1
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Uslu C, Kapan E, Lyakhovich A. Cancer resistance and metastasis are maintained through oxidative phosphorylation. Cancer Lett 2024; 587:216705. [PMID: 38373691 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216705] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Malignant tumors have increased energy requirements due to growth, differentiation or response to stress. A significant number of studies in recent years have described upregulation of mitochondrial genes responsible for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in some tumors. Although OXPHOS is replaced by glycolysis in some tumors (Warburg effect), both processes can occur simultaneously during the evolution of the same malignancies. In particular, chemoresistant and/or cancer stem cells appear to find a way to activate OXPHOS and metastasize. In this paper, we discuss recent work showing upregulation of OXPHOS in chemoresistant tumors and cell models. In addition, we show an inverse correlation of OXPHOS gene expression with the survival time of cancer patients after chemotherapy and discuss combination therapies for resistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cemile Uslu
- Sabanci University, Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Turkey
| | - Eda Kapan
- Sabanci University, Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Turkey
| | - Alex Lyakhovich
- Sabanci University, Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Turkey.
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2
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Wilson MM, Danielian PS, Salus G, Ferretti R, Whittaker CA, Lees JA. BMI1 is required for melanocyte stem cell maintenance and hair pigmentation. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2023; 36:399-406. [PMID: 37132544 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The epigenetic repressor BMI1 plays an integral role in promoting the self-renewal and proliferation of many adult stem cell populations, and also tumor types, primarily through silencing the Cdkn2a locus, which encodes the tumor suppressors p16Ink4a and p19Arf . However, in cutaneous melanoma, BMI1 drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition programs, and thus metastasis, while having little impact on proliferation or primary tumor growth. This raised questions about the requirement and role for BMI1 in melanocyte stem cell (McSC) biology. Here, we demonstrate that murine melanocyte-specific Bmi1 deletion causes premature hair greying and gradual loss of melanocyte lineage cells. Depilation enhances this hair greying defect, accelerating depletion of McSCs in early hair cycles, suggesting that BMI1 acts to protect McSCs against stress. RNA-seq of McSCs, harvested before onset of detectable phenotypic defects, revealed that Bmi1 deletion derepresses p16Ink4a and p19Arf , as observed in many other stem cell contexts. Additionally, BMI1 loss downregulated the glutathione S-transferase enzymes, Gsta1 and Gsta2, which can suppress oxidative stress. Accordingly, treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) partially rescued melanocyte expansion. Together, our data establish a critical function for BMI1 in McSC maintenance that reflects a partial role for suppression of oxidative stress, and likely transcriptional repression of Cdkn2a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly M Wilson
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paul S Danielian
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Griffin Salus
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roberta Ferretti
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Charles A Whittaker
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacqueline A Lees
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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3
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Wu Y, Chang X, Yang G, Chen L, Wu Q, Gao J, Tian R, Mu W, Gooding JJ, Chen X, Sun S. A Physiologically Responsive Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras Enhanced Immunotherapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2210787. [PMID: 36656993 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202210787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although immunotherapy has revolutionized oncotherapy, only ≈15% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients benefit from the current therapies. An immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and dysregulation of the polycomb ring finger oncogene BMI1 are potential reasons for the failure. Herein, to promote immunotherapeutic efficacy against HNSCC, an injectable nanocomposite hydrogel is developed with a polymer framework (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) that is loaded with both imiquimod encapsulated CaCO3 nanoparticles (RC) and cancer cell membrane (CCM)-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing a peptide-based proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTAC) for BMI1 and paclitaxel (PepM@PacC). Upon injection, this nanocomposite hydrogel undergoes in situ gelation, after which it degrades in the TME over time, releasing RC and PepM@PacC nanoparticles to respectively perform immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Specifically, the RC particles selectively manipulate tumor-associated macrophages and dendritic cells to activate a T-cell immune response, while CCM-mediated homologous targeting and endocytosis delivers the PepM@PacC particles into cancer cells, where endogenous glutathione promotes disulfide bond cleavage to release the PROTAC peptide for BMI1 degradation and frees the paclitaxel from the particle pores to elicit apoptosis meanwhile enhance immunotherapy. Thus, the nanocomposite hydrogel, which is designed to exploit multiple known vulnerabilities of HNSCC, succeeds in suppressing both growth and metastasis of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Wu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, 200011, P. R. China
| | - Xiaowei Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Energy Chemical Process Intensification, Institute of Polymer Science in Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Guizhu Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, 200011, P. R. China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Energy Chemical Process Intensification, Institute of Polymer Science in Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Qi Wu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, 200011, P. R. China
| | - Jiamin Gao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, 200011, P. R. China
| | - Ran Tian
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Energy Chemical Process Intensification, Institute of Polymer Science in Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Wenyun Mu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Energy Chemical Process Intensification, Institute of Polymer Science in Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - John Justin Gooding
- School of Chemistry, Australian Centre for Nano-Medicine and ARC Australian Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Energy Chemical Process Intensification, Institute of Polymer Science in Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Shuyang Sun
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, 200011, P. R. China
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4
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Rubanov A, Berico P, Hernando E. Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Melanoma Resistance to Immune and Targeted Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235858. [PMID: 36497341 PMCID: PMC9738385 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer reliant on early detection for high likelihood of successful treatment. Solar UV exposure transforms melanocytes into highly mutated tumor cells that metastasize to the liver, lungs, and brain. Even upon resection of the primary tumor, almost thirty percent of patients succumb to melanoma within twenty years. Identification of key melanoma genetic drivers led to the development of pharmacological BRAFV600E and MEK inhibitors, significantly improving metastatic patient outcomes over traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy or pioneering IFN-α and IL-2 immune therapies. Checkpoint blockade inhibitors releasing the immunosuppressive effects of CTLA-4 or PD-1 proved to be even more effective and are the standard first-line treatment. Despite these major improvements, durable responses to immunotherapy and targeted therapy have been hindered by intrinsic or acquired resistance. In addition to gained or selected genetic alterations, cellular plasticity conferred by epigenetic reprogramming is emerging as a driver of therapy resistance. Epigenetic regulation of chromatin accessibility drives gene expression and establishes distinct transcriptional cell states. Here we review how aberrant chromatin, transcriptional, and epigenetic regulation contribute to therapy resistance and discuss how targeting these programs sensitizes melanoma cells to immune and targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Rubanov
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Pietro Berico
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Eva Hernando
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Correspondence:
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5
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Evyapan G, Luleyap U, Kaplan HM, Kara IO. Ornidazole suppresses CD133+ melanoma stem cells via inhibiting hedgehog signaling pathway and inducing multiple death pathways in a mouse model. Croat Med J 2022; 63. [PMID: 36325671 PMCID: PMC9648086 DOI: 10.3325/cmj.2022.63.461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the inhibitory effects of ornidazole on the proliferation and migration of metastatic melanoma cell line (B16F10) in vitro and its anti-cancer effects in vivo using a melanoma mouse model. METHODS We investigated the effects of ornidazole on cell viability (Crystal Violet and MTT assay) and migration ability (wound-healing assay) of B16F10 melanoma cells, and its ability to trigger DNA damage (Comet assay) in vitro. We also sorted CD133+ and CD133- cells from B16F10 melanoma cell line and injected them subcutaneously into Swiss albino mice to induce tumor formation. Tumor-bearing mice were divided into control and treatment groups. Treatment group received intraperitoneal ornidazole injections. Tumors were resected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expression of genes involved into Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway, stemness, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, ER stress-mediated apoptosis, and autophagy. Shh signaling pathway-related proteins and CD133 protein were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS Ornidazole effectively induced DNA damage in CD133+ melanoma cells and reduced their viability and migration ability in vitro. Moreover, it significantly suppressed tumor growth in melanoma mouse model seemingly by inhibiting the Shh signaling pathway and ER-stress mediated autophagy, as well as by activating multiple apoptosis pathways. CONCLUSIONS Our preclinical findings suggest the therapeutic potential of ornidazole in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. However, larger and more comprehensive studies are required to validate our results and to further explore the safety and clinical effectiveness of ornidazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulsah Evyapan
- Department of Medical Biology, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
| | - Umit Luleyap
- Department of Medical Biology, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
| | - Halil Mahir Kaplan
- Department of Pharmacology, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
| | - Ismail Oguz Kara
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
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6
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Al-Nadaf S, Peacott-Ricardos KS, Dickinson PJ, Rebhun RB, York D. Expression and therapeutic targeting of BMI1 in canine gliomas. Vet Comp Oncol 2022; 20:871-880. [PMID: 35833892 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The BMI1 proto-oncogene, polycomb ring finger protein (BMI1) is a key component of the epigenetic polycomb repressor complex 1, and has been associated with aggressive behavior and chemotherapeutic resistance in various malignances including human gliomas. Similar to humans, spontaneous canine gliomas carry a poor prognosis with limited therapeutic options. BMI1 expression and the effects of BMI1 inhibition have not been evaluated in canine gliomas. Here, we demonstrate that BMI1 is highly expressed in canine gliomas. Although increased BMI1 protein expression correlated with higher glioma grade in western blot assays, this correlation was not observed in a larger sample set using immunohistochemical analysis. The BMI1 inhibitor, PTC-209, suppressed BMI1 expression in established canine glioma cell lines and resulted in antiproliferative activity when used alone and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. PTC-209 targeting of BMI1 activated the RB pathway through downregulation of total and phosphorylated RB, independent of INK4A/ARF signaling, likely through BMI1-inhibition mediated upregulation of p21. These data support the rationale for targeting of BMI1 signaling and the use of canine glioma as a translational therapeutic model for human disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Al-Nadaf
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kyle S Peacott-Ricardos
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Peter J Dickinson
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Robert B Rebhun
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Daniel York
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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7
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Moubarak RS, de Pablos-Aragoneses A, Ortiz-Barahona V, Gong Y, Gowen M, Dolgalev I, Shadaloey SAA, Argibay D, Karz A, Von Itter R, Vega-Sáenz de Miera EC, Sokolova E, Darvishian F, Tsirigos A, Osman I, Hernando E. The histone demethylase PHF8 regulates TGFβ signaling and promotes melanoma metastasis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabi7127. [PMID: 35179962 PMCID: PMC8856617 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi7127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The contribution of epigenetic dysregulation to metastasis remains understudied. Through a meta-analysis of gene expression datasets followed by a mini-screen, we identified Plant Homeodomain Finger protein 8 (PHF8), a histone demethylase of the Jumonji C protein family, as a previously unidentified prometastatic gene in melanoma. Loss- and gain-of-function approaches demonstrate that PHF8 promotes cell invasion without affecting proliferation in vitro and increases dissemination but not subcutaneous tumor growth in vivo, thus supporting its specific contribution to the acquisition of metastatic potential. PHF8 requires its histone demethylase activity to enhance melanoma cell invasion. Transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses revealed that PHF8 orchestrates a molecular program that directly controls the TGFβ signaling pathway and, as a consequence, melanoma invasion and metastasis. Our findings bring a mechanistic understanding of epigenetic regulation of metastatic fitness in cancer, which may pave the way for improved therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana S. Moubarak
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, NYU Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | | | | - Yixiao Gong
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU School of Medicine, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael Gowen
- NYU School of Medicine Institute for Computational Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Igor Dolgalev
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU School of Medicine, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sorin A. A. Shadaloey
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, NYU Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Diana Argibay
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, NYU Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Alcida Karz
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, NYU Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Richard Von Itter
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, NYU Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | | - Elena Sokolova
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, NYU Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Farbod Darvishian
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, NYU Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Aristotelis Tsirigos
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU School of Medicine, NY 10016, USA
- NYU School of Medicine Institute for Computational Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Iman Osman
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, NYU Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Eva Hernando
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, NYU Cancer Institute, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
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8
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Huang F, Santinon F, Flores González RE, del Rincón SV. Melanoma Plasticity: Promoter of Metastasis and Resistance to Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:756001. [PMID: 34604096 PMCID: PMC8481945 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.756001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Although targeted therapies and immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma, most patients are not cured. Therapy resistance remains a significant clinical challenge. Melanoma comprises phenotypically distinct subpopulations of cells, exhibiting distinct gene signatures leading to tumor heterogeneity and favoring therapeutic resistance. Cellular plasticity in melanoma is referred to as phenotype switching. Regardless of their genomic classification, melanomas switch from a proliferative and differentiated phenotype to an invasive, dedifferentiated and often therapy-resistant state. In this review we discuss potential mechanisms underpinning melanoma phenotype switching, how this cellular plasticity contributes to resistance to both targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Finally, we highlight novel strategies to target plasticity and their potential clinical impact in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Huang
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - François Santinon
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Raúl Ernesto Flores González
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia V. del Rincón
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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9
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Shields CE, Potlapalli S, Cuya-Smith SM, Chappell SK, Chen D, Martinez D, Pogoriler J, Rathi KS, Patel SA, Oristian KM, Linardic CM, Maris JM, Haynes KA, Schnepp RW. Epigenetic regulator BMI1 promotes alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma proliferation and constitutes a novel therapeutic target. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:2156-2171. [PMID: 33523558 PMCID: PMC8333775 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. There are two main subtypes of RMS, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. ARMS typically encompasses fusion‐positive rhabdomyosarcoma, which expresses either PAX3‐FOXO1 or PAX7‐FOXO1 fusion proteins. There are no targeted therapies for ARMS; however, recent studies have begun to illustrate the cooperation between epigenetic proteins and the PAX3‐FOXO1 fusion, indicating that epigenetic proteins may serve as targets in ARMS. Here, we investigate the contribution of BMI1, given the established role of this epigenetic regulator in sustaining aggression in cancer. We determined that BMI1 is expressed across ARMS tumors, patient‐derived xenografts, and cell lines. We depleted BMI1 using RNAi and inhibitors (PTC‐209 and PTC‐028) and found that this leads to a decrease in cell growth/increase in apoptosis in vitro, and delays tumor growth in vivo. Our data suggest that BMI1 inhibition activates the Hippo pathway via phosphorylation of LATS1/2 and subsequent reduction in YAP levels and YAP/TAZ target genes. These results identify BMI1 as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in ARMS and warrant further investigation of BMI1 in ARMS and other sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara E Shields
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sindhu Potlapalli
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Selma M Cuya-Smith
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah K Chappell
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dongdong Chen
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daniel Martinez
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer Pogoriler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Komal S Rathi
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shiv A Patel
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kristianne M Oristian
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John M Maris
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karmella A Haynes
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Robert W Schnepp
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
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10
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Cohen I, Bar C, Liu H, Valdes VJ, Zhao D, Galbo PM, Silva JM, Koseki H, Zheng D, Ezhkova E. Polycomb complexes redundantly maintain epidermal stem cell identity during development. Genes Dev 2021; 35:354-366. [PMID: 33602871 PMCID: PMC7919412 DOI: 10.1101/gad.345363.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In this study, Cohen et al. sought to understand the functional contribution of PRC1 and PRC2, which largely overlap in their genomic binding and cooperate to establish repressive chromatin domains demarcated by H2AK119ub and H3K27me3, to gene repression. By using the developing murine epidermis as a paradigm, they uncovered a previously unappreciated functional redundancy between Polycomb complexes, and their findings show how PRC1 and PRC2 function as two independent counterparts, providing a repressive safety net that protects and preserves lineage identity. Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2 are critical epigenetic developmental regulators. PRC1 and PRC2 largely overlap in their genomic binding and cooperate to establish repressive chromatin domains demarcated by H2AK119ub and H3K27me3. However, the functional contribution of each complex to gene repression has been a subject of debate, and understanding of its physiological significance requires further studies. Here, using the developing murine epidermis as a paradigm, we uncovered a previously unappreciated functional redundancy between Polycomb complexes. Coablation of PRC1 and PRC2 in embryonic epidermal progenitors resulted in severe defects in epidermal stratification, a phenotype not observed in the single PRC1-null or PRC2-null epidermis. Molecular dissection indicated a loss of epidermal identity that was coupled to a strong derepression of nonlineage transcription factors, otherwise repressed by either PRC1 or PRC2 in the absence of its counterpart. Ectopic expression of subsets of PRC1/2-repressed nonepidermal transcription factors in wild-type epidermal stem cells was sufficient to suppress epidermal identity genes, highlighting the importance of functional redundancy between PRC1 and PRC2. Altogether, our studies show how PRC1 and PRC2 function as two independent counterparts, thereby providing a repressive safety net that protects and preserves lineage identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idan Cohen
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Carmit Bar
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Hequn Liu
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Victor J Valdes
- Department of Cell Biology and Development, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Dejian Zhao
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.,Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.,Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Phillip M Galbo
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Jose M Silva
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Haruhiko Koseki
- Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (RIKEN-IMS), Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.,AMED-CREST, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.,Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Elena Ezhkova
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
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11
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Lu Y, Zhu Y, Deng S, Chen Y, Li W, Sun J, Xu X. Targeting the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway to Suppress the Expression of the Cancer Stem Cell (CSC)-Related Transcription Factors and CSC-Driven Thyroid Tumor Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030418. [PMID: 33499351 PMCID: PMC7866109 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancers respond poorly to surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. Cancer stem cells play an important role in tumor growth, drug resistance, and recurrence. This study focuses on how the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway maintains thyroid cancer stem cell self-renewal and whether it can be targeted for anticancer therapy. The authors report that the Shh pathway regulates the expression of BMI1 and SOX2, two genes involved in stem cell self-renewal, and that targeting the Shh pathway has little effect on thyroid tumor xenografts but can inhibit the growth of tumor xenografts derived from thyroid cancer stem cells. This study advances the knowledge on how thyroid cancer stem cells regenerate and highlights the potential therapeutic values of targeting the Shh pathway. Abstract The sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway plays important roles in tumorigenesis, tumor growth, drug resistance, and metastasis. We and others have reported earlier that this pathway is highly activated in thyroid cancer. However, its role in thyroid cancer stem cell (CSC) self-renewal and tumor development remains incompletely understood. B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (BMI1) and SRY-Box Transcription Factor 2 (SOX2) are two CSC-related transcription factors that have been implicated in promoting CSC self-renewal. The objective of our current investigation was to determine the role of the Shh pathway in regulating BMI1 and SOX2 expression in thyroid cancer and promoting thyroid tumor growth and development. Here we report that inhibition of the Shh pathway by Gli1 siRNA or by cyclopamine and GANT61 reduced BMI1 and SOX2 expression in SW1736 and KAT-18 cells, two anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines. The opposite results were obtained in cells overexpressing Gli1 or its downstream transcription factor Snail. The Shh pathway regulated SOX2 and BMI1 expression at a transcriptional and post-transcriptional level, respectively. GANT61 treatment suppressed the growth of SW1736 CSC-derived tumor xenografts but did not significantly inhibit the growth of tumors grown from bulk tumor cells. Clinicopathological analyses of thyroid tumor specimens by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining revealed that BMI1 and SOX2 were highly expressed in thyroid cancer and correlated with Gli1 expression. Our study provides evidence that activation of the Shh pathway leads to increased BMI1 and SOX2 expression in thyroid cancer and promotes thyroid CSC-driven tumor initiation. Targeting the Shh pathway may have therapeutic value for treating thyroid cancer and preventing recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Lu
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Yiwen Zhu
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Shihan Deng
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Yuhuang Chen
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Wei Li
- College of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China;
| | - Jing Sun
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Xiulong Xu
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-514-8797-7382; Fax: +86-514-8797-7046
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12
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Li H, Ngan HL, Liu Y, Chan HHY, Poon PHY, Yeung CK, Peng Y, Lam WY, Li BX, He Y, Lui VWY. Comprehensive Exome Analysis of Immunocompetent Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer Models Reveals Patient Relevant Landscapes. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102935. [PMID: 33053752 PMCID: PMC7601118 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunocompetent metastatic head and neck cancer (HNC) models, although scarce, can help understanding cancer progression and therapy responses in vivo. Their comprehensive genome characterizations are essential for translational research. We first exome-sequenced the two most widely used spontaneous metastatic immunocompetent models, namely AT-84 and SCC VII, followed by comprehensive genomic analyses with three prior-sequenced models (MOC2, MOC2-10, and 4MOSC2), together with patient tumors for utility assessment. AT-84 and SCC VII bear high HNC tumor resemblance regarding mutational signatures-Trp53, Fanconi anemia, and MAPK and PI3K pathway defects. Collectively, the five models harbor genetic aberrations across 10 cancer hallmarks and 14 signaling pathways and machineries (metabolic, epigenetic, immune evasion), to extents similar in patients. Immune defects in HLA-A (H2-Q10, H2-Q4, H2-Q7, and H2-K1), Pdcd1, Tgfb1, Il2ra, Il12a, Cd40, and Tnfrsf14 are identified. Invasion/metastatic genome analyses first highlight potential druggable ERBB4 and KRAS mutations, for advanced/metastatic oral cavity cancer, as well as known metastasis players (Muc5ac, Trem3, Trp53, and Ttn) frequently captured by all models. Notable immunotherapy and precision druggable targets (Pdcd1, Erbb4, Fgfr1, H/Kras, Jak1, and Map2k2) and three druggable hubs (RTK family, MAPK, and DNA repair pathways) are frequently represented by these models. Immunocompetent metastatic HNC models are worth developing to address therapy- and invasion/metastasis-related questions in host immunity contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Hoi-Lam Ngan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Yuchen Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Helen Hoi Yin Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Peony Hiu Yan Poon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Chun Kit Yeung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
| | - Yibing Peng
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (Y.P.); (Y.H.)
| | - Wai Yip Lam
- Lee’s Pharmaceutical (HK) Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China; (W.Y.L.); (B.X.L.)
| | - Benjamin Xiaoyi Li
- Lee’s Pharmaceutical (HK) Limited, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China; (W.Y.L.); (B.X.L.)
| | - Yukai He
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (Y.P.); (Y.H.)
| | - Vivian Wai Yan Lui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (H.L.); (H.-L.N.); (Y.L.); (H.H.Y.C.); (P.H.Y.P.); (C.K.Y.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-3943-5388; Fax: +852-2603-5123
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13
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DiVincenzo MJ, Latchana N, Abrams Z, Moufawad M, Regan-Fendt K, Courtney NB, Howard JH, Gru AA, Zhang X, Fadda P, Carson WE. Tissue microRNA expression profiling in hepatic and pulmonary metastatic melanoma. Melanoma Res 2020; 30:455-464. [PMID: 32804708 PMCID: PMC7484309 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma has a propensity for the development of hepatic and pulmonary metastases. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules containing about 22 nucleotides that mediate protein expression and can contribute to cancer progression. We aim to identify clinically useful differences in miR expression in metastatic melanoma tissue. RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of hepatic and pulmonary metastatic melanoma, benign, nevi, and primary cutaneous melanoma. Assessment of miR expression was performed on purified RNA using the NanoString nCounter miRNA assay. miRs with greater than twofold change in expression when compared to other tumor sites (P value ≤ 0.05, modified t-test) were identified as dysregulated. Common gene targets were then identified among dysregulated miRs unique to each metastatic site. Melanoma metastatic to the liver had differential expression of 26 miRs compared to benign nevi and 16 miRs compared to primary melanoma (P < 0.048). Melanoma metastatic to the lung had differential expression of 19 miRs compared to benign nevi and 10 miRs compared to primary melanoma (P < 0.024). Compared to lung metastases, liver metastases had greater than twofold upregulation of four miRs, and 4.2-fold downregulation of miR-200c-3p (P < 0.0081). These findings indicate that sites of metastatic melanoma have unique miR profiles that may contribute to their development and localization. Further investigation of the utility of these miRs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and their impact on the development of metastatic melanoma is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zachary Abrams
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Maribelle Moufawad
- The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Kelly Regan-Fendt
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Nicholas B. Courtney
- The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | | | - Alejandro A. Gru
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Paolo Fadda
- The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - William E. Carson
- The Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
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14
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Bmi1 Severs as a Potential Tumor-Initiating Cell Marker and Therapeutic Target in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Stem Cells Int 2020; 2020:8877577. [PMID: 32884573 PMCID: PMC7455816 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8877577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a frequent malignant tumor with low 5-year overall survival. Targeting ESCC tumor-initiating cells (TICs) may provide a new research avenue to achieve better therapeutic effects of ESCC. However, the identity and characteristics of ESCC TICs remain poorly understood. Through genetic lineage tracing approach, we found that a group of Moloney murine leukemia virus insertion site 1- (Bmi1-) expressing cell populations present in the invasive front of the esophageal epithelium, providing a continuous flow of tumor cells for ESCC. Subsequently, we found that ablation of Bmi1+ cells from mice with ESCC led to inhibition of tumor growth. In addition, our results demonstrated that PTC-209, an inhibitor of Bmi1, was able to inhibit ESCC progression when combined with cisplatin. In summary, our data suggest that Bmi1+ cells serve as TICs in ESCC.
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15
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BMI1-Mediated Pemetrexed Resistance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Is Associated with Increased SP1 Activation and Cancer Stemness. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082069. [PMID: 32726929 PMCID: PMC7463866 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide and the therapeutic strategies include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) account for around 85% of cases of lung cancers. Pemetrexed is an antifolate agent that is currently used as the second line chemotherapy drug in the treatment of advanced NSCLC patients with a response rate of 20–40%. The search for any combination therapy to improve the efficacy of pemetrexed is required. The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is considered as the main reason for drug resistance of cancers. In this study, we first found that pemetrexed-resistant NSCLC cells derived from A549 cells displayed higher CSC activity in comparison to the parental cells. The expression of CSC related proteins, such as BMI1 or CD44, and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature was elevated in pemetrexed-resistant NSCLC cells. We next discovered that the overexpression of BMI1 in A549 cells caused the pemetrexed resistance and inhibition of BMI1 by a small molecule inhibitor, PTC-209, or transducing of BMI1-specific shRNAs suppressed cell growth and the expression of thymidylate synthase (TS) in pemetrexed-resistant A549 cells. We further identified that BMI1 positively regulated SP1 expression and treatment of mithramycin A, a SP1 inhibitor, inhibited cell proliferation, as well as TS expression, of pemetrexed-resistant A549 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of BMI1 in A549 cells also caused the activation of EMT in and the enhancement of CSC activity. Finally, we demonstrated that pretreatment of PTC-209 in mice bearing pemetrexed-resistant A549 tumors sensitized them to pemetrexed treatment and the expression of Ki-67, BMI1, and SP1 expression in tumor tissues was observed to be reduced. In conclusion, BMI1 expression level mediates pemetrexed sensitivity of NSCLC cells and the inhibition of BMI1 will be an effective strategy in NSCLC patients when pemetrexed resistance has developed.
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16
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Benjamin DC, Kang JH, Hamza B, King EM, Lamar JM, Manalis SR, Hynes RO. YAP Enhances Tumor Cell Dissemination by Promoting Intravascular Motility and Reentry into Systemic Circulation. Cancer Res 2020; 80:3867-3879. [PMID: 32591412 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The oncogene YAP has been shown previously to promote tumor growth and metastasis. However, how YAP influences the behavior of tumor cells traveling within the circulatory system has not been as well explored. Given that rate-limiting steps of metastasis are known to occur while tumor cells enter, travel through, or exit circulation, we sought to study how YAP influences tumor cell behavior within the circulatory system. Intravital imaging in live zebrafish embryos revealed that YAP influenced the distribution of tumor cells within the animal following intravenous injection. Control cells became lodged in the first capillary bed encountered in the tail, whereas cells overexpressing constitutively active YAP were able to travel through this capillary plexus, reenter systemic circulation, and seed in the brain. YAP controlled transit through these capillaries by promoting active migration within the vasculature. These results were corroborated in a mouse model following intravenous injection, where active YAP increased the number of circulating tumor cells over time. Our results suggest a possible mechanism whereby tumor cells can spread to organs beyond the first capillary bed downstream from the primary tumor. These results also show that a specific gene can affect the distribution of tumor cells within an animal, thereby influencing the global pattern of metastasis in that animal. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate that YAP endows tumor cells with the ability to move through capillaries, allowing them to return to and persist in circulation, thereby increasing their metastatic spread.See related commentary by Davidson, p. 3797.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Benjamin
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Joon Ho Kang
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Bashar Hamza
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Emily M King
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - John M Lamar
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Scott R Manalis
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Richard O Hynes
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. .,Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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17
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Sheng Y, Yanping C, Tong L, Ning L, Yufeng L, Geyu L. Predicting the Risk of Melanoma Metastasis Using an Immune Risk Score in the Melanoma Cohort. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:206. [PMID: 32296685 PMCID: PMC7136491 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer, attracting increasing attention worldwide. The 5-year survival rate of patients with metastatic melanoma is low. Therefore, it is critical to identify potential effective biomarkers for diagnosis of melanoma metastasis. In the present study, the melanoma cohort and immune genes were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the ImmPort database, respectively. Then, we constructed the immune risk score (IRS) using univariate and multivariate logistic analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) of IRS in sequencing samples and the initial diagnosis patients was 0.90 and 0.80, respectively. Besides, IRS could add benefits for metastasis diagnosis. For sequencing samples, IRS (OR = 16.35, 95% CI = 8.74–30.59) increased the odds for melanoma metastasis. Similar results were obtained in the initial diagnosis patients (OR = 8.93, 95% CI = 3.53–22.61). A composite nomogram was built based on IRS and clinical information with well-fitted calibration curves. We further used other independent melanoma cohorts from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases to confirm the reliability and validity of the IRS (AUC > 0.75, OR > 1.04, and P value < 0.01 in all cohorts). In conclusion, IRS is significantly associated with melanoma metastasis and can be a novel effective signature for predicting the metastasis risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng Yanping
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liu Tong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liu Ning
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liu Yufeng
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Geyu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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18
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Abstract
The cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), originally described as a neuronal-specific kinase, is also frequently activated in human cancers. Using conditional CDK5 knockout mice and a mouse model of highly metastatic melanoma, we found that CDK5 is dispensable for the growth of primary tumors. However, we observed that ablation of CDK5 completely abrogated the metastasis, revealing that CDK5 is essential for the metastatic spread. In mouse and human melanoma cells CDK5 promotes cell invasiveness by directly phosphorylating an intermediate filament protein, vimentin, thereby inhibiting assembly of vimentin filaments. Chemical inhibition of CDK5 blocks the metastatic spread of patient-derived melanomas in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models. Hence, inhibition of CDK5 might represent a very potent therapeutic strategy to impede the metastatic dissemination of malignant cells.
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19
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Li W, Yan R, Liu Y, He C, Zhang X, Lu Y, Khan MW, Xu C, Yang T, Xiang G. Co-delivery of Bmi1 small interfering RNA with ursolic acid by folate receptor-targeted cationic liposomes enhances anti-tumor activity of ursolic acid in vitro and in vivo. Drug Deliv 2019; 26:794-802. [PMID: 31366257 PMCID: PMC6711155 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2019.1645244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of Bmi1 gene is an important feature of cancer stem cell in various human tumors. Therefore, Bmi1 gene can be a potential target for small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated cancer therapy. Ursolic acid (UA) as a natural product plays a pivotal role in anti-tumor field, although its performance is limited by low bioavailability and poor hydrophilicity. A folate receptor-targeted cationic liposome system was designed for the purpose of investigating the relationship between Bmil siRNA and UA. The folate receptor-targeted cationic liposomes co-delivering UA and Bmi1 siRNA (FA-UA/siRNA-L) were fabricated by electrostatic interaction between folate UA liposome (FA-UA-L) and Bmi1 siRNA. Tumor growth is inhibited by FA-UA/siRNA-L in vitro and in vivo and this inhibition is contributed by a synergistic anti-tumor effect of UA and Bmi1 siRNA. The western blot measurement of apoptosis-protein and cancer stem cell (CSC) marked-protein demonstrated that UA led to activation-induced tumor cell death and Bmi1 siRNA resulted in inhibition of cancer stem cells. Overall, these results indicate that Bmi1 as a regulating gene for cancer stem cell is an effective target for cancer treatment using siRNA and co-delivery of UA and Bmi1 siRNA using folate-targeted liposomes is a promising strategy for improved anti-tumor effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijie Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Ruicong Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Yong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Chuanchuan He
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Yao Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Muhammad Waseem Khan
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Chuanrui Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Tan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Guangya Xiang
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
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20
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Gyukity-Sebestyén E, Harmati M, Dobra G, Németh IB, Mihály J, Zvara Á, Hunyadi-Gulyás É, Katona R, Nagy I, Horváth P, Bálind Á, Szkalisity Á, Kovács M, Pankotai T, Borsos B, Erdélyi M, Szegletes Z, Veréb ZJ, Buzás EI, Kemény L, Bíró T, Buzás K. Melanoma-Derived Exosomes Induce PD-1 Overexpression and Tumor Progression via Mesenchymal Stem Cell Oncogenic Reprogramming. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2459. [PMID: 31681332 PMCID: PMC6813737 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, it has been described that programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) overexpressing melanoma cells are highly aggressive. However, until now it has not been defined which factors lead to the generation of PD-1 overexpressing subpopulations. Here, we present that melanoma-derived exosomes, conveying oncogenic molecular reprogramming, induce the formation of a melanoma-like, PD-1 overexpressing cell population (mMSCPD-1+) from naïve mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Exosomes and mMSCPD-1+ cells induce tumor progression and expression of oncogenic factors in vivo. Finally, we revealed a characteristic, tumorigenic signaling network combining the upregulated molecules (e.g., PD-1, MET, RAF1, BCL2, MTOR) and their upstream exosomal regulating proteins and miRNAs. Our study highlights the complexity of exosomal communication during tumor progression and contributes to the detailed understanding of metastatic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edina Gyukity-Sebestyén
- Laboratory of Microscopic Image Analysis and Machine Learning, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mária Harmati
- Laboratory of Microscopic Image Analysis and Machine Learning, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Dobra
- Laboratory of Microscopic Image Analysis and Machine Learning, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - István B. Németh
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Johanna Mihály
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Zvara
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics, Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Éva Hunyadi-Gulyás
- Laboratory of Proteomics Research, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Róbert Katona
- Artificial Chromosome and Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - István Nagy
- Sequencing Platform, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Horváth
- Laboratory of Microscopic Image Analysis and Machine Learning, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Árpád Bálind
- Laboratory of Microscopic Image Analysis and Machine Learning, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ábel Szkalisity
- Laboratory of Microscopic Image Analysis and Machine Learning, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mária Kovács
- Laboratory of Microscopic Image Analysis and Machine Learning, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tibor Pankotai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Barbara Borsos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Miklós Erdélyi
- Advanced Optical Imaging Group, Department of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Szegletes
- Atomic Force Microscope Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán J. Veréb
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Edit I. Buzás
- MTA-SE Immuno-proteogenomics Extracellular Vesicle Research Group, Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lajos Kemény
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Bíró
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Buzás
- Laboratory of Microscopic Image Analysis and Machine Learning, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Oral Biology and Experimental Dental Research, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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21
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Simbulan-Rosenthal CM, Dougherty R, Vakili S, Ferraro AM, Kuo LW, Alobaidi R, Aljehane L, Gaur A, Sykora P, Glasgow E, Agarwal S, Rosenthal DS. CRISPR-Cas9 Knockdown and Induced Expression of CD133 Reveal Essential Roles in Melanoma Invasion and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101490. [PMID: 31623313 PMCID: PMC6827046 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
CD133, known as prominin1, is a penta-span transmembrane glycoprotein presumably a cancer stem cell marker for carcinomas, glioblastomas, and melanomas. We showed that CD133(+) ‘melanoma-initiating cells’ are associated with chemoresistance, contributing to poor patient outcome. The current study investigates the role(s) of CD133 in invasion and metastasis. Magnetic-activated cell sorting of a melanoma cell line (BAKP) followed by transwell invasion assays revealed that CD133(+) cells are significantly more invasive than CD133(−) cells. Conditional reprogramming of BAKP CD133(+) cells maintained stable CD133 overexpression (BAK-R), and induced cancer stem cell markers, melanosphere formation, and chemoresistance to kinase inhibitors. BAK-R cells showed upregulated CD133 expression, and consequently were more invasive and metastatic than BAK-P cells in transwell and zebrafish assays. CD133 knockdown by siRNA or CRISPR-Cas9 (BAK-R-T3) in BAK-R cells reduced invasion and levels of matrix metalloproteinases MMP2/MMP9. BAK-R-SC cells, but not BAK-R-T3, were metastatic in zebrafish. While CD133 knockdown by siRNA or CRISPR-Cas9 in BAK-P cells attenuated invasion and diminished MMP2/MMP9 levels, doxycycline-induced CD133 expression in BAK-P cells enhanced invasion and MMP2/MMP9 concentrations. CD133 may therefore play an essential role in invasion and metastasis via upregulation of MMP2/MMP9, leading to tumor progression, and represents an attractive target for intervention in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia M Simbulan-Rosenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
| | - Ryan Dougherty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
| | - Sahar Vakili
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
| | - Alexandra M Ferraro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
| | - Li-Wei Kuo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
| | - Ryyan Alobaidi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
| | - Leala Aljehane
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
| | - Anirudh Gaur
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
| | | | - Eric Glasgow
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
| | - Seema Agarwal
- Department of Pathology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
| | - Dean S Rosenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
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22
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Arozarena I, Wellbrock C. Phenotype plasticity as enabler of melanoma progression and therapy resistance. Nat Rev Cancer 2019; 19:377-391. [PMID: 31209265 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-019-0154-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is notorious for its inter- and intratumour heterogeneity, based on transcriptionally distinct melanoma cell phenotypes. It is thought that these distinct phenotypes are plastic in nature and that their transcriptional reprogramming enables heterogeneous tumours both to undergo different stages of melanoma progression and to adjust to drug exposure during treatment. Recent advances in genomic technologies and the rapidly expanding availability of large gene expression datasets have allowed for a refined definition of the gene signatures that characterize these phenotypes and have revealed that phenotype plasticity plays a major role in the resistance to both targeted therapy and immunotherapy. In this Review we discuss the definition of melanoma phenotypes through particular transcriptional states and reveal the prognostic relevance of the related gene expression signatures. We review how the establishment of phenotypes is controlled and which roles phenotype plasticity plays in melanoma development and therapy. Because phenotype plasticity in melanoma bears a great resemblance to epithelial-mesenchymal transition, the lessons learned from melanoma will also benefit our understanding of other cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imanol Arozarena
- Navarrabiomed, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra (CHN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Claudia Wellbrock
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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23
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Duan Q, Li H, Gao C, Zhao H, Wu S, Wu H, Wang C, Shen Q, Yin T. High glucose promotes pancreatic cancer cells to escape from immune surveillance via AMPK-Bmi1-GATA2-MICA/B pathway. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:192. [PMID: 31088566 PMCID: PMC6518784 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1209-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Modulation of cell surface expression of MHC class I chain-related protein A/B (MICA/B) has been proven to be one of the mechanisms by which tumor cells escape from NK cell-mediated killing. Abnormal metabolic condition, such as high glucose, may create a cellular stress milieu to induce immune dysfunction. Hyperglycemia is frequently presented in the majority of pancreatic cancer patients and is associated with poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to detect the effects of high glucose on NK cell-mediated killing on pancreatic cancer cells through reduction of MICA/B expression. Methods The lysis of NK cells on pancreatic cancer cells were compared at different glucose concentrations through lactate dehydrogenase release assay. Then, qPCR, Western Blot, Flow cytometry and Immunofluorescence were used to identify the effect of high glucose on expression of MICA/B, Bmi1, GATA2, phosphorylated AMPK to explore the underlying mechanisms in the process. Moreover, an animal model with diabetes mellitus was established to explore the role of high glucose on NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity on pancreatic cancer in vivo. Results In our study, high glucose protects pancreatic cancer from NK cell-mediated killing through suppressing MICA/B expression. Bmi1, a polycomb group (PcG) protein, was found to be up-regulated by high glucose, and mediated the inhibition of MICA/B expression through promoting GATA2 in pancreatic cancer. Moreover, high glucose inhibited AMP-activated protein kinase signaling, leading to high expression of Bmi1. Conclusion Our findings identify that high glucose may promote the immune escape of pancreatic cancer cells under hyperglycemic tumor microenvironment. In this process, constitutive activation of AMPK-Bmi1-GATA2 axis could mediate MICA/B inhibition, which may serve as a therapeutic target for further intervention of pancreatic cancer immune evasion. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1209-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingke Duan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hehe Li
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Chenggang Gao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hengqiang Zhao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Shihong Wu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Heshui Wu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Chunyou Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qiang Shen
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tao Yin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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24
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Wang J, Ji H, Zhu Q, Yu X, Du J, Jiang Z. Co-inhibition of BMI1 and Mel18 enhances chemosensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Oncol Lett 2019; 17:5012-5022. [PMID: 31186712 PMCID: PMC6507449 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) accounts for almost 90% of esophageal cancer cases and is the sixth most common cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Cisplatin is the standard therapeutic reagent for ESCC; however, chemoresistance frequently occurs after a few weeks, which leads to ESCC recurrence. Aberrant expression of B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (BMI1) has been reported to activate multiple growth-regulatory pathways, induce antiapoptotic abilities in numerous types of cancer cells and promote chemoresistance. However, to the best of our knowledge, the role of BMI1 in cisplatin-resistant ESCC, and the interaction between BMI1 and its homologue melanoma nuclear protein 18 (Mel18) remain unknown. The present study identified that knockdown of BMI1 promoted cytotoxic effects of cisplatin, and co-inhibition of Mel18 and BMI1 enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity. Inhibition of BMI1 and Mel18 also suppressed the expression of c-Myc. Furthermore, this combined inhibition sensitized esophageal xenograft tumors to cisplatin to a greater extent compared with BMI1 inhibition alone. In summary, the current study demonstrated that inhibition of BMI1 and Mel18 could increase the sensitivity of esophageal cancer cells to cisplatin via inhibition of c-Myc. Therefore, combined targeting of BMI1 and Mel18 may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for sensitizing ESCC to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiansong Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Huaijun Ji
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Weihai, Shandong 264200, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Xinshuang Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Juan Du
- Central Laboratory, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Zhongmin Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
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25
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dos Santos HT, de Souza do Nascimento J, Meireles F, Scarini JF, Egal ES, Montalli VA, Fonseca FP, Mariano FV, Altemani A. Evaluation of the expression of Bmi-1 stem cell marker in sinonasal melanomas and its correlation with the expression of cell cycle proteins. SURGICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1186/s42047-019-0034-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Sinonasal melanomas (SNM) are aggressive neoplasms, which present distinct clinicopathological and molecular aspects when compared to cutaneous melanomas (CM). B-cell-specific moloney murine leukemia virus integration site-1 (Bmi-1) is a stem cell marker involved in the regulation of the cell cycle and has been found to be expressed in 70% of CM and 100% of benign nevi. Regarding the cell cycle, Bmi-1 is known to be an upstream repressor of p16, which is a tumor suppressor encoded by the INK4a/Arf locus. Considering this, the aim of this study is to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of Bmi-1 in a series of SNM and its correlation with the expression of cell cycle proteins (p16 and Ki-67, a nuclear antigen of proliferating cells).
Methods
In 16 cases of SNM, nuclear expression of Bmi-1 and nuclear and cytoplasmic of p16 was classified as: absent, low (> 5 to < 50% of cells) and high (≥50%). Ki-67 proliferation index was represented by the ratio positive cells/ total cells.
Results
Histologically, all cases presented varying amount of necrosis and 75% contained undifferentiated cells. Bmi-1 was detected in 6 cases (37.5%) with high level of expression in 2; p16 expression was seen in 10 cases (62.5%) with high level in 7. The frequency of p16 expression did not differ significantly between tumors with or without Bmi-1 expression. Ki-67 index ranged from 8 to 22%. Neither Bmi-1 nor p16 expression showed correlation with Ki-67 index. Bmi-1 negative tumors presented more extensive necrosis (71.4%); no association between Bmi-1 expression and undifferentiated phenotype was observed.
Conclusions
In our SNM series, low immunohistochemical expression of Bmi-1 was a common phenomenon favoring the hypothesis that mucosal melanoma possibly presents molecular pathways different from the cutaneous counterpart. In SNM, Bmi-1 and p16 expression levels did not correlate with each other or with the cell proliferative index.
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26
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Li W, Yu X, Xia Z, Yu X, Xie L, Ma X, Zhou H, Liu L, Wang J, Yang Y, Liu H. Repression of Noxa by Bmi1 contributes to deguelin-induced apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:6213-6227. [PMID: 30255595 PMCID: PMC6237602 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Deguelin, a natural rotenoid isolated from several plants, has been reported to exert anti‐tumour effects in various cancers. However, the molecular mechanism of this regulation remains to be fully elucidated. Here, we found that deguelin inhibited the growth of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells both in vitro and in vivo by downregulation of Bmi1 expression. Our data showed that Bmi1 is highly expressed in human NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of Bmi1 significantly suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation and colony formation. Deguelin treatment attenuated the binding activity of Bmi1 to the Noxa promoter, thus resulting in Noxa transcription and apoptosis activation. Knockdown of Bmi1 promoted Noxa expression and enhanced deguelin‐induced apoptosis, whereas overexpression of Bmi1 down‐regulated Noxa protein level and deguelin‐induced apoptosis. Overall, our study demonstrated a novel apoptotic mechanism for deguelin to exert its anti‐tumour activity in NSCLC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xinfang Yu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Zhenkun Xia
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xinyou Yu
- Shangdong Lvdu Bio-Industry Co., Ltd., Binzhou, Shangdong, China
| | - Li Xie
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaolong Ma
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huiling Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lijun Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yifeng Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haidan Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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27
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Kim M, Lee S, Park WH, Suh DH, Kim K, Kim YB, No JH. Silencing Bmi1 expression suppresses cancer stemness and enhances chemosensitivity in endometrial cancer cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 108:584-589. [PMID: 30243092 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bmi1, a polycomb group gene, is essential for self-renewal of stem cells and is frequently upregulated in various cancer cells. We aimed to investigate the effect of Bmi1 silencing on cancer stemness and chemosensitivity in endometrial cancer using targeted siRNA approach in HEC1A and Ishikawa cells. METHODS Cell viability after treatment with Bmi1 siRNA was assessed using the MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was visualized using the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. Western blotting, migration assays and invasion assays were performed to detect changes in the stem-like properties of cancer cells. To evaluate the anticancer effect of Bmi1 silencing, HEC1A and Ishikawa cells were treated with 100 nM Bmi1 siRNA and/or 40 μM cisplatin. RESULTS In the MTT assay, compared to control, viability of HEC1A and Ishikawa cells significantly decreased after Bmi1 siRNA treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Bmi1 silencing using siRNA increased the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase polymerase (PARP) as observed in the western blot analysis. Apoptosis significantly increased in the HEC1A and Ishikawa cells treated with 100 nM Bmi1 siRNA for 48 h than in the control cells in TUNEL assay. SOX2 and Oct4 expression decreased in the HEC1A and Ishikawa cells treated with Bmi1 siRNA, while E-cadherin expression increased. Further, migratory and invasive properties were significantly inhibited by Bmi1 siRNA treatment in both cell lines. Notably, viability of HEC1A and Ishikawa cells decreased more when they were concurrently treated with Bmi1 siRNA and cisplatin compared to when they were treated with Bmi1 siRNA or cisplatin alone. CONCLUSION Bmi1 silencing suppresses cancer stemness in HEC1A and Ishikawa cells. Concurrent treatment with Bmi1 siRNA and cisplatin resulted in additive anticancer effect with a cell line-specific pattern, which was higher than that shown by cisplatin treatment alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miseon Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seul Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Wook Ha Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hoon Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Kidong Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Beom Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hong No
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
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28
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Kong Y, Ai C, Dong F, Xia X, Zhao X, Yang C, Kang C, Zhou Y, Zhao Q, Sun X, Wu X. Targeting of BMI-1 with PTC-209 inhibits glioblastoma development. Cell Cycle 2018; 17:1199-1211. [PMID: 29886801 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2018.1469872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive brain tumor and refractory to existing therapies. The oncogene BMI-1, a member of Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) plays essential roles in various human cancers and becomes an attractive therapeutic target. Here we showed that BMI-1 is highly expressed in GBM and especially enriched in glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). Then we comprehensively investigated the anti-GBM effects of PTC-209, a novel specific inhibitor of BMI-1. We found that PTC-209 efficiently downregulates BMI-1 expression and the histone H2AK119ub1 levels at microM concentrations. In vitro, PTC-209 effectively inhibits glioblastoma cell proliferation and migration, and GSC self-renewal. Transcriptomic analyses of TCGA datasets of glioblastoma and PTC-209-treated GBM cells demonstrate that PTC-209 reverses the altered transcriptional program associated with BMI-1 overexpression. And Chromatin Immunoprecipitation assay confirms that the derepressed tumor suppressor genes belong to BMI-1 targets and the enrichment levels of H2AK119ub1 at their promoters is decreased upon PTC-209 treatment. Strikingly, the glioblastoma growth is significantly attenuated by PTC-209 in a murine orthotopic xenograft model. Therefore our study provides proof-of-concept for inhibitors targeting BMI-1 in potential applications as an anti-GBM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Kong
- a Department of Cell Biology , Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China.,b Departments of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology/Pediatrics , University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen , Groningen , the Netherlands
| | - Chunbo Ai
- a Department of Cell Biology , Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China
| | - Feng Dong
- a Department of Cell Biology , Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China
| | - Xianyou Xia
- a Department of Cell Biology , Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China
| | - Xiujuan Zhao
- a Department of Cell Biology , Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China
| | - Chao Yang
- c Department of Neurosurgery , Tianjin Medical University General Hospital , Tianjin , China.,d Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-neurotrauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System , Ministry of Education and Tianjin City , Tianjin , China
| | - Chunsheng Kang
- c Department of Neurosurgery , Tianjin Medical University General Hospital , Tianjin , China.,d Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-neurotrauma Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System , Ministry of Education and Tianjin City , Tianjin , China
| | - Yan Zhou
- e Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis , College of Life Sciences at Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Qian Zhao
- a Department of Cell Biology , Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China
| | - Xiujing Sun
- f Department of Gastroenterology , Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University , Beijing, China.,g Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Diseases , National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases , Beijing, China
| | - Xudong Wu
- a Department of Cell Biology , Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China.,c Department of Neurosurgery , Tianjin Medical University General Hospital , Tianjin , China
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29
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Gatzka MV. Targeted Tumor Therapy Remixed-An Update on the Use of Small-Molecule Drugs in Combination Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:E155. [PMID: 29794999 PMCID: PMC6025289 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10060155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, the treatment of tumor patients has been revolutionized by the highly successful introduction of novel targeted therapies, in particular small-molecule kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, as well as by immunotherapies. Depending on the mutational status, BRAF and MEK inhibitor combinations or immune checkpoint inhibitors are current first-line treatments for metastatic melanoma. However, despite great improvements of survival rates limitations due to tumor heterogeneity, primary and acquired therapy resistance, immune evasion, and economical considerations will need to be overcome. Accordingly, ongoing clinical trials explore the individualized use of small-molecule drugs in new targeted therapy combinations based on patient parameters and tumor biopsies. With focus on melanoma therapy this review aims at providing a comprehensive overview of such novel alternative and combinational therapy strategies currently emerging from basic research. The molecular principles and drug classes that may hold promise for improved tumor therapy combination regimens including kinase inhibition, induction of apoptosis, DNA-damage response inhibition, epigenetic reprogramming, telomerase inhibition, redox modulation, metabolic reprogramming, proteasome inhibition, cancer stem cell transdifferentiation, immune cell signaling modulation, and others, are explained in brief. In addition, relevant targeted therapy combinations in current clinical trials and individualized treatment strategies are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina V Gatzka
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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30
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Hu Q, Wu T, Chen X, Li H, Du Z, Hao Y, Peng J, Tai S, Song M, Cheng B. The poor outcome of second primary oral squamous cell carcinoma is attributed to Bmi1 upregulation. Cancer Med 2018; 7:1056-1069. [PMID: 29479858 PMCID: PMC5911571 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 12/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma has been reported to cause second primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (s-OSCC). The prognosis and pathologic characteristic of s-OSCC are largely unknown. Bmi1 was associated with the repair of radiation-induced DNA damage, suggesting its possible involvement in the pathologic process of s-OSCC. Herein, we compared the prognosis between s-OSCC and primary OSCC (p-OSCC) and explored the involvement of Bmi1 in s-OSCC development. In this retrospective study, s-OSCC and p-OSCC patients were matched by propensity scores. Their outcomes were compared by univariate and multivariate analyses. The expression of Bmi1 in s-OSCC and p-OSCC was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Radiation-induced Bmi1 alteration in early-stage was explored in a rat model and HaCaT cells. After matching, 116 pairs of patients with highly balanced characteristics were included. In univariate analysis, the overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were poorer in s-OSCC than in p-OSCC (P < 0.05), while their regional metastasis-free survival (RMFS) was parallel (P = 0.112). Multivariate analysis further revealed that radiotherapy history was an independent risk factor for OS, DSS, and LRFS (P < 0.05). IHC results showed that the positive rate of Bmi1 was higher in s-OSCC (P = 0.0027). In a rat model of radiotherapy-induced mucositis, Bmi1 upregulation was observed 8 days after irradiation. Consistently, Bmi1 was upregulated in HaCaT cells 1 h after irradiation, and its upregulation was in accord with X-ray exposure duration. In conclusion, the prognosis of s-OSCC is poorer as compared to p-OSCC, which may be attributed to Bmi1 upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinchao Hu
- Department of Oral MedicineHospital of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of StomatologyGuanghua School of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Oral MedicineHospital of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of StomatologyGuanghua School of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaobing Chen
- Department of Oral MedicineHospital of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of StomatologyGuanghua School of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Intensive Care UnitSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhicheng Du
- Department of Medical Statistics and EpidemiologySchool of Public HealthSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yuantao Hao
- Department of Medical Statistics and EpidemiologySchool of Public HealthSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jianmin Peng
- Department of Oral MedicineHospital of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of StomatologyGuanghua School of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Shanshan Tai
- Department of Oral MedicineHospital of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of StomatologyGuanghua School of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ming Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangzhouChina
- Department of Head and Neck SurgerySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Bin Cheng
- Department of Oral MedicineHospital of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of StomatologyGuanghua School of StomatologySun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
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31
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Phi LTH, Sari IN, Yang YG, Lee SH, Jun N, Kim KS, Lee YK, Kwon HY. Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) in Drug Resistance and their Therapeutic Implications in Cancer Treatment. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:5416923. [PMID: 29681949 PMCID: PMC5850899 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5416923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 502] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), also known as tumor-initiating cells (TICs), are suggested to be responsible for drug resistance and cancer relapse due in part to their ability to self-renew themselves and differentiate into heterogeneous lineages of cancer cells. Thus, it is important to understand the characteristics and mechanisms by which CSCs display resistance to therapeutic agents. In this review, we highlight the key features and mechanisms that regulate CSC function in drug resistance as well as recent breakthroughs of therapeutic approaches for targeting CSCs. This promises new insights of CSCs in drug resistance and provides better therapeutic rationales to accompany novel anticancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Thi Hanh Phi
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ita Novita Sari
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ying-Gui Yang
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hyun Lee
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of Korea
| | - Nayoung Jun
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Seock Kim
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Kyung Lee
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyog Young Kwon
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of Korea
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32
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Wang Q, Li Z, Wu Y, Huang R, Zhu Y, Zhang W, Wang Y, Cheng J. Pharmacological inhibition of Bmi1 by PTC-209 impaired tumor growth in head neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2017; 17:107. [PMID: 29200967 PMCID: PMC5697105 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-017-0481-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bmi1 (B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog) contributes to human tumorigenesis via epigenetic transcriptional silencing and represents a novel therapeutic target with great potentials. Here we sought to determine the therapeutic efficiency of PTC-209, a potent and selective Bmi1 inhibitor, in head neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells and a HNSCC xenograft model. Methods The mutation pattern, mRNA level of Bmi1 in HNSCC and its associations with clinicopathological parameters were determined through comprehensive data mining and interrogation using publicly available databases GENT, cBioPortal, Oncomine and TCGA. The PTC-209, a selective and potent Bmi1 inhibitor, was exploited and its effect on Bmi1 expression was measured in two HNSCC cell lines Cal27 and FaDu. The phenotypical changes of HNSCC cells were observed upon PTC-209 treatment in vitro. Moreover, the therapeutic effects of PTC-209 for HNSCC were determined in a xenograft animal model. Results Through comprehensive data mining and interrogation, we found that Bmi1 mRNA was frequently overexpressed in a subset of HNSCC samples. Our data revealed that PTC-209 robustly reduced the expression of Bmi1 in Cal27 and FaDu cells presumably by post-transcriptional repression and ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation. PTC-209 treatment resulted in impaired cell proliferation, G1-phase cell cycle arrest, compromised migration and invasiveness, and increased cell apoptosis and chemosensitivity to 5-FU and cisplatin in vitro. Moreover, PTC-209 exposure reduced colony formation, tumorsphere formation and the percentage of ALDH1+ subpopulation in both Cal27 and FaDu cells. Importantly, in vivo PTC-209 administration significantly reduced tumor growth in a HNSCC xenograft model probably by Bmi1 inhibition and impaired cell proliferation. Conclusions Our findings indicate that pharmacological inhibition of Bmi1 is a novel therapeutic strategy for HNSCC patients, especially with those with aberrant Bmi1 overexpression. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12935-017-0481-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, 136 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China
| | - Zhongwu Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, 136 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China
| | - Yaping Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, 136 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 136 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China
| | - Rong Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, 136 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 136 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China
| | - Yumin Zhu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 136 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, 136 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China
| | - Yanling Wang
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, 136 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China
| | - Jie Cheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, 136 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China.,Department of Oral Pathology, School of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, 136 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, 210029 Jiangsu China
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33
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Dai W, Ko JMY, Choi SSA, Yu Z, Ning L, Zheng H, Gopalan V, Chan KT, Lee NPY, Chan KW, Law SYK, Lam AKY, Lung ML. Whole-exome sequencing reveals critical genes underlying metastasis in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. J Pathol 2017; 242:500-510. [PMID: 28608921 DOI: 10.1002/path.4925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most lethal cancers, owing to a high frequency of metastasis. However, little is known about the genomic landscape of metastatic ESCC. To identify the genetic alterations that underlie ESCC metastasis, whole-exome sequencing was performed for 41 primary tumours and 15 lymph nodes (LNs) with metastatic ESCCs. Eleven cases included matched primary tumours, synchronous LN metastases, and non-neoplastic mucosa. Approximately 50-76% of the mutations identified in primary tumours appeared in the synchronous LN metastases. Metastatic ESCCs harbour frequent mutations of TP53, KMT2D, ZNF750, and IRF5. Importantly, ZNF750 was recurrently mutated in metastatic ESCC. Combined analysis from current and previous genomic ESCC studies indicated more frequent ZNF750 mutation in diagnosed cases with LN metastasis than in those without metastasis (14% versus 3.4%, n = 629, P = 1.78 × 10-5 ). The Cancer Genome Atlas data further showed that ZNF750 genetic alterations were associated with early disease relapse. Previous ESCC studies have demonstrated that ZNF750 knockdown strongly promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion. Collectively, these results suggest a role for ZNF750 as a metastasis suppressor. TP53 is highly mutated in ESCC, and missense mutations are associated with poor overall survival, independently of pathological stage, suggesting that these missense mutations have important functional impacts on tumour progression, and are thus likely to be gain-of-function (GOF) mutations. Additionally, mutations of epigenetic regulators, including KMT2D, TET2, and KAT2A, and chromosomal 6p22 and 11q23 deletions of histone variants, which are important for nucleosome assembly, were detected in 80% of LN metastases. Our study highlights the important role of critical genetic events including ZNF750 mutations, TP53 putative GOF mutations and nucleosome disorganization caused by genetic lesions seen with ESCC metastasis. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Dai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (SAR), PR China
| | - Josephine Mun Yee Ko
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (SAR), PR China
| | - Sheyne Sta Ana Choi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (SAR), PR China
| | - Zhouyou Yu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (SAR), PR China
| | - Luwen Ning
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (SAR), PR China
| | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (SAR), PR China
| | - Vinod Gopalan
- Department of Cancer Molecular Pathology, Griffith Medical School and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Kin Tak Chan
- Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (SAR), PR China
| | - Nikki Pui-Yue Lee
- Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (SAR), PR China
| | - Kwok Wah Chan
- Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (SAR), PR China
| | - Simon Ying-Kit Law
- Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (SAR), PR China
| | - Alfred King-Yin Lam
- Department of Cancer Molecular Pathology, Griffith Medical School and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Maria Li Lung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (SAR), PR China
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34
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Wilms C, Kroeger CM, Hainzl AV, Banik I, Bruno C, Krikki I, Farsam V, Wlaschek M, Gatzka MV. MYSM1/2A-DUB is an epigenetic regulator in human melanoma and contributes to tumor cell growth. Oncotarget 2017; 8:67287-67299. [PMID: 28978033 PMCID: PMC5620173 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone modifying enzymes, such as histone deacetylases (HDACs) and polycomb repressive complex (PRC) components, have been implicated in regulating tumor growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor stem cell maintenance, or repression of tumor suppressor genes - and may be promising targets for combination therapies of melanoma and other cancers. According to recent findings, the histone H2A deubiquitinase 2A-DUB/Mysm1 interacts with the p53-axis in hematopoiesis and tissue differentiation in mice, in part by modulating DNA-damage responses in stem cell and progenitor compartments. Based on the identification of alterations in skin pigmentation and melanocyte specification in Mysm1-deficient mice, we hypothesized that MYSM1 may be involved in melanoma formation. In human melanoma samples, expression of MYSM1 was increased compared with normal skin melanocytes and nevi and co-localized with melanocyte markers such as Melan-A and c-KIT. Similarly, in melanoma cell lines A375 and SK-MEL-28 and in murine skin, expression of the deubiquitinase was detectable at the mRNA and protein level that was inducible by growth factor signals and UVB exposure, respectively. Upon stable silencing of MYSM1 in A375 and SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells by lentivirally-mediated shRNA expression, survival and proliferation were significantly reduced in five MYSM1 shRNA cell lines analyzed compared with control cells. In addition, MYSM1-silenced melanoma cells proliferated less well in softagar assays. In context with our finding that MYSM1 bound to the c-MET promoter region in close vicinity to PAX3 in melanoma cells, our data indicate that MYSM1 is an epigenetic regulator of melanoma growth and potentially promising new target for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Wilms
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Carsten M Kroeger
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Adelheid V Hainzl
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Ishani Banik
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany.,ETH, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Clara Bruno
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Ioanna Krikki
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Vida Farsam
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Meinhard Wlaschek
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Martina V Gatzka
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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35
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Manna A, Banerjee S, Khan P, Bhattacharya A, Das T. Contribution of nuclear events in generation and maintenance of cancer stem cells: revisiting chemo-resistance. THE NUCLEUS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s13237-017-0193-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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36
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Elkhadragy L, Chen M, Miller K, Yang MH, Long W. A regulatory BMI1/let-7i/ERK3 pathway controls the motility of head and neck cancer cells. Mol Oncol 2017; 11:194-207. [PMID: 28079973 PMCID: PMC5288292 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 10/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) is an atypical mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), whose biological activity is tightly regulated by its cellular abundance. Recent studies have revealed that ERK3 is upregulated in multiple cancers and promotes cancer cell migration/invasion and drug resistance. Little is known, however, about how ERK3 expression level is upregulated in cancers. Here, we have identified the oncogenic polycomb group protein BMI1 as a positive regulator of ERK3 level in head and neck cancer cells. Mechanistically, BMI1 upregulates ERK3 expression by suppressing the tumor suppressive microRNA (miRNA) let‐7i, which directly targets ERK3 mRNA. ERK3 then acts as an important downstream mediator of BMI1 in promoting cancer cell migration. Importantly, ERK3 protein level is positively correlated with BMI1 level in head and neck tumor specimens of human patients. Taken together, our study revealed a molecular pathway consisting of BMI1, miRNA let‐7i, and ERK3, which controls the migration of head and neck cancer cells, and suggests that ERK3 kinase is a potential new therapeutic target in head and neck cancers, particularly those with BMI1 overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lobna Elkhadragy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Minyi Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Kennon Miller
- Department of Pathology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
| | - Muh-Hwa Yang
- Institute of Clinic Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Weiwen Long
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
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37
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Xu X, Lu Y, Li Y, Prinz RA. Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Thyroid Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:284. [PMID: 29163356 PMCID: PMC5670164 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system. The initiation of thyroid cancer is often triggered by a genetic mutation in the phosphortidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, such as RAS and BRAF, or by the rearrangement of growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase genes such as RET/PTC. The sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway is evolutionarily conserved and plays an important role in the embryonic development of normal tissues and organs. Gene mutations in the Shh pathway are involved in basal cell carcinomas (BCC). Activation of the Shh pathway due to overexpression of the genes encoding the components of this pathway stimulates the growth and spread of a wide range of cancer types. The Shh pathway also plays an important role in cancer stem cell (CSC) self-renewal. GDC-0449 and LDE-225, two inhibitors of this pathway, have been approved for treating BCC and are being tested as a single agent or in combination with other drugs for treating various other cancers. Here, we review the recent findings on activation of the Shh pathway in thyroid cancer and its role in maintaining thyroid CSC self-renewal. We also summarize the recent developments on crosstalk of the Shh pathway with the MAPK and PI3K oncogenic pathways, and its implications for combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiulong Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Xiulong Xu, ,
| | - Yurong Lu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yi Li
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Richard A. Prinz
- Department of Surgery, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL, United States
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38
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Lu L, Xu H, Luo F, Liu X, Lu X, Yang Q, Xue J, Chen C, Shi L, Liu Q. Epigenetic silencing of miR-218 by the lncRNA CCAT1, acting via BMI1, promotes an altered cell cycle transition in the malignant transformation of HBE cells induced by cigarette smoke extract. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2016; 304:30-41. [PMID: 27212446 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2016.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is the strongest risk factor for the development of lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to lung cancer are largely unknown. A long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA), CCAT1, regarded as cancer-associated, has been investigated extensively. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) induced by cigarette smoke remain unclear. In the present investigation, cigarette smoke extract (CSE) caused an altered cell cycle and increased CCAT1 levels and decreased miR-218 levels in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. Depletion of CCAT1 attenuated the CSE-induced decreases of miR-218 levels, suggesting that miR-218 is negatively regulated by CCAT1 in HBE cells exposed to CSE. The CSE-induced increases of BMI1 levels and blocked by CCAT1 siRNA were attenuated by an miR-218 inhibitor. Moreover, in CSE-transformed HBE cells, the CSE-induced cell cycle changes and elevated neoplastic capacity were reversed by CCAT1 siRNA or BMI1 siRNA. This epigenetic silencing of miR-218 by CCAT1 induces an altered cell cycle transition through BMI1 and provides a new mechanism for CSE-induced lung carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Lu
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Xu
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Luo
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinlu Liu
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolin Lu
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianlei Yang
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Junchao Xue
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Chen
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Shi
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Qizhan Liu
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China; The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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