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Sato S, Nakagawa M, Terashima T, Morinaga S, Miyagi Y, Yoshida E, Yoshimura T, Seiki M, Kaneko S, Ueno M, Yamashita T, Koshikawa N. EphA2 Proteolytic Fragment as a Sensitive Diagnostic Biomarker for Very Early-stage Pancreatic Ductal Carcinoma. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1862-1874. [PMID: 37712876 PMCID: PMC10503484 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Cleavage of erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular ephrin receptor A2 (EphA2) triggers malignant progression and yields an N-terminal fragment (EphA2-NF) detectable in sera from patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma. We established a quantitative automated chemiluminescence immunoassay for EphA2-NF and evaluated serum EphA2-NF levels as a biomarker to diagnose pancreatic ductal carcinoma in the test and validation cohorts. The EphA2-NF value was elevated (above the cutoff: mean ± SD) in more than half of the patients with stage I/II pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Among patients receiving standard chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal carcinoma [gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP)], the median survival time of patients with elevated serum EphA2-NF was half that of patients with values below the cutoff. Patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), a precancerous pancreatic ductal carcinoma lesion, also show high serum EphA2 levels, which are associated with an increase in pancreatic duct size and the development of pancreatic ductal carcinoma in some cases. IHC showed loss of EphA2-NF staining in IPMN with pancreatic ductal carcinoma, but not in the normal epithelium or IPMN without pancreatic ductal carcinoma, regardless of the histologic grade. These results suggest that EphA2 cleavage is an essential event that occurs very early in pancreatic ductal carcinoma development, and that the consequent release of EphA2-NF can be detected in the serum. Thus, serum EphA2-NF could be a diagnostic biomarker for very early-stage pancreatic ductal carcinoma and pancreatic ductal carcinoma development from high-risk IPMN and as a prognostic biomarker after chemotherapy with GnP. SIGNIFICANCE EphA2 N-terminus deletion is involved in pancreatic ductal carcinoma development from high-risk IPMN and EphA2-NF produced by cleavage can be used as a serum biomarker to diagnose pancreatic ductal carcinoma and predict pancreatic ductal carcinoma development from high-risk IPMN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Sato
- Molecular Pathology and Genetics Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Kanagawa Cancer Center Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
- Morphological Analysis Laboratory, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Nakagawa
- Research and Development, Abbott Japan LLC, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Terashima
- Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences Research Center, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Soichiro Morinaga
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanagawa Cancer Center Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yohei Miyagi
- Molecular Pathology and Genetics Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Kanagawa Cancer Center Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Eisaku Yoshida
- Morphological Analysis Laboratory, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Toru Yoshimura
- Morphological Analysis Laboratory, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Motoharu Seiki
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shuichi Kaneko
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Makoto Ueno
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanagawa Cancer Center Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Taro Yamashita
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Naohiko Koshikawa
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
- Clinical Cancer Proteomics Laboratory, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
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Goncalves BG, Banerjee IA. A computational and laboratory approach for the investigation of interactions of peptide conjugated natural terpenes with EpHA2 receptor. J Mol Model 2023; 29:204. [PMID: 37291458 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-023-05596-3] [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: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Ephrin type A receptor 2 (EphA2) is a well-known drug target for cancer treatment due to its overexpression in numerous types of cancers. Thus, it is crucial to determine the binding interactions of this receptor with both the ligand-binding domain (LBD) and the kinase-binding domain (KBD) through a targeted approach in order to modulate its activity. In this work, natural terpenes with inherent anticancer properties were conjugated with short peptides YSAYP and SWLAY that are known to bind to the LBD of EphA2 receptor. We examined the binding interactions of six terpenes (maslinic acid, levopimaric acid, quinopimaric acid, oleanolic, polyalthic, and hydroxybetulinic acid) conjugated to the above peptides with the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of EphA2 receptor computationally. Additionally, following the "target-hopping approach," we also examined the interactions of the conjugates with the KBD. Our results indicated that most of the conjugates showed higher binding interactions with the EphA2 kinase domain compared to LBD. Furthermore, the binding affinities of the terpenes increased upon conjugating the peptides with the terpenes. In order to further investigate the specificity toward EphA2 kinase domain, we also examined the binding interactions of the terpenes conjugated to VPWXE (x = norleucine), as VPWXE has been shown to bind to other RTKs. Our results indicated that the terpenes conjugated to SWLAY in particular showed high efficacy toward binding to the KBD. We also designed conjugates where in the peptide portion and the terpenes were separated by a butyl (C4) group linker to examine if the binding interactions could be enhanced. Docking studies showed that the conjugates with linkers had enhanced binding with the LBD compared to those without linkers, though binding remained slightly higher without linkers toward the KBD. As a proof of concept, maslinate and oleanolate conjugates of each of the peptides were then tested with F98 tumor cells which are known to overexpress EphA2 receptor. Results indicated that the oleanolate-amido-SWLAY conjugates were efficacious in reducing the cell proliferation of the tumor cells and may be potentially developed and further studied for targeting tumor cells overexpressing the EphA2 receptor. To test if these conjugates could bind to the receptor and potentially function as kinase inhibitors, we conducted SPR analysis and ADP-Glo assay. Our results indicated that OA conjugate with SWLAY showed the highest inhibition. METHODS Docking studies were carried out using AutoDock Vina, v.1.2.0; Molecular Dynamics and MMGBSA calculations were carried out through Schrodinger Software DESMOND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz G Goncalves
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA
| | - Ipsita A Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA.
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3
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Ferrari FR, Giorgio C, Zappia A, Ballabeni V, Bertoni S, Barocelli E, Scalvini L, Galvani F, Mor M, Lodola A, Tognolini M. Pharmacological characterization of second generation FXR agonists as effective EphA2 antagonists: A successful application of target hopping approach. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 209:115452. [PMID: 36792038 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
It is well demonstrated the key role of Eph-ephrin system, specifically of EphA2 receptor, in supporting tumor growth, invasion, metastasis and neovascularization. We previously identified FXR agonists as eligible antagonists of Eph-ephrin system. Herein we characterize new commercially available FXR (Farnesoid X Receptor) agonists as potential Eph ligands including Cilofexor, Nidufexor, Tropifexor, Turofexorate isopropyl and Vonafexor. Our exploration based on molecular modelling investigations and binding assays shows that Cilofexor binds specifically and reversibly to EphA2 receptor with a Ki value in the low micromolar range. Furthermore, Cilofexor interferes with the phosphorylation of EphA2 and the cell retraction and rounding in PC3 prostate cancer cells, both events depending on EphA2 activation. In conclusion, we can confirm that target hopping can be a successful approach to discover new moiety of protein-protein inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Romana Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Carmine Giorgio
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Alfonso Zappia
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Vigilio Ballabeni
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Bertoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Barocelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Galvani
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, I-43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Tognolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
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Pergaris A, Danas E, Gajdzis P, Levidou G, Gajdzis M, Cassoux N, Gardrat S, Donizy P, Korkolopoulou P, Kavantzas N, Klijanienko J, Theocharis S. EPHA2, EPHA4, and EPHA6 Expression in Uveal Melanomas: Searching for the Culprits of Neoplasia. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051025. [PMID: 35626181 PMCID: PMC9139903 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051025] [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: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanomas (UMs) comprise the most common primary intraocular malignancies in adults, with the eye representing the second most common site for melanoma, following the skin. Prognosis remains poor, with approximately half of the cases presenting with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular receptors (EPHs) comprise the largest known family of tyrosine receptors, in which, along with their ligands, ephrins, play an important role in a plethora of processes in human physiology, and are implicated in key steps of carcinogenesis. In the present study, EPHA2, EPHA4, and EPHA6 immunohistochemical expressions were investigated in UM tissues and further correlated to a multitude of clinicopathological parameters, including disease stage and patients’ overall survival (OS). High levels of EPHA2 expression were significantly associated with increased tumor vertical thickness (p = 0.03) and the presence of intrascleral involvement (p = 0.05), whereas high EPHA6 nuclear expression was associated with older age at diagnosis (p = 0.03) and absence of retinal detachment (p = 0.05). In a multivariate survival analysis, increased EPHA4 expression was associated with shortened OS along with the presence of metastasis (p < 0.001) and monosomy 3 (p = 0.02). In a separate model, the concurrent overexpression of at least two of the investigated EPHs (HR = 14.7, p = 0.03) also proved to be an independent poor prognostic factor. In conclusion, our results implicate these specific members of the EPHA group as potential biomarkers for disease prognosis as well as possible targets for the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Pergaris
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld. 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (E.D.); (G.L.); (P.K.); (N.K.)
| | - Eugene Danas
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld. 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (E.D.); (G.L.); (P.K.); (N.K.)
| | - Pawel Gajdzis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Division of Clinical Pathology, Wroclaw Medical
University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.G.); (P.D.)
| | - Georgia Levidou
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld. 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (E.D.); (G.L.); (P.K.); (N.K.)
- Department of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Gajdzis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Nathalie Cassoux
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institut Curie, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Sophie Gardrat
- Department of Biopathology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Piotr Donizy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Division of Clinical Pathology, Wroclaw Medical
University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (P.G.); (P.D.)
| | - Penelope Korkolopoulou
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld. 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (E.D.); (G.L.); (P.K.); (N.K.)
| | - Nikolaos Kavantzas
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld. 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (E.D.); (G.L.); (P.K.); (N.K.)
| | | | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld. 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (E.D.); (G.L.); (P.K.); (N.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-746-2116; Fax: +30-210-746-2157
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5
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Targeting Protein Kinases and Epigenetic Control as Combinatorial Therapy Options for Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030515. [PMID: 35335890 PMCID: PMC8949110 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC), the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, is known as metastatic bone cancer when it spreads to the bone. Although there is still no effective treatment for advanced/metastatic PC, awareness of the molecular events that contribute to PC progression has opened up opportunities and raised hopes for the development of new treatment strategies. Androgen deprivation and androgen-receptor-targeting therapies are two gold standard treatments for metastatic PC. However, acquired resistance to these treatments is a crucial challenge. Due to the role of protein kinases (PKs) in the growth, proliferation, and metastases of prostatic tumors, combinatorial therapy by PK inhibitors may help pave the way for metastatic PC treatment. Additionally, PC is known to have epigenetic involvement. Thus, understanding epigenetic pathways can help adopt another combinatorial treatment strategy. In this study, we reviewed the PKs that promote PC to advanced stages. We also summarized some PK inhibitors that may be used to treat advanced PC and we discussed the importance of epigenetic control in this cancer. We hope the information presented in this article will contribute to finding an effective treatment for the management of advanced PC.
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Al-Harbi SA, Abdulrahman AO, Zamzami MA, Khan MI. Urolithins: The Gut Based Polyphenol Metabolites of Ellagitannins in Cancer Prevention, a Review. Front Nutr 2021; 8:647582. [PMID: 34164422 PMCID: PMC8215145 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.647582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer as a disease continues to ravage the world population without regard to sex, age, and race. Due to the growing number of cases worldwide, cancer exerts a significant negative impact on global health and the economy. Interestingly, chemotherapy has been used over the years as a therapeutic intervention against cancer. However, high cost, resistance, and toxic by-effects to treatment have overshadowed some of its benefits. In recent times, efforts have been ongoing in searching for anticancer therapeutics of plant origin, focusing on polyphenols. Urolithins are secondary polyphenol metabolites derived from the gut microbial action on ellagitannins and ellagic acid-rich foods such as pomegranate, berries, and nuts. Urolithins are emerging as a new class of anticancer compounds that can mediate their cancer-preventive activities through cell cycle arrest, aromatase inhibition, induction of apoptosis, tumor suppression, promotion of autophagy, and senescence, transcriptional regulation of oncogenes, and growth factor receptors. In this review, we discussed the growing shreds of evidence supporting these secondary phenolic metabolites' anticancer properties. Furthermore, we have pointed out some of the future directions needed to establish urolithins as anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami A Al-Harbi
- Department of Chemistry, University College in Al-Jamoum, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Mazin A Zamzami
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Cancer Metabolism and Epigenetic Unit, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Imran Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Cancer Metabolism and Epigenetic Unit, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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7
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Review of novel liquid-based biomarkers for prostate cancer: towards personalised and targeted medicine. JOURNAL OF RADIOTHERAPY IN PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/s1460396921000248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background:
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and it is responsible for about 10% of all cancer mortalities in both American and Canadian men. At present, serum prostate-specific antigen levels remain the most commonly used test to detect prostate cancer, and the standard and definitive diagnosis of the disease is via prostate biopsy. Conventional tissue biopsies are usually invasive, expensive, painful, time-consuming, and unsuitable for screening and need to be consistently evaluated by expert pathologists and have limited repeatability. Consequently, liquid biopsies are emerging as a favourable alternative to conventional tissue biopsies, providing a non-invasive and cost-effective approach for screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of prostate cancer patients.
Materials and methods:
We searched several databases from August to December 2020 for relevant studies published in English between 2000 and 2020 and reporting on liquid-based biomarkers available in detectable quantities in patient bodily fluid samples. In this narrative review paper, we describe seven novel and promising liquid-based biomarkers that potentially account for individual patient variability as well as used in disease risk assessment, screening for early disease detection and diagnosis, identification of patients’ risk for metastatic disease and subsequent relapse, monitoring patient response to specific treatment and providing clinicians the potential to stratify patients likely to benefit from a particular treatment.
Conclusions:
The concept of precision medicine from prevention to treatment techniques that take individual patient variability into account will depend on the development of effective clinical biomarkers that interrogate key aberrant pathways potentially targetable with molecular targets or immunologic therapies. Liquid-based biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity for prostate cancer are emerging as minimally invasive, lower risk, readily obtainable and easily repeatable technique for screening for early disease detection and diagnosis, patient stratification at diagnosis into different risk categories, identification of patients’ risk for metastatic disease and subsequent relapse, and real-time monitoring of patient response to specific treatment. Thus, effective liquid-based biomarkers will potentially shift the treatment paradigm of prostate cancer towards more personalised and targeted medicine.
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Vaught DB, Merkel AR, Lynch CC, Edwards J, Tantawy MN, Hilliard T, Wang S, Peterson T, Johnson RW, Sterling JA, Brantley‐Sieders D. EphA2 Is a Clinically Relevant Target for Breast Cancer Bone Metastatic Disease. JBMR Plus 2021; 5:e10465. [PMID: 33869989 PMCID: PMC8046157 DOI: 10.1002/jbm4.10465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is highly expressed in breast tumor cells across multiple molecular subtypes and correlates with poor patient prognosis. In this study, the potential role of EphA2 in this clinically relevant phenomenon is investigated as metastasis of breast cancer to bone is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients. It was found that the EphA2 function in breast cancer cells promotes osteoclast activation and the development of osteolytic bone disease. Blocking EphA2 function molecularly and pharmacologically in breast tumors reduced the number and size of bone lesions and the degree of osteolytic disease in intratibial and intracardiac mouse models, which correlated with a significant decrease in the number of osteoclasts at the tumor-bone interface. EphA2 loss of function in tumor cells impaired osteoclast progenitor differentiation in coculture, which is mediated, at least in part, by reduced expression of IL-6. EPHA2 transcript levels are enriched in human breast cancer bone metastatic lesions relative to visceral metastatic sites; EphA2 protein expression was detected in breast tumor cells in bone metastases in patient samples, supporting the clinical relevance of the study's findings. These data provide a strong rationale for the development and application of molecularly targeted therapies against EphA2 for the treatment of breast cancer bone metastatic disease. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Vaught
- Department of Cancer BiologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Alyssa R Merkel
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone BiologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Conor C Lynch
- Department of Tumor BiologyH. Lee Moffitt Cancer CenterTampaFLUSA
| | | | - Mohammed Noor Tantawy
- Radiology and Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging SciencesVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Timothy Hilliard
- Radiology and Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging SciencesVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and ImmunologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Todd Peterson
- Radiology and Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging SciencesVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Rachelle W Johnson
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone BiologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
- Vanderbilt‐Ingram Cancer CenterVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
- Department of Tumor BiologyH. Lee Moffitt Cancer CenterTampaFLUSA
- Division of Clinical PharmacologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Julie A Sterling
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone BiologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (VISN 9)Vanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Dana Brantley‐Sieders
- Vanderbilt‐Ingram Cancer CenterVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
- Department of Tumor BiologyH. Lee Moffitt Cancer CenterTampaFLUSA
- Radiology and Vanderbilt Institute of Imaging SciencesVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and ImmunologyVanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleTNUSA
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Cioce M, Fazio VM. EphA2 and EGFR: Friends in Life, Partners in Crime. Can EphA2 Be a Predictive Biomarker of Response to Anti-EGFR Agents? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040700. [PMID: 33572284 PMCID: PMC7915460 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040700] [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: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Eph receptors represent the largest group among Receptor Tyrosine kinase (RTK) families. The Eph/ephrin signaling axis plays center stage during development, and the deep perturbation of signaling consequent to its dysregulation in cancer reveals the multiplicity and complexity underlying its function. In the last decades, they have emerged as key players in solid tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC); however, what causes EphA2 to switch between tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting function is still an active theater of investigation. This review summarizes the recent advances in understanding EphA2 function in cancer, with detail on the molecular determinants of the oncogene-tumor suppressor switch function of EphA2. We describe tumor context-specific examples of EphA2 signaling and the emerging role EphA2 plays in supporting cancer-stem-cell-like populations and overcoming therapy-induced stress. In such a frame, we detail the interaction of the EphA2 and EGFR pathway in solid tumors, including colorectal cancer. We discuss the contribution of the EphA2 oncogenic signaling to the resistance to EGFR blocking agents, including cetuximab and TKIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Cioce
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (V.M.F.)
| | - Vito Michele Fazio
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (V.M.F.)
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10
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Samaržija I. Post-Translational Modifications That Drive Prostate Cancer Progression. Biomolecules 2021; 11:247. [PMID: 33572160 PMCID: PMC7915076 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While a protein primary structure is determined by genetic code, its specific functional form is mostly achieved in a dynamic interplay that includes actions of many enzymes involved in post-translational modifications. This versatile repertoire is widely used by cells to direct their response to external stimuli, regulate transcription and protein localization and to keep proteostasis. Herein, post-translational modifications with evident potency to drive prostate cancer are explored. A comprehensive list of proteome-wide and single protein post-translational modifications and their involvement in phenotypic outcomes is presented. Specifically, the data on phosphorylation, glycosylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, acetylation, and lipidation in prostate cancer and the enzymes involved are collected. This type of knowledge is especially valuable in cases when cancer cells do not differ in the expression or mutational status of a protein, but its differential activity is regulated on the level of post-translational modifications. Since their driving roles in prostate cancer, post-translational modifications are widely studied in attempts to advance prostate cancer treatment. Current strategies that exploit the potential of post-translational modifications in prostate cancer therapy are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Samaržija
- Laboratory for Epigenomics, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Srivastava S, Pang KM, Iida M, Nelson MS, Liu J, Nam A, Wang J, Mambetsariev I, Pillai R, Mohanty A, McDaniel N, Behal A, Kulkarni P, Wheeler DL, Salgia R. Activation of EPHA2-ROBO1 Heterodimer by SLIT2 Attenuates Non-canonical Signaling and Proliferation in Squamous Cell Carcinomas. iScience 2020; 23:101692. [PMID: 33196021 PMCID: PMC7644594 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The tyrosine kinase receptor ephrin receptor A2 (EPHA2) is overexpressed in lung (LSCC) and head and neck (HNSCC) squamous cell carcinomas. Although EPHA2 can inhibit tumorigenesis in a ligand-dependent fashion via phosphorylation of Y588 and Y772, it can promote tumorigenesis in a ligand-independent manner via phosphorylation of S897. Here, we show that EPHA2 and Roundabout Guidance Receptor 1 (ROBO1) interact to form a functional heterodimer. Furthermore, we show that the ROBO1 ligand Slit Guidance Ligand 2 (SLIT2) and ensartinib, an inhibitor of EPHA2, can attenuate growth of HNSCC cells and act synergistically in LSCC cells. Our results suggest that patients with LSCC and HNSCC may be stratified and treated based on their EPHA2 and ROBO1 expression patterns. Although ~73% of patients with LSCC could benefit from SLIT2+ensartinib treatment, ~41% of patients with HNSCC could be treated with either SLIT2 or ensartinib. Thus, EPHA2 and ROBO1 represent potential LSCC and HNSCC theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumya Srivastava
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ka Ming Pang
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research, Madison, WI 53705-2275, USA
| | - Michael S. Nelson
- Light Microscopy Core, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jiayi Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Arin Nam
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jiale Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Isa Mambetsariev
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Raju Pillai
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Atish Mohanty
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Nellie McDaniel
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research, Madison, WI 53705-2275, USA
| | - Amita Behal
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Deric L. Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research, Madison, WI 53705-2275, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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12
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London M, Gallo E. The EphA2 and cancer connection: potential for immune-based interventions. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:8037-8048. [PMID: 32990903 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05767-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Eph (erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular) receptors form the largest known subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. These receptors interact with membrane-bound ephrin ligands via direct cell-cell interactions resulting in bi-directional activation of signal pathways. Importantly, the Eph receptors play critical roles in embryonic tissue organization and homeostasis, and in the maintenance of adult processes such as long-term potentiation, angiogenesis, and stem cell differentiation. The Eph receptors also display properties of both tumor promoters and suppressors depending on the cellular context. Characterization of EphA2 receptor in regard to EphA2 dysregulation has revealed associations with various pathological processes, especially cancer. The analysis of various tumor types generally identify EphA2 receptor as overexpressed and/or mutated, and for certain types of cancers EphA2 is linked with poor prognosis and decreased patient survival. Thus, here we highlight the role of EphA2 in malignant tissues that are specific to cancer; these include glioblastoma multiforme, prostate cancer, ovarian and uterine cancers, gastric carcinoma, melanoma, and breast cancer. Due to its large extracellular domain, therapeutic targeting of EphA2 with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which may function as inhibitors of ligand activation or as molecular agonists, has been an oft-attempted strategy. Therefore, we review the most current mAb-based therapies against EphA2 expressing cancers currently in pre-clinical and/or clinical stages. Finally, we discuss the latest peptides and cyclical-peptides that function as selective agonists for EphA2 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max London
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Donnelly Centre, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Eugenio Gallo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Donnelly Centre, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada.
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13
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Pietrovito L, Comito G, Parri M, Giannoni E, Chiarugi P, Taddei ML. Zoledronic Acid Inhibits the RhoA-mediated Amoeboid Motility of Prostate Cancer Cells. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2020; 19:807-816. [PMID: 30648509 DOI: 10.2174/1568009619666190115142858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The bisphosphonate Zoledronic acid (ZA) is a potent osteoclast inhibitor currently used in the clinic to reduce osteoporosis and cancer-induced osteolysis. Moreover, ZA exerts an anti-tumor effect in several tumors. Despite this evidence, the relevance of ZA in prostate cancer (PCa) is not completely understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of ZA administration on the invasive properties of PC3 cells, which are characterised by RhoA-dependent amoeboid motility. METHODS The effect of ZA administration on the in vitro invasive properties of PC3 cells was evaluated by cell migration in 3D collagen matrices, immunofluorescence and Boyden assays or transendothelial migration. Lung retention and colonization assays were performed to assess the efficacy of ZA administration in vivo. RESULTS PC3 cells are characterised by RhoA-dependent amoeboid motility. We now report a clear inhibition of in vitro PC3 cell invasion and RhoA activity upon ZA treatment. Moreover, to confirm a specific role of ZA in the inhibition of amoeboid motility of PC3 cells, we demonstrate that ZA interferes only partially with PC3 cells showing a mesenchymal phenotype due to both treatment with conditioned medium of cancer associated fibroblasts or to the acquisition of chemoresistance. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ZA impairs adhesion to endothelial cells and the trans-endothelial cell migration, two essential properties characterising amoeboid motility and PC3 metastatic dissemination. In vivo experiments prove the ability of ZA to inhibit the metastatic process of PC3 cells as shown by the decrease in lung colonization. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that ZA inhibits Rho-dependent amoeboid motility of PC3 cells, thus suggesting ZA as a potential therapy to impede the metastatic dissemination of PC3 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pietrovito
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche, Universita degli Studi di Firenze, Viale Morgagni 50, 50142 Firenze, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Comito
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche, Universita degli Studi di Firenze, Viale Morgagni 50, 50142 Firenze, Italy
| | - Matteo Parri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche, Universita degli Studi di Firenze, Viale Morgagni 50, 50142 Firenze, Italy
| | - Elisa Giannoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche, Universita degli Studi di Firenze, Viale Morgagni 50, 50142 Firenze, Italy
| | - Paola Chiarugi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche, Universita degli Studi di Firenze, Viale Morgagni 50, 50142 Firenze, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Taddei
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche, Universita degli Studi di Firenze, Viale Morgagni 50, 50142 Firenze, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Viale Morgagni 50, 50142 Firenze, Italy.,Tuscany Tumor Institute and "Center for Research, Transfer and High Education DenoTHE", 50134 Florence, Italy
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14
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Pyo A, You SH, Sik Kim H, Young Kim J, Min JJ, Kim DY, Hong Y. Production of 64Cu-labeled monobody for imaging of human EphA2-expressing tumors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127262. [PMID: 32527560 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported on the monobody E1, which specifically targets the tumor marker hEphA2. In this study, we labeled NOTA-conjugated E1 with 64Cu (64Cu-NOTA-E1) and evaluated biologic characteristics. The uptake of 64Cu-NOTA-E1 in PC3 cells (a human prostate cancer cell line) with high expression of hEphA2 increased in a time-dependent manner. In PC3 xenograft mice, 64Cu-NOTA-E1 injected via the tail vein allowed visualization of tumors on positron emission tomography after 1 h and the highest uptake measured at 24 h post-injection. By contrast, the radioactivity of other tissues either did not increase or decreased over 24 h. This indicates that 64Cu-NOTA-E1 has high tumor uptake and retention, with rapid clearance, and low background values in other tissues. Therefore, 64Cu-NOTA-E1 should be suitable as a novel PET imaging agent for hEphA2-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayoung Pyo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hwan You
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon Sik Kim
- Medical Photonics Research Center, Korea Photonics Technology Institute, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Young Kim
- Division of RI-Convergence Research, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Joon Min
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Yeon Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yeongjin Hong
- Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis identifies the potential therapeutic target EphA2 for overcoming sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:497-513. [PMID: 32203105 PMCID: PMC7156679 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0404-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited therapeutic options are available for advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma owing to its poor diagnosis. Drug resistance to sorafenib, the only available targeted agent, is commonly reported. The comprehensive elucidation of the mechanisms underlying sorafenib resistance may thus aid in the development of more efficacious therapeutic agents. To clarify the signaling changes contributing to resistance, we applied quantitative phosphoproteomics to analyze the differential phosphorylation changes between parental and sorafenib-resistant HuH-7 cells. Consequently, an average of ~1500 differential phosphoproteins were identified and quantified, among which 533 were significantly upregulated in resistant cells. Further bioinformatic integration via functional categorization annotation, pathway enrichment and interaction linkage analysis led to the discovery of alterations in pathways associated with cell adhesion and motility, cell survival and cell growth and the identification of a novel target, EphA2, in resistant HuH-7R cells. In vitro functional analysis indicated that the suppression of EphA2 function impairs cell proliferation and motility and, most importantly, overcomes sorafenib resistance. The attenuation of sorafenib resistance may be achieved prior to its development through the modulation of EphA2 and the subsequent inhibition of Akt activity. Binding analyses and in silico modeling revealed a ligand mimic lead compound, prazosin, that could abate the ligand-independent oncogenic activity of EphA2. Finally, data obtained from in vivo animal models verified that the simultaneous inhibition of EphA2 with sorafenib treatment can effectively overcome sorafenib resistance and extend the projected survival of resistant tumor-bearing mice. Thus our findings regarding the targeting of EphA2 may provide an effective approach for overcoming sorafenib resistance and may contribute to the management of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
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16
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Vincenzi M, Mercurio FA, Leone M. Sam Domains in Multiple Diseases. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:450-476. [PMID: 30306850 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666181009114445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sterile alpha motif (Sam) domain is a small helical protein module, able to undergo homo- and hetero-oligomerization, as well as polymerization, thus forming different types of protein architectures. A few Sam domains are involved in pathological processes and consequently, they represent valuable targets for the development of new potential therapeutic routes. This study intends to collect state-of-the-art knowledge on the different modes by which Sam domains can favor disease onset and progression. METHODS This review was build up by searching throughout the literature, for: a) the structural properties of Sam domains, b) interactions mediated by a Sam module, c) presence of a Sam domain in proteins relevant for a specific disease. RESULTS Sam domains appear crucial in many diseases including cancer, renal disorders, cataracts. Often pathologies are linked to mutations directly positioned in the Sam domains that alter their stability and/or affect interactions that are crucial for proper protein functions. In only a few diseases, the Sam motif plays a kind of "side role" and cooperates to the pathological event by enhancing the action of a different protein domain. CONCLUSION Considering the many roles of the Sam domain into a significant variety of diseases, more efforts and novel drug discovery campaigns need to be engaged to find out small molecules and/or peptides targeting Sam domains. Such compounds may represent the pillars on which to build novel therapeutic strategies to cure different pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Vincenzi
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council (CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia Anna Mercurio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council (CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Cirpeb, InterUniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Marilisa Leone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council (CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Cirpeb, InterUniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
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17
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Thomas R, Weihua Z. Rethink of EGFR in Cancer With Its Kinase Independent Function on Board. Front Oncol 2019; 9:800. [PMID: 31508364 PMCID: PMC6716122 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of most potent oncogenes that are commonly altered in cancers. As a receptor tyrosine kinase, EGFR's kinase activity has been serving as the primary target for developing cancer therapeutics, namely the EGFR inhibitors including small molecules targeting its ATP binding pocket and monoclonal antibodies targeting its ligand binding domains. EGFR inhibitors have produced impressive therapeutic benefits to responsive types of cancers. However, acquired and innate resistances have precluded current anti-EGFR agents from offering sustainable benefits to initially responsive cancers and benefits to EGFR-positive cancers that are innately resistant. Recent years have witnessed a realization that EGFR possesses kinase-independent (KID) pro-survival functions in cancer cells. This new knowledge has offered a different angle of understanding of EGFR in cancer and opened a new avenue of targeting EGFR for cancer therapy. There are already many excellent reviews on the role of EGFR with a focus on its kinase-dependent functions and mechanisms of resistance to EGFR targeted therapies. The present opinion aims to initiate a fresh discussion about the function of EGFR in cancer cells by laying out some unanswered questions pertaining to EGFR in cancer cells, by rethinking the unmet therapeutic challenges from a view of EGFR's KID function, and by proposing novel approaches to target the KID functions of EGFR for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rintu Thomas
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Science and Mathematics, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Zhang Weihua
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Science and Mathematics, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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18
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Mierke CT. The matrix environmental and cell mechanical properties regulate cell migration and contribute to the invasive phenotype of cancer cells. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2019; 82:064602. [PMID: 30947151 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/ab1628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The minimal structural unit of a solid tumor is a single cell or a cellular compartment such as the nucleus. A closer look inside the cells reveals that there are functional compartments or even structural domains determining the overall properties of a cell such as the mechanical phenotype. The mechanical interaction of these living cells leads to the complex organization such as compartments, tissues and organs of organisms including mammals. In contrast to passive non-living materials, living cells actively respond to the mechanical perturbations occurring in their microenvironment during diseases such as fibrosis and cancer. The transformation of single cancer cells in highly aggressive and hence malignant cancer cells during malignant cancer progression encompasses the basement membrane crossing, the invasion of connective tissue, the stroma microenvironments and transbarrier migration, which all require the immediate interaction of the aggressive and invasive cancer cells with the surrounding extracellular matrix environment including normal embedded neighboring cells. All these steps of the metastatic pathway seem to involve mechanical interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment. The pathology of cancer due to a broad heterogeneity of cancer types is still not fully understood. Hence it is necessary to reveal the signaling pathways such as mechanotransduction pathways that seem to be commonly involved in the development and establishment of the metastatic and mechanical phenotype in several carcinoma cells. We still do not know whether there exist distinct metastatic genes regulating the progression of tumors. These metastatic genes may then be activated either during the progression of cancer by themselves on their migration path or in earlier stages of oncogenesis through activated oncogenes or inactivated tumor suppressor genes, both of which promote the metastatic phenotype. In more detail, the adhesion of cancer cells to their surrounding stroma induces the generation of intracellular contraction forces that deform their microenvironments by alignment of fibers. The amplitude of these forces can adapt to the mechanical properties of the microenvironment. Moreover, the adhesion strength of cancer cells seems to determine whether a cancer cell is able to migrate through connective tissue or across barriers such as the basement membrane or endothelial cell linings of blood or lymph vessels in order to metastasize. In turn, exposure of adherent cancer cells to physical forces, such as shear flow in vessels or compression forces around tumors, reinforces cell adhesion, regulates cell contractility and restructures the ordering of the local stroma matrix that leads subsequently to secretion of crosslinking proteins or matrix degrading enzymes. Hence invasive cancer cells alter the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. From a mechanobiological point-of-view, the recognized physical signals are transduced into biochemical signaling events that guide cellular responses such as cancer progression after the malignant transition of cancer cells from an epithelial and non-motile phenotype to a mesenchymal and motile (invasive) phenotype providing cellular motility. This transition can also be described as the physical attempt to relate this cancer cell transitional behavior to a T1 phase transition such as the jamming to unjamming transition. During the invasion of cancer cells, cell adaptation occurs to mechanical alterations of the local stroma, such as enhanced stroma upon fibrosis, and therefore we need to uncover underlying mechano-coupling and mechano-regulating functional processes that reinforce the invasion of cancer cells. Moreover, these mechanisms may also be responsible for the awakening of dormant residual cancer cells within the microenvironment. Physicists were initially tempted to consider the steps of the cancer metastasis cascade as single events caused by a single mechanical alteration of the overall properties of the cancer cell. However, this general and simple view has been challenged by the finding that several mechanical properties of cancer cells and their microenvironment influence each other and continuously contribute to tumor growth and cancer progression. In addition, basement membrane crossing, cell invasion and transbarrier migration during cancer progression is explained in physical terms by applying physical principles on living cells regardless of their complexity and individual differences of cancer types. As a novel approach, the impact of the individual microenvironment surrounding cancer cells is also included. Moreover, new theories and models are still needed to understand why certain cancers are malignant and aggressive, while others stay still benign. However, due to the broad variety of cancer types, there may be various pathways solely suitable for specific cancer types and distinct steps in the process of cancer progression. In this review, physical concepts and hypotheses of cancer initiation and progression including cancer cell basement membrane crossing, invasion and transbarrier migration are presented and discussed from a biophysical point-of-view. In addition, the crosstalk between cancer cells and a chronically altered microenvironment, such as fibrosis, is discussed including the basic physical concepts of fibrosis and the cellular responses to mechanical stress caused by the mechanically altered microenvironment. Here, is highlighted how biophysical approaches, both experimentally and theoretically, have an impact on classical hallmarks of cancer and fibrosis and how they contribute to the understanding of the regulation of cancer and its progression by sensing and responding to the physical environmental properties through mechanotransduction processes. Finally, this review discusses various physical models of cell migration such as blebbing, nuclear piston, protrusive force and unjamming transition migration modes and how they contribute to cancer progression. Moreover, these cellular migration modes are influenced by microenvironmental perturbances such as fibrosis that can induce mechanical alterations in cancer cells, which in turn may impact the environment. Hence, the classical hallmarks of cancer need to be refined by including biomechanical properties of cells, cell clusters and tissues and their microenvironment to understand mechano-regulatory processes within cancer cells and the entire organism.
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Koçer G, Jonkheijm P. About Chemical Strategies to Fabricate Cell-Instructive Biointerfaces with Static and Dynamic Complexity. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1701192. [PMID: 29717821 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Properly functioning cell-instructive biointerfaces are critical for healthy integration of biomedical devices in the body and serve as decisive tools for the advancement of our understanding of fundamental cell biological phenomena. Studies are reviewed that use covalent chemistries to fabricate cell-instructive biointerfaces. These types of biointerfaces typically result in a static presentation of predefined cell-instructive cues. Chemically defined, but dynamic cell-instructive biointerfaces introduce spatiotemporal control over cell-instructive cues and present another type of biointerface, which promises a more biomimetic way to guide cell behavior. Therefore, strategies that offer control over the lateral sorting of ligands, the availability and molecular structure of bioactive ligands, and strategies that offer the ability to induce physical, chemical and mechanical changes in situ are reviewed. Specific attention is paid to state-of-the-art studies on dynamic, cell-instructive 3D materials. Future work is expected to further deepen our understanding of molecular and cellular biological processes investigating cell-type specific responses and the translational steps toward targeted in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülistan Koçer
- TechMed Centre and MESA Institute for Nanotechnology; University of Twente; 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering; University of Toronto; Toronto M5S 3G9 Ontario Canada
| | - Pascal Jonkheijm
- TechMed Centre and MESA Institute for Nanotechnology; University of Twente; 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering; University of Toronto; Toronto M5S 3G9 Ontario Canada
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Festuccia C, Gravina GL, Giorgio C, Mancini A, Pellegrini C, Colapietro A, Delle Monache S, Maturo MG, Sferra R, Chiodelli P, Rusnati M, Cantoni A, Castelli R, Vacondio F, Lodola A, Tognolini M. UniPR1331, a small molecule targeting Eph/ephrin interaction, prolongs survival in glioblastoma and potentiates the effect of antiangiogenic therapy in mice. Oncotarget 2018; 9:24347-24363. [PMID: 29849945 PMCID: PMC5966254 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumor, showing high resistance to standard therapeutic approaches that combine surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. As opposed to healthy tissues, EphA2 has been found highly expressed in specimens of glioblastoma, and increased expression of EphA2 has been shown to correlate with poor survival rates. Accordingly, agents blocking Eph receptor activity could represent a new therapeutic approach. Herein, we demonstrate that UniPR1331, a pan Eph receptor antagonist, possesses significant in vivo anti-angiogenic and anti-vasculogenic properties which lead to a significant anti-tumor activity in xenograft and orthotopic models of GBM. UniPR1331 halved the final volume of tumors when tested in xenografts (p<0.01) and enhanced the disease-free survival of treated animals in the orthotopic models of GBM both by using U87MG cells (40 vs 24 days of control, p<0.05) or TPC8 cells (52 vs 16 days, p<0.01). Further, the association of UniPR1331 with the anti-VEGF antibody Bevacizumab significantly increased the efficacy of both monotherapies in all tested models. Overall, our data promote UniPR1331 as a novel tool for tackling GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Carmine Giorgio
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Cristina Pellegrini
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Colapietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Delle Monache
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Maturo
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberta Sferra
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Paola Chiodelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Rusnati
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Annamaria Cantoni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43100, Parma, Italy
| | - Riccardo Castelli
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Vacondio
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
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21
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Garcia-Monclús S, López-Alemany R, Almacellas-Rabaiget O, Herrero-Martín D, Huertas-Martinez J, Lagares-Tena L, Alba-Pavón P, Hontecillas-Prieto L, Mora J, de Álava E, Rello-Varona S, Giangrande PH, Tirado OM. EphA2 receptor is a key player in the metastatic onset of Ewing sarcoma. Int J Cancer 2018; 143:1188-1201. [PMID: 29582409 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most common bone malignancy affecting children and young adults with poor prognosis due to high metastasis incidence. Our group previously described that EphA2, a tyrosine kinase receptor, promotes angiogenesis in Ewing sarcoma (ES) cells via ligand-dependent signaling. Now we wanted to explore EphA2 ligand-independent activity, controlled upon phosphorylation at S897 (p-EphA2S897 ), as it has been linked to metastasis in several malignancies. By reverse genetic engineering we explored the phenotypic changes after EphA2 removal or reintroduction. Gene expression microarray was used to identify key players in EphA2 signaling. Mice were employed to reproduce metastatic processes from orthotopically implanted engineered cells. We established a correlation between ES cells aggressiveness and p-EphA2S897 . Moreover, stable overexpression of EphA2 in low EphA2 expression ES cells enhanced proliferation and migration, but not a non-phosphorylable mutant (S987A). Consistently, silencing of EphA2 reduced tumorigenicity, migration and invasion in vitro, and lung metastasis incidence in experimental and spontaneous metastasis assays in vivo. A gene expression microarray revealed the implication of EphA2 in cell signaling, cellular movement and survival. ADAM19 knockdown by siRNA technology strongly reproduced the negative effects on cell migration observed after EphA2 silencing. Altogether, our results suggest that p-EphA2S897 correlates with aggressiveness in ES, so blocking its function may be a promising treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Garcia-Monclús
- Sarcoma Research Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser López-Alemany
- Sarcoma Research Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Almacellas-Rabaiget
- Sarcoma Research Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Herrero-Martín
- Sarcoma Research Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERONC, Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Huertas-Martinez
- Sarcoma Research Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Lagares-Tena
- Sarcoma Research Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Piedad Alba-Pavón
- Sarcoma Research Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lourdes Hontecillas-Prieto
- CIBERONC, Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jaume Mora
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrique de Álava
- CIBERONC, Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Santi Rello-Varona
- Sarcoma Research Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Oscar M Tirado
- Sarcoma Research Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERONC, Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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22
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Kou CTJ, Kandpal RP. Differential Expression Patterns of Eph Receptors and Ephrin Ligands in Human Cancers. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:7390104. [PMID: 29682554 PMCID: PMC5851329 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7390104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Eph receptors constitute the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases, which are activated by ephrin ligands that either are anchored to the membrane or contain a transmembrane domain. These molecules play important roles in the development of multicellular organisms, and the physiological functions of these receptor-ligand pairs have been extensively documented in axon guidance, neuronal development, vascular patterning, and inflammation during tissue injury. The recognition that aberrant regulation and expression of these molecules lead to alterations in proliferative, migratory, and invasive potential of a variety of human cancers has made them potential targets for cancer therapeutics. We present here the involvement of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands in lung carcinoma, breast carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, glioblastoma, and medulloblastoma. The aberrations in their abundances are described in the context of multiple signaling pathways, and differential expression is suggested as the mechanism underlying tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Ting Jimmy Kou
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Raj P. Kandpal
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
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23
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Salem AF, Wang S, Billet S, Chen JF, Udompholkul P, Gambini L, Baggio C, Tseng HR, Posadas EM, Bhowmick NA, Pellecchia M. Reduction of Circulating Cancer Cells and Metastases in Breast-Cancer Models by a Potent EphA2-Agonistic Peptide-Drug Conjugate. J Med Chem 2018; 61:2052-2061. [PMID: 29470068 PMCID: PMC5907794 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
![]()
EphA2
overexpression has been associated with metastasis in multiple
cancer types, including melanomas and ovarian, prostate, lung, and
breast cancers. We have recently proposed the development of peptide–drug
conjugates (PDCs) using agonistic EphA2-targeting agents, such as
the YSA peptide or its optimized version, 123B9. Although our studies
indicated that YSA– and 123B9–drug conjugates can selectively
deliver cytotoxic drugs to cancer cells in vivo, the relatively low
cellular agonistic activities (i.e., the high micromolar concentrations
required) of the agents toward the EphA2 receptor remained a limiting
factor to the further development of these PDCs in the clinic. Here,
we report that a dimeric version of 123B9 can induce receptor activation
at nanomolar concentrations. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the
conjugation of dimeric 123B9 with paclitaxel is very effective at
targeting circulating tumor cells and inhibiting lung metastasis in
breast-cancer models. These studies represent an important step toward
the development of effective EphA2-targeting PDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed F Salem
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine , University of California, Riverside , 900 University Avenue , Riverside , California 92521 , United States
| | - Si Wang
- Sanford-Burnham-Prebys Medical Discovery Institute , 10901 North Torrey Pines Road , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - Sandrine Billet
- Department of Medicine , Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , 8700 Beverly Boulevard , Los Angeles , California 90048 , United States
| | - Jie-Fu Chen
- Department of Medicine , Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , 8700 Beverly Boulevard , Los Angeles , California 90048 , United States
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine , University of California, Riverside , 900 University Avenue , Riverside , California 92521 , United States
| | - Luca Gambini
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine , University of California, Riverside , 900 University Avenue , Riverside , California 92521 , United States
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine , University of California, Riverside , 900 University Avenue , Riverside , California 92521 , United States
| | - Hsian-Rong Tseng
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology , University of California, Los Angeles , 570 Westwood Plaza , Los Angeles , California 90095 , United States
| | - Edwin M Posadas
- Department of Medicine , Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , 8700 Beverly Boulevard , Los Angeles , California 90048 , United States
| | - Neil A Bhowmick
- Department of Medicine , Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , 8700 Beverly Boulevard , Los Angeles , California 90048 , United States.,Department of Research , Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration , Los Angeles , California 90073 , United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine , University of California, Riverside , 900 University Avenue , Riverside , California 92521 , United States
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24
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Daoud A, Gopal U, Kaur J, Isaacs JS. Molecular and functional crosstalk between extracellular Hsp90 and ephrin A1 signaling. Oncotarget 2017; 8:106807-106819. [PMID: 29290990 PMCID: PMC5739775 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Eph receptor tyrosine kinase family member EphA2 plays a pivotal role in modulating cytoskeletal dynamics to control cancer cell motility and invasion. EphA2 is frequently upregulated in diverse solid tumors and has emerged as a viable druggable target. We previously reported that extracellular Hsp90 (eHsp90), a known pro-motility and invasive factor, collaborates with EphA2 to regulate tumor invasion in the absence of its cognate ephrin ligand. Here, we aimed to further define the molecular and functional relationship between EphA2 and eHsp90. Ligand dependent ephrin A1 signaling promotes RhoA activation and altered cell morphology to favor transient cell rounding, retraction, and diminished adhesion. Exposure of EphA2-expressing cancer cells to ligand herein revealed a unique role for eHsp90 as an effector of cytoskeletal remodeling. Notably, blockade of eHsp90 via either neutralizing antibodies or administration of cell-impermeable Hsp90-targeted small molecules significantly attenuated ligand dependent cell rounding in diverse tumor types. Although eHsp90 blockade did not appear to influence receptor internalization, downstream signaling events were augmented. In particular, eHsp90 activated a Src-RhoA axis to enhance ligand dependent cell rounding, retraction, and ECM detachment. Moreover, eHsp90 signaling via this axis stimulated activation of the myosin pathway, culminating in formation of an EphA2-myosin complex. Inhibition of either eHsp90 or Src was sufficient to impair ephrin A1 mediated Rho activation, activation of myosin intermediates, and EphA2-myosin complex formation. Collectively, our data support a paradigm whereby eHsp90 and EphA2 exhibit molecular crosstalk and functional cooperation within a ligand dependent context to orchestrate cytoskeletal events controlling cell morphology and attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelkader Daoud
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, 29412, Charleston, USA
| | - Udhayakumar Gopal
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, 29412, Charleston, USA.,Current address: Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, NC, 27708, Durham, USA
| | - Jasmine Kaur
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, 29412, Charleston, USA
| | - Jennifer S Isaacs
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, 29412, Charleston, USA
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25
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Cell surface Thomsen-Friedenreich proteome profiling of metastatic prostate cancer cells reveals potential link with cancer stem cell-like phenotype. Oncotarget 2017; 8:98598-98608. [PMID: 29228713 PMCID: PMC5716753 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor-associated Thomsen-Friedenreich glycoantigen (TF-Ag) plays an important role in hematogenous metastasis of multiple cancers. The LTQ Orbitrap LC-MS/MS mass spectrometry analysis of cell surface TF-Ag proteome of metastatic prostate cancer cells reveals that several cell surface glycoproteins expressing this carbohydrate antigen in prostate cancer (CD44, α2 integrin, β1 integrin, CD49f, CD133, CD59, EphA2, CD138, transferrin receptor, profilin) are either known as stem cell markers or control important cancer stem-like cell functions. This outcome points to a potential link between TF-Ag expression and prostate cancer stem-like phenotype. Indeed, selecting prostate cancer cells for TF-Ag expression resulted in the enrichment of cells with stem-like properties such as enhanced clonogenic survival and growth, prostasphere formation under non-differentiating and differentiating conditions, and elevated expression of stem cell markers such as CD44 and CD133. Further, the analysis of the recent literature demonstrates that TF-Ag is a common denominator for multiple prostate cancer stem-like cell populations identified to date and otherwise characterized by distinct molecular signatures. The current paradigm suggests that dissemination of tumor cells with stem-like properties to bone marrow that occurred before surgery and/or radiation therapy is largely responsible for disease recurrence years after radical treatment causing a massive clinical problem in prostate cancer. Thus, developing means for destroying disseminated prostate cancer stem-like cells is an important goal of modern cancer research. The results presented in this study suggest that multiple subpopulation of putative prostate cancer stem-like cells characterized by distinct molecular signatures can be attacked using a single target commonly expressed on these cells, the TF-Ag.
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26
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Ligand-dependent EphA7 signaling inhibits prostate tumor growth and progression. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e3122. [PMID: 29022918 PMCID: PMC5682672 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The downregulation of receptor tyrosine kinase EphA7 is frequent in epithelial cancers and linked to tumor progression. However, the detailed mechanism of EphA7-mediated prostate tumor progression remains elusive. To test the role of EphA7 receptor in prostate cancer (PCa) progression directly, we generated EphA7 receptor variants that were either lacking the cytoplasmic domain or carrying a point mutation that inhibits its phosphorylation by site-directed mutagenesis. Overexpression of wild-type (WT) EphA7 in PCa cells resulted in decreased tumor volume and increased tumor apoptosis in primary tumors. In addition, ectopic expression of WT EphA7 both can delay PCa cell proliferation and could inhibit PCa cell migration and invasion. This protein can also induce PCa cell apoptosis that correlated with increasing the protein expression levels of Bax, elevating the caspase-3 activities, reducing the protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and facilitating the dephosphorylation of Akt, which is further increased by the stimulation of ephrinA5-Fc. However, expression of these EphA7 mutants in PCa cells has no effect in vivo and in vitro. The expression of EphA7 and ephrinA5 was significantly decreased in PCa specimens compared with BPH tissues or paired normal tissues. Moreover, the phosphorylation of EphA7 was positively related with ephrinA5 expression in human prostate tissues. In sum, receptor phosphorylation of EphA7, at least in part, suppress PCa tumor malignancy through targeting PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.
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27
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Kim MA, Yoon HS, Park SH, Kim DY, Pyo A, Kim HS, Min JJ, Hong Y. Engineering of monobody conjugates for human EphA2-specific optical imaging. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180786. [PMID: 28686661 PMCID: PMC5501600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In a previous study, we developed an E1 monobody specific for the tumor biomarker hEphA2 [PLoS ONE (2015) 10(7): e0132976]. E1 showed potential as a molecular probe for in vitro and in vivo targeting of cancers overexpressing hEphA2. In the present study, we constructed expression vectors for E1 conjugated to optical reporters such as Renilla luciferase variant 8 (Rluc8) or enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and purified such recombinant proteins by affinity chromatography in E. coli. E1-Rluc8 and E1-EGFP specifically bound to hEphA2 in human prostate cancer PC3 cells but not in human cervical cancer HeLa cells, which express hEphA2 at high and low levels, respectively. These recombinant proteins maintained >40% activity in mouse serum at 24 h. In vivo optical imaging for 24 h did not detect E1-EGFP signals, whereas E1-Rluc8 showed tumor-specific luminescence signals in PC3 but not in HeLa xenograft mice. E1-Rluc8 signals were detected at 4 h, peaked at 12 h, and were undetectable at 24 h. These results suggest the potential of E1-Rluc8 as an EphA2-specific optical imaging agent.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/biosynthesis
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/chemistry
- Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Escherichia coli/metabolism
- Female
- Genes, Reporter
- Genetic Vectors/chemistry
- Genetic Vectors/metabolism
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism
- HeLa Cells
- Heterografts
- Humans
- Immunoconjugates/chemistry
- Immunoconjugates/metabolism
- Luciferases/genetics
- Luciferases/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Optical Imaging
- Organ Specificity
- Protein Engineering
- Receptor, EphA2/analysis
- Receptor, EphA2/genetics
- Receptor, EphA2/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-A Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine (BK21Plus), Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Seung Yoon
- Department of Molecular Medicine (BK21Plus), Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hwan Park
- Biological Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Yeon Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ayoung Pyo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon Sik Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Joon Min
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeongjin Hong
- Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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28
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Heinzlmeir S, Lohse J, Treiber T, Kudlinzki D, Linhard V, Gande SL, Sreeramulu S, Saxena K, Liu X, Wilhelm M, Schwalbe H, Kuster B, Médard G. Chemoproteomics-Aided Medicinal Chemistry for the Discovery of EPHA2 Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:999-1011. [PMID: 28544567 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase EPHA2 has gained attention as a therapeutic drug target for cancer and infectious diseases. However, EPHA2 research and EPHA2-based therapies have been hampered by the lack of selective small-molecule inhibitors. Herein we report the synthesis and evaluation of dedicated EPHA2 inhibitors based on the clinical BCR-ABL/SRC inhibitor dasatinib as a lead structure. We designed hybrid structures of dasatinib and the previously known EPHA2 binders CHEMBL249097, PD-173955, and a known EPHB4 inhibitor in order to exploit both the ATP pocket entrance as well as the ribose pocket as binding epitopes in the kinase EPHA2. Medicinal chemistry and inhibitor design were guided by a chemical proteomics approach, allowing early selectivity profiling of the newly synthesized inhibitor candidates. Concomitant protein crystallography of 17 inhibitor co-crystals delivered detailed insight into the atomic interactions that underlie the structure-affinity relationship. Finally, the anti-proliferative effect of the inhibitor candidates was confirmed in the glioblastoma cell line SF-268. In this work, we thus discovered a novel EPHA2 inhibitor candidate that features an improved selectivity profile while maintaining potency against EPHA2 and anticancer activity in SF-268 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Heinzlmeir
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Erlenmeyer-Forum 5, 85354, Freising, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, DKTK, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry, BayBioMS, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Jonas Lohse
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Erlenmeyer-Forum 5, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Tobias Treiber
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Erlenmeyer-Forum 5, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Denis Kudlinzki
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, DKTK, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Verena Linhard
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Santosh Lakshmi Gande
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, DKTK, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sridhar Sreeramulu
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Krishna Saxena
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Xiaofeng Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Mathias Wilhelm
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Erlenmeyer-Forum 5, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, DKTK, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Kuster
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Erlenmeyer-Forum 5, 85354, Freising, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, DKTK, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry, BayBioMS, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, CIPSM, Freising, Germany
| | - Guillaume Médard
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Erlenmeyer-Forum 5, 85354, Freising, Germany
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29
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Heinzlmeir S, Kudlinzki D, Sreeramulu S, Klaeger S, Gande SL, Linhard V, Wilhelm M, Qiao H, Helm D, Ruprecht B, Saxena K, Médard G, Schwalbe H, Kuster B. Chemical Proteomics and Structural Biology Define EPHA2 Inhibition by Clinical Kinase Drugs. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:3400-3411. [PMID: 27768280 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b00709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase EPHA2 (Ephrin type-A receptor 2) plays important roles in oncogenesis, metastasis, and treatment resistance, yet therapeutic targeting, drug discovery, or investigation of EPHA2 biology is hampered by the lack of appropriate inhibitors and structural information. Here, we used chemical proteomics to survey 235 clinical kinase inhibitors for their kinase selectivity and identified 24 drugs with submicromolar affinities for EPHA2. NMR-based conformational dynamics together with nine new cocrystal structures delineated drug-EPHA2 interactions in full detail. The combination of selectivity profiling, structure determination, and kinome wide sequence alignment allowed the development of a classification system in which amino acids in the drug binding site of EPHA2 are categorized into key, scaffold, potency, and selectivity residues. This scheme should be generally applicable in kinase drug discovery, and we anticipate that the provided information will greatly facilitate the development of selective EPHA2 inhibitors in particular and the repurposing of clinical kinase inhibitors in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Heinzlmeir
- Chair
of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Denis Kudlinzki
- Center
for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sridhar Sreeramulu
- Center
for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Susan Klaeger
- Chair
of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Santosh Lakshmi Gande
- Center
for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Verena Linhard
- Center
for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mathias Wilhelm
- Chair
of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Huichao Qiao
- Chair
of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Dominic Helm
- Chair
of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Benjamin Ruprecht
- Chair
of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Krishna Saxena
- Center
for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guillaume Médard
- Chair
of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Center
for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Kuster
- Chair
of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), 85354 Freising, Germany
- Bavarian
Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry Center (BayBioMS), Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
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30
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Neill T, Buraschi S, Goyal A, Sharpe C, Natkanski E, Schaefer L, Morrione A, Iozzo RV. EphA2 is a functional receptor for the growth factor progranulin. J Cell Biol 2016; 215:687-703. [PMID: 27903606 PMCID: PMC5146997 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201603079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor for the growth factor progranulin has remained unclear. Neill et al. show that the Ephrin receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 is a functional signaling receptor for progranulin and mediates its effects in capillary morphogenesis and autoregulation. Although the growth factor progranulin was discovered more than two decades ago, the functional receptor remains elusive. Here, we discovered that EphA2, a member of the large family of Ephrin receptor tyrosine kinases, is a functional signaling receptor for progranulin. Recombinant progranulin bound with high affinity to EphA2 in both solid phase and solution. Interaction of progranulin with EphA2 caused prolonged activation of the receptor, downstream stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt, and promotion of capillary morphogenesis. Furthermore, we found an autoregulatory mechanism of progranulin whereby a feed-forward loop occurred in an EphA2-dependent manner that was independent of the endocytic receptor sortilin. The discovery of a functional signaling receptor for progranulin offers a new avenue for understanding the underlying mode of action of progranulin in cancer progression, tumor angiogenesis, and perhaps neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Neill
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.,Cancer Cell Biology and Signaling Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Simone Buraschi
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.,Cancer Cell Biology and Signaling Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Atul Goyal
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.,Cancer Cell Biology and Signaling Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Catherine Sharpe
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.,Cancer Cell Biology and Signaling Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Elizabeth Natkanski
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.,Cancer Cell Biology and Signaling Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Liliana Schaefer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main 60323, Germany
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Department of Urology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.,Biology of Prostate Cancer Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Renato V Iozzo
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107 .,Cancer Cell Biology and Signaling Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
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Mercurio FA, Marasco D, Di Natale C, Pirone L, Costantini S, Pedone EM, Leone M. Targeting EphA2-Sam and Its Interactome: Design and Evaluation of Helical Peptides Enriched in Charged Residues. Chembiochem 2016; 17:2179-2188. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201600413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia A. Mercurio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging; National Research Council; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Naples Italy
| | - Daniela Marasco
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging; National Research Council; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Naples Italy
- Department of Pharmacy; University of Naples “Federico II”; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Naples Italy
| | - Concetta Di Natale
- Department of Biology; University of Naples “Federico II”; Via Cinthia 4 80126 Naples Italy
| | - Luciano Pirone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging; National Research Council; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Naples Italy
| | - Susan Costantini
- CROM; IRCCS-Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”; Via Mariano Semmola 52 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Emilia M. Pedone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging; National Research Council; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Naples Italy
| | - Marilisa Leone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging; National Research Council; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Naples Italy
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Barquilla A, Lamberto I, Noberini R, Heynen-Genel S, Brill LM, Pasquale EB. Protein kinase A can block EphA2 receptor-mediated cell repulsion by increasing EphA2 S897 phosphorylation. Mol Biol Cell 2016; 27:2757-70. [PMID: 27385333 PMCID: PMC5007095 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e16-01-0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The EphA2 receptor plays multiple roles in cancer through two distinct signaling mechanisms. In a novel cross-talk, the β2-adrenoceptor/cAMP/PKA axis can promote EphA2 pro-oncogenic, ligand-independent signaling, blocking cell repulsion induced by ligand-dependent signaling. PKA emerges as a third kinase, besides AKT and RSK, that can regulate EphA2. The EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase plays key roles in tissue homeostasis and disease processes such as cancer, pathological angiogenesis, and inflammation through two distinct signaling mechanisms. EphA2 “canonical” signaling involves ephrin-A ligand binding, tyrosine autophosphorylation, and kinase activity; EphA2 “noncanonical” signaling involves phosphorylation of serine 897 (S897) by AKT and RSK kinases. To identify small molecules counteracting EphA2 canonical signaling, we developed a high-content screening platform measuring inhibition of ephrin-A1–induced PC3 prostate cancer cell retraction. Surprisingly, most hits from a screened collection of pharmacologically active compounds are agents that elevate intracellular cAMP by activating G protein–coupled receptors such as the β2-adrenoceptor. We found that cAMP promotes phosphorylation of S897 by protein kinase A (PKA) as well as increases the phosphorylation of several nearby serine/threonine residues, which constitute a phosphorylation hotspot. Whereas EphA2 canonical and noncanonical signaling have been viewed as mutually exclusive, we show that S897 phosphorylation by PKA can coexist with EphA2 tyrosine phosphorylation and block cell retraction induced by EphA2 kinase activity. Our findings reveal a novel paradigm in EphA2 function involving the interplay of canonical and noncanonical signaling and highlight the ability of the β2-adrenoceptor/cAMP/PKA axis to rewire EphA2 signaling in a subset of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Barquilla
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Ilaria Lamberto
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Roberta Noberini
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Susanne Heynen-Genel
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Laurence M Brill
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Elena B Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037 Pathology Department, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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33
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Eriksson O, Thulin Å, Asplund A, Hegde G, Navani S, Siegbahn A. Cross-talk between the Tissue Factor/coagulation factor VIIa complex and the tyrosine kinase receptor EphA2 in cancer. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:341. [PMID: 27246245 PMCID: PMC4888641 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2375-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tissue Factor (TF) forms a proteolytically active complex together with coagulation factor VIIa (FVIIa) and functions as the trigger of blood coagulation or alternatively activates cell signaling. We recently described that EphA2 of the Eph tyrosine kinase receptor family is cleaved directly by the TF/FVIIa complex. The aim of the present study was to further characterize the cross-talk between TF/FVIIa and EphA2 using in vitro model systems and human cancer specimens. Methods Cleavage and phosphorylation of EphA2 was studied by Western blot. Subcellular localization of TF and EphA2 was investigated by a proximity ligation assay and confocal microscopy. Phalloidin staining of the actin cytoskeleton was used to study cell rounding and retraction fiber formation. Expression of TF and EphA2 in human colorectal cancer specimens was examined by immunohistochemistry. Results TF and EphA2 co-localized constitutively in MDA-MB-231 cells, and addition of FVIIa resulted in cleavage of EphA2 by a PAR2-independent mechanism. Overexpression of TF in U251 glioblastoma cells lead to co-localization with EphA2 at the leading edge and FVIIa-dependent cleavage of EphA2. FVIIa potentiated ephrin-A1-induced cell rounding and retraction fiber formation in MDA-MB-231 cells through a RhoA/ROCK-dependent pathway that did not require PAR2-activation. TF and EphA2 were expressed in colorectal cancer specimens, and were significantly correlated. Conclusions These results suggest that TF/FVIIa-EphA2 cross-talk might potentiate ligand-dependent EphA2 signaling in human cancers, and provide initial evidence that it is possible for this interaction to occur in vivo. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2375-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Eriksson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry & Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Åsa Thulin
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry & Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Asplund
- Department of Immunology, Genetics & Pathology & Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Geeta Hegde
- Lab Surgpath, The Human Protein Atlas Project, Mumbai Site, Mumbai, India
| | - Sanjay Navani
- Lab Surgpath, The Human Protein Atlas Project, Mumbai Site, Mumbai, India
| | - Agneta Siegbahn
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry & Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Pearce AK, Fuchs AV, Fletcher NL, Thurecht KJ. Targeting Nanomedicines to Prostate Cancer: Evaluation of Specificity of Ligands to Two Different Receptors In Vivo. Pharm Res 2016; 33:2388-99. [DOI: 10.1007/s11095-016-1945-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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35
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Tatsukawa R, Koga K, Aoki M, Koshikawa N, Imafuku S, Nakayama J, Nabeshima K. Immunohistochemical demonstration of EphA2 processing by MT1-MMP in invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Virchows Arch 2016; 469:25-34. [PMID: 27056569 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-016-1934-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor-2 (EphA2) overexpression is prevalent in many types of human cancers, and it has been reported that high EphA2 expression is correlated with malignancy. Recent studies revealed that processing of EphA2 by cleaving off the N-terminal portion by membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) promotes invasion via stimulation of Ras in cancer cells in vitro. The objectives of this study were to investigate the presence and role of EphA2 processing in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissues. EphA2 (C-terminal and N-terminal) and MT1-MMP expression patterns and levels were analyzed immunohistochemically in SCC (n = 70) and Bowen disease (BD; n = 20). Levels of MT1-MMP and EphA2 expression were evaluated using digital image analysis. Proximity between MT1-MMP and EphA2 in cancer cells and its effect on EphA2 processing were investigated using a combination of in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) and Western blotting. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that levels of EphA2 N-terminal expression were significantly lower than those of EphA2 C-terminal expression in SCC, whereas levels of EphA2 C- and N-terminal expression were similar in BD. Western blotting showed processed EphA2 fragments in human SCC tissues. Expression levels of MT1-MMP, EphA2, and processed EphA2 fragments were higher in SCC than BD. Proximity between MT1-MMP and EphA2 in SCC was demonstrated by in situ PLA. Our results suggest possible involvement of MT1-MMP processing of EphA2 in invasiveness of cutaneous SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoko Tatsukawa
- Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University Hospital and School of Medicine, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.,Department of Dermatology, Fukuoka University Hospital, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
| | - Kaori Koga
- Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University Hospital and School of Medicine, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
| | - Mikiko Aoki
- Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University Hospital and School of Medicine, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
| | - Naohiko Koshikawa
- Research Institute, Kanagawa Cancer Center, 2-3-2 Nakao, Asahi-ku, Yokohama, 241-8515, Japan
| | - Shinichi Imafuku
- Department of Dermatology, Fukuoka University Hospital, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
| | - Juichiro Nakayama
- Department of Dermatology, Fukuoka University Hospital, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan
| | - Kazuki Nabeshima
- Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University Hospital and School of Medicine, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
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36
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SLAP displays tumour suppressor functions in colorectal cancer via destabilization of the SRC substrate EPHA2. Nat Commun 2016; 5:3159. [PMID: 24457997 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The adaptor SLAP is a negative regulator of receptor signalling in immune cells but its role in human cancer is ill defined. Here we report that SLAP is abundantly expressed in healthy epithelial intestine but strongly downregulated in 50% of colorectal cancer. SLAP overexpression suppresses cell tumorigenicity and invasiveness while SLAP silencing enhances these transforming properties. Mechanistically, SLAP controls SRC/EPHA2/AKT signalling via destabilization of the SRC substrate and receptor tyrosine kinase EPHA2. This activity is independent from CBL but requires SLAP SH3 interaction with the ubiquitination factor UBE4A and SLAP SH2 interaction with pTyr594-EPHA2. SRC phosphorylates EPHA2 on Tyr594, thus creating a feedback loop that promotes EPHA2 destruction and thereby self-regulates its transforming potential. SLAP silencing enhances SRC oncogenicity and sensitizes colorectal tumour cells to SRC inhibitors. Collectively, these data establish a tumour-suppressive role for SLAP in colorectal cancer and a mechanism of SRC oncogenic induction through stabilization of its cognate substrates.
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37
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Zhou H, Morley S, Kostel S, Freeman MR, Joshi V, Brewster D, Lee RS. Universal Solid-Phase Reversible Sample-Prep for Concurrent Proteome and N-Glycome Characterization. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:891-9. [PMID: 26791391 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We describe a novel solid-phase reversible sample-prep (SRS) platform that enables rapid sample preparation for concurrent proteome and N-glycome characterization for nearly all protein samples. SRS utilizes a uniquely functionalized, silica-based bead that has strong affinity toward proteins with minimal to no affinity for peptides and other small molecules. By leveraging this inherent size difference between proteins and peptides, SRS permits high-capacity binding of proteins, rapid removal of small molecules (detergents, metabolites, salts, peptides, etc.), extensive manipulation including enzymatic and chemical treatments on bead-bound proteins, and easy recovery of N-glycans and peptides. SRS was evaluated in a wide range of samples including glycoproteins, cell lysate, murine tissues, and human urine. SRS was also coupled to a quantitative strategy to investigate the differences between DU145 prostate cancer cells and its DIAPH3-silenced counterpart. Previous studies suggested that DIAPH3 silencing in DU145 induced transition to an amoeboid phenotype that correlated with tumor progression and metastasis. In this pilot study we identified distinct proteomic and N-glycomic alterations between them. A metastasis-associated tyrosine kinase receptor ephrin-type-A receptor (EPHA2) was highly up-regulated in DIAPH3-silenced cells, indicating a possible connection between EPHA2 and DIAPH3. Moreover, distinct alterations in the N-glycome were identified, suggesting cross-links between DIAPH3 and glycosyltransferase networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhou
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Samantha Morley
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Stephen Kostel
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Michael R Freeman
- Division of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, California 90048, United States
| | - Vivek Joshi
- EMD Millipore Corporation , Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - David Brewster
- EMD Millipore Corporation , Billerica, Massachusetts 01821, United States
| | - Richard S Lee
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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38
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Giorgio C, Mena P, Del Rio D, Brighenti F, Barocelli E, Hassan-Mohamed I, Callegari D, Lodola A, Tognolini M. The ellagitannin colonic metabolite urolithin D selectively inhibits EphA2 phosphorylation in prostate cancer cells. Mol Nutr Food Res 2015; 59:2155-67. [DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201500470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pedro Mena
- The Laboratory of Phytochemicals in Physiology; Human Nutrition Unit; Department of Food Science; University of Parma; Via Volturno, Parma Italy
| | - Daniele Del Rio
- The Laboratory of Phytochemicals in Physiology; Human Nutrition Unit; Department of Food Science; University of Parma; Via Volturno, Parma Italy
| | - Furio Brighenti
- The Laboratory of Phytochemicals in Physiology; Human Nutrition Unit; Department of Food Science; University of Parma; Via Volturno, Parma Italy
| | | | | | | | - Alessio Lodola
- Department of Pharmacy; University of Parma; Parma Italy
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Park SH, Park S, Kim DY, Pyo A, Kimura RH, Sathirachinda A, Choy HE, Min JJ, Gambhir SS, Hong Y. Isolation and Characterization of a Monobody with a Fibronectin Domain III Scaffold That Specifically Binds EphA2. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132976. [PMID: 26177208 PMCID: PMC4503726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Monobodies are binding scaffold proteins originating from a human fibronectin domain III (Fn3) scaffold that can be easily engineered with specificity and affinity. Human EphA2 (hEphA2) is an early detection marker protein for various tumors including lung, breast, and colon cancer. In this study, we isolated two hEphA2-specific monobodies (E1 and E10) by screening a yeast surface display library. They showed the same amino acid sequence except in the DE loop and had high affinity (~2 nM Kd) against hEphA2. E1 bound only hEphA2 and mEphA2, although it bound hEphA2 with an affinity 2-fold higher than that of mEphA2. However, E10 also bound the mEphA6 and mEphA8 homologs as well as hEphA2 and mEphA2. Thus, E1 but not E10 was highly specific for hEphA2. E1 specifically bound human cells and xenograft tumor tissues expressing hEphA on the cell surface. In vivo optical imaging showed strong targeting of Cy5.5-labeled E1 to mouse tumor tissue induced by PC3 cells, a human prostate cancer cell line that expresses a high level of hEphA2. In conclusion, the highly specific monobody E1 is useful as a hEphA2 probe candidate for in vivo diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hwan Park
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sukho Park
- Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Yeon Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ayoung Pyo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Richard H. Kimura
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Department of Radiology, Bio-X Program, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
| | - Ataya Sathirachinda
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Department of Radiology, Bio-X Program, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
| | - Hyon E. Choy
- Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Joon Min
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanjiv Sam Gambhir
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Department of Radiology, Bio-X Program, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
| | - Yeongjin Hong
- Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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40
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Cho MC, Cho SY, Yoon CY, Lee SB, Kwak C, Kim HH, Jeong H. EphA2 Is a Potential Player of Malignant Cellular Behavior in Non-Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells but Not in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130975. [PMID: 26177500 PMCID: PMC4503437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To investigate the role of EphA2 in malignant cellular behavior in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells and whether FAK/RhoA signaling can act as downstream effectors of EphA2 on RCC cells. Methods Expression of EphA2 protein in non-metastatic RCC (Caki-2 and A498), metastatic RCC cells (Caki-1 and ACHN), HEK-293 cells and prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and DU-145; positive controls of EphA2 expression) was evaluated by Western blot. Changes in mRNA or protein expression of EphA2, FAK or membrane-bound RhoA following EphA2, FAK or RhoA small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or Western blot. The effect of siRNA treatment on cellular viability, apoptosis and invasion was analyzed by cell counting kit-8, Annexin-V and modified Matrigel-Boyden assays, respectively. Results In all RCC cell lines, the expression of EphA2 protein was detectable at variable levels; however, in HEK-293 cells, EphA2 expression was very low. Treatment with EphA2 siRNA significantly reduced the expression of EphA2 mRNA and protein in all RCC cell lines. For non-metastatic RCC cells (Caki-2 and A498) but not metastatic RCC cells (Caki-1 and ACHN), cellular viability, invasiveness, resistance to apoptosis, expression of membrane-bound RhoA protein and FAK phosphorylation were significantly decreased in EphA2 siRNA-treated cells compared to the control. In non-metastatic RCC cells, FAK siRNA significantly attenuated the invasiveness, resistance to apoptosis, as well as expression of membrane-bound RhoA protein without changing protein expression of EphA2. RhoA siRNA significantly decreased the malignant cellular behavior and expression of membrane-bound RhoA protein without changing EphA2 protein expression or FAK phosphorylation. Conclusions Our data provide the first functional evidence that the EphA2/FAK/RhoA signaling pathway plays a critical role in the malignant cellular behavior of RCC and appears to be functional particularly in the early stage of malignant progression of non-metastatic RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Chul Cho
- Department of Urology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Yong Cho
- Department of Urology, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Cheol Yong Yoon
- Department of Urology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Bae Lee
- Department of Urology, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Cheol Kwak
- Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeon Hoe Kim
- Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeon Jeong
- Department of Urology, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- * E-mail:
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41
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Koshikawa N, Hoshino D, Taniguchi H, Minegishi T, Tomari T, Nam SO, Aoki M, Sueta T, Nakagawa T, Miyamoto S, Nabeshima K, Weaver AM, Seiki M. Proteolysis of EphA2 Converts It from a Tumor Suppressor to an Oncoprotein. Cancer Res 2015; 75:3327-39. [PMID: 26130649 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-2798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases are considered candidate therapeutic targets in cancer, but they can exert opposing effects on cell growth. In the presence of its ligands, Eph receptor EphA2 suppresses signaling by other growth factor receptors, including ErbB, whereas ligand-independent activation of EphA2 augments ErbB signaling. To deploy EphA2-targeting drugs effectively in tumors, the anti-oncogenic ligand-dependent activation state of EphA2 must be discriminated from its oncogenic ligand-independent state. Because the molecular basis for the latter is little understood, we investigated how the activation state of EphA2 can be switched in tumor tissue. We found that ligand-binding domain of EphA2 is cleaved frequently by the membrane metalloproteinase MT1-MMP, a powerful modulator of the pericellular environment in tumor cells. EphA2 immunostaining revealed a significant loss of the N-terminal portion of EphA2 in areas of tumor tissue that expressed MT1-MMP. Moreover, EphA2 phosphorylation patterns that signify ligand-independent activation were observed specifically in these areas of tumor tissue. Mechanistic experiments revealed that processing of EphA2 by MT1-MMP promoted ErbB signaling, anchorage-independent growth, and cell migration. Conversely, expression of a proteolysis-resistant mutant of EphA2 prevented tumorigenesis and metastasis of human tumor xenografts in mice. Overall, our results showed how the proteolytic state of EphA2 in tumors determines its effector function and influences its status as a candidate biomarker for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naohiko Koshikawa
- Division of Cancer Cell Research, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hoshino
- Division of Cancer Cell Research, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Hiroaki Taniguchi
- Division of Cancer Cell Research, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Minegishi
- Division of Cancer Cell Research, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taizo Tomari
- Division of Cancer Cell Research, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sung-Ouk Nam
- Department of Obstetrics, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mikiko Aoki
- Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takayuki Sueta
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakagawa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shingo Miyamoto
- Department of Obstetrics, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Alissa M Weaver
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Motoharu Seiki
- Division of Cancer Cell Research, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. Integrated Center for Advanced Medical Technologies, Kochi Medical School, Kochi, Japan.
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Subbarayal P, Karunakaran K, Winkler AC, Rother M, Gonzalez E, Meyer TF, Rudel T. EphrinA2 receptor (EphA2) is an invasion and intracellular signaling receptor for Chlamydia trachomatis. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004846. [PMID: 25906164 PMCID: PMC4408118 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis invades into host cells to replicate inside a membrane-bound vacuole called inclusion. Multiple different host proteins are recruited to the inclusion and are functionally modulated to support chlamydial development. Invaded and replicating Chlamydia induces a long-lasting activation of the PI3 kinase signaling pathway that is required for efficient replication. We identified the cell surface tyrosine kinase EphrinA2 receptor (EphA2) as a chlamydial adherence and invasion receptor that induces PI3 kinase (PI3K) activation, promoting chlamydial replication. Interfering with binding of C. trachomatis serovar L2 (Ctr) to EphA2, downregulation of EphA2 expression or inhibition of EphA2 activity significantly reduced Ctr infection. Ctr interacts with and activates EphA2 on the cell surface resulting in Ctr and receptor internalization. During chlamydial replication, EphA2 remains active accumulating around the inclusion and interacts with the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K to support the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway that is required for normal chlamydial development. Overexpression of full length EphA2, but not the mutant form lacking the intracellular cytoplasmic domain, enhanced PI3K activation and Ctr infection. Despite the depletion of EphA2 from the cell surface, Ctr infection induces upregulation of EphA2 through the activation of the ERK pathway, which keeps the infected cell in an apoptosis-resistant state. The significance of EphA2 as an entry and intracellular signaling receptor was also observed with the urogenital C. trachomatis-serovar D. Our findings provide the first evidence for a host cell surface receptor that is exploited for invasion as well as for receptor-mediated intracellular signaling to facilitate chlamydial replication. In addition, the engagement of a cell surface receptor at the inclusion membrane is a new mechanism by which Chlamydia subverts the host cell and induces apoptosis resistance. Chlamydia trachomatis are major human pathogens causing ocular and sexually transmitted diseases with hundreds of millions of cases per year. Chlamydia replicate inside the host cell in a membrane bound vacuole called inclusion. The current concept on how Chlamydia communicates with the host cell during its replication is based on the identification of the host protein that interacts with Chlamydia. Here, we describe that C. trachomatis-serovar L2 and D use EphA2, a member of the largest class of human receptor tyrosine kinases, as an adherence and entry receptor that is endocytosed together with the bacteria. Cell surface EphA2 receptor is adopted by Chlamydia to function also at the inclusion to support growth and replication and to keep the infected cell in an apoptosis resistant state. Thus, we show that EphA2 is an undiscovered important surface and intracellular signaling receptor that is crucial for chlamydial infection and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prema Subbarayal
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Karthika Karunakaran
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Ann-Cathrin Winkler
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Marion Rother
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany; Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH, Center for Systems Biomedicine, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Erik Gonzalez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas F Meyer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Rudel
- Department of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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In PC3 prostate cancer cells ephrin receptors crosstalk to β1-integrins to strengthen adhesion to collagen type I. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8206. [PMID: 25644492 PMCID: PMC4314628 DOI: 10.1038/srep08206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Eph receptor (Eph) and ephrin signaling can play central roles in prostate cancer and other cancer types. Exposed to ephrin-A1 PC3 prostate cancer cells alter adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. However, whether PC3 cells increase or reduce adhesion, and by which mechanisms they change adhesion to the ECM remains to be characterized. Here, we assay how ephrin-A1 stimulates PC3 cells to adhere to ECM proteins using single-cell force spectroscopy. We find that PC3 cells binding to immobilized ephrin-A1 but not to solubilized ephrin-A1 specifically strengthen adhesion to collagen I. This Eph-ephrin-A1 signaling, which we suppose is based on mechanotransduction, stimulates β1-subunit containing integrin adhesion via the protein kinase Akt and the guanine nucleotide-exchange factor cytohesin. Inhibiting the small GTPases, Rap1 or Rac1, generally lowered adhesion of PC3 prostate cancer cells. Our finding suggests a mechanism by which PC3 prostate cancer cells exposed to ephrins crosstalk to β1-integrins and preferably metastasize in bone, a collagen I rich tissue.
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Li S, Zhu Y, Ma C, Qiu Z, Zhang X, Kang Z, Wu Z, Wang H, Xu X, Zhang H, Ren G, Tang J, Li X, Guan M. Downregulation of EphA5 by promoter methylation in human prostate cancer. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:18. [PMID: 25609195 PMCID: PMC4307617 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1025-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background EphA5 is a member of the Eph/ephrin family and plays a critical role in the regulation of carcinogenesis. A significant reduction of EphA5 transcripts in high-grade prostate cancer tissue was shown using a transcriptomic analysis, compared to the low-grade prostate cancer tissue. As less is known about the mechanism of EphA5 downregulation and the function of EphA5, here we investigated the expression and an epigenetic change of EphA5 in prostate cancer and determined if these findings were correlated with clinicopathologic characteristics of prostate cancer. Methods Seven prostate cell lines (RWPE-1, LNCap, LNCap-LN3, CWR22rv-1, PC-3, PC-3M-LN4, and DU145), thirty-nine BPH, twenty-two primary prostate carcinomas, twenty-three paired noncancerous and cancerous prostate tissues were examined via qRT-PCR, methylation-specific PCR, bisulfite sequencing, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The role of EphA5 in prostate cancer cell migration and invasion was examined by wound healing and transwell assay. Results Downregulation or loss of EphA5 mRNA or protein expression was detected in 28 of 45 (62.2%) prostate carcinomas, 2 of 39 (5.1%) hyperplasias, and all 6 prostate cancer cell lines. Methylation of the EphA5 promoter region was present in 32 of 45 (71.1%) carcinoma samples, 3 of 39 (7.7%) hyperplasias, and the 6 prostate cancer cell lines. Among 23 paired prostate carcinoma tissues, 16 tumor samples exhibited the hypermethylation of EphA5, and 15 of these 16 specimens (93.8%) shown the downregulation of EphA5 expression than that of their respectively matched noncancerous samples. Immunostaining analysis demonstrated that the EphA5 protein was absent or down-regulated in 10 of 13 (76.9%) available carcinoma samples, and 8 of these 10 samples (80.0%) exhibited hypermethylation. The frequency of EphA5 methylation was higher in cancer patients with an elevated Gleason score or T3-T4 staging. Following the treatment of 6 prostate cancer cell lines with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, the levels of EphA5 mRNA were significantly increased. Prostate cancer cells invasion and migration were significantly suppressed by ectopic expression of EphA5 in vitro. Conclusion Our study provides evidence that EphA5 is a potential target for epigenetic silencing in primary prostate cancer and is a potentially valuable prognosis predictor and thereapeutic marker for prostate cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1025-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibao Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, 12 Central Urumqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Yingfeng Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital North, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chunguang Ma
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhenhua Qiu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The people's hospital of GaoZhou, GaoZhou, China.
| | - Xinju Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhihua Kang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, 12 Central Urumqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China. .,Central Laboratory, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhiyuan Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, 12 Central Urumqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China. .,Central Laboratory, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, 12 Central Urumqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China. .,Central Laboratory, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiao Xu
- Central Laboratory, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Guoqiang Ren
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital North, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jianmin Tang
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital North, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiangyu Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, 12 Central Urumqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Ming Guan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, 12 Central Urumqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China. .,Central Laboratory, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Herington AC, Mertens-Walker I, Lisle JE, Maharaj M, Stephenson SA. Inhibiting Eph kinase activity may not be "Eph"ective for cancer treatment. Growth Factors 2014; 32:207-13. [PMID: 25413947 DOI: 10.3109/08977194.2014.985293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Several Eph receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are commonly over-expressed in epithelial and mesenchymal cancers and are recognized as promising therapeutic targets. Although normal interaction between Eph receptors and their ephrin ligands stimulates kinase activity and is generally tumor suppressive, significant Eph over-expression allows activation of ligand- and/or kinase-independent signaling pathways that promote oncogenesis. Single-agent kinase inhibitors are widely used to target RTK-driven tumors but acquired and de novo resistance to such agents is a major limitation to effective clinical use. Accumulating evidence suggests that Ephs can be inhibited by "leaky" or low-specificity kinase inhibitors targeted at other RTKs. Such off-target effects may therefore inadvertently promote ligand- and/or kinase-independent oncogenic Eph signaling, thereby providing a new mechanism by which resistance to the RTK inhibitors can emerge. We propose that combining specific, non-leaky kinase inhibitors with tumor-suppressive stimulators of Eph signaling may provide more effective treatment options for overcoming treatment-induced resistance and clinical failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Herington
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology , Queensland , Australia and
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Gucciardo E, Sugiyama N, Lehti K. Eph- and ephrin-dependent mechanisms in tumor and stem cell dynamics. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:3685-710. [PMID: 24794629 PMCID: PMC11113620 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1633-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (Eph) receptors comprise the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Initially regarded as axon-guidance and tissue-patterning molecules, Eph receptors have now been attributed with various functions during development, tissue homeostasis, and disease pathogenesis. Their ligands, ephrins, are synthesized as membrane-associated molecules. At least two properties make this signaling system unique: (1) the signal can be simultaneously transduced in the receptor- and the ligand-expressing cell, (2) the signaling outcome through the same molecules can be opposite depending on cellular context. Moreover, shedding of Eph and ephrin ectodomains as well as ligand-dependent and -independent receptor crosstalk with other RTKs, proteases, and adhesion molecules broadens the repertoire of Eph/ephrin functions. These integrated pathways provide plasticity to cell-microenvironment communication in varying tissue contexts. The complex molecular networks and dynamic cellular outcomes connected to the Eph/ephrin signaling in tumor-host communication and stem cell niche are the main focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Gucciardo
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nami Sugiyama
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kaisa Lehti
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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Batson J, Maccarthy-Morrogh L, Archer A, Tanton H, Nobes CD. EphA receptors regulate prostate cancer cell dissemination through Vav2-RhoA mediated cell-cell repulsion. Biol Open 2014; 3:453-62. [PMID: 24795148 PMCID: PMC4058079 DOI: 10.1242/bio.20146601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic prostate cancer cells display EphB receptor-mediated attraction when they contact stromal fibroblasts but EphA-driven repulsion when they contact one another. The impact of these ‘social’ interactions between cells during cancer cell invasion and the signalling mechanisms downstream of Eph receptors are unclear. Here we show that EphA receptors regulate prostate cancer cell dissemination in a 2D dispersal assay and in a 3D cancer cell spheroid assay. We show that EphA receptors signal via the exchange factor Vav2 to activate RhoA and that both Vav2 and RhoA are required for prostate cancer cell–cell repulsion. Furthermore, we find that in EphA2/EphA4, Vav2 or RhoA siRNA-treated cells, contact repulsion can be restored by partial microtubule destabilisation. We propose that EphA–Vav2–RhoA-mediated repulsion between contacting cancer cells at the tumour edge could enhance their local invasion away from the primary tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Batson
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Lucy Maccarthy-Morrogh
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Amy Archer
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Helen Tanton
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Catherine D Nobes
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
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Chen P, Huang Y, Zhang B, Wang Q, Bai P. EphA2 enhances the proliferation and invasion ability of LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2014; 8:41-46. [PMID: 24959216 PMCID: PMC4063646 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
EphA2 is persistently overexpressed and functionally changed in numerous human cancers. However, to the best of our knowledge, the role that EphA2 plays in prostate cancer is not entirely clear. To investigate the roles of EphA2 in the development and progression of prostate cancer, the present study initially evaluated the roles of the EphA2 protein in LNCaP prostate cancer cells using recombinant plasmid, western blot analysis, flow cytometry, Matrigel invasion chamber and the cell counting kit-8 assay. An immunohistochemistry assay was also conducted to observe the effects of EphA2 in prostate cancer tissues. The results demonstrated that the LNCaP human prostate cancer cells that were transfected with pcDNA3.1(+) plasmid-mediated pcDNA3.1(+)-EphA2, markedly enhanced the cell growth and invasion in vitro. Additionally, EphA2 was overexpressed in prostate cancer specimens and the expression of EphA2 was significantly associated with Gleason grade, total prostate-specific antigen, advanced clinical stage and lymph node metastasis. Collectively, these results demonstrate that EphA2 is involved in malignant cell behavior and is a potential therapeutic target in human prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peijie Chen
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, P.R. China
| | - Qiuquan Wang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, P.R. China
| | - Peiming Bai
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
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Mesenchymal to amoeboid transition is associated with stem-like features of melanoma cells. Cell Commun Signal 2014; 12:24. [PMID: 24690323 PMCID: PMC4022383 DOI: 10.1186/1478-811x-12-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cellular plasticity confers cancer cells the ability to adapt to microenvironmental changes, a fundamental requirement for tumour progression and metastasis. The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a transcriptional programme associated with increased cell motility and stemness. Besides EMT, the mesenchymal to amoeboid transition (MAT) has been described during tumour progression but to date, little is known about its transcriptional control and involvement in stemness. The aim of this manuscript is to investigate (i) the transcriptional profile associated with the MAT programme and (ii) to study whether MAT acquisition in melanoma cancer cells correlates with clonogenic potential to promote tumour growth. Results By using a multidisciplinary approach, we identified four different treatments able to induce MAT in melanoma cells: EphA2 overexpression, Rac1 functional inhibition using its RacN17 dominant negative mutant, stimulation with Ilomastat or treatment with the RhoA activator Calpeptin. First, gene expression profiling identified the transcriptional pathways associated with MAT, independently of the stimulus that induces the MAT programme. Notably, gene sets associated with the repression of mesenchymal traits, decrease in the secretion of extracellular matrix components as well as increase of cellular stemness positively correlate with MAT. Second, the link between MAT and stemness has been investigated in vitro by analysing stemness markers and clonogenic potential of melanoma cells undergoing MAT. Finally, the link between MAT inducing treatments and tumour initiating capability has been validated in vivo. Conclusion Taken together, our results demonstrate that MAT programme in melanoma is characterised by increased stemness and clonogenic features of cancer cells, thus sustaining tumour progression. Furthermore, these data suggest that stemness is not an exclusive feature of cells undergoing EMT, but more generally is associated with an increase in cellular plasticity of cancer cells.
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Peng L, Wang H, Dong Y, Ma J, Wen J, Wu J, Wang X, Zhou X, Wang J. Increased expression of EphA1 protein in prostate cancers correlates with high Gleason score. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2013; 6:1854-1860. [PMID: 24040450 PMCID: PMC3759492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (Eph) family of receptor tyrosine kinases regulates a multitude of physiological and pathological processes. EphA1 is the first member of Eph superfamily and is involved in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of EphA1 in prostate cancers cell lines and the tissues, then explore the correlation with the clinicopathologic parameters. The EphA1 transcript expression in prostate cancer cell lines was detected by Quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of EphA1 protein in 138 prostate cancer tissue samples and 21 benign prostate hyperplasia samples were checked by using immunohistochemical staining. EphA1 mRNA was high expressed in LNCap, moderately expressed in 22RV1 and Du145, and lost in PC3. Loss of expression of EphA1 transcript was related to hypermethylation of CpG island around the translation start site. EphA1 protein was differentially expressed in prostate cancers and hyperplasia. Increased expression of EphA1 protein was more frequently detected in prostate cancers than in hyperplasia (P = 0.02), and more often detected in prostate cancer with high Gleason score (P < 0.001). Our data indicate that EphA1 receptor may have roles in carcinogenesis and progression of prostate cancer, and can be a potentially useful target for prognostic and therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libo Peng
- Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, China
- Clinical Medical School of Southern Medical UniversityNanjing, China
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, China
- Clinical Medical School of Southern Medical UniversityNanjing, China
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing, China
| | - Yingchun Dong
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing, China
| | - Juanjuan Wen
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing, China
| | - Jinrong Wu
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing, China
| | - Xueqing Wang
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing, China
| | - Jiandong Wang
- Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, China
- Clinical Medical School of Southern Medical UniversityNanjing, China
- Department of Pathology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of MedicineNanjing, China
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