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: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: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: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.
Project description:Frailty affects the physical, cognitive, and social domains exposing older adults to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death. The mechanisms linking frailty and cardiovascular outcomes are mostly unknown. Here, we studied the association of abundance (flow cytometry) and gene expression profile (RNAseq) of stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and molecular markers of inflammaging (ELISA) with the cardiorespiratory phenotype and prospective adverse events of individuals classified according to levels of frailty. Two cohorts of older adults were enrolled in the study. In a cohort of pre-frail 35 individuals (average age: 75 years), a physical frailty score above the median identified subjects with initial alterations in cardiorespiratory function. RNA sequencing revealed S100A8/A9 upregulation in HSPCs from the bone marrow (>10-fold) and peripheral blood (>200-fold) of individuals with greater physical frailty. Moreover higher frailty was associated with increased alarmins S100A8/A9 and inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood. We then studied a cohort of 104 more frail individuals (average age: 81 years) with multi-domain health deficits. Reduced levels of circulating HSPCs and increased S100A8/A9 concentrations were independently associated with the frailty index. Remarkably, low HSPCs and high S100A8/A9 simultaneously predicted major adverse cardiovascular events at 1-year follow-up after adjustment for age and frailty index. In conclusion, inflammaging characterized by alarmin and pro-inflammatory cytokines in pre-frail individuals is mirrored by the pauperization of HSPCs in frail older people with comorbidities. S100A8/A9 is upregulated within HSPCs, identifying a phenotype that associates with poor cardiovascular outcomes.
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:S100A8 and S100A9 (aliases MRP8 and MRP14) are highly expressed in neutrophils and monocytes and are classified as damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecules or alarm molecules. However, the role of S100A8/A9 in aortic dissection has not been reported. In the present study, by employing an unbiased proteomics approach and RNA sequencing analysis , we found that the protein expression of calcium binding proteins S100A8/A9 were upregulated in the aorta and serum of TAAAD patients and also in a mouse model.