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Sanchez-Hernandez ES, Ochoa PT, Suzuki T, Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Unternaehrer JJ, Alkashgari HR, Diaz Osterman CJ, Martinez SR, Chen Z, Kremsky I, Wang C, Casiano CA. Glucocorticoid Receptor Regulates and Interacts with LEDGF/p75 to Promote Docetaxel Resistance in Prostate Cancer Cells. Cells 2023; 12:2046. [PMID: 37626856 PMCID: PMC10453226 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162046] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) invariably develop resistance to anti-androgen therapy and taxane-based chemotherapy. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been implicated in PCa therapy resistance; however, the mechanisms underlying GR-mediated chemoresistance remain unclear. Lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75, also known as PSIP1 and DFS70) is a glucocorticoid-induced transcription co-activator implicated in cancer chemoresistance. We investigated the contribution of the GR-LEDGF/p75 axis to docetaxel (DTX)-resistance in PCa cells. GR silencing in DTX-sensitive and -resistant PCa cells decreased LEDGF/p75 expression, and GR upregulation in enzalutamide-resistant cells correlated with increased LEDGF/p75 expression. ChIP-sequencing revealed GR binding sites in the LEDGF/p75 promoter. STRING protein-protein interaction analysis indicated that GR and LEDGF/p75 belong to the same transcriptional network, and immunochemical studies demonstrated their co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization in DTX-resistant cells. The GR modulators exicorilant and relacorilant increased the sensitivity of chemoresistant PCa cells to DTX-induced cell death, and this effect was more pronounced upon LEDGF/p75 silencing. RNA-sequencing of DTX-resistant cells with GR or LEDGF/p75 knockdown revealed a transcriptomic overlap targeting signaling pathways associated with cell survival and proliferation, cancer, and therapy resistance. These studies implicate the GR-LEDGF/p75 axis in PCa therapy resistance and provide a pre-clinical rationale for developing novel therapeutic strategies for advanced PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn S. Sanchez-Hernandez
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (E.S.S.-H.); (T.S.); (G.L.O.-H.); (J.J.U.); (H.R.A.)
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (Z.C.); (I.K.); (C.W.)
| | - Pedro T. Ochoa
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (E.S.S.-H.); (T.S.); (G.L.O.-H.); (J.J.U.); (H.R.A.)
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (Z.C.); (I.K.); (C.W.)
| | - Tise Suzuki
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (E.S.S.-H.); (T.S.); (G.L.O.-H.); (J.J.U.); (H.R.A.)
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (Z.C.); (I.K.); (C.W.)
| | - Greisha L. Ortiz-Hernandez
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (E.S.S.-H.); (T.S.); (G.L.O.-H.); (J.J.U.); (H.R.A.)
| | - Juli J. Unternaehrer
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (E.S.S.-H.); (T.S.); (G.L.O.-H.); (J.J.U.); (H.R.A.)
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (Z.C.); (I.K.); (C.W.)
| | - Hossam R. Alkashgari
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (E.S.S.-H.); (T.S.); (G.L.O.-H.); (J.J.U.); (H.R.A.)
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (Z.C.); (I.K.); (C.W.)
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23890, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos J. Diaz Osterman
- Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA; (C.J.D.O.); (S.R.M.)
| | - Shannalee R. Martinez
- Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA; (C.J.D.O.); (S.R.M.)
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (Z.C.); (I.K.); (C.W.)
- Center for Genomics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Isaac Kremsky
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (Z.C.); (I.K.); (C.W.)
- Center for Genomics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Charles Wang
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (Z.C.); (I.K.); (C.W.)
- Center for Genomics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Carlos A. Casiano
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (E.S.S.-H.); (T.S.); (G.L.O.-H.); (J.J.U.); (H.R.A.)
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (Z.C.); (I.K.); (C.W.)
- Rheumatology Division, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
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Martinez SR, Elix CC, Ochoa PT, Sanchez-Hernandez ES, Alkashgari HR, Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Zhang L, Casiano CA. Glucocorticoid Receptor and β-Catenin Interact in Prostate Cancer Cells and Their Co-Inhibition Attenuates Tumorsphere Formation, Stemness, and Docetaxel Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087130. [PMID: 37108293 PMCID: PMC10139020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy resistance hinders the efficacy of anti-androgen therapies and taxane-based chemotherapy for advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling mediates resistance to androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSI) and has also been recently implicated in PCa resistance to docetaxel (DTX), suggesting a role in therapy cross-resistance. Like GR, β-catenin is upregulated in metastatic and therapy-resistant tumors and is a crucial regulator of cancer stemness and ARSI resistance. β-catenin interacts with AR to promote PCa progression. Given the structural and functional similarities between AR and GR, we hypothesized that β-catenin also interacts with GR to influence PCa stemness and chemoresistance. As expected, we observed that treatment with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone promotednuclear accumulation of GR and active β-catenin in PCa cells. Co-immunoprecipitation studies showed that GR and β-catenin interact in DTX-resistant and DTX-sensitive PCa cells. Pharmacological co-inhibition of GR and β-catenin, using the GR modulator CORT-108297 and the selective β-catenin inhibitor MSAB, enhanced cytotoxicity in DTX-resistant PCa cells grown in adherent and spheroid cultures and decreased CD44+/CD24- cell populations in tumorspheres. These results indicate that GR and β-catenin influence cell survival, stemness, and tumorsphere formation in DTX-resistant cells. Their co-inhibition could be a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome PCa therapy cross-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannalee R Martinez
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Catherine C Elix
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Pedro T Ochoa
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Evelyn S Sanchez-Hernandez
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Hossam R Alkashgari
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Greisha L Ortiz-Hernandez
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Lubo Zhang
- Lawrence D. Longo MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Carlos A Casiano
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Division, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
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Sanchez-Hernandez ES, Ochoa PT, Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Martinez S, Casiano C. Abstract 1455: The glucocorticoid receptor-LEDGFp75 interaction in prostate cancer therapy cross-resistance. Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-1455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., disproportionally affecting African American (AA) men. PCa patients with recurrent disease develop therapy resistance and fail to respond to both anti-androgen receptor signaling (ARSI) therapy and taxane-based chemotherapy. Glucocorticoid receptor, a transcription factor, has been implicated in resistance to ARSI (via the GR bypass), and docetaxel (DTX) therapies. However, the mechanisms underlying this GR-mediated therapy cross-resistance are poorly understood. Previously, we demonstrated that glucocorticoids, which are co-administered with current PCa therapies and activate GR signaling, upregulate the chemoresistance-associated transcription coactivator LEDGFp75 in PCa cells. We also identified consensus GR binding sites in the promoter region of the gene encoding LEDGFp75, suggesting it is a GR target gene. We hypothesized that GR transcriptionally upregulates LEDGFp75 and then interacts with this protein in the nucleus to promote DTX resistance in PCa cells. Genetic silencing of GR in a panel of DTX-sensitive and -resistant PCa cell lines decreased the expression of LEDGFp75 at both the protein and transcript levels, confirming its status as a candidate GR target gene. However, genetic silencing of LEDGFp75 had no effects on GR protein expression. Pharmacological inhibition of GR also decreased LEDGFp75 in DTX-sensitive cells. The effects of Exicorilant and Relacorilant (Corcept Therapeutics) were evaluated on LEDGFp75 protein expression levels. Immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy studies revealed that GR and LEDGFp75 interact in the nucleus of PCa cells. Interestingly, upregulation of GR in enzalutamide resistant LNCaP cells correlated with LEDGFp75 upregulation, and GR silencing in these cells decreased this upregulation. These results suggested a possible role for GR and LEDGFp75 in PCa therapy cross-resistance. Further studies are underway to determine if co-targeting these two proteins genetically and pharmacologically attenuates both enzalutamide resistance and DTX resistance and other aggressive properties of PCa cells. In addition, RNAseq studies have been initiated to determine the degree of transcriptional overlap between GR and LEDGFp75 in chemoresistant PCa cells. Our goal is to link mechanistically the GR-LEDGFp75 transcriptional network to ARSI/taxane cross-resistance in PCa and target this network to attenuate therapy resistance.
Citation Format: Evelyn S. Sanchez-Hernandez, Pedro T. Ochoa, Greisha L. Ortiz-Hernandez, Shannalee Martinez, Carlos Casiano. The glucocorticoid receptor-LEDGFp75 interaction in prostate cancer therapy cross-resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1455.
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Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Walker M, Woods-Burnham L, Kittles RA, Casiano CA, Neuhausen SL. Abstract 3949: CYR61, a member of the CCN protein family, regulates IGF-1 in metastatic prostate cancer. Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-3949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61) is a member of the cellular communication network (CCN) protein family that can be induced by growth factors. CYR61-specific functions are dependent on cellular context. In prostate cancer (PCa), CYR61 contributes to cell growth and survival through its interactions with extracellular ligands, such as integrins avb3 and a6b4, in the extracellular matrix space. Interestingly, CYR61 contains an insulin-like growth factor-binding protein domain suggesting that it may interact with insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1). High serum levels of IGF-1 are directly linked to PCa development and recently have been studied as a predictor of metastatic disease. Given the important roles that IGF-1 and CYR61 play in PCa and their potential interaction, it is critical to investigate their molecular interplay. This study is designated to specifically determine and characterize the molecular interaction between CYR61 and IGF-1 in metastatic PCa and to determine if this interaction contributes to aggressive tumor properties (e.g., proliferation, tumorsphere formation). Using immunoblotting, we demonstrated that CYR61 is upregulated in the metastatic cell line PC3 and downregulated in the docetaxel-resistant cell line PC3-DR. Furthermore, optimized knockdown of CYR61 using siRNA significantly reduced PC3 cell proliferation, viability, and prostasphere formation. To examine the underlying mechanisms associated with IGF-1 signaling, we assessed the activation of either the PI3/Akt and MAPK pathways in PC3 cells with CYR61 silencing. CYR61 siRNA-mediated knockdown decreased activation of the PI3/Akt pathway but did not affect the MAPK pathway. We also initiated studies to determine the co-localization of CYR61 and IGF-1 using immunofluorescence microscopy (IF). Based on the initial IF observations, we will proceed to examine if their interaction is primarily intra- or extra-cellular. For intracellular interactions, we will co-immunoprecipitate CYR61 with IGF-1 and for extracellular interactions, we will use the AVidity-based EXtracellular Interaction Screen (AVEXIS) system. Our goal is to establish the contribution of CYR61-IGF1 protein-protein interaction to PCa cell proliferation. Specifically, the correlation between PCa aggressiveness and circulating levels of CYR61 and IGF-1 is poorly studied. Their combined role may explain a proportion of aggressive PCa.
Citation Format: Greisha L. Ortiz-Hernandez, Mya Walker, Leanne Woods-Burnham, Rick A. Kittles, Carlos A. Casiano, Susan L. Neuhausen. CYR61, a member of the CCN protein family, regulates IGF-1 in metastatic prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3949.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mya Walker
- 1City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
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Johnson JR, Martini RN, Yuan-Ching Y, Woods-Burnham L, Walker M, Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Galloway D, Davis MB, Kimbro SK, Murphy AB, Kittles RA. Abstract 3509: 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated suppression of genes associated with cell cycle regulation and actin organization in a non-malignant African American prostate cell line. Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-3509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that confers anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties in prostate cells. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) stage, grade, and increased mortality. Since AA men are more likely to be vitamin D deficient compared to EA men, elucidating the pleiotropic effects of vitamin D may provide additional drug targets to mitigate disparate outcomes for AA men with PCa. Total RNA sequencing (RNAseq) was performed on an AA prostate cell line, RC-77N/E, derived from non-malignant epithelial tissue obtained from a PCa patient. We compared untreated RC-77N/E cells with RC-77N/E cells treated with 10 nM of vitamin D3 metabolite, 1α,25(OH)2D3 at 24h. Bioinformatic analysis, public cohort data mining, and RT-qPCR was performed to filter and validate selected statistically significant differentially expressed genes from RNAseq analysis. Our comparison of 1α,25(OH)2D3 treated versus untreated control RC-77N/E cell replicates revealed, 1601 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (FDR p < 0.05). Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software was used to conduct pathway enrichment analysis, which predicted repression of signaling pathways involved in actin cytoskeleton organization, epithelial-mesenchymal transitioning, adherens junction pathway, and RhoA pathway signaling with high enrichment z-score and statistically significant p-value. We additionally report predicted repression of PCa cell viability, invasion, cell proliferation and organismal death, for disease and function. We prioritized differentially expressed genes by identifying genes with 1) vitamin D response elements (VDREs) and 2) predicted poor prognosis, by performing overall survival analyses using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Prostate Adenocarcinoma (PRAD) Cohort. We identified ANLN (Anillin) and ECT2 (Epithelial Cell Transforming 2), which were further validated using an AA tumor/benign contralateral matched clinical cohort, and a public cohort study using a non-malignant European prostate cell line, RWPE1. Our data suggest 1α,25(OH)2D3 significantly downregulates ANLN and ECT2 (FDR p < 0.05) in the RC-77N/E cell line, where survival analyses in the TCGA PRAD cohort show low expression of both ANLN and ECT2 are associated with significantly better overall survival outcome (p < 0.05). In our clinical cohort validations, both ANLN and ECT2 also show significantly decreased expression in non-malignant compared to tumor (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study provides more insight of vitamin D3 regulation of PCa biomarkers and their potential roles in AA prostate cancer prevention, adjuvant treatment, as well as improving cancer survivor outcome
Citation Format: Jabril R. Johnson, Rachel N. Martini, Yate Yuan-Ching, Leanne Woods-Burnham, Mya Walker, Greisha L. Ortiz-Hernandez, Dorothy Galloway, Melissa B. Davis, Sean K. Kimbro, Adam B. Murphy, Rick A. Kittles. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated suppression of genes associated with cell cycle regulation and actin organization in a non-malignant African American prostate cell line [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3509.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Adam B. Murphy
- 5Northwestern Medicine - Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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Mavingire NU, Walker M, Johnson JR, Sailors IJ, Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Martini RN, Davis MB, Tran J, Myers FA, Kimbro S, Yin Z, Dorff TB, Kittles RA, Woods-Burnham L. Abstract 1955: HER2 expression in African American men with prostate cancer. Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-1955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
African American (AA) men are much more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) and die from the disease than any other race/ethnicity in the United States. The pursuit of therapeutic strategies that incorporate tailored medicine for AA men remains a paramount goal. Metastatic PCa initially responds to suppression of androgen signaling through standard-of-care androgen deprivation therapy. However, relapse is inevitable, and treatment options are limited. For this reason, inhibiting androgen-independent signaling pathways that promote metastasis —such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) signaling— is a promising area of investigation. HER2 overexpression in PCa tumors correlates with worse prognosis and treatment-resistance, but HER2 overexpression has not been evaluated specifically in AA men. We hypothesize that HER2 overexpression correlates with West African genetic ancestry (WAA) in AA PCa patients and worsens clinical features, treatment response, and survival outcomes. In this study, we report that HER2/ERBB2 is upregulated in the majority of PCa tumors in the Oncomine database. We quantified HER2/ERBB2 with RNAseq analysis of prostate tissue samples collected from AA patients (n=36) and observed a moderate correlation with WAA determined by genotyping using a validated set of Ancestry Informative Markers. Using immunohistochemistry, we also observed detectable HER2 protein expression in primary prostate tumors of AA patients (n=10). Our observation that 30% of AA primary tumor tissue samples were HER2-positive is remarkable, especially as previous studies have reported that HER2 overexpression is directly associated with metastasis as opposed to early, localized tumors. Our findings may underscore a basal/increased predisposition for HER2 overexpression in the AA population. We also detected HER2/ERBB2 mRNA expression using qPCR in a racially diverse panel of commonly used PCa cell lines: AA (MDA-PCa-2b and RC-77T/E) and non-Hispanic white (PC3, DU145, 22Rv1). To determine the effect of HER2 blockade on cell viability, we treated cells with 20 nM of anti-HER2 drug Trastuzumab for 72 hours and performed CellTiter-Glo™ assays. The only cell lines with significantly reduced viability were the AA cell lines. Furthermore, the RC-77T/E cell line which had the highest expression of HER2/ERBB2 also had the most significant reduction in cell viability. This finding suggests that AAs may be more responsive to HER2-targeting drugs, and that this responsiveness may be increased in PCa patients with higher levels of HER2 overexpression. It is plausible that HER2 overexpression may occur at earlier disease stages in AA men than previously reported and could be utilized to characterize aggressive PCa tumors eligible for HER2-targeting inhibitors, thus providing an early and effective therapeutic intervention that may improve outcomes in this population and reduce this appreciable health disparity.
Citation Format: Nicole Ursula Mavingire, Mya Walker, Jabril R. Johnson, Isaiah J. Sailors, Greisha L. Ortiz-Hernandez, Rachel N. Martini, Melissa B. Davis, Justin Tran, Frank A. Myers, Sean Kimbro, Zhirong Yin, Tanya B. Dorff, Rick A. Kittles, Leanne Woods-Burnham. HER2 expression in African American men with prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1955.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sean Kimbro
- 5North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
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Sanchez-Hernandez ES, Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Ochoa PT, Reeves M, Bizzaro N, Andrade LEC, Mahler M, Casiano CA. The Nuclear Dense Fine Speckled (DFS) Immunofluorescence Pattern: Not All Roads Lead to DFS70/LEDGFp75. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13020222. [PMID: 36673033 PMCID: PMC9858485 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13020222] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The monospecific dense fine speckled (DFS) immunofluorescence assay (IFA) pattern is considered a potential marker to aid in exclusion of antinuclear antibody (ANA)-associated rheumatic diseases (AARD). This pattern is typically produced by autoantibodies against transcription co-activator DFS70/LEDGFp75, which are frequently found in healthy individuals and patients with miscellaneous inflammatory conditions. In AARD patients, these antibodies usually co-exist with disease-associated ANAs. Previous studies reported the occurrence of monospecific autoantibodies that generate a DFS-like or pseudo-DFS IFA pattern but do not react with DFS70/LEDGFp75. We characterized this pattern using confocal microscopy and immunoblotting. The target antigen associated with this pattern partially co-localized with DFS70/LEDGFp75 and its interacting partners H3K36me2, an active chromatin marker, and MLL, a transcription factor, in HEp-2 cells, suggesting a role in transcription. Immunoblotting did not reveal a common protein band immunoreactive with antibodies producing the pseudo-DFS pattern, suggesting they may recognize diverse proteins or conformational epitopes. Given the subjectivity of the HEp-2 IFA test, the awareness of pseudo-DFS autoantibodies reinforces recommendations for confirmatory testing when reporting patient antibodies producing a putative DFS pattern in a clinical setting. Future studies should focus on defining the potential diagnostic utility of the pseudo-DFS pattern and its associated antigen(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn S. Sanchez-Hernandez
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Greisha L. Ortiz-Hernandez
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Pedro T. Ochoa
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Michael Reeves
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Nicola Bizzaro
- Laboratorio di Patologia Clinica, Ospedale San Antonio, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Luis E. C. Andrade
- Rheumatology Division, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 04021-001, Brazil
- Immunology Division, Fleury Medicine and Health Laboratory, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | | | - Carlos A. Casiano
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
- Rheumatology Division, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +909-558-1000 (ext. 42759); Fax: +909-558-0196
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Martinez SR, Elix CC, Ochoa PT, Sanchez-Hernandez ES, Alkashgari HR, Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Zhang L, Casiano CA. Abstract 399: The glucocorticoid receptor and β-catenin interact in prostate cancer cells and their co-inhibition attenuates stemness and docetaxel resistance. Cancer Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2022-399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The efficacy of anti-androgen receptor (AR) therapies and taxane-based chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) is hindered by the development of therapy resistance. Our previous studies demonstrated that docetaxel (DTX)-resistant PCa cells activates a transcriptomic program associated with stemness and display cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, consistent with the notion that CSCs within prostate tumors contribute to chemoresistance. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling is a critical mediator of resistance to AR-targeted therapy, and has been recently implicated in the development of PCa cell tumorsphere formation and chemoresistance. Like GR, β-catenin is overexpressed in metastatic and therapy-resistant tumors, and is considered a key regulator of cancer stemness and androgen-targeted therapy resistance. Given the structural and functional overlap between GR and AR, a known interacting partner of β-catenin, we hypothesized that GR also interacts with β-catenin to support stemness and chemoresistance in PCa cells. We observed that treatment with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone induces enhanced nuclear accumulation of both GR and β-catenin in DTX-resistant PCa cells compared to their DTX-sensitive counterparts. Knockdown studies revealed that GR and β-catenin do no regulate each other at the protein level. However, using whole cell and nuclear co-immunoprecipitation, we demonstrated the interaction between GR and β-catenin in both DTX-resistant and DTX-sensitive PC3, DU145, and 22RV1 cells. Pharmacological inhibition and RNA interference-mediated silencing of GR with concomitant inhibition of β-catenin enhanced DTX cytotoxicity in resistant PCa cells grown in both adherent and spheroid cultures, and decreased CD44+/CD24- cell populations in tumorspheres. These results indicate that both GR and β-catenin interact and influence stemness, and may be promising therapeutic targets to overcome PCa chemoresistance.
Citation Format: Shannalee R. Martinez, Catherine C. Elix, Pedro T. Ochoa, Evelyn S. Sanchez-Hernandez, Hossam R. Alkashgari, Greisha L. Ortiz-Hernandez, Lubo Zhang, Carlos A. Casiano. The glucocorticoid receptor and β-catenin interact in prostate cancer cells and their co-inhibition attenuates stemness and docetaxel resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 399.
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Sanchez-Hernandez ES, Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Ochoa PT, Gomez CR, Casiano CA. Abstract PO-145: Contribution of the GR-LEDGF/p75 axis to prostate cancer chemoresistance. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7755.disp21-po-145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., disproportionally affecting African American (AA) men. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are administered to PCa patients and have been implicated in therapy resistance. This may be critical to AA men with PCa since they have elevated endogenous GCs levels compared to Caucasian American (CA) men. GCs bind to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to exert their actions. The mechanisms of GR-mediated chemoresistance, and its possible contribution to PCa mortality disparities are unknown. We demonstrated that GCs upregulate the chemoresistance-associated protein and transcription co-activator LEDGF/p75 in PCa cells and identified consensus GR binding sites in the promoter region of this protein. Given that both GR and LEDGF/p75 are components of the RNA polymerase II transcription complex, we hypothesized that GR transcriptionally upregulates LEDGF/p75 and then interacts with it to enhance taxane resistance in PCa cells. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of GR in a panel of docetaxel (DTX)-sensitive and -resistant PCa cells decreased the expression of LEDGF/p75, confirming its status as a candidate GR target gene. However, silencing of LEDGF/p75 had no effects on GR expression. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that GR and LEDGF/p75 interact in DTX-sensitive and -resistant PCa cells. This interaction was confirmed by confocal microscopy. Immunohistochemical analysis of GR and LEDGF/p75 expression in normal and tumor prostate tissues was performed and the results are currently being analyzed. Our studies use a mechanistic approach to evaluate the potential contribution of the GR-LEDGF/p75 axis to PCa chemoresistance. Evaluating the co-expression of these proteins in racially diverse PCa tissues may also reveal race-related differential expression, providing insights into the potential contribution of this axis to PCa chemoresistance and mortality disparities.
Citation Format: Evelyn S Sanchez-Hernandez, Greisha L. Ortiz-Hernandez, Pedro T. Ochoa, Christian R Gomez, Carlos A Casiano. Contribution of the GR-LEDGF/p75 axis to prostate cancer chemoresistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-145.
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Almaguel FA, Sanchez TW, Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Casiano CA. Alpha-Enolase: Emerging Tumor-Associated Antigen, Cancer Biomarker, and Oncotherapeutic Target. Front Genet 2021; 11:614726. [PMID: 33584813 PMCID: PMC7876367 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.614726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-enolase, also known as enolase-1 (ENO1), is a glycolytic enzyme that “moonlights” as a plasminogen receptor in the cell surface, particularly in tumors, contributing to cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. ENO1 also promotes other oncogenic events, including protein-protein interactions that regulate glycolysis, activation of signaling pathways, and resistance to chemotherapy. ENO1 overexpression has been established in a broad range of human cancers and is often associated with poor prognosis. This increased expression is usually accompanied by the generation of anti-ENO1 autoantibodies in some cancer patients, making this protein a tumor associated antigen. These autoantibodies are common in patients with cancer associated retinopathy, where they exert pathogenic effects, and may be triggered by immunodominant peptides within the ENO1 sequence or by posttranslational modifications. ENO1 overexpression in multiple cancer types, localization in the tumor cell surface, and demonstrated targetability make this protein a promising cancer biomarker and therapeutic target. This mini-review summarizes our current knowledge of ENO1 functions in cancer and its growing potential as a cancer biomarker and guide for the development of novel anti-tumor treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frankis A Almaguel
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Tino W Sanchez
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Greisha L Ortiz-Hernandez
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Carlos A Casiano
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, United States
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Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Sanchez-Hernandez ES, Casiano CA. The tumor associated antigen LEDGFp75 interacts with oncogenic transcription factors in docetaxel resistant prostate cancer cells. The Journal of Immunology 2020. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.204.supp.241.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Our group and others established that the stress oncoprotein LEDGF/p75 is a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) targeted by serum autoantibodies in certain patients with prostate cancer (PCa). LEDGF/p75 is also upregulated in clinical prostate tumors and contributes to docetaxel (DTX)-resistance in advanced PCa cells. The C-terminus of LEDGF/p75 contains a domain called the Integrase Binding Domain (IBD), which in T cells is responsible for tethering the HIV-integrase complex to transcriptionally active chromatin. In cancer cells, the IBD interacts with oncogenic transcription complexes to promote cell survival. However, the relevance of these LEDGF/p75 protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in PCa and chemoresistance has never been explored. This study aims to test if the interactions between LEDGF/p75, JPO2, Menin, and MLL in DTX-resistant PCa cells contribute to chemoresistance. Also, we want to target these interactions with repurposed HIV-based small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) of LEDGF/p75, which target the IBD, to abrogate this resistance. We demonstrated a significant co-upregulation of these proteins in DTX-resistant PC3-DR and DU145-DR cell lines, compared to the parental cells. Also, we observed nuclear co-localization by immunofluorescence microscopy. Using human anti-LEDGFp75 autoantibodies, we confirmed that endogenous proteins co-immunoprecipitate in the DTX-resistant PCa cell lines. Besides, we are evaluating repurposed HIV-based SMIs for their efficacy in sensitizing resistant cells to DTX. Our goals are to use anti-LEDGFp75 autoantibodies to establish its endogenous-interactome, contribution to transactivation of DTX-resistant genes, and target this interactome to overcome PCa chemoresistance.
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Ortiz-Hernandez GL, Sanchez-Hernandez ES, Casiano CA. Twenty years of research on the DFS70/LEDGF autoantibody-autoantigen system: many lessons learned but still many questions. Auto Immun Highlights 2020; 11:3. [PMID: 32127038 PMCID: PMC7065333 DOI: 10.1186/s13317-020-0126-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The discovery and initial characterization 20 years ago of antinuclear autoantibodies (ANAs) presenting a dense fine speckled (DFS) nuclear pattern with strong staining of mitotic chromosomes, detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay in HEp-2 cells (HEp-2 IIFA test), has transformed our view on ANAs. Traditionally, ANAs have been considered as reporters of abnormal immunological events associated with the onset and progression of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD), also called ANA-associated rheumatic diseases (AARD), as well as clinical biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of these diseases. However, based on our current knowledge, it is not apparent that autoantibodies presenting the DFS IIF pattern fall into these categories. These antibodies invariably target a chromatin-associated protein designated as dense fine speckled protein of 70 kD (DFS70), also known as lens epithelium-derived growth factor protein of 75 kD (LEDGF/p75) and PC4 and SFRS1 Interacting protein 1 (PSIP1). This multi-functional protein, hereafter referred to as DFS70/LEDGF, plays important roles in the formation of transcription complexes in active chromatin, transcriptional activation of specific genes, regulation of mRNA splicing, DNA repair, and cellular survival against stress. Due to its multiple functions, it has emerged as a key protein contributing to several human pathologies, including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), leukemia, cancer, ocular diseases, and Rett syndrome. Unlike other ANAs, "monospecific" anti-DFS70/LEDGF autoantibodies (only detectable ANA in serum) are not associated with SARD and have been detected in healthy individuals and some patients with non-SARD inflammatory conditions. These observations have led to the hypotheses that these antibodies could be considered as negative biomarkers of SARD and might even play a protective or beneficial role. In spite of 20 years of research on this autoantibody-autoantigen system, its biological and clinical significance still remains enigmatic. Here we review the current state of knowledge of this system, focusing on the lessons learned and posing emerging questions that await further scrutiny as we continue our quest to unravel its significance and potential clinical and therapeutic utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greisha L Ortiz-Hernandez
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA.,Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, USA
| | - Evelyn S Sanchez-Hernandez
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA.,Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, USA
| | - Carlos A Casiano
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA. .,Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, USA. .,Department of Medicine/Division of Rheumatology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, USA.
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