51
|
Kraboth Z, Galik B, Tompa M, Kajtar B, Urban P, Gyenesei A, Miseta A, Kalman B. DNA CpG methylation in sequential glioblastoma specimens. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2020; 146:2885-2896. [PMID: 32779022 PMCID: PMC7519911 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03349-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain tumors. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to its evolution is essential for the development of treatments more effective than the available modalities. Here, we aim to identify molecular drivers of glioblastoma development and recurrence by analyzing DNA CpG methylation patterns in sequential samples. METHODS DNA was isolated from 22 pairs of primary and recurrent formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded glioblastoma specimens, and subjected to reduced representation bisulfite sequencing. Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to identify differentially methylated sites and pathways, and biostatistics was used to test correlations among clinical and pathological parameters. RESULTS Differentially methylated pathways likely involved in primary tumor development included those of neuronal differentiation, myelination, metabolic processes, synapse organization and endothelial cell proliferation, while pathways differentially active during glioblastoma recurrence involved those associated with cell processes and differentiation, immune response, Wnt regulation and catecholamine secretion and transport. CONCLUSION DNA CpG methylation analyses in sequential clinical specimens revealed hypomethylation in certain pathways such as neuronal tissue development and angiogenesis likely involved in early tumor development and growth, while suggested altered regulation in catecholamine secretion and transport, Wnt expression and immune response contributing to glioblastoma recurrence. These pathways merit further investigations and may represent novel therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoltan Kraboth
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
- Szentagothai Research Center, University of Pecs, 20. Ifjusag street, Pecs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Bence Galik
- Szentagothai Research Center, University of Pecs, 20. Ifjusag street, Pecs, 7624, Hungary
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Marton Tompa
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
- Szentagothai Research Center, University of Pecs, 20. Ifjusag street, Pecs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Bela Kajtar
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Peter Urban
- Szentagothai Research Center, University of Pecs, 20. Ifjusag street, Pecs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Attila Gyenesei
- Szentagothai Research Center, University of Pecs, 20. Ifjusag street, Pecs, 7624, Hungary
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Attila Miseta
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Bernadette Kalman
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.
- Szentagothai Research Center, University of Pecs, 20. Ifjusag street, Pecs, 7624, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Wang J, Zhang B, Liu H, Wu Q, Gao P, Zou Y, Lan Y, Zhang Q. Hyperplasia suppressor gene inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of glioma cells by targeting rho family proteins. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2020; 13:1349-1360. [PMID: 32661470 PMCID: PMC7344015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the effect of the hyperplasia suppressor gene (HSG) on human glioma cell invasion and its possible mechanism. METHODS Human glioma U251 cells were infected with recombinant viral vectors carrying the HSG gene sequence (HSG overexpression group) and HSG interference sequence (HSG suppression group). The negative control group with no-load virus transcription and a blank control group with only PBS treatment were set up. CCK-8 assay, cell scratch healing test, transwell migration, and invasion test were used to detect the effect of HSG expression on proliferation, migration and invasion of U251 glioma cells. Cell immunofluorescence and cell adhesion test were used to analyze the effect of HSG expression on cytoskeleton formation and adhesion ability of U251 cells. Gene chip technology was employed to preliminarily explore the effect of HSG expression change on the inherent gene expression in U251 cells. The expression of Rho family key molecule mRNA and protein was detected by light quantitative PCR and western blot. RESULTS After 24 h of transcription with the recombinant virus vector, the cells showed a green color under an inverted fluorescence microscope. HSG expression increased in the HSG overexpression group (P < 0.01), and decreased in the HSG inhibition group (P < 0.01). Compared with the two control groups, the proliferation, scratch healing rate, migrating cell number, invasive cell number and adhesion cell number in the HSG overexpression group were markedly lower. After HSG overexpression, the morphology of U251 cells changed; filamentous pseudopods shortened and partially flaked. However, after HSG inhibition, the pseudopods grew toward both ends and were arranged axially. The overexpression of HSG inhibited the expression of rho family proteins (RhoA, Rock1, Rock2, Rac1, and Cdc42). CONCLUSION The overexpression of HSG inhibits the progression of glioma U251 cells by regulating the expression of rho family proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juncheng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous RegionYinchuan 750001, Ningxia, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750001, Ningxia, China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Diseases, Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750001, Ningxia, China
| | - Haibo Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750001, Ningxia, China
| | - Qiao Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fuzhou First People’s HospitalFuzhoou 350000, Fujian, China
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous RegionYinchuan 750001, Ningxia, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750001, Ningxia, China
| | - Yourui Zou
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750001, Ningxia, China
| | - Yanping Lan
- Department of Neurosurgery, People’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous RegionYinchuan 750001, Ningxia, China
| | - Qinghua Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiehe Shenzhen Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Nanshan Hospital)Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Vargas-Toscano A, Khan D, Nickel AC, Hewera M, Kamp MA, Fischer I, Steiger HJ, Zhang W, Muhammad S, Hänggi D, Kahlert UD. Robot technology identifies a Parkinsonian therapeutics repurpose to target stem cells of glioblastoma. CNS Oncol 2020; 9:CNS58. [PMID: 32462934 PMCID: PMC7341159 DOI: 10.2217/cns-2020-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Glioblastoma is a heterogeneous lethal disease, regulated by a stem-cell hierarchy and the neurotransmitter microenvironment. The identification of chemotherapies targeting individual cancer stem cells is a clinical need. Methodology: A robotic workstation was programmed to perform a drug concentration to cell-growth analysis on an in vitro model of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). Mode-of-action analysis of the selected top substance was performed with manual repetition assays and acquisition of further parameters. Results: We identified 22 therapeutic potential substances. Three suggested a repurpose potential of neurotransmitter signal-modulating agents to target GSCs, out of which the Parkinson's therapeutic trihexyphenidyl was most effective. Manual repetition assays and initial mode of action characterization revealed suppression of cell proliferation, cell cycle and survival. Conclusion: Anti-neurotransmitter signaling directed therapy has potential to target GSCs. We established a drug testing facility that is able to define a mid-scale chemo responsome of in vitro cancer models, possibly also suitable for other cell systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andres Vargas-Toscano
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Dilaware Khan
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Ann-Christin Nickel
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Michael Hewera
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Marcel Alexander Kamp
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Igor Fischer
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Hans-Jakob Steiger
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Wei Zhang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, PR China
| | - Sajjad Muhammad
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Daniel Hänggi
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Ulf Dietrich Kahlert
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany.,German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, 45147, Germany.,Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Bhat K, Saki M, Vlashi E, Cheng F, Duhachek-Muggy S, Alli C, Yu G, Medina P, He L, Damoiseaux R, Pellegrini M, Zemke NR, Nghiemphu PL, Cloughesy TF, Liau LM, Kornblum HI, Pajonk F. The dopamine receptor antagonist trifluoperazine prevents phenotype conversion and improves survival in mouse models of glioblastoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:11085-11096. [PMID: 32358191 PMCID: PMC7245100 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1920154117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the deadliest adult brain cancer, and all patients ultimately succumb to the disease. Radiation therapy (RT) provides survival benefit of 6 mo over surgery alone, but these results have not improved in decades. We report that radiation induces a glioma-initiating cell phenotype, and we have identified trifluoperazine (TFP) as a compound that interferes with this phenotype conversion. TFP causes loss of radiation-induced Nanog mRNA expression, and activation of GSK3 with consecutive posttranslational reduction in p-Akt, Sox2, and β-catenin protein levels. TFP did not alter the intrinsic radiation sensitivity of glioma-initiating cells (GICs). Continuous treatment with TFP and a single dose of radiation reduced the number of GICs in vivo and prolonged survival in syngeneic and patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) mouse models of GBM. Our findings suggest that the combination of a dopamine receptor antagonist with radiation enhances the efficacy of RT in GBM by preventing radiation-induced phenotype conversion of radiosensitive non-GICs into treatment-resistant, induced GICs (iGICs).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kruttika Bhat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Mohammad Saki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Erina Vlashi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Fei Cheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Sara Duhachek-Muggy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Claudia Alli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Garrett Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Paul Medina
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Ling He
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Robert Damoiseaux
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Molecular Screening Shared Resource, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Nathan R Zemke
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Phioanh Leia Nghiemphu
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Timothy F Cloughesy
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Linda M Liau
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Harley I Kornblum
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Neuropsychiatric Institute-Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Frank Pajonk
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095;
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Fuchs Q, Pierrevelcin M, Messe M, Lhermitte B, Blandin AF, Papin C, Coca A, Dontenwill M, Entz-Werlé N. Hypoxia Inducible Factors' Signaling in Pediatric High-Grade Gliomas: Role, Modelization and Innovative Targeted Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040979. [PMID: 32326644 PMCID: PMC7226233 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain tumor microenvironment has recently become a major challenge in all pediatric cancers, but especially in brain tumors like high-grade gliomas. Hypoxia is one of the extrinsic tumor features that interacts with tumor cells, but also with the blood-brain barrier and all normal brain cells. It is the result of a dramatic proliferation and expansion of tumor cells that deprive the tissues of oxygen inflow. However, cancer cells, especially tumor stem cells, can endure extreme hypoxic conditions by rescheduling various genes' expression involved in cell proliferation, metabolism and angiogenesis and thus, promote tumor expansion, therapeutic resistance and metabolic adaptation. This cellular adaptation implies Hypoxia-Inducible Factors (HIF), namely HIF-1α and HIF-2α. In pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs), several questions remained open on hypoxia-specific role in normal brain during gliomagenesis and pHGG progression, as well how to model it in preclinical studies and how it might be counteracted with targeted therapies. Therefore, this review aims to gather various data about this key extrinsic tumor factor in pHGGs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Fuchs
- UMR CNRS 7021, Laboratory Bioimaging and Pathologies, Tumoral Signaling and Therapeutic Targets team, Faculty of Pharmacy, 74 route du Rhin, 67405 Illkirch, France; (Q.F.); (M.P.); (M.M.); (B.L.); (M.D.)
| | - Marina Pierrevelcin
- UMR CNRS 7021, Laboratory Bioimaging and Pathologies, Tumoral Signaling and Therapeutic Targets team, Faculty of Pharmacy, 74 route du Rhin, 67405 Illkirch, France; (Q.F.); (M.P.); (M.M.); (B.L.); (M.D.)
| | - Melissa Messe
- UMR CNRS 7021, Laboratory Bioimaging and Pathologies, Tumoral Signaling and Therapeutic Targets team, Faculty of Pharmacy, 74 route du Rhin, 67405 Illkirch, France; (Q.F.); (M.P.); (M.M.); (B.L.); (M.D.)
| | - Benoit Lhermitte
- UMR CNRS 7021, Laboratory Bioimaging and Pathologies, Tumoral Signaling and Therapeutic Targets team, Faculty of Pharmacy, 74 route du Rhin, 67405 Illkirch, France; (Q.F.); (M.P.); (M.M.); (B.L.); (M.D.)
- Pathology Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, 1 avenue Molière, 67098 Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Christophe Papin
- Inserm U1258, UMR CNRS 7104, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France;
| | - Andres Coca
- Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Strasbourg, 1 avenue Molière, 67098 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Monique Dontenwill
- UMR CNRS 7021, Laboratory Bioimaging and Pathologies, Tumoral Signaling and Therapeutic Targets team, Faculty of Pharmacy, 74 route du Rhin, 67405 Illkirch, France; (Q.F.); (M.P.); (M.M.); (B.L.); (M.D.)
| | - Natacha Entz-Werlé
- UMR CNRS 7021, Laboratory Bioimaging and Pathologies, Tumoral Signaling and Therapeutic Targets team, Faculty of Pharmacy, 74 route du Rhin, 67405 Illkirch, France; (Q.F.); (M.P.); (M.M.); (B.L.); (M.D.)
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology Department, Pediatrics, University hospital of Strasbourg, 1 avenue Molière, 67098 Strasbourg, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-388128396; Fax: +33-388128092
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Abbruzzese C, Matteoni S, Persico M, Villani V, Paggi MG. Repurposing chlorpromazine in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme: analysis of literature and forthcoming steps. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:26. [PMID: 32005270 PMCID: PMC6995164 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-1534-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Glioblastoma multiforme is a CNS cancer characterized by diffuse infiltrative growth, aggressive clinical behavior and very poor prognosis. The state-of-art clinical approach to this disease consists of surgical resection followed by radiotherapy plus concurrent and adjuvant chemotherapy with temozolomide. Tumor recurrence occurs in virtually all cases, therefore, despite any treatment, the median survival is very low (14.6 months), which makes the approach to these patients a challenging clinical issue. Main body The escalating costs and times required for new medications to reach the bedside make repurposing or repositioning of old drugs, when scientific bases allow their use in other pathologies, an appealing strategy. Here, we analyze a number of literature data concerning the antipsychotic chlorpromazine, the founder of the phenothiazines class of drugs, a medication widely used in the clinics for approximately 60 years. The drug exerts its effects on psychiatric patients by interfering with the dopamine receptor D2, although more recent pharmacodynamics studies ascribe chlorpromazine a series of biological effects on cancer cells, all converging in hindering also glioblastoma survival capabilities. Short conclusions On these bases, and assisted by the information on the well-established chlorpromazine toxicity and dosage in humans, we designed a Phase II clinical trial involving the combination of chlorpromazine with the standard treatment, temozolomide, in the adjuvant phase of the therapeutic protocol. Patients displaying hypo-methylation of the MGMT gene, and thus intrinsically resistant to temozolomide, will be enrolled. The endpoints of this study are the analysis of toxicity and clinical activity, as evaluated in terms of Progression-Free Survival, of the association of chlorpromazine with the first-line treatment for this very serious form of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Abbruzzese
- Cellular Networks and Molecular Therapeutic Targets, Proteomics Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Matteoni
- Cellular Networks and Molecular Therapeutic Targets, Proteomics Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Persico
- Cellular Networks and Molecular Therapeutic Targets, Proteomics Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Villani
- Neuro-Oncology, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco G Paggi
- Cellular Networks and Molecular Therapeutic Targets, Proteomics Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Weissenrieder JS, Reed JL, Green MV, Moldovan GL, Koubek EJ, Neighbors JD, Hohl RJ. The Dopamine D2 Receptor Contributes to the Spheroid Formation Behavior of U87 Glioblastoma Cells. Pharmacology 2019; 105:19-27. [PMID: 31645049 PMCID: PMC10777736 DOI: 10.1159/000502562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a common and lethal cancer of the central nervous system. This cancer is difficult to treat because most anticancer therapeutics do not readily penetrate into the brain due to the tight control at the cerebrovascular barrier. Numerous studies have suggested that dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) antagonists, such as first generation antipsychotics, may have anticancer efficacy in vivo and in vitro. The role of the D2R itself in the anticancer effects is unclear, but there is evidence suggesting that D2R activation promotes stem-like and spheroid forming behaviors in GBM. OBJECTIVES We aimed to observe the role of the dopamine D2R and its modulators (at selective concentrations) in spheroid formation and stemness of GBM cell line, U87MG, to clarify the validity of the D2R as a therapeutic target for cancer therapy. METHODS Spheroid formation assays and Western blotting of the glioblastoma cell line, U87MG, were used to observe responses to treatment with the D2R agonists sumanirole, ropinirole, and 4-propyl-9-hydroxynaphthoxazine (PHNO); and the D2R antagonists thioridazine, pimozide, haloperidol, and remoxipride. Extreme limiting dilution analysis was done to determine the impact of sumanirole and remoxipride treatment on sphere-forming cell frequency. Proliferation was also measured by crystal violet staining. Stable lentiviral transduction of DRD2 or shDRD2 was used to validate the role of the D2R in assay behaviors. RESULTS D2R antagonists thioridazine, pimozide, haloperidol, and remoxipride decrease spheroid formation behaviors at a selective 100 nmol/L concentration, while D2R agonists PHNO, sumanirole, and ropinirole increase the formation of spheroids. Similarly, 100 nmol/L remoxipride decreased sphere-forming cell frequency. These results were recapitulated with genetic overexpression and knockdown of the D2R, and combination experiments indicate that the D2R is required for the effects of the pharmacological modulators. Furthermore, spheroid proliferation and invasive capacity increased under treatment with 100 nmol/L sumanirole and decreased under treatment with 100 nmol/L thioridazine. Expression levels of the stemness markers Nestin and Sox2, as well as those of differentiation marker glial fibrillary acidic protein, were not altered by 100 nmol/L thioridazine or sumanirole for 72 h or continuous treatment with these compounds for 7 days during a spheroid formation assay. CONCLUSIONS Signaling activity of the dopamine D2R may be involved in the spheroid formation phenotype in the context of the U87MG cell line. However, this modulation may not be due to alterations in stemness marker expression, but due to other factors that may contribute to spheroid formation, such as cell-cell adhesion or EGFR signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jillian S Weissenrieder
- Department of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jessie L Reed
- Department of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michelle V Green
- Department of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - George-Lucian Moldovan
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Emily J Koubek
- Department of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Neighbors
- Department of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA,
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA,
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA,
| | - Raymond J Hohl
- Department of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
Thompson EG, Sontheimer H. Acetylcholine Receptor Activation as a Modulator of Glioblastoma Invasion. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101203. [PMID: 31590360 PMCID: PMC6829263 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Grade IV astrocytomas, or glioblastomas (GBMs), are the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. The median GBM patient survival of 12–15 months has remained stagnant, in spite of treatment strategies, making GBMs a tremendous challenge clinically. This is at least in part due to the complex interaction of GBM cells with the brain microenvironment and their tendency to aggressively infiltrate normal brain tissue. GBMs frequently invade supratentorial brain regions that are richly innervated by neurotransmitter projections, most notably acetylcholine (ACh). Here, we asked whether ACh signaling influences the biology of GBMs. We examined the expression and function of known ACh receptors (AChRs) in large GBM datasets, as well as, human GBM cell lines and patient-derived xenograft lines. Using RNA-Seq data from the “The Cancer Genome Atlas” (TCGA), we confirmed the expression of AChRs and demonstrated the functionality of these receptors in GBM cells with time-lapse calcium imaging. AChR activation did not alter cell proliferation or migration, however, it significantly increased cell invasion through complex extracellular matrices. This was due to the enhanced activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) from GBM cells, which we found to be dependent on an intracellular calcium-dependent mechanism. Consistent with these findings, AChRs were significantly upregulated in regions of GBM infiltration in situ (Ivy Glioblastoma Atlas Project) and elevated expression of muscarinic AChR M3 correlated with reduced patient survival (TCGA). Data from the Repository for Molecular Brain Neoplasia Data (REMBRANDT) dataset also showed the co-expression of choline transporters, choline acetyltransferase, and vesicular acetylcholine transporters, suggesting that GBMs express all the proteins required for ACh synthesis and release. These findings identify ACh as a modulator of GBM behavior and posit that GBMs may utilize ACh as an autocrine signaling molecule.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Thompson
- Glial Biology in Health, Disease and Cancer Center, Fralin Biomedical Institute at Virginia Tech-Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Harald Sontheimer
- Glial Biology in Health, Disease and Cancer Center, Fralin Biomedical Institute at Virginia Tech-Carilion, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA.
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| |
Collapse
|