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Sun S, Gong YD, Kang JS, Dong MS, Choi Y. A small molecule compound 759 inhibits the wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway via increasing the Axin protein stability. Med Oncol 2024; 41:147. [PMID: 38733492 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02314-8] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays important role in cancers. Compound 759 is one of the compounds previously screened to identify inhibitors of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in A549 cells [Lee et al. in Bioorg Med Chem Lett 20:5900-5904, 2010]. However, the mechanism by which Compound 759 induces the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway remains unknown. In our study, we employed various assays to comprehensively evaluate the effects of Compound 759 on lung cancer cells. Our results demonstrated that Compound 759 significantly suppressed cell proliferation and Wnt3a-induced Topflash activity and arrested the cell cycle at the G1 stage. Changes in Wnt/β-catenin signaling-related protein expression, gene activity, and protein stability including Axin, and p21, were achieved through western blot and qRT-PCR analysis. Compound 759 treatment upregulated the mRNA level of p21 and increased Axin protein levels without altering the mRNA expression in A549 cells. Co-treatment of Wnt3a and varying doses of Compound 759 dose-dependently increased the amounts of Axin1 in the cytosol and inhibited β-catenin translocation into the nucleus. Moreover, Compound 759 reduced tumor size and weight in the A549 cell-induced tumor growth in the in vivo tumor xenograft mouse model. Our findings indicate that Compound 759 exhibits potential anti-cancer activity by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through the increase of Axin1 protein stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghan Sun
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Dae Gong
- Innovative Drug-Like Library Research Center, Dongguk University, Seoul, 04625, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Soon Kang
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungbuk, 28116, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Sook Dong
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yongseok Choi
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
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Koltai T, Fliegel L. Exploring monocarboxylate transporter inhibition for cancer treatment. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2024; 5:135-169. [PMID: 38464385 PMCID: PMC10918235 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2024.00210] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cells are separated from the environment by a lipid bilayer membrane that is relatively impermeable to solutes. The transport of ions and small molecules across this membrane is an essential process in cell biology and metabolism. Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) belong to a vast family of solute carriers (SLCs) that facilitate the transport of certain hydrophylic small compounds through the bilipid cell membrane. The existence of 446 genes that code for SLCs is the best evidence of their importance. In-depth research on MCTs is quite recent and probably promoted by their role in cancer development and progression. Importantly, it has recently been realized that these transporters represent an interesting target for cancer treatment. The search for clinically useful monocarboxylate inhibitors is an even more recent field. There is limited pre-clinical and clinical experience with new inhibitors and their precise mechanism of action is still under investigation. What is common to all of them is the inhibition of lactate transport. This review discusses the structure and function of MCTs, their participation in cancer, and old and newly developed inhibitors. Some suggestions on how to improve their anticancer effects are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Koltai
- Hospital del Centro Gallego de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 2199, Argentina
| | - Larry Fliegel
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2R3, Alberta, Canada
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Fellenberg J, Losch S, Tripel E, Lehner B, Melnik S. The Warburg Trap: A Novel Therapeutic Approach for Targeting Osteosarcoma. Cells 2023; 13:61. [PMID: 38201265 PMCID: PMC10778102 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Although urgently needed, no significant improvements in osteosarcoma (OS) therapy have been achieved within the last decades. Here, we present a new therapeutic approach based on drug combinations consisting of mitochondrial complex I (MCI) inhibitors and ionophores that induce cancer cell-specific cell death based on a modulation of cellular energy metabolism and intracellular pH (pHi) named the Warburg Trap (WT). The effects of several drug combinations on intracellular pH, cell viability, colony-forming capacity and expression of WNT-target genes were analysed using OS cell lines and primary human osteoblasts (HOB). Tumour take rates and tumour volumes were analysed in vivo using a chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM). Several WT drug combinations induced the intracellular acidification and apoptotic cell death in OS cells, whereas HOBs tolerated the treatment. A significant inhibition of the colony-forming ability of OS cells and downregulation of WNT-target genes suggest that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are also targeted by the WT approach. In vivo, we observed a significant reduction in the tumour take rates in response to WT drug treatment. Our data suggest that the Warburg Trap is a promising approach for the development of a novel and effective OS therapy to replace or supplement the current OS chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joerg Fellenberg
- Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69118 Heidelberg, Germany; (S.L.); (E.T.); (B.L.); (S.M.)
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Conza D, Mirra P, Fiory F, Insabato L, Nicolò A, Beguinot F, Ulianich L. Metformin: A New Inhibitor of the Wnt Signaling Pathway in Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:2182. [PMID: 37681914 PMCID: PMC10486775 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The biguanide drug metformin is widely used in type 2 diabetes mellitus therapy, due to its ability to decrease serum glucose levels, mainly by reducing hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. A considerable number of studies have shown that metformin, besides its antidiabetic action, can improve other disease states, such as polycystic ovary disease, acute kidney injury, neurological disorders, cognitive impairment and renal damage. In addition, metformin is well known to suppress the growth and progression of different types of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, several epidemiological studies suggest that metformin is capable of lowering cancer risk and reducing the rate of cancer deaths among diabetic patients. The antitumoral effects of metformin have been proposed to be mainly mediated by the activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). However, a number of signaling pathways, both dependent and independent of AMPK activation, have been reported to be involved in metformin antitumoral action. Among these, the Wingless and Int signaling pathway have recently been included. Here, we will focus our attention on the main molecular mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Conza
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology, National Research Council & Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.C.); (P.M.); (F.F.); (A.N.); (F.B.)
| | - Paola Mirra
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology, National Research Council & Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.C.); (P.M.); (F.F.); (A.N.); (F.B.)
| | - Francesca Fiory
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology, National Research Council & Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.C.); (P.M.); (F.F.); (A.N.); (F.B.)
| | - Luigi Insabato
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonella Nicolò
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology, National Research Council & Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.C.); (P.M.); (F.F.); (A.N.); (F.B.)
| | - Francesco Beguinot
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology, National Research Council & Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.C.); (P.M.); (F.F.); (A.N.); (F.B.)
| | - Luca Ulianich
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology, National Research Council & Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.C.); (P.M.); (F.F.); (A.N.); (F.B.)
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Moezzi SMI, Javadi P, Mozafari N, Ashrafi H, Azadi A. Metformin-loaded nanoerythrosomes: An erythrocyte-based drug delivery system as a therapeutic tool for glioma. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17082. [PMID: 37484272 PMCID: PMC10361227 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma is an intra-cranial malignancy with the origin of neural stem cells or precursor cells, the most prevalent brain tumor worldwide. Glioblastoma, the fourth-grade glioma, is a common brain tumor whose incidence rate is 5-7 people per 100,000 populations annually. Despite their high mortality rate, all efforts for treatment have yet to achieve any desirable clinical outcome. The Wnt signaling pathway is a conserved pathway among species that seems to be a candidate for cancer therapy by its inhibition. Metformin is a known inhibitor of the Wnt signaling pathway. Its effects on glioma treatment have been observed in cellular, animal, and clinical experiments. Nanoerythrosomes are drug carriers obtained from the cellular membrane of red blood cells in nano size which can offer several characteristics to deliver metformin to brain tumors. They are good at loading and carrying hydrophilic drugs, they can protect metformin from its metabolizing enzymes, which are present in the blood-brain barrier, and they can extend the period of metformin presence in circulation. In this study, nanoerythrosomes were prepared by using the hypotonic buffer. They had particle sizes in the range of 97.1 ± 34.2 nm, and their loading efficiency and loading capacity were 72.6% and 1.66%, respectively. Nanoerythrosomes could reserve metformin in their structure for a long time, and only 50% of metformin was released after 30 h. Moreover, they released metformin at a low and approximately constant rate. Besides, nanoerythrosomes could tolerate various kinds of stress and maintain most of the drug in their structure. Altogether, nanoerythrosome can be a suitable drug delivery system to deliver therapeutic amounts of metformin to various tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mohammad Iman Moezzi
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Parisa Javadi
- Department of Nanomedicine, School of Novel Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Negin Mozafari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hajar Ashrafi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Azadi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Zhang Y, Zhou F, Guan J, Zhou L, Chen B. Action Mechanism of Metformin and Its Application in Hematological Malignancy Treatments: A Review. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020250. [PMID: 36830619 PMCID: PMC9953052 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies (HMs) mainly include acute and chronic leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other heterogeneous tumors that seriously threaten human life and health. The common effective treatments are radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which have limited options and are prone to tumor recurrence and (or) drug resistance. Metformin is the first-line drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Recently, studies identified the potential anti-cancer ability of metformin in both T2DM patients and patients that are non-diabetic. The latest epidemiological and preclinical studies suggested a potential benefit of metformin in the prevention and treatment of patients with HM. The mechanism may involve the activation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway by metformin as well as other AMPK-independent pathways to exert anti-cancer properties. In addition, combining current conventional anti-cancer drugs with metformin may improve the efficacy and reduce adverse drug reactions. Therefore, metformin can also be used as an adjuvant therapeutic agent for HM. This paper highlights the anti-hyperglycemic effects and potential anti-cancer effects of metformin, and also compiles the in vitro and clinical trials of metformin as an anti-cancer and chemosensitizing agent for the treatment of HM. The need for future research on the use of metformin in the treatment of HM is indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Baoan Chen
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-25-8327-2006
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Jin P, Jiang J, Zhou L, Huang Z, Nice EC, Huang C, Fu L. Mitochondrial adaptation in cancer drug resistance: prevalence, mechanisms, and management. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:97. [PMID: 35851420 PMCID: PMC9290242 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01313-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance represents a major obstacle in cancer management, and the mechanisms underlying stress adaptation of cancer cells in response to therapy-induced hostile environment are largely unknown. As the central organelle for cellular energy supply, mitochondria can rapidly undergo dynamic changes and integrate cellular signaling pathways to provide bioenergetic and biosynthetic flexibility for cancer cells, which contributes to multiple aspects of tumor characteristics, including drug resistance. Therefore, targeting mitochondria for cancer therapy and overcoming drug resistance has attracted increasing attention for various types of cancer. Multiple mitochondrial adaptation processes, including mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial metabolism, and mitochondrial apoptotic regulatory machinery, have been demonstrated to be potential targets. However, recent increasing insights into mitochondria have revealed the complexity of mitochondrial structure and functions, the elusive functions of mitochondria in tumor biology, and the targeting inaccessibility of mitochondria, which have posed challenges for the clinical application of mitochondrial-based cancer therapeutic strategies. Therefore, discovery of both novel mitochondria-targeting agents and innovative mitochondria-targeting approaches is urgently required. Here, we review the most recent literature to summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial stress adaptation and their intricate connection with cancer drug resistance. In addition, an overview of the emerging strategies to target mitochondria for effectively overcoming chemoresistance is highlighted, with an emphasis on drug repositioning and mitochondrial drug delivery approaches, which may accelerate the application of mitochondria-targeting compounds for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingwen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Edouard C Nice
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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TM9SF4 Is a Crucial Regulator of Inflammation and ER Stress in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:245-270. [PMID: 35398597 PMCID: PMC9218505 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a major intestinal disease. Excessive inflammation and increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are the key events in the development of IBD. Search of a genome-wide association study database identified a remarkable correlation between a TM9SF4 single-nucleotide polymorphism and IBD. Here, we aimed to resolve its underlying mechanism. METHODS The role of TM9SF4 was determined with experimental mouse models of IBD. ER stress cascades, barrier functions, and macrophage polarization in colonic tissues and cells were assessed in vivo and in vitro. The expression of TM9SF4 was compared between inflamed regions of ulcerative colitis patients and normal colon samples. RESULTS In mouse models of IBD, genetic knockout of the TM9SF4 gene aggravated the disease symptoms. In colonic epithelial cells, short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of TM9SF4 expression promoted inflammation and increased ER stress. In macrophages, TM9SF4 knockdown promoted M1 macrophage polarization but suppressed M2 macrophage polarization. Genetic knockout/knockdown of TM9SF4 also disrupted epithelial barrier function. Mechanistically, TM9SF4 deficiency may act through Ca2+ store depletion and cytosolic acidification to induce an ER stress increase. Furthermore, the expression level of TM9SF4 was found to be much lower in the inflamed colon regions of human ulcerative colitis patients than in normal colon samples. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified a novel IBD-associated protein, TM9SF4, the reduced expression of which can aggravate intestinal inflammation. Deficiency of TM9SF4 increases ER stress, promotes inflammation, and impairs the intestinal epithelial barrier to aggravate IBD.
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Cheng CK, Lin X, Pu Y, Tse JKY, Wang Y, Zhang CL, Cao X, Lau CW, Huang J, He L, Luo JY, Shih YT, Wan S, Ng CF, Wang L, Ma RCW, Chiu JJ, Chan TF, Yu Tian X, Huang Y. SOX4 is a novel phenotypic regulator of endothelial cells in atherosclerosis revealed by single-cell analysis. J Adv Res 2022; 43:187-203. [PMID: 36585108 PMCID: PMC9811326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Atherosclerotic complications represent the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality globally. Dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs) often initiates the pathological events in atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVES In this study, we sought to investigate the transcriptional profile of atherosclerotic aortae, identify novel regulator in dysfunctional ECs and hence provide mechanistic insights into atherosclerotic progression. METHODS We applied single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on aortic cells from Western diet-fed apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice to explore the transcriptional landscape and heterogeneity of dysfunctional ECs. In vivo validation of SOX4 upregulation in ECs were performed in atherosclerotic tissues, including mouse aortic tissues, human coronary arteries, and human renal arteries. Single-cell analysis on human aortic aneurysmal tissue was also performed. Downstream vascular abnormalities induced by EC-specific SOX4 overexpression, and upstream modulators of SOX4 were revealed by biochemical assays, immunostaining, and wire myography. Effects of shear stress on endothelial SOX4 expression was investigated by in vitro hemodynamic study. RESULTS Among the compendium of aortic cells, mesenchymal markers in ECs were significantly enriched. Two EC subsets were subsequently distinguished, as the 'endothelial-like' and 'mesenchymal-like' subsets. Conventional assays consistently identified SOX4 as a novel atherosclerotic marker in mouse and different human arteries, additional to a cancer marker. EC-specific SOX4 overexpression promoted atherogenesis and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Importantly, hyperlipidemia-associated cytokines and oscillatory blood flow upregulated, whereas the anti-diabetic drug metformin pharmacologically suppressed SOX4 level in ECs. CONCLUSION Our study unravels SOX4 as a novel phenotypic regulator during endothelial dysfunction, which exacerbates atherogenesis. Our study also pinpoints hyperlipidemia-associated cytokines and oscillatory blood flow as endogenous SOX4 inducers, providing more therapeutic insights against atherosclerotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chak Kwong Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Xiao Lin
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yujie Pu
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Joyce Ka Yu Tse
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yu Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Cheng-Lin Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Xiaoyun Cao
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Chi Wai Lau
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Juan Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Lei He
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jiang-Yun Luo
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yu-Tsung Shih
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Song Wan
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Chi Fai Ng
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Li Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Ronald Ching Wan Ma
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jeng-Jiann Chiu
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan; School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ting Fung Chan
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Xiao Yu Tian
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Yu Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Heart and Vascular Institute and Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Misirkic Marjanovic MS, Vucicevic LM, Despotovic AR, Stamenkovic MM, Janjetovic KD. Dual anticancer role of metformin: an old drug regulating AMPK dependent/independent pathways in metabolic, oncogenic/tumorsuppresing and immunity context. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5625-5643. [PMID: 34873484 PMCID: PMC8640802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Metformin has been known to treat type 2 diabetes for decades and is widely prescribed antidiabetic drug. Recently, its anticancer potential has also been discovered. Moreover, metformin has low cost thus it has attained profound research interest. Comprehensing the complexity of the molecular regulatory networks in cancer provides a mode for advancement of research in cancer development and treatment. Metformin targets many pathways that play an important role in cancer cell survival outcome. Here, we described anticancer activity of metformin on the AMPK dependent/independent mechanisms regulating metabolism, oncogene/tumor suppressor signaling pathways together with the issue of clinical studies. We also provided brief overwiev about recently described metformin's role in cancer immunity. Insight in these complex molecular networks, will simplify application of metformin in clinical trials and contribute to improvement of anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja S Misirkic Marjanovic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of BelgradeSerbia
| | - Ljubica M Vucicevic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of BelgradeSerbia
| | - Ana R Despotovic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of BelgradeSerbia
| | - Marina M Stamenkovic
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of BelgradeSerbia
| | - Kristina D Janjetovic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of BelgradeSerbia
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Da Silva F, Zhang K, Pinson A, Fatti E, Wilsch-Bräuninger M, Herbst J, Vidal V, Schedl A, Huttner WB, Niehrs C. Mitotic WNT signalling orchestrates neurogenesis in the developing neocortex. EMBO J 2021; 40:e108041. [PMID: 34431536 PMCID: PMC8488556 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of WNT/β‐catenin signalling in mouse neocortex development remains ambiguous. Most studies demonstrate that WNT/β‐catenin regulates progenitor self‐renewal but others suggest it can also promote differentiation. Here we explore the role of WNT/STOP signalling, which stabilizes proteins during G2/M by inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3)‐mediated protein degradation. We show that mice mutant for cyclin Y and cyclin Y‐like 1 (Ccny/l1), key regulators of WNT/STOP signalling, display reduced neurogenesis in the developing neocortex. Specifically, basal progenitors, which exhibit delayed cell cycle progression, were drastically decreased. Ccny/l1‐deficient apical progenitors show reduced asymmetric division due to an increase in apical–basal astral microtubules. We identify the neurogenic transcription factors Sox4 and Sox11 as direct GSK3 targets that are stabilized by WNT/STOP signalling in basal progenitors during mitosis and that promote neuron generation. Our work reveals that WNT/STOP signalling drives cortical neurogenesis and identifies mitosis as a critical phase for neural progenitor fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Da Silva
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kaiqing Zhang
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anneline Pinson
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Edoardo Fatti
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Jessica Herbst
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Valerie Vidal
- INSERM, CNRS, iBV, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | | | - Wieland B Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christof Niehrs
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
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Arnaud LC, Gauthier T, Le Naour A, Hashim S, Naud N, Shay JW, Pierre FH, Boutet-Robinet E, Huc L. Short-Term and Long-Term Carcinogenic Effects of Food Contaminants (4-Hydroxynonenal and Pesticides) on Colorectal Human Cells: Involvement of Genotoxic and Non-Genomic Mechanisms. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174337. [PMID: 34503147 PMCID: PMC8431687 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary One’s environment, including diet, play a major role in the occurrence and the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we are interested in two western diet associated food contaminants: 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), a major lipid peroxidation product neoformed during digestion, and a mixture of pesticides to which we are commonly exposed to via fruit and vegetable consumption. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of acute and long-term exposure to these contaminants, alone or in combination, on colorectal carcinogenesis. We used in vitro models of human colonic cells, either exhibiting or not different genetic susceptibilities to CRC. After acute exposure, we did not observe major alteration. However, long-term exposure to contaminants induce malignant transformation with different cellular mechanisms, depending on genetic susceptibility and contaminants alone or in mixtures. Abstract To investigate environmental impacts upon colorectal carcinogenesis (CRC) by diet, we assessed two western diet food contaminants: 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), a major lipid peroxidation product neoformed during digestion, and a mixture of pesticides. We used human colonic cell lines ectopically eliciting varied genetic susceptibilities to CRC: the non-transformed human epithelial colonic cells (HCECs) and their five isogenic cell lines with the loss of APC (Adenomatous polyposis coli) and TP53 (Tumor protein 53) and/or ectopic expression of mutated KRAS (Kristen-ras). These cell lines have been exposed for either for a short time (2–24 h) or for a long period (3 weeks) to 1 µM HNE and/or 10 µM pesticides. After acute exposure, we did not observe any cytotoxicity or major DNA damage. However, long-term exposure to pesticides alone and in mixture with HNE induced clonogenic transformation in normal HCECs, as well as in cells representing later stages of carcinogenesis. It was associated with genotoxic and non-genomic mechanisms (cell growth, metabolic reprogramming, cell mobility and epithelial-mesenchymal transition) depending on genetic susceptibility. This study demonstrated a potential initiating and promoting effect of food contaminants on CRC after long-term exposure. It supports that these contaminants can accelerate carcinogenesis when mutations in oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana C. Arnaud
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31027 Toulouse, France; (L.C.A.); (T.G.); (A.L.N.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (F.H.P.); (E.B.-R.)
| | - Thierry Gauthier
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31027 Toulouse, France; (L.C.A.); (T.G.); (A.L.N.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (F.H.P.); (E.B.-R.)
| | - Augustin Le Naour
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31027 Toulouse, France; (L.C.A.); (T.G.); (A.L.N.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (F.H.P.); (E.B.-R.)
| | - Saleha Hashim
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31027 Toulouse, France; (L.C.A.); (T.G.); (A.L.N.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (F.H.P.); (E.B.-R.)
| | - Nathalie Naud
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31027 Toulouse, France; (L.C.A.); (T.G.); (A.L.N.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (F.H.P.); (E.B.-R.)
| | - Jerry W. Shay
- Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, Department of Cell Biology, The University of Texas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
| | - Fabrice H. Pierre
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31027 Toulouse, France; (L.C.A.); (T.G.); (A.L.N.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (F.H.P.); (E.B.-R.)
| | - Elisa Boutet-Robinet
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31027 Toulouse, France; (L.C.A.); (T.G.); (A.L.N.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (F.H.P.); (E.B.-R.)
| | - Laurence Huc
- Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31027 Toulouse, France; (L.C.A.); (T.G.); (A.L.N.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (F.H.P.); (E.B.-R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-5-8206-6320
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Liao Z, Li S, Lu S, Liu H, Li G, Ma L, Luo R, Ke W, Wang B, Xiang Q, Song Y, Feng X, Zhang Y, Wu X, Hua W, Yang C. Metformin facilitates mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular nanovesicles release and optimizes therapeutic efficacy in intervertebral disc degeneration. Biomaterials 2021; 274:120850. [PMID: 33984637 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are extracellular nanovesicles that deliver diverse cargoes to the cell and participate in cell communication. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs)-derived EVs are considered a therapeutic approach in musculoskeletal degenerative diseases, including intervertebral disc degeneration. However, limited production yield and unstable quality have impeded the clinical application of EVs. In the present study, it is indicated that metformin promotes EVs release and alters the protein profile of EVs. Metformin enhances EVs production via an autophagy-related pathway, concomitantly with the phosphorylation of synaptosome-associated protein 29. More than quantity, quality of MSCs-derived EVs is influenced by metformin treatment. Proteomics analysis reveals that metformin increases the protein content of EVs involved in cell growth. It is shown that EVs derived from metformin-treated MSCs ameliorate intervertebral disc cells senescence in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the great promise of metformin in EVs-based intervertebral disc regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Liao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Shuai Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Saideng Lu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Gaocai Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Liang Ma
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Rongjin Luo
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Wencan Ke
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Bingjin Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qian Xiang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yu Song
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaobo Feng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yukun Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xinghuo Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Wenbin Hua
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Cao Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Conza D, Mirra P, Calì G, Insabato L, Fiory F, Beguinot F, Ulianich L. Metformin Dysregulates the Unfolded Protein Response and the WNT/β-Catenin Pathway in Endometrial Cancer Cells through an AMPK-Independent Mechanism. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051067. [PMID: 33946426 PMCID: PMC8147131 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence suggest that metformin, an antidiabetic drug, exerts anti-tumorigenic effects in different types of cancer. Metformin has been reported to affect cancer cells' metabolism and proliferation mainly through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Here, we show that metformin inhibits, indeed, endometrial cancer cells' growth and induces apoptosis. More importantly, we report that metformin affects two important pro-survival pathways, such as the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), following endoplasmic reticulum stress, and the WNT/β-catenin pathway. GRP78, a key protein in the pro-survival arm of the UPR, was indeed downregulated, while GADD153/CHOP, a transcription factor that mediates the pro-apoptotic response of the UPR, was upregulated at both the mRNA and protein level. Furthermore, metformin dramatically inhibited β-catenin mRNA and protein expression. This was paralleled by a reduction in β-catenin transcriptional activity, since metformin inhibited the activity of a TCF/LEF-luciferase promoter. Intriguingly, compound C, a well-known inhibitor of AMPK, was unable to prevent all these effects, suggesting that metformin might inhibit endometrial cancer cells' growth and survival through the modulation of specific branches of the UPR and the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in an AMPK-independent manner. Our findings may provide new insights on the mechanisms of action of metformin and refine the use of this drug in the treatment of endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Conza
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences & Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology of CNR, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.C.); (P.M.); (F.F.); (F.B.)
| | - Paola Mirra
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences & Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology of CNR, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.C.); (P.M.); (F.F.); (F.B.)
| | - Gaetano Calì
- Institute of Endocrinology and Molecular Oncology of CNR, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Luigi Insabato
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Francesca Fiory
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences & Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology of CNR, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.C.); (P.M.); (F.F.); (F.B.)
| | - Francesco Beguinot
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences & Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology of CNR, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.C.); (P.M.); (F.F.); (F.B.)
| | - Luca Ulianich
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences & Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology of CNR, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.C.); (P.M.); (F.F.); (F.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-7463248
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15
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Precilla DS, Kuduvalli SS, Purushothaman M, Marimuthu P, Ramachandran MA, Anitha TS. Wnt/β-catenin Antagonists: Exploring New Avenues to Trigger Old Drugs in Alleviating Glioblastoma Multiforme. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2021; 15:338-360. [PMID: 33881978 DOI: 10.2174/1874467214666210420115431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most heterogenous primary brain tumor with high mortality. Nevertheless, of the current therapeutic approaches, survival rate remains poor with 12 to 15 months following preliminary diagnosis, this warrants the need for effective treatment modality. Wnt/β-catenin pathway is presumably the most noteworthy pathway up-regulated in almost 80% GBM cases contributing to tumor-initiation, progression and survival. Therefore, therapeutic strategies targeting key components of Wnt/β-catenin cascade using established genotoxic agents like temozolomide and pharmacological inhibitors would be an effective approach to modulate Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Recently, drug repurposing by means of effective combination therapy has gained importance in various solid tumors including GBM, by targeting two or more proteins in a single pathway, thereby possessing the ability to overcome the hurdle implicated by chemo-resistance in GBM. OBJECTIVE In this context, by employing computational tools, an attempt has been carried out to speculate the novel combinations against Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. METHODS We have explored the binding interactions of three conventional drugs namely temozolomide, metformin, chloroquine along with three natural compounds viz., epigallocatechin gallate, naringenin and phloroglucinol on the major receptors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. RESULTS It was noted that all the experimental compounds possessed profound interaction with the two major receptors of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to characterize the combined interactions of the afore-mentioned drugs on Wnt/β-catenin signaling in silico and this will putatively open up new avenues for combination therapies in GBM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy S Precilla
- Central Inter-Disciplinary Research Facility, School of Biological Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to-be University), Puducherry, India
| | - Shreyas S Kuduvalli
- Central Inter-Disciplinary Research Facility, School of Biological Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to-be University), Puducherry, India
| | | | - Parthiban Marimuthu
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory - Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku. Finland
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Lin D, Reddy V, Osman H, Lopez A, Koksal AR, Rhadhi SM, Dash S, Aydin Y. Additional Inhibition of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling by Metformin in DAA Treatments as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for HCV-Infected Patients. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040790. [PMID: 33918222 PMCID: PMC8065725 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although HCV clearance has been improved by the advent of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA), retrospective studies have shown that the risk of subsequent HCC, while considerably decreased compared with active HCV infection, persists after DAA regimens. However, either the mechanisms of how chronic HCV infection causes HCC or the factors responsible for HCC development after viral eradication in patients with DAA treatments remain elusive. We reported an in vitro model of chronic HCV infection and determined Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation due to the inhibition of GSK-3β activity via serine 9 phosphorylation (p-ser9-GSK-3β) leading to stable non-phosphorylated β-catenin. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the upregulation of both β-catenin and p-Ser9-GSK-3β in HCV-induced HCC tissues. Chronic HCV infection increased proliferation and colony-forming ability, but knockdown of β-catenin decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis. Unexpectedly, Wnt/β-catenin signaling remained activated in chronic HCV-infected cells after HCV eradication by DAA, but metformin reversed it through PKA/GSK-3β-mediated β-catenin degradation, inhibited colony-forming ability and proliferation, and increased apoptosis, suggesting that DAA therapy in combination with metformin may be a novel therapy to treat HCV-associated HCC where metformin suppresses Wnt/β-catenin signaling for HCV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Lin
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (Y.A.); Tel.: +1-504-988-2421 (D.L.); +1-443-579-6318 (Y.A.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yucel Aydin
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (Y.A.); Tel.: +1-504-988-2421 (D.L.); +1-443-579-6318 (Y.A.)
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17
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Cha PH, Hwang JH, Kwak DK, Koh E, Kim KS, Choi KY. APC loss induces Warburg effect via increased PKM2 transcription in colorectal cancer. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:634-644. [PMID: 33071283 PMCID: PMC7851388 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-01118-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most cancer cells employ the Warburg effect to support anabolic growth and tumorigenesis. Here, we discovered a key link between Warburg effect and aberrantly activated Wnt/β-catenin signalling, especially by pathologically significant APC loss, in CRC. METHODS Proteomic analyses were performed to evaluate the global effects of KYA1797K, Wnt/β-catenin signalling inhibitor, on cellular proteins in CRC. The effects of APC-loss or Wnt ligand on the identified enzymes, PKM2 and LDHA, as well as Warburg effects were investigated. A linkage between activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling and cancer metabolism was analysed in tumour of Apcmin/+ mice and CRC patients. The roles of PKM2 in cancer metabolism, which depends on Wnt/β-catenin signalling, were assessed in xenograft-tumours. RESULTS By proteomic analysis, PKM2 and LDHA were identified as key molecules regulated by Wnt/β-catenin signalling. APC-loss caused the increased expression of metabolic genes including PKM2 and LDHA, and increased glucose consumption and lactate secretion. Pathological significance of this linkage was indicated by increased expression of glycolytic genes with Wnt target genes in tumour of Apcmin/+ mice and CRC patients. Warburg effect and growth of xenografted tumours-induced by APC-mutated-CRC cells were suppressed by PKM2-depletion. CONCLUSIONS The β-catenin-PKM2 regulatory axis induced by APC loss activates the Warburg effect in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu-Hyeon Cha
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong-Ha Hwang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong-Kyu Kwak
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunjin Koh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Integrated Genomic Research Center for Metabolic Regulation, Institute of Genetic Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung-Sup Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Integrated Genomic Research Center for Metabolic Regulation, Institute of Genetic Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kang-Yell Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
- CK Biotechnology Inc., Building 117, 50 Yonsei Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
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Amiri M, Seidler UE, Nikolovska K. The Role of pH i in Intestinal Epithelial Proliferation-Transport Mechanisms, Regulatory Pathways, and Consequences. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:618135. [PMID: 33553180 PMCID: PMC7862550 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.618135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
During the maturation of intestinal epithelial cells along the crypt/surface axis, a multitude of acid/base transporters are differentially expressed in their apical and basolateral membranes, enabling processes of electrolyte, macromolecule, nutrient, acid/base and fluid secretion, and absorption. An intracellular pH (pHi)-gradient is generated along the epithelial crypt/surface axis, either as a consequence of the sum of the ion transport activities or as a distinctly regulated entity. While the role of pHi on proliferation, migration, and tumorigenesis has been explored in cancer cells for some time, emerging evidence suggests an important role of the pHi in the intestinal stem cells (ISCs) proliferative rate under physiological conditions. The present review highlights the current state of knowledge about the potential regulatory role of pHi on intestinal proliferation and differentiation.
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Melnik S, Gabler J, Dreher SI, Hecht N, Hofmann N, Großner T, Richter W. MiR-218 affects hypertrophic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells during chondrogenesis via targeting RUNX2, MEF2C, and COL10A1. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:532. [PMID: 33303006 PMCID: PMC7727242 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-02026-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) hold hopes for cartilage regenerative therapy due to their chondrogenic differentiation potential. However, undesirable occurrence of calcification after ectopic transplantation, known as hypertrophic degeneration, remains the major obstacle limiting application of MSC in cartilage tissue regeneration approaches. There is growing evidence that microRNAs (miRs) play essential roles in post-transcriptional regulation of hypertrophic differentiation during chondrogenesis. Aim of the study was to identify new miR candidates involved in repression of hypertrophy-related targets. Methods The miR expression profile in human articular chondrocytes (AC) was compared to that in hypertrophic chondrocytes derived from human MSC by microarray analysis, and miR expression was validated by qPCR. Putative targets were searched by in silico analysis and validated by miR reporter assay in HEK293T, by functional assays (western blotting and ALP-activity) in transiently transfected SaOS-2 cells, and by a miR pulldown assay in human MSC. The expression profile of miR-218 was assessed by qPCR during in vitro chondrogenesis of MSC and re-differentiation of AC. MSC were transfected with miR-218 mimic, and differentiation outcome was assessed over 28 days. MiR-218 expression was quantified in healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage of patients. Results Within the top 15 miRs differentially expressed between chondral AC versus endochondral MSC differentiation, miR-218 was selected as a candidate miR predicted to target hypertrophy-related genes. MiR-218 was downregulated during chondrogenesis of MSC and showed a negative correlation to hypertrophic markers, such as COL10A1 and MEF2C. It was confirmed in SaOS-2 cells that miR-218 directly targets hypertrophy-related COL10A1, MEF2C, and RUNX2, as a gain of ectopic miR-218 mimic caused drop in MEF2C and RUNX2 protein accumulation, with attenuation of COL10A1 expression and significant concomitant reduction of ALP activity. A miR pulldown assay confirmed that miR-218 directly targets RUNX2, MEF2C in human MSC. Additionally, the gain of miR-218 in human MSC attenuated hypertrophic markers (MEF2C, RUNX2, COL10A1, ALPL), although with no boost of chondrogenic markers (GAG deposition, COL2A1) due to activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling. Moreover, no correlation between miR-218 expression and a pathologic phenotype in the cartilage of osteoarthritis (OA) patients was found. Conclusions Although miR-218 was shown to target pro-hypertrophic markers MEF2C, COL10A1, and RUNX2 in human MSC during chondrogenic differentiation, overall, it could not significantly reduce the hypertrophic phenotype or boost chondrogenesis. This could be explained by a concomitant activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling counteracting the anti-hypertrophic effects of miR-218. Therefore, to achieve a full inhibition of the endochondral pathway, a whole class of anti-hypertrophic miRs, including miR-218, needs to be taken into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svitlana Melnik
- Research Centre for Experimental Orthopaedics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jessica Gabler
- Research Centre for Experimental Orthopaedics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon I Dreher
- Research Centre for Experimental Orthopaedics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicole Hecht
- Research Centre for Experimental Orthopaedics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nina Hofmann
- Research Centre for Experimental Orthopaedics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tobias Großner
- Clinic for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wiltrud Richter
- Research Centre for Experimental Orthopaedics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Koltai T. Targeting the pH Paradigm at the Bedside: A Practical Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9221. [PMID: 33287221 PMCID: PMC7730959 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The inversion of the pH gradient in malignant tumors, known as the pH paradigm, is increasingly becoming accepted by the scientific community as a hallmark of cancer. Accumulated evidence shows that this is not simply a metabolic consequence of a dysregulated behavior, but rather an essential process in the physiopathology of accelerated proliferation and invasion. From the over-simplification of increased lactate production as the cause of the paradigm, as initially proposed, basic science researchers have arrived at highly complex and far-reaching knowledge, that substantially modified that initial belief. These new developments show that the paradigm entails a different regulation of membrane transporters, electrolyte exchangers, cellular and membrane enzymes, water trafficking, specialized membrane structures, transcription factors, and metabolic changes that go far beyond fermentative glycolysis. This complex world of dysregulations is still shuttered behind the walls of experimental laboratories and has not yet reached bedside medicine. However, there are many known pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals that are capable of targeting the pH paradigm. Most of these products are well known, have low toxicity, and are also inexpensive. They need to be repurposed, and this would entail shorter clinical studies and enormous cost savings if we compare them with the time and expense required for the development of a new molecule. Will targeting the pH paradigm solve the "cancer problem"? Absolutely not. However, reversing the pH inversion would strongly enhance standard treatments, rendering them more efficient, and in some cases permitting lower doses of toxic drugs. This article's goal is to describe how to reverse the pH gradient inversion with existing drugs and nutraceuticals that can easily be used in bedside medicine, without adding toxicity to established treatments. It also aims at increasing awareness among practicing physicians that targeting the pH paradigm would be able to improve the results of standard therapies. Some clinical cases will be presented as well, showing how the pH gradient inversion can be treated at the bedside in a simple manner with repurposed drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Koltai
- Centro de Diagnostico y Tratamiento de la Obra Social del Personal de la Alimentacion, Talar de Pacheco, Buenos Aires 1617, Argentina
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21
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Liu R, Zhang Y, Ding Y, Zhang S, Pan L. Characteristics of TGFBR1-EGFR-CTNNB1-CDH1 Signaling Axis in Wnt-Regulated Invasion and Migration in Lung Cancer. Cell Transplant 2020; 29:963689720969167. [PMID: 33231090 PMCID: PMC7784602 DOI: 10.1177/0963689720969167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the characteristics of TGFBR1-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-CTNNB1-CDH1 axis in regulating the invasion and migration in lung cancer. Using the small interfering RNA technology, EGFR was silenced in H2170 and H1299 cells. Then, the colony formation, migration, and invasion abilities were detected using colony-forming assay and transwell assay. Moreover, the mRNA expression of smad2, smad3, CTNNB1, and CDH1, and the protein expression of TGFBR1, CDH1, and TCF were determined using the real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The results showed that silencing EGFR could significantly decrease the colony-forming ability in H2170 and H1299. Knocking down EGFR could significantly inhibit the invasion and migration ability of H2179 and H1299. Inhibiting the expression of EGFR could significantly decrease the expression of smad2, smad3, CDH1, and CTNNB1, with all P-values <0.05. In addition, silencing EGFR could markedly decrease the expression of TGFBR1 and CDH1 in H1299 and H2170, with all P-values <0.05. In conclusion, silencing EGFR could significantly regulate the progression of lung cancer via TGFBR1-EGFR-CTNNB1-CDH1 axis in Wnt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Liu
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Yusui Zhang
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Yuan Ding
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Shuai Zhang, Department of Interventional Radiology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, No. 1 West Beijing Road, Guiyang 550004, China.
| | - Long Pan
- Department of Interventional and Vascular Surgery, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Long Pan, Department of Interventional and Vascular Surgery, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University. No. 301 Middle Yan Chang Road, Shanghai 200072, China.
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22
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Golshan M, Khaleghi S, Shafiee SM, Valaee S, Ghanei Z, Jamshidizad A, Dashtizad M, Shamsara M. Metformin modulates oncogenic expression of HOTAIR gene via promoter methylation and reverses epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MDA-MB-231 cells. J Cell Biochem 2020; 122:385-393. [PMID: 33164274 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological event, which critically regulates migration and invasion of cancer cells. EMT is regulated by several protein and nonprotein factors (such as noncoding RNAs). HOTAIR is an oncogenic long noncoding RNA that stimulates EMT in cancers. In the current study, we investigated the effect of metformin on EMT behavior and HOTAIR expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The minimal effective concentrations of metformin (10 and 20 mM) were obtained by the MTT test. Cell migration and invasion in the metformin-containing medium were assayed in the scratch assay and transwell test. Meaningful decreases in both cell migration and invasion were observed in the presence of metformin. Vimentin, snail, β-catenin, and HOTAIR transcripts were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Reduction in the expression of vimentin, β-catenin, and HOTAIR was detected as the result of metformin treatment, but the snail showed a constant expression. Western blottingrevealed the downregulation of vimentin and β-catenin proteins. HOTAIR promoter methylation pattern was also investigated in metformin-exposed cells using bisulfite sequencing PCR which the result showed differences in the methylation profile of CpG islands between the treated and untreated cells. In conclusion, metformin modulated oncogenic expression of the HOTAIR gene in the MDA-MB-231 cells. This downregulation was associated with the modification of promoter methylation patterns. Since HOTAIR induces EMT in breast cancer, HOTAIR decline might be one of the mechanisms by which metformin reverses EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Golshan
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Khaleghi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Biochemistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Shiva Valaee
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Ghanei
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Jamshidizad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Dashtizad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Shamsara
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
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23
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Oginuma M, Harima Y, Tarazona OA, Diaz-Cuadros M, Michaut A, Ishitani T, Xiong F, Pourquié O. Intracellular pH controls WNT downstream of glycolysis in amniote embryos. Nature 2020; 584:98-101. [PMID: 32581357 PMCID: PMC8278564 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2428-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Formation of the body of vertebrate embryos proceeds sequentially by posterior addition of tissues from the tail bud. Cells of the tail bud and the posterior presomitic mesoderm, which control posterior elongation1, exhibit a high level of aerobic glycolysis that is reminiscent of the metabolic status of cancer cells experiencing the Warburg effect2,3. Glycolytic activity downstream of fibroblast growth factor controls WNT signalling in the tail bud3. In the neuromesodermal precursors of the tail bud4, WNT signalling promotes the mesodermal fate that is required for sustained axial elongation, at the expense of the neural fate3,5. How glycolysis regulates WNT signalling in the tail bud is currently unknown. Here we used chicken embryos and human tail bud-like cells differentiated in vitro from induced pluripotent stem cells to show that these cells exhibit an inverted pH gradient, with the extracellular pH lower than the intracellular pH, as observed in cancer cells6. Our data suggest that glycolysis increases extrusion of lactate coupled to protons via the monocarboxylate symporters. This contributes to elevating the intracellular pH in these cells, which creates a favourable chemical environment for non-enzymatic β-catenin acetylation downstream of WNT signalling. As acetylated β-catenin promotes mesodermal rather than neural fate7, this ultimately leads to activation of mesodermal transcriptional WNT targets and specification of the paraxial mesoderm in tail bud precursors. Our work supports the notion that some tumour cells reactivate a developmental metabolic programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Oginuma
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- IMCR, Gunma University, Gunma, Japan
| | - Yukiko Harima
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Oscar A Tarazona
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margarete Diaz-Cuadros
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arthur Michaut
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tohru Ishitani
- IMCR, Gunma University, Gunma, Japan
- RIMD, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Fengzhu Xiong
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olivier Pourquié
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Harun MSR, Taylor M, Zhu XQ, Elsheikha HM. Transcriptome Profiling of Toxoplasma gondii-Infected Human Cerebromicrovascular Endothelial Cell Response to Treatment with Monensin. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060842. [PMID: 32512820 PMCID: PMC7356316 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Central to the progression of cerebral toxoplasmosis is the interaction of Toxoplasma gondii with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cells. In the present work, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of Wnt pathway signalling by the monovalent ionophore monensin reduces the growth of T. gondii infecting human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) or microglial cells. The anti-parasitic effect of monensin (a Wnt signalling inhibitor) on the in vitro growth of T. gondii tachyzoites was investigated using two methods (Sulforhodamine B staining and microscopic parasite counting). The monensin inhibited T. gondii growth (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 0.61 μM) with a selective index = 8.48 when tested against hBMECs (50% cytotoxic concentration [CC50] = 5.17 μM). However, IC50 of monensin was 4.13 μM with a SI = 13.82 when tested against microglia cells (CC50 = 57.08 μM), suggesting less sensitivity of microglia cells to monensin treatment. The effect of T. gondii on the integrity of the BBB was assessed by the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay using an in vitro human BBB model. The results showed that T. gondii infection significantly decreased hBMECs' TEER resistance, which was rescued when cells were treated with 0.1 µM monensin, probably due to the anti-parasitic activity of monensin. We also investigated the host-targeted effects of 0.1 µM monensin on global gene expression in hBMECs with or without T. gondii infection. Treatment of hBMECs with monensin did not significantly influence the expression of genes involved in the Wnt signalling pathway, suggesting that although inhibition of the Wnt signalling pathway did not play a significant role in T. gondii infection of hBMECs, monensin was still effective in limiting the growth of T. gondii. On the contrary, monensin treatment downregulated pathways related to steroids, cholesterol and protein biosynthesis and their transport between endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, and deregulated pathways related to cell cycle and DNA synthesis and repair mechanisms. These results provide new insight into the host-modulatory effect of monensin during T. gondii infection, which merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad S. R. Harun
- Infectomics Cluster, Advanced Medical & Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang 13200, Malaysia;
| | - Mica Taylor
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK;
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China
- Correspondence: (X.-Q.Z.); (H.M.E.); Tel.: +86-(0)931-834-2837 (X.-Q.Z.); +44-(0)115-951-6445 (H.M.E); Fax: +44-(0)115-951-6440 (H.M.E.)
| | - Hany M. Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK;
- Correspondence: (X.-Q.Z.); (H.M.E.); Tel.: +86-(0)931-834-2837 (X.-Q.Z.); +44-(0)115-951-6445 (H.M.E); Fax: +44-(0)115-951-6440 (H.M.E.)
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25
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Harguindey S, Alfarouk K, Polo Orozco J, Hardonnière K, Stanciu D, Fais S, Devesa J. A New and Integral Approach to the Etiopathogenesis and Treatment of Breast Cancer Based upon Its Hydrogen Ion Dynamics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1110. [PMID: 32046158 PMCID: PMC7036897 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite all efforts, the treatment of breast cancer (BC) cannot be considered to be a success story. The advances in surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have not been sufficient at all. Indeed, the accumulated experience clearly indicates that new perspectives and non-main stream approaches are needed to better characterize the etiopathogenesis and treatment of this disease. This contribution deals with how the new pH-centric anticancer paradigm plays a fundamental role in reaching a more integral understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of this multifactorial disease. For the first time, the armamentarium available for the treatment of the different types and phases of BC is approached here from a Unitarian perspective-based upon the hydrogen ion dynamics of cancer. The wide-ranged pH-related molecular, biochemical and metabolic model is able to embrace most of the fields and subfields of breast cancer etiopathogenesis and treatment. This single and integrated approach allows advancing towards a unidirectional, concerted and synergistic program of treatment. Further efforts in this line are likely to first improve the therapeutics of each subtype of this tumor and every individual patient in every phase of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Harguindey
- Institute of Clinical Biology and Metabolism, Postas 13, 01004 Vitoria, Spain;
| | - Khalid Alfarouk
- Al-Ghad International Colleges for Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia and Alfarouk Biomedical Research LLC, Tampa, FL 33617, USA;
| | - Julián Polo Orozco
- Institute of Clinical Biology and Metabolism, Postas 13, 01004 Vitoria, Spain;
| | - Kévin Hardonnière
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Inflammation, Microbiome and Immunosurveillance, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France;
| | - Daniel Stanciu
- Scientific Direction, MCS Foundation For Life, 5623KR Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Stefano Fais
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (National Institute of Health), Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Jesús Devesa
- Scientific Direction, Foltra Medical Centre, Travesía de Montouto 24, 15886 Teo, Spain;
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26
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Martin SD, McGee SL. A systematic flux analysis approach to identify metabolic vulnerabilities in human breast cancer cell lines. Cancer Metab 2019; 7:12. [PMID: 31890204 PMCID: PMC6935091 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-019-0207-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Increased flux through both glycolytic and oxidative metabolic pathways is a hallmark of breast cancer cells and is critical for their growth and survival. As such, targeting this metabolic reprograming has received much attention as a potential treatment approach. However, the heterogeneity of breast cancer cell metabolism, even within classifications, suggests a necessity for an individualised approach to treatment in breast cancer patients. Methods The metabolic phenotypes of a diverse panel of human breast cancer cell lines representing the major breast cancer classifications were assessed using real-time metabolic flux analysis. Flux linked to ATP production, pathway reserve capacities and specific macromolecule oxidation rates were quantified. Suspected metabolic vulnerabilities were targeted with specific pathway inhibitors, and relative cell viability was assessed using the crystal violet assay. Measures of AMPK and mTORC1 activity were analysed through immunoblotting. Results Breast cancer cells displayed heterogeneous energy requirements and utilisation of non-oxidative and oxidative energy-producing pathways. Quantification of basal glycolytic and oxidative reserve capacities identified cell lines that were highly dependent on individual pathways, while assessment of substrate oxidation relative to total oxidative capacity revealed cell lines that were highly dependent on individual macromolecules. Based on these findings, mild mitochondrial inhibition in ESH-172 cells, including with the anti-diabetic drug metformin, and mild glycolytic inhibition in Hs578T cells reduced relative viability, which did not occur in non-transformed MCF10a cells. The effects on viability were associated with AMPK activation and inhibition of mTORC1 signalling. Hs578T were also found to be highly dependent on glutamine oxidation and inhibition of this process also impacted viability. Conclusions Together, these data highlight that systematic flux analysis in breast cancer cells can identify targetable metabolic vulnerabilities, despite heterogeneity in metabolic profiles between individual cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheree D Martin
- Metabolic Reprogramming Laboratory, Metabolic Research Unit, School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria Australia
| | - Sean L McGee
- Metabolic Reprogramming Laboratory, Metabolic Research Unit, School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria Australia
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27
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Ma H, Lian C, Song Y. Fibulin-2 inhibits development of gastric cancer by downregulating β-catenin. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:2799-2804. [PMID: 31452758 PMCID: PMC6676648 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of fibulin-2 and β-catenin in gastric cancer tissues and the association to mutual regulation. Forty-nine cases of gastric cancer specimens obtained via surgical resection in the Pathology Department of Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College from March 2013 to August 2017 were collected. The expression levels of fibulin-2 and β-catenin in 49 cases of gastric cancer and para-carcinoma tissues were detected via quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The correlation of expression of fibulin-2 and β-catenin proteins in gastric cancer was detected via Spearman's analysis. The correlation of fibulin-2 and β-catenin protein expression with clinicopathological indexes of patients was also analyzed. Moreover, the fibulin-2 overexpression plasmid was constructed and transfected into human gastric cancer AGS and SGC-790 cell lines, so as to observe changes in β-catenin and its downstream indexes. Fibulin-2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) level in gastric cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in para-carcinoma tissues, while β-catenin mRNA level was significantly increased (P<0.05). The positive rate of fibulin-2 protein was 73.47% (36/49) in gastric cancer tissues and 16.33% (8/49) in para-carcinoma tissues, while that of β-catenin was 77.55% (38/49) in gastric cancer tissues and 28.57% (14/49) in para-carcinoma tissues, indicating that fibulin-2 protein is significantly deleted in gastric cancer tissues, and β-catenin protein is significantly upregulated (P<0.001). Fibulin-2 and β-catenin had a negative correlation (r=−0.361, P=0.003), but was closely correlated with the tumor size and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). After overexpression of fibulin-2, expression of β-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-Myc protein was obviously downregulated (P<0.05). The tumor suppressor gene, fibulin-2, is significantly deleted in gastric cancer tissues, while β-catenin is remarkably enriched. Overexpression of fibulin-2 can inhibit the development of gastric cancer by downregulating β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongping Ma
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi 046000, P.R. China
| | - Changhong Lian
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi 046000, P.R. China
| | - Yingming Song
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi 046000, P.R. China
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Song Z, Wang H, Zhang S. Negative regulators of Wnt signaling in non-small cell lung cancer: Theoretical basis and therapeutic potency. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 118:109336. [PMID: 31545260 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant advances in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been made over the past decade, and they predominantly involve molecular targets such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements. However, despite the initial good response, drug resistance eventually develops. The Wnt signaling pathway has recently been considered important in embryonic development and tumorigenesis in many cancers, particularly NSCLC. Moreover, the aberrant Wnt pathway plays a significant role in NSCLC and is associated with cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, invasion and drug resistance, and the suppression of canonical or noncanonical Wnt signaling through various biological or pharmacological negative regulators has been proven to produce specific anticancer effects. Thus, blocking the Wnt pathway via its negative regulators may overcome the resistance of current treatment methods and lead to new treatment strategies for NSCLC. Therefore, in this review, we summarize recent studies on the role of negative regulators in Wnt signaling in NSCLC and the therapeutic potency of these molecules as agents and targets for NSCLC treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zikuan Song
- West China School of Basic Medical Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- West China School of Basic Medical Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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29
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Amable G, Martínez-León E, Picco ME, Di Siervi N, Davio C, Rozengurt E, Rey O. Metformin inhibits β-catenin phosphorylation on Ser-552 through an AMPK/PI3K/Akt pathway in colorectal cancer cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2019; 112:88-94. [PMID: 31082618 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Several epidemiologic studies have revealed strong inverse associations between metformin use and risk of colorectal cancer development. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms are still uncertain. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which plays a central role in intestinal homeostasis and sporadic colorectal cancer development, is regulated by phosphorylation cascades that are dependent and independent of Wnt. Here we report that a non-canonical Ser552 phosphorylation in β-catenin, which promotes its nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity, is blocked by metformin via AMPK-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gastón Amable
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Caba, 1120, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Martínez-León
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Caba, 1120, Argentina
| | - María Elisa Picco
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Caba, 1120, Argentina
| | - Nicolas Di Siervi
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Argentina
| | - Carlos Davio
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Argentina; Departamento de Farmacología, Caba, 1113, Argentina
| | - Enrique Rozengurt
- Unit of Signal Transduction and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, Molecular Biology Institute and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1786, USA
| | - Osvaldo Rey
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Caba, 1120, Argentina.
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