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Rahrmann EP, Shorthouse D, Jassim A, Hu LP, Ortiz M, Mahler-Araujo B, Vogel P, Paez-Ribes M, Fatemi A, Hannon GJ, Iyer R, Blundon JA, Lourenço FC, Kay J, Nazarian RM, Hall BA, Zakharenko SS, Winton DJ, Zhu L, Gilbertson RJ. The NALCN channel regulates metastasis and nonmalignant cell dissemination. Nat Genet 2022; 54:1827-1838. [PMID: 36175792 PMCID: PMC9729110 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01182-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We identify the sodium leak channel non-selective protein (NALCN) as a key regulator of cancer metastasis and nonmalignant cell dissemination. Among 10,022 human cancers, NALCN loss-of-function mutations were enriched in gastric and colorectal cancers. Deletion of Nalcn from gastric, intestinal or pancreatic adenocarcinomas in mice did not alter tumor incidence, but markedly increased the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and metastases. Treatment of these mice with gadolinium-a NALCN channel blocker-similarly increased CTCs and metastases. Deletion of Nalcn from mice that lacked oncogenic mutations and never developed cancer caused shedding of epithelial cells into the blood at levels equivalent to those seen in tumor-bearing animals. These cells trafficked to distant organs to form normal structures including lung epithelium, and kidney glomeruli and tubules. Thus, NALCN regulates cell shedding from solid tissues independent of cancer, divorcing this process from tumorigenesis and unmasking a potential new target for antimetastatic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P Rahrmann
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Shorthouse
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Amir Jassim
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Linda P Hu
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mariaestela Ortiz
- Molecular Pharmacology Lab, Organoid Models Research and Biology, National Cancer Institute, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Betania Mahler-Araujo
- Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Histopathology Core, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Peter Vogel
- Veterinary Pathology Core Laboratory, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Marta Paez-Ribes
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Atefeh Fatemi
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gregory J Hannon
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Radhika Iyer
- Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jay A Blundon
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Filipe C Lourenço
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jonathan Kay
- Departments of Medicine and of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School and UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Rosalynn M Nazarian
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Pathology Service, Dermatopathology Unit, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin A Hall
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stanislav S Zakharenko
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Douglas J Winton
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Liqin Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Richard J Gilbertson
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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2
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Thorsen AS, Khamis D, Kemp R, Colombé M, Lourenço FC, Morrissey E, Winton D. Heterogeneity in clone dynamics within and adjacent to intestinal tumours identified by Dre-mediated lineage tracing. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm046706. [PMID: 33093165 PMCID: PMC7823168 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046706] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic models of tissue pathology commonly use induction of gene-specific mutations in mice mediated by spatiotemporal regulation of Cre recombinase. Subsequent investigation of the onset and development of disease can be limited by the inability to track changing cellular behaviours over time. Here, a lineage-tracing approach based on ligand-dependent activation of Dre recombinase that can be employed independently of Cre is described. The clonal biology of the intestinal epithelium following Cre-mediated stabilisation of β-catenin reveals that, within tumours, many new clones rapidly become extinct. Surviving clones show accelerated population of tumour glands compared to normal intestinal crypts but in a non-uniform manner, indicating that intra-tumour glands follow heterogeneous dynamics. In tumour-adjacent epithelia, clone sizes are smaller than in the background epithelia, as a whole. This suggests a zone of ∼seven crypt diameters within which clone expansion is inhibited by tumours and that may facilitate their growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Sofie Thorsen
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Doran Khamis
- University of Oxford, Center for Computational Biology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Richard Kemp
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Mathilde Colombé
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Filipe C. Lourenço
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Edward Morrissey
- University of Oxford, Center for Computational Biology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Douglas Winton
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
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3
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Christopher J, Thorsen AS, Abujudeh S, Lourenço FC, Kemp R, Potter PK, Morrissey E, Hazelwood L, Winton DJ. Quantifying Microsatellite Mutation Rates from Intestinal Stem Cell Dynamics in Msh2-Deficient Murine Epithelium. Genetics 2019; 212:655-665. [PMID: 31126976 PMCID: PMC6614890 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsatellite sequences have an enhanced susceptibility to mutation, and can act as sentinels indicating elevated mutation rates and increased risk of cancer. The probability of mutant fixation within the intestinal epithelium is dictated by a combination of stem cell dynamics and mutation rate. Here, we exploit this relationship to infer microsatellite mutation rates. First a sensitive, multiplexed, and quantitative method for detecting somatic changes in microsatellite length was developed that allowed the parallel detection of mutant [CA]n sequences from hundreds of low-input tissue samples at up to 14 loci. The method was applied to colonic crypts in Mus musculus, and enabled detection of mutant subclones down to 20% of the cellularity of the crypt (∼50 of 250 cells). By quantifying age-related increases in clone frequencies for multiple loci, microsatellite mutation rates in wild-type and Msh2-deficient epithelium were established. An average 388-fold increase in mutation per mitosis rate was observed in Msh2-deficient epithelium (2.4 × 10-2) compared to wild-type epithelium (6.2 × 10-5).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Christopher
- Li Ka Shing Centre, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Ann-Sofie Thorsen
- Li Ka Shing Centre, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Abujudeh
- Li Ka Shing Centre, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Filipe C Lourenço
- Li Ka Shing Centre, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Kemp
- Li Ka Shing Centre, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Paul K Potter
- Department Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, OX3 0BP, United Kingdom
| | - Edward Morrissey
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Hazelwood
- Li Ka Shing Centre, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas J Winton
- Li Ka Shing Centre, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
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4
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Lenos KJ, Miedema DM, Lodestijn SC, Nijman LE, van den Bosch T, Romero Ros X, Lourenço FC, Lecca MC, van der Heijden M, van Neerven SM, van Oort A, Leveille N, Adam RS, de Sousa E Melo F, Otten J, Veerman P, Hypolite G, Koens L, Lyons SK, Stassi G, Winton DJ, Medema JP, Morrissey E, Bijlsma MF, Vermeulen L. Stem cell functionality is microenvironmentally defined during tumour expansion and therapy response in colon cancer. Nat Cell Biol 2018; 20:1193-1202. [PMID: 30177776 PMCID: PMC6163039 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-018-0179-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Solid malignancies have been speculated to depend on cancer stem cells (CSCs) for expansion and relapse after therapy. Here we report on quantitative analyses of lineage tracing data from primary colon cancer xenograft tissue to assess CSC functionality in a human solid malignancy. The temporally obtained clone size distribution data support a model in which stem cell function in established cancers is not intrinsically, but is entirely spatiotemporally orchestrated. Functional stem cells that drive tumour expansion predominantly reside at the tumour edge, close to cancer-associated fibroblasts. Hence, stem cell properties change in time depending on the cell location. Furthermore, although chemotherapy enriches for cells with a CSC phenotype, in this context functional stem cell properties are also fully defined by the microenvironment. To conclude, we identified osteopontin as a key cancer-associated fibroblast-produced factor that drives in situ clonogenicity in colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristiaan J Lenos
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniël M Miedema
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie C Lodestijn
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lisanne E Nijman
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom van den Bosch
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xavier Romero Ros
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Filipe C Lourenço
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria C Lecca
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maartje van der Heijden
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne M van Neerven
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anita van Oort
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolas Leveille
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ronja S Adam
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Joy Otten
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick Veerman
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guillaume Hypolite
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lianne Koens
- Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Scott K Lyons
- Preclinical Imaging, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Cellular & Molecular Pathophysiology Laboratory, Department of Surgical & Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Douglas J Winton
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jan Paul Medema
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Edward Morrissey
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Maarten F Bijlsma
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Louis Vermeulen
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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5
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Lourenço FC, Winton DJ. Metaplastic Cdx2-depleted cells can be very disruptive neighbors. J Exp Med 2018; 215:725-727. [PMID: 29440363 PMCID: PMC5839770 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20180215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this issue of JEM, Balbinot et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20170934) describe an original mechanism where Cdx2 inactivation regulates intestinal metaplastic to neoplastic transition in a paracrine fashion. Surprisingly, the target cells are neighboring "normal" Cdx2-positive cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe C Lourenço
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, England, UK
| | - Douglas J Winton
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, England, UK
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6
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Lourenço FC, Munro J, Brown J, Cordero J, Stefanatos R, Strathdee K, Orange C, Feller SM, Sansom OJ, Vidal M, Murray GI, Olson MF. Reduced LIMK2 expression in colorectal cancer reflects its role in limiting stem cell proliferation. Gut 2014; 63:480-93. [PMID: 23585469 PMCID: PMC3932979 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2012-303883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Revised: 02/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major contributor to cancer mortality and morbidity. LIM kinase 2 (LIMK2) promotes tumour cell invasion and metastasis. The objectives of this study were to determine how LIMK2 expression is associated with CRC progression and patient outcome, and to use genetically modified Drosophila and mice to determine how LIMK2 deletion affects gastrointestinal stem cell regulation and tumour development. DESIGN LIMK2 expression and activity were measured by immunostaining tumours from CRC-prone mice, human CRC cell lines and 650 human tumours. LIMK knockdown in Drosophila or Limk2 deletion in mice allowed for assessment of their contributions to gastrointestinal stem cell homeostasis and tumour development. RESULTS LIMK2 expression was reduced in intestinal tumours of cancer-prone mice, as well as in human CRC cell lines and tumours. Reduced LIMK2 expression and substrate phosphorylation were associated with shorter patient survival. Genetic analysis in Drosophila midgut and intestinal epithelial cells isolated from genetically modified mice revealed a conserved role for LIMK2 in constraining gastrointestinal stem cell proliferation. Limk2 deletion increased colon tumour size in a colitis-associated colorectal mouse cancer model. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that LIMK2 expression and activity progressively decrease with advancing stage, and supports the hypothesis that there is selective pressure for reduced LIMK2 expression in CRC to relieve negative constraints imposed upon gastrointestinal stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - June Munro
- Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Clare Orange
- Department of Pathology, Division of Cancer Sciences and Molecular Pathology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
| | - Stephan M Feller
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Marcos Vidal
- Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Graeme I Murray
- Department of Pathology, Division of Applied Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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