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Talli I, Dovrolis N, Oulas A, Stavrakaki S, Makedou K, Spyrou GM, Maroulakou I. Novel clinical, molecular and bioinformatics insights into the genetic background of autism. Hum Genomics 2022; 16:39. [PMID: 36117207 PMCID: PMC9482726 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-022-00415-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical classification of autistic patients based on current WHO criteria provides a valuable but simplified depiction of the true nature of the disorder. Our goal is to determine the biology of the disorder and the ASD-associated genes that lead to differences in the severity and variability of clinical features, which can enhance the ability to predict clinical outcomes. Method Novel Whole Exome Sequencing data from children (n = 33) with ASD were collected along with extended cognitive and linguistic assessments. A machine learning methodology and a literature-based approach took into consideration known effects of genetic variation on the translated proteins, linking them with specific ASD clinical manifestations, namely non-verbal IQ, memory, attention and oral language deficits. Results Linear regression polygenic risk score results included the classification of severe and mild ASD samples with a 81.81% prediction accuracy. The literature-based approach revealed 14 genes present in all sub-phenotypes (independent of severity) and others which seem to impair individual ones, highlighting genetic profiles specific to mild and severe ASD, which concern non-verbal IQ, memory, attention and oral language skills. Conclusions These genes can potentially contribute toward a diagnostic gene-set for determining ASD severity. However, due to the limited number of patients in this study, our classification approach is mostly centered on the prediction and verification of these genes and does not hold a diagnostic nature per se. Substantial further experimentation is required to validate their role as diagnostic markers. The use of these genes as input for functional analysis highlights important biological processes and bridges the gap between genotype and phenotype in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Talli
- Department of Italian Language and Literature, School of Philosophy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolas Dovrolis
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Anastasis Oulas
- Bioinformatics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 6 International Airport Avenue, 2370 Nicosia, Cyprus, P.O. Box 23462, 1683, Nicosia, Cyprus.,The Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, 6 International Airport Avenue, 2370 Nicosia, Cyprus, P.O. Box 23462, 1683, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Stavroula Stavrakaki
- Department of Italian Language and Literature, School of Philosophy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kali Makedou
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, AHEPA General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George M Spyrou
- Bioinformatics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 6 International Airport Avenue, 2370 Nicosia, Cyprus, P.O. Box 23462, 1683, Nicosia, Cyprus. .,The Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, 6 International Airport Avenue, 2370 Nicosia, Cyprus, P.O. Box 23462, 1683, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Ioanna Maroulakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
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Dovrolis N, Kolios G, Spyrou GM, Maroulakou I. Computational profiling of the gut-brain axis: microflora dysbiosis insights to neurological disorders. Brief Bioinform 2020; 20:825-841. [PMID: 29186317 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbx154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost 2500 years after Hippocrates' observations on health and its direct association to the gastrointestinal tract, a paradigm shift has recently occurred, making the gut and its symbionts (bacteria, fungi, archaea and viruses) a point of convergence for studies. It is nowadays well established that the gut microflora's compositional diversity regulates via its genes (the microbiome) the host's health and provides preliminary insights into disease progression and regulation. The microbiome's involvement is evident in immunological and physiological studies that link changes in its biodiversity to its contributions to the host's phenotype but also in neurological investigations, substantiating the aptly named gut-brain axis. The definitive mechanisms of this last bidirectional interaction will be our main focus because it presents researchers with a new conundrum. In this review, we prospect current literature for computational analysis methodologies that accommodate the need for better understanding of the microbiome-gut-brain interactions and neurological disorder onset and progression, through cross-disciplinary systems biology applications. We will present bioinformatics tools used in exploring these synergies that help build and interpret microbial 16S ribosomal RNA data sets, produced by shotgun and high-throughput sequencing of healthy and neurological disorder samples stored in biological databases. These approaches provide alternative means for researchers to form hypotheses to their inquests faster, cheaper and swith precision. The goal of these studies relies on the integration of combined metagenomics and metabolomics assessments. An accurate characterization of the microbiome and its functionality can support new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders, customized for each individual host.
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Arampatzioglou A, Papazoglou D, Konstantinidis T, Chrysanthopoulou A, Mitsios A, Angelidou I, Maroulakou I, Ritis K, Skendros P. Clarithromycin Enhances the Antibacterial Activity and Wound Healing Capacity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Increasing LL-37 Load on Neutrophil Extracellular Traps. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2064. [PMID: 30250474 PMCID: PMC6139320 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is characterized by susceptibility to bacterial infections and impaired wound healing. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide LL-37 have been implicated both in defense against bacterial infections and in wound healing process. Recently, it was shown that macrolide antibiotic clarithromycin induces the release of LL-37-bearing NETs. In T2D there has not been identified any link between NETs and LL-37 and the effect of clarithromycin in neutrophils/NETs is unknown yet. Methods: Peripheral blood neutrophils were obtained from treatment-naive hyperglycemic T2D patients (naive), normoglycemic T2D patients under antidiabetic treatment (well-controlled) and healthy donors (controls). NET release and NET proteins were studied. Co-culture systems of NET structures with E. coli NCTC 9001 and primary skin fibroblasts were deployed to examine the in vitro antibacterial and fibrotic NET properties, respectively. The effect of clarithromycin was also investigated. Analysis was performed using immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, myeloperoxidase-DNA complex and LL-37 ELISA, immunoblotting and qRT-PCR. Results: NETs were characterized by the presence of LL-37, however they lacked antibacterial activity, in both groups of T2D patients. Clarithromycin significantly increased the externalization of LL-37 on NETs generated from well-controlled T2D neutrophils, thus restoring NET antibacterial capacity and promoting the wound healing process via fibroblast activation and differentiation. Conclusion: This study suggests that clarithromycin may add further advantage to well-controlled T2D patients, by enhancing their antibacterial defense and improving wound healing capacity of fibroblasts, through upregulation of LL-37 on NET structures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitrios Papazoglou
- Diabetes Clinic, Second Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | | | - Akrivi Chrysanthopoulou
- Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Alexandros Mitsios
- Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Iliana Angelidou
- Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ioanna Maroulakou
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Ritis
- Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.,First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Skendros
- Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.,First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Dovrolis N, Kolios G, Spyrou G, Maroulakou I. Laying in silico pipelines for drug repositioning: a paradigm in ensemble analysis for neurodegenerative diseases. Drug Discov Today 2017; 22:805-813. [PMID: 28363518 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
When faced with time- and money-consuming problems, new practices in pharmaceutical R&D arose when trying to alleviate them. Drug repositioning has great promise and when combined with today's computational power and intelligence it becomes more precise and potent. This work showcases current approaches of creating a computational pipeline for drug repositioning, along with an extensive example of how researchers can influence therapeutic approaches and further understanding, through either single or multiple disease studies. This paradigm is based on three neurodegenerative diseases with pathophysiological similarities. It is our goal to provide the readers with all the information needed to enrich their research and note expectations along the way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolas Dovrolis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
| | - George Kolios
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
| | - George Spyrou
- Bioinformatics ERA Chair, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus
| | - Ioanna Maroulakou
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
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Jensen JL, Rakhmilevich A, Heninger E, Broman AT, Hope C, Phan F, Miyamoto S, Maroulakou I, Callander N, Hematti P, Chesi M, Bergsagel PL, Sondel P, Asimakopoulos F. Tumoricidal Effects of Macrophage-Activating Immunotherapy in a Murine Model of Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Cancer Immunol Res 2015; 3:881-90. [PMID: 25941352 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-15-0025-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Myeloma remains a virtually incurable malignancy. The inevitable evolution of multidrug-resistant clones and widespread clonal heterogeneity limit the potential of traditional and novel therapies to eliminate minimal residual disease (MRD), a reliable harbinger of relapse. Here, we show potent anti-myeloma activity of macrophage-activating immunotherapy (αCD40+CpG) that resulted in prolongation of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in an immunocompetent, preclinically validated, transplant-based model of multidrug-resistant, relapsed/refractory myeloma (t-Vκ*MYC). αCD40+CpG was effective in vivo in the absence of cytolytic natural killer, T, or B cells and resulted in expansion of M1-polarized (cytolytic/tumoricidal) macrophages in the bone marrow. Moreover, we show that concurrent loss/inhibition of Tpl2 kinase (Cot, Map3k8), a MAP3K that is recruited to activated CD40 complex and regulates macrophage activation/cytokine production, potentiated direct, ex vivo anti-myeloma tumoricidal activity of αCD40+CpG-activated macrophages, promoted production of antitumor cytokine IL12 in vitro and in vivo, and synergized with αCD40+CpG to further prolong PFS and OS in vivo. Our results support the combination of αCD40-based macrophage activation and TPL2 inhibition for myeloma immunotherapy. We propose that αCD40-mediated activation of innate antitumor immunity may be a promising approach to control/eradicate MRD following cytoreduction with traditional or novel anti-myeloma therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Lee Jensen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Alexander Rakhmilevich
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin. Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Erika Heninger
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Aimee Teo Broman
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Chelsea Hope
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Funita Phan
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin. Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Shigeki Miyamoto
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin. Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Ioanna Maroulakou
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Natalie Callander
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Peiman Hematti
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin
| | | | | | - Paul Sondel
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin. Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Fotis Asimakopoulos
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin.
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Hope C, Ollar SJ, Heninger E, Jensen JL, Hebron E, Kim J, Maroulakou I, Miyamoto S, Callander N, Hematti P, Chesi M, Bergsagel PL, Asimakopoulos F. Abstract 1169: TPL2 kinase regulates the inflammatory milieu of the myeloma niche. Cancer Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2014-1169] [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
Early-stage myeloma tumor cells are critically dependent on paracrine cytokine support originating from their bone marrow microenvironment whereas advanced-stage myeloma tumor cells may elaborate autocrine cytokine production mechanisms and/or cell-autonomous mutations in critical downstream signaling pathways (e.g., NFκB pathway). However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the paracrine network in myeloma are unclear. The pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β has emerged as a major link between inflammation and cancer and has been validated as a therapeutic target in high-risk monoclonal gammopathy, the precursor to myeloma, as well as early-stage myeloma. To determine the source of IL-1β production in early-stage myeloma we analyzed paired purified cell fractions obtained from each of 5 patients at diagnosis: CD138+ tumor cells, CD14+ bone marrow-resident monocyte/macrophages as well as bone marrow-derived stromal/mesenchymal cells (BM-MSC). We found that in all cases, monocytes/macrophages were the predominant IL-1β synthesizer cell type in the myeloma microenvironment. Cytokine production by activated macrophages is controlled by the MAP3 kinase, TPL2 (Cot, MAP3K8). We have previously detected constitutive activation of TPL2-regulated signaling pathways in human myeloma-associated macrophages but its precise functional consequences have been unclear. To dissect the relevant mechanisms, we ablated Tpl2 in the genetically-engineered myeloma in vivo model, Vκ*MYC. Vκ*MYC animals activate MYC sporadically in B lymphocytes participating in germinal center reactions and develop a disease analogous to human multiple myeloma with production of paraprotein (monoclonal immunoglobulin), plasma cell infiltration of the bone marrow as well as end-organ damage (“myeloma kidney”, osteolytic lesions). Vκ*MYC+/Tpl2-null animals developed myeloma with a significantly prolonged latency and the disease burden was lower at all timepoints tested compared to controls. Analysis of monocytic cells from myeloma lesions showed that loss of Tpl2 did not result in macrophage repolarization to an unopposed M1 (tumoricidal/cytotoxic) phenotype. Instead, Tpl2-null myeloma-associated monocytes/macrophages exhibited severe defects in production of inflammatory cytokines, predominantly IL-1β, but also IL-6. Tpl2 loss did not have discernible impacts on tumor cell-autonomous growth and survival. Our results suggest that monocytes/macrophages and TPL2 kinase activity play a central role in orchestrating the inflammatory milieu of the myeloma niche. Disruption of the myeloma cytokine network through pharmacologic TPL2 kinase inhibition could provide novel therapeutic opportunity by interfering with the co-ordinate regulation of key pro-myeloma inflammatory cytokines through a targeted approach.
Citation Format: Chelsea Hope, Samuel J. Ollar, Erika Heninger, Jeffrey L. Jensen, Ellen Hebron, Jaehyup Kim, Ioanna Maroulakou, Shigeki Miyamoto, Natalie Callander, Peiman Hematti, Marta Chesi, P. Leif Bergsagel, Fotis Asimakopoulos. TPL2 kinase regulates the inflammatory milieu of the myeloma niche. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1169. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1169
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jaehyup Kim
- 1University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, WI
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Hope C, Ollar SJ, Heninger E, Hebron E, Jensen JL, Kim J, Maroulakou I, Miyamoto S, Leith C, Yang DT, Callander N, Hematti P, Chesi M, Bergsagel PL, Asimakopoulos F. TPL2 kinase regulates the inflammatory milieu of the myeloma niche. Blood 2014; 123:3305-15. [PMID: 24723682 PMCID: PMC4046426 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2014-02-554071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted modulation of microenvironmental regulatory pathways may be essential to control myeloma and other genetically/clonally heterogeneous cancers. Here we report that human myeloma-associated monocytes/macrophages (MAM), but not myeloma plasma cells, constitute the predominant source of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α at diagnosis, whereas IL-6 originates from stromal cells and macrophages. To dissect MAM activation/cytokine pathways, we analyzed Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression in human myeloma CD14(+) cells. We observed coregulation of TLR2 and TLR6 expression correlating with local processing of versican, a proteoglycan TLR2/6 agonist linked to carcinoma progression. Versican has not been mechanistically implicated in myeloma pathogenesis. We hypothesized that the most readily accessible target in the versican-TLR2/6 pathway would be the mitogen-activated protein 3 (MAP3) kinase, TPL2 (Cot/MAP3K8). Ablation of Tpl2 in the genetically engineered in vivo myeloma model, Vκ*MYC, led to prolonged disease latency associated with plasma cell growth defect. Tpl2 loss abrogated the "inflammatory switch" in MAM within nascent myeloma lesions and licensed macrophage repolarization in established tumors. MYC activation/expression in plasma cells was independent of Tpl2 activity. Pharmacologic TPL2 inhibition in human monocytes led to dose-dependent attenuation of IL-1β induction/secretion in response to TLR2 stimulation. Our results highlight a TLR2/6-dependent TPL2 pathway as novel therapeutic target acting nonautonomously through macrophages to control myeloma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Hope
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI
| | - Samuel J Ollar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI
| | - Erika Heninger
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI
| | - Ellen Hebron
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI
| | - Jeffrey L Jensen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI
| | - Jaehyup Kim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI
| | - Ioanna Maroulakou
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Shigeki Miyamoto
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI; Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Catherine Leith
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; and
| | - David T Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; and
| | - Natalie Callander
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI
| | - Peiman Hematti
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI
| | | | | | - Fotis Asimakopoulos
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI
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Hebron E, Hope C, Kim J, Jensen JL, Flanagan C, Bhatia N, Maroulakou I, Mitsiades C, Miyamoto S, Callander N, Hematti P, Asimakopoulos F. MAP3K8 kinase regulates myeloma growth by cell-autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms involving myeloma-associated monocytes/macrophages. Br J Haematol 2012; 160:779-84. [PMID: 23252623 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.12175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Benefit from cytotoxic therapy in myeloma may be limited by the persistence of residual tumour cells within protective niches. We have previously shown that monocytes/macrophages acquire a proinflammatory transcriptional profile in the myeloma microenvironment. Here we report constitutive activation of MAP3K8 kinase-dependent pathways that regulate the magnitude and extent of inflammatory activity of monocytes/macrophages within myeloma niches. In myeloma tumour cells, MAP3K8 acts as mitogen-induced MAP3K in mitosis and is required for TNFα-mediated ERK activation. Pharmacological MAP3K8 inhibition results in dose-dependent, tumour cell-autonomous apoptosis despite contact with primary stroma. MAP3K8 blockade may disrupt crucial macrophage-tumour cell interactions within myeloma niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Hebron
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
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Polytarchou C, Iliopoulos D, Hatziapostolou M, Kottakis F, Maroulakou I, Struhl K, Tsichlis PN. Akt2 regulates all Akt isoforms and promotes resistance to hypoxia through induction of miR-21 upon oxygen deprivation. Cancer Res 2011; 71:4720-31. [PMID: 21555366 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-0365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The growth and survival of tumor cells in an unfavorable hypoxic environment depend upon their adaptability. Here, we show that both normal and tumor cells expressing the protein kinase Akt2 are more resistant to hypoxia than cells expressing Akt1 or Akt3. This is due to the differential regulation of microRNA (miR) 21, which is upregulated by hypoxia only in Akt2-expressing cells. By upregulating miR-21 upon oxygen deprivation, Akt2 downregulates PTEN and activates all three Akt isoforms. miR-21 also targets PDCD4 and Sprouty 1 (Spry1), and the combined downregulation of these proteins with PTEN is sufficient to confer resistance to hypoxia. Furthermore, the miR-21 induction by Akt2 during hypoxia depends upon the binding of NF-κB, cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB), and CBP/p300 to the miR-21 promoter, in addition to the regional acetylation of histone H3K9, all of which are under the control of Akt2. Analysis of the Akt2/miR-21 pathway in hypoxic MMTV-PyMT-induced mouse mammary adenocarcinomas and human ovarian carcinomas confirmed the activity of the pathway in vivo. Taken together, this study identifies a novel Akt2-dependent pathway that is activated by hypoxia and promotes tumor resistance via induction of miR-21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Polytarchou
- Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA
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Mao C, Tili EG, Dose M, Haks MC, Bear SE, Maroulakou I, Horie K, Gaitanaris GA, Fidanza V, Ludwig T, Wiest DL, Gounari F, Tsichlis PN. Unequal Contribution of Akt Isoforms in the Double-Negative to Double-Positive Thymocyte Transition. J Immunol 2007; 178:5443-53. [PMID: 17442925 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.178.9.5443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Pre-TCR signals regulate the transition of the double-negative (DN) 3 thymocytes to the DN4, and subsequently to the double-positive (DP) stage. In this study, we show that pre-TCR signals activate Akt and that pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway, or combined ablation of Akt1 and Akt2, and to a lesser extent Akt1 and Akt3, interfere with the differentiation of DN3 and the accumulation of DP thymocytes. Combined ablation of Akt1 and Akt2 inhibits the proliferation of DN4 cells, while combined ablation of all Akt isoforms also inhibits the survival of all the DN thymocytes. Finally, the combined ablation of Akt1 and Akt2 inhibits the survival of DP thymocytes. Constitutively active Lck-Akt1 transgenes had the opposite effects. We conclude that, following their activation by pre-TCR signals, Akt1, Akt2, and, to a lesser extent, Akt3 promote the transition of DN thymocytes to the DP stage, in part by enhancing the proliferation and survival of cells undergoing beta-selection. Akt1 and Akt2 also contribute to the differentiation process by promoting the survival of the DP thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changchuin Mao
- Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts-New England Medical Center, 750 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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Tomczak MF, Gadjeva M, Wang YY, Brown K, Maroulakou I, Tsichlis PN, Erdman SE, Fox JG, Horwitz BH. Defective activation of ERK in macrophages lacking the p50/p105 subunit of NF-kappaB is responsible for elevated expression of IL-12 p40 observed after challenge with Helicobacter hepaticus. J Immunol 2006; 176:1244-51. [PMID: 16394015 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.2.1244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Helicobacter hepaticus is an enterohepatic Helicobacter species that induces lower bowel inflammation in susceptible mouse strains, including those lacking the p50/p105 subunit of NF-kappaB. H. hepaticus-induced colitis is associated with elevated levels of IL-12 p40 expression, and p50/p105-deficient macrophages express higher levels of IL-12 p40 than wild-type macrophages after challenge with H. hepaticus. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the p50/p105 subunit of NF-kappaB suppresses IL-12 p40 expression have not yet been elucidated. In this study we have demonstrated that H. hepaticus challenge of macrophages induces ERK activation, and this event plays a critical role in inhibiting the ability of H. hepaticus to induce IL-12 p40. Activation of ERK requires both p50/p105 and the MAPK kinase kinase, Tpl-2. Inhibition of the induction of IL-12 p40 by ERK was independent of c-Rel, a known positive regulator of IL-12 p40. Instead, it was linked to the induction of c-Fos, a known inhibitor of IL-12 p40 expression. These results suggest that H. hepaticus induces ERK activation by a pathway dependent upon Tpl-2 and p105, and that activation of ERK inhibits the expression of IL-12 p40 by inducing c-Fos. Thus, a defect in ERK activation could play a pivotal role in the superinduction of IL-12 p40 observed after challenge of macrophages lacking the p50/p105 subunit of NF-kappaB with H. hepaticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal F Tomczak
- Immunology Research Division, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Georgiou P, Maroulakou I, Green J, Dantis P, RomanoSpica V, Kottaridis S, Lautenberger J, Watson D, Papas T, Fischinger P, Bhat N. Expression of ets family of genes in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome. Int J Oncol 1996. [DOI: 10.3892/ijo.9.1.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- P Georgiou
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
| | - I Maroulakou
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
| | - J Green
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
| | - P Dantis
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
| | - V RomanoSpica
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
| | - S Kottaridis
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
| | - J Lautenberger
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
| | - D Watson
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
| | - T Papas
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
| | - P Fischinger
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
| | - N Bhat
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
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Georgiou P, Maroulakou I, Green J, Dantis P, Romanospica V, Kottaridis S, Lautenberger J, Watson D, Papas T, Fischinger P, Bhat N. Expression of ets family of genes in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome. Int J Oncol 1996; 9:9-18. [PMID: 21541474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We have examined the expression of three members of the ets family of genes, ETS1, ETS2 and ERGB/Fli-1, in lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and in two murine autoimmune model systems. The ERGB/Fli-1 gene is expressed at a higher level in lymphocytes from autoimmune disease patients than healthy individuals. In addition, we found that the ERGB/Fli-1 gene expression is higher in splenic T-cells from lupus prone mice and in infiltrating lymphocytes in the salivary glands of HTLV-I tax transgenic mice. Taken together, these results suggest that the elevated expression of the ERGB/Fli-1 gene in lymphocytes may be a prelude to the development of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Georgiou
- NCI, FREDERICK CANC RES & DEV CTR, SCI APPLICAT INT CORP, ONCOL MOLEC LAB, FREDERICK, MD 21702 USA. EVANGELISMOS MED CTR, DEPT RHEUMATOL, ATHENS, GREECE. UCSC, FAC MED, INST HYG, ROME, ITALY. HELLENIC ANTICANC INST, PAPANICOLAOU RES CTR ONCOL & EXPT SURG, ATHENS, GREECE. MED UNIV S CAROLINA, HOLLINGS CANC CTR, CTR MOL & STRUCT BIOL, CHARLESTON, SC USA. UNIV IOANNINA, SCH MED, DEPT INTERNAL MED, GR-45110 IOANNINA, GREECE
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Abstract
Previous studies have shown that turkey erythrocyte lamin B is anchored to the nuclear envelope via a 58-kD integral membrane protein termed p58 or lamin B receptor (Worman H. J., J. Yuan, G. Blobel, and S. D. Georgatos. 1988. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 85:8531-8534). We now identify a p58 analogue in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Turkey erythrocyte lamin B binds to yeast urea-extracted nuclear envelopes with high affinity, associating predominantly with a 58-kD polypeptide. This yeast polypeptide is recognized by polyclonal antibodies against turkey p58, partitions entirely with the nuclear fraction, remains membrane bound after urea extraction of the nuclear envelopes, and is structurally similar to turkey p58 by peptide mapping criteria. Using polyclonal antibodies against turkey erythrocyte lamins A and B, we also identify two yeast lamin forms. The yeast lamin B analogue has a molecular mass of 66 kD and is structurally related to erythrocyte lamin B. Moreover, the yeast lamin B analogue partitions exclusively with the nuclear envelope fraction, is quantitatively removed from the envelopes by urea extraction, and binds to turkey lamin A and vimentin. As many higher eukaryotic lamin B forms, the yeast analogue is chemically heterogeneous comprising two serologically related species with different charge characteristics. Antibodies against turkey lamin A detect a 74-kD yeast protein, slightly larger than the turkey lamin A. It is more abundant than the yeast lamin B analogue and partitions between a soluble cytoplasmic fraction and a nuclear envelope fraction. The yeast lamin A analogue can be extracted from the nuclear envelope by urea, shows structural similarity to turkey and rat lamin A, and binds to isolated turkey lamin B. These data indicate that analogues of typical nuclear lamina components (lamins A and B, as well as lamin B receptor) are present in yeast and behave as their vertebrate counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Georgatos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller University, New York 10021
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