PCDH10 is required for the tumorigenicity of glioblastoma cells

Elucidating Novel Targets for Ovarian Cancer Antibody-Drug Conjugate Development: Integrating In Silico Prediction and Surface Plasmon Resonance to Identify Targets with Enhanced Antibody Internalization Capacity

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) constitute a rapidly expanding category of biopharmaceuticals that are reshaping the landscape of targeted chemotherapy. The meticulous process of selecting therapeutic targets, aided by specific monoclonal antibodies' high specificity for binding to designated antigenic epitopes, is pivotal in ADC research and development. Despite ADCs' intrinsic ability to differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells, developmental challenges persist. In this study, we present a rationalized pipeline encompassing the initial phases of the ADC development, including target identification and validation. Leveraging an in-house, computationally constructed ADC target database, termed ADC Target Vault, we identified a set of novel ovarian cancer targets. We effectively demonstrate the efficacy of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technology and in vitro models as predictive tools, expediting the selection and validation of targets as ADC candidates for ovarian cancer therapy. Our analysis reveals three novel robust antibody/target pairs with strong binding and favourable antibody internalization rates in both wild-type and cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines. This approach enhances ADC development and offers a comprehensive method for assessing target/antibody combinations and pre-payload conjugation biological activity. Additionally, the strategy establishes a robust platform for high-throughput screening of potential ovarian cancer ADC targets, an approach that is equally applicable to other cancer types.

The role of Pcdh10 in neurological disease and cancer

BACKGROUND

Protocadherin 10 (PCDH 10), a member of the superfamily of protocadherins, is a Ca2+-dependent homophilic cell-cell adhesion molecule expressed on the surface of cell membranes. Protocadherin 10 plays a critical role in the central nervous system including in cell adhesion, formation and maintenance of neural circuits and synapses, regulation of actin assembly, cognitive function and tumor suppression. Additionally, Pcdh10 can serve as a non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic indicator for various cancers.

METHODS

This paper collects and reviews relevant literature in Pubmed.

CONCLUSION

This review describes the latest research understanding the role of Pcdh10 in neurological disease and human cancer, highlighting the importance of scrutinizing its properties for the development of targeted therapies and identifying a need for further research to explore Pcdh10 functions in other pathways, cell types and human pathologies.

Protocadherin 15 suppresses oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation and promotes motility through distinct signalling pathways

Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) express protocadherin 15 (Pcdh15), a member of the cadherin superfamily of transmembrane proteins. Little is known about the function of Pcdh15 in the central nervous system (CNS), however, Pcdh15 expression can predict glioma aggression and promote the separation of embryonic human OPCs immediately following a cell division. Herein, we show that Pcdh15 knockdown significantly increases extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and activation to enhance OPC proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, Pcdh15 knockdown elevates Cdc42-Arp2/3 signalling and impairs actin kinetics, reducing the frequency of lamellipodial extrusion and slowing filopodial withdrawal. Pcdh15 knockdown also reduces the number of processes supported by each OPC and new process generation. Our data indicate that Pcdh15 is a critical regulator of OPC proliferation and process motility, behaviours that characterise the function of these cells in the healthy CNS, and provide mechanistic insight into the role that Pcdh15 might play in glioma progression.

Protocadherin 15 promotes lamellipodial and filopodial dynamics in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells by regulating Cdc42-Arp2/3 activity, but also suppresses ERK1/2 phosphorylation to reduce proliferation.

Epigenetics of glioblastoma multiforme: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic approaches

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of brain cancer and one of the most aggressive cancers found in humans. Most of the signs and symptoms of GBM can be mild and slowly aggravated, although other symptoms might demonstrate it as an acute ailment. However, the precise mechanisms of the development of GBM remain unknown. Due to the improvement of molecular pathology, current researches have reported that glioma progression is strongly connected with different types of epigenetic phenomena, such as histone modifications, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and aberrant microRNA. Furthermore, the genes and the proteins that control these alterations have become novel targets for treating glioma because of the reversibility of epigenetic modifications. In some cases, gene mutations including P16, TP53, and EGFR, have been observed in GBM. In contrast, monosomies, including removals of chromosome 10, particularly q23 and q25-26, are considered the standard markers for determining the development and aggressiveness of GBM. Recently, amid the epigenetic therapies, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors have been used for treating tumors, either single or combined. Specifically, HDACIs are served as a good choice and deliver a novel pathway to treat GBM. In this review, we focus on the epigenetics of GBM and the consequence of its mutations. We also highlight various treatment approaches, namely gene editing, epigenetic drugs, and microRNAs to combat GBM.

Protocadherins at the Crossroad of Signaling Pathways

Protocadherins (Pcdhs) are cell adhesion molecules that belong to the cadherin superfamily, and are subdivided into clustered (cPcdhs) and non-clustered Pcdhs (ncPcdhs) in vertebrates. In this review, we summarize their discovery, expression mechanisms, and roles in neuronal development and cancer, thereby highlighting the context-dependent nature of their actions. We furthermore provide an extensive overview of current structural knowledge, and its implications concerning extracellular interactions between cPcdhs, ncPcdhs, and classical cadherins. Next, we survey the known molecular action mechanisms of Pcdhs, emphasizing the regulatory functions of proteolytic processing and domain shedding. In addition, we outline the importance of Pcdh intracellular domains in the regulation of downstream signaling cascades, and we describe putative Pcdh interactions with intracellular molecules including components of the WAVE complex, the Wnt pathway, and apoptotic cascades. Our overview combines molecular interaction data from different contexts, such as neural development and cancer. This comprehensive approach reveals potential common Pcdh signaling hubs, and points out future directions for research. Functional studies of such key factors within the context of neural development might yield innovative insights into the molecular etiology of Pcdh-related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Quantitation Analysis of PCDH10 Methylation in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Pyrosequencing Study

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective and comparative study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the difference of DNA methylation in protocadherin10 (PCDH10) genes between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and normal controls, and to assess the association between DNA methylation and the etiology of AIS.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The PCDH10 gene showed abnormal expression in AIS. However, the mechanism was still unclear. DNA methylation was an important epigenetic mechanism at the interface between genetics and environmental phenotype, seeming to be a suitable epigenetic mark for the abnormal expression of PCDH10 in AIS.

METHODS

There were 50 AIS patients and 50 healthy controls included in the study. The peripheral blood sample of each participant was taken. The pyrosequencing assay was used to assess the methylation status of PCDH10 promoter and real time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the PCDH10 gene expression. The comparison analysis was performed using independent t test and 2-tailed Pearson coefficients was calculated for the correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The average methylation level was 4.32 ± 0.73 in AIS patients and 3.14 ± 0.97 in healthy controls (P < 0.001). The PCDH10 gene expression was 0.23 ± 0.04 in AIS patients and 0.36 ± 0.08 in normal controls (P < 0.0001). Statistically significant linear correlation was found between PCDH10 gene methylation level and Cobb angle of major curve (P < 0.001). Besides, a significant negative correlation between PCDH10 methylation and PCDH10 gene expression was found (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

AIS patients were associated with high DNA methylation level and low gene expression of PCDH10 gene rather than normal controls. The high methylation level indicated high Cobb angle of major curves in AIS. The abnormal DNA methylation may widely exist and serve as a potential mechanism for AIS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

NDNF inhibits the migration and invasion of human renal cancer cells through epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NDNF) is a glycosylated, disulfide-bonded secretory protein that contains a fibronectin type III domain. NDNF has been identified as a neurotrophic factor; however, its role in carcinogenesis has not yet been identified. To investigate the expression and role of NDNF in carcinogenesis, the expression of NDNF in human Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines and tissues was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was investigated using CCK-8 and colony formation assays, and the cell invasion and immigration capacity was evaluated using the transwell assay. The results demonstrated that NDNF expression was downregulated in RCC cell lines and RCC tissues. Restoring NDNF expression significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of RCC cells. The study also demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of NDNF on invasive ability was mediated by suppressing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in RCC cells. NDNF may therefore be considered an important regulator of EMT in RCC progression and may represent a novel promising target for antimetastatic therapy.

Potential Epigenetic-Based Therapeutic Targets for Glioma

Glioma is characterized by a high recurrence rate, short survival times, high rates of mortality and treatment difficulties. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation (RT) are the standard treatments, but outcomes rarely improve even after treatment. With the advancement of molecular pathology, recent studies have found that the development of glioma is closely related to various epigenetic phenomena, including DNA methylation, abnormal microRNA (miRNA), chromatin remodeling and histone modifications. Owing to the reversibility of epigenetic modifications, the proteins and genes that regulate these changes have become new targets in the treatment of glioma. In this review, we present a summary of the potential therapeutic targets of glioma and related effective treating drugs from the four aspects mentioned above. We further illustrate how epigenetic mechanisms dynamically regulate the pathogenesis and discuss the challenges of glioma treatment. Currently, among the epigenetic treatments, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) can be used for the treatment of tumors, either individually or in combination. In the treatment of glioma, only HDACIs remain a good option and they provide new directions for the treatment. Due to the complicated pathogenesis of glioma, epigenetic applications to glioma clinical treatment are still limited.

Promoter methylation of PCDH10 by HOTAIR regulates the progression of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

HOTAIR, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), plays a crucial role in tumor initiation and metastasis by interacting with the PRC2 complex and the modulation of its target genes. The role of HOTAIR in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is remains unclear. Herein we investigate the mechanism of HOTAIR in the genesis and promotion of GISTs. The expression of HOTAIR was found to be higher in surgically resected high-risk GISTs than that in low- and intermediate-risk GISTs. Using GIST-T1 and GIST882 cells, we demonstrated that HOTAIR repressed apoptosis, was associated with cell cycle progression, and controlled the invasion and migration of GIST cells. Using a gene expression microarray and lists of HOTAIR-associated candidate genes, we suggested that protocadherin 10 (PCDH10) is a key molecule. PCDH10 expression was significantly decreased in GIST-T1 and GIST882 cells, possibly as a consequence of hypermethylation. We observed that HOTAIR induced PCDH10 methylation in a SUZ12-dependent manner. In this study, we found that the malignant character of GISTs was initiated and amplified by PCDH10 in a process regulated by HOTAIR. In summary, our findings imply that PCDH10 and HOTAIR may be useful markers of disease progression and therapeutic targets.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of isogenic cell line models and primary cancers links capicua (CIC) loss to activation of the MAPK signalling cascade

CIC encodes a transcriptional repressor, capicua (CIC), whose disrupted activity appears to be involved in several cancer types, including type I low‐grade gliomas (LGGs) and stomach adenocarcinomas (STADs). To explore human CIC's transcriptional network in an isogenic background, we developed novel isogenic CIC knockout cell lines as model systems, and used these in transcriptome analyses to study the consequences of CIC loss. We also compared our results with analyses of transcriptome data from TCGA for type I LGGs and STADs. We identified 39 candidate targets of CIC transcriptional regulation, and confirmed seven of these as direct targets. We showed that, although many CIC targets appear to be context‐specific, the effects of CIC loss converge on the dysregulation of similar biological processes in different cancer types. For example, we found that CIC deficiency was associated with disruptions in the expression of genes involved in cell–cell adhesion, and in the development of several cell and tissue types. We also showed that loss of CIC leads to overexpression of downstream members of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling cascade, indicating that CIC deficiency may present a novel mechanism for activation of this oncogenic pathway. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Protocadherin 7 inhibits cell migration and invasion through E-cadherin in gastric cancer

The protocadherin 7 is a member of the protocadherin family that expressed aberrantly in many types of human cancers. However, its expression, function, and underlying mechanisms are little known in gastric cancer. In this study, we detected protocadherin 7 expression in gastric cancer tissues and non-tumorous gastric mucosa tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The association of protocadherin 7 expression with the clinicopathological characteristics and the prognosis was subsequently analyzed. MTS ((3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium)) and transwell assays were performed to assess the effect of protocadherin 7 on proliferation, migration, and invasion in gastric cancer cell lines. Moreover, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to detect the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers. Protocadherin 7 expression was decreased gradiently from normal tissue to gastric cancer, especially in gastric cancer tissue with lymph node metastasis. Low expression of protocadherin 7 was significantly associated with Lauren's classification ( p = 0.0005), lymph node metastases ( p = 0.0002), and tumor node metastasis stage ( p = 0.0221), as well as poor prognosis ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, down-regulation of protocadherin 7 in gastric cancer cell lines significantly increased their migration and invasion abilities (both p < 0.05), while it had no influence on the gastric cancer cell proliferation ( p > 0.05). Additionally, our results demonstrated that E-cadherin expression was down-regulated in gastric cancer cells with protocadherin 7 depletion. Our data indicated that protocadherin 7 may play important roles in the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer, and protocadherin 7 could suppress cell migration and invasion through E-cadherin inhibition. Protocadherin 7 can serve as a novel biomarker for diagnostic and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.