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Facey COB, Hunsu VO, Zhang C, Osmond B, Opdenaker LM, Boman BM. CYP26A1 Links WNT and Retinoic Acid Signaling: A Target to Differentiate ALDH+ Stem Cells in APC-Mutant CRC. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:264. [PMID: 38254755 PMCID: PMC10813786 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
APC mutation is the main driving mechanism of CRC development and leads to constitutively activated WNT signaling, overpopulation of ALDH+ stem cells (SCs), and incomplete differentiation. We previously reported that retinoic acid (RA) receptors are selectively expressed in ALDH+ SCs, which provides a way to target cancer SCs with retinoids to induce differentiation. Hypotheses: A functional link exists between the WNT and RA pathways, and APC mutation generates a WNT:RA imbalance that decreases retinoid-induced differentiation and increases ALDH+ SCs. Accordingly, to restore parity in WNT:RA signaling, we induce wt-APC expression in APC-mutant CRC cells, and we assess the ability of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) to induce differentiation. We found that ATRA increased expression of the WNT target gene, CYP26A1, and inducing wt-APC reduced this expression by 50%. Thus, the RA and WNT pathways crosstalk to modulate CYP26A1, which metabolizes retinoids. Moreover, inducing wt-APC augments ATRA-induced cell differentiation by: (i) decreasing cell proliferation; (ii) suppressing ALDH1A1 expression; (iii) decreasing ALDH+ SCs; and (iv) increasing neuroendocrine cell differentiation. A novel CYP26A1-based network that links WNT and RA signaling was also identified by NanoString profiling/bioinformatics analysis. Furthermore, CYP26A1 inhibitors sensitized CRC cells to the anti-proliferative effect of drugs that downregulate WNT signaling. Notably, in wt-APC-CRCs, decreased CYP26A1 improved patient survival. These findings have strong potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline O. B. Facey
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
| | - Victoria O. Hunsu
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
- Department Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
- Department Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Brian Osmond
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
- Department Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Lynn M. Opdenaker
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
| | - Bruce M. Boman
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
- Department Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Department Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Sato M, Inoue A, Takasawa A, Takasawa K, Kyuno D, Ono Y, Magara K, Osanai M. Elevated expression of endocan in the development of cervical squamous neoplasia of the uterus. Med Mol Morphol 2023; 56:187-193. [PMID: 37074500 DOI: 10.1007/s00795-023-00353-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Accumulated evidence has shown that endocan, which was originally called endothelial cell-specific molecule-1, is an attractive prognostic factor in a variety of cancers. However, the relevance of endocan expression in human malignancies remains to be clarified. In the present study, the expression of endocan in cervical squamous neoplasia of the uterus, including low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL and HSIL, respectively), as well as in invasive squamous cell carcinoma was examined by immunohistochemistry. Endocan was not sufficiently expressed in the normal cervical epithelium. Endocan expression was present in LSIL cases but was limited to basal and parabasal areas of the cells. HSIL cases exhibited strong expression of endocan with widely distributed expression toward the epithelial surface. In contrast, further strong expression of endocan was not observed in patients with invasive carcinoma. This study is the first study showing increased expression of endocan in precancerous dysplastic lesions and malignancy of the cervix. The data suggest that a high expression level of endocan potentially contributes to the development of cervical squamous neoplasia of the uterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Midori Sato
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South-1, West-17, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0061, Japan
- Cardiovascular Department, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, 330-8503, Japan
| | - Ayano Inoue
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South-1, West-17, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0061, Japan
| | - Akira Takasawa
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South-1, West-17, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0061, Japan
| | - Kumi Takasawa
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South-1, West-17, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0061, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kyuno
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South-1, West-17, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0061, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ono
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South-1, West-17, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0061, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Magara
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South-1, West-17, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0061, Japan
| | - Makoto Osanai
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South-1, West-17, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo, 060-0061, Japan.
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Croley CR, Pumarol J, Delgadillo BE, Cook AC, Day F, Kaceli T, Ward CC, Husain I, Husain A, Banerjee S, Bishayee A. Signaling pathways driving ocular malignancies and their targeting by bioactive phytochemicals. Pharmacol Ther 2023:108479. [PMID: 37330112 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Ocular cancers represent a rare pathology. The American Cancer Society estimates that 3,360 cases of ocular cancer occur annually in the United States. The major types of cancers of the eye include ocular melanoma (also known as uveal melanoma), ocular lymphoma, retinoblastoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. While uveal melanoma is one of the primary intraocular cancers with the highest occurrence in adults, retinoblastoma remains the most common primary intraocular cancer in children, and squamous cell carcinoma presents as the most common conjunctival cancer. The pathophysiology of these diseases involves specific cell signaling pathways. Oncogene mutations, tumor suppressor mutations, chromosome deletions/translocations and altered proteins are all described as causal events in developing ocular cancer. Without proper identification and treatment of these cancers, vision loss, cancer spread, and even death can occur. The current treatments for these cancers involve enucleation, radiation, excision, laser treatment, cryotherapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. These treatments present a significant burden to the patient that includes a possible loss of vision and a myriad of side effects. Therefore, alternatives to traditional therapy are urgently needed. Intercepting the signaling pathways for these cancers with the use of naturally occurring phytochemicals could be a way to relieve both cancer burden and perhaps even prevent cancer occurrence. This research aims to present a comprehensive review of the signaling pathways involved in various ocular cancers, discuss current therapeutic options, and examine the potential of bioactive phytocompounds in the prevention and targeted treatment of ocular neoplasms. The current limitations, challenges, pitfalls, and future research directions are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney R Croley
- Healthcare Corporation of America, Department of Ophthalmology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Hudson, FL 34667, USA
| | - Joshua Pumarol
- Ross University School of Medicine, Miramar, FL 33027, USA
| | - Blake E Delgadillo
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
| | - Andrew C Cook
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
| | - Faith Day
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
| | - Tea Kaceli
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
| | - Caroline C Ward
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
| | - Imran Husain
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA 16509, USA
| | - Ali Husain
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA 16509, USA
| | - Sabyasachi Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Gupta College of Technological Sciences, Asansol 713 301, India
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA.
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