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Dhar SS, Brown C, Rizvi A, Reed L, Kotla S, Zod C, Abraham J, Abe JI, Rajaram V, Chen K, Lee M. Heterozygous Kmt2d loss diminishes enhancers to render medulloblastoma cells vulnerable to combinatory inhibition of lysine demethylation and oxidative phosphorylation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.29.564587. [PMID: 37961118 PMCID: PMC10634931 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.29.564587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferase KMT2D (also called MLL4) is one of the most frequently mutated epigenetic modifiers in medulloblastoma (MB) and other types of cancer. Notably, heterozygous loss of KMT2D is prevalent in MB and other cancer types. However, what role heterozygous KMT2D loss plays in tumorigenesis has not been well characterized. Here, we show that heterozygous Kmt2d loss highly promotes MB driven by heterozygous loss of the MB suppressor gene Ptch in mice. Heterozygous Kmt2d loss upregulated tumor-promoting programs, including oxidative phosphorylation and G-protein-coupled receptor signaling, in Ptch-mutant-driven MB genesis. Mechanistically, both downregulation of the transcription-repressive tumor suppressor gene NCOR2 by heterozygous Kmt2d loss and upregulation of the oncogene MycN by heterozygous Ptch loss increased the expression of tumor-promoting genes. Moreover, heterozygous Kmt2d loss extensively diminished enhancer signals (e.g., H3K27ac) and H3K4me3 signature, including those for tumor suppressor genes (e.g., Ncor2). Combinatory pharmacological inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and the H3K4 demethylase LSD1 drastically reduced tumorigenicity of MB cells bearing heterozygous Kmt2d loss. These findings reveal the mechanistic basis underlying the MB-promoting effect of heterozygous KMT2D loss, provide a rationale for a therapeutic strategy for treatment of KMT2D-deficient MB, and have mechanistic implications for the molecular pathogenesis of other types of cancer bearing heterozygous KMT2D loss.
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Itakura H, Hata T, Okuzaki D, Takeda K, Iso K, Qian Y, Morimoto Y, Adachi T, Hirose H, Yokoyama Y, Ogino T, Miyoshi N, Takahashi H, Uemura M, Mizushima T, Hinoi T, Mori M, Doki Y, Eguchi H, Yamamoto H. Tumor-suppressive role of the musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma gene in colorectal cancer. iScience 2023; 26:106478. [PMID: 37091240 PMCID: PMC10119606 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106478] [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: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatic cell reprogramming using the microRNAs miR-200c, miR-302s, and miR-369s leads to increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and suppressed tumor growth. Here, we investigated whether these microRNAs inhibit colorectal tumorigenesis in CPC;Apc mice, which are prone to colon and rectal polyps. Repeated administration of microRNAs inhibited polyp formation. Microarray analysis indicated that c-MAF, which reportedly shows oncogene-like behavior in multiple myeloma and T cell lymphoma, decreased in tumor samples but increased in microRNA-treated normal mucosa. Immunohistochemistry identified downregulation of c-MAF as an early tumorigenesis event in CRC, with low c-MAF expression associated with poor prognosis. Of note, c-MAF expression and p53 protein levels were inversely correlated in CRC samples. c-MAF knockout led to enhanced tumor formation in azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-treated mice, with activation of cancer-promoting genes. c-MAF may play a tumor-suppressive role in CRC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Itakura
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Hata
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Daisuke Okuzaki
- Genome Information Research Centre, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Laboratory of Human Immunology (Single Cell Genomics), WPI Immunology Research Center, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-1, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Koki Takeda
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kenji Iso
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yamin Qian
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Morimoto
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Adachi
- Department of Surgery, Hiroshima City North Medical Center Asa Citizens Hospital, 1-2-1, Kameyama-minami, Asakita-ku, Horoshima 731-0293, Japan
| | - Haruka Hirose
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuhki Yokoyama
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ogino
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Norikatsu Miyoshi
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Takahashi
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Mamoru Uemura
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tsunekazu Mizushima
- Department of Surgery, Osaka Police Hospital, 10-31, Kitayama-town, Tennoji-ku, Osaka city, Osaka 543-0035, Japan
| | - Takao Hinoi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Masaki Mori
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, 143, Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Yamamoto
- Department of Surgery, Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 1-7, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Corresponding author
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3
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Okawa ER, Gupta MK, Kahraman S, Goli P, Sakaguchi M, Hu J, Duan K, Slipp B, Lennerz JK, Kulkarni RN. Essential roles of insulin and IGF-1 receptors during embryonic lineage development. Mol Metab 2021; 47:101164. [PMID: 33453419 PMCID: PMC7890209 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors are important for the growth and development of embryonic tissues. To directly define their roles in the maintenance of pluripotency and differentiation of stem cells, we knocked out both receptors in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). iPSCs lacking both insulin and IGF-1 receptors (double knockout, DKO) exhibited preserved pluripotency potential despite decreased expression of transcription factors Lin28a and Tbx3 compared to control iPSCs. While embryoid body and teratoma assays revealed an intact ability of DKO iPSCs to form all three germ layers, the latter were composed of primitive neuroectodermal tumor-like cells in the DKO group. RNA-seq analyses of control vs DKO iPSCs revealed differential regulation of pluripotency, developmental, E2F1, and apoptosis pathways. Signaling analyses pointed to downregulation of the AKT/mTOR pathway and upregulation of the STAT3 pathway in DKO iPSCs in the basal state and following stimulation with insulin/IGF-1. Directed differentiation toward the three lineages was dysregulated in DKO iPSCs, with significant downregulation of key markers (Cebpα, Fas, Pparγ, and Fsp27) in adipocytes and transcription factors (Ngn3, Isl1, Pax6, and Neurod1) in pancreatic endocrine progenitors. Furthermore, differentiated pancreatic endocrine progenitor cells from DKO iPSCs showed increased apoptosis. We conclude that insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors are indispensable for normal lineage development and perturbations in the function and signaling of these receptors leads to upregulation of alternative compensatory pathways to maintain pluripotency. Insulin and IGF-1 receptor signaling regulate the expression of pluripotency genes Lin28 and Tbx3. The STAT3 pathway is upregulated in DKO iPSCs. RNA-seq analyses revealed key developmental and apoptosis pathways regulated by insulin and IGF-1 receptors. Lineage development was dysregulated in DKO iPSCs with downregulation of key mesoderm and endodermal markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin R Okawa
- Section of Islet Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Manoj K Gupta
- Section of Islet Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Sevim Kahraman
- Section of Islet Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Praneeth Goli
- Section of Islet Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Masaji Sakaguchi
- Section of Islet Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jiang Hu
- Section of Islet Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Kaiti Duan
- Section of Islet Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Brittany Slipp
- Section of Islet Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jochen K Lennerz
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Rohit N Kulkarni
- Section of Islet Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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mRNA and miRNA Expression Analyses of the MYC/ E2F/miR-17-92 Network in the Most Common Pediatric Brain Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020543. [PMID: 33430425 PMCID: PMC7827072 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous molecular factors disrupt the correctness of the cell cycle process leading to the development of cancer due to increased cell proliferation. Among known causative factors of such process is abnormal gene expression. Nowadays in the light of current knowledge such alterations are frequently considered in the context of mRNA–miRNA correlation. One of the molecular factors with potential value in tumorigenesis is the feedback loop between MYC and E2F genes in which miR-17-5p and miR-20a from the miR-17-92 cluster are involved. The current literature shows that overexpression of the members of the OncomiR-1 are involved in the development of many solid tumors. In the present work, we investigated the expression of components of the MYC/E2F/miR-17-92 network and their closely related elements including members of MYC and E2F families and miRNAs from two paralogs of miR-17-92: miR-106b-25 and miR-106a-363, in the most common brain tumors of childhood, pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), WHO grade 1; ependymoma (EP), WHO grade 2; and medulloblastoma (MB), WHO grade 4. We showed that the highest gene expression was observed in the MYC family for MYCN and in the E2F family for E2F2. Positive correlation was observed between the gene expression and tumor grade and type, with the highest expression being noted for medulloblastomas, followed by ependymomas, and the lowest for pilocytic astrocytomas. Most members of miR-17-92, miR-106a-363 and miR-106b-25 clusters were upregulated and the highest expression was noted for miR-18a and miR-18b. The rest of the miRNAs, including miR-19a, miR-92a, miR-106a, miR-93, or miR-25 also showed high values. miR-17-5p, miR-20a obtained a high level of expression in medulloblastomas and ependymomas, while close to the control in the pilocytic astrocytoma samples. miRNA expression also depended on tumor grade and histology.
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5
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Miele E, Po A, Mastronuzzi A, Carai A, Besharat ZM, Pediconi N, Abballe L, Catanzaro G, Sabato C, De Smaele E, Canettieri G, Di Marcotullio L, Vacca A, Mai A, Levrero M, Pfister SM, Kool M, Giangaspero F, Locatelli F, Ferretti E. Downregulation of miR-326 and its host gene β-arrestin1 induces pro-survival activity of E2F1 and promotes medulloblastoma growth. Mol Oncol 2020; 15:523-542. [PMID: 32920979 PMCID: PMC7858128 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent mortality rates of medulloblastoma (MB) and severe side effects of the current therapies require the definition of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to tumor progression. Using cultured MB cancer stem cells and xenograft tumors generated in mice, we show that low expression of miR-326 and its host gene β-arrestin1 (ARRB1) promotes tumor growth enhancing the E2F1 pro-survival function. Our models revealed that miR-326 and ARRB1 are controlled by a bivalent domain, since the H3K27me3 repressive mark is found at their regulatory region together with the activation-associated H3K4me3 mark. High levels of EZH2, a feature of MB, are responsible for the presence of H3K27me3. Ectopic expression of miR-326 and ARRB1 provides hints into how their low levels regulate E2F1 activity. MiR-326 targets E2F1 mRNA, thereby reducing its protein levels; ARRB1, triggering E2F1 acetylation, reverses its function into pro-apoptotic activity. Similar to miR-326 and ARRB1 overexpression, we also show that EZH2 inhibition restores miR-326/ARRB1 expression, limiting E2F1 pro-proliferative activity. Our results reveal a new regulatory molecular axis critical for MB progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Miele
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Po
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Natalia Pediconi
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Luana Abballe
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Sabato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Vacca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Levrero
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), UMR Inserm 1052 CNRS 5286 Mixte CLB, Université de Lyon 1 (UCBL1), France.,Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felice Giangaspero
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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6
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García-Martínez A, López-Muñoz B, Fajardo C, Cámara R, Lamas C, Silva-Ortega S, Aranda I, Picó A. Increased E2F1 mRNA and miR-17-5p Expression Is Correlated to Invasiveness and Proliferation of Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumours. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10040227. [PMID: 32316225 PMCID: PMC7235816 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10040227] [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: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
miR-17-5p and E2F1 have been described as deregulated in cancer, but they have scarcely been studied in pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs). This study evaluates the relationship of E2F1 and miR-17-5p with the invasiveness and proliferation of PitNETs. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we evaluated the expression of E2F1, MYC, and miR-17-5p by quantitative real time PCR analysis in 60 PitNETs: 29 gonadotroph (GT), 15 functioning somatotroph (ST), and 16 corticotroph (CT) tumours, of which 8 were silent (sCT). The clinical data were collected from the Spanish Molecular Register of Pituitary Adenomas (REMAH) database. We defined invasiveness according to the Knosp classification and proliferation according to a molecular expression of Ki-67 ≥ 2.59. E2F1 was more expressed in invasive than in non-invasive tumours in the whole series (p = 0.004) and in STs (p = 0.01). In addition, it was overexpressed in the silent subtypes (GTs and sCTs; all macroadenomas) and normoexpressed in the functioning ones (fCTs and STs; some microadenomas). miR-17-5p was more expressed in proliferative than in non-proliferative tumours (p = 0.041) in the whole series but not by subtypes. Conclusions: Our study suggests that in PitNETs, E2F1 could be a good biomarker of invasiveness, and miR-17-5p of proliferation, helping the clinical management of these tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Araceli García-Martínez
- Research Laboratory, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante-Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain;
| | - Beatriz López-Muñoz
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante -ISABIAL, 03010 Alicante, Spain;
| | - Carmen Fajardo
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital La Ribera, Alzira, 46600 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Rosa Cámara
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Cristina Lamas
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Hospital General Universitario de Albacete, 02006 Albacete, Spain;
| | - Sandra Silva-Ortega
- Department of Pathology, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante -ISABIAL, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (S.S.-O.); (I.A.)
| | - Ignacio Aranda
- Department of Pathology, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante -ISABIAL, 03010 Alicante, Spain; (S.S.-O.); (I.A.)
| | - Antonio Picó
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Miguel Hernández University, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Correspondence:
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7
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Merk DJ, Ohli J, Merk ND, Thatikonda V, Morrissy S, Schoof M, Schmid SN, Harrison L, Filser S, Ahlfeld J, Erkek S, Raithatha K, Andreska T, Weißhaar M, Launspach M, Neumann JE, Shakarami M, Plenker D, Marra MA, Li Y, Mungall AJ, Moore RA, Ma Y, Jones SJM, Lutz B, Ertl-Wagner B, Rossi A, Wagener R, Siebert R, Jung A, Eberhart CG, Lach B, Sendtner M, Pfister SM, Taylor MD, Chavez L, Kool M, Schüller U. Opposing Effects of CREBBP Mutations Govern the Phenotype of Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome and Adult SHH Medulloblastoma. Dev Cell 2018; 44:709-724.e6. [PMID: 29551561 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent mutations in chromatin modifiers are specifically prevalent in adolescent or adult patients with Sonic hedgehog-associated medulloblastoma (SHH MB). Here, we report that mutations in the acetyltransferase CREBBP have opposing effects during the development of the cerebellum, the primary site of origin of SHH MB. Our data reveal that loss of Crebbp in cerebellar granule neuron progenitors (GNPs) during embryonic development of mice compromises GNP development, in part by downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf). Interestingly, concomitant cerebellar hypoplasia was also observed in patients with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, a congenital disorder caused by germline mutations of CREBBP. By contrast, loss of Crebbp in GNPs during postnatal development synergizes with oncogenic activation of SHH signaling to drive MB growth, thereby explaining the enrichment of somatic CREBBP mutations in SHH MB of adult patients. Together, our data provide insights into time-sensitive consequences of CREBBP mutations and corresponding associations with human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Merk
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany; Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jasmin Ohli
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Natalie D Merk
- Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science at the Chemistry Department, Technical University, 85747 Munich, Germany
| | - Venu Thatikonda
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sorana Morrissy
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre and Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, HSC, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Melanie Schoof
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, N63 (HPI), Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Susanne N Schmid
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany; Department of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Luke Harrison
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Severin Filser
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Ahlfeld
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany; Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Serap Erkek
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kaamini Raithatha
- Microarray and Deep-Sequencing Core Facility, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Andreska
- Institute for Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marc Weißhaar
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Launspach
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Julia E Neumann
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany; Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mehdi Shakarami
- Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Dennis Plenker
- Department of Translational Genomics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Marco A Marra
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC VSZ 4S6, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Yisu Li
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC VSZ 4S6, Canada
| | - Andrew J Mungall
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC VSZ 4S6, Canada
| | - Richard A Moore
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC VSZ 4S6, Canada
| | - Yussanne Ma
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC VSZ 4S6, Canada
| | - Steven J M Jones
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC VSZ 4S6, Canada
| | - Beat Lutz
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Birgit Ertl-Wagner
- Institute of Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea Rossi
- Department of Pediatric Neuroradiology, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Rabea Wagener
- Institute of Human Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany; Institute for Human Genetics, Ulm University and Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Reiner Siebert
- Institute of Human Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany; Institute for Human Genetics, Ulm University and Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Andreas Jung
- Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Charles G Eberhart
- Division of Neuropathology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Boleslaw Lach
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute for Clinical Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre and Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, HSC, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Lukas Chavez
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany; Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, N63 (HPI), Hamburg 20251, Germany; Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
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8
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Development of zebrafish medulloblastoma-like PNET model by TALEN-mediated somatic gene inactivation. Oncotarget 2017; 8:55280-55297. [PMID: 28903419 PMCID: PMC5589658 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetically engineered animal tumor models have traditionally been generated by the gain of single or multiple oncogenes or the loss of tumor suppressor genes; however, the development of live animal models has been difficult given that cancer phenotypes are generally induced by somatic mutation rather than by germline genetic inactivation. In this study, we developed somatically mutated tumor models using TALEN-mediated somatic gene inactivation of cdkn2a/b or rb1 tumor suppressor genes in zebrafish. One-cell stage injection of cdkn2a/b-TALEN mRNA resulted in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors with high frequency (about 39%) and early onset (about 35 weeks of age) in F0 tp53e7/e7 mutant zebrafish. Injection of rb1-TALEN mRNA also led to the formation of brain tumors at high frequency (58%, 31 weeks of age) in F0 tp53e7/e7 mutant zebrafish. Analysis of each tumor induced by somatic inactivation showed that the targeted genes had bi-allelic mutations. Tumors induced by rb1 somatic inactivation were characterized as medulloblastoma-like primitive neuroectodermal tumors based on incidence location, histopathological features, and immunohistochemical tests. In addition, 3' mRNA Quanti-Seq analysis showed differential activation of genes involved in cell cycle, DNA replication, and protein synthesis; especially, genes involved in neuronal development were up-regulated.
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9
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Evangelou K, Havaki S, Kotsinas A. E2F transcription factors and digestive system malignancies: How much do we know? World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:10212-10216. [PMID: 25110451 PMCID: PMC4123353 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.10212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2013] [Revised: 02/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The E2F proteins comprise a family of 8 members that function as transcription factors. They are key targets of the retinoblastoma protein (RB) and were initially divided into groups of activators and repressors. Accumulating data suggest that there is no specific role for each individual E2F member. Instead, each E2F can exert a variety of cellular effects, some of which represent opposing ones. For instance, specific E2Fs can activate transcription and repression, promote or hamper cell proliferation, augment or inhibit apoptosis, all being dependent on the cellular context. This complexity reflects the importance that these transcription factors have on a cell’s fate. Thus, delineating the specific role for each E2F member in specific malignancies, although not easy, is a challenging and continuously pursued task, especially in view of potential E2F targeted therapies. Therefore, several reviews are continuously trying to evaluate available data on E2F status in various malignancies. Such reviews have attempted to reach a consensus, often in the simplistic form of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes for the E2Fs. However they frequently miss spatial and temporal alterations of these factors during tumor development, which should also be considered in conjunction with the status of the regulatory networks that these factors participate in. In the current ‘‘Letter to the Editor’’, we comment on the flaws, misinterpretations and omissions in one such review article published recently in the World Journal of Gastroenterology regarding the role of E2Fs in digestive system malignancies.
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10
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Multiple CDK/CYCLIND genes are amplified in medulloblastoma and supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal brain tumor. Cancer Genet 2012; 205:220-31. [PMID: 22682621 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2012.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2011] [Revised: 01/24/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Embryonal brain tumors, which include medulloblastoma and the more aggressive supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (sPNET), comprise one of the largest group of malignant pediatric brain tumors. We observed in high resolution array comparative genomic hybridization and polymerase chain reaction analyses that several different components of the CDK/CYCLIND/pRB regulatory complex, including the CDK4/6 and CCND1/2 loci, are targets of gene amplification in medulloblastoma and sPNET. CDK6 and CCND1 gene amplification were respectively most common and robust, and overall CDK/CYCLIND gene amplification was more commonly observed in sPNET (25%) than medulloblastoma (1-5%). CDK6 overexpression enhanced in vitro and in vivo oncogenicity and endogenous CDK6 or CCND1 knockdown decreased pRB phosphorylation and impaired cell cycle progression in both medulloblastoma and sPNET cell lines. Although animal models implicate the pRB tumor suppressor pathway in medulloblastoma and sPNET, mutations of RB1 or the related INK4 tumor suppressor loci are rare in primary human tumors. Our data suggest that CDK/CYCLIND gene amplification may represent important mechanisms for functional inactivation of pRB in medulloblastoma and sPNET.
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11
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Wang XT, Xie YB, Xiao Q. Lentivirus-mediated RNA interference targeting E2F-1 inhibits human gastric cancer MGC-803 cell growth in vivo. Exp Mol Med 2012; 43:638-45. [PMID: 21869593 DOI: 10.3858/emm.2011.43.11.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The E2F-1 transcription factor is post-translationally modified and stabilized in response to various forms of DNA damage to regulate the expression of cell-cycle and pro-apoptotic genes. The sustained overexpression of E2F-1 is a characteristic feature of gastric cancer. In this study, we investigated the role of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting E2F-1 gene on human gastric cancer MGC-803 cell growth in vivo, and preliminarily revealed the mechanism. Thus, we constructed recombinant pGCSIL-GFP-shRNA-E2F-1 lentiviral vector to knock down E2F-1 expression in human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells in vivo, and studied the effect of E2F-1 shRNA on growth of MGC-803 tumor and evaluated its treatment efficacy. Our data demonstrated that in a mouse model of established gastric cancer, intratumor injection of lentiviral shRNA targeting E2F-1 definitely decreased the endogenous E2F-1 mRNA and protein expression in MGC-803 tumor, and inhibited tumor growth and promoted tumor cells apoptosis. Moreover, we found that E2F-1 shRNA increased the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), activated caspase-3 and caspase-9, and suppressed nuclear factor (NF)-κB expression in tumor tissue as determined by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and western blotting. In summary, shRNA targeting of E2F-1 can effectively inhibits human gastric cancer MGC-803 cell growth in vivo and may be a potential therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Tong Wang
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital Guangxi Medical University Nanning 530021, China
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12
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Suzuki DE, Ariza CB, Porcionatto MA, Okamoto OK. Upregulation of E2F1 in cerebellar neuroprogenitor cells and cell cycle arrest during postnatal brain development. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2011; 47:492-9. [PMID: 21614651 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-011-9426-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In the developing cerebellum, proliferation of granular neuroprogenitor (GNP) cells lasts until the early postnatal stages when terminal maturation of the cerebellar cortex occurs. GNPs are considered cell targets for neoplastic transformation, and disturbances in cerebellar GNP cell proliferation may contribute to the development of pediatric medulloblastoma. At the molecular level, proliferation of GNPs is regulated through an orchestrated action of the SHH, NOTCH, and WNT pathways, but the underlying mechanisms still need to be dissected. Here, we report that expression of the E2F1 transcription factor in rat GNPs is inversely correlated with cell proliferation rate during postnatal development, as opposed to its traditional SHH-dependent induction of cell cycle. Proliferation of GNPs peaked at postnatal day 3 (P3), with a subsequent continuing decrease in proliferation rates occurring until P12. Such gradual decline in proliferating neuroprogenitors paralleled the extent of cerebellum maturation confirmed by histological analysis with cresyl violet staining and temporal expression profiling of SHH, NOTCH2, and WNT4 genes. A time course analysis of E2F1 expression in GNPs revealed significantly increased levels at P12, correlating with decreased cell proliferation. Expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p18 ( Ink4c ), a target of E2F1, was also significantly higher at P12. Conversely, increased E2F1 expression did not correlate with either SMAC/DIABLO and BCL2 expression profiles or apoptosis of cerebellar cells. Altogether, these results suggest that E2F1 may also be involved in the inhibition of GNP proliferation during rat postnatal development despite its conventional mitogenic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela E Suzuki
- Disciplina de Neurologia Experimental, Departamento de Neurologia/Neurocirurgia, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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13
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Mitogenic Sonic hedgehog signaling drives E2F1-dependent lipogenesis in progenitor cells and medulloblastoma. Oncogene 2010; 30:410-22. [PMID: 20890301 PMCID: PMC3072890 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Deregulation of the Rb/E2F tumor suppressor complex and aberrantion of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling are documented across the spectrum of human malignancies. Exaggerated de novo lipid synthesis is also found in certain highly proliferative, aggressive tumors. Here, we show that in Shh-driven medulloblastomas, Rb is inactivated and E2F1 is upregulated, promoting lipogenesis. Extensive lipid accumulation and elevated levels of the lipogenic enzyme fatty acid synthase (FASN) mark those tumors. In primary cerebellar granule neuron precursors (CGNPs), proposed Shh-associated medulloblastoma cells-of-origin, Shh signaling triggers E2F1 and FASN expression, whereas suppressing fatty acid oxidation (FAO), in a smoothened-dependent manner. In the developing cerebellum, E2F1 and FASN co-localize in proliferating CGNPs. in vivo and in vitro, E2F1 is required for FASN expression and CGNP proliferation, and E2F1 knockdown impairs Shh-mediated FAO inhibition. Pharmacological blockade of Rb inactivation and/or lipogenesis inhibits CGNP proliferation, drives medulloblastoma cell death and extends survival of medulloblastoma-bearing animals In vivo. These findings identify a novel mechanism through which Shh signaling links cell cycle progression to lipid synthesis, through E2F1-dependent regulation of lipogenic enzymes. These findings pertinent to the etiology of tumor metabolism also underscore the key role of the Shh→E2F1→FASN axis in regulating de novo lipid synthesis in cancers, and as such its value as a global therapeutic target in hedgehog-dependent and/or Rb-inactivated tumors.
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14
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Candolfi M, Kroeger KM, Muhammad AKMG, Yagiz K, Farrokhi C, Pechnick RN, Lowenstein PR, Castro MG. Gene therapy for brain cancer: combination therapies provide enhanced efficacy and safety. Curr Gene Ther 2010; 9:409-21. [PMID: 19860655 DOI: 10.2174/156652309789753301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain cancer in adults. Despite significant advances in treatment and intensive research, the prognosis for patients with GBM remains poor. Therapeutic challenges for GBM include its invasive nature, the proximity of the tumor to vital brain structures often preventing total resection, and the resistance of recurrent GBM to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Gene therapy has been proposed as a useful adjuvant for GBM, to be used in conjunction with current treatment. Work from our laboratory has shown that combination of conditional cytotoxic with immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of GBM elicits regression of large intracranial tumor masses and anti-tumor immunological memory in syngeneic rodent models of GBM. In this review we examined the currently available animal models for GBM, including rodent transplantable models, endogenous rodent tumor models and spontaneous GBM in dogs. We discuss non-invasive surrogate end points to assess tumor progression and therapeutic efficacy, such as behavioral tests and circulating biomarkers. Growing preclinical and clinical data contradict the old dogma that cytotoxic anti-cancer therapy would lead to an immune-suppression that would impair the ability of the immune system to mount an anti-tumor response. The implications of the findings reviewed indicate that combination of cytotoxic therapy with immunotherapy will lead to synergistic antitumor efficacy with reduced neurotoxicity and supports the clinical implementation of combined cytotoxic-immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianela Candolfi
- Gene Therapeutics Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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15
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Abstract
Mutations of the retinoblastoma tumour suppressor gene (RB1) or components regulating the RB pathway have been identified in almost every human malignancy. The E2F transcription factors function in cell cycle control and are intimately regulated by RB. Studies of model organisms have revealed conserved functions for E2Fs during development, suggesting that the cancer-related proliferative roles of E2F family members represent a recent evolutionary adaptation. However, given that some human tumours have concurrent RB1 inactivation and E2F amplification and overexpression, we propose that there are alternative tumour-promoting activities for the E2F family, which are independent of cell cycle regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Zi Chen
- Human Cancer Genetics Program, Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics and Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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Palm T, Figarella-Branger D, Chapon F, Lacroix C, Gray F, Scaravilli F, Ellison DW, Salmon I, Vikkula M, Godfraind C. Expression profiling of ependymomas unravels localization and tumor grade-specific tumorigenesis. Cancer 2009; 115:3955-68. [PMID: 19536879 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.24476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ependymomas derive from ependymal cells that cover the cerebral ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord. The molecular alterations leading to ependymomal oncogenesis are not completely understood. METHODS The authors performed array-based expression profiling on a series of 34 frozen ependymal tumors with different localizations and histologic grades. Data were analyzed by nonsupervised and supervised clustering methods along with Gene Ontology and Pathway Analyzer tools. RESULTS Class discovery experiments indicated a strong correlation between profiles and tumor localization as well as World Health Organization (WHO) tumor grades. On the basis of supervised clustering, intracranial ependymomas were associated with high expression levels of Notch, Hedgehog, and bone morphogenetic protein pathway members. In contrast, most of the homeobox-containing genes manifested high expression in extracranial ependymomas. The results also revealed that WHO grade 2 ependymomas differed from WHO grade 3 ependymomas by genes implicated in Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, cell cycle, E2F transcription factor 1 destruction, angiogenesis, apoptosis, remodeling of adherens junctions, and mitotic spindle formation. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the tumor localization-related gene sets mainly implicated in stem cell maintenance, renewal, and differentiation suggest the dysregulation of localized cancer stem cells during ependymoma development. The WHO grade differentiating pathways suggested that alteration of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is a key event in the tumorigenesis of WHO grade 3 ependymomas. On the basis of the current data, the authors suggest a developmental scheme of ependymomas that integrates tumor localization and tumor grades, and that pinpoints new targets for the development of future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Palm
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Duve Institute, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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18
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Multiple recurrent genetic events converge on control of histone lysine methylation in medulloblastoma. Nat Genet 2009; 41:465-72. [PMID: 19270706 DOI: 10.1038/ng.336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 315] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2008] [Accepted: 01/15/2009] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
We used high-resolution SNP genotyping to identify regions of genomic gain and loss in the genomes of 212 medulloblastomas, malignant pediatric brain tumors. We found focal amplifications of 15 known oncogenes and focal deletions of 20 known tumor suppressor genes (TSG), most not previously implicated in medulloblastoma. Notably, we identified previously unknown amplifications and homozygous deletions, including recurrent, mutually exclusive, highly focal genetic events in genes targeting histone lysine methylation, particularly that of histone 3, lysine 9 (H3K9). Post-translational modification of histone proteins is critical for regulation of gene expression, can participate in determination of stem cell fates and has been implicated in carcinogenesis. Consistent with our genetic data, restoration of expression of genes controlling H3K9 methylation greatly diminishes proliferation of medulloblastoma in vitro. Copy number aberrations of genes with critical roles in writing, reading, removing and blocking the state of histone lysine methylation, particularly at H3K9, suggest that defective control of the histone code contributes to the pathogenesis of medulloblastoma.
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Kool M, Koster J, Bunt J, Hasselt NE, Lakeman A, van Sluis P, Troost D, Meeteren NSV, Caron HN, Cloos J, Mrsić A, Ylstra B, Grajkowska W, Hartmann W, Pietsch T, Ellison D, Clifford SC, Versteeg R. Integrated genomics identifies five medulloblastoma subtypes with distinct genetic profiles, pathway signatures and clinicopathological features. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3088. [PMID: 18769486 PMCID: PMC2518524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 524] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2008] [Accepted: 07/29/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Despite recent improvements in cure rates, prediction of disease outcome remains a major challenge and survivors suffer from serious therapy-related side-effects. Recent data showed that patients with WNT-activated tumors have a favorable prognosis, suggesting that these patients could be treated less intensively, thereby reducing the side-effects. This illustrates the potential benefits of a robust classification of medulloblastoma patients and a detailed knowledge of associated biological mechanisms. METHODS AND FINDINGS To get a better insight into the molecular biology of medulloblastoma we established mRNA expression profiles of 62 medulloblastomas and analyzed 52 of them also by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) arrays. Five molecular subtypes were identified, characterized by WNT signaling (A; 9 cases), SHH signaling (B; 15 cases), expression of neuronal differentiation genes (C and D; 16 and 11 cases, respectively) or photoreceptor genes (D and E; both 11 cases). Mutations in beta-catenin were identified in all 9 type A tumors, but not in any other tumor. PTCH1 mutations were exclusively identified in type B tumors. CGH analysis identified several fully or partly subtype-specific chromosomal aberrations. Monosomy of chromosome 6 occurred only in type A tumors, loss of 9q mostly occurred in type B tumors, whereas chromosome 17 aberrations, most common in medulloblastoma, were strongly associated with type C or D tumors. Loss of the inactivated X-chromosome was highly specific for female cases of type C, D and E tumors. Gene expression levels faithfully reflected the chromosomal copy number changes. Clinicopathological features significantly different between the 5 subtypes included metastatic disease and age at diagnosis and histology. Metastatic disease at diagnosis was significantly associated with subtypes C and D and most strongly with subtype E. Patients below 3 yrs of age had type B, D, or E tumors. Type B included most desmoplastic cases. We validated and confirmed the molecular subtypes and their associated clinicopathological features with expression data from a second independent series of 46 medulloblastomas. CONCLUSIONS The new medulloblastoma classification presented in this study will greatly enhance the understanding of this heterogeneous disease. It will enable a better selection and evaluation of patients in clinical trials, and it will support the development of new molecular targeted therapies. Ultimately, our results may lead to more individualized therapies with improved cure rates and a better quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Kool
- Department of Human Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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20
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E2F1 in gliomas: A paradigm of oncogene addiction. Cancer Lett 2008; 263:157-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2008.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2007] [Revised: 01/29/2008] [Accepted: 02/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Differential Apaf-1 levels allow cytochrome c to induce apoptosis in brain tumors but not in normal neural tissues. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:20820-5. [PMID: 18093951 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0709101105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are typically resistant to conventional chemotherapeutics, most of which initiate apoptosis upstream of mitochondrial cytochrome c release. In this study, we demonstrate that directly activating apoptosis downstream of the mitochondria, with cytosolic cytochrome c, kills brain tumor cells but not normal brain tissue. Specifically, cytosolic cytochrome c is sufficient to induce apoptosis in glioblastoma and medulloblastoma cell lines. In contrast, primary neurons from the cerebellum and cortex are remarkably resistant to cytosolic cytochrome c. Importantly, tumor tissue from mouse models of both high-grade astrocytoma and medulloblastoma display hypersensitivity to cytochrome c when compared with surrounding brain tissue. This differential sensitivity to cytochrome c is attributed to high Apaf-1 levels in the tumor tissue compared with low Apaf-1 levels in the adjacent brain tissue. These differences in Apaf-1 abundance correlate with differences in the levels of E2F1, a previously identified activator of Apaf-1 transcription. ChIP assays reveal that E2F1 binds the Apaf-1 promoter specifically in tumor tissue, suggesting that E2F1 contributes to the expression of Apaf-1 in brain tumors. Together, these results demonstrate an unexpected sensitivity of brain tumors to postmitochondrial induction of apoptosis. Moreover, they raise the possibility that this phenomenon could be exploited therapeutically to selectively kill brain cancer cells while sparing the surrounding brain parenchyma.
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Chen J, Irving A, McMillan N, Gu W. Future of RNAi-based therapies for human papillomavirus-associated cervical cancer. Future Virol 2007. [DOI: 10.2217/17460794.2.6.587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Over 99% of cervical cancers are associated with infection of high-risk type human papillomaviruses (HPV). These viruses infect epithelial cells lining the cervix and express the early viral genes E6 and E7, which are oncogenes and are primarily responsible for the transformation of the epithelial cells. The continuous expression of those genes is essential for maintenance of the cancer cell phenotype and viability. These viral genes can be silenced using oligonucleotide-based techniques, for example RNAi, antisense RNA and ribozymes. In spite of promising results in vitro and in vivo, in mice, these methods have thus far proved unsuccessful in humans, owing to the lack of an effective delivery system amongst other limitations. In this review we will discuss potential gene-silencing strategies in cervical cancer that would target both viral genes such as E6 and E7, and cellular genes that become deregulated such as E2F, p53, Akt, mTor, NF-κB or Bcl-2. By investigating these approaches we may generate an effective treatment for HPV-induced cervical cancer using gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiezhong Chen
- University of Queensland, UQ Diamantina Institute, R-Wing, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Rd, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Aaron Irving
- University of Queensland, UQ Diamantina Institute, R-Wing, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Rd, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Nigel McMillan
- University of Queensland, UQ Diamantina Institute, R-Wing, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Rd, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Wenyi Gu
- University of Queensland, UQ Diamantina Institute, R-Wing, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Rd, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
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