| 1. |
- Karalis, Theodoros, et al.
(författare)
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Identification of a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Hyaluronan Synthesis, DDIT, Targeting Breast Cancer Cells
- 2022
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Ingår i: Cancers. - : MDPI. - 2072-6694. ; 14:23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Simple Summary The most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, is characterized by an excessive accumulation of hyaluronan in the cancer and its peritumoral stroma, which has been linked to poor prognosis of the patients. Inhibitors of hyaluronan synthesis would thus have a potential clinical value. We have identified the thymidine analog 5 '-Deoxy-5 '-(1,3-Diphenyl-2-Imidazolidinyl)-Thymidine (DDIT) as a new non-toxic inhibitor of hyaluronan synthesis. DDIT is more potent than the available inhibitor 4-Methylumbelliferone (4-MU), and significantly suppressed the aggressiveness of triple-negative breast cancer cells grown in tissue culture. Breast cancer is a common cancer in women. Breast cancer cells synthesize large amounts of hyaluronan to assist their proliferation, survival, migration and invasion. Accumulation of hyaluronan and overexpression of its receptor CD44 and hyaluronidase TMEM2 in breast tumors correlate with tumor progression and reduced overall survival of patients. Currently, the only known small molecule inhibitor of hyaluronan synthesis is 4-methyl-umbelliferone (4-MU). Due to the importance of hyaluronan for breast cancer progression, our aim was to identify new, potent and chemically distinct inhibitors of its synthesis. Here, we report a new small molecule inhibitor of hyaluronan synthesis, the thymidine analog 5 '-Deoxy-5 '-(1,3-Diphenyl-2-Imidazolidinyl)-Thymidine (DDIT). This compound is more potent than 4-MU and displays significant anti-tumorigenic properties. Specifically, DDIT inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cancer stem cell self-renewal by suppressing HAS-synthesized hyaluronan. DDIT appears as a promising lead compound for the development of inhibitors of hyaluronan synthesis with potential usefulness in breast cancer treatment.
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| 2. |
- Aggelopoulos, Christos A., et al.
(författare)
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Cold Atmospheric Plasma Attenuates Breast Cancer Cell Growth Through Regulation of Cell Microenvironment Effectors
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Oncology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2234-943X. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Breast cancer exists in multiple subtypes some of which still lack a targeted and effective therapy. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been proposed as an emerging anti-cancer treatment modality. In this study, we investigated the effects of direct and indirect CAP treatment driven by the advantageous nanosecond pulsed discharge on breast cancer cells of different malignant phenotypes and estrogen receptor (ER) status, a major factor in the prognosis and therapeutic management of breast cancer. The main CAP reactive species in liquid (i.e. H2O2, NO2−/NO3−) and gas phase were determined as a function of plasma operational parameters (i.e. treatment time, pulse voltage and frequency), while pre-treatment with the ROS scavenger NAC revealed the impact of ROS in the treatment. CAP treatment induced intense phenotypic changes and apoptosis in both ER+ and ER- cells, which is associated with the mitochondrial pathway as evidenced by the increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleavage of PARP-1. Interestingly, CAP significantly reduced CD44 protein expression (a major cancer stem cell marker and matrix receptor), while differentially affected the expression of proteases and inflammatory mediators. Collectively, the findings of the present study suggest that CAP suppresses breast cancer cell growth and regulates several effectors of the tumor microenvironment and thus it could represent an efficient therapeutic approach for distinct breast cancer subtypes.
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| 3. |
- Bouris, Panagiotis, et al.
(författare)
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Estrogen receptor alpha mediates epithelial to mesenchymal transition, expression of specific matrix effectors and functional properties of breast cancer cells
- 2015
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Ingår i: Matrix Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0945-053X .- 1569-1802. ; 43, s. 42-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The 17 beta-estradiol (E2)/estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) signaling pathway is one of the most important pathways in hormone-dependent breast cancer. E2 plays pivotal roles in cancer cell growth, survival, and architecture as well as in gene expression regulatory mechanisms. In this study, we established stably transfected MCF-7 cells by knocking down the ER alpha gene (designated as MCF-7/SP10 + cells), using specific shRNA lentiviral particles, and compared them with the control cells (MCF-7/c). Interestingly, ERa silencing in MCF-7 cells strongly induced cellular phenotypic changes accompanied by significant changes in gene and protein expression of several markers typical of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Notably, these cells exhibited enhanced cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, ERa suppression strongly affected the gene and protein expression of EGFR and HER2 receptor tyrosine kinases, and various extracellular matrix (ECM) effectors, including matrix metalloproteinases and their endogenous inhibitors (MMPs/TIMPs) and components of the plasminogen activation system. The action caused by E2 in MCF-7/c cells in the expression of HER2, MT1-MMP, MMP1, MMP9, uPA, tPA, and PAI-1 was abolished in MCF-7/SP10 + cells lacking ERa. These data suggested a regulatory role for the E2/ER alpha pathway in respect to the composition and activity of the extracellular proteolytic molecular network. Notably, loss of ER alpha promoted breast cancer cell migration and invasion by inducing changes in the expression levels of certain matrix macromolecules (especially uPA, tPA, PAI-1) through the EGFR-ERK signaling pathway. In conclusion, loss of ERa in breast cancer cells results in a potent EMT characterized by striking changes in the expression profile of specific matrix macromolecules highlighting the potential nodal role of matrix effectors in breast cancer endocrine resistance.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Heldin, Paraskevi, et al.
(författare)
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Importance of hyaluronan-CD44 interactions in inflammation and tumorigenesis
- 2008
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Ingår i: Connective Tissue Research. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0300-8207 .- 1607-8438. ; 49:3 & 4, s. 215-218
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hyaluronan is an apparently simple polysaccharide that is responsible for tissue hydration but also stimulates cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation via binding to cell surface receptors, such as CD44. The amounts of hyaluronan increase during inflammation and tumorigenesis through the action of chemokines and growth factors. This review discusses some of the evidence that hyaluronan-CD44 complexes trigger signaling cascades that modulate inflammation and tumor progression.
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| 6. |
- Heldin, Paraskevi, et al.
(författare)
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Regulation of hyaluronan biosynthesis and clinical impact of excessive hyaluronan production
- 2019
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Ingår i: Matrix Biology. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. - 0945-053X .- 1569-1802. ; 78-79, s. 100-117
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The tightly regulated biosynthesis and catabolism of the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan, as well as its role in organizing tissues and cell signaling, is crucial for the homeostasis of tissues. Overexpression of hyaluronan plays pivotal roles in inflammation and cancer, and markedly high serum and tissue levels of hyaluronan are noted under such pathological conditions. This review focuses on the complexity of the regulation at transcriptional and posttranslational level of hyaluronan synthetic enzymes, and the outcome of their aberrant expression and accumulation of hyaluronan in clinical conditions, such as systemic B-cell cancers, aggressive breast carcinomas, metabolic diseases and virus infection.
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| 7. |
- Karalis, Theodoros T, et al.
(författare)
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Salicylate suppresses the oncogenic hyaluronan network in metastatic breast cancer cells.
- 2020
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Ingår i: Matrix biology plus. - : Elsevier BV. - 2590-0285. ; 6-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The oncogenic role of hyaluronan in several aspects of tumor biology has been well established. Recent studies by us and others suggest that inhibition of hyaluronan synthesis could represent an emerging therapeutic approach with significant clinical relevance in controlling different breast cancer subtypes, including triple-negative breast cancer. Epidemiological and preclinical studies have revealed the therapeutic potential of aspirin (acetyl salicylate), a classical anti-inflammatory drug, in patients with cancer. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. The present study demonstrates that salicylate, a break down product of aspirin in vivo, alters the organization of hyaluronan matrices by affecting the expression levels of hyaluronan synthesizing (HAS1, 2, 3) and degrading (HYAL-1, -2) enzymes, and that of hyaluronan receptor CD44. In particular, salicylate was found to potently activate AMPK, a kinase known to inhibit HAS2 activity, and caused a dose-dependent decrease of cell associated (intracellular and membrane-bound) as well as secreted hyaluronan, followed by the down-regulation of HAS2 and the induction of HYAL-2 and CD44 in metastatic breast cancer cells. These salicylate-mediated effects were associated with the redistribution of CD44 and actin cytoskeleton that resulted in a less motile cell phenotype. Interestingly, salicylate inhibited metastatic breast cancer cell proliferation and growth by inducing cell growth arrest without signs of apoptosis as evidenced by the substantial decrease of cyclin D1 protein and the absence of cleaved caspase-3, respectively. Collectively, our study offers a possible direction for the development of new matrix-based targeted treatments of metastatic breast cancer subtypes via inhibition of hyaluronan, a pro-angiogenic, pro-inflammatory and tumor promoting glycosaminoglycan.
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| 8. |
- Karalis, Theodoros T., et al.
(författare)
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Tumor-suppressive functions of 4-MU on breast cancer cells of different ER status : Regulation of hyaluronan/HAS2/CD44 and specific matrix effectors
- 2019
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Ingår i: Matrix Biology. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. - 0945-053X .- 1569-1802. ; 78-79, s. 118-138
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The malignant phenotype of various cancers is linked to enhanced expression of hyaluronan, a proangiogenic glycosaminoglycan whose expression is suppressed by 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), a non-toxic oral agent used as a dietary supplement to improve health and combat prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated the role of 4-MU in mammary carcinoma cells with distinct malignant phenotypes and estrogen receptor (ER) status, a major prognostic factor in the clinical management of breast cancers. We focused on two breast cancer cell lines, the low metastatic and ER alpha+ MCF-7 cells, and the highly-aggressive and ER alpha-MDA-MB-231 cells. Treatment with 4-MU caused a dose-dependent decrease of hyaluronan accumulation in the extracellular matrix as well as within the breast cancer cells, most prevalent in cells lacking ER alpha. This decrease in hyaluronan was accompanied by suppression of Hyaluronan Synthase 2 (HAS2), the major enzyme responsible for the synthesis of hyaluronan, and by induction of hyaluronidases (HYALs) -1 and -2. Moreover, 4-MU induced intense phenotypic changes and substantial loss of CD44, a major hyaluronan receptor, from cell protrusions. Importantly, 4-MU evoked differential effects depending on the absence or presence of ER alpha. Only the ER alpha+ cells showed signs of apoptosis, as determined by cleaved PARP-1, and anoikis as shown by concurrent loss of E-cadherin and beta-catenin. Interestingly, 4-MU significantly reduced migration, adhesion and invasion of ER alpha- breast cancer cells, and concurrently reduced the expression and activity of several matrix degrading enzymes and pro-inflammatory molecules with tumor-promoting functions. Collectively, our findings suggest that 4-MU could represent a novel therapeutic for specific breast cancer subtypes with regard to their ER status via suppression of hyaluronan synthesis and regulation of HAS2, CD44, matrix-degrading enzymes and inflammatory mediators.
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| 9. |
- Karamanos, Nikos K., et al.
(författare)
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A guide to the composition and functions of the extracellular matrix
- 2021
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Ingår i: The FEBS Journal. - : Wiley. - 1742-464X .- 1742-4658. ; 288:24, s. 6850-6912
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic 3-dimensional network of macromolecules that provides structural support for the cells and tissues. Accumulated knowledge clearly demonstrated over the last decade that ECM plays key regulatory roles since it orchestrates cell signaling, functions, properties and morphology. Extracellularly secreted as well as cell-bound factors are among the major members of the ECM family. Proteins/glycoproteins, such as collagens, elastin, laminins and tenascins, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronan, and their cell receptors such as CD44 and integrins, responsible for cell adhesion, comprise a well-organized functional network with significant roles in health and disease. On the other hand, enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases and specific glycosidases including heparanase and hyaluronidases contribute to matrix remodeling and affect human health. Several cell processes and functions, among them cell proliferation and survival, migration, differentiation, autophagy, angiogenesis, and immunity regulation are affected by certain matrix components. Structural alterations have been also well associated with disease progression. This guide on the composition and functions of the ECM gives a broad overview of the matrisome, the major ECM macromolecules, and their interaction networks within the ECM and with the cell surface, summarizes their main structural features and their roles in tissue organization and cell functions, and emphasizes the importance of specific ECM constituents in disease development and progression as well as the advances in molecular targeting of ECM to design new therapeutic strategies.
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| 10. |
- Karousou, Eugenia, et al.
(författare)
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The activity of hyaluronan synthase 2 is regulated by dimerization and ubiquitination
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - USA : The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 285:31, s. 23647-23654
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hyaluronan is a component of the extracellular matrix, which affects tissue homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms of one of the hyaluronan-synthesizing enzymes, HAS2. Ectopic expression of Flag- and 6myc-HAS2 in COS-1 cells followed by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting revealed homodimers; after co-transfection with Flag-HAS3, also heterodimers were seen. Furthermore, the expressed HAS2 was ubiquitinated. We identified one acceptor site for ubiquitin on lysine residue 190. Mutation of this residue led to inactivation of the enzymatic activity of HAS2. Interestingly, K190R-mutated HAS2 formed dimers with wt HAS2 and quenched the activity of wt HAS2, thus demonstrating a functional role of the dimeric configuration.
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