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Yu D, Liu X, Han G, Liu Y, Zhao X, Wang D, Bian X, Gu T, Wen L. The let-7 family of microRNAs suppresses immune evasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by promoting PD-L1 degradation. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:173. [PMID: 31881947 PMCID: PMC6935121 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0490-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulation of immunosuppressive protein programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has been documented in several cancers and contributes to the evasion of the host immune system. However, cancer cell-intrinsic signaling-dependent control of PD-L1 expression remains to be elucidated. Herein, we aimed to identify the let-7 family of microRNAs as candidates that up-regulate tumor cell PD-L1 expression and mediates immune evasion of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods The expression of let-7 family and PD-L1 was quantified in HNSCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. PD-L1 degradation was evaluated in HNSCC cells in response to elevated expressions of let-7a or let-7b. The regulation of let-7 family on PD-L1 degradation through a mechanism involving T-cell factor-4 (TCF-4) control of β-catenin/STT3 pathway was evaluated. Immune recognition of HNSCC in vivo was examined in subcutaneous tumor-bearing C3H mice in the presence of let-7a/b and/or CTLA-4 antibody. Results The let-7 family were significantly down-regulated in the context of HNSCC, sharing a negative correlation with PD-L1 expression. Glycosylated PD-L1 was detected in HNSCC cells, which was reduced by let-7a/b over-expression. TCF-4, the target of let-7a/b, activated the β-catenin/STT3 pathway and promoted PD-L1 degradation. In vivo analysis demonstrated that let-7a/b over-expression potentiated anticancer immunotherapy by CTLA-4 blockade. Conclusions Taken together, our findings highlight targeting let-7 family as a potential strategy to enhance immune checkpoint therapy for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Hospital, Jilin University, No. 218, Ziqiang Street, Nanguan District, Changchun, 130041, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueshibojie Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Hospital, Jilin University, No. 218, Ziqiang Street, Nanguan District, Changchun, 130041, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghong Han
- Department of Oral Geriatrics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Hospital, Jilin University, No. 218, Ziqiang Street, Nanguan District, Changchun, 130041, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Hospital, Jilin University, No. 218, Ziqiang Street, Nanguan District, Changchun, 130041, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Hospital, Jilin University, No. 218, Ziqiang Street, Nanguan District, Changchun, 130041, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Bian
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Hospital, Jilin University, No. 218, Ziqiang Street, Nanguan District, Changchun, 130041, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Gu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Hospital, Jilin University, No. 218, Ziqiang Street, Nanguan District, Changchun, 130041, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lianji Wen
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Hospital, Jilin University, No. 218, Ziqiang Street, Nanguan District, Changchun, 130041, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China.
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Roh V, Hiou-Feige A, Misetic V, Rivals JP, Sponarova J, Teh MT, Ferreira Lopes S, Truan Z, Mermod M, Monnier Y, Hess J, Tolstonog GV, Simon C. The transcription factor FOXM1 regulates the balance between proliferation and aberrant differentiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Pathol 2019; 250:107-119. [PMID: 31465124 DOI: 10.1002/path.5342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sustained expression of FOXM1 is a hallmark of nearly all human cancers including squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC). HNSCCs partially preserve the epithelial differentiation program, which recapitulates fetal and adult traits of the tissue of tumor origin but is deregulated by genetic alterations and tumor-supporting pathways. Using shRNA-mediated knockdown, we demonstrate a minimal impact of FOXM1 on proliferation and migration of HNSCC cell lines under standard cell culture conditions. However, FOXM1 knockdown in three-dimensional (3D) culture and xenograft tumor models resulted in reduced proliferation, decreased invasion, and a more differentiated-like phenotype, indicating a context-dependent modulation of FOXM1 activity in HNSCC cells. By ectopic overexpression of FOXM1 in HNSCC cell lines, we demonstrate a reduced expression of cutaneous-type keratin K1 and involucrin as a marker of squamous differentiation, supporting the role of FOXM1 in modulation of aberrant differentiation in HNSCC. Thus, our data provide a strong rationale for targeting FOXM1 in HNSCC. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Roh
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Agnès Hiou-Feige
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vinko Misetic
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Paul Rivals
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jana Sponarova
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Muy-Teck Teh
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Silvia Ferreira Lopes
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zinnia Truan
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maxime Mermod
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yan Monnier
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jochen Hess
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital and Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Genrich V Tolstonog
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christian Simon
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Smirnov A, Anemona L, Novelli F, Piro CM, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, Melino G, Candi E. p63 Is a Promising Marker in the Diagnosis of Unusual Skin Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5781. [PMID: 31744230 PMCID: PMC6888618 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. Ozone depletion and climate changes might cause a further increase in the incidence rate in the future. Although the early detection of skin cancer enables it to be treated successfully, some tumours can evolve and become more aggressive, especially in the case of melanoma. Therefore, good diagnostic and prognostic markers are needed to ensure correct detection and treatment. Transcription factor p63, a member of the p53 family of proteins, plays an essential role in the development of stratified epithelia such as skin. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive review of p63 expression in different types of skin cancer and discuss its possible use in the diagnosis and prognosis of cutaneous tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Smirnov
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Anemona
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Novelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina M. Piro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
- MRC-Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Eleonora Candi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata-IRCCS, 00163 Rome, Italy
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Gatti V, Bongiorno-Borbone L, Fierro C, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, Melino G, Peschiaroli A. p63 at the Crossroads between Stemness and Metastasis in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2683. [PMID: 31159154 PMCID: PMC6600246 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
After lung cancer, breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cause of cancer death among women, worldwide. Although advances in screening approaches and targeted therapeutic agents have decreased BC incidence and mortality, over the past five years, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains the breast cancer subtype that displays the worst prognosis, mainly due to the lack of clinically actionable targets. Genetic and molecular profiling has unveiled the high intrinsic heterogeneity of TNBC, with the basal-like molecular subtypes representing the most diffuse TNBC subtypes, characterized by the expression of basal epithelial markers, such as the transcription factor p63. In this review, we will provide a broad picture on the physiological role of p63, in maintaining the basal epithelial identity, as well as its involvement in breast cancer progression, emphasizing its relevance in tumor cell invasion and stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Gatti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Claudia Fierro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK.
| | - Angelo Peschiaroli
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, 00133 Rome, Italy.
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