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Zhou S, Ou H, Wu Y, Qi D, Pei X, Yu X, Hu X, Wu E. Targeting tumor endothelial cells with methyltransferase inhibitors: Mechanisms of action and the potential of combination therapy. Pharmacol Ther 2023:108434. [PMID: 37172786 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108434] [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: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) reside in the inner lining of blood vessels and represent a promising target for targeted cancer therapy. DNA methylation is a chemical process that involves the transfer of a methyl group to a specific base in the DNA strand, catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase (DNMT). DNMT inhibitors (DNMTis) can inhibit the activity of DNMTs, thereby preventing the transfer of methyl groups from s-adenosyl methionine (SAM) to cytosine. Currently, the most viable therapy for TECs is the development of DNMTis to release cancer suppressor genes from their repressed state. In this review, we first outline the characteristics of TECs and describe the development of tumor blood vessels and TECs. Abnormal DNA methylation is closely linked to tumor initiation, progression, and cell carcinogenesis, as evidenced by numerous studies. Therefore, we summarize the role of DNA methylation and DNA methyltransferase and the therapeutic potential of four types of DNMTi in targeting TECs. Finally, we discuss the accomplishments, challenges, and opportunities associated with combination therapy with DNMTis for TECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biosensing, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Hailong Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Biosensing, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Yatao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biosensing, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Dan Qi
- Texas A & M University Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Xiaming Pei
- Department of Urology, Department of Pathology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Xiaohui Yu
- Department of Urology, Department of Pathology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biosensing, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Research Institute of Hunan University in Chongqing, Chongqing 401120, China.
| | - Erxi Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX 78508, USA; Texas A & M University Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, College Station, TX 77843, USA; LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes, Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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Van Dyck L, Güiza F, Derese I, Pauwels L, Casaer MP, Hermans G, Wouters PJ, Van den Berghe G, Vanhorebeek I. DNA methylation alterations in muscle of critically ill patients. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2022; 13:1731-1740. [PMID: 35274472 PMCID: PMC9178166 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness can persist beyond ICU stay and has been associated with long-term functional impairment of ICU survivors. Recently, DNA methylation alterations were found in the blood of ICU patients, partially explaining long-term developmental impairment of critically ill children. As illness-induced aberrant DNA methylation theoretically could also be involved in long-term weakness, we investigated whether the DNA methylation signature in muscle of adult critically ill patients differs from that in muscle of healthy controls. METHODS Genome-wide methylation was determined (Infinium® HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChips) in DNA extracted from skeletal muscle biopsies that had been collected on Day 8 ± 1 in ICU from 172 EPaNIC-trial patients [66% male sex, median age 62.7 years, median body mass index (BMI) 25.9 kg/m2 ] and 20 matched healthy controls (70% male sex, median age 58.0 years, median BMI 24.4 kg/m2 ). Methylation status of individual cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites of patients and controls was compared with F-tests, using the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate to correct for multiple comparisons. Differential methylation of DNA regions was assessed with bump hunting, with 1000 permutations assessing uncertainty, expressed as family-wise error rate. Gene expression was investigated for 10 representative affected genes. RESULTS In DNA from ICU patients, 565 CpG sites, associated with 400 unique genes, were differentially methylated as compared with controls (average difference 3.2 ± 0.1% ranging up to 16.9%, P < 0.00005). Many of the associated genes appeared highly relevant for muscle structure and function/weakness, including genes involved in myogenesis, muscle regeneration, nerve/muscle membrane excitability, muscle denervation/re-innervation, axon guidance/myelination/degeneration/regeneration, synapse function, ion channelling with especially calcium signalling, metabolism (glucose, protein, and fat), insulin signalling, neuroendocrine hormone regulation, mitochondrial function, autophagy, apoptosis, oxidative stress, Wnt signalling, transcription regulation, muscle fat infiltration during regeneration, and fibrosis. In patients as compared with controls, we also identified two hypomethylated regions, spanning 18 and 3 CpG sites in the promoters of the HIC1 and NADK2 genes, respectively (average differences 5.8 ± 0.01% and 12.1 ± 0.04%, family-wise error rate <0.05). HIC1 and NADK2 play important roles in muscle regeneration and postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors and in mitochondrial processes, respectively. Nine of 10 investigated genes containing DNA methylation alterations were differentially expressed in patients as compared with controls (P ≤ 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Critically ill patients present with a different DNA methylation signature in skeletal muscle as compared with healthy controls, which in theory could provide a biological basis for long-term persistence of weakness in ICU survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00512122, registered on 31 July 2007.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Van Dyck
- Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fabian Güiza
- Clinical Division of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Inge Derese
- Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies Pauwels
- Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michaël P Casaer
- Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Clinical Division of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greet Hermans
- Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter J Wouters
- Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Clinical Division of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greet Van den Berghe
- Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Clinical Division of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ilse Vanhorebeek
- Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Wang Y, Wang X, Zhang H, Han B, Ye Y, Zhang M, Wang Y, Xue J, Wang C. Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Promotes M1 Alveolar Macrophage Polarization in Acute Lung Injury by Up-Regulating DNMT1 to Mediate the microRNA-124/PELI1/IRF5 Axis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:693981. [PMID: 34504806 PMCID: PMC8421846 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.693981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Macrophages function as key orchestrators in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). The current study sets out to investigate the molecular mechanism of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ1) in the regulation of M1 alveolar macrophage polarization in ALI by modulating DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), along with the microRNA (miR)-124/Pellino 1 (PELI1)/interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) axis. Methods First, ALI mouse models were established, and the proportion of M1 and M2 macrophages in mouse lung tissues was detected using flow cytometry. The targeting relationship between miR-124 and PELI1 was verified with the help of a dual luciferase gene reporter assay. Following TGFβ1 knockdown, RT-qPCR and Western blot assay were performed to analyze the expression patterns of TGFβ1, DNMT1, miR-124, and PELI1 and M1/M2 polarization markers in the lung tissues of ALI mice. Immunofluorescence was further employed to detect nuclear translocation of IRF5 in macrophages. Results The polarization of M1 macrophages was found to be positively correlated with the severity of lung injury. TGFβ1, DNMT1, PELI1 were highly expressed, while miR-124 was down-regulated in ALI mice, and IRF5 was primarily distributed in the nucleus. TGFβ1 promoted the polarization of M1 alveolar macrophages by up-regulating DNMT1. Furthermore, DNMT1 down-regulated the expression of miR-124, which led to enhancement of M1 alveolar macrophage polarization. Meanwhile, over-expression of miR-124 inhibited the nuclear translocation of IRF5 and suppressed M1 alveolar macrophage polarization. On the other hand, over-expression of PELI1 reversed the above trends. Conclusion Collectively, our findings indicated that TGFβ1 can promote the expression of DNMT1, which down-regulates miR-124 to activate PELI1 and nuclear translocation of IRF5, thereby aggravating ALI in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqi Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Biao Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuanmei Ye
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mengjie Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yingbin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianjun Xue
- Department of Anesthesiology, Gansu Provincial Hospital of TCM, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chun'ai Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Gansu Provincial Hospital of TCM, Lanzhou, China
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Huo X, Jin S, Wang Y, Ma L. DNA methylation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Epigenomics 2021; 13:1145-1155. [PMID: 34142873 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a complex disease with polygenetic tendency, is one of the most important health problems in the world. Recently, in the study of the pathogenesis of the COPD, epigenetic changes caused by environmental factors, such as DNA methylation, started to attract more attention than genetic factors. In this review, we discuss the main features of DNA methylation, such as DNA methyltransferases and the methylation sites that modulate the DNA methylation level, and their roles in COPD progression. Finally, to promote new ideas for the prevention and treatment of COPD, we focus on the potential of DNA methylation as a COPD therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- XinXin Huo
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - SiHui Jin
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - YiGe Wang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Li Ma
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Asad Z, Sachidanandan C. Chemical screens in a zebrafish model of CHARGE syndrome identifies small molecules that ameliorate disease-like phenotypes in embryo. Eur J Med Genet 2019; 63:103661. [PMID: 31051269 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2019.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
CHARGE syndrome is an autosomal dominant congenital disorder caused primarily by mutations in the CHD7 gene. Using a small molecule screen in a zebrafish model of CHARGE syndrome, we identified 4 compounds that rescue embryos from disease-like phenotypes. Our screen yielded DAPT, a Notch signaling inhibitor that could ameliorate the craniofacial, cranial neuronal and myelination defects in chd7 morphant zebrafish embryos. We discovered that Procainamide, an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase 1, was able to recover the pattern of expression of isl2a, a cranial neuronal marker while also reducing the effect on craniofacial cartilage and myelination. M344, an inhibitor of Histone deacetylases had a strong recovery effect on craniofacial cartilage defects and could also modestly revert the myelination defects in zebrafish embryos. CHIC-35, a SIRT1 inhibitor partially restored the expression of isl2a in cranial neurons while causing a partial reversion of myelination and craniofacial cartilage defects. Our results suggest that a modular approach to phenotypic rescue in multi-organ syndromes might be a more successful approach to treat these disorders. Our findings also open up the possibility of using these compounds for other disorders with shared phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Asad
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi, 110025, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India
| | - Chetana Sachidanandan
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi, 110025, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India.
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Procainamide Inhibits DNA Methylation and Alleviates Multiple Organ Dysfunction in Rats with Endotoxic Shock. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163690. [PMID: 27661616 PMCID: PMC5035080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive inflammatory and oxidative stress lead to circulatory failure, multiple organ dysfunction, and high mortality in patients with sepsis. Microbial infection-induced DNA hypermethylation is associated with the augmentation of inflammation and oxidative stress. In our previous study, the antiarrhythmic drug procainamide inhibits the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and diminishes IL-6 levels in rats with rhabdomyolysis. Thus, we further evaluated the effects of procainamide on the development of circulatory failure and multiple organ dysfunction in rats with endotoxic shock. Male Wistar rats were intravenously infused with saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) followed by procainamide administration. The changes of hemodynamics, blood glucose, biochemical variables, and plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels were analyzed during the experimental period. At the end of experiments, animal organs were also obtained for examining superoxide production, neutrophil infiltration, and DNA methylation status. Our results showed that LPS induced circulatory failure, multiple organ dysfunction, and high mortality rate in endotoxemic rats. Overt neutrophil infiltration and superoxide production, accompanied by the elevations of DNMT1 and 5-methylcytosine levels in the lung of endotoxemic rats were also observed. Treatment of endotoxemic animals with procainamide not only inhibited the increased levels of DNMT1 and 5-methylcytosine but also ameliorated neutrophil infiltration and superoxide production in the lung. In addition, the anti-inflammatory gene, IL27RA, was down-regulated in the LPS group and up-regulated in the LPS + Procainamide group. Procainamide also diminished IL27RA methylation in the lung of endotoxemic rat. Moreover, both DNMT inhibitors procainamide and hydralazine improved hypotension, hypoglycemia, and multiple organ dysfunction of LPS-treated rats. Thus, we suggest that the beneficial effects of procainamide could be attributed to the suppression of DNA methylation, neutrophil infiltration, superoxide production, and NO formation. It seems that this old drug may have new potential uses in infectious diseases, in particular, associated with endotoxemia.
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