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Guo X, Yang Y, Tang J, Xiang J. Ephs in cancer progression: complexity and context-dependent nature in signaling, angiogenesis and immunity. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:299. [PMID: 38811954 PMCID: PMC11137953 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01580-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Eph receptors constitute the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases, comprising 14 distinct members classified into two subgroups: EphAs and EphBs.. Despite their essential functions in normal physiological processes, accumulating evidence suggests that the involvement of the Eph family in cancer is characterized by a dual and often contradictory nature. Research indicates that Eph/ephrin bidirectional signaling influences cell-cell communication, subsequently regulating cell migration, adhesion, differentiation and proliferation. The contradictory functionalities may arise from the diversity of Eph signaling pathways and the heterogeneity of different cancer microenvironment. In this review, we aim to discuss the dual role of the Eph receptors in tumor development, attempting to elucidate the paradoxical functionality through an exploration of Eph receptor signaling pathways, angiogenesis, immune responses, and more. Our objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor development. Additionally, we will explore the evolving landscape of utilizing Eph receptors as potential targets for tumor therapy and diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Guo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanyi Yang
- Health Management Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jingqun Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Juanjuan Xiang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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2
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Identification of the Novel Methylated Genes' Signature to Predict Prognosis in INRG High-Risk Neuroblastomas. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2021; 2021:1615201. [PMID: 34557229 PMCID: PMC8455188 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1615201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastomas are the most frequent extracranial pediatric solid tumors. The prognosis of children with high-risk neuroblastomas has remained poor in the past decade. A powerful signature is required to identify factors associated with prognosis and improved treatment selection. Here, we identified a strong methylation signature that favored the earlier diagnosis of neuroblastoma in patients. METHODS Gene methylation (GM) data of neuroblastoma patients from the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) were analyzed using a multivariate Cox regression analysis (MCRA) and univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis (UCPHRA). RESULTS The methylated genes' signature consisting of eight genes (NBEA, DDX28, TMED8, LOC151174, EFNB2, GHRHR, MIMT1, and SLC29A3) was selected. The signature divided patients into low- and high-risk categories, with statistically significant survival rates (median survival time: 25.08 vs. >128.80 months, log-rank test, P < 0.001) in the training group, and the validation of the signature's risk stratification ability was carried out in the test group (log-rank test, P < 0.01, median survival time: 30.48 vs. >120.36 months). The methylated genes' signature was found to be an independent predictive factor for neuroblastoma by MCRA. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that these methylated genes were related to butanoate metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, and glutamate metabolism, all playing different significant roles in the process of energy metabolism in neuroblastomas. CONCLUSIONS The set of eight methylated genes could be used as a new predictive and prognostic signature for patients with INRG high-risk neuroblastomas, thus assisting in treatment, drug development, and predicting survival.
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3
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The EphB6 Receptor: Kinase-Dead but Very Much Alive. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158211. [PMID: 34360976 PMCID: PMC8347583 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Eph receptor tyrosine kinase member EphB6 is a pseudokinase, and similar to other pseudoenzymes has not attracted an equivalent amount of interest as its enzymatically-active counterparts. However, a greater appreciation for the role pseudoenzymes perform in expanding the repertoire of signals generated by signal transduction systems has fostered more interest in the field. EphB6 acts as a molecular switch that is capable of modulating the signal transduction output of Eph receptor clusters. Although the biological effects of EphB6 activity are well defined, the molecular mechanisms of EphB6 function remain enigmatic. In this review, we use a comparative approach to postulate how EphB6 acts as a scaffold to recruit adaptor proteins to an Eph receptor cluster and how this function is regulated. We suggest that the evolutionary repurposing of EphB6 into a kinase-independent molecular switch in mammals has involved repurposing the kinase activation loop into an SH3 domain-binding site. In addition, we suggest that EphB6 employs the same SAM domain linker and juxtamembrane domain allosteric regulatory mechanisms that are used in kinase-positive Eph receptors to regulate its scaffold function. As a result, although kinase-dead, EphB6 remains a strategically active component of Eph receptor signaling.
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Delloye-Bourgeois C, Castellani V. Hijacking of Embryonic Programs by Neural Crest-Derived Neuroblastoma: From Physiological Migration to Metastatic Dissemination. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:52. [PMID: 30881286 PMCID: PMC6405627 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the developing organism, complex molecular programs orchestrate the generation of cells in adequate numbers, drive them to migrate along the correct pathways towards appropriate territories, eliminate superfluous cells, and induce terminal differentiation of survivors into the appropriate cell-types. Despite strict controls constraining developmental processes, malignancies can emerge in still immature organisms. This is the case of neuroblastoma (NB), a highly heterogeneous disease, predominantly affecting children before the age of 5 years. Highly metastatic forms represent half of the cases and are diagnosed when disseminated foci are detectable. NB arise from a transient population of embryonic cells, the neural crest (NC), and especially NC committed to the establishment of the sympatho-adrenal tissues. The NC is generated at the dorsal edge of the neural tube (NT) of the vertebrate embryo, under the action of NC specifier gene programs. NC cells (NCCs) undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and engage on a remarkable journey in the developing embryo, contributing to a plethora of cell-types and tissues. Various NCC sub-populations and derived lineages adopt specific migratory behaviors, moving individually as well as collectively, exploiting the different embryonic substrates they encounter along their path. Here we discuss how the specific features of NCC in development are re-iterated during NB metastatic behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Delloye-Bourgeois
- University of Lyon, University of Lyon 1 Claude Bernard Lyon 1, NeuroMyoGene Institute, CNRS UMR5310, INSERM U1217, Lyon, France
| | - Valérie Castellani
- University of Lyon, University of Lyon 1 Claude Bernard Lyon 1, NeuroMyoGene Institute, CNRS UMR5310, INSERM U1217, Lyon, France
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5
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Johnsen JI, Dyberg C, Wickström M. Neuroblastoma-A Neural Crest Derived Embryonal Malignancy. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:9. [PMID: 30760980 PMCID: PMC6361784 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a neural crest derived malignancy of the peripheral nervous system and is the most common and deadliest tumor of infancy. It is characterized by clinical heterogeneity with a disease spectrum ranging from spontaneous regression without any medical intervention to treatment resistant tumors with metastatic spread and poor patient survival. The events that lead to the development of neuroblastoma from the neural crest have not been fully elucidated. Here we discuss factors and processes within the neural crest that when dysregulated have the potential to be initiators or drivers of neuroblastoma development. A more precise biological understanding of neuroblastoma causes and cell of origin is highly warranted. This will give valuable information for the development of medicines that specifically target molecules within neuroblastoma cells and also give hint about the mechanisms behind treatment resistance that is frequently seen in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Inge Johnsen
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet (KI), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Dyberg
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet (KI), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Wickström
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet (KI), Stockholm, Sweden
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6
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Toosi BM, El Zawily A, Truitt L, Shannon M, Allonby O, Babu M, DeCoteau J, Mousseau D, Ali M, Freywald T, Gall A, Vizeacoumar FS, Kirzinger MW, Geyer CR, Anderson DH, Kim T, Welm AL, Siegel P, Vizeacoumar FJ, Kusalik A, Freywald A. EPHB6 augments both development and drug sensitivity of triple-negative breast cancer tumours. Oncogene 2018; 37:4073-4093. [PMID: 29700392 PMCID: PMC6062499 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0228-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumours that lack expression of oestrogen, and progesterone receptors, and do not overexpress the HER2 receptor represent the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, which is characterised by the resistance to therapy in frequently relapsing tumours and a high rate of patient mortality. This is likely due to the resistance of slowly proliferating tumour-initiating cells (TICs), and understanding molecular mechanisms that control TICs behaviour is crucial for the development of effective therapeutic approaches. Here, we present our novel findings, indicating that an intrinsically catalytically inactive member of the Eph group of receptor tyrosine kinases, EPHB6, partially suppresses the epithelial–mesenchymal transition in TNBC cells, while also promoting expansion of TICs. Our work reveals that EPHB6 interacts with the GRB2 adapter protein and that its effect on enhancing cell proliferation is mediated by the activation of the RAS-ERK pathway, which allows it to elevate the expression of the TIC-related transcription factor, OCT4. Consistent with this, suppression of either ERK or OCT4 activities blocks EPHB6-induced pro-proliferative responses. In line with its ability to trigger propagation of TICs, EPHB6 accelerates tumour growth, potentiates tumour initiation and increases TIC populations in xenograft models of TNBC. Remarkably, EPHB6 also suppresses tumour drug resistance to DNA-damaging therapy, probably by forcing TICs into a more proliferative, drug-sensitive state. In agreement, patients with higher EPHB6 expression in their tumours have a better chance for recurrence-free survival. These observations describe an entirely new mechanism that governs TNBC and suggest that it may be beneficial to enhance EPHB6 action concurrent with applying a conventional DNA-damaging treatment, as it would decrease drug resistance and improve tumour elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad M Toosi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Amr El Zawily
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada.,Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhour, 22516, Egypt
| | - Luke Truitt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Matthew Shannon
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, 176 Thorvaldsen Bldg., 110 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5C9, Canada
| | - Odette Allonby
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Mohan Babu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Room 232, Research and Innovation Centre, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - John DeCoteau
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Darrell Mousseau
- Cell Signaling Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, GB41 Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Mohsin Ali
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Tanya Freywald
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Amanda Gall
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2D01 Health Science Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Frederick S Vizeacoumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Morgan W Kirzinger
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, 176 Thorvaldsen Bldg., 110 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5C9, Canada
| | - C Ronald Geyer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Deborah H Anderson
- Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, University of Saskatchewan, 4D30.2 Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - TaeHyung Kim
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research and Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Alana L Welm
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Peter Siegel
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, 1160 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Franco J Vizeacoumar
- Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, University of Saskatchewan, 4D30.2 Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Anthony Kusalik
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, 176 Thorvaldsen Bldg., 110 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5C9, Canada.
| | - Andrew Freywald
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Room 2841, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada.
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Liu J, Xu B, Xu G, Zhang X, Yang X, Wang J. Reduced EphB6 protein in gastric carcinoma and associated lymph nodes suggests EphB6 as a gastric tumor and metastasis inhibitor. Cancer Biomark 2018; 19:241-248. [PMID: 28453458 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-160256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eph receptors comprise the largest group of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family, and Eph receptors interacting with their ligand ephrins play an important role in development and tumorigenesis. EphB6, a special Eph receptor that lacks tyrosine kinase activity, was reported to be expressed in some human cancers. The clinical significance of EphB6 in gastric carcinoma has not been well investigated. METHODS In this study, we detected expression of EphB6 protein in four gastric cancer cell lines and a set of gastric carcinoma tissue specimens by using immunohistochemistry. The relationship between EphB6 protein expression and clinicopathological parameters was statistically analyzed. RESULTS EphB6 protein was differentially detected in four gastric cancer cell lines. EphB6 protein was low expressed in 52.6%, moderately expressed in 32.59%, and strongly expressed in 14.5% of gastric carcinomas. EphB6 expression was positively associated with tumor differentiation (P< 0.001, rs= 0.476), and negatively associated with lymph node metastasis (P< 0.001, rs=-0.444) and tumor stage (P= 0.001, rs=-0.269). Low EphB6 expression was detected more often in female patients (P= 0.031). No significant relationship between EphB6 expression and patient age, tumor location, or depth of tumor invasion was identified. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that EphB6 protein was decreased in gastric carcinoma compared with normal mucosa. Analytic results based on pathological parameters suggests that EphB6 protein may inhibit metastasis of gastric carcinoma and could be a potential therapeutic target for gastric carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxiu Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huaian 223300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Jiangsu Huaian Third People's Hospital, Huaian 223340, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guoying Xu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huaian 223300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaolei Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huaian 223300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xueyi Yang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huaian 223300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiandong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu, China
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8
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Paul JM, Toosi B, Vizeacoumar FS, Bhanumathy KK, Li Y, Gerger C, El Zawily A, Freywald T, Anderson DH, Mousseau D, Kanthan R, Zhang Z, Vizeacoumar FJ, Freywald A. Targeting synthetic lethality between the SRC kinase and the EPHB6 receptor may benefit cancer treatment. Oncotarget 2018; 7:50027-50042. [PMID: 27418135 PMCID: PMC5226566 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Application of tumor genome sequencing has identified numerous loss-of-function alterations in cancer cells. While these alterations are difficult to target using direct interventions, they may be attacked with the help of the synthetic lethality (SL) approach. In this approach, inhibition of one gene causes lethality only when another gene is also completely or partially inactivated. The EPHB6 receptor tyrosine kinase has been shown to have anti-malignant properties and to be downregulated in multiple cancers, which makes it a very attractive target for SL applications. In our work, we used a genome-wide SL screen combined with expression and interaction network analyses, and identified the SRC kinase as a SL partner of EPHB6 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Our experiments also reveal that this SL interaction can be targeted by small molecule SRC inhibitors, SU6656 and KX2-391, and can be used to improve elimination of human TNBC tumors in a xenograft model. Our observations are of potential practical importance, since TNBC is an aggressive heterogeneous malignancy with a very high rate of patient mortality due to the lack of targeted therapies, and our work indicates that FDA-approved SRC inhibitors may potentially be used in a personalized manner for treating patients with EPHB6-deficient TNBC. Our findings are also of a general interest, as EPHB6 is downregulated in multiple malignancies and our data serve as a proof of principle that EPHB6 deficiency may be targeted by small molecule inhibitors in the SL approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Paul
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Behzad Toosi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Frederick S Vizeacoumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Kalpana Kalyanasundaram Bhanumathy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada.,The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada.,Present address: Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Courtney Gerger
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Amr El Zawily
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada.,Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhour, 22516, Egypt
| | - Tanya Freywald
- Cancer Research, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Deborah H Anderson
- Cancer Research, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Darrell Mousseau
- Cell Signaling Laboratory, Neuroscience Cluster, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Rani Kanthan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Zhaolei Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada.,The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Franco J Vizeacoumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada.,Cancer Research, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Andrew Freywald
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada
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Gu Y, Li F, Qian N, Chen X, Wang H, Wang J. Expression of EphB6 in ovarian serous carcinoma is associated with grade, TNM stage and survival. J Clin Pathol 2015; 69:448-53. [PMID: 26468391 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2015-203160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian serous carcinoma (OSC) is the most common ovarian epithelial malignancy. Despite new medical and surgical advances, the overall 5-year survival for OSC remains poor. There is an important need to determine diagnostic and prognostic markers for this disease. Eph receptors are the largest known family of receptor tyrosines characterised in humans. These receptors are involved in the development and progression of various diseases including cancer. EphB6 contains kinase domains that are altered in several conserved amino acids and is catalytically inactive. The aim of the present study was to correlate the immunohistological expression of EphB6 in a cohort of patients with epithelial ovarian tumours with clinicopathological parameters and survival. METHODS In this study we examined the expression of EphB6 protein in 55 cases of OSC, 24 cases of benign ovarian serous tumours, 37 cases of serous borderline tumours and 20 cases with normal fallopian tubes by immunohistochemical staining with a polyclonal anti-EphB6 antibody. The relationship between EphB6 expression and pathological parameters was analysed. Kaplan-Meier survival function was used to analyse the prognosis. RESULTS High expression of EphB6 was observed in 100% (20/20) of normal fallopian tube samples, 100% (24/24) of benign epithelial ovarian tumours, 78% (29/37) of ovarian serous borderline tumours and 18% (10/55) of OSCs (p < 0.001). The expression of EphB6 was significantly associated with grade (p < 0.001) and TNM stage (p = 0.017). EphB6 expression was reversely related to Ki-67 (p = 0.021). The survival analysis showed that patients with negative or weak expression of EphB6 protein had a poorer outcome than those with positive expression (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that EphB6 is a new biomarker for distinguishing high- and low-grade OSC, and may be a potential prognostic marker in OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Gu
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Fengshan Li
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Qian
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hai Wang
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiandong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
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10
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Bulk E, Yu J, Hascher A, Koschmieder S, Wiewrodt R, Krug U, Timmermann B, Marra A, Hillejan L, Wiebe K, Berdel WE, Schwab A, Müller-Tidow C. Mutations of the EPHB6 receptor tyrosine kinase induce a pro-metastatic phenotype in non-small cell lung cancer. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44591. [PMID: 23226491 PMCID: PMC3514309 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations of Eph receptor tyrosine kinases are frequent events in human cancers. Genetic variations of EPHB6 have been described but the functional outcome of these alterations is unknown. The current study was conducted to screen for the occurrence and to identify functional consequences of EPHB6 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer. Here, we sequenced the entire coding region of EPHB6 in 80 non-small cell lung cancer patients and 3 tumor cell lines. Three potentially relevant mutations were identified in primary patient samples of NSCLC patients (3.8%). Two point mutations led to instable proteins. An in frame deletion mutation (del915-917) showed enhanced migration and accelerated wound healing in vitro. Furthermore, the del915-917 mutation increased the metastatic capability of NSCLC cells in an in vivo mouse model. Our results suggest that EPHB6 mutations promote metastasis in a subset of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etmar Bulk
- Department of Medicine A – Hematology, Oncology, Pneumology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Medicine A – Hematology, Oncology, Pneumology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Center of Teaching Experiment, School of Basic Medical Science, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Antje Hascher
- Department of Medicine A – Hematology, Oncology, Pneumology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Steffen Koschmieder
- Department of Medicine A – Hematology, Oncology, Pneumology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Rainer Wiewrodt
- Department of Medicine A – Hematology, Oncology, Pneumology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Utz Krug
- Department of Medicine A – Hematology, Oncology, Pneumology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | - Alessandro Marra
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Niels-Stensen-Hospital Ostercappeln, Ostercappeln, Germany
| | - Ludger Hillejan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Niels-Stensen-Hospital Ostercappeln, Ostercappeln, Germany
| | - Karsten Wiebe
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E. Berdel
- Department of Medicine A – Hematology, Oncology, Pneumology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Albrecht Schwab
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Department of Medicine A – Hematology, Oncology, Pneumology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- * E-mail:
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11
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Ricks-Santi LJ, Apprey V, Mason T, Wilson B, Abbas M, Hernandez W, Hooker S, Doura M, Bonney G, Dunston G, Kittles R, Ahaghotu C. Identification of genetic risk associated with prostate cancer using ancestry informative markers. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2012; 15:359-64. [PMID: 22801071 DOI: 10.1038/pcan.2012.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignancy and a leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States with African-American (AA) men having the highest incidence and mortality rates. Given recent results from admixture mapping and genome-wide association studies for PCa in AA men, it is clear that many risk alleles are enriched in men with West African genetic ancestry. METHODS A total of 77 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) within surrounding candidate gene regions were genotyped and haplotyped using Pyrosequencing in 358 unrelated men enrolled in a PCa genetic association study at the Howard University Hospital between 2000 and 2004. Sequence analysis of promoter region single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to evaluate disruption of transcription factor-binding sites was conducted using in silico methods. RESULTS Eight AIMs were significantly associated with PCa risk after adjusting for age and West African ancestry. SNP rs1993973 (intervening sequences) had the strongest association with PCa using the log-additive genetic model (P=0.002). SNPs rs1561131 (genotypic, P=0.007), rs1963562 (dominant, P=0.01) and rs615382 (recessive, P=0.009) remained highly significant after adjusting for both age and ancestry. We also tested the independent effect of each significantly associated SNP and rs1561131 (P=0.04) and rs1963562 (P=0.04) remained significantly associated with PCa development. After multiple comparisons testing using the false discovery rate, rs1993973 remained significant. Analysis of the rs156113-, rs1963562-rs615382l and rs1993973-rs585224 haplotypes revealed that the least frequently found haplotypes in this population were significantly associated with a decreased risk of PCa (P=0.032 and 0.0017, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The approach for SNP selection utilized herein showed that AIMs may not only leverage increased linkage disequilibrium in populations to identify risk and protective alleles, but may also be informative in dissecting the biology of PCa and other health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Ricks-Santi
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20060, USA.
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12
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Brantley-Sieders DM. Clinical relevance of Ephs and ephrins in cancer: lessons from breast, colorectal, and lung cancer profiling. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2011; 23:102-8. [PMID: 22040912 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2011.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2011] [Accepted: 10/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pre-clinical studies provide compelling evidence that members of the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands promote tumor growth, invasion and metastasis, and neovascularization. Tumor suppressive roles have also been reported for the receptors, and ligand-dependent versus ligand-independent signaling has emerged as one key mechanism underlying tumor suppressive function as opposed to oncogenic effects. Determining how these observations relate to clinical outcome is a crucial step for translating the biological and mechanistic data into new molecularly targeted therapies. Expression profiling in human patient samples bridges this gap and provides valuable clinical relevance to laboratory observations. In addition to analyses performed using privately assembled patient tumor samples, publically available microarray datasets and tissue microarrays linked to clinical data have emerged as tractable tools for addressing the clinical relevance of specific molecules and families of related molecules. This review summarizes the clinical relevance of specific Eph and ephrin molecules in human breast, colorectal, and lung cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana M Brantley-Sieders
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, A-4323 MCN, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232-2363, USA.
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13
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Sugimura H, Wang JD, Mori H, Tsuboi M, Nagura K, Igarashi H, Tao H, Nakamura R, Natsume H, Kahyo T, Shinmura K, Konno H, Hamaya Y, Kanaoka S, Kataoka H, Zhou XJ. EPH-EPHRIN in human gastrointestinal cancers. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2010; 2:421-8. [PMID: 21191536 PMCID: PMC3011096 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v2.i12.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2010] [Revised: 12/06/2010] [Accepted: 12/13/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ever since its discovery two decades ago, the erythropoietin-producing hepatoma (EPH)-EPHRIN system has been shown to play multifaceted roles in human gastroenterological cancer as well as neurodevelopment. Over-expression, amplification and point mutations have been found in many human cancers and many investigators have shown correlations between these up-regulations and tumor angiogenesis. Thus, the genes in this family are considered to be potential targets of cancer therapy. On the other hand, the down-regulation of some members as a result of epigenetic changes has also been reported in some cancers. Furthermore, the correlation between altered expressions and clinical prognosis seems to be inconclusive. A huge amount of protein-protein interaction studies on the EPH-EPHRIN system have provided a basic scheme for signal transductions, especially bi-directional signaling involving EPH-ERPHRIN molecules at the cell membrane. This information also provides a manipulative strategy for harnessing the actions of these molecules. In this review, we summarize the known alterations of EPH-EPHRIN genes in human tumors of the esophagus, stomach, colorectum, liver and pancreas and present the perspective that the EPH-EPHRIN system could be a potential target of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiko Sugimura
- Haruhiko Sugimura, Hiroki Mori, Masaru Tsuboi, Kiyoko Nagura, Hisaki Igarashi, Hong Tao, Ritsuko Nakamura, Hiroko Natsume, Tomoaki Kahyo, Kazuya Shinmura, Department of Pathology I, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan
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14
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Yu J, Bulk E, Ji P, Hascher A, Tang M, Metzger R, Marra A, Serve H, Berdel WE, Wiewroth R, Koschmieder S, Müller-Tidow C. The EPHB6 receptor tyrosine kinase is a metastasis suppressor that is frequently silenced by promoter DNA hypermethylation in non-small cell lung cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:2275-83. [PMID: 20371680 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Loss of EPHB6 receptor tyrosine kinase expression in early-stage non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is associated with the subsequent development of distant metastasis. Here, we analyzed the regulation and function of EPHB6 in lung cancer metastasis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The expression levels of EPHB6 were compared among normal lung tissue (n = 9), NSCLC without metastasis (n = 39), and NSCLC with metastasis (n = 39) according to the history of the patients. In addition, EPHB6 expression levels of matched tumor-normal pairs from 24 NSCLC patients were analyzed. The promoter DNA methylation status and its association with the expression levels of EPHB6 were determined among 14 pairs of tumor-normal samples. Metastatic potential of EPHB6 was assessed in vitro and in vivo in a metastasis mouse model. Overexpression and RNA interference (RNAi) approaches were used for analysis of the biological functions of EPHB6. RESULTS EPHB6 mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced in NSCLC tumors compared with matched normal lung tissue. Decreased EPHB6 expression levels were associated with an increased risk for metastasis development in NSCLC patients. Loss of expression correlated with EPHB6 hypermethylation. EPHB6 expression was induced by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment in an NSCLC cell line. Restoration of EPHB6 expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells increased adhesion and decreased migration. Reexpression of EPHB6 in lung cancer cells almost entirely abolished metastasis formation in non obese diabetic (NOD)/severe combined immunodeficient mice. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these analyses show that EPHB6 is a metastasis inhibitory gene that is frequently silenced by hypermethylation of its promoter in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yu
- Department of Medicine A--Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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15
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McCarron JK, Stringer BW, Day BW, Boyd AW. Ephrin expression and function in cancer. Future Oncol 2010; 6:165-76. [PMID: 20021216 DOI: 10.2217/fon.09.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ephrins are cell membrane-associated signaling proteins bound by transmembrane Eph receptors on juxtaposed cells. Eph-ephrin interactions result in bidirectional signaling within both receptor- and ligand-bearing cells, with diverse consequences for cell morphology and behavior. Such interactions are especially important during early vertebrate development, and growing evidence has revealed equally important roles in adult-tissue homeostasis. As for the Eph receptors, abnormal expression of ephrins is associated with disease, especially cancer. The ephrins have received less attention than the Ephs in the literature, owing, in part, to their later discovery and that they are fewer in number. Here, we attempt to redress this imbalance and provide an 'ephrin-centric' discussion of the expression and function of ephrins in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K McCarron
- Leukaemia Foundation Research Unit, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Royal Brisbane Hospital, Queensland, 4029, Brisbane, Australia.
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16
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EphB6 receptor significantly alters invasiveness and other phenotypic characteristics of human breast carcinoma cells. Oncogene 2009; 28:1706-13. [PMID: 19234485 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2009.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer mortality in women is largely attributed to the metastasis of primary breast tumors. We have analysed the function of EphB6, a kinase-deficient receptor, in the invasive phenotype of breast cancer cell lines. We have demonstrated the loss of EphB6 protein in invasive breast carcinoma cell lines and absence of EphB6 transcript in a metastatic breast tumor specimen. The function of EphB6 in invasiveness was confirmed by the ability of EphB6 protein to decrease the in vitro invasiveness of MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435 and BT549 cells transfected with an EphB6 expression construct. In MDA-MB-231 cells, the decreased invasiveness appeared to be mediated by decreased transcript levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)7 and MMP19, and increased transcript levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 2. In addition to affecting invasiveness phenotype, EphB6 overexpression was also responsible for altering the growth rate and colony-forming efficiency of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells in a cell-line-specific manner. We suggest that the significant decrease in the invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 and other cell lines transfected with EphB6 is likely occurring by the ability of EphB6 to transduce signals to the nucleus and altering relevant gene expression.
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17
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Fox BP, Tabone CJ, Kandpal RP. Potential clinical relevance of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands expressed in prostate carcinoma cell lines. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 342:1263-72. [PMID: 16516143 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.02.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2006] [Accepted: 02/17/2006] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The family of Eph and ephrin receptors is involved in a variety of functions in normal cells, and the alterations in their expression profiles have been observed in several cancers. We have compared the transcripts for Eph receptors and ephrin ligands in cell lines established from normal prostate epithelium and several carcinoma cell lines isolated from prostate tumors of varying degree of metastasis. These cell lines included NPTX, CTPX, LNCaP, DU145, PC-3, and PC-3ML. The cell lines displayed characteristic pattern of expression for specific Eph receptors and ephrin ligands, thus allowing identification of Eph receptor signatures for a particular cell line. The sensitivity of these transcripts to genome methylation is also investigated by treating the cells with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. The comparison of expression profiles revealed that normal prostate and primary prostate tumor cell lines differ in the expression of EphA3, EphB3, and ephrin A3 that are over-expressed in normal prostate. Furthermore, the transcript levels for EphA1 decrease progressively from normal prostate to primary prostate tumor cell line and metastatic tumor cells. A converse relationship was observed for ephrin B2. The treatment of cells with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine revealed the sensitivity of EphA3, EphA10, EphB3, and EphB6 to methylation status of genomic DNA. The utility of methylation specific PCR to identify prostate tumor cells and the importance of specific Eph receptors and ephrin ligands in initiation and progression of prostate tumor are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Fox
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458, USA
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18
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Wu Q, Suo Z, Kristensen GB, Baekelandt M, Nesland JM. The prognostic impact of EphB2/B4 expression on patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma. Gynecol Oncol 2006; 102:15-21. [PMID: 16499955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2005.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2005] [Revised: 11/08/2005] [Accepted: 11/16/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyze expressions of the EphB2 and EphB4 receptors in ovarian carcinomas and explore their clinicopathological correlations and prognostic value. METHODS 115 patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma FIGO IIB to IV were involved. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the expressions of EphB2/B4 receptor mRNA and protein. Correlations between protein expression and clinicopathological factors were also analyzed. RESULTS Ovarian carcinoma patients with age elder than 60 years had higher EphB2 expression than younger patients. Expression of EphB2 and EphB4 protein did not significantly correlate with any other clinical variables, including FIGO stage, residual tumor, histological type and differentiation grade. No significant correlation between mRNA and protein expression level for both of these receptors was seen. It was found that patients with strong immunostaining for EphB2 (P = 0.03) or EphB4 (P = 0.003) receptors had poorer survival, and patients with strong immunostaining for EphB4 receptor showed poorer response to chemotherapy (P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS These studies suggest that EphB2 and B4 receptors are of prognostic value and EphB4 receptor may be an independent predictor of chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Wu
- Department of Pathology, The National Hospital-Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Roesch A, Becker B, Meyer S, Wild P, Hafner C, Landthaler M, Vogt T. Retinoblastoma-binding protein 2-homolog 1: a retinoblastoma-binding protein downregulated in malignant melanomas. Mod Pathol 2005; 18:1249-57. [PMID: 15803180 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.3800413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In malignant melanomas, the loss of cell cycle control is thought to be due to a lack of retinoblastoma protein (pRb)-activity. Members of the previously described family of retinoblastoma-binding proteins (RBPs) are supposed to act as pRb-modulating factors. Based on RNA-fingerprinting of normal human melanocytes, we previously described a new family member with high sequence homology to the retinoblastoma-binding protein-2 (RBP-2), termed RBP2-Homolog 1 (RBP2-H1). Based on its UVB responsiveness, it was hypothesized that this gene may also play a role in melanocytic tumors. In the present study, we can confirm by real-time RT-PCR (six common melanocytic nevi, five advanced nodular melanomas and seven melanoma metastases) and immunohistochemistry (tissue microarrays: 52 melanocytic nevi, 60 melanomas, 60 metastases; and conventional sections: five common nevi, four advanced nodular melanomas, five melanoma metastases) that RBP2-H1 expression is progressively downregulated in advanced and metastatic melanomas in vivo with a certain intratumoral heterogeneity. Whereas benign melanocytic nevi are RBP2-H1 positive in about 70% of the cases, a lack of RBP2-H1 expression was found in 90% of the primary malignant melanomas and 70% of the melanoma metastases, respectively. Interestingly, a similar deficiency can be found in glioblastomas, but not epithelial cancers. In accordance to the in vivo data, established melanoma cell lines exhibit low but heterogeneous levels of RBP2-H1 expression. By co-immunoprecipitation, we provide the first evidence that a subfraction of total RBP2-H1 can bind to pRb, which makes this protein a true pRb-interacting factor. We conclude that loss of RBP2-H1 is a common finding in the progression of malignant melanomas. Since a direct interaction of RBP2-H1 and pRb seems possible, the loss of RBP2-H1 may possibly contribute to uncontrolled growth in malignant melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Roesch
- Department of Dermatology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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Nakamoto M, Bergemann AD. Diverse roles for the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases in carcinogenesis. Microsc Res Tech 2002; 59:58-67. [PMID: 12242697 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.10177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases and their cell-presented ligands, the ephrins, are frequently overexpressed in a wide variety of cancers, including breast, small-cell lung and gastrointestinal cancers, melanomas, and neuroblastomas. In particular, one Eph family member, EphA2, is overexpressed in many cancers, including 40% of breast cancers. EphA2 can also transform breast epithelial cells in vitro to display properties commonly associated with the development of metastasis. Remarkably, the oncogenic properties of EphA2 contravene traditional dogma with regard to the oncogenic properties of a growth factor and its receptor tyrosine kinase: while stimulation of EphA2 by its ligand (ephrin-A1) results in EphA2 autophosphorylation, the stimulation reverses the oncogenic transformation. As will be discussed in this review, the apparent dependence of oncogenicity on the dephosphorylated state of EphA2 most probably reflects the unique nature of Eph signaling. In particular, oncogenecity may depend on the capacity of unactivated EphA2 to interact with a variety of signaling molecules. As well as acting in oncogenic transformation, a growing body of evidence supports the importance of the concerted actions of ephrins and Eph molecules in tumor angiogenesis. Genetic studies, using targeted mutagenesis in mice, reveal that ephrin-B1, ephrin-B2, and EphB4 are essential for the normal morphogenesis of the embryonic vasculature into a sophisticated network of arteries, veins, and capillaries. Initial studies indicate that these molecules are also angiogenic in tumors, and as such represent important new targets for the development of chemotherapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Nakamoto
- Department of Neurosciences/NC30, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
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Varelias A, Koblar SA, Cowled PA, Carter CD, Clayer M. Human osteosarcoma expresses specific ephrin profiles: implications for tumorigenicity and prognosis. Cancer 2002; 95:862-9. [PMID: 12209731 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.10749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The molecular mechanisms underlying malignancy of osteosarcoma are unknown. It has been reported that eph receptor protein tyrosine kinases and their ligands, ephrins, are associated with increased tumorigenicity in patients with breast carcinoma and melanoma. The expression and role of eph/ephrins in human osteosarcoma has not yet been characterized. METHODS Ephrin-A1, ephrin-A3, ephrin-A4, ephrin-A5, ephrin-B1, ephrin-B2, and ephrin-B3 mRNA expression was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis in nine specimens of human osteosarcoma tissue and five human osteosarcoma cell lines. Ephrin-B1 protein expression was detected immunohistochemically in human osteosarcoma tissue. Clinicopathologic correlation was made between the osteosarcoma specimens and their ephrin expression profiles. RESULTS Normal bone specimens, osteosarcoma tissue specimens, and osteosarcoma cell lines expressed a distinct mRNA profile of ephrin-A1, ephrin-A4, and ephrin-B2. A second mRNA profile that included ephrin-A3, ephrin-A5, and ephrin-B1 was expressed by a subset of tumors. The expression of ephrin-B1 was correlated with a poorer clinical prognosis. Ephrin-B1 protein was expressed by osteosarcoma cells and blood vessels. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that ephrin-B1 expressed by osteosarcoma may be a poor prognostic marker through increased tumorigenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antiopi Varelias
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, Australia
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