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Zhang W, Kong D, Zhang X, Hu L, Nian Y, Shen Z. T cell aging and exhaustion: Mechanisms and clinical implications. Clin Immunol 2025; 275:110486. [PMID: 40120658 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2025.110486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2025] [Revised: 03/11/2025] [Accepted: 03/19/2025] [Indexed: 03/25/2025]
Abstract
T cell senescence and exhaustion represent critical aspects of adaptive immune system dysfunction, with profound implications for health and the development of disease prevention and therapeutic strategies. These processes, though distinct, are interconnected at the molecular level, leading to impaired effector functions and reduced proliferative capacity of T cells. Such impairments increase susceptibility to diseases and diminish the efficacy of vaccines and treatments. Importantly, T cell senescence and exhaustion can dynamically influence each other, particularly in the context of chronic diseases. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying T cell senescence and exhaustion, as well as their interplay, is essential for elucidating the pathogenesis of related diseases and restoring dysfunctional immune responses. This knowledge will pave the way for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions and strategies to enhance immune competence. This review aims to summarize the characteristics, mechanisms, and disease associations of T cell senescence and exhaustion, while also delineating the distinctions and intersections between these two states to enhance our comprehension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Zhang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; Research Institute of Transplant Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory for Organ Transplantation, Tianjin, China.
| | - Dejun Kong
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; Research Institute of Transplant Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory for Organ Transplantation, Tianjin, China.
| | - Xiaohan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; Research Institute of Transplant Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory for Organ Transplantation, Tianjin, China.
| | - Lu Hu
- Tianjin Medical University First Central Clinical College, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yeqi Nian
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; Research Institute of Transplant Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory for Organ Transplantation, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Transplant Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Tianjin, China; Department of Kidney Transplant, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China.
| | - Zhongyang Shen
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; Research Institute of Transplant Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory for Organ Transplantation, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Transplant Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Tianjin, China.
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Sako A, Matsuse M, Saenko V, Tanaka A, Otsubo R, Morita M, Kuba S, Nishihara E, Suzuki K, Ogi T, Kawakami A, Mitsutake N. TERT Promoter Mutations Increase Tumor Aggressiveness by Altering TERT mRNA Splicing in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:e1827-e1838. [PMID: 38576411 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERT-p) mutations, which upregulate TERT expression, are strongly associated with tumor aggressiveness and worse prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). TERT expression is also observed in a proportion of PTCs without TERT-p mutations, but such tumors show less aggressiveness and better prognosis than TERT-p mutation-positive tumors. OBJECTIVE TERT has multiple splicing variants whose relationships with the TERT-p status and clinicopathological characteristics remain poorly understood. We examined the relationship between the TERT-p mutational status, the TERT splicing pattern, and clinicopathological features. METHODS We investigated the expression of 2 major variants, α deletion (dA) and β deletion (dB), in a series of 207 PTCs operated on between November 2001 and March 2020 in Nagasaki University Hospital and Kuma Hospital. RESULTS The TERT-p mutations were found in 33 cases, and among 174 mutation-negative cases, 24 showed TERT expression. All cases were classified into 3 groups: the TERT-p mutation-negative/expression-negative group (mut-/exp-), the TERT-p mutation-negative/expression-positive group (mut-/exp+), and the TERT-p mutation-positive group (mut+/exp+). The +A+B/dB ratio in mut+/exp+ was significantly higher than that in mut-/exp+ PTCs. Analysis with clinicopathological data revealed that +A+B expression was associated with higher PTC aggressiveness, whereas dB expression counteracted this effect. Functional in vitro study demonstrated that dB strongly inhibited cell growth, migration, and clonogenicity, suggesting its tumor-suppressive role. CONCLUSION These results provide evidence that the TERT-p mutations alter the expression of different TERT splice variants, which, in turn, associates with different tumor aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Sako
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Michiko Matsuse
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Vladimir Saenko
- Department of Radiation Molecular Epidemiology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Aya Tanaka
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Ryota Otsubo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Michi Morita
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Sayaka Kuba
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Eijun Nishihara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kuma Hospital, Kobe 650-0011, Japan
| | - Keiji Suzuki
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Tomoo Ogi
- Department of Genetics, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kawakami
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Norisato Mitsutake
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Department of Radiation Molecular Epidemiology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
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Zhdanov DD, Gladilina YA, Shisparenok AN. Apoptotic endonuclease EndoG induces alternative splicing of Caspase-2. BIOMEDITSINSKAIA KHIMIIA 2024; 70:218-230. [PMID: 39239896 DOI: 10.18097/pbmc20247004218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Caspase-2 (Casp-2) is an enzyme that regulates the development of apoptosis upon alternative splicing of its mRNA. The long form of Casp-2 (Casp-2L) promotes apoptosis while the short form (Casp-2S) has decreased enzymatic activity and inhibits the development of apoptotic processes. However, very little is known about the mechanism of Casp-2 alternative splicing. Several endonucleases are known to participate in this process. The aim of this study was to determine the role of EndoG in regulation of Casp-2 alternative splicing. Strong correlation between expression levels of EndoG and Casp-2 splice-variants was found in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ human T lymphocytes. Such correlation increased after incubation of these cells with etoposide. Increased expression of Casp-2S was determined during EndoG over-expression in CD4⁺ T-cells, after EndoG treatment of cell cytoplasm and nuclei and after nuclei incubation with EndoG digested cell RNA. Casp-2 alternative splicing was induced by a 60-mer RNA oligonucleotide in naked nuclei and in cells after transfection. The identified long non-coding RNA of 1016 nucleotides is the precursor of the 60-mer RNA oligonucleotide. Based on the results the following mechanism has been proposed. Casp-2 pre-mRNA is transcribed from the coding DNA strand while long non-coding RNA is transcribed from the template strand of the Casp-2 gene. EndoG digests long non-coding RNA and produces the 60-mer RNA oligonucleotide complementary to the Casp-2 pre-mRNA exon 9 and intron 9 junction place. Interaction of the 60-mer RNA oligonucleotide and Casp-2 pre-mRNA causes alternative splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
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Ali JH, Walter M. Combining old and new concepts in targeting telomerase for cancer therapy: transient, immediate, complete and combinatory attack (TICCA). Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:197. [PMID: 37679807 PMCID: PMC10483736 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03041-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase can overcome replicative senescence by elongation of telomeres but is also a specific element in most cancer cells. It is expressed more vastly than any other tumor marker. Telomerase as a tumor target inducing replicative immortality can be overcome by only one other mechanism: alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). This limits the probability to develop resistance to treatments. Moreover, telomerase inhibition offers some degree of specificity with a low risk of toxicity in normal cells. Nevertheless, only one telomerase antagonist reached late preclinical studies. The underlying causes, the pitfalls of telomerase-based therapies, and future chances based on recent technical advancements are summarized in this review. Based on new findings and approaches, we propose a concept how long-term survival in telomerase-based cancer therapies can be significantly improved: the TICCA (Transient Immediate Complete and Combinatory Attack) strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaber Haj Ali
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Universitätsmedizin Rostock, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Michael Walter
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Universitätsmedizin Rostock, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
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da Mota THA, Camargo R, Biojone ER, Guimarães AFR, Pittella-Silva F, de Oliveira DM. The Relevance of Telomerase and Telomere-Associated Proteins in B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030691. [PMID: 36980962 PMCID: PMC10048576 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres and telomerase are closely linked to uncontrolled cellular proliferation, immortalization and carcinogenesis. Telomerase has been largely studied in the context of cancer, including leukemias. Deregulation of human telomerase gene hTERT is a well-established step in leukemia development. B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) recovery rates exceed 90% in children; however, the relapse rate is around 20% among treated patients, and 10% of these are still incurable. This review highlights the biological and clinical relevance of telomerase for B-ALL and the implications of its canonical and non-canonical action on signaling pathways in the context of disease and treatment. The physiological role of telomerase in lymphocytes makes the study of its biomarker potential a great challenge. Nevertheless, many works have demonstrated that high telomerase activity or hTERT expression, as well as short telomeres, correlate with poor prognosis in B-ALL. Telomerase and related proteins have been proven to be promising pharmacological targets. Likewise, combined therapy with telomerase inhibitors may turn out to be an alternative strategy for B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tales Henrique Andrade da Mota
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Analysis, Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Ricardo Camargo
- Brasília Children’s Hospital José Alencar, Brasilia 70684-831, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Flávia Reis Guimarães
- Laboratory of Molecular Analysis, Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil
| | - Fabio Pittella-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
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Udroiu I, Marinaccio J, Sgura A. Many Functions of Telomerase Components: Certainties, Doubts, and Inconsistencies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315189. [PMID: 36499514 PMCID: PMC9736166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing number of studies have evidenced non-telomeric functions of "telomerase". Almost all of them, however, investigated the non-canonical effects of the catalytic subunit TERT, and not the telomerase ribonucleoprotein holoenzyme. These functions mainly comprise signal transduction, gene regulation and the increase of anti-oxidative systems. Although less studied, TERC (the RNA component of telomerase) has also been shown to be involved in gene regulation, as well as other functions. All this has led to the publication of many reviews on the subject, which, however, are often disseminating personal interpretations of experimental studies of other researchers as original proofs. Indeed, while some functions such as gene regulation seem ascertained, especially because mechanistic findings have been provided, other ones remain dubious and/or are contradicted by other direct or indirect evidence (e.g., telomerase activity at double-strand break site, RNA polymerase activity of TERT, translation of TERC, mitochondrion-processed TERC). In a critical study of the primary evidence so far obtained, we show those functions for which there is consensus, those showing contradictory results and those needing confirmation. The resulting picture, together with some usually neglected aspects, seems to indicate a link between TERT and TERC functions and cellular stemness and gives possible directions for future research.
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Xiao J, Joseph S, Xia M, Teng F, Chen X, Huang R, Zhai L, Deng W. Circular RNAs Acting as miRNAs’ Sponges and Their Roles in Stem Cells. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11102909. [PMID: 35629034 PMCID: PMC9145679 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11102909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel type of endogenous RNAs, have become a subject of intensive research. It has been found that circRNAs are important players in cell differentiation and tissue homeostasis, as well as disease development. Moreover, the expression of circRNAs is usually not correlated with their parental gene expression, indicating that they are not only a steady-state by-product of mRNA splicing but a product of variable splicing under novel regulation. Sequence conservation analysis has also demonstrated that circRNAs have important non-coding functions. CircRNAs exist as a covalently closed loop form in mammalian cells, where they regulate cellular transcription and translation processes. CircRNAs are built from pre-messenger RNAs, and their biogenesis involves back-splicing, which is catalyzed by spliceosomes. The splicing reaction gives rise to three different types of intronic, exotic and exon–intron circular RNAs. Due to higher nuclease stability and longer half lives in cells, circRNAs are more stable than linear RNAs and have enormous clinical advantage for use as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for disease. In recent years, it has been reported that circRNAs in stem cells play a crucial role in stem cell function. In this article, we reviewed the general feature of circRNAs and the distinct roles of circRNAs in stem cell biology, including regulation of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. CircRNAs have shown unique expression profiles during differentiation of stem cells and could serve as promising biomarkers of these cells. As circRNAs play pivotal roles in stem cell regulation as well as the development and progression of various diseases, we also discuss opportunities and challenges of circRNA-based treatment strategies in future effective therapies for promising clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Xiao
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Shija Joseph
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Mengwei Xia
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Feng Teng
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Xuejiao Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Rufeng Huang
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
| | - Lihong Zhai
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441053, China; (J.X.); (S.J.); (M.X.); (F.T.); (X.C.); (R.H.)
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (W.D.)
| | - Wenbin Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 510060, China
- Jiangxi Deshang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Zhangshu 336000, China
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (W.D.)
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Tawfik HO, El-Hamaky AA, El-Bastawissy EA, Shcherbakov KA, Veselovsky AV, Gladilina YA, Zhdanov DD, El-Hamamsy MH. New Genetic Bomb Trigger: Design, Synthesis, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, and Biological Evaluation of Novel BIBR1532-Related Analogs Targeting Telomerase against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040481. [PMID: 35455478 PMCID: PMC9025901 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres serve a critical function in cell replication and proliferation at every stage of the cell cycle. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein, responsible for maintaining the telomere length and chromosomal integrity of frequently dividing cells. Although it is silenced in most human somatic cells, telomere restoration occurs in cancer cells because of telomerase activation or alternative telomere lengthening. The telomerase enzyme is a universal anticancer target that is expressed in 85–95% of cancers. BIBR1532 is a selective non-nucleoside potent telomerase inhibitor that acts by direct noncompetitive inhibition. Relying on its structural features, three different series were designed, and 30 novel compounds were synthesized and biologically evaluated as telomerase inhibitors using a telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. Target compounds 29a, 36b, and 39b reported the greatest inhibitory effect on telomerase enzyme with IC50 values of 1.7, 0.3, and 2.0 μM, respectively, while BIBR1532 displayed IC50 = 0.2 μM. Compounds 29a, 36b, and 39b were subsequently tested using a living-cell TRAP assay and were able to penetrate the cell membrane and inhibit telomerase inside living cancer cells. Compound 36b was tested for cytotoxicity against 60 cancer cell lines using the NCI (USA) procedure, and the % growth was minimally impacted, indicating telomerase enzyme selectivity. To investigate the interaction of compound 36b with the telomerase allosteric binding site, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haytham O. Tawfik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
- Correspondence: (H.O.T.); (D.D.Z.)
| | - Anwar A. El-Hamaky
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
| | - Eman A. El-Bastawissy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
| | - Kirill A. Shcherbakov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
| | - Alexander V. Veselovsky
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
| | - Yulia A. Gladilina
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya St. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (H.O.T.); (D.D.Z.)
| | - Mervat H. El-Hamamsy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
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9
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Plyasova AA, Berrino E, Khan II, Veselovsky AV, Pokrovsky VS, Angeli A, Ferraroni M, Supuran CT, Pokrovskaya MV, Alexandrova SS, Gladilina YA, Sokolov NN, Hilal A, Carta F, Zhdanov DD. Mechanisms of the Antiproliferative and Antitumor Activity of Novel Telomerase-Carbonic Anhydrase Dual-Hybrid Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11432-11444. [PMID: 34283610 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Human (h) telomerase (TL; EC 2.7.7.49) plays a key role in sustaining cancer cells by means of elongating telomeric repeats at the 3' ends of chromosomes. Since TL-inhibitor (TI) stand-alone cancer therapy has been proven to be remarkably challenging, a polypharmacological approach represents a valid alternative. Here we consider a series of compounds able to inhibit both hTL and the tumor-associated carbonic anhydrases (CAs; EC 4.2.1.1) IX and XII. Compounds 7 and 9 suppressed hTL activity in both cell lysates and human colon cancer cell lines, and prolonged incubation with either 7 or 9 resulted in telomere shortening, cell cycle arrest, replicative senescence, and apoptosis. Enzyme kinetics showed that 7 and 9 are mixed-type inhibitors of the binding of DNA primers and deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) to the TL catalytic subunit hTERT, which is in agreement with docking experiments. Compound 9 showed antitumor activity in Colo-205 mouse xenografts and suppressed telomerase activity by telomere reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A Plyasova
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Street 10/8, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Emanuela Berrino
- Dipartimento di Neurofarba, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Irina I Khan
- Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya Street 6, Moscow 117198, Russia.,N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center, Kashirskoe Shosse 24, Moscow 115478, Russia
| | | | - Vadim S Pokrovsky
- Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya Street 6, Moscow 117198, Russia.,N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center, Kashirskoe Shosse 24, Moscow 115478, Russia
| | - Andrea Angeli
- Dipartimento di Neurofarba, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Marta Ferraroni
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Dipartimento di Neurofarba, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Marina V Pokrovskaya
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Street 10/8, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | | | - Yulia A Gladilina
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Street 10/8, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Nikolay N Sokolov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Street 10/8, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Abdullah Hilal
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Street 10/8, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Fabrizio Carta
- Dipartimento di Neurofarba, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Dmitry D Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Street 10/8, Moscow 119121, Russia
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10
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Plyasova AA, Zhdanov DD. Alternative Splicing of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) and Its Implications in Physiological and Pathological Processes. Biomedicines 2021; 9:526. [PMID: 34065134 PMCID: PMC8150890 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) of human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT, human telomerase reverse transcriptase) pre-mRNA strongly regulates telomerase activity. Several proteins can regulate AS in a cell type-specific manner and determine the functions of cells. In addition to being involved in telomerase activity regulation, AS provides cells with different splice variants that may have alternative biological activities. The modulation of telomerase activity through the induction of hTERT AS is involved in the development of different cancer types and embryos, and the differentiation of stem cells. Regulatory T cells may suppress the proliferation of target human and murine T and B lymphocytes and NK cells in a contact-independent manner involving activation of TERT AS. This review focuses on the mechanism of regulation of hTERT pre-mRNA AS and the involvement of splice variants in physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia;
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11
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Zhai G, Li J, Zheng J, An P, Chen X, Wang X, Li C. hTERT promoter methylation promotes small cell lung cancer progression and radiotherapy resistance. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2020; 61:674-683. [PMID: 32761059 PMCID: PMC7482169 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rraa052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has been a devastating actuality in clinic and the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease remain unclear. The epigenetic alterations located in the promoter region of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) have been demonstrated as one of the most prevalent non-coding genomic modifications in multiple cancers. However, alteration of hTERT promoter methylation in SCLC and the subsequently induced change in tumor cell behavior remains unclear. In this research, we hypothesized that abnormal methylation of hTERT promotor enhanced the progression of SCLC and the outcome of radiotherapy resistance. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot assays were performed to evaluate the RNA and protein levels of hTERT and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), respectively. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to estimate the viability and X-ray sensitivity of H20 and H446 cell lines. Functionally, upregulation of hTERT promoted the proliferation and migration of H20 and H446 cells, and the high-level of methylation in the promoter region of hTERT induced by radiation caused radio-resistance in SCLC. Mechanically, methylation of hTERT promoter enhanced the progression and radio-resistance of SCLC through upregulating the expression of its downstream effector EZH2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangsheng Zhai
- Department of Radiotherapy, the Tumor Hospital of Shandong Province, No. 440 of Jiyan Road, Ji’nan 255000, Shandong, China
- Department of Radiotherapy, the Central Hospital of Zibo of Shandong Province, No. 54 of Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo 255022, Shandong, China
| | - Jianbin Li
- Department of Radiotherapy, the Tumor Hospital of Shandong Province, No. 440 of Jiyan Road, Ji’nan 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Jianbo Zheng
- Department of Urology Surgery, the Central Hospital of Zibo of Shandong Province, No. 54 of Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo 255022, Shandong, China
| | - Peng An
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital East, No. 222 West Third Road Around Lake, Nanhui New City Town, Pudong District, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- Department of Oncology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Zibo of Shandong Province, No. 11 of Xingyuan East Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo 255022, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Fourth People’s Hospital of Zibo of Shandong Province, No. 119 of Shanquan Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo 255022, Shandong, China
| | - Chuanzhao Li
- Department of General Medicine, the Central Hospital of Zibo of Shandong Province, No. 54 of Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo 255022, Shandong, China
- Corresponding author. Department of General Medicine, the Central Hospital of Zibo of Shandong Province, No. 54 of Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo 255022, Shandong, China. Tel: 86-18678186986;
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12
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Berrino E, Angeli A, Zhdanov DD, Kiryukhina AP, Milaneschi A, De Luca A, Bozdag M, Carradori S, Selleri S, Bartolucci G, Peat TS, Ferraroni M, Supuran CT, Carta F. Azidothymidine "Clicked" into 1,2,3-Triazoles: First Report on Carbonic Anhydrase-Telomerase Dual-Hybrid Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2020; 63:7392-7409. [PMID: 32463228 PMCID: PMC8154556 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
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Cancer cells rely on the enzyme telomerase
(EC 2.7.7.49) to promote
cellular immortality. Telomerase inhibitors (i.e., azidothymidine)
can represent promising antitumor agents, although showing high toxicity
when administered alone. Better outcomes were observed within a multipharmacological
approach instead. In this context, we exploited the validated antitumor
targets carbonic anhydrases (CAs; EC 4.2.1.1) IX and XII to attain
the first proof of concept on CA–telomerase dual-hybrid inhibitors.
Compounds 1b, 7b, 8b, and 11b showed good in vitro
inhibition potency against the CAs IX and XII, with KI values in the low nanomolar range, and strong antitelomerase
activity in PC-3 and HT-29 cells (IC50 values ranging from
5.2 to 9.1 μM). High-resolution X-ray crystallography on selected
derivatives in the adduct with hCA II as a model study allowed to
determine their binding modes and thus to set the structural determinants
necessary for further development of compounds selectively targeting
the tumoral cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Berrino
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Andrea Angeli
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Dmitry D Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia.,Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya st. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna P Kiryukhina
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrea Milaneschi
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Alessandro De Luca
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Murat Bozdag
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Silvia Selleri
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Gianluca Bartolucci
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Thomas S Peat
- CSIRO, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Marta Ferraroni
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Carta
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
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13
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Patrick M, Weng NP. Expression and regulation of telomerase in human T cell differentiation, activation, aging and diseases. Cell Immunol 2019; 345:103989. [PMID: 31558266 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2019.103989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are essential for chromosomal integrity. Telomere shortening during cell division restricts cellular proliferative capacity and leads to cellular senescence when critically shortened telomere lengths are reached. Similar to hematopoietic stem cells, T cells can upregulate telomerase activity to compensate for telomere loss incurred during proliferation in response to engagement of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) or exposure to homeostatic cytokines. However, this compensation for telomere loss by telomerase in T cells is imperfect or limited, as shortening of T cell telomeres is observed in human aging and during in vitro longterm culture. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the expression and regulation of telomerase in human T cells and changes of telomerase expression during development, activation, differentiation, aging and disease conditions. In conclusion, we discuss how controlled enhancement of telomerase activity could be a potential strategy to improve T cell function in the elderly and in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Patrick
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Nan-Ping Weng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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14
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Jie MM, Chang X, Zeng S, Liu C, Liao GB, Wu YR, Liu CH, Hu CJ, Yang SM, Li XZ. Diverse regulatory manners of human telomerase reverse transcriptase. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:63. [PMID: 31186051 PMCID: PMC6560729 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0372-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is the core subunit of human telomerase and plays important roles in human cancers. Aberrant expression of hTERT is closely associated with tumorigenesis, cancer cell stemness maintaining, cell proliferation, apoptosis inhibition, senescence evasion and metastasis. The molecular basis of hTERT regulation is highly complicated and consists of various layers. A deep and full-scale comprehension of the regulatory mechanisms of hTERT is pivotal in understanding the pathogenesis and searching for therapeutic approaches. In this review, we summarize the recent advances regarding the diverse regulatory mechanisms of hTERT, including the transcriptional (promoter mutation, promoter region methylation and histone acetylation), post-transcriptional (mRNA alternative splicing and non-coding RNAs) and post-translational levels (phosphorylation and ubiquitination), which may provide novel perspectives for further translational diagnosis or therapeutic strategies targeting hTERT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Meng Jie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Xing Chang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Shuo Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Guo-Bin Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Ya-Ran Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Chun-Hua Liu
- Teaching evaluation center of Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Chang-Jiang Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Shi-Ming Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400037, China.
| | - Xin-Zhe Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400037, China.
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15
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Wysoczanska B, Dratwa M, Gebura K, Mizgala J, Mazur G, Wrobel T, Bogunia-Kubik K. Variability within the human TERT gene, telomere length and predisposition to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:4309-4320. [PMID: 31239704 PMCID: PMC6551596 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s198313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene encodes the catalytic subunit of telomerase that is essential for maintenance of telomere length. We aimed to find out whether variability within the TERT gene could be associated with telomere length and development of the disease in non-treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Materials and methods: Telomere length, rs2736100, rs2853690, rs33954691, rs35033501 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR-MNS16A) were assessed in patients at diagnosis. In addition, blood donors served as controls for the polymorphism studies. Results: The minor rs35033501 A variant was more frequent among CLL patients than in healthy controls (OR=3.488, p=0.039). CLL patients over 60 years of age were characterized with lower disease stage at diagnosis (p=0.001 and p=0.008, for the Rai and Binet criteria, respectively). The MNS16A VNTR-243 short allele was more frequent in patients with a low disease stage (p=0.020 and p=0.028, for the Rai and Binet staging system) and also among older patients having longer telomeres (p=0.046). Patients with Rai 0-I stage were characterized with longer telomeres than those with more advanced disease (p=0.030). This relationship was especially pronounced in patients carrying the rs2736100 C allele, independently of the criteria used, ie, Binet (p=0.048) or Rai (p=0.001). Conclusion: Our results showed that the genetic variation within the TERT gene seems to play a regulatory role in CLL and telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Wysoczanska
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw53-114, Poland
| | - Marta Dratwa
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw53-114, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Gebura
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw53-114, Poland
| | - Jakub Mizgala
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw53-114, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Mazur
- Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, 50-001, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wrobel
- Department of Haematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw50-367, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Bogunia-Kubik
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw53-114, Poland
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16
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Zhdanov DD, Plyasova AA, Gladilina YA, Pokrovsky VS, Grishin DV, Grachev VA, Orlova VS, Pokrovskaya MV, Alexandrova SS, Lobaeva TA, Sokolov NN. Inhibition of telomerase activity by splice-switching oligonucleotides targeting the mRNA of the telomerase catalytic subunit affects proliferation of human CD4 + T lymphocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 509:790-796. [PMID: 30612734 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.12.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase activity is regulated at the mRNA level by alternative splicing (AS) of its catalytic subunit hTERT. The aim of this study was to define the ability of splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) that pair with hTERT pre-mRNA to induce AS and inhibit telomerase activity in human CD4+ T lymphocytes. SSOs that blocked the binding of a single splicing regulatory protein, SRp20 or SRp40, to its site within intron 8 of hTERT pre-mRNA demonstrated rather moderate capacities to induce AS and inhibit telomerase. However, a SSO that blocked the interaction of both SRp20 and SRp40 proteins with pre-mRNA was the most active. Cultivation of lymphocytes with spliced hTERT and inhibited telomerase resulted in the reduction of proliferative activity without significant induction of cell death. These results should facilitate further investigation of telomerase activity regulation, and antitelomerase SSOs could become promising agents for antiproliferative cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry D Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 10/8 Pogodinskaya st, 119121, Moscow, Russia; Рeoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Anna A Plyasova
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 10/8 Pogodinskaya st, 119121, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia A Gladilina
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 10/8 Pogodinskaya st, 119121, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vadim S Pokrovsky
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 10/8 Pogodinskaya st, 119121, Moscow, Russia; Рeoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198, Moscow, Russia; N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, 115478, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry V Grishin
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 10/8 Pogodinskaya st, 119121, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Grachev
- Рeoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198, Moscow, Russia
| | - Valentina S Orlova
- Рeoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Tatiana A Lobaeva
- Рeoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay N Sokolov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 10/8 Pogodinskaya st, 119121, Moscow, Russia
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17
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Zhdanov DD, Gladilina YA, Pokrovsky VS, Grishin DV, Grachev VA, Orlova VS, Pokrovskaya MV, Alexandrova SS, Plyasova AA, Sokolov NN. Endonuclease G modulates the alternative splicing of deoxyribonuclease 1 mRNA in human CD4 + T lymphocytes and prevents the progression of apoptosis. Biochimie 2018; 157:158-176. [PMID: 30521874 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2018.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Apoptotic endonucleases act cooperatively to fragment DNA and ensure the irreversibility of apoptosis. However, very little is known regarding the potential regulatory links between endonucleases. Deoxyribonuclease 1 (DNase I) inactivation is caused by alternative splicing (AS) of DNase I pre-mRNA skipping exon 4, which occurs in response to EndoG overexpression in cells. The current study aimed to determine the role of EndoG in the regulation of DNase I mRNA AS and the modulation of its enzymatic activity. A strong correlation was identified between the EndoG expression levels and DNase I splice variants in human lymphocytes. EndoG overexpression in CD4+ T cells down-regulated the mRNA levels of the active full-length DNase I variant and up-regulated the levels of the non-active spliced variant, which acts in a dominant-negative fashion. DNase I AS was induced by the translocation of EndoG from mitochondria into nuclei during the development of apoptosis. The DNase I spliced variant was induced by recombinant EndoG or by incubation with EndoG-digested cellular RNA in an in vitro system with isolated cell nuclei. Using antisense DNA oligonucleotides, we identified a 72-base segment that spans the adjacent segments of exon 4 and intron 4 and appears to be responsible for the AS. DNase I-positive CD4+ T cells overexpressing EndoG demonstrated decreased progression towards bleomycin-induced apoptosis. Therefore, EndoG is an endonuclease with the unique ability to inactivate another endonuclease, DNase I, and to modulate the development of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry D Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St 10/8, 119121, Moscow, Russia; Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya 6, 117198, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Yulia A Gladilina
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St 10/8, 119121, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vadim S Pokrovsky
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St 10/8, 119121, Moscow, Russia; Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya 6, 117198, Moscow, Russia; N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center, Kashirskoe Shosse 24, 115478, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry V Grishin
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St 10/8, 119121, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Grachev
- Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya 6, 117198, Moscow, Russia
| | - Valentina S Orlova
- Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya 6, 117198, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Anna A Plyasova
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St 10/8, 119121, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay N Sokolov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St 10/8, 119121, Moscow, Russia
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18
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Contact-independent suppressive activity of regulatory T cells is associated with telomerase inhibition, telomere shortening and target lymphocyte apoptosis. Mol Immunol 2018; 101:229-244. [PMID: 30025223 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a fundamental role in the maintenance of immunological tolerance by suppressing effector target T, B and NK lymphocytes. Contact-dependent suppression mechanisms have been well-studied, though contact-independent Treg activity is not fully understood. In the present study, we showed that human native Tregs, as well as induced ex vivo Tregs, can cause in vitro telomere-dependent senescence in target T, B and NK cells in a contact-independent manner. The co-cultivation of target cells with Tregs separated through porous membranes induced alternative splicing of the telomerase catalytic subunit hTERT (human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase), which suppressed telomerase activity. Induction of the hTERT splicing variant was associated with increased expression of the apoptotic endonuclease EndoG, a splicing regulator. Inhibited telomerase in target cells co-cultivated with Tregs for a long period of time led to a decrease in their telomere lengths, cell cycle arrest, conversion of the target cells to replicative senescence and apoptotic death. Induced Tregs showed the ability to up-regulate EndoG expression, TERT alternative splicing and telomerase inhibition in mouse T, B and NK cells after in vivo administration. The results of the present study describe a novel mechanism of contact-independent Treg cell suppression that induces telomerase inhibition through the EndoG-provoked alternative splicing of hTERT and converts cells to senescence and apoptosis phenotypes.
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19
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Zhdanov DD, Gladilina YA, Pokrovsky VS, Grishin DV, Grachev VA, Orlova VS, Pokrovskaya MV, Alexandrova SS, Sokolov NN. Murine regulatory T cells induce death of effector T, B, and NK lymphocytes through a contact-independent mechanism involving telomerase suppression and telomere-associated senescence. Cell Immunol 2018; 331:146-160. [PMID: 29935763 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress the activity of effector T, B and NK lymphocytes and sustain immunological tolerance, but the proliferative activity of suppressed cells remains unexplored. In the present study, we report that mouse Tregs can induce replicative senescence and the death of responder mouse CD4+CD25- T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells and NK cells in vitro and in vivo. Contact-independent in vitro co-cultivation with Tregs up-regulated endonuclease G (EndoG) expression and its translocation to the nucleus in responder cells. EndoG localization in the nucleus induced alternative mRNA splicing of the telomerase catalytic subunit Tert and telomerase inhibition. The lack of telomerase activity in proliferating cells led to telomere loss followed by the development of senescence and cell death. Injection of Tregs into mice resulted in EndoG-associated alternative splicing of Tert, telomerase inhibition, telomere loss, senescence development and increased cell death in vivo. The present study describes a novel contact-independent mechanism by which Tregs specify effector cell fate and provides new insights into cellular crosstalk related to immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry D Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Yulia A Gladilina
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vadim S Pokrovsky
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia; N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center, Kashirskoe Shosse 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry V Grishin
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Grachev
- Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Valentina S Orlova
- Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Nikolay N Sokolov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia
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