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Transcriptional factor OCT4 promotes esophageal cancer metastasis by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition through VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling pathway.

ABSTRACT: The octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) can promote cancer proliferation and metastasis. Esophageal carcinoma (ECC) harbors different quantities of OCT4-positive cancer cells. These cells are highly malignant and prone to metastasis; however, the mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we found that OCT4 enhances vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) promoter activity to promote VEGF-C expression and activates VEGF receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) in ECC cells, thereby inducing cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Studies using xenograft models showed that OCT4 promoted xenograft growth and intraperitoneal implantation metastasis of ECC cells. Downregulation of OCT4 expression could inhibit cancer metastasis. OCT4- and VEGF-C-positive ECC presented more malignant biological behaviors and the corresponding patients exhibited a poor prognosis. The study confirmed that the OCT4/VEGF-C/VEGFR-3/EMT signaling plays a role in the progression of ECC. Understanding of how OCT4 regulates EMT and how ECC metastasis occurs will provide useful targets for the biological treatment of ECC.

SUBMITTER: Li C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5641101 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Transcriptional factor OCT4 promotes esophageal cancer metastasis by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition through VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling pathway.

Li Chunguang C Zhu Maoling M Lou Xiaoli X Liu Chunying C Chen Hezhong H Lin Xuejing X Ji Weidan W Li Zhigang Z Su Changqing C

Oncotarget 20170520 42

The octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) can promote cancer proliferation and metastasis. Esophageal carcinoma (ECC) harbors different quantities of OCT4-positive cancer cells. These cells are highly malignant and prone to metastasis; however, the mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we found that OCT4 enhances vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) promoter activity to promote VEGF-C expression and activates VEGF receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) in ECC cells, thereby inducing cancer ce ...[more]

PMID: 29069758

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Project description:BackgroundEvading immune surveillance is necessary for tumor metastasis. Thus, there is an urgent need to better understand the interaction between metastasis and mechanisms of tumor immune evasion. In this study, we aimed to clarify a novel mechanism that link tumor metastasis and immunosuppression in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).MethodsThe expression of melanoma-associated antigen C3 (MAGE-C3) was detected using immunohistochemistry. Transwell assays were used to evaluate the migration and invasion ability of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. Metastasis assays in mice were used to evaluate metastatic ability in vivo. Lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity assays were performed to visualize the immune suppression function on tumor cells. RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes between MAGE-C3 overexpressing ESCC cells and control cells. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses was performed to identify the most altered pathways influenced by MAGE-C3. The activation of the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) pathway was analyzed using Western blotting, GAS luciferase reporter assays, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. The role of MAGE-C3 in the IFN-γ pathway was determined by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analysis monitored the changes of infiltrated T cell populations in murine lung metastases.ResultsMAGE-C3 was overexpressed in ESCC tissues. High expression of MAGE-C3 had a significant association with the risk of lymphatic metastasis and poor survival in patients with ESCC. Functional experiments revealed that MAGE-C3 promoted tumor metastasis by activating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). MAGE-C3 repressed antitumor immunity and regulated cytokine secretion of T cells, implying an immunosuppressive function. Mechanistically, MAGE-C3 facilitated IFN-γ signaling and upregulated programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) by binding with IFN-γ receptor 1 (IFNGR1) and strengthening the interaction between IFNGR1 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1). Interestingly, MAGE-C3 displayed higher tumorigenesis in immune-competent mice than in immune-deficient nude mice, confirming the immunosuppressive role of MAGE-C3. Furthermore, mice bearing MAGE-C3-overexpressing tumors showed worse survival and more lung metastases with decreased CD8+ infiltrated T cells and increased programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)+ CD8+ infiltrated T cells.ConclusionMAGE-C3 enhances tumor metastasis through promoting EMT and protecting tumors from immune surveillance, and could be a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target.

Dataset Information

Transcriptional factor OCT4 promotes esophageal cancer metastasis by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition through VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling pathway.

Publications

Transcriptional factor OCT4 promotes esophageal cancer metastasis by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition through VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling pathway.

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