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He Z, Zhang J, Ma J, Zhao L, Jin X, Li H. R-spondin family biology and emerging linkages to cancer. Ann Med 2023; 55:428-446. [PMID: 36645115 PMCID: PMC9848353 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2166981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The R-spondin protein family comprises four members (RSPO1-4), which are agonists of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Emerging evidence revealed that RSPOs should not only be viewed as agonists of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway but also as regulators for tumor development and progression. Aberrant expression of RSPOs is related to tumorigenesis and tumor development in multiple cancers and their expression of RSPOs has also been correlated with anticancer immune cell signatures. More importantly, the role of RSPOs as potential target therapies and their implication in cancer progressions has been studied in the preclinical and clinical settings. These findings highlight the possible therapeutic value of RSPOs in cancer medicine. However, the expression pattern, effects, and mechanisms of RSPO proteins in cancer remain elusive. Investigating the many roles of RSPOs is likely to expand and improve our understanding of the oncogenic mechanisms mediated by RSPOs. Here, we reviewed the recent advances in the functions and underlying molecular mechanisms of RSPOs in tumor development, cancer microenvironment regulation, and immunity, and discussed the therapeutic potential of targeting RSPOs for cancer treatment. In addition, we also explored the biological feature and clinical relevance of RSPOs in cancer mutagenesis, transcriptional regulation, and immune correlation by bioinformatics analysis.KEY MESSAGESAberrant expressions of RSPOs are detected in various human malignancies and are always correlated with oncogenesis.Although extensive studies of RSPOs have been conducted, their precise molecular mechanism remains poorly understood.Bioinformatic analysis revealed that RSPOs may play a part in the development of the immune composition of the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin He
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jialin Zhang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianzhong Ma
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Jin
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hongbin Li
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, China
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Yang A, Yan S, Yin Y, Chen C, Tang X, Ran M, Chen B. FZD7, Regulated by Non-CpG Methylation, Plays an Important Role in Immature Porcine Sertoli Cell Proliferation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076179. [PMID: 37047150 PMCID: PMC10094452 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulatory role of non-CpG methylation in mammals has been important in whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. It has also been suggested that non-CpG methylation regulates gene expression to affect the development and health of mammals. However, the dynamic regulatory mechanisms of genome-wide, non-CpG methylation during testicular development still require intensive study. In this study, we analyzed the dataset from the whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and the RNA-seq of precocious porcine testicular tissues across two developmental stages (1 and 75 days old) in order to explore the regulatory roles of non-CpG methylation. Our results showed that genes regulated by non-CpG methylation affect the development of testes in multiple pathways. Furthermore, several hub genes that are regulated by non-CpG methylation during testicular development-such as VEGFA, PECAM1, and FZD7-were also identified. We also found that the relative expression of FZD7 was downregulated by the zebularine-induced demethylation of the first exon of FZD7. This regulatory relationship was consistent with the results of the WGBS and RNA-seq analysis. The immature porcine Sertoli cells were transfected with RNAi to mimic the expression patterns of FZD7 during testicular development. The results of the simulation test showed that cell proliferation was significantly impeded and that cell cycle arrest at the G2 phase was caused by the siRNA-induced FZD7 inhibition. We also found that the percentage of early apoptotic Sertoli cells was decreased by transfecting them with the RNAi for FZD7. This indicates that FZD7 is an important factor in linking the proliferation and apoptosis of Sertoli cells. We further demonstrated that Sertoli cells that were treated with the medium collected from apoptotic cells could stimulate proliferation. These findings will contribute to the exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of non-CpG methylation in testicular development and of the relationship between the proliferation and apoptosis of normal somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Saina Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Yanfei Yin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Chujie Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Xiangwei Tang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Maoliang Ran
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Bin Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animal, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
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Xue R, Lin W, Sun J, Watanabe M, Xu A, Araki M, Nasu Y, Tang Z, Huang P. The role of Wnt signaling in male reproductive physiology and pathology. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:gaaa085. [PMID: 33543289 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has shown that Wnt signaling is deeply involved in male reproductive physiology, and malfunction of the signal path can cause pathological changes in genital organs and sperm cells. These abnormalities are diverse in manifestation and have been constantly found in the knockout models of Wnt studies. Nevertheless, most of the research solely focused on a certain factor in the Wnt pathway, and there are few reports on the overall relation between Wnt signals and male reproductive physiology. In our review, Wnt findings relating to the reproductive system were sought and summarized in terms of Wnt ligands, Wnt receptors, Wnt intracellular signals and Wnt regulators. By sorting out and integrating relevant functions, as well as underlining the controversies among different reports, our review aims to offer an overview of Wnt signaling in male reproductive physiology and pathology for further mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhi Xue
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenfeng Lin
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Jingkai Sun
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Urology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Masami Watanabe
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Abai Xu
- Department of Urology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Motoo Araki
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yasutomo Nasu
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Zhengyan Tang
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Urology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Okayama Medical Innovation Center, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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Berger MD, Ning Y, Stintzing S, Heinemann V, Cao S, Zhang W, Yang D, Miyamoto Y, Suenaga M, Schirripa M, Hanna DL, Soni S, Puccini A, Tokunaga R, Naseem M, Battaglin F, Cremolini C, Falcone A, Loupakis F, Lenz HJ. A polymorphism within the R-spondin 2 gene predicts outcome in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with FOLFIRI/bevacizumab: data from FIRE-3 and TRIBE trials. Eur J Cancer 2020; 131:89-97. [PMID: 32305727 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Through enhancement of the Wnt signalling pathway, R-spondins are oncogenic drivers in colorectal cancer. Experimental data suggest that the R-spondin/Wnt axis stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent angiogenesis. We therefore hypothesise that variations within R-spondin genes predict outcome in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with upfront FOLFIRI and bevacizumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS 773 patients with mCRC enrolled in the randomised phase III FIRE-3 and TRIBE trials and receiving either FOLFIRI/bevacizumab (training and validation cohorts) or FOLFIRI/cetuximab (control group) were involved in this study. The impact of six functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the R-spondin 1-3 genes on outcome was evaluated. RESULTS RAS and KRAS wild-type patients harbouring any G allele of the RSPO2 rs555008 SNP had a longer overall survival compared with those having a TT genotype in both the training (FIRE-3) and validation (TRIBE) cohorts (29.0 vs 23.6 months, P = 0.009 and 37.8 vs 19.4 months, P = 0.021 for RAS wild-type patients and 28.4 vs 22.3 months, P = 0.011 and 36.0 vs 23.3 months, P = 0.046 for KRAS wild-type patients). Conversely, any G allele carriers with KRAS and RAS mutant tumours exhibited a shorter progression-free survival compared with TT genotype carriers, whereas the results were clinically more evident for KRAS mutant patients in both the training and validation cohorts (8.1 vs 11.2 months, P = 0.023 and 8.7 vs 10.3 months, P = 0.009). CONCLUSION Genotyping of the RSPO2 rs555008 polymorphism may help to select patients who will derive the most benefit from FOLFIRI/bevacizumab dependent on (K)RAS mutational status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin D Berger
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Yan Ning
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sebastian Stintzing
- Medical Department, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Tumor Immunology (Campus Charité Mitte), Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker Heinemann
- Department of Medical Oncology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Shu Cao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wu Zhang
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dongyun Yang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yuji Miyamoto
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mitsukuni Suenaga
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marta Schirripa
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oncologia Medica 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Diana L Hanna
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shivani Soni
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alberto Puccini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ryuma Tokunaga
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Madiha Naseem
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Francesca Battaglin
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oncologia Medica 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Cremolini
- U.O. Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alfredo Falcone
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fotios Loupakis
- Oncologia Medica 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Heinz-Josef Lenz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Preventive Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Romereim SM, Cupp AS. Mesonephric Cell Migration into the Gonads and Vascularization Are Processes Crucial for Testis Development. Results Probl Cell Differ 2016; 58:67-100. [PMID: 27300176 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-31973-5_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Testis morphogenesis requires the integration and reorganization of multiple cell types from several sources, one of the more notable being the mesonephric-derived cell population. One of the earliest sex-specific morphogenetic events in the gonad is a wave of endothelial cell migration from the mesonephros that is crucial for (1) partitioning the gonad into domains for testis cords, (2) providing the vasculature of the testis, and (3) signaling to cells both within the gonad and beyond it to coordinately regulate testis development. In addition to endothelial cell migration, there is evidence that precursors of peritubular myoid cells migrate from the mesonephros, an event which is also important for testis cord architecture. Investigation of the mesonephric cell migration event has utilized histology, lineage tracing with mouse genetic markers, and many studies of the signaling molecules/pathways involved. Some of the more well-studied signaling molecules involved include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and neurotrophins. In this chapter, the morphogenetic events, relevant signaling pathways, mechanisms underlying the migration, and the role of the migratory cells within the testis will be discussed. Overall, the migration of mesonephric cells into the early testis is indispensable for its development and future functionality.
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Sargent KM, McFee RM, Spuri Gomes R, Cupp AS. Vascular endothelial growth factor A: just one of multiple mechanisms for sex-specific vascular development within the testis? J Endocrinol 2015; 227:R31-50. [PMID: 26562337 PMCID: PMC4646736 DOI: 10.1530/joe-15-0342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Testis development from an indifferent gonad is a critical step in embryogenesis. A hallmark of testis differentiation is sex-specific vascularization that occurs as endothelial cells migrate from the adjacent mesonephros into the testis to surround Sertoli-germ cell aggregates and induce seminiferous cord formation. Many in vitro experiments have demonstrated that vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is a critical regulator of this process. Both inhibitors to VEGFA signal transduction and excess VEGFA isoforms in testis organ cultures impaired vascular development and seminiferous cord formation. However, in vivo models using mice which selectively eliminated all VEGFA isoforms: in Sertoli and germ cells (pDmrt1-Cre;Vegfa(-/-)); Sertoli and Leydig cells (Amhr2-Cre;Vegfa(-/-)) or Sertoli cells (Amh-Cre;Vegfa(-/-) and Sry-Cre;Vegfa(-/-)) displayed testes with observably normal cords and vasculature at postnatal day 0 and onwards. Embryonic testis development may be delayed in these mice; however, the postnatal data indicate that VEGFA isoforms secreted from Sertoli, Leydig or germ cells are not required for testis morphogenesis within the mouse. A Vegfa signal transduction array was employed on postnatal testes from Sry-Cre;Vegfa(-/-) versus controls. Ptgs1 (Cox1) was the only upregulated gene (fivefold). COX1 stimulates angiogenesis and upregulates, VEGFA, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGD2. Thus, other gene pathways may compensate for VEGFA loss, similar to multiple independent mechanisms to maintain SOX9 expression. Multiple independent mechanism that induce vascular development in the testis may contribute to and safeguard the sex-specific vasculature development responsible for inducing seminiferous cord formation, thus ensuring appropriate testis morphogenesis in the male.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Sargent
- Department of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Animal Science Building, 3940 Fair Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USA
| | - Renee M McFee
- Department of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Animal Science Building, 3940 Fair Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USA
| | - Renata Spuri Gomes
- Department of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Animal Science Building, 3940 Fair Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USA
| | - Andrea S Cupp
- Department of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Animal Science Building, 3940 Fair Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USA
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