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Morin A, Chu C, Pavlidis P. Identifying Reproducible Transcription Regulator Coexpression Patterns with Single Cell Transcriptomics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.15.580581. [PMID: 38559016 PMCID: PMC10979919 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.15.580581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The proliferation of single cell transcriptomics has potentiated our ability to unveil patterns that reflect dynamic cellular processes, rather than cell type compositional effects that emerge from bulk tissue samples. In this study, we leverage a broad collection of single cell RNA-seq data to identify the gene partners whose expression is most coordinated with each human and mouse transcription regulator (TR). We assembled 120 human and 103 mouse scRNA-seq datasets from the literature, constructing a single cell coexpression network for each. We aimed to understand the consistency of TR coexpression profiles across a broad sampling of biological contexts, rather than examine the preservation of context-specific networks. Our workflow therefore explicitly prioritizes the patterns that are most reproducible across cell types, helping to characterize each TR's coexpression patterns. Towards this goal, we quantify the similarity of TR coexpression profiles within and across species, characterizing the consistency of each TR's coexpression across datasets. We create single cell coexpression rankings for each TR, demonstrating that this aggregated information recovers literature curated targets on par with ChIP-seq data. We then combine the coexpression and ChIP-seq information to identify candidate regulatory interactions supported across methods and species. Finally, we highlight interactions for the important neural TR ASCL1 to demonstrate how our compiled information can be adopted for community use.
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Galea LA, Batrouney A, Flynn M, Christie M. POU2F3-expressing intraepithelial small-cell carcinoma with mixed small-cell carcinoma and conventional-type urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Virchows Arch 2024:10.1007/s00428-024-03805-9. [PMID: 38600174 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-024-03805-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Based on lineage-specific transcription factors, small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SmCC) of the urinary bladder has recently been subtyped into three molecular subtypes: ASCL1, NEUROD1 and POU2F3. The latter is a master transcriptional regulator of tuft cells (TCs) which are rare solitary cells found in various mucosal epithelia such as the gastrointestinal tract, but which have not been reported in the bladder. The POU2F3 subtype shows low or absent neuroendocrine marker expression. A case of mixed SmCC and conventional-type urothelial carcinoma (CUC) of the urinary bladder with POU2F3-expressing intraepithelial small-cell carcinoma in keeping with a tuft cell phenotype, arising in association with intestinal metaplasia (IM) is described. The presence of POU2F3-expressing cells in normal urothelium, cystitis cystica glandularis and IM of the urinary bladder is demonstrated in separate cases of cystitis cystica glandularis with IM. Also, POU2F3 expression is identified in a subset of bladder SmCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence A Galea
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Melbourne Pathology, Sonic Healthcare, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Ahida Batrouney
- Department of Pathology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maria Flynn
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Melbourne Pathology, Sonic Healthcare, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Christie
- Department of Pathology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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3
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Hoki M, Yamada Y, Hiratomo E, Hirata M, Takeuchi Y, Yoshimatsu M, Kikuchi M, Kishimoto Y, Marx A, Haga H. Expression of FOXI1 and POU2F3 varies among different salivary gland neoplasms and is higher in Warthin tumor. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:36. [PMID: 38358561 PMCID: PMC10869675 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00892-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Salivary gland tumors are histologically diverse. Ionocytes and tuft cells, rare epithelial cells found in normal salivary glands, might be associated with salivary tumors. Here, we explored the expression of FOXI1 and POU2F3, master regulators of ionocytes and tuft cells, respectively, for common salivary neoplasms using immunohistochemistry. METHODS We analyzed normal salivary tissues and nine salivary gland tumors; Warthin tumors (WT), pleomorphic adenomas (PA), basal cell adenomas, and oncocytomas were benign, whereas mucoepidermoid, adenoid cystic, acinic cell, salivary duct carcinomas, and polymorphous adenocarcinomas were malignant. RESULTS Normal salivary glands contained a few FOXI1- and POU2F3-positive cells in the ducts instead of the acini, consistent with ionocytes and tuft cells, respectively. Among the benign tumors, only WTs and PAs consistently expressed FOXI1 (10/10 and 9/10, respectively). The median H-score of WTs was significantly higher than that of PAs (17.5 vs. 4, P = 0.01). While WTs and PAs harbored POU2F3-positive cells (10/10 and 9/10, respectively), the median H-score was higher in WTs than in PAs (10.5 vs 4, respectively). Furthermore, WTs exhibited a unique staining pattern of FOXI1- and POU2F3-positive cells, which were present in luminal and abluminal locations, respectively. Whereas none of the malignant tumors expressed FOXI1, only adenoid cystic carcinoma consistently expressed POU2F3 (5/5), with a median H-score of 4. CONCLUSION The expression patterns of the characteristic transcription factors found in ionocytes and tuft cells vary among salivary gland tumor types and are higher in WT, which might be relevant for understanding and diagnosing salivary gland neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Hoki
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yosuke Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Emi Hiratomo
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hirata
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yasuhide Takeuchi
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Yoshimatsu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kikuchi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yo Kishimoto
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hironori Haga
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
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Jimbo N, Ohbayashi C, Takeda M, Fujii T, Mitsui S, Tsukamoto R, Tanaka Y, Itoh T, Maniwa Y. POU2F3-Expressing Small Cell Lung Carcinoma and Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Show Morphologic and Phenotypic Overlap. Am J Surg Pathol 2024; 48:4-15. [PMID: 37904277 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000002145] [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: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Considering the differences in protein expression in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) by molecular classification, it is likely that there are differences in morphology, but the relationship between molecular classification and morphology has not been examined. Furthermore, there are limited reports concerning this molecular classification for large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and SCLC simultaneously. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between immunohistochemistry-based molecular classification and morphology, protein expression, and clinical features of 146 consecutive resection specimens of pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), focusing mainly on POU2F3, the master transcription factor involved in tuft cell generation. POU2F3-dominant SCLC (n=24) and LCNEC (n=14) showed overlap in cytomorphology, while non-POU2F3-dominant SCLC (n=71) and LCNEC (n=37) showed distinct differences in cytomorphology. In addition, POU2F3-dominant NEC exhibited significantly more abundant tumor stroma, more prominent nest formation, more frequent bronchial intraepithelial involvement, and less frequent background fibrosis than non-POU2F3-dominant NEC. Immunohistochemically, POU2F3-dominant SCLC and LCNEC were characterized by lower expression of TTF-1, CEA, and neuroendocrine markers and higher expression of bcl-2, c-Myc, and c-kit. Clinically, POU2F3-dominant NEC had a significantly better prognosis than non-POU2F3-dominant NEC for recurrence-free survival. POU2F3-dominant NEC had a higher smoking index than non-POU2F3-dominant NEC. POU2F3-dominant NEC forms a unique population, exhibiting intermediate morphologic features between SCLC and LCNEC, with distinct protein expression as tuft cell-like carcinoma. Recognition of this unique subtype may provide clues for solving the long-standing issues of NEC and appropriate therapeutic stratification. It is important to accurately identify POU2F3-expressing carcinomas by immunohistochemistry and to analyze their clinicopathological features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoe Jimbo
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Chiho Ohbayashi
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Shinko Hospital, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Maiko Takeda
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Tomomi Fujii
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, Japan, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Suguru Mitsui
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Ryuko Tsukamoto
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Yugo Tanaka
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Tomoo Itoh
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Maniwa
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
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Yamada Y, Iwane K, Nakanishi Y, Haga H. Thymic Carcinoma: Unraveling Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Epithelial Cell Identity Loss. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:115. [PMID: 38201543 PMCID: PMC10778300 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The histogenesis of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) has been a subject of debate. Recent technological advancements have revealed that thymic carcinomas often exhibit a phenotype akin to tuft cells, which is a subset of medullary TECs. Here, we further explored the gene expression signatures of thymic carcinomas in relation to tuft cells and their kinships-ionocytes and neuroendocrine cells (neuroendocrine group). METHODS We analyzed a single-cell RNA sequencing dataset from the normal human thymus. Concurrently, we examined publicly available datasets on the mRNA expression and methylation status of TECs and lung cancers. Real-time quantitative PCR was also conducted with our tissue samples. RESULTS Thymic carcinomas displayed a neuroendocrine phenotype biased toward tuft cells and ionocytes. When exploring the possible regulators of this phenotype, we discovered that HDAC9 and NFATC1 were characteristically expressed in the neuroendocrine group in adult TECs and thymic carcinomas. Additionally, the pan-thymic epithelium markers, exemplified by PAX9 and SIX1, were significantly suppressed in thymic carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS Thymic carcinomas might be characterized by unique neuroendocrine differentiation and loss of identity as thymic epithelial cells. Future studies investigating the role of HDAC9 and NFATC1 in thymic epithelium are warranted to explore their potential as therapeutic targets in TETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan;
| | - Kosuke Iwane
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (K.I.); (Y.N.)
| | - Yuki Nakanishi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (K.I.); (Y.N.)
| | - Hironori Haga
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan;
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Campillo Poveda M, Britton C, Devaney E, McNeilly TN, Gerbe F, Jay P, Maizels RM. Tuft Cells: Detectors, Amplifiers, Effectors and Targets in Parasite Infection. Cells 2023; 12:2477. [PMID: 37887321 PMCID: PMC10605326 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202477] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuft cells have recently emerged as the focus of intense interest following the discovery of their chemosensory role in the intestinal tract, and their ability to activate Type 2 immune responses to helminth parasites. Moreover, they populate a wide range of mucosal tissues and are intimately connected to immune and neuronal cells, either directly or through the release of pharmacologically active mediators. They are now recognised to fulfil both homeostatic roles, in metabolism and tissue integrity, as well as acting as the first sensors of parasite infection, immunity to which is lost in their absence. In this review we focus primarily on the importance of tuft cells in the intestinal niche, but also link to their more generalised physiological role and discuss their potential as targets for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Campillo Poveda
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK;
| | - Collette Britton
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (C.B.); (E.D.)
| | - Eileen Devaney
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (C.B.); (E.D.)
| | - Tom N. McNeilly
- Disease Control Department, Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK;
| | - François Gerbe
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, F-34094 Montpellier, France; (F.G.); (P.J.)
| | - Philippe Jay
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, F-34094 Montpellier, France; (F.G.); (P.J.)
| | - Rick M. Maizels
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK;
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Vlajic K, Pennington Kluger H, Bie W, Merrill BJ, Nonn L, Kajdacsy-Balla A, Tyner AL. Appearance of tuft cells during prostate cancer progression. Oncogene 2023; 42:2374-2385. [PMID: 37386128 PMCID: PMC10374444 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02743-1] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Tuft cells are chemosensory epithelial cells that increase in number following infection or injury to robustly activate the innate immune response to alleviate or promote disease. Recent studies of castration resistant prostate cancer and its subtype, neuroendocrine prostate cancer, revealed Pou2f3+ populations in mouse models. The transcription factor Pou2f3 is a master regulator of the tuft cell lineage. We show that tuft cells are upregulated early during prostate cancer development, and their numbers increase with progression. Cancer-associated tuft cells in the mouse prostate express DCLK1, COX1, COX2, while human tuft cells express COX1. Mouse and human tuft cells exhibit strong activation of signaling pathways including EGFR and SRC-family kinases. While DCLK1 is a mouse tuft cell marker, it is not present in human prostate tuft cells. Tuft cells that appear in mouse models of prostate cancer display genotype-specific tuft cell gene expression signatures. Using bioinformatic analysis tools and publicly available datasets, we characterized prostate tuft cells in aggressive disease and highlighted differences between tuft cell populations. Our findings indicate that tuft cells contribute to the prostate cancer microenvironment and may promote development of more advanced disease. Further research is needed to understand contributions of tuft cells to prostate cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Vlajic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Hannah Pennington Kluger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Wenjun Bie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Bradley J Merrill
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
- The University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Larisa Nonn
- The University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
- The Department of Pathology, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Andre Kajdacsy-Balla
- The University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
- The Department of Pathology, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Angela L Tyner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
- The University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
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Yamada Y. Histogenetic and disease-relevant phenotypes in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs): The potential significance for future TET classification. Pathol Int 2023; 73:265-280. [PMID: 37278579 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13343] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) encompass morphologically various subtypes. Thus, it would be meaningful to explore the expression phenotypes that delineate each TET subtype or overarching multiple subtypes. If these profiles are related to thymic physiology, they will improve our biological understanding of TETs and may contribute to the establishment of a more rational TET classification. Against this background, pathologists have attempted to identify histogenetic features in TETs for a long time. As part of this work, our group has reported several TET expression profiles that are histotype-dependent and related to the nature of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). For example, we found that beta5t, a constituent of thymoproteasome unique to cortical TECs, is expressed mainly in type B thymomas, for which the nomenclature of cortical thymoma was once considered. Another example is the discovery that most thymic carcinomas, especially thymic squamous cell carcinomas, exhibit expression profiles similar to tuft cells, a recently discovered special type of medullary TEC. This review outlines the currently reported histogenetic phenotypes of TETs, including those related to thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis, summarizes their genetic signatures, and provides a perspective for the future direction of TET classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
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9
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Yamada Y, Simon R, Iwane K, Nakanishi Y, Takeuchi Y, Yoshizawa A, Takada M, Toi M, Haga H, Marx A, Sauter G. An exploratory study for tuft cells in the breast and their relevance in triple-negative breast cancer: the possible relationship of SOX9. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:438. [PMID: 37179317 PMCID: PMC10183142 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10949-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is highly heterogeneous, suggesting that small but relevant subsets have been under-recognized. Rare and mainly triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) were recently found to exhibit tuft cell-like expression profiles, including POU2F3, the tuft cell master regulator. In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) has identified POU2F3-positive cells in the normal human breast, suggesting the presence of tuft cells in this organ. METHODS Here, we (i) reviewed previously identified POU2F3-positive invasive breast cancers (n = 4) for POU2F3 expression in intraductal cancer components, (ii) investigated a new cohort of invasive breast cancers (n = 1853) by POU2F3-IHC, (iii) explored POU2F3-expressing cells in non-neoplastic breast tissues obtained from women with or without BRCA1 mutations (n = 15), and (iv) reanalyzed publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from normal breast cells. RESULTS Two TNBCs of the four previously reported invasive POU2F3-positive breast cancers contained POU2F3-positive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In the new cohort of invasive breast cancers, IHC revealed four POU2F3-positive cases, two of which were triple-negative, one luminal-type, and one triple-positive. In addition, another new POU2F3-positive tumor with a triple-negative phenotype was found in daily practice. All non-neoplastic breast tissues contained POU2F3-positive cells, irrespective of BRCA1 status. The scRNA-seq reanalysis confirmed POU2F3-expressing epithelial cells (3.3% of all epithelial cells) and the 17% that co-expressed the other two tuft cell-related markers (SOX9/AVIL or SOX9/GFI1B), which suggested they were bona fide tuft cells. Of note, SOX9 is also known as the "master regulator" of TNBCs. CONCLUSIONS POU2F3 expression defines small subsets in various breast cancer subtypes, which can be accompanied by DCIS. The mechanistic relationship between POU2F3 and SOX9 in the breast warrants further analysis to enhance our understanding of normal breast physiology and to clarify the significance of the tuft cell-like phenotype for TNBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Yamada
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kosuke Iwane
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Nakanishi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhide Takeuchi
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yoshizawa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takada
- Department of Breast Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masakazu Toi
- Department of Breast Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hironori Haga
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Medical Centre, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Guido Sauter
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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10
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Li L, Ma M, Duan T, Sui X. The critical roles and therapeutic implications of tuft cells in cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1047188. [PMID: 36569325 PMCID: PMC9780677 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1047188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuft cells are solitary chemosensory epithelial cells with microvilli at the top, which are found in hollow organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and lungs. Recently, an increasing number of studies have revealed the chemotactic abilities and immune function of the tuft cells, and numerous efforts have been devoted to uncovering the role of tuft cells in tumors. Notably, accumulating evidence has shown that the specific genes (POU2F3, DCLK1) expressed in tuft cells are involved in vital processes related with carcinogenesis and cancer development. However, the interaction between the tuft cells and cancer remains to be further elucidated. Here, based on an introduction of biological functions and specific markers of the tuft cells, we have summarized the functional roles and potential therapeutic implications of tuft cells in cancers, including pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, and liver cancer, which is in the hope of inspiring the future research in validating tuft cells as novel strategies for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Duan
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Ting Duan, ; Xinbing Sui,
| | - Xinbing Sui
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China,Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Ting Duan, ; Xinbing Sui,
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11
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Gaiser T, Hirsch D, Porth I, Sahm F, Ströbel P, von Deimling A, Marx A. DNA-Methylation Analysis as a Tool for Thymoma Classification. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235876. [PMID: 36497358 PMCID: PMC9738683 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymomas are malignant thymic epithelial tumors that are difficult to diagnose due to their rarity and complex diagnostic criteria. They represent a morphologically heterogeneous class of tumors mainly defined by "organo-typical" architectural features and cellular composition. The diagnosis of thymoma is burdened with a high level of inter-observer variability and the problem that some type-specific morphological alterations are more on the continuum than clear-cut. Methylation pattern-based classification may help to increase diagnostic precision, particularly in borderline cases. METHODS AND RESULTS We applied array-based DNA methylation analysis to a set of 113 thymomas with stringent histological annotation. Unsupervised clustering and t-SNE analysis of DNA methylation data clearly segregated thymoma samples mainly according to the current WHO classification into A, AB, B1, B2, B2/B3, B3, and micronodular thymoma with lymphoid stroma. However, methylation analyses separated the histological subgroups AB and B2 into two methylation classes: mono-/bi-phasic AB-thymomas and conventional/"B1-like" B2-thymomas. Copy number variation analysis demonstrated methylation class-specific patterns of chromosomal alterations. INTERPRETATION Our study demonstrates that the current WHO classification is generally well reflected at the methylation level but suggests that B2- and AB-thymomas are (epi)genetically heterogeneous. Methylation-based classifications could help to refine diagnostic criteria for thymoma classification, improve reproducibility, and may affect treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Gaiser
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-621-383-2876; Fax: +49-621-383-2005
| | - Daniela Hirsch
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Isabel Porth
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Felix Sahm
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, University of Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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