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Frezzetti D, Caridi V, Marra L, Camerlingo R, D’Alessio A, Russo F, Dotolo S, Rachiglio AM, Esposito Abate R, Gallo M, Maiello MR, Morabito A, Normanno N, De Luca A. The Impact of Inadequate Exposure to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors on the Development of Resistance in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4844. [PMID: 38732063 PMCID: PMC11084975 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) inevitably develop resistance through several biological mechanisms. However, little is known on the molecular mechanisms underlying acquired resistance to suboptimal EGFR-TKI doses, due to pharmacodynamics leading to inadequate drug exposure. To evaluate the effects of suboptimal EGFR-TKI exposure on resistance in NSCLC, we obtained HCC827 and PC9 cell lines resistant to suboptimal fixed and intermittent doses of gefitinib and compared them to cells exposed to higher doses of the drug. We analyzed the differences in terms of EGFR signaling activation and the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, whole transcriptomes byRNA sequencing, and cell motility. We observed that the exposure to low doses of gefitinib more frequently induced a partial EMT associated with an induced migratory ability, and an enhanced transcription of cancer stem cell markers, particularly in the HCC827 gefitinib-resistant cells. Finally, the HCC827 gefitinib-resistant cells showed increased secretion of the EMT inducer transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, whose inhibition was able to partially restore gefitinib sensitivity. These data provide evidence that different levels of exposure to EGFR-TKIs in tumor masses might promote different mechanisms of acquired resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Frezzetti
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (R.C.); (S.D.); (A.M.R.); (R.E.A.); (M.G.); (M.R.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Vincenza Caridi
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (R.C.); (S.D.); (A.M.R.); (R.E.A.); (M.G.); (M.R.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Laura Marra
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (R.C.); (S.D.); (A.M.R.); (R.E.A.); (M.G.); (M.R.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Rosa Camerlingo
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (R.C.); (S.D.); (A.M.R.); (R.E.A.); (M.G.); (M.R.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Amelia D’Alessio
- Laboratory of Toxicology Analysis, Department for the Treatment of Addictions, ASL Salerno, 84124 Salerno, Italy;
| | - Francesco Russo
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology, National Research Council of Italy, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Serena Dotolo
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (R.C.); (S.D.); (A.M.R.); (R.E.A.); (M.G.); (M.R.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Anna Maria Rachiglio
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (R.C.); (S.D.); (A.M.R.); (R.E.A.); (M.G.); (M.R.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Riziero Esposito Abate
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (R.C.); (S.D.); (A.M.R.); (R.E.A.); (M.G.); (M.R.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Marianna Gallo
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (R.C.); (S.D.); (A.M.R.); (R.E.A.); (M.G.); (M.R.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Monica Rosaria Maiello
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (R.C.); (S.D.); (A.M.R.); (R.E.A.); (M.G.); (M.R.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Alessandro Morabito
- Thoracic Department, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Nicola Normanno
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (R.C.); (S.D.); (A.M.R.); (R.E.A.); (M.G.); (M.R.M.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Antonella De Luca
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (D.F.); (V.C.); (L.M.); (R.C.); (S.D.); (A.M.R.); (R.E.A.); (M.G.); (M.R.M.); (A.D.L.)
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Świerczewska M, Sterzyńska K, Ruciński M, Andrzejewska M, Nowicki M, Januchowski R. The response and resistance to drugs in ovarian cancer cell lines in 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115152. [PMID: 37442067 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most common type of gynecologic cancer. One of the leading causes of high mortality is chemoresistance, developed primarily or during treatment. Different mechanisms of drug resistance appear at the cellular and cancer tissue organization levels. We examined the differences in response to the cytotoxic drugs CIS, MTX, DOX, VIN, PAC, and TOP using 2D (two-dimensional) and 3D (three-dimensional) culture methods. We tested the drug-sensitive ovarian cancer cell line W1 and established resistant cell lines to appropriate cytotoxic drugs. The following qualitative and quantitative methods were used to assess: 1) morphology - inverted microscope and hematoxylin & eosin staining; 2) viability - MTT assay; 3) gene expression - a quantitative polymerase chain reaction; 4) identification of proteins - immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Our results indicate that the drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells cultured in 3D conditions exhibit stronger resistance than the cells cultured in 2D conditions. A traditional 2D model shows that drug resistance of cancer cells is caused mainly by changes in the expression of genes encoding ATP-binding cassette transporter proteins, components of the extracellular matrix, "new" established genes related to drug resistance in ovarian cancer cell lines, and universal marker of cancer stem cells. Whereas in a 3D model, the drug resistance in spheroids can be related to other mechanisms such as the structure of the spheroid (dense or loose), the cell type (necrotic, quiescent, proliferating cells), drug concentrations or drug diffusion into the dense cellular/ECM structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Świerczewska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Święcickiego 6 St., 61-781 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Karolina Sterzyńska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Święcickiego 6 St., 61-781 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Marcin Ruciński
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Święcickiego 6 St., 61-781 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Andrzejewska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Święcickiego 6 St., 61-781 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Michał Nowicki
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Święcickiego 6 St., 61-781 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Radosław Januchowski
- Institute of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, Zyty 28 St., 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland.
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Gillespie MS, Ward CM, Davies CC. DNA Repair and Therapeutic Strategies in Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1897. [PMID: 36980782 PMCID: PMC10047301 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
First-line cancer treatments successfully eradicate the differentiated tumour mass but are comparatively ineffective against cancer stem cells (CSCs), a self-renewing subpopulation thought to be responsible for tumour initiation, metastasis, heterogeneity, and recurrence. CSCs are thus presented as the principal target for elimination during cancer treatment. However, CSCs are challenging to drug target because of numerous intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of drug resistance. One such mechanism that remains relatively understudied is the DNA damage response (DDR). CSCs are presumed to possess properties that enable enhanced DNA repair efficiency relative to their highly proliferative bulk progeny, facilitating improved repair of double-strand breaks induced by radiotherapy and most chemotherapeutics. This can occur through multiple mechanisms, including increased expression and splicing fidelity of DNA repair genes, robust activation of cell cycle checkpoints, and elevated homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair. Herein, we summarise the current knowledge concerning improved genome integrity in non-transformed stem cells and CSCs, discuss therapeutic opportunities within the DDR for re-sensitising CSCs to genotoxic stressors, and consider the challenges posed regarding unbiased identification of novel DDR-directed strategies in CSCs. A better understanding of the DDR mediating chemo/radioresistance mechanisms in CSCs could lead to novel therapeutic approaches, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Gillespie
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (M.S.G.)
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Ciara M. Ward
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (M.S.G.)
| | - Clare C. Davies
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (M.S.G.)
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Bano A, Stevens JH, Modi PS, Gustafsson JÅ, Strom AM. Estrogen Receptor β4 Regulates Chemotherapy Resistance and Induces Cancer Stem Cells in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065867. [PMID: 36982940 PMCID: PMC10058198 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis among all breast cancers, and survival in patients with recurrence is rarely beyond 12 months due to acquired resistance to chemotherapy, which is the standard of care for these patients. Our hypothesis is that Estrogen Receptor β1 (ERβ1) increases response to chemotherapy but is opposed by ERβ4, which it preferentially dimerizes with. The role of ERβ1 and ERβ4 in influencing chemotherapy sensitivity has never been studied before. CRISPR/CAS9 was used to truncate ERβ1 Ligand Binding Domain (LBD) and knock down the exon unique to ERβ4. We show that the truncated ERβ1 LBD in a variety of mutant p53 TNBC cell lines, where ERβ1 ligand dependent function was inactivated, had increased resistance to Paclitaxel, whereas the ERβ4 knockdown cell line was sensitized to Paclitaxel. We further show that ERβ1 LBD truncation, as well as treatment with ERβ1 antagonist 2-phenyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5,7-bis(trifluoromethyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine (PHTPP), leads to increase in the drug efflux transporters. Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIFs) activate factors involved in pluripotency and regulate the stem cell phenotype, both in normal and cancer cells. Here we show that the ERβ1 and ERβ4 regulate these stem cell markers like SOX2, OCT4, and Nanog in an opposing manner; and we further show that this regulation is mediated by HIFs. We show the increase of cancer cell stemness due to ERβ1 LBD truncation is attenuated when HIF1/2α is knocked down by siRNA. Finally, we show an increase in the breast cancer stem cell population due to ERβ1 antagonist using both ALDEFLUORTM and SOX2/OCT4 response element (SORE6) reporters in SUM159 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Since most TNBC cancers are ERβ4 positive, while only a small proportion of TNBC patients are ERβ1 positive, we believe that simultaneous activation of ERβ1 with agonists and inactivation of ERβ4, in combination with paclitaxel, can be more efficacious and yield better outcome for chemotherapy resistant TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Bano
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Science & Engineering Research Center, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Jessica H Stevens
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Science & Engineering Research Center, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | | | - Jan-Åke Gustafsson
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Science & Engineering Research Center, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of BioSciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Anders M Strom
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Science & Engineering Research Center, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
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Tsochantaridis I, Roupas A, Mohlin S, Pappa A, Voulgaridou GP. The Concept of Cancer Stem Cells: Elaborating on ALDH1B1 as an Emerging Marker of Cancer Progression. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:life13010197. [PMID: 36676146 PMCID: PMC9863106 DOI: 10.3390/life13010197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a multifactorial, complex disease exhibiting extraordinary phenotypic plasticity and diversity. One of the greatest challenges in cancer treatment is intratumoral heterogeneity, which obstructs the efficient eradication of the tumor. Tumor heterogeneity is often associated with the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a cancer cell sub-population possessing a panel of stem-like properties, such as a self-renewal ability and multipotency potential. CSCs are associated with enhanced chemoresistance due to the enhanced efflux of chemotherapeutic agents and the existence of powerful antioxidant and DNA damage repair mechanisms. The distinctive characteristics of CSCs make them ideal targets for clinical therapeutic approaches, and the identification of efficient and specific CSCs biomarkers is of utmost importance. Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) comprise a wide superfamily of metabolic enzymes that, over the last years, have gained increasing attention due to their association with stem-related features in a wide panel of hematopoietic malignancies and solid cancers. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1B1 (ALDH1B1) is an isoform that has been characterized as a marker of colon cancer progression, while various studies suggest its importance in additional malignancies. Here, we review the basic concepts related to CSCs and discuss the potential role of ALDH1B1 in cancer development and its contribution to the CSC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Tsochantaridis
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Angelos Roupas
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Sofie Mohlin
- Division of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University Cancer Center, 22384 Lund, Sweden
| | - Aglaia Pappa
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Georgia-Persephoni Voulgaridou
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Correspondence:
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Moya-Garcia CR, Okuyama H, Sadeghi N, Li J, Tabrizian M, Li-Jessen NYK. In vitro models for head and neck cancer: Current status and future perspective. Front Oncol 2022; 12:960340. [PMID: 35992863 PMCID: PMC9381731 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.960340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The 5-year overall survival rate remains approximately 50% for head and neck (H&N) cancer patients, even though new cancer drugs have been approved for clinical use since 2016. Cancer drug studies are now moving toward the use of three-dimensional culture models for better emulating the unique tumor microenvironment (TME) and better predicting in vivo response to cancer treatments. Distinctive TME features, such as tumor geometry, heterogenous cellularity, and hypoxic cues, notably affect tissue aggressiveness and drug resistance. However, these features have not been fully incorporated into in vitro H&N cancer models. This review paper aims to provide a scholarly assessment of the designs, contributions, and limitations of in vitro models in H&N cancer drug research. We first review the TME features of H&N cancer that are most relevant to in vitro drug evaluation. We then evaluate a selection of advanced culture models, namely, spheroids, organotypic models, and microfluidic chips, in their applications for H&N cancer drug research. Lastly, we propose future opportunities of in vitro H&N cancer research in the prospects of high-throughput drug screening and patient-specific drug evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hideaki Okuyama
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nader Sadeghi
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jianyu Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maryam Tabrizian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Maryam Tabrizian, ; Nicole Y. K. Li-Jessen,
| | - Nicole Y. K. Li-Jessen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Maryam Tabrizian, ; Nicole Y. K. Li-Jessen,
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Ducos B, Bensimon D, Scerbo P. Vertebrate Cell Differentiation, Evolution, and Diseases: The Vertebrate-Specific Developmental Potential Guardians VENTX/ NANOG and POU5/ OCT4 Enter the Stage. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152299. [PMID: 35892595 PMCID: PMC9331430 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
During vertebrate development, embryonic cells pass through a continuum of transitory pluripotent states that precede multi-lineage commitment and morphogenesis. Such states are referred to as “refractory/naïve” and “competent/formative” pluripotency. The molecular mechanisms maintaining refractory pluripotency or driving the transition to competent pluripotency, as well as the cues regulating multi-lineage commitment, are evolutionarily conserved. Vertebrate-specific “Developmental Potential Guardians” (vsDPGs; i.e., VENTX/NANOG, POU5/OCT4), together with MEK1 (MAP2K1), coordinate the pluripotency continuum, competence for multi-lineage commitment and morphogenesis in vivo. During neurulation, vsDPGs empower ectodermal cells of the neuro-epithelial border (NEB) with multipotency and ectomesenchyme potential through an “endogenous reprogramming” process, giving rise to the neural crest cells (NCCs). Furthermore, vsDPGs are expressed in undifferentiated-bipotent neuro-mesodermal progenitor cells (NMPs), which participate in posterior axis elongation and growth. Finally, vsDPGs are involved in carcinogenesis, whereby they confer selective advantage to cancer stem cells (CSCs) and therapeutic resistance. Intriguingly, the heterogenous distribution of vsDPGs in these cell types impact on cellular potential and features. Here, we summarize the findings about the role of vsDPGs during vertebrate development and their selective advantage in evolution. Our aim to present a holistic view regarding vsDPGs as facilitators of both cell plasticity/adaptability and morphological innovation/variation. Moreover, vsDPGs may also be at the heart of carcinogenesis by allowing malignant cells to escape from physiological constraints and surveillance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertrand Ducos
- LPENS, PSL, CNRS, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- IBENS, PSL, CNRS, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
- High Throughput qPCR Core Facility, ENS, PSL, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (B.D.); (D.B.); (P.S.)
| | - David Bensimon
- LPENS, PSL, CNRS, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- IBENS, PSL, CNRS, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90094, USA
- Correspondence: (B.D.); (D.B.); (P.S.)
| | - Pierluigi Scerbo
- LPENS, PSL, CNRS, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- IBENS, PSL, CNRS, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (B.D.); (D.B.); (P.S.)
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Identification of Malignant Cell Populations Associated with Poor Prognosis in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Using Single-Cell RNA Sequencing. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153580. [PMID: 35892844 PMCID: PMC9331511 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ovarian cancer has a high recurrence rate (~75%), and tumor heterogeneity is associated with such tumor recurrence. However, it is still poorly understood in ovarian cancer. To reveal tumor heterogeneity, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of serous ovarian cancer cells from four different patients: two with primary carcinoma, one with recurrent carcinoma, and one with carcinoma treated with interval debulking surgery. As a result, we found two malignant tumor cell subtypes associated with poor prognosis. One malignant population included the earliest cancer cells and cancer stem-like cells. SLC3A1 and PEG10 were identified as the marker genes of cancer-initiating cells. The other malignant population expressing CA125 (MUC16), the most common biomarker for ovarian cancer, is associated with a decrease in the number of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Our findings will offer new markers for diagnosis and choosing treatments targeting the malignant populations in ovarian cancer. Abstract To reveal tumor heterogeneity in ovarian cancer, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). We obtained The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) survival data and TCGA gene expression data for a Kaplan–Meier plot showing the association of each tumor population with poor prognosis. As a result, we found two malignant tumor cell subtypes associated with poor prognosis. Next, we performed trajectory analysis using scVelo and Monocle3 and cell–cell interaction analysis using CellphoneDB. We found that one malignant population included the earliest cancer cells and cancer stem-like cells. Furthermore, we identified SLC3A1 and PEG10 as the marker genes of cancer-initiating cells. The other malignant population expressing CA125 (MUC16) is associated with a decrease in the number of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Moreover, cell–cell interaction analysis implied that interactions mediated by LGALS9 and GAS6, expressed by this malignant population, caused the CTL suppression. The results of this study suggest that two tumor cell populations, including a cancer-initiating cell population and a population expressing CA125, survive the initial treatment and suppress antitumor immunity, respectively, and are associated with poor prognosis. Our findings offer a new understanding of ovarian cancer heterogeneity and will aid in the development of diagnostic tools and treatments.
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FOXM1-CD44 Signaling Is Critical for the Acquisition of Regorafenib Resistance in Human Liver Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147782. [PMID: 35887129 PMCID: PMC9324640 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Regorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor that was approved by the US Food and Drug administration in 2017. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cancer-initiating cells that are thought to contribute to therapeutic resistance. The forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) plays an important role in the regulation of the stemness of CSCs and mediates resistance to chemotherapy. However, the relationship between FOXM1 and regorafenib resistance in liver cancer cells remains unknown. We found that regorafenib-resistant HepG2 clones overexpressed FOXM1 and various markers of CSCs. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma also exhibited an upregulation of FOXM1 and resistance to regorafenib, which were correlated with a poor survival rate. We identified a close relationship between FOXM1 expression and regorafenib resistance, which was correlated with the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, a strategy that antagonizes FOXM1–CD44 signaling would enhance the therapeutic efficacy of regorafenib in these patients.
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Braumüller H, Mauerer B, Berlin C, Plundrich D, Marbach P, Cauchy P, Laessle C, Biesel E, Holzner PA, Kesselring R. Senescent Tumor Cells in the Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Drive Immunosenescence in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:908449. [PMID: 35844581 PMCID: PMC9279937 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.908449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
More than half of all patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) develop distant metastasis and, depending on the local stage of the primary tumor, up to 48% of patients present peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). PC is often considered as a widespread metastatic disease, which is almost resistant to current systemic therapies like chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic regimens. Here we could show that tumor cells of PC besides being senescent also exhibit stem cell features. To investigate these surprising findings in more detail, we established a murine model based on tumor organoids that resembles the clinical setting. In this murine orthotopic transplantation model for peritoneal carcinomatosis, we could show that the metastatic site in the peritoneum is responsible for senescence and stemness induction in tumor cells and that induction of senescence is not due to oncogene activation or therapy. In both mouse and human PC, senescence is associated with a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) influencing the tumor microenvironment (TME) of PC. SASP factors are able to induce a senescence phenotype in neighbouring cells. Here we could show that SASP leads to enhanced immunosenescence in the TME of PC. Our results provide a new immunoescape mechanism in PC explaining the resistance of PC to known chemo- and immunotherapeutic approaches. Therefore, senolytic approaches may represent a novel roadmap to target this terminal stage of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Braumüller
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Heidi Braumüller,
| | - Bernhard Mauerer
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Berlin
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dorothea Plundrich
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Marbach
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pierre Cauchy
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Laessle
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Esther Biesel
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Anton Holzner
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Kesselring
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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11
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Huldani H, Jasim SA, Sergeenva KN, Bokov DO, Abdelbasset WK, Turakulov R, Al-Gazally ME, Ahmadzadeh B, Jawhar ZH, Siahmansouri H. Mechanisms of cancer stem cells drug resistance and the pivotal role of HMGA2. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 234:153906. [PMID: 35468338 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, the focus of researchers is on perceiving the heterogeneity observed in a tumor. The researchers studied the role of a specific subset of cancer cells with high resistance to traditional treatments, recurrence, and unregulated metastasis. This small population of tumor cells that have stem-cell-like specifications was named Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs). The unique features that distinguish this type of cancer cell are self-renewing, generating clones of the tumor, plasticity, recurrence, and resistance to therapies. There are various mechanisms that contribute to the drug resistance of CSCs, such as CSCs markers, Epithelial mesenchymal transition, hypoxia, other cells, inflammation, and signaling pathways. Recent investigations have revealed the primary role of HMGA2 in the development and invasion of cancer cells. Importantly, HMGA2 also plays a key role in resistance to treatment through their function in the drug resistance mechanisms of CSCs and challenge it. Therefore, a deep understanding of this issue can provide a clearer perspective for researchers in the face of this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huldani Huldani
- Department of Physiology, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, South Borneo, Indonesia
| | - Saade Abdalkareem Jasim
- Medical Laboratory Techniques Department, Al-Maarif University College, Al-Anbar-Ramadi, Iraq
| | - Klunko Nataliya Sergeenva
- Department of post-graduate and doctoral programs, Russian New University, Building 5, Radio Street, Moscow City, Russian Federation
| | - Dmitry Olegovich Bokov
- Institute of Pharmacy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8 Trubetskaya St., Bldg. 2, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Walid Kamal Abdelbasset
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia; Department of Physical Therapy, Kasr Al-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Rustam Turakulov
- Department of Internal diseases, Tashkent Medical Academy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | | | - Behnam Ahmadzadeh
- Doctoral School of the University of Szczecin, Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Zanko Hassan Jawhar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science, Lebanese French University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Homayoon Siahmansouri
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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12
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Olechnowicz A, Oleksiewicz U, Machnik M. KRAB-ZFPs and cancer stem cells identity. Genes Dis 2022. [PMID: 37492743 PMCID: PMC10363567 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on carcinogenesis continue to provide new information about different disease-related processes. Among others, much research has focused on the involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor initiation and progression. Studying the similarities and differences between CSCs and physiological stem cells (SCs) allows for a better understanding of cancer biology. Recently, it was shown that stem cell identity is partially governed by the Krϋppel-associated box domain zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs), the biggest family of transcription regulators. Several KRAB-ZFP factors exert a known effect in tumor cells, acting as tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) or oncogenes, yet their role in CSCs is still poorly characterized. Here, we review recent studies regarding the influence of KRAB-ZFPs and their cofactor protein TRIM28 on CSCs phenotype, stemness features, migration and invasion potential, metastasis, and expression of parental markers.
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13
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Acuña RA, Varas-Godoy M, Herrera-Sepulveda D, Retamal MA. Connexin46 Expression Enhances Cancer Stem Cell and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Characteristics of Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12604. [PMID: 34830485 PMCID: PMC8624448 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins (Cxs) are a family of proteins that form two different types of ion channels: hemichannels and gap junction channels. These channels participate in cellular communication, enabling them to share information and act as a synchronized syncytium. This cellular communication has been considered a strong tumor suppressor, but it is now recognized that some type of Cxs can be pro-tumorigenic. For example, Cx46 expression is increased in human breast cancer samples and correlates with cancer stem cell (CSC) characteristics in human glioma. Thus, we explored whether Cx46 and glioma cells, can set up CSC and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) properties in a breast cancer cell line. To this end, we transfected MCF-7 cells with Cx46 attached to a green fluorescent protein (Cx46GFP), and we determined how its expression orchestrates both the gene-expression and functional changes associated with CSC and EMT. We observed that Cx46GFP increased Sox2, Nanog, and OCT4 mRNA levels associated with a high capacity to form monoclonal colonies and tumorspheres. Similarly, Cx46GFP increased the mRNA levels of n-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail and Zeb1 to a higher migratory and invasive capacity. Furthermore, Cx46GFP transfected in MCF-7 cells induced the release of higher amounts of VEGF, which promoted angiogenesis in HUVEC cells. We demonstrated for the first time that Cx46 modulates CSC and EMT properties in breast cancer cells and thus could be relevant in the design of future cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo A. Acuña
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Manuel Varas-Godoy
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastian, Santiago 7510157, Chile;
| | - Diego Herrera-Sepulveda
- Carrera de Medicina Universidad del Desarrollo, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7780272, Chile;
| | - Mauricio A. Retamal
- Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7780272, Chile
- Programa de Comunicación Celular en Cáncer, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7780272, Chile
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14
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Peláez R, Ochoa R, Pariente A, Villanueva-Martínez Á, Pérez-Sala Á, Larráyoz IM. Sterculic Acid Alters Adhesion Molecules Expression and Extracellular Matrix Compounds to Regulate Migration of Lung Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174370. [PMID: 34503180 PMCID: PMC8431022 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterculic acid (SA) is a cyclopropenoid fatty acid isolated from Sterculia foetida seeds. This molecule is a well-known inhibitor of SCD1 enzyme, also known as ∆9-desaturase, which main function is related to lipid metabolism. However, recent studies have demonstrated that it also modifies many other pathways and the underlying gene expression. SCD overexpression, or up-regulated activity, has been associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis in many cancer types. Scd1 down-regulation, with different inhibitors or molecular strategies, reduces tumor cell survival and cell proliferation, as well as the chemoresistance associated with cancer stem cell presence. However, SA effects over cancer cell migration and extracellular matrix or adhesion molecules have not been described in cancer cells up to now. We used different migration assays and qPCR gene expression analysis to evaluate the effects of SA treatment in cancer cells. The results reveal that SA induces tumoral cell death at high doses, but we also observed that lower SA-treatments induce cell adhesion-migration capacity reduction as a result of modifications in the expression of genes related to integrins and extracellular matrix compounds. Overall, the functional and transcriptomic findings suggest that SA could represent a new inhibitor activity of epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Peláez
- Correspondence: (R.P.); (I.M.L.); Tel.: +34-941-278-770 ((ext. 84866) (R.P.) & (ext. 89878) (I.M.L.))
| | | | | | | | | | - Ignacio M. Larráyoz
- Correspondence: (R.P.); (I.M.L.); Tel.: +34-941-278-770 ((ext. 84866) (R.P.) & (ext. 89878) (I.M.L.))
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