He Shu-Jin, Xiang Chu-Qi, Zhang Yu, Lu Xiang-Tong, Chen Hou-Wen, Xiong Li-Xia
Department of Pathophysiology, Medical College, Nanchang University.
Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University.
Onco Targets Ther. 2017 Jul 12;10:3435-3451. doi: 10.2147/OTT.S139546. eCollection 2017.
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process of phenotypic transition of epithelial cells that can promote physiological development as well as tissue healing and repair. In recent years, cancer researchers have noted that EMT is closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. When tumor cells undergo EMT, they can develop enhanced migration and local tissue invasion abilities, which can lead to metastatic growth. Nevertheless, two researches in deny its necessity in specific tumors and that is discussed in this review. The degree of EMT and the detection of EMT-associated marker molecules can also be used to judge the risk of metastasis and to evaluate patients' prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding small RNAs, which can inhibit gene expression and protein translation through specific binding with the 3' untranslated region of mRNA. In this review, we summarize the miRNAs that are reported to influence EMT through transcription factors such as ZEB, SNAIL, and TWIST, as well as some natural products that regulate EMT in tumors. Moreover, mutual inhibition occurs between some transcription factors and miRNAs, and these effects appear to occur in a complex regulatory network. Thus, understanding the role of miRNAs in EMT and tumor growth may lead to new treatments for malignancies. Natural products can also be combined with conventional chemotherapy to enhance curative effects.
上皮-间质转化（EMT）是上皮细胞表型转变的生物学过程，可促进生理发育以及组织愈合和修复。近年来，癌症研究人员注意到EMT与肿瘤的发生和发展密切相关。当肿瘤细胞发生EMT时，它们可发展出更强的迁移和局部组织侵袭能力，这可导致转移性生长。然而，两项研究否认了其在特定肿瘤中的必要性，本综述将对此进行讨论。EMT的程度以及EMT相关标志物分子的检测也可用于判断转移风险和评估患者预后。微小RNA（miRNA）是非编码小RNA，可通过与mRNA的3'非翻译区特异性结合来抑制基因表达和蛋白质翻译。在本综述中，我们总结了据报道通过ZEB、SNAIL和TWIST等转录因子影响EMT的miRNA，以及一些调节肿瘤中EMT的天然产物。此外，一些转录因子和miRNA之间存在相互抑制作用，这些作用似乎发生在一个复杂的调控网络中。因此，了解miRNA在EMT和肿瘤生长中的作用可能会带来恶性肿瘤的新治疗方法。天然产物也可与传统化疗联合使用以增强疗效。
