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Huang X, Qi L, Lu W, Li Z, Li W, Li F. Retracted article: MYCN contributes to the sensitization of acute myelogenous leukemia cells to cisplatin by targeting SRY-box transcription factor 4. Bioengineered 2024; 15:1997697. [PMID: 34709111 PMCID: PMC10841026 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1997697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Xianbao Huang, Ling Qi, Wei Lu, Ziye Li, Wuping Li and Fei Li. MYCN contributes to the sensitization of acute myelogenous leukemia cells to cisplatin by targeting SRY-box transcription factor 4. Bioengineered. 2021 Oct. doi: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1997697.Since publication, significant concerns have been raised about the compliance with ethical policies for human research and the integrity of the data reported in the article.When approached for an explanation, the authors provided some original data but were not able to provide all the necessary supporting information. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the scholarly record's integrity, we are retracting the article. All authors listed in this publication have been informed.We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines.The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as 'Retracted.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbao Huang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Ling Qi
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Ziye Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Wuping Li
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Department, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Qingshan Lake District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, China
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Lisek M, Tomczak J, Swiatek J, Kaluza A, Boczek T. Histone Deacetylases in Retinoblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6910. [PMID: 39000021 PMCID: PMC11241206 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25136910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Retinoblastoma, a pediatric ocular malignancy, presents significant challenges in comprehending its molecular underpinnings and targeted therapeutic approaches. The dysregulated activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been associated with retinoblastoma pathogenesis, influencing critical cellular processes like cell cycle regulation or retinal ganglion cell apoptosis. Through their deacetylase activity, HDACs exert control over key tumor suppressors and oncogenes, influencing the delicate equilibrium between proliferation and cell death. Furthermore, the interplay between HDACs and the retinoblastoma protein pathway, a pivotal aspect of retinoblastoma etiology, reveals a complex network of interactions influencing the tumor microenvironment. The examination of HDAC inhibitors, encompassing both established and novel compounds, offers insights into potential approaches to restore acetylation balance and impede retinoblastoma progression. Moreover, the identification of specific HDAC isoforms exhibiting varying expression in retinoblastoma provides avenues for personalized therapeutic strategies, allowing for interventions tailored to individual patient profiles. This review focuses on the intricate interrelationship between HDACs and retinoblastoma, shedding light on epigenetic mechanisms that control tumor development and progression. The exploration of HDAC-targeted therapies underscores the potential for innovative treatment modalities in the pursuit of more efficacious and personalized management strategies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malwina Lisek
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland; (J.T.); (J.S.); (A.K.)
| | | | | | | | - Tomasz Boczek
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland; (J.T.); (J.S.); (A.K.)
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Prathipati P, Pathania AS, Chaturvedi NK, Gupta SC, Byrareddy SN, Coulter DW, Challagundla KB. SAP30, an oncogenic driver of progression, poor survival, and drug resistance in neuroblastoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:101543. [PMID: 38817681 PMCID: PMC11137595 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most devastating extracranial solid malignancy in children. Despite an intense treatment regimen, the prognosis for high-risk neuroblastoma patients remains poor, with less than 40% survival. So far, MYCN amplification status is considered the most prognostic factor but corresponds to only ∼25% of neuroblastoma patients. Therefore, it is essential to identify a better prognosis and therapy response marker in neuroblastoma patients. We applied robust bioinformatic data mining tools, such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis, cisTarget, and single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering on two neuroblastoma patient datasets. We found Sin3A-associated protein 30 (SAP30), a driver transcription factor positively associated with high-risk, progression, stage 4, and poor survival in neuroblastoma patient cohorts. Tumors of high-risk neuroblastoma patients and relapse-specific patient-derived xenografts showed higher SAP30 levels. The advanced pharmacogenomic analysis and CRISPR-Cas9 screens indicated that SAP30 essentiality is associated with cisplatin resistance and further showed higher levels in cisplatin-resistant patient-derived xenograft tumor cell lines. Silencing of SAP30 induced cell death in vitro and led to a reduced tumor burden and size in vivo. Altogether, these results indicate that SAP30 is a better prognostic and cisplatin-resistance marker and thus a potential drug target in high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Prathipati
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki City, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Anup S. Pathania
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Nagendra K. Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Subash C. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Siddappa N. Byrareddy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Don W. Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kishore B. Challagundla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- The Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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Papadopoulos D, Ha SA, Fleischhauer D, Uhl L, Russell TJ, Mikicic I, Schneider K, Brem A, Valanju OR, Cossa G, Gallant P, Schuelein-Voelk C, Maric HM, Beli P, Büchel G, Vos SM, Eilers M. The MYCN oncoprotein is an RNA-binding accessory factor of the nuclear exosome targeting complex. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2070-2086.e20. [PMID: 38703770 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The MYCN oncoprotein binds active promoters in a heterodimer with its partner protein MAX. MYCN also interacts with the nuclear exosome, a 3'-5' exoribonuclease complex, suggesting a function in RNA metabolism. Here, we show that MYCN forms stable high-molecular-weight complexes with the exosome and multiple RNA-binding proteins. MYCN binds RNA in vitro and in cells via a conserved sequence termed MYCBoxI. In cells, MYCN associates with thousands of intronic transcripts together with the ZCCHC8 subunit of the nuclear exosome targeting complex and enhances their processing. Perturbing exosome function results in global re-localization of MYCN from promoters to intronic RNAs. On chromatin, MYCN is then replaced by the MNT(MXD6) repressor protein, inhibiting MYCN-dependent transcription. RNA-binding-deficient alleles show that RNA-binding limits MYCN's ability to activate cell growth-related genes but is required for MYCN's ability to promote progression through S phase and enhance the stress resilience of neuroblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Papadopoulos
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Anh Ha
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Fleischhauer
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Leonie Uhl
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Timothy J Russell
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ivan Mikicic
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology (IDN), Johannes Gutenberg University, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Johannes Gutenberg University, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Katharina Schneider
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Annika Brem
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Omkar Rajendra Valanju
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Building D15, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Giacomo Cossa
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Gallant
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christina Schuelein-Voelk
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Core Unit High-Content Microscopy, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hans Michael Maric
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, Building D15, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Petra Beli
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology (IDN), Johannes Gutenberg University, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Johannes Gutenberg University, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Gabriele Büchel
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Seychelle M Vos
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Martin Eilers
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
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Wang H, Li T, Ni X, Chen X, He L, Cai J. Image-defined risk factors associated with MYCN oncogene amplification in neuroblastoma and their association with overall survival. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2024; 49:1949-1960. [PMID: 38436700 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-024-04196-w] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The MYCN oncogene is a critical factor in the development and progression of neuroblastoma, and image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) are radiological findings used for the preoperative staging of neuroblastoma. This study aimed to investigate the specific categories of IDRFs associated with MYCN amplification in neuroblastoma and their association with overall survival. METHOD A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of 280 pediatric patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma, utilizing a combination of clinical and radiological data. MYCN amplification status was ascertained through molecular testing, and the assessment of IDRFs was conducted using either contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The specific categories of IDRFs associated with MYCN amplification and their association with overall survival were analyzed. RESULTS MYCN amplification was identified in 19.6% (55/280) of patients, with the majority of primary lesions located in the abdomen (53/55, 96.4%). Lesions accompanied by MYCN amplification exhibited significantly larger tumor volume and a greater number of IDRFs compared with those without MYCN amplification (P < 0.001). Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that coeliac axis/superior mesenteric artery encasement and infiltration of adjacent organs/structures were independently associated with MYCN amplification in abdominal neuroblastoma (P < 0.05). Patients presenting with more than four IDRFs experienced a worse prognosis (P = 0.017), and infiltration of adjacent organs/structures independently correlated with overall survival in abdominal neuroblastoma (P = 0.009). CONCLUSION The IDRFs are closely correlated with the MYCN amplification status and overall survival in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoru Wang
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Xiaoying Ni
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| | - Ling He
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| | - Jinhua Cai
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders, No. 136 Zhongshan Road 2, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China.
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Maines LW, Keller SN, Smith RA, Schrecengost RS, Smith CD. Opaganib Downregulates N-Myc Expression and Suppresses In Vitro and In Vivo Growth of Neuroblastoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1779. [PMID: 38730731 PMCID: PMC11082966 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common cancer in infants and the most common solid tumor outside the brain in children, grows aggressively and responds poorly to current therapies. We have identified a new drug (opaganib, also known as ABC294640) that modulates sphingolipid metabolism by inhibiting the synthesis of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) by sphingosine kinase-2 and elevating dihydroceramides by inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase. The present studies sought to determine the potential therapeutic activity of opaganib in cell culture and xenograft models of NB. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that NB cells, including cells with amplified MYCN, are effectively killed by opaganib concentrations well below those that accumulate in tumors in vivo. Opaganib was shown to cause dose-dependent decreases in S1P and hexosylceramide levels in Neuro-2a cells, while concurrently elevating levels of dihydroceramides. As with other tumor cells, opaganib reduced c-Myc and Mcl-1 protein levels in Neuro-2a cells, and also reduced the expression of the N-Myc protein. The in vivo growth of xenografts of human SK-N-(BE)2 cells with amplified MYCN was suppressed by oral administration of opaganib at doses that are well tolerated in mice. Combining opaganib with temozolomide plus irinotecan, considered the backbone for therapy of relapsed or refractory NB, resulted in increased antitumor activity in vivo compared with temozolomide plus irinotecan or opaganib alone. Mice did not lose additional weight when opaganib was combined with temozolomide plus irinotecan, indicating that the combination is well tolerated. Opaganib has additive antitumor activity toward Neuro-2a tumors when combined with the checkpoint inhibitor anti-CTLA-4 antibody; however, the combination of opaganib with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies did not provide increased antitumor activity over that seen with opaganib alone. Overall, the data demonstrate that opaganib modulates sphingolipid metabolism and intracellular signaling in NB cells and inhibits NB tumor growth alone and in combination with other anticancer drugs. Amplified MYCN does not confer resistance to opaganib, and, in fact, the drug attenuates the expression of both c-Myc and N-Myc. The safety of opaganib has been established in clinical trials with adults with advanced cancer or severe COVID-19, and so opaganib has excellent potential for treating patients with NB, particularly in combination with temozolomide and irinotecan or anti-CTLA-4 antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Charles D. Smith
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, 1214 Research Blvd, Suite 2015, Hummelstown, PA 17036, USA
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Joseph S, Pike S, Peng CC, Brown B, Xu L, Berry JL, Chévez-Barrios P, Hubbard GB, Grossniklaus HE. Retinoblastoma with MYCN Amplification Diagnosed from Cell-Free DNA in the Aqueous Humor. Ocul Oncol Pathol 2024; 10:15-24. [PMID: 38751495 PMCID: PMC11095586 DOI: 10.1159/000533311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The objective of this study was to report the clinicopathologic features of three cases of MYCN-amplified retinoblastoma identified genetically by aqueous humor sampling. Methods Whole-genome sequencing was performed using isolated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from aqueous humor of 3 retinoblastoma patients. We analyzed genomic copy number and mutational alterations, histologic and pathologic features, and clinical data. Results The most common genetic alteration identified in these three retinoblastoma cases was a focal MYCN amplification on 2p. All tumors showed an early age of diagnosis with a median of 9 months. The tumor histopathologic features included neovascularization and subretinal seeding in case 1, diffuse nature with choroidal and prelaminar optic nerve invasion in case 2, and complete vitreous seeding in case 3. Case 1 expressed RB protein and had no RB1 mutation, case 2 did not express RB protein and had an RB1 mutation, and case 3 did not express RB protein and likely had an epigenetic effect on RB expression. Conclusions Our report shows 3 cases of unilateral retinoblastomas diagnosed in patients ranging from 4 months to 18 months old. Genomic analysis from AH cfDNA revealed MYCN amplification with intact RB protein staining in case 1 and lack of RB staining in cases 2 and 3. RB1 mutational analysis in the AH confirmed a pathogenic variant in case 2. Clinical pathology showed features requiring aggressive treatment, specifically enucleation. Importance MYCN-amplified retinoblastomas demonstrate unique pathogenesis and aggressive behavior, regardless if MYCN is a primary or secondary driver of disease. Genomic analysis from aqueous humor may be useful when deciding to enucleate as opposed to treating conservatively. Focal MYCN amplification on 2p might be relevant for tumor growth in this subset of the retinoblastoma population in terms of targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Joseph
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Pike
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chen-Ching Peng
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brianne Brown
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Liya Xu
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jesse L. Berry
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Norris Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - G. Baker Hubbard
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hans E. Grossniklaus
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Qin X, Lam A, Zhang X, Sengupta S, Iorgulescu JB, Ni H, Das S, Rager M, Zhou Z, Zuo T, Meara GK, Floru AE, Kemet C, Veerapaneni D, Kashy D, Lin L, Lloyd K, Kwok L, Smith KS, Nagaraju RT, Meijers R, Ceol C, Liu CT, Alexandrescu S, Wu CJ, Keskin DB, George RE, Feng H. CKLF instigates a "cold" microenvironment to promote MYCN-mediated tumor aggressiveness. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadh9547. [PMID: 38489372 PMCID: PMC10942121 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh9547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Solid tumors, especially those with aberrant MYCN activation, often harbor an immunosuppressive microenvironment to fuel malignant growth and trigger treatment resistance. Despite this knowledge, there are no effective strategies to tackle this problem. We found that chemokine-like factor (CKLF) is highly expressed by various solid tumor cells and transcriptionally up-regulated by MYCN. Using the MYCN-driven high-risk neuroblastoma as a model system, we demonstrated that as early as the premalignant stage, tumor cells secrete CKLF to attract CCR4-expressing CD4+ cells, inducing immunosuppression and tumor aggression. Genetic depletion of CD4+ T regulatory cells abolishes the immunorestrictive and protumorigenic effects of CKLF. Our work supports that disrupting CKLF-mediated cross-talk between tumor and CD4+ suppressor cells represents a promising immunotherapeutic approach to battling MYCN-driven tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Qin
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew Lam
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xu Zhang
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Satyaki Sengupta
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J. Bryan Iorgulescu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hongru Ni
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sanjukta Das
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubanesw, India
| | - Madison Rager
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhenwei Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tao Zuo
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Grace K. Meara
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander E. Floru
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chinyere Kemet
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Divya Veerapaneni
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Kashy
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liang Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Lauren Kwok
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaylee S. Smith
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Raghavendar T. Nagaraju
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Colorectal and Peritoneal Oncology Centre, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Rob Meijers
- Institute for Protein Innovation, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Craig Ceol
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ching-Ti Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sanda Alexandrescu
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Catherine J. Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Derin B. Keskin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Translational Immunogenomics Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Section for Bioinformatics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Computer Science, Metropolitan College, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rani E. George
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hui Feng
- Departments of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics and Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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9
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Fernando D, Ahmed AU, Williams BRG. Therapeutically targeting the unique disease landscape of pediatric high-grade gliomas. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1347694. [PMID: 38525424 PMCID: PMC10957575 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1347694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) are a rare yet devastating malignancy of the central nervous system's glial support cells, affecting children, adolescents, and young adults. Tumors of the central nervous system account for the leading cause of pediatric mortality of which high-grade gliomas present a significantly grim prognosis. While the past few decades have seen many pediatric cancers experiencing significant improvements in overall survival, the prospect of survival for patients diagnosed with pHGGs has conversely remained unchanged. This can be attributed in part to tumor heterogeneity and the existence of the blood-brain barrier. Advances in discovery research have substantiated the existence of unique subgroups of pHGGs displaying alternate responses to different therapeutics and varying degrees of overall survival. This highlights a necessity to approach discovery research and clinical management of the disease in an alternative subtype-dependent manner. This review covers traditional approaches to the therapeutic management of pHGGs, limitations of such methods and emerging alternatives. Novel mutations which predominate the pHGG landscape are highlighted and the therapeutic potential of targeting them in a subtype specific manner discussed. Collectively, this provides an insight into issues in need of transformative progress which arise during the management of pHGGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasun Fernando
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Afsar U. Ahmed
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Bryan R. G. Williams
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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10
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Perotti D, Williams RD, Wegert J, Brzezinski J, Maschietto M, Ciceri S, Gisselsson D, Gadd S, Walz AL, Furtwaengler R, Drost J, Al-Saadi R, Evageliou N, Gooskens SL, Hong AL, Murphy AJ, Ortiz MV, O'Sullivan MJ, Mullen EA, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, Fernandez CV, Graf N, Grundy PE, Geller JI, Dome JS, Perlman EJ, Gessler M, Huff V, Pritchard-Jones K. Hallmark discoveries in the biology of Wilms tumour. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:158-180. [PMID: 37848532 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00824-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
The modern study of Wilms tumour was prompted nearly 50 years ago, when Alfred Knudson proposed the 'two-hit' model of tumour development. Since then, the efforts of researchers worldwide have substantially expanded our knowledge of Wilms tumour biology, including major advances in genetics - from cloning the first Wilms tumour gene to high-throughput studies that have revealed the genetic landscape of this tumour. These discoveries improve understanding of the embryonal origin of Wilms tumour, familial occurrences and associated syndromic conditions. Many efforts have been made to find and clinically apply prognostic biomarkers to Wilms tumour, for which outcomes are generally favourable, but treatment of some affected individuals remains challenging. Challenges are also posed by the intratumoural heterogeneity of biomarkers. Furthermore, preclinical models of Wilms tumour, from cell lines to organoid cultures, have evolved. Despite these many achievements, much still remains to be discovered: further molecular understanding of relapse in Wilms tumour and of the multiple origins of bilateral Wilms tumour are two examples of areas under active investigation. International collaboration, especially when large tumour series are required to obtain robust data, will help to answer some of the remaining unresolved questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Perotti
- Predictive Medicine: Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - Richard D Williams
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Section of Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jenny Wegert
- Theodor-Boveri-Institute/Biocenter, Developmental Biochemistry, Wuerzburg University, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Jack Brzezinski
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mariana Maschietto
- Research Center, Boldrini Children's Hospital, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sara Ciceri
- Predictive Medicine: Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - David Gisselsson
- Cancer Cell Evolution Unit, Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Clinical Genetics, Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Office of Medical Services, Skåne, Sweden
| | - Samantha Gadd
- Department of Pathology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Amy L Walz
- Division of Hematology,Oncology, Neuro-Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplant, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rhoikos Furtwaengler
- Division of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital Bern University, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jarno Drost
- Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Reem Al-Saadi
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Histopathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Nicholas Evageliou
- Divisions of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, CHOP Specialty Care Center, Vorhees, NJ, USA
| | - Saskia L Gooskens
- Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Andrew L Hong
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Andrew J Murphy
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michael V Ortiz
- Department of Paediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maureen J O'Sullivan
- Histology Laboratory, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elizabeth A Mullen
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Conrad V Fernandez
- Division of Paediatric Hematology Oncology, IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Norbert Graf
- Department of Paediatric Oncology and Hematology, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany
| | - Paul E Grundy
- Department of Paediatrics Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - James I Geller
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Dome
- Division of Oncology, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's National Hospital and the Department of Paediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Perlman
- Department of Pathology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Manfred Gessler
- Theodor-Boveri-Institute/Biocenter, Developmental Biochemistry, Wuerzburg University, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Vicki Huff
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kathy Pritchard-Jones
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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11
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Gao W, Guo N, Yan H, Zhao S, Sun Y, Chen Z. Mycn ameliorates cardiac hypertrophy-induced heart failure in mice by mediating the USP2/JUP/Akt/β-catenin cascade. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2024; 24:82. [PMID: 38297207 PMCID: PMC10829249 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03748-8] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is associated with cardiac dysfunction and is a key risk factor for heart failure and even sudden death. This study investigates the function of Mycn in cardiac hypertrophy and explores the interacting molecules. METHODS A mouse model of cardiac hypertrophy was induced by isoproterenol (ISO). The cardiac dysfunction was assessed by the heart weight-to-body weight ratio (HW/BW), echocardiography assessment, pathological staining, biomarker detection, and cell apoptosis. Transcriptome alteration in cardiac hypertrophy was analyzed by bioinformatics analysis. Gain- or loss-of-function studies of MYCN proto-oncogene (Mycn), ubiquitin specific peptidase 2 (USP2), and junction plakoglobin (JUP) were performed. The biological functions of Mycn were further examined in ISO-treated cardiomyocytes. The molecular interactions were verified by luciferase assay or immunoprecipitation assays. RESULTS Mycn was poorly expressed in ISO-treated mice, and its upregulation reduced HW/BW, cell surface area, oxidative stress, and inflammation while improving cardiac function of mice. It also reduced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in mice and those in vitro induced by ISO. Mycn bound to the USP2 promoter to activate its transcription. USP2 overexpression exerted similar myocardial protective functions. It stabilized JUP protein by deubiquitination modification, which blocked the Akt/β-catenin pathway. Knockdown of JUP restored phosphorylation of Akt and β-catenin protein level, which negated the protective effects of USP2. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that Mycn activates USP2 transcription, which mediates ubiquitination and protein stabilization of JUP, thus inactivating the Akt/β-catenin axis and alleviating cardiac hypertrophy-induced heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weinian Gao
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, P.R. China
- Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, P.R. China
| | - Na Guo
- Department of Geriatry II, TCM Hospital of Shijiazhuang city, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, P.R. China
| | - Hongjiang Yan
- Department of Thoracic surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, P.R. China
| | - Shuguang Zhao
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, P.R. China
| | - Yongquan Sun
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, P.R. China
| | - Ziying Chen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000, P.R. China.
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12
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Lu H, Shen H, Mao L, Mussap M, Song L. A ferroptosis-related ceRNA network for investigating the molecular mechanisms and the treatment of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Transl Pediatr 2024; 13:119-136. [PMID: 38323182 PMCID: PMC10839276 DOI: 10.21037/tp-23-596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is a clinical syndrome causing brain injury in newborns with obscure etiology. Increasing evidence suggests that ferroptosis plays a role in HIBD. This study aimed to clarify the key ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) of HIBD, construct a long non-coding RNA-microRNA-messenger RNA (lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA) network, and further investigate the pathogenesis of HIBD. Methods Gene expression data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus and FerrDb databases. The differentially expressed lncRNAs and FRGs were screened, and the related miRNAs and mRNAs were predicted. The obtained mRNA was intersected with the differentially expressed FRGs (DE-FRGs) to identify the key DE-FRGs. Cell-type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcripts method was applied to analyze the immune cell infiltration level and the relationship between key genes and immune cells. Results Gene differential expression analysis revealed that 1,178 lncRNAs, 207 miRNAs, and 647 mRNAs were differentially expressed in the blood of HIBD patients in comparison to healthy controls. The correlations of the lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs lead to the establishment of a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network associated with ferroptosis in HIBD. Further validation using an external dataset and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of brain tissues from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy rats confirmed the expression patterns of three key genes, including HMOX1, MYCN, and QSOX1. Meanwhile, the three key genes were closely correlated with the infiltration of multiple immune cells and might affect the function of HIBD regulatory genes such as CPT2 and GCK. In addition, drug prediction suggested that four drugs, including cephaeline, emetine, mestranol, and sulmazole, might alleviate HIBD. Conclusions Our study established a ceRNA network, identified three key genes, and predicted four drugs that are associated with ferroptosis in HIBD, which provides new ideas for the investigation of the disease mechanisms and might facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyi Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Nantong First People’s Hospital (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University), Nantong, China
| | - Haiyan Shen
- Department of Pediatrics, Nantong First People’s Hospital (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University), Nantong, China
| | - Liming Mao
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Basic Medical Research Center, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Michele Mussap
- Laboratory Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Lei Song
- Department of Pediatrics, Nantong First People’s Hospital (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University), Nantong, China
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13
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Stocchero M, Corallo D, Bresolin S, Pantile M, Pirillo P, Bortolozzi R, Menegazzo S, Boso D, Viola G, Baraldi E, Biffi A, Giordano G, Aveic S. A Multi-Omics Approach Reveals Enrichment in Metabolites Involved in the Regulation of the Glutathione Pathway in LIN28B-Dependent Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1602. [PMID: 38338881 PMCID: PMC10855783 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein LIN28B, identified as an independent risk factor in high-risk neuroblastoma patients, is implicated in adverse treatment outcomes linked to metastasis and chemoresistance. Despite its clinical significance, the impact of LIN28B on neuroblastoma cell metabolism remains unexplored. This study employs a multi-omics approach, integrating transcriptome and metabolome data, to elucidate the global metabolic program associated with varying LIN28B expression levels over time. Our findings reveal that escalating LIN28B expression induces a significant metabolic rewiring in neuroblastoma cells. Specifically, LIN28B prompts a time-dependent increase in the release rate of metabolites related to the glutathione and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthetic pathways, concomitant with a reduction in glucose uptake. These results underscore the pivotal role of LIN28B in governing neuroblastoma cell metabolism and suggest a potential disruption in the redox balance of LIN28B-bearing cells. This study offers valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying LIN28B-associated adverse outcomes in neuroblastoma, paving the way for targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Stocchero
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.B.); (P.P.); (R.B.); (S.M.); (G.V.); (A.B.); (G.G.)
- Laboratory Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomics, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Diana Corallo
- Laboratory of Target Discovery and Biology of Neuroblastoma, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy; (M.P.); (D.B.); (S.A.)
| | - Silvia Bresolin
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.B.); (P.P.); (R.B.); (S.M.); (G.V.); (A.B.); (G.G.)
| | - Marcella Pantile
- Laboratory of Target Discovery and Biology of Neuroblastoma, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy; (M.P.); (D.B.); (S.A.)
| | - Paola Pirillo
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.B.); (P.P.); (R.B.); (S.M.); (G.V.); (A.B.); (G.G.)
- Laboratory Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomics, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Roberta Bortolozzi
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.B.); (P.P.); (R.B.); (S.M.); (G.V.); (A.B.); (G.G.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Menegazzo
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.B.); (P.P.); (R.B.); (S.M.); (G.V.); (A.B.); (G.G.)
- Laboratory of Target Discovery and Biology of Neuroblastoma, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy; (M.P.); (D.B.); (S.A.)
| | - Daniele Boso
- Laboratory of Target Discovery and Biology of Neuroblastoma, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy; (M.P.); (D.B.); (S.A.)
| | - Giampietro Viola
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.B.); (P.P.); (R.B.); (S.M.); (G.V.); (A.B.); (G.G.)
| | - Eugenio Baraldi
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.B.); (P.P.); (R.B.); (S.M.); (G.V.); (A.B.); (G.G.)
- Laboratory Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomics, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Biffi
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.B.); (P.P.); (R.B.); (S.M.); (G.V.); (A.B.); (G.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Giordano
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.B.); (P.P.); (R.B.); (S.M.); (G.V.); (A.B.); (G.G.)
- Laboratory Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomics, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Sanja Aveic
- Laboratory of Target Discovery and Biology of Neuroblastoma, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy; (M.P.); (D.B.); (S.A.)
- Department of Dental Materials and Biomaterials Research, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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14
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Parkhi M, Ahuja N, Kumar D, Basher RK, Singh N, Singh H, Bal A. Adult Pulmonary Blastoma: A Case Report with Spectrum of Rare Manifestations. Turk Patoloji Derg 2024; 40:63-68. [PMID: 38235566 PMCID: PMC10823784 DOI: 10.5146/tjpath.2023.01597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary blastoma (PB) is an exceedingly rare and aggressive malignant lung neoplasm that has distinct biphasic morphology. In this report, we document rare manifestations and molecular alterations in PB. A 59-year-old non-smoker female, presented with cough and hemoptysis for 4 months. The high-resolution computed tomography chest scan showed a 3.5x2.7 cm mass in the basal segment of the left lung. Positron emission tomography and computed tomography revealed a fluorodeoxyglucose avid lobulated mass in the superior segment of the lower lobe of the left lung. On core biopsy, the diagnosis of pleomorphic carcinoma in a background of adenocarcinoma was made. A definite diagnosis of pulmonary blastoma was established on the left lung lobectomy specimen based on morphological and immunohistochemical findings. Post-surgical biopsy from the scalp swelling showed metastatic deposits. On Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), in addition to conventional CTNNB1 gene mutation, new pathogenic MYCN and ATM gene mutations were detected. Post-chemotherapy, the patient was doing well after 10 months of close follow-up. PB exhibited rare associations in the form of non-smoker status, scalp metastasis, and MYCN and ATM gene mutations on NGS in addition to conventional CTNNB1 gene mutation. Large cohort studies are required to discover the incidence, significance and therapeutic implications of these co-existing pathogenic molecular alterations in PB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Parkhi
- Departments of Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Nishtha Ahuja
- Departments of Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Divyesh Kumar
- Departments of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Rajender Kumar Basher
- Departments of Nuclear Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Navneet Singh
- Departments of Pulmonary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Harkant Singh
- Departments of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Amanjit Bal
- Departments of Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
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15
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Epp S, Chuah SM, Halasz M. Epigenetic Dysregulation in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17085. [PMID: 38069407 PMCID: PMC10707345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood cancer arising from the neural crest, poses significant clinical challenges, particularly in cases featuring amplification of the MYCN oncogene. Epigenetic factors play a pivotal role in normal neural crest and NB development, influencing gene expression patterns critical for tumorigenesis. This review delves into the multifaceted interplay between MYCN and known epigenetic modifications during NB genesis, shedding light on the intricate regulatory networks underlying the disease. We provide an extensive survey of known epigenetic mechanisms, encompassing DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, super-enhancers (SEs), bromodomains (BET), and chromatin modifiers in MYCN-amplified (MNA) NB. These epigenetic changes collectively contribute to the dysregulated gene expression landscape observed in MNA NB. Furthermore, we review emerging therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic regulators, including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), histone methyltransferase inhibitors (HMTi), and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi). We also discuss and summarize current drugs in preclinical and clinical trials, offering insights into their potential for improving outcomes for MNA NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Epp
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Shin Mei Chuah
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Melinda Halasz
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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16
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Huang R, Wu J, Ma Y, Kang K. Molecular Mechanisms of Ferroptosis and Its Role in Viral Pathogenesis. Viruses 2023; 15:2373. [PMID: 38140616 PMCID: PMC10747891 DOI: 10.3390/v15122373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a novelty form of regulated cell death, and it is mainly characterized by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation in the cells. Its underlying mechanism is related to the amino acid, iron, and lipid metabolisms. During viral infection, pathogenic microorganisms have evolved to interfere with ferroptosis, and ferroptosis is often manipulated by viruses to regulate host cell servicing for viral reproduction. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis, elucidates the intricate signaling pathways involved, and explores the pivotal role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of viral infections. By enhancing our understanding of ferroptosis, novel therapeutic strategies can be devised to effectively prevent and treat diseases associated with this process. Furthermore, unraveling the developmental mechanisms through which viral infections exploit ferroptosis will facilitate development of innovative antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riwei Huang
- College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China; (R.H.); (J.W.); (Y.M.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jiang Wu
- College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China; (R.H.); (J.W.); (Y.M.)
| | - Yaodan Ma
- College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China; (R.H.); (J.W.); (Y.M.)
| | - Kai Kang
- College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China; (R.H.); (J.W.); (Y.M.)
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17
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Jha RK, Kouzine F, Levens D. MYC function and regulation in physiological perspective. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1268275. [PMID: 37941901 PMCID: PMC10627926 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1268275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC, a key member of the Myc-proto-oncogene family, is a universal transcription amplifier that regulates almost every physiological process in a cell including cell cycle, proliferation, metabolism, differentiation, and apoptosis. MYC interacts with several cofactors, chromatin modifiers, and regulators to direct gene expression. MYC levels are tightly regulated, and deregulation of MYC has been associated with numerous diseases including cancer. Understanding the comprehensive biology of MYC under physiological conditions is an utmost necessity to demark biological functions of MYC from its pathological functions. Here we review the recent advances in biological mechanisms, functions, and regulation of MYC. We also emphasize the role of MYC as a global transcription amplifier.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David Levens
- Gene Regulation Section, Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, United States
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Huo A, Xiong X. PAICS as a potential target for cancer therapy linking purine biosynthesis to cancer progression. Life Sci 2023; 331:122070. [PMID: 37673296 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells are required to undergo metabolic reprogramming for rapid development and progression, and one of the metabolic characteristics of cancer cells is the excessive synthesis and utilization of nucleotides. Abnormally increased nucleotides and their metabolites not only directly accelerate tumor cell progression but also indirectly act on stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) via a paracrine manner to regulate tumor progression. Purine nucleotides are mainly produced via de novo nucleotide synthesis in tumor cells; therefore, intervening in their synthesis has emerged as a promising strategy in anti-tumor therapy. De novo purine synthesis is a 10-step reaction catalyzed by six enzymes to synthesize inosine 5-monophosphate (IMP) and subsequently synthesize AMP and GMP. Phosphoribosylaminoimidazole carboxylase/phosphori-bosylaminoimidazole succinocarboxamide synthetase (PAICS) is a bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes de novo purine synthesis. Aberrantly elevated PAICS expression in various tumors is associated with poor prognosis. Evidence suggests that PAICS and its catalytic product, N-succinylcarboxamide-5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (SAICAR), could inhibit tumor cell apoptosis and promote the growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis by regulating signaling pathways such as pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and so on. This review summarizes the structure, biological functions and the molecular mechanisms of PAICS in cancer development and discusses its potential to be a target for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Huo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; The First Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China
| | - Xiangyang Xiong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China.
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Tan SH, Tan TK, Yokomori R, Liao M, Huang XZ, Yeoh AEJ, Sanda T. TAL1 hijacks MYCN enhancer that induces MYCN expression and dependence on mevalonate pathway in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia 2023; 37:1969-1981. [PMID: 37591943 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01993-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
A hallmark of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is the dysregulated expression of oncogenic transcription factors (TFs), including TAL1, NOTCH1 and MYC. Rewiring of the transcriptional program disrupts the tightly controlled spatiotemporal expression of downstream target genes, thereby contributing to leukemogenesis. In this study, we first identify an evolutionarily conserved enhancer element controlling the MYCN oncogene (named enhMYCN) that is aberrantly activated by the TAL1 complex in T-ALL cells. TAL1-positive T-ALL cells are highly dependent on MYCN expression for their maintenance in vitro and in xenograft models. Interestingly, MYCN drives the expression of multiple genes involved in the mevalonate pathway, and T-ALL cells are sensitive to inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), a rate-limiting enzyme of this pathway. Importantly, MYC and MYCN regulate the same targets and compensate for each other. Thus, MYCN-positive T-ALL cells display a dual dependence on the TAL1-MYCN and NOTCH1-MYC pathways. Together, our results demonstrate that enhMYCN-mediated MYCN expression is required for human T-ALL cells and implicate the TAL1-MYCN-HMGCR axis as a potential therapeutic target in T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Hao Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Tze King Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Rui Yokomori
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Minghui Liao
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Xiao Zi Huang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Allen Eng Juh Yeoh
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
- Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.
| | - Takaomi Sanda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
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Ghosh A, Yekeler E, Teixeira SR, Dalal D, States L. Role of MRI radiomics for the prediction of MYCN amplification in neuroblastomas. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:6726-6735. [PMID: 37178203 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09628-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We evaluate MR radiomics and develop machine learning-based classifiers to predict MYCN amplification in neuroblastomas. METHODS A total of 120 patients with neuroblastomas and baseline MR imaging examination available were identified of whom 74 (mean age ± standard deviation [SD] of 6 years and 2 months ± 4 years and 9 months; 43 females and 31 males, 14 MYCN amplified) underwent imaging at our institution. This was therefore used to develop radiomics models. The model was tested in a cohort of children with the same diagnosis but imaged elsewhere (n = 46, mean age ± SD: 5 years 11 months ± 3 years 9 months, 26 females and 14 MYCN amplified). Whole tumour volumes of interest were adopted to extract first-order histogram and second-order radiomics features. Interclass correlation coefficient and maximum relevance and minimum redundancy algorithm were applied for feature selection. Logistic regression, support vector machine, and random forest were employed as the classifiers. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the classifiers on the external test set. RESULTS The logistic regression model and the random forest both showed an AUC of 0.75. The support vector machine classifier obtained an AUC of 0.78 on the test set with a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 72%. CONCLUSION The study provides preliminary retrospective evidence demonstrating the feasibility of MRI radiomics in predicting MYCN amplification in neuroblastomas. Future studies are needed to explore the correlation between other imaging features and genetic markers and to develop multiclass predictive models. KEY POINTS • MYCN amplification in neuroblastomas is an important determinant of disease prognosis. • Radiomics analysis of pre-treatment MR examinations can be used to predict MYCN amplification in neuroblastomas. • Radiomics machine learning models showed good generalisability to external test set, demonstrating reproducibility of the computational models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adarsh Ghosh
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Centre, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Ensar Yekeler
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sara Reis Teixeira
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Deepa Dalal
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lisa States
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Yang R, Liu N, Li T, Liu F, Zhang J, Zhao H, Zou L, He X. LncRNA AC142119.1 facilitates the progression of neuroblastoma by epigenetically initiating the transcription of MYCN. J Transl Med 2023; 21:659. [PMID: 37741985 PMCID: PMC10518117 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04535-3] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncogene MYCN is closely related with malignant progression and poor prognosis of neuroblastoma (NB). Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as crucial regulators in various cancers. However, whether lncRNAs contribute to the overexpression of MYCN in NB is unclear. METHODS Microarray analysis were applied to analyze the differentially expressed lncRNAs between MYCN-amplified and MYCN-non-amplified NB cell lines. Bioinformatic analyses were utilized to identify lncRNAs nearby MYCN locus. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of lncRNA AC142119.1 in NB cell lines and tissues. Gain- and loss-of-function assays were conducted to investigate the biological effect of AC142119.1 in NB. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, RNA electrophoretic mobility shift, chromatin immunoprecipitation and chromatin isolation by RNA purification assays were performed to validate the interaction between AC142119.1 and WDR5 protein as well as MYCN promoter. RESULTS AC142119.1 was significantly elevated in NB tissues with MYCN amplification, advanced INSS stage and high risk, and associated with poor survival of NB patients. Moreover, enforced expression of AC142119.1 reinforced the proliferation of NB cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, AC142119.1 specifically recruited WDR5 protein to interact with MYCN promoter, further initiating the transcription of MYCN and accelerating NB progression. CONCLUSIONS We identified a novel lncRNA AC142119.1, which promoted the progression of NB through epigenetically initiating the transcription of MYCN via interacting with both WDR5 protein and the promoter of MYCN, indicating that AC142119.1 might be a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yang
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Nanjing Liu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, 400030, China
| | - Ting Li
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Fangjie Liu
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Lin Zou
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.
- Clinical Research Unit, Children's Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200062, China.
| | - Xiaoyan He
- Center for Clinical Molecular Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China.
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Xu H, Xiao L, Chen Y, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Gao Y, Man S, Yan N, Zhang M. Effect of CDK7 inhibitor on MYCN-amplified retinoblastoma. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2023; 1866:194964. [PMID: 37536559 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Retinoblastoma (RB) is a common malignancy that primarily affects pediatric populations. Although a well-known cause of RB is RB1 mutation, MYCN amplification can also lead to the disease, which is a poor prognosis factor. Studies conducted in various tumor types have shown that MYCN inhibition is an effective approach to impede tumor growth. Various indirect approaches have been developed to overcome the difficulty of directly targeting MYCN, such as modulating the super enhancer (SE) upstream of MYCN. The drug used in this study to treat MYCN-amplified RB was THZ1, a CDK7 inhibitor that can effectively suppress transcription by interfering with the activity of SEs. The study findings confirmed the anticancer activity of THZ1 against RB in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Therapy with THZ1 was found to affect numerous genes in RB according to the RNA-seq analysis. Moreover, the gene expression changes induced by THZ1 treatment were enriched in ribosome, endocytosis, cell cycle, apoptosis, etc. Furthermore, the combined analysis of ChIP-Seq and RNA-seq data suggested a potential role of SEs in regulating the expression of critical transcription factors, such as MYCN, OTX2, and SOX4. Moreover, ChIP-qPCR experiments were conducted to confirm the interaction between MYCN and SEs. In conclusion, THZ1 caused substantial changes in gene transcription in RB, resulting in inhibited cell proliferation, interference with the cell cycle, and increased apoptosis. The efficacy of THZ1 is positively correlated with the degree of MYCN amplification and is likely exerted by interfering with MYCN upstream SEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanyue Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China; Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Lirong Xiao
- Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China; Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yilin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yuzhu Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Shulei Man
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Naihong Yan
- Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
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Hu J, Song F, Kang W, Xia F, Song Z, Wang Y, Li J, Zhao Q. Integrative analysis of multi-omics data for discovery of ferroptosis-related gene signature predicting immune activity in neuroblastoma. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1162563. [PMID: 37521469 PMCID: PMC10373597 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1162563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy for neuroblastoma remains unsatisfactory due to heterogeneity and weak immunogenicity. Exploring powerful signatures for the evaluation of immunotherapy outcomes remain the primary purpose. We constructed a ferroptosis-related gene (FRG) signature by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and Cox regression, identified 10 independent prognostic FRGs in a training cohort (GSE62564), and then verified them in an external validation cohort (TCGA). Associated with clinical factors, the signature accurately predicts overall survival of 3, 5, and 10 years. An independent prognostic nomogram, which included FRG risk, age, stage of the International Neuroblastoma Staging System, and an MYCN status, was constructed. The area under the curves showed satisfactory prognostic predicting performance. Through bulk RNA-seq and proteomics data, we revealed the relationship between hub genes and the key onco-promoter MYCN gene and then validated the results in MYCN-amplified and MYCN-non-amplified cell lines with qRT-PCR. The FRG signature significantly divided patients into high- and low-risk groups, and the differentially expressed genes between the two groups were enriched in immune actions, autophagy, and carcinogenesis behaviors. The low-risk group embodied higher positive immune component infiltration and a higher expression of immune checkpoints with a more favorable immune cytolytic activity (CYT). We verified the predictive power of this signature with data from melanoma patients undergoing immunotherapy, and the predictive power was satisfactory. Gene mutations were closely related to the signature and prognosis. AURKA and PRKAA2 were revealed to be nodal hub FRGs in the signature, and both were shown to have significantly different expressions between the INSS stage IV and other stages after immunohistochemical validation. With single-cell RNA-seq analysis, we found that genes related to T cells were enriched in TNFA signaling and interferon-γ hallmark. In conclusion, we constructed a ferroptosis-related gene signature that can predict the outcomes and work in evaluating the effects of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajian Hu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Fengju Song
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenjuan Kang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Fantong Xia
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zi’an Song
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Schoof M, Epplen GD, Walter C, Ballast A, Holdhof D, Göbel C, Neyazi S, Varghese J, Albert TK, Kerl K, Schüller U. The tumor suppressor CREBBP and the oncogene MYCN cooperate to induce malignant brain tumors in mice. Oncogenesis 2023; 12:36. [PMID: 37407554 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-023-00481-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor and chromatin modifier cAMP response element-binding protein binding protein (CREBBP) and v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene neuroblastoma derived homolog (MYCN), a member of the MYC oncogene family, are critically involved in brain development. Both genes are frequently mutated in the same tumor entities, including high-grade glioma and medulloblastoma. Therefore, we hypothesized that alterations in both genes cooperate to induce brain tumor formation. For further investigation, hGFAP-cre::CrebbpFl/Fl::lsl-MYCN mice were generated, which combine Crebbp deletion with overexpression of MYCN in neural stem cells (NSCs). Within eight months, these animals developed aggressive forebrain tumors. The first tumors were detectable in the olfactory bulbs of seven-day-old mice. This location raises the possibility that presumptive founder cells are derived from the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ). To examine the cellular biology of these tumors, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed, which revealed high intratumoral heterogeneity. Data comparison with reference CNS cell types indicated the highest similarity of tumor cells with transit-amplifying NSCs or activated NSCs of the V-SVZ. Consequently, we analyzed V-SVZ NSCs of our mouse model aiming to confirm that the tumors originate from this stem cell niche. Mutant V-SVZ NSCs showed significantly increased cell viability and proliferation as well as reduced glial and neural differentiation in vitro compared to control cells. In summary, we demonstrate the oncogenic potential of a combined loss of function of CREBBP and overexpression of MYCN in this cell population. hGFAP-cre::CrebbpFl/Fl::lsl-MYCN mice thus provide a valuable tool to study tumor-driving mechanisms in a key neural stem/ progenitor cell niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schoof
- Research Institute Children`s Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Carolin Walter
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Annika Ballast
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Dörthe Holdhof
- Research Institute Children`s Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Göbel
- Research Institute Children`s Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sina Neyazi
- Research Institute Children`s Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julian Varghese
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Karl Albert
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Research Institute Children`s Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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Barzegar Behrooz A, Latifi-Navid H, da Silva Rosa SC, Swiat M, Wiechec E, Vitorino C, Vitorino R, Jamalpoor Z, Ghavami S. Integrating Multi-Omics Analysis for Enhanced Diagnosis and Treatment of Glioblastoma: A Comprehensive Data-Driven Approach. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3158. [PMID: 37370767 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123158] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The most aggressive primary malignant brain tumor in adults is glioblastoma (GBM), which has poor overall survival (OS). There is a high relapse rate among patients with GBM despite maximally safe surgery, radiation therapy, temozolomide (TMZ), and aggressive treatment. Hence, there is an urgent and unmet clinical need for new approaches to managing GBM. The current study identified modules (MYC, EGFR, PIK3CA, SUZ12, and SPRK2) involved in GBM disease through the NeDRex plugin. Furthermore, hub genes were identified in a comprehensive interaction network containing 7560 proteins related to GBM disease and 3860 proteins associated with signaling pathways involved in GBM. By integrating the results of the analyses mentioned above and again performing centrality analysis, eleven key genes involved in GBM disease were identified. ProteomicsDB and Gliovis databases were used for determining the gene expression in normal and tumor brain tissue. The NetworkAnalyst and the mGWAS-Explorer tools identified miRNAs, SNPs, and metabolites associated with these 11 genes. Moreover, a literature review of recent studies revealed other lists of metabolites related to GBM disease. The enrichment analysis of identified genes, miRNAs, and metabolites associated with GBM disease was performed using ExpressAnalyst, miEAA, and MetaboAnalyst tools. Further investigation of metabolite roles in GBM was performed using pathway, joint pathway, and network analyses. The results of this study allowed us to identify 11 genes (UBC, HDAC1, CTNNB1, TRIM28, CSNK2A1, RBBP4, TP53, APP, DAB1, PINK1, and RELN), five miRNAs (hsa-mir-221-3p, hsa-mir-30a-5p, hsa-mir-15a-5p, hsa-mir-130a-3p, and hsa-let-7b-5p), six metabolites (HDL, N6-acetyl-L-lysine, cholesterol, formate, N, N-dimethylglycine/xylose, and X2. piperidinone) and 15 distinct signaling pathways that play an indispensable role in GBM disease development. The identified top genes, miRNAs, and metabolite signatures can be targeted to establish early diagnostic methods and plan personalized GBM treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Barzegar Behrooz
- Trauma Research Center, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14117-18541, Iran
| | - Hamid Latifi-Navid
- Department of Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran 14977-16316, Iran
| | - Simone C da Silva Rosa
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
| | - Maciej Swiat
- Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, University of Technology in Katowice, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Emilia Wiechec
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Carla Vitorino
- Coimbra Chemistry Coimbra, Institute of Molecular Sciences-IMS, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Vitorino
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- UnIC, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Zahra Jamalpoor
- Trauma Research Center, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14117-18541, Iran
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, University of Technology in Katowice, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
- Biology of Breathing Theme, Children Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
- Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba-University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
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Morretta E, Brullo C, Belvedere R, Petrella A, Spallarossa A, Monti MC. Targeting USP-7 by a Novel Fluorinated 5-Pyrazolyl-Urea Derivative. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119200. [PMID: 37298148 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of innovative technologies on the target discovery has been employed here to characterize the interactome of STIRUR 41, a promising 3-fluoro-phenyl-5-pyrazolyl-urea derivative endowed with anti-cancer activity, on neuroblastoma-related cells. A drug affinity responsive target stability-based proteomic platform has been optimized to elucidate the molecular mechanism at the basis of STIRUR 41 action, together with immunoblotting analysis and in silico molecular docking. Ubiquitin Specific Protease 7 (USP-7), one of the deubiquitinating enzymes which protect substrate proteins from proteasomal degradation, has been identified as the most affine STIRUR 41 target. As further demonstrated by in vitro and in-cell assays, STIRUR 41 was able to inhibit both the enzymatic activity of USP-7 and its expression levels in neuroblastoma-related cells, thus laying an encouraging base for the blockade of USP-7 downstream signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elva Morretta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Chiara Brullo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Raffaella Belvedere
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Antonello Petrella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Andrea Spallarossa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
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Bhavsar SP. Metastasis in neuroblastoma: the MYCN question. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1196861. [PMID: 37274289 PMCID: PMC10233040 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1196861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic drivers like MYCN in neuroblastoma subsets continues to present a significant challenge owing to its strong correlation with high-risk metastatic disease and poor prognosis. However, only a limited number of MYCN-regulatory proteins associated with tumor initiation and progression have been elucidated. In this minireview, I summarize the recent progress in understanding the functional role of MYCN and its regulatory partners in neuroblastoma metastasis.
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Talapatra J, Reddy MM. Lipid Metabolic Reprogramming in Embryonal Neoplasms with MYCN Amplification. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072144. [PMID: 37046804 PMCID: PMC10093342 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells reprogram their metabolism, including glucose, glutamine, nucleotide, lipid, and amino acids to meet their enhanced energy demands, redox balance, and requirement of biosynthetic substrates for uncontrolled cell proliferation. Altered lipid metabolism in cancer provides lipids for rapid membrane biogenesis, generates the energy required for unrestricted cell proliferation, and some of the lipids act as signaling pathway mediators. In this review, we focus on the role of lipid metabolism in embryonal neoplasms with MYCN dysregulation. We specifically review lipid metabolic reactions in neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, medulloblastoma, Wilms tumor, and rhabdomyosarcoma and the possibility of targeting lipid metabolism. Additionally, the regulation of lipid metabolism by the MYCN oncogene is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotirmayee Talapatra
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
| | - Mamatha M Reddy
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
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Antigene MYCN Silencing by BGA002 Inhibits SCLC Progression Blocking mTOR Pathway and Overcomes Multidrug Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030990. [PMID: 36765949 PMCID: PMC9913109 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive lung cancer type, and is associated with smoking, low survival rate due to high vascularization, metastasis and drug resistance. Alterations in MYC family members are biomarkers of poor prognosis for a large number of SCLC. In particular, MYCN alterations define SCLC cases with immunotherapy failure. MYCN has a highly restricted pattern of expression in normal cells and is an ideal target for cancer therapy but is undruggable by traditional approaches. We propose an innovative approach to MYCN inhibition by an MYCN-specific antigene-PNA oligonucleotide (BGA002)-as a new precision medicine for MYCN-related SCLC. We found that BGA002 profoundly and specifically inhibited MYCN expression in SCLC cells, leading to cell-growth inhibition and apoptosis, while also overcoming multidrug resistance. These effects are driven by mTOR pathway block in concomitance with autophagy reactivation, thus avoiding the side effects of targeting mTOR in healthy cells. Moreover, we identified an MYCN-related SCLC gene signature comprehending CNTFR, DLX5 and TNFAIP3, that was reverted by BGA002. Finally, systemic treatment with BGA002 significantly increased survival in MYCN-amplified SCLC mouse models, including in a multidrug-resistant model in which tumor vascularization was also eliminated. These findings warrant the clinical testing of BGA002 in MYCN-related SCLC.
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Li X, Yang F, He N, Zhang M, Lv Y, Yu Y, Dong Q, Hou X, Hao Y, An Z, Zhang H, Yang Z, Zhai H, Guo D, Cao Z, Jiang VC, Chen Y. YM155 inhibits neuroblastoma growth through degradation of MYCN: A new role as a USP7 inhibitor. Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 181:106343. [PMID: 36436754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2022.106343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Amplification of the MYCN gene (MNA) is observed in approximately 25 to 35% of neuroblastoma patients, and is a well-recognized marker of tumor aggressiveness and poor outcome. Targeting MYCN is a novel therapy strategy to induce tumor regression. Here, we discovered that a BIRC5/Survivin inhibitor, YM155, specifically inhibits MNA neuroblastoma cell growth in vitro. We found that YM155 promotes MYCN degradation in MNA cells. Further, we found that YM155 inhibits USP7 deubiquitinase activity in vitro, using Ub-aminomethylcoumarin (Ub-AMC) as substrate. Results from in vivo studies further demonstrated that YM155 significantly inhibited the tumor growth in MNA neuroblastoma xenograft model. Our data support a novel mechanism of action of YM155 in inhibition of growth of cancer cells through inducing MYCN degradation by inibition of activity of deubiquitinase like USP7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Feili Yang
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Na He
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Ming Zhang
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Yan Lv
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Yue Yu
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Qian Dong
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Xiaofu Hou
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Yanbing Hao
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Zhida An
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Haiwen Zhang
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Zhen Yang
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Heiyan Zhai
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Dagang Guo
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Zhixiang Cao
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Vernon C Jiang
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
| | - Yiyou Chen
- Cothera Bioscience, Inc., 155 Bovet Road, Suite 660, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA.
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Jia SQ, Zhuo R, Zhang ZM, Yang Y, Tao YF, Wang JW, Li XL, Xie Y, Li G, Wu D, Chen YL, Yu JJ, Feng CX, Li ZH, Zhou RF, Yang RD, Yang PC, Zhou B, Wan XM, Wu YM, Jiao WY, Zhou NN, Fang F, Pan J. The BRD4 Inhibitor dBET57 Exerts Anticancer Effects by Targeting Superenhancer-Related Genes in Neuroblastoma. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:7945884. [PMID: 36438198 PMCID: PMC9691391 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7945884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 09/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid tumor of the neural crest cell origin in children and has a poor prognosis in high-risk patients. The oncogene MYCN was found to be amplified at extremely high levels in approximately 20% of neuroblastoma cases. In recent years, research on the targeted hydrolysis of BRD4 to indirectly inhibit the transcription of the MYCN created by proteolysis targeting chimaera (PROTAC) technology has become very popular. dBET57 (S0137, Selleck, TX, USA) is a novel and potent heterobifunctional small molecule degrader based on PROTAC technology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of dBET57 in NB and its potential mechanism. In this study, we found that dBET57 can target BRD4 ubiquitination and disrupt the proliferation ability of NB cells. At the same time, dBET57 can also induce apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and decrease migration. Furthermore, dBET57 also has a strong antiproliferation function in xenograft tumor models in vivo. In terms of mechanism, dBET57 targets the BET protein family and the MYCN protein family by associating with CRBN and destroys the SE landscape of NB cells. Combined with RNA-seq and ChIP-seq public database analysis, we identified the superenhancer-related genes TBX3 and ZMYND8 in NB as potential downstream targets of dBET57 and experimentally verified that they play an important role in the occurrence and development of NB. In conclusion, these results suggest that dBET57 may be an effective new therapeutic drug for the treatment of NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Qi Jia
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Ran Zhuo
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215025, China
| | - Zi-Mu Zhang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Yan-Fang Tao
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Jian-Wei Wang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Xiao-Lu Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Yi Xie
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Gen Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Di Wu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Yan-Ling Chen
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Juan-Juan Yu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Chen-xi Feng
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Zhi-Heng Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Rong-Fang Zhou
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Ran-Dong Yang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Peng-Cheng Yang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Bi Zhou
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Xiao-Mei Wan
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Yu-Meng Wu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Wan-Yan Jiao
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Ni-Na Zhou
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
| | - Jian Pan
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215003, China
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Zou J, Lin Y, Hu M, Wan M, Tan X, Xu X, Xu F. N-Myc transcriptionally activates Skp2 to suppress p27 expression in small cell lung cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 238:154083. [PMID: 36027654 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by a high proliferative rate, a strong predilection for early metastasis and poor prognosis. Novel SCLC biomarkers are urgently required to improve current diagnostic and treatment modalities. MYCN encodes the proto-oncogene N-Myc that is overexpressed in SCLC, but its downstream effectors are poorly characterized. Here, we investigated the role of the N-Myc/Skp2/p27 axis during SCLC progression. METHODS Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting were performed to evaluate N-Myc/Skp2/p27 expression. SCLC cell apoptosis was investigated through TUNEL staining. Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to detect the migratory and invasive potential of SCLC cells. N-Myc and Skp2 binding was confirmed through luciferase reporter and ChIP assays. Xenograft models were developed to investigate the function of Skp2 during SCLC tumor growth in vivo. RESULTS N-Myc and Skp2 were overexpressed in SCLC, whilst p27 expression was suppressed. Skp2 facilitated SCLC progression by protecting cells from apoptosis and facilitating cell migration and invasion. N-Myc was found to bind to the promoter region of Skp2 to enhance its expression. Skp2 enhanced tumor growth in vivo through the suppression of p27. Skp2 silencing reversed the pro-oncogenic effects of N-myc in SCLC tumors. CONCLUSION We show that N-Myc enhances Skp2 to regulate p27 expression during SCLC progression. We therefore highlight the N-Myc/Skp2/p27 axis as a novel diagnostic and much-needed therapeutic target in SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juntao Zou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1519, Dongyue Avenue, Dongxin Township, Nanchang County, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yang Lin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1519, Dongyue Avenue, Dongxin Township, Nanchang County, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Min Hu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1519, Dongyue Avenue, Dongxin Township, Nanchang County, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Mengzhi Wan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1519, Dongyue Avenue, Dongxin Township, Nanchang County, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xinyu Tan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1519, Dongyue Avenue, Dongxin Township, Nanchang County, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xinping Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1519, Dongyue Avenue, Dongxin Township, Nanchang County, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Fei Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1519, Dongyue Avenue, Dongxin Township, Nanchang County, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China.
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Xiang Z, Mranda GM, Zhou X, Xue Y, Wang Y, Wei T, Liu J, Ding Y. Identification and validation of the necroptosis-related gene signature related to prognosis and tumor immune in hepatocellular carcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e30219. [PMID: 36086716 PMCID: PMC10980426 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000030219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer, which is characterized by complicated etiology, excessive heterogeneity, and poor prognosis. Necroptosis is a new kind of programmed cell death, which is intently associated with the occurrence and development of tumors. Although researchers have had a deep understanding of necroptosis in recent years, the expression level of necroptosis-related genes in HCC and its relationship with the survival time of HCC patients are not clear. METHODS According to the expression of necroptosis-related genes and the survival of HCC patients, HCC patients in the TCGA database were divided into 2 groups that were relatively independent of each other. The genes related to the survival time of HCC patients were screened from the 2 groups of differentially expressed genes. By using the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator Cox regression analysis, the optimal λ value was obtained, and the 10-gene signature model was established. RESULTS According to the median risk score of the TCGA cohort, HCC patients were averagely divided into high- and low-risk groups. Compared with the low-risk group, the death toll of the high-risk group was relatively higher and the survival time was relatively shorter. Principal component analysis and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding analysis showed that there was a significant separation between high- and low-risk groups. Through Kaplan-Meier analysis, it was found that the survival time of HCC patients in the high-risk group was significantly shorter than that in the low-risk group. Through receiver operating characteristic analysis, it was found that the sensitivity and specificity of the model were good. We also make a comprehensive analysis of the international cancer genome consortium database as a verification queue and prove the reliability of the 10-gene signature model. Gene Ontolog, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis showed that many biological processes and pathways related to immunity had been enriched, and the antitumor immune function was weakened in the high-risk population. CONCLUSION The risk score can be considered as an independent prognostic factor to predict the prognosis of patients with HCC, and necroptosis-related genes are also closely related to tumor immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiping Xiang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Geofrey Mahiki Mranda
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xingguo Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ying Xue
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tian Wei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Junjian Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yinlu Ding
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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MYCN and Metabolic Reprogramming in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174113. [PMID: 36077650 PMCID: PMC9455056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer responsible for approximately 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Aberrant MYCN activation, as a result of genomic MYCN amplification, is a major driver of high-risk neuroblastoma, which has an overall survival rate of less than 50%, despite the best treatments currently available. Metabolic reprogramming is an integral part of the growth-promoting program driven by MYCN, which fuels cell growth and proliferation by increasing the uptake and catabolism of nutrients, biosynthesis of macromolecules, and production of energy. This reprogramming process also generates metabolic vulnerabilities that can be exploited for therapy. In this review, we present our current understanding of metabolic reprogramming in neuroblastoma, focusing on transcriptional regulation as a key mechanism in driving the reprogramming process. We also highlight some important areas that need to be explored for the successful development of metabolism-based therapy against high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Baranowska-Kortylewicz J, Kortylewicz ZP, McIntyre EM, Sharp JG, Coulter DW. Multifarious Functions of Butyrylcholinesterase in Neuroblastoma: Impact of BCHE Deletion on the Neuroblastoma Growth In Vitro and In Vivo. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2022; 44:293-304. [PMID: 34486544 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The physiological functions of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and its role in malignancy remain unexplained. Our studies in children newly diagnosed with neuroblastoma indicated that BChE expressions is proportional to MYCN amplification suggesting that pathogenesis of high-risk disease may be related to the persistent expression of abnormally high levels of tumor-associated BChE. BChE-deficient neuroblastoma cells (KO [knockout]) were produced from MYCN -amplified BE(2)-C cells (WT [wild-type]) by the CRISPR-Cas9 targeted disruption of the BCHE locus. KO cells have no detectable BChE activity. The compensatory acetylcholinesterase activity was not detected. The average population doubling time of KO cells is 47.0±2.4 hours, >2× longer than WT cells. Reduced proliferation rates of KO cells were accompanied by the loss of N-Myc protein and a significant deactivation of tyrosine kinase receptors associated with the aggressive neuroblastoma phenotype including Ros1, TrkB, and Ltk. Tumorigenicity of WT and KO cells in male mice was essentially identical. In contrast, KO xenografts in female mice were very small (0.37±0.10 g), ~3× smaller compared with WT xenografts (1.11±0.30 g). Unexpectedly, KO xenografts produced changes in plasma BChE similarly to WT tumors but lesser in magnitude. The disruption of BCHE locus in MYCN -amplified neuroblastoma cells decelerates proliferation and produces neuroblastoma cells that are less aggressive in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John G Sharp
- Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Don W Coulter
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Departments of Pediatrics
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36
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Panachan J, Rojsirikulchai N, Pongsakul N, Khowawisetsut L, Pongphitcha P, Siriboonpiputtana T, Chareonsirisuthigul T, Phornsarayuth P, Klinkulab N, Jinawath N, Chiangjong W, Anurathapan U, Pattanapanyasat K, Hongeng S, Chutipongtanate S. Extracellular Vesicle-Based Method for Detecting MYCN Amplification Status of Pediatric Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112627. [PMID: 35681607 PMCID: PMC9179557 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112627] [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: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary MYCN gene amplification, the strongest prognostic marker of aggressive neuroblastoma, is detected on invasive biopsy tissues. This study aimed to establish a less invasive method to detect MYCN status based on MYCN mRNA contents in large extracellular vesicles or microvesicles. MYCN mRNA-containing microvesicles were detectable in three distinct MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell lines but absent in three neuroblastoma cells with MYCN-non-amplification. The feasibility of this EV-based workflow was successfully demonstrated by using the simulated samples (prepared by pulsing neuroblastoma MVs into the normal human serum) and bone marrow plasma specimens obtained from nine patients at various disease stages. Taken together, this study established the novel EV-based method for detecting MYCN status in pediatric neuroblastoma. Abstract MYCN amplification is the strongest predictor of high-risk neuroblastoma (NB). The standard procedure to detect MYCN status requires invasive procedures. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain molecular signatures of originated cells, present in biofluids, and serve as an invaluable source for cancer liquid biopsies. This study aimed to establish an EV-based method to detect the MYCN status of NB. Two EV subtypes, i.e., microvesicles (MVs) and exosomes, were sequentially isolated from the culture supernatant by step-wise centrifugation, ultrafiltration, and size-exclusion chromatography. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed to detect MYCN mRNA. As a result, MYCN mRNA was detectable in the MVs, but not exosomes, of MYCN-amplified NB cells. MYCN mRNA-containing MVs (MYCN-MV) were successfully detected in three distinct MYCN-amplified NB cell lines but absent in three MYCN non-amplification cells. The simulated samples were prepared by pulsing MVs into human serum. MYCN–MV detection in the simulated samples showed a less interfering effect from the human blood matrix. Validation using clinical specimens (2 mL bone marrow plasma) obtained from patients at various disease stages showed a promising result. Five out of six specimens of MYCN-amplified patients showed positive results, while there were no false positives in four plasma samples of the MYCN non-amplification group. This study communicated a novel EV-based method for detecting the MYCN status of pediatric NB based on MYCN mRNA contents in MVs. Future studies should be pursued in a prospective cohort to determine its true diagnostic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jirawan Panachan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (J.P.); (P.P.); (U.A.)
| | - Napat Rojsirikulchai
- Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Pediatric Translational Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.P.); (W.C.)
| | - Nutkridta Pongsakul
- Pediatric Translational Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.P.); (W.C.)
| | - Ladawan Khowawisetsut
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand;
| | - Pongpak Pongphitcha
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (J.P.); (P.P.); (U.A.)
| | - Teerapong Siriboonpiputtana
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (T.S.); (T.C.); (P.P.); (N.K.)
| | - Takol Chareonsirisuthigul
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (T.S.); (T.C.); (P.P.); (N.K.)
| | - Pitichai Phornsarayuth
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (T.S.); (T.C.); (P.P.); (N.K.)
| | - Nisakorn Klinkulab
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (T.S.); (T.C.); (P.P.); (N.K.)
| | - Natini Jinawath
- Program in Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok 10700, Thailand;
| | - Wararat Chiangjong
- Pediatric Translational Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.P.); (W.C.)
| | - Usanarat Anurathapan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (J.P.); (P.P.); (U.A.)
| | - Kovit Pattanapanyasat
- Center of Excellence for Microparticle and Exosome in Diseases, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand;
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (J.P.); (P.P.); (U.A.)
- Correspondence: (S.H.); or (S.C.)
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Pediatric Translational Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (N.P.); (W.C.)
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, Division of Epidemiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Correspondence: (S.H.); or (S.C.)
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LINC00839 Promotes Neuroblastoma Progression by Sponging miR-454-3p to Up-Regulate NEUROD1. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:2278-2293. [PMID: 35606572 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03613-0] [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: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid malignancy in children. Increasing long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are reported to be associated with NB tumorigenesis and aggressiveness. Here, we attempted to investigate the biological functions of LINC00839 in NB progression as well as its possible pathogenic mechanisms. Public microarray datasets were applied to unearth the abnormally expressed lncRNAs in NB. RT-qPCR analysis was used to measure the expression of LINC00839, miR-454-3p, and neuronal differentiation 1 (NEUROD1) mRNA. The protein level was determined by a western blot assay. CCK-8, plate clone formation, EdU, wound-healing scratch, and transwell assays were employed to evaluate cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Xenografts were developed in nude mice to determine the effects of LINC00839 on NB tumor growth. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiments were performed to identify the interaction between miR-454-3p and LINC00839 or NEUROD1. According to GSE datasets (GSE16237 and GSE16476), LINC00839 was found as a potential driver of NB progression. LINC00839 expression was higher in NB tumor tissues and cells. Also, LINC00839 expression was positively correlated with MYCN amplification, advanced INSS stages, and worse prognosis. Silencing of LINC00839 suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. Mechanistically, LINC00839 could act as a sponge of miR-454-3p to facilitate the expression of its target NEUROD1. Moreover, miR-454-3p was demonstrated to exert an anti-cancer activity in NB. More importantly, the tumor-suppressive properties mediated by LINC00839 knockdown were significantly counteracted by the inhibition of miR-454-3p or overexpression of NEUROD1. Our study demonstrates that LINC00839 exerts an oncogenic role in NB through sponging miR-454-3p to up-regulate NEUROD1 expression, deepening our comprehension of lncRNA involved in NB and providing access to the possibility of LINC00839 as a therapeutic target for NB.
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A Novel Inflammation-Related Gene Signature for Overall Survival Prediction and Comprehensive Analysis in Pediatric Patients with Wilms Tumor. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:2651105. [PMID: 35578692 PMCID: PMC9107364 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2651105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Wilms tumor (WT) is a common pediatric renal cancer, with a poor prognosis and high-risk recurrence in some patients. The inflammatory microenvironment is gradually gaining attention in WT. In this study, novel inflammation-related signatures and prognostic model were explored and integrated using bioinformatics analysis. The mRNA profile of pediatric patients with WT and inflammation-related genes (IRGs) were acquired from Therapeutically Available Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) databases, respectively. Then, a novel prognostic model founded on 7-IRGs signature (BICC1, CSPP1, KRT8, MYCN, NELFA, NXN, and RNF113A) was established by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression to stratify pediatric patients with WT into high- and low-risk groups successfully. And a stable performance of the prognostic risk model was verified in predicting overall survival (OS) by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves, and independent prognostic analysis (p < 0.05). In addition, a novel nomogram integrating risk scores with good robustness was developed and validated by C-index, ROC, and calibration plots. The potential function and pathway were explored via Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and GSEA, with mainly inflammation and immune-related biological processes. The higher-risk scores, the lower immune infiltration, as shown in the single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) and tumor microenvironment (TME) analysis. The drug sensitivity analysis showed that regulating 7-IRGs signature has a significant correlation with the chemotherapy drugs of WT patients. In summary, this study defined a prognostic risk model and nomogram based on 7-IRGs signature, which may provide novel insights into clinical prognosis and inflammatory study in WT patients. Besides, enhancing immune infiltration based on inflammatory response and regulating 7-IRGs signature are beneficial to ameliorating the efficacy in WT patients.
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Lampis S, Raieli S, Montemurro L, Bartolucci D, Amadesi C, Bortolotti S, Angelucci S, Scardovi AL, Nieddu G, Cerisoli L, Paganelli F, Valente S, Fischer M, Martelli AM, Pasquinelli G, Pession A, Hrelia P, Tonelli R. The MYCN inhibitor BGA002 restores the retinoic acid response leading to differentiation or apoptosis by the mTOR block in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:160. [PMID: 35490242 PMCID: PMC9055702 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02367-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is a deadly childhood cancer, and MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma (MNA-NB) patients have the worst prognoses and are therapy-resistant. While retinoic acid (RA) is beneficial for some neuroblastoma patients, the cause of RA resistance is unknown. Thus, there remains a need for new therapies to treat neuroblastoma. Here we explored the possibility of combining a MYCN-specific antigene oligonucleotide BGA002 and RA as therapeutic approach to restore sensitivity to RA in NB. METHODS By molecular and cellular biology techniques, we assessed the combined effect of the two compounds in NB cell lines and in a xenograft mouse model MNA-NB. RESULTS We found that MYCN-specific inhibition by BGA002 in combination with RA (BGA002-RA) act synergistically and overcame resistance in NB cell lines. BGA002-RA also reactivated neuron differentiation (or led to apoptosis) and inhibited invasiveness capacity in MNA-NB. Moreover, we found that neuroblastoma had the highest level of mRNA expression of mTOR pathway genes, and that BGA002 led to mTOR pathway inhibition followed by autophagy reactivation in MNA-NB cells, which was strengthened by BGA002-RA. BGA002-RA in vivo treatment also eliminated tumor vascularization in a MNA-NB mouse model and significantly increased survival. CONCLUSION Taken together, MYCN modulation mediates the therapeutic efficacy of RA and the development of RA resistance in MNA-NB. Furthermore, by targeting MYCN, a cancer-specific mTOR pathway inhibition occurs only in MNA-NB, thus avoiding the side effects of targeting mTOR in normal cells. These findings warrant clinical testing of BGA002-RA as a strategy for overcoming RA resistance in MNA-NB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luca Montemurro
- Pediatric Unit, S. Orsola IRCCS, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesca Paganelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valente
- Biotechnology and Methods in Laboratory Medicine, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany; and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Biotechnology and Methods in Laboratory Medicine, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Subcellular nephro-vascular diagnostic program, Pathology Unit S. Orsola IRCCS, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Huang Z, Yang R, Li R, Zuo Y, Gu F, He M, Bian Z. Mesenchymal Mycn participates in odontoblastic lineage commitment by regulating Krüppel-like Factor 4 (Klf4) in mice. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:78. [PMID: 35193672 PMCID: PMC8864903 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02749-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Commitment of mouse dental papilla cells (mDPCs) to the odontoblast lineage is critical for dentin formation, and this biological process is regulated by a complex transcription factor network. The transcription factor Mycn is a proto-oncogene that plays an important role in tumorigenesis and normal embryonic development. An early study revealed that Mycn is exclusively expressed in dental mesenchymal cells at E15.5, which implies a potential role of Mycn in dentinogenesis. However, the role of Mycn in dentin formation remains elusive. Thus, it is of considerable interest to elucidate the role of Mycn in dentin formation. Methods Mycnfl/fl; Osr2IresCre (MycnOsr2) and Mycnfl/fl; K14Cre (MycnK14) transgenic mice were generated, and micro-CT scans were performed to quantitatively analyse the volumetric differences in the molars and incisors of the mutants and their littermates. Mycn was also knocked down in vitro, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red staining (ARS) were conducted. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) analysis and dual luciferase assays were performed to identify direct downstream targets of Mycn. Immunofluorescence and immunochemistry staining and western blotting (WB) were performed to analyse the expression levels of potential targets. Quantitative PCR, WB, ALP and ARS were performed to test the rescue efficiency. Results Mesenchymal ablation of Mycn (MycnOsr2) led to defective dentin formation, while epithelial deletion (MycnK14) had no obvious effects on tooth development. ALP and ARS staining revealed that the commitment capacity of mDPCs to the odontoblast lineage was compromised in MycnOsr2 mice. CUT&Tag analysis identified Klf4 as a potential direct target of Mycn, and a dual luciferase reporter assay verified that Mycn could bind to the promotor region of Klf4 and directly activate its transcription. Reciprocally, forced expression of Klf4 partially recovered the odontoblastic differentiation capacity of mDPCs with Mycn knockdown. Conclusions Our results elucidated that mesenchymal Mycn modulates the odontoblastic commitment of dental papilla cells by directly regulating Klf4. Our study illustrated the role of Mycn in dentin development and furthers our general comprehension of the transcription factor networks involved in the dentinogenesis process. Thus, these results may provide new insight into dentin hypoplasia and bioengineered dentin regeneration. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-02749-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Huang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ruihuan Yang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ruyi Li
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yining Zuo
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Fan Gu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Miao He
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Zhuan Bian
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Single nCounter assay for prediction of MYCN amplification and molecular classification of medulloblastomas: a multicentric study. J Neurooncol 2022; 157:27-35. [PMID: 35166989 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-022-03965-1] [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: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Medulloblastoma is the most frequent pediatric malignant brain tumor, and is divided into four main subgroups: WNT, SHH, group 3, and group 4. MYCN amplification is an important medulloblastoma prognostic biomarker. We aimed to molecular classify and predict MYCN amplification in a single assay. METHODS It was included 209 medulloblastomas from 205 patients (Brazil, Argentina, and Portugal), divided into training (n = 50) and validation (n = 159) sets. A nCounter assay was carried out using a custom panel for molecular classification, with additional genes, including MYCN. nSolver 4.0 software and the R environment were used for profiling and MYCN mRNA analysis. MYCN amplification by FISH was performed in 64 cases. RESULTS The 205 medulloblastomas were classified in SHH (44.9%), WNT (15.6%), group 3 (18.1%) and group 4 (21.4%). In the training set, MYCN amplification was detected in three SHH medulloblastomas by FISH, which showed significantly higher MYCN mRNA counts than non-FISH amplified cases, and a cutoff for MYCN amplification was established ([Formula: see text] + 4σ = 11,124.3). Applying this threshold value in the validation set, we identified MYCN mRNA counts above the cutoff in three cases, which were FISH validated. CONCLUSION We successfully stratified medulloblastoma molecular subgroups and predicted MYCN amplification using a single nCounter assay without the requirement of additional biological tissue, costs, or bench time.
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Westphal MS, Lee E, Schadt EE, Sholler GS, Zhu J. Identification of Let-7 miRNA Activity as a Prognostic Biomarker of SHH Medulloblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010139. [PMID: 35008302 PMCID: PMC8750188 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric embryonal brain tumor. The current consensus classifies MB into four molecular subgroups: sonic hedgehog-activated (SHH), wingless-activated (WNT), Group 3, and Group 4. MYCN and let-7 play a critical role in MB. Thus, we inferred the activity of miRNAs in MB by using the ActMiR procedure. SHH-MB has higher MYCN expression than the other subgroups. We showed that high MYCN expression with high let-7 activity is significantly associated with worse overall survival, and this association was validated in an independent MB dataset. Altogether, our results suggest that let-7 activity and MYCN can further categorize heterogeneous SHH tumors into more and less-favorable prognostic subtypes, which provide critical information for personalizing treatment options for SHH-MB. Comparing the expression differences between the two SHH-MB prognostic subtypes with compound perturbation profiles, we identified FGFR inhibitors as one potential treatment option for SHH-MB patients with the less-favorable prognostic subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eunjee Lee
- Sema4, 333 Ludlow St., Stamford, CT 06902, USA; (M.S.W.); (E.L.); (E.E.S.)
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Eric E. Schadt
- Sema4, 333 Ludlow St., Stamford, CT 06902, USA; (M.S.W.); (E.L.); (E.E.S.)
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Giselle S. Sholler
- Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA;
- College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Jun Zhu
- Sema4, 333 Ludlow St., Stamford, CT 06902, USA; (M.S.W.); (E.L.); (E.E.S.)
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Correspondence:
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Larrew T, Saway BF, Lowe SR, Olar A. Molecular Classification and Therapeutic Targets in Ependymoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246218. [PMID: 34944845 PMCID: PMC8699461 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ependymoma is a biologically diverse tumor wherein molecular classification has superseded traditional histological grading based on its superior ability to characterize behavior, prognosis, and possible targeted therapies. The current, updated molecular classification of ependymoma consists of ten distinct subgroups spread evenly among the spinal, infratentorial, and supratentorial compartments, each with its own distinct clinical and molecular characteristics. In this review, the history, histopathology, standard of care, prognosis, oncogenic drivers, and hypothesized molecular targets for all subgroups of ependymoma are explored. This review emphasizes that despite the varied behavior of the ependymoma subgroups, it remains clear that research must be performed to further elucidate molecular targets for these tumors. Although not all ependymoma subgroups are oncologically aggressive, development of targeted therapies is essential, particularly for cases where surgical resection is not an option without causing significant morbidity. The development of molecular therapies must rely on building upon our current understanding of ependymoma oncogenesis, as well as cultivating transfer of knowledge based on malignancies with similar genomic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Larrew
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (T.L.); (B.F.S.)
| | - Brian Fabian Saway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (T.L.); (B.F.S.)
| | | | - Adriana Olar
- NOMIX Laboratories, Denver, CO 80218, USA
- Correspondence: or
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Nunes-Xavier CE, Zaldumbide L, Mosteiro L, López-Almaraz R, García de Andoin N, Aguirre P, Emaldi M, Torices L, López JI, Pulido R. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases in Neuroblastoma: Emerging Roles as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:811297. [PMID: 34957126 PMCID: PMC8692838 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.811297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer intimately related with early development and differentiation of neuroendocrine cells, and constitutes one of the pediatric cancers with higher incidence and mortality. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are key regulators of cell growth and differentiation by their direct effect on tyrosine dephosphorylation of specific protein substrates, exerting major functions in the modulation of intracellular signaling during neuron development in response to external cues driving cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. We review here the current knowledge on the role of PTPs in neuroblastoma cell growth, survival, and differentiation. The potential of PTPs as biomarkers and molecular targets for inhibition in neuroblastoma therapies is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- *Correspondence: Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier, ; Rafael Pulido,
| | - Laura Zaldumbide
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Lorena Mosteiro
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | | | | | - Pablo Aguirre
- Department of Pathology, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Maite Emaldi
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Leire Torices
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - José I. López
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Rafael Pulido
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- *Correspondence: Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier, ; Rafael Pulido,
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Tsakaneli A, Carregari VC, Morini M, Eva A, Cangemi G, Chayka O, Makarov E, Bibbò S, Capone E, Sala G, De Laurenzi V, Poon E, Chesler L, Pieroni L, Larsen MR, Palmisano G, Sala A. MYC regulates metabolism through vesicular transfer of glycolytic kinases. Open Biol 2021; 11:210276. [PMID: 34847775 PMCID: PMC8633805 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amplification of the proto-oncogene MYCN is a key molecular aberration in high-risk neuroblastoma and predictive of poor outcome in this childhood malignancy. We investigated the role of MYCN in regulating the protein cargo of extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by tumour cells that can be internalized by recipient cells with functional consequences. Using a switchable MYCN system coupled to mass spectrometry analysis, we found that MYCN regulates distinct sets of proteins in the EVs secreted by neuroblastoma cells. EVs produced by MYCN-expressing cells or isolated from neuroblastoma patients induced the Warburg effect, proliferation and c-MYC expression in target cells. Mechanistically, we linked the cancer-promoting activity of EVs to the glycolytic kinase pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) that was enriched in EVs secreted by MYC-expressing neuroblastoma cells. Importantly, the glycolytic enzymes PKM2 and hexokinase II were detected in the EVs circulating in the bloodstream of neuroblastoma patients, but not in those of non-cancer children. We conclude that MYC-activated cancers might spread oncogenic signals to remote body locations through EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Tsakaneli
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, UB8 3PH Uxbridge, UK
| | - Victor Corasolla Carregari
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374 Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Proteomics and Metabonomics Unit, Fondazione Santa Lucia-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Morini
- Laboratorio di Biologia Molecolare, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Eva
- Laboratorio di Biologia Molecolare, IRCCS Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Olesya Chayka
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, UB8 3PH Uxbridge, UK
| | - Evgeny Makarov
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, UB8 3PH Uxbridge, UK
| | - Sandra Bibbò
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST) Chieti, Italy
| | - Emily Capone
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST) Chieti, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sala
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST) Chieti, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Laurenzi
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST) Chieti, Italy
| | - Evon Poon
- Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Luisa Pieroni
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Proteomics and Metabonomics Unit, Fondazione Santa Lucia-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Martin R. Larsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374 Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Proteomics and Metabonomics Unit, Fondazione Santa Lucia-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Arturo Sala
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, UB8 3PH Uxbridge, UK
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MYCN in Neuroblastoma: "Old Wine into New Wineskins". Diseases 2021; 9:diseases9040078. [PMID: 34842635 PMCID: PMC8628738 DOI: 10.3390/diseases9040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MYCN Proto-Oncogene, BHLH Transcription Factor (MYCN) has been one of the most studied genes in neuroblastoma. It is known for its oncogenetic mechanisms, as well as its role in the prognosis of the disease and it is considered one of the prominent targets for neuroblastoma therapy. In the present work, we attempted to review the literature, on the relation between MYCN and neuroblastoma from all possible mechanistic sites. We have searched the literature for the role of MYCN in neuroblastoma based on the following topics: the references of MYCN in the literature, the gene's anatomy, along with its transcripts, the protein's anatomy, the epigenetic mechanisms regulating MYCN expression and function, as well as MYCN amplification. MYCN plays a significant role in neuroblastoma biology. Its functions and properties range from the forming of G-quadraplexes, to the interaction with miRNAs, as well as the regulation of gene methylation and histone acetylation and deacetylation. Although MYCN is one of the most primary genes studied in neuroblastoma, there is still a lot to be learned. Our knowledge on the exact mechanisms of MYCN amplification, etiology and potential interventions is still limited. The knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of MYCN in neuroblastoma, could have potential prognostic and therapeutic advantages.
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Panagopoulos I, Gorunova L, Andersen K, Lund-Iversen M, Tafjord S, Micci F, Heim S. Fusion of the Paired Box 3 ( PAX3) and Myocardin ( MYOCD) Genes in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2021; 18:723-734. [PMID: 34697065 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20293] [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: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Fusions of the paired box 3 gene (PAX3 in 2q36) with different partners have been reported in rhabdomyosarcomas and biphenotypic sinonasal sarcomas. We herein report the myocardin (MYOCD on 17p12) gene as a novel PAX3-fusion partner in a pediatric tumor with adverse clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS A rhabdomyo-sarcoma found in a 10-year-old girl was studied using a range of genetic methodologies. RESULTS The karyotype of the tumor cells was 48,XX,add(2)(q11),+del(2)(q35),add(3)(q?25),-7, del(8)(p 21),-15, add(17)(p 11), + 20, +der(?) t(?; 15) (?;q15),+mar[8]/46,XX[2]. Fluorescence in situ hybridization detected PAX3 rearrangement whereas array comparative genomic hybridization revealed genomic imbalances affecting hundreds of genes, including MYCN, MYC, FOXO3, and the tumor suppressor gene TP53. A PAX3-MYOCD fusion transcript was found by RNA sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. CONCLUSION The investigated rhabdomyosarcoma carried a novel PAX3-MYOCD fusion gene and extensive additional aberrations affecting the allelic balance of many genes, among them TP53 and members of MYC and FOXO families of transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Panagopoulos
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;
| | - Ludmila Gorunova
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristin Andersen
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marius Lund-Iversen
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Svetlana Tafjord
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Francesca Micci
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sverre Heim
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Sradhanjali S, Rout P, Tripathy D, Kaliki S, Rath S, Modak R, Mittal R, Chowdary TK, Reddy MM. The Oncogene MYCN Modulates Glycolytic and Invasive Genes to Enhance Cell Viability and Migration in Human Retinoblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205248. [PMID: 34680394 PMCID: PMC8533785 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoblastoma is usually initiated by biallelic RB1 gene inactivation. In addition, MYCN copy number alterations also contribute to RB pathogenesis. However, MYCN expression, its role in disease progression and correlation with RB histological risk factors are not well understood. We studied the expression of MYCN in enucleated RB patient specimens by immunohistochemistry. MYCN is overexpressed in RB compared to control retina. Our microarray gene expression analysis followed by qRT-PCR validation revealed that genes involved in glucose metabolism and migration are significantly downregulated in MYCN knockdown cells. Further, targeting MYCN in RB cells using small molecule compounds or shRNAs led to decreased cell survival and migration, increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, suggesting that MYCN inhibition can be a potential therapeutic strategy. We also noted that MYCN inhibition results in reduction in glucose uptake, lactate production, ROS levels and gelatinolytic activity of active-MMP9, explaining a possible mechanism of MYCN in RB. Taking clues from our findings, we tested a combination treatment of RB cells with carboplatin and MYCN inhibitors to find enhanced therapeutic efficacy compared to single drug treatment. Thus, MYCN inhibition can be a potential therapeutic strategy in combination with existing chemotherapy drugs to restrict tumor cell growth in RB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swatishree Sradhanjali
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; (S.S.); (P.R.)
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India;
| | - Padmalochan Rout
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; (S.S.); (P.R.)
- Novo Nordisk, Bangalore 560066, Karnataka, India
| | - Devjyoti Tripathy
- Ophthalmic Plastics, Orbit and Ocular Oncology Service, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; (D.T.); (S.R.)
| | - Swathi Kaliki
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, Telangana, India;
| | - Suryasnata Rath
- Ophthalmic Plastics, Orbit and Ocular Oncology Service, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; (D.T.); (S.R.)
| | - Rahul Modak
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India;
| | - Ruchi Mittal
- Kanupriya Dalmia Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India;
- Department of Pathology, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Tirumala Kumar Chowdary
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Bhubaneswar 752050, Odisha, India;
| | - Mamatha M. Reddy
- The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; (S.S.); (P.R.)
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India;
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +91-674-3987175
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Chen J, Guan Z. Function of Oncogene Mycn in Adult Neurogenesis and Oligodendrogenesis. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 59:77-92. [PMID: 34625907 PMCID: PMC8786763 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02584-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human MYCN is an oncogene amplified in neuroblastoma and many other tumors. Both human MYCN and mouse Mycn genes are important in embryonic brain development, but their functions in adult healthy nerve system are completely unknown. Here, with Mycn-eGFP mice and quantitative RT-PCR, we found that Mycn was expressed in specific brain regions of young adult mice, including subventricular zone (SVZ), subgranular zone (SGZ), olfactory bulb (OB), subcallosal zone (SCZ), and corpus callosum (CC). With immunohistochemistry (IHC), we found that many Mycn-expressing cells expressed neuroblast marker doublecortin (DCX) and proliferation marker Ki67. With Dcx-creER and Mki67-creER mouse lines, we fate mapped Dcx-expressing neuroblasts and Mki67-expressing proliferation cells, along with deleting Mycn from these cells in adult mice. We found that knocking out Mycn from adult neuroblasts or proliferating cells significantly reduced cells in proliferation in SVZ, SGZ, OB, SCZ, and CC. We also demonstrated that the Mycn-deficient neuroblasts in SGZ matured quicker than wild-type neuroblasts, and that Mycn-deficient proliferating cells were more likely to survive in SVZ, SGZ, OB, SCZ, and CC compared to wild type. Thus, our results demonstrate that, in addition to causing tumors in the nervous system, oncogene Mycn has a crucial function in neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis in adult healthy brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Chen
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Zhonghui Guan
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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Russi M, Marson D, Fermeglia A, Aulic S, Fermeglia M, Laurini E, Pricl S. The fellowship of the RING: BRCA1, its partner BARD1 and their liaison in DNA repair and cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 232:108009. [PMID: 34619284 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1) and its partner - the BRCA1-associated RING domain protein 1 (BARD1) - are key players in a plethora of fundamental biological functions including, among others, DNA repair, replication fork protection, cell cycle progression, telomere maintenance, chromatin remodeling, apoptosis and tumor suppression. However, mutations in their encoding genes transform them into dangerous threats, and substantially increase the risk of developing cancer and other malignancies during the lifetime of the affected individuals. Understanding how BRCA1 and BARD1 perform their biological activities therefore not only provides a powerful mean to prevent such fatal occurrences but can also pave the way to the development of new targeted therapeutics. Thus, through this review work we aim at presenting the major efforts focused on the functional characterization and structural insights of BRCA1 and BARD1, per se and in combination with all their principal mediators and regulators, and on the multifaceted roles these proteins play in the maintenance of human genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Russi
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Domenico Marson
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alice Fermeglia
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Suzana Aulic
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fermeglia
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Erik Laurini
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabrina Pricl
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
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