Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2025

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
10:37

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Published on: August 27, 2013

35.8K

Targeting Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Counteracts the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Keratinocyte-Derived

Daniela Kovacs1, Enrica Flori1, Emanuela Bastonini1

  • 1Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 23, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The FAAH inhibitor URB597 can counteract skin cancer progression by inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This research highlights its potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for skin cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The endocannabinoid system regulates physiological processes, and modulating its levels can impact skin pathologies.
  • Elevated anandamide (AEA) levels, achieved by inhibiting fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), show therapeutic potential.
  • Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process in skin tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the anticancer properties of the FAAH inhibitor URB597.
  • To investigate URB597's potential to counteract EMT in skin cancer models.
  • To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying URB597's effects on EMT.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of primary human keratinocytes, ex vivo skin explants, and A431 squamous carcinoma cells with URB597.
  • Assessment of EMT markers, cell migration, and signaling pathways (AKT/STAT3).
  • Analysis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipid species release.

Main Results:

  • URB597 effectively hindered the EMT process in tested models.
  • Downregulation of mesenchymal markers and reduced migratory potential were observed.
  • URB597 dampened AKT/STAT3 signaling and reduced pro-inflammatory and tumorigenic lipid release.

Conclusions:

  • URB597 demonstrates significant potential in counteracting EMT, a key driver of skin cancer progression.
  • FAAH inhibitors like URB597 represent a promising therapeutic avenue for skin cancer treatment.
  • Targeting the endocannabinoid system offers novel strategies for managing skin malignancies.
Keywords:
FAAH inhibitionbioactive lipidsendocannabinoidsepithelial-to-mesenchymal transitionkeratinocyte-derived skin cancers

More Related Videos

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells06:54

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

13.0K
Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells11:42

Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells

Published on: April 7, 2017

9.5K

Related Concept Videos

Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
5.6K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
6.5K
Cadherins in Tissue Organization01:19

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
3.0K
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells01:12

Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells

The skin is divided into epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, the skin's outermost, middle, and inner layers. The human epidermal layer regularly undergoes renewal, where old, dead cells are replaced by new cells. Epidermal stem cells or EpiSCs divide and differentiate to restore the lost cells. For the renewal process, some EpiSCs continuously self-renew. In contrast, few others differentiate into transit-amplifying cells, which later form prickle or spinous cells, followed by granular...
2.5K
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.6K