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Bhateja P, Cherian M, Majumder S, Ramaswamy B. The Hedgehog Signaling Pathway: A Viable Target in Breast Cancer? Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081126. [PMID: 31394751 PMCID: PMC6721501 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The hedgehog (Hh) pathway plays a key role in embryonic development and stem cell programs. Deregulation of the Hh pathway is a key driver of basal cell carcinoma, and therapeutic targeting led to approval of Hh inhibitor, vismodegib, in the management of this cancer. The Hh pathway is implicated in other malignancies including hormone receptor (HR+) positive and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Hh signaling, which is activated in human mammary stem cells, results in activation of glioma-associated oncogene (GLI) transcription factors. High GLI1 expression correlates with worse outcomes in breast cancer. Non-canonical GLI1 activation is one mechanism by which estrogen exposure promotes breast cancer stem cell proliferation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Tamoxifen resistant cell lines show aberrant activation of Hh signaling, and knockdown of Hh pathway inhibited growth of tamoxifen resistant cells. As in other cancers Hh signaling is activated by the PI3K/AKT pathway in these endocrine resistant cell lines. Hh pathway activation has also been reported to mediate chemotherapy resistance in TNBC via various mechanisms including paracrine signaling to tumor micro-environment and selective proliferation of cancer stem cells. Co-activation of Hh and Wnt signaling pathways is a poor prognostic marker in TNBC. Early phase clinical trials are evaluating the combination of smoothened (SMO) inhibitors and chemotherapy in TNBC. In addition to SMO inhibitors like vismodegib and sonidegib, which are in clinical use for basal cell carcinoma, GLI1 inhibitors like GANT58 and GANT61 are in preclinical drug development and might be an effective mechanism to overcome drug resistance in breast cancer. Gene signatures predictive of Hh pathway activation could enrich for patients likely to respond to these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Bhateja
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal medicine, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Mathew Cherian
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal medicine, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Sarmila Majumder
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal medicine, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal medicine, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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Zhang Q, Cao W, Wang X, Zhang M, Lu X, Chen J, Chen Y, Ge M, Zhong C, Han H. Genistein inhibits nasopharyngeal cancer stem cells through sonic hedgehog signaling. Phytother Res 2019; 33:2783-2791. [DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public HealthNanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Wan‐Shuang Cao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public HealthNanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Xue‐Qi Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public HealthNanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public HealthNanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Xiao‐Min Lu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public HealthNanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Jia‐Qi Chen
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public HealthNanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public HealthNanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Miao‐Miao Ge
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public HealthNanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Cai‐Yun Zhong
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public HealthNanjing Medical University Nanjing China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public HealthNanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Hong‐Yu Han
- Department of Clinical NutritionSun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Guangzhou China
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Pellacani D, Tan S, Lefort S, Eaves CJ. Transcriptional regulation of normal human mammary cell heterogeneity and its perturbation in breast cancer. EMBO J 2019; 38:e100330. [PMID: 31304632 PMCID: PMC6627240 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2018100330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammary gland in adult women consists of biologically distinct cell types that differ in their surface phenotypes. Isolation and molecular characterization of these subpopulations of mammary cells have provided extensive insights into their different transcriptional programs and regulation. This information is now serving as a baseline for interpreting the heterogeneous features of human breast cancers. Examination of breast cancer mutational profiles further indicates that most have undergone a complex evolutionary process even before being detected. The consequent intra-tumoral as well as inter-tumoral heterogeneity of these cancers thus poses major challenges to deriving information from early and hence likely pervasive changes in potential therapeutic interest. Recently described reproducible and efficient methods for generating human breast cancers de novo in immunodeficient mice transplanted with genetically altered primary cells now offer a promising alternative to investigate initial stages of human breast cancer development. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about key transcriptional regulatory processes operative in these partially characterized subpopulations of normal human mammary cells and effects of disrupting these processes in experimentally produced human breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Pellacani
- Terry Fox LaboratoryBritish Columbia Cancer AgencyVancouverBCCanada
| | - Susanna Tan
- Terry Fox LaboratoryBritish Columbia Cancer AgencyVancouverBCCanada
| | - Sylvain Lefort
- Terry Fox LaboratoryBritish Columbia Cancer AgencyVancouverBCCanada
| | - Connie J Eaves
- Terry Fox LaboratoryBritish Columbia Cancer AgencyVancouverBCCanada
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54
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Zhou Y, Sinha S, Schwartz JL, Adami GR. A subtype of oral, laryngeal, esophageal, and lung, squamous cell carcinoma with high levels of TrkB-T1 neurotrophin receptor mRNA. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:607. [PMID: 31221127 PMCID: PMC6587277 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5789-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The NTRK2 genetic locus encodes neurotrophin membrane receptors that play an important role in normal neural tissue plasticity, growth, and survival. One NTRK2-encoded protein is TrkB-FL, which can regulate multiple pathways relevant to cancer. A second NTRK2 gene mRNA isoform encodes TrkB-T1, a receptor that has a different cytoplasmic domain encoded in a mRNA with a unique 3′ terminal exon. Method Tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and other studies were classified according to the expression of a single form of NTRK2 mRNA, TrkB-T1, identified by its unique 3′ terminal exon. Analysis of differentially expressed genes in TrkB-T1 high expressers was done to determine if tumors enriched for TrkB-T1 mRNA were a uniform group independent of anatomic site. Results The mRNA for TrkB-T1 is the most abundant NTRK2 gene mRNA in all squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in the TCGA database. Comparison of larynx SCC high TrkB-T1 RNA expressers to low expressers (n = 96) revealed gene expression differences consistent with the high TrkB-T1 tumors being more neural-like. The upregulated genes in the TrkB-T1 RNA high expressers also showed enrichment of pathways involved in retinol metabolism, hedgehog signaling, and the Nfe2l2 response, among other pathways. An examination of oral, esophagus, and lung SCCs (n = 284, 97, 501) showed induction of the same pathways among tumors that expressed high levels of TrkB-T1 mRNA. Proteins associated with regulation of the sonic hedgehog pathway, and the Nfe2l2 response, Tp63, and Keap1 and p62/SQSTM1 proteins, showed differential expression in larynx, oral and lung high TrkB1-T1 expresser SCCs. Unexpectantly, the relationship of high level TrkB-T1 expression to patient outcomes was SCC anatomic site specific. High TrkB-T1 mRNA levels in laryngeal SCC correlated with poor survival, but the opposite was true for lung SCC. This may be because pathways enriched in the TrkB high expressers, like those involving oncogenes NFE2L2, PIK3CA, and SOX2, are known to have SCC anatomic site-specific effects on progression. Conclusions High level TrkB-T1 mRNA is a marker of a distinct SCC subtype enriched for at least 3 pathways relevant to tumor progression: Nfe2l2 response, retinol metabolism, and hedgehog signaling. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5789-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalu Zhou
- Department of Oral Medicine & Diagnostic Sciences, Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 801 South Paulina Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Saurabh Sinha
- Department of Computer Science and Carl R. Woese Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2122 Siebel Center, 201N. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Joel L Schwartz
- Department of Oral Medicine & Diagnostic Sciences, Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 801 South Paulina Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Guy R Adami
- Department of Oral Medicine & Diagnostic Sciences, Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 801 South Paulina Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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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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56
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Cellular Reprogramming as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer. Trends Cell Biol 2019; 29:623-634. [PMID: 31153655 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cancer heterogeneity has long been recognized as an important clinical determinant of patient outcomes and, thus, many new cancer treatments have been designed to target these different cells. Despite the short-term achievements of current therapies, including chemotherapy, antiangiogenesis therapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, the long-term success of cancer regression remains poor. Therefore, researchers have investigated a new property, cellular reprogramming, in cancer that not only contributes to the classic hallmarks of cancer, but also suggests that cancer is a dynamic event rather than a static cellular entity. Here, we discuss the mechanisms by which the cellular reprogramming of cancer cells can explain some of the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity observed among cancer cells.
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57
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Riaz SK, Ke Y, Wang F, Kayani MA, Malik MFA. Influence of SHH/GLI1 axis on EMT mediated migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6620. [PMID: 31036836 PMCID: PMC6488587 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43093-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sonic Hedgehog signaling is critical for breast morphogenesis and cancer. The present study was conducted to explore the influence of SHH/GLI1 axis on epithelial mesenchymal transition and invasion in breast cancer cells. SHH/GLI1 positive samples demonstrated high expression of Snail and Vimentin with relatively low expression of E-cadherin. Overexpression of Vimentin and Snail in SHH/GLI1 positive patients was also associated with poor overall survival. Interestingly, GANT61 (GLI1 inhibitor) exposure significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis at 10 µM. Suppression of Hedgehog pathway either by CRISPR mediated SHH knock out or GANT61 altered regulation of EMT markers in breast cancer cells. Moreover, in-activation of SHH/GLI1 axis also significantly restricted cell migration and invasiveness. These findings suggest that targeting SHH/GLI1 axis alters expression of EMT markers and abrogates neoplastic invasion in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syeda Kiran Riaz
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Centre for Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Centre, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yuepeng Ke
- Centre for Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Centre, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Fen Wang
- Centre for Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Centre, Houston, Texas, USA
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58
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Miller MW. p53-Mediated Activities in NS-5 Neural Stem Cells: Effects of Ethanol. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2019; 43:655-667. [PMID: 30748015 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 and ethanol (EtOH) powerfully inhibit the proliferation, DNA repair, and survival of neural stem cells (NSCs). The present study tests the hypothesis that the EtOH-induced DNA damage response is mediated through p53 pathways and influenced by growth factor signals. METHODS Cultures of nonimmortalized NSCs, NS-5 cells, were transfected with p53 siRNA, exposed to either the mitogenic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 or antimitogenic TGFβ1, and to EtOH. Stage-specific cellular and genomic responses were examined. RESULTS p53 status, EtOH exposure, and growth factor significantly affected the expression of transcripts related to the DNA damage response (including those coding for excision repair proteins), mitotic promoters, and regulators of cell death via the tumor necrosis factor pathway. There were significant compensatory increases in p53 family members, p63 and p73, notably in regard to the regulation of cell cycle restriction and apoptosis. Treatment with p53 siRNA potentiated EtOH- and TGFβ1-induced changes in the numbers of proliferating NSCs and increased the proportion of NSCs expressing the apoptotic marker annexin V. CONCLUSIONS Thus, it appears that EtOH and TGFβ1 affect proliferation, DNA repair, and survival of NSCs via p53-mediated activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Miller
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York-Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Middletown, New York.,Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Syracuse, New York
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59
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Self-renewal signaling pathways in breast cancer stem cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2019; 107:140-153. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2018.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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60
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Pentimalli F, Grelli S, Di Daniele N, Melino G, Amelio I. Cell death pathologies: targeting death pathways and the immune system for cancer therapy. Genes Immun 2018; 20:539-554. [PMID: 30563970 PMCID: PMC6451632 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-018-0052-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in the molecular mechanisms of cell death are a common feature of cancer. These alterations enable malignant cells to survive intrinsic death signalling leading to accumulation of genetic aberrations and helping them to cope with adverse conditions. Regulated cell death has historically been exclusively associated with classical apoptosis; however, increasing evidence indicates that several alternative mechanisms orchestrate multiple death pathways, such as ferroptosis, entosis, necroptosis and immunogenic cell death, each with distinct underlying molecular mechanisms. Although pharmacological targeting of cell death pathways has been the subject of intensive efforts in recent decades with a dominant focus on targeting apoptosis, the identification of these novel death pathways has opened additional venues for intervention in cancer cells and the immune system. In this mini-review, we cover some recent progress on major recently emerged cell death modalities, emphasizing their potential clinical and therapeutic implications. We also discuss the interplay between cell death and immune response, highlighting the potential of the combination of traditional anticancer therapy and immunocheckpoint blockade. While attempting to stimulate discussion and draw attention to the possible clinical impact of these more recently emerged cell death modalities, we also cover the major progress achieved in translating strategies for manipulation of apoptotic pathways into the clinic, focusing on the attempts to target the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 and the tumour suppressor p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pentimalli
- Centro Ricerche Oncologiche Mercogliano (CROM), Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS -Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Istituto Dermopatico Immacolata (IDI-IRCCS), 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Di Daniele
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Istituto Dermopatico Immacolata (IDI-IRCCS), 00100, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerry Melino
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Istituto Dermopatico Immacolata (IDI-IRCCS), 00100, Rome, Italy.,Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Hodgkin Building, Lancaster Road, P.O. Box 138, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Ivano Amelio
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Hodgkin Building, Lancaster Road, P.O. Box 138, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK.
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61
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Rotblat B, Agostini M, Niklison-Chirou MV, Amelio I, Willis AE, Melino G. Sustained protein synthesis and reduced eEF2K levels in TAp73 -\- mice brain: a possible compensatory mechanism. Cell Cycle 2018; 17:2637-2643. [PMID: 30507330 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2018.1553341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor p73 is a member of the p53 family, of which the transactivation domain containing isoform (TAp73) plays key roles in brain development and neuronal stem cells. TAp73 also facilitates homoeostasis and prevents oxidative damage in vivo by inducing the expression of its target genes. Recently, we found that in addition to its role in regulation of transcription, TAp73 also affects mRNA translation. In cultured cells, acute TAp73 depletion activates eEF2K, which phosphorylates eEF2 reducing mRNA translation elongation. As a consequence, there is a reduction in global proteins synthesis rates and reprogramming of the translatome, leading to a selective decrease in the translation of rRNA processing factors. Given the dramatic effects of Tap73 depletion in vitro it was important to determine whether similar effects were observed in vivo. Here, we report the surprising finding that in brains of TAp73 KO mice there is a reduced level of eEF2K, which allows protein synthesis rates to be maintained suggesting a compensation model. These data provide new insights to the role of TAp73 in translation regulation and the eEF2K pathway in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barak Rotblat
- a MRC Toxicology Unit , University of Cambridge , Rome , UK.,b Department of Life Sciences , Ben Gurion University in the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel
| | - Massimiliano Agostini
- a MRC Toxicology Unit , University of Cambridge , Rome , UK.,c Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, IDI-IRCCS , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
| | - Maria Victoria Niklison-Chirou
- a MRC Toxicology Unit , University of Cambridge , Rome , UK.,d Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry , Queen Mary University of London , London , UK
| | - Ivano Amelio
- a MRC Toxicology Unit , University of Cambridge , Rome , UK
| | - Anne E Willis
- a MRC Toxicology Unit , University of Cambridge , Rome , UK
| | - Gerry Melino
- a MRC Toxicology Unit , University of Cambridge , Rome , UK.,c Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, IDI-IRCCS , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy
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62
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Park S, Kim H, Kim K, Roh S. Sonic hedgehog signalling regulates the self-renewal and proliferation of skin-derived precursor cells in mice. Cell Prolif 2018; 51:e12500. [PMID: 30151845 PMCID: PMC6528853 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway has an important role in the maintenance of various stem cells and organogenesis during development. However, the effect of Shh in skin-derived precursors (SKPs), which have the capacity for multipotency and self-renewal, is not yet clear. The present study investigated the effects of the Shh signalling pathway on the proliferation and self-renewal of murine SKPs (mSKPs). METHODS The Shh signalling pathway was activated by treatment with purmorphamine (Shh agonist) or recombinant Shh in mSKPs. Cyclopamine (Shh antagonist) or GANT-61 (Gli inhibitor) was used to inhibit the pathway. Western blot, qPCR, and immunofluorescence were used to analyse the expression of genes related to self-renewal, stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the Shh signalling pathway. In addition, cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined. RESULTS Inhibiting the Shh signalling pathway reduced mSKP proliferation and sphere formation, but increased apoptosis. Activating this signalling pathway produced opposite results. The Shh signalling pathway also controlled the EMT phenotype in mSKPs. Moreover, purmorphamine recovered the self-renewal and proliferation of aged mSKPs. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the Shh signalling pathway has an important role in the proliferation, self-renewal and apoptosis of mSKPs. These findings also provide a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying SKP self-renewal and apoptosis that allow more efficient expansion of SKPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangkyu Park
- Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology LaboratoryDental Research Institute, BK21, Seoul National University School of DentistrySeoulKorea
| | - Hyewon Kim
- Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology LaboratoryDental Research Institute, BK21, Seoul National University School of DentistrySeoulKorea
| | - Kichul Kim
- Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology LaboratoryDental Research Institute, BK21, Seoul National University School of DentistrySeoulKorea
| | - Sangho Roh
- Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology LaboratoryDental Research Institute, BK21, Seoul National University School of DentistrySeoulKorea
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63
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Somerville TDD, Xu Y, Miyabayashi K, Tiriac H, Cleary CR, Maia-Silva D, Milazzo JP, Tuveson DA, Vakoc CR. TP63-Mediated Enhancer Reprogramming Drives the Squamous Subtype of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cell Rep 2018; 25:1741-1755.e7. [PMID: 30428345 PMCID: PMC6296757 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant expression of squamous lineage markers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) has been correlated with poor clinical outcomes. However, the functional role of this putative transdifferentiation event in PDA pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we show that expression of the transcription factor TP63 (ΔNp63) is sufficient to install and sustain the enhancer landscape and transcriptional signature of the squamous lineage in human PDA cells. We also demonstrate that TP63-driven enhancer reprogramming promotes aggressive tumor phenotypes, including enhanced cell motility and invasion, and an accelerated growth of primary PDA tumors and metastases in vivo. This process ultimately leads to a powerful addiction of squamous PDA cells to continuous TP63 expression. Our study demonstrates the functional significance of squamous transdifferentiation in PDA and reveals TP63-based reprogramming as an experimental tool for investigating mechanisms and vulnerabilities linked to this aberrant cell fate transition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yali Xu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Koji Miyabayashi
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Hervé Tiriac
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Cristian R Cleary
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Graduate Program in Genetics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Diogo Maia-Silva
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Watson School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Joseph P Milazzo
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - David A Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
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Hedgehog Signaling in Cancer: A Prospective Therapeutic Target for Eradicating Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2018; 7:cells7110208. [PMID: 30423843 PMCID: PMC6262325 DOI: 10.3390/cells7110208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a signaling cascade that plays a crucial role in many fundamental processes, including embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Moreover, emerging evidence has suggested that aberrant activation of Hh is associated with neoplastic transformations, malignant tumors, and drug resistance of a multitude of cancers. At the molecular level, it has been shown that Hh signaling drives the progression of cancers by regulating cancer cell proliferation, malignancy, metastasis, and the expansion of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Thus, a comprehensive understanding of Hh signaling during tumorigenesis and development of chemoresistance is necessary in order to identify potential therapeutic strategies to target various human cancers and their relapse. In this review, we discuss the molecular basis of the Hh signaling pathway and its abnormal activation in several types of human cancers. We also highlight the clinical development of Hh signaling inhibitors for cancer therapy as well as CSC-targeted therapy.
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65
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Carbone M, Amelio I, Affar EB, Brugarolas J, Cannon-Albright LA, Cantley LC, Cavenee WK, Chen Z, Croce CM, Andrea AD, Gandara D, Giorgi C, Jia W, Lan Q, Mak TW, Manley JL, Mikoshiba K, Onuchic JN, Pass HI, Pinton P, Prives C, Rothman N, Sebti SM, Turkson J, Wu X, Yang H, Yu H, Melino G. Consensus report of the 8 and 9th Weinman Symposia on Gene x Environment Interaction in carcinogenesis: novel opportunities for precision medicine. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:1885-1904. [PMID: 30323273 PMCID: PMC6219489 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0213-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative contribution of intrinsic genetic factors and extrinsic environmental ones to cancer aetiology and natural history is a lengthy and debated issue. Gene-environment interactions (G x E) arise when the combined presence of both a germline genetic variant and a known environmental factor modulates the risk of disease more than either one alone. A panel of experts discussed our current understanding of cancer aetiology, known examples of G × E interactions in cancer, and the expanded concept of G × E interactions to include somatic cancer mutations and iatrogenic environmental factors such as anti-cancer treatment. Specific genetic polymorphisms and genetic mutations increase susceptibility to certain carcinogens and may be targeted in the near future for prevention and treatment of cancer patients with novel molecularly based therapies. There was general consensus that a better understanding of the complexity and numerosity of G × E interactions, supported by adequate technological, epidemiological, modelling and statistical resources, will further promote our understanding of cancer and lead to novel preventive and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - El Bachir Affar
- Department of Medicine, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, University of Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, H1T 2M4, Canada
| | - James Brugarolas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology-Oncology Division, Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Lisa A Cannon-Albright
- Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Lewis C Cantley
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, 413 E. 69(th) Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Webster K Cavenee
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Zhijian Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Carlo M Croce
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Alan D' Andrea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - David Gandara
- Thoracic Oncology, UC Davis, Sacramento, CA, 96817, USA
| | - Carlotta Giorgi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Wei Jia
- Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Qing Lan
- Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology Branch Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics National Cancer Institute NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tak Wah Mak
- The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - James L Manley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katsuhiko Mikoshiba
- Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Jose N Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Harvey I Pass
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carol Prives
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10027, USA
| | - Nathaniel Rothman
- Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology Branch Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics National Cancer Institute NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Said M Sebti
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, and Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | | | - Xifeng Wu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Gerry Melino
- MRC Toxicology Unit, Leicester, UK.
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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66
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Kumar S, Wilkes DW, Samuel N, Blanco MA, Nayak A, Alicea-Torres K, Gluck C, Sinha S, Gabrilovich D, Chakrabarti R. ΔNp63-driven recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells promotes metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:5095-5109. [PMID: 30295647 DOI: 10.1172/jci99673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is particularly aggressive, with enhanced incidence of tumor relapse, resistance to chemotherapy, and metastases. As the mechanistic basis for this aggressive phenotype is unclear, treatment options are limited. Here, we showed an increased population of myeloid-derived immunosuppressor cells (MDSCs) in TNBC patients compared with non-TNBC patients. We found that high levels of the transcription factor ΔNp63 correlate with an increased number of MDSCs in basal TNBC patients, and that ΔNp63 promotes tumor growth, progression, and metastasis in human and mouse TNBC cells. Furthermore, we showed that MDSC recruitment to the primary tumor and metastatic sites occurs via direct ΔNp63-dependent activation of the chemokines CXCL2 and CCL22. CXCR2/CCR4 inhibitors reduced MDSC recruitment, angiogenesis, and metastasis, highlighting a novel treatment option for this subset of TNBC patients. Finally, we found that MDSCs secrete prometastatic factors such as MMP9 and chitinase 3-like 1 to promote TNBC cancer stem cell function, thereby identifying a nonimmunologic role for MDSCs in promoting TNBC progression. These findings identify a unique crosstalk between ΔNp63+ TNBC cells and MDSCs that promotes tumor progression and metastasis, which could be exploited in future combined immunotherapy/chemotherapy strategies for TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David W Wilkes
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nina Samuel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mario Andres Blanco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anupma Nayak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Christian Gluck
- Department of Biochemistry, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Satrajit Sinha
- Department of Biochemistry, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | | - Rumela Chakrabarti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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67
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Jolly MK, Somarelli JA, Sheth M, Biddle A, Tripathi SC, Armstrong AJ, Hanash SM, Bapat SA, Rangarajan A, Levine H. Hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypes promote metastasis and therapy resistance across carcinomas. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 194:161-184. [PMID: 30268772 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis and therapy resistance are the major unsolved clinical challenges, and account for nearly all cancer-related deaths. Both metastasis and therapy resistance are fueled by epithelial plasticity, the reversible phenotypic transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). EMT and MET have been largely considered as binary processes, where cells detach from the primary tumor as individual units with many, if not all, traits of a mesenchymal cell (EMT) and then convert back to being epithelial (MET). However, recent studies have demonstrated that cells can metastasize in ways alternative to traditional EMT paradigm; for example, they can detach as clusters, and/or occupy one or more stable hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotypes that can be the end point of a transition. Such hybrid E/M cells can integrate various epithelial and mesenchymal traits and markers, facilitating collective cell migration. Furthermore, these hybrid E/M cells may possess higher tumor-initiation and metastatic potential as compared to cells on either end of the EMT spectrum. Here, we review in silico, in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence for the existence of one or more hybrid E/M phenotype(s) in multiple carcinomas, and discuss their implications in tumor-initiation, tumor relapse, therapy resistance, and metastasis. Together, these studies drive the emerging notion that cells in a hybrid E/M phenotype may occupy 'metastatic sweet spot' in multiple subtypes of carcinomas, and pathways linked to this (these) hybrid E/M state(s) may be relevant as prognostic biomarkers as well as a promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Jason A Somarelli
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Maya Sheth
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Adrian Biddle
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Satyendra C Tripathi
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Andrew J Armstrong
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Samir M Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Sharmila A Bapat
- National Center for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Annapoorni Rangarajan
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
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68
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Constantinou C, Papadopoulos S, Karyda E, Alexopoulos A, Agnanti N, Batistatou A, Harisis H. Expression and Clinical Significance of Claudin-7, PDL-1, PTEN, c-Kit, c-Met, c-Myc, ALK, CK5/6, CK17, p53, EGFR, Ki67, p63 in Triple-negative Breast Cancer-A Single Centre Prospective Observational Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 32:303-311. [PMID: 29475913 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM To explore the relationship between p53, p63, c-kit, Ki67, cMet, claudin7, CK5/6, CK17, AR, PTEN, EGFR, ALK, PDL-1 and c-MYC expression with the clinicopathological features of triple- negative breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunohistochemistry was performed in 84 triple-negative breast cancer samples. RESULTS A statistically significant relationship between tumour grade and claudin-7 (p=0.004) and between protein p53 and positive lymph nodes (p=0.015) was found. High expression of claudin-7 (OR=65.8, 95%CI=4.35-995.19, p-value=0.003) and low expression of c-kit (OR=0.14, 95%CI=0.025-0.793, p-value=0.026) and protein p63 (OR=0.18 95%CI=0.035-0.978, p-value=0.047) was associated with higher tumour grade. Higher AR expression (OR=13.44, 95%CI=1.28-141.56, p-value=0.031) and lower expression of CK5/6 cytokeratins was found in patients with positive lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (OR=0.072, 95%CI=0.007-0.732, p-value=0.026). Only the cell proliferation index (Ki67) has been proven to be statistically significant for disease-free survival (p-value=0.0378), and overall survival (p-value=0.0186). CONCLUSION High expression of claudin-7 and low expression of c-kit and protein p63 are associated with higher tumour grade. AR and CK5/6 expression seem to be important in LVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Constantinou
- Breast Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, U.K. .,Breast Unit, Hygeia Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Niki Agnanti
- Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Haris Harisis
- Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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69
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Gatti V, Fierro C, Compagnone M, Giangrazi F, Markert EK, Bongiorno-Borbone L, Melino G, Peschiaroli A. ΔNp63 regulates the expression of hyaluronic acid-related genes in breast cancer cells. Oncogenesis 2018; 7:65. [PMID: 30139970 PMCID: PMC6107578 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-018-0073-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) represent the most aggressive and clinically relevant breast carcinomas. On the basis of specific molecular signature, the majority of TNBC can be classified as basal-like breast carcinoma. Here, we report data showing that in basal-like breast carcinoma cells ΔNp63 is capable of sustaining the production of the hyaluronic acid (HA), one of the major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). At molecular level, we found that ΔNp63 regulates the expression of HA-related genes, such as the HA synthase HAS3, the hyaluronidase HYAL-1 and CD44, the major HA cell membrane receptor. By controlling this pathway, ∆Np63 contributes to maintain the self-renewal of breast cancer stem cells. Importantly, high HAS3 expression is a negative prognostic factor of TNBC patients. Our data suggest that in basal-type breast carcinoma ∆Np63 might favor a HA-rich microenviroment, which can sustain tumor proliferation and stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Gatti
- National Research Council of Italy, (CNR), Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology (IBCN), CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Fierro
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirco Compagnone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.,Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Giangrazi
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.,Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Genetics, The Smurfit Institute, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Elke Katrin Markert
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Lucilla Bongiorno-Borbone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy. .,Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, Leicester University, Lancaster Road, P.O. Box 138, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK.
| | - Angelo Peschiaroli
- National Research Council of Italy, (CNR), Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, Rome, 00133, Italy.
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70
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Dittmer J. Breast cancer stem cells: Features, key drivers and treatment options. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:59-74. [PMID: 30059727 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The current view is that breast cancer is a stem cell disease characterized by the existence of cancer cells with stem-like features and tumor-initiating potential. These cells are made responsible for tumor dissemination and metastasis. Common therapies by chemotherapeutic drugs fail to eradicate these cells and rather increase the pool of cancer stem cells in tumors, an effect that may increase the likelyhood of recurrence. Fifteen years after the first evidence for a small stem-like subpopulation playing a major role in breast cancer initiation has been published a large body of knowledge has been accumulated regarding the signaling cascades and proteins involved in maintaining stemness in breast cancer. Differences in the stem cell pool size and in mechanisms regulating stemness in the different breast cancer subtypes have emerged. Overall, this knowledge offers new approaches to intervene with breast cancer stem cell activity. New options are particularly needed for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer subtype, which is particularly rich in cancer stem cells and is also the subtype for which specific therapies are still not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Dittmer
- Clinic for Gynecology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
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71
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Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE The p53 family of transcription factors, including p53, p63, and p73, plays key roles in both biological and pathological processes, including cancer and neural development. Recent Advances: In recent years, a growing body of evidence has indicated that the entire p53 family is involved in the regulation of the central nervous system (CNS) functions as well as in the pathogenesis of several neurological disorders. Mechanistically, the p53 proteins control neuronal cell fate, terminal differentiation, and survival, via a complex interplay among the family members. CRITICAL ISSUES In this article, we discuss the involvement of the p53 family in neurobiology and in pathological conditions affecting the CNS, including neuroinflammation. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Understanding the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the function of the p53 family could improve our general knowledge of the pathogenesis of brain disorders and potentially pave the road for new therapeutic intervention. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 29, 1-14.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Agostini
- 1 Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy .,2 Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University , Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Gerry Melino
- 1 Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy .,2 Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University , Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Bernassola
- 1 Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy
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72
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Kang YK. Surveillance of Retroelement Expression and Nucleic-Acid Immunity by Histone Methyltransferase SETDB1. Bioessays 2018; 40:e1800058. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201800058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Kook Kang
- Development and Differentiation Research Center; Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB); Department of Functional Genomics; University of Science and Technology (UST); Yuseong-gu Daejeon 34141 South Korea
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73
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Nie M, Qin Y, Zhu J, Li Y, Wang Z. Correlation between ultrasonic features and expression levels of C-erbB-2, VEGF and nm23 in breast cancer. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:1701-1707. [PMID: 30008856 PMCID: PMC6036493 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common female malignancies in clinical practice, which ranks number one in terms of its high incidence. We investigated the relevance of ultrasonic features of breast cancer and expression levels of C-erbB-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nm23 and its clinical significance. A total of 76 patients with breast cancer were recruited who were admitted to The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January, 2016 to August, 2017. All patients underwent color Doppler ultrasonic imaging, and expression levels of C-erbB-2, VEGF and nm23 in their tumor tissues were measured by immunohistochemistry. The ultrasonic features were evaluated and compared with the expression levels of C-erbB-2, VEGF and nm23 for each patient. Ultrasonography showed a tumor mass with spiculated margins, abnormal vasculature, and a diameter no less than 3 cm, as well as lymph node metastasis. The above signs were associated with high expression of C-erbB-2, VEGF and nm23 (p<0.05), but calcification was not associated with high expression of these biomarkers (p>0.05). For patients with highly expressed C-erbB-2 and VEGF, the time to peak (TTP) of the time-intensity curve obtained by contrast enhanced ultrasound was shorter, while the peak intensity (PI) was higher. On the contrary, for patients with highly expressed nm23, the TTP was apparently longer, while the PI was lower (p<0.05). The ultrasonic features of breast cancer were relevant to the expression levels of C-erbB-2, VEGF and nm23. Thus, the expression levels of C-erbB-2, VEGF and nm23 were predictable indirectly according to the ultrasonic features of the patient, which can be used as a reference for breast cancer treatment and prognosis prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Nie
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266001, P.R. China.,Department of Medical Imaging, People's Hospital of Rizhao, Rizhao, Shandong 276800, P.R. China
| | - Yongchun Qin
- Department of Medical Imaging, People's Hospital of Rizhao, Rizhao, Shandong 276800, P.R. China
| | - Jiafeng Zhu
- Department of Medical Imaging, People's Hospital of Rizhao, Rizhao, Shandong 276800, P.R. China
| | - Yanzhi Li
- ICU, People's Hospital of Zhangqiu, Jinan, Shandong 250000, P.R. China
| | - Zhibin Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266001, P.R. China
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74
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Galoczova M, Coates P, Vojtesek B. STAT3, stem cells, cancer stem cells and p63. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2018; 23:12. [PMID: 29588647 PMCID: PMC5863838 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-018-0078-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor with many important functions in the biology of normal and transformed cells. Its regulation is highly complex as it is involved in signaling pathways in many different cell types and under a wide variety of conditions. Besides other functions, STAT3 is an important regulator of normal stem cells and cancer stem cells. p63 which is a member of the p53 protein family is also involved in these functions and is both physically and functionally connected with STAT3. This review summarizes STAT3 function and regulation, its role in stem cell and cancer stem cell properties and highlights recent reports about its relationship to p63.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Galoczova
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Philip Coates
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Borivoj Vojtesek
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
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75
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Yang W, Liu Y, Gao R, Yu H, Sun T. HDAC6 inhibition induces glioma stem cells differentiation and enhances cellular radiation sensitivity through the SHH/Gli1 signaling pathway. Cancer Lett 2018; 415:164-176. [PMID: 29222038 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 11/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The existence of small numbers of stem-like cells, called glioma stem cells (GSCs), in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is responsible for recurrence due to resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) enhanced radiosensitivity of cancer cells. However, the effect of inhibiting HDAC6 on stemness and radioresistance of GSCs and its molecular mechanism are largely unknown. In the present study, we found that HDAC6 was upregulated in GSCs comparing to non-stem tumor cells. Inhibiting HDAC6 downregulated glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1), Patched (Ptch1 and Ptch2) receptors, components of SHH signal, expression and activity in GSCs. Restraining HDAC6 decreased cell proliferation, induces differentiation and increased apoptosis of GSCs via inactivation of SHH/Gli1 signaling pathway. Moreover, HDAC6 inhibition decreased DNA damage repair capacity of GSCs through degradation of checkpoint kinase (CHK) 1 caused by X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) downregulation, leading to elevated radiosensitivity. Taken together, these findings indicate that HDAC6 inhibition decreased stemness of GSCs and enhanced GSCs radiosensitivity through inactivating SHH/Gli1 pathway. This provides a promising novel drug target to overcome GSCs stemness and radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yang
- School of Radiological Medicine and Protection, Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China.
| | - Yingying Liu
- School of Radiological Medicine and Protection, Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Ruoling Gao
- School of Radiological Medicine and Protection, Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Hongquan Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China
| | - Ting Sun
- Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, China.
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76
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ΔNp63 drives metastasis in breast cancer cells via PI3K/CD44v6 axis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:54157-54173. [PMID: 27494839 PMCID: PMC5342332 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
P63 is a transcription factor belonging to the family of p53, essential for the development and differentiation of epithelia. In recent years, it has become clear that altered expression of the different isoforms of this gene can play an important role in carcinogenesis. The p63 gene encodes for two main isoforms known as TA and ΔN p63 with different functions. The role of these different isoforms in sustaining tumor progression and metastatic spreading however has not entirely been clarified. Here we show that breast cancer initiating cells express ΔNp63 isoform that supports a more mesenchymal phenotype associated with a higher tumorigenic and metastatic potential. On the contrary, the majority of cells within the tumor appears to express predominantly TAp63 isoform. While ΔNp63 exerts its effects by regulating a PI3K/CD44v6 pathway, TAp63 modulates this pathway in an opposite fashion. As a result, tumorigenicity and invasive capacity of breast cancer cells is a balance of the two isoforms. Finally, we found that tumor microenvironmental cytokines significantly contribute to the establishment of breast cancer cell phenotype by positively regulating ΔNp63 and CD44v6 expression.
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77
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Regina C, Compagnone M, Peschiaroli A, Lena A, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, Piro MC, Melino G, Candi E. Setdb1, a novel interactor of ΔNp63, is involved in breast tumorigenesis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:28836-48. [PMID: 26840455 PMCID: PMC5045360 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ΔNp63 has been recently involved in self-renewal potential of breast cancer stem cells. Although the p63 transcriptional profile has been extensively characterized, our knowledge of the p63-binding partners potentially involved in the regulation of breast tumour progression is limited. Here, we performed the yeast two hybrid approach to identify p63α interactors involved in breast tumorigenesis and we found that SETDB1, a histone lysine methyl transferases, interacts with ΔNp63α and that this interaction contributes to p63 protein stability. SETDB1 is often amplified in primary breast tumours, and its depletion confers to breast cancer cells growth disadvantage. We identified a list of thirty genes repressed by ΔNp63 in a SETDB1-dependent manner, whose expression is positively correlated to survival of breast cancer patients. These results suggest that p63 and SETDB1 expression, together with the repressed genes, may have diagnostic and prognostic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Regina
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Mirco Compagnone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - AnnaMaria Lena
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Cristina Piro
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Candi
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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78
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Zhang L, Wen X, Li M, Li S, Zhao H. Targeting cancer stem cells and signaling pathways by resveratrol and pterostilbene. Biofactors 2018; 44:61-68. [PMID: 29205560 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In past decades, increasing evidence regarding cancer stem cells (CSCs) may account for carcinogenesis, tumor drug-resistant, and metastasis. CSCs are even considered as the root causes of tumor recurrence and metastases. Targeting CSCs may provide a new clue to cure cancer. Epidemiological and clinical studies have suggested that intake of dietary natural products may bring health benefits including lowering risk of cancer incidence. In this review, we have particularly focused on targeting signaling pathways of CSCs by natural resveratrol and its dimethylated derivative pterostilbene. © 2017 BioFactors, 44(1):61-68, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food and Biotechnology, Food Science Division, School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Economic Forest Germplasm Improvement and Resources, Food Science Division, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang, Hubei, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Evaluation Centre for the Toxicology of Fertility Regulating Drug, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC of Shanghai; Food Science Division, Reproductive and Developmental Research Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Wen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food and Biotechnology, Food Science Division, School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengmeng Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food and Biotechnology, Food Science Division, School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, China
| | - Shiming Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Economic Forest Germplasm Improvement and Resources, Food Science Division, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang, Hubei, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food and Biotechnology, Food Science Division, School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, China
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79
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Agostini M, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, Melino G, Rufini A. Metabolic pathways regulated by TAp73 in response to oxidative stress. Oncotarget 2017; 7:29881-900. [PMID: 27119504 PMCID: PMC5058650 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species are involved in both physiological and pathological processes including neurodegeneration and cancer. Therefore, cells have developed scavenging mechanisms to maintain redox homeostasis under control. Tumor suppressor genes play a critical role in the regulation of antioxidant genes. Here, we investigated whether the tumor suppressor gene TAp73 is involved in the regulation of metabolic adaptations triggered in response to oxidative stress. H2O2 treatment resulted in numerous biochemical changes in both control and TAp73 knockout (TAp73−/−) mouse embryonic fibroblasts, however the extent of these changes was more pronounced in TAp73−/− cells when compared to control cells. In particular, loss of TAp73 led to alterations in glucose, nucleotide and amino acid metabolism. In addition, H2O2 treatment resulted in increased pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) activity in null mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Overall, our results suggest that in the absence of TAp73, H2O2 treatment results in an enhanced oxidative environment, and at the same time in an increased pro-anabolic phenotype. In conclusion, the metabolic profile observed reinforces the role of TAp73 as tumor suppressor and indicates that TAp73 exerts this function, at least partially, by regulation of cellular metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Agostini
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University, Leicester, UK.,Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gerry Melino
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University, Leicester, UK.,Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rufini
- Department of Cancer Studies, CRUK Leicester Cancer Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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80
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Compagnone M, Gatti V, Presutti D, Ruberti G, Fierro C, Markert EK, Vousden KH, Zhou H, Mauriello A, Anemone L, Bongiorno-Borbone L, Melino G, Peschiaroli A. ΔNp63-mediated regulation of hyaluronic acid metabolism and signaling supports HNSCC tumorigenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:13254-13259. [PMID: 29162693 PMCID: PMC5740608 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1711777114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, and several molecular pathways that underlie the molecular tumorigenesis of HNSCC have been identified. Among them, amplification or overexpression of ΔNp63 isoforms is observed in the majority of HNSCCs. Here, we unveiled a ΔNp63-dependent transcriptional program able to regulate the metabolism and the signaling of hyaluronic acid (HA), the major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We found that ∆Np63 is capable of sustaining the production of HA levels in cell culture and in vivo by regulating the expression of the HA synthase HAS3 and two hyaluronidase genes, HYAL-1 and HYAL-3. In addition, ∆Np63 directly regulates the expression of CD44, the major HA cell membrane receptor. By controlling this transcriptional program, ∆Np63 sustains the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGF-R) activation and the expression of ABCC1 multidrug transporter gene, thus contributing to tumor cell proliferation and chemoresistance. Importantly, p63 expression is positively correlated with CD44, HAS3, and ABCC1 expression in squamous cell carcinoma datasets and p63-HA pathway is a negative prognostic factor of HNSCC patient survival. Altogether, our data shed light on a ∆Np63-dependent pathway functionally important to the regulation of HNSCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirco Compagnone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Gatti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00015 Monterotondo (Rome), Italy
| | - Dario Presutti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00015 Monterotondo (Rome), Italy
| | - Giovina Ruberti
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00015 Monterotondo (Rome), Italy
| | - Claudia Fierro
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Elke Katrin Markert
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD United Kingdom
| | | | - Huiqing Zhou
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Human Genetics 855, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alessandro Mauriello
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Anemone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucilla Bongiorno-Borbone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University, Leicester LE1 9HN, United Kingdom
| | - Angelo Peschiaroli
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00015 Monterotondo (Rome), Italy;
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81
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p73 promotes glioblastoma cell invasion by directly activating POSTN (periostin) expression. Oncotarget 2017; 7:11785-802. [PMID: 26930720 PMCID: PMC4914248 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma Multiforme is one of the most highly metastatic cancers and constitutes 70% of all gliomas. Despite aggressive treatments these tumours have an exceptionally bad prognosis, mainly due to therapy resistance and tumour recurrence. Here we show that the transcription factor p73 confers an invasive phenotype by directly activating expression of POSTN (periostin, HGNC:16953) in glioblastoma cells. Knock down of endogenous p73 reduces invasiveness and chemo-resistance, and promotes differentiation in vitro. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation and reporter assays we demonstrate that POSTN, an integrin binding protein that has recently been shown to play a major role in metastasis, is a transcriptional target of TAp73. We further show that POSTN overexpression is sufficient to rescue the invasive phenotype of glioblastoma cells after p73 knock down. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis revealed that an intact p73/POSTN axis, where POSTN and p73 expression is correlated, predicts bad prognosis in several cancer types. Taken together, our results support a novel role of TAp73 in controlling glioblastoma cell invasion by regulating the expression of the matricellular protein POSTN.
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82
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Dang TT, Westcott JM, Maine EA, Kanchwala M, Xing C, Pearson GW. ΔNp63α induces the expression of FAT2 and Slug to promote tumor invasion. Oncotarget 2017; 7:28592-611. [PMID: 27081041 PMCID: PMC5053748 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor invasion can be induced by changes in gene expression that alter cell phenotype. The transcription factor ΔNp63α promotes basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) migration by inducing the expression of the mesenchymal genes Slug and Axl, which confers cells with a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state. However, the extent of the ΔNp63α regulated genes that support invasive behavior is not known. Here, using gene expression analysis, ChIP-seq, and functional testing, we find that ΔNp63α promotes BLBC motility by inducing the expression of the atypical cadherin FAT2, the vesicular binding protein SNCA, the carbonic anhydrase CA12, the lipid binding protein CPNE8 and the kinase NEK1, along with Slug and Axl. Notably, lung squamous cell carcinoma migration also required ΔNp63α dependent FAT2 and Slug expression, demonstrating that ΔNp63α promotes migration in multiple tumor types by inducing mesenchymal and non-mesenchymal genes. ΔNp63α activation of FAT2 and Slug influenced E-cadherin localization to cell-cell contacts, which can restrict spontaneous cell movement. Moreover, live-imaging of spheroids in organotypic culture demonstrated that ΔNp63α, FAT2 and Slug were essential for the extension of cellular protrusions that initiate collective invasion. Importantly, ΔNp63α is co-expressed with FAT2 and Slug in patient tumors and the elevated expression of ΔNp63α, FAT2 and Slug correlated with poor patient outcome. Together, these results reveal how ΔNp63α promotes cell migration by directly inducing the expression of a cohort of genes with distinct cellular functions and suggest that FAT2 is a new regulator of collective invasion that may influence patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuyen T Dang
- Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
| | - Jill M Westcott
- Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
| | - Erin A Maine
- Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
| | - Mohammed Kanchwala
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Disease, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
| | - Chao Xing
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Disease, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
| | - Gray W Pearson
- Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8807, USA
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83
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Hazawa M, Lin DC, Kobayashi A, Jiang YY, Xu L, Dewi FRP, Mohamed MS, Hartono, Nakada M, Meguro-Horike M, Horike SI, Koeffler HP, Wong RW. ROCK-dependent phosphorylation of NUP62 regulates p63 nuclear transport and squamous cell carcinoma proliferation. EMBO Rep 2017; 19:73-88. [PMID: 29217659 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201744523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
p63, more specifically its ΔNp63α isoform, plays essential roles in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), yet the mechanisms controlling its nuclear transport remain unknown. Nucleoporins (NUPs) are a family of proteins building nuclear pore complexes (NPC) and mediating nuclear transport across the nuclear envelope. Recent evidence suggests a cell type-specific function for certain NUPs; however, the significance of NUPs in SCC biology remains unknown. In this study, we show that nucleoporin 62 (NUP62) is highly expressed in stratified squamous epithelia and is further elevated in SCCs. Depletion of NUP62 inhibits proliferation and augments differentiation of SCC cells. The impaired ability to maintain the undifferentiated status is associated with defects in ΔNp63α nuclear transport. We further find that differentiation-inducible Rho kinase reduces the interaction between NUP62 and ΔNp63α by phosphorylation of phenylalanine-glycine regions of NUP62, attenuating ΔNp63α nuclear import. Our results characterize NUP62 as a gatekeeper for ΔNp63α and uncover its role in the control of cell fate through regulation of ΔNp63α nuclear transport in SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaharu Hazawa
- Cell-Bionomics Research Unit, Innovative Integrated Bio-Research Core, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan .,Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Natural System, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.,WPI Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - De-Chen Lin
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Akiko Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Natural System, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yan-Yi Jiang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Liang Xu
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Firli Rahmah Primula Dewi
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Natural System, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Mahmoud Shaaban Mohamed
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Natural System, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hartono
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Natural System, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Mitsutoshi Nakada
- Cell-Bionomics Research Unit, Innovative Integrated Bio-Research Core, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Makiko Meguro-Horike
- Advanced Science Research Center, Institute for Gene Research, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Horike
- Cell-Bionomics Research Unit, Innovative Integrated Bio-Research Core, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.,Advanced Science Research Center, Institute for Gene Research, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - H Phillip Koeffler
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Richard W Wong
- Cell-Bionomics Research Unit, Innovative Integrated Bio-Research Core, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan .,Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Natural System, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.,WPI Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Japan
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84
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EMT programs promote basal mammary stem cell and tumor-initiating cell stemness by inducing primary ciliogenesis and Hedgehog signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E10532-E10539. [PMID: 29158396 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1711534114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue regeneration relies on adult stem cells (SCs) that possess the ability to self-renew and produce differentiating progeny. In an analogous manner, the development of certain carcinomas depends on a small subset of tumor cells, called "tumor-initiating cells" (TICs), with SC-like properties. Mammary SCs (MaSCs) reside in the basal compartment of the mammary epithelium, and their neoplastic counterparts, mammary TICs (MaTICs), are thought to serve as the TICs for the claudin-low subtype of breast cancer. MaSCs and MaTICs both use epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) programs to acquire SC properties, but the mechanism(s) connecting EMT programs to stemness remain unclear. Here we show that this depends on primary cilia, which are nonmotile, cell-surface structures that serve as platforms for receiving cues and enable activation of various signaling pathways. We show that MaSC and MaTIC EMT programs induce primary cilia formation and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, which has previously been implicated in both MaSC and MaTIC function. Moreover, ablation of these primary cilia is sufficient to repress Hh signaling, the stemness of MaSCs, and the tumor-forming potential of MaTICs. Together, our findings establish primary ciliogenesis and consequent Hh signaling as a key mechanism by which MaSC and MaTIC EMT programs promote stemness and thereby support mammary tissue outgrowth and tumors of basal origin.
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85
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Zhuang Z, Xie N, Hu J, Yu P, Wang C, Hu X, Han X, Hou J, Huang H, Liu X. Interplay between ΔNp63 and miR-138-5p regulates growth, metastasis and stemness of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:21954-21973. [PMID: 28423539 PMCID: PMC5400637 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
TP63 acts as a master regulator in epithelia development and in the progression of various cancers, but its role in oral cancer pathogenesis remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the role of TP63 in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study shows that ΔNp63, the predominant isoform of TP63, is significantly upregulated in OSCC tissues and cell lines compared with their normal counterparts, and its expression is closely correlated with pathological differentiation, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage in patients with OSCC. The overexpression of ΔNp63 promotes growth, metastasis and stem-like properties in OSCC cells, and ΔNp63 depletion significantly represses OSCC cellular phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. The ΔNp63 isoform transcriptionally suppresses miR-138-5p expression; restoration of miR-138-5p expression partially abolishes the effect of upregulating ΔNp63. This study also demonstrates that miR-138-5p directly targets ΔNp63, resulting in crosstalk with ΔNp63. The correlation between ΔNp63 and miR-138-5p was further validated in OSCC tissues and was found to be significantly associated with the prognosis of patients with OSCC. Therefore, our data reveal that the interplay between ΔNp63 and miR-138-5p promotes OSCC progression by regulating cell growth, metastasis and stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehang Zhuang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School and Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oral Pathology, Guanghua School and Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School and Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pei Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School and Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School and Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingxue Hu
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Division of General Practice and Materials Science, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Xiaozhe Han
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jinsong Hou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School and Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongzhang Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School and Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiqiang Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School and Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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86
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Nilendu P, Kumar A, Kumar A, Pal JK, Sharma NK. Breast cancer stem cells as last soldiers eluding therapeutic burn: A hard nut to crack. Int J Cancer 2017; 142:7-17. [PMID: 28722143 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are found in many cancer types, including breast carcinoma. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are considered as seed of cancer formation and they are associated with metastasis and genotoxic drug resistance. Several studies highlighted the presence of BCSCs in tumor microenvironment and they are accentuated with several carcinoma events including metastasis and resistance to genotoxic drugs and they also rebound after genotoxic burn. Stemness properties of a small population of cells in carcinoma have provided clues regarding the role of tumor microenvironment in tumor pathophysiology. Hence, insights in cancer stem cell biology with respect to molecular signaling, genetics and epigenetic behavior of CSCs have been used to modulate tumor drug resistance due to genotoxic drugs and signaling protein inhibitors. This review summarizes major scientific breakthroughs in understanding the contribution of BCSCs towards tumor's capability to endure destruction inflicted by molecular as well as genotoxic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritish Nilendu
- Cancer and Translational Research Lab, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Cancer and Translational Research Lab, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
| | - Azad Kumar
- Cancer and Translational Research Lab, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
| | - Jayanta K Pal
- Cancer and Translational Research Lab, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
| | - Nilesh Kumar Sharma
- Cancer and Translational Research Lab, Dr. D.Y. Patil Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, 411033, India
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87
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Monkkonen T, Lewis MT. New paradigms for the Hedgehog signaling network in mammary gland development and breast Cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2017; 1868:315-332. [PMID: 28624497 PMCID: PMC5567999 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Hedgehog signaling network regulates organogenesis, cell fate, proliferation, survival, and stem cell self-renewal in many mammalian tissues. Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog signaling network is present in ~25% of all cancers, including breast. Altered expression of Hedgehog network genes in the mammary gland can elicit phenotypes at many stages of development. However, synthesizing a cohesive mechanistic model of signaling at different stages of development has been difficult. Emerging data suggest that this difficulty is due, in part, to non-canonical and tissue compartment-specific (i.e., epithelial, versus stromal, versus systemic) functions of Hedgehog network components. With respect to systemic functions, Hedgehog network genes regulate development of endocrine organs that impinge on mammary gland development extrinsically. These new observations offer insight into previously conflicting data, and have bearing on the potential for anti-Hedgehog therapeutics in the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Monkkonen
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; University of California, San Francisco, Dept. of Pathology, 513 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| | - Michael T Lewis
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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88
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Zhang D, Fu M, Li L, Ye H, Song Z, Piao Y. PKC-δ attenuates the cancer stem cell among squamous cell carcinoma cells through down-regulating p63. Pathol Res Pract 2017; 213:1119-1124. [PMID: 28756980 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2017.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinase C delta (PKC-δ) has been identified as a tumor suppressor. However, the effects of PKC-δ on the cancer stem cells in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) have not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to detect the regulation of PKC-δ on cancer stem cell among SSC cells and the role of p63 during the regulation. Immunohistochemistry of human cutaneous SCC tissues was performed to detect the expression of PKC-δ. After the human SCC13 cells infected by recombinant adenoviruses, the cell proliferation were determined. The correlation of PKC-δ and p63 was detected by western blot. The colony forming activity and the number of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in SCC identified by double-staining with anti-integrin α6 and anti-CD71 antibodies were detected. The expression of PKC-δ was obviously decreased in SCC tissues compared with that in normal skin tissues. The higher protein level of p63 in SCC was attenuated by the transfection of PKC-δ. The higher proliferation capacity of SCC13 cells, the higher activity and expression of CSCs in SCC13 cells induced by p63 were significantly suppressed by the transfection of PKC-δ. In conclusion, PKC-δ played as a protective role in SCC partly by down-regulating p63, leading to the suppression of SCC cell proliferation, attenuation of the activity and expression of CSCs in SCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Mingjing Fu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, China
| | - Lingyan Li
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, China
| | - Huan Ye
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, China
| | - Zhiqi Song
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, China
| | - Yongjun Piao
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, China.
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89
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Caria P, Pillai R, Dettori T, Frau DV, Zavattari P, Riva G, Romano G, Pani F, Bentivegna A, Giovannoni R, Pagni F, Sogos V, Vanni R. Thyrospheres from B-CPAP Cell Line with BRAF and TERT Promoter Mutations have Different Functional and Molecular Features than Parental Cells. J Cancer 2017; 8:1629-1639. [PMID: 28775782 PMCID: PMC5535718 DOI: 10.7150/jca.18855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human thyroid cancer derived cell lines are widely used to study the mechanisms involved in thyroid carcinogenesis. However, there is limited availability of non-cross-contaminated cancer cell lines derived from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and the B-CPAP cell line is one of the few such lines. B-CPAP cells have been genetically and cytogenetically well-characterized, but details of their stemness features remain uncertain. Considering that this cell line is extensively used for in vitro studies on thyroid tumorigenesis, we broaden its functional and molecular profiles as well as the tumorigenic capacity. We used functional assays (sphere-forming capacity and efficiency), assessed self-renewal and propagation efficiency and tested in vivo tumorigenicity in Hsd:Athymic Nude-Foxn1nu mice. Expression of markers of stemness, differentiation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition were estimated at RNA and protein levels in adherent parental cells and sphere-forming cells. Functional aspects and stemness features were compared with normal thyrocytes. Protein expression of xenograft tumors was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. B-CPAP sphere-forming cells were able to form thyrospheres theoretically indefinitely in an appropriate serum-free medium, reverting to the adherent parental cell phenotype when cultured in differentiation medium. Different expression of ALDH1-A1 and CD44 stemness markers and TTF-1 and CK19 differentiation markers allowed discrimination between isolated sphere-forming cells and adherent parental cells, indicating that sphere-forming cells retained stem-like features. In keeping with these observations, tumorigenicity assays confirmed that, relative to parental adherent cells, thyrospheres had enhanced capacity to initiate xenograft tumors. Thyrospheres from normal cell line retained very low functional capacity, as well as different stemness markers expression compared to tumor thyrospheres. Our findings may constitute a useful background to develop an in vitro model for assessing the origin and progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma bearing BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Caria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rita Pillai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Tinuccia Dettori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | | | | | - Gabriele Riva
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - Gabriele Romano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - Fabiana Pani
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabio Pagni
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - Valeria Sogos
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberta Vanni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
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90
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Marini A, Lena AM, Panatta E, Ivan C, Han L, Liang H, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, Di Daniele N, Calin GA, Candi E, Melino G. Ultraconserved long non-coding RNA uc.63 in breast cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:35669-35680. [PMID: 27447964 PMCID: PMC5482607 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcribed-ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs) are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) encoded by a subset of long ultraconserved stretches in the human genome. Recent studies revealed that the expression of several T-UCRs is altered in cancer and growing evidences underline the importance of T-UCRs in oncogenesis, offering also potential new strategies for diagnosis and prognosis. We found that overexpression of one specific T-UCRs named uc.63 is associated with bad outcome in luminal A subtype of breast cancer patients. uc.63 is localized in the third intron of exportin-1 gene (XPO1) and is transcribed in the same orientation of its host gene. Interestingly, silencing of uc.63 induces apoptosis in vitro. However, silencing of host gene XPO1 does not cause the same effect suggesting that the transcription of uc.63 is independent of XPO1. Our results reveal an important role of uc.63 in promoting breast cancer cells survival and offer the prospect to identify a signature associated with poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Marini
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Anna Maria Lena
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Panatta
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Ivan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics and The Center for RNA interference and non-coding RNA, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Leng Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Han Liang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Nicola Di Daniele
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - George A. Calin
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics and The Center for RNA interference and non-coding RNA, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eleonora Candi
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- IDI-IRCCS, Biochemistry Laboratory, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerry Melino
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
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91
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Agostini M, Niklison-Chirou MV, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli MM, Grelli S, Di Daniele N, Pestlikis I, Knight RA, Melino G, Rufini A. p73 Regulates Primary Cortical Neuron Metabolism: a Global Metabolic Profile. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:3237-3250. [PMID: 28478509 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0517-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor p73 has been demonstrated to play a significant role in survival and differentiation of neuronal stem cells. In this report, by employing comprehensive metabolic profile and mitochondrial bioenergetics analysis, we have explored the metabolic alterations in cortical neurons isolated from p73 N-terminal isoform specific knockout animals. We found that loss of the TAp73 or ΔNp73 triggers selective biochemical changes. In particular, p73 isoforms regulate sphingolipid and phospholipid biochemical pathway signaling. Indeed, sphinganine and sphingosine levels were reduced in p73-depleted cortical neurons, and decreased levels of several membrane phospholipids were also observed. Moreover, in line with the complexity associated with p73 functions, loss of the TAp73 seems to increase glycolysis, whereas on the contrary, loss of ΔNp73 isoform reduces glucose metabolism, indicating an isoform-specific differential effect on glycolysis. These changes in glycolytic flux were not reflected by parallel alterations of mitochondrial respiration, as only a slight increase of mitochondrial maximal respiration was observed in p73-depleted cortical neurons. Overall, our findings reinforce the key role of p73 in regulating cellular metabolism and point out that p73 exerts its functions in neuronal biology at least partially through the regulation of metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Agostini
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK.,Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Victoria Niklison-Chirou
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK.,Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | | | - Sandro Grelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Di Daniele
- Department of Systems Medicine, Nephrology and Hypertension Unit, "Tor Vergata" University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilias Pestlikis
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Richard A Knight
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Gerry Melino
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK. .,Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Rufini
- Department of Cancer Studies, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK.
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92
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HER2 in Breast Cancer Stemness: A Negative Feedback Loop towards Trastuzumab Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:cancers9050040. [PMID: 28445439 PMCID: PMC5447950 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9050040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
HER2 receptor tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in approximately 20% of all breast cancers (BCs) is a poor prognosis factor and a precious target for BC therapy. Trastuzumab is approved by FDA to specifically target HER2 for treating HER2+ BC. However, about 60% of patients with HER2+ breast tumor develop de novo resistance to trastuzumab, partially due to the loss of expression of HER2 extracellular domain on their tumor cells. This is due to shedding/cleavage of HER2 by metalloproteinases (ADAMs and MMPs). HER2 shedding results in the accumulation of intracellular carboxyl-terminal HER2 (p95HER2), which is a common phenomenon in trastuzumab-resistant tumors and is suggested as a predictive marker for trastuzumab resistance. Up-regulation of the metalloproteinases is a poor prognosis factor and is commonly seen in mesenchymal-like cancer stem cells that are risen during epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells. HER2 cleavage during EMT can explain why secondary metastatic tumors with high percentage of mesenchymal-like cancer stem cells are mostly resistant to trastuzumab but still sensitive to lapatinib. Importantly, many studies report HER2 interaction with oncogenic/stemness signaling pathways including TGF-β/Smad, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, JAK/STAT and Hedgehog. HER2 overexpression promotes EMT and the emergence of cancer stem cell properties in BC. Increased expression and activation of metalloproteinases during EMT leads to proteolytic cleavage and shedding of HER2 receptor, which downregulates HER2 extracellular domain and eventually increases trastuzumab resistance. Here, we review the hypothesis that a negative feedback loop between HER2 and stemness signaling drives resistance of BC to trastuzumab.
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93
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Long-term effect of neonatal inhibition of APP gamma-secretase on hippocampal development in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 103:11-23. [PMID: 28359846 PMCID: PMC5439029 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurogenesis impairment is considered a major determinant of the intellectual disability that characterizes Down syndrome (DS), a genetic condition caused by triplication of chromosome 21. Previous evidence obtained in the Ts65Dn mouse model of DS showed that the triplicated gene APP (amyloid precursor protein) is critically involved in neurogenesis alterations. In particular, excessive levels of AICD (amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain) resulting from APP cleavage by gamma-secretase increase the transcription of Ptch1, a Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) receptor that keeps the mitogenic Shh pathway repressed. Previous evidence showed that neonatal treatment with ELND006, an inhibitor of gamma-secretase, reinstates the Shh pathway and fully restores neurogenesis in Ts65Dn pups. In the framework of potential therapies for DS, it is extremely important to establish whether the positive effects of early intervention are retained after treatment cessation. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to establish whether early treatment with ELND006 leaves an enduring trace in the brain of Ts65Dn mice. Ts65Dn and euploid pups were treated with ELND006 in the postnatal period P3-P15 and the outcome of treatment was examined at ~ one month after treatment cessation. We found that in treated Ts65Dn mice the pool of proliferating cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) and total number of granule neurons were still restored as was the number of pre- and postsynaptic terminals in the stratum lucidum of CA3, the site of termination of the mossy fibers from the DG. Accordingly, patch-clamp recording from field CA3 showed functional normalization of the input to CA3. Unlike in field CA3, the number of pre- and postsynaptic terminals in the DG of treated Ts65Dn mice was no longer fully restored. The finding that many of the positive effects of neonatal treatment were retained after treatment cessation provides proof of principle demonstration of the efficacy of early inhibition of gamma-secretase for the improvement of brain development in DS. Neonatal inhibition of gamma-secretase has long-term effects in a Down syndrome model. Treatment induces long-term restoration of hippocampal neurogenesis and cellularity. Treatment induces long-term restoration of functional connectivity. Treatments with gamma-secretase inhibitors may be exploited for Down syndrome.
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94
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ΔNp63 activates EGFR signaling to induce loss of adhesion in triple-negative basal-like breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2017; 163:475-484. [DOI: 10.1007/s10549-017-4216-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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95
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Qureshi-Baig K, Ullmann P, Haan S, Letellier E. Tumor-Initiating Cells: a criTICal review of isolation approaches and new challenges in targeting strategies. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:40. [PMID: 28209178 PMCID: PMC5314476 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-017-0602-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Most cancers contain a subpopulation of highly tumorigenic cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Targeting TICs may be essential to achieve cure, because of their self-renewal and tumorigenic properties as well as their resistance to conventional therapies. Despite significant advances in TIC biology, their isolation and identification remain largely disputed and incompletely established. In this review, we discuss the latest developments in isolation and culturing approaches of TICs, with focus on colorectal cancer (CRC). We feature recent findings on TIC-relevant signaling pathways and the metabolic identity of TICs, as well as their current clinical implications. Lastly, we highlight the influence of inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity on TIC function and targeting approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komal Qureshi-Baig
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Campus Belval, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Pit Ullmann
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Campus Belval, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Serge Haan
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Campus Belval, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Elisabeth Letellier
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Campus Belval, Belvaux, Luxembourg.
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96
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Di Daniele N, Noce A, Vidiri MF, Moriconi E, Marrone G, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, D’Urso G, Tesauro M, Rovella V, De Lorenzo A. Impact of Mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome, cancer and longevity. Oncotarget 2017; 8:8947-8979. [PMID: 27894098 PMCID: PMC5352455 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity symbolizes a major public health problem. Overweight and obesity are associated to the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome and to adipose tissue dysfunction. The adipose tissue is metabolically active and an endocrine organ, whose dysregulation causes a low-grade inflammatory state and ectopic fat depositions. The Mediterranean Diet represents a possible therapy for metabolic syndrome, preventing adiposopathy or "sick fat" formation.The Mediterranean Diet exerts protective effects in elderly subjects with and without baseline of chronic diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated a relationship between cancer and obesity. In the US, diet represents amount 30-35% of death causes related to cancer. Currently, the cancer is the second cause of death after cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Furthermore, populations living in the Mediterranean area have a decreased incidence of cancer compared with populations living in Northern Europe or the US, likely due to healthier dietary habits. The bioactive food components have a potential preventive action on cancer. The aims of this review are to evaluate the impact of Mediterranean Diet on onset, progression and regression of metabolic syndrome, cancer and on longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Di Daniele
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Annalisa Noce
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Vidiri
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Division of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomic, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Eleonora Moriconi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Division of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomic, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Giulia Marrone
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele D’Urso
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Manfredi Tesauro
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Valentina Rovella
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Antonino De Lorenzo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Division of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomic, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
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97
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Torquato HFV, Goettert MI, Justo GZ, Paredes-Gamero EJ. Anti-Cancer Phytometabolites Targeting Cancer Stem Cells. Curr Genomics 2017; 18:156-174. [PMID: 28367074 PMCID: PMC5345336 DOI: 10.2174/1389202917666160803162309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2015] [Revised: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Medicinal plants are a plentiful source of bioactive molecules with much structural diversity. In cancer treatment, molecules obtained from plants represent an attractive alternative to other treatments because several plant-derived compounds have exhibited lower toxicity and higher selectivity against cancer cells. In this review, we focus on the possible application of bioactive molecules obtained from plants against more primitive cell populations in cancers, cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells are present in several kinds of tumors and are responsible for recurrences and metastases. Common anti-cancer drugs exhibit lower effectiveness against cancer stem cells because of their biological features. However, recently discovered natural phytometabolites exert cytotoxic effects on this rare population of cells in cancers. Therefore, this review presents the latest research on promising compounds from plants that can act as antitumor drugs and that mainly affect stem cell populations in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heron F V Torquato
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Campus São Paulo), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Márcia I Goettert
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Centro Universitário Univates, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Giselle Z Justo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Campus São Paulo), São Paulo, Brazil;; Departamento de Ciências Biológicas (Campus Diadema), Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edgar J Paredes-Gamero
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Campus São Paulo), São Paulo, Brazil;; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Bioquímica, Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil
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98
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Hedgehog Pathway Inhibition Hampers Sphere and Holoclone Formation in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:7507380. [PMID: 28243259 PMCID: PMC5294584 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7507380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children and can be divided into two main subtypes: embryonal (eRMS) and alveolar (aRMS). Among the cellular heterogeneity of tumors, the existence of a small fraction of cells called cancer stem cells (CSC), thought to be responsible for the onset and propagation of cancer, has been demonstrated in some neoplasia. Although the existence of CSC has been reported for eRMS, their existence in aRMS, the most malignant subtype, has not been demonstrated to date. Given the lack of suitable markers to identify this subpopulation in aRMS, we used cancer stem cell-enriched supracellular structures (spheres and holoclones) to study this subpopulation. This strategy allowed us to demonstrate the capacity of both aRMS and eRMS cells to form these structures and retain self-renewal capacity. Furthermore, cells contained in spheres and holoclones showed significant Hedgehog pathway induction, the inhibition of which (pharmacologic or genetic) impairs the formation of both holoclones and spheres. Our findings point to a crucial role of this pathway in the maintenance of these structures and suggest that Hedgehog pathway targeting in CSC may have great potential in preventing local relapses and metastases.
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99
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Tian J, Hachim MY, Hachim IY, Dai M, Lo C, Raffa FA, Ali S, Lebrun JJ. Cyclooxygenase-2 regulates TGFβ-induced cancer stemness in triple-negative breast cancer. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40258. [PMID: 28054666 PMCID: PMC5215509 DOI: 10.1038/srep40258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype of breast cancer, display poor prognosis and exhibit resistance to conventional therapies, partly due to an enrichment in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Here, we investigated the role of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a downstream target of TGFβ, in regulating BCSCs in TNBC. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that COX-2 is highly expressed in TNBC and that its expression correlated with poor survival outcome in basal subtype of breast cancer. We also found TGFβ-mediated COX-2 expression to be Smad3-dependent and to be required for BCSC self-renewal and expansion in TNBCs. Knocking down COX-2 expression strikingly blocked TGFβ-induced tumorsphere formation and TGFβ-induced enrichment of the two stem-like cell populations, CD24lowCD44high and ALDH+ BCSCs. Blocking COX-2 activity, using a pharmacological inhibitor also prevented TGFβ-induced BCSC self-renewal. Moreover, we found COX-2 to be required for TGFβ-induced expression of mesenchymal and basal breast cancer markers. In particular, we found that TGFβ-induced expression of fibronectin plays a central role in TGFβ-mediated breast cancer stemness. Together, our results describe a novel role for COX-2 in mediating the TGFβ effects on BCSC properties and imply that targeting the COX-2 pathway may prove useful for the treatment of TNBC by eliminating BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Tian
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Cancer Research Program, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Mahmood Y Hachim
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Cancer Research Program, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Ibrahim Y Hachim
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Cancer Research Program, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Meiou Dai
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Cancer Research Program, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Chieh Lo
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Cancer Research Program, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Fatmah Al Raffa
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Cancer Research Program, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Suhad Ali
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Cancer Research Program, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Jean Jacques Lebrun
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Cancer Research Program, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
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100
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Fundamental Pathways in Breast Cancer 4: Signaling to Chromatin in Breast Development. Breast Cancer 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-48848-6_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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