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Deng Z, Fan T, Xiao C, Tian H, Zheng Y, Li C, He J. TGF-β signaling in health, disease, and therapeutics. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:61. [PMID: 38514615 PMCID: PMC10958066 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01764-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a multifunctional cytokine expressed by almost every tissue and cell type. The signal transduction of TGF-β can stimulate diverse cellular responses and is particularly critical to embryonic development, wound healing, tissue homeostasis, and immune homeostasis in health. The dysfunction of TGF-β can play key roles in many diseases, and numerous targeted therapies have been developed to rectify its pathogenic activity. In the past decades, a large number of studies on TGF-β signaling have been carried out, covering a broad spectrum of topics in health, disease, and therapeutics. Thus, a comprehensive overview of TGF-β signaling is required for a general picture of the studies in this field. In this review, we retrace the research history of TGF-β and introduce the molecular mechanisms regarding its biosynthesis, activation, and signal transduction. We also provide deep insights into the functions of TGF-β signaling in physiological conditions as well as in pathological processes. TGF-β-targeting therapies which have brought fresh hope to the treatment of relevant diseases are highlighted. Through the summary of previous knowledge and recent updates, this review aims to provide a systematic understanding of TGF-β signaling and to attract more attention and interest to this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqin Deng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Tao Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Chu Xiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - He Tian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yujia Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Chunxiang Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Jie He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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2
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Prime SS, Davies M, Pring M, Paterson IC. The Role of TGF-β in Epithelial Malignancy and its Relevance to the Pathogenesis of Oral Cancer (Part II). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 15:337-47. [PMID: 15574678 DOI: 10.1177/154411130401500603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in epithelial malignancy is complex, but it is becoming clear that, in the early stages of carcinogenesis, the protein acts as a potent tumor suppressor, while later, TGF-β can function to advance tumor progression. We review the evidence to show that the pro-oncogenic functions of TGF-β are associated with (1) a partial loss of response to the ligand, (2) defects of components of the TGF-β signal transduction pathway, (3) over-expression and/or activation of the latent complex, (4) epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and (5) recruitment of signaling pathways which act in concert with TGF-β to facilitate the metastatic phenotype. These changes are viewed in the context of what is known about the pathogenesis of oral cancer and whether this knowledge can be translated into the development of new therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Prime
- Department of Oral and Dental Science, Division of Oral Medicine, Pathology and Microbiology, Bristol Dental Hospital and School, University of Bristol, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LY, United Kingdom.
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3
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White RA, Neiman JM, Reddi A, Han G, Birlea S, Mitra D, Dionne L, Fernandez P, Murao K, Bian L, Keysar SB, Goldstein NB, Song N, Bornstein S, Han Z, Lu X, Wisell J, Li F, Song J, Lu SL, Jimeno A, Roop DR, Wang XJ. Epithelial stem cell mutations that promote squamous cell carcinoma metastasis. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:4390-404. [PMID: 23999427 DOI: 10.1172/jci65856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) originate in stratified epithelia, with a small subset becoming metastatic. Epithelial stem cells are targets for driver mutations that give rise to SCCs, but it is unknown whether they contribute to oncogenic multipotency and metastasis. We developed a mouse model of SCC by targeting two frequent genetic mutations in human SCCs, oncogene Kras(G12D) activation and Smad4 deletion, to mouse keratin 15-expressing (K15+) stem cells. We show that transgenic mice developed multilineage tumors, including metastatic SCCs. Among cancer stem cell-enriched (CSC-enriched) populations, those with increased side population (SP) cells correlated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and lung metastasis. We show that microRNA-9 (miR-9) contributed to SP expansion and metastasis, and miR-9 inhibition reduced the number of SP cells and metastasis. Increased miR-9 was detected in metastatic human primary SCCs and SCC metastases, and miR-9-transduced human SCC cells exhibited increased invasion. We identified α-catenin as a predominant miR-9 target. Increased miR-9 in human SCC metastases correlated with α-catenin loss but not E-cadherin loss. Our results demonstrate that stem cells with Kras(G12D) activation and Smad4 depletion can produce tumors that are multipotent and susceptible to EMT and metastasis. Additionally, tumor initiation and metastatic properties of CSCs can be uncoupled, with miR-9 regulating the expansion of metastatic CSCs.
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4
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Glick AB. The Role of TGFβ Signaling in Squamous Cell Cancer: Lessons from Mouse Models. J Skin Cancer 2012; 2012:249063. [PMID: 23326666 PMCID: PMC3541634 DOI: 10.1155/2012/249063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
TGFβ1 is a member of a large growth factor family including activins/inhibins and bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) that have a potent growth regulatory and immunomodulatory functions in normal skin homeostasis, regulation of epidermal stem cells, extracellular matrix production, angiogenesis, and inflammation. TGFβ signaling is tightly regulated in normal tissues and becomes deregulated during cancer development in cutaneous SCC and many other solid tumors. Because of these diverse biological processes regulated by TGFβ1, this cytokine and its signaling pathway appear to function at multiple points during carcinogenesis with distinct effects. The mouse skin carcinogenesis model has been a useful tool to dissect the function of this pathway in cancer pathogenesis, with transgenic and null mice as well as small molecule inhibitors to alter the function of the TGFβ1 pathway and assess the effects on cancer development. This paper will review data on changes in TGFβ1 signaling in human SCC primarily HNSCC and cutaneous SCC and different mouse models that have been generated to investigate the relevance of these changes to cancer. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the duality of TGFβ1 action in carcinogenesis will inform potential use of this signaling pathway for targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam B. Glick
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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5
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Mordasky Markell L, Pérez-Lorenzo R, Masiuk KE, Kennett MJ, Glick AB. Use of a TGFbeta type I receptor inhibitor in mouse skin carcinogenesis reveals a dual role for TGFbeta signaling in tumor promotion and progression. Carcinogenesis 2010; 31:2127-35. [PMID: 20852150 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgq191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological inhibitors of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) type I receptor (ALK5) have shown promise in blocking growth of xenotransplanted cancer cell lines but the effect on a multistage cancer model is not known. To test this, we treated mouse skin with SB431542 (SB), a well-characterized ALK5 inhibitor, during a two-stage skin carcinogenesis assay. Topical SB significantly reduced the total number, incidence and size of papillomas compared with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) promotion alone, and this was linked to increased epidermal apoptosis, decreased proliferation and decreased cutaneous inflammation during promotion. In contrast, the frequency of conversion to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was 2-fold higher in papillomas treated with SB. Although there was no difference in tumor cell proliferation in early premalignant lesions, those that formed after SB treatment exhibited reduced squamous differentiation and an altered inflammatory microenvironment similar to SCC. In an inducible epidermal RAS transgenic model, treatment with SB enhanced proliferation and cutaneous inflammation in skin but decreased expression of keratin 1 and increased expression of simple epithelial keratin 18, markers of premalignant progression. In agreement with increased frequency of progression in the multistage model, SB treatment resulted in increased tumor formation with a more malignant phenotype following long-term RAS induction. In contrast to the current paradigm for TGFβ in carcinogenesis, these results demonstrate that cutaneous TGFβ signaling enables promotion of benign tumors but suppresses premalignant progression through context-dependent regulation of epidermal homeostasis and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Mordasky Markell
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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6
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Guasch G, Schober M, Pasolli HA, Conn EB, Polak L, Fuchs E. Loss of TGFbeta signaling destabilizes homeostasis and promotes squamous cell carcinomas in stratified epithelia. Cancer Cell 2007; 12:313-27. [PMID: 17936557 PMCID: PMC2424201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2007.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2007] [Revised: 07/09/2007] [Accepted: 08/20/2007] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Although TGFbeta is a potent inhibitor of proliferation, epithelia lacking the essential receptor (TbetaRII) for TGFbeta signaling display normal tissue homeostasis. By studying asymptomatic TbetaRII-deficient stratified epithelia, we show that tissue homeostasis is maintained by balancing hyperproliferation with elevated apoptosis. Moreover, rectal and genital epithelia, which are naturally proliferative, develop spontaneous squamous cell carcinomas with age when TbetaRII is absent. This progression is associated with a reduction in apoptosis and can be accelerated in phenotypically normal epidermis by oncogenic mutations in Ras. We show that TbetaRII deficiency leads to enhanced keratinocyte motility and integrin-FAK-Src signaling. Together, these mechanisms provide a molecular framework to account for many of the characteristics of TbetaRII-deficient invasive SQCCs.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anus Neoplasms/metabolism
- Anus Neoplasms/pathology
- Apoptosis
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/enzymology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- Cell Movement
- Cell Proliferation
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology
- Cells, Cultured
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Epithelial Cells/pathology
- Extracellular Matrix/metabolism
- Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism
- Homeostasis
- Humans
- Integrins/metabolism
- Keratin-14/genetics
- Keratinocytes/metabolism
- Keratinocytes/pathology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Mutation
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Papilloma/metabolism
- Papilloma/pathology
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/deficiency
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/deficiency
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Skin/metabolism
- Skin/pathology
- Skin/physiopathology
- Skin Neoplasms/metabolism
- Skin Neoplasms/pathology
- Time Factors
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Urogenital Neoplasms/metabolism
- Urogenital Neoplasms/pathology
- Wound Healing
- ras Proteins/genetics
- ras Proteins/metabolism
- src-Family Kinases/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Géraldine Guasch
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Markus Schober
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - H. Amalia Pasolli
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Emily Belmont Conn
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Lisa Polak
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Elaine Fuchs
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- *Correspondence:
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Kao WWY, Liu CY. The use of transgenic and knock-out mice in the investigation of ocular surface cell biology. Ocul Surf 2007; 1:5-19. [PMID: 17075625 DOI: 10.1016/s1542-0124(12)70003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The transgenic and knock-out mice created by transgenesis and gene targeting techniques are very useful for elucidating the pathophysiology of human diseases caused by altered genetic functions. Many of the experimental mouse lines exhibit ocular surface disorders. However, embryonic lethality and congenital defects found in many of the transgenic and knock-out mice preclude their use for studying the consequences of altered genetic functions in adult animals. To circumvent these difficulties, we have established binary inducible mouse models, using the corneal keratocyte-specific keratocan promoter, and the tetracycline-inducible gene expression system (reverse tetracycline transcription activator--rtTA). In these models, the animals function normally until they are fed doxycycline, thus inducing the overexpression of inserted transgenes by keratocytes. We have also developed inserted rtTA and Cre reporter gene constructs to create genetically modified mouse lines that have tissue-specific gene alterations to study acquired conditions, e.g., wound healing and irregular hormone and cytokine signaling that offsets homeostasis in adults. Furthermore, the genes that are ubiquitously expressed in many tissues can be specifically ablated solely in ocular surface tissues to examine their function, since the loss of such a gene in ocular surface tissues will not be life-threatening. It is noteworthy that these altered mouse lines can also be used as models for the development of therapeutic treatment regimens of diseases using gene therapy and stem cell strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winston W-Y Kao
- Department of Opthalmology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0527, USA.
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8
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) signalling regulates cancer through mechanisms that function either within the tumour cell itself or through host-tumour cell interactions. Studies of tumour-cell-autonomous TGFbeta effects show clearly that TGFbeta signalling has a mechanistic role in tumour suppression and tumour promotion. In addition, factors in the tumour microenvironment, such as fibroblasts, immune cells and the extracellular matrix, influence the ability of TGFbeta to promote or suppress carcinoma progression and metastasis. The complex nature of TGFbeta signalling and crosstalk in the tumour microenvironment presents a unique challenge, and an opportunity to develop therapeutic intervention strategies for targeting cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Bierie
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA
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9
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Han G, Lu SL, Li AG, He W, Corless CL, Kulesz-Martin M, Wang XJ. Distinct mechanisms of TGF-beta1-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis during skin carcinogenesis. J Clin Invest 2005; 115:1714-23. [PMID: 15937546 PMCID: PMC1142114 DOI: 10.1172/jci24399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2005] [Accepted: 04/19/2005] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we demonstrated that human skin cancers frequently overexpress TGF-beta1 but exhibit decreased expression of the TGF-beta type II receptor (TGF-(beta)RII). To understand how this combination affects cancer prognosis, we generated a transgenic mouse model that allowed inducible expression of TGF-beta(1) in keratinocytes expressing a dominant negative TGF-(beta)RII (Delta(beta)RII) in the epidermis. Without Delta(beta)RII expression, TGF-beta1 transgene induction in late-stage, chemically induced papillomas failed to inhibit tumor growth but increased metastasis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), i.e., formation of spindle cell carcinomas. Interestingly, Delta(beta)RII expression abrogated TGF-beta1-mediated EMT and was accompanied by restoration of membrane-associated E-cadherin/catenin complex in TGF-beta1/Delta(beta)RII compound tumors. Furthermore, expression of molecules thought to mediate TGF-beta1-induced EMT was attenuated in TGF-beta1/Delta(beta)RII-transgenic tumors. However, TGF-beta1/Delta(beta)RII-transgenic tumors progressed to metastasis without losing expression of the membrane-associated E-cadherin/catenin complex and at a rate higher than those observed in nontransgenic, TGF-beta1-transgenic, or Delta(beta)RII-transgenic mice. Abrogation of Smad activation by Delta(beta)RII correlated with the blockade of EMT. However, Delta(beta)RII did not alter TGF-beta1-mediated expression of RhoA/Rac and MAPK, which contributed to increased metastasis. Our study provides evidence that TGF-beta1 induces EMT and invasion via distinct mechanisms. TGF-beta1-mediated EMT requires functional TGF-(beta)RII, whereas TGF-beta1-mediated tumor invasion cooperates with reduced TGF-(beta)RII signaling in tumor epithelia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gangwen Han
- Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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10
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Li AG, Lu SL, Zhang MX, Deng C, Wang XJ. Smad3 Knockout Mice Exhibit a Resistance to Skin Chemical Carcinogenesis. Cancer Res 2004; 64:7836-45. [PMID: 15520189 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-04-1331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
It has been shown that Smad3 exerts both tumor-suppressive and -promoting roles. To evaluate the role of Smad3 in skin carcinogenesis in vivo, we applied a chemical skin carcinogenesis protocol to Smad3 knockout mice (Smad3(-/-) and Smad3(+/-)) and wild-type littermates (Smad3(+/+)). Smad3(-/-) mice exhibited reduced papilloma formation in comparison with Smad3(+/+) mice and did not develop any squamous cell carcinomas. Further analysis revealed that Smad3 knockout mice were resistant to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced epidermal hyperproliferation. Concurrently, increased apoptosis was observed in TPA-treated Smad3(-/-) skin and papillomas when compared with those of wild-type mice. Expression levels of activator protein-1 family members (c-jun, junB, junD, and c-fos) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha were significantly lower in TPA-treated Smad3(-/-) skin, cultured keratinocytes, and papillomas, as compared with Smad3(+/+) controls. Smad3(-/-) papillomas also exhibited reduced leukocyte infiltration, particularly a reduction of tumor-associated macrophage infiltration, in comparison with Smad3(+/+) papillomas. All of these molecular and cellular alterations also occurred to a lesser extent in Smad3(+/-) mice as compared with Smad3(+/+) mice, suggesting a Smad3 gene dosage effect. Given that TGF-beta1 is a well-documented TPA-responsive gene and also has a potent chemotactic effect on macrophages, our study suggests that Smad3 may be required for TPA-mediated tumor promotion through inducing TGF-beta1-responsive genes, which are required for tumor promotion, and through mediating TGF-beta1-induced macrophage infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen G Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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11
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Huntley SP, Davies M, Matthews JB, Thomas G, Marshall J, Robinson CM, Eveson JW, Paterson IC, Prime SS. Attenuated type II TGF-beta receptor signalling in human malignant oral keratinocytes induces a less differentiated and more aggressive phenotype that is associated with metastatic dissemination. Int J Cancer 2004; 110:170-6. [PMID: 15069677 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.20111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We examined the effect of stable transfection of dominant negative TbetaR-II (dn TbetaR-II) cDNA in a human oral carcinoma cell line that contained normal Ras and was growth inhibited by TGF-beta1. Two clonal cell lines containing dn TbetaR-II were isolated and compared to the vector-only control and parent cell line. The treatment of cells with exogenous TGF-beta1 resulted in a decrease in ligand-induced growth inhibition and loss of c-myc downregulation in test cells compared to controls; transcriptional activation of certain genes including fra-1 and collagenase was retained. Cells containing dn TbetaR-II grew faster in monolayer culture, expressed less keratin 10 and exhibited increased motility and invasion in vitro compared to control cell lines. Endogenous TGF-beta1 production and the regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by TGF-beta1 remained unchanged. After orthotopic transplantation to the floor of the mouth in athymic mice, cells containing dn TbetaR-II formed comparable numbers of primary tumours at the site of inoculation as controls but the tumours were less differentiated as demonstrated by the absence of keratin 10 immunostaining. Further, metastatic dissemination to the lungs and lymphatics was more evident in grafts of cells containing dn TbetaR-II than controls. Taken together, the results demonstrate that attenuation of TGF-beta signalling through transfection of dn TbetaR-II cDNA leads to an enhanced growth rate, a loss of tumour cell differentiation and an increase in migration and invasion, characteristics that corresponded to the development of the metastatic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzy P Huntley
- Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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12
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Kobayashi T, Chung UI, Schipani E, Starbuck M, Karsenty G, Katagiri T, Goad DL, Lanske B, Kronenberg HM. PTHrP and Indian hedgehog control differentiation of growth plate chondrocytes at multiple steps. Development 2002; 129:2977-86. [PMID: 12050144 DOI: 10.1242/dev.129.12.2977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In developing murine growth plates, chondrocytes near the articular surface (periarticular chondrocytes) proliferate, differentiate into flat column-forming proliferating cells (columnar chondrocytes), stop dividing and finally differentiate into hypertrophic cells. Indian hedgehog (Ihh), which is predominantly expressed in prehypertrophic cells, stimulates expression of parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related peptide (PTHrP) which negatively regulates terminal chondrocyte differentiation through the PTH/PTHrP receptor (PPR). However, the roles of PTHrP and Ihh in regulating earlier steps in chondrocyte differentiation are unclear. We present novel mouse models with PPR abnormalities that help clarify these roles. In mice with chondrocyte-specific PPR ablation and mice with reduced PPR expression, chondrocyte differentiation was accelerated not only at the terminal step but also at an earlier step: periarticular to columnar differentiation. In these models, upregulation of Ihh action in the periarticular region was also observed. In the third model in which the PPR was disrupted in about 30% of columnar chondrocytes, Ihh action in the periarticular chondrocytes was upregulated because of ectopically differentiated hypertrophic chondrocytes that had lost PPR. Acceleration of periarticular to columnar differentiation was also noted in this mouse, while most of periarticular chondrocytes retained PPR signaling. These data suggest that Ihh positively controls differentiation of periarticular chondrocytes independently of PTHrP. Thus, chondrocyte differentiation is controlled at multiple steps by PTHrP and Ihh through the mutual regulation of their activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Kobayashi
- Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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13
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He W, Li AG, Wang D, Han S, Zheng B, Goumans MJ, ten Dijke P, Wang XJ. Overexpression of Smad7 results in severe pathological alterations in multiple epithelial tissues. EMBO J 2002; 21:2580-90. [PMID: 12032071 PMCID: PMC126032 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/21.11.2580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Biochemical studies have shown that Smad7 blocks signal transduction of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta); however, its in vivo functions are largely unknown. To determine the functions of Smad7, we have expressed Smad7 in transgenic mice, utilizing a keratin K5 promoter (K5.Smad7). K5.Smad7 mice exhibited pathological changes in multiple tissues and died within 10 days after birth. These mice were born with open eyelids and corneal defects, significantly delayed and aberrant hair follicle morphogenesis, and hyperproliferation in the epidermis and other stratified epithelia. Furthermore, K5.Smad7 mice developed severe thymic atrophy and massive thymocyte death, suggesting that Smad signaling in thymic epithelia is essential for thymocyte survival. Interestingly, in addition to a reduction in Smad phosphorylation, the protein levels of the receptors for TGFbeta, activin and bone morphogenetic protein were significantly decreased in the affected tissues of K5.Smad7 mice. Our study provides evidence that Smad7 is a potent in vivo inhibitor for signal transduction of the TGFbeta superfamily during development and maintenance of homeostasis of multiple epithelial tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei He
- Departments of
Dermatology, Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA and Division of Cellular Biochemistry, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Allen G. Li
- Departments of
Dermatology, Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA and Division of Cellular Biochemistry, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Dongyan Wang
- Departments of
Dermatology, Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA and Division of Cellular Biochemistry, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Shuhua Han
- Departments of
Dermatology, Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA and Division of Cellular Biochemistry, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Biao Zheng
- Departments of
Dermatology, Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA and Division of Cellular Biochemistry, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Marie-José Goumans
- Departments of
Dermatology, Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA and Division of Cellular Biochemistry, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Departments of
Dermatology, Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA and Division of Cellular Biochemistry, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Departments of
Dermatology, Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA and Division of Cellular Biochemistry, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Corresponding author e-mail:
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14
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Piek E, Roberts AB. Suppressor and oncogenic roles of transforming growth factor-beta and its signaling pathways in tumorigenesis. Adv Cancer Res 2002; 83:1-54. [PMID: 11665716 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-230x(01)83001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been implicated in oncogenesis since the time of its discovery almost 20 years ago. The complex, multifunctional activities of TGF-beta endow it with both tumor suppressor and tumor promoting activities, depending on the stage of carcinogenesis and the responsivity of the tumor cell. Dysregulation or alteration of TGF-beta signaling in tumorigenesis can occur at many different levels, including activation of the ligand, mutation or transcriptional suppression of the receptors, or alteration of downstream signal transduction pathways resulting from mutation or changes in expression patterns of signaling intermediates or from changes in expression of other proteins which modulate signaling. New insights into signaling from the TGF-beta receptors, including the identification of Smad signaling pathways and their interaction with mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways, are providing an understanding of the changes involved in the change from tumor suppressor to tumor promoting activities of TGF-beta. It is now appreciated that loss of sensitivity to inhibition of growth by TGF-beta by most tumor cells is not synonymous with complete loss of TGF-beta signaling but rather suggests that tumor cells gain advantage by selective inactivation of the tumor suppressor activities of TGF-beta with retention of its tumor promoting activities, especially those dependent on cross talk with MAP kinase pathways and AP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Piek
- Laboratory of Cell Regulation and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-8395, USA
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de Iongh RU, Lovicu FJ, Overbeek PA, Schneider MD, Joya J, Hardeman ED, McAvoy JW. Requirement for TGFβ receptor signaling during terminal lens fiber differentiation. Development 2001; 128:3995-4010. [PMID: 11641223 DOI: 10.1242/dev.128.20.3995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Several families of growth factors have been identified as regulators of cell fate in the developing lens. Members of the fibroblast growth factor family are potent inducers of lens fiber differentiation. Members of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) family, particularly bone morphogenetic proteins, have also been implicated in various stages of lens and ocular development, including lens induction and lens placode formation. However, at later stages of lens development, TGFβ family members have been shown to induce pathological changes in lens epithelial cells similar to those seen in forms of human subcapsular cataract. Previous studies have shown that type I and type II TGFβ receptors, in addition to being expressed in the epithelium, are also expressed in patterns consistent with a role in lens fiber differentiation. In this study we have investigated the consequences of disrupting TGFβ signaling during lens fiber differentiation by using the mouse αΑ-crystallin promoter to overexpress mutant (kinase deficient), dominant-negative forms of either type I or type II TGFβ receptors in the lens fibers of transgenic mice. Mice expressing these transgenes had pronounced bilateral nuclear cataracts. The phenotype was characterized by attenuated lens fiber elongation in the cortex and disruption of fiber differentiation, culminating in fiber cell apoptosis and degeneration in the lens nucleus. Inhibition of TGFβ signaling resulted in altered expression patterns of the fiber-specific proteins, α-crystallin, filensin, phakinin and MIP. In addition, in an in vitro assay of cell migration, explanted lens cells from transgenic mice showed impaired migration on laminin and a lack of actin filament assembly, compared with cells from wild-type mice. These results indicate that TGFβ signaling is a key event during fiber differentiation and is required for completion of terminal differentiation.
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MESH Headings
- Actins/metabolism
- Activin Receptors, Type I/genetics
- Activin Receptors, Type I/physiology
- Animals
- Apoptosis
- Aquaporins
- Cataract/embryology
- Cataract/genetics
- Cataract/metabolism
- Cell Differentiation
- Cell Division
- Cell Movement
- Crystallins/genetics
- Eye Proteins/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Humans
- In Situ Hybridization
- Intermediate Filament Proteins/genetics
- Lens, Crystalline/cytology
- Lens, Crystalline/embryology
- Lens, Crystalline/metabolism
- Membrane Glycoproteins
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
- Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I
- Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/physiology
- Signal Transduction
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Affiliation(s)
- R U de Iongh
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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Chen T, Yan W, Wells RG, Rimm DL, McNiff J, Leffell D, Reiss M. Novel inactivating mutations of transforming growth factor-beta type I receptor gene in head-and-neck cancer metastases. Int J Cancer 2001; 93:653-61. [PMID: 11477574 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.1381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Carcinoma cell lines are frequently refractory to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta)-mediated cell cycle arrest. Whether and how TGF beta signaling is disrupted in the majority of human tumors, however, remains unclear. To investigate whether TGF beta signaling might be disrupted by inactivation of the key signaling molecule, the TGF beta type I (T beta R-I) receptor, and whether or not T beta R-I inactivation is associated with late stage disease, we conducted a comprehensive structural analysis of the T beta R-I gene in fine-needle aspirates of 23 head-&-neck cancer metastases. We encountered 4 different mutations of T beta R-I, 3 of which have not been previously identified. In 1 case, we found a somatic intragenic 4-bp deletion predicting for a truncation of the receptor protein. This is the first example of a true loss-of-function mutation of T beta R-I in a human epithelial neoplasm. In 2 other cases, we identified missense mutations located between the juxtamembrane- and serine-threonine kinase domains. One of these resulted in an alanine-to-threonine substitution (A230T), which disrupts receptor signaling activity by causing rapid protein degradation within the endoplasmatic reticulum. This represents a novel mechanism of inactivation of a TGF beta signaling intermediate. Finally, we identified a serine-to-tyrosine substitution at codon 387 (S387Y) in a metastasis but not in the corresponding primary tumor. We had previously shown this S387Y mutant to be predominantly associated with breast cancer metastases and to have a diminished ability to mediate TGF beta-dependent signaling. In aggregate, these findings provide further support for the hypothesis that inactivation of the TGF beta signaling pathway occurs in a significant subset of human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Chen
- Department of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- J Massagué
- Cell Biology Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
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