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Marani M, Madan V, Le TK, Deng J, Lee KK, Ma EZ, Kwatra SG. Dysregulation of the Skin-Liver Axis in Prurigo Nodularis: An Integrated Genomic, Transcriptomic, and Population-Based Analysis. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:146. [PMID: 38397136 PMCID: PMC10887737 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020146] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pruritus has long been linked to hepatic dysfunction; however, there are limited data characterizing the association between liver disease and prurigo nodularis (PN), a chronic inflammatory skin disease featuring severe pruritis. We thus conducted a cross-sectional analysis of hepatic comorbidities in PN patients using TriNetX, a large global health research network. This analysis revealed that PN patients had a higher risk (p < 0.001) of developing liver cirrhosis, acute and subacute hepatic failure, inflammatory liver disease, chronic hepatitis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, portal hypertension, fatty liver, chronic passive congestion of the liver, and hepatocellular carcinoma compared with healthy controls. The cumulative incidence of liver disease was about three times higher in PN patients compared with healthy controls. These findings provided the basis for translational studies to investigate a genetic mechanism for this association. Cutaneous transcriptomic analysis performed on PN patients revealed the dysregulation of genes related to hepatic failure in lesional PN compared with both nonlesional PN and control skin. Similarly, gene set variation analysis (GSVA) revealed a significantly increased (p < 0.05) activation of liver metabolism, chronic hepatic failure, acute hepatic failure, cholestatic liver disease, polycystic liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma pathways in lesional PN compared with control skin. A subsequent genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified shared single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes AR, EDIL3, MACROD2, PCSK5, RUNX1T1, TENM4, and ZEB2 between PN and liver disease from the FinnGen cohort. Significant dysregulation of the skin-liver axis in PN patients may explain the increased incidence and severity of hepatic comorbidities and help identify future therapeutic targets for PN.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shawn G. Kwatra
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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He Y, Huang W, Tang Y, Li Y, Peng X, Li J, Wu J, You N, Li L, Liu C, Zheng L, Huang X. Clinical and genetic characteristics in pancreatic cancer from Chinese patients revealed by whole exome sequencing. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1167144. [PMID: 37313463 PMCID: PMC10258306 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1167144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal malignancies worldwide, mostly as a result of the absence of early detection and specific treatment solutions. Consequently, identifying mutational profiles and molecular biomarkers is essential for increasing the viability of precision therapy for pancreatic cancer. Methods We collected blood and tumor tissue samples from 47 Chinese pancreatic cancer patients and used whole-exome sequencing (WES) to evaluate the genetic landscape. Results Our results showed the most frequently somatic alteration genes were KRAS (74.5%), TP53(51.1%), SMAD4 (17%), ARID1A (12.8%), CDKN2A (12.8%), TENM4 (10.6%), TTN (8.5%), RNF43(8.5%), FLG (8.5%) and GAS6 (6.4%) in Chinese PDAC patients. We also found that three deleterious germline mutations (ATM c.4852C>T/p. R1618*, WRN c.1105C>T/p. R369*, PALB2 c.2760dupA/p. Q921Tfs*7) and two novel fusions (BRCA1-RPRML, MIR943 (intergenic)-FGFR3). When compared to the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, there is a greater mutation frequency of TENM4 (10.6% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.01), GAS6(6.4% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.035), MMP17(6.4% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.035), ITM2B (6.4% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.035) and USP7 (6.4% vs. 0.5%, p= 0.035) as well as a reduced mutation frequency of SMAD4 (17.0% vs. 31.5%, p = 0.075) and CDKN2A (12.8% vs. 47.3%, p < 0.001) were observed in the Chinese cohort. Among the 41 individuals examined for programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1) expression, 15 (36.6%) had positive PD-L1 expression. The median tumor mutational burden (TMB) was found to be 12muts (range, 0124). The TMB index was higher in patients with mutant-type KRAS MUT/TP53 MUT (p < 0.001), CDKN2A (p = 0.547), or SMAD4 (p = 0.064) compared to patients with wild-type KRAS/TP53, CDKN2A, or SMAD4. Conclusions We exhibited real-world genetic traits and new alterations in Chinese individuals with cancer of the pancreas, which might have interesting implications for future individualized therapy and medication development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang He
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yichen Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuming Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuehui Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Nan You
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Medicine, Yinfeng Gene Technology Co Ltd, Jinan, China
| | - Chuang Liu
- Department of Medicine, Yinfeng Gene Technology Co Ltd, Jinan, China
| | - Lu Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaobing Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Tang H, Shan J, Liu J, Wang X, Wang F, Han S, Zhao X, Wang J. Molecular subtypes, clinical significance, and tumor immune landscape of angiogenesis-related genes in ovarian cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:995929. [PMID: 36106103 PMCID: PMC9464911 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.995929] [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: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a physiological process, where new blood vessels are formed from pre-existing vessels through the mechanism called sprouting. It plays a significant role in supporting tumor growth and is expected to provide novel therapeutic ideas for treating tumors that are resistant to conventional therapies. We investigated the expression pattern of angiogenesis-related genes (ARGs) in ovarian cancer (OV) from public databases, in which the patients could be classified into two differential ARG clusters. It was observed that patients in ARGcluster B would have a better prognosis but lower immune cell infiltration levels in the tumor microenvironment. Then ARG score was computed based on differentially expressed genes via cox analysis, which exhibited a strong correlation to copy number variation, immunophenoscore, tumor mutation load, and chemosensitivity. In addition, according to the median risk score, patients were separated into two risk subgroups, of which the low-risk group had a better prognosis, increased immunogenicity, and stronger immunotherapy efficacy. Furthermore, we constructed a prognostic nomogram and demonstrated its predictive value. These findings help us better understand the role of ARGs in OV and offer new perspectives for clinical prognosis and personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Tang
- Department of Gynecology, Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nantong, China
| | - Jingsong Shan
- Division of Natural and Applied Sciences, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuehai Wang
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Fengxu Wang
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Suping Han
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Suping Han, ; Xinyuan Zhao, ; Jinxiu Wang,
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- *Correspondence: Suping Han, ; Xinyuan Zhao, ; Jinxiu Wang,
| | - Jinxiu Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nantong, China
- *Correspondence: Suping Han, ; Xinyuan Zhao, ; Jinxiu Wang,
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Role and Involvement of TENM4 and miR-708 in Breast Cancer Development and Therapy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11010172. [PMID: 35011736 PMCID: PMC8750459 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Teneurin 4 (TENM4) is a transmembrane protein that is codified by the ODZ4 gene and is involved in nervous system development, neurite outgrowth, and neuronal differentiation. In line with its involvement in the nervous system, TENM4 has also been implicated in several mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. TENM4 mutations and rearrangements have recently been identified in a number of tumors. This, combined with impaired expression in tumors, suggests that it may potentially be involved in tumorigenesis. Most of the TENM4 mutations that are observed in tumors occur in breast cancer, in which TENM4 plays a role in cells’ migration and stemness. However, the functional role that TENM4 plays in breast cancer still needs to be better evaluated, and further studies are required to better understand the involvement of TENM4 in breast cancer progression. Herein, we review the currently available data for TENM4′s role in breast cancer and propose its use as both a novel target with which to ameliorate patient prognosis and as a potential biomarker. Moreover, we also report data on the tumorigenic role of miR-708 deregulation and the possible use of this miRNA as a novel therapeutic molecule, as miR-708 is spliced out from TENM4 mRNA.
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Murugesan KD, Gupta ID, Onteru SK, Dash A, Sukhija N, Sivalingam J, Mohanty AK. Profiling and integrated analysis of whole-transcriptome changes in uterine caruncles of pregnant and non-pregnant buffaloes. Genomics 2021; 113:2338-2349. [PMID: 34022349 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Improved reproductive performance in buffaloes can be achieved by understanding the basic mechanism governing the embryonic attachment and feto-maternal communication. Considering this, trascriptomic profiling and integrative analysis of long intergenic non-coding RNAs were carried out in the uterine caruncles of pregnant and non-pregnant buffaloes. Transcriptome data of pregnant and non-pregnant uterine caruncles after quality control was used to perform the analysis. Total of 86 novel lincRNAs expressed in uterine caruncular tissues were identified and characterized. Differential expression analysis revealed that 447 mRNAs and 185 mRNAs were up- and down- regulated, respectively. The number of up- and down- regulated lincRNAs were 114 and 13, respectively. Of the identified 86 novel lincRNAs, six novel lincRNAs were up-regulated in the pregnant uterine caruncles. GO terms (biological process) and PANTHER pathways associated with reproduction and embryogenesis were over-represented in differentially expressed genes. Through miRNA interaction analysis, interactions of 16 differentially expressed lincRNAs with mi-RNAs involved in reproduction were identified. This study has provided a catalogue of differentially expressed genes and novel regions previously unknown to play a significant role in buffalo reproduction. The results from the current study extends the buffalo uterine lncRNAs database and provides candidate regulators for future molecular genetic studies on buffalo uterine physiology to improve the embryo implantation and successful completion of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kousalya Devi Murugesan
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
| | - I D Gupta
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
| | - Suneel Kumar Onteru
- Animal Biochemistry Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Aishwarya Dash
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Nidhi Sukhija
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
| | - Jayakumar Sivalingam
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Division, National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
| | - Ashok Kumar Mohanty
- Proteomics and Cell Biology Lab, Animal Biotechnology Center, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India
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Teneurins: Role in Cancer and Potential Role as Diagnostic Biomarkers and Targets for Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052321. [PMID: 33652578 PMCID: PMC7956758 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Teneurins have been identified in vertebrates as four different genes (TENM1-4), coding for membrane proteins that are mainly involved in embryonic and neuronal development. Genetic studies have correlated them with various diseases, including developmental problems, neurological disorders and congenital general anosmia. There is some evidence to suggest their possible involvement in cancer initiation and progression, and drug resistance. Indeed, mutations, chromosomal alterations and the deregulation of teneurins expression have been associated with several tumor types and patient survival. However, the role of teneurins in cancer-related regulatory networks is not fully understood, as both a tumor-suppressor role and pro-tumoral functions have been proposed, depending on tumor histotype. Here, we summarize and discuss the literature data on teneurins expression and their potential role in different tumor types, while highlighting the possibility of using teneurins as novel molecular diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and as targets for cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, in some tumors.
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Ruiu R, Barutello G, Arigoni M, Riccardo F, Conti L, Peppino G, Annaratone L, Marchiò C, Mengozzi G, Calogero RA, Cavallo F, Quaglino E. Identification of TENM4 as a Novel Cancer Stem Cell-Associated Molecule and Potential Target in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040894. [PMID: 33672732 PMCID: PMC7924390 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) experience shorter overall survival compared to non-TNBC patients because of the high incidence of recurrences and metastases. This is due to the capacity of aggressive cancer cell subpopulations named cancer stem cells (CSC) to resist current therapies. To design more effective therapeutic strategies for TNBC patients, in this study we sought to identify functional targets expressed on CSC. Our analyses led us to propose teneurin 4 (TENM4) as a promising candidate for drug- and immune-based therapies due to its role in CSC self-renewal and migratory capacity and the inverse correlation between its expression and survival of TNBC patients. In addition, TENM4 detection in the plasma of tumor-bearing patients endorses its potentiality as a disease detection marker. Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is insensitive to endocrine and Her2-directed therapies, making the development of TNBC-targeted therapies an unmet medical need. Since patients with TNBC frequently show a quicker relapse and metastatic progression compared to other breast cancer subtypes, we hypothesized that cancer stem cells (CSC) could have a role in TNBC. To identify putative TNBC CSC-associated targets, we compared the gene expression profiles of CSC-enriched tumorspheres and their parental cells grown as monolayer. Among the up-regulated genes coding for cell membrane-associated proteins, we selected Teneurin 4 (TENM4), involved in cell differentiation and deregulated in tumors of different histotypes, as the object for this study. Meta-analysis of breast cancer datasets shows that TENM4 mRNA is up-regulated in invasive carcinoma specimens compared to normal breast and that high expression of TENM4 correlates with a shorter relapse-free survival in TNBC patients. TENM4 silencing in mammary cancer cells significantly impaired tumorsphere-forming ability, migratory capacity and Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) phosphorylation. Moreover, we found higher levels of TENM4 in plasma from tumor-bearing mice and TNBC patients compared to the healthy controls. Overall, our results indicate that TENM4 may act as a novel biomarker and target for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ruiu
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Maddalena Arigoni
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Laura Conti
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Giulia Peppino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Laura Annaratone
- Unit of Pathology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.)
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Caterina Marchiò
- Unit of Pathology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.)
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Giulio Mengozzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy;
- Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Raffaele Adolfo Calogero
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0116706457
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Howarth KD, Mirza T, Cooke SL, Chin SF, Pole JC, Turro E, Eldridge MD, Garcia RM, Rueda OM, Boursnell C, Abraham JE, Caldas C, Edwards PAW. NRG1 fusions in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2021; 23:3. [PMID: 33413557 PMCID: PMC7788813 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-020-01377-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NRG1 gene fusions may be clinically actionable, since cancers carrying the fusion transcripts can be sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The NRG1 gene encodes ligands for the HER2(ERBB2)-ERBB3 heterodimeric receptor tyrosine kinase, and the gene fusions are thought to lead to autocrine stimulation of the receptor. The NRG1 fusion expressed in the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-175 serves as a model example of such fusions, showing the proposed autocrine loop and exceptional drug sensitivity. However, its structure has not been properly characterised, its oncogenic activity has not been fully explained, and there is limited data on such fusions in breast cancer. METHODS We analysed genomic rearrangements and transcripts of NRG1 in MDA-MB-175 and a panel of 571 breast cancers. RESULTS We found that the MDA-MB-175 fusion-originally reported as a DOC4(TENM4)-NRG1 fusion, lacking the cytoplasmic tail of NRG1-is in reality a double fusion, PPP6R3-TENM4-NRG1, producing multiple transcripts, some of which include the cytoplasmic tail. We hypothesise that many NRG1 fusions may be oncogenic not for lacking the cytoplasmic domain but because they do not encode NRG1's nuclear-localised form. The fusion in MDA-MB-175 is the result of a very complex genomic rearrangement, which we partially characterised, that creates additional expressed gene fusions, RSF1-TENM4, TPCN2-RSF1, and MRPL48-GAB2. We searched for NRG1 rearrangements in 571 breast cancers subjected to genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing and found four cases (0.7%) with fusions, WRN-NRG1, FAM91A1-NRG1, ARHGEF39-NRG1, and ZNF704-NRG1, all splicing into NRG1 at the same exon as in MDA-MB-175. However, the WRN-NRG1 and ARHGEF39-NRG1 fusions were out of frame. We identified rearrangements of NRG1 in many more (8% of) cases that seemed more likely to inactivate than to create activating fusions, or whose outcome could not be predicted because they were complex, or both. This is not surprising because NRG1 can be pro-apoptotic and is inactivated in some breast cancers. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the complexity of rearrangements of NRG1 in breast cancers and confirm that some do not activate but inactivate. Careful interpretation of NRG1 rearrangements will therefore be necessary for appropriate patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen D. Howarth
- Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Present addresses: Inivata Ltd, Babraham Research Park, Cambridge, CB22 3FH UK
| | - Tashfina Mirza
- Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Present addresses: Francis Crick Institute, Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT UK
| | - Susanna L. Cooke
- Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Present addresses: Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, G61 1QH UK
| | - Suet-Feung Chin
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and Cancer Centre, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0RE UK
| | - Jessica C. Pole
- Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Present addresses: Illumina Cambridge, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6GP UK
| | - Ernest Turro
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0PT UK
- Present addresses: Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Matthew D. Eldridge
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and Cancer Centre, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0RE UK
| | - Raquel Manzano Garcia
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and Cancer Centre, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0RE UK
| | - Oscar M. Rueda
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and Cancer Centre, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0RE UK
- Present addresses: MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SR UK
| | - Chris Boursnell
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and Cancer Centre, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0RE UK
| | - Jean E. Abraham
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and Cancer Centre, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0RE UK
- Cambridge Breast Cancer Research Unit, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre and Cambridge Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ UK
| | - Carlos Caldas
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and Cancer Centre, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0RE UK
- Cambridge Breast Cancer Research Unit, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre and Cambridge Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ UK
| | - Paul A. W. Edwards
- Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and Cancer Centre, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0RE UK
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Tolomeo D, Agostini A, Macchia G, L'Abbate A, Severgnini M, Cifola I, Frassanito MA, Racanelli V, Solimando AG, Haglund F, Mertens F, Storlazzi CT. BL1391: an established cell line from a human malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor with unique genomic features. Hum Cell 2020; 34:238-245. [PMID: 32856169 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-020-00418-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive tumors, accounting for around 5% of all soft tissue sarcomas. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of these tumors and the development of effective treatments are needed. In this context, established tumor cell lines can be very informative, as they may be used for in-depth molecular analyses and improvement of treatment strategies. Here, we present the genomic and transcriptomic profiling analysis of a MPNST cell line (BL1391) that was spontaneously established in our laboratory from a primary tumor that had not been exposed to genotoxic treatment. This cell line shows peculiar genetic features, such as a large marker chromosome composed of high-copy number amplifications of regions from chromosomes 1 and 11 with an embedded neocentromere. Moreover, the transcriptome profiling revealed the presence of several fusion transcripts involving the CACHD1, TNMA4, MDM4, and YAP1 genes, all of which map to the amplified regions of the marker. BL1391 could be a useful tool to study genomic amplifications and neocentromere seeding in MPNSTs and to develop new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doron Tolomeo
- Department of Biology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via G. Orabona no. 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Agostini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine "Guido Baccelli", University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Gemma Macchia
- Department of Biology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via G. Orabona no. 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Alberto L'Abbate
- Department of Biology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via G. Orabona no. 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.,Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics, and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Research Council (IBIOM-CNR), 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Severgnini
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, 20090, Milan, Italy
| | - Ingrid Cifola
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), Segrate, 20090, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Antonia Frassanito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine "Guido Baccelli", University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine "Guido Baccelli", University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Unit of Internal Medicine "Guido Baccelli", University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Felix Haglund
- Department of Pathology and Cytology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Mertens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, 221 85, Lund, Sweden
| | - Clelia Tiziana Storlazzi
- Department of Biology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via G. Orabona no. 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
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Quaglino E, Conti L, Cavallo F. Breast cancer stem cell antigens as targets for immunotherapy. Semin Immunol 2020; 47:101386. [PMID: 31932198 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2020.101386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The great success of immunotherapy is paving the way for a new era in cancer treatment and is driving major improvements in the therapy of patients suffering from a range of solid tumors. However, the choice of the appropriate tumor antigens to be targeted with cancer vaccines and T-cell therapies is still a challenge. Most antigens targeted so far have been identified on the tumor bulk and are expressed on differentiated cancer cells. The discovery of a small population of cancer stem cells (CSC), which is refractory to most current therapies and responsible for the development of metastasis and recurrence, has made it clear that the ideal targets for immunotherapies are the antigens that are expressed in CSC and play a key role in their function. Indeed, their immunotargeting would enable the eradication of CSC to be performed, thus eliminating the tumor source. We call these antigens "CSC oncoantigens". Herein, we summarize the controversial nature of breast CSC, discuss why they represent good candidates for cancer immunotherapy, and review the CSC antigens that have been used as targets for CSC immunotargeting this far. Moreover, we describe the pipeline that we have developed for the identification of fresh CSC oncoantigens, and present the pre-clinical results obtained with vaccines that target some of these antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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