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Yang H, Li M, Deng Y, Wen H, Luo M, Zhang W. Roles and interactions of tumor microenvironment components in medulloblastoma with implications for novel therapeutics. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2024; 63:e23233. [PMID: 38607297 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastomas, the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors, can be classified into the wingless, sonic hedgehog (SHH), group 3, and group 4 subgroups. Among them, the SHH subgroup with the TP53 mutation and group 3 generally present with the worst patient outcomes due to their high rates of recurrence and metastasis. A novel and effective treatment for refractory medulloblastomas is urgently needed. To date, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been shown to influence tumor growth, recurrence, and metastasis through immunosuppression, angiogenesis, and chronic inflammation. Treatments targeting TME components have emerged as promising approaches to the treatment of solid tumors. In this review, we summarize progress in research on medulloblastoma microenvironment components and their interactions. We also discuss challenges and future research directions for TME-targeting medulloblastoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjie Yang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Deng
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huantao Wen
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minjie Luo
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wangming Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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2
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Tong Z, Yin Z. Distribution, contribution and regulation of nestin + cells. J Adv Res 2023:S2090-1232(23)00230-8. [PMID: 37648021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.08.013] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nestin is an intermediate filament first reported in neuroepithelial stem cells. Nestin expression could be found in a variety of tissues throughout all systems of the body, especially during tissue development and tissue regeneration processes. AIM OF REVIEW This review aimed to summarize and discuss current studies on the distribution, contribution and regulation of nestin+ cells in different systems of the body, to discuss the feasibility ofusing nestin as a marker of multilineage stem/progenitor cells, and better understand the potential roles of nestin+ cells in tissue development, regeneration and pathological processes. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW This review highlights the potential of nestin as a marker of multilineage stem/progenitor cells, and as a key factor in tissue development and tissue regeneration. The article discussed the current findings, limitations, and potential clinical implications or applications of nestin+ cells. Additionally, it included the relationship of nestin+ cells to other cell populations. We propose potential future research directions to encourage further investigation in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Tong
- Dr. Li Dak Sum and Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Sir Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zi Yin
- Dr. Li Dak Sum and Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Sir Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; China Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Group (CORMed), Hangzhou, China.
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3
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Li H, Jiang Y, Hu J, Xu J, Chen L, Zhang G, Zhao J, Zong S, Guo Z, Li X, Zhao X, Jing Z. The U2AF65/circNCAPG/RREB1 feedback loop promotes malignant phenotypes of glioma stem cells through activating the TGF-β pathway. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:23. [PMID: 36635261 PMCID: PMC9837049 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05556-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Glioma is the most aggressive and common malignant neoplasms in human brain tumors. Numerous studies have showed that glioma stem cells (GSCs)drive the malignant progression of gliomas. Recent studies have revealed that circRNAs can maintain stemness and promote malignant progression of glioma stem cells. We used bioinformatics analysis to identify circRNAs and potential RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in glioma. qRT-PCR, western blotting, RNA FISH, RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, ChIP, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence methods were used to quantified the expression of circNCAPG, U2AF65, RREB1 and TGF-β1, and the underlying mechanisms between them. MTS, EDU, neurosphere formation, limiting dilution neurosphere formation and transwell assays examined the proliferation and invasive capability of GSCs, respectively. We identified a novel circRNA named circNCAPG was overexpressed and indicated the poor prognosis in glioma patients. Upregulating circNCAPG promoted the malignant progression of GSCs. RNA binding protein U2AF65 could stabilize circNCAPG by direct binding. Mechanically, circNCAPG interacted with and stabilized RREB1, as well as stimulated RREB1 nuclear translocation to activate TGF-β1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, RREB1 transcriptionally upregulated U2AF65 expression to improve the stability of circNCAPG in GSCs, which established a feedback loop involving U2AF65, circNCAPG and RREB1. Since circRNA is more stable than mRNA and can execute its function continuously, targeting circNCAPG in glioma may be a novel promising therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Yang Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jinpeng Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Jinkun Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Lian Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Guoqing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Junshuang Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Shengliang Zong
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Zhengting Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Xinqiao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Xiang Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Zhitao Jing
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, China.
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4
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Mechanical detection of interactions between proteins related to intermediate filament and transcriptional regulation in living cells. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 216:114603. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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5
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Wang Q, Wu H, Hu J, Fu H, Qu Y, Yang Y, Cai KQ, Efimov A, Wu M, Yen T, Wang Y, Yang ZJ. Nestin Is Required for Spindle Assembly and Cell-Cycle Progression in Glioblastoma Cells. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:1651-1665. [PMID: 34158391 PMCID: PMC8492506 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nestin, a class IV intermediate filament protein, is generally considered as a putative marker of neural stem and progenitor cells in the central nervous system. Glioma is a common type of adult brain tumors, and glioblastoma (GBM) represents the most aggressive form of glioma. Here, we report that Nestin expression is significantly upregulated in human GBM, compared with other types of glioma. Nestin knockdown or deletion in U251 cells and tumor cells from GBM patients derived xenografts resulted in G2-M arrest, finally leading to apoptosis in tumor cells. Using proximity-dependent biotin identification method, we identified βII-tubulin as an interacting protein of Nestin in U251 cells. Nestin stabilized βII-tubulin in U251 cells through physical interaction. Knockdown of Nestin or βII-tubulin disrupted spindle morphology in tumor cells. Our studies further revealed that Nestin deficiency in U251 cells and GBM PDX cells repressed tumor growth upon transplantation. Finally, we found that Nestin deficiency sensitized GBM cells to microtubule-destabilizing drugs such as vinblastine and vincristine. Our studies demonstrate the essential functions and underlying mechanisms of Nestin in the growth and drug response of GBM cells. IMPLICATIONS: Through interaction with βII-tubulin, Nestin facilitates cell-cycle progression and spindle assembly of tumor cells in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglin Wang
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian Hu
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Haijuan Fu
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanghui Qu
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yijun Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kathy Q Cai
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrey Efimov
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Minghua Wu
- Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tim Yen
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yuan Wang
- Pediatric Cancer Center, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Chai JY, Sugumar V, Alshawsh MA, Wong WF, Arya A, Chong PP, Looi CY. The Role of Smoothened-Dependent and -Independent Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Tumorigenesis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1188. [PMID: 34572373 PMCID: PMC8466551 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh)-glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) signaling pathway is highly conserved among mammals, with crucial roles in regulating embryonic development as well as in cancer initiation and progression. The GLI transcription factors (GLI1, GLI2, and GLI3) are effectors of the Hh pathway and are regulated via Smoothened (SMO)-dependent and SMO-independent mechanisms. The SMO-dependent route involves the common Hh-PTCH-SMO axis, and mutations or transcriptional and epigenetic dysregulation at these levels lead to the constitutive activation of GLI transcription factors. Conversely, the SMO-independent route involves the SMO bypass regulation of GLI transcription factors by external signaling pathways and their interacting proteins or by epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of GLI transcription factors expression. Both routes of GLI activation, when dysregulated, have been heavily implicated in tumorigenesis of many known cancers, making them important targets for cancer treatment. Hence, this review describes the various SMO-dependent and SMO-independent routes of GLI regulation in the tumorigenesis of multiple cancers in order to provide a holistic view of the paradigms of hedgehog signaling networks involving GLI regulation. An in-depth understanding of the complex interplay between GLI and various signaling elements could help inspire new therapeutic breakthroughs for the treatment of Hh-GLI-dependent cancers in the future. Lastly, we have presented an up-to-date summary of the latest findings concerning the use of Hh inhibitors in clinical developmental studies and discussed the challenges, perspectives, and possible directions regarding the use of SMO/GLI inhibitors in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yi Chai
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
| | - Vaisnevee Sugumar
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia;
| | | | - Won Fen Wong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
| | - Aditya Arya
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Building 184, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Pei Pei Chong
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Molecular Pharmacology (CDDMP), Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
| | - Chung Yeng Looi
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Molecular Pharmacology (CDDMP), Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
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7
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Szymańska-Chabowska A, Świątkowski F, Jankowska-Polańska B, Mazur G, Chabowski M. Nestin Expression as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker in Colorectal Cancer and Other Tumors. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-ONCOLOGY 2021; 15:11795549211038256. [PMID: 34421318 PMCID: PMC8377314 DOI: 10.1177/11795549211038256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer are the leading causes of death in developed countries. Many cancers display non-specific signs in the early stage of the disease, thus making early diagnosis often difficult. We focused on nestin as a new biomarker of possible clinical importance in the early diagnosis and monitoring of cancer. The expression of nestin takes place at an early stage of neural differentiation, but no expression of the nestin gene can be revealed in normal, mature adult tissues. Nestin plays an important role in the development of the central nervous system and contributes to the organization and maintenance of cell shape. Nestin was found to be a marker of microvessel density, which in turn has proven to be a reliable prognostic factor for neoplastic malignancies in patients. Nestin expression correlates with an increased aggressiveness of tumor cells. The role of nestin in cancers of the colon and rectum, liver, central nervous system, lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and other cancers has been reviewed in the literature. Associations between nestin expression and prognosis or drug-resistance may help in disease management. More research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms of nestin expression and its role in possible targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szymańska-Chabowska
- Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Filip Świątkowski
- Department of Surgery, 4th Military Teaching Hospital, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Beata Jankowska-Polańska
- Division of Nervous System Diseases, Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Mazur
- Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Mariusz Chabowski
- Department of Surgery, 4th Military Teaching Hospital, Wroclaw, Poland.,Division of Oncology and Palliative Care, Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
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8
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Yamagishi A, Ito F, Nakamura C. Study on Cancer Cell Invasiveness via Application of Mechanical Force to Induce Chloride Ion Efflux. Anal Chem 2021; 93:9032-9035. [PMID: 34152726 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c01589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chloride channels regulate cell volume by an efflux of chloride ions in response to osmotic stresses. These have been shown to play a role in cancer invasion. However, their function in cancer metastasis remains unclear. As the internal environment of the human body is rarely exposed to osmotic stress, we presumed that Cl- efflux in cancer cells is induced by mechanical stress caused by their crowded environment and invasion of their narrow interstitial spaces. In this study, we recruited atomic force microscopy to apply mechanical stress to mouse or human breast cancer cells with varying degrees of malignancy and examined their Cl- efflux by N-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-6-methoxyquinolinium bromide (MQAE), which is quenched via collision with Cl- ions. We found that intracellular MQAE fluorescence intensity increased immediately after cell compression, demonstrating induction of Cl- efflux by mechanical force. Furthermore, Cl- efflux ability showed correlation with the cancer metastatic potential. These results suggested that mechanical stress induced Cl- efflux may serve as a potential reporter for estimating the invasion ability of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayana Yamagishi
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Fumie Ito
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Chikashi Nakamura
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan.,Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
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9
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Cheng Y, Liao S, Xu G, Hu J, Guo D, Du F, Contreras A, Cai KQ, Peri S, Wang Y, Corney DC, Noronha AM, Chau LQ, Zhou G, Wiest DL, Bellacosa A, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Zhao Y, Yang ZJ. NeuroD1 Dictates Tumor Cell Differentiation in Medulloblastoma. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107782. [PMID: 32579914 PMCID: PMC7357167 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells are characterized by unlimited proliferation and perturbed differentiation. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we demonstrate that tumor cells in medulloblastoma (MB) retain their capacity to differentiate in a similar way as their normal originating cells, cerebellar granule neuron precursors. Once they differentiate, MB cells permanently lose their proliferative capacity and tumorigenic potential. Differentiated MB cells highly express NeuroD1, a helix-loop-helix transcription factor, and forced expression of NeuroD1 promotes the differentiation of MB cells. The expression of NeuroD1 in bulk MB cells is repressed by trimethylation of histone 3 lysine-27 (H3K27me3). Inhibition of the histone lysine methyltransferase EZH2 prevents H3K27 trimethylation, resulting in increased NeuroD1 expression and enhanced differentiation in MB cells, which consequently reduces tumor growth. These studies reveal the mechanisms underlying MB cell differentiation and provide rationales to treat MB (potentially other malignancies) by stimulating tumor cell differentiation. Cheng et al. demonstrate that medulloblastoma cells retain the capacity to undergo differentiation. The differentiation of tumor cells is regulated by NeuroD1 expression, which is repressed by H3K27me3 in tumor cells. EZH2 inhibitors suppress medulloblastoma growth by stimulating tumor cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Cheng
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shengyou Liao
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jian Hu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Duancheng Guo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fang Du
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alejandra Contreras
- Blood Cell Development and Function, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kathy Q Cai
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Suraj Peri
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yuan Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - David C Corney
- Genomics and Molecular Genetics, GENEWIZ Co., South Plainfield, NJ, USA
| | | | - Lianne Q Chau
- Tumor Initiation& Maintenance Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ginger Zhou
- Genomics and Molecular Genetics, GENEWIZ Co., South Plainfield, NJ, USA
| | - David L Wiest
- Blood Cell Development and Function, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alfonso Bellacosa
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert J Wechsler-Reya
- Tumor Initiation& Maintenance Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yi Zhao
- Bioinformatics Research Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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10
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Liu HL, Wang YN, Feng SY. Brain tumors: Cancer stem-like cells interact with tumor microenvironment. World J Stem Cells 2020; 12:1439-1454. [PMID: 33505594 PMCID: PMC7789119 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v12.i12.1439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) with potential of self-renewal drive tumorigenesis. Brain tumor microenvironment (TME) has been identified as a critical regulator of malignancy progression. Many researchers are searching new ways to characterize tumors with the goal of predicting how they respond to treatment. Here, we describe the striking parallels between normal stem cells and CSCs. We review the microenvironmental aspects of brain tumors, in particular composition and vital roles of immune cells infiltrating glioma and medulloblastoma. By highlighting that CSCs cooperate with TME via various cellular communication approaches, we discuss the recent advances in therapeutic strategies targeting the components of TME. Identification of the complex and interconnected factors can facilitate the development of promising treatments for these deadly malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Long Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Ya-Nan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Shi-Yu Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
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11
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Shentu Y, Jiang H, Liu X, Chen H, Yang D, Zhang J, Cheng C, Zheng Y, Zhang Y, Chen C, Zheng C, Zhou Y. Nestin Promotes Peritoneal Fibrosis by Protecting HIF1-α From Proteasomal Degradation. Front Physiol 2020; 11:517912. [PMID: 33391003 PMCID: PMC7772359 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.517912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a treatment for end stage renal disease patients, but it can also cause peritoneal fibrosis. Nestin is known as a neural stem cell marker and it has many functions. The hypoxia induced factor (HIF) signaling pathway can be activated under hypoxia conditions, leading to the overexpression of some angiogenesis related genes. The aim of our study is to demonstrate Nestin’s role in the development of peritoneal fibrosis (PF), and to provide a new target (Nestin) to treat PF. Methods PD mice models were constructed by an intraperitoneal administration of PDS at 10 ml/100g/d for 4 weeks. Nestin-positive cells were isolated from peritonea of Nestin-GFP mice by flow cytometry. The relationship of Nestin and HIF1-α-VEGFA pathway was detected by Nestin knockdown, Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. Also, proteasomal activity was demonstrated by CHX and MG132 application, followed by Western blotting and Co-immunoprecipitation. Results In our experiments, we found that Nestin expression resulted in PF. Also, HIF1-α/VEGFA pathway was activated in PF. Nestin knockdown reduced the level of HIF1-α. Nestin directly bound to HIF1-α and protected HIF1-α from proteasomal degradation. Overexpression of HIF1-α reverts the fibrosis levels in Nestin-knockdown cells. In brief, Nestin inhibited the degradation of HIF1-α by mitigating its ubiquitination level, leading to the activation of HIF1-α signaling pathway, and eventually promoted PF. Conclusion We found a novel mechanism of PF that Nestin promotes by protecting HIF1-α from proteasomal degradation. Taken together, our key findings highlight a novel mechanism by which the silencing of Nestin hinders HIF1- α -induced PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangping Shentu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Huanchang Jiang
- Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Dicheng Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jinqi Zhang
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yulin Zheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chaosheng Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chenfei Zheng
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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12
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Garcia-Lopez J, Kumar R, Smith KS, Northcott PA. Deconstructing Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma: Molecular Subtypes, Drivers, and Beyond. Trends Genet 2020; 37:235-250. [PMID: 33272592 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly malignant cerebellar tumor predominantly diagnosed during childhood. Driven by pathogenic activation of sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling, SHH subgroup MB (SHH-MB) accounts for nearly one-third of diagnoses. Extensive molecular analyses have identified biologically and clinically relevant intertumoral heterogeneity among SHH-MB tumors, prompting the recognition of novel subtypes. Beyond germline and somatic mutations promoting constitutive SHH signaling, driver alterations affect a multitude of pathways and molecular processes, including TP53 signaling, chromatin modulation, and post-transcriptional gene regulation. Here, we review recent advances in the underpinnings of SHH-MB in the context of molecular subtypes, clarify novel somatic and germline drivers, highlight cellular origins and developmental hierarchies, and describe the composition of the tumor microenvironment and its putative role in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Garcia-Lopez
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kyle S Smith
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Paul A Northcott
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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13
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Sustained hedgehog signaling in medulloblastoma tumoroids is attributed to stromal astrocytes and astrocyte-derived extracellular matrix. J Transl Med 2020; 100:1208-1222. [PMID: 32457352 PMCID: PMC7442735 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-020-0443-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is associated with the formation of medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. However, tumor cells from human and mouse MB can not be passaged or preserved after being adherently cultured. Moreover, Hh signaling in MB cells is inactivated in such culture. Here we demonstrate that MB cells are capable of forming tumoroids (tumor spheroids) in vitro under optimized conditions, which can be further passaged and cryopreserved. More importantly, MB cells maintain Hh pathway activation and cell proliferation in tumoroids. Our studies further reveal that tumoroids-forming capacity of MB cells relies on astrocytes, a major component of the MB microenvironment. Astrocytes facilitate the formation of MB tumoroids by secreting sonic hedgehog (Shh) and generating astrocyte-derived extracellular matrix. These findings demonstrate the critical role of stromal astrocytes in supporting the survival and proliferation of MB cells in vitro. This study establishes a valid model for long-term culture of primary MB cells, which could be greatly beneficial for future investigation of MB tumorigenicity and the development of improved approaches to treat MB.
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14
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Čančer M, Hutter S, Holmberg KO, Rosén G, Sundström A, Tailor J, Bergström T, Garancher A, Essand M, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Falk A, Weishaupt H, Swartling FJ. Humanized Stem Cell Models of Pediatric Medulloblastoma Reveal an Oct4/mTOR Axis that Promotes Malignancy. Cell Stem Cell 2019; 25:855-870.e11. [PMID: 31786016 PMCID: PMC6900751 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB), the most frequent malignant childhood brain tumor, can arise from cellular malfunctions during hindbrain development. Here we generate humanized models for Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-subgroup MB via MYCN overexpression in primary human hindbrain-derived neuroepithelial stem (hbNES) cells or iPSC-derived NES cells, which display a range of aggressive phenotypes upon xenografting. iPSC-derived NES tumors develop quickly with leptomeningeal dissemination, whereas hbNES-derived cells exhibit delayed tumor formation with less dissemination. Methylation and expression profiling show that tumors from both origins recapitulate hallmarks of infant SHH MB and reveal that mTOR activation, as a result of increased Oct4, promotes aggressiveness of human SHH tumors. Targeting mTOR decreases cell viability and prolongs survival, showing the utility of these varied models for dissecting mechanisms mediating tumor aggression and demonstrating the value of humanized models for a better understanding of pediatric cancers. Human iPSC-derived or primary neuroepithelial stem cells can be transformed by MYCN MYCN drives infant SHH medulloblastoma with clinically relevant features Epigenetically regulated Oct4 promotes mTOR hyperactivation in infant SHH tumors mTOR inhibition efficiently targets metastatic SHH medulloblastoma models and PDXs
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Affiliation(s)
- Matko Čančer
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sonja Hutter
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karl O Holmberg
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gabriela Rosén
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Sundström
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jignesh Tailor
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Tobias Bergström
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Garancher
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 92037 La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Magnus Essand
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Robert J Wechsler-Reya
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 92037 La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anna Falk
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Holger Weishaupt
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik J Swartling
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
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15
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Nestin regulates cellular redox homeostasis in lung cancer through the Keap1-Nrf2 feedback loop. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5043. [PMID: 31695040 PMCID: PMC6834667 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12925-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal cancer antioxidant capacity is considered as a potential mechanism of tumor malignancy. Modulation of oxidative stress status is emerging as an anti-cancer treatment. Our previous studies have found that Nestin-knockdown cells were more sensitive to oxidative stress in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the molecular mechanism by which Nestin protects cells from oxidative damage remains unclear. Here, we identify a feedback loop between Nestin and Nrf2 maintaining the redox homeostasis. Mechanistically, the ESGE motif of Nestin interacts with the Kelch domain of Keap1 and competes with Nrf2 for Keap1 binding, leading to Nrf2 escaping from Keap1-mediated degradation, subsequently promoting antioxidant enzyme generation. Interestingly, we also map that the antioxidant response elements (AREs) in the Nestin promoter are responsible for its induction via Nrf2. Taken together, our results indicate that the Nestin-Keap1-Nrf2 axis regulates cellular redox homeostasis and confers oxidative stress resistance in NSCLC.
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16
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Tamayo-Orrego L, Charron F. Recent advances in SHH medulloblastoma progression: tumor suppressor mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 31700613 PMCID: PMC6820827 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20013.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma, the most common of the malignant pediatric brain tumors, is a group of four molecularly and clinically distinct cancers with different cells of origin. One of these medulloblastoma groups displays activation of Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling and originates from granule cell precursors of the developing cerebellum. Ongoing basic and clinical research efforts are tailored to discover targeted and safer therapies, which rely on the identification of the basic mechanisms regulating tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. In SHH medulloblastoma, the mechanisms regulating neural progenitor transformation and progression to advanced tumors have been studied in some detail. The present review discusses recent advances on medulloblastoma progression derived from studies using mouse models of SHH medulloblastoma. We focus on mechanisms that regulate progression from precancerous lesions to medulloblastoma, describing novel roles played by tumor suppressor mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Tamayo-Orrego
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Grupo Neuroaprendizaje, Autonomous University of Manizales, Manizales, Colombia
| | - Frédéric Charron
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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17
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Du F, Yuelling L, Lee EH, Wang Y, Liao S, Cheng Y, Zhang L, Zheng C, Peri S, Cai KQ, Ng JMY, Curran T, Li P, Yang ZJ. Leukotriene Synthesis Is Critical for Medulloblastoma Progression. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:6475-6486. [PMID: 31300449 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-3549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Here, we examined the role of leukotrienes, well-known inflammatory mediators, in the tumorigenesis of hedgehog pathway-associated medulloblastoma, and tested the efficacies of antagonists of leukotriene biosynthesis in medulloblastoma treatment.Experimental Design: We examined the leukotriene levels in medulloblastoma cells by ELISA. We next tested whether leukotriene synthesis in medulloblastoma cells relied on activation of hedgehog pathway, or the presence of hedgehog ligand secreted by astrocytes. We then investigated whether leukotriene mediated hedgehog-induced Nestin expression in tumor cells. The functions of leukotriene in tumor cell proliferation and tumor growth in medulloblastoma were determined through knocking down 5-lipoxygenase (a critical enzyme for leukotriene synthesis) by shRNAs, or using 5-lipoxygenase-deficient mice. Finally, the efficacies of antagonists of leukotriene synthesis in medulloblastoma treatment were tested in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS Leukotriene was significantly upregulated in medulloblastoma cells. Increased leukotriene synthesis relied on hedgehog ligand secreted by astrocytes, a major component of medulloblastoma microenvironment. Leukotriene stimulated tumor cells to express Nestin, a cytoskeletal protein essential for medulloblastoma growth. Genetic blockage of leukotriene synthesis dramatically suppressed medulloblastoma cell proliferation and tumor growth in vivo. Pharmaceutical inhibition of leukotriene synthesis markedly repressed medulloblastoma cell proliferation, but had no effect on proliferation of normal neuronal progenitors. Moreover, antagonists of leukotriene synthesis exhibited promising tumor inhibitory efficacies on drug-resistant medulloblastoma. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal a novel signaling pathway that is critical for medulloblastoma cell proliferation and tumor progression, and that leukotriene biosynthesis represents a promising therapeutic target for medulloblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Du
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Larra Yuelling
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric H Lee
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yuan Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shengyou Liao
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Li Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chaonan Zheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Suraj Peri
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kathy Q Cai
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jessica M Y Ng
- Children's Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Tom Curran
- Children's Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Traditional Chinese Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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18
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Thomaz A, Pinheiro KDV, Souza BK, Gregianin L, Brunetto AL, Brunetto AT, de Farias CB, Jaeger MDC, Ramaswamy V, Nör C, Taylor MD, Roesler R. Antitumor Activities and Cellular Changes Induced by TrkB Inhibition in Medulloblastoma. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:698. [PMID: 31297057 PMCID: PMC6606946 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins are critically involved in regulating normal neural development and plasticity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin that acts by binding to the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor, has also been implicated in the progression of several types of cancer. However, its role in medulloblastoma (MB), the most common type of malignant brain tumor afflicting children, remains unclear. Here we show that selective TrkB inhibition with the small molecule compound ANA-12 impaired proliferation and viability of human UW228 and D283 MB cells, and slowed the growth of MB tumors xenografted into nude mice. These effects were accompanied by increased apoptosis, reduced extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) activity, increased expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and differential modulation of p21 expression dependent on the cell line. In addition, MB cells treated with ANA-12 showed morphological alterations consistent with differentiation, increased levels of the neural differentiation marker β-III Tubulin (TUBB3), and reduced expression of the stemness marker Nestin. These findings are consistent with the possibility that selective TrkB inhibition can display consistent anticancer effects in MB, possibly by modulating intracellular signaling and gene expression related to tumor progression, apoptosis, and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Thomaz
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Kelly de Vargas Pinheiro
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Kunzler Souza
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lauro Gregianin
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Pediatric Oncology Service, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Algemir L Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - André T Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mariane da Cunha Jaeger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carolina Nör
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael D Taylor
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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19
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Menyhárt O, Győrffy B. Principles of tumorigenesis and emerging molecular drivers of SHH-activated medulloblastomas. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2019; 6:990-1005. [PMID: 31139698 PMCID: PMC6529984 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
SHH-activated medulloblastomas (SHH-MB) account for 25-30% of all medulloblastomas (MB) and occur with a bimodal age distribution, encompassing many infant and adult, but fewer childhood cases. Different age groups are characterized by distinct survival outcomes and age-specific alterations of regulatory pathways. Here, we review SHH-specific genetic aberrations and signaling pathways. Over 95% of SHH-MBs contain at least one driver event - the activating mutations frequently affect sonic hedgehog signaling (PTCH1, SMO, SUFU), genome maintenance (TP53), and chromatin modulation (KMT2D, KMT2C, HAT complexes), while genes responsible for transcriptional regulation (MYCN) are recurrently amplified. SHH-MBs have the highest prevalence of damaging germline mutations among all MBs. TP53-mutant MBs are enriched among older children and have the worst prognosis among all SHH-MBs. Numerous genetic aberrations, including mutations of TERT, DDX3X, and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway are almost exclusive to adult patients. We elaborate on the newest development within the evolution of molecular subclassification, and compare proposed risk categories across emerging classification systems. We discuss discoveries based on preclinical models and elaborate on the applicability of potential new therapies, including BET bromodomain inhibitors, statins, inhibitors of SMO, AURK, PLK, cMET, targeting stem-like cells, and emerging immunotherapeutic strategies. An enormous amount of data on the genetic background of SHH-MB have accumulated, nevertheless, subgroup affiliation does not provide reliable prediction about response to therapy. Emerging subtypes within SHH-MB offer more layered risk stratifications. Rational clinical trial designs with the incorporation of available molecular knowledge are inevitable. Improved collaboration across the scientific community will be imperative for therapeutic breakthroughs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otília Menyhárt
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics Semmelweis University H-1094 Budapest Hungary.,MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group Institute of Enzymology Hungarian Academy of Sciences Magyar tudósok körútja 2 Budapest Hungary
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics Semmelweis University H-1094 Budapest Hungary.,MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group Institute of Enzymology Hungarian Academy of Sciences Magyar tudósok körútja 2 Budapest Hungary
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20
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Yamagishi A, Susaki M, Takano Y, Mizusawa M, Mishima M, Iijima M, Kuroda S, Okada T, Nakamura C. The Structural Function of Nestin in Cell Body Softening is Correlated with Cancer Cell Metastasis. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:1546-1556. [PMID: 31337983 PMCID: PMC6643143 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.33423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Intermediate filaments play significant roles in governing cell stiffness and invasive ability. Nestin is a type VI intermediate filament protein that is highly expressed in several high-metastatic cancer cells. Although inhibition of nestin expression was shown to reduce the metastatic capacity of tumor cells, the relationship between this protein and the mechanism of cancer cell metastasis remains unclear. Here, we show that nestin softens the cell body of the highly metastatic mouse breast cancer cell line FP10SC2, thereby enhancing the metastasis capacity. Proximity ligation assay demonstrated increased binding between actin and vimentin in nestin knockout cells. Because nestin copolymerizes with vimentin and nestin has an extremely long tail domain in its C-terminal region, we hypothesized that the tail domain functions as a steric inhibitor of the vimentin-actin interaction and suppresses association of vimentin filaments with the cortical actin cytoskeleton, leading to reduced cell stiffness. To demonstrate this function, we mechanically pulled vimentin filaments in living cells using a nanoneedle modified with vimentin-specific antibodies under manipulation by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The tensile test revealed that mobility of vimentin filaments was increased by nestin expression in FP10SC2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayana Yamagishi
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8565, Japan
| | - Moe Susaki
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Yuta Takano
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Mei Mizusawa
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Mari Mishima
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Masumi Iijima
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Safety, Faculty of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8502, Japan
- Department of Biomolecular Science and Reaction, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
| | - Shun'ichi Kuroda
- Department of Biomolecular Science and Reaction, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
| | - Tomoko Okada
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8565, Japan
| | - Chikashi Nakamura
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8565, Japan
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
- ✉ Corresponding author: Chikashi Nakamura. Tel.: +81-29-861-2445; fax: +81-29-861-3048; E-mail address:
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21
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Nuclear Nestin deficiency drives tumor senescence via lamin A/C-dependent nuclear deformation. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3613. [PMID: 30190500 PMCID: PMC6127343 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05808-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence has revealed that Nestin not only serves as a biomarker for multipotent stem cells, but also regulates cell proliferation and invasion in various tumors. However, the mechanistic contributions of Nestin to cancer pathogenesis are still unknown. In the present study, previously thought to reside exclusively in the cytoplasm, Nestin can also be found in the nucleus and participate in protecting tumor cells against cellular senescence. Specifically, we reveal that Nestin has a nuclear localization signal (aa318–aa347) at the downstream of rod domain. We then find nuclear Nestin could interact with lamin A/C. Mechanistic investigations demonstrate that Nestin depletion results in the activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), which causes the phosphorylation of lamin A/C (mainly at S392 site) and its subsequent translocation to the cytoplasm for degradation. The findings establish a role for nuclear Nestin in tumor senescence, which involves its nucleus-localized form and interaction with lamin A/C. Nestin can be localised in the nucleus of cancer cells, but its nuclear role in tumorigenesis is unclear. Here, the authors show that nuclear Nestin prevents senescence in tumor cells by stabilising lamin A/C from proteasomal degradation to maintain nuclear integrity.
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22
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Liu Y, Yuelling LW, Wang Y, Du F, Gordon RE, O'Brien JA, Ng JMY, Robins S, Lee EH, Liu H, Curran T, Yang ZJ. Astrocytes Promote Medulloblastoma Progression through Hedgehog Secretion. Cancer Res 2017; 77:6692-6703. [PMID: 28986380 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-1463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes, the most abundant type of glial cells in the brain, play critical roles in supporting neuronal development and brain function. Although astrocytes have been frequently detected in brain tumors, including medulloblastoma (MB), their functions in tumorigenesis are not clear. Here, we demonstrate that astrocytes are essential components of the MB tumor microenvironment. Tumor-associated astrocytes (TAA) secrete the ligand sonic hedgehog (Shh), which is required for maintaining MB cell proliferation despite the absence of its primary receptor Patched-1 (Ptch1). Shh drives expression of Nestin in MB cells through a smoothened-dependent, but Gli1-independent mechanism. Ablation of TAA dramatically suppresses Nestin expression and blocks tumor growth. These findings demonstrate an indispensable role for astrocytes in MB tumorigenesis and reveal a novel Ptch1-independent Shh pathway involved in MB progression. Cancer Res; 77(23); 6692-703. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Liu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Larra W Yuelling
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yuan Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fang Du
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Renata E Gordon
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jenny A O'Brien
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jessica M Y Ng
- Children's Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Shannon Robins
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric H Lee
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Hailong Liu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tom Curran
- Children's Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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23
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Lu W, Liu Y, Ma H, Zheng J, Tian S, Sun Z, Luo L, Li J, Zhang H, Yang ZJ, Zhang X. Design, Synthesis, and Structure-Activity Relationship of Tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine Derivatives as Potent Smoothened Antagonists with in Vivo Activity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:1980-1994. [PMID: 28618224 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is one of the most prevalent brain tumors in children. Aberrant hedgehog (Hh) pathway signaling is thought to be involved in the initiation and development of medulloblastoma. Vismodegib, the first FDA-approved cancer therapy based on inhibition of aberrant hedgehog signaling, targets smoothened (Smo), a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) central to the Hh pathway. Although vismodegib exhibits promising therapeutic efficacy in tumor treatment, concerns have been raised from its nonlinear pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles at high doses partly due to low aqueous solubility. Many patients experience adverse events such as muscle spasms and weight loss. In addition, drug resistance often arises among tumor cells during treatment with vismodegib. There is clearly an urgent need to explore novel Smo antagonists with improved potency and efficacy. Through a scaffold hopping strategy, we have identified a series of novel tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives, which exhibited effective inhibition of Hh signaling. Among them, compound 24 is three times more potent than vismodegib in the NIH3T3-GRE-Luc reporter gene assay. Compound 24 has a lower melting point and much greater solubility compared with vismodegib, resulting in linear PK profiles when dosed orally at 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg in rats. Furthermore, compound 24 showed excellent PK profiles with a 72% oral bioavailability in beagle dogs. Compound 24 demonstrated overall favorable in vitro safety profiles with respect to CYP isoform and hERG inhibition. Finally, compound 24 led to significant regression of subcutaneous tumor generated by primary Ptch1-deficient medulloblastoma cells in SCID mouse. In conclusion, tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives represent a novel set of Smo inhibitors that could potentially be utilized to treat medulloblastoma and other Hh pathway related malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric-Diseases
and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, P. R. China
| | - Yongqiang Liu
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, United States
| | - Haikuo Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric-Diseases
and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, P. R. China
| | - Jiyue Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric-Diseases
and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, P. R. China
| | - Sheng Tian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric-Diseases
and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, P. R. China
| | - Zhijian Sun
- BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., No. 30 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, P. R. China
| | - Lusong Luo
- BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., No. 30 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, P. R. China
| | - Jiajun Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric-Diseases
and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, P. R. China
| | - Hongjian Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric-Diseases
and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, P. R. China
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric-Diseases
and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, P. R. China
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, United States
| | - Xiaohu Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory
of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psychiatric-Diseases
and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, P. R. China
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24
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Gordon RE, Zhang L, Yang ZJ. Restore the brake on tumor progression. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 138:1-6. [PMID: 28389227 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling plays a key role in regulation of normal development. The negative feedback mechanism mediated by the transcriptional factor, Gli3, acts to finely tune Shh signaling, providing tight control of normal developmental processes. Hyperactivation of Shh signaling often leads to many human malignancies, including basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma (MB). However, how tumor cells sustain the aberrant activation of Shh signaling is still not completely understood. We recently revealed that during MB formation, tumor cells express Nestin, a type VI intermediate filament protein, which maintains uncontrolled Shh signaling by abolishing negative feedback by Gli3. Therefore, Nestin expression is a necessary step for MB formation. These findings highlight the novel function of Nestin in regulating Shh signaling, as well as the important role of a disrupted negative feedback mechanism in MB tumorigenesis. Further, restoration of the intrinsic negative feedback by repressing Nestin expression represents a promising approach to treat MB as well as other Shh signaling associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata E Gordon
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, China
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, China.
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25
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Liu H, Sun Q, Sun Y, Zhang J, Yuan H, Pang S, Qi X, Wang H, Zhang M, Zhang H, Yu C, Gu C. MELK and EZH2 Cooperate to Regulate Medulloblastoma Cancer Stem-like Cell Proliferation and Differentiation. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:1275-1286. [PMID: 28536141 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Although accumulated research has suggested that cancer stem-like cells play a key role in medulloblastoma tumorigenesis, the specific molecular mechanism regarding proliferation remains elusive. Here, we reported more abundant expression of maternal embryonic leucine-zipper kinase (MELK) and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in medulloblastoma stem-like cells than in neural stem cells and the interaction between the two proteins could mediate the self-renewal of sonic hedgehog subtype medulloblastoma. In human medulloblastoma, extensive nodularity and large-cell/anaplastic subgroups differed according to the staining levels of MELK and EZH2 from the other two subgroups. The proportion of MELK- or EZH2-positive staining status could be considered as a potential indicator for survival. Mechanistically, MELK bound to and phosphorylated EZH2, and its methylation was induced by EZH2 in medulloblastoma, which could regulate the proliferation of cancer stem-like cells. In xenografts, loss of MELK or EZH2 attenuated medulloblastoma stem-like cell-derived tumor growth and promoted differentiation. These findings indicate that MELK-induced phosphorylation and EZH2-mediated methylation in MELK/EZH2 pathway are essential for medulloblastoma stem-like cell-derived tumor proliferation, thereby identifying a potential therapeutic strategy for these patients.Implications: This study demonstrates that the interaction occurring between MELK and EZH2 promotes self-proliferation and stemness, thus representing an attractive therapeutic target and potential candidate for diagnosis of medulloblastoma. Mol Cancer Res; 15(9); 1275-86. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Qianwen Sun
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Youliang Sun
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Junping Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Hongyu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P.R. China
| | | | - Xueling Qi
- Department of Pathology, Sanbo Brain Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Haoran Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Mingshan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Chunjiang Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China.
| | - Chunyu Gu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China.
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