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Nagai-Singer MA, Woolls MK, Leedy K, Hendricks-Wenger A, Brock RM, Coutermarsh-Ott S, Paul T, Morrison HA, Imran KM, Tupik JD, Fletcher EJ, Brown DA, Allen IC. Cellular Context Dictates the Suppression or Augmentation of Triple-Negative Mammary Tumor Metastasis by NLRX1. J Immunol 2023; 211:1844-1857. [PMID: 37909827 PMCID: PMC10694032 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200834] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies have defined multiple, but inconsistent, roles for the enigmatic pattern recognition receptor NLRX1 in regulating several cancer-associated biological functions. In this study, we explore the role of NLRX1 in the highly metastatic murine 4T1 mammary tumor model. We describe a functional dichotomy of NLRX1 between two different cellular contexts: expression in healthy host cells versus expression in the 4T1 tumor cells. Using Nlrx1-/- mice engrafted with 4T1 tumors, we demonstrate that NLRX1 functions as a tumor suppressor when expressed in the host cells. Specifically, NLRX1 in healthy host cells attenuates tumor growth and lung metastasis through suppressing characteristics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the lung metastatic niche. Conversely, we demonstrate that NLRX1 functions as a tumor promoter when expressed in 4T1 tumor cells using gain- and loss-of-function studies both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NLRX1 in the tumor cells augments 4T1 aggressiveness and metastasis through regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition hallmarks, cell death, proliferation, migration, reactive oxygen species levels, and mitochondrial respiration. Collectively, we provide critical insight into NLRX1 function and establish a dichotomous role of NLRX1 in the 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma model that is dictated by cellular context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A. Nagai-Singer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Mackenzie K. Woolls
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Katerina Leedy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | | | - Rebecca M. Brock
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA
| | - Sheryl Coutermarsh-Ott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Tamalika Paul
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Holly A. Morrison
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Khan M. Imran
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA
| | - Juselyn D. Tupik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Endia J. Fletcher
- Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | | | - Irving C. Allen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
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Nagai-Singer MA, Morrison HA, Woolls MK, Leedy K, Imran KM, Tupik JD, Allen IC. NLRX1 functions as a tumor suppressor in Pan02 pancreatic cancer cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1155831. [PMID: 37342194 PMCID: PMC10277690 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1155831] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a deadly malignancy with limited treatment options. NLRX1 is a unique, understudied member of the Nod-like Receptor (NLR) family of pattern recognition receptors that regulates a variety of biological processes that are highly relevant to pancreatic cancer. The role of NLRX1 in cancer remains highly enigmatic, with some studies defining its roles as a tumor promoter, while others characterize its contributions to tumor suppression. These seemingly contradicting roles appear to be due, at least in part, to cell type and temporal mechanisms. Here, we define roles for NLRX1 in regulating critical hallmarks of pancreatic cancer using both gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies in murine Pan02 cells. Our data reveals that NLRX1 increases susceptibility to cell death, while also suppressing proliferation, migration, and reactive oxygen species production. We also show that NLRX1 protects against upregulated mitochondrial activity and limits energy production in the Pan02 cells. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that the protective phenotypes associated with NLRX1 are correlated with attenuation of NF-κB, MAPK, AKT, and inflammasome signaling. Together, these data demonstrate that NLRX1 diminishes cancer-associated biological functions in pancreatic cancer cells and establishes a role for this unique NLR in tumor suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A. Nagai-Singer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Holly A. Morrison
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Mackenzie K. Woolls
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Katerina Leedy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Khan Mohammad Imran
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Juselyn D. Tupik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Irving C. Allen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine and Health, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Department of Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA,
United States
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Greenlee C, Luo J, Leedy K, Bayraktaroglu B, Norwood RA, Fallahi M, Jen AKY, Peyghambarian N. Electro-optic polymer spatial light modulator based on a Fabry-Perot interferometer configuration. Opt Express 2011; 19:12750-12758. [PMID: 21716517 DOI: 10.1364/oe.19.012750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A spatial light modulator (SLM) based on a Fabry-Perot interferometer configuration has been fabricated and tested. The Fabry-Perot spacer layer is a thin film of the SEO100 electro-optic polymer which serves as the nonlinear medium. Measurement results demonstrate the modulation of multiple pixels operating simultaneously at frequencies ranging from 300 kHz to 800 kHz which is significantly faster than SLMs based on liquid crystal and digital micromirror device technology. An average modulation contrast of 50% for all pixels is achieved with a drive voltage of 70 V(rms) at 100 kHz. Microwave speeds and CMOS compatibility are feasible with improved transmission line and cavity design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Greenlee
- College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.
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