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Marrapodi R, Bellei B. The Keratinocyte in the Picture Cutaneous Melanoma Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:913. [PMID: 38473275 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma progression is a multistep evolution from a common melanocytic nevus through a radial superficial growth phase, the invasive vertical growth phase finally leading to metastatic dissemination into distant organs. Melanoma aggressiveness largely depends on the propensity to metastasize, which means the capacity to escape from the physiological microenvironment since tissue damage due to primary melanoma lesions is generally modest. Physiologically, epidermal melanocytes are attached to the basement membrane, and their adhesion/migration is under the control of surrounding keratinocytes. Thus, the epidermal compartment represents the first microenvironment responsible for melanoma spread. This complex process involves cell-cell contact and a broad range of secreted bioactive molecules. Invasion, or at the beginning of the microinvasion, implies the breakdown of the dermo-epidermal basement membrane followed by the migration of neoplastic melanocytic cells in the superficial papillary dermis. Correspondingly, several experimental evidences documented the structural and functional rearrangement of the entire tissue surrounding neoplasm that in some way reflects the atypia of tumor cells. Lastly, the microenvironment must support the proliferation and survival of melanocytes outside the normal epidermal-melanin units. This task presumably is mostly delegated to fibroblasts and ultimately to the self-autonomous capacity of melanoma cells. This review will discuss remodeling that occurs in the epidermis during melanoma formation as well as skin changes that occur independently of melanocytic hyperproliferation having possible pro-tumoral features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Marrapodi
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Bellei
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
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Touni AA, Shivde RS, Echuri H, Abdel-Aziz RTA, Abdel-Wahab H, Kundu RV, Le Poole IC. Melanocyte-keratinocyte cross-talk in vitiligo. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1176781. [PMID: 37275386 PMCID: PMC10235633 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1176781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitiligo is a common acquired pigmentary disorder that presents as progressive loss of melanocytes from the skin. Epidermal melanocytes and keratinocytes are in close proximity to each other, forming a functional and structural unit where keratinocytes play a pivotal role in supporting melanocyte homeostasis and melanogenesis. This intimate relationship suggests that keratinocytes might contribute to ongoing melanocyte loss and subsequent depigmentation. In fact, keratinocyte dysfunction is a documented phenomenon in vitiligo. Keratinocyte apoptosis can deprive melanocytes from growth factors including stem cell factor (SCF) and other melanogenic stimulating factors which are essential for melanocyte function. Additionally, keratinocytes control the mobility/stability phases of melanocytes via matrix metalloproteinases and basement membrane remodeling. Hence keratinocyte dysfunction may be implicated in detachment of melanocytes from the basement membrane and subsequent loss from the epidermis, also potentially interfering with repigmentation in patients with stable disease. Furthermore, keratinocytes contribute to the autoimmune insult in vitiligo. Keratinocytes express MHC II in perilesional skin and may present melanosomal antigens in the context of MHC class II after the pigmented organelles have been transferred from melanocytes. Moreover, keratinocytes secrete cytokines and chemokines including CXCL-9, CXCL-10, and IL-15 that amplify the inflammatory circuit within vitiligo skin and recruit melanocyte-specific, skin-resident memory T cells. In summary, keratinocytes can influence vitiligo development by a combination of failing to produce survival factors, limiting melanocyte adhesion in lesional skin, presenting melanocyte antigens and enhancing the recruitment of pathogenic T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Ahmed Touni
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Rohan S. Shivde
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Harika Echuri
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | - Hossam Abdel-Wahab
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Roopal V. Kundu
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - I. Caroline Le Poole
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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Yang Z, Jia Y, Wang S, Zhang Y, Fan W, Wang X, He L, Shen X, Yang X, Zhang Y, Yang H. Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 5 Regulates H3K4 Methylation Modification to Inhibit the Proliferation of Melanoma Cells by Inactivating the Wnt/ β-Catenin and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Pathways. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2023; 2023:5093941. [PMID: 36866240 PMCID: PMC9974310 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5093941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Histone 3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4me), especially histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), is one of the most extensively studied patterns of histone modification and plays crucial roles in many biological processes. However, as a part of H3K4 methyltransferase that participates in H3K4 methylation and transcriptional regulation, retinoblastoma-binding protein 5 (RBBP5) has not been well studied in melanoma. The present study sought to explore RBBP5-mediated H3K4 histone modification and the potential mechanisms in melanoma. RBBP5 expression in melanoma and nevi specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry. Western blotting was performed for three pairs of melanoma cancer tissues and nevi tissues. In vitro and in vivo assays were used to investigate the function of RBBP5. The molecular mechanism was determined using RT-qPCR, western blotting, ChIP assays, and Co-IP assays. Our study showed that RBBP5 was significantly downregulated in melanoma tissue and cells compared with nevi tissues and normal epithelia cells (P < 0.05). Reducing RBBP5 in human melanoma cells leads to H3K4me3 downregulation and promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. On the one hand, we verified that WSB2 was an upstream gene of RBBP5-mediated H3K4 modification, which could directly bind to RBBP5 and negatively regulate its expression. On the other hand, we also confirmed that p16 (a cancer suppressor gene) was a downstream target of H3K4me3, the promoter of which can directly bind to H3K4me3. Mechanistically, our data revealed that RBBP5 inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathways (P < 0.05), leading to melanoma suppression. Histone methylation is rising as an important factor affecting tumorigenicity and tumor progression. Our findings verified the significance of RBBP5-mediated H3K4 modification in melanoma and the potential regulatory mechanisms of melanoma proliferation and growth, suggesting that RBBP5 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqin Yang
- 1Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming 650118, China
- 2Departments of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Yue Jia
- 1Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Shaojia Wang
- 1Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- 1Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Wen Fan
- 1Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming 650118, China
- 3Departments of Reproduction, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650106, China
| | - Xin Wang
- 1Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Liang He
- 1Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Xiaoyu Shen
- 1Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Xiangqun Yang
- 1Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- 1Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Hongying Yang
- 1Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming 650118, China
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Aoki T, Nishida N, Kudo M. Clinical Significance of the Duality of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020444. [PMID: 35053606 PMCID: PMC8773595 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors has been approved as a first-line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), indicating a critical role of ICIs in the treatment of HCC. However, 20% of patients do not respond effectively to ICIs; mutations in the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway are known to contribute to primary resistance to ICIs. From this point of view, non-invasive detection of Wnt/β-catenin activation should be informative for the management of advanced HCC. Wnt/β-catenin mutations in HCC have a dual aspect, which results in two distinct tumor phenotypes. HCC with minimal vascular invasion, metastasis, and good prognosis is named the “Jekyll phenotype”, while the poorly differentiated HCC subset with frequent vascular invasion and metastasis, cancer stem cell features, and high serum Alpha fetoprotein levels, is named the “Hyde phenotype”. To differentiate these two HCC phenotypes, a combination of the hepatobiliary phase of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-PET/CT may be useful. The former is applicable for the detection of the Jekyll phenotype, as nodules present higher enhancement on the hepatobiliary phase, while the latter is likely to be informative for the detection of the Hyde phenotype by showing an increased glucose uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Naoshi Nishida
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-72-366-0221 (ext. 3149); Fax: +81-72-367-2880
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Kahn M. Taking the road less traveled - the therapeutic potential of CBP/β-catenin antagonists. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:701-719. [PMID: 34633266 PMCID: PMC8745629 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1992386] [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: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AREAS COVERED This perspective discusses the challenges of targeting the Wnt signaling cascade, the safety, efficacy, and therapeutic potential of specific CBP/β-catenin antagonists and a rationale for the pleiotropic effects of CBP/β-catenin antagonists beyond Wnt signaling. EXPERT OPINION CBP/β-catenin antagonists can correct lineage infidelity, enhance wound healing, both normal and aberrant (e.g. fibrosis) and force the differentiation and lineage commitment of stem cells and cancer stem cells by regulating enhancer and super-enhancer coactivator occupancy. Small molecule CBP/β-catenin antagonists rebalance the equilibrium between CBP/β-catenin versus p300/β-catenin dependent transcription and may be able to treat or prevent many diseases of aging, via maintenance of our somatic stem cell pool, and regulating mitochondrial function and metabolism involved in differentiation and immune cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kahn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute, 1500 East Duarte Road Flower Building, Duarte, CA, USA
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Zhou YX, Wang X, Pang DQ, Wang YM, Bai J, Tian F, Han D, Shi S, Hu L. Nomogram Incorporating the WNT/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway for Predicting the Survival of Cutaneous Melanoma. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:2751-2761. [PMID: 34188529 PMCID: PMC8236283 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s309616] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accurate prediction of the survival of cutaneous melanoma (CM) permits the selection of the optimal treatment. Currently, the TNM stage has limitations in predicting the survival of CM. There is evidence that the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway has the potential to predict the CM prognosis. However, it still needs further investigation. Objective This study aims to establish a nomogram incorporating the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway to improve the predicted accuracy of the overall survival (OS) of CM. Methods Two hundred and eighty CM patients were recruited and followed up. The clinicopathological characteristics and the key genes of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway (VEGF, β-catenin, and DKK1) were chosen as potential variables associated with the OS. In the training cohort (n = 190), a nomogram was built to estimate the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS, and its discriminations and calibrations were valid by the verification cohort (n = 90). The predicted accuracies of the nomogram with or without the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and TNM stage were compared. Results A nomogram integrating independent risk factors (ulceration, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, Breslow thickness, dermal mitoses, β-catenin, VEGF, and DKK1), which were evaluated by a multivariate analysis, was constructed to predict the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS of CM patients. Good discrimination and calibration were obtained regardless of the training or validation datasets. The nomogram incorporating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway showed the highest accuracy [area under the curve (AUC)=0.914, 0.852, 0.785] compared with the nomogram without the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (AUC=0.693, 0.640, 0.615) and the TNM stage (AUC=0.726, 0.693, 0.673). Conclusion The prognostic value of the established nomogram incorporating the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway was better than it without WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway and TNM stage, which might be beneficial in the development of optimal treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xin Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention & Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - De-Quan Pang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Man Wang
- Department of Radiation and Chemotherapy Oncology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Bai
- Department of Pharmacology, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Tian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Duo Han
- Department of Radiation Oncology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuwei Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, People's Republic of China
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Shami Shah A, Cao X, White AC, Baskin JM. PLEKHA4 Promotes Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling-Mediated G 1-S Transition and Proliferation in Melanoma. Cancer Res 2021; 81:2029-2043. [PMID: 33574086 PMCID: PMC8137570 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent promising advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies, patients with melanoma incur substantial mortality. In particular, inhibitors targeting BRAF-mutant melanoma can lead to resistance, and no targeted therapies exist for NRAS-mutant melanoma, motivating the search for additional therapeutic targets and vulnerable pathways. Here we identify a regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, PLEKHA4, as a factor required for melanoma proliferation and survival. PLEKHA4 knockdown in vitro decreased Dishevelled levels, attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and blocked progression through the G1-S cell-cycle transition. In mouse xenograft and allograft models, inducible PLEKHA4 knockdown attenuated tumor growth in BRAF- and NRAS-mutant melanomas and exhibited an additive effect with the clinically used inhibitor encorafenib in a BRAF-mutant model. As an E3 ubiquitin ligase regulator with both lipid- and protein-binding partners, PLEKHA4 presents several opportunities for targeting with small molecules. Our work identifies PLEKHA4 as a promising drug target for melanoma and clarifies a controversial role for Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the control of melanoma proliferation. SIGNIFICANCE: This study establishes that melanoma cell proliferation requires the protein PLEKHA4 to promote pathologic Wnt signaling for proliferation, highlighting PLEKHA4 inhibition as a new avenue for the development of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Shami Shah
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Xiaofu Cao
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Andrew C White
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Jeremy M Baskin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
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Gao L, Gou N, Yao M, Amakye WK, Ren J. Food-derived natural compounds in the management of chronic diseases via Wnt signaling pathway. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 62:4769-4799. [PMID: 33554630 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1879001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that control embryonic development, adult tissue homeostasis, and pathological processes of organisms throughout life. However, dysregulation of the Wnt signaling is associated with the occurrence of chronic diseases. In comparison with the application of chemical drugs as traditional treatment for chronic diseases, dietary agents have unique advantages, such as less side effects, multiple targets, convenience in accessibility and higher acceptability in long-term intervention. In this review, we summarized current progress in manipulating the Wnt signaling using food components and its benefits in managing chronic diseases. The underlying mechanisms of bioactive food components in the management of the disease progression via the Wnt signaling was illustrated. Then, the review focused on the function of dietary pattern (which might act via combination of foods with multiple nutrients or food ingredients) on targeting Wnt signaling at multiple level. The potential caveats and challenges in developing new strategy via modulating Wnt-associated diseases with food-based agents and appropriate dietary pattern are also discussed in detail. This review shed light on the understanding of the regulatory effect of food bioactive components on chronic diseases management through the Wnt signaling, which can be expanded to other specific signaling pathway associated with disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Gao
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Na Gou
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Maojin Yao
- Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease & China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - William Kwame Amakye
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaoyan Ren
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Research Institute for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Guangzhou, China
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Caspi M, Wittenstein A, Kazelnik M, Shor-Nareznoy Y, Rosin-Arbesfeld R. Therapeutic targeting of the oncogenic Wnt signaling pathway for treating colorectal cancer and other colonic disorders. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 169:118-136. [PMID: 33346022 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The canonical Wnt pathway is one of the key cellular signaling cascades that regulates, via the transcriptional co-activator β-catenin, numerous embryogenic developmental processes, as well as tissue homeostasis. It is therefore not surprising that misregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been implicated in carcinogenesis. Aberrant Wnt signaling has been reported in a variety of malignancies, and its role in both hereditary and sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC), has been the subject of intensive study. Interestingly, the vast majority of colorectal tumors harbor mutations in the tumor suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). The Wnt pathway is complex, and despite decades of research, the mechanisms that underlie its functions are not completely known. Thus, although the Wnt cascade is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention against CRC, one of the malignancies with the highest morbidity and mortality rates, achieving efficacy and safety is yet extremely challenging. Here, we review the current knowledge of the Wnt different epistatic signaling components and the mechanism/s by which the signal is transduced in both health and disease, focusing on CRC. We address some of the important questions in the field and describe various therapeutic strategies designed to combat unregulated Wnt signaling, the development of targeted therapy approaches and the emerging challenges that are associated with these advanced methods.
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Bellei B, Migliano E, Picardo M. A Framework of Major Tumor-Promoting Signal Transduction Pathways Implicated in Melanoma-Fibroblast Dialogue. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113400. [PMID: 33212834 PMCID: PMC7697272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma cells reside in a complex stromal microenvironment, which is a critical component of disease onset and progression. Mesenchymal or fibroblastic cell type are the most abundant cellular element of tumor stroma. Factors secreted by melanoma cells can activate non-malignant associated fibroblasts to become melanoma associate fibroblasts (MAFs). MAFs promote tumorigenic features by remodeling the extracellular matrix, supporting tumor cells proliferation, neo-angiogenesis and drug resistance. Additionally, environmental factors may contribute to the acquisition of pro-tumorigenic phenotype of fibroblasts. Overall, in melanoma, perturbed tissue homeostasis contributes to modulation of major oncogenic intracellular signaling pathways not only in tumor cells but also in neighboring cells. Thus, targeted molecular therapies need to be considered from the reciprocal point of view of melanoma and stromal cells. Abstract The development of a modified stromal microenvironment in response to neoplastic onset is a common feature of many tumors including cutaneous melanoma. At all stages, melanoma cells are embedded in a complex tissue composed by extracellular matrix components and several different cell populations. Thus, melanomagenesis is not only driven by malignant melanocytes, but also by the altered communication between melanocytes and non-malignant cell populations, including fibroblasts, endothelial and immune cells. In particular, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), also referred as melanoma-associated fibroblasts (MAFs) in the case of melanoma, are the most abundant stromal cells and play a significant contextual role in melanoma initiation, progression and metastasis. As a result of dynamic intercellular molecular dialogue between tumor and the stroma, non-neoplastic cells gain specific phenotypes and functions that are pro-tumorigenic. Targeting MAFs is thus considered a promising avenue to improve melanoma therapy. Growing evidence demonstrates that aberrant regulation of oncogenic signaling is not restricted to transformed cells but also occurs in MAFs. However, in some cases, signaling pathways present opposite regulation in melanoma and surrounding area, suggesting that therapeutic strategies need to carefully consider the tumor–stroma equilibrium. In this novel review, we analyze four major signaling pathways implicated in melanomagenesis, TGF-β, MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin and Hyppo signaling, from the complementary point of view of tumor cells and the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bellei
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0652666246
| | - Emilia Migliano
- Department of Plastic and Regenerative Surgery, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Mauro Picardo
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
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Casein kinase 2 interacting protein 1 positively regulates caudal-related homeobox 1 in intestinal-type gastric cancer. Chin Med J (Engl) 2020; 133:154-164. [PMID: 31868807 PMCID: PMC7028172 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000000604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies, and intestinal-type GC is the main histopathologic type of GC in China. We previously reported that casein kinase 2 interacting protein 1 (CKIP-1) acts as a candidate tumor suppressor in intestinal-type GC. CKIP-1 participates in the regulation of multiple signaling pathways, including the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, of which caudal-related homeobox 1 (CDX1) may be a downstream target gene. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between CKIP-1 and CDX1 in intestinal-type GC. METHODS Sixty-seven gastroscopy biopsy specimens and surgically resected gastric specimens were divided into four groups: gastric mucosa group, intestinal metaplasia (IM) group, dysplasia group, and intestinal-type GC group. The expression levels of CKIP-1 and CDX1 were detected in these groups and GC cell lines, and the correlations between these expression levels were analyzed. SGC7901 and BGC823 cells were divided into CKIP-1 shRNA groups and CKIP-1 over-expression groups, and CDX1 expression was detected. β-Catenin expression was detected in intestinal-type GC tissue samples and CKIP-1 shRNA and CKIP-1 over-expression SGC7901 cells, and its correlation with CKIP-1 expression in intestinal-type GC tissue was analyzed. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor DKK-1 and activator LiCl were incubated with SGC7901 cells, BGC823 cells, and CKIP-1 shRNA and CKIP-1 over-expression SGC7901 and BGC823 cells, following which CDX1 and Ki-67 expression were detected. RESULTS The expression levels of CKIP-1 and CDX1 were lower in patients with intestinal-type GC than in patients with IM and dysplasia (both P < 0.05). CKIP-1 and CDX1 expression levels were positively correlated in IM, dysplasia, and intestinal-type GC tissue and cell lines (r = 0.771, P < 0.01; r = 0.597, P < 0.01; r = 0.654, P < 0.01; r = 0.811, P < 0.01, respectively). CDX1 expression was decreased in the CKIP-1 shRNA groups and increased in the CKIP-1 over-expression groups of SGC7901 and BGC823 cells compared to that in the corresponding control groups (both P < 0.05). CKIP-1 expression was negatively correlated with β-catenin expression in intestinal-type GC patients (r = -0.458, P < 0.01). Compared to the control group, β-catenin expression was increased in the CKIP-1 shRNA SGC7901 cell group and decreased in the CKIP-1 over-expression SGC7901 cell group (P < 0.05). CDX1 expression was increased in SGC7901 and BGC823 cells treated with DKK-1, DKK-1 increased CDX1 expression and decreased Ki-67 expression in the CKIP-1 shRNA group; the opposite result was observed in SGC7901 and BGC823 cells treated with LiCl, and LiCl decreased CDX1 expression and increased Ki-67 expression in the CKIP-1 over-expression group (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, CKIP-1 may positively regulate CDX1 in intestinal-type GC.
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Ghandadi M, Valadan R, Mohammadi H, Akhtari J, Khodashenas S, Ashari S. Wnt-β-catenin Signaling Pathway, the Achilles' Heels of Cancer Multidrug Resistance. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 25:4192-4207. [PMID: 31721699 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191112142943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most of the anticancer chemotherapies are hampered via the development of multidrug resistance (MDR), which is the resistance of tumor cells against cytotoxic effects of multiple chemotherapeutic agents. Overexpression and/or over-activation of ATP-dependent drug efflux transporters is a key mechanism underlying MDR development. Moreover, enhancement of drug metabolism, changes in drug targets and aberrant activation of the main signaling pathways, including Wnt, Akt and NF-κB are also responsible for MDR. METHODS In this study, we have reviewed the roles of Wnt signaling in MDR as well as its potential therapeutic significance. Pubmed and Scopus have been searched using Wnt, β-catenin, cancer, MDR and multidrug resistance as keywords. The last search was done in March 2019. Manuscripts investigating the roles of Wnt signaling in MDR or studying the modulation of MDR through the inhibition of Wnt signaling have been involved in the study. The main focus of the manuscript is regulation of MDR related transporters by canonical Wnt signaling pathway. RESULT AND CONCLUSION Wnt signaling has been involved in several pathophysiological states, including carcinogenesis and embryonic development. Wnt signaling is linked to various aspects of MDR including P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance protein 1 regulation through its canonical pathways. Aberrant activation of Wnt/β- catenin signaling leads to the induction of cancer MDR mainly through the overexpression and/or over-activation of MDR related transporters. Accordingly, Wnt/β-catenin signaling can be a potential target for modulating cancer MDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Ghandadi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Reza Valadan
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center (MCBRC), Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 48157-33971, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 48157-33971, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Mohammadi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of toxicology and pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Javad Akhtari
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center (MCBRC), Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 48157-33971, Iran.,Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shabanali Khodashenas
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sorour Ashari
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of toxicology and pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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13
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Gajos-Michniewicz A, Czyz M. WNT Signaling in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4852. [PMID: 32659938 PMCID: PMC7402324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
WNT-signaling controls important cellular processes throughout embryonic development and adult life, so any deregulation of this signaling can result in a wide range of pathologies, including cancer. WNT-signaling is classified into two categories: β-catenin-dependent signaling (canonical pathway) and β-catenin-independent signaling (non-canonical pathway), the latter can be further divided into WNT/planar cell polarity (PCP) and calcium pathways. WNT ligands are considered as unique directional growth factors that contribute to both cell proliferation and polarity. Origin of cancer can be diverse and therefore tissue-specific differences can be found in WNT-signaling between cancers, including specific mutations contributing to cancer development. This review focuses on the role of the WNT-signaling pathway in melanoma. The current view on the role of WNT-signaling in cancer immunity as well as a short summary of WNT pathway-related drugs under investigation are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Malgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92–215 Lodz, Poland;
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14
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Zhang L, Wang Q, Wang L, Xie L, An Y, Zhang G, Zhu W, Li Y, Liu Z, Zhang X, Tang P, Huo X, Guo X. OSskcm: an online survival analysis webserver for skin cutaneous melanoma based on 1085 transcriptomic profiles. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:176. [PMID: 32467670 PMCID: PMC7236197 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01262-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal skin cancers. It is greatly important to identify prognostic biomarkers to guide the clinical management. However, it is technically challenging for untrained researchers to process high dimensional profiling data and identify potential prognostic genes in profiling datasets. Methods In this study, we developed a webserver to analyze the prognostic values of genes in cutaneous melanoma using data from TCGA and GEO databases. The webserver is named Online consensus Survival webserver for Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (OSskcm) which includes 1085 clinical melanoma samples. The OSskcm is hosted in a windows tomcat server. Server-side scripts were developed in Java script. The database system is managed by a SQL Server, which integrates gene expression data and clinical data. The Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival curves, Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated in a univariate Cox regression analysis. Results In OSskcm, by inputting official gene symbol and selecting proper options, users could obtain KM survival plot with log-rank P value and HR on the output web page. In addition, clinical characters including race, stage, gender, age and type of therapy could also be included in the prognosis analysis as confounding factors to constrain the analysis in a subgroup of melanoma patients. Conclusion The OSskcm is highly valuable for biologists and clinicians to perform the assessment and validation of new or interested prognostic biomarkers for melanoma. OSskcm can be accessed online at: http://bioinfo.henu.edu.cn/Melanoma/MelanomaList.jsp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
| | - Qiang Wang
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
| | - Lijie Wang
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
| | - Longxiang Xie
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
| | - Yang An
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
| | - Guosen Zhang
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
| | - Wan Zhu
- 3Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Yongqiang Li
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
| | - Zhihui Liu
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
| | - Xiaochen Zhang
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
| | - Panpan Tang
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
| | - Xiaozheng Huo
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
| | - Xiangqian Guo
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Bioinformatics Center, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China.,2Henan Provincial Engineering Centre for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004 Henan China
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15
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Uka R, Britschgi C, Krättli A, Matter C, Mihic D, Okoniewski MJ, Gualandi M, Stupp R, Cinelli P, Dummer R, Levesque MP, Shakhova O. Temporal activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling is sufficient to inhibit SOX10 expression and block melanoma growth. Oncogene 2020; 39:4132-4154. [PMID: 32238882 PMCID: PMC8076051 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1267-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in the systemic treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma using immune checkpoint and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), the majority of stage IV melanoma patients eventually succumb to the disease. We have previously identified the transcription factor Sox10 as a crucial player in melanoma, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms mediating Sox10-dependent tumorigenesis remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we show that MEK and RAF inhibitors do not suppress levels of SOX10 protein in patient-derived cells in vitro, as well as in melanoma patients in vivo. In a search for pharmacological inhibitors of SOX10, we performed a mass spectrometry-based screen in human melanoma cells. Subsequent analysis revealed that SOX10 directly interacts with β-catenin, which is a key mediator of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We demonstrate that inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha/beta (GSK3α/β) efficiently abrogate SOX10 protein in human melanoma cells in vitro and in melanoma mouse models in vivo. The mechanism of action of GSK3-mediated SOX10 suppression is transcription-independent and relies on the presence of a proteasome degradable form of β-catenin. Taken together, we provide evidence that activation of canonical Wnt signaling has a profound effect on melanoma growth and is able to counteract Sox10-dependent melanoma maintenance both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rexhep Uka
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, UK
| | - Christian Britschgi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, UK
| | - Anja Krättli
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, UK
| | - Claudia Matter
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, UK
| | - Daniela Mihic
- Department of Surgical Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091, Zurich, UK
| | - Michal J Okoniewski
- Scientific IT Services ETH Zurich, ETH Zurich, Weinbergstrasse 11, 8092, Zürich, UK
| | - Marco Gualandi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, UK
| | - Roger Stupp
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, UK
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- The Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Paolo Cinelli
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Sternwartstrasse 14, 8091, Zürich, UK
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, UK
| | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, UK
| | - Olga Shakhova
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 14, 8952, Schlieren, UK.
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16
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Jang NR, Choi JH, Gu MJ. Aberrant Expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and P-cadherin in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Association With Adverse Clinicopathologic Factors and Poor Prognosis. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2020; 29:223-230. [PMID: 32341236 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000000861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Aberrant expression of cadherins is known to be associated with tumor aggression. However, their role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is not well elucidated. This study investigated the expression of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), neural cadherin (N-cadherin), and placental cadherin (P-cadherin) in CCRCC, and assessed their prognostic significance and clinicopathologic association. MATERIALS AND METHODS We enrolled 254 patients with CCRCC who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy. E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and P-cadherin expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray. RESULTS Low E-cadherin expression was associated with larger tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, higher pT stage, lymph node and distant metastasis, and higher stage. High N-cadherin expression was significantly associated with larger tumor size, higher nuclear grade, and tumor necrosis. P-cadherin expression was found to be significantly associated with higher nuclear grade, distant metastasis, and higher stage. Univariate analysis revealed that aberrant expression of the 3 cadherins was significantly related to shorter overall survival (OS). Loss of E-cadherin, high P-cadherin expression, and higher stage were independent prognostic factors for OS. For recurrence-free survival, lymphovascular invasion, high P-cadherin expression, and higher stage were independent prognostic factors. Cadherin switch was significantly associated with aggressive clinicopathologic factors and poor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Aberrant expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and P-cadherin was associated with adverse clinicopathologic factors and worse OS. Low E-cadherin and high P-cadherin expression were significantly associated with distant metastasis and independent prognostic factors. Therefore, cadherin expression may be used as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target, and cadherin switch plays an important role in CCRCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nu-Ri Jang
- Department of Pathology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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17
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Veloso ES, Gonçalves INN, Silveira TL, Espirito Santo JT, Figueiredo LV, Varaschin MS, Cassali GD, Del Puerto HL, Ferreira E. ZEB and Snail expression indicates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in canine melanoma. Res Vet Sci 2020; 131:7-14. [PMID: 32278962 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma progression is associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) when tumor cells reduce E-cadherin and increase N-cadherin expression resulting in an escape from the microenvironment via loss of cellular adhesion and gain of motility. Transcription factor proteins Snail and ZEB trigger EMT by repression of epithelial markers and activation of mesenchymal properties. This study evaluated E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail, ZEB1 and ZEB2 expression by IHC and investigated their relationship with morphological characteristics in cutaneous and oral canine melanoma. Results from melanoma cases demonstrated E-cadherin expression in 45% (9/20) of oral and 58% (22/38) of cutaneous tumors, while N-cadherin expression was observed in 95% (18/19) of oral and 92% (34/37) of cutaneous melanoma. Cytoplasmic and nuclear N-cadherin expression was positively correlated with ZEB1 expression, while the cell membrane N-cadherin expression was positively correlated with ZEB2. In addition, an increase in nuclear N-cadherin expression was associated with reduced Snail expression in cutaneous melanoma and an increase in Snail expression in oral melanoma, indicating that the correlation between N-cadherin and Snail expression is coincident with tumor location. Our data suggest that ZEB family protein is associated with N-cadherin translocation from cell membrane to the cytoplasm and nuclei, and may act as important transcription factors of EMT regulation in canine melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emerson Soares Veloso
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Tatiany Luiza Silveira
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Larissa Vieira Figueiredo
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Geovanni Dantas Cassali
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil
| | - Helen Lima Del Puerto
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil
| | - Enio Ferreira
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil.
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18
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Dzobo K, Thomford NE, Senthebane DA. Targeting the Versatile Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics: From Concept to Actionable Strategy. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2019; 23:517-538. [PMID: 31613700 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2019.0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This expert review offers a critical synthesis of the latest insights and approaches at targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in various cancers such as colorectal cancer, melanoma, leukemia, and breast and lung cancers. Notably, from organogenesis to cancer, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling displays varied and highly versatile biological functions in animals, with virtually all tissues requiring the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in one way or the other. Aberrant expression of the members of the Wnt/β-catenin has been implicated in many pathological conditions, particularly in human cancers. Mutations in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway genes have been noted in diverse cancers. Biochemical and genetic data support the idea that inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is beneficial in cancer therapeutics. The interaction of this important pathway with other signaling systems is also noteworthy, but remains as an area for further research and discovery. In addition, formation of different complexes by components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the precise roles of these complexes in the cytoplasmic milieu are yet to be fully elucidated. This article highlights the latest medical technologies in imaging, single-cell omics, use of artificial intelligence (e.g., machine learning techniques), genome sequencing, quantum computing, molecular docking, and computational softwares in modeling interactions between molecules and predicting protein-protein and compound-protein interactions pertinent to the biology and therapeutic value of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. We discuss these emerging technologies in relationship to what is currently needed to move from concept to actionable strategies in translating the Wnt/β-catenin laboratory discoveries to Wnt-targeted cancer therapies and diagnostics in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Dzobo
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nicholas Ekow Thomford
- Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dimakatso A Senthebane
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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19
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Larivé E, Nicolas M, Kaya G, Riggi N, Moulin AP. β-Catenin Expression and Activation in Conjunctival Melanoma. Dermatopathology (Basel) 2019; 6:50-62. [PMID: 31700844 PMCID: PMC6827456 DOI: 10.1159/000500682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To assess the role of the canonical Wnt pathway via activation of β-catenin in tumor progression of conjunctival melanoma. Methods β-Catenin localization was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 43 conjunctival nevi, 48 primary acquired melanoses (PAM; conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial neoplasia), and 44 conjunctival melanomas. Activation of the canonical or the noncanonical Wnt pathway was tested in vitro in 4 conjunctival melanoma cell lines with stimulation of either Wnt5a or Wnt3a. Wound healing assays were performed with Wnt5a. Results Nuclear β-catenin expression was found in 16% of the nevi, in 15% of the melanomas, and in 4% of the PAM. Membranous β-catenin expression was identified in all the nevi and PAM and in 97.7% of the melanomas. In vitro, Wnt5a stimulation in the 4 conjunctival melanomas and in 1 skin melanoma cell line did not induce nuclear translocation of β-catenin, nor did it increase cell motility in the wound healing assays. Wnt3a stimulation did not induce nuclear localization of β-catenin in any of the cell lines tested. Conclusions In conjunctival melanoma, nuclear localization and activation of β-catenin appear to be limited, suggesting that inhibition of ARF6, responsible for β-catenin activation, in subsets of skin melanoma may not represent a treatment option for this tumor. In vitro, Wnt3a or Wnt5a did not induce nuclear β-catenin localization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Nicolas
- Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne University, FAA, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gürkan Kaya
- Dermatopathology Unit, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolo Riggi
- Experimental Pathology, Lausanne University Pathology Institute, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre P Moulin
- Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne University, FAA, Lausanne, Switzerland
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20
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El Kharbili M, Agaësse G, Barbollat-Boutrand L, Pommier RM, de la Fouchardière A, Larue L, Caramel J, Puisieux A, Berthier-Vergnes O, Masse I. Tspan8-β-catenin positive feedback loop promotes melanoma invasion. Oncogene 2019; 38:3781-3793. [PMID: 30679790 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0691-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Due to its high proclivity to metastasize, and despite the recent development of targeted and immune therapy strategies, melanoma is still the deadliest form of skin cancer. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying melanoma invasion remains crucial. We previously characterized Tspan8 for its ability to prompt melanoma cell detachment from their microenvironment and trigger melanoma cell invasiveness, but the signaling events by which Tspan8 regulates the invasion process still remain unknown. Here, we demonstrated that β-catenin stabilization is a molecular signal subsequent to the onset of Tspan8 expression, and that, in turn, β-catenin triggers the direct transcriptional activation of Tspan8 expression, leading to melanoma invasion. Moreover, we showed that β-catenin activation systematically correlates with a high expression of Tspan8 protein in melanoma lesions from transgenic Nras; bcat* mice, as well as in deep penetrating naevi, a type of human pre-melanoma neoplasm characterized by a combined activation of β-catenin and MAP kinase signaling. Overall, our data suggest that β-catenin and Tspan8 are part of a positive feedback loop, which sustains a high Tspan8 expression level, conferring to melanoma cells the invasive properties required for tumor progression and dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manale El Kharbili
- Université de Lyon, F-69003, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon, F-69003, France
- CNRS, UMR5534, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Villeurbanne, F-69622, France
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Avenue, P18-8132, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Gweltaz Agaësse
- Université de Lyon, F-69003, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon, F-69003, France
- CNRS, UMR5534, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Villeurbanne, F-69622, France
| | - Laetitia Barbollat-Boutrand
- Université de Lyon, F-69003, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon, F-69003, France
- CNRS, UMR5534, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Villeurbanne, F-69622, France
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, 69000, Lyon, France
| | - Roxane M Pommier
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, 69000, Lyon, France
| | - Arnaud de la Fouchardière
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, 69000, Lyon, France
- Département de Biopathologie, Centre Leon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Lionel Larue
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U1021, Normal and Pathological Development of Melanocytes, Orsay, France
- Univ Paris-Sud, Univ Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR 3347, Orsay, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Orsay, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, 69000, Lyon, France
| | - Alain Puisieux
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, 69000, Lyon, France
| | - Odile Berthier-Vergnes
- Université de Lyon, F-69003, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon, F-69003, France
- CNRS, UMR5534, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Villeurbanne, F-69622, France
| | - Ingrid Masse
- Université de Lyon, F-69003, Lyon, France.
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon, F-69003, France.
- CNRS, UMR5534, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Villeurbanne, F-69622, France.
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, 69000, Lyon, France.
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21
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Bläuer M, Laaninen M, Sand J, Laukkarinen J. Wnt/β-catenin signalling plays diverse functions during the process of fibrotic remodelling in the exocrine pancreas. Pancreatology 2019; 19:252-257. [PMID: 30792046 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Wnt/β-catenin signalling plays vital roles in tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of the pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer and fibroses in numerous tissues, including the pancreas. We studied the effect of microenvironmental changes pertaining to fibrotic tissue remodelling on the expression of selected Wnt/β-catenin pathway proteins in the human exocrine pancreas. The role of acinar/stellate cross-talk on the expression of the proteins was elucidated in a long-term mouse co-culture system. METHODS Expression of β-catenin, Wnt2, Wnt5a and SFRP4 was analysed immunohistochemically in normal and moderately or highly fibrotic human pancreata (n = 8). The effect of humoral interactions on the expression of the proteins was studied by immunocytochemical means in parallel mono- and co-cultures of mouse acinar and stellate cells (PSCs). RESULTS In human pancreatic tissue, fibrotic microenvironment was associated with redistribution of the proteins in and between epithelial and stromal compartments, compared to acinar-rich tissue. In non-fibrotic and moderately fibrotic tissue the proteins appeared only in acinar cells whereas in highly fibrotic tissue stromal fibroblastoid/stellate cells and macrophages were their predominant locations. Subcellular changes in the expression of β-catenin and Wnt5a were detected. Our in vitro data suggest potential involvement of acinar cell/PSC cross-talk in mediating the changes observed in tissue specimens. CONCLUSIONS Wnt/β-catenin pathway-associated proteins are abundantly expressed in the exocrine pancreas with prominent changes in their cellular and subcellular expression patterns along with increasing levels of fibrosis. Diverse functions for Wnt/β-catenin signalling during the course of fibrotic remodelling in the exocrine pancreas are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Bläuer
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Matias Laaninen
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Juhani Sand
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Johanna Laukkarinen
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
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22
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Wingless modulates activator protein-1-mediated tumor invasion. Oncogene 2019; 38:3871-3885. [PMID: 30683884 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0629-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis begins with a subset of local tumor cells acquiring the potential to invade into surrounding tissues, and remains to be a major obstacle for cancer treatments. More than 90% of cancer patients died from tumor metastasis, instead of primary tumor growth. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays essential roles in promoting tumor formation, yet its function in regulating tumor metastasis and the underlying mechanisms remain controversial. Here we employed well-established Drosophila tumor models to investigate the regulating mechanism of Wingless (Wg) pathway in tumor invasion. Our results showed that Wg signaling is necessary and sufficient for cell polarity disruption-induced cell migration and molecular changes reminiscent of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, reducing Wg signaling suppressed lgl-/-/RasV12-induced tumor invasion, and cooperation between Arm and RasV12 is sufficient to induce tumor invasion. Mechanistically, we found that cell polarity disruption activates JNK signaling, which in turn upregulate wg expression through transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1). We identified a consensus AP-1 binding site located in the 2nd intron of wg, and confirmed that it is essential for AP-1 induced wg transcription both in vitro and in vivo. Lastly, we confirmed that the transcriptional activation of WNT by AP-1 is conserved in human cancer cells. These evidences reveal a positive role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in tumor invasion, and provide a conserved mechanism that connects JNK and Wnt signaling in regulating tumor progression.
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23
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Ogawa M, Yaginuma T, Nakatomi C, Nakajima T, Tada-Shigeyama Y, Addison WN, Urata M, Matsubara T, Watanabe K, Matsuo K, Sato T, Honda H, Hikiji H, Watanabe S, Kokabu S. Transducin-like enhancer of split 3 regulates proliferation of melanoma cells via histone deacetylase activity. Oncotarget 2019; 10:404-414. [PMID: 30719233 PMCID: PMC6349449 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26552] [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: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, one of the most aggressive neoplasms, is characterized by rapid cell proliferation. Transducin-like Enhancer of Split (TLE) is an important regulator of cell proliferation via Histone deacetylase (HDAC) recruitment. Given that HDAC activity is associated with melanoma progression, we examined the relationship between TLE3, a TLE family member, and melanoma. TLE3 expression was increased during the progression of human patient melanoma (p < 0.05). Overexpression of Tle3 in B16 murine melanoma cells led to an increase in cell proliferation (p < 0.01) as well as the number of cyclinD1-positive cells. in vivo injection of mice with B16 cells overexpressing Tle3 resulted in larger tumor formation than in mice injected with control cells (p < 0.05). In contrast, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Tle3 in B16 cells or TLE3 in HMV-II human melanoma cells decreased proliferation (p < 0.01). Treatment of B16 cells with trichostatin A (2.5 μM), a class I and II HDAC inhibitor, prevented the effect s of Tle3 on proliferation. In conclusion, these data indicate that Tle3 is required, at least in part, for proliferation in the B16 mouse melanoma model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Ogawa
- Division of Molecular Signaling and Biochemistry, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan.,Division of Dental Anesthesiology, Department of Science of Physical Functions, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Yaginuma
- Division of Molecular Signaling and Biochemistry, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Chihiro Nakatomi
- Division of Molecular Signaling and Biochemistry, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Nakajima
- Division of Molecular Signaling and Biochemistry, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yukiyo Tada-Shigeyama
- Division of Dental Anesthesiology, Department of Science of Physical Functions, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - William N Addison
- Research Unit, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Canada, Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mariko Urata
- Division of Molecular Signaling and Biochemistry, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takuma Matsubara
- Division of Molecular Signaling and Biochemistry, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Koji Watanabe
- Division of Developmental Stomatognathic Function Science, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kou Matsuo
- Division of Oral Pathology, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Sato
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Moroyama-machi, Iruma-gun, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hiromi Honda
- School of Oral Health Sciences, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hisako Hikiji
- School of Oral Health Sciences, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Seiji Watanabe
- Division of Dental Anesthesiology, Department of Science of Physical Functions, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shoichiro Kokabu
- Division of Molecular Signaling and Biochemistry, Department of Health Improvement, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
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24
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Cheng X, Xu X, Chen D, Zhao F, Wang W. Therapeutic potential of targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in colorectal cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 110:473-481. [PMID: 30530050 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling has often been reported in different cancers, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC), and this signaling cascade is central to carcinogenesis. Approximately 80% of CRC cases harbor mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli gene, and half of the remaining cases feature mutations in the β-catenin gene that affect the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Unsurprisingly, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has potential value as a therapeutic target in the treatment of CRC. Several inhibitors of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway have been developed for CRC treatment, but so far no molecular therapeutic targeting this pathway has been incorporated into oncological practice. In this review, we discuss the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in CRC and its potential as a target of innovative therapeutic approaches for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Cheng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangming Xu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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25
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Bagati A, Bianchi-Smiraglia A, Moparthy S, Kolesnikova K, Fink EE, Lipchick BC, Kolesnikova M, Jowdy P, Polechetti A, Mahpour A, Ross J, Wawrzyniak JA, Yun DH, Paragh G, Kozlova NI, Berman AE, Wang J, Liu S, Nemeth MJ, Nikiforov MA. Melanoma Suppressor Functions of the Carcinoma Oncogene FOXQ1. Cell Rep 2018; 20:2820-2832. [PMID: 28930679 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.08.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lineage-specific regulation of tumor progression by the same transcription factor is understudied. We find that levels of the FOXQ1 transcription factor, an oncogene in carcinomas, are decreased during melanoma progression. Moreover, in contrast to carcinomas, FOXQ1 suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, invasion, and metastasis in melanoma cells. We find that these lineage-specific functions of FOXQ1 largely depend on its ability to activate (in carcinomas) or repress (in melanoma) transcription of the N-cadherin gene (CDH2). We demonstrate that FOXQ1 interacts with nuclear β-catenin and TLE proteins, and the β-catenin/TLE ratio, which is higher in carcinoma than melanoma cells, determines the effect of FOXQ1 on CDH2 transcription. Accordingly, other FOXQ1-dependent phenotypes can be manipulated by altering nuclear β-catenin or TLE proteins levels. Our data identify FOXQ1 as a melanoma suppressor and establish a mechanism underlying its inverse lineage-specific transcriptional regulation of transformed phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archis Bagati
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Sudha Moparthy
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kateryna Kolesnikova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Emily E Fink
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Brittany C Lipchick
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Masha Kolesnikova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Peter Jowdy
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Anthony Polechetti
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Amin Mahpour
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jason Ross
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Joseph A Wawrzyniak
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Dong Hyun Yun
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Gyorgy Paragh
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA; Department of Dermatology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Albert E Berman
- Orekhovich Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Michael J Nemeth
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Mikhail A Nikiforov
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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26
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Kovacs D, Migliano E, Muscardin L, Silipo V, Catricalà C, Picardo M, Bellei B. The role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in melanoma epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like switching: evidences from patients-derived cell lines. Oncotarget 2017; 7:43295-43314. [PMID: 27175588 PMCID: PMC5190024 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulations or mutations of WNT/β-catenin signaling have been associated to both tumour formation and progression. However, contradictory results concerning the role of β-catenin in human melanoma address an open question on its oncogenic nature and prognostic value in this tumour. Changes in WNT signaling pathways have been linked to phenotype switching of melanoma cells between a highly proliferative/non-invasive and a slow proliferative/metastatic condition. We used a novel panel of cell lines isolated from melanoma specimens, at initial passages, to investigate phenotype differences related to the levels and activity of WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway. This in vitro cell system revealed a marked heterogeneity that comprises, in some cases, two distinct tumour-derived subpopulations of cells presenting a different activation level and cellular distribution of β-catenin. In cells derived from the same tumor, we demonstrated that the prevalence of LEF1 (high β-catenin expressing cells) or TCF4 (low β-catenin expressing cells) as β-catenin partner for DNA binding, is associated to the expression of two distinct profiles of WNT-responsive genes. Interestingly, melanoma cells expressing relative low level of β-catenin and an invasive markers signature were associated to the TNF-α-induced pro-inflammatory pathway and to the chemotherapy resistance, suggesting that the co-existence of melanoma subpopulations with distinct biological properties could influence the impact of chemo- and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Kovacs
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilia Migliano
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Muscardin
- Dermatopathological Laboratory, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vitaliano Silipo
- Department of Oncologic Dermatology, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Catricalà
- Department of Oncologic Dermatology, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Picardo
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Bellei
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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27
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Asgari MM, Chien AJ, Tsai AL, Fireman B, Quesenberry CP. Association between Lithium Use and Melanoma Risk and Mortality: A Population-Based Study. J Invest Dermatol 2017; 137:2087-2091. [PMID: 28629629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Laboratory studies show that lithium, an activator of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, slows melanoma progression, but to our knowledge no published epidemiologic studies have explored this association. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult white Kaiser Permanente Northern California members (n = 2,213,848) from 1997-2012 to examine the association between lithium use and melanoma risk. Lithium exposure (n = 11,317) was assessed from pharmacy databases, serum lithium levels were obtained from electronic laboratory databases, and incident cutaneous melanomas (n = 14,056) were identified from an established cancer registry. In addition to examining melanoma incidence, melanoma hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for lithium exposure were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for potential confounders. Melanoma incidence per 100,000 person-years among lithium-exposed individuals was 67.4, compared with 92.5 in unexposed individuals (P = 0.027). Lithium-exposed individuals had a 32% lower risk of melanoma (hazard ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval = 0.51-0.90) in unadjusted analysis, but the estimate was attenuated and nonsignificant in adjusted analysis (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.77, 95% confidence interval = 0.58-1.02). No lithium-exposed individuals presented with thick (>4 mm) or advanced-stage melanoma at diagnosis. Among melanoma patients, lithium-exposed individuals were less likely to suffer melanoma-associated mortality (rate = 4.68/1,000 person-years) compared with the unexposed (rate = 7.21/1,000 person-years). Our findings suggest that lithium may reduce melanoma risk and associated mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam M Asgari
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA.
| | - Andy J Chien
- Division of Dermatology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA; The Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ai Lin Tsai
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bruce Fireman
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Charles P Quesenberry
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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28
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Galaverni M, Caniglia R, Pagani L, Fabbri E, Boattini A, Randi E. Disentangling Timing of Admixture, Patterns of Introgression, and Phenotypic Indicators in a Hybridizing Wolf Population. Mol Biol Evol 2017; 34:2324-2339. [PMID: 28549194 PMCID: PMC5850710 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msx169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybridization is a natural or anthropogenic process that can deeply affect the genetic make-up of populations, possibly decreasing individual fitness but sometimes favoring local adaptations. The population of Italian wolves (Canis lupus), after protracted demographic declines and isolation, is currently expanding in anthropic areas, with documented cases of hybridization with stray domestic dogs. However, identifying admixture patterns in deeply introgressed populations is far from trivial. In this study, we used a panel of 170,000 SNPs analyzed with multivariate, Bayesian and local ancestry reconstruction methods to identify hybrids, estimate their ancestry proportions and timing since admixture. Moreover, we carried out preliminary genotype-phenotype association analyses to identify the genetic bases of three phenotypic traits (black coat, white claws, and spur on the hind legs) putative indicators of hybridization. Results showed no sharp subdivisions between nonadmixed wolves and hybrids, indicating that recurrent hybridization and deep introgression might have started mostly at the beginning of the population reexpansion. In hybrids, we identified a number of genomic regions with excess of ancestry in one of the parental populations, and regions with excess or resistance to introgression compared with neutral expectations. The three morphological traits showed significant genotype-phenotype associations, with a single genomic region for black coats and white claws, and with multiple genomic regions for the spur. In all cases the associated haplotypes were likely derived from dogs. In conclusion, we show that the use of multiple genome-wide ancestry reconstructions allows clarifying the admixture dynamics even in highly introgressed populations, and supports their conservation management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Galaverni
- Area per la Genetica della Conservazione, ISPRA, Ozzano dell'Emilia Bologna, Italy
- Area Conservazione, WWF Italia, Rome, Italy
| | - Romolo Caniglia
- Area per la Genetica della Conservazione, ISPRA, Ozzano dell'Emilia Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Pagani
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy
- Estonian Biocentre, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Elena Fabbri
- Area per la Genetica della Conservazione, ISPRA, Ozzano dell'Emilia Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio Boattini
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ettore Randi
- Area per la Genetica della Conservazione, ISPRA, Ozzano dell'Emilia Bologna, Italy
- Department 18/Section of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg Universitet, Aalborg, Denmark
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29
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Murtas D, Maxia C, Diana A, Pilloni L, Corda C, Minerba L, Tomei S, Piras F, Ferreli C, Perra MT. Role of epithelial–mesenchymal transition involved molecules in the progression of cutaneous melanoma. Histochem Cell Biol 2017; 148:639-649. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-017-1606-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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30
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Shi Q, Liu H, Han P, Li C, Wang Y, Wu W, Zhu D, Amos CI, Fang S, Lee JE, Han J, Wei Q. Genetic Variants in WNT2B and BTRC Predict Melanoma Survival. J Invest Dermatol 2017; 137:1749-1756. [PMID: 28499756 PMCID: PMC5548422 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most lethal skin cancer. The Wnt pathway has an impact on development, invasion, and metastasis of CM, thus likely affecting CM prognosis. Using data from a published genome-wide association study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, we assessed the associations of 19,830 common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 151 Wnt pathway autosomal genes with CM-specific survival and then validated significant SNPs in another genome-wide association study from Harvard University. In the single-locus analysis, 1,855 SNPs were significantly associated with CM-specific survival at P < 0.05, of which 547 SNPs were still considered noteworthy after the correction by the false-positive report probability. In the replication, two SNPs remained significantly associated with CM-specific survival after multiple comparison correction. By performing functional prediction and stepwise selection, we identified two independent SNPs (i.e., WNT2B rs1175649 G>T and BTRC rs61873997 G>A) that showed a predictive role in CM-specific survival, with an effect-allele-attributed hazards ratio (adjusted hazards ratio) of 1.99 (95% confidence interval = 1.41-2.81, P = 8.10 × 10-5) and 0.61 (0.46-0.80, 3.12×10-4), respectively. Collectively, these variants in the Wnt pathway genes may be biomarkers for outcomes of patients with CM, if validated by larger studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Shi
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China; Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hongliang Liu
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Peng Han
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanru Wang
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Wenting Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Dakai Zhu
- Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Christopher I Amos
- Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Shenying Fang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Lee
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jiali Han
- Department of Epidemiology, Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Qingyi Wei
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
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31
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Arozarena I, Wellbrock C. Targeting invasive properties of melanoma cells. FEBS J 2017; 284:2148-2162. [PMID: 28196297 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/11/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is a skin cancer notorious for its metastatic potential. As an initial step of the metastatic cascade, melanoma cells part from the primary tumour and invade the surrounding tissue, which is crucial for their dissemination and the formation of distant secondary tumours. Over the last two decades, our understanding of both, general and melanoma specific mechanisms of invasion has significantly improved, but to date no efficient therapeutic strategy tackling the invasive properties of melanoma cells has reached the clinic. In this review, we assess the major contributions towards the understanding of the molecular biology of melanoma cell invasion with a focus on melanoma specific traits. These traits are based on the neural crest origin of melanoma cells and explain their intrinsic invasive nature. A particular emphasis is given not only to lineage specific signalling mediated by TGFβ, and noncanonical and canonical WNT signalling, but also to the role of PDE5A and RHO-GTPases in modulating modes of melanoma cell invasion. We discuss existing caveats in the current understanding of the metastatic properties of melanoma cells, as well as the relevance of the 'phenotype switch' model and 'co-operativity' between different phenotypes in heterogeneous tumours. At the centre of these phenotypes is the lineage commitment factor microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, one of the most crucial regulators of the balance between de-differentiation (neural crest specific gene expression) and differentiation (melanocyte specific gene expression) that defines invasive and noninvasive melanoma cell phenotypes. Finally, we provide insight into the current evidence linking resistance to targeted therapies to invasive properties of melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imanol Arozarena
- Cancer Signalling Group, Navarrabiomed (Miguel Servet Foundation), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Claudia Wellbrock
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, UK
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Zhan T, Rindtorff N, Boutros M. Wnt signaling in cancer. Oncogene 2017; 36:1461-1473. [PMID: 27617575 PMCID: PMC5357762 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1686] [Impact Index Per Article: 240.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling is one of the key cascades regulating development and stemness, and has also been tightly associated with cancer. The role of Wnt signaling in carcinogenesis has most prominently been described for colorectal cancer, but aberrant Wnt signaling is observed in many more cancer entities. Here, we review current insights into novel components of Wnt pathways and describe their impact on cancer development. Furthermore, we highlight expanding functions of Wnt signaling for both solid and liquid tumors. We also describe current findings how Wnt signaling affects maintenance of cancer stem cells, metastasis and immune control. Finally, we provide an overview of current strategies to antagonize Wnt signaling in cancer and challenges that are associated with such approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Zhan
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Signaling and Functional Genomics, Heidelberg University, Department Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg University, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - N Rindtorff
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Signaling and Functional Genomics, Heidelberg University, Department Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Boutros
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Signaling and Functional Genomics, Heidelberg University, Department Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
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Yan S, Holderness BM, Li Z, Seidel GD, Gui J, Fisher JL, Ernstoff MS. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Expression Phenotype of Primary Melanoma and Matched Metastases and Relationship with Overall Survival. Anticancer Res 2017; 36:6449-6456. [PMID: 27919967 DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.11243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
E-Cadherin and N-cadherin are important components of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The majority of studies on EMT in melanoma have been performed with cultured cell lines or pooled melanoma samples. The goal of our study was to evaluate the expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin in matched tissue samples from primary and metastatic sites of melanoma and to determine the correlation with survival outcome. We analyzed tissues from 42 melanoma primary lesions and their corresponding metastases, as well as 53 benign nevi, for expression levels of E-cadherin and N-cadherin using immunohistochemical methods. There were heterogenous expression patterns of E- and N-cadherin in both primary and metastatic melanomas. Overall, metastatic tumor showed a decrease in E-cadherin expression and an increase in N-cadherin expression compared to the primary tumor, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.24 and 0.28 respectively). A switch of membranous expression from E-cadherin to N-cadherin from primary to metastatic melanoma was seen in eight patients (19%). Aberrant E-cadherin expression (defined as negative to weak membranous E-cadherin or positive nuclear E-cadherin expression) was more frequently observed in metastatic than in primary melanomas (p=0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that absence of N-cadherin expression in primary melanomas and the presence of aberrant E-cadherin expression in primary melanomas and metastatic melanomas was associated with a significantly worse overall survival. Our data support the importance of E-cadherin and N-cadherin proteins in melanoma progression and patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaofeng Yan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, U.S.A
| | - Britt M Holderness
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, U.S.A
| | - Zhongze Li
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, U.S.A
| | - Gregory D Seidel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, U.S.A
| | - Jiang Gui
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, U.S.A
| | - Jan L Fisher
- Department of Medicine, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, U.S.A
| | - Marc S Ernstoff
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, U.S.A.
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Serini S, Zinzi A, Ottes Vasconcelos R, Fasano E, Riillo MG, Celleno L, Trombino S, Cassano R, Calviello G. Role of β-catenin signaling in the anti-invasive effect of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA in human melanoma cells. J Dermatol Sci 2016; 84:149-159. [PMID: 27600927 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously found that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid present at high level in fatty fish, inhibited cell growth and induced differentiation of melanoma cells in vitro by increasing nuclear β-catenin content. An anti-neoplastic role of nuclear β-catenin was suggested in melanoma, and related to the presence in the melanocyte lineage of the microphtalmia transcription factor (MITF), which interferes with the transcription of β-catenin/TCF/LEF pro-invasive target genes. OBJECTIVE In the present work we investigated if DHA could inhibit the invasive potential of melanoma cells, and if this effect could be related to DHA-induced alterations of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, including changes in MITF expression. METHODS WM115 and WM266-4 human melanoma, and B16-F10 murine melanoma cell lines were used. Cell invasion was evaluated by Wound Healing and Matrigel transwell assays. Protein expression was analyzed by Western Blotting and β-catenin phosphorylation by immunoprecipitation. The role of MITF in the anti-invasive effect of DHA was analyzed by siRNA gene silencing. RESULTS We found that DHA inhibited anchorage-independent cell growth, reduced their migration/invasion in vitro and down-regulated several Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP: MMP-2, MT1-MMP and MMP-13), known to be involved in melanoma invasion. We related these effects to the β-catenin increased nuclear expression and PKA-dependent phosphorylation, as well as to the increased expression of MITF. CONCLUSION The data obtained further support the potential role of dietary DHA as suppressor of melanoma progression to invasive malignancy through its ability to enhance MITF expression and PKA-dependent nuclear β-catenin phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Serini
- Institute of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Zinzi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Renata Ottes Vasconcelos
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Elena Fasano
- Institute of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Greca Riillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Leonardo Celleno
- Institute of Dermatology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy; Research Center for Biotechnology Applied to Cosmetology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Trombino
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Roberta Cassano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, Università della Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Gabriella Calviello
- Institute of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy; Research Center for Biotechnology Applied to Cosmetology, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy.
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Pieniazek M, Donizy P, Halon A, Leskiewicz M, Matkowski R. Prognostic significance of immunohistochemical epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers in skin melanoma patients. Biomark Med 2016; 10:975-85. [DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2016-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To investigate secreted protein acidic and rich in cystein (SPARC) and neural cadherin (NCAD), which are associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition in primary skin melanoma and nodal metastases and their prognostic impact in melanoma patients. Methods: Expression of proteins was assessed by immunochemistry in archival paraffin samples from 103 primary melanoma tumors and 16 nodal metastases. Results: Increased expression of SPARC and NCAD in primary skin melanoma was associated with decreased overall survival, adverse clinicopathological features and particularly with microsatellitosis (SPARC) and ulceration (NCAD). In univariate Cox regression analysis, both biomarkers were significantly associated with the risk of death; the multivariate Cox regression analysis identified no significance. Conclusion: The most important result of our study was that we confirmed the strict correlation between SPARC and NCAD expression and clinicopathological parameters related with melanoma progression, which is a specific clinical equivalent of the molecular mechanisms of epithelial–mesenchymal transition process and confirms its key role in the disease outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Pieniazek
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tadeusz Koszarowski Regional Oncology Center, Opole, Katowicka 66a, Poland
| | - Piotr Donizy
- Department of Pathomorphology & Oncological Cytology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50–556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Halon
- Department of Pathomorphology & Oncological Cytology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50–556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marek Leskiewicz
- Department of Statistics, Wroclaw University of Economics, Komandorska 118–120, 53–345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rafal Matkowski
- Department of Oncology & Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, pl. Hirszfelda 12, 53–413 Wroclaw, Poland
- Lower Silesian Oncology Centre, pl. Hirszfelda 12, 53–413 Wroclaw, Poland
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Yaguchi T, Kawakami Y. Cancer-induced heterogeneous immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments and their personalized modulation. Int Immunol 2016; 28:393-9. [PMID: 27401477 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxw030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although recent cancer immunotherapy strategies, including immune-checkpoint blockade (i.e. blocking PD-1, PD-L1 or CTLA-4), have shown durable clinical effects in some (but not all) patients with various advanced cancers, further understanding of human immunopathology, particularly in tumor microenvironments, is essential to improve this type of therapy. The major hurdle for immunotherapy is the immunosuppression that is found in cancer patients. There are two types of immunosuppression: one is induced by gene alterations in cancer; the other is local adaptive immunosuppression, triggered by tumor-specific T cells in tumors. The former is caused by multiple mechanisms via various immunosuppressive molecules and via cells triggered by gene alterations, including activated oncogenes, in cancer cells. The various immunosuppressive mechanisms involve signaling cascades that vary among cancer types, subsets within cancer types and individual cancers. Therefore, personalized immune-interventions are necessary to appropriately target oncogene-induced signaling that modulates anti-cancer immune responses, on the basis of genetic and immunological analysis of each patient. Further understanding of human cancer immunopathology may lead to real improvement of current cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Yaguchi
- Division of Cellular Signaling, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kawakami
- Division of Cellular Signaling, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
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Wnt/β-catenin signaling in melanoma: Preclinical rationale and novel therapeutic insights. Cancer Treat Rev 2016; 49:1-12. [PMID: 27395773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2016.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
WNT signaling regulates embryonic development and tissue homeostasis in the adult stage. Evolutionarily, activation of the WNT pathway is triggered by a large family of cytokines and activates a broad spectrum of downstream targets through two independent branches mediated by β-catenin (defined as canonical pathway) or PLC and small GTPase (defined as non-canonical pathway), respectively. Recent studies revealed the crucial role of WNT in the maintenance of cell metabolism and stemness as well as its deregulation in tumourigenesis and malignant transformation through oncogenic reprogramming, which contributes to cancer cell proliferation and differentiation, survival, stress response and resistance. In addition, multiple functional mutations discovered in human tumours have been reported to cause malignancy, indicating this pathway as a novel therapeutic target in oncology. Notably, emerging data highlights its involvement in the crosstalk between immune and cancer cells. However, contradictory effects have been also observed in different pre-clinical models when strategic(???) inhibitors are tested. In this review, we address the multifaceted regulatory mechanisms of WNT signaling in cancer, with a particular focus on current melanoma therapy, which has witnessed dramatic improvement in the last five years.
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Ahmed RA, Alawin OA, Sylvester PW. γ-Tocotrienol reversal of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human breast cancer cells is associated with inhibition of canonical Wnt signalling. Cell Prolif 2016; 49:460-70. [PMID: 27323693 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Frizzled-7 (FZD7) receptor-dependent activation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a crucial role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and breast cancer metastasis. FZD7 and its co-receptor, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6), are highly expressed in MDA-MB-231 and T-47D breast cancer cells, and endogenous ligands for FZD7 include Wnt3a and Wnt5a/b. γ-Tocotrienol, a natural isoform of vitamin E, inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation and EMT. Here, studies have been conducted to investigate the role of the canonical Wnt pathway in mediating inhibitory effects of γ-tocotrienol on EMT in human breast cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS MDA-MB-231, T-47D and MCF-10A cells were maintained in serum-free defined media containing selected doses of γ-tocotrienol. Cell viability was determined using the MTT colorimetric assay, Western blot analysis was used to measure protein expression and the wound-healing assay was employed to study cell mobility and migration. Immunohistochemical fluorescence staining visualized expression and localization of EMT cell markers. RESULTS γ-Tocotrienol was found to induce dose-responsive inhibition of MDA-MB-231 and T-47D cell growth at doses that had no effect on immortalized normal MCF-10A mammary epithelial cells. These growth inhibitory effects were associated with suppression in canonical Wnt signalling, reversal of EMT and significant reduction in breast cancer cell motility. CONCLUSIONS γ-Tocotrienol suppression of metastatic breast cancer cell proliferation and EMT was associated with suppression of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Ahmed
- School of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA, USA
| | - O A Alawin
- School of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA, USA
| | - P W Sylvester
- School of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA, USA
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Fox C, Lambie D, Wilmott JS, Pinder A, Pavey S, Lê Cao KA, Akalin T, Karaarslan IK, Ozdemir F, Scolyer RA, Yamada M, Soyer HP, Schaider H, Gabrielli B. Multiparameter analysis of naevi and primary melanomas identifies a subset of naevi with elevated markers of transformation. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2016; 29:444-52. [PMID: 27166757 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Here we have carried out a multiparameter analysis using a panel of 28 immunohistochemical markers to identify markers of transformation from benign and dysplastic naevus to primary melanoma in three separate cohorts totalling 279 lesions. We have identified a set of eight markers that distinguish naevi from melanoma. None of markers or parameters assessed differentiated benign from dysplastic naevi. Indeed, the naevi clustered tightly in terms of their immunostaining patterns whereas primary melanomas showed more diverse staining patterns. A small subset of histopathologically benign lesions had elevated levels of multiple markers associated with melanoma, suggesting that these represent naevi with an increased potential for transformation to melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Fox
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | | | | | - Alex Pinder
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Sandra Pavey
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Kim-Anh Lê Cao
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Taner Akalin
- Department of Pathology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Fezal Ozdemir
- Department of Dermatology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Miko Yamada
- Dermatology Research Centre, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - H Peter Soyer
- Dermatology Research Centre, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Helmut Schaider
- Dermatology Research Centre, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Brian Gabrielli
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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Sha J, Gastman BR, Morris N, Mesinkovska NA, Baron ED, Cooper KD, McCormick T, Arbesman J, Harter ML. The Response of microRNAs to Solar UVR in Skin-Resident Melanocytes Differs between Melanoma Patients and Healthy Persons. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154915. [PMID: 27149382 PMCID: PMC4858311 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The conversion of melanocytes into cutaneous melanoma is largely dictated by the effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Yet to be described, however, is exactly how these cells are affected by intense solar UVR while residing in their natural microenvironment, and whether their response differs in persons with a history of melanoma when compared to that of healthy individuals. By using laser capture microdissection (LCM) to isolate a pure population of melanocytes from a small area of skin that had been intermittingly exposed or un-exposed to physiological doses of solar UVR, we can now report for the first time that the majority of UV-responsive microRNAs (miRNAs) in the melanocytes of a group of women with a history of melanoma are down-regulated when compared to those in the melanocytes of healthy controls. Among the miRNAs that were commonly and significantly down-regulated in each of these women were miR-193b (P<0.003), miR-342-3p (P<0.003), miR186 (P<0.007), miR-130a (P<0.007), and miR-146a (P<0.007). To identify genes potentially released from inhibition by these repressed UV-miRNAs, we analyzed databases (e.g., DIANA-TarBase) containing experimentally validated microRNA-gene interactions. In the end, this enabled us to construct UV-miRNA-gene regulatory networks consisting of individual genes with a probable gain-of-function being intersected not by one, but by several down-regulated UV-miRNAs. Most striking, however, was that these networks typified well-known regulatory modules involved in controlling the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and processes associated with the regulation of immune-evasion. We speculate that these pathways become activated by UVR resulting in miRNA down regulation only in melanocytes susceptible to melanoma, and that these changes could be partially responsible for empowering these cells toward tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingfeng Sha
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States of America
| | - Brian R. Gastman
- Department of Immunology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, United States of America
| | - Nathan Morris
- Statistical Science Core in the Center for Clinical Investigation, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States of America
| | - Natasha A. Mesinkovska
- Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, United States of America
| | - Elma D. Baron
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States of America
| | - Kevin D. Cooper
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States of America
| | - Thomas McCormick
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States of America
| | - Joshua Arbesman
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States of America
| | - Marian L. Harter
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States of America
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Yao J, Caballero OL, Huang Y, Lin C, Rimoldi D, Behren A, Cebon JS, Hung MC, Weinstein JN, Strausberg RL, Zhao Q. Altered Expression and Splicing of ESRP1 in Malignant Melanoma Correlates with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Status and Tumor-Associated Immune Cytolytic Activity. Cancer Immunol Res 2016; 4:552-61. [PMID: 27045022 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-15-0255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the major cancer types for which new immune-based cancer treatments have achieved promising results. However, anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapies are effective only in some patients. Hence, predictive molecular markers for the development of clinical strategies targeting immune checkpoints are needed. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNAseq data, we found that expression of ESRP1, encoding a master splicing regulator in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), was inversely correlated with tumor-associated immune cytolytic activity. That association holds up across multiple TCGA tumor types, suggesting a link between tumor EMT status and infiltrating lymphocyte activity. In melanoma, ESRP1 mainly exists in a melanocyte-specific truncated form transcribed from exon 13. This was validated by analyzing CCLE cell line data, public CAGE data, and RT-PCR in primary cultured melanoma cell lines. Based on ESRP1 expression, we divided TCGA melanoma cases into ESRP1-low, -truncated, and -full-length groups. ESRP1-truncated tumors comprise approximately two thirds of melanoma samples and reside in an apparent transitional state between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes. ESRP1 full-length tumors express epithelial markers and constitute about 5% of melanoma samples. In contrast, ESRP1-low tumors express mesenchymal markers and are high in immune cytolytic activity as well as PD-L2 and CTLA-4 expression. Those tumors are associated with better patient survival. Results from our study suggest a path toward the use of ESRP1 and other EMT markers as informative biomarkers for immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(6); 552-61. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Otavia L Caballero
- Ludwig Collaborative Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Orygen Biotecnologia, SA., São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ying Huang
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York
| | - Calvin Lin
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York
| | - Donata Rimoldi
- Clinical Tumor Biology and Immunotherapy Unit, Ludwig Center, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Behren
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jonathan S Cebon
- Cancer Immunobiology Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - John N Weinstein
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Qi Zhao
- Ludwig Collaborative Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York.
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Gajos-Michniewicz A, Czyz M. Modulation of WNT/β-catenin pathway in melanoma by biologically active components derived from plants. Fitoterapia 2016; 109:283-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Vaid M, Singh T, Prasad R, Katiyar SK. Bioactive proanthocyanidins inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in human melanoma cells by decreasing the accumulation of β-catenin. Int J Oncol 2015; 48:624-34. [PMID: 26676402 PMCID: PMC4725457 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly aggressive form of skin cancer with poor survival rate. Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin has been observed in nearly one-third of human melanoma cases thereby indicating that targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling could be a promising strategy against melanoma development. In the present study, we determined chemotherapeutic effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) on the growth of melanoma cells and validated their protective effects in vivo using a xenograft mouse model, and assessed if β-catenin is the target of GSP chemotherapeutic effect. Our in vitro data show that treatment of A375 and Hs294t human melanoma cells with GSPs inhibit the growth of melanoma cells, which was associated with the reduction in the levels of β-catenin. Administration of dietary GSPs (0.2 and 0.5%, w/w) in supplementation with AIN76A control diet significantly inhibited the growth of melanoma tumor xenografts in nude mice. Furthermore, dietary GSPs inhibited the xenograft growth of Mel928 (β-catenin-activated), while did not inhibit the xenograft growth of Mel1011 (β-catenin-inactivated) cells. These observations were further verified by siRNA knockdown of β-catenin and forced overexpression of β-catenin in melanoma cells using a cell culture model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudit Vaid
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Tripti Singh
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ram Prasad
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Santosh K Katiyar
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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44
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Webster MR, Kugel CH, Weeraratna AT. The Wnts of change: How Wnts regulate phenotype switching in melanoma. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2015; 1856:244-51. [PMID: 26546268 PMCID: PMC4668201 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The outgrowth of metastatic and therapy-resistant subpopulations in cancer remains a critical barrier for the successful treatment of this disease. In melanoma, invasion and proliferation are uncoupled, such that highly proliferative melanoma cells are less likely to be invasive, and vice versa. The transition between each state is likely a dynamic rather than a static, permanent change. This is referred to as "phenotype switching". Wnt signaling pathways drive phenotypic changes and promote therapy resistance in melanoma, as well as play roles in the modulation of the immune microenvironment. Three Wnt signaling pathways play a role in melanoma progression, canonical (β-catenin dependent), polar cell polarity (PCP), and the Wnt/Ca²⁺ pathway. Here we summarize phenotype plasticity and its role in therapy resistance and immune evasion. Targeting the Wnt signaling pathways may be an effective way to overcome tumor plasticity in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie R Webster
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Curtis H Kugel
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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45
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Interplay between cadherins and α2β1 integrin differentially regulates melanoma cell invasion. Br J Cancer 2015; 113:1445-53. [PMID: 26512877 PMCID: PMC4815890 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2015.358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Malignant transformation of melanocytes frequently coincides with an alteration in the expression of cell–cell adhesion molecules (cadherins) and cell-extracellular matrix proteins (integrins). How these two adhesion systems interplay to impact on cell invasion remains to be described in melanoma. Methods: Cell adhesion networks were localised by immunofluorescence in human primary cutaneous melanoma, metastatic melanoma in the lymph nodes, and melanoma cell lines. The role of these cell adhesion networks was assessed both in vivo, by analysing their impact on tumour growth in mice, and in vitro, with the use of functional tests including cell aggregation and cell migration. Results: We found that α2β1 integrin associates with both E-cadherin and N-cadherin to form two adhesive networks, distinguishable by the interaction—or not—of α2β1 integrin with type I collagen. N-cadherin/α2β1 integrin and E-cadherin/α2β1 integrin networks differently participated towards tumour growth in mice. The N-cadherin/α2β1 integrin network showed specific involvement in melanoma cell invasion and migration towards type I collagen. On the other hand, the E-cadherin/α2β1 network regulated cell–cell adhesion. Conclusions: This suggests that different signalling environments can be generated, depending on the type and/or local concentration of cadherin present in the adhesion complex, which potentially leads to differential cell responses. Further clarification of how these adhesive networks are regulated is fundamental to understanding important physiological and pathological processes such as morphogenesis, wound healing, tumour invasion and metastasis.
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46
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Prasad CP, Mohapatra P, Andersson T. Therapy for BRAFi-Resistant Melanomas: Is WNT5A the Answer? Cancers (Basel) 2015; 7:1900-24. [PMID: 26393652 PMCID: PMC4586801 DOI: 10.3390/cancers7030868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, scientists have advocated the use of targeted therapies in the form of drugs that modulate genes and proteins that are directly associated with cancer progression and metastasis. Malignant melanoma is a dreadful cancer type that has been associated with the rapid dissemination of primary tumors to multiple sites, including bone, brain, liver and lungs. The discovery that approximately 40%–50% of malignant melanomas contain a mutation in BRAF at codon 600 gave scientists a new approach to tackle this disease. However, clinical studies on patients have shown that although BRAFi (BRAF inhibitors) trigger early anti-tumor responses, the majority of patients later develop resistance to the therapy. Recent studies have shown that WNT5A plays a key role in enhancing the resistance of melanoma cells to BRAFi. The focus of the current review will be on melanoma development, signaling pathways important to acquired resistance to BRAFi, and why WNT5A inhibitors are attractive candidates to be included in combinatorial therapies for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Prakash Prasad
- Cell and Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Clinical Research Centre, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö SE-20502, Sweden.
| | - Purusottam Mohapatra
- Cell and Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Clinical Research Centre, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö SE-20502, Sweden.
| | - Tommy Andersson
- Cell and Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Clinical Research Centre, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö SE-20502, Sweden.
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Yothaisong S, Thanee M, Namwat N, Yongvanit P, Boonmars T, Puapairoj A, Loilome W. Opisthorchis viverrini infection activates the PI3K/ AKT/PTEN and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in a Cholangiocarcinogenesis model. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2015; 15:10463-8. [PMID: 25556493 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.23.10463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Opisthorchis viverrini (Ov) infection is the major etiological factor for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), especially in northeast Thailand. We have previously reported significant involvement of PI3K/AKT/PTEN and Wnt/β- catenin in human CCA tissues. The present study, therefore, examined the expression and activation of PI3K/ AKT/PTEN and Wnt/β-catenin signaling components during Ov-induced cholangiocarcinogenesis in a hamster animal model. Hamsters were divided into two groups; non-treated and Ov plus NDMA treated. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed an upregulation of PI3K/AKT signaling as determined by elevated expression of the p85α-regulatory and p110α-catalytic subunits of PI3K as well as increased expression and activation of AKT during cholangiocarcinogenesis. Interestingly, the staining intensity of activated AKT (p-AKT) increased in the apical regions of the bile ducts and strong staining was detected where the liver fluke resides. Moreover, PTEN, a negative regulator of PI3K/AKT, was suppressed by decreased expression and increased phosphorylation during cholangiocarcinogenesis. We also detected upregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling as determined by increased positive staining of Wnt3, Wnt3a, Wnt5a, Wnt7b and β-catenin, corresponded with the period of cholangiocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, nuclear staining of β-catenin was observed in CCA tissues. Our results suggest the liver fluke infection causes chronic inflammatory conditions which lead to upregulation of the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways which may drive CCA carcinogenesis. These results provide useful information for drug development, prevention and treatment of CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supak Yothaisong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand E-mail :
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Sakamoto K, Imai K, Higashi T, Taki K, Nakagawa S, Okabe H, Nitta H, Hayashi H, Chikamoto A, Ishiko T, Beppu T, Baba H. Significance of P-cadherin overexpression and possible mechanism of its regulation in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic cancer. Cancer Sci 2015; 106:1153-62. [PMID: 26132727 PMCID: PMC4582984 DOI: 10.1111/cas.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
It has become evident that P-cadherin, one of the classical cadherins, contributes to the malignant behavior of several types of cancer. In this study, we analyzed the expression of P-cadherin and its clinicopathological and prognostic values in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we investigated the functional role of P-cadherin in these cancer cells by knockdown and overexpression in vitro and by analyzing the correlation between the P-cadherin expression and its promoter methylation status. Thirty of 59 ICC cases (51%) and 36 of 73 pancreatic cancer cases (49%) stained positive for P-cadherin with mainly membranous distribution in tumor cells by immunohistochemistry. P-cadherin expression was significantly correlated with several clinicopathological factors, which reflect tumor behavior, and was identified as an independent adverse prognostic factor for disease-free survival in patients with ICC (relative risk [RR] 2.93, P = 0.04) and pancreatic cancer (RR 2.68, P = 0.005) via multivariate analyses. P-cadherin downregulation by siRNA suppressed migration and invasion, and P-cadherin overexpression induced the opposite effects in both ICC and pancreatic cancer cells, without any effects on cell proliferation. P-cadherin expression was related to its promoter methylation status in both cell lines and cancer tissues. In summary, P-cadherin overexpression may serve as a useful biomarker of invasive phenotype and poor prognosis; P-cadherin expression was found to be regulated by its promoter methylation. These results suggest that P-cadherin represents a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of ICC and pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Katsunori Imai
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takaaki Higashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Katunobu Taki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shigeki Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Okabe
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Nitta
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Akira Chikamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takatoshi Ishiko
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Toru Beppu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Abstract
Spranger and colleagues reported recently in Nature an inverse relationship between melanoma intrinsic β-catenin signaling and intratumoral T cell infiltration, providing an explanation for potential mechanisms of T cell exclusion. Further insights are needed into the mechanisms leading to a lack of T cell infiltration of cancers and primary immune resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwen Hu-Lieskovan
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Blanca Homet Moreno
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Medical and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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50
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Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Skin Carcinogenesis and Therapy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:964842. [PMID: 26078973 PMCID: PMC4452418 DOI: 10.1155/2015/964842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Cooperating with other signaling pathways, Wnt signaling controls cell proliferation, morphology, motility, and embryonic development destination and maintains the homeostasis of tissues including skin, blood, intestine, and brain by regulating somatic stem cells and their niches throughout adult life. Abnormal regulation of Wnt pathways leads to neoplastic proliferation in these tissues. Recent research shows that Wnt signaling is also associated with the regulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) through a similar mechanism to that observed in normal adult stem cells. Thus, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been intensively studied and characterized. For this review, we will focus on the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in skin cancer. With the important role in stemness and skin CSC proliferation, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and its elements have the potential to be targets for skin cancer therapy.
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