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Akins EA, Wilkins D, Aghi MK, Kumar S. An engineered glioblastoma model yields novel macrophage-secreted drivers of invasion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.18.567683. [PMID: 38014161 PMCID: PMC10680873 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.18.567683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastomas (GBMs) are highly invasive brain tumors replete with brain- and blood-derived macrophages, collectively known as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Targeting TAMs has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy but has thus far yielded limited clinical success in slowing GBM progression, due in part to an incomplete understanding of TAM function in GBM. Here, by using an engineered hyaluronic acid-based 3D invasion platform, patient-derived GBM cells, and multi-omics analysis of GBM tumor microenvironments, we show that M2-polarized macrophages stimulate GBM stem cell (GSC) mesenchymal transition and invasion. We identify TAM-derived transforming growth factor beta induced (TGFβI/BIGH3) as a pro-tumorigenic factor in the GBM microenvironment. In GBM patients, BIGH3 mRNA expression correlates with poor patient prognosis and is highest in the most aggressive GBM molecular subtype. Inhibiting TAM-derived BIGH3 signaling with a blocking antibody or small molecule inhibitor suppresses GSC invasion. Our work highlights the utility of 3D in vitro tumor microenvironment platforms to investigate TAM-cancer cell crosstalk and offers new insights into TAM function to guide novel TAM-targeting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A. Akins
- University of California, Berkeley – University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Dana Wilkins
- University of California, Berkeley – University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Manish K. Aghi
- Department of Neurosurgery; University of California San Francisco (UCSF)
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- University of California, Berkeley – University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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Gandhi S, Bhushan A, Shukla U, Pundir A, Singh S, Srivastava T. Downregulation of lncRNA SNHG1 in hypoxia and stem cells is associated with poor disease prognosis in gliomas. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:1135-1153. [PMID: 36945177 PMCID: PMC10081076 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2023.2191411] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are brain tumors associated with high morbidity, relapse and lethality despite improvement in therapeutic regimes. The hypoxic tumor microenvironment is a key feature associated with such poor outcomes in gliomas. The Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) family of transcription factors are master regulators of cellular proliferation, high metabolic rates and angiogenesis via aberrant expression of downstream genes. Recent studies have implicated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. In this study, identification of hypoxia regulated lncRNA with a bioinformatic pipeline consisting of a newly developed tool "GenOx" was utilized for the identification of Hypoxia Response Element (HRE) and Hypoxia Ancillary Sequence (HAS) motifs in the promoter regions of lncRNAs. This was coupled with molecular, functional and interactome-based analyses of these hypoxia-relevant lncRNAs in primary tumors and cell-line models. We report on the identification of novel hypoxia regulated lncRNAs SNHG12, CASC7 and MF12-AS1. A strong association of RNA splicing mechanisms was observed with enriched lncRNAs. Several lncRNAs have emerged as prognostic biomarkers, of which TP53TG1 and SNHG1 were identified as highly relevant lncRNAs in glioma progression and validated in hypoxia cultured cells. Significantly, we determined that SNHG1 expression in tumor (vs. normal) is different from glioma stem cells, GSC (vs. tumors) and in hypoxia (vs. normoxia), positioning downregulation of SNHG1 to be associated with worsened prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchit Gandhi
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashish Bhushan
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Unmesh Shukla
- Institute of Informatics and Communication, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Pundir
- Department of Electronics, Maharaja Agrasen College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Sanjeev Singh
- Institute of Informatics and Communication, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Tapasya Srivastava
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
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Li Y, Wei C, Wang W, Li Q, Wang Z. Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signalling: targeted therapy in neurogenic tumours. J Pathol Clin Res 2022; 9:89-99. [PMID: 36533776 PMCID: PMC9896160 DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), a transmembrane receptor protein, has been found to play a pivotal role in neural development. This protein is encoded by the neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (NTRK2) gene, and its abnormal activation caused by NTRK2 overexpression or fusion can contribute to tumour initiation, progression, and resistance to therapeutics in multiple types of neurogenic tumours. Targeted therapies for this mechanism have been designed and developed in preclinical and clinical studies, including selective TrkB inhibitors and pan-TRK inhibitors. This review describes the gene structure, biological function, abnormal TrkB activation mechanism, and current-related targeted therapies in neurogenic tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehua Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiPR China
| | - Chengjiang Wei
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiPR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiPR China
| | - Qingfeng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiPR China
| | - Zhi‐Chao Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiPR China
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Abstract
PURPOSE Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) belongs to the family of neurotrophic factors that can potentially increase cancer cell growth, survival, proliferation, anoikis, and migration by tyrosine kinase receptors TrkB and the p75NTR death receptor. The activation of BDNF/TrkB pathways leads to several downstream signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, Jak/STAT, PLCγ, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK, NF-kB, and transactivation of EGFR. The current review aimed to provide an overview of the role of BDNF and its signaling in cancer. METHODS We searched a major medical database, PubMed, to identify eligible studies for a narrative synthesis. RESULTS Pathological examinations demonstrate BDNF overexpression in human cancer, notably involving the prostate, lung, breast, and underlying tissues, associated with a higher death rate and poor prognosis. Therefore, measurement of BDNF, either for identifying the disease or predicting response to therapy, can be helpful in cancer patients. Expression profiling studies have recognized the role of microRNAs (miR) in modulating BDNF/TrkB pathways, such as miR-101, miR-107, miR-134, miR-147, miR-191, miR-200a/c, miR-204, miR-206, miR-210, miR-214, miR-382, miR-496, miR-497, miR-744, and miR-10a-5p, providing a potential biological mechanism by which targeted therapies may correlate with decreased BDNF expression in cancers. Clinical studies investigating the use of agents targeting BDNF receptors and related signaling pathways and interfering with the related oncogenic effect, including Entrectinib, Larotrectinib, Cabozantinib, Repotrectinib, Lestaurtinib, and Selitrectinib, are in progress. CONCLUSION The aberrant signaling of BDNF is implicated in various cancers. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to clarify the BDNF role in cancer progression and target it as a therapeutic method.
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Clinical Value Screening, Prognostic Significance, and Key Gene Identification of TrkB in Laryngeal Carcinoma. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:1354005. [PMID: 36033826 PMCID: PMC9417763 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1354005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Using human gene chip expression profiling technology to screen out downstream genes related to TrkB regulation in laryngeal cancer cells. Methods Using the Hep-2 TrkB shRNA cell line, divide it into an experimental group (shNTRK2) and a control group (PLKO1), and use the human gene expression microarray to screen out the differential genes. Then, select 10 upregulated genes and 10 downregulated genes from the differential genes, and use RT-PCR to verify whether the screening results of human gene expression microarray profiles are reliable. Use GO, KEGG, and miRNA enrichment analyses, PPI network diagram, etc., to analyze the differential genes and further screen out the key genes. Results A total of 318 differential genes (87 upregulated genes and 231 downregulated genes) were screened in laryngeal cancer cells. Use RT-PCR for the 10 upregulated differential genes (DMKN, FHL1, FOXN4, GGNBP1, HOXB9, ABCB1, TNFAI, RGS2, LINC01133, and FGG) and 10 downregulated differential genes (CHI3L1, FMOD, IGFBP1, IRF5, SPARC, NPAS4, TRPS1, TRAP, COL8A1, and DNER), and the results are consistent with the chip results, confirming the accuracy of the chip results; GO analysis results show that the downstream differential genes (DEGs) regulated by TrkB are mainly involved in biological processes such as retinol metabolic process, diterpenoid metabolic process, and regulation of cell-substrate adhesion. DEGs mainly affect cytoskeletal protein binding, serotonin-activated cation-selective channel activity, and sphingosine molecular functions. DEGs are mainly enriched in the cell periphery, secretory granule, cytoplasmic membrane-bounded vesicle lumen, blood microparticle, and other molecular components. The results of disease enrichment analysis show that the downstream differential genes regulated by TrkB are mainly involved in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, hematologic disease, meningococcal disease, lung cancer, susceptibility, asthma, and other diseases. The PPI network diagram results showed 7 hub genes, and then, we used GO analysis and KEGG enrichment analysis to see the biological process, cell component, molecular functions, and biological pathways. Conclusion Gene chip technology was used to screen out the differential genes of TrkB epigenetic modification in the Hep-2 cell line, and seven key genes (ALDH1A1, SDR16C5, PIK3R1, PLCG2, IL2RG, PIK3CD, and SPARC) were further screened using bioinformatics technology.
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Survivin Inhibition by Piperine Sensitizes Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cells and Leads to Better Drug Response. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147604. [PMID: 35886952 PMCID: PMC9323232 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cancer stem cells (GSCs) are one of the strongest contributing factors to treatment resistance in GBM. Identification of biomarkers capable of directly affecting these cells within the bulk tumor is a major challenge associated with the development of new targeting strategies. In this study, we focus on understanding the potential of the multifunctional extraordinaire survivin as a biomarker for GSCs. We analyzed the expression profiles of this gene using various publicly available datasets to understand its importance in stemness and other cancer processes. The findings from these studies were further validated using human GSCs isolated from a GBM cell line. In these GSCs, survivin was inhibited using the dietary phytochemical piperine (PIP) and the subsequent effects on stemness, cancer processes and Temozolomide were investigated. In silico analysis identified survivin to be one of the most significant differentially regulated gene in GSCs, in comparison to common stemness markers. Further validation studies on the isolated GSCs showed the importance of survivin in stemness, cancer progression and therapy resistance. Taken together, our study identifies survivin as a more consistent GSC marker and also suggests the possibility of using survivin inhibitors along with standard of care drugs for better therapeutic outcomes.
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Belotti Y, Tolomeo S, Yu R, Lim WT, Lim CT. Prognostic Neurotransmitter Receptors Genes Are Associated with Immune Response, Inflammation and Cancer Hallmarks in Brain Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2544. [PMID: 35626148 PMCID: PMC9139273 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. Neurotransmitters (NTs) have recently been linked with the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells, but the role of NTs in the progression of human gliomas is still largely unexplored. Here, we investigate the genes encoding for neurotransmitter receptors (NTRs) by analyzing public transcriptomic data from GBM and LGG (low-grade glioma) samples. Our results showed that 50 out of the 98 tested NTR genes were dysregulated in brain cancer tissue. Next, we identified and validated NTR-associated prognostic gene signatures for both LGG and GBM. A subset of 10 NTR genes (DRD1, HTR1E, HTR3B, GABRA1, GABRA4, GABRB2, GABRG2, GRIN1, GRM7, and ADRA1B) predicted a positive prognosis in LGG and a negative prognosis in GBM. These genes were progressively downregulated across glioma grades and exhibited a strong negative correlation with genes associated with immune response, inflammasomes, and established cancer hallmarks genes in lower grade gliomas, suggesting a putative role in inhibiting cancer progression. This study might have implications for the development of novel therapeutics and preventive strategies that target regulatory networks associated with the link between the autonomic nervous system, cancer cells, and the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Belotti
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
| | - Serenella Tolomeo
- Institute of High Performance Computing, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 1 Fusionopolis Way, Singapore 138632, Singapore;
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Rongjun Yu
- Department of Management, Hong Kong Baptist University, 34 Renfrew Road, Hong Kong 999077, China;
| | - Wan-Teck Lim
- Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore;
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117583, Singapore
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore
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Tilak M, Holborn J, New LA, Lalonde J, Jones N. Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling and Targeting in Glioblastoma Multiforme. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1831. [PMID: 33673213 PMCID: PMC7918566 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is amongst the deadliest of human cancers, with a median survival rate of just over one year following diagnosis. Characterized by rapid proliferation and diffuse infiltration into the brain, GBM is notoriously difficult to treat, with tumor cells showing limited response to existing therapies and eventually developing resistance to these interventions. As such, there is intense interest in better understanding the molecular alterations in GBM to guide the development of more efficient targeted therapies. GBM tumors can be classified into several molecular subtypes which have distinct genetic signatures, and they show aberrant activation of numerous signal transduction pathways, particularly those connected to receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) which control glioma cell growth, survival, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. There are also non-canonical modes of RTK signaling found in GBM, which involve G-protein-coupled receptors and calcium channels. This review uses The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) GBM dataset in combination with a data-mining approach to summarize disease characteristics, with a focus on select molecular pathways that drive GBM pathogenesis. We also present a unique genomic survey of RTKs that are frequently altered in GBM subtypes, as well as catalog the GBM disease association scores for all RTKs. Lastly, we discuss current RTK targeted therapies and highlight emerging directions in GBM research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nina Jones
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (M.T.); (J.H.); (L.A.N.); (J.L.)
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Thomaz A, Jaeger M, Brunetto AL, Brunetto AT, Gregianin L, de Farias CB, Ramaswamy V, Nör C, Taylor MD, Roesler R. Neurotrophin Signaling in Medulloblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2542. [PMID: 32906676 PMCID: PMC7564905 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins are a family of secreted proteins that act by binding to tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) or p75NTR receptors to regulate nervous system development and plasticity. Increasing evidence indicates that neurotrophins and their receptors in cancer cells play a role in tumor growth and resistance to treatment. In this review, we summarize evidence indicating that neurotrophin signaling influences medulloblastoma (MB), the most common type of malignant brain cancer afflicting children. We discuss the potential of neurotrophin receptors as new therapeutic targets for the treatment of MB. Overall, activation of TrkA and TrkC types of receptors seem to promote cell death, whereas TrkB might stimulate MB growth, and TrkB inhibition displays antitumor effects. Importantly, we show analyses of the gene expression profile of neurotrophins and their receptors in MB primary tumors, which indicate, among other findings, that higher levels of NTRK1 or NTRK2 are associated with reduced overall survival (OS) of patients with SHH MB tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Thomaz
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90050-170, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariane Jaeger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
| | - Algemir L. Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
| | - André T. Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
| | - Lauro Gregianin
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
- Pediatric Oncology Service, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, RS, Brazil
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON 17-9702, Canada; (V.R.); (C.N.); (M.D.T.)
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Carolina Nör
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON 17-9702, Canada; (V.R.); (C.N.); (M.D.T.)
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Michael D. Taylor
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON 17-9702, Canada; (V.R.); (C.N.); (M.D.T.)
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, RS, Brazil; (A.T.); (M.J.); (A.L.B.); (A.T.B.); (L.G.); (C.B.d.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90050-170, RS, Brazil
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Pinheiro KV, Thomaz A, Souza BK, Metcalfe VA, Freire NH, Brunetto AT, de Farias CB, Jaeger M, Bambini V, Smith CGS, Shaw L, Roesler R. Expression and pharmacological inhibition of TrkB and EGFR in glioblastoma. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:6817-6828. [PMID: 32862352 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05739-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A member of the Trk family of neurotrophin receptors, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB, encoded by the NTRK2 gene) is an increasingly important target in various cancer types, including glioblastoma (GBM). EGFR is among the most frequently altered oncogenes in GBM, and EGFR inhibition has been tested as an experimental therapy. Functional interactions between EGFR and TrkB have been demonstrated. In the present study, we investigated the role of TrkB and EGFR, and their interactions, in GBM. Analyses of NTRK2 and EGFR gene expression from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets showed an increase in NTRK2 expression in the proneural subtype of GBM, and a strong correlation between NTRK2 and EGFR expression in glioma CpG island methylator phenotype (G-CIMP+) samples. We showed that when TrkB and EGFR inhibitors were combined, the inhibitory effect on A172 human GBM cells was more pronounced than when either inhibitor was given alone. When U87MG GBM cells were xenografted into the flank of nude mice, tumor growth was delayed by treatment with TrkB and EGFR inhibitors, given alone or combined, only at specific time points. Intracranial GBM growth in mice was not significantly affected by drug treatments. Our findings indicate that correlations between NTRK2 and EGFR expression occur in specific GBM subgroups. Also, our results using cultured cells suggest for the first time the potential of combining TrkB and EGFR inhibition for the treatment of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly V Pinheiro
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500 (ICBS, Campus Centro/UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Amanda Thomaz
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500 (ICBS, Campus Centro/UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.,Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA 4YG, UK
| | - Bárbara Kunzler Souza
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500 (ICBS, Campus Centro/UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Victoria Anne Metcalfe
- Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Natália Hogetop Freire
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - André Tesainer Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Mariane Jaeger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Victorio Bambini
- Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Christopher G S Smith
- Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Lisa Shaw
- Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil. .,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500 (ICBS, Campus Centro/UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
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Thomaz A, Pinheiro KDV, Souza BK, Gregianin L, Brunetto AL, Brunetto AT, de Farias CB, Jaeger MDC, Ramaswamy V, Nör C, Taylor MD, Roesler R. Antitumor Activities and Cellular Changes Induced by TrkB Inhibition in Medulloblastoma. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:698. [PMID: 31297057 PMCID: PMC6606946 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins are critically involved in regulating normal neural development and plasticity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin that acts by binding to the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor, has also been implicated in the progression of several types of cancer. However, its role in medulloblastoma (MB), the most common type of malignant brain tumor afflicting children, remains unclear. Here we show that selective TrkB inhibition with the small molecule compound ANA-12 impaired proliferation and viability of human UW228 and D283 MB cells, and slowed the growth of MB tumors xenografted into nude mice. These effects were accompanied by increased apoptosis, reduced extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) activity, increased expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and differential modulation of p21 expression dependent on the cell line. In addition, MB cells treated with ANA-12 showed morphological alterations consistent with differentiation, increased levels of the neural differentiation marker β-III Tubulin (TUBB3), and reduced expression of the stemness marker Nestin. These findings are consistent with the possibility that selective TrkB inhibition can display consistent anticancer effects in MB, possibly by modulating intracellular signaling and gene expression related to tumor progression, apoptosis, and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Thomaz
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Kelly de Vargas Pinheiro
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Kunzler Souza
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lauro Gregianin
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Pediatric Oncology Service, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Algemir L Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - André T Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mariane da Cunha Jaeger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carolina Nör
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael D Taylor
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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