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DiKun KM, Gudas LJ. Vitamin A and retinoid signaling in the kidneys. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 248:108481. [PMID: 37331524 PMCID: PMC10528136 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108481] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin A (VA, retinol) and its metabolites (commonly called retinoids) are required for the proper development of the kidney during embryogenesis, but retinoids also play key roles in the function and repair of the kidney in adults. Kidneys filter 180-200 liters of blood per day and each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, which are often referred to as the 'functional units' of the kidney. Each nephron consists of a glomerulus and a series of tubules (proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubule, and collecting duct) surrounded by a network of capillaries. VA is stored in the liver and converted to active metabolites, most notably retinoic acid (RA), which acts as an agonist for the retinoic acid receptors ((RARs α, β, and γ) to regulate gene transcription. In this review we discuss some of the actions of retinoids in the kidney after injury. For example, in an ischemia-reperfusion model in mice, injury-associated loss of proximal tubule (PT) differentiation markers occurs, followed by re-expression of these differentiation markers during PT repair. Notably, healthy proximal tubules express ALDH1a2, the enzyme that metabolizes retinaldehyde to RA, but transiently lose ALDH1a2 expression after injury, while nearby myofibroblasts transiently acquire RA-producing capabilities after injury. These results indicate that RA is important for renal tubular injury repair and that compensatory mechanisms exist for the generation of endogenous RA by other cell types upon proximal tubule injury. ALDH1a2 levels also increase in podocytes, epithelial cells of the glomeruli, after injury, and RA promotes podocyte differentiation. We also review the ability of exogenous, pharmacological doses of RA and receptor selective retinoids to treat numerous kidney diseases, including kidney cancer and diabetic kidney disease, and the emerging genetic evidence for the importance of retinoids and their receptors in maintaining or restoring kidney function after injury. In general, RA has a protective effect on the kidney after various types of injuries (eg. ischemia, cytotoxic actions of chemicals, hyperglycemia related to diabetes). As more research into the actions of each of the three RARs in the kidney is carried out, a greater understanding of the actions of vitamin A is likely to lead to new insights into the pathology of kidney disorders and the development of new therapies for kidney diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krysta M DiKun
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA; New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA; Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lorraine J Gudas
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA; Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA.
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Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all gynecologic malignancies. The search for novel treatment modalities to augment traditional chemotherapy and improve quality of life is ongoing. Retinoids, a class of compounds composed of vitamin A, its natural derivatives, and synthetic analogs, have been studied extensively in both the prevention and treatment of gynecologic malignancies. In this article, we reviewed preclinical studies and clinical trials conducted using retinoids in ovarian cancer.
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Fields AL, Soprano DR, Soprano KJ. Retinoids in biological control and cancer. J Cell Biochem 2008; 102:886-98. [PMID: 17902161 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.21530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
More than 80 years ago, Wolbach and Howe provided the first evidence suggesting a link between alterations within human cells that lead to malignancies and vitamin A deficiencies (Wolbach and Howe 1925 Nutr. Rev. 36: 16-19). Since that time, epidemiological, preclinical and clinical studies have established a causative relationship between vitamin A deficiency and cancer. Laboratory research has provided insight into the intracellular targets, various signaling cascades and physiological effects of the biologically-active natural and synthetic derivatives of vitamin A, known as retinoids. Collectively, this body of research supports the concept of retinoids as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents that can prevent epithelial cell tumorigenesis by directing the cells to either differentiate, growth arrest, or undergo apoptosis, thus preventing or reversing neoplasia. Continued refinement of the retinoid signaling pathway is essential to establishing their use as effective therapeutics for tumor subtypes whose oncogenic intracellular signaling pathways can be blocked or reversed by treatment with retinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthonise Louis Fields
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA
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Gumz ML, Zou H, Kreinest PA, Childs AC, Belmonte LS, LeGrand SN, Wu KJ, Luxon BA, Sinha M, Parker AS, Sun LZ, Ahlquist DA, Wood CG, Copland JA. Secreted frizzled-related protein 1 loss contributes to tumor phenotype of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:4740-9. [PMID: 17699851 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Incidence and mortality rates for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have been rising for decades. Unfortunately, the molecular events that support RCC carcinogenesis remain poorly understood. In an effort to gain a better understanding of signaling events in clear cell RCC (cRCC), we investigated the antitumor activity of secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (sFRP1), a negative regulator of Wnt signaling. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Genomic profiling of cRCC tumors and patient-matched normal tissues was done and confirmed using quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. Methylation-specific PCR was done on patient samples to evaluate the mechanism responsible for sFRP1 loss. sFRP1 expression was restored in cRCC cells and the effects on tumor phenotype were characterized. RESULTS Genomic profiling, quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry indicated that loss of sFRP1 occurred in cRCC and papillary RCC patient tissues. Twelve Wnt-regulated genes were up-regulated in cRCC tissues, including c-myc and cyclin D1, potentiators of cell proliferation and survival. Methylation of the sFRP1 gene was one mechanism identified for attenuation of sFRP1 mRNA. Stable reexpression of sFRP1 in cRCC cells resulted in decreased expression of Wnt target genes, decreased growth in cell culture, inhibition of anchorage-independent growth, and decreased tumor growth in athymic nude mice. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report to show that stable restoration of sFRP1 expression in cRCC cells attenuates the cRCC tumor phenotype. Our data support a role for sFRP1 as a tumor suppressor in cRCC and that perhaps loss of sFRP1 is an early, aberrant molecular event in renal cell carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Gumz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA
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Michael A, Hill M, Maraveyas A, Dalgleish A, Lofts F. 13-cis-Retinoic acid in combination with gemcitabine in the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer--report of a pilot phase II study. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2007; 19:150-3. [PMID: 17355112 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2006.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is a cancer with extremely poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A involved in the control of many biological functions, including cell growth and differentiation and the induction of apoptosis. On the basis of pre-clinical evidence and some clinical data, we conducted a phase II study of 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cis-RA) in combination with gemcitabine in patients with unresectable pancreatic carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with histologically confirmed unresectable pancreatic carcinoma were treated with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 8, 15, 22 plus 13-cis-RA 1 mg/kg on days 1-14 for six cycles. The end points included the objective response rate and median survival. RESULTS Thirty patients were recruited, 15 men and 15 women; 20 patients were evaluable. The median age was 65 years (range 44-79 years) and the median Karnofsky performance status was 80% (range 60-100%). The median follow-up was 21 months. One patient achieved a partial remission, seven patients had stable disease and 12 patients developed progressive disease. Toxicity was mainly haematological, with eight cases of grade 3 and four cases of grade 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anaemia. The median survival was 7.8 months (range 2.6-21.6 months). CONCLUSIONS The combination of gemcitabine and 13-cis-RA was well tolerated, but we did not see improvement in the response rate. Further studies with other retinoids may be beneficial to patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Michael
- Oncology Department, St George's Hospital, St James' Wing, Blackshow Road, London SW17 0QT, UK.
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Touma SE, Goldberg JS, Moench P, Guo X, Tickoo SK, Gudas LJ, Nanus DM. Retinoic acid and the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin a inhibit the proliferation of human renal cell carcinoma in a xenograft tumor model. Clin Cancer Res 2005; 11:3558-66. [PMID: 15867260 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-04-1155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is ineffective in the majority of patients. We have previously reported that retinoid-induced up-regulation of retinoic acid receptor beta (RARbeta) correlated with antitumor effects in RCCs. Recent studies show that there is a reduction in the level of RARbeta2 expression in cancer cells due in part to histone hypoacetylation. Therefore, we tested whether combining histone deacetylase inhibitors with retinoic acid (RA) would restore RARbeta2 receptor expression, leading to increased growth inhibition in RCC cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Cell proliferation, Western blot, and reverse transcription-PCR analyses of two RA-resistant RCC cell lines, SK-RC-39 and SK-RC-45, were assessed in the presence of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), trichostatin A (TSA), or the combination of ATRA and TSA. Analysis of apoptosis was also done on SK-RC-39 cells treated with these combinations. Additionally, a xenograft tumor model (SK-RC-39) was used in this study to investigate the efficacy of a liposome-encapsulated, i.v. form of ATRA (ATRA-IV) plus TSA combination therapy. RESULTS Enhanced inhibition of the proliferation of RCC cell lines and of tumor growth in a xenograft model was observed with the combination of ATRA plus TSA. Reactivation of RARbeta2 mRNA expression was observed in SK-RC-39 and SK-RC-45 cells treated with TSA alone or TSA in combination with ATRA. A partial G0-G1 arrest and increased apoptosis were observed with SK-RC-39 cells on treatment with ATRA and TSA. CONCLUSIONS The combination of ATRA and the histone deacetylase inhibitor TSA elicits an additive inhibition of cell proliferation in RCC cell lines. These results indicate that ATRA and histone deacetylase inhibitor therapies should be explored for the treatment of advanced RCC.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylation/drug effects
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Blotting, Western
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Synergism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
- Histones/metabolism
- Humans
- Hydroxamic Acids/administration & dosage
- Hydroxamic Acids/pharmacology
- Kidney Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Kidney Neoplasms/genetics
- Kidney Neoplasms/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/genetics
- Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Tretinoin/administration & dosage
- Tretinoin/pharmacology
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Retinoic Acid Receptor gamma
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Ellen Touma
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA
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van der Spek PJ, Kremer A, Murry L, Walker MG. Are gene expression microarray analyses reliable? A review of studies of retinoic acid responsive genes. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2005; 1:9-14. [PMID: 15626329 PMCID: PMC5171945 DOI: 10.1016/s1672-0229(03)01003-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Microarray analyses of gene expression are widely used, but reports of the same analyses by different groups give widely divergent results, and raise questions regarding reproducibility and reliability. We take as an example recent published reports on microarray experiments that were designed to identify retinoic acid responsive genes. These reports show substantial differences in their results. In this article, we review the methodology, results, and potential causes of differences in these applications of microarrays. Finally, we suggest practices to improve the reliability and reproducibility of microarray experiments.
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Schrader AJ, von Knobloch R, Heidenreich A, Buer J, Hofmann R. Application of retinoids in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma–a futile effort? Anticancer Drugs 2004; 15:819-24. [PMID: 15457121 DOI: 10.1097/00001813-200410000-00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The therapeutic benefit of adding retinoids such as all-trans retinoic acid (RA), 9-cis-RA or 13-cis-RA to established single-agent or combination immuno/chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been extensively investigated during the last decade. However, at present results are contradictory and their application controversial. Moreover, recent studies indicated a significantly higher incidence of toxic side-effects in patients treated with retinoids in addition to established bio/chemotherapy. This Commentary summarizes preclinical and clinical trials investigating efficacy and toxicity of retinoids in the treatment of RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres J Schrader
- Department of Urology, Philipps-University Medical School, Marburg, Germany.
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Ortiz MA, Bayon Y, Lopez-Hernandez FJ, Piedrafita FJ. Retinoids in combination therapies for the treatment of cancer: mechanisms and perspectives. Drug Resist Updat 2002; 5:162-75. [PMID: 12237083 DOI: 10.1016/s1368-7646(02)00050-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Retinoid derivatives have been of special interest in cancer research because of their antiproliferative and differentiation-inducing activities in premalignant and malignant cells. Some retinoids are clinically effective in cancer therapy and prevention, and all-trans-retinoic acid is being used for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Unfortunately, classical retinoids are not effective against most advanced solid tumors and cause undesirable side effects, which have limited the full development of retinoids as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic drugs. The recent identification of selective retinoid derivatives capable of inducing apoptosis and their combination with other anticancer therapies promises a more effective and less toxic manner to the successful use of retinoids in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Ortiz
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
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Abstract
Retinoids have a reputation for being both detrimental and beneficial: they are teratogens, but they also have tumour-suppressive capacity. Cell biology and genetics have significantly improved our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the anti-proliferative action of retinoids. Recent elucidation of the pathways that are activated by retinoids will help us to exploit the beneficial aspects of this powerful class of compounds for cancer therapy and prevention.
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MESH Headings
- Anticarcinogenic Agents/pharmacology
- Anticarcinogenic Agents/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Cell Differentiation/drug effects
- Dimerization
- Forecasting
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Humans
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/genetics
- Models, Biological
- Morphogenesis/drug effects
- Neoplasm Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/physiology
- Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/prevention & control
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/antagonists & inhibitors
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/physiology
- Receptor Cross-Talk
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/chemistry
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/drug effects
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/physiology
- Retinoids/chemistry
- Retinoids/pharmacology
- Retinoids/therapeutic use
- Skin Neoplasms/chemically induced
- Skin Neoplasms/genetics
- Skin Neoplasms/prevention & control
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- Transcription Factor AP-1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Transcriptional Activation/drug effects
- Vitamin A/pharmacokinetics
- Vitamin A/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- L Altucci
- Dipartimento di Patologia Generale e Oncologia, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Italy.
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