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Niu Q, Ye S, Zhao L, Qian Y, Liu F. The role of liver cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2321768. [PMID: 38393655 PMCID: PMC10896152 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2321768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Metastasis accounts for the vast majority of cancer deaths; however, this complex process has yet to be fully explained. To form metastases, cancer cells must undergo a series of steps, known as the "Metastatic cascade", each of which requires a specific functional transformation. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a vital role in tumor metastasis, but their dynamic behavior and regulatory mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Based on the "Metastatic cascade" theory, this review summarizes the effect of liver CSCs on the metastatic biological programs that underlie the dissemination and metastatic growth of cancer cells. Liver CSCs have the capacity to initiate distant organ metastasis via EMT, and the microenvironment transformation that supports the ability of these cells to disseminate, evade immune surveillance, dormancy, and regenerate metastasis. Understanding the heterogeneity and traits of liver CSCs in these processes is critical for developing strategies to prevent and treat metastasis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghui Niu
- Liver Disease Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Susu Ye
- Liver Disease Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Liu Zhao
- Liver Disease Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanzhi Qian
- School Hospital, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Fengchao Liu
- Liver Disease Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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2
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Ogurchenok NE, Khalin KD, Bryukhovetskiy IS. Chemoprophylaxis of precancerous lesions in patients who are at a high risk of developing colorectal cancer (Review). Med Int (Lond) 2024; 4:25. [PMID: 38628384 PMCID: PMC11019464 DOI: 10.3892/mi.2024.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The diagnostics of colorectal cancer (CRC) and precancerous lesions in the colon is one of the most urgent matters to be considered for the modern protocols of complex examination, recommended for use from the age of 45 years, and including both instrumental and laboratory methods of research: Colonoscopy, CT colonography, flexible sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood test, fecal immunohistochemistry test and stool DNA test Nevertheless, the removal of those precancerous lesions does not solve the issue, and, apart from the regular endoscopic monitoring of patients who are at a high risk of developing CRC, the pharmacological treatment of certain key pathogenic mechanisms leading to the development of CRC is required. The present review to discusses the function of β-catenin in the transformation of precancerous colorectal lesions into CRC, when collaborating with PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and other mechanisms. The existing methods for the early diagnostics and prevention of discovered anomalies are described and categorized. The analysis of the approaches to chemoprophylaxis of CRC, depending on the results of endoscopic, morphological and molecular-genetic tests, is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nonna E. Ogurchenok
- Far Eastern Federal University, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, FEFU Medical Center, Russky Island, 690091 Vladivostok, Russian Federation
- Primorskiy Regional Clinical Hospital N1, Medical Center, Russky Island, 690091 Vladivostok, Russian Federation
| | - Konstantin D. Khalin
- Far Eastern Federal University, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, FEFU Medical Center, Russky Island, 690091 Vladivostok, Russian Federation
- Far Eastern Federal University, Medical Center, Russky Island, 690091 Vladivostok, Russian Federation
| | - Igor S. Bryukhovetskiy
- Far Eastern Federal University, Medical Center, Russky Island, 690091 Vladivostok, Russian Federation
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3
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Rio-Vilariño A, Cenigaonandia-Campillo A, García-Bautista A, Mateos-Gómez PA, Schlaepfer MI, Del Puerto-Nevado L, Aguilera O, García-García L, Galeano C, de Miguel I, Serrano-López J, Baños N, Fernández-Aceñero MJ, Lacal JC, Medico E, García-Foncillas J, Cebrián A. Inhibition of the AURKA/YAP1 axis is a promising therapeutic option for overcoming cetuximab resistance in colorectal cancer stem cells. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1402-1413. [PMID: 38467828 PMCID: PMC11014903 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02649-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary resistance to anti-EGFR therapies affects 40% of metastatic colorectal cancer patients harbouring wild-type RAS/RAF. YAP1 activation is associated with this resistance, prompting an investigation into AURKA's role in mediating YAP1 phosphorylation at Ser397, as observed in breast cancer. METHODS We used transcriptomic analysis along with in vitro and in vivo models of RAS/RAF wild-type CRC to study YAP1 Ser397 phosphorylation as a potential biomarker for cetuximab resistance. We assessed cetuximab efficacy using CCK8 proliferation assays and cell cycle analysis. Additionally, we examined the effects of AURKA inhibition with alisertib and created a dominant-negative YAP1 Ser397 mutant to assess its impact on cancer stem cell features. RESULTS The RAS/RAF wild-type CRC models exhibiting primary resistance to cetuximab prominently displayed elevated YAP1 phosphorylation at Ser397 primarily mediated by AURKA. AURKA-induced YAP1 phosphorylation was identified as a key trigger for cancer stem cell reprogramming. Consequently, we found that AURKA inhibition had the capacity to effectively restore cetuximab sensitivity and concurrently suppress the cancer stem cell phenotype. CONCLUSIONS AURKA inhibition holds promise as a therapeutic approach to overcome cetuximab resistance in RAS/RAF wild-type colorectal cancer, offering a potential means to counter the development of cancer stem cell phenotypes associated with cetuximab resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anxo Rio-Vilariño
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aiora Cenigaonandia-Campillo
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana García-Bautista
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro A Mateos-Gómez
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of System Biology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá. Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina I Schlaepfer
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Del Puerto-Nevado
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Aguilera
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura García-García
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Galeano
- Pathology Department, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Diaz-UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene de Miguel
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of System Biology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá. Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Natalia Baños
- Preclinical program START Madrid-FJD, Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz-UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Jesús Fernández-Aceñero
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Lacal
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, CSIC/UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital La Paz, IDIPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enzo Medico
- Department of Oncology, Università degli Studi di Torino, Candiolo (TO), Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Jesús García-Foncillas
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Arancha Cebrián
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain.
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Rio-Vilariño A, Cenigaonandia-Campillo A, García-Bautista A, Mateos-Gómez PA, Schlaepfer MI, Del Puerto-Nevado L, Aguilera O, García-García L, Galeano C, de Miguel I, Serrano-López J, Baños N, Fernández-Aceñero MJ, Lacal JC, Medico E, García-Foncillas J, Cebrián A. Correction: Inhibition of the AURKA/YAP1 axis is a promising therapeutic option for overcoming cetuximab resistance in colorectal cancer stem cells. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1414. [PMID: 38575733 PMCID: PMC11015004 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02667-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anxo Rio-Vilariño
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aiora Cenigaonandia-Campillo
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana García-Bautista
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro A Mateos-Gómez
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of System Biology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá. Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina I Schlaepfer
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Del Puerto-Nevado
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Aguilera
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura García-García
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Galeano
- Pathology Department, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Diaz-UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene de Miguel
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of System Biology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá. Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Natalia Baños
- Preclinical program START Madrid-FJD, Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz-UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Jesús Fernández-Aceñero
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Lacal
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, CSIC/UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital La Paz, IDIPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enzo Medico
- Department of Oncology, Università degli Studi di Torino, Candiolo (TO), Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Jesús García-Foncillas
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Arancha Cebrián
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Fundación Jiménez University Hospital (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain.
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5
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Markowska A, Kojs Z, Twardawa D, Pietras J, Markowska J. Selected markers of ovarian cancer and their relation to targeted therapy (Review). Exp Ther Med 2024; 27:236. [PMID: 38628658 PMCID: PMC11019661 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2024.12523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in surgical treatment techniques and chemotherapy-including anti-angiogenic and immune poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, the 5-year survival rate in ovarian cancer (OC) remains low. The reasons for this are the diagnosis of cancer in advanced clinical stages, chemoresistance and cancer recurrence. New therapeutic approaches are being developed, including the search for new biomarkers that are also targets for targeted therapy. The present review describes new molecular markers with relevance to targeted therapy, which to date have been studied only in experimental research. These include the angiogenic protein angiopoietin-2, the transmembrane glycoprotein ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1, the adhesion protein E-cadherin, the TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 and Kruppel-like factor 7. Drugs affecting cancer stem cells (CSCs) in OC, such as metformin and salinomycin, as well as inhibitors of CSCs markers aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (with the drug ATRA) and the transcription factor Nanog homeobox (microRNA) are also discussed. A new approach to prevention and possible therapies under investigation such as development of vaccines containing a subpopulation of CD117(+) and CD44(+) stem cells with a promising option for use in women with OC was described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Markowska
- Department of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Kojs
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, 31-826 Kraków, Poland
| | - Damian Twardawa
- Medical Department, Bausch Health Poland, 02-674 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Pietras
- Department of Perinatology and Women's Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
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6
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Luo Y, Yu J, Lin Z, Wang X, Zhao J, Liu X, Qin W, Xu G. Metabolic characterization of sphere-derived prostate cancer stem cells reveals aberrant urea cycle in stemness maintenance. Int J Cancer 2024. [PMID: 38647131 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34967] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Alteration of cell metabolism is one of the essential characteristics of tumor growth. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the initiating cells of tumorigenesis, proliferation, recurrence, and other processes, and play an important role in therapeutic resistance and metastasis. Thus, identification of the metabolic profiles in prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) is critical to understanding prostate cancer progression. Using untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics methods, we show distinct metabolic differences between prostate cancer cells and PCSCs. Urea cycle is the most significantly altered metabolic pathway in PCSCs, the key metabolites arginine and proline are evidently elevated. Proline promotes cancer stem-like characteristics via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the enzyme pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1), which catalyzes the conversion of pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid to proline, is highly expressed in PCSCs, and the inhibition of PYCR1 suppresses the stem-like characteristics of prostate cancer cells and tumor growth. In addition, carnitine and free fatty acid levels are significantly increased, indicating reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism in PCSCs. Reduced sphingolipid levels and increased triglyceride levels are also observed. Collectively, our data illustrate the comprehensive landscape of the metabolic reprogramming of PCSCs and provide potential therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Metabolomics, Dalian, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiachuan Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Zhikun Lin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Metabolomics, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Metabolomics, Dalian, China
| | - Jinhui Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Metabolomics, Dalian, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Metabolomics, Dalian, China
| | - Wangshu Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Metabolomics, Dalian, China
| | - Guowang Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Metabolomics, Dalian, China
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7
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Wang X, Zhao Y, Li X, Zhang Q, He J, Liu Y, Li M, Luo Z. Liposomal STAT3-Degrading PROTAC Prodrugs Promote Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Immunity via Chemically Reprogramming Cancer Stem Cells. Nano Lett 2024. [PMID: 38598369 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) with hyperactivated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are a major driver of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we report a nanointegrative proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC)-based STAT3 degradation strategy that enables efficient chemical reprogramming of HCC-associated CSCs, which potently inhibits CSC growth while evoking anti-HCC immune responses. The PROTAC prodrug was synthesized by conjugating the STAT3 binding domain (inS3) with a thioketal-caged E3 ligase ligand (VL-TK) via an oligo(ethylene glycol) linker (OEG) with tuned length and flexibility and encapsulating it in cRGD-modified cationic liposomes for CSC-targeted delivery while facilitating their lysosomal escape. The PROTAC prodrugs were activated by the upregulated ROS levels in CSCs and efficiently degraded STAT3 for chemical reprogramming, which would not only impair their stemness features but also remodel the immunosuppressive TME into an immunosupportive state to boost anti-HCC immunity. This strategy provides an approach for improving HCC treatment in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Youbo Zhao
- Center for Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xin Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Qiqi Zhang
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Jinming He
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yingqi Liu
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Menghuan Li
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Zhong Luo
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
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8
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Su Y, Ye K, Hu J, Zhang Z, Wang Y, Geng B, Pan D, Shen L. Graphene Quantum Dots Eradicate Resistant and Metastatic Cancer Cells by Enhanced Interfacial Inhibition. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2304648. [PMID: 38597827 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202304648] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Drug-resistant and metastatic cancer cells such as a small population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a crucial role in metastasis and relapse. Conventional small-molecule chemotherapeutics, however, are unable to eradicate drug-resistant CSCs owing to limited interface inhibitory effects. Herein, it is reported that enhanced interfacial inhibition leading to eradication of drug-resistant CSCs can be dramatically induced by self-insertion of bioactive graphene quantum dots (GQDs) into DNA major groove (MAG) sites in cancer cells. Since transcription factors regulate gene expression at the MAG site, MAG-targeted GQDs exert greatly enhanced interfacial inhibition, downregulating the expression of a collection of cancer stem genes such as ALDH1, Notch1, and Bmi1. Moreover, the nanoscale interface inhibition mechanism reverses cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) by inhibiting MDR1 gene expression when GQDs are used at a nontoxic concentration (1/4 × half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50)) as the MDR reverser. Given their high efficacy in interfacial inhibition, CSC-mediated migration, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells can be substantially blocked by MAG-targeted GQDs, which can also be harnessed to sensitize clinical cytotoxic agents for improved efficacy in combination chemotherapy. These findings elucidate the inhibitory effects of the enhanced nano-bio interface at the MAG site on eradicating CSCs, thus preventing cancer metastasis and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Su
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Kai Ye
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Jinyan Hu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Zhenlin Zhang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Bijiang Geng
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Dengyu Pan
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Longxiang Shen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sheyang County People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, 224300, China
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9
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Liang M, Sheng L, Ke Y, Wu Z. The research progress on radiation resistance of cervical cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1380448. [PMID: 38651153 PMCID: PMC11033433 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1380448] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cervical carcinoma is the most prevalent gynecology malignant tumor and ranks as the fourth most common cancer worldwide, thus posing a significant threat to the lives and health of women. Advanced and early-stage cervical carcinoma patients with high-risk factors require adjuvant treatment following surgery, with radiotherapy being the primary approach. However, the tolerance of cervical cancer to radiotherapy has become a major obstacle in its treatment. Recent studies have demonstrated that radiation resistance in cervical cancer is closely associated with DNA damage repair pathways, the tumor microenvironment, tumor stem cells, hypoxia, cell cycle arrest, and epigenetic mechanisms, among other factors. The development of tumor radiation resistance involves complex interactions between multiple genes, pathways, and mechanisms, wherein each factor interacts through one or more signaling pathways. This paper provides an overview of research progress on an understanding of the mechanism underlying radiation resistance in cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yumin Ke
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zhuna Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
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10
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MacLean MR, Walker OL, Arun RP, Fernando W, Marcato P. Informed by Cancer Stem Cells of Solid Tumors: Advances in Treatments Targeting Tumor-Promoting Factors and Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4102. [PMID: 38612911 PMCID: PMC11012648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation within tumors that promote cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence due to their self-renewal capacity and resistance to conventional therapies. CSC-specific markers and signaling pathways highly active in CSCs have emerged as a promising strategy for improving patient outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic targets associated with CSCs of solid tumors across various cancer types, including key molecular markers aldehyde dehydrogenases, CD44, epithelial cellular adhesion molecule, and CD133 and signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Sonic Hedgehog. We discuss a wide array of therapeutic modalities ranging from targeted antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and near-infrared photoimmunotherapy to advanced genetic approaches like RNA interference, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, aptamers, antisense oligonucleotides, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, CAR natural killer cells, bispecific T cell engagers, immunotoxins, drug-antibody conjugates, therapeutic peptides, and dendritic cell vaccines. This review spans developments from preclinical investigations to ongoing clinical trials, highlighting the innovative targeting strategies that have been informed by CSC-associated pathways and molecules to overcome therapeutic resistance. We aim to provide insights into the potential of these therapies to revolutionize cancer treatment, underscoring the critical need for a multi-faceted approach in the battle against cancer. This comprehensive analysis demonstrates how advances made in the CSC field have informed significant developments in novel targeted therapeutic approaches, with the ultimate goal of achieving more effective and durable responses in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya R. MacLean
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Olivia L. Walker
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Raj Pranap Arun
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Wasundara Fernando
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Paola Marcato
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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11
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Peng Y, Zheng W, Chen Y, Lei X, Yang Z, Yang Y, Liang W, Sun K, Li G, Yu J. POLQ inhibition attenuates the stemness and ferroptosis resistance in gastric cancer cells via downregulation of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:248. [PMID: 38575587 PMCID: PMC10995193 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06618-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) contains subpopulations of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are described as the main contributors in tumor initiation and metastasis. It is necessary to clarify the molecular mechanism underlying CSCs phenotype and develop novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for gastric cancer. Here, we show that POLQ positively regulates stem cell-like characteristics of gastric cancer cells, knockdown of POLQ suppressed the stemness of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic studies revealed that POLQ knockdown could downregulate the expression of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). DHODH overexpression rescued the reduced stemness resulted by POLQ knockdown. Furthermore, we found that POLQ expression correlated with resistance to ferroptosis, and POLQ inhibition renders gastric cancer cells more vulnerable to ferroptosis. Further investigation revealed that POLQ regulated DHODH expression via the transcription factors E2F4, thereby regulating ferroptosis resistance and stemness of gastric cancer cells. Given the importance of POLQ in stemness and ferroptosis resistance of GC, we further evaluated the therapeutic potential of POLQ inhibitor novobiocin, the results show that novobiocin attenuates the stemness of GC cells and increased ferroptosis sensitivity. Moreover, the combination of POLQ inhibitor and ferroptosis inducer synergistically suppressed MGC-803 xenograft tumor growth and diminished metastasis. Our results identify a POLQ-mediated stemness and ferroptosis defense mechanism and provide a new therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Peng
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Wenbo Zheng
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Yuehong Chen
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Xuetao Lei
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Zhijing Yang
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Yuxuan Yang
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Weiqi Liang
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Kai Sun
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
| | - Guoxin Li
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
- Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102218, China.
| | - Jiang Yu
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
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12
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Spinelli C, Adnani L, Meehan B, Montermini L, Huang S, Kim M, Nishimura T, Croul SE, Nakano I, Riazalhosseini Y, Rak J. Mesenchymal glioma stem cells trigger vasectasia-distinct neovascularization process stimulated by extracellular vesicles carrying EGFR. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2865. [PMID: 38570528 PMCID: PMC10991552 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46597-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeting neovascularization in glioblastoma (GBM) is hampered by poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms and unclear linkages to tumour molecular landscapes. Here we report that different molecular subtypes of human glioma stem cells (GSC) trigger distinct endothelial responses involving either angiogenic or circumferential vascular growth (vasectasia). The latter process is selectively triggered by mesenchymal (but not proneural) GSCs and is mediated by a subset of extracellular vesicles (EVs) able to transfer EGFR/EGFRvIII transcript to endothelial cells. Inhibition of the expression and phosphorylation of EGFR in endothelial cells, either pharmacologically (Dacomitinib) or genetically (gene editing), abolishes their EV responses in vitro and disrupts vasectasia in vivo. Therapeutic inhibition of EGFR markedly extends anticancer effects of VEGF blockade in mice, coupled with abrogation of vasectasia and prolonged survival. Thus, vasectasia driven by intercellular transfer of oncogenic EGFR may represent a new therapeutic target in a subset of GBMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Spinelli
- McGill University, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lata Adnani
- McGill University, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Brian Meehan
- McGill University, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Laura Montermini
- McGill University, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sidong Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Minjun Kim
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tamiko Nishimura
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sidney E Croul
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Ichiro Nakano
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hokuto Social Medical Corporation, Hokuto Hospital, Kisen-7-5 Inadacho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-0833, Japan
| | | | - Janusz Rak
- McGill University, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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13
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Lin K, Chowdhury S, Zeineddine MA, Zeineddine FA, Hornstein NJ, Villarreal OE, Maru DM, Haymaker CL, Vauthey JN, Chang GJ, Bogatenkova E, Menter D, Kopetz S, Shen JP. Identification of Colorectal Cancer Cell Stemness from Single-Cell RNA Sequencing. Mol Cancer Res 2024; 22:337-346. [PMID: 38156967 PMCID: PMC10987274 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-23-0468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) play a critical role in metastasis, relapse, and therapy resistance in colorectal cancer. While characterization of the normal lineage of cell development in the intestine has led to the identification of many genes involved in the induction and maintenance of pluripotency, recent studies suggest significant heterogeneity in CSC populations. Moreover, while many canonical colorectal cancer CSC marker genes have been identified, the ability to use these classical markers to annotate stemness at the single-cell level is limited. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on a cohort of 6 primary colon, 9 liver metastatic tumors, and 11 normal (nontumor) controls to identify colorectal CSCs at the single-cell level. Finding poor alignment of the 11 genes most used to identify colorectal CSC, we instead extracted a single-cell stemness signature (SCS_sig) that robustly identified "gold-standard" colorectal CSCs that expressed all marker genes. Using this SCS_sig to quantify stemness, we found that while normal epithelial cells show a bimodal distribution, indicating distinct stem and differentiated states, in tumor epithelial cells stemness is a continuum, suggesting greater plasticity in these cells. The SCS_sig score was quite variable between different tumors, reflective of the known transcriptomic heterogeneity of CRC. Notably, patients with higher SCS_sig scores had significantly shorter disease-free survival time after curative intent surgical resection, suggesting stemness is associated with relapse. IMPLICATIONS This study reveals significant heterogeneity of expression of genes commonly used to identify colorectal CSCs, and identifies a novel stemness signature to identify these cells from scRNA-seq data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangyu Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Saikat Chowdhury
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mohammad A. Zeineddine
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Fadl A. Zeineddine
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nicholas J. Hornstein
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Oscar E. Villarreal
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dipen M. Maru
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cara L. Haymaker
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jean-Nicolas Vauthey
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - George J. Chang
- Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Elena Bogatenkova
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David Menter
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Scott Kopetz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - John Paul Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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14
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Sheng N, Fu R, Zhou C, Li Y, Fan Y, Wang J, Nan X. SOX9 promotes stemness in the CAL27 cell line of tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e4000. [PMID: 38566395 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.4000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a prevalent form of oral malignancy, with increasing incidence. Unfortunately, the 5-year survival rate for patients has not exceeded 50%. Studies have shown that sex-determining region Y box 9 (SOX9) correlates with malignancy and tumor stemness in a variety of tumors. To investigate the role of SOX9 in TSCC stemness, we analyzed its influence on various aspects of tumor biology, including cell proliferation, migration, invasion, sphere and clone formation, and drug resistance in TSCC. Our data suggest a close association between SOX9 expression and both the stemness phenotype and drug resistance in TSCC. Immunohistochemical experiments revealed a progressive increase of SOX9 expression in normal oral mucosa, paracancerous tissues, and tongue squamous carcinoma tissues. Furthermore, the expression of SOX9 was closely linked to the TNM stage, but not to lymph node metastasis or tumor diameter. SOX9 is a crucial gene in TSCC responsible for promoting the stemness function of cancer stem cells. Developing drugs that target SOX9 is extremely important in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanning Sheng
- Faculty of Stomatology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Cancer, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Taiyuan, China
| | - Rong Fu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chuhuan Zhou
- Faculty of Stomatology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Cancer, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Prosthodontics, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yawei Fan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Faculty of Stomatology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Prosthodontics, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xinrong Nan
- Faculty of Stomatology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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15
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Lotia S, Patel S, Patel A, Patel V, Shah K, Tanavde V. Unravelling the role of Silibinin in targeting CD44+ cancer stem cells: Therapeutic implications, effective strategies and approaches. Phytother Res 2024; 38:1830-1837. [PMID: 38353369 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
CD44+ cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to account for drug resistance and tumour recurrence due to their potential to self-renew and differentiate into heterogeneous lineages. Therefore, efficient treatment strategies targeting and eliminating these CSCs are required. The flavonolignan, Silibinin, has gained immense attention in targeting CD44+ CSCs as it alters functional properties like cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, inhibition of invasion and metastasis and also inhibits a range of molecular pathways. However, its limited bioavailability is a major hurdle in asserting Silibinin as a translational therapeutic agent. Combinatorial therapy of Silibinin with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs is an alternative approach in targeting CD44+ CSCs as it increases the efficacy and reduces the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs, thus preventing drug resistance. Certain Silibinin-conjugated nano-formulations have also been successfully developed, through which there is improved absorptivity/bioavailability of Silibinin and a decrease in the concentration of therapeutic drugs leading to reduced cytotoxicity. In this review, we summarise the effectiveness of the synergistic therapeutic approach for Silibinin in targeting the molecular mechanisms of CD44+ CSCs and emphasise the potential role of Silibinin as a novel therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Lotia
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Shanaya Patel
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Aditi Patel
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Vaishnavi Patel
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Kanisha Shah
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Vivek Tanavde
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, India
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
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16
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Zhao Y, Li Y, He J, Li M, Yao X, Yang H, Luo Z, Luo P, Su M. Nanointegrative Glycoengineering-Activated Necroptosis of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Stem Cells Enables Self-Amplifiable Immunotherapy for Systemic Tumor Rejection. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2303337. [PMID: 38154036 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer stem cells (TCSCs) are considered as the origin of recurrence and relapse. It is difficult to kill not only for its resistance, but also the lacking of targetable molecules on membrane. Here, it is confirmed that ST6 β-galactoside alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase 1 (ST6Gal-1) is highly expressed in TCSCs that may be the key enzyme involved in glycoengineering via sialic acid (SA) metabolism. SA co-localizes with a microdomain on cell membrane termed as lipid rafts that enrich CSCs marker and necroptosis proteins mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), suggesting that TCSCs may be sensitive to necroptosis. Thus, the triacetylated N-azidoacetyl-d-mannosamine (Ac3ManNAz) is synthesized as the glycoengineering substrate and applied to introduce artificial azido receptors, dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO)-modified liposome is used to deliver Compound 6i (C6), a receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1(RIPL1)-RIP3K-mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(MLKL) activator, to induce necroptosis. The pro-necroptosis effect is aggravated by nitric oxide (NO), which is released from NO-depot of cholesterol-NO integrated in DBCO-PEG-liposome@NO/C6 (DLip@NO/C6). Together with the immunogenicity of necroptosis that releases high mobility group box 1(HMGB1) of damage-associated molecular patterns, TCSCs are significantly killed in vitro and in vivo. The results suggest a promising strategy to improve the therapeutic effect on the non-targetable TCSCs with high expression of ST6Gal-1 via combination of glycoengineering and necroptosis induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youbo Zhao
- Center for Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Research, Key Laboratory for Autoimmune Disease Research of Guizhou Province Education Department. School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, P. R. China
| | - Yanan Li
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
| | - Jing He
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, P. R. China
| | - Menghuan Li
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
| | - Xuemei Yao
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
| | - Huocheng Yang
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
| | - Zhong Luo
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, P. R. China
| | - Peng Luo
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Endemic and Ethnic Regional Diseases Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, P. R. China
| | - Min Su
- Center for Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Research, Key Laboratory for Autoimmune Disease Research of Guizhou Province Education Department. School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, P. R. China
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17
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Kimura T, Doolittle WKL, Kruhlak M, Zhao L, Hwang E, Zhu X, Tang B, Wolcott KM, Cheng SY. Inhibition of MEK Signaling Attenuates Cancer Stem Cell Activity in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid 2024; 34:484-495. [PMID: 38115586 PMCID: PMC10998707 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2023.0521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is highly aggressive and has very limited treatment options. Recent studies suggest that cancer stem cell (CSC) activity in ATC could underlie this recurrence and resistance to treatment. The recent approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the combined treatment of BRAF and MEK inhibitors for ATC patients has shown some efficacy in patients harboring the BRAFV600E mutation. However, it was unknown whether the combined treatment could affect the CSC activity. This study explores the effects of the BRAF and MEK inhibitors on CSC activity in human ATC cells. Methods: Using three human ATC cells, THJ-11T, THJ-16T, and 8505C cells, we evaluated the effects of dabrafenib (a BRAF kinase inhibitor), trametinib (an MEK inhibitor), or a combined treatment of the two drugs on the CSC activity by tumorsphere formation, Aldefluor assays, expression profiles of key CSC markers, immunohistochemistry, and in vivo xenograft mouse models. Furthermore, we also used confocal imaging to directly visualize the effects on drugs on CSCs by the SORE6-mCherry reporter in cultured cells and xenograft tumor cells. Results: The BRAF inhibitor, dabrafenib, had weak efficacy, while the MEK inhibitor, trametinib, showed strong efficacy in attenuating the CSC activity, as evidenced by suppression of CSC marker expression, tumorsphere formation, and Aldefluor assays. Using ATC cells expressing a fluorescent CSC SORE6 reporter, we showed reduction of CSC activity in the rank order of combined > trametinib > dabrafenib through in vitro and in vivo xenograft models. Molecular analyses showed that suppression of CSC activity by these drugs was, in part, mediated by attenuation of the transcription by dampening the RNA polymerase II activity. Conclusions: Our analyses demonstrated the presence of CSCs in ATC cells. The inhibition of CSC activity by the MEK signaling could partially account for the efficacy of the combined treatment shown in ATC patients. However, our studies also showed that not all CSC activity was totally abolished, which may account for the recurrence observed in ATC patients. Our findings have provided new insights into the molecular basis of efficacy and limitations of these drugs in ATC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Kimura
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Woo Kyung Lee Doolittle
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael Kruhlak
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Eunmi Hwang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Xuguang Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Binwu Tang
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Karen M. Wolcott
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity Flow Cytometry Core, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheue-yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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18
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Ruszkowska-Ciastek B, Kwiatkowska K, Marques-da-Silva D, Lagoa R. Cancer Stem Cells from Definition to Detection and Targeted Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3903. [PMID: 38612718 PMCID: PMC11011379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancers remain the second leading cause of mortality in the world. Preclinical and clinical studies point an important role of cancer/leukaemia stem cells (CSCs/LSCs) in the colonisation at secondary organ sites upon metastatic spreading, although the precise mechanisms for specific actions are still not fully understood. Reviewing the present knowledge on the crucial role of CSCs/LSCs, their plasticity, and population heterogeneity in treatment failures in cancer patients is timely. Standard chemotherapy, which acts mainly on rapidly dividing cells, is unable to adequately affect CSCs with a low proliferation rate. One of the proposed mechanisms of CSC resistance to anticancer agents is the fact that these cells can easily shift between different phases of the cell cycle in response to typical cell stimuli induced by anticancer drugs. In this work, we reviewed the recent studies on CSC/LSC alterations associated with disease recurrence, and we systematised the functional assays, markers, and novel methods for CSCs screening. This review emphasises CSCs' involvement in cancer progression and metastasis, as well as CSC/LSC targeting by synthetic and natural compounds aiming at their elimination or modulation of stemness properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ruszkowska-Ciastek
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kwiatkowska
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Jan Biziel University Hospital No. 2, 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Dorinda Marques-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering-Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal; (D.M.-d.-S.); (R.L.)
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Morro do Lena-Alto do Vieiro, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Lagoa
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering-Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal; (D.M.-d.-S.); (R.L.)
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Morro do Lena-Alto do Vieiro, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
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19
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Park M, Jung E, Park JM, Park S, Ko D, Seo J, Kim S, Nam KD, Kang YK, Farrand L, Hoang VH, Nguyen CT, La MT, Nam G, Park HJ, Ann J, Lee J, Kim YJ, Kim JY, Seo JH. The HSP90 inhibitor HVH-2930 exhibits potent efficacy against trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer. Theranostics 2024; 14:2442-2463. [PMID: 38646654 PMCID: PMC11024854 DOI: 10.7150/thno.93236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Resistance to targeted therapies like trastuzumab remains a critical challenge for HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Despite the progress of several N-terminal HSP90 inhibitors in clinical trials, none have achieved approval for clinical use, primarily due to issues such as induction of the heat shock response (HSR), off-target effects, and unfavorable toxicity profiles. We sought to examine the effects of HVH-2930, a novel C-terminal HSP90 inhibitor, in overcoming trastuzumab resistance. Methods: The effect of HVH-2930 on trastuzumab-sensitive and -resistant cell lines in vitro was evaluated in terms of cell viability, expression of HSP90 client proteins, and impact on cancer stem cells. An in vivo model with trastuzumab-resistant JIMT-1 cells was used to examine the efficacy and toxicity of HVH-2930. Results: HVH-2930 was rationally designed to fit into the ATP-binding pocket interface cavity of the hHSP90 homodimer in the C-terminal domain of HSP90, stabilizing its open conformation and hindering ATP binding. HVH-2930 induces apoptosis without inducing the HSR but by specifically suppressing the HER2 signaling pathway. This occurs with the downregulation of HER2/p95HER2 and disruption of HER2 family member heterodimerization. Attenuation of cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties was associated with the downregulation of stemness factors such as ALDH1, CD44, Nanog and Oct4. Furthermore, HVH-2930 administration inhibited angiogenesis and tumor growth in trastuzumab-resistant xenograft mice. A synergistic effect was observed when combining HVH-2930 and paclitaxel in JIMT-1 xenografts. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the potent efficacy of HVH-2930 in overcoming trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer. Further investigation is warranted to fully establish its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minsu Park
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunsun Jung
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Min Park
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Soeun Park
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongmi Ko
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Juyeon Seo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongjae Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Kee Dal Nam
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Koo Kang
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea
| | - Lee Farrand
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Van-Hai Hoang
- Faculty of Pharmacy, PHENIKAA University, Hanoi 12116, Vietnam
| | - Cong-Truong Nguyen
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
| | - Minh Thanh La
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Gibeom Nam
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Ju Park
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyae Ann
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeewoo Lee
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Jae Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Young Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hong Seo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea
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Gupta A, Das D, Taneja R. Targeting Dysregulated Lipid Metabolism in Cancer with Pharmacological Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1313. [PMID: 38610991 PMCID: PMC11010992 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071313] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic plasticity is recognised as a hallmark of cancer cells, enabling adaptation to microenvironmental changes throughout tumour progression. A dysregulated lipid metabolism plays a pivotal role in promoting oncogenesis. Oncogenic signalling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT, Hippo, and NF-kB, intersect with the lipid metabolism to drive tumour progression. Furthermore, altered lipid signalling in the tumour microenvironment contributes to immune dysfunction, exacerbating oncogenesis. This review examines the role of lipid metabolism in tumour initiation, invasion, metastasis, and cancer stem cell maintenance. We highlight cybernetic networks in lipid metabolism to uncover avenues for cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Centre for Cancer Research Translation Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), 2 Medical Drive, MD9, Singapore 117593, Singapore
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21
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Mediratta K, El-Sahli S, Marotel M, Awan MZ, Kirkby M, Salkini A, Kurdieh R, Abdisalam S, Shrestha A, Di Censo C, Sulaiman A, McGarry S, Lavoie JR, Liu Z, Lee SH, Li X, Sciumè G, D’Costa VM, Ardolino M, Wang L. Targeting CD73 with flavonoids inhibits cancer stem cells and increases lymphocyte infiltration in a triple-negative breast cancer mouse model. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1366197. [PMID: 38601156 PMCID: PMC11004431 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1366197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chemotherapy remains the mainstay treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) due to the lack of specific targets. Given a modest response of immune checkpoint inhibitors in TNBC patients, improving immunotherapy is an urgent and crucial task in this field. CD73 has emerged as a novel immunotherapeutic target, given its elevated expression on tumor, stromal, and specific immune cells, and its established role in inhibiting anti-cancer immunity. CD73-generated adenosine suppresses immunity by attenuating tumor-infiltrating T- and NK-cell activation, while amplifying regulatory T cell activation. Chemotherapy often leads to increased CD73 expression and activity, further suppressing anti-tumor immunity. While debulking the tumor mass, chemotherapy also enriches heterogenous cancer stem cells (CSC), potentially leading to tumor relapse. Therefore, drugs targeting both CD73, and CSCs hold promise for enhancing chemotherapy efficacy, overcoming treatment resistance, and improving clinical outcomes. However, safe and effective inhibitors of CD73 have not been developed as of now. Methods We used in silico docking to screen compounds that may be repurposed for inhibiting CD73. The efficacy of these compounds was investigated through flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, CD73 activity, cell viability, tumorsphere formation, and other in vitro functional assays. For assessment of clinical translatability, TNBC patient-derived xenograft organotypic cultures were utilized. We also employed the ovalbumin-expressing AT3 TNBC mouse model to evaluate tumor-specific lymphocyte responses. Results We identified quercetin and luteolin, currently used as over-the-counter supplements, to have high in silico complementarity with CD73. When quercetin and luteolin were combined with the chemotherapeutic paclitaxel in a triple-drug regimen, we found an effective downregulation in paclitaxel-enhanced CD73 and CSC-promoting pathways YAP and Wnt. We found that CD73 expression was required for the maintenance of CD44highCD24low CSCs, and co-targeting CD73, YAP, and Wnt effectively suppressed the growth of human TNBC cell lines and patient-derived xenograft organotypic cultures. Furthermore, triple-drug combination inhibited paclitaxel-enriched CSCs and simultaneously improved lymphocyte infiltration in syngeneic TNBC mouse tumors. Discussion Conclusively, our findings elucidate the significance of CSCs in impairing anti-tumor immunity. The high efficacy of our triple-drug regimen in clinically relevant platforms not only underscores the importance for further mechanistic investigations but also paves the way for potential development of new, safe, and cost-effective therapeutic strategies for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan Mediratta
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases (ccCRDD), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine-University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sara El-Sahli
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases (ccCRDD), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine-University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Marie Marotel
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Muhammad Z. Awan
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
| | - Melanie Kirkby
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases (ccCRDD), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine-University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ammar Salkini
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases (ccCRDD), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine-University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Reem Kurdieh
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Salman Abdisalam
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases (ccCRDD), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine-University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Amit Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases (ccCRDD), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine-University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Chiara Di Censo
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrew Sulaiman
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases (ccCRDD), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine-University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Pathology, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sarah McGarry
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases (ccCRDD), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine-University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jessie R. Lavoie
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Zhen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Seung-Hwan Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Xuguang Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate, Health Canada, Sir Frederick G. Banting Research Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Giuseppe Sciumè
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Instituto Pasteur Italia – Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Roma, Italy
| | - Vanessa M. D’Costa
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michele Ardolino
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation (CI3), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases (ccCRDD), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine-University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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22
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Fiorentino F, Fabbrizi E, Raucci A, Noce B, Fioravanti R, Valente S, Paolini C, De Maria R, Steinkühler C, Gallinari P, Rotili D, Mai A. Uracil- and Pyridine-Containing HDAC Inhibitors Displayed Cytotoxicity in Colorectal and Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cells. ChemMedChem 2024:e202300655. [PMID: 38529661 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a niche of highly tumorigenic cells featuring self-renewal, activation of pluripotency genes, multidrug resistance, and ability to cause cancer relapse. Seven HDACi (1-7), showing either hydroxamate or 2'-aminoanilide function, were tested in colorectal cancer (CRC) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) CSCs to determine their effects on cell proliferation, H3 acetylation levels and in-cell HDAC activity. Two uracil-based hydroxamates, 5 and 6, which differ in substitution at C5 and C6 positions of the pyrimidine ring, exhibited the greatest cytotoxicity in GBM (5) and CRC (6) CSCs, followed by the pyridine-hydroxamate 2, with 2- to 6-fold higher potency than the positive control SAHA. Finally, increased H3 acetylation as well as HDAC inhibition directly in cells by selected 2'-aminoanilide 4 and hydroxamate 5 confirmed target engagement. Further investigation will be conducted into the broad-spectrum anticancer properties of the most potent derivatives and their effects in combination with approved, conventional anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alessia Raucci
- Sapienza University of Rome, Drug Chemistry and Technologies, ITALY
| | - Beatrice Noce
- Sapienza University of Rome, Drug Chemistry and Technologies, ITALY
| | | | - Sergio Valente
- Sapienza University of Rome, Drug Chemistry and Technologies, ITALY
| | | | - Ruggero De Maria
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart - Rome Campus, ---, ITALY
| | | | | | - Dante Rotili
- Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Aldo Moro Square n. 5, C.F. RTLDNT77L22H282D, 00185, Roma, ITALY
| | - Antonello Mai
- Sapienza University of Rome, Drug Chemistry and Technologies, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, ITALY
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Li H, Xu M, Chen D, Wen W, Luo J. Pirfenidone ameliorates alcohol-induced promotion of breast cancer in mice. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1351839. [PMID: 38590657 PMCID: PMC10999600 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1351839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer and promotes cancer progression. Alcohol exposure could affect both processes of the mammary carcinogenesis, namely, the cell transformation and onset of tumorigenesis as well as cancer aggressiveness including metastasis and drug resistance/recurrence. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol tumor promotion remain unclear. There are four members of the mammalian p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, namely, p38α, p38β, p38γ and p38δ. We have previously demonstrated alcohol exposure selectively activated p38γ MAPK in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Pirfenidone (PFD), an antifibrotic compound approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is also a pharmacological inhibitor of p38γ MAPK. This study aimed to determine whether PFD is useful to inhibit alcohol-induced promotion of breast cancer. Methods Female adolescent (5 weeks) MMTV-Wnt1 mice were exposed to alcohol with a liquid diet containing 6.7% ethanol. Some mice received intraperitoneal (IP) injection of PFD (100 mg/kg) every other day. After that, the effects of alcohol and PFD on mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis were examined. Results Alcohol promoted the progression of mammary tumors in adolescent MMTV-Wnt1 mice. Treatment of PFD blocked tumor growth and alcohol-promoted metastasis. It also significantly inhibited alcohol-induced tumorsphere formation and cancer stem cell (CSC) population. Conclusion PFD inhibited mammary tumor growth and alcohol-promoted metastasis. Since PFD is an FDA-approved drug, the current findings may be helpful to re-purpose its application in treating aggressive breast cancer and alcohol-promoted mammary tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Mei Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Danlei Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wen Wen
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Jia Luo
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, United States
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Fan G, Xie T, Li L, Tang L, Han X, Shi Y. Single-cell and spatial analyses revealed the co-location of cancer stem cells and SPP1+ macrophage in hypoxic region that determines the poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:75. [PMID: 38521868 PMCID: PMC10960828 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00564-3] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), classical cancer stem cells (CSC) markers were shared by normal stem cells, targeting which may hinder hepatic regeneration and cause liver failure. Additionally, the spatial structure of CSC still remained elusive. To address these limitations, we undertook a comprehensive study combining single-cell data (56,022 cells from 20 samples) and spatial data (38,191 spots from eight samples) to obtain CSC signature and uncover its spatial structure. Utilizing the CytoTRACE algorithm, we discretely identified CSC, which displayed upregulated proliferation pathways regulated by HIF1A. A CSC signature of 107 genes was then developed using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Notably, HCC patients with high CSC levels exhibited an accumulation of SPP1+ macrophages (Macro_SPP1) expressing metalloproteinases (MMP9, MMP12, and MMP7) regulated by HIF1A, suggesting a hypoxic tumor region connecting Macro_SPP1 and CSC. Both CSC and Macro_SPP1 correlated with worse prognosis and undesirable immunotherapy response. Spatial analysis revealed the co-location of CSC and Macro_SPP1, with CD8 T cells excluded from the tumor region. The co-location area and non-tumor area of boundary exhibited a high level of hypoxia, with the HAVRC2 checkpoint highly expressed. Within the co-location area, the SPP1 signaling pathway was most active in cell-cell communication, with SPP1-CD44 and SPP1-ITGA/ITGB identified as the main ligand-receptor pairs. This study successfully constructed a CSC signature and demonstrated the co-location of CSC and Macro_SPP1 in a hypoxic region that exacerbates the tumor microenvironment in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Fan
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study on Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs; No. 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Tongji Xie
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study on Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs; No. 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Le Tang
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study on Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs; No. 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xiaohong Han
- Clinical Pharmacology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Drug, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical PK & PD Investigation for Innovative Drugs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College; No.1, Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Yuankai Shi
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Study on Anticancer Molecular Targeted Drugs; No. 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
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25
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Maleszewska M, Wojnicki K, Mieczkowski J, Król SK, Jacek K, Śmiech M, Kocyk M, Ciechomska IA, Bujko M, Siedlecki J, Kotulska K, Grajkowska W, Zawadzka M, Kaminska B. DMRTA2 supports glioma stem-cell mediated neovascularization in glioblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:228. [PMID: 38509074 PMCID: PMC10954651 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06603-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and lethal brain tumor in adults. Due to its fast proliferation, diffusive growth and therapy resistance survival times are less than two years for patients with IDH-wildtype GBM. GBM is noted for the considerable cellular heterogeneity, high stemness indices and abundance of the glioma stem-like cells known to support tumor progression, therapeutic resistance and recurrence. Doublesex- and mab-3-related transcription factor a2 (DMRTA2) is involved in maintaining neural progenitor cells (NPC) in the cell cycle and its overexpression suppresses NPC differentiation. Despite the reports showing that primary GBM originates from transformed neural stem/progenitors cells, the role of DMRTA2 in gliomagenesis has not been elucidated so far. Here we show the upregulation of DMRTA2 expression in malignant gliomas. Immunohistochemical staining showed the protein concentrated in small cells with high proliferative potential and cells localized around blood vessels, where it colocalizes with pericyte-specific markers. Knock-down of DMRTA2 in human glioma cells impairs proliferation but not viability of the cells, and affects the formation of the tumor spheres, as evidenced by strong decrease in the number and size of spheres in in vitro cultures. Moreover, the knockdown of DMRTA2 in glioma spheres affects the stabilization of the glioma stem-like cell-dependent tube formation in an in vitro angiogenesis assay. We conclude that DMRTA2 is a new player in gliomagenesis and tumor neovascularization and due to its high expression in malignant gliomas could be a biomarker and potential target for new therapeutic strategies in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Maleszewska
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Functional Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Kamil Wojnicki
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jakub Mieczkowski
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- 3P-Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Sylwia K Król
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karol Jacek
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Śmiech
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Kocyk
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona A Ciechomska
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Bujko
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Siedlecki
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kotulska
- Department of Pathology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wiesława Grajkowska
- Department of Pathology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Zawadzka
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Plasticity, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bozena Kaminska
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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26
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Lin P, Chen W, Long Z, Yu J, Yang J, Xia Z, Wu Q, Min X, Tang J, Cui Y, Liu F, Wang C, Zheng J, Li W, Rich JN, Li L, Xie Q. RBBP6 maintains glioblastoma stem cells through CPSF3-dependent alternative polyadenylation. Cell Discov 2024; 10:32. [PMID: 38503731 PMCID: PMC10951364 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-024-00654-3] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is one of the most lethal malignant cancers, displaying striking intratumor heterogeneity, with glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) contributing to tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance. Pharmacologic modulators of ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases are under development for cancer and other diseases. Here, we performed parallel in vitro and in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screens targeting human ubiquitin E3 ligases and deubiquitinases, revealing the E3 ligase RBBP6 as an essential factor for GSC maintenance. Targeting RBBP6 inhibited GSC proliferation and tumor initiation. Mechanistically, RBBP6 mediated K63-linked ubiquitination of Cleavage and Polyadenylation Specific Factor 3 (CPSF3), which stabilized CPSF3 to regulate alternative polyadenylation events. RBBP6 depletion induced shortening of the 3'UTRs of MYC competing-endogenous RNAs to release miR-590-3p from shortened UTRs, thereby decreasing MYC expression. Targeting CPSF3 with a small molecular inhibitor (JTE-607) reduces GSC viability and inhibits in vivo tumor growth. Collectively, RBBP6 maintains high MYC expression in GSCs through regulation of CPSF3-dependent alternative polyadenylation, providing a potential therapeutic paradigm for glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lin
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenyan Chen
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhilin Long
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jichuan Yu
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiayao Yang
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhen Xia
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiulian Wu
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Xinyu Min
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Tang
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ya Cui
- Division of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Fuyi Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Li
- Division of Computational Biomedicine, Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy N Rich
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Lei Li
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Qi Xie
- Westlake Disease Modeling Laboratory, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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27
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Yoon C, Lu J, Ryeom SW, Simon MC, Yoon SS. Retraction Note: PIK3R3, part of the regulatory domain of PI3K, is upregulated in sarcoma stem-like cells and promotes invasion, migration, and chemotherapy resistance. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:226. [PMID: 38503763 PMCID: PMC10951372 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06609-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Changhwan Yoon
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian, China
| | - Sandra W Ryeom
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - M Celeste Simon
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sam S Yoon
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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28
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Rodrigues ACBDC, Silva SLR, Dias IRSB, Costa RGA, Oliveira MDS, Soares MBP, Dias RB, Valverde LF, Rocha CAG, Johnson EM, Pina C, Bezerra DP. Piplartine eliminates CD34 + AML stem/progenitor cells by inducing oxidative stress and suppressing NF-κB signalling. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:147. [PMID: 38503729 PMCID: PMC10951277 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01909-4] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a haematological malignancy characterised by the accumulation of transformed myeloid progenitors in the bone marrow. Piplartine (PL), also known as piperlongumine, is a pro-oxidant small molecule extracted from peppers that has demonstrated antineoplastic potential in solid tumours and other haematological malignancies. In this work, we explored the potential of PL to treat AML through the use of a combination of cellular and molecular analyses of primary and cultured leukaemia cells in vitro and in vivo. We showed that PL exhibits in vitro cytotoxicity against AML cells, including CD34+ leukaemia-propagating cells, but not healthy haematopoietic progenitors, suggesting anti-leukaemia selectivity. Mechanistically, PL treatment increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and induced ROS-mediated apoptosis in AML cells, which could be prevented by treatment with the antioxidant scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine and the pancaspase inhibitor Z-VAD(OMe)-FMK. PL treatment reduced NFKB1 gene transcription and the level of NF-κB p65 (pS536), which was depleted from the nucleus of AML cells, indicating suppression of NF-κB p65 signalling. Significantly, PL suppressed AML development in a mouse xenograft model, and its combination with current AML treatments (cytarabine, daunorubicin and azacytidine) had synergistic effects, indicating translational therapeutic potential. Taken together, these data position PL as a novel anti-AML candidate drug that can target leukaemia stem/progenitors and is amenable to combinatorial therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina B da C Rodrigues
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Suellen L R Silva
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Ingrid R S B Dias
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Rafaela G A Costa
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Maiara de S Oliveira
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Milena B P Soares
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- SENAI Institute for Innovation in Advanced Health Systems, SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, Bahia, 41650-010, Brazil
| | - Rosane B Dias
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Propaedeutics and Integrated Clinical, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, 40301-155, Brazil
| | - Ludmila F Valverde
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Clarissa A G Rocha
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil
- Department of Propaedeutics and Integrated Clinical, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, 40301-155, Brazil
- Center for Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Salvador, Bahia, 41253-190, Brazil
| | - Emily M Johnson
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Cristina Pina
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK.
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK.
| | - Daniel P Bezerra
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador, Bahia, 40296-710, Brazil.
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29
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Zhu L, Wang H. Cholesterol-regulated cellular stiffness may enhance evasion of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in gastric cancer stem cells. FEBS Open Bio 2024. [PMID: 38494433 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13793] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer has a high rate of recurrence, and as such, immunotherapy strategies are being investigated as a potential therapeutic strategy. Although the involvement of immune checkpoints in immunotherapy is well studied, biomechanical cues, such as target cell stiffness, have not yet been subject to the same level of investigation. Changes in the cholesterol content of the cell membrane directly influence tumor cell stiffness. Here, we investigated the effect of cholesterol on NK cell-mediated killing of gastric cancer stem-like cells. We report that surviving tumor cells with stem-like properties elevated cholesterol metabolism to evade NK cell cytotoxicity. Inhibition of cholesterol metabolism enhances NK cell-mediated killing of gastric cancer stem-like cells, highlighting a potential avenue for improving immunotherapy efficacy. This study suggests a possible effect of cancer cell stiffness on immune evasion and offers insights into enhancing immunotherapeutic strategies against tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology (II), The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, China
| | - Hongjing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, China
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30
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Philchenkov A, Dubrovska A. Cancer Stem Cells as a Therapeutic Target: Current Clinical Development and Future Prospective. Stem Cells 2024; 42:173-199. [PMID: 38096483 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxad092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
The key role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor development and therapy resistance makes them essential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Numerous agents targeting CSCs, either as monotherapy or as part of combination therapy, are currently being tested in clinical trials to treat solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Data from ongoing and future clinical trials testing novel approaches to target tumor stemness-related biomarkers and pathways may pave the way for further clinical development of CSC-targeted treatments and CSC-guided selection of therapeutic regimens. In this concise review, we discuss recent progress in developing CSC-directed treatment approaches, focusing on clinical trials testing CSC-directed therapies. We also consider the further development of CSC-assay-guided patient stratification and treatment personalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Philchenkov
- RE Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
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31
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Atwani R, Rogers A, Nagare R, Prasad M, Lazar V, Sandusky G, Pin F, Condello S. Integrin-linked kinase-frizzled 7 interaction maintains cancer stem cells to drive platinum resistance in ovarian cancer. Res Sq 2024:rs.3.rs-4086737. [PMID: 38559125 PMCID: PMC10980163 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4086737/v1] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Platinum-based chemotherapy regimens are a mainstay in the management of ovarian cancer (OC), but emergence of chemoresistance poses a significant clinical challenge. The persistence of ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) at the end of primary treatment contributes to disease recurrence. Here, we hypothesized that the extracellular matrix protects CSCs during chemotherapy and supports their tumorigenic functions by activating integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a key enzyme in drug resistance. Methods TCGA datasets and OC models were investigated using an integrated proteomic and gene expression analysis and examined ILK for correlations with chemoresistance pathways and clinical outcomes. Canonical Wnt pathway components, pro-survival signaling, and stemness were examined using OC models. To investigate the role of ILK in the OCSC-phenotype, a novel pharmacological inhibitor of ILK in combination with carboplatin was utilized in vitro and in vivo OC models. Results In response to increased fibronectin (FN) secretion and integrin β1 clustering, aberrant ILK activation supported the OCSC phenotype, contributing to OC spheroid proliferation and reduced response to platinum treatment. Complexes formed by ILK with the Wnt receptor frizzled 7 (Fzd7) were detected in tumors and showed a strong correlation with metastatic progression. Moreover, TCGA datasets confirmed that combined expression of ILK and Fzd7 in high grade serous ovarian tumors is correlated with reduced response to chemotherapy and poor patient outcomes. Mechanistically, interaction of ILK with Fzd7 increased the response to Wnt ligands, thereby amplifying the stemness-associated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Notably, preclinical studies showed that the novel ILK inhibitor compound 22 (cpd-22) alone disrupted ILK interaction with Fzd7 and CSC proliferation as spheroids. Furthermore, when combined with carboplatin, this disruption led to sustained AKT inhibition, apoptotic damage in OCSCs and reduced tumorigenicity in mice. Conclusions This "outside-in" signaling mechanism is potentially actionable, and combined targeting of ILK-Fzd7 may represent a new therapeutic strategy to eradicate OCSCs and improve patient outcomes.
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32
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Ma L, Chen C, Zhao C, Li T, Ma L, Jiang J, Duan Z, Si Q, Chuang TH, Xiang R, Luo Y. Targeting carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) induces ferroptosis and synergizes with immunotherapy in lung cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:64. [PMID: 38453925 PMCID: PMC10920667 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01772-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the successful application of immune checkpoint therapy, no response or recurrence is typical in lung cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified as a crucial player in immunotherapy-related resistance. Ferroptosis, a form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, is highly regulated by cellular metabolism remolding and has been shown to have synergistic effects when combined with immunotherapy. Metabolic adaption of CSCs drives tumor resistance, yet the mechanisms of their ferroptosis defense in tumor immune evasion remain elusive. Here, through metabolomics, transcriptomics, a lung epithelial-specific Cpt1a-knockout mouse model, and clinical analysis, we demonstrate that CPT1A, a key rate-limiting enzyme of fatty acid oxidation, acts with L-carnitine, derived from tumor-associated macrophages to drive ferroptosis-resistance and CD8+ T cells inactivation in lung cancer. Mechanistically, CPT1A restrains ubiquitination and degradation of c-Myc, while c-Myc transcriptionally activates CPT1A expression. The CPT1A/c-Myc positive feedback loop further enhances the cellular antioxidant capacity by activating the NRF2/GPX4 system and reduces the amount of phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acids through ACSL4 downregulating, thereby suppressing ferroptosis in CSCs. Significantly, targeting CPT1A enhances immune checkpoint blockade-induced anti-tumor immunity and tumoral ferroptosis in tumor-bearing mice. The results illustrate the potential of a mechanism-guided therapeutic strategy by targeting a metabolic vulnerability in the ferroptosis of CSCs to improve the efficacy of lung cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ma
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Chong Chen
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
| | - Chunxing Zhao
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Lingyu Ma
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Jiayu Jiang
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Zhaojun Duan
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Qin Si
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Tsung-Hsien Chuang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Rong Xiang
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yunping Luo
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
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33
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Seeneevassen L, Zaafour A, Sifré E, Genevois C, Nguyen TL, Pobiedonoscew Y, Giese A, Guignard J, Tiffon C, Rousseau B, Raymond AA, Belleannée G, Boeuf H, Gronnier C, Martin OCB, Giraud J, Lehours P, Dubus P, Varon C. Targeting metastasis-initiating cancer stem cells in gastric cancer with leukaemia inhibitory factor. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:120. [PMID: 38453889 PMCID: PMC10920825 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01839-1] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer's (GC) bad prognosis is usually associated with metastatic spread. Invasive cancer stem cells (CSC) are considered to be the seed of GC metastasis and not all CSCs are able to initiate metastasis. Targeting these aggressive metastasis-initiating CSC (MIC) is thus vital. Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is hereby used to target Hippo pathway oncogenic members, found to be induced in GC and associated with CSC features. LIF-treated GC cell lines, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cells and/or CSC tumourspheres underwent transcriptomics, laser microdissection-associated proteomics, 2D and 3D invasion assays and in vivo xenograft in mice blood circulation. LIFR expression was analysed on tissue microarrays from GC patients and in silico from public databases. LIF-treated cells, especially CSC, presented decreased epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and invasion capacity in vitro, and lower metastasis initiation ability in vivo. These effects involved both the Hippo and Jak/Stat pathways. Finally, GC's high LIFR expression was associated with better clinical outcomes in patients. LIF treatment could thus represent a targeted anti-CSC strategy to fight against metastatic GC, and LIFR detection in primary tumours could constitute a potential new prognosis marker in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lornella Seeneevassen
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anissa Zaafour
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Elodie Sifré
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Coralie Genevois
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
- VIVOPTIC TBM-Core, University Bordeaux, CNRS UAR3427 INSERM US005, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Tra Ly Nguyen
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yasmine Pobiedonoscew
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Alban Giese
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jérôme Guignard
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Camille Tiffon
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Benoit Rousseau
- Animal Facility, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anne-Aurélie Raymond
- Oncoprot TBM-Core, University of Bordeaux, CNRS UAR3427 INSERM US005, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Geneviève Belleannée
- CHU Bordeaux, F-33076, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Histology and Pathology, CHU Bordeaux, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Hélène Boeuf
- INSERM U1026, Tissue Bioengineering, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Caroline Gronnier
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
- CHU Bordeaux, F-33076, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Haut-Lévêque Hospital, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Océane C B Martin
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Julie Giraud
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - Philippe Lehours
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
- CHU Bordeaux, F-33076, Bordeaux, France
- Centre National de Référence des Campylobacters et Helicobacters, Pellegrin Hospital, Bordeaux, 33076, France
| | - Pierre Dubus
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France
- CHU Bordeaux, F-33076, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Histology and Pathology, CHU Bordeaux, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Christine Varon
- INSERM U1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology, University of Bordeaux, 33076, Bordeaux, France.
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Liu G, Yu J, Wu R, Shi L, Zhang X, Zhang W, Zhong X, Wang Y, Li H, Shen Y, Wu C, Yu R, Niu M, Liu X. Retraction Note: GRP78 determines glioblastoma sensitivity to UBA1 inhibition-induced UPR signaling and cell death. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:188. [PMID: 38443366 PMCID: PMC10915128 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Guanzheng Liu
- Insititute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jiefeng Yu
- Insititute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Runqiu Wu
- Insititute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Insititute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of general surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wanhong Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kaifeng Central Hospital, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Xiaomin Zhong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Huai'an First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- Insititute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huan Li
- Insititute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Insititute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Changyong Wu
- Insititute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rutong Yu
- Insititute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Mingshan Niu
- Insititute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Blood Diseases Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xuejiao Liu
- Insititute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Zhan H, Lv Y, Shen R, Li C, Li M, Li Y. Bimetallic Gold/Silver and Bioactive Camptothecin Hybrid Nanoparticles for Eradication of Cancer Stem Cells in a Combination Manner. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:1450-1465. [PMID: 38335466 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c01100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The defeat of cancer is still a challenge due to the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) because they resist conventional chemotherapy via multifactor regulated mechanisms. Consequently, one-dimensional action toward CSCs cannot work. Herein, we used rationally designed hybrid nanoparticles as a combined cancer therapy, hoping to form a multidimensional control network. In this paper, gold/silver alloy nanoparticle decorated camptothecin nanocrystals were formulated according to complementary anti-CSC mechanisms from gold, silver, and organic drug. This smart drug formulation could combine chemotherapy and thermotherapy, target different tumor sites, and demonstrate versatile toxicity profiles from each component. Major results indicated that this nanosystem demonstrated indiscriminately effective cytotoxic/proapoptotic/necrotic activity against bulk MCF-7 cells and their CSC subpopulation, in particular under laser ablation. Moreover, this nanosystem displayed enhanced antineoplastic activity against CSC spheroids, resulting in a significant reduction in their number and size, that is, their self-renewal capacity. All the results indicated that CSCs upon treatment of these new hybrid nanoparticles underwent reduced stemness and conversion from the original quiescent state and recovered their sensitivity toward chemotherapy. The relevant anticancer mechanism was ascribed to NIR-pH dual responsive drug release, synergistic/combined thermo-chemotherapy of organic drug and inorganic alloy nanoparticles, enhanced cellular uptake mediated by alloy nanoparticles, and Ag+-induced biomembrane damage. This thermo-chemotherapy platform provides a new combinatorial strategy for inorganic and organic agents in the complete elimination of CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglei Zhan
- Department of Biopharmacy, School of Bioengineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, Liaoning Province 116034, P. R. China
| | - Yulong Lv
- Department of Biopharmacy, School of Bioengineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, Liaoning Province 116034, P. R. China
| | - Ruiyu Shen
- Department of Biopharmacy, School of Bioengineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, Liaoning Province 116034, P. R. China
| | - Chaoyue Li
- Department of Biopharmacy, School of Bioengineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, Liaoning Province 116034, P. R. China
| | - Miao Li
- Department of Biopharmacy, School of Bioengineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, Liaoning Province 116034, P. R. China
| | - Yahong Li
- Research Institute of Photonics, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, Liaoning Province 116034, P. R. China
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Tiwari M, Srivastava P, Abbas S, Jegatheesan J, Ranjan A, Sharma S, Maurya VP, Saxena AK, Sharma LK. Emerging Role of Autophagy in Governing Cellular Dormancy, Metabolic Functions, and Therapeutic Responses of Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2024; 13:447. [PMID: 38474411 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050447] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors are composed of heterogeneous populations of dysregulated cells that grow in specialized niches that support their growth and maintain their properties. Tumor heterogeneity and metastasis are among the major hindrances that exist while treating cancer patients, leading to poor clinical outcomes. Although the factors that determine tumor complexity remain largely unknown, several genotypic and phenotypic changes, including DNA mutations and metabolic reprograming provide cancer cells with a survival advantage over host cells and resistance to therapeutics. Furthermore, the presence of a specific population of cells within the tumor mass, commonly known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), is thought to initiate tumor formation, maintenance, resistance, and recurrence. Therefore, these CSCs have been investigated in detail recently as potential targets to treat cancer and prevent recurrence. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in CSC proliferation, self-renewal, and dormancy may provide important clues for developing effective therapeutic strategies. Autophagy, a catabolic process, has long been recognized to regulate various physiological and pathological processes. In addition to regulating cancer cells, recent studies have identified a critical role for autophagy in regulating CSC functions. Autophagy is activated under various adverse conditions and promotes cellular maintenance, survival, and even cell death. Thus, it is intriguing to address whether autophagy promotes or inhibits CSC functions and whether autophagy modulation can be used to regulate CSC functions, either alone or in combination. This review describes the roles of autophagy in the regulation of metabolic functions, proliferation and quiescence of CSCs, and its role during therapeutic stress. The review further highlights the autophagy-associated pathways that could be used to regulate CSCs. Overall, the present review will help to rationalize various translational approaches that involve autophagy-mediated modulation of CSCs in controlling cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Pransu Srivastava
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Sabiya Abbas
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Janani Jegatheesan
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Ashish Ranjan
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Sadhana Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Ved Prakash Maurya
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Ajit Kumar Saxena
- Department of Pathology/Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Lokendra Kumar Sharma
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow 226014, India
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Roy S, Dukic T, Keepers Z, Bhandary B, Lamichhane N, Molitoris J, Ko YH, Banerjee A, Shukla HD. SOX2 and OCT4 mediate radiation and drug resistance in pancreatic tumor organoids. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:106. [PMID: 38429272 PMCID: PMC10907757 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01871-1] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has a five-year survival rate of only 10%, mostly due to late diagnosis and limited treatment options. In patients with unresectable disease, either FOLFIRINOX, a combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin and irinotecan, or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel combined with radiation are frontline standard regimens. However, chemo-radiation therapy has shown limited success because patients develop resistance to chemotherapy and/or radiation. In this study, we evaluated the role of pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSC) using OCT4 and SOX2, CSC markers in mouse pancreatic tumor organoids. We treated pancreatic tumor organoids with 4 or 8 Gy of radiation, 10 μM of 5-FU (5-Fluorouracil), and 100 μM 3-Bromopyruvate (3BP), a promising anti-cancer drug, as a single treatment modalities, and in combination with RT. Our results showed significant upregulation of, OCT4, and SOX2 expression in pancreatic tumor organoids treated with 4 and 8 Gy of radiation, and downregulation following 5-FU treatment. The expression of CSC markers with increasing treatment dose exhibited elevated upregulation levels to radiation and downregulation to 5-FU chemotherapy drug. Conversely, when tumor organoids were treated with a combination of 5-FU and radiation, there was a significant inhibition in SOX2 and OCT4 expression, indicating CSC self-renewal inhibition. Noticeably, we also observed that human pancreatic tumor tissues exhibited heterogeneous and aberrant OCT4 and SOX2 expression as compared to normal pancreas, indicating their potential role in pancreatic cancer growth and therapy resistance. In addition, the combination of 5-FU and radiation treatment exhibited significant inhibition of the β-catenin pathway in pancreatic tumor organoids, resulting in sensitization to treatment and organoid death. In conclusion, our study emphasizes the crucial role of CSCs in therapeutic resistance in PC treatment. We recommend using tumor organoids as a model system to explore the impact of CSCs in PC and identify new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjit Roy
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tijana Dukic
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zachery Keepers
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Binny Bhandary
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Narottam Lamichhane
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jason Molitoris
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Young H Ko
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aditi Banerjee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hem D Shukla
- Division of Translational Radiation Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Han Y, Ki CS. Effect of Matrix Stiffness and Hepatocyte Growth Factor on Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells in Decellularized Extracellular Matrix-Based Hydrogels. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300356. [PMID: 37877161 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is one of lethal cancers resulting in very low 5-year-survival rate. Although its clinical treatment largely relies on chemotherapy, SCLC cell physiology in three-dimenstional (3D) matrix has been less explored. In this work, the tumor microenvironment is reconstructed with decellularized porcine pulmonary extracellular matrix (dECM) with hyaluronic acid. To modulate matrix stiffness, the methacrylate groups are introduced into both dECM and hyaluronic acid, followed by photocrosslinking with photoinitiator. The stiffness of the resulting dECM-based hydrogel covers the stiffness of normal or cancerous tissue with varying dECM content. The proliferation and cancer stem cell marker expression of encapsulated SCLC cells are promoted in a compliant hydrogel matrix, which has a low shear modulus similar to that of the normal tissue. The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) that induces SCLC cell invasion and chemoresistance markedly increases invasiveness and gene expression levels of CD44 and Sox2 in the hydrogel matrix. In addition, HGF treatment causes higher resistance against anticancer drugs (cisplatin and paclitaxel) in the 3D microenvironment. These findings indicate that malignant SCLC can be recapitulated in a pulmonary dECM-based matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoobin Han
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Seok Ki
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
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Kaur S, Reginauld B, Razjooyan S, Phi T, Singh SP, Meyer TJ, Cam MC, Roberts DD. Effects of a humanized CD47 antibody and recombinant SIRPα proteins on triple negative breast carcinoma stem cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1356421. [PMID: 38495618 PMCID: PMC10940465 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1356421] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Signal regulatory protein-α (SIRPα, SHPS-1, CD172a) expressed on myeloid cells transmits inhibitory signals when it engages its counter-receptor CD47 on an adjacent cell. Elevated CD47 expression on some cancer cells thereby serves as an innate immune checkpoint that limits phagocytic clearance of tumor cells by macrophages and antigen presentation to T cells. Antibodies and recombinant SIRPα constructs that block the CD47-SIRPα interaction on macrophages exhibit anti-tumor activities in mouse models and are in ongoing clinical trials for treating several human cancers. Based on prior evidence that engaging SIRPα can also alter CD47 signaling in some nonmalignant cells, we compared direct effects of recombinant SIRPα-Fc and a humanized CD47 antibody that inhibits CD47-SIRPα interaction (CC-90002) on CD47 signaling in cancer stem cells derived from the MDA-MB- 231 triple-negative breast carcinoma cell line. Treatment with SIRPα-Fc significantly increased the formation of mammospheres by breast cancer stem cells as compared to CC-90002 treatment or controls. Furthermore, SIRPα-Fc treatment upregulated mRNA and protein expression of ALDH1 and altered the expression of genes involved in epithelial/mesenchymal transition pathways that are associated with a poor prognosis and enhanced metastatic activity. This indicates that SIRPα-Fc has CD47-mediated agonist activities in breast cancer stem cells affecting proliferation and metastasis pathways that differ from those of CC-90002. This SIRPα-induced CD47 signaling in breast carcinoma cells may limit the efficacy of SIRPα decoy therapeutics intended to stimulate innate antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukhbir Kaur
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Bianca Reginauld
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sam Razjooyan
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Trung Phi
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Satya P. Singh
- Inflammation Biology Section, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Thomas J. Meyer
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics, Resource, Office of Science and Technology Resources, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Margaret C. Cam
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics, Resource, Office of Science and Technology Resources, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - David D. Roberts
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Niibori-Nambu A, Yamasaki Y, Kobayashi D, Angata K, Kuno A, Panawan O, Silsirivanit A, Narimatsu H, Araki N. Chondroitin sulfate modification of CSPG4 regulates the maintenance and differentiation of glioma-initiating cells via integrin-associated signaling. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105706. [PMID: 38309500 PMCID: PMC10958118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioma stem cell/glioma-initiating cell (GIC) and their niches are considered responsible for the therapeutic resistance and recurrence of malignant glioma. To clarify the molecular mechanisms of GIC maintenance/differentiation, we performed a unique integrated proteogenomics utilizing GIC clones established from patient tumors having the potential to develop glioblastoma. After the integration and extraction of the transcriptomics/proteomics data, we found that chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) and its glycobiosynthetic enzymes were significantly upregulated in GICs. Glyco-quantitative PCR array revealed that chondroitin sulfate (CS) biosynthetic enzymes, such as xylosyltransferase 1 (XYLT1) and carbohydrate sulfotransferase 11, were significantly downregulated during serum-induced GIC differentiation. Simultaneously, the CS modification on CSPG4 was characteristically decreased during the differentiation and also downregulated by XYLT1 knockdown. Notably, the CS degradation on CSPG4 by ChondroitinaseABC treatment dramatically induced GIC differentiation, which was significantly inhibited by the addition of CS. GIC growth and differentiation ability were significantly suppressed by CSPG4 knockdown, suggesting that CS-CSPG4 is an important factor in GIC maintenance/differentiation. To understand the molecular function of CS-CSPG4, we analyzed its associating proteins in GICs and found that CSPG4, but not CS-CSPG4, interacts with integrin αV during GIC differentiation. This event sequentially upregulates integrin-extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling, which can be inhibited by cyclic-RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) integrin αV inhibitor. These results indicate that CS-CSPG4 regulates the GIC microenvironment for GIC maintenance/differentiation via the CS moiety, which controls integrin signaling. This study demonstrates a novel function of CS on CSPG4 as a niche factor, so-called "glyco-niche" for GICs, and suggests that CS-CSPG4 could be a potential target for malignant glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Niibori-Nambu
- Department of Tumor Genetics and Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshimune Yamasaki
- Department of Tumor Genetics and Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Daiki Kobayashi
- Department of Tumor Genetics and Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kiyohiko Angata
- Research Center for Medical Glycoscience (RCMG), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kuno
- Research Center for Medical Glycoscience (RCMG), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Orasa Panawan
- Department of Tumor Genetics and Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Atit Silsirivanit
- Department of Tumor Genetics and Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Hisashi Narimatsu
- Research Center for Medical Glycoscience (RCMG), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Norie Araki
- Department of Tumor Genetics and Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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Chen ZW, Dong ZB, Xiang HT, Chen SS, Yu WM, Liang C. Helicobacter pylori CagA protein induces gastric cancer stem cell-like properties through the Akt/FOXO3a axis. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30527. [PMID: 38332574 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection poses a substantial risk for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. The primary mechanism through which H. pylori exerts its bacterial virulence is the cytotoxin CagA. This cytotoxin has the potential to induce inter-epithelial mesenchymal transition, proliferation, metastasis, and the acquisition of stem cell-like properties in gastric cancer (GC) cells infected with CagA-positive H. pylori. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a distinct population of cells capable of self-renewal and generating heterogeneous tumor cells. Despite evidence showing that CagA can induce CSCs-like characteristics in GC cells, the precise mechanism through which CagA triggers the development of GC stem cells (GCSCs) remains uncertain. This study reveals that CagA-positive GC cells infected with H. pylori exhibit CSCs-like properties, such as heightened expression of CD44, a specific surface marker for CSCs, and increased ability to form tumor spheroids. Furthermore, we have observed that H. pylori activates the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in a CagA-dependent manner, and our findings suggest that this activation is associated with the CSCs-like characteristics induced by H. pylori. The cytotoxin CagA, which is released during H. pylori infection, triggers the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in a CagA-dependent manner. Additionally, CagA inhibits the transcription of FOXO3a and relocates it from the nucleus to the cytoplasm by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Furthermore, the regulatory function of the Akt/FOXO3a axis in the transformation of GC cells into a stemness state was successfully demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Wei Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhe-Bin Dong
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Han-Ting Xiang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Sang-Sang Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Wei-Ming Yu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Chao Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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Baek JW, Nam AR, Kim K, Kim PH. Dualistic Effects of PRKAR1A as a Potential Anticancer Target in Cancer Cells and Cancer-Derived Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2876. [PMID: 38474121 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052876] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The integration of innovative medical technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration could improve the treatment of cancer, a globally prevalent and often deadly disease. Despite recent advancements, current cancer therapies fail to specifically address recurrence and target cancer stem cells (CSCs), which contribute to relapse. In this study, we utilized three types of cancer cells, from which three types of CSCs were further derived, to conduct a proteomic analysis. Additionally, shared cell surface biomarkers were identified as potential targets for a comprehensive treatment strategy. The selected biomarkers were evaluated through short hairpin RNA treatment, which revealed contrasting functions in cancer cells and CSCs. Knockdown of the identified proteins revealed that they regulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness via the ERK signaling pathway. Resistance to anticancer agents was consequently reduced, ultimately enhancing the overall anticancer effects of the treatment. Additionally, the significance of these biomarkers in clinical patient outcomes was confirmed using bioinformatics. Our study suggests a novel cancer treatment strategy that addresses the limitations of current anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joong-Won Baek
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - A-Reum Nam
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyunggon Kim
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Pyung-Hwan Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
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Luo X, Wang J, Chen Y, Zhou X, Shao Z, Liu K, Shang Z. Melatonin inhibits the stemness of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by modulating HA synthesis via the FOSL1/HAS3 axis. J Pineal Res 2024; 76:e12940. [PMID: 38402581 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan and the main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which has been reported to interact with its receptor CD44 to play critical roles in the self-renewal and maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) of multiple malignancies. Melatonin is a neuroendocrine hormone with pleiotropic antitumor properties. However, whether melatonin could regulate HA accumulation in the ECM to modulate the stemness of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unknown. In this study, we found that melatonin suppressed CSC-related markers, such as CD44, of HNSCC cells and decreased the tumor-initiating frequency of CSCs in vivo. In addition, melatonin modulated HA synthesis of HNSCC cells by downregulating the expression of hyaluronan synthase 3 (HAS3). Further study showed that the Fos-like 1 (FOSL1)/HAS3 axis mediated the inhibitory effects of melatonin on HA accumulation and stemness of HNSCC in a receptor-independent manner. Taken together, melatonin modulated HA synthesis through the FOSL1/HAS3 axis to inhibit the stemness of HNSCC cells, which elucidates the effect of melatonin on the ECM and provides a novel perspective on melatonin in HNSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaocheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhe Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ke Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengjun Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Aleksandrova KV, Vorobev ML, Suvorova II. mTOR pathway occupies a central role in the emergence of latent cancer cells. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:176. [PMID: 38418814 PMCID: PMC10902345 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06547-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The current focus in oncology research is the translational control of cancer cells as a major mechanism of cellular plasticity. Recent evidence has prompted a reevaluation of the role of the mTOR pathway in cancer development leading to new conclusions. The mechanistic mTOR inhibition is well known to be a tool for generating quiescent stem cells and cancer cells. In response to mTOR suppression, quiescent cancer cells dynamically change their proteome, triggering alternative non-canonical translation mechanisms. The shift to selective translation may have clinical relevance, since quiescent tumor cells can acquire new phenotypical features. This review provides new insights into the patterns of mTOR functioning in quiescent cancer cells, enhancing our current understanding of the biology of latent metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikhail L Vorobev
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Irina I Suvorova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.
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Kim HJ, Jeon HM, Batara DC, Lee S, Lee SJ, Yin J, Park SI, Park M, Seo JB, Hwang J, Oh YJ, Suh SS, Kim SH. CREB5 promotes the proliferation and self-renewal ability of glioma stem cells. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:103. [PMID: 38418476 PMCID: PMC10901809 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01873-z] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most fatal form of brain cancer in humans, with a dismal prognosis and a median overall survival rate of less than 15 months upon diagnosis. Glioma stem cells (GSCs), have recently been identified as key contributors in both tumor initiation and therapeutic resistance in GBM. Both public dataset analysis and direct differentiation experiments on GSCs have demonstrated that CREB5 is more highly expressed in undifferentiated GSCs than in differentiated GSCs. Additionally, gene silencing by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) of CREB5 has prevented the proliferation and self-renewal ability of GSCs in vitro and decreased their tumor forming ability in vivo. Meanwhile, RNA-sequencing, luciferase reporter assay, and ChIP assay have all demonstrated the closely association between CREB5 and OLIG2. These findings suggest that targeting CREB5 could be an effective approach to overcoming GSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jin Kim
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Min Jeon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Don Carlo Batara
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongsoo Lee
- Gwangju Center, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk Jun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health & Medical Sciences, Cheongju University, Chungbuk, 360764, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinlong Yin
- Henan-Macquarie Uni Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio-nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, Henan, China
| | - Sang-Ik Park
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, BK21 FOUR Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Minha Park
- Department of Biomedicine, BK21 FOUR Program, Health & Life Convergence Sciences, Biomedical and Healthcare Research Institute, Mokpo National University, Muan, 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Bae Seo
- Department of Biomedicine, BK21 FOUR Program, Health & Life Convergence Sciences, Biomedical and Healthcare Research Institute, Mokpo National University, Muan, 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinik Hwang
- West Sea Fisheries Research Institute, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Incheon, 22383, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joon Oh
- Technology Innovation Research Division, World Institute of Kimchi, Gwangju, 61755, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Suk Suh
- Department of Biomedicine, BK21 FOUR Program, Health & Life Convergence Sciences, Biomedical and Healthcare Research Institute, Mokpo National University, Muan, 58554, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung-Hak Kim
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
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Wu H, Li ZX, Fang K, Zhao ZY, Sun MC, Feng AQ, Leng ZY, Zhang ZH, Chu Y, Zhang L, Chen T, Xu MD. IGF-1-mediated FOXC1 overexpression induces stem-like properties through upregulating CBX7 and IGF-1R in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:102. [PMID: 38413558 PMCID: PMC10899262 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01864-0] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Substantial evidence attests to the pivotal role of cancer stem cells (CSC) in both tumorigenesis and drug resistance. A member of the forkhead box (FOX) family, FOXC1, assumes significance in embryonic development and organogenesis. Furthermore, FOXC1 functions as an overexpressed transcription factor in various tumors, fostering proliferation, enhancing migratory capabilities, and promoting drug resistance, while maintaining stem-cell-like properties. Despite these implications, scant attention has been devoted to its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Our investigation revealed a pronounced upregulation of FOXC1 expression in ESCC, correlating with a poor prognosis. The downregulation of FOXC1 demonstrated inhibitory effects on ESCC tumorigenesis, proliferation, and tolerance to chemotherapeutic agents, concurrently reducing the levels of stemness-related markers CD133 and CD44. Further studies validated that FOXC1 induces ESCC stemness by transactivating CBX7 and IGF-1R. Additionally, IGF-1 activated the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB and MEK/ERK/NF-κB pathways through its binding to IGF-1R, thereby augmenting FOXC1 expression. Conversely, suppressing FOXC1 impeded ESCC stemness induced by IGF-1. The presence of a positive feedback loop, denoted by IGF-1-FOXC1-IGF-1R, suggests the potential of FOXC1 as a prognostic biomarker for ESCC. Taken together, targeting the IGF-1-FOXC1-IGF-1R axis emerges as a promising approach for anti-CSC therapy in ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao-Xing Li
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Kang Fang
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Zi-Ying Zhao
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming-Chuang Sun
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - An-Qi Feng
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhu-Yun Leng
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Ze-Hua Zhang
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Chu
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji 8 University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China.
| | - Mei-Dong Xu
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China.
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Bhagtaney L, Dharmarajan A, Warrier S. miRNA on the Battlefield of Cancer: Significance in Cancer Stem Cells, WNT Pathway, and Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:957. [PMID: 38473318 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050957] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Carcinogenesis is a complex process characterized by intricate changes in organ histology, biochemistry, epigenetics, and genetics. Within this intricate landscape, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have emerged as distinct cell types possessing unique attributes that significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer. The WNT signaling pathway plays a critical role in maintaining somatic stem cell pluripotency. However, in cancer, overexpression of WNT mediators enhances the activity of β-catenin, resulting in phenomena such as recurrence and unfavorable survival outcomes. Notably, CSCs exhibit heightened WNT signaling compared to bulk cancer cells, providing intriguing insights into their functional characteristics. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as post-transcriptional gene expression regulators, modulate various physiological processes in numerous diseases including cancer. Upregulation or downregulation of miRNAs can affect the production of pro-oncogenic or anti-oncogenic proteins, influencing cellular processes that maintain tissue homeostasis and promote either apoptosis or differentiation, even in cancer cells. In order to understand the dysregulation of miRNAs, it is essential to examine miRNA biogenesis and any possible alterations at each step. The potential of a miRNA as a biomarker in prognosis, diagnosis, and detection is being assessed using technologies such as next-generation sequencing. Extensive research has explored miRNA expression profiles in cancer, leading to their utilization as diagnostic tools and the development of personalized and targeted cancer therapies. This review delves into the role of miRNAs in carcinogenesis in relation to the WNT signaling pathway along with their potential as druggable compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekha Bhagtaney
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells and Cardiovascular Regeneration, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Arun Dharmarajan
- Faculty of Clinical Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Sudha Warrier
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells and Cardiovascular Regeneration, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore 560065, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India
- Cuor Stem Cellutions Pvt Ltd., Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bangalore 560065, India
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48
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Li R, Liu X, Huang X, Zhang D, Chen Z, Zhang J, Bai R, Zhang S, Zhao H, Xu Z, Zeng L, Zhuang L, Wen S, Wu S, Li M, Zuo Z, Lin J, Lin D, Zheng J. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis deciphers heterogenous cancer stem-like cells in colorectal cancer and their organ-specific metastasis. Gut 2024; 73:470-484. [PMID: 38050068 PMCID: PMC10894846 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-330243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Metastasis is the major cause of cancer death. However, what types of heterogenous cancer cells in primary tumour and how they metastasise to the target organs remain largely undiscovered. DESIGN We performed single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic analysis in primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and metastases in the liver (lCRC) or ovary (oCRC). We also conducted immunofluorescence staining and functional experiments to examine the mechanism. RESULTS Integrative analyses of epithelial cells reveal a stem-like cell cluster with high protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O (PTPRO) and achaete scute-like 2 (ASCL2) expression as the metastatic culprit. This cell cluster comprising distinct subpopulations shows distinct liver or ovary metastatic preference. Population 1 (P1) cells with high delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) and MAF bZIP transcription factor A (MAFA) expression are enriched in primary CRC and oCRC, thus may be associated with ovarian metastasis. P3 cells having a similar expression pattern as cholangiocytes are found mainly in primary CRC and lCRC, presuming to be likely the culprits that specifically metastasise to the liver. Stem-like cells interacted with cancer-associated fibroblasts and endothelial cells via the DLL4-NOTCH signalling pathway to metastasise from primary CRC to the ovary. In the oCRC microenvironment, myofibroblasts provide cancer cells with glutamine and perform a metabolic reprogramming, which may be essential for cancer cells to localise and develop in the ovary. CONCLUSION We uncover a mechanism for organ-specific CRC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuefei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xudong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jialiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruihong Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongzhe Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zilan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingxing Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lisha Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shujuan Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaojia Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhixiang Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junzhong Lin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongxin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Kubatka P, Mazurakova A, Koklesova L, Kuruc T, Samec M, Kajo K, Kotorova K, Adamkov M, Smejkal K, Svajdlenka E, Dvorska D, Brany D, Baranovicova E, Sadlonova V, Mojzis J, Kello M. Salvia officinalis L. exerts oncostatic effects in rodent and in vitro models of breast carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1216199. [PMID: 38464730 PMCID: PMC10921418 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1216199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Based on extensive data from oncology research, the use of phytochemicals or plant-based nutraceuticals is considered an innovative tool for cancer management. This research aimed to analyze the oncostatic properties of Salvia officinalis L. [Lamiaceae; Salviae officinalis herba] using animal and in vitro models of breast carcinoma (BC). Methods: The effects of dietary administered S. officinalis in two concentrations (0.1%/SAL 0.1/and 1%/SAL 1/) were assessed in both syngeneic 4T1 mouse and chemically induced rat models of BC. The histopathological and molecular evaluations of rodent carcinoma specimens were performed after the autopsy. Besides, numerous in vitro analyses using two human cancer cell lines were performed. Results and Conclusion: The dominant metabolites found in S. officinalis propylene glycol extract (SPGE) were representatives of phenolics, specifically rosmarinic, protocatechuic, and salicylic acids. Furthermore, the occurrence of triterpenoids ursolic and oleanolic acid was proved in SPGE. In a mouse model, a non-significant tumor volume decrease after S. officinalis treatment was associated with a significant reduction in the mitotic activity index of 4T1 tumors by 37.5% (SAL 0.1) and 31.5% (SAL 1) vs. controls (set as a blank group with not applied salvia in the diet). In addition, salvia at higher doses significantly decreased necrosis/whole tumor area ratio by 46% when compared to control tumor samples. In a rat chemoprevention study, S. officinalis at a higher dose significantly lengthened the latency of tumors by 8.5 days and significantly improved the high/low-grade carcinomas ratio vs. controls in both doses. Analyses of the mechanisms of anticancer activities of S. officinalis included well-validated prognostic, predictive, and diagnostic biomarkers that are applied in both oncology practice and preclinical investigation. Our assessment in vivo revealed numerous significant changes after a comparison of treated vs. untreated cancer cells. In this regard, we found an overexpression in caspase-3, an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and a decrease in MDA, ALDH1, and EpCam expression. In addition, salvia reduced TGF-β serum levels in rats (decrease in IL-6 and TNF-α levels were with borderline significance). Evaluation of epigenetic modifications in rat cancer specimens in vivo revealed a decline in the lysine methylations of H3K4m3 and an increase in lysine acetylation in H4K16ac levels in treated groups. Salvia decreased the relative levels of oncogenic miR21 and tumor-suppressive miR145 (miR210, miR22, miR34a, and miR155 were not significantly altered). The methylation of ATM and PTEN promoters was decreased after S. officinalis treatment (PITX2, RASSF1, and TIMP3 promoters were not altered). Analyzing plasma metabolomics profile in tumor-bearing rats, we found reduced levels of ketoacids derived from BCAAs after salvia treatment. In vitro analyses revealed significant anti-cancer effects of SPGE extract in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines (cytotoxicity, caspase-3/-7, Bcl-2, Annexin V/PI, cell cycle, BrdU, and mitochondrial membrane potential). Our study demonstrates the significant chemopreventive and treatment effects of salvia haulm using animal or in vitro BC models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kubatka
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Alena Mazurakova
- Department of Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Lenka Koklesova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Tomas Kuruc
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Marek Samec
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Karol Kajo
- Department of Pathology, St. Elisabeth Oncology Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Klaudia Kotorova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Marian Adamkov
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Karel Smejkal
- Department of Natural Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Emil Svajdlenka
- Department of Natural Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Dana Dvorska
- Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Dusan Brany
- Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Eva Baranovicova
- Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Vladimira Sadlonova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Jan Mojzis
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martin Kello
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
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50
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Liu CC, Chen L, Cai YW, Chen YF, Liu YM, Zhou YJ, Shao ZM, Yu KD. Targeting EMSY-mediated methionine metabolism is a potential therapeutic strategy for triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101396. [PMID: 38290515 PMCID: PMC10897545 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the most intractable subpopulation of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, which have been associated with a high risk of relapse and poor prognosis. However, eradication of CSCs continues to be difficult. Here, we integrate the multiomics data of a TNBC cohort (n = 360) to identify vital markers of CSCs. We discover that EMSY, inducing a BRCAness phenotype, is preferentially expressed in breast CSCs, promotes ALDH+ cells enrichment, and is positively correlated with poor relapse-free survival. Mechanistically, EMSY competitively binds to the Jmjc domain, which is critical for KDM5B enzyme activity, to reshape methionine metabolism, and to promote CSC self-renewal and tumorigenesis in an H3K4 methylation-dependent manner. Moreover, EMSY accumulation in TNBC cells sensitizes them to PARP inhibitors against bulk cells and methionine deprivation against CSCs. These findings indicate that clinically relevant eradication of CSCs could be achieved with a strategy that targets CSC-specific vulnerabilities in amino acid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Cui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Lie Chen
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Wen Cai
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Fei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Jie Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Ke-Da Yu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.
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