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Charles RP. Vaccines against Covid-19, Different Strategies towards the Same Goal. Chimia (Aarau) 2021; 75:982-983. [PMID: 34798923 DOI: 10.2533/chimia.2021.982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Abstract
Background: Several mechanisms likely cooperate with the mitogen-activated protein (MAP)-kinase pathway to promote cancer progression in the thyroid. One putative pathway is NOTCH signaling, which is implicated in several other malignancies. In thyroid cancer, data regarding the role of the NOTCH pathway are insufficient and even contradictory. Methods: A BRAFV600E-driven papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) mouse model was subjected to NOTCH pathway genetic alterations, and the tumor burden was followed by ultrasound. Further analyses were performed on PTC cell lines or noncancerous cells transfected with NOTCHIC or BRAFV600E, which were then subjected to pharmacological treatment with MAP-kinase or NOTCH pathway inhibitors. Results: The presence of the BRAFV600E mutation coupled with overexpression of the NOTCH intracellular domain led to significantly bigger thyroid tumors in mice, to a more aggressive carcinoma, and decreased overall survival. Although more cystic, the tumors did not progress into anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. On the contrary, the deletion of RBP-jκ (a major cofactor involved in NOTCH signaling) did not alter the phenotype in mice. BRAFV600E-mutated PTC cell lines were resistant to pharmacological inhibition of the NOTCH pathway. Inhibition of MEK1/2 uncovered a predominant effect on Hes1/Hey1 transcription compared with NOTCH inhibition in BRAFV600E-mutated cell lines. Finally, γ-secretase activity and γ-secretase subunit transcription levels were dependent on ERK activation. Our findings suggest that MAP-kinase activity overrides the NOTCH pathway in the context of thyroid cancer. Conclusions: The interaction between the BRAF and NOTCH pathways demonstrates that the BRAFV600E mutation might bypass NOTCH and exert a strong positive effect on NOTCH downstream targets in thyroid carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Traversi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Amandine Stooss
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Bosshart PD, Charles RP, Garibsingh RAA, Schlessinger A, Fotiadis D. SLC16 Family: From Atomic Structure to Human Disease. Trends Biochem Sci 2020; 46:28-40. [PMID: 32828650 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The solute carrier 16 (SLC16) family represents a diverse group of membrane proteins mediating the transport of monocarboxylates across biological membranes. Family members show a variety of functional roles ranging from nutrient transport and intracellular pH regulation to thyroid hormone homeostasis. Changes in the expression levels and transport function of certain SLC16 transporters are manifested in severe health disorders including cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders. L-Lactate-transporting SLC16 family members play essential roles in the metabolism of certain tumors and became validated drug targets. This review illuminates the SLC16 family under a new light using structural information obtained from a SLC16 homolog. Furthermore, the role of these transporters in cancer metabolism and how their inhibition can contribute to anticancer therapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Bosshart
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rachel-Ann A Garibsingh
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dimitrios Fotiadis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Schürch CM, Roelli MA, Forster S, Wasmer MH, Brühl F, Maire RS, Di Pancrazio S, Ruepp MD, Giger R, Perren A, Schmitt AM, Krebs P, Charles RP, Dettmer MS. Targeting CD47 in Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Enhances Tumor Phagocytosis by Macrophages and Is a Promising Therapeutic Strategy. Thyroid 2019; 29:979-992. [PMID: 30938231 PMCID: PMC6648226 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2018.0555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most aggressive human cancers, with a median survival of only three to six months. Standard treatment options and even targeted therapies have so far failed to improve long-term overall survival. Thus, novel treatment modalities for ATC, such as immunotherapy, are urgently needed. CD47 is a "don't eat me" signal, which prevents cancer cells from phagocytosis by binding to signal regulatory protein alpha on macrophages. So far, the role of macrophages and the CD47-signal regulatory protein alpha signaling axis in ATC is not well understood. Methods: This study analyzed 19 primary human ATCs for macrophage markers, CD47 expression, and immune checkpoints by immunohistochemistry. ATC cell lines and a fresh ATC sample were assessed by flow cytometry for CD47 expression and macrophage infiltration, respectively. CD47 was blocked in phagocytosis assays of co-cultured macrophages and ATC cell lines. Anti-CD47 antibody treatment was administered to ATC cell line xenotransplanted immunocompromised mice, as well as to tamoxifen-induced ATC double-transgenic mice. Results: Human ATC samples were heavily infiltrated by CD68- and CD163-expressing tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and expressed CD47 and calreticulin, the dominant pro-phagocytic molecule. In addition, ATC tissues expressed the immune checkpoint molecules programmed cell death 1 and programmed death ligand 1. Blocking CD47 promoted the phagocytosis of ATC cell lines by macrophages in vitro. Anti-CD47 antibody treatment of ATC xenotransplanted mice increased the frequency of TAMs, enhanced the expression of macrophage activation markers, augmented tumor cell phagocytosis, and suppressed tumor growth. In double-transgenic ATC mice, CD47 was expressed on tumor cells, and blocking CD47 increased TAM frequencies. Conclusions: Targeting CD47 or CD47 in combination with programmed cell death 1 may potentially improve the outcomes of ATC patients and may represent a valuable addition to the current standard of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M. Schürch
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
- Address correspondence to: Christian M. Schürch, MD, PhD, Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 269 Campus Drive, CCSR 3220, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Matthias A. Roelli
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Forster
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Hélène Wasmer
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Frido Brühl
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Renaud S. Maire
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Di Pancrazio
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marc-David Ruepp
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute Centre, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roland Giger
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aurel Perren
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anja M. Schmitt
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Krebs
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias S. Dettmer
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Matthias S. Dettmer, MD, Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
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Poirier M, Awale M, Roelli MA, Giuffredi GT, Ruddigkeit L, Evensen L, Stooss A, Calarco S, Lorens JB, Charles RP, Reymond JL. Front Cover: Identifying Lysophosphatidic Acid Acyltransferase β (LPAAT-β) as the Target of a Nanomolar Angiogenesis Inhibitor from a Phenotypic Screen Using the Polypharmacology Browser PPB2 (ChemMedChem 2/2019). ChemMedChem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marion Poirier
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure; University of Bern; Freiestrasse 3 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Mahendra Awale
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure; University of Bern; Freiestrasse 3 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Matthias A. Roelli
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure; University of Bern; Bühlstrasse 28 3000 Bern 9 Switzerland
| | - Guy T. Giuffredi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure; University of Bern; Freiestrasse 3 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Lars Ruddigkeit
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure; University of Bern; Freiestrasse 3 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Lasse Evensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO); University of Bergen; Jonas Lies vei 91 5009 Bergen Norway
| | - Amandine Stooss
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure; University of Bern; Bühlstrasse 28 3000 Bern 9 Switzerland
| | - Serafina Calarco
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure; University of Bern; Bühlstrasse 28 3000 Bern 9 Switzerland
| | - James B. Lorens
- Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO); University of Bergen; Jonas Lies vei 91 5009 Bergen Norway
| | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure; University of Bern; Bühlstrasse 28 3000 Bern 9 Switzerland
| | - Jean-Louis Reymond
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure; University of Bern; Freiestrasse 3 3012 Bern Switzerland
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Poirier M, Awale M, Roelli MA, Giuffredi GT, Ruddigkeit L, Evensen L, Stooss A, Calarco S, Lorens JB, Charles RP, Reymond JL. Identifying Lysophosphatidic Acid Acyltransferase β (LPAAT-β) as the Target of a Nanomolar Angiogenesis Inhibitor from a Phenotypic Screen Using the Polypharmacology Browser PPB2. ChemMedChem 2018; 14:224-236. [PMID: 30520265 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
By screening a focused library of kinase inhibitor analogues in a phenotypic co-culture assay for angiogenesis inhibition, we identified an aminotriazine that acts as a cytostatic nanomolar inhibitor. However, this aminotriazine was found to be completely inactive in a whole-kinome profiling assay. To decipher its mechanism of action, we used the online target prediction tool PPB2 (http://ppb2.gdb.tools), which suggested lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase β (LPAAT-β) as a possible target for this aminotriazine as well as several analogues identified by structure-activity relationship profiling. LPAAT-β inhibition (IC50 ≈15 nm) was confirmed in a biochemical assay and by its effects on cell proliferation in comparison with a known LPAAT-β inhibitor. These experiments illustrate the value of target-prediction tools to guide target identification for phenotypic screening hits and significantly expand the rather limited pharmacology of LPAAT-β inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Poirier
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mahendra Awale
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias A Roelli
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3000, Bern 9, Switzerland
| | - Guy T Giuffredi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lars Ruddigkeit
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lasse Evensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Amandine Stooss
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3000, Bern 9, Switzerland
| | - Serafina Calarco
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3000, Bern 9, Switzerland
| | - James B Lorens
- Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3000, Bern 9, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Louis Reymond
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
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ElMokh O, Taelman V, Radojewski P, Roelli MA, Stoss A, Dumont RA, Dettmer MS, Phillips WA, Walter MA, Charles RP. MEK Inhibition Induces Therapeutic Iodine Uptake in a Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. J Nucl Med 2018; 60:917-923. [PMID: 30464041 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.118.216721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is refractory to radioiodine therapy in part because of impaired iodine metabolism. We targeted the mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3'K) pathways with the intent to induce radioiodine uptake for radioiodine treatment of ATC. Methods: Human ATC cells were used to evaluate the ability of pharmacologic inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and PI3'K pathways to induce radioiodine uptake. Thyrocyte-specific double-mutant BRAFV600E PIK3CAH1047R mice were treated with a MEK inhibitor followed by radioiodine treatment, and tumor burden was monitored by ultrasound imaging. Results: ATC cell lines showed an increase in sodium-iodine symporter transcription when treated with a MEK or BRAFV600E inhibitor alone and in combination with PI3'K inhibitor. This translated into a dose-dependent elevation of iodine uptake after treatment with a MEK inhibitor alone and in combination with a PI3'K inhibitor. In vivo, MEK inhibition but not BRAF or PI3'K inhibition upregulated sodium-iodine symporter transcription. This translated into a stable reduction of tumor burden when mice were treated with a MEK inhibitor before radioiodine administration. Conclusion: This study confirms the ability of MEK inhibition to induce iodine uptake in in vitro and in vivo models of ATC. The approach of using a MEK inhibitor before radioiodine treatment could readily be translated into clinical practice and provide a much-needed therapeutic option for patients with ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oussama ElMokh
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Taelman
- Institute for Nuclear Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Piotr Radojewski
- Institute for Nuclear Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matthias A Roelli
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Amandine Stoss
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca A Dumont
- Department of Radiology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Wayne A Phillips
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Martin A Walter
- Institute for Nuclear Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Häfliger P, Graff J, Rubin M, Stooss A, Dettmer MS, Altmann KH, Gertsch J, Charles RP. The LAT1 inhibitor JPH203 reduces growth of thyroid carcinoma in a fully immunocompetent mouse model. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:234. [PMID: 30241549 PMCID: PMC6150977 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0907-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1/SLC7A5) transports essential amino acids across the plasma membrane. While LAT1 is overexpressed in a variety of human neoplasms, its expression and its role in thyroid cancer is currently unknown. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a highly aggressive malignancy for which no effective therapy exists. The purpose of this study was to explore whether the inhibition of LAT1 in ATC would affect tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS LAT1 was pharmacologically blocked by JPH203 in human ATC and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cell lines. The effects on proliferation and mTORC1 activity were addressed in vitro. A genetically engineered mouse model of ATC was used to address the effect of blocking LAT1 on tumor growth in vivo. SLC7A5 transcription was measured in patient-derived ATC samples to address the clinical relevance of the findings. RESULTS LAT1 block by JPH203 reduced proliferation and mTORC1 signaling in human thyroid cancer cell lines. SLC7A5 transcription was upregulated in ATC tissues derived from a genetically engineered mouse model and in ATC samples recovered from patients. JPH203 treatment induced thyroid tumor growth arrest in vivo in a fully immunocompetent mouse model of thyroid cancer. Additionally, analysis of publicly available datasets of thyroid carcinomas revealed that high LAT1 expression is associated with potentially untreatable PTC presenting reduced NIS/SLC5A5 transcription and with ATC. CONCLUSIONS These preclinical results show that LAT1 inhibition is a novel therapeutic approach in the context of thyroid cancers, and more interestingly in untreatable thyroid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Häfliger
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Present address: Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Julien Graff
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Rubin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Amandine Stooss
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias S. Dettmer
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Karl-Heinz Altmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Kind M, Klukowska-Rötzler J, Berezowska S, Arcaro A, Charles RP. Questioning the role of selected somatic PIK3C2B mutations in squamous non-small cell lung cancer oncogenesis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187308. [PMID: 29088297 PMCID: PMC5663493 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PI3K signaling is frequently dysregulated in NSCLC-SQCC. In contrast to well characterized components of the PI3K signaling network contributing to the formation of SQCC, potential oncogenic effects of alterations in PIK3C2B are poorly understood. Here, a large cohort (n = 362) of NSCLC-SQCC was selectively screened for four reported somatic mutations in PIK3C2B via Sanger sequencing. In addition, two mutations leading to an amino acid exchange in the kinase domain (C1181, H1208R) were examined on a functional level. None of the mutations were identified in the cohort while well characterized hotspot PIK3CA mutations were observed at the expected frequency. Ultimately, kinase domain mutations in PI3KC2β were found to have no altering effect on downstream signaling. A set of SQCC tumors sequenced by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) equally indicates a lack of oncogenic potential of the kinase domain mutations or PIK3C2B in general. Taken together, this study suggests that PIK3C2B might only have a minor role in SQCC oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Kind
- University Children’s Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 31, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler
- University Children’s Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 31, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 16c, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sabina Berezowska
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 31,Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Arcaro
- University Children’s Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 31, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, Bern, Switzerland
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Nisa L, Häfliger P, Poliaková M, Giger R, Francica P, Aebersold DM, Charles RP, Zimmer Y, Medová M. PIK3CA hotspot mutations differentially impact responses to MET targeting in MET-driven and non-driven preclinical cancer models. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:93. [PMID: 28532501 PMCID: PMC5441085 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-017-0660-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The MET receptor tyrosine kinase represents a promising target in cancer. PIK3CA activating mutations are common in several tumor types and can potentially confer resistance to anti-receptor tyrosine kinase therapy. Methods MET and/or PI3K pathway inhibition was assessed in NIH3T3 cells harboring MET-activating point mutation with or without ectopic expression of PIK3CAE545K and PIK3CAH1047R, as well as in MET-expressing head and neck cancer cells with endogenous PIK3CA mutations. Endpoints included PI3K pathway activation, cell proliferation, colony-forming ability, cell death, wound-healing, and an in vivo model. Results PIK3CAE545K and PIK3CAH1047R confer resistance to MET inhibition in MET-driven models. PIK3CAH1047R was more potent than PIK3CAE545K at inducing resistance in PI3K pathway activation, cell proliferation, colony-forming ability, induction of cell death and wound-healing upon MET inhibition. Resistance to MET inhibition could be synergistically overcome by co-targeting PI3K. Furthermore, combined MET/PI3K inhibition led to enhanced anti-tumor activity in vivo in tumors harboring PIK3CAH1047R. In head and neck cancer cells the combination of MET/PI3K inhibitors led to more-than-additive effects. Conclusions PIK3CA mutations can lead to resistance to MET inhibition, supporting future clinical evaluation of combinations of PI3K and MET inhibitors in common scenarios of malignant neoplasms featuring aberrant MET expression and PIK3CA mutations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-017-0660-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lluís Nisa
- Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland. .,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland. .,Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Pascal Häfliger
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Poliaková
- Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roland Giger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Paola Francica
- Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Matthias Aebersold
- Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yitzhak Zimmer
- Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Medová
- Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland. .,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
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Simonin C, Awale M, Brand M, van Deursen R, Schwartz J, Fine M, Kovacs G, Häfliger P, Gyimesi G, Sithampari A, Charles RP, Hediger MA, Reymond JL. Optimization of TRPV6 Calcium Channel Inhibitors Using a 3D Ligand-Based Virtual Screening Method. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2015; 54:14748-52. [PMID: 26457814 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201507320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we report the discovery of the first potent and selective inhibitor of TRPV6, a calcium channel overexpressed in breast and prostate cancer, and its use to test the effect of blocking TRPV6-mediated Ca(2+)-influx on cell growth. The inhibitor was discovered through a computational method, xLOS, a 3D-shape and pharmacophore similarity algorithm, a type of ligand-based virtual screening (LBVS) method described briefly here. Starting with a single weakly active seed molecule, two successive rounds of LBVS followed by optimization by chemical synthesis led to a selective molecule with 0.3 μM inhibition of TRPV6. The ability of xLOS to identify different scaffolds early in LBVS was essential to success. The xLOS method may be generally useful to develop tool compounds for poorly characterized targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Simonin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Mahendra Awale
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Michael Brand
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Ruud van Deursen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Julian Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Michael Fine
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Gergely Kovacs
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Pascal Häfliger
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Gergely Gyimesi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Abilashan Sithampari
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern (Switzerland)
| | - Matthias A Hediger
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern (Switzerland).
| | - Jean-Louis Reymond
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Center of Competence in Research NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern (Switzerland).
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Chicca A, Gachet MS, Petrucci V, Schuehly W, Charles RP, Gertsch J. 4'-O-methylhonokiol increases levels of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol in mouse brain via selective inhibition of its COX-2-mediated oxygenation. J Neuroinflammation 2015; 12:89. [PMID: 25962384 PMCID: PMC4490613 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-015-0307-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 4'-O-methylhonokiol (MH) is a natural product showing anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoclastogenic, and neuroprotective effects. MH was reported to modulate cannabinoid CB2 receptors as an inverse agonist for cAMP production and an agonist for intracellular [Ca2+]. It was recently shown that MH inhibits cAMP formation via CB2 receptors. In this study, the exact modulation of MH on CB2 receptor activity was elucidated and its endocannabinoid substrate-specific inhibition (SSI) of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and CNS bioavailability are described for the first time. METHODS CB2 receptor modulation ([35S]GTPγS, cAMP, and β-arrestin) by MH was measured in hCB2-transfected CHO-K1 cells and native conditions (HL60 cells and mouse spleen). The COX-2 SSI was investigated in RAW264.7 cells and in Swiss albino mice by targeted metabolomics using LC-MS/MS. RESULTS MH is a CB2 receptor agonist and a potent COX-2 SSI. It induced partial agonism in both the [35S]GTPγS binding and β-arrestin recruitment assays while being a full agonist in the cAMP pathway. MH selectively inhibited PGE2 glycerol ester formation (over PGE2) in RAW264.7 cells and significantly increased the levels of 2-AG in mouse brain in a dose-dependent manner (3 to 20 mg kg(-1)) without affecting other metabolites. After 7 h from intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, MH was quantified in significant amounts in the brain (corresponding to 200 to 300 nM). CONCLUSIONS LC-MS/MS quantification shows that MH is bioavailable to the brain and under condition of inflammation exerts significant indirect effects on 2-AG levels. The biphenyl scaffold might serve as valuable source of dual CB2 receptor modulators and COX-2 SSIs as demonstrated by additional MH analogs that show similar effects. The combination of CB2 agonism and COX-2 SSI offers a yet unexplored polypharmacology with expected synergistic effects in neuroinflammatory diseases, thus providing a rationale for the diverse neuroprotective effects reported for MH in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Chicca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Maria Salomé Gachet
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Vanessa Petrucci
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Wolfgang Schuehly
- Institute of Zoology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria.
| | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
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Charles RP, Silva J, Iezza G, Phillips WA, McMahon M. Activating BRAF and PIK3CA mutations cooperate to promote anaplastic thyroid carcinogenesis. Mol Cancer Res 2014; 12:979-86. [PMID: 24770869 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0158-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Thyroid malignancies are the most common type of endocrine tumors. Of the various histologic subtypes, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) represents a subset of all cases but is responsible for a significant proportion of thyroid cancer-related mortality. Indeed, ATC is regarded as one of the more aggressive and hard to treat forms of cancer. To date, there is a paucity of relevant model systems to critically evaluate how the signature genetic abnormalities detected in human ATC contribute to disease pathogenesis. Mutational activation of the BRAF protooncogene is detected in approximately 40% of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and in 25% of ATC. Moreover, in ATC, mutated BRAF is frequently found in combination with gain-of-function mutations in the p110 catalytic subunit of PI3'-Kinase (PIK3CA) or loss-of-function alterations in either the p53 (TP53) or PTEN tumor suppressors. Using mice with conditional, thyrocyte-specific expression of BRAF(V600E), we previously developed a model of PTC. However, as in humans, BRAF(V600E)-induced mouse PTC is indolent and does not lead to rapid development of end-stage disease. Here, we use mice carrying a conditional allele of PIK3CA to demonstrate that, although mutationally activated PIK3CA(H1047R) is unable to drive transformation on its own, when combined with BRAF(V600E) in thyrocytes, this leads to development of lethal ATC in mice. Combined, these data demonstrate that the BRAF(V600E) cooperates with either PIK3CA(H1074R) or with silencing of the tumor-suppressor PTEN, to promote development of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. IMPLICATIONS This genetically relevant mouse model of ATC will be an invaluable platform for preclinical testing of pathway-targeted therapies for the prevention and treatment of thyroid carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roch-Philippe Charles
- Authors' Affiliations: Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; Departments of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, and
| | - Jillian Silva
- Authors' Affiliations: Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; Departments of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, and
| | - Gioia Iezza
- Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, California; and
| | - Wayne A Phillips
- Surgical Oncology Laboratory, Sir Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Martin McMahon
- Authors' Affiliations: Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; Departments of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, and
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Malsure S, Wang Q, Charles RP, Sergi C, Perrier R, Christensen BM, Maillard M, Rossier BC, Hummler E. Colon-specific deletion of epithelial sodium channel causes sodium loss and aldosterone resistance. J Am Soc Nephrol 2014; 25:1453-64. [PMID: 24480829 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2013090936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Aldosterone promotes electrogenic sodium reabsorption through the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). Here, we investigated the importance of ENaC and its positive regulator channel-activating protease 1 (CAP1/Prss8) in colon. Mice lacking the αENaC subunit in colonic superficial cells (Scnn1a(KO)) were viable, without fetal or perinatal lethality. Control mice fed a regular or low-salt diet had a significantly higher amiloride-sensitive rectal potential difference (∆PDamil) than control mice fed a high-salt diet. In Scnn1a(KO) mice, however, this salt restriction-induced increase in ∆PDamil did not occur, and the circadian rhythm of ∆PDamil was blunted. Plasma and urinary sodium and potassium did not change with regular or high-salt diets or potassium loading in control or Scnn1a(KO) mice. However, Scnn1a(KO) mice fed a low-salt diet lost significant amounts of sodium in their feces and exhibited high plasma aldosterone and increased urinary sodium retention. Mice lacking the CAP1/Prss8 in colonic superficial cells (Prss8(KO)) were viable, without fetal or perinatal lethality. Compared with controls, Prss8(KO) mice fed regular or low-salt diets exhibited significantly reduced ∆PDamil in the afternoon, but the circadian rhythm was maintained. Prss8(KO) mice fed a low-salt diet also exhibited sodium loss through feces and higher plasma aldosterone levels. Thus, we identified CAP1/Prss8 as an in vivo regulator of ENaC in colon. We conclude that, under salt restriction, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the kidney compensated for the absence of ENaC in colonic surface epithelium, leading to colon-specific pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 with mineralocorticoid resistance without evidence of impaired potassium balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumedha Malsure
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Qing Wang
- Service of Nephrology, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland; and Division of Physiology, Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Roch-Philippe Charles
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Chloe Sergi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Romain Perrier
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Marc Maillard
- Service of Nephrology, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland; and
| | - Bernard C Rossier
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Edith Hummler
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland;
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Yang HY, Charles RP, Hummler E, Baines DL, Isseroff RR. The epithelial sodium channel mediates the directionality of galvanotaxis in human keratinocytes. J Cell Sci 2013; 126:1942-51. [PMID: 23447677 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.113225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular directional migration in an electric field (galvanotaxis) is one of the mechanisms guiding cell movement in embryogenesis and in skin epidermal repair. The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), in addition to its function of regulating sodium transport in kidney, has recently been found to modulate cell locomotory speed. Here we tested whether ENaC has an additional function of mediating the directional migration of galvanotaxis in keratinocytes. Genetic depletion of ENaC completely blocks only galvanotaxis and does not decrease migration speed. Overexpression of ENaC is sufficient to drive galvanotaxis in otherwise unresponsive cells. Pharmacologic blockade or maintenance of the open state of ENaC also decreases or increases, respectively, galvanotaxis, suggesting that the channel open state is responsible for the response. Stable lamellipodial extensions formed at the cathodal sides of wild-type cells at the start of galvanotaxis; these were absent in the ENaC knockout keratinocytes, suggesting that ENaC mediates galvanotaxis by generating stable lamellipodia that steer cell migration. We provide evidence that ENaC is required for directional migration of keratinocytes in an electric field, supporting a role for ENaC in skin wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Ya Yang
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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16
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Hummler E, Dousse A, Rieder A, Stehle JC, Rubera I, Osterheld MC, Beermann F, Frateschi S, Charles RP. The channel-activating protease CAP1/Prss8 is required for placental labyrinth maturation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55796. [PMID: 23405214 PMCID: PMC3565977 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine protease CAP1/Prss8 is crucial for skin barrier function, lung alveolar fluid clearance and has been unveiled as diagnostic marker for specific cancer types. Here, we show that a constitutive knockout of CAP1/Prss8 leads to embryonic lethality. These embryos presented no specific defects, but it is during this period, and in particular at E13.5, that wildtype placentas show an increased expression of CAP1/Prss8, thus suggesting a placental defect in the knockout situation. The placentas of knockout embryos exhibited significantly reduced vascular development and incomplete cellular maturation. In contrary, epiblast-specific deletion of CAP1/Prss8 allowed development until birth. These CAP1/Prss8-deficient newborns presented abnormal epidermis, and died soon after birth due to impaired skin function. We thus conclude that a late placental insufficiency might be the primary cause of embryonic lethality in CAP1/Prss8 knockouts. This study highlights a novel and crucial role for CAP1/Prss8 in placental development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Hummler
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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17
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Collisson EA, Trejo CL, Silva JM, Gu S, Korkola JE, Heiser LM, Charles RP, Rabinovich BA, Hann B, Dankort D, Spellman PT, Phillips WA, Gray JW, McMahon M. A central role for RAF→MEK→ERK signaling in the genesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Discov 2012; 2:685-93. [PMID: 22628411 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-11-0347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED KRAS mutation is a hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) but remains an intractable pharmacologic target. Consequently, defining RAS effector pathway(s) required for PDA initiation and maintenance is critical to improve treatment of this disease. Here, we show that expression of BRAF(V600E), but not PIK3CA(H1047R), in the mouse pancreas leads to pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions. Moreover, concomitant expression of BRAF(V600E) and TP53(R270H) result in lethal PDA. We tested pharmacologic inhibitors of RAS effectors against multiple human PDA cell lines. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP)/extracellular signal-regulated (ERK) kinase (MEK) inhibition was highly effective both in vivo and in vitro and was synergistic with AKT inhibition in most cell lines tested. We show that RAF→MEK→ERK signaling is central to the initiation and maintenance of PDA and to rational combination strategies in this disease. These results emphasize the value of leveraging multiple complementary experimental systems to prioritize pathways for effective intervention strategies in PDA. SIGNIFICANCE PDA is diffi cult to treat, in large part, due to recurrent mutations in the KRAS gene. Here, we defi ne rational treatment approaches for the disease achievable today with existing drug combinations by thorough genetic and pharmacologic dissection of the major KRAS effector pathways, RAF→MEK→ERK and phosphoinositide 3′-kinase (PI3'K)→AKT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Collisson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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Li CY, Cha W, Luder HU, Charles RP, McMahon M, Mitsiadis TA, Klein OD. E-cadherin regulates the behavior and fate of epithelial stem cells and their progeny in the mouse incisor. Dev Biol 2012; 366:357-66. [PMID: 22537490 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Revised: 03/06/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Stem cells are essential for the regeneration and homeostasis of many organs, such as tooth, hair, skin, and intestine. Although human tooth regeneration is limited, a number of animals have evolved continuously growing teeth that provide models of stem cell-based organ renewal. A well-studied model is the mouse incisor, which contains dental epithelial stem cells in structures known as cervical loops. These stem cells produce progeny that proliferate and migrate along the proximo-distal axis of the incisor and differentiate into enamel-forming ameloblasts. Here, we studied the role of E-cadherin in behavior of the stem cells and their progeny. Levels of E-cadherin are highly dynamic in the incisor, such that E-cadherin is expressed in the stem cells, downregulated in the transit-amplifying cells, re-expressed in the pre-ameloblasts and then downregulated again in the ameloblasts. Conditional inactivation of E-cadherin in the cervical loop led to decreased numbers of label-retaining stem cells, increased proliferation, and decreased cell migration in the mouse incisor. Using both genetic and pharmacological approaches, we showed that Fibroblast Growth Factors regulate E-cadherin expression, cell proliferation and migration in the incisor. Together, our data indicate that E-cadherin is an important regulator of stem cells and their progeny during growth of the mouse incisor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ying Li
- Department of Orofacial Sciences and Program in Craniofacial and Mesenchymal Biology, UCSF, USA
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Abstract
Mutated BRAF is detected in approximately 45% of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC). To model PTC, we bred mice with adult-onset, thyrocyte-specific expression of BRAF(V600E). One month following BRAF(V600E) expression, mice displayed increased thyroid size, widespread alterations in thyroid architecture, and dramatic hypothyroidism. Over 1 year, without any deliberate manipulation of tumor suppressor genes, all mice developed PTC displaying nuclear atypia and marker expression characteristic of the human disease. Pharmacologic inhibition of MEK1/2 led to decreased thyroid size, restoration of thyroid form and function, and inhibition of tumorigenesis. Mice with BRAF(V600E)-induced PTC will provide an excellent system to study thyroid tumor initiation and progression and the evaluation of inhibitors of oncogenic BRAF signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roch-Philippe Charles
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, California, USA
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Planès C, Randrianarison NH, Charles RP, Frateschi S, Cluzeaud F, Vuagniaux G, Soler P, Clerici C, Rossier BC, Hummler E. ENaC-mediated alveolar fluid clearance and lung fluid balance depend on the channel-activating protease 1. EMBO Mol Med 2010; 2:26-37. [PMID: 20043279 PMCID: PMC3377187 DOI: 10.1002/emmm.200900050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium transport via epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) expressed in alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) provides the driving force for removal of fluid from the alveolar space. The membrane-bound channel-activating protease 1 (CAP1/Prss8) activates ENaC in vitro in various expression systems. To study the role of CAP1/Prss8 in alveolar sodium transport and lung fluid balance in vivo, we generated mice lacking CAP1/Prss8 in the alveolar epithelium using conditional Cre-loxP-mediated recombination. Deficiency of CAP1/Prss8 in AEC induced in vitro a 40% decrease in ENaC-mediated sodium currents. Sodium-driven alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) was reduced in CAP1/Prss8-deficient mice, due to a 48% decrease in amiloride-sensitive clearance, and was less sensitive to β2-agonist treatment. Intra-alveolar treatment with neutrophil elastase, a soluble serine protease activating ENaC at the cell surface, fully restored basal AFC and the stimulation by β2-agonists. Finally, acute volume-overload increased alveolar lining fluid volume in CAP1/Prss8-deficient mice. This study reveals that CAP1 plays a crucial role in the regulation of ENaC-mediated alveolar sodium and water transport and in mouse lung fluid balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Planès
- Département de Pharmacologie et de Toxicologie, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Mérillat AM, Charles RP, Porret A, Maillard M, Rossier B, Beermann F, Hummler E. Conditional gene targeting of the ENaC subunit genes Scnn1b and Scnn1g. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2008; 296:F249-56. [PMID: 19036848 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00612.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) are members of the degenerin/ENaC superfamily of non-voltage-gated, highly amiloride-sensitive cation channels that are composed of three subunits (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-ENaC). Since complete gene inactivation of the beta- and gamma-ENaC subunit genes (Scnn1b and Scnn1g) leads to early postnatal death, we generated conditional alleles and obtained mice harboring floxed and null alleles for both gene loci. Using quantitative RT-PCR analysis, we showed that the introduction of the loxP sites did not interfere with the mRNA transcript expression level of the Scnn1b and Scnn1g gene locus, respectively. Upon a regular and salt-deficient diet, both beta- and gamma-ENaC floxed mice showed no difference in their mRNA transcript expression levels, plasma electrolytes, and aldosterone concentrations as well as weight changes compared with control animals. These mice can now be utilized to dissect the role of ENaC function in classical and nonclassic target organs/tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Mérillat
- Département de Pharmacologie et de Toxicologie, Univ. of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 27, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Boulkroun S, Ruffieux-Daidié D, Vitagliano JJ, Poirot O, Charles RP, Lagnaz D, Firsov D, Kellenberger S, Staub O. Vasopressin-inducible ubiquitin-specific protease 10 increases ENaC cell surface expression by deubiquitylating and stabilizing sorting nexin 3. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2008; 295:F889-900. [DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00001.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Adjustment of Na+balance in extracellular fluids is achieved by regulated Na+transport involving the amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+channel (ENaC) in the distal nephron. In this context, ENaC is controlled by a number of hormones, including vasopressin, which promotes rapid translocation of water and Na+channels to the plasma membrane and long-term effects on transcription of vasopressin-induced and -reduced transcripts. We have identified a mRNA encoding the deubiquitylating enzyme ubiquitin-specific protease 10 (Usp10), whose expression is increased by vasopressin at both the mRNA and the protein level. Coexpression of Usp10 in ENaC-transfected HEK-293 cells causes a more than fivefold increase in amiloride-sensitive Na+currents, as measured by whole cell patch clamping. This is accompanied by a three- to fourfold increase in surface expression of α- and γ-ENaC, as shown by cell surface biotinylation experiments. Although ENaC is well known to be regulated by its direct ubiquitylation, Usp10 does not affect the ubiquitylation level of ENaC, suggesting an indirect effect. A two-hybrid screen identified sorting nexin 3 (SNX3) as a novel substrate of Usp10. We show that it is a ubiquitylated protein that is degraded by the proteasome; interaction with Usp10 leads to its deubiquitylation and stabilization. When coexpressed with ENaC, SNX3 increases the channel's cell surface expression, similarly to Usp10. In mCCDcl1cells, vasopressin increases SNX3 protein but not mRNA, supporting the idea that the vasopressin-induced Usp10 deubiquitylates and stabilizes endogenous SNX3 and consequently promotes cell surface expression of ENaC.
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Charles RP, Guitard M, Leyvraz C, Breiden B, Haftek M, Haftek-Terreau Z, Stehle JC, Sandhoff K, Hummler E. Postnatal requirement of the epithelial sodium channel for maintenance of epidermal barrier function. J Biol Chem 2007; 283:2622-30. [PMID: 18039670 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m708829200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In skin, the physiological consequence of an epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) deficiency is not obvious directly at birth. Nevertheless, within hours after birth, mice deficient for the alpha-subunit of the highly amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (alphaENaC/Scnn1a) suffer from a significant increased dehydration. This is characterized by a loss of body weight (by 6% in 6 h) and an increased transepidermal water loss, which is accompanied by a higher skin surface pH in 1-day-old pups. Although early and late differentiation markers, as well as tight junction protein distribution and function, seem unaffected, deficiency of alphaENaC severely disturbs the stratum corneum lipid composition with decreased ceramide and cholesterol levels, and increased pro-barrier lipids, whereas covalently bound lipids are drastically reduced. Ultrastructural analysis revealed morphological changes in the formation of intercellular lamellar lipids and the lamellar body secretion. Extracellular formation of the lamellar lipids proved to be abnormal in the knockouts. In conclusion, ENaC deficiency results in progressive dehydration and, consequently, weight loss due to severe impairment of lipid formation and secretion. Our data demonstrate that ENaC expression is required for the postnatal maintenance of the epidermal barrier function but not for its generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roch-Philippe Charles
- Département de Pharmacologie & de Toxicologie, Université de Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 27, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Leyvraz C, Charles RP, Rubera I, Guitard M, Rotman S, Breiden B, Sandhoff K, Hummler E. The epidermal barrier function is dependent on the serine protease CAP1/Prss8. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 170:487-96. [PMID: 16061697 PMCID: PMC2171460 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200501038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Serine proteases are proteolytic enzymes that are involved in the regulation of various physiological processes. We generated mice lacking the membrane-anchored channel-activating serine protease (CAP) 1 (also termed protease serine S1 family member 8 [Prss8] and prostasin) in skin, and these mice died within 60 h after birth. They presented a lower body weight and exhibited severe malformation of the stratum corneum (SC). This aberrant skin development was accompanied by an impaired skin barrier function, as evidenced by dehydration and skin permeability assay and transepidermal water loss measurements leading to rapid, fatal dehydration. Analysis of differentiation markers revealed no major alterations in CAP1/Prss8-deficient skin even though the epidermal deficiency of CAP1/Prss8 expression disturbs SC lipid composition, corneocyte morphogenesis, and the processing of profilaggrin. The examination of tight junction proteins revealed an absence of occludin, which did not prevent the diffusion of subcutaneously injected tracer (∼600 D) toward the skin surface. This study shows that CAP1/Prss8 expression in the epidermis is crucial for the epidermal permeability barrier and is, thereby, indispensable for postnatal survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Leyvraz
- Département de Pharmacologie et de Toxicologie, Université de Lausanne, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Mattioli I, Sebald A, Bucher C, Charles RP, Nakano H, Doi T, Kracht M, Schmitz ML. Transient and selective NF-kappa B p65 serine 536 phosphorylation induced by T cell costimulation is mediated by I kappa B kinase beta and controls the kinetics of p65 nuclear import. J Immunol 2004; 172:6336-44. [PMID: 15128824 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.10.6336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Full transcriptional activity of the nuclear, DNA-bound form of NF-kappaB requires additional posttranslational modifications. In this study, we systematically mapped the T cell costimulation-induced phosphorylation sites within the C-terminal half of the strongly trans-activating NF-kappaB p65 subunit and identified serine 536 as the main phosphorylation site. The transient kinetics of serine 536 phosphorylation paralleled the kinetics of IkappaBalpha and IkappaB kinase (IKK) phosphorylation and also mirrored the principle of T cell costimulation. The TCR-induced pathway leading to serine 536 phosphorylation is regulated by the kinases Cot (Tpl2), receptor interacting protein, protein kinase Ctheta, and NF-kappaB-inducing kinase, but is independent from the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments showed phosphorylation of p65 serine 536 by IKKbeta, but not by IKKalpha. Phosphorylation occurs within the cytoplasmic and intact NF-kappaB/IkappaBalpha complex and requires prior phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha at serines 32 and 36. Reconstitution of p65(-/-) cells either with wild-type p65 or a p65 mutant containing a serine to alanine mutation revealed the importance of this phosphorylation site for cytosolic IkappaBalpha localization and the kinetics of p65 nuclear import.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Mattioli
- University of Bern, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Bern, Switzerland
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Charles
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Adelaide and Meath Hospital Dublin, Republic of Ireland
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Abstract
Taurine (2-aminoethane sulphonic acid), a ubiquitous beta-amino acid not incorporated into proteins but found either free or in some simple peptides is considered as a conditionally semi-essential amino acid in man. Once thought of as no more than an innocuous end product of cysteine metabolism, taurine has in recent years generated much interest due to research findings indicating a role in numerous physiological processes. These roles are varied and include membrane stabilization, detoxification, antioxidation, osmoregulation, maintenance of calcium homeostasis, and stimulation of glycolysis and glycogenesis. Intracellular and plasma taurine levels are high and although cellular taurine is tightly regulated, plasma levels are known to decrease in response to surgical injury and numerous pathological conditions including cancer, trauma and sepsis. Decreased plasma concentrations can be restored with supplementary taurine. Although the importance of taurine as a physiological agent with pharmacological properties is now recognised, the potential advantages of dietary supplementation with taurine have not as yet been fully exploited and this is an area which could prove to be of benefit to the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- P P Stapleton
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Meath Hospital, Heytesbury Street, Dublin 8, Ireland
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