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Fortunato A, Mallo D, Cisneros L, King LM, Khan A, Curtis C, Ryser MD, Lo JY, Hall A, Marks JR, Hwang ES, Maley CC. Evolutionary Measures Show that Recurrence of DCIS is Distinct from Progression to Breast Cancer. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.08.15.24311949. [PMID: 39185534 PMCID: PMC11343254 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.15.24311949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Progression from pre-cancers like ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive disease (cancer) is driven by somatic evolution and is altered by clinical interventions. We hypothesized that genetic and/or phenotypic intra-tumor heterogeneity would predict clinical outcomes for DCIS since it serves as the substrate for natural selection among cells. We profiled two samples from two geographically distinct foci from each DCIS in both cross-sectional (N = 119) and longitudinal cohorts (N = 224), with whole exome sequencing, low-pass whole genome sequencing, and a panel of immunohistochemical markers. In the longitudinal cohorts, the only statistically significant predictors of time to non-invasive DCIS recurrence were the combination of treatment (lumpectomy only vs mastectomy or lumpectomy with radiation, HR = 12.13, p = 0.003, Wald test with FDR correction), ER status (HR = 0.16 for ER+ compared to ER-, p = 0.0045), and divergence in SNVs between the two samples (HR = 1.33 per 10% divergence, p = 0.018). SNV divergence also distinguished between pure DCIS and DCIS synchronous with invasive disease in the cross-sectional cohort. In contrast, the only statistically significant predictors of time to progression to invasive disease were the combination of the width of the surgical margin (HR = 0.67 per mm, p = 0.043) and the number of mutations that were detectable at high allele frequencies (HR = 1.30 per 10 SNVs, p = 0.02). These results imply that recurrence with DCIS is a clinical and biological process different from invasive progression. Significance Evolutionary measures of breast pre-cancers associate with local recurrence after surgery, as well as progression to cancer. Recurrence and progression are different biological processes impacted differently by clinical interventions.
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Miller ZA, Muthuswami S, Mueller A, Ma RZ, Sywanycz SM, Naik A, Huang L, Brody RM, Diab A, Carey RM, Lee RJ. GLUT1 inhibitor BAY-876 induces apoptosis and enhances anti-cancer effects of bitter receptor agonists in head and neck squamous carcinoma cells. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:339. [PMID: 39060287 PMCID: PMC11282258 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02106-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are cancers that arise in the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract. The five-year patient survival rate is ~50%. Treatment includes surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy and is associated with lasting effects even when successful in irradicating the disease. New molecular targets and therapies must be identified to improve outcomes for HNSCC patients. We recently identified bitter taste receptors (taste family 2 receptors, or T2Rs) as a novel candidate family of receptors that activate apoptosis in HNSCC cells through mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and depolarization. We hypothesized that targeting another component of tumor cell metabolism, namely glycolysis, may increase the efficacy of T2R-directed therapies. GLUT1 (SLC2A1) is a facilitated-diffusion glucose transporter expressed by many cancer cells to fuel their increased rates of glycolysis. GLUT1 is already being investigated as a possible cancer target, but studies in HNSCCs are limited. Examination of immortalized HNSCC cells, patient samples, and The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed high expression of GLUT1 and upregulation in some patient tumor samples. HNSCC cells and tumor tissue express GLUT1 on the plasma membrane and within the cytoplasm (perinuclear, likely co-localized with the Golgi apparatus). We investigated the effects of a recently developed small molecule inhibitor of GLUT1, BAY-876. This compound decreased HNSCC glucose uptake, viability, and metabolism and induced apoptosis. Moreover, BAY-876 had enhanced effects on apoptosis when combined at low concentrations with T2R bitter taste receptor agonists. Notably, BAY-876 also decreased TNFα-induced IL-8 production, indicating an additional mechanism of possible tumor-suppressive effects. Our study demonstrates that targeting GLUT1 via BAY-876 to kill HNSCC cells, particularly in combination with T2R agonists, is a potential novel treatment strategy worth exploring further in future translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoey A Miller
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Pharmacology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sahil Muthuswami
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Arielle Mueller
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ray Z Ma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sarah M Sywanycz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Anusha Naik
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lily Huang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Robert M Brody
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ahmed Diab
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ryan M Carey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Robert J Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Lee RJ, Adappa ND, Palmer JN. Akt activator SC79 stimulates antibacterial nitric oxide generation in human nasal epithelial cells in vitro. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2024; 14:1147-1162. [PMID: 38197521 PMCID: PMC11219270 DOI: 10.1002/alr.23318] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of Akt in nasal immunity is unstudied. Akt phosphorylates and activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expressed in epithelial ciliated cells. Nitric oxide (NO) production by ciliated cells can have antibacterial and antiviral effects. Increasing nasal NO may be a useful antipathogen strategy in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). We previously showed that small-molecule Akt activator SC79 induces nasal cell NO production and suppresses IL-8 via the transcription factor Nrf-2. We hypothesized that SC79 NO production may additionally have antibacterial effects. METHODS NO production was measured using fluorescent dye DAF-FM. We tested effects of SC79 during co-culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with primary nasal epithelial cells, using CFU counting and live-dead staining to quantify bacterial killing. Pharmacology determined the mechanism of SC79-induced NO production and tested dependence on Akt. RESULTS SC79 induced dose-dependent, Akt-dependent NO production in nasal epithelial cells. The NO production required eNOS and Akt. The NO released into the airway surface liquid killed P. aeruginosa. No toxicity (LDH release) or inflammatory effects (IL8 transcription) were observed over 24 h. CONCLUSIONS Together, these data suggest multiple immune pathways are stimulated by SC79, with antipathogen effects. This in vitro pilot study suggests that a small-molecule Akt activator may have clinical utility in CRS or respiratory other infection settings, warranting future in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Nithin D. Adappa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
| | - James N. Palmer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
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Lee RJ, Adappa ND, Palmer JN. Effects of Akt Activator SC79 on Human M0 Macrophage Phagocytosis and Cytokine Production. Cells 2024; 13:902. [PMID: 38891035 PMCID: PMC11171788 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110902] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Akt is an important kinase in metabolism. Akt also phosphorylates and activates endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthases (eNOS and nNOS, respectively) expressed in M0 (unpolarized) macrophages. We showed that e/nNOS NO production downstream of bitter taste receptors enhances macrophage phagocytosis. In airway epithelial cells, we also showed that the activation of Akt by a small molecule (SC79) enhances NO production and increases levels of nuclear Nrf2, which reduces IL-8 transcription during concomitant stimulation with Toll-like receptor (TLR) 5 agonist flagellin. We hypothesized that SC79's production of NO in macrophages might likewise enhance phagocytosis and reduce the transcription of some pro-inflammatory cytokines. Using live cell imaging of fluorescent biosensors and indicator dyes, we found that SC79 induces Akt activation, NO production, and downstream cGMP production in primary human M0 macrophages. This was accompanied by a reduction in IL-6, IL-8, and IL-12 production during concomitant stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide, an agonist of pattern recognition receptors including TLR4. Pharmacological inhibitors suggested that this effect was dependent on Akt and Nrf2. Together, these data suggest that several macrophage immune pathways are regulated by SC79 via Akt. A small-molecule Akt activator may be useful in some infection settings, warranting future in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nithin D. Adappa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
| | - James N. Palmer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
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Scharf MM, Humphrys LJ, Berndt S, Di Pizio A, Lehmann J, Liebscher I, Nicoli A, Niv MY, Peri L, Schihada H, Schulte G. The dark sides of the GPCR tree - research progress on understudied GPCRs. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38339984 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A large portion of the human GPCRome is still in the dark and understudied, consisting even of entire subfamilies of GPCRs such as odorant receptors, class A and C orphans, adhesion GPCRs, Frizzleds and taste receptors. However, it is undeniable that these GPCRs bring an untapped therapeutic potential that should be explored further. Open questions on these GPCRs span diverse topics such as deorphanisation, the development of tool compounds and tools for studying these GPCRs, as well as understanding basic signalling mechanisms. This review gives an overview of the current state of knowledge for each of the diverse subfamilies of understudied receptors regarding their physiological relevance, molecular mechanisms, endogenous ligands and pharmacological tools. Furthermore, it identifies some of the largest knowledge gaps that should be addressed in the foreseeable future and lists some general strategies that might be helpful in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena M Scharf
- Karolinska Institutet, Dept. Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laura J Humphrys
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Berndt
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute for Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Antonella Di Pizio
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Chemoinformatics and Protein Modelling, Department of Molecular Life Science, School of Life Science, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Juliane Lehmann
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute for Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ines Liebscher
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute for Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alessandro Nicoli
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Chemoinformatics and Protein Modelling, Department of Molecular Life Science, School of Life Science, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Masha Y Niv
- The Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lior Peri
- The Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hannes Schihada
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gunnar Schulte
- Karolinska Institutet, Dept. Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Stockholm, Sweden
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Grădinaru TC, Vlad A, Gilca M. Bitter Phytochemicals as Novel Candidates for Skin Disease Treatment. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 46:299-326. [PMID: 38248322 PMCID: PMC10814078 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Skin diseases represent a global healthcare challenge due to their rising incidence and substantial socio-economic burden. While biological, immunological, and targeted therapies have brought a revolution in improving quality of life and survival rates for certain dermatological conditions, there remains a stringent demand for new remedies. Nature has long served as an inspiration for drug development. Recent studies have identified bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) in both skin cell lines and human skin. Additionally, bitter natural compounds have shown promising benefits in addressing skin aging, wound healing, inflammatory skin conditions, and even skin cancer. Thus, TAS2Rs may represent a promising target in all these processes. In this review, we summarize evidence supporting the presence of TAS2Rs in the skin and emphasize their potential as drug targets for addressing skin aging, wound healing, inflammatory skin conditions, and skin carcinogenesis. To our knowledge, this is a pioneering work in connecting information on TAS2Rs expression in skin and skin cells with the impact of bitter phytochemicals on various beneficial effects related to skin disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora-Cristiana Grădinaru
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (T.-C.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Adelina Vlad
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marilena Gilca
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (T.-C.G.); (M.G.)
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7
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Miller ZA, Mueller A, Kim T, Jolivert JF, Ma RZ, Muthuswami S, Park A, McMahon DB, Nead KT, Carey RM, Lee RJ. Lidocaine induces apoptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through activation of bitter taste receptor T2R14. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113437. [PMID: 37995679 PMCID: PMC10842818 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113437] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) have high mortality and significant treatment-related morbidity. It is vital to discover effective, minimally invasive therapies that improve survival and quality of life. Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) are expressed in HNSCCs, and T2R activation can induce apoptosis. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that also activates bitter taste receptor 14 (T2R14). Lidocaine has some anti-cancer effects, but the mechanisms are unclear. Here, we find that lidocaine causes intracellular Ca2+ mobilization through activation of T2R14 in HNSCC cells. T2R14 activation with lidocaine depolarizes mitochondria, inhibits proliferation, and induces apoptosis. Concomitant with mitochondrial Ca2+ influx, ROS production causes T2R14-dependent accumulation of poly-ubiquitinated proteins, suggesting that proteasome inhibition contributes to T2R14-induced apoptosis. Lidocaine may have therapeutic potential in HNSCCs as a topical gel or intratumor injection. In addition, we find that HPV-associated (HPV+) HNSCCs are associated with increased TAS2R14 expression. Lidocaine treatment may benefit these patients, warranting future clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoey A Miller
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Pharmacology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Arielle Mueller
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - TaeBeom Kim
- Department of Epidemiology, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jennifer F Jolivert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ray Z Ma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sahil Muthuswami
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - April Park
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Derek B McMahon
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kevin T Nead
- Department of Epidemiology, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ryan M Carey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Robert J Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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8
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Grădinaru TC, Gilca M, Vlad A, Dragoș D. Relevance of Phytochemical Taste for Anti-Cancer Activity: A Statistical Inquiry. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16227. [PMID: 38003415 PMCID: PMC10671173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting inflammation and the pathways linking inflammation with cancer is an innovative therapeutic strategy. Tastants are potential candidates for this approach, since taste receptors display various biological functions, including anti-inflammatory activity (AIA). The present study aims to explore the power different tastes have to predict a phytochemical's anti-cancer properties. It also investigates whether anti-inflammatory phytocompounds also have anti-cancer effects, and whether there are tastes that can better predict a phytochemical's bivalent biological activity. Data from the PlantMolecularTasteDB, containing a total of 1527 phytochemicals, were used. Out of these, only 624 phytocompounds met the inclusion criterion of having 40 hits in a PubMed search, using the name of the phytochemical as the keyword. Among them, 461 phytochemicals were found to possess anti-cancer activity (ACA). The AIA and ACA of phytochemicals were strongly correlated, irrespective of taste/orosensation or chemical class. Bitter taste was positively correlated with ACA, while sweet taste was negatively correlated. Among chemical classes, only flavonoids (which are most frequently bitter) had a positive association with both AIA and ACA, a finding confirming that taste has predictive primacy over chemical class. Therefore, bitter taste receptor agonists and sweet taste receptor antagonists may have a beneficial effect in slowing down the progression of inflammation to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora-Cristiana Grădinaru
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Marilena Gilca
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Adelina Vlad
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Dorin Dragoș
- Department of Medical Semiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
- 1st Internal Medicine Clinic, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
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9
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Kouakou YI, Lee RJ. Interkingdom Detection of Bacterial Quorum-Sensing Molecules by Mammalian Taste Receptors. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1295. [PMID: 37317269 PMCID: PMC10221136 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bitter and sweet taste G protein-coupled receptors (known as T2Rs and T1Rs, respectively) were originally identified in type II taste cells on the tongue, where they signal perception of bitter and sweet tastes, respectively. Over the past ~15 years, taste receptors have been identified in cells all over the body, demonstrating a more general chemosensory role beyond taste. Bitter and sweet taste receptors regulate gut epithelial function, pancreatic β cell secretion, thyroid hormone secretion, adipocyte function, and many other processes. Emerging data from a variety of tissues suggest that taste receptors are also used by mammalian cells to "eavesdrop" on bacterial communications. These receptors are activated by several quorum-sensing molecules, including acyl-homoserine lactones and quinolones from Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, competence stimulating peptides from Streptococcus mutans, and D-amino acids from Staphylococcus aureus. Taste receptors are an arm of immune surveillance similar to Toll-like receptors and other pattern recognition receptors. Because they are activated by quorum-sensing molecules, taste receptors report information about microbial population density based on the chemical composition of the extracellular environment. This review summarizes current knowledge of bacterial activation of taste receptors and identifies important questions remaining in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yobouet Ines Kouakou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Robert J. Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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10
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Costa AR, Duarte AC, Costa-Brito AR, Gonçalves I, Santos CRA. Bitter taste signaling in cancer. Life Sci 2023; 315:121363. [PMID: 36610638 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacoresistance of cancer cells to many drugs used in chemotherapy remains a major challenge for the treatment of cancer. Multidrug resistance transporters, especially ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, are a major cause of cancer drug resistance since they translocate a broad range of drug compounds across the cell membrane, extruding them out of the cells. The regulation of ABC transporters by bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs), which might be activated by specific bitter tasting compounds, was described in several types of cells/organs, becoming a potential target for cancer therapy. TAS2Rs expression has been reported in many organs and several types of cancer, like breast, ovarian, prostate, and colorectal cancers, where their activation was shown to be involved in various biological actions (cell survival, apoptosis, molecular transport, among others). Moreover, many TAS2Rs' ligands, such as flavonoids and alkaloids, with well-recognized beneficial properties, including several anticancer effects, have been reported as potential adjuvants in cancer therapies. In this review, we discuss the potential therapeutic role of TAS2Rs and bitter tasting compounds in different types of cancer as a possible way to circumvent chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana R Costa
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana C Duarte
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; CPIRN-IPG - Centro de Potencial e Inovação de Recursos Naturais, Instituto Politécnico da Guarda, Guarda, Portugal
| | - Ana R Costa-Brito
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; Research Unit for Inland Development (UDI), Polytechnic of Guarda, Guarda, Portugal
| | - Isabel Gonçalves
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Cecília R A Santos
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
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Mao Z, Cheng W, Li Z, Yao M, Sun K. Clinical Associations of Bitter Taste Perception and Bitter Taste Receptor Variants and the Potential for Personalized Healthcare. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2023; 16:121-132. [PMID: 36819962 PMCID: PMC9936560 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s390201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) consist of 25 functional receptors that can be found in various types of cells throughout the human body with responses ranging from detecting bitter taste to suppressing pathogen-induced inflammation upon activation. Numerous studies have observed clinical associations with genetic or phenotypic variants in bitter taste receptors, most notably that of the receptor isoform T2R38. With genetic variants playing a role in the response of the body to bacterial quorum-sensing molecules, bacterial metabolites, medicinal agonists and nutrients, we examine how T2R polymorphisms, expression levels and bitter taste perception can lead to varying clinical associations. From these genetic and phenotypic differences, healthcare management can potentially be individualized through appropriately administering drugs with bitter masking to increase compliance; optimizing nutritional strategies and diets; avoiding the use of T2R agonists if this pathway is already activated from bacterial infections; adjusting drug regimens based on differing prognoses; or adjusting drug regimens based on T2R expression levels in the target cell type and bodily region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwen Mao
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children’s Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weyland Cheng
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children’s Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Weyland Cheng, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children’s Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, 33 Longhu Waihuan East Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 18502758200, Email
| | - Zhenwei Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Manye Yao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Keming Sun
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China
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Savory Signaling: T1R Umami Receptor Modulates Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Store Content and Release Dynamics in Airway Epithelial Cells. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15030493. [PMID: 36771200 PMCID: PMC9919336 DOI: 10.3390/nu15030493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
T1Rs are expressed in solitary chemosensory cells of the upper airway where they detect apical glucose levels and repress bitter taste receptor Ca2+ signaling pathways. Microbial growth leads to a decrease in apical glucose levels. T1Rs detect this change and liberate bitter taste receptor signaling, initiating an innate immune response to both kill and expel pathogens through releasing antimicrobial peptides and increasing nitric oxide production and ciliary beat frequency. However, chronic inflammation due to disease, smoking, or viral infections causes a remodeling of the epithelial airway. The resulting squamous metaplasia causes a loss of multi-ciliated cells and solitary chemosensory cells, replaced by basal epithelial cells. To understand how T1R function is altered during disease, we used basal epithelial cells as a model to study the function of T1R3 on Ca2+ signaling dynamics. We found that both T1R1 and T1R3 detect amino acids and signal via cAMP, increasing the responsiveness of the cells to Ca2+ signaling stimuli. Either knocking down T1R1/3 or treating wild-type cells with MEM amino acids caused a reduction in ER Ca2+ content through a non-cAMP signaled pathway. Treatment with amino acids led to a reduction in downstream denatonium-induced Ca2+-signaled caspase activity. Thus, amino acids may be used to reduce unwanted apoptosis signaling in treatments containing bitter compounds.
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He J, Song J, Zhou XH, Hou Y. A screening method for ultra-high dimensional features with overlapped partition structures. Stat Methods Med Res 2023; 32:22-40. [PMID: 36177601 DOI: 10.1177/09622802221129043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Ultra-high dimensional data, such as gene and neuroimaging data, are becoming increasingly important in biomedical science. Identifying important biomarkers from the huge number of features can help us gain better insights into further researches. Variable screening is an efficient tool to achieve this goal under the large scale cases, which reduces the dimension of features into a moderate size by removing the major part of inactive ones. Developing novel variable screening methods for high-dimensional features with group structures is challenging, especially under the overlapped cases. For example, the huge-scaled genes usually can be partitioned into hundreds of pathways according to background knowledge. One primary characteristic for this type of data is that many genes may appear across more than one pathway, which means that different pathways are overlapped. However, existing variable screening methods only could deal with disjoint group structure cases. To fill this gap, we propose a novel variable screening method for the generalized linear model by incorporating overlapped partition structures with theoretical guarantee. Besides the sure screening property, we also test the performance of the proposed method through a series of numerical studies and apply it to statistical analysis of a breast cancer data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie He
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, 33133Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jiali Song
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, 33133Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Hua Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, 33133Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research, 12465Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Hou
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, 33133Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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14
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Carey RM, Hariri BM, Adappa ND, Palmer JN, Lee RJ. HSP90 Modulates T2R Bitter Taste Receptor Nitric Oxide Production and Innate Immune Responses in Human Airway Epithelial Cells and Macrophages. Cells 2022; 11:1478. [PMID: 35563784 PMCID: PMC9101439 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed in various cell types including ciliated airway epithelial cells and macrophages. T2Rs in these two innate immune cell types are activated by bitter products, including those secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, leading to Ca2+-dependent activation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS). NO enhances mucociliary clearance and has direct antibacterial effects in ciliated epithelial cells. NO also increases phagocytosis by macrophages. Using biochemistry and live-cell imaging, we explored the role of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in regulating T2R-dependent NO pathways in primary sinonasal epithelial cells, primary monocyte-derived macrophages, and a human bronchiolar cell line (H441). Immunofluorescence showed that H441 cells express eNOS and T2Rs and that the bitter agonist denatonium benzoate activates NO production in a Ca2+- and HSP90-dependent manner in cells grown either as submerged cultures or at the air-liquid interface. In primary sinonasal epithelial cells, we determined that HSP90 inhibition reduces T2R-stimulated NO production and ciliary beating, which likely limits pathogen clearance. In primary monocyte-derived macrophages, we found that HSP-90 is integral to T2R-stimulated NO production and phagocytosis of FITC-labeled Escherichia coli and pHrodo-Staphylococcus aureus. Our study demonstrates that HSP90 serves as an innate immune modulator by regulating NO production downstream of T2R signaling by augmenting eNOS activation without impairing upstream Ca2+ signaling. These findings suggest that HSP90 plays an important role in airway antibacterial innate immunity and may be an important target in airway diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, or cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M. Carey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.M.H.); (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
| | - Benjamin M. Hariri
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.M.H.); (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
| | - Nithin D. Adappa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.M.H.); (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
| | - James N. Palmer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.M.H.); (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
| | - Robert J. Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.M.H.); (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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15
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Zehentner S, Reiner AT, Grimm C, Somoza V. The Role of Bitter Taste Receptors in Cancer: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5891. [PMID: 34885005 PMCID: PMC8656863 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since it is known that bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) are expressed and functionally active in various extra-oral cells, their genetic variability and functional response initiated by their activation have become of broader interest, including in the context of cancer. METHODS A systematic research was performed in PubMed and Google Scholar to identify relevant publications concerning the role of TAS2Rs in cancer. RESULTS While the findings on variations of TAS2R genotypes and phenotypes and their association to the risk of developing cancer are still inconclusive, gene expression analyses revealed that TAS2Rs are expressed and some of them are predominately downregulated in cancerous compared to non-cancerous cell lines and tissue samples. Additionally, receptor-specific, agonist-mediated activation induced various anti-cancer effects, such as decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as increased apoptosis. Furthermore, the overexpression of TAS2Rs resulted in a decreased tumour incidence in an in vivo study and TAS2R activation could even enhance the therapeutic effect of chemotherapeutics in vitro. Finally, higher expression levels of TAS2Rs in primary cancerous cells and tissues were associated with an improved prognosis in humans. CONCLUSION Since current evidence demonstrates a functional role of TAS2Rs in carcinogenesis, further studies should exploit their potential as (co-)targets of chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Zehentner
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (S.Z.); (A.T.R.)
| | - Agnes T. Reiner
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (S.Z.); (A.T.R.)
| | - Christoph Grimm
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Gynecologic Cancer Unit, Department of General Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Veronika Somoza
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (S.Z.); (A.T.R.)
- Leibniz Institute of Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Chair of Nutritional Systems Biology, School of Life Science, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
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