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Sung K, Hosoya K, Deguchi T, Yamashita K, Kim S, Sunaga T, Yasui H, Inanami O, Okumura M. Glutathione-associated redox regulation alleviates radio-resistance of canine cancer stem-like cells with low proteasome activity. Sci Rep 2025; 15:18017. [PMID: 40410310 PMCID: PMC12102148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-02569-9] [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: 03/03/2025] [Accepted: 05/14/2025] [Indexed: 05/25/2025] Open
Abstract
Radio-resistance of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) is associated with the failure of radiation therapy. ZsGreen1-positive (ZsG⁺) cells, which exhibit low proteasome activity, have been used to enable the detection and isolation of CSCs. However, the mechanisms of radio-resistance in canine tumor cells with low proteasome activity remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the radio-resistance mechanisms of ZsG+ cells by identifying a potential target of canine CSCs. ZsG+ cells, isolated using flow cytometric cell sorting, were compared with ZsG- cells. Sulfasalazine was used to suppress glutathione (GSH) synthesis by inhibiting xCT. In vitro experiments demonstrated a significantly higher radio-resistance in ZsG+ cells than in ZsG- cells. After X-irradiation, ZsG+ cells had fewer p53‑binding protein 1 (53BP1) foci, low reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and high GSH content. Sulfasalazine caused radiosensitization of ZsG+ cells with an increased number of 53BP1 foci by decreasing GSH contents and increasing ROS accumulation. The low proteasome activity played a role in xCT upregulation. In conclusion, canine tumor cells with low proteasome activity are radio-resistant due to high GSH content and low ROS accumulation. Sulfasalazine causes radiosensitization of the tumor cells by altering redox balance by inhibiting GSH synthesis for effective targeting of canine CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koangyong Sung
- Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kenji Hosoya
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
- Laboratory of Advanced Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Tatsuya Deguchi
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Koya Yamashita
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Department of Applied Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sangho Kim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takafumi Sunaga
- Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hironobu Yasui
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Department of Applied Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Osamu Inanami
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Department of Applied Veterinary Science, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Okumura
- Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Boman BM, Viswanathan V, Facey COB, Fields JZ, Stave JW. The v8-10 variant isoform of CD44 is selectively expressed in the normal human colonic stem cell niche and frequently is overexpressed in colon carcinomas during tumor development. Cancer Biol Ther 2023; 24:2195363. [PMID: 37005380 PMCID: PMC10072056 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2023.2195363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
CD44 protein and its variant isoforms are expressed in cancer stem cells (CSCs), and various CD44 isoforms can have different functional roles in cells. Our goal was to investigate how different CD44 isoforms contribute to the emergence of stem cell (SC) overpopulation that drives colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Specific CD44 variant isoforms are selectively expressed in normal colonic SCs and become overexpressed in CRCs during tumor development. We created a unique panel of anti-CD44 rabbit genomic antibodies to 16 specific epitopes that span the entire length of the CD44 molecule. Our panel was used to comprehensively investigate the expression of different CD44 isoforms in matched pairs (n = 10) of malignant colonic tissue and adjacent normal mucosa, using two (IHC & IF) immunostaining approaches. We found that: i) CD44v8-10 is selectively expressed in the normal human colonic SC niche; ii) CD44v8-10 is co-expressed with the SC markers ALDH1 and LGR5 in normal and malignant colon tissues; iii) colon carcinoma tissues frequently (80%) stain for CD44v8-10 while staining for CD44v6 was less frequent (40%). Given that CD44v8-10 expression is restricted to cells in the normal human colonic SC niche and CD44v8-10 expression progressively increases during CRC development, CD44v8-10 expression likely contributes to the SC overpopulation that drives the development and growth of colon cancers. Since the CD44 variant v8-10 epitope is located on CD44's extracellular region, it offers great promise for targeted anti-CSC treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce M. Boman
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, Newark, DE, USA
- Department of Biologic Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
- Jefferson Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vignesh Viswanathan
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, Newark, DE, USA
- Department of Biologic Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Caroline O. B. Facey
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Jeremy Z. Fields
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, Newark, DE, USA
- Department of Cancer Research and Innovation, CA*TX Inc, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - James W. Stave
- Department of Cancer Research and Innovation, Strategic Diagnostics Inc, Newark, DE, USA
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Establishment of a new canine inflammatory mammary carcinoma cell line and analysis of its cystine-glutamate transporter subunit expression. J Vet Res 2022; 66:273-279. [PMID: 35892110 PMCID: PMC9281518 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2022-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Inflammatory mammary carcinoma (IMC) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis and one affecting dogs. Inflammatory breast carcinoma (IBC) is a subtype of malignant breast cancer in humans with a high degree of malignancy and a similarly poor prognosis. Since the clinical symptoms and prognoses of both are similar, canine IMC has been considered as a model of human IBC. In this study, we newly established a stable IMC-derived cell line from a patient at the Yamaguchi University Animal Medical Center in Japan. Material and Methods The patient was a female toy poodle presenting with an inflamed mammary gland, which was diagnosed as IMC. The cell line was established from a tissue biopsy. Surface antigen marker (CD24 and CD44) expression was determined. Cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT) expression was determined by Western blotting, flow cytometry and fluorescence immunostaining, and sulfasalazine was administered to ascertain if it suppressed xCT expression. Stem cell marker (Nanog, Sox2, Myc and Klf4) expression and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity were also investigated. Results The cultured cells showed xCT, and its suppression showed downregulation of stem cell markers and ALDH activity. Stable cell proliferation was verified. Conclusion A new canine IMC-derived cell line was established. In the future, we aim to study the effect of xCT on the maintenance of cancer stem cell properties in canine tumours, and propose a new therapeutic method for the treatment of canine IMC by targeting xCT.
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Itoh H, Tani K, Sunahara H, Nakaichi M, Iseri T, Horikirizono H, Itamoto K. Sphere-forming cells display stem cell-like characteristics and increased xCT expression in a canine hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. Res Vet Sci 2021; 139:25-31. [PMID: 34246940 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of canine primary liver tumor; however, most chemotherapies against HCC are ineffective due to resistance to anticancer agents. Sphere-forming cells are considered to act as cancer stem cells for various types of solid tumors and have been established for many canine tumor cell lines, yet no studies have reported sphere-forming cells for canine HCC. In this study, we established sphere-forming cells from a canine HCC cell line (AZACH). These cells displayed increased stem cell marker mRNA expression (Nanog, Sox2, c-Myc, and Klf4), aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, and chemoresistance against mitoxantrone, gemcitabine, and doxorubicin. In addition, sphere-forming cells exhibited higher xCT expression and lower intracellular reactive oxygen species levels than adherent cells. Treatment with sulfasalazine, a xCT-specific inhibitor, reduced sphere formation efficiency. Together, these results indicate that sphere-forming cells derived from a canine HCC cell line have similar characteristics to cancer stem cells and that their increased xCT expression and associated resistance to oxidative stress contribute toward sphere formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harumichi Itoh
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Kenji Tani
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sunahara
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Munekazu Nakaichi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8511, Japan
| | - Toshie Iseri
- Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8511, Japan
| | - Hiro Horikirizono
- Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8511, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Itamoto
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
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Tanabe A, Kimura K, Tazawa H, Maruo T, Taguchi M, Sahara H. Functional analysis of CD44 variants and xCT in canine tumours. Vet Med Sci 2020; 7:577-585. [PMID: 33210459 PMCID: PMC8025623 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell surface glycoprotein CD44 has various types of splicing variants, which contribute to its multiple distinct cellular functions. Recently, it was reported that the CD44v8‐10 isoform interacts with the system Xc(‐) transporter‐related protein (xCT), and inhibits the accumulation of reactive oxygen species by promoting the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione in human tumour cells. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of CD44 variants and xCT in canine tumours. From semi‐quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis, the mRNA expression of the CD44v8‐10 isoform was observed in canine tumour tissues as well as human cases. The overexpression of CD44v8‐10 may promote the synthesis of glutathione and enhance the resistance to radiation of canine breast tumour cells. Furthermore, canine xCT mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in the canine breast tumour tissues as compared to the normal tissues surrounding the tumours. To investigate the function of canine xCT, we treated canine tumour cells with the xCT inhibitor sulfasalazine. Consequently, the sulfasalazine‐treated cells were more sensitive to oxidative stress than the non‐treated cells. Taken together, these results suggested that CD44v8‐10 and xCT play important roles in the therapy resistance of canine tumours as well as human tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tanabe
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kento Kimura
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hana Tazawa
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Maruo
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Masayuki Taguchi
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroeki Sahara
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
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