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Zhu Y, Zhao Y, Wen J, Liu S, Huang T, Hatial I, Peng X, Janabi HA, Huang G, Mittlesteadt J, Cheng M, Bhardwaj A, Ashfeld BL, Kao KR, Maeda DY, Dai X, Wiest O, Blagg BS, Lu X, Cheng L, Wan J, Lu X. Targeting the chromatin effector Pygo2 promotes cytotoxic T cell responses and overcomes immunotherapy resistance in prostate cancer. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eade4656. [PMID: 36897957 PMCID: PMC10336890 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.ade4656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The noninflamed microenvironment in prostate cancer represents a barrier to immunotherapy. Genetic alterations underlying cancer cell-intrinsic oncogenic signaling are increasingly appreciated for their role in shaping the immune landscape. Recently, we identified Pygopus 2 (PYGO2) as the driver oncogene for the amplicon at 1q21.3 in prostate cancer. Here, using transgenic mouse models of metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma, we found that Pygo2 deletion decelerated tumor progression, diminished metastases, and extended survival. Pygo2 loss augmented the activation and infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and sensitized tumor cells to T cell killing. Mechanistically, Pygo2 orchestrated a p53/Sp1/Kit/Ido1 signaling network to foster a microenvironment hostile to CTLs. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of Pygo2 enhanced the antitumor efficacy of immunotherapies using immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), adoptive cell transfer, or agents inhibiting myeloid-derived suppressor cells. In human prostate cancer samples, Pygo2 expression was inversely correlated with the infiltration of CD8+ T cells. Analysis of the ICB clinical data showed association between high PYGO2 level and worse outcome. Together, our results highlight a potential path to improve immunotherapy using Pygo2-targeted therapy for advanced prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yini Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Yun Zhao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Jiling Wen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Sheng Liu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Tianhe Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Ishita Hatial
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Warren Family Research Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Xiaoxia Peng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Hawraa Al Janabi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Gang Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Jackson Mittlesteadt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Michael Cheng
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Atul Bhardwaj
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Warren Family Research Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Brandon L. Ashfeld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Warren Family Research Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Kenneth R. Kao
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Labs, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s Campus, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
| | | | - Xing Dai
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Olaf Wiest
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Warren Family Research Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Brian S.J. Blagg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Warren Family Research Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Xuemin Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Lifespan Academic Medical Center, and the Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jun Wan
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University - Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Koushyar S, Meniel VS, Phesse TJ, Pearson HB. Exploring the Wnt Pathway as a Therapeutic Target for Prostate Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 12:309. [PMID: 35204808 PMCID: PMC8869457 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Wnt pathway is emerging as a frequent event during prostate cancer that can facilitate tumor formation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Recent discoveries indicate that targeting the Wnt pathway to treat prostate cancer may be efficacious. However, the functional consequence of activating the Wnt pathway during the different stages of prostate cancer progression remains unclear. Preclinical work investigating the efficacy of targeting Wnt signaling for the treatment of prostate cancer, both in primary and metastatic lesions, and improving our molecular understanding of treatment responses is crucial to identifying effective treatment strategies and biomarkers that help guide treatment decisions and improve patient care. In this review, we outline the type of genetic alterations that lead to activated Wnt signaling in prostate cancer, highlight the range of laboratory models used to study the role of Wnt genetic drivers in prostate cancer, and discuss new mechanistic insights into how the Wnt cascade facilitates prostate cancer growth, metastasis, and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Koushyar
- The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK; (S.K.); (V.S.M.)
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Valerie S. Meniel
- The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK; (S.K.); (V.S.M.)
| | - Toby J. Phesse
- The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK; (S.K.); (V.S.M.)
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Australia
| | - Helen B. Pearson
- The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK; (S.K.); (V.S.M.)
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3
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Structure and function of Pygo in organ development dependent and independent Wnt signalling. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:1781-1794. [PMID: 32677664 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pygo is a nuclear protein containing two conserved domains, NHD and PHD, which play important roles in embryonic development and carcinogenesis. Pygo was first identified as a core component of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. However, it has also been reported that the function of Pygo is not always Wnt/β-catenin signalling dependent. In this review, we summarise the functions of both domains of Pygo and show that their functions are synergetic. The PHD domain mainly combines with transcription co-factors, including histone 3 and Bcl9/9l. The NHD domain mainly recruits histone methyltransferase/acetyltransferase (HMT/HAT) to modify lysine 4 of the histone 3 tail (H3K4) and interacts with Chip/LIM-domain DNA-binding proteins (ChiLS) to form enhanceosomes to regulate transcriptional activity. Furthermore, we summarised chromatin modification differences of Pygo in Drosophila (dPygo) and vertebrates, and found that Pygo displayes a chromatin silencing function in Drosophila, while in vertebates, Pygo has a chromatin-activating function due to the two substitution of two amino acid residues. Next, we confirmed the relationship between Pygo and Bcl9/9l and found that Pygo-Bcl/9l are specifically partnered both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. Finally, we discuss whether transcriptional activity of Pygo is Wnt/β-catenin dependent during embryonic development. Available information indications that the transcriptional activity of Pygo in embryonic development is either Wnt/β-catenin dependent or independent in both tissue-specific and cell-specific-modes.
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Mieszczanek J, van Tienen LM, Ibrahim AEK, Winton DJ, Bienz M. Bcl9 and Pygo synergise downstream of Apc to effect intestinal neoplasia in FAP mouse models. Nat Commun 2019; 10:724. [PMID: 30760710 PMCID: PMC6374407 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08164-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bcl9 and Pygo are Wnt enhanceosome components that effect β-catenin-dependent transcription. Whether they mediate β-catenin-dependent neoplasia is unclear. Here we assess their roles in intestinal tumourigenesis initiated by Apc loss-of-function (ApcMin), or by Apc1322T encoding a partially-functional Apc truncation commonly found in colorectal carcinomas. Intestinal deletion of Bcl9 extends disease-free survival in both models, and essentially cures Apc1322T mice of their neoplasia. Loss-of-Bcl9 synergises with loss-of-Pygo to shift gene expression within Apc-mutant adenomas from stem cell-like to differentiation along Notch-regulated secretory lineages. Bcl9 loss also promotes tumour retention in ApcMin mice, apparently via relocating nuclear β-catenin to the cell surface, but this undesirable effect is not seen in Apc1322T mice whose Apc truncation retains partial function in regulating β-catenin. Our results demonstrate a key role of the Wnt enhanceosome in β-catenin-dependent intestinal tumourigenesis and reveal the potential of BCL9 as a therapeutic target during early stages of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliusz Mieszczanek
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Laurens M van Tienen
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Ashraf E K Ibrahim
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Douglas J Winton
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre,, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Mariann Bienz
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
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5
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Liang Y, Wang C, Chen A, Zhu L, Zhang J, Jiang P, Yue Q, De G. Immunohistochemistry analysis of Pygo2 expression in central nervous system tumors. J Cell Commun Signal 2018; 13:75-84. [PMID: 29978348 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-018-0476-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pygo2 as a Wnt signaling pathway component has been detected in multiple cancer types. In this study, we identified Pygo2 expression features by immunohistochemistry in 73 central nervous system tumor specimens, in comparison with 14 normal brain tissues and surrounding non-tumorous tissues of tumor. Our study indicated that 59% of the patient tumor specimens exhibited positive Pygo2-staining and increases intensity with the grade of malignancy, especially for WHO grade III and IV gliomas, was observed high level expression, compared with normal brain tissues. Five out of nine WHO grade III anaplastic astrocytomas and seven out of nine WHO grade IV glioblastomas showed Pygo2-positive staining. The analysis of Pygo2 gene expression by quantitative real-time PCR of additional ten fresh patient samples yielded similar results. Further studies performed with stable cell lines in vitro demonstrated that Pygo2 render cells higher proliferation rate, migration and anchorage-independent colony-forming ability in soft agar. Taken together, our studies suggest an important role of Pygo2 in brain tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liang
- Laboratory Medicine College, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoxi Wang
- Laboratory Medicine College, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Apeng Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Pucha Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiaoxin Yue
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Gejing De
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Lu X, Pan X, Wu CJ, Zhao D, Feng S, Zang Y, Lee R, Khadka S, Amin SB, Jin EJ, Shang X, Deng P, Luo Y, Morgenlander WR, Weinrich J, Lu X, Jiang S, Chang Q, Navone NM, Troncoso P, DePinho RA, Wang YA. An In Vivo Screen Identifies PYGO2 as a Driver for Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Cancer Res 2018; 78:3823-3833. [PMID: 29769196 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-3564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Advanced prostate cancer displays conspicuous chromosomal instability and rampant copy number aberrations, yet the identity of functional drivers resident in many amplicons remain elusive. Here, we implemented a functional genomics approach to identify new oncogenes involved in prostate cancer progression. Through integrated analyses of focal amplicons in large prostate cancer genomic and transcriptomic datasets as well as genes upregulated in metastasis, 276 putative oncogenes were enlisted into an in vivo gain-of-function tumorigenesis screen. Among the top positive hits, we conducted an in-depth functional analysis on Pygopus family PHD finger 2 (PYGO2), located in the amplicon at 1q21.3. PYGO2 overexpression enhances primary tumor growth and local invasion to draining lymph nodes. Conversely, PYGO2 depletion inhibits prostate cancer cell invasion in vitro and progression of primary tumor and metastasis in vivo In clinical samples, PYGO2 upregulation associated with higher Gleason score and metastasis to lymph nodes and bone. Silencing PYGO2 expression in patient-derived xenograft models impairs tumor progression. Finally, PYGO2 is necessary to enhance the transcriptional activation in response to ligand-induced Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Together, our results indicate that PYGO2 functions as a driver oncogene in the 1q21.3 amplicon and may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for metastatic prostate cancer.Significance: Amplification/overexpression of PYGO2 may serve as a biomarker for prostate cancer progression and metastasis. Cancer Res; 78(14); 3823-33. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lu
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana.,Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Xiaolu Pan
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Chang-Jiun Wu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Di Zhao
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Shan Feng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Yong Zang
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Rumi Lee
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sunada Khadka
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Samirkumar B Amin
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Eun-Jung Jin
- Department of Biological Science, Wonkwang University, Cheonbuk, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Xiaoying Shang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Pingna Deng
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yanting Luo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - William R Morgenlander
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Jacqueline Weinrich
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Xuemin Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Shan Jiang
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Qing Chang
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Nora M Navone
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Patricia Troncoso
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Y Alan Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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