Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Implications of the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype in metastasis

Full text
Author(s):
Jolly, Mohit Kumar [1, 2] ; Boareto, Marcelo [3, 1] ; Huang, Bin [4, 1] ; Jia, Dongya [1, 5] ; Lu, Mingyang [1] ; Ben-Jacob, Eshel [1, 6, 7, 8] ; Onuchic, Jose N. [4, 1, 6, 9] ; Levine, Herbert [1, 6, 2, 9]
Total Authors: 8
Affiliation:
[1] Rice Univ, Ctr Theoret Biol Phys, Houston, TX 77005 - USA
[2] Rice Univ, Dept Bioengn, Houston, TX 77005 - USA
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Phys, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Rice Univ, Dept Chem, Houston, TX 77005 - USA
[5] Rice Univ, Grad Program Syst Synthet & Phys Biol, Houston, TX 77005 - USA
[6] Rice Univ, Dept Biosci, Houston, TX 77005 - USA
[7] Tel Aviv Univ, Sch Phys & Astron, IL-69978 Tel Aviv - Israel
[8] Tel Aviv Univ, Sagol Sch Neurosci, IL-69978 Tel Aviv - Israel
[9] Rice Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, Houston, TX 77005 - USA
Total Affiliations: 9
Document type: Review article
Source: FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY; v. 5, JUL 20 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 169
Abstract

Transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes - the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse the mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) - are hallmarks of cancer metastasis. While transitioning between the epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, cells can also attain a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) (i.e., partial or intermediate EMT) phenotype. Cells in this phenotype have mixed epithelial (e.g., adhesion) and mesenchymal (e.g., migration) properties, thereby allowing them to move collectively as clusters. If these clusters reach the bloodstream intact, they can give rise to clusters of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), as have often been seen experimentally. Here, we review the operating principles of the core regulatory network for EMT/MET that acts as a ``three-way{''} switch giving rise to three distinct phenotypes - E, M and hybrid E/M - and present a theoretical framework that can elucidate the role of many other players in regulating epithelial plasticity. Furthermore, we highlight recent studies on partial EMT and its association with drug resistance and tumor initiating potential; and discuss how cell-cell communication between cells in a partial EMT phenotype can enable the formation of clusters of CTCs. These clusters can be more apoptosis-resistant and have more tumor initiating potential than singly moving CTes with a wholly mesenchymal (complete EMT) phenotype. Also, more such clusters can be formed under inflammatory conditions that are often generated by various therapies. Finally, we discuss the multiple advantages that the partial EMT or hybrid E/M phenotype have as compared to a complete EMT phenotype and argue that these collectively migrating cells are the primary ``bad actors{''} of metastasis. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/14438-8 - Study of gene regulatory network by stochastic methods and statistical mechanics
Grantee:Marcelo Boareto Do Amaral
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)