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Guo X, Yang Y, Tang J, Xiang J. Ephs in cancer progression: complexity and context-dependent nature in signaling, angiogenesis and immunity. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:299. [PMID: 38811954 PMCID: PMC11137953 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01580-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Eph receptors constitute the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases, comprising 14 distinct members classified into two subgroups: EphAs and EphBs.. Despite their essential functions in normal physiological processes, accumulating evidence suggests that the involvement of the Eph family in cancer is characterized by a dual and often contradictory nature. Research indicates that Eph/ephrin bidirectional signaling influences cell-cell communication, subsequently regulating cell migration, adhesion, differentiation and proliferation. The contradictory functionalities may arise from the diversity of Eph signaling pathways and the heterogeneity of different cancer microenvironment. In this review, we aim to discuss the dual role of the Eph receptors in tumor development, attempting to elucidate the paradoxical functionality through an exploration of Eph receptor signaling pathways, angiogenesis, immune responses, and more. Our objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor development. Additionally, we will explore the evolving landscape of utilizing Eph receptors as potential targets for tumor therapy and diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Guo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanyi Yang
- Health Management Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jingqun Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Juanjuan Xiang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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2
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Odaka T, Sakamoto R, Kumagai K, Okuma K, Nishizawa M, Kimura T. Ephrin type-A receptor 2-antisense RNA1/2 promote proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells through EPHA2-dependent Ras signaling pathway mediated by MAPK8/JNK1, MAPK9/JNK2-NFATC2/NFAT1 and JUND. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1402354. [PMID: 38855323 PMCID: PMC11157115 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1402354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EPHA2) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in a variety of cancers, including breast cancer. EPHA2 expression may be causally related to tumorigenesis; therefore, it is important to understand how EPHA2 expression is regulated. We previously reported that EPHA2 antisense RNA (EPHA2-AS), a natural antisense transcript, is an important modulator of EPHA2 mRNA levels and hence production of EPHA2 protein. EPHA2-AS encodes two splice variants, EPHA2-AS1 and EPHA2-AS2. The two variants are constitutively expressed in a concordant manner with EPHA2 mRNA in human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines and in patient samples, with the highest levels detected in the basal-like/triple-negative molecular subtype of breast cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of EPHA2-AS1/2 in triple-negative breast cancer using MDA-MB-231 cells. We performed RNA-seq transcriptome analyses of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with AHCC®, which suppressed expression of EPHA2-AS1/2 and EPHA2 mRNA, and EPHA2-AS1/2-silenced MDA-MB-231 cells. Bioinformatics analyses identified 545 overlapping differentially expressed genes that were significantly up- or down-regulated by these treatments. Subsequent functional enrichment analyses of the overlapping genes in combination with in vitro assays indicated that EPHA2-AS1/2 may promote the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells through the EPHA2-dependent Ras signaling pathways mediated by MAPK8/JNK1, MAPK9/JNK2-NFATC2/NFAT1 (proliferation and migration) and JUND (migration). These results thus suggest that EPHA2-AS1/2 may represent a potential molecular target for triple-negative breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tokifumi Odaka
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | - Ryou Sakamoto
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kumagai
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Kazu Okuma
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | - Mikio Nishizawa
- Medical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Tominori Kimura
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
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3
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Perurena N, Situ L, Cichowski K. Combinatorial strategies to target RAS-driven cancers. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:316-337. [PMID: 38627557 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00679-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Although RAS was formerly considered undruggable, various agents that inhibit RAS or specific RAS oncoproteins have now been developed. Indeed, the importance of directly targeting RAS has recently been illustrated by the clinical success of mutant-selective KRAS inhibitors. Nevertheless, responses to these agents are typically incomplete and restricted to a subset of patients, highlighting the need to develop more effective treatments, which will likely require a combinatorial approach. Vertical strategies that target multiple nodes within the RAS pathway to achieve deeper suppression are being investigated and have precedence in other contexts. However, alternative strategies that co-target RAS and other therapeutic vulnerabilities have been identified, which may mitigate the requirement for profound pathway suppression. Regardless, the efficacy of any given approach will likely be dictated by genetic, epigenetic and tumour-specific variables. Here we discuss various combinatorial strategies to treat KRAS-driven cancers, highlighting mechanistic concepts that may extend to tumours harbouring other RAS mutations. Although many promising combinations have been identified, clinical responses will ultimately depend on whether a therapeutic window can be achieved and our ability to prospectively select responsive patients. Therefore, we must continue to develop and understand biologically diverse strategies to maximize our likelihood of success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiara Perurena
- Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lisa Situ
- Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karen Cichowski
- Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Ludwig Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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4
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Pasquale EB. Eph receptors and ephrins in cancer progression. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:5-27. [PMID: 37996538 PMCID: PMC11015936 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00634-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Evidence implicating Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands (that together make up the 'Eph system') in cancer development and progression has been accumulating since the discovery of the first Eph receptor approximately 35 years ago. Advances in the past decade and a half have considerably increased the understanding of Eph receptor-ephrin signalling mechanisms in cancer and have uncovered intriguing new roles in cancer progression and drug resistance. This Review focuses mainly on these more recent developments. I provide an update on the different mechanisms of Eph receptor-ephrin-mediated cell-cell communication and cell autonomous signalling, as well as on the interplay of the Eph system with other signalling systems. I further discuss recent advances in elucidating how the Eph system controls tumour expansion, invasiveness and metastasis, supports cancer stem cells, and drives therapy resistance. In addition to functioning within cancer cells, the Eph system also mediates the reciprocal communication between cancer cells and cells of the tumour microenvironment. The involvement of the Eph system in tumour angiogenesis is well established, but recent findings also demonstrate roles in immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix. Lastly, I discuss strategies under evaluation for therapeutic targeting of Eph receptors-ephrins in cancer and conclude with an outlook on promising future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena B Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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5
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Shi X, Lingerak R, Herting CJ, Ge Y, Kim S, Toth P, Wang W, Brown BP, Meiler J, Sossey-Alaoui K, Buck M, Himanen J, Hambardzumyan D, Nikolov DB, Smith AW, Wang B. Time-resolved live-cell spectroscopy reveals EphA2 multimeric assembly. Science 2023; 382:1042-1050. [PMID: 37972196 PMCID: PMC11114627 DOI: 10.1126/science.adg5314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that initiates both ligand-dependent tumor-suppressive and ligand-independent oncogenic signaling. We used time-resolved, live-cell fluorescence spectroscopy to show that the ligand-free EphA2 assembles into multimers driven by two types of intermolecular interactions in the ectodomain. The first type entails extended symmetric interactions required for ligand-induced receptor clustering and tumor-suppressive signaling that inhibits activity of the oncogenic extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (AKT) protein kinases and suppresses cell migration. The second type is an asymmetric interaction between the amino terminus and the membrane proximal domain of the neighboring receptors, which supports oncogenic signaling and promotes migration in vitro and tumor invasiveness in vivo. Our results identify the molecular interactions that drive the formation of the EphA2 multimeric signaling clusters and reveal the pivotal role of EphA2 assembly in dictating its opposing functions in oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Shi
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Ryan Lingerak
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Cameron J. Herting
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yifan Ge
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Soyeon Kim
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Paul Toth
- Department of Chemistry, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
| | - Benjamin P. Brown
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jens Meiler
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Khalid Sossey-Alaoui
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
| | - Matthias Buck
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Juha Himanen
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Dolores Hambardzumyan
- Departments Oncological Sciences and Neurosurgery, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Dimitar B. Nikolov
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Adam W. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - Bingcheng Wang
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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6
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Soliman E, Leonard J, Basso EKG, Gershenson I, Ju J, Mills J, de Jager C, Kaloss AM, Elhassanny M, Pereira D, Chen M, Wang X, Theus MH. Efferocytosis is restricted by axon guidance molecule EphA4 via ERK/Stat6/MERTK signaling following brain injury. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:256. [PMID: 37941008 PMCID: PMC10633953 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02940-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efferocytosis is a process that removes apoptotic cells and cellular debris. Clearance of these cells alleviates neuroinflammation, prevents the release of inflammatory molecules, and promotes the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines to help maintain tissue homeostasis. The underlying mechanisms by which this occurs in the brain after injury remain ill-defined. METHODS We used GFP bone marrow chimeric knockout (KO) mice to demonstrate that the axon guidance molecule EphA4 receptor tyrosine kinase is involved in suppressing MERTK in the brain to restrict efferocytosis of resident microglia and peripheral-derived monocyte/macrophages. RESULTS Single-cell RNAseq identified MERTK expression, the primary receptor involved in efferocytosis, on monocytes, microglia, and a subset of astrocytes in the damaged cortex following brain injury. Loss of EphA4 on infiltrating GFP-expressing immune cells improved functional outcome concomitant with enhanced efferocytosis and overall protein expression of p-MERTK, p-ERK, and p-Stat6. The percentage of GFP+ monocyte/macrophages and resident microglia engulfing NeuN+ or TUNEL+ cells was significantly higher in KO chimeric mice. Importantly, mRNA expression of Mertk and its cognate ligand Gas6 was significantly elevated in these mice compared to the wild-type. Analysis of cell-specific expression showed that p-ERK and p-Stat6 co-localized with MERTK-expressing GFP + cells in the peri-lesional area of the cortex following brain injury. Using an in vitro efferocytosis assay, co-culturing pHrodo-labeled apoptotic Jurkat cells and bone marrow (BM)-derived macrophages, we demonstrate that efferocytosis efficiency and mRNA expression of Mertk and Gas6 was enhanced in the absence of EphA4. Selective inhibitors of ERK and Stat6 attenuated this effect, confirming that EphA4 suppresses monocyte/macrophage efferocytosis via inhibition of the ERK/Stat6 pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our findings implicate the ERK/Stat6/MERTK axis as a novel regulator of apoptotic debris clearance in brain injury that is restricted by peripheral myeloid-derived EphA4 to prevent the resolution of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Soliman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - John Leonard
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | | | - Ilana Gershenson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Jing Ju
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Jatia Mills
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Caroline de Jager
- Translational Biology Medicine and Health Graduate Program, Roanoke, VA, 24001, USA
| | - Alexandra M Kaloss
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Mohamed Elhassanny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Daniela Pereira
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Michael Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Michelle H Theus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- Translational Biology Medicine and Health Graduate Program, Roanoke, VA, 24001, USA.
- Center for Engineered Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- VT-Biomedical Engineering and School of Neuroscience, 970 Washington Street SW, Life Sciences I; Rm 249 (MC0910), Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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7
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Hasegawa N, Hongo M, Okada M, Kuga T, Abe Y, Adachi J, Tomonaga T, Yamaguchi N, Nakayama Y. Phosphotyrosine proteomics in cells synchronized at monopolar cytokinesis reveals EphA2 as functioning in cytokinesis. Exp Cell Res 2023; 432:113783. [PMID: 37726045 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113783] [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: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Cytokinesis is the final step of the cell division in which cellular components are separated into two daughter cells. This process is regulated through the phosphorylation of different classes of proteins by serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) kinases such as Aurora B and Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1). Conversely, the role of phosphorylation at tyrosine residues during cytokinesis has not been studied in detail yet. In this study, we performed a phosphotyrosine proteomic analysis of cells undergoing monopolar cytokinesis synchronized by using the Eg5 inhibitor (+)-S-trityl-l-cysteine (STLC) and the CDK1 inhibitor RO-3306. Phosphotyrosine proteomics gave 362 tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides. Western blot analysis of proteins revealed tyrosine phosphorylation in mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), vimentin, ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2), and myelin protein zero-like protein 1 (MPZL1) during monopolar cytokinesis. Additionally, we demonstrated that EphA2, a protein with unknown function during cytokinesis, is involved in cytokinesis. EphA2 knockdown accelerated epithelial cell transforming 2 (Ect2) knockdown-induced multinucleation, suggesting that EphA2 plays a role in cytokinesis in a particular situation. The list also included many proteins previously reported to play roles during cytokinesis. These results evidence that the identified phosphopeptides facilitate the identification of novel tyrosine phosphorylation signaling involved in regulating cytokinesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanami Hasegawa
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Mayue Hongo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Misaki Okada
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Takahisa Kuga
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan; Laboratory of Analytics for Biomolecules, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Setsunan University, Osaka 573-0101, Japan
| | - Yuichi Abe
- Laboratory of Proteomics for Drug Discovery, Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka 567-0085, Japan; Division of Molecular Diagnostics, Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
| | - Jun Adachi
- Laboratory of Proteomics for Drug Discovery, Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tomonaga
- Laboratory of Proteomics for Drug Discovery, Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka 567-0085, Japan; Proteobiologics Co., Ltd., Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Naoto Yamaguchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Yuji Nakayama
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan.
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Wang J, Al-Majid D, Brenner JC, Smith JD. Mutant HRas Signaling and Rationale for Use of Farnesyltransferase Inhibitors in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Target Oncol 2023; 18:643-655. [PMID: 37665491 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-023-00993-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are often associated with poor outcomes, due at least in part to the limited number of treatment options available for those patients who develop recurrent and/or metastatic disease (R/M HNSCC). Even with the recent validation and approval of immunotherapies in the first-line setting for these patients, the need for the development of new and alternative precision medicine strategies with survival benefit is clear. Oncogenic alterations in the HRAS (Harvey rat sarcoma virus) proto-oncogene are seen in approximately 4-8% of R/M HNSCC tumors. Recently, several preclinical and clinical advancements have been made in the implementation of small-molecule inhibitors that block post-translational farnesylation of HRas, thereby abrogating its downstream oncogenic activity. In this review, we focus on the biology of wild-type and mutant HRas signaling in HNSCC, and rationale for use and outcomes of farnesyltransferase inhibitors in patients with HRAS-mutant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Dana Al-Majid
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, MSRB III 1150 W. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - J Chad Brenner
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, MSRB III 1150 W. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Joshua D Smith
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, MSRB III 1150 W. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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9
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Soliman E, Leonard J, Basso EK, Gershenson I, Ju J, Mills J, Jager C, Kaloss AM, Elhassanny M, Pereira D, Chen M, Wang X, Theus MH. Efferocytosis is restricted by axon guidance molecule EphA4 via ERK/Stat6/Mertk signaling following brain injury. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3079466. [PMID: 37461720 PMCID: PMC10350120 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3079466/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Efferocytosis is a process that removes apoptotic cells and cellular debris. Clearance of these cells alleviates neuroinflammation and prevents the release of inflammatory molecules and promotes the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines to help maintain tissue homeostasis. The underlying mechanisms by which this occurs in the brain after injury remains ill-defined. Methods We demonstrate using GFP bone marrow chimeric knockout (KO) mice, that the axon guidance molecule EphA4 receptor tyrosine kinase is involved in suppressing Mertk signaling in the brain to restrict the function of efferocytosis on resident microglia and peripheral-derived monocyte/macrophages. Results Single-cell RNAseq identified Mertk expression, the primary receptor involved in efferocytosis, on monocytes, microglia, and a subset of astrocytes in the damaged cortex following brain injury. Loss of EphA4 on infiltrating GFP-expressing immune cells improved functional outcome concomitant with enhanced efferocytosis, and overall protein expression of p-Mertk, p-ERK, and p-Stat6. The percentage of GFP+ monocyte/macrophages and resident microglia engulfing NeuN+ or TUNEL+ cells was significantly higher in KO chimeric mice. Importantly, mRNA expression of Mertk and its cognate ligand Gas6 was significantly elevated in these mice compared to wild-type. Analysis of cell-specific expression showed that p-ERK and p-Stat6 co-localized with Mertk-expressing GFP + cells in the peri-lesional area of the cortex following brain injury. Using an in vitro efferocytosis assay, co-culturing pHrodo-labeled apoptotic Jurkat cells and bone marrow (BM)-derived macrophages, we demonstrate that efferocytosis efficiency and mRNA expression of Mertk and Gas6 was enhanced in the absence of EphA4. Select inhibitors of ERK and Stat6 attenuated this effect confirming that EphA4 suppresses monocyte/macrophage efferocytosis via inhibition of the ERK/Stat6 pathway. Conclusions Our findings implicate the Mertk/ERK/Stat6 axis as a novel regulator of apoptotic debris clearance in brain injury that is restricted by peripheral myeloid-derived EphA4 to prevent the resolution of inflammation.
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10
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Lau A, Le N, Nguyen C, Kandpal RP. Signals transduced by Eph receptors and ephrin ligands converge on MAP kinase and AKT pathways in human cancers. Cell Signal 2023; 104:110579. [PMID: 36572189 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Eph receptors, the largest known family of receptor tyrosine kinases, and ephrin ligands have been implicated in a variety of human cancers. The novel bidirectional signaling events initiated by binding of Eph receptors to their cognate ephrin ligands modulate many cellular processes such as proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, invasion, and apoptosis. The relationships between the abundance of a unique subset of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands with associated cellular processes indicate a key role of these molecules in tumorigenesis. The combinatorial expression of these molecules converges on MAP kinase and/or AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. The intracellular target proteins of the initial signal may, however, vary in some cancers. Furthermore, we have also described the commonality of up- and down-regulation of individual receptors and ligands in various cancers. The current state of research in Eph receptors illustrates MAP kinase and mTOR pathways as plausible targets for therapeutic interventions in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Lau
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America
| | - Nghia Le
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America
| | - Claudia Nguyen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America
| | - Raj P Kandpal
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America.
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11
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Anerillas C, Altés G, Gorospe M. MAPKs in the early steps of senescence implemEMTation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1083401. [PMID: 37009481 PMCID: PMC10060890 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1083401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence is accumulating that the earliest stages of the DNA damage response can direct cells toward senescence instead of other cell fates. In particular, tightly regulated signaling through Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) in early senescence can lead to a sustained pro-survival program and suppress a pro-apoptotic program. Importantly, an epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-like program appears essential for preventing apoptosis and favoring senescence following DNA damage. In this review, we discuss how MAPKs might influence EMT features to promote a senescent phenotype that increases cell survival at the detriment of tissue function.
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12
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Furukawa T, Kimura H, Sasaki M, Yamada T, Iwasawa T, Yagi Y, Kato K, Yasui H. Novel [ 111 In]In-BnDTPA-EphA2-230-1 Antibody for Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Imaging Tracer Targeting of EphA2. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:7030-7035. [PMID: 36844571 PMCID: PMC9948553 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor A2 (EphA2) is overexpressed in cancer cells and causes abnormal cell proliferation. Therefore, it has attracted attention as a target for diagnostic agents. In this study, the EphA2-230-1 monoclonal antibody (EphA2-230-1) was labeled with [111In]In and evaluated as an imaging tracer for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of EphA2. EphA2-230-1 was conjugated with 2-(4-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (p-SCN-BnDTPA) and then labeled with [111In]In. [111In]In-BnDTPA-EphA2-230-1 was evaluated in cell-binding, biodistribution, and SPECT/computed tomography (CT) studies. The cellular uptake ratio of [111In]In-BnDTPA-EphA2-230-1 was 14.0 ± 2.1%/mg protein at 4 h in the cell-binding study. In the biodistribution study, a high uptake of [111In]In-BnDTPA-EphA2-230-1 was observed in tumor tissue (14.6 ± 3.2% injected dose/g at 72 h). The superior accumulation of [111In]In-BnDTPA-EphA2-230-1 in tumors was also confirmed using SPECT/CT. Therefore, [111In]In-BnDTPA-EphA2-230-1 has potential as a SPECT imaging tracer for EphA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takenori Furukawa
- Department
of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and
Physical Science, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kimura
- Department
of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and
Physical Science, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Minon Sasaki
- Department
of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and
Physical Science, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Takumu Yamada
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Toyo University, 2100 Nakanodai, Kujirai, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0815, Japan
| | - Takumi Iwasawa
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Toyo University, 2100 Nakanodai, Kujirai, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0815, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yagi
- Department
of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and
Physical Science, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
- Department
of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Medicinal Science, Kyoto College of Medical Science, 1-3 Imakita, Oyama-higashi, Sonobe,
Nantan, Kyoto 622-0022, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kato
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Toyo University, 2100 Nakanodai, Kujirai, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-0815, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yasui
- Department
of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and
Physical Science, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
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13
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Chen D, Van der Ent MA, Lartey NL, King PD. EPHB4-RASA1-Mediated Negative Regulation of Ras-MAPK Signaling in the Vasculature: Implications for the Treatment of EPHB4- and RASA1-Related Vascular Anomalies in Humans. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:165. [PMID: 37259315 PMCID: PMC9959185 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Ephrin receptors constitute a large family of receptor tyrosine kinases in mammals that through interaction with cell surface-anchored ephrin ligands regulate multiple different cellular responses in numerous cell types and tissues. In the cardiovascular system, studies performed in vitro and in vivo have pointed to a critical role for Ephrin receptor B4 (EPHB4) as a regulator of blood and lymphatic vascular development and function. However, in this role, EPHB4 appears to act not as a classical growth factor receptor but instead functions to dampen the activation of the Ras-mitogen activated protein signaling (MAPK) pathway induced by other growth factor receptors in endothelial cells (EC). To inhibit the Ras-MAPK pathway, EPHB4 interacts functionally with Ras p21 protein activator 1 (RASA1) also known as p120 Ras GTPase-activating protein. Here, we review the evidence for an inhibitory role for an EPHB4-RASA1 interface in EC. We further discuss the mechanisms by which loss of EPHB4-RASA1 signaling in EC leads to blood and lymphatic vascular abnormalities in mice and the implications of these findings for an understanding of the pathogenesis of vascular anomalies in humans caused by mutations in EPHB4 and RASA1 genes. Last, we provide insights into possible means of drug therapy for EPHB4- and RASA1-related vascular anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Philip D. King
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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14
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Ikeda K, Kaneko R, Tsukamoto E, Funahashi N, Koshikawa N. Proteolytic cleavage of membrane proteins by membrane type-1 MMP regulates cancer malignant progression. Cancer Sci 2022; 114:348-356. [PMID: 36336966 PMCID: PMC9899627 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Strategies to develop cancer therapies using inhibitors that target matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly membrane type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP), have failed. This is predominantly attributed to the specificity of MMP inhibitors and numerous functions of MMPs; therefore, targeting substrates with such broad specificity can lead to off-target effects. Thus, new drug development for cancer therapeutics should focus on the ability of MT1-MMP to break down substrates, such as functional cell membrane proteins, to regulate the functions of these proteins that promote tumor malignancy. In this review, we discuss the mechanism by which proteolysis of cell surface proteins by MT1-MMP promotes progression of malignant tumor cells. In addition, we discuss the two protein fragments generated by limited cleavage of erythropoietin-producing hepatoma receptor tyrosine kinase A2 (EphA2-NF, -CF), which represent a promising basis for developing new cancer therapies and diagnostic techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Ikeda
- Department of Life Science and TechnologyTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan
| | - Ryo Kaneko
- Department of Life Science and TechnologyTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan
| | - Eiki Tsukamoto
- Department of Life Science and TechnologyTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan
| | - Nobuaki Funahashi
- Department of Life Science and TechnologyTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan
| | - Naohiko Koshikawa
- Department of Life Science and TechnologyTokyo Institute of TechnologyYokohamaJapan,Clinical Proteomics LaboratoryKanagawa Cancer Center Research InstituteYokohamaJapan
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15
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Wass AB, Krishna BA, Herring LE, Gilbert TSK, Nukui M, Groves IJ, Dooley AL, Kulp KH, Matthews SM, Rotroff DM, Graves LM, O’Connor CM. Cytomegalovirus US28 regulates cellular EphA2 to maintain viral latency. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eadd1168. [PMID: 36288299 PMCID: PMC9604534 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add1168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation from latency following immune dysregulation remains a serious risk for patients, often causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Here, we demonstrate the CMV-encoded G protein-coupled receptor, US28, in coordination with cellular Ephrin receptor A2, attenuates mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, thereby limiting viral replication in latently infected primary monocytes. Furthermore, treatment of latently infected primary monocytes with dasatinib, a Food and Drug Association-approved kinase inhibitor used to treat a subset of leukemias, results in CMV reactivation. These ex vivo data correlate with our retrospective analyses of the Explorys electronic health record database, where we find dasatinib treatment is associated with a significant risk of CMV-associated disease (odds ratio 1.58, P = 0.0004). Collectively, our findings elucidate a signaling pathway that plays a central role in the balance between CMV latency and reactivation and identifies a common therapeutic cancer treatment that elevates the risk of CMV-associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda B. Wass
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Benjamin A. Krishna
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Laura E. Herring
- UNC Proteomics Core Facility, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Thomas S. K. Gilbert
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Masatoshi Nukui
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Ian J. Groves
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Abigail L. Dooley
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Katherine H. Kulp
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Stephen M. Matthews
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Daniel M. Rotroff
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Lee M. Graves
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Christine M. O’Connor
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Infection Biology Program, Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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16
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Interactions between EGFR and EphA2 promote tumorigenesis through the action of Ephexin1. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:528. [PMID: 35668076 PMCID: PMC9170705 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04984-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The cell signaling factors EGFR, EphA2, and Ephexin1 are associated with lung and colorectal cancer and play an important role in tumorigenesis. Although the respective functional roles of EGFR and EphA2 are well known, interactions between these proteins and a functional role for the complex is not understood. Here, we showed that Ephexin1, EphA2, and EGFR are each expressed at higher levels in lung and colorectal cancer patient tissues, and binding of EGFR to EphA2 was associated with both increased tumor grade and metastatic cases in both cancer types. Treatment with Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) induced binding of the RR domain of EGFR to the kinase domain of EphA2, and this binding was promoted by Ephexin1. Additionally, the AKT-mediated phosphorylation of EphA2 (at Ser897) promoted interactions with EGFR, pointing to the importance of this pathway. Two mutations in EGFR, L858R and T790M, that are frequently observed in lung cancer patients, promoted binding to EphA2, and this binding was dependent on Ephexin1. Our results indicate that the formation of a complex between EGFR, EphA2, and Ephexin1 plays an important role in lung and colorectal cancers, and that inhibition of this complex may be an effective target for cancer therapy.
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17
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Kurnia I, Rauf S, Hatta M, Arifuddin S, Hidayat YM, Natzir R, Kaelan C, Bukhari A, Pelupessy NU, Patelonggi IJ. Molecular Patho-mechanisms of cervical cancer (MMP1). Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022; 77:103415. [PMID: 35444805 PMCID: PMC9014365 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Iwan Kurnia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Syahrul Rauf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Mochammad Hatta
- Department of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Sharvianty Arifuddin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Yudi Maulana Hidayat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjajaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Rosdiana Natzir
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Cahyo Kaelan
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Agussalim Bukhari
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Nugraha Utama Pelupessy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Ilham Jaya Patelonggi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
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18
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Oh D, Chen Z, Biswas KH, Bai F, Ong HT, Sheetz MP, Groves JT. Competition for shared downstream signaling molecules establishes indirect negative feedback between EGFR and EphA2. Biophys J 2022; 121:1897-1908. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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19
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Lin Z, Wu Z, Luo W. A Novel Treatment for Ewing's Sarcoma: Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cell Therapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:707211. [PMID: 34566963 PMCID: PMC8461297 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.707211] [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: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) is a malignant and aggressive tumor type that predominantly occurs in children and adolescents. Traditional treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, while successful in the early disease stages, are ineffective in patients with metastases and relapses who often have poor prognosis. Therefore, new treatments for EWS are needed to improve patient's outcomes. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells therapy, a novel adoptive immunotherapy, has been developing over the past few decades, and is increasingly popular in researches and treatments of various cancers. CAR-T cell therapy has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. Recently, this therapeutic approach has been employed for solid tumors including EWS. In this review, we summarize the safety, specificity and clinical transformation of the treatment targets of EWS, and point out the directions for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zili Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ziyi Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Luo
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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20
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Chen Z, Oh D, Biswas KH, Zaidel-Bar R, Groves JT. Probing the effect of clustering on EphA2 receptor signaling efficiency by subcellular control of ligand-receptor mobility. eLife 2021; 10:67379. [PMID: 34414885 PMCID: PMC8397371 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Clustering of ligand:receptor complexes on the cell membrane is widely presumed to have functional consequences for subsequent signal transduction. However, it is experimentally challenging to selectively manipulate receptor clustering without altering other biochemical aspects of the cellular system. Here, we develop a microfabrication strategy to produce substrates displaying mobile and immobile ligands that are separated by roughly 1 µm, and thus experience an identical cytoplasmic signaling state, enabling precision comparison of downstream signaling reactions. Applying this approach to characterize the ephrinA1:EphA2 signaling system reveals that EphA2 clustering enhances both receptor phosphorylation and downstream signaling activity. Single-molecule imaging clearly resolves increased molecular binding dwell times at EphA2 clusters for both Grb2:SOS and NCK:N-WASP signaling modules. This type of intracellular comparison enables a substantially higher degree of quantitative analysis than is possible when comparisons must be made between different cells and essentially eliminates the effects of cellular response to ligand manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwen Chen
- Multiscale Research Institute of Complex Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Dongmyung Oh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, United States.,Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kabir Hassan Biswas
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ronen Zaidel-Bar
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
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21
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Furukawa T, Kimura H, Torimoto H, Yagi Y, Kawashima H, Arimitsu K, Yasui H. A Putative Single-Photon Emission CT Imaging Tracer for Erythropoietin-Producing Hepatocellular A2 Receptor. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1238-1244. [PMID: 34413953 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (Eph) receptors are receptor tyrosine kinases involved in cell-cell contact. The EphA2 receptor is associated with cancer proliferation and migration. Therefore, EphA2 receptor imaging has the potential for cancer diagnosis. Here, we synthesized N-(5-((4-((4-ethylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)carbamoyl)-2-methylphenyl)-5-[123I]iodonicotinamide ([123I]ETB) and evaluated it as an imaging tracer for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of the EphA2 receptor. [123I]ETB was designed on the basis of ALW-II-41-27, an inhibitor of EphA2 receptor kinase. Nonradioactive ETB was also synthesized and has been shown to efficiently inhibit EphA2 receptor kinase activity in vitro (IC50: ETB, 90.2 ± 18.9 nM). A cell-binding assay demonstrated that [125I]ETB binds specifically to the EphA2 receptor. The ex vivo biodistribution study of [125I]ETB in U87MG tumor-bearing mice also revealed tumor uptake (2.2% ID/g at 240 min). In addition, [123I]ETB uptake in tumors was visualized via SPECT/CT imaging. On the basis of the above, [123I]ETB can be considered a potential SPECT imaging tracer for the EphA2 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takenori Furukawa
- Department of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kimura
- Department of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Hanae Torimoto
- Department of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yagi
- Department of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Kawashima
- Radioisotope Research Center, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 1 Shichono-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan
| | - Kenji Arimitsu
- Department of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yasui
- Department of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Division of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, 5 Nakauchi-cho, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan
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22
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Wu Y, Huang J, Ivan C, Sun Y, Ma S, Mangala LS, Fellman BM, Urbauer DL, Jennings NB, Ram P, Coleman RL, Hu W, Sood AK. MEK inhibition overcomes resistance to EphA2-targeted therapy in uterine cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2021; 163:181-190. [PMID: 34391578 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our pilot clinical study of EphA2 inhibitor (dasatinib) plus paclitaxel and carboplatin showed interesting clinical activity in endometrial cancer with manageable toxicity. However, the underlying mechanisms of dasatinib resistance in uterine cancer are unknown. Here, we investigated potential mechanisms underlying resistance to EphA2 inhibitors in uterine cancer and examined the anti-tumor activity of EphA2 inhibitors alone and in combination with a MEK inhibitor. METHODS We evaluated the antitumor activity of EphA2 inhibitors plus a MEK inhibitor using in vitro and in vivo orthotopic models of uterine cancer. RESULTS EphA2 inhibitor induced MAPK in dasatinib-resistant uterine cancer cells (HEC-1A and Ishikawa) and BRAF/CRAF heterodimerization in HEC-1A cells. EphA2 inhibitor and trametinib significantly increased apoptosis in cancer cells resistant to EphA2 inhibitors compared with controls (p < 0.01). An in vivo study with the orthotopic HEC-1A model showed significantly greater antitumor response to combination treatment compared with dasatinib alone (p < 0.01). Combination treatment increased EphrinA1 and BIM along with decreased pMAPK, Jagged 1, and c-MYC expression in dasatinib-resistant cells. In addition, Spearman analysis using the TCGA data revealed that upregulation of EphA2 was significantly correlated with JAG1, MYC, NOTCH1, NOTCH3 and HES1 expression (p < 0.001, r = 0.25-0.43). Specifically, MAP3K15 and the NOTCH family genes were significantly related to poor clinical outcome in patients with uterine cancer. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that the MAPK pathway is activated in dasatinib-resistant uterine cancer cells and that EphrinA1-mediated MEK inhibition overcomes dasatinib resistance. Dual targeting of both EphA2 and MEK, combined with chemotherapy, should be considered for future clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutuan Wu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Jie Huang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Cristina Ivan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America; Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Yunjie Sun
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Shaolin Ma
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Lingegowda S Mangala
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Bryan M Fellman
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Diana L Urbauer
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Nicholas B Jennings
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Prahlad Ram
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Robert L Coleman
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America.
| | - Anil K Sood
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America; Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America; Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America.
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23
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Wang J, Guo J, Zhao K, Ruan W, Li L, Ling J, Peng R, Zhang H, Yang C, Zhu Z. Auto-Panning: a highly integrated and automated biopanning platform for peptide screening. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:2702-2710. [PMID: 34105587 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00129a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Biopanning, a common affinity selection approach in phage display, has evolved numerous ligands for diagnosis, imaging, delivery, and therapy applications. However, traditional biopanning has suffered from time-consuming processes, highly-repetitive procedures and labor-intensive manual operation. Herein, a highly integrated and automated biopanning platform (Auto-Panning) is proposed. Based on digital microfluidics (DMF), biopanning processes are integrated on a chip with highly reproducible, precise, automated liquid manipulation. Therefore, 3 rounds of Auto-Panning can be accomplished within 16 h, instead of nearly a week of complicated manual operations. Auto-Panning has been used to evolve a specific peptide against cancer biomarker EphA2 with excellent cellular penetrating ability and significant invasion suppression biofunction, successfully demonstrating the practicality of the platform. Overall, as an automated programmable molecular screening platform, Auto-Panning will further promote the discovery and applications of novel ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxia Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Jingjing Guo
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Kaifeng Zhao
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China. and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Weidong Ruan
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Liang Li
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Jiajun Ling
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Ruixiao Peng
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Huimin Zhang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Chaoyong Yang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China. and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Zhi Zhu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
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24
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Hill W, Zaragkoulias A, Salvador-Barbero B, Parfitt GJ, Alatsatianos M, Padilha A, Porazinski S, Woolley TE, Morton JP, Sansom OJ, Hogan C. EPHA2-dependent outcompetition of KRASG12D mutant cells by wild-type neighbors in the adult pancreas. Curr Biol 2021; 31:2550-2560.e5. [PMID: 33891893 PMCID: PMC8231095 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.03.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
As we age, our tissues are repeatedly challenged by mutational insult, yet cancer occurrence is a relatively rare event. Cells carrying cancer-causing genetic mutations compete with normal neighbors for space and survival in tissues. However, the mechanisms underlying mutant-normal competition in adult tissues and the relevance of this process to cancer remain incompletely understood. Here, we investigate how the adult pancreas maintains tissue health in vivo following sporadic expression of oncogenic Kras (KrasG12D), the key driver mutation in human pancreatic cancer. We find that when present in tissues in low numbers, KrasG12D mutant cells are outcompeted and cleared from exocrine and endocrine compartments in vivo. Using quantitative 3D tissue imaging, we show that before being cleared, KrasG12D cells lose cell volume, pack into round clusters, and E-cadherin-based cell-cell adhesions decrease at boundaries with normal neighbors. We identify EphA2 receptor as an essential signal in the clearance of KrasG12D cells from exocrine and endocrine tissues in vivo. In the absence of functional EphA2, KrasG12D cells do not alter cell volume or shape, E-cadherin-based cell-cell adhesions increase and KrasG12D cells are retained in tissues. The retention of KRasG12D cells leads to the early appearance of premalignant pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanINs) in tissues. Our data show that adult pancreas tissues remodel to clear KrasG12D cells and maintain tissue health. This study provides evidence to support a conserved functional role of EphA2 in Ras-driven cell competition in epithelial tissues and suggests that EphA2 is a novel tumor suppressor in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Hill
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Andreas Zaragkoulias
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Beatriz Salvador-Barbero
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Geraint J Parfitt
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK; School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Markella Alatsatianos
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Ana Padilha
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Sean Porazinski
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK; Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Thomas E Woolley
- School of Mathematics, Cardiff University, Senghennydd Road, Cardiff CF24 4AG, UK
| | - Jennifer P Morton
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Owen J Sansom
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Catherine Hogan
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK.
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25
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Morimoto H, Kanatsu-Shinohara M, Orwig KE, Shinohara T. Expression and functional analyses of ephrin type-A receptor 2 in mouse spermatogonial stem cells†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:220-232. [PMID: 31403678 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) undergo continuous self-renewal division in response to self-renewal factors. The present study identified ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EPHA2) on mouse SSCs and showed that supplementation of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), which are both SSC self-renewal factors, induced EPHA2 expression in cultured SSCs. Spermatogonial transplantation combined with magnetic-activated cell sorting or fluorescence-activated cell sorting also revealed that EPHA2 was expressed in SSCs. Additionally, ret proto-oncogene (RET) phosphorylation levels decreased following the knockdown (KD) of Epha2 expression via short hairpin ribonucleic acid (RNA). Although the present immunoprecipitation experiments did not reveal an association between RET with EPHA2, RET interacted with FGFR2. The Epha2 KD decreased the proliferation of cultured SSCs and inhibited the binding of cultured SSCs to laminin-coated plates. The Epha2 KD also significantly reduced the colonization of testis cells by spermatogonial transplantation. EPHA2 was also expressed in human GDNF family receptor alpha 1-positive spermatogonia. The present results indicate that SSCs express EPHA2 and suggest that it is a critical modifier of self-renewal signals in SSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Morimoto
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mito Kanatsu-Shinohara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Takashi Shinohara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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26
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Expression Pattern and Prognostic Value of EPHA/EFNA in Breast Cancer by Bioinformatics Analysis: Revealing Its Importance in Chemotherapy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5575704. [PMID: 33977106 PMCID: PMC8087473 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5575704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The activities of the ephrin family in breast cancer (BrCa) are complex. Family A receptors (EPHA) and ligands (EFNA) can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors and are implicated in chemoresistance. Here, we examined the expression pattern and prognostic value of the EPHA/EFNA family in patients with breast cancer, including patients with different subtypes or different chemotherapy cohorts. In the UALCAN database, the mRNA expression of EPHA1, EPHA10, EFNA1, EFNA3, and EFNA4 was significantly higher, whereas that of EPHA2, EPHA4, EPHA5, and EFNA5 was significantly lower in breast cancer tissues than in paracancerous tissues. The transcriptional levels of EPHA/EFNA family members were correlated with intrinsic subclasses of breast cancer. The relationship between EPHA/EFNA and the clinicopathological parameters of BrCa was analyzed using bc-GenExMiner V4.5. EPHA1, EPHA2, EPHA4, EPHA7, EFNA3, EFNA4, and EFNA5 were upregulated in estrogen receptor- (ER-) and progesterone receptor- (PR-) negative tumors, whereas EPHA3, EPHA6, and EFNA1 were upregulated in ER- and PR-positive tumors. EPHA1, EPHA2, EFNA3, and EFNA4 mRNA expression was significantly higher in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- (HER2-) positive tumors than in HER2-negative tumors. Triple-negative status was positively correlated with EPHA1, EPHA2, EPHA4, EPHA7, EFNA3, EFNA4, and EFNA5 and negatively correlated with EPHA3 and EPHA10 mRNA expression. Genetic alterations of EPHA/EFNA in breast cancer varied from 1.1% to 10% for individual genes, as determined by the cBioPortal database. The Kaplan–Meier plotter indicated that high EphA7 mRNA expression was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), especially in the HER2 and luminal A subtypes. EFNA4 was predicted to have poor OS and RFS in breast cancers, especially in luminal B, basal-like subtype, and patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. High EPHA3 expression was significantly associated with better OS and RFS, especially in the luminal A subtype, but with poor RFS in BrCa patients receiving chemotherapy. Our findings systematically elucidate the expression pattern and prognostic value of the EPHA/EFNA family in BrCa, which might provide potential prognostic factors and novel targets in BrCa patients, including those with different subtypes or treated with chemotherapy.
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27
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Vaught DB, Merkel AR, Lynch CC, Edwards J, Tantawy MN, Hilliard T, Wang S, Peterson T, Johnson RW, Sterling JA, Brantley‐Sieders D. EphA2 Is a Clinically Relevant Target for Breast Cancer Bone Metastatic Disease. JBMR Plus 2021; 5:e10465. [PMID: 33869989 PMCID: PMC8046157 DOI: 10.1002/jbm4.10465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is highly expressed in breast tumor cells across multiple molecular subtypes and correlates with poor patient prognosis. In this study, the potential role of EphA2 in this clinically relevant phenomenon is investigated as metastasis of breast cancer to bone is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients. It was found that the EphA2 function in breast cancer cells promotes osteoclast activation and the development of osteolytic bone disease. Blocking EphA2 function molecularly and pharmacologically in breast tumors reduced the number and size of bone lesions and the degree of osteolytic disease in intratibial and intracardiac mouse models, which correlated with a significant decrease in the number of osteoclasts at the tumor-bone interface. EphA2 loss of function in tumor cells impaired osteoclast progenitor differentiation in coculture, which is mediated, at least in part, by reduced expression of IL-6. EPHA2 transcript levels are enriched in human breast cancer bone metastatic lesions relative to visceral metastatic sites; EphA2 protein expression was detected in breast tumor cells in bone metastases in patient samples, supporting the clinical relevance of the study's findings. These data provide a strong rationale for the development and application of molecularly targeted therapies against EphA2 for the treatment of breast cancer bone metastatic disease. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Vaught
- Department of Cancer BiologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Alyssa R Merkel
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone BiologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Conor C Lynch
- Department of Tumor BiologyH. Lee Moffitt Cancer CenterTampaFLUSA
| | | | - Mohammed Noor Tantawy
- Radiology and Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging SciencesVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Timothy Hilliard
- Radiology and Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging SciencesVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and ImmunologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Todd Peterson
- Radiology and Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging SciencesVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Rachelle W Johnson
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone BiologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
- Vanderbilt‐Ingram Cancer CenterVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
- Department of Tumor BiologyH. Lee Moffitt Cancer CenterTampaFLUSA
- Division of Clinical PharmacologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Julie A Sterling
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone BiologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (VISN 9)Vanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Dana Brantley‐Sieders
- Vanderbilt‐Ingram Cancer CenterVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
- Department of Tumor BiologyH. Lee Moffitt Cancer CenterTampaFLUSA
- Radiology and Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging SciencesVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and ImmunologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
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28
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Zhao P, Jiang D, Huang Y, Chen C. EphA2: A promising therapeutic target in breast cancer. J Genet Genomics 2021; 48:261-267. [PMID: 33962882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2), a receptor tyrosine kinase, is overexpressed in human breast cancers often linked to poor patient prognosis. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that EphA2 plays important roles in several critical processes associated with malignant breast progression, such as proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, drug resistance, metastasis, and angiogenesis. As its inhibition through multiple approaches can inhibit the growth of breast cancer and restore drug sensitivity, EphA2 has become a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment. Here, we summarize the expression, functions, mechanisms of action, and regulation of EphA2 in breast cancer. We also list the potential therapeutic strategies targeting EphA2. Furthermore, we discuss the future directions of studying EphA2 in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhao
- Department of the First Breast Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650118, China
| | - Dewei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Yunchao Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650118, China.
| | - Ceshi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, China.
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29
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Zhao Y, Cai C, Zhang M, Shi L, Wang J, Zhang H, Ma P, Li S. Ephrin-A2 promotes prostate cancer metastasis by enhancing angiogenesis and promoting EMT. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:2013-2023. [PMID: 33772606 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03618-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ephrin-A2, a member of the Eph receptor subgroup, is used in diagnosing and determining the prognosis of prostate cancer. However, the role of ephrin-A2 in prostate cancer is remains elusive. METHODS We established stable clones overexpressing or silencing ephrin-A2 from prostate cancer cells. Then, CCK-8 was used in analyzing the proliferation ability of cells. CD31 staining was used in evaluating angiogenesis. Migration and invasion assay were conducted in vivo and in vitro. The expression of EMT-related markers was evaluated in prostate cancer cells through Western blotting. RESULTS We revealed that the ectopic expression of ephrin-A2 in prostate cancer cells facilitated cell migration and invasion in vitro and promoted tumor metastasis and angiogenesis in vivo and that the silencing of ephrin-A2 completely reversed this effect. Although ephrin-A2 did not affect tumor cell proliferation in vitro, ephrin-A2 significantly promoted primary tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, to determine the biological function of ephrin-A2, we assayed the expression of EMT-related markers in stable-established cell lines. Results showed that the overexpression of ephrin-A2 in prostate cancer cells down-regulated the expression of epithelial markers (ZO-1, E-cadherin, and claudin-1) and up-regulated the expression of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, β-catenin, vimentin, Slug, and Snail), but the knocking out of ephrin-A2 opposed the effects on the expression of EMT markers. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that ephrin-A2 promotes prostate cancer metastasis by enhancing angiogenesis and promoting EMT and may be a potentially therapeutic target in metastatic prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
- Medical Technology School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Chenchen Cai
- Medical Technology School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
- Xuzhou Central Hospital, The Affiliated Xuzhou Hospital of Medical College of Southeast University, Xuzhou, 221002, China
| | - Miaomiao Zhang
- Medical Technology School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Lubing Shi
- Medical Technology School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Jiwei Wang
- Medical Technology School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Haoliang Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, China
| | - Ping Ma
- Medical Technology School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, China.
| | - Shibao Li
- Medical Technology School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, 221002, China.
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30
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Wang H, Hou W, Perera A, Bettler C, Beach JR, Ding X, Li J, Denning MF, Dhanarajan A, Cotler SJ, Joyce C, Yin J, Ahmed F, Roberts LR, Qiu W. Targeting EphA2 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma initiation and progression by dual inhibition of JAK1/STAT3 and AKT signaling. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108765. [PMID: 33626345 PMCID: PMC7954228 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide. One major obstacle to treatment is a lack of effective molecular-targeted therapies. In this study, we find that EphA2 expression and signaling are enriched in human HCC and associated with poor prognosis. Loss of EphA2 suppresses the initiation and growth of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CRISPR/CAS9-mediated EphA2 inhibition significantly delays tumor development in a genetically engineered murine model of HCC. Mechanistically, we discover that targeting EphA2 suppresses both AKT and JAK1/STAT3 signaling, two separate oncogenic pathways in HCC. We also identify a small molecule kinase inhibitor of EphA2 that suppresses tumor progression in a murine HCC model. Together, our results suggest EphA2 as a promising therapeutic target for HCC.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Benzamides/pharmacology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/enzymology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Databases, Genetic
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Janus Kinase 1/genetics
- Janus Kinase 1/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/enzymology
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Niacinamide/analogs & derivatives
- Niacinamide/pharmacology
- Phosphorylation
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Receptor, EphA2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, EphA2/genetics
- Receptor, EphA2/metabolism
- Retrospective Studies
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Tumor Burden/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Wei Hou
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Aldeb Perera
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Carlee Bettler
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Jordan R Beach
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Xianzhong Ding
- Department of Pathology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Mitchell F Denning
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Scott J Cotler
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Cara Joyce
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Jun Yin
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Fowsiyo Ahmed
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA.
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31
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Cioce M, Fazio VM. EphA2 and EGFR: Friends in Life, Partners in Crime. Can EphA2 Be a Predictive Biomarker of Response to Anti-EGFR Agents? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040700. [PMID: 33572284 PMCID: PMC7915460 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Eph receptors represent the largest group among Receptor Tyrosine kinase (RTK) families. The Eph/ephrin signaling axis plays center stage during development, and the deep perturbation of signaling consequent to its dysregulation in cancer reveals the multiplicity and complexity underlying its function. In the last decades, they have emerged as key players in solid tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC); however, what causes EphA2 to switch between tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting function is still an active theater of investigation. This review summarizes the recent advances in understanding EphA2 function in cancer, with detail on the molecular determinants of the oncogene-tumor suppressor switch function of EphA2. We describe tumor context-specific examples of EphA2 signaling and the emerging role EphA2 plays in supporting cancer-stem-cell-like populations and overcoming therapy-induced stress. In such a frame, we detail the interaction of the EphA2 and EGFR pathway in solid tumors, including colorectal cancer. We discuss the contribution of the EphA2 oncogenic signaling to the resistance to EGFR blocking agents, including cetuximab and TKIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Cioce
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (V.M.F.)
| | - Vito Michele Fazio
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (V.M.F.)
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Allocca C, Cirafici AM, Laukkanen MO, Castellone MD. Serine 897 Phosphorylation of EPHA2 Is Involved in Signaling of Oncogenic ERK1/2 Drivers in Thyroid Cancer Cells. Thyroid 2021; 31:76-87. [PMID: 32762307 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2019.0728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background: Phosphorylation of the intracellular domain of the EPHA2 receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) on serine 897 (S897) has been demonstrated to mediate EPHA2 oncogenic activity. Here, we show that in thyroid cancer cells harboring driver oncogenes that signal through the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK1/2) signaling pathway [rearranged RET RTK (RET/PTC), KRAS(G12R), or BRAFV600E oncogenes], EPHA2 is robustly phosphorylated on S897. EPHA2 S897 is embedded in a consensus sequence for phosphorylation by the AGC family kinases, including p90RSK (ribosomal protein S6 kinase), a direct ERK1/2 target. Methods: We show that recombinant p90RSK phosphorylates in vitro EPHA2 S897 and that treatment with chemical inhibitors targeting p90RSK or other components of the ERK1/2 pathway blunts S897 phosphorylation. Results: RNA interference-mediated knockdown combined with rescue experiments demonstrated that EPHA2 S897 phosphorylation mediates thyroid cancer cell proliferation and motility. Conclusions: These findings point to EPHA2 S897 as a crucial mediator of the oncogenic activity of the ERK1/2 signaling cascade in thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Allocca
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Cirafici
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale "G. Salvatore" (IEOS), CNR, Naples, Italy
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Stefanski KM, Russell CM, Westerfield JM, Lamichhane R, Barrera FN. PIP 2 promotes conformation-specific dimerization of the EphA2 membrane region. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100149. [PMID: 33277361 PMCID: PMC7900517 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.016423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of the EphA2 receptor on cancer malignancy hinges on the two different ways it can be activated. EphA2 induces antioncogenic signaling after ligand binding, but ligand-independent activation of EphA2 is pro-oncogenic. It is believed that the transmembrane (TM) domain of EphA2 adopts two alternate conformations in the ligand-dependent and the ligand-independent states. However, it is poorly understood how the difference in TM helical crossing angles found in the two conformations impacts the activity and regulation of EphA2. We devised a method that uses hydrophobic matching to stabilize two conformations of a peptide comprising the EphA2 TM domain and a portion of the intracellular juxtamembrane (JM) segment. The two conformations exhibit different TM crossing angles, resembling the ligand-dependent and ligand-independent states. We developed a single-molecule technique using styrene maleic acid lipid particles to measure dimerization in membranes. We observed that the signaling lipid PIP2 promotes TM dimerization, but only in the small crossing angle state, which we propose corresponds to the ligand-independent conformation. In this state the two TMs are almost parallel, and the positively charged JM segments are expected to be close to each other, causing electrostatic repulsion. The mechanism PIP2 uses to promote dimerization might involve alleviating this repulsion due to its high density of negative charges. Our data reveal a conformational coupling between the TM and JM regions and suggest that PIP2 might directly exert a regulatory effect on EphA2 activation in cells that is specific to the ligand-independent conformation of the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Stefanski
- Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Charles M Russell
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Justin M Westerfield
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Rajan Lamichhane
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA.
| | - Francisco N Barrera
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA.
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EPHA2 antisense RNA modulates EPHA2 mRNA levels in basal-like/triple-negative breast cancer cells. Biochimie 2020; 179:169-180. [PMID: 33022313 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EPHA2) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), whose over-expression has been observed in a variety of cancers, including breast cancer. EPHA2 expression may be causally related to tumorigenesis; therefore, it is important to understand how EPHA2 gene (EPHA2) expression is regulated. Here, we report that EPHA2 antisense RNA (EPHA2-AS), a natural antisense transcript, is an important modulator of EPHA2 mRNA levels. EPHA2-AS is a ∼1.8 kb long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) with a poly(A) tail that encodes two splice variants, EPHA2-AS1/2. They are constitutively expressed in a concordant manner with EPHA2 mRNA in human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines and in patient samples, with the highest levels detected in the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype. The silencing of EPHA2-AS1/2 by a sense oligonucleotide or over-expression of an antisense oligoribonucleotide, which were both designed from the EPHA2 mRNA region (nt 2955-2974) targeted by AS1/2, showed that EPHA2-AS1/2 modulated EPHA2 mRNA levels by interacting with the specific AS1/2-complementary region in the mRNA. The EPHA2-AS1/2 did not prevent microRNAs from acting on the relevant microRNA response elements shared by EPHA2-AS1/2 and EPHA2 mRNA. Our studies demonstrate a crucial role played by EPHA2-AS1/2 in modulating EPHA2 mRNA levels, and hence production of EPHA2 protein, a key oncogenic RTK that contributes to the tumorigenesis of TNBC cells.
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London M, Gallo E. The EphA2 and cancer connection: potential for immune-based interventions. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:8037-8048. [PMID: 32990903 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05767-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Eph (erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular) receptors form the largest known subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. These receptors interact with membrane-bound ephrin ligands via direct cell-cell interactions resulting in bi-directional activation of signal pathways. Importantly, the Eph receptors play critical roles in embryonic tissue organization and homeostasis, and in the maintenance of adult processes such as long-term potentiation, angiogenesis, and stem cell differentiation. The Eph receptors also display properties of both tumor promoters and suppressors depending on the cellular context. Characterization of EphA2 receptor in regard to EphA2 dysregulation has revealed associations with various pathological processes, especially cancer. The analysis of various tumor types generally identify EphA2 receptor as overexpressed and/or mutated, and for certain types of cancers EphA2 is linked with poor prognosis and decreased patient survival. Thus, here we highlight the role of EphA2 in malignant tissues that are specific to cancer; these include glioblastoma multiforme, prostate cancer, ovarian and uterine cancers, gastric carcinoma, melanoma, and breast cancer. Due to its large extracellular domain, therapeutic targeting of EphA2 with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which may function as inhibitors of ligand activation or as molecular agonists, has been an oft-attempted strategy. Therefore, we review the most current mAb-based therapies against EphA2 expressing cancers currently in pre-clinical and/or clinical stages. Finally, we discuss the latest peptides and cyclical-peptides that function as selective agonists for EphA2 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max London
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Donnelly Centre, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Eugenio Gallo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Donnelly Centre, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada.
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Xiao T, Xiao Y, Wang W, Tang YY, Xiao Z, Su M. Targeting EphA2 in cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:114. [PMID: 32811512 PMCID: PMC7433191 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00944-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Eph receptors and the corresponding Eph receptor-interacting (ephrin) ligands jointly constitute a critical cell signaling network that has multiple functions. The tyrosine kinase EphA2, which belongs to the family of Eph receptors, is highly produced in tumor tissues, while found at relatively low levels in most normal adult tissues, indicating its potential application in cancer treatment. After 30 years of investigation, a large amount of data regarding EphA2 functions have been compiled. Meanwhile, several compounds targeting EphA2 have been evaluated and tested in clinical studies, albeit with limited clinical success. The present review briefly describes the contribution of EphA2-ephrin A1 signaling axis to carcinogenesis. In addition, the roles of EphA2 in resistance to molecular-targeted agents were examined. In particular, we focused on EphA2's potential as a target for cancer treatment to provide insights into the application of EphA2 targeting in anticancer strategies. Overall, EphA2 represents a potential target for treating malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ta Xiao
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210042, China
| | - Yuhang Xiao
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Wenxiang Wang
- Thoracic Surgery Department 2, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Yan Yan Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Zhiqiang Xiao
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
| | - Min Su
- Thoracic Surgery Department 2, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
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Reischmann N, Andrieux G, Griffin R, Reinheckel T, Boerries M, Brummer T. BRAF V600E drives dedifferentiation in small intestinal and colonic organoids and cooperates with mutant p53 and Apc loss in transformation. Oncogene 2020; 39:6053-6070. [PMID: 32792685 PMCID: PMC7498370 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01414-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BRAFV600E confers poor prognosis and is associated with a distinct subtype of colorectal cancer (CRC). Little is known, however, about the genetic events driving the initiation and progression of BRAFV600E mutant CRCs. Recent genetic analyses of CRCs indicate that BRAFV600E often coexists with alterations in the WNT- and p53 pathways, but their cooperation remains ill-defined. Therefore, we systematically compared small and large intestinal organoids from mice harboring conditional BraffloxV600E, Trp53LSL-R172H, and/or Apcflox/flox alleles. Using these isogenic models, we observe tissue-specific differences toward sudden BRAFV600E expression, which can be attributed to different ERK-pathway ground states in small and large intestinal crypts. BRAFV600E alone causes transient proliferation and suppresses epithelial organization, followed by organoid disintegration. Moreover, BRAFV600E induces a fetal-like dedifferentiation transcriptional program in colonic organoids, which resembles human BRAFV600E-driven CRC. Co-expression of p53R172H delays organoid disintegration, confers anchorage-independent growth, and induces invasive properties. Interestingly, p53R172H cooperates with BRAFV600E to modulate the abundance of transcripts linked to carcinogenesis, in particular within colonic organoids. Remarkably, WNT-pathway activation by Apc deletion fully protects organoids against BRAFV600E-induced disintegration and confers growth/niche factor independence. Still, Apc-deficient BRAFV600E-mutant organoids remain sensitive toward the MEK inhibitor trametinib, albeit p53R172H confers partial resistance against this clinically relevant compound. In summary, our systematic comparison of the response of small and large intestinal organoids to oncogenic alterations suggests colonic organoids to be better suited to model the human situation. In addition, our work on BRAF-, p53-, and WNT-pathway mutations provides new insights into their cooperation and for the design of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Reischmann
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Geoffroy Andrieux
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ricarda Griffin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Reinheckel
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Freiburg (CCCF), University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Centre for Biological Signalling Studies BIOSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Boerries
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Freiburg (CCCF), University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tilman Brummer
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg; and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Freiburg (CCCF), University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. .,Centre for Biological Signalling Studies BIOSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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38
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Ravasio A, Myaing MZ, Chia S, Arora A, Sathe A, Cao EY, Bertocchi C, Sharma A, Arasi B, Chung VY, Greene AC, Tan TZ, Chen Z, Ong HT, Iyer NG, Huang RY, DasGupta R, Groves JT, Viasnoff V. Single-cell analysis of EphA clustering phenotypes to probe cancer cell heterogeneity. Commun Biol 2020; 3:429. [PMID: 32764731 PMCID: PMC7411022 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases is crucial for assembly and maintenance of healthy tissues. Dysfunction in Eph signaling is causally associated with cancer progression. In breast cancer cells, dysregulated Eph signaling has been linked to alterations in receptor clustering abilities. Here, we implemented a single-cell assay and a scoring scheme to systematically probe the spatial organization of activated EphA receptors in multiple carcinoma cells. We show that cancer cells retain EphA clustering phenotype over several generations, and the degree of clustering reported for migration potential both at population and single-cell levels. Finally, using patient-derived cancer lines, we probed the evolution of EphA signalling in cell populations that underwent metastatic transformation and acquisition of drug resistance. Taken together, our scalable approach provides a reliable scoring scheme for EphA clustering that is consistent over multiple carcinomas and can assay heterogeneity of cancer cell populations in a cost- and time-effective manner. Ravasio et al. develop an assay to quantify the clustering of Eph receptor EphA2 upon ligand binding, based on the scoring of single cells. They discover that clustering phenotype predicts cell and population migration potential in cancer cells and reflects Eph associated gene expression profiles in cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ravasio
- National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Shumei Chia
- Genome Institute of Singapore, A-STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aditya Arora
- National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aneesh Sathe
- National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Cristina Bertocchi
- National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ankur Sharma
- Genome Institute of Singapore, A-STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bakya Arasi
- National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vin Yee Chung
- National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Tuan Zea Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhongwen Chen
- National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hui Ting Ong
- National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Ruby YunJu Huang
- School of Medicine & Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan, Taiwan.,University Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Jay T Groves
- National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Virgile Viasnoff
- National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Singapore, Singapore.
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Wechman SL, Emdad L, Sarkar D, Das SK, Fisher PB. Vascular mimicry: Triggers, molecular interactions and in vivo models. Adv Cancer Res 2020; 148:27-67. [PMID: 32723566 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Vascular mimicry is induced by a wide array of genes with functions related to cancer stemness, hypoxia, angiogenesis and autophagy. Vascular mimicry competent (VM-competent) cells that form de novo blood vessels are common in solid tumors facilitating tumor cell survival and metastasis. VM-competent cells display increased levels of vascular mimicry selecting for stem-like cells in an O2-gradient-dependent manner in deeply hypoxic tumor regions, while also aiding in maintaining tumor cell metabolism and stemness. Three of the principal drivers of vascular mimicry are EphA2, Nodal and HIF-1α, however, directly or indirectly many of these molecules affect VE-Cadherin (VE-Cad), which forms gap-junctions to bind angiogenic blood vessels together. During vascular mimicry, the endothelial-like functions of VM-competent cancer stem cells co-opt VE-Cad to bind cancer cells together to create cancer cell-derived blood conducting vessels. This process potentially compensates for the lack of access to blood and nutrient in avascular tumors, simultaneously providing nutrients and enhancing cancer invasion and metastasis. Current evidence also supports that vascular mimicry promotes cancer malignancy and metastasis due to the cooperation of oncogenic signaling molecules driving cancer stemness and autophagy. While a number of currently used cancer therapeutics are effective inhibitors of vascular mimicry, developing a new class of vascular mimicry specific inhibitors could allow for the treatment of angiogenesis-resistant tumors, inhibit cancer metastasis and improve patient survival. In this review, we describe the principal vascular mimicry pathways in addition to emphasizing the roles of hypoxia, autophagy and select proangiogenic oncogenes in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L Wechman
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
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Wang J, Zheng X, Peng Q, Zhang X, Qin Z. Eph receptors: the bridge linking host and virus. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:2355-2365. [PMID: 31893311 PMCID: PMC7275029 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03409-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Eph (erythropoietin-producing hepatoma) receptors and Ephrin ligands constitute the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), which were first discovered in tumors. Heretofore, Eph protein has been shown to be involved in various tumor biological behaviors including proliferation and progression. The occurrence of specific types of tumor is closely related to the virus infection. Virus entry is a complex process characterized by a series of events. The entry into target cells is an essential step for virus to cause diseases, which requires the fusion of the viral envelope and host cellular membrane mediated by viral glycoproteins and cellular receptors. Integrin molecules are well known as entry receptors for most herpes viruses. However, in recent years, Eph receptors and their Ephrin ligands have been reported to be involved in virus infections. The main mechanism may be the interaction between Eph receptors and conserved viral surface glycoprotein, such as the gH/gL or gB protein of the herpesviridae. This review focuses on the relationship between Eph receptor family and virus infection that summarize the processes of viruses such as EBV, KSHV, HCV, RRV, etc., infecting target cells through Eph receptors and activating its downstream signaling pathways resulting in malignancies. Finally, we discussed the perspectives to block virus infection, prevention, and treatment of viral-related tumors via Eph receptor family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- Department of Immunology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, 046000, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiang Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541001, Guangxi, China
| | - Qiu Peng
- School of Basic Medical Science, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541001, Guangxi, China.
| | - Zailong Qin
- Laboratory of Genetics and Metabolism, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Research And Prevention Institute, Nanning, 530003, Guangxi, China.
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Effect of EphA2 knockdown on melanoma metastasis depends on intrinsic ephrinA1 level. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2020; 43:655-667. [PMID: 32291572 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-020-00511-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Upregulation of receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 has been found to be associated with a poor prognosis in many types of cancer and is considered an attractive therapeutic target. As yet, few efforts have been focused on its tumor suppressive activity triggered by its ligand, ephrinA1. Here, we aimed to determine the potential of ephrinA1 as an important player in melanoma metastasis. METHODS Data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) were analyzed to explore the expression and prognostic implications of EphA2 and ephrinA1 in melanoma. Western blotting, shRNA, colony formation and immunofluorescence assays, as well as two in vivo xenograft models (subcutaneous and metastatic) were used to evaluate the role of EphA2 in melanoma progression. Akt inhibition and ephrinA1-Fc were used to confirm the influence of Akt activation and ephrinA1 levels on the EphA2 effects. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on xenograft and patient melanoma tissues. RESULTS We found that high levels of ephrinA1, but not EphA2, were negatively correlated with melanoma metastasis. The expression levels of EphA2 and ephrinA1 were not correlated. After EphA2 downregulation, colony forming abilities and lung metastatic growth were reduced in melanoma cell lines with a low ephrinA1 expression, but were increased in melanoma cell lines with a high ephrinA1 expression. EphA2-mediated colony formation in EphA2-high/ephrinA1-low cells was found to be Akt-dependent and to be inhibited by the addition of ephrinA1-Fc. IHC staining of primary melanoma specimens revealed that EphA2-high/ephrinA1-low patients exhibited poorer outcomes than EphA2-high/ephrinA1-high patients. CONCLUSIONS From our data we conclude that evaluation of ephrinA1 levels may be helpful for the application of EphA2-targeted therapies and for prognostic predictions in melanoma patients.
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Vincenzi M, Mercurio FA, Leone M. Sam Domains in Multiple Diseases. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:450-476. [PMID: 30306850 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666181009114445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sterile alpha motif (Sam) domain is a small helical protein module, able to undergo homo- and hetero-oligomerization, as well as polymerization, thus forming different types of protein architectures. A few Sam domains are involved in pathological processes and consequently, they represent valuable targets for the development of new potential therapeutic routes. This study intends to collect state-of-the-art knowledge on the different modes by which Sam domains can favor disease onset and progression. METHODS This review was build up by searching throughout the literature, for: a) the structural properties of Sam domains, b) interactions mediated by a Sam module, c) presence of a Sam domain in proteins relevant for a specific disease. RESULTS Sam domains appear crucial in many diseases including cancer, renal disorders, cataracts. Often pathologies are linked to mutations directly positioned in the Sam domains that alter their stability and/or affect interactions that are crucial for proper protein functions. In only a few diseases, the Sam motif plays a kind of "side role" and cooperates to the pathological event by enhancing the action of a different protein domain. CONCLUSION Considering the many roles of the Sam domain into a significant variety of diseases, more efforts and novel drug discovery campaigns need to be engaged to find out small molecules and/or peptides targeting Sam domains. Such compounds may represent the pillars on which to build novel therapeutic strategies to cure different pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Vincenzi
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council (CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia Anna Mercurio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council (CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Cirpeb, InterUniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Marilisa Leone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council (CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Cirpeb, InterUniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
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Rezaie E, Amani J, Bidmeshki Pour A, Mahmoodzadeh Hosseini H. A new scfv-based recombinant immunotoxin against EPHA2-overexpressing breast cancer cells; High in vitro anti-cancer potency. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 870:172912. [PMID: 31926992 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.172912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Immunotoxin therapy is one of the immunotherapy strategies providing a new, effective and high potency treatment against various cancers. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in many countries. The EPH receptors are a large part of tyrosine kinase receptors family and play an effective role in tumor development and angiogenesis. Among EPH receptors, EPHA2 is more commonly well-known and widely expressed in many cancers like breast cancer. In this study, we evaluated the specification of a designed immunotoxin formed by EPHA2-specific scfv linked with PE38KDEL on EPHA2-overexpressing breast cancer cell line. This new scfv-based recombinant immunotoxin was studied in terms of features such as binding potency, cytotoxicity effects, apoptosis induction ability, and internalization. The flow cytometry results showed that the immunotoxin can significantly (approximately 99%) bind to EPHA2-overexpressing breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) in a low concentration (2.5 ng/ul) while cannot significantly bind to the normal cell line (HEK-293) or even EPHA2-very low expressing cell line (MCF-7). Using the MTT assay and Annexin V/Propidium iodide (PI) double staining method by flow cytometry, we observed significant killing and apoptosis induction of the MDA-MB-231 cells at different concentrations. Immunotoxin tracking by confocal microscopy at 2 h and 6 h revealed a massive presence of immunotoxin in the cytoplasm. Finally, given the in vitro results, it seems that this immunotoxin is competent enough to serve as a good candidate for in vivo studies to further explore the possibility of breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Rezaie
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran; Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Jafar Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ali Bidmeshki Pour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Hamideh Mahmoodzadeh Hosseini
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Liu YL, Horning AM, Lieberman B, Kim M, Lin CK, Hung CN, Chou CW, Wang CM, Lin CL, Kirma NB, Liss MA, Vasisht R, Perillo EP, Blocher K, Horng H, Taverna JA, Ruan J, Yankeelov TE, Dunn AK, Huang THM, Yeh HC, Chen CL. Spatial EGFR Dynamics and Metastatic Phenotypes Modulated by Upregulated EphB2 and Src Pathways in Advanced Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121910. [PMID: 31805710 PMCID: PMC6966510 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced prostate cancer is a very heterogeneous disease reflecting in diverse regulations of oncogenic signaling pathways. Aberrant spatial dynamics of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) promote their dimerization and clustering, leading to constitutive activation in oncogenesis. The EphB2 and Src signaling pathways are associated with the reorganization of the cytoskeleton leading to malignancy, but their roles in regulating EGFR dynamics and activation are scarcely reported. Using single-particle tracking techniques, we found that highly phosphorylated EGFR in the advanced prostate cancer cell line, PC3, was associated with higher EGFR diffusivity, as compared with LNCaP and less aggressive DU145. The increased EGFR activation and biophysical dynamics were consistent with high proliferation, migration, and invasion. After performing single-cell RNA-seq on prostate cancer cell lines and circulating tumor cells from patients, we identified that upregulated gene expression in the EphB2 and Src pathways are associated with advanced malignancy. After dasatinib treatment or siRNA knockdowns of EphB2 or Src, the PC3 cells exhibited significantly lower EGFR dynamics, cell motility, and invasion. Partial inhibitory effects were also found in DU145 cells. The upregulation of parts of the EphB2 and Src pathways also predicts poor prognosis in the prostate cancer patient cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas. Our results provide evidence that overexpression of the EphB2 and Src signaling pathways regulate EGFR dynamics and cellular aggressiveness in some advanced prostate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Liang Liu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan;
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (M.K.); (R.V.); (E.P.P.); (K.B.); (T.E.Y.); (A.K.D.)
| | - Aaron M. Horning
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, 8210 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail code: 8257, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.M.H.); (C.-K.L.); (C.-N.H.); (C.-W.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-L.L.); (N.B.K.); (T.H.-M.H.)
| | - Brandon Lieberman
- Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA;
| | - Mirae Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (M.K.); (R.V.); (E.P.P.); (K.B.); (T.E.Y.); (A.K.D.)
| | - Che-Kuang Lin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, 8210 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail code: 8257, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.M.H.); (C.-K.L.); (C.-N.H.); (C.-W.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-L.L.); (N.B.K.); (T.H.-M.H.)
| | - Chia-Nung Hung
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, 8210 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail code: 8257, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.M.H.); (C.-K.L.); (C.-N.H.); (C.-W.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-L.L.); (N.B.K.); (T.H.-M.H.)
| | - Chih-Wei Chou
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, 8210 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail code: 8257, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.M.H.); (C.-K.L.); (C.-N.H.); (C.-W.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-L.L.); (N.B.K.); (T.H.-M.H.)
| | - Chiou-Miin Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, 8210 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail code: 8257, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.M.H.); (C.-K.L.); (C.-N.H.); (C.-W.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-L.L.); (N.B.K.); (T.H.-M.H.)
| | - Chun-Lin Lin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, 8210 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail code: 8257, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.M.H.); (C.-K.L.); (C.-N.H.); (C.-W.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-L.L.); (N.B.K.); (T.H.-M.H.)
| | - Nameer B. Kirma
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, 8210 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail code: 8257, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.M.H.); (C.-K.L.); (C.-N.H.); (C.-W.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-L.L.); (N.B.K.); (T.H.-M.H.)
| | - Michael A. Liss
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
| | - Rohan Vasisht
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (M.K.); (R.V.); (E.P.P.); (K.B.); (T.E.Y.); (A.K.D.)
| | - Evan P. Perillo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (M.K.); (R.V.); (E.P.P.); (K.B.); (T.E.Y.); (A.K.D.)
| | - Katherine Blocher
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (M.K.); (R.V.); (E.P.P.); (K.B.); (T.E.Y.); (A.K.D.)
| | - Hannah Horng
- Department of Bioengineering, the University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Josephine A. Taverna
- Department of Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
| | - Jianhua Ruan
- Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA;
| | - Thomas E. Yankeelov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (M.K.); (R.V.); (E.P.P.); (K.B.); (T.E.Y.); (A.K.D.)
- Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Livestrong Cancer Institutes, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Andrew K. Dunn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (M.K.); (R.V.); (E.P.P.); (K.B.); (T.E.Y.); (A.K.D.)
| | - Tim H.-M. Huang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, 8210 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail code: 8257, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.M.H.); (C.-K.L.); (C.-N.H.); (C.-W.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-L.L.); (N.B.K.); (T.H.-M.H.)
| | - Hsin-Chih Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (M.K.); (R.V.); (E.P.P.); (K.B.); (T.E.Y.); (A.K.D.)
- Texas Materials Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Correspondence: (H.-C.Y.); (C.-L.C.); Tel.: +1-512-471-7931 (H.-C.Y.); +1-210-562-4143 (C.-L.C.); Fax: +1-512-471-0616 (H.-C.Y.); +1-210-562-4161 (C.-L.C.)
| | - Chun-Liang Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, 8210 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail code: 8257, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.M.H.); (C.-K.L.); (C.-N.H.); (C.-W.C.); (C.-M.W.); (C.-L.L.); (N.B.K.); (T.H.-M.H.)
- Correspondence: (H.-C.Y.); (C.-L.C.); Tel.: +1-512-471-7931 (H.-C.Y.); +1-210-562-4143 (C.-L.C.); Fax: +1-512-471-0616 (H.-C.Y.); +1-210-562-4161 (C.-L.C.)
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Shitara K, Satoh T, Iwasa S, Yamaguchi K, Muro K, Komatsu Y, Nishina T, Esaki T, Hasegawa J, Kakurai Y, Kamiyama E, Nakata T, Nakamura K, Sakaki H, Hyodo I. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of the afucosylated, humanized anti-EPHA2 antibody DS-8895a: a first-in-human phase I dose escalation and dose expansion study in patients with advanced solid tumors. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:219. [PMID: 31412935 PMCID: PMC6694490 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0679-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor A2 (EPHA2) is overexpressed on the cell surface in many cancers and predicts poor prognosis. DS-8895a is a humanized anti-EPHA2 IgG1 monoclonal antibody afucosylated to enhance antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity activity. We conducted a two-step, phase I, multicenter, open-label study to determine the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of DS-8895a in patients with advanced solid tumors. Methods Step 1 was a dose escalation cohort in advanced solid tumor patients (six dose levels, 0.1–20 mg/kg) to determine Step 2 dosing. Step 2 was a dose expansion cohort in EPHA2-positive esophageal and gastric cancer patients. DS-8895a was intravenously administered every 2 weeks for the duration of the study, with a 28-day period to assess dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Safety, pharmacokinetics, tumor response, and potential biomarkers were evaluated. Results Thirty-seven patients (Step 1: 22, Step 2: 15 [9: gastric cancer, 6: esophageal cancer]) were enrolled. Although one DLT (Grade 4 platelet count decreased) was observed in Step 1 (dose level 6, 20 mg/kg), the maximum tolerated dose was not reached; the highest dose (20 mg/kg) was used in Step 2. Of the 37 patients, 24 (64.9%) experienced drug-related adverse events (AEs) including three (8.1%) with Grade ≥ 3 AEs. Infusion-related reactions occurred in 19 patients (51.4%) but were manageable. All patients discontinued the study (evident disease progression, 33; AEs, 4). Maximum and trough serum DS-8895a concentrations increased dose-dependently. One gastric cancer patient achieved partial response and 13 patients achieved stable disease. Serum inflammatory cytokines transiently increased at completion of and 4 h after the start of DS-8895a administration. The proportion of CD16-positive natural killer (NK) cells (CD3−CD56+CD16+) decreased 4 h after the start of DS-8895a administration, and the ratio of CD3−CD56+CD137+ to CD3−CD56+CD16+ cells increased on day 3. Conclusions Twenty mg/kg DS-8895a infused intravenously every 2 weeks was generally safe and well tolerated in patients (n = 21) with advanced solid tumors. The exposure of DS-8895a seemed to increase dose-dependently and induce activated NK cells. Trial registration Phase 1 Study of DS-8895a in patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT02004717; 7 November 2013 to 2 February 2017); retrospectively registered on 9 December 2013. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40425-019-0679-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Shitara
- National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa City, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Taroh Satoh
- Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Kensei Yamaguchi
- Cancer Institute Hospital of Japan Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Muro
- Aichi Cancer Center Hospital and Research Institute, Aichi, Japan
| | | | | | - Taito Esaki
- National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Fukuoka, Japan
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Park BH, Shin MH, Douglas IS, Chung KS, Song JH, Kim SY, Kim EY, Jung JY, Kang YA, Chang J, Kim YS, Park MS. Erythropoietin-Producing Hepatoma Receptor Tyrosine Kinase A2 Modulation Associates with Protective Effect of Prone Position in Ventilator-induced Lung Injury. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2019; 58:519-529. [PMID: 29216437 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2017-0143oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The erythropoietin-producing hepatoma (Eph) receptor tyrosine kinase A2 (EphA2) and its ligand, ephrinA1, play a pivotal role in inflammation and tissue injury by modulating the epithelial and endothelial barrier integrity. Therefore, EphA2 receptor may be a potential therapeutic target for modulating ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). To support this hypothesis, here, we analyzed EphA2/ephrinA1 signaling in the process of VILI and determined the role of EphA2/ephrinA1 signaling in the protective mechanism of prone positioning in a VILI model. Wild-type mice were ventilated with high (24 ml/kg; positive end-expiratory pressure, 0 cm; 5 h) tidal volume in a supine or prone position. Anti-EphA2 receptor antibody or IgG was administered to the supine position group. Injury was assessed by analyzing the BAL fluid, lung injury scoring, and transmission electron microscopy. Lung lysates were evaluated using cytokine/chemokine ELISA and Western blotting of EphA2, ephrinA1, PI3Kγ, Akt, NF-κB, and P70S6 kinase. EphA2/ephrinA1 expression was higher in the supine high tidal volume group than in the control group, but it did not increase upon prone positioning or anti-EphA2 receptor antibody treatment. EphA2 antagonism reduced the extent of VILI and downregulated the expression of PI3Kγ, Akt, NF-κB, and P70S6 kinase. These findings demonstrate that EphA2/ephrinA1 signaling is involved in the molecular mechanism of VILI and that modulation of EphA2/ehprinA1 signaling by prone position or EphA2 antagonism may be associated with the lung-protective effect. Our data provide evidence for EphA2/ehprinA1 as a promising therapeutic target for modulating VILI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung Hoon Park
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Paju Hospital, Paju City, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Hwa Shin
- 2 Division of Pulmonology, The Institute of Chest Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; and
| | - Ivor S Douglas
- 3 Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Denver Health Medical Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado
| | - Kyung Soo Chung
- 2 Division of Pulmonology, The Institute of Chest Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; and
| | - Joo Han Song
- 2 Division of Pulmonology, The Institute of Chest Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; and
| | - Song Yee Kim
- 2 Division of Pulmonology, The Institute of Chest Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; and
| | - Eun Young Kim
- 2 Division of Pulmonology, The Institute of Chest Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; and
| | - Ji Ye Jung
- 2 Division of Pulmonology, The Institute of Chest Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; and
| | - Young Ae Kang
- 2 Division of Pulmonology, The Institute of Chest Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; and
| | - Joon Chang
- 2 Division of Pulmonology, The Institute of Chest Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; and
| | - Young Sam Kim
- 2 Division of Pulmonology, The Institute of Chest Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; and
| | - Moo Suk Park
- 2 Division of Pulmonology, The Institute of Chest Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; and
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Tian JH, Liu WD, Zhang ZY, Tang LH, Li D, Tian ZJ, Lin SW, Li YJ. Influence of miR-520e-mediated MAPK signalling pathway on HBV replication and regulation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via targeting EphA2. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:496-505. [PMID: 30521133 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We determined the role of miR-520e in the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. MiR-520e and EPH receptor A2 (EphA2) in HBV-positive HCC tissues and cells were detected, and we studied the impact of miR-520e and the EphA2 receptor in cellular and murine HBV replication models. We find that MiR-520e was upregulated and EphA2 was downregulated in HBV-positive HCC tissues and cells. MiR-520e was decreased in Huh7-X and HepG2-X cells in which HBx was stably expressed, but was dose-dependently elevated after interfering with HBx. Additionally, miR-520e mimic and si-EphA2 groups were reduced in association with increases in HBV DNA content, HBsAg and HBeAg levels, cell proliferation and were enhanced in the expressions of EphA2, p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2)/ERK1/2 and cell apoptosis. Furthermore, si-EphA2 reversed the promotion effect of miR-520e inhibitor on HBV replication and tumour cell growth. Upregulating miR-520e in rAAV8-1.3HBV-infected mouse resulted in reduced EphA2 in liver tissues and HBV DNA content in serum. We find that MiR-520e was decreased in HBV-positive HCC, while overexpression of miR-520e blocked p38MAPK and ERK1/2 signalling pathways by an inhibitory effect on EphA2 and ultimately reduced HBV replication and inhibited tumour cell growth. These data indicate a role for miR-520e in the regulation of HBV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Hui Tian
- Central Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Ji'nan, China.,School of Public Health, Taishan Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Wen-Dong Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Zhang
- Clinical Laboratory, Dezhou People's Hospital, Dezhou, China
| | - Li-Hua Tang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Tai'an City Central Hospital, Tai'an, China
| | - Dong Li
- School of Public Health, Taishan Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Zhao-Ju Tian
- School of Public Health, Taishan Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Shao-Wei Lin
- School of Public Health, Taishan Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Ying-Jie Li
- Department of Health Examination, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Martini G, Cardone C, Vitiello PP, Belli V, Napolitano S, Troiani T, Ciardiello D, Della Corte CM, Morgillo F, Matrone N, Sforza V, Papaccio G, Desiderio V, Paul MC, Moreno-Viedma V, Normanno N, Rachiglio AM, Tirino V, Maiello E, Latiano TP, Rizzi D, Signoriello G, Sibilia M, Ciardiello F, Martinelli E. EPHA2 Is a Predictive Biomarker of Resistance and a Potential Therapeutic Target for Improving Antiepidermal Growth Factor Receptor Therapy in Colorectal Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:845-855. [PMID: 30824612 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The EPHA2 tyrosine kinase receptor is implicated in tumor progression and targeted therapies resistance. We evaluated EPHA2 as a potential resistance marker to the antiepidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody cetuximab in colorectal cancer. We studied activation of EPHA2 in a panel of human colorectal cancer cell lines sensitive or resistant to anti-EGFR drugs. The in vitro and in vivo effects of ALW-II-41-27 (an EPHA2 inhibitor) and/or cetuximab treatment were tested. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 82 RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with FOLFIRI + cetuximab as first-line therapy in the CAPRI-GOIM trial were assessed for EPHA2 expression by immunohistochemistry and correlated with treatment efficacy. EPHA2 was differentially activated in colorectal cancer cell lines. Combined treatment with ALW-II-41-27 plus cetuximab reverted primary and acquired resistance to cetuximab, causing cell growth inhibition, inducing apoptosis and cell-cycle G1-G2 arrest. In tumor xenograft models, upon progression to cetuximab, ALW-II-41-27 addition significantly inhibited tumor growth. EPHA2 protein expression was detected in 55 of 82 tumor samples, frequently expressed in less-differentiated and left-sided tumors. High levels of EPHA2 significantly correlated with worse progression-free survival [8.6 months; confidence interval (CI) 95%, 6.4-10.8; vs. 12.3 months; CI 95%, 10.4-14.2; P = 0.03] and with increased progression rate (29% vs. 9%, P = 0.02). A specific EPHA2 inhibitor reverts in vitro and in vivo primary and acquired resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. EPHA2 levels are significantly associated with worse outcome in patients treated with FOLFIRI + cetuximab. These results highlight EPHA2 as a potential therapeutic target in metastatic colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Martini
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Cardone
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Paolo Vitiello
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Belli
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Napolitano
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Troiani
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Ciardiello
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Carminia Maria Della Corte
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Floriana Morgillo
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Matrone
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Sforza
- Department of Clinical Experimental Thoracic Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Papaccio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Napoli, IT, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Desiderio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Napoli, IT, Naples, Italy
| | - Mariel C Paul
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronica Moreno-Viedma
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicola Normanno
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Rachiglio
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Virginia Tirino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Napoli, IT, Naples, Italy
| | - Evaristo Maiello
- Medical Oncology, Hospital Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza-San Giovanni Rotondo (Foggia), San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pia Latiano
- Medical Oncology, Hospital Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza-San Giovanni Rotondo (Foggia), San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Daniele Rizzi
- Medical Oncology, Hospital Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza-San Giovanni Rotondo (Foggia), San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Signoriello
- Biostatistics, Dipartimento di Salute Mentale e Fisica e Medicina Preventiva, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Sibilia
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fortunato Ciardiello
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
| | - Erika Martinelli
- Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
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49
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Kaibori Y, Saito Y, Nakayama Y. EphA2 phosphorylation at Ser897 by the Cdk1/MEK/ERK/RSK pathway regulates M-phase progression via maintenance of cortical rigidity. FASEB J 2019; 33:5334-5349. [PMID: 30668924 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801519rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Successful cell division is accomplished by the proper formation of the mitotic spindle. Here, we show that EphA2 knockdown causes mitotic errors, including a delay in M-phase progression, asymmetric spindle positioning, multipolar spindles, and cell blebs. It has been known that EphA2 is phosphorylated at Tyr588, which is triggered by the ligand binding, and at Ser897 downstream of growth factor signaling. Upon mitotic entry, EphA2 is phosphorylated at Ser897, accompanied by a reduction in Tyr588 phosphorylation. This EphA2 phosphorylation at Ser897 is inhibited by MEK/ERK and 90 kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) inhibitors and is induced by the introduction of active cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) and cyclin B1. EphA2 knockdown-induced M-phase delay and cell blebs are rescued by wild type EphA2 expression but not by Ser897Ala mutant. The Ras homolog gene family member G (RhoG) guanine nucleotide exchange factor Ephexin4 interacts with EphA2 in a Ser897 phosphorylation-dependent manner, and its knockdown delays M-phase progression and causes RhoG delocalization. RhoG knockdown delays M-phase progression, and EphA2 knockdown-induced M-phase delay is partially rescued by the constitutively active RhoG mutant. These results suggest that, in EphA2-expressing cells, EphA2 phosphorylation at Ser897 participates in proper M-phase progression downstream of the Cdk1/MEK/ERK/RSK pathway because of its role in maintaining cortical rigidity via Ephexin4 and RhoG and thereby regulating mitotic spindle formation.-Kaibori, Y. Saito, Y., Nakayama, Y. EphA2 phosphorylation at Ser897 by the Cdk1/MEK/ERK/RSK pathway regulates M-phase progression via maintenance of cortical rigidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Kaibori
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Youhei Saito
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuji Nakayama
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
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50
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Sheng Y, Wei J, Zhang Y, Gao X, Wang Z, Yang J, Yan S, Zhu Y, Zhang Z, Xu D, Wang C, Zheng Y, Dong Q, Qin L. Mutated EPHA2 is a target for combating lymphatic metastasis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Int J Cancer 2019; 144:2440-2452. [PMID: 30412282 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Exploring the genetic aberrations favoring metastasis is important for understanding and developing novel strategies to combat cancer metastasis. It remains lack of effective treatment for the dismal prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Here, we aimed to study genetic alternations during lymph node metastasis of ICC and investigate potential mechanisms and clinical strategy focused on mutations. We performed whole-exome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing on samples from 30 ICC patients, including lymph node metastases from five of the patients. We identified the alterations of genetic pattern related to lymph node metastases of ICC. EPHA2, a member of the tyrosine kinase family, was found to be frequently mutated in ICC. Correlation analysis indicated that EPHA2 mutations were closely associated with lymph node metastasis of ICC. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that EPHA2 mutations could lead to ligand independent phosphorylation of Ser897, and promote lymphatic metastasis of ICC, in which NOTCH1 signaling pathway played an important role. In both in vitro assays and patient-derived xenografts, an inhibitor of Ser897 phosphorylation effectively suppressed the metastasis of ICC with mutated EPHA2. Our findings demonstrated that EPHA2 mutants may be an attractive therapeutic target for lymphatic metastasis of ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Sheng
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinwang Wei
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomei Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shican Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Da Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoqun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiongzhu Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lunxiu Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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