Effect of atractylenolide Ⅲ on zearalenone-induced Snail1-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition in porcine intestinal epithelium

Background The intestinal epithelium performs essential physiological functions,such as nutrient absorption,and acts as a barrier to prevent the entry of harmful substances.Mycotoxins are prevalent contaminants found in ani-mal feed that exert harmful effects on the health of livestock.Zearalenone(ZEA)is produced by the Fusarium genus and induces gastrointestinal dysfunction and disrupts the health and immune system of animals.Here,we evaluated the molecular mechanisms that regulate the effects of ZEA on the porcine intestinal epithelium.Results Treatment of IPEC-J2 cells with ZEA decreased the expression of E-cadherin and increased the expression of Snai1 and Vimentin,which induced Snail1-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT).In addition,ZEA induces Snail-mediated EMT through the activation of TGF-βsignaling.The treatment of IPEC-J2 cells with atractyle-nolideⅢ,which were exposed to ZEA,alleviated EMT.Conclusions Our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of ZEA toxicity in porcine intestinal epi-thelial cells and ways to mitigate it.

Eriocitrin inhibits proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition

Objective:To investigate the effects of Eriocitrin on the proliferation and migration of Lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)cells A549 and H1299,and the mechanism of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition(EMT).Methods:The effects of different Eriocitrin on the proliferation of LUAD cells A549 and H1299 were examined by CCK8 method.EMT-associated epithelial calmodulin(E-cadherin and N-cadherin),vimentin,ferroptosis-associated protein SLC7A11,GPX4,FTH were detected by Western Blot and expression of mRNA of EMT marker molecules E-cadherin,N-cadherin,Snail were detected by qRT-PCR.Effects of saccharomyces cerevisiae suberin on ferroptosis in LUAD cells as observed by lipid reactive oxygen species(ROS)assay.Results:Eriocitrin could significantly inhibit the proliferative behavior of LUAD cells A549 and H1299 and showed a certain dose-and time-dependence.Compared with the control group,different concentrations of Eriocitrin could significantly reduce the scratch healing rate after 24 and 48 h of action,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The expression of ROS is increased,EMT-related protein E-cadherin was increased in LUAD cells A549 and H1299 compared with the control group after the intervention with Eriocitrin.N-cadherin and Vimentin expression was decreased.E-cadherin mRNA expression was increased,and N-cadherin,Snail mRNA expression was decreased,expression of ferroptosis-associated protein SLC7A11,GPX4,FTH was decreased,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Eriocitrin may inhibit the proliferation and migration of LUAD cells by regulating the EMT pathway and has potential application in LUAD prevention and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Analysis of Differential Gene Expression and Core Canonical Pathways Involved in the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a malignant form of cancer with very high mortality and morbidity. Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is the most common pathophysiological change observed in cancer cells of epithelial origin that promotes metastasis, drug resistance and cancer stem cell formation. Since the information regarding differential gene expression in TNBC cells and cell signaling events leading to EMT is limited, this investigation was done by comparing transcriptomic data generated by RNA isolation and sequencing of a EMT model TNBC cell line in comparison to regular TNBC cells. RNA sequencing and Ingenuity Pathway Software Analysis (IPA) of the transcriptomic data revealed several upregulated and downregulated gene expressions along with novel core canonical pathways including Sirtuin signaling, Oxidative Phosphorylation and Mitochondrial dysfunction events involved in EMT changes of the TNBC cells.

Activation of Nrf2 attenuates pulmonary vascular remodeling via inhibiting endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition

OBJECTIVE To investigate the pharmacological effect and mechanism of Salvianolic acid A(SAA) on pulmonary vascular remodeling.METHODS In current study,we conducted a series of experiments to clarify the effect of SAA,a kind of polyphenol compound,in the process of EndMT in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and in vivo therapeutic efficacy on vascular remodeling in monocrotaline(MCT)-induced EndMT.EndMT was also induced by TGF-β1 in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells(HPAECs) in vitro.RESULTS SAA significantly attenuated EndMT,simul.taneously inhibited cell migration and reactive oxygen species(ROS) formation.In MCT-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH) model,SAA improved vascular function,decreased TGF-β1 level and inhib.ited inflammation.Mechanistically,SAA stimulated Nrf2 translocation and subsequent heme oxygen.ase-1(HO-1) up-regulation.The effect of SAA on EndMT in vitro was abolished by ZnPP,a HO-1 inhibitor.CONCLUSION This study indicates a deleterious impact of oxidative stress on EndMT.Polyphenol antioxidant treatment may provide an adjunctive action to alleviate pulmonary vascular remodeling via inhibiting EndMT.

Comprehensive understanding of glioblastoma molecular phenotypes:classification,characteristics,and transition

Among central nervous system-associated malignancies,glioblastoma(GBM)is the most common and has the highest mortality rate.The high heterogeneity of GBM cell types and the complex tumor microenvironment frequently lead to tumor recurrence and sudden relapse in patients treated with temozolomide.In precision medicine,research on GBM treatment is increasingly focusing on molecular subtyping to precisely characterize the cellular and molecular heterogeneity,as well as the refractory nature of GBM toward therapy.Deep understanding of the different molecular expression patterns of GBM subtypes is critical.Researchers have recently proposed tetra fractional or tripartite methods for detecting GBM molecular subtypes.The various molecular subtypes of GBM show significant differences in gene expression patterns and biological behaviors.These subtypes also exhibit high plasticity in their regulatory pathways,oncogene expression,tumor microenvironment alterations,and differential responses to standard therapy.Herein,we summarize the current molecular typing scheme of GBM and the major molecular/genetic characteristics of each subtype.Furthermore,we review the mesenchymal transition mechanisms of GBM under various regulators.

Mesenchymal stem cells-extracellular vesicles alleviate pulmonary fibrosis by regulating immunomodulators

BACKGROUND Pulmonary fibrosis(PF)is a chronic interstitial lung disease characterized by fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix formation,causing structural damage and lung failure.Stem cell therapy and mesenchymal stem cells-extracellular vesicles(MSC-EVs)offer new hope for PF treatment.AIM To investigate the therapeutic potential of MSC-EVs in alleviating fibrosis,oxidative stress,and immune inflammation in A549 cells and bleomycin(BLM)-induced mouse model.METHODS The effect of MSC-EVs on A549 cells was assessed by fibrosis markers[collagen I andα-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),oxidative stress regulators[nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),and inflammatory regu-lators[nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-κB)p65,interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-2].Similarly,they were assessed in the lungs of mice where PF was induced by BLM after MSC-EV transfection.MSC-EVs ion PF mice were detected by pathological staining and western blot.Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to investigate the effects of the MSC-EVs on gene expression profiles of macrophages after modeling in mice.RESULTS Transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 enhanced fibrosis in A549 cells,significantly increasing collagen I andα-SMA levels.Notably,treatment with MSC-EVs demonstrated a remarkable alleviation of these effects.Similarly,the expression of oxidative stress regulators,such as Nrf2 and HO-1,along with inflammatory regulators,including NF-κB p65 and IL-1β,were mitigated by MSC-EV treatment.Furthermore,in a parallel manner,MSC-EVs exhibited a downregulatory impact on collagen deposition,oxidative stress injuries,and inflammatory-related cytokines in the lungs of mice with PF.Additionally,the mRNA sequencing results suggested that BLM may induce PF in mice by upregulating pulmonary collagen fiber deposition and triggering an immune inflammatory response.The findings collectively highlight the potential therapeutic efficacy of MSC-EVs in ameliorating fibrotic processes,oxidative stress,and inflammatory responses associated with PF.CONCLUSION MSC-EVs could ameliorate fibrosis in vitro and in vivo by downregulating collagen deposition,oxidative stress,and immune-inflammatory responses.

Hepatic regeneration and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Liver injuries are repaired by fibrosis and regeneration. The core stage is the repair response and fibrosis formation as a scar. The cause of overly-responsive scar formation and diminished regeneration, especially in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, is still unknown. The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a previously discovered mechanism, plays an important role in liver fibrosis and tumor metastasis. Recently, EMT has been found to be associated with liver and bile duct cell fibrosis. Analyzing the established models and chronic disease processes, we propose that EMT liver cells may also lose their regenerative capability due to phenotype changes and that the remaining liver cells may quickly lose their regenerative capability in liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Recognizing these phenotype changes or transition cells may play an important role in targeting therapy to reverse fibrosis not only by disrupting the transition that is necessary to produce the extracellular matrix but also by restoring the regenerative capacity of EMT-like cells.

Epithelial mesenchymal transition of non-small-cell lung cancer cells A549 induced by SPHK1

Objective:To explore the effect and molecular mechanism of SPHK1 in the invasion and metastasis process of non-small-cell lung cancer cells(A549).Methods:Recombinant retrovirus was used to mediate the production of A549/vector,A549/SPHK1,A549/scramble,and A549/SPHK1/RNAi that stably expressed or silenced SPHK1.The invasion and migration capacities of A549 cells overexpressing or silencing SPHK1 were determined using Transwell invasion assay and scratch wound repair experiment.The protein and mRNA expression levels of E-cadherin,fibronectin,vimentin in A549/vector,A549/SPHK1,A549/scramble,A549/SPHK1/RNAi were detected with Western blot(WB) and quantitative PCR(QPCR) methods,respectively.Results:Transwell invasion assay and scratch wound repair experiments showed that over-expression of SPHK1 obviously enhanced the invasion and migration capacities of A549 cells.WB and QPCR detection results showed that,the expression of E-cadherin(a molecular marker of epithelial cells) and fibronectin,vimentin(molecular markers of mesenchymal cells) in A549 cells was upregulated after overexpression of SPHK1;while SPHK1 silencing significantly reduced the invasion and metastasis capacities of A549 cells,upregulated the expression of molecular marker of epithelial cells,and downregulated the expression of molecular marker of mesenchymal cells.Conclusions:SPHK1 promotes epithelial mesenchymal transition of non-small-cell lung cancer cells and affects the invasion and metastasis capacities of these cells.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factors and mi RNAs: “Plastic surgeons” of breast cancer

Growing evidence suggests that breast cancer cell plasticity arises due to a partial reactivation of epithelialmesenchymal transition(EMT) programs in order to give cells pluripotency, leading to a stemness-like phenotype. A complete EMT would be a dead end program that would render cells unable to fully metastasize to distant organs. Evoking the EMT-mesenchymal-toepithelial transition(MET) cascade promotes successful colonization of distal target tissues. It is unlikely that direct reprogramming or trans-differentiation without passing through a pluripotent stage would be thepreferred mechanism during tumor progression. This review focuses on key EMT transcriptional regulators, EMT-transcription factors involved in EMT(TFs) and the mi RNA pathway, which are deregulated in breast cancer, and discusses their implications in cancer cell plasticity. Cross-regulation between EMT-TFs and mi RNAs, where mi RNAs act as co-repressors or co-activators, appears to be a pivotal mechanism for breast cancer cells to acquire a stem cell-like state, which is implicated both in breast metastases and tumor recurrence. As a master regulator of mi RNA biogenesis, the ribonuclease type Ⅲ endonuclease Dicer plays a central role in EMTTFs/mi RNAs regulating networks. All these EMT-MET key regulators represent valuable new prognostic and predictive markers for breast cancer as well as promising new targets for drug-resistant breast cancers.

SFRP4 expression correlates with epithelial mesenchymal transitionlinked genes and poor overall survival in colon cancer patients

BACKGROUND Colon cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States with an estimated 97220 new cases expected by the end of 2018.It affects 1.2 million people around the world and is responsible for about 0.6 million deaths every year.Despite decline in overall incidence and mortality over the past 30 years,there continues to be an alarming rise in early-onset colon cancer cases(<50 years).Patients are often diagnosed at late stages of the disease and tend to have poor survival.We previously showed that the WNT“gatekeeper”gene,secreted frizzled-related protein 4(SFRP4),is over-expressed in early-onset colon cancer.SFRP4 is speculated to play an essential role in cancer by inhibiting the epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT).AIM To investigate the correlation between SFRP4 expression and EMT-linked genes in colon cancer and how it affects patient survival.METHODS SFRP4 expression relative to that of EMT-linked genes and survival analysis were performed using the University of California Santa Cruz Cancer Browser interface.RESULTS SFRP4 was found to be co-expressed with the EMT-linked markers CDH2,FN1,VIM,TWIST1,TWIST2,SNAI1,SNAI2,ZEB1,ZEB2,POSTN,MMP2,MMP7,MMP9,and COL1A1.SFRP4 expression negatively correlated with the EMTlinked suppressors CLDN4,CLDN7,TJP3,MUC1,and CDH1.The expression of SFRP4 and the EMT-linked markers was higher in mesenchymal-like samples compared to epithelial-like samples which potentially implicates SFRP4-EMT mechanism in colon cancer.Additionally,patients overexpressing SFRP4 presented with poor overall survival(P=0.0293).CONCLUSION Considering the implication of SFRP4 in early-onset colon cancer,particularly in the context of EMT,tumor metastasis,and invasion,and the effect of increased expression on colon cancer patient survival,SFRP4 might be a potential biomarker for early-onset colon cancer that could be targeted for diagnosis and/or disease therapy.

MiR-200c suppresses the migration of retinoblastoma cells by reversing epithelial mesenchymal transition

AIM： To analyze the relationship between clinical features and epithelial mesenchymal transition （EMT） in retinoblastoma （RB）, further to investigate whether miR-200c regulates the EMT and migration of RB cells. METHODS： Expression of EMT-related markers and tumor- related factors were detected by immuno-histochemistry analysis in RB tissue from 29 cases. Correlations between their expression and clinical characteristics were analyzed. The regulation effects of miR-200c on EMT-related markers, tumor-related factors were observed in mRNA level and protein level by real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and Western blot, respectively, in Y79 and Weri-rbl cells. Its effects on migration force of these RB cell lines were also detected with Transwell test. RESULTS： Lower expression of E-cadherin was present in the cases with malignant prognosis. MiR-200c promoted the expression of E-cadherin and decreased the expression of Vimentin and N-cadherin in Y79 and Weri-rbl cells. Migration force of RB cells could be inhibited by miR-200c. CONCLUSION： EMT might be associated with bad prognosis in RB. MiR-200c suppresses the migration of retinoblastomatous cells by reverse EMT.

Human lens epithelial cell apoptosis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

AIM： To evaluate human lens epithelium cell apoptosis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition （EMT） induced by femtosecond laser in femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery （FLACS）. METHODS： Sixty cataract patients with N2 to N3 stage according to the LOCS III were enrolled in this study and divided into three groups randomly： FLACSl group （cataract surgery by FLACS with LenSx）, FLACS2 group （cataract surgery by FLACS with LensAR） and manual group （cataract surgery by phacoemulsification）. Patients in two FLACS groups performed anterior capsulotomy by LenSx or LensAR laser system. Patients in the manual group were performed continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis （CCC） manually. The anterior capsules were fixed right after moved out of eye. Hematoxylin-eosine staining, immunofluorescence staining and real-time PCR were performed in order to observe human lens epithelium cells changes after cataract surgery. RESULTS： The capsule cutting edge was shown irregularity and roughness in two FLACS groups and smooth edge in manual capsulotomy by pathologic staining. Irregularities of the cell configuration with partly swollen and destroyed nuclei were observed in two FLACS groups. Femtosecond laser could induce a significantly higher cell apoptosis in human lens epithelium cell than manually performed CCC （P〈0.05）. Lens epithelium cells apoptosis were correlated with femtosecond laser duration according to Pearson correlation analysis. Decreased N-cadherin expression, alpha-SMA and FSP-1 level in two FLACS groups showed the inhibition of cell EMT. CONCLUSION： Femtosecond laser may affect the apoptosis and EMT of lens epithelium cells which are under the peeled central lens capsule.

Role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer initiation and progression

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide.Due to its intricate initiation and progression mechanisms,early detection and effective treatment of gastric cancer are difficult to achieve.The epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)is characterized as a fundamental process that is critical for embryonic development,wound healing and fibrotic disease.Recent evidence has established that aberrant EMT activation in the human stomach is closely associated with gastric carcinogenesis and tumor progression.EMT activation endows gastric epithelial cells with increased characteristics of mesenchymal cells and reduces their epithelial features.Moreover,mesenchymal cells tend to dedifferentiate and acquire stem cell or tumorigenic phenotypes such as invasion,metastasis and apoptosis resistance as well as drug resistance during EMT progression.There are a number of molecules that indicate the stage of EMT(e.g.,E-cadherin,an epithelial cell biomarker);therefore,certain transcriptional proteins,especially E-cadherin transcriptional repressors,may participate in the regulation of EMT.In addition,EMT regulation may be associated with certain epigenetic mechanisms.The aforementioned molecules can be used as early diagnostic markers for gastric cancer,and EMT regulation can provide potential targets for gastric cancer therapy.Here,we review the role of these aspects of EMT in gastric cancer initiation and development.

Effect of h GC-MSCs from human gastric cancer tissue on cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tumor tissue of gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice

Objective: To study the effect of h GC-MSCs from human gastric cancer tissue on cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tumor tissue of gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice. Methods: BABL/c nude mice were selected as experimental animals and gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice model were established by subcutaneous injection of gastric cancer cells, randomly divided into different intervention groups. h GC-MSCs group was given different amounts of gastric cancer cells for subcutaneous injection, PBS group was given equal volume of PBS for subcutaneous injection. Then tumor tissue volume were determined, tumor-bearing mice were killed and tumor tissues were collected, m RNA expression of proliferation, invasion, EMT related molecules were determined. Results: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 d after intervention, tumor tissue volume of h GC-MSCs group were significantly higher than those of PBS group and the more the number of h GC-MSCs, the higher the tumor tissue volume; m RNA contents of Ki-67, PCNA, Bcl-2, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-14, N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and Twist in tumor tissue of h GC-MSCs group were higher than those of PBS group, and m RNA contents of Bax, TIMP1, TIMP2 and E-cadherin were lower than those of PBS group. Conclusions: h GC-MSCs from human gastric cancer tissue can promote the tumor growth in gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice, and the molecular mechanism includes promoting cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Cullin 4A is associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition and poor prognosis in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

AIM To explore the functional role of cullin 4A(CUL4A), a core subunit of E3 ubiquitin ligase, in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma(PHCC).METHODS The expression of CUL4 A in PHCC cell lines was evaluated by Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was adopted to investigate the relationship between CUL4 A expression and clinicopathological characteristics of PHCC. Univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis were performed to analyze the risk factors related to overall survival(OS) and progression-free survival(PFS) of PHCC patients. Wound healing, Transwell and Matrigel assays were utilized to explore the function of CUL4 A in PHCC metastasis. Furthermore, expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT) markers was verified in cells with CUL4 A knockdown or overexpression. The relationship between CUL4 A expression and E-cadherin expression was also analyzed by IHC assay. Finally, the role of ZEB1 in regulating CUL4 A mediated PHCC was detected by IHC, Western blot, Transwell and Matrigel assays.RESULTS CUL4 A overexpression was detected in PHCC cell lines and clinical specimens. Clinicopathological analysis revealed a close correlation between CUL4 A overexpression and tumour differentiation, T, N and TNM stages in PHCC. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that high CUL4 A expression was correlated with poor OS and PFS of PHCC patients. Univariate analysis identified the following four parameters as risk factors related to OS rate of PHCC: T, N, TNM stages and high CUL4 A expression; as well as three related to PFS: N stage, TNM stage and high CUL4 A expression. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis identified high CUL4 A expression as the only independent prognostic factor for PHCC. Moreover, CUL4 A silencing in PHCC cell lines dramatically inhibited metastasis and the EMT. Conversely, CUL4 A overexpression promoted these processes. Mechanistically, ZEB1 was discovered to regulate the function of CUL4 A in promoting the EMT and metastasis.CONCLUSION CUL4 A is an independent prognostic factor for PHCC, and it can promote the EMT by regulating ZEB1 expression. CUL4 A may be a potential therapeutic target for PHCC.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer progression and metastasis

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women,and approximately 90% of breast cancer deaths are caused by local invasion and distant metastasis of tumor cells.Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) is a vital process for large-scale cell movement during morphogenesis at the time of embryonic development.Tumor cells usurp this developmental program to execute the multi-step process of tumorigenesis and metastasis.Several transcription factors and signals are involved in these events.In this review,we summarize recent advances in breast cancer researches that have provided new insights in the molecular mechanisms underlying EMT regulation during breast cancer progression and metastasis.We especially focus on the molecular pathways that control EMT.

Attenuated LKB1-SIK1 signaling promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and radioresistance of non–small cell lung cancer cells

Background: Radiotherapy is one of the main therapeutic approaches for non–small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). However, radioresistant cancer cells can eventually cause tumor relapse and even fatal metastasis. It is thought that radioresistance and metastasis could be potentially linked by epithelial?mesenchymal transition(EMT). In this study, we established radioresistant NSCLC cells to investigate the potential relationship among radioresistance, EMT, and enhanced metastatic potential and the underlying mechanism involving liver kinase B1(LKB1)?Salt?inducible kinase 1(SIK1) signaling.Methods: The radioresistant cell lines A549 R and H1299 R were generated by dose?gradient irradiation of the paren?tal A549 and H1299 cells. The radioresistance/sensitivity was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit?8 assay, apoptosis analysis, and/or clonogenic cell survival assay. The EMT phenotype and the signaling change were assessed by Western blot?ting. The abilities of invasion and migration were evaluated by transwell assays and wound healing assays.Results: The radioresistant cell lines A549 R and H1299 R displayed mesenchymal features with enhanced invasion and migration. Mechanistically, A549 R and H1299 R cells had attenuated LKB1?SIK1 signaling, which leaded to the up?regulation of Zinc?finger E?box?binding homeobox factor 1(ZEB1)—a transcription factor that drives EMT. Re?expression of LKB1 in A549 R cells reversed the EMT phenotype, whereas knockdown of LKB1 in H1299 R cells further promoted the EMT phenotype. Moreover, re?expression of LKB1 in A549 cells increased the radiosensitivity, whereas knockdown of LKB1 in H1299 cells decreased the radiosensitivity.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that attenuated LKB1?SIK1 signaling promotes EMT and radioresistance of NSCLC cells, which subsequently contributes to the enhanced metastatic potential. Targeting the LKB1?SIK1?ZEB1 pathway to suppress EMT might provide therapeutic benefits.

Systematic review of the old and new concepts in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT) is defined as the transformation of an epithelial cell into a spindle cell with the loss of membrane E-cadherin expression and the gain of mesenchymal markers positivity. In the field of colorectal cancer(CRC), first data about EMT was published in 1995 and more than 400 papers had been written up to March 2016. Most of them are focused on the molecular pathways and experimentally-proved chemoresistance. In the present article, an update in the field of EMT in CRC based on the review of the literature and personal experience of the authors is presented. The information about the molecular and immunohistochemical(IHC) particularities of these processes and their possible role in the prognosis of CRC were also up-dated. This article focuses on the IHC quantification of the EMT, the immunoprofile of tumor buds and on the relation between EMT, angiogenesis, and stem cells activation. The EMT-induced chemoresistance vs chemotherapyor radiotherapy-induced EMT and cellular senescence was also synthesized for both conventional and targeted therapy. As a future perspective, the EMTangiogenesis-stemness link could be used as a possible valuable parameter for clinical follow-up and targeted therapeutic oncologic management of patients with CRC. Association of dexamethasone and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors combined with conventional chemotherapies could have clinical benefits in patients with CRC. The main conclusion is that, although many studies have been published, the EMT features are still incompletely elucidated and newly discovered EMT markers provide confusing data in understanding this complicated process, which might have significant clinical impact.

Evaluation of epithelial-mesenchymal transitioned circulating tumor cells in patients with resectable gastric cancer: Relevance to therapy response

AIM: To evaluate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT) of circulating tumor cells(CTCs) in gastric cancer patients.METHODS: We detected tumor cells for expression of four epithelial(E^+) transcripts(keratins 8, 18, and 19 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule) and two mesenchymal(M^+) transcripts(Vimentin and Twist) by a quantifiable, dual-colorimetric RNA-in situ hybridization assay. Between July 2014 and October 2014, 44 patients with gastric cancer were recruited for CTC evaluation. Blood samples were obtained from selected patients during the treatment course [before surgery, after surgery and at the 6^(th) cycle of XELOX based chemotherapy(about 6 mo postoperatively)].RESULTS: We found the EMT phenomenon in which there were a few biphenotypic E^+/M^+ cells in primary human gastric cancer specimens. Of the 44 patients, the presence of CTCs was reported in 35(79.5%) patients at baseline. Five types of cells including from exclusively E^+ CTCs to intermediate CTCs and exclusively M^+ CTCs were identified(4 patients with M^+ CTCs and 10 patients with M^+ or M^+ > E^+ CTCs). Further, a chemotherapy patient having progressive disease showed a proportional increase of mesenchymal CTCs in the post-treatment blood specimens. We used NCI-N87 cells to analyze the linearity and sensitivity of Can Patrol^(TM) system and the correlation coefficient(R^2) was 0.999.CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the EMT phenomenon was both in a few cells of primary tumors and abundantly in CTCs from the blood of gastric cancer patients, which might be used to monitor therapy response.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition- activating transcription factors- multifunctional regulators in cancer

The process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT), first noted during embryogenesis, has also been reported in tumor formation and leads to the development of metastatic growth. It is a naturally occurring process that drives the transformation of adhesive,non-mobile epithelial like cells into mobile cells with a mesenchymal phenotype that have ability to migrate to distant anatomical sites. Activating complex network of embryonic signaling pathways, including Wnt, Notch,hedgehog and transforming growth factor-β pathways,lead to the upregulation of EMT activating transcription factors, crucial for normal tissue development and maintenance. However, deregulation of tightly regulated pathways affecting the process of EMT has been recently investigated in various human cancers. Given the critical role of EMT in metastatic tumor formation,better understanding of the mechanistic regulation provides new opportunities for the development of potential therapeutic targets of clinical importance.