Open AccessMesenchymal to epithelial transition driven by canine distemper virus infection of canine histiocytic sarcoma cells contributes to a reduced cell motility in vitro
Author(s) -
Armando Federico,
Gambini Matteo,
Corradi Attilio,
Becker Kathrin,
Marek Katarzyna,
Pfankuche Vanessa Maria,
Mergani Ahmed Elmonastir,
Brogden Graham,
Buhr Nicole,
KöckritzBlickwede Maren,
Naim Hassan Y.,
Baumgärtner Wolfgang,
Puff Christina
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/jcmm.15585
Subject(s) - biology , canine distemper , mesenchymal stem cell , epithelial–mesenchymal transition , motility , cytokeratin , pathology , vimentin , cancer research , virus , immunology , immunohistochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer , metastasis , medicine , genetics
Abstract Sarcomas especially of histiocytic origin often possess a poor prognosis and response to conventional therapies. Interestingly, tumours undergoing mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) are often associated with a favourable clinical outcome. This process is characterized by an increased expression of epithelial markers leading to a decreased invasion and metastatic rate. Based on the failure of conventional therapies, viral oncolysis might represent a promising alternative with canine distemper virus (CDV) as a possible candidate. This study hypothesizes that a CDV infection of canine histiocytic sarcoma cells (DH82 cells) triggers the MET process leading to a decreased cellular motility. Immunofluorescence and immunoblotting were used to investigate the expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers followed by scratch assay and an invasion assay as functional confirmation. Furthermore, microarray data were analysed for genes associated with the MET process, invasion and angiogenesis. CDV‐infected cells exhibited an increased expression of epithelial markers such as E‐cadherin and cytokeratin 8 compared to controls, indicating a MET process. This was accompanied by a reduced cell motility and invasiveness. Summarized, these results suggest that CDV infection of DH82 cells triggers the MET process by an increased expression of epithelial markers resulting in a decreased cell motility in vitro.