Project description:Tumor-associated macrophages enhance the malignant phenotypes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. We have previously identified several factors associated with ESCC progression using an indirect co-culture assay between ESCC cells and macrophages. Here, we newly established a direct co-culture assay between ESCC cells and macrophages which is closer to the actual cancer microenvironment than an indirect co-culture assay. To investigate the gene expression changes by co-culture with macrophages, we performed cDNA microarray analysis between mono-cultured and co-cultured ESCC cells with macrophages. We found that the expression of S100 calcium binding protein A8 and A9 (S100A8 and S100A9) was enhanced in co-cultured ESCC cells with macrophages. S100A8 and S100A9 commonly exist stable and function as a heterodimer (S100A8/A9). S100A8/A9 is widely known as an inflammation marker. It also contributes to the enhancement of malignant phenotypes in several cancers. S100A8/A9 enhances the migration and invasion of ESCC cells by activating Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. The higher expression levels of S100A8/A9 were associated with poor prognosis in ESCC patients. These results suggest that S100A8/A9 contributes to the progression of ESCC.
Project description:Studies using bone marrow chimeric mice revealed that S100A8/A9 expression on myeloid cells is essential for development of colon tumors. Our results thus reveal a novel role for myeloid-derived S100A8/A9 in activating specific downstream genes associated with tumorigenesis and in promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Subconfluent cultures of MC38 cells were serum-starved for 16 hrs and activated with 10ug/mL S100A8/A9 for 6 hrs. Total RNA was extracted from unactivated or activated cells. 2 replicates each per stimulated cells, unstimulated cells, and control cells.
Project description:Tumor recurrence years after seemingly successful treatment of primary tumors is one of the major causes of mortality in cancer patients. Reactivation of dormant tumor cells is largely responsible for this phenomenon. Using models of lung and ovarian cancer, we found a specific mechanism that may govern this process mediated by stress and neutrophils. Stress hormones cause rapid release of S100A8/A9 proteins by neutrophils. S100A8/A9 induce activation of myeloperoxidase resulting in accumulation of oxidized lipids. These lipids up-regulate fibroblast growth factor pathway in tumor cells causing tumor cell exit from the dormancy and formation of tumor lesions. Higher serum levels of S100A8/A9 were associated with shorter time to recurrence in patients with lung cancer after complete tumor resection. Targeting of S100A8/A9 or β2 adrenergic receptors abrogated stress induced reactivation of dormant tumor cells. These observations demonstrate a mechanism linking stress, and specific neutrophils activation with early recurrence in cancer.
Project description:Translational research is commonly performed in the C57B6/J mouse strain, chosen for its genetic homogeneity and phenotypic uniformity. Here, we evaluate the suitability of the white-footed deer mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) as a model organism for aging research, offering a comparative analysis against C57B6/J and diversity outbred (DO) Mus musculus strains. Our study includes comparisons of body composition, skeletal muscle function, and cardiovascular parameters, shedding light on potential applications and limitations of P. leucopus in aging studies. Notably, P. leucopus exhibits distinct body composition characteristics, emphasizing reduced muscle force exertion and a unique metabolism, particularly in fat mass. Cardiovascular assessments showed changes in arterial stiffness, challenging conventional assumptions and highlighting the need for a nuanced interpretation of aging-related phenotypes. Our study also highlights inherent challenges associated with maintaining and phenotyping P. leucopus cohorts. Behavioral considerations, including anxiety-induced responses during handling and phenotyping assessment, pose obstacles in acquiring meaningful data. Moreover, the unique anatomy of P. leucopus necessitates careful adaptation of protocols designed for Mus musculus. While showcasing potential benefits, further extensive analyses across broader age ranges and larger cohorts are necessary to establish the reliability of P. leucopus as a robust and translatable model for aging studies.
Project description:In an inducible model of human breast cellular transformation, we map genome-wide chromatin binding of S100A8, S100A9 and Pol II. We show that the calcium-dependent cytokines S100A8 and S100A9 are recruited to numerous promoters and enhancers. This recruitment is associated with multiple DNA sequence motifs recognized by DNA-binding transcription factors that are linked to transcriptional activation and are important for transformation. Nuclear-specific expression of S100A8/A9 promotes oncogenic transcription and leads to enhanced breast transformation phenotype. These results suggest that, in addition to its classical cytokine function, S100A8/A9 can act as a transcriptional co-activator.
Project description:Periostin is a matricellular protein known to be alternatively spliced to produce isoforms with a molecular weight of 78-91 kDa. In the extracellular matrix, periostin attach to cell surfaces and induce signaling via integrin-binding and participates in fibrillogenesis to organize collagen in the extracellular space. In the atopic diseases atopic dermatitis and asthma, periostin is known to participate in driving the disease-causing type 2 inflammation. The periostin isoforms expressed in these diseases and the implication of the alternative splicing events are unknown. Here we present two universal assays to map the expression of periostin isoforms on both the transcriptional (RT-qPCR) and translational (PRM-based mass spectrometry) level. We use these assays to study the splice profile of periostin in atopic dermatitis lesions from patients in active treatment vs. normal skin and in in vitro models of atopic dermatitis and asthma. All isoforms expect isoform 3 show decreased expression at the transcriptional level in AD lesions from patients treated with corticosteroids compared to normal skin. The isoforms display an elevated amount at the translational level indicating a delayed response in periostin level during treatment. Expression of the isoforms were upregulated in the in vitro models of atopic dermatitis and asthma at both the transcriptional and translational level with isoform 3 and 5 displaying the highest level of overexpression. Interestingly, the often overlooked isoform 9 and 10 behaved opposite to the other isoforms as they were equally or even less abundant in the disease models compared to the control, and they were identified in the normal skin samples but not in atopic dermatitis lesions. With the assays and findings presented in the publication connected to this dataset we can take further steps in mapping and understanding the role of periostin isoforms.
Project description:Studies using bone marrow chimeric mice revealed that S100A8/A9 expression on myeloid cells is essential for development of colon tumors. Our results thus reveal a novel role for myeloid-derived S100A8/A9 in activating specific downstream genes associated with tumorigenesis and in promoting tumor growth and metastasis.