Analysis of the role of mutations in the KMT2D histone lysine methyltransferase in bladder cancer

Effective delivery of CRISPR/dCas9-SAM for multiplex gene activation based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles for bladder cancer therapy

The molecular complexity of bladder cancer restricts reliance on single-feature or single-gene targeted therapies, necessitating integrated individualized treatments and multi-gene interventions. In this study, we introduced the CRISPR/dCas9-SAM system to BCa treatment, known for its high specificity, low off-target effects, and reduced genetic toxicity, making it ideal for multiplexed gene activation at minimal cost-just 20 nucleotides per target. However, despite its potential in complex gene therapy and cellular engineering, challenges persist due to safety concerns associated with viral vectors and the risk of off-target effects during in vivo delivery, necessitating the development of new vectors. Herein, we reported pH-sensitive hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles modified with PLZ4 ligands (PLZ4-Lip@AMSN/CRISPR/dCas9-SAM, PLACS NPs) for precise targeting of bladder tumors and co-delivery of CRISPR/dCas9-SAM system. With good stability and high plasmid loading capacity, they efficiently co-delivered dCas9-VP64, MS2-P65-HSF1, and sgRNA. Compared to Lipofectamine 3000, these nanoparticles exhibited superior lysosomal escape capability, significantly enhancing transfection efficiency in bladder cancer cells. Moreover, PLACS NPs simultaneously activated the expression of four target genes, inhibiting proliferation and migration, and promoting apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. In vivo, they achieved efficient gene editing at tumor sites, significantly inhibiting bladder tumor growth. Real-time imaging revealed their substantial accumulation and prolonged retention at bladder tumor sites without significant liver targeting and major organ damage, showcasing good specificity and biosafety. This study overcomes in vivo delivery challenges of multi-component CRISPR/dCas9 systems, enabling precise gene editing and anti-tumor effects, presenting an innovative strategy for targeted therapy in bladder cancer treatment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study introduces a newly-developed approach to address key challenges in bladder cancer gene therapy, namely low gene upregulation efficiency, limited targeting specificity, and inefficient nucleic acid delivery. By integrating the CRISPR/dCas9-SAM system, we achieve highly specific gene activation with minimal off-target effects, enabling the addition of treatment targets with just 20 nucleotides per target. To improve bladder cancer targeting, we developed PLACS NPs, a mesoporous silica nanoparticle system that enhances plasmid delivery, transfection efficiency, and endosomal escape. This system shows good tumor targeting and significant anti-tumor effects in bladder cancer, without significant liver targeting and major organ toxicity, offering promising therapeutic potential and broad clinical applications.

Epigenome editing in cancer: Advances and challenges for potential therapeutic options

Cancers are diseases caused by genetic and non-genetic environmental factors. Epigenetic alterations, some attributed to non-genetic factors, can lead to cancer development. Epigenetic changes can occur in tumor suppressors or oncogenes, or they may contribute to global cell state changes, making cells abnormal. Recent advances in gene editing technology show potential for cancer treatment. Herein, we will discuss our current knowledge of epigenetic alterations occurring in cancer and epigenetic editing technologies that can be applied to developing therapeutic options.

Epigenetic and Immunological Features of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is one of the most common types of malignant tumors of the urogenital system in adults. Globally, the incidence of BLCA is more than 500,000 new cases worldwide annually, and every year, the number of registered cases of BLCA increases noticeably. Currently, the diagnosis of BLCA is based on cystoscopy and cytological examination of urine and additional laboratory and instrumental studies. However, cystoscopy is an invasive study, and voided urine cytology has a low level of sensitivity, so there is a clear need to develop more reliable markers and test systems for detecting the disease with high sensitivity and specificity. Human body fluids (urine, serum, and plasma) are known to contain significant amounts of tumorigenic nucleic acids, circulating immune cells and proinflammatory mediators that can serve as noninvasive biomarkers, particularly useful for early cancer detection, follow-up of patients, and personalization of their treatment. The review describes the most significant advances in epigenetics of BLCA.

Chromatin Remodeling Enzyme Cluster Predicts Prognosis and Clinical Benefit of Therapeutic Strategy in Breast Cancer

The treatment provided for breast cancer depends on the expression of hormone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), and cancer staging. Surgical intervention, along with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, is the mainstay of treatment. Currently, precision medicine has led to personalized treatment using reliable biomarkers for the heterogeneity of breast cancer. Recent studies have shown that epigenetic modifications contribute to tumorigenesis through alterations in the expression of tumor suppressor genes. Our aim was to investigate the role of epigenetic modifications in genes involved in breast cancer. A total of 486 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas Pan-cancer BRCA project were enrolled in our study. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering analysis further divided the 31 candidate genes into 2 clusters according to the optimal number. Kaplan–Meier plots showed worse progression-free survival (PFS) in the high-risk group of gene cluster 1 (GC1). In addition, the high-risk group showed worse PFS in GC1 with lymph node invasion, which also presented a trend of better PFS when chemotherapy was combined with radiotherapy than when chemotherapy was administered alone. In conclusion, we developed a novel panel using hierarchical clustering that high-risk groups of GC1 may be promising predictive biomarkers in the clinical treatment of patients with breast cancer.

Mutational Landscape of Bladder Cancer in Mexican Patients: KMT2D Mutations and chr11q15.5 Amplifications Are Associated with Muscle Invasion

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm of the urinary tract, which originates in the epithelium that covers the inner surface of the bladder. The molecular BC profile has led to the development of different classifications of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, the genomic BC landscape profile of the Mexican population, including NMIBC and MIBC, is unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variations (CNVs) in Mexican patients with BC and their associations with clinical and pathological characteristics. We retrospectively evaluated 37 patients treated between 2012 and 2021 at the National Cancer Institute-Mexico (INCan). DNA samples were obtained from paraffin-embedded tumor tissues and exome sequenced. Strelka2 and Lancet packages were used to identify SNVs and insertions or deletions. FACETS was used to determine CNVs. We found a high frequency of mutations in TP53 and KMT2D, gains in 11q15.5 and 19p13.11-q12, and losses in 7q11.23. STAG2 mutations and 1q11.23 deletions were also associated with NMIBC and low histologic grade.

Neurobehavioral characteristics of mice with SETD5 mutations as models of IDD23 and KBG syndromes

Genomic analysis has revealed that the genes for various chromatin regulators are mutated in many individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), emphasizing the important role of chromatin regulation in nervous system development and function. Chromatin regulation is mediated by writers, readers, and erasers of histone and DNA modifications, with such proteins being defined by specific domains. One of these domains is the SET domain, which is present in enzymes that catalyze histone methylation. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations of the SETD5 (SET domain containing 5) gene have been identified in individuals with an NDD designated IDD23 (intellectual developmental disorder, autosomal dominant 23). KBG syndrome (named after the initials of the last names of the first three families identified with the condition) is characterized by features that either overlap with or are distinct from those of IDD23 and was initially thought to be caused only by mutations in the ANKRD11 (ankyrin repeat domain containing 11) gene. However, recent studies have identified SETD5 mutations in some KBG syndrome patients without ANKRD11 mutations. Here we summarize the neurobehavioral characterization of Setd5 ^+/- mice performed by four independent research groups, compare IDD23 and KBG phenotypes, and address the utility and future development of mouse models for elucidation of the mechanisms underlying NDD pathogenesis, with a focus on SETD5 and its related proteins.

Structure, activity and function of the lysine methyltransferase SETD5

SET domain-containing 5 (SETD5) is an uncharacterized member of the protein lysine methyltransferase family and is best known for its transcription machinery by methylating histone H3 on lysine 36 (H3K36). These well-characterized functions of SETD5 are transcription regulation, euchromatin formation, and RNA elongation and splicing. SETD5 is frequently mutated and hyperactive in both human neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer, and could be down-regulated by degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, but the biochemical mechanisms underlying such dysregulation are rarely understood. Herein, we provide an update on the particularities of SETD5 enzymatic activity and substrate specificity concerning its biological importance, as well as its molecular and cellular impact on normal physiology and disease, with potential therapeutic options.

The Role and Mechanism of microRNA-1224 in Human Cancer

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of small endogenous non-coding RNAs composed of 20-22 nucleotides, which can regulate the expression of a gene by targeting 3’ untranslated region (3’-UTR) of mRNA. Many studies have reported that miRNAs are involved in the occurrence and progression of human diseases, including malignant tumors. miR-1224 plays significant roles in different tumors, including tumor proliferation, metastasis, invasion, angiogenesis, biological metabolism, and drug resistance. Mostly, it serves as a tumor suppressor. With accumulating proofs of miR-1224, it can act as a potential bio-indicator in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with cancer. In this article, we review the characteristics and research progress of miR-1224 and emphasize the regulation and function of miR-1224 in different cancer. Furthermore, we conclude the clinical implications of miR-1224. This review may provide new horizons for deeply understanding the role of miR-1224 as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human cancer.

Proteomic-Based Machine Learning Analysis Reveals PYGB as a Novel Immunohistochemical Biomarker to Distinguish Inverted Urothelial Papilloma From Low-Grade Papillary Urothelial Carcinoma With Inverted Growth

Background

The molecular biology of inverted urothelial papilloma (IUP) as a precursor disease of urothelial carcinoma is poorly understood. Furthermore, the overlapping histology between IUP and papillary urothelial carcinoma (PUC) with inverted growth is a diagnostic pitfall leading to frequent misdiagnoses.

Methods

To identify the oncologic significance of IUP and discover a novel biomarker for its diagnosis, we employed mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of IUP, PUC, and normal urothelium (NU). Machine learning analysis shortlisted candidate proteins, while subsequent immunohistochemical validation was performed in an independent sample cohort.

Results

From the overall proteomic landscape, we found divergent 'NU-like' (low-risk) and 'PUC-like' (high-risk) signatures in IUP. The latter were characterized by altered metabolism, biosynthesis, and cell-cell interaction functions, indicating oncologic significance. Further machine learning-based analysis revealed SERPINH1, PKP2, and PYGB as potential diagnostic biomarkers discriminating IUP from PUC. The immunohistochemical validation confirmed PYGB as a specific biomarker to distinguish between IUP and PUC with inverted growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we suggest PYGB as a promising immunohistochemical marker for IUP diagnosis in routine practice.

CircRNA PTPRM Promotes Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Progression by Modulating the miR-139-5p/SETD5 Axis

Introduction: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are important regulators in various cancers, especially hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the role of circ RNA PTPRM (circPTPRM) in the development of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. Methods: We collected 26 clinical specimens (corresponding to 26 normal lung tissues) of lung adenocarcinoma and the expression of mir-139-5p and circPTPRM were first detected. Cell proliferation was detected by EdU method, invasion/migration ability of cells was evaluated by transwell method. And the correlation between circPTPRM and mir-139-5p was detected by luciferase reporter gene and RNA pull-down assay. Finally, we verified our hypothesis with BALB/c nude mice. Results: Through bioinformatics software, we found that circPTPRM was negatively correlated with mir-139-5p, and then we used human adenocarcinoma tissue samples to further verify their relationship and get the same result. EdU method, transwell method, and luciferase assay, RNA pull-down assay were applied, and the results show that the knockdown of circPTPRM inhibit proliferation, migration, and invasion of cells can be reversed by mir-139-5p inhibitor. Next, we used Starbase v2.0 to identify the target site of miR-139-5p and focused on SET domain containing 5 (SETD5). We derive the hypothesis by verifying the relationship between miR-139-5p and SETD5 that circPTPRM may interact with miR-139-5p/SETD5 axis. At last, we evaluated the effects of circPTPRM, SETD5, and miR-139-5p on tumor growth in vivo using BALB/c nude mice to prove the hypothesis. Conclusion: We thus conclude that circPTPRM promotes the progression of NSCLC by regulating the miR-139-5p/SETD5 axis.

Mutations in Epigenetic Regulation Genes in Gastric Cancer

Simple Summary

Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation/demethylation, covalent modifications of histone proteins, and chromatin remodeling, create specific patterns of gene expression. Epigenetic deregulations are associated with oncogenesis, relapse of the disease and metastases, and can serve as a useful clinical marker. We assessed the clinical relevance of integrity of the genes coding for epigenetic regulator proteins by mutational profiling of 25 genes in 135 gastric cancer (GC) samples. Overall, mutations in the epigenetic regulation genes were found to be significantly associated with reduced overall survival of patients in the group with metastases and in the group with tumors with signet ring cells. We have also discovered mutual exclusivity of somatic mutations in the KMT2D, KMT2C, ARID1A, and CHD7 genes in our cohort. Our results suggest that mutations in epigenetic regulation genes may be valuable clinical markers and deserve further exploration in independent cohorts.

Abstract

We have performed mutational profiling of 25 genes involved in epigenetic processes on 135 gastric cancer (GC) samples. In total, we identified 79 somatic mutations in 49/135 (36%) samples. The minority (n = 8) of mutations was identified in DNA methylation/demethylation genes, while the majority (n = 41), in histone modifier genes, among which mutations were most commonly found in KMT2D and KMT2C. Somatic mutations in KMT2D, KMT2C, ARID1A and CHD7 were mutually exclusive (p = 0.038). Mutations in ARID1A were associated with distant metastases (p = 0.03). The overall survival of patients in the group with metastases and in the group with tumors with signet ring cells was significantly reduced in the presence of mutations in epigenetic regulation genes (p = 0.036 and p = 0.041, respectively). Separately, somatic mutations in chromatin remodeling genes correlate with low survival rate of patients without distant metastasis (p = 0.045) and in the presence of signet ring cells (p = 0.0014). Our results suggest that mutations in epigenetic regulation genes may be valuable clinical markers and deserve further exploration in independent cohorts.

Inactivation of Epigenetic Regulators due to Mutations in Solid Tumors

Main factors involved in carcinogenesis are associated with somatic mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes representing changes in the DNA nucleotide sequence. Epigenetic changes, such as aberrant DNA methylation, modifications of histone proteins, and chromatin remodeling, are equally important in the development of human neoplasms. From this perspective, mutations in the genes encoding key participants of epigenetic regulation are of particular interest including enzymes that methylate/demethylate DNA, enzymes that covalently attach or remove regulatory signals from histones, components of nucleosome remodeling multiprotein complexes, auxiliary proteins and cofactors of the above-mentioned molecules. This review describes both germline and somatic mutations in the key epigenetic regulators with emphasis on the latter ones in the solid human tumors, as well as considers functional consequences of these mutations on the cellular level. In addition, clinical associations of the somatic mutations in epigenetic regulators are presented, as well as DNA diagnostics of hereditary cancer syndromes due to germline mutations in the SMARC proteins and chemotherapy drugs directly affecting the altered epigenetic mechanisms for treatment of patients with solid neoplasms. The review is intended for a wide range of molecular biologists, geneticists, oncologists, and associated specialists.

From Anti-EBV Immune Responses to the EBV Diseasome via Cross-reactivity

Sequence analyses highlight a massive peptide sharing between immunoreactive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) epitopes and human proteins that—when mutated, deficient or improperly functioning—associate with tumorigenesis, diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and immunodeficiencies, among others. Peptide commonality appears to be the molecular platform capable of linking EBV infection to the vast EBV-associated diseasome via cross-reactivity and questions the hypothesis of the “negative selection” of self-reactive lymphocytes. Of utmost importance, this study warns that using entire antigens in anti-EBV immunotherapies can associate with autoimmune manifestations and further supports the concept of peptide uniqueness for designing safe and effective anti-EBV immunotherapies.

DNA Methylation as a Therapeutic Target for Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is the tenth most frequent cancer worldwide and is associated with high mortality when diagnosed in its most aggressive form, which is not reverted by the current treatment options. Thus, the development of new therapeutic strategies, either alternative or complementary to the current ones, is of major importance. The disruption of normal epigenetic mechanisms, namely, DNA methylation, is a known early event in cancer development. Consequently, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors constitute a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of BC. Although these inhibitors, mainly nucleoside analogues such as 5-azacytidine (5-aza) and decitabine (DAC), cause re-expression of tumor suppressor genes, inhibition of tumor cell growth, and increased apoptosis in BC experimental models and clinical trials, they also show important drawbacks that prevent their use as a valuable option for the treatment of BC. However, their combination with chemotherapy and/or immune-checkpoint inhibitors could aid in their implementation in the clinical practice. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the studies exploring the effects of DNA methylation inhibition using DNMTs inhibitors in BC, from in vitro and in vivo studies to clinical trials.

Multifaceted Role of PRDM Proteins in Human Cancer

The PR/SET domain family (PRDM) comprise a family of genes whose protein products share a conserved N-terminal PR [PRDI-BF1 (positive regulatory domain I-binding factor 1) and RIZ1 (retinoblastoma protein-interacting zinc finger gene 1)] homologous domain structurally and functionally similar to the catalytic SET [Su(var)3-9, enhancer-of-zeste and trithorax] domain of histone methyltransferases (HMTs). These genes are involved in epigenetic regulation of gene expression through their intrinsic HMTase activity or via interactions with other chromatin modifying enzymes. In this way they control a broad spectrum of biological processes, including proliferation and differentiation control, cell cycle progression, and maintenance of immune cell homeostasis. In cancer, tumor-specific dysfunctions of PRDM genes alter their expression by genetic and/or epigenetic modifications. A common characteristic of most PRDM genes is to encode for two main molecular variants with or without the PR domain. They are generated by either alternative splicing or alternative use of different promoters and play opposite roles, particularly in cancer where their imbalance can be often observed. In this scenario, PRDM proteins are involved in cancer onset, invasion, and metastasis and their altered expression is related to poor prognosis and clinical outcome. These functions strongly suggest their potential use in cancer management as diagnostic or prognostic tools and as new targets of therapeutic intervention.

Epigenetics of Bladder Cancer: Where Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets Meet

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasia of the urothelial tract. Due to its high incidence, prevalence, recurrence and mortality, it remains an unsolved clinical and social problem. The treatment of BC is challenging and, although immunotherapies have revealed potential benefit in a percentage of patients, it remains mostly an incurable disease at its advanced state. Epigenetic alterations, including aberrant DNA methylation, altered chromatin remodeling and deregulated expression of non-coding RNAs are common events in BC and can be driver events in BC pathogenesis. Accordingly, these epigenetic alterations are now being used as potential biomarkers for these disorders and are being envisioned as potential therapeutic targets for the future management of BC. In this review, we summarize the recent findings in these emerging and exciting new aspects paving the way for future clinical treatment of this disease.