Induction of the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of Human Colorectal Cancer by Human TNF-β (Lymphotoxin) and its Reversal by Resveratrol.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-β), as an inflammatory mediator that has been shown to promote tumorigenesis, induces NF-κB. Natural multi-targeted agent resveratrol in turn shows anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) allows cancer cells to turn into a motile state with invasive capacities and is associated with metastasis and development of cancer stem cells (CSC). However, TNF-β-induced EMT and the anti-invasion mechanism of resveratrol on CRC are not yet completely understood.

METHODS:

We investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms of resveratrol on TNF-β/TNF-βR-induced EMT and migration of CRC cells (HCT116, RKO, SW480) in monolayer or 3D alginate cultures.

RESULTS:

TNF-β, similar to TNF-α, induced significant cell proliferation, morphological change, from an epithelial to a spindle-like mesenchymal shape with the formation of filopodia and lamellipodia associated with the expression of EMT parameters (elevated vimentin and slug, reduced E-cadherin), increased migration/invasion, and formation of CSC in all CRC cells. Interestingly, these effects were dramatically decreased in the presence of resveratrol or anti-TNF-βR with TNF-β co-treatment, inducing biochemical changes to the mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), with a planar cell surface and suppressed formation of CSC cells. This was associated with a significant increase in apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that resveratrol suppressed TNF-β-induced NF-κB and NF-κB-regulated gene biomarkers associated with growth, proliferation, and invasion. Finally, TNF-βR interacts directly with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and NF-κB.

CONCLUSION:

These results suggest that resveratrol down-regulates TNF-β/TNF-βR-induced EMT, at least in part via specific suppression of NF-κΒ and FAK in CRC cells.

• Authors: Constanze Buhrmann, Mina Yazdi, Bastian Popper, Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara, Bharat B Aggarwal, Mehdi Shakibaei
• Journal: Nutrients (Nutrients) Vol. 11 Issue 3 (Mar 26 2019) ISSN: 2072-6643 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 30917533 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Lymphotoxin-alpha
• NF-kappa B
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
• Focal Adhesion Kinase 1
• PTK2 protein, human
• Resveratrol

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Membrane
• Cell Movement (drug effects)
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Colorectal Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Down-Regulation
• Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (drug effects, physiology)
• Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 (metabolism)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic (drug effects)
• Humans
• Lymphotoxin-alpha (pharmacology)
• NF-kappa B
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
• Resveratrol (pharmacology)