cells in vivo. CONCLUSION Ezrin S66 phosphorylation enhances filopodia formation, contributing to the regulation of invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells.

F806 Suppresses the Invasion and Metastasis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Downregulating F-Actin Assembly-Related Rho Family Proteins

Invasion and metastasis are critical pathological and mortal processes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Novel drugs, targeting the two cancer migration stages, will augment the treatment options for ESCC therapy and improve overall survival. A novel natural macrolide F806 specifically promotes apoptosis of various ESCC cells. However, whether F806 can inhibit metastasis of ESCC cells needs further evaluation. Here, our data showed that F806 inhibits dynamic F-actin assembly and then suppresses the migration of ESCC cells in vitro and their invasion and metastasis in vivo. The correlation between cancer migration and actin cytoskeleton assembly was consistent with the ability of F806 to prevent the aggregation of Paxillin, an essential protein for focal adhesion formation through binding to the ends of actin filaments. Furthermore, F806 downregulated the expression and activity of the Rho family proteins cell division cycle 42 (CDC42), RAC family small GTPase 1 (RAC1), and RAS homolog family member A (RHOA). Taken together, these results suggest that F806 can suppress cancer invasion and metastasis via interrupting the assembly of migration components involving F-actin.