1
|
Orlando L, Benoit YD, Reid JC, Nakanishi M, Boyd AL, García-Rodriguez JL, Tanasijevic B, Doyle MS, Luchman A, Restall IJ, Bergin CJ, Masibag AN, Aslostovar L, Di Lu J, Laronde S, Collins TJ, Weiss S, Bhatia M. Chemical genomics reveals targetable programs of human cancers rooted in pluripotency. Cell Chem Biol 2023:S2451-9456(23)00158-7. [PMID: 37379846 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.06.004] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Overlapping principles of embryonic and tumor biology have been described, with recent multi-omics campaigns uncovering shared molecular profiles between human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and adult tumors. Here, using a chemical genomic approach, we provide biological evidence that early germ layer fate decisions of hPSCs reveal targets of human cancers. Single-cell deconstruction of hPSCs-defined subsets that share transcriptional patterns with transformed adult tissues. Chemical screening using a unique germ layer specification assay for hPSCs identified drugs that enriched for compounds that selectively suppressed the growth of patient-derived tumors corresponding exclusively to their germ layer origin. Transcriptional response of hPSCs to germ layer inducing drugs could be used to identify targets capable of regulating hPSC specification as well as inhibiting adult tumors. Our study demonstrates properties of adult tumors converge with hPSCs drug induced differentiation in a germ layer specific manner, thereby expanding our understanding of cancer stemness and pluripotency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Orlando
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Yannick D Benoit
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer C Reid
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Mio Nakanishi
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Allison L Boyd
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Borko Tanasijevic
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Meaghan S Doyle
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Artee Luchman
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute & The Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ian J Restall
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute & The Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christopher J Bergin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Angelique N Masibag
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lili Aslostovar
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Justin Di Lu
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah Laronde
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Tony J Collins
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Samuel Weiss
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute & The Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Mickie Bhatia
- Department of Biochemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Park Y, Gaddy M, Hyun M, Jones ME, Aslam HM, Lee MH. Genetic and Chemical Controls of Sperm Fate and Spermatocyte Dedifferentiation via PUF-8 and MPK-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030434. [PMID: 36766775 PMCID: PMC9913519 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Using the nematode C. elegans germline as a model system, we previously reported that PUF-8 (a PUF RNA-binding protein) and LIP-1 (a dual-specificity phosphatase) repress sperm fate at 20 °C and the dedifferentiation of spermatocytes into mitotic cells (termed "spermatocyte dedifferentiation") at 25 °C. Thus, double mutants lacking both PUF-8 and LIP-1 produce excess sperm at 20 °C, and their spermatocytes return to mitotically dividing cells via dedifferentiation at 25 °C, resulting in germline tumors. To gain insight into the molecular competence for spermatocyte dedifferentiation, we compared the germline phenotypes of three mutant strains that produce excess sperm-fem-3(q20gf), puf-8(q725); fem-3(q20gf), and puf-8(q725); lip-1(zh15). Spermatocyte dedifferentiation was not observed in fem-3(q20gf) mutants, but it was more severe in puf-8(q725); lip-1(zh15) than in puf-8(q725); fem-3(q20gf) mutants. These results suggest that MPK-1 (the C. elegans ERK1/2 MAPK ortholog) activation in the absence of PUF-8 is required to promote spermatocyte dedifferentiation. This idea was confirmed using Resveratrol (RSV), a potential activator of MPK-1 and ERK1/2 in C. elegans and human cells, respectively. Notably, spermatocyte dedifferentiation was significantly enhanced by RSV treatment in the absence of PUF-8, and its effect was blocked by mpk-1 RNAi. We, therefore, conclude that PUF-8 and MPK-1 are essential regulators for spermatocyte dedifferentiation and tumorigenesis. Since these regulators are broadly conserved, we suggest that similar regulatory circuitry may control cellular dedifferentiation and tumorigenesis in other organisms, including humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youngyong Park
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Matthew Gaddy
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Moonjung Hyun
- Biological Resources Research Group, Bioenvironmental Science & Toxicology Division, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jinju 52834, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Mariah E. Jones
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Hafiz M. Aslam
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Myon Hee Lee
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang H, Chirshev E, Hojo N, Suzuki T, Bertucci A, Pierce M, Perry C, Wang R, Zink J, Glackin CA, Ioffe YJ, Unternaehrer JJ. The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transcription Factor SNAI1 Represses Transcription of the Tumor Suppressor miRNA let-7 in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061469. [PMID: 33806868 PMCID: PMC8004805 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary When cells undergo epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) they gain characteristics of stem cells. We investigated the mechanism by which the EMT transcription factor SNAI1 induces stem cell features. In these studies, we observed that SNAI1 represses a microRNA that maintains differentiation, let-7. This microRNA is lost in cancer, and its loss correlates with poor prognosis. In breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer cell lines the cell stemness in increased by SNAI1 overexpression and reduced by SNAI1 knockdown. We extended the ovarian cancer results to patient-derived cells, and to a mouse xenograft model. In mice, we used nanoparticles to deliver small RNAs (RNAi) targeting SNAI1, resulting in restoration of let-7 levels, inhibition of stemness, and reduced tumor burden. Our studies validate nanoparticle-delivered RNAi targeting SNAI1 as a clinically relevant approach. Abstract We aimed to determine the mechanism of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-induced stemness in cancer cells. Cancer relapse and metastasis are caused by rare stem-like cells within tumors. Studies of stem cell reprogramming have linked let-7 repression and acquisition of stemness with the EMT factor, SNAI1. The mechanisms for the loss of let-7 in cancer cells are incompletely understood. In four carcinoma cell lines from breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and ovarian cancer and in ovarian cancer patient-derived cells, we analyzed stem cell phenotype and tumor growth via mRNA, miRNA, and protein expression, spheroid formation, and growth in patient-derived xenografts. We show that treatment with EMT-promoting growth factors or SNAI1 overexpression increased stemness and reduced let-7 expression, while SNAI1 knockdown reduced stemness and restored let-7 expression. Rescue experiments demonstrate that the pro-stemness effects of SNAI1 are mediated via let-7. In vivo, nanoparticle-delivered siRNA successfully knocked down SNAI1 in orthotopic patient-derived xenografts, accompanied by reduced stemness and increased let-7 expression, and reduced tumor burden. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that SNAI1 binds the promoters of various let-7 family members, and luciferase assays revealed that SNAI1 represses let-7 transcription. In conclusion, the SNAI1/let-7 axis is an important component of stemness pathways in cancer cells, and this study provides a rationale for future work examining this axis as a potential target for cancer stem cell-specific therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanmin Wang
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (H.W.); (E.C.); (N.H.); (T.S.); (A.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Evgeny Chirshev
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (H.W.); (E.C.); (N.H.); (T.S.); (A.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Nozomi Hojo
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (H.W.); (E.C.); (N.H.); (T.S.); (A.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Tise Suzuki
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (H.W.); (E.C.); (N.H.); (T.S.); (A.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Antonella Bertucci
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (H.W.); (E.C.); (N.H.); (T.S.); (A.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Michael Pierce
- Department of Biology, California State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA;
| | - Christopher Perry
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (H.W.); (E.C.); (N.H.); (T.S.); (A.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Ruining Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (R.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jeffrey Zink
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (R.W.); (J.Z.)
| | | | - Yevgeniya J. Ioffe
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA;
| | - Juli J. Unternaehrer
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA; (H.W.); (E.C.); (N.H.); (T.S.); (A.B.); (C.P.)
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-909-558-7691; Fax: +1-909-558-4887
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xu L, Zhang M, Shi L, Yang X, Chen L, Cao N, Lei A, Cao Y. Neural stemness contributes to cell tumorigenicity. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:21. [PMID: 33468253 PMCID: PMC7814647 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00531-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies demonstrated the dependence of cancer on nerve. Recently, a growing number of studies reveal that cancer cells share the property and regulatory network with neural stem/progenitor cells. However, relationship between the property of neural stemness and cell tumorigenicity is unknown. Results We show that neural stem/progenitor cells, but not non-neural embryonic or somatic stem/progenitor cell types, exhibit tumorigenicity and the potential for differentiation into tissue types of all germ layers when they are placed in non-native environment by transplantation into immunodeficient nude mice. Likewise, cancer cells capable of tumor initiation have the property of neural stemness because of their abilities in neurosphere formation in neural stem cell-specific serum-free medium and in differentiation potential, in addition to their neuronal differentiation potential that was characterized previously. Moreover, loss of a pro-differentiation factor in myoblasts, which have no tumorigenicity, lead to the loss of myoblast identity, and gain of the property of neural stemness, tumorigenicity and potential for re-differentiation. By contrast, loss of neural stemness via differentiation results in the loss of tumorigenicity. These suggest that the property of neural stemness contributes to cell tumorigenicity, and tumor phenotypic heterogeneity might be an effect of differentiation potential of neural stemness. Bioinformatic analysis reveals that neural genes in general are correlated with embryonic development and cancer, in addition to their role in neural development; whereas non-neural genes are not. Most of neural specific genes emerged in typical species representing transition from unicellularity to multicellularity during evolution. Genes in Monosiga brevicollis, a unicellular species that is a closest known relative of metazoans, are biased toward neural cells. Conclusions We suggest that the property of neural stemness is the source of cell tumorigenicity. This is due to that neural biased unicellular state is the ground state for multicellularity and hence cell type diversification or differentiation during evolution, and tumorigenesis is a process of restoration of neural ground state in somatic cells along a default route that is pre-determined by an evolutionary advantage of neural state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Min Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Lihua Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Lu Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Ning Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Anhua Lei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Ying Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tsuchiya Y, Umemura Y, Yagita K. Circadian clock and cancer: From a viewpoint of cellular differentiation. Int J Urol 2020; 27:518-524. [PMID: 32223039 DOI: 10.1111/iju.14231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The circadian clock controls and adapts diverse physiological and behavioral processes according to Earth's 24-h cycle of environmental changes. The master pacemaker of the mammalian circadian clock resides in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus, but almost all cells throughout the body show circadian oscillations in gene expression patterns and associated functions. Recent studies have shown that the circadian clock gradually develops during embryogenesis. Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells do not show circadian oscillations of gene expression, but gradually develop circadian clock oscillation during differentiation; thus, the developmental program of circadian clock emergence appears closely associated with cellular differentiation. Like embryonic stem cells, certain cancer cell types also lack the circadian clock. Given this similarity between embryonic stem cells and cancer cells, interest is growing in the contributions of circadian clock dysfunction to dedifferentiation and cancer development. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of circadian clock emergence during ontogenesis, and discuss possible associations with cellular differentiation and carcinogenesis. Considering the multiple physiological functions of circadian rhythms, circadian abnormalities might contribute to a host of diseases, including cancer. Insights on circadian function could lead to the identification of biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, as well as novel targets for treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Tsuchiya
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Umemura
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Yagita
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
The “life code”: A theory that unifies the human life cycle and the origin of human tumors. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 60:380-397. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
7
|
Cai S, Bi Z, Bai Y, Zhang H, Zhai D, Xiao C, Tang Y, Yang L, Zhang X, Li K, Yang R, Liu Y, Chen S, Sun T, Liu H, Yang C. Glycyrrhizic Acid-Induced Differentiation Repressed Stemness in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase 1. Front Oncol 2020; 9:1431. [PMID: 31998631 PMCID: PMC6962306 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant cancers with poor prognosis and high incidence. Cancer stem cells play a vital role in tumor initiation and malignancy. The degree of differentiation of HCC is closely related to its stemness. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) plays a critical role in inhibiting the degree of malignancy of HCC. At present, the effect of GA on the differentiation and stemness of HCC has not been reported, and its pharmacological mechanism remains to be elucidated. This study evaluated the effect of GA on the stemness of HCC and investigated its targets through proteomics and chemical biology. Results showed that GA can repress stemness and induce differentiation in HCC in vitro. GEO analysis revealed that cell differentiation and stem cell pluripotency were up-regulated and down-regulated after GA administration, respectively. Virtual screening was used to predict the c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) as a direct target of GA. Moreover, chemical biology was used to verify the interaction of JNK1 and GA. Experimental data further indicated that JNK1 inhibits stemness and induces differentiation of HCC. GA exerts its function by targeting JNK1. Clinical data analysis from The Cancer Genome Atlas also revealed that JNK1 can aggravate the degree of malignancy of HCC. The results indicated that, by targeting JNK1, GA can inhibit tumor growth through inducing differentiation and repressing stemness. Furthermore, GA enhanced the anti-tumor effects of sorafenib in HCC treatment. These results broadened our insight into the pharmacological mechanism of GA and the importance of JNK1 as a therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shijiao Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhun Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yunpeng Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Denghui Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Cui Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuanhao Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Lan Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Kun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Ru Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanrong Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Huijuan Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China.,College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Cheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Karakas C, Christensen P, Baek D, Jung M, Ro JY. Dedifferentiated gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Recent advances. Ann Diagn Pathol 2019; 39:118-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
9
|
Wang XL, Huang C. Difference of TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway in epithelial-mesenchymal transition of normal colonic epithelial cells induced by tumor-associated fibroblasts and colon cancer cells. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:2749-2759. [PMID: 30835040 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04719-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) crucially functions in tumor initiation and progression. Stroma-tumor interactions and cellular transdifferentiation are the prerequisite for tumor formation. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a major cytokine secreted by tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs) and cancer cells, is a crucial player involving cell transdifferentiation. Therefore, we hypothesized that these TAFs and cancer cells also affect normal colon epithelium. In our study, we found for the first time that colon cancer cells HCT116 and TAF-like CCD-18Co cells induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like transdifferentiation in colon epithelial cells HCoEpiCs, with enhanced migratio. Dysfunction of TGF-β/Smads signal was also observed in the EMT-transformed HCoEpiCs. We wondered whether these phenomena were regulated by TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway. A TGFβ receptor kinase I (TβRI) inhibitor LY364947 was used. We found that the EMT induced by the HCT116- and CCD-18Co-derived CM was suppressed by the LY364947. Besides, different expression profiles for the components of TGF-β/Smads pathway were found in the EMT-like HCoEpiCs, but high expression of p-Smad2/3 and Smad4 was the common feature. Our observations suggest that the mechanisms of phenotypic transition of colon epithelial cells are cellular environment-dependent, which maybe a basis of potential therapy targeting TME.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Lian Wang
- Community Health Service Center, Shenzhen Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Group, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Huang
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Bao'an Hospital of Shenzhen, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Huang C, Tao L, Wang X, Pang Z. Berberine reversed the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of normal colonic epithelial cells induced by SW480 cells through regulating the important components in the TGF‐β pathway. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:11679-11691. [PMID: 30536375 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Huang
- Institute of Pharmacology, Sun Yat‐Sen Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Liang Tao
- Institute of Pharmacology, Sun Yat‐Sen Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Xiu‐lian Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Bao’an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shenzhen, Traditional Chinese Medicine University Of Guangzhou Shenzhen China
| | - Zuoliang Pang
- Department of Oncology Affiliated Bao’an Hospital of Shenzhen, Southern Medical University Shenzhen China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Shahin SA, Wang R, Simargi SI, Contreras A, Parra Echavarria L, Qu L, Wen W, Dellinger T, Unternaehrer J, Tamanoi F, Zink JI, Glackin CA. Hyaluronic acid conjugated nanoparticle delivery of siRNA against TWIST reduces tumor burden and enhances sensitivity to cisplatin in ovarian cancer. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2018; 14:1381-1394. [PMID: 29665439 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
TWIST protein is critical to development and is activated in many cancers. TWIST regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and is linked to angiogenesis, metastasis, cancer stem cell phenotype, and drug resistance. The majority of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients with metastatic disease respond well to first-line chemotherapy but most relapse with disease that is both metastatic and drug resistant, leading to a five-year survival rate under 20%. We are investigating the role of TWIST in mediating these relapses. We demonstrate TWIST-siRNA (siTWIST) and a novel nanoparticle delivery platform to reverse chemoresistance in an EOC model. Hyaluronic-acid conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-HAs) carried siTWIST into target cells and led to sustained TWIST knockdown in vitro. Mice treated with siTWIST-MSN-HA and cisplatin exhibited specific tumor targeting and reduction of tumor burden. This platform has potential application for overcoming clinical challenges of tumor cell targeting, metastasis and chemoresistance in ovarian and other TWIST overexpressing cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia A Shahin
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Ruining Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California NanoSystems Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shirleen I Simargi
- Department of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Pomona, CA
| | - Altagracia Contreras
- Department of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, CA
| | - Liliana Parra Echavarria
- Department of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Louise Qu
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Wei Wen
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Thanh Dellinger
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Juli Unternaehrer
- Department of Biochemistry, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA
| | - Fuyuhiko Tamanoi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, California NanoSystems Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey I Zink
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California NanoSystems Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Carlotta A Glackin
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, City of Hope - Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, California, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
β2 spectrin-mediated differentiation repressed the properties of liver cancer stem cells through β-catenin. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:424. [PMID: 29555987 PMCID: PMC5859291 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0456-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2017] [Revised: 01/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
βII-Spectrin (β2SP), a Smad3/4 adaptor protein during transforming growth factor (TGF) β/Smad signal pathway, plays a critical role in suppressing hepatocarcinogenesis. Dedifferentiation is a distinctive feature of cancer progression. Therefore, we investigated whether the disruption of β2SP contributed to tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through the dedifferentiation. Down-regulation of β2SP in hepatocytes was observed in cirrhotic liver and HCC. The level of β2SP expression was closely associated with the differentiation status of hepatocytes in rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis and clinical specimens. Transgenic expression of β2SP in HCC cells promoted the differentiation of HCC cells and suppressed the growth of HCC cells in vitro. Efficient transduction of β2SP into liver CSCs resulted in a reduction in colony formation ability, spheroid formation capacity, invasive activity, chemo-resistance properties, tumorigenicity in vivo. In addition, β2 spectrin exerted its effect through β catenin in liver CSCs. In conclusion, β2 spectrin repressed the properties of liver CSCs through inducing differentiation; thus, strategies to restore its levels and activities would be a novel strategy for HCC prevention and differentiation therapy
Collapse
|
13
|
Venkatesan AM, Vyas R, Gramann AK, Dresser K, Gujja S, Bhatnagar S, Chhangawala S, Gomes CBF, Xi HS, Lian CG, Houvras Y, Edwards YJK, Deng A, Green M, Ceol CJ. Ligand-activated BMP signaling inhibits cell differentiation and death to promote melanoma. J Clin Invest 2017; 128:294-308. [PMID: 29202482 DOI: 10.1172/jci92513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenomic studies indicate that copy number variation (CNV) alters genes involved in tumor progression; however, identification of specific driver genes affected by CNV has been difficult, as these rearrangements are often contained in large chromosomal intervals among several bystander genes. Here, we addressed this problem and identified a CNV-targeted oncogene by performing comparative oncogenomics of human and zebrafish melanomas. We determined that the gene encoding growth differentiation factor 6 (GDF6), which is the ligand for the BMP family, is recurrently amplified and transcriptionally upregulated in melanoma. GDF6-induced BMP signaling maintained a trunk neural crest gene signature in melanomas. Additionally, GDF6 repressed the melanocyte differentiation gene MITF and the proapoptotic factor SOX9, thereby preventing differentiation, inhibiting cell death, and promoting tumor growth. GDF6 was specifically expressed in melanomas but not melanocytes. Moreover, GDF6 expression levels in melanomas were inversely correlated with patient survival. Our study has identified a fundamental role for GDF6 and BMP signaling in governing an embryonic cell gene signature to promote melanoma progression, thus providing potential opportunities for targeted therapy to treat GDF6-positive cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arvind M Venkatesan
- Program in Molecular Medicine.,Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology
| | - Rajesh Vyas
- Program in Molecular Medicine.,Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology
| | - Alec K Gramann
- Program in Molecular Medicine.,Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology
| | | | | | - Sanchita Bhatnagar
- Program in Molecular Medicine.,Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sagar Chhangawala
- Departments of Surgery and Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Camilla Borges Ferreira Gomes
- Program in Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Christine G Lian
- Program in Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yariv Houvras
- Departments of Surgery and Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Michael Green
- Program in Molecular Medicine.,Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Craig J Ceol
- Program in Molecular Medicine.,Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cao Y. Tumorigenesis as a process of gradual loss of original cell identity and gain of properties of neural precursor/progenitor cells. Cell Biosci 2017; 7:61. [PMID: 29177029 PMCID: PMC5693707 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-017-0188-9] [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: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease without a unified explanation for its cause so far. Our recent work demonstrates that cancer cells share similar regulatory networks and characteristics with embryonic neural cells. Based on the study, I will address the relationship between tumor and neural cells in more details. I collected the evidence from various aspects of cancer development in many other studies, and integrated the information from studies on cancer cell properties, cell fate specification during embryonic development and evolution. Synthesis of the information strongly supports that cancer cells share much more similarities with neural progenitor/stem cells than with mesenchymal-type cells and that tumorigenesis represents a process of gradual loss of cell or lineage identity and gain of characteristics of neural cells. I also discuss cancer EMT, a concept having been under intense debate, and possibly the true meaning of EMT in cancer initiation and development. This synthesis provides fresh insights into a unified explanation for and a previously unrecognized nature of tumorigenesis, which might not be revealed by studies on individual molecular events. The review will also present some brief suggestions for cancer research based on the proposed model of tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cao
- Model Animal Research Center and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061 China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Shan NL, Wahler J, Lee HJ, Bak MJ, Gupta SD, Maehr H, Suh N. Vitamin D compounds inhibit cancer stem-like cells and induce differentiation in triple negative breast cancer. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 173:122-129. [PMID: 27923595 PMCID: PMC5459680 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the least responsive breast cancer subtypes to available targeted therapies due to the absence of hormonal receptors, aggressive phenotypes, and the high rate of relapse. Early breast cancer prevention may therefore play an important role in delaying the progression of triple-negative breast cancer. Cancer stem cells are a subset of cancer cells that are thought to be responsible for tumor progression, treatment resistance, and metastasis. We have previously shown that vitamin D compounds, including a Gemini vitamin D analog BXL0124, suppress progression of ductal carcinoma in situ in vivo and inhibit cancer stem-like cells in MCF10DCIS mammosphere cultures. In the present study, the effects of vitamin D compounds in regulating breast cancer stem-like cells and differentiation in triple-negative breast cancer were assessed. Mammosphere cultures, which enriches for breast cancer cells with stem-like properties, were used to assess the effects of 1α,25(OH)2D3 and BXL0124 on cancer stem cell markers in the triple-negative breast cancer cell line, SUM159. Vitamin D compounds significantly reduced the mammosphere forming efficiency in primary, secondary and tertiary passages of mammospheres compared to control groups. Key markers of cancer stem-like phenotype and pluripotency were analyzed in mammospheres treated with 1α,25(OH)2D3 and BXL0124. As a result, OCT4, CD44 and LAMA5 levels were decreased. The vitamin D compounds also down-regulated the Notch signaling molecules, Notch1, Notch2, Notch3, JAG1, JAG2, HES1 and NFκB, which are involved in breast cancer stem cell maintenance. In addition, the vitamin D compounds up-regulated myoepithelial differentiating markers, cytokeratin 14 and smooth muscle actin, and down-regulated the luminal marker, cytokeratin 18. Cytokeratin 5, a biomarker associated with basal-like breast cancer, was found to be significantly down-regulated by the vitamin D compounds. These results suggest that vitamin D compounds may serve as potential preventive agents to inhibit triple negative breast cancer by regulating cancer stem cells and differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naing Lin Shan
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NJ, USA
| | - Joseph Wahler
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NJ, USA
| | - Hong Jin Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, South Korea
| | - Min Ji Bak
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NJ, USA
| | - Soumyasri Das Gupta
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NJ, USA
| | - Hubert Maehr
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NJ, USA
| | - Nanjoo Suh
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NJ, USA; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yu C, Yao X, Zhao L, Wang P, Zhang Q, Zhao C, Yao S, Wei Y. Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome Candidate 1 (whsc1) Functions as a Tumor Suppressor by Governing Cell Differentiation. Neoplasia 2017; 19:606-616. [PMID: 28654864 PMCID: PMC5487304 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome candidate 1 (WHSC1) is a histone 3 lysine 36 (H3K36) specific methyltransferase that is frequently deleted in Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS). Whsc1 is also found mutated in a subgroup of B-cell derived malignant diseases by genomic translocation or point mutation, both of which resulted in hyperactivity of WHSC1 mediated H3K36 methylation and uncontrolled cell proliferation, suggesting that whsc1 functions as an oncogene. However, here we provided evidences to show that whsc1 also has tumor suppressor functions. We used zebrafish as an in vivo model and generated homozygous whsc1 mutant lines via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology. Then western-blot (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF) were performed to analysis the expression level of H3K36Me2 and H3K36Me3, and we identified the diseased tissue via hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining, IF staining or immunohistochemistry (IHC). Whsc1 lose-of-function led to significant decrease in di- and tri-methylation of H3K36. A series of WHS related phenotypes were found in whsc1−/− zebrafish, including growth retardation, neural development defects and heart failure. In addition, loss of function of whsc1 led to defects in the development of swim bladder, possibly through the dis-regulation of key genes in swim bladder organogenesis and inhibition of progenitor cell differentiation, which was correlated with its expression in this organ during embryonic development. At later stage, these whsc1−/− zebrafishes are inclined to grow tumors in the swim bladder. Our work suggested that whsc1 may function as a tumor suppressor by governing progenitor cell differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Linjie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengjian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaohua Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuquan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ponzio G, Rezzonico R, Bourget I, Allan R, Nottet N, Popa A, Magnone V, Rios G, Mari B, Barbry P. A new long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is induced in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and down-regulates several anticancer and cell differentiation genes in mouse. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:12483-12495. [PMID: 28596382 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.776260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Keratinocyte-derived cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common metastatic skin cancer. Although some of the early events involved in this pathology have been identified, the subsequent steps leading to tumor development are poorly defined. We demonstrate here that the development of mouse tumors induced by the concomitant application of a carcinogen and a tumor promoter (7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), respectively) is associated with the up-regulation of a previously uncharacterized long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), termed AK144841. We found that AK144841 expression was absent from normal skin and was specifically stimulated in tumors and highly tumorigenic cells. We also found that AK144841 exists in two variants, one consisting of a large 2-kb transcript composed of four exons and one consisting of a 1.8-kb transcript lacking the second exon. Gain- and loss-of-function studies indicated that AK144841 mainly inhibited gene expression, specifically down-regulating the expression of genes of the late cornified envelope-1 (Lce1) family involved in epidermal terminal differentiation and of anticancer genes such as Cgref1, Brsk1, Basp1, Dusp5, Btg2, Anpep, Dhrs9, Stfa2, Tpm1, SerpinB2, Cpa4, Crct1, Cryab, Il24, Csf2, and Rgs16 Interestingly, the lack of the second exon significantly decreased AK144841's inhibitory effect on gene expression. We also noted that high AK144841 expression correlated with a low expression of the aforementioned genes and with the tumorigenic potential of cell lines. These findings suggest that AK144841 could contribute to the dedifferentiation program of tumor-forming keratinocytes and to molecular cascades leading to tumor development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Ponzio
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France and.
| | - Roger Rezzonico
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France and
| | - Isabelle Bourget
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, 06000 Nice, France
| | - Richard Allan
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France and
| | - Nicolas Nottet
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France and
| | - Alexandra Popa
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France and
| | - Virginie Magnone
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France and
| | - Géraldine Rios
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France and
| | - Bernard Mari
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France and
| | - Pascal Barbry
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 06560 Valbonne, France and
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Othman ER, Meligy FY, Sayed AAR, El-Mokhtar MA, Refaiy AM. Stem Cell Markers Describe a Transition From Somatic to Pluripotent Cell States in a Rat Model of Endometriosis. Reprod Sci 2017; 25:873-881. [PMID: 28325116 DOI: 10.1177/1933719117697124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study Thy1 as a fibroblast marker, SSEA1 as a marker of intermediate pluripotency, and Oct4 as a marker of established pluripotency in rat model of endometriosis. DESIGN In vivo animal study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Endometriosis was induced in 20 albino female rats through autologous transplantation of one uterine horn to mesentery of intestine. Other 20 rats had their horn removed without transplantation (controls). Rats were sacrificed 4 weeks after induction surgery. Ectopic, eutopic, and control endometria were harvested from endometriosis and control animals respectively. Quantitative syber green based RT-PCR was used to detect expression of Thy-1 (CD90), FUT4 (SSEA1), and POU5F1 (Oct4) genes in tissues. Relative expression was normalized to that of β actin. Thy1, SSEA1, and Oct4 protein expression were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Ectopic endometrium expressed significantly higher mRNA of Oct4 and SSEA1 as compared to control endometrium. Expression levels of Oct4 and SSEA1 were comparable between ectopic and eutopic endometria and between eutopic and control endometria. Thy1 (CD90) gene expression level was comparable among ectopic, eutopic, and control endometria. Oct4 immunoscore were significantly higher in ectopic (6.6±0.91) than eutopic (2.5±0.78) or control endometrium (3.7±0.1) (P value 0.02). Thy1 and SSEA1 immunoscores were comparable among all three types of endometria. CONCLUSIONS Using rat model of endometriosis, ectopic endometrium showed significantly higher Oct4, and SSEA1, but similar Thy1 gene expression to that of control endometrium. This indicates increased transition from somatic to pluripotent cell states in ectopic endometrium which may play a role in endometriosis pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Essam Rashad Othman
- 1 OB-GYN Department, Assiut University, Egypt.,2 Center of Excellence of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (CESCRM), Assiut University, Egypt
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tao L, Xiang D, Xie Y, Bronson RT, Li Z. Induced p53 loss in mouse luminal cells causes clonal expansion and development of mammary tumours. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14431. [PMID: 28194015 PMCID: PMC5316831 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Most breast cancers may have a luminal origin. TP53 is one of the most frequently mutated genes in breast cancers. However, how p53 deficiency contributes to breast tumorigenesis from luminal cells remains elusive. Here we report that induced p53 loss in Krt8+ mammary luminal cells leads to their clonal expansion without directly affecting their luminal identity. All induced mice develop mammary tumours with 9qA1 (Yap1) and/or 6qA2 (Met) amplification(s). These tumours exhibit a mammary stem cell (MaSC)-like expression signature and most closely resemble claudin-low breast cancer. Thus, although p53 does not directly control the luminal fate, its loss facilitates acquisition of MaSC-like properties by luminal cells and predisposes them to development of mammary tumours with loss of luminal identity. Our data also suggest that claudin-low breast cancer can develop from luminal cells, possibly via a basal-like intermediate state, although further study using a different luminal promoter is needed to fully support this conclusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luwei Tao
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Dongxi Xiang
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Ying Xie
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Roderick T Bronson
- Rodent Histopathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Zhe Li
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sarosiek KA, Fraser C, Muthalagu N, Bhola PD, Chang W, McBrayer SK, Cantlon A, Fisch S, Golomb-Mello G, Ryan JA, Deng J, Jian B, Corbett C, Goldenberg M, Madsen JR, Liao R, Walsh D, Sedivy J, Murphy DJ, Carrasco DR, Robinson S, Moslehi J, Letai A. Developmental Regulation of Mitochondrial Apoptosis by c-Myc Governs Age- and Tissue-Specific Sensitivity to Cancer Therapeutics. Cancer Cell 2017; 31:142-156. [PMID: 28017613 PMCID: PMC5363285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
It is not understood why healthy tissues can exhibit varying levels of sensitivity to the same toxic stimuli. Using BH3 profiling, we find that mitochondria of many adult somatic tissues, including brain, heart, and kidneys, are profoundly refractory to pro-apoptotic signaling, leading to cellular resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapies and ionizing radiation. In contrast, mitochondria from these tissues in young mice and humans are primed for apoptosis, predisposing them to undergo cell death in response to genotoxic damage. While expression of the apoptotic protein machinery is nearly absent by adulthood, in young tissues its expression is driven by c-Myc, linking developmental growth to cell death. These differences may explain why pediatric cancer patients have a higher risk of developing treatment-associated toxicities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristopher A Sarosiek
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Mayer 430, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Cameron Fraser
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Mayer 430, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Patrick D Bhola
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Mayer 430, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Weiting Chang
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Genetics and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Samuel K McBrayer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Mayer 430, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Adam Cantlon
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Genetics and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sudeshna Fisch
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Genetics and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gail Golomb-Mello
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Jeremy A Ryan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Mayer 430, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jing Deng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Mayer 430, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Brian Jian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kaiser Permanente, Sacramento, CA 95815, USA
| | - Chris Corbett
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marti Goldenberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joseph R Madsen
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ronglih Liao
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Genetics and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dominic Walsh
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Genetics and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - John Sedivy
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Daniel J Murphy
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, Scotland; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, Scotland
| | - Daniel Ruben Carrasco
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Mayer 430, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shenandoah Robinson
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Javid Moslehi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Cardio-Oncology Program, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Anthony Letai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Mayer 430, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Liu Y, Long YH, Wang SQ, Li YF, Zhang JH. Phosphorylation of H2A.XTyr39positively regulates DNA damage response and is linked to cancer progression. FEBS J 2016; 283:4462-4473. [PMID: 27813335 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- College of Life Science; North China University of Science and Technology; Tangshan China
- Cancer Institute; Affiliated Tangshan People's Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology; Tangshan China
| | - Yue-Hong Long
- College of Life Science; North China University of Science and Technology; Tangshan China
| | - Shu-Qing Wang
- Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology; Tangshan China
| | - Yu-Feng Li
- Cancer Institute; Affiliated Tangshan People's Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology; Tangshan China
| | - Jing-Hua Zhang
- Cancer Institute; Affiliated Tangshan People's Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology; Tangshan China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Dorris ER, Blackshields G, Sommerville G, Alhashemi M, Dias A, McEneaney V, Smyth P, O'Leary JJ, Sheils O. Pluripotency markers are differentially induced by MEK inhibition in thyroid and melanoma BRAFV600E cell lines. Cancer Biol Ther 2016; 17:526-42. [PMID: 26828826 PMCID: PMC4910922 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2016.1139230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic mutations in BRAF are common in melanoma and thyroid carcinoma and drive constitutive activation of the MAPK pathway. Molecularly targeted therapies of this pathway improves survival compared to chemotherapy; however, responses tend to be short-lived as resistance invariably occursCell line models of melanoma and thyroid carcinoma, +/− BRAFV600E activating mutation, were treated with the MEK inhibitor PD0325901. Treated and naive samples were assayed for expression of key members of the MAPK pathway. Global microRNA expression profiling of naive and resistant cells was performed via next generation sequencingand indicated pluripotency pathways in resistance. Parental cell lines were progressed to holoclones to confirm the miRNA stemness profileMembers of the MIR302/373/374/520 family of embryonic stem cell specific cell cycle regulating (ESCC) microRNAs were identified as differentially expressed between resistant BRAFV600E melanoma and thyroid cell lines. Upregulated expression of gene and protein stemness markers, upregulated expression of MAPK pathway genes and downregulation of the ESCC MIR302 cluster in BRAFV600E melanoma indicated an increased stem-like phenotype in resistant BRAFV600E melanoma. Conversely, downregulated expression of gene and protein stemness markers, downregulated expression of MAPK pathway genes, upregulation of the ESCC MIR520 cluster, reeexpression of cell surface receptors, and induced differentiation-associated morphology in resistant BRAFV600E indicate a differentiated phenotype associated with MEK inhibitor resistance in BRAFV600E thyroid cellsThe differential patterns of resistance observed between BRAFV600E melanoma and thyroid cell lines may reflect tissue type or de novo differentiation, but could have significant impact on the response of primary and metastatic cells to MEK inhibitor treatment. This study provides a basis for the investigation of the cellular differentiation/self-renewal access and its role in resistance to MEK inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Dorris
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Gordon Blackshields
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Gary Sommerville
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Mohsen Alhashemi
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Andrew Dias
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Victoria McEneaney
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Paul Smyth
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - John J O'Leary
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Orla Sheils
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Wang MX, Ma YQ, Lai PY. Regulatory effects on the population dynamics and wave propagation in a cell lineage model. J Theor Biol 2016; 393:105-17. [PMID: 26796226 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2015.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2014] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We consider the interplay of cell proliferation, cell differentiation (and de-differentiation), cell movement, and the effect of feedback regulations on the population and propagation dynamics of different cell types in a cell lineage model. Cells are assumed to secrete and respond to negative feedback molecules which act as a control on the cell lineage. The cell densities are described by coupled reaction-diffusion partial differential equations, and the propagating wave front solutions in one dimension are investigated analytically and by numerical solutions. In particular, wavefront propagation speeds are obtained analytically and verified by numerical solutions of the equations. The emphasis is on the effects of the feedback regulations on different stages in the cell lineage. It is found that when the progenitor cell is negatively regulated, the populations of the cell lineage are strongly down-regulated with the steady growth rate of the progenitor cell being driven to zero beyond a critical regulatory strength. An analytic expression for the critical regulation strength in terms of the model parameters is derived and verified by numerical solutions. On the other hand, if the inhibition is acting on the differentiated cells, the change in the population dynamics and wave propagation speed is small. In addition, it is found that only the propagating speed of the progenitor cells is affected by the regulation when the diffusion of the differentiated cells is large. In the presence of de-differentiation, the effect on down-regulating the progenitor population is weakened and there is no effect on the propagation speed due to regulation, suggesting that the effect of regulatory control is diminished by de-differentiation pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mao-Xiang Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; School of Science, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China.
| | - Yu-Qiang Ma
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
| | - Pik-Yin Lai
- Department of Physics, Graduate Institute of Biophysics, National Central University, Chungli 320, Taiwan, ROC.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Vilas JM, Ferreirós A, Carneiro C, Morey L, Da Silva-Álvarez S, Fernandes T, Abad M, Di Croce L, García-Caballero T, Serrano M, Rivas C, Vidal A, Collado M. Transcriptional regulation of Sox2 by the retinoblastoma family of pocket proteins. Oncotarget 2015; 6:2992-3002. [PMID: 25576924 PMCID: PMC4413632 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular reprogramming to iPSCs has uncovered unsuspected links between tumor suppressors and pluripotency factors. Using this system, it was possible to identify tumor suppressor p27 as a repressor of Sox2 during differentiation. This led to the demonstration that defects in the repression of Sox2 can contribute to tumor development. The members of the retinoblastoma family of pocket proteins, pRb, p107 and p130, are negative regulators of the cell cycle with tumor suppressor activity and with roles in differentiation. In this work we studied the relative contribution of the retinoblastoma family members to the regulation of Sox2 expression. We found that deletion of Rb or p130 leads to impaired repression of Sox2, a deffect amplified by inactivation of p53. We also identified binding of pRb and p130 to an enhancer with crucial regulatory activity on Sox2 expression. Using cellular reprogramming we tested the impact of the defective repression of Sox2 and confirmed that Rb deficiency allows the generation of iPSCs in the absence of exogenous Sox2. Finally, partial depletion of Sox2 positive cells reduced the pituitary tumor development initiated by Rb loss in vivo. In summary, our results show that Sox2 repression by pRb is a relevant mechanism of tumor suppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica M Vilas
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), SERGAS, E15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Alba Ferreirós
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), SERGAS, E15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Carneiro
- Departamento de Fisioloxía and Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), E15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lluis Morey
- Centre for Genomic Regulation and UPF, E08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sabela Da Silva-Álvarez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), SERGAS, E15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Tânia Fernandes
- Departamento de Fisioloxía and Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), E15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Abad
- Tumor Suppression Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), E28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luciano Di Croce
- Centre for Genomic Regulation and UPF, E08003 Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), E08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tomás García-Caballero
- Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas, Facultad de Medicina. USC. Complejo Hospitalario de Santiago (CHUS), SERGAS, E15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuel Serrano
- Tumor Suppression Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), E28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Rivas
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-CSIC, E28049 Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), E15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Anxo Vidal
- Departamento de Fisioloxía and Centro de Investigación en Medicina Molecular (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), E15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuel Collado
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), SERGAS, E15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Crosstalk between stem cell and cell cycle machineries. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2015; 37:68-74. [PMID: 26520682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells, defined by an unlimited self-renewal capacity and an undifferentiated state, are best typified by embryonic stem cells. These cells have a unique cell cycle compared to somatic cells as defined by a rapid progression through the cell cycle and a minimal time spent in G1. Recent reports indicate that pluripotency and cell cycle regulation are mechanistically linked. In this review, we discuss the reciprocal co-regulation of these processes, how this co-regulation may prevent differentiation, and how cellular reprogramming can re-establish the unique cell cycle regulation in induced pluripotent stem cells.
Collapse
|
26
|
Paul A, Paul S. PKCλ/ι signaling-a common node for normal cellular development and breast oncogenesis. Mol Cell Oncol 2015; 2:e975076. [PMID: 27308429 PMCID: PMC4905021 DOI: 10.4161/23723556.2014.975076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We recently demonstrated that PKCλ/ι signaling is an important contributor to breast cancer development. Strikingly, PKCλ/ι signaling is also important to balance self-renewal versus differentiation in pluripotent stem cells and is essential for embryonic development. This commentary highlights some key functions of PKCλ/ι signaling that are integral to both normal development and cancer progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arindam Paul
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center; University of Kansas Medical Center; Kansas City, KS USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of Kansas Medical Center; Kansas City, KS USA
| | - Soumen Paul
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center; University of Kansas Medical Center; Kansas City, KS USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of Kansas Medical Center; Kansas City, KS USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Mohammadi H, Arora PD, Simmons CA, Janmey PA, McCulloch CA. Inelastic behaviour of collagen networks in cell-matrix interactions and mechanosensation. J R Soc Interface 2015; 12:20141074. [PMID: 25392399 PMCID: PMC4277099 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2014.1074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanical properties of extracellular matrix proteins strongly influence cell-induced tension in the matrix, which in turn influences cell function. Despite progress on the impact of elastic behaviour of matrix proteins on cell-matrix interactions, little is known about the influence of inelastic behaviour, especially at the large and slow deformations that characterize cell-induced matrix remodelling. We found that collagen matrices exhibit deformation rate-dependent behaviour, which leads to a transition from pronounced elastic behaviour at fast deformations to substantially inelastic behaviour at slow deformations (1 μm min(-1), similar to cell-mediated deformation). With slow deformations, the inelastic behaviour of floating gels was sensitive to collagen concentration, whereas attached gels exhibited similar inelastic behaviour independent of collagen concentration. The presence of an underlying rigid support had a similar effect on cell-matrix interactions: cell-induced deformation and remodelling were similar on 1 or 3 mg ml(-1) attached collagen gels while deformations were two- to fourfold smaller in floating gels of high compared with low collagen concentration. In cross-linked collagen matrices, which did not exhibit inelastic behaviour, cells did not respond to the presence of the underlying rigid foundation. These data indicate that at the slow rates of collagen compaction generated by fibroblasts, the inelastic responses of collagen gels, which are influenced by collagen concentration and the presence of an underlying rigid foundation, are important determinants of cell-matrix interactions and mechanosensation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Mohammadi
- Matrix Dynamics Group, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pamma D Arora
- Matrix Dynamics Group, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Craig A Simmons
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul A Janmey
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Qin H, Diaz A, Blouin L, Lebbink RJ, Patena W, Tanbun P, LeProust EM, McManus MT, Song JS, Ramalho-Santos M. Systematic identification of barriers to human iPSC generation. Cell 2014; 158:449-461. [PMID: 25036638 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Revised: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) holds enormous promise for regenerative medicine. To elucidate endogenous barriers limiting this process, we systematically dissected human cellular reprogramming by combining a genome-wide RNAi screen, innovative computational methods, extensive single-hit validation, and mechanistic investigation of relevant pathways and networks. We identify reprogramming barriers, including genes involved in transcription, chromatin regulation, ubiquitination, dephosphorylation, vesicular transport, and cell adhesion. Specific a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) proteins inhibit reprogramming, and the disintegrin domain of ADAM29 is necessary and sufficient for this function. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis can be targeted with small molecules and opposes reprogramming by positively regulating TGF-β signaling. Genetic interaction studies of endocytosis or ubiquitination reveal that barrier pathways can act in linear, parallel, or feedforward loop architectures to antagonize reprogramming. These results provide a global view of barriers to human cellular reprogramming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Qin
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Departments of Ob/Gyn and Pathology, Center for Reproductive Sciences, and Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Aaron Diaz
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Laure Blouin
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Departments of Ob/Gyn and Pathology, Center for Reproductive Sciences, and Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Robert Jan Lebbink
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Diabetes Center, and the WM Keck Center for Noncoding RNAs, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Weronika Patena
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Diabetes Center, and the WM Keck Center for Noncoding RNAs, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Priscilia Tanbun
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Departments of Ob/Gyn and Pathology, Center for Reproductive Sciences, and Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Emily M LeProust
- Genomics Solution Unit, Agilent Technologies Inc., Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA
| | - Michael T McManus
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Diabetes Center, and the WM Keck Center for Noncoding RNAs, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jun S Song
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Miguel Ramalho-Santos
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Departments of Ob/Gyn and Pathology, Center for Reproductive Sciences, and Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Datla US, Scovill NC, Brokamp AJ, Kim E, Asch AS, Lee MH. Role of PUF-8/PUF protein in stem cell control, sperm-oocyte decision and cell fate reprogramming. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:1306-11. [PMID: 24638209 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Pumilio and FBF (PUF) proteins are conserved stem cell regulators that maintain germline stem cells (GSCs) in worms and flies. Moreover, they are also present in vertebrate stem cells. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has multiple PUF proteins with specialized roles. Among them, PUF-8 protein controls multiple cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, sperm-oocyte decision, and cell fate reprogramming, depending on the genetic context in the C. elegans germline. In this review, we describe the possible mechanisms of how PUF-8 protein systematically controls multiple cellular processes in the C. elegans germline. Since PUF proteins are evolutionarily conserved, we suggest that a similar mechanism may be involved in controlling stem cell regulation and differentiation in other organisms, including humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Udaya Sree Datla
- Program in Biomedical Sciences, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina; Department of Oncology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Yamada Y, Haga H, Yamada Y. Concise review: dedifferentiation meets cancer development: proof of concept for epigenetic cancer. Stem Cells Transl Med 2014; 3:1182-7. [PMID: 25122691 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2014-0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The technology for generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has made significant contributions to various scientific fields, and the field of cancer biology is no exception. Although cancer is generally believed to develop through accumulation of multiple genetic mutations, there is increasing evidence that cancer cells also acquire epigenetic abnormalities during development, maintenance, and progression. Because the epigenetic status of somatic cells changes dynamically through reprogramming, iPSC technology can be utilized to actively and globally alter the epigenetic status of differentiated cells. Using this technology, a recent study has revealed that some types of cancer can develop mainly through disruption of the epigenetic status triggered by dedifferentiation. In this paper, we outline the reprograming process and the epigenetic mechanism associated with the maintenance or conversion of cell identity. We then describe several observations suggesting that dedifferentiation can play an important role in cancer development. Finally, we introduce the system responsible for in vivo reprogramming to demonstrate the involvement of dedifferentiation-driven epigenetic disruption in cancer development, and propose that particular types of cancer can develop predominantly through epigenetic alterations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Yamada
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hironori Haga
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yamada
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Friedmann-Morvinski D, Verma IM. Dedifferentiation and reprogramming: origins of cancer stem cells. EMBO Rep 2014; 15:244-53. [PMID: 24531722 DOI: 10.1002/embr.201338254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 330] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Regenerative medicine aims to replace the lost or damaged cells in the human body through a new source of healthy transplanted cells or by endogenous repair. Although human embryonic stem cells were first thought to be the ideal source for cell therapy and tissue repair in humans, the discovery by Yamanaka and colleagues revolutionized the field. Almost any differentiated cell can be sent back in time to a pluripotency state by expressing the appropriate transcription factors. The process of somatic reprogramming using Yamanaka factors, many of which are oncogenes, offers a glimpse into how cancer stem cells may originate. In this review we discuss the similarities between tumor dedifferentiation and somatic cell reprogramming and how this may pose a risk to the application of this new technology in regenerative medicine.
Collapse
|
32
|
The p53-PUMA axis suppresses iPSC generation. Nat Commun 2014; 4:2174. [PMID: 23873265 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying the reprogramming process of induced pluripotent stem cells remain poorly defined. Like tumorigenesis, generation of induced pluripotent stem cells was shown to be suppressed by the Trp53 (p53) pathway, at least in part via p21Cdkn1a (p21)-mediated cell cycle arrest. Here we examine the role of PUMA, a pro-apoptotic mediator of p53, during somatic reprogramming in comparison to p21 in the p53 pathway. Using mouse strains deficient in these molecules, we demonstrate that PUMA is an independent mediator of the negative effect of p53 on induced pluripotent stem cell induction. PUMA deficiency leads to a better survival rate associated with reduced DNA damage and fewer chromosomal aberrations in induced pluripotent stem cells, whereas loss of p21 or p53 results in an opposite outcome. Given these new findings, PUMA may serve as a distinct and more desirable target in the p53 pathway for induced pluripotent stem cell generation, thereby having important implications for potential therapeutic applications of induced pluripotent stem cells.
Collapse
|
33
|
Reprogramming of MLL-AF9 leukemia cells into pluripotent stem cells. Leukemia 2013; 28:1071-80. [PMID: 24150221 PMCID: PMC4017259 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Revised: 09/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The 'Yamanaka factors' (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc) are able to generate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from different cell types. However, to what degree primary malignant cells can be reprogrammed into a pluripotent state has not been vigorously assessed. We established an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) model by overexpressing the human mixed-lineage leukemia-AF9 (MLL-AF9) fusion gene in mouse hematopoietic cells that carry Yamanaka factors under the control of doxycycline (Dox). On addition of Dox to the culture, the transplantable leukemia cells were efficiently converted into iPS cells that could form teratomas and produce chimeras. Interestingly, most chimeric mice spontaneously developed the same type of AML. Moreover, both iPS reprogramming and leukemia reinitiation paths could descend from the same leukemia-initiating cell. RNA-seq analysis showed reversible global gene expression patterns between these interchangeable leukemia and iPS cells on activation or reactivation of MLL-AF9, suggesting a sufficient epigenetic force in driving the leukemogenic process. This study represents an important step for further defining the potential interplay between oncogenic molecules and reprogramming factors during MLL leukemogenesis. More importantly, our reprogramming approach may be expanded to characterize a range of hematopoietic malignancies in order to develop new strategies for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Collapse
|
34
|
Single-cell clones of liver cancer stem cells have the potential of differentiating into different types of tumor cells. Cell Death Dis 2013; 4:e857. [PMID: 24136221 PMCID: PMC3824650 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2013.340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be a promising target for cancer therapy because these cells are responsible for tumor development, maintenance and chemotherapy resistance. Finding out the critical factors regulating CSC fate is the key for target therapy of CSCs. Just as normal stem cells are regulated by their microenvironment (niche), CSCs are also regulated by cells in the tumor microenvironment. However, whether various tumor microenvironments can induce CSCs to differentiate into different cancer cells is not clear. Here, we show that single-cell-cloned CSCs, accidentally obtained from a human liver cancer microvascular endothelial cells, express classic stem cell markers, genes associated with self-renewal and pluripotent factors and possess colony-forming ability in vitro and the ability of serial transplantation in vivo. The single-cell-cloned CSCs treated with the different tumor cell/tissue-derived conditioned culture medium, which is a mimic of carcinoma microenvironment, could differentiate into corresponding tumor cells and express specific markers of the respective type of tumor cells at the gene, protein and cell levels, respectively. Interestingly, this multilineage differentiation potential of single-cell-cloned liver CSCs sharply declined after the specific knockdown of octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) alone, even though they were under the same induction conditions (carcinoma microenvironments). These data support the hypothesis that single-cell-cloned liver CSCs have the potential of differentiating into different types of tumor cells, and the tumor microenvironment does play a crucial role in deciding differentiation directions. Simultaneously, Oct4 in CSCs is indispensable in this process. These factors are promising targets for liver CSC-specific therapy.
Collapse
|
35
|
Elsir T, Edqvist PH, Carlson J, Ribom D, Bergqvist M, Ekman S, Popova SN, Alafuzoff I, Ponten F, Nistér M, Smits A. A study of embryonic stem cell-related proteins in human astrocytomas: identification of Nanog as a predictor of survival. Int J Cancer 2013; 134:1123-31. [PMID: 24037901 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Revised: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that the regulatory networks controlling the functions of stem cells during development may be abnormally active in human cancers. An embryonic stem cell (ESC) gene signature was found to correlate with a more undifferentiated phenotype of several human cancer types including gliomas, and associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. In the present study, we used tissue microarrays of 80 low-grade (WHO Grade II) and 98 high-grade human gliomas (WHO Grades III and IV) to investigate the presence of the ESC-related proteins Nanog, Klf4, Oct4, Sox2 and c-Myc by immunohistochemistry. While similar patterns of co-expressed proteins between low- and high-grade gliomas were present, we found up-regulated protein levels of Nanog, Klf4, Oct4 and Sox2 in high-grade gliomas. Survival analysis by Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant shorter survival in the subgroups of low-grade astrocytomas (n = 42) with high levels of Nanog protein (p = 0.0067) and of Klf4 protein (p = 0.0368), in high-grade astrocytomas (n = 85) with high levels of Nanog (p = 0.0042), Klf4 (p = 0.0447), and c-Myc (p = 0.0078) and in glioblastomas only (n = 71) with high levels of Nanog (p = 0.0422) and of c-Myc (p = 0.0256). In the multivariate model, Nanog was identified as an independent prognostic factor in the subgroups of low-grade astrocytomas (p = 0.0039), high-grade astrocytomas (p = 0.0124) and glioblastomas only (p = 0.0544), together with established clinical variables in these tumors. These findings provide further evidence for the joint regulatory pathways of ESC-related proteins in gliomas and identify Nanog as one of the key players in determining clinical outcome of human astrocytomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamador Elsir
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurology, Uppsala University, University Hospital, S-751 85, Uppsala; Karolinska Institute, Department of Oncology-Pathology, CCK R8:05, Karolinska University Hospital, S-17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
SOX2 plays a critical role in EGFR-mediated self-renewal of human prostate cancer stem-like cells. Cell Signal 2013; 25:2734-42. [PMID: 24036214 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2013.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Revised: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
SOX2 is an essential transcription factor for stem cells and plays a role in tumorigenesis, however its role in prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) remains unclear. We report here a significant upregulation of SOX2 at both mRNA and protein levels in DU145 PCSCs propagated as suspension spheres in vitro. The expression of SOX2 in DU145 PCSCs is positively regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Activation of EGFR signaling, following the addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) or ectopic expression of a constitutively-active EGFR mutant (EGFRvIII), increased SOX2 expression and the self-renewal of DU145 PCSCs. Conversely, a small molecule EGFR inhibitor (AG1478) blocked EGFR activation, reduced SOX2 expression and inhibited PCSC self-renewal activity, implicating SOX2 in mediating EGFR-dependent self-renewal of PCSCs. In line with this notion, ectopic SOX2 expression enhanced EGF-induced self-renewal of DU145 PCSCs, while SOX2 knockdown reduced PCSC self-renewal with EGF treatment no longer capable of enhancing their propagation. Furthermore, SOX2 knockdown reduced the capacity of DU145 PCSCs to grow under anchorage-independent conditions. Finally, DU145 PCSCs generated xenograft tumors more aggressively with elevated levels of SOX2 expression compared to xenograft tumors derived from non-PCSCs. Collectively, we provide evidence that SOX2 plays a critical role in EGFR-mediated self-renewal of DU145 PCSCs.
Collapse
|
37
|
Wang MX, Li YJ, Lai PY, Chan CK. Model on cell movement, growth, differentiation and de-differentiation: reaction-diffusion equation and wave propagation. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2013; 36:65. [PMID: 23807466 DOI: 10.1140/epje/i2013-13065-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2012] [Revised: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We construct a model for cell proliferation with differentiation into different cell types, allowing backward de-differentiation and cell movement. With different cell types labeled by state variables, the model can be formulated in terms of the associated transition probabilities between various states. The cell population densities can be described by coupled reaction-diffusion partial differential equations, allowing steady wavefront propagation solutions. The wavefront profile is calculated analytically for the simple pure growth case (2-states), and analytic expressions for the steady wavefront propagating speeds and population growth rates are obtained for the simpler cases of 2-, 3- and 4-states systems. These analytic results are verified by direct numerical solutions of the reaction-diffusion PDEs. Furthermore, in the absence of de-differentiation, it is found that, as the mobility and/or self-proliferation rate of the down-lineage descendant cells become sufficiently large, the propagation dynamics can switch from a steady propagating wavefront to the interesting situation of propagation of a faster wavefront with a slower waveback. For the case of a non-vanishing de-differentiation probability, the cell growth rate and wavefront propagation speed are both enhanced, and the wavefront speeds can be obtained analytically and confirmed by numerical solution of the reaction-diffusion equations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mao-Xiang Wang
- Department of Physics, Graduate Institute of Biophysics, and Center for Complex Systems, National Central University, Chungli, Taiwan, 320, ROC
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abu-Asab MS, Abu-Asab N, Loffredo CA, Clarke R, Amri H. Identifying early events of gene expression in breast cancer with systems biology phylogenetics. Cytogenet Genome Res 2013; 139:206-14. [PMID: 23548567 DOI: 10.1159/000348433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced omics technologies such as deep sequencing and spectral karyotyping are revealing more of cancer heterogeneity at the genetic, genomic, gene expression, epigenetic, proteomic, and metabolomic levels. With this increasing body of emerging data, the task of data analysis becomes critical for mining and modeling to better understand the relevant underlying biological processes. However, the multiple levels of heterogeneity evident within and among populations, healthy and diseased, complicate the mining and interpretation of biological data, especially when dealing with hundreds to tens of thousands of variables. Heterogeneity occurs in many diseases, such as cancers, autism, macular degeneration, and others. In cancer, heterogeneity has hampered the search for validated biomarkers for early detection, and it has complicated the task of finding clonal (driver) and nonclonal (nonexpanded or passenger) aberrations. We show that subtyping of cancer (classification of specimens) should be an a priori step to the identification of early events of cancers. Studying early events in oncogenesis can be done on histologically normal tissues from diseased individuals (HNTDI), since they most likely have been exposed to the same mutagenic insults that caused the cancer in their neighboring tissues. Polarity assessment of HNTDI data variables by using healthy specimens as outgroup(s), followed by the application of parsimony phylogenetic analysis, produces a hierarchical classification of specimens that reveals the early events of the disease ontogeny within its subtypes as shared derived changes (abnormal changes) or synapomorphies in phylogenetic terminology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M S Abu-Asab
- Section of Immunopathology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Debeb BG, Lacerda L, Xu W, Larson R, Solley T, Atkinson R, Sulman EP, Ueno NT, Krishnamurthy S, Reuben JM, Buchholz TA, Woodward WA. Histone deacetylase inhibitors stimulate dedifferentiation of human breast cancer cells through WNT/β-catenin signaling. Stem Cells 2013; 30:2366-77. [PMID: 22961641 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that differentiated cancer cells can dedifferentiate into cancer stem cells (CSCs) although to date no studies have reported whether this transition is influenced by systemic anti-cancer agents. Valproic acid (VA) is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor that promotes self-renewal and expansion of hematopoietic stem cells and facilitates the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells and is currently being investigated in breast cancer clinical trials. We hypothesized that HDAC inhibitors reprogram differentiated cancer cells toward the more resistant stem cell-like state. Two highly aggressive breast cancer cell lines, SUM159 and MDA-231, were sorted based on aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity and subsequently ALDH-negative and ALDH-positive cells were treated with one of two known HDAC inhibitors, VA or suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid. In addition, primary tumor cells from patients with metastatic breast cancer were evaluated for ALDH activity following treatment with HDAC inhibitors. We demonstrate that single-cell-sorted ALDH-negative cells spontaneously generated ALDH-positive cells in vitro. Treatment of ALDH-negative cells with HDAC inhibitors promoted the expansion of ALDH-positive cells and increased mammosphere-forming efficiency. Most importantly, it significantly increased the tumor-initiating capacity of ALDH-negative cells in limiting dilution outgrowth assays. Moreover, while HDAC inhibitors upregulated β-catenin expression and significantly increased WNT reporter activity, a TCF4 dominant negative construct abolished HDAC-inhibitor-induced expansion of CSCs. These results demonstrate that HDAC inhibitors promote the expansion of breast CSCs through dedifferentiation and have important clinical implications for the use of HDAC inhibitors in the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bisrat G Debeb
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
González F, Georgieva D, Vanoli F, Shi ZD, Stadtfeld M, Ludwig T, Jasin M, Huangfu D. Homologous recombination DNA repair genes play a critical role in reprogramming to a pluripotent state. Cell Rep 2013; 3:651-60. [PMID: 23478019 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold great promise for personalized regenerative medicine. However, recent studies show that iPSC lines carry genetic abnormalities, suggesting that reprogramming may be mutagenic. Here, we show that the ectopic expression of reprogramming factors increases the level of phosphorylated histone H2AX, one of the earliest cellular responses to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Additional mechanistic studies uncover a direct role of the homologous recombination (HR) pathway, a pathway essential for error-free repair of DNA DSBs, in reprogramming. This role is independent of the use of integrative or nonintegrative methods in introducing reprogramming factors, despite the latter being considered a safer approach that circumvents genetic modifications. Finally, deletion of the tumor suppressor p53 rescues the reprogramming phenotype in HR-deficient cells primarily through the restoration of reprogramming-dependent defects in cell proliferation and apoptosis. These mechanistic insights have important implications for the design of safer approaches to creating iPSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico González
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Shah M, Allegrucci C. Stem cell plasticity in development and cancer: epigenetic origin of cancer stem cells. Subcell Biochem 2013; 61:545-65. [PMID: 23150267 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-4525-4_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Stem cells are unique cells that can self-renew and differentiate into many cell types. Plasticity is a fundamental characteristic of stem cells and it is regulated by reversible epigenetic modifications. Although gene-restriction programs are established during embryonic development when cell lineages are formed, stem cells retain a degree of flexibility that is essential for tissue regeneration. For instance, quiescent adult stem cells can be induced to proliferate and trans-differentiate in response to injury. The same degree of plasticity is observed in cancer, where cancer cells with stem cell characteristics (or cancer stem cells) are formed by transformation of normal stem cells or de-differentiation of somatic cells. Reprogramming experiments with normal somatic cells and cancer cells show that epigenetic landscapes are more plastic than originally thought and that their manipulation can induce changes in cell fate. Our knowledge of stem cell function is still limited and only by understanding the mechanisms regulating developmental potential together with the definition of epigenetic maps of normal and diseased tissues we can reveal the true extent of their plasticity. In return, the control of plastic epigenetic programs in stem cells will allow us to develop effective treatments for degenerative diseases and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mansi Shah
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, LE12 5RD, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Epigenetic targeting therapies to overcome chemotherapy resistance. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 754:285-311. [PMID: 22956507 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-9967-2_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
It is now well established that epigenetic aberrations occur early in malignant transformation, raising the possibility of identifying chemopreventive compounds or reliable diagnostic screening using epigenetic biomarkers. Combinatorial therapies effective for the reexpression of tumor suppressors, facilitating resensitization to conventional chemotherapies, hold great promise for the future therapy of cancer. This approach may also perturb cancer stem cells and thus represent an effective means for managing a number of solid tumors. We believe that in the near future, anticancer drug regimens will routinely include epigenetic therapies, possibly in conjunction with inhibitors of "stemness" signal pathways, to effectively reduce the devastating occurrence of cancer chemotherapy resistance.
Collapse
|
43
|
Identification of a specific reprogramming-associated epigenetic signature in human induced pluripotent stem cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:16196-201. [PMID: 22991473 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1202352109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) by the expression of specific transcription factors depends on successful epigenetic reprogramming to a pluripotent state. Although hiPSCs and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) display a similar epigenome, recent reports demonstrated the persistence of specific epigenetic marks from the somatic cell type of origin and aberrant methylation patterns in hiPSCs. However, it remains unknown whether the use of different somatic cell sources, encompassing variable levels of selection pressure during reprogramming, influences the level of epigenetic aberrations in hiPSCs. In this work, we characterized the epigenomic integrity of 17 hiPSC lines derived from six different cell types with varied reprogramming efficiencies. We demonstrate that epigenetic aberrations are a general feature of the hiPSC state and are independent of the somatic cell source. Interestingly, we observe that the reprogramming efficiency of somatic cell lines inversely correlates with the amount of methylation change needed to acquire pluripotency. Additionally, we determine that both shared and line-specific epigenetic aberrations in hiPSCs can directly translate into changes in gene expression in both the pluripotent and differentiated states. Significantly, our analysis of different hiPSC lines from multiple cell types of origin allow us to identify a reprogramming-specific epigenetic signature comprised of nine aberrantly methylated genes that is able to segregate hESC and hiPSC lines regardless of the somatic cell source or differentiation state.
Collapse
|
44
|
Cha DS, Datla US, Hollis SE, Kimble J, Lee MH. The Ras-ERK MAPK regulatory network controls dedifferentiation in Caenorhabditis elegans germline. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2012; 1823:1847-55. [PMID: 22820175 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2012.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Revised: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
How a committed cell can be reverted to an undifferentiated state is a central question in stem cell biology. This process, called dedifferentiation, is likely to be important for replacing stem cells as they age or get damaged. Tremendous progress has been made in understanding this fundamental process, but its mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the aberrant activation of Ras-ERK MAPK signaling promotes cellular dedifferentiation in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline. To activate signaling, we removed two negative regulators, the PUF-8 RNA-binding protein and LIP-1 dual specificity phosphatase. The removal of both of these two regulators caused secondary spermatocytes to dedifferentiate and begin mitotic divisions. Interestingly, reduction of Ras-ERK MAPK signaling, either by mutation or chemical inhibition, blocked the initiation of dedifferentiation. By RNAi screening, we identified RSKN-1/P90(RSK) as a downstream effector of MPK-1/ERK that is critical for dedifferentiation: rskn-1 RNAi suppressed spermatocyte dedifferentiation and instead induced meiotic divisions. These regulators are broadly conserved, suggesting that similar molecular circuitry may control cellular dedifferentiation in other organisms, including humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Seok Cha
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Chang JY, Lai PY. Uncontrolled growth resulting from dedifferentiation in a skin cell proliferation model. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2012; 85:041926. [PMID: 22680517 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.85.041926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2012] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
By introducing a small backward dedifferentiation probability of postmitotic cells to progenitor cells in a recently proposed skin cell proliferation model, the homeostasis of the system can be disrupted resulting in uncontrolled growth. It is found that when the dedifferentiation probability exceeds a small critical value, the stable fixed point of the system vanishes leading to unlimited cell growth resembling scenarios in carcinogenesis. Explicit expression for the critical dedifferentiation probability and phase diagram are calculated analytically and the associated nonlinear dynamics is analyzed. In the presence of stochastic fluctuations, our model predicts that the escape rate from homeostatic growth to uncontrolled growth is greatly enhanced by a small but finite dedifferentiation probability. These results are verified by numerical solutions of the dynamical system and chemical Langevin equations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Y Chang
- Department of Physics, Graduate Institute of Biophysics and Center for Complex Systems, National Central University, Chungli, Taiwan 320, Republic of China
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Wu X, Shi Z, Cui M, Han M, Ruvkun G. Repression of germline RNAi pathways in somatic cells by retinoblastoma pathway chromatin complexes. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1002542. [PMID: 22412383 PMCID: PMC3297578 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2011] [Accepted: 12/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor acts with a number of chromatin cofactors in a wide range of species to suppress cell proliferation. The Caenorhabditis elegans retinoblastoma gene and many of these cofactors, called synMuv B genes, were identified in genetic screens for cell lineage defects caused by growth factor misexpression. Mutations in many synMuv B genes, including lin-35/Rb, also cause somatic misexpression of the germline RNA processing P granules and enhanced RNAi. We show here that multiple small RNA components, including a set of germline-specific Argonaute genes, are misexpressed in the soma of many synMuv B mutant animals, revealing one node for enhanced RNAi. Distinct classes of synMuv B mutants differ in the subcellular architecture of their misexpressed P granules, their profile of misexpressed small RNA and P granule genes, as well as their enhancement of RNAi and the related silencing of transgenes. These differences define three classes of synMuv B genes, representing three chromatin complexes: a LIN-35/Rb-containing DRM core complex, a SUMO-recruited Mec complex, and a synMuv B heterochromatin complex, suggesting that intersecting chromatin pathways regulate the repression of small RNA and P granule genes in the soma and the potency of RNAi. Consistent with this, the DRM complex and the synMuv B heterochromatin complex were genetically additive and displayed distinct antagonistic interactions with the MES-4 histone methyltransferase and the MRG-1 chromodomain protein, two germline chromatin regulators required for the synMuv phenotype and the somatic misexpression of P granule components. Thus intersecting synMuv B chromatin pathways conspire with synMuv B suppressor chromatin factors to regulate the expression of small RNA pathway genes, which enables heightened RNAi response. Regulation of small RNA pathway genes by human retinoblastoma may also underlie its role as a tumor suppressor gene. In metazoans, soma and germline have specialized functions that require differential tissue-specific gene expression. In C. elegans, explicit chromatin marks deposited by the MES-4 histone methyltransferase and the MRG-1 chromodomain protein allow germline expression of particular suites of target genes. Conversely, the expression of germline-specific genes is repressed in somatic cells by other chromatin regulatory factors, including the retinoblastoma pathway genes. We characterized the distinct profiles of somatic misexpression of normally germline-specific genes in these mutants and mapped out three chromatin complexes that prevent misexpression. We demonstrate that one of the complexes closely counteracts the activity of MES-4 and MRG-1, whereas another complex interacts with additional regulators that are yet to be identified. We show that these intersecting chromatin complexes prevent the upregulation of a suite of germline-specific as well as ubiquitous small RNA pathway genes, which contributes to the enhanced RNAi response in retinoblastoma pathway mutant worms. We suggest that this function of the retinoblastoma pathway chromatin factors to prevent germline-associated gene expression programs in the soma and the upregulation of small RNA pathways may also underlie their role as tumor suppressors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Zhen Shi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mingxue Cui
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Min Han
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Gary Ruvkun
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
There is enormous interest to target cancer stem cells (CSCs) for clinical treatment because these cells are highly tumorigenic and resistant to chemotherapy. Oct4 is expressed by CSC-like cells in different types of cancer. However, function of Oct4 in tumor cells is unclear. In this study, we showed that expression of Oct4 gene or transmembrane delivery of Oct4 protein promoted dedifferentiation of melanoma cells to CSC-like cells. The dedifferentiated melanoma cells showed significantly decreased expression of melanocytic markers and acquired the ability to form tumor spheroids. They showed markedly increased resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and hypoxic injury. In the subcutaneous xenograft and tail vein injection assays, these cells had significantly increased tumorigenic capacity. The dedifferentiated melanoma cells acquired features associated with CSCs such as multipotent differentiation capacity and expression of melanoma CSC markers such as ABCB5 and CD271. Mechanistically, Oct4 induced dedifferentiation was associated with increased expression of endogenous Oct4, Nanog and Klf4, and global gene expression changes that enriched for transcription factors. RNAi mediated knockdown of Oct4 in dedifferentiated cells led to diminished CSC phenotypes. Oct4 expression in melanoma was regulated by hypoxia and its expression was detected in a subpopulation of melanoma cells in clinical samples. Our data indicate that Oct4 is a positive regulator of tumor dedifferentiation. The results suggest that CSC phenotype is dynamic and may be acquired through dedifferentiation. Oct4 mediated tumor cell dedifferentiation may play an important role during tumor progression.
Collapse
|
48
|
Martin-Castillo B, Oliveras-Ferraros C, Vazquez-Martin A, Cufí S, Moreno JM, Corominas-Faja B, Urruticoechea A, Martín ÁG, López-Bonet E, Menendez JA. Basal/HER2 breast carcinomas: integrating molecular taxonomy with cancer stem cell dynamics to predict primary resistance to trastuzumab (Herceptin). Cell Cycle 2012; 12:225-45. [PMID: 23255137 DOI: 10.4161/cc.23274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
High rates of inherent primary resistance to the humanized monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) are frequent among HER2 gene-amplified breast carcinomas in both metastatic and adjuvant settings. The clinical efficacy of trastuzumab is highly correlated with its ability to specifically and efficiently target HER2-driven populations of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs). Intriguingly, many of the possible mechanisms by which cancer cells escape trastuzumab involve many of the same biomarkers that have been implicated in the biology of CS-like tumor-initiating cells. In the traditional, one-way hierarchy of CSCs in which all cancer cells descend from special self-renewing CSCs, HER2-positive CSCs can occur solely by self-renewal. Therefore, by targeting CSC self-renewal and resistance, trastuzumab is expected to induce tumor shrinkage and further reduce breast cancer recurrence rates when used alongside traditional therapies. In a new, alternate model, more differentiated non-stem cancer cells can revert to trastuzumab-refractory, CS-like cells via the activation of intrinsic or microenvironmental paths-to-stemness, such as the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Alternatively, stochastic transitions of trastuzumab-responsive CSCs might also give rise to non-CSC cellular states that lack major attributes of CSCs and, therefore, can remain "hidden" from trastuzumab activity. Here, we hypothesize that a better understanding of the CSC/non-CSC social structure within HER2-overexpressing breast carcinomas is critical for trastuzumab-based treatment decisions in the clinic. First, we decipher the biological significance of CSC features and the EMT on the molecular effects and efficacy of trastuzumab in HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Second, we reinterpret the genetic heterogeneity that differentiates trastuzumab-responders from non-responders in terms of CSC cellular states. Finally, we propose that novel predictive approaches aimed at better forecasting early tumor responses to trastuzumab should identify biological determinants that causally underlie the intrinsic flexibility of HER2-positive CSCs to "enter" into or "exit" from trastuzumab-sensitive states. An accurate integration of CSC cellular states and EMT-related biomarkers with the currently available breast cancer molecular taxonomy may significantly improve our ability to make a priori decisions about whether patients belonging to HER2 subtypes differentially enriched with a "mesenchymal transition signature" (e.g., luminal/HER2 vs. basal/HER2) would distinctly benefit from trastuzumab-based therapy ab initio.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Begoña Martin-Castillo
- Unit of Clinical Research, Catalan Institute of Oncology-Girona (ICO-Girona), Catalonia, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Penas C, Ramachandran V, Ayad NG. The APC/C Ubiquitin Ligase: From Cell Biology to Tumorigenesis. Front Oncol 2012; 1:60. [PMID: 22655255 PMCID: PMC3356048 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2011.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2011] [Accepted: 12/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is required for normal cell proliferation, vertebrate development, and cancer cell transformation. The UPS consists of multiple proteins that work in concert to target a protein for degradation via the 26S proteasome. Chains of an 8.5-kDa protein called ubiquitin are attached to substrates, thus allowing recognition by the 26S proteasome. Enzymes called ubiquitin ligases or E3s mediate specific attachment to substrates. Although there are over 600 different ubiquitin ligases, the Skp1-Cullin-F-box (SCF) complexes and the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) are the most studied. SCF involvement in cancer has been known for some time while APC/C's cancer role has recently emerged. In this review we will discuss the importance of APC/C to normal cell proliferation and development, underscoring its possible contribution to transformation. We will also examine the hypothesis that modulating a specific interaction of the APC/C may be therapeutically attractive in specific cancer subtypes. Finally, given that the APC/C pathway is relatively new as a cancer target, therapeutic interventions affecting APC/C activity may be beneficial in cancers that are resistant to classical chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Penas
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami, FL, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kim J, Orkin SH. Embryonic stem cell-specific signatures in cancer: insights into genomic regulatory networks and implications for medicine. Genome Med 2011; 3:75. [PMID: 22126538 PMCID: PMC3308030 DOI: 10.1186/gm291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are of great interest as a model system for studying early developmental processes and because of their potential therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine. Obtaining a systematic understanding of the mechanisms that control the 'stemness' - self-renewal and pluripotency - of ES cells relies on high-throughput tools to define gene expression and regulatory networks at the genome level. Such recently developed systems biology approaches have revealed highly interconnected networks in which multiple regulatory factors act in combination. Interestingly, stem cells and cancer cells share some properties, notably self-renewal and a block in differentiation. Recently, several groups reported that expression signatures that are specific to ES cells are also found in many human cancers and in mouse cancer models, suggesting that these shared features might inform new approaches for cancer therapy. Here, we briefly summarize the key transcriptional regulators that contribute to the pluripotency of ES cells, the factors that account for the common gene expression patterns of ES and cancer cells, and the implications of these observations for future clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonghwan Kim
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|