1
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Chong Y, Xiong H, Gao Z, Lu Y, Hong J, Wu J, He X, Xi D, Tu X, Deng W. Genomic and transcriptomic landscape to decipher the genetic basis of hyperpigmentation in Lanping black-boned sheep (Ovis aries). BMC Genomics 2024; 25:845. [PMID: 39251902 PMCID: PMC11382470 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10772-7] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lanping black-boned sheep (LPB) represent a distinctive mammalian species characterized by hyperpigmentation, resulting in black bone and muscle features, in contrast to their conventional counterparts exhibiting red muscle and white bone. The genetic basis underlying LPB hyperpigmentation has remained enigmatic. METHODS In this study, we conducted whole-genome sequencing of 100 LPB and 50 Lanping normal sheep (LPN), and integrated this data with 421 sequenced datasets from wild and domestic sheep, shedding light on the genetic backdrop and genomic variations associated with LPB. Furthermore, we performed comparative RNA-Seq analysis using liver sample to pinpoint genes implicated in the pigmentation process. We generated a comprehensive dataset comprising 97,944,357 SNPs from 571 sheep, facilitating an in-depth exploration of genetic factors. RESULTS Population genetic structure analysis revealed that the LPB breed traces its origin back to LPN, having evolved into a distinct breed. The integration of positively selected genes with differentially expressed genes identified two candidates, ERBB4 and ROR1, potentially linked to LPB hyperpigmentation. Comparative analysis of ERBB4 and ROR1 mRNA relative expression levels in liver, spleen, and kidney tissues of LPB, in comparison to Diqing sheep, revealed significant upregulation, except for ERBB4 in the liver. Gene expression heatmaps further underscored marked allelic frequency disparities in different populations. CONCLUSION Our findings establish the evolutionary lineage of the LPB breed from LPN and underscore the involvement of ERBB4 and ROR1 genes in melanin synthesis. These results enhance our comprehension of the molecular basis of hyperpigmentation and contribute to a more comprehensive depiction of sheep diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Chong
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Heli Xiong
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
- Yunnan Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Kunming, 650224, China
| | - Zhendong Gao
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Jieyun Hong
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Jiao Wu
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Xiaoming He
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Dongmei Xi
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Xiaolong Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, China.
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, China.
| | - Weidong Deng
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China.
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2
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Wohlfarth J, Kosnopfel C, Faber D, Berthold M, Siedel C, Bernhardt M, Schlosser A, Aprati T, Liu D, Schrama D, Houben R, Schadendorf D, Goebeler M, Meierjohann S, Schilling B. Loss of p14 diminishes immunogenicity in melanoma via non-canonical Wnt signaling by reducing the peptide surface density. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38807304 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13660] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has achieved tremendous success in melanoma. However, only around 50% of advanced melanoma patients benefit from immunotherapy. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A), encoding the two tumor-suppressor proteins p14ARF and p16INK4a, belongs to the most frequently inactivated gene loci in melanoma and leads to decreased T cell infiltration. While the role of p16INK4a has been extensively investigated, knowledge about p14ARF in melanoma is scarce. In this study, we elucidate the impact of reduced p14ARF expression on melanoma immunogenicity. Knockdown of p14ARF in melanoma cell lines diminished their recognition and killing by melanoma differentiation antigen (MDA)-specific T cells. Resistance was caused by a reduction of the peptide surface density of presented MDAs. Immunopeptidomic analyses revealed that antigen presentation via human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) molecules was enhanced upon p14ARF downregulation in general, but absolute and relative expression of cognate peptides was decreased. However, this phenotype is associated with a favorable outcome for melanoma patients. Limiting Wnt5a signaling reverted this phenotype, suggesting an involvement of non-canonical Wnt signaling. Taken together, our data indicate a new mechanism limiting MDA-specific T cell responses by decreasing both absolute and relative MDA-peptide presentation in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Wohlfarth
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
| | - Corinna Kosnopfel
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dominic Faber
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marion Berthold
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Siedel
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
| | - Melissa Bernhardt
- Rudolf-Virchow-Centre for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schlosser
- Rudolf-Virchow-Centre for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tyler Aprati
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David Liu
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David Schrama
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
| | - Roland Houben
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Department of Dermatology, Comprehensive Cancer Center (Westdeutsches Tumorzentrum), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK, partner site Essen) and University Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Matthias Goebeler
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Bastian Schilling
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
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3
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Howell R, Davies J, Clarke MA, Appios A, Mesquita I, Jayal Y, Ringham-Terry B, Boned Del Rio I, Fisher J, Bennett CL. Localized immune surveillance of primary melanoma in the skin deciphered through executable modeling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd1992. [PMID: 37043573 PMCID: PMC10096595 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add1992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
While skin is a site of active immune surveillance, primary melanomas often escape detection. Here, we have developed an in silico model to determine the local cross-talk between melanomas and Langerhans cells (LCs), the primary antigen-presenting cells at the site of melanoma development. The model predicts that melanomas fail to activate LC migration to lymph nodes until tumors reach a critical size, which is determined by a positive TNF-α feedback loop within melanomas, in line with our observations of murine tumors. In silico drug screening, supported by subsequent experimental testing, shows that treatment of primary tumors with MAPK pathway inhibitors may further prevent LC migration. In addition, our in silico model predicts treatment combinations that bypass LC dysfunction. In conclusion, our combined approach of in silico and in vivo studies suggests a molecular mechanism that explains how early melanomas develop under the radar of immune surveillance by LC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew A. Clarke
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Anna Appios
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Inês Mesquita
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Yashoda Jayal
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Ben Ringham-Terry
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Isabel Boned Del Rio
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
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4
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Quezada MJ, Lopez-Bergami P. The signaling pathways activated by ROR1 in cancer. Cell Signal 2023; 104:110588. [PMID: 36621728 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is a receptor for WNT5A and related Wnt proteins, that play an important role during embryonic development by regulating cell migration, cell polarity, neural patterning, and organogenesis. ROR1 exerts these functions by transducing signals from the Wnt secreted glycoproteins to the intracellular Wnt/PCP and Wnt/Ca++ pathways. Investigations in adult human cells, particularly cancer cells, have demonstrated that besides these two pathways, the WNT5A/ROR1 axis can activate a number of signaling pathways, including the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, NF-κB, STAT3, and Hippo pathways. Moreover, ROR1 is aberrantly expressed in cancer and was associated with tumor progression and poor survival by promoting cell proliferation, survival, invasion, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and metastasis. Consequently, numerous therapeutic tools to target ROR1 are currently being evaluated in cancer patients. In this review, we will provide a detailed description of the signaling pathways regulated by ROR1 in cancer and their impact in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Josefina Quezada
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires 1405, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires 1405, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina.
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5
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The Roles of Secreted Wnt Ligands in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065349. [PMID: 36982422 PMCID: PMC10049518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt ligands are secreted signaling proteins that display a wide range of biological effects. They play key roles in stimulating Wnt signaling pathways to facilitate processes such as tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Dysregulation of Wnt signaling is a hallmark of many cancers and genetic alterations in various Wnt signaling components, which result in ligand-independent or ligand-dependent hyperactivation of the pathway that have been identified. Recently, research is focusing on the impact of Wnt signaling on the interaction between tumor cells and their micro-environment. This Wnt-mediated crosstalk can act either in a tumor promoting or suppressing fashion. In this review, we comprehensively outline the function of Wnt ligands in different tumor entities and their impact on key phenotypes, including cancer stemness, drug resistance, metastasis, and immune evasion. Lastly, we elaborate approaches to target Wnt ligands in cancer therapy.
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6
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Hossain SM, Eccles MR. Phenotype Switching and the Melanoma Microenvironment; Impact on Immunotherapy and Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021601. [PMID: 36675114 PMCID: PMC9864717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, a highly heterogeneous tumor, is comprised of a functionally diverse spectrum of cell phenotypes and subpopulations, including stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Melanoma has been shown to dynamically shift between different transcriptional states or phenotypes. This is referred to as phenotype switching in melanoma, and it involves switching between quiescent and proliferative cell cycle states, and dramatic shifts in invasiveness, as well as changes in signaling pathways in the melanoma cells, and immune cell composition in the TME. Melanoma cell plasticity is associated with altered gene expression in immune cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts, as well as changes in extracellular matrix, which drive the metastatic cascade and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, resistance to therapy in melanoma is not only dependent on genetic evolution, but it has also been suggested to be driven by gene expression changes and adaptive phenotypic cell plasticity. This review discusses recent findings in melanoma phenotype switching, immunotherapy resistance, and the balancing of the homeostatic TME between the different melanoma cell subpopulations. We also discuss future perspectives of the biology of neural crest-like state(s) in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultana Mehbuba Hossain
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Michael R. Eccles
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Correspondence:
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7
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Hargadon KM. Genetic dysregulation of immunologic and oncogenic signaling pathways associated with tumor-intrinsic immune resistance: a molecular basis for combination targeted therapy-immunotherapy for cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:40. [PMID: 36629955 PMCID: PMC11072992 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04689-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Since the turn of the century, advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy have revolutionized the treatment of cancer. Although these approaches have far outperformed traditional therapies in various clinical settings, both remain plagued by mechanisms of innate and acquired resistance that limit therapeutic efficacy in many patients. With a focus on tumor-intrinsic resistance to immunotherapy, this review highlights our current understanding of the immunologic and oncogenic pathways whose genetic dysregulation in cancer cells enables immune escape. Emphasis is placed on genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic aberrations that influence the activity of these pathways in the context of immune resistance. Specifically, the role of pathways that govern interferon signaling, antigen processing and presentation, and immunologic cell death as determinants of tumor immune susceptibility are discussed. Likewise, mechanisms of tumor immune resistance mediated by dysregulated RAS-MAPK, WNT, PI3K-AKT-mTOR, and cell cycle pathways are described. Finally, this review highlights the ways in which recent insight into genetic dysregulation of these immunologic and oncogenic signaling pathways is informing the design of combination targeted therapy-immunotherapy regimens that aim to restore immune susceptibility of cancer cells by overcoming resistance mechanisms that often limit the success of monotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian M Hargadon
- Hargadon Laboratory, Department of Biology, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA, 23943, USA.
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8
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WNT5A-ROR2 axis mediates VEGF dependence of BRAF mutant melanoma. Cell Oncol 2022; 46:391-407. [PMID: 36539575 PMCID: PMC10060292 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00757-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Despite recent advances, approximately 50% of patient with metastatic melanoma eventually succumb to the disease. Patients with melanomas harboring a BRAF mutation (BRAFMut) have a worse prognosis than those with wildtype (BRAFWT) tumors. Unexpectedly, interim AVAST-M Phase III trial data reported benefit from adjuvant anti-VEGF bevacizumab only in the BRAFMut group. We sought to find mechanisms underpinning this sensitivity.
Methods
We investigated this finding in vitro and in vivo using melanoma cell lines and clones generated by BRAFV600E knock-in on a BRAFWT background.
Results
Compared with BRAFWT cells, isogenic BRAFV600E clones secreted more VEGF and exhibited accelerated growth rates as spheroids and xenografts, which were more vascular and proliferative. Recapitulating AVAST-M findings, bevacizumab affected only BRAFV600E xenografts, inducing significant tumor growth delay, reduced vascularity and increased necrosis. We identified 814 differentially expressed genes in isogenic BRAFV600E/BRAFWT clones. Of 61 genes concordantly deregulated in clinical melanomas ROR2 was one of the most upregulated by BRAFV600E. ROR2 was shown to be RAF-MEK regulated in BRAFV600E cells and its depletion suppressed VEGF secretion down to BRAFWT levels. The ROR2 ligand WNT5A was also overexpressed in BRAFMut melanomas, and in ROR2-overexpressing BRAFV600E cells MEK inhibition downregulated WNT5A and VEGF secretion.
Conclusions
These data implicate WNT5A-ROR2 in VEGF secretion, vascularity, adverse outcomes and bevacizumab sensitivity of BRAFMut melanomas, suggesting that this axis has potential therapeutic relevance.
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9
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El-Helbawy NF, El Zowalaty AE. Identification of Age-Associated Transcriptomic Changes Linked to Immunotherapy Response in Primary Melanoma. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:4118-4131. [PMID: 36135194 PMCID: PMC9497511 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44090282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a lethal form of skin cancer. Immunotherapeutic agents such as anti-PD-1 (pembrolizumab and nivolumab) and anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab) have revolutionized melanoma treatment; however, drug resistance is rapidly acquired. Several studies have reported an increase in melanoma rates in older patients. Thus, the impact of ageing on transcriptional profiles of melanoma and response to immunotherapy is essential to understand. In this study, the bioinformatic analysis of RNA seq data of old and young melanoma patients receiving immunotherapy identifies the significant upregulation of extra-cellular matrix and cellular adhesion genes in young cohorts, while genes involved in cell proliferation, inflammation, non-canonical Wnt signaling and tyrosine kinase receptor ROR2 are significantly upregulated in the old cohort. Several Treg signature genes as well as transcription factors that are associated with dysfunctional T cell tumor infiltration are differentially expressed. The differential expression of several genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis and glutamine metabolism is also observed. Taken together, this study provides novel findings on the impact of ageing on transcriptional changes in melanoma, and novel therapeutic targets for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehal Farid El-Helbawy
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31111, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ezat El Zowalaty
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
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10
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Understanding Molecular Mechanisms of Phenotype Switching and Crosstalk with TME to Reveal New Vulnerabilities of Melanoma. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071157. [PMID: 35406721 PMCID: PMC8997563 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma cells are notorious for their high plasticity and ability to switch back and forth between various melanoma cell states, enabling the adaptation to sub-optimal conditions and therapeutics. This phenotypic plasticity, which has gained more attention in cancer research, is proposed as a new paradigm for melanoma progression. In this review, we provide a detailed and deep comprehensive recapitulation of the complex spectrum of phenotype switching in melanoma, the key regulator factors, the various and new melanoma states, and corresponding signatures. We also present an extensive description of the role of epigenetic modifications (chromatin remodeling, methylation, and activities of long non-coding RNAs/miRNAs) and metabolic rewiring in the dynamic switch. Furthermore, we elucidate the main role of the crosstalk between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and oxidative stress in the regulation of the phenotype switching. Finally, we discuss in detail several rational therapeutic approaches, such as exploiting phenotype-specific and metabolic vulnerabilities and targeting components and signals of the TME, to improve the response of melanoma patients to treatments.
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11
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Radaszkiewicz T, Nosková M, Gömöryová K, Vondálová Blanářová O, Radaszkiewicz KA, Picková M, Víchová R, Gybeľ T, Kaiser K, Demková L, Kučerová L, Bárta T, Potěšil D, Zdráhal Z, Souček K, Bryja V. RNF43 inhibits WNT5A-driven signaling and suppresses melanoma invasion and resistance to the targeted therapy. eLife 2021; 10:65759. [PMID: 34702444 PMCID: PMC8550759 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
RNF43 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and known negative regulator of WNT/β-catenin signaling. We demonstrate that RNF43 is also a regulator of noncanonical WNT5A-induced signaling in human cells. Analysis of the RNF43 interactome using BioID and immunoprecipitation showed that RNF43 can interact with the core receptor complex components dedicated to the noncanonical Wnt pathway such as ROR1, ROR2, VANGL1, and VANGL2. RNF43 triggers VANGL2 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation and clathrin-dependent internalization of ROR1 receptor and inhibits ROR2 activation. These activities of RNF43 are physiologically relevant and block pro-metastatic WNT5A signaling in melanoma. RNF43 inhibits responses to WNT5A, which results in the suppression of invasive properties of melanoma cells. Furthermore, RNF43 prevented WNT5A-assisted development of resistance to BRAF V600E and MEK inhibitors. Next, RNF43 acted as melanoma suppressor and improved response to targeted therapies in vivo. In line with these findings, RNF43 expression decreases during melanoma progression and RNF43-low patients have a worse prognosis. We conclude that RNF43 is a newly discovered negative regulator of WNT5A-mediated biological responses that desensitizes cells to WNT5A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Radaszkiewicz
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Nosková
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristína Gömöryová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Vondálová Blanářová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Markéta Picková
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center FNUSA-ICRC, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ráchel Víchová
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Gybeľ
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karol Kaiser
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Demková
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Kučerová
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tomáš Bárta
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Potěšil
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbyněk Zdráhal
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Souček
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center FNUSA-ICRC, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vítězslav Bryja
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, Brno, Czech Republic
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12
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Huang F, Santinon F, Flores González RE, del Rincón SV. Melanoma Plasticity: Promoter of Metastasis and Resistance to Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:756001. [PMID: 34604096 PMCID: PMC8481945 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.756001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Although targeted therapies and immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma, most patients are not cured. Therapy resistance remains a significant clinical challenge. Melanoma comprises phenotypically distinct subpopulations of cells, exhibiting distinct gene signatures leading to tumor heterogeneity and favoring therapeutic resistance. Cellular plasticity in melanoma is referred to as phenotype switching. Regardless of their genomic classification, melanomas switch from a proliferative and differentiated phenotype to an invasive, dedifferentiated and often therapy-resistant state. In this review we discuss potential mechanisms underpinning melanoma phenotype switching, how this cellular plasticity contributes to resistance to both targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Finally, we highlight novel strategies to target plasticity and their potential clinical impact in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Huang
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - François Santinon
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Raúl Ernesto Flores González
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia V. del Rincón
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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13
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Jobe NP, Åsberg L, Andersson T. Reduced WNT5A signaling in melanoma cells favors an amoeboid mode of invasion. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1835-1848. [PMID: 33969605 PMCID: PMC8253101 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells invade and spread via either a mesenchymal or an amoeboid mode of migration. Amoeboid tumor cells have a rounded morphology and pronounced RhoA activity. Here, we investigate how WNT5A signaling, a tumor promotor in melanoma, relates to Rho GTPase activity and amoeboid migration. We compared melanoma cells with low (HTB63 cells) and high (WM852 cells) WNT5A expression. HTB63 cells exhibited an amoeboid morphology and had higher RhoA activity but lower invasiveness than WM852 cells in a three‐dimensional (3D) collagen matrix. We next explored the relationships between WNT5A, morphology, and invasive behavior. WNT5A knockdown impaired Rho GTPase Cdc42 activity, resulting in reduced invasion of amoeboid and mesenchymal melanoma cells. Interestingly, knockdown of WNT5A or inhibition of its secretion in WM852 cells expressing wild‐type BRAF also led to increased RhoA activity via decreased RND3 expression, resulting in predominantly amoeboid morphology. In contrast, such treatments had the opposite effects on RND3 expression and RhoA activity in HTB63 cells expressing the active BRAFV600 mutation. However, treatment of HTB63 cells with a BRAF inhibitor made them respond to WNT5A knockdown in a similar manner as WM852 cells expressing wild‐type BRAF. We next found that dual targeting of WNT5A and RhoA more effectively reduced melanoma cell invasion than targeting either protein individually. Taken together, our results suggest that low WNT5A signaling in melanoma cells promotes a rounded amoeboid type of invasion, which quite likely serves as a compensatory response to decreased WNT5A/Cdc42‐driven invasion. This phenomenon partially explains the enduring melanoma cell invasion observed after impaired WNT5A signaling and has therapeutic implications. Our results suggest that dual targeting of WNT5A and RhoA signaling is a more effective strategy for controlling the invasion of BRAF wild‐type and BRAFV600 mutated melanomas treated with a BRAF inhibitor than targeting either of the proteins individually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Njainday Pulo Jobe
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Lisa Åsberg
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Tommy Andersson
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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Douglass SM, Fane ME, Sanseviero E, Ecker BL, Kugel CH, Behera R, Kumar V, Tcyganov EN, Yin X, Liu Q, Chhabra Y, Alicea GM, Kuruvilla R, Gabrilovich DI, Weeraratna AT. Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Are a Major Source of Wnt5A in the Melanoma Microenvironment and Depend on Wnt5A for Full Suppressive Activity. Cancer Res 2021; 81:658-670. [PMID: 33262126 PMCID: PMC8330365 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic dissemination remains a significant barrier to successful therapy for melanoma. Wnt5A is a potent driver of invasion in melanoma and is believed to be secreted from the tumor microenvironment (TME). Our data suggest that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in the TME are a major source of Wnt5A and are reliant upon Wnt5A for multiple actions. Knockdown of Wnt5A specifically in the myeloid cells demonstrated a clear decrease in Wnt5A expression within the TME in vivo as well as a decrease in intratumoral MDSC and regulatory T cell (Treg). Wnt5A knockdown also decreased the immunosuppressive nature of MDSC and decreased expression of TGFβ1 and arginase 1. In the presence of Wnt5A-depleted MDSC, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expressed decreased PD-1 and LAG3, suggesting a less exhausted phenotype. Myeloid-specific Wnt5A knockdown also led to decreased lung metastasis. Tumor-infiltrating MDSC from control animals showed a strong positive correlation with Treg, which was completely ablated in animals with Wnt5A-negative MDSC. Overall, our data suggest that while MDSC contribute to an immunosuppressive and less immunogenic environment, they exhibit an additional function as the major source of Wnt5A in the TME. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate that myeloid cells provide a major source of Wnt5A to facilitate metastatic potential in melanoma cells and rely on Wnt5A for their immunosuppressive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Douglass
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mitchell E Fane
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Brett L Ecker
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Reeti Behera
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Vinit Kumar
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Xiangfan Yin
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Qin Liu
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yash Chhabra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gretchen M Alicea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rejji Kuruvilla
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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15
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Lopez-Bergami P, Barbero G. The emerging role of Wnt5a in the promotion of a pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 39:933-952. [PMID: 32435939 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-020-09878-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Wnt5a is the prototypical activator of the non-canonical Wnt pathways, and its overexpression has been implicated in the progression of several tumor types by promoting cell motility, invasion, EMT, and metastasis. Recent evidences have revealed a novel role of Wnt5a in the phosphorylation of the NF-κB subunit p65 and the activation of the NF-κB pathway in cancer cells. In this article, we review the molecular mechanisms and mediators defining a Wnt5a/NF-κB signaling pathway and propose that the aberrant expression of Wnt5a in some tumors drives a Wnt5a/NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 positive feedback loop that amplifies the effects of Wnt5a. The evidences discussed here suggest that Wnt5a has a double effect on the tumor microenvironment. First, it activates an autocrine ROR1/Akt/p65 pathway that promotes inflammation and chemotaxis of immune cells. Then, Wnt5a activates a TLR/MyD88/p50 pathway exclusively in myelomonocytic cells promoting the synthesis of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and a tolerogenic phenotype. As a result of these mechanisms, Wnt5a plays a negative role on immune cell function that contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and would contribute to resistance to immunotherapy. Finally, we summarized the development of different strategies targeting either Wnt5a or the Wnt5a receptor ROR1 that can be helpful for cancer therapy by contributing to generate a more immunostimulatory tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimonides, Hidalgo 775, Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Gastón Barbero
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimonides, Hidalgo 775, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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16
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Hill M, Cox JL. Cystatin C Peptide Effects on B16F10 Melanoma Cells. Cell 2021. [DOI: 10.4236/cellbio.2021.101001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Simiczyjew A, Dratkiewicz E, Mazurkiewicz J, Ziętek M, Matkowski R, Nowak D. The Influence of Tumor Microenvironment on Immune Escape of Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8359. [PMID: 33171792 PMCID: PMC7664679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The low efficiency of currently-used anti-cancer therapies poses a serious challenge, especially in the case of malignant melanoma, a cancer characterized by elevated invasiveness and relatively high mortality rate. The role of the tumor microenvironment in the progression of melanoma and its acquisition of resistance to treatment seems to be the main focus of recent studies. One of the factors that, in normal conditions, aids the organism in its fight against the cancer and, following the malignant transformation, adapts to facilitate the development of the tumor is the immune system. A variety of cell types, i.e., T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic and natural killer cells, as well as neutrophils, support the growth and invasiveness of melanoma cells, utilizing a plethora of mechanisms, including secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules, induction of inhibitory receptors expression, or depletion of essential nutrients. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the processes regulated by tumor-associated cells that promote the immune escape of melanoma cells. The described mechanisms offer potential new targets for anti-cancer treatment and should be further studied to improve currently-employed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Simiczyjew
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Ewelina Dratkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Justyna Mazurkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Marcin Ziętek
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
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Lipid metabolic Reprogramming: Role in Melanoma Progression and Therapeutic Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113147. [PMID: 33121001 PMCID: PMC7692067 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma is a devastating skin cancer characterized by an impressive metabolic plasticity. Melanoma cells are able to adapt to the tumor microenvironment by using a variety of fuels that contribute to tumor growth and progression. In this review, the authors summarize the contribution of the lipid metabolic network in melanoma plasticity and aggressiveness, with a particular attention to specific lipid classes such as glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, sterols and eicosanoids. They also highlight the role of adipose tissue in tumor progression as well as the potential antitumor role of drugs targeting critical steps of lipid metabolic pathways in the context of melanoma. Abstract Metabolic reprogramming contributes to the pathogenesis and heterogeneity of melanoma. It is driven both by oncogenic events and the constraints imposed by a nutrient- and oxygen-scarce microenvironment. Among the most prominent metabolic reprogramming features is an increased rate of lipid synthesis. Lipids serve as a source of energy and form the structural foundation of all membranes, but have also emerged as mediators that not only impact classical oncogenic signaling pathways, but also contribute to melanoma progression. Various alterations in fatty acid metabolism have been reported and can contribute to melanoma cell aggressiveness. Elevated expression of the key lipogenic fatty acid synthase is associated with tumor cell invasion and poor prognosis. Fatty acid uptake from the surrounding microenvironment, fatty acid β-oxidation and storage also appear to play an essential role in tumor cell migration. The aim of this review is (i) to focus on the major alterations affecting lipid storage organelles and lipid metabolism. A particular attention has been paid to glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, sterols and eicosanoids, (ii) to discuss how these metabolic dysregulations contribute to the phenotype plasticity of melanoma cells and/or melanoma aggressiveness, and (iii) to highlight therapeutic approaches targeting lipid metabolism that could be applicable for melanoma treatment.
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Rodriguez-Trillo A, Mosquera N, Pena C, Rivas-Tobío F, Mera-Varela A, Gonzalez A, Conde C. Non-Canonical WNT5A Signaling Through RYK Contributes to Aggressive Phenotype of the Rheumatoid Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes. Front Immunol 2020; 11:555245. [PMID: 33178184 PMCID: PMC7593687 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.555245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We hypothesized that WNT5A could contribute to the enhanced migration and invasiveness of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA FLS), which is one of the incompletely understood aspects of the RA FLS aggressive phenotype. This hypothesis is based on the previous evidence of a WNT5A role in both, RA and cell migration. Migration and invasion of RA FLS were assessed after incubation with recombinant Wnt5a (rWnt5a) or silencing of the endogenous WNT5A expression. The expression of WNT5A, WNT receptors, cytokines, chemokines, and metalloproteinases was quantified with RT-PCR. The WNT pathway was explored with gene silencing, antibody and pharmacological inhibition followed by migration assays and phosphoprotein western blots. Here, we reported that rWnt5a promoted migration and invasion of RA FLS, whereas knockdown of the endogenous WNT5A reduced them. These effects were specific to the RA FLS since they were not observed in FLS from osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Also, rWnt5a induced the expression of IL6, IL8, CCL2, CXCL5, MMP1, MMP3, MMP9, and MMP13 from baseline or potentiating the TNF induction, WNT5A signaling required the RYK receptor and was mediated through the WNT/Ca2+ and the ROCK pathway. These pathways involved the RYK and ROCK dependent activation of the p38, ERK, AKT, and GSK3β kinases, but not the activation of JNK. Together these findings indicate that WNT5A contributes to the enhanced migration and invasiveness of RA FLS through RYK and the specific activation of ROCK and downstream kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Rodriguez-Trillo
- Laboratorio de Reumatología Experimental y Observacional, y Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clinico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Nerea Mosquera
- Laboratorio de Reumatología Experimental y Observacional, y Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clinico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Pena
- Laboratorio de Reumatología Experimental y Observacional, y Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clinico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Fatima Rivas-Tobío
- Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital Virxe da Xunqueira, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Antonio Mera-Varela
- Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clinico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Antonio Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Reumatología Experimental y Observacional, y Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clinico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Conde
- Laboratorio de Reumatología Experimental y Observacional, y Servicio de Reumatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clinico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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20
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Sun Y, Wang W, Zhao C. Frizzled Receptors in Tumors, Focusing on Signaling, Roles, Modulation Mechanisms, and Targeted Therapies. Oncol Res 2020; 28:661-674. [PMID: 32998794 PMCID: PMC7962935 DOI: 10.3727/096504020x16014648664459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt molecules play crucial roles in development and adult homeostasis through their receptors Frizzled proteins (Fzds). Fzds mediate canonical β-catenin pathway and various noncanonical β-catenin-independent pathways. Aberrant Fzd signaling is involved in many diseases including cancer. Wnt/β-catenin is a well-established oncogenic pathway involved in almost every aspect of tumor development. However, Fzd-mediated noncanonical Wnt pathways function as both tumor promoters and tumor suppressors depending on cellular context. Fzd-targeted therapies have proven to be effective on cultured tumor cells, tumor cell xenografts, mouse tumor models, and patient-derived xenografts (PDX). Moreover, Fzd-targeted therapies synergize with chemotherapy in preclinical models. However, the occurrence of fragility fractures in patients treated with Fzd-targeted agents such as OMP-54F28 and OMP-18R5 limits the development of this combination. Along with new insights on signaling, roles, and modulation mechanisms of Fzds in human tumors, more Fzd-related therapeutic targets will be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Sun
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical UniversityShenyangP.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical UniversityShenyangP.R. China
| | - Chenghai Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical UniversityShenyangP.R. China
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21
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Mohapatra P, Yadav V, Toftdahl M, Andersson T. WNT5A-Induced Activation of the Protein Kinase C Substrate MARCKS Is Required for Melanoma Cell Invasion. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020346. [PMID: 32033033 PMCID: PMC7072258 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
WNT5A is a well-known mediator of melanoma cell invasion and metastasis via its ability to activate protein kinase C (PKC), which is monitored by phosphorylation of the endogenous PKC substrate myristoylated alanine-rich c-kinase substrate (MARCKS). However, a possible direct contribution of MARCKS in WNT5A-mediated melanoma cell invasion has not been investigated. Analyses of melanoma patient databases suggested that similar to WNT5A expression, MARCKS expression appears to be associated with increased metastasis. A relationship between the two is suggested by the findings that recombinant WNT5A (rWNT5A) induces both increased expression and phosphorylation of MARCKS, whereas WNT5A silencing does the opposite. Moreover, WNT5A-induced invasion of melanoma cells was blocked by siRNA targeting MARCKS, indicating a crucial role of MARCKS expression and/or its phosphorylation. Next, we employed a peptide inhibitor of MARCKS phosphorylation that did not affect MARCKS expression and found that it abolished WNT5A-induced melanoma cell invasion. Similarly, rWNT5A induced the accumulation of phosphorylated MARCKS in membrane protrusions at the leading edge of melanoma cells. Our results demonstrate that WNT5A-induced phosphorylation of MARCKS is not only an indicator of PKC activity but also a crucial regulator of the metastatic behavior of melanoma and therefore an attractive future antimetastatic target in melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tommy Andersson
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (T.A.); Tel.: +46-40-391167 (P.M. & T.A.)
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22
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Webster MR, Fane ME, Alicea GM, Basu S, Kossenkov AV, Marino GE, Douglass SM, Kaur A, Ecker BL, Gnanapradeepan K, Ndoye A, Kugel C, Valiga A, Palmer J, Liu Q, Xu X, Morris J, Yin X, Wu H, Xu W, Zheng C, Karakousis GC, Amaravadi RK, Mitchell TC, Almeida FV, Xiao M, Rebecca VW, Wang YJ, Schuchter LM, Herlyn M, Murphy ME, Weeraratna AT. Paradoxical Role for Wild-Type p53 in Driving Therapy Resistance in Melanoma. Mol Cell 2019; 77:633-644.e5. [PMID: 31836388 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is an aggressive disease, despite recent improvements in therapy. Eradicating all melanoma cells even in drug-sensitive tumors is unsuccessful in patients because a subset of cells can transition to a slow-cycling state, rendering them resistant to most targeted therapy. It is still unclear what pathways define these subpopulations and promote this resistant phenotype. In the current study, we show that Wnt5A, a non-canonical Wnt ligand that drives a metastatic, therapy-resistant phenotype, stabilizes the half-life of p53 and uses p53 to initiate a slow-cycling state following stress (DNA damage, targeted therapy, and aging). Inhibiting p53 blocks the slow-cycling phenotype and sensitizes melanoma cells to BRAF/MEK inhibition. In vivo, this can be accomplished with a single dose of p53 inhibitor at the commencement of BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy. These data suggest that taking the paradoxical approach of inhibiting rather than activating wild-type p53 may sensitize previously resistant metastatic melanoma cells to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie R Webster
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A.; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA.
| | - Mitchell E Fane
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Gretchen M Alicea
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A.; University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Subhasree Basu
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Gloria E Marino
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Stephen M Douglass
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Amanpreet Kaur
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A.; University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Brett L Ecker
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A.; Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Keerthana Gnanapradeepan
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Abibatou Ndoye
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A.; University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Curtis Kugel
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Alexander Valiga
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Jessica Palmer
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Qin Liu
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jessicamarie Morris
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Xiangfan Yin
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hong Wu
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Wei Xu
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Cathy Zheng
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Giorgos C Karakousis
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ravi K Amaravadi
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tara C Mitchell
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Filipe V Almeida
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Min Xiao
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Vito W Rebecca
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Ying-Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 QingChun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Lynn M Schuchter
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Tara Miller Melanoma Center at Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - Maureen E Murphy
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A.; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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An Autocrine Wnt5a Loop Promotes NF-κB Pathway Activation and Cytokine/Chemokine Secretion in Melanoma. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091060. [PMID: 31510045 PMCID: PMC6770184 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt5a signaling has been implicated in the progression of cancer by regulating multiple cellular processes, largely migration and invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis. Since Wnt5a signaling has also been involved in inflammatory processes in infectious and inflammatory diseases, we addressed the role of Wnt5a in regulating NF-κB, a pivotal mediator of inflammatory responses, in the context of cancer. The treatment of melanoma cells with Wnt5a induced phosphorylation of the NF-κB subunit p65 as well as IKK phosphorylation and IκB degradation. By using cDNA overexpression, RNA interference, and dominant negative mutants we determined that ROR1, Dvl2, and Akt (from the Wnt5a pathway) and TRAF2 and RIP (from the NF-κB pathway) are required for the Wnt5a/NF-κB crosstalk. Wnt5a also induced p65 nuclear translocation and increased NF-κB activity as evidenced by reporter assays and a NF-κB-specific upregulation of RelB, Bcl-2, and Cyclin D1. Further, stimulation of melanoma cells with Wnt5a increased the secretion of cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6, IL-8, IL-11, and IL-6 soluble receptor, MCP-1, and TNF soluble receptor I. The inhibition of endogenous Wnt5a demonstrated that an autocrine Wnt5a loop is a major regulator of the NF-κB pathway in melanoma. Taken together, these results indicate that Wnt5a activates the NF-κB pathway and has an immunomodulatory effect on melanoma through the secretion of cytokines and chemokines.
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Cirmtuzumab blocks Wnt5a/ROR1 stimulation of NF-κB to repress autocrine STAT3 activation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood 2019; 134:1084-1094. [PMID: 31409670 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019001366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Coculture of nurse-like cells (NLCs) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells induced leukemia cell phosphorylation of STAT3 (pSTAT3), which could be blocked by anti-Wnt5a antibodies or the anti-ROR1 monoclonal antibody, cirmtuzumab. Time-course studies revealed Wnt5a could induce activation of NF-κB within 30 minutes, but required more than 3 hours to induce pSTAT3. Culture of isolated CLL cells for 24 hours revealed Wnt5a-induced expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, and CXCL1, which in turn could induce pSTAT3 in unstimulated CLL cells within 30 minutes. We found that Wnt5a could induce CLL cell expression of NF-κB target genes, including IL-6, and that this effect could be blocked by cirmtuzumab or drugs that inhibit NF-κB. Examination of CLL cells and plasma collected from patients treated with cirmtuzumab revealed reduced levels of phosphorylated p65 and diminished expression of NF-κB and STAT3 target genes in CLL cells, as well as lower plasma levels of IL-6, in the samples after therapy. Collectively, these studies indicate that Wnt5a/ROR1-dependent signaling contributes to CLL cell activation of NF-κB, which in turn causes autocrine IL-6-induced activation of pSTAT3. As such, this study demonstrates that cirmtuzumab can inhibit leukemia cell activation of both NF-κB and STAT3 in patients with CLL.
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Arozarena I, Wellbrock C. Phenotype plasticity as enabler of melanoma progression and therapy resistance. Nat Rev Cancer 2019; 19:377-391. [PMID: 31209265 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-019-0154-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is notorious for its inter- and intratumour heterogeneity, based on transcriptionally distinct melanoma cell phenotypes. It is thought that these distinct phenotypes are plastic in nature and that their transcriptional reprogramming enables heterogeneous tumours both to undergo different stages of melanoma progression and to adjust to drug exposure during treatment. Recent advances in genomic technologies and the rapidly expanding availability of large gene expression datasets have allowed for a refined definition of the gene signatures that characterize these phenotypes and have revealed that phenotype plasticity plays a major role in the resistance to both targeted therapy and immunotherapy. In this Review we discuss the definition of melanoma phenotypes through particular transcriptional states and reveal the prognostic relevance of the related gene expression signatures. We review how the establishment of phenotypes is controlled and which roles phenotype plasticity plays in melanoma development and therapy. Because phenotype plasticity in melanoma bears a great resemblance to epithelial-mesenchymal transition, the lessons learned from melanoma will also benefit our understanding of other cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imanol Arozarena
- Navarrabiomed, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra (CHN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Claudia Wellbrock
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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Wang L, Yao M, Fang M, Zheng WJ, Dong ZZ, Pan LH, Zhang HJ, Yao DF. Expression of hepatic Wnt5a and its clinicopathological features in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2018; 17:227-232. [PMID: 29709351 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUD Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 5a (Wnt5a) is involved in carcinogenesis. However, little data are available in Wnt5a signaling with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we investigated the expression of hepatic Wnt5a in HCC and the role of Wnt5a in HCC progression and outcome. METHODS Wnt5a expression and cellular distribution in HCCs and their matched paracancerous tissues from 87 patients were analyzed with tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry and compared with hepatic Wnt3a signaling. Wnt5a expression was categorized into low or high based on immunohistochemistry. Overall survival rate of HCC patients was estimated in correlation with the hepatic Wnt5a level using Kaplan-Meier method; the survival difference between patients with low and those with high Wnt5a was compared with log-rank test; and prognostic analysis was carried out with Cox regression. RESULTS Total incidence of Wnt5a expression in the HCC tissues was 70.1%, which was significantly lower (χ2 = 13.585, P < 0.001) than that in their paracancerous tissues (88.5%). Significant difference of Wnt5a intensity was found between HCC and their paracancerous tissues (Z = 8.463, P < 0.001). Wnt5a intensity was inversely correlated with Wnt3a signaling (r = -0.402, P < 0.001) in HCC tissues. A decrease of Wnt5a expression in relation to the clinical staging from stage I to IV and low or no staining at advanced HCC were observed. Wnt5a level was related to periportal embolus (χ2 = 11.069, P < 0.001), TNM staging (χ2 = 8.852, P < 0.05), 5-year survival (χ2 = 4.961, P < 0.05), and confirmed as an independent prognosis factor of HCC patients (hazard ratio: 1.957; 95% confidence interval: 1.109-3.456; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The decrease of hepatic Wnt5a signaling is associated with HCC progression and poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Medical Informatics, Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong, China; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Min Yao
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Miao Fang
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Wen-Jie Zheng
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Zhi-Zhen Dong
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Liu-Hong Pan
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Hai-Jian Zhang
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Deng-Fu Yao
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Rd, Nantong 226001, China.
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27
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Ahmed F, Haass NK. Microenvironment-Driven Dynamic Heterogeneity and Phenotypic Plasticity as a Mechanism of Melanoma Therapy Resistance. Front Oncol 2018; 8:173. [PMID: 29881716 PMCID: PMC5976798 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance constitutes a major challenge in designing melanoma therapies. Microenvironment-driven tumor heterogeneity and plasticity play a key role in this phenomenon. Melanoma is highly heterogeneous with diverse genomic alterations and expression of different biological markers. In addition, melanoma cells are highly plastic and capable of adapting quickly to changing microenvironmental conditions. These contribute to variations in therapy response and durability between individual melanoma patients. In response to changing microenvironmental conditions, like hypoxia and nutrient starvation, proliferative melanoma cells can switch to an invasive slow-cycling state. Cells in this state are more aggressive and metastatic, and show increased intrinsic drug resistance. During continuous treatment, slow-cycling cells are enriched within the tumor and give rise to a new proliferative subpopulation with increased drug resistance, by exerting their stem cell-like behavior and phenotypic plasticity. In melanoma, the proliferative and invasive states are defined by high and low microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression, respectively. It has been observed that in MITFhigh melanomas, inhibition of MITF increases the efficacy of targeted therapies and delays the acquisition of drug resistance. Contrarily, MITF is downregulated in melanomas with acquired drug resistance. According to the phenotype switching theory, the gene expression profile of the MITFlow state is predominantly regulated by WNT5A, AXL, and NF-κB signaling. Thus, different combinations of therapies should be effective in treating different phases of melanoma, such as the combination of targeted therapies with inhibitors of MITF expression during the initial treatment phase, but with inhibitors of WNT5A/AXL/NF-κB signaling during relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzana Ahmed
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nikolas K. Haass
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Discipline of Dermatology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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28
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Agnetti L, Fondello C, Villaverde MS, Glikin GC, Finocchiaro LME. Therapeutic potential of bleomycin plus suicide or interferon-β gene transfer combination for spontaneous feline and canine melanoma. Oncoscience 2017; 4:199-214. [PMID: 29344558 PMCID: PMC5769984 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We originated and characterized melanoma cell lines derived from tumors of two feline and two canine veterinary patients. These lines reestablished the morphology, physiology and cell heterogeneity of their respective parental tumors. We evaluated the cytotoxicity of bleomycin (BLM) alone, or combined with interferon-β (IFN-β) or HSVtk/GCV suicide gene (SG) lipofection on these cells. Although the four animals presented stage III disease (WHO system), SG treated feline tumors displayed stable disease in vivo, while the canine ones exhibited partial response. Their derived cell lines reflected this behavior. Feline were significantly more sensitive than canine cells to IFN-β gene transfer. BLM improved the antitumor effects of both genes. The higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly correlated with membrane and DNA damages, emphasizing ROS intervention in apoptotic and necrotic cell death. After 3 days of BLM alone or combined with gene treatments, the colony forming capacity of two canine and one feline treatments survivor cells almost disappeared. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatments eradicated tumor initiating cells and support the clinical potential of the tested combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrecia Agnetti
- Unidad de Transferencia Genética Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo" Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Chiara Fondello
- Unidad de Transferencia Genética Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo" Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela S Villaverde
- Unidad de Transferencia Genética Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo" Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gerardo C Glikin
- Unidad de Transferencia Genética Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo" Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Liliana M E Finocchiaro
- Unidad de Transferencia Genética Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo" Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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29
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Hossein G, Arabzadeh S, Salehi-Dulabi Z, Dehghani-Ghobadi Z, Heidarian Y, Talebi-Juybari M. Wnt5A regulates the expression of ROR2 tyrosine kinase receptor in ovarian cancer cells. Biochem Cell Biol 2017; 95:609-615. [PMID: 28538104 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2016-0216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt5A and receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2) proteins both regulate developmental processes, cell movement, and cell polarity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible regulatory role of Wnt5A on ROR2 expression in human ovarian cancer cell lines. Moreover, the expression of Wnt5A and ROR2 mRNA and protein levels were assessed in human epithelial serous ovarian cancer (HSOC) specimens. ROR2 was strongly decreased in cells treated with siRNA against Wnt5A compared with scramble-treated or lipofectamine-treated cells (P < 0.001). There was 34% decreased cell invasion (P < 0.01) in Wnt5A knock-down cells compared with lipofectamine-treated and scramble-treated cells; however, cell invasion remained unchanged upon addition of anti-ROR2 antibody to the culture media of these cells. In contrast, addition of anti-ROR2 antibody to the culture media for lipofectamine-treated and scramble-treated cells led to 32% decreased cell invasion (P < 0.01). Normal ovarian specimens were negative, and variable immunostaining was observed in HSOC for Wnt5A and ROR2 immunostaining. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between Wnt5A and ROR2 expression in high-grade SOC samples at the mRNA level (P < 0.05; r = 0.38). This is the first report to show the regulatory role of Wnt5A on ROR2 expression in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghamartaj Hossein
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Arabzadeh
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Salehi-Dulabi
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Dehghani-Ghobadi
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yassaman Heidarian
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Talebi-Juybari
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Animal Physiology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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30
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VanderVorst K, Hatakeyama J, Berg A, Lee H, Carraway KL. Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying planar cell polarity pathway contributions to cancer malignancy. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 81:78-87. [PMID: 29107170 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
While the mutational activation of oncogenes drives tumor initiation and growth by promoting cellular transformation and proliferation, increasing evidence suggests that the subsequent re-engagement of largely dormant developmental pathways contributes to cellular phenotypes associated with the malignancy of solid tumors. Genetic studies from a variety of model organisms have defined many of the components that maintain epithelial planar cell polarity (PCP), or cellular polarity in the axis orthogonal to the apical-basal axis. These same components comprise an arm of non-canonical Wnt signaling that mediates cell motility events such as convergent extension movements essential to proper development. In this review, we summarize the increasing evidence that the Wnt/PCP signaling pathway plays active roles in promoting the proliferative and migratory properties of tumor cells, emphasizing the importance of subcellular localization of PCP components and protein-protein interactions in regulating cellullar properties associated with malignancy. Specifically, we discuss the increased expression of Wnt/PCP pathway components in cancer and the functional consequences of aberrant pathway activation, focusing on Wnt ligands, Frizzled (Fzd) receptors, the tetraspanin-like proteins Vangl1 and Vangl2, and the Prickle1 (Pk1) scaffold protein. In addition, we discuss negative regulation of the Wnt/PCP pathway, with particular emphasis on the Nrdp1 E3 ubiquitin ligase. We hypothesize that engagement of the Wnt/PCP pathway after tumor initiation drives malignancy by promoting cellular proliferation and invasiveness, and that the ability of Wnt/PCP signaling to supplant oncogene addiction may contribute to tumor resistance to oncogenic pathway-directed therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacey VanderVorst
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Jason Hatakeyama
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Anastasia Berg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Hyun Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Kermit L Carraway
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States.
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Abstract
Inhibition of the BRAF/MAPK pathway belongs to the standard therapies for patients with activating BRAFV600E/K mutations. However, even in well-responding tumors, anti-tumorigenic effect and clinical benefit are only transient, and the original tumors often relapse. This demonstrates that there are remaining residual tumors, which have withstood therapy-induced apoptosis and which have the potential to resume growth. Although BRAF mutant melanoma cells seem to depend on BRAF/MAPK signaling, the inhibition of this pathway triggers several events, which modulate the tumor as well as the tumor niche. After a certain adaptation period, this can turn out to be beneficial for tumor growth and metastasis-even in cases of good initial tumor response. This review sheds light on the biology of BRAF/MEK inhibitor-sensitive melanoma cells, which survive targeted therapy and will address the crosstalk signaling events occurring in BRAF mutant melanomas when the BRAF/MAPK pathway is fully blocked. The knowledge of these events is important for potential future drug combinations, which enhance the inhibitory effect of BRAF/MEK inhibition, particularly in patients not eligible for immune therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Meierjohann
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany. .,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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32
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Slade L, Pulinilkunnil T. The MiTF/TFE Family of Transcription Factors: Master Regulators of Organelle Signaling, Metabolism, and Stress Adaptation. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:1637-1643. [PMID: 28851811 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The microphthalmia family (MITF, TFEB, TFE3, and TFEC) of transcription factors is emerging as global regulators of cancer cell survival and energy metabolism, both through the promotion of lysosomal genes as well as newly characterized targets, such as oxidative metabolism and the oxidative stress response. In addition, MiT/TFE factors can regulate lysosomal signaling, which includes the mTORC1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, which are both substantial contributors to oncogenic signaling. This review describes recent discoveries in MiT/TFE research and how they impact multiple cancer subtypes. Furthermore, the literature relating to TFE-fusion proteins in cancers and the potential mechanisms through which these genomic rearrangements promote tumorigenesis is reviewed. Likewise, the emerging function of the Folliculin (FLCN) tumor suppressor in negatively regulating the MiT/TFE family and how loss of this pathway promotes cancer is examined. Recent reports are also presented that relate to the role of MiT/TFE-driven lysosomal biogenesis in sustaining cancer cell metabolism and signaling in nutrient-limiting conditions. Finally, a discussion is provided on the future directions and unanswered questions in the field. In summary, the research surrounding the MiT/TFE family indicates that these transcription factors are promising therapeutic targets and biomarkers for cancers that thrive in stressful niches. Mol Cancer Res; 15(12); 1637-43. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Slade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Thomas Pulinilkunnil
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, New Brunswick, Canada.
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33
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Arozarena I, Wellbrock C. Targeting invasive properties of melanoma cells. FEBS J 2017; 284:2148-2162. [PMID: 28196297 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/11/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is a skin cancer notorious for its metastatic potential. As an initial step of the metastatic cascade, melanoma cells part from the primary tumour and invade the surrounding tissue, which is crucial for their dissemination and the formation of distant secondary tumours. Over the last two decades, our understanding of both, general and melanoma specific mechanisms of invasion has significantly improved, but to date no efficient therapeutic strategy tackling the invasive properties of melanoma cells has reached the clinic. In this review, we assess the major contributions towards the understanding of the molecular biology of melanoma cell invasion with a focus on melanoma specific traits. These traits are based on the neural crest origin of melanoma cells and explain their intrinsic invasive nature. A particular emphasis is given not only to lineage specific signalling mediated by TGFβ, and noncanonical and canonical WNT signalling, but also to the role of PDE5A and RHO-GTPases in modulating modes of melanoma cell invasion. We discuss existing caveats in the current understanding of the metastatic properties of melanoma cells, as well as the relevance of the 'phenotype switch' model and 'co-operativity' between different phenotypes in heterogeneous tumours. At the centre of these phenotypes is the lineage commitment factor microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, one of the most crucial regulators of the balance between de-differentiation (neural crest specific gene expression) and differentiation (melanocyte specific gene expression) that defines invasive and noninvasive melanoma cell phenotypes. Finally, we provide insight into the current evidence linking resistance to targeted therapies to invasive properties of melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imanol Arozarena
- Cancer Signalling Group, Navarrabiomed (Miguel Servet Foundation), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Claudia Wellbrock
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, UK
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34
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The Slow Cycling Phenotype: A Growing Problem for Treatment Resistance in Melanoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:1002-1009. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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35
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Costantini F, Barbieri G. The HLA-DR mediated signalling increases the migration and invasion of melanoma cells, the expression and lipid raft recruitment of adhesion receptors, PD-L1 and signal transduction proteins. Cell Signal 2017; 36:189-203. [PMID: 28495591 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The constitutive expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II molecules is restricted to professional Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs), nevertheless almost 50% of melanomas express constitutively the MHC class II molecules. Therefore, in two MHC class II constitutive expressing melanoma cell lines we studied the signalling mediated by the HLA-DR molecules in the aim to understand the consequence of class II mediated signalling on metastatic dissemination of melanoma. In particular, we reported that the HLA-DR mediated signalling play a new role in melanoma progression, increasing the migration and invasion of melanoma cells. Furthermore, we showed that the HLA-DR mediated signalling increases the expression and the lipid raft localisation of class II molecules, PD-L1 receptor, Integrin and CAM adhesion receptors, FAK, AKT and STAT3 signalling proteins. We also showed that the HLA-DR mediated signalling increases the activation of FAK, AKT, ERK, PKC and STAT3 signalling proteins and the expression of ILK, PAX, BRAF, ERK and PKC. Indeed, the results showed suggest that the HLA-DR mediated signalling provides a platform useful to frustrate an effective anti-tumour response and to increase melanoma migration and metastatic dissemination of this cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Costantini
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare "Alberto Monroy", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Barbieri
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare "Alberto Monroy", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
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36
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Daulat AM, Borg JP. Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity Signaling: New Opportunities for Cancer Treatment. Trends Cancer 2017; 3:113-125. [PMID: 28718442 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells are addicted to a large spectrum of extracellular cues implicated in initiation, stem cell renewal, tumor growth, dissemination in the body, and resistance to treatment. Wingless/Int-1 (Wnt) ligands and their associated signaling cascades contribute to most of these processes, paving the way for opportunities in therapeutic development. The developmental Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway is the most recently described branch of Wnt signaling strongly implicated in cancer development at early and late stages. We describe here some of the latest knowledge accumulated on this pathway and the pending questions, present the most convincing findings about its role in cancer, and review the most promising strategies currently designed to target its components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avais M Daulat
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Aix Marseille Univ UM105, Inst Paoli-Calmettes, UMR7258 CNRS, U1068 INSERM, 'Cell Polarity, Cell Signalling, and Cancer - Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer', Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Paul Borg
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Aix Marseille Univ UM105, Inst Paoli-Calmettes, UMR7258 CNRS, U1068 INSERM, 'Cell Polarity, Cell Signalling, and Cancer - Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer', Marseille, France.
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37
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Nwabo Kamdje A, Vecchio L, Takam Kamga P, Seke Etet P, Muller J, Bassi G, Krampera M. Developmental Pathways. INTRODUCTION TO CANCER METASTASIS 2017:337-352. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-804003-4.00018-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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38
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Nwabo Kamdje AH, Takam Kamga P, Tagne Simo R, Vecchio L, Seke Etet PF, Muller JM, Bassi G, Lukong E, Kumar Goel R, Mbo Amvene J, Krampera M. Developmental pathways associated with cancer metastasis: Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog. Cancer Biol Med 2017; 14:109-120. [PMID: 28607802 PMCID: PMC5444923 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2016.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Master developmental pathways, such as Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog, are signaling systems that control proliferation, cell death, motility, migration, and stemness. These systems are not only commonly activated in many solid tumors, where they drive or contribute to cancer initiation, but also in primary and metastatic tumor development. The reactivation of developmental pathways in cancer stroma favors the development of cancer stem cells and allows their maintenance, indicating these signaling pathways as particularly attractive targets for efficient anticancer therapies, especially in advanced primary tumors and metastatic cancers. Metastasis is the worst feature of cancer development. This feature results from a cascade of events emerging from the hijacking of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion by transforming cells and is associated with poor survival, drug resistance, and tumor relapse. In the present review, we summarize and discuss experimental data suggesting pivotal roles for developmental pathways in cancer development and metastasis, considering the therapeutic potential. Emerging targeted antimetastatic therapies based on Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog pathways are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Takam Kamga
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere 454, Cameroon
| | - Richard Tagne Simo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere 454, Cameroon
| | - Lorella Vecchio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere 454, Cameroon
| | | | - Jean Marc Muller
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere 454, Cameroon
| | - Giulio Bassi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere 454, Cameroon
| | - Erique Lukong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere 454, Cameroon
| | - Raghuveera Kumar Goel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere 454, Cameroon
| | - Jeremie Mbo Amvene
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere 454, Cameroon
| | - Mauro Krampera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere 454, Cameroon
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39
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Kaur A, Webster MR, Weeraratna AT. In the Wnt-er of life: Wnt signalling in melanoma and ageing. Br J Cancer 2016; 115:1273-1279. [PMID: 27764844 PMCID: PMC5129830 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2016.332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the clinical landscape of melanoma is improving rapidly, metastatic melanoma remains a deadly disease. Age remains one of the greatest risk factors for melanoma, and patients older than 55 have a much poorer prognosis than younger individuals, even when the data are controlled for grade and stage. The reasons for this disparity have not been fully uncovered, but there is some recent evidence that Wnt signalling may have a role. Wnt signalling is known to have roles both in cancer progression as well as in organismal ageing. In melanoma, the interplay of Wnt signalling pathways is complex, with different members of the Wnt family guiding different aspects of invasion and proliferation. Here, we will briefly review the current literature addressing the roles of different Wnt pathways in melanoma pathogenesis, provide an overview of Wnt signalling during ageing, and discuss the intersection between melanoma and ageing in terms of Wnt signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanpreet Kaur
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marie R Webster
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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40
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The role of dendritic cells in cancer. Semin Immunopathol 2016; 39:307-316. [PMID: 27638181 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-016-0592-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Though present in low numbers, dendritic cells (DCs) are recognized as major players in the control of cancer by adaptive immunity. The roles of cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells and Th1 helper CD4+ T-cells are well-documented in murine models of cancer and associated with a profound prognostic impact when infiltrating human tumors, but less information is known about how these T-cells gain access to the tumor or how they are primed to become tumor-specific. Here, we highlight recent findings that demonstrate a vital role of CD103+ DCs, which have been shown to be experts in cross-priming and the induction of anti-tumor immunity. We also focus on two different mediators that impair the function of tumor-associated DCs: prostaglandin E2 and β-catenin. Both of these mediators seem to be important for the exclusion of T-cells in the tumor microenvironment and may represent key pathways to target in optimized treatment regimens against cancer.
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41
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Wnt5a Signaling in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:cancers8090079. [PMID: 27571105 PMCID: PMC5040981 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8090079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt5a is involved in activating several non-canonical WNT signaling pathways, through binding to different members of the Frizzled- and Ror-family receptors. Wnt5a signaling is critical for regulating normal developmental processes, including proliferation, differentiation, migration, adhesion and polarity. However, the aberrant activation or inhibition of Wnt5a signaling is emerging as an important event in cancer progression, exerting both oncogenic and tumor suppressive effects. Recent studies show the involvement of Wnt5a in regulating cancer cell invasion, metastasis, metabolism and inflammation. In this article, we review findings regarding the molecular mechanisms and roles of Wnt5a signaling in various cancer types, and highlight Wnt5a in ovarian cancer.
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42
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Thiele S, Rachner TD, Rauner M, Hofbauer LC. WNT5A and Its Receptors in the Bone-Cancer Dialogue. J Bone Miner Res 2016; 31:1488-96. [PMID: 27355180 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.2899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling is critical for tumorigenesis and skeletal remodeling. However, its contribution to the formation of metastatic bone lesions remains poorly defined. One major challenge of unraveling its role in cancer progression is the high complexity of Wnt signaling, which includes numerous ligands, receptors, and inhibitors, with intricate biological effects and specific signaling pathways depending on the cellular context. In this perspective, we summarize the role of the noncanonical Wnt ligand WNT5A in the development and metastatic process of osteotropic cancer entities. We focus on its tumor-suppressive function in breast cancer, tumor promoting effects in melanoma, and ambiguous role in prostate cancer, and discuss potential challenges and opportunities that may be associated with targeting Wnt signaling for cancer therapy and treatment of bone metastases. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Thiele
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität (TU) Dresden Medical Center, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tilman D Rachner
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität (TU) Dresden Medical Center, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martina Rauner
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität (TU) Dresden Medical Center, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lorenz C Hofbauer
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität (TU) Dresden Medical Center, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität (TU) Dresden Medical Center, Dresden, Germany
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43
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The combination of bleomycin with suicide or interferon-β gene transfer is able to efficiently eliminate human melanoma tumor initiating cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 83:290-301. [PMID: 27399807 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We explored the potential of a chemogene therapy combination to eradicate melanoma tumor initiating cells, key producers of recurrence and metastatic spread. Three new human melanoma cell lines, two obtained from lymph nodes and one from spleen metastasis were established and characterized. They were cultured as monolayers and spheroids and, in both spatial configurations they displayed sensitivity to single treatments with bleomycin (BLM) or human interferon-β (hIFNβ) gene or herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir suicide gene (SG) lipofection. However, the combination of bleomycin with SG or hIFNβ gene transfer displayed greater antitumor efficacy. The three cell lines exhibited a proliferative behavior consistent with melan A and gp100 melanoma antigens expression, and BRAF V600E mutation. BLM and both genetic treatments increased the fraction of more differentiated and treatment-sensitive cells. Simultaneously, they significantly decreased the sub-population of tumor initiating cells. There was a significant correlation between the cytotoxicity of treatments with BLM and gene transfer and the fraction of cells exhibiting (i) high proliferation index, and (ii) high intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Conversely, the fraction of cells surviving to our treatments closely paralleled their (i) colony and (ii) melanosphere forming capacity. A very significant finding was that the combination of BLM with SG or hIFNβ gene almost abrogated the clonogenic capacity of the surviving cells. Altogether, the results presented here suggest that the combined chemo-gene treatments are able to eradicate tumor initiating cells, encouraging further studies aimed to apply this strategy in the clinic.
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44
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Emmons MF, Faião-Flores F, Smalley KSM. The role of phenotypic plasticity in the escape of cancer cells from targeted therapy. Biochem Pharmacol 2016; 122:1-9. [PMID: 27349985 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Targeted therapy has proven to be beneficial at producing significant responses in patients with a wide variety of cancers. Despite initially impressive responses, most individuals ultimately fail these therapies and show signs of drug resistance. Very few patients are ever cured. Emerging evidence suggests that treatment of cancer cells with kinase inhibitors leads a minor population of cells to undergo a phenotypic switch to a more embryonic-like state. The adoption of this state, which is analogous to an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, is associated with drug resistance and increased tumor aggressiveness. In this commentary we will provide a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms that underlie the embryonic reversion that occurs on targeted cancer therapy and will review potential novel therapeutic strategies designed to eradicate the escaping cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Emmons
- The Department of Tumor Biology, The Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Fernanda Faião-Flores
- The Department of Tumor Biology, The Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, USA; The Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Keiran S M Smalley
- The Department of Tumor Biology, The Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, USA; The Department of Cutaneous Oncology, The Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, USA.
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45
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Qin L, Yin YT, Zheng FJ, Peng LX, Yang CF, Bao YN, Liang YY, Li XJ, Xiang YQ, Sun R, Li AH, Zou RH, Pei XQ, Huang BJ, Kang TB, Liao DF, Zeng YX, Williams BO, Qian CN. WNT5A promotes stemness characteristics in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells leading to metastasis and tumorigenesis. Oncotarget 2016; 6:10239-52. [PMID: 25823923 PMCID: PMC4496352 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has the highest metastasis rate among head and neck cancers with unclear mechanism. WNT5A belongs to the WNT family of cysteine-rich secreted glycoproteins. Our previous high-throughput gene expression profiling revealed that WNT5A was up-regulated in highly metastatic cells. In the present study, we first confirmed the elevated expression of WNT5A in metastatic NPC tissues at both the mRNA and protein levels. We then found that WNT5A promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NPC cells, induced the accumulation of CD24-CD44+ cells and side population, which are believed to be cancer stem cell characteristics. Moreover, WNT5A promoted the migration and invasion of NPC cells in vitro, while in vivo treatment with recombinant WNT5A promoted lung metastasis. Knocking down WNT5A diminished NPC tumorigenesis in vivo. When elevated expression of WNT5A coincided with the elevated expression of vimentin in the primary NPC, the patients had a poorer prognosis. Among major signaling pathways, protein kinase C (PKC) signaling was activated by WNT5A in NPC cells. A positive feedback loop between WNT5A and phospho-PKC to promote EMT was also revealed. Taken together, these data suggest that WNT5A is an important molecule in promoting stem cell characteristics in NPC, leading to tumorigenesis and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Qin
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Hunan Province Engineering Research Center of Bioactive Substance Discovery of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Division of Pharmacoproteomics, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yan-Tao Yin
- Division of Pharmacoproteomics, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Fang-Jing Zheng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Radiotherapy, Ningde Municipal Hospital, Fujian Medical University Affiliated Hospital, Ningde, Fujian, China
| | - Li-Xia Peng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang-Fu Yang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Na Bao
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Ying Liang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Jian Li
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Brain Tumor Center and Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yan-Qun Xiang
- Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - An-Hua Li
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Ultrasonography, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ru-Hai Zou
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Ultrasonography, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Pei
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Ultrasonography, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Bi-Jun Huang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tie-Bang Kang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Duan-Fang Liao
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yi-Xin Zeng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bart O Williams
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling and Carcinogenesis, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Chao-Nan Qian
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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46
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Vaidya H, Rumph C, Katula KS. Inactivation of the WNT5A Alternative Promoter B Is Associated with DNA Methylation and Histone Modification in Osteosarcoma Cell Lines U2OS and SaOS-2. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151392. [PMID: 26978652 PMCID: PMC4792504 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
WNT5A is a secreted ligand involved in Wnt pathway signaling and has a role in cell movement and differentiation. Altered WNT5A expression is associated with various cancers, although in most studies the focus has been on only one of the known WNT5A isoforms. In this study, we analyzed expression from two of the major WNT5A promoters, termed promoter A and promoter B, in normal human osteoblasts, SaOS-2 and U2OS osteosarcoma cell lines, and osteosarcoma tumor tissue. We found that both promoters A and B are active in normal osteoblasts with nearly 11-fold more promoter B than A transcripts. Promoter B but not promoter A transcripts are decreased or nearly undetectable in the SaOS-2 and U2OS cell lines and osteosarcoma tumor tissues. Transient transfection of promoter A and promoter B reporter constructs confirmed that SaOS-2 cells have the necessary factors to transcribe both promoters. Bisulfite sequencing analysis revealed that three CpG enriched regions upstream of the promoter B exon 1βare highly methylated in both SaOS-2 and U2OS cells. The CpG island sub-region R6 located in promoter B exon 1β was approximately 51% methylated in SaOS-2 and 25% methylated in U2OS. Region 3 was approximately 28% methylated in normal osteoblasts, whereas the others were unmethylated. Promoter B was re-activated by treatment of SaOS-2 cells with 1 μM 5-azacytidine, which was associated with only a small insignificant change in methylation of sub-region R6. ChIP analysis of U2OS and SaOS-2 cells indicated that the promoter B region is less enriched in the active histone mark H3K4me3, in comparison to promoter A and that there is increased enrichment of the repressive mark H3K27me3 in association with the promoter B genomic region in the cell line SaOS-2. These findings show that epigenetic inactivation of the WNT5A promoter B involves both DNA methylation and histone modifications and suggest that differential expression of the WNT5A alternative promoters A and B is a characteristic of osteosarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himani Vaidya
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Candie Rumph
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Karen S. Katula
- Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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47
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Proteomics approaches to understanding mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor resistance in melanoma. Curr Opin Oncol 2016; 28:172-9. [DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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48
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Kumawat K, Gosens R. WNT-5A: signaling and functions in health and disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:567-87. [PMID: 26514730 PMCID: PMC4713724 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2076-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
WNT-5A plays critical roles in a myriad of processes from embryonic morphogenesis to the maintenance of post-natal homeostasis. WNT-5A knock-out mice fail to survive and present extensive structural malformations. WNT-5A predominantly activates β-catenin-independent WNT signaling cascade but can also activate β-catenin signaling to relay its diverse cellular effects such as cell polarity, migration, proliferation, cell survival, and immunomodulation. Moreover, aberrant WNT-5A signaling is associated with several human pathologies such as cancer, fibrosis, and inflammation. Thus, owing to its diverse functions, WNT-5A is a crucial signaling molecule currently under intense investigation with efforts to not only delineate its signaling mechanisms and functions in physiological and pathological conditions, but also to develop strategies for its therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuldeep Kumawat
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Reinoud Gosens
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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49
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Webster MR, Kugel CH, Weeraratna AT. The Wnts of change: How Wnts regulate phenotype switching in melanoma. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2015; 1856:244-51. [PMID: 26546268 PMCID: PMC4668201 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The outgrowth of metastatic and therapy-resistant subpopulations in cancer remains a critical barrier for the successful treatment of this disease. In melanoma, invasion and proliferation are uncoupled, such that highly proliferative melanoma cells are less likely to be invasive, and vice versa. The transition between each state is likely a dynamic rather than a static, permanent change. This is referred to as "phenotype switching". Wnt signaling pathways drive phenotypic changes and promote therapy resistance in melanoma, as well as play roles in the modulation of the immune microenvironment. Three Wnt signaling pathways play a role in melanoma progression, canonical (β-catenin dependent), polar cell polarity (PCP), and the Wnt/Ca²⁺ pathway. Here we summarize phenotype plasticity and its role in therapy resistance and immune evasion. Targeting the Wnt signaling pathways may be an effective way to overcome tumor plasticity in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie R Webster
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Curtis H Kugel
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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50
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Prasad CP, Mohapatra P, Andersson T. Therapy for BRAFi-Resistant Melanomas: Is WNT5A the Answer? Cancers (Basel) 2015; 7:1900-24. [PMID: 26393652 PMCID: PMC4586801 DOI: 10.3390/cancers7030868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, scientists have advocated the use of targeted therapies in the form of drugs that modulate genes and proteins that are directly associated with cancer progression and metastasis. Malignant melanoma is a dreadful cancer type that has been associated with the rapid dissemination of primary tumors to multiple sites, including bone, brain, liver and lungs. The discovery that approximately 40%–50% of malignant melanomas contain a mutation in BRAF at codon 600 gave scientists a new approach to tackle this disease. However, clinical studies on patients have shown that although BRAFi (BRAF inhibitors) trigger early anti-tumor responses, the majority of patients later develop resistance to the therapy. Recent studies have shown that WNT5A plays a key role in enhancing the resistance of melanoma cells to BRAFi. The focus of the current review will be on melanoma development, signaling pathways important to acquired resistance to BRAFi, and why WNT5A inhibitors are attractive candidates to be included in combinatorial therapies for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Prakash Prasad
- Cell and Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Clinical Research Centre, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö SE-20502, Sweden.
| | - Purusottam Mohapatra
- Cell and Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Clinical Research Centre, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö SE-20502, Sweden.
| | - Tommy Andersson
- Cell and Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Clinical Research Centre, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö SE-20502, Sweden.
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