3
views
0
recommends
+1 Recommend
0 collections
    0
    shares
      • Record: found
      • Abstract: found
      • Article: found
      Is Open Access

      Communication Between Epithelial–Mesenchymal Plasticity and Cancer Stem Cells: New Insights Into Cancer Progression

      review-article

      Read this article at

      Bookmark
          There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

          Abstract

          The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is closely associated with the acquisition of aggressive traits by carcinoma cells and is considered responsible for metastasis, relapse, and chemoresistance. Molecular links between the EMT and cancer stem cells (CSCs) have indicated that EMT processes play important roles in the expression of CSC-like properties. It is generally thought that EMT-related transcription factors (EMT-TFs) need to be downregulated to confer an epithelial phenotype to mesenchymal cells and increase cell proliferation, thereby promoting metastasis formation. However, the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate EMT and CSC activation are contradictory. Emerging evidence suggests that EMT need not be a binary model and instead a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state. This dynamic process correlates with epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity, which indicates a contradictory role of EMT during cancer progression. Recent studies have linked the epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity and stem cell-like traits, providing new insights into the conflicting relationship between EMT and CSCs. In this review, we examine the current knowledge about the interplay between epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity and CSCs in cancer biology and evaluate the controversies and future perspectives. Understanding the biology of epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity and CSCs and their implications in therapeutic treatment may provide new opportunities for targeted intervention.

          Related collections

          Most cited references94

          • Record: found
          • Abstract: found
          • Article: not found

          Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions in development and disease.

          The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays crucial roles in the formation of the body plan and in the differentiation of multiple tissues and organs. EMT also contributes to tissue repair, but it can adversely cause organ fibrosis and promote carcinoma progression through a variety of mechanisms. EMT endows cells with migratory and invasive properties, induces stem cell properties, prevents apoptosis and senescence, and contributes to immunosuppression. Thus, the mesenchymal state is associated with the capacity of cells to migrate to distant organs and maintain stemness, allowing their subsequent differentiation into multiple cell types during development and the initiation of metastasis.
            Bookmark
            • Record: found
            • Abstract: found
            • Article: not found

            Molecular mechanisms of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

            The transdifferentiation of epithelial cells into motile mesenchymal cells, a process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is integral in development, wound healing and stem cell behaviour, and contributes pathologically to fibrosis and cancer progression. This switch in cell differentiation and behaviour is mediated by key transcription factors, including SNAIL, zinc-finger E-box-binding (ZEB) and basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, the functions of which are finely regulated at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels. The reprogramming of gene expression during EMT, as well as non-transcriptional changes, are initiated and controlled by signalling pathways that respond to extracellular cues. Among these, transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) family signalling has a predominant role; however, the convergence of signalling pathways is essential for EMT.
              Bookmark
              • Record: found
              • Abstract: found
              • Article: not found

              The basics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

              The origins of the mesenchymal cells participating in tissue repair and pathological processes, notably tissue fibrosis, tumor invasiveness, and metastasis, are poorly understood. However, emerging evidence suggests that epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) represent one important source of these cells. As we discuss here, processes similar to the EMTs associated with embryo implantation, embryogenesis, and organ development are appropriated and subverted by chronically inflamed tissues and neoplasias. The identification of the signaling pathways that lead to activation of EMT programs during these disease processes is providing new insights into the plasticity of cellular phenotypes and possible therapeutic interventions.
                Bookmark

                Author and article information

                Contributors
                Journal
                Front Oncol
                Front Oncol
                Front. Oncol.
                Frontiers in Oncology
                Frontiers Media S.A.
                2234-943X
                21 April 2021
                2021
                : 11
                : 617597
                Affiliations
                [1] 1Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
                [2] 2Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District , Chengdu, China
                [3] 3Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
                [4] 4General Surgery Center of PLA, General Hospital of Western Theater Command , Chengdu, China
                [5] 5Department of General Surgery, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Chengdu, China
                [6] 6Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan Hospital of West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Meishan, China
                Author notes

                Edited by: Lorenzo Gerratana, University of Udine, Italy

                Reviewed by: Federico Bocci, University of California, Irvine, United States; Minal Garg, University of Lucknow, India

                *Correspondence: Mingqing Xu xumingqing0018@ 123456163.com

                This article was submitted to Molecular and Cellular Oncology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Oncology

                Article
                10.3389/fonc.2021.617597
                8097085
                33968721
                5577add3-529e-4f38-9877-758f161d0c16
                Copyright © 2021 Zheng, Dai, Feng, Zou, Feng and Xu.

                This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

                History
                : 15 October 2020
                : 23 February 2021
                Page count
                Figures: 0, Tables: 0, Equations: 0, References: 94, Pages: 7, Words: 6139
                Funding
                Funded by: National Natural Science Foundation of China 10.13039/501100001809
                Funded by: China Postdoctoral Science Foundation 10.13039/501100002858
                Categories
                Oncology
                Mini Review

                Oncology & Radiotherapy
                epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity,cancer stem cells,epithelial-mesenchymal transition,mesenchymal-epithelial transition,metastasis,stemness

                Comments

                Comment on this article