1
|
Tonelli C, Yordanov GN, Hao Y, Deschênes A, Hinds J, Belleau P, Klingbeil O, Brosnan E, Doshi A, Park Y, Hruban RH, Vakoc CR, Dobin A, Preall J, Tuveson DA. A mucus production programme promotes classical pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Gut 2024; 73:941-954. [PMID: 38262672 PMCID: PMC11088527 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The optimal therapeutic response in cancer patients is highly dependent upon the differentiation state of their tumours. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal cancer that harbours distinct phenotypic subtypes with preferential sensitivities to standard therapies. This study aimed to investigate intratumour heterogeneity and plasticity of cancer cell states in PDA in order to reveal cell state-specific regulators. DESIGN We analysed single-cell expression profiling of mouse PDAs, revealing intratumour heterogeneity and cell plasticity and identified pathways activated in the different cell states. We performed comparative analysis of murine and human expression states and confirmed their phenotypic diversity in specimens by immunolabeling. We assessed the function of phenotypic regulators using mouse models of PDA, organoids, cell lines and orthotopically grafted tumour models. RESULTS Our expression analysis and immunolabeling analysis show that a mucus production programme regulated by the transcription factor SPDEF is highly active in precancerous lesions and the classical subtype of PDA - the most common differentiation state. SPDEF maintains the classical differentiation and supports PDA transformation in vivo. The SPDEF tumour-promoting function is mediated by its target genes AGR2 and ERN2/IRE1β that regulate mucus production, and inactivation of the SPDEF programme impairs tumour growth and facilitates subtype interconversion from classical towards basal-like differentiation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings expand our understanding of the transcriptional programmes active in precancerous lesions and PDAs of classical differentiation, determine the regulators of mucus production as specific vulnerabilities in these cell states and reveal phenotype switching as a response mechanism to inactivation of differentiation states determinants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tonelli
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | | | - Yuan Hao
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Astrid Deschênes
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Juliene Hinds
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Pascal Belleau
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Olaf Klingbeil
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Erin Brosnan
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Abhishek Doshi
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Youngkyu Park
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Ralph H Hruban
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Alexander Dobin
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Jonathan Preall
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - David A Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
- Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Matsumoto K, Fujimori N, Ichihara K, Takeno A, Murakami M, Ohno A, Kakehashi S, Teramatsu K, Ueda K, Nakata K, Sugahara O, Yamamoto T, Matsumoto A, Nakayama KI, Oda Y, Nakamura M, Ogawa Y. Patient-derived organoids of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma for subtype determination and clinical outcome prediction. J Gastroenterol 2024:10.1007/s00535-024-02103-0. [PMID: 38684511 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-024-02103-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, two molecular subtypes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have been proposed: the "Classical" and "Basal-like" subtypes, with the former showing better clinical outcomes than the latter. However, the "molecular" classification has not been applied in real-world clinical practice. This study aimed to establish patient-derived organoids (PDOs) for PDAC and evaluate their application in subtype classification and clinical outcome prediction. METHODS We utilized tumor samples acquired through endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy and established a PDO library for subsequent use in morphological assessments, RNA-seq analyses, and in vitro drug response assays. We also conducted a prospective clinical study to evaluate whether analysis using PDOs can predict treatment response and prognosis. RESULTS PDOs of PDAC were established at a high efficiency (> 70%) with at least 100,000 live cells. Morphologically, PDOs were classified as gland-like structures (GL type) and densely proliferating inside (DP type) less than 2 weeks after tissue sampling. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the "morphological" subtype (GL vs. DP) corresponded to the "molecular" subtype ("Classical" vs. "Basal-like"). The "morphological" classification predicted the clinical treatment response and prognosis; the median overall survival of patients with GL type was significantly longer than that with DP type (P < 0.005). The GL type showed a better response to gemcitabine than the DP type in vitro, whereas the drug response of the DP type was improved by the combination of ERK inhibitor and chloroquine. CONCLUSIONS PDAC PDOs help in subtype determination and clinical outcome prediction, thereby facilitating the bench-to-bedside precision medicine for PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhide Matsumoto
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Nao Fujimori
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Kazuya Ichihara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ayumu Takeno
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Murakami
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Akihisa Ohno
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Shotaro Kakehashi
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Katsuhito Teramatsu
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Keijiro Ueda
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kohei Nakata
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Osamu Sugahara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takeo Yamamoto
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akinobu Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keiichi I Nakayama
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Oda
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masafumi Nakamura
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ogawa
- Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang SS, Hall ML, Lee E, Kim SC, Ramesh N, Lee SH, Jang JY, Bold RJ, Ku JL, Hwang CI. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing identifies stage- and subtype-specific DNA methylation signatures in pancreatic cancer. iScience 2024; 27:109414. [PMID: 38532888 PMCID: PMC10963232 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), no recurrent metastasis-specific mutation has been found, suggesting that epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, are the major contributors of late-stage disease progression. Here, we performed the first whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) on mouse and human PDAC organoid models to identify stage-specific and molecular subtype-specific DNA methylation signatures. With this approach, we identified thousands of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that can distinguish between the stages and molecular subtypes of PDAC. Stage-specific DMRs are associated with genes related to nervous system development and cell-cell adhesions, and are enriched in promoters and bivalent enhancers. Subtype-specific DMRs showed hypermethylation of GATA6 foregut endoderm transcriptional networks in the squamous subtype and hypermethylation of EMT transcriptional networks in the progenitor subtype. These results indicate that aberrant DNA methylation contributes to both PDAC progression and subtype differentiation, resulting in significant and reoccurring DNA methylation patterns with diagnostic and prognostic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S. Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Madison L. Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - EunJung Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Soon-Chan Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korean Cell Line Bank, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Neha Ramesh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sang Hyub Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin-Young Jang
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Richard J. Bold
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Ja-Lok Ku
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korean Cell Line Bank, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chang-Il Hwang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ren J, Ren B, Liu X, Cui M, Fang Y, Wang X, Zhou F, Gu M, Xiao R, Bai J, You L, Zhao Y. Crosstalk between metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming: A new perspective on pancreatic cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 587:216649. [PMID: 38311052 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant solid tumor with a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. Thus, exploring the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of pancreatic cancer is critical for identifying targets for diagnosis and treatment. Two important hallmarks of cancer-metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming-are interconnected and closely linked to regulate one another, creating a complex interaction landscape that is implicated in tumorigenesis, invasive metastasis, and immune escape. For example, metabolites can be involved in the regulation of epigenetic enzymes as substrates or cofactors, and alterations in epigenetic modifications can in turn regulate the expression of metabolic enzymes. The crosstalk between metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming in pancreatic cancer has gained considerable attention. Here, we review the emerging data with a focus on the reciprocal regulation of metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming. We aim to highlight how these mechanisms could be applied to develop better therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Bo Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Ming Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Feihan Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Minzhi Gu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Ruiling Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Jialu Bai
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Lei You
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Yupei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sultanov R, Mulyukina A, Zubkova O, Fedoseeva A, Bogomazova A, Klimina K, Larin A, Zatsepin T, Prikazchikova T, Lukina M, Bogomiakova M, Sharova E, Generozov E, Lagarkova M, Arapidi G. TP63-TRIM29 axis regulates enhancer methylation and chromosomal instability in prostate cancer. Epigenetics Chromatin 2024; 17:6. [PMID: 38481282 PMCID: PMC10938740 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-024-00529-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men. High variability in DNA methylation and a high rate of large genomic rearrangements are often observed in PRAD. RESULTS To investigate the reasons for such high variance, we integrated DNA methylation, RNA-seq, and copy number alterations datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), focusing on PRAD, and employed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Our results show that only single cluster of co-expressed genes is associated with genomic and epigenomic instability. Within this cluster, TP63 and TRIM29 are key transcription regulators and are downregulated in PRAD. We discovered that TP63 regulates the level of enhancer methylation in prostate basal epithelial cells. TRIM29 forms a complex with TP63 and together regulates the expression of genes specific to the prostate basal epithelium. In addition, TRIM29 binds DNA repair proteins and prevents the formation of the TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion typically observed in PRAD. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that TRIM29 and TP63 are important regulators in maintaining the identity of the basal epithelium under physiological conditions. Furthermore, we uncover the role of TRIM29 in PRAD development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Sultanov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia.
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia.
| | - A Mulyukina
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - O Zubkova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Fedoseeva
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Bogomazova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - K Klimina
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Larin
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - T Zatsepin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - T Prikazchikova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - M Lukina
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - M Bogomiakova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - E Sharova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - E Generozov
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - M Lagarkova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - G Arapidi
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu J, Roe J, Lee E, Tonelli C, Ji KY, Younis OW, Somervile TD, Yao M, Milazzo JP, Tiriac H, Kolarzyk AM, Lee E, Grem JL, Lazenby AJ, Grunkemeyer JA, Hollingsworth MA, Grandgenett PM, Borowsky AD, Park Y, Vakoc CR, Tuveson DA, Hwang C. Engrailed-1 Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024; 11:e2308537. [PMID: 38110836 PMCID: PMC10853725 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Engrailed-1 (EN1) is a critical homeodomain transcription factor (TF) required for neuronal survival, and EN1 expression has been shown to promote aggressive forms of triple negative breast cancer. Here, it is reported that EN1 is aberrantly expressed in a subset of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) patients with poor outcomes. EN1 predominantly repressed its target genes through direct binding to gene enhancers and promoters, implicating roles in the activation of MAPK pathways and the acquisition of mesenchymal cell properties. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that EN1 promoted PDA transformation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. The findings nominate the targeting of EN1 and downstream pathways in aggressive PDA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jihao Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California DavisDavisCA95616USA
- Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of California DavisSacramentoCA95817USA
| | - Jae‐Seok Roe
- Department of BiochemistryYonsei UniversitySeoul03722South Korea
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
| | - EunJung Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California DavisDavisCA95616USA
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
- Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
| | - Claudia Tonelli
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
- Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
| | - Keely Y. Ji
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California DavisDavisCA95616USA
| | - Omar W. Younis
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California DavisDavisCA95616USA
| | | | - Melissa Yao
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
- Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
| | | | - Herve Tiriac
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
- Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
| | - Anna M. Kolarzyk
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical EngineeringCornell UniversityIthacaNY14853USA
| | - Esak Lee
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical EngineeringCornell UniversityIthacaNY14853USA
| | - Jean L. Grem
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNE68198USA
| | - Audrey J. Lazenby
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNE68198USA
| | | | | | | | - Alexander D. Borowsky
- Department of PathologySchool of MedicineUniversity of California DavisSacramentoCA95817USA
| | - Youngkyu Park
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
- Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
| | | | - David A. Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
- Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNY11724USA
| | - Chang‐Il Hwang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California DavisDavisCA95616USA
- Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of California DavisSacramentoCA95817USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kim S, Leem G, Choi J, Koh Y, Lee S, Nam SH, Kim JS, Park CH, Hwang HK, Min KI, Jo JH, Lee HS, Chung MJ, Park JY, Park SW, Song SY, Shin EC, Kang CM, Bang S, Park JE. Integrative analysis of spatial and single-cell transcriptome data from human pancreatic cancer reveals an intermediate cancer cell population associated with poor prognosis. Genome Med 2024; 16:20. [PMID: 38297291 PMCID: PMC10832111 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01287-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies using single-cell transcriptomic analysis have reported several distinct clusters of neoplastic epithelial cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment. However, their molecular characteristics and biological significance have not been clearly elucidated due to intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. METHODS We performed single-cell RNA sequencing using enriched non-immune cell populations from 17 pancreatic tumor tissues (16 pancreatic cancer and one high-grade dysplasia) and generated paired spatial transcriptomic data from seven patient samples. RESULTS We identified five distinct functional subclusters of pancreatic cancer cells and six distinct cancer-associated fibroblast subclusters. We deeply profiled their characteristics, and we found that these subclusters successfully deconvoluted most of the features suggested in bulk transcriptome analysis of pancreatic cancer. Among those subclusters, we identified a novel cancer cell subcluster, Ep_VGLL1, showing intermediate characteristics between the extremities of basal-like and classical dichotomy, despite its prognostic value. Molecular features of Ep_VGLL1 suggest its transitional properties between basal-like and classical subtypes, which is supported by spatial transcriptomic data. CONCLUSIONS This integrative analysis not only provides a comprehensive landscape of pancreatic cancer and fibroblast population, but also suggests a novel insight to the dynamic states of pancreatic cancer cells and unveils potential therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seongryong Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Galam Leem
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Junjeong Choi
- Department of Pharmacy and Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongjun Koh
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Suho Lee
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hee Nam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Su Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Hee Park
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Kyoung Hwang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreatobiliary Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Pancreatobiliary Cancer Center, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Il Min
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hyun Jo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Seung Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon Jae Chung
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Youp Park
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Woo Park
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Young Song
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui-Cheol Shin
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Moo Kang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreatobiliary Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Pancreatobiliary Cancer Center, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seungmin Bang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jong-Eun Park
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Orlacchio A, Muzyka S, Gonda TA. Epigenetic therapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer. Int Rev Cell Mol Biol 2024; 383:1-40. [PMID: 38359967 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal solid malignancies, characterized by its aggressiveness and metastatic potential, with a 5-year survival rate of only 8-11%. Despite significant improvements in PDAC treatment and management, therapeutic alternatives are still limited. One of the main reasons is its high degree of intra- and inter-individual tumor heterogeneity which is established and maintained through a complex network of transcription factors and epigenetic regulators. Epigenetic drugs, have shown promising preclinical results in PDAC and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials both for their ability to sensitize cancer cells to cytotoxic drugs and to counteract the immunosuppressive characteristic of PDAC tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the current status of epigenetic treatment strategies to overcome molecular and cellular PDAC heterogeneity in order to improve response to therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Orlacchio
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Stephen Muzyka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tamas A Gonda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York University, New York, NY, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Michiels E, Madhloum H, Van Lint S, Messaoudi N, Kunda R, Martens S, Giron P, Olsen C, Lefesvre P, Dusetti N, El Mohajer L, Tomasini R, Hawinkels LJ, Ahsayni F, Nicolle R, Arsenijevic T, Bouchart C, Van Laethem JL, Rooman I. High-resolution and quantitative spatial analysis reveal intra-ductal phenotypic and functional diversification in pancreatic cancer. J Pathol 2024; 262:76-89. [PMID: 37842959 DOI: 10.1002/path.6212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
A 'classical' and a 'basal-like' subtype of pancreatic cancer have been reported, with differential expression of GATA6 and different dosages of mutant KRAS. We established in situ detection of KRAS point mutations and mRNA panels for the consensus subtypes aiming to project these findings to paraffin-embedded clinical tumour samples for spatial quantitative analysis. We unveiled that, next to inter-patient and intra-patient inter-ductal heterogeneity, intraductal spatial phenotypes exist with anti-correlating expression levels of GATA6 and KRASG12D . The basal-like mRNA panel better captured the basal-like cell states than widely used protein markers. The panels corroborated the co-existence of the classical and basal-like cell states in a single tumour duct with functional diversification, i.e. proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition respectively. Mutant KRASG12D detection ascertained an epithelial origin of vimentin-positive cells in the tumour. Uneven spatial distribution of cancer-associated fibroblasts could recreate similar intra-organoid diversification. This extensive heterogeneity with functional cooperation of plastic tumour cells poses extra challenges to therapeutic approaches. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Michiels
- Laboratory of Medical & Molecular Oncology (LMMO), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hediel Madhloum
- Laboratory of Medical & Molecular Oncology (LMMO), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Silke Van Lint
- Laboratory of Medical & Molecular Oncology (LMMO), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nouredin Messaoudi
- Department of Surgery, Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Advanced Interventional Endoscopy, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZB), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rastislav Kunda
- Department of Surgery, Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Advanced Interventional Endoscopy, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZB), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sandrina Martens
- Laboratory of Medical & Molecular Oncology (LMMO), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Cardio and Organ Systems, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Philippe Giron
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Clinical Sciences, Reproduction and Genetics Research Group, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZB), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Catharina Olsen
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Clinical Sciences, Reproduction and Genetics Research Group, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZB), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Lefesvre
- Department of Anatomo-Pathology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nelson Dusetti
- Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM), INSERM, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille, Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Leila El Mohajer
- Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM), INSERM, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille, Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Richard Tomasini
- Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM), INSERM, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille, Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Lukas Jac Hawinkels
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Farah Ahsayni
- Department of Surgery, Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Advanced Interventional Endoscopy, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZB), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rémy Nicolle
- Centre de Recherche sur l'inflammation (CRI), INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Tatjana Arsenijevic
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Bruxelles, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Oncology, HUB Bordet Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christelle Bouchart
- Department of Radiation-Oncology, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hospital Universitaire de Bruxelles (HUB) Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Luc Van Laethem
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Bruxelles, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Oncology, HUB Bordet Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ilse Rooman
- Laboratory of Medical & Molecular Oncology (LMMO), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ramal M, Corral S, Kalisz M, Lapi E, Real FX. The urothelial gene regulatory network: understanding biology to improve bladder cancer management. Oncogene 2024; 43:1-21. [PMID: 37996699 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02876-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The urothelium is a stratified epithelium composed of basal cells, one or more layers of intermediate cells, and an upper layer of differentiated umbrella cells. Most bladder cancers (BLCA) are urothelial carcinomas. Loss of urothelial lineage fidelity results in altered differentiation, highlighted by the taxonomic classification into basal and luminal tumors. There is a need to better understand the urothelial transcriptional networks. To systematically identify transcription factors (TFs) relevant for urothelial identity, we defined highly expressed TFs in normal human bladder using RNA-Seq data and inferred their genomic binding using ATAC-Seq data. To focus on epithelial TFs, we analyzed RNA-Seq data from patient-derived organoids recapitulating features of basal/luminal tumors. We classified TFs as "luminal-enriched", "basal-enriched" or "common" according to expression in organoids. We validated our classification by differential gene expression analysis in Luminal Papillary vs. Basal/Squamous tumors. Genomic analyses revealed well-known TFs associated with luminal (e.g., PPARG, GATA3, FOXA1) and basal (e.g., TP63, TFAP2) phenotypes and novel candidates to play a role in urothelial differentiation or BLCA (e.g., MECOM, TBX3). We also identified TF families (e.g., KLFs, AP1, circadian clock, sex hormone receptors) for which there is suggestive evidence of their involvement in urothelial differentiation and/or BLCA. Genomic alterations in these TFs are associated with BLCA. We uncover a TF network involved in urothelial cell identity and BLCA. We identify novel candidate TFs involved in differentiation and cancer that provide opportunities for a better understanding of the underlying biology and therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ramal
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Corral
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mark Kalisz
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eleonora Lapi
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco X Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Qian H, Zhu M, Tan X, Zhang Y, Liu X, Yang L. Super-enhancers and the super-enhancer reader BRD4: tumorigenic factors and therapeutic targets. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:470. [PMID: 38135679 PMCID: PMC10746725 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01775-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional super-enhancers and the BET bromodomain protein BRD4 are emerging as critical drivers of tumorigenesis and therapeutic targets. Characterized by substantial accumulation of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) signals at the loci of cell identity genes and critical oncogenes, super-enhancers are recognized, bound and activated by BRD4, resulting in considerable oncogene over-expression, malignant transformation, cancer cell proliferation, survival, tumor initiation and progression. Small molecule compound BRD4 BD1 and BD2 bromodomain inhibitors block BRD4 binding to super-enhancers, suppress oncogene transcription and expression, reduce cancer cell proliferation and survival, and repress tumor progression in a variety of cancer types. Like other targeted therapy agents, BRD4 inhibitors show moderate anticancer effects on their own, and exert synergistic anticancer effects in vitro and in preclinical models, when combined with other anticancer agents including CDK7 inhibitors, CBP/p300 inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors. More recently, BRD4 BD2 bromodomain selective inhibitors, proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) BRD4 protein degraders, and dual BRD4 and CBP/p300 bromodomain co-inhibitors have been developed and shown better anticancer efficacy and/or safety profile. Importantly, more than a dozen BRD4 inhibitors have entered clinical trials in patients with cancer of various organ origins. In summary, super-enhancers and their reader BRD4 are critical tumorigenic drivers, and BRD4 BD1 and BD2 bromodomain inhibitors, BRD4 BD2 bromodomain selective inhibitors, PROTAC BRD4 protein degraders, and dual BRD4 and CBP/p300 bromodomain co-inhibitors are promising novel anticancer agents for clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haihong Qian
- Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200090, China
| | - Min Zhu
- Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200090, China
| | - Xinyu Tan
- Department of Dentistry, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650032, China
| | - Yixing Zhang
- Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200090, China
| | - Xiangning Liu
- Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200090, China
| | - Li Yang
- Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200090, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Song J, Xu R, Zhang H, Xue X, Ruze R, Chen Y, Yin X, Wang C, Zhao Y. Cell-in-Cell-Mediated Entosis Reveals a Progressive Mechanism in Pancreatic Cancer. Gastroenterology 2023; 165:1505-1521.e20. [PMID: 37657757 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly malignancy with high intratumoral heterogeneity. There is a lack of effective therapeutics for PDAC. Entosis, a form of nonapoptotic regulated cell death mediated by cell-in-cell structures (CICs), has been reported in multiple cancers. However, the role of entosis in PDAC progression remains unclear. METHODS CICs were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. The formation of CICs was induced by suspension culture. Through fluorescence-activated cell sorting and single-cell RNA sequencing, entosis-forming cells were collected and their differential gene expression was analyzed. Cell functional assays and mouse models were used to investigate malignant phenotypes. Clinical correlations between entosis and PDAC were established by retrospective analysis. RESULTS Entosis was associated with an unfavorable prognosis for patients with PDAC and was more prevalent in liver metastases than in primary tumors. The single-cell RNA sequencing results revealed that several oncogenes were up-regulated in entosis-forming cells compared with parental cells. These highly entotic cells demonstrated higher oncogenic characteristics in vitro and in vivo. NET1, neuroepithelial cell transforming gene 1, is an entosis-related gene that plays a pivotal role in PDAC progression and is correlated with poor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Entosis is correlated with PDAC progression, especially in liver metastasis. NET1 is a newly validated entosis-related gene and a molecular marker of poor outcomes. PDAC cells generate a highly aggressive subpopulation marked by up-regulated NET1 via entosis, which may drive PDAC progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianlu Song
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruiyuan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemin Xue
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Rexiati Ruze
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinpeng Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengcheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Medical Science Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing People's Republic of China.
| | - Yupei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Surgical resection, when combined with chemotherapy, has been shown to significantly improve the survival rate of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, this treatment option is only feasible for a fraction of patients, as more than 50% of cases are diagnosed with metastasis. The multifaceted process of metastasis is still not fully understood, but recent data suggest that transcriptional and epigenetic plasticity play significant roles. Interfering with epigenetic reprogramming can potentially control the adaptive processes responsible for metastatic progression and therapy resistance, thereby enhancing treatment responses and preventing recurrence. This review will focus on the relevance of histone-modifying enzymes in pancreatic cancer, specifically on their impact on the metastatic cascade. Additionally, it will also provide a brief update on the current clinical developments in epigenetic therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Krauß
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Carolin Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- CCC-N (Comprehensive Cancer Center Lower Saxony), 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- Institute for Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy, Technical University Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Günter Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
- CCC-N (Comprehensive Cancer Center Lower Saxony), 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Elati K, Tajeri S, Obara I, Mhadhbi M, Zweygarth E, Darghouth MA, Nijhof AM. Dual RNA-seq to catalogue host and parasite gene expression changes associated with virulence of T. annulata-transformed bovine leukocytes: towards identification of attenuation biomarkers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18202. [PMID: 37875584 PMCID: PMC10598219 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45458-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Theileria annulata is transmitted by Hyalomma ticks and causes an acute lymphoproliferative disease that is invariably lethal in exotic cattle breeds. The unique ability of the schizont stage of T. annulata to transform infected leukocytes to a cancer-like phenotype and the simplicity of culturing and passaging T. annulata-transformed cells in vitro have been explored for live vaccine development by attenuating the transformed cells using lengthy serial propagation in vitro. The empirical in vivo evaluation of attenuation required for each batch of long-term cultured cells is a major constraint since it is resource intensive and raises ethical issues regarding animal welfare. As yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying attenuation are not well understood. Characteristic changes in gene expression brought about by attenuation are likely to aid in the identification of novel biomarkers for attenuation. We set out to undertake a comparative transcriptome analysis of attenuated (passage 296) and virulent (passage 26) bovine leukocytes infected with a Tunisian strain of T. annulata termed Beja. RNA-seq was used to analyse gene expression profiles and the relative expression levels of selected genes were verified by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis. Among the 3538 T. annulata genes analysed, 214 were significantly differentially expressed, of which 149 genes were up-regulated and 65 down-regulated. Functional annotation of differentially expressed T. annulata genes revealed four broad categories of metabolic pathways: carbon metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. It is interesting to note that of the top 40 genes that showed altered expression, 13 were predicted to contain a signal peptide and/or at least one transmembrane domain, suggesting possible involvement in host-parasite interaction. Of the 16,514 bovine transcripts, 284 and 277 showed up-regulated and down-regulated expression, respectively. These were assigned to functional categories relevant to cell surface, tissue morphogenesis and regulation of cell adhesion, regulation of leucocyte, lymphocyte and cell activation. The genetic alterations acquired during attenuation that we have catalogued herein, as well as the accompanying in silico functional characterization, do not only improve understanding of the attenuation process, but can also be exploited by studies aimed at identifying attenuation biomarkers across different cell lines focusing on some host and parasite genes that have been highlighted in this study, such as bovine genes (CD69, ZNF618, LPAR3, and APOL3) and parasite genes such as TA03875.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khawla Elati
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-Von-Ostertag-Str. 7, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-Von-Ostertag-Str. 8, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Univ. Manouba, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
| | - Shahin Tajeri
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-Von-Ostertag-Str. 7, 14163, Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-Von-Ostertag-Str. 8, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isaiah Obara
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-Von-Ostertag-Str. 7, 14163, Berlin, Germany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-Von-Ostertag-Str. 8, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Moez Mhadhbi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Univ. Manouba, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Erich Zweygarth
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-Von-Ostertag-Str. 7, 14163, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mohamed Aziz Darghouth
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Univ. Manouba, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Ard Menzo Nijhof
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-Von-Ostertag-Str. 7, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-Von-Ostertag-Str. 8, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wang X, Kutschat AP, Aggrey-Fynn J, Hamdan FH, Graham RP, Wixom AQ, Souto Y, Ladigan-Badura S, Yonkus JA, Abdelrahman AM, Alva-Ruiz R, Gaedcke J, Ströbel P, Kosinsky RL, Wegwitz F, Hermann P, Truty MJ, Siveke JT, Hahn SA, Hessmann E, Johnsen SA, Najafova Z. Identification of a ΔNp63-Dependent Basal-Like A Subtype-Specific Transcribed Enhancer Program (B-STEP) in Aggressive Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:881-891. [PMID: 37279184 PMCID: PMC10542885 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-22-0916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A major hurdle to the application of precision oncology in pancreatic cancer is the lack of molecular stratification approaches and targeted therapy for defined molecular subtypes. In this work, we sought to gain further insight and identify molecular and epigenetic signatures of the Basal-like A pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) subgroup that can be applied to clinical samples for patient stratification and/or therapy monitoring. We generated and integrated global gene expression and epigenome mapping data from patient-derived xenograft models to identify subtype-specific enhancer regions that were validated in patient-derived samples. In addition, complementary nascent transcription and chromatin topology (HiChIP) analyses revealed a Basal-like A subtype-specific transcribed enhancer program in PDAC characterized by enhancer RNA (eRNA) production that is associated with more frequent chromatin interactions and subtype-specific gene activation. Importantly, we successfully confirmed the validity of eRNA detection as a possible histologic approach for PDAC patient stratification by performing RNA-ISH analyses for subtype-specific eRNAs on pathologic tissue samples. Thus, this study provides proof-of-concept that subtype-specific epigenetic changes relevant for PDAC progression can be detected at a single-cell level in complex, heterogeneous, primary tumor material. IMPLICATIONS Subtype-specific enhancer activity analysis via detection of eRNAs on a single-cell level in patient material can be used as a potential tool for treatment stratification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ana P. Kutschat
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Joana Aggrey-Fynn
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
- Gene Regulatory Mechanisms and Molecular Epigenetics Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Feda H. Hamdan
- Gene Regulatory Mechanisms and Molecular Epigenetics Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Alexander Q. Wixom
- Gene Regulatory Mechanisms and Molecular Epigenetics Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Yara Souto
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Jennifer A. Yonkus
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Amro M. Abdelrahman
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Roberto Alva-Ruiz
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jochen Gaedcke
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Robyn Laura Kosinsky
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Florian Wegwitz
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Mark J. Truty
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jens T. Siveke
- Bridge Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- Division of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner site University Hospital Essen, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan A. Hahn
- Department of Molecular Gastrointestinal Oncology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Zeynab Najafova
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Oyelakin A, Sosa J, Nayak K, Glathar A, Gluck C, Sethi I, Tsompana M, Nowak N, Buck M, Romano RA, Sinha S. An integrated genomic approach identifies follistatin as a target of the p63-epidermal growth factor receptor oncogenic network in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad038. [PMID: 37492374 PMCID: PMC10365026 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Although numerous putative oncogenes have been associated with the etiology of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the mechanisms by which these oncogenes and their downstream targets mediate tumor progression have not been fully elucidated. We performed an integrative analysis to identify a crucial set of targets of the oncogenic transcription factor p63 that are common across multiple transcriptomic datasets obtained from HNSCC patients, and representative cell line models. Notably, our analysis revealed FST which encodes follistatin, a secreted glycoprotein that inhibits the transforming growth factor TGFβ/activin signaling pathways, to be a direct transcriptional target of p63. In addition, we found that FST expression is also driven by epidermal growth factor receptor EGFR signaling, thus mediating a functional link between the TGF-β and EGFR pathways. We show through loss- and gain-of-function studies that FST predominantly imparts a tumor-growth and migratory phenotype in HNSCC cells. Furthermore, analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data from HNSCC patients unveiled cancer cells as the dominant source of FST within the tumor microenvironment and exposed a correlation between the expression of FST and its regulators with immune infiltrates. We propose FST as a prognostic biomarker for patient survival and a compelling candidate mediating the broad effects of p63 on the tumor and its associated microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akinsola Oyelakin
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Sosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kasturi Bala Nayak
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Alexandra Glathar
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Christian Gluck
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Isha Sethi
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Maria Tsompana
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Norma Nowak
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Michael Buck
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Rose-Anne Romano
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Satrajit Sinha
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Masugi Y, Takamatsu M, Tanaka M, Hara K, Inoue Y, Hamada T, Suzuki T, Arita J, Hirose Y, Kawaguchi Y, Nakai Y, Oba A, Sasahira N, Shimane G, Takeda T, Tateishi K, Uemura S, Fujishiro M, Hasegawa K, Kitago M, Takahashi Y, Ushiku T, Takeuchi K, Sakamoto M. Post-operative mortality and recurrence patterns in pancreatic cancer according to KRAS mutation and CDKN2A, p53, and SMAD4 expression. J Pathol Clin Res 2023; 9:339-353. [PMID: 37291757 PMCID: PMC10397380 DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in KRAS, CDKN2A (p16), TP53, and SMAD4 genes have been major drivers of pancreatic carcinogenesis. The clinical course of patients with pancreatic cancer in relation to these driver alterations has not been fully characterised in large populations. We hypothesised that pancreatic carcinomas with different combinations of KRAS mutation and aberrant expression of CDKN2A, p53, and SMAD4 might show distinctive recurrence patterns and post-operative survival outcomes. To test this hypothesis, we utilised a multi-institutional cohort of 1,146 resected pancreatic carcinomas and assessed KRAS mutations by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction and CDKN2A, p53, and SMAD4 expression by immunohistochemistry. Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were computed according to each molecular alteration and the number of altered genes using the Cox regression models. Multivariable competing risks regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations of the number of altered genes with specific patterns of recurrence. Loss of SMAD4 expression was associated with short DFS (multivariable HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.09-1.43) and OS times (multivariable HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.10-1.46). Compared to cases with 0-2 altered genes, cases with three and four altered genes had multivariable HRs for OS of 1.28 (95% CI, 1.09-1.51) and 1.47 (95% CI, 1.22-1.78), respectively (ptrend < 0.001). Patients with an increasing number of altered genes were more likely to have short DFS time (ptrend = 0.003) and to develop liver metastasis (ptrend = 0.006) rather than recurrence at local or other distant sites. In conclusion, loss of SMAD4 expression and an increasing number of altered genes were associated with unfavourable outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients. This study suggests that the accumulation of the four major driver alterations can confer a high metastatic potential to the liver, thereby impairing post-operative survival among patients with pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Masugi
- Department of PathologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Division of Diagnostic PathologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Manabu Takamatsu
- Division of PathologyCancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
- Department of PathologyCancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| | - Mariko Tanaka
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Kensuke Hara
- Department of PathologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Yosuke Inoue
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryCancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| | - Tsuyoshi Hamada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic MedicineCancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| | - Tatsunori Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Junichi Arita
- Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Yuki Hirose
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryCancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| | - Yoshikuni Kawaguchi
- Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Yousuke Nakai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Department of Endoscopy and Endoscopic SurgeryThe University of Tokyo HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Atsushi Oba
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryCancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| | - Naoki Sasahira
- Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic MedicineCancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| | - Gaku Shimane
- Department of SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Tsuyoshi Takeda
- Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic MedicineCancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| | - Keisuke Tateishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Sho Uemura
- Department of SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Mitsuhiro Fujishiro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Kiyoshi Hasegawa
- Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Minoru Kitago
- Department of SurgeryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Yu Takahashi
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryCancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| | - Tetsuo Ushiku
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of MedicineThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Kengo Takeuchi
- Division of PathologyCancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
- Department of PathologyCancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer ResearchTokyoJapan
| | - Michiie Sakamoto
- Department of PathologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Davies A, Zoubeidi A, Beltran H, Selth LA. The Transcriptional and Epigenetic Landscape of Cancer Cell Lineage Plasticity. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1771-1788. [PMID: 37470668 PMCID: PMC10527883 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Lineage plasticity, a process whereby cells change their phenotype to take on a different molecular and/or histologic identity, is a key driver of cancer progression and therapy resistance. Although underlying genetic changes within the tumor can enhance lineage plasticity, it is predominantly a dynamic process controlled by transcriptional and epigenetic dysregulation. This review explores the transcriptional and epigenetic regulators of lineage plasticity and their interplay with other features of malignancy, such as dysregulated metabolism, the tumor microenvironment, and immune evasion. We also discuss strategies for the detection and treatment of highly plastic tumors. SIGNIFICANCE Lineage plasticity is a hallmark of cancer and a critical facilitator of other oncogenic features such as metastasis, therapy resistance, dysregulated metabolism, and immune evasion. It is essential that the molecular mechanisms of lineage plasticity are elucidated to enable the development of strategies to effectively target this phenomenon. In this review, we describe key transcriptional and epigenetic regulators of cancer cell plasticity, in the process highlighting therapeutic approaches that may be harnessed for patient benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Davies
- Oncology Research Discovery, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Amina Zoubeidi
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Himisha Beltran
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Luke A. Selth
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute and Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042 Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Calheiros J, Corbo V, Saraiva L. Overcoming therapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer: Emerging opportunities by targeting BRCAs and p53. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188914. [PMID: 37201730 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by (epi)genetic and microenvironmental alterations that negatively impact the treatment outcomes. New targeted therapies have been pursued to counteract the therapeutic resistance in PC. Aiming to seek for new therapeutic options for PC, several attempts have been undertaken to exploit BRCA1/2 and TP53 deficiencies as promising actionable targets. The elucidation of the pathogenesis of PC highlighted the high prevalence of p53 mutations and their connection with the aggressiveness and therapeutic resistance of PC. Additionally, PC is associated with dysfunctions in several DNA repair-related genes, including BRCA1/2, which sensitize tumours to DNA-damaging agents. In this context, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) were approved for mutant BRCA1/2 PC patients. However, acquired drug resistance has become a major drawback of PARPi. This review emphasizes the importance of targeting defective BRCAs and p53 pathways for advancing personalized PC therapy, with particular focus on how this approach may provide an opportunity to tackle PC resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Calheiros
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratόrio de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biolόgicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy; ARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lucília Saraiva
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratόrio de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biolόgicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Torres AJF, Duryea J, McDonald OG. Pancreatic cancer epigenetics: adaptive metabolism reprograms starving primary tumors for widespread metastatic outgrowth. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:389-407. [PMID: 37316634 PMCID: PMC10591521 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10116-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a paradigm for adaptation to extreme stress. That is because genetic drivers are selected during tissue injury with epigenetic imprints encoding wound healing responses. Ironically, epigenetic memories of trauma that facilitate neoplasia can also recreate past stresses to restrain malignant progression through symbiotic tumor:stroma crosstalk. This is best exemplified by positive feedback between neoplastic chromatin outputs and fibroinflammatory stromal cues that encase malignant glands within a nutrient-deprived desmoplastic stroma. Because epigenetic imprints are chemically encoded by nutrient-derived metabolites bonded to chromatin, primary tumor metabolism adapts to preserve malignant epigenetic fidelity during starvation. Despite these adaptations, stromal stresses inevitably awaken primordial drives to seek more hospitable climates. The invasive migrations that ensue facilitate entry into the metastatic cascade. Metastatic routes present nutrient-replete reservoirs that accelerate malignant progression through adaptive metaboloepigenetics. This is best exemplified by positive feedback between biosynthetic enzymes and nutrient transporters that saturate malignant chromatin with pro-metastatic metabolite byproducts. Here we present a contemporary view of pancreatic cancer epigenetics: selection of neoplastic chromatin under fibroinflammatory pressures, preservation of malignant chromatin during starvation stresses, and saturation of metastatic chromatin by nutritional excesses that fuel lethal metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arnaldo J Franco Torres
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Rosenstiel Medical Sciences Building Room 4086A, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jeffrey Duryea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Rosenstiel Medical Sciences Building Room 4086A, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Oliver G McDonald
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Rosenstiel Medical Sciences Building Room 4086A, Miami, FL, USA.
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hamdan FH, Abdelrahman AM, Kutschat AP, Wang X, Ekstrom TL, Jalan-Sakrikar N, Wegner Wippel C, Taheri N, Tamon L, Kopp W, Aggrey-Fynn J, Bhagwate AV, Alva-Ruiz R, Lynch I, Yonkus J, Kosinsky RL, Gaedcke J, Hahn SA, Siveke JT, Graham R, Najafova Z, Hessmann E, Truty MJ, Johnsen SA. Interactive enhancer hubs (iHUBs) mediate transcriptional reprogramming and adaptive resistance in pancreatic cancer. Gut 2023; 72:1174-1185. [PMID: 36889906 PMCID: PMC10402638 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-328154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) displays a remarkable propensity towards therapy resistance. However, molecular epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms enabling this are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to identify novel mechanistic approaches to overcome or prevent resistance in PDAC. DESIGN We used in vitro and in vivo models of resistant PDAC and integrated epigenomic, transcriptomic, nascent RNA and chromatin topology data. We identified a JunD-driven subgroup of enhancers, called interactive hubs (iHUBs), which mediate transcriptional reprogramming and chemoresistance in PDAC. RESULTS iHUBs display characteristics typical for active enhancers (H3K27ac enrichment) in both therapy sensitive and resistant states but exhibit increased interactions and production of enhancer RNA (eRNA) in the resistant state. Notably, deletion of individual iHUBs was sufficient to decrease transcription of target genes and sensitise resistant cells to chemotherapy. Overlapping motif analysis and transcriptional profiling identified the activator protein 1 (AP1) transcription factor JunD as a master transcription factor of these enhancers. JunD depletion decreased iHUB interaction frequency and transcription of target genes. Moreover, targeting either eRNA production or signaling pathways upstream of iHUB activation using clinically tested small molecule inhibitors decreased eRNA production and interaction frequency, and restored chemotherapy responsiveness in vitro and in vivo. Representative iHUB target genes were found to be more expressed in patients with poor response to chemotherapy compared with responsive patients. CONCLUSION Our findings identify an important role for a subgroup of highly connected enhancers (iHUBs) in regulating chemotherapy response and demonstrate targetability in sensitisation to chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feda H Hamdan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Ana Patricia Kutschat
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas L Ekstrom
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Nidhi Jalan-Sakrikar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Negar Taheri
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Liezel Tamon
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Waltraut Kopp
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinical Research Unit 5002 (KFO5002), University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Joana Aggrey-Fynn
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Aditya V Bhagwate
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Isaac Lynch
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jennifer Yonkus
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Jochen Gaedcke
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stephan A Hahn
- Department of Molecular GI Oncology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jens T Siveke
- Bridge Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- Division of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK, partner site Essen) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rondell Graham
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinical Research Unit 5002 (KFO5002), University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mark J Truty
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Dong M, Tang R, Wang W, Xu J, Liu J, Liang C, Hua J, Meng Q, Yu X, Zhang B, Shi S. Integrated analysis revealed hypoxia signatures and LDHA related to tumor cell dedifferentiation and unfavorable prognosis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Hypoxia in PDAC. Transl Oncol 2023; 33:101692. [PMID: 37182509 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly heterogeneous cancer with limited understanding of its classification and tumor microenvironment. Here, by analyzing single-nucleus RNA sequencing of 43, 817 tumor cells from 15 PDAC tumors and non-tumor, we find that hypoxia signatures were heterogeneous across samples and were potential regulators for tumor progression and more aggressive phenotype. Hypoxia-high PDAC tends to present a basal/squamous-like phenotype and has significantly increased outgoing signaling, which enhances tumor cell stemness and promotes metastasis, angiogenesis, and fibroblast differentiation in PDAC. Hypoxia is related to an extracellular matrix enriched microenvironment, and increased possibility of TP53 mutation in PDAC. TP63 is a specific marker of squamous-like phenotype, and presents elevated transcriptome levels in most hypoxia PDAC tumors. In summary, our research highlights the potential linkage of hypoxia, tumor progression and genome alteration in PDAC, leading to further understand of the formation of inter-tumoral and intra-tumoral heterogenous in PDAC. Our study extends the understanding of the diversity and transition of tumor cells in PDAC, which provides insight into future PDAC management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingwei Dong
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China
| | - Rong Tang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China
| | - Qingcai Meng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, P R China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P R China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ning B, Tilston-Lunel AM, Simonetti J, Hicks-Berthet J, Matschulat A, Pfefferkorn R, Spira A, Edwards M, Mazzilli S, Lenburg ME, Beane JE, Varelas X. Convergence of YAP/TAZ, TEAD and TP63 activity is associated with bronchial premalignant severity and progression. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:116. [PMID: 37150829 PMCID: PMC10165825 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02674-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bronchial premalignant lesions (PMLs) are composed primarily of cells resembling basal epithelial cells of the airways, which through poorly understood mechanisms have the potential to progress to lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Despite ongoing efforts that have mapped gene expression and cell diversity across bronchial PML pathologies, signaling and transcriptional events driving malignancy are poorly understood. Evidence has suggested key roles for the Hippo pathway effectors YAP and TAZ and associated TEAD and TP63 transcription factor families in bronchial basal cell biology and LUSC. In this study we examine the functional association of YAP/TAZ, TEADs and TP63 in bronchial epithelial cells and PMLs. METHODS We performed RNA-seq in primary human bronchial epithelial cells following small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of YAP/TAZ, TEADs or TP63, and combined these data with ChIP-seq analysis of these factors. Directly activated or repressed genes were identified and overlapping genes were profiled across gene expression data obtained from progressive or regressive human PMLs and across lung single cell RNA-seq data sets. RESULTS Analysis of genes regulated by YAP/TAZ, TEADs, and TP63 in human bronchial epithelial cells revealed a converged transcriptional network that is strongly associated with the pathological progression of bronchial PMLs. Our observations suggest that YAP/TAZ-TEAD-TP63 associate to cooperatively promote basal epithelial cell proliferation and repress signals associated with interferon responses and immune cell communication. Directly repressed targets we identified include the MHC Class II transactivator CIITA, which is repressed in progressive PMLs and associates with adaptive immune responses in the lung. Our findings provide molecular insight into the control of gene expression events driving PML progression, including those contributing to immune evasion, offering potential new avenues for lung cancer interception. CONCLUSIONS Our study identifies important gene regulatory functions for YAP/TAZ-TEAD-TP63 in the early stages of lung cancer development, which notably includes immune-suppressive roles, and suggest that an assessment of the activity of this transcriptional complex may offer a means to identify immune evasive bronchial PMLs and serve as a potential therapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boting Ning
- Department of Medicine, Computational Biomedicine Section, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Andrew M Tilston-Lunel
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Room K620, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Justice Simonetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Room K620, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Julia Hicks-Berthet
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Room K620, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Adeline Matschulat
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Room K620, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Roxana Pfefferkorn
- Department of Medicine, Computational Biomedicine Section, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Avrum Spira
- Department of Medicine, Computational Biomedicine Section, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Johnson and Johnson Innovation, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | | | - Sarah Mazzilli
- Department of Medicine, Computational Biomedicine Section, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Marc E Lenburg
- Department of Medicine, Computational Biomedicine Section, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Jennifer E Beane
- Department of Medicine, Computational Biomedicine Section, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, 72 East Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Xaralabos Varelas
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, Room K620, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lu S, Kim HS, Cao Y, Bedi K, Zhao L, Narayanan IV, Magnuson B, Gu Y, Yang J, Yi Z, Babaniamansour S, Shameon S, Xu C, Paulsen MT, Qiu P, Jeyarajan S, Ljungman M, Thomas D, Dou Y, Crawford H, di Magliano MP, Ge K, Yang B, Shi J. KMT2D links TGF-β signaling to noncanonical activin pathway and regulates pancreatic cancer cell plasticity. Int J Cancer 2023. [PMID: 37140208 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Although KMT2D, also known as MLL2, is known to play an essential role in development, differentiation, and tumor suppression, its role in pancreatic cancer development is not well understood. Here, we discovered a novel signaling axis mediated by KMT2D, which links TGF-β to the activin A pathway. We found that TGF-β upregulates a microRNA, miR-147b, which in turn leads to post-transcriptional silencing of KMT2D. Loss of KMT2D induces the expression and secretion of activin A, which activates a noncanonical p38 MAPK-mediated pathway to modulate cancer cell plasticity, promote a mesenchymal phenotype, and enhance tumor invasion and metastasis in mice. We observed a decreased KMT2D expression in human primary and metastatic pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, inhibition or knockdown of activin A reversed the protumoral role of KMT2D loss. These findings support a tumor-suppressive role of KMT2D in pancreatic cancer and identify miR-147b and activin A as novel therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Lu
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Sun Kim
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yubo Cao
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Karan Bedi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Ishwarya Venkata Narayanan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Brian Magnuson
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yumei Gu
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Zhujun Yi
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sepideh Babaniamansour
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sargis Shameon
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Chang Xu
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michelle T Paulsen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Ping Qiu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sivakumar Jeyarajan
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mats Ljungman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Dafydd Thomas
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yali Dou
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | | | - Kai Ge
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Hur SK, Somerville TD, Wu XS, Maia-Silva D, Demerdash OE, Tuveson DA, Notta F, Vakoc CR. p73 activates transcriptional signatures of basal lineage identity and ciliogenesis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. bioRxiv 2023:2023.04.20.537667. [PMID: 37131797 PMCID: PMC10153254 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.20.537667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
During the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), tumor cells are known to acquire transcriptional and morphological properties of the basal (also known as squamous) epithelial lineage, which leads to more aggressive disease characteristics. Here, we show that a subset of basal-like PDAC tumors aberrantly express p73 (TA isoform), which is a known transcriptional activator of basal lineage identity, ciliogenesis, and tumor suppression in normal tissue development. Using gain- and loss- of function experiments, we show that p73 is necessary and sufficient to activate genes related to basal identity (e.g. KRT5), ciliogenesis (e.g. FOXJ1), and p53-like tumor suppression (e.g. CDKN1A) in human PDAC models. Owing to the paradoxical combination of oncogenic and tumor suppressive outputs of this transcription factor, we propose that PDAC cells express a low level of p73 that is optimal for promoting lineage plasticity without severe impairment of cell proliferation. Collectively, our study reinforces how PDAC cells exploit master regulators of the basal epithelial lineage during disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stella K. Hur
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, U.S.A
| | | | - Xiaoli S. Wu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, U.S.A
| | - Diogo Maia-Silva
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, U.S.A
| | | | - David A. Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, U.S.A
| | - Faiyaz Notta
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Halbrook CJ, Lyssiotis CA, Pasca di Magliano M, Maitra A. Pancreatic cancer: Advances and challenges. Cell 2023; 186:1729-1754. [PMID: 37059070 PMCID: PMC10182830 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 144.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest cancers. Significant efforts have largely defined major genetic factors driving PDAC pathogenesis and progression. Pancreatic tumors are characterized by a complex microenvironment that orchestrates metabolic alterations and supports a milieu of interactions among various cell types within this niche. In this review, we highlight the foundational studies that have driven our understanding of these processes. We further discuss the recent technological advances that continue to expand our understanding of PDAC complexity. We posit that the clinical translation of these research endeavors will enhance the currently dismal survival rate of this recalcitrant disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Halbrook
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
| | - Costas A Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Marina Pasca di Magliano
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Anirban Maitra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, Sheikh Ahmed Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Maurer HC, Curiel-Garcia A, Holmstrom S, Laise P, Palermo CF, Sastra SA, Andren A, Li Z, LeLarge T, Sagalovskiy I, Ross DR, Rosario V, Lu K, Ferraiuolo E, Spinosa N, Wong W, Shaw K, Chabot JA, Genkinger J, Hibshoosh H, Manji GA, Iuga A, Schmid RM, Badgley MA, Johnson K, Califano A, Lyssiotis C, Olive KP. Ras-dependent activation of BMAL2 regulates hypoxic metabolism in pancreatic cancer. bioRxiv 2023:2023.03.19.533333. [PMID: 36993718 PMCID: PMC10055246 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.19.533333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
To identify novel drivers of malignancy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), we employed regulatory network analysis, which calculates the activity of transcription factors and other regulatory proteins based on the integrated expression of their positive and negative target genes. We generated a regulatory network for the malignant epithelial cells of human PDAC using gene expression data from a set of 197 laser capture microdissected human PDAC samples and 45 low-grade precursors, for which we had matched histopathological, clinical, and epidemiological annotation. We then identified the most highly activated and repressed regulatory proteins (e.g. master regulators or MRs) associated with four malignancy phenotypes: precursors vs. PDAC (initiation), low-grade vs. high grade histopathology (progression), survival post resection, and association with KRAS activity. Integrating across these phenotypes, the top MR of PDAC malignancy was found to be BMAL2, a member of the PAS family of bHLH transcription factors. Although the canonical function of BMAL2 is linked to the circadian rhythm protein CLOCK, annotation of BMAL2 target genes highlighted a potential role in hypoxia response. We previously demonstrated that PDAC is hypovascularized and hypoperfused, and here show that PDAC from the genetically engineered KPC model exists in a state of extreme hypoxia, with a partial oxygen pressure of <1mmHg. Given the close homology of BMAL2 to HIF1β (ARNT) and its potential to heterodimerize with HIF1A and HIF2A, we investigated whether BMAL2 plays a role in the hypoxic response of PDAC. Indeed, BMAL2 controlled numerous hypoxia response genes and could be inhibited following treatment with multiple RAF, MEK, and ERK inhibitors, validating its association with RAS activity. Knockout of BMAL2 in four human PDAC cell lines led to defects in growth and invasion in the setting of hypoxia. Strikingly, BMAL2 null cells failed to induce glycolysis upon exposure to severe hypoxia and this was associated with a loss of expression of the glycolytic enzyme LDHA. Moreover, HIF1A was no longer stabilized under hypoxia in BMAL2 knockout cells. By contrast, HIF2A was hyper-stabilized under hypoxia, indicating a dysregulation of hypoxia metabolism in response to BMAL2 loss. We conclude that BMAL2 is a master regulator of hypoxic metabolism in PDAC, serving as a molecular switch between the disparate metabolic roles of HIF1A- and HIF2A-dependent hypoxia responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Carlo Maurer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Alvaro Curiel-Garcia
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | | | - Pasquale Laise
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Darwin Therapeutics, New York, NY
| | - Carmine F Palermo
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Steven A Sastra
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Anthony Andren
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Zhang Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Tessa LeLarge
- Department of Surgery, Dijklander Ziekenhuis Location Hoorn, Hoorn, the Netherlands
| | - Irina Sagalovskiy
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Daniel R Ross
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Vilma Rosario
- Department of Surgery, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Kate Lu
- University of New Hampshire, Manchester, NH
| | | | | | - Winston Wong
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Kaitlin Shaw
- Columbia University Division of GI & Endocrine Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - John A Chabot
- Department of Surgery, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Jeanine Genkinger
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY
| | - Hanina Hibshoosh
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and HICCC, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Gulam A Manji
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Alina Iuga
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Roland M Schmid
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael A Badgley
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | | | - Andrea Califano
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Department of Systems Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
- Darwin Therapeutics, New York, NY
| | - Costas Lyssiotis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Kenneth P Olive
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Dairo G, Ilesanmi A, Balogun T, Ward M, Soendergaard M, Determan J. Computational evaluation of bioactive compounds from Viscum album (mistletoe) as inhibitors of p63 for pancreatic cancer treatment. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:15610-15624. [PMID: 36935102 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2191133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive malignancy usually detectable at the advanced stage, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 8%. It has been reported that a gene called tumor-protein 63 (TP63) is expressed in an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer with a squamous signature. Thus, inhibiting the activity of p63 can be a means of treating and managing PDA. Different studies have shown that plant constituents are rich and can be a promising source for discovering drug candidates. The extract from mistletoe (Viscum album) is known to contain anticancer compounds; however, the specific molecular mechanism of the bioactive compounds is unknown. This study examines the pancreatic cancer therapeutic potential of the bioactive compounds in the flavonoid and phenolic acid constituents of mistletoe by adopting structural bioinformatics and advanced theoretical chemistry techniques via molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) calculations, pharmacokinetic analysis, and density functional theory analysis. The six best compounds from the flavonoid constituent with the highest binding affinity ranging from -6.8 kcal/mol to -6.7 kcal/mol were selected with the control gemcitabine (-5.5 kcal/mol) for further computational analysis after molecular docking. Furthermore, MM/GBSA calculation showed the highest binding energy for the selected docked compounds, which validates their inhibitory potential. Hence, the molecular dynamics simulation, post-simulation analysis, pharmacokinetics model, and DFT results showed that mistletoe compounds are reliable due to their stable interaction with the target protein and drug-likeness properties.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gbenga Dairo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, USA
| | - Ayooluwa Ilesanmi
- Department of Chemistry, Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS, USA
| | - Toheeb Balogun
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Ward
- Department of Chemistry, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, USA
| | | | - John Determan
- Department of Chemistry, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Murakami S, White SM, McIntosh AT, Nguyen CDK, Yi C. Spontaneously evolved progenitor niches escape Yap oncogene addiction in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1443. [PMID: 36922511 PMCID: PMC10017707 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37147-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Lineage plasticity has been proposed as a major source of intratumoral heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance. Here, by employing an inducible genetic engineered mouse model, we illustrate that lineage plasticity enables advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors to develop spontaneous relapse following elimination of the central oncogenic driver - Yap. Transcriptomic and immunohistochemistry analysis of a large panel of PDAC tumors reveals that within high-grade tumors, small niches of PDAC cells gradually evolve to re-activate pluripotent transcription factors (PTFs), which lessen their dependency on Yap. Comprehensive Cut&Tag analysis demonstrate that although acquisition of PTF expression is coupled with the process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), PTFs form a core transcriptional regulatory circuitry (CRC) with Jun to overcome Yap dependency, which is distinct from the classic TGFb-induced EMT-TF network. A chemical-genetic screen and follow-up functional studies establish Brd4 as an epigenetic gatekeeper for the PTF-Jun CRC, and strong synergy between BET and Yap inhibitors in blocking PDAC growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shigekazu Murakami
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shannon M White
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alec T McIntosh
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Chan D K Nguyen
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Chunling Yi
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lansbergen MF, Khelil M, Etten-Jamaludin FSV, Bijlsma MF, van Laarhoven HWM. Poor-prognosis molecular subtypes in adenocarcinomas of pancreato-biliary and gynecological origin: A systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 185:103982. [PMID: 37004743 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.103982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreato-biliary and gynecological adenocarcinomas need better tools to predict clinical outcome. Potential prognostic mesenchymal(-like) transcriptome-based subtypes have been identified in these cancers. In this systematic review, we include studies into molecular subtyping and summarize biological and clinical features of the subtypes within and across sites of origin, searching for suggestions to improve classification and prognostication. PubMed and Embase were searched for original research articles describing potential mesenchymal(-like) mRNA-based subtypes in pancreato-biliary or gynecological adenocarcinomas. Studies limited to supervised clustering were excluded. Fourty-four studies, discussing cholangiocarcinomas, gallbladder, ampullary, pancreatic, ovarian, and endometrial adenocarcinomas were included. There was overlap in molecular and clinical features in mesenchymal(-like) subtypes across all adenocarcinomas. Approaches including microdissection were more likely to identify prognosis-associating subtypes. To conclude, molecular subtypes in pancreato-biliary and gynecological adenocarcinomas share biological and clinical characteristics. Furthermore, separation of stromal and epithelial signals should be applied in future studies into biliary and gynecological adenocarcinomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein F Lansbergen
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Medical Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Maryam Khelil
- University of Amsterdam, Spui 21, 1012 WX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Faridi S van Etten-Jamaludin
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Research Support Medical Library, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten F Bijlsma
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Jaarbeursplein 6, 3521 AL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hanneke W M van Laarhoven
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Medical Oncology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Chirravuri-Venkata R, Dam V, Nimmakayala RK, Alsafwani ZW, Bhyravbhatla N, Lakshmanan I, Ponnusamy MP, Kumar S, Jain M, Ghersi D, Batra SK. MUC16 and TP53 family co-regulate tumor-stromal heterogeneity in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1073820. [PMID: 36816942 PMCID: PMC9936860 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1073820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
MUC16/CA125 is one of the few oldest cancer biomarkers still used in current clinical practice. As mesothelium is an abundant source of MUC16 and a major contributor to stromal heterogeneity in PDAC, we investigated the regulation of MUC16 in tumor and stromal compartments individually. The trajectories constructed using the single-cell transcriptomes of stromal cells from KPC tumors demonstrated continuity in the trajectory path between MUC16-expressing mesothelial cells and other CAF subsets. Further, the tumor tissues of MUC16 whole-body knockout (KPCM) showed dysregulation in the markers of actomyosin assembly and fibroblast differentiation (iCAF and myCAF), indicating that MUC16 has an extra-tumoral role in controlling CAF differentiation. Although we found mesothelium-derivative stromal cells to be bystanders in normal pancreas, the proportion of these cells was higher in invasive PDAC, particularly in TP53 deficient tumors. Moreover, we also detail the regulation of MUC16, KRAS, and SOX9 by TP53 family members (TP53 and TP63) using multi-omics data from knockout models, PDAC cell lines, and human PDAC tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramakanth Chirravuri-Venkata
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Vi Dam
- School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Rama Krishna Nimmakayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Zahraa Wajih Alsafwani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Namita Bhyravbhatla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Imayavaramban Lakshmanan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Moorthy P. Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Dario Ghersi
- School of Interdisciplinary Informatics, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, United States,*Correspondence: Dario Ghersi, ; Surinder K. Batra,
| | - Surinder K. Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States,*Correspondence: Dario Ghersi, ; Surinder K. Batra,
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Zhang W, Zhang J, Liang X, Ding J. Research advances and treatment perspectives of pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:1-15. [PMID: 36316580 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00732-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a malignant tumor, pancreatic cancer has an extremely low overall 5-year survival rate. Pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma (PASC), a rare pancreatic malignancy, owns clinical presentation similar to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is the most prevalent pancreatic cancer subtype. PASC is generally defined as a pancreatic tumor consisting mainly of adenocarcinoma tissue and squamous carcinoma tissue. Compared with PDAC, PASC has a higher metastatic potential and worse prognosis, and lacks of effective treatment options to date. However, the pathogenesis and treatment of PASC are not yet clear and are accompanied with difficulties. CONCLUSION The present paper systematically summarizes the possible pathogenesis, diagnosis methods, and further suggests potential new treatment directions through reviewing research results of PASC, including the clinical manifestations, pathological manifestation, the original hypothesis of squamous carcinoma and the potential regulatory mechanism. In short, the present paper provides a systematic review of the research progress and new ideas for the development mechanism and treatment of PASC.
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers, associated with poor survival outcomes. Lack of early diagnosis, resistance to conventional therapeutic treatments (including immunotherapy) and recurrence are some of the major hurdles in PDAC and contribute to its poor survival rate. While the risk of genetic predisposition to cancers is widely acknowledged and understood, recent advances in whole-genome and next-generation sequencing techniques have led to the acknowledgment of the role played by epigenetics, especially in PDAC. Epigenetic changes are heritable genetic modifications that influence gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., DNA methylation, post-translational modification of histone complexes and ncRNA) that result in reversible changes in gene expression are increasingly understood to be responsible for tumor initiation, development and even escape from immune surveillance. Our review seeks to highlight the various components of the epigenetic machinery that are known to be implicated in PDAC initiation and development and the feasibility of targeting these components to identify novel pharmacological strategies that could potentially lead to breakthroughs in PDAC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Somnath Pandey
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Vineet K Gupta
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Shweta P Lavania
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Glathar AR, Oyelakin A, Nayak KB, Sosa J, Romano RA, Sinha S. A Systemic and Integrated Analysis of p63-Driven Regulatory Networks in Mouse Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:446. [PMID: 36672394 PMCID: PMC9856320 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancy of the oral cavity and is linked to tobacco exposure, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus infection. Despite therapeutic advances, a lack of molecular understanding of disease etiology, and delayed diagnoses continue to negatively affect survival. The identification of oncogenic drivers and prognostic biomarkers by leveraging bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets of OSCC can lead to more targeted therapies and improved patient outcomes. However, the generation, analysis, and continued utilization of additional genetic and genomic tools are warranted. Tobacco-induced OSCC can be modeled in mice via 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO), which generates a spectrum of neoplastic lesions mimicking human OSCC and upregulates the oncogenic master transcription factor p63. Here, we molecularly characterized established mouse 4NQO treatment-derived OSCC cell lines and utilized RNA and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing to uncover the global p63 gene regulatory and signaling network. We integrated our p63 datasets with published bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing of mouse 4NQO-treated tongue and esophageal tumors, respectively, to generate a p63-driven gene signature that sheds new light on the role of p63 in murine OSCC. Our analyses reveal known and novel players, such as COTL1, that are regulated by p63 and influence various oncogenic processes, including metastasis. The identification of new sets of potential biomarkers and pathways, some of which are functionally conserved in human OSCC and can prognosticate patient survival, offers new avenues for future mechanistic studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ruth Glathar
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Akinsola Oyelakin
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Kasturi Bala Nayak
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Jennifer Sosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Rose-Anne Romano
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Satrajit Sinha
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Piro G, Carbone C, Agostini A, Esposito A, De Pizzol M, Novelli R, Allegretti M, Aramini A, Caggiano A, Granitto A, De Sanctis F, Ugel S, Corbo V, Martini M, Lawlor RT, Scarpa A, Tortora G. CXCR1/2 dual-inhibitor ladarixin reduces tumour burden and promotes immunotherapy response in pancreatic cancer. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:331-341. [PMID: 36385556 PMCID: PMC9902528 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-02028-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy with few therapeutic options available. Despite immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer treatment, the results obtained in PDAC are still disappointing. Emerging evidence suggests that chemokines/CXCRs-axis plays a pivotal role in immune tumour microenvironment modulation, which may influence immunotherapy responsiveness. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness of CXCR1/2 inhibitor ladarixin, alone or in combination with anti-PD-1, against immunosuppression in PDAC. METHODS A set of preclinical models was obtained by engrafting mouse PDAC-derived cells into syngeneic immune-competent mice, as well as by orthotopically transplanting patient-derived PDAC tumour into human immune-system-reconstituted (HIR) mice (HuCD34-NSG-mice). Tumour-bearing mice were randomly assigned to receive vehicles, ladarixin, anti-PD-1 or drugs combination. RESULTS CXCR1/2 inhibition by ladarixin reverted in vitro tumour-mediated M2 macrophages polarisation and migration. Ladarixin as single agent reduced tumour burden in cancer-derived graft (CDG) models with high-immunogenic potential and increased the efficacy of ICI in non-immunogenic CDG-resistant models. In a HIR mouse model bearing the immunogenic subtype of human PDAC, ladarixin showed high efficacy increasing the antitumor effect of anti-PD-1. CONCLUSION Ladarixin in combination with anti-PD-1 might represent an extremely effective approach for the treatment of immunotherapy refractory PDAC, allowing pro-tumoral to immune-permissive microenvironment conversion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geny Piro
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Agostini
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Annachiara Esposito
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rubina Novelli
- Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A., Via Santa Lucia 6, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Aramini
- Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A., Via Santa Lucia 6, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Caggiano
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Granitto
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco De Sanctis
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maurizio Martini
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Teresa Lawlor
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Tortora
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Hosen SMZ, Uddin MN, Xu Z, Buckley BJ, Perera C, Pang TCY, Mekapogu AR, Moni MA, Notta F, Gallinger S, Pirola R, Wilson J, Ranson M, Goldstein D, Apte M. Metastatic phenotype and immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Key role of the urokinase plasminogen activator (PLAU). Front Immunol 2022; 13:1060957. [PMID: 36591282 PMCID: PMC9794594 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1060957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have revealed the role of dysregulated urokinase plasminogen activator (encoded by PLAU) expression and activity in several pathways associated with cancer progression. However, systematic investigation into the association of PLAU expression with factors that modulate PDAC (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) progression is lacking, such as those affecting stromal (pancreatic stellate cell, PSC)-cancer cell interactions, tumour immunity, PDAC subtypes and clinical outcomes from potential PLAU inhibition. Methods This study used an integrated bioinformatics approach to identify prognostic markers correlated with PLAU expression using different transcriptomics, proteomics, and clinical data sets. We then determined the association of dysregulated PLAU and correlated signatures with oncogenic pathways, metastatic phenotypes, stroma, immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME) and clinical outcome. Finally, using an in vivo orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer, we confirmed the predicted effect of inhibiting PLAU on tumour growth and metastasis. Results Our analyses revealed that PLAU upregulation is not only associated with numerous other prognostic markers but also associated with the activation of various oncogenic signalling pathways, aggressive phenotypes relevant to PDAC growth and metastasis, such as proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness, hypoxia, extracellular cell matrix (ECM) degradation, upregulation of stromal signatures, and immune suppression in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Moreover, the upregulation of PLAU was directly connected with signalling pathways known to mediate PSC-cancer cell interactions. Furthermore, PLAU upregulation was associated with the aggressive basal/squamous phenotype of PDAC and significantly reduced overall survival, indicating that this subset of patients may benefit from therapeutic interventions to inhibit PLAU activity. Our studies with a clinically relevant orthotopic pancreatic model showed that even short-term PLAU inhibition is sufficient to significantly halt tumour growth and, importantly, eliminate visible metastasis. Conclusion Elevated PLAU correlates with increased aggressive phenotypes, stromal score, and immune suppression in PDAC. PLAU upregulation is also closely associated with the basal subtype type of PDAC; patients with this subtype are at high risk of mortality from the disease and may benefit from therapeutic targeting of PLAU.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S. M. Zahid Hosen
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Md. Nazim Uddin
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Benjamin J. Buckley
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Chamini Perera
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Tony C. Y. Pang
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alpha Raj Mekapogu
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Mohammad Ali Moni
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Faiyaz Notta
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Steven Gallinger
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ron Pirola
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeremy Wilson
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - David Goldstein
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Minoti Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia,*Correspondence: Minoti Apte,
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Kato H, Tateishi K, Iwadate D, Yamamoto K, Fujiwara H, Nakatsuka T, Kudo Y, Hayakawa Y, Ijichi H, Otsuka M, Kishikawa T, Takahashi R, Miyabayashi K, Nakai Y, Hirata Y, Toyoda A, Morishita S, Fujishiro M. HNF1B-driven three-dimensional chromatin structure for molecular classification in pancreatic cancers. Cancer Sci 2022; 114:1672-1685. [PMID: 36511816 PMCID: PMC10067390 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer (PC), either classical/progenitor-like or basal/squamous-like, are currently a major topic of research because of their direct association with clinical outcomes. Some transcription factors (TFs) have been reported to be associated with these subtypes. However, the mechanisms by which these molecular signatures of PCs are established remain unknown. Epigenetic regulatory processes, supported by dynamic changes in the chromatin structure, are essential for transcriptional profiles. Previously, we reported the importance of open chromatin profiles in the biological features and transcriptional status of PCs. Here, we aimed to analyze the relationships between three-dimensional (3D) genome structures and the molecular subtypes of human PCs using Hi-C analysis. We observed a correlation of the specific elements of 3D genome modules, including compartments, topologically associating domains, and enhancer-promoter loops, with the expression of related genes. We focused on HNF1B, a TF that is implicated in the progenitor subtype. Forced expression of HNF1B in squamous-type PC organoids induced the upregulation and downregulation of genes associated with progenitor and squamous subtypes, respectively. Long-range genomic interactions induced by HNF1B were accompanied by compartment modulation and H3K27ac redistribution. We also found that these HNF1B-induced changes in subtype-related gene expression required an intrinsically disordered region, suggesting a possible involvement of phase separation in compartment modulation. Thus, mapping of 3D structural changes induced by TFs, such as HNF1B, may become a useful resource for further understanding the molecular features of PCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tateishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Dosuke Iwadate
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Yamamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Gastroenterology, The Institute of Medical Science, Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuma Nakatsuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yotaro Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoku Hayakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ijichi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Otsuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryota Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Miyabayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yousuke Nakai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hirata
- Division of Advanced Genome Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shinichi Morishita
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Fujishiro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Ozdemir ES, Gomes MM, Fischer JM. Computational Modeling of TP63-TP53 Interaction and Rational Design of Inhibitors: Implications for Therapeutics. Mol Cancer Ther 2022; 21:1846-1856. [PMID: 36190964 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Tumor protein p63 (TP63) is a member of the TP53 protein family that are important for development and in tumor suppression. Unlike TP53, TP63 is rarely mutated in cancer, but instead different TP63 isoforms regulate its activity. TA isoforms (TAp63) act as tumor suppressors, whereas ΔN isoforms are strong drivers of squamous or squamous-like cancers. Many of these tumors become addicted to ΔN isoforms and removal of ΔN isoforms result in cancer cell death. Furthermore, some TP53 conformational mutants (TP53CM) gain the ability to interact with TAp63 isoforms and inhibit their antitumorigenic function, while indirectly promoting tumorigenic function of ΔN isoforms, but the exact mechanism of TP63-TP53CM interaction is unclear. The changes in the balance of TP63 isoform activity are crucial to understanding the transition between normal and tumor cells. Here, we modeled TP63-TP53CM complex using computational approaches. We then used our models to design peptides to disrupt the TP63-TP53CM interaction and restore antitumorigenic TAp63 function. In addition, we studied ΔN isoform oligomerization and designed peptides to inhibit its oligomerization and reduce their tumorigenic activity. We show that some of our peptides promoted cell death in a TP63 highly expressed cancer cell line, but not in a TP63 lowly expressed cancer cell line. Furthermore, we performed kinetic-binding assays to validate binding of our peptides to their targets. Our computational and experimental analyses present a detailed model for the TP63-TP53CM interaction and provide a framework for potential therapeutic peptides for the elimination of TP53CM cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Sila Ozdemir
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Michelle M Gomes
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jared M Fischer
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Cherkaoui S, Durot S, Bradley J, Critchlow S, Dubuis S, Masiero MM, Wegmann R, Snijder B, Othman A, Bendtsen C, Zamboni N. A functional analysis of 180 cancer cell lines reveals conserved intrinsic metabolic programs. Mol Syst Biol 2022; 18:e11033. [PMID: 36321552 PMCID: PMC9627673 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202211033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to support growth and invasion. While previous work has highlighted how single altered reactions and pathways can drive tumorigenesis, it remains unclear how individual changes propagate at the network level and eventually determine global metabolic activity. To characterize the metabolic lifestyle of cancer cells across pathways and genotypes, we profiled the intracellular metabolome of 180 pan-cancer cell lines grown in identical conditions. For each cell line, we estimated activity for 49 pathways spanning the entirety of the metabolic network. Upon clustering, we discovered a convergence into only two major metabolic types. These were functionally confirmed by 13 C-flux analysis, lipidomics, and analysis of sensitivity to perturbations. They revealed that the major differences in cancers are associated with lipid, TCA cycle, and carbohydrate metabolism. Thorough integration of these types with multiomics highlighted little association with genetic alterations but a strong association with markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Our analysis indicates that in absence of variations imposed by the microenvironment, cancer cells adopt distinct metabolic programs which serve as vulnerabilities for therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cherkaoui
- Institute of Molecular Systems BiologyETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland,PhD Program in Systems BiologyLife Science ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Stephan Durot
- Institute of Molecular Systems BiologyETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland,PhD Program in Systems BiologyLife Science ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Sebastien Dubuis
- Institute of Molecular Systems BiologyETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Mauro Miguel Masiero
- Institute of Molecular Systems BiologyETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland,PhD Program in Systems BiologyLife Science ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Rebekka Wegmann
- Institute of Molecular Systems BiologyETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland,PhD Program in Systems BiologyLife Science ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Berend Snijder
- Institute of Molecular Systems BiologyETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Alaa Othman
- Institute of Molecular Systems BiologyETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland,PHRT Swiss Multi‐OMICS Center / smoc.ethz.chZürichSwitzerland
| | | | - Nicola Zamboni
- Institute of Molecular Systems BiologyETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland,PHRT Swiss Multi‐OMICS Center / smoc.ethz.chZürichSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Niu Z, Jin R, Zhang Y, Li H. Signaling pathways and targeted therapies in lung squamous cell carcinoma: mechanisms and clinical trials. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:353. [PMID: 36198685 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01200-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death across the world. Unlike lung adenocarcinoma, patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) have not benefitted from targeted therapies. Although immunotherapy has significantly improved cancer patients' outcomes, the relatively low response rate and severe adverse events hinder the clinical application of this promising treatment in LSCC. Therefore, it is of vital importance to have a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of LSCC as well as the inner connection among different signaling pathways, which will surely provide opportunities for more effective therapeutic interventions for LSCC. In this review, new insights were given about classical signaling pathways which have been proved in other cancer types but not in LSCC, including PI3K signaling pathway, VEGF/VEGFR signaling, and CDK4/6 pathway. Other signaling pathways which may have therapeutic potentials in LSCC were also discussed, including the FGFR1 pathway, EGFR pathway, and KEAP1/NRF2 pathway. Next, chromosome 3q, which harbors two key squamous differentiation markers SOX2 and TP63 is discussed as well as its related potential therapeutic targets. We also provided some progress of LSCC in epigenetic therapies and immune checkpoints blockade (ICB) therapies. Subsequently, we outlined some combination strategies of ICB therapies and other targeted therapies. Finally, prospects and challenges were given related to the exploration and application of novel therapeutic strategies for LSCC.
Collapse
|
41
|
Ogden S, Carys K, Ahmed I, Bruce J, Sharrocks AD. Regulatory chromatin rewiring promotes metabolic switching during adaptation to oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition. Oncogene 2022; 41:4808-4822. [PMID: 36153371 PMCID: PMC9586873 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02465-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) patients show poor survival rates and there are few targeted molecular therapies available. However, components of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) driven pathways are commonly mutated in OAC, typified by high frequency amplifications of the RTK ERBB2. ERBB2 can be therapeutically targeted, but this has limited clinical benefit due to the acquisition of drug resistance. Here we examined how OAC cells adapt to ERBB2 inhibition as they transition to a drug resistant state. ERBB2 inhibition triggers widespread remodelling of the accessible chromatin landscape and the underlying gene regulatory networks. The transcriptional regulators HNF4A and PPARGC1A play a key role in this network rewiring. Initially, inhibition of cell cycle associated gene expression programmes is observed, with compensatory increases in the programmes driving changes in metabolic activity. Both PPARGC1A and HNF4A are required for the acquisition of resistance to ERBB2 inhibition and PPARGC1A is instrumental in promoting a switch to dependency on oxidative phosphorylation. Our work therefore reveals the molecular pathways that support the acquisition of a resistant state and points to potential new therapeutic strategies to combat cellular adaptation and ensuing drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Ogden
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Kashmala Carys
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Ibrahim Ahmed
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Jason Bruce
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Andrew D Sharrocks
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Miyabayashi K, Ijichi H, Fujishiro M. The Role of the Microbiome in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4479. [PMID: 36139638 PMCID: PMC9496841 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer is deadly cancer characterized by dense stroma creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Accumulating evidences indicate that the microbiome plays an important role in pancreatic cancer development and progression via the local and systemic inflammation and immune responses. The alteration of the microbiome modulates the tumor microenvironment and immune system in pancreatic cancer, which affects the efficacy of chemotherapies including immune-targeted therapies. Understanding the role of microbiome and underlying mechanisms may lead to novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer. This review summarizes the current evidence on the role of the microbiome in pancreatic cancer. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignancies, with little improvement in outcomes in recent decades, although the molecular and phenotypic characterization of PDAC has contributed to advances in tailored therapies. PDAC is characterized by dense stroma surrounding tumor cells, which limits the efficacy of treatment due to the creation of a physical barrier and immunosuppressive environment. Emerging evidence regarding the microbiome in PDAC implies its potential role in the initiation and progression of PDAC. However, the underlying mechanisms of how the microbiome affects the local tumor microenvironment (TME) as well as the systemic immune system have not been elucidated in PDAC. In addition, therapeutic strategies based on the microbiome have not been established. In this review, we summarize the current evidence regarding the role of the microbiome in the development of PDAC and discuss a possible role for the microbiome in the early detection of PDAC in relation to premalignant pancreatic diseases, such as chronic pancreatitis and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). In addition, we discuss the potential role of the microbiome in the treatment of PDAC, especially in immunotherapy, although the biomarkers used to predict the efficacy of immunotherapy in PDAC are still unknown. A comprehensive understanding of tumor-associated immune responses, including those involving the microbiome, holds promise for new treatments in PDAC.
Collapse
|
43
|
Krebs N, Klein L, Wegwitz F, Espinet E, Maurer HC, Tu M, Penz F, Küffer S, Xu X, Bohnenberger H, Cameron S, Brunner M, Neesse A, Kishore U, Hessmann E, Trumpp A, Ströbel P, Brekken RA, Ellenrieder V, Singh SK. Axon guidance receptor ROBO3 modulates subtype identity and prognosis via AXL-associated inflammatory network in pancreatic cancer. JCI Insight 2022; 7:154475. [PMID: 35993361 PMCID: PMC9462476 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.154475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic pancreatic cancer (PDAC) has a poor clinical outcome with a 5-year survival rate below 3%. Recent transcriptome profiling of PDAC biopsies has identified 2 clinically distinct subtypes - the "basal-like" (BL) subtype with poor prognosis and therapy resistance compared with the less aggressive and drug-susceptible "classical" (CLA) subtype. However, the mechanistic events and environmental factors that promote the BL subtype identity are not very clear. Using preclinical models, patient-derived xenografts, and FACS-sorted PDAC patient biopsies, we report here that the axon guidance receptor, roundabout guidance receptor 3 (ROBO3), promotes the BL metastatic program via a potentially unique AXL/IL-6/phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) regulatory axis. RNA-Seq identified a ROBO3-mediated BL-specific gene program, while tyrosine kinase profiling revealed AXL as the key mediator of the p-STAT3 activation. CRISPR/dCas9-based ROBO3 silencing disrupted the AXL/p-STAT3 signaling axis, thereby halting metastasis and enhancing therapy sensitivity. Transcriptome analysis of resected patient tumors revealed that AXLhi neoplastic cells associated with the inflammatory stromal program. Combining AXL inhibitor and chemotherapy substantially restored a CLA phenotypic state and reduced disease aggressiveness. Thus, we conclude that a ROBO3-driven hierarchical network determines the inflammatory and prometastatic programs in a specific PDAC subtype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Krebs
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Lukas Klein
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Florian Wegwitz
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisa Espinet
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,HI-STEM: The Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine gGmbH, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapy, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology Program (Oncobell), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hans Carlo Maurer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Mengyu Tu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Frederike Penz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | | | - Xingbo Xu
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, and
| | | | - Silke Cameron
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Marius Brunner
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Albrecht Neesse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,HI-STEM: The Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine gGmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology,,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rolf A. Brekken
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, Departments of Surgery and Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Shiv K. Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Fraunhoffer NA, Abuelafia AM, Bigonnet M, Gayet O, Roques J, Nicolle R, Lomberk G, Urrutia R, Dusetti N, Iovanna J. Multi-omics data integration and modeling unravels new mechanisms for pancreatic cancer and improves prognostic prediction. NPJ Precis Oncol 2022; 6:57. [PMID: 35978026 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-022-00299-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), has recently been found to be a heterogeneous disease, although the extension of its diversity remains to be fully understood. Here, we harmonize transcriptomic profiles derived from both PDAC epithelial and microenvironment cells to develop a Master Regulators (MR)-Gradient model that allows important inferences on transcriptional networks, epigenomic states, and metabolomics pathways that underlies this disease heterogeneity. This gradient model was generated by applying a blind source separation based on independent components analysis and robust principal component analyses (RPCA), following regulatory network inference. The result of these analyses reveals that PDAC prognosis strongly associates with the tumor epithelial cell phenotype and the immunological component. These studies were complemented by integration of methylome and metabolome datasets generated from patient-derived xenograft (PDX), together experimental measurements of metabolites, immunofluorescence microscopy, and western blot. At the metabolic level, PDAC favorable phenotype showed a positive correlation with enzymes implicated in complex lipid biosynthesis. In contrast, the unfavorable phenotype displayed an augmented OXPHOS independent metabolism centered on the Warburg effect and glutaminolysis. Epigenetically, we find that a global hypermethylation profile associates with the worst prognosis. Lastly, we report that, two antagonistic histone code writers, SUV39H1/SUV39H2 (H3K9Me3) and KAT2B (H3K9Ac) were identified key deregulated pathways in PDAC. Our analysis suggests that the PDAC phenotype, as it relates to prognosis, is determined by a complex interaction of transcriptomic, epigenomic, and metabolic features. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PDAC prognosis could be modulated through epigenetics.
Collapse
|
45
|
Balinth S, Fisher ML, Hwangbo Y, Wu C, Ballon C, Sun X, Mills AA. EZH2 regulates a SETDB1/ΔNp63α axis via RUNX3 to drive a cancer stem cell phenotype in squamous cell carcinoma. Oncogene 2022; 41:4130-4144. [PMID: 35864175 PMCID: PMC10132824 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02417-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and SET domain bifurcated 1 (SETDB1, also known as ESET) are oncogenic methyltransferases implicated in a number of human cancers. These enzymes typically function as epigenetic repressors of target genes by methylating histone H3 K27 and H3-K9 residues, respectively. Here, we show that EZH2 and SETDB1 are essential to proliferation in 3 SCC cell lines, HSC-5, FaDu, and Cal33. Additionally, we find both of these proteins highly expressed in an aggressive stem-like SCC sub-population. Depletion of either EZH2 or SETDB1 disrupts these stem-like cells and their associated phenotypes of spheroid formation, invasion, and tumor growth. We show that SETDB1 regulates this SCC stem cell phenotype through cooperation with ΔNp63α, an oncogenic isoform of the p53-related transcription factor p63. Furthermore, EZH2 is upstream of both SETDB1 and ΔNp63α, activating these targets via repression of the tumor suppressor RUNX3. We show that targeting this pathway with inhibitors of EZH2 results in activation of RUNX3 and repression of both SETDB1 and ΔNp63α, antagonizing the SCC cancer stem cell phenotype. This work highlights a novel pathway that drives an aggressive cancer stem cell phenotype and demonstrates a means of pharmacological intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seamus Balinth
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA.,Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | | | - Yon Hwangbo
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Caizhi Wu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Carlos Ballon
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Xueqin Sun
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Alea A Mills
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Zhong Z, Harmston N, Wood KC, Madan B, Virshup DM. A p300/GATA6 axis determines differentiation and Wnt dependency in pancreatic cancer models. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e156305. [PMID: 35536676 PMCID: PMC9197518 DOI: 10.1172/jci156305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling regulates the balance between stemness and differentiation in multiple tissues and in cancer. RNF43-mutant pancreatic cancers are dependent on Wnt production, and pharmacologic blockade of the pathway, e.g., by PORCN inhibitors, leads to tumor differentiation. However, primary resistance to these inhibitors has been observed. To elucidate potential mechanisms, we performed in vivo CRISPR screens in PORCN inhibitor-sensitive RNF43-mutant pancreatic cancer xenografts. As expected, genes in the Wnt pathway whose loss conferred drug resistance were identified, including APC, AXIN1, and CTNNBIP1. Unexpectedly, the screen also identified the histone acetyltransferase EP300 (p300), but not its paralog, CREBBP (CBP). We found that EP300 is silenced due to genetic alterations in all the existing RNF43-mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines that are resistant to PORCN inhibitors. Mechanistically, loss of EP300 directly downregulated GATA6 expression, thereby silencing the GATA6-regulated differentiation program and leading to a phenotypic transition from the classical subtype to the dedifferentiated basal-like/squamous subtype of pancreatic cancer. EP300 mutation and loss of GATA6 function bypassed the antidifferentiation activity of Wnt signaling, rendering these cancer cells resistant to Wnt inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhong
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke–NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nathan Harmston
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke–NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Science Division, Yale–NUS College, Singapore
| | - Kris C. Wood
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology and
| | - Babita Madan
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke–NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - David M. Virshup
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke–NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Agostini A, Orlacchio A, Carbone C, Guerriero I. Understanding Tricky Cellular and Molecular Interactions in Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment: New Food for Thought. Front Immunol 2022; 13:876291. [PMID: 35711414 PMCID: PMC9193393 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.876291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents 90% of all pancreatic cancer cases and shows a high mortality rate among all solid tumors. PDAC is often associated with poor prognosis, due to the late diagnosis that leads to metastasis development, and limited efficacy of available treatments. The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a reliable source of novel targets for therapy, and even if many of the biological interactions among stromal, immune, and cancer cells that populate the TME have been studied, much more needs to be clarified. The great limitation in the efficacy of current standard chemoterapy is due to both the dense fibrotic inaccessible TME barrier surrounding cancer cells and the immunological evolution from a tumor-suppressor to an immunosuppressive environment. Nevertheless, combinatorial therapies may prove more effective at overcoming resistance mechanisms and achieving tumor cell killing. To achieve this result, a deeper understanding of the pathological mechanisms driving tumor progression and immune escape is required in order to design rationale-based therapeutic strategies. This review aims to summarize the present knowledge about cellular interactions in the TME, with much attention on immunosuppressive functioning and a specific focus on extracellular matrix (ECM) contribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Agostini
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Arturo Orlacchio
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Guerriero
- Biogem, Biology and Molecular Genetics Institute, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Kloesch B, Ionasz V, Paliwal S, Hruschka N, Martinez de Villarreal J, Öllinger R, Mueller S, Dienes HP, Schindl M, Gruber ES, Stift J, Herndler-Brandstetter D, Lomberk GA, Seidler B, Saur D, Rad R, Urrutia RA, Real FX, Martinelli P. A GATA6-centred gene regulatory network involving HNFs and ΔNp63 controls plasticity and immune escape in pancreatic cancer. Gut 2022; 71:766-777. [PMID: 33846140 PMCID: PMC9733634 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-321397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Molecular taxonomy of tumours is the foundation of personalised medicine and is becoming of paramount importance for therapeutic purposes. Four transcriptomics-based classification systems of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exist, which consistently identified a subtype of highly aggressive PDACs with basal-like features, including ΔNp63 expression and loss of the epithelial master regulator GATA6. We investigated the precise molecular events driving PDAC progression and the emergence of the basal programme. DESIGN We combined the analysis of patient-derived transcriptomics datasets and tissue samples with mechanistic experiments using a novel dual-recombinase mouse model for Gata6 deletion at late stages of KRasG12D-driven pancreatic tumorigenesis (Gata6LateKO). RESULTS This comprehensive human-to-mouse approach showed that GATA6 loss is necessary, but not sufficient, for the expression of ΔNp63 and the basal programme in patients and in mice. The concomitant loss of HNF1A and HNF4A, likely through epigenetic silencing, is required for the full phenotype switch. Moreover, Gata6 deletion in mice dramatically increased the metastatic rate, with a propensity for lung metastases. Through RNA-Seq analysis of primary cells isolated from mouse tumours, we show that Gata6 inhibits tumour cell plasticity and immune evasion, consistent with patient-derived data, suggesting that GATA6 works as a barrier for acquiring the fully developed basal and metastatic phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Our work provides both a mechanistic molecular link between the basal phenotype and metastasis and a valuable preclinical tool to investigate the most aggressive subtype of PDAC. These data, therefore, are important for understanding the pathobiological features underlying the heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer in both mice and human.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Kloesch
- Institute of Cancer Research, Departmet of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Vivien Ionasz
- Institute of Cancer Research, Departmet of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Sumit Paliwal
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Natascha Hruschka
- Institute of Cancer Research, Departmet of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | | | - Rupert Öllinger
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Mueller
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans Peter Dienes
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Schindl
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Wien, Austria
- Division of General Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Elisabeth S Gruber
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Wien, Austria
- Division of General Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Judith Stift
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dietmar Herndler-Brandstetter
- Institute of Cancer Research, Departmet of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Gwen A Lomberk
- Genomics Sciences and Precision Medicine Center and Division of Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Barbara Seidler
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Gemany
| | - Dieter Saur
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Gemany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Consortium (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Rad
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Gemany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Consortium (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Raul A Urrutia
- Genomics Sciences and Precision Medicine Center and Division of Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Francisco X Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Ciènces Experimental i de la Salut, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paola Martinelli
- Institute of Cancer Research, Departmet of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Wien, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Kato H, Tateishi K, Fujiwara H, Nakatsuka T, Yamamoto K, Kudo Y, Hayakawa Y, Nakagawa H, Tanaka Y, Ijichi H, Otsuka M, Iwadate D, Oyama H, Kanai S, Noguchi K, Suzuki T, Sato T, Hakuta R, Ishigaki K, Saito K, Saito T, Takahara N, Kishikawa T, Hamada T, Takahashi R, Miyabayashi K, Mizuno S, Kogure H, Nakai Y, Hirata Y, Toyoda A, Ichikawa K, Qu W, Morishita S, Arita J, Tanaka M, Ushiku T, Hasegawa K, Fujishiro M, Koike K. MNX1-HNF1B Axis Is Indispensable for Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm Lineages. Gastroenterology 2022; 162:1272-1287.e16. [PMID: 34953915 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.12.254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Chromatin architecture governs cell lineages by regulating the specific gene expression; however, its role in the diversity of cancer development remains unknown. Among pancreatic cancers, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) with an associated invasive carcinoma (IPMNinv) arise from 2 distinct precursors, and their fundamental differences remain obscure. Here, we aimed to assess the difference of chromatin architecture regulating the transcriptional signatures or biological features in pancreatic cancers. METHODS We established 28 human organoids from distinct subtypes of pancreatic tumors, including IPMN, IPMNinv, and PDAC. We performed exome sequencing (seq), RNA-seq, assay for transposase-accessible chromatin-seq, chromatin immunoprecipitation-seq, high-throughput chromosome conformation capture, and phenotypic analyses with short hairpin RNA or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats interference. RESULTS Established organoids successfully reproduced the histology of primary tumors. IPMN and IPMNinv organoids harbored GNAS, RNF43, or KLF4 mutations and showed the distinct expression profiles compared with PDAC. Chromatin accessibility profiles revealed the gain of stomach-specific open regions in IPMN and the pattern of diverse gastrointestinal tissues in IPMNinv. In contrast, PDAC presented an impressive loss of accessible regions compared with normal pancreatic ducts. Transcription factor footprint analysis and functional assays identified that MNX1 and HNF1B were biologically indispensable for IPMN lineages. The upregulation of MNX1 was specifically marked in the human IPMN lineage tissues. The MNX1-HNF1B axis governed a set of genes, including MYC, SOX9, and OLFM4, which are known to be essential for gastrointestinal stem cells. High-throughput chromosome conformation capture analysis suggested the HNF1B target genes to be 3-dimensionally connected in the genome of IPMNinv. CONCLUSIONS Our organoid analyses identified the MNX1-HNF1B axis to be biologically significant in IPMN lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tateishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Gastroenterology, The Institute for Adult Diseases, Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuma Nakatsuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Yamamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yotaro Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoku Hayakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hayato Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuo Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ijichi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Otsuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Dosuke Iwadate
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Oyama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sachiko Kanai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kensaku Noguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryunosuke Hakuta
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunaga Ishigaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Saito
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomotaka Saito
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naminatsu Takahara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Hamada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryota Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Miyabayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Suguru Mizuno
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Kogure
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yousuke Nakai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hirata
- Division of Advanced Genome Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kazuki Ichikawa
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Wei Qu
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shinichi Morishita
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Junichi Arita
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mariko Tanaka
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ushiku
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Hasegawa
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Fujishiro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Koike
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal of all human malignancies. PDAC precursor lesions, invasive primary PDAC, and metastatic PDAC each display distinct morphologies that reflect unique biology. This 'biomorphology' is determined by a complex neoplastic history of clonal phylogenetic relationships, geographic locations, external environmental exposures, intrinsic metabolic demands, and tissue migration patterns. Understanding the biomorphological evolution of PDAC progression is not only of academic interest but also of great practical value. Applying this knowledge to surgical pathology practice facilitates the correct diagnosis on routine H&E stains without additional ancillary studies in most cases. Here I provide a concise overview of the entire biomorphological spectrum of PDAC progression beginning with initial neoplastic transformation and ending in terminal distant metastasis. Most biopsy and resection specimens are currently obtained prior to treatment. As such, our understanding of untreated PDAC biomorphology is mature. The biomorphology of treated PDAC is less defined but will assume greater importance as the frequency of neoadjuvant therapy increases. Although this overview is slanted towards pathology, it is written so that pathologists, clinicians, and scientists alike might find it instructive for their respective disciplines.
Collapse
|