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Guo H, Hu Z, Yang X, Yuan Z, Wang M, Chen C, Xie L, Gao Y, Li W, Bai Y, Lin C. Smad4 regulates TGF-β1-mediated hedgehog activation to promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells by suppressing Gli1 activity. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:1189-1200. [PMID: 38525105 PMCID: PMC10957521 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.03.010] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive and metastatic gastrointestinal tumor with a poor prognosis. Persistent activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling induces PC cell (PCC) invasion and infiltration via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Hedgehog signaling is a crucial pathway for the development of PC via the transcription factors Gli1/2/3. This study aimed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of action of hedgehog activation in TGF-β1-triggered EMT in PCCs (PANC-1 and BxPc-3). In addition, overexpression and shRNA techniques were used to evaluate the role of Smad4 in TGF-β1-treated PCCs. Our data showed that TGF-β1 promoted PCC invasion and infiltration via Smad2/3-dependent EMT. Hedgehog-Gli signaling axis in PCCs was activated upon TGF-β1 stimulation. Inhibition of hedgehog with cyclopamine effectively antagonized TGF-β1-induced EMT, thereby suggesting that the hedgehog signaling may act as a downstream cascade signaling of TGF-β1. As a key protein that assists the nuclear translocation of Smad2/3, Smad4 was highly expressed in PANC-1 cells, but not in BxPc-3 cells. Conversely, Gli1 expression was low in PANC-1 cells, but high in BxPc-3 cells. Furthermore, knockdown of Smad4 in PANC-1 cells by shRNA inhibited TGF-β1-mediated EMT and collagen deposition. Overexpression of Smad4 did not affect TGF-β1-mediated EMT due to the lack of significant increase in nuclear expression of Smad4. Importantly, Gli1 activity was upregulated by Smad4 knockdown in PANC-1 cells and downregulated by Smad4 overexpression in BxPc-3 cells, indicating that Gli1 may be a negative target protein downstream of Smad4. Thus, Smad4 regulates TGF-β1-mediated hedgehog activation to promote EMT in PCCs by suppressing Gli1 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangcheng Guo
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
- Sichuan Mianyang 404 Hospital, Mianyang 621000, China
| | - Zujian Hu
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xuejia Yang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Ziwei Yuan
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Mengsi Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Chaoyue Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Lili Xie
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Yuanyuan Gao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Wangjian Li
- Department of Urology, The Central Hospital Affiliated to Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312030, China
| | - Yongheng Bai
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Cancer Biomarker Discovery and Translation, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
- National Key Clinical Specialty (General Surgery), The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Chunjing Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
- Medicine and Health Care Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
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2
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Larue AEM, Atlasi Y. The epigenetic landscape in intestinal stem cells and its deregulation in colorectal cancer. Stem Cells 2024; 42:509-525. [PMID: 38597726 PMCID: PMC11177158 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxae027] [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: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms play a pivotal role in controlling gene expression and cellular plasticity in both normal physiology and pathophysiological conditions. These mechanisms are particularly important in the regulation of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, both in embryonic development and within adult tissues. A prime example of this finely tuned epigenetic control is observed in the gastrointestinal lining, where the small intestine undergoes renewal approximately every 3-5 days. How various epigenetic mechanisms modulate chromatin functions in intestinal stem cells (ISCs) is currently an active area of research. In this review, we discuss the main epigenetic mechanisms that control ISC differentiation under normal homeostasis. Furthermore, we explore the dysregulation of these mechanisms in the context of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. By outlining the main epigenetic mechanisms contributing to CRC, we highlight the recent therapeutics development and future directions for colorectal cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axelle E M Larue
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, United Kingdom
| | - Yaser Atlasi
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, United Kingdom
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3
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Qin Q, Yu R, Eriksson JE, Tsai HI, Zhu H. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma therapy: Challenges and opportunities. Cancer Lett 2024; 591:216859. [PMID: 38615928 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a solid organ malignancy with a high mortality rate. Statistics indicate that its incidence has been increasing as well as the associated deaths. Most patients with PDAC show poor response to therapies making the clinical management of this cancer difficult. Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to the development of resistance to therapy in PDAC cancer cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most prevalent stromal cells in the TME, promote a desmoplastic response, produce extracellular matrix proteins and cytokines, and directly influence the biological behavior of cancer cells. These multifaceted effects make it difficult to eradicate tumor cells from the body. As a result, CAF-targeting synergistic therapeutic strategies have gained increasing attention in recent years. However, due to the substantial heterogeneity in CAF origin, definition, and function, as well as high plasticity, majority of the available CAF-targeting therapeutic approaches are not effective, and in some cases, they exacerbate disease progression. This review primarily elucidates on the effect of CAFs on therapeutic efficiency of various treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Strategies for CAF targeting therapies are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Qin
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Rong Yu
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - John E Eriksson
- Cell Biology, Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, FI-20520 Finland
| | - Hsiang-I Tsai
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China; Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China.
| | - Haitao Zhu
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China; Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China.
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4
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Berrino C, Omar A. Unravelling the Mysteries of the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway in Cancer Stem Cells: Activity, Crosstalk and Regulation. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:5397-5419. [PMID: 38920995 PMCID: PMC11202538 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway plays a critical role in normal development and tissue homeostasis, guiding cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Aberrant activation of this pathway, however, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cancers, largely due to its role in regulating cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are a subpopulation of cancer cells with the ability to self-renew, differentiate, and initiate tumour growth, contributing significantly to tumorigenesis, recurrence, and resistance to therapy. This review focuses on the intricate activity of the Shh pathway within the context of CSCs, detailing the molecular mechanisms through which Shh signalling influences CSC properties, including self-renewal, differentiation, and survival. It further explores the regulatory crosstalk between the Shh pathway and other signalling pathways in CSCs, highlighting the complexity of this regulatory network. Here, we delve into the upstream regulators and downstream effectors that modulate Shh pathway activity in CSCs. This review aims to cast a specific focus on the role of the Shh pathway in CSCs, provide a detailed exploration of molecular mechanisms and regulatory crosstalk, and discuss current and developing inhibitors. By summarising key findings and insights gained, we wish to emphasise the importance of further elucidating the interplay between the Shh pathway and CSCs to develop more effective cancer therapies.
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5
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Rauth S, Malafa M, Ponnusamy MP, Batra SK. Emerging Trends in Gastrointestinal Cancer Targeted Therapies: Harnessing Tumor Microenvironment, Immune Factors, and Metabolomics Insights. Gastroenterology 2024:S0016-5085(24)04917-5. [PMID: 38759843 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are the leading cause of new cancer cases and cancer-related deaths worldwide. The treatment strategies for patients with GI tumors have focused on oncogenic molecular profiles associated with tumor cells. Recent evidence has demonstrated that the tumor cell functions are modulated by its microenvironment, compromising fibroblasts, extracellular matrices, microbiome, immune cells, and the enteric nervous system. Along with the tumor microenvironment components, alterations in key metabolic pathways have emerged as a hallmark of tumor cells. From these perspectives, this review will highlight the functions of different cellular components of the GI tumor microenvironment and their implications for treatment. Furthermore, we discuss the major metabolic reprogramming in GI tumor cells and how understanding metabolic rewiring could lead to new therapeutic strategies. Finally, we briefly summarize the targeted agents currently being studied in GI cancers. Understanding the complex interplay between tumor cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic factors during tumor progression is critical for developing new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchita Rauth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Mokenge Malafa
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska.
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska.
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6
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Saleh O, Shihadeh H, Yousef A, Erekat H, Abdallh F, Al-Leimon A, Elsalhy R, Altiti A, Dajani M, AlBarakat MM. The Effect of Intratumor Heterogeneity in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Progression and Treatment. Pancreas 2024; 53:e450-e465. [PMID: 38728212 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000002342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies. Even though many substantial improvements in the survival rates for other major cancer forms were made, pancreatic cancer survival rates have remained relatively unchanged since the 1960s. Even more, no standard classification system for pancreatic cancer is based on cellular biomarkers. This review will discuss and provide updates about the role of stem cells in the progression of PC, the genetic changes associated with it, and the promising biomarkers for diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The search process used PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases to identify the relevant and related articles. Articles had to be published in English to be considered. RESULTS The increasing number of studies in recent years has revealed that the diversity of cancer-associated fibroblasts is far greater than previously acknowledged, which highlights the need for further research to better understand the various cancer-associated fibroblast subpopulations. Despite the huge diversity in pancreatic cancer, some common features can be noted to be shared among patients. Mutations involving CDKN2, P53, and K-RAS can be seen in a big number of patients, for example. Similarly, some patterns of genes and biomarkers expression and the level of their expression can help in predicting cancer behavior such as metastasis and drug resistance. The current trend in cancer research, especially with the advancement in technology, is to sequence everything in hopes of finding disease-related mutations. CONCLUSION Optimizing pancreatic cancer treatment requires clear classification, understanding CAF roles, and exploring stroma reshaping approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Othman Saleh
- From the Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa
| | | | | | - Hana Erekat
- School of medicine, University of Jordan, Amman
| | - Fatima Abdallh
- From the Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa
| | | | | | | | - Majd Dajani
- From the Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa
| | - Majd M AlBarakat
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
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7
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Werder RB, Zhou X, Cho MH, Wilson AA. Breathing new life into the study of COPD with genes identified from genome-wide association studies. Eur Respir Rev 2024; 33:240019. [PMID: 38811034 PMCID: PMC11134200 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0019-2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
COPD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. While the significance of environmental exposures in disease pathogenesis is well established, the functional contribution of genetic factors has only in recent years drawn attention. Notably, many genes associated with COPD risk are also linked with lung function. Because reduced lung function precedes COPD onset, this association is consistent with the possibility that derangements leading to COPD could arise during lung development. In this review, we summarise the role of leading genes (HHIP, FAM13A, DSP, AGER and TGFB2) identified by genome-wide association studies in lung development and COPD. Because many COPD genome-wide association study genes are enriched in lung epithelial cells, we focus on the role of these genes in the lung epithelium in development, homeostasis and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon B Werder
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Center for Regenerative Medicine of Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael H Cho
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew A Wilson
- Center for Regenerative Medicine of Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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8
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Ten A, Kumeiko V, Farniev V, Gao H, Shevtsov M. Tumor Microenvironment Modulation by Cancer-Derived Extracellular Vesicles. Cells 2024; 13:682. [PMID: 38667297 PMCID: PMC11049026 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080682] [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: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the process of tumorigenesis, regulating the growth, metabolism, proliferation, and invasion of cancer cells, as well as contributing to tumor resistance to the conventional chemoradiotherapies. Several types of cells with relatively stable phenotypes have been identified within the TME, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), neutrophils, and natural killer (NK) cells, which have been shown to modulate cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and interaction with the immune system, thus promoting tumor heterogeneity. Growing evidence suggests that tumor-cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), via the transfer of various molecules (e.g., RNA, proteins, peptides, and lipids), play a pivotal role in the transformation of normal cells in the TME into their tumor-associated protumorigenic counterparts. This review article focuses on the functions of EVs in the modulation of the TME with a view to how exosomes contribute to the transformation of normal cells, as well as their importance for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Ten
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (A.T.); (V.K.); (V.F.)
| | - Vadim Kumeiko
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (A.T.); (V.K.); (V.F.)
| | - Vladislav Farniev
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (A.T.); (V.K.); (V.F.)
| | - Huile Gao
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China;
| | - Maxim Shevtsov
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (A.T.); (V.K.); (V.F.)
- Laboratory of Biomedical Nanotechnologies, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave., 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Personalized Medicine Centre, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Akkuratova Str., 2, 197341 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technishe Universität München (TUM), Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Ismaninger Str., 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
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9
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Fan G, Yu B, Tang L, Zhu R, Chen J, Zhu Y, Huang H, Zhou L, Liu J, Wang W, Tao Z, Zhang F, Yu S, Lu X, Cao Y, Du S, Li H, Li J, Zhang J, Ren H, Gires O, Liu H, Wang X, Qin J, Wang H. TSPAN8 + myofibroblastic cancer-associated fibroblasts promote chemoresistance in patients with breast cancer. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadj5705. [PMID: 38569015 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adj5705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundant stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment that promote cancer progression and relapse. However, the heterogeneity and regulatory roles of CAFs underlying chemoresistance remain largely unclear. Here, we performed a single-cell analysis using high-dimensional flow cytometry analysis and identified a distinct senescence-like tetraspanin-8 (TSPAN8)+ myofibroblastic CAF (myCAF) subset, which is correlated with therapeutic resistance and poor survival in multiple cohorts of patients with breast cancer (BC). TSPAN8+ myCAFs potentiate the stemness of the surrounding BC cells through secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP)-related factors IL-6 and IL-8 to counteract chemotherapy. NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) reduction was responsible for the senescence-like phenotype and tumor-promoting role of TSPAN8+ myCAFs. Mechanistically, TSPAN8 promoted the phosphorylation of ubiquitin E3 ligase retinoblastoma binding protein 6 (RBBP6) at Ser772 by recruiting MAPK11, thereby inducing SIRT6 protein destruction. In turn, SIRT6 down-regulation up-regulated GLS1 and PYCR1, which caused TSPAN8+ myCAFs to secrete aspartate and proline, and therefore proved a nutritional niche to support BC outgrowth. By demonstrating that TSPAN8+SIRT6low myCAFs were tightly associated with unfavorable disease outcomes, we proposed that the combined regimen of anti-TSPAN8 antibody and SIRT6 activator MDL-800 is a promising approach to overcome chemoresistance. These findings highlight that senescence contributes to CAF heterogeneity and chemoresistance and suggest that targeting TSPAN8+ myCAFs is a promising approach to circumvent chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjian Fan
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lei Tang
- Department of Oncology, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Rongxuan Zhu
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Jianhua Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - He Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200243, China
| | - Liying Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200243, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Breast-thyroid Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Breast-thyroid Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Zhonghua Tao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Fengchun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Siwei Yu
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xiaoqing Lu
- Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030013, China
| | - Yuan Cao
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Shaoqian Du
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Huihui Li
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province 271016, China
| | - Junjian Li
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 342500, China
| | - He Ren
- Center for GI Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Tumor Immunology and Cytotherapy, Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Olivier Gires
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, LMU, Munich 80336, Germany
| | - Haikun Liu
- Division of Molecular Neurogenetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Jun Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Hongxia Wang
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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10
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Thazhackavayal Baby B, Kulkarni AM, Gayam PKR, Harikumar KB, Aranjani JM. Beyond cyclopamine: Targeting Hedgehog signaling for cancer intervention. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 754:109952. [PMID: 38432565 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.109952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays a significant role in embryogenesis and several physiological processes, such as wound healing and organ homeostasis. In a pathological setting, it is associated with oncogenesis and is responsible for disease progression and poor clinical outcomes. Hedgehog signaling mediates downstream actions via Glioma Associated Oncogene Homolog (GLI) transcription factors. Inhibiting Hh signaling is an important oncological strategy in which inhibitors of the ligands SMO or GLI have been looked at. This review briefly narrates the Hh ligands, signal transduction, the target genes involved and comprehensively describes the numerous inhibitors that have been evaluated for use in various neoplastic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beena Thazhackavayal Baby
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Aniruddha Murahar Kulkarni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Prasanna Kumar Reddy Gayam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Kuzhuvelil B Harikumar
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala State, India
| | - Jesil Mathew Aranjani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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11
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Lei X, Li Z, Huang M, Huang L, Huang Y, Lv S, Zhang W, Chen Z, Ke Y, Li S, Chen J, Yang X, Deng Q, Liu J, Yu X. Gli1-mediated tumor cell-derived bFGF promotes tumor angiogenesis and pericyte coverage in non-small cell lung cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:83. [PMID: 38493151 PMCID: PMC10944600 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03003-0] [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: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor angiogenesis inhibitors have been applied for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. However, the drug resistance hinders their further development. Intercellular crosstalk between lung cancer cells and vascular cells was crucial for anti-angiogenenic resistance (AAD). However, the understanding of this crosstalk is still rudimentary. Our previous study showed that Glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) is a driver of NSCLC metastasis, but its role in lung cancer cell-vascular cell crosstalk remains unclear. METHODS Conditioned medium (CM) from Gli1-overexpressing or Gli1-knockdown NSCLC cells was used to educate endothelia cells and pericytes, and the effects of these media on angiogenesis and the maturation of new blood vessels were evaluated via wound healing assays, Transwell migration and invasion assays, tube formation assays and 3D coculture assays. The xenograft model was conducted to establish the effect of Gli1 on tumor angiogenesis and growth. Angiogenic antibody microarray analysis, ELISA, luciferase reporte, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), bFGF protein stability and ubiquitination assay were performed to explore how Gli1 regulate bFGF expression. RESULTS Gli1 overexpression in NSCLC cells enhanced the endothelial cell and pericyte motility required for angiogenesis required for angiogenesis. However, Gli1 knockout in NSCLC cells had opposite effect on this process. bFGF was critical for the enhancement effect on tumor angiogenesis. bFGF treatment reversed the Gli1 knockdown-mediated inhibition of angiogenesis. Mechanistically, Gli1 increased the bFGF protein level by promoting bFGF transcriptional activity and protein stability. Importantly, suppressing Gli1 with GANT-61 obviously inhibited angiogenesis. CONCLUSION The Gli1-bFGF axis is crucial for the crosstalk between lung cancer cells and vascular cells. Targeting Gli1 is a potential therapeutic approach for NSCLC angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueping Lei
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhan Li
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Manting Huang
- Zhongshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhongshan, 528400, PR, China
| | - Lijuan Huang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Huang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Sha Lv
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Weisong Zhang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuowen Chen
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyu Ke
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Songpei Li
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingfei Chen
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangyu Yang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiudi Deng
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, PR, China.
| | - Junshan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiyong Yu
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences &The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Singh R, Ray A. Therapeutic potential of hedgehog signaling in advanced cancer types. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 386:49-80. [PMID: 38782501 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
In this chapter, we have made an attempt to elucidate the relevance of hedgehog signaling pathway in tumorigenesis. Here, we have described different types of hedgehog signaling (canonical and non-canonical) with emphasis on the different mechanisms (mutation-driven, autocrine, paracrine and reverse paracrine) it adopts during tumorigenesis. We have discussed the role of hedgehog signaling in regulating cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in both local and advanced cancer types, as reported in different studies based on preclinical and clinical models. We have specifically addressed the role of hedgehog signaling in aggressive neuroendocrine tumors as well. We have also elaborated on the studies showing therapeutic relevance of the inhibitors of hedgehog signaling in cancer. Evidence of the crosstalk of hedgehog signaling components with other signaling pathways and treatment resistance due to tumor heterogeneity have also been briefly discussed. Together, we have tried to put forward a compilation of the studies on therapeutic potential of hedgehog signaling in various cancers, specifically aggressive tumor types with a perspective into what is lacking and demands further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Singh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Anindita Ray
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, United States
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13
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Ghorbanlou M, Moradi F, Shabani R, Mehdizadeh M. Upregulation of apoptotic genes and downregulation of target genes of Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway in DAOY medulloblastoma cell line treated with arsenic trioxide. J Chemother 2023:1-14. [PMID: 38130211 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2023.2294574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (SHH) medulloblastoma etiology is associated with the SHH molecular pathway activation at different levels. We investigated the effect of arsenic trioxide as a downstream-level inhibitor of the SHH signaling pathway on morphology, cytotoxicity, migration, and SHH-related and apoptotic gene expression of DAOY cells. Cells were treated at various arsenic trioxide (ATO)concentrations (1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 μM) for different times (24 and 48 hr). Following treatments, the morphology of the cells was investigated at ×20 and ×40 magnification by an inverted microscope. Then, cytotoxicity was investigated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue assays. Cell migration was analyzed through the wound-healing assay. Furthermore, the expression of SHH-related (GLI1, GLI2, SMO, and MYCN) and apoptotic genes (BAX, BCL2, and TP53) was assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Finally, GLI1, SMO, and MYCN markers were analyzed through immunocytochemistry. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 16) and P≤0.05 was considered significant. Morphological changes were seen at 3 and 2 μM in 24 and 48 hr of treatment, respectively. The MTT assay showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity indicating an IC50 value of 3.39±0.35 and 2.05±0.64 μM in 24 and 48hr treatment, respectively. In addition, the trypan blue assay showed higher IC50 values of 4.29±0.25 and 3.92±0.22 μM in 24 and 48 hr treatment, respectively. The wound-healing assay indicated a dose-dependent reduction of cell migration speed showing a 50% reduction at 2.89±0.26 μM. Significant downregulation of GLI1 and GLI2, as well as the upregulation of BAX, BAX/BCL2 ratio, and TP53 were evident. Significant increases in GLI1 and MYCN markers were also evident in immunocytochemistry. ATO, as a downstream effective inhibitor of the SHH pathway, substantially leads to cell death, cell migration inhibition, apoptosis upregulation, and downregulation of SHH target genes in DAOY medulloblastoma. Since ATO is a toxic chemotherapeutic agent, it must be used at low concentrations (2 μM) in order not to damage healthy cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Ghorbanlou
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Moradi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ronak Shabani
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mehdizadeh
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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14
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Mi H, Varadhan R, Cimino-Mathews AM, Emens LA, Santa-Maria CA, Popel AS. Spatial and Compositional Biomarkers in Tumor Microenvironment Predicts Clinical Outcomes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.18.572234. [PMID: 38187696 PMCID: PMC10769235 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.18.572234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with limited treatment options, which warrants identification of novel therapeutic targets. Deciphering nuances in the tumor microenvironment (TME) may unveil insightful links between anti-tumor immunity and clinical outcomes, yet such connections remain underexplored. Here we employed a dataset derived from imaging mass cytometry of 58 TNBC patient specimens at single-cell resolution and performed in-depth quantifications with a suite of multi-scale computational algorithms. We detected distinct cell distribution patterns among clinical subgroups, potentially stemming from different infiltration related to tumor vasculature and fibroblast heterogeneity. Spatial analysis also identified ten recurrent cellular neighborhoods (CNs) - a collection of local TME characteristics with unique cell components. Coupling of the prevalence of pan-immune and perivasculature immune hotspot CNs, enrichment of inter-CN interactions was associated with improved survival. Using a deep learning model trained on engineered spatial data, we can with high accuracy (mean AUC of 5-fold cross-validation = 0.71) how a separate cohort of patients in the NeoTRIP clinical trial will respond to treatment based on baseline TME features. These data reinforce that the TME architecture is structured in cellular compositions, spatial organizations, vasculature biology, and molecular profiles, and suggest novel imaging-based biomarkers for treatment development in the context of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyang Mi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ravi Varadhan
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ashley M. Cimino-Mathews
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, MD, United States
| | | | - Cesar A. Santa-Maria
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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15
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Tosa M, Abe Y, Egawa S, Hatakeyama T, Iwaguro C, Mitsugi R, Moriyama A, Sano T, Ogawa R, Tanaka N. The HEDGEHOG-GLI1 pathway is important for fibroproliferative properties in keloids and as a candidate therapeutic target. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1235. [PMID: 38062202 PMCID: PMC10703807 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05561-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Keloids are benign fibroproliferative skin tumors caused by aberrant wound healing that can negatively impact patient quality of life. The lack of animal models has limited research on pathogenesis or developing effective treatments, and the etiology of keloids remains unknown. Here, we found that the characteristics of stem-like cells from keloid lesions and the surrounding dermis differ from those of normal skin. Furthermore, the HEDGEHOG (HH) signal and its downstream transcription factor GLI1 were upregulated in keloid patient-derived stem-like cells. Inhibition of the HH-GLI1 pathway reduced the expression of genes involved in keloids and fibrosis-inducing cytokines, including osteopontin. Moreover, the HH signal inhibitor vismodegib reduced keloid reconstituted tumor size and keloid-related gene expression in nude mice and the collagen bundle and expression of cytokines characteristic for keloids in ex vivo culture of keloid tissues. These results implicate the HH-GLI1 pathway in keloid pathogenesis and suggest therapeutic targets of keloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamiko Tosa
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Abe
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Seiko Egawa
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Tomoka Hatakeyama
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Chihiro Iwaguro
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Mitsugi
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Ayaka Moriyama
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Takumi Sano
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Rei Ogawa
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan.
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16
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Maresca L, Crivaro E, Migliorini F, Anichini G, Giammona A, Pepe S, Poggialini F, Vagaggini C, Giannini G, Sestini S, Borgognoni L, Lapucci A, Dreassi E, Taddei M, Manetti F, Petricci E, Stecca B. Targeting GLI1 and GLI2 with small molecule inhibitors to suppress GLI-dependent transcription and tumor growth. Pharmacol Res 2023; 195:106858. [PMID: 37473878 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of Hedgehog (HH) signaling in cancer is the result of genetic alterations of upstream pathway components (canonical) or other oncogenic mechanisms (noncanonical), that ultimately concur to activate the zinc-finger transcription factors GLI1 and GLI2. Therefore, inhibition of GLI activity is a good therapeutic option to suppress both canonical and noncanonical activation of the HH pathway. However, only a few GLI inhibitors are available, and none of them have the profile required for clinical development due to poor metabolic stability and aqueous solubility, and high hydrophobicity. Two promising quinoline inhibitors of GLI were selected by virtual screening and subjected to hit-to-lead optimization, thus leading to the identification of the 4-methoxy-8-hydroxyquinoline derivative JC19. This molecule impaired GLI1 and GLI2 activities in several cellular models interfering with the binding of GLI1 and GLI2 to DNA. JC19 suppressed cancer cell proliferation by enhancing apoptosis, inducing a strong anti-tumor response in several cancer cell lines in vitro. Specificity towards GLI1 and GLI2 was demonstrated by lower activity of JC19 in GLI1- or GLI2-depleted cancer cells. JC19 showed excellent metabolic stability and high passive permeability. Notably, JC19 inhibited GLI1-dependent melanoma xenograft growth in vivo, with no evidence of toxic effects in mice. These results highlight the potential of JC19 as a novel anti-cancer agent targeting GLI1 and GLI2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Maresca
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Enrica Crivaro
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy; Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Migliorini
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Anichini
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giammona
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Pepe
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Poggialini
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Vagaggini
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Serena Sestini
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit Regional Melanoma Referral Center and Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Borgognoni
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit Regional Melanoma Referral Center and Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Lapucci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Dreassi
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Taddei
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Manetti
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Elena Petricci
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy.
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Villani A, Scalvenzi M, Micali G, Martora F, Cillo F, Raia F, Potestio L. An update on the current and emerging pharmacotherapies for basal cell carcinomas. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2023; 24:2143-2151. [PMID: 37963910 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2023.2284351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite surgical approach is still the mainstay for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) management, several issues may limit the use of this technique, leading to the need for new treatments to offer patients a personalized approach. AREAS COVERED A comprehensive review of the available and emerging pharmacologic strategies for BCC management, including mechanisms of action, and potential adverse effects, has been performed to provide with an up-to-date manuscript on the current treatment scenario of BCC. Globally, targeting the Sonic-Hedgehog pathway is one of the main mechanisms of action of currently investigated drugs. Other alternatives are based on the concept of an enhancement of the immune response such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, or intra-tumor treatments. EXPERT OPINION Although low-risk BCCs are often treated with destructive methods or topical treatments, surgery is the mainstay of treatment for the majority of BCCs. However, several factors may limit the use of surgery in BCC management. Recently, major knowledge on BCCs pathogenesis has led to the development of effective and selective drugs. In our opinion, soon many drugs will be licensed, allowing clinicians to offer patients with BCC the right treatment at the right moment. Certainly, further studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Villani
- Section of Dermatology - Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Scalvenzi
- Section of Dermatology - Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Martora
- Section of Dermatology - Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Cillo
- Section of Dermatology - Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia Raia
- Section of Dermatology - Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Potestio
- Section of Dermatology - Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Joshi G, Basu A. Epigenetic control of cell signalling in cancer stem cells. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 383:67-88. [PMID: 38359971 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent one of the distinct cell populations occurring in a tumour that can differentiate into multiple lineages. This group of sparsely abundant cells play a vital role in tumour survival and resistance to different treatments during cancer. The lack of exclusive markers associated with CSCs makes diagnosis and prognosis in cancer patients extremely difficult. This calls for the identification of unique regulators and markers for CSCs. Various signalling pathways like the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, Hedgehog pathway, Notch pathway, and TGFβ/BMP play a major role in the regulation and maintenance of CSCs. Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms add another layer of complexity to control these signalling pathways. In this chapter, we discuss about the role of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating the cellular signalling pathways in CSCs. The epigenetic regulatory mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNAs can modulate the diverse effectors of signalling pathways and consequently the growth, differentiation and tumorigenicity of CSCs. In the end, we briefly discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting these epigenetic regulators and their target genes in CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Joshi
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany.
| | - Amitava Basu
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany.
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19
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Villani A, Scalvenzi M, Micali G, Lacarrubba F, Genco L, Ruggiero A, Fornaro L, Guerrasio G, Potestio L. Efficacy and safety of sonidegib for the management of basal cell carcinoma: a drug safety evaluation. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2023; 22:525-531. [PMID: 37326221 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2023.2227089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Surgery is the standard management for most of basal cell carcinomas (BBCs). In some cases, also radiotherapy may be a valuable weapon as well as ablative and topical treatments. However, all these approaches may be limited by some tumor features. In this scenario, locally advanced BCCs (laBCC) and metastatic BCC, also defined as 'difficult-to-treat' BCC, remain the real treatment challenge. New knowledge on BCC pathogenesis, particularly the Hedgehog (HH) pathway, led to the development of new selective therapies such as vismodegib and sonidegib. In particular, sonidegib is an orally administered small molecules, which inhibits the HH signaling pathway through the binding to SMO receptor, recently approved for the management of adult patients with laBCC who are not amenable to curative surgery or radiation therapy. AREAS COVERED The purpose of this review is to analyze and discuss the efficacy and safety of sonidegib for the management of BCC, to provide a broad perspective on the currently available data. EXPERT OPINION Sonidegib is a valuable weapon for the management of difficult-to-treat BCC. Current data showed promising results in terms of effectiveness and safety. However, more studies are needed to underline its role in BCC management, also considering the presence of vismodegib, and to investigate its use in a long-term period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Villani
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Scalvenzi
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Lucia Genco
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Angelo Ruggiero
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Fornaro
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluca Guerrasio
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Potestio
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Hong SP, Kim KW, Ahn SK. Inhibition of GLI Transcriptional Activity and Prostate Cancer Cell Growth and Proliferation by DAX1. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:5347-5361. [PMID: 37504255 PMCID: PMC10378570 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45070339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays an essential role in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. This is mediated by transcriptional factors belonging to the GLI (glioma-associated oncogene) family, which regulate downstream targets to drive prostate cancer progression. The activity of GLI proteins is tightly controlled by a range of mechanisms, including molecular interactions and post-translational modifications. In particular, mitogenic and oncogenic signaling pathways have been shown to regulate GLI protein activity independently of upstream Hh pathway signaling. Identifying GLI protein regulators is critical for the development of targeted therapies that can improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to identify a novel protein that directly regulates the activity of GLI transcription factors in prostate cancer. We performed gene expression, cellular analyses, and reporter assays to demonstrate that DAX1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenital critical region on X chromosome, gene 1) interacts with GLI1 and GLI2, the master regulators of Hh signaling. Interestingly, DAX1 overexpression significantly inhibited Hh signaling by reducing GLI1 and GLI2 activity, prostate cancer cell proliferation, and viability. Our results shed light on a novel regulatory mechanism of Hh signaling in prostate cancer cells. The interaction between DAX1 and GLI transcription factors provides insight into the complex regulation of Hh signaling in prostate cancer. Given the importance of Hh signaling in prostate cancer progression, targeting DAX1-GLI interactions may represent a promising therapeutic approach against prostate cancer. Overall, this study provides new insights into the regulation of the Hh pathway and its role in prostate cancer progression. The findings suggest that DAX1 could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Pyo Hong
- Institute for New Drug Development, Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Kil Won Kim
- Institute for New Drug Development, Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Kil Ahn
- Institute for New Drug Development, Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
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21
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Fang YT, Yang WW, Niu YR, Sun YK. Recent advances in targeted therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:571-595. [PMID: 37123059 PMCID: PMC10134207 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i4.571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a fatal disease with a 5-year survival rate of 8% and a median survival of 6 mo. In PDAC, several mutations in the genes are involved, with Kirsten rat sarcoma oncogene (90%), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (90%), and tumor suppressor 53 (75%–90%) being the most common. Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 represents 50%. In addition, the self-preserving cancer stem cells, dense tumor microenvironment (fibrous accounting for 90% of the tumor volume), and suppressive and relatively depleted immune niche of PDAC are also constitutive and relevant elements of PDAC. Molecular targeted therapy is widely utilized and effective in several solid tumors. In PDAC, targeted therapy has been extensively evaluated; however, survival improvement of this aggressive disease using a targeted strategy has been minimal. There is currently only one United States Food and Drug Administration-approved targeted therapy for PDAC – erlotinib, but the absolute benefit of erlotinib in combination with gemcitabine is also minimal (2 wk). In this review, we summarize current targeted therapies and clinical trials targeting dysregulated signaling pathways and components of the PDAC oncogenic process, analyze possible reasons for the lack of positive results in clinical trials, and suggest ways to improve them. We also discuss emerging trends in targeted therapies for PDAC: combining targeted inhibitors of multiple pathways. The PubMed database and National Center for Biotechnology Information clinical trial website (www.clinicaltrials.gov) were queried to identify completed and published (PubMed) and ongoing (clinicaltrials.gov) clinical trials (from 2003-2022) using the keywords pancreatic cancer and targeted therapy. The PubMed database was also queried to search for information about the pathogenesis and molecular pathways of pancreatic cancer using the keywords pancreatic cancer and molecular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Wen-Wei Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Ya-Ru Niu
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yong-Kun Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Hebei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Langfang 065001, Hebei Province, China
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22
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Raskov H, Gaggar S, Tajik A, Orhan A, Gögenur I. The Matrix Reloaded—The Role of the Extracellular Matrix in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072057. [PMID: 37046716 PMCID: PMC10093330 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
As the core component of all organs, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is an interlocking macromolecular meshwork of proteins, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans that provides mechanical support to cells and tissues. In cancer, the ECM can be remodelled in response to environmental cues, and it controls a plethora of cellular functions, including metabolism, cell polarity, migration, and proliferation, to sustain and support oncogenesis. The biophysical and biochemical properties of the ECM, such as its structural arrangement and being a reservoir for bioactive molecules, control several intra- and intercellular signalling pathways and induce cytoskeletal changes that alter cell shapes, behaviour, and viability. Desmoplasia is a major component of solid tumours. The abnormal deposition and composition of the tumour matrix lead to biochemical and biomechanical alterations that determine disease development and resistance to treatment. This review summarises the complex roles of ECM in cancer and highlights the possible therapeutic targets and how to potentially remodel the dysregulated ECM in the future. Furthering our understanding of the ECM in cancer is important as the modification of the ECM will probably become an important tool in the characterisation of individual tumours and personalised treatment options.
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23
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de Visser KE, Joyce JA. The evolving tumor microenvironment: From cancer initiation to metastatic outgrowth. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:374-403. [PMID: 36917948 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 423] [Impact Index Per Article: 423.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancers represent complex ecosystems comprising tumor cells and a multitude of non-cancerous cells, embedded in an altered extracellular matrix. The tumor microenvironment (TME) includes diverse immune cell types, cancer-associated fibroblasts, endothelial cells, pericytes, and various additional tissue-resident cell types. These host cells were once considered bystanders of tumorigenesis but are now known to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of cancer. The cellular composition and functional state of the TME can differ extensively depending on the organ in which the tumor arises, the intrinsic features of cancer cells, the tumor stage, and patient characteristics. Here, we review the importance of the TME in each stage of cancer progression, from tumor initiation, progression, invasion, and intravasation to metastatic dissemination and outgrowth. Understanding the complex interplay between tumor cell-intrinsic, cell-extrinsic, and systemic mediators of disease progression is critical for the rational development of effective anti-cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin E de Visser
- Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Johanna A Joyce
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; Agora Cancer Center Lausanne, and Swiss Cancer Center Léman, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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24
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c-Jun phosphorylated by JNK is required for protecting Gli2 from proteasomal-ubiquitin degradation by PGE2-JNK signaling axis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119418. [PMID: 36581088 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway includes canonical and non-canonical activation manners. In colorectal cancer, we have previously shown that PGE2-JNK could initiate non-canonical activation of the Hh signaling pathway. In this study, we showed that c-Jun, a classic substrate of JNK, increased Gli2 protein stability after phosphorylated by PGE2. Suppressing the function of c-Jun or JNK indicated that c-Jun prevents Gli2 from protease degradation caused by PGE2-JNK. Moreoer, we revealed that less ubiquitination of Gli2 was detected in colorectal cancer cells treated with PGE2 while suppression of c-Jun restored the ubiquitination of Gli2. In addition, we observed that suppression of c-Jun significantly decreased Gli2 expression no matter when Gli2 remained in phosphorylation or non-phosphorylation state. These phenomena were recapitulated, when the endpoint of Gli2 expression was replaced by Gli2 ubiquitination. Furthermore, we demonstrated that restricting c-Jun function ablated the PGE2-provoked Hh activity and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. These results elucidated that the evasion of Gli2 with phosphorylation from proteasomal-ubiquitin degradation needed the cooperation of phosphorylated c-Jun by kinase JNK, which contributed to promoting Hh activation and the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. This study provides a theoretical foundation to target PGE2 downstream for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.
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25
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Sarkar M, Nguyen T, Gundre E, Ogunlusi O, El-Sobky M, Giri B, Sarkar TR. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: The chief architect in the tumor microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1089068. [PMID: 36793444 PMCID: PMC9923123 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1089068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Stromal heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in malignancy and therapeutic resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the major players in tumor stroma. The heterogeneous sources of origin and subsequent impacts of crosstalk with breast cancer cells flaunt serious challenges before current therapies to cure triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and other cancers. The positive and reciprocal feedback of CAFs to induce cancer cells dictates their mutual synergy in establishing malignancy. Their substantial role in creating a tumor-promoting niche has reduced the efficacy of several anti-cancer treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy. Over the years, there has been an emphasis on understanding CAF-induced therapeutic resistance in order to enhance cancer therapy results. CAFs, in the majority of cases, employ crosstalk, stromal management, and other strategies to generate resilience in surrounding tumor cells. This emphasizes the significance of developing novel strategies that target particular tumor-promoting CAF subpopulations, which will improve treatment sensitivity and impede tumor growth. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the origin and heterogeneity of CAFs, their role in tumor progression, and altering the tumor response to therapeutic agents in breast cancer. In addition, we also discuss the potential and possible approaches for CAF-mediated therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinmoy Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States,Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Tristan Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Esheksha Gundre
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Olajumoke Ogunlusi
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Mohanad El-Sobky
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Biplab Giri
- Department of Physiology, University of Gour Banga, English Bazar, India,*Correspondence: Biplab Giri, ; Tapasree Roy Sarkar,
| | - Tapasree Roy Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Biplab Giri, ; Tapasree Roy Sarkar,
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26
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Emerging Roles of Hedgehog Signaling in Cancer Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021321. [PMID: 36674836 PMCID: PMC9864846 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021321] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog-GLI (HH) signaling plays an essential role in embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Aberrant activation of the pathway through mutations or other mechanisms is involved in the development and progression of numerous types of cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma, melanoma, breast, prostate, hepatocellular and pancreatic carcinomas. Activation of HH signaling sustains proliferation, suppresses cell death signals, enhances invasion and metastasis, deregulates cellular metabolism and promotes angiogenesis and tumor inflammation. Targeted inhibition of the HH pathway has therefore emerged as an attractive therapeutic strategy for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. Currently, the Smoothened (SMO) receptor and the downstream GLI transcriptional factors have been investigated for the development of targeted drugs. Recent studies have revealed that the HH signaling is also involved in tumor immune evasion and poor responses to cancer immunotherapy. Here we focus on the effects of HH signaling on the major cellular components of the adaptive and innate immune systems, and we present recent discoveries elucidating how the immunosuppressive function of the HH pathway is engaged by cancer cells to prevent immune surveillance. In addition, we discuss the future prospect of therapeutic options combining the HH pathway and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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27
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CCL18 signaling from tumor-associated macrophages activates fibroblasts to adopt a chemoresistance-inducing phenotype. Oncogene 2023; 42:224-237. [PMID: 36418470 PMCID: PMC9836934 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02540-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) might be ascribed to differences in origin. CD10 and GPR77 have been reported to identify a chemoresistance-inducing CAF subset in breast cancer. However, the precise mechanism for the formation of the CD10+GPR77+ CAFs remains unknown. In this study, we found that CCL18 expression was positively correlated with the density of CD10+GPR77+ CAFs in breast cancer and associated with a poor response to chemotherapy. Moreover, CCL18 secreted by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) activated a CD10+GPR77+ CAF phenotype in normal breast-resident fibroblasts (NBFs), which could then enrich cancer stem cells (CSCs) and induce chemoresistance in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, CCL18 activated NF-κB signaling via PITPNM3 and thus enhanced the production of IL-6 and IL-8. Furthermore, intratumoral CCL18 injection significantly induced the activation of NBFs and the chemoresistance of xenografts in vivo. In addition, targeting CCL18 by anti-CCL18 antibody could inhibit the formation of CD10+GPR77+ CAFs and recover the chemosensitivity in vivo, leading to effective tumor control. Collectively, these findings reveal that inflammatory signaling crosstalk between TAMs and fibroblasts is responsible for the formation of the CD10+GPR77+ CAFs, suggesting CCL18-PITPNM3 signaling is a potential therapeutic target to block the activation of this specific CAF subtype and tumor chemoresistance.
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28
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The role of Hedgehog and Notch signaling pathway in cancer. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:44. [PMID: 36517618 PMCID: PMC9751255 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00099-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Notch and Hedgehog signaling are involved in cancer biology and pathology, including the maintenance of tumor cell proliferation, cancer stem-like cells, and the tumor microenvironment. Given the complexity of Notch signaling in tumors, its role as both a tumor promoter and suppressor, and the crosstalk between pathways, the goal of developing clinically safe, effective, tumor-specific Notch-targeted drugs has remained intractable. Drugs developed against the Hedgehog signaling pathway have affirmed definitive therapeutic effects in basal cell carcinoma; however, in some contexts, the challenges of tumor resistance and recurrence leap to the forefront. The efficacy is very limited for other tumor types. In recent years, we have witnessed an exponential increase in the investigation and recognition of the critical roles of the Notch and Hedgehog signaling pathways in cancers, and the crosstalk between these pathways has vast space and value to explore. A series of clinical trials targeting signaling have been launched continually. In this review, we introduce current advances in the understanding of Notch and Hedgehog signaling and the crosstalk between pathways in specific tumor cell populations and microenvironments. Moreover, we also discuss the potential of targeting Notch and Hedgehog for cancer therapy, intending to promote the leap from bench to bedside.
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29
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Lin L, Zhu S, Huang H, Wu LP, Huang J. Chemically modified small interfering RNA targeting Hedgehog signaling pathway for rheumatoid arthritis therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 31:88-104. [PMID: 36618268 PMCID: PMC9813581 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that leads to disability; however, existing therapies are still unsatisfactory. Activated fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play an essential role in synovitis formation and joint destruction in RA. The Hedgehog signaling pathway is aberrantly activated and contributes to the aggressive phenotype of RA-FLSs. However, it remains uncertain whether inhibiting Smoothened (SMO), a critical component of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, is an effective treatment for RA. Here, we design a series of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that specifically target the SMO gene. With precise chemical modifications, siRNAs' efficacy and stability are significantly improved, and the off-target effects are minimized. The optimized chemically modified siRNA (si-S1A3-Chol) decreases RA-FLS proliferation and invasiveness without the transfection reagent. Furthermore, si-S1A3-Chol injected intra-articularly effectively alleviates joint destruction and improves motor function in collagen-induced arthritis mouse models. Consequently, our results demonstrate that chemically modified siRNA targeting the Hedgehog signaling pathway may be a potential therapy for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang Lin
- Department of Rheumatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shangling Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongyu Huang
- Division of Clinical Public Health and Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Lin-Ping Wu
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, People’s Republic of China,Corresponding author: Lin-Ping Wu, Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, People’s Republic of China.
| | - Jianlin Huang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, People’s Republic of China,Corresponding author: Jianlin Huang, Department of Rheumatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, People’s Republic of China.
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30
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Ciulla DA, Dranchak P, Pezzullo JL, Mancusi RA, Psaras AM, Rai G, Giner JL, Inglese J, Callahan BP. A cell-based bioluminescence reporter assay of human Sonic Hedgehog protein autoprocessing to identify inhibitors and activators. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102705. [PMID: 36400200 PMCID: PMC9772569 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sonic Hedgehog (SHh) precursor protein undergoes biosynthetic autoprocessing to cleave off and covalently attach cholesterol to the SHh signaling ligand, a vital morphogen and oncogenic effector protein. Autoprocessing is self-catalyzed by SHhC, the SHh precursor's C-terminal enzymatic domain. A method to screen for small molecule regulators of this process may be of therapeutic value. Here, we describe the development and validation of the first cellular reporter to monitor human SHhC autoprocessing noninvasively in high-throughput compatible plates. The assay couples intracellular SHhC autoprocessing using endogenous cholesterol to the extracellular secretion of the bioluminescent nanoluciferase enzyme. We developed a WT SHhC reporter line for evaluating potential autoprocessing inhibitors by concentration response-dependent suppression of extracellular bioluminescence. Additionally, a conditional mutant SHhC (D46A) reporter line was developed for identifying potential autoprocessing activators by a concentration response-dependent gain of extracellular bioluminescence. The D46A mutation removes a conserved general base that is critical for the activation of the cholesterol substrate. Inducibility of the D46A reporter was established using a synthetic sterol, 2-α carboxy cholestanol, designed to bypass the defect through intramolecular general base catalysis. To facilitate direct nanoluciferase detection in the cell culture media of 1536-well plates, we designed a novel anionic phosphonylated coelenterazine, CLZ-2P, as the nanoluciferase substrate. This new reporter system offers a long-awaited resource for small molecule discovery for cancer and for developmental disorders where SHh ligand biosynthesis is dysregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Ciulla
- Chemistry Department, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Patricia Dranchak
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - John L Pezzullo
- State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Rebecca A Mancusi
- Chemistry Department, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | | | - Ganesha Rai
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - José-Luis Giner
- State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA.
| | - James Inglese
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA; National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
| | - Brian P Callahan
- Chemistry Department, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA.
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31
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Fang F, Xiao Y, Zelzer E, Leong KW, Thomopoulos S. A mineralizing pool of Gli1-expressing progenitors builds the tendon enthesis and demonstrates therapeutic potential. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:1669-1684.e6. [PMID: 36459968 PMCID: PMC10422080 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The enthesis, a fibrocartilaginous transition between tendon and bone, is necessary for force transfer from muscle to bone to produce joint motion. The enthesis is prone to injury due to mechanical demands, and it cannot regenerate. A better understanding of how the enthesis develops will lead to more effective therapies to prevent pathology and promote regeneration. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to define the developmental transcriptome of the mouse entheses over postnatal stages. Six resident cell types, including enthesis progenitors and mineralizing chondrocytes, were identified along with their transcription factor regulons and temporal regulation. Following the prior discovery of the necessity of Gli1-lineage cells for mouse enthesis development and healing, we then examined their transcriptomes at single-cell resolution and demonstrated clonogenicity and multipotency of the Gli1-expressing progenitors. Transplantation of Gli1-lineage cells to mouse enthesis injuries improved healing, demonstrating their therapeutic potential for enthesis regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Fang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopaedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elazar Zelzer
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Kam W Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Stavros Thomopoulos
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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32
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Fang Z, Meng Q, Xu J, Wang W, Zhang B, Liu J, Liang C, Hua J, Zhao Y, Yu X, Shi S. Signaling pathways in cancer-associated fibroblasts: recent advances and future perspectives. CANCER COMMUNICATIONS (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 43:3-41. [PMID: 36424360 PMCID: PMC9859735 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
As a critical component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play important roles in cancer initiation and progression. Well-known signaling pathways, including the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Hedgehog (Hh), Notch, Wnt, Hippo, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways, as well as transcription factors, including hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1), P53, Snail, and Twist, constitute complex regulatory networks in the TME to modulate the formation, activation, heterogeneity, metabolic characteristics and malignant phenotype of CAFs. Activated CAFs remodel the TME and influence the malignant biological processes of cancer cells by altering the transcriptional and secretory characteristics, and this modulation partially depends on the regulation of signaling cascades. The results of preclinical and clinical trials indicated that therapies targeting signaling pathways in CAFs demonstrated promising efficacy but were also accompanied by some failures (e.g., NCT01130142 and NCT01064622). Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the signaling cascades in CAFs might help us better understand the roles of CAFs and the TME in cancer progression and may facilitate the development of more efficient and safer stroma-targeted cancer therapies. Here, we review recent advances in studies of signaling pathways in CAFs and briefly discuss some future perspectives on CAF research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengli Fang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Qingcai Meng
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Yingjun Zhao
- Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Institutes of Biomedical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
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Ji W, Niu X, Yu Y, Li Z, Gu L, Lu S. SMO mutation predicts the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitor: From NSCLC to multiple cancers. Front Immunol 2022; 13:955800. [DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.955800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is one of the most promising breakthroughs for the treatment of multiple cancer types, but responses vary. Growing evidence points to a link between developmental signaling pathway-related genes and antitumor immunity, but the association between the genomic alterations in these genes and the response to ICIs still needs to be elucidated.MethodsClinical data and sequencing data from published studies and our cohort were collected to analyze the association of the mutation status of SMO with the efficacy of ICI therapy in the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cohort and the pan-cancer cohort. Furthermore, the correlation between SMO mutation and immunotherapeutic biomarkers such as immune cell infiltration, immune-related genes, and underlying signaling pathways was analyzed. Three SMO mutant plasmids were transfected into cells to explore the SMO mutation status in the context of its expression and cell growth.ResultIn the NSCLC discovery cohort, the median progression-free survival in the SMO mutant (SMO_MUT) was longer than that in the wild type (SMO_WT) (23.0 vs. 3.8 months, adjusted p = 0.041). This finding was further confirmed in the NSCLC validation cohort (8.7 vs. 5.1 months, adjusted p = 0.013). In the pan-cancer cohort (n = 1,347), a significant overall survival advantage was observed in patients with SMO mutations [not reached (NR) vs. 18 months, adjusted p = 0.024]. In the subgroup analysis, the survival advantage of SMO_MUT against SMO_WT was prominent and consistent across genders, ages, treatment types, cancer types, and the tumor mutation burden (TMB) status (all pinteraction > 0.05). In an in vitro experiment, we found that both the mutant and wild-type plasmids can promote the expression of SMO, but the mutant plasmid had lower SMO mRNA and protein levels than the wild type. In CCK-8 experiments, we found that SMO_MUT plasmids can improve the growth of Calu-1 and PC-9 cells, but this capability varied between different mutations and cells. Upon further exploration, the SMO mutation status was found to be related to a higher TMB, more neoantigen load, more DNA damage repair (DDR) mutations, higher microsatellite instability (MSI) score, and higher CD8+ T-cell infiltration.ConclusionsThe SMO mutation status is an independent prognostic factor that can be used to predict better clinical outcomes of ICI treatment across multiple cancer types.
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Lefler JE, MarElia-Bennett CB, Thies KA, Hildreth BE, Sharma SM, Pitarresi JR, Han L, Everett C, Koivisto C, Cuitino MC, Timmers CD, O'Quinn E, Parrish M, Romeo MJ, Linke AJ, Hobbs GA, Leone G, Guttridge DC, Zimmers TA, Lesinski GB, Ostrowski MC. STAT3 in tumor fibroblasts promotes an immunosuppressive microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:e202201460. [PMID: 35803738 PMCID: PMC9270499 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with an incredibly dense stroma, which contributes to its recalcitrance to therapy. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the most abundant cell types within the PDAC stroma and have context-dependent regulation of tumor progression in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, understanding tumor-promoting pathways in CAFs is essential for developing better stromal targeting therapies. Here, we show that disruption of the STAT3 signaling axis via genetic ablation of Stat3 in stromal fibroblasts in a Kras G12D PDAC mouse model not only slows tumor progression and increases survival, but re-shapes the characteristic immune-suppressive TME by decreasing M2 macrophages (F480+CD206+) and increasing CD8+ T cells. Mechanistically, we show that loss of the tumor suppressor PTEN in pancreatic CAFs leads to an increase in STAT3 phosphorylation. In addition, increased STAT3 phosphorylation in pancreatic CAFs promotes secretion of CXCL1. Inhibition of CXCL1 signaling inhibits M2 polarization in vitro. The results provide a potential mechanism by which CAFs promote an immune-suppressive TME and promote tumor progression in a spontaneous model of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Lefler
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Catherine B MarElia-Bennett
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Katie A Thies
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Blake E Hildreth
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Sudarshana M Sharma
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jason R Pitarresi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lu Han
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Caroline Everett
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Christopher Koivisto
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Maria C Cuitino
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Cynthia D Timmers
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Elizabeth O'Quinn
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Melodie Parrish
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Martin J Romeo
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Amanda J Linke
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - G Aaron Hobbs
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Gustavo Leone
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Denis C Guttridge
- Department of Pediatrics and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Teresa A Zimmers
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Gregory B Lesinski
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael C Ostrowski
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Hinshaw DC, Swain CA, Chen D, Hanna A, Molina PA, Maynard CL, Lee G, McFarland BC, Samant RS, Shevde LA. Hedgehog blockade remodels the gut microbiota and the intestinal effector CD8 + T cells in a mouse model of mammary carcinoma. J Transl Med 2022; 102:1236-1244. [PMID: 36775449 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-022-00828-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the gut microbiome's rise as a potential frontier in cancer pathogenesis and therapy, leveraging microbial analyses in the study of breast tumor progression and treatment could unveil novel interactions between commensal bacteria and disease outcomes. In breast cancer, the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is a potential target for treatment due to its aberrant activation leading to poorer prognoses and drug resistance. There are limited studies that have investigated the influences of orally administered cancer therapeutics, such as Vismodegib (a pharmacological, clinically used Hh inhibitor) on the gut microbiota. Using a 4T1 mammary carcinoma mouse model and 16 S rRNA sequencing, we longitudinally mapped alterations in immunomodulating gut microbes during mammary tumor development. Next, we identified changes in the abundance of commensal microbiota in response to Vismodegib treatment of 4T1 mammary tumor-bearing mice. In addition to remodeling gut microbiota, Vismodegib treatment elicited an increase in proliferative CD8+ T cells in the colonic immune network, without any remarkable gastrointestinal-associated side effects. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess longitudinal changes in the gut microbiome during mammary tumor development and progression. Our study also pioneers an investigation of the dynamic effects of an orally delivered Hh inhibitor on the gut microbiome and the gut-associated immune-regulatory adaptive effector CD8+ T cells. These findings inform future comprehensive studies on the consortium of altered microbes that can impact potential systemic immunomodulatory roles of Vismodegib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique C Hinshaw
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Courtney A Swain
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Dongquan Chen
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Ann Hanna
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Patrick A Molina
- Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Craig L Maynard
- Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Goo Lee
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Braden C McFarland
- Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rajeev S Samant
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lalita A Shevde
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA. .,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Takikawa T, Hamada S, Matsumoto R, Tanaka Y, Kataoka F, Sasaki A, Masamune A. Senescent Human Pancreatic Stellate Cells Secrete CXCR2 Agonist CXCLs to Promote Proliferation and Migration of Human Pancreatic Cancer AsPC-1 and MIAPaCa-2 Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169275. [PMID: 36012531 PMCID: PMC9409091 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play an important role in the progression of pancreatic cancer. Recent studies have shown that cellular senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors play roles in the progression of cancer. This study aimed to clarify the effects of senescence-induced PSCs on pancreatic cancer cells. Senescence was induced in primary-cultured human PSCs (hPSCs) through treatment with hydrogen peroxide or gemcitabine. Microarray and Gene Ontology analyses showed the alterations in genes and pathways related to cellular senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors, including the upregulation of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)-1, CXCL2, and CXCL3 through the induction of senescence in hPSCs. Conditioned media of senescent hPSCs increased the proliferation—as found in an assessment with a BrdU incorporation assay—and migration—as found in an assessment with wound-healing and two-chamber assays—of pancreatic cancer AsPC-1 and MIAPaca-2 cell lines. SB225002, a selective CXCR2 antagonist, and SCH-527123, a CXCR1/CXCR2 antagonist, attenuated the effects of conditioned media of senescent hPSCs on the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. These results suggest a role of CXCLs as senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors in the interaction between senescent hPSCs and pancreatic cancer cells. Senescent PSCs might be novel therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.
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Wang H, Tan Y, Jia H, Liu D, Liu R. Posaconazole inhibits the stemness of cancer stem-like cells by inducing autophagy and suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin/survivin signaling pathway in glioblastoma. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:905082. [PMID: 36034873 PMCID: PMC9403519 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.905082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Posaconazole (POS) has been reported to present potential antitumor activity for glioblastoma (GBM). However, its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we found that POS has potent cytotoxicity and inhibits cell viability and proliferation in GBM. In addition, we adopted a sphere formation assay to detect the self-renewal capacity, performed western blotting to measure cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) marker proteins (CD133, SOX2, Nanog and Oct4) and applied flow cytometry to monitor the subpopulation of CD144+/CD33+ cells, and the results all demonstrated that POS can remarkably weaken CSCs stemness. Furthermore, western blotting, immunoflurescence, transmission electron microscopy and acridine orange staining were performed to detect autophagy-related proteins (LC3, SQSTM1, Beclin 1 and Atg5), count the numbers of endogenous LC3 puncta, visually observe the ultrastructural morphology of autophagosomes and judge the formation of acidic vesicular organelles, respectively, and the results validated that POS promotes autophagy induction. Importantly, the suppressive effect of POS on CSCs stemness was partially relieved when autophagy was blocked by the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) or Atg5 shRNA. Bioinformatic techniques, including weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), gene set difference analysis (GSVA) and KEGG pathway analysis, combined with experimental validations showed that survivin, which is implicated in both autophagy and the stem cell index, is one of the target proteins of POS and that POS weakens CSCs stemness via suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in GBM. Besides, POS-induced autophagy and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway are negative regulators for each other. Finally, the antitumor activity of POS was confirmed in GBM xenograft models in vivo. Consistent with the in vitro conclusions, POS upregulated the expression of LC3 and decreased the expression of CD133, survivin and β-catenin, as shown by the immunohistochemistry analysis. In summary, this work provides an experimental foundation for exploiting POS as a CSCs-targeting antitumor drug for GBM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Pharmacy, Department of Spine Surgery of The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yinfeng Tan
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Tropical Herbs, Haikou Key Laboratory of Li Nationality Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Hao Jia
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Pharmacy, Department of Spine Surgery of The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Danqi Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rangru Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Pharmacy, Department of Spine Surgery of The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- *Correspondence: Rangru Liu,
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Tesanovic S, Krenn PW, Aberger F. Hedgehog/GLI signaling in hematopoietic development and acute myeloid leukemia—From bench to bedside. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:944760. [PMID: 35990601 PMCID: PMC9388743 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.944760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
While the underlying genetic alterations and biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive hematologic malignancy characterized by clonal expansion of undifferentiated myeloid cells, have been gradually unraveled in the last decades, translation into clinical treatment approaches has only just begun. High relapse rates remain a major challenge in AML therapy and are to a large extent attributed to the persistence of treatment-resistant leukemic stem cells (LSCs). The Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway is crucial for the development and progression of multiple cancer stem cell driven tumors, including AML, and has therefore gained interest as a therapeutic target. In this review, we give an overview of the major components of the HH signaling pathway, dissect HH functions in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, and specifically elaborate on the role of HH signaling in AML pathogenesis and resistance. Furthermore, we summarize preclinical and clinical HH inhibitor studies, leading to the approval of the HH pathway inhibitor glasdegib, in combination with low-dose cytarabine, for AML treatment.
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Pezzotta A, Gentile I, Genovese D, Totaro MG, Battaglia C, Leung AYH, Fumagalli M, Parma M, Cazzaniga G, Fazio G, Alcalay M, Marozzi A, Pistocchi A. HDAC6 inhibition decreases leukemic stem cell expansion driven by Hedgehog hyperactivation by restoring primary ciliogenesis. Pharmacol Res 2022; 183:106378. [PMID: 35918044 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Hh pathway promotes cell proliferation and multi-drug resistance (MDR) in several cancers, including Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Notably, only one Hh inhibitor, glasdegib, has been approved for AML treatment, and most patients eventually relapse, highlighing the urgent need ti discover new therapeutic targets. Hh signal is transduced through the membrane of the primary cilium, a structure expressed by non-proliferating mammalian cells, whose stabilization depends on the activity of HDAC6. Here we describe a positive correlation between Hh, HDAC6, and MDR genes in a cohort of adult AML patients, human leukemic cell lines, and a zebrafish model of Hh overexpression. The hyper-activation of Hh or HDAC6 in zebrafish drove the increased proliferation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Interestingly, this phenotype was rescued by inhibition of HDAC6 but not of Hh. Also, in human leukemic cell lines, a reduction in vitality was obtained through HDAC6, but not Hh inhibition. Our data showed the presence of a cross-talk between Hh and HDAC6 mediated by stabilization of the primary cilium, which we detect for the first time in zebrafish HSPCs. Inhibition of HDAC6 activity alone or in combination therapy with the chemotherapeutic agent cytarabine, efficiently rescued the hematopoietic phenotype. Our results open the possibility to introduce HDAC6 as therapeutic target to reduce proliferation of leukemic blasts in AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Pezzotta
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Gentile
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Donatella Genovese
- Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Battaglia
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Monica Fumagalli
- Hospital San Gerardo, Clinica Ematologica e Centro Trapianti di Midollo Osseo, Monza, Italy
| | - Matteo Parma
- Hospital San Gerardo, Clinica Ematologica e Centro Trapianti di Midollo Osseo, Monza, Italy
| | - Gianni Cazzaniga
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica Università di Milano-Bicocca, Centro Maria Letizia Verga, Monza, Italy
| | - Grazia Fazio
- Centro Ricerca Tettamanti, Clinica Pediatrica Università di Milano-Bicocca, Centro Maria Letizia Verga, Monza, Italy
| | - Myriam Alcalay
- Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia IRCCS, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Oncologia ed Emato-Oncologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Marozzi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Pistocchi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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Unraveling the therapeutic potential of GANT61/Dactolisib combination as a novel prostate cancer modality. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:143. [PMID: 35834137 PMCID: PMC9283339 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01718-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of several signaling pathways has been implicated in prostate cancer (PCa) progression to castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Protein Kinase B/mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) and Hedgehog/GLI (Hh/GLI) pathways are major participants in progression to CRPC. In this sense, the current work aims to assess the potential antitumor effects resulting from co-targeting the aforementioned pathways in PC3 cells with Dactolisib as a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor and GANT61 as a GLI1 antagonist. Three replica of PC3 cells were assigned for four treatment groups; vehicle control, Dactolisib-treated, GANT61-treated, and combination-treated groups. GLI1 gene expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR while active caspase-3 was determined colorimetrically. P-AKT, p70 ribosomal s6 protein kinase 1 (pS6K1), cyclin D1, vascular endothelial growth factor 1 (VEGF1), and Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3 (LC3) protein levels were determined by ELISA technique. GLI1 gene expression was down-regulated as a result of Dactolisib, GANT61, and their combination. Additionally, both drugs significantly reduced p-AKT, pS6K1, cyclin D1, and VEGF1 protein levels. Dactolisib elevated LC3 protein levels and GANT61 augmented Dactolisib effect on LC3. Moreover, only Dactolisib/GANT61combination significantly increased active caspase-3 level. To sum up, Dactolisib/GANT61 combination was shown to be promising in PCa treatment. Further in-vitro and in-vivo studies are warranted to support our findings.
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Yao Y, Wang Y, Yang F, Wang C, Mao M, Gai Q, He J, Qin Y, Yao X, Lan X, Zhu J, Lu H, Zeng H, Yao X, Bian X, Wang Y. Targeting AKT and CK2 represents a novel therapeutic strategy for SMO constitutive activation-driven medulloblastoma. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:1033-1044. [PMID: 35419951 PMCID: PMC9160449 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Sonic hedgehog subtype medulloblastoma is featured with overactivation of hedgehog pathway and can be targeted by SMO-specific inhibitors. However, the resistance is frequently developed leading to treatment failure of SMO inhibitors. W535L mutation of SMO (SMOW535L ) is thought to be an oncogenic driver for Sonic hedgehog subtype MB and confer resistance to SMO inhibitors. The regulation network of SMOW535L remains to be explored in comparison with wild-type SMO (SMOWT ). METHODS In this study, we profiled transcriptomes, methylomes, and interactomes of MB cells expression SMOWT or SMOW535L in the treatment of DMSO or SMO inhibitor, respectively. RESULTS Analysis of transcriptomic data indicated that SMO inhibitor disrupted processes of endocytosis and cilium organization in MB cells with SMOWT , which are necessary for SMO activation. In MB cells with SMOW535L , however, SMO inhibitor did not affect the two processes-related genes, implying resistance of SMOW535L toward SMO inhibitor. Moreover, we noticed that SMO inhibitor significantly inhibited metabolism-related pathways. Our metabolic analysis indicated that nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, and synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies might be involved in SMOW535L function maintenance. Interactomic analysis revealed casein kinase II (CK2) as an important SMO-associated protein. Finally, we linked CK2 and AKT together and found combination of inhibitors targeting CK2 and AKT showed synergetic effects to inhibit the growth of MB cells with SMO constitutive activation mutation. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our work described SMO-related transcriptomes, metabolomes, and interactomes under different SMO status and treatment conditions, identifying CK2 and AKT as therapeutic targets for SHH-subtype MB cells with SMO inhibitor resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue‐Liang Yao
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
- Fuzhou Medical College of Nanchang UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Yan‐Xia Wang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Fei‐Cheng Yang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Chuan Wang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Min Mao
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Qu‐Jing Gai
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Jiang He
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Yan Qin
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Xiao‐Xue Yao
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Xi Lan
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Hui‐Min Lu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Hui Zeng
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Xiao‐Hong Yao
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Xiu‐Wu Bian
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer CenterSouthwest HospitalArmy Medical University (Third Military Medical University)ChongqingChina
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Wagner AG, Stagnitta RT, Xu Z, Pezzullo JL, Kandel N, Giner JL, Covey DF, Wang C, Callahan BP. Nanomolar, Noncovalent Antagonism of Hedgehog Cholesterolysis: Exception to the "Irreversibility Rule" for Protein Autoprocessing Inhibition. Biochemistry 2022; 61:1022-1028. [PMID: 34941260 PMCID: PMC9382716 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling ligands undergo carboxy terminal sterylation through specialized autoprocessing, called cholesterolysis. Sterylation is brought about intramolecularly in a single turnover by an adjacent enzymatic domain, called HhC, which is found in precursor Hh proteins only. Previous attempts to identify antagonists of the intramolecular activity of HhC have yielded inhibitors that bind HhC irreversibly through covalent mechanisms, as is common for protein autoprocessing inhibitors. Here, we report an exception to the "irreversibility rule" for autoprocessing inhibition. Using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based activity assay for HhC, we screened a focused library of sterol-like analogues for noncovalent inhibitors and identified and validated four structurally related molecules, which were then used for structure-activity relationship studies. The most effective derivative, tBT-HBT, inhibits HhC noncovalently with an IC50 of 300 nM. An allosteric binding site for tBT-HBT, encompassing residues from the two subdomains of HhC, is suggested by kinetic analysis, mutagenesis studies, and photoaffinity labeling. The inhibitors described here resemble a family of noncovalent, allosteric inducers of HhC paracatalysis which we have described previously. The inhibition and the induction appear to be mediated by a shared allosteric site on HhC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Wagner
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Robert T Stagnitta
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Zihan Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - John L Pezzullo
- Department of Chemistry, SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
| | - Nabin Kandel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - José-Luis Giner
- Department of Chemistry, SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
| | - Douglas F Covey
- Department of Developmental Biology, Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Brian P Callahan
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
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McAndrews KM, Chen Y, Darpolor JK, Zheng X, Yang S, Carstens JL, Li B, Wang H, Miyake T, de Sampaio PC, Kirtley ML, Natale M, Wu CC, Sugimoto H, LeBleu VS, Kalluri R. Identification of Functional Heterogeneity of Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts with Distinct IL6-Mediated Therapy Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:1580-1597. [PMID: 35348629 PMCID: PMC9399904 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) involves a significant accumulation of fibroblasts as part of the host response to cancer. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, multiplex immunostaining, and several genetic mouse models, we identify carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF) with opposing functions in PDAC progression. Depletion of fibroblast activation protein (FAP)+ CAFs results in increased survival, in contrast to depletion of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA)+ CAFs, which leads to decreased survival. Tumor-promoting FAP+ CAFs (TP-CAF) and tumor-restraining αSMA+ CAFs (TR-CAF) differentially regulate cancer-associated pathways and accumulation of regulatory T cells. Improved efficacy of gemcitabine is observed when IL6 is deleted from αSMA+ CAFs but not from FAP+ CAFs using dual-recombinase genetic PDAC models. Improved gemcitabine efficacy due to lack of IL6 synergizes with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy to significantly improve survival of PDAC mice. Our study identifies functional heterogeneity of CAFs in PDAC progression and their different roles in therapy response. SIGNIFICANCE PDAC is associated with accumulation of dense stroma consisting of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix that regulate tumor progression. Here, we identify two distinct populations of fibroblasts with opposing roles in the progression and immune landscape of PDAC. Our findings demonstrate that fibroblasts are functionally diverse with therapeutic implications. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1397.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen M. McAndrews
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J. Kebbeh Darpolor
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Zheng
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sujuan Yang
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Julienne L. Carstens
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bingrui Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Huamin Wang
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Toru Miyake
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pedro Correa de Sampaio
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michelle L. Kirtley
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mariangela Natale
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chia-Chin Wu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hikaru Sugimoto
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Valerie S. LeBleu
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Raghu Kalluri
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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44
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Kandel N, Wang C. Hedgehog Autoprocessing: From Structural Mechanisms to Drug Discovery. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:900560. [PMID: 35669560 PMCID: PMC9163320 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.900560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays pivotal roles in embryonic development. In adults, Hh signaling is mostly turned off but its abnormal activation is involved in many types of cancer. Hh signaling is initiated by the Hh ligand, generated from the Hh precursor by a specialized autocatalytic process called Hh autoprocessing. The Hh precursor consists of an N-terminal signaling domain (HhN) and a C-terminal autoprocessing domain (HhC). During Hh autoprocessing, the precursor is cleaved between N- and C-terminal domain followed by the covalent ligation of cholesterol to the last residue of HhN, which subsequently leads to the generation of Hh ligand for Hh signaling. Hh autoprocessing is at the origin of canonical Hh signaling and precedes all downstream signaling events. Mutations in the catalytic residues in HhC can lead to congenital defects such as holoprosencephaly (HPE). The aim of this review is to provide an in-depth summary of the progresses and challenges towards an atomic level understanding of the structural mechanisms of Hh autoprocessing. We also discuss drug discovery efforts to inhibit Hh autoprocessing as a new direction in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabin Kandel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Chunyu Wang,
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45
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Huang Z, Zhang Z, Zhou C, Liu L, Huang C. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition: The history, regulatory mechanism, and cancer therapeutic opportunities. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e144. [PMID: 35601657 PMCID: PMC9115588 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a program wherein epithelial cells lose their junctions and polarity while acquiring mesenchymal properties and invasive ability. Originally defined as an embryogenesis event, EMT has been recognized as a crucial process in tumor progression. During EMT, cell–cell junctions and cell–matrix attachments are disrupted, and the cytoskeleton is remodeled to enhance mobility of cells. This transition of phenotype is largely driven by a group of key transcription factors, typically Snail, Twist, and ZEB, through epigenetic repression of epithelial markers, transcriptional activation of matrix metalloproteinases, and reorganization of cytoskeleton. Mechanistically, EMT is orchestrated by multiple pathways, especially those involved in embryogenesis such as TGFβ, Wnt, Hedgehog, and Hippo, suggesting EMT as an intrinsic link between embryonic development and cancer progression. In addition, redox signaling has also emerged as critical EMT modulator. EMT confers cancer cells with increased metastatic potential and drug resistant capacity, which accounts for tumor recurrence in most clinic cases. Thus, targeting EMT can be a therapeutic option providing a chance of cure for cancer patients. Here, we introduce a brief history of EMT and summarize recent advances in understanding EMT mechanisms, as well as highlighting the therapeutic opportunities by targeting EMT in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Chengwei Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
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Gli1 promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis of non-small cell lung carcinoma by regulating Snail transcriptional activity and stability. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:3877-3890. [PMID: 36213531 PMCID: PMC9532560 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is crucial for the mortality of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in regulating tumor metastasis. Glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) is aberrantly active in a series of tumor tissues. However, the molecular regulatory relationships between Gli1 and NSCLC metastasis have not yet been identified. Herein, we reported Gli1 promoted NSCLC metastasis. High Gli1 expression was associated with poor survival of NSCLC patients. Ectopic expression of Gli1 in low metastatic A549 and NCI-H460 cells enhanced their migration, invasion abilities and facilitated EMT process, whereas knock-down of Gli1 in high metastatic NCI-H1299 and NCI-H1703 cells showed an opposite effect. Notably, Gli1 overexpression accelerated the lung and liver metastasis of NSCLC in the intravenously injected metastasis model. Further research showed that Gli1 positively regulated Snail expression by binding to its promoter and enhancing its protein stability, thereby facilitating the migration, invasion and EMT of NSCLC. In addition, administration of GANT-61, a Gli1 inhibitor, obviously suppressed the metastasis of NSCLC. Collectively, our study reveals that Gli1 is a critical regulator for NSCLC metastasis and suggests that targeting Gli1 is a prospective therapy strategy for metastatic NSCLC.
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47
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Song X, He H, Zhang Y, Fan J, Wang L. Mechanisms of action of triptolide against colorectal cancer: insights from proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:3084-3104. [PMID: 35366242 PMCID: PMC9037262 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Triptolide is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that also possesses anticancer activity, including against colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most frequent cancers around the world. In order to clarify how triptolide may be effective against CRC, we analyzed the proteome and phosphoproteome of CRC cell line HCT116 after incubation for 48 h with the drug (40 nM) or vehicle. Tandem mass tagging led to the identification of 403 proteins whose levels increased and 559 whose levels decreased in the presence of triptolide. We also identified 3,110 sites in proteins that were phosphorylated at higher levels and 3,161 sites phosphorylated at lower levels in the presence of the drug. Analysis of these differentially expressed and/or phosphorylated proteins showed that they were enriched in pathways involving ribosome biogenesis, PI3K−Akt signaling, MAPK signaling, nucleic acid binding as well as other pathways. Protein–protein interactions were explored using the STRING database, and we identified nine protein modules and 15 hub proteins. Finally, we identified 57 motifs using motif analysis of phosphosites and found 16 motifs were experimentally verified for known protein kinases, while 41 appear to be novel. These findings may help clarify how triptolide works against CRC and may guide the development of novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinqiang Song
- College of Life Sciences, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China.,College of Medicine, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Huanhuan He
- College of Life Sciences, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Jinke Fan
- College of Life Sciences, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
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48
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Krausert S, Brabetz S, Mack NL, Schmitt-Hoffner F, Schwalm B, Peterziel H, Mangang A, Holland-Letz T, Sieber L, Korshunov A, Oehme I, Jäger N, Witt O, Pfister SM, Kool M. Predictive modeling of resistance to SMO-inhibition in a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft model of SHH medulloblastoma. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdac026. [PMID: 35475274 PMCID: PMC9034118 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inhibition of the sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway with Smoothened (SMO) inhibitors is a promising treatment strategy in SHH-activated medulloblastoma, especially in adult patients. However, the problem is that tumors frequently acquire resistance to the treatment. To understand the underlying resistance mechanisms and to find ways to overcome the resistance, preclinical models that became resistant to SMO inhibition are needed. Methods To induce SMO inhibitor resistant tumors, we have treated a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of SHH medulloblastoma, sensitive to SMO inhibition, with 20 mg/kg Sonidegib using an intermitted treatment schedule. Vehicle-treated and resistant models were subjected to whole-genome and RNA sequencing for molecular characterization and target engagement. In vitro drug screens (76 drugs) were performed using Sonidegib-sensitive and -resistant lines to find other drugs to target the resistant lines. One of the top hits was then validated in vivo. Results Nine independent Sonidegib-resistant PDX lines were generated. Molecular characterization of the resistant models showed that eight models developed missense mutations in SMO and one gained an inactivating point mutation in MEGF8, which acts downstream of SMO as a repressor in the SHH pathway. The in vitro drug screen with Sonidegib-sensitive and -resistant lines identified good efficacy for Selinexor in the resistant line. Indeed, in vivo treatment with Selinexor revealed that it is more effective in resistant than in sensitive models. Conclusions We report the first human SMO inhibitor resistant medulloblastoma PDX models, which can be used for further preclinical experiments to develop the best strategies to overcome the resistance to SMO inhibitors in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Krausert
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Sebastian Brabetz
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Norman L Mack
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Schmitt-Hoffner
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Benjamin Schwalm
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heike Peterziel
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Aileen Mangang
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tim Holland-Letz
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Sieber
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrey Korshunov
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg and Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ina Oehme
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Natalie Jäger
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Nguyen NM, Cho J. Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors as Targeted Cancer Therapy and Strategies to Overcome Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031733. [PMID: 35163655 PMCID: PMC8835893 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is a highly conserved pathway that plays a vital role during embryonic development. Recently, uncontrolled activation of this pathway has been demonstrated in various types of cancer. Therefore, Hh pathway inhibitors have emerged as an important class of anti-cancer agents. Unfortunately, however, their reputation has been tarnished by the emergence of resistance during therapy, necessitating clarification of mechanisms underlying the drug resistance. In this review, we briefly overview canonical and non-canonical Hh pathways and their inhibitors as targeted cancer therapy. In addition, we summarize the mechanisms of resistance to Smoothened (SMO) inhibitors, including point mutations of the drug binding pocket or downstream molecules of SMO, and non-canonical mechanisms to reinforce Hh pathway output. A distinct mechanism involving loss of primary cilia is also described to maintain GLI activity in resistant tumors. Finally, we address the main strategies to circumvent the drug resistance. These strategies include the development of novel and potent inhibitors targeting different components of the canonical Hh pathway or signaling molecules of the non-canonical pathway. Further studies are necessary to avoid emerging resistance to Hh inhibitors and establish an optimal customized regimen with improved therapeutic efficacy to treat various types of cancer, including basal cell carcinoma.
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50
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Bai Y, Wei C, Li P, Sun X, Cai G, Chen X, Hong Q. Primary cilium in kidney development, function and disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:952055. [PMID: 36072924 PMCID: PMC9441790 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.952055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary cilium is a hair-like, microtubule-based organelle that is covered by the cell membrane and extends from the surface of most vertebrate cells. It detects and translates extracellular signals to direct various cellular signaling pathways to maintain homeostasis. It is mainly distributed in the proximal and distal tubules and collecting ducts in the kidney. Specific signaling transduction proteins localize to primary cilia. Defects in cilia structure and function lead to a class of diseases termed ciliopathies. The proper functioning of primary cilia is essential to kidney organogenesis and the maintenance of epithelial cell differentiation and proliferation. Persistent cilia dysfunction has a role in the early stages and progression of renal diseases, such as cystogenesis and acute tubular necrosis (ATN). In this review, we focus on the central role of cilia in kidney development and illustrate how defects in cilia are associated with renal disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Bai
- Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Nephrology Institute of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Research, Beijing, China
| | - Cuiting Wei
- Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Nephrology Institute of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Research, Beijing, China
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Nephrology Institute of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Research, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefeng Sun
- Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Nephrology Institute of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Research, Beijing, China
| | - Guangyan Cai
- Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Nephrology Institute of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Research, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Nephrology Institute of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Research, Beijing, China
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangmei Chen, ; Quan Hong,
| | - Quan Hong
- Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Nephrology Institute of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Research, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangmei Chen, ; Quan Hong,
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