Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany; LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany; LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
Transl Res. 2015 Jan;165(1):126-42. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2014.04.001. Epub 2014 Apr 12.
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial process during normal development that allows dynamic and reversible shifts between epithelial and mesenchymal cell states. Cancer cells take advantage of the complex, interrelated cellular networks that regulate EMT to promote their migratory and invasive capabilities. During the past few years, evidence has accumulated that indicates that genetic mutations and changes to epigenetic mechanisms are key drivers of EMT in cancer cells. Recent studies have begun to shed light on the epigenetic reprogramming in cancer cells that enables them to switch from a noninvasive form to an invasive, metastatic form. The authors review the current knowledge of alterations of epigenetic machinery, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome remodeling and expression of microRNAs, associated with EMT and tumor progression of breast cancer cells. Last, existing and upcoming drug therapies targeting epigenetic regulators and their potential benefit for developing novel treatment strategies are discussed.
上皮-间充质转化（EMT）是正常发育过程中的一个关键过程，允许上皮细胞和间充质细胞状态之间的动态和可逆转换。癌细胞利用调节 EMT 的复杂、相互关联的细胞网络来促进其迁移和侵袭能力。在过去的几年中，有证据表明遗传突变和表观遗传机制的改变是癌细胞 EMT 的关键驱动因素。最近的研究开始揭示使癌细胞从非侵袭性形式转变为侵袭性、转移性形式的表观遗传重编程。作者回顾了与乳腺癌细胞 EMT 和肿瘤进展相关的表观遗传机制改变，包括 DNA 甲基化、组蛋白修饰、核小体重塑和 microRNA 的表达。最后，讨论了针对表观遗传调节剂的现有和即将出现的药物治疗及其为开发新的治疗策略带来的潜在益处。
