Dataset Information

Lipocalin-2 negatively regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition through matrix metalloprotease-2 downregulation in gastric cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although the role of Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) in cancer development has been focused on recent studies, the molecular mechanisms and clinical relevance of LCN2 in gastric cancer (GC) still remain unclear.

Methods

Transcriptome analysis of GC samples from public human data was performed according to Lauren's classification and molecular classification. In vitro, Western blotting, RT-PCR, wound healing assay and invasion assay were performed to reveal the function and mechanisms of LCN2 in cell proliferation, migration and invasion using LCN2 knockdown cells. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of GC samples from public human data was analyzed according to LCN2 expression. The clinical significance of LCN2 expression was investigated in GC patients from public data and our hospital.

Results

LCN2 was downregulated in diffuse-type GC, as well as in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) type GC. LCN2 downregulation significantly promoted proliferation, invasion and migration of GC cells. The molecular mechanisms of LCN2 downregulation contribute to Matrix Metalloproteinases-2 (MMP2) stimulation which enhances EMT signaling in GC cells. GSEA revealed that LCN2 downregulation in human samples was involved in EMT signaling. Low LCN2 protein and mRNA levels were significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with GC. LCN2 mRNA level was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in GC patients.

Conclusions

LCN2 has a critical role in EMT signaling via MMP2 activity during GC progression. Thus, LCN2 might be a promising therapeutic target to revert EMT signaling in GC patients with poor outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Nishimura S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9365736 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Lipocalin-2 negatively regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition through matrix metalloprotease-2 downregulation in gastric cancer.

Nishimura Sadaaki S Yamamoto Yurie Y Sugimoto Atsushi A Kushiyama Shuhei S Togano Shingo S Kuroda Kenji K Okuno Tomohisa T Kasashima Hiroaki H Ohira Masaichi M Maeda Kiyoshi K Yashiro Masakazu M

Gastric cancer : official journal of the International Gastric Cancer Association and the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association 20220615 5

<h4>Background</h4>Although the role of Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) in cancer development has been focused on recent studies, the molecular mechanisms and clinical relevance of LCN2 in gastric cancer (GC) still remain unclear.<h4>Methods</h4>Transcriptome analysis of GC samples from public human data was performed according to Lauren's classification and molecular classification. In vitro, Western blotting, RT-PCR, wound healing assay and invasion assay were performed to reveal the function and mechanism ...[more]

PMID: 35705840

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Project description:Elevated lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) has been observed in multiple human cancers, but its biological roles remain unclear. Our purpose in this study was to investigate whether Lcn2 is involved in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development via its involvement in invasion and metastasis. Using unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis of tissue samples, we identified preferential expression of Lcn2 (>2-fold change) in the tumor group (differentiated group) versus the non-tumor group (liver cirrhosis group). LCN2 immunoreactivity was positively correlated with TNM stage (r = 0.194, P = 0.020), but not with differentiation or recurrence of HCC. Over-expression of Lcn2 was observed in HLK-2, HKK-2, and HLK-5 HCC cells. Knock-down of Lcn2 by shRNA in HKK-2 cells was correlated with the down-regulation of E-cadherin, CK-8, CK-18, and desmoplakin I/II (DesI/II) and the up-regulation of N-cadherin, vimentin (VIM), and fibronectin (FN), which are markers of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) associated with tumor progression. The characteristics of EMT were reversed by adenoviral transduction of Lcn2 into SH-J1 cells. EGF or TGF-β treatment resulted in downregulation of Lcn2 with a concomitant change in EMT. Stable Lcn2 expression in HCC cells reduced the expression of the transcription factor Twist1, resulting in the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and suppressed tumor growth and metastatic ability in a mouse model. These findings suggest that Lcn2 can reverse the EMT in HCC through transcriptional suppression of Twist 1. Thus, Lcn2 is a candidate metastasis suppressor and a potential therapeutic target for HCC. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering separated the samples into two main groups: a non-tumor group (NT, n = 40) and a HCC group (HCC, n = 40), and into two subgroups: a liver cirrhosis group (LC, n = 20) and a differentiated HCC group (difHCC, n = 20). Lcn2 was one of the unique genes with a two-fold or greater difference in expression from the mean with P < 0.01 based on the t-test for hierarchical clustering analysis.

Project description:Afadin is a cytoplasmic protein of the adherens junctions, which regulates the formation and stabilization of both the adherens and the tight junctions. Aberrant expression of Afadin has been shown in cancer and its loss has been associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is characterized by the change from an epithelial to a mesenchymal phenotype, with modifications on the expression of adhesion molecules and acquisition of a migratory and invasive cell behavior. While it is known that Helicobacter pylori disrupts the tight and the adherens junctions and induces EMT, the effect of the bacteria on Afadin is still unknown. The aim of this study was to disclose the effect of H. pylori on Afadin and its impact in the induction of an EMT phenotype in gastric cells. Using two different cell lines, we observed that H. pylori infection decreased Afadin protein levels, independently of CagA, T4SS, and VacA virulence factors. H. pylori infection of cell lines recapitulated several EMT features, displacing and downregulating multiple proteins from cell-cell junctions, and increasing the expression of ZEB1, Vimentin, Slug, N-cadherin, and Snail. Silencing of Afadin by RNAi promoted delocalization of junctional proteins from the cell-cell contacts, increased paracellular permeability, and decreased transepithelial electrical resistance, all compatible with impaired junctional integrity. Afadin silencing also led to increased expression of the EMT marker Snail, and to the formation of actin stress fibers, together with increased cell motility and invasion. Finally, and in line with our in vitro data, the gastric mucosa of individuals infected with H. pylori showed decrease/loss of Afadin membrane staining at cell-cell contacts significantly more frequently than uninfected individuals. In conclusion, Afadin is downregulated by H. pylori infection in vitro and in vivo, and its downregulation leads to the emergence of EMT and to the acquisition of an aggressive phenotype in gastric cells, which can contribute to gastric carcinogenesis.

Dataset Information

Lipocalin-2 negatively regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition through matrix metalloprotease-2 downregulation in gastric cancer.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Lipocalin-2 negatively regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition through matrix metalloprotease-2 downregulation in gastric cancer.

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