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Wang S, Nie L, Song Y, Zhang F, Chen X, Shi W, Yang Z, Sun Y, Dang Q, Gao A. Neurturin promotes tumor cell motility and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer. Exp Cell Res 2022; 413:113049. [PMID: 35114191 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Neurturin (NRTN) is one of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family ligands crucial for neuron growth, differentiation and maintenance. Recent studies showed NRTN promotes an aggressive pancreatic cancer phenotype, and predicts shorter survival in lung cancer patients. However, its expression and function in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. Herein, we found NRTN was enriched in CRC cells, and predicted poor patients outcomes. Upregulated NRTN enhanced the migration and invasion of CRC cells and vascularization of endothelial cells. In mechanism, NRTN promoted ZEB1/N-cadherin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A expression in CRC cells, which were responsible for tumor cell motility and angiogenesis, respectively. More importantly, NRTN inhibition prevented CRC metastasis and angiogenesis in vivo. In conclusion, NRTN promotes CRC cells motility and tumor angiogenesis via inducing ZEB1/N-cadherin and VEGF-A overexpression. It is a potential therapeutic target and negative prognostic biomarker for CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyun Wang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China; Phase I Clinical Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Limin Nie
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China; Department of Oncology, Caoxian People's Hospital, Heze, Shandong, PR China
| | - Yuxiao Song
- Jinan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xiaozheng Chen
- Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Wenjing Shi
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Zijiang Yang
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Yuping Sun
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Qi Dang
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Aiqin Gao
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
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Yue CH, Oner M, Chiu CY, Chen MC, Teng CL, Wang HY, Hsieh JT, Lai CH, Lin H. RET Regulates Human Medullary Thyroid Cancer Cell Proliferation through CDK5 and STAT3 Activation. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11060860. [PMID: 34207842 PMCID: PMC8229599 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that arises from the parafollicular C-cells, which produces the hormone calcitonin. RET is a transmembrane receptor protein-tyrosine kinase, which is highly expressed in MTC. Our previous studies reported that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) plays a crucial role in cancer progression, including MTC. However, the role of CDK5 in GDNF-induced RET signaling in medullary thyroid cancer proliferation remains unknown. Here, we investigated RET activation and its biochemically interaction with CDK5 in GDNF-induced medullary thyroid cancer proliferation. Our results demonstrated that GDNF stimulated RET phosphorylation and thus subsequently resulted in CDK5 activation by its phosphorylation. Activated CDK5 further caused STAT3 activation by its specific phosphorylation at Ser727. Moreover, we also found that GDNF treatment enhanced ERK1/2 and EGR1 activity, which is involved in p35 activation. Interestingly, we identified for the first time that CDK5 physically interacted with RET protein in MTC. Overall, our results provide a new mechanism for medullary thyroid cancer cell proliferation, suggesting that targeting CDK5 may be a promising therapeutic candidate for human medullary thyroid cancer in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Herng Yue
- Department of Surgery, Tung’s Taichung Metro Harbor Hospital, Taichung 435403, Taiwan;
| | - Muhammet Oner
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402204, Taiwan; (M.O.); (C.-Y.C.)
| | - Chih-Yuan Chiu
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402204, Taiwan; (M.O.); (C.-Y.C.)
| | - Mei-Chih Chen
- Translational Cell Therapy Center, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404332, Taiwan;
| | - Chieh-Lin Teng
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan;
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yi Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan;
| | - Jer-Tsong Hsieh
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
| | - Chih-Ho Lai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan;
| | - Ho Lin
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402204, Taiwan; (M.O.); (C.-Y.C.)
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402204, Taiwan
- Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402204, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-4-22840-416 (ext. 311); Fax: +886-4-22874-740
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Ma WR, Xu P, Liu ZJ, Zhou J, Gu LK, Zhang J, Deng DJ. Impact of GFRA1 gene reactivation by DNA demethylation on prognosis of patients with metastatic colon cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:184-198. [PMID: 31988584 PMCID: PMC6962434 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i2.184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression of the membrane receptor protein GFRA1 is frequently upregulated in many cancers, which can promote cancer development by activating the classic RET-RAS-ERK and RET-RAS-PI3K-AKT pathways. Several therapeutic anti-GFRA1 antibody-drug conjugates are under development. Demethylation (or hypomethylation) of GFRA1 CpG islands (dmGFRA1) is associated with increased gene expression and metastasis risk of gastric cancer. However, it is unknown whether dmGFRA1 affects the metastasis of other cancers, including colon cancer (CC).
AIM To study whether dmGFRA1 is a driver for CC metastasis and GFRA1 is a potential therapeutic target.
METHODS CC and paired surgical margin tissue samples from 144 inpatients and normal colon mucosal biopsies from 21 noncancer patients were included in this study. The methylation status of GFRA1 islands was determined by MethyLight and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and bisulfite-sequencing. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to explore the effect of dmGFRA1 on the survival of CC patients. Impacts of GFRA1 on CC cell proliferation and migration were evaluated by a battery of biological assays in vitro and in vivo. The phosphorylation of AKT and ERK proteins was examined by Western blot analysis.
RESULTS The proportion of dmGFRA1 in CC, surgical margin, and normal colon tissues by MethyLight was 68.4%, 73.4%, and 35.9% (median; nonparametric test, P = 0.001 and < 0.001), respectively. Using the median value of dmGFRA1 peak area proportion as the cutoff, the proportion of dmGFRA1-high samples was much higher in poorly differentiated CC samples than in moderately or well-differentiated samples (92.3%% vs 55.8%, Chi-square test, P = 0.002) and significantly higher in CC samples with distant metastasis than in samples without (77.8% vs 46.0%, P = 0.021). The overall survival of patients with dmGFRA1-low CC was significantly longer than that of patients with dmGFRA1-high CC (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.49, 95% confidence interval: 0.24-0.98), especially for 89 CC patients with metastatic CC (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.41, 95% confidence interval: 0.18-0.91). These data were confirmed by the mining results from TCGA datasets. Furthermore, GFRA1 overexpression significantly promoted the proliferation/invasion of RKO and HCT116 cells and the growth of RKO cells in nude mice but did not affect their migration. GFRA1 overexpression markedly increased the phosphorylation levels of AKT and ERK proteins, two key molecules in two classic GFRA1 downstream pathways.
CONCLUSION GFRA1 expression is frequently reactivated by DNA demethylation in CC tissues and is significantly associated with a poor prognosis in patients with CC, especially those with metastatic CC. GFRA1 can promote the proliferation/growth of CC cells, probably by the activation of AKT and ERK pathways. GFRA1 might be a therapeutic target for CC patients, especially those with metastatic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Ru Ma
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (MOE/Beijing), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100143, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
- Morphological Center of Basic Medical School of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Zhao-Jun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (MOE/Beijing), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100143, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (MOE/Beijing), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100143, China
| | - Lian-Kun Gu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (MOE/Beijing), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100143, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Da-Jun Deng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (MOE/Beijing), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100143, China
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Amit M, Na'ara S, Fridman E, Vladovski E, Wasserman T, Milman N, Gil Z. RET, a targetable driver of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Int J Cancer 2019; 144:3014-3022. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Moran Amit
- Head and Neck SurgeryHouston Methodist Hospital Houston TX USA
- The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, The TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Head and Neck Center, Rambam Healthcare CampusClinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Shorook Na'ara
- The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, The TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Head and Neck Center, Rambam Healthcare CampusClinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Eran Fridman
- The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, The TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Head and Neck Center, Rambam Healthcare CampusClinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Euvgeni Vladovski
- Department of Pathology, Rambam Healthcare Campus, The TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Tanya Wasserman
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Faculty of MedicineTechnion Haifa Israel
| | - Neta Milman
- The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, The TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Ziv Gil
- The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, The TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Head and Neck Center, Rambam Healthcare CampusClinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
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Amit M, Na'ara S, Leider-Trejo L, Binenbaum Y, Kulish N, Fridman E, Shabtai-Orbach A, Wong RJ, Gil Z. Upregulation of RET induces perineurial invasion of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Oncogene 2017; 36:3232-3239. [PMID: 28092668 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumor spread along nerves, a phenomenon known as perineurial invasion, is common in various cancers including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Neural invasion is associated with poor outcome, yet its mechanism remains unclear. Using the transgenic Pdx-1-Cre/KrasG12D /p53R172H (KPC) mouse model, we investigated the mechanism of neural invasion in PDAC. To detect tissue-specific factors that influence neural invasion by cancer cells, we characterized the perineurial microenvironment using a series of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) experiments in transgenic mice expressing single mutations in the Cx3cr1, GDNF and CCR2 genes. Immunolabeling of tumors in KPC mice of different ages and analysis of human cancer specimens revealed that RET expression is upregulated during PDAC tumorigenesis. BMT experiments revealed that BM-derived macrophages expressing the RET ligand GDNF are highly abundant around nerves invaded by cancer. Inhibition of perineurial macrophage recruitment, using the CSF-1R antagonist GW2580 or BMT from CCR2-deficient donors, reduced perineurial invasion. Deletion of GDNF expression by perineurial macrophages, or inhibition of RET with shRNA or a small-molecule inhibitor, reduced perineurial invasion in KPC mice with PDAC. Taken together, our findings show that RET is upregulated during pancreas tumorigenesis and its activation induces cancer perineurial invasion. Trafficking of BM-derived macrophages to the perineurial microenvironment and secretion of GDNF are essential for pancreatic cancer neural spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Amit
- Head and Neck Surgery Department, MD Anderson Cancer Center University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA.,The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Head and Neck Center, Rambam Healthcare Campus, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, Rambam Medical Center, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - S Na'ara
- The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Head and Neck Center, Rambam Healthcare Campus, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, Rambam Medical Center, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - L Leider-Trejo
- Department of Pathology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Y Binenbaum
- The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - N Kulish
- The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - E Fridman
- The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Head and Neck Center, Rambam Healthcare Campus, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, Rambam Medical Center, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - A Shabtai-Orbach
- The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - R J Wong
- Department of Surgery Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Z Gil
- The Laboratory for Applied Cancer Research, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.,Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Head and Neck Center, Rambam Healthcare Campus, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, Rambam Medical Center, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Liu Z, Zhang J, Gao Y, Pei L, Zhou J, Gu L, Zhang L, Zhu B, Hattori N, Ji J, Yuasa Y, Kim W, Ushijima T, Shi H, Deng D. Large-scale characterization of DNA methylation changes in human gastric carcinomas with and without metastasis. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 20:4598-612. [PMID: 25009298 PMCID: PMC4309661 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-3380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Metastasis is the leading cause of death for gastric carcinoma. An epigenetic biomarker panel for predicting gastric carcinoma metastasis could have significant clinical impact on the care of patients with gastric carcinoma. The main purpose of this study is to characterize the methylation differences between gastric carcinomas with and without metastasis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles between 4 metastatic and 4 nonmetastatic gastric carcinomas and their surgical margins (SM) were analyzed using methylated-CpG island amplification with microarray. The methylation states of 73 candidate genes were further analyzed in patients with gastric carcinoma in a discovery cohort (n=108) using denatured high performance liquid chromatography, bisulfite-sequencing, and MethyLight. The predictive values of potential metastasis-methylation biomarkers were validated in cohorts of patients with gastric carcinoma in China (n=330), Japan (n=129), and Korea (n=153). RESULTS The gastric carcinoma genome showed significantly higher proportions of hypomethylation in the promoter and exon-1 regions, as well as increased hypermethylation of intragenic fragments when compared with SMs. Significant differential methylation was validated in the CpG islands of 15 genes (P<0.05) and confirmed using bisulfite sequencing. These genes included BMP3, BNIP3, CDKN2A, ECEL1, ELK1, GFRA1, HOXD10, KCNH1, PSMD10, PTPRT, SIGIRR, SRF, TBX5, TFPI2, and ZNF382. Methylation changes of GFRA1, SRF, and ZNF382 resulted in up- or downregulation of their transcription. Most importantly, the prevalence of GFRA1, SRF, and ZNF382 methylation alterations was consistently and coordinately associated with gastric carcinoma metastasis and the patients' overall survival throughout discovery and validation cohorts in China, Japan, and Korea. CONCLUSION Methylation changes of GFRA1, SRF, and ZNF382 may be a potential biomarker set for prediction of gastric carcinoma metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng-Lu, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng-Lu, Beijing, China. Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China
| | - Yanhong Gao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng-Lu, Beijing, China
| | - Lirong Pei
- GRU Cancer Center, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Jing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng-Lu, Beijing, China
| | - Liankun Gu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng-Lu, Beijing, China
| | - Lianhai Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng-Lu, Beijing, China
| | - Budong Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng-Lu, Beijing, China
| | - Naoko Hattori
- Division of Epigenetics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jiafu Ji
- Department of Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng-Lu, Beijing, China
| | - Yasuhito Yuasa
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wooho Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Toshikazu Ushijima
- Division of Epigenetics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Huidong Shi
- GRU Cancer Center, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia.
| | - Dajun Deng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Etiology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Fu-Cheng-Lu, Beijing, China.
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Wang K, Demir IE, D'Haese JG, Tieftrunk E, Kujundzic K, Schorn S, Xing B, Kehl T, Friess H, Ceyhan GO. The neurotrophic factor neurturin contributes toward an aggressive cancer cell phenotype, neuropathic pain and neuronal plasticity in pancreatic cancer. Carcinogenesis 2013; 35:103-13. [PMID: 24067900 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgt312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Neurotrophic factors possess an emerging role in the pathophysiology of several gastrointestinal disorders, regulating innervation, pain sensation and disease-associated neuroplasticity. Here, we aimed at characterizing the role of the neurotrophic factor neurturin (NRTN) and its receptor glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha-2 (GFRα-2) in pancreatic cancer (PCa) and pancreatic neuropathy. For this purpose, NRTN and GFRα-2 were studied in normal human pancreas and PCa tissues via immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting and correlated to abdominal pain. The impact of NRTN/GFRα-2 on PCa cell (PCC) biology was investigated via exposure to hypoxia, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide viability and matrigel invasion assays in native and specific small interfering RNA-silenced PCCs. To assess the influence of NRTN on pancreatic neuroplasticity and neural invasion (NI), its impact was explored via an in vitro 'neuroplasticity assay' and a 3D neural migration assay. NRTN and GFRα-2 demonstrated a site-specific upregulation in PCa, predominantly in nerves, PCCs and extracellular matrix. Patients with severe pain demonstrated higher intraneural GFRα-2 immunoreactivity than patients with no pain. PCa tissue and PCCs contained increased amounts of NRTN, which was suppressed under hypoxia. NRTN promoted PCC invasiveness, and silencing of NRTN limited both PCC proliferation and invasion. Depletion of NRTN from PCa tissue extracts and PCC supernatants decreased axonal sprouting in neuronal cultures but did not influence glial density. Silencing of NRTN in PCCs boosted NI. We conclude that increased NRTN/GFRα-2 in PCa seems to promote an aggressive PCC phenotype and neuroplasticity in PCa. Accelerated NI following NRTN suppression constitutes a novel explanation for the attraction of PCC to nerves in the hypoxic PCa tumor microenvironment. SUMMARY PCa is characterized by intrapancreatic neuroplasticity and NI. Here, we show that PCC produce the neurotrophic factor NRTN, which reinforces their biological properties, triggers neuroplastic alterations, NI and influences pain sensation via the GFRα-2 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wang
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, Munich D-81675, Germany and
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Morandi A, Plaza-Menacho I, Isacke CM. RET in breast cancer: functional and therapeutic implications. Trends Mol Med 2011; 17:149-57. [PMID: 21251878 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2010.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2010] [Revised: 12/13/2010] [Accepted: 12/14/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies demonstrate that the receptor tyrosine kinase RET is overexpressed in a subset of ER-positive breast cancers and that crosstalk between RET and ER is important in responses to endocrine therapy. The development of small molecular inhibitors that target RET allows the opportunity to consider combination therapies as a strategy to improve response to treatment and to prevent and combat endocrine resistance. This review discusses: (i) the current knowledge about RET, its co-receptors and ligands in breast cancer; (ii) the breast cancer clinical trials involving agents that target RET; and (iii) the challenges that remain in terms of specificity of available inhibitors and in understanding the complex molecular mechanisms that underlie the resistance to endocrine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Morandi
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JB, UK
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de Groot JWB, Zonnenberg BA, van Ufford-Mannesse PQ, de Vries MM, Links TP, Lips CJM, Voest EE. A phase II trial of imatinib therapy for metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007; 92:3466-9. [PMID: 17579194 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2007-0649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) metastasizes early in its clinical course. No effective systemic therapy is available. Generally (somatic or germline), mutations in the rearranged during transfection gene are considered essential in the pathogenesis of MTC. OBJECTIVE We investigated imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, as a potential treatment in patients with disseminated MTC. DESIGN A phase II study was initiated using 600 mg imatinib daily with a possible dose increase to 800 mg in case of progression. Standard Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors were used using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging every 2 months. RESULTS There were 15 patients with disseminated MTC treated for up to 12 months. No objective responses were observed. Four patients had stable disease over 24 months. Three patients stopped treatment due to toxic effects [fatigue (n = 2) and nausea (n = 1)]. In four cases the dose of imatinib was decreased because of toxicity [rash and malaise (n = 2) and laryngeal swelling (n = 2)]. Emergency tracheotomy was performed in two cases due to mucosal swelling of the larynx in patients with recurrent nerve palsy and a narrow vocal cleft. In nine patients with a history of a thyroidectomy, the dose of supplemental thyroid hormone was increased because of serious hypothyroidism. CONCLUSIONS Imatinib therapy yielded no objective responses and induced considerable toxicity in patients with MTC. A minority of patients had stable disease. Patients with supplemented hypothyroidism or with recurrent nerve palsy are specifically at risk for serious adverse events and need special attention when treated with imatinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W B de Groot
- Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 AB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Lai AZ, Gujral TS, Mulligan LM. RET signaling in endocrine tumors: delving deeper into molecular mechanisms. Endocr Pathol 2007; 18:57-67. [PMID: 17916994 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-007-0009-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/1999] [Revised: 11/30/1999] [Accepted: 11/30/1999] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The rearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that is implicated in the development of endocrine tumors of the thyroid and adrenal glands. In humans, activating RET mutations are found in the inherited cancer syndrome multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 and in sporadic medullary and papillary thyroid carcinomas. The specific type and location of RET mutations are strongly correlated with the disease phenotype and have both diagnostic and prognostic value. Recent advances in the molecular characterization of the RET receptor and its mutants have begun to define the mechanisms underlying the transforming ability of the different RET mutant forms. This information has revealed key functional features of these mutant proteins that distinguish the different clinically recognized mutations and provide clues as to the functional origins of the phenotypes associated with specific RET mutations. The elucidation of molecular mechanisms involved in RET-mediated transformation is a key step in the development of much needed therapeutics that target RET's oncogenic properties. Recent advances have begun to provide a deeper understanding of the receptor's function, and dysfunction, in human tumors that may guide this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Z Lai
- Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Botterell Hall Rm 329, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
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Ito Y, Okada Y, Sato M, Sawai H, Funahashi H, Murase T, Hayakawa T, Manabe T. Expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family members and their receptors in pancreatic cancers. Surgery 2005; 138:788-94. [PMID: 16269310 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2005.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2005] [Revised: 07/14/2005] [Accepted: 07/15/2005] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a member of neurotrophic polypeptide family, which promotes survival and rescue of various neural cells in the central and peripheral nerve systems. We previously reported that GDNF promotes tumor cell invasion in pancreatic cancer cell lines. The purpose of this study was to investigate GDNF family expression and the status of related receptors in actual cancer tissues, and assess correlations with clinicopathologic behavior. METHODS Immunohistochemical assessment of GDNF, neurturin, persephin, artemin, GDNF family receptor alpha-1 and alpha-2, and RET was performed for 51 cases of surgically resected pancreatic cancer. RESULTS In all intrapancreatic nerves, GDNF and artermin were expressed strongly. In pancreatic cancer tissues. The expression of RET was stronger than that seen in normal ductal cells and was significantly related to the survival rate after resection (P = .026) and lymphatic invasion (P = .014). Intrapancreatic neural invasion was significantly related to the expression of GDNF (P = .047). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the expression of RET in pancreatic cancer tissues may be a useful prognostic marker and GDNF may play an important role in neural invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Ito
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kawasumi, Japan
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Marsh DJ, Theodosopoulos G, Martin-Schulte K, Richardson AL, Philips J, Röher HD, Delbridge L, Robinson BG. Genome-wide copy number imbalances identified in familial and sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2003; 88:1866-72. [PMID: 12679485 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2002-021155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a malignant tumor of the calcitonin-secreting parafollicular C cells of the thyroid occurring sporadically and as a component of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2/familial medullary thyroid carcinoma syndrome. The primary genetic cause of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 is germline mutation of the RET protooncogene. Somatic point mutations in RET also occur in sporadic MTC. Although RET mutation is likely sufficient to cause C-cell hyperplasia, the precursor lesion to MTC, tumor progression is thought to be due to clonal expansion caused by the accumulation of somatic events. Using the genome-scanning technique comparative genomic hybridization, we identified chromosomal imbalances that occur in MTC including deletions of chromosomes 1p, 3q26.3-q27, 4, 9q13-q22, 13q, and 22q and amplifications of chromosome 19. These regions house known tumor suppressor genes as well as genes encoding subunits of the multicomponent complex of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked proteins (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family receptors alpha-2-4) and their ligands glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, neurturin, persephin, and artemin that facilitate RET dimerization and downstream signaling. Chromosomal imbalances in the MTC cell line TT were largely identical to those identified in primary MTC tumors, consolidating its use as a model for studying MTC.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Calcitonin/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Medullary/genetics
- Chromosome Aberrations
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4
- Drosophila Proteins
- Female
- Gene Deletion
- Germ-Line Mutation
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a/genetics
- Nucleic Acid Hybridization
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
- Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics
- Thyroid Gland/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J Marsh
- Cancer Genetics, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, and Pacific Laboratory Medicine Services, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales 2065, Australia.
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Borrego S, Fernández RM, Dziema H, Japón MA, Marcos I, Eng C, Antiñolo G. Evaluation of germline sequence variants of GFRA1, GFRA2, and GFRA3 genes in a cohort of Spanish patients with sporadic medullary thyroid cancer. Thyroid 2002; 12:1017-22. [PMID: 12490080 DOI: 10.1089/105072502320908367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The etiology of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (sMTC) remains elusive. While germline gain-of-function mutations in the RET proto-oncogene cause hereditary MTC, somatic RET mutations have been described in a variable number of sMTC. So far, S836S of RET, is the only variant whose association with sMTC has been found in several European cohorts. Because RET variants seem to be associated with MTC, it is plausible that variants in genes encoding for RET coreceptors may play a role in the pathogenesis of sMTC. Recently, we described two possible low penetrance susceptibility alleles in the gene encoding RET coreceptor GFRalpha1, -193C > G and 537T > C, in a German series of sMTC. In this study, we have genotyped nine polymorphisms within GFRA1-3 genes for 51 Spanish sMTC, and 100 normal controls. Our results show that no statistical signification was found when Spanish sMTC patients were compared to controls. Taken together with the observations in the German sMTC series, the present findings suggest that GFRA1-193C > G and 537T > C could be in linkage disequilibrium with other loci responsible for the disease with a founder effect in Germany. Alternatively, the combined observations might also suggest that, if indeed the polymorphisms are functional, the effect is small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salud Borrego
- Unidad de Genética Médica y Diagnóstico Prenatal, Hospitales Universitarios Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
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Lindahl M, Poteryaev D, Yu L, Arumae U, Timmusk T, Bongarzone I, Aiello A, Pierotti MA, Airaksinen MS, Saarma M. Human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha 4 is the receptor for persephin and is predominantly expressed in normal and malignant thyroid medullary cells. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:9344-51. [PMID: 11116144 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m008279200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands signal through receptor complex consisting of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked GDNF family receptor (GFR) alpha subunit and the transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase RET. The inherited cancer syndrome multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), associated with different mutations in RET, is characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma. GDNF signals via GFRalpha1, neurturin via GFRalpha2, artemin via GFRalpha3, whereas the mammalian GFRalpha receptor for persephin (PSPN) is unknown. Here we characterize the human GFRalpha4 as the ligand-binding subunit required together with RET for PSPN signaling. Human and mouse GFRalpha4 lack the first Cys-rich domain characteristic of other GFRalpha receptors. Unlabeled PSPN displaces (125)I-PSPN from GFRA4-transfected cells, which express endogenous Ret. PSPN can be specifically cross-linked to mammalian GFRalpha4 and Ret, and is able to promote autophosphorylation of Ret in GFRA4-transfected cells. PSPN, but not other GDNF family ligands, promotes the survival of cultured sympathetic neurons microinjected with GFRA4. We identified different splice forms of human GFRA4 mRNA encoding for two glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked and one putative soluble isoform that were predominantly expressed in the thyroid gland. Overlapping expression of RET and GFRA4 but not other GFRA mRNAs in normal and malignant thyroid medullary cells suggests that GFRalpha4 may restrict the MEN2 syndrome to these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lindahl
- Program in Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Viikki Biocenter, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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