Source: Okayama University (JAPAN), Public Relations Division
For immediate release: 07 October 2020
Okayama University research: Innovative method for determining carcinogenicity of chemicals using iPS cells
(Okayama, 07 October) In a recent study published in Scientific Reports researchers at Okayama University use stem cell models to show how certain chemical compounds can induce cancer.
Stem cells have the unique ability to grow into any kind of cell within the body. A subtype of these, cancer stem cells (CSCs), reside within tumors enabling the aggressive growth of cancer. Researchers at Okayama University have previously converted ordinary stem cells into CSCs by growing them in tumor milieu. Now, for the first time, Professor SENO Masaharu and Dr. Juan Du from Okayama University and colleagues used this model and developed a method to observe the induction of cancer stem cells to identify potential carcinogens and their mechanisms.
Stem cells of mice were first grown in the microenvironment of lung tumors. Subsequently, these stem cells were treated with 110 different chemical compounds and the effects of these chemicals on CSC induction was measured. Within just a week, three compounds (PDO325901, CHIR99021, and Dasatinib) led to the first sign of CSCs—spherical cluster formation. While other compounds resulted in the stem cells losing their unique properties, PDO325901, CHIR99021, and Dasatinib effectively upheld the integrity of these cells. The stem cells treated with these three compounds where then transplanted into mice and allowed to grow for 6 weeks. As expected, these cells developed into malignant tumors implicating various parts of the mice. Molecular tags which help recognize CSCs were present in these tumors confirming the successful conversion of stem cells into CSCs.
Cancer is initiated when growth signals within a cell are activated indefinitely. When the team took a deeper look into such signals, they found that one cellular pathway, namely, PI3K-Akt-mTOR was especially active in the newly formed CSCs. Genes involved in this pathway were dormant in the original stem cells, but fully functioning in the CSCs. What’s more, blockers of PI3K-Akt-mTOR did not result in successful CSC formation. PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling was thus an important factor in turning healthy stem cells cancerous.
“In the current study, we proposed a simple method to assess the risks of tumor-inducing factors in the presence of chemical compounds that accelerated the conversion of miPSCs into CSCs”, conclude the researchers. This study provides a robust model for revealing chemicals with a penchant for cancer initiation, using healthy stem cells. Additionally, this model also unraveled the importance of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway in promoting the conversion of stem cells into CSCs. Therapies which target this pathway might keep cancer cells in check and prevent their spread.
Background
Stem cells and CSCs: Stem cells have two characteristic properties which differentiate them from other cells in the body—they can divide uncontrollably and can grow into any kind of the cell in the body. Given these properties, cancer stem cells (CSCs) are especially dangerous as they multiply easily and contribute to the rapid growth of tumors.
Not too many cellular models enable scientists to visualize the processes at play when healthy, functioning cells turn cancerous; scientists typically rely on existing tumors to study the cells within. Thus, the technique of converting ordinary stem cells into CSCs has opened several research avenues to understand this transition better. Uncovering potential carcinogens, effectiveness of therapies, and underlying pathways are some of the areas researchers can explore with this technique.
Reference
Juan Du, Yanning Xu, Saki Sasada, Aung Ko Ko Oo, Ghmkin Hassan, Hafizah Mahmud, Apriliana Cahya Khayrani, Md Jahangir Alam, Kazuki Kumon, Ryo Uesaki, Said M. Afify, Hager M. Mansour, Neha Nair, Maram H. Zahra, Akimasa Seno, Nobuhiro Okada, Ling Chen, Ting Yan & Masaharu Seno. Signaling Inhibitors Accelerate the Conversion of mouse iPS Cells into Cancer Stem Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment. Scientific Reports, volume.10, Article number: 9955 (2020)
DOI : 10.1038/s41598-020-66471-2
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-66471-2
Reference (Okayama Univ. e-Bulletin): Professor SENO’s team
- Stemming the spread of cancer. (2012)
- Cancer stem cell niche: progenies of CSCs maintain properties of CSCs. (2014)
- Innovative methods for cancer treatment: World’s first cancer stem cell model from iPS cells. (2015)
- Cancer stem cells’ role in tumor growth revealed. (2016)
- OU-MRU Vol.34：Novel mouse model for studying pancreatic cancer
- OU-MRU Vol.43：Potential origin of cancer-associated cells revealed
Correspondence to
Professor Masaharu Seno, Ph.D.
Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of
Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University,
3-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
e-mail : mseno(a) okayama-u.ac.jp
For inquiries, please contact us by replacing (a) with the @ mark.
http://www.cyber.biotech.okayama-u.ac.jp/senolab/kenkyu-e.html
Further information
Okayama University
1-1-1 Tsushima-naka , Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530, Japan
Public Relations Division
E-mail: www-adm(a) adm.okayama-u.ac.jp
For inquiries, please contact us by replacing (a) with the @ mark.
Website: //www.okayama-u.ac.jp/index_e.html
Okayama Univ. e-Bulletin: //www.okayama-u.ac.jp/user/kouhou/ebulletin/
We love OKAYAMA UNIVERSITY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cXlttQIk3E
Okayama University Image Movie（2020）
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQxeL0ztSLA
Okayama University supports the Sustainable Development Goals: https://sdgs.okayama-u.ac.jp/en/
Okayama University Medical Research Updates （OU-MRU）
The whole volume : OU-MRU (1- )
Vol.1：Innovative non-invasive ‘liquid biopsy’ method to capture circulating tumor cells from blood samples for genetic testing
Vol.2：Ensuring a cool recovery from cardiac arrest
Vol.3：Organ regeneration research leaps forward
Vol.4：Cardiac mechanosensitive integrator
Vol.5：Cell injections get to the heart of congenital defects
Vol.6：Fourth key molecule identified in bone development
Vol.7：Anticancer virus solution provides an alternative to surgery
Vol.8：Light-responsive dye stimulates sight in genetically blind patients
Vol.9：Diabetes drug helps towards immunity against cancer
Vol.10：Enzyme-inhibitors treat drug-resistant epilepsy
Vol.11：Compound-protein combination shows promise for arthritis treatment
Vol.12：Molecular features of the circadian clock system in fruit flies
Vol.13：Peptide directs artificial tissue growth
Vol.14：Simplified boron compound may treat brain tumours
Vol.15：Metamaterial absorbers for infrared inspection technologies
Vol.16：Epigenetics research traces how crickets restore lost limbs
Vol.17：Cell research shows pathway for suppressing hepatitis B virus
Vol.18：Therapeutic protein targets liver disease
Vol.19：Study links signalling protein to osteoarthritis
Vol.20：Lack of enzyme promotes fatty liver disease in thin patients
Vol.21：Combined gene transduction and light therapy targets gastric cancer
Vol.22：Medical supportive device for hemodialysis catheter puncture
Vol.23：Development of low cost oral inactivated vaccines for dysentery
Vol.24：Sticky molecules to tackle obesity and diabetes
Vol.25：Self-administered aroma foot massage may reduce symptoms of anxiety
Vol.26：Protein for preventing heart failure
Vol.27：Keeping cells in shape to fight sepsis
Vol.28：Viral-based therapy for bone cancer
Vol.29：Photoreactive compound allows protein synthesis control with light
Vol.30：Cancer stem cells’ role in tumor growth revealed
Vol.31：Prevention of RNA virus replication
Vol.32：Enzyme target for slowing bladder cancer invasion
Vol.33：Attacking tumors from the inside
Vol.34：Novel mouse model for studying pancreatic cancer
Vol.35：Potential cause of Lafora disease revealed
Vol.36：Overloading of protein localization triggers cellular defects
Vol.37：Protein dosage compensation mechanism unravelled
Vol.38：Bioengineered tooth restoration in a large mammal
Vol.39：Successful test of retinal prosthesis implanted in rats
Vol.40：Antibodies prolong seizure latency in epileptic mice
Vol.41：Inorganic biomaterials for soft-tissue adhesion
Vol.42：Potential drug for treating chronic pain with few side effects
Vol.43：Potential origin of cancer-associated cells revealed
Vol.44：Protection from plant extracts
Vol.45：Link between biological-clock disturbance and brain dysfunction uncovered
Vol.46：New method for suppressing lung cancer oncogene
Vol.47：Candidate genes for eye misalignment identified
Vol.48：Nanotechnology-based approach to cancer virotherapy
Vol.49：Cell membrane as material for bone formation
Vol.50：Iron removal as a potential cancer therapy
Vol.51：Potential of 3D nanoenvironments for experimental cancer
Vol.52：A protein found on the surface of cells plays an integral role in tumor growth and sustenance
Vol.53：Successful implantation and testing of retinal prosthesis in monkey eyes with retinal degeneration
Vol.54：Measuring ion concentration in solutions for clinical and environmental research
Vol.55：Diabetic kidney disease: new biomarkers improve the prediction of the renal prognosis
Vol.56：New device for assisting accurate hemodialysis catheter placement
Vol.57：Possible link between excess chewing muscle activity and dental disease
Vol.58：Insights into mechanisms governing the resistance to the anti-cancer medication cetuximab
Vol.59：Role of commensal flora in periodontal immune response investigated
Vol.60：Role of commensal microbiota in bone remodeling
Vol.61：Mechanical stress affects normal bone development
Vol.62：3D tissue model offers insights into treating pancreatic cancer
Vol.63：Promising biomarker for vascular disease relapse revealed
Vol.64：Inflammation in the brain enhances the side-effects of hypnotic medication
Vol.65：Game changer: How do bacteria play Tag ?
Vol.66：Is too much protein a bad thing?
Vol.67：Technology to rapidly detect cancer markers for cancer diagnosis
Vol.68：Improving the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
Vol.69：Early gastric cancer endoscopic diagnosis system using artificial intelligence
Vol.70：Prosthetics for Retinal Stimulation
Vol.71：The nervous system can contribute to breast cancer progression
Vol.72：Synthetic compound provides fast screening for potential drugs
Vol.73：Primary intraocular lymphoma does not always spread to the central nervous system
Vol.74：Rising from the ashes—dead brain cells can be regenerated after traumatic injury
Vol.75：More than just daily supplements — herbal medicines can treat stomach disorders
Vol.76：The molecular pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy-associated cardiomyopathy
Vol.77：Green leafy vegetables contain a compound which can fight cancer cells
Vol.78：Disrupting blood supply to tumors as a new strategy to treat oral cancer
Vol.79：Novel blood-based markers to detect Alzheimer’s disease
Vol.80：A novel 3D cell culture model sheds light on the mechanisms driving fibrosis in pancreatic cancer