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Araujo RLC, Fonseca LG, Silva RO, Linhares MM, Uson Junior PLS. Molecular profiling and patient selection for the multimodal approaches for patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2024; 13:273-292. [PMID: 38617479 PMCID: PMC11007353 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn-22-616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer represents the third most common cancer and about 20% are diagnosed with synchronous metastatic disease. From a historical point of view, surgery remains the mainstream treatment for resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Furthermore, disease outcomes are improving due significant advances in systemic treatments and diagnostic methods. However, the optimal timing for neoadjuvant chemotherapy or upfront surgery for CRLM has not yet been established and remains an open question. Thus, patient selection combining image workouts, time of recurrence, positive lymph nodes, and molecular biomarkers can improve the decision-making process. Nevertheless, molecular profiling is rising as a promising field to be incorporated in the multimodal approach and guide patient selection and sequencing of treatment. Tumor biomakers, genetic profiling, and circulating tumor DNA have been used to offer as much personalized treatment as possible, based on the precision oncology concept of tailored care rather than a guideline-based therapy. This review article discusses the role of molecular pathology and biomarkers as prognostic and predictor factors in the diagnosis and treatment of resectable CRLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael L. C. Araujo
- Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Hospital e Maternidade Brasil—Rede D’Or São Luiz, Santo André, SP, Brazil
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo G. Fonseca
- Hospital e Maternidade Brasil—Rede D’Or São Luiz, Santo André, SP, Brazil
- Department of Oncology, Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Raphael Oliveira Silva
- Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Ministro Costa Cavalcanti, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Pedro L. S. Uson Junior
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Alexander BE, Zhao H, Astrof S. SMAD4: A critical regulator of cardiac neural crest cell fate and vascular smooth muscle development. Dev Dyn 2024; 253:119-143. [PMID: 37650555 PMCID: PMC10842824 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During embryogenesis, cardiac neural crest-derived cells (NCs) migrate into the pharyngeal arches and give rise to the vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) of the pharyngeal arch arteries (PAAs). vSMCs are critical for the remodeling of the PAAs into their final adult configuration, giving rise to the aortic arch and its arteries (AAAs). RESULTS We investigated the role of SMAD4 in NC-to-vSMC differentiation using lineage-specific inducible mouse strains. We found that the expression of SMAD4 in the NC is indelible for regulating the survival of cardiac NCs. Although the ablation of SMAD4 at E9.5 in the NC lineage led to a near-complete absence of NCs in the pharyngeal arches, PAAs became invested with vSMCs derived from a compensatory source. Analysis of AAA development at E16.5 showed that the alternative vSMC source compensated for the lack of NC-derived vSMCs and rescued AAA morphogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our studies uncovered the requisite role of SMAD4 in the contribution of the NC to the pharyngeal arch mesenchyme. We found that in the absence of SMAD4+ NCs, vSMCs around the PAAs arose from a different progenitor source, rescuing AAA morphogenesis. These findings shed light on the remarkable plasticity of developmental mechanisms governing AAA development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna E. Alexander
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
- Multidisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences: Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Physiology Track, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
| | - Huaning Zhao
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
| | - Sophie Astrof
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
- Multidisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences: Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Physiology Track, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
- Multidisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences: Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Cancer Track, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
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Thai AA, Young RJ, Bressel M, Angel C, McDowell L, Tiong A, Bucknell NW, Fellowes A, Xu H, Trigos A, Rischin D, Solomon BJ. Comprehensive profiling identifies tumour and immune microenvironmental differences in clinical subsets of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Br J Dermatol 2023; 189:588-602. [PMID: 37470440 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljad250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) are the second most diagnosed skin cancer worldwide; however, little is known about the pathobiological factors that contribute to the diverse clinical outcomes seen. OBJECTIVES To profile cSCCs comprehensively and identify the pathological processes that contribute to the disparities seen in their clinical behaviour. METHODS We characterized the genomic, transcriptomic and immunohistochemical profiles of 211 cSCC tumours, including 37 cSCCs from immunocompromised patients. RESULTS cSCCs from immunocompromised patients were characterized by a lack of B cells in the peritumoral stroma compared with immunocompetent patients. Further, an abundance of a memory B-cell-like population in the peritumoral stroma was associated with a better prognosis in all patients (immunocompetent and immunocompromised), as well as only immunocompetent patients. No differences in genetic -variants, tumour mutational burden or mutational signatures were observed between cSCCs from immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Thus, differences in survival between cSCCs from immunocompromised patients and immunocompetent patients are not likely to be driven by tumour genomic factors, but may be associated with differential host immune response. cSCC not from a primary head and neck site had lower tumour mutational burden and exhibited upregulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition programme compared with head and neck cSCC. Both factors were implicated with poorer responses to immune checkpoint inhibition, and the latter with poorer survival. CONCLUSIONS We identified tumour and host immune factors that contribute to the disparate clinical behaviour of cSCC, with broad translational application, including prognostication, treatment prediction to current therapies and the identification of novel anticancer therapy approaches in cSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alesha A Thai
- Department of Medical Oncology
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology
- Research Division
| | | | - Mathias Bressel
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology
- Centre for Biostatistics and Clinical Trials
| | | | - Lachlan McDowell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Albert Tiong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicholas W Bucknell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew Fellowes
- Department of Pathology
- Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Huiling Xu
- Department of Pathology
- Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anna Trigos
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology
- Research Division
| | - Danny Rischin
- Department of Medical Oncology
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology
| | - Benjamin J Solomon
- Department of Medical Oncology
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology
- Research Division
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4
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Gürsel Ürün Y, Budak M, Usturalı Keskin E. Methylation status, mRNA and protein expression of the SMAD4 gene in patients with non-melanocytic skin cancers. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:7295-7304. [PMID: 37428273 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08656-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SMAD4 is a potent tumor suppressor. SMAD4 loss increases genomic instability and plays a critical role in the DNA damage response that leads to skin cancer development. We aimed to investigate SMAD4 methylation effects on mRNA and protein expression of SMAD4 in cancer and healthy tissues from patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and basosquamous skin cancer (BSC). METHODS AND RESULTS The study included 17 BCC, 24 cSCC and nine BSC patients. DNA and RNA were isolated from cancerous and healthy tissues following punch biopsy. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR methods were used to examine SMAD4 promoter methylation and SMAD4 mRNA levels, respectively. The percentage and intensity of staining of the SMAD4 protein were determined by immunohistochemistry. The percentage of SMAD4 methylation was increased in the patients with BCC (p = 0.007), cSCC (p = 0.004), and BSC (p = 0.018) compared to the healthy tissue. SMAD4 mRNA expression was decreased in the patients with BCC (p˂0.001), cSCC (p˂0.001), and BSC (p = 0.008). The staining characteristic of SMAD4 protein was negative in the cancer tissues of the patients with cSCC (p = 0.00). Lower SMAD4 mRNA levels were observed in the poorly differentiated cSCC patients (p = 0.001). The staining characteristics of the SMAD4 protein were related to age and chronic sun exposure. CONCLUSIONS Hypermethylation of SMAD4 and reduced SMAD4 mRNA expression were found to play a role in the pathogenesis of BCC, cSCC, and BSC. A decrease in SMAD4 protein expression level was observed only in cSCC patients. This suggests that epigenetic alterations to the SMAD4 gene are associated with cSCC. TRIAL REGISTRATION The name of the trial register: SMAD4 Methylation and Expression Levels in Non-melanocytic Skin Cancers; SMAD4 Protein Positivity. The registration number: NCT04759261 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NCT04759261 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yıldız Gürsel Ürün
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
| | - Metin Budak
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
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Hanelova K, Raudenska M, Kratochvilova M, Navratil J, Vicar T, Bugajova M, Gumulec J, Masarik M, Balvan J. Autophagy modulators influence the content of important signalling molecules in PS-positive extracellular vesicles. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:120. [PMID: 37226246 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01126-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important mediators of intercellular communication in the tumour microenvironment. Many studies suggest that cancer cells release higher amounts of EVs exposing phosphatidylserine (PS) at the surface. There are lots of interconnections between EVs biogenesis and autophagy machinery. Modulation of autophagy can probably affect not only the quantity of EVs but also their content, which can deeply influence the resulting pro-tumourigenic or anticancer effect of autophagy modulators. In this study, we found that autophagy modulators autophinib, CPD18, EACC, bafilomycin A1 (BAFA1), 3-hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), rapamycin, NVP-BEZ235, Torin1, and starvation significantly alter the composition of the protein content of phosphatidylserine-positive EVs (PS-EVs) produced by cancer cells. The greatest impact had HCQ, BAFA1, CPD18, and starvation. The most abundant proteins in PS-EVs were proteins typical for extracellular exosomes, cytosol, cytoplasm, and cell surface involved in cell adhesion and angiogenesis. PS-EVs protein content involved mitochondrial proteins and signalling molecules such as SQSTM1 and TGFβ1 pro-protein. Interestingly, PS-EVs contained no commonly determined cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, GRO-α, MCP-1, RANTES, and GM-CSF, which indicates that secretion of these cytokines is not predominantly mediated through PS-EVs. Nevertheless, the altered protein content of PS-EVs can still participate in the modulation of the fibroblast metabolism and phenotype as p21 was accumulated in fibroblasts influenced by EVs derived from CPD18-treated FaDu cells. The altered protein content of PS-EVs (data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD037164) also provides information about the cellular compartments and processes that are affected by the applied autophagy modulators. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Hanelova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Raudenska
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Kratochvilova
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Navratil
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Vicar
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 3058/10, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Bugajova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaromir Gumulec
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Masarik
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Katerinska 32, 12108, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Balvan
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Tan WL, Subha ST, Mohtarrudin N, Cheah YK. An insight into the associations between microRNA expression and mitochondrial functions in cancer cell and cancer stem cell. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:5395-5405. [PMID: 37074612 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08421-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
The self-renew ability of cancer stem cells (CSCs) continues to challenge our determination for accomplishing cancer therapy breakthrough. Ineffectiveness of current cancer therapies to eradicate CSCs has contributed to chemoresistance and tumor recurrence. Yet, the discoveries of highly effective therapies have not been thoroughly developed. Further insights into cancer metabolomics and gene-regulated mechanisms of mitochondria in CSCs can expedite the development of novel anticancer drugs. In cancer cells, the metabolism is reprogrammed from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to glycolysis. This alteration allows the cancer cell to receive continuous energy supplies and avoid apoptosis. The pyruvate obtained from glycolysis produces acetyl-coenzyme A (Acetyl-CoA) via oxidative decarboxylation and enters the tricarboxylic acid cycle for adenosine triphosphate generation. Mitochondrial calcium ion (Ca2+) uptake is responsible for mitochondrial physiology regulation, and reduced uptake of Ca2+ inhibits apoptosis and enhances cell survival in cancer. There have been many discoveries of mitochondria-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) stimulating the metabolic alterations in mitochondria via gene regulation which promote cancer cell survival. These miRNAs are also found in CSCs where they regulate genes and activate different mechanisms to destroy the mitochondria and enhance CSCs survival. By targeting the miRNAs that induced mitochondrial destruction, the mitochondrial functions can be restored; thus, it triggers CSCs apoptosis and completely eliminates the CSCs. In general, this review article aims to address the associations between miRNAs with mitochondrial activities in cancer cells and cancer stem cells that support cancer cell survival and self-renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wee Lin Tan
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sethu Thakachy Subha
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norhafizah Mohtarrudin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yoke Kqueen Cheah
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Institute of Bioscience UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory (CANRES), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Trelford CB, Dagnino L, Di Guglielmo GM. Transforming growth factor-β in tumour development. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:991612. [PMID: 36267157 PMCID: PMC9577372 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.991612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a ubiquitous cytokine essential for embryonic development and postnatal tissue homeostasis. TGFβ signalling regulates several biological processes including cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, immune function, and tissue repair following injury. Aberrant TGFβ signalling has been implicated in tumour progression and metastasis. Tumour cells, in conjunction with their microenvironment, may augment tumourigenesis using TGFβ to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, immune suppression, and autophagy. Therapies that target TGFβ synthesis, TGFβ-TGFβ receptor complexes or TGFβ receptor kinase activity have proven successful in tissue culture and in animal models, yet, due to limited understanding of TGFβ biology, the outcomes of clinical trials are poor. Here, we review TGFβ signalling pathways, the biology of TGFβ during tumourigenesis, and how protein quality control pathways contribute to the tumour-promoting outcomes of TGFβ signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles B. Trelford
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Lina Dagnino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Gianni M. Di Guglielmo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Gianni M. Di Guglielmo,
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Shuang Y, Yao X, Liu J, Niu J, Guo W, Li C. Serum-derived extracellular vesicles mediate Smad4 expression through shuttling microRNA-27a in the progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Hum Cell 2022; 35:1084-1099. [PMID: 35545731 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00712-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Serum-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing non-coding RNAs have been indicated to serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), while their functional role remains to be explored. Here, we summarize the possible mechanism explaining the laryngeal carcinogenesis and the associated changes with the involvement of extracellular microRNA (miR)-27a from serum of LSCC patients. Serum-derived EVs from LSCC patients were found to increase the proliferative activity and decreased the apoptotic activity of LSCC cells. miRNA microarrays revealed that miR-27a expression was elevated after EV treatment. miR-27a expression was elevated in LSCC tissues and predicted a poor prognosis for patients. Downregulation of miR-27a inhibited the effect of EVs to reduce the activity of LSCC cells in vitro and to suppress tumor development in vivo. miR-27a targeted SMAD family member 4 (Smad4) to mediate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which was induced under the influence of EVs. Smad4 was downregulated in LSCC tissues, and simultaneous overexpression of miR-27a and Smad4 resulted in reduced cell activity and tumorigenicity. In conclusion, serum-derived EVs support the laryngeal carcinogenesis at least partially via transferring miR-27a. miR-27a targets Smad4 and is a biomarker to predict LSCC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shuang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, No. 23, Pingjiang Road, Tianjin, 300211, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaofeng Yao
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjing, 300202, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, No. 23, Pingjiang Road, Tianjin, 300211, People's Republic of China
| | - Juntao Niu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, No. 23, Pingjiang Road, Tianjin, 300211, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyu Guo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, No. 23, Pingjiang Road, Tianjin, 300211, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, No. 23, Pingjiang Road, Tianjin, 300211, People's Republic of China
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Peltanová B, Holcová Polanská H, Raudenská M, Balvan J, Navrátil J, Vičar T, Gumulec J, Čechová B, Kräter M, Guck J, Kalfeřt D, Grega M, Plzák J, Betka J, Masařík M. mRNA Subtype of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Significantly Affects Key Characteristics of Head and Neck Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2286. [PMID: 35565415 PMCID: PMC9102192 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092286] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) belong among severe and highly complex malignant diseases showing a high level of heterogeneity and consequently also a variance in therapeutic response, regardless of clinical stage. Our study implies that the progression of HNSCC may be supported by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumour microenvironment (TME) and the heterogeneity of this disease may lie in the level of cooperation between CAFs and epithelial cancer cells, as communication between CAFs and epithelial cancer cells seems to be a key factor for the sustained growth of the tumour mass. In this study, we investigated how CAFs derived from tumours of different mRNA subtypes influence the proliferation of cancer cells and their metabolic and biomechanical reprogramming. We also investigated the clinicopathological significance of the expression of these metabolism-related genes in tissue samples of HNSCC patients to identify a possible gene signature typical for HNSCC progression. We found that the right kind of cooperation between cancer cells and CAFs is needed for tumour growth and progression, and only specific mRNA subtypes can support the growth of primary cancer cells or metastases. Specifically, during coculture, cancer cell colony supporting effect and effect of CAFs on cell stiffness of cancer cells are driven by the mRNA subtype of the tumour from which the CAFs are derived. The degree of colony-forming support is reflected in cancer cell glycolysis levels and lactate shuttle-related transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Peltanová
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Hana Holcová Polanská
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Martina Raudenská
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Balvan
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Jiří Navrátil
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
| | - Tomáš Vičar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Jaromír Gumulec
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
| | - Barbora Čechová
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
| | - Martin Kräter
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Staudtstraße 2, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; (M.K.); (J.G.)
| | - Jochen Guck
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Staudtstraße 2, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; (M.K.); (J.G.)
| | - David Kalfeřt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic; (D.K.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Marek Grega
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Jan Plzák
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic; (D.K.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Jan Betka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic; (D.K.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Michal Masařík
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prumyslova 595, 25250 Vestec, Czech Republic
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A computational study to assess the polymorphic landscape of matrix metalloproteinase 3 promoter and its effects on transcriptional activity. Comput Biol Med 2022; 145:105404. [PMID: 35339097 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.105404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) plays a crucial role in cancer progression and development by proteolyzing extracellular matrix substrates. Primarily, the expression of MMP3 is regulated at the transcriptional level. The minute interplay of various transcription factor binding motifs at the promoter region is responsible for the altered expression of the genes. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the transcription factor binding sites shows specific effects on gene expressions. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) strongly reported the association of common SNPs (rs3025058, rs522616, and rs617819) of MMP3 promoter with disease progression. The insufficient functional analysis of these promoter SNPs indicates the need for extensive mechanistic analysis on the effects of allelic variants upon transcription factor binding at MMP3 promoter. METHODS The binding of transcription factors on the MMP3 promoter sequence was investigated by a virtual laboratory. The interaction between the specific transcription factor and promoter DNA with allelic variants was analyzed by computational tools. RESULTS It was found that transcription factor c-Myb and Smad4 binding on MMP3 promoter were altered due to the presence of rs522616 and rs617819 SNPs, respectively. Further, the binding affinity of Smad4 to the MMP3 promoter containing C allele at -375 region is higher than that of its allelic variant G. CONCLUSION This study presented that the complex of Smad4-DNA fragment containing C allele has higher binding affinity and stability as compared with its allelic variant. Hence, it is predicted that rs617819 polymorphism directly affects the Smad4 binding motif on MMP3 promoter and alters its gene expression.
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11
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Dai CJ, Cao YT, Huang F, Wang YG. Multiple roles of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 in tumorigenesis, stem cells, drug resistance, and cancer therapy. World J Stem Cells 2022; 14:41-53. [PMID: 35126827 PMCID: PMC8788178 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v14.i1.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway controls many cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Abnormalities in the TGF-β signaling pathway and its components are closely related to the occurrence of many human diseases, including cancer. Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (Smad4), also known as deleted in pancreatic cancer locus 4, is a typical tumor suppressor candidate gene locating at q21.1 of human chromosome 18 and the common mediator of the TGF-β/Smad and bone morphogenetic protein/Smad signaling pathways. It is believed that Smad4 inactivation correlates with the development of tumors and stem cell fate decisions. Smad4 also interacts with cytokines, miRNAs, and other signaling pathways, jointly regulating cell behavior. However, the regulatory function of Smad4 in tumorigenesis, stem cells, and drug resistance is currently controversial. In addition, Smad4 represents an attractive therapeutic target for cancer. Elucidating the specific role of Smad4 is important for understanding the mechanism of tumorigenesis and cancer treatment. Here, we review the identification and characterization of Smad4, the canonical TGF-β/Smad pathway, as well as the multiple roles of Smad4 in tumorigenesis, stem cells, and drug resistance. Furthermore, we provide novel insights into the prospects of Smad4-targeted cancer therapy and the challenges that it will face in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Jing Dai
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yu-Ting Cao
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical University, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi-Gang Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang Province, China
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12
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Thariny E, Smiline Girija AM, Paramasivam A, Vijayashree Priyadharsini J. Aberrations in SMAD family of genes among HNSCC patients. Bioinformation 2021; 17:113-119. [PMID: 35291342 PMCID: PMC8900164 DOI: 10.6026/973206300171113] [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: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer is a debilitating disease with several etiological factors. One of the main etiologies to be noticed is the alteration, which is either caused by genetic or environmental factors. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the effect of genetic alterations, especially the non-synonymous mutations of the SMAD gene family and its possible association with HNSCC. Data shows a significant novel mutation in the SMAD gene family in association with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), which would aid in better diagnosis and treatment planning for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Thariny
- Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - AM Smiline Girija
- Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - A Paramasivam
- Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - J Vijayashree Priyadharsini
- Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
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13
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The Colorectal Cancer Tumor Microenvironment and Its Impact on Liver and Lung Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246206. [PMID: 34944826 PMCID: PMC8699466 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Metastasis to secondary organs, such as the liver and lungs, is a key driver of CRC-related mortality. The tumor microenvironment, which consists of the primary cancer cells, as well as associated support and immune cells, significantly affects the behavior of CRC cells at the primary tumor site, as well as in metastatic lesions. In this paper, we review the role of the individual components of the tumor microenvironment on tumor progression, immune evasion, and metastasis, and we discuss the implications of these components on antitumor therapies. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. A total of 20% of CRC patients present with distant metastases, most frequently to the liver and lung. In the primary tumor, as well as at each metastatic site, the cellular components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to tumor engraftment and metastasis. These include immune cells (macrophages, neutrophils, T lymphocytes, and dendritic cells) and stromal cells (cancer-associated fibroblasts and endothelial cells). In this review, we highlight how the TME influences tumor progression and invasion at the primary site and its function in fostering metastatic niches in the liver and lungs. We also discuss emerging clinical strategies to target the CRC TME.
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14
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Non-Antibody-Based Binders for the Enrichment of Proteins for Analysis by Mass Spectrometry. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11121791. [PMID: 34944435 PMCID: PMC8698613 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is often a need to isolate proteins from body fluids, such as plasma or serum, prior to further analysis with (targeted) mass spectrometry. Although immunoglobulin or antibody-based binders have been successful in this regard, they possess certain disadvantages, which stimulated the development and validation of alternative, non-antibody-based binders. These binders are based on different protein scaffolds and are often selected and optimized using phage or other display technologies. This review focuses on several non-antibody-based binders in the context of enriching proteins for subsequent liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis and compares them to antibodies. In addition, we give a brief introduction to approaches for the immobilization of binders. The combination of non-antibody-based binders and targeted mass spectrometry is promising in areas, like regulated bioanalysis of therapeutic proteins or the quantification of biomarkers. However, the rather limited commercial availability of these binders presents a bottleneck that needs to be addressed.
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15
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Desai SS, K RR, Jain A, Bawa PS, Dutta P, Atre G, Subhash A, Rao VUS, J S, Srinivasan S, Choudhary B. Multidimensional Mutational Profiling of the Indian HNSCC Sub-Population Provides IRAK1, a Novel Driver Gene and Potential Druggable Target. Front Oncol 2021; 11:723162. [PMID: 34796107 PMCID: PMC8593415 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.723162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) include heterogeneous group of tumors, classified according to their anatomical site. It is the sixth most prevalent cancer globally. Among South Asian countries, India accounts for 40% of HNC malignancies with significant morbidity and mortality. In the present study, we have performed exome sequencing and analysis of 51 Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma samples. Besides known mutations in the oncogenes and tumour suppressors, we have identified novel gene signatures differentiating buccal, alveolar, and tongue cancers. Around 50% of the patients showed mutation in tumour suppressor genes TP53 and TP63. Apart from the known mutations, we report novel mutations in the genes AKT1, SPECC1, and LRP1B, which are linked with tumour progression and patient survival. A highly curated process was developed to identify survival signatures. 36 survival-related genes were identified based on the correlation of functional impact of variants identified using exome-seq with gene expression from transcriptome data (GEPIA database) and survival. An independent LASSO regression analysis was also performed. Survival signatures common to both the methods led to identification of 4 dead and 3 alive gene signatures, the accuracy of which was confirmed by performing a ROC analysis (AUC=0.79 and 0.91, respectively). Also, machine learning-based driver gene prediction tool resulted in the identification of IRAK1 as the driver (p-value = 9.7 e-08) and also as an actionable mutation. Modelling of the IRAK1 mutation showed a decrease in its binding to known IRAK1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar Sanjiv Desai
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India.,Graduate Student Registered Under Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Raksha Rao K
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Anika Jain
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore Campus, Katpadi, Vellore, India
| | - Pushpinder Singh Bawa
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Priyatam Dutta
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Gaurav Atre
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Anand Subhash
- Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd, Cancer Centre, Bangalore, India
| | - Vishal U S Rao
- Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd, Cancer Centre, Bangalore, India
| | - Suvratha J
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Subhashini Srinivasan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Bibha Choudhary
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
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16
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Trelford CB, Di Guglielmo GM. Canonical and Non-canonical TGFβ Signaling Activate Autophagy in an ULK1-Dependent Manner. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:712124. [PMID: 34760883 PMCID: PMC8573198 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.712124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanism(s) in which transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ) modulates autophagy in cancer remain unclear. Here, we characterized the TGFβ signaling pathways that induce autophagy in non-small cell lung cancer cells, using cells lines stably expressing GFP-LC3-RFP-LC3ΔG constructs that measure autophagic flux. We demonstrated that TGFβ1 increases Unc 51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) protein levels, 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent ULK1 phosphorylation at serine (S) 555 and ULK1 complex formation but decreases mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity on ULK1. Further analysis revealed that the canonical Smad4 pathway and the non-canonical TGFβ activated kinase 1/tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6/P38 mitogen activated protein kinase (TAK1-TRAF6-P38 MAPK) pathway are important for TGFβ1-induced autophagy. The TAK1-TRAF6-P38 MAPK pathway was essential for downregulating mTOR S2448 phosphorylation, ULK1 S555 phosphorylation and autophagosome formation. Furthermore, although siRNA-mediated Smad4 silencing did not alter mTOR-dependent ULK1 S757 phosphorylation, it did reduce AMPK-dependent ULK1 S555 phosphorylation and autophagosome formation. Additionally, Smad4 silencing and inhibiting the TAK1-TRAF6-P38 MAPK pathway decreased autophagosome-lysosome co-localization in the presence of TGFβ. Our results suggest that the Smad4 and TAK1-TRAF6-P38 MAPK signaling pathways are essential for TGFβ-induced autophagy and provide specific targets for the inhibition of TGFβ in tumor cells that utilize autophagy in their epithelial-mesenchymal transition program.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gianni M. Di Guglielmo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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17
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Lam S, Guthrie KS, Latif MA, Weiss CR. Genetic counseling and testing for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Clin Genet 2021; 101:275-284. [PMID: 34415050 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic counseling is an important means of identifying a patient's genetic risk of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and assisting patients in making informed decisions about their health. With an increase in understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying HHT over the last decade, genetic counseling is increasingly being incorporated into the care of patients affected by HHT. In addition to refining the diagnosis of symptomatic patients, genetic testing can help to distinguish asymptomatic, at-risk patients from those who are unaffected by HHT. The purpose of this review article is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the role of genetic counseling and genetic testing in identifying and managing HHT in at-risk populations. This article also reviews the guidelines, outcomes, risks, and challenges of genetic counseling and testing for HHT in various patient populations, and provides an algorithm for the use of genetic counseling in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shravika Lam
- Russel H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kelsey S Guthrie
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Muhammad A Latif
- Russel H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Clifford R Weiss
- Russel H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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18
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Español A, Salem A, Sanchez Y, Sales ME. Breast cancer: Muscarinic receptors as new targets for tumor therapy. World J Clin Oncol 2021; 12:404-428. [PMID: 34189066 PMCID: PMC8223712 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v12.i6.404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of breast cancer is a complex process that involves the participation of different factors. Several authors have demonstrated the overexpression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in different tumor tissues and their role in the modulation of tumor biology, positioning them as therapeutic targets in cancer. The conventional treatment for breast cancer involves surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. The latter presents disadvantages such as limited specificity, the appearance of resistance to treatment and other side effects. To prevent these side effects, several schedules of drug administration, like metronomic therapy, have been developed. Metronomic therapy is a type of chemotherapy in which one or more drugs are administered at low concentrations repetitively. Recently, two chemotherapeutic agents usually used to treat breast cancer have been considered able to activate mAChRs. The combination of low concentrations of these chemotherapeutic agents with muscarinic agonists could be a useful option to be applied in breast cancer treatment, since this combination not only reduces tumor cell survival without affecting normal cells, but also decreases pathological neo-angiogenesis, the expression of drug extrusion proteins and the cancer stem cell fraction. In this review, we focus on the previous evidences that have positioned mAChRs as relevant therapeutic targets in breast cancer and analyze the effects of administering muscarinic agonists in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents in a metronomic schedule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Español
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Tumor Biology, CEFYBO CONICET University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Agustina Salem
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Tumor Biology, CEFYBO CONICET University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Yamila Sanchez
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Tumor Biology, CEFYBO CONICET University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - María Elena Sales
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Tumor Biology, CEFYBO CONICET University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
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19
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Xu W, Lee SH, Qiu F, Zhou L, Wang X, Ye T, Hu X. Association of SMAD4 loss with drug resistance in clinical cancer patients: A systematic meta-analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250634. [PMID: 34048444 PMCID: PMC8162645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Drug resistance frequently led to the failure of chemotherapy for malignant cancers, hence causing cancer relapse. Thus, understanding mechanism of drug resistance in cancer is vital to improve the treatment efficacy. Here, we aim to evaluate the association between SMAD4 expression and the drug resistance in cancers by performing a meta-analysis. Method Relevant studies detecting SMAD4 expression in cancer patients treated with chemo-drugs up till December 2020 were systematically searched in four common scientific databases using selected keywords. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) was the ratio of hazard rate between SMAD4neg population vs SMAD4pos population. The HRs and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to explore the association between SMAD4 expression losses with drug resistance in cancers. Result After an initial screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eleven studies were included in the meta-analysis. There were a total of 2092 patients from all the included studies in this analysis. Results obtained indicated that loss of SMAD4 expression was significantly correlated with drug resistance with pooled HRs (95% CI) of 1.23 (1.01–1.45), metastasis with pooled RRs (95% CI) of 1.10 (0.97–1.25) and recurrence with pooled RRs (95% CI) of 1.32 (1.06–1.64). In the subgroup analysis, cancer type, drug type, sample size and antibody brand did not affect the significance of association between loss of SMAD4 expression and drug resistance. In addition, there was no evidence of publication bias as suggested by Begg’s test. Conclusion Findings from our meta-analysis demonstrated that loss of SMAD4 expression was correlated with drug resistance, metastasis and recurrence. Therefore, SMAD4 expression could be potentially used as a molecular marker for cancer resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Sau Har Lee
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Fengjun Qiu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhou
- iSoftStone Information Technology (Group) Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingjie Ye
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xudong Hu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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20
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Kumar R, Kumar R, Tanwar P. Structural based screening of potential inhibitors of SMAD4: a step towards personalized medicine for gall bladder and other associated cancers. Mol Divers 2021; 25:1945-1961. [PMID: 33751339 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10210-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gall bladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive and most common malignancy of biliary tract lacking effective treatment due to unavailability of suitable biomarkers and therapeutics. SMAD4 is an essential mediator of transforming growth factor-β pathway involved in various cellular processes like growth, differentiation and apoptosis and also recognized as therapeutic target for GBC and other gastrointestinal tract cancers. In the present study, 3D structure of SMAD4 mutants was optimized through molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) along with wildtype. Furthermore, binding site of protein was predicted through hybrid approach and structural based virtual screening against two drug libraries was performed followed by docking. MDS of top docking score protein-ligand complexes were carried, and binding free energy was rescored. Two potential inhibitors, namely ZINC2098840 and ZINC8789167, were screened that displayed higher binding affinity towards mutant proteins compared with wildtype and both hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic interactions play a crucial role during protein-ligand binding. Current study identified novel and potent inhibitors of SMAD4 mutant that could be used as a drug candidate for the development of personalized medicine for gall bladder and other associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Kumar
- Dr.B.R.A.-Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Dr.B.R.A.-Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Pranay Tanwar
- Dr.B.R.A.-Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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21
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Zhang X, Sjöblom T. Targeting Loss of Heterozygosity: A Novel Paradigm for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14010057. [PMID: 33450833 PMCID: PMC7828287 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is a common genetic event in the development of cancer. In certain tumor types, LOH can affect more than 20% of the genome, entailing loss of allelic variation in thousands of genes. This reduction of heterozygosity creates genetic differences between tumor and normal cells, providing opportunities for development of novel cancer therapies. Here, we review and summarize (1) mutations associated with LOH on chromosomes which have been shown to be promising biomarkers of cancer risk or the prediction of clinical outcomes in certain types of tumors; (2) loci undergoing LOH that can be targeted for development of novel anticancer drugs as well as (3) LOH in tumors provides up-and-coming possibilities to understand the underlying mechanisms of cancer evolution and to discover novel cancer vulnerabilities which are worth a further investigation in the near future.
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22
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Najjar Sadeghi R, saeedi N, sahba N, Sadeghi A. SMAD4 mutations identified in Iranian patients with colorectal cancer and polyp. GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY FROM BED TO BENCH 2021; 14:S32-S40. [PMID: 35154600 PMCID: PMC8817749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM Search for SMAD4 mutations in Colorectal cancer (CRC) or polyp in Iran. BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is one of the five prevalent cancers among the Iranian population; however, its molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. The vast majority of CRCs arise from neoplastic polyp. METHODS Colorectal cancer and polyp lesions with matched normal tissues from patients who had undergone colonoscopy in Taleghani Hospital (January 2009 - November 2010) were included in the study. DNA extraction and PCR-sequencing for exons 5-11 of the SMAD-4 gene were carried out on 39 and 30 specimens of polyp and adenocarcinoma, respectively. RESULTS Of cancer and polyp specimens, 33.3% and 28.2%, respectively, were mutated in the Smad-4 gene. The majority of SMAD4 mutations, especially in the MH2 domain were missense mutations (63.6% and 68.75, respectively). In cancer, codon 435 and in polyp, codons 435 and 399 were the most common alterations. Unlike cancer specimens, transversion was found frequently in the polyp (56.25% vs. 35.7%). CG>TA transition was about 18.75% and 14.3% in cancer and polyp samples, respectively. Mutations of codon 264 and C.483-4 were seen both in cancer and neoplastic polyps. CONCLUSION As frequent alterations, missense mutations are presumably selected during tumorigenesis and polyposis due to their structural impacts on SMAD4 functions and TGF-ß signaling pathway. The lower frequency of CG>TA can be attributed to global genome hypomethylation. Presumably, SMAD4 mutations had occurred in the primary polyps, and some of these mutated cells then developed into carcinoma. On the other hand, polyp-specific mutations may lower the risk of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouhallah Najjar Sadeghi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nastaran saeedi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar sahba
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Sadeghi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Chang KW, Lin CE, Tu HF, Chung HY, Chen YF, Lin SC. Establishment of a p53 Null Murine Oral Carcinoma Cell Line and the Identification of Genetic Alterations Associated with This Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249354. [PMID: 33302499 PMCID: PMC7764333 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), ranks sixth in cancer incidence worldwide. To generate OSCC cells lines from human or murine tumors, greatly facilitates investigations into OSCC. This study describes the establishing of a mouse palatal carcinoma cell line (designated MPC-1) from a spontaneous tumor present in a heterozygous p53 gene loss C57BL/6 mouse. A MPC-1-GFP cell subclone was then generated by lentivirus infection resulting in stable expression of green fluorescent protein. Assays indicated that MPC-1 was a p53 null polygonal cell that was positive for keratinocyte markers; it also expressed vimentin and showed a loss of E-cadherin expression. Despite that MPC-1 having strong proliferation and colony formation capabilities, the potential for anchorage independent growth and tumorigenesis was almost absent. Like other murine MOC-L and MTCQ cell line series we have previously established, MPC-1 also expresses a range of stemness markers, various oncogenic proteins, and a number of immune checkpoint proteins at high levels. However, the synergistic effects of the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib on other therapeutic drugs were not observed with MPC-1. Whole exon sequencing revealed that there were high rates of non-synonymous mutations in MPC-1 affecting various genes, including Akap9, Arap2, Cdh11, Hjurp, Mroh2a, Muc4, Muc6, Sp110, and Sp140, which are similar to that the mutations present in a panel of chemical carcinogenesis-related murine tongue carcinoma cell lines. Analysis has highlighted the dis-regulation of Akap9, Cdh11, Muc4, Sp110, and Sp140 in human HNSCC as indicated by the TCGA and GEO OSCC databases. Sp140 expression has also been associated with patient survival. This study describes the establishment and characterization of the MPC-1 cell line and this new cell model should help to advance genetic research into oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Wei Chang
- Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (K.-W.C.); (C.-E.L.); (H.-Y.C.); (Y.-F.C.)
- Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan;
- Department of Stomatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Chia-En Lin
- Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (K.-W.C.); (C.-E.L.); (H.-Y.C.); (Y.-F.C.)
| | - Hsi-Feng Tu
- Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan;
| | - Hsin-Yao Chung
- Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (K.-W.C.); (C.-E.L.); (H.-Y.C.); (Y.-F.C.)
| | - Yi-Fen Chen
- Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (K.-W.C.); (C.-E.L.); (H.-Y.C.); (Y.-F.C.)
| | - Shu-Chun Lin
- Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (K.-W.C.); (C.-E.L.); (H.-Y.C.); (Y.-F.C.)
- Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan;
- Department of Stomatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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Wechman SL, Emdad L, Sarkar D, Das SK, Fisher PB. Vascular mimicry: Triggers, molecular interactions and in vivo models. Adv Cancer Res 2020; 148:27-67. [PMID: 32723566 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Vascular mimicry is induced by a wide array of genes with functions related to cancer stemness, hypoxia, angiogenesis and autophagy. Vascular mimicry competent (VM-competent) cells that form de novo blood vessels are common in solid tumors facilitating tumor cell survival and metastasis. VM-competent cells display increased levels of vascular mimicry selecting for stem-like cells in an O2-gradient-dependent manner in deeply hypoxic tumor regions, while also aiding in maintaining tumor cell metabolism and stemness. Three of the principal drivers of vascular mimicry are EphA2, Nodal and HIF-1α, however, directly or indirectly many of these molecules affect VE-Cadherin (VE-Cad), which forms gap-junctions to bind angiogenic blood vessels together. During vascular mimicry, the endothelial-like functions of VM-competent cancer stem cells co-opt VE-Cad to bind cancer cells together to create cancer cell-derived blood conducting vessels. This process potentially compensates for the lack of access to blood and nutrient in avascular tumors, simultaneously providing nutrients and enhancing cancer invasion and metastasis. Current evidence also supports that vascular mimicry promotes cancer malignancy and metastasis due to the cooperation of oncogenic signaling molecules driving cancer stemness and autophagy. While a number of currently used cancer therapeutics are effective inhibitors of vascular mimicry, developing a new class of vascular mimicry specific inhibitors could allow for the treatment of angiogenesis-resistant tumors, inhibit cancer metastasis and improve patient survival. In this review, we describe the principal vascular mimicry pathways in addition to emphasizing the roles of hypoxia, autophagy and select proangiogenic oncogenes in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L Wechman
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
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25
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Gatti V, Bernassola F, Talora C, Melino G, Peschiaroli A. The Impact of the Ubiquitin System in the Pathogenesis of Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061595. [PMID: 32560247 PMCID: PMC7352818 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin system is a dynamic regulatory pathway controlling the activity, subcellular localization and stability of a myriad of cellular proteins, which in turn affects cellular homeostasis through the regulation of a variety of signaling cascades. Aberrant activity of key components of the ubiquitin system has been functionally linked with numerous human diseases including the initiation and progression of human tumors. In this review, we will contextualize the importance of the two main components of the ubiquitin system, the E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), in the etiology of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). We will discuss the signaling pathways regulated by these enzymes, emphasizing the genetic and molecular determinants underlying their deregulation in SCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Gatti
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesca Bernassola
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Claudio Talora
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Angelo Peschiaroli
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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