Dataset Information

Master Regulators of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and WNT Signaling Pathways in Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibromas.

ABSTRACT: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare fibrovascular benign tumor showing an invasive growth pattern and affecting mainly male adolescents. We investigated the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and WNT signaling pathways in JNA. Gene expression profiles using nine JNA paired with four inferior nasal turbinate samples were interrogated using a customized 2.3K microarray platform containing genes mainly involved in EMT and WNT/PI3K pathways. The expression of selected genes (BCL2, CAV1, CD74, COL4A2, FZD7, ING1, LAMB1, and RAC2) and proteins (BCL2, CAV1, CD74, FZD7, RAF1, WNT5A, and WNT5B) was investigated by RT-qPCR (28 cases) and immunohistochemistry (40 cases), respectively. Among 104 differentially expressed genes, we found a significantly increased expression of COL4A2 and LAMB1 and a decreased expression of BCL2 and RAC2 by RT-qPCR. The immunohistochemistry analysis revealed a low expression of BCL2 and a negative to moderate expression of FZD7 in most samples, while increased CAV1 and RAF1 expression were detected. Moderate to strong CD74 protein expression was observed in endothelial and inflammatory cells. A significant number of JNAs (78%) presented reduced WNT5A and increased WNT5B expression. Overall, the transcript and protein profile indicated the involvement of EMT and WNT pathways in JNA. These candidates are promising druggable targets for treating JNA.

SUBMITTER: Calanca N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8469518 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Master Regulators of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and WNT Signaling Pathways in Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibromas.

Calanca Naiade N Binato Sara Martoreli Silveira SMS da Silva Sabrina Daniela SD Brentani Helena Paula HP Sennes Luiz Ubirajara LU Pinto Clóvis Antonio Lopes CAL Domingues Maria Aparecida Custódio MAC Fonseca-Alves Carlos Eduardo CE Rainho Claudia Aparecida CA Rogatto Silvia Regina SR

Biomedicines 20210918 9

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare fibrovascular benign tumor showing an invasive growth pattern and affecting mainly male adolescents. We investigated the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and WNT signaling pathways in JNA. Gene expression profiles using nine JNA paired with four inferior nasal turbinate samples were interrogated using a customized 2.3K microarray platform containing genes mainly involved in EMT and WNT/PI3K pathways. The expression of selected g ...[more]

PMID: 34572445

Similar Datasets

Project description:Study questionDoes the upregulation of the zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) transcription factor in human trophoblast cells lead to alterations in gene expression consistent with an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and a consequent increase in invasiveness?Summary answerOverexpression of ZEB2 results in an epithelial-mesenchymal shift in gene expression accompanied by a substantial increase in the invasive capacity of human trophoblast cells.What is known alreadyIn-vivo results have shown that cytotrophoblast differentiation into extravillous trophoblast involves an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The only EMT master regulatory factor which shows changes consistent with extravillous trophoblast EMT status and invasive capacity is the ZEB2 transcription factor.Study design, size, durationThis study is a mechanistic investigation of the role of ZEB2 in trophoblast differentiation. We generated stable ZEB2 overexpression clones using the epithelial BeWo and JEG3 choriocarcinoma lines. Using these clones, we investigated the effects of ZEB2 overexpression on the expression of EMT-associated genes and proteins, cell morphology and invasive capability.Participants/materials, setting, methodsWe used lentiviral transduction to overexpress ZEB2 in BeWo and JEG3 cells. Stable clones were selected based on ZEB2 expression and morphology. A PCR array of EMT-associated genes was used to probe gene expression. Protein measurements were performed by western blotting. Gain-of-function was assessed by quantitatively measuring cell invasion rates using a Transwell assay, a 3D bioprinted placenta model and the xCelligenceTM platform.Main results and the role of chanceThe four selected clones (2 × BeWo, 2 × JEG3, based on ZEB2 expression and morphology) all showed gene expression changes indicative of an EMT. The two clones (1 × BeWo, 1 × JEG3) showing >40-fold increase in ZEB2 expression also displayed increased ZEB2 protein; the others, with increases in ZEB2 expression <14-fold did not. The two high ZEB2-expressing clones demonstrated robust increases in invasive capacity, as assessed by three types of invasion assay. These data identify ZEB2-mediated transcription as a key mechanism transforming the epithelial-like trophoblast into cells with a mesenchymal, invasive phenotype.Large scale dataPCR array data have been deposited in the GEO database under accession number GSE116532.Limitations, reasons for cautionThese are in-vitro studies using choriocarcinoma cells and so the results should be interpreted in view of these limitations. Nevertheless, the data are consistent with in-vivo findings and are replicated in two different cell lines.Wider implications of the findingsThe combination of these data with the in-vivo findings clearly identify ZEB2-mediated EMT as the mechanism for cytotrophoblast differentiation into extravillous trophoblast. Having characterized these cellular mechanisms, it will now be possible to identify the intracellular and extracellular regulatory components which control ZEB2 and trophoblast differentiation. It will also be possible to identify the aberrant factors which alter differentiation in invasive pathologies such as preeclampsia and abnormally invasive placenta (AKA accreta, increta, percreta).Study funding and competing interest(s)Funding was provided by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Surgery at Hackensack Meridian Health, Hackensack, NJ. The 3D bioprinted placental model work done in Drs Kim and Fisher's labs was supported by the Children's National Medical Center. The xCELLigence work done in Dr Birge's lab was supported by NIH CA165077. The authors declare no competing interests.

Project description:BackgroundThe epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a de-differentiation process required for wound healing and development. In tumors of epithelial origin aberrant induction of EMT contributes to cancer progression and metastasis. Studies have begun to implicate epigenetic reprogramming in EMT; however, the relationship between reprogramming and the coordination of cellular processes is largely unexplored. We have previously developed a system to study EMT in a canonical non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) model. In this system we have shown that the induction of EMT results in constitutive NF-κB activity. We hypothesized a role for chromatin remodeling in the sustained deregulation of cellular signaling pathways.ResultsWe mapped sixteen histone modifications and two variants for epithelial and mesenchymal states. Combinatorial patterns of epigenetic changes were quantified at gene and enhancer loci. We found a distinct chromatin signature among genes in well-established EMT pathways. Strikingly, these genes are only a small minority of those that are differentially expressed. At putative enhancers of genes with the 'EMT-signature' we observed highly coordinated epigenetic activation or repression. Furthermore, enhancers that are activated are bound by a set of transcription factors that is distinct from those that bind repressed enhancers. Upregulated genes with the 'EMT-signature' are upstream regulators of NF-κB, but are also bound by NF-κB at their promoters and enhancers. These results suggest a chromatin-mediated positive feedback as a likely mechanism for sustained NF-κB activation.ConclusionsThere is highly specific epigenetic regulation at genes and enhancers across several pathways critical to EMT. The sites of these changes in chromatin state implicate several inducible transcription factors with critical roles in EMT (NF-κB, AP-1 and MYC) as targets of this reprogramming. Furthermore, we find evidence that suggests that these transcription factors are in chromatin-mediated transcriptional feedback loops that regulate critical EMT genes. In sum, we establish an important link between chromatin remodeling and shifts in cellular reprogramming.

Dataset Information

Master Regulators of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and WNT Signaling Pathways in Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibromas.

Publications

Master Regulators of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and WNT Signaling Pathways in Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibromas.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets