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Goldstein NB, Steel A, Tomb L, Berk Z, Hu J, Balaya V, Hoaglin L, Ganuthula K, Patel M, Mbika E, Robinson WA, Roop DR, Norris DA, Birlea SA. Vitiligo non-responding lesions to narrow band UVB have intriguing cellular and molecular abnormalities that may prevent epidermal repigmentation. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2024; 37:378-390. [PMID: 38343115 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13160] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
We have discovered that human vitiligo patients treated with narrow-band UVB (NBUVB) demonstrated localized resistance to repigmentation in skin sites characterized by distinct cellular and molecular pathways. Using immunostaining studies, discovery-stage RNA-Seq analysis, and confirmatory in situ hybridization, we analyzed paired biopsies collected from vitiligo lesions that did not repigment after 6 months of NBUVB treatment (non-responding) and compared them with repigmented (responding) lesions from the same patient. Non-responding lesions exhibited acanthotic epidermis, had low number of total, proliferative, and differentiated melanocyte (MC) populations, and increased number of senescent keratinocytes (KCs) and of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells as compared with responding lesions. The abnormal response in the non-responding lesions was driven by a dysregulated cAMP pathway and of upstream activator PDE4B, and of WNT/β-catenin repigmentation pathway. Vitiligo-responding lesions expressed high levels of WNT10B ligand, a molecule that may prevent epidermal senescence induced by NBUVB, and that in cultured melanoblasts prevented the pro-melanogenic effect of α-MSH. Understanding the pathways that govern lack of NBUVB-induced vitiligo repigmentation has a great promise in guiding the development of new therapeutic strategies for vitiligo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Steel
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Landon Tomb
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Zachary Berk
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Junxiao Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Velmurugan Balaya
- Gates Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Laura Hoaglin
- Gates Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kavya Ganuthula
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Meet Patel
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Erica Mbika
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Dennis R Roop
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Gates Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - David A Norris
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Gates Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Stanca A Birlea
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Gates Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Program, Denver, Colorado, USA
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2
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Das D, Leung JY, Balamurugan S, Tergaonkar V, Loh AHP, Chiang CM, Taneja R. BRD4 isoforms have distinct roles in tumour progression and metastasis in rhabdomyosarcoma. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:832-852. [PMID: 38191874 PMCID: PMC10897194 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-023-00033-1] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BRD4, a bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein, is deregulated in multiple cancers and has emerged as a promising drug target. However, the function of the two main BRD4 isoforms (BRD4-L and BRD4-S) has not been analysed in parallel in most cancers. This complicates determining therapeutic efficacy of pan-BET inhibitors. In this study, using functional and transcriptomic analysis, we show that BRD-L and BRD4-S isoforms play distinct roles in fusion negative embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. BRD4-L has an oncogenic role and inhibits myogenic differentiation, at least in part, by activating myostatin expression. Depletion of BRD4-L in vivo impairs tumour progression but does not impact metastasis. On the other hand, depletion of BRD4-S has no significant impact on tumour growth, but strikingly promotes metastasis in vivo. Interestingly, BRD4-S loss results in the enrichment of BRD4-L and RNA Polymerase II at integrin gene promoters resulting in their activation. In fusion positive alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, BRD4-L is unrestricted in its oncogenic role, with no evident involvement of BRD4-S. Our work unveils isoform-specific functions of BRD4 in rhabdomyosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipanwita Das
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Center for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117593, Singapore
| | - Jia Yu Leung
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Center for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117593, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Shivaranjani Balamurugan
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Center for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117593, Singapore
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596, Singapore
| | - Amos Hong Pheng Loh
- VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, 229899, Singapore
| | - Cheng-Ming Chiang
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Center for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117593, Singapore.
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3
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Pomella S, Danielli SG, Alaggio R, Breunis WB, Hamed E, Selfe J, Wachtel M, Walters ZS, Schäfer BW, Rota R, Shipley JM, Hettmer S. Genomic and Epigenetic Changes Drive Aberrant Skeletal Muscle Differentiation in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2823. [PMID: 37345159 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children and adolescents, represents an aberrant form of skeletal muscle differentiation. Both skeletal muscle development, as well as regeneration of adult skeletal muscle are governed by members of the myogenic family of regulatory transcription factors (MRFs), which are deployed in a highly controlled, multi-step, bidirectional process. Many aspects of this complex process are deregulated in RMS and contribute to tumorigenesis. Interconnected loops of super-enhancers, called core regulatory circuitries (CRCs), define aberrant muscle differentiation in RMS cells. The transcriptional regulation of MRF expression/activity takes a central role in the CRCs active in skeletal muscle and RMS. In PAX3::FOXO1 fusion-positive (PF+) RMS, CRCs maintain expression of the disease-driving fusion oncogene. Recent single-cell studies have revealed hierarchically organized subsets of cells within the RMS cell pool, which recapitulate developmental myogenesis and appear to drive malignancy. There is a large interest in exploiting the causes of aberrant muscle development in RMS to allow for terminal differentiation as a therapeutic strategy, for example, by interrupting MEK/ERK signaling or by interfering with the epigenetic machinery controlling CRCs. In this review, we provide an overview of the genetic and epigenetic framework of abnormal muscle differentiation in RMS, as it provides insights into fundamental mechanisms of RMS malignancy, its remarkable phenotypic diversity and, ultimately, opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pomella
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Istituto Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara G Danielli
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rita Alaggio
- Department of Pathology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Willemijn B Breunis
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ebrahem Hamed
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Joanna Selfe
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 FNG, UK
| | - Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Zoe S Walters
- Translational Epigenomics Team, Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Beat W Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Istituto Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Janet M Shipley
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 FNG, UK
| | - Simone Hettmer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre Freiburg (CCCF), University Medical Center Freiburg, 790106 Freiburg, Germany
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4
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Targeted Epigenetic Interventions in Cancer with an Emphasis on Pediatric Malignancies. Biomolecules 2022; 13:biom13010061. [PMID: 36671446 PMCID: PMC9855367 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010061] [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: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, novel hallmarks of cancer have been described, including the altered epigenetic landscape of malignant diseases. In addition to the methylation and hyd-roxymethylation of DNA, numerous novel forms of histone modifications and nucleosome remodeling have been discovered, giving rise to a wide variety of targeted therapeutic interventions. DNA hypomethylating drugs, histone deacetylase inhibitors and agents targeting histone methylation machinery are of distinguished clinical significance. The major focus of this review is placed on targeted epigenetic interventions in the most common pediatric malignancies, including acute leukemias, brain and kidney tumors, neuroblastoma and soft tissue sarcomas. Upcoming novel challenges include specificity and potential undesirable side effects. Different epigenetic patterns of pediatric and adult cancers should be noted. Biological significance of epigenetic alterations highly depends on the tissue microenvironment and widespread interactions. An individualized treatment approach requires detailed genetic, epigenetic and metabolomic evaluation of cancer. Advances in molecular technologies and clinical translation may contribute to the development of novel pediatric anticancer treatment strategies, aiming for improved survival and better patient quality of life.
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5
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Yang N, Das D, Shankar SR, Goy PA, Guccione E, Taneja R. An interplay between BRD4 and G9a regulates skeletal myogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:978931. [PMID: 36158208 PMCID: PMC9489841 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.978931] [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: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone acetylation and methylation are epigenetic modifications that are dynamically regulated by chromatin modifiers to precisely regulate gene expression. However, the interplay by which histone modifications are synchronized to coordinate cellular differentiation is not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate a relationship between BRD4, a reader of acetylation marks, and G9a, a writer of methylation marks in the regulation of myogenic differentiation. Using loss- and gain-of-function studies, as well as a pharmacological inhibition of its activity, we examined the mechanism by which BRD4 regulates myogenesis. Transcriptomic analysis using RNA sequencing revealed that a number of myogenic differentiation genes are downregulated in Brd4-depleted cells. Interestingly, some of these genes were upregulated upon G9a knockdown, indicating that BRD4 and G9a play opposing roles in the control of myogenic gene expression. Remarkably, the differentiation defect caused by Brd4 knockdown was rescued by inhibition of G9a methyltransferase activity. These findings demonstrate that the absence of BRD4 results in the upregulation of G9a activity and consequently impaired myogenic differentiation. Collectively, our study identifies an interdependence between BRD4 and G9a for the precise control of transcriptional outputs to regulate myogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naidi Yang
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) and Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), Nanjing, China
| | - Dipanwita Das
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shilpa Rani Shankar
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pierre-Alexis Goy
- Methyltransferases in Development and Disease Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Methyltransferases in Development and Disease Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Reshma Taneja,
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6
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The RNA helicase DDX5 cooperates with EHMT2 to sustain alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma growth. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111267. [PMID: 36044855 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111267] [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: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma of childhood characterized by the inability to exit the proliferative myoblast-like stage. The alveolar fusion positive subtype (FP-RMS) is the most aggressive and is mainly caused by the expression of PAX3/7-FOXO1 oncoproteins, which are challenging pharmacological targets. Here, we show that the DEAD box RNA helicase 5 (DDX5) is overexpressed in alveolar RMS cells and that its depletion and pharmacological inhibition decrease FP-RMS viability and slow tumor growth in xenograft models. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that DDX5 functions upstream of the EHMT2/AKT survival signaling pathway, by directly interacting with EHMT2 mRNA, modulating its stability and consequent protein expression. We show that EHMT2 in turns regulates PAX3-FOXO1 activity in a methylation-dependent manner, thus sustaining FP-RMS myoblastic state. Together, our findings identify another survival-promoting loop in FP-RMS and highlight DDX5 as a potential therapeutic target to arrest RMS growth.
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7
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Pribluda A, Daemen A, Lima AN, Wang X, Hafner M, Poon C, Modrusan Z, Katakam AK, Foreman O, Eastham J, Hung J, Haley B, Garcia JT, Jackson EL, Junttila MR. EHMT2 methyltransferase governs cell identity in the lung and is required for KRAS G12D tumor development and propagation. eLife 2022; 11:57648. [PMID: 35983994 PMCID: PMC9439681 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57648] [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: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung development, integrity and repair rely on precise Wnt signaling, which is corrupted in diverse diseases, including cancer. Here, we discover that EHMT2 methyltransferase regulates Wnt signaling in the lung by controlling the transcriptional activity of chromatin-bound β-catenin, through a non-histone substrate in mouse lung. Inhibition of EHMT2 induces transcriptional, morphologic, and molecular changes consistent with alveolar type 2 (AT2) lineage commitment. Mechanistically, EHMT2 activity functions to support regenerative properties of KrasG12D tumors and normal AT2 cells—the predominant cell of origin of this cancer. Consequently, EHMT2 inhibition prevents KrasG12D lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tumor formation and propagation and disrupts normal AT2 cell differentiation. Consistent with these findings, low gene EHMT2 expression in human LUAD correlates with enhanced AT2 gene expression and improved prognosis. These data reveal EHMT2 as a critical regulator of Wnt signaling, implicating Ehmt2 as a potential target in lung cancer and other AT2-mediated lung pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Pribluda
- Discovery Biology, Surrozen, South San Francisco, United States
| | - Anneleen Daemen
- Computational biology, Oric Pharma, South San Francisco, United States
| | - Anthony Nelson Lima
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, United States
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, United States
| | - Marc Hafner
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, United States
| | - Chungkee Poon
- Department of Immunology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, United States
| | - Zora Modrusan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, United States
| | | | - Oded Foreman
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, United States
| | - Jefferey Eastham
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, United States
| | - Jefferey Hung
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, United States
| | - Benjamin Haley
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, United States
| | - Julia T Garcia
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
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8
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Chemical biology and pharmacology of histone lysine methylation inhibitors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194840. [PMID: 35753676 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Histone lysine methylation is a post-translational modification that plays a key role in the epigenetic regulation of a broad spectrum of biological processes. Moreover, the dysregulation of histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases particularly cancer. Due to their pathobiological importance, KMTs have garnered immense attention over the last decade as attractive therapeutic targets. These endeavors have culminated in tens of chemical probes that have been used to interrogate many aspects of histone lysine methylation. Besides, over a dozen inhibitors have been advanced to clinical trials, including the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat approved for the treatment of follicular lymphoma and advanced epithelioid sarcoma. In this Review, we highlight the chemical biology and pharmacology of KMT inhibitors and targeted protein degraders focusing on the clinical development of EZH1/2, DOT1L, Menin-MLL, and WDR5-MLL inhibitors. We also briefly discuss the pharmacologic targeting of other KMTs.
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9
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Wang C, Liu S, Zhang X, Wang Y, Guan P, Bu F, Wang H, Wang D, Fan Y, Hou S, Qiu Z. SKA3 is a prognostic biomarker and associated with immune infiltration in bladder cancer. Hereditas 2022; 159:20. [PMID: 35546682 PMCID: PMC9092687 DOI: 10.1186/s41065-022-00234-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spindle and kinetochore‑associated complex subunit 3 (SKA3) has recently been considered a key regulator of carcinogenesis. However, the connection between SKA3 and immune cell infiltration remains unknown. METHODS The current study investigated the expression mode, prognostic effect, and functional role of SKA3 in different tumors, particularly bladder cancer using numerous databases, comprising TIMER, GEPIA, HPA, UALCAN, PrognoScan, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter. Differentially expressed gene and enrichment analyses were implemented on SKA3 using R packages "edgR" and "clusterProfiler". Immunohistochemistry was further used to validate the expression of SKA3 gene in bladder cancer. Following that, the relevance of SKA3 expression to immune infiltration level in bladder cancer was evaluated using TIMER. RESULTS Overall, the level of SKA3 expression in tumor tissue significantly increased than in normal tissue. In bladder cancer and other tumors, patients with high SKA3 expression levels had worse overall survival (OS) (p = 0.016), disease-specific survival (DSS) (p = 0.00004), and disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.032). Additionally, the major molecular functions for SKA3 included nuclear division, mitotic nuclear division, mitotic sister chromatid segregation, humoral immune response, and cell chemotaxis. Additionally, SKA3 expression was found to be positively associated with enhanced M2 macrophage and T helper (Th) 2 cell infiltration in bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS Our study implies that SKA3 contributes to M2 macrophage and Th2 cell polarization by acting as an oncogene in bladder cancer. SKA3 might be a novel biomarker for evaluating prognosis and immune infiltration in bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyang Wang
- Department of Urology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Shasha Liu
- Department of Urology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xinhong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgery, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Peng Guan
- Department of Urology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Fanyou Bu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Dawen Wang
- Department of Urology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yi Fan
- Department of Urology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Sichuan Hou
- Department of Urology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zhilei Qiu
- Department of Urology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, 266071, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
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10
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Pressure increases PD-L1 expression in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells and causes resistance to anti-ROR1 CAR T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6919. [PMID: 35484298 PMCID: PMC9051206 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10905-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the abnormal vasculation and proliferation, the tumor microenvironment is hypoxic, lacking nutrients, and under high interstitial pressure. Compared to oxygen and nutrients, the effect of pressure on cancer biology remains poorly studied. Here we constructed αROR1-CAR T cells and co-cultured with A549 cells with and without elevated pressure. We then measured apoptosis and cell death by flow cytometry and luciferase activity. We also measured cytokine (IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) release by ELISA. The results show that pressure-preconditioned A549 cells are much resistant to αROR1-CAR T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Pressure preconditioning does not appear to affect the expression of αROR1-CAR or cytokine production. However, pressure preconditioning upregulates PD-L1 expression in A549 cells and decreases cytokine release from αROR1-CAR T cells. In addition, Pembrolizumab and Cemiplimab that block PD-1::PD-L1 interaction increase the cytokine production in αROR1-CAR T cells, increase the apoptotic cell death in A549 cells, and improve the αROR1-CAR T-mediated cytotoxicity. In xenograft mice, pressure preconditioning increases tumorigenesis of A549 cells, which can be blocked by a combined therapy using Pembrolizumab and αROR1-CAR T cells. Together, our studies suggest that elevated pressure in the tumor microenvironment could blunt the T cell therapy by upregulating PD-L1 expression, which could be overcome by combining CAR T therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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11
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Chiu HY, Loh AHP, Taneja R. Mitochondrial calcium uptake regulates tumour progression in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:419. [PMID: 35490194 PMCID: PMC9056521 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04835-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
AbstractEmbryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is characterised by a failure of cells to complete skeletal muscle differentiation. Although ERMS cells are vulnerable to oxidative stress, the relevance of mitochondrial calcium homoeostasis in oncogenesis is unclear. Here, we show that ERMS cell lines as well as primary tumours exhibit elevated expression of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU). MCU knockdown resulted in impaired mitochondrial calcium uptake and a reduction in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) levels. Phenotypically, MCU knockdown cells exhibited reduced cellular proliferation and motility, with an increased propensity to differentiate in vitro and in vivo. RNA-sequencing of MCU knockdown cells revealed a significant reduction in genes involved in TGFβ signalling that play prominent roles in oncogenesis and inhibition of myogenic differentiation. Interestingly, modulation of mROS production impacted TGFβ signalling. Our study elucidates mechanisms by which mitochondrial calcium dysregulation promotes tumour progression and suggests that targeting the MCU complex to restore mitochondrial calcium homoeostasis could be a therapeutic avenue in ERMS.
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12
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Nachiyappan A, Soon JLJ, Lim HJ, Lee VK, Taneja R. EHMT1 promotes tumor progression and maintains stemness by regulating ALDH1A1 expression in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. J Pathol 2022; 256:349-362. [PMID: 34897678 DOI: 10.1002/path.5848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is an aggressive pediatric cancer with poor prognosis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are seeds for tumor relapse and metastasis. However, pathways that maintain stemness genes are not fully understood. Here, we report that the enzyme euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 1 (EHMT1) is expressed in primary and relapse ARMS tumors. EHMT1 suppression impaired motility and induced differentiation in ARMS cell lines and reduced tumor progression in a mouse xenograft model in vivo. RNA sequencing of EHMT1-depleted cells revealed downregulation of ALDH1A1 that is associated with CSCs. Consistent with this, inhibition of ALDH1A1 expression and activity mimicked EHMT1 depletion phenotypes and reduced tumorsphere formation. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that EHMT1 does not bind to the ALDH1A1 promoter but activates it by stabilizing C/EBPβ, a known regulator of ALDH1A1 expression. Our findings identify a role for EHMT1 in maintenance of stemness by regulating ALDH1A1 expression and suggest that targeting ALDH+ cells is a promising strategy in ARMS. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alamelu Nachiyappan
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joshua Ling Jun Soon
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Huey Jin Lim
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Victor Km Lee
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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13
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Giralt I, Gallo-Oller G, Navarro N, Zarzosa P, Pons G, Magdaleno A, Segura MF, Sábado C, Hladun R, Arango D, Sánchez de Toledo J, Moreno L, Gallego S, Roma J. Dickkopf-1 Inhibition Reactivates Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Rhabdomyosarcoma, Induces Myogenic Markers In Vitro and Impairs Tumor Cell Survival In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12921. [PMID: 34884726 PMCID: PMC8657544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a pivotal role during embryogenesis and its deregulation is a key mechanism in the origin and progression of several tumors. Wnt antagonists have been described as key modulators of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancer, with Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) being the most studied member of the DKK family. Although the therapeutic potential of DKK-1 inhibition has been evaluated in several diseases and malignancies, little is known in pediatric tumors. Only a few works have studied the genetic inhibition and function of DKK-1 in rhabdomyosarcoma. Here, for the first time, we report the analysis of the therapeutic potential of DKK-1 pharmaceutical inhibition in rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. We performed DKK-1 inhibition via shRNA technology and via the chemical inhibitor WAY-2626211. Its inhibition led to β-catenin activation and the modulation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), with positive effects on in vitro expression of myogenic markers and a reduction in proliferation and invasion. In addition, WAY-262611 was able to impair survival of tumor cells in vivo. Therefore, DKK-1 could constitute a molecular target, which could lead to novel therapeutic strategies in RMS, especially in those patients with high DKK-1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Giralt
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (I.G.); (G.G.-O.); (N.N.); (P.Z.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (M.F.S.); (J.S.d.T.); (L.M.)
| | - Gabriel Gallo-Oller
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (I.G.); (G.G.-O.); (N.N.); (P.Z.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (M.F.S.); (J.S.d.T.); (L.M.)
| | - Natalia Navarro
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (I.G.); (G.G.-O.); (N.N.); (P.Z.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (M.F.S.); (J.S.d.T.); (L.M.)
| | - Patricia Zarzosa
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (I.G.); (G.G.-O.); (N.N.); (P.Z.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (M.F.S.); (J.S.d.T.); (L.M.)
| | - Guillem Pons
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (I.G.); (G.G.-O.); (N.N.); (P.Z.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (M.F.S.); (J.S.d.T.); (L.M.)
| | - Ainara Magdaleno
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (I.G.); (G.G.-O.); (N.N.); (P.Z.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (M.F.S.); (J.S.d.T.); (L.M.)
| | - Miguel F. Segura
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (I.G.); (G.G.-O.); (N.N.); (P.Z.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (M.F.S.); (J.S.d.T.); (L.M.)
| | - Constantino Sábado
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.S.); (R.H.)
| | - Raquel Hladun
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.S.); (R.H.)
| | - Diego Arango
- Group of Molecular Oncology, IRB Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
| | - José Sánchez de Toledo
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (I.G.); (G.G.-O.); (N.N.); (P.Z.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (M.F.S.); (J.S.d.T.); (L.M.)
| | - Lucas Moreno
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (I.G.); (G.G.-O.); (N.N.); (P.Z.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (M.F.S.); (J.S.d.T.); (L.M.)
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.S.); (R.H.)
| | - Soledad Gallego
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (I.G.); (G.G.-O.); (N.N.); (P.Z.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (M.F.S.); (J.S.d.T.); (L.M.)
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.S.); (R.H.)
| | - Josep Roma
- Laboratory of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (I.G.); (G.G.-O.); (N.N.); (P.Z.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (M.F.S.); (J.S.d.T.); (L.M.)
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14
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Lim WK, Kaur P, Huang H, Jo RS, Ramamoorthy A, Ng LF, Suresh J, Maisha FI, Mathuru AS, Tolwinski NS. Optogenetic approaches for understanding homeostatic and degenerative processes in Drosophila. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5865-5880. [PMID: 34232330 PMCID: PMC8260576 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03836-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many organs and tissues have an intrinsic ability to regenerate from a dedicated, tissue-specific stem cell pool. As organisms age, the process of self-regulation or homeostasis begins to slow down with fewer stem cells available for tissue repair. Tissues become more fragile and organs less efficient. This slowdown of homeostatic processes leads to the development of cellular and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we highlight the recent use and future potential of optogenetic approaches to study homeostasis. Optogenetics uses photosensitive molecules and genetic engineering to modulate cellular activity in vivo, allowing precise experiments with spatiotemporal control. We look at applications of this technology for understanding the mechanisms governing homeostasis and degeneration as applied to widely used model organisms, such as Drosophila melanogaster, where other common tools are less effective or unavailable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Kin Lim
- Science Division, Yale-NUS College, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Prameet Kaur
- Science Division, Yale-NUS College, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Huanyan Huang
- Science Division, Yale-NUS College, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Li Fang Ng
- Science Division, Yale-NUS College, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jahnavi Suresh
- Science Division, Yale-NUS College, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Ajay S Mathuru
- Science Division, Yale-NUS College, Singapore, Singapore
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15
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Pal A, Leung JY, Ang GCK, Rao VK, Pignata L, Lim HJ, Hebrard M, Chang KT, Lee VK, Guccione E, Taneja R. EHMT2 epigenetically suppresses Wnt signaling and is a potential target in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. eLife 2020; 9:57683. [PMID: 33252038 PMCID: PMC7728445 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is downregulated in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) and contributes to the block of differentiation. Epigenetic mechanisms leading to its suppression are unknown and could pave the way toward novel therapeutic modalities. We demonstrate that EHMT2 suppresses canonical Wnt signaling by activating expression of the Wnt antagonist DKK1. Inhibition of EHMT2 expression or activity in human ERMS cell lines reduced DKK1 expression and elevated canonical Wnt signaling resulting in myogenic differentiation in vitro and in mouse xenograft models in vivo. Mechanistically, EHMT2 impacted Sp1 and p300 enrichment at the DKK1 promoter. The reduced tumor growth upon EHMT2 deficiency was reversed by recombinant DKK1 or LGK974, which also inhibits Wnt signaling. Consistently, among 13 drugs targeting chromatin modifiers, EHMT2 inhibitors were highly effective in reducing ERMS cell viability. Our study demonstrates that ERMS cells are vulnerable to EHMT2 inhibitors and suggest that targeting the EHMT2-DKK1-β-catenin node holds promise for differentiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Pal
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jia Yu Leung
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gareth Chin Khye Ang
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vinay Kumar Rao
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Luca Pignata
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Huey Jin Lim
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maxime Hebrard
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kenneth Te Chang
- Department of Pathology, KK Women and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Victor Km Lee
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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