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Vlahopoulos SA. Divergent Processing of Cell Stress Signals as the Basis of Cancer Progression: Licensing NFκB on Chromatin. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8621. [PMID: 39201306 PMCID: PMC11354898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168621] [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: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is activated by diverse triggers that induce the expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules, which permit a succession of molecules and cells to deliver stimuli and functions that help the immune system clear the primary cause of tissue damage, whether this is an infection, a tumor, or a trauma. During inflammation, short-term changes in the expression and secretion of strong mediators of inflammation occur, while long-term changes occur to specific groups of cells. Long-term changes include cellular transdifferentiation for some types of cells that need to regenerate damaged tissue, as well as death for specific immune cells that can be detrimental to tissue integrity if they remain active beyond the boundaries of essential function. The transcriptional regulator NFκB enables some of the fundamental gene expression changes during inflammation, as well as during tissue development. During recurrence of malignant disease, cell stress-induced alterations enable the growth of cancer cell clones that are substantially resistant to therapeutic intervention and to the immune system. A number of those alterations occur due to significant defects in feedback signal cascades that control the activity of NFκB. Specifically, cell stress contributes to feedback defects as it overrides modules that otherwise control inflammation to protect host tissue. NFκB is involved in both the suppression and promotion of cancer, and the key distinctive feature that determines its net effect remains unclear. This paper aims to provide a clear answer to at least one aspect of this question, namely the mechanism that enables a divergent response of cancer cells to critical inflammatory stimuli and to cell stress in general.
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2
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Hu C, Huang C, Hsu M, Chien H, Wu P, Chen Y, Jeng Y, Tang S, Chung M, Shen C, Chang M, Chang Y, Tien Y, Lee W. Oncogenic KRAS, Mucin 4, and Activin A-Mediated Fibroblast Activation Cooperate for PanIN Initiation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301240. [PMID: 37964407 PMCID: PMC10754145 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Over 90% of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have oncogenic KRAS mutations. Nevertheless, mutated KRAS alone is insufficient to initiate pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), the precursor of PDAC. The identities of the other factors/events required to drive PanIN formation remain elusive. Here, optic-clear 3D histology is used to analyze entire pancreases of 2-week-old Pdx1-Cre; LSL-KrasG12D/+ (KC) mice to detect the earliest emergence of PanIN and observed that the occurrence is independent of physical location. Instead, it is found that the earliest PanINs overexpress Muc4 and associate with αSMA+ fibroblasts in both transgenic mice and human specimens. Mechanistically, KrasG12D/+ pancreatic cells upregulate Muc4 through genetic alterations to increase proliferation and fibroblast recruitments via Activin A secretion and consequently enhance cell transformation for PanIN formation. Inhibition of Activin A signaling using Follistatin (FST) diminishes early PanIN-associated fibroblast recruitment, effectively curtailing PanIN initiation and growth in KC mice. These findings emphasize the vital role of interactions between oncogenic KrasG12D/+ -driven genetic alterations and induced microenvironmental changes in PanIN initiation, suggesting potential avenues for early PDAC diagnostic and management approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun‐Mei Hu
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Chien‐Chang Huang
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
- Biomedical Translation Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Min‐Fen Hsu
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Hung‐Jen Chien
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Pei‐Jung Wu
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Yi‐Ing Chen
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Yung‐Ming Jeng
- Department of PathologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipei10041Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Pathology, College of MedicineNational Taiwan UniversityTaipei10041Taiwan
| | - Shiue‐Cheng Tang
- Department of Medical ScienceNational Tsing Hua UniversityHsinchu30013Taiwan
| | - Mei‐Hsin Chung
- Department of PathologyNational Taiwan University Hospital−Hsinchu BranchHsinchu30331Taiwan
| | - Chia‐Ning Shen
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
- Biomedical Translation Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Ming‐Chu Chang
- Department of Internal MedicineNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipei10041Taiwan
| | - Yu‐Ting Chang
- Department of Internal MedicineNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipei10041Taiwan
| | - Yu‐Wen Tien
- Department of SurgeryNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipei10041Taiwan
| | - Wen‐Hwa Lee
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
- Drug Development CenterChina Medical UniversityTaichung40402Taiwan
- Department of Biological ChemistryUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92697USA
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3
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Quilbe A, Mustapha R, Duchêne B, Kumar A, Werkmeister E, Leteurtre E, Moralès O, Jonckheere N, Van Seuningen I, Delhem N. A novel anti-galectin-9 immunotherapy limits the early progression of pancreatic neoplastic lesions in transgenic mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1267279. [PMID: 38098486 PMCID: PMC10720041 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1267279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease with an urgent need for therapeutic innovation. Immune checkpoint inhibition has shown promise in a variety of solid tumors, but most clinical trials have failed to demonstrate clinical efficacy in PDAC. This low efficacy is partly explained by a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment, which dampens anti-tumor immunity through the recruitment or induction of immunosuppressive cells, particularly regulatory T cells (Tregs). In this context, our laboratory has developed a novel immunotherapeutic strategy aimed at inhibiting the suppressive activity of Tregs, based on a patented (EP3152234B1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting galectin-9 (LGALS9). Materials and methods CD4+ conventional T cells (TCD4 or Tconv), Treg ratio, and LGALS9 expression were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and cytometry in blood and pancreas of K-rasLSL.G12D/+;Pdx-1-Cre (KC) and K-rasWildType (WT);Pdx1-Cre (WT) mice aged 4-13 months. Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasm (PanIN) progression and grade were quantified using FIJI software and validated by pathologists. The anti-galectin-9 mAb was validated for its use in mice on isolated murine C57BL/6 Treg by immunofluorescence staining and cytometry. Its specificity and functionality were validated in proliferation assays on rLGALS9-immunosuppressed murine Tconv and in suppression assays between murine Treg and Tconv. Finally, 2-month-old KC mice were treated with anti-LGALS9 and compared to WT mice for peripheral and infiltrating TCD4, Treg, and PanIN progression. Results IHC and cytometry revealed a significant increase in LGALS9 expression and Treg levels in the blood and pancreas of KC mice proportional to the stages of precancerous lesions. Although present in WT mice, LGALS9 is expressed at a basal level with low and restricted expression that increases slightly over time, while Treg cells are few in number in their circulation and even absent from the pancreas over time. Using our anti-LGALS9 mAb in mice, it is shown that (i) murine Treg express LGALS9, (ii) the mAb could target and inhibit recombinant murine LGALS9, and (iii) neutralize murine Treg suppressive activity. Finally, the anti-LGALS9 mAb in KC mice reduced (i) LGALS9 expression in pancreatic cancer cells, (ii) the Treg ratio, and (iii) the total surface area and grade of PanIN. Conclusion We demonstrate for the first time that an anti-LGALS9 antibody, by specifically targeting endogenous LGALS9 tumor and exogenous LGALS9 produced by Treg, was able to limit the progression of pancreatic neoplastic lesions in mice, opening up new prospects for its use as an immunotherapeutic tool in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Quilbe
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189 - ONCO-THAI - Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, Lille, France
| | - Rami Mustapha
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189 - ONCO-THAI - Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, Lille, France
- Department of Cancer Studies and Pharmaceutical Sciences New Hunt’s House, School of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Belinda Duchêne
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189 - ONCO-THAI - Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, Lille, France
| | - Elisabeth Werkmeister
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41 - UMS 2014 -PLBS, Lille, France
| | - Emmanuelle Leteurtre
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France
| | - Olivier Moralès
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189 - ONCO-THAI - Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, Lille, France
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Jonckheere
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France
| | - Isabelle Van Seuningen
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France
| | - Nadira Delhem
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189 - ONCO-THAI - Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, Lille, France
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Nannan L, Gsell W, Belderbos S, Gallet C, Wouters J, Brassart-Pasco S, Himmelreich U, Brassart B. A multimodal imaging study to highlight elastin-derived peptide pro-tumoral effect in a pancreatic xenograft model. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:2000-2012. [PMID: 37002342 PMCID: PMC10206107 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02242-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly malignant with a very poor prognosis due to its silent development and metastatic profile with a 5-year survival rate below 10%. PDAC is characterised by an abundant desmoplastic stroma modulation that influences cancer development by extracellular matrix/cell interactions. Elastin is a key element of the extracellular matrix. Elastin degradation products (EDPs) regulate numerous biological processes such as cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The aim of the present study was to characterise for the first time the effect of two EDPs with consensus sequences "GxxPG" and "GxPGxGxG" (VG-6 and AG-9) on PDAC development. The ribosomal protein SA (RPSA) has been discovered recently, acting as a new receptor of EDPs on the surface of tumour cells, contributing to poor prognosis. METHODS Six week-old female Swiss nude nu/nu (Nu(Ico)-Foxn1nu) mice were subcutaneously injected with human PDAC MIA PaCa-2/eGFP-FLuc+ cells, transduced with a purpose-made lentiviral vector, encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Photinus pyralis (firefly) luciferase (FLuc). Animals were treated three times per week with AG-9 (n = 4), VG-6 (n = 5) or PBS (n = 5). The influence of EDP on PDAC was examined by multimodal imaging (bioluminescence imaging (BLI), fluorescence imaging (FLI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Tumour volumes were also measured using a caliper. Finally, immunohistology was performed at the end of the in vivo study. RESULTS After in vitro validation of MIA PaCa-2 cells by optical imaging, we demonstrated that EDPs exacerbate tumour growth in the PDAC mouse model. While VG-6 stimulated tumour growth to some extent, AG-9 had greater impact on tumour growth. We showed that the expression of the RPSA correlates with a possible effect of EDPs in the PDAC model. Multimodal imaging allowed for longitudinal in vivo follow-up of tumour development. In all groups, we showed mature vessels ending in close vicinity of the tumour, except for the AG-9 group where mature vessels are penetrating the tumour reflecting an increase of vascularisation. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that AG-9 strongly increases PDAC progression through an increase in tumour vascularisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Nannan
- KU Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology/Biomedical MRI, Leuven, Belgium
- CNRS UMR 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France
| | - Willy Gsell
- KU Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology/Biomedical MRI, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Belderbos
- KU Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology/Biomedical MRI, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Célia Gallet
- CNRS UMR 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France
| | - Jens Wouters
- KU Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology/Biomedical MRI, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Brassart-Pasco
- CNRS UMR 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- KU Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology/Biomedical MRI, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bertrand Brassart
- CNRS UMR 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France.
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France.
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Gautam SK, Khan P, Natarajan G, Atri P, Aithal A, Ganti AK, Batra SK, Nasser MW, Jain M. Mucins as Potential Biomarkers for Early Detection of Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1640. [PMID: 36980526 PMCID: PMC10046558 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Early detection significantly correlates with improved survival in cancer patients. So far, a limited number of biomarkers have been validated to diagnose cancers at an early stage. Considering the leading cancer types that contribute to more than 50% of deaths in the USA, we discuss the ongoing endeavors toward early detection of lung, breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, liver, and pancreatic cancers to highlight the significance of mucin glycoproteins in cancer diagnosis. As mucin deregulation is one of the earliest events in most epithelial malignancies following oncogenic transformation, these high-molecular-weight glycoproteins are considered potential candidates for biomarker development. The diagnostic potential of mucins is mainly attributed to their deregulated expression, altered glycosylation, splicing, and ability to induce autoantibodies. Secretory and shed mucins are commonly detected in patients' sera, body fluids, and tumor biopsies. For instance, CA125, also called MUC16, is one of the biomarkers implemented for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer and is currently being investigated for other malignancies. Similarly, MUC5AC, a secretory mucin, is a potential biomarker for pancreatic cancer. Moreover, anti-mucin autoantibodies and mucin-packaged exosomes have opened new avenues of biomarker development for early cancer diagnosis. In this review, we discuss the diagnostic potential of mucins in epithelial cancers and provide evidence and a rationale for developing a mucin-based biomarker panel for early cancer detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra K. Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Parvez Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Gopalakrishnan Natarajan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Pranita Atri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Abhijit Aithal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Apar K. Ganti
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Division of Oncology-Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
| | - Surinder K. Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Mohd W. Nasser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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Bhatia R, Siddiqui JA, Ganguly K, Thompson CM, Cannon A, Aithal A, Perumal N, Maurya SK, Li X, Cox JL, Gurumurthy CB, Rachagani S, Jain M, Nasser MW, Batra SK, Kumar S. Muc4 loss mitigates epidermal growth factor receptor activity essential for PDAC tumorigenesis. Oncogene 2023; 42:759-770. [PMID: 36624189 PMCID: PMC10198580 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02587-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Mucin4 (MUC4) appears early during pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia-1 (PanIN1), coinciding with the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor-1 (EGFR). The EGFR signaling is required for the onset of Kras-driven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); however, the players and mechanisms involved in sustained EGFR signaling in early PanIN lesions remain elusive. We generated a unique Esai-CRISPR-based Muc4 conditional knockout murine model to evaluate its effect on PDAC pathology. The Muc4 depletion in the autochthonous murine model carrying K-ras and p53 mutations (K-rasG12D; TP53R172H; Pdx-1cre, KPC) to generate the KPCM4-/- murine model showed a significant delay in the PanIN lesion formation with a significant reduction (p < 0.01) in EGFR (Y1068) and ERK1/2 (T202/Y204) phosphorylation. Further, a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in Sox9 expression in PanIN lesions of KPCM4-/- mice suggested the impairment of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia in Muc4-depleted cells. The biochemical analyses demonstrated that MUC4, through its juxtamembrane EGF-like domains, interacts with the EGFR ectodomain, and its cytoplasmic tail prevents EGFR ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation upon ligand stimulation, leading to sustained downstream oncogenic signaling. Targeting the MUC4 and EGFR interacting interface provides a promising strategy to improve the efficacy of EGFR-targeted therapies in PDAC and other MUC4-expressing malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Bhatia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jawed Akhtar Siddiqui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Koelina Ganguly
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Christopher M Thompson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Andrew Cannon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Abhijit Aithal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Naveenkumar Perumal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Shailendra K Maurya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Xiaoqi Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jesse L Cox
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Satyanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mohd Wasim Nasser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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7
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Boukrout N, Souidi M, Lahdaoui F, Duchêne B, Neve B, Coppin L, Leteurtre E, Torrisani J, Van Seuningen I, Jonckheere N. Antagonistic Roles of the Tumor Suppressor miR-210-3p and Oncomucin MUC4 Forming a Negative Feedback Loop in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246197. [PMID: 34944818 PMCID: PMC8699468 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We aimed at characterizing microRNAs activated downstream of MUC4-associated signaling in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We investigated the MUC4-miR-210-3p reciprocal regulation and deciphered miR-210-3p biological roles in vitro and in vivo. We showed a MUC4-miR-210-3p negative feedback loop that involves NF-κB in PDAC-derived cells and the miR-210-3p anti-tumoral functions, suggesting a complex balance between antagonistic pro-oncogenic functions of the oncomucin MUC4 and anti-tumoral roles of the miR-210-3p. Abstract Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly cancer with an extremely poor prognosis. MUC4 membrane-bound mucin is neoexpressed in early pancreatic neoplastic lesions and is associated with PDAC progression and chemoresistance. In cancers, microRNAs (miRNAs, small noncoding RNAs) are crucial regulators of carcinogenesis, chemotherapy response and even metastatic processes. In this study, we aimed at identifying and characterizing miRNAs activated downstream of MUC4-associated signaling in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. MiRnome analysis comparing MUC4-KD versus Mock cancer cells showed that MUC4 inhibition impaired miR-210-3p expression. Therefore, we aimed to better understand the miR-210-3p biological roles. Methods: miR-210-3p expression level was analyzed by RT-qPCR in PDAC-derived cell lines (PANC89 Mock and MUC4-KD, PANC-1 and MiaPACA-2), as well as in mice and patients tissues. The MUC4-miR-210-3p regulation was investigated using luciferase reporter construct and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. Stable cell lines expressing miR-210-3p or anti-miR-210-3p were established using CRISPR/Cas9 technology or lentiviral transduction. We evaluated the biological activity of miR-210-3p in vitro by measuring cell proliferation and migration and in vivo using a model of subcutaneous xenograft. Results: miR-210-3p expression is correlated with MUC4 expression in PDAC-derived cells and human samples, and in pancreatic PanIN lesions of Pdx1-Cre; LstopL-KrasG12D mice. MUC4 enhances miR-210-3p expression levels via alteration of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments showed p50 NF-κB subunit binding on miR-210-3p promoter regions. We established a reciprocal regulation since miR-210-3p repressed MUC4 expression via its 3′-UTR. MiR-210-3p transient transfection of PANC89, PANC-1 and MiaPACA-2 cells led to a decrease in cell proliferation and migration. These biological effects were validated in cells overexpressing or knocked-down for miR-210-3p. Finally, we showed that miR-210-3p inhibits pancreatic tumor growth and proliferation in vivo. Conclusion: We identified a MUC4-miR-210-3p negative feedback loop in early-onset PDAC, but also revealed new functions of miR-210-3p in both in vitro and in vivo proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells, suggesting a complex balance between MUC4 pro-oncogenic roles and miR-210-3p anti-tumoral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihad Boukrout
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.B.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (B.D.); (B.N.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (I.V.S.)
| | - Mouloud Souidi
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.B.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (B.D.); (B.N.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (I.V.S.)
| | - Fatima Lahdaoui
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.B.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (B.D.); (B.N.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (I.V.S.)
| | - Belinda Duchêne
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.B.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (B.D.); (B.N.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (I.V.S.)
| | - Bernadette Neve
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.B.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (B.D.); (B.N.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (I.V.S.)
| | - Lucie Coppin
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.B.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (B.D.); (B.N.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (I.V.S.)
| | - Emmanuelle Leteurtre
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.B.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (B.D.); (B.N.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (I.V.S.)
| | - Jérôme Torrisani
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, F-31037 Toulouse, France;
| | - Isabelle Van Seuningen
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.B.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (B.D.); (B.N.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (I.V.S.)
| | - Nicolas Jonckheere
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.B.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (B.D.); (B.N.); (L.C.); (E.L.); (I.V.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-3-2029-8865
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8
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Thompson CM, Cannon A, West S, Ghersi D, Atri P, Bhatia R, Smith L, Rachagani S, Wichman C, Kumar S, Batra SK. Mucin Expression and Splicing Determine Novel Subtypes and Patient Mortality in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:6787-6799. [PMID: 34615717 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-1591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy demonstrating aberrant and progressive expression of mucins. The contribution of individual mucins has been extensively investigated in PDAC; however, comprehensive mucin profiling including splice variants in PDAC tumors has not been reported. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Using publicly available RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) datasets, we assess the expression of mucin family members and their splice variants (SV) in PDAC tumor samples for the first time. Mucin SVs that are correlated with PDAC patient survival are validated in a cohort of patient tumor samples. Further, we use computational methods to derive novel pancreatic tumor subtypes using mucin expression signatures and their associated activated pathways. RESULTS Principal component analysis identified four novel mucin-based PDAC subtypes. Pathway analysis implicated specific biological signatures for each subtype, labeled (i) immune activated, (ii) progressive, (iii) pancreatitis-initiated, and (iv) anti-inflammatory/PanIN-initiated. Assessing mucin SVs, significantly longer survival is observed with higher expression of 4 MUC1 and 1 MUC13 SVs, whereas patients expressing 2 MUC4 and 1 MUC16 SVs had shorter survival. Using a whole-transcriptome correlation, a three-gene panel, including ESRP2, PTK6, and MAGEH1, is designated to assess PDAC tumor sample cellularity by PCR. One MUC4 SV and one MUC13 SV are quantified in a separate PDAC patient cohort, and their effects on survival are experimentally validated. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, we demonstrate the unique expression pattern of mucins, four mucin-based PDAC subtypes, and the contribution of MUC1, MUC4, and MUC16 SVs in PDAC patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Thompson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Andrew Cannon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sean West
- School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, College of Information Science and Technology, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Dario Ghersi
- School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, College of Information Science and Technology, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Pranita Atri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Rakesh Bhatia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Lynette Smith
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Satyayanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Christopher Wichman
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. .,The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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9
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Highlights on the Role of KRAS Mutations in Reshaping the Microenvironment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910219. [PMID: 34638560 PMCID: PMC8508406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The most frequent mutated oncogene family in the history of human cancer is the RAS gene family, including NRAS, HRAS, and, most importantly, KRAS. A hallmark of pancreatic cancer, recalcitrant cancer with a very low survival rate, is the prevalence of oncogenic mutations in the KRAS gene. Due to this fact, studying the function of KRAS and the impact of its mutations on the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a priority for understanding pancreatic cancer progression and designing novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of the dismal disease. Despite some recent enlightening studies, there is still a wide gap in our knowledge regarding the impact of KRAS mutations on different components of the pancreatic TME. In this review, we will present an updated summary of mutant KRAS role in the initiation, progression, and modulation of the TME of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This review will highlight the intriguing link between diabetes mellitus and PDAC, as well as vitamin D as an adjuvant effective therapy via TME modulation of PDAC. We will also discuss different ongoing clinical trials that use KRAS oncogene signaling network as therapeutic targets.
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10
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Silke J, O’Reilly LA. NF-κB and Pancreatic Cancer; Chapter and Verse. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4510. [PMID: 34572737 PMCID: PMC8469693 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the world's most lethal cancers. An increase in occurrence, coupled with, presently limited treatment options, necessitates the pursuit of new therapeutic approaches. Many human cancers, including PDAC are initiated by unresolved inflammation. The transcription factor NF-κB coordinates many signals that drive cellular activation and proliferation during immunity but also those involved in inflammation and autophagy which may instigate tumorigenesis. It is not surprising therefore, that activation of canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways is increasingly recognized as an important driver of pancreatic injury, progression to tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Paradoxically, NF-κB dysregulation has also been shown to inhibit pancreatic inflammation and pancreatic cancer, depending on the context. A pro-oncogenic or pro-suppressive role for individual components of the NF-κB pathway appears to be cell type, microenvironment and even stage dependent. This review provides an outline of NF-κB signaling, focusing on the role of the various NF-κB family members in the evolving inflammatory PDAC microenvironment. Finally, we discuss pharmacological control of NF-κB to curb inflammation, focussing on novel anti-cancer agents which reinstate the process of cancer cell death, the Smac mimetics and their pre-clinical and early clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Silke
- Inflammation Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Lorraine Ann O’Reilly
- Inflammation Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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11
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Gong Y, Chen S, Fu Y, Liu Y, Wang Y, Yang H, Liu H, Tang L. MUC4 is a novel mediator in H. pylori infection-related pancreatic cancer. Oncol Lett 2020; 21:123. [PMID: 33552244 PMCID: PMC7798107 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common malignant disease worldwide. Among the potential pathogenic factors, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been associated with the tumorigenesis of PC. The present study aimed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of H. pylori infection-associated PC and to investigate the key factors involved in PC tumorigenesis. Using bioinformatics methods, overlapping DEGs and key gene were identified from H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa (GM) and H. pylori infection-associated PC. Survival and tumor stage analyses were performed to assess the clinical associations. In addition, mucin 4 (MUC4) mRNA expression levels were measured in patient blood and tumor samples. According to the correlation analyses of four genes co-expressed, potential biological processes were identified. MUC4 was identified to be associated with H. pylori infection, and its levels were significantly upregulated in PC samples compared with those in normal samples in TCGA dataset, the PC cell line and patient tissue samples. H. pylori infection was also associated with MUC4 expression in patients' blood and tissue samples. In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed a potentially pathogenic role of MUC4 in H. pylori infection-associated PC. Thus, the tumorigenesis and metastasis of PC may be prevented by treating the H. pylori infection or using MUC4 antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gong
- Research Center of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Chen
- Research Center of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Yue Fu
- Research Center of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Yu Liu
- Charité-University Medical Center, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Virchow Campus, and Molecular Cancer Research Center, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yipeng Wang
- Charité-University Medical Center, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Virchow Campus, and Molecular Cancer Research Center, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Haojun Yang
- Research Center of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Hanyang Liu
- Research Center of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China.,Charité-University Medical Center, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Virchow Campus, and Molecular Cancer Research Center, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Liming Tang
- Research Center of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
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12
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Unsupervised Hierarchical Clustering of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Dataset from TCGA Defines a Mucin Expression Profile that Impacts Overall Survival. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113309. [PMID: 33182511 PMCID: PMC7697168 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer has a dramatic outcome (survival curve < 6 months) that is the consequence of late diagnosis and the lack of efficient therapy. We investigated the relationship between the 22 mucin gene expression and the patient survival in pancreatic cancer datasets that provide a comprehensive mapping of transcriptomic alterations occurring during carcinogenesis. Using unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis of mucin gene expression patterns, we identified two major clusters of patients: atypical mucin signature (#1; MUC15, MUC14/EMCN, and MUC18/MCAM) and membrane-bound mucin signature (#2; MUC1, -4, -16, -17, -20, and -21). The signature #2 is associated with shorter overall survival, suggesting that the pattern of membrane-bound mucin expression could be a new prognostic marker for PDAC patients. Abstract Mucins are commonly associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) that is a deadly disease because of the lack of early diagnosis and efficient therapies. There are 22 mucin genes encoding large O-glycoproteins divided into two major subgroups: membrane-bound and secreted mucins. We investigated mucin expression and their impact on patient survival in the PDAC dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (PAAD-TCGA). We observed a statistically significant increased messenger RNA (mRNA) relative level of most of the membrane-bound mucins (MUC1/3A/4/12/13/16/17/20), secreted mucins (MUC5AC/5B), and atypical mucins (MUC14/18) compared to normal pancreas. We show that MUC1/4/5B/14/17/20/21 mRNA levels are associated with poorer survival in the high-expression group compared to the low-expression group. Using unsupervised clustering analysis of mucin gene expression patterns, we identified two major clusters of patients. Cluster #1 harbors a higher expression of MUC15 and atypical MUC14/MUC18, whereas cluster #2 is characterized by a global overexpression of membrane-bound mucins (MUC1/4/16/17/20/21). Cluster #2 is associated with shorter overall survival. The patient stratification appears to be independent of usual clinical features (tumor stage, differentiation grade, lymph node invasion) suggesting that the pattern of membrane-bound mucin expression could be a new prognostic marker for PDAC patients.
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13
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Du X, Yang Y, Xiao G, Yang M, Yuan L, Qin L, He R, Wang L, Wu M, Wu S, Feng J, Xiang Y, Qu X, Liu H, Qin X, Liu C. Respiratory syncytial virus infection-induced mucus secretion by down-regulation of miR-34b/c-5p expression in airway epithelial cells. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:12694-12705. [PMID: 32939938 PMCID: PMC7687004 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe RSV infection is the main cause of hospitalization to children under the age of five. The regulation of miRNAs on the severity of RSV infection is unclear. The aim of the study was to identify the critical differential expression miRNAs (DE miRNAs) that can regulate the pathological response in RSV‐infected airway epithelial cells. In this study, miRNA and mRNA chips of RSV‐infected airway epithelia from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were screened and analysed, separately. DE miRNAs‐targeted genes were performed for further pathway and process enrichment analysis. DE miRNA‐targeted gene functional network was constructed on the basis of miRNA‐mRNA interaction. The screened critical miRNA was also investigated by bioinformatics analysis. Then, RSV‐infected human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) were constructed to verify the expression of the DE miRNAs. Finally, specific synthetic DE miRNAs mimics were used to confirm the effect of DE miRNAs on the RSV‐infected HBECs. 45 DE miRNAs were identified from GEO62306 dataset. Our results showed that hsa‐mir‐34b‐5p and hsa‐mir‐34c‐5p decreased significantly in HBECs after RSV infection. Consistent with the biometric analysis, hsa‐mir‐34b/c‐5p is involved in the regulation of mucin expression gene MUC5AC. In RSV‐infected HBECs, the inducement of MUC5AC production by decreased hsa‐mir‐34b/c‐5p was partly mediated through activation of c‐Jun. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of mucus obstruction after RSV infection and represent valuable targets for RSV infection and airway obstruction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xizi Du
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Basic and Clinical Research Laboratory of Major Respiratory Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Gelei Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Disease, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,School of Basic Medical Sciences & Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lin Yuan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ling Qin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Basic and Clinical Research Laboratory of Major Respiratory Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ruoxi He
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Basic and Clinical Research Laboratory of Major Respiratory Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Leyuan Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengping Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - ShuangYan Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Juntao Feng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Basic and Clinical Research Laboratory of Major Respiratory Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Xiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangping Qu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huijun Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoqun Qin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chi Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Research Center of China-Africa Infectious Diseases, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
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14
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Reynolds IS, Fichtner M, McNamara DA, Kay EW, Prehn JHM, Burke JP. Mucin glycoproteins block apoptosis; promote invasion, proliferation, and migration; and cause chemoresistance through diverse pathways in epithelial cancers. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2020; 38:237-257. [PMID: 30680581 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-019-09781-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of mucin glycoproteins has been demonstrated in many epithelial-derived cancers. The significance of this overexpression remains uncertain. The aim of this paper was to define the association of mucin glycoproteins with apoptosis, cell growth, invasion, migration, adhesion, and clonogenicity in vitro as well as tumor growth, tumorigenicity, and metastasis in vivo in epithelial-derived cancers by performing a systematic review of all published data. A systematic review of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed to identify all papers that evaluated the association between mucin glycoproteins with apoptosis, cell growth, invasion, migration, adhesion, and clonogenicity in vitro as well as tumor growth, tumorigenicity, and metastasis in vivo in epithelial-derived cancers. PRISMA guidelines were adhered to. Results of individual studies were extracted and pooled together based on the organ in which the cancer was derived from. The initial search revealed 2031 papers, of which 90 were deemed eligible for inclusion in the study. The studies included details on MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC5B, MUC13, and MUC16. The majority of studies evaluated MUC1. MUC1 overexpression was consistently associated with resistance to apoptosis and resistance to chemotherapy. There was also evidence that overexpression of MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC5B, MUC13, and MUC16 conferred resistance to apoptosis in epithelial-derived cancers. The overexpression of mucin glycoproteins is associated with resistance to apoptosis in numerous epithelial cancers. They cause resistance through diverse signaling pathways. Targeting the expression of mucin glycoproteins represents a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of epithelial-derived cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian S Reynolds
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Michael Fichtner
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Deborah A McNamara
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Elaine W Kay
- Department of Pathology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
- Department of Pathology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Jochen H M Prehn
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - John P Burke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.
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15
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Kulandaisamy A, Priya SB, Sakthivel R, Frishman D, Gromiha MM. Statistical analysis of disease‐causing and neutral mutations in human membrane proteins. Proteins 2019; 87:452-466. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.25667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Kulandaisamy
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of BiosciencesIndian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai Tamil Nadu India
| | - S. Binny Priya
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of BiosciencesIndian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai Tamil Nadu India
| | - R. Sakthivel
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of BiosciencesIndian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai Tamil Nadu India
| | - Dmitrij Frishman
- Department of BioinformaticsPeter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University St. Petersburg Russian Federation
- Department of BioinformaticsTechnische Universität München, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan Freising Germany
| | - M. Michael Gromiha
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of BiosciencesIndian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai Tamil Nadu India
- Advanced Computational Drug Discovery Unit (ACDD)Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology Yokohama Kanagawa Japan
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16
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Teng H, Gao R, Qin N, Jiang X, Ren M, Wang Y, Wu S, Li N, Zhao J, Qin H. Identification of recurrent and novel mutations by whole‑genome sequencing of colorectal tumors from the Han population in Shanghai, eastern China. Mol Med Rep 2018; 18:5361-5370. [PMID: 30365144 PMCID: PMC6236297 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have identified recurrent oncogenic mutations in colorectal cancer (CRC), but there is limited CRC genomic data from the Chinese Han population. Whole‑genome sequencing was performed on 10 primary CRC tumors and matched adjacent normal tissues from patients from the Han population in Shanghai, at an average of 27.8x and 27.9x coverage, respectively. In the 10 tumor samples, 32 significant somatic mutated genes were identified, 13 of which were also reported as CRC mutations in The Cancer Genome Atlas Network. All the mutated genes were enriched in functions associated with channel activity, which has rarely been reported in previous studies investigating CRC. Furthermore, 21 chromosomal rearrangements were detected and 4 rearrangements encoded predicted in‑frame fusion proteins, including a fusion of phosphorylase kinase regulatory subunit b and NOTCH2 demonstrated in 2 out of 10 tumors. Chromosome 8 was amplified in 1 tumor and chromosome 20 was amplified in 2 out of 10 CRC patients. The present study produced a genomic mutation profile of CRC, which provides a valuable resource for further insight into the mutations that characterize CRC in patients from the Han population in Shanghai, eastern China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongfei Teng
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Renyuan Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Nan Qin
- Department of Gut Microbiota Diagnosis and Treatment, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Xun Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Min Ren
- Department of Medicine, Biotecan Medical Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Zhangjiang Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai 201204, P.R. China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Medicine, Biotecan Medical Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Zhangjiang Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai 201204, P.R. China
| | - Shouxin Wu
- Department of Medicine, Biotecan Medical Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Zhangjiang Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai 201204, P.R. China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Gut Microbiota Diagnosis and Treatment, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
| | - Jiangman Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Biotecan Medical Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Zhangjiang Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai 201204, P.R. China
| | - Huanlong Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China
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17
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Murthy D, Attri KS, Singh PK. Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signaling Pathway in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Progression, Pathogenesis, and Therapeutics. Front Physiol 2018; 9:335. [PMID: 29670543 PMCID: PMC5893816 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy characterized by its sudden manifestation, rapid progression, poor prognosis, and limited therapeutic options. Genetic alterations in key signaling pathways found in early pancreatic lesions are pivotal for the development and progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplastic lesions into invasive carcinomas. More than 90% of PDAC tumors harbor driver mutations in K-Ras that activate various downstream effector-signaling pathways, including the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. The PI3K pathway also responds to stimuli from various growth factor receptors present on the cancer cell surface that, in turn, modulate downstream signaling cascades. Thus, the inositide signaling acts as a central node in the complex cellular signaling networks to impact cancer cell growth, motility, metabolism, and survival. Also, recent publications highlight the importance of PI3K signaling in stromal cells, whereby PI3K signaling modifies the tumor microenvironment to dictate disease outcome. The high incidence of mutations in the PI3K signaling cascade, accompanied by activation of parallel signaling pathways, makes PI3K a promising candidate for drug therapy. In this review, we describe the role of PI3K signaling in pancreatic cancer development and progression. We also discuss the crosstalk between PI3K and other major cellular signaling cascades, and potential therapeutic opportunities for targeting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Murthy
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Kuldeep S Attri
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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Cell membrane-anchored MUC4 promotes tumorigenicity in epithelial carcinomas. Oncotarget 2017; 8:14147-14157. [PMID: 27829225 PMCID: PMC5355169 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell surface membrane-bound mucin protein MUC4 promotes tumorigenicity, aggressive behavior, and poor outcomes in various types of epithelial carcinomas, including pancreatic, breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer. This review summarizes the theories and findings regarding MUC4 function, and its role in epithelial carcinogenesis. Based on these insights, we developed an outline of the processes and mechanisms by which MUC4 critically supports the propagation and survival of cancer cells in various epithelial organs. MUC4 may therefore be a useful prognostic and diagnostic tool that improves our ability to eradicate various forms of cancer.
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Gautam SK, Kumar S, Cannon A, Hall B, Bhatia R, Nasser MW, Mahapatra S, Batra SK, Jain M. MUC4 mucin- a therapeutic target for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 21:657-669. [PMID: 28460571 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2017.1323880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by mucin overexpression. MUC4 is the most differentially overexpressed membrane-bound mucin that plays a functional role in disease progression and therapy resistance. Area covered: We describe the clinicopathological significance of MUC4, summarize mechanisms contributing to its deregulated expression, review preclinical studies aimed at inhibiting MUC4, and discuss how MUC4 overexpression provides opportunities for developing targeted therapies. Finally, we discuss the challenges for developing MUC4-based therapeutics, and identify areas where efforts should be directed to effectively exploit MUC4 as a therapeutic target for PC. Expert opinion: Studies demonstrating that abrogation of MUC4 expression reduces proliferation and metastasis of PC cells and enhances sensitivity to therapeutic agents affirm its utility as a therapeutic target. Emerging evidence also supports the suitability of MUC4 as a potential immunotherapy target. However, these studies have been limited to in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo approaches using xenograft tumors in immunodeficient murine models. For translational relevance, MUC4-targeted therapies should be evaluated in murine models with intact immune system and accurate tumor microenvironment. Additionally, future studies evaluating MUC4 as a target for immunotherapy must entail characterization of immune response in PC patients and investigate its association with immunosuppression and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra K Gautam
- a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Sushil Kumar
- a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Andrew Cannon
- a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Bradley Hall
- a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Department of Surgery , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Rakesh Bhatia
- a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Mohd Wasim Nasser
- a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Sidharth Mahapatra
- a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,d Department of Pediatrics , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,e Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,c Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,e Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,e Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
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Galectin-3 is a non-classic RNA binding protein that stabilizes the mucin MUC4 mRNA in the cytoplasm of cancer cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43927. [PMID: 28262838 PMCID: PMC5338267 DOI: 10.1038/srep43927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer cells express high levels of MUC1, MUC4 and MUC16 mRNAs that encode membrane-bound mucins. These mRNAs share unusual features such as a long half-life. However, it remains unknown how mucin mRNA stability is regulated. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an endogenous lectin playing important biological functions in epithelial cells. Gal-3 is encoded by LGALS3 which is up-regulated in pancreatic cancer. Despite the absence of a RNA-recognition motif, Gal-3 interacts indirectly with pre-mRNAs in the nucleus and promotes constitutive splicing. However a broader role of Gal-3 in mRNA fate is unexplored. We report herein that Gal-3 increases MUC4 mRNA stability through an intermediate, hnRNP-L which binds to a conserved CA repeat element in the 3′UTR in a Gal-3 dependent manner and also controls Muc4 mRNA levels in epithelial tissues of Gal3−/− mice. Gal-3 interacts with hnRNP-L in the cytoplasm, especially during cell mitosis, but only partly associates with protein markers of P-Bodies or Stress Granules. By RNA-IP plus RNA-seq analysis and imaging, we demonstrate that Gal-3 binds to mature spliced MUC4 mRNA in the perinuclear region, probably in hnRNP-L-containing RNA granules. Our findings highlight a new role for Gal-3 as a non-classic RNA-binding protein that regulates MUC4 mRNA post-transcriptionally.
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The cornerstone K-RAS mutation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: From cell signaling network, target genes, biological processes to therapeutic targeting. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2017; 111:7-19. [PMID: 28259298 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS belongs to the super family of small G proteins and plays crucial roles in signal transduction from membrane receptors in the cell. Mutations of K-RAS oncogene lead to an accumulation of GTP-bound proteins that maintains an active conformation. In the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the most deadly cancers in occidental countries, mutations of the K-RAS oncogene are nearly systematic (>90%). Moreover, K-RAS mutation is the earliest genetic alteration occurring during pancreatic carcinogenetic sequence. In this review, we discuss the central role of K-RAS mutations and their tremendous diversity of biological properties by the interconnected regulation of signaling pathways (MAPKs, NF-κB, PI3K, Ral…). In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, transcriptome analysis and preclinical animal models showed that K-RAS mutation alters biological behavior of PDAC cells (promoting proliferation, migration and invasion, evading growth suppressors, regulating mucin pattern, and miRNA expression). K-RAS also impacts tumor microenvironment and PDAC metabolism reprogramming. Finally we discuss therapeutic targeting strategies of K-RAS that have been developed without significant clinical success so far. As K-RAS is considered as the undruggable target, targeting its multiple effectors and target genes should be considered as potential alternatives.
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Vlahopoulos SA. Aberrant control of NF-κB in cancer permits transcriptional and phenotypic plasticity, to curtail dependence on host tissue: molecular mode. Cancer Biol Med 2017; 14:254-270. [PMID: 28884042 PMCID: PMC5570602 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2017.0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the transcription factor NF-κB in shaping the cancer microenvironment is becoming increasingly clear. Inflammation alters the activity of enzymes that modulate NF-κB function, and causes extensive changes in genomic chromatin that ultimately drastically alter cell-specific gene expression. NF-κB regulates the expression of cytokines and adhesion factors that control interactions among adjacent cells. As such, NF-κB fine tunes tissue cellular composition, as well as tissues' interactions with the immune system. Therefore, NF-κB changes the cell response to hormones and to contact with neighboring cells. Activating NF-κB confers transcriptional and phenotypic plasticity to a cell and thereby enables profound local changes in tissue function and composition. Research suggests that the regulation of NF-κB target genes is specifically altered in cancer. Such alterations occur not only due to mutations of NF-κB regulatory proteins, but also because of changes in the activity of specific proteostatic modules and metabolic pathways. This article describes the molecular mode of NF-κB regulation with a few characteristic examples of target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spiros A Vlahopoulos
- The First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Horemeio Research Laboratory, Athens 11527, Greece
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