Interplay between fibronectin and prostate cancer: analysis of genes and microRNAs

Author(s)

Bruno Martinucci

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Botucatu. 2017-03-23.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. Botucatu
• Defense date: 2017-02-06
• Advisor: Flávia Karina Delella; Ivan José Vechetti Júnior

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) continues to be a leading cause of death among men. Even with its high mortality and incidence rates, little is known about the molecular aspects of this disease. Among the various factors involved in the carcinogenesis of the prostate, components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play key roles. In the prostate, fibronectin (FN), a multimodular protein that has been linked to the development of multiple cancers and involved with cell migration and invasion, has its expression restricted to the stromal compartment. However, in tumor development, the pattern of expression of FN becomes altered, with deregulated secretion and a lack of matrix organization. Thus, in order to investigate the impact of FN on PCa, the neoplastic cells LNCaP were exposed only to soluble FN (25μg/mL) or in combination with a basement membrane. Our results demonstrated that when FN is the predominant element, tumor cells develop an invasive behavior and become resistant to apoptosis. However, in the presence of a basement membrane, FN decreases the malignant and metastatic potential of these cells, which in this new environment displayed a gene expression profile more similar to the RWPE- 1 cells, a cell line that illustrates the characteristics of the normal prostate epithelium. Consequently, knowing that the relationship between tumor cells and the ECM is regulated at multiple levels, microRNAs have emerged as important regulatory molecules. Therefore, we also investigated the impact of FN on the expression of miRNAs in LNCaP and PC-3 cells. Our results showed that five miRNAs exhibited differential expression (miR-21, miR-29b, miR- 125b, miR-221 and miR-222) after exposure to FN. For a more in-depth analysis, we analyzed the basal expression of mRNAs possibly targeted by these miRNAs in published RNAseq data, constructed protein interactions networks based on the STRING database, and performed pathway enrichment and gene function analyzes to evaluate more comprehensively the possible effects of this protein. Overall, our study showed that FN may be involved in the progression of PCa through the modulation of signaling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT, drug response and hypoxia. Thus, we believe that our results provide the basis for future studies addressing the role of FN in tumor development, particularly in the context of cancer progression from a solid primary tumor to a transient circulating state. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/25702-0 - Interplay between the fibronectin and prostate cancer: analysis of genes and microRNAs involved in the STAT3 pathway
• Grantee: Bruno Martinucci
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master