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Oey O, Sunjaya AF, Khan Y, Redfern A. Stromal inflammation, fibrosis and cancer: An old intuition with promising potential. World J Clin Oncol 2023; 14:230-246. [PMID: 37583950 PMCID: PMC10424089 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v14.i7.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/19/2023] Open
Abstract
It is now well established that the biology of cancer is influenced by not only malignant cells but also other components of the tumour microenvironment. Chronic inflammation and fibrosis have long been postulated to be involved in carcinogenesis. Chronic inflammation can promote tumorigenesis via growth factor/cytokine-mediated cellular proliferation, apoptotic resistance, immunosuppression; and free-radical-induced oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid damage. Fibrosis could cause a perturbation in the dynamics of the tumour microenvironment, potentially damaging the genome surveillance machinery of normal epithelial cells. In this review, we will provide an in-depth discussion of various diseases characterised by inflammation and fibrosis that have been associated with an increased risk of malignancy. In particular, we will present a comprehensive overview of the impact of alterations in stromal composition on tumorigenesis, induced as a consequence of inflammation and/or fibrosis. Strategies including the application of various therapeutic agents with stromal manipulation potential and targeted cancer screening for certain inflammatory diseases which can reduce the risk of cancer will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Oey
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Crawley NA, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gardner Hospital, Nedlands 6009, Australia
| | - Angela Felicia Sunjaya
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
| | - Yasir Khan
- Department of Medical Oncology, St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospital, Midland 6056, WA, Australia
| | - Andrew Redfern
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch 6150, WA, Australia
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2
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The Genes-Stemness-Secretome Interplay in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Molecular Dynamics and Clinical Hints. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043496. [PMID: 36834912 PMCID: PMC9963101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043496] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
MPM has a uniquely poor somatic mutational landscape, mainly driven by environmental selective pressure. This feature has dramatically limited the development of effective treatment. However, genomic events are known to be associated with MPM progression, and specific genetic signatures emerge from the exceptional crosstalk between neoplastic cells and matrix components, among which one main area of focus is hypoxia. Here we discuss the novel therapeutic strategies focused on the exploitation of MPM genetic asset and its interconnection with the surrounding hypoxic microenvironment as well as transcript products and microvesicles representing both an insight into the pathogenesis and promising actionable targets.
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Naselsky W, Adhikary G, Shrestha S, Chen X, Ezeka G, Xu W, Friedberg JS, Eckert RL. Transglutaminase 2 enhances hepatocyte growth factor signaling to drive the mesothelioma cancer cell phenotype. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:537-548. [PMID: 35319795 PMCID: PMC10074999 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23399] [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: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is an important mesothelioma cancer cell survival protein. However, the mechanism whereby TG2 maintains mesothelioma cell survival is not well understood. We present studies showing that TG2 drives hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-dependent MET receptor signaling to maintain the aggressive mesothelioma cancer phenotype. TG2 increases HGF and MET messenger RNA and protein levels to enhance MET signaling. TG2 inactivation reduces MET tyrosine kinase activity to reduce cancer cell spheroid formation, invasion and migration. We also confirm that HGF/MET signaling is a biologically important mediator of TG2 action. Reducing MET level using genetic methods or treatment with MET inhibitors reduces spheroid formation, invasion and migration and this is associated with reduced MEK1/2 and ERK1/2. In addition, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 inhibitors suppress the cancer phenotype. Moreover, MET knockout mesothelioma cells form 10-fold smaller tumors compared to wild-type cells and these tumors display reduced MET, MEK1/2, and ERK1/2 activity. These findings suggest that TG2 maintains HGF and MET levels in cultured mesothelioma cells and tumors to drive HGF/MET, MEK1/2, and ERK1/2 signaling to maintain the aggressive mesothelioma cancer phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren Naselsky
- Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Suruchi Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Geraldine Ezeka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joseph S Friedberg
- Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Richard L. Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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4
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Identification of Redox-Sensitive Transcription Factors as Markers of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051138. [PMID: 33799965 PMCID: PMC7961847 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a lung tumor associated with asbestos exposure, with a poor prognosis, and a difficult pharmacological approach. Asbestos exposure is very toxic for the lungs, which counteract this toxic effect by activating some antioxidant defense proteins. When these proteins are more active that in normal conditions, as in several cancers, these tumors become able to survive and resist to stress or chemotherapy. In our laboratory, we collected cellular samples of mesothelioma and non-transformed mesothelium from Hospital’s Biobank and we evaluated these proteins. Our results demonstrated these proteins are upregulated in mesothelioma cells and not in non-transformed mesothelium. This event could be associated to toxic effects evoked by asbestos exposure, highlighting the need in the future to monitor asbestos-exposed people by measuring biomarkers identified, in the attempt to identify them as possible predictive markers and potential pharmacological targets addressed to improve mesothelioma prognosis. Abstract Although asbestos has been banned in most countries around the world, malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a current problem. MPM is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis, so it is crucial to identify new markers in the preventive field. Asbestos exposure induces oxidative stress and its carcinogenesis has been linked to a strong oxidative damage, event counteracted by antioxidant systems at the pulmonary level. The present study has been focused on some redox-sensitive transcription factors that regulate cellular antioxidant defense and are overexpressed in many tumors, such as Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), Ref-1 (Redox effector factor 1), and FOXM1 (Forkhead box protein M1). The research was performed in human mesothelial and MPM cells. Our results have clearly demonstrated an overexpression of Nrf2, Ref-1, and FOXM1 in mesothelioma towards mesothelium, and a consequent activation of downstream genes controlled by these factors, which in turn regulates antioxidant defense. This event is mediated by oxidative free radicals produced when mesothelial cells are exposed to asbestos fibers. We observed an increased expression of Nrf2, Ref-1, and FOXM1 towards untreated cells, confirming asbestos as the mediator of oxidative stress evoked at the mesothelium level. These factors can therefore be considered predictive biomarkers of MPM and potential pharmacological targets in the treatment of this aggressive cancer.
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Badhai J, Pandey GK, Song JY, Krijgsman O, Bhaskaran R, Chandrasekaran G, Kwon MC, Bombardelli L, Monkhorst K, Grasso C, Zevenhoven J, van der Vliet J, Cozijnsen M, Krimpenfort P, Peeper D, van Lohuizen M, Berns A. Combined deletion of Bap1, Nf2, and Cdkn2ab causes rapid onset of malignant mesothelioma in mice. J Exp Med 2021; 217:151644. [PMID: 32271879 PMCID: PMC7971132 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20191257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We have generated mouse models of malignant mesothelioma (MM) based upon disruption of the Bap1, Nf2, and Cdkn2ab tumor suppressor loci in various combinations as also frequently observed in human MM. Inactivation of all three loci in the mesothelial lining of the thoracic cavity leads to a highly aggressive MM that recapitulates the histological features and gene expression profile observed in human patients. The tumors also show a similar inflammatory phenotype. Bap1 deletion alone does not cause MM but dramatically accelerates MM development when combined with Nf2 and Cdkn2ab (hereafter BNC) disruption. The accelerated tumor development is accompanied by increased Polycomb repression and EZH2-mediated redistribution of H3K27me3 toward promoter sites with concomitant activation of PI3K and MAPK pathways. Treatment of BNC tumor–bearing mice with cisplatin and pemetrexed, the current frontline treatment, prolongs survival. This makes the autochthonous mouse model described here very well suited to explore the pathogenesis of MM and validate new treatment regimens for MM, including immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitendra Badhai
- Oncode Institute, Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gaurav Kumar Pandey
- Oncode Institute, Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ji-Ying Song
- Department of Experimental Animal Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Oscar Krijgsman
- Oncode Institute, Division of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rajith Bhaskaran
- Oncode Institute, Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gayathri Chandrasekaran
- Oncode Institute, Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Min-Chul Kwon
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Bombardelli
- Oncode Institute, Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kim Monkhorst
- Department of Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Cristoforo Grasso
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - John Zevenhoven
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan van der Vliet
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Miranda Cozijnsen
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Paul Krimpenfort
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Daniel Peeper
- Oncode Institute, Division of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maarten van Lohuizen
- Oncode Institute, Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anton Berns
- Oncode Institute, Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Kopecka J, Trouillas P, Gašparović AČ, Gazzano E, Assaraf YG, Riganti C. Phospholipids and cholesterol: Inducers of cancer multidrug resistance and therapeutic targets. Drug Resist Updat 2020; 49:100670. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2019.100670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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7
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Sayan M, Mamidanna S, Fuat Eren M, Daliparty V, Zoto Mustafayev T, Nelson C, Ohri N, Jabbour SK, Guven Mert A, Atalar B. New horizons from novel therapies in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Adv Respir Med 2020; 88:343-351. [PMID: 32869268 PMCID: PMC10865433 DOI: 10.5603/arm.a2020.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a relatively rare, but highly lethal cancer of the pleural mesothelial cells. Its pathoge-nesis is integrally linked to asbestos exposure. In spite of recent developments providing a more detailed understanding of the pathogenesis, the outcomes continue to be poor. To date, trimodality therapy involving surgery coupled with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy remains the standard of therapy. The development of resistance of the tumor cells to radiation and several che-motherapeutic agents poses even greater challenges in the management of this cancer. Ionizing radiation damages cancer cell DNA and aids in therapeutic response, but it also activates cell survival signaling pathways that helps the tumor cells to overcome radiation-induced cytotoxicity. A careful evaluation of the biology involved in mesothelioma with an emphasis on the workings of pro-survival signaling pathways might offer some guidance for treatment options. This review focuses on the existing treatment options for MPM, novel treatment approaches based on recent studies combining the use of inhibitors which target different pro-survival pathways, and radiotherapy to optimize treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutlay Sayan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
| | - Swati Mamidanna
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Mehmet Fuat Eren
- Radiation Oncology Clinic, Marmara University Istanbul Pendik Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Vasudev Daliparty
- Department of Internal Medicine, Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA
| | - Teuta Zoto Mustafayev
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mehmet Ali Aydınlar Acıbadem University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Carl Nelson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Nisha Ohri
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Salma K Jabbour
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Aslihan Guven Mert
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Banu Atalar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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8
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Galani V, Varouktsi A, Papadatos SS, Mitselou A, Sainis I, Constantopoulos S, Dalavanga Y. The role of apoptosis defects in malignant mesothelioma pathogenesis with an impact on prognosis and treatment. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2019; 84:241-253. [DOI: 10.1007/s00280-019-03878-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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9
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Wen X, Wang B, Feng T, Yuan W, Zhou J, Fang T. TNF receptor-associated factor 1 as a biomarker for assessment of non-small cell lung cancer metastasis and overall survival. CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL 2018. [PMID: 29528567 DOI: 10.1111/crj.12789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which comprises 80%-85% of all lung cancer cases, is one of the most common human malignancies. Despite great improvements in diagnostic technology and the introduction of new therapeutic agents in recent years, the 5-year survival rate of NSCLC is still low. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 1 (TRAF1) plays an important role in the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) associated signal pathway. METHODS In this study, we aim to illuminate the function of TRAF1 in NSCLC. Toward that end, TRAF1 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in specimens from 200 NSCLC patients. The function of TRAF1 in the A549 and H1299 cell lines was evaluated by colony formation and MTT assays. RESULTS Our data showed that TRAF1 was significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues. TRAF1 expression was positively associated with NSCLC lymphatic metastasis and clinical stage and was negatively associated with overall patient survival. TRAF1 promoted NSCLC cell proliferation CONCLUSION: TRAF1 expression was positively associated with NSCLC lymphatic metastasis and histological grade and was negatively associated with overall patient survival. TRAF1 may be an important therapeutic target for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxing Wen
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital, Dongying, Shandong Province, China
| | - Bingping Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital, Dongying, Shandong Province, China
| | - Tao Feng
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital, Dongying, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Research Institute of Respiratory Disease, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Fang
- Department of Oncology, Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital, Dongying, Shandong Province, China
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10
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Thompson JK, Shukla A, Leggett AL, Munson PB, Miller JM, MacPherson MB, Beuschel SL, Pass HI, Shukla A. Extracellular signal regulated kinase 5 and inflammasome in progression of mesothelioma. Oncotarget 2017; 9:293-305. [PMID: 29416614 PMCID: PMC5787465 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer in desperate need of treatment. We have previously shown that extracellular signaling regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) plays an important role in mesothelioma pathogenesis using ERK5 silenced human mesothelioma cells exhibiting significantly reduced tumor growth in immunocompromised mice. Here, we used a specific ERK 5 inhibitor, XMD8-92 in various in vitro and in vivo models to demonstrate that inhibition of ERK5 can slow down mesothelioma tumorigenesis. First, we show a dose dependent toxicity of XMD8-92 to 2 human mesothelioma cell lines growing as a monolayer. We also demonstrate the inhibition of ERK5 phosphorylation in various human mesothelioma cell lines by XMD8-92. We further confirmed the toxicity of XMD8-92 towards mesothelioma cell lines grown as spheroids in a 3-D model as well as in intraperitoneal (immune-competent) and intrapleural (immune-deficient) mouse models with and without chemotherapeutic drugs. To ascertain the mechanism, we explored the role of the nod-like receptor family member containing a pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the process. We found XMD8-92 attenuated naïve and chemotherapeutic-induced inflammasome priming and activation in mesothelioma cells. It can thus be concluded that ERK5 inhibition attenuates mesothelioma tumor growth and this phenomenon in part is regulated by the inflammasome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce K Thompson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Anurag Shukla
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Alan L Leggett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Phillip B Munson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Jill M Miller
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Maximilian B MacPherson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Stacie L Beuschel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Harvey I Pass
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA
| | - Arti Shukla
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
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11
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Tan Y, Sementino E, Chernoff J, Testa JR. Targeting MYC sensitizes malignant mesothelioma cells to PAK blockage-induced cytotoxicity. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:1724-1737. [PMID: 28861328 PMCID: PMC5574944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical management of malignant mesothelioma (MM) is very challenging due to marked resistance of this tumor to chemotherapy. Various mechanisms lead to a less than ideal drug concentration inside of MM cells, diminishing cytotoxicity. Consequently, single cytotoxic drugs achieve very modest response rates in MM patients, and combination regimens using standard and novel therapies have achieved only limited improvement in overall survival. Here, we demonstrate that MYC has either proliferative or pro-survival effects in MM cells during normal or stressed conditions, respectively. A MYC inhibitor 10058-F4 reduced MM cell proliferation via down regulation of cyclin D. Under serum starvation conditions, MM cells became quiescent, and the addition of MYC inhibitors triggered apoptosis in the resting MM cells. We also found that high concentrations of the PAK inhibitor PF3758309 killed MM cells, but the drug had only cytostatic effects at lower concentrations. These quiescent cells underwent apoptosis upon pharmacological inhibition of MYC. A novel MYC inhibitor KJ-Pyr-9 and a newer PAK inhibitor, FRAX597, also demonstrated marked cytotoxic cooperativity. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that targeting of MYC can sensitize MM cells and provide rationale for inhibition of MYC and PAK as a novel combinatory regimen for the treatment of this otherwise therapy-resistant, clinically incurable malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinfei Tan
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer CenterPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eleonora Sementino
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer CenterPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jonathan Chernoff
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer CenterPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joseph R Testa
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer CenterPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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12
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Mossman BT. Cell Signaling and Epigenetic Mechanisms in Mesothelioma. ASBESTOS AND MESOTHELIOMA 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-53560-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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13
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Perera NCN, Godahewa GI, Lee J. Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 from disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus): Roles in early development and immunity-related transcriptional responses. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 59:57-65. [PMID: 27765698 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2016.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in the regulation of cellular events by mediating signal transduction pathways. MAPK1 is a member of the extracellular-signal regulated kinases (ERKs), playing roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and development. This is mainly in response to growth factors, mitogens, and many environmental stresses. In the current study, we have characterized the structural features of a homolog of MAPK1 from disk abalone (AbMAPK1). Further, we have unraveled its expressional kinetics against different experimental pathogenic infections or related chemical stimulants. AbMAPK1 harbors a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 23 bps, a coding sequence of 1104 bps, and a 3' UTR of 448 bp. The putative peptide comprises a predicted molecular mass of 42.2 kDa, with a theoretical pI of 6.28. Based on the in silico analysis, AbMAPK1 possesses two N-glycosylation sites, one S_TK catalytic domain, and a conserved His-Arg-Asp domain (HRD). In addition, a conservative glycine rich ATP-phosphate-binding loop and a threonine-x-tyrosine motif (TEY) important for the autophosphorylation were also identified in the protein. Homology assessment of AbMAPK1 showed several conserved regions, and ark clam (Aplysia californica) showed the highest sequence identity (87.9%). The phylogenetic analysis supported close evolutionary kinship with molluscan orthologs. Constitutive expression of AbMAPK1 was observed in six different tissues of disk abalone, with the highest expression in the digestive tract, followed by the gills and hemocytes. Highest AbMAPK1 mRNA expression level was detected at the trochophore developmental stage, suggesting its role in abalone cell differentiation and proliferation. Significant modulation of AbMAPK1 expression under pathogenic stress suggested its putative involvement in the immune defense mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- N C N Perera
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 63243, Republic of Korea; Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - G I Godahewa
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 63243, Republic of Korea; Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Jehee Lee
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 63243, Republic of Korea; Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 63243, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Buscà R, Pouysségur J, Lenormand P. ERK1 and ERK2 Map Kinases: Specific Roles or Functional Redundancy? Front Cell Dev Biol 2016; 4:53. [PMID: 27376062 PMCID: PMC4897767 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2016.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The MAP kinase signaling cascade Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK has been involved in a large variety of cellular and physiological processes that are crucial for life. Many pathological situations have been associated to this pathway. More than one isoform has been described at each level of the cascade. In this review we devoted our attention to ERK1 and ERK2, which are the effector kinases of the pathway. Whether ERK1 and ERK2 specify functional differences or are in contrast functionally redundant, constitutes an ongoing debate despite the huge amount of studies performed to date. In this review we compiled data on ERK1 vs. ERK2 gene structures, protein sequences, expression levels, structural and molecular mechanisms of activation and substrate recognition. We have also attempted to perform a rigorous analysis of studies regarding the individual roles of ERK1 and ERK2 by the means of morpholinos, siRNA, and shRNA silencing as well as gene disruption or gene replacement in mice. Finally, we comment on a recent study of gene and protein evolution of ERK isoforms as a distinct approach to address the same question. Our review permits the evaluation of the relevance of published studies in the field especially when measurements of global ERK activation are taken into account. Our analysis favors the hypothesis of ERK1 and ERK2 exhibiting functional redundancy and points to the concept of the global ERK quantity, and not isoform specificity, as being the essential determinant to achieve ERK function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roser Buscà
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre A. Lacassagne, Institute for Research on Cancer and Ageing of Nice, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis Nice, France
| | - Jacques Pouysségur
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre A. Lacassagne, Institute for Research on Cancer and Ageing of Nice, University of Nice-Sophia AntipolisNice, France; Centre Scientifique de MonacoMonaco, Monaco
| | - Philippe Lenormand
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre A. Lacassagne, Institute for Research on Cancer and Ageing of Nice, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis Nice, France
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15
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Westbom C, Thompson JK, Leggett A, MacPherson M, Beuschel S, Pass H, Vacek P, Shukla A. Inflammasome Modulation by Chemotherapeutics in Malignant Mesothelioma. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145404. [PMID: 26689911 PMCID: PMC4687055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a fatal disease in dire need of therapy. The role of inflammasomes in cancer is not very well studied, however, literature supports both pro-and anti-tumorigenic effects of inflammasomes on cancer depending upon the type of cancer. Asbestos is a causative agent for MM and we have shown before that it causes inflammasome priming and activation in mesothelial cells. MM tumor cells/tissues showed decreased levels of inflammasome components like NLRP3 and caspase-1 as compared to human mesothelial cells or normal tissue counterpart of tumor. Based on our preliminary findings we hypothesized that treatment of MMs with chemotherapeutic drugs may elevate the levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 resulting in increased cell death by pyroptosis while increasing the levels of IL-1β and other pro-inflammatory molecules. Therefore, a combined strategy of chemotherapeutic drug and IL-1R antagonist may play a beneficial role in MM therapy. To test our hypothesis we used two human MM tumor cell lines (Hmeso, H2373) and two chemotherapeutic drugs (doxorubicin, cisplatin). Through a series of experiments we showed that both chemotherapeutic drugs caused increases in NLRP3 levels, caspase-1 activation, pyroptosis and pro-inflammatory molecules released from MM cells. In vivo studies using SCID mice and Hmeso cells showed that tumors were smaller in combined treatment group of cisplatin and IL-1R antagonist (Anakinra) as compared to cisplatin alone or untreated control groups. Taken together our study suggests that chemotherapeutic drugs in combination with IL-1R antagonist may have a beneficial role in MM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Westbom
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Joyce K. Thompson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Alan Leggett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Maximilian MacPherson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Stacie Beuschel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Harvey Pass
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Pamela Vacek
- Department of Medical Biostatistics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Arti Shukla
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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16
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Pietrofesa RA, Velalopoulou A, Arguiri E, Menges CW, Testa JR, Hwang WT, Albelda SM, Christofidou-Solomidou M. Flaxseed lignans enriched in secoisolariciresinol diglucoside prevent acute asbestos-induced peritoneal inflammation in mice. Carcinogenesis 2015; 37:177-87. [PMID: 26678224 PMCID: PMC4745643 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgv174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Following acute exposure to crocidolite asbestos fibers, flaxseed lignans, enriched in secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), significantly reduced peritoneal inflammation, proinflammatory/profibrogenic cytokine release and oxidative/nitrosative stress in mice. Our findings support the potential role of SDG, which is safe and well-tolerated, in the chemoprevention of malignant mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma (MM), linked to asbestos exposure, is a highly lethal form of thoracic cancer with a long latency period, high mortality and poor treatment options. Chronic inflammation and oxidative tissue damage caused by asbestos fibers are linked to MM development. Flaxseed lignans, enriched in secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive properties. As a prelude to chronic chemoprevention studies for MM development, we tested the ability of flaxseed lignan component (FLC) to prevent acute asbestos-induced inflammation in MM-prone Nf2+/mu mice. Mice (n = 16–17 per group) were placed on control (CTL) or FLC-supplemented diets initiated 7 days prior to a single intraperitoneal bolus of 400 µg of crocidolite asbestos. Three days post asbestos exposure, mice were evaluated for abdominal inflammation, proinflammatory/profibrogenic cytokine release, WBC gene expression changes and oxidative and nitrosative stress in peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF). Asbestos-exposed mice fed CTL diet developed acute inflammation, with significant (P < 0.0001) elevations in WBCs and proinflammatory/profibrogenic cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα, HMGB1 and active TGFß1) relative to baseline (BL) levels. Alternatively, asbestos-exposed FLC-fed mice had a significant (P < 0.0001) decrease in PLF WBCs and proinflammatory/profibrogenic cytokine levels relative to CTL-fed mice. Importantly, PLF WBC gene expression of cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα, HMGB1 and TGFß1) and cytokine receptors (TNFαR1 and TGFßR1) were also downregulated by FLC. FLC also significantly (P < 0.0001) blunted asbestos-induced nitrosative and oxidative stress. FLC reduces acute asbestos-induced peritoneal inflammation, nitrosative and oxidative stress and may thus prove to be a promising agent in the chemoprevention of MM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Craig W Menges
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA and
| | - Joseph R Testa
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA and
| | - Wei-Ting Hwang
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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17
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Salaroglio IC, Campia I, Kopecka J, Gazzano E, Orecchia S, Ghigo D, Riganti C. Zoledronic acid overcomes chemoresistance and immunosuppression of malignant mesothelioma. Oncotarget 2015; 6:1128-42. [PMID: 25544757 PMCID: PMC4359222 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The human malignant mesothelioma (HMM) is characterized by a chemoresistant and immunosuppressive phenotype. An effective strategy to restore chemosensitivity and immune reactivity against HMM is lacking. We investigated whether the use of zoledronic acid is an effective chemo-immunosensitizing strategy. We compared primary HMM samples with non-transformed mesothelial cells. HMM cells had higher rate of cholesterol and isoprenoid synthesis, constitutive activation of Ras/extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2)/hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) pathway and up-regulation of the drug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp). By decreasing the isoprenoid supply, zoledronic acid down-regulated the Ras/ERK1/2/HIF-1α/Pgp axis and chemosensitized the HMM cells to Pgp substrates. The HMM cells also produced higher amounts of kynurenine, decreased the proliferation of T-lymphocytes and expanded the number of T-regulatory (Treg) cells. Kynurenine synthesis was due to the transcription of the indoleamine 1,2 dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme, consequent to the activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3). By reducing the activity of the Ras/ERK1/2/STAT3/IDO axis, zoledronic acid lowered the kyurenine synthesis and the expansion of Treg cells, and increased the proliferation of T-lymphocytes. Thanks to its ability to decrease Ras/ERK1/2 activity, which is responsible for both Pgp-mediated chemoresistance and IDO-mediated immunosuppression, zoledronic acid is an effective chemo-immunosensitizing agent in HMM cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ivana Campia
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Italy
| | | | | | - Sara Orecchia
- S.C. Anatomia Patologica, Azienda Ospedaliera S.S. Antonio e Biagio, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Dario Ghigo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Italy
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18
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Assis LVMD, Isoldi MC. Overview of the biochemical and genetic processes in malignant mesothelioma. J Bras Pneumol 2015; 40:429-42. [PMID: 25210967 PMCID: PMC4201175 DOI: 10.1590/s1806-37132014000400012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a highly aggressive form of cancer, has a long latency period, and is resistant to chemotherapy. It is extremely fatal, with a mean survival of less than one year. The development of MM is strongly correlated with exposure to asbestos and with other factors, such as erionite and simian virus 40 [corrected]. Although various countries have banned the use of asbestos, MM has proven to be difficult to control and there appears to be a trend toward an increase in its incidence in the years to come. In Brazil, MM has not been widely studied from a genetic or biochemical standpoint. In addition, there have been few epidemiological studies of the disease, and the profile of its incidence has yet to be well established in the Brazilian population. The objective of this study was to review the literature regarding the processes of malignant transformation, as well as the respective mechanisms of tumorigenesis, in MM.
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Røe OD, Stella GM. Malignant pleural mesothelioma: history, controversy and future of a manmade epidemic. Eur Respir Rev 2015; 24:115-31. [PMID: 25726562 PMCID: PMC9487774 DOI: 10.1183/09059180.00007014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Asbestos is the term for a family of naturally occurring minerals that have been used on a small scale since ancient times. Industrialisation demanded increased mining and refining in the 20th century, and in 1960, Wagner, Sleggs and Marchand from South Africa linked asbestos to mesothelioma, paving the way to the current knowledge of the aetiology, epidemiology and biology of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is one of the most lethal cancers, with increasing incidence worldwide. This review will give some snapshots of the history of pleural mesothelioma discovery, and the body of epidemiological and biological research, including some of the controversies and unresolved questions. Translational research is currently unravelling novel circulating biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and novel treatment targets. Current breakthrough discoveries of clinically promising noninvasive biomarkers, such as the 13-protein signature, microRNAs and the BAP1 mesothelioma/cancer syndrome, are highlighted. The asbestos history is a lesson to not be repeated, but here we also review recent in vivo and in vitro studies showing that manmade carbon nanofibres could pose a similar danger to human health. This should be taken seriously by regulatory bodies to ensure thorough testing of novel materials before release in the society. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer with increasing death tolls due to the past and present use of asbestoshttp://ow.ly/DhA2y
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20
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Sayan M, Shukla A, MacPherson MB, Macura SL, Hillegass JM, Perkins TN, Thompson JK, Beuschel SL, Miller JM, Mossman BT. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 and cyclic AMP response element binding protein are novel pathways inhibited by vandetanib (ZD6474) and doxorubicin in mesotheliomas. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2015; 51:595-603. [PMID: 24940987 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2013-0373tr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM), lung cancers, and asbestosis are hyperproliferative diseases associated with exposures to asbestos. All have a poor prognosis; thus, the need to develop novel and effective therapies is urgent. Vandetanib (Van) (ZD6474, ZACTIMA) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has shown equivocal results in clinical trials for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. However, tyrosine kinase inhibitors alone have shown no significant clinical activity in phase II trials of patients with unresectable MM. Using epithelioid (HMESO) and sarcomatoid (H2373) human MM lines, the efficacy of tumor cell killing and signaling pathways modulated by Van with and without doxorubicin (Dox) was examined. Van alone reduced total cell numbers in HMESO MM and synergistically increased the toxicity of Dox in HMESO and H2373 cells. Most importantly, we identified two novel cell survival/resistance pathways, ERK5 and cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB), that were inhibited by Van and Dox. After silencing of either ERK5 or CREB, significant decreases in cell numbers in the Dox-resistant sarcomatoid H2373 line were observed. Results suggest that a plethora of cell signaling pathways associated with cell survival are induced by Dox but inhibited by the addition of Van in MM. Data from our study support the combined efficacy of Van and Dox as a novel approach in the treatment of MM that is further enhanced by blocking ERK5 or CREB signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutlay Sayan
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
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21
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Lathrop MJ, Sage EK, Macura SL, Brooks EM, Cruz F, Bonenfant NR, Sokocevic D, MacPherson MB, Beuschel SL, Dunaway CW, Shukla A, Janes SM, Steele C, Mossman BT, Weiss DJ. Antitumor effects of TRAIL-expressing mesenchymal stromal cells in a mouse xenograft model of human mesothelioma. Cancer Gene Ther 2014; 22:44-54. [DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2014.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Revised: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Synthetic lethality screen identifies RPS6KA2 as modifier of epidermal growth factor receptor activity in pancreatic cancer. Neoplasia 2014; 15:1354-62. [PMID: 24403857 DOI: 10.1593/neo.131660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Revised: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by a high degree of resistance to chemotherapy. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition using the small-molecule inhibitor erlotinib was shown to provide a small survival benefit in a subgroup of patients. To identify kinases whose inhibition acts synergistically with erlotinib, we employed a kinome-wide small-interfering RNA (siRNA)-based loss-of-function screen in the presence of erlotinib. Of 779 tested kinases, we identified several targets whose inhibition acted synergistically lethal with EGFR inhibition by erlotinib, among them the S6 kinase ribosomal protein S6 kinase 2 (RPS6KA2)/ribosomal S6 kinase 3. Activated RPS6KA2 was expressed in approximately 40% of 123 human pancreatic cancer tissues. RPS6KA2 was shown to act downstream of EGFR/RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) signaling and was activated by EGF independently of the presence of KRAS mutations. Knockdown of RPS6KA2 by siRNA led to increased apoptosis only in the presence of erlotinib, whereas RPS6KA2 activation or overexpression rescued from erlotinib- and gemcitabine-induced apoptosis. This effect was at least in part mediated by downstream activation of ribosomal protein S6. Genetic as well as pharmacological inhibition of RPS6KA2 by the inhibitor BI-D1870 acted synergistically with erlotinib. By applying this synergistic lethality screen using a kinome-wide RNA interference-library approach, we identified RPS6KA2 as potential drug target whose inhibition synergistically enhanced the effect of erlotinib on tumor cell survival. This kinase therefore represents a promising drug candidate suitable for the development of novel inhibitors for pancreatic cancer therapy.
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23
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Westbom CM, Shukla A, MacPherson MB, Yasewicz EC, Miller JM, Beuschel SL, Steele C, Pass HI, Vacek PM, Shukla A. CREB-induced inflammation is important for malignant mesothelioma growth. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2014; 184:2816-27. [PMID: 25111229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Revised: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumor with no treatment regimen. Previously we have demonstrated that cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) is constitutively activated in MM tumor cells and tissues and plays an important role in MM pathogenesis. To understand the role of CREB in MM tumor growth, we generated CREB-inhibited MM cell lines and performed in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro experiments demonstrated that CREB inhibition results in significant attenuation of proliferation and drug resistance of MM cells. CREB-silenced MM cells were then injected into severe combined immunodeficiency mice, and tumor growth in s.c. and i.p. models of MM was followed. We observed significant inhibition in MM tumor growth in both s.c. and i.p. models and the presence of a chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin, further inhibited MM tumor growth in the i.p. model. Peritoneal lavage fluids from CREB-inhibited tumor-bearing mice showed a significantly reduced total cell number, differential cell counts, and pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (IL-6, IL-8, regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor). In vitro studies showed that asbestos-induced inflammasome/inflammation activation in mesothelial cells was CREB dependent, further supporting the role of CREB in inflammation-induced MM pathogenesis. In conclusion, our data demonstrate the involvement of CREB in the regulation of MM pathogenesis by regulation of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Westbom
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Anurag Shukla
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | | | - Elizabeth C Yasewicz
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Jill M Miller
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Stacie L Beuschel
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Chad Steele
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Harvey I Pass
- Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Pamela M Vacek
- Department of Medical Biostatistics, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Arti Shukla
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.
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24
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Thompson JK, Westbom CM, MacPherson MB, Mossman BT, Heintz NH, Spiess P, Shukla A. Asbestos modulates thioredoxin-thioredoxin interacting protein interaction to regulate inflammasome activation. Part Fibre Toxicol 2014; 11:24. [PMID: 24885895 PMCID: PMC4055279 DOI: 10.1186/1743-8977-11-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asbestos exposure is related to various diseases including asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma (MM). Among the pathogenic mechanisms proposed by which asbestos can cause diseases involving epithelial and mesothelial cells, the most widely accepted one is the generation of reactive oxygen species and/or depletion of antioxidants like glutathione. It has also been demonstrated that asbestos can induce inflammation, perhaps due to activation of inflammasomes. METHODS The oxidation state of thioredoxin was analyzed by redox Western blot analysis and ROS generation was assessed spectrophotometrically as a read-out of solubilized formazan produced by the reduction of nitrotetrazolium blue (NTB) by superoxide. Quantitative real time PCR was used to assess changes in gene transcription. RESULTS Here we demonstrate that crocidolite asbestos fibers oxidize the pool of the antioxidant, Thioredoxin-1 (Trx1), which results in release of Thioredoxin Interacting Protein (TXNIP) and subsequent activation of inflammasomes in human mesothelial cells. Exposure to crocidolite asbestos resulted in the depletion of reduced Trx1 in human peritoneal mesothelial (LP9/hTERT) cells. Pretreatment with the antioxidant dehydroascorbic acid (a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger) reduced the level of crocidolite asbestos-induced Trx1 oxidation as well as the depletion of reduced Trx1. Increasing Trx1 expression levels using a Trx1 over-expression vector, reduced the extent of Trx1 oxidation and generation of ROS by crocidolite asbestos, and increased cell survival. In addition, knockdown of TXNIP expression by siRNA attenuated crocidolite asbestos-induced activation of the inflammasome. CONCLUSION Our novel findings suggest that extensive Trx1 oxidation and TXNIP dissociation may be one of the mechanisms by which crocidolite asbestos activates the inflammasome and helps in development of MM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Arti Shukla
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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25
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Zhou S, Liu L, Li H, Eilers G, Kuang Y, Shi S, Yan Z, Li X, Corson JM, Meng F, Zhou H, Sheng Q, Fletcher JA, Ou WB. Multipoint targeting of the PI3K/mTOR pathway in mesothelioma. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:2479-88. [PMID: 24762959 PMCID: PMC4021537 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesothelioma is a notoriously chemotherapy-resistant neoplasm, as is evident in the dismal overall survival for patients with those of asbestos-associated disease. We previously demonstrated co-activation of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), MET, and AXL in mesothelioma cell lines, suggesting that these kinases could serve as novel therapeutic targets. Although clinical trials have not shown activity for EGFR inhibitors in mesothelioma, concurrent inhibition of various activated RTKs has pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects in mesothelioma cell lines. Thus, we hypothesised that a coordinated network of multi-RTK activation contributes to mesothelioma tumorigenesis. METHODS Activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Raf/MAPK, and co-activation of RTKs were evaluated in mesotheliomas. Effects of RTK and downstream inhibitors/shRNAs were assessed by measuring mesothelioma cell viability/growth, apoptosis, activation of signalling intermediates, expression of cell-cycle checkpoints, and cell-cycle alterations. RESULTS We demonstrate activation of the PI3K/AKT/p70S6K and RAF/MEK/MAPK pathways in mesothelioma, but not in non-neoplastic mesothelial cells. The AKT activation, but not MAPK activation, was dependent on coordinated activation of RTKs EGFR, MET, and AXL. In addition, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibition recapitulated the anti-proliferative effects of concurrent inhibition of EGFR, MET, and AXL. Dual targeting of PI3K/mTOR by BEZ235 or a combination of RAD001 and AKT knockdown had a greater effect on mesothelioma proliferation and viability than inhibition of individual activated RTKs or downstream signalling intermediates. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT was also associated with MDM2-p53 cell-cycle regulation. CONCLUSIONS These findings show that PI3K/AKT/mTOR is a crucial survival pathway downstream of multiple activated RTKs in mesothelioma, underscoring that PI3K/mTOR is a compelling target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Zhou
- 1] Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China [2] Department of Bioengineering, College of Biology and Chemical Engineering, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - L Liu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - H Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - G Eilers
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Y Kuang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - S Shi
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Z Yan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - X Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - J M Corson
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - F Meng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - H Zhou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Q Sheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - J A Fletcher
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - W-B Ou
- 1] Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China [2] Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA [3] Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
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26
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Rose AH, Bertino P, Hoffmann FW, Gaudino G, Carbone M, Hoffmann PR. Increasing dietary selenium elevates reducing capacity and ERK activation associated with accelerated progression of select mesothelioma tumors. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2014; 184:1041-1049. [PMID: 24492200 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2013] [Revised: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
To study the effect of the micronutrient selenium on malignant mesothelioma (MM) progression, we cultured four different MM cell lines in media containing increasing amounts of sodium selenite (30, 50, and 80 nmol/L). Increasing selenium levels increased density-dependent proliferation and mobility for CRH5 and EKKH5 but not AB12 and AK7. Comparing these cell lines revealed that extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation was sensitive to a selenium increase in CRH5 and EKKH5 but not AB12 and AK7 cells. Stable expression of a dominant-negative mutant ERK eliminated the effects of increasing selenium. Because ERK is redox sensitive, we compared the MM cell lines in terms of glutathione levels and the capacity to reduce exogenous hydrogen peroxide. Increasing selenium levels led to higher glutathione and reducing capacity in CRH5 and EKKH5 but not AB12 and AK7. The reducing agent N-acetylcysteine eliminated the effects of selenium on ERK activation, proliferation, and mobility. Mice fed diets containing increasing levels of selenium (0.08, 0.25, and 1.0 ppm) showed increased tumor progression for CRH5 but not AB12, MM cells, and in vivo N-acetylcysteine treatment eliminated these effects. These data suggest that the effects of dietary selenium on MM tumor progression depend on the arising cancer cells' redox metabolism, and the tumors able to convert increased selenium into a stronger reducing capacity actually benefit from increased selenium intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron H Rose
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Pietro Bertino
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - FuKun W Hoffmann
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | | | - Michele Carbone
- University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii; Department of Pathology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Peter R Hoffmann
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, Hawaii.
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The role of key genes and pathways involved in the tumorigenesis of Malignant Mesothelioma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2014; 1845:232-47. [PMID: 24491449 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is a very aggressive cancer with low survival rates and often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Several players have been implicated in the development of this cancer, such as asbestos, erionite and the simian virus 40 (SV40). Here, we have reviewed the involvement of erionite, SV40, as well as, the role of several genes (p16(INK4a), p14(ARF), NF2, LATS2, SAV, CTNNB1 and among others), the pathways (RAS, PI3K, Wnt, BCL and Hippo), and their respective roles in the development of MM.
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28
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Miller JM, Thompson JK, MacPherson MB, Beuschel SL, Westbom CM, Sayan M, Shukla A. Curcumin: a double hit on malignant mesothelioma. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2014; 7:330-40. [PMID: 24431405 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-13-0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation is a key mediator in the development of malignant mesothelioma, which has a dismal prognosis and poor therapeutic strategies. Curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenol in turmeric, has been shown to possess anticarcinogenic properties through its anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammasomes, a component of inflammation, control the activation of caspase-1 leading to pyroptosis and processing of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. In the present study, we investigate the role of curcumin in pyroptotic cell death of malignant mesothelioma cells. Using in vitro models with mouse and human malignant mesothelioma cells, curcumin is shown to induce pyroptosis through activation of caspase-1 and increased release of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) without processing of IL-1β and IL-18. Absence of IL-1β processing in response to curcumin-mediated caspase-1 activation is attributed to blockade of pro-IL-1β priming through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, curcumin's cytotoxicity in malignant mesothelioma cells is demonstrated to be dependent on pyroptosis as inhibition of caspase-1 resulted in protection against curcumin-induced cell death. We also demonstrate that curcumin-mediated caspase-1 activation is oxidant dependent by using N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) to inhibit pyroptosis. PCR array analysis using the human inflammasome template revealed that curcumin significantly downregulated levels of inflammasome-related gene expression involved in inflammation, e.g., NF-κB, toll-like receptors (TLR), and IL-1β. Our data indicate that curcumin has a double effect on malignant mesothelioma cells through induction of pyroptosis while subsequently protecting against inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M Miller
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Avenue, HSRF 216, Burlington, VT 05405-0068.
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29
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Zhang YN, Wu XY, Zhong N, Deng J, Zhang L, Chen W, Li X, Zhong CJ. Stimulatory effects of sorafenib on human non‑small cell lung cancer cells in vitro by regulating MAPK/ERK activation. Mol Med Rep 2013; 9:365-9. [PMID: 24213303 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2013.1782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib is an inhibitor of a number of intracellular signaling kinases with antiproliferative, anti‑angiogenic and pro‑apoptotic effects in tumor cells. Sorafenib has been used in the therapy of advanced renal cell carcinoma. In the present study, using two human non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)cell lines, A549 and NCI‑H1975, the effects of sorafenib on proliferation, apoptosis and intracellular signaling were systematically characterized. The results revealed that at a low concentration (5 µM) and early time point (6 h), sorafenib is capable of significantly stimulating proliferation of A549 cells, but not NCI‑H1975 cells. In addition, the comparison of the two cell lines revealed different cell cycle redistribution and apoptotic susceptibility to sorafenib at this concentration and time point. Western blot analysis revealed that sorafenib upregulated the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin‑dependent kinase 2 and downregulated the expression of BAX at this specific point. Furthermore, sorafenib was confirmed to regulate the expression of cyclin D1 and apoptosis‑associated proteins through the regulation of extracellular signal‑regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation in A549 cells. These findings suggest that, although sorafenib has the potential for use in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, this compound may also activate NSCLC cells at a specific time point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nian Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kunshan First People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215300, P.R. China
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30
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Liu G, Cheresh P, Kamp DW. Molecular basis of asbestos-induced lung disease. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2013; 8:161-87. [PMID: 23347351 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-020712-163942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Asbestos causes asbestosis and malignancies by molecular mechanisms that are not fully understood. The modes of action underlying asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma appear to differ depending on the fiber type, lung clearance, and genetics. After reviewing the key pathologic changes following asbestos exposure, we examine recently identified pathogenic pathways, with a focus on oxidative stress. Alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis, which is an important early event in asbestosis, is mediated by mitochondria- and p53-regulated death pathways and may be modulated by the endoplasmic reticulum. We review mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-damage and -repair mechanisms, focusing on 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase, as well as cross talk between reactive oxygen species production, mtDNA damage, p53, OGG1, and mitochondrial aconitase. These new insights into the molecular basis of asbestos-induced lung diseases may foster the development of novel therapeutic targets for managing degenerative diseases (e.g., asbestosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), tumors, and aging, for which effective management is lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhangjiang, China.
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31
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Shukla A, Miller JM, Cason C, Sayan M, MacPherson MB, Beuschel SL, Hillegass J, Vacek PM, Pass HI, Mossman BT. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5: a potential therapeutic target for malignant mesotheliomas. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:2071-83. [PMID: 23446998 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-12-3202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Malignant mesothelioma is a devastating disease with a need for new treatment strategies. In the present study, we showed the importance of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) in malignant mesothelioma tumor growth and treatment. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN ERK5 as a target for malignant mesothelioma therapy was verified using mesothelial and mesothelioma cell lines as well as by xenograft severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse models. RESULTS We first showed that crocidolite asbestos activated ERK5 in LP9 cells and mesothelioma cell lines exhibit constitutive activation of ERK5. Addition of doxorubicin resulted in further activation of ERK5 in malignant mesothelioma cells. ERK5 silencing increased doxorubicin-induced cell death and doxorubicin retention in malignant mesothelioma cells. In addition, shERK5 malignant mesothelioma lines exhibited both attenuated colony formation on soft agar and invasion of malignant mesothelioma cells in vitro that could be related to modulation of gene expression linked to cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration/invasion, and drug resistance as shown by microarray analysis. Most importantly, injection of shERK5 malignant mesothelioma cell lines into SCID mice showed significant reduction in tumor growth using both subcutaneous and intraperitoneal models. Assessment of selected human cytokine profiles in peritoneal lavage fluid from intraperitoneal shERK5 and control tumor-bearing mice showed that ERK5 was critical in regulation of various proinflammatory (RANTES/CCL5, MCP-1) and angiogenesis-related (interleukin-8, VEGF) cytokines. Finally, use of doxorubicin and cisplatin in combination with ERK5 inhibition showed further reduction in tumor weight and volume in the intraperitoneal model of tumor growth. CONCLUSION ERK5 inhibition in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs is a beneficial strategy for combination therapy in patients with malignant mesothelioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arti Shukla
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
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Mossman BT, Shukla A, Heintz NH, Verschraegen CF, Thomas A, Hassan R. New insights into understanding the mechanisms, pathogenesis, and management of malignant mesotheliomas. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 182:1065-77. [PMID: 23395095 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Revised: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a relatively rare but devastating tumor that is increasing worldwide. Yet, because of difficulties in early diagnosis and resistance to conventional therapies, MM remains a challenge for pathologists and clinicians to treat. In recent years, much has been revealed regarding the mechanisms of interactions of pathogenic fibers with mesothelial cells, crucial signaling pathways, and genetic and epigenetic events that may occur during the pathogenesis of these unusual, pleiomorphic tumors. These observations support a scenario whereby mesothelial cells undergo a series of chronic injury, inflammation, and proliferation in the long latency period of MM development that may be perpetuated by durable fibers, the tumor microenvironment, and inflammatory stimuli. One culprit in sustained inflammation is the activated inflammasome, a component of macrophages or mesothelial cells that leads to production of chemotactic, growth-promoting, and angiogenic cytokines. This information has been vital to designing novel therapeutic approaches for patients with MM that focus on immunotherapy, targeting growth factor receptors and pathways, overcoming resistance to apoptosis, and modifying epigenetic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke T Mossman
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405-0068, USA.
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33
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Moteki H, Kimura M, Ogihara M. Activation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase by epidermal growth factor is potentiated by cAMP-elevating agents in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. Biol Pharm Bull 2012; 34:1542-52. [PMID: 21963493 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.34.1542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of α- and β-adrenergic agonists on epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) isoforms in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were isolated and cultured with EGF (20 ng/ml) and/or α(1)-, α(2)- and β(2)-adrenergic agonists. Phosphorylated ERK isoforms (ERK1; p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and ERK2; p42 MAPK) were detected by Western blotting analysis using anti-phospho-ERK1/2 antibody. The results show that EGF induced a 2.5-fold increase in ERK2-, but not ERK1-, phosphorylation within 3 min. This EGF-induced ERK2 activation was abolished by treatment with the EGF-receptor kinase inhibitor AG1478 (10(-7) M) or the MEK (MAPK kinase) inhibitor PD98059 (10(-6) M). The α(2)-adrenergic and β(2)-adrenergic agonists, UK14304 (10(-6) M) and metaproterenol (10(-6) M), respectively, had no effect in the absence of EGF, but metaproterenol significantly potentiated EGF-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. Moreover, the cell-permeable cAMP analog 8-bromo cAMP (10(-7) M), also potentiated EGF-induced ERK2 phosphorylation. The effects of these analogs were antagonized by the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89 (10(-7) M). These results suggest that direct or indirect activation of PKA represents a positive regulatory mechanism for EGF stimulation of ERK2 induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Moteki
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University, Sakado, Saitama 350–02, Japan
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Si H, Peng C, Li J, Wang X, Zhai L, Li X, Li J. RNAi-mediated knockdown of ERK1/2 inhibits cell proliferation and invasion and increases chemosensitivity to cisplatin in human osteosarcoma U2-OS cells in vitro. Int J Oncol 2011; 40:1291-7. [PMID: 22179790 PMCID: PMC3584577 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2011.1303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2011] [Accepted: 11/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of the bone. There have been some advances in surgical and chemotherapeutic strategies, but it is still a tumor with a high mortality rate in children and young adults. Mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway plays an essential role in the development and progression of various tumors. ERK1/2 is a key component of this pathway and hyperactivated in different tumors including osteosarcoma. This study aimed to investigate whether downregulation of ERK1/2 by siRNA (small interfering RNA) could inhibit cell proliferation and invasion and increase chemosensitivity to cisplatin in human osteosarcoma U2-OS cells in vitro. Results showed that the downregulation of ERK1/2 expression by siRNA in human osteosarcoma cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Furthermore, ERK1/2 knockdown led to cell arrest in the G1/G0 phase of the cell cycle, and eventual apoptosis and chemosensitivity enhancement in tumor cells. Our data reveal that RNAi-mediated downregulation of ERK1/2 expression can lead to potent antitumor activity and chemosensitizing effects in human osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haipeng Si
- Department of Orthopaedics, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Da Street, Jinan 250033, PR China
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Shukla A, Barrett TF, MacPherson MB, Hillegass JM, Fukagawa NK, Swain WA, O'Byrne KJ, Testa JR, Pass HI, Faux SP, Mossman BT. An extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 survival pathway mediates resistance of human mesothelioma cells to asbestos-induced injury. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2011; 45:906-14. [PMID: 21454801 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2010-0282oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We hypothesized that normal human mesothelial cells acquire resistance to asbestos-induced toxicity via induction of one or more epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-linked survival pathways (phosphoinositol-3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin and extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK] 1/2) during simian virus 40 (SV40) transformation and carcinogenesis. Both isolated HKNM-2 mesothelial cells and a telomerase-immortalized mesothelial line (LP9/TERT-1) were more sensitive to crocidolite asbestos toxicity than an SV40 Tag-immortalized mesothelial line (MET5A) and malignant mesothelioma cell lines (HMESO and PPM Mill). Whereas increases in phosphorylation of AKT (pAKT) were observed in MET5A cells in response to asbestos, LP9/TERT-1 cells exhibited dose-related decreases in pAKT levels. Pretreatment with an EGFR phosphorylation or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 inhibitor abrogated asbestos-induced phosphorylated ERK (pERK) 1/2 levels in both LP9/TERT-1 and MET5A cells as well as increases in pAKT levels in MET5A cells. Transient transfection of small interfering RNAs targeting ERK1, ERK2, or AKT revealed that ERK1/2 pathways were involved in cell death by asbestos in both cell lines. Asbestos-resistant HMESO or PPM Mill cells with high endogenous levels of ERKs or AKT did not show dose-responsive increases in pERK1/ERK1, pERK2/ERK2, or pAKT/AKT levels by asbestos. However, small hairpin ERK2 stable cell lines created from both malignant mesothelioma lines were more sensitive to asbestos toxicity than shERK1 and shControl lines, and exhibited unique, tumor-specific changes in endogenous cell death-related gene expression. Our results suggest that EGFR phosphorylation is causally linked to pERK and pAKT activation by asbestos in normal and SV40 Tag-immortalized human mesothelial cells. They also indicate that ERK2 plays a role in modulating asbestos toxicity by regulating genes critical to cell injury and survival that are differentially expressed in human mesotheliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arti Shukla
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, 05405, USA
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