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Freire NH, Herlinger AL, Vanini J, Dalmolin M, Fernandes MAC, Nör C, Ramaswamy V, de Farias CB, Brunetto AT, Brunetto AL, Gregianin LJ, Jaeger MDC, Taylor MD, Roesler R. Modulation of Stemness and Differentiation Regulators by Valproic Acid in Medulloblastoma Neurospheres. Cells 2025; 14:72. [PMID: 39851500 PMCID: PMC11763699 DOI: 10.3390/cells14020072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2024] [Revised: 01/03/2025] [Accepted: 01/06/2025] [Indexed: 01/26/2025] Open
Abstract
Changes in epigenetic processes such as histone acetylation are proposed as key events influencing cancer cell function and the initiation and progression of pediatric brain tumors. Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug that acts partially by inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs) and could be repurposed as an epigenetic anticancer therapy. Here, we show that VPA reduced medulloblastoma (MB) cell viability and led to cell cycle arrest. These effects were accompanied by enhanced H3K9 histone acetylation (H3K9ac) and decreased expression of the MYC oncogene. VPA impaired the expansion of MB neurospheres enriched in stemness markers and reduced MYC while increasing TP53 expression in these neurospheres. In addition, VPA induced morphological changes consistent with neuronal differentiation and the increased expression of differentiation marker genes TUBB3 and ENO2. The expression of stemness genes SOX2, NES, and PRTG was differentially affected by VPA in MB cells with different TP53 status. VPA increased H3K9 occupancy of the promoter region of TP53. Among the genes regulated by VPA, the stemness regulators MYC and NES showed an association with patient survival in specific MB subgroups. Our results indicate that VPA may exert antitumor effects in MB by influencing histone acetylation, which may result in the modulation of stemness, neuronal differentiation, and the expression of genes associated with patient prognosis in specific molecular subgroups. Importantly, the actions of VPA in MB cells and neurospheres include a reduction in the expression of MYC and an increase in TP53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Hogetop Freire
- Children’s Cancer Institute (ICI), Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
| | - Alice Laschuk Herlinger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
| | - Julia Vanini
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
| | - Matheus Dalmolin
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- InovAI Lab, nPITI/IMD, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
- Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment (BioME), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A. C. Fernandes
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- InovAI Lab, nPITI/IMD, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
- Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment (BioME), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
- Department of Computer Engineering and Automation, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
| | - Carolina Nör
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Children’s Cancer Institute (ICI), Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
| | - André Tesainer Brunetto
- Children’s Cancer Institute (ICI), Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
| | - Algemir Lunardi Brunetto
- Children’s Cancer Institute (ICI), Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
| | - Lauro José Gregianin
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- Pediatric Oncology Service, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariane da Cunha Jaeger
- Children’s Cancer Institute (ICI), Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
| | - Michael D. Taylor
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics—Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Hematology-Oncology Section, Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
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Freire NH, Herlinger AL, Vanini J, Dalmolin M, Fernandes MAC, Nör C, Ramaswamy V, de Farias CB, Brunetto AT, Brunetto AL, Gregianin LJ, da Cunha Jaeger M, Taylor MD, Roesler R. Modulation of Stemness and Differentiation Regulators by Valproic Acid in Medulloblastoma Neurospheres. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2025:2024.09.23.614476. [PMID: 39386542 PMCID: PMC11463451 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.23.614476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
Abstract
Changes in epigenetic processes such as histone acetylation are proposed as key events influencing cancer cell function and the initiation and progression of pediatric brain tumors. Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug that acts partially by inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs) and could be repurposed as an epigenetic anticancer therapy. Here, we show that VPA reduced medulloblastoma (MB) cell viability and led to cell cycle arrest. These effects were accompanied by enhanced H3K9 histone acetylation (H3K9ac) and decreased expression of the MYC oncogene. VPA impaired the expansion of MB neurospheres enriched in stemness markers and reduced MYC while increasing TP53 expression in these neurospheres. In addition, VPA induced morphological changes consistent with neuronal differentiation and the increased expression of differentiation marker genes TUBB3 and ENO2. The expression of stemness genes SOX2, NES, and PRTG was differentially affected by VPA in MB cells with different TP53 status. VPA increased H3K9 occupancy of the promoter region of TP53. Among the genes regulated by VPA, the stemness regulators MYC and NES showed an association with patient survival in specific MB subgroups. Our results indicate that VPA may exert antitumor effects in MB by influencing histone acetylation, which may result in the modulation of stemness, neuronal differentiation, and the expression of genes associated with patient prognosis in specific molecular subgroups. Importantly, the actions of VPA in MB cells and neurospheres include a reduction in the expression of MYC and an increase in TP53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Hogetop Freire
- Children’s Cancer Institute (ICI), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Alice Laschuk Herlinger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Julia Vanini
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Matheus Dalmolin
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- InovAI Lab, nPITI/IMD, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
- Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment (BioME), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A. C. Fernandes
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- InovAI Lab, nPITI/IMD, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
- Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment (BioME), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
- Department of Computer Engineering and Automation, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Carolina Nör
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Children’s Cancer Institute (ICI), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - André Tesainer Brunetto
- Children’s Cancer Institute (ICI), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Algemir Lunardi Brunetto
- Children’s Cancer Institute (ICI), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lauro José Gregianin
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Pediatric Oncology Service, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariane da Cunha Jaeger
- Children’s Cancer Institute (ICI), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Michael D. Taylor
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics—Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Hematology-Oncology Section, Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology-INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Nothof SA, Magdinier F, Van-Gils J. Chromatin Structure and Dynamics: Focus on Neuronal Differentiation and Pathological Implication. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13040639. [PMID: 35456445 PMCID: PMC9029427 DOI: 10.3390/genes13040639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin structure is an essential regulator of gene expression. Its state of compaction contributes to the regulation of genetic programs, in particular during differentiation. Epigenetic processes, which include post-translational modifications of histones, DNA methylation and implication of non-coding RNA, are powerful regulators of gene expression. Neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation are spatio-temporally regulated events that allow the formation of the central nervous system components. Here, we review the chromatin structure and post-translational histone modifications associated with neuronal differentiation. Studying the impact of histone modifications on neuronal differentiation improves our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of chromatinopathies and opens up new therapeutic avenues. In addition, we will discuss techniques for the analysis of histone modifications on a genome-wide scale and the pathologies associated with the dysregulation of the epigenetic machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A. Nothof
- Marseille Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille University, Inserm, CEDEX 05, 13385 Marseille, France; (S.A.N.); (F.M.)
| | - Frédérique Magdinier
- Marseille Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille University, Inserm, CEDEX 05, 13385 Marseille, France; (S.A.N.); (F.M.)
| | - Julien Van-Gils
- Marseille Medical Genetics, Aix Marseille University, Inserm, CEDEX 05, 13385 Marseille, France; (S.A.N.); (F.M.)
- Reference Center AD SOOR, AnDDI-RARE, Inserm U 1211, Medical Genetics Department, Bordeaux University, Center Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
- Correspondence:
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Wang X, Qu M, Li Z, Long Y, Hong K, Li H. Valproic acid promotes the in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into spermatogonial stem cell-like cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:553. [PMID: 34715904 PMCID: PMC8555208 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02621-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studying human germ cell development and male infertility is heavily relied on mouse models. In vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into spermatogonial stem cell-like cells (SSCLCs) can be used as a model to study human germ cells and infertility. The current study aimed to develop the SSCLC induction protocol and assess the effects of the developed protocol on SSCLC induction. Methods We examined the effects of valproic acid (VPA), vitamin C (VC) and the combination of VPA and VC on the SSCLC induction efficiency and determined the expression of spermatogonial genes of differentiated cells. Haploid cells and cells expressed meiotic genes were also detected. RNA-seq analysis was performed to compare the transcriptome between cells at 0 and 12 days of differentiation and differently expressed genes were confirmed by RT-qPCR. We further evaluated the alteration in histone marks (H3K9ac and H3K27me3) at 12 days of differentiation. Moreover, the SSCLC induction efficiency of two hiPSC lines of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients was assessed using different induction protocols. Results The combination of low concentrations of VPA and VC in the induction medium was most effective to induce SSCLCs expressing several spermatogonial genes from human pluripotent stem cells at 12 days of differentiation. The high concentration of VPA was more effective to induce cells expressing meiotic genes and haploid cells. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the induction of SSCLC involved the upregulated genes in Wnt signaling pathway, and cells at 12 days of differentiation showed increased H3K9ac and decreased H3K27me3. Additionally, two hiPSC lines of NOA patients showed low SSCLC induction efficiency and decreased expression of genes in Wnt signaling pathway. Conclusions VPA robustly promoted the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into SSCLCs, which involved the upregulated genes in Wnt signaling pathway and epigenetic changes. hiPSCs from NOA patients showed decreased SSCLC induction efficiency and Wnt signaling pathway gene expression, suggesting that SSC depletion in azoospermia testes might be associated with inactivation of Wnt signaling pathway. Our developed SSCLC induction protocol provides a reliable tool and model to study human germ cell development and male infertility. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02621-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Mengyuan Qu
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zili Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuting Long
- Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Hospital, Wuhan, 430013, China
| | - Kai Hong
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Honggang Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. .,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Hospital, Wuhan, 430013, China.
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