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Song F, Kovac V, Mohammadi B, Littau JL, Scharfenberg F, Matamoros Angles A, Vanni I, Shafiq M, Orge L, Galliciotti G, Djakkani S, Linsenmeier L, Černilec M, Hartman K, Jung S, Tatzelt J, Neumann JE, Damme M, Tschirner SK, Lichtenthaler SF, Ricklefs FL, Sauvigny T, Schmitz M, Zerr I, Puig B, Tolosa E, Ferrer I, Magnus T, Rupnik MS, Sepulveda-Falla D, Matschke J, Šmid LM, Bresjanac M, Andreoletti O, Krasemann S, Foliaki ST, Nonno R, Becker-Pauly C, Monzo C, Crozet C, Haigh CL, Glatzel M, Curin Serbec V, Altmeppen HC. Cleavage site-directed antibodies reveal the prion protein in humans is shed by ADAM10 at Y226 and associates with misfolded protein deposits in neurodegenerative diseases. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 148:2. [PMID: 38980441 PMCID: PMC11233397 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02763-5] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Proteolytic cell surface release ('shedding') of the prion protein (PrP), a broadly expressed GPI-anchored glycoprotein, by the metalloprotease ADAM10 impacts on neurodegenerative and other diseases in animal and in vitro models. Recent studies employing the latter also suggest shed PrP (sPrP) to be a ligand in intercellular communication and critically involved in PrP-associated physiological tasks. Although expectedly an evolutionary conserved event, and while soluble forms of PrP are present in human tissues and body fluids, for the human body neither proteolytic PrP shedding and its cleavage site nor involvement of ADAM10 or the biological relevance of this process have been demonstrated thus far. In this study, cleavage site prediction and generation (plus detailed characterization) of sPrP-specific antibodies enabled us to identify PrP cleaved at tyrosin 226 as the physiological and apparently strictly ADAM10-dependent shed form in humans. Using cell lines, neural stem cells and brain organoids, we show that shedding of human PrP can be stimulated by PrP-binding ligands without targeting the protease, which may open novel therapeutic perspectives. Site-specific antibodies directed against human sPrP also detect the shed form in brains of cattle, sheep and deer, hence in all most relevant species naturally affected by fatal and transmissible prion diseases. In human and animal prion diseases, but also in patients with Alzheimer`s disease, sPrP relocalizes from a physiological diffuse tissue pattern to intimately associate with extracellular aggregated deposits of misfolded proteins characteristic for the respective pathological condition. Findings and research tools presented here will accelerate novel insight into the roles of PrP shedding (as a process) and sPrP (as a released factor) in neurodegeneration and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feizhi Song
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Valerija Kovac
- Centre for Immunology and Development, Blood Transfusion Centre of Slovenia (BTCS), Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Behnam Mohammadi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jessica L Littau
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Andreu Matamoros Angles
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ilaria Vanni
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Mohsin Shafiq
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonor Orge
- National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), Oeiras, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Giovanna Galliciotti
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Salma Djakkani
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luise Linsenmeier
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maja Černilec
- Centre for Immunology and Development, Blood Transfusion Centre of Slovenia (BTCS), Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katrina Hartman
- Centre for Immunology and Development, Blood Transfusion Centre of Slovenia (BTCS), Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sebastian Jung
- Department of Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jörg Tatzelt
- Department of Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESOLV, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Julia E Neumann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Damme
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sarah K Tschirner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine and Health, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan F Lichtenthaler
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine and Health, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Franz L Ricklefs
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Sauvigny
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmitz
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Inga Zerr
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Berta Puig
- Department of Neurology, Experimental Research in Stroke and Inflammation (ERSI), UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eva Tolosa
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Isidro Ferrer
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Tim Magnus
- Department of Neurology, Experimental Research in Stroke and Inflammation (ERSI), UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marjan S Rupnik
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Diego Sepulveda-Falla
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Matschke
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lojze M Šmid
- LNPR, Institute of Pathophysiology and Prion Laboratory, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mara Bresjanac
- LNPR, Institute of Pathophysiology and Prion Laboratory, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Olivier Andreoletti
- UMR INRAE ENVT 1225, Interactions Hôtes-Agents Pathogènes, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Susanne Krasemann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simote T Foliaki
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Romolo Nonno
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Cecile Monzo
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapies (IRMB), Neural Stem Cell, MSC and Neurodegenerative Diseases, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Carole Crozet
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapies (IRMB), Neural Stem Cell, MSC and Neurodegenerative Diseases, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Cathryn L Haigh
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Markus Glatzel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vladka Curin Serbec
- Centre for Immunology and Development, Blood Transfusion Centre of Slovenia (BTCS), Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Hermann C Altmeppen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.
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2
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Zhang C, Ran F, Du L, Wang X, Liu L, Liu J, Chen Q, Cao Y, Bi L, Hang H. The Humanization and Maturation of an Anti-PrPc Antibody. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:242. [PMID: 38534516 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11030242] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The cellular prion protein (PrPc) is a cell surface glycoprotein that is highly expressed in a variety of cancer tissues in addition to the nervous system, and its elevated expression is correlated to poor prognosis in many cancer patients. Our team previously found that patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) with high-level PrPc expression had significantly poorer survival than those with no or low-level PrPc expression. Mouse antibodies for PrPc inhibited tumor initiation and liver metastasis of PrPc-positive human CRC cells in mouse model experiments. PrPc is a candidate target for CRC therapy. In this study, we newly cloned a mouse anti-PrPc antibody (Clone 6) and humanized it, then affinity-matured this antibody using a CHO cell display with a peptide antigen and full-length PrPc, respectively. We obtained two humanized antibody clones with affinities toward a full-length PrPc of about 10- and 100-fold of that of the original antibody. The two humanized antibodies bound to the PrPc displayed significantly better on the cell surface than Clone 6. Used for Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, the humanized antibody with the highest affinity is superior to the two most frequently used commercial antibodies (8H4 and 3F4). The two new antibodies have the potential to be developed as useful reagents for PrPc detection and even therapeutic antibodies targeting PrPc-positive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fanlei Ran
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Du
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lei Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jinming Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Quan Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Center of Growth, Metabolism and Aging, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Lijun Bi
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haiying Hang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Zheng J, Chen K, Cai L, Pan Y, Zeng Y. A Potential biomarker for the early diagnosis of OSCC: saliva and serum PrP C. J Cancer 2024; 15:1593-1602. [PMID: 38370370 PMCID: PMC10869989 DOI: 10.7150/jca.92489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, and the high mortality of patients is mainly due to the delay of diagnosis. Cellular prion protein (PrPC) contributes to the occurrence and development of many malignant tumors. However, little has been known about the clinical and diagnostic value of PrPC in OSCC. This study investigated the levels of PrPC in the saliva and serum of patients with OSCC, OPMD and control group and their diagnostic value. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Clinical Proteome Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) databases were analyzed to evaluate the expression of human prion protein gene (PRNP) mRNA and PrPC in OSCC. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was utilized to detect the expression of PrPC in saliva and serum samples of OSCC, OPMD and control groups. Furthermore, diagnostic value and clinical significance of PrPC in OSCC was identified. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING. GO and KEGG analysis were performed by ClusterProfiler. Results: The levels of PRNP mRNA and PrPC in OSCC were significantly higher than those in the control group from databases (P<0.05). Besides, salivary and serum PrPC of OSCC patients showed increased levels compared with OPMD and control groups (P<0.05). The expression of salivary and serum PrPC of OSCC was correlated with the degree of differentiation (P<0.05), and the expression of PrPC from CPTAC was related to tumor stage of OSCC (P<0.05). The areas under the diagnostic curves (AUCs) of salivary and serum PrPC were 0.807 and 0.671, respectively. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that PrPC might be related to cell adhesion, cell differentiation, signal transduction and apoptosis, and participate in the pathways of focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and ECM- receptor interaction in OSCC. Conclusion: PrPC in saliva and serum may be a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zheng
- Department of Stomatology, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, 524037 Guangdong, China
| | - Kaixiong Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, 524037 Guangdong, China
| | - Lanyu Cai
- Department of Otolaryngology, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, 524037 Guangdong, China
| | - Yangyang Pan
- Precision Clinical Laboratory, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, 524037 Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Zeng
- Precision Clinical Laboratory, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, 524037 Guangdong, China
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4
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Grimaldi I, Leser FS, Janeiro JM, da Rosa BG, Campanelli AC, Romão L, Lima FRS. The multiple functions of PrP C in physiological, cancer, and neurodegenerative contexts. J Mol Med (Berl) 2022; 100:1405-1425. [PMID: 36056255 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02245-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a highly conserved glycoprotein, present both anchored in the cell membrane and soluble in the extracellular medium. It has a diversity of ligands and is variably expressed in numerous tissues and cell subtypes, most notably in the central nervous system (CNS). Its importance has been brought to light over the years both under physiological conditions, such as embryogenesis and immune system homeostasis, and in pathologies, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. During development, PrPC plays an important role in CNS, participating in axonal growth and guidance and differentiation of glial cells, but also in other organs such as the heart, lung, and digestive system. In diseases, PrPC has been related to several types of tumors, modulating cancer stem cells, enhancing malignant properties, and inducing drug resistance. Also, in non-neoplastic diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, PrPC seems to alter the dynamics of neurotoxic aggregate formation and, consequently, the progression of the disease. In this review, we explore in detail the multiple functions of this protein, which proved to be relevant for understanding the dynamics of organism homeostasis, as well as a promising target in the treatment of both neoplastic and degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabella Grimaldi
- Glial Cell Biology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Felipe Saceanu Leser
- Glial Cell Biology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José Marcos Janeiro
- Glial Cell Biology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Gomes da Rosa
- Glial Cell Biology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana Clara Campanelli
- Glial Cell Biology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luciana Romão
- Cell Morphogenesis Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Flavia Regina Souza Lima
- Glial Cell Biology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Mohammadi B, Song F, Matamoros-Angles A, Shafiq M, Damme M, Puig B, Glatzel M, Altmeppen HC. Anchorless risk or released benefit? An updated view on the ADAM10-mediated shedding of the prion protein. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 392:215-234. [PMID: 35084572 PMCID: PMC10113312 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03582-4] [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: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The prion protein (PrP) is a broadly expressed glycoprotein linked with a multitude of (suggested) biological and pathological implications. Some of these roles seem to be due to constitutively generated proteolytic fragments of the protein. Among them is a soluble PrP form, which is released from the surface of neurons and other cell types by action of the metalloprotease ADAM10 in a process termed 'shedding'. The latter aspect is the focus of this review, which aims to provide a comprehensive overview on (i) the relevance of proteolytic processing in regulating cellular PrP functions, (ii) currently described involvement of shed PrP in neurodegenerative diseases (including prion diseases and Alzheimer's disease), (iii) shed PrP's expected roles in intercellular communication in many more (patho)physiological conditions (such as stroke, cancer or immune responses), (iv) and the need for improved research tools in respective (future) studies. Deeper mechanistic insight into roles played by PrP shedding and its resulting fragment may pave the way for improved diagnostics and future therapeutic approaches in diseases of the brain and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Mohammadi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- Working Group for Interdisciplinary Neurobiology and Immunology (INI Research), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Feizhi Song
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreu Matamoros-Angles
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mohsin Shafiq
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Damme
- Institute of Biochemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Berta Puig
- Department of Neurology, Experimental Research in Stroke and Inflammation (ERSI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Glatzel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
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Loh D, Reiter RJ. Melatonin: Regulation of Prion Protein Phase Separation in Cancer Multidrug Resistance. Molecules 2022; 27:705. [PMID: 35163973 PMCID: PMC8839844 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique ability to adapt and thrive in inhospitable, stressful tumor microenvironments (TME) also renders cancer cells resistant to traditional chemotherapeutic treatments and/or novel pharmaceuticals. Cancer cells exhibit extensive metabolic alterations involving hypoxia, accelerated glycolysis, oxidative stress, and increased extracellular ATP that may activate ancient, conserved prion adaptive response strategies that exacerbate multidrug resistance (MDR) by exploiting cellular stress to increase cancer metastatic potential and stemness, balance proliferation and differentiation, and amplify resistance to apoptosis. The regulation of prions in MDR is further complicated by important, putative physiological functions of ligand-binding and signal transduction. Melatonin is capable of both enhancing physiological functions and inhibiting oncogenic properties of prion proteins. Through regulation of phase separation of the prion N-terminal domain which targets and interacts with lipid rafts, melatonin may prevent conformational changes that can result in aggregation and/or conversion to pathological, infectious isoforms. As a cancer therapy adjuvant, melatonin could modulate TME oxidative stress levels and hypoxia, reverse pH gradient changes, reduce lipid peroxidation, and protect lipid raft compositions to suppress prion-mediated, non-Mendelian, heritable, but often reversible epigenetic adaptations that facilitate cancer heterogeneity, stemness, metastasis, and drug resistance. This review examines some of the mechanisms that may balance physiological and pathological effects of prions and prion-like proteins achieved through the synergistic use of melatonin to ameliorate MDR, which remains a challenge in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Loh
- Independent Researcher, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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7
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Bianchini M, Giambelluca MA, Scavuzzo MC, Di Franco G, Guadagni S, Palmeri M, Furbetta N, Gianardi D, Funel N, Ricci C, Gaeta R, Pollina LE, Falcone A, Vivaldi C, Di Candio G, Biagioni F, Busceti CL, Morelli L, Fornai F. Detailing the ultrastructure's increase of prion protein in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:7324-7339. [PMID: 34876792 PMCID: PMC8611201 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i42.7324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidences have shown a relationship between prion protein (PrPc) expression and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Indeed, PrPc could be one of the markers explaining the aggressiveness of this tumor. However, studies investigating the specific compartmentalization of increased PrPc expression within PDAC cells are lacking, as well as a correlation between ultrastructural evidence, ultrastructural morphometry of PrPc protein and clinical data. These data, as well as the quantitative stoichiometry of this protein detected by immuno-gold, provide a significant advancement in understanding the biology of disease and the outcome of surgical resection. AIM To analyze quantitative stoichiometry and compartmentalization of PrPc in PDAC cells and to correlate its presence with prognostic data. METHODS Between June 2018 and December 2020, samples from pancreatic tissues of 45 patients treated with pancreatic resection for a preoperative suspicion of PDAC at our Institution were collected. When the frozen section excluded a PDAC diagnosis, or the nodules were too small for adequate sampling, patients were ruled out from the present study. Western blotting was used to detect, quantify and compare the expression of PrPc in PDAC and control tissues, such as those of non-affected neighboring pancreatic tissue of the same patient. To quantify the increase of PrPc and to detect the subcellular compartmentalization of PrPc within PDAC cells, immuno-gold stoichiometry within specific cell compartments was analyzed with electron microscopy. Finally, an analysis of quantitative PrPc expression according to prognostic data, such as cancer stage, recurrence of the disease at 12 mo after surgery and recurrence during adjuvant chemotherapy was made. RESULTS The amount of PrPc within specimen from 38 out of 45 patients was determined by semi-quantitative analysis by using Western blotting, which indicates that PrPc increases almost three-fold in tumor pancreatic tissue compared with healthy pancreatic regions [242.41 ± 28.36 optical density (OD) vs 95 ± 17.40 OD, P < 0.0001]. Quantitative morphometry carried out by using immuno-gold detection at transmission electron microscopy confirms an increased PrPc expression in PDAC ductal cells of all patients and allows to detect a specific compartmentalization of PrPc within tumor cells. In particular, the number of immuno-gold particles of PrPc was significantly higher in PDAC cells respect to controls, when considering the whole cell (19.8 ± 0.79 particles vs 9.44 ± 0.45, P < 0.0001). Remarkably, considering PDAC cells, the increase of PrPc was higher in the nucleus than cytosol of tumor cells, which indicates a shift in PrPc compartmentalization within tumor cells. In fact, the increase of immuno-gold within nuclear compartment exceeds at large the augment of PrPc which was detected in the cytosol (nucleus: 12.88 ± 0.59 particles vs 5.12 ± 0.32, P < 0.0001; cytosol: 7.74. ± 0.44 particles vs 4.3 ± 0.24, P < 0.0001). In order to analyze the prognostic impact of PrPc, we found a correlation between PrPc expression and cancer stage according to pathology results, with a significantly higher expression of PrPc for advanced stages. Moreover, 24 patients with a mean follow-up of 16.8 mo were considered. Immuno-blot analysis revealed a significantly higher expression of PrPc in patients with disease recurrence at 12 mo after radical surgery (360.71 ± 69.01 OD vs 170.23 ± 23.06 OD, P = 0.023), also in the subgroup of patients treated with adjuvant CT (368.36 ± 79.26 OD in the recurrence group vs 162.86 ± 24.16 OD, P = 0.028), which indicates a correlation with a higher chemo-resistance. CONCLUSION Expression of PrPc is significantly higher in PDAC cells compared with control, with the protein mainly placed in the nucleus. Preliminary clinical data confirm the correlation with a poorer prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bianchini
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Maria Anita Giambelluca
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Scavuzzo
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Gregorio Di Franco
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Simone Guadagni
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Matteo Palmeri
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Niccolò Furbetta
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Desirée Gianardi
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Niccola Funel
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Claudio Ricci
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Raffaele Gaeta
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Luca Emanuele Pollina
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Alfredo Falcone
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Caterina Vivaldi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Giulio Di Candio
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Francesca Biagioni
- IRCCS Neuromed, Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, Pozzilli 86077, Italy
| | | | - Luca Morelli
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
- EndoCAS (Center for Computer Assisted Surgery), University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, Pozzilli 86077, Italy
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Mouillet-Richard S, Ghazi A, Laurent-Puig P. The Cellular Prion Protein and the Hallmarks of Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13195032. [PMID: 34638517 PMCID: PMC8508458 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13195032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The cellular prion protein PrPC is best known for its involvement, under its pathogenic isoform, in a group of neurodegenerative diseases. Notwithstanding, an emerging role for PrPC in various cancer-associated processes has attracted increasing attention over recent years. PrPC is overexpressed in diverse types of solid cancers and has been incriminated in various aspects of cancer biology, most notably proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis, as well as resistance to cytotoxic agents. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge of PrPC with respect to the hallmarks of cancer, a reference framework encompassing the major characteristics of cancer cells. Abstract Beyond its causal involvement in a group of neurodegenerative diseases known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies, the cellular prion protein PrPC is now taking centre stage as an important contributor to cancer progression in various types of solid tumours. The prion cancer research field has progressively expanded in the last few years and has yielded consistent evidence for an involvement of PrPC in cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion, therapeutic resistance and cancer stem cell properties. Most recent data have uncovered new facets of the biology of PrPC in cancer, ranging from its control on enzymes involved in immune tolerance to its radio-protective activity, by way of promoting angiogenesis. In the present review, we aim to summarise the body of literature dedicated to the study of PrPC in relation to cancer from the perspective of the hallmarks of cancer, the reference framework defined by Hanahan and Weinberg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Mouillet-Richard
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Université de Paris, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, F-75006 Paris, France; (A.G.); (P.L.-P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexandre Ghazi
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Université de Paris, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, F-75006 Paris, France; (A.G.); (P.L.-P.)
| | - Pierre Laurent-Puig
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Université de Paris, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, F-75006 Paris, France; (A.G.); (P.L.-P.)
- Department of Biology, Institut du Cancer Paris CARPEM, APHP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, F-75015 Paris, France
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Ding M, Chen Y, Lang Y, Cui L. The Role of Cellular Prion Protein in Cancer Biology: A Potential Therapeutic Target. Front Oncol 2021; 11:742949. [PMID: 34595121 PMCID: PMC8476782 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.742949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion protein has two isoforms including cellular prion protein (PrPC) and scrapie prion protein (PrPSc). PrPSc is the pathological aggregated form of prion protein and it plays an important role in neurodegenerative diseases. PrPC is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein that can attach to a membrane. Its expression begins at embryogenesis and reaches the highest level in adulthood. PrPC is expressed in the neurons of the nervous system as well as other peripheral organs. Studies in recent years have disclosed the involvement of PrPC in various aspects of cancer biology. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the roles of PrPC in proliferation, cell survival, invasion/metastasis, and stem cells of cancer cells, as well as its role as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manqiu Ding
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongqiang Chen
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Yue Lang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Li Cui
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Tumor resistance to radiotherapy is triggered by an ATM/TAK1-dependent-increased expression of the cellular prion protein. Oncogene 2021; 40:3460-3469. [PMID: 33767435 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01746-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In solid cancers, high expression of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) is associated with stemness, invasiveness, and resistance to chemotherapy, but the role of PrPC in tumor response to radiotherapy is unknown. Here, we show that, in neuroblastoma, breast, and colorectal cancer cell lines, PrPC expression is increased after ionizing radiation (IR) and that PrPC deficiency increases radiation sensitivity and decreases radiation-induced radioresistance in tumor cells. In neuroblastoma cells, IR activates ATM that triggers TAK1-dependent phosphorylation of JNK and subsequent activation of the AP-1 transcription factor that ultimately increases PRNP promoter transcriptional activity through an AP-1 binding site in the PRNP promoter. Importantly, we show that this ATM-TAK1-PrPC pathway mediated radioresistance is activated in all tumor cell lines studied and that pharmacological inhibition of TAK1 activity recapitulates the effects of PrPC deficiency. Altogether, these results unveil how tumor cells activate PRNP to acquire resistance to radiotherapy and might have implications for therapeutic targeting of solid tumors radioresistance.
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Cha S, Sin MJ, Kim MJ, Kim HJ, Kim YS, Choi EK, Kim MY. Involvement of Cellular Prion Protein in Invasion and Metastasis of Lung Cancer by Inducing Treg Cell Development. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020285. [PMID: 33671884 PMCID: PMC7918983 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a cell surface glycoprotein expressed in many cell types that plays an important role in normal cellular processes. However, an increase in PrPC expression has been associated with a variety of human cancers, where it may be involved in resistance to the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. PrP-deficient (Prnp0/0) and PrP-overexpressing (Tga20) mice were studied to evaluate the role of PrPC in the invasion and metastasis of cancer. Tga20 mice, with increased PrPC, died more quickly from lung cancer than did the Prnp0/0 mice, and this effect was associated with increased transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), which are important for the development and function of regulatory T (Treg) cells. The number of FoxP3+CD25+ Treg cells was increased in Tga20 mice compared to Prnp0/0 mice, but there was no significant difference in either natural killer or cytotoxic T cell numbers. In addition, mice infected with the ME7 scrapie strain had decreased numbers of Treg cells and decreased expression of TGF-β and PD-L1. These results suggest that PrPC plays an important role in invasion and metastasis of cancer cells by inducing Treg cells through upregulation of TGF-β and PD-L1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghwa Cha
- School of Systems Biomedical Science, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Korea; (S.C.); (M.-J.S.)
| | - Mi-Ji Sin
- School of Systems Biomedical Science, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Korea; (S.C.); (M.-J.S.)
| | - Mo-Jong Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang 14066, Korea; (M.-J.K.); (H.-J.K.); (Y.-S.K.)
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Korea
| | - Hee-Jun Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang 14066, Korea; (M.-J.K.); (H.-J.K.); (Y.-S.K.)
| | - Yong-Sun Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang 14066, Korea; (M.-J.K.); (H.-J.K.); (Y.-S.K.)
| | - Eun-Kyoung Choi
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang 14066, Korea; (M.-J.K.); (H.-J.K.); (Y.-S.K.)
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Korea
- Correspondence: (E.-K.C.); (M.-Y.K.)
| | - Mi-Yeon Kim
- School of Systems Biomedical Science, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Korea; (S.C.); (M.-J.S.)
- Correspondence: (E.-K.C.); (M.-Y.K.)
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12
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The Role of Cellular Prion Protein in Promoting Stemness and Differentiation in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020170. [PMID: 33418999 PMCID: PMC7825291 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Aside from its well-established role in prion disorders, in the last decades the significance of cellular prion protein (PrPC) expression in human cancers has attracted great attention. An extensive body of work provided evidence that PrPC contributes to tumorigenesis by regulating tumor growth, differentiation, and resistance to conventional therapies. In particular, PrPC over-expression has been related to the acquisition of a malignant phenotype of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in a variety of solid tumors, encompassing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, osteosarcoma, breast, gastric, and colorectal cancers, and primary brain tumors as well. According to consensus, increased levels of PrPC endow CSCs with self-renewal, proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities, along with increased resistance to anti-cancer agents. In addition, increasing evidence demonstrates that PrPc also participates in multi-protein complexes to modulate the oncogenic properties of CSCs, thus sustaining tumorigenesis. Therefore, strategies aimed at targeting PrPC and/or PrPC-organized complexes could be a promising approach for anti-cancer therapy. Abstract Cellular prion protein (PrPC) is seminal to modulate a variety of baseline cell functions to grant homeostasis. The classic role of such a protein was defined as a chaperone-like molecule being able to rescue cell survival. Nonetheless, PrPC also represents the precursor of the deleterious misfolded variant known as scrapie prion protein (PrPSc). This variant is detrimental in a variety of prion disorders. This multi-faceted role of PrP is greatly increased by recent findings showing how PrPC in its folded conformation may foster tumor progression by acting at multiple levels. The present review focuses on such a cancer-promoting effect. The manuscript analyzes recent findings on the occurrence of PrPC in various cancers and discusses the multiple effects, which sustain cancer progression. Within this frame, the effects of PrPC on stemness and differentiation are discussed. A special emphasis is provided on the spreading of PrPC and the epigenetic effects, which are induced in neighboring cells to activate cancer-related genes. These detrimental effects are further discussed in relation to the aberrancy of its physiological and beneficial role on cell homeostasis. A specific paragraph is dedicated to the role of PrPC beyond its effects in the biology of cancer to represent a potential biomarker in the follow up of patients following surgical resection.
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Kalita-de Croft P, Lim M, Chittoory H, de Luca XM, Kutasovic JR, Day BW, Al-Ejeh F, Simpson PT, McCart Reed AE, Lakhani SR, Saunus JM. Clinicopathologic significance of nuclear HER4 and phospho-YAP(S 127) in human breast cancers and matching brain metastases. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920946259. [PMID: 33014146 PMCID: PMC7517995 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920946259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human epidermal growth factor receptor-4 (HER4) and yes-associated protein-1 (YAP) are candidate therapeutic targets in oncology. YAP's transcriptional coactivation function is modulated by the HER4 intracellular domain (HER4-ICD) in vitro, but the clinical relevance of this has not been established. This study investigated the potential for targeting the HER4-YAP pathway in brain metastatic breast cancer. Methods We performed immuno-phenotypic profiling of pathway markers in a consecutive breast cancer series with 25 years of clinical follow up (n = 371), and patient-matched breast and metastatic brain tumours (n = 91; 30 pairs). Results Membrane localisation of phospho-HER4 [pHER4(Y1162)] was infrequent in primary breast cancer, but very frequent in brain metastases (5.9% versus 75% positive), where it was usually co-expressed with pHER3(Y1289) (p < 0.05). The presence of YAP in tumour cell nuclei was associated directly with nuclear pERK5(T218/Y210) (p = 0.003). However, relationships with disease-specific survival depended on oestrogen receptor (ER) status. Nuclear pYAP(S127) was associated with smaller, good prognostic ER+ breast tumours (log-rank hazard-ratio 0.53; p = 9.6E-03), but larger, poor prognostic triple-negative cancers (log-rank hazard-ratio 2.78; p = 1.7E-02), particularly when co-expressed with nuclear HER4-ICD (p = 0.02). This phenotype was associated with stemness and mitotic instability markers (vimentin, SOX9, ID1, SPAG5, TTK, geminin; p < 0.05). YAP expression in brain metastases was higher than matched primary tumours; specifically, nuclear pYAP(S127) in ER-negative cases (p < 0.05). Nuclear YAP was detected in ~70% of ER-negative, HER4-activated brain metastases. Discussion Our findings suggest that the canonical-mechanism where Hippo pathway-mediated phosphorylation of YAP ostensibly excludes it from the nucleus is dysfunctional in breast cancer. The data are consistent with pYAP(S127) having independent transcriptional functions, which may include transducing neuregulin signals in brain metastases. Consistent with mechanistic studies implicating it as an ER co-factor, nuclear pYAP(S127) associations with breast cancer clinical outcomes were dependent on ER status. Conclusion Preclinical studies investigating HER4 and nuclear YAP combination therapy strategies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyakshi Kalita-de Croft
- The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Building 71/98 Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Qld 4006, Australia
| | - Malcolm Lim
- The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Haarika Chittoory
- The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Xavier M de Luca
- The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Jamie R Kutasovic
- The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Bryan W Day
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Fares Al-Ejeh
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Peter T Simpson
- The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Amy E McCart Reed
- The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Sunil R Lakhani
- The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Jodi M Saunus
- The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Qld, Australia
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14
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Colini Baldeschi A, Vanni S, Zattoni M, Legname G. Novel regulators of PrP C expression as potential therapeutic targets in prion diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:759-776. [PMID: 32631090 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1782384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prion diseases are rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorders. The key molecular event in these disorders is the misfolding of the physiological form of the cellular prion protein, PrPC, leading to the accumulation of a pathological isoform, PrPSc, with unique features. Both isoforms share the same primary sequence, lacking detectable differences in posttranslational modification, a major hurdle for their biochemical or biophysical independent characterization. The mechanism underlying the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc is not completely understood, so finding an effective therapy to cure prion disorders is extremely challenging. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the strategies for decreasing prion replication and throws a spotlight on the relevance of PrPC in the prion accumulation process. EXPERT OPINION PrPC is the key substrate for prion pathology; hence, the most promising therapeutic approach appears to be the targeting of PrPC to block the production of the infectious isoform. The use of RNA interference and antisense oligonucleotide technologies may offer opportunities for treatment because of their success in clinical trials for other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Colini Baldeschi
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Vanni
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS , Meldola, Italy
| | - Marco Zattoni
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
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15
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Pathogenic Prion Protein Isoforms Are Not Present in Cerebral Organoids Generated from Asymptomatic Donors Carrying the E200K Mutation Associated with Familial Prion Disease. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060482. [PMID: 32570796 PMCID: PMC7350378 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral organoids (COs) are a self-organizing three-dimensional brain tissue mimicking the human cerebral cortex. COs are a promising new system for modelling pathological features of neurological disorders, including prion diseases. COs expressing normal prion protein (PrPC) are susceptible to prion infection when exposed to the disease isoforms of PrP (PrPD). This causes the COs to develop aspects of prion disease pathology considered hallmarks of disease, including the production of detergent-insoluble, protease-resistant misfolded PrPD species capable of seeding the production of more misfolded species. To determine whether COs can model aspects of familial prion diseases, we produced COs from donor fibroblasts carrying the E200K mutation, the most common cause of human familial prion disease. The mature E200K COs were assessed for the hallmarks of prion disease. We found that up to 12 months post-differentiation, E200K COs harbored no PrPD as confirmed by the absence of detergent-insoluble, protease-resistant, and seeding-active PrP species. Our results suggest that the presence of the E200K mutation within the prion gene is insufficient to cause disease in neuronal tissue. Therefore, other factors, such as further genetic modifiers or aging processes, may influence the onset of misfolding.
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Adwal A, Kalita-de Croft P, Shakya R, Lim M, Kalaw E, Taege LD, McCart Reed AE, Lakhani SR, Callen DF, Saunus JM. Tradeoff between metabolic i-proteasome addiction and immune evasion in triple-negative breast cancer. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:3/7/e201900562. [PMID: 32423906 PMCID: PMC7240743 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro studies have suggested proteasome inhibitors could be effective in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We found that bortezomib and carfilzomib induce proteotoxic stress and apoptosis via the unfolded protein response (UPR) in TNBC cell lines, with sensitivity correlated with expression of immuno-(PSMB8/9/10) but not constitutive-(PSMB5/6/7) proteasome subunits. Equally, the transcriptomes of i-proteasome-high human TNBCs are enriched with UPR gene sets, and the genomic copy number landscape reflects positive selection pressure favoring i-proteasome activity, but in the setting of adjuvant treatment, this is actually associated with favorable prognosis. Tumor expression of PSMB8 protein (β5i) is associated with levels of MHC-I, interferon-γ-inducible proteasome activator PA28β, and the densities of stromal antigen-presenting cells and lymphocytes (TILs). Crucially, TILs were protective among TNBCs that maintain high β5i but did not stratify survival amongst β5i-low TNBCs. Moreover, β5i expression was lower in brain metastases than in patient-matched primary breast tumors (n = 34; P = 0.007), suggesting that suppression contributes to immune evasion and metastatic progression. Hence, inhibiting proteasome activity could be counterproductive in the adjuvant treatment setting because it potentiates anti-TNBC immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaknanda Adwal
- The Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Priyakshi Kalita-de Croft
- The University of Queensland (UQ) Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Reshma Shakya
- QIMR Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development, Tumour Immunology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Malcolm Lim
- The University of Queensland (UQ) Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Emarene Kalaw
- The University of Queensland (UQ) Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lucinda D Taege
- The University of Queensland (UQ) Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Pathology Queensland, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Amy E McCart Reed
- The University of Queensland (UQ) Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sunil R Lakhani
- The University of Queensland (UQ) Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Pathology Queensland, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David F Callen
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jodi M Saunus
- The University of Queensland (UQ) Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Ryskalin L, Busceti CL, Biagioni F, Limanaqi F, Familiari P, Frati A, Fornai F. Prion Protein in Glioblastoma Multiforme. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20205107. [PMID: 31618844 PMCID: PMC6834196 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular prion protein (PrPc) is an evolutionarily conserved cell surface protein encoded by the PRNP gene. PrPc is ubiquitously expressed within nearly all mammalian cells, though most abundantly within the CNS. Besides being implicated in the pathogenesis and transmission of prion diseases, recent studies have demonstrated that PrPc contributes to tumorigenesis by regulating tumor growth, differentiation, and resistance to conventional therapies. In particular, PrPc over-expression has been related to the acquisition of a malignant phenotype of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in a variety of solid tumors, encompassing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), osteosarcoma, breast cancer, gastric cancer, and primary brain tumors, mostly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Thus, PrPc is emerging as a key in maintaining glioblastoma cancer stem cells’ (GSCs) phenotype, thereby strongly affecting GBM infiltration and relapse. In fact, PrPc contributes to GSCs niche’s maintenance by modulating GSCs’ stem cell-like properties while restraining them from differentiation. This is the first review that discusses the role of PrPc in GBM. The manuscript focuses on how PrPc may act on GSCs to modify their expression and translational profile while making the micro-environment surrounding the GSCs niche more favorable to GBM growth and infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Ryskalin
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Carla L Busceti
- I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
| | | | - Fiona Limanaqi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Pietro Familiari
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sense Organs NESMOS, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Francesco Fornai
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
- I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
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18
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Le Corre D, Ghazi A, Balogoun R, Pilati C, Aparicio T, Martin-Lannerée S, Marisa L, Djouadi F, Poindessous V, Crozet C, Emile JF, Mulot C, Le Malicot K, Boige V, Blons H, de Reynies A, Taieb J, Ghiringhelli F, Bennouna J, Launay JM, Laurent-Puig P, Mouillet-Richard S. The cellular prion protein controls the mesenchymal-like molecular subtype and predicts disease outcome in colorectal cancer. EBioMedicine 2019; 46:94-104. [PMID: 31377347 PMCID: PMC6710984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Comprehensive transcriptomic analyses have shown that colorectal cancer (CRC) is heterogeneous and have led to the definition of molecular subtypes among which the stem-cell, mesenchymal-like group is associated with poor prognosis. The molecular pathways orchestrating the emergence of this subtype are incompletely understood. In line with the contribution of the cellular prion protein PrPC to stemness, we hypothesize that deregulation of this protein could lead to a stem-cell, mesenchymal-like phenotype in CRC. Methods We assessed the distribution of the PrPC-encoding PRNP mRNA in two large CRC cohorts according to molecular classification and its association with patient survival. We developed cell-based assays to explore the impact of gain and loss of PrPC function on markers of the mesenchymal subtype and to delineate the signalling pathways recruited by PrPC. We measured soluble PrPC in the plasmas of 325 patients with metastatic CRC and probed associations with disease outcome. Findings We found that PRNP gene expression is enriched in tumours of the mesenchymal subtype and is associated with poor survival. Our in vitro analyses revealed that PrPC controls the expression of genes that specify the mesenchymal subtype through the recruitment of the Hippo pathway effectors YAP and TAZ and the TGFß pathway. We showed that plasma levels of PrPC are elevated in metastatic CRC and are associated with poor disease control. Interpretation Our findings define PrPC as a candidate driver of the poor-prognosis mesenchymal subtype of CRC. They suggest that PrPC may serve as a potential biomarker for patient stratification in CRC. Funding Grant support was provided by the following: Cancéropôle Ile de France (grant number 2016-1-EMERG-36-UP 5-1), Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer (grant number PJA 20171206220), SATT Ile de France Innov (grant number 415) as well as INSERM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Le Corre
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Ghazi
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Ralyath Balogoun
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Camilla Pilati
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Thomas Aparicio
- Department of Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Université Paris Diderot, F-75010 Paris, France
| | - Séverine Martin-Lannerée
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Laetitia Marisa
- Programme "Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs", Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Fatima Djouadi
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Virginie Poindessous
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Carole Crozet
- Institut de Médecine Régénératrice et de Biothérapie (I.M.R.B.), Université de Montpellier UMR-1183, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Montpellier, F-34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-François Emile
- Department of Pathology, AP-HP, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, F-92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Claire Mulot
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Karine Le Malicot
- Fédération Francophone de Cancérologie Digestive, EPICAD INSERM LNC-UMR 1231, Université de Bourgogne et and Franche Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Valérie Boige
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France; Department of Cancer Medicine, Institut Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, F-94800 Villejuif, France
| | - Hélène Blons
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France; Department of Biology, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Aurélien de Reynies
- Programme "Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs", Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Julien Taieb
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France; Department of Gastroenterology and GI Oncology, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - François Ghiringhelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Jaafar Bennouna
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, F-44800 Saint-Herblain, France
| | - Jean-Marie Launay
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, INSERM U942, AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, Université Paris Descartes, F-75010 Paris, France; Pharma Research Department, F. Hoffmann-La-Roche Ltd., CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Laurent-Puig
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France; Department of Biology, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Sophie Mouillet-Richard
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, USPC, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, F-75006 Paris, France.
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