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Wang L, Mao X, Yu X, Su J, Li Z, Chen Z, Ren Y, Huang H, Wang W, Zhao C, Hu Y. FPR3 reprograms glycolytic metabolism and stemness in gastric cancer via calcium-NFATc1 pathway. Cancer Lett 2024; 593:216841. [PMID: 38614385 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216841] [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: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Aerobic glycolysis accelerates tumor proliferation and progression, and inhibitors or drugs targeting abnormal cancer metabolism have been developing. Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) significantly contribute to tumor initiation, metastasis, therapy resistance, and recurrence. Formyl peptide receptor 3 (FPR3), a member of FPR family, involves in inflammation, tissue repair, and angiogenesis. However, studies in exploring the regulatory mechanisms of aerobic glycolysis and CSCs by FPR3 in gastric cancer (GC) remain unknown. Here, we demonstrated that overexpressed FPR3 suppressed glycolytic capacity and stemness of tumor cells, then inhibited GC cells proliferation. Mechanistically, FPR3 impeded cytoplasmic calcium ion flux and hindered nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) nuclear translocation, leading to the transcriptional inactivation of NFATc1-binding neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 3 (NOTCH3) promoter, subsequently obstructing NOTCH3 expression and the AKT/mTORC1 signaling pathway, and ultimately downregulating glycolysis. Additionally, NFATc1 directly binds to the sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) promoter and modifies stemness in GC. In conclusion, our work illustrated that FPR3 played a negative role in GC progression by modulating NFATc1-mediated glycolysis and stemness in a calcium-dependent manner, providing potential insights into cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingzhi Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xinyuan Mao
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xiang Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jin Su
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Department of General Surgery, Zhuzhou Hospital affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, 412000, China
| | - Zhenyuan Li
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhian Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yingxin Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Huilin Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Weisheng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Cuiyin Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yanfeng Hu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Perkins RS, Murray G, Suthon S, Davis L, Perkins NB, Fletcher L, Bozzi A, Schreiber SL, Lin J, Laxton S, Pillai RR, Wright AJ, Miranda‐Carboni GA, Krum SA. WNT5B drives osteosarcoma stemness, chemoresistance and metastasis. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1670. [PMID: 38689429 PMCID: PMC11061378 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1670] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment for osteosarcoma, a paediatric bone cancer with no therapeutic advances in over three decades, is limited by a lack of targeted therapies. Osteosarcoma frequently metastasises to the lungs, and only 20% of patients survive 5 years after the diagnosis of metastatic disease. We found that WNT5B is the most abundant WNT expressed in osteosarcoma tumours and its expression correlates with metastasis, histologic subtype and reduced survival. METHODS Using tumor-spheroids to model cancer stem-like cells, we performed qPCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence to monitor changes in gene and protein expression. Additionally, we measured sphere size, migration and forming efficiency to monitor phenotypic changes. Therefore, we characterised WNT5B's relevance to cancer stem-like cells, metastasis, and chemoresistance and evaluated its potential as a therapeutic target. RESULTS In osteosarcoma cell lines and patient-derived spheres, WNT5B is enriched in stem cells and induces the expression of the stemness gene SOX2. WNT5B promotes sphere size, sphere-forming efficiency, and cell proliferation, migration, and chemoresistance to methotrexate (but not cisplatin or doxorubicin) in spheres formed from conventional cell lines and patient-derived xenografts. In vivo, WNT5B increased osteosarcoma lung and liver metastasis and inhibited the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid via upregulation of hyaluronidase 1 (HYAL1), leading to changes in the tumour microenvironment. Further, we identified that WNT5B mRNA and protein correlate with the receptor ROR1 in primary tumours. Targeting WNT5B through inhibition of WNT/ROR1 signalling with an antibody to ROR1 reduced stemness properties, including chemoresistance, sphere size and SOX2 expression. CONCLUSIONS Together, these data define WNT5B's role in driving osteosarcoma cancer stem cell expansion and methotrexate resistance and provide evidence that the WNT5B pathway is a promising candidate for treating osteosarcoma patients. KEY POINTS WNT5B expression is high in osteosarcoma stem cells leading to increased stem cell proliferation and migration through SOX2. WNT5B expression in stem cells increases rates of osteosarcoma metastasis to the lungs and liver in vivo. The hyaluronic acid degradation enzyme HYAL1 is regulated by WNT5B in osteosarcoma contributing to metastasis. Inhibition of WNT5B with a ROR1 antibody decreases osteosarcoma stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S. Perkins
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
- Center for Cancer ResearchUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Glenn Murray
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
- Department of PathologyRegional One HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Sarocha Suthon
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Lindsey Davis
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Nicholson B. Perkins
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Lily Fletcher
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
- College of MedicineUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Amanda Bozzi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Saylor L. Schreiber
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Jianjian Lin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Steven Laxton
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
- College of MedicineUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Rahul R. Pillai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
- College of MedicineUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Alec J. Wright
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
- College of MedicineUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Gustavo A. Miranda‐Carboni
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Susan A. Krum
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
- Center for Cancer ResearchUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
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Chintamaneni PK, Pindiprolu SKSS, Swain SS, Karri VVSR, Nesamony J, Chelliah S, Bhaskaran M. Conquering chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer: Exploring novel drug therapies and delivery approaches amidst desmoplasia and hypoxia. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216782. [PMID: 38453046 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216782] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer poses a significant challenge within the field of oncology due to its aggressive behaviour, limited treatment choices, and unfavourable outlook. With a mere 10% survival rate at the 5-year mark, finding effective interventions becomes even more pressing. The intricate relationship between desmoplasia and hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment further complicates matters by promoting resistance to chemotherapy and impeding treatment efficacy. The dense extracellular matrix and cancer-associated fibroblasts characteristic of desmoplasia create a physical and biochemical barrier that impedes drug penetration and fosters an immunosuppressive milieu. Concurrently, hypoxia nurtures aggressive tumor behaviour and resistance to conventional therapies. a comprehensive exploration of emerging medications and innovative drug delivery approaches. Notably, advancements in nanoparticle-based delivery systems, local drug delivery implants, and oxygen-carrying strategies are highlighted for their potential to enhance drug accessibility and therapeutic outcomes. The integration of these strategies with traditional chemotherapies and targeted agents reveals the potential for synergistic effects that amplify treatment responses. These emerging interventions can mitigate desmoplasia and hypoxia-induced barriers, leading to improved drug delivery, treatment efficacy, and patient outcomes in pancreatic cancer. This review article delves into the dynamic landscape of emerging anticancer medications and innovative drug delivery strategies poised to overcome the challenges imposed by desmoplasia and hypoxia in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavan Kumar Chintamaneni
- Department of Pharmaceutics, GITAM School of Pharmacy, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Rudraram, 502329 Telangana, India.
| | | | - Swati Swagatika Swain
- Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Jerry Nesamony
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Toledo HSC, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Selvam Chelliah
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX-77004, USA
| | - Mahendran Bhaskaran
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Toledo HSC, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
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Guo Z, Ashrafizadeh M, Zhang W, Zou R, Sethi G, Zhang X. Molecular profile of metastasis, cell plasticity and EMT in pancreatic cancer: a pre-clinical connection to aggressiveness and drug resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:29-53. [PMID: 37453022 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10125-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The metastasis is a multistep process in which a small proportion of cancer cells are detached from the colony to enter into blood cells for obtaining a new place for metastasis and proliferation. The metastasis and cell plasticity are considered major causes of cancer-related deaths since they improve the malignancy of cancer cells and provide poor prognosis for patients. Furthermore, enhancement in the aggressiveness of cancer cells has been related to the development of drug resistance. Metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells has been considered one of the major causes of death in patients and their undesirable prognosis. PC is among the most malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and in addition to lifestyle, smoking, and other factors, genomic changes play a key role in its progression. The stimulation of EMT in PC cells occurs as a result of changes in molecular interaction, and in addition to increasing metastasis, EMT participates in the development of chemoresistance. The epithelial, mesenchymal, and acinar cell plasticity can occur and determines the progression of PC. The major molecular pathways including STAT3, PTEN, PI3K/Akt, and Wnt participate in regulating the metastasis of PC cells. The communication in tumor microenvironment can provide by exosomes in determining PC metastasis. The components of tumor microenvironment including macrophages, neutrophils, and cancer-associated fibroblasts can modulate PC progression and the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenli Guo
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, 128 Jinling Road, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, 341000, China
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Rongjun Zou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
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5
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Fatma H, Siddique HR. Cancer cell plasticity, stem cell factors, and therapy resistance: how are they linked? Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:423-440. [PMID: 37796391 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10144-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Cellular plasticity can occur naturally in an organism and is considered an adapting mechanism during the developmental stage. However, abnormal cellular plasticity is observed in different diseased conditions, including cancer. Cancer cell plasticity triggers the stimuli of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), abnormal epigenetic changes, expression of stem cell factors and implicated signaling pathways, etc., and helps in the maintenance of CSC phenotype. Conversely, CSC maintains the cancer cell plasticity, EMT, and epigenetic plasticity. EMT contributes to increased cell migration and greater diversity within tumors, while epigenetic changes, stem cell factors (OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2), and various signaling pathways allow cancer cells to maintain various phenotypes, giving rise to intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. The intricate relationships between cancer cell plasticity and stem cell factors help the tumor cells adopt drug-tolerant states, evade senescence, and successfully acquire drug resistance with treatment dismissal. Inhibiting molecules/signaling pathways involved in promoting CSCs, cellular plasticity, EMT, and epigenetic plasticity might be helpful for successful cancer therapy management. This review discussed the role of cellular plasticity, EMT, and stem cell factors in tumor initiation, progression, reprogramming, and therapy resistance. Finally, we discussed how the intervention in this axis will help better manage cancers and improve patient survivability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homa Fatma
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, 202002, India
| | - Hifzur R Siddique
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, 202002, India.
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Bae SH, Lee KY, Han S, Yun CW, Park C, Jang H. SOX2 Expression Does Not Guarantee Cancer Stem Cell-like Characteristics in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Cells 2024; 13:216. [PMID: 38334608 PMCID: PMC10854781 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030216] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Effectively targeting cancer stemness is essential for successful cancer therapy. Recent studies have revealed that SOX2, a pluripotent stem cell factor, significantly contributes to cancer stem cell (CSC)-like characteristics closely associated with cancer malignancy. However, its contradictory impact on patient survival in specific cancer types, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), underscores the need for more comprehensive research to clarify its functional effect on cancer stemness. In this study, we demonstrate that SOX2 is not universally required for the regulation of CSC-like properties in LUAD. We generated SOX2 knockouts in A549, H358, and HCC827 LUAD cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Our results reveal unchanged CSC characteristics, including sustained proliferation, tumor sphere formation, invasion, migration, and therapy resistance, compared to normal cells. Conversely, SOX2 knockdown using conditional shRNA targeting SOX2, significantly reduced CSC traits. However, these loss-of-function effects were not rescued by SOX2 resistant to shRNA, underscoring the potential for SOX2 protein level-independent results in prior siRNA- or shRNA-based research. Ultimately, our findings demonstrate that SOX2 is not absolutely essential in LUAD cancer cells. This emphasizes the necessity of considering cancer subtype-dependent and context-dependent factors when targeting SOX2 overexpression as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in diverse cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hyun Bae
- Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.-H.B.)
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea;
| | - Kyung Yong Lee
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea;
- Division of Cancer Biology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Suji Han
- Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.-H.B.)
| | - Chul Won Yun
- Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.-H.B.)
| | - ChanHyeok Park
- Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.-H.B.)
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyonchol Jang
- Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.-H.B.)
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea;
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7
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Chang Y, Chen L, Tang J, Chen G, Ji J, Xu M. USP7-mediated JUND suppresses RCAN2 transcription and elevates NFATC1 to enhance stem cell property in colorectal cancer. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:3121-3140. [PMID: 37535148 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-023-09822-9] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) encompass a subset of highly aggressive tumor cells that are involved in tumor initiation and progression. This study investigates the function of regulator of calcineurin 2 (RCAN2) in the stem cell property in colorectal cancer (CRC). By analyzing four GEO datasets, we obtained RCAN2 as a stemness-related gene in CRC. RCAN2 was poorly expressed in CRC tissues and cells, especially in CSCs. RCAN2 restoration reduced calcineurin activity and promoted phosphorylation and degradation of nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATC1) protein, leading to reduced stemness of CSCs. JunD proto-oncogene (JUND), whose protein level was increased in CRC samples and CRC stem cells, bound to RCAN2 and suppressed its transcription. The abundant ubiquitin specific peptidase 7 (USP7) in CSCs enhanced JUND protein stability through deubiquitination modification. Lentivirus-mediated knockdown of USP7 or JUND also blocked the calcineurin-NFATC1 signaling and reduced the protein levels of stemness-related proteins. Moreover, the USP7 knockdown weakened the colony/sphere formation ability as well as the tumorigenicity of CSCs, and it reduced the CSC content in xenograft tumors. However, further restoration of JUND rescued the stemness of the CSCs. Overall, this study demonstrates that USP7-mediated JUND suppresses RCAN2 transcription and activates NFATC1 to enhance stem cell property in CRC. 1. RCAN2 is poorly expressed in CRC tissues and cells and especially in CSCs. 2. RCAN2 reduces stemness of CSCs by blocking calcineurin-NFATC1 signal transduction. 3. JUND binds to RCAN2 promoter to suppresses RCAN2 transcription. 4. USP7 enhances JUND protein stability via deubiquitination modification. 5. Downregulation of USP7 or JUND restores RCAN2 level and suppresses stemness of CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunli Chang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Pudong New Area People's Hospital, No. 490, Chuanhuan South Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 201299, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingling Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Pudong New Area People's Hospital, No. 490, Chuanhuan South Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 201299, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Pudong New Area People's Hospital, No. 490, Chuanhuan South Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 201299, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoyu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Pudong New Area People's Hospital, No. 490, Chuanhuan South Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 201299, People's Republic of China
| | - Jieru Ji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Pudong New Area People's Hospital, No. 490, Chuanhuan South Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 201299, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Pudong New Area People's Hospital, No. 490, Chuanhuan South Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 201299, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Lin Y, Song Y, Zhang Y, Shi M, Hou A, Han S. NFAT signaling dysregulation in cancer: Emerging roles in cancer stem cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115167. [PMID: 37454598 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115167] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) was first identified as a transcriptional regulator of activated T cells. The NFAT family is involved in the development of tumors. Furthermore, recent evidence reveals that NFAT proteins regulate the development of inflammatory and immune responses. New discoveries have also been made about the mechanisms by which NFAT regulates cancer progression through cancer stem cells (CSC). Here, we discuss the role of the NFAT family in the immune system and various cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibin Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yifu Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yaochuan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Mengwu Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Ana Hou
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
| | - Sheng Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
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9
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Steffens Reinhardt L, Groen K, Zhang X, Morten BC, Wawruszak A, Avery-Kiejda KA. p53 isoform expression promotes a stemness phenotype and inhibits doxorubicin sensitivity in breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:509. [PMID: 37553320 PMCID: PMC10409720 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06031-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
In breast cancer, dysregulated TP53 expression signatures are a better predictor of chemotherapy response and survival outcomes than TP53 mutations. Our previous studies have shown that high levels of Δ40p53 are associated with worse disease-free survival and disruption of p53-induced DNA damage response in breast cancers. Here, we further investigated the in vitro and in vivo implications of Δ40p53 expression in breast cancer. We have shown that genes associated with cell differentiation are downregulated while those associated with stem cell regulation are upregulated in invasive ductal carcinomas expressing high levels of Δ40p53. In contrast to p53, endogenous ∆40p53 co-localised with the stem cell markers Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog in MCF-7 and ZR75-1 cell lines. ∆40p53 and Sox2 co-localisation was also detected in breast cancer specimens. Further, in cells expressing a high ∆40p53:p53 ratio, increased expression of stem cell markers, greater mammosphere and colony formation capacities, and downregulation of miR-145 and miR-200 (p53-target microRNAs that repress stemness) were observed compared to the control subline. In vivo, a high ∆40p53:p53 ratio led to increased tumour growth, Ki67 and Sox2 expression, and blood microvessel areas in the vehicle-treated mice. High expression of ∆40p53 also reduced tumour sensitivity to doxorubicin compared to control tumours. Enhanced therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin was observed when transiently targeting Δ40p53 or when treating cells with OTSSP167 with concomitant chemotherapy. Taken together, high Δ40p53 levels induce tumour growth and may promote chemoresistance by inducing a stemness phenotype in breast cancer; thus, targeting Δ40p53 in tumours that have a high Δ40p53:p53 ratio could enhance the efficacy of standard-of-care therapies such as doxorubicin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Steffens Reinhardt
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
- Cancer Detection & Therapy Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Kira Groen
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Xiajie Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
- Cancer Detection & Therapy Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Brianna C Morten
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Anna Wawruszak
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Kelly A Avery-Kiejda
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia.
- Cancer Detection & Therapy Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW, Australia.
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Zhao Y, Qin C, Zhao B, Wang Y, Li Z, Li T, Yang X, Wang W. Pancreatic cancer stemness: dynamic status in malignant progression. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:122. [PMID: 37173787 PMCID: PMC10182699 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02693-2] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that the capacity for self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation of pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) contribute to major challenges with current PC therapies, causing metastasis and therapeutic resistance, leading to recurrence and death in patients. The concept that PCSCs are characterized by their high plasticity and self-renewal capacities is central to this review. We focused specifically on the regulation of PCSCs, such as stemness-related signaling pathways, stimuli in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as the development of innovative stemness-targeted therapies. Understanding the biological behavior of PCSCs with plasticity and the molecular mechanisms regulating PC stemness will help to identify new treatment strategies to treat this horrible disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure On Translational Medicine in, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure On Translational Medicine in, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Bangbo Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure On Translational Medicine in, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure On Translational Medicine in, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Zeru Li
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure On Translational Medicine in, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure On Translational Medicine in, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoying Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure On Translational Medicine in, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Weibin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China.
- National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure On Translational Medicine in, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100023, People's Republic of China.
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11
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Ding LN, Yu YY, Ma CJ, Lei CJ, Zhang HB. SOX2-associated signaling pathways regulate biological phenotypes of cancers. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114336. [PMID: 36738502 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114336] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
SOX2 is a transcription factor involved in multiple stages of embryonic development. In related reports, SOX2 was found to be abnormally expressed in tumor tissues and correlated with clinical features such as TNM staging, tumor grade, and prognosis in patients with various cancer types. In most cancer types, SOX2 is a tumor-promoting factor that regulates tumor progression and metastasis primarily by maintaining the stemness of cancer cells. In addition, SOX2 also regulates the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, ferroptosis and drug resistance of cancer cells. However, SOX2 acts as a tumor suppressor in some cases in certain cancer types, such as gastric and lung cancer. These key regulatory functions of SOX2 involve complex regulatory networks, including protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions through signaling pathways and noncoding RNA interactions, modulating SOX2 expression may be a potential therapeutic strategy for clinical cancer patients. Therefore, we sorted out the phenotypes related to SOX2 in cancer, hoping to provide a basis for further clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L N Ding
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Y Y Yu
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - C J Ma
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - C J Lei
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - H B Zhang
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Ren L, Ren Q, Wang J, He Y, Deng H, Wang X, Liu C. miR-199a-3p promotes gastric cancer progression by promoting its stemness potential via DDR2 mediation. Cell Signal 2023; 106:110636. [PMID: 36813149 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110636] [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: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peritoneal metastasis (PM) is an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer (GC), however, the underlying mechanisms of PM occurrence remain unclear. METHOD The roles of DDR2 were investigated in GC and its potential relationship to PM, and orthotopic implants into nude mice were performed to assess the biological effects of DDR2 on PM. RESULTS Herein, DDR2 level is more significantly observed to elevate in PM lesion than the primary lesion. GC with DDR2-high expression evokes a worse overall survival (OS) in TCGA, similar results of the gloomy OS with high DDR2 levels are clarified via the stratifying stage of TNM. The conspicuously increased expression of DDR2 was found in GC cell lines, luciferase reporter assays verified that miR-199a-3p directly targeted DDR2 gene, which was correlated to tumor progression. We ulteriorly observed DDR2 participated in GC stemness maintenance via mediating pluripotency factor SOX2 expression and implicated in autophagy and DNA damage of cancer stem cells (CSCs). In particular, DDR2 dominated EMT programming through recruiting NFATc1-SOX2 complex to Snai1 in governing cell progression, controlling by DDR2-mTOR-SOX2 axis in SGC-7901 CSCs. Furthermore, DDR2 promoted the tumor peritoneal dissemination in gastric xenograft mouse model. CONCLUSION Phenotype screens and disseminated verifications incriminating in GC exposit the miR-199a-3p-DDR2-mTOR-SOX2 axis as a clinically actionable target for tumor PM progression. The herein-reported DDR2-based underlying axis in GC represents novel and potent tools for studying the mechanisms of PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ren
- Department of General Surgery (Gastrointestinal Surgery), The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Qiang Ren
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianmei Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yonghong He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Hong Deng
- Department of General Surgery (Gastrointestinal Surgery), The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Inflammation and Allergic Research Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunfeng Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Inflammation and Allergic Research Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Experimental and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Thalkirchner Str. 36, Munich 80336, Germany.
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13
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Breast cancer tumor microenvironment affects Treg/IL-17-producing Treg/Th17 cell axis: Molecular and therapeutic perspectives. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 28:132-157. [PMID: 36816749 PMCID: PMC9922830 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises a variety of immune cells, among which T cells exert a prominent axial role in tumor development or anti-tumor responses in patients with breast cancer (BC). High or low levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as transforming growth factor β, in the absence or presence of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), delineate the fate of T cells toward either regulatory T (Treg) or T helper 17 (Th17) cells, respectively. The transitional state of RORγt+Foxp3+ Treg (IL-17-producing Treg) resides in the middle of this reciprocal polarization, which is known as Treg/IL-17-producing Treg/Th17 cell axis. TME secretome, including microRNAs, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles, can significantly affect this axis. Furthermore, immune checkpoint inhibitors may be used to reconstruct immune cells; however, some of these novel therapies may favor tumor development. Therefore, understanding secretory and cell-associated factors involved in their differentiation or polarization and functions may be targeted for BC management. This review discusses microRNAs, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles (as secretome), as well as transcription factors and immune checkpoints (as cell-associated factors), which influence the Treg/IL-17-producing Treg/Th17 cell axis in BC. Furthermore, approved or ongoing clinical trials related to the modulation of this axis in the TME of BC are described to broaden new horizons of promising therapeutic approaches.
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14
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Ren F, Zhu K, Wang Y, Zhou F, Pang S, Chen L. Proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of human lung cancer cells are associated with NFATc1. Exp Ther Med 2022; 25:49. [PMID: 36588811 PMCID: PMC9780516 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11748] [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: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) is closely associated with the progression of numerous types of cancer. When NFATc1 expression becomes dysregulated in some types of cancer, this alteration can promote malignant transformation and thereby progression of cancer. NFATc1 expression has been demonstrated to be upregulated in lung cancer cells. This suggests that knockdown of NFATc1 in lung cancer cells may be a therapeutic marker for the treatment of cancer. In the present study, the effects of NFATc1 on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of NCI-H1299 and A549 lung cancer cell lines were explored. Lentivirus infection was used to establish a cell model of NFATc1 knockdown in A549 and NCI-H1299 lung cancer cells. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was subsequently performed to detect NFATc1 expression in these human lung cancer cells. MTT, wound healing, colony formation and Transwell invasion assays, and flow cytometry were then performed to measure the proliferation, invasion, apoptosis and cell cycle of the cells. Finally, western blot analysis was performed to investigate the mechanism underlying the involvement of NFATc1 in these processes. NFATc1 knockdown was found to significantly inhibit the proliferation, clone formation, migration and invasion of the cells. Furthermore, the cell cycle was arrested at the G1 phase and the expression levels of the target proteins located downstream in the signaling pathway, namely CDK4, c-Myc, ERK, p38 and N-cadherin, were decreased. Following NFATc1 knockdown, the percentages of apoptotic cells were increased, and the expression levels of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and E-cadherin were also increased. Taken together, the results of the present study suggested that NFATc1 serves an oncogenic role in lung cancer. In terms of the underlying mechanism, NFATc1 promoted the proliferation of lung cancer cells by inhibiting the MAPK and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition signaling pathways, suggesting that NFATc1 may be a novel target for therapeutic intervention for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenghai Ren
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Kaibin Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Yanbo Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Fucheng Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Sainan Pang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Lantao Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China,Correspondence to: Dr Lantao Chen, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, 150 Haping Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
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15
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Latif MU, Schmidt GE, Mercan S, Rahman R, Gibhardt CS, Stejerean-Todoran I, Reutlinger K, Hessmann E, Singh SK, Moeed A, Rehman A, Butt UJ, Bohnenberger H, Stroebel P, Bremer SC, Neesse A, Bogeski I, Ellenrieder V. NFATc1 signaling drives chronic ER stress responses to promote NAFLD progression. Gut 2022; 71:2561-2573. [PMID: 35365570 PMCID: PMC9664107 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-325013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can persist in the stage of simple hepatic steatosis or progress to steatohepatitis (NASH) with an increased risk for cirrhosis and cancer. We examined the mechanisms controlling the progression to severe NASH in order to develop future treatment strategies for this disease. DESIGN NFATc1 activation and regulation was examined in livers from patients with NAFLD, cultured and primary hepatocytes and in transgenic mice with differential hepatocyte-specific expression of the transcription factor (Alb-cre, NFATc1c.a . and NFATc1Δ/Δ ). Animals were fed with high-fat western diet (WD) alone or in combination with tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), a candidate drug for NAFLD treatment. NFATc1-dependent ER stress-responses, NLRP3 inflammasome activation and disease progression were assessed both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS NFATc1 expression was weak in healthy livers but strongly induced in advanced NAFLD stages, where it correlates with liver enzyme values as well as hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, high-fat WD increased NFATc1 expression, nuclear localisation and activation to promote NAFLD progression, whereas hepatocyte-specific depletion of the transcription factor can prevent mice from disease acceleration. Mechanistically, NFATc1 drives liver cell damage and inflammation through ER stress sensing and activation of the PERK-CHOP unfolded protein response (UPR). Finally, NFATc1-induced disease progression towards NASH can be blocked by TUDCA administration. CONCLUSION NFATc1 stimulates NAFLD progression through chronic ER stress sensing and subsequent activation of terminal UPR signalling in hepatocytes. Interfering with ER stress-responses, for example, by TUDCA, protects fatty livers from progression towards manifest NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Umair Latif
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Geske Elisabeth Schmidt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Sercan Mercan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Raza Rahman
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christine Silvia Gibhardt
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Ioana Stejerean-Todoran
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Kristina Reutlinger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Shiv K Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Abdul Moeed
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Abdul Rehman
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Umer Javed Butt
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Goettingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | | | - Philipp Stroebel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Christopher Bremer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Albrecht Neesse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
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Canciello A, Cerveró-Varona A, Peserico A, Mauro A, Russo V, Morrione A, Giordano A, Barboni B. "In medio stat virtus": Insights into hybrid E/M phenotype attitudes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1038841. [PMID: 36467417 PMCID: PMC9715750 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1038841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) refers to the ability of cells to dynamically interconvert between epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) phenotypes, thus generating an array of hybrid E/M intermediates with mixed E and M features. Recent findings have demonstrated how these hybrid E/M rather than fully M cells play key roles in most of physiological and pathological processes involving EMT. To this regard, the onset of hybrid E/M state coincides with the highest stemness gene expression and is involved in differentiation of either normal and cancer stem cells. Moreover, hybrid E/M cells are responsible for wound healing and create a favorable immunosuppressive environment for tissue regeneration. Nevertheless, hybrid state is responsible of metastatic process and of the increasing of survival, apoptosis and therapy resistance in cancer cells. The present review aims to describe the main features and the emerging concepts regulating EMP and the formation of E/M hybrid intermediates by describing differences and similarities between cancer and normal hybrid stem cells. In particular, the comprehension of hybrid E/M cells biology will surely advance our understanding of their features and how they could be exploited to improve tissue regeneration and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Canciello
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Adrián Cerveró-Varona
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Alessia Peserico
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Annunziata Mauro
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Valentina Russo
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO), Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Barbara Barboni
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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TP53-Status-Dependent Oncogenic EZH2 Activity in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143451. [PMID: 35884510 PMCID: PMC9320674 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epigenetic alterations contribute to the aggressiveness and therapy resistance of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, epigenetic regulators, including Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), reveal a strong context-dependent activity. Our study aimed to examine the context-defining molecular prerequisites of oncogenic EZH2 activity in PDAC to assess the therapeutic efficacy of targeting EZH2. Our preclinical study using diverse PDAC models demonstrates that the TP53 status determines oncogenic EZH2 activity. Only in TP53-wildtype (wt) PDAC subtypes was EZH2 blockade associated with a favorable PDAC prognosis mainly through cell-death response. We revealed that EZH2 depletion increases p53wt stability by the de-repression of CDKN2A. Therefore, our study provides preclinical evidence that an intact CDKN2A-p53wt axis is indispensable for a beneficial outcome of EZH2 depletion and highlights the significance of molecular stratification to improve epigenetic targeting in PDAC. Abstract Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents a lethal malignancy with a consistently poor outcome. Besides mutations in PDAC driver genes, the aggressive tumor biology of the disease and its remarkable therapy resistance are predominantly installed by potentially reversible epigenetic dysregulation. However, epigenetic regulators act in a context-dependent manner with opposing implication on tumor progression, thus critically determining the therapeutic efficacy of epigenetic targeting. Herein, we aimed at exploring the molecular prerequisites and underlying mechanisms of oncogenic Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) activity in PDAC progression. Preclinical studies in EZH2 proficient and deficient transgenic and orthotopic in vivo PDAC models and transcriptome analysis identified the TP53 status as a pivotal context-defining molecular cue determining oncogenic EZH2 activity in PDAC. Importantly, the induction of pro-apoptotic gene signatures and processes as well as a favorable PDAC prognosis upon EZH2 depletion were restricted to p53 wildtype (wt) PDAC subtypes. Mechanistically, we illustrate that EZH2 blockade de-represses CDKN2A transcription for the subsequent posttranslational stabilization of p53wt expression and function. Together, our findings suggest an intact CDKN2A-p53wt axis as a prerequisite for the anti-tumorigenic consequences of EZH2 depletion and emphasize the significance of molecular stratification for the successful implementation of epigenetic targeting in PDAC.
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Effects of TP53 Mutations and miRs on Immune Responses in the Tumor Microenvironment Important in Pancreatic Cancer Progression. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142155. [PMID: 35883598 PMCID: PMC9318640 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 90% of pancreatic cancers are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC). PDAC is the fourth leading cause of cancer death world-wide. Therapies for PDAC are largely ineffective due to the dense desmoplastic tumor microenvironment which prevents chemotherapeutic drugs and small molecule inhibitors from exerting effective anti-cancer effects. In this review, we will discuss the roles of TP53 and miRs on the PDAC tumor microenvironment and how loss of the normal functions of TP53 promote tumor progression. The TP53 gene is mutated in approximately 50% of pancreatic cancers. Often, these TP53 mutations are point mutations which confer additional functions for the TP53 proteins. These are called gain of function (GOF) mutations (mut). Another class of TP53 mutations are deletions which result in loss of the TP53 protein; these are referred to TP53-null mutations. We have organized this review into various components/properties of the PDAC microenvironment and how they may be altered in the presence of mutant TP53 and loss of certain miR expression.
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Exploration of the System-Level Mechanisms of the Herbal Drug FDY003 for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: A Network Pharmacological Investigation. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7160209. [PMID: 35591866 PMCID: PMC9113891 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7160209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the most lethal cancer with the lowest survival rate globally. Although the prescription of herbal drugs against PC is gaining increasing attention, their polypharmacological therapeutic mechanisms are yet to be fully understood. Based on network pharmacology, we explored the anti-PC properties and system-level mechanisms of the herbal drug FDY003. FDY003 decreased the viability of human PC cells and strengthened their chemosensitivity. Network pharmacological analysis of FDY003 indicated the presence of 16 active phytochemical components and 123 PC-related pharmacological targets. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the PC-related targets of FDY003 participate in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation, cell cycle process, cell survival, and cell death. In addition, FDY003 was shown to target diverse key pathways associated with PC pathophysiology, namely, the PIK3-Akt, MAPK, FoxO, focal adhesion, TNF, p53, HIF-1, and Ras pathways. Our network pharmacological findings advance the mechanistic understanding of the anti-PC properties of FDY003 from a system perspective.
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Sorrentino A, Menevse AN, Michels T, Volpin V, Durst FC, Sax J, Xydia M, Hussein A, Stamova S, Spoerl S, Heuschneider N, Muehlbauer J, Jeltsch KM, Rathinasamy A, Werner-Klein M, Breinig M, Mikietyn D, Kohler C, Poschke I, Purr S, Reidell O, Martins Freire C, Offringa R, Gebhard C, Spang R, Rehli M, Boutros M, Schmidl C, Khandelwal N, Beckhove P. Salt-inducible kinase 3 protects tumor cells from cytotoxic T-cell attack by promoting TNF-induced NF-κB activation. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004258. [PMID: 35606086 PMCID: PMC9174898 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer immunotherapeutic strategies showed unprecedented results in the clinic. However, many patients do not respond to immuno-oncological treatments due to the occurrence of a plethora of immunological obstacles, including tumor intrinsic mechanisms of resistance to cytotoxic T-cell (TC) attack. Thus, a deeper understanding of these mechanisms is needed to develop successful immunotherapies. METHODS To identify novel genes that protect tumor cells from effective TC-mediated cytotoxicity, we performed a genetic screening in pancreatic cancer cells challenged with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and antigen-specific TCs. RESULTS The screening revealed 108 potential genes that protected tumor cells from TC attack. Among them, salt-inducible kinase 3 (SIK3) was one of the strongest hits identified in the screening. Both genetic and pharmacological inhibitions of SIK3 in tumor cells dramatically increased TC-mediated cytotoxicity in several in vitro coculture models, using different sources of tumor and TCs. Consistently, adoptive TC transfer of TILs led to tumor growth inhibition of SIK3-depleted cancer cells in vivo. Mechanistic analysis revealed that SIK3 rendered tumor cells susceptible to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) secreted by tumor-activated TCs. SIK3 promoted nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) nuclear translocation and inhibited caspase-8 and caspase-9 after TNF stimulation. Chromatin accessibility and transcriptome analyses showed that SIK3 knockdown profoundly impaired the expression of prosurvival genes under the TNF-NF-κB axis. TNF stimulation led to SIK3-dependent phosphorylation of the NF-κB upstream regulators inhibitory-κB kinase and NF-kappa-B inhibitor alpha on the one side, and to inhibition of histone deacetylase 4 on the other side, thus sustaining NF-κB activation and nuclear stabilization. A SIK3-dependent gene signature of TNF-mediated NF-κB activation was found in a majority of pancreatic cancers where it correlated with increased cytotoxic TC activity and poor prognosis. CONCLUSION Our data reveal an abundant molecular mechanism that protects tumor cells from cytotoxic TC attack and demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of this pathway is feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Sorrentino
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
- Translational Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ayse Nur Menevse
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tillmann Michels
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
- Translational Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Valentina Volpin
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
- Translational Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Julian Sax
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Maria Xydia
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Abir Hussein
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Slava Stamova
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Steffen Spoerl
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Heuschneider
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Muehlbauer
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Anchana Rathinasamy
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Werner-Klein
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
- Experimental Medicine and Therapy Research, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marco Breinig
- Signalling and Functional Genomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Helmholtz-University Group 'Cell Plasticity and Epigenetic Remodeling', German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Damian Mikietyn
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian Kohler
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Isabel Poschke
- Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKTK CCU Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Immune Monitoring Unit, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Purr
- Joint Immunotherapeutics Laboratory, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olivia Reidell
- Research Department, iOmx Therapeutics, Munich/Martinsried, Germany
| | | | - Rienk Offringa
- Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Gebhard
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Spang
- Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Rehli
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Boutros
- Signalling and Functional Genomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Schmidl
- Junior Group 'Epigenetic Immunooncology', Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Nisit Khandelwal
- Translational Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Research Department, iOmx Therapeutics, Munich/Martinsried, Germany
| | - Philipp Beckhove
- Division of Interventional Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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21
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Ou A, Zhao X, Lu Z. The potential roles of p53 signaling reactivation in pancreatic cancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188662. [PMID: 34861354 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Globally, pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common and highly malignant gastrointestinal tumor that is characterized by an insidious onset and ready metastasis and recurrence. Over recent decades, the incidence of PC has been increasing on an annual basis; however, the pathogenesis of this condition remains enigmatic. PC is not sensitive to radio- or chemotherapy, and except for early surgical resection, there is no curative treatment regime; consequently, the prognosis for patients with PC is extremely poor. Transcription factor p53 is known to play key roles in many important biological processes in vertebrates, including normal cell growth, differentiation, cell cycle progression, senescence, apoptosis, metabolism, and DNA damage repair. However, there is a significant paucity of basic and clinical studies to describe how p53 gene mutations or protein dysfunction facilitate the occurrence, progression, invasion, and resistance to therapy, of malignancies, including PC. Herein, we describe the involvement of p53 signaling reactivation in PC treatment as well as its underlying molecular mechanisms, thereby providing useful insights for targeting p53-related signal pathways in PC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aixin Ou
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, LN, China
| | - Xiangxuan Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, LN, China
| | - Zaiming Lu
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, LN, China.
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22
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Ou A, Zhao X, Lu Z. The potential roles of p53 signaling reactivation in pancreatic cancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188662. [DOI: doi10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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23
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Chromatin-Independent Interplay of NFATc1 and EZH2 in Pancreatic Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123463. [PMID: 34943970 PMCID: PMC8700089 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells 1 (NFATc1) transcription factor and the methyltransferase Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) significantly contribute to the aggressive phenotype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Herein, we aimed at dissecting the mechanistic background of their interplay in PDAC progression. Methods: NFATc1 and EZH2 mRNA and protein expression and complex formation were determined in transgenic PDAC models and human PDAC specimens. NFATc1 binding on the Ezh2 gene and the consequences of perturbed NFATc1 expression on Ezh2 transcription were explored by Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and upon transgenic or siRNA-mediated interference with NFATc1 expression, respectively. Integrative analyses of RNA- and ChIP-seq data was performed to explore NFATc1-/EZH2-dependent gene signatures. Results: NFATc1 targets the Ezh2 gene for transcriptional activation and biochemically interacts with the methyltransferase in murine and human PDAC. Surprisingly, our genome-wide binding and expression analyses do not link the protein complex to joint gene regulation. In contrast, our findings provide evidence for chromatin-independent functions of the NFATc1:EZH2 complex and reveal posttranslational EZH2 phosphorylation at serine 21 as a prerequisite for robust complex formation. Conclusion: Our findings disclose a previously unknown NFATc1-EZH2 axis operational in the pancreas and provide mechanistic insights into the conditions fostering NFATc1:EZH2 complex formation in PDAC.
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24
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Mieczkowska IK, Pantelaiou-Prokaki G, Prokakis E, Schmidt GE, Müller-Kirschbaum LC, Werner M, Sen M, Velychko T, Jannasch K, Dullin C, Napp J, Pantel K, Wikman H, Wiese M, Kramm CM, Alves F, Wegwitz F. Decreased PRC2 activity supports the survival of basal-like breast cancer cells to cytotoxic treatments. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:1118. [PMID: 34845197 PMCID: PMC8630036 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04407-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer occurring in women but also rarely develops in men. Recent advances in early diagnosis and development of targeted therapies have greatly improved the survival rate of BC patients. However, the basal-like BC subtype (BLBC), largely overlapping with the triple-negative BC subtype (TNBC), lacks such drug targets and conventional cytotoxic chemotherapies often remain the only treatment option. Thus, the development of resistance to cytotoxic therapies has fatal consequences. To assess the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms and their therapeutic potential increasing cytotoxic drug efficiency, we combined high-throughput RNA- and ChIP-sequencing analyses in BLBC cells. Tumor cells surviving chemotherapy upregulated transcriptional programs of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness. To our surprise, the same cells showed a pronounced reduction of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) activity via downregulation of its subunits Ezh2, Suz12, Rbbp7 and Mtf2. Mechanistically, loss of PRC2 activity leads to the de-repression of a set of genes through an epigenetic switch from repressive H3K27me3 to activating H3K27ac mark at regulatory regions. We identified Nfatc1 as an upregulated gene upon loss of PRC2 activity and directly implicated in the transcriptional changes happening upon survival to chemotherapy. Blocking NFATc1 activation reduced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, aggressiveness, and therapy resistance of BLBC cells. Our data demonstrate a previously unknown function of PRC2 maintaining low Nfatc1 expression levels and thereby repressing aggressiveness and therapy resistance in BLBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iga K. Mieczkowska
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Garyfallia Pantelaiou-Prokaki
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany ,grid.419522.90000 0001 0668 6902Translational Molecular Imaging, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Evangelos Prokakis
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Geske E. Schmidt
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Department of Gastroenterology, GI-Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lukas C. Müller-Kirschbaum
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marcel Werner
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Madhobi Sen
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Taras Velychko
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Jannasch
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Clinic for Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Dullin
- grid.419522.90000 0001 0668 6902Translational Molecular Imaging, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany ,grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Clinic for Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany ,grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Joanna Napp
- grid.419522.90000 0001 0668 6902Translational Molecular Imaging, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany ,grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Harriet Wikman
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Wiese
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christof M. Kramm
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frauke Alves
- grid.419522.90000 0001 0668 6902Translational Molecular Imaging, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany ,grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Clinic for Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany ,grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Florian Wegwitz
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. .,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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25
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Tu M, Klein L, Espinet E, Georgomanolis T, Wegwitz F, Li X, Urbach L, Danieli-Mackay A, Küffer S, Bojarczuk K, Mizi A, Günesdogan U, Chapuy B, Gu Z, Neesse A, Kishore U, Ströbel P, Hessmann E, Hahn SA, Trumpp A, Papantonis A, Ellenrieder V, Singh SK. TNF-α-producing macrophages determine subtype identity and prognosis via AP1 enhancer reprogramming in pancreatic cancer. NATURE CANCER 2021; 2:1185-1203. [PMID: 35122059 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-021-00258-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Large-scale genomic profiling of pancreatic cancer (PDAC) has revealed two distinct subtypes: 'classical' and 'basal-like'. Their variable coexistence within the stromal immune microenvironment is linked to differential prognosis; however, the extent to which these neoplastic subtypes shape the stromal immune landscape and impact clinical outcome remains unclear. By combining preclinical models, patient-derived xenografts, as well as FACS-sorted PDAC patient biopsies, we show that the basal-like neoplastic state is sustained via BRD4-mediated cJUN/AP1 expression, which induces CCL2 to recruit tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-secreting macrophages. TNF-α+ macrophages force classical neoplastic cells into an aggressive phenotypic state via lineage reprogramming. Integration of ATAC-, ChIP- and RNA-seq data revealed distinct JUNB/AP1 (classical) and cJUN/AP1 (basal-like)-driven regulation of PDAC subtype identity. Pharmacological inhibition of BRD4 led to suppression of the BRD4-cJUN-CCL2-TNF-α axis, restoration of classical subtype identity and a favorable prognosis. Hence, patient-tailored therapy for a cJUNhigh/TNF-αhigh subtype is paramount in overcoming highly inflamed and aggressive PDAC states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Tu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lukas Klein
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisa Espinet
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbh), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Florian Wegwitz
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Department of Developmental Biology, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Laura Urbach
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Adi Danieli-Mackay
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Küffer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kamil Bojarczuk
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Athanasia Mizi
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ufuk Günesdogan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Björn Chapuy
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Zuguang Gu
- Bioinformatics and Omics Data Analytics, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Cancer Epigenomics, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Albrecht Neesse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stephan A Hahn
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular GI Oncology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbh), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Argyris Papantonis
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Shiv K Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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Shen T, Yue C, Wang X, Wang Z, Wu Y, Zhao C, Chang P, Sun X, Wang W. NFATc1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and facilitates colorectal cancer metastasis by targeting SNAI1. Exp Cell Res 2021; 408:112854. [PMID: 34597678 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic recurrence remains a major cause of colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality. In this study, we investigated the mechanistic role of nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) in CRC metastasis. First, we explored the potential role of NFATc1 in CRC using bioinformatics and hypothesized that NFATc1 might play different roles at different stages of CRC development. Then, we examined the relative expression of NFATc1 in 25 CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues, and further analyzed the correlation between NFATc1 expression levels and clinical stages in 120 CRC patients. The role of NFATc1 in CRC metastasis and the molecular mechanisms were investigated in both in vitro and in vivo models. Our results showed that the expression of NFATc1 was increased in metastatic CRC tissues and positively associated with clinical stages (stage I vs. stage II, III or IV) of CRC. Overexpression of NFATc1 promoted CRC cell migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, SNAI1 was verified as the direct transcriptional target of NFATc1 and interacted with SLUG to promote EMT. Remarkably, our lung and liver metastasis mouse model demonstrated that NFATc1 overexpression accelerated CRC metastasis, and treatment with FK506, a calcineurin-NFAT pathway inhibitor, could suppress CRC metastasis in vivo. Taken together, our findings suggest that NFATc1 could transcriptionally activate SNAI1, which in turn interacts with SLUG to mediate EMT to promote CRC metastasis. Thus, making NFATc1 a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of metastatic CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianli Shen
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Chenyang Yue
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xingjie Wang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Zijun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yunhua Wu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Chenye Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Pengkang Chang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xuejun Sun
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.
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27
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Mao L, Chen J, Lu X, Yang C, Ding Y, Wang M, Zhang Y, Tian Y, Li X, Fu Y, Yang Y, Gu Y, Gao F, Huang J, Liao L. Proteomic analysis of lung cancer cells reveals a critical role of BCAT1 in cancer cell metastasis. Theranostics 2021; 11:9705-9720. [PMID: 34646394 PMCID: PMC8490523 DOI: 10.7150/thno.61731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the major cause of high mortality in lung cancer. Exploring the underlying mechanisms of metastasis thus holds promise for identifying new therapeutic strategies that may enhance survival. Methods: We applied quantitative mass spectrometry to compare protein expression profiles between primary and metastatic lung cancer cells whilst investigating metastasis-related molecular features. Results: We discovered that BCAT1, the key enzyme in branched-chain amino acid metabolism, is overexpressed at the protein level in metastatic lung cancer cells, as well as in metastatic tissues from lung cancer patients. Analysis of transcriptomic data available in the TCGA database revealed that increased BCAT1 transcription is associated with poor overall survival of lung cancer patients. In accord with a critical role in metastasis, shRNA-mediated knockdown of BCAT1 expression reduced migration of metastatic cells in vitro and the metastasis of these cells to distal organs in nude mice. Mechanistically, high levels of BCAT1 depleted α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) and promoted expression of SOX2, a transcription factor regulating cancer cell stemness and metastasis. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that BCAT1 plays an important role in promoting lung cancer cell metastasis, and may define a novel pathway to target as an anti-metastatic therapy.
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28
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Norgard RJ, Pitarresi JR, Maddipati R, Aiello‐Couzo NM, Balli D, Li J, Yamazoe T, Wengyn MD, Millstein ID, Folkert IW, Rosario‐Berrios DN, Kim I, Bassett JB, Payne R, Berry CT, Feng X, Sun K, Cioffi M, Chakraborty P, Jolly MK, Gutkind JS, Lyden D, Freedman BD, Foskett JK, Rustgi AK, Stanger BZ. Calcium signaling induces a partial EMT. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e51872. [PMID: 34324787 PMCID: PMC8419705 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial plasticity, or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is a well-recognized form of cellular plasticity, which endows tumor cells with invasive properties and alters their sensitivity to various agents, thus representing a major challenge to cancer therapy. It is increasingly accepted that carcinoma cells exist along a continuum of hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal (E-M) states and that cells exhibiting such partial EMT (P-EMT) states have greater metastatic competence than those characterized by either extreme (E or M). We described recently a P-EMT program operating in vivo by which carcinoma cells lose their epithelial state through post-translational programs. Here, we investigate the underlying mechanisms and report that prolonged calcium signaling induces a P-EMT characterized by the internalization of membrane-associated E-cadherin (ECAD) and other epithelial proteins as well as an increase in cellular migration and invasion. Signaling through Gαq-associated G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) recapitulates these effects, which operate through the downstream activation of calmodulin-Camk2b signaling. These results implicate calcium signaling as a trigger for the acquisition of hybrid/partial epithelial-mesenchymal states in carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Norgard
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Jason R Pitarresi
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Ravikanth Maddipati
- Department of Internal Medicine and Children’s Research InstituteUT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - Nicole M Aiello‐Couzo
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - David Balli
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Jinyang Li
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Taiji Yamazoe
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Maximilian D Wengyn
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Ian D Millstein
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Ian W Folkert
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of SurgeryHospital of the University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | | | - Il‐Kyu Kim
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Jared B Bassett
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Riley Payne
- Department of PhysiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Corbett T Berry
- Department of PathobiologySchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Xiaodong Feng
- Moores Cancer CenterUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
- State Key Laboratory of Oral DiseasesNational Clinical Research for Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and ManagementWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Kathryn Sun
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Michele Cioffi
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation LaboratoriesDepartments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental BiologyDrukier Institute for Children’s HealthMeyer Cancer CenterWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Priyanka Chakraborty
- Centre for BioSystems Science and EngineeringIndian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and EngineeringIndian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
| | - J Silvio Gutkind
- Moores Cancer CenterUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - David Lyden
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation LaboratoriesDepartments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental BiologyDrukier Institute for Children’s HealthMeyer Cancer CenterWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Bruce D Freedman
- Department of PathobiologySchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - J Kevin Foskett
- Department of PhysiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Anil K Rustgi
- Division of Digestive and Liver DiseasesDepartment of MedicineHerbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer CenterVagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of Cell and Developmental BiologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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WNT Signaling as a Therapeutic Target for Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168428. [PMID: 34445128 PMCID: PMC8395085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The WNT (Wingless/Integrated) signaling pathway is implicated in various stages of glioblastoma, which is an aggressive brain tumor for which therapeutic options are limited. WNT has been recognized as a hallmark of therapeutic challenge due to its context-dependent role and critical function in healthy tissue homeostasis. In this review, we deeply scrutinize the WNT signaling pathway and its involvement in the genesis of glioblastoma as well as its acquired therapy resistance. We also provide an analysis of the WNT pathway in terms of its therapeutic importance in addition to an overview of the current targeted therapies under clinical investigation.
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30
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Huang J, Hu M, Niu H, Wang J, Si Y, Cheng S, Ding W. Osteopontin isoform c promotes the survival of cisplatin-treated NSCLC cells involving NFATc2-mediated suppression on calcium-induced ROS levels. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:750. [PMID: 34187410 PMCID: PMC8243455 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08495-z] [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] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor microenvironment (TME) critically contributed to the malignant progression of transformed cells and the chemical responses to chemotherapy reagents. Osteopontin (OPN) is a secretory onco-protein with several splicing isoforms, all of which were known to regulate tumor growth and able to alter cell-cell or cell-TME communication, however, the exact role and regulation of the OPN splicing isoforms was not well understood. Methods In this study, the effects of conditioned medium from the culture of OPN splicing isoforms overexpressing cells on cell functions were evaluated. The methods of nuclear calcium reporter assays and subcellular distribution of nuclear factor of activated T cells c2 (NFATc2) assays were used to investigate the molecular mechanism underlining the roles of OPN splicing isoforms. Results We found that the survival of NSCLC cells treated with cisplatin was increased by secretory OPNc in the condition medium, where reduction of apoptosis by OPNc was associated with the activation of cellular calcium signals and subsequent nuclear translocation of NFATc2. Conclusions The results revealed a mechanism of OPN and downstream signal for tumor cells to survive in chemo-stressed TME, which emphasized the importance of secretory proteins in alternative splicing isoforms. Our study not only demonstrated the importance of OPN neutralization for anti-tumor effects, but also implied that modulation in calcium/NFATc2/ROS axis could be a novel approach for improving the long-term outcome of NSCLC treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08495-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Mu Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Huan Niu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yang Si
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Shan Cheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Wei Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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31
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Ter Huurne M, Stunnenberg HG. G1-phase progression in pluripotent stem cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4507-4519. [PMID: 33884444 PMCID: PMC8195903 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03797-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
During early embryonic development both the rapid increase in cell number and the expression of genes that control developmental decisions are tightly regulated. Accumulating evidence has indicated that these two seemingly independent processes are mechanistically intertwined. The picture that emerges from studies on the cell cycle of embryonic stem cells is one in which proteins that promote cell cycle progression prevent differentiation and vice versa. Here, we review which transcription factors and signalling pathways play a role in both maintenance of pluripotency as well as cell cycle progression. We will not only describe the mechanism behind their function but also discuss the role of these regulators in different states of mouse pluripotency. Finally, we elaborate on how canonical cell cycle regulators impact on the molecular networks that control the maintenance of pluripotency and lineage specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menno Ter Huurne
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, 6525GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Rd, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Hendrik G Stunnenberg
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, 6525GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Princess Maxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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32
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Store-Operated Calcium Entry: Shaping the Transcriptional and Epigenetic Landscape in Pancreatic Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10050966. [PMID: 33919156 PMCID: PMC8143176 DOI: 10.3390/cells10050966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) displays a particularly poor prognosis and low survival rate, mainly due to late diagnosis and high incidence of chemotherapy resistance. Genomic aberrations, together with changes in the epigenomic profile, elicit a shift in cellular signaling response and a transcriptional reprograming in pancreatic tumors. This endows them with malignant attributes that enable them to not only overcome chemotherapeutic challenges, but to also attain diverse oncogenic properties. In fact, certain genetic amplifications elicit a rewiring of calcium signaling, which can confer ER stress resistance to tumors while also aberrantly activating known drivers of oncogenic programs such as NFAT. While calcium is a well-known second messenger, the transcriptional programs driven by aberrant calcium signaling remain largely undescribed in pancreatic cancer. In this review, we focus on calcium-dependent signaling and its role in epigenetic programs and transcriptional regulation. We also briefly discuss genetic aberration events, exemplifying how genetic alterations can rewire cellular signaling cascades, including calcium-dependent ones.
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33
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Jeffery D, Gatto A, Podsypanina K, Renaud-Pageot C, Ponce Landete R, Bonneville L, Dumont M, Fachinetti D, Almouzni G. CENP-A overexpression promotes distinct fates in human cells, depending on p53 status. Commun Biol 2021; 4:417. [PMID: 33772115 PMCID: PMC7997993 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01941-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour evolution is driven by both genetic and epigenetic changes. CENP-A, the centromeric histone H3 variant, is an epigenetic mark that directly perturbs genetic stability and chromatin when overexpressed. Although CENP-A overexpression is a common feature of many cancers, how this impacts cell fate and response to therapy remains unclear. Here, we established a tunable system of inducible and reversible CENP-A overexpression combined with a switch in p53 status in human cell lines. Through clonogenic survival assays, single-cell RNA-sequencing and cell trajectory analysis, we uncover the tumour suppressor p53 as a key determinant of how CENP-A impacts cell state, cell identity and therapeutic response. If p53 is functional, CENP-A overexpression promotes senescence and radiosensitivity. Surprisingly, when we inactivate p53, CENP-A overexpression instead promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition, an essential process in mammalian development but also a precursor for tumour cell invasion and metastasis. Thus, we uncover an unanticipated function of CENP-A overexpression to promote cell fate reprogramming, with important implications for development and tumour evolution.
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Grants
- Ligue Contre le Cancer
- Agence Nationale de la Recherche (French National Research Agency)
- Université de Recherche Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL Research University)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (National Center for Scientific Research)
- Institut Curie
- AG, CRP, DJ, KP, LB, RPL and GA were supported by la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer (Equipe labellisée Ligue), Labex DEEP (ANR-11-LABX-0044_DEEP, ANR-10-IDEX-0001-02), PSL, ERC-2015-ADG-694694 ChromADICT and ANR-16-CE12-0024 CHIFT. Funding for RPL provided by Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Initial Training Network “EpiSyStem” (grant number 765966). Individual funding was also provided to DJ from la Fondation ARC pour la recherche sur le cancer (“Aides individuelles” 3 years, post-doc), and to AG from the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions grant agreement 798106 “REPLICHROM4D”). DF receives salary support from the Centre Nationale de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). MD receives salary support from the City of Paris via Emergence(s) 2018 of DF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jeffery
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Alberto Gatto
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Katrina Podsypanina
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Charlène Renaud-Pageot
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Rebeca Ponce Landete
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Lorraine Bonneville
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Marie Dumont
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Centre de Recherche, Sorbonne Université, Cell Biology and Cancer Unit, Paris, France
| | - Daniele Fachinetti
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Centre de Recherche, Sorbonne Université, Cell Biology and Cancer Unit, Paris, France
| | - Geneviève Almouzni
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Paris, France.
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Crosstalk between miRNAs and signaling pathways involved in pancreatic cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 901:174006. [PMID: 33711308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with 5-year survival rates below 8%. Most patients with PC and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) die after relapse and cancer progression as well as resistance to treatment. Pancreatic tumors contain a high desmoplastic stroma that forms a rigid mass and has a potential role in tumor growth and metastasis. PC initiates from intraepithelial neoplasia lesions leading to invasive cancer through various pathways. These lesions harbor particular changes in signaling pathways involved in the tumorigenesis process. These events affect both the epithelial cells, including the tumor and the surrounding stroma, and eventually lead to the formation of complex signaling networks. Genetic studies of PC have revealed common molecular features such as the presence of mutations in KRAS gene in more than 90% of patients, as well as the inactivation or deletion mutations of some tumor suppressor genes including TP53, CDKN2A, and SMAD4. In recent years, studies have also identified different roles of microRNAs in PC pathogenesis as well as their importance in PC diagnosis and treatment, and their involvement in various signaling pathways. In this study, we discussed the most common pathways involved in PC and PDAC as well as their role in tumorigenesis and progression. Furthermore, the miRNAs participating in the regulation of these signaling pathways in PC progression are summarized in this study. Therefore, understanding more about pathways involved in PC can help with the development of new and effective therapies in the future.
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Wang J, Zhao H, Zheng L, Zhou Y, Wu L, Xu Y, Zhang X, Yan G, Sheng H, Xin R, Jiang L, Lei J, Zhang J, Chen Y, Peng J, Chen Q, Yang S, Yu K, Li D, Xie Q, Li Y. FGF19/SOCE/NFATc2 signaling circuit facilitates the self-renewal of liver cancer stem cells. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5045-5060. [PMID: 33754043 PMCID: PMC7978301 DOI: 10.7150/thno.56369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims: Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) mediate therapeutic resistance and correlate with poor outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-19 is a crucial oncogenic driver gene in HCC and correlates with poor prognosis. However, whether FGF19 signaling regulates the self-renewal of LCSCs is unknown. Methods: LCSCs were enriched by serum-free suspension. Self-renewal of LCSCs were characterized by sphere formation assay, clonogenicity assay, sorafenib resistance assay and tumorigenic potential assays. Ca2+ image was employed to determine the intracellular concentration of Ca2+. Gain- and loss-of function studies were applied to explore the role of FGF19 signaling in the self-renewal of LCSCs. Results: FGF19 was up-regulated in LCSCs, and positively correlated with certain self-renewal related genes in HCC. Silencing FGF19 suppressed self-renewal of LCSCs, whereas overexpressing FGF19 facilitated CSCs-like properties via activation of FGF receptor (FGFR)-4 in none-LCSCs. Mechanistically, FGF19/FGFR4 signaling stimulated store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) through both the PLCγ and ERK1/2 pathways. Subsequently, SOCE-calcineurin signaling promoted the activation and translocation of nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFAT)-c2, which transcriptionally activated the expression of stemness-related genes (e.g., NANOG, OCT4 and SOX2), as well as FGF19. Furthermore, blockade of FGF19/FGFR4-NFATc2 signaling observably suppressed the self-renewal of LCSCs. Conclusions: FGF19/FGFR4 axis promotes the self-renewal of LCSCs via activating SOCE/NFATc2 pathway; in turn, NFATc2 transcriptionally activates FGF19 expression. Targeting this signaling circuit represents a potential strategy for improving the therapeutic efficacy of HCC.
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36
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Song Y, Jiang Y, Tao D, Wang Z, Wang R, Wang M, Han S. NFAT2-HDAC1 signaling contributes to the malignant phenotype of glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2021; 22:46-57. [PMID: 31400279 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deregulation of the nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) pathway has been reported in several human cancers. Particularly, NFAT2 is involved in the malignant transformation of tumor cells and is identified as an oncogene. However, the role of NFAT2 in glioblastoma (GBM) is largely unknown. METHODS The expression and prognostic value of NFAT2 were examined in the databases of the Repository of Molecular Brain Neoplasia Data and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and clinical samples. The functional effects of silencing or overexpression of NFAT2 were evaluated in glioma stem cell (GSC) viability, invasion, and self-renewal in vitro and in tumorigenicity in vivo. The downstream target of NFAT2 was investigated. RESULTS High NFAT2 expression was significantly associated with mesenchymal (MES) subtype and recurrent GBM and predicted poor survival. NFAT2 silencing inhibited the invasion and clonogenicity of MES GSC-enriched spheres in vitro and in vivo. NFAT2 overexpression promoted tumor growth and MES differentiation of GSCs. A TCGA database search showed that histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) expression was significantly correlated with that of NFAT2. NFAT2 regulates the transcriptional activity of HDAC1. Rescue of HDAC1 in NFAT2-knockdown GSCs partially restored tumor growth and MES phenotype. Loss of NFAT2 and HDAC1 expression resulted in hyperacetylation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), which inhibits NF-κB-dependent transcriptional activity. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the NFAT2-HDAC1 pathway might play an important role in the maintenance of the malignant phenotype and promote MES transition in GSCs, which provide potential molecular targets for the treatment of GBMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifu Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yang Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai First People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongxia Tao
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zixun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Run Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Minghao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Sheng Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Pan G, Liu Y, Shang L, Zhou F, Yang S. EMT-associated microRNAs and their roles in cancer stemness and drug resistance. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2021; 41:199-217. [PMID: 33506604 PMCID: PMC7968884 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is implicated in a wide array of malignant behaviors of cancers, including proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Most notably, previou studies have indicated that both cancer stem‐like properties and drug resistance were associated with EMT. Furthermore, microRNAs (miRNAs) play a pivotal role in the regulation of EMT phenotype, as a result, some miRNAs impact cancer stemness and drug resistance. Therefore, understanding the relationship between EMT‐associated miRNAs and cancer stemness/drug resistance is beneficial to both basic research and clinical treatment. In this review, we preliminarily looked into the various roles that the EMT‐associated miRNAs play in the stem‐like nature of malignant cells. Then, we reviewed the interaction between EMT‐associated miRNAs and the drug‐resistant complex signaling pathways of multiple cancers including lung cancer, gastric cancer, gynecologic cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, and nasopharyngeal cancer. We finally discussed the relationship between EMT, cancer stemness, and drug resistance, as well as looked forward to the potential applications of miRNA therapy for malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangtao Pan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, P. R. China
| | - Yuhan Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, P. R. China
| | - Luorui Shang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, P. R. China
| | - Fangyuan Zhou
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, P. R. China
| | - Shenglan Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, P. R. China
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Ghatak D, Das Ghosh D, Roychoudhury S. Cancer Stemness: p53 at the Wheel. Front Oncol 2021; 10:604124. [PMID: 33505918 PMCID: PMC7830093 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.604124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor p53 maintains an equilibrium between self-renewal and differentiation to sustain a limited repertoire of stem cells for proper development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Inactivation of p53 disrupts this balance and promotes pluripotency and somatic cell reprogramming. A few reports in recent years have indicated that prevalent TP53 oncogenic gain-of-function (GOF) mutations further boosts the stemness properties of cancer cells. In this review, we discuss the role of wild type p53 in regulating pluripotency of normal stem cells and various mechanisms that control the balance between self-renewal and differentiation in embryonic and adult stem cells. We also highlight how inactivating and GOF mutations in p53 stimulate stemness in cancer cells. Further, we have explored the various mechanisms of mutant p53-driven cancer stemness, particularly emphasizing on the non-coding RNA mediated epigenetic regulation. We have also analyzed the association of cancer stemness with other crucial gain-of-function properties of mutant p53 such as epithelial to mesenchymal transition phenotypes and chemoresistance to understand how activation of one affects the other. Given the critical role of cancer stem-like cells in tumor maintenance, cancer progression, and therapy resistance of mutant p53 tumors, targeting them might improve therapeutic efficacy in human cancers with TP53 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dishari Ghatak
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Damayanti Das Ghosh
- Division of Research, Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Susanta Roychoudhury
- Division of Research, Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Kolkata, India
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Subbalakshmi AR, Kundnani D, Biswas K, Ghosh A, Hanash SM, Tripathi SC, Jolly MK. NFATc Acts as a Non-Canonical Phenotypic Stability Factor for a Hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal Phenotype. Front Oncol 2020; 10:553342. [PMID: 33014880 PMCID: PMC7506140 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.553342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis remains the cause of over 90% of cancer-related deaths. Cells undergoing metastasis use phenotypic plasticity to adapt to their changing environmental conditions and avoid therapy and immune response. Reversible transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes – epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET) – form a key axis of phenotypic plasticity during metastasis and therapy resistance. Recent studies have shown that the cells undergoing EMT/MET can attain one or more hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotypes, the process of which is termed as partial EMT/MET. Cells in hybrid E/M phenotype(s) can be more aggressive than those in either epithelial or mesenchymal state. Thus, it is crucial to identify the factors and regulatory networks enabling such hybrid E/M phenotypes. Here, employing an integrated computational-experimental approach, we show that the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFATc) can inhibit the process of complete EMT, thus stabilizing the hybrid E/M phenotype. It increases the range of parameters enabling the existence of a hybrid E/M phenotype, thus behaving as a phenotypic stability factor (PSF). However, unlike previously identified PSFs, it does not increase the mean residence time of the cells in hybrid E/M phenotypes, as shown by stochastic simulations; rather it enables the co-existence of epithelial, mesenchymal and hybrid E/M phenotypes and transitions among them. Clinical data suggests the effect of NFATc on patient survival in a tissue-specific or context-dependent manner. Together, our results indicate that NFATc behaves as a non-canonical PSF for a hybrid E/M phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Deepali Kundnani
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kuheli Biswas
- Department of Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Anandamohan Ghosh
- Department of Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Samir M Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Satyendra C Tripathi
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
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The role of histone methylation in the development of digestive cancers: a potential direction for cancer management. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:143. [PMID: 32747629 PMCID: PMC7398912 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00252-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Digestive cancers are the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and have high risks of morbidity and mortality. Histone methylation, which is mediated mainly by lysine methyltransferases, lysine demethylases, and protein arginine methyltransferases, has emerged as an essential mechanism regulating pathological processes in digestive cancers. Under certain conditions, aberrant expression of these modifiers leads to abnormal histone methylation or demethylation in the corresponding cancer-related genes, which contributes to different processes and phenotypes, such as carcinogenesis, proliferation, metabolic reprogramming, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, invasion, and migration, during digestive cancer development. In this review, we focus on the association between histone methylation regulation and the development of digestive cancers, including gastric cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer, as well as on its clinical application prospects, aiming to provide a new perspective on the management of digestive cancers.
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Koifman G, Aloni-Grinstein R, Rotter V. p53 balances between tissue hierarchy and anarchy. J Mol Cell Biol 2020; 11:553-563. [PMID: 30925590 PMCID: PMC6735948 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjz022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal tissues are organized in a hierarchical model, whereas at the apex of these hierarchies reside stem cells (SCs) capable of self-renewal and of producing differentiated cellular progenies, leading to normal development and homeostasis. Alike, tumors are organized in a hierarchical manner, with cancer SCs residing at the apex, contributing to the development and nourishment of tumors. p53, the well-known ‘guardian of the genome’, possesses various roles in embryonic development as well as in adult SC life and serves as the ‘guardian of tissue hierarchy’. Moreover, p53 serves as a barrier for dedifferentiation and reprogramming by constraining the cells to a somatic state and preventing their conversion to SCs. On the contrary, the mutant forms of p53 that lost their tumor suppressor activity and gain oncogenic functions serve as ‘inducers of tissue anarchy’ and promote cancer development. In this review, we discuss these two sides of the p53 token that sentence a tissue either to an ordered hierarchy and life or to anarchy and death. A better understanding of these processes may open new horizons for the development of new cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Koifman
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ronit Aloni-Grinstein
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Varda Rotter
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Shen C, Chen JH, Oh H, Park JH. SOX2 is a positive regulator of osteoclast differentiation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 526:147-153. [PMID: 32199613 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.03.052] [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] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Elucidating the mechanism underlying osteoclast differentiation is important to improve our understanding of the pathophysiologies related to skeletal diseases and osteolytic metastasis in cancer. Sex-determining region Y-box containing gene 2 (SOX2), a stemness marker, is known to affect osteoblast differentiation and cancer metastasis. However, its role in osteoclastogenesis has not been investigated to date. Here, we report that SOX2 protein and mRNA expression was upregulated during osteoclast differentiation. The overexpression or knockdown of SOX2 in osteoclast precursor cells enhanced or suppressed, respectively, receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation and migration, and nuclear factor of activated T-cell c1 (NFATc1) and factor-associated suicide ligand (FASL) expression. In addition, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation were regulated by SOX2 expression; both EGFR and ERK inhibitors abrogated the SOX2 overexpression-induced increase in osteoclast differentiation and NFATc1 expression under RANKL stimulation. Overall, these results suggest SOX2 as a positive regulatory factor during osteoclast differentiation partly through the EGFR and ERK signaling pathways, highlighting a new potential target for restoring abnormal osteoclast activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Shen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hong Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Haram Oh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
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Kong D, Hughes CJ, Ford HL. Cellular Plasticity in Breast Cancer Progression and Therapy. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:72. [PMID: 32391382 PMCID: PMC7194153 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignant disease among women, with the majority of mortality being attributable to metastatic disease. Thus, even with improved early screening and more targeted treatments which may enable better detection and control of early disease progression, metastatic disease remains a significant problem. While targeted therapies exist for breast cancer patients with particular subtypes of the disease (Her2+ and ER/PR+), even in these subtypes the therapies are often not efficacious once the patient's tumor metastasizes. Increases in stemness or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in primary breast cancer cells lead to enhanced plasticity, enabling tumor progression, therapeutic resistance, and distant metastatic spread. Numerous signaling pathways, including MAPK, PI3K, STAT3, Wnt, Hedgehog, and Notch, amongst others, play a critical role in maintaining cell plasticity in breast cancer. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate breast cancer cell plasticity is essential for understanding the biology of breast cancer progression and for developing novel and more effective therapeutic strategies for targeting metastatic disease. In this review we summarize relevant literature on mechanisms associated with breast cancer plasticity, tumor progression, and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deguang Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Connor J. Hughes
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Heide L. Ford
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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He W, Lu J. MiR-338 regulates NFATc1 expression and inhibits the proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of human non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 8:e1091. [PMID: 31823518 PMCID: PMC7005663 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is well known that nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) expression is closely associated with progression of many cancers. And we found that miR-338 could directly target the NFATc1. However, the precise mechanisms of miR-338 in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not been well clarified. Our study aimed to explore the interaction between NFATc1 and miR-338 in NSCLC. METHODS Quantitative RT-PCR was utilized to determine the expressions of NFATc1 and miR-338 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. And the cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were assessed to determine the functional roles of miR-338 and NFATc1 in NSCLC cells. NFATc1 expression was detected using quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to validate NFATc1 as a target of miR-338 in NSCLC cells. RESULTS In this study, our results showed that NFATc1 expression was significantly up-regulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, and the miR-338 level was dramatically down-regulated. Moreover high NFATc1 expression was closely associated with low miR-338 level in NSCLC tissues. Moreover introduction of miR-338 significantly inhibited proliferation and EMT of NSCLC cells. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the NFATc1 was a potential target gene of miR-338. We demonstrated that miR-338 could directly target NFATc1 by using luciferase reporter assay. Besides, knockdown of NFATc1 had the similar effects with miR-338 overexpression on NSCLC cells. Up-regulation of NFATc1 in NSCLC cells partially abolished the inhibitory effects of miR-338 mimic. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of miR-338 inhibited cell proliferation and EMT of NSCLC cells by directly down-regulating NFATc1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei He
- Second Thoracic Surgery Ward, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Jibin Lu
- First Thoracic Surgery Ward, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
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45
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Murakami S, Nemazanyy I, White SM, Chen H, Nguyen CDK, Graham GT, Saur D, Pende M, Yi C. A Yap-Myc-Sox2-p53 Regulatory Network Dictates Metabolic Homeostasis and Differentiation in Kras-Driven Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas. Dev Cell 2019; 51:113-128.e9. [PMID: 31447265 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Employing inducible genetically engineered and orthotopic mouse models, we demonstrate a key role for transcriptional regulator Yap in maintenance of Kras-mutant pancreatic tumors. Integrated transcriptional and metabolomics analysis reveals that Yap transcribes Myc and cooperates with Myc to maintain global transcription of metabolic genes. Yap loss triggers acute metabolic stress, which causes tumor regression while inducing epigenetic reprogramming and Sox2 upregulation in a subset of pancreatic neoplastic cells. Sox2 restores Myc expression and metabolic homeostasis in Yap-deficient neoplastic ductal cells, which gradually re-differentiate into acinar-like cells, partially restoring pancreatic parenchyma in vivo. Both the short-term and long-term effects of Yap loss in inducing cell death and re-differentiation, respectively, are blunted in advanced, poorly differentiated p53-mutant pancreatic tumors. Collectively, these findings reveal a highly dynamic and interdependent metabolic, transcriptional, and epigenetic regulatory network governed by Yap, Myc, Sox2, and p53 that dictates pancreatic tumor metabolism, growth, survival, and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigekazu Murakami
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ivan Nemazanyy
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Shannon M White
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hengye Chen
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Chan D K Nguyen
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Garrett T Graham
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Dieter Saur
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Translational Cancer Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mario Pende
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Chunling Yi
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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Novak D, Hüser L, Elton JJ, Umansky V, Altevogt P, Utikal J. SOX2 in development and cancer biology. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 67:74-82. [PMID: 31412296 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor SOX2 is essential for embryonic development and plays a crucial role in maintaining the stemness of embryonic cells and various adult stem cell populations. On the other hand, dysregulation of SOX2 expression is associated with a multitude of cancer types and it has been shown that SOX2 positively affects cancer cell traits such as the capacity to proliferate, migrate, invade and metastasize. Moreover, there is growing evidence that SOX2 mediates resistance towards established cancer therapies and that it is expressed in cancer stem cells. These findings indicate that studying the role of SOX2 in the context of cancer progression could lead to the development of new therapeutic options. In this review, the current knowledge about the role of SOX2 in development, maintenance of stemness, cancer progression and the resistance towards cancer therapies is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Novak
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Laura Hüser
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jonathan J Elton
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Viktor Umansky
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Peter Altevogt
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
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Jiao M, Qi M, Zhang F, Hu J, Feng T, Zhao M, Li X, Liu H, Teng W, Zhang J, Liu Z, Zhang L, Wu Z, Han B. CUL4B regulates cancer stem-like traits of prostate cancer cells by targeting BMI1 via miR200b/c. Prostate 2019; 79:1294-1303. [PMID: 31111526 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem-like traits contribute to prostate cancer (PCa) progression and metastasis. Cullin 4B (CUL4B) is a member of the ubiquitin E3 ligase family and overexpressed in several solid malignancies including PCa. CUL4B has been suggested to be an oncogene through epigenetic repression of tumor suppressors. However, the link between CUL4B expression and cancer stem-like phenotype remains unclear. METHODS Western blot analysis, sphere formation, and colony formation assays were used to examine the effect of CUL4B on cancer stem-like traits in PCa cells. Mechanically, bioinformatic analysis was utilized to evaluate whether BMI1 was a target of CUL4B. Moreover, real-time polymerase chain reaction, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays were performed to identify microRNAs regulated by CUL4B. Finally, Western blot assay was used to validate the regulation of CUL4B, miR200b, and miR200c (miR200b/c) on the stem-like characteristics of PCa cells. RESULTS CUL4B promotes PCa pluripotency-associated markers expression, sphere formation, and anchorage-independent growth ability in vitro. Mechanically, CUL4B upregulates BMI1 expression via epigenetically repressing miR200b/c expression. In addition, miR200b/c could partially reverse CUL4B-induced BMI1 and pluripotency-associated marker expression. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that CUL4B regulates cancer stem-like traits of prostate cancer cells by targeting BMI1 via miR200b/c, which might give novel insight into how CUL4B promotes PCa progression through regulating cancer stem-like traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Jiao
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Pathology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mei Qi
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Facai Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Jing Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tingting Feng
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mingfeng Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, China
| | - Xinjun Li
- Department of Pathology, Binzhou People's Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Hui Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Teng
- Education Quality Management Office, Institute of Continuing Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhiyan Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bo Han
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan, China
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Aberrant NFATc1 signaling counteracts TGFβ-mediated growth arrest and apoptosis induction in pancreatic cancer progression. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:446. [PMID: 31171768 PMCID: PMC6554303 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1682-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Given its aggressive tumor biology and its exceptional therapy resistance, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a major challenge in cancer medicine and is characterized by a 5-year survival rate of <8%. At the cellular level, PDAC is largely driven by the activation of signaling pathways that eventually converge in altered, tumor-promoting transcription programs. In this study, we sought to determine the interplay between transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling and activation of the inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATc1) in the regulation of transcriptional programs throughout PDAC progression. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis and functional studies performed in primary PDAC cells and transgenic mice linked nuclear NFATc1 expression with pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic gene signatures. Consistently, NFATc1 depletion resulted in downregulation of target genes associated with poor PDAC outcome and delayed pancreatic carcinogenesis in vivo. In contrast to previous reports and consistent with a concept of retained tumor suppressive TGFβ activity, even in established PDAC, TGFβ treatment reduced PDAC cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis even in the presence of oncogenic NFATc1. However, combined TGFβ treatment and NFATc1 depletion resulted in a tremendous abrogation of tumor-promoting gene signatures and functions. Chromatin studies implied that TGFβ-dependent regulators compete with NFATc1 for the transcriptional control of jointly regulated target genes associated with an unfavorable PDAC prognosis. Together, our findings suggest opposing consequences of TGFβ and NFATc1 activity in the regulation of pro-tumorigenic transcription programs in PDAC and emphasize the strong context-dependency of key transcription programs in the progression of this devastating disease.
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Pancreatic Ductal Organoids React Kras Dependent to the Removal of Tumor Suppressive Roadblocks. Stem Cells Int 2019; 2019:2079742. [PMID: 31236113 PMCID: PMC6545725 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2079742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still the Achilles heel in modern oncology, with an increasing incidence accompanied by a persisting high mortality. The developmental process of PDAC is thought to be stepwise via precursor lesions and sequential accumulation of mutations. Thereby, current sequencing studies recapitulate this genetic heterogeneity in PDAC and show besides a handful of driver mutations (KRAS, TP53) a plethora of passenger mutations that allow to define subtypes. However, modeling the mutations of interest and their effects is still challenging. Interestingly, organoids have the potential to recapitulate in vitro, the in vivo characteristics of the tissue they originate from. Here, we could establish and develop tools allowing us to isolate, culture, and genetically modify ductal mouse organoids. Transferred to known effectors in the IPMN-PDAC sequence, we could reveal significantly increased proliferative and self-renewal capacities for PTEN and RNF43 deficiency in the context of oncogenic KRASG12D in mouse pancreatic organoids. Overall, we were able to obtain promising data centering ductal organoids in the focus of future PDAC research.
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50
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Keshavarz M, Asadi MH. Long non-coding RNA ES1 controls the proliferation of breast cancer cells by regulating the Oct4/Sox2/miR-302 axis. FEBS J 2019; 286:2611-2623. [PMID: 30927330 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
ES1 is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that regulates pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells, which is known to be a downstream target of stemness factors Oct4 and Nanog, and serves as a modular scaffold for Sox2. However, the role of ES1 in cancer biology is not fully characterized. The results of our study show that ES1 transcript is upregulated in both high-grade and P53-mutated breast tumor tissues. Knockdown experiments show that ES1 suppression in breast cancer cells restricts cancer cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. Moreover, ES1 inhibition can also induce apoptosis and cellular senescence. Additionally, our data reveal that ES1 transcript promotes cell migration as well as the epithelial to mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, loss of ES1 expression downregulates the expression of Oct4/Sox2 and consequently leads to downregulation of their targets, miR-302 and miR-106b. Altogether, for the first time, our findings reveal that ES1 controls the proliferation and death of breast cancer cells by regulating the Oct4/Sox2/miR-302/miR-106b axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Keshavarz
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
| | - Malek Hossein Asadi
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
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