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Klemm S, Evert K, Utpatel K, Muggli A, Simile MM, Chen X, Evert M, Calvisi DF, Scheiter A. Identification of DUSP4/6 overexpression as a potential rheostat to NRAS-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1086. [PMID: 37946160 PMCID: PMC10636894 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11577-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Upregulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is common in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) is mutated in a small percentage of HCC and is hitherto considered insufficient for hepatocarcinogenesis. We aimed to characterize the process of N-Ras-dependent carcinogenesis in the liver and to identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. METHODS NRAS V12 plasmid was delivered into the mouse liver via hydrodynamic tail vein injection (HTVI). The resulting tumours, preneoplastic lesions, and normal tissue were characterized by NanoString® gene expression analysis, Western Blot, and Immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results were further confirmed by in vitro analyses of HCC cell lines. RESULTS HTVI with NRAS V12 plasmid resulted in the gradual formation of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions in the liver three months post-injection. These lesions mostly showed characteristics of HCC, with some exceptions of spindle cell/ cholangiocellular differentiation. Progressive upregulation of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signalling was detectable in the lesions by Western Blot and IHC. NanoString® gene expression analysis of preneoplastic and tumorous tissue revealed a gradual overexpression of the cancer stem cell marker CD133 and Dual Specificity Phosphatases 4 and 6 (DUSP4/6). In vitro, transfection of HCC cell lines with NRAS V12 plasmid resulted in a coherent upregulation of DUSP4 and DUSP6. Paradoxically, this upregulation in PLC/PRF/5 cells was accompanied by a downregulation of phosphorylated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (pERK), suggesting an overshooting compensation. Silencing of DUSP4 and DUSP6 increased proliferation in HCC cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to prior assumptions, the G12V NRAS mutant form is sufficient to elicit hepatocarcinogenesis in the mouse. Furthermore, the upregulation of the MAPK cascade was paralleled by the overexpression of DUSP4, DUSP6, and CD133 in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, DUSP4 and DUSP6 might fine-tune the excessive MAPK activation, a mechanism that can potentially be harnessed therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Klemm
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katja Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kirsten Utpatel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Muggli
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Maria M Simile
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Xin Chen
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Vallejo A, Erice O, Entrialgo-Cadierno R, Feliu I, Guruceaga E, Perugorria MJ, Olaizola P, Muggli A, Macaya I, O'Dell M, Ruiz-Fernandez de Cordoba B, Ortiz-Espinosa S, Hezel AF, Arozarena I, Lecanda F, Avila MA, Fernandez-Barrena MG, Evert M, Ponz-Sarvise M, Calvisi DF, Banales JM, Vicent S. FOSL1 promotes cholangiocarcinoma via transcriptional effectors that could be therapeutically targeted. J Hepatol 2021; 75:363-376. [PMID: 33887357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a neoplasia of the biliary tract driven by genetic, epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms. Herein, we investigated the role of the transcription factor FOSL1, as well as its downstream transcriptional effectors, in the development and progression of CCA. METHODS FOSL1 was investigated in human CCA clinical samples. Genetic inhibition of FOSL1 in human and mouse CCA cell lines was performed in in vitro and in vivo models using constitutive and inducible short-hairpin RNAs. Conditional FOSL1 ablation was done using a genetically engineered mouse (GEM) model of CCA (mutant KRAS and Trp53 knockout). Follow-up RNA and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing analyses were carried out and downstream targets were validated using genetic and pharmacological inhibition. RESULTS An inter-species analysis of FOSL1 in CCA was conducted. First, FOSL1 was found to be highly upregulated in human and mouse CCA, and associated with poor patient survival. Pharmacological inhibition of different signalling pathways in CCA cells converged on the regulation of FOSL1 expression. Functional experiments showed that FOSL1 is required for cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in vitro, and for tumour growth and tumour maintenance in both orthotopic and subcutaneous xenograft models. Likewise, FOSL1 genetic abrogation in a GEM model of CCA extended mouse survival by decreasing the oncogenic potential of transformed cholangiocytes. RNA and ChIP sequencing studies identified direct and indirect transcriptional effectors such as HMGCS1 and AURKA, whose genetic and pharmacological inhibition phenocopied FOSL1 loss. CONCLUSIONS Our data illustrate the functional and clinical relevance of FOSL1 in CCA and unveil potential targets amenable to pharmacological inhibition that could enable the implementation of novel therapeutic strategies. LAY SUMMARY Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) development and progression stands as a critical step for the development of novel therapies. Through an inter-species approach, this study provides evidence of the clinical and functional role of the transcription factor FOSL1 in cholangiocarcinoma. Moreover, we report that downstream effectors of FOSL1 are susceptible to pharmacological inhibition, thus providing new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Vallejo
- University of Navarra, Centre for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumours, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Oihane Erice
- University of Navarra, Centre for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumours, Pamplona, Spain; IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Iker Feliu
- University of Navarra, Centre for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumours, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elizabeth Guruceaga
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain; University of Navarra, Centre for Applied Medical Research, Computational Biology Program, Pamplona, Spain; ProteoRed-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria J Perugorria
- University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain; Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital -, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Spain
| | - Paula Olaizola
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital -, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Alexandra Muggli
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Irati Macaya
- University of Navarra, Centre for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumours, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Michael O'Dell
- University of Rochester Medical Centre, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Sergio Ortiz-Espinosa
- University of Navarra, Centre for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumours, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Aram F Hezel
- University of Rochester Medical Centre, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Imanol Arozarena
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain; Cancer Signalling Unit, Navarrabiomed, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra (CHN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Fernando Lecanda
- University of Navarra, Centre for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumours, Pamplona, Spain; IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain; University of Navarra, Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matias A Avila
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Spain; University of Navarra, Centre for Applied Medical Research, Hepatology Program, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite G Fernandez-Barrena
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Spain; University of Navarra, Centre for Applied Medical Research, Hepatology Program, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jesus M Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital -, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Sciences, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Silve Vicent
- University of Navarra, Centre for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumours, Pamplona, Spain; IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain; University of Navarra, Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, Pamplona, Spain.
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Caffier PP, Berl JC, Muggli A, Reinhardt A, Jakob A, Möser M, Fietze I, Scherer H, Hölzl M. Snoring noise pollution—the need for objective quantification of annoyance, regulatory guidelines and mandatory therapy for snoring. Physiol Meas 2006; 28:25-40. [PMID: 17151417 DOI: 10.1088/0967-3334/28/1/003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Habitual snoring without episodes of apnea or hypoventilation and without respiratory related arousals is considered to be annoying and without any need for treatment. However, studies seem to suggest an enormous psychosocial impact of annoyance for the bed partner. Apart from subjective questionnaires there still exists no generally accepted mode of measurement that can describe snoring objectively. We therefore adapted methods developed for environmental medicine and established a new snore score using psycho-acoustic parameters. For quantification of snoring noise we conducted nocturnal measurements in 19 habitual snorers. Free-field snore sounds were acquired with two low-cost non-contact microphones and transferred to a PC (sampling frequency 11 kHz). The data were recorded, analysed and stored automatically using a MATLAB script. Following the analysis of sound characteristics and levels, the score was computed from relevant parameters containing the rating level (L(R)), maximum level, two percentile levels for frequent maxima (L(5)S; L(1)) and snoring time. The determined values substantially exceeded the prescribed limits defined by WHO noise guidelines, and mainly affected the equivalent continuous sound exposure level, rating level and the immission standard values of brief noise peaks, whose maximum was exceeded by up to 32 dB(A). The Berlin snore score illustrated the objective acoustic annoyance on a scale from 0 to 100. It allows inter-individual comparison and objectifies the need for therapy. The clinical applicability of evaluating the reduction of snoring after surgical therapy is discussed exemplarily. The presented measuring method was found to be suitable for quantifying snoring noise and can be easily integrated into existing polysomnographic applications. In the case of habitual snoring with objective evidence of psychosocially disturbing acoustic annoyance, health fund providers should assume the costs of mandatory medical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P P Caffier
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Joint Facility of Free University and Humboldt-University, Campus Charité Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, D-10117 Berlin, Germany.
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