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Domdey M, Kluth M, Maßlo C, Ganss C, Frank M, Frank N, Coroneo M, Cursiefen C, Notara M. Consecutive dosing of UVB irradiation induces loss of ABCB5 expression and activation of EMT and fibrosis proteins in limbal epithelial cells similar to pterygium epithelium. Stem Cell Res 2022; 64:102936. [PMID: 36242878 PMCID: PMC9582195 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2022.102936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Pterygium pathogenesis is often attributed to a population of altered limbal stem cells, which initiate corneal invasion and drive the hyperproliferation and fibrosis associated with the disease. These cells are thought to undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and to contribute to subepithelial stromal fibrosis. In this study, the presence of the novel limbal stem cell marker ABCB5 in clusters of basal epithelial pterygium cells co-expressing with P63α and P40 is reported. ABCB5-positive pterygium cells also express EMT-associated fibrosis markers including vimentin and α-SMA while their β-catenin expression is reduced. By using a novel in vitro model of two-dose UV-induced EMT activation on limbal epithelial cells, we could observe the dysregulation of EMT-related proteins including an increase of vimentin and α-SMA as well as downregulation of β-catenin in epithelial cells correlating to downregulation of ABCB5. The sequential irradiation of limbal fibroblasts also induced an increase in vimentin and α-SMA. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time the expression of ABCB5 in pterygium stem cell activity and EMT-related events while the involvement of limbal stem cells in pterygium pathogenesis is exhibited via sequential irradiation of limbal epithelial cells. The later in vitro approach can be used to further study the involvement of limbal epithelium UV-induced EMT in pterygium pathogenesis and help identify novel treatments against pterygium growth and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Domdey
- Dept. of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Cologne, Germany
| | - M.A. Kluth
- TICEBA GmbH, Im Neuenheimer Feld 517, Heidelberg, Germany,RHEACELL GmbH & Co. KG, Im Neuenheimer Feld 517, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C. Maßlo
- TICEBA GmbH, Im Neuenheimer Feld 517, Heidelberg, Germany,RHEACELL GmbH & Co. KG, Im Neuenheimer Feld 517, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C. Ganss
- TICEBA GmbH, Im Neuenheimer Feld 517, Heidelberg, Germany,RHEACELL GmbH & Co. KG, Im Neuenheimer Feld 517, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M.H. Frank
- Transplant Research Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA,School of Medical Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - N.Y. Frank
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA,Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA,Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M.T. Coroneo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of New South Wales, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia,Ophthalmic Surgeons, Sydney, Australia,East Sydney Private Hospital, Sydney, Australia,Look for Life Foundation, Sydney, Australia
| | - C. Cursiefen
- Dept. of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Cologne, Germany,Institute for Genome Stability in Ageing and Disease, CECAD Research Center, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMK), University of Cologne, Germany
| | - M. Notara
- Dept. of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Cologne, Germany,Institute for Genome Stability in Ageing and Disease, CECAD Research Center, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMK), University of Cologne, Germany,Corresponding author at: Dept. of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany.
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2
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Xu Y, He X, Wang S, Sun B, Jia R, Chai P, Li F, Yang Y, Ge S, Jia R, Yang YG, Fan X. The m 6A reading protein YTHDF3 potentiates tumorigenicity of cancer stem-like cells in ocular melanoma through facilitating CTNNB1 translation. Oncogene 2022; 41:1281-1297. [PMID: 35110680 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02146-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most universal internal RNA modification on messenger RNAs and regulates the fate and functions of m6A-modified transcripts through m6A-specific binding proteins. Nevertheless, the functional role and potential mechanism of the m6A reading proteins in ocular melanoma tumorigenicity, especially cancer stem-like cell (CSC) properties, remain to be elucidated. Herein, we demonstrated that the m6A reading protein YTHDF3 promotes the translation of the target transcript CTNNB1, contributing to ocular melanoma propagation and migration through m6A methylation. YTHDF3 is highly expressed in ocular melanoma stem-like cells and abundantly enriched in ocular melanoma tissues, which is related to poor clinical prognosis. Moreover, YTHDF3 is required for the maintenance of CSC properties and tumor initiation capacity in ocular melanoma both in vitro and in vivo. Ocular melanoma cells with targeted YTHDF3 knockdown exhibited inhibitory tumor proliferation and migration abilities. Transcriptome-wide mapping of m6A peaks and YTHDF3 binding peaks on mRNAs revealed a key target gene candidate, CTNNB1. Mechanistically, YTHDF3 enhances CTNNB1 translation through recognizing and binding the m6A peaks on CTNNB1 mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangfan Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyu He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Shanzheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, P.R. China.,Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Baofa Sun
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, P.R. China.,Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Ruobing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Peiwei Chai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Ying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, P.R. China.,Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yun-Gui Yang
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China. .,China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, P.R. China. .,Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China. .,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, P.R. China.
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Yin Q, Shi X, Lan S, Jin H, Wu D. Effect of melanoma stem cells on melanoma metastasis. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:566. [PMID: 34113394 PMCID: PMC8185701 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are involved in the metastatic process, the resistance of many types of cancer to therapeutic treatments and consequently the onset of recurrences. The CSC concept therefore significantly extends our understanding of melanoma biology. More recently, melanoma stem cells (MSCs) have been described in melanoma as expressing specific biomarkers. These primitive melanoma cells are not only capable of self-renewal and differentiation plasticity, but may also confer virulence via immune evasion and multidrug resistance, and potentially, via vasculogenic mimicry and transition to migratory and metastasizing derivatives. This review will present the specific biomarkers of MSCs, including CD133, ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 5, CD271, CD20 and aldehyde dehydrogenase, which can regulate the transduction of tumor-related signals. These signal molecules can reversely act on tumor cells and regulate tumor angiogenesis, leading to the occurrence of melanoma metastasis. Targeting these specific biomarkers could inhibit the progression of melanoma and may help the development of novel therapeutic strategies for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiliang Yin
- Department of Tumor Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Xiumin Shi
- Department of Tumor Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Shijie Lan
- Department of Tumor Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Haofan Jin
- Department of Tumor Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Tumor Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
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4
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Process development and safety evaluation of ABCB5 + limbal stem cells as advanced-therapy medicinal product to treat limbal stem cell deficiency. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:194. [PMID: 33741066 PMCID: PMC7980611 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02272-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While therapeutic success of the limbal tissue or cell transplantation to treat severe cases of limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency (LSCD) strongly depends on the percentage of LSCs within the transplanted cells, prospective LSC enrichment has been hampered by the intranuclear localization of the previously reported LSC marker p63. The recent identification of the ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCB5 as a plasma membrane-spanning marker of LSCs that are capable of restoring the cornea and the development of an antibody directed against an extracellular loop of the ABCB5 molecule stimulated us to develop a novel treatment strategy based on the utilization of in vitro expanded allogeneic ABCB5+ LSCs derived from human cadaveric limbal tissue. Methods We developed and validated a Good Manufacturing Practice- and European Pharmacopeia-conform production and quality-control process, by which ABCB5+ LSCs are derived from human corneal rims, expanded ex vivo, isolated as homogenous cell population, and manufactured as an advanced-therapy medicinal product (ATMP). This product was tested in a preclinical study program investigating the cells’ engraftment potential, biodistribution behavior, and safety. Results ABCB5+ LSCs were reliably expanded and manufactured as an ATMP that contains comparably high percentages of cells expressing transcription factors critical for LSC stemness maintenance (p63) and corneal epithelial differentiation (PAX6). Preclinical studies confirmed local engraftment potential of the cells and gave no signals of toxicity and tumorgenicity. These findings were sufficient for the product to be approved by the German Paul Ehrlich Institute and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to be tested in an international multicenter phase I/IIa clinical trial (NCT03549299) to evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy in patients with LSCD. Conclusion Building upon these data in conjunction with the previously shown cornea-restoring capacity of human ABCB5+ LSCs in animal models of LSCD, we provide an advanced allogeneic LSC-based treatment strategy that shows promise for replenishment of the patient’s LSC pool, recreation of a functional barrier against invading conjunctival cells and restoration of a transparent, avascular cornea. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02272-2.
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5
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Serna-Ojeda JC, García-Mejía M, Graue-Hernández EO, Navas A, Garfias Y. Short-Term Results Analysis in the Allogenic Transplantation of Limbal Stem Cells Expanded on Amniotic Membrane in Patients with Bilateral Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2020; 36:238-246. [PMID: 32077779 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2019.0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe the short-term results of allogenic transplantation of limbal stem cells expanded on amniotic membrane for the ocular surface reconstruction. Methods: Prospective nonrandomized, nonmasked study in a single ophthalmological center. Ten patients with bilateral total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) were included. Expression and presence of ABCB5 and Δp63α in amniotic membrane-cultured limbal epithelial stem cells were analyzed, in relationship with clinical changes after allogenic transplantation. An objective evaluation was performed to determine corneal transparency and superficial vascularization. Results: In a median follow-up time of 11.6 months, 7 patients (70%) were considered as failure compared with the preoperative status. ABCB5 and Δp63α are expressed in similar amount in the limbal epithelial cells expanded in vitro and transplanted in patients with bilateral LSCD. Conclusions: Transplantation of allogenic epithelial limbal cells expanded in amniotic membrane could be considered in patients with LSCD due to burns or congenital etiologies such as aniridia, but its benefit is limited for patients with immunologic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Serna-Ojeda
- Cornea and Refractive Surgery Department, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Mexico City, Mexico.,Instituto Visión Láser, Aguascalientes, Mexico.,Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mariana García-Mejía
- Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique O Graue-Hernández
- Cornea and Refractive Surgery Department, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Navas
- Cornea and Refractive Surgery Department, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yonathan Garfias
- Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Mexico City, Mexico.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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6
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Bailey FP, Clarke K, Kalirai H, Kenyani J, Shahidipour H, Falciani F, Coulson JM, Sacco JJ, Coupland SE, Eyers PA. Kinome-wide transcriptional profiling of uveal melanoma reveals new vulnerabilities to targeted therapeutics. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2018; 31:253-266. [PMID: 28972303 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic uveal melanoma (UM) is invariably fatal, usually within a year of diagnosis. There are currently no effective therapies, and clinical studies employing kinase inhibitors have so far demonstrated limited success. This is despite common activating mutations in GNAQ/11 genes, which trigger signalling pathways that might predispose tumours to a variety of targeted drugs. In this study, we have profiled kinome expression network dynamics in various human ocular melanomas. We uncovered a shared transcriptional profile in human primary UM samples and across a variety of experimental cell-based models. The poor overall response of UM cells to FDA-approved kinase inhibitors contrasted with much higher sensitivity to the bromodomain inhibitor JQ1, a broad transcriptional repressor. Mechanistically, we identified a repressed FOXM1-dependent kinase subnetwork in JQ1-exposed cells that contained multiple cell cycle-regulated protein kinases. Consistently, we demonstrated vulnerability of UM cells to inhibitors of mitotic protein kinases within this network, including the investigational PLK1 inhibitor BI6727. We conclude that analysis of kinome-wide signalling network dynamics has the potential to reveal actionable drug targets and inhibitors of potential therapeutic benefit for UM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona P Bailey
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kim Clarke
- Computational Biology Facility, Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Helen Kalirai
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jenna Kenyani
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Haleh Shahidipour
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Francesco Falciani
- Computational Biology Facility, Functional and Comparative Genomics, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Judy M Coulson
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joseph J Sacco
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarah E Coupland
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Patrick A Eyers
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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7
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Kumar D, Gorain M, Kundu G, Kundu GC. Therapeutic implications of cellular and molecular biology of cancer stem cells in melanoma. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:7. [PMID: 28137308 PMCID: PMC5282877 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-016-0578-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a form of cancer that initiates in melanocytes. Melanoma has multiple phenotypically distinct subpopulation of cells, some of them have embryonic like plasticity which are involved in self-renewal, tumor initiation, metastasis and progression and provide reservoir of therapeutically resistant cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) can be identified and characterized based on various unique cell surface and intracellular markers. CSCs exhibit different molecular pattern with respect to non-CSCs. They maintain their stemness and chemoresistant features through specific signaling cascades. CSCs are weak in immunogenicity and act as immunosupressor in the host system. Melanoma treatment becomes difficult and survival is greatly reduced when the patient develop metastasis. Standard conventional oncology treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical resection are only responsible for shrinking the bulk of the tumor mass and tumor tends to relapse. Thus, targeting CSCs and their microenvironment niche addresses the alternative of traditional cancer therapy. Combined use of CSCs targeted and traditional therapies may kill the bulk tumor and CSCs and offer a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiraj Kumar
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, 411007, India
| | - Mahadeo Gorain
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, 411007, India
| | - Gautam Kundu
- Deapartment of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Gopal C Kundu
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, 411007, India.
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8
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Cao J, Heijkants RC, Jochemsen AG, Dogrusöz M, de Lange MJ, van der Velden PA, van der Burg SH, Jager MJ, Verdijk RM. Targeting of the MAPK and AKT pathways in conjunctival melanoma shows potential synergy. Oncotarget 2016; 8:58021-58036. [PMID: 28938534 PMCID: PMC5601630 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Conjunctival melanoma (CM) is a rare but lethal form of cancer. Similar to cutaneous melanoma, CM frequently carries activating mutations in BRAF and NRAS. We studied whether CM as well as conjunctival benign and premalignant melanocytic lesions express targets in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and AKT pathways, and whether specific inhibitors can suppress CM growth in vitro. METHODS 131 conjunctival lesions obtained from 129 patients were collected. The presence of BRAF V600E mutation and expression of phosphorylated (p)-ERK and p-AKT were assessed by immunohistochemistry. We studied cell proliferation, phosphorylation, cell cycling and apoptosis in three CM cell lines using two BRAF inhibitors (Vemurafenib and Dabrafenib), a MEK inhibitor (MEK162) and an AKT inhibitor (MK2206). RESULTS The BRAF V600E mutation was present in 19% of nevi and 26% of melanomas, but not in primary acquired melanosis (PAM). Nuclear and cytoplasmic p-ERK and p-AKT were expressed in all conjunctival lesions. Both BRAF inhibitors suppressed growth of both BRAF mutant CM cell lines, but only one induced cell death. MEK162 and MK2206 inhibited proliferation of CM cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the combination of these two drugs led to synergistic growth inhibition and cell death in all CM cell lines. CONCLUSION ERK and AKT are constitutively activated in conjunctival nevi, PAM and melanoma. While BRAF inhibitors prohibited cell growth, they were not always cytotoxic. Combining MEK and AKT inhibitors led to more growth inhibition and cell death in CM cells. The combination may benefit patients suffering from metastatic conjunctival melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Renier C Heijkants
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aart G Jochemsen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mehmet Dogrusöz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mark J de Lange
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Section Ophthalmic Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Kachalaki S, Ebrahimi M, Mohamed Khosroshahi L, Mohammadinejad S, Baradaran B. Cancer chemoresistance; biochemical and molecular aspects: a brief overview. Eur J Pharm Sci 2016; 89:20-30. [PMID: 27094906 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2016.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The effectiveness of chemotherapy is one of the main challenges in cancer treatment and resistance to classic drugs and traditional treatment processes is an obstacle to this goal. Drug resistance that may be inherent or adventitious can cause poor treatment outcome and tumor relapse. In most cases, resistance to a drug can lead to resistance to many other drugs structure and function of which is not necessarily similar to the first drug. This phenomenon is the main mechanism behind failure of many of metastatic cancers. There are various molecular mechanisms involved in multidrug resistance, including change in the activity of membrane transporters (such as ABC transporters), increase of drug metabolism, change of the target enzyme (such as mutations that change thymidylate synthase and topoisomerases), promotion of DNA damage repair, and escape from drug induced apoptosis. Clinical and laboratory investigations on biomarkers involved in the response to chemotherapy have characterized the key factors behind the failure of treatments. Knowing the molecular factors involved in drug resistance may help us to develop new strategies for more promising chemotherapy and reduce the rate of relapse. In this brief review, molecular mechanisms and tumor microenvironment leading to decreased drug sensitivity, and strategies of reversing drug resistance are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Kachalaki
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mina Ebrahimi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | | | - Sina Mohammadinejad
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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