|
|
The role of erbB-2 oncogene in the biology of cancer stem-like cells
Prokopová, Kateřina ; Neužil, Jiří (advisor) ; Anděra, Ladislav (referee)
Recent studies indicate the existence of a subpopulation of cells within tumours with stem cell-like characteristics. These "cancer stem-like cells" (CSCs) are relatively resistant to established therapies, usually targeting differentiated and fast proliferating cells. Therefore, CSCs may be a reason for the relapse of neoplastic diseases. CSCs can be characterised by a specific gene expression profile and deregulated signalling pathways. Of these, upregulation of the erbB-2 (HER2) receptor, a hallmark of ~25-30% breast cancer patients, is related to dismal prognosis, elevated proliferation potential and resistance to chemotherapy. Recent evidence has suggested that upregulation of erbB-2 leads to increase in the pool of CSCs. In our study we used mammospheres, cells grown in the absence of serum, an in vitro model of breast CSCs, which were prepared by "weaning" breast cancer MCF7 cells to a special medium. These cells were CD44high and showed increased expression of ABCG-2, Sox-2, Vimentin as well as high levels of erbB-2. Next, we prepared a stable line of MCF7 cells with low levels of erbB-2 by shRNA. ErbB-2low cells were characterised for expression of set of CSCs markers and tested for tumour forming efficacy in nude mice using ultrasound imaging. Keywords Cancer stem-like cells, erbB-2,...
|
|
|
Targeting mitochondria to overcome resistance of breast cancer to therapy
Rohlenová, Kateřina ; Neužil, Jiří (advisor) ; Špíšek, Radek (referee) ; Vítek, Libor (referee)
(EN) Tumours are heterogeneous and consist of multiple populations of cells. The population of cells with tumour-initiating capability is known as cancer stem cells (CSC). Cells with increased stemness properties and elevated resistance to anti-cancer treatment have been shown to be highly affected upon decline of mitochondrial respiration, linking the concept of CSCs to deregulated bioenergetics. Consistently, functional electron transport chain (ETC) is crucial in tumorigenesis. Expression of HER2 oncogene, associated with resistance to treatment in breast cancer, has been connected with regulation of mitochondrial function. We therefore investigated the possibility that manipulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics via disruption of ETC eliminates the conventional therapy-resistant populations of tumour, such as CSCs and HER2high cells. We demonstrate that HER2high cells and tumours have increased complex I-driven respiration and increased assembly of respiratory supercomplexes (SC). These cells are highly sensitive to MitoTam, a novel mitochondria-targeted derivative of tamoxifen, acting as a CI inhibitor and SC disruptor. MitoTam was able to overcome resistance to tamoxifen, and to reduce the metastatic potential of HER2high cells. Higher sensitivity of HER2high cells to MitoTam is dependent on...
|
|
|
Targeting mitochondria to overcome resistance of breast cancer to therapy
Rohlenová, Kateřina ; Neužil, Jiří (advisor) ; Špíšek, Radek (referee) ; Vítek, Libor (referee)
(EN) Tumours are heterogeneous and consist of multiple populations of cells. The population of cells with tumour-initiating capability is known as cancer stem cells (CSC). Cells with increased stemness properties and elevated resistance to anti-cancer treatment have been shown to be highly affected upon decline of mitochondrial respiration, linking the concept of CSCs to deregulated bioenergetics. Consistently, functional electron transport chain (ETC) is crucial in tumorigenesis. Expression of HER2 oncogene, associated with resistance to treatment in breast cancer, has been connected with regulation of mitochondrial function. We therefore investigated the possibility that manipulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics via disruption of ETC eliminates the conventional therapy-resistant populations of tumour, such as CSCs and HER2high cells. We demonstrate that HER2high cells and tumours have increased complex I-driven respiration and increased assembly of respiratory supercomplexes (SC). These cells are highly sensitive to MitoTam, a novel mitochondria-targeted derivative of tamoxifen, acting as a CI inhibitor and SC disruptor. MitoTam was able to overcome resistance to tamoxifen, and to reduce the metastatic potential of HER2high cells. Higher sensitivity of HER2high cells to MitoTam is dependent on...
|
|
|
The role of erbB-2 oncogene in the biology of cancer stem-like cells
Prokopová, Kateřina ; Neužil, Jiří (advisor) ; Anděra, Ladislav (referee)
Recent studies indicate the existence of a subpopulation of cells within tumours with stem cell-like characteristics. These "cancer stem-like cells" (CSCs) are relatively resistant to established therapies, usually targeting differentiated and fast proliferating cells. Therefore, CSCs may be a reason for the relapse of neoplastic diseases. CSCs can be characterised by a specific gene expression profile and deregulated signalling pathways. Of these, upregulation of the erbB-2 (HER2) receptor, a hallmark of ~25-30% breast cancer patients, is related to dismal prognosis, elevated proliferation potential and resistance to chemotherapy. Recent evidence has suggested that upregulation of erbB-2 leads to increase in the pool of CSCs. In our study we used mammospheres, cells grown in the absence of serum, an in vitro model of breast CSCs, which were prepared by "weaning" breast cancer MCF7 cells to a special medium. These cells were CD44high and showed increased expression of ABCG-2, Sox-2, Vimentin as well as high levels of erbB-2. Next, we prepared a stable line of MCF7 cells with low levels of erbB-2 by shRNA. ErbB-2low cells were characterised for expression of set of CSCs markers and tested for tumour forming efficacy in nude mice using ultrasound imaging. Keywords Cancer stem-like cells, erbB-2,...
|
guest ::
