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Li T, Chen YC, Ao P. Heterogeneous Evolution of Breast Cancer Cells-An Endogenous Molecular-Cellular Network Study. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:564. [PMID: 39194502 DOI: 10.3390/biology13080564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer heterogeneity presents a significant challenge in clinical therapy, such as over-treatment and drug resistance. These challenges are largely due to its obscure normal epithelial origins, evolutionary stability, and transitions on the cancer subtypes. This study aims to elucidate the cellular emergence and maintenance of heterogeneous breast cancer via quantitative bio-process modeling, with potential benefit to therapeutic strategies for the disease. An endogenous molecular-cellular hypothesis posits that both pathological and physiological states are phenotypes evolved from and shaped by interactions among a number of conserved modules and cellular factors within a biological network. We hereby developed a model of core endogenous network for breast cancer in accordance with the theory, quantifying its intrinsic dynamic properties with dynamic modeling. The model spontaneously generates cell states that align with molecular classifications at both the molecular and modular level, replicating four widely recognized molecular subtypes of the cancer and validating against data extracted from the TCGA database. Further analysis shows that topologically, a singular progression gateway from normal breast cells to cancerous states is identified as the Luminal A-type breast cancer. Activated positive feedback loops are found to stabilize cellular states, while negative feedback loops facilitate state transitions. Overall, more routes are revealed on the cellular transition between stable states, and a traceable count explains the origin of breast cancer heterogeneity. Ultimately, the research intended to strength the search for therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Li
- Center for Quantitative Life Sciences & Physics Department, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yong-Cong Chen
- Center for Quantitative Life Sciences & Physics Department, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Ping Ao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
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2
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Bhat GR, Sethi I, Sadida HQ, Rah B, Mir R, Algehainy N, Albalawi IA, Masoodi T, Subbaraj GK, Jamal F, Singh M, Kumar R, Macha MA, Uddin S, Akil ASAS, Haris M, Bhat AA. Cancer cell plasticity: from cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms to tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:197-228. [PMID: 38329598 PMCID: PMC11016008 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10172-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease displaying a variety of cell states and phenotypes. This diversity, known as cancer cell plasticity, confers cancer cells the ability to change in response to their environment, leading to increased tumor diversity and drug resistance. This review explores the intricate landscape of cancer cell plasticity, offering a deep dive into the cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon. Cancer cell plasticity is intertwined with processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the acquisition of stem cell-like features. These processes are pivotal in the development and progression of tumors, contributing to the multifaceted nature of cancer and the challenges associated with its treatment. Despite significant advancements in targeted therapies, cancer cell adaptability and subsequent therapy-induced resistance remain persistent obstacles in achieving consistent, successful cancer treatment outcomes. Our review delves into the array of mechanisms cancer cells exploit to maintain plasticity, including epigenetic modifications, alterations in signaling pathways, and environmental interactions. We discuss strategies to counteract cancer cell plasticity, such as targeting specific cellular pathways and employing combination therapies. These strategies promise to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments and mitigate therapy resistance. In conclusion, this review offers a holistic, detailed exploration of cancer cell plasticity, aiming to bolster the understanding and approach toward tackling the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. As articulated in this review, the delineation of cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms underlying tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance seeks to contribute substantially to the progress in cancer therapeutics and the advancement of precision medicine, ultimately enhancing the prospects for effective cancer treatment and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gh Rasool Bhat
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Itty Sethi
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Hana Q Sadida
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bilal Rah
- Iron Biology Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Science, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Rashid Mir
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Fahad Bin Sultan Chair for Biomedical Research, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naseh Algehainy
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Fahad Bin Sultan Chair for Biomedical Research, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Farrukh Jamal
- Dr. Rammanohar, Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, India
| | - Mayank Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Laboratory Animal Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ammira S Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Laboratory Animal Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
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3
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Li Q, Chen Z, Zhang Y, Ding S, Ding H, Wang L, Xie Z, Fu Y, Wei M, Liu S, Chen J, Wang X, Gu Z. Imaging cellular forces with photonic crystals. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7369. [PMID: 37963911 PMCID: PMC10646022 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43090-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Current techniques for visualizing and quantifying cellular forces have limitations in live cell imaging, throughput, and multi-scale analysis, which impede progress in cell force research and its practical applications. We developed a photonic crystal cellular force microscopy (PCCFM) to image vertical cell forces over a wide field of view (1.3 mm ⨯ 1.0 mm, a 10 ⨯ objective image) at high speed (about 20 frames per second) without references. The photonic crystal hydrogel substrate (PCS) converts micro-nano deformations into perceivable color changes, enabling in situ visualization and quantification of tiny vertical cell forces with high throughput. It enabled long-term, cross-scale monitoring from subcellular focal adhesions to tissue-level cell sheets and aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zaozao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Biomaterials and Medical Devices, Southeast University, 215163, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haibo Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Luping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, 315211, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhuoying Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yifu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mengxiao Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shengnan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jialun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhongze Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- Institute of Biomaterials and Medical Devices, Southeast University, 215163, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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4
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Grieco JP, Compton SLE, Davis GN, Guinan J, Schmelz EM. Genetic and Functional Modifications Associated with Ovarian Cancer Cell Aggregation and Limited Culture Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14867. [PMID: 37834315 PMCID: PMC10573375 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The aggregation of cancer cells provides a survival signal for disseminating cancer cells; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Using qPCR gene arrays, this study investigated the changes in cancer-specific genes as well as genes regulating mitochondrial quality control, metabolism, and oxidative stress in response to aggregation and hypoxia in our progressive ovarian cancer models representing slow- and fast-developing ovarian cancer. Aggregation increased the expression of anti-apoptotic, stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenic, mitophagic, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging genes and functions, and decreased proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism, and mitochondrial content genes and functions. The incorporation of stromal vascular cells (SVF) from obese mice into the spheroids increased DNA repair and telomere regulatory genes that may represent a link between obesity and ovarian cancer risk. While glucose had no effect, glutamine was essential for aggregation and supported proliferation of the spheroid. In contrast, low glucose and hypoxic culture conditions delayed adhesion and outgrowth capacity of the spheroids independent of their phenotype, decreased mitochondrial mass and polarity, and induced a shift of mitochondrial dynamics towards mitophagy. However, these conditions did not reduce the appearance of polarized mitochondria at adhesion sites, suggesting that adhesion signals that either reversed mitochondrial fragmentation or induced mitobiogenesis can override the impact of low glucose and oxygen levels. Thus, the plasticity of the spheroids' phenotype supports viability during dissemination, allows for the adaptation to changing conditions such as oxygen and nutrient availability. This may be critical for the development of an aggressive cancer phenotype and, therefore, could represent druggable targets for clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P. Grieco
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
| | - Stephanie L. E. Compton
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (S.L.E.C.); (G.D.N.)
| | - Grace N. Davis
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (S.L.E.C.); (G.D.N.)
| | - Jack Guinan
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (S.L.E.C.); (G.D.N.)
| | - Eva M. Schmelz
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (S.L.E.C.); (G.D.N.)
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5
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Akhmetkaliyev A, Alibrahim N, Shafiee D, Tulchinsky E. EMT/MET plasticity in cancer and Go-or-Grow decisions in quiescence: the two sides of the same coin? Mol Cancer 2023; 22:90. [PMID: 37259089 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01793-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET) are genetic determinants of cellular plasticity. These programs operate in physiological (embryonic development, wound healing) and pathological (organ fibrosis, cancer) conditions. In cancer, EMT and MET interfere with various signalling pathways at different levels. This results in gross alterations in the gene expression programs, which affect most, if not all hallmarks of cancer, such as response to proliferative and death-inducing signals, tumorigenicity, and cell stemness. EMT in cancer cells involves large scale reorganisation of the cytoskeleton, loss of epithelial integrity, and gain of mesenchymal traits, such as mesenchymal type of cell migration. In this regard, EMT/MET plasticity is highly relevant to the Go-or-Grow concept, which postulates the dichotomous relationship between cell motility and proliferation. The Go-or-Grow decisions are critically important in the processes in which EMT/MET plasticity takes the central stage, mobilisation of stem cells during wound healing, cancer relapse, and metastasis. Here we outline the maintenance of quiescence in stem cell and metastatic niches, focusing on the implication of EMT/MET regulatory networks in Go-or-Grow switches. In particular, we discuss the analogy between cells residing in hybrid quasi-mesenchymal states and GAlert, an intermediate phase allowing quiescent stem cells to enter the cell cycle rapidly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azamat Akhmetkaliyev
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, 020000, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Darya Shafiee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, 020000, Kazakhstan
| | - Eugene Tulchinsky
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, 020000, Kazakhstan.
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
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6
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Verstappe J, Berx G. A role for partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in enabling stemness in homeostasis and cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 90:15-28. [PMID: 36773819 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Stem cells have self-renewal capacities and the ability to give rise to differentiated cells thereby sustaining tissues during homeostasis and injury. This structural hierarchy extends to tumours which harbor stem-like cells deemed cancer stem cells that propagate the tumour and drive metastasis and relapse. The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which plays an important role in development and cancer cell migration, was shown to be correlated with stemness in both homeostasis and cancer indicating that stemness can be acquired and is not necessarily an intrinsic trait. Nowadays it is experimentally proven that the activation of an EMT program does not necessarily drive cells towards a fully mesenchymal phenotype but rather to hybrid E/M states. This review offers the latest advances in connecting the EMT status and stem-cell state of both non-transformed and cancer cells. Recent literature clearly shows that hybrid EMT states have a higher probability of acquiring stem cell traits. The position of a cell along the EMT-axis which coincides with a stem cell-like state is known as the stemness window. We show how the original EMT-state of a cell dictates the EMT/MET inducing programmes required to reach stemness. Lastly we present the mechanism of stemness regulation and the regulatory feedback loops which position cells at a certain EMT state along the EMT axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Verstappe
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Berx
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
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7
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SNAI2 Attenuated the Stem-like Phenotype by Reducing the Expansion of EPCAM high Cells in Cervical Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021062. [PMID: 36674577 PMCID: PMC9864029 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
SNAI2 (Snai2) is a zinc-finger transcriptional repressor that belongs to the Snail family. The accumulated evidence suggests that SNAI2 exhibits biphasic effects on regulating a stem-like phenotype in various types of cells, both normal and malignant. In this study, by exogenously expressing SNAI2 in SiHa cells, SNAI2 exhibited the capacity to inhibit a stem-like phenotype in cervical cancer cells. The SNAI2-overexpressing cells inhibited cell growth, tumorsphere formation, tumor growth, enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin, reduced stem cell-related factors' expression, and lowered tumor initiating frequency. In addition, the EPCAMhigh cells sorted from SiHa cells exhibited an enhanced capacity to maintain a stem-like phenotype. Further study demonstrated that the trans-suppression of EPCAM expression by SNAI2 led to blockage of the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, as well as reduction in SOX2 and c-Myc expression in SiHa and HeLa cells, but induction in SNAI2 knockdown cells (CaSki), which would be responsible for the attenuation of the stem-like phenotype in cervical cancer cells mediated by SNAI2. All of these results demonstrated that SNAI2 could attenuate the stem-like phenotype in cervical cancer cells through the EPCAM/β-catenin axis.
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8
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Shams A. Re-evaluation of the myoepithelial cells roles in the breast cancer progression. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:403. [PMID: 36510219 PMCID: PMC9746125 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02829-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, luminal epithelial cell lineage has gained considerable attraction as the functionally milk-secreting units and as the most fruitful acreage for breast cancer launching. Recognition of the effective involvement of the myoepithelial cells in mammary gland development and in hampering tumorigenesis has renewed the interest in investigating the biological roles of this second main mammary lineage. The human breast is made up of an extensively branching ductal system intervening by copious lobular units. The ductal system is coated by a chain of luminal epithelial cells (LECs) situated on a layer of myoepithelial cells (MECs) and encompassed by a distinguished basement membrane. Ductal contractility during lactation is a well-known function delivered by the MECs however this is not the only assignment mediated by these cellular populations. It has been well appreciated that the MECs exhibit a natural paracrine power in defeating cancer development and advancement. MECs were found to express numerous proteinase inhibitors, anti-angiogenic factors, and tumour suppressors proteins. Additionally, MECs contributed effectively to maintaining the right luminal cells' polarization and further separating them from the adjacent stroma by making an integrated fence. Indeed, disruption of the MECs layer was reported to facilitate the invasion of the cancer cells to the surrounding stroma. Nonetheless, MECs were also found to exhibit cancer-promoting effects and provoke tumour invasion and dissemination by displaying distinct cancer chemokines. Herein in this review, we aimed to address the roles delivered by MECs in breast cancer progression and decipher the molecular mechanisms regulating proper MECs' physiology, integrity, and terminal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwar Shams
- grid.412895.30000 0004 0419 5255Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Taif University, P.O. BOX 11099, Taif, 21944 Saudi Arabia
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9
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Tumor suppressor DEAR1 regulates mammary epithelial cell fate and predicts early onset and metastasis in triple negative breast cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19504. [PMID: 36376460 PMCID: PMC9663828 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22417-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a disease of poor prognosis, with the majority classified as the basal-like subtype associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. Because basal breast cancers originate from proliferative luminal progenitor-like cells upon dysregulation of proper luminal differentiation, genes regulating luminal-basal transition are critical to elucidate novel therapeutic targets to improve TNBC outcomes. Herein we demonstrate that the tumor suppressor DEAR1/TRIM62 is a critical regulator of luminal cell fate. DEAR1 loss in human mammary epithelial cells results in significantly enhanced mammosphere formation that is accelerated in the presence of TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling. Mammospheres formed following DEAR1 loss are enriched for ALDH1A1 and CK5 expression, EpCAM-/CD49f+ and CD44high/24low basal-like epithelial cells, indicating that DEAR1 regulates stem/progenitor cell properties and luminal-basal progenitor transition. We show that DEAR1 maintains luminal differentiation as a novel ubiquitin ligase for SNAI2/SLUG, a master regulator driving stemness and generation of basal-like progenitor populations. We also identify a significant inverse correlation between DEAR1 and SNAI2 expression in a 103 TNBC case cohort and show that low DEAR1 expression significantly correlates with young age of onset and shorter time to metastasis, suggesting DEAR1 could serve as a biomarker to stratify early onset TNBCs for targeted stem cell therapies.
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Tsang T, He Q, Cohen EB, Stottrup C, Lien EC, Zhang H, Lau CG, Chin YR. Upregulation of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Activity and Stemness as Resistance Mechanisms to Akt Inhibitors in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5006. [PMID: 36291790 PMCID: PMC9599323 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The PI3K/Akt pathway is frequently deregulated in human cancers, and multiple Akt inhibitors are currently under clinical evaluation. Based on the experience from other molecular targeted therapies, however, it is likely that acquired resistance will be developed in patients treated with Akt inhibitors. We established breast cancer models of acquired resistance by prolonged treatment of cells with allosteric or ATP-competitive Akt inhibitors. Phospho-Receptor tyrosine kinase (Phospho-RTK) arrays revealed hyper-phosphorylation of multiple RTKS, including EGFR, Her2, HFGR, EhpB3 and ROR1, in Akt-inhibitor-resistant cells. Importantly, resistance can be overcome by treatment with an EGFR inhibitor. We further showed that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are enriched in breast tumor cells that have developed resistance to Akt inhibitors. Several candidates of CSC regulators, such as ID4, are identified by RNA sequencing. Cosmic analysis indicated that sensitivity of tumor cells to Akt inhibitors can be predicted by ID4 and stem cell/epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway targets. These findings indicate the potential of targeting the EGFR pathway and CSC program to circumvent Akt inhibitor resistance in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Tsang
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Qingling He
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Emily B. Cohen
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Casey Stottrup
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Evan C. Lien
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Huiqi Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - C. Geoffrey Lau
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Y. Rebecca Chin
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
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11
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Koskinen Holm C, Qu C. Engineering a 3D In Vitro Model of Human Gingival Tissue Equivalent with Genipin/Cytochalasin D. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137401. [PMID: 35806407 PMCID: PMC9266888 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although three-dimensional (3D) co-culture of gingival keratinocytes and fibroblasts-populated collagen gel can mimic 3D structure of in vivo tissue, the uncontrolled contraction of collagen gel restricts its application in clinical and experimental practices. We here established a stable 3D gingival tissue equivalent (GTE) using hTERT-immortalized gingival fibroblasts (hGFBs)-populated collagen gel directly crosslinked with genipin/cytochalasin D and seeding hTERT-immortalized gingival keratinocytes (TIGKs) on the upper surface for a 2-week air–liquid interface co-culture. MTT assay was used to measure the cell viability of GTEs. GTE size was monitored following culture period, and the contraction was analyzed. Immunohistochemical assay was used to analyze GTE structure. qRT-PCR was conducted to examine the mRNA expression of keratinocyte-specific genes. Fifty µM genipin (G50) or combination (G + C) of G50 and 100 nM cytochalasin D significantly inhibited GTE contraction. Additionally, a higher cell viability appeared in GTEs crosslinked with G50 or G + C. GTEs crosslinked with genipin/cytochalasin D showed a distinct multilayered stratified epithelium that expressed keratinocyte-specific genes similar to native gingiva. Collagen directly crosslinked with G50 or G + C significantly reduced GTE contraction without damaging the epithelium. In summary, the TIGKs and hGFBs can successfully form organotypic multilayered cultures, which can be a valuable tool in the research regarding periodontal disease as well as oral mucosa disease. We conclude that genipin is a promising crosslinker with the ability to reduce collagen contraction while maintaining normal cell function in collagen-based oral tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Koskinen Holm
- Department of Odontology, Umeå University, 90185 Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Correspondence: (C.K.H.); (C.Q.)
| | - Chengjuan Qu
- Department of Odontology, Umeå University, 90185 Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Correspondence: (C.K.H.); (C.Q.)
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12
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Zhang W, Liu L, Zhao S, Chen L, Wei Y, Chen W, Ge F. Research progress on RNA‑binding proteins in breast cancer (Review). Oncol Lett 2022; 23:121. [PMID: 35261635 PMCID: PMC8867207 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women, and the abnormal regulation of gene expression serves an important role in its occurrence and development. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying gene expression are highly complex and heterogeneous, and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are among the key regulatory factors. RBPs bind targets in an environment-dependent or environment-independent manner to influence mRNA stability and the translation of genes involved in the formation, progression, metastasis and treatment of breast cancer. Due to the growing interest in these regulators, the present review summarizes the most influential studies concerning RBPs associated with breast cancer to elucidate the role of RBPs in breast cancer and to assess how they interact with other key pathways to provide new molecular targets for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhu Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Linlin Liu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Shengdi Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Yuxian Wei
- Department of Endocrine Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Wenlin Chen
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650118, P.R. China
| | - Fei Ge
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
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13
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Chakraborty S, Carnazza M, Jarboe T, DeSouza N, Li XM, Moscatello A, Geliebter J, Tiwari RK. Disruption of Cell-Cell Communication in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer as an Immunotherapeutic Opportunity. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1350:33-66. [PMID: 34888843 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-83282-7_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer incidence is increasing at an alarming rate, almost tripling every decade. About 44,280 new cases of thyroid cancer (12,150 in men and 32,130 in women) are estimated to be diagnosed in 2021, with an estimated death toll of around 2200. Although most thyroid tumors are treatable and associated with a favorable outcome, anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is extremely aggressive with a grim prognosis of 6-9 months post-diagnosis. A large contributing factor to this aggressive nature is that ATC is completely refractory to mainstream therapies. Analysis of the tumor microenvironment (TME) associated with ATC can relay insight to the pathological realm that encompasses tumors and aids in cancer progression and proliferation. The TME is defined as a complex niche that surrounds a tumor and involves a plethora of cellular components whose secretions can modulate the environment in order to favor tumor progression. The cellular heterogeneity of the TME contributes to its dynamic function due to the presence of both immune and nonimmune resident, infiltrating, and interacting cell types. Associated immune cells discussed in this chapter include macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (NK) cells, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Nonimmune cells also play a role in the establishment and proliferation of the TME, including neuroendocrine (NE) cells, adipocytes, endothelial cells (ECs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and fibroblasts. The dynamic nature of the TME contributes greatly to cancer progression.Recent work has found ATC tissues to be defined by a T cell-inflamed "hot" tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) as evidenced by presence of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells. These tumor types are amenable to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. This therapeutic avenue, as of 2021, has remained unexplored in ATC. New studies should seek to explore the therapeutic feasibility of a combination therapy, through the use of a small molecule inhibitor with ICB in ATC. Screening of in vitro model systems representative of papillary, anaplastic, and follicular thyroid cancer explored the expression of 29 immune checkpoint molecules. There are higher expressions of HVEM, BTLA, and CD160 in ATC cell lines when compared to the other TC subtypes. The expression level of HVEM was more than 30-fold higher in ATC compared to the others, on average. HVEM is a member of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, which acts as a bidirectional switch through interaction with BTLA, CD160, and LIGHT, in a cis or trans manner. Given the T cell-inflamed hot TIME in ATC, expression of HVEM on tumor cells was suggestive of a possibility for complex crosstalk of HVEM with inflammatory cytokines. Altogether, there is emerging evidence of a T cell-inflamed TIME in ATC along with the expression of immune checkpoint proteins HVEM, BTLA, and CD160 in ATC. This can open doors for combination therapies using small molecule inhibitors targeting downstream effectors of MAPK pathway and antagonistic antibodies targeting the HVEM/BTLA axis as a potentially viable therapeutic avenue for ATC patients. With this being stated, the development of adaptive resistance to targeted therapies is inevitable; therefore, using a combination therapy that targets the TIME can serve as a preemptive tactic against the characteristic therapeutic resistance that is seen in ATC. The dynamic nature of the TME, including the immune cells, nonimmune cells, and acellular components, can serve as viable targets for combination therapy in ATC. Understanding the complex interactions of these associated cells and the paradigm in which their secretions and components can serve as immunomodulators are critical points of understanding when trying to develop therapeutics specifically tailored for the anaplastic thyroid carcinoma microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjukta Chakraborty
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.,Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Carnazza
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Tara Jarboe
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Nicole DeSouza
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Xiu-Min Li
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | | | - Jan Geliebter
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Raj K Tiwari
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
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14
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Rauner G, Jin DX, Miller DH, Gierahn TM, Li CM, Sokol ES, Feng YX, Mathis RA, Love JC, Gupta PB, Kuperwasser C. Breast tissue regeneration is driven by cell-matrix interactions coordinating multi-lineage stem cell differentiation through DDR1. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7116. [PMID: 34893587 PMCID: PMC8664951 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27401-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammary morphogenesis is an orchestrated process involving differentiation, proliferation and organization of cells to form a bi-layered epithelial network of ducts and lobules embedded in stromal tissue. We have engineered a 3D biomimetic human breast that makes it possible to study how stem cell fate decisions translate to tissue-level structure and function. Using this advancement, we describe the mechanism by which breast epithelial cells build a complex three-dimensional, multi-lineage tissue by signaling through a collagen receptor. Discoidin domain receptor tyrosine kinase 1 induces stem cells to differentiate into basal cells, which in turn stimulate luminal progenitor cells via Notch signaling to differentiate and form lobules. These findings demonstrate how human breast tissue regeneration is triggered by transmission of signals from the extracellular matrix through an epithelial bilayer to coordinate structural changes that lead to formation of a complex ductal-lobular network. Mammary morphogenesis is a complex process. Here the authors describe how stem cells build a three-dimensional self-organizing multi-lineage tissue by showing that positional signals from the extracellular matrix through the collagen receptor DDR1 lead stem cells to differentiate into multi-lineage committed multi-layered progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gat Rauner
- Department of Developmental, Chemical & Molecular Biology, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Dexter X Jin
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Daniel H Miller
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Todd M Gierahn
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Carman M Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Ludwig Center at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ethan S Sokol
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Yu-Xiong Feng
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Robert A Mathis
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - J Christopher Love
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Piyush B Gupta
- Department of Developmental, Chemical & Molecular Biology, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. .,Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA. .,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA. .,Laboratory for the Convergence of Biomedical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
| | - Charlotte Kuperwasser
- Department of Developmental, Chemical & Molecular Biology, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. .,Laboratory for the Convergence of Biomedical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
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15
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Zhang Y, Wu T, Zhao B, Liu Z, Qian R, Zhang J, Shi Y, Wan Y, Li Z, Hu X. E239K mutation abolishes the suppressive effects of lysine-specific demethylase 1 on migration and invasion of MCF7 cells. Cancer Sci 2021; 113:489-499. [PMID: 34839571 PMCID: PMC8819338 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysine‐specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is an important histone demethylase that mediates epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). The E239K mutation of LSD1 was identified in a luminal breast cancer patient from the COSMIC Breast Cancer dataset. To investigate the functional effects of the E239K mutation of LSD1, a stable LSD1 knockdown MCF7 cell line was generated. Rescue with WT LSD1, but not E239K mutated LSD1, suppressed the invasion and migration of the LSD1 knockdown cells, indicating that the E239K mutation abolished the suppressive effects of LSD1 on the invasion and migration of MCF7 cells. Further analysis showed that the E239K mutation abolished LSD1‐mediated invasion and migration of MCF7 cells through downregulation of estrogen receptor α (ERα). Most importantly, the E239K mutation disrupted the interaction between LSD1 and GATA3, which reduced the enrichment of LSD1 at the promoter region of the ERα gene; the reduced enrichment of LSD1 at the promoter region of the ERα gene caused enhanced histone H3K9 methylation, which subsequently suppressed the transcription of the ERα gene. In summary, the E239K mutation abolishes the suppressive function of LSD1 on migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by disrupting the interaction between LSD1 and GATA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Tong Wu
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ziyu Liu
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Rui Qian
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yueru Shi
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Youzhong Wan
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xin Hu
- The Laboratory of Cancer Biology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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16
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Mazzu YZ, Liao Y, Nandakumar S, Sjöström M, Jehane LE, Ghale R, Govindarajan B, Gerke TA, Lee GSM, Luo JH, Chinni SR, Mucci LA, Feng FY, Kantoff PW. Dynamic expression of SNAI2 in prostate cancer predicts tumor progression and drug sensitivity. Mol Oncol 2021; 16:2451-2469. [PMID: 34792282 PMCID: PMC9251866 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease, understanding the crosstalk between complex genomic and epigenomic alterations will aid in developing targeted therapeutics. We demonstrate that, even though snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (SNAI2) is frequently amplified in prostate cancer, it is epigenetically silenced in this disease, with dynamic changes in SNAI2 levels showing distinct clinical relevance. Integrative clinical data from 18 prostate cancer cohorts and experimental evidence showed that gene fusion between transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and ETS transcription factor ERG (ERG) (TMPRSS2–ERG fusion) is involved in the silencing of SNAI2. We created a silencer score to evaluate epigenetic repression of SNAI2, which can be reversed by treatment with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors. Silencing of SNAI2 facilitated tumor cell proliferation and luminal differentiation. Furthermore, SNAI2 has a major influence on the tumor microenvironment by reactivating tumor stroma and creating an immunosuppressive microenvironment in prostate cancer. Importantly, SNAI2 expression levels in part determine sensitivity to the cancer drugs dasatinib and panobinostat. For the first time, we defined the distinct clinical relevance of SNAI2 expression at different disease stages. We elucidated how epigenetic silencing of SNAI2 controls the dynamic changes of SNAI2 expression that are essential for tumor initiation and progression and discovered that restoring SNAI2 expression by treatment with panobinostat enhances dasatinib sensitivity, indicating a new therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Z Mazzu
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - YuRou Liao
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Subhiksha Nandakumar
- Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Martin Sjöström
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lina E Jehane
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Romina Ghale
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Travis A Gerke
- Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gwo-Shu Mary Lee
- Department of Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jian-Hua Luo
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Lorelei A Mucci
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Felix Y Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Philip W Kantoff
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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17
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Tumour microenvironment: a non-negligible driver for epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer. Expert Rev Mol Med 2021; 23:e16. [PMID: 34758892 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2021.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and metastasis is still the major cause of treatment failure for cancer patients. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to play a critical role in the metastasis cascade of epithelium-derived carcinoma. Tumour microenvironment (TME) refers to the local tissue environment in which tumour cells produce and live, including not only tumour cells themselves, but also fibroblasts, immune and inflammatory cells, glial cells and other cells around them, as well as intercellular stroma, micro vessels and infiltrated biomolecules from the nearby areas, which has been proved to widely participate in the occurrence and progress of cancer. Emerging and accumulating studies indicate that, on one hand, mesenchymal cells in TME can establish 'crosstalk' with tumour cells to regulate their EMT programme; on the other, EMT-tumour cells can create a favourable environment for their own growth via educating stromal cells. Recently, our group has conducted a series of studies on the interaction between tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) and colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in TME, confirming that the interaction between TAMs and CRC cells mediated by cytokines or exosomes can jointly promote the metastasis of CRC by regulating the EMT process of tumour cells and the M2-type polarisation process of TAMs. Herein, we present an overview to describe the current knowledge about EMT in cancer, summarise the important role of TME in EMT, and provide an update on the mechanisms of TME-induced EMT in CRC, aiming to provide new ideas for understanding and resisting tumour metastasis.
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18
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Wilson MM, Callens C, Le Gallo M, Mironov S, Ding Q, Salamagnon A, Chavarria TE, Viel R, Peasah AD, Bhutkar A, Martin S, Godey F, Tas P, Kang HS, Juin PP, Jetten AM, Visvader JE, Weinberg RA, Attanasio M, Prigent C, Lees JA, Guen VJ. An EMT-primary cilium-GLIS2 signaling axis regulates mammogenesis and claudin-low breast tumorigenesis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabf6063. [PMID: 34705506 PMCID: PMC8550236 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf6063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and primary ciliogenesis induce stem cell properties in basal mammary stem cells (MaSCs) to promote mammogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that EMT transcription factors promote ciliogenesis upon entry into intermediate EMT states by activating ciliogenesis inducers, including FGFR1. The resulting primary cilia promote ubiquitination and inactivation of a transcriptional repressor, GLIS2, which localizes to the ciliary base. We show that GLIS2 inactivation promotes MaSC stemness, and GLIS2 is required for normal mammary gland development. Moreover, GLIS2 inactivation is required to induce the proliferative and tumorigenic capacities of the mammary tumor–initiating cells (MaTICs) of claudin-low breast cancers. Claudin-low breast tumors can be segregated from other breast tumor subtypes based on a GLIS2-dependent gene expression signature. Collectively, our findings establish molecular mechanisms by which EMT programs induce ciliogenesis to control MaSC and MaTIC stemness, mammary gland development, and claudin-low breast cancer formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly M. Wilson
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Céline Callens
- Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Rennes, France
| | - Matthieu Le Gallo
- INSERM U1242, Rennes 1 University, Rennes, France
- Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Svetlana Mironov
- Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Rennes, France
| | - Qiong Ding
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Amandine Salamagnon
- Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Rennes, France
| | - Tony E. Chavarria
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Roselyne Viel
- Plateforme d’Histopathologie de Haute Précision (H2P2), Rennes, France
| | - Abena D. Peasah
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Arjun Bhutkar
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sophie Martin
- INSERM U1242, Rennes 1 University, Rennes, France
- Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Florence Godey
- INSERM U1242, Rennes 1 University, Rennes, France
- Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Patrick Tas
- INSERM U1242, Rennes 1 University, Rennes, France
- Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Hong Soon Kang
- Cell Biology Section, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Anton M. Jetten
- Cell Biology Section, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Jane E. Visvader
- Stem Cells and Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert A. Weinberg
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- MIT Department of Biology and the Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Massimo Attanasio
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Claude Prigent
- Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Rennes, France
- CRBM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jacqueline A. Lees
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Vincent J. Guen
- Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Rennes, France
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
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19
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Shao C, Lou P, Liu R, Bi X, Li G, Yang X, Sheng X, Xu J, Lv C, Yu Z. Hormone-Responsive BMP Signaling Expands Myoepithelial Cell Lineages and Prevents Alveolar Precocity in Mammary Gland. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:691050. [PMID: 34336839 PMCID: PMC8320003 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.691050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Myoepithelial and luminal cells synergistically expand in the mammary gland during pregnancy, and this process is precisely governed by hormone-related signaling pathways. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway is now known to play crucial roles in all organ systems. However, the functions of BMP signaling in the mammary gland remain unclear. Here, we found that BMPR1a is upregulated by hormone-induced Sp1 at pregnancy. Using a doxycycline (Dox)-inducible BMPR1a conditional knockout mouse model, we demonstrated that loss of BMPR1a in myoepithelium results in compromised myoepithelial integrity, reduced mammary stem cells and precocious alveolar differentiation during pregnancy. Mechanistically, BMPR1a regulates the expression of p63 and Slug, two key regulators of myoepithelial maintenance, through pSmad1/5-Smad4 complexes, and consequently activate P-cadherin during pregnancy. Furthermore, we observed that loss of BMPR1a in myoepithelium results in the upregulation of a secreted protein Spp1 that could account for the precocious alveolar differentiation in luminal layer, suggesting a defective basal-to-luminal paracrine signaling mechanism. Collectively, these findings identify a novel role of BMP signaling in maintaining the identity of myoepithelial cells and suppressing precocious alveolar formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlei Shao
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Pengbo Lou
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruiqi Liu
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueyun Bi
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Guilin Li
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Yang
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaole Sheng
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiuzhi Xu
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Lv
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengquan Yu
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology and Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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20
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Rauner G, Kuperwasser C. Microenvironmental control of cell fate decisions in mammary gland development and cancer. Dev Cell 2021; 56:1875-1883. [PMID: 34256927 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cell fate decisions are critical for adequate tissue development, maintenance and regeneration. In the mammary gland, epithelial cell fates are tightly controlled by the microenvironment. Here, we review how cell fate decisions are regulated by components of the microenvironment during mammary gland development and how pathological changes in the microenvironment can alter cell fates, leading to malignancy. Specifically, we describe the current understanding of how mammary cell fate is controlled and directed by three elements: the extracellular matrix, the immune microenvironment, and hormones-and how these elements can converge to create microenvironments that promote a fourth element: DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gat Rauner
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Charlotte Kuperwasser
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Laboratory for the Convergence of Biomedical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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21
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Bornes L, Belthier G, van Rheenen J. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in the Light of Plasticity and Hybrid E/M States. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112403. [PMID: 34072345 PMCID: PMC8197992 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular program which leads to cells losing epithelial features, including cell polarity, cell-cell adhesion and attachment to the basement membrane, while gaining mesenchymal characteristics, such as invasive properties and stemness. This program is involved in embryogenesis, wound healing and cancer progression. Over the years, the role of EMT in cancer progression has been heavily debated, and the requirement of this process in metastasis even has been disputed. In this review, we discuss previous discrepancies in the light of recent findings on EMT, plasticity and hybrid E/M states. Moreover, we highlight various tumor microenvironmental cues and cell intrinsic signaling pathways that induce and sustain EMT programs, plasticity and hybrid E/M states. Lastly, we discuss how recent findings on plasticity, especially on those that enable cells to switch between hybrid E/M states, have changed our understanding on the role of EMT in cancer metastasis, stemness and therapy resistance.
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22
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Lambert AW, Weinberg RA. Linking EMT programmes to normal and neoplastic epithelial stem cells. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:325-338. [PMID: 33547455 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00332-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 87.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial stem cells serve critical physiological functions in the generation, maintenance and repair of diverse tissues through their ability to self-renew and spawn more specialized, differentiated cell types. In an analogous fashion, cancer stem cells have been proposed to fuel the growth, progression and recurrence of many carcinomas. Activation of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a latent cell-biological programme involved in development and wound healing, has been linked to the formation of both normal and neoplastic stem cells, but the mechanistic basis underlying this connection remains unclear. In this Perspective, we outline the instances where aspects of an EMT have been implicated in normal and neoplastic epithelial stem cells and consider the involvement of this programme during tissue regeneration and repair. We also discuss emerging concepts and evidence related to the heterogeneous and plastic cell states generated by EMT programmes and how these bear on our understanding of cancer stem cell biology and cancer metastasis. A more comprehensive accounting of the still-elusive links between EMT programmes and the stem cell state will surely advance our understanding of both normal stem cell biology and cancer pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert A Weinberg
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- MIT Ludwig Center for Molecular Oncology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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23
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Erfani S, Hua H, Pan Y, Zhou BP, Yang XH. The Context-Dependent Impact of Integrin-Associated CD151 and Other Tetraspanins on Cancer Development and Progression: A Class of Versatile Mediators of Cellular Function and Signaling, Tumorigenesis and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092005. [PMID: 33919420 PMCID: PMC8122392 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tetraspanins are a family of molecules abundantly expressed on the surface of normal or tumor cells. They have been implicated in recruiting or sequestering key molecular regulators of malignancy of a variety of human cancers, including breast and lung cancers, glioblastoma and leukemia. Yet, how their actions take place remains mysterious due to a lack of traditional platform for molecular interactions. The current review digs into this mystery by examining findings from recent studies of multiple tetraspanins, particularly CD151. The molecular basis for differential impact of tetraspanins on tumor development, progression, and spreading to secondary sites is highlighted, and the complexity and plasticity of their control over tumor cell activities and interaction with their surroundings is discussed. Finally, an outlook is provided regarding tetraspanins as candidate biomarkers and targets for the diagnosis and treatment of human cancer. Abstract As a family of integral membrane proteins, tetraspanins have been functionally linked to a wide spectrum of human cancers, ranging from breast, colon, lung, ovarian, prostate, and skin carcinomas to glioblastoma. CD151 is one such prominent member of the tetraspanin family recently suggested to mediate tumor development, growth, and progression in oncogenic context- and cell lineage-dependent manners. In the current review, we summarize recent advances in mechanistic understanding of the function and signaling of integrin-associated CD151 and other tetraspanins in multiple cancer types. We also highlight emerging genetic and epigenetic evidence on the intrinsic links between tetraspanins, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem cells (CSCs), and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, as well as the dynamics of exosome and cellular metabolism. Finally, we discuss the implications of the highly plastic nature and epigenetic susceptibility of CD151 expression, function, and signaling for clinical diagnosis and therapeutic intervention for human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Erfani
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Pharmacy Department, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Edgewood, KY 41017, USA
| | - Hui Hua
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China; (H.H.); (Y.P.)
- Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Yueyin Pan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China; (H.H.); (Y.P.)
- Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Binhua P. Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
| | - Xiuwei H. Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-859-323-1996
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24
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Deckwirth V, Rajakylä EK, Cattavarayane S, Acheva A, Schaible N, Krishnan R, Valle-Delgado JJ, Österberg M, Björkenheim P, Sukura A, Tojkander S. Cytokeratin 5 determines maturation of the mammary myoepithelium. iScience 2021; 24:102413. [PMID: 34007958 PMCID: PMC8111680 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
At invasion, transformed mammary epithelial cells expand into the stroma through a disrupted myoepithelial (ME) cell layer and basement membrane (BM). The intact ME cell layer has thus been suggested to act as a barrier against invasion. Here, we investigate the mechanisms behind the disruption of ME cell layer. We show that the expression of basal/ME proteins CK5, CK14, and α-SMA altered along increasing grade of malignancy, and their loss affected the maintenance of organotypic 3D mammary architecture. Furthermore, our data suggests that loss of CK5 prior to invasive stage causes decreased levels of Zinc finger protein SNAI2 (SLUG), a key regulator of the mammary epithelial cell lineage determination. Consequently, a differentiation bias toward luminal epithelial cell type was detected with loss of mature, α-SMA-expressing ME cells and reduced deposition of basement membrane protein laminin-5. Therefore, our data discloses the central role of CK5 in mammary epithelial differentiation and maintenance of normal ME layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivi Deckwirth
- Section of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöberginkatu 2, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Eeva Kaisa Rajakylä
- Section of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöberginkatu 2, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Sandhanakrishnan Cattavarayane
- Section of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöberginkatu 2, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Anna Acheva
- Section of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöberginkatu 2, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Niccole Schaible
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ramaswamy Krishnan
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Juan José Valle-Delgado
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo 00076, Finland
| | - Monika Österberg
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo 00076, Finland
| | - Pia Björkenheim
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Antti Sukura
- Section of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöberginkatu 2, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Sari Tojkander
- Section of Pathology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöberginkatu 2, Helsinki 00014, Finland
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25
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Subbalakshmi AR, Sahoo S, Biswas K, Jolly MK. A Computational Systems Biology Approach Identifies SLUG as a Mediator of Partial Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). Cells Tissues Organs 2021; 211:689-702. [PMID: 33567424 DOI: 10.1159/000512520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity comprises reversible transitions among epithelial, hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) and mesenchymal phenotypes, and underlies various aspects of aggressive tumor progression such as metastasis, therapy resistance, and immune evasion. The process of cells attaining one or more hybrid E/M phenotypes is termed as partial epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cells in hybrid E/M phenotype(s) can be more aggressive than those in either fully epithelial or mesenchymal state. Thus, identifying regulators of hybrid E/M phenotypes is essential to decipher the rheostats of phenotypic plasticity and consequent accelerators of metastasis. Here, using a computational systems biology approach, we demonstrate that SLUG (SNAIL2) - an EMT-inducing transcription factor - can inhibit cells from undergoing a complete EMT and thus stabilize them in hybrid E/M phenotype(s). It expands the parametric range enabling the existence of a hybrid E/M phenotype, thereby behaving as a phenotypic stability factor. Our simulations suggest that this specific property of SLUG emerges from the topology of the regulatory network it forms with other key regulators of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. Clinical data suggest that SLUG associates with worse patient prognosis across multiple carcinomas. Together, our results indicate that SLUG can stabilize hybrid E/M phenotype(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayalur R Subbalakshmi
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Kuheli Biswas
- Department of Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India,
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26
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Ben Brahim C, Courageux C, Jolly A, Ouine B, Cartier A, de la Grange P, de Koning L, Leroy P. Proliferation Genes Repressed by TGF-β Are Downstream of Slug/Snail2 in Normal Bronchial Epithelial Progenitors and Are Deregulated in COPD. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:703-718. [PMID: 33495975 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10123-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Slug/Snail2 belongs to the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-inducing transcription factors involved in development and diseases. Slug is expressed in adult stem/progenitor cells of several epithelia, making it unique among these transcription factors. To investigate Slug role in human bronchial epithelium progenitors, we studied primary bronchial basal/progenitor cells in an air-liquid interface culture system that allows regenerating a bronchial epithelium. To identify Slug downstream genes we knocked down Slug in basal/progenitor cells from normal subjects and subjects with COPD, a respiratory disease presenting anomalies in the bronchial epithelium and high levels of TGF-β in the lungs. We show that normal and COPD bronchial basal/progenitors, even when treated with TGF-β, express both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, and that the epithelial marker E-cadherin is not a target of Slug and, moreover, positively correlates with Slug. We reveal that Slug downstream genes responding to both differentiation and TGF-β are different in normal and COPD progenitors, with in particular a set of proliferation-related genes that are among the genes repressed downstream of Slug in normal but not COPD. In COPD progenitors at the onset of differentiation in presence of TGF-β,we show that there is positive correlations between the effect of differentiation and TGF-β on proliferation-related genes and on Slug protein, and that their expression levels are higher than in normal cells. As well, the expression of Smad3 and β-Catenin, two molecules from TGF-βsignaling pathways, are higher in COPD progenitors, and our results indicate that proliferation-related genes and Slug protein are increased by different TGF-β-induced mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chamseddine Ben Brahim
- INSERM UMR1152, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Respiratory Diseases, Paris, France
- Faculty of Medicine, Paris Diderot University, Bichat Campus, Paris, France
| | - Charlotte Courageux
- INSERM UMR1152, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Respiratory Diseases, Paris, France
- Faculty of Medicine, Paris Diderot University, Bichat Campus, Paris, France
| | | | - Bérengère Ouine
- Institut Curie, Department of Translational Research, RPPA platform, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Cartier
- Institut Curie, Department of Translational Research, RPPA platform, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | | | - Leanne de Koning
- Institut Curie, Department of Translational Research, RPPA platform, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Pascale Leroy
- INSERM UMR1152, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Respiratory Diseases, Paris, France.
- Faculty of Medicine, Paris Diderot University, Bichat Campus, Paris, France.
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27
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The Intimate Relationship Among EMT, MET and TME: A T(ransdifferentiation) E(nhancing) M(ix) to Be Exploited for Therapeutic Purposes. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123674. [PMID: 33297508 PMCID: PMC7762343 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Intratumoral heterogeneity is considered the major cause of drug resistance and hence treatment failure in cancer patients. Tumor cells are known for their phenotypic plasticity that is the ability of a cell to reprogram and change its identity to eventually adopt multiple phenotypes. Tumor cell plasticity involves the reactivation of developmental programs, the acquisition of cancer stem cell properties and an enhanced potential for retro- or transdifferentiation. A well-known transdifferentiation mechanism is the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Current evidence suggests a complex interplay between EMT, genetic and epigenetic alterations, and various signals from the tumor microenvironment (TME) in shaping a tumor cell’s plasticity. The vulnerabilities exposed by cancer cells when residing in a plastic or stem-like state have the potential to be exploited therapeutically, i.e., by converting highly metastatic cells into less aggressive or even harmless postmitotic ones. Abstract Intratumoral heterogeneity is considered the major cause of drug unresponsiveness in cancer and accumulating evidence implicates non-mutational resistance mechanisms rather than genetic mutations in its development. These non-mutational processes are largely driven by phenotypic plasticity, which is defined as the ability of a cell to reprogram and change its identity (phenotype switching). Tumor cell plasticity is characterized by the reactivation of developmental programs that are closely correlated with the acquisition of cancer stem cell properties and an enhanced potential for retrodifferentiation or transdifferentiation. A well-studied mechanism of phenotypic plasticity is the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Current evidence suggests a complex interplay between EMT, genetic and epigenetic alterations, and clues from the tumor microenvironment in cell reprogramming. A deeper understanding of the connections between stem cell, epithelial–mesenchymal, and tumor-associated reprogramming events is crucial to develop novel therapies that mitigate cell plasticity and minimize the evolution of tumor heterogeneity, and hence drug resistance. Alternatively, vulnerabilities exposed by tumor cells when residing in a plastic or stem-like state may be exploited therapeutically, i.e., by converting them into less aggressive or even postmitotic cells. Tumor cell plasticity thus presents a new paradigm for understanding a cancer’s resistance to therapy and deciphering its underlying mechanisms.
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28
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Engelsen AST, Wnuk-Lipinska K, Bougnaud S, Pelissier Vatter FA, Tiron C, Villadsen R, Miyano M, Lotsberg ML, Madeleine N, Panahandeh P, Dhakal S, Tan TZ, Peters SD, Grøndal S, Aziz SM, Nord S, Herfindal L, Stampfer MR, Sørlie T, Brekken RA, Straume O, Halberg N, Gausdal G, Thiery JP, Akslen LA, Petersen OW, LaBarge MA, Lorens JB. AXL Is a Driver of Stemness in Normal Mammary Gland and Breast Cancer. iScience 2020; 23:101649. [PMID: 33103086 PMCID: PMC7578759 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is associated with epithelial plasticity in several solid tumors including breast cancer and AXL-targeting agents are currently in clinical trials. We hypothesized that AXL is a driver of stemness traits in cancer by co-option of a regulatory function normally reserved for stem cells. AXL-expressing cells in human mammary epithelial ducts co-expressed markers associated with multipotency, and AXL inhibition abolished colony formation and self-maintenance activities while promoting terminal differentiation in vitro. Axl-null mice did not exhibit a strong developmental phenotype, but enrichment of Axl + cells was required for mouse mammary gland reconstitution upon transplantation, and Axl-null mice had reduced incidence of Wnt1-driven mammary tumors. An AXL-dependent gene signature is a feature of transcriptomes in basal breast cancers and reduced patient survival irrespective of subtype. Our interpretation is that AXL regulates access to epithelial plasticity programs in MaSCs and, when co-opted, maintains acquired stemness in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnete S T Engelsen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, 94800 Villejuif, France
| | | | - Sebastien Bougnaud
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Fanny A Pelissier Vatter
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Crina Tiron
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - René Villadsen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Copenhagen N 2200, Denmark
| | - Masaru Miyano
- Biolgical Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91910, USA
| | - Maria L Lotsberg
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Noëlly Madeleine
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Pouda Panahandeh
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Sushil Dhakal
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Tuan Zea Tan
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | | | - Sturla Grøndal
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Sura M Aziz
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Silje Nord
- Department of Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0310 Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Herfindal
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Martha R Stampfer
- Biolgical Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Therese Sørlie
- Department of Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0310 Oslo, Norway
| | - Rolf A Brekken
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Oddbjørn Straume
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Nils Halberg
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Gro Gausdal
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Jean Paul Thiery
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, 94800 Villejuif, France.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, A-STAR, Singapore 138673, Singapore.,Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health, Bio-island, Guangzhou, 510320, China
| | - Lars A Akslen
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Ole W Petersen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Copenhagen N 2200, Denmark.,Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Copenhagen N 2200, Denmark
| | - Mark A LaBarge
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,Biolgical Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.,Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91910, USA
| | - James B Lorens
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
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29
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Gross KM, Zhou W, Breindel JL, Ouyang J, Jin DX, Sokol ES, Gupta PB, Huber K, Zou L, Kuperwasser C. Loss of Slug Compromises DNA Damage Repair and Accelerates Stem Cell Aging in Mammary Epithelium. Cell Rep 2020; 28:394-407.e6. [PMID: 31291576 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damage activates checkpoints that limit the replicative potential of stem cells, including differentiation. These checkpoints protect against cancer development but also promote tissue aging. Because mice lacking Slug/Snai2 exhibit limited stem cell activity, including luminobasal differentiation, and are protected from mammary cancer, we reasoned that Slug might regulate DNA damage checkpoints in mammary epithelial cells. Here, we show that Slug facilitates efficient execution of RPA32-mediated DNA damage response (DDR) signaling. Slug deficiency leads to delayed phosphorylation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related protein (ATR) and its effectors RPA32 and CHK1. This leads to impaired RAD51 recruitment to DNA damage sites and persistence of unresolved DNA damage. In vivo, Slug/Snai2 loss leads to increased DNA damage and premature aging of mammary epithelium. Collectively, our work demonstrates that the mammary stem cell regulator Slug controls DDR checkpoints by dually inhibiting differentiation and facilitating DDR repair, and its loss causes unresolved DNA damage and accelerated aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla M Gross
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, & Chemical Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Wenhui Zhou
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, & Chemical Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Jerrica L Breindel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT 06518, USA
| | - Jian Ouyang
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Dexter X Jin
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ethan S Sokol
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Piyush B Gupta
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kathryn Huber
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Lee Zou
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Charlotte Kuperwasser
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, & Chemical Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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30
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Chung CY, Ma Z, Dravis C, Preissl S, Poirion O, Luna G, Hou X, Giraddi RR, Ren B, Wahl GM. Single-Cell Chromatin Analysis of Mammary Gland Development Reveals Cell-State Transcriptional Regulators and Lineage Relationships. Cell Rep 2020; 29:495-510.e6. [PMID: 31597106 PMCID: PMC6887110 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Technological improvements enable single-cell epigenetic analyses of organ development. We reasoned that high-resolution single-cell chromatin accessibility mapping would provide needed insight into the epigenetic reprogramming and transcriptional regulators involved in normal mammary gland development. Here, we provide a single-cell resource of chromatin accessibility for murine mammary development from the peak of fetal mammary stem cell (fMaSC) functional activity in late embryogenesis to the differentiation of adult basal and luminal cells. We find that the chromatin landscape within individual cells predicts both gene accessibility and transcription factor activity. The ability of single-cell chromatin profiling to separate E18 fetal mammary cells into clusters exhibiting basal-like and luminal-like chromatin features is noteworthy. Such distinctions were not evident in analyses of droplet-based single-cell transcriptomic data. We present a web application as a scientific resource for facilitating future analyses of the gene regulatory networks involved in mammary development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Yeh Chung
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Zhibo Ma
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Christopher Dravis
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sebastian Preissl
- Center for Epigenomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Olivier Poirion
- Center for Epigenomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Gidsela Luna
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Xiaomeng Hou
- Center for Epigenomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Rajshekhar R Giraddi
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Bing Ren
- Center for Epigenomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Geoffrey M Wahl
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Moon JH, Lee SH, Koo BS, Kim JM, Huang S, Cho JH, Eun YG, Shin HA, Lim YC. Slug is a novel molecular target for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma stem-like cells. Oral Oncol 2020; 111:104948. [PMID: 32771963 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The acquisition of stem-like phenotype is partly attributed to the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Thus, the activation of factors involved in EMT can be linked to cancer stem cell genesis. However, the underlying mechanisms in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain largely unknown. Herein, we investigate whether slug, one of the major effectors of EMT, affects the stemness of HNSCC cells. METHODS We performed in vitro experiments to determine whether slug gene manipulation can influence the stemness phenotypes, including the capacity for self-renewal, expression of putative stemness markers, chemoresistance, and invasion in HNSCC cells. Further, we identified whether Slug knockout attenuates tumorigenicity of HNSCC cells in vivo. Finally, we examined whether prognosis of HNSCC patients after curative treatment may be affected by the level of slug expression. RESULTS Overexpression of slug promoted self-renewal of HNSCC cells via activation of sphere formation, the expression of stem cell markers, and induction of chemoresistance to cisplatin. Also, slug overexpression increased the migration and invasion of HNSCC cells in vitro and was mainly observed during the invasion in HNSCC xenograft mouse model. By contrast, slug expression knockdown abrogated their self-renewal capacity, stemness-associated gene expression, and cisplatin chemoresistance. Furthermore, high levels of slug expression correlated with poor prognosis of patients with HNSCC. CONCLUSION Inhibition of slug expression may represent a novel therapeutic strategy targeting HNSCC stem-like cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Hwa Moon
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hyuk Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bon Seok Koo
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Man Kim
- Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Songmei Huang
- Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Cho
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Gyu Eun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyang Ae Shin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Chang Lim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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32
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Dai X, Xin Y, Xu W, Tian X, Wei X, Zhang H. CBP-mediated Slug acetylation stabilizes Slug and promotes EMT and migration of breast cancer cells. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 64:563-574. [PMID: 32737855 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1736-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Slug, a member of the Snail family of transcriptional repressors, plays a key role in cancer progression, cellular plasticity, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Slug is a fast-turnover protein and its stability is controlled by post-translational modifications. Here, we identified that Slug is acetylated by acetyltransferase CREB-binding protein (CBP) in breast cancer cells. CBP directly interacts with the C-terminal domain of Slug through its catalytic histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain, leading to acetylation of Slug at lysines 166 and 211. Analysis with acetylation-specific antibodies revealed that Slug is highly acetylated in metastatic breast cancer cells. Notably, Slug acetylation, mediated by CBP at lysines 166 and 211, doubles its half-life and increases its stability. Further, acetylated Slug downregulates the expression of E-cadherin, the epithelial marker, and upregulates the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin, thereby promoting breast cancer cell migration. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that CBP-mediated Slug acetylation increases its stability, promoting EMT and migration of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Dai
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education) and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yanli Xin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education) and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Weizhi Xu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education) and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xinxia Tian
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Xiaofan Wei
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education) and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Hongquan Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education) and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
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33
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Sterneck E, Poria DK, Balamurugan K. Slug and E-Cadherin: Stealth Accomplices? Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:138. [PMID: 32760736 PMCID: PMC7371942 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
During physiological epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is important for embryogenesis and wound healing, epithelial cells activate a program to remodel their structure and achieve a mesenchymal fate. In cancer cells, EMT confers increased invasiveness and tumor-initiating capacity, which contribute to metastasis and resistance to therapeutics. However, cellular plasticity that navigates between epithelial and mesenchymal states and maintenance of a hybrid or partial E/M phenotype appears to be even more important for cancer progression. Besides other core EMT transcription factors, the well-characterized Snail-family proteins Snail (SNAI1) and Slug (SNAI2) play important roles in both physiological and pathological EMT. Often mentioned in unison, they do, however, differ in their functions in many scenarios. Indeed, Slug expression does not always correlate with complete EMT or loss of E-cadherin (CDH1). For example, Slug plays important roles in mammary epithelial cell progenitor cell lineage commitment and differentiation, DNA damage responses, hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal, and in pathologies such as pulmonary fibrosis and atherosclerosis. In this Perspective, we highlight Slug functions in mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer as a “non-EMT factor” in basal epithelial cells and stem cells with focus reports that demonstrate co-expression of Slug and E-cadherin. We speculate that Slug and E-cadherin may cooperate in normal mammary gland and breast cancer/stem cells and advocate for functional assessment of such Slug+/E-cadherinlow/+ (SNAI2+/CDH1low/+) “basal-like epithelial” cells. Thus, Slug may be regarded as less of an EMT factor than driver of the basal epithelial cell phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esta Sterneck
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Dipak K Poria
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Kuppusamy Balamurugan
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, United States
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34
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Celià-Terrassa T, Jolly MK. Cancer Stem Cells and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Metastasis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:cshperspect.a036905. [PMID: 31570380 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The cancer stem cell (CSC) concept stands for undifferentiated tumor cells with the ability to initiate heterogeneous tumors. It is also relevant in metastasis and can explain how metastatic tumors mirror the heterogeneity of primary tumors. Cellular plasticity, including the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), enables the generation of CSCs at different steps of the metastatic process including metastatic colonization. In this review, we update the concept of CSCs and provide evidence of the existence of metastatic stem cells (MetSCs). In addition, we highlight the nuanced understanding of EMT that has been gained recently and the association of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) with the acquisition of CSCs properties during metastasis. We also comment on the computational approaches that have profoundly influenced our understanding of CSCs and EMT; and how these studies and new experimental technologies can yield a deeper understanding of the biological aspects of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Celià-Terrassa
- Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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35
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Stern JL, Hibshman G, Hu K, Ferrara SE, Costello JC, Kim W, Tamayo P, Cech TR, Huang FW. Mesenchymal and MAPK Expression Signatures Associate with Telomerase Promoter Mutations in Multiple Cancers. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 18:1050-1062. [PMID: 32276990 PMCID: PMC8020009 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-1244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In a substantial fraction of cancers TERT promoter (TERTp) mutations drive expression of the catalytic subunit of telomerase, contributing to their proliferative immortality. We conducted a pan-cancer analysis of cell lines and find a TERTp mutation expression signature dominated by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and MAPK signaling. These data indicate that TERTp mutants are likely to generate distinctive tumor microenvironments and intercellular interactions. Analysis of high-throughput screening tests of 546 small molecules on cell line growth indicated that TERTp mutants displayed heightened sensitivity to specific drugs, including RAS pathway inhibitors, and we found that inhibition of MEK1 and 2, key RAS/MAPK pathway effectors, inhibited TERT mRNA expression. Consistent with an enrichment of mesenchymal states in TERTp mutants, cell lines and some patient tumors displayed low expression of the central adherens junction protein E-cadherin, and we provide evidence that its expression in these cells is regulated by MEK1/2. Several mesenchymal transcription factors displayed elevated expression in TERTp mutants including ZEB1 and 2, TWIST1 and 2, and SNAI1. Of note, the developmental transcription factor SNAI2/SLUG was conspicuously elevated in a significant majority of TERTp-mutant cell lines, and knock-down experiments suggest that it promotes TERT expression. IMPLICATIONS: Cancers harboring TERT promoter mutations are often more lethal, but the basis for this higher mortality remains unknown. Our study identifies that TERTp mutants, as a class, associate with a distinct gene and protein expression signature likely to impact their biological and clinical behavior and provide new directions for investigating treatment approaches for these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Lewis Stern
- BioFrontiers Institute and the Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Grace Hibshman
- BioFrontiers Institute and the Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of
| | - Kevin Hu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Helen Diller Family Cancer Center; Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, Institute of Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Sarah E Ferrara
- University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - James C Costello
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - William Kim
- Division of Medical Genetics and Center for Cancer Target Discovery and Development (CTD), Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Pablo Tamayo
- Division of Medical Genetics and Center for Cancer Target Discovery and Development (CTD), Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
| | - Thomas R Cech
- BioFrontiers Institute and the Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of
| | - Franklin W Huang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Helen Diller Family Cancer Center; Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, Institute of Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
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36
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Wilson MM, Weinberg RA, Lees JA, Guen VJ. Emerging Mechanisms by which EMT Programs Control Stemness. Trends Cancer 2020; 6:775-780. [PMID: 32312682 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Tissue regeneration relies on adult stem cells (SCs) that possess the ability to self-renew and produce differentiating progeny. In an analogous manner, the development of certain cancers depends on a subset of tumor cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs), with SC-like properties. In addition to being responsible for tumorigenesis, CSCs exhibit elevated resistance to therapy and thus drive tumor relapse post-treatment. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) programs promote SC and CSC stemness in many epithelial tissues. Here, we provide an overview of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between stemness and EMT programs, which may represent therapeutic vulnerabilities for the treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly M Wilson
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert A Weinberg
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jacqueline A Lees
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Vincent J Guen
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de génétique et développement de Rennes)- UMR 6290, F- 35000 Rennes, France.
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37
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Zhang Z, Li L, Wu C, Yin G, Zhu P, Zhou Y, Hong Y, Ni H, Qian Z, Wu WS. Inhibition of Slug effectively targets leukemia stem cells via the Slc13a3/ROS signaling pathway. Leukemia 2020; 34:380-390. [PMID: 31492896 PMCID: PMC6995768 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-019-0566-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are the rare populations of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells that are able to initiate, maintain, and propagate AML. Targeting LSCs is a promising approach for preventing AML relapse and improving long-term outcomes. While Slug, a zinc-finger transcription repressor, negatively regulates the self-renewal of normal hematopoietic stem cells, its functions in AML are still unknown. We report here that Slug promotes leukemogenesis and its loss impairs LSC self-renewal and delays leukemia progression. Mechanistically, Slc13a3, a direct target of Slug in LSCs, restricts the self-renewal of LSCs and markedly prolongs recipient survival. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of SLUG or forced expression of Slc13a3 suppresses the growth of human AML cells. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate that Slug differentially regulates self-renewal of LSCs and normal HSCs, and both Slug and Slc13a3 are potential therapeutic targets of LSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghui Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 200444, Shanghai, China
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine and University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Chen Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 200444, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoshu Yin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine and University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Pei Zhu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine and University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Yalu Zhou
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine and University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Yuanfan Hong
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine and University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Hongyu Ni
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Zhijian Qian
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine and The University of Florida, Cancer/Genetics Research Complex, Florida, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Wen-Shu Wu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine and University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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38
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Zhou W, Gross KM, Kuperwasser C. Molecular regulation of Snai2 in development and disease. J Cell Sci 2019; 132:132/23/jcs235127. [PMID: 31792043 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.235127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Snai2, encoded by the SNAI2 gene, is an evolutionarily conserved C2H2 zinc finger protein that orchestrates biological processes critical to tissue development and tumorigenesis. Initially characterized as a prototypical epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transcription factor, Snai2 has been shown more recently to participate in a wider variety of biological processes, including tumor metastasis, stem and/or progenitor cell biology, cellular differentiation, vascular remodeling and DNA damage repair. The main role of Snai2 in controlling such processes involves facilitating the epigenetic regulation of transcriptional programs, and, as such, its dysregulation manifests in developmental defects, disruption of tissue homeostasis, and other disease conditions. Here, we discuss our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating Snai2 expression, abundance and activity. In addition, we outline how these mechanisms contribute to disease phenotypes or how they may impact rational therapeutic targeting of Snai2 dysregulation in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Zhou
- Department of Developmental, Molecular & Chemical Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111, USA.,Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Kayla M Gross
- Department of Developmental, Molecular & Chemical Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111, USA.,Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Charlotte Kuperwasser
- Department of Developmental, Molecular & Chemical Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111, USA .,Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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39
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Jolly MK, Celià-Terrassa T. Dynamics of Phenotypic Heterogeneity Associated with EMT and Stemness during Cancer Progression. J Clin Med 2019; 8:E1542. [PMID: 31557977 PMCID: PMC6832750 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8101542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity contribute to the generation of diverse tumor cell populations, thus enhancing cancer aggressiveness and therapy resistance. Compared to genetic heterogeneity, a consequence of mutational events, phenotypic heterogeneity arises from dynamic, reversible cell state transitions in response to varying intracellular/extracellular signals. Such phenotypic plasticity enables rapid adaptive responses to various stressful conditions and can have a strong impact on cancer progression. Herein, we have reviewed relevant literature on mechanisms associated with dynamic phenotypic changes and cellular plasticity, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stemness, which have been reported to facilitate cancer metastasis. We also discuss how non-cell-autonomous mechanisms such as cell-cell communication can lead to an emergent population-level response in tumors. The molecular mechanisms underlying the complexity of tumor systems are crucial for comprehending cancer progression, and may provide new avenues for designing therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - Toni Celià-Terrassa
- Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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40
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Pellacani D, Tan S, Lefort S, Eaves CJ. Transcriptional regulation of normal human mammary cell heterogeneity and its perturbation in breast cancer. EMBO J 2019; 38:e100330. [PMID: 31304632 PMCID: PMC6627240 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2018100330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammary gland in adult women consists of biologically distinct cell types that differ in their surface phenotypes. Isolation and molecular characterization of these subpopulations of mammary cells have provided extensive insights into their different transcriptional programs and regulation. This information is now serving as a baseline for interpreting the heterogeneous features of human breast cancers. Examination of breast cancer mutational profiles further indicates that most have undergone a complex evolutionary process even before being detected. The consequent intra-tumoral as well as inter-tumoral heterogeneity of these cancers thus poses major challenges to deriving information from early and hence likely pervasive changes in potential therapeutic interest. Recently described reproducible and efficient methods for generating human breast cancers de novo in immunodeficient mice transplanted with genetically altered primary cells now offer a promising alternative to investigate initial stages of human breast cancer development. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about key transcriptional regulatory processes operative in these partially characterized subpopulations of normal human mammary cells and effects of disrupting these processes in experimentally produced human breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Pellacani
- Terry Fox LaboratoryBritish Columbia Cancer AgencyVancouverBCCanada
| | - Susanna Tan
- Terry Fox LaboratoryBritish Columbia Cancer AgencyVancouverBCCanada
| | - Sylvain Lefort
- Terry Fox LaboratoryBritish Columbia Cancer AgencyVancouverBCCanada
| | - Connie J Eaves
- Terry Fox LaboratoryBritish Columbia Cancer AgencyVancouverBCCanada
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41
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Fang Z, Li T, Chen W, Wu D, Qin Y, Liu M, Wu G, He L, Li H, Gu H. Gab2 promotes cancer stem cell like properties and metastatic growth of ovarian cancer via downregulation of miR-200c. Exp Cell Res 2019; 382:111462. [PMID: 31194976 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Scaffolding adaptor Gab2 is overexpressed in a subset of high-grade ovarian cancer. Our published work shows that Gab2 via PI3K enhances migratory behaviors and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) features of ovarian cancer cells in vitro. However, it is still unclear how Gab2/PI3K pathway reuglates EMT characteristics and whether Gab2 promotes the growth of ovarian cancer stem cell (CSC)-like population and metastatic growth. In this study, we examined the effects of Gab2 expression on CSC-like cell growth using Aldefluor and tumorshpere assays commonly used for assessing ovarian cancer cells with CSC properties. Gab2 overexpression increased the number of ALDH+ cells and tumorsphere formation in two different ovarian cancer cell lines OVCAR5 and OVCAR8, whereas knockdown of Gab2 decreased the number of ALDH+ cells and tumorsphere formation in Caov-3 cells. Furthermore, Gab2 promoted metastatic tumor growth of OVCAR5 in nude mice. Mechanistically, we uncovered that Gab2 via PI3K specifically inhibited miR-200c expression. miR-200c downregulation contributed to the Gab2-enhanced cell migratory behaviors, EMT properties, and the expansion of ALDH+ cells and tumorspheres. Furthermore, Gab2 promoted CD44 expression and cell migration/invasion through miR-200c downregulation. Our findings support a model that Gab2-PI3K pathway via miR-200c downregulation promotes CD44 expression, EMT characteristics, and CSC-like cell growth. Therapies involving miR-200c or targeting CD44 should help treat ovarian cancer with high Gab2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenghui Fang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Tong Li
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Wanzhou Chen
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Du Wu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Yaqian Qin
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325200, China
| | - Guang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Licai He
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Hongzhi Li
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Haihua Gu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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42
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Gupta PB, Pastushenko I, Skibinski A, Blanpain C, Kuperwasser C. Phenotypic Plasticity: Driver of Cancer Initiation, Progression, and Therapy Resistance. Cell Stem Cell 2019; 24:65-78. [PMID: 30554963 PMCID: PMC7297507 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 353] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Our traditional understanding of phenotypic plasticity in adult somatic cells comprises dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation in the context of tissue regeneration or wound healing. Although dedifferentiation is central to tissue repair and stemness, this process inherently carries the risk of cancer initiation. Consequently, recent research suggests phenotypic plasticity as a new paradigm for understanding cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. Here, we discuss how cells acquire plasticity and the role of plasticity in initiating cancer, cancer progression, and metastasis and in developing therapy resistance. We also highlight the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and known molecular mechanisms underlying plasticity and we consider potential therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyush B Gupta
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Ievgenia Pastushenko
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Brussels 1070, Belgium
| | - Adam Skibinski
- Department of Developmental, Chemical and Molecular Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, USA; Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Cedric Blanpain
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Brussels 1070, Belgium; WELBIO, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels 1070, Belgium.
| | - Charlotte Kuperwasser
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Brussels 1070, Belgium; Department of Developmental, Chemical and Molecular Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, USA; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Convergence Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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43
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Liu R, Shi P, Zhou Z, Zhang H, Li W, Zhang H, Chen C. Krüpple-like factor 5 is essential for mammary gland development and tumorigenesis. J Pathol 2018; 246:497-507. [PMID: 30101462 DOI: 10.1002/path.5153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Krüpple-like factor 5 (KLF5) is required for the development of the embryo and multiple organs, such as the lung and intestine. KLF5 plays a pro-proliferative and oncogenic role in several carcinomas, including breast cancer. However, its role in normal mammary gland development and oncogenesis has not been elucidated in vivo. In this study, we used mammary gland-specific Klf5 conditional knockout mice derived by mating Klf5-LoxP and MMTV-Cre mice. The genetic ablation of Klf5 suppresses mammary gland ductal elongation and lobuloalveolar formation. Klf5 deficiency inhibits mammary epithelial cell proliferation, survival, and stem cell maintenance. Klf5 promotes mammary stemness, at least partially, by directly promoting the transcription of Slug. Finally, Klf5 depletion suppressed PyMT-induced mammary gland tumor cell stemness, tumor initiation, and growth in vivo. Slug also mediated these functions of Klf5 in vivo. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
| | - Peiguo Shi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
| | - Zhongmei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Urology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, PR China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Ceshi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, PR China
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44
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Hillers LE, D'Amato JV, Chamberlin T, Paderta G, Arendt LM. Obesity-Activated Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells Promote Breast Cancer Growth and Invasion. Neoplasia 2018; 20:1161-1174. [PMID: 30317122 PMCID: PMC6187054 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Obese women diagnosed with breast cancer have an increased risk for metastasis, and the underlying mechanisms are not well established. Within the mammary gland, adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are heterogeneous cells with the capacity to differentiate into multiple mesenchymal lineages. To study the effects of obesity on ASCs, mice were fed a control diet (CD) or high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity, and ASCs were isolated from the mammary glands of lean and obese mice. We observed that obesity increased ASCs proliferation, decreased differentiation potential, and upregulated expression of α-smooth muscle actin, a marker of activated fibroblasts, compared to ASCs from lean mice. To determine how ASCs from obese mice impacted tumor growth, we mixed ASCs isolated from CD- or HFD-fed mice with mammary tumor cells and injected them into the mammary glands of lean mice. Tumor cells mixed with ASCs from obese mice grew significantly larger tumors and had increased invasion into surrounding adipose tissue than tumor cells mixed with control ASCs. ASCs from obese mice demonstrated enhanced tumor cell invasion in culture, a phenotype associated with increased expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and abrogated by IGF-1 neutralizing antibodies. Weight loss induced in obese mice significantly decreased expression of IGF-1 from ASCs and reduced the ability of the ASCs to induce an invasive phenotype. Together, these results suggest that obesity enhances local invasion of breast cancer cells through increased expression of IGF-1 by mammary ASCs, and weight loss may reverse this tumor-promoting phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Hillers
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1525 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Joseph V D'Amato
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Tamara Chamberlin
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1525 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Gretchen Paderta
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Lisa M Arendt
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1525 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706; Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706.
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Majorini MT, Manenti G, Mano M, De Cecco L, Conti A, Pinciroli P, Fontanella E, Tagliabue E, Chiodoni C, Colombo MP, Delia D, Lecis D. cIAP1 regulates the EGFR/Snai2 axis in triple-negative breast cancer cells. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:2147-2164. [PMID: 29674627 PMCID: PMC6262016 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0100-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins constitute a family of conserved molecules that regulate both apoptosis and receptor signaling. They are often deregulated in cancer cells and represent potential targets for therapy. In our work, we investigated the effect of IAP inhibition in vivo to identify novel downstream genes expressed in an IAP-dependent manner that could contribute to cancer aggressiveness. To this end, immunocompromised mice engrafted subcutaneously with the triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB231 cell line were treated with SM83, a Smac mimetic that acts as a pan-IAP inhibitor, and tumor nodules were profiled for gene expression. SM83 reduced the expression of Snai2, an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition factor often associated with increased stem-like properties and metastatic potential especially in breast cancer cells. By testing several breast cancer cell lines, we demonstrated that Snai2 downregulation prevents cell motility and that its expression is promoted by cIAP1. In fact, the chemical or genetic inhibition of cIAP1 blocked epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-dependent activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and caused the reduction of Snai2 transcription levels. In a number of breast cancer cell lines, cIAP1 depletion also resulted in a reduction of EGFR protein levels which derived from the decrease of its gene transcription, though, paradoxically, the silencing of cIAP1 promoted EGFR protein stability rather than its degradation. Finally, we provided evidence that IAP inhibition displays an anti-tumor and anti-metastasis effect in vivo. In conclusion, our work indicates that IAP-targeted therapy could contribute to EGFR inhibition and to the reduction of its downstream mediators. This approach could be particularly effective in tumors characterized by high levels of EGFR and Snai2, such as triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Majorini
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Control Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Manenti
- Department of Predictive & Preventive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Miguel Mano
- Functional Genomics and RNA-Based Therapeutics Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, 3060-197, Portugal
| | - Loris De Cecco
- Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Conti
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Control Unit, Milan, Italy.,Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pinciroli
- Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Fontanella
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Control Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Elda Tagliabue
- Department of Experimental Oncology & Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Molecular Targeting Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Chiodoni
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Molecular Immunology Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Paolo Colombo
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Molecular Immunology Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Delia
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Control Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Lecis
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Control Unit, Milan, Italy. .,Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Molecular Immunology Unit, Milan, Italy.
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Puisieux A, Pommier RM, Morel AP, Lavial F. Cellular Pliancy and the Multistep Process of Tumorigenesis. Cancer Cell 2018; 33:164-172. [PMID: 29438693 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Completion of early stages of tumorigenesis relies on the dynamic interplay between the initiating oncogenic event and the cellular context. Here, we review recent findings indicating that each differentiation stage within a defined cellular lineage is associated with a unique susceptibility to malignant transformation when subjected to a specific oncogenic insult. This emerging notion, named cellular pliancy, provides a rationale for the short delay in the development of pediatric cancers of prenatal origin. It also highlights the critical role of cellular reprogramming in early steps of malignant transformation of adult differentiated cells and its impact on the natural history of tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Puisieux
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer "EMT and Cancer Cell Plasticity", Lyon 69008, France; LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, 69000 Lyon, France.
| | - Roxane M Pommier
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer "EMT and Cancer Cell Plasticity", Lyon 69008, France; LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, 69000 Lyon, France
| | - Anne-Pierre Morel
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer "EMT and Cancer Cell Plasticity", Lyon 69008, France; LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, 69000 Lyon, France
| | - Fabrice Lavial
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Equipe "Cellular Reprogramming and Oncogenesis", Lyon 69008, France
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The matricellular protein CCN6 (WISP3) decreases Notch1 and suppresses breast cancer initiating cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:25180-93. [PMID: 26933820 PMCID: PMC5041896 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports that the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer cells generates tumor initiating cells (TICs) but the contribution of the tumor microenvironment to these programs needs further elucidation. CCN6 (WISP3) is a secreted matrix-associated protein (36.9 kDa) of the CCN family (named after CTGF, Cyr61 and Nov) that is reduced or lost in invasive carcinomas of the breast with lymph node metastasis and in inflammatory breast cancer. CCN6 exerts breast cancer growth and invasion inhibitory functions, but the mechanisms remain to be defined. In the present study we discovered that ectopic CCN6 overexpression in triple negative (TN) breast cancer cells and in cells derived from patients is sufficient to induce a mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) and to reduce TICs. In vivo, CCN6 overexpression in the TIC population of MDA-MB-231 cells delayed tumor initiation, reduced tumor volume, and inhibited the development of metastasis. Our studies reveal a novel CCN6/Slug signaling axis that regulates Notch1 signaling activation, epithelial cell phenotype and breast TICs, which requires the conserved thrombospondin type 1 (TSP1) motif of CCN6. The relevance of these data to human breast cancer is highlighted by the finding that CCN6 protein levels are inversely correlated with Notch1 intracellular activated form (NICD1) in 69.5% of invasive breast carcinomas. These results demonstrate that CCN6 regulates epithelial and mesenchymal states transition and TIC programs, and pinpoint one responsible mechanism.
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48
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Mathis RA, Sokol ES, Gupta PB. Cancer cells exhibit clonal diversity in phenotypic plasticity. Open Biol 2017; 7:rsob.160283. [PMID: 28202626 PMCID: PMC5356442 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.160283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity in cancers is associated with invasive progression and drug resistance. This heterogeneity arises in part from the ability of cancer cells to switch between phenotypic states, but the dynamics of this cellular plasticity remain poorly understood. Here we apply DNA barcodes to quantify and track phenotypic plasticity across hundreds of clones in a population of cancer cells exhibiting epithelial or mesenchymal differentiation phenotypes. We find that the epithelial-to-mesenchymal cell ratio is highly variable across the different clones in cancer cell populations, but remains stable for many generations within the progeny of any single clone—with a heritability of 0.89. To estimate the effects of combination therapies on phenotypically heterogeneous tumours, we generated quantitative simulations incorporating empirical data from our barcoding experiments. These analyses indicated that combination therapies which alternate between epithelial- and mesenchymal-specific treatments eventually select for clones with increased phenotypic plasticity. However, this selection could be minimized by increasing the frequency of alternation between treatments, identifying designs that may minimize selection for increased phenotypic plasticity. These findings establish new insights into phenotypic plasticity in cancer, and suggest design principles for optimizing the effectiveness of combination therapies for phenotypically heterogeneous tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Austin Mathis
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ethan S Sokol
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Piyush B Gupta
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA .,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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49
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Sun Q, Lesperance J, Wettersten H, Luterstein E, DeRose YS, Welm A, Cheresh DA, Desgrosellier JS. Proapoptotic PUMA targets stem-like breast cancer cells to suppress metastasis. J Clin Invest 2017; 128:531-544. [PMID: 29227280 DOI: 10.1172/jci93707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer cells with stem cell properties are key contributors to metastatic disease, and there remains a need to better understand and target these cells in human cancers. Here, we identified rare stem-like cells in patients' tumors characterized by low levels of the proapoptotic molecule p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) and showed that these cells play a critical role in tumor progression that is independent of clinical subtype. A signaling axis consisting of the integrin αvβ3, Src kinase, and the transcription factor Slug suppresses PUMA in these cells, promoting tumor stemness. We showed that genetic or pharmacological disruption of αvβ3/Src signaling drives PUMA expression, specifically depleting these stem-like tumor cells; increases their sensitivity to apoptosis; and reduces pulmonary metastasis, with no effect on primary tumor growth. Taken together, these findings point to PUMA as a key vulnerability of stem-like cells and suggest that pharmacological upregulation of PUMA via Src inhibition may represent a strategy to selectively target these cells in a wide spectrum of aggressive breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Sun
- Moores Cancer Center, and.,Department of Pathology, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Hiromi Wettersten
- Department of Pathology, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Elaine Luterstein
- Moores Cancer Center, and.,Department of Pathology, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Yoko S DeRose
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Alana Welm
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - David A Cheresh
- Department of Pathology, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jay S Desgrosellier
- Moores Cancer Center, and.,Department of Pathology, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
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50
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Dang TT, Westcott JM, Maine EA, Kanchwala M, Xing C, Pearson GW. ΔNp63α induces the expression of FAT2 and Slug to promote tumor invasion. Oncotarget 2017; 7:28592-611. [PMID: 27081041 PMCID: PMC5053748 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor invasion can be induced by changes in gene expression that alter cell phenotype. The transcription factor ΔNp63α promotes basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) migration by inducing the expression of the mesenchymal genes Slug and Axl, which confers cells with a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state. However, the extent of the ΔNp63α regulated genes that support invasive behavior is not known. Here, using gene expression analysis, ChIP-seq, and functional testing, we find that ΔNp63α promotes BLBC motility by inducing the expression of the atypical cadherin FAT2, the vesicular binding protein SNCA, the carbonic anhydrase CA12, the lipid binding protein CPNE8 and the kinase NEK1, along with Slug and Axl. Notably, lung squamous cell carcinoma migration also required ΔNp63α dependent FAT2 and Slug expression, demonstrating that ΔNp63α promotes migration in multiple tumor types by inducing mesenchymal and non-mesenchymal genes. ΔNp63α activation of FAT2 and Slug influenced E-cadherin localization to cell-cell contacts, which can restrict spontaneous cell movement. Moreover, live-imaging of spheroids in organotypic culture demonstrated that ΔNp63α, FAT2 and Slug were essential for the extension of cellular protrusions that initiate collective invasion. Importantly, ΔNp63α is co-expressed with FAT2 and Slug in patient tumors and the elevated expression of ΔNp63α, FAT2 and Slug correlated with poor patient outcome. Together, these results reveal how ΔNp63α promotes cell migration by directly inducing the expression of a cohort of genes with distinct cellular functions and suggest that FAT2 is a new regulator of collective invasion that may influence patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuyen T Dang
- Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
| | - Jill M Westcott
- Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
| | - Erin A Maine
- Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
| | - Mohammed Kanchwala
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Disease, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
| | - Chao Xing
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Disease, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
| | - Gray W Pearson
- Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
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