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Cui H, Liang X, Zhu Y, Elayah SA, Qi H, Xie L, Guo Z, Siya F, Ming Y, Yuxin G, Tu J, Na S. Mena as a key enhancer factor of EMT to promote metastasis of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Dis 2024; 30:2084-2096. [PMID: 37203597 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mammalian-enabled (Mena) on tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) metastasis and its mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunochemistry was performed to investigate the Mena and tumor-related markers expression, and its clinicopathological characteristics in 46 TSCC specimens. TSCC cell SCC9 and Cal27 untransfected or stable transfected with Mena overexpression and small interfering RNA were used to determine the role of Mena in cell proliferation, cell migration, invasion and metastasis, and EMT-related markers in vitro, and the effect of Mena on TSCC growth and metastasis through tumor-bearing and tumor metastasis immunodeficient mice models in vivo. RESULTS Immunochemistry showed that the expression of Mena was significantly correlated with lymphatic metastasis and TNM stage, E-cadherin, Vimentin, and MMP2. Mena did not affect cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo. However, it promoted cell migration and invasion in vitro, and TSCC metastasis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Mena expression is associated with lymphatic metastasis and tumor stage and promotes TSCC invasion and metastasis by inducing the EMT process. Thus, Mena may be a biomarker for prognosis and targeted therapy in TSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Cui
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiang Liang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yifei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sadam Ahmed Elayah
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hong Qi
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Pathology, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Linyang Xie
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhichen Guo
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fang Siya
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Ming
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gong Yuxin
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Junbo Tu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sijia Na
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Toledo B, Deiana C, Scianò F, Brandi G, Marchal JA, Perán M, Giovannetti E. Treatment resistance in pancreatic and biliary tract cancer: molecular and clinical pharmacology perspectives. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2024; 17:323-347. [PMID: 38413373 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2024.2319340] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Treatment resistance poses a significant obstacle in oncology, especially in biliary tract cancer (BTC) and pancreatic cancer (PC). Current therapeutic options include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Resistance to these treatments may arise due to diverse molecular mechanisms, such as genetic and epigenetic modifications, altered drug metabolism and efflux, and changes in the tumor microenvironment. Identifying and overcoming these mechanisms is a major focus of research: strategies being explored include combination therapies, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, and personalized approaches. AREAS COVERED We provide a current overview and discussion of the most relevant mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy, target therapy, and immunotherapy in both BTC and PC. Furthermore, we compare the different strategies that are being implemented to overcome these obstacles. EXPERT OPINION So far there is no unified theory on drug resistance and progress is limited. To overcome this issue, individualized patient approaches, possibly through liquid biopsies or single-cell transcriptome studies, are suggested, along with the potential use of artificial intelligence, to guide effective treatment strategies. Furthermore, we provide insights into what we consider the most promising areas of research, and we speculate on the future of managing treatment resistance to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Toledo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chiara Deiana
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Scianò
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Lumobiotics GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Giovanni Brandi
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Juan Antonio Marchal
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada-Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Macarena Perán
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC) Start-Up Unit, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Di Modugno F, Di Carlo A, Spada S, Palermo B, D'Ambrosio L, D'Andrea D, Morello G, Belmonte B, Sperduti I, Balzano V, Gallo E, Melchionna R, Panetta M, Campo G, De Nicola F, Goeman F, Antoniani B, Carpano S, Frigè G, Warren S, Gallina F, Lambrechts D, Xiong J, Vincent BG, Wheeler N, Bortone DS, Cappuzzo F, Facciolo F, Tripodo C, Visca P, Nisticò P. Tumoral and stromal hMENA isoforms impact tertiary lymphoid structure localization in lung cancer and predict immune checkpoint blockade response in patients with cancer. EBioMedicine 2024; 101:105003. [PMID: 38340557 PMCID: PMC10869748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105003] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) correlate with positive outcomes in patients with NSCLC and the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in cancer. The actin regulatory protein hMENA undergoes tissue-specific splicing, producing the epithelial hMENA11a linked to favorable prognosis in early NSCLC, and the mesenchymal hMENAΔv6 found in invasive cancer cells and pro-tumoral cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). This study investigates how hMENA isoforms in tumor cells and CAFs relate to TLS presence, localization and impact on patient outcomes and ICB response. METHODS Methods involved RNA-SEQ on NSCLC cells with depleted hMENA isoforms. A retrospective observational study assessed tissues from surgically treated N0 patients with NSCLC, using immunohistochemistry for tumoral and stromal hMENA isoforms, fibronectin, and TLS presence. ICB-treated patient tumors were analyzed using Nanostring nCounter and GeoMx spatial transcriptomics. Multiparametric flow cytometry characterized B cells and tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM). Survival and ICB response were estimated in the cohort and validated using bioinformatics pipelines in different datasets. FINDINGS Findings indicate that hMENA11a in NSCLC cells upregulates the TLS regulator LTβR, decreases fibronectin, and favors CXCL13 production by TRM. Conversely, hMENAΔv6 in CAFs inhibits LTβR-related NF-kB pathway, reduces CXCL13 secretion, and promotes fibronectin production. These patterns are validated in N0 NSCLC tumors, where hMENA11ahigh expression, CAF hMENAΔv6low, and stromal fibronectinlow are associated with intratumoral TLS, linked to memory B cells and predictive of longer survival. The hMENA isoform pattern, fibronectin, and LTβR expression broadly predict ICB response in tumors where TLS indicates an anti-tumor immune response. INTERPRETATION This study uncovers hMENA alternative splicing as an unexplored contributor to TLS-related Tumor Immune Microenvironment (TIME) and a promising biomarker for clinical outcomes and likely ICB responsiveness in N0 patients with NSCLC. FUNDING This work is supported by AIRC (IG 19822), ACC (RCR-2019-23669120), CAL.HUB.RIA Ministero Salute PNRR-POS T4, "Ricerca Corrente" granted by the Italian Ministry of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Di Modugno
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Anna Di Carlo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Sheila Spada
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Belinda Palermo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo D'Ambrosio
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniel D'Andrea
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, New Hall Block - Room 171, Clifton Campus - NG11 8NS, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Gaia Morello
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Isabella Sperduti
- Biostatistics and Scientific Direction, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittoria Balzano
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Gallo
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Melchionna
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Panetta
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Campo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca De Nicola
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Frauke Goeman
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Antoniani
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Carpano
- Second Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Frigè
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, Milan, Italy
| | - Sarah Warren
- NanoString Technologies Inc., 530 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Filippo Gallina
- Thoracic-Surgery Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- Center for Cancer Biology, Herestraat 49 box 912, VIB, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jieyi Xiong
- Center for Cancer Biology, Herestraat 49 box 912, VIB, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benjamin G Vincent
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 5206 Marsico Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Nathan Wheeler
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 5206 Marsico Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Dante S Bortone
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 5206 Marsico Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Federico Cappuzzo
- Second Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Facciolo
- Thoracic-Surgery Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Visca
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Nisticò
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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Trono P, Tocci A, Palermo B, Di Carlo A, D'Ambrosio L, D'Andrea D, Di Modugno F, De Nicola F, Goeman F, Corleone G, Warren S, Paolini F, Panetta M, Sperduti I, Baldari S, Visca P, Carpano S, Cappuzzo F, Russo V, Tripodo C, Zucali P, Gregorc V, Marchesi F, Nistico P. hMENA isoforms regulate cancer intrinsic type I IFN signaling and extrinsic mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint blockade in NSCLC. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006913. [PMID: 37612043 PMCID: PMC10450042 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006913] [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] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding how cancer signaling pathways promote an immunosuppressive program which sustains acquired or primary resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is a crucial step in improving immunotherapy efficacy. Among the pathways that can affect ICB response is the interferon (IFN) pathway that may be both detrimental and beneficial. The immune sensor retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) induces IFN activation and secretion and is activated by actin cytoskeleton disturbance. The actin cytoskeleton regulatory protein hMENA, along with its isoforms, is a key signaling hub in different solid tumors, and recently its role as a regulator of transcription of genes encoding immunomodulatory secretory proteins has been proposed. When hMENA is expressed in tumor cells with low levels of the epithelial specific hMENA11a isoform, identifies non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with poor prognosis. Aim was to identify cancer intrinsic and extrinsic pathways regulated by hMENA11a downregulation as determinants of ICB response in NSCLC. Here, we present a potential novel mechanism of ICB resistance driven by hMENA11a downregulation. METHODS Effects of hMENA11a downregulation were tested by RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq, flow cytometry and biochemical assays. ICB-treated patient tumor tissues were profiled by Nanostring IO 360 Panel enriched with hMENA custom probes. OAK and POPLAR datasets were used to validate our discovery cohort. RESULTS Transcriptomic and biochemical analyses demonstrated that the depletion of hMENA11a induces IFN pathway activation, the production of different inflammatory mediators including IFNβ via RIG-I, sustains the increase of tumor PD-L1 levels and activates a paracrine loop between tumor cells and a unique macrophage subset favoring an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Notably, when we translated our results in a clinical setting of NSCLC ICB-treated patients, transcriptomic analysis revealed that low expression of hMENA11a, high expression of IFN target genes and high macrophage score identify patients resistant to ICB therapy. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these data establish a new function for the actin cytoskeleton regulator hMENA11a in modulating cancer cell intrinsic type I IFN signaling and extrinsic mechanisms that promote protumoral macrophages and favor EMT. These data highlight the role of actin cytoskeleton disturbance in activating immune suppressive pathways that may be involved in resistance to ICB in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Trono
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tocci
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Belinda Palermo
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Di Carlo
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo D'Ambrosio
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniel D'Andrea
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Francesca Di Modugno
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Frauke Goeman
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Corleone
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Sarah Warren
- NanoString Technologies Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Francesca Paolini
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Panetta
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Sperduti
- Biostatistics Unit, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Baldari
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Visca
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Carpano
- Second Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Cappuzzo
- Second Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Russo
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Department of Health Sciences, Human Pathology Section, Tumor Immunology Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Zucali
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Vanesa Gregorc
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Marchesi
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Nistico
- Tumor of Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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Liu X, Feng M, Hao X, Gao Z, Wu Z, Wang Y, Du L, Wang C. m6A methylation regulates hypoxia-induced pancreatic cancer glycolytic metabolism through ALKBH5-HDAC4-HIF1α positive feedback loop. Oncogene 2023:10.1038/s41388-023-02704-8. [PMID: 37149664 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02704-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the most hypoxic cancer type among solid tumors. The dynamic changes of RNA N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A) contribute to tumor cells adaption to hypoxic microenvironmental. However, the regulatory mechanisms of hypoxia response in PC remains elusive. Here, we reported that the m6A demethylase ALKBH5 mediated a decrease of total mRNA m6A modification during hypoxia. Subsequently, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) combined with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed transcriptome-wide gene expression alteration and identified histone deacetylase type 4 (HDAC4) as a key target gene of m6A modification under hypoxic conditionds. Mechanistically, m6A methylation recognized by m6A reader-YTHDF2 enhanced the stability of HDAC4, and then promoted glycolytic metabolism and migration of PC cells. Our assays also demonstrated that hypoxia-induced HDAC4 enhanced HIF1a protein stability, and overexpressed HIF1a promoted transcription of ALKBH5 in hypoxic pancreatic cancer cells. Together, these results found a ALKBH5/HDAC4/HIF1α positive feedback loop for cellular response to hypoxia in pancreatic cancer. Our studies uncover the crosstalk between histone acetylation and RNA methylation modification on layer of epigenetic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, Shandong, 250033, China
| | - Maoxiao Feng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, Shandong, 250033, China
| | - Xiaodong Hao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, Shandong, 250033, China
| | - Zihan Gao
- School of Preclinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xianlin Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Zhaoxin Wu
- School of pharmacy, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, shandong,, 266071, China
| | - Yuli Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, Shandong, 250033, China
| | - Lutao Du
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, Shandong, 250033, China.
| | - Chuanxin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, Shandong, 250033, China.
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Zhang W, Jiang T, Xie K. Epigenetic reprogramming in pancreatic premalignancy and clinical implications. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1024151. [PMID: 36874143 PMCID: PMC9978013 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1024151] [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: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the most lethal human cancer, with less than 10% 5-year survival. Pancreatic premalignancy is a genetic and epigenomic disease and is linked to PC initiation. Pancreatic premalignant lesions include pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), with pancreatic acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) as the major source of pancreatic premalignant lesions. Emerging evidence reveals that an epigenetic dysregulation is an early event in pancreatic tumorigenesis. The molecular mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance include chromatin remodeling; modifications in histone, DNA, and RNA; non-coding RNA expression; and alternative splicing of RNA. Changes in those epigenetic modifications contribute to the most notable alterations in chromatin structure and promoter accessibility, thus leading to the silence of tumor suppressor genes and/or activation of oncogenes. The expression profiles of various epigenetic molecules provide a promising opportunity for biomarker development for early diagnosis of PC and novel targeted treatment strategies. However, how the alterations in epigenetic regulatory machinery regulate epigenetic reprogramming in pancreatic premalignant lesions and the different stages of their initiation needs further investigation. This review will summarize the current knowledge of epigenetic reprogramming in pancreatic premalignant initiation and progression, and its clinical applications as detection and diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, School of Medicine, The South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, The South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, School of Medicine, The South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, The South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Keping Xie
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, School of Medicine, The South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, The South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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Na S, Cui H, Guo Z, Liang X, Sakran KA, Guo X, Li X, Xie L, Zhu Y, Qi H, Tu J. Overexpression of Mena is associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma via EMT. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1052375. [PMID: 36620546 PMCID: PMC9822539 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1052375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mena, a cytoskeletal regulatory protein, is involved in actin-based regulation of cell motility and adhesion, and contributes to tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the role of Mena in oral squamous cell carcinoma remains unclear. This is the first research focusing on the prognostic value of Mena in OSCC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between Mena expression and clinicopathological significance, as well as prognostic value in OSCC. Methods Mena gene expression profiles of OSCC and normal tissues were collected from Oncomine, TCGA, and GEO databases. Biological function was analyzed through GO, KEGG and GSEA enrichment. Further, the expression level of Mena and tumor-related markers in 151 OSCC specimens was examined by IHC staining based on tissue microarray. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess the prognostic performance of Mena in OSCC. Result Mena was generally upregulation in various malignancies, especially OSCC. The functional analyses indicated that Mena was involved in the assembly and regulation of actin, cell movement, and EMT. IHC staining revealed that high expression of Mena in OSCC was correlated with Lymphatic metastasis, TNM stage, E-cadherin, Vimentin, and MMP-2, but insignificantly Ki67. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that elevated expression of Mena was significantly associated with poor overall survival and disease-free survival of OSCC patients. Conclusion Mena could be a novel biomarker for predicting the prognosis of OSCC patients, which supports a theoretical basis for developing molecular target therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Na
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hao Cui
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhichen Guo
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiang Liang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Karim Ahmed Sakran
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaomei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Department of Pathology, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xingqiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Linyang Xie
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yifei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hong Qi
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Department of Pathology, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,*Correspondence: Hong Qi, ; Junbo Tu,
| | - Junbo Tu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China,*Correspondence: Hong Qi, ; Junbo Tu,
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8
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Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics and Type I IFN-Mediated Immune Response: A Dangerous Liaison in Cancer? BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10090913. [PMID: 34571790 PMCID: PMC8469949 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Actin cytoskeleton is a dynamic subcellular component critical for maintaining cell shape and for elaborating response to any stimulus converging on the cell. Cytoskeleton constantly interfaces with diverse cellular components and affects a wide range of processes important in homeostasis and disease. What has been clearly demonstrated to date is that pathogens modify and use host cytoskeleton to their advantage. What is now emerging is that in sterile conditions, when a chronic inflammation occurs as in cancer, the subversion of tissue homeostasis induces an alarm status which mimics infection. This activates cellular players similar to those that solve an infection, but their persistence may pave the way for tumor progression. Understanding molecular mechanisms engaged by cytoskeleton to induce this viral mimicry could improve our knowledge of processes governing tumor progression and resistance to therapy. Abstract Chronic viral infection and cancer are closely inter-related and are both characterized by profound alteration of tissue homeostasis. The actin cytoskeleton dynamics highly participate in tissue homeostasis and act as a sensor leading to an immune-mediated anti-cancer and anti-viral response. Herein we highlight the crucial role of actin cytoskeleton dynamics in participating in a viral mimicry activation with profound effect in anti-tumor immune response. This still poorly explored field understands the cytoskeleton dynamics as a platform of complex signaling pathways which may regulate Type I IFN response in cancer. This emerging network needs to be elucidated to identify more effective anti-cancer strategies and to further advance the immuno-oncology field which has revolutionized the cancer treatment. For a progress to occur in this exciting arena we have to shed light on actin cytoskeleton related pathways and immune response. Herein we summarize the major findings, considering the double sword of the immune response and in particular the role of Type I IFN pathways in resistance to anti-cancer treatment.
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9
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Hu X, Chen W. Role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:4998-5006. [PMID: 34307550 PMCID: PMC8283607 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i19.4998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the seventh leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The vast majority of patients who have PC develop metastases, resulting in poor treatment effects. Although great progress in therapeutic approaches has been achieved in recent decades, extensive drug resistance still persists, representing a major hurdle to effective anticancer therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the drug resistance mechanisms and develop novel treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes. Numerous studies suggest that chemoresistance is closely related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of PDAC cells. Thus, this article summarizes the impact of EMT on PDAC from the perspective of chemotherapy resistance and discusses the possible novel applications of EMT inhibition to develop more effective drugs against PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310002, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Cancer Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy Combining Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, Zhejiang Province, China
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10
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Melchionna R, Trono P, Tocci A, Nisticò P. Actin Cytoskeleton and Regulation of TGFβ Signaling: Exploring Their Links. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020336. [PMID: 33672325 PMCID: PMC7926735 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human tissues, to maintain their architecture and function, respond to injuries by activating intricate biochemical and physical mechanisms that regulates intercellular communication crucial in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Coordination of the communication occurs through the activity of different actin cytoskeletal regulators, physically connected to extracellular matrix through integrins, generating a platform of biochemical and biomechanical signaling that is deregulated in cancer. Among the major pathways, a controller of cellular functions is the cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), which remains a complex and central signaling network still to be interpreted and explained in cancer progression. Here, we discuss the link between actin dynamics and TGFβ signaling with the aim of exploring their aberrant interaction in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Melchionna
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (P.T.); (A.T.)
| | - Paola Trono
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (P.T.); (A.T.)
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, via Ramarini 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tocci
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (P.T.); (A.T.)
| | - Paola Nisticò
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (P.T.); (A.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0652662539
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11
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Nisticò P, Ciliberto G. Biological mechanisms linked to inflammation in cancer: Discovery of tumor microenvironment-related biomarkers and their clinical application in solid tumors. Int J Biol Markers 2020; 35:8-11. [PMID: 32079468 DOI: 10.1177/1724600820906155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Our view of cancer biology radically shifted from a "cancer-cell-centric" vision to a view of cancer as an organ disease. The concept that genetic and/or epigenetic alterations, at the basis of cancerogenesis, are the main if not the exclusive drivers of cancer development and the principal targets of therapy, has now evolved to include the tumor microenvironment in which tumor cells can grow, proliferate, survive, and metastasize only within a favorable environment. The interplay between cancer cells and the non-cellular and cellular components of the tumor microenvironment plays a fundamental role in tumor development and evolution both at the primary site and at the level of metastasis. The shape of the tumor cells and tumor mass is the resultant of several contrasting forces either pro-tumoral or anti-tumoral which have at the level of the tumor microenvironment their battle field. This crucial role of tumor microenvironment composition in cancer progression also dictates whether immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitor antibodies is going to be efficacious. Hence, tumor microenvironment deconvolution has become of great relevance in order to identify biomarkers predictive of efficacy of immunotherapy. In this short paper we will briefly review the relationship between inflammation and cancer, and will summarize in 10 short points the key concepts learned so far and the open challenges to be solved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Nisticò
- IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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12
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Wang L, Bi J, Li X, Wei M, He M, Zhao L. Prognostic alternative splicing signature reveals the landscape of immune infiltration in Pancreatic Cancer. J Cancer 2020; 11:6530-6544. [PMID: 33046974 PMCID: PMC7545682 DOI: 10.7150/jca.47877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive cancer with worse survival in the world. Emerging evidence suggested that the imbalance of alternative splicing (AS) is a hallmark of cancer and indicated poor prognosis of patients. Genes-derived splicing events can produce neoepitopes for immunotherapy. However, the profound study of splicing profiling in PC is still elusive. We aimed to identification of novel prognostic signature across a comprehensive splicing landscape and reveal their relationship with tumor-infiltrating immune cells in pancreatic cancer microenvironment. Methods: Based on integrated analysis of splicing profiling and clinical data, differentially splicing events were filtered out. Then, stepwise Cox regression analysis was applied to identify survival-related splicing events and construct prognostic signature. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to explore biology function. Kaplan-Meier curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed to validate the predictive effect of predictive signature. We also verified the clinical value of prognostic signature under the influence of different clinical parameters. For deeper analysis, we evaluated the correlation between prognostic signature and infiltrating immune cells by CIBERSORT. Results: According to systematic analyzing, a final six splicing events were identified and validated the good prognostic capability in entire TCGA dataset, validation set 1 and validation set 2 by Kaplan-Meier curves (P < 0.0001). The area under the curve (AUC) of ROC curves were also confirmed the high predictive efficiency of the prognostic signature in these three cohorts (AUC = 0.857, 0.895 and 0.788). In order to validate whether prognostic signature highlights a correlation between AS and immune contexture, CIBERSORT was performed to analyze the proportion of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in PC. Based on prognostic signature, we identified survival-related immune cells including CD8 T cells (P = 0.0111), activated CD4 memory T cells (P = 0.0329) and resting mast cells (P = 0.0352). Conclusion: In conclusion, our study contribute to provide a promising prognostic signature based on six splicing events and revealed prognosis-related immune cells which indeed represented novel tumor drivers and provide potential targets for personalized therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation; Liaoning Cancer immune peptide drug Engineering Technology Research Center; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education; China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jia Bi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation; Liaoning Cancer immune peptide drug Engineering Technology Research Center; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education; China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xueping Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation; Liaoning Cancer immune peptide drug Engineering Technology Research Center; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education; China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Minjie Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation; Liaoning Cancer immune peptide drug Engineering Technology Research Center; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education; China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Miao He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation; Liaoning Cancer immune peptide drug Engineering Technology Research Center; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education; China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation; Liaoning Cancer immune peptide drug Engineering Technology Research Center; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education; China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
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13
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Melchionna R, Spada S, Di Modugno F, D'Andrea D, Di Carlo A, Panetta M, Mileo AM, Sperduti I, Antoniani B, Gallo E, Lawlor RT, Piemonti L, Visca P, Milella M, Grazi GL, Facciolo F, Chen E, Scarpa A, Nisticò P. The actin modulator hMENA regulates GAS6-AXL axis and pro-tumor cancer/stromal cell cooperation. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e50078. [PMID: 32909687 PMCID: PMC7645265 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202050078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic interplay between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is regulated by multiple signaling pathways, which can lead to cancer progression and therapy resistance. We have previously demonstrated that hMENA, a member of the actin regulatory protein of Ena/VASP family, and its tissue-specific isoforms influence a number of intracellular signaling pathways related to cancer progression. Here, we report a novel function of hMENA/hMENAΔv6 isoforms in tumor-promoting CAFs and in the modulation of pro-tumoral cancer cell/CAF crosstalk via GAS6/AXL axis regulation. LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis reveals that CAFs that overexpress hMENAΔv6 secrete the AXL ligand GAS6, favoring the invasiveness of AXL-expressing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Reciprocally, hMENA/hMENAΔv6 regulates AXL expression in tumor cells, thus sustaining GAS6-AXL axis, reported as crucial in EMT, immune evasion, and drug resistance. Clinically, we found that a high hMENA/GAS6/AXL gene expression signature is associated with a poor prognosis in PDAC and NSCLC. We propose that hMENA contributes to cancer progression through paracrine tumor-stroma crosstalk, with far-reaching prognostic and therapeutic implications for NSCLC and PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Melchionna
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Sheila Spada
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Modugno
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniel D'Andrea
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Cell Signaling and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Di Carlo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Panetta
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Mileo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Sperduti
- Biostatistics and Scientific Direction, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Antoniani
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Gallo
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita T Lawlor
- ARC-NET Research Centre, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Piemonti
- Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Visca
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Department of Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Grazi
- Hepato-pancreato-biliary Surgery Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Facciolo
- Thoracic-Surgery Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Emily Chen
- Thermo Fisher Precision Medicine Science Center, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-NET Research Centre, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Nisticò
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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14
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Zhou YJ, Zhu GQ, Zhang QW, Zheng KI, Chen JN, Zhang XT, Wang QW, Li XB. Survival-Associated Alternative Messenger RNA Splicing Signatures in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Study Based on RNA-Sequencing Data. DNA Cell Biol 2019; 38:1207-1222. [PMID: 31483163 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2019.4862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple studies have shown that cancer-specific alternative splicing (AS) alterations are associated with clinical outcome. In this study, we aimed to profile prognostic AS signatures for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We integrated the percent-spliced-in (PSI) data of AS in 140 PDAC patients based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. We identified overall survival (OS)-associated AS events using univariate Cox regression analysis. Then, prognostic AS signatures were constructed for OS and chemoresistance prediction using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. We also analyzed splicing factors (SFs) regulatory networks by Pearson's correlation. We detected 677 OS-related AS events in 485 genes by profiling 10,354 AS events obtained from 140 PDAC patients. Gene functional enrichment analysis demonstrated the pathways enriched by survival-associated AS. The AS signatures constructed with significant survival-associated AS events revealed high performance in predicting PDAC survival and gemcitabine chemoresistance. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.937 in training cohort and 0.748 in validation cohort at 2000 days of OS. Furthermore, we identified prognostic SFs (e.g., ESRP1 and HNRNPC) to build the AS regulatory network. We constructed AS signatures for OS and gemcitabine chemoresistance in PDAC patients, which may provide clues for further experiment-based mechanism study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jie Zhou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gui-Qi Zhu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing-Wei Zhang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kenneth I Zheng
- Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jin-Nan Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Tian Zhang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi-Wen Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Bo Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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15
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New insights into the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton dynamics by GPCR/β-arrestin in cancer invasion and metastasis. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 346:129-155. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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16
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Abstract
Cancer metastasis is defined as the dissemination of malignant cells from the primary tumor site, leading to colonization of distant organs and the establishment of a secondary tumor. Metastasis is frequently associated with chemoresistance and is the major cause of cancer-related mortality. Metastatic cells need to acquire the ability to resist to stresses provided by different environments, such as reactive oxygen species, shear stress, hemodynamic forces, stromal composition, and immune responses, to colonize other tissues. Hence, only a small population of cells has a metastasis-initiating potential. Several studies have revealed the misregulation of transcriptional variants during cancer progression, and many splice events can be used to distinguish between normal and tumoral tissue. These variants, which are abnormally expressed in malignant cells, contribute to an adaptive response of tumor cells and the success of the metastatic cascade, promoting an anomalous cell cycle, cellular adhesion, resistance to death, cell survival, migration and invasion. Understanding the different aspects of splicing regulation and the influence of transcriptional variants that control metastatic cells is critical for the development of therapeutic strategies. In this review, we describe how transcriptional variants contribute to metastatic competence and discuss how targeting specific isoforms may be a promising therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joice De Faria Poloni
- a Centro de Biotecnologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre , RS , Brazil
| | - Diego Bonatto
- a Centro de Biotecnologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Biotecnologia , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre , RS , Brazil
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17
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Correlation between S100A11 and the TGF-β 1/SMAD4 pathway and its effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1. Mol Cell Biochem 2018; 450:53-64. [PMID: 29922945 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-018-3372-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
S100A11 as a S100 protein family member has been documented to play dual-direction regulation over cancer cell proliferation. We explored the role of S100A11 in the proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1 and the potential mechanisms involving the TGF-β1/SMAD4/p21 pathway. S100A11 and TGF-β1 protein expressions in 30 paraffin-embedded specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. S100A11 and TGF-β1 expression in PANC-1 cell line was suppressed using small interfering RNA (siRNA), respectively. Subsequently, pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry, and S100A11 and TGF-β1/SMAD4/p21 pathway proteins and genes were detected with Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). S100A11 cytoplasmic/nuclear protein translocation was examined using NE-PER® cytoplasm/nuclear protein extraction in cells interfered with TGF-β1 siRNA. Our results showed that S100A11 expression was positively correlated with TGF-β1 expression in pancreatic cancerous tissue. Silencing TGF-β1 down-regulated intracellular P21WAF1 expression by 90%, blocked S100A11 from cytoplasm entering nucleus, and enhanced cell proliferation. Silencing S100A11 down-regulated intracellular P21 expression and promoted cell apoptosis without significantly changing TGF-β1 and SMAD4 expression. Our findings revealed that S100A11 and TGF-β1/SMAD4 signaling pathway were related but mutually independent in regulating PANC-1 cells proliferation and apoptosis. Other independent mechanisms might be involved in S100A11's regulation of pancreatic cell growth. S100A11 could be a potential gene therapy target for pancreatic cancer.
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hMENA isoforms impact NSCLC patient outcome through fibronectin/β1 integrin axis. Oncogene 2018; 37:5605-5617. [PMID: 29907768 PMCID: PMC6193944 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0364-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrated previously that the splicing of the actin regulator, hMENA, generates two alternatively expressed isoforms, hMENA11a and hMENAΔv6, which have opposite functions in cell invasiveness. Their mechanisms of action have remained unclear. Here we report two major findings: (i) hMENA regulates β1 integrin expression. This was shown by depleting total hMENA, which led to loss of nuclear expression of serum response factor (SRF)-coactivator myocardin-related transcription factor 1 (MRTF-A), leading to an increase in the G-actin/F-actin ratio crucial for MRTF-A localization. This in turn inhibited SRF activity and the expression of its target gene β1 integrin. (ii) hMENA11a reduces and hMENAΔv6 increases β1 integrin activation and signaling. Moreover, exogenous expression of hMENA11a in hMENAΔv6-positive cancer cells dramatically reduces secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including β1 integrin ligands and metalloproteinases. On the other hand, overexpression of the pro-invasive hMENAΔv6 increases fibronectin production. In primary tumors high hMENA11a correlates with low stromal fibronectin and a favorable clinical outcome of early node-negative non-small-cell lung cancer patients. These data provide new insights into the roles of hMENA11a and hMENAΔv6 in the druggable β1 integrin-ECM signaling axis and allow stratification of patient risk, guiding their clinical management.
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Zheng J, Mei Y, Xiang P, Zhai G, Zhao N, Xu C, Liu M, Pan Z, Tang K, Jia D. DNA methylation affects metastasis of renal cancer and is associated with TGF-β/RUNX3 inhibition. Cancer Cell Int 2018; 18:56. [PMID: 29651226 PMCID: PMC5894227 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-018-0554-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Renal cell carcinoma accounts for 2–3% of all cancers and metastasis increased the malignancy of renal cancer. However, the role of methylation in metastasis of renal cancer is poorly understood. Methods We performed targeted gene array to compare the differential expressions of methylation regulated genes in metastatic and primary renal cancer tissues. Quantitative methylation specific PCR was performed to examine the CpG methylation levels of Runt related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of target genes. Murine xenograft renal cancer model was established to assay gene expression, methylation level, tumor growth and animal survival in vivo. Results RUNX3 and TGF-β levels were decreased in metastatic renal cancer tissues as a result of their CpG methylation. Metastatic xenograft model displayed decreased expression levels of RUNX3 and TGF-β and higher CpG methylation levels, bigger tumor size and shorter survival time, all which were restored by treatment with a methylation inhibitor. Conclusions Hypermethylation in CpG islands promotes metastasis of renal cancer and is associated with TGF-β and RUNX3 inhibition. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12935-018-0554-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Zheng
- 1Department of Urology, QiLu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Western Road, Jinan, 250012 Shandong Province China.,2Department of Urology, Central Hospital of Zibo, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255036 Shandong Province China
| | - Yanhui Mei
- 3Department of Urology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, No 2 Huanghe Road, Binzhou, 256603 Shandong Province China
| | - Ping Xiang
- 4Department of Urology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, 17 Lujiang Road, Hefei, 230001 Anhui Province China
| | - Guangsheng Zhai
- 5Department of Radiotherapy, Central Hospital of Zibo, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255036 Shandong Province China
| | - Ning Zhao
- 2Department of Urology, Central Hospital of Zibo, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255036 Shandong Province China
| | - Chuanbing Xu
- 2Department of Urology, Central Hospital of Zibo, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255036 Shandong Province China
| | - Min Liu
- 2Department of Urology, Central Hospital of Zibo, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255036 Shandong Province China
| | - Zhengsheng Pan
- 2Department of Urology, Central Hospital of Zibo, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255036 Shandong Province China
| | - Kai Tang
- 2Department of Urology, Central Hospital of Zibo, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255036 Shandong Province China
| | - Dongsheng Jia
- 2Department of Urology, Central Hospital of Zibo, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255036 Shandong Province China
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hMENA is a key regulator in endothelin-1/β-arrestin1-induced invadopodial function and metastatic process. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:3132-3137. [PMID: 29439204 PMCID: PMC5866561 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1715998115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Discovering new targets and novel determinants of metastatic spread is an unmet need in ovarian cancer, which is plagued by high rates of recurrence. Endothelin-1 receptors (ET-1R), belonging to the G-protein–coupled receptor family, represent important targets critically involved in malignant progression. Here we identify a mechanistic link between ET-1R and the actin regulatory protein hMENA/hMENAΔv6 through the specific interaction with the multifunctional protein β-arrestin1 (β-arr1), which initiates signaling cascades as part of the molecular complex crucial for invadopodial maturation and malignant dissemination. Targeting ET-1R by using macitentan, a Food and Drug Administration-approved antipulmonary arterial hypertension drug, can impair the β-arr1–mediated signaling network controlling ovarian cancer progression and therefore represents a therapeutic option for ovarian cancer patients. Aberrant activation of endothelin-1 receptors (ET-1R) elicits pleiotropic effects relevant for tumor progression. The network activated by this receptor might be finely, spatially, and temporarily orchestrated by β-arrestin1 (β-arr1)–driven interactome. Here, we identify hMENA, a member of the actin-regulatory protein ENA/VASP family, as an interacting partner of β-arr1, necessary for invadopodial function downstream of ET-1R in serous ovarian cancer (SOC) progression. ET-1R activation by ET-1 up-regulates expression of hMENA/hMENAΔv6 isoforms through β-arr1, restricted to mesenchymal-like invasive SOC cells. The interaction of β-arr1 with hMENA/hMENAΔv6 triggered by ET-1 leads to activation of RhoC and cortactin, recruitment of membrane type 1-matrix metalloprotease, and invadopodia maturation, thereby enhancing cell plasticity, transendothelial migration, and the resulting spread of invasive cells. The treatment with the ET-1R antagonist macitentan impairs the interaction of β-arr1 with hMENA and inhibits invadopodial maturation and tumor dissemination in SOC orthotopic xenografts. Finally, high ETAR/hMENA/β-arr1 gene expression signature is associated with a poor prognosis in SOC patients. These data define a pivotal function of hMENA/hMENAΔv6 for ET-1/β-arr1–induced invadopodial activity and ovarian cancer progression.
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Mesenchymal traits at the convergence of tumor-intrinsic and -extrinsic mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint blockers. Emerg Top Life Sci 2017; 1:471-486. [PMID: 33525801 PMCID: PMC7289012 DOI: 10.1042/etls20170068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Targeting of immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs), such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and programmed-death 1/programmed-death ligand 1, has dramatically changed the landscape of cancer treatment. Seeing patients who were refractory to conventional therapy recover after immunotherapy, with high rates of objective durable responses and increased overall survival, has raised great enthusiasm in cancer care and research. However, to date, only a restricted portion of patients benefit from these therapies, due to natural and acquired resistance relying on the ever-evolving cross-talk between tumor and stromal cells. Here, we review the convergence of tumor-intrinsic and -extrinsic cues, both affecting tumor plasticity and tumor stroma leading to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which may account for the heterogeneous responses and resistance to ICB therapies. A deeper knowledge of the mechanisms and fingerprints involved in natural and acquired resistance is likely to bring clinical benefit to the majority of patients, offering important clues for overcoming drug resistance and boosting the effectiveness of treatment. We discuss the need to define tumor subtypes based on the tumor, immune and stromal gene signature and propose that the better we understand tumor mesenchymal traits, the more we will be able to identify predictive biomarkers of response to ICB treatments.
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Sistigu A, Di Modugno F, Manic G, Nisticò P. Deciphering the loop of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, inflammatory cytokines and cancer immunoediting. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2017; 36:67-77. [PMID: 28595838 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tumorigenesis and tumor progression relies on the dialectics between tumor cells, the extracellular matrix and its remodelling enzymes, neighbouring cells and soluble cues. The host immune response is crucial in eliminating or promoting tumor growth and the reciprocal coevolution of tumor and immune cells, during disease progression and in response to therapy, shapes tumor fate by activating innate and adaptive mechanisms. The phenotypic plasticity is a common feature of epithelial and immune cells and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic process, governed by microenvironmental stimuli, critical in tumor cell shaping, increased tumor cell heterogeneity and stemness. In this review we will outline how the dysregulation of microenvironmental signaling is crucial in determining tumor plasticity and EMT, arguing how therapy resistance hinges on these dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Sistigu
- Unit of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy; Department of General Pathology and Physiopathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Di Modugno
- Unit of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Gwenola Manic
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00173, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Nisticò
- Unit of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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