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Bous J, Kinsolving J, Grätz L, Scharf MM, Voss JH, Selcuk B, Adebali O, Schulte G. Structural basis of frizzled 7 activation and allosteric regulation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7422. [PMID: 39198452 PMCID: PMC11358414 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51664-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Frizzleds (ten paralogs: FZD1-10) belong to the class F of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which remains poorly understood despite its crucial role in multiple key biological functions including embryonic development, stem cell regulation, and homeostasis in the adult. FZD7, one of the most studied members of the family, is more specifically involved in the migration of mesendoderm cells during the development and renewal of intestinal stem cells in adults. Moreover, FZD7 has been highlighted for its involvement in tumor development predominantly in the gastrointestinal tract. This study reports the structure of inactive FZD7, without any stabilizing mutations, determined by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) at 1.9 Å resolution. We characterize a fluctuating water pocket in the core of the receptor important for FZD7 dynamics. Molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the temporal distribution of those water molecules and their importance for potential conformational changes in FZD7. Moreover, we identify lipids interacting with the receptor core and a conserved cholesterol-binding site, which displays a key role in FZD7 association with a transducer protein, Disheveled (DVL), and initiation of downstream signaling and signalosome formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Bous
- Section of Receptor Biology & Signaling, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Julia Kinsolving
- Section of Receptor Biology & Signaling, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lukas Grätz
- Section of Receptor Biology & Signaling, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magdalena M Scharf
- Section of Receptor Biology & Signaling, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Hendrik Voss
- Section of Receptor Biology & Signaling, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Berkay Selcuk
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Ogün Adebali
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gunnar Schulte
- Section of Receptor Biology & Signaling, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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2
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Faizo NL. The intestinal stem cell as a target: A review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e39456. [PMID: 39183418 PMCID: PMC11346866 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000039456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Human intestinal epithelium handles several events that may affect health. It is composed of villi and crypts, which contain different types of cells. Each cell type plays an essential role in intestinal functions, including absorption, defense, self-renewal, and regeneration. Intestinal stem cells (ISCs), located at the base of intestinal crypts, play an important role in intestinal homeostasis and renewal. Any disruption in intestinal homeostasis, in which ISCs alter their function, may result in tumor growth. As Wnt and Notch signaling pathways are essential for ISCs homeostasis and for maintaining self-renewal, any defects in these pathways could increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Lgr5+ cells have been identified as intestinal stem cells expressing a leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), which is involved in the regulation of Wnt signaling. Several studies have reported upregulated expression of LGR5 in CRC. Hence, in this review, we discuss the relationship between LGR5, Wnt signaling, and Notch signaling and the development of CRC, as well as recent therapeutic strategies targeting LGR5, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and the aforementioned signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisreen Lutfi Faizo
- Department of Clinical Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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3
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Sibilio S, Mennella R, Gregorio VD, Rocca AL, Urciuolo F, Imparato G, Netti PA. A novel membrane-on-chip guides morphogenesis for the reconstruction of the intestinal crypt-villus axis. Biofabrication 2024; 16:045019. [PMID: 39029501 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad6599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Reconstructing the microscale villous organisation and functionality of the small intestine is essential for developingin vitroplatforms tailored for absorption studies as well as for investigating intestinal morphogenesis in development and disease. However, the current fabrication techniques able to mimic the villus-crypt axis poses significant challenges in terms of reconstruction of the complex 3D microarchitecture. These challenges extend beyond mere structural intricacies to encompass the incorporation of diverse cell types and the management of intricate fluid dynamics within the system. Here, we introduce a novel microfluidic device calledIn-Crypts, which integrates a cell-instructive membrane aimed at inducing and guiding Caco-2 cells morphogenesis. Patterned topographical cues embossed onto the porous membrane induce the formation of a well-organized intestinal epithelium, characterized by proliferating crypt-like domains and differentiated villus-like regions. Notably, our cell-instructive porous membrane effectively sustains stem cells development, faithfully replicating the niche environment ofin vivointestinal crypts thus mirroring the cell biogeography observedin vivo. Moreover, by introducing dynamic fluid flow, we provide a faithful recapitulation of the native microenvironmental shear stress experienced by the intestinal epithelium. This stress plays a crucial role in influencing cell behaviour, differentiation, and overall functionality, thus offering a highly realistic model for studying intestinal physiology and pathology. The resulting intestinal epithelium exhibits significantly denser regions of mucus and microvilli, characteristic typically absent in static cultures, upregulating more than 1.5 of the amount expressed in the classical flattened configuration, enhanced epithelial cell differentiation and increased adsorptive surface area. Hence, the innovative design ofIn-Cryptsproves the critical role of employing a cell-instructive membrane in argument the physiological relevance of organs-on-chips. This aspect, among others, will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of organism function, directly impacting drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Sibilio
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Mennella
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB, Naples, Italy
- University of Naples Federico II, Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenza De Gregorio
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB, Naples, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia La Rocca
- University of Naples Federico II, Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Urciuolo
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB, Naples, Italy
- University of Naples Federico II, Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgia Imparato
- University of Naples Federico II, Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo A Netti
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB, Naples, Italy
- University of Naples Federico II, Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Naples, Italy
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4
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Zheng S, Sheng R. The emerging understanding of Frizzled receptors. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:1939-1954. [PMID: 38744670 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway is a huge network governing development and homeostasis, dysregulation of which is associated with a myriad of human diseases. The Frizzled receptor (FZD) family comprises receptors for Wnt ligands, which indispensably mediate Wnt signaling jointly with a variety of co-receptors. Studies of FZDs have revealed that 10 FZD subtypes play diverse roles in physiological processes. At the same time, dysregulation of FZDs is also responsible for various diseases, in particular human cancers. Enormous attention has been paid to the molecular understanding and targeted therapy of FZDs in the past decade. In this review, we summarize the latest research on FZD structure, function, regulation and targeted therapy, providing a basis for guiding future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoqin Zheng
- College of Life and Health Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ren Sheng
- College of Life and Health Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
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5
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Post Y, Lu C, Fletcher RB, Yeh WC, Nguyen H, Lee SJ, Li Y. Design principles and therapeutic applications of novel synthetic WNT signaling agonists. iScience 2024; 27:109938. [PMID: 38832011 PMCID: PMC11145361 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Wingless-related integration site or Wingless and Int-1 or Wingless-Int (WNT) signaling is crucial for embryonic development, and adult tissue homeostasis and regeneration, through its essential roles in cell fate, patterning, and stem cell regulation. The biophysical characteristics of WNT ligands have hindered efforts to interrogate ligand activity in vivo and prevented their development as therapeutics. Recent breakthroughs have enabled the generation of synthetic WNT signaling molecules that possess characteristics of natural ligands and potently activate the pathway, while also providing distinct advantages for therapeutic development and manufacturing. This review provides a detailed discussion of the protein engineering of these molecular platforms for WNT signaling agonism. We discuss the importance of WNT signaling in several organs and share insights from the initial application of these new classes of molecules in vitro and in vivo. These molecules offer a unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of how WNT signaling agonism promotes tissue repair, enabling targeted development of tailored therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yorick Post
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Chenggang Lu
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Russell B. Fletcher
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Wen-Chen Yeh
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Huy Nguyen
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Sung-Jin Lee
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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El Menshawe SF, Shalaby K, Elkomy MH, Aboud HM, Ahmed YM, Abdelmeged AA, Elkarmalawy M, Abou Alazayem MA, El Sisi AM. Repurposing celecoxib for colorectal cancer targeting via pH-triggered ultra-elastic nanovesicles: Pronounced efficacy through up-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in DMH-induced tumorigenesis. Int J Pharm X 2024; 7:100225. [PMID: 38230407 PMCID: PMC10788539 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpx.2023.100225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Celecoxib (CLX), a selective inhibitor for cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), has manifested potential activity against diverse types of cancer. However, low bioavailability and cardiovascular side effects remain the major challenges that limit its exploitation. In this work, we developed ultra-elastic nanovesicles (UENVs) with pH-triggered surface charge reversal traits that could efficiently deliver CLX to colorectal segments for snowballed tumor targeting. CLX-UENVs were fabricated via a thin-film hydration approach. The impact of formulation factors (Span 80, Tween 80, and sonication time) on the nanovesicular features was evaluated using Box-Behnken design, and the optimal formulation was computed. The optimum formulation was positively coated with polyethyleneimine (CLX-PEI-UENVs) and then coated with Eudragit S100 (CLX-ES-PEI-UENVs). The activity of the optimized nano-cargo was explored in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colorectal cancer in Wistar rats. Levels of COX-2, Wnt-2 and β-catenin were assessed in rats' colon. The diameter of the optimized CLX-ES-PEI-UENVs formulation was 253.62 nm, with a zeta potential of -23.24 mV, 85.64% entrapment, and 87.20% cumulative release (24 h). ES coating hindered the rapid release of CLX under acidic milieu (stomach and early small intestine) and showed extended release in the colon section. In colonic environments, the ES coating layer was removed due to high pH, and the charge on the nanovesicular corona was shifted from negative to positive. Besides, a pharmacokinetics study revealed that CLX-ES-PEI-UENVs had superior oral bioavailability by 2.13-fold compared with CLX suspension. Collectively, these findings implied that CLX-ES-PEI-UENVs could be a promising colorectal-targeted nanoplatform for effective tumor management through up-regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahira F. El Menshawe
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Khaled Shalaby
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed H. Elkomy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Heba M. Aboud
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Yasmin M. Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | | | - Marwa Elkarmalawy
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Manufacturing, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Amani M. El Sisi
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
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7
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Zhou W, Su P, Wang Y, Li Z, Liu L. Exploration of the molecular linkage between endometriosis and Crohn disease by bioinformatics methods. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38097. [PMID: 38758892 PMCID: PMC11098239 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endometriosis (EMT) is a common disease in reproductive-age woman and Crohn disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder in gastrointestinal tract. Previous studies reported that patients with EMT had an increased risk of CD. However, the linkage between EMT and CD remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential molecular mechanism of EMT and CD. METHODS The microarray data of EMT and CD were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. Common genes of EMT and CD were obtained to perform the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene Genomes enrichments. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed by Cytoscape software and the hub genes were identified by CytoHubba plug-in. Finally we predicted the transcription factors (TFs) of hub genes and constructed a TFs-hub genes regulation network. RESULTS A total of 50 common genes were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene Genomes enrichment showed that the common genes mainly enriched in MAPK pathway, VEGF pathway, Wnt pathway, TGF-beta pathway, and Ras pathway. Fifteen hub genes were collected from the protein-protein interaction network, including FMOD, FRZB, CPE, SST, ISG15, EFEMP1, KDR, ADRA2A, FZD7, AQP1, IGFBP5, NAMPT, PLUA, FGF9, and FHL2. Among them, FGF9, FZD7, IGFBP5, KDR, and NAMPT were both validated in the other 2 datasets. Finally TFs-hub genes regulation network were constructed. CONCLUSION Our findings firstly revealed the linkage between EMT and CD, including inflammation, angiogenesis, immune regulation, and cell behaviors, which may lead to the risk of CD in EMT. FGF9, FZD7, IGFBP5, KDR, and NAMPT may closely relate to the linkage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijie Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Six Affiliated Hospital of South China University of Technology, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Peizhu Su
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yilin Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhaotao Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Liu Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Six Affiliated Hospital of South China University of Technology, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China
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8
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Zhou JY, Xie WW, Hu TC, Wang XF, Yan HC, Wang XQ. Mulberry Leaf-Derived Morin Activates β-Catenin by Binding to Frizzled7 to Promote Intestinal Stem Cell Expansion upon Heat-Stable Enterotoxin b Injury. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:10366-10375. [PMID: 38651967 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c09909] [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: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) sustain epithelial renewal by dynamically altering behaviors of proliferation and differentiation in response to various nutrition and stress inputs. However, how ISCs integrate bioactive substance morin cues to protect against heat-stable enterotoxin b (STb) produced by Escherichia coli remains an uncertain question with implications for treating bacterial diarrhea. Our recent work showed that oral mulberry leaf-derived morin improved the growth performance in STb-challenged mice. Furthermore, morin supplementation reinstated the impaired small-intestinal epithelial structure and barrier function by stimulating ISC proliferation and differentiation as well as supporting intestinal organoid expansion ex vivo. Importantly, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, an ISC fate commitment signal, was reactivated by morin to restore the jejunal crypt-villus architecture in response to STb stimulation. Mechanically, the extracellular morin-initiated β-catenin axis is dependent or partially dependent on the Wnt membrane receptor Frizzled7 (FZD7). Our data reveal an unexpected role of leaf-derived morin, which represents molecular signaling targeting the FZD7 platform instrumental for controlling ISC regeneration upon STb injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry/College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wen-Wen Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry/College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ting-Cai Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry/College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiao-Fan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry/College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hui-Chao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry/College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiu-Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry/College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou 510642, China
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9
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Kinsolving J, Bous J, Kozielewicz P, Košenina S, Shekhani R, Grätz L, Masuyer G, Wang Y, Stenmark P, Dong M, Schulte G. Structural and functional insight into the interaction of Clostridioides difficile toxin B and FZD 7. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113727. [PMID: 38308843 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113727] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The G protein-coupled receptors of the Frizzled (FZD) family, in particular FZD1,2,7, are receptors that are exploited by Clostridioides difficile toxin B (TcdB), the major virulence factor responsible for pathogenesis associated with Clostridioides difficile infection. We employ a live-cell assay examining the affinity between full-length FZDs and TcdB. Moreover, we present cryoelectron microscopy structures of TcdB alone and in complex with full-length FZD7, which reveal that large structural rearrangements of the combined repetitive polypeptide domain are required for interaction with FZDs and other TcdB receptors, constituting a first step for receptor recognition. Furthermore, we show that bezlotoxumab, an FDA-approved monoclonal antibody to treat Clostridioides difficile infection, favors the apo-TcdB structure and thus disrupts binding with FZD7. The dynamic transition between the two conformations of TcdB also governs the stability of the pore-forming region. Thus, our work provides structural and functional insight into how conformational dynamics of TcdB determine receptor binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kinsolving
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julien Bous
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pawel Kozielewicz
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Košenina
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rawan Shekhani
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lukas Grätz
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Geoffrey Masuyer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yuankai Wang
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Surgery and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pål Stenmark
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Min Dong
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Surgery and Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gunnar Schulte
- Karolinska Institutet, Department Physiology & Pharmacology, Sec. Receptor Biology & Signaling, Biomedicum, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden.
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10
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Scharr M, Hirt B, Neckel PH. Spatial gene expression profile of Wnt-signaling components in the murine enteric nervous system. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1302488. [PMID: 38322254 PMCID: PMC10846065 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1302488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Wnt-signaling is a key regulator of stem cell homeostasis, extensively studied in the intestinal crypt and other metazoan tissues. Yet, there is hardly any data available on the presence of Wnt-signaling components in the adult enteric nervous system (ENS) in vivo. Methods Therefore, we employed RNAscope HiPlex-assay, a novel and more sensitive in situ hybridization technology. By amplifying target specific signals, this technique enables the detection of low abundance, tightly regulated RNA content as is the case for Wnt-signaling components. Additionally, we compared our data to previously published physiological single cell RNA and RiboTag-based RNA sequencing analyses of enteric gliosis using data-mining approaches. Results Our descriptive analysis shows that several components of the multidi-mensional regulatory network of the Wnt-signaling pathway are present in the murine ENS. The transport and secretion protein for Wnt-ligands Wntless as well as canonical (Wnt3a and Wnt2b) and non-canonical Wnt-ligands (Wnt5a, Wnt7a, Wnt8b and Wnt11) are detectable within submucosal and myenteric plexus. Further, corresponding Frizzled receptors (Fzd1, Fzd3, Fzd6, and Fzd7) and regulatory signaling mediators like R-Spondin/DKK ligands are present in the ENS of the small and large intestine. Further, data mining approaches revealed, that several Wnt-related molecules are expressed by enteric glial cell clusters and are dynamically regulated during the inflammatory manifestation of enteric gliosis. Discussion Our results suggest, that canonical and non-canonical Wnt-signaling has a much broader impact on the mature ENS and its cellular homeostasis in health and inflammation, than previously anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peter H. Neckel
- Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Cell Analysis, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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11
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He A, Tian S, Kopper O, Horan DJ, Chen P, Bronson RT, Sheng R, Wu H, Sui L, Zhou K, Tao L, Wu Q, Huang Y, Shen Z, Han S, Chen X, Chen H, He X, Robling AG, Jin R, Clevers H, Xiang D, Li Z, Dong M. Targeted inhibition of Wnt signaling with a Clostridioides difficile toxin B fragment suppresses breast cancer tumor growth. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002353. [PMID: 37943878 PMCID: PMC10635564 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling pathways are transmitted via 10 homologous frizzled receptors (FZD1-10) in humans. Reagents broadly inhibiting Wnt signaling pathways reduce growth and metastasis of many tumors, but their therapeutic development has been hampered by the side effect. Inhibitors targeting specific Wnt-FZD pair(s) enriched in cancer cells may reduce side effect, but the therapeutic effect of narrow-spectrum Wnt-FZD inhibitors remains to be established in vivo. Here, we developed a fragment of C. difficile toxin B (TcdBFBD), which recognizes and inhibits a subclass of FZDs, FZD1/2/7, and examined whether targeting this FZD subgroup may offer therapeutic benefits for treating breast cancer models in mice. Utilizing 2 basal-like and 1 luminal-like breast cancer models, we found that TcdBFBD reduces tumor-initiating cells and attenuates growth of basal-like mammary tumor organoids and xenografted tumors, without damaging Wnt-sensitive tissues such as bones in vivo. Furthermore, FZD1/2/7-positive cells are enriched in chemotherapy-resistant cells in both basal-like and luminal mammary tumors treated with cisplatin, and TcdBFBD synergizes strongly with cisplatin in inhibiting both tumor types. These data demonstrate the therapeutic value of narrow-spectrum Wnt signaling inhibitor in treating breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina He
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Songhai Tian
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Oded Kopper
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel J. Horan
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Barnhill, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Roderick T. Bronson
- Rodent Histopathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ren Sheng
- Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Vascular Biology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lufei Sui
- Department of Vascular Biology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kun Zhou
- Department of Vascular Biology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Liang Tao
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Quan Wu
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Central Laboratory of Medical Research Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yujing Huang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zan Shen
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sen Han
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Xueqing Chen
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Vascular Biology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Xi He
- Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alexander G. Robling
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Barnhill, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Rongsheng Jin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dongxi Xiang
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhe Li
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Min Dong
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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12
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Wan X, Zhao S, Dai Y, Zhang J, Shen Y, Gong L, Le Q. WNT16b promotes the proliferation and self-renewal of human limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells via activating the calcium/calcineurin A/NFATC2 pathway. Cell Prolif 2023; 56:e13460. [PMID: 36974338 PMCID: PMC10542615 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Our previous finding revealed that WNT16b promoted the proliferation of human limbal epithelial stem cells (hLESCs) through a β-catenin independent pathway. Here, we aimed to explore its underlying molecular mechanism and evaluate its potential in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Based on the findings of mRNA-sequencing, the expression of key molecules in WNT/calcineurin A/NFATC2 signalling pathway was investigated in WNT16b-co-incubated hLESCs and control hLESCs. An epithelial wound healing model was established on Wnt16b-KO mice to confirm the regulatory effect of WNT16b in vivo. The therapeutic potential of WNT16b-co-incubated hLESCs was also evaluated in mice with LSCD. Our findings showed that WNT16b bound with Frizzled7, promoted the release of Ca2+ and activated calcineurin A and NFATC2. With the translocation of NFATC2 into cell nucleus and the activation of HDAC3, WDR5 and GCN5L2, the expression of H3K4me3, H3K14ac and H3K27ac in the promoter regions of FoxM1 and c-MYC increased, which led to hLESC proliferation. The effect of the WNT16b/calcium/calcineurin A/NFATC2 pathway on LESC homeostasis maintenance and corneal epithelial repair was confirmed in Wnt16b-KO mice. Moreover, WNT16b-coincubated hLESCs could reconstruct a stable ocular surface and inhibit corneal neovascularization in mice with LSCD. In conclusion, WNT16b enhances the proliferation and maintains the stemness of hLESCs by activating the non-canonical calcium/calcineurin A/NFATC2 pathway in vitro and in vivo, and accelerates corneal epithelial wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xichen Wan
- Department of OphthalmologyEye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan UniversityFudanChina
| | - Songjiao Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yiqin Dai
- Department of OphthalmologyEye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan UniversityFudanChina
- Research CentreEye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan UniversityFudanChina
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of OphthalmologyEye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan UniversityFudanChina
- Research CentreEye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan UniversityFudanChina
| | - Yan Shen
- Department of OphthalmologyEye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan UniversityFudanChina
| | - Lan Gong
- Department of OphthalmologyEye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan UniversityFudanChina
- Myopia Key Laboratory of Ministry of HealthEye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan UniversityFudanChina
| | - Qihua Le
- Department of OphthalmologyEye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan UniversityFudanChina
- Research CentreEye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan UniversityFudanChina
- Myopia Key Laboratory of Ministry of HealthEye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan UniversityFudanChina
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13
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Li C, Wu Y, Wang W, Xu L, Zhou Y, Yue Y, Wu T, Yang M, Qiu Y, Huang M, Zhou F, Zhou Y, Hao P, Lin Z, Wang MW, Zhao S, Yang D, Xu F, Tao H. Structure-Based Ligand Discovery Targeting the Transmembrane Domain of Frizzled Receptor FZD7. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11855-11868. [PMID: 37669317 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the essential roles of Frizzled receptors (FZDs) in mediating Wnt signaling in embryonic development and tissue homeostasis, ligands targeting FZDs are rare. A few antibodies and peptide modulators have been developed that mainly bind to the family-conserved extracellular cysteine-rich domain of FZDs, while the canonical binding sites in the transmembrane domain (TMD) are far from sufficiently addressed. Based on the recent structures of FZDs, we explored small-molecule ligand discovery by targeting TMD. From the ChemDiv library with ∼1.6 million compounds, we identified compound F7H as an antagonist of FZD7 with an IC50 at 1.25 ± 0.38 μM. Focusing on this hit, the structural dissection study, together with computing studies such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and free energy perturbation calculations, defined the binding pocket with key residue recognition. Our results revealed the structural basis of ligand recognition and demonstrated the feasibility of structure-guided ligand discovery for FZD7-TMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuixia Li
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yiran Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wenli Wang
- Shenzhen Jingtai Technology Co., Ltd. (XtalPi), Floor 3, Sf Industrial Plant, No. 2 Hongliu Road, Fubao Community, Fubao Street, Futian District, Shenzhen 518045, China
| | - Lu Xu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- The National Center for Drug Screening, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Yue
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Meifang Yang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yanli Qiu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Minhao Huang
- Shenzhen Jingtai Technology Co., Ltd. (XtalPi), Floor 3, Sf Industrial Plant, No. 2 Hongliu Road, Fubao Community, Fubao Street, Futian District, Shenzhen 518045, China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yiqing Zhou
- School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Suzhou 215500, China
| | - Piliang Hao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhixiong Lin
- Shenzhen Jingtai Technology Co., Ltd. (XtalPi), Floor 3, Sf Industrial Plant, No. 2 Hongliu Road, Fubao Community, Fubao Street, Futian District, Shenzhen 518045, China
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- The National Center for Drug Screening, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203 Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Suwen Zhao
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Dehua Yang
- The National Center for Drug Screening, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Xu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Houchao Tao
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
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14
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Zhang YR, Li FY, Lu ZJ, Wang XF, Yan HC, Wang XQ, Gao CQ. l-Malic Acid Facilitates Stem Cell-Driven Intestinal Epithelial Renewal through the Amplification of β-Catenin Signaling by Targeting Frizzled7 in Chicks. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:13079-13091. [PMID: 37632443 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c01332] [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: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
l-Malic acid (l-MA) contributes to energy metabolism and nutrient digestion, which is an alternative to antibiotics for livestock; however, it is not clear whether l-MA can replace antibiotics to promote intestinal development in chicks. To investigate the effects of l-MA on intestinal stem cells (ISCs) driving epithelial renewal, we employed in vivo chick feeding experiments, chick intestinal organoid (IO) models, and in vitro chick intestinal epithelial cell models. The results showed that the feed conversion rate and diarrhea scores were decreased with improved jejunal morphology and barrier function in the 0.5% l-MA group. l-MA promoted the proliferation and differentiation of ISCs, inhibited the cell apoptosis, increased the IO formation efficiency, surface area, budding efficiency, and number of buds, suggesting that l-MA promoted the expansion of ISCs. Furthermore, l-MA treatment dramatically upregulated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the jejunum. Importantly, Wnt transmembrane receptor Frizzled7 (FZD7) mRNA abundance was increased in response to dietary 0.5% l-MA. In addition, molecular docking analysis using Autodock software and isothermal titration calorimetry revealed that l-MA binds to Lys91 of FZD7 with high affinity, indicating a spontaneous interaction. The chick intestinal epithelial cells treated with 10 μM l-MA significantly increased cell viability, and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was activated, but l-MA failed to upregulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling when treated with the FZD7-specific inhibitor Fz7-21 in chick intestinal epithelial cells, indicating that FZD7 is indispensable for l-MA activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Collectively, l-MA stimulated β-catenin signaling by targeting transmembrane receptor FZD7, which promoted ISC expansion and inhibited cell apoptosis to accelerate intestinal epithelial renewal in chicks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ru Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Fu-Yong Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Zhu-Jin Lu
- College of Animal Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiao-Fan Wang
- College of Animal Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hui-Chao Yan
- College of Animal Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiu-Qi Wang
- College of Animal Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Chun-Qi Gao
- College of Animal Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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15
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Huang Y, Zeng A, Song L. Facts and prospects of peptide in targeted therapy and immune regulation against triple-negative breast cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1255820. [PMID: 37691919 PMCID: PMC10485606 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1255820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Due to the lack of specific therapeutic targets, treatment options are limited, and the recurrence and metastasis rate is high, the overall survival of patients is poor. However, with the discovery of some new targets and the corresponding immune regulation after targeting these targets, TNBC has a new hope in treatment. The peptide has a simple structure, strong binding affinity, and high stability, and has great potential in targeted therapy and immune regulation against TNBC. This review will discuss how single peptides and peptide combinations target triple-negative breast cancer to exert immunomodulatory effects. Among them, single peptides target specific receptors on TNBC cells, act as decoys to target key ligands in the regulatory pathway, and target TME-related cells. The combinations of peptides work in the form of cancer vaccines, engineered exosomes, microRNAs and other immune-related molecular pathways, immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, and drug-peptide conjugates. This article is mainly dedicated to exploring new treatment methods for TNBC to improve the curative effect and prolong the survival time of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxiu Huang
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Anqi Zeng
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology and Clinical Application, Sichuan Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Linjiang Song
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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16
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Huber A, Jose S, Kassam A, Weghorn KN, Powers-Fletcher M, Sharma D, Mukherjee A, Mathew A, Kulkarni N, Chandramouli S, Alder MN, Madan R. Olfactomedin-4 + neutrophils exacerbate intestinal epithelial damage and worsen host survival after Clostridioides difficile infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.21.553751. [PMID: 37662327 PMCID: PMC10473617 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.21.553751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Neutrophils are key first responders to Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Excessive tissue and blood neutrophils are associated with worse histopathology and adverse outcomes, however their functional role during CDI remains poorly defined. Utilizing intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)-neutrophil co-cultures and a pre-clinical animal model of CDI, we show that neutrophils exacerbate C. difficile -induced IEC injury. We utilized cutting-edge single-cell transcriptomics to illuminate neutrophil subtypes and biological pathways that could exacerbate CDI-associated IEC damage. As such, we have established the first transcriptomics atlas of bone marrow (BM), blood, and colonic neutrophils after CDI. We found that CDI altered the developmental trajectory of BM and blood neutrophils towards populations that exhibit gene signatures associated with pro-inflammatory responses and neutrophil-mediated tissue damage. Similarly, the transcriptomic signature of colonic neutrophils was consistent with hyper-inflammatory and highly differentiated cells that had amplified expression of cytokine-mediated signaling and degranulation priming genes. One of the top 10 variable features in colonic neutrophils was the gene for neutrophil glycoprotein, Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4). CDI enhanced OLFM4 mRNA and protein expression in neutrophils, and OLFM4 + cells aggregated to areas of severe IEC damage. Compared to uninfected controls, both humans and mice with CDI had higher concentrations of circulating OLFM4; and in mice, OLFM4 deficiency resulted in faster recovery and better survival after infection. Collectively, these studies provide novel insights into neutrophil-mediated pathology after CDI and highlight the pathogenic role of OLFM4 + neutrophils in regulating CDI-induced IEC damage. One Sentence Summary Utilizing single-cell transcriptomics, IEC-epithelial co-cultures, and pre-clinical models of CDI, we have identified a subset of neutrophils that are marked by OLFM4 expression as pathogenic determinants of IEC barrier damage after CDI.
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17
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Nabhan AN, Webster JD, Adams JJ, Blazer L, Everrett C, Eidenschenk C, Arlantico A, Fleming I, Brightbill HD, Wolters PJ, Modrusan Z, Seshagiri S, Angers S, Sidhu SS, Newton K, Arron JR, Dixit VM. Targeted alveolar regeneration with Frizzled-specific agonists. Cell 2023; 186:2995-3012.e15. [PMID: 37321220 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Wnt ligands oligomerize Frizzled (Fzd) and Lrp5/6 receptors to control the specification and activity of stem cells in many species. How Wnt signaling is selectively activated in different stem cell populations, often within the same organ, is not understood. In lung alveoli, we show that distinct Wnt receptors are expressed by epithelial (Fzd5/6), endothelial (Fzd4), and stromal (Fzd1) cells. Fzd5 is uniquely required for alveolar epithelial stem cell activity, whereas fibroblasts utilize distinct Fzd receptors. Using an expanded repertoire of Fzd-Lrp agonists, we could activate canonical Wnt signaling in alveolar epithelial stem cells via either Fzd5 or, unexpectedly, non-canonical Fzd6. A Fzd5 agonist (Fzd5ag) or Fzd6ag stimulated alveolar epithelial stem cell activity and promoted survival in mice after lung injury, but only Fzd6ag promoted an alveolar fate in airway-derived progenitors. Therefore, we identify a potential strategy for promoting regeneration without exacerbating fibrosis during lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad N Nabhan
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Joshua D Webster
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jarret J Adams
- AntlerA Therapeutics, 348 Hatch Drive, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | - Levi Blazer
- AntlerA Therapeutics, 348 Hatch Drive, Foster City, CA 94404, USA
| | - Christine Everrett
- Department of Molecular Discovery and Cancer Cell Biology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Celine Eidenschenk
- Department of Molecular Discovery and Cancer Cell Biology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Alexander Arlantico
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Isabel Fleming
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hans D Brightbill
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Paul J Wolters
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Zora Modrusan
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics, Lipidomics and Next Generation Sequencing, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | - Stephane Angers
- AntlerA Therapeutics, 348 Hatch Drive, Foster City, CA 94404, USA; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A2, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sachdev S Sidhu
- AntlerA Therapeutics, 348 Hatch Drive, Foster City, CA 94404, USA; School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Kitchener, ON N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Kim Newton
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Joseph R Arron
- Department of Immunology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Vishva M Dixit
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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18
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Rogers AP, Mileto SJ, Lyras D. Impact of enteric bacterial infections at and beyond the epithelial barrier. Nat Rev Microbiol 2023; 21:260-274. [PMID: 36175770 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-022-00794-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The mucosal lining of the gut has co-evolved with a diverse microbiota over millions of years, leading to the development of specialized mechanisms to actively limit the invasion of pathogens. However, some enteric microorganisms have adapted against these measures, developing ways to hijack or overcome epithelial micro-integrity mechanisms. This breach of the gut barrier not only enables the leakage of host factors out of circulation but can also initiate a cascade of detrimental systemic events as microbiota, pathogens and their affiliated secretions passively leak into extra-intestinal sites. Under normal circumstances, gut damage is rapidly repaired by intestinal stem cells. However, with substantial and deep perturbation to the gut lining and the systemic dissemination of gut contents, we now know that some enteric infections can cause the impairment of host regenerative processes. Although these local and systemic aspects of enteric disease are often studied in isolation, they heavily impact one another. In this Review, by examining the journey of enteric infections from initial establishment to systemic sequelae and how, or if, the host can successfully repair damage, we will tie together these complex interactions to provide a holistic overview of the impact of enteric infections at and beyond the epithelial barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh P Rogers
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven J Mileto
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dena Lyras
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. .,Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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19
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Blomfield AK, Maurya M, Bora K, Pavlovich MC, Yemanyi F, Huang S, Fu Z, O’Connell AE, Chen J. Ectopic Rod Photoreceptor Development in Mice with Genetic Deficiency of WNT2B. Cells 2023; 12:1033. [PMID: 37048106 PMCID: PMC10093714 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for embryonic eye development in both the anterior eye and retina. WNT2B, a ligand and activator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, assists in the development of the lens and peripheral regions of the eye. In humans WNT2B mutations are associated with coloboma and WNT2B may also assist in retinal progenitor cell differentiation in chicken, yet the potential role of WNT2B in retinal neuronal development is understudied. This study explored the effects of WNT2B on retinal neuronal and vascular formation using systemic Wnt2b knockout (KO) mice generated by crossing Wnt2bflox/flox (fl/fl) mice with CMV-cre mice. Wnt2b KO eyes exhibited relatively normal anterior segments and retinal vasculature. Ectopic formation of rod photoreceptor cells in the subretinal space was observed in Wnt2b KO mice as early as one week postnatally and persisted through nine-month-old mice. Other retinal neuronal layers showed normal organization in both thickness and lamination, without detectable signs of retinal thinning. The presence of abnormal photoreceptor genesis was also observed in heterozygous Wnt2b mice, and occasionally in wild type mice with decreased Wnt2b expression levels. Expression of Wnt2b was found to be enriched in the retinal pigment epithelium compared with whole retina. Together these findings suggest that WNT2B is potentially involved in rod photoreceptor genesis during eye development; however, potential influence by a yet unknown genetic factor is also possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra K. Blomfield
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Meenakshi Maurya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kiran Bora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Madeline C. Pavlovich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Felix Yemanyi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shuo Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhongjie Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amy E. O’Connell
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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20
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Gu NX, Guo YR, Lin SE, Wang YH, Lin IH, Chen YF, Yen Y. Frizzled 7 modulates goblet and Paneth cell fate, and maintains homeostasis in mouse intestine. Development 2023; 150:287020. [PMID: 36691900 PMCID: PMC10112897 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal homeostasis depends on interactions between the intestinal epithelium, the immune system and the microbiota. Because of these complicated connections, there are many problems that need to be solved. Current research has indicated that genes targeted by Wnt signaling are responsible for controlling intestinal stem cell fate and for modulating intestinal homeostasis. Our data show that loss of frizzled 7 (Fzd7), an important element in Wnt signaling, interrupts the differentiation of mouse intestinal stem cells into absorptive progenitors instead of secretory progenitors (precursors of goblet and Paneth cells). The alteration in canonical Wnt and Notch signaling pathways interrupts epithelial homeostasis, resulting in a decrease in physical protection in the intestine. Several phenotypes in our Fzd7-deleted model were similar to the features of enterocolitis, such as shortened intestines, decreased numbers of goblet cells and Paneth cells, and severe inflammation. Additionally, loss of Fzd7 exacerbated the defects in a chemical-induced colitis model and could initiate tumorigenesis. These findings may provide important information for the discovery of efficient therapeutic methods to treat enterocolitis and related cancers in the intestines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nai-Xin Gu
- The PhD Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ru Guo
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Sey-En Lin
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, New Taipei City 236017, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hsin Wang
- Graduate Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - I-Hsuan Lin
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fan Chen
- The PhD Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Master Program in Clinical Genomics and Proteomics, School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031 , Taiwan
| | - Yun Yen
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Cancer Center, Taipei Municipal WanFang Hospital, Taipei 116081 , Taiwan
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21
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You Q, Wang F, Du R, Pi J, Wang H, Huo Y, Liu J, Wang C, Yu J, Yang Y, Zhu L. m 6 A Reader YTHDF1-Targeting Engineered Small Extracellular Vesicles for Gastric Cancer Therapy via Epigenetic and Immune Regulation. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2204910. [PMID: 36484103 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) modulators decide the fate of m6 A-modified transcripts and drive cancer development. RNA interference targeting m6 A modulators promise to be an emerging cancer therapy but is challenging due to its poor tumor targeting and high systematic toxicity. Here engineered small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) with high CD47 expression and cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic (c(RGDyC)) modification are developed for effective delivery of short interfering RNA against m6 A reader YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1 (YTHDF1) to treat gastric cancer via epigenetic and immune regulation. This nanosystem efficiently depletes YTHDF1 expression and suppresses gastric cancer progression and metastasis through hampering frizzled7 translation and inactivating Wnt/β-catenin pathway in an m6 A dependent manner. Loss of YTHDF1 mediates overexpression of interferon (IFN)-γ receptor 1 and enhances IFN-γ response, promoting expression of major histocompatibility complex class I on tumor cells to achieve self-presentation of the immunogenic tumor cells to stimulate strong cytotoxic T lymphocytes responses. CD47 expression on the engineered sEVs can competitively bind with signal regulatory protein α to enhance phagocytosis of the tumor cells by tumor-associated macrophages. This versatile nanoplatform provides an efficient and low toxic strategy to inhibit epigenetic regulators and holds great potential in promoting immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing You
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
- The Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Rong Du
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jingnan Pi
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
- The Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Huayi Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- Translational Medicine Center, Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR), Beijing, 102206, P. R. China
| | - Yue Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
- The Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Jingyi Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Chen Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
- The Key Laboratory of RNA and Hematopoietic Regulation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100005, P. R. China
| | - Yanlian Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Ling Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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22
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Auger NA, Medina-Feliciano JG, Quispe-Parra DJ, Colón-Marrero S, Ortiz-Zuazaga H, García-Arrarás JE. Characterization and Expression of Holothurian Wnt Signaling Genes during Adult Intestinal Organogenesis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:309. [PMID: 36833237 PMCID: PMC9957329 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling has been shown to play multiple roles in regenerative processes, one of the most widely studied of which is the regeneration of the intestinal luminal epithelia. Most studies in this area have focused on self-renewal of the luminal stem cells; however, Wnt signaling may also have more dynamic functions, such as facilitating intestinal organogenesis. To explore this possibility, we employed the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima that can regenerate a full intestine over the course of 21 days after evisceration. We collected RNA-seq data from various intestinal tissues and regeneration stages and used these data to define the Wnt genes present in H. glaberrima and the differential gene expression (DGE) patterns during the regenerative process. Twelve Wnt genes were found, and their presence was confirmed in the draft genome of H. glaberrima. The expressions of additional Wnt-associated genes, such as Frizzled and Disheveled, as well as genes from the Wnt/β-catenin and Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) pathways, were also analyzed. DGE showed unique distributions of Wnt in early- and late-stage intestinal regenerates, consistent with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway being upregulated during early-stages and the Wnt/PCP pathway being upregulated during late-stages. Our results demonstrate the diversity of Wnt signaling during intestinal regeneration, highlighting possible roles in adult organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah A. Auger
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan 00925, Puerto Rico
| | | | - David J. Quispe-Parra
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan 00925, Puerto Rico
| | - Stephanie Colón-Marrero
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan 00925, Puerto Rico
| | - Humberto Ortiz-Zuazaga
- Department of Computer Science, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan 00925, Puerto Rico
| | - José E. García-Arrarás
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan 00925, Puerto Rico
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23
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Li K, Mao S, Li X, Zhao H, Wang J, Wang C, Wu L, Zhang K, Yang H, Jin M, Zhou Z, Wang J, Huang G, Xie W. Frizzled-7-targeting antibody (SHH002-hu1) potently suppresses non-small-cell lung cancer via Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:2109-2122. [PMID: 36625184 PMCID: PMC10154902 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, and metastasis is considered one of the leading causes of treatment failure in NSCLC. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is crucially involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a crucial factor in promoting metastasis, and also contributes to resistance developed by NSCLC to targeted agents. Frizzled-7 (Fzd7), a critical receptor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, is aberrantly expressed in NSCLC and has been confirmed to be positively correlated with poor clinical outcomes. SHH002-hu1, a humanized antibody targeting Fzd7, was previously successfully generated by our group. Here, we studied the anti-tumor effects of SHH002-hu1 against NSCLC and revealed the underlying mechanism. First, immunofluorescence (IF) and near-infrared (NIR) imaging assays showed that SHH002-hu1 specifically binds Fzd7+ NSCLC cells and targets NSCLC tissues. Wound healing and transwell invasion assays indicated that SHH002-hu1 significantly inhibits the migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. Subsequently, TOP-FLASH/FOP-FLASH luciferase reporter, IF, and western blot assays validated that SHH002-hu1 effectively suppresses the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and further attenuates the EMT of NSCLC cells. Finally, the subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model of A549/H1975, as well as the popliteal lymph node (LN) metastasis model, was established, and SHH002-hu1 was demonstrated to inhibit the growth of NSCLC xenografts and suppress LN metastasis of NSCLC. Above all, SHH002-hu1 with selectivity toward Fzd7+ NSCLC and the potential of inhibiting invasion and metastasis of NSCLC via disrupting Wnt/β-catenin signaling, is indicated as a good candidate for the targeted therapy of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanghua Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuyang Mao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingxing Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijie Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingyi Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenyue Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Lisha Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Kunchi Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingming Jin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaoli Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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24
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Alvarez-Rodrigo I, Willnow D, Vincent JP. The logistics of Wnt production and delivery. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 153:1-60. [PMID: 36967191 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Wnts are secreted proteins that control stem cell maintenance, cell fate decisions, and growth during development and adult homeostasis. Wnts carry a post-translational modification not seen in any other secreted protein: during biosynthesis, they are appended with a palmitoleoyl moiety that is required for signaling but also impairs solubility and hence diffusion in the extracellular space. In some contexts, Wnts act only in a juxtacrine manner but there are also instances of long range action. Several proteins and processes ensure that active Wnts reach the appropriate target cells. Some, like Porcupine, Wntless, and Notum are dedicated to Wnt function; we describe their activities in molecular detail. We also outline how the cell infrastructure (secretory, endocytic, and retromer pathways) contribute to the progression of Wnts from production to delivery. We then address how Wnts spread in the extracellular space and form a signaling gradient despite carrying a hydrophobic moiety. We highlight particularly the role of lipid-binding Wnt interactors and heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Finally, we briefly discuss how evolution might have led to the emergence of this unusual signaling pathway.
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25
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Preston SP, Stutz MD, Allison CC, Nachbur U, Gouil Q, Tran BM, Duvivier V, Arandjelovic P, Cooney JP, Mackiewicz L, Meng Y, Schaefer J, Bader SM, Peng H, Valaydon Z, Rajasekaran P, Jennison C, Lopaticki S, Farrell A, Ryan M, Howell J, Croagh C, Karunakaran D, Schuster-Klein C, Murphy JM, Fifis T, Christophi C, Vincan E, Blewitt ME, Thompson A, Boddey JA, Doerflinger M, Pellegrini M. Epigenetic Silencing of RIPK3 in Hepatocytes Prevents MLKL-mediated Necroptosis From Contributing to Liver Pathologies. Gastroenterology 2022; 163:1643-1657.e14. [PMID: 36037995 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Necroptosis is a highly inflammatory mode of cell death that has been implicated in causing hepatic injury including steatohepatitis/ nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); however, the evidence supporting these claims has been controversial. A comprehensive, fundamental understanding of cell death pathways involved in liver disease critically underpins rational strategies for therapeutic intervention. We sought to define the role and relevance of necroptosis in liver pathology. METHODS Several animal models of human liver pathology, including diet-induced steatohepatitis in male mice and diverse infections in both male and female mice, were used to dissect the relevance of necroptosis in liver pathobiology. We applied necroptotic stimuli to primary mouse and human hepatocytes to measure their susceptibility to necroptosis. Paired liver biospecimens from patients with NASH, before and after intervention, were analyzed. DNA methylation sequencing was also performed to investigate the epigenetic regulation of RIPK3 expression in primary human and mouse hepatocytes. RESULTS Identical infection kinetics and pathologic outcomes were observed in mice deficient in an essential necroptotic effector protein, MLKL, compared with control animals. Mice lacking MLKL were indistinguishable from wild-type mice when fed a high-fat diet to induce NASH. Under all conditions tested, we were unable to induce necroptosis in hepatocytes. We confirmed that a critical activator of necroptosis, RIPK3, was epigenetically silenced in mouse and human primary hepatocytes and rendered them unable to undergo necroptosis. CONCLUSIONS We have provided compelling evidence that necroptosis is disabled in hepatocytes during homeostasis and in the pathologic conditions tested in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon P Preston
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael D Stutz
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cody C Allison
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ueli Nachbur
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Quentin Gouil
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bang Manh Tran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Valerie Duvivier
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Center for Therapeutic Innovation, SERVIER Group, Suresnes, France
| | - Philip Arandjelovic
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - James P Cooney
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liana Mackiewicz
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yanxiang Meng
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jan Schaefer
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stefanie M Bader
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hongke Peng
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zina Valaydon
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pravin Rajasekaran
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charlie Jennison
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sash Lopaticki
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ann Farrell
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marno Ryan
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jess Howell
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catherine Croagh
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Denuja Karunakaran
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia; Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carole Schuster-Klein
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Center for Therapeutic Innovation, SERVIER Group, Suresnes, France
| | - James M Murphy
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Theodora Fifis
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher Christophi
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Vincan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Marnie E Blewitt
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Justin A Boddey
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcel Doerflinger
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Marc Pellegrini
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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26
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Zheng S, Lin J, Pang Z, Zhang H, Wang Y, Ma L, Zhang H, Zhang X, Chen M, Zhang X, Zhao C, Qi J, Cao L, Wang M, He X, Sheng R. Aberrant Cholesterol Metabolism and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Coalesce via Frizzled5 in Supporting Cancer Growth. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2200750. [PMID: 35975457 PMCID: PMC9534957 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Frizzled (Fzd) proteins are Wnt receptors and play essential roles in development, homeostasis, and oncogenesis. How Wnt/Fzd signaling is coupled to physiological regulation remains unknown. Cholesterol is reported as a signaling molecule regulating morphogen such as Hedgehog signaling. Despite the elusiveness of the in-depth mechanism, it is well-established that pancreatic cancer specially requires abnormal cholesterol metabolism levels for growth. In this study, it is unexpectedly found that among ten Fzds, Fzd5 has a unique capacity to bind cholesterol specifically through its conserved extracellular linker region. Cholesterol-binding enables Fzd5 palmitoylation, which is indispensable for receptor maturation and trafficking to the plasma membrane. In Wnt-addicted pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), cholesterol stimulates tumor growth via Fzd5-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. A natural oxysterol, 25-hydroxylsterol competes with cholesterol and inhibits Fzd5 maturation and Wnt signaling, thereby alleviating PDAC growth. This cholesterol-receptor interaction and ensuing receptor lipidation uncover a novel mechanism by which Fzd5 acts as a cholesterol sensor and pivotal connection coupling lipid metabolism to morphogen signaling. These findings further suggest that cholesterol-targeting may provide new therapeutic opportunities for treating Wnt-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoqin Zheng
- College of Life and Health ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyang110819P. R. China
| | - Jiahui Lin
- College of Life and Health ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyang110819P. R. China
| | - Zhongqiu Pang
- College of Life and Health ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyang110819P. R. China
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Life and Health ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyang110819P. R. China
| | - Yinuo Wang
- College of Life and Health ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyang110819P. R. China
| | - Lanjing Ma
- College of Life and Health ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyang110819P. R. China
| | - Haijiao Zhang
- College of Life and Health ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyang110819P. R. China
| | - Xi Zhang
- College of SciencesNortheastern UniversityShenyang110004P. R. China
| | - Maorong Chen
- F.M Kirby Neurobiology CenterBoston Children's HospitalDepartment of NeurologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA02115USA
| | - Xinjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of EducationNational Engineering Research Center for NanomedicineCollege of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430074P. R. China
| | - Chao Zhao
- School of Public HealthJilin UniversityChangchun130021P. R. China
| | - Jun Qi
- Department of Cancer BiologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteDepartment of MedicineHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA02215USA
| | - Liu Cao
- Institute of Translational MedicineKey Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Healthand Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of EducationLiaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and PreventionChina Medical UniversityShenyang110112P. R. China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Biliary‐Pancreatic SurgeryAffiliated Tongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and Technology1095 Jiefang AveWuhan430030P. R. China
| | - Xi He
- F.M Kirby Neurobiology CenterBoston Children's HospitalDepartment of NeurologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA02115USA
| | - Ren Sheng
- College of Life and Health ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyang110819P. R. China
- F.M Kirby Neurobiology CenterBoston Children's HospitalDepartment of NeurologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA02115USA
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27
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L-glutamate requires β-catenin signalling through Frizzled7 to stimulate porcine intestinal stem cell expansion. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:523. [PMID: 36121491 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04545-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) decode and coordinate various types of nutritional information from the diet to support the crypt-villus axis architecture, but how specific dietary molecules affect intestinal epithelial homeostasis remains unclear. In the current study, L-glutamate (Glu) supplementation in either a nitrogen-free diet (NFD) or a corn-soybean meal diet (CSMD) stimulated gut growth and ISC expansion in weaned piglets. Quantitative proteomics screening identified the canonical Wnt signalling pathway as a central regulator of intestinal epithelial development and ISC activity in vivo. Importantly, the Wnt transmembrane receptor Frizzled7 (FZD7) was upregulated in response to dietary Glu patterns, and its perturbations in intestinal organoids (IOs) treated with a specific inhibitor and in FZD7-KO IPEC-J2 cells disrupted the link between Glu inputs and β-catenin signalling and a subsequent reduction in cell viability. Furthermore, co-localization, coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and microscale thermophoresis (MST) revealed that Glu served as a signalling molecule directly bound to FZD7. We propose that FZD7-mediated integration of the extracellular Glu signal controls ISC proliferation and differentiation, which provides new insights into the crosstalk of nutrients and ISCs.
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28
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Xie L, Fletcher RB, Bhatia D, Shah D, Phipps J, Deshmukh S, Zhang H, Ye J, Lee S, Le L, Newman M, Chen H, Sura A, Gupta S, Sanman LE, Yang F, Meng W, Baribault H, Vanhove GF, Yeh WC, Li Y, Lu C. Robust Colonic Epithelial Regeneration and Amelioration of Colitis via FZD-Specific Activation of Wnt Signaling. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:435-464. [PMID: 35569814 PMCID: PMC9305022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Current management of inflammatory bowel disease leaves a clear unmet need to treat the severe epithelial damage. Modulation of Wnt signaling might present an opportunity to achieve histological remission and mucosal healing when treating IBD. Exogenous R-spondin, which amplifies Wnt signals by maintaining cell surface expression of Frizzled (Fzd) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein receptors, not only helps repair intestine epithelial damage, but also induces hyperplasia of normal epithelium. Wnt signaling may also be modulated with the recently developed Wnt mimetics, recombinant antibody-based molecules mimicking endogenous Wnts. METHODS We first compared the epithelial healing effects of RSPO2 and a Wnt mimetic with broad Fzd specificity in an acute dextran sulfate sodium mouse colitis model. Guided by Fzd expression patterns in the colon epithelium, we also examined the effects of Wnt mimetics with subfamily Fzd specificities. RESULTS In the DSS model, Wnt mimetics repaired damaged colon epithelium and reduced disease activity and inflammation and had no apparent effect on uninjured tissue. We further identified that the FZD5/8 and LRP6 receptor-specific Wnt mimetic, SZN-1326-p, was associated with the robust repair effect. Through a range of approaches including single-cell transcriptome analyses, we demonstrated that SZN-1326-p directly impacted epithelial cells, driving transient expansion of stem and progenitor cells, promoting differentiation of epithelial cells, histologically restoring the damaged epithelium, and secondarily to epithelial repair, reducing inflammation. CONCLUSIONS It is feasible to design Wnt mimetics such as SZN-1326-p that impact damaged intestine epithelium specifically and restore its physiological functions, an approach that holds promise for treating epithelial damage in inflammatory bowel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chenggang Lu
- Correspondence Address correspondence to: Chenggang Lu, PhD, Surrozen, Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080.
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29
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Do M, Wu CCN, Sonavane PR, Juarez EF, Adams SR, Ross J, Rodriguez Y Baena A, Patel C, Mesirov JP, Carson DA, Advani SJ, Willert K. A FZD7-specific Antibody-Drug Conjugate Induces Ovarian Tumor Regression in Preclinical Models. Mol Cancer Ther 2022; 21:113-124. [PMID: 34667113 PMCID: PMC8742765 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although WNT signaling is frequently dysregulated in solid tumors, drugging this pathway has been challenging due to off-tumor effects. Current clinical pan-WNT inhibitors are nonspecific and lead to adverse effects, highlighting the urgent need for more specific WNT pathway-targeting strategies. We identified elevated expression of the WNT receptor Frizzled class receptor 7 (FZD7) in multiple solid cancers in The Cancer Genome Atlas, particularly in the mesenchymal and proliferative subtypes of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, which correlate with poorer median patient survival. Moreover, we observed increased FZD7 protein expression in ovarian tumors compared with normal ovarian tissue, indicating that FZD7 may be a tumor-specific antigen. We therefore developed a novel antibody-drug conjugate, septuximab vedotin (F7-ADC), which is composed of a chimeric human-mouse antibody to human FZD7 conjugated to the microtubule-inhibiting drug monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). F7-ADC selectively binds human FZD7, potently kills ovarian cancer cells in vitro, and induces regression of ovarian tumor xenografts in murine models. To evaluate F7-ADC toxicity in vivo, we generated mice harboring a modified Fzd7 gene where the resulting Fzd7 protein is reactive with the human-targeting F7-ADC. F7-ADC treatment of these mice did not induce acute toxicities, indicating a potentially favorable safety profile in patients. Overall, our data suggest that the antibody-drug conjugate approach may be a powerful strategy to combat FZD7-expressing ovarian cancers in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myan Do
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Christina C N Wu
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Pooja R Sonavane
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Edwin F Juarez
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Stephen R Adams
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Jason Ross
- Department of Global Creative Studio, Illumina, Inc., San Diego, California
| | | | - Charmi Patel
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Jill P Mesirov
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Dennis A Carson
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Sunil J Advani
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Karl Willert
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
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30
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Larasati Y, Boudou C, Koval A, Katanaev VL. Unlocking the Wnt pathway: Therapeutic potential of selective targeting FZD 7 in cancer. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:777-792. [PMID: 34915171 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The Wnt signaling is of paramount pathophysiological importance. Despite showing promising anticancer activities in pre-clinical studies, current Wnt pathway inhibitors face complications in clinical trials resulting from on-target toxicity. Hence, the targeting of pathway component(s) that are essential for cancer but dispensable for normal physiology is key to the development of a safe Wnt signaling inhibitor. Frizzled7 (FZD7) is a Wnt pathway receptor that is redundant in healthy tissues but crucial in various cancers. FZD7 modulates diverse aspects of carcinogenesis, including cancer growth, metastasis, maintenance of cancer stem cells, and chemoresistance. In this review, we describe state-of-the-art knowledge of the functions of FZD7 in carcinogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis. Next, we overview the development of small molecules and biomolecules that target FZD7. Finally, we discuss challenges and possibilities in developing FZD7-selective antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonika Larasati
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Translational Research Centre in Oncohaematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cédric Boudou
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Translational Research Centre in Oncohaematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alexey Koval
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Translational Research Centre in Oncohaematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vladimir L Katanaev
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Translational Research Centre in Oncohaematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland; School of Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia.
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31
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Gubatan J, Holman DR, Puntasecca CJ, Polevoi D, Rubin SJS, Rogalla S. Antimicrobial peptides and the gut microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:7402-7422. [PMID: 34887639 PMCID: PMC8613745 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i43.7402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are highly diverse and dynamic molecules that are expressed by specific intestinal epithelial cells, Paneth cells, as well as immune cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They play critical roles in maintaining tolerance to gut microbiota and protecting against enteric infections. Given that disruptions in tolerance to commensal microbiota and loss of barrier function play major roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and converge on the function of AMP, the significance of AMP as potential biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets in IBD have been increasingly recognized in recent years. In this frontier article, we discuss the function and mechanisms of AMP in the GI tract, examine the interaction of AMP with the gut microbiome, explore the role of AMP in the pathogenesis of IBD, and review translational applications of AMP in patients with IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Gubatan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, CA 94063, United States
| | - Derek R Holman
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford , Stanford University, Stanford , CA 94305, United States
| | | | - Danielle Polevoi
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94063, United States
| | - Samuel JS Rubin
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94063, United States
| | - Stephan Rogalla
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, CA 94063, United States
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32
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Identifying key regulators of the intestinal stem cell niche. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2163-2176. [PMID: 34665221 PMCID: PMC8589435 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The intestinal tract is lined by a single layer of epithelium that is one of the fastest regenerating tissues in the body and which therefore requires a very active and exquisitely controlled stem cell population. Rapid renewal of the epithelium is necessary to provide a continuous physical barrier from the intestinal luminal microenvironment that contains abundant microorganisms, whilst also ensuring an efficient surface for the absorption of dietary components. Specialised epithelial cell populations are important for the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and are derived from adult intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Actively cycling ISCs divide by a neutral drift mechanism yielding either ISCs or transit-amplifying epithelial cells, the latter of which differentiate to become either absorptive lineages or to produce secretory factors that contribute further to intestinal barrier maintenance or signal to other cellular compartments. The mechanisms controlling ISC abundance, longevity and activity are regulated by several different cell populations and signalling pathways in the intestinal lamina propria which together form the ISC niche. However, the complexity of the ISC niche and communication mechanisms between its different components are only now starting to be unravelled with the assistance of intestinal organoid/enteroid/colonoid and single-cell imaging and sequencing technologies. This review explores the interaction between well-established and emerging ISC niche components, their impact on the intestinal epithelium in health and in the context of intestinal injury and highlights future directions and implications for this rapidly developing field.
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33
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Frizzled 7 Activates β-Catenin-Dependent and β-Catenin-Independent Wnt Signalling Pathways During Developmental Morphogenesis: Implications for Therapeutic Targeting in Colorectal Cancer. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021. [PMID: 34455486 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Frizzled7 activates β-catenin-dependent and β-catenin-independent Wnt signalling pathways, is highly conserved through evolution from the ancient phylum hydra to man, plays essential roles in stem cells, tissue homeostasis and regeneration in the adult, and is upregulated in diverse cancers. Much of what is known about the core components of the Wnt signalling pathways was derived from studying the function of Frizzled7 orthologues in the development of lower organism. As we interrogate Frizzled7 signalling and function for therapeutic targeting in cancer, it is timely to revisit lower organisms to gain insight into the context dependent and dynamic nature of Wnt signalling for effective drug design.
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34
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Liao J, Suen HC, Luk ACS, Yang L, Lee AWT, Qi H, Lee TL. Transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of young and aged spermatogonial stem cells reveals molecular targets regulating differentiation. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009369. [PMID: 34237055 PMCID: PMC8291634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSC), the foundation of spermatogenesis and male fertility, possess lifelong self-renewal activity. Aging leads to the decline in stem cell function and increased risk of paternal age-related genetic diseases. In the present study, we performed a comparative genomic analysis of mouse SSC-enriched undifferentiated spermatogonia (Oct4-GFP+/KIT-) and differentiating progenitors (Oct4-GFP+/KIT+) isolated from young and aged testes. Our transcriptome data revealed enormous complexity of expressed coding and non-coding RNAs and alternative splicing regulation during SSC differentiation. Further comparison between young and aged undifferentiated spermatogonia suggested these differentiation programs were affected by aging. We identified aberrant expression of genes associated with meiosis and TGF-β signaling, alteration in alternative splicing regulation and differential expression of specific lncRNAs such as Fendrr. Epigenetic profiling revealed reduced H3K27me3 deposition at numerous pro-differentiation genes during SSC differentiation as well as aberrant H3K27me3 distribution at genes in Wnt and TGF-β signaling upon aging. Finally, aged undifferentiated spermatogonia exhibited gene body hypomethylation, which is accompanied by an elevated 5hmC level. We believe this in-depth molecular analysis will serve as a reference for future analysis of SSC aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyue Liao
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hoi Ching Suen
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Alfred Chun Shui Luk
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lele Yang
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Annie Wing Tung Lee
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Huayu Qi
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tin-Lap Lee
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
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35
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Dudhwala ZM, Hammond PD, Howarth GS, Cummins AG. Intestinal stem cells promote crypt fission during postnatal growth of the small intestine. BMJ Open Gastroenterol 2021; 7:bmjgast-2020-000388. [PMID: 32586946 PMCID: PMC7319781 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgast-2020-000388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Wnt-β-catenin signalling is essential for intestinal stem cells. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between intestinal stem cells and crypt fission which peaks during infancy. Design Duodenal biopsies were obtained during endoscopy to assess the severity of reflux oesophagitis of 15 infants, children and teenagers, which would not affect the duodenum. Samples of small intestine were also obtained from rats 7–72 days of life. Crypt fission was assessed using microdissection of 100 whole crypts and recording the percentage of bifid crypts. Intestinal LGR5+ stem cells were identified by in situ hybridisation. Rats were treated with Dickkopf to block Wnt-β-catenin signalling. Results Crypt fission peaked during infancy before declining after 3–4 years in humans and after 21 days of life in rats. Occasional mitotic figures were seen in bifid crypts during early fission. Stem cells were elevated for a greater period during infancy and childhood in humans. Clustering of Paneth cells was present around the stem cells at the crypt base. Dickkopf reduced the number of stem cells and crypt fission to 45% and 29%, respectively, of control values, showing dependence of both crypt fission and Lgr5+ stem cells on Wnt signalling. However, Dickkopf did not decrease mitotic count per crypt, indicating a difference in signalling between stem cells and their progeny in the transit amplifying zone. Conclusion Crypt fission peaks during infancy and is dependent on intestinal stem cells. This is relatively hidden by ‘a cloak of invisibility’ due to the low proliferation of stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenab Mustansir Dudhwala
- Gastroenterology, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, Woodville South, South Australia, Australia .,Surgery, The University of Adelaide - North Terrace Campus, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Paul D Hammond
- Gastroenterology, Women's and Children's Hospital Adelaide, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Gordon S Howarth
- Gastroenterology, Women's and Children's Hospital Adelaide, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Adrian Gerard Cummins
- Surgery, The University of Adelaide - North Terrace Campus, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Gastroenterology, Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research, Woodville South, South Australia, Australia
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36
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Targeting the crosstalk between canonical Wnt/β-catenin and inflammatory signaling cascades: A novel strategy for cancer prevention and therapy. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 227:107876. [PMID: 33930452 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Emerging scientific evidence indicates that inflammation is a critical component of tumor promotion and progression. Most cancers originate from sites of chronic irritation, infections and inflammation, underscoring that the tumor microenvironment is largely orchestrated by inflammatory cells and pro-inflammatory molecules. These inflammatory components are intimately involved in neoplastic processes which foster proliferation, survival, invasion, and migration, making inflammation the primary target for cancer prevention and treatment. The influence of inflammation and the immune system on the progression and development of cancer has recently gained immense interest. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, an evolutionarily conserved signaling strategy, has a critical role in regulating tissue development. It has been implicated as a major player in cancer development and progression with its regulatory role on inflammatory cascades. Many naturally-occurring and small synthetic molecules endowed with inherent anti-inflammatory properties inhibit this aberrant signaling pathway, making them a promising class of compounds in the fight against inflammatory cancers. This article analyzes available scientific evidence and suggests a crosslink between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and inflammatory pathways in inflammatory cancers, especially breast, gastrointestinal, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. We also highlight emerging experimental findings that numerous anti-inflammatory synthetic and natural compounds target the crosslink between Wnt/β-catenin pathway and inflammatory cascades to achieve cancer prevention and intervention. Current challenges, limitations, and future directions of research are also discussed.
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37
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Sphyris N, Hodder MC, Sansom OJ. Subversion of Niche-Signalling Pathways in Colorectal Cancer: What Makes and Breaks the Intestinal Stem Cell. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1000. [PMID: 33673710 PMCID: PMC7957493 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The intestinal epithelium fulfils pleiotropic functions in nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and immune surveillance while also forming a barrier against luminal toxins and gut-resident microbiota. Incessantly barraged by extraneous stresses, the intestine must continuously replenish its epithelial lining and regenerate the full gamut of specialized cell types that underpin its functions. Homeostatic remodelling is orchestrated by the intestinal stem cell (ISC) niche: a convergence of epithelial- and stromal-derived cues, which maintains ISCs in a multipotent state. Following demise of homeostatic ISCs post injury, plasticity is pervasive among multiple populations of reserve stem-like cells, lineage-committed progenitors, and/or fully differentiated cell types, all of which can contribute to regeneration and repair. Failure to restore the epithelial barrier risks seepage of toxic luminal contents, resulting in inflammation and likely predisposing to tumour formation. Here, we explore how homeostatic niche-signalling pathways are subverted in tumorigenesis, enabling ISCs to gain autonomy from niche restraints ("ISC emancipation") and transform into cancer stem cells capable of driving tumour initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. We further consider the implications of the pervasive plasticity of the intestinal epithelium for the trajectory of colorectal cancer, the emergence of distinct molecular subtypes, the propensity to metastasize, and the development of effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Sphyris
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; (N.S.); (M.C.H.)
| | - Michael C. Hodder
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; (N.S.); (M.C.H.)
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Owen J. Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; (N.S.); (M.C.H.)
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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38
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Caspi M, Wittenstein A, Kazelnik M, Shor-Nareznoy Y, Rosin-Arbesfeld R. Therapeutic targeting of the oncogenic Wnt signaling pathway for treating colorectal cancer and other colonic disorders. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 169:118-136. [PMID: 33346022 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The canonical Wnt pathway is one of the key cellular signaling cascades that regulates, via the transcriptional co-activator β-catenin, numerous embryogenic developmental processes, as well as tissue homeostasis. It is therefore not surprising that misregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been implicated in carcinogenesis. Aberrant Wnt signaling has been reported in a variety of malignancies, and its role in both hereditary and sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC), has been the subject of intensive study. Interestingly, the vast majority of colorectal tumors harbor mutations in the tumor suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). The Wnt pathway is complex, and despite decades of research, the mechanisms that underlie its functions are not completely known. Thus, although the Wnt cascade is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention against CRC, one of the malignancies with the highest morbidity and mortality rates, achieving efficacy and safety is yet extremely challenging. Here, we review the current knowledge of the Wnt different epistatic signaling components and the mechanism/s by which the signal is transduced in both health and disease, focusing on CRC. We address some of the important questions in the field and describe various therapeutic strategies designed to combat unregulated Wnt signaling, the development of targeted therapy approaches and the emerging challenges that are associated with these advanced methods.
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39
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Extrinsic Regulators of mRNA Translation in Developing Brain: Story of WNTs. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020253. [PMID: 33525513 PMCID: PMC7911671 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrinsic molecules such as morphogens can regulate timed mRNA translation events in developing neurons. In particular, Wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 3 (Wnt3), was shown to regulate the translation of Foxp2 mRNA encoding a Forkhead transcription factor P2 in the neocortex. However, the Wnt receptor that possibly mediates these translation events remains unknown. Here, we report Frizzled member 7 (Fzd7) as the Wnt3 receptor that lays downstream in Wnt3-regulated mRNA translation. Fzd7 proteins co-localize with Wnt3 ligands in developing neocortices. In addition, the Fzd7 proteins overlap in layer-specific neuronal subpopulations expressing different transcription factors, Foxp1 and Foxp2. When Fzd7 was silenced, we found decreased Foxp2 protein expression and increased Foxp1 protein expression, respectively. The Fzd7 silencing also disrupted the migration of neocortical glutamatergic neurons. In contrast, Fzd7 overexpression reversed the pattern of migratory defects and Foxp protein expression that we found in the Fzd7 silencing. We further discovered that Fzd7 is required for Wnt3-induced Foxp2 mRNA translation. Surprisingly, we also determined that the Fzd7 suppression of Foxp1 protein expression is not Wnt3 dependent. In conclusion, it is exhibited that the interaction between Wnt3 and Fzd7 regulates neuronal identity and the Fzd7 receptor functions as a downstream factor in ligand Wnt3 signaling for mRNA translation. In particular, the Wnt3-Fzd7 signaling axis determines the deep layer Foxp2-expressing neurons of developing neocortices. Our findings also suggest that Fzd7 controls the balance of the expression for Foxp transcription factors in developing neocortical neurons. These discoveries are presented in our manuscript within a larger framework of this review on the role of extrinsic factors in regulating mRNA translation.
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40
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Adonin L, Drozdov A, Barlev NA. Sea Urchin as a Universal Model for Studies of Gene Networks. Front Genet 2021; 11:627259. [PMID: 33552139 PMCID: PMC7854572 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.627259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus has been used for over 150 years as a model organism in developmental biology. Using this model species, scientists have been able to describe, in detail, the mechanisms of cell cycle control and cell adhesion, fertilization, calcium signaling, cell differentiation, and death. Massive parallel sequencing of the sea urchin genome enabled the deciphering of the main components of gene regulatory networks during the activation of embryonic signaling pathways. This knowledge helped to extrapolate aberrations in somatic cells that may lead to diseases, including cancer in humans. Furthermore, since many, if not all, developmental signaling pathways were shown to be controlled by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), the sea urchin organism represents an attractive experimental model. In this review, we discuss the main discoveries in the genetics, genomics, and transcriptomics of sea urchins during embryogenesis with the main focus on the role of ncRNAs. This information may be useful for comparative studies between different organisms, and may help identify new regulatory networks controlled by ncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid Adonin
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia.,Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen State University, Tyumen, Russia.,Orekhovich Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anatoliy Drozdov
- Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Nickolai A Barlev
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia.,Orekhovich Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia.,Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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41
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Zhou JY, Huang DG, Gao CQ, Yan HC, Zou SG, Wang XQ. Heat-stable enterotoxin inhibits intestinal stem cell expansion to disrupt the intestinal integrity by downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Stem Cells 2021; 39:482-496. [PMID: 33373490 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli causes severe infectious diarrhea with high morbidity and mortality in newborn and weanling pigs mainly through the production of heat-stable enterotoxins (STs). However, the precise regulatory mechanisms involved in ST-induced intestinal epithelium injury remain unclear. Consequently, we conducted the experiments in vivo (mice), ex vivo (mouse and porcine enteroids), and in vitro (MODE-K and IPEC-J2 cells) to explore the effect of STp (one type of STa) on the integrity of the intestinal epithelium. The results showed that acute STp exposure led to small intestinal edema, disrupted intestinal integrity, induced crypt cell expansion into spheroids, and downregulated Wnt/β-catenin activity in the mice. Following a similar trend, the enteroid-budding efficiency and the expression of Active β-catenin, β-catenin, Lgr5, PCNA, and KRT20 were significantly decreased after STp treatment, as determined ex vivo. In addition, STp inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis, destroyed cell barriers, and reduced Wnt/β-catenin activity by downregulating its membrane receptor Frizzled7 (FZD7). In contrast, Wnt/β-catenin reactivation protected the IPEC-J2 cells from STp-induced injury. Taking these findings together, we conclude that STp inhibits intestinal stem cell expansion to disrupt the integrity of the intestinal mucosa through the downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yi Zhou
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Deng-Gui Huang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Qi Gao
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Chao Yan
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi-Geng Zou
- Wen's Group Academy, Wen's Foodstuffs Group Co, Ltd, Xinxing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Qi Wang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University/Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control/National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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42
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Sprangers J, Zaalberg IC, Maurice MM. Organoid-based modeling of intestinal development, regeneration, and repair. Cell Death Differ 2021; 28:95-107. [PMID: 33208888 PMCID: PMC7852609 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-00665-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal epithelium harbors a remarkable adaptability to undergo injury-induced repair. A key part of the regenerative response is the transient reprogramming of epithelial cells into a fetal-like state, which drives uniform proliferation, tissue remodeling, and subsequent restoration of the homeostatic state. In this review, we discuss how Wnt and YAP signaling pathways control the intestinal repair response and the transitioning of cell states, in comparison with the process of intestinal development. Furthermore, we highlight how organoid-based applications have contributed to the characterization of the mechanistic principles and key players that guide these developmental and regenerative events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joep Sprangers
- Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Irene C Zaalberg
- Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Madelon M Maurice
- Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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43
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Kim MJ, Huang Y, Park JI. Targeting Wnt Signaling for Gastrointestinal Cancer Therapy: Present and Evolving Views. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3638. [PMID: 33291655 PMCID: PMC7761926 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling governs tissue development, homeostasis, and regeneration. However, aberrant activation of Wnt promotes tumorigenesis. Despite the ongoing efforts to manipulate Wnt signaling, therapeutic targeting of Wnt signaling remains challenging. In this review, we provide an overview of current clinical trials to target Wnt signaling, with a major focus on gastrointestinal cancers. In addition, we discuss the caveats and alternative strategies for therapeutically targeting Wnt signaling for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon Jong Kim
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.J.K.); (Y.H.)
| | - Yuanjian Huang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.J.K.); (Y.H.)
| | - Jae-Il Park
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.J.K.); (Y.H.)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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44
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Nikolenko VN, Oganesyan MV, Sankova MV, Bulygin KV, Vovkogon AD, Rizaeva NA, Sinelnikov MY. Paneth cells: Maintaining dynamic microbiome-host homeostasis, protecting against inflammation and cancer. Bioessays 2020; 43:e2000180. [PMID: 33244814 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The human intestines are constantly under the influence of numerous pathological factors: enteropathogenic microorganisms, food antigens, physico-chemical stress associated with digestion and bacterial metabolism, therefore it must be provided with a system of protection against adverse impact. Recent studies have shown that Paneth cells play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis of the small intestines. Paneth cells perform many vital functions aimed at maintaining a homeostatic balance between normal microbiota, infectious pathogens and the human body, regulate the qualitative composition and number of intestinal microorganisms, prevent the introduction of potentially pathogenic species, and protect stem cells from damage. Paneth cells take part in adaptive and protective-inflammatory reactions. Paneth cells maintain dynamic balance between microbial populations, and the macroorganism, preventing the development of intestinal infections and cancer. They play a crucial role in gastrointestinal homeostasis and may be key factors in the etiopathological progression of intestinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Nikolenko
- Department of Human Anatomy, First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M.Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia.,Department of Normal and Topographic Anatomy, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marine V Oganesyan
- Department of Human Anatomy, First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M.Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria V Sankova
- Department of Human Anatomy, First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M.Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Kirill V Bulygin
- Department of Human Anatomy, First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M.Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia.,Department of Normal and Topographic Anatomy, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andzhela D Vovkogon
- Department of Human Anatomy, First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M.Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Negoriya A Rizaeva
- Department of Human Anatomy, First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M.Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
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45
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Sun Y, Wang W, Zhao C. Frizzled Receptors in Tumors, Focusing on Signaling, Roles, Modulation Mechanisms, and Targeted Therapies. Oncol Res 2020; 28:661-674. [PMID: 32998794 PMCID: PMC7962935 DOI: 10.3727/096504020x16014648664459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt molecules play crucial roles in development and adult homeostasis through their receptors Frizzled proteins (Fzds). Fzds mediate canonical β-catenin pathway and various noncanonical β-catenin-independent pathways. Aberrant Fzd signaling is involved in many diseases including cancer. Wnt/β-catenin is a well-established oncogenic pathway involved in almost every aspect of tumor development. However, Fzd-mediated noncanonical Wnt pathways function as both tumor promoters and tumor suppressors depending on cellular context. Fzd-targeted therapies have proven to be effective on cultured tumor cells, tumor cell xenografts, mouse tumor models, and patient-derived xenografts (PDX). Moreover, Fzd-targeted therapies synergize with chemotherapy in preclinical models. However, the occurrence of fragility fractures in patients treated with Fzd-targeted agents such as OMP-54F28 and OMP-18R5 limits the development of this combination. Along with new insights on signaling, roles, and modulation mechanisms of Fzds in human tumors, more Fzd-related therapeutic targets will be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Sun
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical UniversityShenyangP.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical UniversityShenyangP.R. China
| | - Chenghai Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical UniversityShenyangP.R. China
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46
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Yin P, Bai Y, Wang Z, Sun Y, Gao J, Na L, Zhang Z, Wang W, Zhao C. Non-canonical Fzd7 signaling contributes to breast cancer mesenchymal-like stemness involving Col6a1. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:143. [PMID: 32894152 PMCID: PMC7487719 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00646-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal-like stemness is characterized by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Breast cancer (BC) cell mesenchymal-like stemness is responsible for distal lung metastasis. Interrogation of databases showed that Fzd7 was closely associated with a panel of mesenchymal-related genes and a panel of stemness-related genes. Fzd7 knockdown in mesenchymal-like MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells reduced expression of Vimentin, Slug and Zeb1, induced an epithelial-like morphology, inhibited cell motility, impaired mammosphere formation and decreased Lgr5+ subpopulation. In contrast, Fzd7 overexpression in MCF7 cells resulted in opposite changes. Fzd7 knockdown delayed xenograft tumor formation, suppressed tumor growth, and impaired lung metastasis. Mechanistically, Fzd7 combined with Wnt5a/b and modulated expression of phosphorylated Stat3 (p-STAT3), Smad3 and Yes-associated protein 1 (Yap1). Moreover, Fzd7-Wnt5b modulated expression of collagen, type VI, alpha 1 (Col6a1). Both Wnt5b knockdown and Col6a1 knockdown disrupted BC cell mesenchymal phenotype and stemness. Taken together, Fzd7 contributes to BC cell EMT and stemness, inducing tumorigenesis and metastasis, mainly through a non-canonical Wnt5b pathway. Col6a1 is implicated in Fzd7-Wnt5b signaling, and mediates Fzd7-Wnt5b -induced mesenchymal-like stemness. Video Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Yin
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Bai
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Department of Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lei Na
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhongbo Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Chenghai Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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47
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Diverse LEF/TCF Expression in Human Colorectal Cancer Correlates with Altered Wnt-Regulated Transcriptome in a Meta-Analysis of Patient Biopsies. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11050538. [PMID: 32403323 PMCID: PMC7288467 DOI: 10.3390/genes11050538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrantly activated Wnt signaling causes cellular transformation that can lead to human colorectal cancer. Wnt signaling is mediated by Lymphoid Enhancer Factor/T-Cell Factor (LEF/TCF) DNA-binding factors. Here we investigate whether altered LEF/TCF expression is conserved in human colorectal tumor sample and may potentially be correlated with indicators of cancer progression. We carried out a meta-analysis of carefully selected publicly available gene expression data sets with paired tumor biopsy and adjacent matched normal tissues from colorectal cancer patients. Our meta-analysis confirms that among the four human LEF/TCF genes, LEF1 and TCF7 are preferentially expressed in tumor biopsies, while TCF7L2 and TCF7L1 in normal control tissue. We also confirm positive correlation of LEF1 and TCF7 expression with hallmarks of active Wnt signaling (i.e., AXIN2 and LGR5). We are able to correlate differential LEF/TCF gene expression with distinct transcriptomes associated with cell adhesion, extracellular matrix organization, and Wnt receptor feedback regulation. We demonstrate here in human colorectal tumor sample correlation of altered LEF/TCF gene expression with quantitatively and qualitatively different transcriptomes, suggesting LEF/TCF-specific transcriptional regulation of Wnt target genes relevant for cancer progression and survival. This bioinformatics analysis provides a foundation for future more detailed, functional, and molecular analyses aimed at dissecting such functional differences.
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48
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Chen H, Lu C, Ouyang B, Zhang H, Huang Z, Bhatia D, Lee SJ, Shah D, Sura A, Yeh WC, Li Y. Development of Potent, Selective Surrogate WNT Molecules and Their Application in Defining Frizzled Requirements. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:598-609.e4. [PMID: 32220333 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
WNTs regulate myriad biological processes during embryonic development and are key regulators of stem cell function, tissue homeostasis, and injury repair in adults. The creation of WNT-based therapies has been hampered by challenges in developing soluble, potent, and selective WNT molecules. Soluble WNT surrogates have been reported, but they demonstrate relatively weak WNT signaling activity. Here, we describe a platform for potent, selective WNT surrogate generation. We identify multivalent binding to Frizzleds (FZDs) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins (LRPs) to be a requirement for maximal WNT/β-catenin activation. Furthermore, we show that recruitment of two different FZDs together with LRP causes efficient signaling. Surrogate WNT targeting either FZD1,2,7 or FZD5,8 induces expansive growth of intestinal organoids. This flexible WNT surrogate platform yields potent agonists with any desired receptor specificity and will be useful for research and therapeutic applications for tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- Surrozen Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Chenggang Lu
- Surrozen Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Brian Ouyang
- Surrozen Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Haili Zhang
- Surrozen Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Zhong Huang
- Surrozen Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Diksha Bhatia
- Surrozen Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Sung-Jin Lee
- Surrozen Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Darshini Shah
- Surrozen Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Asmiti Sura
- Surrozen Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Wen-Chen Yeh
- Surrozen Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Surrozen Inc., 171 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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49
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Clostridioides difficile infection damages colonic stem cells via TcdB, impairing epithelial repair and recovery from disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:8064-8073. [PMID: 32198200 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1915255117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal infections often induce epithelial damage that must be repaired for optimal gut function. While intestinal stem cells are critical for this regeneration process [R. C. van der Wath, B. S. Gardiner, A. W. Burgess, D. W. Smith, PLoS One 8, e73204 (2013); S. Kozar et al., Cell Stem Cell 13, 626-633 (2013)], how they are impacted by enteric infections remains poorly defined. Here, we investigate infection-mediated damage to the colonic stem cell compartment and how this affects epithelial repair and recovery from infection. Using the pathogen Clostridioides difficile, we show that infection disrupts murine intestinal cellular organization and integrity deep into the epithelium, to expose the otherwise protected stem cell compartment, in a TcdB-mediated process. Exposure and susceptibility of colonic stem cells to intoxication compromises their function during infection, which diminishes their ability to repair the injured epithelium, shown by altered stem cell signaling and a reduction in the growth of colonic organoids from stem cells isolated from infected mice. We also show, using both mouse and human colonic organoids, that TcdB from epidemic ribotype 027 strains does not require Frizzled 1/2/7 binding to elicit this dysfunctional stem cell state. This stem cell dysfunction induces a significant delay in recovery and repair of the intestinal epithelium of up to 2 wk post the infection peak. Our results uncover a mechanism by which an enteric pathogen subverts repair processes by targeting stem cells during infection and preventing epithelial regeneration, which prolongs epithelial barrier impairment and creates an environment in which disease recurrence is likely.
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50
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APC controls Wnt-induced β-catenin destruction complex recruitment in human colonocytes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2957. [PMID: 32076059 PMCID: PMC7031393 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59899-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for intestinal homeostasis and is aberrantly activated in most colorectal cancers (CRC) through mutation of the tumor suppressor Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC). APC is an essential component of a cytoplasmic protein complex that targets β-catenin for destruction. Following Wnt ligand presentation, this complex is inhibited. However, a role for APC in this inhibition has not been shown. Here, we utilized Wnt3a-beads to locally activate Wnt co-receptors. In response, the endogenous β-catenin destruction complex reoriented toward the local Wnt cue in CRC cells with full-length APC, but not if APC was truncated or depleted. Non-transformed human colon epithelial cells displayed similar Wnt-induced destruction complex localization which appeared to be dependent on APC and less so on Axin. Our results expand the current model of Wnt/β-catenin signaling such that in response to Wnt, the β-catenin destruction complex: (1) maintains composition and binding to β-catenin, (2) moves toward the plasma membrane, and (3) requires full-length APC for this relocalization.
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