Project description:Vasculogenic mimicry has been generally accepted as a new form of tumor vascularization and regarded as an unfavorable prognostic factor in multiple aggressive malignancies. We previously reported the presence of vasculogenic mimicry in osteosarcoma patients. The mechanistic basis for osteosarcoma VM remains unclear. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression between 143B cells and HOS cells exposed to Matrigel which showed greatly different vasculogenic mimicry formation potential and identified distinct classes of vasculogenic mimicry-realted genes during this process.
Project description:Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is an intriguing phenomenon observed in tumor masses, in which cancer cells organize themselves into capillary-like channels that closely resemble the structure and function of blood vessels. Although VM is believed to contribute to alternative tumor vascularization, the detailed regulatory mechanisms controlling these cellular processes remain poorly understood. Our study aimed to investigate the role of Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1) in regulating VM in aggressive cancer cells, specifically MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells.
Project description:Purpose: The precise temporal and spatial regulation of N5-methylcytosine (m5C) RNA modification plays essential roles in RNA metabolism. Targeting m5C regulation in cancer cells may be a potential strategy for cancer therapy. Erianin is a natural product isolated from Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl. Howbeit, the in‐depth understanding of interaction between erianin and m5C modification remains indistinct. Methods: Natural product library screening was used to explore the effects of natural product monomers on uveal melanoma (UM) cells. Intraocular xenografts model was established to examine the effect of erianin. Immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry (IP-MS) and molecular docking analyses were performed to identify NSUN2 as the target of erianin. m5C-meRIP-seq and m5C-meRIP-qPCR analyses were performed to identify the functional target of NSUN2. Tube formation assay and CD31-PAS double staining were used to detect vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in UM. Results: Herein, we report the discovery of erianin as an effective inhibitor of uveal melanoma. Mechanistically, the targeted inhibition of NSUN2 function by erianin results in a decrease in the m5C modification and expression levels of CHAC1 in UM, thereby curtailing the formation of VM. Conclusions: Collectively, our data suggested that erianin significantly inhibited UM progression in vitro and in vivo. Our study unveils a novel therapeutic strategy for combating UM.
Project description:We have previously described a sub-clones of the 4T1 mammary carcinoma cell line that are proficient for vasculogenic mimciry (VM), namely 4T1-E and 4T1-T. In vitro assays suggest that not all cells within these lines a VM-competent. To explore subsets of cells within tumors derived from these cells that may display VM properties we utilized single cell RNA-Seq of 4T1-T mammary fat-pad tumors.
Project description:New strategies and drugs are urgently needed to improve the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) has been elucidated being associated with the progression of HCC and anti-VM could be a promising strategy. Celastrus orbiculatus extract (COE), a mixture of 11 terpenoids isolated from the Chinese Herb Celastrus Orbiculatus Vine, has been elucidated to be able to disrupt VM formation in HCC. This study aims to dissect and identify the potential targets of COE on anti-VM formation both in vitro and in vivo that are distinct from our previous study. Proteomics analysis was used to identify differential proteins in HCC cells treated with or without COE. Cells invasion was examined using Transwell. Matrigel was used to establish a 3-D culture condition for VM formation in vitro. RT-PCR and Western Blot were used to examine changes of mRNA and protein respectively. Clinical resected samples were applied to confirm association between VM formation and identified targets. Subcutaneous xenograft tumor model was established to observe tumor growth and VM formation in vivo. PAS-CD34 dual staining was used to detect VM in vivo. A total of 194 proteins were identified to be differentially expressed in HCC cells treated with or without COE. In the 93 down-regulated proteins EphA2 stood out to be regulated on both RNA and protein level. Disruption EphA2 using COE or NVP inhibited VM formation and decreased VM associated biomarkers. In xenograft mouse model, COE inhibited tumor growth and VM formation via down-regulating EphA2. Taken together, our results indicate that COE could be used in HCC treatment because of its promising anti-VM effect.