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Wang Z, Chen S, Guo Y, Zhang R, Zhang Q, Jiang X, Li M, Jiang Y, Ye L, Guo X, Li C, Zhang G, Li D, Chen L, Chen W. Intestinal carcinogenicity screening of environmental pollutants using organoid-based cell transformation assay. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1937-1951. [PMID: 38563870 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03729-y] [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: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The high incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is closely associated with environmental pollutant exposure. To identify potential intestinal carcinogens, we developed a cell transformation assay (CTA) using mouse adult stem cell-derived intestinal organoids (mASC-IOs) and assessed the transformation potential on 14 representative chemicals, including Cd, iPb, Cr-VI, iAs-III, Zn, Cu, PFOS, BPA, MEHP, AOM, DMH, MNNG, aspirin, and metformin. We optimized the experimental protocol based on cytotoxicity, amplification, and colony formation of chemical-treated mASC-IOs. In addition, we assessed the accuracy of in vitro study and the human tumor relevance through characterizing interdependence between cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions, tumorigenicity, pathological feature of subcutaneous tumors, and CRC-related molecular signatures. Remarkably, the results of cell transformation in 14 chemicals showed a strong concordance with epidemiological findings (8/10) and in vivo mouse studies (12/14). In addition, we found that the increase in anchorage-independent growth was positively correlated with the tumorigenicity of tested chemicals. Through analyzing the dose-response relationship of anchorage-independent growth by benchmark dose (BMD) modeling, the potent intestinal carcinogens were identified, with their carcinogenic potency ranked from high to low as AOM, Cd, MEHP, Cr-VI, iAs-III, and DMH. Importantly, the activity of chemical-transformed mASC-IOs was associated with the degree of cellular differentiation of subcutaneous tumors, altered transcription of oncogenic genes, and activated pathways related to CRC development, including Apc, Trp53, Kras, Pik3ca, Smad4 genes, as well as WNT and BMP signaling pathways. Taken together, we successfully developed a mASC-IO-based CTA, which might serve as a potential alternative for intestinal carcinogenicity screening of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Wang
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Shen Chen
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yuzhi Guo
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xinhang Jiang
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Miao Li
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Lizhu Ye
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiaoyu Guo
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Chuang Li
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Guangtong Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Daochuan Li
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wen Chen
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Kim H, Kim BH, Lee D, Shin E. Genomic alterations in signet ring and mucinous patterned colorectal carcinoma. Pathol Res Pract 2019; 215:152566. [PMID: 31400926 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2019.152566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic alterations (GAs) in two specific histological subtypes of colorectal cancer (CRC), signet ring cell colorectal carcinoma (SRC) and mucinous colorectal carcinoma (MC), are not well known. In the present study, we employed next-generation sequencing to perform genetic profiling of SRC and MC, and compared the spectrum of GAs with the alterations found in conventional type colorectal cancer (CON). MATERIALS AND METHODS We selected 46 CRCs comprising 17 SRCs and mucinous carcinoma with signet ring cell component (SRCCs), 17 MCs, and 12 CONs with microsatellite stability or microsatellite instability-low. Deep sequencing was performed using a targeted cancer panel composed of 171 cancer-related genes. SMAD4 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS We detected 108 mutations in 18 different genes. Overall, 2.34 GAs were detected per tumor (range, 0-14). The overall frequency of GA and alteration in targetable genes was less prevalent in SRC/SRCC compared to the frequency of alteration in MC/CON (p = 0.040 and p < 0.001, respectively). The GA profile of SRC/SRCC included TP53 (8/17, 47.1%), SMAD4 (5/17, 29.4%), KRAS (4/17.23.5%), APC (4/17.23.5%), PIK3CA, ATM, BRAF, and PIK3R1 (1/17, 5.9%, each). KRAS mutation was significantly less prevalent in SRC/SRCC compared to the number of KRAS mutations in MC (12/17, 70.6%) and CON (9/12, 75.0%) (p = 0.015 and 0.01, respectively). Compared to the 152 non-hypermutated CONs from TCGA database, SMAD4 alteration was predominant in SRC/SRCC (p = 0.045) with aberrant loss of SMAD4 expression (13/17, 76.5%) compared to the SMAD4 alterations in CON (5/15, 33.3%) (p = 0.031). Accordingly, KRAS (12/17, 70.6%), APC (6/17, 35.3%), SMAD4, TP53 (4/17, 23.5%, each), PIK3CA (3/17, 17.6%), AKT1, ATM, BRAF, EGFR, and EZH2 (1/17, 5.9%, each) were altered in MC. APC and TP53 mutations were less frequent in MC compared to those in TCGA-CON (p < 0.001 and 0.003, respectively) whereas KRAS mutation was prevalent (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION Alterations of known cancer associated genes and targetable genes in SRC/SRCC are infrequent. The profile of GAs in SRC/SRCC and MC differs from the GA profile of CON. Specifically, SMAD4 mutation and loss of SMAD4 expression is frequently found in SRC/SRCC. The genetic profiles revealed in the present study may aid in developing precision medicine for CRC treatment based on histological subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunchul Kim
- Department of Pathology, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, South Korea
| | - Bo-Hyung Kim
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Donghwan Lee
- Department of Statistics, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Shin
- Department of Pathology, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, South Korea; Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, South Korea.
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Yan P, Klingbiel D, Saridaki Z, Ceppa P, Curto M, McKee TA, Roth A, Tejpar S, Delorenzi M, Bosman FT, Fiocca R. Reduced Expression of SMAD4 Is Associated with Poor Survival in Colon Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:3037-47. [PMID: 26861460 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-0939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE SMAD4 loss is associated with the development of metastases and poor prognosis. We evaluated expression of SMAD4 protein and its association with tumor characteristics, including biomarkers and outcome in terms of relapse-free survival and overall survival. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We used 1,564 stage II/III colon cancer samples from PETACC-3 to evaluate SMAD4 expression by immunohistochemistry. SMAD4 protein expression was validated by assessing mRNA expression using available expression array data. SMAD4 expression was also studied on 34 adenomas and 10 colon cancer liver metastases with their primaries. Loss of SMAD4 immunoreactivity was defined as focal or diffuse. Cases without SMAD4 loss were subdivided into those with strong and weak expression. RESULTS SMAD4 protein expression was informative in 1,381/1,564 cases. SMAD4 loss was found in 293/1,381 (21%) cases. Of 1,088 cases without SMAD4 loss (79%), 530 showed weak and 558 strong expression. SMAD4 loss occurred also in adenomas, but less extensively than in carcinomas. Liver metastases followed mostly the expression pattern of the primary tumor. SMAD4 loss, including weak expression, identified patients with poor survival in stage II as well as III and in both treatment arms. SMAD4 loss was less frequent in tumors with microsatellite instability and more frequent in those with loss of heterozygosity of 18q. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that clonal loss of SMAD4 expression in adenomas, carcinomas, and liver metastases increases with disease progression. SMAD4 loss, and to a lesser extent weak expression, is strongly associated with poor survival regardless of stage. Clin Cancer Res; 22(12); 3037-47. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Yan
- Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dirk Klingbiel
- Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research SAKK, Coordinating Center, Bern, Switzerland. Bioinformatics Core Facility, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zenia Saridaki
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Voutes, Heraklion, Greece. Digestive Oncology Unit, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paola Ceppa
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Genoa and IRCCS S. Martino/IST University Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Monica Curto
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Genoa and IRCCS S. Martino/IST University Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Arnaud Roth
- Oncosurgery Unit, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Tejpar
- Digestive Oncology Unit, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mauro Delorenzi
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. Department of Oncology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. Bioinformatics Core Facility, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fredrik T Bosman
- Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Fiocca
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Genoa and IRCCS S. Martino/IST University Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
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4
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Mechanisms of action of bone morphogenetic proteins in cancer. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2015; 27:81-92. [PMID: 26678814 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play fundamental roles in embryonic development and control differentiation of a diverse set of cell types. It is therefore of no surprise that the BMPs also contribute to the process of tumourigenesis and regulate cancer progression through various stages. We summarise here key roles of BMP ligands, receptors, their signalling mediators, mainly focusing on proteins of the Smad family, and extracellular antagonists, that contribute to the onset of tumourigenesis and to cancer progression in diverse tissues. Overall, the BMP pathways seem to act as tumour suppressors that maintain physiological tissue homeostasis and which are perturbed in cancer either via genetic mutation or via epigenetic misregulation of key gene components. BMPs also control the self-renewal and fate choices made by stem cells in several tissues. By promoting cell differentiation, including inhibition of the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, BMPs contribute to the malignant progression of cancer at advanced stages. It is therefore reasonable that pharmaceutical industries continuously develop biological agents and chemical modulators of BMP signalling with the aim to improve therapeutic regimes against several types of cancer.
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5
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Wang RN, Green J, Wang Z, Deng Y, Qiao M, Peabody M, Zhang Q, Ye J, Yan Z, Denduluri S, Idowu O, Li M, Shen C, Hu A, Haydon RC, Kang R, Mok J, Lee MJ, Luu HL, Shi LL. Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling in development and human diseases. Genes Dis 2014; 1:87-105. [PMID: 25401122 PMCID: PMC4232216 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2014.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 658] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are a group of signaling molecules that belongs to the Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of proteins. Initially discovered for their ability to induce bone formation, BMPs are now known to play crucial roles in all organ systems. BMPs are important in embryogenesis and development, and also in maintenance of adult tissue homeostasis. Mouse knockout models of various components of the BMP signaling pathway result in embryonic lethality or marked defects, highlighting the essential functions of BMPs. In this review, we first outline the basic aspects of BMP signaling and then focus on genetically manipulated mouse knockout models that have helped elucidate the role of BMPs in development. A significant portion of this review is devoted to the prominent human pathologies associated with dysregulated BMP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard N. Wang
- The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jordan Green
- The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Zhongliang Wang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medicine, and Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Youlin Deng
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medicine, and Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Min Qiao
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medicine, and Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Michael Peabody
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Qian Zhang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medicine, and Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jixing Ye
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- School of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengjian Yan
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medicine, and Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Sahitya Denduluri
- The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Olumuyiwa Idowu
- The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Melissa Li
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Christine Shen
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Alan Hu
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Rex C. Haydon
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Richard Kang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - James Mok
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael J. Lee
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Hue L. Luu
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Lewis L. Shi
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Tang LY, Zhang YE. Non-degradative ubiquitination in Smad-dependent TGF-β signaling. Cell Biosci 2011; 1:43. [PMID: 22204598 PMCID: PMC3293007 DOI: 10.1186/2045-3701-1-43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 12/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is tightly regulated at the level of post-translational modification to transmit quantitative difference in ligand concentration into proportional transcriptional output. Ubiquitination is one such modification with several E3 ubiquitin ligases implicated in TGF-β signaling in marking crucial pathway components for proteasomal degradation. However, ubiquitination, particularly in the mono- or oligo-ubiquitin modifying form, is also known to regulate incorporation of substrate proteins into signaling complexes that involved in DNA repair, kinase activation, and endocytosis. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding the role of such non-degradative ubiquitination in TGF-β signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu-Ya Tang
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
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7
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Wei B, Chen L, Li R, Tian J. Stem cells in gastrointestinal cancers: a matter of choice in cell fate determination. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2011; 10:1621-33. [PMID: 20942633 DOI: 10.1586/era.10.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancerous stem cells share the same properties of self-renewal and differentiation as normal stem cells, and have a similar phenotype to adult stem cells isolated from the same tissue. Some believe that cancer stem cells are derived from mutation of normal stem cells, whereas others suspect them to have different origins. Although complicated and controversial, the stem cell as the progenitor of cancer has found support in leukemia research, and subsequently in some solid tumors. It was first accepted that both stem and progenitor cells could acquire genetic abnormalities that would lead to uncontrolled replication and dysregulated differentiation, causing them to transform into cancerous stem cells that might then initiate and maintain a tumor. In this article, we discuss recent progress in the studies of stomach and intestinal cancer stem cells, while focusing on the complex molecular pathways underlying stem cell transformation and gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. This understanding provides a basis for promising new therapies that may specifically target gastrointestinal cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wei
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fu Xing Road, Beijing 100853, Peoples Republic of China
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8
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TGF-β-regulated tyrosine phosphatases induce lymphocyte apoptosis in Leishmania donovani-infected hamsters. Immunol Cell Biol 2010; 89:466-74. [PMID: 20856262 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2010.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis, which is caused by Leishmania donovani, is one of the major health problems of the Indian subcontinent. Infected hosts have been reported to have impaired lymphoproliferation. However, the fate of anergic cells is still elusive. In the present investigation, L. donovani-infected hamsters were used to study the mechanism of lymphocyte cell death. Lymph node-derived lymphocytes were analysed for apoptotic death through mitochondrial abnormality, caspase activity and DNA degradation. The data demonstrate that the disease progression leads to a gradual impairment of lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of Concanavalin A. The fate of the anergic lymphocytes is intrinsic apoptosis, which is evident by the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, cytosolic release of cytochrome c, caspase activation and DNA fragmentation. Tumour growth factor (TGF)-β, which is secreted by macrophages, was significantly upregulated in the lymph node compartment of infected hamsters. Adding a neutralizing TGF-β antibody and a recombinant TGF-β resulted in the downregulation and induction of lymphocyte apoptosis, respectively. Furthermore, it has been observed that TGF-β triggers the apoptotic death of lymphocytes through the upregulation of tyrosine phosphatase activity and that the use of sodium orthovanadate (Na(3)VO(4), a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor) reduces the apoptotic frequency. Thus, this study clearly reports the novel involvement of tyrosine phosphatases in TGF-β-induced lymphocyte apoptosis in Leishmania-infected hamsters.
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9
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Zeng Q, Phukan S, Xu Y, Sadim M, Rosman DS, Pennison M, Liao J, Yang GY, Huang CC, Valle L, Di Cristofano A, de la Chapelle A, Pasche B. Tgfbr1 haploinsufficiency is a potent modifier of colorectal cancer development. Cancer Res 2009; 69:678-86. [PMID: 19147584 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-3980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling is frequently altered in colorectal cancer. Using a novel model of mice heterozygous for a targeted null mutation of Tgfbr1 crossed with Apc(Min/+) mice, we show that Apc(Min/+);Tgfbr1(+/-) mice develop twice as many intestinal tumors as Apc(Min/+);Tgfbr1(+/+) mice, as well as adenocarcinoma of the colon, without loss of heterozygosity at the Tgfbr1 locus. Decreased Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation and increased cellular proliferation are observed in the colonic epithelium crypts of Apc(Min/+); Tgfbr1(+/-) mice. Smad-mediated TGF-beta signaling is preserved in both Apc(Min/+);Tgfbr1(+/+) and Apc(Min/+);Tgfbr1(+/-) intestinal tumors, but cyclin D1 expression and cellular proliferation are significantly higher in Apc(Min/+);Tgfbr1(+/-) tumors. These results show that constitutively reduced Tgfbr1-mediated TGF-beta signaling significantly enhances colorectal cancer development and results in increased tumor cell proliferation. These findings provide a plausible molecular mechanism for colorectal cancer development in individuals with constitutively altered TGFBR1 expression, a recently identified common form of human colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Zeng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-3300, USA
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10
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Dancea HC, Shareef MM, Ahmed MM. Role of Radiation-induced TGF-beta Signaling in Cancer Therapy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 1:44-56. [PMID: 20336170 DOI: 10.4255/mcpharmacol.09.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
TGF-β signaling regulates several different biological processes involving cell-growth, differentiation, apoptosis, motility, angiogenesis, epithelial mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix production that affects embryonic development and pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer, its effects depending on the cellular context and physiological environment. Growth suppression mediated by TGF-β signaling often associated with inhibition of c-myc, cdks and induction of p15, p27, Bax and p21. Despite its growth inhibitory effect, in certain conditions TGF-β may act as a promoter of cell proliferation and invasion. Loss of responsiveness to growth suppression by TGF-β due to mutation or loss of TGF-beta type II receptor (TβRII) and Smad4 in several different cancer cells are reported. In addition, TGF-β binding to its receptor activates many non-canonical signaling pathways. Radiation induced TGF-β is primarily involved in normal tissue injury and fibrosis. Seminal studies from our group have used radio-adjuvant therapies, involving classical components of the pathway such as TβRII and SMAD4 to overcome the growth promoting effects of TGF-β. The main impediment in the radiation-induced TGF-β signaling is the induction of SMAD7 that blocks TGF-β signaling in a negative feedback manner. It is well demonstrated from our studies that the use of neutralizing antibodies against TGF- β can render a robust radio-resistant effect. Thus, understanding the functional interactions of TGF-β signaling components of the pathway with other molecules may help tailor appropriate adjuvant radio-therapeutic strategies for treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horatiu C Dancea
- Department of General Surgery, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, Pennsylvania
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11
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Kaiser S, Park YK, Franklin JL, Halberg RB, Yu M, Jessen WJ, Freudenberg J, Chen X, Haigis K, Jegga AG, Kong S, Sakthivel B, Xu H, Reichling T, Azhar M, Boivin GP, Roberts RB, Bissahoyo AC, Gonzales F, Bloom GC, Eschrich S, Carter SL, Aronow JE, Kleimeyer J, Kleimeyer M, Ramaswamy V, Settle SH, Boone B, Levy S, Graff JM, Doetschman T, Groden J, Dove WF, Threadgill DW, Yeatman TJ, Coffey RJ, Aronow BJ. Transcriptional recapitulation and subversion of embryonic colon development by mouse colon tumor models and human colon cancer. Genome Biol 2008; 8:R131. [PMID: 17615082 PMCID: PMC2323222 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2007-8-7-r131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 282] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2006] [Revised: 02/12/2007] [Accepted: 07/05/2007] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Colon tumors from four independent mouse models and 100 human colorectal cancers all exhibited striking recapitulation of embryonic colon gene expression from embryonic days 13.5-18.5. Background The expression of carcino-embryonic antigen by colorectal cancer is an example of oncogenic activation of embryonic gene expression. Hypothesizing that oncogenesis-recapitulating-ontogenesis may represent a broad programmatic commitment, we compared gene expression patterns of human colorectal cancers (CRCs) and mouse colon tumor models to those of mouse colon development embryonic days 13.5-18.5. Results We report here that 39 colon tumors from four independent mouse models and 100 human CRCs encompassing all clinical stages shared a striking recapitulation of embryonic colon gene expression. Compared to normal adult colon, all mouse and human tumors over-expressed a large cluster of genes highly enriched for functional association to the control of cell cycle progression, proliferation, and migration, including those encoding MYC, AKT2, PLK1 and SPARC. Mouse tumors positive for nuclear β-catenin shifted the shared embryonic pattern to that of early development. Human and mouse tumors differed from normal embryonic colon by their loss of expression modules enriched for tumor suppressors (EDNRB, HSPE, KIT and LSP1). Human CRC adenocarcinomas lost an additional suppressor module (IGFBP4, MAP4K1, PDGFRA, STAB1 and WNT4). Many human tumor samples also gained expression of a coordinately regulated module associated with advanced malignancy (ABCC1, FOXO3A, LIF, PIK3R1, PRNP, TNC, TIMP3 and VEGF). Conclusion Cross-species, developmental, and multi-model gene expression patterning comparisons provide an integrated and versatile framework for definition of transcriptional programs associated with oncogenesis. This approach also provides a general method for identifying pattern-specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This delineation and categorization of developmental and non-developmental activator and suppressor gene modules can thus facilitate the formulation of sophisticated hypotheses to evaluate potential synergistic effects of targeting within- and between-modules for next-generation combinatorial therapeutics and improved mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Kaiser
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Young-Kyu Park
- Departments of Medicine, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Franklin
- Departments of Medicine, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Richard B Halberg
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Ming Yu
- Department of Genetics and Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Walter J Jessen
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Johannes Freudenberg
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Xiaodi Chen
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Kevin Haigis
- Molecular Pathology Unit and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Sue Kong
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Bhuvaneswari Sakthivel
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Huan Xu
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Timothy Reichling
- Division of Human Cancer Genetics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210-2207, USA
| | - Mohammad Azhar
- Institute for Collaborative BioResearch, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0036, USA
| | - Gregory P Boivin
- University of Cincinnati, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Reade B Roberts
- Department of Genetics and Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Anika C Bissahoyo
- Department of Genetics and Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Fausto Gonzales
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Greg C Bloom
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Steven Eschrich
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Scott L Carter
- Children's Hospital Informatics Program at the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (CHIP@HST), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Jeremy E Aronow
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - John Kleimeyer
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Michael Kleimeyer
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Vivek Ramaswamy
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Stephen H Settle
- Departments of Medicine, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Braden Boone
- Departments of Medicine, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Shawn Levy
- Departments of Medicine, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jonathan M Graff
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Thomas Doetschman
- Institute for Collaborative BioResearch, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0036, USA
| | - Joanna Groden
- Division of Human Cancer Genetics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210-2207, USA
| | - William F Dove
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - David W Threadgill
- Department of Genetics and Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Timothy J Yeatman
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Robert J Coffey
- Departments of Medicine, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Bruce J Aronow
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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12
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Sodir NM, Chen X, Park R, Nickel AE, Conti PS, Moats R, Bading JR, Shibata D, Laird PW. Smad3 deficiency promotes tumorigenesis in the distal colon of ApcMin/+ mice. Cancer Res 2007; 66:8430-8. [PMID: 16951153 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-1437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer, one of the most common human malignancies in the Western world, is often subdivided based on tumor location in either the distal or proximal colon. Several mouse models have been developed to study human colorectal cancer, but few display this clear distinction between the two colonic locations. By crossing Apc(Min/+) and Smad3 mutant mice, we showed that combined activation of the Wnt pathway and attenuation of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) pathway causes high multiplicity and rapid onset of invasive tumorigenesis almost exclusively in the distal colon, closely mimicking the familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) disease and consisting with distinct colorectal cancer etiologies based on tumor location. Transcriptional profiling revealed higher expression of several TGF-beta activators in the normal distal mucosa than in proximal mucosa, suggesting a stronger reliance on TGF-beta-mediated growth control in the distal than in the proximal colon. Apc(Min/+)Smad3(-/-) mice provide an alternative model to Apc(Min/+) mice to study FAP and distal sporadic colorectal cancer. This model will be useful in dissecting mechanistic and etiologic differences between proximal and distal colonic cancer, whereas the confinement of tumorigenesis to the distal colon offers unique advantages in monitoring tumor progression by in vivo imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Sodir
- Department of Surgery and Biochemistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9176, USA
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13
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Kruzelock RP, Short W. Colorectal Cancer Therapeutics and the Challenges of Applied Pharmacogenomics. Curr Probl Cancer 2007; 31:315-66. [PMID: 17905192 DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2007.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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14
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Chen Y, Yee D, Magnuson T. A novel mouse Smad4 mutation reduces protein stability and wild-type protein levels. Mamm Genome 2006; 17:211-9. [PMID: 16518688 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-005-0074-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2005] [Accepted: 11/11/2005] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Smad4 is a key signal transducer of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of growth factors that are critical regulators of embryonic patterning and adult tissue homeostasis. The biological activity of the TGF-beta signaling is tightly controlled at multiple levels, including the abundance of SMAD4 proteins. We previously recovered a novel allele of Smad4 in a gene-based screen in N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-mutagenized mouse embryonic stem cells. The mutation resulted in an unstable truncated protein that is degraded through proteasomal pathways. In the heterozygous state, this allele acts in a dominant negative fashion to reduce the wild-type protein level as well as signaling output. Biochemical characterization indicated that the truncated protein is able to form a complex with the wild-type protein, thus targeting it for proteasomal degradation as well. Phenotypic analyses of the heterozygous animals provided insight into the threshold requirement of Smad4-dependent signaling in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijing Chen
- Department of Genetics, Carolina Center for Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599, USA
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15
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Hance KW, Zeytin HE, Greiner JW. Mouse models expressing human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a transgene: evaluation of CEA-based cancer vaccines. Mutat Res 2005; 576:132-54. [PMID: 15888344 PMCID: PMC2845972 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2004.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2004] [Revised: 10/12/2004] [Accepted: 10/15/2004] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, investigators have carried out several studies designed to evaluate whether human tumor-associated antigens might be exploited as targets for active specific immunotherapy, specifically human cancer vaccines. Not too long ago such an approach would have been met with considerable skepticism because the immune system was believed to be a rigid discriminator between self and non-self which, in turn, protected the host from a variety of pathogens. That viewpoint has been challenged in recent years by a series of studies indicating that antigenic determinants of self have not induced absolute host immune tolerance. Moreover, under specific conditions that evoke danger signals, peptides from self-antigen can be processed by the antigen-presenting cellular machinery, loaded onto the major histocompatibility antigen groove to serve as targets for immune intervention. Those findings provide the rationale to investigate a wide range of tumor-associated antigens, including differentiation antigens, oncogenes, and tumor suppressor genes as possible immune-based targets. One of those tumor-associated antigens is the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Described almost 40 years ago, CEA is a M(r) 180-200,000 oncofetal antigen that is one of the more widely studied human tumor-associated antigens. This review will provide: (i) a brief overview of the CEA gene family, (ii) a summary of early preclinical findings on overcoming immune tolerance to CEA, and (iii) the rationale to develop mouse models which spontaneously develop gastrointestinal tumors and express the CEA transgene. Those models have been used extensively in the study of overcoming host immune tolerance to CEA, a self, tumor-associated antigen, and the experimental findings have served as the rationale for the design of early clinical trials to evaluate CEA-based cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth W. Hance
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute/NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute/NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hasan E. Zeytin
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute/NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - John W. Greiner
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute/NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 301 496 9813; fax: +1 301 496 2756. (J.W. Greiner)
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16
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Mishra L, Shetty K, Tang Y, Stuart A, Byers SW. The role of TGF-beta and Wnt signaling in gastrointestinal stem cells and cancer. Oncogene 2005; 24:5775-89. [PMID: 16123810 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1208924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The past three decades have seen an unremitting quest to identify and understand gastrointestinal stem cells, their plasticity in differentiating across cell types, as well as their role in normal, regenerative, and cancer cells. A fascinating hallmark of stem cells is their ability to undergo assymetric cell division, which entails replication of the DNA followed by division of the nucleus and partitioning of the cytoplasm to yield two different daughter cells: a stem cell as well as a committed progenitor cell, the latter proliferating into differentiated progeny. We are only just beginning to understand how normally quiescent, tissue-specific stem cells interpret a vast array of signals to develop into the gastrointestinal system. These signaling pathways include the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, Wnt, FGFs, Hedgehog, Hox proteins that originate from surrounding mesodermal/stromal tissue as well as endodermal/epithelial tissue. TGF-beta and wnt proteins are key morphogens that ultimately influence cell division and cell fate, so that gut endodermal stem cells enter the cell cycle, and undergo cell division that ultimately leads to differentiated cells such as functional hepatocytes, gastric parietal cells, or gut epithelial cells. Disruptions and errors in this process usually lead to tissue-specific gastrointestinal cancers such as hepatocellular cancers, gastric adenocarcinomas, and colonic adenocarcinomas. An increasingly complex and coherent view of stem/progenitor cell signaling networks, which coordinate cell growth, proliferation, stress management, and survival, is helping to define the fragile areas where malignancies are likely to develop and shows promise for the development of better cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lopa Mishra
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
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17
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Letterio JJ. Disruption of the TGF-beta pathway and modeling human cancer in mice. Mutat Res 2005; 576:120-31. [PMID: 15935406 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2005.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2004] [Revised: 02/28/2005] [Accepted: 03/01/2005] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable complexity underlying the mechanisms through which the TGF-beta signaling pathway regulates the initiation and progression of cancer. Analysis of this pathway and the role that it plays in human malignancy continues to elucidate novel mechanisms through which various genetic and epigenetic events subvert the controls that TGF-beta exerts over cell growth, differentiation, and malignant transformation. Modeling these events in the mouse represents an important goal, as the relevant preclinical models are essential not only for improving our understanding of the role of the TGF-beta pathway in the molecular pathogenesis of cancer, but also as tools for evaluating the impact of novel therapeutics on TGF-beta signaling and the role they may play in the prevention and treatment of malignancies. Here, we consider highlights from a number of in vivo murine model systems and relate a few of the significant observations to what we know about TGF-beta signaling in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Letterio
- Laboratary of Cell Regulation and Carcinogenesis, The Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-5055, USA.
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18
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Zeng L, Kyprianou N. Apoptotic regulators in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN): value in prostate cancer detection and prevention. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2005; 8:7-13. [PMID: 15477876 DOI: 10.1038/sj.pcan.4500757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Early diagnosis of prostate cancer holds tremendous promise for the effective therapy and impact on survival of prostate cancer patients. High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) is generally accepted as a lesion indicative of a late pathological event in the premalignant changes leading to full development of prostate cancer. This review seeks to identify specific molecular events that may be linked directly to the molecular transition from benign prostate epithelial cells to prostate carcinoma. HGPIN is pathologically detected in a limited group of men undergoing prostate cancer screening for an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE). Loss of apoptotic control provides a molecular basis for the contribution of specific defective steps in the pathway towards development and progression of prostate cancer. Comparative dissection of the apoptosis status and expression profile of key apoptotic regulators among foci of highly proliferative benign prostatic epithelium, PIN and prostate adenocarcinoma from adjacent areas of the same gland revealed a novel insight into the dysfunctional apoptosis events contributing to prostate carcinogenesis. The sequential and notable loss of the three critical signaling components of the apoptotic action of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), in the prostate, that is, the transmembrane receptor II (TbetaRII), the key cell cycle inhibitor p27(Kip1), as well as the protagonist downstream effector of the TGF-beta signaling mechanism, Smad4, points to their potential value to 'faithfully' characterize HGPIN, as a premalignant prostate lesion. Recent evidence on the molecular changes in apoptosis regulators contributing to HGPIN and their role as molecular markers of disease onset, as well as candidates for therapeutic targeting/chemoprevention of prostate cancer in its early stages will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Zeng
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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19
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Boivin GP, Washington K, Yang K, Ward JM, Pretlow TP, Russell R, Besselsen DG, Godfrey VL, Doetschman T, Dove WF, Pitot HC, Halberg RB, Itzkowitz SH, Groden J, Coffey RJ. Pathology of mouse models of intestinal cancer: consensus report and recommendations. Gastroenterology 2003; 124:762-77. [PMID: 12612914 DOI: 10.1053/gast.2003.50094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 383] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory P Boivin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, USA.
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20
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Fukuchi M, Masuda N, Miyazaki T, Nakajima M, Osawa H, Kato H, Kuwano H. Decreased Smad4 expression in the transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway during progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer 2002; 95:737-43. [PMID: 12209716 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.10727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has antiproliferative effects in various cells, and inactivation of the TGF-beta signaling pathway contributes to tumor progression or development. Smad4, a tumor suppressor gene, is a central mediator in the signaling pathways of the TGF-beta superfamily. This study was undertaken to clarify the correlation between Smad4 expression and the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The authors also investigated the expression of components of the TGF-beta signaling pathway in seven established cell lines derived from esophageal SCC. METHODS Immunohistochemistry for Smad4 using monoclonal anti-Smad4 antibody was performed on surgical specimens obtained from 80 patients with esophageal SCC. In seven cell lines, the authors examined the expression of components of the TGF-beta signaling pathway using Western and Northern blot analyses. RESULTS There was a significant inverse correlation between Smad4 expression and both depth of invasion (P = 0.0008) and pathologic stage (P = 0.0079). The expression of Smad4 proteins could be detected in five of seven cell lines. The expression of TGF-beta type II receptor protein was decreased in two of seven cell lines, and the expression of both Smad2 and Smad3 proteins was decreased in only one cell line. The level of expression of Smad4 mRNA did not differ dramatically between cell lines and was not correlated with the quantity of Smad4 protein. CONCLUSIONS In this study, the expression of Smad4 protein appeared to be correlated with the depth of invasion of esophageal SCC. The loss of Smad4 expression was not regulated at the level of transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Fukuchi
- Department of Surgery, Gunma University Faculty of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
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21
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Piek E, Roberts AB. Suppressor and oncogenic roles of transforming growth factor-beta and its signaling pathways in tumorigenesis. Adv Cancer Res 2002; 83:1-54. [PMID: 11665716 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-230x(01)83001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been implicated in oncogenesis since the time of its discovery almost 20 years ago. The complex, multifunctional activities of TGF-beta endow it with both tumor suppressor and tumor promoting activities, depending on the stage of carcinogenesis and the responsivity of the tumor cell. Dysregulation or alteration of TGF-beta signaling in tumorigenesis can occur at many different levels, including activation of the ligand, mutation or transcriptional suppression of the receptors, or alteration of downstream signal transduction pathways resulting from mutation or changes in expression patterns of signaling intermediates or from changes in expression of other proteins which modulate signaling. New insights into signaling from the TGF-beta receptors, including the identification of Smad signaling pathways and their interaction with mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways, are providing an understanding of the changes involved in the change from tumor suppressor to tumor promoting activities of TGF-beta. It is now appreciated that loss of sensitivity to inhibition of growth by TGF-beta by most tumor cells is not synonymous with complete loss of TGF-beta signaling but rather suggests that tumor cells gain advantage by selective inactivation of the tumor suppressor activities of TGF-beta with retention of its tumor promoting activities, especially those dependent on cross talk with MAP kinase pathways and AP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Piek
- Laboratory of Cell Regulation and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-8395, USA
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22
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Sturlan S, Oberhuber G, Beinhauer BG, Tichy B, Kappel S, Wang J, Rogy MA. Interleukin-10-deficient mice and inflammatory bowel disease associated cancer development. Carcinogenesis 2001; 22:665-71. [PMID: 11285204 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/22.4.665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-10-deficient mice develop colitis and colorectal cancer similar to the inflammatory bowel disease associated cancer in humans. The aim of this study was to identify possible mutations of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes involved in tumorigenesis in Interleukin-10 (IL-10)-deficient mice. Twenty colon carcinomas from IL-10-deficient mice were screened for mutations in the K-ras and p53 genes by 'cold' single-strand-conformation polymorphism. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect mutations in the proteins P53, APC and MSH2, and the transforming growth factor beta type II receptor. Microsatellite instability was analysed at eight chromosomal loci and plasma levels of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) were also measured. At 9 weeks, 14% of the animals developed colorectal cancer, and at 10-31 weeks the incidence of carcinoma was 65%. No mutations were detected in the analysed oncogene and tumour suppressor genes. Plasma TGF-beta1 levels in IL-10-deficient mice 10-31 weeks old were higher than in wild-type littermates e.g. 45.7 +/- 4.6 ng/ml versus 19.8 +/- 4.5 ng/ml (P<0.01). No alterations in K-ras, p53, APC: and Msh2 genes suggests that other genes are involved in the development of these tumours. Elevated TGF-beta1 plasma levels correspond to the high incidence of dysplasia and cancer. Normal expression of the TGF-beta II receptors hints at genetic alterations in other members of the TGF-beta receptor signal transduction pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sturlan
- Department of General Surgery, University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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23
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is an effective and ubiquitous mediator of cell growth. The significance of this cytokine in cancer susceptibility, cancer development and progression has become apparent over the past few years. TGF-beta plays various roles in the process of malignant progression. It is a potent inhibitor of normal stromal, hematopoietic, and epithelial cell growth. However, at some point during cancer development the majority of transformed cells become either partly or completely resistant to TGF-beta growth inhibition. There is growing evidence that in the later stages of cancer development TGF-beta is actively secreted by tumor cells and not merely acts as a bystander but rather contributes to cell growth, invasion, and metastasis and decreases host-tumor immune responses. Subtle alteration of TGF-beta signaling may also contribute to the development of cancer. These various effects are tissue and tumor dependent. Identifying and understanding TGF-beta signaling pathway abnormalities in various malignancies is a promising avenue of study that may yield new modalities to both prevent and treat cancer. The nature, prevalence, and significance of TGF-beta signaling pathway alterations in various forms of human cancer as well as potential preventive and therapeutic interventions are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Pasche
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, 710 North Fairbanks, Room 8410, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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24
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is an effective and ubiquitous mediator of cell growth. The significance of this cytokine in cancer susceptibility, cancer development and progression has become apparent over the past few years. TGF-beta plays various roles in the process of malignant progression. It is a potent inhibitor of normal stromal, hematopoietic, and epithelial cell growth. However, at some point during cancer development the majority of transformed cells become either partly or completely resistant to TGF-beta growth inhibition. There is growing evidence that in the later stages of cancer development TGF-beta is actively secreted by tumor cells and not merely acts as a bystander but rather contributes to cell growth, invasion, and metastasis and decreases host-tumor immune responses. Subtle alteration of TGF-beta signaling may also contribute to the development of cancer. These various effects are tissue and tumor dependent. Identifying and understanding TGF-beta signaling pathway abnormalities in various malignancies is a promising avenue of study that may yield new modalities to both prevent and treat cancer. The nature, prevalence, and significance of TGF-beta signaling pathway alterations in various forms of human cancer as well as potential preventive and therapeutic interventions are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Pasche
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, 710 North Fairbanks, Room 8410, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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