1
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Kumar A, Nagasaka Y, Jayananthan V, Zidan A, Heisler-Taylor T, Ambati J, Tamiya S, Kerur N. Therapeutic targeting of telomerase ameliorates experimental choroidal neovascularization. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167156. [PMID: 38582267 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the principal driver of blindness in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD). Increased activity of telomerase, has been associated with endothelial cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion in the context of tumor angiogenesis. Expanding on this knowledge, we investigated the role of telomerase in the development of CNV in mouse model. We observed increased gene expression and activity of telomerase in mouse CNV. Genetic deficiency of the telomerase components, telomerase reverse transcriptase (Tert) and telomerase RNA component (Terc) suppressed laser-induced CNV in mice. Similarly, a small molecule inhibitor of TERT (BIBR 1532), and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting Tert and Terc reduced CNV growth. Bone marrow chimera studies suggested that telomerase activity in non-bone marrow-derived cells is crucial for the development of CNV. Comparison of BIBR 1532 with VEGF neutralizing therapeutic strategy in mouse revealed a comparable level of angiosuppressive activity. However, when BIBR and anti-VEGF antibodies were administered as a combination at sub-therapeutic doses, a statistically significant suppression of CNV was observed. These findings underscore the potential benefits of combining sub-therapeutic doses of BIBR and anti-VEGF antibodies for developing newer therapeutic strategies for NV-AMD. Telomerase inhibition with BIBR 1532 suppressed induction of multiple cytokines and growth factors critical for neovascularization. In conclusion, our study identifies telomerase as a promising therapeutic target for treating neovascular disease of the eye and thus provides a proof of principle for further exploration of telomerase inhibition as a novel treatment strategy for nvAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Kumar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Yosuke Nagasaka
- Center for Advanced Vision Science, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Vinodhini Jayananthan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Asmaa Zidan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tyler Heisler-Taylor
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jayakrishna Ambati
- Center for Advanced Vision Science, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Shigeo Tamiya
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nagaraj Kerur
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Advanced Vision Science, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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2
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Duret LC, Hamidouche T, Steers NJ, Pons C, Soubeiran N, Buret D, Gilson E, Gharavi AG, D'Agati VD, Shkreli M. Targeting WIP1 phosphatase promotes partial remission in experimental collapsing glomerulopathy. Kidney Int 2024; 105:980-996. [PMID: 38423182 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2024.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), also known as collapsing glomerulopathy (CG), is the most aggressive variant of FSGS and is characterized by a rapid progression to kidney failure. Understanding CG pathogenesis represents a key step for the development of targeted therapies. Previous work implicated the telomerase protein component TERT in CG pathogenesis, as transgenic TERT expression in adult mice resulted in a CG resembling that seen in human primary CG and HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). Here, we used the telomerase-induced mouse model of CG (i-TERTci mice) to identify mechanisms to inhibit CG pathogenesis. Inactivation of WIP1 phosphatase, a p53 target acting in a negative feedback loop, blocked disease initiation in i-TERTci mice. Repression of disease initiation upon WIP1 deficiency was associated with senescence enhancement and required transforming growth factor-β functions. The efficacy of a pharmacologic treatment to reduce disease severity in both i-TERTci mice and in a mouse model of HIVAN (Tg26 mice) was then assessed. Pharmacologic inhibition of WIP1 enzymatic activity in either the telomerase mice with CG or in the Tg26 mice promoted partial remission of proteinuria and ameliorated kidney histopathologic features. Histological as well as high-throughput sequencing methods further showed that selective inhibition of WIP1 does not promote kidney fibrosis or inflammation. Thus, our findings suggest that targeting WIP1 may be an effective therapeutic strategy for patients with CG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lou C Duret
- Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and aging, Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Tynhinane Hamidouche
- Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and aging, Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Nicholas J Steers
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Catherine Pons
- Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and aging, Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Nicolas Soubeiran
- Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and aging, Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Delphine Buret
- Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and aging, Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Eric Gilson
- Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and aging, Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France; International Laboratory in Hematology and Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine/Ruijin Hospital/CNRS/INSERM/Nice University, Pôle Sino-Français de Recherche en Sciences du Vivant et Génomique, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Huangpu, Shanghai, PR China; Department of Genetics, CHU Nice, Nice, France
| | - Ali G Gharavi
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vivette D D'Agati
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Marina Shkreli
- Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR7284, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and aging, Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France.
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3
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Rasouli S, Dakic A, Wang QE, Mitchell D, Blakaj DM, Putluri N, Li J, Liu X. Noncanonical functions of telomerase and telomeres in viruses-associated cancer. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29665. [PMID: 38738582 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
The cause of cancer is attributed to the uncontrolled growth and proliferation of cells resulting from genetic changes and alterations in cell behavior, a phenomenon known as epigenetics. Telomeres, protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, regulate both cellular aging and cancer formation. In most cancers, telomerase is upregulated, with the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) enzyme and telomerase RNA component (TERC) RNA element contributing to the maintenance of telomere length. Additionally, it is noteworthy that two viruses, human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), utilize telomerase for their replication or persistence in infected cells. Also, TERT and TERC may play major roles in cancer not related to telomere biology. They are involved in the regulation of gene expression, signal transduction pathways, cellular metabolism, or even immune response modulation. Furthermore, the crosstalk between TERT, TERC, RNA-binding proteins, and microRNAs contributes to a greater extent to cancer biology. To understand the multifaceted roles played by TERT and TERC in cancer and viral life cycles, and then to develop effective therapeutic strategies against these diseases, are fundamental for this goal. By investigating deeply, the complicated mechanisms and relationships between TERT and TERC, scientists will open the doors to new therapies. In its analysis, the review emphasizes the significance of gaining insight into the multifaceted roles that TERT and TERC play in cancer pathogenesis, as well as their involvement in the viral life cycle for designing effective anticancer therapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rasouli
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Aleksandra Dakic
- Division of Neuroscience, National Institute of Aging, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Qi-En Wang
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Darrion Mitchell
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Dukagjin M Blakaj
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Nagireddy Putluri
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jenny Li
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Xuefeng Liu
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Urology, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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4
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Jayaprasad AG, Chandrasekharan A, Arun Jyothi SP, John Sam SM, Santhoshkumar TR, Pillai MR. Telomerase inhibitors induce mitochondrial oxidation and DNA damage-dependent cell death rescued by Bcl-2/Bcl-xL. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 264:130151. [PMID: 38403227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reactivation of telomerase is a hallmark of cancer and the majority of cancers over-express telomerase. Telomerase-dependent telomere length maintenance confers immortality to cancer cells. However, telomere length-independent cell survival functions of telomerase also play a critical role in tumorigenesis. Multiple telomerase inhibitors have been developed as therapeutics and include anti-sense oligonucleotides, telomerase RNA component targeting agents, chemical inhibitors of telomerase, small molecule inhibitors of hTERT, and telomerase vaccine. In general, telomerase inhibitors affect cell proliferation and survival of cells depending on the telomere length reduction, culminating in replicative senescence or cell death by crisis. However, most telomerase inhibitors kill cancer cells prior to significant reduction in telomere length, suggesting telomere length independent role of telomerase in early telomere dysfunction-dependent cell death. METHODS In this study, we explored the mechanism of cell death induced by three prominent telomerase inhibitors utilizing a series of genetically encoded sensor cells including redox and DNA damage sensor cells. RESULTS We report that telomerase inhibitors induce early cell cycle inhibition, followed by redox alterations at cytosol and mitochondria. Massive mitochondrial oxidation and DNA damage induce classical cell death involving mitochondrial transmembrane potential loss and mitochondrial permeabilization. Real-time imaging of the progression of mitochondrial oxidation revealed that treated cells undergo a biphasic mitochondrial redox alteration during telomerase inhibition, emphasizing the potential role of telomerase in the redox regulation at mitochondria. Additionally, silencing of hTERT confirmed its predominant role in maintaining mitochondrial redox homeostasis. Interestingly, the study also demonstrated that anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins still confer protection against cell death induced by telomerase inhibitors. CONCLUSION The study demonstrates that redox alterations and DNA damage contribute to early cell death by telomerase inhibitors and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins confer protection from cell death by their ability to safeguard mitochondria from oxidation damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Geetha Jayaprasad
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India; PhD Program, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Madhav Nagar, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Aneesh Chandrasekharan
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
| | - S P Arun Jyothi
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
| | - S M John Sam
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
| | - T R Santhoshkumar
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India.
| | - M Radhakrishna Pillai
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India.
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5
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Lipskaia L, Breau M, Cayrou C, Churikov D, Braud L, Jacquet J, Born E, Fouillade C, Curras-Alonso S, Bauwens S, Jourquin F, Fiore F, Castellano R, Josselin E, Sánchez-Ferrer C, Giovinazzo G, Lachaud C, Gilson E, Flores I, Londono-Vallejo A, Adnot S, Géli V. mTert induction in p21-positive cells counteracts capillary rarefaction and pulmonary emphysema. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:1650-1684. [PMID: 38424230 PMCID: PMC10933469 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-023-00041-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung diseases develop when telomeres shorten beyond a critical point. We constructed a mouse model in which the catalytic subunit of telomerase (mTert), or its catalytically inactive form (mTertCI), is expressed from the p21Cdkn1a locus. Expression of either TERT or TERTCI reduces global p21 levels in the lungs of aged mice, highlighting TERT non-canonical function. However, only TERT reduces accumulation of very short telomeres, oxidative damage, endothelial cell (ECs) senescence and senile emphysema in aged mice. Single-cell analysis of the lung reveals that p21 (and hence TERT) is expressed mainly in the capillary ECs. We report that a fraction of capillary ECs marked by CD34 and endowed with proliferative capacity declines drastically with age, and this is counteracted by TERT but not TERTCI. Consistently, only TERT counteracts decline of capillary density. Natural aging effects are confirmed using the experimental model of emphysema induced by VEGFR2 inhibition and chronic hypoxia. We conclude that catalytically active TERT prevents exhaustion of the putative CD34 + EC progenitors with age, thus protecting against capillary vessel loss and pulmonary emphysema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Lipskaia
- Institute for Lung Health, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- INSERM U955 and Département de Physiologie, Hôpital Henri Mondor, FHU SENEC, AP-HP, 94010, Créteil, and Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), Paris, France
| | - Marielle Breau
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), U1068 INSERM, UMR7258 CNRS, UM105 Aix-Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (Equipe labellisée), Team Telomeres and Chromatin, Marseille, France
| | - Christelle Cayrou
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), U1068 INSERM, UMR7258 CNRS, UM105 Aix-Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (Equipe labellisée), Team Telomeres and Chromatin, Marseille, France
| | - Dmitri Churikov
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), U1068 INSERM, UMR7258 CNRS, UM105 Aix-Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (Equipe labellisée), Team Telomeres and Chromatin, Marseille, France
| | - Laura Braud
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), U1068 INSERM, UMR7258 CNRS, UM105 Aix-Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (Equipe labellisée), Team Telomeres and Chromatin, Marseille, France
| | - Juliette Jacquet
- Institute for Lung Health, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Emmanuelle Born
- Institute for Lung Health, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Charles Fouillade
- Institut Curie, Inserm U1021, CNRS UMR 3347, University Paris-Saclay, PSL Research University, Orsay, France
| | - Sandra Curras-Alonso
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR3244, Sorbonne Université, Telomeres and Cancer, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Serge Bauwens
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, IRCAN, Faculty of Medicine, Nice, France
| | - Frederic Jourquin
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), U1068 INSERM, UMR7258 CNRS, UM105 Aix-Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (Equipe labellisée), Team Telomeres and Chromatin, Marseille, France
| | - Frederic Fiore
- Centre d'Immunophénomique, Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, CNRS UMR, Marseille, France
| | - Rémy Castellano
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), TrGET Preclinical Platform, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Inserm, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Emmanuelle Josselin
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), TrGET Preclinical Platform, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Inserm, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | | | - Giovanna Giovinazzo
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christophe Lachaud
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), U1068 INSERM, UMR7258 CNRS, UM105 Aix-Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Team DNA Interstrand Crosslink Lesions and Blood Disorders, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Gilson
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, IRCAN, Faculty of Medicine, Nice, France
| | - Ignacio Flores
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Arturo Londono-Vallejo
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR3244, Sorbonne Université, Telomeres and Cancer, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Serge Adnot
- Institute for Lung Health, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
- INSERM U955 and Département de Physiologie, Hôpital Henri Mondor, FHU SENEC, AP-HP, 94010, Créteil, and Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), Paris, France.
| | - Vincent Géli
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), U1068 INSERM, UMR7258 CNRS, UM105 Aix-Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (Equipe labellisée), Team Telomeres and Chromatin, Marseille, France.
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6
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Li S, Xue J, Jiang K, Chen Y, Zhu L, Liu R. TERT promoter methylation is associated with high expression of TERT and poor prognosis in papillary thyroid cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1325345. [PMID: 38313800 PMCID: PMC10834694 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1325345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), the most common subtype of thyroid cancer. The overexpression of TERT in PTC was partially attributed to transcriptional activation by two hotspot mutations in the core promoter region of this gene. As one of the major epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression regulation, DNA methylation has been proved to regulate several tumor-related genes in PTC. However, the association of TERT promoter DNA methylation with TERT expression and PTC progression is still unclear. By treating PTC cell lines with demethylating agent decitabine, we found that the TERT promoter methylation and the genes' expression were remarkably decreased. Consistently, PTC patients with TERT hypermethylation had significantly higher TERT expression than patients with TERT hypomethylation. Moreover, TERT hypermethylated patients showed significant higher rates of poor clinical outcomes than patients with TERT hypomethylation. Results from the cox regression analysis showed that the hazard ratios (HRs) of TERT hypermethylation for overall survival, disease-specific survival, disease-free interval (DFI) and progression-free interval (PFI) were 4.81 (95% CI, 1.61-14.41), 8.28 (95% CI, 2.14-32.13), 3.56 (95% CI, 1.24-10.17) and 3.32 (95% CI, 1.64-6.71), respectively. The HRs for DFI and PFI remained significant after adjustment for clinical risk factors. These data suggest that promoter DNA methylation upregulates TERT expression and associates with poor clinical outcomes of PTC, thus holds the potential to be a valuable prognostic marker for PTC risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyong Li
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junyu Xue
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke Jiang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yulu Chen
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lefan Zhu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rengyun Liu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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7
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Kalmykova A. Telomere Checkpoint in Development and Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15979. [PMID: 37958962 PMCID: PMC10647821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115979] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of genome integrity through generations is largely determined by the stability of telomeres. Increasing evidence suggests that telomere dysfunction may trigger changes in cell fate, independently of telomere length. Telomeric multiple tandem repeats are potentially highly recombinogenic. Heterochromatin formation, transcriptional repression, the suppression of homologous recombination and chromosome end protection are all required for telomere stability. Genetic and epigenetic defects affecting telomere homeostasis may cause length-independent internal telomeric DNA damage. Growing evidence, including that based on Drosophila research, points to a telomere checkpoint mechanism that coordinates cell fate with telomere state. According to this scenario, telomeres, irrespective of their length, serve as a primary sensor of genome instability that is capable of triggering cell death or developmental arrest. Telomeric factors released from shortened or dysfunctional telomeres are thought to mediate these processes. Here, we discuss a novel signaling role for telomeric RNAs in cell fate and early development. Telomere checkpoint ensures genome stability in multicellular organisms but aggravates the aging process, promoting the accumulation of damaged and senescent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla Kalmykova
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
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8
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Wang C, Bi L, Du Y, Lu C, Zhao M, Lin X, Ding Y, Fan W. The role of telomerase in hair growth and relevant disorders: A review. J Cosmet Dermatol 2023; 22:2925-2929. [PMID: 37667425 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.15992] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hair diseases may present with hair loss, hirsutism, hair melanin abnormalities and other manifestations. Hair follicles are known as mini-organs that undergo periodic remodeling, and their constant regeneration in vivo reflects interesting anti-aging functions. Telomerase prevents cellular senescence by maintaining telomere length, but its excessive proliferation in cancer cells may also induce cancer. However, the effects of telomerase in hair growth have rarely been reported. METHODS In this study, we reviewed the role of telomerase in hair growth and the effects of hair disorders through literature search and analysis. RESULTS There is growing evidence that telomerase plays an important role in maintaining hair follicle function and proliferation. Changes in telomerase levels in hair follicles have also been found in a variety of hair disorders. CONCLUSION Telomerase plays a positive role in hair growth and is expected to become a new target for the treatment of alopecia or other hair diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaofan Wang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lingbo Bi
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yimei Du
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Changpei Lu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuewen Lin
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunbu Ding
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weixin Fan
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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9
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Yamada A, Watanabe K, Nishi Y, Oshiro M, Katakura Y, Sakai K, Tashiro Y. Scalp bacterial species influence SIRT1 and TERT expression in keratinocytes. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2023; 87:1364-1372. [PMID: 37673677 DOI: 10.1093/bbb/zbad122] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Scalp bacteria on the human scalp and scalp hair comprise distinct community structures for sites and individuals. To evaluate their effect on human keratinocyte cellular activity, including that of the hair follicular keratinocytes, the expression of several longevity genes was examined using HaCaT cells. A screening system that uses enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fluorescence was established to identify scalp bacteria that enhance silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog-1 (SIRT1) promoter activity in transformed HaCaT cells (SIRT1p-EGFP). The results of quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that several predominant scalp bacteria enhanced (Cutibacterium acnes and Pseudomonas lini) and repressed (Staphylococcus epidermidis) the expressions of SIRT1 and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) genes in HaCaT cells. These results suggest that the predominant scalp bacteria are related to the health of the scalp and hair, including repair of the damaged scalp and hair growth, by regulating gene expression in keratinocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azusa Yamada
- Laboratory of Soil and Environmental Microbiology, Division of Systems Bioengineering, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kota Watanabe
- Laboratory of Fermentation Microbiology, Department of Fermentation Science, Faculty of Applied Biosciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuri Nishi
- Laboratory of Soil and Environmental Microbiology, Division of Systems Bioengineering, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mugihito Oshiro
- Laboratory of Soil and Environmental Microbiology, Division of Systems Bioengineering, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Katakura
- Laboratory of Cellular Regulation Technology, Division of Systems Bioengineering, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakai
- Laboratory of Soil and Environmental Microbiology, Division of Systems Bioengineering, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Laboratory of Microbial Environmental Protection, Tropical Microbiology Unit, Center for International Education and Research of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Tashiro
- Laboratory of Soil and Environmental Microbiology, Division of Systems Bioengineering, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Laboratory of Microbial Environmental Protection, Tropical Microbiology Unit, Center for International Education and Research of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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10
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Ebata H, Shima T, Iizuka R, Uemura S. Accumulation of TERT in mitochondria exerts two opposing effects on apoptosis. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:1667-1682. [PMID: 37525387 PMCID: PMC10476567 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13682] [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: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is a protein that catalyzes the reverse transcription of telomere elongation. TERT is also expected to play a non-canonical role beyond telomere lengthening since it localizes not only in the nucleus but also in mitochondria, where telomeres do not exist. Several studies have reported that mitochondrial TERT regulates apoptosis induced by oxidative stress. However, there is still some controversy as to whether mitochondrial TERT promotes or inhibits apoptosis, mainly due to the lack of information on changes in TERT distribution in individual cells over time. Here, we simultaneously detected apoptosis and TERT localization after oxidative stress in individual HeLa cells by live-cell tracking. Single-cell tracking revealed that the stress-induced accumulation of TERT in mitochondria caused apoptosis, but that accumulation increased over time until cell death. The results suggest a new model in which mitochondrial TERT has two opposing effects at different stages of apoptosis: it predetermines apoptosis at the first stage of cell-fate determination, but also delays apoptosis at the second stage. As such, our data support a model that integrates the two opposing hypotheses on mitochondrial TERT's effect on apoptosis. Furthermore, detailed statistical analysis of TERT mutations, which have been predicted to inhibit TERT transport to mitochondria, revealed that these mutations suppress apoptosis independent of mitochondrial localization of TERT. Together, these results imply that the non-canonical functions of TERT affect a wide range of mitochondria-dependent and mitochondria-independent apoptosis pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ebata
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of ScienceThe University of TokyoJapan
- Present address:
Buck Institute for Research on AgingNovatoCAUSA
| | - Tomohiro Shima
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of ScienceThe University of TokyoJapan
| | - Ryo Iizuka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of ScienceThe University of TokyoJapan
| | - Sotaro Uemura
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of ScienceThe University of TokyoJapan
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11
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Teng Y, Huang DQ, Li RX, Yi C, Zhan YQ. Association Between Telomere Length and Risk of Lung Cancer in an Asian Population: A Mendelian Randomization Study. World J Oncol 2023; 14:277-284. [PMID: 37560336 PMCID: PMC10409562 DOI: 10.14740/wjon1624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several traditional observational studies and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have indicated an association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and the risk of lung cancer in the European population. However, the results in the Asian population are still unclear. The objective was to reveal the genetic causal association between LTL and the risk of lung cancer in the Asian population. METHODS We conducted a two-sample MR analysis using summary statistics. Instrumental variables (IVs) were obtained from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of LTL (n = 23,096) and lung cancer (n = 212,453) of Asian ancestry. We applied the random-effects inverse-variance weighted (IVW) model as the main method. As well, several other models were performed as complementary methods to assess the impact of potential MR assumption violations, including MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and weighted mode models. RESULTS We included eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as IVs for LTL and found that LTL was significantly associated with the risk of lung cancer in the IVW model (odds ratio (OR): 1.60; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31 - 1.97; P = 5.96 × 10-6), which was in line with the results in the weighted median and weighted mode models. However, the relationship was not statistically significant in the MR-Egger regression model (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 0.92 - 2.26; P = 0.160). Sensitivity analyses indicated the robustness of the results. CONCLUSIONS This two-sample MR study confirmed that longer telomere length significantly increased the risk of lung cancer in the Asian population, which was in accord with findings in the Western population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Teng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Dan Qi Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Rui Xi Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, China
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Chao Yi
- Guangming Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi Qiang Zhan
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Tire B, Ozturk S. Potential effects of assisted reproductive technology on telomere length and telomerase activity in human oocytes and early embryos. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:130. [PMID: 37400833 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01211-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences at eukaryotic chromosome ends and function in maintaining genome integrity and stability. These unique structures undergo shortening due to various factors including biological aging, consecutive DNA replication, oxidative stress, and genotoxic agents. Shortened telomeres can be lengthened by the enzyme telomerase and alternative lengthening of telomeres in germ cells, early embryos, stem cells, and activated lymphocytes. If telomeres reach to critical length, it may lead to genomic instability, chromosome segregation defects, aneuploidy, and apoptosis. These phenotypes also occur in the oocytes and early embryos, produced using assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Thus, a number of studies have examined the potential effects of ART applications such as ovarian stimulation, culture conditions, and cryopreservation procedures on telomeres. Herein, we comprehensively reviewed impacts of these applications on telomere length and telomerase activity in ART-derived oocytes and embryos. Further, we discussed use of these parameters in ART centers as a biomarker in determining oocyte and embryo quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betul Tire
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Saffet Ozturk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey.
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13
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Wang F, McCulloh DH, Chan K, Wiltshire A, McCaffrey C, Grifo JA, Keefe DL. The Landscape of Telomere Length and Telomerase in Human Embryos at Blastocyst Stage. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1200. [PMID: 37372380 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The telomere length of human blastocysts exceeds that of oocytes and telomerase activity increases after zygotic activation, peaking at the blastocyst stage. Yet, it is unknown whether aneuploid human embryos at the blastocyst stage exhibit a different profile of telomere length, telomerase gene expression, and telomerase activity compared to euploid embryos. In present study, 154 cryopreserved human blastocysts, donated by consenting patients, were thawed and assayed for telomere length, telomerase gene expression, and telomerase activity using real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Aneuploid blastocysts showed longer telomeres, higher telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mRNA expression, and lower telomerase activity compared to euploid blastocysts. The TERT protein was found in all tested embryos via IF staining with anti-hTERT antibody, regardless of ploidy status. Moreover, telomere length or telomerase gene expression did not differ in aneuploid blastocysts between chromosomal gain or loss. Our data demonstrate that telomerase is activated and telomeres are maintained in all human blastocyst stage embryos. The robust telomerase gene expression and telomere maintenance, even in aneuploid human blastocysts, may explain why extended in vitro culture alone is insufficient to cull out aneuploid embryos during in vitro fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- NYU Langone Fertility Center, New York, NY 10022, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman, School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | | - Kasey Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman, School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | | | | - James A Grifo
- NYU Langone Fertility Center, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - David L Keefe
- NYU Langone Fertility Center, New York, NY 10022, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman, School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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14
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Amin A, Morello M, Petrara MR, Rizzo B, Argenton F, De Rossi A, Giunco S. Short-Term TERT Inhibition Impairs Cellular Proliferation via a Telomere Length-Independent Mechanism and Can Be Exploited as a Potential Anticancer Approach. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2673. [PMID: 37345011 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic component of telomerase, may also contribute to carcinogenesis via telomere-length independent mechanisms. Our previous in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that short-term telomerase inhibition by BIBR1532 impairs cell proliferation without affecting telomere length. Here, we show that the impaired cell cycle progression following short-term TERT inhibition by BIBR1532 in in vitro models of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, i.e., Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), and B-cell malignancies, i.e., Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines, is characterized by a significant reduction in NF-κB p65 nuclear levels leading to the downregulation of its target gene MYC. MYC downregulation was associated with increased expression and nuclear localization of P21, thus promoting its cell cycle inhibitory function. Consistently, treatment with BIBR1532 in wild-type zebrafish embryos significantly decreased Myc and increased p21 expression. The combination of BIBR1532 with antineoplastic drugs (cyclophosphamide or fludarabine) significantly reduced xenografted cells' proliferation rate compared to monotherapy in the zebrafish xenograft model. Overall, these findings indicate that short-term inhibition of TERT impairs cell growth through the downregulation of MYC via NF-κB signalling and supports the use of TERT inhibitors in combination with antineoplastic drugs as an efficient anticancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamir Amin
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Marzia Morello
- Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Petrara
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Beatrice Rizzo
- Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | | | - Anita De Rossi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Giunco
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Immunology and Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy
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15
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Hill C, Duffy S, Kettyle LM, McGlynn L, Sandholm N, Salem RM, Thompson A, Swan EJ, Kilner J, Rossing P, Shiels PG, Lajer M, Groop PH, Maxwell AP, McKnight AJ. Differential Methylation of Telomere-Related Genes Is Associated with Kidney Disease in Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051029. [PMID: 37239390 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051029] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) represents a major global health problem. Accelerated ageing is a key feature of DKD and, therefore, characteristics of accelerated ageing may provide useful biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Harnessing multi-omics, features affecting telomere biology and any associated methylome dysregulation in DKD were explored. Genotype data for nuclear genome polymorphisms in telomere-related genes were extracted from genome-wide case-control association data (n = 823 DKD/903 controls; n = 247 end-stage kidney disease (ESKD)/1479 controls). Telomere length was established using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Quantitative methylation values for 1091 CpG sites in telomere-related genes were extracted from epigenome-wide case-control association data (n = 150 DKD/100 controls). Telomere length was significantly shorter in older age groups (p = 7.6 × 10-6). Telomere length was also significantly reduced (p = 6.6 × 10-5) in DKD versus control individuals, with significance remaining after covariate adjustment (p = 0.028). DKD and ESKD were nominally associated with telomere-related genetic variation, with Mendelian randomisation highlighting no significant association between genetically predicted telomere length and kidney disease. A total of 496 CpG sites in 212 genes reached epigenome-wide significance (p ≤ 10-8) for DKD association, and 412 CpG sites in 193 genes for ESKD. Functional prediction revealed differentially methylated genes were enriched for Wnt signalling involvement. Harnessing previously published RNA-sequencing datasets, potential targets where epigenetic dysregulation may result in altered gene expression were revealed, useful as potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Hill
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
| | - Seamus Duffy
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
| | - Laura M Kettyle
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Liane McGlynn
- College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Niina Sandholm
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rany M Salem
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Alex Thompson
- School of Medicine, The Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Elizabeth J Swan
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
| | - Jill Kilner
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
| | - Peter Rossing
- Nordsjaellands Hospital, Hilleroed, Denmark and Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center, 2730 Gentofte, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paul G Shiels
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Davidson Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Maria Lajer
- Steno Diabetes Center, 2730 Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Per-Henrik Groop
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Alexander Peter Maxwell
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
- Regional Nephrology Unit, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast BT9 7AB, UK
| | - Amy Jayne McKnight
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
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16
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Palamarchuk AI, Kovalenko EI, Streltsova MA. Multiple Actions of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase in Cell Death Regulation. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041091. [PMID: 37189709 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), a core part of telomerase, has been known for a long time only for its telomere lengthening function by reverse transcription of RNA template. Currently, TERT is considered as an intriguing link between multiple signaling pathways. The diverse intracellular localization of TERT corresponds to a wide range of functional activities. In addition to the canonical function of protecting chromosome ends, TERT by itself or as a part of the telomerase complex participates in cell stress responses, gene regulation and mitochondria functioning. Upregulation of TERT expression and increased telomerase activity in cancer and somatic cells relate to improved survival and persistence of such cells. In this review, we summarize the data for a comprehensive understanding of the role of TERT in cell death regulation, with a focus on the interaction of TERT with signaling pathways involved in cell survival and stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia I. Palamarchuk
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena I. Kovalenko
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria A. Streltsova
- Shemyakin & Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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17
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Marinaccio J, Micheli E, Udroiu I, Di Nottia M, Carrozzo R, Baranzini N, Grimaldi A, Leone S, Moreno S, Muzzi M, Sgura A. TERT Extra-Telomeric Roles: Antioxidant Activity and Mitochondrial Protection. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054450. [PMID: 36901881 PMCID: PMC10002448 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is the catalytic subunit of telomerase holoenzyme, which adds telomeric DNA repeats on chromosome ends to counteract telomere shortening. In addition, there is evidence of TERT non-canonical functions, among which is an antioxidant role. In order to better investigate this role, we tested the response to X-rays and H2O2 treatment in hTERT-overexpressing human fibroblasts (HF-TERT). We observed in HF-TERT a reduced induction of reactive oxygen species and an increased expression of the proteins involved in the antioxidant defense. Therefore, we also tested a possible role of TERT inside mitochondria. We confirmed TERT mitochondrial localization, which increases after oxidative stress (OS) induced by H2O2 treatment. We next evaluated some mitochondrial markers. The basal mitochondria quantity appeared reduced in HF-TERT compared to normal fibroblasts and an additional reduction was observed after OS; nevertheless, the mitochondrial membrane potential and morphology were better conserved in HF-TERT. Our results suggest a protective function of TERT against OS, also preserving mitochondrial functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emanuela Micheli
- Department of Science, University “ROMA TRE”, 00146 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Ion Udroiu
- Department of Science, University “ROMA TRE”, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Di Nottia
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Rosalba Carrozzo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicolò Baranzini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Annalisa Grimaldi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Stefano Leone
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Sandra Moreno
- Department of Science, University “ROMA TRE”, 00146 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Muzzi
- Department of Science, University “ROMA TRE”, 00146 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Sgura
- Department of Science, University “ROMA TRE”, 00146 Rome, Italy
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18
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Udroiu I, Marinaccio J, Sgura A. Many Functions of Telomerase Components: Certainties, Doubts, and Inconsistencies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315189. [PMID: 36499514 PMCID: PMC9736166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing number of studies have evidenced non-telomeric functions of "telomerase". Almost all of them, however, investigated the non-canonical effects of the catalytic subunit TERT, and not the telomerase ribonucleoprotein holoenzyme. These functions mainly comprise signal transduction, gene regulation and the increase of anti-oxidative systems. Although less studied, TERC (the RNA component of telomerase) has also been shown to be involved in gene regulation, as well as other functions. All this has led to the publication of many reviews on the subject, which, however, are often disseminating personal interpretations of experimental studies of other researchers as original proofs. Indeed, while some functions such as gene regulation seem ascertained, especially because mechanistic findings have been provided, other ones remain dubious and/or are contradicted by other direct or indirect evidence (e.g., telomerase activity at double-strand break site, RNA polymerase activity of TERT, translation of TERC, mitochondrion-processed TERC). In a critical study of the primary evidence so far obtained, we show those functions for which there is consensus, those showing contradictory results and those needing confirmation. The resulting picture, together with some usually neglected aspects, seems to indicate a link between TERT and TERC functions and cellular stemness and gives possible directions for future research.
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19
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Antropova E, Khlebodarova T, Demenkov P, Venzel A, Ivanisenko N, Gavrilenko A, Ivanisenko T, Adamovskaya A, Revva P, Lavrik I, Ivanisenko V. Computer analysis of regulation of hepatocarcinoma marker genes hypermethylated by HCV proteins. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2022; 26:733-742. [PMID: 36714033 PMCID: PMC9840909 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-22-89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a risk factor that leads to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Epigenetic changes are known to play an important role in the molecular genetic mechanisms of virus-induced oncogenesis. Aberrant DNA methylation is a mediator of epigenetic changes that are closely associated with the HCC pathogenesis and considered a biomarker for its early diagnosis. The ANDSystem software package was used to reconstruct and evaluate the statistical significance of the pathways HCV could potentially use to regulate 32 hypermethylated genes in HCC, including both oncosuppressor and protumorigenic ones identified by genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation. The reconstructed pathways included those affecting protein-protein interactions (PPI), gene expression, protein activity, stability, and transport regulations, the expression regulation pathways being statistically significant. It has been shown that 8 out of 10 HCV proteins were involved in these pathways, the HCV NS3 protein being implicated in the largest number of regulatory pathways. NS3 was associated with the regulation of 5 tumor-suppressor genes, which may be the evidence of its central role in HCC pathogenesis. Analysis of the reconstructed pathways has demonstrated that following the transcription factor inhibition caused by binding to viral proteins, the expression of a number of oncosuppressors (WT1, MGMT, SOCS1, P53) was suppressed, while the expression of others (RASF1, RUNX3, WIF1, DAPK1) was activated. Thus, the performed gene-network reconstruction has shown that HCV proteins can influence not only the methylation status of oncosuppressor genes, but also their transcriptional regulation. The results obtained can be used in the search for pharmacological targets to develop new drugs against HCV-induced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- E.A. Antropova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Scences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - T.M. Khlebodarova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Scences, Novosibirsk, RussiaKurchatov Genomic Center of ICG SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - P.S. Demenkov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Scences, Novosibirsk, RussiaKurchatov Genomic Center of ICG SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - A.S. Venzel
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Scences, Novosibirsk, RussiaKurchatov Genomic Center of ICG SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - N.V. Ivanisenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Scences, Novosibirsk, RussiaKurchatov Genomic Center of ICG SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - A.D. Gavrilenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Scences, Novosibirsk, RussiaNovosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - T.V. Ivanisenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Scences, Novosibirsk, RussiaKurchatov Genomic Center of ICG SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - A.V. Adamovskaya
- Kurchatov Genomic Center of ICG SB RAS, Novosibirsk, RussiaNovosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - P.M. Revva
- Kurchatov Genomic Center of ICG SB RAS, Novosibirsk, RussiaKurchatov Genomic Center of ICG SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - I.N. Lavrik
- Translational Inflammation Research, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - V.A. Ivanisenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Scences, Novosibirsk, RussiaKurchatov Genomic Center of ICG SB RAS, Novosibirsk, RussiaNovosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
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20
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Ijima S, Saito Y, Nagaoka K, Yamamoto S, Sato T, Miura N, Iwamoto T, Miyajima M, Chikenji TS. Fisetin reduces the senescent tubular epithelial cell burden and also inhibits proliferative fibroblasts in murine lupus nephritis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:960601. [PMID: 36466895 PMCID: PMC9714549 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.960601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by the involvement of multiple organs. Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major risk factor for overall morbidity and mortality in SLE patients. Hence, designing effective drugs is pivotal for treating individuals with LN. Fisetin plays a senolytic role by specifically eliminating senescent cells, inhibiting cell proliferation, and exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-tumorigenic effects. However, limited research has been conducted on the utility and therapeutic mechanisms of fisetin in chronic inflammation. Similarly, whether the effects of fisetin depend on cell type remains unclear. In this study, we found that LN-prone MRL/lpr mice demonstrated accumulation of Ki-67-positive myofibroblasts and p15INK4B-positive senescent tubular epithelial cells (TECs) that highly expressed transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). TGF-β stimulation induced senescence of NRK-52E renal TECs and proliferation of NRK-49F renal fibroblasts, suggesting that TGF-β promotes senescence and proliferation in a cell type-dependent manner, which is inhibited by fisetin treatment in vitro. Furthermore, fisetin treatment in vivo reduced the number of senescent TECs and myofibroblasts, which attenuated kidney fibrosis, reduced senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) expression, and increased TEC proliferation. These data suggest that the effects of fisetin vary depending on the cell type and may have therapeutic effects in complex and diverse LN pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Ijima
- Department of Oral Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuki Saito
- Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Nagaoka
- Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sena Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Sato
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Norihiro Miura
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Taiki Iwamoto
- Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Maki Miyajima
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takako S. Chikenji
- Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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21
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Liu T, Gonzalez De Los Santos F, Rinke AE, Fang C, Flaherty KR, Phan SH. B7H3-dependent myeloid-derived suppressor cell recruitment and activation in pulmonary fibrosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:901349. [PMID: 36045668 PMCID: PMC9420866 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.901349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease without effective curative therapy. Recent evidence shows increased circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in cancer, inflammation, and fibrosis, with some of these cells expressing B7H3. We sought to investigate the role of MDSCs in IPF and its potential mediation via B7H3. Here we prospectively collected peripheral blood samples from IPF patients to analyze for circulating MDSCs and B7H3 expression to assess their clinical significance and potential impact on co-cultured lung fibroblasts and T-cell activation. In parallel, we assess MDSC recruitment and potential B7H3 dependence in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. Expansion of MDSCs in IPF patients correlated with disease severity. Co-culture of soluble B7H3 (sB7H3)-treated mouse monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs), but not granulocytic MDSCs (G-MDSCs), activated lung fibroblasts and myofibroblast differentiation. Additionally, sB7H3 significantly enhanced MDSC suppression of T-cell proliferation. Activated M-MDSCs displayed elevated TGFβ and Arg1 expression relative to that in G-MDSCs. Treatment with anti-B7H3 antibodies inhibited bone marrow-derived MDSC recruitment into the bleomycin-injured lung, accompanied by reduced expression of inflammation and fibrosis markers. Selective telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) deficiency in myeloid cells also diminished MDSC recruitment associated with the reduced plasma level of sB7H3, lung recruitment of c-Kit+ hematopoietic progenitors, myofibroblast differentiation, and fibrosis. Lung single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) revealed fibroblasts as a predominant potential source of sB7H3, and indeed the conditioned medium from activated mouse lung fibroblasts had a chemotactic effect on bone marrow (BM)-MDSC, which was abolished by B7H3 blocking antibody. Thus, in addition to their immunosuppressive activity, TERT and B7H3-dependent MDSC expansion/recruitment from BM could play a paracrine role to activate myofibroblast differentiation during pulmonary fibrosis with potential significance for disease progression mediated by sB7H3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianju Liu
- Departments of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- *Correspondence: Sem H. Phan, ; Tianju Liu,
| | | | - Andrew E. Rinke
- Departments of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Chuling Fang
- Departments of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Kevin R. Flaherty
- Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Sem H. Phan
- Departments of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- *Correspondence: Sem H. Phan, ; Tianju Liu,
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22
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Miller J, Dakic A, Spurgeon M, Saenz F, Kallakury B, Zhao B, Zhang J, Zhu J, Ma Q, Xu Y, Lambert P, Schlegel R, Riegel AT, Liu X. AIB1 is a novel target of the high-risk HPV E6 protein and a biomarker of cervical cancer progression. J Med Virol 2022; 94:3962-3977. [PMID: 35437795 PMCID: PMC9199254 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV-16, -18) are critical etiologic agents in human malignancy, most importantly in cervical cancer. These oncogenic viruses encode the E6 and E7 proteins that are uniformly retained and expressed in cervical cancers and required for maintenance of the tumorigenic phenotype. The E6 and E7 proteins were first identified as targeting the p53 and pRB tumor suppressor pathways, respectively, in host cells, thereby leading to disruption of cell cycle controls. In addition to p53 degradation, a number of other functions and critical targets for E6 have been described, including telomerase, Myc, PDZ-containing proteins, Akt, Wnt, mTORC1, as well as others. In this study, we identified Amplified in Breast Cancer 1 (AIB1) as a new E6 target. We first found that E6 and hTERT altered similar profiling of gene expression in human foreskin keratinocytes (HFK), independent of telomerase activity. Importantly, AIB1 was a common transcriptional target of both E6 and hTERT. We then verified that high-risk E6 but not low-risk E6 expression led to increases in AIB1 transcript levels by real-time RT-PCR, suggesting that AIB1 upregulation may play an important role in cancer development. Western blots demonstrated that AIB1 expression increased in HPV-16 E6 and E7 expressing (E6E7) immortalized foreskin and cervical keratinocytes, and in three of four common cervical cancer cell lines as well. Then, we evaluated the expression of AIB1 in human cervical lesions and invasive carcinoma using immunohistochemical staining. Strikingly, AIB1 showed positivity in the nucleus of cells in the immediate suprabasal epithelium, while nuclei of the basal epithelium were negative, as evident in the Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia 1 (CIN1) samples. As the pathological grading of cervical lesions increased from CIN1, CIN2, CIN3 carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma, AIB1 staining increased progressively, suggesting that AIB1 may serve as a novel histological biomarker for cervical cancer development. For cases of invasive cervical carcinoma, AIB1 staining was specific to cancerous lesions. Increased expression of AIB1 was also observed in transgenic mouse cervical neoplasia and cancer models induced by E6E7 and estrogen. Knockdown of AIB1 expression in E6E7 immortalized human cervical cells significantly abolished cell proliferation. Taken together, these data support AIB1 as a novel target of HPV E6 and a biomarker of cervical cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Miller
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell ReprogrammingGeorgetown University Medical SchoolWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Aleksandra Dakic
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell ReprogrammingGeorgetown University Medical SchoolWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Megan Spurgeon
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of OncologyUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Francisco Saenz
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer CenterGeorgetown University Medical SchoolWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Bhaskar Kallakury
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell ReprogrammingGeorgetown University Medical SchoolWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Bo Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Junran Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wexner Medical CenterThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- The James Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Jian Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical CenterThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Qin Ma
- The James Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of MedicineThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Ying Xu
- Computational Systems Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Institute of BioinformaticsThe University of GeorgiaAthensGeorgiaUSA
| | - Paul Lambert
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of OncologyUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Richard Schlegel
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell ReprogrammingGeorgetown University Medical SchoolWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Anna T. Riegel
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer CenterGeorgetown University Medical SchoolWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Xuefeng Liu
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell ReprogrammingGeorgetown University Medical SchoolWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
- The James Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical CenterThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
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23
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Ellis PS, Martins RR, Thompson EJ, Farhat A, Renshaw SA, Henriques CM. A subset of gut leukocytes has telomerase-dependent "hyper-long" telomeres and require telomerase for function in zebrafish. Immun Ageing 2022; 19:31. [PMID: 35820929 PMCID: PMC9277892 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-022-00287-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomerase, the enzyme capable of elongating telomeres, is usually restricted in human somatic cells, which contributes to progressive telomere shortening with cell-division and ageing. T and B-cells cells are somatic cells that can break this rule and can modulate telomerase expression in a homeostatic manner. Whereas it seems intuitive that an immune cell type that depends on regular proliferation outbursts for function may have evolved to modulate telomerase expression it is less obvious why others may also do so, as has been suggested for macrophages and neutrophils in some chronic inflammation disease settings. The gut has been highlighted as a key modulator of systemic ageing and is a key tissue where inflammation must be carefully controlled to prevent dysfunction. How telomerase may play a role in innate immune subtypes in the context of natural ageing in the gut, however, remains to be determined. RESULTS Using the zebrafish model, we show that subsets of gut immune cells have telomerase-dependent"hyper-long" telomeres, which we identified as being predominantly macrophages and dendritics (mpeg1.1+ and cd45+mhcII+). Notably, mpeg1.1+ macrophages have much longer telomeres in the gut than in their haematopoietic tissue of origin, suggesting that there is modulation of telomerase in these cells, in the gut. Moreover, we show that a subset of gut mpeg1.1+ cells express telomerase (tert) in young WT zebrafish, but that the relative proportion of these cells decreases with ageing. Importantly, this is accompanied by telomere shortening and DNA damage responses with ageing and a telomerase-dependent decrease in expression of autophagy and immune activation markers. Finally, these telomerase-dependent molecular alterations are accompanied by impaired phagocytosis of E. coli and increased gut permeability in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that limiting levels of telomerase lead to alterations in gut immunity, impacting on the ability to clear pathogens in vivo. These are accompanied by increased gut permeability, which, together, are likely contributors to local and systemic tissue degeneration and increased susceptibility to infection with ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pam S Ellis
- The Bateson Centre, MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated Research Into Musculoskeletal Ageing and Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Raquel R Martins
- The Bateson Centre, MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated Research Into Musculoskeletal Ageing and Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Emily J Thompson
- The Bateson Centre, MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated Research Into Musculoskeletal Ageing and Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Asma Farhat
- The Bateson Centre, MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated Research Into Musculoskeletal Ageing and Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK
| | - Stephen A Renshaw
- The Bateson Centre and Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Catarina M Henriques
- The Bateson Centre, MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated Research Into Musculoskeletal Ageing and Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Healthy Lifespan Institute, University of Sheffield Medical School, Sheffield, UK.
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24
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Kumar S, Fathima E, Khanum F, Malini SS. Significance of the Wnt canonical pathway in radiotoxicity via oxidative stress of electron beam radiation and its molecular control in mice. Int J Radiat Biol 2022; 99:459-473. [PMID: 35758974 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2094018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiation triggers cell death events through signaling proteins, but the combined mechanism of these events is unexplored The Wnt canonical pathway, on the other hand, is essential for cell regeneration and cell fate determination. AIM The relationship between the Wnt pathway's response to radiation and its role in radiotoxicity is overlooked, even though it is a critical molecular control of the cell. The Wnt pathway has been predicted to have radioprotective properties in some reports, but the overall mechanism is unknown. We intend to investigate how this combined cascade works throughout the radiation process and its significance over radiotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty adult mice were irradiated with electron beam radiation, and 5 served as controls. Mice were sacrificed after 24 h and 30 days of irradiation. We assessed DNA damage studies, oxidative stress parameters, mRNA profiles, protein level (liver, kidney, spleen, and germ cells), sperm viability, and motility. OBSERVATION The mRNA profile helps to understand how the combined cascade of the Wnt pathway and NHEJ work together during radiation to combat oxidative response and cell survival. The quantitative examination of mRNA uncovers unique critical changes in all mRNA levels in all cases, particularly in germ cells. Recuperation was likewise seen in post-30 day's radiation in the liver, spleen, and kidney followed by oxidative stress parameters, however not in germ cells. It proposes that reproductive physiology is exceptionally sensitive to radiation, even at the molecular level. It also suggests the suppression of Lef1/Axin2 could be the main reason for the permanent failure of the sperm function process. Post-irradiation likewise influences the morphology of sperm. The decrease in mRNA levels of Lef1, Axin2, Survivin, Ku70, and XRCC6 levels suggests radiation inhibits the Wnt canonical pathway and failure in DNA repair mechanisms in a coupled manner. An increase in Bax, Bcl2, and caspase3 suggests apoptosis activation followed by the decreased expression of enzymatic antioxidants. CONCLUSION Controlled several interlinked such as the Wnt canonical pathway, NHEJ pathway, and intrinsic apoptotic pathway execute when the whole body is exposed to radiation. These pathways decide the cell fate whether it will survive or will go to apoptosis which may further be used in a study to counterpart and better comprehend medication focus on radiation treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Kumar
- Molecular Reproductive and Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India
| | - Eram Fathima
- Defense Food Research Laboratory, Defense Research Development Organisation, Mysuru, India
| | - Farhath Khanum
- Defense Food Research Laboratory, Defense Research Development Organisation, Mysuru, India
| | - Suttur S Malini
- Molecular Reproductive and Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India
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25
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Meessen S, Najjar G, Azoitei A, Iben S, Bolenz C, Günes C. A Comparative Assessment of Replication Stress Markers in the Context of Telomerase. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092205. [PMID: 35565334 PMCID: PMC9103842 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Genetic alterations such as oncogenic- or aneuploidy-inducing mutations can induce replication stress as a tumor protection mechansim. Previous data indicated that telomerase may ameliorate the cellular responses that induce replication stress. However, the mechanisms how this may occur are still unclear. In order to address this question, the accurate evaluation of replication stress in the presence and absence of telomerase is crucial. Therefore, we used telomerase negative normal human fibroblasts, as well as their telomerase positive counterparts to compare the suitability of three protein markers (pRPA2, γ-H2AX and 53BP1), which were previously reported to accumulate in response to harmful conditions leading to replication stress in cells. In summary, we find that pRPA2 is the most consistent and reliable marker for the detection of replication stress. Further, we demonstrated that the inhibition of the DNA-damage activated ATM and ATR kinases by specific small compounds impaired the accumulation of pRPA2 foci in the absence of telomerase. These data suggest that telomerase rescues the cells from replication stress upon supression of DNA damage induction by modulating the ATM and ATR signaling pathways, and may therefore support tumor formation of genetically unstable cells. Abstract Aberrant replication stress (RS) is a source of genome instability and has serious implications for cell survival and tumourigenesis. Therefore, the detection of RS and the identification of the underlying molecular mechanisms are crucial for the understanding of tumourigenesis. Currently, three protein markers—p33-phosphorylated replication protein A2 (pRPA2), γ-phosphorylated H2AX (γ-H2AX), and Tumor Protein P53 Binding Protein 1 (53BP1)—are frequently used to detect RS. However, to our knowledge, there is no report that compares their suitability for the detection of different sources of RS. Therefore, in this study, we evaluate the suitability of pRPA2, γ-H2AX, and 53BP1 for the detection of RS caused by different sources of RS. In addition, we examine their suitability as markers of the telomerase-mediated alleviation of RS. For these purposes, we use here telomerase-negative human fibroblasts (BJ) and their telomerase-immortalized counterparts (BJ-hTERT). Replication stress was induced by the ectopic expression of the oncogenic RAS mutant RASG12V (OI-RS), by the knockdown of ploidy-control genes ORP3 or MAD2 (AI-RS), and by treatment with hydrogen peroxide (ROS-induced RS). The level of RS was determined by immunofluorescence staining for pRPA2, γ-H2AX, and 53BP1. Evaluation of the staining results revealed that pRPA2- and γ-H2AX provide a significant and reliable assessment of OI-RS and AI-RS compared to 53BP1. On the other hand, 53BP1 and pRPA2 proved to be superior to γ-H2AX for the evaluation of ROS-induced RS. Moreover, the data showed that among the tested markers, pRPA2 is best suited to evaluate the telomerase-mediated suppression of all three types of RS. In summary, the data indicate that the choice of marker is important for the evaluation of RS activated through different conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Meessen
- Department of Urology, Ulm University Hospital, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (S.M.); (G.N.); (A.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Gregoire Najjar
- Department of Urology, Ulm University Hospital, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (S.M.); (G.N.); (A.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Anca Azoitei
- Department of Urology, Ulm University Hospital, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (S.M.); (G.N.); (A.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Sebastian Iben
- Department of Dermatology, Ulm University Hospital, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Christian Bolenz
- Department of Urology, Ulm University Hospital, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (S.M.); (G.N.); (A.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Cagatay Günes
- Department of Urology, Ulm University Hospital, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (S.M.); (G.N.); (A.A.); (C.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)731-500-58019; Fax: +49-(0)731-500-58093
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26
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Telomerase is required for glomerular renewal in kidneys of adult mice. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:15. [PMID: 35149726 PMCID: PMC8837629 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00212-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeostatic renal filtration relies on the integrity of podocytes, which function in glomerular filtration. These highly specialized cells are damaged in 90% of chronic kidney disease, representing the leading cause of end-stage renal failure. Although modest podocyte renewal has been documented in adult mice, the mechanisms regulating this process remain largely unknown and controversial. Using a mouse model of Adriamycin-induced nephropathy, we find that the recovery of filtration function requires up-regulation of the endogenous telomerase component TERT. Previous work has shown that transient overexpression of catalytically inactive TERT (i-TERTci mouse model) has an unexpected role in triggering dramatic podocyte proliferation and renewal. We therefore used this model to conduct specific and stochastic lineage-tracing strategies in combination with high throughput sequencing methods. These experiments provide evidence that TERT drives the activation and clonal expansion of podocyte progenitor cells. Our findings demonstrate that the adult kidney bears intrinsic regenerative capabilities involving the protein component of telomerase, paving the way for innovative research toward the development of chronic kidney disease therapeutics.
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Telomerase in Cancer: Function, Regulation, and Clinical Translation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030808. [PMID: 35159075 PMCID: PMC8834434 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cells undergoing malignant transformation must circumvent replicative senescence and eventual cell death associated with progressive telomere shortening that occurs through successive cell division. To do so, malignant cells reactivate telomerase to extend their telomeres and achieve cellular immortality, which is a “Hallmark of Cancer”. Here we review the telomere-dependent and -independent functions of telomerase in cancer, as well as its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target to diagnose and treat cancer patients. Abstract During the process of malignant transformation, cells undergo a series of genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic alterations, including the acquisition and propagation of genomic aberrations that impart survival and proliferative advantages. These changes are mediated in part by the induction of replicative immortality that is accompanied by active telomere elongation. Indeed, telomeres undergo dynamic changes to their lengths and higher-order structures throughout tumor formation and progression, processes overseen in most cancers by telomerase. Telomerase is a multimeric enzyme whose function is exquisitely regulated through diverse transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms to facilitate telomere extension. In turn, telomerase function depends not only on its core components, but also on a suite of binding partners, transcription factors, and intra- and extracellular signaling effectors. Additionally, telomerase exhibits telomere-independent regulation of cancer cell growth by participating directly in cellular metabolism, signal transduction, and the regulation of gene expression in ways that are critical for tumorigenesis. In this review, we summarize the complex mechanisms underlying telomere maintenance, with a particular focus on both the telomeric and extratelomeric functions of telomerase. We also explore the clinical utility of telomeres and telomerase in the diagnosis, prognosis, and development of targeted therapies for primary, metastatic, and recurrent cancers.
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28
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Recinella L, Chiavaroli A, Veschi S, Di Valerio V, Lattanzio R, Orlando G, Ferrante C, Gesmundo I, Granata R, Cai R, Sha W, Schally AV, Brunetti L, Leone S. Antagonist of growth hormone-releasing hormone MIA-690 attenuates the progression and inhibits growth of colorectal cancer in mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 146:112554. [PMID: 34923341 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an aggressive tumor in which new treatment options deliver negative results on cure rates and long-term survival. The anticancer effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonists have been reported in various experimental tumors, but their activity in CRC is unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that chronic treatment with GHRH antagonist of MIAMI class, MIA-690, promoted survival and gradually blunted tumor progression in experimentally induced colitis-associated cancer in mice, paralleled by reduced inflammation in colon tissue. In particular, MIA-690 improved disease activity index score, and reduced loss of weight and mortality, by improving the survival rates, compared with vehicle-treated group. MIA-690 was also found to reduce various inflammatory and oxidative markers, such as serotonin, prostaglandin (PG)E2 and 8-iso-PGF2α levels, as well as COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6 and NF-kB gene expression. Moreover, MIA-690 inhibited the protein expression of c-Myc, P-AKT and Bcl-2 and upregulated p53 protein expression. In conclusion, we showed that MIA-690 suppresses CRC progression and growth by reducing inflammatory and oxidative markers and modulating apoptotic and oncogenic pathways. Further investigations are required for translating these findings into the clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Recinella
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Annalisa Chiavaroli
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Serena Veschi
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Valentina Di Valerio
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Rossano Lattanzio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy; Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Giustino Orlando
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Claudio Ferrante
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Iacopo Gesmundo
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
| | - Riccarda Granata
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Wei Sha
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Andrew V Schally
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Luigi Brunetti
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy.
| | - Sheila Leone
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy.
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Prasad RR, Mishra DK, Kumar M, Yadava PK. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase promotes the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in lung cancer cells by enhancing c-MET upregulation. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08673. [PMID: 35024489 PMCID: PMC8732784 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the essential catalytic subunit of telomerase, is associated with telomere homeostasis to prevent replicative senescence and cellular aging. However, hTERT reactivation also has been linked to the acquisition of several hallmarks of cancer, although the underlying mechanism beyond telomere extension remains elusive. This study demonstrated that hTERT overexpression promotes, whereas its inhibition by shRNA suppresses, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lung cancer cells (A549 and H1299). We found that hTERT modulates the expression of EMT markers E-cadherin, vimentin, and cytokeratin-18a through upregulation of the c-MET. Ectopic expression of hTERT induces expression of c-MET, while hTERT-shRNA treatment significantly decreases the c-MET level in A549 and H1299 through differential expression of p53 and c-Myc. Reporter assay suggests the regulation of c-MET expression by hTERT to be at the promoter level. An increase in c-MET level significantly promotes the expression of mesenchymal markers, including vimentin and N-cadherin, while a notable increase in epithelial markers E-cadherin and cytokeratin-18a is observed after the c-MET knockdown in A549.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Raj Prasad
- Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Deepak Kumar Mishra
- Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Pramod Kumar Yadava
- Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute for Science Education and Research, Berhampur 760010, Odisha, India
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Yoon JY, Jiang W, Orr CR, Rushton C, Gargano S, Song SJ, Modi M, Hozack B, Abraham J, Mallick AB, Brooks JSJ, Rosenbaum JN, Zhang PJ. TERT gene rearrangement in chordomas and comparison to other TERT-rearranged solid tumors. Cancer Genet 2021; 258-259:74-79. [PMID: 34583232 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Chordomas are rare, slow-growing neoplasms thought to arise from the foetal notochord remnant. A limited number of studies that examined the mutational profiles in chordomas identified potential driver mutations, including duplication in the TBXT gene (encoding brachyury), mutations in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and loss of the CDKN2A gene. Most chordomas remain without clear driver mutations, and no fusion genes have been identified thus far. We discovered a novel TERT in-frame fusion involving RPH3AL (exon 5) and TERT (exon 2) in the index chordoma case. We screened a discovery cohort of 18 additional chordoma cases for TERT gene rearrangement by FISH, in which TERT rearrangement was identified in one additional case. In our independent, validation cohort of 36 chordomas, no TERT rearrangement was observed by FISH. Immunohistochemistry optimized for nuclear TERT expression showed at least focal TERT expression in 40/55 (72.7%) chordomas. Selected cases underwent molecular genetic profiling, which showed low tumor mutational burdens (TMBs) without obvious driver oncogenic mutations. We next examined a cohort of 1,913 solid tumor patients for TERT rearrangements, and TERT fusions involving exon 2 were observed in 7/1,913 (0.4%) cases. The seven tumors comprised five glial tumors, and two poorly differentiated carcinomas. In contrast to chordomas, the other TERT-rearranged tumors were notable for higher TMBs, frequent TP53 mutations (6/7) and presence of other driver oncogenic mutations, including a concurrent fusion (TRIM24-MET). In conclusion, TERT gene rearrangements are seen in a small subset (2/55, 3.6%) of chordomas. In contrast to other TERT-rearranged tumors, where the TERT rearrangements are likely passenger events, the possibility that TERT protein overexpression representing a key event in chordoma tumorigenesis is left open.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Yoon Yoon
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; Department of Laboratory Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital/Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Christopher R Orr
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Chase Rushton
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Stacey Gargano
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Sharon J Song
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Mitul Modi
- Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Bryan Hozack
- Rothman Orthopedic Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - John Abraham
- Rothman Orthopedic Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; Division of Sarcoma and Bone Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Atrayee Basu Mallick
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - John S J Brooks
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Jason N Rosenbaum
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; Center for Personalized Diagnostics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Paul J Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
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Kotiyal S, Evason KJ. Exploring the Interplay of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase and β-Catenin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164202. [PMID: 34439356 PMCID: PMC8393605 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Liver cancer is one of the deadliest human cancers. Two of the most common molecular aberrations in liver cancer are: (1) activating mutations in the gene encoding β-catenin (CTNNB1); and (2) promoter mutations in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). Here, we review recent findings regarding the interplay between TERT and β-catenin in order to better understand their role in liver cancer. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest human cancers. Activating mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter (TERTp) and CTNNB1 gene encoding β-catenin are widespread in HCC (~50% and ~30%, respectively). TERTp mutations are predicted to increase TERT transcription and telomerase activity. This review focuses on exploring the role of TERT and β-catenin in HCC and the current findings regarding their interplay. TERT can have contradictory effects on tumorigenesis via both its canonical and non-canonical functions. As a critical regulator of proliferation and differentiation in progenitor and stem cells, activated β-catenin drives HCC; however, inhibiting endogenous β-catenin can also have pro-tumor effects. Clinical studies revealed a significant concordance between TERTp and CTNNB1 mutations in HCC. In stem cells, TERT acts as a co-factor in β-catenin transcriptional complexes driving the expression of WNT/β-catenin target genes, and β-catenin can bind to the TERTp to drive its transcription. A few studies have examined potential interactions between TERT and β-catenin in HCC in vivo, and their results suggest that the coexpression of these two genes promotes hepatocarcinogenesis. Further studies are required with vertebrate models to better understand how TERT and β-catenin influence hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Telomerase RNA recruits RNA polymerase II to target gene promoters to enhance myelopoiesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2015528118. [PMID: 34353901 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015528118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare inherited bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition syndrome caused by mutations in telomerase or telomeric proteins. Here, we report that zebrafish telomerase RNA (terc) binds to specific DNA sequences of master myeloid genes and controls their expression by recruiting RNA Polymerase II (Pol II). Zebrafish terc harboring the CR4-CR5 domain mutation found in DC patients hardly interacted with Pol II and failed to regulate myeloid gene expression in vivo and to increase their transcription rates in vitro. Similarly, TERC regulated myeloid gene expression and Pol II promoter occupancy in human myeloid progenitor cells. Strikingly, induced pluripotent stem cells derived from DC patients with a TERC mutation in the CR4-CR5 domain showed impaired myelopoiesis, while those with mutated telomerase catalytic subunit differentiated normally. Our findings show that TERC acts as a transcription factor, revealing a target for therapeutic intervention in DC patients.
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Ogawa M, Udono M, Teruya K, Uehara N, Katakura Y. Exosomes Derived from Fisetin-Treated Keratinocytes Mediate Hair Growth Promotion. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13062087. [PMID: 34207142 PMCID: PMC8234638 DOI: 10.3390/nu13062087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhanced telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) levels in dermal keratinocytes can serve as a novel target for hair growth promotion. Previously, we identified fisetin using a system for screening food components that can activate the TERT promoter in HaCaT cells (keratinocytes). In the present study, we aimed to clarify the molecular basis of fisetin-induced hair growth promotion in mice. To this end, the dorsal skin of mice was treated with fisetin, and hair growth was evaluated 12 days after treatment. Histochemical analyses of fisetin-treated skin samples and HaCaT cells were performed to observe the effects of fisetin. The results showed that fisetin activated HaCaT cells by regulating the expression of various genes related to epidermogenesis, cell proliferation, hair follicle regulation, and hair cycle regulation. In addition, fisetin induced the secretion of exosomes from HaCaT cells, which activated β-catenin and mitochondria in hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and induced their proliferation. Moreover, these results revealed the existence of exosomes as the molecular basis of keratinocyte-HFSC interaction and showed that fisetin, along with its effects on keratinocytes, caused exosome secretion, thereby activating HFSCs. This is the first study to show that keratinocyte-derived exosomes can activate HFSCs and consequently induce hair growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuki Ogawa
- Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; (M.O.); (K.T.)
| | - Miyako Udono
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan;
| | - Kiichiro Teruya
- Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; (M.O.); (K.T.)
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan;
| | - Norihisa Uehara
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Oral Anatomy, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
| | - Yoshinori Katakura
- Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; (M.O.); (K.T.)
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-92-802-4727
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Plyasova AA, Zhdanov DD. Alternative Splicing of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) and Its Implications in Physiological and Pathological Processes. Biomedicines 2021; 9:526. [PMID: 34065134 PMCID: PMC8150890 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) of human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT, human telomerase reverse transcriptase) pre-mRNA strongly regulates telomerase activity. Several proteins can regulate AS in a cell type-specific manner and determine the functions of cells. In addition to being involved in telomerase activity regulation, AS provides cells with different splice variants that may have alternative biological activities. The modulation of telomerase activity through the induction of hTERT AS is involved in the development of different cancer types and embryos, and the differentiation of stem cells. Regulatory T cells may suppress the proliferation of target human and murine T and B lymphocytes and NK cells in a contact-independent manner involving activation of TERT AS. This review focuses on the mechanism of regulation of hTERT pre-mRNA AS and the involvement of splice variants in physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia;
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35
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Telomerase in Brain: The New Kid on the Block and Its Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050490. [PMID: 33946850 PMCID: PMC8145691 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is an enzyme that in its canonical function extends and maintains telomeres, the ends of chromosomes. This reverse transcriptase function is mainly important for dividing cells that shorten their telomeres continuously. However, there are a number of telomere-independent functions known for the telomerase protein TERT (Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase). This includes the shuttling of the TERT protein from the nucleus to mitochondria where it decreases oxidative stress, apoptosis sensitivity and DNA damage. Recently, evidence has accumulated on a protective role of TERT in brain and postmitotic neurons. This function might be able to ameliorate the effects of toxic proteins such as amyloid-β, pathological tau and α-synuclein involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the protective mechanisms of TERT are not clear yet. Recently, an activation of autophagy as an important protein degradation process for toxic neuronal proteins by TERT has been described. This review summarises the current knowledge about the non-canonical role of the telomerase protein TERT in brain and shows its potential benefit for the amelioration of brain ageing and neurodegenerative diseases such as AD and PD. This might form the basis for the development of novel strategies and therapies against those diseases.
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36
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Subasri M, Shooshtari P, Watson AJ, Betts DH. Analysis of TERT Isoforms across TCGA, GTEx and CCLE Datasets. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081853. [PMID: 33924498 PMCID: PMC8070023 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactivation of the multi-subunit ribonucleoprotein telomerase is the primary telomere maintenance mechanism in cancer, but it is rate-limited by the enzymatic component, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). While regulatory in nature, TERT alternative splice variant/isoform regulation and functions are not fully elucidated and are further complicated by their highly diverse expression and nature. Our primary objective was to characterize TERT isoform expression across 7887 neoplastic and 2099 normal tissue samples using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx), respectively. We confirmed the global overexpression and splicing shift towards full-length TERT in neoplastic tissue. Stratifying by tissue type we found uncharacteristic TERT expression in normal brain tissue subtypes. Stratifying by tumor-specific subtypes, we detailed TERT expression differences potentially regulated by subtype-specific molecular characteristics. Focusing on β-deletion splicing regulation, we found the NOVA1 trans-acting factor to mediate alternative splicing in a cancer-dependent manner. Of relevance to future tissue-specific studies, we clustered cancer cell lines with tumors from related origin based on TERT isoform expression patterns. Taken together, our work has reinforced the need for tissue and tumour-specific TERT investigations, provided avenues to do so, and brought to light the current technical limitations of bioinformatic analyses of TERT isoform expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathushan Subasri
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (M.S.); (A.J.W.)
| | - Parisa Shooshtari
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada;
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- The Children’s Health Research Institute—Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
| | - Andrew J. Watson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (M.S.); (A.J.W.)
- The Children’s Health Research Institute—Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Dean H. Betts
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (M.S.); (A.J.W.)
- The Children’s Health Research Institute—Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-519-661-2111 (ext. 83786)
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Vania L, Morris G, Ferreira E, Weiss SFT. Knock-down of LRP/LR influences signalling pathways in late-stage colorectal carcinoma cells. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:392. [PMID: 33836696 PMCID: PMC8035741 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08081-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The 37 kDa/67 kDa laminin receptor (LRP/LR) is involved in several tumourigenic-promoting processes including cellular viability maintenance and apoptotic evasion. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the molecular mechanism of LRP/LR on apoptotic pathways in late stage (DLD-1) colorectal cancer cells upon siRNA-mediated down-regulation of LRP/LR. Methods siRNAs were used to down-regulate the expression of LRP/LR in DLD-1 cells which was assessed using western blotting and qPCR. To evaluate the mechanistic role of LRP/LR, proteomic analysis of pathways involved in proliferation and apoptosis were investigated. The data from the study was analysed using a one-way ANOVA, followed by a two-tailed student’s t-test with a confidence interval of 95%. Results Here we show that knock-down of LRP/LR led to significant changes in the proteome of DLD-1 cells, exposing new roles of the protein. Moreover, analysis showed that LRP/LR may alter components of the MAPK, p53-apoptotic and autophagic signalling pathways to aid colorectal cancer cells in continuous growth and survival. Knock-down of LRP/LR also resulted in significant decreases in telomerase activity and telomerase-related proteins in the DLD-1 cells. Conclusions These findings show that LRP/LR is critically implicated in apoptosis and cell viability maintenance and suggest that siRNA-mediated knock-down of LRP/LR may be a possible therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08081-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Vania
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa
| | - Gavin Morris
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa
| | - Eloise Ferreira
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa
| | - Stefan F T Weiss
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.
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Ogrodnik M. Cellular aging beyond cellular senescence: Markers of senescence prior to cell cycle arrest in vitro and in vivo. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13338. [PMID: 33711211 PMCID: PMC8045927 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of research on cellular senescence experienced a rapid expansion from being primarily focused on in vitro aspects of aging to the vast territories of animal and clinical research. Cellular senescence is defined by a set of markers, many of which are present and accumulate in a gradual manner prior to senescence induction or are found outside of the context of cellular senescence. These markers are now used to measure the impact of cellular senescence on aging and disease as well as outcomes of anti-senescence interventions, many of which are at the stage of clinical trials. It is thus of primary importance to discuss their specificity as well as their role in the establishment of senescence. Here, the presence and role of senescence markers are described in cells prior to cell cycle arrest, especially in the context of replicative aging and in vivo conditions. Specifically, this review article seeks to describe the process of "cellular aging": the progression of internal changes occurring in primary cells leading to the induction of cellular senescence and culminating in cell death. Phenotypic changes associated with aging prior to senescence induction will be characterized, as well as their effect on the induction of cell senescence and the final fate of cells reviewed. Using published datasets on assessments of senescence markers in vivo, it will be described how disparities between quantifications can be explained by the concept of cellular aging. Finally, throughout the article the applicational value of broadening cellular senescence paradigm will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikolaj Ogrodnik
- Ludwig Boltzmann Research Group Senescence and Healing of Wounds Vienna Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology in AUVA Research Center Vienna Austria
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration Vienna Austria
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39
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Shehata MM, Sallam AAM, Naguib MG, El-Mesallamy HO. Overexpression of BAMBI and SMAD7 impacts prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia patients: A potential TERT non-canonical role. Cancer Biomark 2021; 31:47-58. [PMID: 33780363 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-200927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 (SMAD7) are important transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling antagonists, however their roles in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unclear. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) may be involved in regulating BAMBI and SMAD7 expressions; a role beyond telomeres that is not clinically validated yet. OBJECTIVE In this study, we examined the expression levels and prognostic values of BAMBI, SMAD7 and TERT and their association with AML patients' outcomes. METHODS Blood samples were collected from 74 de-novo AML patients and 16 controls. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to analyze BAMBI, SMAD7 and TERT expressions. RESULTS BAMBI and SMAD7 expression in AML were significantly upregulated versus controls (p< 0.05). BAMBI, SMAD7 and TERT levels were significantly correlated together (p< 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with high BAMBI, SMAD7 and TERT expression levels had markedly shorter event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) time (p< 0.01). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that only high BAMBI expression was an independent risk factor for OS (p= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS BAMBI is a novel biomarker in predicting prognosis in AML patients. Moreover, a potential interplay is found between BAMBI, SMAD7 and TERT in AML pathogenies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miral Magdy Shehata
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University (ASU), Abassia, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Al-Aliaa Mohamed Sallam
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University (ASU), Abassia, Cairo, Egypt.,Biochemistry Department, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Industries, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mary Gamal Naguib
- Hematology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University (ASU), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hala Osman El-Mesallamy
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University (ASU), Abassia, Cairo, Egypt.,Biochemistry Department, Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University (SU), Sinai, Egypt
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40
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Chakravarti D, LaBella KA, DePinho RA. Telomeres: history, health, and hallmarks of aging. Cell 2021; 184:306-322. [PMID: 33450206 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The escalating social and economic burden of an aging world population has placed aging research at center stage. The hallmarks of aging comprise diverse molecular mechanisms and cellular systems that are interrelated and act in concert to drive the aging process. Here, through the lens of telomere biology, we examine how telomere dysfunction may amplify or drive molecular biological processes underlying each hallmark of aging and contribute to development of age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer. The intimate link of telomeres to aging hallmarks informs preventive and therapeutic interventions designed to attenuate aging itself and reduce the incidence of age-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepavali Chakravarti
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kyle A LaBella
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Li W, Yan Y, Zheng Z, Zhu Q, Long Q, Sui S, Luo M, Chen M, Li Y, Hua Y, Deng W, Lai R, Li L. Targeting the NCOA3-SP1-TERT axis for tumor growth in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:1011. [PMID: 33239622 PMCID: PMC7689448 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03218-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high mortality rate and lacks an effective therapeutic target. Elevated expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is an important hallmark in cancers, but the mechanism by which TERT is activated differentially in cancers is poorly understood. Here, we have identified nuclear receptor coactivator-3 (NCOA3) as a new modulator of TERT expression and tumor growth in HCC. NACO3 specifically binds to the TERT promoter at the -234 to -144 region and transcriptionally activates TERT expression. NCOA3 promotes HCC cell growth and tumor progression in vitro and in vivo through upregulating the TERT signaling. Knockdown of NACO3 suppresses HCC cell viability and colony formation, whereas TERT overexpression rescues this suppression. NCOA3 interacts with and recruits SP1 binding on the TERT promoter. Knockdown of NCOA3 also inhibits the expression of the Wnt signaling-related genes but has no effect on the Notch signaling-targeting genes. Moreover, NCOA3 is positively correlated with TERT expression in HCC tumor tissues, and high expression of both NCOA3 and TERT predicts a poor prognosis in HCC patients. Our findings indicate that targeting the NCOA3-SP1-TERT signaling axis may benefit HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Li
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Yan
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zongheng Zheng
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiaohua Zhu
- Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Qian Long
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Silei Sui
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Meihua Luo
- Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Miao Chen
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yizhuo Li
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yijun Hua
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wuguo Deng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Renchun Lai
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Liren Li
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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Kubo C, Ogawa M, Uehara N, Katakura Y. Fisetin Promotes Hair Growth by Augmenting TERT Expression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:566617. [PMID: 33178686 PMCID: PMC7593534 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.566617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although thinning hair and alopecia are not recognized as severe diseases, hair loss has implications for mental health and quality of life; therefore, a large number of studies have been carried out to develop novel hair growth agents. In the present study, we aimed to examine the potential of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), because TERT overexpression in skin activates resting hair follicle bulge stem cells, which triggers initiation of a new hair follicle growth phase and promotes hair synthesis. To this end, we screened polyphenols that activate TERT expression in keratinocytes, and identified resveratrol and fisetin as strong hTERT-augmenting compounds. These polyphenols also regulated the gene expression of cytokines such as IGF-1 and KGF, which activate the β-catenin pathway, and TGF-β1, which plays an important role in maintaining the niche of hair follicle stem cells, thus are thought to play roles in promoting hair growth. We additionally showed that these polyphenols, especially fisetin, promoted hair growth from the shaved dorsal skin of mice, which suggests that these polyphenols activate the transition from telogen to anagen phase. Histological studies indicated that the dorsal skin of mice treated with these polyphenols contained numerous hair follicles and was thickened compared with that in control mice. Furthermore, on the dorsal skin of mice treated with resveratrol and fisetin, a number of proliferating cells (Ki67+ cells) were observed around the hair papilla. These results suggest that resveratrol and fisetin induce a shift from telogen to anagen in the hair follicle by inducing proliferation of hair follicle bulge stem cells, thus promoting hair growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chisato Kubo
- Laboratory of Cellular Regulation Technology, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mizuki Ogawa
- Laboratory of Cellular Regulation Technology, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Norihisa Uehara
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Oral Anatomy, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Katakura
- Laboratory of Cellular Regulation Technology, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Laboratory of Cellular Regulation Technology, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Shen L, Zeng J, Ma L, Li S, Chen C, Jia J, Liang X. Helicobacter pylori Induces a Novel NF-kB/LIN28A/let-7a/hTERT Axis to Promote Gastric Carcinogenesis. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:74-85. [PMID: 33004623 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Reactivated telomerase is a crucial event in the development and progression of a variety of tumors. However, how telomerase is activated in gastric carcinogenesis has not been fully uncovered yet. Here, we identified a key role of the NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to promote human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression for gastric cancer initiation. Mechanistically, LIN28A expression was upregulated by H. pylori-induced NF-κB activation. And LIN28A, in turn, suppressed let-7a expression, forming the NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to regulate gene expression upon H. pylori infection. Of note, we first discovered hTERT as a direct target of let-7a, which inhibited hTERT expression by binding to its 3'UTR of mRNA. Therefore, H. pylori-triggered let-7a downregulation enhanced hTERT protein translation, resulting in telomerase reactivation. Furthermore, hTERT enhanced LIN28A expression, forming the positive feedback regulation between hTERT and NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to maintain the sustained overexpression of hTERT in gastric cancer. IMPLICATIONS: The NF-κB/LIN28A/Let-7a axis was crucial for the overexpression of hTERT upon H. pylori infection during gastric cancer development and may serve as a potential target to suppress hTERT expression for gastric cancer prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Shen
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Jiping Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Shuyan Li
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Chunyan Chen
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Jihui Jia
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Laboratory, Shandong University-Karolinska Institutet collaborative Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Xiuming Liang
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China. .,Cancer Research Laboratory, Shandong University-Karolinska Institutet collaborative Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
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45
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Jansons J, Bayurova E, Skrastina D, Kurlanda A, Fridrihsone I, Kostyushev D, Kostyusheva A, Artyuhov A, Dashinimaev E, Avdoshina D, Kondrashova A, Valuev-Elliston V, Latyshev O, Eliseeva O, Petkov S, Abakumov M, Hippe L, Kholodnyuk I, Starodubova E, Gorodnicheva T, Ivanov A, Gordeychuk I, Isaguliants M. Expression of the Reverse Transcriptase Domain of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Induces Lytic Cellular Response in DNA-Immunized Mice and Limits Tumorigenic and Metastatic Potential of Murine Adenocarcinoma 4T1 Cells. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020318. [PMID: 32570805 PMCID: PMC7350266 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is a classic tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in majority of tumors. Several TERT-based cancer vaccines are currently in clinical trials, but immune correlates of their antitumor activity remain largely unknown. Here, we characterized fine specificity and lytic potential of immune response against rat TERT in mice. BALB/c mice were primed with plasmids encoding expression-optimized hemagglutinin-tagged or nontagged TERT or empty vector and boosted with same DNA mixed with plasmid encoding firefly luciferase (Luc DNA). Injections were followed by electroporation. Photon emission from booster sites was assessed by in vivo bioluminescent imaging. Two weeks post boost, mice were sacrificed and assessed for IFN-γ, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production by T-cells upon their stimulation with TERT peptides and for anti-TERT antibodies. All TERT DNA-immunized mice developed cellular and antibody response against epitopes at the N-terminus and reverse transcriptase domain (rtTERT) of TERT. Photon emission from mice boosted with TERT/TERT-HA+Luc DNA was 100 times lower than from vector+Luc DNA-boosted controls. Bioluminescence loss correlated with percent of IFN-γ/IL-2/TNF-α producing CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells specific to rtTERT, indicating immune clearance of TERT/Luc-coexpressing cells. We made murine adenocarcinoma 4T1luc2 cells to express rtTERT by lentiviral transduction. Expression of rtTERT significantly reduced the capacity of 4T1luc2 to form tumors and metastasize in mice, while not affecting in vitro growth. Mice which rejected the tumors developed T-cell response against rtTERT and low/no response to the autoepitope of TERT. This advances rtTERT as key component of TERT-based therapeutic vaccines against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juris Jansons
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Ekaterina Bayurova
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Dace Skrastina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Alisa Kurlanda
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Ilze Fridrihsone
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Dmitry Kostyushev
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Anastasia Kostyusheva
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Alexander Artyuhov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia; (A.A.); (E.D.)
| | - Erdem Dashinimaev
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia; (A.A.); (E.D.)
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia
| | - Darya Avdoshina
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Alla Kondrashova
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Vladimir Valuev-Elliston
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (V.V.-E.); (E.S.)
| | - Oleg Latyshev
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
| | - Olesja Eliseeva
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
| | - Stefan Petkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Maxim Abakumov
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology MISIS, Moscow 127994, Russia
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnologies, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia
| | - Laura Hippe
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Irina Kholodnyuk
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Elizaveta Starodubova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (V.V.-E.); (E.S.)
| | | | - Alexander Ivanov
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (V.V.-E.); (E.S.)
| | - Ilya Gordeychuk
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia
| | - Maria Isaguliants
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
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Asamitsu S, Shioda N, Sugiyama H. Switching Off Cancer-Causing Telomerase Using Small Molecules. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 26:1045-1047. [PMID: 31419416 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant telomerase activity via the expression of its catalytic subunit hTERT is a hallmark of some malignant cancers. In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Song et al. (2019) demonstrate that hTERT downregulation by targeting a repressive DNA motif on the gene promoter using small molecules effectively kills cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sefan Asamitsu
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 8600811, Japan
| | - Norifumi Shioda
- Department of Genomic Neurology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 8600811, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 6068502, Japan; Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University, Kyoto 6068501, Japan.
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47
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Nemirovich-Danchenko NM, Khodanovich MY. Telomerase Gene Editing in the Neural Stem Cells in vivo as a Possible New Approach against Brain Aging. RUSS J GENET+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795420040092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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48
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Wu L, Fidan K, Um JY, Ahn KS. Telomerase: Key regulator of inflammation and cancer. Pharmacol Res 2020; 155:104726. [PMID: 32109579 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The telomerase holoenzyme, which has a highly conserved role in maintaining telomere length, has long been regarded as a high-profile target in cancer therapy due to the high dependency of the majority of cancer cells on constitutive and elevated telomerase activity for sustained proliferation and immortality. In this review, we present the salient findings in the telomerase field with special focus on the association of telomerase with inflammation and cancer. The elucidation of extra-telomeric roles of telomerase in inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and cancer development further complicated the design of anti-telomerase therapy. Of note, the discovery of the unique mechanism that underlies reactivation of the dormant telomerase reverse transcriptase TERT promoter in somatic cells not only enhanced our understanding of the critical role of TERT in carcinogenesis but also opens up new intervention ideas that enable the differential targeting of cancer cells only. Despite significant effort invested in developing telomerase-targeted therapeutics, devising efficacious cancer-specific telomerase/TERT inhibitors remains an uphill task. The latest discoveries of the telomere-independent functionalities of telomerase in inflammation and cancer can help illuminate the path of developing specific anti-telomerase/TERT therapeutics against cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Kerem Fidan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore 138673, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Jae-Young Um
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, #47, Kyungheedae-gil, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, #47, Kyungheedae-gil, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
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Ségal-Bendirdjian E, Geli V. Non-canonical Roles of Telomerase: Unraveling the Imbroglio. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:332. [PMID: 31911897 PMCID: PMC6914764 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase plays a critical role in stem cell function and tissue regeneration that depends on its ability to elongate telomeres. For nearly two decades, it turned out that TERT regulates a broad spectrum of functions including signal transduction, gene expression regulation, and protection against oxidative damage that are independent of its telomere elongation activity. These conclusions that were mainly obtained in cell lines overexpressing telomerase were further strengthened by in vivo models of ectopic expression of telomerase or models of G1 TERT knockout mice without detectable telomere dysfunction. However, the later models were questioned due to the presence of aberrantly shortened telomere in the germline of the parents TERT+/- that were used to create the G1 TERT -/- mice. The physiological relevance of the functions associated with overexpressed telomerase raised also some concerns due to artifactual situations and localizations and complications to quantify the level of TERT. Another concern with non-canonical functions of TERT was the difficulty to separate a direct TERT-related function from secondary effects. Despite these concerns, more and more evidence accumulates for non-canonical roles of telomerase that are non-obligatory extra-telomeric. Here, we review these non-canonical roles of the TERT subunit of telomerase. Also, we emphasize recent results that link TERT to mitochondria and protection to reactive oxygen species suggesting a protective role of TERT in neurons. Throughout this review, we dissect some controversies regarding the non-canonical functions of telomerase and provide some insights to explain these discrepancies. Finally, we discuss the importance of understanding these alternative functions of telomerase for the development of anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyne Ségal-Bendirdjian
- INSERM UMR-S 1124, Team: Cellular Homeostasis, Cancer and Therapies, INSERM US36, CNRS UMS 2009, BioMedTech Facilities, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Geli
- Marseille Cancer Research Center, U1068 INSERM, UMR 7258 CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Equipe labellisée Ligue, Marseille, France
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50
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Grandjenette C, Schnekenburger M, Gaigneaux A, Gérard D, Christov C, Mazumder A, Dicato M, Diederich M. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase depletion potentiates the growth-inhibitory activity of imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells. Cancer Lett 2019; 469:468-480. [PMID: 31734352 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Although tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) revolutionized the management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), resistance against TKIs and leukemia stem cell (LSC) persistence remain a clinical concern. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies combining conventional and novel therapies are urgently needed. Since telomerase is involved in oncogenesis and tumor progression but is silent in most human normal somatic cells, it may be an interesting target for CML therapy by selectively targeting cancer cells while minimizing effects on normal cells. Here, we report that hTERT expression is associated with CML disease progression. We also provide evidence that hTERT-deficient K-562 cells do not display telomere shortening and that telomere length is maintained through the ALT pathway. Furthermore, we show that hTERT depletion exerts a growth-inhibitory effect in K-562 cells and potentiates imatinib through alteration of cell cycle progression leading to a senescence-like phenotype. Finally, we demonstrate that hTERT depletion potentiates the imatinib-induced reduction of the ALDH+-LSC population. Altogether, our results suggest that the combination of telomerase and TKI should be considered as an attractive strategy to treat CML patients to eradicate cancer cells and prevent relapse by targeting LSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Grandjenette
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Du Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, 9, Rue Edward Steichen, L-2540, Luxembourg
| | - Michael Schnekenburger
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Du Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, 9, Rue Edward Steichen, L-2540, Luxembourg
| | - Anthoula Gaigneaux
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Du Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, 9, Rue Edward Steichen, L-2540, Luxembourg
| | - Déborah Gérard
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Du Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, 9, Rue Edward Steichen, L-2540, Luxembourg
| | - Christo Christov
- Service Commun de Microscopie, Université de Lorraine, 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Aloran Mazumder
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08626, South Korea
| | - Mario Dicato
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Du Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, 9, Rue Edward Steichen, L-2540, Luxembourg
| | - Marc Diederich
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08626, South Korea.
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