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Xu Y, Bai Z, Lan T, Fu C, Cheng P. CD44 and its implication in neoplastic diseases. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e554. [PMID: 38783892 PMCID: PMC11112461 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
CD44, a nonkinase single span transmembrane glycoprotein, is a major cell surface receptor for many other extracellular matrix components as well as classic markers of cancer stem cells and immune cells. Through alternative splicing of CD44 gene, CD44 is divided into two isoforms, the standard isoform of CD44 (CD44s) and the variant isoform of CD44 (CD44v). Different isoforms of CD44 participate in regulating various signaling pathways, modulating cancer proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance, with its aberrant expression and dysregulation contributing to tumor initiation and progression. However, CD44s and CD44v play overlapping or contradictory roles in tumor initiation and progression, which is not fully understood. Herein, we discuss the present understanding of the functional and structural roles of CD44 in the pathogenic mechanism of multiple cancers. The regulation functions of CD44 in cancers-associated signaling pathways is summarized. Moreover, we provide an overview of the anticancer therapeutic strategies that targeting CD44 and preclinical and clinical trials evaluating the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and drug-related toxicity about CD44-targeted therapies. This review provides up-to-date information about the roles of CD44 in neoplastic diseases, which may open new perspectives in the field of cancer treatment through targeting CD44.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Xu
- Department of BiotherapyLaboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ziyi Bai
- Department of BiotherapyLaboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Tianxia Lan
- Department of BiotherapyLaboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Chenying Fu
- Laboratory of Aging and Geriatric Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ping Cheng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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2
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Tang X, Zhang L, Huang M, Wang F, Xie G, Huo R, Gao R. Selective enhanced cytotoxicity of amino acid deprivation for cancer therapy using thermozyme functionalized nanocatalyst. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:53. [PMID: 38326899 PMCID: PMC10848425 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02326-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enzyme therapy based on differential metabolism of cancer cells has demonstrated promising potential as a treatment strategy. Nevertheless, the therapeutic benefit of reported enzyme drugs is compromised by their uncontrollable activity and weak stability. Additionally, thermozymes with high thermal-stability suffer from low catalytic activity at body temperature, preventing them from functioning independently. RESULTS Herein, we have developed a novel thermo-enzymatic regulation strategy for near-infrared (NIR)-triggered precise-catalyzed photothermal treatment of breast cancer. Our strategy enables efficient loading and delivery of thermozymes (newly screened therapeutic enzymes from thermophilic bacteria) via hyaluronic acid (HA)-coupled gold nanorods (GNRs). These nanocatalysts exhibit enhanced cellular endocytosis and rapid enzyme activity enhancement, while also providing biosafety with minimized toxic effects on untargeted sites due to temperature-isolated thermozyme activity. Locally-focused NIR lasers ensure effective activation of thermozymes to promote on-demand amino acid deprivation and photothermal therapy (PTT) of superficial tumors, triggering apoptosis, G1 phase cell cycle arrest, inhibiting migration and invasion, and potentiating photothermal sensitivity of malignancies. CONCLUSIONS This work establishes a precise, remotely controlled, non-invasive, efficient, and biosafe nanoplatform for accurate enzyme therapy, providing a rationale for promising personalized therapeutic strategies and offering new prospects for high-precision development of enzyme drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuhui Tang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Mingwang Huang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Guiqiu Xie
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Rui Huo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Renjun Gao
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China.
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3
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Everest‐Dass A, Nersisyan S, Maar H, Novosad V, Schröder‐Schwarz J, Freytag V, Stuke JL, Beine MC, Schiecke A, Haider M, Kriegs M, Elakad O, Bohnenberger H, Conradi L, Raygorodskaya M, Krause L, von Itzstein M, Tonevitsky A, Schumacher U, Maltseva D, Wicklein D, Lange T. Spontaneous metastasis xenograft models link CD44 isoform 4 to angiogenesis, hypoxia, EMT and mitochondria-related pathways in colorectal cancer. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:62-90. [PMID: 37849446 PMCID: PMC10766209 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematogenous metastasis limits the survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Here, we illuminated the roles of CD44 isoforms in this process. Isoforms 3 and 4 were predominantly expressed in CRC patients. CD44 isoform 4 indicated poor outcome and correlated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and decreased oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) in patients; opposite associations were found for isoform 3. Pan-CD44 knockdown (kd) independently impaired primary tumor formation and abrogated distant metastasis in CRC xenografts. The xenograft tumors mainly expressed the clinically relevant CD44 isoforms 3 and 4. Both isoforms were enhanced in the paranecrotic, hypoxic tumor regions but were generally absent in lung metastases. Upon CD44 kd, tumor angiogenesis was increased in the paranecrotic areas, accompanied by reduced hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and CEACAM5 but increased E-cadherin expression. Mitochondrial genes and proteins were induced upon pan-CD44 kd, as were OxPhos genes. Hypoxia increased VEGF release from tumor spheres, particularly upon CD44 kd. Genes affected upon CD44 kd in xenografts specifically overlapped concordantly with genes correlating with CD44 isoform 4 (but not isoform 3) in patients, validating the clinical relevance of the used model and highlighting the metastasis-promoting role of CD44 isoform 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Everest‐Dass
- Institute for GlycomicsGriffith University, Gold Coast CampusAustralia
| | - Stepan Nersisyan
- Faculty of Biology and BiotechnologyHSE UniversityMoscowRussia
- Institute of Molecular BiologyThe National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of ArmeniaYerevanArmenia
- Armenian Bioinformatics Institute (ABI)YerevanArmenia
- Present address:
Computational Medicine CenterThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Hanna Maar
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental MorphologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfGermany
| | - Victor Novosad
- Faculty of Biology and BiotechnologyHSE UniversityMoscowRussia
- Shemyakin‐Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic ChemistryRussian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
| | | | - Vera Freytag
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental MorphologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfGermany
| | - Johanna L. Stuke
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental MorphologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfGermany
| | - Mia C. Beine
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental MorphologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfGermany
| | - Alina Schiecke
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental MorphologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfGermany
| | - Marie‐Therese Haider
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental MorphologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfGermany
| | - Malte Kriegs
- Department of Radiobiology and Radiation OncologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfGermany
| | - Omar Elakad
- Institute of PathologyUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGermany
| | | | - Lena‐Christin Conradi
- Clinic for General, Visceral and Pediatric SurgeryUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGermany
| | | | - Linda Krause
- Institute of Medical Biometry and EpidemiologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfGermany
| | - Mark von Itzstein
- Institute for GlycomicsGriffith University, Gold Coast CampusAustralia
| | - Alexander Tonevitsky
- Faculty of Biology and BiotechnologyHSE UniversityMoscowRussia
- Shemyakin‐Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic ChemistryRussian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
- Art Photonics GmbHBerlinGermany
| | - Udo Schumacher
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental MorphologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfGermany
- Medical School BerlinGermany
| | - Diana Maltseva
- Faculty of Biology and BiotechnologyHSE UniversityMoscowRussia
| | - Daniel Wicklein
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental MorphologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfGermany
- Department of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUniversity of MarburgGermany
| | - Tobias Lange
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental MorphologyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfGermany
- Institute of Anatomy IJena University HospitalGermany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG)Jena and LeipzigGermany
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Gałecki S, Gdowicz-Kłosok A, Deja R, Masłyk B, Giglok M, Suwiński R, Butkiewicz D. Common Variants in Osteopontin and CD44 Genes as Predictors of Treatment Outcome in Radiotherapy and Chemoradiotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:2721. [PMID: 38067149 PMCID: PMC10706014 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN)-CD44 signaling plays an important role in promoting tumor progression and metastasis. In cancer, OPN and CD44 overexpression is a marker of aggressive disease and poor prognosis, and correlates with therapy resistance. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the OPN and CD44 genes with clinical outcomes in 307 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. The potential impact of the variants on plasma OPN levels was also investigated. Multivariate analysis showed that OPN rs11730582 CC carriers had a significantly increased risk of death (p = 0.029), while the CD44 rs187116 A allele correlated with a reduced risk of locoregional recurrence (p = 0.016) in the curative treatment subset. The rs11730582/rs187116 combination was associated with an elevated risk of metastasis in these patients (p = 0.016). Furthermore, the OPN rs1126772 G variant alone (p = 0.018) and in combination with rs11730582 CC (p = 7 × 10-5) was associated with poor overall survival (OS) in the squamous cell carcinoma subgroup. The rs11730582 CC, rs187116 GG, and rs1126772 G, as well as their respective combinations, were independent risk factors for unfavorable treatment outcomes. The impact of rs11730582-rs1126772 haplotypes on OS was also observed. These data suggest that OPN and CD44 germline variants may predict treatment effects in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seweryn Gałecki
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland
- Department of Systems Biology and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Gdowicz-Kłosok
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Regina Deja
- Analytics and Clinical Biochemistry Department, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Barbara Masłyk
- Analytics and Clinical Biochemistry Department, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Monika Giglok
- II Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Clinic and Teaching Hospital, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Rafał Suwiński
- II Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Clinic and Teaching Hospital, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Dorota Butkiewicz
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland
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Kavitha L, Vijayashree Priyadharsini J, Kattula D, Rao UKM, Balaji Srikanth R, Kuzhalmozhi M, Ranganathan K. Expression of CD44 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma-An In-Silico Study. Glob Med Genet 2023; 10:221-228. [PMID: 37593530 PMCID: PMC10431972 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1772459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction CD44, a multistructural and multifunctional transmembrane glycoprotein, is a promising cancer stem cell (CSC) marker that regulates the properties of CSCs, including self-renewal, tumor initiation, and metastasis, and confers resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the gene and protein expression of CD44 and explore its prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methodology The present observational study employs computational tools for analysis. The Cancer Genome Atlas Head-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma dataset (520 primary HNSCC and 44 normal tissues) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer platform was used to study the association of CD44 mRNA transcript levels with various clinicopathological characteristics of HNSCC including age, gender, tumor grade, tumor stage, human papillomavirus (HPV) status, p53 mutation status, and overall survival. The CD44 protein expression in HNSCC and normal tissues was ascertained using the National Cancer Institute's Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium Head-and-Neck cancer dataset (108 primary HNSCC and 71 normal tissues). Results CD44 mRNA transcript and protein expression levels were significantly higher in HNSCC tissues than in normal tissues, and high CD44 expression was correlated with poor survival. CD44 was upregulated in Stage 1 and Grade 2 HNSCC compared with other stages and grades. Overexpression of CD44 was observed in HPV-negative and TP53-positive mutant status in HNSCC. Conclusion The pleiotropic roles of CD44 in tumorigenesis urge the need to explore its differential expression in HNSCC. The study concludes that CD44 can be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HNSCC and offer new molecular targets for CD44-targeted therapy for cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loganathan Kavitha
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, ECR, Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; Affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jayaseelan Vijayashree Priyadharsini
- Clinical Genetics Lab, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Research (The Blue lab), Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences [SIMATS], Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Deepthi Kattula
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, ECR, Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Umadevi Krishna Mohan Rao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, ECR, Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; Affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rajabather Balaji Srikanth
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Balaji Dental Clinic, Tambaram West, Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Manogaran Kuzhalmozhi
- Department of Pathology, Aringnar Anna Memorial Cancer Research Institute, Kanchipuram, Karapettai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kannan Ranganathan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, ECR, Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; Affiliated to The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Huang J, Wang X, Wen J, Zhao X, Wu C, Wang L, Cao X, Dong H, Xu X, Huang F, Zhu W, Wang M. Gastric cancer cell-originated small extracellular vesicle induces metabolic reprogramming of BM-MSCs through ERK-PPARγ-CPT1A signaling to potentiate lymphatic metastasis. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:87. [PMID: 37158903 PMCID: PMC10169337 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02935-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment and metabolic reprogramming are critical for tumor metastasis. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are widely involved in the formation of tumor microenvironment and present oncogenic phenotypes to facilitate lymph node metastasis (LNM) in response to small extracellular vesicles (sEV) released by gastric cancer (GC) cells. However, whether metabolic reprograming mediates transformation of BM-MSCs remains elusive. Herein, we revealed that the capacity of LNM-GC-sEV educating BM-MSCs was positively correlated with the LNM capacity of GC cells themselves. Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) metabolic reprogramming was indispensable for this process. Mechanistically, CD44 was identified as a critical cargo for LNM-GC-sEV enhancing FAO via ERK/PPARγ/CPT1A signaling. ATP was shown to activate STAT3 and NF-κB signaling to induce IL-8 and STC1 secretion by BM-MSCs, thereby in turn facilitating GC cells metastasis and increasing CD44 levels in GC cells and sEV to form a persistent positive feedback loop between GC cells and BM-MSCs. The critical molecules were abnormally expressed in GC tissues, sera and stroma, and correlated with the prognosis and LNM of GC patients. Together, our findings uncover the role of metabolic reprogramming mediated BM-MSCs education by LNM-GC-sEV, which presents a novel insight into the mechanism underlying LNM and provides candidate targets for GC detection and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jing Wen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xinxin Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chen Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaoli Cao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haibo Dong
- Department of Hematology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, 321 Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xuejing Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, 321 Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Feng Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Maternal and Child, Health Care Hospital of Kunshan, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Phosphorylation of IGFBP-3 by Casein Kinase 2 Blocks Its Interaction with Hyaluronan, Enabling HA-CD44 Signaling Leading to Increased NSCLC Cell Survival and Cisplatin Resistance. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030405. [PMID: 36766747 PMCID: PMC9913475 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin is a platinum agent used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Much remains unknown regarding the basic operative mechanisms underlying cisplatin resistance in NSCLC. In this study, we found that phosphorylation of IGFBP-3 by CK2 (P-IGFBP-3) decreased its binding to hyaluronan (HA) but not to IGF-1 and rendered the protein less effective at reducing cell viability or increasing apoptosis than the non-phosphorylated protein with or without cisplatin in the human NSCLC cell lines, A549 and H1299. Our data suggest that blocking CD44 signaling augmented the effects of cisplatin and that IGFBP-3 was more effective at inhibiting HA-CD44 signaling than P-IGFBP-3. Blocking CK2 activity and HA-CD44 signaling increased cisplatin sensitivity and more effectively blocked the PI3K and AKT activities and the phospho/total NFκB ratio and led to increased p53 activation in A549 cells. Increased cell sensitivity to cisplatin was observed upon co-treatment with inhibitors targeted against PI3K, AKT, and NFκB while blocking p53 activity decreased A549 cell sensitivity to cisplatin. Our findings shed light on a novel mechanism employed by CK2 in phosphorylating IGFBP-3 and increasing cisplatin resistance in NSCLC. Blocking phosphorylation of IGFBP-3 by CK2 may be an effective strategy to increase NSCLC sensitivity to cisplatin.
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Bhadresha K, Upadhyay V, Brahmbhatt J, Mughal MJ, Jain N, Rawal R. In vitro model of predicting metastatic ability using tumor derived extracellular vesicles; beyond seed soil hypothesis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20258. [PMID: 36424413 PMCID: PMC9691738 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24443-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer progression is often driven by metastasis, which has resulted in a considerable increase in lung cancer-related deaths. Cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes, serve key roles in cellular signal transmission via microenvironment, however, their biological relevance in cancer development and metastasis still needs to be clear. Here, we demonstrate that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from lung cancer bone metastatic patients exhibited a great capacity to promote the progression of lung cancer cells. We carried out a comprehensive meta-analysis to identify the gene expression profile of bone metastases using publicly available microarray datasets. Furthermore, mRNA expression of six identified genes was quantified by real time PCR in lung cancer with and without bone metastasis and healthy individual derived EVs. In addition, we utilized a very novel approach by to study how lung cancer cells uptake EVs by co-culturing EVs with lung cells. We observed that EVs obtained from bone metastases patients were efficiently ingested by lung cancer cells. Morevore, integration and uptake of these EVs lead to increased lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and sphere formation. We discovered that EV uptake increase the expression of SPP1, CD44, and POSTN genes in lung cancer cells. The data obtained from this study, support to the possibility that circulating EVs play a significant role in the formation of the pre-metastatic niche, eventually leading to metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinjal Bhadresha
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
- Hematology/Oncology Division, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Vinal Upadhyay
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Jpan Brahmbhatt
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Muhammad Jameel Mughal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nayan Jain
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Rakesh Rawal
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
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9
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Vadhan A, Hou MF, Vijayaraghavan P, Wu YC, Hu SCS, Wang YM, Cheng TL, Wang YY, Yuan SSF. CD44 Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis through AKT-Mediated Downregulation of Nuclear FOXA2. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2488. [PMID: 36289750 PMCID: PMC9599046 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary cause of breast cancer mortality is the metastatic invasion of cancerous stem cells (CSC). Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is a well-known CSC marker in various cancers, as well as a key role player in metastasis and relapse of breast cancer. CD44 is a cell-membrane embedded protein, and it interacts with different proteins to regulate cancer cell behavior. Transcription factor forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2) acts as an important regulator in multiple cancers, including breast cancer. However, the biological significance of CD44-FOXA2 association in breast cancer metastasis remains unclear. Herein, we observed that CD44 expression was higher in metastatic lymph nodes compared to primary tumors using a flow cytometric analysis. CD44 overexpression in breast cancer cell lines significantly promoted cell migration and invasion abilities, whereas the opposite effects occurred upon the knockdown of CD44. The stem cell array analysis revealed that FOXA2 expression was upregulated in CD44 knockdown cells. However, the knockdown of FOXA2 in CD44 knockdown cells reversed the effects on cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, we found that CD44 mediated FOXA2 localization in breast cancer cells through the AKT pathway. Moreover, the immunofluorescence assay demonstrated that AKT inhibitor wortmannin and AKT activator SC79 treatment in breast cancer cells impacted FOXA2 localization. Collectively, this study highlights that CD44 promotes breast cancer metastasis by downregulating nuclear FOXA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Vadhan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Feng Hou
- Division of Breast Oncology and Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Priya Vijayaraghavan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chia Wu
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Stephen Chu-Sung Hu
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ming Wang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 75 Bo-Ai Street, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Tian-Lu Cheng
- Department of Biomedical and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Yun Wang
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Shyng-Shiou F. Yuan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 75 Bo-Ai Street, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Translational Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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10
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Zeng C, Zhou Y, Ye W, Fang Z, Wang K. Exploration and validation of hub genes in lung adenocarcinoma based on bioinformatics analysis. Transl Cancer Res 2022; 11:3814-3826. [PMID: 36388051 PMCID: PMC9641136 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-22-2225] [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: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genomic abnormality is a crucial factor for lung cancer development. This study used bioinformatics analysis to explore the hub genes involved in lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS The GeneCards, Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), and DISEASES databases were used to screen the genes associated with lung adenocarcinoma. The hub genes were then identified using WebGestalt. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), UALCAN, and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) were used to validate the expression of hub genes. The predictive effects of hub genes on the risk of lung adenocarcinoma were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The Tumor-Immune System Interaction Database (TISIDB) was used to estimate the correlation between hub genes and immune infiltration. RESULTS A total of 21 genes were defined as common genes associated with lung adenocarcinoma, and from these, AKT1, CD44, and CDKN2A were identified as hub genes. Significant differences in the hub gene mRNA and protein expression were observed between lung adenocarcinoma samples and normal samples derived from the TCGA and UALCAN databases. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for AKT1, CD44, and CDKN2A in predicting lung adenocarcinoma risk was 0.847, 0.880, and 0.805, respectively, with sensitivity of 89.8%, 93.2%, and 94.9%, respectively. TISIDB analysis indicated that AKT1, CD44, and CDKN2A expression had a strong relationship with immune infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS These hub genes, AKT1, CD44, and CDKN2A, may represent tumor biomarkers that may contribute to the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyi Zeng
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China;,Research Centre for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - You Zhou
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Wanqing Ye
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Zihan Fang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China;,Research Centre for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
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11
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Moutafi MK, Molero M, Martinez Morilla S, Baena J, Vathiotis IA, Gavrielatou N, Castro-Labrador L, de Garibay GR, Adradas V, Orive D, Valencia K, Calvo A, Montuenga LM, Ponce Aix S, Schalper KA, Herbst RS, Paz-Ares L, Rimm DL, Zugazagoitia J. Spatially resolved proteomic profiling identifies tumor cell CD44 as a biomarker associated with sensitivity to PD-1 axis blockade in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004757. [PMID: 36002182 PMCID: PMC9413286 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) fail to derive significant benefit from programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) axis blockade, and new biomarkers of response are needed. In this study, we aimed to discover and validate spatially resolved protein markers associated with sensitivity to PD-1 axis inhibition in NSCLC. METHODS We initially assessed a discovery cohort of 56 patients with NSCLC treated with PD-1 axis inhibitors at Yale Cancer Center. Using the GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP) system, 71 proteins were measured in spatial context on each spot in a tissue microarray. We used the AQUA method of quantitative immunofluorescence (QIF) to orthogonally validate candidate biomarkers. For external independent validation, we assessed whole tissue sections derived from 128 patients with NSCLC treated with single-agent PD-1 axis inhibitors at the 12 de Octubre Hospital (Madrid) using DSP. We further analyzed two immunotherapy untreated cohorts to address prognostic significance (n=252 from Yale Cancer Center; n=124 from University Clinic of Navarra) using QIF and DSP, respectively. RESULTS Using continuous log-scaled data, we identified CD44 expression in the tumor compartment (pan-cytokeratin (CK)+) as a novel predictor of prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) (multivariate HR=0.68, p=0.043) in the discovery set. We validated by QIF that tumor CD44 levels assessed as continuous QIF scores were associated with longer PFS (multivariate HR=0.31, p=0.022) and overall survival (multivariate HR=0.29, p=0.038). Using DSP in an independent immunotherapy treated cohort, we validated that CD44 levels in the tumor compartment, but not in the immune compartment (panCK-/CD45+), were associated with clinical benefit (OR=1.22, p=0.018) and extended PFS under PD-1 axis inhibition using the highest tertile cutpoint (multivariate HR=0.62, p=0.03). The effect of tumor cell CD44 in predicting PFS remained significant after correcting for programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) in both cohorts. High tumor cell CD44 was not prognostic in the absence of immunotherapy. Using DSP data, intratumoral regions with elevated tumor cell CD44 expression showed prominent (fold change>1.5, adjusted p<0.05) upregulation of PD-L1, TIM-3, ICOS, and CD40 in two independent cohorts. CONCLUSIONS This work highlights CD44 as a novel indicative biomarker of sensitivity to PD-1 axis blockade that might help to improve immunotherapy strategies for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrto K Moutafi
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Magdalena Molero
- Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i+12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Javier Baena
- Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i+12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, 12 de Octubre Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ioannis A Vathiotis
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Niki Gavrielatou
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Laura Castro-Labrador
- Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i+12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gorka Ruiz de Garibay
- Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i+12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vera Adradas
- Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i+12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Orive
- Program in Solid Tumors, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karmele Valencia
- Program in Solid Tumors, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alfonso Calvo
- Program in Solid Tumors, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luis M Montuenga
- Program in Solid Tumors, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - S Ponce Aix
- Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i+12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, 12 de Octubre Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kurt A Schalper
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Roy S Herbst
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Luis Paz-Ares
- Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i+12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, 12 de Octubre Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - David L Rimm
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jon Zugazagoitia
- Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Research Group, 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i+12), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, 12 de Octubre Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Cisplatin-Resistant CD44+ Lung Cancer Cells Are Sensitive to Auger Electrons. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137131. [PMID: 35806135 PMCID: PMC9266901 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are resistant to conventional therapy and present a major clinical challenge since they are responsible for the relapse of many cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Hence, future successful therapy should also eradicate CSCs. Auger electrons have demonstrated promising therapeutic potential and can induce DNA damage while sparing surrounding cells. Here, we sort primary patient-derived NSCLC cells based on their expression of the CSC-marker CD44 and investigate the effects of cisplatin and a thymidine analog (deoxyuridine) labeled with an Auger electron emitter (125I). We show that the CD44+ populations are more resistant to cisplatin than the CD44− populations. Interestingly, incubation with the thymidine analog 5-[125I]iodo-2′-deoxyuridine ([125I]I-UdR) induces equal DNA damage, G2/M cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in the CD44− and CD44+ populations. Our results suggest that Auger electron emitters can also eradicate resistant lung cancer CD44+ populations.
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13
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Yuan SSF, Hung AC, Hsu CW, Lan TH, Su CW, Chi TC, Chang YC, Chen YK, Wang YY. CD44 Mediates Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Promoting Activity of MRE11 via AKT Signaling. J Pers Med 2022; 12:841. [PMID: 35629265 PMCID: PMC9144890 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12050841] [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: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral cancer is one of the highest-incidence malignancies worldwide, with the occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) being the most frequently diagnosed form. A barrier for oral cancer management may arise from tumor cells that possess properties of cancer stemness, which has been recognized as a crucial factor in tumor recurrence and metastasis. As such, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these tumor cells may provide insights for improving cancer treatment. MRE11 is the core protein of the RAD50/MRE11/NBS1 complex with a primary role in DNA damage repair, and it has been diversely associated with tumor development including OSCC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the engagement of CD44, a cancer stemness marker functioning in the control of cell growth and motility, in OSCC malignancy under the influence of MRE11. We found that overexpression of MRE11 enhanced CD44 expression and tumorsphere formation in OSCC cells, whereas knockdown of MRE11 reduced these phenomena. In addition, the MRE11-promoted tumorsphere formation or cell migration ability was compromised in OSCC cells carrying siRNA that targets CD44, as was the MRE11-promoted AKT phosphorylation. These were further supported by analyzing clinical samples, where higher CD44 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis. Additionally, a positive correlation between the expression of MRE11 and CD44, or that of CD44 and phosphorylated AKT, was observed in OSCC tumor tissues. Finally, the expression of CD44 was found to be higher in the metastatic lung nodules from mice receiving tail vein-injection with MRE11-overexpressing OSCC cells compared with control mice, and a positive correlation between CD44 and phosphorylated AKT was also observed in these metastatic lung nodules. Altogether, our current study revealed a previously unidentified mechanism linking CD44 and AKT in MRE11-promoted OSCC malignancy, which may shed light to the development of novel therapeutic strategies in consideration of this new pathway in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyng-Shiou F. Yuan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (S.-S.F.Y.); (A.C.H.); (T.-C.C.)
- Translational Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-W.H.); (C.-W.S.); (Y.-K.C.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Amos C. Hung
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (S.-S.F.Y.); (A.C.H.); (T.-C.C.)
| | - Ching-Wei Hsu
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-W.H.); (C.-W.S.); (Y.-K.C.)
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Hsun Lan
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Division of Prosthodontics, Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Wei Su
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-W.H.); (C.-W.S.); (Y.-K.C.)
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Chen Chi
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (S.-S.F.Y.); (A.C.H.); (T.-C.C.)
| | - Yu-Chiuan Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan;
| | - Yuk-Kwan Chen
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-W.H.); (C.-W.S.); (Y.-K.C.)
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Oral and Maxillofacial Imaging Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Yun Wang
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-W.H.); (C.-W.S.); (Y.-K.C.)
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
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