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Expression of the glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (gli1) in advanced serous ovarian cancer is associated with unfavorable overall survival. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60145. [PMID: 23555905 PMCID: PMC3610749 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence links aberrant activation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling with the pathogenesis of several cancers including medulloblastoma, glioblastoma, melanoma as well as pancreas, colorectal, and prostate carcinomas. Here we investigated the role of the transcription factor Gli1 in ovarian cancer. To this end, the expression profile of Gli1 was examined in normal ovaries, ovarian tumors, and ovarian cancer cell lines, and the in vitro effects of a specific Hh-pathway blocker, KAAD-cyclopamine, or a specific Gli1 inhibitor (GANT58) on cell proliferation and on Hh target gene expression were also assessed. Results obtained showed that epithelial cells in ovarian cancer tissue express significantly higher levels of nuclear Gli1 than in normal ovarian tissue, where the protein was almost undetectable. In addition, multivariate analysis showed that nuclear Gli1 was independently associated to poor survival in advanced serous ovarian cancer patients (HR = 2.2, 95%CI 1.0–5.1, p = 0.04). In vitro experiments demonstrated Gli1 expression in the three ovarian carcinoma cell lines tested, A2780, SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3. Remarkably, although KAAD-cyclopamine led to decreased cell proliferation, this treatment did not inhibit hedgehog target gene expression in any of the three ovarian cancer cell lines, suggesting that the inhibition of cell proliferation was a nonspecific or toxic effect. In line with these data, no differences on cell proliferation were observed when cell lines were treated with GANT58. Overall, our clinical data support the role of Gli1 as a prognostic marker in advanced serous ovarian cancer and as a possible therapeutic target in this disease. However, our in vitro findings draw attention to the need for selection of appropriate experimental models that accurately represent human tumor for testing future therapies involving Hh pathway inhibitors.
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102
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Kwon MJ, Shin YK. Regulation of ovarian cancer stem cells or tumor-initiating cells. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:6624-48. [PMID: 23528891 PMCID: PMC3645658 DOI: 10.3390/ijms14046624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2013] [Revised: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells or tumor-initiating cells (CSC/TICs), which can undergo self-renewal and differentiation, are thought to play critical roles in tumorigenesis, therapy resistance, tumor recurrence and metastasis. Tumor recurrence and chemoresistance are major causes of poor survival rates of ovarian cancer patients, which may be due in part to the existence of CSC/TICs. Therefore, elucidating the molecular mechanisms responsible for the ovarian CSC/TICs is required to develop a cure for this malignancy. Recent studies have indicated that the properties of CSC/TICs can be regulated by microRNAs, genes and signaling pathways which also function in normal stem cells. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that the tumor microenvironments surrounding CSC/TICs are crucial for the maintenance of these cells. Similarly, efforts are now being made to unravel the mechanism involved in the regulation of ovarian CSC/TICs, although much work is still needed. This review considers recent advances in identifying the genes and pathways involved in the regulation of ovarian CSC/TICs. Furthermore, current approaches targeting ovarian CSC/TICs are described. Targeting both CSC/TICs and bulk tumor cells is suggested as a more effective approach to eliminating ovarian tumors. Better understanding of the regulation of ovarian CSC/TICs might facilitate the development of improved therapeutic strategies for recurrent ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Jeong Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 702-701, Korea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 702-701, Korea
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: E-Mails: (M.J.K.); (Y.K.S.); Tel.: +82-53-950-8581 (M.J.K.); +82-2-880-9126 (Y.K.S.); Fax: +82-53-950-8557 (M.J.K.); +82-2-883-9126 (Y.K.S.)
| | - Young Kee Shin
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Genomics, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea
- Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 443-270, Korea
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: E-Mails: (M.J.K.); (Y.K.S.); Tel.: +82-53-950-8581 (M.J.K.); +82-2-880-9126 (Y.K.S.); Fax: +82-53-950-8557 (M.J.K.); +82-2-883-9126 (Y.K.S.)
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103
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Tang L, Tan YX, Jiang BG, Pan YF, Li SX, Yang GZ, Wang M, Wang Q, Zhang J, Zhou WP, Dong LW, Wang HY. The prognostic significance and therapeutic potential of hedgehog signaling in intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:2014-24. [PMID: 23493353 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-12-0349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The correlation of the hedgehog signaling pathway with the progression, prognosis, and therapeutics of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (ICC) has not been well documented. The study aimed to investigate the expression, prognostic significance, and therapeutic value of hedgehog components in ICC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Two independent cohorts of 200 patients with ICC were enrolled. By real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry assay, hedgehog components expression was evaluated. The prognostic values of hedgehog proteins were identified and verified. Cyclopamine or siRNA-targeting Gli was used to block the hedgehog signaling. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were observed by CCK8, cell cycle, and annexin V staining assays. In vivo murine tumor model was used to evaluate the role of hedgehog in ICC. RESULTS In ICC tissues, the Gli1 nuclear immune-intensity was associated with intrahepatic metastasis and the expression of Gli2 was associated with intrahepatic metastasis, venous invasion, and Unio Internationale Contra Cancrum (UICC) pT characteristics. In survival analysis, high Gli1 or Gli2 expressers had an unfavorable overall survival (OS) prognosis and a shorter disease-free survival (DFS) than those with low expression. In multivariate analysis, Gli1 expression was found to be an independent prognostic factor of OS, which was validated by another independent cohort. Furthermore, blocking the hedgehog signaling by cyclopamine or siRNA-targeting Gli1 resulted in apoptosis and growth inhibition in ICC cells. CONCLUSIONS This study shows, for the first time, activation of hedgehog pathway associated with the progression and metastasis in ICC, which may provide prognostic and therapeutic values for this tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Tang
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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Chen Y, Bieber MM, Teng NNH. Hedgehog signaling regulates drug sensitivity by targeting ABC transporters ABCB1 and ABCG2 in epithelial ovarian cancer. Mol Carcinog 2013; 53:625-34. [PMID: 23423781 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2012] [Revised: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A major challenge of successful chemotherapy in ovarian cancer is overcoming intrinsic or acquired multi-drug resistance caused by active drug efflux mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Regulation of these transporters in ovarian cancer is poorly understood. We have found that abnormal expression of the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway transcription factor Gli1 is involved in the regulation of ABC transporters ABCB1 and ABCG2 in ovarian cancer. Hh is a known regulator of cancer cell proliferation and differentiation in several other types of invasive and metastatic malignancies. Our work has demonstrated that Gli1 is abnormally activated in a portion of ovarian cancers. Inhibition of Gli1 expression decreases ABCB1 and ABCG2 gene expression levels and enhances the response of ovarian cancer cells to certain chemotherapeutic drugs. The underlying mechanism is a direct association of Gli1 with a specific consensus sequence located in the promoter region of ABCB1 and ABCG2 genes. This study provides new understanding of ABC gene regulation by Hh signaling pathway, which may lead to the identification of new markers to detect and to anticipate ovarian cancer chemotherapy drug sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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105
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Zhang D, Cao L, Li Y, Lu H, Yang X, Xue P. Expression of glioma-associated oncogene 2 (Gli 2) is correlated with poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatectomy. World J Surg Oncol 2013; 11:25. [PMID: 23356443 PMCID: PMC3565946 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7819-11-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2012] [Accepted: 01/06/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Our previous studies showed that glioma-associated oncogene (Gli)2 plays an important role in the proliferation and apoptosis resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical significance of Gli2 expression in HCC. Methods Expression of Gli2 protein was detected in samples from 68 paired HCC samples, the corresponding paraneoplastic liver tissues, and 20 normal liver tissues using immunohistochemistry. Correlation of the immunohistochemistry results with clinicopathologic parameters, prognosis, and the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin were analyzed. Results Immunohistochemical staining showed high levels of Gli2 protein expression in HCC, compared with paraneoplastic and normal liver tissues (P < 0.05). This high expression level of Gli2 was significantly associated with tumor differentiation, encapsulation, vascular invasion, early recurrence, and intra-hepatic metastasis (P < 0.05). There was a significantly negative correlation between Gli2 and E-cadherin expression (r = −0.302, P < 0.05) and a significantly positive correlation between expression of Gli2 and expression of vimentin (r = −0.468, P < 0.05) and N-cadherin (r = −0.505, P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with overexpressed Gli2 had significantly shorter overall survival and disease-free survival times (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis suggested that the level of Gli2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for HCC. Conclusions Expression of Gli2 is high in HCC tissue, and is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HCC after hepatectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, No, 250, East Changgang Road, Guangzhou 510260, China
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106
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Machado D, Shishido SM, Queiroz KCS, Oliveira DN, Faria ALC, Catharino RR, Spek CA, Ferreira CV. Irradiated riboflavin diminishes the aggressiveness of melanoma in vitro and in vivo. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54269. [PMID: 23342114 PMCID: PMC3546980 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin cancers due to its high capacity to metastasize. Treatment of metastatic melanomas is challenging for clinicians, as most therapeutic agents have failed to demonstrate improved survival. Thus, new candidates with antimetastatic activity are much needed. Riboavin (RF) is a component of the vitamin B complex and a potent photosensitizer. Previously, our group showed that the RF photoproducts (iRF) have potential as an antitumoral agent. Hence, we investigated the capacity of iRF on modulating melanoma B16F10 cells aggressiveness in vitro and in vivo. iRF decreases B16F10 cells survival by inhibiting mTOR as well as Src kinase. Moreover, melanoma cell migration was disrupted after treatment with iRF, mainly by inhibition of metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and expression, and by increasing TIMP expression. Interestingly, we observed that the Hedgehog (HH) pathway was inhibited by iRF. Two mediators of HH signaling, GLI1 and PTCH, were downregulated, while SUFU expression (an inhibitor of this cascade) was enhanced. Furthermore, inhibition of HH pathway signaling by cyclopamine and Gant 61 potentiated the antiproliferative action of RF. Accordingly, when a HH ligand was applied, the effect of iRF was almost completely abrogated. Our findings indicate that Hedgehog pathway is involved on the modulation of melanoma cell aggressiveness by iRF. Moreover, iRF treatment decreased pulmonary tumor formation in a murine experimental metastasis model. Research to clarify the molecular action of flavins, in vivo, is currently in progress. Taken together, the present data provides evidence that riboflavin photoproducts may provide potential candidates for improving the efficiency of melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Machado
- Laboratory of Bioassays and Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvia M. Shishido
- Laboratory of Bioassays and Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karla C. S. Queiroz
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diogo N. Oliveira
- Laboratory Innovare of Biomarkers, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana L. C. Faria
- Laboratory Innovare of Biomarkers, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo R. Catharino
- Laboratory Innovare of Biomarkers, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C. Arnold Spek
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carmen V. Ferreira
- Laboratory of Bioassays and Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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107
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Szkandera J, Kiesslich T, Haybaeck J, Gerger A, Pichler M. Hedgehog signaling pathway in ovarian cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:1179-96. [PMID: 23303278 PMCID: PMC3565315 DOI: 10.3390/ijms14011179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Revised: 12/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment options, less than 50% of patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer survive five years after initial diagnosis. In this regard, novel treatment approaches are warranted utilizing molecularly targeted therapies directed against particular components of specific signaling pathways which are required for tumor development and progression. One molecular pathway of interest is the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Activation of the Hh pathway has been observed in several cancer types, including ovarian cancer. This review highlights the crucial role of Hh signaling in the development and progression of ovarian cancer and might lead to a better understanding of the Hh signaling in ovarian tumorigenesis, thus encouraging the investigation of novel targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Szkandera
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; E-Mails: (J.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Tobias Kiesslich
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK), 5020 Salzburg, Austria; E-Mail:
| | - Johannes Haybaeck
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; E-Mail:
| | - Armin Gerger
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; E-Mails: (J.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Martin Pichler
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; E-Mails: (J.S.); (A.G.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +43-316-385-81320; Fax: +43-316-385-13355
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108
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Ebrahimi A, Larijani L, Moradi A, Ebrahimi MR. Hedgehog signalling pathway: carcinogenesis and targeted therapy. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF CANCER PREVENTION 2013; 6:36-43. [PMID: 25250108 PMCID: PMC4142901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog signalling pathway has not only a critical role in cell proliferation,differentiation and tissue polarity at embryonic period but also has a vital role in stem cell proliferation, tissue healing and carcinogenesis. Recent research has increased our understanding of this pathway and its relation to other signalling pathways. In addition, a large number of studies confirmed the alteration of Hh signalling pathway in various types of human malignancies including basal cell carcinomas, medulloblastomas, lung, gastrointestinal, ovarian, breast, prostate cancers and leukemia. More than 50 small biomolecules have been introduced which have inhibitory effects on Hh signalling pathway. Although, in many tumors some acceptable results have been showed in phase I clinical trial, closer studies are required to improve drug bioavailability, to decrease the side effects and to find the right small molecules for specific types of cancers, considering patients overall benefits as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolali Ebrahimi
- Dept. of Pathology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Larijani
- Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afshin Moradi
- Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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109
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Hao K, Tian XD, Qin CF, Xie XH, Yang YM. Hedgehog signaling pathway regulates human pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Oncol Rep 2012; 29:1124-32. [PMID: 23292285 DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.2210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and devastating malignancies. The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been reported to play an important role in pancreatic cancer development and progression. The aim of this study was to examine the activation of the Hh pathway in human pancreatic cancer tissue samples and pancreatic cancer cell lines, and the molecular mechanisms involved in the Hh pathway mediated effects on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and invasion. The expression levels of Hh molecules in human pancreatic cancer tissue samples and pancreatic cancer cell lines were evaluated using RT-PCR. The role of the Hh pathway in cell proliferation and invasion was evaluated using flow cytometry, MTT, colony formation assays and transwell invasion assays, and the expression of cancer stem cell markers and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were evaluated using flow cytometry and RT-PCR. Tumorigenicity assays were used to further investigate the role of the Hh pathway in vivo. Hh molecules were highly expressed in human pancreatic cancer tissue samples and pancreatic cancer cell lines. Inhibition of the Hh pathway notably decreased cell proliferation and induced apoptosis through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway and cancer stem cells. Furthermore, inhibition of the Hh signaling pathway significantly inhibited EMT by suppressing the activation of transcription factors Snail and Slug, which are correlated with significantly reduced pancreatic cancer cell invasion, suggesting that the Hh signaling pathway is involved in early metastasis. These results indicate that activation of the Hh pathway is a common event. Inhibition of the Hh pathway may be a potential molecular target of new therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Hao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, PR China
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Kar S, Deb M, Sengupta D, Shilpi A, Bhutia SK, Patra SK. Intricacies of hedgehog signaling pathways: A perspective in tumorigenesis. Exp Cell Res 2012; 318:1959-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2012.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2012] [Revised: 04/25/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Sabol M, Car D, Musani V, Ozretic P, Oreskovic S, Weber I, Levanat S. The Hedgehog signaling pathway in ovarian teratoma is stimulated by Sonic Hedgehog which induces internalization of Patched. Int J Oncol 2012; 41:1411-8. [PMID: 22797776 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2012.1554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog-Gli (Hh-Gli) signaling pathway was examined in ovarian dermoids, which show characteristics of both tumors and developmental malformations. Dermoids are classified as mature teratomas that present differentiation into various tissues, mostly epidermal elements such as glands, multilayered epithelium, hair follicles and occasionally bone and cartilage. Their development is attributed to aberrant meiosis of germinal cells within the ovary. We showed activation of the Hh-Gli signaling in ovarian dermoid primary cultures. Cyclopamine treatment slows down cell proliferation, while the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) protein stimulates cell proliferation and induces internalization of the Patched (Ptch) protein, which accumulates in the form of granules in the cytoplasm, colocalized with the Shh protein. Cyclopamine treatment decreases Gli1 localization in the nucleus compared to non-treated cells. Based on our observations, the mechanism of Hedgehog activation in the ovarian dermoids could be the ligand-dependent autocrine pathway, which can also be stimulated by paracrine signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Sabol
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
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112
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Hou T, Liang D, He J, Chen X, Zhang Y. Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of six cases. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2012; 5:762-769. [PMID: 23071858 PMCID: PMC3466985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma (PPSC) is an unusual neoplasm that has not been properly characterized. To better define the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of PPSC, we present 6 such cases. METHODS The 6 patients consisted of one man and 5 women, ranging in age from 45 and 75 years. None of the patients had any history or clinical evidence of tumor elsewhere. The immunohistochemical profile was examined using antibodies against β-catenin, E-cadherin, wnt5a, EGFR, VEGF, vimentin, Ki67, and P53. RESULTS Of all the 6 PPSC cases, 5 cases presented stage IIIC and 1 case presented stage IV. Microscopically, 5 cases were poorly differentiated and 1 was moderately differentiated. All cases showed positive staining for β-catenin, E-cadherin, vimentin, VEGF, P53, and Ki67, 4 cases expressed EGFR, and all cases were consistently negative for wnt5a. CONCLUSIONS We described 6 cases of PPSC with clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features. The findings provide basic knowledge of PPSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou, GD 510060, China
| | - Dongxia Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou, GD 510060, China
| | - Jiehua He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou, GD 510060, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-Sen University58 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, GD 510080, China
| | - Yanna Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou, GD 510060, China
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Arzumanyan A, Sambandam V, Clayton MM, Choi SS, Xie G, Diehl AM, Yu DY, Feitelson MA. Hedgehog signaling blockade delays hepatocarcinogenesis induced by hepatitis B virus X protein. Cancer Res 2012; 72:5912-20. [PMID: 22986746 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-2329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) encoded X protein (HBx) contributes centrally to the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been linked to many tumor types including HCC. Thus, experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that HBx promotes HCC via activation of Hh signaling. HBx expression correlated with an upregulation of Hh markers in human liver cancer cell lines, in liver samples from HBV infected patients with HCC, and in the livers of HBx transgenic mice (HBxTg) that develop hepatitis, steatosis, and dysplasia, culminating in the appearance of HCC. The findings in human samples provide clinical validation for the in vitro results and those in the HBxTg. Blockade of Hh signaling inhibited HBx stimulation of cell migration, anchorage-independent growth, tumor development in HBxTg, and xenograft growth in nude mice. Results suggest that the ability of HBx to promote cancer is at least partially dependent upon the activation of the Hh pathway. This study provides biologic evidence for the role of Hh signaling in the pathogenesis of HBV-mediated HCC and suggests cause and effect for the first time. The observation that inhibition of Hh signaling partially blocked the ability of HBx to promote growth and migration in vitro and tumorigenesis in two animal models implies that Hh signaling may represent an "oncogene addiction" pathway for HBV-associated HCC. This work could be central to designing specific treatments that target early development and progression of HBx-mediated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla Arzumanyan
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA.
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114
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Savani M, Guo Y, Carbone DP, Csiki I. Sonic hedgehog pathway expression in non-small cell lung cancer. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2012; 4:225-33. [PMID: 22942905 DOI: 10.1177/1758834012450362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Activation of the hedgehog pathway is an important signaling mechanism crucial in embryogenesis and has strong links to carcinogenesis. This study investigates the expression of the Sonic hedgehog pathway molecules in non-small cell lung tumors as it relates to clinical outcome of various non-small cell lung cancers. METHODS A tissue microarray with 81 samples from 42 patients with various non-small cell lung cancer histologies was examined without the aid of laser microdissection. All samples were stained with antibodies directed against Sonic hedgehog, Ptch-1, Smoothened, and Gli-1. RESULTS Most of the tumor samples showed negative to weak expression of the pathway proteins (Sonic hedgehog, 38% negative to 20% weak; Ptch-1, 100% negative; Smoothened, 69% negative to 7% weak; Gli-1, 57% negative to 5% weak) compared with higher expression in normal lung epithelial cells. CONCLUSION The same pathway expression did not correlate with clinical outcome. While our results do not provide any indication that the pathway molecules are correlated to overall patient survival possibly due to the limited sample size, our study shows minimum overexpression of Sonic hedgehog pathway in non-small cell lung cancer and this did not correlate clinically with patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malvi Savani
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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115
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Chen JS, Huang XH, Wang Q, Huang JQ, Zhang LJ, Chen XL, Lei J, Cheng ZX. Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway induces cell migration and invasion through focal adhesion kinase/AKT signaling-mediated activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in liver cancer. Carcinogenesis 2012; 34:10-9. [PMID: 22948179 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgs274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The aberrant activation of sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway contributes to initiation and progression of various malignancies. However, the roles and underlying mechanisms of SHH signaling pathway in invasion and metastasis of liver cancer have not been well understood. In this study, we found that SHH signaling was activated and correlated with invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Enhanced SHH signaling by recombinant human SHH N-terminal peptide (rSHH-N) promoted hepatoma cell adhesion, migration and invasion, whereas blockade of SHH signaling with SHH neutralizing antibody or cyclopamine suppressed hepatoma cell adhesion, migration and invasion. Furthermore, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expressions and activities were upregulated and downregulated by rSHH-N and SHH signaling inhibitor, respectively. The rSHH-N-mediated hepatoma cell migration and invasion was blocked by MMP-specific inhibitors or neutralizing antibodies to MMP-2 and MMP-9. In addition, phosphorylations of AKT and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) were increased and decreased by rSHH-N and SHH signaling inhibitor, respectively. Further investigations showed that activation of AKT and FAK were required for rSHH-N-mediated upregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9, cell migration and invasion. Finally, we found that SHH protein expression was positively correlated with phosphorylatd FAK Tyr397, phosphorylatd AKT Ser473, MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expressions in HCC samples. Taken together, our findings suggest that SHH pathway induces cell migration and invasion through FAK/AKT signaling-mediated MMP-2 and MMP-9 production and activation in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Song Chen
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510120, P.R. China
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116
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Egeberg DL, Lethan M, Manguso R, Schneider L, Awan A, Jørgensen TS, Byskov AG, Pedersen LB, Christensen ST. Primary cilia and aberrant cell signaling in epithelial ovarian cancer. Cilia 2012; 1:15. [PMID: 23351307 PMCID: PMC3555760 DOI: 10.1186/2046-2530-1-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 05/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Denmark, largely due to the advanced stage at diagnosis in most patients. Approximately 90% of ovarian cancers originate from the single-layered ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). Defects in the primary cilium, a solitary sensory organelle in most cells types including OSE, were recently implicated in tumorigenesis, mainly due to deregulation of ciliary signaling pathways such as Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. However, a possible link between primary cilia and epithelial ovarian cancer has not previously been investigated. Methods The presence of primary cilia was analyzed in sections of fixed human ovarian tissue as well as in cultures of normal human ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) cells and two human OSE-derived cancer cell lines. We also used immunofluorescence microscopy, western blotting, RT-PCR and siRNA to investigate ciliary signaling pathways in these cells. Results We show that ovarian cancer cells display significantly reduced numbers of primary cilia. The reduction in ciliation frequency in these cells was not due to a failure to enter growth arrest, and correlated with persistent centrosomal localization of aurora A kinase (AURA). Further, we demonstrate that ovarian cancer cells have deregulated Hh signaling and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) expression and that promotion of ciliary formation/stability by AURA siRNA depletion decreases Hh signaling in ovarian cancer cells. Lastly, we show that the tumor suppressor protein and negative regulator of AURA, checkpoint with forkhead-associated and ring finger domains (CHFR), localizes to the centrosome/primary cilium axis. Conclusions Our results suggest that primary cilia play a role in maintaining OSE homeostasis and that the low frequency of primary cilia in cancer OSE cells may result in part from over-expression of AURA, leading to aberrant Hh signaling and ovarian tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorte L Egeberg
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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117
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Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has been implicated in tumor initiation and metastasis across different malignancies. Major mechanisms by which the Hh pathway is aberrantly activated can be attributed to mutations of members of Hh pathway or excessive/inappropriate expression of Hh pathway ligands. The Hh signaling pathway also affects the regulation of cancer stem cells, leading to their capabilities in tumor formation, disease progression, and metastasis. Preliminary results of early phase clinical trials of Hh inhibitors administered as monotherapy demonstrated promising results in patients with basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma, but clinically meaningful anticancer efficacy across other tumor types seems to be lacking. Additionally, cases of resistance have been already observed. Mutations of SMO, activation of Hh pathway components downstream to SMO, and upregulation of alternative signaling pathways are possible mechanisms of resistance development. Determination of effective Hh inhibitor-based combination regimens and development of correlative biomarkers relevant to this pathway should remain as clear priorities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solmaz Sahebjam
- Drug Development Program, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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118
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Yue Y, Zhong W, Pei G, Xiao B, Zhang G, Jiang F, Zhang J, Chen C, Yang P, Dang H, Chang H. Aberrant activation of hedgehog pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Clin Exp Med 2012; 13:315-22. [PMID: 23001130 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-012-0198-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 06/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a very common head and neck cancer in southern china. Despite advances in surgical and chemotherapeutic approaches, its prognosis is still not promising. Hedgehog signaling pathway was reported to be involved in a number of cancers including head and neck. However, it remains unclear regarding the role of this pathway in NPC. By real-time PCR, we found Ptch1, Smo, and Gli-1 were expressed in all human nasopharyngeal epithelial tissues and cell lines. Compared with nasopharyngeal normal epithelial tissues, the mRNA expression level of Gli-1 was higher in carcinoma and nasopharyngitis (NPI) epithelial tissues. While compared with nasopharyngitis epithelia, the mRNA expression level of Ptch1 was lower in carcinoma epithelia and normal epithelia. The expressions of Smo mRNA were not significantly different among these epithelial tissues. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that the expression level of Gli-1 was higher in NPC than NPI. Thus, our data indicated that aberrant activation of hedgehog pathway in NPC. Furthermore, blocking the pathway with cyclopamine inhibited the proliferation of NPC epithelia cell lines. In addition, blockade of the pathway in three NPC cell lines with cyclopamine-induced tumor cell apoptosis. The transcription of hedgehog target genes also is inhibited by cyclopamine. These data suggested that hedgehog pathway may sustain nasopharyngeal tumor growth. Our data demonstrated that hedgehog signaling pathway was involved in NPC pathogenesis and might be a novel therapeutic target for NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjian Yue
- Life Science College, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 135 Xingang xi Road, Guangzhou, 510275, China
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119
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Samarzija I, Beard P. Hedgehog pathway regulators influence cervical cancer cell proliferation, survival and migration. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 425:64-9. [PMID: 22820185 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.07.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is considered to be a primary hit that causes cervical cancer. However, infection with this agent, although needed, is not sufficient for a cancer to develop. Additional cellular changes are required to complement the action of HPV, but the precise nature of these changes is not clear. Here, we studied the function of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway in cervical cancer. The Hh pathway can have a role in a number of cancers, including those of liver, lung and digestive tract. We found that components of the Hh pathway are expressed in several cervical cancer cell lines, indicating that there could exists an autocrine Hh signaling loop in these cells. Inhibition of Hh signaling reduces proliferation and survival of the cervical cancer cells and induces their apoptosis as seen by the up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic protein cleaved caspase 3. Our results indicate that Hh signaling is not induced directly by HPV-encoded proteins but rather that Hh-activating mutations are selected in cells initially immortalized by HPV. Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) ligand induces proliferation and promotes migration of the cervical cancer cells studied. Together, these results indicate pro-survival and protective roles of an activated Hh signaling pathway in cervical cancer-derived cells, and suggest that inhibition of this pathway may be a therapeutic option in fighting cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Samarzija
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne (EPFL), Department of Life Sciences, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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120
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Joost S, Almada LL, Rohnalter V, Holz PS, Fernandez-Barrena MG, Fernandez-Zapico ME, Lauth M. GLI1 Modulates EMT in Pancreatic Cancer—Response. Cancer Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-1468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Joost
- Authors' Affiliations: 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University, Marburg, Germany; and 2Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Luciana L. Almada
- Authors' Affiliations: 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University, Marburg, Germany; and 2Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Verena Rohnalter
- Authors' Affiliations: 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University, Marburg, Germany; and 2Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Philipp S. Holz
- Authors' Affiliations: 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University, Marburg, Germany; and 2Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Maite G. Fernandez-Barrena
- Authors' Affiliations: 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University, Marburg, Germany; and 2Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Martin E. Fernandez-Zapico
- Authors' Affiliations: 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University, Marburg, Germany; and 2Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Matthias Lauth
- Authors' Affiliations: 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University, Marburg, Germany; and 2Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Abstract
Singleminded-2s (SIM2s) is a member of the bHLH/PAS family of transcription factors and a key regulator of mammary epithelial cell differentiation. SIM2s is highly expressed in mammary epithelial cells and down regulated in human breast cancer. Loss of Sim2s causes aberrant mouse mammary ductal development with features suggestive of malignant transformation, whereas over-expression of SIM2s promotes precocious alveolar differentiation in nulliparous mouse mammary glands, suggesting that SIM2s is required for establishing and enhancing mammary gland differentiation. To test the hypothesis that SIM2s regulates tumor cell differentiation, we analyzed SIM2s expression in human primary breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) samples and found that SIM2s is lost with progression from DCIS to invasive ductal cancer (IDC). Utilizing a MCF10DCIS.COM progression model, we have shown that SIM2s expression is decreased in MCF10DCIS.COM cells compared to MCF10A cells and reestablishment of SIM2s in MCF10DCIS.COM cells significantly inhibits growth and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Analysis of SIM2s-MCF10DCIS.com tumors showed that SIM2s promoted a more differentiated tumor phenotype including the expression of a broad range of luminal markers (CSN2 (β-casein), CDH1 (E-cadherin), and KER18 (keratin-18)) and suppressed genes associated with stem cell maintenance and a basal phenotype (SMO (smoothened), p63, SLUG (snail-2), KER14 (keratin-14) and VIM (vimentin)). Furthermore, loss of SIM2s expression in MCF10DCIS.COM xenografts resulted in a more invasive phenotype and increased lung metastasis likely due to an increase in hedgehog signaling and matrix metalloproteinase expression. Together, these exciting new data support a role for SIM2s in promoting human breast tumor differentiation and maintaining epithelial integrity.
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122
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Kandala PK, Srivastava SK. Diindolylmethane-mediated Gli1 protein suppression induces anoikis in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and blocks tumor formation ability in vivo. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:28745-54. [PMID: 22773833 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.351379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Anoikis is a cell death that occurs due to detachment of a cell from the extracellular matrix (ECM). Resistance to anoikis is a primary feature of a cell that undergoes metastasis. In this study for the first time, we demonstrated the potential role of Gli1 in anoikis resistance. Treatment of various ovarian cancer cells by different concentrations of diindolylmethane (DIM), an active ingredient of cruciferous vegetables, reduced the anoikis resistance in a concentration-dependent manner. Reduction in anoikis resistance was associated with a decrease in the expression of Gli1 and an increase in the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Sonic hedgehog (Shh) treatment not only increased the expression of Gli1, but also blocked anoikis induced by DIM and abrogated the change in the expression of Gli1 and cleaved PARP by DIM. To confirm the role of Gli1, hedgehog inhibitor cyclopamine, Gli1 siRNA and Gli1(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were used. Cyclopamine treatment alone significantly reduced anoikis resistance in A2780 and OVCAR-429 cells. Cyclopamine-mediated reduction in anoikis resistance was associated with reduced expression of Gli1 and induction of cleaved PARP. Shh treatment blocked cyclopamine-induced anoikis. Silencing Gli1 expression induced anoikis and cleavage of PARP in A2780 and OVCAR-429 cells. Furthermore, Gli1(-/-) MEFs were more sensitive to anoikis compared with Gli1(+/+) MEFs. Our in vivo studies established that DIM- or cyclopamine-treated ovarian cancer cells under suspension culture conditions drastically lost their ability of tumor formation in vivo in mice. Taken together, our results establish that Gli1 is a critical player in anoikis resistance in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabodh K Kandala
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106, USA
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123
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Steg AD, Katre AA, Bevis KS, Ziebarth A, Dobbin ZC, Shah MM, Alvarez RD, Landen CN. Smoothened antagonists reverse taxane resistance in ovarian cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2012; 11:1587-97. [PMID: 22553355 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-11-1058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The hedgehog pathway has been implicated in the formation and maintenance of a variety of malignancies, including ovarian cancer; however, it is unknown whether hedgehog signaling is involved in ovarian cancer chemoresistance. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of antagonizing the hedgehog receptor, Smoothened (Smo), on chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer. Expression of hedgehog pathway members was assessed in three pairs of parental and chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780ip2/A2780cp20, SKOV3ip1/SKOV3TRip2, HeyA8/HeyA8MDR) using quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis. Cell lines were exposed to increasing concentrations of two different Smo antagonists (cyclopamine, LDE225) alone and in combination with carboplatin or paclitaxel. Selective knockdown of Smo, Gli1, or Gli2 was achieved using siRNA constructs. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. A2780cp20 and SKOV3TRip2 orthotopic xenografts were treated with vehicle, LDE225, paclitaxel, or combination therapy. Chemoresistant cell lines showed higher expression (>2-fold, P < 0.05) of hedgehog signaling components compared with their respective parental lines. Smo antagonists sensitized chemotherapy-resistant cell lines to paclitaxel, but not to carboplatin. LDE225 treatment also increased sensitivity of ALDH-positive cells to paclitaxel. A2780cp20 and SKOV3TRip2 xenografts treated with combined LDE225 and paclitaxel had significantly less tumor burden than those treated with vehicle or either agent alone. Increased taxane sensitivity seems to be mediated by a decrease in P-glycoprotein (MDR1) expression. Selective knockdown of Smo, Gli1, or Gli2 all increased taxane sensitivity. Smo antagonists reverse taxane resistance in chemoresistant ovarian cancer models, suggesting combined anti-hedgehog and chemotherapies could provide a useful therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Steg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA
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124
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Steg AD, Katre AA, Bevis KS, Ziebarth A, Dobbin ZC, Shah MM, Alvarez RD, Landen CN. Smoothened antagonists reverse taxane resistance in ovarian cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2012. [PMID: 22553355 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-11-105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The hedgehog pathway has been implicated in the formation and maintenance of a variety of malignancies, including ovarian cancer; however, it is unknown whether hedgehog signaling is involved in ovarian cancer chemoresistance. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of antagonizing the hedgehog receptor, Smoothened (Smo), on chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer. Expression of hedgehog pathway members was assessed in three pairs of parental and chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780ip2/A2780cp20, SKOV3ip1/SKOV3TRip2, HeyA8/HeyA8MDR) using quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis. Cell lines were exposed to increasing concentrations of two different Smo antagonists (cyclopamine, LDE225) alone and in combination with carboplatin or paclitaxel. Selective knockdown of Smo, Gli1, or Gli2 was achieved using siRNA constructs. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. A2780cp20 and SKOV3TRip2 orthotopic xenografts were treated with vehicle, LDE225, paclitaxel, or combination therapy. Chemoresistant cell lines showed higher expression (>2-fold, P < 0.05) of hedgehog signaling components compared with their respective parental lines. Smo antagonists sensitized chemotherapy-resistant cell lines to paclitaxel, but not to carboplatin. LDE225 treatment also increased sensitivity of ALDH-positive cells to paclitaxel. A2780cp20 and SKOV3TRip2 xenografts treated with combined LDE225 and paclitaxel had significantly less tumor burden than those treated with vehicle or either agent alone. Increased taxane sensitivity seems to be mediated by a decrease in P-glycoprotein (MDR1) expression. Selective knockdown of Smo, Gli1, or Gli2 all increased taxane sensitivity. Smo antagonists reverse taxane resistance in chemoresistant ovarian cancer models, suggesting combined anti-hedgehog and chemotherapies could provide a useful therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Steg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA
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125
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Maurac I, Sabol M, Musani V, Car D, Ozretic P, Kalafatic D, Oreskovic S, Babic D, Levanat S. A low-grade ovarian carcinoma case with coincident LOH of PTCH1 and BRCA1, and a mutation in BRCA1. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2012; 31:264-71. [PMID: 22498944 DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0b013e31823b6f0f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We report a case of a 53-year-old woman with Grade 1 serous cystadenocarcinoma on her left ovary and metastatic serous adenocarcinoma on her right ovary. Serous carcinoma is the most common type of ovarian cancer, representing approximately half of all cases. Because of positive family history, the patient was referred for BRCA1/2 screening. Germline BRCA1 mutation c.676delT (p.C226VfsX8) was found, and in tumor tissue the normal allele was lost. Tumor tissue also had loss of heterozygosity in the PTCH1 gene, one of the major members of the Hedgehog-Gli (Hh-Gli) pathway. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of the Hh-Gli pathway in both ovaries compared with healthy ovarian tissue. Primary cell culture was developed from the patient's tissue and showed downregulation of gene expression in response to cyclopamine, a Hh-Gli pathway inhibitor. The Hh-Gli signaling pathway may play a role in malignant transformation and metastasis of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Maurac
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zagreb University School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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126
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Wang TP, Hsu SH, Feng HC, Huang RFS. Folate deprivation enhances invasiveness of human colon cancer cells mediated by activation of sonic hedgehog signaling through promoter hypomethylation and cross action with transcription nuclear factor-kappa B pathway. Carcinogenesis 2012; 33:1158-68. [PMID: 22461522 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgs138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Low folate status is well recognized as one of the metabolic stressors for colorectal cancer carcinogenesis, but its role in colon cancer invasion remains unknown. Activation of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signal in interaction with the transcription nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway is crucial for cancer aggressiveness. The aims of this study were to investigate whether and how folate deprivation promotes invasion by colon cancer cells in relation to Shh signaling and NF-κB pathway activation. Cultivation of epithelial colon carcinoma-derived cells (HCT116) in folate-deficient (FD) medium enhanced cellular migration and invasion, in correlation with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) associated with Snail expression and E-cadherin suppression, increased production of β1 integrin and increased proteolysis by matrix metalloproteinase 2. Blockade of Shh signaling by cyclopamine (CYC) or of NF-κB activation by BAY abolished FD-enhanced EMT and invasion by HCT116 cells. FD cells had 50-80% less intracellular folate, associated with aberrant hypomethylation of the Shh promoter, than control cells, and increased binding of nuclear NF-κB subunit p65 to the Shh promoter region, which coincided with increased Shh expression and protein production of Shh ligand; in addition, the FD-induced Shh signaling targeted Gli1 transcription activator as well as Ptch receptor. The FD-induced Shh induction and activated signaling were blocked by NF-κB inhibitor BAY. Blockade of Shh signaling abrogated FD-promoted NF-κB activation measured by IκBα degradation and by target gene TNFα expression. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that folate deprivation enhanced invasiveness of colon cancer cells mediated by activation of Shh signaling through promoter hypomethylation and cross actions with the NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tz-Ping Wang
- Department of Nutritional Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, Xinzhuang, Taiwan, Republic of China
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127
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Pathways involved in Drosophila and human cancer development: the Notch, Hedgehog, Wingless, Runt, and Trithorax pathway. Ann Hematol 2012; 91:645-669. [PMID: 22418742 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-012-1435-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Animal models are established tools to study basic questions of biology in a systematic way. They have greatly facilitated our understanding of the mechanisms by which nature forms and maintains organisms. Much of the knowledge on molecular changes underlying the development of organisms originates from research in the fruit fly model Drosophila melanogaster. Vertebrate models including the mouse and zebrafish model, but also other animal models coming from different corners of the animal kingdom have shown that much of the basic machinery of development is essentially identical, not just in all vertebrates but in all major phyla of invertebrates too. Moreover, key elements of this machinery have been demonstrated to be involved in recurrent molecular abnormalities detected in tumor-tissue from patients, indicating their implication in the genesis of human cancer. Thus, research in this field has become a common topic for both biologists and hemato-oncologists. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on some of these key elements and molecular pathways such as Notch, Hedgehog, Wingless, Runt, and Trithorax that have been originally described and studied in animal models and which seem to play a major role in the pathophysiology and targeted management of human cancer.
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128
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Immunohistochemical evidence of the prognostic value of hedgehog pathway components in primary gallbladder carcinoma. Surg Today 2012; 42:770-5. [PMID: 22407314 DOI: 10.1007/s00595-012-0157-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The activation of hedgehog (Hh) pathways has been studied extensively in many malignant tumors to elucidate their clinical diagnostic and prognostic utilities. However, their roles in primary gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) remain poorly understood. This study was conducted to clarify the immunoreactivity and prognostic value of Hh pathway components in GBC. METHODS Levels of sonic hedgehog (Shh), its receptor, Patched (Ptch1), and its downstream transcription factor, Gli1 protein, were measured by immunohistochemistry in 93 specimens from patients with GBC. We analyzed the correlations between the expression of these factors and clinicopathological features, including prognosis. RESULTS Among the 93 GBC specimens, 76 (81.7%), 70 (75.3%) and 66 (70.0%) were positive for Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 expression, respectively. Expressions were significantly correlated with stage, lymph node metastasis, venous invasion, hepatic infiltration and lymphatic invasion (all P < 0.05). Patients with positive staining for Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 had significantly lower survival rates than patients with negative staining. The expression patterns of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 were all associated with a malignant behavior risk category in GBC. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report to define the role of the Hh pathway in GBC. Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 are frequently expressed in GBC and associated with poorer survival. Thus, high expressions of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 proteins could serve as auxiliary parameters for predicting the malignant behavior of GBC.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ovarian cancer has very heterogeneous histological classification, and response to therapy of the same grade and type varies. We studied genes in the Wnt and hedgehog (Hh) pathways, which are essential for embryonic development and which play critical roles in proliferation in a variety of human cancers. Variations in these pathway genes causing proliferation could play a role in the variation in tumor progression and response to therapy. METHODS/MATERIALS Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, we studied 16 primary grade 3 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III serous ovarian cancer samples for expression of the Wnt pathway gene AXIN2, fibroblast growth factor 9, and Hh pathway gene expressions of glioma-associated oncogene 1, glioma-associated oncogene 2, patched homolog 1, patched homolog 2, Indian Hedgehog (HH), sonic HH, and Smoothened, a G protein-coupled receptor protein. Normal ovary epithelial cell line was used as control. RESULTS We found wide variation of up-regulation of pathway component and target genes in the primary tumor samples and apparent cross talk between the pathways. AXIN2, a Wnt target gene, showed increased expression in all serous ovarian cancer samples. Fibroblast growth factor 9 was also overexpressed in all tumors with greater than 1000-fold increase in gene expression in 4 tumors. Expression of Hh pathway genes varied greatly. More than half of the tumor samples showed involvement of Hh signaling or pathway activation either by expression of transcription factors and Hh ligands or by overexpression of Indian HH/sonic HH and the receptor-encoding patched homolog 1/patched homolog 2. CONCLUSION We found a wide variation in fold expression of genes involved in the Wnt and Hh pathway between patient samples.
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Carpenter RL, Lo HW. Hedgehog pathway and GLI1 isoforms in human cancer. DISCOVERY MEDICINE 2012; 13:105-113. [PMID: 22369969 PMCID: PMC3632644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The Hedgehog signaling pathway regulates normal cell growth and differentiation. When deregulated, the Hedgehog pathway leads to tumorigenesis and supports more aggressive phenotypes of human cancers, such as progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. The glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1) family of zinc finger transcription factors is the nuclear mediator of the Hedgehog pathway that regulates genes essential for various stages of tumor development and progression. Consequently, several components of the Hedgehog pathway are major targets of cancer therapy, including GLI1 and smoothened. Although the GLI1 gene was initially identified as an amplified gene in glioblastoma, its amplification was found to be relatively rare. No somatic mutations have been reported in the GLI1 gene. Notably, two decades after the discovery of the GLI1 gene, the GLI1 transcript was recently found to undergo alternative splicing forming two shorter isoforms, an N-terminal deletion variant (GLI1ΔN) and a truncated GLI1 (tGLI1). These variants appear to have different patterns of tissue expression and functions. Most notably, the tGLI1 isoform behaves as a gain-of-function GLI1 that can induce expression of genes not regulated by GLI1 and promotes more aggressive cancer phenotypes. Therefore, this review will focus on the structural and functional differences between these isoforms, and also on their contributions to important cancer cell characteristics, including proliferation, motility, invasion, and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Carpenter
- Department of Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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131
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Ghosh S, Basu M, Roy SS. ETS-1 protein regulates vascular endothelial growth factor-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 and matrix metalloproteinase-13 expression in human ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV-3. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:15001-15. [PMID: 22270366 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.284034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinase-mediated degradation of extracellular matrix is a crucial event for invasion and metastasis of malignant cells. The expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are regulated by different cytokines and growth factors. VEGF, a potent angiogenic cytokine, induces invasion of ovarian cancer cells through activation of MMPs. Here, we demonstrate that invasion and scattering in SKOV-3 cells were induced by VEGF through the activation of p38 MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways. VEGF induced the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13 and hence regulated the metastasis of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells, and the activities of these MMPs were reduced after inhibition of PI3K/AKT and p38 MAPK pathways. Interestingly, VEGF induced expression of ETS-1 factor, an important trans-regulator of different MMP genes. ETS-1 bound to both MMP-9 and MMP-13 promoters. Furthermore, VEGF acted through its receptor to perform the said functions. In addition, VEGF-induced MMP-9 and MMP-13 expression and in vitro cell invasion were significantly reduced after knockdown of ETS-1 gene. Again, VEGF-induced MMP-9 and MMP-13 promoter activities were down-regulated in ETS-1 siRNA-transfected cells. VEGF enriched ETS-1 in the nuclear fraction in a dose-dependent manner. VEGF-induced expression of ETS-1 and its nuclear localization were blocked by specific inhibitors of the PI3K and p38 MAPK pathways. Therefore, based on these observations, it is hypothesized that the activation of PI3K/AKT and p38 MAPK by VEGF results in ETS-1 gene expression, which activates MMP-9 and MMP-13, leading to the invasion and scattering of SKOV-3 cells. The study provides a mechanistic insight into the prometastatic functions of VEGF-induced expression of relevant MMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Ghosh
- Cell Biology and Physiology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
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Kudo K, Gavin E, Das S, Amable L, Shevde LA, Reed E. Inhibition of Gli1 results in altered c-Jun activation, inhibition of cisplatin-induced upregulation of ERCC1, XPD and XRCC1, and inhibition of platinum-DNA adduct repair. Oncogene 2012; 31:4718-24. [PMID: 22266871 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2011.610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The transcription of ERCC1 and other nucleotide excision repair (NER) genes is strongly influenced by c-jun. C-jun is transcriptionally regulated by Gli proteins of the Hedgehog pathway. We therefore studied the possible relationships between Gli1, c-jun, and the upregulation of ERCC1, XPD and XRCC1 in cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancer cells. We studied the paired human ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 and A2780-CP70. We used a shRNA construct that specifically degrades Gli1 message. Genes we assessed for mRNA and/or protein levels included: c-jun, ERCC1, XPD, XRCC1, Gli1, Gli2, SHH, IHH, GAPDH and α-tubulin. Platinum-DNA adduct repair was assessed by atomic absorbance spectrometry with Zeeman background correction. Use of the anti-Gli1 shRNA in cisplatin-resistant cells resulted in a block of the cell's ability to upregulate genes in response to cisplatin treatment, including: c-jun, ERCC1, XPD and XRCC1. This block in upregulation of c-jun was concurrent with a change in the phosphorylation pattern of the c-jun protein, shifting that pattern from a Ser63/73 dominant pattern, to a Thr91/93 dominant pattern. A2780-CP70 cells were treated at their cisplatin IC50, and DNA repair was assessed after pretreatment with anti-Gli1 shRNA or scrambled shRNA control. Control cells repaired 78% of platinum-DNA adducts at 12 h, compared with 33% repair in cells pretreated with anti-Gli1 shRNA resulting in a 2.4-fold difference. Pretreatment of A2780-CP70 cells with anti-Gli1 shRNA resulted in supra-additive cell killing with cisplatin; shifting the cisplatin IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) from 30 μM to 5 μM. Pretreatment of these cells with cyclopamine did not shift the cisplatin IC50. We conclude that the transcriptional protein Gli1 is important in the upregulation of these three DNA repair genes in human ovarian cancer cells, and that Gli1 strongly influences platinum-DNA adduct repair, and cellular sensitivity to cisplatin. This Gli1 role has c-jun as an intermediate in the pathway. In all, inhibition of Gli1 by a specific shRNA inhibits the upregulation of c-jun Ser63/73, and also inhibits the upregulation of three genes essential to NER (ERCC1, XPD) and base excision repair (XRCC1).
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kudo
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
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133
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Carpenter RL, Lo HW. Identification, functional characterization, and pathobiological significance of GLI1 isoforms in human cancers. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2012; 88:115-40. [PMID: 22391302 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394622-5.00006-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1) is the nuclear mediator of Hedgehog signaling that activates gene transcription via its zinc finger DNA-binding and transactivation domains. GLI1 plays a critical role in several cellular processes, including embryonic development, tumorigenesis, and tumor growth and progression. The human GLI1 gene was identified in 1987 as an amplified gene in glioblastoma. Somatic mutations have never been reported in the GLI1 gene in any cell or tumor type. Very recently in 2008-2009, the full-length GLI1 transcript was discovered to undergo alternative splicing to form two shorter isoforms, namely N-terminal deletion variant (GLI1ΔN) and truncated GLI1 (tGLI1). Emerging evidence suggests that the three structurally different GLI1 isoforms are distinctly different in their expression patterns and functions in the context of human cancers. The tGLI1 isoform, in particular, has been shown to gain the ability to modulate expression of the genes that are not regulated by GLI1 and to support the biology of more aggressive cancer. Consequently, a key focus of this chapter is to summarize and compare the properties of the three GLI1 isoforms and their relations to malignant biology of human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Carpenter
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Sathi GA, Tamamura R, Tsujigiwa H, Katase N, Lefeuvre M, Siar CH, Matsuda H, Nagatsuka H. Analysis of immunoexpression of common cancer stem cell markers in ameloblastoma. Exp Ther Med 2011; 3:397-402. [PMID: 22969902 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2011.437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/02/2011] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have established that, in benign tumors, a large number of cancer stem cells are present, which have great implications in tumor development. However, in ameloblastoma, a highly aggressive, locally invasive tumor with a high recurrence rate, whether or not cancer stem-like cells are present remains undetermined. Therefore, in this study we analyzed the protein expression of three candidate stem cell markers in ameloblastoma. Immunohistochemical staining for cancer stem cell (CSC) markers (CD133, CD44 and ABCG2) and for the proliferation marker Ki-67 was performed using 23 ameloblastoma cases. In all 23 samples, CD133, CD44 and ABCG2 were expressed. Nine (39.13%) cases showed high expression and 14 cases (60.87%) showed low expression for CD133. Twelve of the 23 cases (52.17%) showed high expression and 11 cases (47.83%) showed low expression for both CD44 and ABCG2, respectively. Ki-67 was mainly expressed in peripheral ameloblast-like cells, suggesting that these cells have a higher degree of differentiation and, therefore, are less likely to contain cancer stem-like cells. On the other hand, cells positive for CSC markers situated at the close proximity to peripheral cells were devoid of Ki-67 and may have the potential to be cancer stem-like cells. After analyzing the correlation between expression of three CSC markers with clinicopathological factors and Ki-67 expression, only CD44 expression was correlated with tumor recurrence (P=0.0391). In conclusion, this study showed various expression patterns of different types of cancer stem cell markers and the presence of candidate CSC-like cells in ameloblastoma, which are possibly involved in cell proliferation, tumor progression and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulsan Ara Sathi
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
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135
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Banerjee U, Ghosh M, Kyle Hadden M. Evaluation of vitamin D3 A-ring analogues as Hedgehog pathway inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2011; 22:1330-4. [PMID: 22226657 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2011.12.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Revised: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A structure-activity relationship study focusing on the A-ring of vitamin D3 (VD3) was undertaken to elucidate its role in inhibiting the Hedgehog pathway and in mediating anti-cancer effects. Analogues resulting from simple functional group substitution at 3' position of VD3 were evaluated in a variety of biological assays to determine their ability to selectively inhibit Hh signaling. Moderately active Hh inhibitors that have insignificant binding affinity for VDR were identified; however, these compounds also activate the traditional VDR pathway, presumably due to metabolites produced in the cultured cells. Thus, further structural modifications to the VD3 scaffold are required to yield potent, selective Hh inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upasana Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd., Unit 3092, Storrs, CT 06269-3092, USA
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136
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Jung IH, Jung DE, Park YN, Song SY, Park SW. Aberrant Hedgehog ligands induce progressive pancreatic fibrosis by paracrine activation of myofibroblasts and ductular cells in transgenic zebrafish. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27941. [PMID: 22164219 PMCID: PMC3229500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is frequently up-regulated in fibrogenic pancreatic diseases including chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Although recent series suggest exclusive paracrine activation of stromal cells by Hh ligands from epithelial components, debates still exist on how Hh signaling works in pathologic conditions. To explore how Hh signaling affects the pancreas, we investigated transgenic phenotypes in zebrafish that over-express either Indian Hh or Sonic Hh along with green fluorescence protein (GFP) to enable real-time observation, or GFP alone as control, at the ptf1a domain. Transgenic embryos and zebrafish were serially followed for transgenic phenotypes, and investigated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Over-expression of Ihh or Shh reveals virtually identical phenotypes. Hh induces morphologic changes in a developing pancreas without derangement in acinar differentiation. In older zebrafish, Hh induces progressive pancreatic fibrosis intermingled with proliferating ductular structures, which is accompanied by the destruction of the acinar structures. Both myofibroblasts and ductular are activated and proliferated by paracrine Hh signaling, showing restricted expression of Hh downstream components including Patched1 (Ptc1), Smoothened (Smo), and Gli1/2 in those Hh-responsive cells. Hh ligands induce matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP9 in all Hh-responsive cells, and transform growth factor-ß1 (TGFß1) only in ductular cells. Aberrant Hh over-expression, however, does not induce pancreatic tumors. On treatment with inhibitors, embryonic phenotypes are reversed by either cyclopamine or Hedgehog Primary Inhibitor-4 (HPI-4). Pancreatic fibrosis is only prevented by HPI-4. Our study provides strong evidence of Hh signaling which induces pancreatic fibrosis through paracrine activation of Hh-responsive cells in vivo. Induction of MMPs and TGFß1 by Hh signaling expands on the current understanding of how Hh signaling affects fibrosis and tumorigenesis. These transgenic models will be a valuable platform in exploring the mechanism of fibrogenic pancreatic diseases which are induced by Hh signaling activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Hye Jung
- Postgraduate School of National Core Research Center for Nanomedical Technology, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dawoon E. Jung
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Nyun Park
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Young Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Woo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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137
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McCann CK, Growdon WB, Kulkarni-Datar K, Curley MD, Friel AM, Proctor JL, Sheikh H, Deyneko I, Ferguson JA, Vathipadiekal V, Birrer MJ, Borger DR, Mohapatra G, Zukerberg LR, Foster R, MacDougall JR, Rueda BR. Inhibition of Hedgehog signaling antagonizes serous ovarian cancer growth in a primary xenograft model. PLoS One 2011; 6:e28077. [PMID: 22140510 PMCID: PMC3226669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent evidence links aberrant activation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling with the pathogenesis of several cancers including medulloblastoma, basal cell, small cell lung, pancreatic, prostate and ovarian. This investigation was designed to determine if inhibition of this pathway could inhibit serous ovarian cancer growth. Methodology We utilized an in vivo pre-clinical model of serous ovarian cancer to characterize the anti-tumor activity of Hh pathway inhibitors cyclopamine and a clinically applicable derivative, IPI-926. Primary human serous ovarian tumor tissue was used to generate tumor xenografts in mice that were subsequently treated with cyclopamine or IPI-926. Principal Findings Both compounds demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity as single agents. When IPI-926 was used in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatinum (T/C), no synergistic effect was observed, though sustained treatment with IPI-926 after cessation of T/C continued to suppress tumor growth. Hh pathway activity was analyzed by RT-PCR to assess changes in Gli1 transcript levels. A single dose of IPI-926 inhibited mouse stromal Gli1 transcript levels at 24 hours with unchanged human intra-tumor Gli1 levels. Chronic IPI-926 therapy for 21 days, however, inhibited Hh signaling in both mouse stromal and human tumor cells. Expression data from the micro-dissected stroma in human serous ovarian tumors confirmed the presence of Gli1 transcript and a significant association between elevated Gli1 transcript levels and worsened survival. Conclusions/Significance IPI-926 treatment inhibits serous tumor growth suggesting the Hh signaling pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer and may hold promise as a novel therapeutic target, especially in the maintenance setting.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Hedgehog Proteins/genetics
- Hedgehog Proteins/metabolism
- Humans
- Maintenance Chemotherapy
- Mice
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/genetics
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/pathology
- Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics
- Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Stromal Cells/drug effects
- Stromal Cells/metabolism
- Stromal Cells/pathology
- Survival Analysis
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Veratrum Alkaloids/pharmacology
- Veratrum Alkaloids/therapeutic use
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K. McCann
- Department of Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Whitfield B. Growdon
- Department of Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kashmira Kulkarni-Datar
- Department of Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Michael D. Curley
- Department of Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Anne M. Friel
- Department of Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Proctor
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hana Sheikh
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Igor Deyneko
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeanne A. Ferguson
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Vinod Vathipadiekal
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Birrer
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Darrell R. Borger
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gayatry Mohapatra
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lawrence R. Zukerberg
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Rosemary Foster
- Department of Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John R. MacDougall
- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Bo R. Rueda
- Department of Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Chaudary N, Pintilie M, Hedley D, Fyles AW, Milosevic M, Clarke B, Hill RP, Mackay H. Hedgehog pathway signaling in cervical carcinoma and outcome after chemoradiation. Cancer 2011; 118:3105-15. [PMID: 22028038 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.26635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2011] [Revised: 09/12/2011] [Accepted: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hedgehog (Hh) signaling was assessed in patients with primary cervical carcinoma who were receiving chemoradiation. Because the up-regulation of Hh has been reported in response to hypoxia, the authors examined associations between Hh gene expression and measurements of HP5 (the percentage of oxygen pressure readings in each tumor <5 mm Hg) and interstitial fluid pressure (IFP). METHODS Sonic hedgehog (SHH), Indian hedgehog (IHH), patched 1 and 2 (PTCH1 and PTCH2), smoothened (SMO), and glioma-associated oncogene family zinc finger 1 (Gli1) expression levels were determined using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis on 85 frozen samples of primary cervical carcinoma and on 16 normal cervical samples. Clinicopathologic data were collected prospectively. Possible correlations between Hh expression and tumor hypoxia (HP5 and IFP) measured at the time of biopsy, the time to local recurrence, and disease-free survival (DFS) were examined. RESULTS At least 1 member of the Hh pathway was elevated in all but 1 tumor compared with normal tissue (P < .0001). Hh gene expression was heterogeneous with SHH, IHH, and GLI exhibiting bimodal distribution. Elevation of SHH expression (P = .04) and low SMO expression (P = .0007) were associated with HP5. The risk of local recurrence was associated with the up-regulation of SMO (hazard ratio [HR], 2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-5.82; P = .044), the up-regulation of >3 Hh genes (HR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.09-6.00; P = .026), tumor size (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.14-1.74; P = .0015), and lymph node-positive disease (HR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.16-6.86; P = .022). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of tumors that expressed Hh genes in cervical cancer was very high. The current data support a role for the Hh pathway in repopulation after chemoradiation and suggest that SMO may be a valid therapeutic target. The authors concluded that further investigation into this pathway after radiation and Hh inhibition are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naz Chaudary
- Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital and The Campbell Family Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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139
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Jiang L, Siu MKY, Wong OGW, Tam KF, Lu X, Lam EWF, Ngan HYS, Le XF, Wong ESY, Monteiro LJ, Chan HY, Cheung ANY. iASPP and chemoresistance in ovarian cancers: effects on paclitaxel-mediated mitotic catastrophe. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 17:6924-33. [PMID: 21926165 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-0588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE iASPP is a specific regulator of p53-mediated apoptosis. Herein, we provided the first report on the expression profile of iASPP in ovarian epithelial tumor and its effect on paclitaxel chemosensitivity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Expression and amplification status of iASPP was examined in 203 clinical samples and 17 cell lines using immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR, and immunoblotting, and correlated with clinicopathologic parameters. Changes in proliferation, mitotic catastrophe, apoptosis, and underlying mechanism in ovarian cancer cells of different p53 status following paclitaxel exposure were also analyzed. RESULTS The protein and mRNA expression of iASPP was found to be significantly increased in ovarian cancer samples and cell lines. High iASPP expression was significantly associated with clear cell carcinoma subtype (P = 0.003), carboplatin and paclitaxel chemoresistance (P = 0.04), shorter overall (P = 0.003), and disease-free (P = 0.001) survival. Multivariate analysis confirmed iASPP expression as an independent prognostic factor. Increased iASPP mRNA expression was significantly correlated with gene amplification (P = 0.023). iASPP overexpression in ovarian cancer cells conferred resistance to paclitaxel by reducing mitotic catastrophe in a p53-independent manner via activation of separase, whereas knockdown of iASPP enhanced paclitaxel-mediated mitotic catastrophe through inactivating separase. Both securin and cyclin B1/CDK1 complex were involved in regulating separase by iASPP. Conversely, overexpressed iASPP inhibited apoptosis in a p53-dependent mode. CONCLUSIONS Our data show an association of iASPP overexpression with gene amplification in ovarian cancer and suggest a role of iASPP in poor patient outcome and chemoresistance, through blocking mitotic catastrophe. iASPP should be explored further as a potential prognostic marker and target for chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Jiang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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140
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He HC, Chen JH, Chen XB, Qin GQ, Cai C, Liang YX, Han ZD, Dai QS, Chen YR, Zeng GH, Zhu JG, Jiang FN, Zhong WD. Expression of hedgehog pathway components is associated with bladder cancer progression and clinical outcome. Pathol Oncol Res 2011; 18:349-55. [PMID: 21861243 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-011-9451-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been implicated in the tumorigenesis of a large number of human tumors. But its effects on the progression and prognosis of bladder cancer remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate expression patterns of Hh pathway components in bladder cancer and to elucidate their prognostic values in this tumor. The expression of sonic hedgehog (Shh), its receptor Patched (Ptch1), and downstream transcription factor Gli1 in 118 specimens of bladder cancer and 30 specimens of adjacent normal bladder tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses were applied to test the relationship between the expression of these three proteins and clinicopathologic features and prognosis. Immunohistochemical staining results showed the localizations of Shh and Ptch1 proteins to be mainly located in the cytoplasm of bladder cancer cells, whereas Gli1 was mainly localized in the nuclear of tumor cells. Additionally, positive expression of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 proteins was correlated with pathological stage (P = 0.006, 0.006 and 0.008, respectively), venous invasion (P = 0.01, 0.01 and 0.012, respectively) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.009, 0.01 and 0.013, respectively), but not with other factors including age, gender, tumor grade and recurrence of superficial cancer. Moreover, patients with positive expression of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 proteins respectively showed poorer disease-free (P = 0.002, 0.002 and 0.001, respectively) and overall survival (all P < 0.001) than those with negative expression of these three proteins. Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors in bladder cancer patients indicated that the expression patterns of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 proteins were independent unfavorable prognostic factors (all P < 0.001). This is the first report describing about the correlation between Hh pathway and the prognosis of bladder cancer. Expression of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 proteins was greater in bladder cancers than in the adjacent normal tissues. The examination of their expression is potentially valuable in prognostic evaluation of bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Chan He
- Department of Urology, Guangzhou First Municipal People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, 510180, China
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Harris LG, Samant RS, Shevde LA. Hedgehog signaling: networking to nurture a promalignant tumor microenvironment. Mol Cancer Res 2011; 9:1165-74. [PMID: 21775419 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-11-0175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In addition to its role in embryonic development, the Hedgehog pathway has been shown to be an active participant in cancer development, progression, and metastasis. Although this pathway is activated by autocrine signaling by Hedgehog ligands, it can also initiate paracrine signaling with cells in the microenvironment. This creates a network of Hedgehog signaling that determines the malignant behavior of the tumor cells. As a result of paracrine signal transmission, the effects of Hedgehog signaling most profoundly influence the stromal cells that constitute the tumor microenvironment. The stromal cells in turn produce factors that nurture the tumor. Thus, such a resonating cross-talk can amplify Hedgehog signaling, resulting in molecular chatter that overall promotes tumor progression. Inhibitors of Hedgehog signaling have been the subject of intense research. Several of these inhibitors are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Here, we review the role of the Hedgehog pathway in the signature characteristics of cancer cells that determine tumor development, progression, and metastasis. This review condenses the latest findings on the signaling pathways that are activated and/or regulated by molecules generated from Hedgehog signaling in cancer and cites promising clinical interventions. Finally, we discuss future directions for identifying the appropriate patients for therapy, developing reliable markers of efficacy of treatment, and combating resistance to Hedgehog pathway inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillianne G Harris
- University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, Alabama 36604, USA
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Li YC, Deng YH, Guo ZH, Zhang MM, Zhu J, Pu CL, Xiang CP, Guo CB. Prognostic value of hedgehog signal component expressions in hepatoblastoma patients. Eur J Med Res 2011; 15:468-74. [PMID: 21159571 PMCID: PMC3352655 DOI: 10.1186/2047-783x-15-11-468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Activation of hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been implicated in the development of human malignancies. Hh as well as related downstream target genes has been extensively studied in many kinds of malignant tumours for clinical diagnostic or prognostic utilities. This study aimed at investigating whether Hh molecules provides a molecular marker of hepatoblastoma malignancy. METHODS We obtained tissue sections from 32 patients with hepatoblastoma as well as cholestasis and normal control. Immunohistochemical analysis were performed to determine Hh signal components in human hepatoblastoma. The prognostic significance of single expression of Hh signal components were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for statistical analysis. RESULTS Expression of Hh signal components showed an increase in hepatoblastoma compared with cholestasis and normal tissues. There was a positive correlation between Smo or Gli1 expression and tumor clinicopathological features, such as histological type, tumor grade, tumor size and clinical stage. Both Smo or Gli1 protein high expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis by univariate analyses and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal Hh signaling activation plays important roles in the malignant potential of hepatoblastoma. Gli1 expression is an independent prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Cun Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 22 Zhongshan Rd., Chongqing, 400014, PR China
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143
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Fu X, Yang X, Li J, Tian X, Cai J, Zhang Y. Opposite expression patterns of Sonic hedgehog and Indian hedgehog are associated with aberrant methylation status of their promoters in colorectal cancers. Pathology 2011; 42:553-9. [PMID: 20854074 DOI: 10.3109/00313025.2010.508785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway in colorectal cancers (CRCs) is controversial, and its regulation mechanism remains to be elucidated. In the present study we attempted to clarify the regulatory mechanism of the expression of Hh ligands during colorectal carcinogenesis. METHODS Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to characterise expressions of the SHH, IHH and GLI1 genes in 36 CRCs, and the findings compared to 21 hyperplastic polyps and 32 colorectal adenomas. In addition, the methylation status of the SHH and IHH promoters in these samples were investigated. RESULTS Expressions of SHH and GLI1 proteins were increased significantly in CRCs compared with those in hyperplastic polyps and colorectal adenomas (p<0.01 for both). In contrast, IHH was almost lost in both colorectal adenomas and CRCs. Furthermore, DNA methylation analysis revealed that the frequency of SHH methylation in CRCs (20.6%) was significantly lower than that in colorectal adenomas (72.4%, p<0.001) and hyperplastic polyps (64.7%, p = 0.002). IHH promoter methylation was frequently observed in colorectal adenomas (55.2%, p = 0.004) and CRCs (70.6%, p<0.001) compared with that in hyperplastic polyps (11.8%). CONCLUSION SHH hypomethylation could lead to the SHH dependent activation of Hh pathway in CRCs. On the other hand, down-regulation of IHH expression as a result of hypermethylation, may be an early event in colorectal carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangsheng Fu
- Institute for Digestive Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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144
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Liu H, Gu D, Xie J. Clinical implications of hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CANCER 2011; 30:13-26. [PMID: 21192841 PMCID: PMC3137255 DOI: 10.5732/cjc.010.10540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2010] [Revised: 11/25/2010] [Accepted: 11/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog was first described in Drosophila melanogaster by the Nobel laureates Eric Wieschaus and Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard. The hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a major regulator of cell differentiation, proliferation, tissue polarity, stem cell maintenance, and carcinogenesis. The first link of Hh signaling to cancer was established through studies of a rare familial disease, Gorlin syndrome, in 1996. Follow-up studies revealed activation of this pathway in basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma and, leukemia as well as in gastrointestinal, lung, ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer. Targeted inhibition of Hh signaling is now believed to be effective in the treatment and prevention of human cancer. The discovery and synthesis of specific inhibitors for this pathway are even more exciting. In this review, we summarize major advances in the understanding of Hh signaling pathway activation in human cancer, mouse models for studying Hh-mediated carcinogenesis, the roles of Hh signaling in tumor development and metastasis, antagonists for Hh signaling and their clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailan Liu
- Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA
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145
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Jiang L, Siu MKY, Wong OGW, Tam KF, Lam EWF, Ngan HYS, Le XF, Wong ESY, Chan HY, Cheung ANY. Overexpression of proto-oncogene FBI-1 activates membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase in association with adverse outcome in ovarian cancers. Mol Cancer 2010; 9:318. [PMID: 21176152 PMCID: PMC3022670 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-9-318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 12/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background FBI-1 (factor that binds to the inducer of short transcripts of human immunodeficiency virus-1) is a member of the POK (POZ and Kruppel) family of transcription factors and play important roles in cellular differentiation and oncogenesis. Recent evidence suggests that FBI-1 is expressed at high levels in a subset of human lymphomas and some epithelial solid tumors. However, the function of FBI-1 in human ovarian cancers remains elusive. Results In this study, we investigated the role of FBI-1 in human ovarian cancers, in particularly, its function in cancer cell invasion via modulating membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP). Significantly higher FBI-1 protein and mRNA expression levels were demonstrated in ovarian cancers samples and cell lines compared with borderline tumors and benign cystadenomas. Increased FBI-1 mRNA expression was correlated significantly with gene amplification (P = 0.037). Moreover, higher FBI-1 expression was found in metastatic foci (P = 0.036) and malignant ascites (P = 0.021), and was significantly associated with advanced stage (P = 0.012), shorter overall survival (P = 0.032) and disease-free survival (P = 0.016). In vitro, overexpressed FBI-1 significantly enhanced cell migration and invasion both in OVCA 420 and SKOV-3 ovarian carcinoma cells, irrespective of p53 status, accompanied with elevated expression of MT1-MMP, but not MMP-2 or TIMP-2. Moreover, knockdown of MT1-MMP abolished FBI-1-mediated cell migration and invasion. Conversely, stable knockdown of FBI-1 remarkably reduced the motility of these cells with decreased expression of MT1-MMP. Promoter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation study indicated that FBI-1 could directly interact with the promoter spanning ~600bp of the 5'-flanking sequence of MT1-MMP and enhanced its expression in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, stable knockdown and ectopic expression of FBI-1 decreased and increased cell proliferation respectively in OVCA 420, but not in the p53 null SKOV-3 cells. Conclusions Our results suggested an important role of FBI-1 in ovarian cancer cell proliferation, cell mobility, and invasiveness, and that FBI-1 can be a potential target of chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Jiang
- Department of Pathology and, The University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
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146
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Chen XL, Cheng QY, She MR, Wang Q, Huang XH, Cao LQ, Fu XH, Chen JS. Expression of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Components in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cyclopamine-induced Apoptosis Through Bcl-2 Downregulation In Vitro. Arch Med Res 2010; 41:315-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2010.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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147
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Siu MKY, Wong ESY, Chan HY, Kong DSH, Woo NWS, Tam KF, Ngan HYS, Chan QKY, Chan DCW, Chan KYK, Cheung ANY. Differential expression and phosphorylation of Pak1 and Pak2 in ovarian cancer: effects on prognosis and cell invasion. Int J Cancer 2010; 127:21-31. [PMID: 19876919 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a gynecological malignancy with high mortality. Therefore, the identification of novel prognostic and therapeutic targets is important. p21-activated kinases (Paks) are involved in cytoskeleton reorganization. This study investigated the clinical significance of total and phosphorylated (p) Pak1 and Pak2 as well as their functional roles in ovarian cancer. Expressions of Pak1, p-Pak1 Thr(212), Pak2 and p-Pak2 Ser(20) in ovarian normal and cancerous cell lines as well as in clinical samples of ovarian tumors were evaluated. The effects of Pak1 and Pak2 on ovarian cancer cell functions were determined. Pak1, p-Pak1 and p-Pak2 were overexpressed in ovarian cancer cell lines, and clinical samples of ovarian cancers were compared with benign ovarian lesions/inclusion cysts. Similar Pak2 expression levels were observed among normal and cancerous cell lines and clinical samples. After multiple testing correction, high Pak1 and nuclear p-Pak1 expression in ovarian cancers was significantly associated with histological type and tumor grade, respectively. Pak1 and p-Pak1 expression was associated with poor overall and disease-free survival. Pak1 was an independent prognostic factor. Knockdown of Pak1 and Pak2 in ovarian cancer cell lines reduced cell migration and invasion but did not affect cell proliferation and apoptosis. Knockdown of Pak1 also reduced p38 activation and downregulated vascular endothelial growth factor. Conversely, ectopic Pak1 overexpression enhanced ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion in a kinase-dependent manner, along with increased p38 activation. Our findings suggest that Pak1, p-Pak1 and p-Pak2 play important roles in ovarian carcinogenesis. Pak1 and p-Pak1 may be potential prognostic markers and therapeutic molecular targets in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle K Y Siu
- Department of Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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148
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Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been implicated in a wide variety of human tumors, and early clinical trials with pathway antagonists have validated Hh signaling as a bona fide anticancer target. Despite these encouraging results, several issues surrounding the basic biology of the Hh pathway in human cancers remain unclear. These include the influence of specific oncogenic events on Hh signal transduction, the precise mode of Hh signaling (i.e., autocrine or paracrine) that occurs within human tumors, and the best means to inhibit aberrant pathway activity in the clinical setting. The cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis may explain a number of clinical phenomena, such as unchecked self-renewal and the development of metastatic disease, and to some extent, the Hh signaling pathway has been implicated in all of these processes. Therefore, Hh pathway inhibitors may also represent some of the first agents to formally examine the CSC hypothesis in the clinical setting. The diverse nature of Hh signaling in human cancers suggests that disease-specific factors must be carefully considered to identify the optimal use of novel pathway inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akil A Merchant
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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149
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Goel HL, Underwood JM, Nickerson JA, Hsieh CC, Languino LR. Beta1 integrins mediate cell proliferation in three-dimensional cultures by regulating expression of the sonic hedgehog effector protein, GLI1. J Cell Physiol 2010; 224:210-7. [PMID: 20333644 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The beta1 integrins play an important role in the modulation of cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. We have previously shown that beta1 integrins associate with insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF-IR) and regulate IGF-stimulated prostate cancer cell proliferation. In the present study, we find that downregulation of beta1 in prostate cancer cells inhibits IGF-IR and AKT activation. We also show that beta1 downregulation in two- and three-dimensional (3D) prostate cancer cell cultures significantly reduces expression of GLI1, a transcription factor known to be regulated by the IGF/AKT signaling pathway and to be a downstream effector of sonic hedgehog. Re-expression of GLI1 rescues the inhibitory effect of beta1 downregulation on prostate cancer cell proliferation in 3D cultures. We find that downregulation of beta1 significantly reduces surface expression of the associated alpha 5 integrin subunit. Our results indicate that the beta1/IGF-IR complex regulates expression of GLI1, which in turn promotes cancer cell proliferation in 3D cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira Lal Goel
- Department of Cancer Biology, Prostate Cancer Discovery and Development Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
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150
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Wang K, Pan L, Che X, Cui D, Li C. Sonic Hedgehog/GLI₁ signaling pathway inhibition restricts cell migration and invasion in human gliomas. Neurol Res 2010; 32:975-80. [PMID: 20444323 DOI: 10.1179/016164110x12681290831360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that aberrant activation of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)/GLI1 signaling pathway is involved in many kinds of human malignancies. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that inhibiting the pathway results in tumor regression for a fraction of gliomas which harbor an active pathway. However, little is known about the linkage between the SHH/GLI1 signaling pathway and cell migration and invasion in gliomas. In this study, we showed that GLI1 expression closely correlates with pathological grades of human gliomas by immunohistochemistry analysis of 110 cases of surgically-resected glioma tissues. Moreover, we used cyclopamine and RNA interference technique to block the SHH/GLI1 signaling to investigate the in vitro changes of glioma cells. The result showed that suppression of the pathway markedly inhibited glioma cell migration and invasion. The following quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that decreased expressions of Snail, MMP9, and increased E-cadherin expression coincided with GLI1 knockout. Collectively, our results raise the possibility that SHH/GLI1 is a potentially anti-invasive target for therapeutic intervention in human gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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